Author: Sam

Story: A Weyrharper's Repertoire: 4 of 14

Series: Islinne Weyr

Note: Cyrus meets an old friend at a gather. Based on Taxi by Harry Chapin.

Igen was hot and humid.
The gather had ended for the night.
I was on my way back to my home;
I saw a lady with a flickering light.

"Can I give a pretty lady a ride?
It's far too hot to walk these days."
She turned her head away from me,
She said "I live about a league this way."

I helped her up onto my runner,
And I asked "Haven't we met somewhere?"
She said "You're wrong; we're strangers."
Then her cold silence filled the air.

About half an hour’s time went slowly by,
Then she looked into my face again.
Tilting her head, she finally smiled,
But the smile was brief and full of pain

She said "You surprised me, Cyrus."
I said "It's been a real long time.
Through all the dark times and all the sunshine,
Rae, you've still been on my mind."

It was back of beyond in a cothold
We used to learn all about love.
The kisses and smiles and caresses we shared
Never went beyond stage one.

You see, she wanted to become a Harper,
And I was going to ride a bronze.
She went to the Hall to apprentice,
And I went to the Weyr one dawn.

I couldn't think of a topic to discuss.
The friendship was pretty much done.
I stopped my runner in front of her cot;
The strict look didn't encourage much fun.

She slid from my runner and smiled,
"We must see each other someday."
I nodded, but I knew it'd never happen.
She said "Cyrus, here's a gift for pay."

I looked in the package she had given me.
It housed a carved dragon of stone.
It was a reminder of every time I failed Impression,
But I buried how much I felt alone.

She turned and slipped into her cothold,
And I couldn't help but wonder how
Whatever we had planned for the future:
It seemed like we'd gotten somehow.

She wanted to become a Harper,
And I was going to ride a bronze.
She went to the Hall to apprentice,
And I went to the Weyr one dawn.
Now, in her strict, cold cothold,

She acts as if she belongs.
And I have my dragon statue of bronze
Which sits on my desk all day long.
I can stare at my bronze all day long.