The Croon Heard 'Round The Weyr(Hatching!)

[thedreamerlady]

The sun was punishing when the first egg started to rock. The sun was at it's zenith, and beat down upon the sands in a way that even Jenafa, a seasoned veteran at staying with Saharth when the eggs were close to hatching, felt faint. Any candidate who stepped onto the sands now would have more than dragons to fear: sun sickness was not unknown.

However, let us go back to the egg that was rocking. It was small, not the Queen egg at all: perhaps a blue. Not that the size mattered to Saharth. As soon as she realized that the egg was hatching, she started to croon, and hum, and the very walls of the Hatching Cavern were soon vibrating softly. And then other dragons began to hum, and croon, and soon the Weyr was nearly shaking from the combined force.

Jenafa smiled, and began the mental chat that would convince Saharth to back up, and allow the candidates onto the sands. Then she moved to the entrance of Hatching sands, and adjusted her short white dress. She would be the one to give the boys and girls the speech before they entered the Sands. It was what she had always done. Standing tall, and wearing a white dress, contrasting sharply with her dark skin, she looked like a Lady fit to usher the candidates to their new lives.

Lives as Dragonriders of Igen!

[laionii]

Night had not brought rest for the dark haired candidate. He had tossed and turned a few hours of the night before finally giving up on the act all together. Danwyr was restless, he had been practicing his fencing maneuvers all morning in attempt to ease his unsettled mind. Still as he stripped out of his practice gear and stepped into the bathing area which belonged to the candidates he still felt as though he had drunk eight pots of Klah in under fifteen minutes. Vigorously he applied the soft sand to his body, scouring away the sweat and grime from a sleepless night and hard practice.

An unforgettable thrumming rose in the air and reached his ears, reverberating throughout the entire Weyr. Paying little heed to his still damp state, he bounded out of the wash space to where the white garb that was traditionally worn for impression lay folded neatly. He quickly pulled on the trousers, running down the hallway and around the corner at breakneck pace. He rounded another corner as he pulled the fresh white tunic over his head, and took off at breakneck pace bounding down the hall in great strides. There was a definite advantage to a six foot two inch frame.

He dodged those who were just emerging from their rooms on their way to the sands, slowing down properly before stepping into the hatching grounds properly winded. It took him but a moment to catch his breath and survey the area around him. He was among the first candidates to arrive.

[hrsegrl]

A'stin was one of the first to recognize the croon, with the help of Rodreth he made it to the Sands fairly quickly. He managed to land his rider near the stands and fly to a ledge. The Bronzerider was thrilled, he loved Hatchings. As Weyrleader it was good that he was one of the first to arrive. He hoped that Jenafa would be seated nearby so that he could congratulate her thoroughly.

His mood was enhanced by that of his Bronze who stood on the ledge watching the shaking of the eggs, making a humming noise of his own. He was soon joined by his Wingsecond, B'rek and his Bronze, Gavanth.

The man appeared almost pale in this harch sun light. B'rek had a forced smile on his face and as always was dressed appropriately for the ocassion. The blonde walked over to his Weyrleader and stood next to him. This hatching meant a lot to everyone. Bronzeriders would especially be interested to see who impressed the most prized Gold egg.

"Well, it certainly seems this clutch won't be waiting till a cooler time of day." B'rek announced hesitantly. A'stin nodded to him with a cool candor. He hoped J'var would have been here first but the boy had a lot to learn about Goldriders and their clutches. "Yes, I just hope the Candidates don't start dropping like weeds." A'stin as always was concerned with the welfare of the Weyr.

"Shaye should be along shortly, hopefully, she will remember to be nice to Jen on such a special day. She and Lyranth have been so snippety lately." He sighed. The stress of that relationship showing on his face. B'rek didn't have one anymore and couldn't shake the feeling, he'd rather have someone being snippety with him than no one at all.

------------

Hierzet was weyrbred and because of that he knew the quickest ways to the Hatching Sands. He was not about to miss this. Not for the world. He changed into the white robes provided to all candidates and walked quickly to the Sands. All the way there he could think of only one thing. His dragon. He was going to have one this time. He had to! At nineteen he only had so many chances left.

Now he knew he wanted a male dragon but a Bronze would be difficult because one had to deal with Goldriders and to be honest, women in power scared him a bit. Just as he thought that, he was about to walk onto the sands when he noticed Jenafa was standing in the way. Thinking of Goldriders must summon them. This made his serious face give way to a half smile.

He may not like women on greens or women in the lower caverns but he was not a person to disrespect the Goldriders. They had their position because they were better than ordinary women and as such, deserved more. He remembered the last Hatching of hers, she had given them a short speech, perhaps she was going to do the same this time.


