The other udraku kept watch outside the ring of egg mounds, hidden in the deep swamps until only their bright eyes peered out of the gloom.
Her eggs were safe. They were protected. There would be no thieving here.
Atefes drowsed in the peat, grumbling softly to the eggs.
Someone squeaked back.
:: They're ready :: Atefes sent to those present in the swamp. Great shapes of other udraku rose out of the muck and encircled the mounds, crooning back to the chirps of the hatchlings. The young would still have to dig their way free, a testament to their strength, but they were surrounded by the encouraging song of adults. Stragglers would be helped, but for now, the children muscles their own way into the world.
Atefes scanned the swamp in search of one of those alien figures. Security was a strange term to her, but many of the things at the Refugium had been beyond her understanding. She understood there were barriers between her clutches and the candidates she needed, and these uniformed aliens had devices that permit them to communicate beyond the walls.
She spotted a pair of bipedal figures heading cautiously toward her and grumbled.
:: Call the candidates quickly, my children are arriving. ::
"What, now?" one of the creatures squawked.
:: Can you not hear their songs? ::
The other alien - clearly the more sensible of the two - immediately turned to its communication device, while the other raced off toward the exits.
:: Quickly! :: Atefes grumbled after them.
Moments later the swamp swarmed with aliens, keeping a cautious distance from the egg mounds encircled by the udraku. A pair of vaguely familiar aliens hung just beyond the ring of candidates, accompanied by their own young dragons, and another contingent of security officers. An invasive brush of telepathy pierced Atefes mind, but she'd been warned of this.
That pale one, Kutoth, touched the minds of everyone in the room. A last layer of protection for Atefes' brood. These eggs would not be stolen. Extending himself like this was clearly taxing the old creature. He leaned heavily on the taller brown one - Janardan - while his snake-like dragon pressed against his opposite side. Atefes would thank him for his efforts later, but for now, she had children to usher into the world.
Atefes stood above the peat mound, her massive wings spread to shield the sight of her children digging free. Crackling yellow smoke billowed from her mouth as she rumbled the arrival of her brood.
:: I'm Mbisi. :: She scrambled at Ossia's legs until the fish-creature scooped her up. :: I don't want to watch my siblings dig. Can we explore instead? ::
"Don't you think you should eat first?" said Ossia. "Hatching must take quite a bit of energy."
:: Oh, I suppose... but then we go exploring right after, okay? ::
Ossia scritched Mbisi's chin and started toward the piles of fish and flesh brought in for the hatchlings. "Absolutely! There are many interesting things right here inside your biodome, for instance..."
:: Kala Khazeera Vaanka :: she rumbled. :: No one but you would do for Nobuk. I am weak now, but one day I will be very strong, and I'll fight many fel with you. ::
"Little warrior." Khazeera gave her a brusque nod. "I'll teach you about Kalok Shash."
Nobuk followed Khazeera toward the feeding pile with her tiny head held high.
She was striking and a few of the loitering candidates seemed to agree with the sentiment, crouching down and stretching out hands in attempt to entice her. She bristled, twisted, and snapped at their outstretched fingers.
:: No! :: she squeaked, clacking her teeth. She whipped her head toward Argemone and brightened. :: None of those people will do. I'm Thleki and I'm only yours. ::
Thleki closed the distance between them, her squeaks turning into a contended churring as she nuzzled against Aremone's leg.
:: I'm too small to fight monsters right now, but I think the real monsters are the people that won't let you be who you are. ::
Argemone smiled softly and crouched to stroke Thleki's eye ridges. "I think the two of us are going to get along just fine." She paused. "But there are monsters that I need to help defend my home from."
Thleki clacked her teeth and grinned. :: I'll be able to help soon, don't worry! ::
"That was very sneaky of you!" Kallisto chuckled softly, scooping the little udraku up.
:: I wanted to surprise you. :: Ntoni replied, his maw split in a wide grin. :: You're so much bigger than me right now. ::
"Just for now, though." Kallisto tapped Ntoni's snout.
