DH: Walking The Tables (1/2)

Posted on Sat Jul 5th, 2025 @ 2:40pm by Blue Rider N'raen & Green Rider Lyna & Jr Journeyman Nerlyn & Master Craftman Jameas & Bronze Rider K'ron

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Dolphin Craft Hall
Timeline: M3 D3

The golden sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and rose as the dolphineers gathered on the sandy shores of Dolphin Hall. The rhythmic lapping of waves and the cheerful chatter of dolphins filled the air and Nerlyn had never seen quite so many people there in all honesty as Tyreth swept them down gracefully to the hall. Nerlyn jumped down with a squirming Raen in her arms looking confused a little as she took in the decorated pier and the way people were looking in her direction suddenly. Jameas rushed over as he saw Nerlyn arriving. The dolphin master was in his late forties, tall and willowy with grey streak grey hair. “Good evening Nerlyn. Raen. Wingleader.” The man greeted easily.

Tyreth lay down so his passengers could get off before watching the dolphins. The dragon loved the dolphins but this didn't seem like the time to play.

K'ron inclined his head to Jameas. “The place looks very nice,” he commented.

“Well it is a special day.” He glanced at Nerlyn smirking a little. He had to reveal the real reason and not leave them in suspense any longer. “It is not every day your wife walks the tables now is it rider?” The man said with a deep rumble of laughter as Nerlyn whirled around.

“Walk the tables?” Nerlyn muttered. She had been at the craft 3 turns. Surely that was not enough time?

K'ron blinked in surprise. “Walk the tables? Well now that is very special,” he agrees, looking over at Nerlyn. “Guessing you didn't know?” He questioned his mate, seeing confusion written on her face.

“I… I….I would have told you. We do not have secrets.” Nerlyn said paling a little. She was not sure what to say. She was not used to having praise or being pushed forward.

“Dolphineers do not know when they are walking the tables.” Jameas laughed at the confusion. It was always a pleasure to do this part of the ritual of Pern. “Come along Nerlyn before your son bursts with excitement.”

The bronze rider nodded. “I know you would have,” he smiled, taking Raen from his mother so she could follow Jameas. Koda cheeped excitedly from K'ron's shoulder. “That is great news though, love.”

“But surely I have not learned enough Master Jamaes.” Nerlyn spluttered making the Dolphin Master turn to look at the dragonless
rider and smiled patiently looping her arm through his before she could run off

“The length of time depends on the individual’s dedication, skill, and the specific Craft they are studying. You have used every skill of a dragon rider to bring a new approach to dolphineering allowing us to thrive again. How could any of us hold you back when you teach us as much as we teach you. You have earned this Nerlyn.” Raen grinned at his father as he could hear dolphins in the water, chattering excitedly, as they are just as much a part of the ceremony as the dolphineers themselves.

K'ron smiled proudly. He couldn't be happier for her. He knew she had put her heart and soul into the craft. Although he hadn't realized she had been teaching them things too. “Congratulations, Nerlyn,” he grinned, bouncing their son in his arms. He had no doubt the boy wanted to be out with the dolphins.

“Mama is going to cry.” Raen whispered laughing as he spotted N’raen and Lyna walking towards them.

“Master Jameas invited us to watch.” N’raen explained as they joined the Bronze Rider as Nerlyn was pulled to where everyone was waiting.

K’ron smiled at his son. “I think you're right, but this is a very special day for your mama.” He smiled at the other two riders. “I'm glad you're both here.”

“We watched her impress. Would not be right if we did not watch her walk the table.” It was strange for Lyna to worry about Nerlyn as a mother when she had spent 30 turns not having that kind of relationship with her daughter but it was something she had found herself yurning for as Raen leaned out to her. It might be easier to get his grandmother to let him down.

Nerlyn stepped up to the table and turned to listen to the words that the Master Dolphineer would say about her. “Today, we gather not just to celebrate an achievement, but to honour a journey,” she said, her voice carrying over the waves. “Nerlyn, you came to us bearing the weight of grief and a past many would struggle to leave behind.” Nerlyn squeezed her hands into her nails to keep herself focused. “Yet you embraced this Craft with dedication, compassion, and a heart wide enough to hold both the skies and the seas. It is my great honor to invite you to Walk the Tables.”

