“Malys I need you to stop playing around with that firelizard and help me down here. We have company coming in an hour and I’m nowhere near being ready,” her mother said as she walked into her daughter’s bedroom.
Malys stopped rubbing the cream firelizard’s stomach and said, “Yes well you won’t let me be part of your gathering so why should I help?” Zomer rolled over and warbled, trying to figure out why his owner had stopped rubbing him.
Her mother threw her arms into the air and said, “Fine you may come down later, after the diner has been served. Do not tell your brothers though alright?”
Malys nodded as she placed the large firelizard on her shoulder. “Alright,” she said as she walked past her mother. “I don’t think they’d be interested though. They went out on the boat about an hour ago, so they probably won’t even be back until morning.”
Her mother groaned and followed Malys down the stairs. “Did they go out with your father? No that wouldn’t make any sense, he had to be here for the gathering as well.”
Malys shrugged and placed Zomer on the kitchen table when she reached it. “No they didn’t go with dad. Kinzel said he was bringing some girl from outside the Hold along and I’m not sure about Ashmus.”
Her mother shook her head and took a towel from one of the cupboards. “I need you to dust the dining room, and clean the candle holders alright?” She asked as she handed Malys the towel.
She nodded and walked into the other room, hearing Zomer jump off the table and fly after her. “Don’t let that thing sit on the table in there. Your father paid good money for that teakwood table and I don’t want it ruined because your firelizard put claw marks into in, got it?”
Malys rolled her eyes and said, “Yeah mom I got it, he’ll sit on the floor like he always does.” She took the candleholders off the table and began to wipe the dust off the table. Zomer looked up at the table, obviously thinking about jumping up. “Don’t you dare,” Malys said as she noticed the look on the cream’s face.
He warbled unhappily but sat down on his haunches on the floor, watching as his owner moved down the length of the large table.
About an hour later her mother walked into the dining room, probably checking to make sure that Zomer wasn’t on the table. She stood there for a moment and then said, “Malys, I think I’m going to need you to greet people since Ashmus decided to shirk his usual duty.”
Malys nodded, not looking up. “Alright that’s fine. At least I’ll be able to get some action then. I hate when you have us all cooped up upstairs the whole night. You wouldn’t believe how insane Kinzel drives me.”
Her mother laughed and said, “You’d be surprised. Anyway though, the guests should be here soon. Have you finished the candleholders?”
Malys shook her head but said, “Not yet, I’m working on them though. It will only take another twenty minutes or so.” Her mother nodded and left the room, closing the heavy door behind her. After she was gone Malys put a towel down on the table and called Zomer up.
He warbled in happiness and landed lightly on the towel, careful not to step off of it. “Did you hear that Zomer? I get to answer the door this time. Ashmus always knew I wanted to, but now he can’t brag that he’s the only one that’s done it.” Zomer crooned in agreement and watched as Malys finished the last candleholder and put it back in its place.”
She stood up and got the candles from the drawer, placing them in the holders. After that was done she picked up Zomer and brought the towels back into the kitchen, dropping them on the table so her mom could wash them later.
Her mother looked up from whatever she was cooking and raised an eyebrow as Malys sat down in one of the kitchen chairs. “You’re not going to wear that are you?” She asked her.
Malys looked at what she was wearing and then looked up at her mom. “Do you really think I’m going to wear this to your gathering? I’ll probably put on that dress that dad got when he sailed to Kylmore.”
Her mother thought this over and then asked, “The blue one or the red one? He’s been there twice now I think, but I can’t remember which one is the newer one.”
Mayls shrugged and said, “I don’t remember either, but I like the red one better. It looks better on me I think, the color suits me better.”
Her mother nodded and said, “That’s a good choice. Why don’t you go change now and do your hair up and such.”
Mayls nodded and grabbed Zomer, placing him on her shoulder as she ran up the stairs. She wakled over to her closet and lit the glow, looking around and the number of gowns that her father had purchased during the year on his travels. When she found the red one she pulled it out, looked it over and then put it on her bed while she found some shoes that matched.
After she was ready she walked downstairs again so that her mom could make any finishing touches that might have been needed. As she walked into the kitchen her mom looked up and said, “Oh that’s wonderful dear. The dress looks wonderful, and how on Pern did you manage to get your hair up like that?”
