A Vicious Night <Clutching>

[Lady Smara]

Feral Feline Clutch

Gold Issarith x Bronze Tseravith

<Tags:: J'ldaem First, Then Open>



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Sakorai woke, blissfully alone in her bed with nothing but the lightest sheet twisted across one graceful hip. Sure, a bed so perfectly empty that not even a pillow or single fur lay upon it was inviting a cold and chilly night, but it was one that allowed the blonde Weyrwoman sleep peacefully.

Peacefully until she realized that her egg heavy gold had moved.

Issarith, love, it’s the middle of the night. Where have you gone off to? Of course, even as she reached out through her mental link with her dragon, the blonde already knew exactly which direction that everlasting presence had moved in.

I am still not satisfied that these sands are warm enough.

A moan escaped Sakorai’s lips then as she lifted a caulloused hand to her face and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Have you not already ruffled the sand four times this week? I am sure the only way its going to get hotter is with your presence there to constantly scold it and show it how its properly done.

Well then, there is no better time…. A wash of pain through Sakorai’s abdomen finished waking her fully. … Than the present to begin the scolding. As if the pain she shared with her dragon was not enough, the Weyrwoman was all too aware of why a pause had been placed within her dragons reply.

Oh shells and shards, Issarith, why didn’t you wake me?! she cried rolling out of the blissfully empty bed as she flipped open the glow basket and began to search for her pants. Finding them beneath a discarded man’s shirt that smelled suspiciously of J’ldaem, she pulled both on (and boots!) without bothering with underthings. Taking the glow basket down from its high hook in her Weyr, she sprinted her way down the steps of the smaller Queen’s Weyr to the Hatching Sands.

As went she noticed the bronze father stir and Sakorai shook her head before entering the hatching sands. The way the bronze dolted upon her gold nearly made her sick – yet wasn’t that the way every bronze mate had dolted upon her? At least to some degree? Ah, nevermind. There were other matters at hand that were far more pressing than the bronze who would deem himself worthy of the queen past the flight.

He… he is not bad, Sakorai. Issarith crooned between grunts of pain as her rider reached her on the far left side of the hatching sands. Setting the glow basket down, Sakorai winced at the amount of Ichor that already covered the sands. Even so the gold was preoccupied too much with the first egg between her foreclaws cleaning it as she worked to dislodge the second.

He is bad if I say he is bad…. How do you fair? she asked, though she already knew the answer. The gold was in labor and with the way her belly had swelled over the past weeks – much to the rider’s panic and dismay – she knew that they would be in for a long labor.

Blessed, My clutch has finally arrived.[/color]

With the dark outside, she knew they had a few hours before the Weyr would begin to wake – with the exception of the bronzerider of course. Tell him he’s not allowed in here if he does not come gifting Klah. Hot, Klah. She said as she leaned a gentle hand on the quivering side of her gold. She would give her queen peace and quiet for another egg or two before calling for a dragon healer. It was never a bad idea to have one on hand for Issarith, never too careful for a queen. A little queen.

[♥Rizu-Chan♥]

J’ldaem of Tseravith
Refuge Weyrleader && Pyralis Wingleader

He had to admit, this Weyrleader business wasn’t as awesome as he had dreamt through Weyrlinghood; but it wasn’t bad either. After all Sakorai was a very sexy beast and—

J’ldaem.
Yes?
It’s time

Eyes lifted from the scroll he had been eyeing at his desk back in the office, having left Sakorai to slumber in the night back at her Weyr as he caught up on some small issues that needed to be revalued. It was the reason for his current shirtless appearance, the young man simply deeming it unnecessary as he had exited the weyr of the Weyrwoman to catch up some more on his new found (and rather pesky) duties – though a mental scoff from Tseravith portrayed what his bronze thought on the matter. He’d been thinking of plenty of things for the past candle mark or two, but it certainly hadn’t been about his duties.

Well, it’s still a duty altogether. Does Sakorai know already?
I will assume so.