:: Hey, did you know udraku can grow more than twenty feet? ::
Kallisto eyed the massive bulk of Atefes and nodded.
:: Which is pretty crazy, because I've only got four. :: Ntoni concluded with a giggle, wiggling all four of his feet with delighted glee.
Whether-or-not the hatchling would be prepared for him was another question entirely.
Sievuwen practically bounced on the balls of his feet as hatchlings began to dig their way from the nest. When the first little green bonded, he smacked a heavy hand on Ossia's shoulder and grinned: "Aye, what a beaut!"
:: And what about me? :: a voice piped in his mind. A sharp nip of teeth struck the end of his tail.
Sievuwen whirled around to spot a hardy rich-brown female, her maw split in a wide grin. "Crikey! You're a gorgeous little sheila, aren't you?"
:: I am! :: the hatchling blinked, pleased. :: I'm Silembindi and I'm also starving. ::
"Then lets get you some grub!"
:: Grash. ::
Hearing his name, the small reptilian shouldered his way through the crowd. "Sbinzi??"
:: Yes, that's me. :: Sbinzi closed the distance, churring contentment now, and nuzzled his chin against Grash's stout legs. :: Let's eat and then I'd really like to see your ship. ::
Zhicshemi spotted her barreling toward him. She was tiny, but a gleam of fight was in her eyes. He rushed toward her, flesh rippling and limbs contorting as he shifted into his dragon form to meet the little hatchling head-on. The hatchling tossed herself at him, snapping and snarling, batting her wings. Zhicshemi humored her for a few moments before scooping her up in his long jaws, where he cradled her gently until her struggling ceased.
:: When I'm bigger I'll be better at this :: she said :: I'm Lazonhethe and I'm coming with you. ::
Unable to speak in this form, Zhicshemi rumbled agreement and marched his fiery charge toward the feeding station.
:: You're right :: a cool voice murmured into Blad's mind. :: I've already chosen you. I'm Zandlethi and I think we'll accomplish great things together. ::
Blad searched the ground and found a large mottled grey hatchling heading toward him, his keen turquoise eyes narrowed in contentment.
He peered up at Dijana with warm, friendly eyes. :: I'm Nonganga and I think being on a ship would be wonderful. ::
Dijana bent to pick him up, stroking his cool hide as he purred. "You might outgrow it."
:: I can swim :: he replied :: But I'll never outgrow you, and that's the important part. ::
Finally, a warm green male wriggled free of the mulch, tumbling down the mound in a clumsy flap of wings and limbs. Smasher cocked their head and trundled forward, eyes wide.
The male shook himself off, flipped onto his belly proper, and caught Smasher's inquisitive gaze.
:: I don't need a bond either :: he said, scurrying to Smasher's side. :: I'm Diwendi and I'd love to come with you. ::
:: I got you! :: the hatching squealed. He was a petite male grey so light he could have been mistaken for white. He thrashed his tail against Mali's arm, wriggling wildly in his grip. :: I'm Zilenzo and I think you're cheating. ::
"I'm just a lot bigger than you," Mali replied.
Zilenzo narrowed his eyes, his toothy smile broadening. :: For now! ::
Mali laughed and set the hatchling down. "I'll race you to the food." He didn't wait a pause before rushing toward the feeding table.
Zilenzo shrieked and hurried at Mali's heels.
:: I won't bite you :: came a small, exuberant voice :: I'm Bhele and I'm ready for all sorts of adventures. ::
A light brown female wriggled past a group of her siblings to spring toward Schub. Schub caught her, stumbling back at the impact, but grinned.
"That sounds pretty great to me," he replied.
:: Food first :: Bhele replied. :: You can't explore on an empty stomach! ::
With the hatchings dwindling down and the number of young udraku becoming sparse, Ixora remained uncertain if she would bond here. Jarid was around somewhere as well, but she'd lost sight of him in the crowd.
