| "Welcome blueriders, it's a bit hectic now after Threadfall, but you're welcome to rest here, and let your dragons sun themselves before you leave again." T'mark, the weyrleader, said to the two blueriders from Quinalt Weyr. "Thank you Weyrleader, but we'd rather not be a burden..." The older looking of the two interjected. "Burden? On us? Nonsense! You'll stay and dine with us, we rarely have visitors this far out of the way, backwards place that this is. Now this woman here," T'mark indicates an elderly drudge, standing quietly in the shadows, "will take you to one of our empty weyrs. You can freshen up there." With that T'mark turned and quickly walked away. "You'll be wannin' an emp'y weyr then? Will ya' be neen'in anythin' for yer stay? A girl to serve ye perhap?" The old woman asked. The two blueriders looked at each other, then to the old woman, and the older nods. "Please." |
| "Well what do you think B'rean? Your Karnoath's had more experience with this than my Samineth." The bluerider C'lom asked his companion once they were alone, and had sent their "girl" to get some clean clothes and wine from the lower caverns for them. This was his first Search. Partaking in it only after his lovely Samineth had told them there was a girl here for the clutch on the Sands back at home. He had enlisted the help of the more experienced Searchrider, B'rean, and his Karnoath, before coming to find the girl. "Well I don't know, both our dragons feel it, but there's no one here worthy of a Search for us...." "Shhhhhh!" C'lom interrupted. "We can't let anyone know we're on a Search in another's Weyr!" "Oh do be quite! Shards, it's not like it's never been done before, and Karnoath's been adament about the fact that the someone he wanted was here, and no one argues with a dragon! So don't tell me what to say." But the bluerider, B'rean, was grinning, and soon he and his companion were chuckling earnestly. They enjoyed mock-argueing with one another, and let it be known if they were really serious about what they said anyway. The girl returned with a fresh change of clothes, and a bottle of wine. "A good vintage sirs...." The girl remarked, hoping earnestly they would give her some praise for her work. Karnoath, will you be so kind as to look at her? B'rean asked his dragon. She's not the one I want rider, she's not meant for dragonkind. She's just a drudge. Karnoath, I know she's a drudge....I just wanted to know.... You asked.... Karnoath, of all the...., I know I asked! "A fine wine," C'lom remarked as B'rean stopped talking to his dragon, and noticed what was happening around him. "Don't you think so B'rean?" C'lom took another sip of his wine, and B'rean reached out for the already poured glass of his and took a sip, looking at the girl. "I completely agree C'lom, now why don't we thank this girl so we can get down to business?" The girl blushed, and nodded, and hurried out the room. "Samineth says she's not..." "I know, I already asked Karnoath." "Well that's the eighth girl I've seen and asked Sammy to look at in this place! Why can't they just tell us where this wondergirl is?" "I don't know.." Karnoath? Do you know where this girl of yours is? Of course, she's in the kitchens, with the Weyrwoman, would you like me to get her? "In the kitchens? Why didn't you just say so! And hey, what do you mean 'would you like me to get her?'" B'rean's voice raised, not embarressed about speaking aloud to his dragon. C'lom watched his companion evenly, trying to figure out what was going on. She can hear dragons. Karnoath told his rider smuggly, and was rewarded by a frustrated outburst from B'rean. Karnoath didn't mind, he knew his rider was tired, and that's why he was acting so childishly. "All the time!?" B'rean's voice was incredulous. A girl who could hear dragons was an asset anywhere, and people would be loath to give her to another weyr other than their own. No, no, just when her mind is very strong, but sometimes not even then. "Karnoath, is has she been Searched already? Is she going to be a Candidate here?" Her? No, their dragons don't want her, I don't understand why. "What's going on?" C'lom asked, now desperate to know what was going on. "Apperantly Karnoath has some interesting information on this girl of ours....." |
