[Statistics] [Bonder] [Calf] [Adult]

“Are you ready yet?” Khajara called rather impatiently, looking at the position of the sun outside. The woman’s cousin was having a home-warming party and had invited the whole family, stating very clearly on the invitation that the dress was formal. Of course Khajara and Laran had something they could wear, but for Kynan it was another matter. Imogene had respectfully declined, claiming she had too much to do with her new wing to go to a ‘silly party’.

The sixteen-turn-old’s head poked around the corner, a grimace on his face. “It looks horrible,” he sulked. Formal was not his favourite form of dress. The boy tended to wear the junior version of riding leathers, partly because he spent so much time on his father’s dragon, but also because he imitated Laran in everything he did. It was something he hadn’t quite given up from childhood, although he went about it in more subtle ways. Kynan was one of those boys who felt the need to be as cool as possible, whether he succeeded or not, and wearing riding leathers was cool.

“I’m sure it looks very handsome, dear,” Khajara said, crossing her arms. There was a long pause in which neither moved a fingerwidth. Finally, “You have to show me sometime you realise.”

Kynan bit off a retort and stepped out sulkily. Holding out his arms he made a disgusted sound. “I am _not_ appearing in public in this, Mother.”

Khajara grinned. “But, Ky, you look so grown up! I think I like this one best.” They had been moving around the busy marketplace for most of the day, stoping briefly for lunch, and Kynan was immensely bored. He didn’t see why he couldn’t just go in his normal clothes.

The young man opened his mouth to say more when suddenly he heard a curious noise behind him. Almost like a dragon had sneezed or something. He spun to see a small, dark green dragon looking directly at him, her head cocked curiously.

“Mother, what’s she doing?” he asked as Khajara approached behind him.

She shrugged. “She’s probably not even looking at you, dear. Maybe she spotted something she likes the look of in the stalls. Come on, we’ll just...”

“Excuse me,” the green’s rider yelled, waving his hand above his head. The mother and son turned back, both looking a little surprised as the man approached them directly. “Excuse me,” he repeated. “But this big green wherry here seems to have an interest in you, boy,” he said, looking a little fed up.

Kynan blinked, holding a hand to his chest, “Me?” He hoped he hadn't offended the dragoner in some way.

The man nodded, and held out his hand. “I’m Gnillan, rider of green Ronnath, who just happens to be a Searcher,” he added importantly.

Woah. Somehow he knew where this was going, and he found it extremely hard to believe. “Alright,” he said as a prompt after a moment of silence.

Gnillan sighed. “And it appears that Ronnath has just chosen you to stand for the clutch at Agendor Cove. And every other teen in the Caer,” he added bitterly, then smiled a little in apology. “Sorry, boy, it just seems like all we’ve been doing lately is Searching candidates for this clutch.”

Kynan opened and closed his mouth, unable to speak, looking for all of Pern like a rather startled fish. "Why is a Caer-dragon Searching for the Cove?" he asked before thinking.

Gnallin sighed. "We thought about digging and underground sea all through Alskyr so the sea dragons could Search in the Caers, but it was too expensive," he said sarcastically.

"Oh." He felt a little stupid. It seemed the best thing to do at this juncture would be accept. Not that he didn't want to go to the Cove! The dragons there were so beautiful! "I ... uh ... thankyou, sir,” he finally managed, his brain whirling. He glanced behind him to see a blissful smile on his mother’s face, her eyes tearing up. He shook his head slightly. I’ll never understand women.

The greenrider gave him instructions on how to get to Agendor Cove, and what to do once he got there, and then left with a promise that he’d meet him there at one candlemark before dusk, “If Ronnath didn’t take it upon herself to Search anyone else between now and then.”

“Thankyou, sir. I’ll do that,” he said politely, eyes still wide open with awe. He had been Searched! Since he was old enough to walk, Kynan had wanted to be a dragoner, had pretended enough times with his father’s bronze Zynth, and now... now he could play for real. For life! And with one of the stunning sea dragons! The thought of not bonding didn’t seriously enter his mind, but if his tomboy of an older sister could bond, then he sure could!

Khajara felt her legs weaken as her only son was chosen. “I’m so proud of you, Kynan,” she said through the lump in her throat. “Just imagine, both my children dragoners!” she exclaimed.

“Must run in the family,” Kynan said with a smile. His father’s father and grandfather had all been dragonriders - they'd all been Leaders of some sort, in fact. Suddenly he baulked - what if he wasn't good enough to follow in their footsteps? Would he be failing his family? Breaking the tradition? But a little voice in his mind told him firmly that it mattered not what colour dragon he bonded, or what rank he gained, if at all. It was an honour never to be forgotten. A soul-mate. He grinned stupidly. That sounded so great.