When the Candidates were roused from their sleep for the Hatching of Mezireth's clutch, Avenay almost didn't force her eyes open. She had stood and been turned down for so many Hatchings. Would missing one Hatching matter?

Somehow, Avenay managed to shrug on her robe and follow the other candidates outside. Automatically, she muttered spells to make herself presentable, more of a habit than anything else. She didn't particularily care how she looked; no one would be looking at her anyway.

The ring of two dozen candidates around only nine eggs did not improve Avenay's mood any and she hardly noticed as the first dragon, a cream, split her shell and Impressed. Another cream, a red, and a silver followed the first, none of them even casting a glance Avenay's. She didn't mind. She was used to it by now.

Avenay glanced at the remaining candidates around her, wondering which would Impress the last three eggs. She didn't even bother to hope that she might be among them. And then the first egg of the three hatched.

Something about the silver who stepped out into the world drew Avenay to her. Not knowing - and not caring - how she knew, Avenay knelt to meet her dragon.

"Indranith," she sighed, and knew that the look on her face at that moment matched the one she had seen on the greenrider's what seemed like ages ago.

Indranith hummed happily and leaned into her rider's embrace. I was worth the wait, wasn't I?

More than worth it, Avenay assured her and led her dragon off the Sands.