Yranelle looked around her, but she couldn’t see anything. It was too black in her little room. Why was it so dark? She took a deep breath but immediately began to choke on the smoke that filled her lungs. Then she remembered. She looked at the door and saw the orange flames licking at the wood frame. No, this couldn’t happen again, but there were her mother’s screams. Yranelle began to panic. Her house was on fire. She had to do something!
Yranelle woke with a start. It was the same nightmare that she had had every time she closed her eyes for several years now, but she still couldn’t get past it. Most nights she took herbs that would drug her enough to induce a peaceful sleep, but she had run out of them the night before. She would have to buy more from the money she would earn this night. Soft chirping brought her fully back to the waking world, and she looked around until she spotted her little green flit Velorn. The little green looked up at her with great concern and waddled over to nuzzle her mistress’s leg.
”Oh, Vel, it’s okay,” Yranelle said stroking the green to reassure her. Once the green was satisfied that her mistress was okay she flew out the tent flap on her own errands.
Yranelle crawled out of her bed and stood. Since she was only 5’2”, she could stand almost completely straight up even though the tent was small. She looked down at herself and took stock of her looks. Her waist length brown hair was a tangled mess and parts were drenched it sweat from the severity of her dream. Her clothes didn’t look much better. Both her pants and her shirt were wrinkled beyond hope. She shook her head. “Well, this won’t do. I wonder what time it is. I hope I have time to go bathe.”
She straightened things up as much as possible before stepping outside her tent. The sun was just peeking up over the horizon, which surprised Yranelle greatly. She had slept longer than she thought. She looked around the camp. Several wagons formed a circle around a few tents and the horses. Even though it was early, there were a few people already awake and preparing for the day. A few fires were blazing to ward against the cold as much as to cook breakfast. She scanned the people and finally found the leader of the band of gypsies.
She hurried over to the fire at which he was seated. He was a powerfully built man in his mid-forties, and even though she didn’t particularly like him, Yranelle had to give him her respect because he was a great leader. “Zerik, do you know if there is somewhere that I can bathe nearby?”
The older man looked up at her skeptically. She was only wearing a long sleeved shirt and a pair of pants. “If you don’t want to freeze to death, I suggest that you go put on some warmer clothing,” he said scowling. “As far as bathing goes, there’s a river not too far away that you can crack the ice on and jump into, or you might try the hot springs that are just over that hill,” he said pointing. “Either way you’ll probably catch your death, but don’t forget that it’s your turn to dance this afternoon.”
Yranelle gave Zerik a smile that dripped all of the venom she could put into it before she said, “Thank you so much great leader. How could I ever survive without you? I thank you for your suggestions also. Perhaps if I freeze to death, I won’t have to dance today.” She quickly turned around and went back to her tent where she gathered everything she would need for a nice bath. Then she headed in the direction of the hot springs, but first she had to let the guards know where she was going. She found one on the edge of the camp and informed him where she was going and that if she were disturbed, he would find her knife sticking in his back when he wasn’t looking. The guard gulped and nodded.
Yranelle had a reputation for her knife fighting skills, and she had already injured one of the caravan members after he hadn’t heeded her warning to leave her alone. She smiled to herself and patted the two sheaths strapped to her thighs. They were the only things she had managed to save from the fire. They had been her mother’s knives a long time ago, and she had taught Yranelle how to use them well. She spotted the hot springs up ahead and walked faster. She couldn’t wait to be clean again.
She quickly undressed and began to wash in the steaming water. It was a little to warm for her taste, but it was better than staying sweaty. Besides she had to look her best for this afternoon. At that thought, she groaned out loud. She had always been a natural dancer. It was something that was just in her blood, but she hated having to dance in front of those people in town for money. It was so degrading and humiliating, but that was life. She desperately needed the cash especially if she wanted to buy more herbs to ward away her dreams. She sighed again and returned to her thoughts. She still had time.
