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Carella's eyes widened at the story of an injured rider impressing a bronze and her heart swelled with hope. Maybe one day she could stand and watch as one of her own kin rode on the back of a dragon. Such a thought seemed like a dream, too much to hope for, and any thought of herself as being a possible candidate was lost. Until of course the question was worded by Orana.

"Oh no, I certainly don't think I have what it takes to impress one of those little beauties." She shook her head, curls dancing around her face. "I was brought to the Weyr because of my gifts as a tanner."

Ariath had continued to lay her precious eggs as Weyr-folk gathered to watch the sight, but with each passing egg she carefully hid it from view. The queen was determined not to allow anyone a peek at the growing population. Swirling facet eyes would glare at anyone who drew to close until the gathering people discovered what the queen was comfortable with when it come to distance. Ephia, L'cian, and Tallith were the only ones able to approach her in some form or another but even they had gotten looks form the queen if they drew on her nerves.

Finally, after candlemarks of laying, the queen looked to her rider before sweeping her massive wings away from the clutch she had protected from sight. She did not move form her comfortable location on the sands, but uncurled her tail just enough so that all her beauties could be seen.

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Ephia, at one point had sunk to sit as her legs grew weary. She quite enjoyed the time with the Weyrleader and the other Weyr-folk of the Weyr.

I am finished.

The words took a moment to sink into the Weyrwoman's tired brain but once the voice and meaning registered Ephia was up in a flash, leaning over the waist high wall in frotn of her to gaze at the newly revealed eggs. Quickly she began counting, looking to L'cian only once to see if he was also trying to tally up the eggs. After a few minutes of counting and recounting she smiled.

"38. I counted 38 eggs!" She looked to L'cian. "38 eggs!" She was completely beside herself and before thinking she let her emotion run rampant had firmly kissed L'cian's lips before pulling back to gaze at Ariath and Tallith proudly. "There's no queen egg, but I hadn't counted on one. 38 more dragons for the Weyr will help strengthen the wings greatly."

Lemurrin nodded thoughtfully, rather tired after all the excitement. A voice in his head made him jump. "She's done!" he whispered to Kalya, poking her shoulder. "Shells, look how many!" He stood up, trying to see over people's heads. "At least 30, I'd say," he remarked after a quick count.

Grenna and Brownie zipped between, peered at the clutch, and popped back before Ariath could notice them. The silly flits bombarded Lemurrin with visions of eggs-- any number between 10 and a few dozen. The harper swatted at them playfully. "Yes yes, there's a lot of eggs. Now scoot before the queen notices you!" With a disconcerted chirp, both fire lizards went between again, presumably to gossip with others about the Large One and her clutch.

Remia was about to respond to Orana when she heard the call of the egg count.

"Thirty-eight! I didn't expect quite so many! That's amazing!"

She smiled at her two companions, and then looked out to the eggs now revealed on the hot Sands. She bit at her lip, wondering, and wistfully hoping, but she didn't voice anything out loud. She kept it secret in her heart of hearts.

Or she would have if anyone had not been looking at her face. She never could keep her emotions hidden.

Nestren heard the whisper before Kirana did and jumped up with excitement. "Did you hear that, weyr-sister? Thirty-eight eggs to be paired up with! I am bound to Impress at least one! Of course only one! I don't even know if there are that many Candidates yet!"

He continued on for sometime with his rants, knowing like all little brothers did, that she would tolerate his rant. Nestren was excited beyond comprehension...it was possible that the other half of his soul was out there waiting for him. Trying not to clap his hands and bounce with joy, he looked over at Kirana and waited for her response.

"Astounding! Thirty-eight eggs! What a clutch for such a wonderous queen! Congradulations to you both...I suppose this means I can expect to lose some of my apprentices and journeymen."

The MasterWeaver looked at the gold and an idea started forming in his head. A gold dress for the Hatching would be suitable, yes. But where to get the colors from...gold was not the easiest one to create. "Your dragon inspires me, Weyrwoman. I think you shall have a new dress for the Hatching."

Emerald orbs danced from her queen to the Master Weaver. "A new dress you say? Well that would certainly be happily accepted. An event such as the hatching would be perfect for some new attire, especially for the feast afterwards." She smiled warmly before her attention was drawn to the girl on he rother side.

Her smile never fading Ephia sat down on a seat behind her gesturing to the young harper. "Well Heroe, let's hear this song of yours."

Nestren watched as other Candidates began to leave the grounds. He was sure that there was something going on...tapping his chin with his index finger...he looked at the eggs again...

"By the First Fall I forgot about lessons!"

He shouted this as he jumped to his feet. Tugging on Kirana's hand, he tried to pull her up. "Come on, you know how many eggs there are...come and listen to the lessons. Just in case..."

Too excited to tug on her anymore and not wanting to be late, Nestren dropped her hand and ran off in the direction of the Candidate barracks.