As The Storm Went Raging By (Clutching, Open)

[LyricalBlue]

((Again, another few months in the future. ^^ Sorry guys, jumping forward yet again.))

As such stories often start, it was a dark and stormy night. Well, more evening than night, but for poetry's sake night it was. Nisurath slowly crouched and settled her body on the sand. She had lost weight and her ribs were clearly outlined against her pale hide. Her stomach was widely distended with the eggs she carried. Like her ribs, each bulge could be counted clearly. Her hide was stretched over them, and green veins could be seen, tinging the normally pale golden hide, green. Iaslia paced by her side, her expression pinched. Things were not going well, Nisurath's condition was the worst of it.

The gold didn't lack for care, if anything Nisurath was sick and tired of people buzzing around her all the time. Annoying little trundlebugs, she was not going to break if she fell over. The pale gold opened her mouth as she panted. She really would be glad to be rid of these eggs however, the weight of them was eating at her.
They are coming now.
Iaslia crouched next to the gold, placing her hand on Nisurath's shoulder.
"Easy does it. Phaedon said the more you relax the easier it will be."
The gold snorted, her hides heaving with the effort.
Nothing about this is easy.

It was easily a candlemark later before any of the eggs showed. The first was a blessedly small one. It was a dark green egg, the color of jade and Iaslia sighed. Faranth, it looked normal.
Jade Egg


The next egg followed closely behind and was another small one. It was swirled green and blue and it was anyone's guess what it contained. Like the first, it looked like a good, old fashioned dragon's egg and Iaslia stroked Nisurath's shoulder in encouragement.
Tourmaline Egg


It was another candlemark before any other eggs showed on the sands, but when they did it was in quick succession. The first, Nisurath found herself really struggling with and Iaslia sent for Phaedon. She didn't want too much longer going without the Dragon Healer by their side. The first was a much larger egg, speckled with brown and what looked like a spider crack down the side. This too, looked fantastically normal, other than the rather odd coloring. Two smaller eggs followed, one a pale blue, almost white and the other a green so dark it was nearly black.
Rhyolite Egg


Moonstone Egg


Bloodstone Egg


Five, five healthy looking eggs lay on the sands and as time passed Iaslia found herself pacing once more around Nisurath. The pale gold looked so drained she was more white than gold. Nisurath craned her neck around and crooned weakly to her rider.
There are more.
Iaslia nodded slowly, the same pinched expression settling back on her face. Aliath had laid nineteen eggs... And she was fairly sure that the gold hadn't had anywhere near the trouble that Nisurath was.

Nisurath did get a breather then and for some time, no other eggs showed. The pale gold had some time to relax and recuperate before any other eggs came. But the next one that came was the largest of all and the Queen strained for some time before it plopped down on the hot sands.

Tiger's Eye Egg


Another two eggs followed after Nisurath labored with the larger ones, these two were smaller by far.

Opal Egg


Topaz Egg


The last two appeared after another short pause and Nisurath lay panting and spent on the hot sands. She shifted and curled around all the eggs. Ten including the last two, a paltry ten. Iaslia slumped down next to the gold. Ten, but they were healthy looking and Nisurath was still alive. That was all that mattered, and it was only a first clutch.
Jasper Egg


Peridot Egg

[hrsegrl]

While the new Weyrleader had been busier than he had ever imagined he would be, his dragon still found time to inform him of Nisurath's clutching. Ev'os spent half the day wishing he could get out of the meetings that seemed to now be most of his life. Time passed slowly until after Beta Drills. Then as a free man he was able to go to the Hatching Sands.

He met Rovanoth at their weyr so that he might take a quick bath before coming to the Sands. Ev'os knew the Bronze was itching to get going though it took him a good while to be fully prepared. Rovanoth flew into the Hatching Grounds and gliding to the sandy floor, dropped his rider before taking his own place on one of the ledges.

Quickly the Bronzerider made his way over to Iaslia, slumped down next to her dragon. To his eyes both rider and dragon seemed tired. Nisurath was not in poor color exactly not that her coloring was ever a good indicator as to her health. Rovanoth would have known if she were not well though. He had uncanny sensitivity towards her which often puzzled Ev'os though he had no wish to bring this up to anyone else.

