The Story of Kitarna (Non-Pern til Chap 4)

[silver dragon]

The story of Kitarna

Chapter 1

In the system of Rukbat, there is a world called Pern. But also in this system is a world called Gaia. And on this world lives an Elven girl called Kitarna Elmira. This girl is the key to saving both Pern and Gaia from creatures of incredible evil. And this is her story…

Kitarna sat in her sleeping hut, doing her hair. No one in the Village called her Kitarna unless it was her Grandmother, They all called her Kit. It was Kit’s sixteenth birthday and she was getting ready for the celebrations her Grandmother Elrothiel, was throwing for her. As she sat doing her hair, Kit thought of the last sixteen years of her life. Her Grandmother had told her of her past up until the age of two. After that she could remember everything. For you see Kit was an Elf and Elves have exceptional memories.

When Kit was just born a Goddess of Gaia, Vikara-the Goddess of Gifts and powers, made Kit the Guardian of Gaia and gave her extraordinary powers. But the powers that came with this title were made dormant until Kit’s Sixteenth birthday. Vikara did this because there was an evil on Gaia. This evil was the Shadows. No one knew who or what the Shadows were or where they came from, but what they did know was that when the Shadows captured an Elf or Human, they ripped out their soul and then devour it, leaving nothing but an empty meat shell behind.

Everything was peaceful until Kit was 4 months old. The shadows attacked her parent’s home and tried to take her. But Kit’s mother gave her life for her daughter by giving up her soul to the Shadows. When Kit’s mother did this, her father called upon the creatures of Gaia to help him. The first one to answer the call was the eldest of the Vampire Unicorns, Karla. It had gone dark when Karla arrived and Kit’s Father begged Karla to take human form and take his daughter to the Hidden Village. All Vampire Unicorns knew where the hidden village was as it was a sanctuary for them from the Shadows. Karla took Kit to the Hidden Village and presented her to Elrothiel, the Keeper of the village. Elrothiel knew of Kit and the destiny she had been given, so she adopted her as her own Granddaughter and raised her. Karla stayed in the Hidden Village and over time bonded to Kit. And now they are inseparable.

And now Kit was sixteen years olds. Today was the day her powers would awaken and she would know what she must do to protect her world. With that thought in her mind Kit left the sleeping hut for the celebrations.

Kit was very disappointed, the celebrations had just finished and she was on her way back to her sleeping hut. It was dawn and her powers had not awakened, nor had anyone told what she must do with them. She entered her sleeping hut and went straight to her dressing table to wash and get dressed for bed. Just as she was about to pick up the water jug, she noticed a black and silver box next to the washbasin.

“What’s this?” she thought.

The silver on the box was a plaque, and on the plaque was some writing. Kit looked at it then read the words aloud.


“The Guardian must lose everything,
Her friends, her family and her world.
She must then go to another world,
And there she will regain what she has lost.
And find something she has never had.”

Kit wondered what this meant, as she was to be the Guardian. She opened the box to see if there was more writing inside, but instead she found a black choker with a silver jewel in the middle of it. Kit took the choker out, wondering what this meant, and went to her mirror. She looked at it wondering also how it was meant to stay round her neck, as there was no catch or lock on it anywhere.

“Oh, well” she thought, “I’ll try it on anyway.”

When Kit put the choker on she heard a click and felt the choker tighten around her throat. At the same time a high wind began to blow outside and a storm rushed in out of nowhere. It began to rain heavily and lightning flashed. Kit panicked, she couldn’t get the choker off, the more she tried the tighter it became. Kit slumped to the ground, exhausted, not knowing what to do. Suddenly she felt Karla in her mind.

**Kit are you alright?** Karla asked
*I don’t know Karla* Kit replied.
**Are you in your sleeping hut?**
*Yes*
**Stay there. I’ll come to you**
*Ok*

As Kit lay there, she thought she saw something outside her window.

“I must be seeing things,” she thought. She then closed her eyes and waited for Karla.

Outside in the dark, something had moved. And it was waiting, waiting for all the lights to go out. Waiting for its chance to take what it had came for. And it would stop at nothing to get it.

[silver dragon]

Chapter 2


Karla was worried; Kit didn’t seem like herself. Karla was walking from the sleeping hut she slept in when she changed to her human shape. As she got nearer Kit’s sleeping hut, Karla thought she saw something or some one move. She reached her mind out to Kit.

**Kit, are you outside?**
*No, Karla. Why?*
**Because someone is outside your hut**
*What do you mean someone is outside my hut?*
**Exactly what I said. Someone or something is sneaking around outside the door of your hut**
*Can you see who it is?*
**No, I’ll try and get closer. It might just be one of the young ones playing a trick**
*Be careful Karla*
**I will**

Karla broke the connection and started forward. For some reason unknown to her, she could not see the person. All she could see was a shadowy figure and no matter how close she got all she could see was a shadow figure. She couldn’t see a face, hands, feet. Nothing. Karla sensed something was wrong, very wrong. She moved to the other side of the hut, all the time watching the shadowy figure. Just as she reached the other side, the shadow moved closer to the door and put what looked like a hand on the door handle.

**Kit, whatever this thing is, it’s about to open the door**
**I know, the door has just opened a crack**

Inside the hut, the single candle that kept the whole room lit suddenly went out.

As soon as candle went out, outside, the shadowy figure laid its so-called hands on the door and instead on entering the hut, the figure became what seemed like a blob. Then with no warning, the blob extended outwards and started to wrap its self around the hut. In no time at all, the entire hut was covered in what seemed like a black mist. And when Karla went to touch it, the moment she did a spark leaped out and she was thrown nearly twenty meters away from the hut. It felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

Inside the hut Kit was scared. Everything was dark and she couldn’t see a thing. When she tried to move it felt as if something was pressing down on her, she could barely breathe. Kit sent her mind out, trying to contact Karla or her Grandmother, but something blocked her from reaching no farther than the walls of her hut. It became harder for Kit to breathe; it felt as if the darkness was trying to suffocate her. With every breath she let out she found she would take in less air. Suddenly Kit heard a voice in the darkness, at first it was so faint she couldn’t make out what it was, but soon it became louder and she knew. She knew that it was the sound of the most evil of creatures, the creatures she was destined to destroy. The Shadows had come!!!

