Finally a Future

[stolenhart]

The bronze sighed unhappily, digging his talons into the sandy floor. This was going to take all day and he didn't, oh wait, it wasn't going to take all day. His was right there. Bad attitude and all, goodness hope he grew out of that eventually. It wouldn't do for his rider to be so crass and rude and uncaring, especially towards the ladies. The bronze snorted and barreled his way towards his chosen one and got right up in his face. Do not be so mean to the greens. They can't help it, there was a tone in his mindvoice that said he was half in love with the greens already.

Now, on to some food. And, oh yeah, I am Canilyth mine. And get to hopping, we have no time to waste, the bronze added as he headbutted Kamarit roughly and took off for the food, not giving the newly Impressed Weyrling any time to complain about his dragons matter of fact treatment.

[kat]

Maya wasn't too pleased that the green looking at the girls still wasn't looking away. Would she really go ahead and impress a female, after all? The next green had the sense to go and impress to a male. Then, the bronze impressed to its chosen-still the green stayed. The gold egg, which was rocking so furiously, hadn't even broken the shell yet. She frowned, waiting patiently to see when it would hatch, and tried to ignore the private impressions-she didn't want to hear that, it wasn't hers to hear. Still, it was interesting to know who impressed what right away. She didn't, of course, get the impression feeling-just the words, since she wasn't the one actually impressing.

She watched the green hatchling warily, wondering which unlucky girl would be chosen, while keeping the other half of her focus on the gold egg.

~~~~~~

Kyrsin heard a cheer from some of the crowd, and dared to open her eyes long enough to see that a bronze had hatched and impressed. Well, that was all very well, but she also stole a glance ahead-that green was still here?! It hadn't gone back to the males? Why on Pern hadn't it? She watched in mute horror a moment, then remembered that she didn't want to look at it. She felt sort of silly, now, but nonetheless she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, now only saying 'go away' over and over in her mind. If it chose someone, let it be anyone but her!

[saidaltam]

Siten smiled to herself, eyes bright, as the bronze strode away with his new lifemate. The little dragon was an impeccable color, and she was glad he had found someone to be satisfied with.

For a moment, Siten paused to marvel at her own generosity. For her part, this string of mental kindness was highly out of character. She was generally much more uncharitable, preferring the raw honesty of a situation to the kinder, softer, more flowery version she found herself imagining just then. Letting her mind drift momentarily from the hatching, she considered this somberly before, at length, concluding that it was the pure, unadulterated aura of life that had made her so charitable. Ironic, now she thought about it. There was, after all, nothing charitable about life. It was a gritty, brutal, messy, selfish, violent affair. It was also beautiful and vibrant, however, and she supposed that this was the vibrant end of the vital scale. If that were the case, then she was happy to let herself indulge it, even only for a while. After all, wasn't it just another side of the same, grittier mark, which had a feral beauty all its own?

Content with her new, clearer outlook on her lingering sense of elation, Siten turned back to the hatching, a feeling of lingering comfort surrounding her.

[accelerando]

♥ ildessmor ♥
Now if she touches like this
will you touch her right back
Now if she moves like this
will you move like that
shake, shake, shake
SHAKE, SHAKE IT

[/i][/b][/center]

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E

[/b]xplosions sounded once again from behind her, and Ildessmor saw shells flying about from the corner of her eye. The dragons that came forth was a pretty green dragon, one that was completely adorable. The shade was really pretty too, and Ildessmor almost sighed wistfully. She thought it was stupid how girls could only stand for gold dragons. Why did girls have to be shipped off if they impressed a blue or green dragon?

G[/b]lancing at the little green dragon that had just hatched, she had to surpress a giggle as it headbutted the boy in the stomach. That one was playful, she thought, turning her attention back to the gold egg. Lucky him. As she was thinking about this, she remembered the other green dragon, and turning her attention to that one, she saw that it was still staring in the direction of the females. Was there a possibility that it would impress on a female?

I[/b]t wasn’t like that would be a tragedy. A blue or green impressing on a female was just like a blue or green impressing on a male. It was so sexist however, how everybody considered that a female couldn’t fight. Honestly. Did they think females were that weak and pathetic.? Ildessmor was far from the normal girl.

