Chapter 3: Dawn Watch Weyr

About one week later, Axelle, Devron and Adamo came to the Weyr. With their belongings packed and their eyes shining they started their new lives. Though far from glamorous, the shine of the new and unusual hadn't tarnished yet and they'd eagerly take the lessons and chores in stride.
Axelle hd steamrolled her parents nto agreeing. They hadn't expected her to take over the family business... and truth be told, having their daughter protected by a dragon seemed like a better option than having her travel the open roads. Devron and Adamo had had a more difficult time convincing their father. He really had hoped to have his sons around him for quite a while longer. But after days of pleading and promises to visit, he had finally agreed to give his blessing. 
Reading the rules, Axelle couldn't smirk at the rules they'd been given. 
"Hey Adamo," she said with a sweet smile, "We can't leave un-escorted, we can't drink and we can't date. Can you handle that?"
Devron couldn't help but grin at the look on his brother's face but added: "It's only for the first 6 months." 
"I'll manage." Adamo grumbled.

Hatching
Wrenth nosed her eggs, gently checking on each one. They had been rocking on and off for the past couple of days, and ancient instinct told her that they would be hatching soon. Very soon if the hardness of the shells was anything to go by.
Today She thought to herself. It will be today She said to Zihuea, who nodded to herself and went to begin the preparations for a proper hatching feast. This first clutch of the weyr would be celebrated in the traditional manner.
As much as she enjoyed her time on the sands with her eggs, Wrenth was ready to be gone. She itched to be out in the sun, to feel air under her wings.
Almost as though they felt their dam's desire to be away, each egg began to rock. Not the slow sporadic rocking of previous days, but a swift and frantic motion. Small cracks spread quickly across the shells, but for now no larger ones had appeared.
The eggs hatch. Candidates to the sands Wrenth called out to the Weyr, speaking to every mind within which could hear her. She stepped back from her eggs a bit, giving her offspring room to hatch and find their bonds.
People gathered in the stands to spectate, dragons appearing in the entrance and heading for the ledges carved out of the stone of the walls, made long ago so that they would have a place to watch from. And the candidates gathered on the sands, the candidate master reminding them to spread out so the hatchlings would have room to move among them.
When the notice about the imminent hatching came, Axelle, Devron and Adamo had been at their respective chores or lessons. Axelle dropped the pot she'd been washing and stormed out. Devron quickly put away the saddles and riding gear he'd been polishing and got permission to leave from the weyrling master who'd already received the message through his bond. Adamo ducked low and passed the drudge he'd been assigned to without making a sound.
All three met up in the hatching cavern. Feeling the excitement and the energy the hatching was bringing to the Weyr. Axelle could barely keep from skipping and dancing, in stead just kind of hopping in place. Devron looked around, trying to take it all in and Adamo just managed to look like he'd seen it all a million times before, putting on an air of indifference while he checked out the female candidates and spectators for a distraction to the nevers that were raging inside.
As the candidates settled into place, the first few eggs began to develop serious cracks. And one, the smallest one which Wrenth had guarded more closely than the others, rocked so hard that it came completely out of it's little hollow and began to roll about as the movements of the hatchling within propelled it forward.
Two eggs broke open at the same time, spilling their occupants onto the sands. One an eye-searingly bright green, and the other a pale hatchling whose hide shone with muted shades of many colours as they moved. The green glanced at the pearl, made a high-pitched creeling sound and ran off into the candidates.
The Pearl was slower in getting to their feet, blinking as they gazed out at the many people surrounding them.
What do I do with them? He, for the voice was distinctly masculine, asked his mother, looking up at her goldenrod form.
You go find your rider Wrenth replied patiently They're in there somewhere
Alright then
With that the pearl finished getting to his feet and moved off. He took his time about it, stopping to sniff at each candidate he passed by, looking up into their faces before moving on.
Meanwhile, his brightly coloured sister had raced straight for a particular trio of candidates, and now came to a screeching halt right in front of them, sand spraying up from her sudden stop. She knew her own mind it seemed, and there were rainbows whirling brightly in her eyes as she looked into one face in particular.
Devron! There you are! She exclaimed. I'm Surith. I've been waiting for you. Now, come and feed me and your friends will be along shortly, I'm sure

The Warm Breeze Green Surith - Bonded to Devron
Feisty | Gregarious | Sweet | Inquisitive

The hatching continued. The pearl dragonet that had been wandering finally bonded. A short disturbance had everyone's heart racing as one of the dragonets needed to be broken out of it's shell. But luckily it all worked out. After that a brown and a darker green dragonet found their matches. 
Among the clutch, a bright copper sat in the remains of her egg, looking out over the candidates, her gold flecked wings spread to dry. Oh, hello lovelies. Aren't you all magnificent Her voice was pitched to be heard by all the candidates.
Sadly, only one of you is for me. She got to her feet and headed straight for where she knew her boy to be. Adamo, I am Biarath. We are going to have so much fun, you and I.

The Ray of Sunshine Copper Biarath - Bonded to Adamo
Flirtatious | Curious | Casual | Honest
Mutation - Unusual Colour (Gold)

Axelle had watched as first Devron and later Adamo had impressed. The commotion of the white dragonet that hadn't been able to break out of it's shell had her straining to see/hear if any of the other eggs were showing signs of distress.
She shook her head as she was getting a slight case of tunnel vision. No, she needed to relax and let it come. Which was easier said than done when her heart was beating in her throat.
All but one of the hatchlings scattered, bronze and blue going seeking among the candidates, looking for their right people. A cloudy looking blue who was doing just fine, right up until the moment he tripped over his own paws and went rolling into one of the other candidates.
Oh dear. I'm so sorry The blue said as he tried to right himself. Which went wrong pretty much immediately, as the boy he was sitting on also tried to free himself and ended with the blue's claws catching the boy's arm and leaving several deep scratches.
Oh no. I really am so sorry. Are you going to be okay? It's going to be okay. The helper people are here now The blue babbled as the healers approached, untangled them, and then set him on his feet when it became clear that he did not belong to the boy, before hustling said candidate off to get his arm looked at.
Axelle! The blue cried as he managed to reach his person with no further incidents. Two of his siblings had already come this way, but the one he sought still waited for him. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt him. Is he going to be okay?

The Soft Rain Blue Pelarth - Bonded to Axelle
Protective | Determined | Considerate | Generous