Author's note: Chapter 2 of the story. Again, please please read and review- I have no idea if I'm writing this all right or not...
Gasping for air, she made it just in time to the crowd gathered around the three enormous dragons and their riders. There were two bronzes and a green, and by this point, their riders had dismounted. The bronze and green rider were entertaining the crowd, showing them their dragons and laughing at the various questions poised at them. The other bronze however, was speaking to the Masterharper, both of their tones that of old friends reunited.
Letha inspected them all with interest. The green rider was a woman, as was usual for the dragon riders. She was small and lithe, her face almost child like in its features. Her hair was pulled back with a black fabric band, revealing bright, mischievous eyes- silvery, with a hint of emerald green. The other bronze rider on the other hand, was much taller of stature, almost regal in his stance. He had dark brown hair, neat and wavy, but his eyes were a deep amber, with an emotion in them that greatly shocked Letha- heartless ambition.
Quickly, Letha switched her attention, peering instead at the other bronze rider. She tilted her head curiously. He was peculiar, but she just couldn't place her finger on it. Tall, and bony, like his dragon, he spoke with a laughing air, his copper hair trailing past his ears with a casual sweep. His blue green eyes were sharp and glinted with a perpetual amusement as he spoke. In any case, he seemed much more at ease than the other bronze rider, and a great deal friendlier. She smiled, then froze, as he noticed her watching him, catching her eye. Blue green eyes bored into her own gold brown ones with surprise. For a moment, she stared dumbfounded, as a rabbit caught in a trap. Then quickly, she remembered where she was and lowered her eyes, taking an unconscious step backwards. In that one movement, she almost tripped over a foot behind her, regaining her balance just in time.
"Lurking around again, mute?" A voice sneered at Letha, and she looked up to see the sniggering face of Trena.
Tossing her golden hair back, Trena stood confidently, sneering at Letha who only lowered her eyes again. Before Trena could say another word, the Masterharper clapped his hands for attention.
"Harpers!" he called. The crowd softened into an expectant hush.
"The dragonriders have come to Harper Hall today for a Search. D'ryn's dragon Rayth believes that there is a candidate here for the Impression at Benden Weyr."
All looked to each other in excited anticipation.
Bronze Rayth and his rider D'ryn, the one with blue green eyes, proceeded forward, with Rayth nosing his way around the crowd. At last, they came to a halt near Letha and Trena. Trena beamed and stepped forward, pushing Letha roughly aside in the process. Letha stumbled, only managing to regain her balance once again by grabbing hold of one of Rayth's outstretched bronze wings to steady herself. She blushed as she stared up at the great dragon. She opened her mouth to apologise, only to remember that she had no voice. Letha looked down in shame.
It is alright Letha. A gentle voice whispered within her mind. You did nothing wrong.
Letha looked up in surprise, to meet the eyes of Rayth, who looked down with kindness. For a moment, she stood awestruck, staring at the great dragon which spoke within her mind. But then, without a warning, her senses flooded back to her and her ears twitched as they registered a loud voice near her.
"...so you see, I just knew I was going to be chosen, me being such a good singer and all" Trena's haughty voice rang out in the crisp air, with only a touch of its usual whining tone.
Letha looked up to see Trena toss back her golden locks once again, her composure proud and full of her own importance. Letha stole a glance at the bronze rider. He seemed to be torn between surprise and amusement, speechless.
"Ah. Um. Well you see-" D'ryn was saved from the awkward situation, as Rayth pushed him aside with mirth.
Rayth's voice whispered in the minds of everyone present. I choose this one.
With that one sentence, he took a step forward and nosed Letha in the face. Letha stood in shock. Me? Beside her, Trena was beside herself with rage.
"Her?" she squealed. "But she's nothing but a useless mute. Shells, she can't even speak! How can she be a dragonrider! "
Trena continued her tirade, only stopping when the Masterharper silenced her with a fierce glare. "That's enough Trena. Return to the Hall. Now." Trena was about to challenge the Masterharper there and then, but something in his eyes told him not to. With a furious glare at Letha, Trena stomped noisily back to the Hall, lifting her sharp nose distastefully as she shoved Letha aside once again.
Letha was ready this time though, so she moved out of the way before Trena made contact. Inevitably, Trena stumbled, falling to her knees amid a flurry of skirts. She glared at Letha once again. "You'll pay for that." Her menacing voice growled, before she quickly ran back to the Hall, at the Masterharper's direction.