Candidate

Mianda, sitting atop blue Siyeth, burst from between and started gliding down. She looked down at the Weyr, bustling with activity. Four dragons were on the hunting grounds, each flying over the herd and picking a large animal from the rest and flying off to eat them on a ledge. In the other direction was a lake, which could almost be considered a small sea because of the size. There were many dragons here as well, either wading or being washed by their riders. Mianda hardly noticed when they landed and P’mir helped her from his dragon’s back. “Here we are,” he said. “Home sweet home.” Mianda looked around again, now seeing them from the ground. Everything was so big! P’mir smiled and placed his hand on Mianda’s shoulder. “I’ve got to get going. Frelarnith still needs candidates for her clutch. If you need anything ask one of the other riders. I’m sure they’ll help.” Mianda nodded and watched as he climbed to Siyeth’s back and then took off, disappearing some length above her into between. She walked into the Weyr and headed towards the Hatching Sands. She got lost a few times but was helped by a few riders who pointed her in the right direction. When she finally made it there she sighed deeply. “Wow, I think I should walk around here for awhile and get my bearings.” She was about to walk onto the sands when a voice behind her said, “Yeah that’d be a good idea. That’s what I did when I first got here.” Mianda whirled around to see who was talking to her and she came face to face with a good looking teenage boy.

Mianda blushed and then opened her mouth to say something but the boy put his hand out. “I’m A’ren, a bronzerider here at Dark Moon and you are?” Mianda told him her name and then put her hand out to shake it. Instead, he flipped it over and kissed it lightly, causing Mianda to blush more than ever. “I’m guessing you’re a candidate for Frelarnith’s clutch?” Mianda nodded. “Good, she needs them. Come with me, I’ll show you where to sign up.” He took her by the hand and led her to a far corner of the sands where a small table was. He picked up a sheet of hide and handed it to Mianda. “Here, just fill this form out and Yakima, she’s the weyrwoman, will add you to the candidate list. We’re allowed to go see the eggs, just not touch them. Would you like too?” Mianda finished filling out the form, smiled at A’ren and then said, “Lead me to her.”

A’ren led her the other side of the sands and then turned a corner and led her into a large cavern. “Here she is,” he said as he walked towards the middle of the sands. Mianda followed quickly and was amazed at the gold dragon’s size. Frelarnith looked down at them and then turned her eggs. Mianda counted fifteen all together. “Has she finished laying them or does she have more coming?” She asked A’ren. The bronzerider scratched his head. “I don’t know. I think she may be done.” Mianda nodded. “She’s beautiful. I hope I Impress gold.” A’ren smiled. “Well I think you’re out of luck. She doesn’t have any in this clutch but I’m sure you’ll Impress a rare if there’s any. I’d hate to see you with a green, no matter how pretty it is.” Mianda smiled back and turned to Frelarnith again. The gold’s eyes were once again on Mianda. You will make a good candidate for my clutch. Siyeth did a good job when he Searched you. Mianda blushed and thanked the queen. A’ren placed a hand on her shoulder and she turned to him. “Thanks for what?” He asked. Mianda must have looked shocked because he said, “Whoa are you ok? Maybe the heat in here is bugging’ you. Would you like to leave?” Mianda shook her head vigorously. “No, no. I’m alright, its just that… oh nevermind.” A’ren looked concerned and her said, “No what, if its something embarrassing its not like I’m gonna tell anyone.” Mianda sighed. “No I can’t tell you. No one else knows, not even my best friend or my parents.”

A’ren led her from the sands and then took her to a dark hallway. Mianda was starting to get worried when he stopped and turned to her, his eyes focusing on her. “Just one question,” he said as he leaned against the wall. “Why can’t you tell me? I mean I know you just met me but I’m a trustworthy person and all.” Mianda smiled and leaned up against A’ren. “Well I couldn’t tell you because, I’ve never slipped like that.” When she saw his confused look she said, “Like I slipped when we were with Frelarnith. So when you asked me what I was talking about, I freaked out. I mean, I don’t know. I guess if you really want to know I can tell you but you mustn’t tell anyone. It will be revealed when the right time comes.” A’ren nodded. “Alright, I won’t tell anyone.” Mianda took a deep breath. “When we were on the Hatching Sands Frelarnith bespoke me.” A’ren looked at her casually. “Ok? That happens a lot when the dragon doesn’t want to contact a person through their rider.” Mianda shook her head. “No it happens to me all the time. I can hear and talk to any dragon as long as they are willing.” A’ren now looked extremely surprised. “Any dragon? You mean like you could talk to mine?” Mianda nodded.

