Labour Time Pt 2

Writers: Avery, Paula
Date Posted: 25th September 2015

Characters: Lenala, A'kades
Description: Vilarth lays her eggs.
Location: River Bluff Weyr
Date: month 2, day 21 of Turn 8
Notes: Mentioned: Lanniya, Rhosyn; Pt 2 of 2

Lenala

"Have you been feeling any better in the mornings?"

"No, it's worse, if possible," Lenala said with mournful tone. "The
afternoons aren't so bad."

"Anything the healers can do for you?" Jadirah should be able to
prescribe something, he thought.

"Make sure I eat regularly and there's some teas that help. Eating a
dry cracker when I get up actually helps," Lenala told him.

"That's good to hear. I shall fetch them whenever I can."

The longer he thought about Lenala keeping this child - _their_ child
- the more excited he got. His bronze had sired her gold's eggs; he'd
sired her child. This felt different than it had with Jadirah, where
she'd approached him for paternity and it had felt almost like a
contract. This felt more like what he'd expected from his life as a
crafter. Having a job, raising children...a good holder life.

}:And having me,:{ his bronze reminded.

Vilarth glanced at them. }: Pay attention to _me_:{ She chided.

** I am, that's egg number fifteen. You're being quick this time and
they all look marvelous,** Lenala soothed her.

A'kades was trying to count them all. "Fifteen already? That's going
to be some thrilled candidates."

"If she keeps going at this rate, we may need more candidates," Lenala
sounded bit worried. She was basing her estimation to how long it
usually took Vilarth to clutch.

"We should be able to get them for you. We have solid Searchriders
here and there were a few potentials in the last class. I'm sure the
Weyrleader will set up sweeps."

Lenala nodded. "Lanniya's gold won't be far behind either, so you going
to get busy in the Weyrling wing," she said. Vilarth took another
break to rest.

"It will be nice to have three golds producing new riders," he said.
"At least it's not quite as bad as the ramp-up to the Pass was."

"Oh, yes, I thought the Weyr was going to burst out of its seams.
Until the opening of the old Weyrs eased the situation," Lenala had
Impressed fifteen Turns ago. Just when it was all starting.

"That was very useful. I never left here," he admitted. "Some of the
reopened places sound nice and there was Weyrleadership opportunities
- see that new northern one that just opened - but I like it here. I'm
glad I was never sent."

"Well, I Impressed in Vista Point. Then I was sent here to mix the
Bloodlines. Then Rhosyn ended up here too and now we have two Vista
Point-born Golds in River Bluff," Lenala told him.

"Interesting. And since Anaeryth is from Orlaith, that means we don't
have any golds descended from a River Bluff hatched queen," he
observed, finding that interesting. Draconic bloodlines were a
fascinating topic.

}:But these eggs will be from a River Bluff bronze,:{ Volaith said
with a rumble. }:Vilarth will lay strong bronzes for our Weyr.:{

Oh, he wished they'd lay a gold. But surely they wouldn't have gold
eggs this close together. Not unless the Weyr was having a bigger
problem.

"No, we don't. There are those in other Weyrs though," Lenala replied.

"I wonder if any of the other Weyrs are looking to switch up their queens at some point," he pondered. Diversity in queen lines was important. Then he shook his head, remembering nobody would ask him for his thoughts on the matter. "The important thing is how no matter how many eggs she lays, they'll all be beautiful. Right?"

"Absolutely," Lenala agreed and watched Vilarth fuss with the eggs
before laying the next one.

"Do you tend to follow your weyrlings very closely?" he asked.

"I try to," Lenala replied. Vilarth took another break. She was slowing
down. She was now at 20 eggs. "How about a lunch? I think she's going to
take a longer break this time," Lenala asked. Time had flown past them
during the vigil.

}: You guard the eggs, Volaith, I'll go for a drink, :{ Vilarth told her
bronze mate. She stopped to nuzzle him before heading for the river.

The bronze hesitated before going down to the sands. He sat on the
opposite end from where the eggs were so as to not get too close to where
his mate's rightful place was, but where he could watchfully see the eggs.
}:I guard,:{ he confirmed.

"And I'll get lunch," A'kades agreed. He headed down to the kitchen and
asked for some items. A young baker provided some extra bread and cookies
both with the meal.

He brought back the tray with juice. "How do you feel now?"

"Better when I get some food in," Lenala replied. "I just hope they
stay in," she frowned a bit.

They managed to eat the lunch before Vilarth returned. First she
checked the eggs she had already laid before settling down to lay the
rest.

He gave her a small hug. "You'll be fine. Everything will go well, you'll see."

"I hope so," she replied and leaned against his shoulder. They watched
as Vilarth laid more eggs, egg after egg.

Finally the gold declared she was done. She curled protectively around her nest.

"That last one looked particularly big, must be a bronze. Shall we
check the tally?" she said. Got up on her feet, she pulled along

A'kades with her. **Well done, darling,** she complimented Vilarth who
replied with wordless purr that was both satisfied and exhausted.

A'kades followed her down and started counting. "I make 36, I think" he said.

}:They are beautiful and many. We have done well.:{ Volaith agreed.

"37," Lenala corrected with absolutely certain tone of voice. "It's a
very good clutch," she said with a happy smile.

"I couldn't have asked for more," he said, taking her hand and kissing
it. "You're both going to be radiant mothers."

"And you're being wonderful fathers," Lenalan said, including Volaith
too. She wrapped her arm around his waist. Vilarth settled down to
guard her eggs.

Last updated on the October 26th 2015

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Labour Time Pt 2