K'ron nodded. he had been young when Nerlyn Impressed but he did remember the day. He chuckled softly as Raen tried to get to Lyna. He had no doubt the little boy wanted down to reek some sort of havoc.

The bronze rider quietly listened to the words said, trying to hold back his own emotions. he couldn't keep a smile off his face though as he watched his mate and best friend.
A ripple of applause followed, and Nerlyn stepped forward, her bare feet sinking slightly into the warm sand as she passed over the little pouch that was currently holding the little fire lizard she had. The long table set along the shore was adorned with shells, sea-glass, and garlands of bright tropical flowers.
As Nerlyn began her walk, dolphins leapt joyfully, their whistles and clicks forming an otherworldly music. Along the table, fellow dolphineers tapped their hands in rhythm, a beat that matched the steady pulse of the waves. Raen closed his eyes listening to the sound. “It’s beautiful.” He said trying to match the sound tapping on K’ron’s shoulder. N’raen leaned over wrapping his arms around Lyna who had tears rolling down her face as she whispered to her mate about making the right decision.
“We did.” N’raen whispered so Raen could not hear how his mother had nearly not made it this far.
K'ron nodded as he listened to the dolphins. Tyreth and Koda added their own special trills to the excitement. “It is beautiful,” he agreed with his son, smiling as the boy tapped on his shoulder. he couldn't believe they had all made it this far. So many things had happened and he didn't even want to think about how many times they nearly lost Nerlyn.

At the far end of the table Craftmaster Jamaes climbed from the water, holding the symbol of Nerlyn’s new rank: a badge made of polished mother-of-pearl, etched with the image of a dolphin leaping over a wave as well as her craft ropes. Nerlyn paused as she reached the end of the table not sure if she knelt or not but as she decided to kneel the man stopped her. “We do not kneel in this craft.” He said with his usual easy going smile that Nerlyn could understand why Tula like him for a moment. “You can recite the promise and pledge.”

Nerlyn nodded, still trying to get her brain to catch up with her body. “I pledge to serve the sea and the land, to honor the bond between dolphin and human, and to use my knowledge and skill for the betterment of all Pern. By wave and tide, I walk this path." She said in a soft voice as she glanced to K’ron and winked.

K'ron flashed her a smile. She had done it. She had truly made a new start in life and this just how strong she was. “Mama did it,” he whispered to Raen.

N’raen slammed K’ron on the back and the trills from the dragons made several dolphineers jump in suprise but they soon settled and smiled as The Craftmaster pinned the badge to Nerlyn’s tunic and handed her a finely wrought rope knife. “This blade is a reminder of your strength and the partnership you have embraced. You are now Journeyman Nerlyn of the Dolphineer Craft.”

“Thank you.” Nerlyn said in a soft voice not sure what else to say as the ropes of an apprentice were removed and the slightly bigger ones of a journeyman replaced it. They felt comfortable just like the wing third of onyx wing had felt against her shoulders. Oceania chirped in the distance excited that her person was being celebrated.

K'ron had to take a step forward from N'raen's enthusiastic slapped but he couldn't blame the man. It was a perfect day. Koda sat up on his hind legs and chirped excitedly for his adoptive pet as Tyreth bugled. K'ron caught Nerlyn’s eye and grinned, wiping a happy tear from his eyes.

Nerlyn smiled at the man and mouthed that she loved him as she jumped into the ocean to signify her leap into her new life. She was relieved that she had chosen a light dress as it clung around her ankles as she stepped out to where her dolphin was. Oceania swam up to Nerlyn, holding a small seaweed wreath in her mouth. Nerlyn laughed—a sound of pure joy—and waded further into the water to receive it. Oceania placed the wreath on Nerlyn’s head not caring that the dress was now soaked and clinging to her. Jamaes smiled proudly at the younger woman and he indicated that they should go back to shore.

“Look Raen,” K'ron whispered, pointing towards Nerlyn and Oceania. He couldn't be prouder and she seemed so happy. He was grateful to everyone in the dolphin craft that had helped his mate to overcome all the obstacles she had had to face.

“Yes mama!” The little boy yelled loudly making Nerlyn turn to grin at the boy and start to make her way back to shore. She wasted no time running to K’ron and Raen kissing them both before she looked at N’raen and Lyna, surprised that they were there.