---------

Larissa pushed her way past a couple weyrbrats, leaving the Creche in a hurry. A few of her friends wished her luck. She just wished her mother had not been so adament. Lara knew her place in the world. In fact she accepted it. Life in the Lower Caverns was not bad.

As fearful as she was of impression, she knew better than to deny herself the chance to impress. What would that say about her to other people or even to the children who looked up to her? She could do this for them. Even if she could not do it for herself. Her white robes were fluttering as she jogged to the Sands. Luckily she wasn't the first or the last person there.

Cymmi had been commanded to stay in her room, where she lived though she was a Candidate. Her mother knew she did a lot of drudgework and the Lower Caverns would be a more convenient place to live. She noticed her sister was not yet there. Janirsa wouldn't miss this. If the Gold impressed quickly then she could leave the sands sooner.

Actually she saw that most the candidates were standing before a towering Jenafa. She was larger than life sometimes. Larissa did admire her for her strength of character. Standing next to a small boy she thought he couldn't be more than twelve. So young to be a Candidate. That was what the Weyr had to resort to with so few older Candidates after the illness. To which she sighed softly, silently hoping the youth would come out of this unscathed.

-----

LATE! Oh no, she wouldn't be! The brunette was determined to get there on time. She had been at practically the opposite end of the Weyr when the crooning was heard. Sharding flames of firestone! Her dark eyes examined the holes between people as she used her agility to ease through them. The whole way she spent making sure she did not fear and remained confident.

The dragon needed her, she reassured herself. Why wouldn't the Gold want her? Laszreen continued to boost herself. When she got to the Sands she must do as she was instructed by Jenafa. She must turn out her fears and welcome the Gold, as a mother welcomes her child into the world. Not that she had any flaming idea what that was like. Her own mother would as soon kill her as look at her. No point in arguing it. She had long since calmed down from the interview.

The white robes were a but dusty by the time she made it to the Sands as the petite girl caught her breathe. She stopped behind most of the other Candidates. Jenafa had something to say apparently. Good. It would give her an extra moment to collect herself. The thought had no sooner escaped her as she felt the horrid heat of the sun at its zenith. Oh this had to be the hottest place in the Weyr. 'Put it aside' she told herself. It doesn't matter, all that matters is the Gold. She shook her head and stood up straight. She was Laszreen of Bitra and a little heat would not keep her from that Gold.

Looking around for a friendly face she got on her tip toes, making out the blonde waves of Larissa's hair. She walked over quietly and stood next to the girl. If J'var was there, she hoped he was wishing this for her. He was, after all, a persuasive person. "Good luck Lara." The blonde gave Laszreen a smile and squeezed her hand but couldn't say a word. So the two stood next to eachother but not touching. This Hatching would determine both of their fates.

[thedreamerlady]

As all of the candidates poured into the little hallway before the Hatching Sands, Jenafa watched them carefully. There was a little brown haired male candidate who caught her eyes: he looked ever so hopeful, and that was the best part of the day so far. She knew that she'd start crying as her and Saharth's babies Impressed. The joy that was so clean, and clear- but she didn't have time to think about that right now.

"Don't be stupid. You'll know if the Dragon wants you, and if he or she doesn't, get out of the Dragon's way." That was the first half of her speech. Jenafa never said that she was good at being encouraging.

"I wish you all the best of luck, and for those of you that do Impress: the food is on the other side of the Hatching Sands." Jenafa gave a brilliant smile, and stepped to the side, gesturing towards the sands, beckoning them to the sands, where a little blue had just burst forth from his shell, and two bigger eggs looked close to doing the same, there mottled colors shining in the sun.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Athekere was excited. So very excited. He couldn’t even pretend to be scared, or nervous, or anything but excited. His Green was out there. His Green was going to burst through the shell, and he was going to Impress.

And that was just the way it was. He felt sorry for those who weren’t as sure as him. Who weren’t as joyous, who were worried about Impress browns or bronzes. Who thought that Impressing a Green was barely a step up from not Impressing at all.

Oh, by the first egg, he was about to become a Dragonrider!

When the Queenrider beckoned them forward, and allowed them onto the Sands, Athekere burst forward watching as the blue, the first one to hatch, Impressed, and watched as a large egg began to splinter.

Where was his Green?

[laionii]

Heart pounding Danwyr could barely stand still as the heat from the sand assailed him. It was more than just the in climate weather however, He listened to the Weyr woman’s words but only half heard them, His eyes were on the tremors running through the eggs. Warm umber eyes watched a splash of blue emerged from the first shell. The little dragon clawing out of its shell. His thoughts were warm welcoming adoring, and directed at the marvelous creatures getting ready to break free.