No sooner had the pale form of Issarith stirred besides him in the darkness of the night the bronze had been wide awake and doting over the love of his life. He had felt the contractions coming from the enlarged belly pressed right against his side before the Queen had even uttered the first grunt, and like the first time father he was the bronze hadn’t moved an inch from his new position once they had reached the spot Issarith deemed just perfect for their clutch. He remained close though Tseravith made sure to not overcrowd the laboring female, just a stretch of a neck away in case she wished for his comfort.

Soon enough the first egg had been laid into the sands, the bronze cooing and crooning his support to the small queen; doing everything he could to encourage her to go on. She was a strong Queen, she was a perfect gold, their clutch would be magnificent. Everything would be fine; she would be fine.

Tseravith, love, what is wrong?
Nothing my J’ldaem, everything is fine. Everything. Is. Fine.
Tseravith, what is happening.
... ichor, Mine. Ichor.

Deep down the bronze dragon was completely terrified, though it was through sheer will alone that he kept those emotions bottled up and buried deep inside; only the faintest flickers of reds and whites coloring his whirling eyes for a sliver of a second before they faded into nothingness. Only the silent kneading of his claws against the sands, digging deep inside again and again in an unconscious manner, could be considered a telltale sign of the worry the bronze dragon currently felt.

After all, this had been the first time he had sired a clutch – and the first time he had sat beside a laboring Queen. His Queen, his beautiful and radiant Issarith...

With a sigh the man rolled up the scrolls he had been meaning to catch up on, placing them away before he grabbed the glow basket in his office and headed out – his first decision having been to make his way towards the Sands soon after sending a drudge to fetch one of the dragonhealers and send him or her on their merry way to the Cavern. It wasn’t until a couple of moments later Tseravith had beseeched him once more, making sure His understood how important his task of retrieving the hottest klah Pern had ever seen was to his entry of the cavern that the Weyrleader (with an audible curse and a groan) angled his path towards the Lower Caverns and the kitchens first. He made sure to procure the freshest and most scalding serving of klah he could find; the drudge trailing behind him doing the “favor” of bringing it as close to the Hatching Cavern as they could possibly go.

”I’ll take it from here, thank you.”

With a nod the young lad handed the tray over to Refuge’s Weyrleader, J’ldaem grasping the tray containing a generous sized pitcher of almost boiling klah (along with two cups, and a tray of freshly backed meat and plain rolls), before disappearing through the main entrance and into the scorching sands inside. A wince was all he gave as the sudden heat buffeted his face, before the bronzerider promptly ignored it as he took a few more steps inside. Finally coming to a halt he awaited for Issarith’s acknowledgement, giving a bow of his head in respect to the mother-in-process; and it wasn’t until the gold (and Hers) approved his presence that he made quick work of the remaining distance, angling for the closest stands instead to place the tray.

Pouring a serving of the steaming and dark colored liquid into a cup he picked it up along with a plate containing a meatroll and a plainroll before heading to Sakorai’s side, offering them both to the Weyrwoman.

”I’ve already contacted the dragonhealers. They should be here soon enough.”

The words were softly spoken, a mental note being made as the bronzerider smirked upon noticing his shirt draped over Sakorai's slender form, the man not really wanting to have his voice intrude on the moment as Issarith gently cleaned her first clutched egg between her foreclaws – his bronze dragon too entranced himself in staring and crooning at the sight to not be paying attention to J’ldaem. The beast had already been doting on Issarith and fawning over the gold like a love stricken wherry, and the worry the bronze tried so desperately to suppress deep inside himself already confirmed what J’ldaem had feared. Tseravith was simply smitten with the pale queen, aside from J’ldaem himself the gold was probably the most important thing in the bronze’s world now.

The last thing the man wanted was to further fuel those fears the sire of the clutch had already been brooding in his mind.