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| Two hours later in the main dining hall...... "I know who you're after blueriders, and I don't think I can let you take her in good cause." "Whatever do you mean Weyrwoman?" C'lom asked her. It was supper, and as guests they were honoured with sitting at the head of the table with the weyrleaders. C'lom had fleetingly mentioned the reason they were here in the first place, and the Weyr had no objections, until he also asked, in the same sentence, which girl could hear the dragons too. Then Alina, the Weyrwoman, decided for whatever reason, she this girl they were after was not going to leave with them. "I mean, that this girl's not dragon material. I've asked Nesyath, what seems hundreds of times, and each time she answers the same. 'Not for my clutch, not for anybody's'. What more do you need? Nesyath's a queen afterall." T'mark suppressed a grin and slumped further into his chair. Alina's obsession with her queen was a joke in this Weyr. "But queens aren't always known to be the best Searchdragons Weyrwoman!" C'lom protested. "Why do you think most Searchriders ride the blues, and the greens? Why do both our dragons," He said, indicated B'rean on his left, "want her?" Amera had no answer, and instead looked at them with sour eyes. "Yes Weyrwoman, at least let us meet the girl? Perhaps we can figure out why your dragons don't want her, but ours do?" B'rean pleaded. "Are you saying my Nesyath cannot figure out herself which people are worthy of her own children?" Alina snapped angrily. "Enough!" T'mark interuppted, holding up his hand, nearly breaking out in laughter. "If we don't want her, then they have every right to Search her." He turns to the blueriders. "She'll be down in a moment, and, ahh, you'll know her when she arrives." With that everyone at the table got a knowing look on their face and both blueriders heard their muffled whispers and quiet laughter. Suddenly a dragon roared outside, and at that moment a figure could be seen walking in at the front of the room. The rest of the table seemed oblivious as the blueriders gasped in surprise. The figure knew just when to pick her moment, obviously, and following her closely, and landing on her shoulder, was a tiny golden fire-lizard. They knew at once this was who they were after. C'lom turned to T'mark, who nodded. "That's her, that's Enyala. Quite the dramatist isn't she?" T'mark waved his hand absently, and went back to his food. The blueriders watched at the robed figure made her way purposely towards another table, where the Candidates were eating. The Weyrwoman seemed to sense the Quinalt riders' fears, and sighed. "Don't worry, she sits there because that's where her brother sits." Alina said to the blueriders. "I won't let her stand on the Sands here." These dragons at Rathlin do not want her for their children. Samineth told his rider. Whyever not? You've Searched her, and found her acceptable? Doubly acceptable, wait until you meet her. Samineth paused, Nesyath says it's because her children would not find her suitable, another pause from Samineth, and Moonarth says the same thing. They are the only clutching dragons here Thank you Samineth, I shall ask the Weyrwoman about it. But before he could Alina got up and went over to the table where the girl, Enyala, was sitting. She pointed at the blueriders and the girl looked over surprised, and was that happiness written on her face? C'lom couldn't tell because she wiped any trace of emotion off immediatly. Enyala followed the Weyrwoman to the head table and stood obediantly behind her chair as the blueriders got a good look at her. The girl was almost boyish in appearance. Were is not for her long, black hair, and her thin stature, they would have assumed she was male. Her face showed no signs of being feminine, and her features although full of character and thought, were plain. Her eyes were the oddest thing about her, being an unusal blue-grey, and standing at about 5'6, she was quite short. Her chin stood out defiantly, and it was obvious that no matter what, her chin would always do so. She stood calmly, letting her robes settle about her, and from the way she was dressed the blueriders could tell she was from Igen Hold. To top everything off, she had a tiny golden fire-lizard wrapped around her shoulders, watching eagerly every movement the blueriders made. This girl was impressive, they thought, but the weyrleaders were right, she was different, although for the life of them they couldn't figure out why. Would the dragonets find her suitable on Hatching Day? Dragonriders seemed to follow a particular mold, and this girl did not fit it. "Enyala, these are the blueriders, C'lom and B'rean, riders of the dragons Karnoath and Samineth, all from Quinalt Weyr." The girls eyes flashed in recognition of