She wished there was someone she could look to for reassurance, but she simply stood on the nearly scalding sands and glanced at the worried faces of some of the other candidates. At least she wasn't the only one a little nervous about standing for a Hatching.
A large egg shook and cracked, spilling a brown dragon onto the sands. The brown wandered over to the female candidates as Kaarewen watched with interest. The brown male chose a young woman, and was followed by a blue dragon who also impressed a girl.
A short while later, the golden queen egg began to rock. Kaarewen watched hopefully as the golden hatchling emerged. The gold impressed and left with her chosen, and Kaarewen frowned.
She was beginning to hope for a blue or brown; she didn't particularly care for the greens' flighty nature, and would not mind having a larger, stronger male dragon.
Sure enough, a green and blue dragon climbed from their shells. The green trotted to the female candidates, and the male blue followed at her heels.
The green bonded and announced her name, but Kaarewen's attention was drawn to the blue. The hatchling trotted past the girls, inspecting the candidates, and stopped in front of Kaarewen.
You will not leave me, I hope? She heard the dragon ask as he butted his head against her.
Kaarewen's eyes threatened to spill the tears glistening in her eyes, and she blinked them away as she answered. "Oh, Ustavth, I could hardly leave you behind..."
Once again, she wished she had someone to witness and share her proud acheivement. Instead, she looked to the Weyrlingmaster, who beamed at her in encouragement. Perhaps she might find a family here after all...
Besides, you have me now! Ustavth reminded her, and Kaarewen laughed.
