Entering the Gauntlet [META PART 1, CONT.]

[Zactura]

Ah, Jheleth! You have succeeded, and more admirably than I could have hoped. Gorheilith rumbled, pride evident in her voice. Lead them into Shyalltarth's chamber, so that we may welcome more of us tonight.

Of course, my Evermind. I will do as you command. Jheleth responded smoothly, nodding respectfully as a means of salute to where he felt the Evermind's presence emanating from. He looked down at the Candidates once more, smiling that fatherly, protective smile that made it seem as if nothing could go wrong as long as he was here. Dear hearts, the chamber of your paradise is ahead. Prepare yourselves, for you will find your true match inside. The Blue encouraged, nudging the last, lagging Candidate, still sleepy from his sudden awakening, along gently with his nose. There is no time to waste.

[taesil]

Entheos was in deep in slumber, a pleasant roil of warmth and serenity that enveloped his usually fidgeting mind. He slept soundly even as a voice trickled into his thoughts, a clam and dreamy voice that vaguely filled his minds with thoughts of his past father. Gently he drifted awake, longing to find the face of his parent beaming down on him, but no such thing did he find as he blinked blearily in the dark. For a moment he froze, fearful and alert but then the tempting voice’s urging managed to coax the lanky lad from his warm cot in a half- awakened state.

He bumbled from the Barracks with the rest of the others, and briefly fumbled onto the dragons’ back stiffly from sleep lethargy. There was a lurch then suddenly it was cold, very cold, terribly cold. Entheos shot awake but it was dark, empty, nothing. He screamed but there was no sound from his throat, only the faint hardness of dragon beneath him. Then the memory of the voice, calmed his frantic spasm, wrapping him in a shroud of comfort, or perhaps it was that they were now out of between.

He fell from the blue dragon’s back only to be corralled further into an alien chasm, and Entheos’s heart pounded against his chest. He looked about slowly, fearfully, noting each of the faces about him. At least he was not alone, for every other Candidate was here, right? Or was it a dream? To Entheos the blue’s mind control seemed to blur the line between dreams and reality, making him malleable to the dragon’s wishes through his own confusion.

He stiffly followed the line, shivering from the absolute cold of between from which his limbs were tipped in blue. His night gown was terribly insufficient riding gear, and that would definitely be improved upon if he ever got out of this.

But whatever was this life partner the dragon spoke of? Enthoes was not keen on finding out as he crept closer to the opening, yawning involuntarily as if his body was still feigning sleep. His mind was ever aware of the Blue’s presence, and fearful of it’s every word. Quickly the boy’s shivers of cold were replaced by shivers of fear.

[akusma]

Eiriana was barely consious even as she sat up and slid out of bed, dressed in only her nightclothes while she yawned shoulder hunching and pulling themselves in circles as she tried to stretch, training making sure she did not stretch too...Obviously. It wasn't lady like for a girl to stretch with her hands above her head, or anything of the sort. She was barely aware who was speaking to her, but oh...She could be fully appreciated. Finally. Too long had she been srurrounded by people of an undignified nature, too long had she been around those who went against nature itself. Eiriana was an easy person to manipulate for the Blue dragon after that comment, and she barely bothered to realise he was a dragon. Did it matter? His rider would make sure everything went smoothly.

With the rest of the candidates, she was shipped from the barracks to the other place like some sort of cargo - it was noted in her mind somewhere, still waking up, yet held down and tired by something else. She shook and held herself tightly while she recovered from the cold of between not really knowing why they had to go between if it was something for the Weyr...It was cold outside as well, which did nothing to calm the sudden rash of goosepimples that emerged on her skin. A nightdress was hardly adiquate protection from the cold. Eiriana's teeth began to chatter slightly as they were nudged into the cavern, and she shrunk slightly as her shoulders hunched, blinking tiredly around her. She had never liked dark places, and this was too dark.

