| Welcome to Starlight Hold |
| The Gather was buzzing with excitement as Morning Star's Weyrwoman, Zearia, walked into the courtyard of the new hold wearing her new gather dress that she had made especially for her at Emerald Weyr. The dress bellowed around her feet as she walked over to Lord Holder Haren and Lady Holder Laterira. "Ah, Zearia! So good you could come!" Haren shouted. "Is Jikgon with you?" "Unfortunely, no," Zearia said, shaking her head. "He had to finish settling the new candidates in. He should be along shortly though along with S'ron, K'ran, and the other rider - except for Kaira, of course." "Of course," Laterira, who was in her eighth month as well, sighed. "I have not been out of this hold in the past five sevendays. It's a good thing I have Zaitya to keep me company." Her purple dragonflit sighed, "I would never leave you, Laterira or that babe." |
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| Laterira sighed as she stroked Zaitya's back, "I know, Zaitya. I know." Zearia smiled at the pair, "We have a few of those in our weyr. They are extremely smart, in fact, almost as smart as the dragons - even though the dragons wouldn't agree with that." Laterira laughed as Zaitya's back arched, and she spread her wings, "Thank you for the compliment, Weyrwoman," Zaitya said. |
| Suddenly, two young girls ran past the Lord and Lady Holder. Both of them had a flit on their shoulder, one had brown and one had blue. "Karia! Plara!" Laterira shouted. "Where exactly do you think you're going?" "To the Tanner's tent," One of them said. "We need new shoes." "All right, but only get them if they cost under ten marks," Laterira said. "Oh," The other one groaned. "I wanted boots, and those are expensive." "Well, Karia, you'll just have to wait until your next birthing day," Laterira shouted. The girl with the brown, Karia, nodded, "O.K. Come on, Plara," She said to the other girl as the took off towards the crafter tents. |
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| "Darling girls," Zearia sighed as she watched the two run towards the tents. "They're old enough for Impression, Zearia," Laterira said, smiling. "I'll keep that in mind, Laterira," Zearia said, laughing. "But, you know it's not my decision. You'd have to talk to S'ron about that." |
| "Talk to me about what?" S'ron asked as he approached the group. "Ah, searchrider S'ron, just the person I wanted to see," Lady Laterira said as she lead him over to the two girls. Zearia laughed and shook her head, "I guess I better go find Derian. He is in charge of the music." "He's right there, Zearia," Haren said. "And those singers he has with him are beauties." |
| Zearia glanced over at the stage. Derian was standing with his arm around Airya and Fiatara!!! What were they doing here? They were suppose to be at Cincanta! "Wipe that look off your face, Zearia," Mera said as she walked over. "I thought bring the ones that wanted to come back, back. Airya has to sing, and I think Fiatara is going to, too." "What?" Zearia asked. "Fiatara?" "The girl has the voice of an angel," Mera said. "I heard her practicing in the barracks one night." Zearia nodded, "She can sing, but not with anyone watching." "She might as well try, Zearia. What harm can it do?" Mera asked. Fiatara and Airya looked at each other as Derian took his spot among the harpers. As the first note played, Airya started into a beautiful solo, and, suddenly, Fiatara joined her. Their voices echoed and blended perfectly as each harper matched their speed perfectly. Zearia was amazed that Fiatara wasn't having any problems with the crowd. Then, Zearia noticed that Fiatara's eyes were closed. Zearia laughed a bit, but was able to keep her amusement to herself. As the performance ended, many rushed to the stage to congradulate the two singers. "Fiatara!" Mera shouted. "We have to get back, now!" Fiatara looked up at Mera and nodded, calling a quick good-bye to Airya, she rushed off the stage and towards Mera's green. Zearia smiled. They were going to have several new riders at Morning Star soon. "What was that about?" Haren asked. "The eggs must be hatching," Zearia said. "Fiatara's a candidate at Cincanta. Airya is, too, but for a different clutch." "Oh," Haren said. "Where is Lakrain? He should be out here by now." "Is your eldest doing well?" Zearia asked. "As well as a man with three kids and one on the way can be, I guess," Haren laughed. "And Gerao?" Zearia asked. "One and counting," Haren said. "Farteron?" "This is going to be his first. He's a nervous wreck," Haren laughed. "Then seem like fine girls, Laterira, but we just can't take them yet. They're to young for female candidates. Maybe in a turn or two," S'ron argued with the Lady Holder. Zearia laughed as the pair walked past. This was going to be an interesting Gather. Continue... |