:: We'll find him :: a wee voice sparked bright in Ixora's mind.
A large green female parted from a small gathering of her siblings and sauntered toward Ixora. :: I'm Andosi, and this was definitely the right clutch for you. ::
:: Your Phelizi needs help :: she chirped.
Iyawa broke rank with the other soldiers and made her way toward the nest. Atefes rumbled, low and warning, but allowed her to pass and help dig little Phelizi free.
"You alright?" Janardan asked.
Kutoth nodded wearily. "Tired, but it was worth it." He clapped both sets of hands together and smiled up at his son. "A hatching without a hitch, no security breaches, no missing children, and not a stray thought about stealing away any udraku."
"Maybe we should do something special?" said Al'Kahnath, peering over Janardan's shoulder. They'd grown quite large in the last few months.
"A celebration of sorts?" asked Kutoth.
"A frenzy!" chirped Yu, unwinding himself to wriggle in excitement. His experience at Ryslen's flurry had been exhilarating. So many dragons all in one place, for one purpose. "The biodomes are big enough, we could do something there."
Janardan frowned and met Kutoth's gaze. "If you need to use your telepathy to keep everything in order, a frenzy will stretch your powers out too thin."
"Maybe just a little one, then?" Kutoth raised a hand and held two fingers millimetres apart.
"And I can help!" added Al'Kahinath. "I can make your magic stronger. Not the whole time, maybe just long enough for the hatching, but that'll help, right? Then we can have a frenzy?"
"A small frenzy," Janardan repeated.
"A small frenzy," Kutoth agreed.
It was time for the Refugium - and Kutoth himself - to shake off the ill-will of the previous hatching.
"I was told this was not easy to acquire." Krum held out a single, perfect egg - ivory-white and perfectly oval. The leather was soft against her palm, allowing her to feel the little udraku inside squirming as it prepared to hatch.
Wraith took the egg gingerly in his mouth. :: It's almost ready to hatch. ::
"Then you should hurry and bring it to your father. This one won't require a bond, but you don't want it hatching between."
Wraith nodded, stretched his massive wings out end-to-end, and took off in a blink of teleportation magic.
Note: Adult heights are height upon reaching sexual maturity. Udraku will continue to grow at a slower rate after this, until death.
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Ixora's Andosi
Schub's Bhele
The Death Court's Bhuto
Smasher's Diwendi
Zhicshemi's Lazonhethe
Ossia's Mbisi
Khazeera's Nobuk
Dijana's Nonganga
Kallisto's Ntoni
Iyawa's Phelizi
Grash's Sbinzi
Sievuwin's Silembindi
Argemone's Thleki
Blad's Zandlethi
Mali's Zilenzo
Name: Andosi
Gender: Female
Color: Green
Hatchling Length: 1'11"
Adult Height: 15' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Although far less dexterous, Andosi shares her bond's artistic nature and has an eye for beauty, although her taste might lean toward the eccentric and macabre. She's typically quiet and observant, keeping a careful watch Ixora and her clients with the patient stoicness of a guardian dog. Andosi has no qualms against speaking her mind and can be obtusely headstrong when she wishes to be. She clings to grudges and is slow to forgive, but she's equally unshakable in her loyalty.
Name: Bhele
Gender: Female
Color: Brown
Hatchling Length: 1'10"
Adult Height: 14' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
A mischievous young dragon who follows their own whims. Bhele can be a bit spacey and tends to wander off at the slightest distraction. She's endlessly curious and never passes up a chance to test her own mettle. She's boisterous and loud with a zest that can't be diminished no matter how much she grieves Schub's captain. She hates being cooped up and will take any opportunity she can to stretch her wings. Once she learns how to fly, she'll gladly bring herself and Schub to all the warmest beaches on whatever planet they're visiting.
