Finally, Shailekyth’s five eggs began to wobble, indicating their impending hatching. Riders scrambled to collect guests while dragons of all colors arrived with their bonds to watch a hatching with the potential for making history. Among them was none other than Mystic, the Tris’hathian mage who led The Warren and her gorgeous Geperna silver Myrah’Care.
Thirty some candidates ringed the sands, the vamires noticably absent again as the sun shone welcomingly down on Ryslen.
“Are you excited?” a motherly Jeyann whispered to Mystic, who sat beside her.
“A clutch like this should excite everyone. It’s not every day a special clutch hatches at Ryslen.”
As Mystic spoke, the smallest egg split into pieces, tumbling a pastel dragon onto the red sands. She gave a squawk and began to untangle herself Her hide was bright yellow, a standard hathian hue that shaded down into the purest white, echoing her Light mother’s coloring. But even that wasn’t the biggest shock -- her wings drew the most attention. Silvery wing sails clung not to wings, but to an extension from her wrist -- Light in color, but Hathian in form.
Jeyann was speechless. Even Mystic lean forward for a better view. “Her eyepieces are sliver?”
The dragon looked around at the sea of bodies, and ran in terror to hide beneath the smallest candidate on the sands -- Dym -- or more properly, Ierdymenshunelbeinghuiznottamowse. He seemed shocked to say the least, as the hatchling hurried them from the sands. “Shy are we, Andethaxeuth?” The mouse-like being chuckled.
The second egg yielded a green -- a Light Green Ryslen-Hathian hybrid -- of about average size. She was not frightened in the least, but chose her bond almost as quickly as her sister had. She stepped to the side of The Ligoness Iburu, who nuzzled her happily. Her name is Liurenth.
The third egg broke explosively and a red rushed out. He was large for a Ryslen red, but almost small for a Hathian red hatchling. Almost. He began to look at every candidate in turn.
The fourth egg quietly opened, and a light blue stepped forth. It seemed there was a smirk on his face as he walked towards the candidates. One candidate stepped forwards to greet him, and his friend touched his sleeve. “Keshj... I thought you were tired of blue...” Keshj smiled coyly back, and then turned back to the silvery-winged hatchling, preventing the blue from pouncing while his back was turned. “Somehow, Lirtan, I think blue and I will be just fine. Right Orcaulioth?” The hatchling’s faceted eyes agreed in rainbow colors.
The red looked up at Lirtan, looked almost enviously at his blue brother, and continued looking.
The last egg, the largest, split and the most rare color of the Hathians stepped vainly forth. Silver. Light Silver. With silver wings. While a bronze or gold hatchling may have challenged their true rider to step forth, the hatchling said nothing.
It occurred to Jeyann then that none had spoken -- or had they? They’ve said nothing. Mezireth confirmed. Myrah’Care says Hathian hatchlings do not speak immediately.
The silver moved towards the candidates, stepping past the searching red to a young man who looked very familiar to Ryslen’s population. He looks like... Analyn? Couldn’t be... Jeyann thought, even as the silver chose him. “His name is Kyshiath.” Ijael said proudly.
The red stormed to his mother. His name is Kaarthuleth His bond is not here. Shailekyth announced, echoed by her rider Cumulus to those who could not hear or had not dragons of their own to relay it.
Mystic who patted Jeyann’s shoulder in a comforting manner. “Sometimes they don’t choose a life bond.” She said by way of explanation. “If you’ll allow it, I’ll take him home to the warren to be raised by one of the packs.”
Jeyann sighed and nodded assent. “If he’s as hathian as he seems, a pack upbringing may be best for Kaarthuleth. Please do let us know if he chooses.”
“Of course.” Mystic said as they rose to exit. Univoqueruseth’s eggs wouldn’t hatch just now anyway.
“Prima Jeyann?” An unfamiliar voice hailed her, and she looked to find a somewhat green and somewhat similar woman walking through the emptying stands towards her.
Mystic made recognition first. “Ivit! How splendid to see you!” The red mage said, a tone of surprise in her voice. “Jeyann, meet Ivit Silgari Benshiar, diplomat and guardian of the grove, bonded of Daminiss and Rotuk.” The forestdweller bowed. “Ivit, Prima Jeyann, as you’ve already guessed.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Jeyann said with a smile. “What can I do for you?”
“It’s more of what I can do for you, Prima. If the hatchlings are indeed hathian hybrids, they may have breath-weapons beyond standard fire...”
Mystic nodded in agreement. “Acid and ice are not uncommon.”
“If this is the case, they will require training that your otherwise capable masters cannot give. Andathaxeuth in particular.”
“You can give this instruction?” Jeyann queried.
“Certainly.” Ivit replied with a little bow.
“Daminiss and Rotuk will be very helpful in raising them.” Mystic said almost absently. Jeyann’s face showed her confusion.
“I have life bonded a pair of Hathians, Prima. My apologies for being unclear.”
“I, and all of Ryslen, appreciate your assistance.” Jeyann said. “I’ll introduce you to D’lrik and my brothers, and...”
“Jeyann?” A masculine voice interrupted accidentally, and a dark haired man hurried over. Seeing that he’d interrupted, he gestured that she could finish and he would wait. His black eyes sparkled as he looked at and recognized Mystic.
“...and they will get everything set up.” Jeyann finished lamely, then turning her gaze to the male. “Effex! Back so soon? We’d thought you’d stay longer at Dragonwings--“
The ferret shifter gave a shrug. “So did I.” He said. “I’m here to offer my services to Ryslen. There are many here who could do with some training of their mental talents...”
Jeyann nodded. “We’ve seen how much progress Gem has made under your tutelage -- and if we can prevent any sensitive from having to suffer as she did...” “I couldn’t agree more, Jeyann.” Effex said with a grin.
“Prima Jeyann.” Ivit corrected diplomatically.
“Prima Jeyann.” Effex said, noting his mistake.
“Your help would be greatly appreciated. See Ikara about anything you need, I believe there are quarters available...” Jeyann trailed off. “Effex, did you bond a dragon?”
“Oh, yes.” The gifted man said happily. “But not a Glenn. A Geperna.” Mystic’s eyes went wide. “Efren’imou and I are pleased to be able to meet you, Mystic, and Myrah’Care especially, as she’s so highly regarded for being silver...”
Mystic said nothing. Jeyann, however, spoke. “Effex, what color is your bond?”
“Purple-Silver.” He said almost smugly. “Come meet him!”
And they did.