Proud Parents

Writers: Devin, Suzee
Date Posted: 2nd June 2024

Characters: Cyradis, N'vanik
Description: Panitath Clutches
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 4 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentioned: D'hol, Kielya

Cyradis

N'vanik

Loseth's excited voice cut into his thoughts. }:Panitath has gone to
the Hatching Grounds. The eggs come!:{

N'vanik gathered up the hides he'd spread around him on the ground,
weighed with rocks to keep from blowing away. Clutching the small
stack, he hurried from the shaded spot on the beach and jogged toward
the Weyr. He briefly considered dropping his work back in his office,
but headed for the Hatching Cavern. He didn't want to miss anything.

Loseth stood at the entrance, peering inside. }:We are here, my lovely
mate. May we come in?:{

}:Help me dig our nest:{ Panitath demanded. She was turning in the
sands and frantically digging to arrange the sands where she could
protect them with her body. }: It's not large enough and I have many
eggs :{ she added proudly.

Loseth nearly knocked over his rider in his haste to rush to his
mate's aid. His claws gouged deep furrows in the heated Sands. }:We
always have many eggs. You bring us high and I fly you well.:{ He
paused long enough to nuzzle her.

"He's mighty pleased to help." N'vanik chuckled as he went over to join Cyradis.

She smiled up at her tall Weyrleader while she toweled her hair dry.
"She rarely asks for help with anything. I was in the bathing pool
when she demanded my presence," Cyradis chuckled at the damp caftan
she'd thrown on before running to the cavern.

"You look good wet." He bent to give her a quick kiss, holding his
hidework out so it didn't get damp.

She kissed him back "careful," she said, leaning her wet head away
from his hides. "Oh," her head whipped around toward Panitath. "Here
comes the first one."

Panithath had laid down in the hollow she and Loseth had dug and her
breathing had become slightly labored before a single egg was
deposited and she curved her tail around it protectively.

Loseth crooned encouragement to his Queen, thrilled he was allowed so
close this time.

N'vanik set his hidework on the nearest bench and went back to stand
beside Cyradis. Loseth's pride and devotion washed over him, letting
N'vanik feel, for a little while, that all was right in the world.

Cyradis was puzzled by Panitath's comfort with Loseth this time
around. It was very unusual for this queen to allow her mate into the
hatching grounds while she was actually laying her clutch. A second,
and third eggs were carefully laid next to the first. Then she
adjusted her position to another part of the hollow.

Until she remembered the difference this time. "She chose him this
time," she said softly. "This has only happened once before with Brath
and it was when she chose him instead of being caught."

"Huh," N'vanik said thoughtfully. "Well if there's anything I can do
to make her _keep_ choosing him, I'll do it." As much as the job could
weigh on him, especially now, N'vanik didn't want to lose his
position. Going back to being under someone else's thumb . . . No.

She smiled at him. "You do your job so well, I am sure that is why you
retain the job. Loseth is a natural leader." She turned back to see
her lifemate laying one egg after another as she shifted in a circle
around the nest they'd created in the sands. Cyradis stood and
counted. "Look at that 19, 20," and after a bit of a pause "21, and
she's not close to done yet."

**You're doing so well this time. Does it help to have Loseth with you?"

}: He helps :{ Panithath responded. But Cyradis could feel the gold's
concentration on her task and didn't ask any more questions.

"You're inflatin' my ego when she's the one doing the hard work."
N'vanik smiled at the huge Queen as she prepared to lay another egg.
Loseth stayed close, but made sure not to crowd her.

"Should we sit?" N'vanik asked. They were at the edge of the Sands
where it wasn't as hot, but his sandals were meant for the beach, not
the Hatching Grounds.

"Sorry," she said. "Clutchings get me carried away," she returned to
her seat. "There are so many happy feelings. Hope, pride, joy knowing
the new pairs will have a love relationship like they've never known
before. All the wonderful feelings of dragon riding with none of the
negatives."

N'vanik sat beside her and put an arm around Cyradis. "Me too. Wasn't
that long ago I was worried that Loseth might never catch a gold." He
thought of something else as Loseth watched over his laboring mate. "I
don't think I thanked you for letting me be there for Cyranik's
birth."

She turned toward him and cupped the side of his face. "Of course,"
she said. "No thanks needed, he's your son N'vanik." She shook her
head after a moment. "Come to think of it," she gave him a wry smile.
"All my children except Kendran have Weyrleader fathers, and while his
father wasn't his grandfather was."

"Some strong dragonrider lineages. I hope they don't feel too much
pressure." She seemed to take for granted that N'vanik would be able
to witness his child's birth. "I wasn't there for my other kids.
Cosani I didn't even know about, and Rhosyn wouldn't let me in the
room when she was having Nisha."

"I'm sorry that happened to you," she said. "I've apologized to D'hol
for never telling him about Kielya," she hung her head slightly. "It
was very unfair of me. I told myself I'd never do that again."

}: Mine!:{ Panitath demanded her attention.

** Yes my love,** she answered. "Sorry," she said to N'vanik. "I'm
required to watch. I think we're getting near the end. How many is
that now?"

"Thirty-five, though I might have missed one or two." The soft,
delicate eggs filled the nest.

Cyradis stood and then stepped up on the bench so she could see
better. "I think that is the last of them," she said counting beneath
her breath. "Fourty," she grinned. "No," her grin faded only a little.
"Thirty-nine. Oh that is a very good clutch. Good job Loseth!"

The bronze arched his head, glowing with pride.

"Good job Panitath!" N'vanik smiled at the Queen. Worries tried to
scratch at his mind, but he firmly pushed them away so he could hold
on to this bright moment.

Last updated on the June 7th 2024

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