Clutch 3

Written in part by Xalia, but mostly by Twille.

Javia sat with Esonieth on the sands, both watching the eggs intently. They were long overdue to hatch and the candidates were all getting restless. Xalia had decided to give them all a day off and many of them had come through the sands watching from a distance before wandering off again. Solinrath was never far away and today he was sitting on the ledge overhead. Javia sighed and sat down on her dragon’s outstretched forearm. Just then Esonieth jumped up, almost dumping Javia to the ground. One of the eggs had quivered but it was still again.

"Are they finally going to hatch?" Javia asked Esonieth and the large white dragon nodded her head. "Then tell Frinaith to inform Xalia, would you?"

Esonieth snorted but complied, and everyone heard Solinrath’s bugle as the word began to spread...

Xalia was in her weyr, relaxing. She’d given everyone else a day off, and by Faranth’s Egg she was going to take one too! She had been so stressed recently, and F’rol was never around to help alleviate it. Just then she heard Solinrath’s bugle and jumped up. Frinaith informed her that there had been movement in the eggs. She jumped to her queen’s back and the two of them flew down into the hatching sands. Xalia dismounted and walked across the sands to Javia. She frowned, as none of the eggs seemed to be moving at all as the candidates started filing in.

"What is this, some sort of false alarm?" asked Xalia.

"One of the eggs quivered and Esonieth claims they're going to hatch now, but I’m with you. They seem a little too still to be hatching," was Javia’s reply and Xalia’s brow furrowed in thought.

Esonieth bugled then and they could all clearly see that one of the eggs was beginning to quiver again. It was a small egg and Xalia finished ushering the eleven candidates onto the sands before taking her seat.

"Javia! Sorry I'm late, did I miss anything?"

Solinrath crooned in amusement as his lifemate darted through the stands and collapsed into the seat beside Javia. Before Javia or Xalia had a chance to question or protest, G'arin simply waved their questions away, asking again if he had missed anything. Javia shook her head, swatting her weyrmate playfully just as Esonieth gave a loud bugle.

The small egg started rocking more vigorously and before long a small blue had managed to break the shell. He tumbled out onto the sands and looked about him in confusion. He creeled in distress and Esonieth growled at the candidates. The little blue had swept his gaze over each and every candidate there and had not found one he liked. Xalia hissed in a breath, not wanting to see a hatchling between, but not understanding. They had eleven candidates and a count of nine eggs, how could there not be a candidate there for the little blue? But then a young man was jumping the railing of the viewing stands. The blue saw him and crooned in delight, and Xalia heaved a sigh of relief. That would mean a few disappointed candidates returning for the next clutch but at least the blue was safe. The young man looked around in fear and wonder for a moment, but Xalia just nodded her head to assure him he would not be punished.

Whispers of disbelief circulated around the stands before a warning hiss from Esonieth silenced most of the flying rumors and complaints. Still, it did mean that another of the eleven hopefuls wouldn't Impress. Another uproar ensued as bets were taken as to who among the candidates would be left without a lifemate this hatching.

"Hey, Javia, there really is a bond between you and Esonieth. Her children are just as confused as you are." G'arin ducked another swat from Javia before Esonieth's agitated groan forced the pair to restrain their twitters of laughter.

Once the blue was led from the sands another egg started to rock. This one hatched quickly to reveal a green. Her dark hide shimmered with an ethereal light, and her jeweled eyes scanned the candidates slowly, as if all time were compressed into that one moment. She gave a small sigh of relief as her gaze fixed on one young man, a journeyman computer Crafter who had recently lost a dear companion of his. A sleek black and brown canine lay at his feet, whimpering slightly at the soft approach of the green. Nydilider, you don't have to worry any longer. You, me, and Riek, we'll always be together. So long as I stand I'll protect that. Always. I am the dark green Nouryokushokuth.

"Nouryokushokuth? That's quite a mouthful, little one," Nydilider was heard to say as he led his new bond and Riek from the Sands.

A mottled egg shivered, then shattered open, shell fragments cascading around its pine green former occupant. Tilting her head back, she slowly rose to her hind legs and unfurled her wings, standing strongly like a tiny tree in a vast clearing. The green then craned her graceful neck to meet eyes with the oldest girl on the Sands. A sensation of peace seemed to overtake the entire hatching ground, and the crowd fell silent, watching this little nature wonder. Aliza, like spring's first blossoms after the disarray of winter, order will always flourish after chaos. I am the eternal evergreen. I am Jouryokuth.

"Oh, Jouryokuth, I knew you'd be there," Aliza whispered in a teary voice.

