Lauwdanomriforith traipsed around the hatching sands.
The sun was out and added a bit of warmth to the winter chill. Down in the
center of the island, sheltered from wind, rain and warmed by both the
fine white sand that held the heat of some volcanic vein beneath and the
bodyheat of their mother, Purple Meranlath, the eggs were close to
hatching. Lauw's sensitive ears picked up faint scratching sounds and
though none of the eggs were actually moving yet, some were nearly
quivering.
"Can I call the candidates?" he
asked Meranlath.
"Wait a little longer." the
purple dragoness replied, her subtle rainbow wings sparkling in the sun,
"we're nearly there but it is cold out and we don't want the bonds to
get sick."
Disappointed, Lauw took a few steps back and focused on the eggs, at the
first sign of a tremor he'd be ready to call. Meanwhile Meranlath enjoyed
the last moments she would get to spend with her offspring like this.
She'd been able to almost hear their voices for a couple of days now.
High-pitched, small and oh so eager to come out into the world. The purple
dragon felt a bit saddened to see this time end. In her mind she felt the
reassuring presence of her bond Sei. The wind mage certainly knew how she
felt but kept quiet for her sake. He and Asagi, Lauw's bond, had kept most
people away from the sands for the last days, which was quite a feat since
they lay at the heart of the community. But Meranlath had enjoyed the
solitude.
"Can I call them now?"
Lauwdanomriforith asked, pointing at one egg that had now earnestly
started shaking.
"I guess it's time."
Meranlath agreed.
Lauw quickly started the musical hum and within seconds other dragons on
the island took to singing, alerting everyone that a time of celebration
was near. The candidates were called and told to get to the sands as
quickly as they could. Wasting no time, Moja dragged an unwilling
Jorilyatah to the hatching sands for a second try at bonding. The green,
rose-marked dragon really didn't feel like taking another go but his
companion had relentlessly nagged at him and in the end he had consented,
like so many times before. Likewise, Failaenor touched down on the sands
within seconds. The yellow-golden Terigon who liked to collect stories had
entertained quite a few people on the island, exchanging stories wherever
she went. Just a little behind her, Zelwyn appeared. The green-scaled
Malakym from Planet Kynn had heard the draconic call before most humans
had made the connection and had had a head start like the dragons who'd
arrived before her.
About ten minutes later, three humans reached the hatching sands. Danya, a
Pernese innkeeper had stood at a few Weyrs before trying her luck
off-world. Maybe today would be her lucky day. Zaffi, a Ryslenese
cartographer who wanted to explore and map the Nexus. She was eager to
bond and start her journey but had charted some of the deeper caverns of
Lantessama while she'd been here, helping to locate some interesting
places for candidates with special needs. And then lastly there was
Trevor. An earthling who'd arrived here about 2 years prior. The young man
had been a hacker with a penchant for style. He'd made quite an adjustment
on Lantessama but had helped set up the computer network. He still wore
his sunglasses, even though it was winter he just felt more comfortable
with them on.
Lauwdanomriforith welcomed them all and then barely had time to rejoin
Meranlath before the first egg cracked.
"You timed it nicely." he told his mate.
The hatchling spilled on the sands, A deep emerald green female scrambled
up and took a moment to orientate herself. She was a slender,
well-proportioned dragoness with an elegant demeanour. She efficiently
made her way across the sands and looked up to Danya, adoration in her
eyes.
"Nice to meet you, my name is Herinforudith."
The girl sank to her knees and hugged the little dragon that was now her
own: "You're perfect."
Two eggs tumbled and cracked open when they hit the sands. A deep blue
female, looking exactly like her dad, and a violet male that seemed to
take after his mother hatched and looked a bit puzzled at each other and
at their parents. Lauw and Meranlath pointed them back to the candidates.
The Kunzite male got sidetracked for a while, following a feather on the
wind, but the Lapis Lazuli female wasted no time and headed straight for
Zaffi.
"You're going to travel? I want to
come."
"Calm down Zensckaymer!" Zaffi reacted, "But I know! I can
hardly wait."
While another egg hatched on the sands, the Kunzite, who was on the
smaller side, reached the candidates and bumped into Failaenor who was of
course feathered all over. The hatchling rubbed his head into the tender
warmth and instantly decided that anyone so soft had to be good.
"Can I stay with you?" he
asked, "My name is Sprohkelegth."
"Now how did you pick your name?" the inquisitive Terigon asked
and forgot all about the rest of the hatching.
Just a few paces away, a bright green jade female was completely in love
with Jorilyatah's roses. She sighed happily as she tried to smell the
flowers and didn't take no for an answer when the surly dragon tried to
push her toward the other dragons.
"I want you." she insisted,
"I'm Rayilleruth."
Two eggs remained on the sands. One was shaking vigorously, the other sat
very still, worrying some of the bystanders who'd seen tragedy at
hatchings before.
Before long the active egg broke open, some shards being flung away but
not far enough to reach anyone. The red-pink dragon that fell out was a
male and an energetic one at that. The Spinel hatchling seemed to blur at
the edges, not slowing down at all as he made a straight line toward
Zelwyn.
"Ooh ooh!" it projected for
all to hear, "Take me with you!"
"Alright Yurgivolth." the Malakym smiled, enthused by the
hatchling's vigour.
Most of the new pairs had already left for the tables. Spectators were
whispering, wondering whether or not the last egg would hatch.
"Wait just a little longer." Meranlath told everyone, "He
just needs a little more time."
The dragons around started crooning a bit louder, calling to the hatchling
to try once more to break the egg. A quiver and then the egg crumbled into
a million pieces, leaving the Sapphire male inside looking like he was
spotted. Tired, the hatchling just looked toward Trevor who suddenly took
off his glasses and came closer.
"What did you say, Billurinth?" he asked.
"Good, you're here. I'm hungry."
Picking up the sleepy hatchling, Trevor awkwardly made his way to feed his
bond.
The spectators cheered as tragedy had been averted and rejoined the new
pairs to celebrate and help them with the first care for the new dragons.
Meranlath and Lauw lingered a little longer.
"He had me worried." Lauw
admitted.
"He was there, I could hear him. If he
hadn't been able to break the shell I'd have helped him."
Meranlath said, "But I knew he could do
it."
"Let's go make sure they're all
healthy." Lauw said, the nervousness of earlier returning.
"You do know we're going to have to let them
go?"
"Not right away! They'll stay here for a few
weeks I bet."
Meranlath smiled, she hadn't been the only one saddened to see her times
on the sands end. Feeling a bit better, she nuzzled her mate and nudged
him toward the waiting food.