Aylin lay underneath the dragon listening to the voices above her. She couldn't understand what they were saying, they were speaking in dragon, but she knew they were talking about her. The conversation seemed to go on for hours. Finally, the scales above her shifted and she curled into a ball, trying to make her self as small as possible in hopes of not being crushed.
"Stand up child." a voice behind her commanded.
Aylin looked up to see that the dragon had moved from above her to beside her. She stood up and faced the direction the voice had come from. She was now facing the brown dragon who had found her earlier, two citadel priests-an older and a younger, and two citadel guards. They were all staring at her.
The older priest, who had spoken earlier, spoke again. "What is your name, child?"
Aylin glanced at the dragon standing beside her without answering. The dragons participating in the Choosing were not told the names of the children so it would not influence them in their decisions. Being the child of a Dragon Knight did not guarantee that you became one.
"The dragon has already chosen as his Knight." the priest stated, "It is all right to tell us your name."
She turned back to the priest and said, "Aylin-"
The younger priest interrupted her, "Aylin of Sandorne, Baron Ambrose's daughter. I've seen you before."
"No. Aylin of Hawksrising." she replied. "The Baron and his wife are not my parents."
The priests gave her a strange look, but did not speak. Instead, the brown dragon did. His voice was deep and strong, "Then who your parents?"
Aylin looked at the dragon, "My mother's name was Salyne. My father was Sir Edward Dragonfriend. I was given to Baron Ambrose after my mother died in labor."
"You are Sir Edward's daughter?" the older priest asked, mild surprise in his voice. "Why was your name not on the list from Sandorne?"
Aylin was silent for a moment. Finally she replied in a matter of fact tone, "Because the baroness refused to put my name on the list. She despises my father and would rather marry me off than see me follow in his footsteps."
All were silent for a moment. "We will need to verify your story with Baron Ambrose," the older priest stated, "but for now, please take your place with the rest of the chosen."
Ayline and the black dragon took their places beside the others. Her heart was pounding. Her dream had come true. She was to become a Dragon Knight, just like her father.
**To be continued as time and inspiration allow.**
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