“This is kind of hard to believe,” A’ren said. “Is there any way you can prove it?” Mianda nodded. “Of course ask me a question and then give me your dragon’s name and I’ll ask him for the answer.” A’ren nodded. “Ok my dragon’s name is Urinth. Now for the question.” A’ren was silent for a moment and then said, “Ok what are my parent’s names?” Mianda nodded and asked Urinth. Urinth? There was a pause before he replied. Yes? Mianda smiled, good he was willing to cooperate. What are the names of A’ren’s parents? There was another pause and then the bronze dragon’s voice in her head again. His mother’s name is Elvanii and his father’s name is Wulrick. Mianda repeated the names a few times and then said, Thank you Urinth. She looked at A’ren and then said Elvanii and Wulrick.” A’ren’s mouth dropped open and he quickly closed it again. “Shards! You must be telling the truth. There’s no way you could have known their names since you just met me.” Mianda nodded happily. A’ren scratched his head. “Do you know how much this is going to help the Weyr?” Mianda shook her head. A’ren waved away her ignorance and then said, “We would be able to communicate anywhere on Pern! That means we could fight the Thread easier if it ever comes back because if we had a dragon that spotted it he or she could contact you and we could send wings out to char it before the holders knew what hit them!” Mianda smiled, doubting Thread would ever come back after all the pervious dragonriders went through to get rid of it for good. Although it would be kind of fun to char it from the sky.

Mianda and A’ren walked back to the Weyr bowl and headed to the dining hall. They sat at a small table together, talking about what color Mianda would Impress and trying to avoid the subject of her being able to talk to all dragons. The later tended to come up again and again. When the diner was served however, they ate in silence, both thinking about different things, although she knew A’ren was talking to Urinth because she could hear his replies. She took a bite of the meat that was on her plate and was thinking about the different places on Pern that she would go to when she Impressed when Urinth’s thoughts invaded hers. You like her A’ren, and so do I but she is dragonless. Mianda smiled and then took another bite of the succulent meat. She had just begun to chew when Urinth’s voice echoed painfully in her head. You wish to take her to bed already? Mianda nearly choked on her meat and A’ren looked over, putting a hand on her cheek. “You ok?” He asked. Mianda nodded, wiping tears from her eyes as she tried to swallow the meat. A’ren looked over again but Mianda had regained control of herself and she decided she wasn’t going to try to eat anymore tonight, no matter how hungry she was. She didn’t want to expire before she heard the rest of this one-sided conversation. She took a drink from the wine goblet in front of her, tasting the rich flavor. This has to be from Benden Hold, she thought to herself. She leaned back in her chair and looked at the large wall hangings that covered the dining hall walls. They were stitched in bright colors now lost and the depicted dragonriders on all colors fighting Thread or a queen’s mating flight. She was about to excuse herself from the table and go to her weyr when A’ren stood up and took her hand, helping her from her seat. “Come on I’ve got to show you something.” Mianda smiled and let herself be led from the dining hall and up the steep steps to the weyrs.

