Selena

It's a long walk to Selena's weyr. That happens to be the only thought pursing through your mind as you climb the rocks up to the cliff. Why, in the name of everything holy, anyone would want to live up here is beyond you. You're tempted to return to Adanuk and visit all the normal candidates, who live in the Weyr, but... You sigh. Curiousity killed the cat, you think to yourself as you stumble up the rock strewn path. You slip on loose gravel and nearly plumet off the face of the cliff ...and it's about to kill me. You are about to give up, this must be someone's idea of a practical joke, send the new guy up a cliff, when you hear a snorting noise. Above you stands a runner, at least 17 hands high.

You look higher and see the rider. You are rather surprised to see such a small girl riding such a big runner. While the runner stands head and shoulders over you, the girl can't be more than 5'2". She is very thin and looks as if she might be blown right of her mount if she's not careful. Despite her appearence though, she seems at home in the saddle, she must do a lot of riding. She has long, thin, brown hair, that is blowing around her face in the wind. She makes no effort to control it, just stares at you as if she's seeing something more than some pathetic person hanging on for dear life. Her eyes are deep, like wells, soaking in everything. You stare into the dark, brown, perhaps black, depths and are momentarily lost. Another snort from the horse breaks the trance.

The girl reaches into her pack and pulls out some rope. Without a word, she throws it to you and the runner pulls you up. Only when you stand, panting, on solid ground again, does she speak. Her voice is soft, barely audible, yet you hear it loud and clear. "Follow me."

The rest of the walk is made in complete silence. You try to observe the mysterious youth without making yourself look suspicious, but everytime you look at her she is looking back. The only thing you notice before you reach her weyr is that she is very pale, and very thin. She looks like she could break in half if a strong wind came.

You reach her weyr and she dismounts and looks at you with her deep eyes again. You realize that your original estimate was correct, she can't be more than 5'2" tall, if that. She is very lithe, and tiny. She looks so fragile.

"My name is Selena. I am honoured that you made the journey to visit me." Her tone is clear and she pronounces every word seperately, clearly, like she is not accustomed to speaking.

You smile and introduce yourself. "Nice runner. Well bred. What's it called?" You try to start a conversation.

Selena smiles for the first time, it lights up her face, but does not gleam in her eyes. "Her name is Terentia. It means guardian. I got her from Lasair Weyr. She is really the most wonderful runner."

You still wonder how someone so tiny could master such a big horse, but you stay silent. The two of you enter her weyr. She motions for you to sit down, and you comply. She may be small, but she has a commanding air about her, like she's not used to having her orders questioned.

"Are you hungry?" She asks, not looking at you.

"Umm... a little." You stammer. Serena makes you nervous. She retreats into another room and you look around the small weyr.

The house it built right into the side of the cliff, so all the walls are made of stone. You'd think that it would be cold in the room, but it is oddly warm. A bright fire burns in the corner. There is not a lot of furniture, but the furniture that is here is big and comfy.

She returns carring a tray of snacks. The tray is heavy metal and very full. You wonder how she managed to carry it. Her pace doesn't change, nor does it look like she's struggling with the heavy tray. She sits down and, suddenly, a lot is explained. The tray remains floating in the air, where she left it. With a wave of her hand it flies to the table. You stare open mouthed. That's why she's so secure, and commanding. It makes sense. She's a telepath, and from the ease with which she managed the tray, a pretty good one. Selena smiles.

"No creature is helpless. If a creature is weak, or smaller than others of it's species, it adapts to survive." As she says that, the tea pours itself and serves itself to you. You cautiously reach for the cup. She smiles. "Nervous?"

You smile back. "No, just ..." You trail off, not knowing exactly what to say. Suddenly the teapot, cups and try fly into the wall, smashing them you. You stare at her in fear.

She laughs quietly and points to the open window. "Wind. I wouldn't smash my own teapot." You laugh too, realizing how paranoid you have been.

"I heard you were a candidate." You once again try a conversation.

She nods. "I'm a candidate at Mystic Dragon's Forest. I was searched a short time ago for a clutch of Hathian dragons there." She smiles.

You smile too, everyone has there search story. You listen to her's.

You smile at the end. "I'm not in the least surprised." You comment when she finishes.

Another gust of wind forces it's way into the small weyr. Followed by a torrent of rain, and thunder. Terentia whinnies and stomps against the weyr door, obviously not liking the storm.

"Quick." Is all Selena says as she grabs a cloak and heads for the door. You grab follow quickly. With a word Selena calms Terentia and the two of you get on. You begin, at a gallop, down the cliff back towards Adanuk. You expect to fall and break your neck, but amazingly, in a flash of light, you are standing in Adanuk Weyr. You look around confused. The two of you are still on Terentia, only now you are standing in the middle of the dining hall. Everyone else looks at you, too stunned to move, or say anything.

Selena smiles. "May you have a good day." She tells you and suddenly you are standing on the ground, looking up at Selena on Terentia again. Your bewildered mind tells you to say something, but your mouth can't form the words. Another crack of lightning and Selena and her runner are gone again. As the entire room stares at the place where Terentia and Selena were, you begin to realize the depth of Selena's power. You remember her saying about her adapting because she was weaker than others of her species.

"Weak my ass." You mutter, and everyone continues on with their work.