• • Cyna and Kieken • •

• Servant become master •

by Neishai

Ryslen | Lantessama | Halloween Clutch '03

Cyna glared warily up at the blue dragon; he seemed to have taken a liking to Caké, sweeping her up and using his tail as a tree-swing to rock her back and forth. The child giggled delightedly as the chilly breeze tousled her unruly waves of golden-brown hair.

Next to her stood her best friend, L'Talia. She was long of limb and covered from head-to-toe with grey fur. "Don't worry about Caké, Cyna. I will guard her wellbeing with my life, if need be."

"I know," the young woman said grimly, staring at her daughter with care-hardened, blackish-brown eyes, both seeing Caké and nothing at all.

A blue-haired woman standing with them waited patiently, understanding what such a difficult decision this must be for her. She watched Eklith, who quick in wit and movement both, had sensed the need to take this woman's daughter and preoccupy her while her mother decided. Judging by her past, Saranna thought that there must be an egg for her at the Halloween Clutch. Blue Eklith was in total agreement. She said softly, "You should not bring her, if you decide to go."

It was only a reminder, for Cyna knew full well what bonding a dragon would mean. She would have little time for herself, let alone her most beloved daughter, at least while the hatchling grew. Rubbing her swollen belly, she looked back at Saranna. "Are you sure the trip will be safe … for both of us?"

Saranna nodded. "We'll take special precautions before leaving to insure the baby isn't hurt."

Cyna nodded.

L'Talia touched her arm. "You do not need to leave now! You can wait until the baby is born. Or you can bond here, at Ryslen."

Cyna took a deep breath and finally shook her head. "I feel that if I don't leave now, I never will. I don't know why, but that's how I feel."

L'Talia nodded. "Probably because once the baby is born you won't be able to."

"Partly, yes. That's why I have to leave now, while there's still time. It's why you and Caké can't go. I need some time to myself, to sort things out." She sighed. "And I have to go before G'taeo finds out."

"He will not be happy."

Cyna stared at L'Talia; she had decided. "I will have to deal with that when I get back. I must go…I'd like to see him make me do anything with a dragon backing me," she added with a stony grin.

L'Talia smiled, feeling oddly relieved. She sighed and gripped her friend in a tight embrace. "I will miss you, but Caké and I will be fine. I'll make certain of that."

"I know." There were unshed tears in her eyes when Cyna turned away from L'Talia and nodded to the searchrider from Lantessama. "Let's go."

They approached the Blue, who stopped playing with the girl now sitting on his neck. Cyna reached up to her daughter wearing a most loving smile. The girl slid down the dragon's shoulder and into her arms. "I love you," Cyna whispered into her ear, snuggling her close and setting her down on the ground.

Caké smiled a huge grin up at her mother. "I love you too! I like Eklith. He likes me too, he told me so!"

"Did he?"

Caké nodded. "Mm hmm. But he says he and Saranna have to go now. Can I see them again?"

"We'll see."

"Okay," the girl said in disappointment.

"Mommy? Why do you look so sad?"

Cyna sighed. Why was this so difficult? Why oh why did it have to be so difficult? She looked up as L'Talia came up behind the girl and tugged on her shoulder gently.

"Kay-kay, will you come with me into the dining cavern? I thought we might go get something to eat. Say 'good-by' to Saranna and Eklith."

Caké pouted. "Aww, okay." Cyna smiled gratefully at L'Talia while Caké hugged Saranna and patted Eklith on the arm. She turned to her mother. "Aren't you coming too, Mommy?"

Cyna scrunched up her lips and grimaced. "No, Caké. I have to go away for a little while. I'll be back soon though."

"In a couple of days?"

"Probably longer…"

"No, you can't go! Why?" She tried to run to Cyna but L'Talia held her fast.

"I promise I'll be back soon. I'll bring some new friends with me, okay? But you have to be strong. You have to promise to take care of L'Talia for me."

Caké pouted; there were huge tears in her eyes.

"And you can't cry."

Caké squeezed her eyes and wiped the tears away, nodding violently.