Name: Bhuto
Gender: Female
Color: Grey
Hatchling Length: 1'7"
Adult Height: 15' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
With a tongue as sharp as her nails, Bhuto knows how to strike down her enemies without ever lifting a finger. She's devilishly cunning and witty, who, despite her (adult) size, would rather parse words than deal with a physical fight. She accepts the death court's paradigm wholeheartedly and abhors humans and their ilk. While she doesn't go out of her way to be violent, she can be rude and cruel to those outside her social circle. To those she cares for she's immensely loyal and unerringly hard-working, always seeking to prove her worth
Name: Diwendi
Gender: Male
Color: Green
Hatchling Length: 1'4"
Adult Height: 10' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Diwendi brims with curiosity and tenacity. He strives to learn as much as he can about any situation before he acts and is an unbudging force behind his sponsor. He supports Smasher's desires wholeheartedly and is fiercely protective of the little harpenai. Diwendi is an excellent secret keeper but a poor confidant. He likes collecting information but rarely has wise advise to give in return. He's not particularly social and is happiest when it's just him and Smasher. Diwendi has a voracious appetite for trying new things... including, of course, food. The kitchens will have a difficult time keeping him out! While he's small, Diwnedi is sneaky and elusive, but it's likely to lose this edge when he reaches adulthood.
Name: Lazonhethe
Gender: Female
Color: Green
Hatchling Length: 1'4"
Adult Height: 12' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Lazonhethe is eager to prove her worth - she's headstrong but eager to learn, and is particularly fascinated with the traditions and culture of Zekira. She thrives on curiosity and doesn't miss an opportunity to question everyone she meets for tidbits of information. While udraku don't have "queens" as many other dragon species do, Lazonhethe considers herself quite queenly and likes to be respected as such. She's hedonistic, hungry for attention, and not afraid to assert herself with sheer physical bulk if need be. Lazonhethe will throw down with anyone that challenges her, and expects fawning adoration from those she defeats.
Name: Mbisi
Gender: Female
Color: Green
Hatchling Length: 1'2"
Adult Height: 13' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Quick-witted and mischievous, Mbisi is always up to something and can occasionally be a bit of a liability in Ossia's workspace. Never-the-less, Mbisi is as buoyant and jovial as her bond, if not quite as talkative. Mbisi is excellent at summarizing Ossia's rambles succinctly and while she enjoys companionship, she keeps most of her thoughts to herself. Mbisi is eager to help and quite industrious, she loves having a job to do and takes pride in her work.
Name: Nobuk
Gender: Female
Color: Green
Hatchling Length: 1'4"
Adult Height: 14' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Nobuk feels a great impulsion to protect those who need it and admires Khazeera's dedication to her people and world. Nobuk is focused and unyielding in her pursuits, dogmatic in her beliefs (which naturally align with Khazeera's), and unwavering in her desire to be a hero. She sees the world in black and white and can be deliberately obtuse when it comes to finer points of morality. Whenever possible, Nobuk likes to conduct herself with kindness and a level-head. She's unerringly brave, sometimes to her own detriment.
Name: Nonganga
Gender: Male
Color: Grey
Hatchling Length: 1'8"
Adult Height: 9' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Gentle and patient, Nonganga accepts things as they come to him, ebbing with the flow of life. He's incredibly protective of Dijana and hates to be parted from her, to the point where he could be considered clingy. While he's altruistic toward Dijana and her uncle's crew, he delights in piracy and can't wait until he's big enough to wrestle enemy ships. He enjoys treasure and trinkets for their beauty and has no care about the value of an object. Nonganga doesn't hold grudges and has an ambivalent relationship with laws and ethics. His priorities are enjoying life and keeping Dijana safe.
Name: Ntoni
Gender: Male
Color: Brown
Hatchling Length: 1'8"
Adult Height: 9' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Down-to-earth and good-natured, Ntoni's cold-blooded appearance belies his natural warmth. He's a nurturing fellow who loves to help those around him, always willing to volunteer his physical strength or words of advise. He likes to consider himself a fatherly figure, right down to a practiced collection of abhorrent dad jokes. Making people laugh is the greatest feeling, as far as he's concerned. He's giving and selfless, but can often be overbearing in his need to protect his loved ones.