Yranelle had grown up as the only child of Zila. Her mother had once told her that she was the illegitimate child of some craftsman from another town, and her father had left shortly after finding out that Zila was pregnant. Her mother had raised her by herself in a small cabin away from town, and they both had been content and happy. However, when Yranelle was fourteen, her house had been set ablaze by passing bandits. Her mother had managed to get herself and Yranelle out of the house, but she finally succumbed to the smoke inhalation. After that, Yranelle had set out to find her father, and she had succeeded in finding him a year ago. He didn’t want anything to do with her, so she had continued to travel on her own. That’s when she had found Velorn who had been her only companion until she joined this band a couple of months ago. It was hard for Yranelle to believe that all of this had happened in the last three years.
She looked up at the sun and groaned once more. She had to be getting back to get ready for the day’s work. At least it would be the last time she would have to do it. After this stop, the caravan was heading south for the winter, and Yranelle had decided to stay north. She preferred the cold when given a choice. She climbed out and sucked in her breath and the biting cold. If it stayed this cold, it was liable to snow. She quickly dressed and dried her hair before she returned to the camp. Then she ate a small lunch, warmed herself by the fire, and went to change into her dancing clothes.
Yranelle looked down distastefully at the outfit. It consisted of a short black skirt, a low-cut blue shirt with short sleeves, a black leather jacket, fishnet stockings, and knee high black boots. It really wasn’t that bad, but she preferred pants and button-up shirts. She just found them so comfortable. She did like the boots though. She finished changing and whistled for Velorn; it was always best to have the flit nearby in case things got out of hand. She walked out of her tent to find it snowing lightly. Her earlier prediction had come true. She checked to make sure everything was in place and then headed for the main fire.
Most of the gypsies were gathered around waiting for their leader to deal out orders. “Okay, the entertainers are going to be in Harper’s Inn today because of this blasted weather. The thieves will split up into three groups. The first will be in the square, the second by the south gate, and the third by the east gate. Be careful and don’t get caught. I won’t bail any of you out again like last time. Anyone selling merchandise will follow me to the market. Any questions?” he asked. No one moved. “Good, then off with you.”
Yranelle followed the four men in her group. Each carried a different musical instrument that they would play while she danced. They reached the spot, and Yranelle was surprised to find a rather respectable looking inn. Most of the time she performed outside or in seedy pubs. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad, but she had to wonder how Zerik had managed to get them a gig here. She shrugged her shoulders and followed the others inside.
It was a plain, square room with a bar on the right wall, but it was clean. There was a set of neat wooden stairs leading up on the left. Yranelle nodded her approval. This wasn’t bad at all, but appearances could be deceiving. So, she kept her guard up. She went to talk to the innkeeper while the other four began clearing an area for them to perform. The innkeeper was a tall thin man with a ready smile that lit his whole face. He seemed pleasant enough.
”Excuse me, sir,” she began, “I wanted to let you know that we have arrived. We are the entertainment for today.” She didn’t get any further as the innkeeper interrupted.
”Oh, yes, I know. How is old Zerik doing? Is he still as grouchy as ever?” he asked with bright eyes.
Yranelle was so taken aback by this that she didn’t immediately respond. After a minute she asked, “Umm…how do you know Zerik?”
”He didn’t tell you?” the man answered shaking his head. “I used to travel with him a long time ago until I settled down and opened the very inn your standing in.” Then he laughed uproariously at his own little pun.
Yranelle smiled sweetly. That explained why they were performing in such a nice establishment. She finished talking to the innkeeper and turned to look around the room. At this time of day, the inn was almost completely empty. It wouldn’t start to fill up for another hour at least. She spotted her four companions talking around one of the tables and moved to join them when she felt a tug on the back of her jacket. She whirled around with one of her knives drawn in an instant. A tall blonde-headed man stood before her, and she guessed that he was in his late twenties at least though it was difficult to tell because he had a very childish face.
”Yes?” she asked with her knife still at the ready. On her shoulder, Velorn hissed and tightened her grip on Yranelle’s shoulder.