He glanced about at the other candidates who had assembled, He smiled to Athekere, hoping that the boy would get whatever dragonet he desired. He had also seen the other boy in the group. He hoped that things wouldn’t go badly if he was impressed. He watched the eggs and the hatchling intently curious as to where they would be going.

He held his breath and thought welcoming and adoring thoughts with all his might. this was his last chance. . . .

[hrsegrl]

The speech had been heard before, by Hierzet so he wasn't too concerned. Of course you would know when you impressed. Stay out of the dragonet's way. DUH! What sort of moron would get mauled instead of move? Then again there were girls Standing for the Queen. They would be stupid enough to get in anyone's way.

Hierzet walked onto the sands. There was no rush. The dragons knew who they wanted. He opened himself up to them. He was there, he understood. There was nothing to keep them apart. Until the dragons began to impress. A blue was first then a second egg began to shake. It was larger. Perhaps a Bronze or even better, a brown!

He took a moment to glance at the other Candidates. HAH! They had nothing on him. He was Hierzet and he was going to meet his life mate. Dragonets would come more quickly as the Hatching went on. Hopefully there were a couple browns... he did want one so. His grandfather would be able to tell his father he impressed a brown as was tradition. Everything in his life would make sense.

-------

Larissa trembled a bit as she watched the blue leave his shell. It took a nudge from someone behind her for her to get moving towards the sands. Oh Faranth, how had she gotten into this mess? She was doing this for her mother, and the Creche children. Setting an example, yes. That was right. Her mind calmed down. Her body however continued to tremble a little.

The boys all seemed so brave and ready to face these dragonets. She wished she had that no fear attitude she should have had when she entered the Sands. Sadly she knew that she was not fearless, she never had been. Larissa was concerned about what could happen, most of the time. That was what made her a good Creche nanny. She loved the kids, but she wasn't sure she could love a dragonet the same way.

Her fear blinded her and her confidence had long been shattered by her mother while growing up. She felt like no more than a little girl, looking up at huge scary dragonets, who could kill her. Oh Faranth help her, Larissa thought as she made her way with the other girls toward the Gold egg.

-----

Laszreen remembered what had been said in the interview more than the littel speech Jen had given to all the Candidates. Why? Because it had been directed to her personally. Her issues were not the ones of the other Candidates. She walked toward the Gold egg, without a thought for the heat that was plastering her brown curls to her face and neck. Nor did she think of the other eggs, shaking.

The petite sixteen turn old had eyes only for the Gold Egg. That was where the young one lay. She obviously wanted to make an entrance. Who could blame her? She was a Gold and deserved to have all eyes on her. Saharth seemed to eye the Gold Candidates more warily than the other candidates, though that may have just been her own mind playing tricks on her.

A shiver went up and down her spine as sweat trickled down the soft skin of her back. The egg was bigger than she thought it would be. She looked at the other girls who began to make the customary semi-circle around the Gold. Laszreen didn't care who was among them. Who were they compared to her?

[thedreamerlady]

Saharth crooned extra loud as one more of her eggs burst. From the collective gasp from the Weyrfolk, it was apparent this was a special egg. And thus, the dragon that emerged from it was special as well.

It was a Bronze; and as Saharth's clutches didn't always contain bronzes. They always contained a brown, but the Bronze factor was much lower. And everyone knew it was good luck to have a Bronze at the beginning.

He was a big Bronze, with a dark shade of bronze on his underside, though it faded to a bright coper on his back. And he seemed well aware of where his Lifemate was. Charging along the half circle of candidate boys, he stopped, and peered up at a tall, muscled older candidate.

And even before the Bronze could Impress his chosen, another boy cried out with joy. A Green had cracked her shell, and chosen her life mate. "Her name is Ioreth!" And he hustled himself to the bowls of food that were being offered by several Riders.

D'wyr, I will always love you. The solum voice informed his Rider. Svarth will always love you. May we eat now?

[laionii]

The entire Weyr seemed to inhale sharply as one of the larger eggs cracked There was a coppery flash before the rather large Bronze freed himself of the ovoid prison. Danwyr’s breath caught in his chest, he had always admired the metallic creatures but never before had he seen such a brilliant example of a bronze. Faceted eyes swirled in bright swaths of sapphire and emerald as the damp dragonet made its way purposefully across the sands. Danwyr watched in awe as it charged along the front row of candidates, paying no bother to any of the boys as it passed. His jaw nearly dropped when two swirling eyes of blue and green fixated upon him with all the adoration in the world.