Karla moaned. What the hell happened, she wondered. She moaned again when she tried to get up. Then the memories came back; the shadowy figure, the black mist, Kit. “Kit!!!” she screamed.

**Elrothiel!!**Karla’s mind voice screamed.
*Karla, what is wrong?* Elrothiel’s mind voice said calmly.
**They are here Elrothiel. They are here!!**Karla screamed again.
*Who is here, Karla?* Elrothiel said calmly
**The Shadows**Karla’s mind voice was but a mere whisper when she said this

Karla could feel Elrothiel mentally shake with fear. Karla was scared too, scared for herself. But she was more scared for Kit.

*Where are they Karla?* Elrothiel said. This time there was a hint of fear in her mind voice.
**Covering Kit’s sleeping hut in a black mist**Karla replied
*Stay where you are. I will be there shortly* Elrothiel said.

The last of the words were quiet in Karla’s mind, which meant that Elrothiel was on her way the moment she finished the last thought. And I pray that she hurries, Karla thought.

Kit couldn’t take it any more. She could barely breathe, barely move. She was the Guardian, Daughter of the Lord Elastar and the Lady Elmira, and she was NOT going to take this. Kit screamed in defiance against those that held her and the moment she did, the powers that had lain dormant were awaken from their slumber. Kit felt a wave of heat rush over and through her. A light started to travel up her body, starting at her toes, up her legs, across her torso and ending at her neck. The choker seemed to absorb the light, as if it were hungry, and the light was its source of food. Kit felt the heat again, but this time it came not from her body, but from the choker itself. A voice in the back of her mind told her to fight, to fight and live. And Kit did just that, again she screamed in defiance and as if that had been a command, a light came forth from the jewel in the middle of the choker. As soon as the light appeared, the darkness seemed to shrink away and Kit knew she had heard a scream of pure hate and evil come from within the darkness. She looked into the darkness and felt strength return to her, she could move and breathe better now.

“I am Kitarna Elmira, Daughter of Lord Elastar and Lady Elmira. Guardian of Gaia and its people. Your time is at an end; I was given the gift and the weapon to destroy you and all your kind. And make no mistake, I will use it and I will cleanses my world of your evil and filth!”

As Kit said this, the light from the choker grew brighter and the darkness shrunk farther away. But it would not be defeated, not when it was so close to that which it desired most. And it would have it, even if it had to sacrifice the rest of its kind to get it, it would have it.

[silver dragon]

Chapter 3

While this was happening inside the hut, outside Elrothiel had found Karla and was helping her to get back to the hut. Suddenly a light erupted from the hut and the mist seemed to disappear for a moment, but then returned only this time it seemed thinner. As if the light was burning it away. Elrothiel was worried. Was Kit alright? Had they harmed her?

**Grandmother?**
**Kit, are you alright?**
**Yes I think so**
**Thank the Gods. Can you get out?**
**I’ll try**

Elrothiel turned to Karla and told her what Kit had said.

“So what do we do now, Lady?” Karla asked.
“We wait Karla, we wait,” Elrothiel answered as calmly as she could.

Inside the hut, Kit was gathering her strength. “Now then,” she thought to herself, “It’s time I saw how far this new power of mine will go.”

Kit stood up and put her arms at her side. She slowed her breathing and calmed her mind. Suddenly she felt it again, the heat and light flowing through her, being absorbed by the choker. She knew what was to come next and it did, the choker released the light it held and drove back the dark, clearing a path through it. Just ahead she could see the door and pushed harder, she put her hand on the doorknob and turned it.

Elrothiel saw the door open, watched Kit step through it and then collapse on the floor.

“Kit!!!” Elrothiel screamed. She ran to the still form of Kit, took her in her arms and carried her to where Karla lay.

“Is she alright?” Karla asked, worry written all over her face.
“I think so” Elrothiel replied, her voice shaking.

They sat there for a few moments, waiting and watching, wondering what would happen next. As they watched, the mist began to move from the hut and drifted towards them. As the mist moved, Kit started to wake up.

“Grandmother?”
“I’m right here Kit, as is Karla”
“They're here for my soul aren’t they?”
“I’m afraid so little one”

Kit looked at Elrothiel and then at Karla. She started to get up, but she didn’t have the strength yet and fell back down, all the while the mist was getting closer. Suddenly it stopped and just hung there, a few feet away from them.

“What’s it waiting for Elrothiel?” Karla asked
“They’re waiting for us to run” Elrothiel replied, hate colouring her voice.

Karla looked at the Elf and saw, in her eyes, something that wounded her deep in her soul. She knew what would happen next and she knew no one could stop it. Karla took Kit in her arms and held her tight. Elrothiel looked at the two people she called Family then created a Force Field around them. She took one last look at Kit then smiled.

**Kit can you hear me?**
**Yes, Grandmother I can hear you**
**You have to leave now Kit. You have to go to the planet called Pern.**
**Why Grandmother?**
**Because it’s no longer safe for you here and you are not strong enough to fight them yet**
**Why can’t I go to another land, go and hide somewhere till I am strong enough?**
**No dear you can’t, Go now and live.**
**Grandmother? Grandmother?**

But Kit didn’t get an answer, just a picture of a world she’d never seen before. She opened her eyes and looked at where the Shadow Mist hung in the air. Just in front of the Mist stood Elrothiel, her arm raised at her sides. Kit didn’t know what was happening, what was Grandmother doing. Kit tried to get up again but this time Karla was holding her down.

