Jemin's story, page 2
The next day, the swelling around Jemalrymin's eye was minimal, but the bruising was enough to make Zaddizh wince with the memory of such wounds. She ignored it, working diligently to clean up after careless riders and their mounts. She dodged sharp comments and aimed her gaze at the ground. Nothing was going to get in the way of her plans now. She would soon leave all these people behind. They were not worth her time and anger. A lump in her throat rose up as she realized Zaddizh would not follow her.
"I like it here," he had said over breakfast. "I like the runners, we have a little understanding. And besides, if I wasn't here to care for them, some nasty, snot-nosed twit would. They don't deserve that."
Her mother wouldn't follow either. The light had gone out in her eyes years ago. She had no will of her own, after her husband had died. She didn't like to admit her feelings about him, but to her children, the truth was obvious. Jemin couldn't decide which was more devastating, living in this nightmare of a Hold, or reaching for freedom without her family behind her. The subject made her want to crawl into a dark corner and die.
But she refused to give in. She would make a better life for herself, with or without them.
Around midday the air around the barn was uncomfortably warm and muggy. Jemalrymin and Zaddizh sat in the cooler shade eating lunch, which consisted of some stale bread and cheese. Ziyazh had cut the mold away, sharing half of the block of cheese with his sister. Her hair was disheveled, clothing smeared with dirt and sprinkled with bits of straw.
He shook his head in appreciation. "You know, if you were a boy, you would have gained much prestige with that shiner of yours."
"Instead, I'm regarded with distain." She closed her eyes, her mouth twisted into a bitter smile.
Zaddizh looked down at his hands. "I'm sorry."
Jemin clapped him on the shoulder affectionately. "Don't be."
"You know Lary, your bruises only demonstrate your resolve. I think people are envious of the strength of your character, that you haven't buckled under the weight of your burden. That envy can make people crazy, they lash out at you because they are afraid to confront the real object of their hatred."
Jemin's grin was ironic. I'm a role-model for these people? She chuckled a little. Maybe that's not so strange. She looked up at her brother, whose gaze was that of admiration. "Thanks. That makes me feel much better. And I think you're right."
They looked up as a large shadow passed over the ground in front of them. They recognized that shape, that of a dragon! Jemin looked at her brother quizzically. "Is the Hold expecting a visit?"
Zaddizh shrugged. "Maybe they're on Search."
They hurried around the barn to the courtyard at the front of the Hold. There was already a large gathering of curious people, noble and servant alike. No one thought to reprimand the latter for abandoning their chores. It was a blue dragon; his rider introduced himself as D'run, a Searchrider from Ryslen. Okserth, his Blue, had sensed the presence of one or more people with the potential to become dragonriders.
After his short introduction, the middle-aged rider was invited by the Lord to go about his task, and to come inside for some refreshment. Unnoticed by all save her brother, Jemin clasped her hands together tightly. Her heart pounded in her ears excitedly. "Ziyazh ... what if ..."
He shook his head. "Don't get your hopes up, Lary."
Why shouldn't she get her hopes up?
The siblings jumped. "Who said that?" Zaddizh said, eyes wide with shock. That voice he had not heard, but rather, it had been uttered inside his head!
Jemin gasped and pointed. "Ziyazh! He ... the dragon ..."
Zaddizh looked up, following her gaze. Sure enough, the dragon was looking directly at them, his eyes shining, grinning.
Why not? he repeated.
"I ..."
"It looks like he found one!" Zaddizh and Jemin tore their eyes away from the Blue's gigantic green ones. D'run was approaching them with a wide grin. The Lord was at his heels, glaring openly at Jemin. So were many among the staff. "Who is it, Okserth?"
This girl would make an excellent candidate.
Jemin stared at the rider with open amazement. The man was about the same age her father would be, if he were still alive. His carriage and demeanor were also similar. Suzanou had never made a very good servant, his confidance and high spirits had never been bred out of him. Apparently that was whom Jemin had inherited it from. This D'run seemed oblivious to the dark atmosphere around Gyness, or perhaps he simply ignored it. In fact, the latter seemed true as he came up to them: the look in his eye told her that he had noticed her black eye several moments ago.
He reminded her of their father, and it was almost painful to look at him.
"What's this?" he said, gesturing to her eye.
The Lord shrugged. "A kitchen accident perhaps? I wouldn't know."
Jemin flushed with embarassment. The excitement of being Searched had evaporated. Why couldn't she sever contact with this place cleanly? The desire to hide yet again threatened to overwhelm her. Zaddizh squeezed her shoulder tightly, his expression severe.
D'run took note of their reactions and nodded shrewdly. "Ah, well then. If there are no objections, Okserth is certain that this girl would make a good candidate." No one objected. He turned to Jemin, who bit her lip. "You?"
She shook her head, gazing up at the man with great intensity. "Take me with you," she whispered. She looked at her brother, eyes brimming with tears, and they embraced. "I wish you'd come with me."
"My place is here, Lary."
Jemin nodded. Save Zaddizh, there was little here for her, she had nothing to pack. This rider and his dragon had given her an opportunity she had not considered before. They offered a life that she, for all her ambitions, had never dreamed of.
Before they lifted off, Jemin waved at her brother and mother -- Jaskana had received word shortly after D'run's arrival and lost no time running to see her daughter off. Jemin grinned despite the physical pain it caused, she had returned to her old self, which made her mother weep tears of joy. "Come visit me!" she cried.
"Count on it!" Zaddizh let out a whoop as the Blue took flight. Nothing would stop his sister now.
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