DRAGONFLIGHT

Whenisalegend,legend?Whyisamyth,amyth?Howoldanddisusedmusta factbe for it tobe relegated to thecategory:Fairy tale?Andwhydocertainfactsremainincontrovertible,whileotherslosetheirvaliditytoassumeashabby,unstablecharacter?

Rukbat,intheSagittariansector,wasagoldenG-typestar.Ithadfiveplanets,plusonestrayithadattractedandheldinrecentmillennia.Its thirdplanetwasenvelopedbyairmancouldbreathe,boastedwaterhecoulddrink,andpossessedagravitywhichpermittedmantowalkconfidentlyerect.Mendiscoveredit,andpromptlycolonizedit,astheydideveryhabitableplanettheycametoandthen,whethercallouslyorthroughcollapseofempire,thecolonistsneverdiscovered,andeventuallyforgottoask,leftthecoloniestofendforthemselves.

WhenmenfirstsettledonRukbat’sthirdworld,andnameditPern,theyhadtakenlittlenoticeofthestranger-planet,swingingarounditsprimaryinawildlyerraticellipticalorbit.Withinafewgenerationstheyhadforgottenitsexistence.Thedesperatepaththewandererpursuedbroughtitclosetoitsstepsistereverytwo hundred (Terran) years at perihelion.When the aspects were harmoniousand the conjunction with its sister-planet close enough, as it often was, theindigenous life of the wanderer sought to bridge the space gap to the moretemperateandhospitableplanet.

It was during the frantic struggle to combat this menace dropping throughPern's skies like silver threads, that Pern's contact with the mother-planetweakened and broke. Recollections of Earth receded further from Pernesehistory with each successive generation until memory of their originsdegeneratedpastlegendormyth,intooblivion.

To forestall the incursions of the dreadful Threads, the Pernese, with theingenuity of their forgotten Terran forebears, developed a highly specialized

varietyofalife-formindigenoustotheiradoptedplanet.Suchhumansashadahighempathyratingandsome innate telepathicabilitywere trained touseandpreservethisunusualanimalwhoseabilitytoteleportwasofgreatvalueinthefiercestruggletokeepPernbareofThreads.

Thewinged, tailed, and fiery-breathed dragons (named for theEarth legendthey resembled), their dragonmen, a breed apart, and themenace they battled,createdawholenewgroupoflegendsandmyths.

Oncerelievedofimminentdanger,Pernsettledintoamorecomfortablewayof life. The descendants of heroes fell into disfavor, as the legends fell intodisrepute.

This,then,isataleoflegendsdisbelievedandtheirrestoration.Yethowgoesalegend?Whereismyth?

PartI-WeyrSearch

1

Drummer,beat,andpiper,blow,

Harper,strike,andsoldier,go.

Freetheflameandsearthegrasses

TillthedawningRedStarpasses.

LESSA WOKE, cold. Cold with more than the chill of the everlastinglyclammystonewalls.ColdwiththeprescienceofadangerstrongerthantheonetenfullTurnsagothathadthensenther,whimperingwithterror,tohideinthewatchwher'sodorouslair.

Rigidwith concentration,Lessa lay in the strawof the redolent cheeseroomshe shared as sleeping quarters with the other kitchen drudges. There was anurgency in theominousportentunlikeanyother forewarning.She touched theawarenessofthewatchwher,slitheringonitsroundsinthecourtyard.Itcircledatthechokelimitofitschain.Itwasrestless,butoblivioustoanythingunusualinthepredawndarkness.

Lessa curled into a tight knot of bones, hugging herself to ease the strainacross her tense shoulders. Then, forcing herself to relax, muscle by muscle,jointbyjoint,shetriedtofeelwhatsubtlemenaceitmightbethatcouldrouseher,yetnotdistressthesensitivewatchwher.

The danger was definitely not within the walls of Ruatha Hold. Norapproaching the paved perimeter without the Hold where relentless grass hadforcednewgrowththroughtheancientmortar,greenwitnesstothedeteriorationoftheoncestone-cleanHold.Thedangerwasnotadvancingupthenowlittle-

usedcausewayfromthevalley,norlurkinginthecraftsmen'sstonyholdingsatthefootoftheHold'scliff.ItdidnotscentthewindthatblewfromTillek'scoldshores.Butstillittwangedsharplythroughhersenses,vibratingeverynerveinLessa'sslenderframe.Fullyroused,shesoughttoidentifyitbeforetheprescientmood dissolved. She cast outward, toward the Pass, farther than she had everpressed.WhateverthreatenedwasnotinRuatha...yet.Nordidithaveafamiliarflavor.Itwasnot,then.Fax.

LessahadbeencautiouslypleasedthatFaxhadnotshownhimselfatRuathaHold in threefullTurns.Theapathyof thecraftsmen, thedecayingfarmholds,eventhegreen-etchedstonesoftheHoldinfuriatedFax,self-styledLordoftheHigh Reaches, to the point where he preferred to forget the reason he hadsubjugatedtheonceproudandprofitableHold.

Relentlessly compelled to identify this oppressingmenace, Lessa groped inthe straw for her sandals. She rose,mechanically brushing straw frommattedhair,whichshethentwistedquicklyintoarudeknotatherneck.

Shepickedherwayamongthesleepingdrudges,huddledtogetherforwarmth,andglidedupthewornstepstothekitchenproper.Thecookandhisassistantlayonthelongtablebeforethegreathearth,widebackstothewarmthofthebankedfire, discordantly snoring. Lessa slipped across the cavernous kitchen to thestable-yarddoor.Sheopenedthedoor justenoughtopermitherslightbodytopass.Thecobblesoftheyardwereicythroughthethinsolesofhersandals,andsheshiveredasthepredawnairpenetratedherpatchedgarment.

Thewatchwher slithered across the yard to greet her, pleading, as it alwaysdid,forrelease.Comfortingly,shefondledthecreasesofthesharp-tippedearsasitmatchedherstride.Glancingfondlydownattheawesomehead,shepromisedit a good rub presently. It crouched, groaning, at the end of its chain as shecontinued to thegroovedsteps that led to the rampartover theHold'smassivegate.Atopthetower,LessastaredtowardtheeastwherethestonybreastsofthePassroseinblackreliefagainstthegatheringday.

Indecisively she swung to her left, for the sense of danger issued from thatdirectionaswell.Sheglancedupward,hereyesdrawn to the red star thathadrecentlybeguntodominatethedawnsky.Asshestared,thestarradiatedafinal

rubypulsationbeforeitsmagnificencewaslostinthebrightnessofPern'srisingsun.Incoherentfragmentsoftalesandballadsaboutthedawnappearanceofthered star flashed through her mind, too quickly to make sense.Moreover, herinstinct toldher that, thoughdangermight come from thenortheast, too, therewasagreaterperiltocontendwithfromdueeast.Straininghereyesasifvisionwouldbridgethegapbetweenperilandperson,shestaredintentlyeastward.Thewatchwher'sthin,whistledquestionreachedherjustasthepresciencewaned.

Lessasighed.Shehadfoundnoanswerinthedawn,onlydiscrepantportents.Shemustwait.Thewarninghadcomeandshehadacceptedit.Shewasusedtowaiting.Perversity, endurance, andguilewereherotherweapons, loadedwiththeinexhaustiblepatienceofvengefuldedication.

Dawnlightilluminedthetumbledlandscape,theunplowedfieldsinthevalleybelow.Dawnlightfellontwistedorchards,wherethesparseherdsofmilchbeastshuntedstraybladesofspringgrass.GrassinRuatha,Lessamused,grewwhereitshouldnot,diedwhereitshouldflourish.LessacouldhardlyremembernowhowRuathaValleyhadonce looked, sweetlyhappy, amplyproductive.BeforeFaxcame.Anoddbroodingsmilecurvedlipsunusedtosuchexercise.Faxrealizednoprofit fromhis conquest ofRuatha... norwouldhewhile she,Lessa, lived.Andhehadnottheslightestsuspicionofthesourceofthisundoing.

Or had he, Lessa wondered, her mind still reverberating from the savageprescience of danger. West lay Fax's ancestral and only legitimate Hold.Northeast lay little but bare and stonymountains and theWeyr that protectedPern.

Lessa stretched, arching her back, inhaling the sweet, untainted wind ofmorning.

Acockcrowedin thestableyard.Lessawhirled,herfacealert,eyesdartingaroundtheouterHoldlestshebeobservedinsuchanuncharacteristicpose.Sheunbound her hair, letting the rankmass fall about her face concealingly. Herbodydrooped into the sloppyposture sheaffected.Quickly she thuddeddownthe stairs, crossing to thewatchwher. It criedpiteously, itsgreat eyesblinkingagainst the growing daylight. Oblivious to the stench of its rank breath, shehuggedthescalyheadtoher,scratchingitsearsandeyeridges.Thewatchwher

wasecstaticwithpleasure,itslongbodytrembling,itsclippedwingsrustling.Italoneknewwhoshewasorcared.AnditwastheonlycreatureinallPernshehadtrustedsincethedawnshehadblindlysoughtrefugeinitsdark,stinkinglairtoescapethethirstyswordsthathaddrunksodeeplyofRuathanblood.

Slowly she rose, cautioning it to remember tobe asvicious toher as to all,should anyone be near. It promised to obey her, swaying back and forth toemphasizeitsreluctance.

Thefirst raysof thesunglancedover theHold'souterwall,and,cryingout,thewatchwherdartedintoitsdarknest.Lessacreptswiftlybacktothekitchenandintothecheeseroom.

2FromtheWeyrandfromtheBowl,

Bronzeandbrownandblueandgreen,

RisethedragonmenofPern,

Aloft,onwing,seen,thenunseen.

F'LAR,ONbronzeMnementh'sgreatneck,appearedfirst in theskiesabovethe chief Hold of Fax, so-called Lord of the High Reaches. Behind him, inproper wedge formation, the wingmen came into sight. F'lar checked theformation automatically; it was as precise as on themoment of their entry tobetween.

AsMnementhcurvedinanarcthatwouldbringthemtotheperimeteroftheHold, consonantwith the friendlynatureof this visitation,F'lar surveyedwithmounting aversion the disrepair of the ridge defences. The firestone pitswereempty,andtherock-cutguttersradiatingfromthepitsweregreen-tingedwithamossygrowth.

Was there even one Lord in Pern who maintained his Hold rocky inobservanceoftheancientLaws?F'lar'slipstightenedtoathinnerline.WhenthisSearchwas over and the Impressionmade, therewould have to be a solemn,punitiveCouncil held at theWeyr.And by the golden shell of the queen, he,F'lar,meant to be itsmoderator.Hewould replace lethargywith industry.Hewouldscour thegreenanddangerousscumfromtheheightsofPern, thegrassblades from its stoneworks. No verdant skirt would be condoned in anyfarmhold.And the tithings that had been somiserly, so grudgingly presented,would, under pain of firestoning, flow with decent generosity into theDragonweyr.

Mnementhrumbledapprovinglyashevanedhispinionstolandlightlyonthegrass-etchedflagstonesofFax'sHold.Thebronzedragonfurledhisgreatwings,and F'lar heard the warning claxon in the Hold's Great Tower. MnementhdroppedtohiskneesasF'larindicatedhewishedtodismount.ThebronzeriderstoodbyMnementh'shugewedge-shapedhead,politelyawaiting thearrivaloftheHoldLord.F'laridlygazeddownthevalley,hazywithwarmspringsunlight.Heignoredthefurtiveheadsthatpeeredatthedragonmanfromtheparapetslitsandthecliffwindows.

F'lardidnotturnastherushofairpasthimannouncedthearrivaloftherestofthe wing. He knew, however, when F'nor, the brown rider who wascoincidentallyhishalfbrother,tookthecustomarypositiononhisleft,adragonlength to the rear.From thecornerofhis eye,F'larglimpsedF'nor twisting todeathwithhisbootheelthegrassthatcrowdedupbetweenthestones.

Anorder,muffledtoanintensewhisper, issuedfromwithinthegreatCourt,beyondtheopengates.Almostimmediatelyagroupofmenmarchedintosight,ledbyaheavy-setmanofmediumheight.

Mnementh arched his neck, angling his head so that his chin rested on theground.Mnementh'smany faceted eyes, on a levelwith F'lar's head, fastenedwith disconcerting interest on the approachingparty.Thedragons could neverunderstandwhy they generated such abject fear in common folk.At only onepointinhislifespanwouldadragonattackahuman,andthatcouldbeexcusedon the grounds of simple ignorance. F'lar could not explain to the dragon thepoliticsbehindthenecessityofinspiringaweintheholders.Lordandcraftsmanalike.Hecouldonlyobservethatthefearandapprehensionshowinginthefacesof the advancing squadwhich troubledMnementhwas oddly pleasing to him,F'lar.

"Welcome,bronzerider,totheHoldofFax,LordoftheHighReaches.Heisatyourservice,"andthemanmadeanadequatelyrespectfulsalute.

Theuseofthethirdpersonpronouncouldbeconstruedbythemeticuloustobeaveiledinsult.ThisfitinwiththeinformationF'larhadonFax,soheignoredit.HisinformationwasalsocorrectindescribingFaxasagreedyman.Itshowedin the restless eyes that flicked at every detail of F'lar's clothing, at the slight

frownwhentheintricatelyetchedswordhiltwasnoticed.

F'larnoticed,inhisownturn,theseveralrichringsthatflashedonFax'slefthand.Theoverlord's righthand remainedslightlycockedafter thehabitof theprofessional swordsman. His tunic, of rich fabric, was stained and none toofresh. The man's feet, in heavy wherhide boots, were solidly planted, weightbalancedforwardonhis toes.Aman tobe treatedcautiously,F'lardecided,asoneshouldtheconqueroroffiveneighboringHolds.Suchgreedyaudacitywasin itselfa revelation.Faxhadmarried intoasixth ...andhad legally inherited,however unusual the circumstances, the seventh. He was a lecherousman byreputation.Within these sevenHolds,F'lar anticipatedaprofitableSearch.LetR'gulgosoutherlytopursueSearchamongtheindolentiflovelywomenthere.TheWeyrneededastrongwoman this time;Jorahadbeenworse thanuselesswithNemorth.Adversity, uncertainty: thosewere the conditions that bred thequalitiesF'larwantedinaWeyrwoman.

"WerideinSearch,"F'lardrawledsoftly,"andrequestthehospitalityofyourHold,LordFax."

Fax'seyeswidenedimperceptiblyatmentionofaSearch.

"IhadheardJorawasdead,"Faxreplied,droppingthethirdpersonabruptlyasifF'larhadpassedsomesortoftestbyignoringit."SoNemorthhaslaidaqueen,hmmm?"hecontinued,hiseyesdartingacrosstherankofthewing,notingthedisciplinedstanceoftheriders,thehealthycolorofthedragons.

F'lardidnotdignifytheobviouswithananswer.

"And,myLord-"Faxhesitated,expectantlyinclininghisheadslightlytowardthedragonman.

For a pulsebeat,F'larwondered if themanwasdeliberatelyprovokinghimwithsuchsubtleinsults.Thenameofthebronzeridersshouldbeaswellknownthroughout Pern as the name of the dragon queen and herWeyrwoman. F'larkepthisfacecomposed,hiseyesonFax's.

Leisurely,withthepropertouchofarrogance,F'norsteppedforward,stoppingslightlybehindMnementh'shead,onehandnegligently touching the jawhinge

ofthehugebeast.

"ThebronzeriderofMnementh,LordF'lar,willrequirequartersforhimself.I,F'nor,brownrider,prefertobelodgedwiththewingmen.Weare,innumber,twelve."

F'lar liked that touchofF'nor's, tottingup thewing strength, as ifFaxwereincapableofcounting.F'norhadphraseditsoadroitlyastomakeitimpossibleforFaxtoprotestthereturninsult.

"LordF'lar,"Fax said through teeth fixed ina smile, "theHighReachesarehonoredwithyourSearch."

"ItwillbetothecreditoftheHighReaches,"F'larrepliedsmoothly,"ifoneofitsownsuppliestheWeyr."

"To our everlasting credit," Fax replied as suavely. "In the old days manynotableWeyrwomencamefrommyHolds."

"YourHolds?"askedF'lar,politelysmilingasheemphasizedtheplural."Ah,yes,youarenowoverlordofRuatha,areyounot?TherehavebeenmanyfromthatHold."

Astrange,tenselookcrossedFax'sface,quicklysupplantedbyadeterminedlyaffablegrin.Faxsteppedaside,gesturingF'lartoentertheHold.

Fax's troop leaderbarkedahastyorder,and themenformed two lines, theirmetal-edgedbootsflickingsparksfromthestones.

Atunspokenorders,allthedragonsrosewithagreatchurningofairanddust.F'lar strodenonchalantly past thewelcoming files.Themenwere rolling theireyesinalarmasthebeastsglidedabovetotheinnercourts.SomeoneonthehighTowerutteredafrightenedyelpasMnementhtookhispositiononthatvantagepoint.Hisgreatwingsdrovephosphoric-scentedairacrosstheinnercourtashemaneuveredhisgreatframeontotheinadequatelandingspace.

Outwardlyoblivioustotheconsternation,fear,andawethedragonsinspired,F'larwas secretlyamusedand ratherpleasedby theeffect.Lordsof theHolds

neededthisreminderthattheystillmustdealwithdragons,notjustwithriders,whoweremen,mortal andmurderable. The ancient respect for dragonmen aswellasdragonkindmustbereinstilledinmodembreasts.

"TheHoldhasjustrisenfromtable,LordF'lar,if..."Faxsuggested.HisvoicetrailedoffatF'lar'ssmilingrefusal.

"Conveymydutytoyourlady.LordFax,"F'larrejoined,noticingwithinwardsatisfactionthetighteningofFax'sjawmusclesattheceremonialrequest.

F'lar was enjoying himself thoroughly. He had not yet been born on theoccasion of the last Search, the one that ill-fatedly provided the incompetentJora.Buthehadstudied theaccountsofpreviousSearches in theOldRecordsthat had included subtleways to confound thoseLordswho preferred to keeptheir ladies sequesteredwhen the dragonmen rode. For Fax to refuse F'lar theopportunity to pay his duty would have been tantamount to a major insult,dischargedonlyinmortalcombat.

"Youwouldprefertoseeyourquartersfirst?"Faxcountered.

F'larflickedanimaginaryspeckfromhissoftwherhidesleeveandshookhishead.

"Dutyfirst,"hesaidwitharuefulshrug.

"Ofcourse,"Faxallbutsnappedandstrodesmartlyahead,hisheelspoundingouttheangerhecouldnotexpressotherwise.

F'larandF'norfollowedataslowerpacethroughthedouble-dooredentrywithits great metal panels, into the Great Hall, carved into the cliffside. The U-shaped tablewas being cleared by nervous servitors,who rattled and droppedtablewareasthetwodragonmenentered.FaxhadalreadyreachedthefarendoftheHallandstoodimpatientlyattheopenslabdoor,theonlyaccesstotheinnerHold,which,likeallsuchHolds,burroweddeepintostone,therefugeofallintimeofperil.

"Theyeatnotbadly,"F'norremarkedcasuallytoF'lar,appraisingtheremnantsstillonthetable.

"BetterthantheWeyr,itwouldseem,"F'larreplieddryly,coveringhisspeechwithhishandashesawtwodrudgesstaggeringundertheweightonatraythatboreahalf-eatencarcass.

"Young and tender," F'nor said in a bitter undertone, "from the look of it.Whilethestringy,barrenbeastsaredelivereduptous."

"Naturally."

"A pleasantly favored Hall," F'lar said amiably as they reached Fax. Then,seeingFax impatient to continue, F'lar deliberately turned back to the banner-hungHall.He pointed out to F'nor the deeply set slitwindows, heavy bronzeshuttersopen to thebrightnoondaysky."Facingeast, too,as theyought.ThatnewHallatTelgarHoldactuallyfacessouth,I'mtold.Tellme.LordFax,doyouadheretotheoldpracticesandmountadawnguard?"