As they walked Mianda contacted Urinth again. Urinth? Where is he taking me? There was a long silence and then the bronze replied. He takes you to see the sunset from my ledge. It is beautiful from this spot Mianda. Mianda cursed herself, knowing what always happened after the sunset but still followed A’ren smiling and nodding when he turned and talked to her about things that go on in the Weyr. They walked up another narrow flight of stairs and when they reached the top he took a left and walked down a long hallway. They finally stopped at a door and he opened it slowly. The moment they walked into the door two large canines ran towards them. Mianda put A’ren between herself and the canines and A’ren laughed but when he saw the scared look on Mianda’s face he said, “Ilvin, Jurne go to the bedchamber!” The canines hung their tails between their legs and walked off to the bedchamber. A’ren closed the door behind them and then took Mianda’s hand, leading her to the ledge. Bronze Urinth warbled when they got there and Mianda scratch the dragon’s eyeridge. “He’s really big A’ren, I’d pin him at 30 meters.” A’ren shook his head. “Close but he’s 33 meters to be exact.” Mianda smiled and told Urinth, Good evening. The bronze rumbled. Good evening to you Mianda. A’ren has asked me to give you some privacy so I must go. Mianda swore to herself again but smiled and patted the dragon’s leg as he walked from the ledge an into the other room. A’ren smiled at Mianda and sat down against the wall. He placed his hand next to him and looked at her. She honored his wordless summon and sat next to him. He placed his arm around her and she leaned her head against his shoulder. “Now tell me, why are you afraid of canines?” He asked gently. Mianda shivered and A’ren held her tighter. “I was bitten by one when I was very young,” she said. “I guess I’ve never gotten over it.”

The two of them watched the sunset, talking about their pasts for almost an hour. Mianda told him about how she was always picked on by her older siblings because she wanted to be a dragonrider and she could tell this made A’ren angry, even though she couldn’t see his face. “They told you that wouldn’t become a dragonrider?” He asked. His eyes flashed angrily in the darkening light. Mianda was almost afraid to answer but she said, “Yes my oldest brother always told me that not even a watch wher would bond to me.” A’ren raised his hand and she was afraid he was going to his her but instead he ran in through her dark hair. She sighed and asked about his childhood. “Oh there’s nothing of interest really,” he said. Mianda, on the other hand, wanted to hear anyway. “Ok fine,” he said. “I grew up in Keroon Hold and I never knew my father, he left my mother when I was very young. My mother didn’t help with my upbringing at all, she was too busy getting into another man’s bed. I don’t have any siblings, thank the heavens, or they’d have suffered like me.” They were both silent for a while and then Mianda asked, “Then who brought you up?” A’ren sighed. “A headwoman. She would have put me to work in the caverns for the rest of my life but my mother wouldn’t hear of it, which surprised me. She was never at our house so you’d think she wouldn’t mind if I was wasn’t a problem she had to worry about anymore but no.” Mianda put a reassuring hand on his arm and he quickly said, “So what color did you wish to Impress again?” Mianda was glad for the change of subject. “I was hoping for gold but since there aren’t any in Rhiath’s clutch I guess a large rare would do.”

The two moons were now beginning to rise, the larger one rising about the smaller. “Which ones which?” She asked A’ren. She felt his shrug and then heard him say, “I don’t know, I never listened to my teachers much. Astronomy was my least favorite class.” Mianda knew what he was talking about. Astronomy hadn’t seemed too interesting to her either when she was taking classes. She looked up and the moons again and then towards Urinth’s weyr. She could just make out the bronze lump on the couch. The eyes were covered with the first protective lid and a faint glow could be seen through them, though she knew he was asleep. She was thinking about telling A’ren that she had to go but just as was about open her mouth to speak he kissed her lightly on the lips. She returned it whole heartily and felt A’ren change the position in which he was sitting. Mianda did the same and she spent the rest of the night in the bronzerider’s arms.

The Next Morning

Mianda woke up on the ledge the next morning, A’ren sleeping soundly next to her. She brushed the blonde hair from his eyes and then stood up, gathering her clothes from the cold stone. Her shoulder hurt her and she knew it was from lying on that stone all night. She walked through the Urinth’s room and was surprised to see him awake and looking at her. She stopped her journey to the bathing room and looked back. “I see that he succeeded. The bronze said flatly. Mianda nodded. Are you to come back? Mianda raised one eyebrow in question and then asked, “What do you mean?” The bronze sighed and shifted his weight. All the women A’ren has been with have not come back again. Are you to do the same? Mianda walked up to the dragon and stroked his neck. “No I am not to do the same Urinth. I will come back.” The dragon rumbled happily and Mianda made her way to the bathing room. When she reached it she waded into the bathing pool and rubbed some sweet sand onto her shoulder. After the pain subsided a little she washed her hair, letting the brown curls straighten out in the water. She got out again and dressed. She looked at herself in the mirror and then ran her fingers through her hair, trying to get the knots out. She turned around once in front of it and then walked back towards the ledge.

