Everything was splendid at Ryslen- there were happy young riders everywhere – and Damselth and Orypith were about to add to the number. Orypith let out a stunning bugle into the midmorning air, and Damselth’s gorgeous humming followed.
Jalemar grinned and followed after the candidates who’d been out in the courtyard. That stunning Revlis was far too tempting…
Damselth’s six eggs were cradled in the soft red sands like precious gems. Ten human candidates from various locales and three dragons encircled them, knowing more than half would remain, but Viceith’s small clutch was soon to hatch, so no one worried – not much at least. The first egg split, and Damselth grew quiet. Her first child was a deep sapphire blue overlain with silver, just like his sire. Nobly, he raised his head and spread his shining wings. Do not be blue, my lady. Leave that to me. The pain need not linger. He was larger than the average blue, and would probably be the size of a medium ot large brown when he was fully grown. The greeny-blue jeweled dragoness raised her head. “What did you say, Yonaleith?” I said the pain need not linger, Lady Sassivrey. the silver-blue said, and walked to her, laying a newly hatched paw on hers. Tears of heartfelt joy rolled from her eyes.
A second egg split, and a deep brown not much smaller than the blue tumbled forth. He was broad of chest and heavy in the wingshoulders. He looked for all the world like a football player. He charged a leather clad young man – but Crash stepped out of the dragon’s way. “Better luck next time, Naugath.” Realizing what he’d said, the MallCrawler helped his draognnet to his feet.
In his wake came a lithe green, who tumbled out of her shell and easily righted herself. Mayli! she called cheerily, and sprinted to the young woman, leaping over an egg in her path, jade wings spread. She skidded to as stop before her chosen. I’m Merridith!
The egg Merridith leapt split to reveal a blue, and a small one at that. He moved as though in a dream – slowly, effortlessly. Tynar, I am Irayoth… he purred, and the young man’s life was changed forever.
Another egg broke, and an emerald green dragoness made her way through the glass-sharp shell. The silver on her hide shone bright. One young glasscrafter stared in awe, wishing deep inside that she could someday make something as beautiful as that. I’m glad you approve, ridermine. the silver-green said to Sherese. “Oh Rytaloth!”
The last egg shivered, and began to open. Revlis preened. This surely was his dragon. Jalemar was hard pressed not to whistle at the beautiful young man. Green-yellow Halutath and Two-tone blue Jatecosth looked down from the ledges – they too felt the connection between Revlis and that egg. As the dragon emerged, Revlis stared. A silver-purple. Close your mouth, Revlis my dearest, and tell them my name. “Cszaiath. Her name is Cszaiath.” What a shock!
Jalemar was still grinning – no surprise there!
Crash and Brown Naugath Mayli and Green Merridith Tynar and Blue Irayoth Sherese and Silver-Green Rytaloth Revlis and Silver-Purple Cszaiath |