Faxfrowned,tryingtoparseF'lar'smeaning.

"ThereisalwaysaguardattheTower."

"Aneasterlyguard?"

Fax'seyesjerkedtowardthewindows,thenback,slidingacrossF'lar'sfacetoF'norandbackagaintothewindows.

"Therearealwaysguards,"heansweredsharply,"onalltheapproaches.""Oh,justtheapproaches,"andF'larturnedtoF'norandnoddedwisely.

"Whereelse?"demandedFax,concerned,glancingfromonedragonmantotheother.

"Imustaskthatofyourharper.YoudokeepatrainedharperinyourHold?"

"Ofcourse.Ihaveseveraltrainedharpers."Faxjerkedhisshouldersstraighter.

F'laraffectednottounderstand.

"LordFaxistheoverlordofsixotherHolds,"F'norremindedhiswingleader.

"Ofcourse,"F'lar assented,with exactly the same inflectionFaxhadusedamomentbefore.

ThemimicrydidnotgounnoticedbyFax,butashewasunable toconstruedeliberate insult out of an innocent affirmative, he stalked into the glow-litcorridors.Thedragonmenfollowed.

"ItisgoodtoseeoneHolderkeepingsomanyancientcustoms,"F'larsaidtoF'norapprovinglyforFax'sbenefitastheypassedintotheinnerHold."Therearemany who have abandoned the safety of solid rock and enlarged their outerHoldstodangerousproportions.Ican'tcondonetheriskmyself."

"Their risk.LordF'lar.Another'sgain,"Fax snortedderisively, slowing toanormalstrut.

"Gain?Howso?"

"Any outer Hold is easily penetrated, bronze rider, with trained forces,experiencedleadership,andwellconsideredstrategy."

Themanwasnotabraggart,F'lardecided.Nor,inthesepeacefuldays,didhefail to mount Tower guards. However, he kept within his Hold, not out ofobedience to ancient Laws, but through prudence. He kept harpers forostentation rather thanbecause tradition required it.Butheallowed thepits todecay;hepermittedgrasstogrow.Heaccordeddragonmenthebarestcivilityononehandandofferedveiledinsultontheother.Amantobewatched.

The women's quarters in Fax's Hold had been moved from the traditionalinnermost corridors to those at the cliff-face. Sunlight poured down from thethreedouble-shuttered,deep-casementwindowsin theoutsidewall.F'larnotedthatthebronzehingeswerewelloiled.Thesillsweretheregulationspearlength;Faxhadnotgivenintotherecentpracticeofdiminishingtheprotectivewall.

The chamber was richly hung with appropriately gentle scenes of womenoccupiedinallmanneroffemininetasks.Doorsgaveoffthemainchamberonboth sides into smaller sleeping alcoves, and from these, at Fax's bidding, hiswomenhesitantlyemerged,Faxsternlygestured toablue-gownedwoman,herhairwhite-streaked,herfacelinedwithdisappointmentsandbitterness,herbody

swollenwith pregnancy. She advanced awkwardly, stopping several feet fromher lord.Fromher attitude,F'lar deduced that she cameno closer toFax thanwasabsolutelynecessary.

"TheLadyofCrom,motherofmyheirs,"Faxsaidwithoutprideorcordiality.

"MyLady-"F'larhesitated,waitingforhernametobesupplied.

Sheglancedwarilyatherlord.

"Gemma,"Faxsnappedcurtly.

F'larboweddeeply. "MyLadyGemma, theWeyr isonSearchand requeststhehospitalityoftheHold."

"My Lord F'lar," the Lady Gemma replied in a low voice, "you are mostwelcome."

F'lardidnotmisstheslightslurontheadverborthefactthatGemmahadnotroublenaminghim.Hissmilewaswarmerthancourtesydemanded,warmwithgratitudeandsympathy.Judgingbythenumberofwomeninthesequarters.Faxbeddedwellandfrequently.TheremightbeoneortwoLadyGemmacouldbidfarewell without regret. Faxwent through the introductions,mumbling namesuntilherealizedthisstrategywasnotgoingtowork.F'larwouldpolitelybegthelady'snameagain.F'nor,hissmilebrighteningashetookheedwhichladiesFaxpreferred to keep anonymous, lounged indolently by the doorway.F'larwouldcomparenoteswithhimlater,althoughoncursoryexaminationtherewasnonehereworthy of the Search. Fax preferred his women plump and small. Therewasn'tasaucyoneinthelot.Ifthereoncehadbeen,thespirithadbeenbeatenoutofthem.Fax,nodoubt,wasstud,notlover.Someofthecoveyhadnotallwinterlongmademuchuseofwater,judgingfromtheamountofsweetoilgonerancidintheirhair.Ofthemall,ifthesewereall,theLadyGemmawastheonlywillfulone,andshewastooold.

The amenities over. Fax ushered his unwelcome guests outside. F'nor wasexcusedbyhiswingleadertojointheotherdragonmen.Faxperemptorilyledthewaytothequartershehadassignedthebronzerider.

Thechamberwasona lower level than thewomen'ssuiteandwascertainlyadequate to the dignity of its occupant. The many-colored hangings werecrowded with bloody battles, individual swordplay, bright-hued dragons inflight,firestonesburningontheridges,andallthatPern'sscarlet-stainedhistoryoffered.

"A pleasant room," F'lar acknowledged, stripping off gloves and wherhidetunic, throwing them carelessly to the table. "I shall see to my men and thebeasts. The dragons have all been fed recently," he commented, pointing upFax'somissionininquiring."Irequestlibertytowanderthroughthecrafthold."

Faxsourlygrantedwhatwastraditionallyadragonman'sprivilege.

"I shall not furtherdisrupt your routine.LordFax, foryoumust havemanydemandsonyou,withsevenHoldstosupervise."F'larinclinedhisbodyslightlyto the overlord, turning away as a gesture of dismissal.He could imagine theinfuriated expression on Fax's face and listened to the stamping retreat. Hewaited long enough to be sure Fax was out of the corridor and then brisklyretracedhisstepsuptotheGreatHall.

Bustling drudges paused in setting up additional trestle tables to eye thedragonman.Henoddedpleasantlytothem,lookingtoseeifoneofthesefemalesmight possibly have the stuff of which Weyrwomen are made. Overworked,underfed,scarredbylashanddisease,theywerejustwhattheywere-drudges,fitonlyforhard,meniallabor.F'norandthemenhadsettledthemselvesinahastilyvacated barrack room. The dragons were perched comfortably on the rockyridgesabovetheHold.Theyhadsoarrangedthemselvesthateverysegmentofthe wide valley fell under their scrutiny. All had been fed before leaving theWeyr,andeachriderkepthisdragoninlightbutalertcharge.ThereweretobenoincidentsonaSearch.

Asagroup,thedragonmenroseatF'lar'sentrance.

"Notricks,notroubles,butlookaroundclosely,"hesaidlaconically."Returnby sundown with the names of any likely prospects." He caught F'nor's grin,rememberinghowFaxhadslurredoversomenames."Descriptionsareinorderandcraftaffiliation."

The men nodded, their eyes glinting with understanding. They wereflatteringlyconfidentofasuccessfulSearchevenasF'lar'sdoubtsgrewnowthathe had seen all of Fax's women. By all logic, the pick of the High Reachesshouldbe inFax's chiefHold, but theywerenot.Still, thereweremany largecraftholds,nottomentionthesixotherHighHoldstovisit.Allthesame...

InunspokenaccordF'larandF'nor left thebarracks.Themenwouldfollow,unobtrusively, in pairs or singly, to reconnoitre the crafthold and the nearerfarmholds.Themenwereasovertlyeager tobeabroadasF'larwasprivately.Therehadbeenatimewhendragonmenwerefrequentandfavoredguestsinallthe great Holds throughout Pern, from southern Nerat to high Tillek. Thispleasantcustom,too,haddiedalongwithotherobservances,evidenceofthelowregardinwhichtheWeyrwaspresentlyheld.F'larvowedtocorrectthis.

He forced himself to trace in memory the insidious changes. The Records,whicheachWeyrwomankept,wereproofofthegradualbutperceptibledecline,traceable through the past two hundred full Turns. Knowing the facts did notalleviate the condition.And F'larwas of that scant handful in theWeyr itselfwho did credit Records and ballad alike. The situation might shortly reverseitselfradicallyiftheoldtalesweretobebelieved.

Therewasareason,anexplanation,apurpose,F'larfelt,foreveryoneoftheWeyrLawsfromFirstImpressiontotheFirestones,fromthegrass-freeheightsto ridge-runninggutters.Forelementsasminorascontrolling theappetiteofadragon to limiting the inhabitants of the Weyr. Although why the other fiveWeyrshadbeenabandonedF'lardidnotknow.Idlyhewonderedif therewereRecords,dustyandcrumbling,lodgedinthedisusedWeyrs.Hemustcontrivetocheckwhen next hiswings flew patrol.Certainly therewas no explanation inBendenWeyr.

"There is industry but no enthusiasm," F'nor was saying, drawing F'lar'sattentionbacktotheirtourofthecrafthold.

They had descended the guttered ramp from the Hold into the craftholdproper, the broad roadway lined with cottages up to the imposing stonecrafthalls. Silently F'lar noted moss-clogged gutters on the roofs, the vinesclasping thewalls. Itwaspainful foroneofhis calling towitness the flagrant

disregardofsimplesafetyprecautions.Growingthingswereforbiddennearthehabitationsofmankind.

"News travels fast,"F'nor chuckled, nodding at a hurrying craftsman, in thesmockofabaker,whogavethemamumbledgood-day."Notafemaleinsight."

Hisobservationwasaccurate.Womenshouldbeabroadatthishour,bringinginsuppliesfromthestorehouses,washingintheriveronsuchabrightwarmday,orgoingouttothefarmholdstohelpwithplanting.Notagownedfigureinsight.

"Weusedtobepreferredmates,"F'norremarkedcaustically.

"We'llvisittheClothmen'sHallfirst.Ifmymemoryservesme..."

"Asitalwaysdoes..."F'norinterjectedwryly.Hetooknoadvantageoftheirbloodrelationship,buthewasmoreateasewith thebronzerider thanmostofthedragonmen, theotherbronzeriders included.F'larwas reserved inaclose-knit society of easy equality. He flew a tightly disciplined wing, but menmaneuveredtoserveunderhim.HiswingalwaysexcelledintheGames.Noneever floundered in between to disappear forever, and no beast in his wingsickened,leavingamanindragonlessexilefromtheWeyr,apartofhimnumbforever.

"L'tolcamethiswayandsettledinoneoftheHighReaches,"F'larcontinued.

"L'tol?"

"Yes,agreenriderfromS'lel'swing.Youremember."

Anill-timedswerveduringtheSpringGameshadbroughtL'tolandhisbeastintothefullblastofaphosphineemissionfromS'lel'sbronzeTuenth.L'tolhadbeenthrownfromhisbeast'sneckasthedragontriedtoevadetheblast.Anotherwingmate had swooped to catch the rider, but the green dragon, his leftwingcrisped,hisbodyscorched,haddiedofshockandphosphinepoisoning.

"L'tolwouldaidourSearch,"F'noragreedasthetwodragonmenwalkeduptothebronzedoorsoftheClothmen'sHall.Theypausedonthethreshold,adjustingtheir eyes to thedimmer lightwithin.Glowspunctuated thewall recesses and

hung in clusters above the larger loomswhere the finer tapestries and fabricswere woven by master craftsmen. The pervading mood was one of quiet,purposefulindustry.

Beforetheireyeshadadapted,however,afigureglidedtothem,mutteringapoliteifcurtrequestforthemtofollownun.

Theywereledtotherightoftheentrance,toasmalloffice,curtainedfromthemainhall.Theirguide turned to them,his facevisible in thewallglows.Therewasthatairabouthimthatmarkedhimindefinablyasadragonman.Buthisfacewas lineddeeply,one side seamedwitholdburnmarks.His eyes, sickwith ahungryyearning,dominatedhisface.Hebunkedconstantly.

"IamnowLytol,"hesaidinharshvoice.

F'larnoddedacknowledgment.

"YouwouldbeF'lar,"Lytolsaid,"andyouF'nor.Youbothhavethelookofyoursire."

F'larnoddedagain.

Lytol swallowed convulsively, the muscles in his face twitching as thepresenceofdragonmenrevivedhisawarenessofexile.Heessayedasmile.

"Dragonsinthesky!ThenewsspreadfasterthanThreads."

"Nemorthhaslaidafemale."

"And Jora dead?" Lytol asked concernedly, his face cleared of its nervousmovementforasecond."Hathflewher?"

F'larnodded.

Lytol grimaced bitterly. "R'gul again, huh?" He stared off in the middledistance,hiseyelidsquietbutthemusclesalonghisjawtakinguptheconstantmovement. "You have theHigh Reaches?All of them?" Lytol asked, turningbacktothedragonman,aslightemphasison"all."

F'largaveanaffirmativenodagain.

"You'veseenthewomen."Lytol'sdisgustshowedthroughthewords.Itwasastatement,notaquestion,forhehurriedon."Well,therearenobetterinalltheHighReaches."His tone expressed utmost disdain.He eased himself down tothe heavy table that half-filled one comer of the small room.His handswereclenchedsotightlyaroundthewidebeltthatsecuredtheloosetunictohisbodythattheheavyleatherwasdoubled.

"Youwouldalmostexpect theopposite,wouldn'tyou?"Lytolcontinued.Hewas talking too much and too fast. It would have been insultingly rude inanother, lesserman. Itwas the terrible loneliness of theman's, exile from theWeyr that drove him to garrulity. Lytol skimmed the surfaces with hurriedquestionshehimselfanswered,ratherthandiponceintomatterstootendertobetouched-suchashisinsatiableneedforthoseofhiskind.Yethewasgivingthedragonmen exactly the information they needed. "But Fax likes his womencomfortably fleshedanddocile,"Lytol rattledon. "Even theLadyGemmahaslearned.It'dbedifferent ifhedidn'tneedherfamily'ssupport.Ah, itwouldbedifferent indeed. So he keeps her pregnant, hoping to kill her in childbed oneday.Andhewill.Hewill."

Lytol'slaughtergratedunpleasantly.

"WhenFaxcame topower,anymanwithwitsenthisdaughtersdownfromthe High Reaches or drew a brand across their faces." He paused, hiscountenancedarkandbittermemory,hiseyesslitsofhatred."Iwasafoolandthoughtmypositiongavemeimmunity."

Lytol drew himself up, squaring his shoulders, turning full to the twodragonmen.Hisexpressionwasvindictive,hisvoicelowandtense.

"Killthattyrant,dragonmen,forthesakeandsafetyofPern.OftheWeyr.Ofthequeen.Heonlybideshistime.HespreadsdiscontentamongtheotherLords.He-"Lytol'slaughterhadanhystericaledgetoitnow."Hefancieshimselfasgoodasdragonmen."

"TherearenocandidatestheninthisHold?"F'larsaid,hisvoicesharpenough

tocutthroughtheman'spreoccupationwithhiscurioustheory.

Lytolstaredatthebronzerider."DidInotsayit?ThebesteitherdiedunderFax or were sent away. What remains is nothing, nothing. Weak-minded,ignorant, foolish,vapid.Youhad thatwith Jora.She - "His jawsnappedshutoverhisnextwords.Heshookhishead,scrubbinghisfacetoeasehisanguishanddespair.

"IntheotherHolds?"

Lytolshookhishead,frowningdarkly."Thesame.Eitherdeadorfled."

"WhatofRuathaHold?"

LytolstoppedshakinghisheadandlookedsharplyatF'lar,hislipscurlinginacunningsmile.Helaughedmirthlessly.

"YouthinktofindaToreneoraMoretahiddenatRuathaHoldinthesetimes?Well,bronze rider,allofRuathanBloodaredead.Fax'sbladewas thirsty thatday. He knew the truth of those harpers' tales, that Ruathan Lords gave fullmeasureofhospitalitytodragonmenandtheRuathanwereabreedapart.Therewere, you know" - Lytol's voice dropped to a confiding whisper - "exiledWeyrmenlikemyselfinthatLine."

F'larnoddedgravely,unwillingtodeprive themanofsuchasoptohisself-esteem.

"No, there is little, very little left inRuathaValley." Lytol chuckled softly."FaxgetsnothingfromthatHoldbuttrouble."ThisreflectionrestoredLytoltoasemblanceofnormalbehavior,andhisfacetwistedintoabetterhumor."WeofthisHold are now the best clothmen in all Pern.And our smithies turn out abetter tempered weapon." His eyes sparkled with pride in his adoptedcommunity. "The conscripts from Ruatha tend to die of curious diseases oraccidents. And the women Fax used to take ..." His laugh was nasty. "It isrumoredhewasimpotentformonthsafter."

F'lar's active mind jumped to a curious conclusion. "There are none of theBloodleft?"

"None!"

"AnyfamiliesintheholdingswithWeyrblood?"

Lytolfrowned,glancedinsurpriseatF'lar.Herubbedthescarredsideofhisfacethoughtfully.

"Therewere,"headmittedslowly."Therewere.ButIdoubtifanyliveon."Hethought amoment longer, then shook his head emphatically. "Therewas suchresistanceattheinvasionandnoquartergiven.AttheHoldFaxbeheadedladiesas well as babes. And he imprisoned or executed any known to have carriedarmsforRuatha."

F'lar shrugged. The idea had been a probability only. With such severereprisals. Fax undoubtedly had eliminated the resistance as well as the bestcraftsmen.ThatwouldaccountforthepoorqualityofRuathanproductsandtheemergenceoftheHighReaches'clothmenasthebestintheirtrade.

"IwishIhadbetternewsforyou,dragonman,"Lytolmurmured.

"Nomatter,"F'lar reassuredhim,onehandpoised topart thehanging in thedoorway.

Lytolcameuptohimswiftly,hisvoiceurgent.

"Heed what I say about Fax's ambitions. Force R'gul, or whoever isWeyrleadernext,tokeepwatchontheHighReaches."

"IsFaxawareofyourleanings?"

Thehaunted,hungryyearningcrossedLytol'sface.Heswallowednervously,answeringwithnoemotioninhisvoice.

"ThatwouldnotsignifyifitsuitedtheLordoftheHighReaches,butmyguildprotectsmefrompersecution.Iamsafeenoughinthecraft.Heisdependentonthe proceeds of our industry."He snorted,mocking. "I am the bestweaver ofbattlescenes.Tobesure,"headded,cockingoneeyebrowwaggishly,"dragonsare no longerwoven in the fabric as the comrades of heroes.You noticed, of

course,theprevalenceofgrowinggreens?"

F'lar grimaced his distaste. "That is not all we have noted, either. But Faxkeepstheothertraditions..."

Lytolwavedthisconsiderationaside."Hedoesthatbecauseitisbasicmilitarysense.HisneighborsarmedafterhetookRuatha,forhediditbytreachery, letmetellyou.Andletmewarnyoualso"-LytoljabbedafingerinthedirectionoftheHold-"hescornsopenlyattalesoftheThreads.Hetauntstheharpersforthestupid nonsense of the old ballads and has banned from their repertoire alldragonlore.Thenewgenerationwillgrowuptotallyignorantofduty,tradition,andprecaution."

F'lar was not surprised to hear that on top of Lytol's other disclosures,althoughitdisturbedhimmorethananythingelsehehadheard.Othermen,too,deniedtheverbaltransmissionsofhistoricevents,accountingthemnomorethanthemaunderingsofharpers.YettheRedStarpulsedinthesky,andthetimewasdrawingnearwhen theywouldhysterically re-avow theoldallegiances in fearfortheirverylives.

