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HATCHING
Rukbat’s gentle rays pressed against the aged stone of Benden’s
immense Bowl, but did little to alleviate the persistent winter chill.
Blanca tugged her mantle close around her and blessed the fact that
Remyndal hall was located on the balmy Southern Continent of Pern. Though
she didn't attend all the hatchings she was invited to, Blanca did make an
effort to go to potential new partner Weyrs. None of her students had
travelled to the Northern Continent yet but it seemed like the possibility
was definitely there. A lot of the students that had impressed had chosen
to return to Remyndal so there was no shortage of dragonriders who could
ferry people to faraway regions. And this Weyr proved to be promising in
another way.
Blanca had picked up rumours of something unusual about this Weyr. It had
taken some digging, some bribing and a lot of wine and food to get more
details. What she'd gotten was vague but oh so intriguing.
She watched the candidates for the current clutch work on the chores for
the day and then hastily made her way to her guest quarters inside.
Though as soon as she got to them, the guests and candidates were summoned
to the sands to witness the hatching. It was a good thing she hadn't
removed her mantle and boots yet. Feeling a little excited, Blanca
returned outside, traversed the Weyrbowl and took a seat on the stands.
Candidates filled in, wearing the traditional white robes. A tradition not
all of the Southern Weyrs followed, foregoing the long dresses for shorts
and tanks. Though Blanca could certainly understand the appeal when she
watched all those young people in white. Innocent and pure and waiting for
their new life to begin. They reminded her of her students and she felt an
unusual pang of emotion. Must be her hormones acting up.
Down on the Sands, the first shell cracked as Akyth thrummed a lyrical
welcome, her pale hide glowing faintly in the thin, wintery light. Danath
settled at her side as the dark, wet nose of their first hatchling peeked
through. Eyes whirling a tranquil blue, Danath added his own deep warble
to that of the queen - the thrum picking up as the hatchling struggled
free.
Determination seemed to be the youngster’s trademark, as the little one
finally spread their bronze wings wide - announcing their name as Welath
in a distinctive female timbre. More eggs were shaking, with a trio of
greens bursting free to find their intended while the female bronze
eventually made her way up into the Stands to choose her rider from among
the spectators.
"Blanca." Welath called,
"How about you take me with you? I think I would like Remyndal."
The journeywoman harper looked around but other people had heard the
female bronze talk as well. Blanca stood up, took half a second to compose
the thoughts whirling in her mouth but then her training took over and she
smiled:
"How could I say no?"
And in the privacy of her mind she thought: "Now how am I going to
get home?"
"I believe you have enough free riders to
help you take me there." Welath replied in private, "At
least you were thinking that earlier. I can't wait to swim in those warm
coastal waters."
Bronze Welath
Size:
76'2" L - 14' H
ADULTS
Welath snuck away, body low to the floor, but that still left a
considerable chunk of dragon she needed to hide. Sneaking away below the
windows simply wouldn't work. Travelling between was risky from the
ground, but she knew she could manage it. She'd just pop back up a few 100
yards outside of Remyndal Hall grounds and then she would just take her
time to do her own...
"Welath?" Blanca called, "I know you're planning
something."
"Nothing at all." Welath
grinned.
"Your lying needs work." Blanca winked back, "I can go with
you for some fun after I get these student reports out of the way."
"Maybe I'll just go ahead and wait for you
there." But the bronze dragon wouldn't be holding her
breath. She knew how Blanca worked after all, it'd probably be nightfall
before she came. But they could probably still have a swim in one of the
lakes or bays.
"I promise I'll come." Blanca replied to the unspoken thoughts.
"I know, rider mine. I like your dedication.
Just don't forget to relax."
"Any propositions?"
"You could take up knitting... or let me have a
mating flight?"
Welath blinked away, making sure she was well out of telepathy range
before Blanca could respond.