A[/b]s she was thinking about this, she saw the bronze dragon begin moving towards the cluster of boys, wondering who he had picked. Seeing the dragon headbutt a boy before speeding off towards the piles of food made Ildessmor laugh. That one was a feisty one, and the boy would have fun trying to care for it. However, what worried her was that the gold egg wasn’t even moving yet. Five other eggs had hatched, but the gold one wasn’t even moving. Could it be possible that it was a dud?
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/font]

[maiwolf]

Live looked at all of the dragonets that were hatching. There were a lot of them it seemed, but nowhere as near as there should have been. This was not a real hatching. These were not the South’s eggs. But Live was not complaining. There was a gold in this clutch, and a gold egg meant she could stand. Hopefully a green would come over and Impress to a female. She’d then see Southern politics at its worst. And she was going to stockpile this information for later use. If she Impressed to a green, blue, brown, bronze even, she wouldn’t care. One more point against the South.

The girl with the curious blue eyes watched the colors hatch, and Impress. The golden egg that all females were placed around rocked to and fro, as if the tiny gold inside were trying vainly to brake free, but was not doing so easily. Live watched with baited breath as the tiny creature in the egg looked to break free. But nothing was working, it seemed, and the egg would not break. ‘That’s some strong shell.’ Live thought to herself, and made a mental note to figure out how hard the egg was later, if she didn’t Impress.

A green sort of sauntered over to the side that housed the females. She was small, but all greens were small when born. ‘When hatched,’ Live reminded herself stoutly. Live looked at the green, and wondered if she’d start to hurt people because she could not find hers. Why was she looking in the female lines, did none of the males suit her? Live watched with curiosity showing on her face—the only emotion her face had shown for hours.

“Oh, you poor green!” Live said, quietly, almost whispering the words. The green didn’t know what she was getting her future rider and herself into. If she chose a girl, she’d be deported. Live wanted to run out, to tell the green that she was not looking for her life mate in the female lines. No dragon should have to go through what female riders went through. Live knew something of what they went through by rumors, and although she didn’t trust rumors, she trusted these. She didn’t see the other dragons hatch, all she saw was the green, with the shivering golden egg in the background.

---

No’ln watched as the eggs continued to hatch. He set a hand on Pandorath’s hide, “Do you remember when you hatched, Panda?”

Pandorath’s eyes swirled in a light blue complacent color with remembrance. You were there for me even as I struggled. And the meat was good. I was so hungry. No’ln smiled with the memory. “Yes, you were very small, and still are. But you are you.” Pandorath nodded his head, a bobbing motion that he had learned from No’ln. He was happy that No’ln was with him now, and he wouldn’t change riders for the world.

No’ln watched as a green wandered over to the female lines. He nodded his head toward the small thing, “Do you suppose she knows what she’s doing?” Pandorath followed No’ln’s gesture. He sighed, a draconic sigh, and swished his tail. I just hope she doesn’t Impress a female. We’ve had enough good fighting dragons going somewhere else, wherever they take them, because they’ve Impressed to females.

[/b] No’ln nodded his head sadly; he had liked one of those young women. He wondered if she were still alive with her green, and if she remembered him. Pandorath flicked No’ln gently with his tail, Look, more hatch. “Of course, Panda. This is a hatching, you know.” No’ln joked, good-naturedly, and smiled when the bronze hatchling Impressed.

---

Sorry to make you hurry, but they are hatching.[/color] The voice said. The man grumbled, and pulled on his last boot. “I know, Brennanth, don’t worry. We will make it.” He frowned at Ilayria. It was so early in the morning, and the day after Astoth’s mating flight! B’oone had known the things that he would have to do as a Weyrleader, he just hadn’t known that his duties would have to start so soon.

“Coming, alert the Wingleaders!” B’oone said, and placed the riding gear on Brennanth’s back. Brennanth acknowledged him with a flick of his tail, Wingleaders! It is time to reclaim our prize, the golden egg! Mount, and meet me at Eye Rock. Bring only your Wingseconds, we will not need a large group. And as soon as B’oone leapt onto him, the large Bronze winged his way to the now unused Eye Rock and hovered there, waiting. Soon all the Wingleaders and Wingseconds had showed up. Right,[/b] Brennanth said, telling the dragons what his rider told him to tell them, The only reason we are going there is to get back the gold egg. No fighting if we can help it. Got that? Good. We shall go between to this point.[/b]

Brennanth sent the coordinates to each of the other Wingleaders, who sent them to their Wingseconds—a picture of a group of rocks that were in the Southern Weyr. We go, now![/b] Brennanth said, and blinked out of existence. Black, Blacker, Blackest… B’oone thought.
