Dragonquest - Chapter 8 - Weyr Hijinx

[kalinara]

Last time, we had Crafthall shenanigans, which were actually kind of interesting. We can't have that though, so this time we're going to start off back in Southern Weyr. But who knows, maybe something interesting will happen. Or at least we'll get to see some cute fire lizards.



We start off with poor overworked Brekke, who still hasn't found time to have a character. She's patient with a nagging Rannelly (Kylara's servant), tending to Mirrim's wounded brown firelizard, and scolding Mirrim for being angry at Kylara foisting work onto Brekke.

See, Mirrim has to be angry at that so we properly appreciate how unfair it is. Brekke can't possibly be angry on her own behalf though because that would suggest a personality beyond saintly virtue and we can't possibly allow that.

Actually there is a moment where Brekke shows a moment of being interesting: F'nor comes in, makes a wisecrack that makes Brekke laugh, and Brekke quickly tries to hide it because "it wouldn't do for Mirrim to hear her giggling like a Weyrling".

Now okay, see, THAT could actually be interesting. If Brekke's collection of virtues came about because she didn't dare appear anything less, maybe because of lack of confidence for being Craftbred or something, that could be an interesting way to develop Brekke. At least if it went in a direction other than everyone just reassuring Brekke that she's awesome anyway.

Anyway, F'nor is anxious because he hasn't heard from F'lar. Brekke comments that maybe something has come up and F'nor says "More important than Impressing fire lizards?"

Um...yes? Look, fire lizards are adorable, sure. I want one. Everyone wants one. There are all sorts of tentative ideas for using them as messengers or diplomatic gifts. But right now, in a practical sense, all they are are cute little vanity pets. They're not large enough to effectively fight thread, and they're not going to bring the feuding dragonriders in line to deal with a worldwide threat.

Basically, F'nor, your brother, dickhead that he is, has bigger issues on his plate than your new pets.

Brekke, to her credit, starts to point out that Threads are falling out of phase, something she regrets seeing F'nor's face, and quickly points out that they need to get the Lord Holders to supply watchers and fires. This tangents quickly, as she starts reassuring F'nor that it's not his fault, grumbling about the Fort Weyr riders' lack of discipline in bringing a mating green and then coming to a realization.

I'd mock this bit, but honestly, it's the first truly relatable bit of dialogue Brekke's had. It's the kind of rambling connection that real people make.

What she's realizing is that Rannelly's snippy comment about Brekke looking after her queen was a warning that Wirenth is ready to rise for a mating flight. Something that takes both her and F'nor by surprise.

F'nor initially argues that Wirenth's barely hatched, but then realizes that's not true, it's just that Brekke looks much too young. Canth points out that Brekke is the same age that Lessa was when Mnementh flew Ramoth. He confirms that Wirenth will be ready soon, and the bronzes will know.

This gets F'nor thinking about the Bronzes of Southern, which displeases him. Actually, let me share this entire gross bit:

"F’nor ticked over in his mind the bronze complement of Southern. The tally didn’t please him. Not that the bronzes were few in number, a discourtesy to a new queen, but that their riders had always contended for Kylara, whether Prideth’s mating was at stake or not. No matter whose bronze flew Wirenth, the rider would have Brekke and the thought of anyone who had vied for Kylara’s bed favor making love to Brekke irritated the brown rider.

Canth’s as big or bigger than any bronze here, he thought resentfully. He had never entertained such an invidious comparison before and ruthlessly put it out of his mind.

Now, if N’ton, a clean-cut lad and a top wingrider just happened to be in Southern? Or B’dor of Ista Weyr. F’nor had ridden with the Istan when his Weyr and Benden joined forces over Nerat and Keroon. Nicely conformed bronzes, both of them, and while F’nor favored N’ton more, if B’dor’s beast flew Wirenth, she and Brekke would have the option of removing to Ista Weyr. They’d only three queens there, and Nadira was a far better Weyrwoman than Kylara, despite her coming from the Oldtime.

Pleased with this solution, though he hadn’t a notion how to accomplish it, F’nor continued along the path to Wirenth’s sun-baked clearing."

