RCW: Moral Dilemma

Posted on Sat Jan 3rd, 2026 @ 11:33pm by Gold Rider Lana & Bronze Rider I'han & Bronze Rider Ni’hau

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: RCW
Timeline: M4 D8

Lana stopped for a moment outside the door outside diamond wing leaders office. She could hear I’han and Ni’hau talking inside. She tapped on the door and slipped inside with a smile. “Hello Bronze Riders.”
She greeted as I’han instantly shot to his feet, nearly spilling his mug of klah in his surprise to show some type of formality to the Weyrwoman appearing

“Weyrwoman.” Her friend was glad to see that the Weyrleader had not shouted at her enough that she was showing it after her trip north. “You are well?”

Ni’hau stood at a much more reasonable pace than his wing second, offering the Weyrwoman a nod of respect. “Weyrwoman,” he replied. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“I need to talk to you but I guess seeing you both are here and he’s already aware. What do you know about timing?” Lana asked quietly.

“Lan…” I’han whispered before Lana shot him a look that stopped him instantly.

Ni’hau hesitated. He wasn’t technically allowed to talk about it, but it WAS the Weyrwoman, after all. He blinked twice, then took a breath. “I… have done it,” he replied slowly. “Twice. Both times sanctioned by the Weyr. I know how it’s done. I know that it is extremely dangerous and exhausting. Other than that… well, I suppose that’s all there is.”

“Ni’hau…” I’han flung his hands up in disbelief that the bronze rider was even telling her anything at all. The younger man narrowed his eyes. “The Weyrleader is not going to like this.” He whispered mostly to himself already seeing yelling.

“And how do you do it?” She demanded ignoring I’han’s moral dilemma over it all.

Ni’hau glanced nervously between I’han and Lana. “I, uh…” he stammered. “I don’t think I’m comfortable discussing that. Unless I know what it’s for. Then maybe.”

“And I am not comfortable with riders knowing how to do something I do not know how to do.” Lana shot back, making I’han wince. This was not going to go well. “The north kept this from the south even when thread returned.”

Ni’hau let out a tense sigh. She had a point. He understood why the north had kept it a secret, but he also felt they deserved to know. After all, it had allowed them to get ahead of unexpected Threadfall and save countless lives. What if an unexpected fall happened in the South? They should be able to do the same thing, right?

“That is a fair point,” he said slowly. “I can teach you and the Weyrleader how to do it, but it should not be shared with anyone unless absolutely necessary.”

“Several riders are fully aware of what it is. Nerlyn made it happen regularly.” Lana said knowing they both were aware of the dragonless rider. I’han shook his head, it still made no sense to him how they never worked it out properly.

“Which explains so much.” I’han said rolling his eyes thinking of all the nights he had found her asleep in the dining cavern or coming in late claiming sweeps or something as mundane.

“The Weyrleader will never allow it to happen so I just need to know.” Lana said firmly.

“Very well,” Ni’hau conceded. “I can tell you the theory, but it’s best if Zaijianth and I show you.

He felt an instant protest from the bronze, but calmed him quickly; he didn’t need the other dragons getting wind of this. Not yet anyway.

“Just the theory will do.” Lana assured as Kalaith perked up from her ledge at her riders sudden fierceness. I’han just sat there with his head in his hands knowing this was going to end in something angry between the weyrleaders.

Ni’hau debated having Zaijianth call the Weyrleader, but ultimately decided to trust that she would pass the information along. “Just as a dragon needs to know WHERE to go, he also needs to know WHEN to go,” he said. “Most commonly, this is done by the sun’s position in the sky, if you’re going to earlier the same day, or, if you need to go farther, you can use the red star’s position. It isn’t very exact, so overshooting is common, but usually only by a couple of hours.” He paused for a moment. “But please, be careful. Even if it’s a life or death situation, be very careful.”

“Nerlyn used thread fall and the red star.” Lana said quietly thinking about all the dates and times in the note book that she had found. That lined up with what S’cir had explained at High Reaches. “I am not planning to do it.” She assured quickly as I’han shook his head.

Ni’hau let out a little sigh of relief. He didn’t want to be responsible for losing the Weyrwoman. “Respectfully, Weyrwoman,” he said. “Why did you need to know if you weren’t planning on using it? I suppose pure curiosity is valid, however unlikely.”

“I wanted to know if how Nerlyn said she did it was possible. I did not trust the Weyrleader of High Reaches to give me all the information.” Lana said firmly. She now had three people’s confirmation on how timing was done.

Ni’hau had to resist the urge to ask if that’s how she had lost her dragon. He had put two and two together during their discussion and had a burning curiosity. But also, it would help drive home his point about how dangerous it was. But, Nerlyn’s business was none of his, so he refrained. “The theory is simple,” he said quietly. “But the practice is not. We lost three good riders that way.”

“I have heard something similar from High Reaches Weyrleader.” Lana said knowing he was trying to scare her but she was too determined to be put off completely. “I thank you for your assistance and information.” Lana inclined her head as she turned to leave.

Ni’hau sighed as she left. “I have a feeling that’s going to come back to bite me,” he said to I’han.

“Oh without a doubt. Maybe you might want to preempt and tell the Weyrleader.” I’han commented running hand through his hair and frowned.

“That might not be a bad idea,” agreed Ni’hau, rubbing his forehead in thought.

“Want me to come as moral support?” He asked his fellow bronze rider as Kanoth stirred from his napping at the tension he was feeling.

Ni’hau considered this for a moment before replying, “that’s probably a good idea. Not so much for moral support, but to help me recall details that may be important. Two heads are better than one and all.”

“Oh this is going to be more moral support for the Weyrleader when he finds out why Lana has asked.” I’han countered, shaking his head as he pushed off from the couch and rubbed his eyes. This was going to either be deadly calm or the Weyrleader was going to get very angry. “His wing should be back from drills soon.” I’han said quietly. “Shall we wait outside his office like troubled weyrlings?” He pondered.

Ni’hau grinned darkly. “I suppose the sooner the better,” he said. “I’ll have Zaijianth tell Zarminath as soon as they’re on the ground.”