When she got there A’ren was gone. She scratched her head and then walked back to the dragon’s couch. “Urinth? Where’s A’ren?” The dragon crooned but didn’t reply. This worried Mianda and she dashed into the next room. Just as she raced through the door someone put their hand over her mouth and pulled her towards the wall. Mianda scratched and kicked, the person screaming at her to stop. Only after a few moments did she realize who was behind her. She stopped struggling instantly and turned around. A’ren was standing there, now looking at his arm, which had multiple scratched from where she had dug her nails into him. Mianda put her hand to her mouth and A’ren said, “Remind me never to do that again. I didn’t realize you spooked so easily. I was going to pull you back and kiss you but nevermind that!” Mianda smiled weakly and kissed his cheek. “I’m so sorry. When Urinth didn’t answer me I panicked and,” she stopped and looked at his arm again. “We should clean that up before it gets infected.” A’ren followed her as she walked into the bathing room and placed a clean towel over the wounds. A’ren looked at her with attentive eyes as she did this bent to kiss her when she was done. “I’m so sorry,” she said again. “It’s ok,” A’ren replied. He sat down against the wall and she instantly did the same. He put his arm around her and said, "You have any pets?” Mianda frowned. “I did, a firelizard name Curnarn, but he flew away.” A’ren pulled her closer to him and said, “how about we go to the FGPC and get you another?” Mianda looked at him and he explained. “They breed odd colored firelizards. Sometimes you’ll get a cream, or amber or something along those lines. Want to try?”

Mianda and A’ren walked down the hall to the FGPC and opened the door. A woman walked over to greet them. “Hello how can I help you?” A’ren pushes Mianda forward lightly and she says, “I’m interested in bonding a firelizard.” The woman smiles. “Well you’ve come to the right place, follow me.” Mianda and A’ren follow her into the incubator room. There were eight large glass-enclosed areas along the walls. “This is where we keep the firelizard eggs. We don’t always know who the parents are so they’re hatching left and right. Looks like you came at the right time though there’s a lot of them hatching in Case 1 today.” Mianda turned to face the case and sure enough, five eggs were rocking back and forth rapidly. “Now I’ll just tell you now, you’ve got to read these rules and then pick an egg from the case. I’ll bring it out and then be ready to feed it when it hatches. Got that?” Mianda nodded and looked and A’ren, who had a wide smile on his face. She took the rule hide from the woman, looked it over, nodded and then handed it back. She then peered into the egg case. Out of the five rocking, one in the back was rocking the most. She chose that one. The woman brought the egg out and brought it to a table in the middle of the room and handed Mianda some meat.

“Are you trying for one too?” She asked A’ren. He shook his head and then watched as the egg started to crack. After a few minutes a white wing pinion poked up through the eggshell. “A white, those are rare Mian,” he said, adding his own little nickname for her. She smiled and broke off part of the egg. The all expected a white head to pop out but instead a golden one did. “Whoa, that’s new,” A’ren said. Mianda handed the firelizard some of the meat and heard it creeling, Foodfoodfoodfoodfoodfoodfood. Mianda laughed. “Do some of these firelizards talk?” She asked. The woman nodded. “Yes some do but they talk outright, like you or me.” Mianda nodded and turned her attention back to the firelizard.

It was still creeling for food and the woman had to go get some more. Foodfoodfoodfoodeatitupeatitup. Mianda smiled and stroked the firelizard when it finally stopped eating. Sleepshoulder, it said. Mianda picked it up gently and placed it on her shoulder where it instantly fell asleep. A’ren smiled at her again and then the two of them walked from the incubator room to fill out the registration form. “What are you going to call her?” A’ren asked when she’d filled it out. “Nervan I think. It’s good a ring to it I think.” A’ren nodded, thanked the moan for her help and then opened the door for Mianda to walk through. They walked back to Mianda’s weyr and got the firelizard settled in one of the chairs, surrounded in a nest of towels. Mianda called down the service shaft for food and then sat down at the table when it arrived. “Can you hear her as well?” A’ren asked through a mouthful of bread. Mianda smiled, “Yes I can but it doesn’t make much sense. It’s all run together and its hard to pick the message out but I’ll figure it out sooner or later. The funny thing is, I never heard Curnarn like I hear Nervan.” A’ren thought about this a moment and then said, “Maybe it’s because he didn’t feel he was right for you, or he was the kind that didn’t like to cooperate.” Mianda nodded and they ate the rest of their lunch in silence.