the names, and nodded her head. The girl bowed respectfully, and smiled. The golden fire-lizard chirped agreeably. But the blueriders were at a sudden loss for words, what would they say to this girl who could hear dragons sometimes? Alina was the first to notice, and to break the uncomfortable silence. "They've come on a Search Enyala, you are the object of their Search." There was no mistaking the hope running through the girls face, and she did not bother to mask it as before. "Wait girl, why don't you tell them abit about yourself first?" Suddenly the girl showed the first signs of being angry. She snorted at the Weyrwoman and clenched her fists, but she said nothing. She lifted her hands, and seething with anger, the blueriders watched as she made motions and signs with her hands. Alina smiled triumphantly, but then looked sad, seeing the girl was frustrated and hurt. "The girl cannot speak blueriders, that is why she cannot stand Candidate. Only the very healthy can Impress dragons, and everyone knows this." Alina sighed and leaned back in her chair, resting her head on her hand. The golden fire-lizard squawked at the Weyrwoman, and made an uncomfortable hissing noise. Ignoring Enyala, who finished her signing motions, she pointed at the little queen. "That's Dalie, Enyala's queen. She's small for a fire-lizard, hatched from an egg we all thought was green." Alina's sour grin turned slightly malicious, and it was then the blueriders realized how incredibly young the Weyrwoman was. No wonder she felt vindictive, she couldn't be more than twenty or so: much too young to no have "childish" urges towards others, particularly those she was jealous of. But why was a Weyrwoman jealous of a young, mute, girl? The blueriders both jumped in surprise when T'mark barked out to Alina, "Enough Weyrwoman! The girl is not the plague of the Weyr! Blueriders, you are welcome to sit and tal...... to communicate with her. It is more easily done through the dragons, I recommend you try that. If you find her acceptable still, and she agrees, she is free to leave with you to Quinalt Weyr." Later, in Enyala's quarters...... Enyala tried for the third time to get across what she was trying to say. It was obvious this foreign bluerider did not know how to read the hand-signals that she had adopted as a form of language. Shards, it's not as if I made them up myself, she thought, most Holder children are taught them with the rest of their lessons. The bluerider had been trying to ask her questions for the past hour, and for most of that time she hadn't been able to answer any single one of them. If only she could talk to his dragon, this would be so much easier. But today was not a good day for hearing dragons. She hadn't been able to talk to one since the day before. The bluerider sighed, and leaned back into his chair, rubbing his temples in frustration. She looked sharply at him, he had no right to be annoyed with her, she didn't do anything wrong. "Perhaps we should just write our conversations, because I am not doing so good at picking up this "language" of yours." 'Do I strike you as a Harper?' She signed angrily, 'I keep no paper here, except for those records,' and she indicated the shelves which held innumerable scrolls and books. The bluerider looked at her oddly, "Did I just understand that? Did you just tell me you had nothing to write with?" C'lom was rewarded with a look of praise from the girl's odd face. Too bad B'rean had to leave, he's so much better with people than I am. He's a real Searchrider afterall, not me. Do you doubt my abilities? Samineth's voice sounded hurt. Of course not Sam, but if you can't reach the girl, this is going to be much harder than I thought. Her mind is not strong enough today. Samineth's voice pointed it out, matter of factly. What's that supposed to mean anyway? 'her mind's not strong enough'? C'lom was rewarded by a moment of indecision from Samineth, and was pleased that he had stumped his dragon. I...I do not know. But it just seems right. When her mind is strong, I can hear her. That is what I know. C'lom stifled a grin (afterall, he didn't want to make the girl think he was making fun of her), and asked her another question. Enyala went to bed that night feeling frustrated and mentally drained. All evening she sat with that bluerider, trying to answer his annoying questions. Alina told her they had Searched her! Why did the bluerider wait to take her away? I wouldn't go to Impress a dragon, but to leave this weyr as soon as possible, that's what I really want. Dalie