Foreshadowing is for children [M'onk/Qu'an]

Something was going "SCREEEEEEE" outside of Qu'an's door. It was extremely distracting.

It was his turn to hold down the fort - inasmuch as the Warden's office could be called a fort - while L'rin was out. Not his favorite activity, but it was a necessity nonetheless. The previous Warden's files had to be sorted through, and in many cases committed to memory. V'tya had four turns to get to know the inmates; Qu'an had only just arrived.

In fact, just how well the previous Warden had known the inmates was explicitly clear in these files, which were full of little handwritten notes. Most were highly informative. Some were even entertaining. All were useful. It seemed as though nearly all of the worst criminals had left in the prison break; this was understandable, as they had the least likelihood of ever being released, and thus nothing to lose. It meant that the remaining prisoners were not much of a danger... But it also meant that the outlaws (who potentially had dragons) were the most amoral and dangerous of the weyr's population.

The "SCREEEEEE" was followed up with a rap on the door and a timorous voice calling for him. He glanced up, briefly considering, then walked over to the door and opened it. As suspected, it was the Overseer's granddaughter. Wonderful. Qu'an wasn't good with young people. Especially not shy, easily intimidated young people. The bronzerider had never had children, and most of the time the people he dealt with he was supposed to strike fear into. He wasn't really sure how to be reassuring.

"Yes? How can I help you?" he asked Natai in his usual flat baritone. If Natai was here, then it probably meant that M'onk needed him for something. Naturally, any concern of the Overseer's was also Qu'an's concern.

Noisy little thing, isn't she? The thought drifted idly into the back of his mind.

Hush. She is M'onk's granddaughter. We should be respectful for that, if nothing else.

So the previous goldrider had left without telling him what he needed to know. Surprise, surprise. This seemed to match up well with everything else that Qu'an had heard of Leshta. But what was so vital, so sensitive that M'onk would come to tell him in person and ensure they were alone? He shifted aside, just enough that Natai would be able to see past him and into the office, empty of all other occupants. "It is the Overseer's prerogative, naturally, to schedule me as he pleases. But my afternoon is free."

Truly, he hadn't been planning to do anything except read files until L'rin returned. He tensed momentarily when Natai brought up Kzerzath's name, and noted that her grandfather had recalled him... Qu'an's record, while excellent, was - one of zealous service. Some people, for reasons that Qu'an could not fathom, would consider excessive enthusiasm in the pursuit of justice and safety to be a mark against him. Fortunately, M'onk did not seem to be one of those types.

He looked up at the tap of the cane, and executed a small, polite bow to the founder of the Watch. Credit where credit was due. "Overseer," he greeted. "I am at your service."