"Iaslia, anything I can get for you or Nisurath?" There was some concern in his eyes but it did not show through any other part of him that he was nervous something had gone wrong. After all Iaslia should be happy right now and she seemed a little sad. Maybe the clutch was not as healthy as they had hoped. Phaedon had been extremely concerned about her clutching larger eggs. The worst part of it all was that he had not been there for it. He was prepared for a moody answer from her because of his absence most of the day. Her moods never phased him much seeing as he was just as hot tempered at times.

Nisurath, may I see them? The Bronze was interested because this was his first clutch too. If she moved her tail he would be able to see them clearly enough from his high vantage point. At the moment he could only make out a couple and knew already it was not a big clutch. This did not upset the Bronze at all and certainly meant nothing of their pairing. A smaller Gold could not hold as many eggs and he was not a large Bronze either.

[adhoc]

It really wasn't the case that Lucan was always where he ought not to be. But maybe it was becoming a pattern, because just hours after having his future shaken up by a misguided nighttime adventure, he'd managed to slump out to the hatching sands just in time to see something truly remarkable.

He hadn't been trying to sneak about. Facing the prospect of being a candidate after years of viewing riders as somehow above him had given him a good deal to think through. He'd wanted to stand out on the sands and consider his situation carefully. But when he arrived the great space was abuzz with activity, and he'd been captivated in a different way. He watched wide-eyed as the dragon healers and the weyr's leaders moved about the dramatic form of the clutching queen. It was incredible. As each egg emerged, he found himself holding his breath. For a child of the Weyr, he had spent little time truly observing dragons, but this? This was a kind of education.

From his place just inside the entrance to the room, he watched the future of the Weyr appear, and wondered how he could have doubted: He wanted one of those fledglings to choose him.

[starshine]

Kess had been spending alot of time in the sands. Her cousin was Weyrwoman and though it was unorthodox she was trying to make herself available in case Iaslia or Nisurath needed anything. At this particular moment she had taken leave to catch some sleep before the morning. When she had left, the dragon hadn't shown signs of labor, but as was Nisuraths way, things went from 0 to 60 in no time.

By morning Kess was refreshed as she made her way back to the hatching grounds. Figuring the scene she had left earlier would be much the same she wandered along the wall of the sands. Her eyes scanned the area as came closer to the main activity. It was not the scene from earlier. She took slow paces toward the Weyrleaders. "How is it that I spend all this time here, and I miss it all." Her voice was low but light none the less.

She came to a stop beside the young Weyrleader. What has happened? Had Nisurath clutched? I want to see them![/color] He had been resting in their weyr. Really Claralth I think it would be best if we gave the new mother sometime to rest. She felt a twing of disappointment which quickly dissipated into contentment with the view she had given him.

[LyricalBlue]

Iaslia reached up and gripped Ev'os's arm, nodding shortly. "She needs water. A lot of it." As the new Weyrwoman spoke, Nisurath uncurled slightly so that Rovanoth and incidentally, Kess and Lucan could see as well. Ten eggs lay roughly piled together, the Tigers Eye Egg was clearly the largest by far and that was the one that had given Nisurath the most trouble. She rested her head back down on the sands, eyes nearly gray with her exhaustion. Nisurath rumbled lowly and let her eye lids flutter closed. No, that was more than enough work for a few days.

As Kess arrived, Iaslia smiled slightly at her cousin and shrugged. If there was anything true about Nisurath it was that she was about as contrary as any creature could get.
"I am not sure, I think she rather wanted to wait till everyone was away." She moved her hand so that it rested lightly on the Queen's rib cage. Nisurath was such a small Queen, it was not surprising that there was no golden egg in evidence. But then before Aliath and Nisurath there had been easily thirty year gaps between the golds at Pern's last Weyr.

The Weyrwoman, with her grip still on Ev'os's arm, righted herself. She walked slowly around Nisurath's side to get a good look at the clutch herself. Not many eggs, but they looked like wet jewels all arrayed on the sands. Five weeks on the sands now, five weeks. Then there would be ten more dragonriders added to Pern's paltry population. Iaslia sighed and leaned once more on Nisurath. The gold looked asleep for all intensive purposed, but her rider knew otherwise. Sneaky beast, she was waiting for all the praise.