Cyna gave her a proud smile. "Good girl. Oh, I love you so much!"

"Come on," Saranna said, taking a hold of Cyna's arm. She nodded, and followed the woman up onto the Blue's back. She was strapped up, then bundled up, every precaution taken to protect the unborn baby she carried within. When they were all set Eklith took to the sky; Cyna waved once to the only family she knew then turned away. Tears fell freely down her face.

• • •

Cyna was left reconsidering her decision to stand at this clutch. It was an hour before midnight, on a holiday called Halloween when the eggs were to hatch. Supposedly, it was explained to her, the eggs must hatch before midnight or they would lose their powers. Magic maybe?

She stood next to a woman she had just met, a very strange one indeed who seemed to be fascinated with her pregnancy. Her name was Caoiloch, a fascinating creature in her own right, equally capable of "shifting" into human or animal form. She and her brother, who was standing at another hatching, were part-tiger.

As a woman, Cyna felt a certain kinship with Caoiloch. Apparently she and her brother both liked to keep a harem around for their own pleasure. She had many ideas for Cyna, many of which she might share with L'Talia for use on G'taeo... Yes, she decided, L'Talia loves to manipulate men. She will want to hear of Caoiloch and her accomplishments...

Half-lost in thought, she watched the hatching begin and unfold. She had never seen the bonding process before, and used this opportunity to glean any information she could before she was faced with her own. As time passed and the hour came toward its end, she began to wonder if she would have a match from this clutch. All of the hatchlings were strange, most bloodthirsty and evil. They were all dangerous, and her doubts increased as blood was spilled.

Next to her, Caoiloch looked eager, relishing the bloodshed. Cyna had to admit that she felt a sense of satisfaction whenever a man's blood was shed, but she also had to think of her daughter, and the child yet to be born. Maybe I should leave, she thought, knowing that she could not... not now.

Caoiloch squeezed her shoulder in assurance. She knew that Cyna was not squeamish, she was merely worried about the young ones she had mentioned. She did not blame her, but she also knew that the woman's bond would never hurt one she valued and loved. She would have to remind her own future bond not to hurt any in her pack, especially her brother... and her lover, who was not currently at Lantessama.

Fewer forms were now visible through the fog that covered the sands. Now and then an eye blinked, watching the surrounding candidates. Finally a form stepped forward. A dragon, a greyish dark red, with black-brown patterned wings stepped forward. Though obviously male he left all the male candidates standing where they were, only casting an evil glance their way. Then the male dragon, his red crest swaying a bit as he advanced, walked toward the females.

But before he got there, one of the males stepped forward. "Come with me." the man said, "I know we can get to like each other..." he tried desperate to get a bond now that eggs were running low.

The dragon stood perfectly still. He looked at the man before him, low, despicable... No man would ever do for Kieken, master of the hen house.

Kieken extended a paw and placed it on the males leg. Believing the dragon had given in the man bowed down to look into Kiekens eyes. Mistake. Within seconds a scream sounded. The man turned, his eyes empty sockets. "You will never gaze upon me again." Kieken said with a tone that warned anyone else to try and stop him, "Greed is a sin." a cruel laugh sounded through the heads of those that were present.

"Now then, " Kieken continued, "It's time that I announce my real bond. Cyna, step forward please... and watch out for the blood, it's slippery." The former slave with her dark brown hair and functional clothing advanced, feeling very good about herself that she had left her daughter in Ryslen.

"Why do you fear that I would hurt her? Will I not be the guardian of your house? No woman will ever need fear me... the men though... Well I am still evil...." A flash of red lighted his amber eyes, so fast that it was gone before Cyna had seen it properly. Still without saying a word out loud she led Kieken outside where he could devour something, though be it that he didn't eat much. What happened to those eyeballs anyway?

~Exerpt from Lantessama Isle's Halloween Hatching

When he had finished feeding, Cyna smiled tentatively, hesitant to look directly into Kieken's eyes. Though she had been glad to see that man's eyes gouged out, she had heard a rippling of whispers in the crowd as they left: "Basilisk... don't look into his eyes..."