He had dared not hope and yet here was his life mate, standing in all his bright if somewhat unsteady glory. He smiled to the dragonet as it thrummed its affections, reaching affectionately for his chin.”His name is Svarth” The new weyrling cried out beaming in absolute pride he ushered the little bronze over to the tables where fresh meat and morsels lay in wait. ”I shall always love Svarth” he said still in awe of the dragonet. He diverted his attention only for an instant away from his precious Svarth to glance around at the other candidates, the Queen egg had not yet hatched, and still Athekere and Hierzet stood waiting. ”I am hungry still D’wyr” the dragonet protested before the young man began feeding him from a larger tray of meets.

[hrsegrl]

The two Bronzers cheered as loudly as any weyrbrat at the sight of the Bronze. Saharth had outdone herself. A Bronze and a Gold. There was a lot to be said for that. A'stin was grinning, knowing how great an accomplishment this was for the Weyr. It was suprising to him that Ionuth fathered the clutch but then it had been a very competitive flight and those always seemed to produce the best clutches.

A'stin had a hunch that this may also be due to the continued existance of thread but kept such thoughts to himself. No one seemed to believe that here and he was on his own, though he had mentioned some of his findings to J'var. How else could one explain the continued natural disasters and the large clutches at Telgar Weyr, who accepted the theory that thread would return.

Now was not the time to discuss it. An older boy impressed the Bronze which was well and good. He'd be more likely to have a good head on his shoulders. For his part he doubted there would be another Bronze in this clutch. It was rare to have one metallic in a clutch, let alone two, and certainly almost never three.

----------

Hierzet watched the amazing Bronze hatch and moved out of the way deftly when the Bronze ran past the first row of Candidates. Sadly he impressed to that tall, Danwyr, fellow. Ugh, great. Now he had to deal with him forever! Eating his own words was not something that Hierzet was good at.

He hoped his dragon was in there somewhere. It was still early in the Hatching, he reassured himself and waited. He was ready. Hierzet sent all the warmth he could muster, which may not be much but since when was that the only thing a dragonet looked for. They looked for someone like themselves. Hope would not be enough if he was left on the sands again.

[prissy]

Kanit heard the hum and rushed from his resting contemplation to go and get his robe on. He was now going to stand, he would be a dragonrider very soon, he hoped that he would do his father proud. He didn't want K'nor to have any reason to be angry with him, little did Kanit know that any dragon would please his father.

K'nor however was preparing the Barracks cleaning a few of the bunks and making sure everything was in order for the Weyrlings. He hoped that this would be a good class and he would be able to do something fun with them.

[rosieposey]

Aldril listened tensely to the Weyrwoman's speech, continuously peering over her shoulder in an attempt to see inside the Hatching Grounds. Finally she led them inside, and he fell into place by the other candidates in their semicircle around the eggs. He wasn't sure where to look, and his gaze darted from the eggs to the humming dragons to the crowd in the stands, his head tilting up as he took in the full scope of the immense Hatching Cavern. He let out an appreciative whistle at the size of the place; now this is what he needed. No cramped spaces when he was already nervous.

A crack drew his attention to one of the largest eggs in the clutch, and he let out a soft gasp as a magnificent Bronze hatchling stepped from from the ruins of the shell. That was supposed to be good luck, wasn't it? He smiled as the Bronze Impressed quickly to another boy. Aldril was too excited and awed by the Hatching to be jealous. A little green also Hatched and found her lifemate among the boys.

What would hatch next? Aldril was entirely focused on the eggs now, trying to spot subtle signs that would show which were closest to breaking open. He felt a surge of excitement as he thought that his very own lifemate could be inside one of those eggs. Then he shook his head. There was no point counting his dragons before they hatched. He would just try to enjoy the Hatching without speculation. If he didn't Impress this time, there would be more chances.

[thedreamerlady]

It seemed as though the Bronze's Impression had brought forth new efforts from those Dragons still inside there shells. A deep croon from Saharth and then: a Blue. He was quite unsteady on his feet, and wobbled around, before nearly pouncing on his Rider.

"His name is Jaggerth!" Cried the newly named V'sip, one of Athekere's relatives. With a great smile, V'sip and his Blue retired the Hatching Sands.

Athekere himself smiled joyously at his nephew's Impression, and then glanced around for any Greens who might have been Searching for him.

Unfortunately for him, the Green that had just hatched, had already chosen another boy. And the Blue that had hatched right before the little Green was zeroing in on his Rider.

A'dril? It creeled loudly. Will you feed your Etrayth, A'dril? The bright blue hatchling halted tremulously in front of his Rider, and waited for the boy to take care of him.