Once more Iaslia raised her head to look between Ev'os and Kess. She was rather glad they were here, despite all her bluster. She had been worried more than any of them about Nisurath's chances of surviving a clutch. Her mother hadn't raised any fools, and Iaslia was a realist to a fault. But, there were ten healthy eggs on the sands and Nisurath was still alive, though she was certain she did not like the tinge to the gold's pale hide. No golden egg, but surely that large one was a bronze, and perhaps that coppery colored egg was as well. Next time... next time there would be another gold. She clamped down on the though quickly before Nisurath could get any hint of it. The last thing she needed was a broody Queen, especially a broody Nisurath. The gold was hard enough to deal with on a regular basis.
"Well, ten of them by the looks of it. All healthy too it seems."

[hrsegrl]

Ev'os smiled down at the red head. "She shall have water then." Rovanoth sent a message to the Beta Wing dragons that their riders were to bring water for Nisurath. "They'll be here with some soon." He would have held her to him but he could see she wanted to get up on her own. As the Queen moved her tail so that all could see, he let out a sigh of relief. They all looked healthy that was what mattered.

They are radiant as stars. How wonderfully splendid you are my Queen. Rovanoth was proud for he had some part in this though she deserved all the credit. Ev'os would agree that the dragon had done a fine job on her first clutch, though the obvious pacing of Phaedon would suggest they were worried for a while there.

"They are perfect." He smiled and wondered if Iaslia was at all dissappointed for Ev'os was not. "There's at least one Bronze in there I'd wager and all of them healthy. Nisurath has done wonderfully." This was only Nisurath's first clutch and there were records of larger and stronger Queens having only 12 to 14 in their first clutch. He'd rather have her alive then worry about the number in any case. Besides the coloring of the shells on these was amazing. He'd never seen such vibrant coloring on shells before. Claralth might no longer be the prettiest colored dragon around Ev'os thought, slightly amused at the idea.

Phaedon approached Iaslia with his usual stone faced expression. A miniature Gold was sleepin on his shoulders, tail around his neck. "I think some rest will do her worlds of good and also if Rovanoth could bring her something to eat after she's had a chance to sleep. I doubt she will want to leave the eggs to hunt just yet." Each Queen was different but most seemed very reluctant to leave the eggs till they were on the sands a few days already. Even to leave them in the care of their Bronze mates was hard.


"You need rest too you know." He added to Iaslia. Who was using him for balance more than she probably realized. Ev'os hoped Kess would back him up on this one. "And a good meal. Rovanoth will watch her as she sleeps and I'm sure that Phaedon will be checking in too."

[adhoc]

Lucan realized that standing on the sidelines and simply watching the goings-on of the clutching wasn't particularly well, riderly of him. He pulled his longing eyes from the magnificently hued eggs and looked around for someone promising to ask how he could be of help. He walked a bit further onto the sands, not wanting to intrude, but hoping to indicate his interest in lending a hand.

[starshine]

Kess' eyes were drawn to the cluch. The queen had revealed the small grouping of eggs. Though the clutch was small, the eggs were healthy looking, and very astonishing at that. "Oh Nisurath, how lovely..." Her eyes were transfixed on the lot. She caught her breath, eyes refocusing on Rovanoth. Proud papa indeed. He would certainly guard them well; she just hoped Iaslia and Nisurath would allow themselves to rest. They truly were a weary pair.

"Yes, I think a good meal will do you wonders Ia, and perhaps a long bath. I'll send for something to be sent to your weyr." She grinned proudly. A clutch on the sands was a welcome occasion. Kess, Kess… That boy there… that one… he will ride.[/color] Claralth who had been content with viewing the clutch through his riders eyes had caught sight of Lucan. The lanky teenager had been hanging around the outskirts of the sands and had just chosen to come forward. Her silver eyes studied him momentarily. She had seen him during her younger days around the weyr, but had had little contact with him. Blinking at the boy seemed to take too much time for Claralth.

Kesstriel… tell him. It is important that he knows.[/color] With a start she took a step closer to the boy. “Excuse me, are you a candidate?” He looked old enough, but one should never judge. Her eyes went from his face to the eggs. How could Claralth be so sure? The dragons tone had lead her to believe he KNEW the boy would impress, no sense of doubt or uncertainty.

[adhoc]

((Timing-wise I'm thinking this happens before he goes to talk to A'rik...so yes. Also hi again ))

The pale-eyed rider's sudden approach raised Lucan's eyebrows and temporarily threw him. He rarely had difficulty pulling together a sentence, but between the clutching and the timing of that particular question, well, he foundered. Thankfully, she seemed distracted by something--perhaps listening to her partner?-- and he managed to collect himself. Almost.

