The days passed quickly at Ryslen, and Quith's eggs grew hard - very hard. Zheyth's offspring were growing like weeds, and all was prospering at Ryslen.
Asien was in the kitchens; helping with meal prep was a nice change from watching Quith endlessly rearranging her eight eggs.
Asien? What are you doing? Came Quith's call.
Helping with evening meal, silly. I told you... Asien replied.
The dragon's tone was smug. Well you'd better set them to some other preparations. My children will be hungry.
Within moments, news of the imminent hatching had spread to Ryslen's furthest corners. The candidates arrived, clad in the short over-robes Ryslen preferred, ready and willing.
The first egg's shell gave in with a quake, and a rich brown tumbled out, even in color from the top of his head to the tip of his tail. With a cry, he righted himself and made for the candidates. Aerski!? he said, looking up at a girl. "Hello Trazoneth!" she answered.
The second egg split slyly, revealing a mellow green. She seemingly floated across the red sands to Kismae. I'm Chiriath! she said in a light and bubbly manner.
The crowd watched in amazement as a light blue pushed out of his shell. It was a struggle, but he made it. Everyone wondered who the stunning beast would choose, but he knew exactly who he wanted and went directly to her. I am Nezyth, Araen...
After the first three impressed to girls, everyone was happy to see the next dragon - a true blue - choose a boy. Especially Himaro, as he gazed into Amorith's loving eyes.
A green slipped out of her egg, walked up to a girl, and just about knocked her over. I choose you, Mishara. she said. "Good choice, Alianith." Mishara said with a smile.
Another brown made his way out of the egg and into the world without a sound. He walked up to Fyridare and stopped in front of him. "What are you waiting for, Xhishoth? An invitation?" The brown leaned against his chosen, eyes whirling happily.
With a piercing cry, a green pushed her way out of her shell. She continued to draw attention to herself as she moved to one of the strangest candidates ever to grace Ryslen's sands. Vishka; I choose you! The blue-green off-worlder embraced the dragon. "Zyniciath..."
The last egg shattered decisively, revealing a light brown. He moved with grace and held his head high. R'del, you have what it takes. Come to me. Rhomdel blinked, but didn't hesitate. "Mezdelinth, I..." I love you too, my rider.
Asien looked to the Weyrwoman, who was getting more silver by the day, it seemed. "Tiyanni... Didn't Cytiath's entire clutch hatch Light after she was caught by Releith?"
The Weyrwoman nodded. "It did. But that doesn't always mean that a repeat would yield the same."
Asien nodded. "The right dragon will choose the right candidate, right?"
Tiyanni laughed. "Exactly."
Asien pondered. "Do you think Cytiath would lay another all-light clutch if she came back, and Releith caught her again?"
"Never can tell." L'ken said, leaning against the wall near the dias where the greenrider and the Weyrwoman yet sat. "Those queens are fiesty, you know."
They all laughed, and the weyrbrats, who scurried to clean up the sands, laughed too.