Энн Маккефри - Ever the Twain

"They are the most valuable dragons in Threadfall," the Weyrwoman said. "And far more difficult to train. Take a challenge once in your lifetime, Robina. It would do you good."

Eyes wide with outrage, Robina stamped toward the exit, head high. Amazingly enough, a shiny wet green dragonet was stumbling after her as fast as it could make its legs go.

"Oh, no! Almost all the hatchlings have Impressed. Neru must be a dragonrider — it shouldn't have been me!" Nian protested in an undertone. Looking around for her twin, she found him standing back by his favorite egg. She could see the thin line of a crack on the side bulge of the egg and Neru was crouched beside it, hands balled in fists as he verbally encouraged its occupant.

"Come on now, that last crack was a good one. Another one and you'll be out."

Nian stuffed another handful of meat into Quinth's mouth and then headed toward her brother. The Weyrwoman held her back, shaking her head. "We have discovered that if an egg doesn't crack on its own, the occupant is probably damaged and it is best to leave nature to take her course."

"And let the dragon die?" Nian was appalled.

A weyrperson approached them proffering damp towels, one of which the Weyrwoman pressed to the nape of Nian's neck. Nian gasped at the cold feel of it. With her other hand, the Weyrwoman used the other cloth to mop the blood off Nian's face and smeared some numbweed on the bridge of her nose. Embarrassed at being tended by the Weyrwoman herself, Nian gently took the cloth and finished mopping her nose and face. And someone else handed her a second bowl of meat.

I am still hungry, Nian, if you don't mind, Quinth told her in no uncertain tones, crossing in front of her. I am sorry I made your nose bleed.

A wave of love washed over Nian and she turned adoring eyes on her new lifelong partner. Oh, sorry my love, I forgot! And she shoved a larger than usual handful at her queen.

Quinth butted Nian, a nudge that would have been strong enough to make the girl lose her balance if Quinth had not immediately stepped in front of her to prevent her from falling.

A Hatchling must break his own shell? she asked her dragon.

It shows the strength of the dragon within, Quinth informed her.

How do you know that? You're only just hatched yourself.

There are things dragons know instinctively about other dragons, Quinth replied with a faint reproof in her mental tone.

But my brother has to Impress, Nian said in almost a moan, her eyes on the shell of the egg beside her brother, who was stroking the casing and urging its occupant to try again.

It is as hungry as I was, Quinth told Nian. It only needs food.

Tell the Weyrwoman so we can break its shell for Neru.

There are some things one must do for one's self, Quinth replied. I made it and I was hungry. I am still hungry.

As Nian scraped another handful of meat out of the bowl, nearly the last, she had a sudden, decisive idea.

"Well, I'll need more food for you then, you splendid bottomless pit," she said aloud and saw that their way to the entrance of the Hatching Ground lay past Neru and the cracked but as yet unbroken shell. "Let's go that way," and she nudged Quinth slightly to one side so they would pass right by the egg in a few steps. As they drew closer, Nian turned to her dragon with beseeching eyes.

Now, Quinth dear queen, can you trip me up again as we pass by?

Trip you up? Why should I do that? You bleed!

Just trip me, Nian repeated, slowing her steps so that she would not pass by her objective.

What a strange thing you ask me to do, Quinth replied.

You had no trouble doing it before. Do it now!

Quinth did so with such energy and precision that Nian fell right across the top of the egg, the heavy bowl in her hands smashing through the eggshell. Immediately a moist bronze head pushed through the opening and, as the hatchling also pushed its shoulders against the front of the shell, he was able to make his way out and onto the sands, peering around him. Then as Neru held his hand out to touch the hatchling's head, the creature looked up, its multi-faceted eyes whirling orange with excitement and its tongue came out and licked Neru's hand.

Like a blaze in her head, Nian felt the force of a new personality come between her and the long-term bond with her brother. It was almost as if that bond was being erased and she cried out as she clung weakly to Quinth. But Neru's Impression to the little bronze had been completed.

"My dragon's name is Larinth!" Neru shouted loudly for all to hear as tears of joy ran down his cheeks.

I'm starving! I'm starving, the little dragon said piteously, butting at Neru to succor him.

Do not worry, my brave dragon, I will feed you until you're stuffed full, Neru said as he stroked the ridges above his dragons eyes.

"Neru, grab some of this meat and feed your dragon," Nian said, struggling to help her brother and grateful that there was still some meat in her bowl.

Quinth roared with anger that her own rider would feed her food to another's dragon. But three riders instantly leaped to help and Nian stuffed Quinth until her mouth was so full that the little queen had to start chewing or choke. Neru was given a full bowl and Nian's was replaced so that very shortly both the gold and the little bronze were contented.

H'ran and the Weyrwoman began examining the bronze dragon, opening and closing its wet wing membranes, tapping its chest, checking its legs and tail to be sure it was healthy.

"He keeps saying that he was so weak with hunger, it was hard to make the shell crack, but see, he had almost broken through when Nian tripped," Neru was saying, stroking his dragon. "He's wonderful, isn't he?"

"He certainly seems whole and healthy," was H'ran's decision, although he looked to the Weyrwoman to see if she agreed.

Oh, he is, he is, Quinth said to Nian.

"So, was your stumble accidental?" the Weyrwoman asked, looking from Nian to Quinth. "After what I had just told you?"

"She was trying to get the last of the meat in the bowl," Nian said, boldly staring back at the Weyrwoman.

I am still hungry, Quinth said as if that justified everything. Dutifully, Nian held out another handful, careful to see that every piece went into the queen's mouth. It was sheer luck that I had enough strength to break my own shell, Quinth added, swallowing the last mouthful before she pointed her head at Nian. And then you kept walking away from me!

I am sorry, dearling, Nian said as contritely as she could, holding out another handful of meat. I simply never thought that I'd Impress a dragon.

"Well, we're all here now, and together," Nian said, "and Larinth looks like a fine fellow."

Thank you, Larinth said, his eyes glowing as he regarded Nian and Quinth intently.

Beside her, Quinth said quite distincty, You're welcome. Obviously, she didn't like Nian to have much to do with Larinth. But then that's what H’ran had said about newly Impressed dragons. They were jealous of their new partners.

"Let us help you toward the barracks then, Nian and Neru, and settle your dragons," the Weyrwoman suggested.

"No more staggering into me either, please, Quinth," Nian said, passing her the last of the food in this latest bowl. "Can she have more?" she queried the Weyrwoman dubiously.

"She'll probably need it," the Weyrwoman said. "After all, it's a long walk for a newly hatched dragonet."

Somehow, Nian did not think she had fooled the Weyrwoman with her desperate ploy but Neru had Impressed a bronze and that was justification enough. Sometimes things just needed a little push to come right.

One small detail, Quinth said in a firm mental tone, I am your dragon. And Larinth is your brother's. Let us keep that in order.

Of course, dear Quinth, of course. I am all yours.