Everyone at Ryslen knew when the day the green clutches would hatch the world felt alive.

Many people had flocked to Ryslen in order to help a handful of abandoned dragons. Two of those dragons were enjoying a morning scrub and oiling courtesy of two hopeful adopters.

It is time. Aventrineth said, wading out of the lake.

Oh get over it. Aventrineth said, standing still as Tawny wiped the water from her legs. The humming began as she’d predicted, and the candidates and already gathered visitors swarmed in to take their places.

Get in there. Aventrineth ordered Tawny.

“But Aven’…” Tawny said. She felt in her heart that Aventrineth did not want her help, or her company.

I said GET IN THERE! the abandoned green said, eyes gone red with anger.

“Aren’t you coming?” she said, unfazed.

No. There are queens in there. The abandoned green said. Now get in there before I flame you!

Tawny didn’t try to argue – she went. She was slightly upset that none of the abandoned dragons were interested with her. By this time, there was nowhere left for her to sit, so she lingered on the edge of the sands. Of course she had always wanted to see a hatching, but now she feared she may not be fit as a dragonrider.

The first egg hatched, revealing a blue. The second, a brown. He was followed by a Night Blue, Light Blue, Night Green, true Green, and then Twins: a Night Green and a Light Green. Nixt was a Light Blue. Tawny was fascinated by the Nights and Lights...The way their bodies changed colours.

The ninth egg cracked defiantly, and a small, incredibly dark brown hatchling moved out. He stalked around, snapping at candidates until he found the one he wanted, lingering at the edge of the sands.

Why are you hiding from Tironath? he demanded.

“I’m not hiding.” Tawny replied, not surprised, though she wasn’t actually a candidate.

Good. Together we’ll protect others! the Night brown declared. Tawny grinned and took him off the sands, wondering if Avintrineth had known all along.