“Karla, let me up” Kit screamed. But Karla just held her tighter. Kit looked again at her Grandmother, tears rolling down her cheeks. Then she realised what her Grandmother was about to do. She was going to sacrifice herself, give the Shadow her soul.

**Grandmother don’t do it please, I need you too much**
**You don’t need me any more Kitarna. You are old enough to take care of yourself now**
**No, Grandmother. I still need you**
**Good-bye my dear little one. You must go to Pern and take Karla with you; even she is no longer safe here. One day you will come back and then you will save our world and countless others from the evil of the Shadows**

And then Elrothiel stepped towards the Shadow Mist and disappeared inside it. Kit screamed as she felt the connection she had with her Grandmother fade away leaving a hole in her mind.

“Kit we must go, that will not keep them occupied long. We must go NOW!” Karla said through her tears.
“Good-bye, Grandmother” Kit thought to the meat shell that was Elrothiel.

Then gathering her strength again, she pictured in her mind's eye a world where dragons of a different kind to the ones she knew lived. Where humans lived in caves and stone buildings. This was Pern and the last gift Elrothiel, Guardian of the Hidden Village, could give one she loved more than life itself. Then Kit felt the heat flow through her body again, to the choker, and than they disappeared from Gaia. Teleported to a world they knew nothing of and a Culture they did not understand…YET!!

TBC…

[silver dragon]

Chapter 4

M'glen and Relina were in the Hatching Grounds of Cove Weyr. Their dragons, the Bronze Zarlth and the Gold Queen Sarilth were on the sands looking at the 30 eggs hardening on the sands. M'glen looked at his weyrmate and smiled, her Gold had been a good chase, making the bronzes really work to catch her. But his Bronze Zarlth was the fastest and cleverest of the Bronzes and had caught her just as she was going to dive. And now there were 30 eggs on the sands, a good number for the pairs first clutch.

Just then a Rider came into the Grounds. "Sir, Lady." He said through taking breaths, "I think there's something you ought to see"

Relina looked at her weyrmate then at the rider. "What is it J'lon?"
"I can't describe it my Lady. One of you will have to come and see for yourselves", J'lon said.
"Alright Blue Rider, lead the way" M'glen said starting to walk towards the exit. He turned round just before stepping outside, **Sarilth, please tell Relina that I won't be long**
**I will**

With that M'glen went outside. Zarlth stroked his mate's head with his own and then followed his rider.

Outside J'lon, with his blue Iralth, were waiting for the Weyrleader. "Iralth will send the location to Zarlth Sir"
"Good" M'glen said getting on Zarlth's back. He then gave the command to take off and when they were high enough they went between.

Kit could hear something moving beside her. She opened her eyes, expecting to see her Grandmother but instead she saw Karla getting up. What was Karla doing in her sleeping hut and why was she sleeping on the floor. Suddenly it all came back, the Choker, the Shadow mist... Grandmother. Kit started to cry, the tears rolling down her cheeks, soaking into the earth she sat on. Karla heard Kit move and then heard her crying. Karla walked over and lied beside her, which was difficult since she was in her Unicorn form, and laid her horn on Kit's shoulder.

**Why Karla? Why?**
**Because she loved you Kit and wished to protect you**
**We could have gone somewhere else on Gaia**
**The shadows would still follow you and find you**

Kit broke down again, leaning on Karla's body for support. Just then a shadow passed over them and startled Karla. Kit got up still supported by Karla, who seemed nervous, and looked up into the sky. Hovering just above them were two dragons, except that Kit had never seen dragons like these before. One was a different colour to the dragons she knew but also both of them were bigger. The one was a deep Bronze colour and the other was a light Blue. Kit watched as both dragons landed, it was then she realized that they had riders. She moved closer to Karla, her hand on the choker. Only the choker wasn't there, but a necklace and on the necklace a pendent of a Gold dragon in flight. Kit looked up and saw the riders coming towards them.

**Karla, what are we going to do?**
**Stay calm and listen to your heart**

Kit's heart was telling her to run but she knew she couldn't. As the riders came closer she could see what they looked like. The taller of the two was also the older by the wrinkles on his face; his hair was black with grey along the sides and it was cut short. His eyes were a contradiction to his hair as they were a light, piercing Blue. The shorter one was most definitely the younger as his face was youthful and his dark Green eyes had a look of mischief in them. He had Brown hair cut short just like the older one. Both were well built and from what she could gather well muscled as well. They stopped a few feet away from Kit and Karla, just staring. Kit wondered what they were staring at when she felt Karla move as if uncomfortable, she then realised that they were staring at Karla. It must be her horn, Kit thought. Kit stepped forward, putting herself between the riders and Karla.

M'glen stopped looking at strange runner in front of him and turned his attention to the girl. He cleared his throat. "My name is M'glen, Rider of Bronze Zarlth, and this is J'lon, Rider of Blue Iralth, both of Cove Weyr. May I ask who are and what hold or weyr you come from?"

Kit look at the man for a moment before answering. "I am Kitarna Elmira" she said, then nodding her head towards Karla said, "And the is Karla. What is a hold and Weyr?"

Both men looked at Kit as if she was mad. She couldn't think why, she had asked a perfectly sensible question. But it seemed to them as if she had just said the most insane thing in the world.

"Have I said something wrong?" Kit asked with worry clouding her voice. Her Grandmother didn't tell her if these people were violent.

M'glen pick up the worry in the girls voice. "No, no. You've said nothing wrong. A hold is where most non-dragon riders live and a Weyr is where Dragons and their riders live with some non-dragon riders as well"

Kit smiled, she liked this M'glen, and she felt she could trust him. Karla felt the same way. She stepped towards him still smiling and said, "I'm sorry if I seem reserved, but I am new to this planet."

M'glen and J'lon looked at each other and then back at Kit.

