Back to the candidacy page

***

Mei and Ralto made themselves at home at Starburst. Both of them could work very well doing tasks, but they were also expected to learn dragonry. For Mei, every day was a new pleasure combined with an old pain. Her leg bothered her, and that nagging horror of being left on the sands again wouldn't leave her alone. But soon enough, it appeared, she was gaining a true knowledge in dragon riding and care.

Ralto was enjoying himself helping out in the weyrs. He built sweeping devices to aid the weyrlings to muck their dragons dung out, and wasn't afraid to help use them. He'd have to later, of course. That thought thrilled him, brought a flush to his skin. He would be a dragon rider!

And the day finally came when the excited bugling of dragons on the sands turned to a beautiful humming. The female on the sands had flown well, and both parents were duo-toned. Nothing ordinary here.

When the first couple eggs cracked open they showed a lovely green, but it was dappled with brown, while her companion was similarly dotted with another color. Each and every one that would come from these shells had a dusting of another shade on their body.

The silver-speckled brown that hatched with the green brought himself out of his shell, he came right up to Ralto.

What if this strongly muscled hatchling was ... Ralto trembled like a young boy. This was so exciting and terrifying! Now he understood why Mei was so heart broken when she'd ...

You shouldn't be nervous, Ralto, I've already chosen you! Said the dragon, which certainly didn't calm Ralto's nerves. More, it added a layer of pleasure and - hunger!

He turned and beamed toward Mei, and hoped that she would bond.

She will do just fine, my friend. Now, find me something to eat! I know they've been teaching you how to do that!

"Vanireth, it's the only thing I want for you!" Laughing, Ralto exited, and waited for his wife.

In the sands chamber, other dragonets had hatched. A blue with bronze bonded to a dragon laying peacefully near the sands. Then, Mei perked up.

Something inside her gut told her to watch the sands, and sure enough there was a beautiful smallish green with a sheen of silver across her hide. She picked her feet up over the broken shells and daintily walked toward Mei.

You will have me? The dragonet spoke, hesitating.

"Always, Yinnith," Mei said, her eyes tearing up. This time it was pure joy that led her to cry. And somehow the tears didn't burn so badly as they had before.

I would not have wanted you to impress some other dragon before me, even though my clutch mates are taking two partners. I would never do that.

"Well Yinnith you're still going to have to share me with my husband, Ralto..." She said. "And there he is now."

The pair embraced and fed their dragons, happier than they had been in a very long time. Eventually, they and their daughters would meet up again in Alskyr's wooded glades.

next!