[HG]

Finally time for some rest, she thought as she was about to fall into the heavenly soft mattress that was her bed. The new frame was being constructed from wood. How a greenrider could afford it? Wood workers could owe her a favor or two. Still she was more than happy to be blissfully asleep after a long day and most the night working herself to exhaustion. Plopping into the softness she pulled the furs up to her neck and her body soon found the comfort of laying in the fetal position. Vaylee had finally fallen into a deep sleep when the loud knocking…more like banging was on her wooden door to her weyr. It wasn’t morning yet. Nothing could be that important. Mine?

[/b]Cupith sought her rider’s mind. Yes. I think its important.

What could be that important at this candlemark. She was in her nightgown but didn’t give the slightly see-through shift much thought. Vaylee was not modest and had nothing to hide on a normal day. Under such duress she really couldn’t concentrate on what she was wearing. Stumbling out of her bed, she caught her balance, and found herself squinting once she lit the nearest glow. Walking slowly towards her door, she opened it to find the Master Dragonhealer in charge of her training. Oh for Faranth’s sake, she thought before turning around and getting dressed.

Issarith has need of a dragonhealer. Apparently I need the training. She shook her head and put on what was closest. Her riding leathers and boots. She was out of the weyr in a flash but her hair was a complete mess. She looked like who knew what but the Queen’s life was more important than worrying over her hair. Hopefully very, very few people were awake right now. Her reputation was at stake at least some of it was. When they arrived at the Cavern what was wrong was abundantly clear. There was more ichor on the Sands than there should be.

Vaylee, who had the honor of growing up in the Weyr, knew that Queens lost some ichor when clutching. Her job was what it normally was. She was going to do all the checks and then Master Phaedon would talk to her about her findings and they would discuss the next course of action. First thing was first though. No one approached a Gold on the Sands without permission. They were of course, expected nevertheless Vaylee would approach with caution. “Queen Issarith, I request permission to look you over to make sure you are doing alright. We want to make sure you have everything you require.” She did not add extra words. They would only get in the way. Cupith would be helpful just about now, but the green was exhausted. She was such a small green she got tired much more quickly than other greens.

Meanwhile Master Phaedon greeted the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman and explained why Vaylee would be examining Issarith. Vaylee’s demeanor had not changed, she was slightly afraid of Gold dragons having been nearly killed by Rhiannoth on her hatching day. The proper fear and respect that was lost on many people in the weyr. Vaylee however knew the damage even a dragonet could do to a person. Her walk even now, was slightly off but only those who knew her well would notice. She wasn’t moving till she had express permission to approach. In the meantime she took in the scene. One egg was done and she had a second on the way. This was going to be a long night.

They had been so fortunate with Aeriath and her ease at clutching. Not all Queens were so fortunate. Issarith was a small Gold by their standards so it was not much of a surprise to Vaylee that she would have some difficulty. Vaylee felt herself sigh. This was why she would never have children. The fear of dying in childbed like her mother was enough to ensure she took that trip Between, every single time. Issarith would have to be strong of will as would her rider. She would have to stay positive. The Bronze being there was a good thing. He might help to keep Issarith calm. If he agitated her at all, Vaylee would have him sent out of the Cavern. This was a time for serenity and positivity. Her main concern was dehydration at this point.
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[Lady Smara]

Sakorai always had mixed feelings when the bronzerider she had flown with entered the hatching sands. Sometimes those feelings were of aggression, angry that they even thought they had a right to be upon the sands. Considering the time of day, however, and the fact that he had properly received the message, Sakorai welcomed him – or at least the Klah he came forward to offer. Seeing the rolls offered as well, she took a sip of the scalding Klah, handed back the mug and picked up the plain roll before letting her eyes return to her gold.

Using the roll to busy her fingers and thus distract her body from the phantom contractions she felt from her gold, Sakorai watched as Issarith moved once more, this time to move and show a second, soft egg. While this one was smaller than the first, it had some faint swirls of color on it. Four previous hatchings had taught Sakorai that those colors would be nearly impossible to pinpoint until the eggs had a day or two to being to harden upon the warm sands.