"What do you mean you're new to this planet?" M'glen asked confused.
"Karla and myself are from another planet in this system. It's called Gaia" Kit answered.

M'glen opened his mouth to ask another question when he realized that Kit was shaking, even though it wasn't even cold.

"Why are you shaking?" he asked, "It's not even cold."
Kit put her arms around herself and rubbed. "I am cold because I had to use my abilities to get me and Karla here. Now I have barely any energy left, not even enough to keep myself warm"

Karla looked at her friend and then at the two riders. She walked forward, placed her horn on M'glen's shoulder, and then spoke.
**Have you blankets Kit can borrow?**

M'glen was so shocked when the strange runner placed its horn on him and then spoke that he cried out. In an instant Zarlth was there, ready to protect his rider. He lowered his head and began to hiss at Karla. The unicorn looked at the dragon, her teal eyes focused on his now whirling yellow ones.

**You need not fear for your rider Bronze dragon. I only wish for blankets to cover Kit, as she is cold.**
*Mine doe not carry blankets, but there are some back at the Weyr*
**Could you take Kit there and I will follow you. All you need to do is show me in which direction this Weyr lies and I will make my way there**
*I will ask mine*
**Thank you Bronze dragon**

Karla then walked back to Kit and stood as close as she could without knocking her down, lending Kit her warmth. Kit looked at Karla and patted her shoulder.

**M'glen, the strange runner wishes for blankets for hers**
**We have none**
**I said that there was some at the Weyr and she asked me to take hers there. She also said to tell here in which direction the Weyr is and she will follow**
**Ok Zarlth**

M'glen looked at Kit then at the runner called Karla. He finally turned to J'lon, "Go back to the Weyr, and tell Marina that we're going to be having visitors. Also tell her to have some blankets ready for us."

J'lon nodded, and then turned towards his dragon. He mounted, took off and went between to the Weyr. When J'lon had gone, M'glen turned back to Kit and Karla. He spoke to Zarlth to inform the runner which direction the Weyr lay and then spoke to Kit.

"Now then young lady. If you would, I'll help you to get on Zarlth, so we can go to the Weyr and get you warm."
Kit had a look of awe on her face as she moved towards the Bronze dragon, but then she stopped.

"What about Karla?" She asked M'glen.
The Weyrleader smiled, "Zarlth has given her directions to the Weyr. She said she would make her own way there."

Kit let out a sigh of relief. **You'll be careful won't you Karla?**
**Have you even known me not to be dear heart?**
**No, I have not**

Kit then turned and with M'glen's help, mounted Zarlth. M'glen himself then mounted, took off and holding Kit's hands tightly, went between.

When they blinked out, the sun had just set. Karla watch the last of the sun's rays disappear below the horizon and at that moment a mist began to grow around her, it then began to glow a bright white. After a minute or so the mist began to disappear and where once Karla the Vampire Unicorn stood, now stood a girl. She had silver skin and golden hair, her nails were also golden and her eyes were a Teal colour. She looked in the direction of Cove Weyr and started to walk.

TBC...

[silver dragon]

Chapter 5

Kit watched as Karla became small as Zarlth flew higher then turned to see the sun set. She hoped that Karla would be alright. She sat in front of M’glen with his arms around her holding the flying straps. M’glen told her to keep as close to him as possible as it was ice cold in between, M’glen then gave Zarlth the command to go between. When they came out above the Weyr Kit was shivering even more than before, but this time it was from the cold. M’glen felt Kit shivering against him and headed towards the lower caverns. When they landed J’lon was waiting outside with Merina, the Headwomen. As Kit was lifted down from Zarlth Merina put a blanket around her and ushered her into the dining hall. On a table was a bowl of stew and a hot drink. Merina sat Kit in front of the stew and drink, and then told her to eat. Merina then turned to M’glen and J’lon and jerked her head to the hearth and headed to it. M’glen and J’lon looked at Kit then went to Merina.

”When J’lon said you were bring someone he didn’t say who it was?? The head woman said glaring at J’lon
M’glen smiled, “Her name is Kitarna Elmira, but she likes to be called Kit from what I gather?”
”And what hold is she from?”
”She not from a hold”
”Then what Weyr is she from?”
”She not from a Weyr either”
”Then where is she from?”
”She say’s that she is from another Planet in this system called Gaia.”
Merina mouth fell open. “Is that possible?”
”It seems to be. When we met her and asked what hold she came from, she didn’t even know what one was or what a Weyr was?

Merina turned to look at the girl, amazed at what she had been told. How could she not know what a Hold or Weyr was, unless what M’glen had told her was true. Suddenly she spotted something that did seem to make it true. She walked to the girl and lifted her face towards her. When she pushed the girl’s hair behind her ear, Merina saw that the girl’s ear was pointed at the top. She called M’glen and J’lon over and showed them.

Kit wondered what the three people were saying about her, they kept looking at her as they spoke. She blew on the spoon to cool down the stew and placed it in her mouth. Just as she swallowed the food, the woman came over and lifted her head to face her own. Then she tucked Kit’s hair behind her ear, exposing the point. Then the woman called the two riders over and they looked at her ear then swapped to the other one.

”What are you?” Merina said in a whisper. Kit heard it and moved her head away, throwing her hair back in her face.

”I am an Elf” Kit said with pride, “I am only a youngling amongst my people, but probable old amongst your own”
”How old are you then?” M’glen asked
”I’m sixteen years old”
The three of them laughed, which confused Kit. Why were they laughing at her age?
Then M’glen stopped laughing, though it was an effort. “Kit, you are but an teenager. How are you older then us?”
Kit smiled this time, she had just realized how time past here. “I am a one hundred and sixty years old on this world if I have guessed correctly?”

