The Ones Who Glow
Dragonsfall Weyr
Amber Hills Hold
Vintner Hall
Healer Hall
Hidden Meadows
Dolphin Cove Weyr
Dolphin Hall
Emerald Falls Hold
Harper Hall
Printer Hall
Green Valley Hold
Leeward Lagoon Hold
Barrier Lake Weyr
Sunstone Seahold
Citrus Bay Hold
Writers: Devin, Estelle
Date Posted: 21st March 2024
Characters: R'ayl, T'lin
Description: R'ayl asks T'lin for advice after Delorth discovers a new ability
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 9, day 10 of Turn 11
The weyrlings were all at class and he hadn't any other duties assigned,
giving R'ayl a precious hour of free time. Delorth had fed that morning,
so he'd taken the time to bathe and scrub his dragon, but when they
returned to the barracks it was still quiet. R'ayl didn't think he had
time to go back to his weyr or practice his craft, so he decided just to
wait, idly scratching Delorth's eye-ridges and watching a group of
Candidates exercising and playing games together.
**I wonder which ones will Impress?** They'd be the ones he would help
with from their very first days as dragonriders.
}:That one.:{ Delorth pictured a boy, a few Turns older than R'ayl, with
long, dark brown hair and a wiry build. }:And her.:{ A girl, chatting in
a group of three, hoping they wouldn't be noticed and sent back to their
exercises. }:They all have a chance, but I like those two.:{
**You seem very sure,** R'ayl teased. **How do you know?**
}:I just know.:{
R'ayl gave his dragon a quizzical look. There was something decisive in
Delorth's voice, more than just a liking for those particular
candidates. It nagged at his memory, until it came to him where he'd
heard something similar before. He looked up sharply at Delorth.
**Delorth...** The Weyrlingmasters were all busy now, and anyway he
wasn't certain, but there was someone he could ask. **Could you ask
Calaroth if his rider is busy?**
}:Mine says he has some time. What does yours want?:{ Calaroth asked
the young blue.
}:It's about the candidates?:{ Delorth sounded puzzled. }:I said there
were two that I liked. I'm not sure why that's important, but my rider
is excited about it.:{
The reply came quickly. }:Where would yours like to meet?:{
}:We are near the barracks, but we could come to you.:{ There was a
moment's pause as Delorth spoke with his rider. }:He asks if you can
look at the candidates I like?:{
A short while later Calaroth landed near the barracks, crooning a
greeting to the younger blue. "Hey!" T'lin called as he dropped
lightly to the ground. "What's going on? Cal says Delorth is
interested in some Candidates?"
"Yes, he seems interested in two of them in particular." R'ayl patted
Delorth's nose before going over to meet the older bluerider. "I don't
know why he would be, neither of us have met them before, unless..." He
glanced over at his blue, suddenly uncertain. "It's probably nothing."
"Did he show any aptitude for Search in training?" T'lin's excitement
was rising.
R'ayl shook his head. "He seemed interested in general when we had the
class on it, but this is the first time he's ever mentioned any
candidate in particular. Should he have?" he asked, his heart sinking a
little.
T'lin shrugged. "Most Search dragons start showing signs by then, but
some seem to be late bloomers."
}:Do you see the humans who glow inside their minds?:{ Calaroth asked
Delorth.
}:Yes, they glow,:{ Delorth replied, pleased to have found a way to
describe what he'd not quite been able to put into words for his rider.
It wasn't a light he could see, exactly, but more a sensation when he
focused on them, that drew him like an insect to a flame. He pictured
the two candidates. }:They feel...open, in their minds, and warm. The
others with them are like that too, but those two are the strongest.:{
Calaroth turned to look at the group of Candidates. }:Yes, those two
are the brightest. One of them is mine,:{ he said proudly. To T'lin he
said, }:Delorth sees the ones who glow.:{
T'lin grinned. "Cal says Delorth can pick out potential Candidates. He
talks about people "glowing" when he picks them out on Search, or that
they're "bright" or "shine". Other Search dragons just say they "like"
someone and that they'd be good for a dragon."
"That's wonderful!" R'ayl all but jumped in the air in glee. He could be
a Search rider, like T'lin, or Wacilla, the greenrider who'd brought him
here from the Weaver Hall, and travel all over the Weyr's lands looking
for Candidates. "Delorth, you're so clever!"
Delorth preened himself, enjoying the attention and the thrill his rider
felt.
T'lin laughed. "You should probably tell the Weyrlingmaster so he can
confirm, but let him know I'd be happy to help train you." He loved
R'ayl's enthusiasm and he'd enjoyed being R'ayl's rider buddy.
"Would you, really?" R'ayl beamed in delight. He remembered his time
spent accompanying T'lin on his duties as the happiest days of his
weyrling training. The bluerider had been kind to him and fun to be
around, never making him feel unwanted or useless. "Thank you! I'll
speak to the Weyrlingmaster as soon as classes are over."
"I very much look forward to Searching with you." T'lin was glad to
have a reason to spend more time with the boy.
}:We will find humans that will be good for Hatchlings,:{ Calaroth told
Delorth, his mindvoice warm and happy.
}:Our Candidates will be the best!:{ Delorth replied enthusiastically.
}:Perhaps they will even be partnered with fine blue hatchlings.:{ He
could imagine no greater honor, except perhaps for a queen.
}:Blues are the best. Our riders are very lucky.:{
R'ayl smiled as Delorth passed on the conversation to him. "It sounds
like they want to find a whole lot of new blueriders."
T'lin laughed. "I think we all might be a little biased."
"I suppose I am," R'ayl admitted, reaching up to stroke Delorth's warm
hide as the dragon lowered his head to nuzzle him. He couldn't help
thinking how glad he was that Delorth was a blue. Some people looked up
to the bronze and brownriders as leaders, but that kind of attention
made him nervous. Being a Searchrider, though - that would be something
marvelous.
He heard chatter from over by the barracks, and saw the weyrlings were
back from class and reuniting with their dragonets. "I'd better go and
see if the Weyrlingmaster needs me - and I'll tell him my news!"
"Good luck with the Weyrlings. Bye!"
Last updated on the March 24th 2024