With two eggs out of the way, the little gold seemed to take a short break as she cleaned the second egg, stopping only when two others joined the sands – the Dragon Healers. A cold eye followed the Master DragonHealer as he moved toward her rider, but those cold eyes were quickly moved to encase the greenrider who approached her. While the amount of Ichor so far was normal, nobody could tell if another large egg would be coming out – or how many more for that matter. Being as slight as she was Issarith was not a stranger to DragonHealers – though it did not mean she was any kinder to them.

Issarith always took charge when her clutch was involved so while it may have been a surprise to the greenrider, Sakorai was not caught off guard as the Golden Queen bespoke the Vaylee directly. You may, but be quick and mind my eggs. Another is on the way and I will not have your clumsy hands harming them.

Sakorai listened to Master Phaedon even as she watched Vaylee approach her queen. She had half a mind to tell Issarith to be kind and cooperative, but then when had Sakorai ever been such when she did not have something to gain from it? This was Issarith’s first clutch within the Weyr and the more she let her dragon control the situation the more the Weyr would quickly learn that this particular brooding queen was not one to trifle with.

“Two eggs thus far, Master Phaedon. I’ll warn you now, she’ll submit herself to your poking for now, but you can expect no such luxuries with the eggs for a day or two. Even Issarith knows how fragile they are while they are soft.” Hearing his question about the usual timeframe it takes Issarith to completely lay a clutch, Sakorai sighed. “Five candlemarks, but I admit… I’ve never seen her swell so largely. I fear our Weyrleaders bronze seemed to have stuffed her well.” A pause as she glanced at J’ldaem before looking back at the DragonHealer. “I would request that if you cannot stay the duration at least leave your assistant here. Just… in case.”

[HG]

Issarith had surprised her with the direct speech but Queens were fickle beings to her. They tended to act according to their own will more than being influenced by their rider. Cupith rarely spoke to anyone but Vaylee. The greenrider was only slightly relieved when permission was granted. After all, she had that slight fear. Vaylee took cautious steps towards the Queen as if she were actually walking on the shells of the eggs Issarith was clutching. She checked the dragon’s pulse first, then ichor pressure. She didn’t mean or want to be invasive. Still she had to do what she had to do. Getting close to the Queen’s large head she looked into her mouth. There was still color to her mucous membranes which was a good sign.

She finished her quick exam by going to the opposite end of the dragon. This she did with extreme delicacy and care. Her fear was increasing but she was keeping herself cool with a deep breath here and there. The egg that was coming was stretching the area which it was exiting. Vaylee could not help but wince. If there were really large eggs inside her there might be tearing in that area. Walking away she thought about what she was going to have to say to the Weyrwoman and Master Healer. Their fears were well founded if what she had seen was any indication.

Approaching the Weyrleaders and Master Dragon Healer, Vaylee cleared her throat. “Good evening Weywoman, Weyrleader.” She said as formally as she could manage on her limited amount of rest. “I have good and bad news as is usually the case. At the moment she is fine.” That would be the good news she thought before continuing. “There is a real risk that she will dehydrate soon because of the ichor she has lost. I would recommend large amounts of water be brought for her to drink. Between eggs, she should drink.” For this she looked directly at Sakorai. The Queenrider had been through all of this before with her Queen she would understand that Issarith would probably see no reason to drink.

“I’m also concerned about possible tearing. She has passed almost two eggs but if she has any very large eggs, I don’t think she’ll be able to do it without tearing.” The concern in her voice was not diminished because they needed to be strong. She would rather be honest. There was a real worry the Queen might not make it through this. Vaylee hoped that would not be the case. She would do anything to prevent it from happening. “I’ll stitch her up should that happen.” She promised. “In the meantime, the best things we can do are, keep her pushing, keep her hydrated and make sure she is as comfortable as we can. I wish I could numb the pain for her but then she won’t feel her contractions that well. I’d rather she got the eggs out quickly so she won’t lose as much ichor.”