Everyone stopped laughed and just stared at Kit. “Your what? How did you figure that out?” J’lon asked, confused.
Kit kept smiling as she replied, “Because on this world, if I have guess correctly, a year here is about 364-365 days. While on my world, a year here would be ten years on my world.”
”How?”
”We go by the time of the Elven dragons of my world. It is by their years we go by. A year here to them would be ten years back home.”
”Enough of these question on time,” M’glen said, “What I want to truly know is how did you get to be here? And what was that strange runner beast with you?”

Kit sighed and plunged into her tale. She told them of the gifts that the Goddess Vikara had given her at birth, that she was the Guardian of her world and what happened on the night of her sixteenth Birthday with the Shadows. When she told them what her Grandmother had done, tears slipped from Kit’s eyes as she pictured what happened in her mind. Then she went on to tell them what Karla was and how they had bonded. She wiped her eyes and looked at the necklace around her neck, her eyes grew wide. The dragon was no longer gold but Silver and it had a silver jewel for a single eye. Kit calmed herself down before looking at The Weyrleader and his friends.

”And that is my story, my Life.” Her eyes began to water again but she would not let them fall this time.
”I think it’s time you got some sleep. You look tired?” Merina said. She felt sorry for this girl, if her story was true then she had no family left and her only friend was a creature called Karla.

Kit followed Merina to room and lay down on the bed. It was soft and warm; in no time at all she fell asleep. Her last thought was of Karla, where was she?

When Merina had taken Kit to a room M’glen bid J’lon goodnight and went to the hatching grounds to check up on Relina. Zarlth had gone straight there after dropping himself and Kit off at the caverns. He stepped inside and quietly went over to where Relina slept, he knew she had eaten as the tray was on the floor next to her, the plate complete cleared of food. He felt something watching him and turned round to see Sarilth had her eyes open and was watching what he was doing.

**Has she been alright Sarilth?**
**She has eaten and now she rests. She is fine**
**I’ll go up to the weyr then and get some sleep myself. I’ll be down in the morning to see her**
**I will tell her when she wakes**
**Thank you. Goodnight**

M’glen then slipped out of the hatching grounds and up to the weyr he shared with Relina. He undressed and made himself comfortable. He reached his mind out to Zarlth but the bronze was already asleep in his couch. Following his dragon’s example M’glen laid his head down and went to sleep.

TBC…

[silver dragon]

Chapter 6

Kit woke up with a start and for the second time that day she wondered where she was. She looked round and saw someone sitting in a chair opposite the bed. It was Karla, in her human form. Kit remembered what had happened, the talk with M’glen and his friends. Her telling her story and then the woman, Merina was it, had led her to a room to get some sleep. She looked out the window and saw that the sun would rise soon. Getting out of the bed she gently shook Karla awake.

"Karla, wake up Karla. The sun is nearly up" whispered Kit
"Huh!What!?" Karla said, trying to wake up
"It's nearly dawn. Come on we have to get you to the stables or something"
"It's nearly dawn!" Karla jumped out of the chair and started for the door.

Kit giggled and gently took Karla's arm. Karla turned round and shook her head.

"I'm being an idiot aren't I?"
"Maybe a little"
"Come on then. I know where they keep their horses"

Kit quickly washed and then followed Karla to the stables. They had just found an empty stall when the sun rose. Kit watched as Karla changed back into her four-legged form and settled down into the straw to sleep. With her friend resting Kit went to find some food. She remembered the way to the lower caverns and then to the dining hall. She found some bread and the rest of the stew and sat down to eat. When she had eaten she picked up her bowl and took them to the side, then went to look around.

M'glen was woken up by Zarlith moving. He got out of his bed, got washed and dressed and then went to see what had woken up his dragon.

**Zarlith what is wrong?**
**The one called Kit is up. Her friend Karla was with her**
**Where is she now?**
**She is just leaving the dining hall now**

M'glen rushed out of the weyr and down the stairs. Just as he reached the bowl floor he saw Kit walking towards the hatching grounds.

"Kitarna!!" he called out, hoping to get her attention before she entered the grounds
Kit turned round at the sound of her name. She saw M'glen and waved. He came running over to her and stopped just next to her. He looked at her and then at the grounds.

"You are up early aren't you?" He asked her
"I don't need that much sleep" Kit replied with a smile
"Where are you going?"
"I was just looking round. I was just about to go into this cave here to see what was in there"

M'glen smiled and then gently place a hand on Kit’s shoulder.

"When going in here you must be careful. Sarilth, the Gold Queen, has a clutch on the sands and is very protective of her eggs."

Kit nodded in understanding. She had herself stumbled upon a clutching female dragon on Gaia and the female was not happy. She followed M'glen into the hatching grounds and stopped just inside the entrance. Inside, on the sands was the biggest dragon she had every seen. It's golden hide shined with such brightness and health that for a moment Kit thought it was a statue, that is until it moved. The gold opened her wings and stood on her hind legs. She made a soft hissing sound and her eyes whirled with a yellow hint. Kit bowed to the Queen and then noticed that M’glen was talking to a woman who lay on a bench-like thing next to the sands. She walked over to the pair and stood quietly until she was noticed.

The woman noticed Kit first and smiled at her. M'glen then turned round and also smiled. Kit noticed that they seem to smile a lot in this place. The woman held out her hand to Kit.

"I am Relina, Weyrwoman of this Weyr. M'glen here was just telling me your story"

Kit bowed to Relina and then took her hand. "I am pleased to meet you Relina. May I ask if you are the rider of the Golden one who is on the sands?"
"Yes you may and yes I am. Sarilth is my dragon and I am her rider. I heard that you had a friend with you. May I ask as to where she or he is?"

Kit moved her head round to look at the Queen on the sands. "My friend Karla is in one of your stables right now asleep. She had walked a long way to get here"

Relina watched the girl in front of her and wondered. Was she telling the truth or was she just a troublemaker? Only time would tell.

