Black Dragon
Chapter 1: Benden Wyer
[*Disclamer* I do not own any characters (except for a select few) or story lines from the Dragonriders of Pern series, all credit for the wonderful works go to Anne McCaffery]
Shizriu was a youngling living within the confines of Benden Wyer. He was a Weyrborn child and was taught that one day he would Impress a dragon. At least that's what he
hoped. He was nervous since they all thought that he would be able to Impress a Bronze. He never dreamed of being so highly revered. He only thought of himself as plan old,
regular Shizriu. True, he could communicate with other dragons just like Wyerwoman Lessa could. But he didn't think that would help him Impress a Bronze. He ran through the
halls in the back of the Wyer. He wondered if he would get in much trouble for skipping the lessons that the Wyer Harper was teaching. He sat down and decided that he should
probably go back before they sent out a search party for him. He was then walked into F'lar. "By the shell, what have we here?" the Wyerleader asked, grinning slightly, "Shizriu,
you ought to be sitting with the others, listening to the Harper. The lessons you learn now will help you after the Impressions." Shizriu looked up at F'lar and asked, "How can you
even be so sure that I will even Impress a dragon?" F'lar sighed slightly, "Shizriu, as long as you have no doubt in your mind, you will be able to Impress." With that, F'lar nudged
Shizriu off toward the direction where the lessons were taking place. Shizriu walked in and sat in the back. He quietly sang along with the class.
As soon as the class was over, Shizriu tried to leave the room before the rest of the class. He walked off and stared up at the Queens wyer and saw that Lessa was standing
looking strange. He couldn't help but feel as if something was wrong. He had the urge to climb up the stairs until he heard Ramoth advised him to stay were he was. Ramoth then
explained that the clutch that was suppose to hatch soon had what seemed like a bad egg, but it seemed that there were signs of life in it. Shizriu was confused and asked, "Why
do you think that its bad?" Ramoth then explained that it had turned black days before and they were going to throw it out, but it budged, so Ramoth begged Lessa to let the egg
alone until the Hatching. Shizriu then nodded and then asked, "Then why does Lady Lessa look so troubled right now?" Ramoth then told him that it was a bit complicated for one
his age. He screwed his face into a puzzled look but then left it at that. Shizriu had other problems. Manora was calling for him. He then realized that it was supper time. So he
decided that he would go off and eat.
After Shizriu had eaten he then walked toward the Bowl and looked out at the Hatching Grounds. He saw Ramoth and smiled slightly. He then realized that the great giant winked
at him. He then walked away and sat down. He took a deep breath and went off to the lower parts of the Wyer. He then laid in his bed under his warm, soft sleeping furs. He then
fell asleep, anticipating tomorrow, since the Hatching was predicted to be in the impending morrow. He heard that a big majority of the Holds and Crafthalls were coming. He then
sighed slightly, since this was probably the last time he was going to sleep in his own familiar bed.