Vaylee was not paying attention to the men. The Weyrwoman was the leader when it came to her dragon. She was the one to make all decisions when it came to the Gold. The Master Phaedon made no corrections, he was there more as a supervisor. If she had said something inappropriate or wrong he would have corrected her on the spot. Faranth, it was harder telling someone there dragon was going to be in trouble soon than it was telling them there was already a problem. The Queen was okay for now but in a couple candlemarks things were probably going to get difficult. This really was going to be a long night.

[Lady Smara]

Issarith submitted to the exam only just as she opened her mouth for the Dragonhealer to look inside. It was clear from the swirl of green in her multifaceted eyes that she was agitated about the interruption in her clutch, but she did not speak of it to either the Healer or the Rider. Instead she lifted her tail for inspection as well before making a point of moving both eggs out of sight from anyone and beginning to push out the third.

Sakorai had kept her eyes upon her dragon throughout the process and couldn’t help but feel slightly relieved that her gold had not snapped at the healer. Issarith really did have a good head on her shoulders even if her temper would not always portray such when eggs were involved. Even so, she turned to listen to the healer with her full attention when Vaylee finally approached them.

“No, you are completely right, numbing would only hinder the process.” The Goldrider agreed though there was a sideways look at the Weyrleader standing next to her. On some level she blamed the size of the Bronzeriders Bronze for her little queen’s difficulty. Whoever would have imagined that the dragons would grow to be so much larger after only 100 turns?! It made her wonder what they would become in 100 more.

“I will see to the water being brought after I speak with her again myself.” The woman continued as she took another morsel of the roll into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “I believe that for the moment she is suited fine – gather anything you may need throughout the night and do please return, Vaylee. From the wonderful aroma, it smells as if our thoughtful Weyrleader has brought more than enough for just myself. Help yourself to it.”

At this point she turned to the Weyrleader and looked at his face, younger than her own, and could not help but see a small amount of pride there in his bronzes ability to sire a clutch. Well, that is, if the clutch did not kill her gold. Not that Sakorai really believed her gold could not handle it – she felt that the Queen would have known which bronze she could have handled and which she couldn’t have.

Trust me, Sakorai. I will do you proud.
Of that I never questioned, Issarith-Love.

“You are not needed here, at least not for the full night.” She finally said, her tone soft enough to surprise even herself as she let her hand rest upon his arm. Ah, but thus far he had proven to be a very… enthusiastic Weyrleader. Which had clearly shown in the bedchambers the few times she allowed him entrance. Surely she was not growing a soft spot for a single rider, was she?

“If you should need to return to your bed, I would understand. A man of your status has work that is not always willing to wait.”



((Will fast forward the clutch a bit after this.))

[Lady Smara]

Leaving the Weyrleader with the DragonHealers, Sakorai made her way back to her gold. A hand upon that shining hide as it glistened with sweat and exertion, she walked to the far side and out of view of any onlookers that might be taking part. Candlemarks seemed to crawl by as egg by egg the gold slowly laid her clutch. Twice water was called for and a pause was taken. Even food had been offered to the queen though she refused to eat until all was said and done. And even then, she had fallen into a slumber rather than searching for food.

The smallest queen in the south wrapped her pale gold tail lovingly around the clutch and draped one wing over it as if to protect it from the searching eyes of the Weyr as onlookers peeked in and out through the Cavern’s mouth. Six. Six candlemarks had passed since the group had first joined to watch Issarith through her clutching and now the sun rose to find the Foreign Weyrwoman walking toward them once more.

Sweat was upon her own brow and her hands and clothes sticky from bits of Ichor and sand, but over all the Ichor loss had not been terrible. Plenty of red meat and liquids was called for, but with sleep and nourishment Issarith would be fine without stitching.

