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He had the strangest sensation that Reija was leaning over him. The face of the woman was almost exactly like his little sister's. Faranth, how he missed her. And she was at Three Hills now, not knowing that she could be going back home.
"Rajen! I saw you open your eyes! Wake up, you rotten dimglow!" that was definetly Reija's voice. Rajen opened his eyes completely and nearly jumped out of bed to see that it was Reija who was leaning over him. "There, I knew you were awake," she smiled, though there was worry in her smile and voice despite her harsh words. "Good morning ugly." "What in Faranth's name are you doing here?" Rajen demanded, too suprised to recognize his sister's worry for more than an instant. "I thought you were at Three Hills!" "I have a very good reason to be here," Reija told him. "I was Searched. I'm waiting for that sharding clutch to Hatch, and it's taking it's sweet time about it. The one who really has some explaining to do is you. What in Faranth's name are you doing here?" Rajen smiled. "It's a long story. Basically, you're allowed to come back home and I was sent out in the middle of a blizzard to bring you back." Reija arched an eyebrow. "Hallon?" "He's... he's not a threat anymore," Rajen tried to grin but ended up grimacing. Reija just laughed. "But obviously, you're not coming home." Reija set her mouth in a stubborn frown. "No, I'm not. Not ever. Not after what you all did to me. And I wouldn't have gone home from Three Hills either. You think after making me leave my home you can just show up and expect me to go back?" Rajen was too stunned for a moment to speak. "But, don't you want to come home?" he managed finally. "I mean, if you hadn't been Searched." "If I have to leave Ryslen, I'm going back to Three Hills," Reija told him coldly. "Why would I want to go back home? No one wanted me there." "You know that's not true," Rajen protested. "What about Teiyr and all them? They miss you. Don't you miss them?" Reija shrugged. "I guess I do. But I have friends here. The other Candidates, the weyrfolk. I may visit them sometime, but I will never live anywhere else but Ryslen or Three Hills." Before Rajen could say anything more, Reija stood up and strode out of the infirmary. Rajen watched her go, wishing he could do something to change the way she felt. The healers at Ryslen condemned him to at least three sevendays of rest at Ryslen before he could go anywhere. Rajen wished he could have left the day he got there. Reija hated him. He couldn't bear to be around her. At the end of his first sevenday, Rajen was allowed to hobble around the weyrbowl for short periods of time. One one of these hobbling excursions, he decided to go watch the dragons at the feeding grounds. One of the healers said it was great for letting out your anger. Rajen found to be very true. He watched one bronze-white chasing down a buck and imagined that the buck was everything that seemed to be going wrong in his life. Reija's anger, his broken leg. When the buck was finally caught and killed, Rajen felt much better. I didn't know hunting was good for anything but eating, an amused man's voice commented in his mind. I'm glad it helps. Rajen looked around for the source of the voice and had the eerie feeling that it had come from the bronze-white dragon who he had been watching. He remembered hearing somewhere that to talk to a dragon you had to think in their direction. Are you a dragon? he said in his mind. The voice chuckled. Of course I am. What did you think I was. I haven't seen you here before. Are you a new Candidate? Rajen suddenly realized that he was talking to someone's dragon. Was that allowed? Does your rider mind that I'm talking to you? he asked suddenly, not wanting to chance the anger of a dragonrider. The dragon didn't reply for a moment and Rajen was sure he'd offended him. I have no rider. He... left. I do not know where his is. He is not my rider anymore. It was Rajen's turn to feel uncomfortable. A riderless dragon? Was that even possible? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. You didn't know. I don't mind. But you still haven't told me who you are. I am Rajen, just a visitor. My sister Reija is a Candidate here, Rajen replied. May I ask your name? Why would you not? the dragon chuckled. I am Erynduth, but if you ask the weyrbrats, they'll tell you I'm the one who doesn't like them giving me a bath. They're a bit too rough sometimes. Rajen chuckled. I can imagine. But they are so young. How can they know any better? Who does oil you? Don't you need to be oiled? I let the Weyrbrats do that. They can't do too much damage when they've got oil on their hands, Erynduth shrugged. They don't do the best job, but it's better than nothing. Have you been oiled yet today? Rajen asked boldly, wanting to do something to help this dragon. He was so dignified it just didn't seem right for him to have to endure the Weyrbrats. Oiling was a nice, easy task. He'd seen people oil flits before, how much different could a dragon be? Erynduth eyed Rajen for a moment before replying. Are you offering to save me from the Weyrbrats for a day? Rajen chuckled. Yes, I guess I am. I can't manage stairs though. You do live in a weyr, don't you? Erynduth snorted, as if the answer was painfully obvious. To him, of course, it was. Just because I have no rider doesn't mean I can't live like a dragon who has one. The bronze-white spread his wings and swooped down off his ledge to land a little ways away from Rajen. Rajen gazed at him in awe. He hadn't realized just how big Erynduth was. I know I'm the most handsome dragon ever Hatched, but would you please climb up? My weyr is quite a ways up. Too far to walk with a bad leg. Rajen opened his mouth in amazement. You mean, you mean I can ride you? Without your rider? I mean... wow. Stop babbling and hop on and try not to be so dazzled, Erynduth encouraged. I itch terribly and there is quite a lot of me to oil. After that day, Erynduth's daily oilings and occasional baths in the weyrlake bacame Rajen's responsibility. By the end of his second sevenday of recovery, Rajen had fallen into the routine of weyrlife so completely he wasn't sure if he ever wanted to go back to the Hold. Three sevendays after Rajen's arrival at Ryslen, the healers pronounced him healed enough to leave Ryslen. Rajen was now able to limp short distances without his crutches but still used them most of the time. When he was swimming however, he abandoned his crutches on the beach and enjoyed the weightlessness water gave him. The day the healers announced that he could leave, however, even the water could not keep his heart from being heavy. They say I'm ready to leave soon, he told Erynduth as he scrubbed at the bronze-white's back. Erynduth craned his neck around to eye him. Well? Are you going to leave or stay? Rajen hadn't even considered the option of staying. He felt a deep attachment to Erynduth, but, until now, he hadn't realized that Erynduth's attachment to him was almost as strong. I don't know if I have the choice, he sighed. I want to stay. I want you to stay too, Erynduth told him. I've never had a better bather or oiler or... friend. Rajen smiled. Perhaps he wouldn't have to leave. Perhaps he could stay here with Erynduth as his rider. Me either, Erynduth. |