Morning Star Weyr

Taralan latched onto the shirt collar of his best friend, Xeran, "Where do you think you're going? You're not leaving me alone in this dark hallway."   "Lan, get ahold of yourself. No one's going to kill you walking down a hall," Xeran growled, ripping his friend's hand from his shirt.   "You know I don't like to be alone, Xeran," Taralan sighed.   "Well, that's not your fault, Lan. You couldn't help being abandoned," Xeran sighed as they turned a corner. "Besides, you're not alone now."   "I know, I know. I've heard it all. 'You've got the protection of the Weyr now', 'No need to be worried, Lan, we're all friends here', 'No one's going to hurt you here, Lan", I heard them all," Taralan sighed as he grabbed Xeran's collar again as they turned down the hall towards the kitchen.   "LAN!!!!" Xeran shouted, grabbing his friend's hand off of his shirt.   "I'm sorry, Xeran!" Taralan shouted, tears welling up in his eyes. "I'm really sorry."   "Oh, don't cry, Lan," Xeran groaned. "Please, don't cry. I'm sorry. I should really learn to be more sensitive."   Taralan sighed and shook his head, "No, Xeran. I need to learn that I'm always going to be alone. I have to deal with it. I'm sorry, really."   Xeran shook his head and patted his friend on the shoulder, "It doesn't matter, Lan. You know what would cheer you up though. Why don't you come with me to Ryslen Weyr? I was going to try and become a candidate. Why don't you try to, too?"   Taralan sighed, "I guess I'll come, but I don't think candidacy is something I'd like. It'd be to nerve racking to wait and see whether you were going to be left standing."   "But you could also not have to worry about being alone anymore, Lan!" Xeran shrieked.   Taralan shook his head, "I'd rather you not say anything else, Xeran. I couldn't stand the waiting, that's it."   Xeran sighed and shook his head, "What ever you say." ***   Taralan and Xeran sighed as they stepped into the weyrbowl of Ryslen Weyr.   "Isn't this great, Lan?" Xeran asked.   "Yeah," Taralan said as he looked around.   "I'm going to go find out how to apply. You can just look around if you don't want to come with me," Xeran said.   "All right, Xeran," Taralan said.   Taralan stepped into a dark tunnel that seemed to be drawing him towards it. Slowly as he heard roaring, Taralan started back but had lost the light. Having no alternative, he started forward again and was shocked at what he saw. Five dragons of varing colors laying in a dank room that seemed as if no one had been in it ever. Taralan gasped as two flits dove at his head. Trying desperatly to portect himself from the two insane fire lizards, Taralan ducked behind what he thought was part of the wall. As the two flits settled back on the table that had leaped off of, Taralan placed his head on the 'rock' he was hiding behind. Giving a sudden jerk, the rock shifted away from Taralan's touch. Gasping, Taralan fell backwards as a large blue muzzle turned his way and snorted.   What are you doing down here? No one comes to see us anymore, A voice sighed.   "I, ummm, well, I wanted to see what was down here," Taralan stammered.   Well, we are, all right! A different voice roared. You can go now and leave us like all the others! Taralan back away from another large dragon, this one a light blue, that had turned and glared at him.   Leave him alone, Meilizath. He didn't mean any harm. Besides, it nice to see someone here, Another voice echoed in Taralan's head.   Taralan glanced around the room, "What are you all doing down here, and where are your riders?" He asked.   A large wave of wordless emotion pulsated through the room. It was so strong that Taralan started to cry.   Why are you doing that? Another voice questioned. It's not like we're your problem.   It's not like you understand what we've been through, Another voice sighed.   Taralan shook his head, "I've been abandoned. I know what it's like. I'm afraid to be alone now. All I want is to feel as if I'm never going to be alone again."   Foolish dreamer! The light blue roared. You're only going to be crushed by your pitiful fantasy! Be quiet! The darker blue bulged. I think it's a rather nice thought. I'm sure that's just what all of us would like!   There were slight rumbles from each of the dragons as the darker blue turned and looked directly at Taralan.   Well, I know that's just what I'm looking for, he said. I don't know what happened to my rider. I simply woke up one morning, and she was gone. I'd so love to have someone who would be with me always.   Taralan sighed and stepped forward, "I'd never leave you if I was your rider. If I was lucky enough to Impress, I'd never abandon my lifemate."   How about a second-hand lifemate? The blue asked.   Taralan smiled at him, "Are you saying what I think you are?"   The blue rumbled and flicked his tail at Taralan, You tell me if I'm wasting my time, and then I'll tell you whether I'm asking.   "You're not wasting your time," Taralan smiled as he took the very black tail in his hands and stroked it softly. Continue...