Elziba
:Story::Search::Candidate::Hatchling::Weyrling::Adult:
:Starburst Weyr::Tripaldi Weyr:

A few days later Elziba woke early to find the sun streaming through her window. After almost a week of grayness she was delighted to see the sun. She jumped out of bed dressing quickly and ran outside her hair still disheveled from tossing and turning all night. She threw her arms out to either side of her and just stood there, eyes closed, soaking in the sun’s rays. She hadn’t slept well the night before, having strange dreams all night. As was the case with most dreams she’d woken up that morning having only a vague impression of dragons and that was all she remembered of the dreams.

Suddenly aware she was being watched she whirled around, opening her eyes to find Mirogol watching her silently from the door of the Cothold. She grinned at him and beckoned for him to join her out in the sun. He flashed her a shy smile then his gaze suddenly jumped beyond her and his eyes widened, in surprise or fear she couldn’t tell, but she whipped around just in time to see a large green dragon land directly in front of her. She yelped and stumbled backwards, tripping on a rock and sitting down hard on her rump.

Before she could even think about getting up strong arms were under hers, lifting her back to her feet and a concerned voice whispered in her ear, “Are you alright?”

Elziba smiled as she identified the voice, not having to turn around to know it was Mirogol. “I’m fine,” she assured him and pulled away, aware of the feeling of his strong arms still around her and the fact that anyone could have been watching.

The dragonrider slid from her dragon’s back, leaning against the green’s shoulder as she watched the young man helping the girl back to her feet. She smiled as she saw the tenderness there and the way the young woman smiled when she realized who was helping her up. Her smile faded as she saw each of them step away from the other, casting fearful glances back at the hold and only then did she notice the differences in their dress.

The girl wore a dress that was obviously not high quality, but not low quality either. She was most likely the Cotholder’s daughter. The boy wore rough clothing that looked as if it had been patched many times. He was obviously just a drudge, and yet there was more to him than that. She frowned at each of them until she realized how nervously they were both eyeing her.

“I’m Quiralla,” she said with a smile, “and this big green beast is Kalimith.”

“I’m Elziba,” the young woman replied, taking control of the situation. “I assume you’ll be wanting to speak with my parents? They’re the Cotholders…” she trailed off.

“That I would, though first may I ask how old you are?”

“Seventeen,” she replied, standing tall.

“And you, young man, your name and age, please?” she asked, motioning the boy to come forward.

Wide-eyed and unbelieving he stepped forward and managed to stammer out his name. “Mirogol, ma’am, sixteen.”

“Great,” she smiled at both of them. “Now I’d love to talk to your parents, Elziba.”

Elziba went inside and yelled for her parents. Before long they emerged from the Cothold, frowning at each other, wondering what was going on. Then they saw the dragonrider and both smiled in welcome.

“Welcome, dragonrider,” said Cotholder Elzid. “What fortune brings you to our door this morn?”

“Search,” replied the blue-rider bluntly and smiled at the two young people.

Elzid and Katriana turned to follow her gaze and saw Elziba and Mirogol standing beside each other with wide eyes. Elzid recovered first and queried, “I’m sorry, did you say Search?”

“That I did and my green here thinks those two would make excellent candidates!” she smiled at the two.

“Did you hear that, Mirogol?” Elziba hissed to the drudge. “We’re going to be Candidates!”

Mirogol didn’t say anything, but as realization dawned on him he grinned and wrapped his arms around Elziba, lifting her and swinging her around before setting her feet on the ground and planting a kiss on her lips. Elziba pulled back from the kiss in shock and Mirogol immediately backed away, his gaze falling to the ground. Elziba had no time to react as her mother came storming over to them.

“What is the meaning of this?” Katriana demanded, anger flashing in her eyes. “Don’t tell me this drudge is the reason you won’t accept Lord Rarken’s advances, Elziba?”

Elziba could not form the words to reply, not only because she was in shock but also because her mother was shaking her by the arm so that her teeth rattled. Mirogol grabbed Katriana by the arm and wrenched her away from Elziba.

“How dare you-” started Katriana, raising a hand to strike the young man for his insolence.

“Strike him at your own risk,” said the greenrider, stepping between the woman and the boy. “I declared this young man Searched and unless he declines the honor you no longer hold any sway over him. Woe to the person who trifles with a future dragonrider.”

Katriana just stood there in shock as Elziba edged around her mother to stand beside the dragonrider.

“Elziba?” her mother asked, her brow creasing as if in pain.

“I accept the Search mother,” replied Elziba, standing tall. “I’ll not stay here to be abused by the nearby Lord Holders and what you wish of me. It’s time for me to go out and make my own life. I choose the Weyr.”

Katriana’s brow creased further but she nodded, a stray tear leaking out of her eye. “Alright Elziba. I understand.”

“Good for you, Elziba,” said Elzid, stepping up behind her mother. “The Weyr will be lucky to have you,” then he turned to look at Mirogol who was now standing on the dragonrider’s other side. “Good luck boy, you be nice to my daughter.”

Mirogol smiled then turned his gaze to Elziba who grinned back at him. Before long they were on the back of the green dragon Kalimith on their way to Starburst Weyr.