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The sun had set nearly two hours prior and the Whers of Benden were about their duties, be that guarding or working the tunnels. A nest of Tunnel Snakes had been discovered in the lower reaches of the caverns and a handful of the Handlers had been dispatched to attend to the pests. One of the Gold Whers had laid a clutch and while the usual number of duds had been nosed aside by the protective mother, some already smashed in her movements, the remaining viable eggs numbered seven. Not a bad number, really.

The Wher Outpost was located at the bottom of the mountain that Benden Weyr called home, near the caravan entrance that lead into the tunnel which wound up through the extinct volcano to usher visitors, traders, and their goods into the famous Weyrbowl. The stone and wood building stood off to the side, backed against a rock face and had few windows, looking as a solid box in the midnight gloom. The Whers had Sands as well but they were tucked back in the rock behind the main office, away from the light and sound of the waking world.

When the Whermaster and the Gold’s Handler had been sure the eggs that remained would indeed hatch – Whers were notorious for an extremely high dud rate – they summoned the Apprentices and Journeymen to the Sands to present themselves to the Queen Wher about a week before the eggs were expected to hatch. This would their final test: to be approved by the mother and to care for the egg well and long enough that their new companion would be born into the world.

Lined up and uniformed before the Queen, the current assembly of potential Handlers numbered twelve. There’d be a jump in the number of wannabe handlers recently and while it pleased both of the observing Masters, it was a tad uncharacteristic. Nevertheless, Benden had need of Whers. Always had a need for Whers…. Few recognized the importance of these hardy beasts.

All of the potential handlers knew their roles, had been drilled outside and throughout their studies on the methods of approaching the Queen. Because whers were a sight more territorial then dragons, especially when guarding a clutch, it was not uncommon for a Queen to take offense and mortally wound a wary individual. The Gold Handler scoffed softly, if the crowds liked the bloodshed of a rampant dragon hatchling then they should crowd in and watch a Wher Presentation. Approach the Queen, present yourself : confident, capable but respectful too. Watch her as you move among the eggs, if she tenses, or stands, freeze and back away. If she roars and charges or lashes out, leave if you value your life… if you manage to stand before her without tempting fate, bow, thank her, and slowly move about to pick your egg. Gather it and back away, when away… go into the next room for your supplies. It was the way of things, it was intense, it was fraught with nerves and courage and triumph as people faced an angry wher and walked away with a child. Some inevitably were rejected, others too stupid and cocksure to take a hint… others too meek to stand before the female wher.

It truly was an Apprentice’s last test.

Alianar flexed his hands nervously as they waited to be let in to see the Gold and her Clutch. The excitement was there for him, definitely, but the longer they stood waiting, the more he had to remind himself that he would be a good handler for an egg and the Gold would know that. He'd taken his place near Lynd, but they hadn't spoken. He was too caught up in calming himself to be ready to approach the Queen and she was... well he didn't know.

Soon enough, they were being led in and Alianar fell into order. Of course, Lynd ended up in the front, but without any pushing he managed to snag third place in the order, behind another girl he recognized but whose name he couldn't remember. It gave him a good vantage point for her try. The apprentices were, for the most part, silent. Alianar couldn't imagine who would be talking at a time like this. It wasn't a dragon Hatching, where you had a long wait while eggs hatched. This was tense, quick. If the Gold liked you, you were permitted an egg. If she didn't... Well, you ran to the back of the herd and hoped she forgot about you quickly, before she crushed any of her eggs.

Alianar took a quick look at the Gold, then shifted his eyes back to Lynd. She was speaking to her, and Alianar was happy to hear how strong her sounds were coming out. Sure it wasn't all from their few practices, but obviously the extra practice "talking" to each other in wher speak hadn't hurt. Now it was time to see if that practice paid off.

Jeral clenched his fists, he watched as the younger apprentices gathered. Ex candidates who aged out or decided that Whers were a better choice because you were more likely to get one than a Dragon, as if Whers were a second best choice. That thought rankled Jeral something rotten... Wherhandlers should be Proud, Strong and determined, not chosen because (in their minds) they couldn't get anything better. His lip curled a little as the first began her approach. He hoped that the Gold would reject her, it wasn't looking likely so far but he still hoped it, even though he had never met the girl before and didn't know her reasons. His fists, still clenched, ached a little as his un-clipped nails dug into his hands. He was torn this night, his mind kept jumping back to Jeralsk images of her body flashing in front of his eyes when he blinked but he swallowed hard and forced himself to watch.

