“So you’re really going to go through with this changeover thing?” Ti’m asked, leaning on the railing.
Ke’l nodded slowly, and put his hands on the painted metal. “We’re hardly a Weyr anymore, Ti’m. You’ve seen for yourself how peculiar Ryslen has become in the last dozen or so years.”
Ti’m grinned down at the courtyard, and the rainbow of dragons and riders that milled about enjoying the cool evening and anticipating the rich colors of the sunset. “Not just Ryslen, Ke’l. Cendanth was all but red before we came home from Silvermoon.”
Ke’l laughed. “True, but he hasn’t passed on those color-changing genes yet.”
Ti’m blushed, and turned his face farther away from his friend and leader.
“Is there a girl, Ti’m? Or is there something you’re not telling me? You may be a master of strategy, but you can’t outfox me every time.” Ke’l said, leaning on the rail beside his second, the brown-turned-red rider.
Ti’m opened his mouth to say something, but was preempted by a warm murmuring sound that flowed through Ryslen’s living stone walls like lifeblood.
Jiyan’s clutch is hatching. Kalavanth confirmed, his own tone as warm and pleased as Jiyan and Trydan’s vocals.
“Ok Ti’m, you’re off the hook this time.” Ke’l said with a wink.
Ti’m laughed hollowly. “Thanks Primus…”
Ke’l laughed honestly, giving the other man a friendly punch in the shoulder. “No matter the language, it’s still ‘boss’ eh?”
Ti’m punched him back. “You’ve been bossing since before Kalavanth chose you.”
“Leadership is more than dictating to the troops, Ti’m, and you know it, or you wouldn’t be Optimus – my second.” Ke’l said, looking him in the eye. “Let’s get down to that hatching, hmm?”
* * *
Jiyan’s seven eggs stood in a double-circle, two within, five without. Around the edges of the central sands were the candidates – Draconarus Novo – all 22 of them, including the vampires, who stayed as far from the warm rays of sunlight as they possibly could. The presence of these five more-or-less undead candidates was almost a sure sign that one or more of them would bond – but which?
The first of Jiyan’s eggs to break shell was one of the pair within the center of the circle. With a war cry, the dragon within threw the shell from its body, flaring out liquid-rainbow colored wings. Visiting dignitaries Gilbraith and Saro seemed pleased to see the prismatic colors of Jiyan passed on to her offspring. The hatchling strode out on remarkably steady legs towards the circle of candidates. Tears threatened to fall from the slit-pupiled eyes of a young woman who had endured great pain and sorrow. It at once seemed a great insult to Talyrise as the steady young dragon approached her – she who stood on false legs balanced by crutches – and a great honor.
It is a great honor to survive and one
must remember that what doesn’t kill
us can only make us stronger. Tell them my name, Talyrise, and complete what has already begun.
The once fighter shivered, and looked into the wildly colored hatchling’s spectral eyes. “His name is Haeriyaan,” she said, fighting to keep her composure now that all attention was on her. “all is not lost.” A smattering of applause followed her announcement, and with renewed determination, Talyrise and her beloved Haeriyaan exited the sands.
The second egg drew the attention back as the creamy shell parted to reveal what was clearly a male – though his coloring may have been intended to do just the opposite. The silvery-white-bronze of his hide shifted and changed as Jiyan’s did, though without the rainbow hues. He was wild indeed, but not prism. Towards the male candidates he went, as sure on his paws as his brother had been.
Chesta. Do not turn away from the opportunity which has been given to you…
The young man blinked. “I’d ask what you meant by that, Dwasyaan, but I think I already know.” The dragon seemed to smirk then.
In the more comfortable seating above, Teme’s hand tightened on Kyoram’s. Though the man seemed more than a bit uncomfortable by the sheer number of beings in one space, he contented himself with the thought that Teme and Trydan both were enthralled by the hatching. “Don’t you think it ought to be storming?” came Teme’s soft whisper. A conspiratory smirk crossed his pale features, and the light streaming in the archway dimmed considerably. A bright flash of lightning was followed almost immediately by a sharp crack of thunder – and the cracking of the third egg. In the outer ring, a black-silver-blue hatchling stood from the fragments of his shell and threw open his wings. He roared back at the storm, and turned to face the candidates who only now stepped towards the center circle in the darkness of the storm. The hatchlings colors shifted like the clouds in the suddenly stormy sky, and his eyes met with those of a vampire.
Seiryuu Hotohori. Long have I dreamt of this pleasure, of meeting you. The young dragon dipped his head and wings in a bow, which the vampire strangely echoed.
”An honor indeed, to make your acquaintence, Kanpekiyaan.” Hotohori said with a smile. Perfection.
One young elf had also moved during this touching scene, traveling around the circle to stand beside one of the shadow dwelling vampires. Her fingers quietly twined with his, and each received strength back from the other. The egg remaining in the center of the circle gave an awkward rock, and then fell apart, allowing a silver-white-rose hatchling access to the outside world. Her stance was steady, but her eyes sought someone who was not where she was expected.
”She’s looking for you.” Draskim whispered, moving Azalia out into the circle with a gentle and graceful motion, releasing her hand at the same time.
Azalia, I… was all the dragon managed to say before the elf dropped to her knees and hugged the hatchling close.
”Ahjanya, my dragon…” she half-cried, knowing Draskim would have to wait. Ahjanya crooned comfortingly to her chosen, nuzzling her kindly. The love in her eyes and in Draskim’s spoke ever so much than mere words ever could.
The next egg’s opening was proceeded by a double flash of lightning, and as the copper-gold-black clouded hatchling looked around the sands, the peel of thunder drown out her anguished vocal cry, leaving only the mind touch.
There is not one here for me! I am Choshanya!
One of the candidates watched the hatching with interest, but tried to catch the eye of the StormBringer, though she yet failed. It was quite obvious to her that the storm boiling outside Ryslen was not a natural occurance, and someone who could spawn one so suddenly must be watched. A cool storm-breeze ruffled the Zekiran’s multi-colored hair, and an errant strand of it blue across her face, directing her attention to the egg nearest where Jiyan lay in state. The creamy shell fell apart to reveal a hatchling the silver-black of stormclouds, who stepped forward and shook out dark rainbow wings. The graceful hatchling sported her mother’s liquid prismatic tendencies, and her sire’s stormy coloring in a pleasing and wholly beautiful unity. She moved swiftly and gracefully across the sand as though she were dancing or already flying, stopping nimbly before the Zekiran.
Wildstorm, I have chosen you above all others. Though you can fly, together we will soar.
Wildstorm beamed. Like her father, she’d been chosen by a stormy dragon, but unlike the Glenn dragon Neres Storm, hers was truly unique. “Her name is Keluanya!”
The last egg shivered, and a blue-black muzzle pushed out first. The shell soon gave way, and the stormy blue hatchling stood on sturdy legs. His great paws hardly sunk into the sand, and his spectral gaze turned to the candidates. With a draconic grin on his face, he trotted across the sand to a young man with a strange history. The hatchling’s silver-black-blue wings shone in the light, but his eyes drew the Rak’sahsa’s gaze.
I would have thought you would be experienced in expecting the unexpected by now, Sean.
Sean laughed so that he could hardly speak – but he didn’t need to. This was Keinayaan, his dragon.