Okay: a) dragonrider society is fucked up. We know this, but it's still disgusting. And here is Exhibit #193. F'nor is actively examining bronze riders knowing the winner will sleep with Brekke.

b) F'nor is being really fucking gross here. He starts out commenting on Brekke's youth, yet again. And now he's basically acting as procurer or pimp, rejecting men on her behalf, and selecting other alternatives on her behalf.

I suspect we're supposed to see this as sweet and selfless on his part. He loves Brekke, though he doesn't realize it, but he's trying to arrange for her happiness, but well:

CAPITAL C) AT NO POINT IS BREKKE'S OPINION CONSULTED. Maybe Brekke actually likes one of the Southern men. Maybe she has a preference. Maybe she doesn't want N'ton or B'dor! Maybe she wouldn't want to go to Ista! (Though tangentially it's interesting that Nadira is praised as being a good Weyrwoman despite being an Oldtimer).

Look, F'lar and Lessa's first mating flight was disgusting on so many levels. But we were supposed to see R'gul as being awful for trying to manipulate it and exclude F'lar and K'net right? HOW IS THIS ANY DIFFERENT???

And Lessa at least has expressed a subsequent preference for F'lar and Mnementh. What is Brekke's preference? Do we know?

This whole section just makes my skin crawl. And it's worse because I'm pretty sure it's unintentional. All along we've been given the impression that F'nor is the better of the two brothers. He's more personable and considerate. He has a sense of humor and isn't hyperfocused. "Fuck you, F'lar" was my chorus for an entire book because his point of view sections were so awful. But this is SO MUCH CREEPIER than ANYTHING F'lar has ever said. I think maybe because most of F'lar's awfulness comes from self-absorption and tunnel vision. This is...thoughtful and deliberate and just...ew.

F'nor creeps me out even more by watching Brekke and Wirenth. He notes that Wirenth has lost her adolescent baby fat and is now "sleek and smooth" and despite being Prideth's length has a more lithesome appearance.

Jesus Christ, F'nor. At least F'lar didn't rate Ramoth like a girl in a bar.

Also, Brekke has subtly changed in her dragon's presence and seemed more feminine- and desirable.

Okay, I think this is getting into why I'm finding Dragonquest so much less fundamentally satisfying than Dragonflight, even granting that I'm appreciating the worldbuilding and greater politics.

Dragonflight, in the end, was primarily Lessa's story. F'lar's sections in that book were meant to complement hers but it's Lessa's primary viewpoint. When we got the "oh god, he's hot" moment when F'lar had her tend the wound he got fighting Fax, it was blatantly objectifying for the female gaze. It was Lessa driving the action, and Lessa's perspective winning out. I suppose F'lar had a comparable moment, when Lessa was still a filthy drudge, and he thought she looked almost pretty in the moonlight, but that was downplayed in comparison to his admiration of her strength and their meeting of minds.

Here, we're getting the transformative moment from F'nor's side. An "oh god, she's hot" moment about a girl whose youth he constantly comments on, and whose fate he's already trying to decide. And it's not even about her strength, but about her "femininity". It's just not as satisfying to me.

So anyway, F'nor and Brekke have an awkward conversation where Brekke has some interesting practical concerns (she wonders how Wirenth mating will affect her bronze), while F'nor tries to pretend he isn't bothered that she's going to mate with a bronze rider.

Honestly, this plot is frustrating because it COULD have been good. It COULD have been a way to really examine the mating flight system and see if something could be done to make it less of a fucking rapefest. To maybe divorce the idea of leadership coming from who bangs the queen's rider.

But instead we're getting it from F'nor's perspective, and instead of getting Brekke's feelings about her eventual rape, we're getting F'nor's instead.

There is an interesting bit here though, which implies maybe a bit more consent than we saw before.

"'No. Who’s going to be the lucky rider?' he heard himself asking. It was a civil enough question. He was, after all, F’lar’s Wing-second and had a right to be curious about such matters. 'You can ask for an open flight, you know,' he added defensively.

Okay, so from the sound of it, things have gotten a BIT less rapey. It sounds like Brekke can at least express a preference as to who flies Wirenth. I'm not sure what to think about this whole "asking for an open flight" thing. I guess if she wants a selection? If she's comfortable with an orgy? Though that takes choice completely out of the equation.

Hm, no wonder Kylara hates T'bor. From what F'nor said about the other bronzes competing for Prideth, then she must have open flights. T'bor just keeps winning. And thus she's stuck sleeping with him. Poor woman.

