Leidaria and Leafleth's record
Search with a twist "Leida!" Leidaria was just climbing down from a brown dragon when she heard her nick-name. Turning around, she was face to face with her foster-sister. "Jani! it's so good to see you again. I heard you impressed a white?" Beaming with pride, Jani answered, "Yes, Gerigiath was one of two whites to hatch from that clutch. It's still a marvel she chose me." As Leidaria descretely glanced around for sign of the white, Jani explained, "Gerigiath is sleeping right now. She just had lunch. Come, I'll introduce you to Weyrwoman Carah. If anyone knows which clutch to have you stand at, she will." The two had much to talk about, since they hadn't seen each other for at least 2 turns. Jani was younger at 16, and Leida was 18. Leida wore her strait brown hair in two braids down her back and Jani's loose red main blew in the wind. Both wore comfortable tunics, pants, and boots suitable for life in a Weyr. After collecting the one bag Leidaria brought with her, the two set off towards the senior queen's weyr. "Leida, Kirina will be so excited to see you again," the words tumbled from Jani's mouth. (Kirina is Jani's blood sister and Record Keeper at Jerdan Weyr). As they walked and talked of old times, Leida gazed around the weyr bowl. "It's not as big as Ista, but seems cozier. Oh, before I forget, Jani, Jeri sends her love." (Jeri was the headwoman at Ista that raised the three girls.) "You know," Jani said thoughtfully, "it's been a while since I sent her a letter or visited." Both women were silent for a moment as they each remembered the kind woman who raised them. "Look, there's Raenith, Carah's queen," Jani pointed out. That means the Weyrwoman is somewhere around here." "Why don't we check her weyr?" Leida stated the obvious, teasing Jani. The women walked past the golden queen into the darker cavern. When their eyes adjusted to the dark, they could make out the weyrwoman seated with her back to them at a small table to one side of the weyr. Before they could announce themselves, Carah rose and greeted them. "Welcome! Raenith told me you two were here. Jani, it's good to see you again. Is this your foster sister you have been talking about?" "She sure is. Carah, this is Leidaria. Leidaria, Weyrwoman Carah," Jani introduced them. "Nice to meet you," both women said as they greeted each other. "Please, call me Leida, everyone does." "So, Leida, you have been searched, and are eager to present yourself at a hatching?" Carah got strait to the point. "Um, yes." she replied. Carah continued, "Don't worry, we have something in mind for you." Carah's next words confused Leidaria. "I don't want you to stand at a hatching, but I'm hoping you will impress a dragon that has already hatched." How is that possible, Leida thought to herself. Dragons impress as soon as they hatch, and if they don't they go between. "We have just received word that a hatchling at Gallimim Weyr has chosen a girl who doesn't want her. The little dragon has been following the girl all day, but she still won't look at the poor beast. If we can get you there in time, perhaps she will impress to you instead." Carah looked at Leida, eager for her answer. "Of course, I want to try. I don't want to see her go between just for being unwanted." "I knew you would say that. Raenith also thinks you have an excellent chance," Carah added. "Then you need to leave right now!" Jani realized the urgency of the moment. "Correct. Raenith will time it back to just after I received the message," Carah said as she ushered Leida towards her waiting dragon. When they both were settled on her neck, Leida called to Jani below, "I didn't expect to be leaving so soon! We'll talk when I get back." Jani waved to her foster-sister as she watched the golden queen climb higher and higher. Up in the air, Carah whispered to Leida just before they went between, "just to warn you, the hatchling is a queen!"
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