"Haveyoubeenabroad in the earlymorningof late?" askedF'nor, grinningmaliciously.

"Ihave,"Lytolbreathedoutinahushed,chokedwhisper."Ihave..."Agroanwaswrenchedfromhisguts,andhewhirledawayfromthedragomnen,hisheadbowedbetweenhunchedshoulders."Go,"hesaid,grittinghisteeth.And,astheyhesitated,hepleaded,"Go!"

F'lar walked quickly from the room, followed by F'nor. The bronze ridercrossed the quiet dim Hall with long strides and exploded into the startlingsunlight. His momentum took him into the center of the square. There hestoppedsoabruptlythatF'nor,hardonhisheels,nearlycollidedwithhim.

"WewillspendexactlythesametimewithintheotherHalls,"heannouncedinatightvoice,hisfaceavertedfromF'nor'seyes.F'lar'sthroatwasconstricted.Itwasdifficultsuddenlyforhimtospeak.Heswallowedhard,severaltimes.

"To be dragonless ..." murmured F'nor pityingly. The encounter with Lytol

had roiledhisdepths in amournfulway towhichhewasunaccustomed.ThatF'larappearedequallyshakenwentfartodispelF'nor'sprivateopinionthathishalfbrotherwasincapableofemotion.

"ThereisnootherwayonceFirstImpressionhasbeenmade.Youknowthat,"F'lar rousedhimself tosaycurly.Hestrodeoff to theHallbearing the leather-men'sdevice.

3Honorthosethedragonsheed,

Inthoughtandfavor,wordanddeed,

Worldsarelostorworldsaresaved

Fromthosedangersdragon'braved.

Dragonman,avoidexcess;

GreedwillbringtheWeyrdistress;

TotheancientLawsadhere,

ProspersthustheDragonweyr

F'LARWAS amused ... and unamused. This was their fourth day in Fax'scompany, and only F'lar's firm control on self and wing was keeping thesituationfromexplodingintoviolence.

Ithadbeenaturnofchance,F'larmused,asMnementhheldhisleisurelyglidetowardtheBreastPassintoRuatha,thathe,F'lar,hadchosentheHighReaches.Fax'stacticswouldhavebeensuccessfulwithR'gul,whowasveryconsciousofhis honor, or S'lan or D'nol, who were too young to have developed muchpatienceordiscretion.S'lelwouldhaveretreatedinconfusion,acoursenearlyasdisastrousfortheWeyrascombat.

He should have correlated the indications long ago.The decay of theWeyrandits influencedidnotcomesolelyfromtheHoldingLordsandtheirfolk.Itcame also fromwithin theWeyr, a result of inferior queens and incompetentWeyrwomen.ItcamefromR'gul'sinexplicableinsistenceonnot"bothering"theHolders,onkeepingdragonmenwithintheWeyr.AndyetwithintheWeyrthere

had been too much emphasis on preparation for the Games until the internalcompetitionbetweenwingshadbecomethebe-allandend-allofWeyractivity.

The encroachment of grass had not come overnight, nor had the Lordsawakened one morning recently and decided in a flash not to give all theirtraditionaltithetotheWeyr.Ithadhappenedgraduallyandhadbeenallowed,bytheWeyr,tocontinue,untilthepurposeandreasonoftheWeyranddragonkindhad reached this low ebb,where an upstart, collateral heir to an ancientHoldcouldbe socontemptuousofdragonmenand the simplebasicprecautions thatkeptPernfreeofThreads.

F'lar doubted that Faxwould have attempted such a program of aggressionagainstneighboringHoldsiftheWeyrhadmaintaineditsoldprominence.EachHoldmusthaveitsLordtoprotectvalleyandfolkfromtheThreads.OneHold,oneLord-notoneLordclaimingsevenHolds.Thatwasagainstancienttradition,andevilbesides,forhowwellcanonemanprotectsevenvalleysatonce?Man,exceptfordragonman,canbeinonlyoneplaceatatime.Andunlessamanwasdragon-mounted,ittookhourstogetfromoneHoldtoanother.NoWeyrmanofoldwouldhavepermittedsuchflagrantdisregardofancientways.

F'lar saw the gouts of flame along the barren heights of the Pass, andMnementhobedientlyalteredhisglideforabetterview.F'larhadsenthalf thewing ahead of the main cavalcade. It was good training for them to skimirregularterrain.Hehadissuedsmallpiecesoffirestonewithinstructionstosearanygrowthsaspractice.ItwoulddotoremindFax,aswellashistroops,oftheawesome ability of dragonkind, a phenomenon the common folk of Pernappearedtohaveallbutforgotten.

Thefieryphosphineemissionsasthedragonsbelchedforthgassesshowedthepatternwellflown.R'gulcouldargueagainstthenecessityoffirestonedrills,hecould cite such incidents as that which had exiled Lytol, but F'lar kept thetradition-andsodideverymanwhoflewwithhim,ortheyleftthewing.Nonefailedhim.

F'larknewthatthemenreveledasmuchashedidinthefiercejoyofridingaflamingdragon;thefumesofphosphinewereexhilaratingintheirownway,andthefeelingofpowerthatsurgedthroughthemanwhocontrolledthemightand

majesty of a dragon had no parallel in human experience. Dragonriders wereforevermenapartonceFirstImpressionhadbeenmade.Andtorideafightingdragon, blue, green, brown, or bronze, was worth the risks, the unendingalertness,theisolationfromtherestofmankind.

MnementhdippedhiswingsobliquelytoslidethroughthenarrowcleftofthePass that led fromCrom toRuatha.Nosoonerhad theyemerged from thecutthanthedifferencebetweenthetwoHoldswaspatent.

F'larwasstunned.ThroughthelastfourHoldshehadbeensurethattheendoftheSearchlaywithinRuatha.

TherehadbeenthatlittlebrunettewhosefatherwasaclothmaninNabol,but...Andatall,willowygirlwithenormouseyes,thedaughterofaminorWarderin Crom, yet ... These were possibilities, and had F'lar been S'lel or K'net orD'nol, hemight have taken the two in as potentialmates, although not likelyWeyrwomen.

Butthroughouthehadreassuredhimselfthattherealchoicewouldbefoundto the south.Nowhe gazed on the ruin thatwasRuatha, his hopes dispersed.Belowhim,hesawFax'sbannerdipinthesequencethatrequestedhispresence.

Mastering the crushing disappointment he felt, he directed Mnementh todescend. Fax, roughly controlling the terrified plunging of his earthboundmount,waveddownintotheabandoned-lookingvalley.

"BeholdgreatRuathaofwhichyouhadsuchhopes,"heenjoinedsarcastically.

F'larsmiledcoollyback,wonderinghowFaxhaddivinedthat.HadF'larbeenso transparentwhen he had suggestedSearching the otherHolds?Orwas it aluckyguessonFax'spart?

"OneseesataglancewhygoodsfromtheHighReachesarenowpreferred,"F'larmade himself reply.Mnementh rumbled, and F'lar called him sharply toorder. The bronze one had developed a distaste bordering on hatred for Fax.SuchantipathyinadragonwasmostunusualandofnosmallconcerntoF'lar.Not that he would have in the least regretted Fax's demise, but not atMnementh'sbreath.

"LittlegoodcomesfromRuatha,"Faxsaidinavoicethatwasclosetoasnarl.Hejerkedsharplyatthebridleofhisbeast,andfreshbloodcoloredthefoamonitsmuzzle.Thecreature threw itsheadbackward toease thepainfulbar in itsmouth, and Fax savagely smote it a blow between the ears. The blow, F'larobserved, was not intended for the poor, protesting beast but for the sight ofunproductiveRuatha. "I am the overlord.Myproclamationwent unchallengedbyanyoftheBlood.Iaminmyrights.Ruathamustpayits tributetoits legaloverlord...."

"Andhunger the restof theyear,"F'lar remarkeddryly,gazingoutover thewidevalley.Fewofitsfieldswereplowed.Itspasturessupportedmeagerherds.Evenitsorchardslookedstunted.BlossomsthathadbeensoprofuseontreesinCrom,thenextvalleyover,weresparse,asifreluctanttoflowerinsodismalaplace. Although the sun was well up, there seemed to be no activity in thefarmholds or none near enough to be observed. The atmosphere was one ofsullendespair.

"TherehasbeenresistancetomyruleofRuatha."F'larshotalookatFax,fortheman'svoicewas fierce, his facebleak, auguring furtherunpleasantness forRuathanrebels.ThevindictivenessthatcoloredFax'sattitudetowardRuathaanditsrebelswastingedwithanotherstrongemotionwhichF'larhadbeenunabletoidentify but which had been very apparent to him from the first time he hadadroitlysuggestedthistouroftheHolds.Itcouldnotbefear,forFaxwasclearlyfearless and obnoxiously self-assured. Revulsion? Dread? Uncertainty? F'larcouldnotlabelthenatureofFax'scompoundreluctancetovisitRuatha,buttheman had not relished the prospect and now reacted violently to being withinthesedisturbingboundaries.

"HowfoolishoftheRuathans,"F'larremarkedamiably.Faxswungaroundonhim,onehandpoisedabovehisswordhilt,eyesblazing.F'laranticipatedwithafeeling close to pleasure that the usurper Fax might actually draw on adragonman!Hewasalmostdisappointedwhenthemancontrolledhimself,tookafirmholdonthereinsofhismount,andkickeditforwardtoafranticrun.

"Ishallkillhimyet,"F'larsaidtohimself,andMnementhspreadhiswingsinconcord.

F'nordroppedbesidehisbronzeleader.

"DidIseehimabouttodrawonyou?"F'nor'seyeswerebright,hissmileacid.

"UntilherememberedIwasmountedonadragon."

"Watchhim,bronzerider.Hemeanstokillyousoon."

"Ifhecan!"

"He'sconsideredaviciousfighter,"F'noradvised,hissmilegone.

Mnementhflappedhiswingsagain,andF'larabsentlystrokedthegreat,soft-skinnedneck.

"Iamatsomedisadvantage?"F'larasked,stungbyF'nor'swords.

"Tomyknowledge,no,"F'norsaidquickly,startled."Ihavenotseenhiminaction,butIdon'tlikewhatIhaveheard.Hekillsoften,withandwithoutcause."

"Andbecausewedragonmendonot seek blood,we are not to be feared asfighters?"snappedF'lar."Areyouashamedofbeingwhatyouwerebred?"

"I,no!"F'norsuckedinhisbreathatthetoneofhisleader'svoice."Andothersofourwing,no!ButthereisthatintheattitudeofFax'smenthat...thatmakesmewishsomeexcusetofight."

"Asyouremarked,wewillprobablyhavethatfight.ThereissomethinghereinRuathathatunnervesournobleoverlord."

Mnementh and nowCanth, F'nor's brown, extended theirwings, flapping tocatchtheirriders'attention.

F'larstaredasthedragonslewedhisheadbacktowardhisrider,thegreateyesgleaminglikesunstruckopals.

"There is a subtle strength in this valley," F'lar murmured, gathering theimportofthedragon'sagitatedmessage.

"Astrength,indeed;evenmybrownfeelsit,"F'norreplied,hisfacelighting.

"Careful,brown rider,"F'lar cautioned. "Careful.Send theentirewingaloft.Search this valley. I should have realized. I should have suspected. Itwas alltheretobeevaluated.Whatfoolshavedragonmenbecome!"

4TheHoldisbarred,

TheHallisbare,

Andmenvanish.

Thesoilisbarren,

Therockisbald.

Allhopebanish.

LESSAWAS shoveling ashes from the hearthwhen the agitatedmessengerstaggeredintotheGreatHall.ShemadeherselfasinconspicuousaspossiblesotheWarderwouldnotdismissher.ShehadcontrivedtobesenttotheGreatHallthatmorning,knowingthattheWarderintendedtobrutalizetheheadclothmanfortheshoddyqualityofthegoodsreadiedforshipmenttoFax.

"Faxiscoming!Withdragonmen!"themangaspedoutasheplungedintothedimGreatHall.

TheWarder,whohadbeenabouttolashtheheadclothman,turned,stunned,fromhisvictim.Thecourier,afarmholderfromtheedgeofRuatha,stumbleduptotheWarder,soexcitedwithhismessagethathegrabbedtheWarder'sarm.

"HowdareyouleaveyourHold?"TheWarderaimedhislashattheastonishedHolder.Theforceofthefirstblowknockedthemanfromhisfeet.Yelping,hescrambledoutof reachofasecond lashing."Dragonmenindeed!Fax?Ha!HeshunsRuatha.There!"

TheWarder punctuated each denialwith another blow, kicking the helplesswretch for goodmeasure, before he turnedbreathless to glare at the clothman

andthetwounderwarders."Howdidhegetinherewithsuchathreadbarelie?"TheWarderstalkedtotheGreatHalldoor.Itwasflungopenjustashereachedfortheironhandle.Theashen-facedguardofficerrushedin,nearlyknockingtheWarderdown.

"Dragonmen! Dragons! All over Ruatha!" the man gibbered, arms flailingwildly.He,toopulledattheWarder'sarm,draggingthestupefiedofficialtowardtheoutercourtyard,tobearoutthetruthofhisstatement.

Lessascoopedupthelastpileofashes.Pickingupherequipment,sheslippedout of the Great Hall. There was a very pleased smile on her face under thescreenofmattedhair.

AdragonmanatRuatha!Anopportunity: shemust somehowcontrive togetFaxsohumiliatedorsoinfuriatedthathewouldrenouncehisclaimtotheHold,inthepresenceofadragonman.Thenshecouldclaimherbirthright.

Butshewouldhavetobeextraordinarilywary.Dragonridersweremenapart.Angerdidnotcloudtheirintelligence.Greeddidnotsullytheirjudgment.Feardid not dull their reactions. Let the dense-witted believe human sacrifice,unnatural lusts, insane revels. Shewas not so gullible.And those storieswentagainsthergrain.Dragonmenwerestillhuman,andtherewasWeyrbloodinherveins. Itwas the samecolor blood as that of anyone else; enoughof hers hadbeenspilledtoprovethat

She halted for a moment, catching a sudden shallow breath. Was this thedanger she had sensed four days ago at dawn? The final encounter in herstruggletoregaintheHold?No,Lessacautionedherself,therewasmoretothatportentthanrevenge.

The ash bucket banged against her shins as she shuffled down the low-ceilingedcorridor to thestabledoor.Faxwould findacoldwelcome.Shehadlaid no new fire on the hearth. Her laugh echoed back unpleasantly from thedampwalls. She rested her bucket and propped her broom and shovel as shewrestledwiththeheavybronzedoorthatgaveintothenewstables.

TheyhadbeenbuiltoutsidethecliffofRuathabyFax'sfirstWarder,asubtler

manthanalleightofhissuccessors.Hehadachievedmorethanall theothers,andLessahadhonestlyregrettedthenecessityofhisdeath.Buthewouldhavemade her revenge impossible. He would have found her out before she hadlearned how to camouflage herself and her little interferences. What had hisnamebeen?Shecouldnotrecall.Well,sheregrettedhisdeath.

Thesecondmanhadbeenproperlygreedy,and ithadbeeneasy to setupapatternofmisunderstandingbetweenWarderandcraftsmen.Thatonehadbeendetermined to squeezeall profit fromRuathangoods so that someof itwoulddrop into his pocket before Fax suspected a shortage.The craftsmenwho hadbegun to accept the skilful diplomacy of the firstWarder bitterly resented thesecond'sgrasping,high-handedways.TheyresentedthepassingoftheOldLineand,evenmoreso,thewayofitspassing.TheywereunforgivingoftheinsulttoRuatha, itsnowsecondaryposition in theHighReaches,and theyresented theindividual indignities thatHolders,craftsmenandfarmersalike,sufferedunderthesecondWarder.IttooklittlemanipulationtoarrangeformattersatRuathatogofrombadtoworse.

The secondwas replaced and his successor fared no better. Hewas caughtdivertinggoods- thebestofthegoods,at that.Faxhadhadhimexecuted.HisbonyheadstillrolledaroundinthemainfirepitabovethegreatTower.

ThepresentincumbenthadnotbeenabletomaintaintheHoldingineventhesorry condition in which he had assumed its management. Seemingly simplemattersdevelopedrapidlyintodisasters.Liketheproductionofcloth.Contrarytohisboasts toFax, thequalityhadnotunproved, and thequantityhad fallenoff.

NowFaxwashere.Andwithdragonmen!Whydragonmen?Theimportofthequestion frozeLessa, and the heavy door closing behind her barked her heelspainfully.DragonmenusedtobefrequentvisitorsatRuatha-thatsheknewandeven vaguely remembered. Those memories were like a harper's tale, told ofsomeone else, not somethingwithin her own experience. She had limited herfierceattentiontoRuathaonly.Shecouldnotevenrecallthenameofqueen,orWeyrwomanfromtheinstructionsofherchildhood,norcouldsherecallhearingmention of any queen or Weyrwoman by anyone in the Hold these past tenTurns.

Perhaps thedragonmenwere finallygoing to call theLordsof theHolds totask for thedisgraceful showofgreeneryabout theHolds.Well,Lessawas toblameformuchofthatinRuatha,butshedefiedevenadragonmantoconfronther with her guilt. If all Ruatha fell to the Threads, it would be better thanremainingdependenttoFax!TheheresyshockedLessaevenasshethoughtit.

Wishingshecouldaseasilyunburdenherconscienceofsuchblasphemy,sheditched the ashes on the stable midden. There was a sudden change in airpressurearoundher.Thenafleetingshadowcausedhertoglanceup.

From behind the cliff above glided a dragon, its enormouswings spread totheir fullest as he caught the morning updraft. Turning effortlessly, hedescended.Asecond,athird,afullwingofdragonsfollowedinsoundlessflightand patterned descent, graceful and awesome.The claxon rang belatedly fromtheTower,andfromwithinthekitchenthereissuedthescreamsandshrieksoftheterrifieddrudges.

Lessatookcover.Sheduckedintothekitchenwhereshewasinstantlyseizedbytheassistantcookandthrustwithabuffetandakicktowardthesinks.Thereshe was put to scrubbing the grease-encrusted serving utensils with cleansingsand.

The yelping canines were already lashed to the spitrun, turning a scrawnyherdbeast that had been set to roast. The cookwas ladling seasonings on thecarcass,swearingathavingtooffersopooramealtosomanyguests,someofthemofhighrank.Winter-driedfruitsfromthelastscantyharvesthadbeensettosoak,andtwooftheoldestdrudgeswerescrapingrootstobeboiled.

Anapprenticecookwaskneadingbreadandanothercarefullyspicingasauce.Looking fixedly at him,Lessa diverted his hand fromone spice box to a lessappropriateoneashegaveafinalshaketotheconcoction.Sheinnocentlyaddedtoomuchwoodtothewalloventoinsuretherumofthebreads.Shecontrolledthecaninesdeftly,slowingoneandspeedingtheothersothatthemeatwouldbeunderdoneononeside,burnedontheother.Thatthefeastshouldresultinfast,withthefoodpresentedfoundinedible,washerwholeintention.

Above,intheHold,shehadnodoubtthatcertainothermeasures,undertaken

atdifferenttimesforthisexactcontingency,werebeingdiscovered.

Her fingers bloodied from a beating, one of the Warder's women cameshriekingintothekitchen,hopefulofrefugethere.

"Insectshaveeatenthebestblanketstoshreds!Andacaninewhohadlitteredonthebest linenssnarledatmeasshegavesuck.Andtherushesarenoxious,andthebestchambersfullofdebrisdriveninbythewinterwind.Somebodylefttheshuttersajar.Justatinybit,butitwasenough,"thewomanwailed,clutchingherhandtoherbreastandrockingbackandforth.

Lessabentwithgreatindustrytoshinetheplates.

5Watchwher,watchwher,

Inyourlair,

Watchwell,watchwher!

