(Malsalth's clutch/ open) In the Rough [5.5.181]

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

How do you feel, Love?

Perching on the dragon's forearm, K'rin smoothed loving hands over Malsalth's face. One large eye opened and a murky blue swirl focused on the teenager. Malsalth drew in a breath, which likely would have become a sigh, until it stopped in her chest. The gold jerked as the beginnings of a coughing fit took hold. All K'rin could do was stand in the scorching sands as Malsalth tried to regain control of her breathing. After several moments her coughs subdued into shuddering wheezes and the dragon started to settle back down. K'rin waited a few moments before sitting back down and returning to stroking the contours of her bonded's face.

They will want to come see them soon.

Malsalth didn't have to gesture or open her eyes to indicate to K'rin what she meant. The girl looked over her shoulder at the clutch, bunched together and resting in the protective curve of their mother's body. Nobody had been allowed to enter the sands while Malsalth had laboured. Healer's orders. Malsalth was to have as little stress as possible and having people gawk at her while she lay wouldn't help. Now though, it had been well over a candlemark since the last egg had been laid. Malsalth's contractions were gone and the healer had pronounced her to be finished, before dismissing themselves to give the young gold some peace. K'rin's eyes roamed over the soft shells, a range of colours and pale patterns. They would deepen and become more individual as their shells hardened, but for now they were twenty-eight pale and mottled shells. Twenty-eight. It was a commendable clutch, especially given Malsalth's current health and how she struggled with her flight. They should be proud of her. And yet K'rin knew how they would react. For nowhere among the mottled shells was the telltale sheen of an egg that held a gold.

It is alright, K'rin, I will do better next time. There is still time.

Turning back she saw Malsalth looking at her through heavy lidded eyes. Next time? She felt a lump in her throat and quickly stuffed the thoughts away. Malsalth couldn't know the thought that first jumped to mind at that statement. Instead she forced a smile and ran a hand over the dragon's eyeridge.

Of course, there's always next time.

Malsalth's eyes slowly closed and she let out a contented and, thankfully uninterrupted, sigh. K'rin felt her reaching out to other dragons nearby, her reach was clumsy and awkward, K'rin doubted Malsalth even had a target for her reach.

My clutch is here. You may come see them now.

It was so much fewer words than Malsalth's announcement of her first clutch ever should have been. Were the dragon feeling herself, K'rin had no doubts that she would be loudly alerting half of Pern to the arrival of her eggs. Yet she wasn't feeling herself, nor did she look herself. Grey was showing in her hide, dulling the natural sheen of the gold. Her once impressive muscles thinning with lack of use. When people entered the hatching cavern they would find their only gold, laying in the sand, breathing heavily, her failing body curved around her clutch and a pale, worn and unkempt, slip of a teenager sat on her forelimb. It would not be the image of hope they so desperately wanted.  

[TawnyAngel]

There was always hope.

D'lana walked tall, she had always been trained to carry herself well and this was probably a good thing as she had stopped growing when she was about thirteen and an unimpressive five feet even. Nature might not have gifted her with many inches but her upbringing and her natural temperament had given her presence, presence that was usually helped by a sharp commanding voice.

Not today though, not today, this was no time to speak loudly. Word of Malsalth's labouring had soon spread through the Weyr and D'lana had waited anxiously in her quarters, pacing back and fore as she waited for more news. If there was a golden egg they had the chance at a future; if it survived to hatch, if it then grew up to be healthy as tragically its mother had not. If there was no gold....

The Weyrleader, for what her title was worth with no Weyr and no gold of Ista, huffed out a disapproving breath at herself and took a deep swallow from her goblet of wine. Where there was life there was hope and they were not all dead yet.

//She calls us,// Liarth sent to his rider, an edge of excitement ringing in his mental voice. //She says we may see them!//

Them? D'lana's heat lifted with excitement for a moment at the thought they they specifically had been asked but a moment later she felt from her dragon that it had been a general invitation and deflated a little. Why should they have been asked in particular though? They had done nothing yet to prove themselves, settling their remaining people in had taken their time and-

Enough thought, it was time for action!

D'lana drained her drink, threw on a white flowing surcoat complete with rank knots over her shirt and britches, and swept towards the sands.

As she drew near to the hatching cavern of Fort her pace slowed in part to allow herself to catch her breath before she stepped onto the sands and in part out of respect. This was Malsalth's first clutch and it would be her last too. She could not allow herself to believe that it would be the last in northern Pern, there was a Fall to meet and if it damned her between it would be met with a thousand flames! Somehow, it would be met.