Malys smiled and said, “Zomer did it. I put the ribbons in after though.”
Her mother nodded in approval and was about to say something else when the bell rang. “Go and get that, I’m sure you know what to do.”
Malys nodded and said, “Yep I sure do.” She walked briskly towards the foyer and answered the door, letting in a couple that she had never seen before, which was to her advantage. She took the man’s coat as well as his wife’s shawl and directed them to the entertaining room.
After they left she hung the coat and shawl up in the closet and plopped down on one of the leather couches while she waited for the next guest to arrive. When they did she got up, answered the door and smiled to see the Lord and Lady Holder of Hyminia. “Oh would you look at that Frevrin. Exquisite!”
The Lord Holder nodded as he looked up at the large chandelier above their heads. “Yes amazing.” He looked Malys over and then asked, “what is that made out of dear?”
Mayls looked up at the chandelier and said, “Crystal mainly I believe. With gold and silver clasps holding the individual crystal pieces in place.”
He nodded and said, “Interesting, very interesting. What are those black stones at the base of the candleholders there?”
Malys raised an eyebrow and followed his gaze. She has never noticed those black stones before but she could guess at what they were. “Umm, I don’t know for sure but they are either black pearls or obsidian. More likely the obsidian because that’s my mother’s favorite stone.”
The Lord Holder nodded and led his wife towards the entertaining room. Mayls sighed and sat down on the couch again.
Zomer flew into the room and landed lightly on the floor in front of couch, knowing he wasn’t permitted to even place one claw on it. “Hey cutie,” Malys said as she leaned forward and stroked underneath the cream’s chin. He crooned in happiness and then looked towards the door. A moment later there was another knock. Malys sighed and got up, opening the door and welcoming the couple inside.
She didn’t know who this couple was either, all she did know was that the man wore several large rings on his fingers. She paid close attention to the couple, saying thank you whenever it was needed, but noticed her gaze kept shifting to one ring in particular, a gold one with a large emerald with two smaller blue diamonds on either side.
As she took the man’s coat she nimbly twisted the ring and pulled it off his finger, stuffing it into a small pocket in her dress, so that he didn’t even notice what he was missing. She knew there had been a reason she told her father she wanted a hidden pocket in this gown. Smiling inwardly she opened the door to the entertaining room and ushered them in.
Zomer warbled and looked up at her owner as she hung the coats up. When that was finished she walked back to the couch and rubbed the cream’s eyeridge. He the pictured the ring she had just grabbed in his mind and warbling in approval. She smiled, glad that her lizard also agreed with her choice.
“I now understand why Ashmus enjoyed this job so much,” she said as she got up to answer the door. “Uncle Jurel!” She cried out when she saw it was her favorite uncle.
He smiled and took his coat off, hanging it up by himself. “How are you Malys? Not causing any trouble I hope?” He asked, adding a wink after his last question.
She shook her head and said, “Of course not uncle. I never cause trouble.” She smiled and then asked, “Father doesn’t know you were coming does he?”
Jurel shook his head and said, “Of course he doesn’t, that’s why I’m here.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, “No where’s your mother?”
Malys place her hand over his, removing one of his smaller rings and said, “Your sister is probably in the entertaining room.”
He nodded, removed his hand and started to walk towards the entertaining room door. Halfway through the foyer however, he stopped and turned around, a broad smile on his face. “I may be a bad influence, but I sure have taught you well. That was one of the best lift I’m seen from you yet.”
He walked over to her and put his hand out. “Can I have my ring back please?”
She smiled and placed it back in his hand. “Yes you sure have taught me well uncle, but don’t let mother or father find out.” He waved that idea away and walked through the door, shaking his head in amusement.
She paced the foyer, waiting for the next guest to arrive. Zomer flew along with her, warbling and crooning on occasion. “This is so boring!” She cried out at last. She plopped down on the couch, chin in her hands. “It’s been almost a half-hour, where are the other guests?” Zomer cocked his head to one side and warbled softly. She stroked his head and was about to lie down on the couch when there was another knock. “Finally,” she said as she got up. As she opened the door she smiled brightly, greeting another couple, who were dressed in silk and covered in jewels.
