Darison
:Story::Search::Candidate::Hatching::Weyrling::Adult:
:Falas Weyr::Tripaldi Weyr

The next afternoon Darison led the runners up the path to Falas Weyr. He stopped before entering the weyrbowl, knowing that doing so would only cause havoc as the three young runners panicked yet again. He didn’t have to wait there long though before he was met and told where to take the runners. He delivered them, safe and sound, to the Falas stables and received the promised payment. He was about to remount Jordo when he remembered his promise to find the Searchrider. He turned to see a young man rushing past and called after him.

“Ho there! I don’t suppose you could tell me where I might find P’mir, could you?” he called and the young man, obviously an older weyrbrat stopped and whirled around.

“He’s not here,” came the reply. “He’s out Searching no doubt.”

Those were the only words Darison got out of the boy before he dashed off again. Darison heaved a sigh and left Jordo tied where he was, wandering out into the weyrbowl, wondering how long it would take the Searchrider to return. He was standing in the weyrbowl, unsure of where to go or what to do when a green dragon landed not too far in front of him and swiveled her head around to look at him. His eyes widened in surprise at the intent gaze of the green and he almost didn’t notice her rider approaching him.

“Are you a candidate?” the woman asked and Darison blinked as he turned his gaze to the greenrider.

“What?” he asked, not having been paying attention.

“I asked if you’re a candidate,” she said again, arching a brow at him then looking back at her dragon for a moment.

“A candidate?” he said in surprise but hadn’t a chance to reply further as he felt a rush of air at his back and turned to see P’mir and Siyeth landing close behind him.

“Serzona, don’t you dare! I found him first!” cried P’mir as he leapt from Siyeth’s back.

“I don’t see your name on him anywhere,” said Serzona with a laugh, “and besides, I believe I saw him first as you’ve just arrived.”

“I met him over a sevenday ago at Runner Hold and Siyeth took interest in him just yesterday,” said P’mir, standing directly between Serzona and Darison.

Darison shook his head in confusion and pushed the Searchrider out of his way, addressing himself to both of them. “May I ask what’s going on here?”

“I’m Searching you!” declared P’mir, putting emphasis on the ‘I’ and giving Serzona a meaningful glance. Serzona just smiled, shaking her head, then nodded to Darison.

“I’ll see you around, I guess,” and then she walked off, leaving Darison frowning at P’mir in compounded confusion.

“You’re Searching me?” he asked, hoping for clarification.

“That’s right,” was all P’mir said, smiling at him as if he’d just bestowed a wonderful gift on Darison.

“I’m sorry, I’m not sure I understand,” said Darison, still frowning in confusion.

“What’s to understand? You’ve a shot at Impressing a dragon if you accept the Search,” said P’mir then looked away, the expression on his face very significant. “Unless you’d rather go back to Runner Hold and be in charge of the breeding program for the rest of your life...”

“No!” cried Darison before he knew what he was saying. He blushed lightly and cleared his throat then said, “I will accept the Search, but I must return to my father and discuss it with him first.”

“Of course, I’ll give you a ride, hop on!” said P’mir excitedly as he headed towards Siyeth.

“Actually, I need to ride Jordo back to the Hold,” said Darison with a wince.

“Then Siyeth and I will pick you up in a few days, go home, talk to your father, and get packed!”

Darison made his farewells to the Searchrider, collected Jordo and headed back towards the hills surrounding Runner Hold. For the first half of his journey he could not keep the smile from creeping into the corners of his mouth. He was going to be a dragonrider, even if he had to stay for ten clutches before he Impressed. He would be a dragonrider and finally have a little more control over his own destiny.

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