Candidate

Glevadien slid down from Bridoth’s back and thanked K'malid for the lift. “Don’t mention it,” he said. “This is my job and I enjoy doing it. Go to the sands and sign up and you’ll also find out which room you’ll be staying in.” Glevadien nodded and stepped back as he and Bridoth took off again. After rubbing the dust from his pants he walked into the Weyr and began to search around for the sands.

After looking around for about an hour he sat down and looked around him, trying to find a sign or something that would guide him in the right direction. A young girl trotted up to him and kneeled down, smiling brightly. “Hi I’m Citona, a candidate for the clutch that’s on the sands right now. Who are you?”

He smiled back and said, “I’m Glevadien, and I’m trying to become a candidate for the clutch as well but I can’t seem to find the sands so I can’t sign up.”

She nodded and said, “Yes, the same thing happened to me when I came. Here, I’ll take you there.” Glevadien thanked her and then followed as she led him down of the hallways he hadn’t checked.

When they reached the sands Glevadien signed his name in one of the empty spaces and then said, “Well I’d better get to my room and get situated.”

Citona nodded and said, “Yeah and maybe you should change while you’re at it. You were a jockey I’m assuming?”

Glevadien raised an eyebrow and then looked down at his clothes. “Yes, and I was until about an hour or so again. I had a race today and my horse won his first race.”

She smiled and said, “That’s great. I bet you didn’t want to leave… him or her.”

He shook his head and said, “No I really didn’t. I had been working with him for over a year and I was hoping we’d get to win more then one race together.”

Citona placed a hand on his shoulder and said, “Well we’ll just have to get you another companion so that you won’t be lonely while you wait for the eggs to hatch. How would you like a alis gryph?”

Glevadien shrugged and said, “I had never really considered one but I guess now would be a good time as any to Impress one right?”

Citona nodded and said, “Yep I think you’re right. You go get changed and meet me back here when you’re done.”

Glevadien shook his head and said, “You’d better come and get me. I don’t know if I’d be able to find my way back here.”

“What room are you in?” She asked him. He looked the list over again and then told her he was in room number three. She nodded and said, “Alright I’ll come by in an hour so you can wash up as well ‘cause it looks like K'malid picked you up right after a race judging by the amount of dust and grime on you.” He nodded and she said, “Well get going!”

When Citona knocked on his door his hair was still slightly damp but he was clothed in new garments and he felt much better. He opened the door and Citona greeted him with a smile saying, “Are you ready to go?”

He nodded and asked, “Where exactly are we going to Impress one of these things?”

She pointed down the hall towards a steep flight of stairs and said, “Down to my friend's room. Her brother brought a few eggs back with him from Alskyr when he came.”

As they walked in a loud tapping filled the air and Citona trotted over to the eggs. “Come over here quick, oh and grab some meat from that table on your way. There are a few here that are ready to hatch!”

Glevadien did as she said and kneeled down next to her, watching the eggs rock back and forth as the hatchlings inside fought to get out. Citona picked one of them up and placed in front of him. “Watch this one only, unless you want more, which I’m assuming you don’t. One is enough to keep you busy most of the day I’ll assure you.” He nodded and watched as the small hatchling poked his

beak through a small hole he had created.

“Do I help it out?” Glevadien asked as the alis creeled.

She shook her head and said, “Only if it really needs it, but not now.” He nodded and continued to watch as the fledgling tried to break free of the egg. After a few moments the hatchling cracked the egg more and poked his red colored head out of the shell, creeling in hunger. Glevadien gave it a piece of meat and then helped peel the shell away, ignoring what Citona said.

The hatchling finally managed to get out of the shell completely and crawled onto Glevadien’s lap as he fed the little creature more meat. After he had had his fill he curled up in his new owner’s lap and fell asleep. Glevadien picked him up gently and let him settle in the crook of his arm as he walked to the wall to register the fledgling. “What are you going to call him?” Citona asked.

Glevadien thought about this for a moment and then said, “I’m going to call him Feuer.”

Citona shrugged and said, “That’s an odd name but your Feuer will keep you company just as well as any while you wait for the eggs to hatch.”

Glevadien nodded and said, “Yeah I know. Hey, I’m going to take him up to my room so I’ll see you later?” Citona smiled and nodded and they parted ways.