“Tula and Jamaes told us and well we were not going to miss it.” Lyna said not sure of herself suddenly before Nerlyn clutched the older woman close.

“Thanks mother.” Nerlyn said stepping back to hug the blue rider.

“No matter whether you are a rider or crafter we are proud.” N’raen whispered as he stepped back and took in her craft badge.

K'ron laughed at their son. He caught Nerlyn up in his arms. “I'm so proud of you, love,” he whispered, kissing her back before she turned to face her parents. He could see she was surprised but it didn't take long to know it was a good surprise.

Nerlyn wanted to cry but she resisted the urge as several people around her age came over to congratulate her before leaving her with her family once again. “Come here little one. We can go and explore together.” Lyna said finally taking Raen as he wiggled desperately trying to get down to explore. N’raen looked torn between wanting to stay with Nerlyn or go with his mate but Lyna’s indication was enough to sway him to go and attempt to keep his grandson out of the water.

“Here journeywoman.” A young woman said passing back the small pouch that held the sleeping fire lizard in. Nerlyn touched her hands.

“Thank you Jailia.” She smiled taking the pouch attaching it around her neck again.

K'ron finally released his son to Lyna. He was surprised the little boy had stayed patient as long as he did. Once he knew Raen was safe with his grandparents he turned his attention back to Nerlyn. “Nice surprise,” he commented as he moved to hug her while being careful of the little green.

Nerlyn kissed Raen as he disappeared off with the green and blue riders leaving her alone with the bronze rider. “Cold and clinging surprise.” She whispered looking down at her dress clinging to her as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her in. She looked up at him caressing his cheek with her thumb.

He tried not to laugh. “I see that,” he grinned, kissing her hair. “Here, take my jacket.” he shrugged out of it and slipped it around Nerlyn's shoulders before pulling her close again. “How does it feel to be a journeyman?”

“No one needs to see so I am not wearing a chest band other than you thank you.” She giggled a little, doing the jacket up relieved that no one could see anything as it was covered perfectly. “Strange. I thought I would have a lot longer to wait and learn but I have been doing things like ship duties and lessons.” She admitted with a shrug. She was still trying to wrap her head around it all.

K'ron raised a brow at his mate. “Really?” He asked, not really surprised by her words if he were honest. He shrugged. “They must have seen something very special in you. From what I have heard you are doing well and being a big help to the others as well. You deserve it,” he said, holding her close.

Nerlyn shrugged. She was not sure but she was not used to not being the screw up. She was the one who got into trouble and caused chaos. “Really! I am not used to being the one who isn’t a screw up.” She frowned. “Only F’cone and K’yar ever thought I was not that.” A’ren spent most of his weyrleadership before she lost Leaneth yelling at her for some type of chaos she had caused. She only got away with it because she was so good at other things.

“Really?” K'ron asked. “You're not a screw up. I never thought you were.” He did wish she could see how special she was. They all made mistakes but she had been trying to protect the Weyr. “And F'cone and K'yar saw that too.”

“They just wanted paperwork done.” She shrugged blushing at his words as she slowly pulled back, taking his hands as they slid from her waist. Nerlyn felt the weight of her loss lift slightly. Her greens absence would always be a part of her, but here, amidst the sea and the dolphins, she had found a new purpose—a way to serve Pern once more.

The bronze rider raised a brow. “Just hidework? Love you know that the hidework is hard work.” He hated it but knew it needed done. He gently squeezed her hands. “Love you, Nerlyn. And I am so proud of you.”

“It kept me out of trouble towards the end,” She shrugged, trying to not think about it all as he declared how proud he was of her. “I know you are, wingleader. Much like I am proud of you and you know how much I love you.” She leaned up and kissed him again.

He nodded. He knew that was true. And once she had lost her green she had needed something to keep her mind occupied and with them. K'ron smiled before leaning into her kiss. This had certainly been a great surprise.

“Stop kissing you two and come join the bonfire.” Master Jamaes called, making Nerlyn laugh, pulling back a little from the kiss. “Save me those kisses for later,” she said grinning a little as the seaweed crown slipped a little off her head.

K'ron chuckled, reluctantly letting her go. “I can definitely do that, journeywoman,” he whispered, reaching up to right the crown on her head. “Come on then.”