chirped gently, and snuggled next to Enyala's arm. Oh Dalie, what will I do? I wish I hadn't followed my brother here afterall, he doesn't need me, nor does anybody else. I should just leave now, and find myself a little cave to live in somewhere. Why would you do that? A gentle voice said in her mind. What?! Enyala sat up and looked about, confused. I asked why would you do that? Live in a cave, when you could live in a Weyr? Enyala knew at once who the voice was, it was Samineth, the bluerider's dragon. I already do live in a Weyr, and have no purpose here. Perhaps I will go find a Craft where my disability doesn't matter.....I've always wanted to be a weaver you know. No, I didn't know, but don't you like dragons Enyala? The dragons voice sounded wistful and sad. I've never thought about dragons one way or the other Samineth. Enyala mentally "shrugged" as she lied to the dragon. They've just always been there, what's so special about that? Enyala felt a twinge of disappoinment coming from Samineth. But you could Impress a dragon! The blue's voice was urgent in his statement. Impress a dragon! I've given up that dream with the rest of my childhood fancies. No, I know now that I could never Impress. All the dragons I've ever heard in my entire life say so. Feeling Samineth's hurt, for wasn't it he who Searched her?, she added, Nothing on you Samineth. I'm posative that in another set of circumstances, I could Impress. But me, like this? What dragon would want someone who can't talk? You talk! You talk in you mind, just as dragons do! Dragons cannot speak outloud afterall, so what would it matter to a hatchling if you could make noise or not? Samineth, I can only hear the dragons sometimes! What would happen if I were fighting Thread, and suddenly lost the voice of my dragon? I'd kill us both. Besides.......I wouldn't Impress..... No Enyala, you do not understand. You can only hear other's dragons some of the time, but with your own, you would hear her always. Enyala lost the connection with Samineth then. In the Main Hall, two days later...... "So girl, what have you decided?" Alina asked Enyala the third day of the bluerider's stay at Rathlin Weyr. "Are you staying or going?" Alina's voice was edged with irritation, and that only succeeded in making Enyala's tiny fire-lizrad troubled, and when Dalie was troubled, you could expect trouble. Alina immediatly calmed her voice, and smiled, although the smile never reacher her eyes. "Are you planning on asking my official permission to go?" These were the traditional words of a Weyrleader, granting "permission" for someone in his home, to go to another Weyr. 'I need not ask your permission Weyrwoman! I am my own, and make my own decisions. How else do you explain my presence here? Do you think I came because someone gave me permission? No, I came here by my own will, and will leave the same.' Enyala stared deeply into the Weyrwoman's eyes, hoping to intimidate her, but failed miserably. Instead the Weyrwoman answered, "Do as you will then, are you staying or going?" Enyala's eyes flashed angirly, angry about everything. She had intentionally signed very fast, hoping the Weyrwoman would not be able to get all her words, and she had mentioned her dislike of "tradition", which the Weyrwoman found unconceivable. Why couldn't she get a rise out of anybody anymore? Enyala suddenly felt worthless, beneath worthless. She was a disabled girl, with no skills to speak of. Her only joy in life was getting people to notice and acknowledge her, however crudely that was accomplished, and now she couldn't even do that! Enyala fingered her loose, flowing robes, and looked back at the Weyrwoman, who had not noticed Enyala's new state of mind. "Well?" Her voice was impacient, and the bluerider just beyond her looked extremely hopeful, and nodded as if to encourage her to say yes. Enyala lifted her hands, 'I am not going,' and with that she turned and walked out of the room. The Kitchens, a sevenday later.... A sevenday later Enyala sat with her friend, Noni, slicing root vegetables for that nights supper. The two "chatted" easily as they worked. "Why didn't you go Yala? I thought you've been wanting to leave?" Noni's voice was soft and concerned. Enyala had always liked Noni's easy personality, and was posative the girl would Impress a dragon soon. 'They cannot please me there, it is another Weyr is it not? I've enough of weyrlife, as soon as my brother is done standing Candidate, I will leave and find myself somewhere else to go.' Enyala signed. "What if your brother Impresses?" 