The man put his hands in the air. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I just wanted to talk to you for a moment.”
Yranelle’s eyes narrowed. “About what?”
”If you’ll come speak with me for a few moments, I’ll tell you,” he answered gesturing to a table in the corner that already had one mug on it.
Yranelle nodded and followed the man to the table, but she kept her drawn knife out and made sure the other was loose in its sheath. They reached the table, and both sat down. “Okay, start talking.”
”Well, first of all, my name is L’van, and I’m a dragonrider. Actually, to be specific, I’m a Searchrider,” he started.
Yranelle nodded her understanding of the terms, and she tried to seem unimpressed which was very difficult. The man sitting in front of her was a dragonrider, a Searchrider! It was incredible. Even though she was seventeen years old, she had never seen a dragon or a dragonrider up close. She leaned forward slightly as he continued.
“Well, my dragon Potuth said that he thought someone here would make a good candidate, so I searched most of the town. But, no one I’ve found so far was the person that he sensed. I think that perhaps you are the person that I’ve been looking for all day.”
Yranelle’s façade of indifference shattered, and her mouth fell open. She quickly shut it again and tried to speak, but she couldn’t find words. “Are you sure? How can you tell?” she finally managed to blurt.
”Well, I’m pretty sure you’re the person, but Potuth will know without a doubt. You should come meet him,” the rider reasoned.
Yranelle nodded happily, and her icy blue eyes glowed. “Of course! I have to perform first though,” she explained.
L’van nodded, and they continued to talk about different things. L’van explained that even though he was from Harana Weyr, she would actually be a candidate at Nidus Ryslen because they had such a big clutch, and they desperately needed candidates. The conversation continued until Yranelle noticed that the inn was beginning to fill up. She excused herself and joined the rest of her group.
That night was her best performance ever because she danced for the pure happiness she was feeling, and her audience were decent people who enjoyed watching a skilled performer. She didn’t see any of the lewd stares that she had grown used to. So, two solid candlemarks, she danced. Then she rest for a while and danced again. Afterwards, she met up with L’van again.
”That was fantastic!” he called as she came up. “You are very talented.”
Yranelle beamed. “Thank you. Are we going to go meet your dragon now?”
”Yes, I just need to take care of a few things,” he answered.
”What if we just meet back at my camp? Is that okay? If you’re right I’ll have to gather my stuff anyway,” she said hoping he was right.
L’van nodded, and they parted once more. Yranelle collected her share of the money, bought the herbs she desperately needed, and headed for the camp. It had obviously been snowing the entire time because there was at least three inches of snow on the ground alreay. When she got there, she changed quickly and began to pack. She knew it was foolish to assume that she was the person the dragon had sensed, but she couldn’t help herself. Velorn cheeped happily, picking up on her mistress’s emotions. Yranelle heard a loud thump and ran outside.
She looked around, but in the dark she couldn’t see anything. “L’van?” she called out.
”Over here,” his voice answered. She followed his voice to a large field nearby. There, in the middle of the field, was a very large, brown dragon. Velorn flew up to greet her large cousin before settling back on Yranelle’s shoulder. “This is Potuth.”
Yranelle blinked her wide eyes in amazement. Finally, she looked at L’van and asked, “Well, am I the one?” To her astonishment, it was the dragon that nodded. “Well, then I guess it’s off to Ryslen?”
”Yes, we’re off to Ryslen,” L’van agreed. “Go get your stuff.”
Yranelle hurried to obey and returned shortly with a small bag. L’van handed her an extra set of riding gear that dwarfed her small frame but still worked. She donned the clothing and with help, mounted the dragon. Then they lifted off and went between.
Yranelle has bonded with Wild-Winged Pearl Nieranta!!!
Yranelle is a candidate at Nidus Ryslen.
Velorn was Impressed at Sapphire Weyr.
Yranelle's image was made at Josie's Dollz.