[/blockquote]

[stolenhart]

Of the three eggs left unhatched and the single dragonet yet to Impress there was little noise or movement. The dragonet was starting to whine softly as she scanned for her's was she not here among the girls? She had to be, there was no attachment to the men, where was she? The little dragonet did not want to go to the dark place, it was scary, she wanted a rider to keep her safe and secure. She gave a murmured roar and began to study the boys. Maybe she had been mistaken after all.

Finally another egg began to rock about and it didn't really explode but sort of melted away as a brown, the first, came falling out. As gangly as he was, he was very graceful as he climbed to his feet and shook himself out. Wet wings traced trails in the sand as he yawned and glanced around. He took no notice of the females, and not very many of the men either. He made a direct and unaltering beeline for the calm, quiet and unassuming Selfet. Mine. I am Evonath. Can you feed me now?, the brown asked quietly, urging his rider with soft headbutts towards the table.

Amazed, Selfet, now S'fet spoke out, "His name is Evonath", the smile that split his face was very amazed as he was slowly pushed towards the meat table. A brown, the ex-Smith smiled, who would have thunk it.

[saidaltam]

T'rel thanked the shards of Vijaith's egg that he was so light a sleeper as he flung his riding gear on in haste. His movements were swift, controlled, practiced, and surprisingly free of the just-awakened haze that so often clouded his thoughts in the earliest hours of the morning, but Vijaith was alert and anxious, griping at him to hasten his dressing. 'I come, Vi. Head down,' he sent as he emerged onto the dragon's ledge, still fastening his jacket. With practiced ease, he swung up onto the dragon's neck, strapping himself even as the dragon took wing, and within breaths, flew beside the eye rock, one hand on Vijaith's neck, watching his new Weyrleader and awaiting the relay of instructions. He did not have to wait long, and Vijaith's echo was nearly flawless.

:We go!:[/color] the bronze exclaimed suddenly, flashing an image of the site into T'rel's mind. The bronzerider took a deep breath the instant before Vijaith, his sides positively humming with energy, flashed between.

T'rel's last, somber, dark thought before the cold subsumed them was, 'How quickly we test the mettle of our new Weyrleader.'

[dragonfire]

Brogan shook her head as the green wandered towards the girls. No, go back! Things would be hard for both the green and her rider if she Impressed a girl. There were plenty of eligible boys here, so what was wrong with them? With her concern for the green, Brogan barely noticed the hatching of the bronze and another green who successfully Impressed to a boy.

She glanced at the Gold egg, wondering if it would hatch next. Only two eggs left now, so it couldn't be long. She took another deep breath, trying to stay patient, but it was hard.

[tariala]

Oridale felt sorry for the green when it started to whimper, but relieved all the same when it turned away to study the boys again. She hoped that it found its match, didn't go Between for lack of the right choice. At least the bronze and brown had Impressed- some of the heavy males for Southern had to be a good thing. But it was the gold egg that needed to hatch, that everyone was counting on. Come on, baby. She coaxed it in her own thoughts, sure that the other girls were thinking variations of the same.

[kat]

Z'ayn had been on the alert for the announcement as soon as it was ready to be given. He and Kilzanth had prepared, and all his gear was ready to go at this point. So, when Kilzanth alerted him, he quickly put on the riding straps, slipped into his gear, grabbed his sword and crossbow, and was on his dragon's back, all in a couple minutes time.

They launched into the air, and went into 'between', taking the coordinates directly from Brenneth and their 'new Weyrleader'. Kilzanth's feelings about the other bronze's dishonorable so-called 'win' on that flight still were strong, and though he didn't like the other bronze, they had no choice but to follow orders. He was a Wingleader, and his wing would assemble in correct formation once they came out of 'between'. He had that to think about, them to lead-he couldn't afford to think of anything but them, and taking back their gold.

