The weyrbrat crept down the staff hall, clutching a small package to her stomach. People were everywhere, and if she wasn't careful they'd take it from her before she could figure out what it was. Vorrine wouldn't even know. She'd have it back in the woman's room in no time.

Wyxa slipped into the large room. Her mother was gone. Good. Now she could investigate the package without having to worry about Sirry questioning her. She hadn't done anything really wrong.

She'd gone up to visit the Master Dragonhealer, but Vorrine wasn't there. There were other things there, though. Lots of them. Lots of little wrapped packages were sitting in the sand surrounding the fireplace. A few were in pots, big ones filled with sand. She'd only taken one of the little ones. She only wanted to know what they were.

The girl of eight Turns climbed up onto the bed she shared with her mother. It was a small room, and they didn't have the space for another. She crossed her legs in front of her and watched the bag for a moment, as if something was going to jump out and attack her.

She untied the knot around the bag, and yelped as hot sand came pouring out. The hide had kept in the heat, and she hadn't noticed it before. A small, round object came tumbling out and Wyxa watched it cautiously. It was an egg!

She had stolen an egg from Vorrine! Mother was going to be so mad at her. She quickly began to stuff the sand back in the bag. She had to get it back before the Master Dragonhealer found out it was missing! She stuffed the egg back in the bag, sweeping the sand off of her bed with her little arm.

She walked slowly down the hall, more cautious now that she knew what it was she was carrying. She ran into a group of people, and ducked into one of the empty staff rooms. They walked by, each chattering excitedly and carrying something. She crept up to Vorrine's door and her eyes grew as she recognized her mother's voice. Reaching her head around the corner, she could tell that the two women were standing by the fireplace.

The packages! With the eggs! They were gone! Wyxa's mouth formed a silent 'o' of surprise. She was going to be in so much trouble! The voices drew closer, and she pulled her head back around the corner as the two women walked to the door. Darting down the hall, she made it to her room just in time to be out of sight as the two women started down the hall.

"Mother! It's rocking! Help!" Wyxa sat on the floor, whimpering as she watched the package shake back and forth. She had tucked it under the bed, planning on returning it in the morning. It was moving! How was she supposed to return it if it was moving!

"Wyxa? What?" Sirry sat up slowly in bed, rubbing her eyes and wondering why on Pern her daughter had decided to wake her up with such little sleep she had gotten.

"The egg is moving!" Wyxa was now on her feet, jumping up and down as the egg rolled out of the sack and across the floor towards her.

"The what?" Sirry shot up out of the bed, her feet tangling in the covers and she nearly fell to the floor. Shaking them off, she threw them on the bed as rushed over to her daughter. It took her a few moments to gather what happened and she quickly dashed from the room.

When she returned a few moments later, Wyxa was sitting on the floor staring at the egg. Cracks had formed all over it's mottled surface. She shoved the food at her young daughter, stepping back and watching as the egg nearly exploded in the little girl's arms.

A tiny firelizard fell out, and Sirry immediately instructed her daughter to feed the creeling creature. Wyxa began to shovel the food into the very tiny, very loud little mouth.

When things settled down, Sirry was sitting on the bed frowning. Wyxa cradled the little blue in her arms, a smile on her face as she watched the little one. A knock sounded on the frame of the open door, making both occupants look up.

Vorrine stood in the doorway, a smile on her face. "I told you so, Sirry."
The dragonhealer frowned, then looked up at the Master Dragonhealer with a slight smile and a sigh. "Yes, you were right. She hid it rather well, though, didn't she?"

"That she did." Vorrine walked over to the girl, crouching down by her. Wyxa was watching her with rather large, brown eyes. "Wyxa, my dear girl. We have to talk the price on this little egg. I think this can become pretty useful, but you're going to have to promise me something. But, first..." she paused, a grin coming to her face, "What are you going to name the little guy?"

Wyxa looked down, a million words flooding into her head. She found one, and immediately took a liking to the odd sounding name she had heard all her life.

"Shard."

Back to Wyxa's weyr

A Talk with Zamfin
(Wyxa's Candidacy Begins)

Picking up the Pieces
(Wyxa and company's Stats)

Wyxa is a Candidate at:
Jerdan Weyr

Shard was Impressed at:
Karath Weyr

Back to the other weyrfolk...

or

Back to the Weyr Bowl.