As the new pair exited the hatching grounds, another green hatchling screeched in defiance at the remaining candidates, angry at being ignored. Esonieth crooned, gently chiding her daughter, but the green would have none of it. I've waited and waited for you, Puabi, and I will wait no longer! Come here where I can see you! For effect, the green flared her wings and stamped a foot on the sand, seemingly unaffected by the heat.

The Alskyrian candidate laughed and stepped into view of the hatchling, who sniffed with dramatic dislike but obviously seemed relieved to see her bondmate. "All right, Ansokuth, I'm here, and I know you want to nap after such an ordeal like this. We'll get you well fed and comfortable, I'll see to it."

Two eggs nestled beside each other quivered, and one tiny hind leg kicked through its prison, then a tiny white tail emerged from the fissure. The egg toppled over, but the white hatchling seemed to be having a definite problem in freeing itself. Suddenly, the second egg exploded, revealing a glistening brown dragonet. He gave a fierce cry before tearing at the shell holding his sibling captive, and within a few moments, the white dragonet tumbled out into the open. She turned her face away from the candidates, creeling in embarrassment. Why? Why did only my tail hatch?

Werita, with her silver fire lizard close behind, ran toward the little white and scooped the dragon up into her arms. Both dragon and fire lizard crooned in loving admiration toward the Impressor they shared. "There, there, little Denebeth. It's nothing to be ashamed about."

Urion, you're here! Are you proud of me? I was strong, wasn't I?

Werita gasped as Urion rushed onto the Sands, his dragon escort having just landed a few minutes before. "You were wonderful, Kasshokuth. Very noble of you to help your sister," Urion said reassuringly to his brown before sweeping Kasshokuth, Werita, and Denebeth into a haphazard but tenderly emotional fourway embrace.

Eyes were torn from the quad as the gold tinted egg began to rock violently. Esonieth bugled, which was echoed by Solinrath as all attention was focused on this tiny egg. Despite the golden sheen, the egg seemed much too small for a queen, and most believed that Esonieth had actually lain a gold variant, not an actual queen egg. Lovingly wrapping a wing around the egg, Esonieth hissed warningly at the some of the approaching female candidates. A moment which felt like an eternity passed before Esonieth lifted her wing to show off her beautiful, solid gold daughter to the awe-inspired crowd.

The little hatchling was a tiny model of perfection, and she stood, basking in the glory of admiration until Esonieth nudged her toward the female candidates. The little queen gave a chirp of complaint, then began to study the females critically before gliding with a delicate stride toward the girl who almost became a Harper. One unusual characteristic about this queen was that she didn't possess a selfish, domineering aura, which hopefully would help the pair thrive in the future. We can prevail together without pushy males, Asyat. We can protect the world against a common enemy. But it's still your decision. I am Alcyoneth. Am I okay enough?

Asyat kneeled beside Alcyoneth and silently nodded, gazing into those rainbow jeweled eyes. The crowd burst into applause, elated over the successful Impression of Tripaldi's second junior queen.

Meanwhile, the final two hatchlings, green like lush grass and blue as the sky reflected in a meandering stream, were curled up beside each other, watching the departure of their golden sister. The green gave a nervous chirp, then rose to her feet, trying to mimic Alcyoneth's floating steps. Instead, she tripped, falling on her face on the hot sand. With a sympathetic croon, the blue nudged his sister back onto her feet and nuzzled her. Still stumbling, the green waddled up to the rider's child who had lost so much. Tristya, I'm Aoaoth. I'll never leave you no matter what happens. Can we be friends too?

"Of course!" Tristya smiled at Aoaoth's relieved croon and the echo of that familiar question. And speaking of Hiran...

Wow, so many fire lizards, Hiran. I'm not a fire lizard, but I'm small like them now, and later I'll get bigger. We can still Impress though. My name's Nunkith.

"Nunkith," Hiran whispered, hugging the gleaming blue dragon as 3 fire lizards, a blue, white, and green, warbled and circled closely overhead. Tristya tapped Hiran on the shoulder, bringing him out of his reverie, and the two introduced their new bonds to each other before leaving the hatching grounds side by side.

With that, the sands were empty of everything except the shards of eggshells and the two parent dragons staring bewilderedly at the parting crowds. With a bustle of activity and noise, nearly everyone began to file out of the stands, conversing about the results and the three crestfallen candidates that remained. All who attended had heard at least pieces of the trio's painful histories. Truly they were deserving enough to have a bond waiting... but perhaps not all were meant to Impress. But Esonieth bugled at the parting crowds, and Solinrath roared in her defense. It isn't over. This hatching is far from over!

