Kenallin walked down the hall, whistling one of the ballads he had just learned in class. He skipped down the remaining steps and turned towards the dining hall. He hadn’t eaten that morning because of class so he was virtually starving now. He walked in and looked around. The dining hall was almost deserted, which was rare but Kenallin wasn’t about to complain about the lack of noise. He sat down at one of the tables and called a drudge over so he could give him his order. When he had the drudge bowed and scurried away into the kitchen. Stretching he said, “I wonder if I have class after noon today, maybe that’s tomorrow.” Someone placed a hand on his shoulder and he jumped, spinning around to see whom it was. A young woman put her hands up in front of her and said, “Whoa there Kenallin, it’s only me,” Skyra said. He sighed and pulled her near him. “I’m sorry love. I guess I’m a little jumpy today.” She nodded and pulled away gently, sitting down across from him. “I would say so. What’s up?” He shrugged and said, “I guess it’s just because the eggs are getting harder and things are getting more hectic.” She nodded in understanding and gave a drudge her order when one waddled up to her.

They ate in silence and then when they were finished Skyra cleared her throat. Kenallin looked up and waited for what was coming. She brushed her blonde hair out of her face and took a deep breath. “This doesn’t look good,” Kenallin said as he leaned back in his chair. She shook her head and said, “Ken, I think we should stop seeing each other.” His mouth dropped open and he demanded, “What?” She blushed slightly and she said, “It’s just not working out Kenallin. It’s getting too complicated and our relationship is interfering with my work.” Kenallin stood up and leaned toward her. “It didn’t seem to be complicating to you last night,” he said hotly. She opened her mouth to say something but he turned away and stormed out of the dining hall. As he walked up the stairs she pulled back on his sleeve. “Ken wait, it’s not what it seems.” He pulled his sleeve free and continued walking. “Ken please,” she said, a little hysterical. He stopped briefly, trying to decided whether or not to turn around. He shook his head and bounded up the stairs and rounded the corner, leaving Skyra behind.

He walked into his weyr and closed the door firmly behind him, latching it shut and then walking into the main room. He stopped for a moment and thought about what just happened. “What in the sharding heavens is she thinking?” He asked himself before flopping into one of the armchairs. He ran a hand through his strawberry blonde hair and then sighed loudly. “Oh well. If she’s going to use me like that she can hit the road. I don’t need her.” He nodded, agreeing with himself and then getting out of the chair. He walked into the bathing room and made sure the water in the pool was warm before stripping down and wading in.

He got out about an hour later and put some clean clothes on. Just as he put his shirt on there was a knock on the door. He groaned and sat down at his desk, looking over some papers that he had gotten that day. He sat there for awhile and then the knocking finally ceased. He smiled and walked into the other room, picking a book up from the basket by the chair. Just as he sat down there was another knock. “Well it can’t be the same person,” he said to himself as he walked to the door. He opened a bit and looked out. “Kenallin?” A man asked. A opened the door wider and said, “Yes?” The man handed him a scroll and then said, “Weyrwoman Falora sent me to tell the candidates that the eggs will hatch tonight and that she wishes you to stand now.” Kenallin nodded and took the scroll that the man handed him. “I suggest you get down there quickly. You know that she doesn’t like it when people are late.” Kenallin nodded and thanked the man, closing the door and walking towards the window, where the light was shinning through. He read the scroll quickly and then threw it on the chair. He went into the bedchamber and pulled his dresser drawer open, taking the white candidate robe out and pulling it over his tunic and trousers. He smoothed it down and then walked from his weyr. He was going to become a dragonrider!