Mianda spent the rest of the day tending to her firelizard, who kept squawking at A’ren whenever he tried to touch her owner. “Fiesty little thing huh?” He asked. He sounded kind of hurt and Mianda said, “Don’t worry A’ren I’m sure she’ll warm up to you.” A’ren nodded and tried to be close to Mianda again. This time the firelizard’s eyes whirled red and she tried to fly towards him but her wings were too small. “Wait hold on A’ren,” she said as he reached for her again. “Every time you approach me she gets angry. Let me try approaching you instead.” A’ren agreed and Mianda leaned towards him and hugged him lovingly. Mianda and A’ren watched the gold-white and instead of hissing and trying to bite A’ren she crooned and rested her head on the blankets. “Well I’m glad that worked,” he said. “Well I’m still not sure it did. Try touching me again.” A’ren did as she said and the firelizard crooned again, when he was this he pulled her closed and kissed her.

When they went down for dinner that night they brought Nervan and sat at one of the back tables. They were talking about Frelarnith when someone passed by and Nervan hissed and chittered hysterically. Blackblackbackblackbacksavethedaydaysave. Mianda put her hands to her head, trying to block out Nervan’s screaming while A’ren tried to quiet her down. Mianda thought she was going to pass out from the pain in her head when Nervan abruptly stopped screaming altogether. Mianda’s head still rang with the firelizard’s cries and she put her hands over her eyes. A’ren scooted his chair closer and put his hand on her arm. Mianda took a deep breath and put her hands down. She was crying the pain was so bad, even though Nervan had stopped. A’ren wiped the tears from her cheeks and drew her close to him. She breathed deeply and then said, “What was the matter with her?” A’ren looked to the gold-white, who was now preening herself. “I don’t know. She saw J’ril and then freaked out.” Mianda rubbed her temples and then said, “Who’s J’ril?” A’ren shrugged, “Oh he Impressed a black from Naiyith’s clutch.” Mianda pulled away from A’ren, causing him to look hurt. “A black?” A’ren nodded. “Yeah so?” Mianda shook her head. “That’s what she was squawking about. I think she was saying the black would save the day or that’s what it sounded like. It was all scrambled.” A’ren looked at her and then stood up. “Come on,” Mianda looked at him, not sure where they were going but she stood up anyway, scooping up Nervan as she did so.

A’ren walked her back to her weyr and as they did so they must have past J’ril’s weyr for Nervan started shrieking again. SavesavesaveDelduwathusussavesavesave. Mianda grabbed Nervan and shook a finger at her. “Stop it, stop it,” she said. The pain in her head was unbearable. Nervan must have sensed this for she stopped squawking for a few minutes. A’ren was holding Mianda up and when she noticed this she blushed and tried to stand on her own feet but she couldn’t. “Sharding firelizard, what’s she rambling about now?” Mianda shook her head. “I couldn’t tell, my head hurt too much, I only caught Delduwath, and I’m guessing that’s the black?” A’ren nodded and helped Mianda walk down the hall. They had barely made it around the corner when Nervan started chittering away. Stormstormtroublemorrowmorrowjumpbackforwardback Mianda fell from A’ren’s arms and used the wall to support herself while she tried to clear her head. However, the more she tried to clear it, the foggier it got. She felt herself slipping into darkness and hearing A’ren calling her name urgently before everything went black.

Two Days Later

Mianda woke up and rolled over. Her head didn’t hurt anymore and she wondered how long she’s been sleeping. Two days, A voice said in her head. She recognized it as Urinth. It hurt her head just to hear Urinth’s but she talked to him anyway. Urinth, where’s A’ren? Can you call him for me? There was a pause and then Urinth’s voice again. He is sitting on you’re ledge. And yes I will call him for you. Mianda rolled over again and heard the rushing footsteps that must be A’ren. Mianda opened her eyes slowly, letting them adjust to the light first. “Mian? How are you?” Mianda moaned and A’ren laughed. “That good huh?” Mianda smiled weakly and looked A’ren over. He looked pale, which was odd considering he had a dark tan. His eyes also had many bags under them. Mianda reached out and A’ren took it, kissing it. “You need to sleep A’ren,” she said this as a command, not a comment. A’ren smiled. “I know, I’ve been up for two days watching over you.”