**She would make a good gold rider**
**What do you mean dear?**
**That she would make a good candidate for my daughter**
**Sarilth you didn’t lay a gold egg my dear**

Relina watched as her dragon moved slightly to side, revealing a golden egg raised just a little higher then the rest. Well, she thought, it looks like we didn’t count them right.

TBC…

[silver dragon]

Chapter 7

It had been 4 months since Kit and Karla had come to Pern. They had settled in well and had become apart of the Weyr. The only ones who knew their secret were the Weyrleaders, the Blue rider J’lon and the headwoman Merina. Karla had to be sneaky about how she moved about in the Weyr. In the day she stayed in the fields and stables with a spell hiding her horn for the sight of others. And at night sleeping in the room next to Kit’s and helping make the Breakfast before dawn.

All was well until the time of the Hatching. Everyone was busy make food, preparing things for the hatching. Kit had been asked to Stand but she politely refused, she didn’t feel it right that she should impress a dragon of a world not her own. She had made many friends amongst the riders but one friend in particular she liked the most. It was a Bronze Rider called Sh’un and his dragon Destoilth, she had spent many a day helping him wash and oil the Bronze and then at night watching the stars with the viewer he had. Right now he was off collecting last minute Candidates for the hatching and Kit was in the Kitchens helping to make the food. She slipped in some Elvish dishes saying that they were new recipes, she had an interesting time trying to find ingredients to substitute the things she would have used back home.

It was midday by the time Kit had finished and went looking for Karla in the fields. She found her friend watching some of the foals that had been born in their time in the Weyr.

**Karla how are you today?**
**I’m fine. I’m just watching over the young ones while the mothers graze**
**Good. I’m glad you’re not bored today**

Just then Kit heard a low humming sound and the ground beneath her started to vibrate. Kit looked at Karla, grabbed the necklace around her throat and started to chant.

“I give you form, I give you life.
I give you the gift to walk in light”

Kit said this three times before the spell started to have an effect. Karla began to change her form, becoming human under the spell’s influence. When the change was complete Karla ran and jumped the fence. Both ran towards the hatching ground at full speed and come to a grinding halt just inside. The candidates were already inside, wearing their white robes and standing in a loose semi-circle. Kit and Karla went and took their places next to the Weyrleaders. Smiling they sat down, below them the eggs and the candidates as well as Sarilth. The humming grew louder and then the sound they were all waiting for was heard, the sound of an egg cracking. All eyes went to the egg has the hatchling push and struggled to get free of the shell. Finally he pushed through and fell out of the shell, his Bronze head glistening in the light. He wobbled towards a boy but fell short. The boy ran forward and gathered the dragonets head in his arms.

“His name is Ladilth” The boy cried to the people gathered. Everyone cheered and clapped as other Dragonets broke shell and found their partners. Suddenly the girls surrounding the Queen egg gasped. There was a crack all the way down the middle of the shell and it was wobbling violently. Kit and Karla watched in awe as the little Queen stepped from the remains of her shell, they didn’t hear everyone gasp in shock or the whispers that were echoing around the Grounds. Kit felt someone take hold of her arm and herself being turned round. She faced the eyes of M’glen, which were wide in shock and surprise.

“You nearly went over the edge” he said still holding her arm
“Thank you. I hadn’t noticed how close to the edge I was”

M’glen released Kit’s arm and turned towards the sands. The little Queen had moved away from the girls on the sands and was searching near the stands. Her Golden hide was marked with Silver stripes, running along her back and along her wings. On her forehead was a mark shaped like an 8-pointed star. When Kit saw this she gasped and started backing away. Relina and M’glen looked at her and Karla moved to her.

“Kit what is wrong?” Karla asked, “Why are you backing from the sands?”
**Look at the Queen’s forehead, the mark there** Kit said through their link.

Karla looked and when she saw the mark she too gasped but stayed where she was. She looked at Kit then at the Weyrleaders. Then the little Queen spoke and only one person heard the words she spoke.

**I am Elrothielth. I was sent here by Vikara to help you with your life here until such time as you are to return home. Will you accept my help?**

Kit felt tears on her cheeks. She wiped them away and turned to the M’glen and Relina.

“Her name is Elrothielth, but there is a problem. I will explain later though about that”

M’glen nodded and then turned to watch Kit run down the stairs to the sands. She threw her arms around the Queen’s head and then started to feed her. All the time other hatchlings were breaking their shells and finding partners. All but one Green. She sat near her shell, her head moving from side to side her eyes whirling grey in sadness. Karla watched the little Green and felt sorrow move in her heart. She called out to the Green to give her comfort and from that moment she was caught. Her breath caught in her throat and her heart began to pump faster. She felt love and friendship coming from the mind of the Green and felt her own mind and heart respond to these feelings.

**My name is Farilth. I’m hungry, will you please come and feed me?**

Karla went to the sands and dropped on her knees in front of the Green. Her mind was reeling and her thoughts swimming.

**Kit we have a problem**

[silver dragon]

Chapter 8

Kit was amazed as she sat in the Weyrlings barracks. Both her self and Karla had impressed but the problem was that Karla wasn’t human and her dragon knew that. Yet the creature had still bonded to her, it was strange. Kit looked over to Karla sleeping in the bunk beside her and her green Farilth. Farilth was an emerald green and was quite beautiful. Kit looked over to her own dragon sleeping in her couch, her golden hide and silver stripes glittering in the moonlight, the mark on her forehead glowed. Now there was another who knew their secret. It was confusing after the hatching for a while. Kit, Karla, Merina, J’lon and the Weyrleaders had gathered at the Weyrleaders weyr. The dragons waited outside while their riders talked but they still listened to what was being said. Elrothielth told the Weyrleaders why she had been sent and by who. She told them that her name was given in honour of Elrothiel, Kit’s grandmother. The strangest thing was her explanation has to why her colours were different to the other gold’s.