'Then he is done standing Candidate, and I will still go. He doesn't need me around anymore, he's not the young boy of ten who came here three Turns ago. I still cannot believe I let my mother convince me to follow him, he was doing fine without me for two Turns.' "No, he wasn't. He idolizes you Yala, and he was a trouble-maker without you. Why else was he everybody's favourite back at Igen, and everybody's trouble here? You make the difference in him Yala. You make a difference in everybody." Noni's voice was quiet, almost pleading with Enyala, who wasn't the least bit responsive to the arguement in her favour. Noni persisted. "Why don't you go home, to Igen?" Enyala completely ignored that question. 'He is old enough now to take responsibility for himself, I will be a Weaver.' Enyala finished, as if that were the end of the conversation, but Noni didn't take the hint. "You're too smart to be a Weaver, you could at least be a Master of something that takes a little thought. Weaving is a nice hobby, but I don't think it suits you as a profession." 'You don't know what suits me and what doesn't!' Enyala would have screamed at her if she could, and suddenly found herself wishing for a voice more than she ever did before. But Noni was oblivious to her irritation, and continued. "Yes I do....I've known you for a long time now, and know that you're kind, when you want to be, and you're very smart, and efficient. I also know that you catch more than you let on, and for all your hold-reared realities, you still dream about having a dragon." Noni finishes triumphantly, but seeing Enyala still glaring at her she continued, somewhat rudely, "You're also a bluffer Yala, and you act snotty and mean when you're afraid that someone's judging you. You're still a child Yala, you need to get over that before you can make decisions for the rest of your life." Noni started into Enyala's angry grey eyes, holding her own in what she was sure the other girl thought was a contest of wills. But she knew what Yala was thinking, just by looking at her, and soon it was apperant that what she said had stung. Enyala thought of herself as brave and daring, having no fear. In truth she was a compassionate person, with fear coming out her hair. Noni sighed. "I'm sorry Yala, but it's true. Remember, 'he who is a slave to his own will, has a fool for a master'." Noni loved reciting proverbs, and used them to add to her thoughts whenever possible. 'That does nothing for me,' Enyala signed, slowly, and suddenly felt herself unsure and unconfident in her abilities again. 'Why did this happen to me? Why!?' Enyala held back her tears, and Noni stood up and walked around the table, putting her arms on the smaller girls shoulders. "Yala, it's not your fault you can't speak. It's not that bad a disability anyway! You communicate just fine, at least you can hear!" Noni was suddenly angry with Enyala for acting so childish. Shards, she though, so many people are born deformed, or paralyzed, or as drudges. This girl cannot make noise, so? She needs to grow up some. Enyala watched the thoughts play out clearly on her friend's face. She didn't get angry or upset, because she knew truthfully that Noni was right, she did act like a half-grown child! Well, she decided, I can change that, and she sat up more proudly, I am Enyala from Igen, Enyala of the Weyrs. I deserve a dragon, and there's a dragon that deserves me! She wasn't sure she believed it, but she told it to herself anyway. Noni saw the change in Enyala's attitude almost immediatly. Had her silly arguement worked with the girl? People could change, but not that quickly. Was this just another one of Enyala's games? Noni looked intently into Yala's face, and could see none of the familiar idiosyncracies that went with her mind schemes. "Enyala?" Noni asked quietly, "What are you thinking?" Enyala looked up at her and smiled. 'I will go to Quinalt Weyr.' She signed with a flourish. Noni smiled, and hugged her friend ecstatically, and both could hear Dalie humming approvingly in the background. |
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| Name-Enyala Age-16 Rank-none Pets-gold fire-lizard Dalie Looks- average height, features are plain, if not pinched looking, with expressive grey eyes and long, flowing black hair. No feminine figure, but instead has a thin, sinewy build. Personality- Drama queen. Her disability bothers her more than she knows, and to compensate she makes sure that everybody knows about her. |
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