29.Jul.22, 10:20 AM
A’tay swore everyone in the cavern could see him trembling from nerves. He thought he would have another week to prepare for this! He didn’t think it would help, but he wasn’t ready! Xyxyth had gently nudged him awake and A’tay had been close to thinking it was another game Malvayth was playing but no, his dragon insisted the eggs really were wobbling and he had to come right away. He’d woken Zelana, blushed right to the roots of his hair at her reasoning for him waking her, had almost been tempted to stay in bed with her after all, but finally got them both to remember how important this Hatching was thanks to more nudging from Xyxyth.
Before dressing, he had sent Shadow off with a letter for M’quel, knowing she wouldn’t want to miss the Hatching no matter the time. Then a quick splash of water on his face, attacking his hair with a brush, and tossing on some of his nicer yet comfortable clothes. That had been the easy part. Standing next to the proud dragons as more and more people filed in was the hard part. Why had he started to think the Weyrleader training program was a good idea when he could barely stand people glancing at him as a nobody bronzerider?
You are not a nobody! You are A’tay, my mate and extremely important. Xyxyth’s voice boomed in his head, his anger made very clear. I’m sor- A’tay tried to apologise but his dragon cut him off, No. You are important because you are the rider of the sire of a fine clutch and you are the bronzerider that has kept goldrider Cazan company while she was bound to the Sands with Malvayth. We have played very important roles which will soon come to an end and we must present ourselves accordingly. Chin up, stop slouching, and look proud. You are as much a part of this clutch as I am.
A’tay nodded and tried to stand straighter and not stare at the ground but it was so hard with so many people around. He’d try, though, for his dragon. Xyxyth had so much confidence in him that he couldn’t disappoint him. Maybe if he just didn’t look at the crowd it wouldn’t be so bad. There were still far too many Candidates filing in but they would be too focused on the eggs to truly notice him and A’tay could handle that. For the time being, he would focus on the humming dragons all around him, including the two proud parents he stood by. It was a soothing sound and eased some of the fear gripping him. This was a happy occasion and he was proud to be a part of it but he just wished he didn’t have to be in a rather noticeable spot.
Before dressing, he had sent Shadow off with a letter for M’quel, knowing she wouldn’t want to miss the Hatching no matter the time. Then a quick splash of water on his face, attacking his hair with a brush, and tossing on some of his nicer yet comfortable clothes. That had been the easy part. Standing next to the proud dragons as more and more people filed in was the hard part. Why had he started to think the Weyrleader training program was a good idea when he could barely stand people glancing at him as a nobody bronzerider?
You are not a nobody! You are A’tay, my mate and extremely important. Xyxyth’s voice boomed in his head, his anger made very clear. I’m sor- A’tay tried to apologise but his dragon cut him off, No. You are important because you are the rider of the sire of a fine clutch and you are the bronzerider that has kept goldrider Cazan company while she was bound to the Sands with Malvayth. We have played very important roles which will soon come to an end and we must present ourselves accordingly. Chin up, stop slouching, and look proud. You are as much a part of this clutch as I am.
A’tay nodded and tried to stand straighter and not stare at the ground but it was so hard with so many people around. He’d try, though, for his dragon. Xyxyth had so much confidence in him that he couldn’t disappoint him. Maybe if he just didn’t look at the crowd it wouldn’t be so bad. There were still far too many Candidates filing in but they would be too focused on the eggs to truly notice him and A’tay could handle that. For the time being, he would focus on the humming dragons all around him, including the two proud parents he stood by. It was a soothing sound and eased some of the fear gripping him. This was a happy occasion and he was proud to be a part of it but he just wished he didn’t have to be in a rather noticeable spot.