Second Hatching
Day drak Missalenei
had retreated far in the deep caverns and had let the other know through
message by Fire drak Reenkios that the hatching was imminent. Reenkios lay
in front of the heavy doors. His red hide was framed by the door and two
tall Corinthian pillars. On either side of the door were small fountains and
baskets with hanging plants.
The main part of the deep cavern, where the knights were standing, had low
benches where people could sit and watch the impression. More plants hung
from the walls and stood on pedestals. Behind the benches light penetrated
the cavern as the entire wall had been opened up to let the light in. Raf
hadn't wanted a dark and dank place for such glorious moments in the lives
of the aspirants.
Nele, a friendly smile on her face as usual, had to admit the overall effect
was magical. She'd known High Prince Raf from the moment they'd joined a
tour that had let the unsuspecting eartheners to Icarus where they'd all
paired draks. How much their lives had changed. She glanced over to where
the pirate Xaedan stood. He'd been a fun guy to spend some time with, but
neither of them had wanted a lasting connection.
Xaedan, on his part, was feeling quite nervous. It was the first time
Reenkios had sired a clutch and though they both weren't easily perturbed,
the impending hatching had influenced their usual nonchalance. If only he
could run off and go pillage some beachside town. That would release some of
the stress he was feeling...
As about half an hour passed, the tension in the deep cavern started to
rise. Aspirants had filtered in, wearing light clothing in the warmth of the
afternoon. Five aspirants had been found for this clutch. Ojua, the
youngest was still only a red-headed, freckled girl starting to grow up.
Ganah, a young woman with a light complexion and golden hair, was a bit
older and more responsible. Then there was Bhajem, a rope-juggler from a
fishing village in the vicinity of Dun Keiba. Aedre, a blacksmith from a
ninja village also came from around there and had already made friendly with
Bhajem and the third male aspirant. This one was a bit unusual in that he'd
come from offworld, vacationing while visiting different castles as
inspiration for his architect work.
Raf had been visiting both the blacksmith and the architect frequently,
asking for their thoughts on Dawn Castle and the improvements they might
make. Having some free consults never hurt. The acrobat had given a couple
of performances on his request and had captured the hearts of certain local
women with his charm. The girls had helped around the castle while they
waited.
Suddenly a little tapping sound echoed through the cavern and Reenkios
helped open the large doors. Missalenei spread her four wings, shielding her
draklings until they were all out. Then she closed her wings and gave the
spectators a glimpse of her babies.
Gasps and sighs sounded through the audience. After all there had only been
four eggs and yet there were five draklings standing around their
mother. All had different colours so the betters among the crowd
theorised that their had not been a twin egg. Maybe the dam had hidden an
egg? Only the draks knew.
The first drakling to make a move was a mud male. He had a large build and a
thick mane that covered his neck and the tip of his tail. He walked very
carefully, making sure not to trip as he made his way to the girl with
greeny-gold eyes.
"Ganah," he said, "my
name is Vizheios. Don't worry if it takes some time, I'd like to see the
rest of Icarus and the art you make of it."
Next up, an earth male took his turn in the spotlight. Decisive and proud,
he walked up to the blacksmith and architect. Both were stubborn and capable
men. Personality traits that the earth drakling could appreciate. In the end
he decided upon Aedre and said:
"I will help you with your machines. Call me
Coggeios."
Imraan didn't have to wait long as the next drakling that made a move, a day
female, also made it's way toward him. With her white hide and golden wings
she looked bright and cheery and she seemed to smile as she cornered him and
said:
"You work too much. But if it gets hard, I'll
listen and take care of you. My name is Wykosei."
Next the wind female strode into the cavern. She threw her fur and flapped
her wings, putting on a great show as she advanced to the aspirants. There
were only two left. The drakling looked at Bahjem, the acrobat from Dun
Keiba, but then shook her head. She turned to the red-headed girl with a
crush and said:
"I think we'd make a good pair, Ojua. My name iss
Karosei."
That left only one drakling, a rain female who skipped, danced and rolled to
the last remaining aspirant. She gently nuzzled his hand and spoke:
"Do you think I'll be good enough to join your
troupe? My name is Faiaosei."
With all the draklings paired up, the gathered spectators cheered and
everybody joined the new knight pairs at the buffet where they helped their
new bonds with their first feed. There were assorted meats, dainty
delicacies and hearty pies. Desserts lined the other side of the table and
in the middle water, tea, coffee and a light fruit wine could be
found.
As the party continued, the new knights and their draklings met the older
pairs that would be their trainers. They were given their schedules for the
next day and a curriculum of courses, which in the first week would be
mostly about care and tending of their draks.
Aedre (m) & earth Coggeios (m) - trained by Xaedan and Fire
Reenkios (pirate)
Bhajem
(m) & rain Faiaosei (f) - trained by Wim and Mud Fregiki (knight
training)
Ojua
(f) & wind Karosei (f) - trained by Caylea and Wind Hyenna (knight
training)
Ganah
(f) & mud Vizheios (m) - trained by Yone and Ore Epphis (knight
medic)
Imraan
(m) & day Wykosei (f) - trained by Raf and Rain Nelladuar
(travelling)
pick-up
Earth Coggenis (m)
Rain Faiaosei (f)
Wind Karosei (f)
Mud Vizheios (m)
day Wykosei (f)