“Fourteen.” Sakorai called out as she walked forward, weary upon her own feet. “Fourteen eggs lain and one that Issarith deems a dud. So Thirteen healthy ones are nestled under that wing.” She said with a sigh as she glanced back to the single egg that stood alone on the warm sands. “I trust her judgement, she is accustomed to duds. We’ll verify it after she wakes and we can talk her into checking all of the eggs at once.”

Helping herself to yet another cup of Klah, she let herself nearly collapse in the stands as she watched the form of her golden Queen. Thirteen was an unlucky number, but it was not thirteen that had been laid, it was fourteen. So she had high hopes for the clutch, especially one born from one of these new, larger bronzes. She was even more pleased that her dragon had made it through with only minor difficulties.

[♥Rizu-Chan♥]

J’ldaem of Tseravith
Refuge Weyrleader && Pyralis Wingleader

It was with prudence that the young Weyrleader had remained quiet for the most part, having at one point gone back to the platter of food assortment and picked some for himself before returning to stand besides Sakorai and the MasterHealer, Phaedon. He made a gesture to offer some to the much older man, before plucking a plainroll and taking a bite out of the small morsel. While the ichor spilling onto the sands already worried him J’ldaem reasoned that he shouldn’t worry much; at least not until Sakorai herself started to actually lose her composure.

While he and Tseravith had never sired a clutch before, and therefore had no real expertise or experience on the matter, the Goldrider had definitely gone through who knew how many back in her time before arriving to Refuge Weyr. If Sakorai sounded calm it meant things were going well; or at least by the book on whatever process this Issarith had for her clutching. It was Sakorai’s comment about his own bronze that brought a faint smug smirk to the man’s lips; though he refrained from any comments.

As Phaedon’s assistant came over, J’ldaem recognizing her as Cupith’s bonded and Zaylee’s twin sister, the man couldn’t help but mentally shake his head lightly at the memory of the green’s flight his Tseravith had lost to Zorometh.

It matters not, after all it is us who have won in Issarith’s flight.
’Mmm... Technically she did attempted to straight up murder you.’
Nonsense Mine, nonsense!

The snort from the bronze dragon curled a reasonable distance from the clutching gold would have been a bit more audible than usually; in part thanks to the hollowed cavern that echoed it through, as well to Tseravith’s own displeasure at His’ comment. Issarith did not want to murder him, she had just been angry... The faint flicker of his tail betrayed the bronze otherwise cool and composed demeanor; but as the young sire’s mind slowly drifted away from his constant worrying over Issarith and the eggs J’ldaem felt it was worth it.

’Aye, aye Tser. No matter, next time you’ll win without room for doubt. That will teach those in the Weyr that doubt us.’
Of course, I will always chase Issarith and only her.
’Wait...’

But the bronze was done with this conversation, giving a final snort before resting his head close to his frame – ever attentive to Issarith as the clutching process continued; though he was mindful and respectful enough to not go near the pale gold. Tseravith was conscious, always, how his win had simply been luck of the draw at the last second; but the bronze was determined to not waste this opportunity away. He would show beautiful Issarith that he was indeed worthy of her – she would choose him willingly next time around, for the right reasons.

It was Tseravith’s statement about only flying the pale gold that had bothered the young Weyrleader, J’ldaem frowning slightly as he gaze over at the dark bronze dragon that purposely ignored him. With a final click of his tongue he allowed the thought out of his brain; if his love struck bronze wanted to only chase after Issarith that was his problem, it did not meant he had to limit himself to only “flying” Sakorai.

Soon enough Sakorai was telling the Healers that for the moment Issarith was indeed fine, though she did instruct the young DragonHealer to gather things she might need and return soon enough. ”But of course, help yourselves to as much as you please. I’ll ask the drudges to bring a couple more cups and some more klah for all of us.” With that the man had waited until Vaylee and Phaedon had exited the sands, before Sakorai’s remark towards him made the Bronzerider turn to face her.