~~~~~~

Maya was a bit surprised the gold egg had yet to hatch. For all that rocking, it sure was taking its sweet time. When the brown hatched and impressed, she was happy to see at least that success. However, the green who had hatched earlier began to whimper, and then gave a saddened roar-was it unable to find its bond? Would it go 'between'? She hated what happened to girls who impressed greens in the South! But what could she do? If she had a gold, she would leave this Weyr and take in the girls who were banished...but she didn't, and how would she? Two years it took to finish Weyrling lessons. Two years...she still would almost rather see the green impress to a girl, than to die.

~~~~~~

When the green whom she'd been trying to send the other way with her mind suddenly whimpered and gave a mournful sort of roar, Kyrsin's eyes opened, worry filling their depths. She had wanted the green to go back to the boys-and it was looking that way now-but what was wrong with it? Was it having problems finding its bond? She frowned. She didn't want it to die, and she almost wanted to call out to it to look harder, that her bond would be there if she looked for him. Him, not her, mind you. However, the green's life was more important than who it impressed to...wasn't it? If it had chosen her, would she still feel that way? She wasn't cold-hearted enough to think she might have felt differently if she knew it was going to pick her. Still, she was now silent and still, wishing it luck. She wasn't paying any attention to the gold now, wishing the green would hurry and choose someone.

[stolenhart]

The green shook her head as she glanced the boys over. There just wasn't anyone there she wanted. So she turned back to the girls, hoping someone as there for her. The happy shriek that came from realizing there was someone there completly stunned the Weyr into silence. She flung herself amongst the girls, vocalizing loudly as she sent to Brogan, Mine, mine! I have found you, your Cath has found you, she bugled happily, rubbing her head against the girl's robe. There was no way, no one in the stands could have mistaken the Impression.

"Sharding dragon", R'lyn cursed under his breath, climbing to his feet. He signaled a runner who would run to the harbor to have the ship prepared. Brogan and her dragon would be on it before the hour was out. He climbed the steps, the Southerners gossiping as he passed by. He walked across the sands and right up to Brogan. "Alright young lady, let's have Cath fed and we'll go find her a nice spot to sleep", he said. There was no emotion to his voice, no warmth, no hate, no nothing. It just existed. Castogath's voice was annoyed but not at the tiny dragonet as he told her Come Cath, a short trip and all will be fine.

Meanwhile the final two eggs began to move. With Cath being taken care of, all eyes were back on the gold egg as it rocked. The other egg Hatched to reveal a handsome brown who began to roll in the sand to dry himself off. He was handsome in a light pale brown shade with a well-defined body that would be good looking as he matured. It would not be long now before the gold egg hatched, she was violently rocking about.

[saidaltam]

Siten felt a severe twinge of concern for Brogan as the green squealed and flung itself at her. The poor girl. She worried what would become of her, now she'd impressed so ... 'improperly'. The little green had looked quite forlorn and lost, however. She was happy to see the dragon paired off, but the dark, somber air that settled over the sands completely broke the thrumming sense of life that had kept her vitalized and exultant throughout the hatching, and she felt a spear of cold, dark rage stab through her. The girl hadn't asked the green to choose her, and the Hatchling knew nothing of custom. What right did they have to punish the pair for sins they could never have foreseen. A tremor shot up her spine, and only by closing her eyes and clamping down on herself did she find the control she had spent so many years winning. Lashing out now would do no good, for her, the hatchling, or her new, unwelcomed rider. That didn't stop her from feeling it, but she locked it down. 'Save your anger,' she admonished herself. 'There is a time and a place for it. This is neither.'

Using the rage she had felt to stoke her passions once more, she turned back to the remaining egg and beautiful brown hatchling, reminding herself why she was there.

[tariala]

Oh, no... Oridale schooled her expression to impassivity, but she was distinctly unhappy at what had happened to Brogan. The girl had been a fellow healer, and now she was lost to the South. It just wasn't fair! Her anger spilled over to R'lyn too. Why couldn't the Weyrleader see that this wasn't the right course of action, stop this? It abated as she considered whether he *could* stop it. As rumor told it, he couldn't stop the younger riders from stealing the Northern eggs. Why should this, an entrenched tradition, be any different?

As the gold egg began to move again, Oridale turned back to it with renewed determination. A Weyrwoman might have the authority to change things, a gold dragon could be a powerful force in forbidding her young to be sent away. Come on, baby. She thought again, We need you.