((Picking Number 7))

Lynd waited patiently as the queen evaluated her worthiness to be here, the sounds she'd made seemed to have some sort of an effect though it was hard to tell exactly what. At the very least she hadn't decided to maul her and that had to be a good thing. After what seemed like forever to Lynd but which was likely only a few minutes at the most the Queen lowered her head slightly and though still watching her intently seemed to be accepting.

Of course Lynd told herself she hadn't expected anything else, despite the tense moments earlier. Moving forward Lynd looked upon the eggs and hoped the queen didn't decide to change her mind suddenly. It happened sometimes. Thanking the Queen respectfully and bowing again Lynd picked up the egg which she was the most attracted too a pretty colored despite lacking the swirling patterns of much of its clutchmates before backing away. once she was a good and respectful distance away she flashed a smile at Alianar and headed into the other room for her supplies.

Tsubari was thrilled deep inside that he was getting a chance to get a Wher egg. He knew that now was his chance at being something more than just a weyrbrat and maybe get Erie to appreciate him more. As he looked around at the others it was clear that it was time for all of them to prove if their training was complete.

As he watched the first Apprentice make her choice, he smiled as it was successful. At least one new handler was going to be around. They could work together maybe. His thoughts wandered as the next apprentice moved forward.

Jeral let out a sigh when the first girl was allowed to take an egg, well the Gold hadn't gone on a rampage at least and smashed the eggs, while he hadn't seen it happen, he had talked to other Wherhandlers that had seen it happen and it wasn't something he wished to see here.

He stared carefully as the second made her way forwards towards the eggs and again he gritted his teeth, until the moment she would be allowed to pick her egg, or be rejected.

((Lol I don't think you have to wait, no. It says we can NPC the Gold. ;] And I'm just as happy, because I'm picking next! 8D So maybe we'll get through most of the people today. Congrats people so far!

Choosing #3.))

Alianar had watched the two girls ahead of him try their luck with the Gold and succeed. It was a good start to the Clutch, but now that it was his turn he felt a surge of the nerves that had been threatening him. Someone had to fail eventually, didn't they? He hoped the Gold's patience wouldn't run out with him. No. He'd practiced. He was good at his studies. He'd manage this too. Most likely.

He waited until Dinah had gone by and was safely out of the way before he approached the Gold and her protected Clutch slowly. At his first steps, she swung a wing over the eggs nearest her and eyed him suspiciously. He voiced a few short chirps to soothe her, giving the Gold a good chance to look him over and prepare for him to be that close to her precious eggs. He kept his eyes on hers, to show he wasn't afraid, until he came to a stop a safe distance from her and her Clutch. The trill-chirp question sound he'd heard from the mine-wher at his home hold flowed out of his mouth and he tilted his head questioningly before dropping his gaze to the eggs briefly and then lifting his eyes back to her. Despite that his focus was on the Gold, he was painfully aware of the eggs and the other people somewhere behind him, watching him for his success or failure. Slowly, he bowed to her, as custom dictated, waiting in the bowing pose for a long moment. He watched her carefully from beneath his long lashes. If it looked like she was going to charge at him, he had to be ready to get out of the way.

She stared at him for so long he was almost prepared to begin backing away, before she slowly lifted her wing and moved it well enough aside that he could see the full Clutch. She tilted her head at him, obviously still cautious, but the gesture was clear enough. Alianar raised from his bow and dropped his eyes just long enough that when he picked up the egg closest to him he wouldn't drop it. With a firm grip on his lifepartner, he backed away from the Clutch, dipping into a short bow before he turned and headed to the doorway that Lynd and Dinah had passed through.

The moment he was out of sight of the Gold, he let out a loud, relieved exhalation. He lifted his eyes up to meet Lynd's and grinned at her, his heavy, wrinkled egg firmly tucked against his body. Assuming they hadn't gotten duds, they had done it. They were journeymen.

Jeral grunted as two new handlers emerged..... well it would be seen if they can look after their Whers properly, he clenched his fists again waiting for his turn to head inside the gold's den. He would be in and out as fast as was respectful to the Queen Wher, he was already practicing the noises in his throat without realising it.