She squeezed his hand and said, “Has Nervan had any episodes lately?” A’ren shook his head. “All she’s done is warble once when I offered her food. I took her right by J’ril and she didn’t do anything. I mean I don’t know what got over her. Mian, do you think you an get out of bed today?” Mianda closed her eyes and said, “If you get some sleep but why?” A’ren scratched the back of his neck. Oh I was just wondering if you wanted to Impress or not.” Mianda opened her eyes and looked A’ren over. “What?” She asked. He nodded, pulling the covers off the bed so she could get out. “Now take it slow there Mian,” he said as he helped her from the bed. She placed her feet on the cold stone and held onto A’ren for support. When the ground stopped spinning she let go of A’ren and walked a few steps. A’ren smiled and got the candidate robes from her dresser and placed it on the bed neatly. Mianda walked to the mirror in the bathing room and groaned. “I look like I was run over by a herd of workerbeasts,” she said, referring to the hippo-like animals that tend to pull carts. A’ren laughed. “You don’t look that bad Mian, I mean I can’t look much better.” Mianda looked at herself for another moment and then said, “Do I have time to take a bath first?” A’ren was silent for a moment and then he replied, “Urinth says yes, there are only a few rocking.” Mianda nodded and undressed, throwing her clothes into the corner of the room. A’ren watched her for a few minutes as she washed her hair and then decided he could use a bath too.

After their baths Mianda pulled on her candidate robes while A’ren pulled on some clean wherry-hide pants and sleeveless shirt. He also helped her with a tie in the back that she couldn’t reach. When he had finished that he stepped back, admiring her. “How do I look?” A’ren rubbed his chin and then said, “Like a black diamond.” Mianda’s smile faded and A’ren put his hands up in defense. “Rare and beautiful,” he said quickly. “Like a black diamond.” Mianda laughed, apologized and then walked out of the weyr, A’ren close behind. The two walked down to the sands and then presented themselves to the weyrleader and weyrwoman. A’ren pointed to a spot in the stands. “I’ll be watching from there ok Mian? And Urinth is there,” he said pointing to a large bronze on the rafters. “We’ll both be giving you our luck. Now for a few pointers, don’t be afraid. There’s no need to and also, the dragons can sense it. Oh and if a dragonet comes charging your way, move. Don’t stand like a wooden post that’s been driven 60 feet into the ground. They won’t pay attention and there have been a few incidents where they’ve killed people getting to their lifemates. Um what else?” Mianda tried to relax as he told her this but she couldn’t, now knowing that dragons have killed people just cause they were in their way. “Oh and step forward, if there’s a dragon that looks lost step forward and away from the other candidates. That dragon could be looking for you.” Mianda nodded, kissed A’ren on the cheek and then went to stand with the other candidates.

She watched as A’ren walked up into the stands and sat down in the spot he pointed to earlier. She looked back and Frelarnith and smiled. She was looking at her again. Good day Frelarnith, she said politely. The dragon bowed her head but did not reply. She looked at the fifteen eggs by her feet and sighed. I wonder which one my dragon will come from. I do not know but A’ren says to stand apart from the rest of the candidates. He says that it will look like you are willing to Impress, which I hope you are, instead of cowering in a group like the others. Mianda nodded and walked forward a few feet. She looked to Frelarnith and the gold nodded. She picked a good spot to stand. The golden queen looked down at her eggs again and started to hum. The eggs were now rocking much harder and the bronzes in the rafters also joined in on the humming. She looked back at the other candidates and saw them all huddled in a bunch, looking at Frelarnith earfully. Mianda shook her head. “I hope they don’t think they’re going to Impress standing like that. They look like a bunch of runners stampeding from a feline,” she said to herself. They are not like you, the queen said. Mianda nodded and looked up just as one of the eggs cracked open.