[dragonfire]

A chill went through Brogan when the green gave a victorious screech, and then her heart dropped to the level of her ankles when she realized the green was looking at her. For lack of a better term, her life flashed before her eyes.

And then, the voice came. Mine, mine! I have found you, your Cath has found you.[/color] As Cath stumbled over, Brogan looked into her whirling rainbow eyes, and everything felt like it was okay after all. Cath was perfect for her, no matter what everyone else said. Brogan smiled and hugged the green gently. Don't worry, Cath. I'm here.

Then, the Weyrleader came over. The chill returned, and Cath edged closer to Brogan. "Yes, sir," Brogan said quietly. She knew it was useless to argue, but it pained her greatly to leave Southern. Everything she had been taught, now wiped away by her banishment...but it hadn't quite sunk in yet, and she would reflect on that later. Follow me, Cath, and I'll feed you, she told the green, who's eyes were whirling in distress from the bronze's words.

Why do we have to leave?[/color] she asked, following Brogan to the food. Brogan shook her head. It's a long story...

[accelerando]

♥ ildessmor ♥
Now if she touches like this
will you touch her right back
Now if she moves like this
will you move like that
shake, shake, shake
SHAKE, SHAKE IT

[/i][/b][/center]

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I

[/b]ldessmor had given up watching the gold by now, and her attention was completely on the other side of the hatching sands. So much was going on over there, and she was curious. She watched as another dragon, a brown this time, hatched from the shell. This one was much more graceful about it than the others, and it melted the shell away like it was nothing. He didn’t even look around before moving towards the boy that had impressed him.

T[/b]he green who had yet to impress began whimpering then, and turning her attention to the green, Ildessmor’s heart ached for the poor dragon. She would rather impress the dragon herself than watch it die, it was so upsetting to watch. She knew that if she impressed the dragon, she would be sent off the island to die, but honestly, she didn’t care. After all, she would be sparing the dragon the heartbreaking journey by itself, wouldn’t she?

H[/b]owever, it would be in the best interest for the green go return to examining the boys, Ildessmor thought, sighing as she rubbed her temples. However, the next thing that happened made her do a double take. The green dragon had suddenly run towards the group of girls, and began rubbing her head against one of the girl’s robes. Looking at the girl, she recognized her from the serach that had been done, they were both from the same hold.

P[/b]oor girl, she thought, looking at the girl standing by the dragon. The green dragon had no idea what it had just done, but the girl, of course, knew the implications that the dragon’s action. However, another hatching happened just then, and turning her head, she was just in time to see another brown hatch from the egg. She watched with a smile on her face as the brown rolled around in the sand trying to dry itself off, it was rather cute actually.

T[/b]he gold egg began rocking quite fast just then, and turning her attention back to the egg, Ildessmor began having second thoughts. Was she really suited to standing for a dragon? Was she really suited to impress a gold dragon? Was she ready? Although she hated to admit it, she had to admit, she was not ready. The other girls here were much older than her, much wiser. They would be in a far better position to impress the gold dragon.

H[/b]owever, as she thought about this, she realized the potential of what she could do. If she impressed the gold dragon, well, she would have the power and influence to do something about this old fashioned tradition. Who said women weren't strong? Who said women weren't as skilled in certain trades as men were? Women were just as strong, if not stronger, than men. And that was a fact.

I[/b]f she impressed the gold, she would have the power to change the traditions, change the rules, and change how the South viewed women. That would be an amazing change that she could do. And if she didn't impress the gold? Well, she could always talk to the girl who had impressed the gold and stress the importance of changing this tradition. After all, the person who impressed the gold had to be female and would have to see where Ildessmor was coming from.

H[/b]ope flared up once again in her chest, and pushing her thoughts aside, she glanced down at the egg once more, willing it to hurry up. Come on, we need you, Ildessmor thought. However, she realized how selfish she was being just then. The girl that had impressed the green was about to face a death sentence, and here she was, desperate to impress a dragon.