Whogoesthere?

"THEWATCHWHERishidingsomething,"F'lartoldF'norastheyconsultedinthehastilycleanedgreatchamber.Theroomdelightedtoholdthewintrychill,althoughagenerousfirenowburnedonthehearth.

"It was but gibbering when Canth spoke to it," F'nor remarked. He wasleaning against the mantel, turning slightly from side to side to gather somewarmth.Hewatchedhiswingleader'simpatientpacing.

"Mnementhiscalmingitdown,"F'larreplied."Hemaybeabletosortoutthenightmare.Thecreaturemaybemoresenilethansane,but..."

"Idoubtit,"F'norconcurredhelpfully.Heglancedwithapprehensionupattheweb-hungceiling.Hewascertainhe'dfoundmostofthecrawlers,buthedidn'tfancy their sting. Not on top of the discomforts already experienced in thisforsakenHold.Ifthenightstayedmild,heintendedcurlingupwithCanthontheheights. "Thatwouldbe amore reasonable suggestion thanFaxorhisWarderhavemade."

"Hmmm,"F'larmuttered,frowningatthebrownrider.

"Well,it'sunbelievablethatRuathacouldhavefallentosuchdisrepairintenshort Turns. Every dragon caught the feeling of power, and it's obvious thewatchwherhasbeentamperedwith.Thattakesagooddealofcontrol."

"FromsomeoneoftheBlood,"F'larremindedhim.

F'nor shot his wingleader a quick look, wondering if he could possibly beseriousinthelightofallinformationtothecontrary.

"Igrantyouthereispowerhere,F'lar,"F'norconceded."ButitcouldaseasilybeahiddenmalebastardoftheoldBlood.Andweneedafemale.ButFaxmadeitplain,inhisinimitablefashion,thatheleftnoneoftheoldBloodaliveintheHoldthedayhetookit.Ladies,children,all.No,no."Thebrownridershookhishead,asifhecoulddispelthelackoffaithinhiswingleader'scuriousinsistencethattheSearchwouldendinRuathawithRuathanblood.

"Thatwatchwher ishidingsomething,andonlysomeoneof theBloodof itsHoldcanarrangethat,brownrider,"F'larsaidemphatically.Hegesturedaroundtheroomandtowardthewindow."Ruathahasbeenovercome.Butsheresists...subtly.IsayitpointstotheoldBloodandpower.Notpoweralone."

TheobstinateexpressioninF'lar'seyes,thesetofhisjaw,suggestedthatF'norseekanothertopic.

"I'll seewhatmay be seen around fallenRuatha," hemumbled and left thechamber.

F'larwasheartilyboredwith the ladyFaxhad socourteously assignedhim.She giggled incessantly and sneezed constantly. Shewaved about, but did notapplytohernose,ascarforhandkerchieflongoverdueforathoroughwashing.Asourodor, compoundedof sweat, sweetoil, and rancid food smells, exudedfromher.ShewasalsopregnantbyFax.Notobviouslyso,butshehadconfidedherconditiontoF'lar,eitheroblivioustotheinsulttothedragonmanordirectedbyherLordtoletdroptheinformation.F'lardeliberatelyignoredthematterand,exceptwhenher companywas obligatory on thisSearch journey, had ignoredher,too.

LadyTelawasnervouslyjabberingawayathimabouttheterribleconditionoftheroomstowhichLadyGemmaandtheother ladiesof theLord'sprocessionhadbeenassigned.

"Theshutters,bothsets,wereajarallwinter long,andyoushouldhaveseen

thetrashonthefloors.Wefinallygottwoofthedrudgestosweepitallintothefireplace.Andthenthatsmokedsomethingfearfultillamanwassentup."LadyTela giggled. "He found the access blocked by a chimney stone fallen aslant.Therestofthechimney,forawonder,wasingoodrepair."

Shewaved her handkerchief. F'lar held his breath as the gesture wafted anunappealingodorinhisdirection.

HeglanceduptheHalltowardtheinnerHolddoorandsawtheLadyGemmadescending,herstepsslowandawkward.Somesubtledifferenceabouthergaitattractedhim,andhestaredather,tryingtoidentifyit.

"Oh,yes,poorLadyGemma,"LadyTelababbled,sighingdeeply."Wearesoconcerned.WhymyLordFaxinsistedonhercomingIdonotknow.Sheisnotnearhertime,andyet..."Thelighthead'sconcernsoundedsincere.

F'lar's incipienthatredforFaxandhisbrutalitymaturedabruptly.Helefthispartner chattering to thin air and courteously extended his arm to the LadyGemmatosupportherdownthestepsandtothetable.Onlythebrieftighteningofherfingersonhisforearmbetrayedhergratitude.Herfacewasverywhiteanddrawn, the linesdeeplyetchedaroundmouthandeyes, showing theeffort shewasexpending.

"Some attempt has been made, I see, to restore order to the Hall," sheremarkedinaconversationaltone.

"Some,"F'laradmitteddryly,glancingaroundthegrandlyproportionedHall,its rafters festooned with the webs of many Turns. The inhabitants of thosegossamernestsdroppedfromtimetotime,withripesplats,tothefloor,ontothetable, and into the serving platters. Nothing replaced the old banners of theRuathan Blood, removed from the stark brown stone walls. Fresh rushes didobscure the greasy flagstones. The trestle tables appeared recently sanded andscraped, and the platters gleamed dully in the refreshed glows. Thoseunfortunately, were a mistake, for brightness was much too unflattering to ascenethatwouldhavebeenmorereassuringindimmerlight.

"ThiswassuchagracefulHall," theLadyGemmamurmuredforF'lar'sears

alone.

"Youwereafriend?"heaskedpolitely.

"Yes,inmyyouth."Hervoicedroppedexpressivelyonthelastword,evokingforF'larahappiergirlhood."Itwasanobleline!"

"Thinkyouonemighthaveescapedthesword?"

The Lady Gemma flashed him a startled look, then quickly composed herfeatures,lesttheexchangebenoted.Shegaveabarelyperceptibleshakeofherhead and then shifted her awkward weight to take her place at the table.GraciouslysheinclinedherheadtowardF'lar,bothdismissingandthankinghim.

Hereturnedtohisownpartnerandplacedheratthetableonhisleft.Astheonlypersonsof rankwhowoulddine thatnightatRuathaHold,LadyGemmawas seated on his right; Faxwould be beyond her. The dragonmen and Fax'suppersoldierywouldsitat the lower tables.Noguildsmanhadbeeninvited toRuatha.

Faxarrivedjust thenwithhiscurrentladyandtwounderleaders, theWarderbowing them effusively into the Hall. The man, F'lar noticed, kept a gooddistancefromhisoverlord-aswellaWardermightwhoseresponsibilitywasinthissorrycondition.F'larflickedacrawleraway.OutofthecomerofhiseyehesawtheLadyGemmawinceandshudder.

Fax stampedup to the raised table, his faceblackwith suppressed rage.Hepulled back his chair roughly, slamming it into the Lady Gemma's before heseatedhimself.Hepulled the chair to the tablewith a force that threatened torock the none too stable trestle-top from its supporting legs. Scowling, heinspectedhisgobletandplate,fingeringthesurface,readytothrowthemasideiftheydispleasedhim.

"Aroast,myLordFax,andfreshbread.LordFax,andsuchfruitsandrootsasareleft."

"Left?Left?Yousaidtherewasnothingharvestedhere."

TheWarder'seyesbulgedandhegulped,stammering,"Nothingtobesenton.Nothinggoodenoughtobesenton.Nothing.HadIbutknownofyourarrival,IcouldhavesenttoCrom..."

"Sent toCrom?" roaredFax, slamming theplatehewas inspectingonto thetablesoforcefullythattherimbentunderhishands.TheWarderwincedagainasifhehimselfhadbeenmaimed.

"Fordecentfoodstuffs,myLord,"hequavered.

"The day one of my Holds cannot support itself or the visit of its rightfuloverlord,Ishallrenounceit"

The LadyGemma gasped. Simultaneously the dragons roared. F'lar felt theunmistakable surge of power.His eyes instinctively sought F'nor at the lowertable. The brown rider, all the dragonmen, had experienced that inexplicableshaftofexultation.

"What'swrong,dragonman?"snappedFax.

F'lar,affectingunconcern, stretchedhis legsunder the tableandassumedanindolentpostureintheheavychair.

"Wrong?"

"Thedragons!"

"Oh,nothing.Theyoftenroar...atthesunset,ataflockofpassingwherries,atmealtimes," andF'lar smiledamiablyat theLordof theHighReaches.Besidehimhistablemategavealittlesqueak.

"Mealtimes?Havetheynotbeenfed?"

"Oh,yes.Fivedaysago."

"Oh.Five...daysago?Andaretheyhungry...now?"Hervoicetrailedintoawhisperoffear,hereyesgrewround.

"In a fewdays,"F'lar assuredher.Under cover of his detached amusement,F'larscannedtheHall.Thatsurgehadcomefromnearby.Either in theHallorjustwithoutit.Itmusthavebeenfromwithin.ItcamesosoonuponFax'sspeechthat his words must have triggered it. F'lar saw that F'nor and the otherdragonmenweresurreptitiouslysearchingeveryfacein theHall.Fax'ssoldierscouldbedisqualified,andtheWarder'smen.Andthepowerhadanindefinablyfemininetouchtoit.

One of Fax's women? F'lar found that hard to credit. Mnementh had beenclosetoallofthem,andnonehadshownavestigeofpower,muchless-withtheexceptionofLadyGemma-anyintelligence.

Oneof theHallwomen?So farhebad seenonly the sorrydrudges and theagingfemalestheWarderhadashousekeepers.TheWarder'spersonalwoman?Hemust discover if thatmanhadone.Oneof theHold guards'women?F'larsuppressedanintensedesiretoriseandsearch.

"Youmountaguard?"heaskedFaxcasually.

"DoubleatRuathaHold!"hewastoldinatight,hardvoice,groundoutfromsomewheredeepinFax'schest.

"Here?"F'lar all but laughedout loud,gesturingaround the sadly appointedchamber.

"Here!"Faxchangedthesubjectwitharoar."Food!"

Fivedrudges, twoof themwomen in suchgrimybrown-gray rags thatF'larhopedtheyhadhadnothingtodowiththepreparationofthemeal,staggeredinundertheemplatteredherdbeast.Noonewithsomuchasatraceofpowerwouldsinktosuchdepths,unless...

The aroma that reached him as the platter was placed on the serving tabledistractedhim. It reekedof singedboneandcharredmeat.Even thepitcherofklahbeingpassedsmelledbad.TheWarderfranticallysharpenedhistoolsasifakeenedgecouldsomehowsliceacceptableportionsfromthisunlikelycarcass.

TheLadyGemmacaughtherbreathagain,andF'larsawherhandscurltightly

around the armrests. He saw the convulsive movement of her throat as sheswallowed.He,too,didnotlookforwardtothisrepast.

The drudges reappearedwithwooden trays of bread.Burnt crusts had beenscrapedandcut,insomeplaces,fromtheloavesbeforeserving.Asothertrayswerebornein,F'lartriedtocatchsightofthefacesoftheservitors.MattedhairobscuredthefaceoftheonewhopresentedLadyGemmawithadishoflegumesswimming in greasy liquid.Revolted, F'lar poked through the legumes to findproperlycookedportionstoofferLadyGemma.Shewavedthemaside,herfaceillconcealingherdiscomfort.

AsF'larwasabouttoturnandserveLadyTela,hesawLadyGemma'shandclutchconvulsivelyatthechairarms.Herealizedthenthatshewasnotmerelynauseatedbytheunappetizingfood.Shewasseizedwiththeonslaughtoflaborcontractions.

F'lar glanced in Fax's direction. The overlord was scowling blackly at theattemptsoftheWardertofindedibleportionsofmeattoserve.

F'lartouchedLadyGemma'sarmswithlightfingers.SheturnedherfacejustenoughsothatshecouldseeF'laroutof thecomerofhereye.Shemanagedasociallycorrecthalf-smile.

"Idarenotleavejustnow.LordF'lar.HeisalwaysdangerousatRuatha.Anditmayonlybefalsepangs...atmyage."

F'lar was dubious as he saw another shudder pass through her frame. Thewomanwould have been a fineWeyrwoman, he thought ruefully, if shewereyounger.

The Warder, his hands shaking, presented Fax the sliced meats, slivers ofoverdoneflesh,portionsofalmostediblemeats,butnotmuchofeither.

OnefuriouswaveofFax'sbroadfistandtheWarderhadtheplate,meatsandjuice, square in the face. Despite himself, F'lar sighed, for those undoubtedlyconstitutedtheonlyedibleportionsoftheentirebeast.

"You call this food?You call this food?" Fax bellowed.His voice boomed

backfromthebarevaultoftheceiling,shakingcrawlersfromtheirwebsasthesoundshatteredthefragilestrands."Slop!Slop!"

F'larrapidlybrushedcrawlersfromtheLadyGemma,whowashelplessinthethroesofaverystrongcontraction.

"It's all we had on such short notice," the Warder squealed, bloody juicesstreaking down his cheeks. Fax threw the goblet at him, and the wine wentstreamingdown theman's chest.The steamingdishof roots followed, and themanyelpedasthehotliquidsplashedoverhim.

"MyLord,myLord,hadIbutknown!"

"Obviously,Ruathacannot support thevisitof itsLord.Youmust renounceit,"F'larheardhimselfsaying.

His shock at such words issuing from his mouth was as great as that ofeveryoneelse in theHall.Silence fell,brokenby the splatofcrawlersand thedrip of root liquid from theWarder's shoulders to the rushes. The grating ofFax'sbootheelwasclearlyaudibleasheswungslowlyaroundtofacethebronzerider.

AsF'larconqueredhisownamazementandrapidlytriedtopredictwhattodonexttomendmatters,hesawF'norriseslowlytohisfeet,handondaggerhilt.

"Ididnothearyoucorrectly?"Faxasked,hisfaceblankofallexpression,hiseyessnapping.

Unable to comprehend howhe could have uttered such an arrant challenge,F'larmanagedtoassumealanguidpose.

"Youdidmention,myLord,"hedrawled,"thatifanyofyourHoldscouldnotsupportitselfandthevisitofitsrightfuloverlord,youwouldrenounceit."FaxstaredbackatF'lar,hisfaceastudyofswiftlysuppressedemotions,theglintoftriumphdominant.F'lar,hisfacestiffwiththeforcedexpressionofindifference,was casting swiftly about inhismind. In thenameof theEgg,hadhe lost allsenseofdiscretion?

Pretending utter unconcern, he stabbed some vegetables onto his knife andbegantomunchonthem.Ashedidso,henoticedF'norglancingslowlyaroundthe Hall, scrutinizing everyone. Abruptly F'lar realized what had happened.Somehow,inmakingthatstatement,he,adragonman,hadrespondedtoacovertuseofthepower.F'lar,thebronzerider,was"beingputintoapositionwherehewouldhavetofightFax.Why?Forwhatend?TogetFaxtorenouncetheHold?Incredible!Buttherecouldbeonlyonepossiblereasonforsuchaturnofevents.An exultation as sharp as pain swelledwithin F'lar. Itwas all he could do tomaintainhisposeofboredindifference,allhecoulddoto turnhisattention tothwartingFax,shouldhepressforaduel.Aduelwouldservenopurpose.He,F'lar,hadnotimetowasteonit.

A groan escaped LadyGemma and broke the eye-locked stance of the twoantagonists. Irritated, Fax looked down at her, fist clenched and half-raised tostrikeher for her temerity at interruptingher lord andmaster.The contractionthatrippledacross theswollenbellywasasobviousas thewoman'spain.F'lardared not look toward her, but he wondered if she had deliberately groanedaloudtobreakthetension.

Incredibly,Faxbegantolaugh.Hethrewbackhishead,showingbig,stainedteeth,androared.

"Aye,renounceit,infavorofherissue,ifitismale...andlives!"hecrowed,laughingraucously.

"Heardandwitnessed!"F'larsnapped,jumpingtohisfeetandpointingtohisriders.Theywereontheirfeetinaninstant."Heardandwitnessed!"theyaverredinthetraditionalmanner.

Withthatmovement,everyonebegantobabbleatonceinnervousrelief.Theotherwomen,eachreactinginherwaytotheimminenceofbirth,calledordersto the servants and advice to each other. They converged toward the LadyGemma, hovering undecidedly out of Fax's range like sillywherries disturbedfromtheirroosts.ItwasobvioustheyweretornbetweentheirfearoftheirLordandtheirdesiretoreachthelaboringwoman.

He gathered their intentions as well as their reluctance and, still stridently

laughing,knockedbackhischair.Hesteppedover it, strodedown to themeatstandandstoodhackingoffpieceswithhisknife,stuffingthem,juicedripping,intohismouthwithoutceasingtoguffaw.

As F'lar bent toward the Lady Gemma to assist her out of her chair, shegrabbed his arm urgently. Their eyesmet, hers cloudedwith pain. She pulledhimcloser.

"Hemeanstokillyou,bronzerider.Helovestokill,"shewhispered.

"Dragonmenarenoteasilykilled,bravelady.Iamgratefultoyou."

"Idonotwantyoukilled,"shesaidsoftly,bitingatherlip."Wehavesofewbronzeriders."

F'lar stared at her, startled. Did she. Fax's lady, actually believe in theOldLaws?Hebeckonedto twoof theWarder'smentocarryherupinto theHold.HecaughtLadyTelabythearmassheflutteredpasthimintheirwake.

"Whatdoyouneed?"

"Oh, oh," she exclaimed, her face twisted with panic; she was distractedlywringingherhands."Water,hot,clean.Cloths.Andabirthing-woman.Oh,yes,wemusthaveabirthing-woman."

F'larlookedaboutforoneoftheHoldwomen,hisglanceslidingoverthefirstdisreputable figure who had started to mop up the spilled food. He signaledinstead for theWarder and peremptorily ordered him to send for the birthing-woman.TheWarderkickedatthedrudgeonthefloor.

"You...you!Whateveryournameis,gogetherfromthecrafthold.Youmustknowwhosheis."

With a nimbleness at odds with her appearance of extreme age anddecrepitude, the drudge evaded the parting kick the Warder aimed in herdirection.ShescurriedacrosstheHallandoutthekitchendoor.

Faxslicedandspearedmeat,occasionallyburstingoutwitha louderbarkof

laughter as his thoughts amusedhim.F'lar sauntereddown to the carcass and,without waiting for invitation from his host, began to carve neat slices also,beckoninghismenover.Fax'ssoldiers,however,waitedtilltheirLordhadeatenhisfill.

6LordoftheHold,

yourchargeissure

Inthickwalls,metaldoors,

andnoverdure

LESSASPEDfrom theHall to find thecraftholdbirthing-woman,hermindseethingwithfrustration.Soclose!Soclose!Howcouldshecomesocloseandyet fail?Fax should have challenged the dragonman.And the dragonmanwasstrongandyoung,hisfacethatofafighter,sternandcontrolled.Heshouldnothavetemporized.WasallhonordeadinPern,smotheredbygreengrass?

Andwhy,oh,why,hadtheLadyGemmachosenthatpreciousmomenttogointo labor? Ifhergroanhadn'tdistractedFax, the fightwouldhavebegun,andnot even Fax, for all his vaunted prowess as a vicious fighter, would haveprevailed against a dragonman who had Lessa's support. The Hold must besecuredtoitsrightfulBloodagain.FaxwouldnotleaveRuathaalive!

Above her, on theHighTower, the great bronze dragon gave forth aweirdcroon,hismany-facetedeyessparklinginthegatheringdarkness.

Unconsciouslyshesilencedhimasshewouldhavedonethewatchwher.Ah,thatwatchwher.Hehadnot comeoutofhisdenatherpassing.Sheknew thedragonshadbeenathim.Shecouldhearhimgibberinginhispanic.They'ddrivehimtohisdeath.