"Not officially. I mean, I will be soon," Drat. That didn't make any sense. He'd found that in those circumstances when he wasn't making sense, he ought to stop talking, so he paused. The woman looked incredibly familiar, but he just couldn't seem to place her face. That was odd, he normally had quite a good memory for such things. Perhaps she had a younger sister in the creche? No matter.

"I was wondering if there was anything that I could do to help. I'm Lucan, by the way."

[LyricalBlue]

The red headed Weyrwoman shook her head vehemently, oh no, she was not going anywhere. Iaslia looked between Ev'os and Kess, why did these two tend to gang up on her? It had all started at the Cove, so much for being the cock of the walk when you had family there to pull your feathers.
"Thank you, but I'm not going anywhere. I'll have some girls bring down a cot and anything I need. I stay by Nisurath's side."

The golden Queen opened her eyes, now whirling red. Rovanoth's compliments and her fatigue were the only thing keeping her from getting seriously agitated. Iaslia ran her hand across the warm hide as she looked between her Cousin and her... Weyrleader.
"Really, I'm fine." She nodded to Phaedon. "Shes not hungry at the moment, just thirsty." Her hand continued to run along the gold's side as Nisurath shifted, once again curling her tail about her eggs. Iaslia knew the gold's moods better than any, justifiably. "A cot for me and some water for her. Thats all. Thank you."

If this was any indication, Nisurath was not going to be a gold that took her duties to the eggs lightly. Iaslia watched as her dragon turned her head to flick her tongue over the newly laid eggs and it was then that Iaslia had wished Gaelle had lived a bit longer. The only instruction she had was from the bronzeriders and from scrolls. And as Nisurath had proven so far, little were of much help in her case.
They may admire them, but they may not come closer. No one will take my eggs.
Iaslia found herself arching an eyebrow at the gold's response, but continued to run her hand along the warm hide.
"They are only here to admire them, my love. No one wants to take them."
The spoken warning was as much for any present as for soothing the tired Queen, the last thing the Weyr needed was Nisurath upset.

[hrsegrl]

Phaedon knew a dissmissal when he heard one. The woman was stubborn but he knew that Kess and Ev'os would make sure she and her Gold were taken care of. The older man called the other dragonhealers to him and they subsequently left the cavern to give the Gold more privacy. The growing crowd of onlookers was not only upsetting Nisurath but Rovanoth as well.

Ev'os nodded to his weyrmate. "Alright a cot it is. You will need to eat even if she is not hungry." Ignoring the young boy completely he turned to Kess. "Do you think you could find her personal drudge, whatever her name is, and have her bring Iaslia food and a cot." He then looked at the agitated Queen and noted his own dragon's frustration. With a glare directed at the gathering crowd the Bronzerider said softly. "I think we've had enough attention for one day."

Walking towards the onlookers his face was not readable. "Good evening. We appreciate all of your support to Nisurath and her healthy clutch of ten eggs. I know you are all curious and wish to see them howevre Nisurath needs some time to rest and she will not while everyone is looking at her eggs. I must ask you all to leave now." His voice boomed on the leave now part of his sentance and while the people began to follow this command he still felt Rovanoth's agitated mood. They are bringing in water for her now... The dragons from their wing carried large buckets of water in their claws. About five of them had come and they did carry enough hopefully to sate the Queen.

Drop down far enough away so as not to disturb her and then leave immediately. The Bronze was taking no chances with this mood of hers. The dragons would obey him of course.

[adhoc]

"Well," Lucan said, unabashed by the new Weyrleader's seeming unawareness of his presence. He knew little about E'vos, having generally avoided the boy and his ilk before his impression, and he was weyrbred enough to know that one was best served by hopping when its leader said so, no matter the man's age.

He nodded to Kess and moved to leave, "Time to go. Thank you, anyway." He lingered just a moment, in case she wanted to finish what she had been saying before.

[starshine]

Kess nodded and made a note on her mental to do list. E'vos had made a very good point, the more people around her the more agitated Nisurath was bound to become, not to mention Iaslia. She gave her cousin a swift grin before turning on her heals and facing the gathering crowd. "Yes, Weyrleader E'vos has a good point there. Perhaps a round of wine in the hall to celebrate this occasion would be in order?" She motioned to the entrance to the cave and ushered the group. She shot a glance to E'vos and gave him a quick wink.

Leaving the two of them behind her she turned to face Lucan. "Perhaps we'll see you in the Weyrhall?" She grinned at him as she strode past him.