Also, why does being F'lar's second entitle you to be curious about Brekke's business, F'nor? Explain that logic. Also does F'lar know you're abusing your rank like this?

Anyway, Brekke turns pale at the question, showing that she's not really okay with the idea at all. F'nor is possibly even more clueless than F'lar, because he wonders if her distress is because she wanted T'bor. He points out that it doesn't matter if a rider is already attached in a first mating.

...what? Wait. What? So wait. Now I'm wondering exactly how much choice male riders have in this set up either. Or their significant others, for that matter. (F'nor rightly realizes that Kylara would NOT react well if Orth flew Wirenth.)

God, one step forward, three steps back.

Anyway, F'nor finally redeems himself a little by bringing up the idea of an open flight and bringing in N'ton or B'dor. Brekke is opposed to transferring out of Southern, but F'nor points out that N'ton could transfer. She's still opposed, and F'nor keeps trying to console her by pointing out that N'ton has no use for Kylara, and she doesn't succeed with every man and it's just PAINFUL.

F'nor. SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE RAPED. It doesn't MATTER by whom. SHE DOES NOT WANT THIS AT ALL.

God, I feel so bad for Brekke right now. She might be a collection of virtues wrapped up in an outfit, but no one deserves this mess. F'nor still intends to sent a message to N'ton and B'dor anyway. He thinks Ramoth will help.

They change the subject. Brekke's named her lizard Berd. And Brekke is starting to think other things: like the way these fire lizard Impressions are not gender specific. And if that means women might not be able to Impress a fighting dragon.

F'nor is stupidly sexist about it. “Fighting Thread is hard work. Leave it to men.” Fuck you, F'nor.

Brekke doesn't back down though, and I admit, for the first time, I'm really starting to actually like her. Be a rabble rouser, Brekke. CHANGE things. F'nor manages to piss me off still.

'You think managing a Weyr isn’t hard work?' Brekke kept her voice even but her eyes darkened angrily. 'Or plowing fields and hollowing cliffs for Holds? And . . .'

F’nor whistled. 'Why, Brekke, such revolutionary thoughts from a craftbred girl? Where women know there’s only one place for them . . . Oh, you’ve got Mirrim in mind as a rider?'"

Fuck you, F'nor. You patronizing ass. It's kind of interesting to compare this to F'lar and Lessa's dynamic in Dragonflight though. I'd mentioned many times that, when McCaffrey didn't tack on rape and abuse, I really liked their dynamic. F'lar was at his most likable sparring with Lessa, and Lessa seemed to thrive at being an equal partner. Here, Brekke is also finally getting to show some spark and fire, but unfortunately F'nor is a dismissive dick.

It's a shame, because I think Brekke has some really good ideas. It's just her love interest has no interest in executing them.

Anyway, their conversation is interrupted by F'lar's arrival. Brekke decides to wait with Wirenth, which makes F'nor relieved: "He didn’t want her to come out with that drastic theory in front of F’lar, particularly when he wanted his half-brother to shift N’ton and B’dor here for her sake..

Fuck you, F'nor. Actually I wish she WOULD come out with it in front of F'lar. I don't actually have an idea of what he'd say, but I bet LESSA might like the idea. And F'lar's made other radical changes.

Anyway, F'lar's come in and he's in rare form:

'Where is everyone?' was F’lar’s curt greeting as his brother joined him. 'Where’s Kylara? Mnementh can’t find Prideth. She’s not to be haring off on her own.'

'Everyone’s out trying to trap fire lizards.'

'With Thread falling out of pattern? Of all the stupidities . . . This continent is by no means immune! Where in the image of all shells is T’bor? That’d be all we need—Threads ravaging the southern continent!'

The outburst was so uncharacteristic that F’nor stared at the Weyrleader. F’lar passed his hand over his eyes, rubbing his temples. The cold of between had started his headache again. The talk at the Crafthall had been unsettling. He gripped his half-brother’s arm in apology.

'That was inexcusable of me, F’nor. I beg your pardon.'"

Maybe it's just that I've gotten so annoyed at F'nor this chapter, but I'm actually completely on F'lar's side here. He's completely right. Lizards are cute, but they can wait. The Weyrs have a fucking job to do.