Blearily, she stared around her at the faces of the people around her, and narrowed her eyes slightly. Something was terribly off, and it was not at all right...There were...Boys here! She stiffed considerably, eyes narrowing even further, though this time a little less sleepily. How dare they!? Whoever had brought them here would answer for this! It was indecent, immoral! She was cold, tired, and all sure that what was going on was supposed to be going on. They had not even given her time to change! It was disgusting that they had not given her that basic right.

"My perfect match would not appreciate this treatment!" she said clearly, her voice turning shrill towards the end, piercing. Oh, she knew how to make her voice tremble on the higher notes, soar from a normal tone to a screech in an instant. This was the time to use it. "Why are we awake in the middle of the night? The Weyrleaders would not be so indecent!" Even though she said this, it was more of a reflex of her nature, something purely selfish that wanted out, whilte the rest of her was still sleepily trying to figure out what was going on, where they were, why that voice was speaking to them so soothingly, so wonderful smooothly. To have a voice like that, oh, Eiriana could do wonders with a voice like that, she knew it. "This is unacceptable! We are not beasts to be pushed around with no reason!" Her body was following orders though, and her mind had to sluggish follow blindly despite her reluctance. It was just so nice to, the Blue was so nice.

[Zactura]

Jheleth leaned close to Eiriana, the warmth of the long Blue seeping away some of the lingering cold of between. You've got spirit, I see. Your match will like that. He paused, gently nuzzling her shoulder as delicately as possible, considering his size. Your true match is waiting for you. I apologize for the rough arrival, but in order for you to meet yours, you must come along.

They drew nearer to Shyalltarth's chamber with each step, and now the Gold deemed fit for her to speak.

Jheleth, you bring me gifts, I see? She asked the Blue, her seductive voice twining inside his head. Jheleth had been smart, had been fast--had been the one to catch her when she dove in the crescendo of her Flight. It was an odd pair, and practically a miracle that the whip-thin Blue had succeeded, but Shyalltarth knew full well exactly what Jheleth was made of. He had more mettle in him than even the largest Bronze, and that made him worthy to catch her.

Of course, my dear. A batch of Candidates, ready and waiting for our eggs to hatch and bless them with the gift of Shattering. Jheleth mentally smirked. None of these little Candidates knew what was in store for them, and the Blue's honeyed words, placed at just the right times, would keep them from it.

Good. Shyalltarth paused before addressing the Candidates assembled. Dearest Candidates, fires of my heart, you will meet tonight the perfect dragon for you. We have been waiting to find a group of Candidates of such quality as you to be matched with your soulmates, and now is the time.

You may enter my Chamber.

[akusma]

"Who are you to assume I wish to meet such a thing?" Eiriana was on a roll, and praise be the person that tried to stop her, but also let them be a fool. The warmth of the dragon - much larger then her - offered the comfort and respite from the cold that she had wanted. The nuzzle however made her tired body freeze slightly, going stiff from the 'kind' treatment that she had not asked for. How dare he touch her without permission?! Where was his rider to stop him manhandling the candidates like this? She would be having words with him about this! "And who are you to assume that my perfect match would be pleased of it? You try me, sir!" His apology was met with a war feeling, however, despite her cold words that didn't quite make sense to her in her own mind. Too tired, too easily made tame in her own head, she was barely aware of her own objections.

They didn't stop, even as she heard the voice in her own head, and it made her flinch and stiffen even as the Shattered's control wrapped even more so around her sleepy mind. This was not right! They had to seek permission for a right, allowed to them by becoming candidates in the first place? This Gold assumed they needed her permission to stand for a clutch they already had permission to touch? But this was not Durelaith...There was no rider to welcome them, as she sleepily tried to figure out why there wasn't, they were led on and into the 'chamber', presumeably.

The Weyr had never mentioned being taken to a cavern for the hatching, nor had they mentioned being taken by dragons that night - the fact that they had been taken at all during the darkest hours was a fact that played less in their favour already. Not only that, but there were no riders present to tell them where to go...Her mind raced as it tried to catch up to her mouth, and she faultered, hands clutching at her upper arms as she tried to convince herself that something was wrong. And all she could do was blindly follow that voice with the others.