Out on the hot sands lay a sickly young gold, a dishevelled teenager, a clutch of eggs, and a new hope.  

[Shaddaling]

S'aren watched as Vespeth stalked around their quarters, the green tail lashing as she breathed deep, grumbling to herself. It wasn't the first time that the green had stalked around their weyr, it was different from their first home and Vespeth pointed out every little supposed flaw more then once.

She sighed, picking at the threads of her shirt, head tipped back. "Vesp," she called. "You're fine."

Vespeth grumbled, padding over and grunted, flopping down dynamically.

"I know, but it is for the best, least for now." S'aren shifted, sprawling between the muscular forelegs and leaned back. "Think Malsalth had her clutch yet?"

Vespeth replied, uncaring at the eggs or the gold or anything else.

"Eggs lead to hatching. You like that part." S'aren replied, pushing away, and brushed off her pants the best she could. "Be back soon, Vesp." She leaned forward and hugged the green, before heading towards the hatching cavern.  

[Faerie Princess Meeka]

Iskosian was on his free candle mark when several people rushed by whispering about the eggs laid and open to visitors. He scrunched up his face, a little confused. They were eggs, they didn't talk or need food. He thought about his egg which was very close to hatching. Maybe even in the next day or so.

He wouldn't want anyone gawking at him after he showered or did anything...personal. However, his legs were slowly moving in the direction of the whispering people so Isko allowed himself to follow. For someone as big as himself, Isko was very quiet. He sidestepped around others who weren't moving and went into the cavern. Moving to one side and sitting down, he leaned forward, looking at the gold rider and her dragon. Neither looked well and the eggs looked well... like eggs. He didn't realize they came in different shapes and sizes so he tried to commit all of this to memory. His two younger sisters would bother him once he returned home about every single thing he saw. A slight smile as he thought about his family. He was learning some new things here that would be helpful back at his holding.

The gold shifted and Iskosian's went back to her. Too bad his fingers were so big and thick, or he would attempt to carve a dragon. She looked so sad and her rider even sadder. He guessed her to be near his age and felt bad for her. From everything he heard, once the dragon died... so would she. Isko wasn't sure he could handle that depth of commitment. His parents were very committed to each other but he was sure one could survive without the other. There was still much he wanted to do, try to accomplish.

He sat there, in silence, thinking about the scene of life and death in front of him.  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

Welcome, all of you. Even in her sorry state Malsalth reached out to those around her. Her words came with a mental wave of warmth and acceptance. Those of Fort would be able to feel the difference. Usually Malsalth's waves of emotions were large and forceful, swamping the recipient, but not today. Her current emotion ebbed gently at the shores of their minds, drifting up against them and then fading away. The gold lay with her head against the sand, her breaths ragged, yet oddly serene as she looked at her visitors. If a dragon could be smiling through it she no doubt would be.

K'rin avoided looking at the gathering crowd too much. Unlike Malsalth she was not capable of putting on a smile so easily in these trying times. Despite that there was a part of her that made her sit tall. Twenty-eight eggs. Malsalth had clutched wonderfully. It was a large clutch, they should be proud of her, being fawning over the dragon that was bringing life into a Pern that it seemed knew only death these days. She was so proud of her girl, her beautiful, fantastic, amazing, Malsalth. K'rin was young, there was no hiding it, but every now and again there were glimpses of the Weyrwoman she could have grown to be.

A large brown lumbered into the hatching cavern, staying high above the spectators. Fiskenerath climbed to the top of the cavern, thudding down on one of the upper ledges. The dragon turned and then slumped into heap, slowly whirling green eyes drifting over the crowd.  

[TawnyAngel]

D'lana exhaled softly and walked out onto the hot sands towards Malsalth and K'rin and as she went Sweetheart appeared and swooped down to drape herself around her human's neck. She could feel the stress pouring off her bonded, it wasn't stress the firelizard understood in the least but she offered the comfort of her presence all the same. A polite distance away from rider and dragon D'lana stopped and bowed slightly as she counted the eggs for a second time; twenty eight, it was an excellent number but how many would survive to hatch?

When she straightened up however there was no sign of the Weyrleader's internal worry, only a gentle smile. "Thank you Malsalth and my congratulations on your fine clutch; you both must be very proud." This last of course included K'rin as well. D'lana's heart ached for her, her tired face flashed her own brother's in the final days of his dragon's life painfully to mind. Del'on and Asoth had died together, and a shadow named Dellion had returned to their home Hold alone. It wasn't fair, none of it, and there was nothing she could do.