F'nor accept's F'lar's apology, and T'bor arrives. T'bor reassures a cranky F'lar that there are riders watching each coastline, but F'lar thinks they shouldn't assume that Thread will move in from the ocean. To T'bor's credit, he orders more dragons to sweep as far south as they've penetrated.

F'lar and F'nor have a nice brotherly moment, as F'lar asks after F'nor's health. I feel vaguely proud of F'lar at this moment. I feel like he might actually be learning how to effectively function in society. He also asks after the fire lizards, and F'nor manages to get him to relax a little.

F'lar gets to meet Mirrim and see her wounded brown. He blanks on her name, and F'nor prompts him in a bland tone that implied his brother's memory was failing him. I seem to recall F'nor doing the same thing, but I'm actually rather amused that F'lar gets to actually be flawed and mocked a little here. I've said this before, but Dragonquest has definitely improved F'lar's portrayal a lot. Maybe it's because he's no longer some sort of idealized romantic lead, his rougher edges have been sanded down, and he actually gets to be a human being.

F'lar seems to be thinking of something actually. He cryptically asks F'nor if he could hear Mirrim's lizards, and then notes that Mirrim isn't from a Search, so she's "not exactly proof". Neither F'nor nor I can follow his thought, but he switches topics to talk about issues with the Lord Holders and Craftmasters.

F'nor does bring up the idea of fire lizards easing matters between Lords and Weyrmen, and F'lar agrees, having thought the same thing. F'nor also manages to redeem himself for me a little more here:

'Brekke would like to see her Impress a fighting dragon,' F’nor said in a casual way, watching his half-brother’s face closely.

F’lar gave him a startled stare and then threw back his head and laughed.

'Can you . . . imagine . . . T’ron’s reaction? . . .' he managed to say."

I'd say "Fuck you, F'lar" but I can't really tell if he is rejecting the idea, or just amused by what T'ron would say. Unfortunately, they talk more about fire lizards instead. F'nor brings up the idea of seeing if they can chew firestone, but they don't really have time to check.

F'lar does get to meet F'nor's Grall, and seems charmed. He thinks Lessa will want one, though it occurs to me that as far as I remember neither F'lar nor Lessa get a fire lizard. Possibly they're just too busy. Though it occurs to me that in both F'lar and Lessa's case, their personalities seem to be balanced by their dragons in a deeper way than most of the other characters. I've mentioned before that F'lar almost seems to use Mnementh as like a guide to appropriate emotional and social responses, while I remember Ramoth's cold logic helping to anchor Lessa when she was in the middle of an anxiety/fear spiral in Dragonflight.

I don't think that this was necessarily on purpose, but to me as a reader, both F'lar and Lessa come across as having genuine mental issues that their dragons seem to counterbalance. Neither F'nor nor Brekke seem to have that same kind of dependence on their own dragons, so perhaps that means they've got more room in their bond to add another creature?

This is just me contemplating outloud.

Anyway, everyone's interrupted by a Threadfall alert. F'lar stops F'nor from joining in, and F'lar ends up admitting to himself that he can't fault Southern Weyr's response time. They do well against the Thread, but they're one queen down (Kylara is busy, presumably with Meron), and some Thread gets through to the ground.

F'lar flies down to investigate and spots something very strange: there's indication that the Thread passed through the plant life, but there's no indicator of it in the soil.

T'bor and F'nor end up joining him in a search, but they find no sign of burrowed Thread at all. When they get back, Prideth and Kylara have returned. Kylara explains that she found a clutch and Impressed a queen, but when she came back, everyone had gone and she didn't have coordinates to follow them.

F'lar watches T'bor and Kylara's unhealthy dynamic with interest and contemplation:

"T’bor looked dangerously close to an outburst which, as Weyrleader, he could not risk. Kylara’s tactic was so obvious that F’lar wondered how the man could fall for it. Would it improve matters to have T’bor supplanted by one of the other bronze riders here? F’lar considered, as he had before, throwing Prideth’s next mating flight into open competition. And yet, he owed T’bor too much for coping with this—this female to insult him by such a measure. On the other hand, maybe one of the more vigorous Oldtime bronzes with a rider just sufficiently detached from Kylara’s ploys, and interested enough in retaining a Leadership, might keep her firmly in line."