[taesil]

Entheos stumbled in the tunnel, even though he'd luckily remembered his goggles they helped him little with the dark. He twisted to blink fearfully at the girl seemed to be the only one attempting to gain answers in her own snappish fashion. He'd love to tell her to shush, and that her commentary would probably get her eatten, seeing as this dragon had no present rider. Quietly he skirted farther from the crowd, onto the very edge, just incase she did indeed keep it up and he had no wish to be a part of it.

Then a new voice, a powerful female by the sound, took the place of the blue's sweetened words. "D-d-d dragons! S-s-soul mates?" The boy stuttered terribly in his sudden fear, which froze his limbs worse than between. "B-Blue, sir, I am a C-Candidate for the eggs at Phhh-F-Falmas, n-not here." He reasoned in another jumble of syllables as he leered away from the chamber's maw like a spooked runnerbeast.

However, the minds so peaceful and charming began to chip away at the boy's sudden cold-feet. He half ran, half stumbled in Eiriana but caught himseld before complete collision, though he tailed right behind her like a lost puppy. She'd shown courage and the timid lad was drawn to her like a moth, for she also appeared to him to have the best chance at punching any monster's faces in with her words. "T-t-this is bad." He stated in a hoarse whisper behind her, as if to make it so the dragons couldn't hear him.

[Zactura]

Jheleth paused at Eiriana's words. Well, aren't you a Candidate? He hadn't been prepared for this. Which would mean that you hold the hope of Impressing, even if it is buried somewhere. Slowly now, he would have to steer this one along carefully if he was to finish the job. Jheleth plucked at mental strings to create a sort of soothing, calming feel about the area in an attempt to nullify the anxiety that he was getting off of one Candidate in particular--Entheos. He could see the boy's mouth move, that he could, but Jheleth couldn't hear the words over the quiet rustling sounds that the other shepherded Candidates were making.

As they entered the egg chamber, Shyalltarth, his Shyalltarth, was revealed on top of a mound of black sand, the volcanic grains making her even more striking. She was not a homely gold, what with her darker gold color and the bright golden spirals that flowed gracefully along her form, making her seem as if she was a living golden statue, etched and sculpted to the artist's perfection. Her eggs were strewn about her in a formidable arc, though the largest egg remained coiled in the crook of her tail protectively. Are all of you ready? We will need a few to step forward first. As she spoke, Shyalltarth pulled a few Candidates forward, amongst them being Entheos. Jheleth moved to block the exit with his body, curling up behind the Candidates as his dearest Shyalltarth begun the Bloodrush.

Shyalltarth was smiling as she gently killed the first of those she drew forward, easily ending him with a quick flick of her claws. To suppress the rising panic, she crooned and spread a mental blanket over the Candidates, looking up at Jheleth as she felt him do the same. The eggs began to rock ominously at the first spilling of blood, and Shyalltarth summoned forth the second in line, a tall young woman who was completely enraptured by the Shattered Queen. This one she slaughtered simply, another delicate and elegant flourish of her claws finishing this Candidate. The eggs rocked more fiercely now, a few even starting to show cracks in their shells. Entheos was fourth in line now, and anyone in his position could only hope that the eggs would hatch first so that he may be spared for a while longer. Shyalltarth withdrew her claws and sent the next one back to Jheleth, who killed the poor boy in an almost sacrificial way, seemingly smiling as his blood hit the Sands below.

With a resounding crack, the very first of the frenzied Shatterbrood emerged.

This one was a massive Brown, large even by Bronze standards, and he was clearly not going to Shatter without having killed something first. His hide was dark, with a few surprisingly pale patches, and his eyes whirled a deep scarlet like the fires of hell itself. The Brown prowled close to the male Candidates, snarling as he went.

