Nulkon
:Story::Search::Candidate::Hatching::Weyrling::Adult:
:Moon Shadow Weyr::Tripaldi Weyr

The answer came the next day. He was working lethargically in the fields, still mulling over what to do when a dragon landed at the edge of the field. Both families left off their work to go see what the dragonrider wanted. The blue dragon swiveled his head to examine each person as they walked up and Nulkon blinked in surprise as the beasts gaze lingered on him for a fraction of a second more than it had the others.

“Hello there!” called the rider as they all walked out of the field. “I’m U’scu, rider of Blue Zayanth and a Searchrider from Moon Shadow Weyr.”

Nulkon’s father stepped forward. “Welcome, dragonrider. What can we do for you?”

“I see some family resemblance here,” said the rider, glancing between Nulkon and Konik, “Are you this young man’s father?”

“Yes,” frowned Konik, glancing back at Nulkon who shrugged to indicate he had no idea what the rider wanted.

“Wonderful, because Zayanth and I would like to Search the boy for Moon Shadow Weyr.”

“Yes!” cried Nulkon, seeing his salvation and grasping it. “I’m old enough to make the decision for myself and I want to go.”

His father raised his eyebrows at his vehemence but nodded his head. He knew his son’s dreams of being a dragonrider and didn’t want to stand in his way.

“Great then, it’s settled!” said U’scu with a smile and Nulkon didn’t wait to hear another word, racing off to tell his mother and pack his things.

His mother started to cry but he took no notice, flying through the house to his room where he started frantically throwing things into a bag. He realized then that he was not acting his age and slowed down, thinking things through more calmly. Then came a knock on his door. Without any response from him it was pushed open all the way and Shaki stood there, looking very nervous and very upset.

“Shaki,” was all he said and the young woman walked into the room and sat down on the bed with her back to him, though not so much that he couldn’t see the side of her face.

“I know you’re leaving, but I,” she stopped, wringing her hands in her lap. “I just figured...I know it doesn’t change anything but I wanted you to know...”

“You’re pregnant,” he finished for her, eyes wide, not knowing what to say.

“Yes,” she replied in a small voice, then turned to look at him, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes. “How did you know?”

“Koshi let it slip last night.”

Shaki nodded her head and turned away again, not saying a word.

“I’m sorry Shaki,” Nulkon said, surprising even himself.

Shaki turned back to him then and smiled slightly. “That’s the last thing I thought you’d say.”

He just shrugged not sure what to say next.

“I don’t have any pretensions on you, Nulkon. I know how you are, I just thought you should know before you left.”

“If you need anything...” he started and trailed off as she shook her head.

“No, I don’t need anything, but I hope the offer stays open, because you just never know.”

He nodded his head and she left without another word. Nulkon finished packing and headed out to where the Searchrider was waiting. Not quite as excited as he had been, but he could feel the excitement returning as he climbed up onto the blue’s back. He admired the dragon’s blue hide and grinned. Perhaps one day he would be sitting astride his own blue. He had no expectations of impressing any higher, after all, it was the blues that caught the greens and greenriders were notorious flirts...

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