| Almara is Searched |
| Almara smiles at your request.� "You sure you want to hear that story?" "Of course," You obitiently answer. "Okay," She starts sitting on her bed and petting Tali.� "Well it all started when..." ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� *** Almara's eyes shot open as soon as the sun touched her face.� She bounced out of bed, waking Tali and making the firelizard creel at her in distaste.� "Oh, be quiet."� Almara shushed her.� Tali laid back down and went to sleep again.� Nothing could ruin this day for her.� She would stay optimistic, but serious, intelligent, but not boring,� mature, but not old.� Today was the day she'd been waiting for her entire life.� Today was the day the searchriders came to Adanuk Weyr. She smiled at herself in her mirror and quickly dressed in what she wore everyday:� A long, brown skirt and a loose brown top.� She pulled her long hair back into a tight bun and smiled at the mirror today.� Today was going to be the second happiest day of her life.� She concluded.� She figured the happiest day would be the day she impressed.� A cloud covered her bright thoughts.� What if the searchriders don't take you?� What if you never get a chance to impress?� What if you're not good enough? She banished those thoughts.� "I just have to get searched Tali.� It's my one dream. All I've ever wanted.� I just have to.� I will, won't I?"� Some of Almara's confidence is gone.� Tali opens an eye and glares at Almara, as if to say, How shoud I know? You're the one who's been talking none stop about this impression thing.� You tell me. Almara frowns and sits back down on her bed.� Her appetite for breakfast is gone.� She looks out her window into the weyrbowl and sees all the other young, hopeful candidates of Adanuk Weyr standing there.� About 40 young people stand there in the rising sun, talking, laughing, a few are even singing.� At the far end stands Weyrwoman Magika and her gold, Hyth.� Although Magika is very far away, Almara can still see her smiling.� Tali is now awake and hungry.� Tali perches on Almara's shoulder but doesn't make a noise.� She can sense her friend is troubled.� Tali rubs her head on Almara's.� "Do you think they are this nervous?"� Almara asks the firelizard.� Tali just cuddles up closer to Almara.� Almara turns around and wonders if she should even go down to the weyrbowl.� "I mean, "� She explains to the little queen.� "Out of all those people, they must be able to find enough good candidates.� They probably don't even need me."�� Just then Almara hears a horn.� The searchriders have arrived.� She doesn't move.� Something in her mind tell her to run, that she has to get the the weyrbowl before they choose, but her legs are jelly and do not respond.� Even when Taliana starts creeling in her ear, urging her on, she can't move.� She watches from the window as the searchriders walk amoung the ranks of young people.� She watches as the searchriders choose people to go stand near the dragons.� They will be taken back to Cincanta Weyr.� She sees the searchriders return to their dragons. "No!"� She calls breaking into a run finally.� She needs to get there before they leave.� They need to at least see her.� She has to know whether she may have been chosen.� She has to make it.� Taliana flies behind her, creeling the whole way, telling those in front of Almara to move.� Almara breaks into the weyrbowl to see she's not to late.� Magika is standing talking with the searchrider.� Tali's creels draw their attention. "Ah here she is."� Magika smiles and gestures towards Almara.� "The girl I was telling you about." "You're right Weyrwoman."� The searchrider says after a moments discussion with his dragon.� "She will make an excellent candidate." Almara's mouth falls open.� "You-you told them to wait for me?" Magika smiles.� "I've seen you many times and so has Hyth."� She rubs her dragons head.� "Hyth told me the first time she saw you that she thought you'd make a first class candidate.� Unfortunatly,� Hyth had yet to lay a clutch.� I'd love for you to stay to be a candidate for Hyth's, but..." she shrugs.� "You shouldn't have to wait forever.� Good luck Almara."� Almara stares in disbelief.� Then jumps up with an expression of joy.� The doubts that had plagued her mind faded.� She would impress, she just had to.� And now she had her chance.� She hugs Taliana.� "We're going to Cincanta Weyr, Tali, we're going."� Magika smiles.� "You've got a lot of potential in this group, Weyrwoman."� The searchrider comments. "I know."� Magika replies. "I'm surprised you don't keep them all for yourself." Magika sighs and looks to Hyth, who had yet to lay her first clutch.� "Good luck." Almara will feel sorry for Magika, but not right now.� Right now her head is filled with a flight of shining dragons. ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� *** "Can you believe this all started with me almost chickening out?"� Almara asks you. You smile, glad you're not the only one who nervous at searchings.� "I'm glad Weyrwoman Magika told them to wait for you." Almara smiles.� "She's the best.� Anything else?" |