And then another blue was searching for his Rider, his own blue a dark navy color, his voice loud an incessant. When a boy got into his way, the blue shoved him out of the way, and did not wait to see what would happen to the boy. He knew who he was looking for, and all others were merely distractions.

There you are K'it. The blue announced as he butted up against K'it's legs. People tried to keep your Suroth away from you, but they could never keep Suroth away from you.

Another Green burst forth, and with little ado, found her W'mego, and with that soft Impression over, the biggest of the eggs burst.

And a little Queen tumbled out, fury clear in her eyes, and desperation in her heart.

[prissy]

Kanit was shocked he had impressed a blue? Why only a blue, it was no matter he didn't want to force the litte guy to between he was now his there was no changing that.

Mine, Food please? Suroth whined as he looked up at His with adoration in his eyes as they whirled green and blue. He was happy but he was also hungry, and his knew where the food was.

Yes let's go get you fed Suroth[/i] K'it told the navy blue Dragonet, he was happy but also disappointed in that he didn't get a bronze at least it wasn't a green. "His name is Suroth." K'it said proudly as he took the blue from the sands toward the food.

[hrsegrl]

Hierzet watched as blues and greens began impressing boys all around him. But where was his? The hope he had been clinging to was dissapating at a rate that made him nervous. He shook his head, feeling sweat come off of his face. It was so hot, it was a wonder that the dragonets weren't dehydrated.

Sure, that little glow replacer had his dragon and the Weyrlingmaster's son. What about him? He deserved one. It was his fifth time standing. No way was he not impressing. He wanted to feel welcoming and sweet but Hierzet hardly knew what those emotions were. Reassuring himself that his dragon was out there he looked to see if he recognized anyone else. Ahh, that Athekere kid still hadn't impressed.

Just as he was looking to see what dragonet would be out next the Gold made her entrance. All he could think was, wow.

-----------

Larissa thought all the boys seemed to be doing well. All successful pairings so far. The fact that she felt more like a spectator than a Candidate had eased her nerves. No longer was she trembling. In fact she began to look for her friends and family in the stands but figured there were too many people for her to be able to make them out.

She wasn't paying attention till the Gold broke her shell. "Oh, my, word..." Lara looked up, at once dazzled and afraid. The little one looked angry to her. If one could call her little. She felt herself take a small step backward with a couple other girls. There wasn't anything anyone could say right now that would make Larissa think warm and comforting thoughts.

The blonde felt like a scared and lonely child, she wasn't ready for this. She didn't want to be here. Why had she let herself be talked into this? Her brown firelizard continued to sense her distress though she insisted he remain where he was.

-----

The petite Candidate was tired of watching all the boys impress and had gone back to watching the Gold egg. Just as she was wondering what the dragonet would look like the egg began rocking more violently. Oh Faranth! This was it! She set aside any thoughts that were not warm and loving. This was a baby and she needed someone to love her. Thats what she kept telling herself.

Her parents had loved her in their own way. She had been cared for, even if it wasn't the kind of love one hears about most often. When the Queen burst forth from her egg, Laszreen did not take a step back. She'd only seen one Queen before this and that was Saharth. This smaller Gold seemed more ungainly though no less beautiful than her mother.

The look in the Queen's eyes were not those of hunger or love, they were those of fear and anger. The red hue ought to have given that away but it seemed to Laszreen some girls were very very foolish. She watched and waited, sending out the feelings that Jenafa had told her to.

[laionii]

D’wyr tore his gaze away from his precious beauty long enough to see how the other candidates were coming along. Athekere still stood waiting for his brown or blue, Egg be praised however that the other boy had none approach. He couldn’t help but feel sorry for anything that would have to rely on the dark haired boy. Svarth’s annoyance greeted him and he obliged the dragonet with more food, keeping a close enough eye to ensure the little bruiser wouldn’t overeat.

The gold emerged and D’wyr felt a twinge of anxiousness for the girls half circled around the awkward and ungainly creature. He rested a comforting hand on Svarth, anxiously scratching the eye ridges.

Someone else worries for the gold one Svarth grumbled D’wyr is Svarth’s! the young bronze grumbled possessively, unhappy with any attention that wasn’t given to him undividedly. D’wyr stroked the bronze lovingly,

I am not worried about the little queen he answered his love tenderly. I am curious as to who impresses her. Svarth who didn’t seem to care just returned to eating somewhat grumpy. The tanned boy gently stroked his neck, till he found a spot near the dragonet’s chin which set him to stop eating long enough to emit a soft purr. He glanced back to what was happening on the sands, the hatchling queen wasn’t happy from the look of things.