Kiya and Bynnkyth


"Ughhhh...." Kiya moaned as she collapsed onto her bed. The other female candidates, whom she shared a room with, sighed and rolled their eyes. They'd been through just as many classes as she had and they were not complaining. Kiya lay on her back and examined her blistered palms. Lugging bags of firestone, dragonsadles and riding leathers around are not talent most young lady's learn...and Kiya's hands were protesting the unusual abuse. I'm not cut out for this... The thought drifted briefly across Kiya's mind, but she quickly banished it. No! I was searched! I'm a candidate! I can do this! She tried to sit up, but the pain in her back prevented her from bending properly. I can do this... She closed her eyes and let the pain wash over her in waves. I'm just going to die...then I'll be fine and I'll do this...

"Coming to dinner Kiya?" The other girls had already left, but one of them was waiting to see if she was okay.

"No...thanks." Kiya tried not to act mean. She was used to having a room to herself and living with the other girls was starting to get on her nerves. "I'm not really that hungry...I think I'll just...die..."

The girl smiled and Kiya wished she could remember her name. "It's a little hard at first, but you'll get used to it."

"Yeah." Kiya closed her eyes and by the girl left for dinner. "I'll get used to all this demeaning manual labour..."

Chijou quickly nipped at her owner's ear. She sent her pictures of meat and feelings of hunger.

Kiya smiled. "Okay, okay!! You're hungry. I get it." She grunted loudly as she rolled out of the bed and stumbled towards the door. Chijou chirped happily from her shoulder. Kiya sighed. "So much for going to sleep."

The gold firelizard kept up a steady stream of chirping, obviously believing that Kiya was talking to her and that she was expected to respond.

Kiya laughed. "At least we're not still at Nyterwyrm."

* * *

"Kiya?" A soft voice roused her from her dreams. She opened one eye and saw a drudge's face.

"No." Kiya stated the word calmy and simply as she rolled over.

"But you need to get up..." The drudge obviously wasn't expecting this much resistance.

"No." Kiya started to pull the pillow over her head. She could fell Chijou sending her messages about something, but she was too tired to tell what.

"Candidate!" The drudge was being very persistant. "You have to..."

"No!!" Kiya interupted again, this time sitting up and grabbing the poor girl by the collar. "I am not leaving this bed if I knew the room was going to be filled with Thread! I am tired! You will go away and let me..."

"The eggs are hatching." The drudge smiled, knowing she'd won this small argument.

Kiya quickly leapt from the bed, finally recognizing that Chijou was sending her the exact same information. "Sorry...I thought you were calling me to breakfast."

The drudge smiled as she saw Kiya searching frantically for her robe. She smiled and handed it to the candidate. "I know."

Kiya gave her a half-smile. "When I get sleep I'm less grumpy y'know."

"If you miss the hatching you'll be really grumpy. You'd better get going!!" The drudge smiled. "Good luck candidate."

"Thanks!" Kiya took off down the hall towards the sands.

* * *

I wonder where Roden is? Thoughts of the man she loved filled Kiya's mind as she walked out across the sands looking for him. They only got to see each other during candidate classes, which involved too much of everything else for any real meeting, and briefly at mealtimes. They were too tired to sneak out of their rooms late at night, and the Weyrwoman didn't appreciate fraternizing between the girls room and the guys room. Kiya smiled and gave him a small wave to let him know that she saw him. Roden smiled back, but he was obviously nervous. All the fear left Kiya's body as she smiled at him. Oh Roden. You know you'll do perfectly fine here. I don't know how any draogn could refuse you! You're so sweet and kind and smart and... Kiya stopped her mental rant as she realized that the eggs were hatching.

The first dragon out of his shell was a bronze, that was widely considered a good sign. Surprisinly the queen of the clutch was the second egg to crack. Kiya smiled as she saw the golden dragonet break free of her shell and quickly start across the sands towards where Kiya and the other female candidates were standing. She obviously knows where she's going in life. That must be nice.

You're right I know exactly where I'm going in life!! I'm Bynnkyth and I'm going to get something to eat!! Come with me Kiya, your stomach rumbles too. The golden hatchling stopped at Kiya's feet and waited for her new lifemate to feed her.

Sure enough, Kiya's stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly. She'd only fed Chijou the night before, not herself. And to think I was planning on missing breakfast as well... "Of course I'll feed you Bynnkyth." She smiled as she pronounced her new lifemate's name. She was amazed at how strong the bond felt between herself and the creature in front of her. When Chijou's mind had touched her, Kiya'd thought it was amazing. Now she knew the real definition of amazing.

Good! I'm hungry. Kiya spared a smile for Roden as she escorted the new queen off the sands and into the kitchens.


* * *
Read Kiya's candidate story!
Kiya impressed Bynnkyth at Mountain's Note Weyr.
Chijou's picture from Dark Moon Weyr.
Background from Enchanted Backgrounds. 1