Theslantoftheroadtowardthecraftholdlentimpetustoherflyingfeet,andshehadtobraceherselftoaslidingstopatthebirthing-woman'sstonethreshold.Shebangedonthecloseddoorandheardthefrightenedexclamationofsurprisewithin.

"Abirth.AbirthattheHold,"Lessacriedintimetoherthumping.

"Abirth?"camethemuffledcry,andthelatcheswerethrownuponthedoor,"AttheHold?"

"Fax'sladyand,asyoulovelife,hurry,forifitismale,itwillbeRuatha'sownLord."

Thatoughttofetchher,thoughtLessa,andinthatinstantthedoorwasflungopenbythemanofthehouse.Lessacouldseethebirthing-womangatheringupherthingsinhaste,pilingthemintohershawl.Lessahurriedthewomanout,upthe steep road to theHold, under theTower gate, grabbing thewoman as shetriedtorunatthesightofadragonpeeringdownather.LessadrewherintotheCourtandpushedher,resisting,intotheHall.

Thewoman clutched at the inner door, balking at the sight of thegatheringthere.LordFax,hisfeetuponthetrestletable,wasparinghisfingernailswithhis knife blade, still chuckling.The dragonmen in theirwherhide tunics,wereeatingquietlyatonetablewhilethesoldierswerehavingtheirturnatthemeat.

ThebronzeridernoticedtheirentranceandpointedurgentlytowardtheinnerHold.Thebirthingwoman seemed frozen to the spot.Lessa tugged futilely atherarm,urginghertocrosstheHall.Tohersurprise,thebronzeriderstrodetothem.

"Goquickly,woman.LadyGemmaisbeforehertime,"hesaid,frowningwithconcern,gesturingimperativelytowardtheHoldentrance.Hecaughtherbytheshoulderandledher,allunwilling,towardthesteps,Lessatuggingawayatherotherarm.

When they reached the stairs, he relinquished his grip, nodding to Lessa toescorthertherestoftheway.Justastheyreachedthemassiveinnerdoor,Lessanoticed how sharply the dragonmanwas looking at them.At her hand on thebirthing-woman's arm. Warily, she glanced at her hand and saw it, as if itbelongedtoastranger-thelongfingers,shapelydespitedirtandbrokennails,asmallhand,delicatelyboned,gracefullyplaceddespitetheurgencyofthegrip.Sheblurredit

TheLadyGemmawasindeedinhardlabor,andallwasnotwell.WhenLessatriedtoretirefromtheroom,thebirthing-womanshothersuchaterrifiedglancethatLessareluctantlyremained.ItwasobviousthatFax'sotherladieswereofnouse.Theywerehuddled at one sideof thehighbed,wringing their hands andtalkinginshrill,excited tones.It remainedtoLessaandthebirthing-womantoremove Gemma's clothing, to ease her and hold her hands against thecontractions.

Therewaslittleleftofbeautyinthegravidwoman'sface.Shewasperspiringheavily,herskintingedwithgray.Herbreathwassharpandrasping,andshebitherlipsagainstoutcry.

"Thisisnotgoingwell,"thebirthing-womanmutteredunderherbreath."Youthere,stopyoursniveling,"sheordered,swingingaroundtopointatoneofthegaggle. She lost her indecision as the requirements of her calling gave hertemporaryauthorityoverthoseofrank."Bringmehotwater.Handthoseclothsover.Findsomethingwarmforthebabe.Ifitisbornalive,itmustbekeptfromdraftsandchill."

Reassuredbyher tyranny, thewomenstopped theirwhimperinganddidherbidding.

If it survives, the words echoed in Lessa's mind. Survives to be Lord ofRuatha.OneofFax'sget?Thathadnotbeenherintention,although...

The Lady Gemma grabbed blindly for Lessa's hands, and despite herself,Lessarespondedwithsuchcomfortasastronggripwouldaffordthewoman.

"Shebleedstoomuch,"thebirthing-womanmuttered."Morecloths."

The women resumed their wailing, uttering little shrieks of fear andprotestation.

"Sheshouldnothavebeenmadetojourneysofar."

"Theywillbothdie."

"Oh,itistoomuchblood."

Toomuch blood, thought Lessa. I have no quarrel with her. And the childcomestooearly.Itwilldie.Shelookeddownatthecontortedface,thebloodiedlower lip. If shedoesnot cryoutnow,whydid she then?Fury swept throughLessa.Thiswomanhad,forsomeobscurereason,deliberatelydivertedFaxandF'laratthecrucialmoment.SheallbutcrushedGemma'shandsinhers.

Pain fromsuchanunexpectedquarter rousedGemma fromherbrief respitebetween the shuddering contractions that seized her at shorter and shorterintervals.Blinkingsweatfromhereyes,shefocuseddesperatelyonLessa'sface.

"WhathaveIdonetoyou?"shegasped.

"Done? I hadRuatha almostwithinmy grasp againwhen you uttered yourfalsecry,"Lessasaid,herheadbentsothatnoteventhebirthing-womanatthefootofthebedcouldhearthem.Shewassoangrythatshehadlostalldiscretion,butitwouldnotmatter,forthiswomanwasclosetodeath.

TheLadyGemma'seyeswidened."But ... thedragonman ...Faxcannotkillthedragonman.Therearesofewbronzeriders.Theyareallneeded.Andtheoldtales ... the star ... star ..." She could not continue, for a massive contractionshookher.TheheavyringsonherfingersbitintoLessa'shandsassheclungtothegirl.

"Whatdoyoumean?"Lessademandedinahoarsewhisper.

But thewoman's agonywas so intense that she could scarcely breathe.Hereyesseemedtostartfromherhead.Lessa,hardenedthoughshehadbecometoallemotionsavethatofrevenge,wasshockedtothedeeperfeminineinstinctofeasingawoman'spaininherextremity.Evenso,theLadyGemma'swordsrangthroughhermind.Thewomanhadnot,then,protectedFax,butthedragonman.Thestar?DidshemeantheRedStar?Whicholdtales?

Thebirthing-womanhadbothhandsonGemma'sbelly,pressingdownward,chantingadvicetoawomantoofargoneinpaintohear.Thetwistingbodygavea convulsive heave, lifting from the bed. As Lessa tried to support her. LadyGemma opened her eyes wide, her expression one of incredulous relief. Shecollapsed into Lessa's arms and lay still. "She's dead!" shrieked one of the

women.She flew, screaming, from the chamber.Hervoice reverberateddowntherockhalls."Dead...ead...ead...ddddd,"echoedbacktothedazedwomen,whostoodmotionlessinshock.

Lessa laid the woman down on the bed, staring amazed at the oddlytriumphant smile on Gemma's face. She retreated into the shadows, far moreshakenthananyoneelse.Shewhohadneverhesitatedtodoanythingthatwouldthwart Fax or beggar Ruatha further was trembling with remorse. She hadforgotten in her single-mindedness that there might be others motivated by ahatredofFax.TheLadyGemmawasone,andonewhohadsufferedfarmoresubjective brutalities and indignities than Lessa had. Yet Lessa had hatedGemma,hadpouredoutthathatredonawomanwhohaddeservedherrespectandsupportratherthanhercondemnation.

Lessa shook her head to dispel the aura of tragedy and self-revulsion thatthreatenedtooverwhelmher.Shehadnotimeforregretorcontrition.Notnow.Notwhen,byaffectingFax'sdeath,shecouldavengenotonlyherownwrongsbutGemma's!

Thatwas it.And shehad the lever.The child ... yes, the child.She'd say itlived.Thatitwasmale.Thedragonmanwouldhavetofight.HehadheardandwitnessedFax'soath.

Asmile,notunliketheoneonthedeadwoman'sface,crossedLessa'sasshehurrieddownthecorridorstotheHall.

ShewasabouttodashintotheHallitselfwhensherealizedshehadpermittedher anticipation of triumph to destroy her self-discipline. Lessa halted at theportal,deliberately tookadeepbreath.Shedroppedher shouldersandsteppeddown,oncemorethecolorlessdrudge.

TheharbingerofdeathwassobbinginaheapatFax'sfeet.

Lessagrittedherteethagainstredoubledhatredfortheoverlord.Hewasgladthe Lady Gemma had died, birthing his seed. Even now he was ordering thehystericalwomantogotellhislatestfavoritetoattendhim,doubtlesstoinstallherashisfirstlady.

"Thechildlives,"Lessacried,hervoicedistortedwithangerandhatred."Itismale."

Faxwasonhisfeet,kickingasidetheweepingwoman,scowlingviciouslyatLessa."Whatareyousaying,woman?"

"The child lives. It is male," she repeated, descending. The incredulity andrage that suffused Fax's facewaswonderful to see. TheWarder'smen stifledtheirinadvertentcheers.

"RuathahasanewLord."Thedragonsroared.

So intent was she on achieving her purpose that she failed to notice thereactionsofothersinthehall,failedtoheartheroaringofthedragonswithout.

Fax erupted into action. He leaped across the intervening space, bellowingdenialsofthenews.BeforeLessacoulddodge,hisfistcrasheddownacrossherface.Shewassweptoffherfeet,offthesteps,andfellheavilytothestonefloor,whereshelaymotionless,abundleofdirtyrags.

"Hold, Fax!" F'lar's voice cut across the silence as the Lord of the HighReachesliftedhislegtokicktheunconsciousbody.

Faxwhirled,hishandautomaticallyclosingonhisknifehilt

"Itwasheardandwitnessed.Fax,"F'larcautionedhim,onehandoutstretchedinwarning,"bydragonmen.Standbyyourswornandwitnessedoath!"

"Witnessed? By dragonmen?" cried Fax with a derisive laugh."Dragonwomen, you mean," he sneered, his eyes blazing with contempt, onesweepinggestureofscorndismissingthemall.

Hewasmomentarily takenabackbythespeedwithwhichthebronzerider'sknifeappearedinhishand.

"Dragonwomen?"F'larqueried,hislipscurlingbackoverhisteeth,hisvoicedangerously soft.Glowlight flickered off his circling blade as he advancedonFax.

"Women!ParasitesonPern.TheWeyrpowerisover!Overforgood,"roaredFax,leapingforwardtolandinacombatcrouch.

The two antagonistswere dimly aware of the scurry behind them, of tablespulledroughlyasidetogivetheduelistsspace.F'larcouldsparenoglanceatthecrumpledformofthedrudge,yethewassure,throughandbeyondinstinctsure,that shewas the sourceof power.Hehad felt it as she entered the room.Thedragons'roaringconfirmedit.Ifthatfallhadkilledher...HeadvancedonFax,leapingawaytoavoidtheslashingbladeasFaxunwoundfromthecrouchwithapowerfullunge.

F'larevadedtheattackeasily,noticinghisopponent'sreach,decidinghehadaslightadvantagethere.Hetoldhimselfsternlythatwasn'tmuchadvantage.

Faxhadhadmuchmore actual hand-to-handkilling experience thanhadhewhoseduelshadalwaysendedatfirstbloodonthepracticefloor.F'larmadeduenote to avoid closing with the burly Lord. The man was heavy-chested,dangerous from sheer mass. F'lar must use agility as a weapon, not brutestrength.

Fax feinted, testing F'lar for weakness or indiscretion. The two crouched,facingeachotheracrosssixfeetofspace,knifehandsweaving,theirfreehands,spread-fingered,readytograb.

AgainFaxpressedtheattack.F'larallowedhimtoclose,justcloseenoughtododge awaywith a backhanded swipe.He felt fabric tear under the tip of hisknife and heard Fax's snarl. The overlordwas faster on his feet than his bulksuggested, and F'lar had to dodge a second time, feeling the scoring of Fax'sknifeacrosshisheavywherhidejerkin.

Grimly the two circled, looking for an opening in each other's defense. Faxplowed in, trying to turnhisweightandmass toadvantageagainst the lighter,fastermanbycorneringhimbetweenraisedplatformandwall.

F'lar countered, ducking low under Fax's nailing arm, slashing obliquelyacrossFax'sside.Theoverlordcaughtathim,yankingsavagely,andF'larwastrappedagainst theotherman'sside,strainingdesperatelywithhis lefthand to

keeptheknifearmup.F'larbroughtuphisknee,tuningasuddencollapsewiththat blow. He ducked away as Fax gasped and buckled from the pain in hisgroin.F'lardancedaway,suddenfireinhisleftshoulderwitnessthathehadnotescapedunscathed.

Fax'sfacewasredwithbloodyanger,andhewheezedfrompainandshock.ButF'larhadnotimetofollowupthemomentaryadvantage,fortheinfuriatedLord straightened up and charged. F'larwas forced to sidestep quickly beforeFaxcouldclosewithhim.F'larputthemeattablebetweenthem,circlingwarily,flexinghisshouldertoassesstheextentofhisinjury.Theslashfeltasifithadbeenscoredbyabrand.Motionwaspainful,butthearmcouldbeused.

Suddenly Fax seized up a handful of fatty scraps from the meat tray andhurledthematF'lar.Thedragonmanducked,andFaxclosedthedistancearoundthetablewitharush.InstinctpromptedF'lartoleapsidewaysasFax'sflashingbladecamewithininchesofhisabdomen.HisownknifesliceddowntheoutsideofFax's arm. Instantly the twopivoted to face eachother again,butFax's leftarmhunglimplyathisside.

F'lardarted in,pressinghis luckas theLordof theHighReachesstaggered.ButF'larmisjudgedtheman'sconditionandsufferedaterrifickickinthesideashe tried to dodge under the feinting knife. Doubled with pain, F'lar rolledfranticallyawayfromhischargingadversary.Faxwaslurchingforward,tryingto fall on him, to pin the lighter dragonman down for a final thrust. F'larsomehow got to his feet, attempting to straighten up tomeet Fax's stumblingcharge.Hisverypositionsavedhim.Faxoverreachedhismarkandstaggeredoffbalance. F'lar brought his right hand over with as much strength as he couldmuster,andhisknifebladeplungedthroughFax'sunprotectedbackuntilhefeltthepointstickinthechestplate.

The defeated Lord fell flat to the flagstones, the force of his descentdislodging thedagger fromhis chest bone so that an inchof thebloodybladereemergedfromthepointofentry.

Athinwailingpenetratedthehazeofpainandrelief.F'larlookedupandsaw,throughsweat-blurredeyes,womencrowdingintheHolddoorway.Oneheldaclosely swathed object in her arms. F'lar could not immediately grasp the

significance of that tableau, but he knew it was very important to clear histhoughts.

Hestareddownatthedeadman.Therewasnopleasureinkillingtheman,herealized,onlyreliefthathehimselfwasstillalive.Hewipedhisforeheadonhissleeveandforcedhimselferect,hissidethrobbingwiththepainofthatlastkickand his left shoulder burning. He half-stumbled to the drudge, still sprawledwhereshehadfallen.

He gently turned her over, noting the terrible bruise spreading across hercheekunder thedirty skin.HeheardF'nor takecommandof the tumult in theHall.

Thedragonmanlaidahand,tremblinginspiteofanefforttocontrolhimself,onthewoman'sbreasttofeelforaheartbeat....Itwasthere,slowbutstrong.

Adeepsighescapedhim,foreitherbloworfallcouldhaveprovedfatal.Fatal,perhaps,forPernaswell.

Reliefwascoloredwithdisgust.Therewasnotellingunderthefilthhowoldthiscreaturemightbe.Heraisedhertohisarms,herlightbodynoburdeneventohisbattle-wearystrength.KnowingF'norwouldhandleanytroubleefficiently,F'larcarriedthedrudgetohisownchamber.

Heputthebodyonthehighbed,thenstirredupthefireandaddedmoreglowstothebedsidebracket.Hisgorgeroseatthethoughtoftouchingthefilthymatofhair, but nonetheless and gently, he pushed it back from the face, turning theheadthiswayandthat.Thefeaturesweresmall,regular.Onearm,clearofrags,wasreasonablycleanabovetheelbowbutmarredbybruisesandoldscars.Theskinwasfirmandunwrinkled.Thehands,whenhetooktheminhis,weredirt-encrustedbutallthesame,well-shapedanddelicatelyboned.

F'larbegan to smile.Yes, shehadblurred thathand so skilfully thathehadactuallydoubtedwhathehadfirstseen.Andyes,beneathgrimeandgrease,shewasyoung.YoungenoughfortheWeyr.Andnoborndrab.Shewasnotyoungenough, happily, to be Fax's seed. One of the previous Lords' by-blows?No,therewasnotaintofcommonbloodhere.Itwaspure,nomatterwhoseline,and

he rather thought she was indeed Ruathan. One who had by some unknownagencyescapedthemassacretenTurnsagoandbidedhertimeforrevenge.WhyelseforceFaxtorenouncetheHold?

Delightedandfascinatedbythisunexpectedluck,F'larreachedouttotearthedressfromtheunconsciousbodyandfoundhimselfconstrainednotto.Thegirlhad roused. Her great, hungry eyes fastened on his, not fearful or expectant;wary.

Asubtlechangeoccurred inher face.F'larwatched,his smiledeepening,assheshiftedherregularfeaturesintoanillusionofdisagreeableugliness.

"Tryingtoconfuseadragonman,girl?"hechuckled.Hemadenofurthermovetotouchherbutsettledagainstthegreatcarvedpostofthebed.Hecrossedhisarmsonhischestandthenshiftedsuddenlytoeasehissorearm.

"Yourname,girl,andrank."

Shedrewherselfuprightslowly,herfeaturesno longerblurred.Deliberatelysheslidbackagainsttheheadboardsotheyfacedeachotheracrossthelengthofthehighbed.

"Fax?"

"Dead.Yourname!"

A look of exulting triumph flooded her face. She slipped from the bed,standingunexpectedlytall."ThenIreclaimmyown.IamoftheRuathanBlood.IclaimRuatha,"sheannouncedinaringingvoice.

F'larstaredatheramoment,delightedwithherproudbearing.Thenhethrewbackhisheadandlaughed.

"This?Thiscrumblingheap?"Hecouldnothelpbutmockthedisparityofhermanner and her dress. "Oh, no. Besides, fair lady, we dragonmen heard andwitnessedFax'soathrenouncingtheHoldinfavorofhisheir.ShallIchallengethebabe,too,foryou?Andchokehimwithhisswaddlingclothes?"

Hereyesflashed,herlipspartedinaterriblesmile.

"Thereisnoheir.Gemmadied,thebabeunborn.Ilied."

"Lied?"F'lardemanded,angry.

"Yes," she taunted himwith a toss of her chin. "I lied. Therewas no babeborn.ImerelywantedtobesureyouchallengedFax."

Hegrabbedherwrist,stungthathehadtwicefallentoherprodding.

"Youprovokedadragonmantofight?Tokill?WhenheisonSearch?"

"Search?WhatshouldIcareforaSearch?IhaveRuathaasmyHoldagain.For tenTurns Ihaveworkedandwaited, schemedandsuffered for that.WhatcouldyourSearchmeantome?"

F'larwantedtostrikethatlookofhaughtycontemptfromherface.Hetwistedher armsavagely, bringingher tohis feetbeforehe releasedhispressure.Shelaughedathimandhadscuttledtoonesideandwasonherfeetandoutthedoorbeforehecouldrealizewhatshewasaboutandgivechase.

Swearingtohimself,heraceddowntherockycorridors,knowingshewouldhavetomakefortheHalltogetoutoftheHold.However,whenhereachedtheHall,therewasnosignofherfleeingfigureamongthosestillloiteringthere.

"Has that creature come thisway?"hecalled toF'nor,whowas,bychance,standingbythedoortotheCourt.

"No.Isshethesourceofpower,afterall?"

"Yes,sheis,"F'laranswered,galledallthemorebyherescape.Wherehadshegoneto?"AndoftheRuathanBlood,atthat."

