Bauden
:Story::Search::Hatching::Weyrling::Adult:
:Moon Shadow Weyr::Tripaldi Weyr

Bauden gasped for breath as he leaned forward against the wall, the memories finally relinquishing their hold on him. He turned, leaning his back against the wall and wiping the tears from his eyes. It wasn’t fit for him to be seen crying like this. Especially not out here in the courtyard. He pushed himself away from the wall, keeping his eyes downcast as he walked swiftly back into the Beastcrafthall, heading to his rooms, hoping his roommate wouldn’t be there and he could have some privacy to recollect himself.

He was lucky; his roommate was out in the stables taking care of chores that Bauden was no doubt supposed to be helping with. Now that Deriam was leaving he’d be required to do chores again. As Deriam’s personal apprentice and assistant he’d been excused from the usual chores of an apprentice. Bauden wiped the last of his tears from his face and tried to think positively. He’d make Journeyman soon, and that would give him his own room, he’d no longer have to share and the chores of a Journeyman would be far easier than those of an apprentice.

He tried to keep his thoughts on more positive things and soon managed to forget the disturbing memories yet again. Before long though he heard a knock on the door. Frowning Bauden rose to open it, only to find a dragonrider standing there. Looking puzzled, Bauden just stood there staring at the man, a Searchrider by his shoulder knots.

“Are you Bauden?” asked the Searchrider, standing in the doorway.

“Yes,” replied Bauden, a little confused. “Who are you?”

“I’m M’ranu, from Moon Shadow Weyr. My blue Nenverth and I noticed you when you were out in the courtyard...” he trailed off as Bauden’s cheeks flushed bright red in embarrassment.

“I’m sure everyone noticed me,” replied Bauden testily.

“Well, we were the only ones out there at the time and the only reason I noticed you was because my dragon said you would make a good candidate. Do you have any dragonriders in your background?”

“My father was a dragonrider,” replied Bauden, with a frown, not sure he’d heard the man right. “I’m sorry, but did you say I’d make a good dragonrider?”

“That I did, we’ve got a Queen’s clutch on the sands at Moon Shadow right now. What do you say? Ever given any thought to being a dragonrider?”

“I-I don’t know...” replied Bauden, mulling the idea over in his head. He hadn’t thought of being a dragonrider since he’d left his father’s Weyr for the Beastcrafthall. But perhaps that was just what he needed. As much as he loved working with the runners and figuring out their genetics, he would love to have a dragon, someone who would never willingly choose to leave him as it seemed so many people had in his life. And who knows? Perhaps they would let him work on figuring out dragon genetics someday. His answer left his lips before he could think twice, “Yes, I want to be a dragonrider. Can we leave now?”

M’ranu laughed and patted Bauden on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit, we sure can! Just pack any vital belongings, I’ve already spoken to the Masterbeastcrafter about it and though he was a little disappointed to lose a promising new Journeyman he reluctantly agreed that the decision was yours. Nenverth and I will be waiting in the courtyard.”

With that the Searchrider left, and Bauden rushed about getting his things together. Before long he was mounted upon the back of M’ranu’s blue dragon, Nenverth, the Beastcrafthall growing smaller below them. Bauden heaved a contented sigh then held his breath as Nenverth transferred between. He was on to a whole new life!