Name: Phelizi
Gender: Female
Color: Brown
Hatchling Length: 1'5"
Adult Height: 13' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Phelizi is an explorer, through-and-through, and is eager to adventure through all the hidden corners of the Nexus. She understands bonding Iyawa means she has a lifetime of battles to look forward to and considers conflict part of the thrill. While significantly more playful than her bond, Phelizi doesn't compromise her work, either. She knows when to be focused and when to have fun and easily slips between both modes. Phelizi doesn't take criticism or unfriendliness personally and is a difficult dragon to upset. 'Water off an Udraku's back' and all that. Regardless, Phelizi lives for challenge and always seeks to improve herself.
Name: Sbinzi
Gender: Male
Color: Brown
Hatchling Length: 1'4"
Adult Height: 15' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Sbinzi likes to consider himself a worthy second to his bond and captain Grash. He's a strict, no-nonsense fellow that is largely impersonal toward anyone but Grash. He keeps his impulses under-wraps, presenting himself as stoic and serious. Despite his cold exterior, Sbinzi adores travelling and the chance to explore distant realms. He doesn't like to show his excitement when Grash and crew land on a new planet, but Sbinzi is a secret thrill-seeker, always looking for new experiences.
Name: Silembindi
Gender: Female
Color: Brown
Hatchling Length: 1'6"
Adult Height: 11' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Impulsive and extravagant, Silembindi shares her bond's joyous enthusiasm and loves to enable him. She leaps before she considers outcomes and has no issue throwing herself into danger - for the thrill, the theater, and of course helping Sievuwen track down elusive endangered creatures. Bindi is naturally easy-going and diplomatic, possessing a naive but loquacious charm. She always looks for the good in people and the beauty in situations. Bindi can find a silver lining in the worst disasters and tries to think of life as a series of happy accidents.
Name:Thleki
Gender: Female
Color: Brown
Hatchling Length: 1'4"
Adult Height: 10' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Thleki is nothing if not vociferously headstrong. Once she has a goal in mind she pursues it to the end, no matter what anyone else tells her to do. Argemone is likely to have her hands full with Thleki, but in turn, Thleki's loyalty is second to none and she always back her bond up in her pursuits. She can be defensive and ill-tempered when she feels Argemone is being belitted, but in most circumstances Thleki is affectionate and kind. She loves exploring different cultures and is tolerant to differing opinions, if not easily swayed by them.
Name:Zandlethi
Gender: Male
Color: Grey
Hatchling Length: 2'0"
Adult Height: 13' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Zandlethi doesn't care about much outside of himself and Blad. He's more talkative than his bond, but not by much, and he's not afraid to speak his mind. Zandlethi is quietly nefarious with aspirations that likely go far beyond Blad's own. He doesn't tolerate foolishness and has no compunctions telling someone (especially the young Schub) how he feels about their flaws. It's a good thing he's not looking to make friends outside of Blad, as his forthright and callous demeanor makes him... well... rather unfriendly. While he loves Blad, Zandlethi has no qualms against using his bond to further his own goals. It's likely he'll end up causing some conflict aboard the WiRSS5-23.
Name:Zilenzo
Gender: Male
Color: Grey
Hatchling Length: 1'5"
Adult Height: 14' at shoulder
Abilities: Telepathy, Verbal Speech, Breath Weapon: Light, Breath Weapon: Smoke
Personality:
Zilenzo has an insatiable lust for life and adventure. He loves the challenge of friendly competition and one days hopes to be as good at wrestling large beasties as Mali! He admires his bond immensely and will mimic Mali's decisions for good or ill. Zilenzo is a loyal and enthusiastic young dragon, brimming with zany ideas and fanciful dreams of an adventurous life. He's always looking for the next big thrill. Zilenzo can be somewhat impudent and gets ornery when he's told not to do something. He's likely to get into trouble just for the spite of it!