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Nash was right but Bereck did not appreciate him making an assessment of his apprentice like that. Bereck's lips pressed together a little. "That is not for you to judge," he said flatly, "all that need concern you is that she didn't want the life that has been thrust upon her. I am sure she will cope admirably." Would she? What if she wasn't alright? "And flying in the queen wing is hardly flying," he added with a 'tsk'. "Those flamethrowers are only suited to taking out tiny whisps of thread that have slipped through... but that wasn't what we were talking about. Mmh. You may be old but if you act now, not too old. You already have some experience, that will help. You could be a healer if you really wanted to be, but here in Trine if you become a rider you never will be."

Bereck gave another sharp tsk of disapproval and shook his head. "Well you'll find it the same at any Weyr, save that all the others would look down on your brother's dragon because she's a 'runt'," the healer made air quotes, lips curling with disgust at the slur as he uttered it.

"Think about it though," Bereck continued, curling his arm around his side without noticing he was doing so. "Speak to the Weyrhealer too, she had ultimate authority on new apprentices taken on here.... Although there are other potential options. You will be aware, I assume, of the rogue gold rider?" He had told Natai he would spread the word far and wide, and if nothing more this boy's trader connections could be of use.

Bereck gave a small nod, wishing somewhat that he were more adept at subtlety, hinting or... well it was no good if the boy didn't get the message now was it? "She is doing well," he said after a moment. "And what she said of her plans at her home hold before the Wherholders attacked still holds true. A Weyrhold, a place with a different way of doing things."

Pausing for a moment Bereck checked through the firelizards that nobody was observing them. Once he had ascertained that they were not he continued. "A place were riders of every colour have a say in how things are run, and non riders too. A place where mating flights don't decide leadership, where anyone who proves themselves capable can lead either in the skies or in politics.... Of course there's a lot of work to be done," Bereck gave a minute shrug, "nothing worthwhile comes easily though, almost nothing at least. She is looking for people to join her, people willing to work to build something better." Would that sound like a more attractive notion to the boy? Perhaps.

"Mmh?" Bereck's eyebrows rose. "Leaving? Trine won't be pleased about that, and what does your brother plan to do when she rises? Potentially clutches? Do you have the resources to deal with that? As for the location, that isn't mine to disclose... not yet at least." Stroking the crimson firelizard that had just alighted in his lap Bereck regarded Nash with sharp blue eyes, trying to discern what it was the youth was thinking. He was not especially successful and so he continued with; "If you are intrigued however I can arrange for you and V'ail to meet her to discuss it further."

"Ah-ah!" Bereck's eyebrows rose further and he raised three fingers to Nash. "On this whole continent there are three Weyrs. Only one of them welcomes atypes, an with the current political situation no Weyr welcomes an unknown dragon. If you think she wouldn't have any problems you are sorely mistaken. Instinct would drive her to seek out other dragons and that would in all likelihood not go well... and in light of that fact you are wise to request a meeting. Wandering into the wildness with no plan to build a settlement to support you is a poor choice for any rider of a dragon that could clutch. Would V'ail truly take the risk to his dragon and her potential offspring that she 'probably' won't clutch?"

Shaking his head and giving a 'tsk' Bereck turned his mind to the other matters that had been raised. "You could ask, and in part I've answered it. She does not plan to travel and all of us involved are working to build a place that can indeed support a clutch. Her gold is too young yet to rise, there is time to prepare. Spending a life on the road is a different matter entirely." Solve them together though, humm?... "Please," Bereck prompted by force of habit, "manners cost you nothing, boy. I will arrange it though. Perhaps it would be easiest for Berath to tell Lanterneth when and where?"

"You're wrong," Bereck said flatly, "Traders do not wander around with dragons acting as 'wardens' for them. Are you entirely dense? Wrapped in happy delusions?" Sighing heavily the healer rubbed his forehead. "At least you've had the sense not to charge off and attempt it yet," he muttered, "it's the most ridiculous thing I've head all sevenday and I routinely deal with twelve year olds and their fancies so that's saying something."

Not the first time that he had been reminded, but apparently he hadn't learned. Not that Bereck himself had always been perfectly polite but at least when he'd been a rude teenager he hadn't been a stupid rude teenager.

Lowering his hand from his head Bereck's fingers came to rest on the top of his cane, thumb rubbing lightly at the elegant pattern embossed upon the silver. "I hope not to have to remind you again," he said, tones a little clipped and gaze still sharp. "Regardless, I will do it," he added without pause, "Berath will give her the time and coordinates to between to. You will find Natai there." And she could decide for herself whether or not she wanted them around.

Bereck sighed and shook his head, seeing little point in drawing the boy's attention to the fact that the entirety of Pern was either stagnated in a position where they would cling to tradition that strongly, psychopathic, or the Weyr his brother was planning to abandon. Rude child too, wandering off without being dismissed. Suspecting that he was only going to live to regret engaging the child in conversation to begin with the healer pushed himself to his feet and headed back for the door in silence.