He hadn’t been quite sure, but he could have almost sworn the woman’s voice was a bit softer than usual – something J’ldaem wasn’t that accustomed to. Still the young Weyrleader decided to let that slide, convincing himself that it was just Tseravith’s mood playing mind games with him. Sakorai had proven to be quite as flitting as he was; he had no reason to think the soft tone or the gesture of her hand placed upon his arm meant anything more than simple things. ”It’s quite alright; Tseravith would not forgive me if I were to up and leave, and I did had a few more things to work on through the night anyways. I’ll just change my workplace to here for tonight.” His hand was placed upon hers in return, a charming and gentle smile on his lips before he playfully winked at the blond before heading out of the Hatching Caverns.

Tracking a few drudges to accommodate to his new wishes proved a bit difficult at first, but soon enough some more klah and cups had been sent to the Hatching Cavern; along with a simple wooden desk placed over by the stands with a few basic supplies. Soon enough after J’ldaem had returned with a few hide scrolls under his arm, giving a wave to the now present once more Vaylee and Sakorai before heading to his makeshift work area. While the sands were a bit more warmer than he would appreciate the bronzerider felt it wasn’t that much of a hindering obstacle. He could survive working on his Weyrleader duties on the Hatching Cavern for one night as the gold clutched her and Tseravith’s eggs.

Mine.
’Yes?’
Mine.

A faint chuckle escaped the young rider as he looked in the direction of his bronze, the dragon having shifted from his otherwise statuesque position to gaze at his rider. His statement was not a call to get his attention, but rather a claim of possession over the human – something that, while not commonly done, was not completely odd and out of character for his Tseravith. The bronze was simply worried, though J’ldaem couldn’t help but swell in pride at how well he had done to both conceal it; as well as the expanded sides of the gold as she had become so egg heavy.

’Yes, my Tseravith. I am yours now and forevermore.’

* * *

As the candlemarks had gone by the news of the clutching Queen had spread through the Weyr, enough that some curious onlookers tried to steal glances over from the entrance of the caverns. While Tseravith had been tolerant at first as the time dragged on, and the onlookers slowly but steadily multiplied, the bronze eventually had enough. Quietly moving so as to not disturb his mate he had soon rightly plopped himself down at the entrance itself – effectively blocking for the most part any entry of leaving. Any brave and fool soul daring enough to still try and get close with the bronze dragon there would usually turn tail and flee with a well and low grumbled growl from the sire of the clutch.

It was amusing, if anything else, to watch for J’ldaem; and Tseravith had proven to still keep his cool as twice he moved from his new resting place to facilitate and not obstruct the men as they brought water for Issarith. Aside from that, however, no one else was allowed in, or out; not while Tseravith was around.

”Fourteen? Not bad.”

As the Weyrwoman had made her way towards him the Weyrleader had stopped his work, standing to pick one of the fresh towels the drudges had left on their last visit to drop needed supplies; along with another steaming cup of klah. He offered them both to the blond rider, watching as she opted for the cup instead before sitting down on the stands. Listening to her explanation about the dud he could not help but also follow her gaze towards the very small and petite looking lone egg on the sands, J’ldaem sitting next to Sakorai as he continued to hold on to the fresh towel; the man convinced the woman would want it sooner or later.

His gaze mostly remained on the sole dud egg, much like that of Tseravith, before he finally turned away from it and focused on Sakorai instead. He could feel his dragon was upset, though the bronze had mostly sealed shut even from his rider for the time being. Quietly he had finally moved away from the entrance and back to his first original spot; close enough to Issarith he could touch the pale gold if he stretched his neck and snout just enough – but mindful enough to not do so, or crowd the slumbering queen. For now J’ldaem would give his Tseravith the quietness the bronze wished for; when the new soon-to-be dad was ready to approach his bonded about the dud egg J’ldaem would be there for him. In the meantime he could only silently support his bronze through the intimate mental link they would both forever share.