Callum and the other three prospective riders stood and followed Varyn and Brenna to the stone archway, under which, the two eggs were awaiting.
"Who will be first to see if they are worthy of being bound by life and soul to a dragon? To serve as a rider for the good of all of Starfall."
Before any of the others could find their voice, Raela had stepped forward and confidently spoke. "I Raela, daughter of Firric, wish to be the first. Brenna smiled widely, raised her hand out to Raela and said softly, "Then come forward child, approach an egg and place your hands upon the shell."
Raela approached the crimson egg but as she got closer, her confidence seemed to waver. She stood before the egg, closed her eyes and placed both hands upon it.
Callum watched, his breath caught in his throat and his heart was beating rapidly in anticipation. Moments passed and nothing happened. Finally Raela opened her eyes and looked up at Brenna and Varyn. "What's happening, did I do something wrong?" She asked hopefully while placing her hands on different parts of the egg. "No my dear, this dragon has not chosen you to be its bonded." Brenna said softly, as she moved Raela's hands from the egg and cradled them in her own. Raela's eyes began to fill with tears. "Do not cry young one, there is yet another." Brenna said cheerfully while gesturing towards the iridescent, blue-green egg.
Slowly Raela walked over to the egg, her earlier confidence all but gone completely. Once again she closed her eyes and placed her hands upon the egg. Suddenly Callum noticed something different, a feeling in the air, an almost unnoticeable tingling was emanating from Raela and the egg. He focused on Raela more intensely and then a sound was heard, like steel on stone.
Raela opened her eyes sharply, a slight glow could be seen beneath her fingertips as a crack slowly began to spread across the egg. Gasps could be heard as everyone was suddenly aware of what was happening. Raela had been chosen, tears filled her eyes once again but this time they were accompanied by the biggest smile Callum had ever seen her wear. He was simultaneously elated and jealous but he watched on as a dragon , the same color as it's egg crawled out of its shell and hesitantly up Raela's right arm. The dragon that was about the size of a small dog had settled on her shoulder as Raela spun around playfully trying to look at it. Suddenly her expression changed to what Callum thought was pain but Varyn quickly grabbed her and escorted her back to the remains of the egg shell while whispering something only they could hear. The tiny dragon hopped down and began eating its shell as Raela calmly stroked its scales along its spine and down its tail. Callum remembered this from when his sisters dragon had hatched and he pondered why it did such a strange thing.
As everyone had settled down it was time for the next person to touch the single remaining egg. This time Brenna had reached her hands out to Wenrys, who immediately looked over at Callum nervously. "Go on, it will be ok, whatever happens." Callum said to him with a warm smile. Wenrys nodded and with a new vigor he walked forward towards the egg. Just like Raela did before him, Wenrys closed his eyes and placed both hands on the egg, but the moment he touched it Callum knew that he hadn't been chosen. The air did not have the same electricity.
Wenrys looked up at Brenna who smiled sadly and shook her head, but Wenrys did not seem sad as he turned around, in fact he seemed to be filled with pride as he walked back to his place next to Callum. "Why are you smiling like that?" Callum asked in utter disbelief. "Because I got to touch a dragon egg, even if only for a moment." He said while smiling. Callum laughed and pat him on his back. "Besides," Wenrys said, "My best friend is going to be the next great dragon rider." Callum turned to see Wenrys looking at him rather seriously.
Before Brenna could say anything else, Firrol had stepped forward, Brenna narrowed her eyes, but smiled nonetheless and motioned for him to come forward. As he did, he turned and flashed an arrogant smile at Callum that made his blood boil, but he held his tongue.
Firrol stood before the egg for a moment before lifting his hands and placing them on the egg, the moment that they touched Callum's heart sank, he felt as though he was going to vomit. He could feel the energy emanating, just like with Raela, and despite his best effort not to, he uttered two words out loud, "Not him." Wenrys turned to him with a confused look and was about to say something when the sound of steel on stone could be heard.
Callum could see the dragon emerging from the egg, it was bulkier than the first one but roughly the same size. It's bright red scales seemed sharper and more rigid and on certain edges and in veins on the leather of the wings was a subtle gold color. It suddenly jumped onto Firrol's chest, startling him more so than Callum thought he should have been. Again Varys whispered in his ear and gestured towards the shell and the dragon crawled down, let out a sharp screech and began to eat the remains of the egg as Firrol scratched the scales between where its wings rested on its back, just below the should blades.
Brenna stepped forward once again and announced, "This concludes the ceremony, and what a shocking result if I do not say so myself, two riders from a village that has only ever yielded one, you should all be proud. Feel free to do as you wish as the feast is prepared and Varyn and myself have some time alone with our new riders and their dragons, but please return here in an hour for the celebration."
Callum stood near the fire, not moving at all, not even to blink. He was still in shock, all of his dreams had shattered in an instant, he hadn't even got to touch an egg.
Varyn approached him looking genuinely disappointed and rubbing his hand through his hair awkwardly. "Uh, tough break kid, I honestly thought you would be standing up there right now." Not moving Callum replied in a soft voice, "It's ok, I suppose it just wasn't meant to be." In that moment Varyn suddenly shifted his gaze upward and had a serious look on his face. He stood like a statue for a moment as though he were concentrating on something far off, and then, he smiled again and said, "Hey, chin up, you never know what the night might bring." And then he was gone leaving Callum not only sad but now confused as well.
He could feel Wenrys put his hand on his shoulder and Orin was suddenly by their sides. "I'm so sorry boys, I know how much you wanted this, there is nothing I can say to make it better, just know that I am beyond proud of the both of you."
Orin hugged them both and with a shaky voice Callum said, "I think I just need to be alone for a while." He turned and walked off back through the village.
Orin looked at Wenrys with a sad expression. "Are you ok son?" Wenrys looked up at his father and smiled, "Of course I am, I was prepared for anything. But I think I need to go check on him."
"I think you're right, make sure to bring him back to congratulate your friends and eat some food."
And with that, Wenrys took off after his best friend.