"Oh-ho!Doesshedepose thebabe, then?"F'norasked,gesturing toward thebirthing-womanwhooccupiedaseatclosetothenowblazinghearth.

F'larpaused,abouttoreturntosearchtheHold'smyriadpassages.Hestared,

momentarilyconfused,athisbrownrider.

"Babe?Whatbabe?"

"The male child Lady Gemma bore," F'nor replied, surprised by F'lar'suncomprehendinglook.

"Itlives?"

"Yes.Astrongbabe,thewomansays,forallthathewasprematureandtakenforciblyfromthedeaddame'sbelly."

F'lar threwbackhisheadwithashoutof laughter.Forallherscheming,shehadbeenoutdonebyTruth.

At that moment he heard the unmistakable elation in Mnementh's roar,followedbythecuriouswarbleoftheotherdragons.

"Mnementh has caught her," F'lar cried, grinningwith jubilation.He strodedownthesteps,past thebodyof theformerLordof theHighReachesandoutintothemaincourt.

HesawthebronzedragonwasgonefromhisTowerperchandcalledhim.Anagitation drew his eyes upward. He saw Mnementh spiraling down into theCourt,hisfrontpawsclaspingsomething.MnementhinformedF'larthathehadseen her climbing from one of the highwindows and had-simply plucked herfromthe ledge,knowing thedragonmansoughther.Thebronzedragonsettledawkwardly onto his hind legs, his wings working to keep him balanced.Carefullyheset thegirlonherfeetandcarefullyheformedacagearoundherwith his huge talons. She stoodmotionless within that circle, her face turnedtowardthewedge-shapedheadthatswayedaboveher.

Thewatchwher, shrieking terror,anger,andhatred,was lungingviolently totheendofitschain,tryingtocometoLessa'said.ItgrabbedatF'larashestrodetothetwo.

"You've courage enough to fly with, girl," he admitted, resting one handcasually onMnementh's upper claw.Mnementhwas enormously pleasedwith

himselfandswiveledhisheaddownforhiseyeridgestobescratched.

"Youdidnotlie,youknow,"F'larsaid,unabletoresisttauntingthegirl.

Slowly she turned toward him, her face impassive. She was not afraid ofdragons,F'larrealizedwithapproval.

"Thebabelives.Anditismale."

Shecouldnotcontrolherdismay,andhershoulderssaggedbrieflybeforeshepulledherselferectagain.

"Ruathaismine,"sheinsistedinatense,lowvoice.

"Aye,anditwouldhavebeenhadyouapproachedmedirectlywhenthewingarrivedhere."

Hereyeswidened."Whatdoyoumean?"

"Adragonmanmaychampionanyonewhosegrievanceisjust.BythetimewereachedRuathaHold,my lady, Iwas quite ready to challenge Fax given anyreasonable cause, despite the Search." Thiswas not thewhole truth, but F'larmustteachthisgirlthefollyoftryingtocontroldragonmen."Hadyoupaidanyattentiontoyourharper'ssongs,you'dknowyourrights.And"-F'lar'svoiceheldavindictiveedgethatsurprisedhim-"theLadyGemmamightnotnowliedead.She,bravesoul,sufferedfarmoreatthattyrant'shandthanyou."

Something in hermanner told him that she regretted LadyGemma's death,thatithadaffectedherdeeply.

"WhatgoodisRuathatoyounow?"hedemanded,abroadsweepofhisarmtakingin theruinedCourtyardandtheHold, theentireunproductivevalleyofRuatha."Youhaveindeedaccomplishedyourends,aprofitlessconquestanditsconqueror'sdeath."

F'lar snorted. "As well, too. Those Holds will all revert to their legitimateBlood, and time they did. One Hold and One Lord. Anything else is againsttradition.Ofcourse,youmighthavetofightotherswhodisbelievethatprecept:

who have become infected with Fax's greedymadness. Can you hold Ruathaagainstattack...now...inhercondition?"

"Ruathaismine!"

"Ruatha?"F'lar'slaughwasderisive."WhenyoucouldbeWeyrwoman?"

"Weyrwoman?"shebreathed,staringathiminshockedamazement.

"Yes,littlefool.IsaidIrodeinSearch...it'sabouttimeyouattendedtomorethanRuatha.AndtheobjectofmySearchis...you!"

Shestaredatthefingerhepointedather,asifitweredangerous.

"By the First Egg, girl, you've power in you to sparewhen you can turn adragonman,allunwitting,todoyourbidding.Ah,butneveragain,forIamnowonguardagainstyou."

Mnementh crooned approvingly, the sound a soft rumble in his throat. Hearchedhisnecksothatoneeyewasturneddirectlyonthegirl,gleaminginthedarknessoftheCourt.

F'larnoticedwithdetachedpridethatsheneitherflinchednorblanchedattheproximityofaneyegreaterthanherownhead.

"Helikestohavehiseyeridgesscratched,"F'larremarkedinafriendlytone,changingtactics.

"Iknow,"shesaidsoftlyandreachedoutahandtodothatservice.

"Nemorthhaslaidagoldenegg,"F'larcontinuedpersuasively."Sheisclosetodeath.ThistimewemusthaveastrongWeyrwoman."

"TheRedStar?" thegirlgasped, turning frightenedeyes toF'lar.Thatalonesurprisedhim,forshehadneveronceevincedanyfear.

"You've seen it? You understand what it means?" He saw her swallownervously.

"There is danger ..." she began in a bare whisper, glancing apprehensivelyeastward.

F'lar did not question by what miracle she appreciated the imminence ofdanger. He had every intention of taking her to the Weyr by sheer force ifnecessary. But somethingwithin himwanted verymuch for her to accept thechallengevoluntarily.ArebelliousWeyrwomanwouldbeevenmoredangerousthanastupidone.Thisgirlhadtoomuchpowerandwastoousedtoguileandstrategy.Itwouldbeacalamitytoantagonizeherwithinjudicioushandling.

"There is danger for all Pern.Not justRuatha," he said, allowing a note ofentreatytocreepintohisvoice."Andyouareneeded.NotbyRuatha."Awaveofhishanddismissedthatconsiderationasanegligibleonecomparedtothetotalpicture."WearedoomedwithoutastrongWeyrwoman.Withoutyou."

"Gemma said all the bronze riderswere needed," shemurmured in a dazedwhisper.

Whatdidshemeanbythatstatement?F'larfrowned.Hadsheheardawordhehadsaid?Hepressedhisargument,certainonlythathehadalreadystruckoneresponsivechord.

"You'vewonhere.Letthebabe"-hesawherstartledrejectionofthatideaandruthlesslyqualifiedit-"Gemma'sbabe-berearedatRuatha.YouhavecommandofalltheHoldsasWeyrwoman,notruinedRuathaalone.You'veaccomplishedFax'sdeath.Leaveoffvengeance."

ShestaredatF'larwithwonderingeyes,absorbinghiswords."IneverthoughtbeyondFax'sdeath."sheadmittedslowly."Ineverthoughtwhatshouldhappenthen.'

HerconfusionwasalmostchildlikeandstruckF'lar forcibly.Hehadhadnotimeordesiretoconsiderherprodigiousaccomplishment.Nowherealizedsomemeasureofherindomitablecharacter.ShecouldnothavebeenabovetenTurnsofageherselfwhenFaxhadmurderedherfamily.Yetsomehowsoyoungshehadsetherselfagoalandmanagedtosurvivebothbrutalityanddetectionlongenoughtosecuretheusurper'sdeath.WhataWeyrwomanshewouldbe!Inthe

traditionofthoseofRuathanBlood.Thelightofthepalermoonmadeherlookyoungandvulnerableandalmostpretty.

"YoucanbeWeyrwoman,"herepeatedwithgentleinsistence.

"Weyrwoman," shebreathed, incredulous, andgazedaround the innerCourtbathedinsoftmoonlight.Hethoughtshewavered.

"Orperhapsyouenjoyrags?"hesaid,makinghisvoiceharsh,mocking."Andmattedhair,dirtyfeet,andcrackedhands?Sleepinginstraw,eatingrinds?Youareyoung... that is,Iassumeyouareyoung."Hisvoicewasfranklysceptical.Sheglaredathimcoolly,herlipsfirmlypressedtogether."Isthisthebe-allandend-allofyourambition?Whatareyouthatthislittlecornerofthegreatworldisallyouwant?"Hepaused,thenwithuttercontemptadded,"TheBloodofRuathahasthinned,Isee.You'reafraid!"

"I am Lessa, daughter of the Lord of Ruatha," she countered, stung toresponding by theBlood insult. She drew herself erect, her eyes flashing, herchinhigh."Iamafraidofnothing!"

F'larcontentedhimselfwithaslightsmile.

Mnementh,however,threwuphisheadandstretchedouthissinuousnecktoits whole length. His full-throated peal rang out down the valley. The bronzecommunicatedhisawarenesstoF'larthatLessahadacceptedthechallenge.Theother dragons answered back, their warbles shriller than Mnementh's malebellow.Thewatchwherwhichhadcoweredattheendofitschainlifteditsvoiceinathin,unnervingscreechuntiltheHoldemptiedofitsstartledoccupants.

"F'nor,"thebronzeridercalled,wavinghiswingleadertohim."Leavehalftheflight to guard the Hold. Some nearby Lord might think to emulate Fax'sexample. Send one rider to the High Reaches with the glad news. You godirectly to the clothmen's Hall and speak to L’tol ... Lytol." F'lar grinned. "IthinkhewouldmakeanexemplaryWarderandLordSurrogateforthisHoldinthenameoftheWeyrandthebabyLord."

Thebrown rider's face expressed enthusiasm for hismission as hebegan tocomprehend his leader's intentions. With Fax dead and Ruatha under the

protectionofdragonmen,particularlythatsameonewhohaddispatchedFax,theHoldwouldbesafeandflourishunderwisemanagement.

"ShecausedRuatha'sdeterioration?"heaskedhisleader.

"Andnearlyourswithhermachinations,"F'lar replied,buthavingfoundtheadmirableobjectofhisSearch,hecouldnowbemagnanimous."Suppressyourexultation brother," he advised quickly as he took note of F'nor's expression."ThenewqueenmustalsobeImpressed."

"I'llsettlearrangementshere.Lytolisanexcellentchoice,"F'norsaidalthoughheknewthatF'larneedednoone'sapproval.

"WhoisthisLytol?"demandedLessapointedlyShehadtwistedthemassoffilthyhairbackfromherface.Inthemoonlightthedirtwaslessnoticeable.F'larcaughtF'nor lookingatherwithanall tooeasily readexpression.HesignaledF'nor,withaperemptorygesture,tocarryouthisorderswithoutdelay.

"Lytolisadragonlessman,"F'lartoldthegirl,"nofriendtoFax.HewillwardtheHoldwellanditwillprosper."Headdedpersuasivelywithaquellingstarefullonher."Won'tit?"

Sheregardedhimsomberly,withoutanswering,untilhechuckledsoftlyatherdiscomfiture.

"We'll return to theWeyr."heannounced,profferingahand toguideher toMnementh'sside.

Thebronzeonehadextendedhishead toward thewatchwher,whonow laypantingontheground,itschainlimpinthedust.

"Oh,"Lessasighed,anddroppedbesidethegrotesquebeast.Itraiseditsheadslowly,cryingpiteously.

"Mnementhsaysitisveryoldandsoonwillsleepitselftodeath."

Lessa cradled the repulsive head in her arms, stroking the eye ridges,scratchingbehinditsears.

"Come,LessaofPern,"F'larsaid,impatienttobeupandaway.

Sheroseslowlybutobediently."Itsavedme.Itknewme."

"It knows it did well," F'lar assured her brusquely, wondering at such anuncharacteristicshowofsentimentinher.

Hetookherhandagain,tohelphertoherfeetandleadherbacktoMnementh.

Inonesplit secondhewasknockedoffhis feet, sprawlingacross thestonesandtryingtorolltohisfeetagaintofacehisadversary.Theforceoftheinitialblowhowever,haddazedhim.andhelaysprawledonhisback,startledtoseethewatchwher,itsscaledheadlaunched-straightathim.

Simultaneously he heard Lessa's startled exclamation andMnementh's roar.The bronze's great head was swinging around to knock the watchwher aside,awayfromthedragonman.Butjustasthewatchwher's'bodywasfullyextendedin its leap, Lessa cried out. "Don't kill! Don't kill!" The watchwher, its snarlturningintoananguishedcryofalarm,executedanincrediblemaneuverinmid-air,turningasidefromitstrajection.Ashefelltothestoneyardathisfeet.F'larheardthedullcrackastheforceofitslandingbrokeitsback.

Before he could get to his feet, Lessawas cradling the hideous head in herarms,herfacestricken.

Mnementh lowered his head to tap the dying watchwher's body gently. HeinformedF'larthatthisbeasthadguessedLessawasleavingRuatha,somethingone of her Blood should not do. In its senile confusion it could only assumeLessawasindanger.WhenitheardLessa'sfranticcommand,ithadcorrecteditserrorattheexpenseofitslife.

"It was truly only defending me," Lessa added, her voice breaking. Sheclearedherthroat."ItwastheonlyoneIcouldtrust.Myonlyfriend."

F'lar awkwardly patted the girl's shoulder, appalled that anyone could bereduced to claiming friendshipwith awatchwher.Hewinced because the fallhadreopenedtheknifewoundinhisshoulderandhehurt.

"In truth a loyal friend," he said, standing patiently until the light in thewatchwher'sgreen-goldeyesdimmedanddiedout.All thedragonsgavevoiceto the eerie, hair-raising, barely audible, high keening note that signified thepassingofoneoftheirkind.

"Hewasonlyawatchwher,"Lessamurmured,stunnedbythetribute,hereyeswide.

"Thedragonsconferhonorwheretheywill,"F'larremarkeddryly,disclaimingtheresponsibility.

Lessalookeddownforonemorelongmomentattherepulsivehead.Shelaiditdowntothestones,caressedtheclippedwings.Then,withquickfingers,sheundidtheheavybucklethatfastenedthemetalcollararoundtheneck.Shethrewthecollarviolentlyaway.

Sherose ina fluidmovementandwalkedresolutely toMnementhwithoutasinglebackwardglance.ShesteppedcalmlytoMnementh'sraisedlegandseatedherself,asF'lardirectedher,onthegreatneck.

F'lar glanced around the Court at the remainder of his wing which hadreformed there. TheHold folk had retreated into the safety of the great Hall.Whenhiswingmenwereallastride,hevaultedtoMnementh'sneck,behindthegirl.

"Holdtightlytomyarms,"heorderedherashetookholdofthesmallestneckridgeandgavethecommandtofly.

Her fingers closed spasmodically around his forearm as the great bronzedragontookoff,theenormouswingsworkingtoachieveheightfromtheverticaltakeoff.Mnementh preferred to fall into flight from a cliff or tower.Dragonstendedtoindolence.F'larglancedbehindhim,sawtheotherdragonmenformtheflightline,spreadouttocoverthegapsofthosestillonguardatRuathaHold.

When they had reached a sufficient altitude, he toldMnementh to transfer,goingbetweentotheWeyr.

Only a gasp indicated the girl's astonishment as they hung between.

Accustomedashewas to thestingof theprofoundcold, to theawesomeutterlack of light and sound, F'lar still found the sensations unnerving. Yet theuncommontransferspannednomoretimethanittooktocoughthrice.

Mnementhrumbledapprovalofthiscandidate'scalmreactionastheyflickedoutoftheeeriebetween.Shehadnotbeenafraidorscreamedinpanicasotherwomenhad.F'lardidfeelherheartpoundingagainsthisarmthatpressedagainstherribs,butthatwasall.

AndthentheywereabovetheWeyr,Mnementhsettinghiswingstoglideinthebrightdaylight,halfaworldawayfromnighttimeRuatha.

Lessa'shandstightenedonhisarms,thistimeinsurpriseastheycircledabovethegreatstonytroughoftheWeyr.F'larpeeredatLessa'sfacepleasedwiththedelightmirrored there; she showedno trace of fear that they hung a thousandlengths, above the high Bendenmountain range. Then, as the seven dragons,roaredtheirincomingcry,anincreduloussmilelitherface.

Theotherwingmendroppedintoawidespiral,down,down.whileMnementhelected to descend in lazy circles. The dragonmen peeled off smartly anddropped, each to his own tier in the caves of the Weyr. Mnementh finallycompletedhisleisurelyapproachtotheirquarters,whistlingshrillytohimselfashebrakedhisforwardspeedwithatwistofhiswings,droppinglightlyatlasttothe ledge.He crouched asF'lar swung the girl to the rough rock, scored fromthousandsofclawedlandings.

"This leads only to our quarters," he told her as they entered the corridor,vaultedandwidefortheeasypassageofgreatbronzedragons.

As they reached the huge natural cavern that had been his sinceMnementhachieved maturity. F'lar looked about him with eyes fresh from his firstprolongedabsencefromtheWeyr.Thehugechamberwasunquestionablylargerthan most of the halls he had visited in Fax's procession. Those halls wereintended as gathering places for men, not the habitations of dragons. ButsuddenlyhesawhisownquarterswerenearlyasshabbyasallRuatha.Bendenwas, of a certainty, one of the oldest dragonweyrs, as Ruathawas one of theoldestHolds,but thatexcusednothing.Howmanydragonshadbedded in that

hollowtomakesolidrockconformtodragonproportions!Howmanyfeethadwornthepathpastthedragon'sWeyrintothesleepingchamber,tothebathingroombeyondwherethenaturalwarmspringprovidedever-freshwater!Butthewallhangingswerefadedandunraveling,andthereweregreasestainsonlintelandfloorthatcouldeasilybesandedaway.

Henoticed thewaryexpressiononLessa's faceashepaused in thesleepingroom.

"I must feed Mnementh immediately. So you may bathe first," he said,rummaging in a chest and finding clean clothes for her, discards of formeroccupantsofhisquarters,butfarmorepresentablethanherpresentcovering.Hecarefully laid back in the chest the white wool robe that was traditionalImpressiongarb.Shewouldwear that later.He tossed severalgarments atherfeetandabagofsweetsand,gesturingtothehangingthatobscuredthewaytothebath.

He lefther then, the clothes in aheapather feet, for shemadenoeffort tocatchanything.

MnementhinformedhimthatF'norwasfeedingCanthandthathe,Mnementh,washungry, too.Shedidn't trustF'lar, but shewasn't afraid of himself. "Whyshouldshebeafraidofyou?"F'larasked."You'recousintothewatchwherwhowasheronlyfriend."

Mnementh informed F'lar that he, a fully matured bronze dragon, was norelationtoanyscrawny,crawling,chained,andwing-clippedwatchwher.

"Thenwhydidyouaccordhimadragontribute?"F'larasked.

Mnementh told him haughtily that it was fitting and proper to mourn thepassingofaloyalandself-sacrificingpersonality.NotevenabluedragoncoulddenythefactthatthatRuathanwatchwherhadnotdivulgedinformationhehadbeen enjoined to keep, though the beast had been sorely pressed to do so byhimself,Mnementh.Also,inmanaging,bysomephysicalfeat,toturnasideitsattack on F'lar, at the cost of its own life, it had elevated itself to dragonlikebravery.Ofcourse,thedragonshadutteredatributeatitspassing.

F'lar,pleasedathavingbeenabletoteasethebronzeone,chuckledtohimself.WithgreatdignityMnementhcurveddowntothefeedingground.

F'lar dropped off as Mnementh hovered near F'nor. The impact with thegroundremindedhimhehadbettergetthegirltodresshisshoulderforhim.Hewatchedasthebronzeoneswoopeddownonthenearestfatbuckinthemillingherd.

"TheHatching isdueat anyhour,"F'norgreetedhisbrother,grinningupathimashesquattedonhishaunches.Hiseyeswerebrightwithexcitement.