T[/b]urning to look at the girl who had impressed the green, she paused for a moment before moving from her spot to join the girl. Hey, are you alright? she asked, wondering if she was doing the right thing. After thinking about it, she confirmed her action. After all, all the spectators were already talking about her, it would only make it worse for her to have to go through it alone.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/font]

[maiwolf]

Live watched, eyes transfixed on the green, to see what she would do. She was silently hoping that the green would Impress to her. So she could go to the Northern continent and tell them all about the South. Surely most other greenriders who’d been sent there had done that. But she was secretly hoping that the darned gold would hatch. Would maul some of those female candidates who were squealing over the green’s Impression, and who were now currently ogling over the gold egg’s shivering status.

Live, too, wanted the egg to hatch, for this hatching to be over. The Northerners were bound to know what was happening. They’d come to steal the egg, and she knew it. She frowned, and twiddled her thumbs. Her one time to Impress to a green was past, now she needed to Impress to the gold. No, not needed, she could not force such a thing as Impression. The gold knew who hers would be when she hatched. Live could only hope it would be her.

Live watched as another girl walked to the one who’d Impressed the green. Empowered, Live also walked forward. She smiled at both girls, wondering if that other girl had the same ideas in mind as her. “You’re going to be alright.” She told the girl with the green. It was true, and whether or not the girl thought that, she didn’t know. But she knew she had to tell the girl. If she Impressed, the girl’d come back. She’d be the first female greenrider in the South. Live wanted that much for her.

The Southerners could rot in their traditions.

Live turned to the other girl, and smiled weakly, “Best of luck to you.” She said, and turned back to the girl with the green. “I promise you, you shall be fine.” Live turned to look at the gold egg as it started rocking back and forth vigorously, at least more so than it had before. The time was nearly here.

[phlysolo]

How Erusth had flown back to their weyr as tired and defeated as he was remained a mystery to his rider. The bronze was physically and emotionally exhausted, doubly defeated because he'd been so close to victory. When the bronzerider had awoken the next morning, the lithe form of Erusth was laying curled into a tight ball like he had been when he was a Weyrling, when H'zu refused to let him fly when he was too young.

The man had gotten up and patted the beast who he found wide awake. Frowning, he wondered if Erusth had been up all night weighing his defeat, his shame. Hopefully not. He would need his focus if they were to perform their duties as Wingleader. Ironically enough, just at that moment, the bronze relayed the new Weyrleader's orders. The Eggs were Hatching in the South. Strange...they hadn't shown the faintest signs of rocking here...

Dressing quickly and strapping up Erusth, the two swooped down to the Star Stones, landing neatly and, as soon as the orders were relayed, they flicked /between/ with the rest...

In the Southern Weyr, Kamarit was becoming mildly impatient with the bronze's long selection time. The very buttery, almost golden looking dragonet was digging his claws in the ground, suddenly looking as impatient as Kamarit himself was feeling. Finally, he seemed to sigh and, to the boy's surprise, went barreling forward, almost knocking straight into him. The bronze looked up at him and Kamarit looked down, eyes wide in amazement.

A multitude of colors swam before the young man's eyes, the dragonet's gaze whirling with Impression. He had never felt so loved in his life. But it wasn't like loving a woman...it was entirely different and he could not explain it at all. Along with the love, there was hunger and...a strange sense of irritation.

He felt more love inside of him, though this was not entirely directed at him and he followed the bronze's gaze to the green. Kamarit, no...that wasn't right. K'rit...wasn't entirely sure what to make of the slight reprimand his dragonet gave him, but didn't have time to think about it, as the bronze demanded food.

With a smile on his face, he led his life partner out of the Hatching Grounds and, for once, he couldn't think of a woman he'd rather be with more.

[dragonfire]

Brogan was ready to make a quick exit when two of the other girls approached her. She smiled, her heart warmed by their kindness in saying goodbye to her. "I'm fine. Better than fine, even," she told Ildessmor, her voice defiant. "If you Impress, you'll understand." She meant the Gold, of course. Brogan still wouldn't wish a green Impression on anyone else.

She smiled at Live, bolstered by the girl's promise although nothing was certain at this point. "I thank you both," she said softly. Now, she had to go feed Cath. She looked to R'lyn, waiting to be led off the sands.

[maiwolf]

No’ln watched as a Brown broke free of its egg. The last color other than the gold to hatch. He patted Pandorath’s neck, “Well, Panda, it’s almost time to go.” Pandorath nodded his head vigorously, Shall you start walking? No’ln thought for a moment, “Of course. I shall start down. I know how you love to watch until the last egg hatches.”