**I was to be born an Elven dragon with a silver hide, but I didn’t have the strength to crack through my shell. The goddess Halanty- the Goddess of Souls, asked me how much I wanted life and what I would do to get it. I replied that I wanted life more then anything and that I would do anything to get it. She nodded at my reply and told me what I had to do. All I had to do was be born on another world and to help the Guardian live her life on that world until she was to return home. The Silver stripes are to remind me of what I was to be and the Golden hide of what I am. The Star mark is the Family Crest of Elrothiel and was given so that Kit would know that I was not a true dragon of this world**

They had talked things over and the matter was decided. Kit was to find a spell that would give Karla the power to change her form at will, but until then Karla was to continue doing as she had while J’lon cared for Farilth during the day. At night Karla was to sleep in the barracks with the other Weyrlings and Kit would tell her what had happened and what was learned in the Weyrling Classes when they started.

The memory faded from Kit’s mind as she fell into sleep and was replaced with another memory. A memory that Kit would never have remembered were it not for Elrothielth…

The day was bright with promise. Kit was dancing with joy and happiness. She bounced up to the High Tree in the middle of the village and tied her prayer to it like she had every year. For you see today was the Celebration of Souls and that night was the Night of Souls. Tonight she would be able to see her Father and tell him all that had happened since they had talked lasted year.

The day went quickly as the preparations were made for that night. Now everything was ready as Kit stood in the centre of field they were using this year. Her Grandmother gave her the knife and then stood back with the others. This was the bit that Kit hated, the spilling of blood. It was Kit’s blood that had to be spilled until she reached her eighteenth year, has she had the strongest magic in the Village. She laid the knife to her wrist and then made a swift cut up to her inner elbow. The blood welled and then dropped to the ground. Kit slowly put the knife on the floor and then, with her blood, made a circle on the floor around her. The circle would stop the souls from trying to get into her body and taking it for their own. Kit then said the words to open the Portal to the Soul Realm and relished the souls waiting on the other side. As the souls tumbled out to greet friends and loved ones Kit watched for her father. As the last of the souls came through Kit waited, thinking he’d be the last, Her father did like to make grand entrances. But when the Portal closed until the morning when it would open again for the souls to return for another year her father was not among those that came through. Suddenly a soul hovered over to her, she turn her tear-stained face to the soul and the soul smiled.

**I am one of the people who died by your father side that night. I was proud to serve him and your mother. But now the gods have deemed your father worthy of another life in this world and have had him remade into flesh and blood. He now lives with our kind in Shadow Valley. There he is to rule and live in peace, I am to go to him this night and tell him news of you, Young Mistress.**

The soul bowed and then began to listen to Kit’s news, a smile on her face has bright as the stars.

Again the memory faded as Kit fell into a dreamless slumber. Not far from her bed a shape of light hovered, a smile on it’s face as it watched its Mistress sleep peacefully.

[silver dragon]

Chapter 9

4 years have past since that fateful day on the hatching sands and many thing have happened. Elrothielth and Farilth have grown and become beautiful female dragons. Elrothielth had her first Flight and was caught by Sh’un and Destoilth. Kit found the spell that gave Karla the power to change form at will so she was a lot happier. Karla had a shock when Farilth had her first Flight but she was alright afterwards and guess who caught her, J’lon and Blue Iralth. Both were happy and content with their new lives. Kit would soon be celebrating her twentieth Birthday, or Nameday as they called it on Pern, and was quite excited. But what she didn’t know was that an old enemy was about to appear and that she, along with the rest of the Weyr and Pern, were in the deepest of trouble…

M’glen woke up with the sun on his face and his Weyr mate, Relina, lying next to him. He stroked her face and then got up, grabbed some clean clothes, had a wash and ordered some food. He peeped in on Zarlith and Sarilth, but both were still sleeping peacefully, though Sarilth looked a little more golden then usual. M’glen walked over and looked at her more closely.

“It seems like it’s going to be a busy day today” He thought to himself. Just then Zarlith woke up and eyed his rider.

*And why may I ask is it going to be busy?*
*Have you noticed how golden Sarilth looks?*
*Yes she should rise today*
*I’ll go and wake Relina*

Just as he was about to walk back into the sleeping area Relina walked out. She smiled at M’glen and then said hello to Zarlith.
“I see my dear is still sleeping” she said with a smile, her voice held a hint of laughter in it, “And she looks quite healthy”

M’glen laughed, “So is Zarlth going to have a challenge today or is Sarlith going to go easy on him this time?”
“ I don’t know. Yet. It’s up to Sarlith” Relina said with a sly smile on her face

As if that was the Golden dragons cue to wake up Sarlith gave a great big yawn and opened her eyes. *Why are you staring at me mine?*

*Because my dear you look quite healthy*
*I feel very nice. I think I’ll go and sunbath*
*All right dear, have fun.*

With that Sarlith walked outside and then took off for the heights to catch the early morning sun. Zarlth looked at his rider and then took off after his mate. M’glen looked at his weyrmate and sighed,

“We’ll have to watch her for the rest of the day” he said taking Relina into his arms
“I know, I know” she replied holding him.

Kit woke up as the sunlight peeped in through her window. She turned over and found her weyr mate, Sh’un, watching her. She put her hand on his face and stroked his cheek.

“Good morning my love” She said slipping in to his arms
“Good morning to you too. You seemed to have slept well”, Sh’un said holding her tightly to him.

Kit kissed him lightly and then moved out of the embrace. She grabbed some clean clothes and tossed Sh’un his. She then went to her queen Elrothielth and rubbed her eye ridges.

*Are you ok my dear?*
*Yes but we should leave soon*
*Why?*
*Because Sarlith is going to rise today*
*Ah ok then dear I’ll go and get your straps and then we can go hunting*
*That would be nice*

As Kit took Elrothielth’s flight straps down from it’s hook Sh’un walked over.

