And the first lesson is here! I had a whole bunch of fun writing this one, and I hope you have just as much fun reading it!

That said, a reminder. I do not own Dragonriders of Pern, Anne McCaffrey does. The only thing I get out of this is writing the viewpoint of a snobbish Harper turned Candidate.

Chapter even

Why Are You Here?

Sri had spent her rest Candlemark in sleep, just as many other Candidates had. As a Harper, correction, former Harper, she had been required to do some exercise but never had she ran so far in so short of a time. Even now, her left leg hurt something fierce and she suspected that an ankle had been twisted on the run somewhere. However it was better than it had been, so she did not complain. Tomorrow would be painful though, she hoped that it wasn't anything serious. The thought of even attempting to run made her wince mentally. Tomorrow could wait though, for it was just about time for the first lesson, and the somewhat snobbish scholar was glad that she could finally apply her brain to something that did not involve giant pots and pans.

Rising from the chair in which she had been sleeping, Sri dashed to her cot-room, grabbing hide and stylus. This was going to be fun. After all, wasn't learning the greatest experience there ever was? Despite her leg, which was continuing to protest, she almost skipped down the hallway, ignoring other people's expressions of absolute disinterest for what was to come. So what if others didn't care, she was going to go learn something. Exactly what it is was that she was going to learn remained a mystery, but already her imagination was at work; fascinating diagrams of dragons, scrolls of information to be memorized, the teacher explaining things in vivid detail. Sri was so excited by this fact that a chill ran down her spine, and a grin made itself apparent on her face.

All around her, others were moving towards the classroom, and Sri followed the movement. Why were they all moving so slowly? Did they not know that something amazing was about to happen? Finally, Sri reached the classroom, and with barely contained excitement, entered. She stepped to one side, and looked around, seeing the usual desks for the student, and at the front of the classroom a larger desk, with two men standing behind it, conversing in low tones. Behind the men was a large chalkboard, recently cleaned and ready for use.

Sri chose a seat at the very front, ignoring the looks she was receiving from classmates. Didn't they all know that by sitting up front they had a better view of the board? She shrugged, and unrolled a hide, wondering when the two men up front, one of which was Hed'ron, would start the lesson. All around her people were settling into their seats and fumbling for hides and various writing utensils, readying themselves for a long session of notes. All throughout the process a low buzz of chatter emanated throughout the Candidates, silenced only when the CandidateMaster cleared his throat.

"Is everyone here? Yes? Good. Before we start today's lesson please let me introduce the Rider standing beside me. This is Assistant CandidateMaster K'vo, and his voice carries the same weight mine does. Understand that?" There was a low rumble of assent from the Candidates at large, with Sri's voice chiming in with a cheerful, "Yes." The ACM stepped forward, nodded at the Candidates and said in an off-handed voice, "Believe it or not, your CandidateMaster was around when I was a Candidate Turns ago. I take it you all survived the Weyrbowl run in one piece. I remember thinking I would pass out when he started the push-ups." Nervous laughter came from the class this time, everyone looking to see how Hed'ron took this jibe. If they were expecting an explosion, they were sadly disappointed, "Now see here K'vo, I could outrun you then, and I can outrun now, even though I am twenty Turns older. Enough of that for now, go ahead and get on with the rest of your paperwork." Face suddenly arranged in a comical frown, K'vo nodded and trudged away. Sri watched him go thinking to herself, "Seems like a nice enough fellow, I hope."

Then Hed'ron had the floor again, and Sri was completely focused on him, waiting for the lesson to begin in earnest. "Right then, onto the lesson. Today there will be no need for hide and writing utensils, you can put them away, and get ready to do some hard thinking." And with those few words, Sri's heart dropped. No notes? Disaster! No time for sad thoughts though, for the CandidateMaster was speaking again. "Why are you here? Why are you, as Candidates here?" Silence reigned, and Hed'ron slowly looked over the room, hunting for someone who would answer. Then he spotted a raised hand, "Yes you, Sri, correct?"

Sri nodded, "Yes sir." Hed'ron gestured for her to continue and after taking a breath she went on. "I'm here, because I want to stand at a Hatching." She watched as the CandidateMaster nodded, "Well there's an answer, but not the one I'm looking for. Perhaps you, Rephi?" Somewhat disappointed in her non-correct answer, Sri twisted around to look at the small girl with striking blond hair. "I'm here to Impress sir." Hed'ron thought a moment before replying, "I see. A warning to all of you now. Confidence is a good thing, overconfidence is not. That said, another answer, but not the one I want. Next try please." Next it was a boy who tried his luck, "I want to follow in my Great Grandfathers footsteps, and become a Rider." This brought a small smile to the CandidateMaster's face, "Ah, a legacy eh? Now we're getting somewhere. You're the closest to the answer I want so far. Next?" While yet another boy answered Sri was thinking very hard, trying to put two and two together and get an answer that would be correct. However, something was missing.

She could tell Hed'ron was working around the room, getting answers from everyone. Most of the others were very self-centered, wanting to ride a dragon, wanting to Impress bronze, and so on. Finally the CandidateMaster had gone all the way around the room without hearing what he wanted to. "Well, most of your answers are partially right. However what I'm looking for is this. You, as candidates are here to help save Pern, and all on it, from utter destruction. Even if you never Impress and you return home, you will have made a difference. You will haul firestone for the Wings, you will have helped maintain the Weyr through chores, and you may very well stay on as a Lower Cavern Worker, or take up a craft to help the Weyr. No matter happens on the Hatching Sands, you will have made a difference. That is why you are here, to make a difference. "

The CandidateMaster had stopped speaking, but Sri's head was still ringing with excitement. The thunder in the CandidateMaster's voice had been something she had never heard before. There was a passion in it, a devotion to all he held dear. His posture, the way his eyes moved over the class, his hand movements, all of those things spoke of his commitment to the Weyr. It was truly, an impressive thing, and Sri had to resist the urge to applaud the man. She was excited now, felt like she could go run the Weyr three times and help with dishes. Rarely felt adrenaline ran wild in her veins, and at this moment in her life, Sri had never felt better. Silence filled the room, and in the corner of her mind Sri wondered if that was all he had for today. However, she had nothing to fear, as Hed'ron's voice rang out again.

"You all know why you are here now, I've told you that much. Now you all get to tell me something. As a class, the reason you've came here, it to stand and on Hatching Day, maybe Impress to a dragon. My question now is this. Why should I let you stand? What reasoning do you have that would convince me to let you stand at a Hatching? All that I have seen from each and every one of you so far is an unwillingness to cooperate, sullenness, laziness, insubordination, and a complete lack of teamwork. Why should I give you the honor of standing at a hatching?"

Stunned silence reigned, no one moved or even though about moving. Time became irrelevant as the CandidateMaster stood at the front of the class, arms crossed, daring someone to speak. Sri was thinking again. The answer seemed simple, but was it the one he was looking for? Tentatively, she raised her hand and became aware that all eyes in the classroom were focused on her. Well, all except her own eyes, which were looking at Hed'ron who walked right up to her, "You have something to say Candidate Sri?" She nodded, "We can learn, and we can work, and maybe earn it." It came out very quietly, and only the few people sitting next to her heard it. Sri sat there, waiting for the CandidateMaster's reaction. When it came, after what seemed like Candlemarks it stunned her. "Correct. You can learn from each other, work with each other, and earn that right, all of you, together. For you, my Candidates, it's all or nothing."

Relief flooded Sri's mind, she had given the correct answer. She had been terrified of the consequences of a wrong answer, and now, she was almost giddy. Of course, a correct answer was always a good thing, but this one had been crucial, to her and the whole class. She allowed her body to relax some, and listened to the CandidateMasters voice once more. "We've arrived at the crux of this whole issue now, haven't we? How can you show me that you've earned the right to Stand? No, don't raise your hands. This isn't a question that can be answered right now. This is your homework, and you have until the Hatching Day itself to turn it in. It doesn't have to be an essay, nor does it need to be on hide. All I need to see is that you've earned the right to Stand. That said, today's lesson is over. You have from now until dinner to yourselves. On other days lessons will run longer taking up this time, but for today use this time to get to know your fellow Candidates. Dinner will be in a Candlemark, and afterwards, report back to the Barracks for final orders for today. Class dismissed."

Comments finished, Hed'ron turned and walked from the classroom. Sri watched him leave, wondering half-heartedly how her fellow Candidates would ever show the CandidateMaster they had earned the right to stand. As soon as the CandidateMaster was out of sight, there was a general rush for the door. Sri chose to wait until everyone else left, which not only reduced the risk of dropping her things, but also gave her time to think on the CandidateMaster's remarks. How in the world was the class going to work together to show him they had earned the right to stand? With people like that bully, Khat, was it? They would have no chance. Lost in depressing thoughts, Sri slowly gathered her things and made her way out the door, heading back to her cot-room. She had promised her mother that she would write to her every Sevenday, and now was as good a time as any to do so.

As she walked, Sri noticed that very few people were out in the Common Room. There were the old three, from the last class, and two or three others, but no-one else was around. So much for the CandidateMasters advice to use the time to meet the other Candidates. Now what was she going to write to her mother?

*Cue dramatic music* Hed'ron's thrown down the gauntlet, how will the class respond? Uh do note, after Chapter Eight, in which we run into the Weyrleader again, things are going to get messy, and even worse than they are now. I promise you now that before the end of Chapter Ten, or so, that blood will be spilt, though who's it is I'm not telling.