F'larnoddedthoughtfully."Therewillbeplentytochoosefromforthemales,"heallowed,knowingF'norwastauntinglywithholdingchoicernews.

They both watched as F'nor's Canth singled out a doe. The brown dragonneatly grabbed the struggling beast in one claw and rose up, settling on anunoccupiedledgetofeast.

Mnementhdispatchedhisfirstcarcassandglidedinagainovertheherd,tothepensbeyond.Hesingledoutaheavygroundbirdandliftedwithitinhisclaws.F'lar observed his ascent, experiencing as always the thrill of pride in theeffortlesssweepofthegreatpinions,theplayofthesunonthebronzehide,theflash of silvery claws, unsheathed for landing. He never tired of watchingMnementhinflightoradmiringtheunconsciousgraceandstrength.

"Lytolwasoverwhelmedby the summons,"F'nor remarked, "andsendsyouallhonorandrespect.HewilldowellatRuatha."

"The reason he was chosen," grunted F'lar, nonetheless gratified by Lytol'sreaction. Surrogate Lordshipwas no substitute for loss of one's dragon, but itwasanhonorableresponsibility.

"Therewasmuch rejoicing in theHighReaches," F'nor continued, grinningwidely,"andhonestgriefatthepassingofLadyGemma.Itwillbeinterestingtoseewhichofthecontenderstakestitle."

"AtRuatha?"F'larqueried,frowningdownathishalfbrother.

"No.AttheHighReachesandtheotherHoldsFaxconquered.Lytolwillbringhis own people to secure Ruatha and to give any soldiery pause before theymight attempt that Hold. He knew of many in the High Reaches who wouldprefertomakeachangeofHold,eventhoughFaxnolongerdominatestheHighReaches. He intended to make all haste to Ruatha so that our men will soonrejoinus."

F'larnoddedapproval,turningtosalutetwomoreofhiswing,blueriders,whodropped with their beasts to the feeding ground. Mnementh went back foranotherfowl.

"Heeatslight,"F'norcommented."Canth'sstillgorging."

"Brownsareslowtogetfullgrowth,"F'lardrawled,watchingwithsatisfactionasF'nor'seyesflashedangrily.Thatwouldteachhimtowithholdnews.

"R'gulandS'lelareback,"thebrownriderfinallyannounced.

Thetwoblueshadtheherdinafrenzy,stampedingandscreaminginfright.

"Theothersarerecalled,"F'norcontinued."Nemorthisallbutrigidindeath."Thenhecouldno longercontainhimself."S'lelbrought in two.R'gulhasfive.Strong-willed,theysay,andpretty."

F'lar said nothing. He had expected those two would bring in multiplecandidates.Let thembringhundreds if they chose.He,F'lar, the bronze rider,hadinhisonechoicethewinner.

Exasperated that his news elicited so little response,F'nor rose. "We shouldhavebacktrailedforthatoneinCromandthepretty..."

"Pretty?" F'lar retorted, cocking one eyebrow high in disdain. "Pretty? Jorawaspretty,"hespatoutcynically.

"K'net and T'bor bring contenders from the west," F'nor added urgently,concerned.

The wind-torn roar of homecoming dragons crackled through the air. Both

men jerked their heads skyward and saw the double spirals of two returningwings,twentystrong.

Mnementh tossed his head high, crooning. F'lar called him in, pleased thebronzeonemadenoquarrelat recall,althoughhehadeatenvery lightly.F'lar,salutinghisbrotheramiably,steppedontoMnementh'sspreadfootandwasliftedbacktohisownledge.

Mnementh hiccupped absently as the two walked the short passage to thevaulted inner chamber. He lumbered over to his hollowed bed and settledhimself into thecurvedstone.WhenMnementhhadstretchedandcomfortablylaiddownhiswedgeheadF'larapproachedhim.Mnementh regardedhis friendwiththeneareye.itsmanyfacetsglintingandshifting,theinnerlidsgraduallyclosingasF'larscratchedtheeye-ridgesoothingly.

Those unfamiliarwith itmight find such a regard unnerving.But since thatmoment,twentyTurnsbefore,whenthegreatMnementhhadbrokenthroughhisshellandstumbledacrosstheHatchingGroundtostand,weavingonweaklegs,before the boyF'lar, the dragonman had treasured these quietmoments as thehappiestofalongday.Nogreatertributecouldmanbepaidthanthetrustandcompanionship of the winged beasts of Pern. For the loyalty that dragonkindgavetheirchosenoneofmankindwasunswervingandcompletefromtheinstantofImpression.

Mnementh's inner content was such that the great eye quickly closed. Thedragonslept,onlythetipofhistailerect,asuresignthathewouldbeinstantlyonthealertiftheneedarose.

7BytheGoldenEggofFaranth

BytheWeyrwoman,wiseandtrue,

Breedaflightofbronzeandbrownwings,

Breedaflightofgreenandblue.

Breedriders,stronganddaring,

Dragon'loving,bornashatched

Flightofhundredssoaringskyward,

Mananddragonfullymatched.

LESSAWAITEDuntilthesoundofthedragonman'sfootstepsprovedhehadreallygoneaway.Sherushedquicklythroughthebigcavern,heardthescrapeofclaw and the whoosh of the mighty wings. She raced down the shortpassageway, right to the edge of the yawning entrance. Therewas the bronzedragon circling down to the wider end of the mile-long barren oval that wasBendenWeyr.ShehadheardoftheWeyrs,asanyPernesehad,buttobeinonewasquiteadifferentmatter.

Shepeeredup,around,downthatsheerrockface.Therewasnowayoffbutbydragonwing.Thenearestcavemouthswereanunhandydistanceaboveher,tooneside,belowherontheother.Shewasneatlysecludedhere.

Weyrwoman,hehadtoldher.Hiswoman?Inhisweyr?Wasthatwhathehadmeant?No,thatwasnottheimpressionshegotfromthedragon.Itoccurredtohersuddenlythatitwasoddshehadunderstoodthedragon.Werecommonfolkable to?Orwas it thedragonmanBloodinherLine?Atallevents,Mnementh

hadimpliedsomethinggreater,somespecialrank.Theymustmeanher,then,tobeWeyrwomanto theunhatcheddragonqueen.Onlyhowdidshe,or they,goabout it?Sherememberedvaguely thatwhendragonmenwentonSearch, theylooked for certain women. Ah, certain women. She was one, then, of severalcontenders.Yet thebronze riderhadofferedher thepositionas if sheandshealone qualified. He had his own generous portion of conceit, that one, Lessadecided.Arroganthewas,thoughnotthebullyFaxhadbeen.

Shecouldseethebronzedragonswoopdowntotherunningherdbeasts,sawthestrike,sawthedragonwheeluptosettleonafarledgetofeed.Instinctivelyshe drewback from the opening, back into the dark and relative safety of thecorridor.

The feeding dragon evoked scores of horrid tales. Tales at which she hadscoffed,butnow...Wasit true,then,thatdragonsdideathumanflesh?Did...Lessahaltedthattrendofthought.Dragonkindwasnolesscruelthanmankind.Thedragon,atleast,actedfrombestialneedratherthanbestialgreed.

Assuredthatthedragonmanwouldbeoccupiedawhile,shecrossedthelargercave into the sleeping room. She scooped up the clothing and the bag ofcleansingsandandproceededtothebathingroom.Itwassmallbutampleforitspurpose.Awide ledge formedapartial lip to theunevencircleof thebathingpool.Therewasabenchandsomeshelvesfordryingcloths.Intheglowlightshecould see that the near section of the pool had been sanded high so a bathercouldstandcomfortably.Then therewasagradualdipapproaching thedeeperwaterthatslappedtheveryrockwallonthefartherside.

Tobeclean!Tobecompletelycleanandtobeabletostaythatway.Withadistasteattouchingthemnolessacutethanthedragonman's,shestrippedofftheremainsoftherags,kickingthemtooneside,notknowingwheretodisposeofthem.She shookout a generous handful of the sweetsand and, bending to thepool,wetit.

Quicklyshemadeasoftmudwiththesweetsoap,andshescouredhandsandbruisedface.Wettingmoresand,sheattackedherarmsandlegs.thenherbodyandfeet.Shescrubbedharduntilshedrewbloodfromhalf-healedcuts.Thenshestepped, or rather jumped, into the pool, gasping as thewarmwatermade the

sweetsandfoaminherscratches.Sheduckedunderthesurface,shakingherheadto be sure her hair was thoroughly wetted. Then briskly she rubbed in moresweetsand,rinsingandscrubbinguntilshefellherhairmightpossiblybeclean.Years,ithadbeen.Greatstrandsfloatedawayintangleslikeimmensecrawlers,withattenuatedlegs,towardthefaredgeofthepoolandthenweredrawnoutofsight.Thewater,shewasgladtonote,constantlycirculated,thecloudyanddirtyreplaced with clear. She turned her attention again to her body, scrubbing atingrained dirt until her skin smarted. It was a ritual cleansing of more thansurfacesoil.Shefeltapleasureakintoecstasyfortheluxuryofcleanliness.

Finallysatisfiedherbodywasascleanasone longsoakingcouldmakeher,she sanded her hair yet a third time. She left the pool almost reluctantly,wringing out her hair and tucking it up on her head as she dried herself. Sheshook out the clothing and held one garment against her experimentally. Thefabric, a soft green felt smooth under herwater-shrunken fingers although thenapcaughtonherroughenedhands.Shepulleditoverherhead.Itwasloosebutthedarker-greenovertunichadasash that shepulled in tightat thewaist.Theunusual sensation of softness against her bare skin made her wriggle withvoluptuouspleasure.Theskirt,nolongeraraggedhemoftatters,swirledheavilyaround her ankles,making her smile in sheer feminine delight. She took up afreshdryingclothandbegantoworkonherhair.

Amutedsoundcametoherears.andshestopped,handspoised,headbenttoone side. Straining, she listened. Yes, there were sounds without. Thedragonman and his beast must have returned. She grimaced to herself withannoyance at thisuntimely interruptionand rubbedharder at herhair.She ranfingers through the half-dry tangles, the motions arrested as she encounteredsnarls.Shetriedpattingherhairintoplace,pushingitdefiantlybehindherears.Vexed, she rummaged on the shelves until she found, as she had hoped to, acoarse-toothedmetal comb.With this she attackedher unrulyhair and, by thedint of much yanking and groaning as she pulled ruthlessly through years oftangles,shewasabletogroomthemass.

Nowdry,herhair suddenlyhada lifeof itsown,cracklingaboutherhandsandclinging to face andcombanddress. Itwasdifficult toget the silky stuffunder control. And her hair was longer than she had thought, for, clean andunmatted,itfelltoherwaist-whenitdidnotclingtoherhands.

Shepaused,listening,andheardnosoundatall.Apprehensively,shesteppedto the curtain and glanced warily into the sleeping room. It was empty. Shelistened and caught the perceptible thoughts of the sleepy dragon. Well, shewouldrathermeetthemaninthepresenceofasleepydragonthaninasleepingroom.Shestartedacrossthefloorand,outofthecomerofhereye,caughtsightofastrangewomanasshepassedapolishedpieceofmetalhangingonthewall.

Amazed, she stopped short, staring, incredulous, at the face the metalreflected.Onlywhensheputherhandstoherprominentcheekbonesinagestureofinvoluntarysurpriseandthereflectionimitatedthegesturedidsherealizeshelookedatherself.

Why, that girl in the reflector was prettier than the Lady Tela, than theclothman'sdaughter!Butsothin.Herhandsoftheirownvolitiondroppedtoherneck,totheprotrudingcollarbones,toherbreasts,whichdidnotentirelyreflectthegauntnessoftherestofher.Thedresswastoolargeforherframe,shenotedwith an unexpected emergence of conceit born in that instant of delightedappraisal. And her hair ... it stood out around her head like an aureole. Itwouldn't lie contained. She smoothed it down with impatient fingers,automaticallybringing locks forward tohangaroundher face.As she irritablypushedthemback.dismissinganeedfordisguise,thehairdriftedupagain

Aslightsound, thescrapeofabootagainststone,caughtherbackfromherbemusement. She waited, momentarily expecting him to appear. She wassuddenly timid.With her face bare to theworld, her hair behind her ears, herbody outlined by a clinging fabric, she was stripped of her accustomedanonymity and was, therefore, in her estimation, vulnerable. Staring, shecontrolled thedesire to runaway, the irrational shodof fearfulness.Observingherself in thelookingmetal,shedrewhershouldersback, tilledherheadhigh,chinup;themovementcausedherhairtocrackleandclingandshiftaboutherhead.ShewasLessa ofRuatha, of a fine oldBlood.Sheno longer needed toresorttoartificetopreserveherself,soshemuststandproudlybare-facedbeforetheworld...andthatdragonman.

Resolutelyshecrossedtheroom,pushingasidethehangingonthedoorwaytothegreatcavern.

He was there beside the head of the dragon scratching its eye ridges, acuriouslytenderexpressiononhisface.Itwasatableaucompletelyatvariancewithallshehadheardofdragonmen.

Shehad,ofcourse,heardofthestrangeaffinitybetweenrideranddragon,butthiswas thefirst timesherealizedthat lovewaspartof thatbond.Or that thisreserved cold man was capable of such deep emotion. He had been brusqueenough with her over the old watchwher. No wonder it had thought he hadmeantherharm.Thedragonshadbeenmoretolerant,sherememberedwithaninvoluntarysniff.

Heturnedslowly,asifloathtoleavethebronzebeast.Hecaughtsightofherandpivotedcompletelyaround,hiseyes intenseashe tooknoteofheralteredappearance.With quick, light steps he closed the distance between them andushered her back into the sleeping room, one strong hand holding her by theelbow.

"Mnementhhasfedlightlyandwillneedquiettorest,"hesaidinalowvoice,as if thiswere themost important consideration.Hepulled theheavyhangingintoplaceacrosstheopening.

Thenheheldherawayfromhim, turningher thiswayand that,scrutinizingherclosely,acuriousandslightlysurprisedexpressionfleetingacrosshisface.

"You wash up ... pretty, yes, almost pretty," he allowed with such amusedcondescensioninhisvoicethatshepulledroughlyawayfromhim,piqued.Hislow laugh mocked her. "How could one guess, after all, what was under thegrimeof...tenfullTurns,Iwouldsay?Yes,youarecertainlyprettyenoughtoplacateF'nor."

Thoroughly antagonized by his attitude, she asked in icy tones, "And F'normustbeplacatedatallcosts?"

He stoodgrinning at her till shehad to clenchher fists at her sides tokeepfrombeatingthatgrinoffhisface.

Atlengthhesaid,"Nomatter,wemusteat,andIshallrequireyourservices."At her startled exclamation, he turned, grinning maliciously now as his

movementrevealedthecakedbloodonhisleftsleeve."Theleastyoucandoisbathewoundshonorablyreceivedinfightingyourbattle."

Hepushedasideaportionofthedraperythatcurtainedtheinnerwall."Foodfortwo!"heroareddownablackgapinthesheerstone.

Shehearda subterraneanecho farbelowashisvoice resoundeddownwhatmustbealongshaft.

"Nemorth is nearly rigid," he was saying as he took supplies from anotherdrapery-hiddenshelf,"andtheHatchingwillsoonbegin,anyhow."

A coldness settled in Lessa's stomach at the mention of a Hatching. Themildesttalesshehadheardaboutthatpartofdragonlorewerechilling,theworstdismayinglymacabre.Numblyshetookthethingshehandedher.

"What? Frightened?" the dragonman taunted, pausing as he stripped off histornandbloodiedshirt.

Withashakeofherhead,Lessaturnedherattentiontothewide-shouldered,well-muscledbackhepresentedher, thepaler skinofhisbodydecoratedwithrandombloody streaks.Freshbloodwelled from thepointofhis shoulder, fortheremovalofhisshirthadbrokenthetenderscabs.

"Iwillneedwater,"shesaidandsawshehadaflatpanamongthe itemshehadgivenher.Shewentswiftly to thepool forwater,wonderinghowshehadcometoagreetoventuresofarfromRuatha.Ruinedthoughitwas,ithadbeenhersandwasfamiliartoherfromtowertodeepcellar.Atthemomenttheideahad been proposed and insidiously prosecuted by the dragonman, she had feltcapable of anything, having achieved, at last, Fax's death.Now itwas all shecould do to keep the water from slopping out of the pan that shookunaccountablyinherhands.

She forced herself to deal only with the wound. It was a nasty gash, deepwhere thepointhadenteredand torndownward inagraduallyshallowerslice.His skin fell smoothunder her fingers, as she cleansed thewound. In spite ofherself,shenoticedthemasculineodorofhim,compoundednotunpleasantlyofsweat, leather, and an unusualmuskiness thatmust be from close association

withdragons.

Although it must have hurt himwhen she cleansed away clotted blood, hegave no indication of discomfort, apparently oblivious to the operation. Itannoyedherstillmorethatshecouldnotsuccumbtothetemptationoftreatinghimroughlyinreturnforhisdisregardofherfeelings.

She ground her teeth in frustration as she smeared on the healing salvegenerously.Makingasmallpadofbandage,shesecured thedressingdeftly inplacewithotherstripsoftorncloth.Shestoodbackwhenshehadfinishedherministrations.Heflexedhisarmexperimentallyintheconstrictingbandage,andthemotionsetthemusclesripplingalonghissideandback.

Whenhefacedher,hiseyesweredarkandthoughtful.

"Gentlydone,mylady.Mythanks."Hissmilewasironic.

Shebackedawayasherose,butheonlywenttothechesttotakeoutaclean,whiteshirt.

Amutedrumblesounded,growingquicklylouder.

Dragons roaring?Lessawondered, trying to conquer the ridiculous fear thatrose within her. Had the Hatching started? There was no watchwher's lair tosecreteherselfinhere.

As if he understood her confusion, the dragonman laughed good-humoredlyand, his eyes on hers, drew aside the wall covering just as some noisymechanisminsidetheshaftpropelledatrayoffoodintosight.

Ashamedofherunbasedfrightandfuriousthathehadwitnessedit,Lessasatrebelliouslydownonthefur-coveredwallseat,heartilywishinghimavarietyofserious andpainful injuries that she coulddresswith inconsideratehands.Shewouldnotwastefutureopportunities.

Heplacedthetrayonthelowtableinfrontofher,throwingdownaheapoffurs for his own seat. There were meat, bread, a pitcher of klah, a temptingyellowcheese,andevenafewpiecesofwinterfruit.Hemadenomovetoeat,

nordidshe,thoughthethoughtofapieceoffruitthatwasripeinsteadofrottensethermouthtowatering.Heglancedupatherandfrowned.

"EvenintheWeyr,theladybreaksbreadfirst,"hesaidandinclinedhisheadpolitelytoher.

Lessa flushed, unused to any courtesy and certainlyunused tobeing first toeat.Shebrokeoffachunkofbread.Itwaslikenothingsherememberedhavingtastedbefore.Foronething,itwasfresh-baked.Theflourhadbeenfinelysifted,withouttraceofsandorhull.Shetookthesliceofcheeseheprofferedher,andit, too, had an uncommonly delicious sharpness. Much emboldened by thisindicationofherchangedstatus,Lessareachedfortheplumpestpieceoffruit.

"Now,"thedragonmanbegan,hishandtouchingherstogetherattention.

Guiltily she dropped the fruit, thinking she had erred. She stared at him,wonderingatherfault.Heretrievedthefruitandplaceditbadinherhandashecontinued to speak.Wide-eyed, she nibbled, disarmed, and gave him her fullattention.

"Listentome.Youmustnotshowamoment'sfearatwhateverhappensontheHatchingGround.Andyoumustnotletherovereat."Awryexpressioncrossedhisface."Oneofourmainfunctionsistokeepadragonfromexcessiveeating."