No’ln started down the stairs that led to every ledge that the dragonriders settled on for a hatching. He stole a glance up at Pandorath, whose eyes were transfixed upon the brown. Sure, the queen egg would hatch into a queen. But Pandorath knew how that would end. No, he wanted to know how the Brown’s Impression would end.

---

Brennanth entered the air over the odd configuration of stones in Southern Weyr. The other Wingleaders and Wingseconds soon joined him above the rocks. He sent an image over their mind-links of the volcano. That was where the hatching was taking place. It wasn’t too hard to figure that out. He winged his way over to where the humming was taken place. It had reached a crescendo, and it took all his effort not to hum, too. It was, after all, a queen hatching. He entered the hatching grounds, and bugled. His voice filled every dragon’s head, That egg belongs to Northern Weyr!

---

No’ln stopped, stumbling down a couple stairs, and turned to look up as an enormous and magnificent Bronze, and many others, crowded into the hatching sands. Those were Northern dragons! He was already three quarters of the way down the stairs, there wasn’t nearly enough time to get back up to Pandorath.

Pandorath thought differently of the Bronzes. Those things were not enormous and magnificent, they were stealers! With a bugle, the small Blue launched himself up and out of his ledge. He would show them! This is our queen egg!

[/b] He cried, rushing at the largest Bronze. He could dimly hear his rider yelling his name.

But he would never make it there.

---

Brennanth looked at the blue as it raced toward him. He bugled back, his sound making echoes float across the whole volcano. But the blue blocked it out, still charging. Stop, I command you![/b] But the blue would not listen. The blue took orders from only Southern Bronzes. But if those Bronzes were giving him orders, then he wasn’t listening to them, either.

Five wingbeats away from Brennanth, a Brown rammed into the blue’s side. The blue’s head snapped to the side, and his neck was instantly broken. The Brown had just been protecting Brennanth. He had not meant to kill the blue.

---

“PANDORATH!” No’ln shrieked, feeling his heart tear. He felt his knees give way, and, having been on the steps, he tumbled downward. He stopped only when a fellow dragonrider caught him in his descent. He was at the bottom of the ledges where the dragonriders sat. He sobbed uncontrollably. No’ln sobbed, tears flowing miserably down his face.

Noeln now.

The dragonless man sat there, head between his knees. He could not bear to see the crumpled body of Pandorath, his dragon, laying on the hatching sands. It had missed all of the female candidates, and had landed closer to the opening than to where the gold egg was. He could feel nothing. Numbness took over. Noeln was shocked. “Pandorath.” He repeated, over and over again. He did not realize that Pandorath would never speak to him again.
[/blockquote]

[accelerando]

♥ ildessmor ♥
Now if she touches like this
will you touch her right back
Now if she moves like this
will you move like that
shake, shake, shake
SHAKE, SHAKE IT

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I

[/b]ldessmor looked in the same direction as Brogan was looking in, and she saw the man that had searched her. To be honest, she didn’t like the man at all. First of all, he had detained her by force when he had searched her. Mind you, she hadn’t even wanted to be searched at that point, he had just approached her and grabbed her runner, telling her that she had to come with him no matter what she did.

G[/b]lancing at the man coldly, she muttered Bastard, underneath her breath. Turning back to the other girl, she said, in a much more audible voice Well, I wish you the best of luck, she said, giving the other girl a small smile. And quite surprising, she did. The other girl seemed much more optimistic than her situation, and if anything, that attitude would help her out much more.

L[/b]ooking down at the small green dragon, she smiled. The dragon and girl really seemed to be enjoying themselves, she thought, as she observed the pair. Although they weren’t in the best of situations, the two of them really didn’t seem to care so long as they had each other. Looking back up at the other girl, she said Hopefully we’ll meet again in the future, if the fates allow.

J[/b]ust as she said those last words, a earsplitting bungle sounded from the top of the mountains. Startled, she glanced up into the sky, only to see a huge bronze dragon soaring above her head. But she didn't recognize the rider, and instantly, it became clear. The person on the dragon's back was no Southerner, it was a Northern rider coming to get revenge. [/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/font]