Ever the Twain

"Search, and be welcome, R'dik," Lord Lado replied, equally formally. "The youngsters of our Hold are all available to you and your dragons." He gestured to those ranked in front of him, all breathless with suspense. "The Hold is greatly honored by your Search. I hear that Clidith clutched thirty-two eggs."

"Yes. They are near to being Hatched, and we would like to provide the Weyr with plenty of choices," he said, with a bow that swept from Lado around to the children, who bowed back. He smiled encouragingly at them. "We are looking for those who are fourteen Turns or older," he announced. "For, as you all know, we are in a Pass and need to have riders who are fit and able to join the fighting wings as soon as the hatchlings grow strong enough to fly."

Ruart adroitly directed his disappointed younger students to sit out of the way, on the Hold steps, while the older ones ranked beside him to brave the Search. While he thought Chaum might make a good, if unimaginative, rider, he devoutly hoped that the bullying Flamel, who had straightened up as if he was certain of being chosen, would be totally ignored. Neru, he knew, wanted desperately to be a dragonrider; perhaps both twins might be selected. Ruart had never heard of twins being made riders at the same Hatching, but oh, how that would solve the problem of separating Neru and Nian! He caught a glimpse of Palla, the twins' mother, among the crowd now assembling outside the Hold to watch the dragons on Search. Her youngest child, Niall, was in her arms, waving at his older brother and sister.

After a thorough inspection of the waiting teenagers, Ledith and Oswith picked Orla and Chaum out of the crowd. Then they approached Nian, sniffing at her and giving her little prods with their noses. She was made a little nervous by this close inspection, and she grabbed her brother's hand. The dragons didn't seem one bit interested in Neru.

Nian heard her mother gasp as she, too, saw the dragons overlook her eager, would-be dragonrider son.

How could this be happening? Neru thought of nothing but dragons and fighting Thread. How could they overlook him and show such interest in her, when Nian had never once entertained the thought of dragons except for her brother's sake? This is a bad situation, she thought. If they take me on Search and leave Ru behind, I'll have deserted him and stolen his dream all in the same moment. I can't let this happen!

Unconsciously Nian shifted her weight toward her brother, changing her stance from that of protected to protector. She had to make them take Ru with her — but how?

The green dragon, Ledith, turned to Oswith as if in consultation. Then Conna stepped to her dragon as if summoned to her side.

She is very strong! Oswith told her rider. I can hear her, Conna. But she will not go without him.

Remaining at Oswith's side, Conna looked at the twins. "What is your name?" she asked Nian.

"Neru and Nian," the twins chorused in unison.

"It's certainly unanimous," the blue rider said, a wide smile on his tanned face. He slapped his riding gauntlets against his thigh. "Ah, I see that you are twins."

"Yes, blue rider, we are, though my sister is the elder," Neru said as Nian still gripped his hand tightly. By the First Egg! Neru hoped that the dragons would select him, too. But what if it were Nian, not he, Neru, who was taken on Search? What if he never had the chance to fulfill his dream? He simply couldn't — wouldn't — think about it. Neru decided that his best plan was no plan at all. He'd just have to wait and see what happened to him.

"Have you ever been separated from each other?" Sarty asked, startling everyone.

"No, rider Sarty," Neru replied.

"We're just better together at everything," Nian added stoutly.

Which, as the holders and Ruart knew, was true enough.

Conna gave a little sniff. "Well, we'll see what the dragons decide," she said. "Are your parents here?"

"I am their mother, Palla. Their father has not yet returned from the morning's fishing," Palla said, moving through the crowd toward the dragonriders and the possible candidates.

"It is customary to seek the permission of the Holder and at least one parent of any Searched candidate," Conna said, turning expectantly to Lado. "The dragons have chosen Nian."

"But my son has shown more interest in becoming a dragonrider, while Nian never has. How can such a choice be made?"

"It sometimes happens. The green dragons know these things and, despite riding Oswith nearly thirty Turns now, I have never figured out how she discerns rider potential."

"But they would be separated so soon, too soon!" said Palla, tears starting to form in her eyes.

"Oh, Mother," Neru mumbled in embarrassed exasperation, hoping that only his twin heard him. Nian squeezed his fingers.

"They would soon be separated anyway, would they not?" asked Conna kindly.