[Dragonmage]

Flying over Gorheilith's Lair, another Shattered sensed a gathering of minds. Most of them were stupid human minds, but there were dragon minds, two weaker, and one her equal. Lyrenth growled deep in her throat. This was an insult. How dare that little brat of a Queen, Shyalltarth, allow her eggs to hatch without telling both of the Everminds. Well, she was just going to have to crash this little hatching party and curse the consequences to between. Gorheilith might be a bit irritated but spurning Lyrenth had been a foolish move. Shyalltarth and Jheleth had better be very submissive or their wings might end up shredded at the very least.

She dove towards the entrance to the cave, eyes whirling deep red with fury. As soon as she landed, Lyrenth gave a bugle that seemed to shake the air. Now to get to that chamber. It wasn't long before the massive gold saw the blue hide of Jheleth blocking the entrance to the chamber. This posed little problem for the queen, who simply hovered for a moment and betweened to the inside of the cavern. As she spoke to all of the dragons here, Lyrenth's mindvoice held a layer of the threatening rumble that meant the weaker Shattered had really ticked her off.

So sorry to have to crash this little party, but I think you forgot to invite me. Or I hope you only forgot to invite me; if you didn't tell me about your Hatching on purpose, I would be so hurt and I might have to get angry. It won't be pretty if I have to get angry.

[akusma]

Eiriana was almost pleased - if she'd been awake enough to do so - at Entheos's collowing of her. Certainly, it was a show of leadership that any dragon would appreciate. They would appreciate it. A Weyrwoman had to be a strong leader, and a Gold's rider would be chosen as Weyrwoman. His whisper made her already sleep filled steps faulter slightly, though the equally sleepy glare she shot him at his obvious statement was not hesitant at all. Did he think she did not know? She knew, yet she could not figure it out! Her mind was clouded by those words - so wonderful, so charming as they curled around her tired thoughts, why not give in? Why not meet demands? - but she knew this wasn't right. Not that she would admit such a feat, she had her pride after all. She would not appear weaker then those around her. She was not weaker then those around her.

She would have hissed something to the boy, but the dragon beat her to it, and she changed her sleepy attention back to him. "Anyone could hold the hope of Impressing," she chorussed, voice rising and falling around the words as best she could while she was on autopilot, "But I will, there is no doubt." She forgot her words from before in favour of establishing the fact that she would indeed Impress. She would. She was so much better then any other the others in the room, though a few of them might have also stood a chance. She held no hope, but she held a certainty. That certainty was most likely the only thing that made her so pliable, even if the Blue was unaware of this. 'What she deserved' he had said. Oh, she deserved so much. The confidence, however automatic, was not to be disregarded as mere confidence, but also as arrogance.

The sight of the Gold on the stands, looking for all the world like a statue, surrounded by black sand that only made her stand out even more, only made her more beautiful, was enough for Eiriana to lift her head and stare with hunger over towards her. She wanted that. That impossible beauty and power that was held within a Gold. Oh, she wanted that. Forget that no rider stood beside her, no one to control the Gold's more beastial instincts, didn't matter anymore. No. There was a Gold, and there was eggs. And she wanted candidates, candidates to stand for her most precious eggs perhaps? Eiriana stood taller, straighter as her hands smoothed out her nightdress, hoping for all the world that she would be chosen. Only to sink slightly as the timid boy near her was picked instead. She did not know what was about to happen, and in truth she did not care when it did.

The first Candidate was culled. Eiriana stared, didn't panic, or barely breathe for that matter. He'd been tossed aside like a rag doll with no more strength in him then a piece of straw. That was the strength of a Gold, of this Gold. Her children would be wonderful indeed. Strong creatures, creatures that were worthy of herself. The calm made her relax her body and her mind to a degree. But she was more awake now. Calm did not mean subdued. It merely meant that she would not be worried, or scared. It made her foolish. And while the Gold and the Blue were focussing on calm, and making them want to be here, Eiriana made up her mind. This wasn't normal. They weren't the bonded dragons from Falmas. These were the creature who had killed her father, taken her business from her, ruined all of her plans. Anger boiled up under the surface, but she was still calm. Oh, it was restrained so carefully by the two beasts, but that only made it tighten as it pushed against a barrier. Like a small space that could only be filled with so much air.

