Teranaa shifted from her spot on the Dunes excitedly. Hurriedly she began to dig into the warm sand. From his ledge, Immuren felt his mates excitement and spread his wings. They are hatching? He asked winging into the enormous Dune cavern. Not quite yet but very soon, within a few hours. The green/gold replied, brushing sand from another egg.

Kalaya and Terin appeared then. "Are they hatching?" She asked her bond, anxiety stirring. Outside music could be heard, people talking. It was dinner time at the Caer, the sun had set and the stars were out. No, but soon, very soon

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The green/golds prediction proved true. Just as the crescent moon was rising over the Caer the first cracks appeared on the eggs. Word was sent for the four Bonders to hurry to the Dunes.

Overlooking the Dunes a crowd gathered in the stone bleachers. All eight eggs were now rocking, most covered in tiny spider webs of cracks.

Vaguely Kalaya wondered how the clutch would go. At least half the clutch had no Bonders. Would they choose to stay here or move on to a new home?

The stillness was almost deathly as silence filled the entire Caer. People winced when someone sneezed echoing through the huge cavern. So every person in the hatching ground heard the crack of the first shell.

Crack! An orange nose appeared. Crack! The head emerged and a wing followed. The egg shattered, spilling a large orange dragonet onto the warm sand. The hatchling looked around dazed. His gazed focused and landed on the two candidates from Trandiok. They were slightly subdued and often had too repeat because of their accent.

To the crowds amazement the orange did not venture toward the two. Instead he walked over to his dam. She looked down at him puzzled.

Meanwhile the hatching continued. A blue followed by green emerged onto the Dunes. The blue headed straight for the other male Bonder. I am Heren Banny, what is Starlite Hatchery like? The blue and his Bond walked out into the moon lit Caer to get Heren food.

The green checked the out all three of the three Bonders but was uninterested. My name is Weranaa, I wish to go to Dragonwillow Wey. The hatchling green said. Very well, Teranaa replied to her daughters request. You will find food in the kitchens, youll have to stay in the barracks until transportation can be arranged. The green/gold finished. Kalaya quickly got up and had one of the kitchen workers to guide Weranaa.

The hatchling lulled for a few minutes before one egg burst on the edge of the Sands. In a blaze of fire and light a fire ruby colored dragonet hatched. Kalaya smiled happily, Teranaas first uncommon. Well, Immuren is specially colored as well. Teranaa said, her pride bleeding through in her tone. "I wonder if well have a rare hatch?" Asked Kalaya. Probably not, its Teranaa and my first clutch. Rares usually dont hatch in first clutches. Immuren said, taking his eyes from the clutch. "Well see," Terin said as the fire ruby moved around.

She ignored both female candidates standing near the bleachers. The uncommon sat down near the front of a large rocking egg. Minutes passed before a black nose emerged. A strong black body shattered the egg and the black dragonling hatched standing. He stood half in the warm light of the Dunes, half in the silver moonlight. He spread his wings; a fish netted silver, shaking the wetness from them.

Stop showing off Makuren! It took you long enough. The ruby broadcasted. Whatever Keraa, have you decided where we are going? The black asked, closing his well-proportioned wings with a snap. Cy dragonstake. Keraa informed her bond and her mother.

The first hatchling, the orange then reappeared on the Dunes. He walked over to the mountain pair. I can not choose between you. Will you both accept me? Soli and Liam nodded. I am Veren.

The crowd watched as the strange pair with the accents left with one dragon between them. Three eggs remained, all rocking furiously. Two shattered, baring two greens. We both wish to go to Shivran Aerd. The hatchlings said. They were led out to eat with their unbonded Dunemates. Before leaving they told their names. Airashiiaa and Dekiraa.

One egg remained. Bets reached a fevered pitch. Would this egg yield a rare? Would it choose the strange cat Bonder?

The egg shook twice and fell apart into two neat shells. An aqua, which was only uncommon, uncurled from his egg and stood. Red eyes surveyed the last Bonder and then the crowd. I Rukren, wish to join Weranaa at Dragonwillow Weyr. The aqua said as he dried his wings. He left the Dunes.

The hatching was over and guest started to leave. Down on the Dunes, Laka looked downhearted as she slowly left the dunes. Suddenly Teranaa hissed and started digging at the sand. Three more eggs appeared from under the golden sand. I forgot to dig them up. She said hastily, backing off the Dunes once more. The crowd hurried back to their seats.

"It must be the half green in you, dear." Kalaya said as she patted her dragon reassuringly. As if making up for lost time, all three eggs deposited their occupant at almost the exact same second. A common red, a tree-patterned brown and a rare violet spilled into the sand.

The female brown got up immediately and headed strait for Laka. I thought you would leave me! You didnt wait. The brown said. "I didnt know Gataraa." The pair left the Dunes, Laka encouraging her new partner every step.

The crowds attention then turned to the other two. A rare of beautiful violet! Her yellow eyes gleamed as she stood up on her sturdy four legs and beat her wet wings. I am Chinjuuaa! Me and my red brother Kankan will go with my green sisters to Shivran Aerd. He, in case you are wondering, is not my bond. The spunky violets tone suggested that a red was beneath her. Kakan beat at her with his wing and they left the empty Dunes to eat.

Kalaya stroked her dragon lovingly. "A wonderful clutch mdear. And a rare! Too bad so many had to leave us. Maybe they will come back to fly here. I am proud of you." Thank you ridermine, we will soon have a few more rambunctious hatchlings. Shivran Aerds Wylds. Kalaya groaned, "Well I did want diversity."