Kedeawen? Is it... time? Are they Hatching?"
Yes, rider mine. They are. Get the candidates. And Litha sent up the alarm.
The candidates hurried to the Sands. They separated slightly (there was no need for a large split- there weren't very many candidates, of course), boys and girls. The humming that had begun earlier in the day peaked and became loud. The Stands were completely filled: Even though the clutch was so small, it was the first. And everyone wanted to be there. Litha and St've stood together on the ledge above, where they could see everything that went on.
The humming reached its peak, and the candidates began to fidget. When would they Hatch? That question was answered shortly, with a loud Crack.
The candidates all seemed to lean forward, watching the first egg. It was wobbling to and fro, with cracks across the surface. And finally, a leg burst through the shell, sending shards flying like shrapnel. All eyes strained to see what colour the leg was, but there really was no need. The shell exploded into a million pieces, revealing a bold green, strong and proud, bugling and flapping her wings.
Finally! That egg was so cramped! shouted the green. A girl in the group started. The dragonet peered around, but not moving a step.
Where are you? I know you are there! Don't you want me? Get down here before I get mad! she shrieked. Reima jumped forward from the group of candidates and ran forward, arms open to embrace the bold green dragonet.
"I'm sorry Zenireth. That was an amazing entrance." The newly Linked led her dragon from the Sands, to the kitchens to the sounds of the crowd's clapping.
Attention turned immediately back to the Sands, for more of the eggs were quaking. One of the eggs broke open to reveal a sturdy... What? There was a collective gasp from the onlookers in the stands. Lissa leaned over to get a better look. She smiled as she saw... It had a metallic hide, definately bronze. And its wing sails... they were dark, and starry, like the night sky. A girl in the crowd of candidates nudged her brother. But he had already noticed. He was staring, as if hyptnotized.
"Rianeth," he said, stepping forward. The dragon came forward also, standing tall and dignified.
Hezra, bespoke the dragon to his new rider. And they walked from the Sands.
Philaea was still in shock of that strange dragon when she felt a breath on her hand and then a small muzzle that forced itself beneath her hand.
You think he's
"No, of course not Trinith! You are beautiful!" she gasped. And then she ushered the little beauty from the Sands.
Two eggs hatched at nearly the same time next. A small blue crawled from his shell, and instead of looking at the candidates, he sat firmly on the ground. The brown that had also hatched looked at the blue, and turned to the remaining candidates.
How annoying. Don't you wish sometimes that they would just be quiet?
"Who, Travenipeth?"
Brothers! Sometimes they can be so obnoxious, just sitting there whining. Tranak walked out to the handsome brown, and they went off together.
Gidrah stood, alone on the Sands now. She looked around, and then peered at the blue. But he wasn't paying any attention to her. She looked up at Litha, shielding her eyes from the sun. Litha shrugged back. Just then, Zoith rose her bulk, cooing. A tiny dragon stepped froward, blinking in the sun. She looked expectantly at Gidrah, her eyes whirling and her head held high.
Will you make me clean, and make me sparkle like the gold you find underground?
"Of course I will, Aureliath." And then, the candidates were gone. And still, there sat the tiny blue, alone, and waiting.
"Well, what do we do with him? He can't just sit there!"
"I know, but there isn't anyone to Link him! He'll probably be considered abandoned... Unless he can live by himself, without having Linking."
You're talking about me, aren't you? The voice sounded happy, not at all depressed. Litha and St've both looked at him.
"What's your name?" asked Litha, smiling. The blue looked up at her, eyes swirling happily.
Asherth, he responded. St've and Lissa glanced at each other. What would happen to the poor little guy? For now, he would just stay in the Labyrinth.