No Better Way
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Cali
Date Posted: 12th September 2005
Characters: J'klin, Karri
Description: J'klin attends the hatching and watches Karri and others impress.
Location: Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 7, day 20 of Turn 3
}: J'klin, it's time :{ Nimyth said simply to his rider as he twisted his neck down for a better view.
"Time for what?" J'klin asked aloud, distracted by a small area of patchy hide he was currently trying to remove from his brown's front leg. }: For the hatching of course, can't you hear? :{ his tone was admonishing as he lifted his head back up to give a responding deep hum.
Chuckling at his dragon, and the patchy hide removed, J'klin stood up and started to strip down. "Let me change into some cleaner clothes, and then we'll go down".
**
Finding a seat was harder than he had thought; with a queen egg on the sands it appeared that anyone who could catch a ride had tried to attend. J'klin gave up after looking around for a few minutes, he wasn't the type to climb over strangers just to be able to sit down. Nimyth was comfortable, and he considered just joining him, but decided against it since he wanted to be able to see which candidates impressed. He had managed to get to know a hand full this time and had placed private bets with himself as to who would impress what or at all. He finally found a spot against the wall by one of the entrances and grinned at two weyrbrats who were standing near him. They were obviously much too young to impress, but he could tell by their looks that they were hoping that maybe, just maybe a dragon would search them out despite their age.
The humming had gotten distinctly louder and he saw the candidates being led towards the eggs. Some walked proudly towards them, and others were more unsure, taking comfort in their friends around them. He saw Teseada, D'nev's daughter, giving impression another try. His bet was on her failing again, and he felt sorry for D'nev, but sometimes people just weren't meant to impress. That's when he realized who he had been searching for and not seeing out on the sands. Arilanna wasn't down there this time, she was too old now at twenty-two for impression. He scanned the seats for her face but couldn't find her, she probably hadn't wanted to be here, especially with a queen egg on the sands. Once again he wished he could just erase the last few months. He desperately missed Ari and wished he could be there to comfort her for what must be a very disappointing time. If only U'kaiah hadn't messed everything up for him again! If he only would have left Ari alone J'klin and her would have been happy now, not miserable. J'klin's brooding was interrupted by group above him cheering as an older lad appeared through the entrance. The lad waved to them, both embarrassed and nervous, and made his way to the circle forming around the eggs. He saw Karri, the girl he had rescued from a flight of stairs on one of her first days in the Weyr, coming through with the few stragglers and tried to catch her attention. He didn't think she would look up from her shoes, but she must have seen his hand waving about because she looked over at him, her blond hair tucked behind her ears. He was glad she wasn't trying to hide the scar on her face anymore and gave her an encouraging smile which she returned as she passed. He briefly wondered where her cheering section was, then remembered the story V'lan had told him about her family disowning her for going with him when he was on Search. The young boy he saw behind her was Ryndal which surprised J'klin, since he was only twelve turns and his mother had wanted him to wait until at least thirteen to stand. He would have to ask Lynaia when he saw her next in the kitchens how that scamp had managed to change her mind. The eggs were rocking more and more violently, the anticipation causing the already fidgety weyrbrats beside him to bounce and kick at the edges of the sand. The eggs finally started to hatch and the boys became still, focused on the scene before them. J'klin watched, the memory of his impression with him whenever he attended a hatching and felt Nimyth's loving touch in his mind. One of the first to impress was the lad with the cheering section, though J'klin noticed that they were much more subdued with the realization that he had impressed green. The lad probably didn't notice though, enraptured as he was by his dragons swirling eyes. They must have been holders or crafters then, and J'klin was glad the lad had impressed as he was better off here in the Weyr if his tendencies lay with a green. Karri impressed soon after, a light green beauty headed straight towards her and J'klin saw the shock and elation in her face as she realized she had been wanted. J'klin had no doubt that her shoes would be getting far less of her attention now. He cheered and whooped as loud as he could for her, trying to make up for her lack of family. As if as an afterthought Karri looked over towards J'klin, tears streaming down her face and called out proudly, "Her name is Elliath!"
He continued to watch the hatching after she had left and more often than not his private bets were paying off. He was surprised however at the queen's decision at Teseada. If she was ever to impress at all he would have put all on green, but he was happy for D'nev, and the dragon always knows. }: I knew to pick you. :{ Nimyth said smugly.
** And I'm grateful every day you did.** J'klin replied as he watched the unsuccessful candidates being led away. He noticed Ryndal among them and was personally glad he didn't impress yet. They needed men and women who could fight thread after they completed Weyrling training, and if Ryndal had impressed he would have been unable to fight in a fall for several turns. As J'klin left the hatching grounds the weyrbrats raced past him recounting loudly the events of the day. He had no doubt they would be there at the next hatching and the one after that and the one after that until they finally convinced their parents to let them stand just like Ryndal had. He was herded with the crowd towards the feast that always followed a hatching and was more than willing to be led that way. He could think of no better way to follow up such a stupendous day than with great food and wine!
Last updated on the September 13th 2005