Tiyanni knew the hatching would be very soon, once Litayth started being more protective of her clutch than less. She and Litayth had seen many clutches, and this was a well-practiced routine.
Unlike some sires, Zerroith was anxious about his clutch. More likely, he was concerned about Litayth, but she didn't want to be hovered over while she was yet hovering over her eggs. J'rin had brought in a candidate mere days ago, and Litayth was pleased with the selection. Some of the candidates had been hard wins, and others they had to keep from leaping aboard the Search dragons before the rider finished speaking.
There was a sort of smugness in that part of Tiyanni's conciousness that was Litayth. Now? she inquired, looking past J'kosh to the evening sky. The sun had barely begun to set.
Now. Litayth said pridefully, and began to hum. The sound grew louder as the other dragons joined in one by one. Riders scurried to bring in the guests, and the candidates were herded into the traditional white robes, and onto the sands.
The dragons watched from their ledges, and Litayth was remarkably calm. The candidates eyed the golden egg and her twelve companions as if they'd never laid eyes upon them.
The eggs rocked, and as the first cracked, a hush fell over the hatching grounds. A large, healthy brown pushed his way out of the shell, and looked around at Litayth before striding through the soft sands to his chosen. Garon looked down at the brown hatchling, whose eyes whirled a loving violet. I am Hadarath, and I choose you!
Two blues on opposeite sides of the sprawl of eggs hatched out, one small and the other large. The larger of the two set off running towards the boys, tripping and sprawling into the soft sand. This was too much for one lad, who broke from the semicircle and ran over to the blue. "Are you okay, Laeth?" Velrick asked, helping the harper blue dragonet to his feet. I am now.
Another egg cracked open, and a mellow green pushed her way out. She started towards the candidates, stopping to give the blue a loving shove towards the candidates before moving on. She knew who she wanted, and it was Tilmat. She leaned heavily against the small lad. You're my rider, Ma'ti, I am Dilith.
The small blue finally made up his mind, and moved deliberately toward the orange-haired Talysen. Tiyanni had seen hair that vividly red only onve before in her entire life. "Zalvorith," he said, dropping to the sand by the dragon. "why did you wait so long?" The dragon looked smug. It's all in the chase. he said.
Another egg rocked, with increased fervor. "You can do it! Come on!" Kollinar encouraged, suddenly calling out to the egg. The shell split in multiple pieces, and out came a dark bronze hatchling, who had no trouble finding his lifemate on the sands. Thank you. he said I'm Xicalth, and I am hungry.
A green had broken from her prison, and made a bee-line towards the girls. She flapped her large wings, trying to get there faster. She was so determined. "Take your time, Nefoth." Segrana said, and once she realized what had come out of her mouth, she was halfway across the sands to meet her dragon.
A large mottled egg seemed to spin in a wobbily circle on it's axis before shattering into miriad pieces, spilling the blue hatchling out onto the hot red sands like a gush of cool water. He picked himself up, and carefully surveyed the hatching grounds before moving towards the candidates. All eyes were on him as he made his way towards the exit. Stopping, he looked back. Aren't you coming? I want to see what's outside. Celeste had an undescribable look on her face. "Of course I'm coming, Chizuth."
A green had worked her way out of her shell, and danced across the red sands. Petapipa! she called in a singsong voice, fanning her wings to dry. "Naoth!?" Petapipa burst out, astonished. That's my name! the green said, prancing the rest of the way to her lifemate.
The large golden egg began to rock, and all eyes were on it. The shell split into several pieces, and the new queen walked towards the remaining girls. They looked at each other, then at her. She had such grace for a hatchling, and spreading her glistening wings for balance, she spoke. Am I going to have to wait forever? Qianel breathed, "no..." Good. Let's go. the queen said, moving towards her Impressor. "Yes, Yainoleth, lets." Qianel said, her hand on the golden dragon's neck.
While all this went on, three dragons had escaped their eggs. A brown, a green, and a blue. The blue didn't hesitate and ran towards the boys, knocking Lekoum from his feet. "What's the rush, Wayrith?" he asked, arms around the dragon I wanted the best! he said simply.
The brown had a piece of shell on his face yet, covering one eye like a monacle. He shook it off, then tromped across the sands to the candidates. Stop thinking about those purple things. he commanded, almost regally, butting Tahre in the leg to get his attention. "They're grapes, Amontilath, not silly purple things." Tahre said. Whatever. lthe brown said. As long as I can eat them. I'm hungry.
The green wove her way between the two remaining candidates, one boy and one girl. She looked up at their faces, knowing only one was for her. "Yvasuth." Azrae whispered, her eyes closed tightly, "just pick already!" She opened her eyes wide and looked at the dragon. "Yvasuth!" she cried triumphantly.
One egg remained, and now one candidate stood alone. Litayth got up from where she had been laying throughout the entire hatching, and walked over and settled herself between the boy and the egg. She settled her wings just so; blocking the wildly rocking egg from his view. You realize this is my last egg, don't you? the giant queen said to Pansiral. He nodded, speechless. A murmur ran through the spectators as the hatchling emerged from his shell. Good. Take care of him. she said, lifting her wing, revealing the small, and brightly shining bronze dragon. "Lokioth!" Pansiral exclaimed. It was the start of a wonderful new life for them both.
The new dragons gathered outside, and looked on in wonder as the stars began to come out.
"It was beautiful, Litayth, my love." Tiyanni said, leaning against her gold on the wide ledge that was the rim of the bowl. Zerroith and the Weyrleader landed near them, and the bronze was settled down to rest beside the gold. It was nice. They will bee fine additions to the Weyrs. Litayth said, and Zerroith roared an agreement.
J'kosh made his way carefully to where his weyrmate sat. "Tiyanni, dearest... I know we've been weyrmates for turns, and our dragons have been mates forever... I've never asked before because I know your duty was to the Weyr, but... Tiyanni, will you be my wife?"
Tiyanni put her arms around J'kosh and kissed him.
I think that's a yes. Zerroith said.
Most definitely. Litayth agreed, he twiningh necks lovingly with her mate.