As if to prove his father right, a hatchling of burnished bronze emerged from under the sand, mirroring the fury of his parents as he shook a cascade of sand grains from his wings. However, he also had a hyperactiveness that was all his own. Hey, how dare you all leave! I was buried too deep, but I'm here now! Palan, bring them back using the magic! I'll help you control your abilities too! My daddy knows how to fight wraiths real good, and mommy knows a little magic too I think, so I know lots! I'm Seidoushokuth, and we'll go lots of places... well, after we eat?

Staring at the bronze hatchling for a moment, the elven mage Palanthalas suddenly smiled, which shocked some of those in the stands. Esonieth crooned at her metallic son and his new bond, gently confiding in Seidoushokuth that neither she nor Solinrath were quite that experienced in dealing with the supernatural.

Then there were two. As Palan led his metallic bond from the sands, the final remaining candidates stared at each other, both trying to accept the inevitable. There would be other clutches, of course... The air hung heavily, touched with thick humidity, reminding some of the conditions before a thunderstorm. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, a piercing, mournful howl echoed throughout the hatching grounds. It was a dragon's roar, but no dragon had uttered that eerie cry. From the shadowy recesses of the grounds, a tiny oceanwater-green dragon touched with stardust white stepped into view, blinking a few times in the harsh light.

That was my brother. He will reveal himself later. The green-white hatchling focused decisively on Krohska, who cringed slightly as if expecting the tiny dragon to overwhelm her with love and sympathy. I know you desire to be accepted. I desire it too, but I won't smother you with it. But now we're both in the light, and I think I like what I see. But I don't see you with just my eyes, and yet, I'm not getting a clear picture... Keeping her jeweled eyes fixed on the young woman, she walked decisively toward Krohska. I know your fears, I know your losses. I have to know, I wanted to know. I will have no other rider, Krohska, but if you reject me, I will accept it. The green-white turned away, staring into the shadows, where her brother watched passively as fate unfolded. My name is Procionth. I cannot fear rejection. I want you to make the decision for us. Without a moment's hesitation, Procionth suddenly looked up at her bond and crooned happily. Krohska merely nodded, a hint of a smile brushing her face as she and Procionth left the sands.

I'm glad that turned out all right. I had been worried for them. But now, Truthair, it's just us. I think you know how this is supposed to turn out. You end up respected as the rider of a rare dragon, and I find peace within the bond of a deserving soul. Perfection. A draconic figure shifted in the shadows, a glint of light reflecting off of his eyes. Yet it doesn't seem quite fair, does it? Some of us are judged long before our intentions and desires are known. People only notice a pretty face, a defensive attitude, defacing injuries, humiliating mistakes, whispered rumors. Whatever happened to seeking the entire truth, skimming below the surface? But when we posess some great power, those same people flock to us, hoping to get something in return. Fair weather hides more secrets than the deepest of shadows, my friend. Be wary, all of you.

The oppressive atmosphere seemed to disipate as a storm cloud blue, fairweather cloud white dragon slinked out from the shadows, piercing his gaze straight into Truthair, then throwing his head back. Another wolflike howl reverberated throughout the hatching ground, and Procionth stopped where she was, returning something that vaguely resembled a fire lizard chirp and a canine bark. Talk circulated around the stands. Those two siblings certainly shared their own, extremely odd bond. Truthair, I am Siryusth. Don't let anyone ever try to decieve you in any way. You are not an evil traitor, but nor are you elevated to supreme status simply because you are the Impressor of a rare. Besides, I've heard treason was an uprising against a government, not protecting the lives of townsfolk...

Finally, talk was able to freely circulate as the blue-white and his bond, along with the green-white who insisted on waiting for them, were escorted off the grounds. Esonieth crooned gently, nosing a few of the scattered eggshells in reminiscence. G'arin put his arm around Javia, with a hint of a mischievious smile brushing his face.

"Whoa, Javia, that was an odd hatching. Stars, Terran Japanese, and philosophical hatchlings? What on Pern was Esonieth thinking when she laid that clutch?"

"Speak for yourself, G'arin, your dragon sired it."

Are you two implying that I sired a bad clutch? I'm deeply offended. G'arin, I thought you'd have more tactfulness than that.

You two dare to insult my children?!

In the resulting, inevitable chaos that followed, no one noticed the lone boy from the stands entering the grounds, meeting eyes with a tiny, adoring blue that had somehow remained hidden completely from view for the entire hatching. Even Esonieth never realized the absense of one tiny egg hatching. Maybe she had truly lain only twelve. But with this unexpected and unnoticed fulfillment of a dream, the boy and his bond who leave the grounds bring this hatching tale around full circle.