The second candidate - female, tall, but stupid - was culled after that, leaving four more to be treated in the same way...Or rather three before Entheos. She felt her chest tighten out of some sort of protectiveness for him, if only because she felt marginly responsible for him. He obviously could not look after himself, and the fact that he had chosen to follow her over anyone else. She was not a motherly person really, but people who followed her she often felt like protecting. Another one was sent towards the Blue, and that left two. Her mouth opened as she stepped forwards, as calm as could be for one who was being force fed the emotion - and was saved the trouble of speaking as an egg hatched.

It was a Brown, a Brown, she told herself, straightening up to glare cooly in it's direction, trying to ward it off with the simply idea in her slowly awakening mind that it was not for her. She did not want the beast. It was dark, with paler patches spotting his hide, and so large it put the idea of a Bronze being too large to live. Brown was a smaller colour then Bronze, and as Eiriana stared through the gloom at him, she wondered how big that colour was when they hatched. She had never once been to a hatching, let alone on of the Shattered. But this beast stopped Entheos being killed. She hoped. Considering that one had already hatched, were they just killing candidates to entice the hatchlings from their eggs? Then their task was complete, they didn't need to kill him. Eiriana took in this information with a half nod to herself, still glaring at the Brown with the knowledge that he could not choose her. They, afterall, chose boys, not women - unless there was something wrong with them.

And then there was another Gold, appearing from the darkness of between with barely any sound. Eiriana's face relaxed into a look of hungry approval of the Gold's control, her eyes fixed on the creature that was so unlike the Gold in Falmas. This one was built to perfection, slim and lithe, but powerful. Oh, she wanted that power so badly. Not to control, not unless the Gold was so weak she had to - and what Gold would ever be that? They were the epitome of power. She wanted to walk alongside one, work with one, be a part of one. She could never control the wonderful creature that would be her dragon.

[Zactura]

Lyrenth! You have come, good, good. My Wings are getting a bit full, but this clutch was preordained. Hopefully you would not mind taking a few of these dragonets when they Shatter? Gorheilith was purposefully avoiding mentioning whether or not she had intended to bring the other Evermind here in her own infuriating way. The grin was almost visible in her voice as she spoke, directing her words only to Lyrenth.



The Brown continued his way about the Candidates, herding a few into a crevice-like corner as he moved. Thick muscles rippled powerfully beneath his dark hide, and his eyes whirled scarlet with fury and hatred for those that he has penning. He was the son of two powerful Shattered, and had the same hatred for those who had been selected as Candidates as all Shattered did. Tail flicking angrily, the Brown slowly advanced on one male Candidate, eventually having him against the wall with his snout. Sharp teeth bared and a snarl on his face, the Brown snorted in the Candidate's face, the gush of hot air almost making him cringe.

Almost.

This Candidate was calm, oddly enough. He had probably made his peace with the world when he saw the first few Candidates be slaughtered, and he had expected no different of himself. He could feel the Brown's mind probing deep into his own, almost as if he was judging him. But he was ready, this little Candidate who had proved so stalwart. Where the others had ran back to the communal herd, he was trapped between rock and a massive Brown that seemed hell-bent on destroying him. All was not lost, however--no, not yet. The Candidate wanted to shiver as he felt the dragonet's hate-filled mind slip out of his own, but he stood perfectly still, almost as if he was already dead.

"Kerral!" One of his friends called, despair evident in his voice. Oh, so that one thought that he was to die, did he? The Brown looked over his shoulder at the boy who had called out, his snarl turning into a grin. He gently pushed Kerral over onto the hot sands and held him down, frowning as there was no flustered response as he had hoped. Why was this one not screaming, not flailing? Why was he not doing much of anything at all, not even when his skin touched the burning sands?

