45. Aurora
AURORA
I say calling, but it was more like singing. Their deep voices were raised in the most amazing harmony. Their song sounded like pipe organs and horns blended in a clarion call that was impossible to ignore. It sent chills down my spine and stopped me in my tracks.
I pulled back from Ryse and saw that his golden eyes were wide.
“What is that?” I asked. “What are they singing for?”
“It’s the Hatching!” he exclaimed. “Hatching Day!”
“What?” I frowned. “But how can Hatching Day be in the middle of the night?”
He shook his head.
“Hatching Day is like a Mating Flight—it can occur at any time. The minute the drakelings start trying to break their shells the dragons sense it and call it to everyone’s attention.”
He stood hurriedly, pushing me off his lap.
“Get dressed! You have to get up to the Hatching Grounds!”
I ran for my clothes, not bothering to go into the bathroom. Instead, I turned my back to him as I pulled them on as fast as possible. Then I turned back to him and took his hand.
“Come with me,” I begged.
We had been told that we could bring one single person with us to the hatching. (Well, the other cadets had been told. Master Yarsmouth was still convinced I was fooling myself about L’eesha’s egg.) It was a great honor to be chosen to be with the candidate while his new dragon hatched.
“I recommend you bring an upperclassman—a trusted friend who’s an experienced rider and has gone through a hatching before,” Master Yarsmouth had told us. “Remember, no one but you can touch your egg, but it’s good to have someone there to support you in case your egg doesn’t hatch.”
This last statement had clearly been directed at me, since he looked directly at me when he said it. I had been planning to go to the Hatching alone, but now I didn’t want to. I needed advice—someone to stand by me during this deeply vulnerable and personal moment.
Also, Ryse was the only one who actually believed that the golden egg had talked to me and was really going to hatch.
“Will you come with me?” I asked him.
He nodded gravely.
“I’d be honored. Now come on—we have to hurry.”
And he grabbed me by the hand as we rushed out of his room together.