Okay: a) it's really bad form to be plotting an overthrow, F'lar. Especially when you just admitted that T'bor wasn't doing a bad job in general.

b) You are basically trying to decide who gets to fuck Kylara for leadership without asking her. So fuck you, F'lar for that.

It is an interesting contrast with F'nor's section earlier. F'lar is at least concerned with leadership and the running of the Weyr. But still it's gross, and

c) THIS IS A REALLY FUCKING STUPID WAY TO DECIDE LEADERSHIP. Why not have an election? Then it won't matter who fucks Prideth and Kylara!

Anyway, Kylara decides to be a fucking idiot and get F'lar's attention by shoving her lizard under his nose and blames him when the little creature is startled and goes between. Seriously. It happens that fast. He doesn't even DO anything, but she decides to yell threats at the men while they ignore her.

Damnit, Kylara. I want to like you. Be a CLEVER adversary damnit.

Anyway, F'lar creeps me out again by asking T'bor why he doesn't just throw the next flight open. But Orth and T'bor refuse.

I think maybe I'm confused by what an open flight actually means. Since it SOUNDED like the bronzes still compete over Prideth, but Orth is the one that wins. So does an "open flight" mean that Orth and T'bor wouldn't take part? F'nor's question about Brekke having a preference made it sound like her preference would be a done deal, or SHE could choose an open flight.

I feel like the idea of an "open flight" is some kind of author's saving throw to make the mating flights a little more consensual. But it really just gives me more questions. Also, I'm not a fan of the idea of a male character being able to decide to put a female character up for open bidding essentially. Though at the same time, the male character shouldn't be forced to compete if he genuinely doesn't want to...

Ugh, this is just a really fucked up scenario.

Anyway, F'lar's interest seems to be strictly pragmatic and based on the idea of effective leadership which is both assholish and impersonal, and thus in character for him.

T'bor asserts that as long as Orth can fly Prideth, Kylara's his, which...gross. Anyway, Prideth apparently snitched to Orth about Kylara's fire lizard clutch. She's unhappy and Mnementh suddenly speaks up, stating that Prideth won't hear him or Orth.

F'lar bitches about the situation: "Threads falling unexpectedly, fire lizards in Holder hands, a dragon displeased with her rider and another anticipating his rider’s questions! And F’lar had thought he’d had problems seven Turns ago!"

It amuses me every time F'lar bitches crankily about Mnementh's interference. He never does anything about it. He just kind of grumbles along. Mnementh is the best emotional support dragon, and you know it, F'lar.

Anyway, F'lar is off. He's annoyed that Kylara's actions robbed the Weyr of being able to use the fire lizards to their advantage, and that she's interfering in a Hold that's not bound to her Weyr. He's also concerned about the Threadfall and decides to take another look before leaving. He ends up observing the grubs and getting an idea.

F'lar and Mnementh go six hours back for the beginning of the Threadfall. He has a very hard time just watching the Thread fall untouched, but observes instead. He finds a lot of bloated grubs underneath every penetrated bush and hummock. He realizes that the grubs must have devoured the Thread.

F'lar goes off to the Masterherdsman to consult. The guy is, unfortunately not very useful. He doesn't like Fandarel or F'lar, the latter of which would possibly put him in my good graces, if he weren't a reactionary idiot, who pretty much rejects any idea. He's not interested in observing fire lizards and immediately insists that the idea of dragons being bred from fire lizards is preposterous. And when F'lar tries to show him the grubs, he reacts with violent revulsion.

F'lar leaves with annoyance and the chapter ends.

Honestly, that probably should have been two chapters. It was very long, and there was a lot of mood whiplash there. We start off with Brekke and F'nor and their slightly sickening romantic plotline. Then suddenly, in comes F'lar with the plot.

The mating system is still disgusting, though I appreciate that McCaffrey seems to be at least trying to retroactively insert some kind of consent into the process. It's not entirely working, but I can appreciate the effort.

The part at the end, with the grubs, that part is genuinely interesting to me. I'm wondering if the grubs are the "2nd part of the plan to deal with Thread" mentioned in the prologue. And I kind of love the idea that everyone is so distracted by the fire lizards, who, while adorable, aren't terribly useful, but have missed something much more significant. I guess that remains to be seen.