Other people were entering the sands now too and D'lana turned to regard them, the first to arrive was a candidate she thought, she recognised most by sight by now and the young man was quite distinctive for his solid build.  

[magnadearel]

A rather plump teen was walking by when she noticed several heading into the hatching cavern. As a candidate she knew that Malsalth had begun laying her clutch. Of course there had not been the usual fanfare and everyone was kept out of the cavern due to the dragon's health. A bronze firelizard perched on her shoulder. He cocked his head and gave a happy hum at her, projecting the images of eggs. Moluli thought about it and wondered if the queen had finished laying her clutch.

She decided to risk it and went over to peek around the corner into the sands. Everyone was dying to know the number of eggs and if there was a gold. Moluli spotted the young gold, looking not at all well, and her stressed rider with her. Her heart went out to the pair in sympathy. She felt so bad for the situation they were in. The young teen started a moment as she heard the voice inside her head. It soothed quickly with the warmth and acceptance.

Reassured by that, Moluli came around the wall to enter the cavern proper. There were the freshly laid eggs. It would be some time before the candidates were allowed to touch them. Still they provided hope for the future. She went closer toward the gold and gave a bow to her and her rider. "Thank you for inviting us to view your wonderful clutch Malsalth. I know you're not feeling well, and I'm deeply grateful." She wanted to gaze at the eggs and try to pick out which one might hold hers. But she wanted to show her respects to the gold first.  

[Faerie Princess Meeka]

Whoosh... What a weird feeling in his head when the gold spoke. He stood up and bowed but didn't call out any words to her like the others did. Yelling and shouting just weren't his thing. If and when they were allowed to get closer, maybe Isko would speak a few words. Sitting back down, he looked around, dark brown eyes observing those who came into the cavern.

Other riders, other candidates... He assumed people who lived at Fort. He heard more whispers. Some of it nonsense that he didn't understand, others commenting on how many eggs were there on the sands. Twenty-eight seemed like a good number to him. Especially if they all hatched. Everyone was disappointed there wasn't a gold egg. Isko looked harder and decided he probably wouldn't know a gold egg if it cracked right in front of him. Thinking of cracking eggs made him realize he should go check on his egg soon. It was in a jar, packed with warm sands. A present from his parents, he was pleased at having something so thoughtful and helpful. With enough practice, he could train the fire lizard to run messages and such.

He leaned back and allowed his mind to wander about how helpful his little egg would be once it hatched. Iskosian looked back at the much larger eggs and hoped that they would be just as helpful and possibly immune to whatever was making the dragons so sick.  

[Shaddaling]

Fort was different then Igen, it was to be expected but some things were the same. The heat of the sands, the towering stands. Some things were different beyond just place. Like the tired sick gold, and the clutch of pale eggs, and exhausted teenage rider.

S'aren gave a soft noise, how many more would the sickness claim? She pushed her hair back, stepping onto the sands and walked forward. S'aren stopped, giving a polite bow to the gold and K'rin. "Congratulations, it is a large clutch." Much larger then the clutch Vesp had came from.  

[The_Muffin_Puppy]

A woman approached and K'rin immediately clocked her as the Ista Weyrleader as Malsalth rumbled a thank you. That was something her predecessor had always schooled her in; remembering faces. S'ki had known how to put all her people to their best use. Quite, submissive, K'rin would never be the commanding presences she had been, but the girl's nature led to underestimation. So K'rin was taught to observe, to quietly take not of her political peers. She had seen D'lana, once or twice in the time the other woman had been Weyrleader of Ista. The heads of the Weyrs had held so many meetings in these past three and a half turns, if it weren't for the tragic events causing it, combined with the constant shifts of leadership, then they probably would have ended up with stronger bonds than ever. Then again, every rider in the north now lived within one Weyr. What could be a stronger bond than that? K'rin nodded to D'lana, a polite gesture from one leader to another.

A candidate approached and Malsalth's gaze moved to her, K'rin's following a few moments after. Malsalth hummed pleasantly at the candidate, her mind briefly brushing against Moluli's. This was one of the hopefuls to impress her children. One of the fragile lives on these sands may seek out this girl and claim her as their own, just as she had done with K'rin. Malsalth was aware that there were not as many candidates as there should have been. Six Weyrs had become one. There should have been hundreds of candidates, yet there was not. Many had left. Afraid of impressing to a dragon that might not even live to adulthood. As a dragon, Malsalth's understanding of past and future were not perfect, but she could feel their fear. Felt the pain K'rin felt when candidates abandoned the Weyr in droves, when weyrborn children began to refuse the honor of standing. Even if she did not understand, she still felt it, and it made her fear for her own children. That the one meant for them had left, walking away out of fear.

