Chapter 14
S'am sat down with her plate in front of her. It was piled high with succulent food, most notably the spicy-sweet ribs that Ista was famous for. Whipped potatoes and wilted greens were also on her plate, with a nice cold mug of fruit-water to wash it down. S'am grimaced slightly. The only thing better about any previous celebrations was that they had wine, but the order had just come down from Weyrlingmaster L'ary that the new Weyrlings were not to imbibe any alcohol. Still, S'am wouldn't trade this for anything else, and she knew she wasn't the only one that felt that way.
She set about devouring her food, and noticed that all of her friends were doing the same. J'on, as usual, was the first done. She was just finishing up her last rib when there was a commotion at the entrance to the dining cavern. Weyrleader O'yin came in, with the beautiful dark-haired girl from candidate class on his arm, with Weyrwoman Tricia on his other side and all of the Junior Weyrwomen in tow. Everyone present rose to their feet.
"That must be our new Junior Weyrwoman." S'am breathed. The girl moved with a regal dignity, her head held high, her hazel-green eyes surveying the crowd. Her dress was a bright gold, a perfect match for the new queen's hide. S'am wondered how the girl had managed that feat.
"Yeah. I think she Impressed right after you, S'am." C'sey said, his eyes locked on the girl. S'am felt a brief pang, gone as quickly as it appeared, and she wondered what that was about.
"I would like to be the first to introduce Junior Weyrwoman Shihanna, who Impressed gold Wierenath." Weyrleader O'yin's voice carried easily around the room and a round of applause greeted his words. "You may all go back to your celebrations."
The group sat back down, and S'am sighed. The music started up from a small group in the corner, and she perked back up at that.
"I don't really know the dances around here." J'on said, a bit wistfully.
"Well, I'll show you while Rheannon and C'sey finish up. Catch up to us?" S'am stood, strangely grateful to have an excuse to get away. C'sey was still watching the new queenrider.
"Okay. Have fun." Rheannon smiled up from her almost empty plate, and C'sey turned back, smiling briefly.
The first dance was a lively one, and S'am had to wonder at the wisdom of dancing on a full stomach. Despite his not being familiar with the local dances, he was a quick study, and the two of them twirled and circled their way around the dance floor. The song ended, and S'am stood there, catching her breath while J'on bowed, playing the gallant with a cheesey grin on his face. S'am couldn't help but laugh. The next song started, and this one was much slower, the dancers standing much closer together.
J'on put one hand on her shoulder, and the other around her waist. As he pulled her up, she finally noticed how much taller he was than her, her head barely reaching the middle of his chest. They danced slowly, and she felt an interesting warmth building up between them. She almost didn't want the song to end.
It did, of course, as all songs do. The two parted again, and C'sey and Rheannon caught up. Another lively song was starting, this one calling for groups of dance partners to make a larger circle, and all four friends quickly joined hands and matched their steps to the song. They all laughed and danced through several more songs before another slow song started.
"May I have this dance?" C'sey asked with a bow, while J'on approached Rheannon.
"Of course." S'am said with a little giggle, taking his arm.
"This has been better than any dream I've had of this day." C'sey said, smiling down at her.
"I know. To think, we're dragonriders now! And you even got a bronze!" She smiled broadly, her little nose wrinkling up slightly. Suddenly she looked, really looked,a t her lifelong friend. He had filled out well in the chest, and his easygoing good looks worked well with the simple outfit. The whiteness of his shirt contrasted with his dark complection, and his hair fell in a rakish way across his brow. She felt herself moving closer to him involuntarily.
They suddenly came close enough to hear a conversation on the edge of the dance floor. Weyrleader O'yin was talking to Lord Holder Greg of Keroon, Jordann's father. They overheard O'yin saying, "Blues choose very special boys. These boys, and very rarely girls, are the most sensitive of our candidates, and in some ways have the hardest roles to fill. Blues are Search dragons, you see. They are the ones that seek out new talent, and bring it back to the Weyr. I daresay we have great things to see from…" O'yin's voice soon faded into the rest of the background noise as the dancers moved past the men.
S'am shook her head, grinning again. "I never would've picked a blue for him. I think there were several bets lost with that pair."
C'sey looked thoughtful. "Yes, but I think it'll be good for him in the long run. Maybe he'll learn to quit judging people so quickly and will instead learn to live and let live."
"I hope so. So, we were talking about your bronze. How does that make you feel?"
"Proud, but a little apprehensive. As a bronzerider I have to be willing to accept the mantle of Weyrleader if Nath ever flies the Senior Queen. And that's a little bit daunting."
"Especially given that you'd be sharing your furs with Weyrwoman Tricia!" S'am whispered, and snickered slightly.
"S'am! I'm serious! That's a lot of responsibility, and, well, it seems a bit much from where I'm standing now." C'sey actually did look worried, so S'am relented.
"True. I'm glad that Piranth is a green, personally. I'll be off doing things while Shihanna is keeping tally of our supplies or watching a clutch harden. The way things stand now suits me just fine."
"Yeah, but I saw you eyeing that little queen. If she had crooked her foreclaw, you would've gone running." C'sey laughed lightly, "Although, I think any of us would've done the same, so maybe I shouldn't tease."
"Perhaps." S'am smiled. The song ended, and the two friends parted with a quick hug. "Come with me back to the refreshment table/ My legs are getting tired from all this dancing."
"Sure." C'sey and S'am walked to the edge of the dance floor as another slow set started up, when a raven-haired figure descended upon them.
"Weyrling C'sey? May I have the honor of this dance?" Shihanna stood there, resplendent in her gown, with her dark hair cascading down her back, a mischievous smile on her lips, daring him to say no.
"Of course, my Lady." C'sey bowed, and took her arm, leading her back to the dance floor, "The pleasure is all mine."
S'am felt another pang in her chest, and moved off to the refreshment table alone.