She looked over their fingers and frowned. How could they not have any rings on? She thought to herself as she took the man’s coat. His wife was having trouble with hers and Malys was about to let her husband deal with it when she saw the flash of a large ruby, hung on a silver chain around the woman’s neck. “Oh let me help you with that,” she said as she stepped behind the woman to help her out of her heavy feline coat.
As she did so she wrapped her fingers around the chain and undid the clasp skillfully, wrapping it up around them and then walking towards the closet, hands hidden under the fur. She hung the coat up and then let the necklace drop softly into her pocket. She pointed slightly towards the entertainment room and said, “If you go through those doors you’ll find refreshments and such.” They thanked her and then disappeared into the other room.
Malys was in high spirits now that she had lifted a ruby necklace. That was her favorite gem, as well as a rare one so she was very proud of herself. She sat on the couch, trying to think of how much she would be able to get out of the necklace and the ring when there was a knock on the door. She skipped over to it and flung it open, stepping back in surprise when she saw who it was.
A young man, probably about nineteen or twenty, stood in front of her. She looked him over and raised an eyebrow as she reached an arm patch on his left bicep, a patch that represented a dragonrider. “Hello there. I’m J’ril. Is this the Vervant residence?”
Malys nodded and said, “Yes it is. What can I do for you?” She didn’t think that he was coming to the gathering, considering the way he was dressed. Her father also didn’t care for them much, saying they were arrogant and self-centered.
He looked at her, almost seems to look right through her dress and into her heart. She shivered unconciously and then he cleared his throat and said, “I’m a searchrider from Falas Weyr, along with a few others who have come to your Hold to search for candidates. My dragon, black Delduwath, thinks that you would have a good chance at Impressing if you’re interested.”
Malys shook her head, not understanding. “Your dragon thinks that I would make a good candidate?”
J’ril nodded and said, “Yes he does, and he’s never been wrong about this sort of thing before. Are you interested?”
Malys nodded and said, “I am, but my father would never allow it. He doesn’t think too highly of dragonriders so I doubt he would permit me to become one.” At this point Zomer flew over to her and landed lightly on her shoulder, warbling at J’ril happily.
He inclined his head slightly towards the firelizard, returning the greeting and the saying, “Well he doesn’t really have a choice since, technically you’ve already been Searched considering I’m here.”
She smiled and said, “Well perhaps then. Let me go find my mother. You’re welcome to sit on the couch if you like while I go and get her.”
He shook his head and said, “Thank you but I wouldn’t want to cover your furniture with the dust of travel. I’ll be fine right here.”
Malys nodded, somewhat glad he declined and then walked into the entertaining room to find her mother. When she returned with her J’ril was still standing in pretty much the same spot.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” Malys’s mother said as she walked in. “I hear that my Malys has been Searched?”
J’ril nodded and said, “Yes, by my dragon Delduwath. If she’s interested she’ll stand for Falas Weyr’s last clutch, which will be hosted by the Falas Genetic Program Center, or F.G.P.C.”
Malys frowned and asked, “The last clutch?”
J’ril nodded, his expression darkening a little. “Yes I’m afraid so. However, it will be going out with a bang that’s for sure. The geneticists are going to create, or try to create any color that is requested of them.”
Mayls’s jaw dropped, but she regained her composure quickly and said, “Any color? So I could pick a ruby for example?”
J’ril smiled and nodded. “I don’t know how much they’re capable of out there at Falas Hold but I think that if you wanted a ruby colored dragon with silver wings and sapphire molting they’d figure out a way to do it.”
Malys turned to her mother and asked, “Can I go?”
Her mother smiled and said, “Of course you can. Just be glad your father isn’t here right now though. Because I’m pretty sure he’d say no.”
Mayls hugged her mother and then turned to face J’ril. “I’ll only be a moment. Just let me change and pack a few things alright?”
J’ril nodded and said, “I’ll be waiting outside. Delduwath is to the rear of your home, in the clearing.”
Malys nodded and walked up the stairs as fast as her dress would allow. She was going to become a dragonrider!
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