You, Candidate, Kerral. Why are you denying Harkaneth his fun? He can have no entertainment unless you act, and as you are acting as if you were dead, he is not amused. The Brown's voice was surprisingly deep, and held a growling tone that let everyone know not to mess with him. Harkaneth glared down at Kerral, his hatred mingled now with curiosity.

"Because if I were to act, then you would kill me. Simple." Kerral spoke, his voice somewhat scratchy. The Brown seemingly laughed, sounding more like a restrained roar, as he released Kerral. Harkaneth then lay down next to Kerral, flashing his mother a defiant look before his eyes whirled a red-tinted rainbow.

I like your reasoning, K'ral. We may be partners yet.



Shyalltarth screeched her rage. How dare he? How dare he? The Brown that she had mothered was a Bound! He may be a Shatterbrood, but he had Impressed! Jheleth growled, though he would commit no actions against his own brood. Shyalltarth was torn between going to go finish off that arrogant little Harkaneth and protecting the Queen egg, and it was obvious. The Gold was in full fury now, halfway on her feet, and ready to go and tear Harkaneth a new one.

[akusma]

With the Brown doing nothing more then walking some of the candidates into a corner, Eiriana relaxed her guard for but a moment so she could look at the clutch again, eyes alight as she looked closer. The Gold was beautiful. Strong, powerful, her hide like a molten version of the metal that her colour had been named after, but lighter, more pleasing to the eye. She was the most beautiful Gold Eiriana had ever seen. Why must the Shattered - subdued as she was, she was sure they were Shattered now - have creature more beautiful then the Weyr? She seethed slightly on the inside, wondering why they'd chosen to do so. Selfish things. Leaving the people on their own when they could flaunt their power and beauty, rule over both the people and the dragons. Because dragons were respected, and adored. No one refused a dragon anything - not even the Holds! So why kill off the thing that loved them the most and run wild where they were only feared and never seen? Stupid, selfish beasts. But strong. Strong and beautiful.

But if the parents were Shattered, what were the children? Had she been anything other then forced into calm submission, she would have revolted, but instead she merely scowled slightly, pressing her palms tight together in front of her as she looked back to the Brown and the candidates in the corner. Idiots. They should have run to the side, the Brown was strong, but slow, they would have out run him. She sneered at them openly, not caring about hiding her disgust anymore. Oh, everyone was far too preocupied to care anymore. No one was looking at her...Had this been another time, another place, she might have been insulted. Not now though.

She evaluated the Brown, gaze calm despite the panic around her - and the sudden relax of control from the two dragons. She risked a glance at the Blue, seeing nothing more then a proud dragon. PRoud because of what? Was he the father? A Blue catching Gold was unheard of, and she snorted at the idea, moving her arms to hug the opposite elbow. It was to hold back the laughter. No Blue caught Gold, the size difference for one was immense. Then again...He was large for a Blue. Yes, she was definately more awake now the two dragons were focussed on their children, and the fact that she was waking up anyway. Just...too calm. Far too calm to be normal. It seemed the boy was as well.

Eiriana felt no sympathy for him as the Brown knocked the boy down, she just stared with one eyebrow raised as he did nothing while the dragon bore down on him. Stupid boy. Why didn't he run? But it soon became apparant why. She watched with a mixture of confusion and disgust as the Brown simply lay at his side, eyes swirling rainbow. But he was a child of the Shattered! That wasn't right! They did not Impress, only kill and be done with it. A dragon could not live without their bonded - so they stole the mind of that person and lived with it in them. Dead, but it was still a mind.

The Gold's screech of fury had Eiriana turning with narrowed eyes to stare calmly at the Gold, the dragon half standing. What was she doing? Surely she wanted to kill the Brown? Ah...There! A smug smile curled over her lips as she stared hungrily at the Gold egg, not focussing on anything else. Gold...To have such a powerful Gold as the two that were here...Would be extroidinary. A dragoness more powerful, more awinspiring then any Gold hatched and raised through Falmas blood.