The “court” was a petty thing, two benches and a bit of canvas lashed up for shade. But, of course, Gwillanth wasn’t going to be moved from her eggs just for mediation, and Issrodeth was unavailable. The two holders faced one another with Shayled nearly right in between them, Gwillanth only a little further back.
It wasn’t rare that Holders came to the Weyr for mediation, but they preferred the Halls. Much more bureaucratic, easier to sway or bribe -- but inevitably a drawn out process. Unacceptable for this one...
“We need the wells,” one said, wringing his hands.
The other was more stolid. “Not without payment in kind, the land and the water is ours,” he said.
Shayled and Gwillanth had watched this argument play back and forth for an hour, from the most rarefied of requests to this, what it really came down to. The first Holder looked to Shayled for support, crying out, “We need water! For our fields, for our men!”
Before the first had a chance to retort, Shayled raised her hand and stepped forward. “This land, that land,” she said, gesturing left and right. “It’s hard for us dragonriders to understand. You fly up high enough the fences disappear and it all looks like the same badland. What I can understand is a fair deal. And you,” she looked at the greedy holder, “are trying to profit, not make a deal.
“I don’t care who owns the land, you both need the water and you both will be allowed to draw from the wells. The Weyr can hear talk about payment next turn, just before the rains return. For now, it is enough to call these times unprecedented and worth emergency use.”
Gwillanth chuffed, making both Holders start. It is a rotten thing to deny your neighbor water. Next time, we shall see how you deal without the fire we so kindly lend you in Threadfall.
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The Virtues series is the last chance for your dragonet to reflect on themself as an unbonded individual, and the last chance to sort out what they would like in a bond. When Hatching and Impression come, what went before will fade into dream. What does the virtue on display mean to your dragonet? How important is it in their choice of rider? Is this lesson one that will stick with them, or does it seem of no consequence?