A third visitor arrived and Malsalth let out yet another welcoming rumble to S'aren. A ghost of a smile flit across K'rin's face, although it was more a twitch than anything. She wondered if people truly thought it was a fine clutch or whether it was just the polite thing to say. True, before the sickness this clutch would have been cause for celebration, there would have been a large gathering in the evening. It was unlikely people would celebrate this clutch. They all knew what happened to clutches born from sick dragons. In the past few turns sick golds had laid clutches before, some lost over half their clutches. Senior Mulnith of High Reaches had seen her clutch reduced to only a single egg. The clutch had been very small already, the gold was old, the sire a brown. The sickness had made a small clutch even smaller. Until only a single blue remained. That blue was here, in this Weyr somewhere. Only six months old. The only survivor of a clutch, there were many who could claim that title now, but none even half as young.  

[TawnyAngel]

How long did Malsalth have left? Recovery was too much to hope for at this point, though the healers still worked frantically to find a cure D'lana doubted they could find such a thing in time for Malsalth. The best they could hope for now was that she lived to see her children Impress, and then passed between without any more suffering.

D'lana took a few more paces forward to stand beside K'rin and then turned around to study the approaching folk more carefully. "The clutch is wonderful," she agreed warmly with the first girl who had spoken. "What is your name, and where do you hail from? And you?" this was directed to the rider. D'lana knew the value of knowing people as well as K'rin did, at the moment Fort still felt as though it held six separate Weyrs but that could not continue. They would have to unite, agree to come together under one set of leaders and then move forward in whatever way they could.

The young man who had so far been silent got a quizzical look, but if he wished to remain back and not engage too much she wasn't going to try to call him over just at the moment.  

[Shaddaling]

"S'aren, my dragon is Vespeth, " She replied, looking over D'lana in interest. She smiled at K'rin, soft. "Vesp was from a small clutch, her father was blue." She didn't mention that only about half of Igen last clutch had hatched.

"We hail from Igen." She added.  

[Faerie Princess Meeka]

F'liel wandered to the Hatching Grounds after the gold, Malsalth let everyone know she was ready for visitors. Vesunth was up above looking down below, happy for the gold. Happy that there would be young dragons soon. Twenty-eight eggs was Impressive for a first time clutch.

Especially from a mother so sick. F'liel truly hoped that the gold would recover like Vesunth had. During those long months while she was sick, coughing and too weak to fly, especially after losing Indree not too long before, F'liel had been beside himself with worry and grief. He dare not approach the Weyrleaders when they seemed so caught up in conversation. So he moved to the Stands and sat not too far from a boy about his son's age but bigger than him. Looking around, he was surprised that he hadn't spotted his son yet. F'liel was sure that the boy would be along soon.  

[magnadearel]

Moluli had paid her respects to the gold and now she moved aside. It felt too much like she was intruding. The teen moved off a small ways and stood, just staring at the eggs. They were still much too soft to touch, but filled her with such hope. She was eagerly thinking of the Touching that would come when they had hardened. She gave a happy, contented sigh. Now that she'd seen the eggs, should she stay or go? She much rather wanted to stay and stare at them. Wondering if one contained a hidden gold, or more importantly which one might be hers.  

[Faerie Princess Meeka]

Endalil came into the Hatching Grounds later than some of the other candidates. Chores waited for no man or woman and when you were on duty, you did what you were told... Even if you figured you were finished half a candle mark ago. Such was life and now he was here.

Bowing to the gold, he noted D'lana, their Weyrleader talking with several others. Endalil also spotted F'liel and a boy he had worked with before in the Stands. Malsalth looked poorly but actually better than Vesunth had looked during several points in her illness. He remembered all the hard work that F'liel and he had put into keeping the green alive. It wasn't so much that he couldn't lose Vesunth as he couldn't lose his father so soon after losing his mother.

Keeping his face as easy going with a smile as possible, he bowed again and moved only slightly forward. "Thank you Malsalth, for such a fine clutch and a chance to Impress." From there, he moved towards the Stands.

"F'liel. How are you doing?" He had to be in the Candidate barracks, what candidates were left. So he didn't room with his father or Vesunth. Not that he would refer to F'liel as his father in public but the resemblance between them was very noticeable. The green rider nodded back and replied. Moving to the side, he sat near several others and just looked over the eggs. Twenty-eight was a fine number indeed. He only hoped that he would Impress before it was too late. Before there were no more dragons. A silly notion maybe but a deep fear none the less.