This is technically the first story about Tennar Weyr, though the second one I've written :P It takes place about 600 turns before 'The Mutants of Tennar Weyr', when Tennar has just been formed.

Hope you enjoy it! :) ((The chapters won't always be this short ;D ))

Chapter One: A Tanner's Idea

Watching with glazed eyes as the blood trickled out of his palm, creating circular droplets on the wooden desk; Tomoa listened out for the footsteps that drew closer and closer to the room. Sure enough, his thoughts – if they could even be called such things – were interrupted by Kain's groan as he walked in.

"Scorch it," he grumbled, marching over to grab Tomoa's arm. He wasted no time in pulling out the emergency bandages he always kept in the box on the desk, and was soon cleaning and wrapping the wound.

Tomoa didn't say anything, simply watched with a rather bored expression plastered across his face. He tried to remember when Kain had stopped acting surprised when he walked in to find Tomoa bleeding; it was probably a while ago now, after all, they'd been working alongside each other in the Tanner crafthall for nearly eight years or so now.

"You know, Tom," Kain sighed – putting the rest of the bandages away. "One of these days I won't be there to patch you up, and you'll just bleed to death."

"On your conscience be it," Tomoa shrugged, resting his hand on the desk again.

His fellow Journeyman sighed and moved across to slump down on the bed – Tomoa's bed, but he was so used to Kain invading his space every day, he no longer cared.

"You shouldn't keep skipping meals, you know," Kain warned, closing his eyes lazily.

"I was thinking."

"You're always thinking. What was it this time?"

"I think I'm going to leave."

Tomoa almost smirked when he saw Kain leap up out of the corner of his eye. Almost, but not quite.

"L-leave? Why?"

"Because this place will just hold me back," Tomoa turned around to look properly at his worried friend. "I'll never reach Master Tanner if I just linger around – there's too much competition and I'm being pushed to the back of the crowd."

The worry-lines on Kain's face were deepening. "You're not even twenty yet, barely left Apprenticeship, what are you expecting?"

"I'm thinking of preparing for the long haul here, Kain. You should be too."

"Of course you lump me in with you," Kain rubbed his eyes, leaning forward. "What's your point, Tomoa?"

Now he smirked; the grin seemed to only alarm Kain more, but honestly they both knew he'd go along with whatever Tomoa wanted – he was that sort of person. However, he predicted Kain might put up more of a fight on this plan – it was certainly a little more drastic than his others, especially considering the destination.

"Have you heard about the new Weyr?"

Kain's expression said he already knew where this was going. "Yes... the one on the Southern Continent that most Northern Weyrs don't approve of."

"Yeah, that one!" Tomoa quickly ignored the comment about the Northern Weyrs. He'd already down his research; it was clear just after a quick chat with the watchrider that Igen and the other Weyrs didn't like the idea of a new Weyr, for whatever reason. "It seems they're a little desperate for transfers of all sorts."

"If you're really desperate for a change, can't we just go to Lemos, or maybe Telgar? Why does it have to be a Weyr? You don't even like dragons!"

"I've always wanted to go to the Southern Continent–"

"Great! Southern Hold it is!"

"–and I can help mould this Weyr if I go. I'll be one of the first Tanners to be there."

Kain groaned again and dropped his head into his hands, shaking it in disbelief. Perhaps one day Tomoa wouldn't find his friend's distress so amusing, but today wasn't that day – and the grin stayed on his face as he watched the mental turmoil Kain fought through. Eventually, Kain let out a heavy sigh and looked up.

"You better not change your mind after having a few days of fun and drag me back."

"I never said you had to join me."

"Wherry teeth," Kain pushed himself to his feet and walked over to clap his hand against Tomoa's shoulder. "Didn't I just point out that the day I'm not around will be the day you sharding bleed to death."

"Best get packing then. We're leaving tomorrow."

Letting out a laugh that was more nervous than anything else, Kain scratched his head. "You really don't wait around, do you?"

The two didn't waste time speaking for much longer – Tomoa wanted to get away from Igen Hold and the crafthall as soon as possible. After throwing his belongings into a bag that should probably have been fuller, he collapsed onto his bed fully dressed and smiled up at the ceiling. A brand new start: now that was something he quite looked forward to. He could avoid the dragons; after all, if he and Kain were the first Tanners, they could keep themselves busy enough to not have to deal with the beasts.

He had been thinking of leaving Igen for some time now, but it had never been more than a little idea of his that he would probably never follow up. However, once he heard how much the other Weyrs didn't want this new one to be created, his interest had been piqued. The name only drew him in further.

Tennar Weyr.

Tomoa, the Tanner or Tennar. He liked the sound of that.