|
Jralli
Everything else in Jralli’s life began to fall together splendidly though. She and Bodril became very good friends; often laughing about her sister’s vanity as they took long rides through the country together. Jralli’s enjoyment was at its peak though when Domic decided to join them. The three of them had a lot of fun together and Jralli found herself liking Domic more as she got to know him better. Bodril she saw as her best friend and she no longer worried about not being pretty enough because she was beginning to realize that good looks weren’t worth having if it meant sacrificing good sense. One day Jralli had managed to secure a few hours to herself and was walking idly through the garden when she came upon her father. He smiled happily at her and she smiled back, relieved to see him finally acting his normal self around her. He beckoned for her to join him and they walked along together for quite some time. “I’ve got to admit, Jralli, I was a little surprised to hear that you’d turned down the Searchrider,” Lord Dajron began after they’d gone a little ways. “Little did I know you had something else up your sleeve.” “Something up my sleeve, father?” Jralli asked, frowning up at him in confusion. “Don’t play dumb with me, young lady, I know what you’ve been up to.” “I haven’t the foggiest idea what you’re referring to father!” she exclaimed, turning to look at him with wide eyes. “Then he hasn’t spoken to you yet?” asked her father with a frown and Jralli’s heart skipped a beat. “Spoken to me about what?” Jralli demanded, her heart fluttering in her chest thinking perhaps Domic.... But she wouldn’t allow herself to complete that thought, not until she knew for certain. “I’ve received a request for your hand, Jralli, dear,” said her father, taking a deep breath and Jralli held hers as she waited to hear him say who it was, “from Bodril.” “What?” she cried, in complete disbelief. “From Bodril?” “Yes, surely you were expecting it, you spend all your time with him,” said her father, frowning at her reaction. “Well, yes, I do, but we’re just friends,” she replied, shaking her head, trying to clear it of the jumble of thoughts that were whirling around in her brain. “Who did you think would be asking for your hand then? You looked quite eager when I brought it up.” “I thought, well, no, rather I’d hoped it would be Domic,” she said with a sigh and looked up at her father a pathetic look in her eyes. “Domic!” he exclaimed in shock and she nodded miserably. “But Domic has asked to marry Kilija!” On hearing this Jralli’s eyes went wide and she honestly forgot to keep breathing. All her old doubts about her lack of beauty came rushing back to her and she felt that wretched unworthy feeling creeping up in her stomach. She just stood there not breathing, lost in a whirlwind of unworthiness until her father’s voice penetrated her gloom and she forced herself to take a breath. “Jralli, breathe!” said her father and she looked up at him, only then noticing the tears running down her cheeks. She ran then, not sure where she was going, she just ran and before long found herself in the stables. She slowed herself to a fast walk, not wanting to scare the horses and headed down the aisle to her favorite horse. “Jralli!” said a delighted voice and she looked up to find Bodril smiling at her. His smile faded as he saw the tears in her eyes and leaking down her cheeks and he frowned. “What’s wrong, Jralli?” She couldn’t face him and so she turned and ran away the tears falling harder as she heard his concerned voice calling her name. She ran to her rooms and threw herself down on the bed and stayed there until she had cried herself out. Then she got up and looked in the mirror, pulling herself up tall she glared defiantly at the young woman staring back at her. She wouldn’t give in to this, this weakling who cried at discovering what she’d always known. She was not pretty, but she had other virtues that made up for it. Nor would she stay here and be miserable as she watched her sister marry the handsome Domic. She’d find some way to contact that Searchrider, Serzona, and she’d go to the Weyr. She’d known when Serzona had first mentioned it that she was meant to go; she’d felt it, and denied it. But now she would go, somehow, she would. She gasped and jumped as a knock sounded on her door. She wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to make herself look a little more dignified, but still nothing could have prepared her for what met her eyes as the door was pushed open. Serzona, the greenrider, stood there with one hand on the door and Jralli’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Jralli,” Serzona said as she walked slowly into the room, “your father said you would want to see me. Have you changed your mind?” “I- how did he know?” Jralli said, eyes wide. “All I know is that your father sent for me. I came as fast as I could,” said the greenrider, shrugging her shoulders. “I have changed my mind,” said Jralli, her face set in determination. “I was wrong to refuse that day, I know that now. Is the offer still open?” “Of course, Jralli,” said Serzona with a smile. “I would be glad to take you to Falas Weyr with me. There is a clutch of fourteen eggs on the sands, including a queen egg. Though it could mean you don’t Impress this time around I’d encourage you to stand as a candidate for the queen egg.” “A queen?” said Jralli, the disappointments of the day fading away as she thought of her wonderful new life at Falas Weyr. “That’s right, a queen,” said the greenrider, smiling at the young woman’s reaction. “Are you ready?” “I am, just let me pack a few things,” said Jralli, grinning and rushing about to gather a few essentials and things she didn’t want to leave behind. Before long she was ready and she smiled as she and Serzona climbed aboard the back of the dragon. She waved to her father and Bodril as they took off and was relieved to see that Bodril apparently bared her no ill will. She held on tight as Aphorath prepared to transfer between and gasped as they came out and she beheld Falas Weyr beneath them. The Weyr was beautiful and she grinned once again, knowing that this was where she was meant to be. Continue... |