“Destolith has just told me that Sarlith is to rise today” He said taking the bronze’s flight straps down.
Kit nodded, “I was just about to leave and take Elrothielth hunting”
“I’ll come with you”, he said as he finished off securing the straps.

Kit smiled. Every since he’s bronze had caught Elrothielth, he would always go with Kit when she and her queen had to leave so that another queen could rise and mate safely and without interference. But she was glad, she was heavy with their first child and had told Relina and M’glen that, unlike the rest of the women in the Weyr, she would raise the child herself. She had not told them why but they accepted it. The reason was because the child would carry the magic and power of the elves and she needed to be able to teach her child how to use and control those powers and magic.

The pair of them took off for the hunting ground far enough from Cove Weyr and settled down while their dragons hunted.

[silver dragon]

Chapter 10

Sarlith loved lying in the sun. But today it felt even better, it felt empowering. She lifted her wings and took off to the fields. She was quite hungry and the beasts below looked very tasty. She dived on a buck and killed it swiftly. She was about to start eating when she heard Relina’s voice in her mind.

*You can only blood your kill Sarlith*

Sarlith hissed at this order and again bent her head to eat the kill.

*Sarlith! You may only blood the kill*

Sarlith gave in and blooded the beast. Lapping up the blood that came from the stomach and neck, strength flowing in her veins. She killed four more beasts before she looked at the males that had slowly started to surround her. She hissed her defiance at them and then took off for the skies. She roared her challenge, and then dived into the clouds. The males roared their responses and flew after the Golden queen.

On the ground Relina was lead into a nearby weyr by M’glen before their minds were all trapped into the minds of their dragons. The men crowded in the room and the space outside, waiting to see who would win the chase.

Sarlith flew just a little farther in the clouds before she dived. She looked at those who chased her. Zarlith, she was pleased to see, was leading the bronzes in the chase. She would make them work even harder this time for her. She twisted through a valley and then made a wide circle back to the Weyr. The blues and a few of the browns had given up just after the valley and returned back to the Weyr but the bronzes and the strongest of the browns kept pace. Sarlith flew over the Weyr Lake and looked back. Zarlith still held the foremost positon but some of the younger bronzes were catching up. Sarlith thought it was time to have some fun. She turned back on her self and dove straight through the males. They scattered as she went through but quickly regained them selves and followed.

Relina gasped and moaned as Sarlith went through the motions of the mating flight. She couldn’t see or hear the men around her; she could only feel what her dragon felt. Excitement, power and lust were all the emotions she could feel. Then there was only lust.

Sarlith shivered with her power and excitement. None of these males could catch her; she was the fastest Gold on all of Pern. And then she was proved wrong. She went to dive through the throng of males when she felt wings grab her and a bronze neck twining with hers.

Zarlith watch and waited for Sarlith’s next move. As she dove he flashed out his right wing and she was caught. He flew both of them over the lake and let the thermal drafts take over the work of their wings.

M’glen scooped up Relina and took her to the sleeping room, while the other riders wondered off in a daze, and undressed. He started to kiss her neck and then was lost in the lust that they had shared many a time.

[silver dragon]

Chapter 11

Kit and Sh’un were resting in the shade of the trees. Their dragons were still hunting and they had a little time to themselves. Elrothielth kept Kit up to date on the mating chase and told her when Sarlith had been caught and by whom. Kit put her hand on her swollen belly and sighed, it was her name day in two days and she was happy. This name day she would honour her grandmother’s sacrifice and renew her vow to her. Kit looked up into the sky and gasped. Sh’un jumped up, “What’s wrong Kit? What can you see?”

Kit got up slowly and started at the sky. There, near the red star, was the thing she had been waiting for all these years. A dark black mass was gathering in the sky. It looked like clouds except for the fact that it was pitch black. Kit stretched out her mind and felt nothing, and then she felt one feeling. Hunger, pure unquenchable hunger. She looked at Sh’un and then called Elrothielth back. The queen came back quickly and let her rider put her straps on and mount quickly. Sh’un did the same and quickly settled on Destoilth.

The golden and silver queen looked at her rider from over her shoulder. **What is wrong Mine?**
*We must get back to the Weyr Elrothielth. Their coming*

The Queen roared with fright and took off. She flew fast and hard straight to M’glen’s and Relina’s Weyr ledge. Kit got off as quickly as she could and banged on the door. M’glen answered it and smiled, but when he saw Kit’s face the smile faded and he frowned. He saw Destoilth and Sh’un land out of the corner of his eye and waited until the Bronze Rider had joined before inviting them in. He offered Kit the comfiest chair and called down the shaft for Klah and juice. Sh’un stood behind Kit with his hands on her shoulders, a very worried look on his face. M’glen sat down just as Relina walked in. She looked at Kit and then at the others and sighed. She Went over to the shaft and took the tray off and put it on the table before sitting down herself.

Kit watched the Weyrleader’s and wondered how she would tell them. She was just about to speak when M’glen put his hand up.

“You don’t need to say anything. Your face says it all”, he said
“They’re here. They’ve come for me and my child” , Kit said with a thoughtful look on her face.
M’glen smiled faintly, “What are you thinking Kitarna?”

Kit looked up and shook her head. She was thinking of how quickly it would take them to get here. The feeling of hunger was strong so that meant that they were close. How long? An hour, two? She had to get the people out of the weyr and somewhere safer. She looked at Relina and then at M’glen and nodded,

“We have to get all the non-riders out of the weyr and up to Monaco weyr.” Kit said looking out of the window and the dark cloud that was drawing nearer by the moment.
M'glen and sent out the call. All none riders were to leave the weyr until called back by himself or the Weyrwoman. It was time to defend their world again, but this time it was something far worse then thread that was their enemy.

[LuvMatisse]

You've got me on the edge of my seat! What happens next! :bouncy: