Mandragora
"Excuse me?" You say, and the blond-haired young woman turns from her desk.
"Ah, you must be the Harper come to collect the information. Here, I have already written some up. Would you like to use it?"
She hands you a wherhide slip, and her clean writing tells you ...
Mandragora, born to Mandrake (M'drake) and Gallora, riders of Brown Alnaeth and Green Havuseth
Aged 19 Turns in Summer
Senior Apprentice Smithcrafter
Searched by ... at ... weyr
"Well," you tell her, "this is exactly what I was looking for. I might have an easier time getting this done if everyone were as literate as yourself."
"I studied under the master harper of my weyr," she tells you. She stands, and you note with a bit of fear that she is almost six feet tall! Taller than you at any rate! And built for it, with very muscular arms. She shows them off since she wears only a naturally-colored hide smock. It too is clean and well-kept. Her skin is shining, she obviously keeps herself healthy.
"You're going to like being a dragonrider," you say to her, and she gives a little laugh.
"Oh, yes? Tell me, why is that, harper?" Her blue-steel eyes almost want to mock you, but she's also truly interested in why you might say it.
"You are strong, and well-kept. Your weyr is neat, and I would guess that it's because you keep it that way. I ... Might go so far as you would make an excellent Weyrwoman, as well. You can read and write, and your Craft often trains for strength. You'll need all those things when you ride."
"Ah, firestone catching, and drills... Yes. I agree. I wonder if I will impress Gold. I wouldn't presume. And even if I don't impress at all, I have my craft training to keep up. My specialty is that of tinkering, you know? But so many men in the craft dislike the idea of having a woman around that I have only progressed to the Senior Apprentice stage. I wonder why they are so afraid of the competition?" Her eyes and face grow into a beaming and mocking smile.
"They probably wish you well in Impression, then!" You agree, wondering absently when the sexism will really end? You know of many women who might be best at a craft and couldn't get into it... Why? They were not men!
"Well, I believe this is enough, unless you want to add anything to it?" You extend your hand, and she nods.
"Well, if you would like to see anything I've built, please come back and look. Most of my things are unfinished, but some work. I make toys sometimes, but I also have made armors and automations. It's very hard work. I think you'd be surprised."
"Perhaps I shall, but I must get these to the weyr leaders."
You bow and exit.
IMPRESSED GOLD QUTTETH AT SEASPARKUL WEYR!
READ ABOUT IT HERE!
Aged 19 turns
Standing 5'11" tall (very impressive for a woman!)
Has creamy skin that somehow didn't seem to have any burn marks or scars on it, even though her Craft might demand them
Her hair is blond and cut straight, short to her shoulders, and she has the start of grey-silver at her temples already. Her eyes are steely blue
She usually wears the smock when working, but looks quite stunning in a dress, which she seems to have many tucked away
Her parents are both Dragon riders, and she was expected to Impress before this