Lessalostinterestinthetasteofthefruit.Sheplaceditcarefullybackinthebowl and tried to sort out what he had not said but what his tone of voiceimplied. She looked at the dragonman's face, seeing him as a person, not asymbol,forthefirsttime.

His coldness was caution, she decided, not lack of emotion. His sternnessmustbeassumedtooffsethisyouth,forhecouldn'tbethatmuchherseniorinTurns. There was a blackness about him that was not malevolent; it was abroodingsortofpatience.Heavyblackhairwavedbackfromahighforeheadtobrush his shin collar.Heavy black brows,were too often pulled together in aglowerorarchedhaughtilyashelookeddownahigh-bridgednoseathisvictim,his eyes (an amber, light enough to seem golden) were all too expressive ofcynical emotions or cold hauteur. His lips were thin but well-shaped and in

repose almost gentle Why must he always pull his mouth to one side indisapproval or in one of those sardonic smiles? Handsome he must beconsidered,shesupposedcandidly,fortherewasacertaincompellingairabouthimthatwasmagnetic.Andatthismomenthewascompletelyunaffected.

Hemeantwhathewassaying.Hedidnotwanthertobeafraid.Therewasnoreasonforher,Lessa,tofear.

He very much wanted her to succeed. In keeping whom from overeatingwhat?Herdanimals?Anewlyhatcheddragoncertainlywasn'tcapableofeatinga full beast. That seemed a simple enough task to Lessa. Thewatchwher hadobeyedherandnooneelse,atRuathaHold.Shehadunderstoodthegreatbronzedragon and had evenmanaged to hush him up as she raced under his Towerperchforthebirthing-woman.Mainfunction?Ourmainfunction?

Thedragonmanwaslookingatherexpectantly.

"Ourmainfunction?"sherepeated,anunspokenrequestformoreinformationinherentinherinflection.

"More of that later. First things first," he said, impatientlywaving off otherquestions.

"Butwhathappens?"sheinsisted.

"AsIwastold,soI tellyou.Nomore,noless.Remember thosetwopoints.Turnoutfearanddonotletherovereat."

"But..."

"You,however,need toeat.Here."Hespearedapieceofmeatonhisknifeandthrustitather,frowninguntilshemanagedtochokeitdown.Hewasabouttoforcemoreonher,butshegrabbedupherhalf-eatenfruitandbitdownintothefirmsweetsphereinstead.ShehadalreadyeatenmoreatthisonemealthanshewasaccustomedtohavingalldayattheHold.

"WeshallsooneatbetterattheWeyr,"heremarked.regardingthetraywithajaundicedeye.

Lessawassurprised,forinheropinionthiswasafeast.

"More than you're used to? Yes, I forgot you left Ruatha with bare bonesindeed."

Shestiffened.

"You did well at Ruatha. I mean no criticism," he added, smiling at herreaction."Butlookatyou,"andhegesturedatherbody,thatcuriousexpressioncrossing his face, half-amused, half contemplative. "No, I should not haveguessedyou'dcleanuppretty,"heremarked."Norwithsuchhair."Thistimehisexpressionwasfranklyadmiring.

Involuntarilysheputonehandtoherhead,thehaircracklingoverherfingers.Butwhatreplyshemighthavemadehim,indignantasshewas,dieda-borning.Anunearthlykeeningfilledthechamber.

Thesoundssetupavibration that randownthebonesbehindherear toherspine. She clapped both hands to her ears. The noise rang through her skull,despiteherdefendinghands.Asabruptlyasitstarted,itceased.

Beforesheknewwhathewasabout, thedragonmanhadgrabbedherby thewristandpulledherovertothechest.

"Take thoseoff,"heordered, indicatingdressand tunic.While she staredathimstupidly,heheldupaloosewhiterobe,sleevelessandbeltless,amatteroftwolengthsoffineclothfastenedatshoulderandsideseams."Takeitoff,ordoIassistyou?"heaskedwithnopatienceatall.

The wild sound was repeated, and its unnerving tone made her fingers flyfaster.Shehadnosoonerloosenedthegarmentsshewore,lettingthemslidetoher feet, than he had thrown the other over her head.Shemanaged to get herarms in theproperplacesbeforehegrabbedherwrist againandwas speedingwithheroutoftheroom,herhairwhippingoutbehindher,alivewithstatic.

As they reached the outer chamber, the bronze dragon was standing in thecenter of the cavern, his head turned to watch the sleeping room door. Heseemed impatient to Lessa; his great eyes, which fascinated her so, sparkled

iridescently.Hismannerbreathedaninnerexcitementofgreatproportions,andfromhisthroatahigh-pitchedcroonissued,severaloctavesbelowtheunnervingcrythathadrousedthemall.

Rushedand impatientas theybothwere, thedragonanddragonmanpaused.SuddenlyLessarealizedtheywereconferringabouther.Thegreatdragon'sheadwassuddenlydirectlyinfrontofher,hisnoseblottingouteverythingelse.Shefeltthewarmexhalationofhisbreath,slightlyphosphorus-laden.Sheheardhiminform the dragonman that he approved more and more of this woman fromRuatha.

Withayankthatrockedherheadonherneck,thedragonmanpulledheralongthe passage. The dragon padded beside them at such speed that Lessa fullyexpected theywouldall catapultoff the ledge.Somehow,at thecrucial stride,shewasperchedonthebronzeneck,thedragonmanholdingherfirmlyaboutthewaist.InthesamefluidmovementtheywereglidingacrossthegreatbowloftheWeyrtothehigherwallopposite.Theairwasfullofwingsanddragontails,rentwithachorusofsounds,echoingandreechoingacrossthestonyvalley.

MnementhsetwhatLessawascertainwouldbeacollisioncoursewithotherdragons,straightforahugeroundblacknessinthecliff-face,highup.Magically,thebeastsfiledin,thegreaterwingspreadofMnementhjustclearingthesidesoftheentrance.

Thepassagewayreverberatedwiththethunderofwings.Theaircompressedaroundherthickly.Thentheybrokeoutintoagiganticcavern.

Why,theentiremountainmustbehollow,thoughtLessa,incredulous.Aroundthe enormous cavern dragons perched in serried ranks, blues, greens, browns,and only two great bronze beasts like Mnementh, on ledges meant toaccommodate hundreds. Lessa gripped the bronze neck scales before her,instinctivelyawareoftheimminenceofagreatevent.

Mnementh wheeled downward, disregarding the ledge of the bronze ones.ThenallLessacould seewaswhat layon the sandy floorof thegreat cavern:dragon eggs. A clutch of ten monstrous, mottled eggs, their shells movingspasmodicallyas the fledglingswithin tapped theirwayout.Tooneside,ona

raisedportionofthefloor,wasagoldenegg,largerbyhalfagainthesizeofthemottledones. Justbeyond thegoldenegg lay themotionlessocherhulkof theoldqueen.

JustassherealizedMnementhwashoveringoverthefloorinthevicinityofthategg,Lessafeltthedragonman'shandsonher,liftingherfromMnementh'sneck.

Apprehensively she grabbed at him. His hands tightened and inexorablyswungherdown.Hiseyes,fiercewithamberfirelockedwithhers.

"Remember,Lessa!"

Mnementhaddedanencouragingnote,onegreatcompoundeyeturnedonher.Thenherosefromthefloor.Lessahalf-raisedonehandinentreaty,bereftofallsupport, even that of the sure inner compulsion that had sustained her in herstruggleforrevengeonFax.Shesawthebronzedragonsettleonthefirstledge,atsomedistancefromtheothertwobronzebeasts.Thedragonmandismounted,andMnementhcurvedhissinuousneckuntilhisheadwasbesidehisrider.Themanreachedupandabsently,itseemedtoLessa,caressedhismount.

LoudscreamsandwailingsdivertedLessa,andshesawmoredragonsdescendtohoverjustabovethecavernfloor,eachriderdepositingayoungwomanuntilthereweretwelvegirls,includingLessa.Sheremainedalittleapartfromthemastheyclung tooneanother.Sheregarded themcuriously,contemptuousof theirtears,althoughherheartwasprobablybeatingnolessrapidlythantheirs.Itdidnotoccurtoherthattearswereanyhelp.Thegirlswerenotinjuredinanywaythatshecouldsee,sowhysuchweeping?Hercontemptoftheirbleatingmadeherawareofherowntemerity,andshetookadeepbreathagainstthecoldnesswithinher.Letthembeafraid.ShewasLessaofRuathaanddidnotneedtobeafraid.

Justthen,thegoldeneggmovedconvulsively.Gaspingasone,thegirlsedgedawayfromit,backagainsttherockywall.One,alovelyblonde,herheavyplaitofgoldenhairswingingjustabovetheground,startedtostepofftheraisedfloorandstopped,shrieking,backingfearfullytowardthescantcomfortofherpeers.

Lessawheeledtoseewhatcausetheremightbeforthelookofhorroronthegirl'sface.Shesteppedbackinvoluntarilyherself.

In themain section of the sandy arena, several of the handful of eggs hadalready cracked wide open. The fledglings, crowing weakly, were movingtoward-andLessagulped-theyoungboysstandingstolidlyinasemicircle.SomeofthemwerenoolderthanshehadbeenwhenFax'sarmyhadswoopeddownonRuathaHold.

The shrieking of the women subsided to muffled gasps and sobs as onefledglingreachedoutwithclawandbeaktogrababoy.

Lessaforcedherselftowatchastheyoungdragonmauledtheboy,throwinghim roughly aside as if unsatisfied in someway. The boy did notmove, andLessacouldseebloodseepingontothesandfromdragon-inflictedwounds.

Asecondfledglinglurchedagainstanotherboyandhalted,flappingitsdampwings impotently, raising its scrawny neck and croaking a parody of theencouragingcroonMnementhoftengave.Theboyuncertainlyliftedahandandbegantoscratch theeyeridge. Incredulous,Lessawatchedas thefledgling, itscrooning increasinglymoremellow, ducked its head, pushing at the boy. Thechild'sfacebrokeintoanunbelievingsmileofelation.

Tearinghereyesfromthisastoundingsight,Lessasawthatanotherfledglingwasbeginningthesameperformancewithanotherboy.Twomoredragonshademerged in the interim.One had knocked a boy down andwaswalking overhim,obliviousofthefactthatitsclawswererakinggreatgashes.Thefledglingwhofolloweditshatch-matestoppedbythewoundedchild,duckingitsheadtothe boy's face, crooning anxiously. As Lessa watched, the boy managed tostruggletohisfeet,tearsofpainstreamingdownhischeeks.Shecouldhearhimpleadingwiththedragonnottoworry,thathewasonlyscratchedalittle.

Itwasoververysoon.Theyoungdragonspairedoffwithboys.Greenridersdroppeddowntocarryofftheunacceptable.Blueriderssettledtothefloorwiththebeastsand led thecouplesoutof thecavern, theyoungdragons squealing,crooning, flappingwetwingsas theystaggeredoff,encouragedby theirnewlyacquiredWeyrmates.

Lessa turned resolutely back to the rocking golden egg, knowing what toexpect and trying todivinewhat the successfulboyshadorhadnotdone thatcausedthebabydragonstosinglethemout.

Acrackappearedinthegoldenshellandwasgreetedbytheterrifiedscreamsof thegirls.Somehad fallen into littleheapsofwhite fabric, others embracedtightly in their mutual fear. The crack widened and the wedge head brokethrough, followed quickly by the neck, gleaming gold. Lessa wondered withunexpecteddetachmenthowlongitwouldtakethebeasttomature,consideringitsbynomeanssmallsizeatbirth.Fortheheadwaslargerthanthatofthemaledragons,and theyhadbeen largeenough tooverwhelmsturdyboysof tenfullTurns.

LessawasawareofaloudhumwithintheHall.Glancingupattheaudience,sherealizeditemanatedfromthewatchingbronzedragons,forthiswasthebirthof theirmate, theirqueen.Thehum increased involumeas the shell shatteredinto fragments and the golden, glistening body of the new female emerged. Itstaggered out, dipping its sharp beak into the soft sand,momentarily trapped.Flappingitswetwings,itrighteditself,ludicrousinitsweakawkwardness.Withsudden and unexpected swiftness, it dashed toward the terror-stricken girls.BeforeLessacouldblink,itshookthefirstgirlwithsuchviolencethatherheadsnapped audibly and she fell limply to the sand.Disregarding her, the dragonleapedtowardthesecondgirlbutmisjudgedthedistanceandfell,grabbingoutwith one claw for support and raking the girl's body from shoulder to thigh.Screaming,themortallyinjuredgirldistractedthedragonandreleasedtheothersfromtheirhorrifiedtrance.Theyscatteredinpanickyconfusion,racing,running,tripping,stumbling,fallingacrossthesandtowardtheexittheboyshadused.

As the golden beast, crying piteously, lurched down from the raised arenatoward thescatteredwomen,Lessamoved.Whyhadn't that sillyclunk-headedgirlsteppedaside,Lessathought,grabbingforthewedgehead,atbirthnotmuchlargerthanherowntorso.Thedragonwassoclumsyandweakshewasherownworstenemy.

Lessa swung the head around so that themany faceted eyeswere forced tolookather...andfoundherselflostinthatrainbowregard.

A feeling of joy suffusedLessa; a feeling ofwarmth, tenderness, unalloyedaffection, and instant respect andadmiration floodedmindandheart and soul.Never again would Lessa lack an advocate, a defender, an intimate, awareinstantlyofthetemperofhermindandheart,ofherdesires.HowwonderfulwasLessa, thethoughtintrudedintoLessa'sreflections,howpretty,howkind,howthoughtful,howbraveandclever!

MechanicallyLessareachedouttoscratchtheexactspotonthesofteyeridge.

The dragon blinked at her wistfully, extremely sad that she had distressedLessa. Lessa reassuringly patted the slightly damp, soft neck that curvedtrustinglytowardher.Thedragonreeledtoonesideandonewingfouledonthehindclaw.Ithurt.CarefullyLessaliftedtheerringfoot,freedthewing,foldingitbackacrossthedorsalridgewithapat.

The dragon began to croon in her throat, her eyes following Lessa's everymove.ShenudgedatLessa,andLessaobedientlyattendedtheothereyeridge.

Thedragonletitbeknownshewashungry.

"We'll get you something to eat directly," Lessa assured her briskly andblinkedbackatthedragoninamazement.Howcouldshebesocallous?Itwasafactthatthislittlemenacehadjustseriouslyinjured,ifnotkilled,twowomen.

She couldn't believe her sympathies could swing so alarmingly toward thebeast.Yet itwas themostnatural thing in theworld forher towish toprotectthisfledgling.

The dragon arched her neck to look Lessa squarely in the eyes. Ramothrepeated wistfully how exceedingly hungry she was, so long confined in thatshellwithoutnourishment.

Lessawonderedhowsheknewthegoldendragon'sname,andRamothreplied:Whyshouldn'tsheknowherownnamesinceitwashersandnooneelse's?AndthenLessawaslostinthewonderofthosemagnificentlyexpressiveeyes.

Oblivioustothedescendingbronzedragons,oblivioustothepresenceoftheirriders,LessastoodcaressingtheheadofthemostwonderfulcreatureofallPern,

fullyprescientoftroublesandglories,butmostimmediatelyawarethatLessaofPernwasWeyrwomantoRamoththeGoldenfornowandforever.

PARTII-Dragonflight

1

Seasboilandmountainsmove,

Sandsheat,dragonsprove

RedStarpasses.

Stonespileandfiresburn,

Greenwithers,armPern.

Guardallpasses.

StarStonewatch,scansky.

ReadytheWeyrs,allridersfly;

RedStarpasses.

"IFAQUEENisn'tmeanttofly,whydoesshehavewings?"askedLessa.Shewasgenuinelytryingtomaintainatoneofsweetreason.

Shehadhadtolearnthat,althoughitwashernaturetoseethe,shemustseethediscreetly.UnliketheaveragePernese,dragonriderswereapttoperceivestrongemotionalauras.

R'gul'sheavyeyebrowsdrewtogetherinastartledfrown.Hesnappedhisjawstogetherwithexasperation.Lessaknewhisanswerbeforeheutteredit

"Queensdon'tfly,"hesaidflatly.

"Except to mate," S'lel amended. He had been dozing, a state he achievedeffortlesslyandfrequently,althoughhewasyoungerthanthevigorousR'gul.

They are going to quarrel again, Lessa thought with an inward groan. Shecould stand about half an hour of that, and then her stomachwould begin tochurn. Their notion of instructing the newWeyrwoman in "Duties toDragon,Weyr, and Pern" too often deteriorated into extended arguments over minordetailsinthelessonsshehadtomemorizeandrecitewordperfect.Sometimes,asnow,sheentertainedthefragilehopethatshemightwindthemupsotightlyintheirowninconsistenciesthattheywouldinadvertentlyrevealatruthortwo.

"Aqueenfliesonlytomate,"R'gulallowedthecorrection.

"Surely,"Lessasaidwithpersistentpatience,"ifshecanflytomate,shecanflyatothertimes."

"Queensdon'tfly,"R'gul'sexpressionwasstubborn.

"Jora never did fly a dragon at all," S'lel mumbled, blinking rapidly in hisbemusementwiththepast.Hisexpressionwasvaguelytroubled."Joraneverlefttheseapartments."

"ShetookNemorthtothefeedinggrounds,"R'gulsnappedirritably.

Bile rose inLessa's throat. She swallowed. Shewould simply have to forcethem to leave. Would they realize that Ramoth woke all too conveniently attimes?Maybeshe'dbetter rouseR'gul'sHath. Inwardlyshepermittedherselfasmug smile as her secret ability to hear and talk to any dragon in theWeyr,green,blue,brown,orbronze,momentarilysoothedher.

"When Jora could getNemorth to stir at all," S'lelmuttered, picking at hisunderlipworriedly.

R'gul glared at S'lel to silence him and, succeeding, tapped pointedly onLessa'sslate.

Stiflinghersigh,shepickedupthestylus.Shehadalreadywrittenthisballadoutninetimes,letterperfect.TenwasapparentlyR'gul'smagicnumber.Forshe

hadwritten every single one of the traditional Teaching Ballads, the DisasterSagas,andtheLaws,letterperfect,tentimeseach.True,shehadnotunderstoodhalfofthem,butsheknewthembyheart.

"Seasboil,andmountainsmove"shewrote.

Possibly.Ifthereisamajorinnerupheavaloftheland.OneofFax'sguardsatRuathaHoldhadonceregaled theWatchwitha tale fromhisgreat-grandsire'sdays.AwholecoastalvillageinEastForthadslidintothesea.Therehadbeenmonumentaltidesthatyearand,beyondIsta,amountainhadallegedlyemergedatthesametime,itstopafire.Ithadsubsidedyearslater.Thatmightbetowhatthelinereferred.Mightbe.

"Sands heat ... " True, in summer it was said that Igen Plain could beunendurable. No shade, no trees, no caves, just bleak sand desert. Evendragonmeneschewedthatregionindeepsummer.Cometothinkofit,thesandsoftheHatchingGroundwerealwayswarmunderfoot.Didthosesandsevergethotenoughtoburn?Andwhatwarmedthem,anyway?ThesameunseeninternalfiresthatheatedthewaterinthebathingpoolsthroughoutBendenWeyr?

"Dragons prove ..." Ambiguous for half a dozen interpretations, and R'gulwon'tevensuggestoneasofficial.DoesitmeanthatdragonsprovetheRedStarpasses?How?Comingoutwithaspecialkeen,similartotheonetheyutterwhenone of their own kind passes to die between? Or did the dragons provethemselvesinsomeotherwayastheRedStarpasses?Besides,ofcourse,theirtraditional functionofburning theThreadsoutof the skies?Oh, all the thingstheseballadsdon'tsay,andnooneeverexplains.Yettheremustoriginallyhavebeenareason.

"Stonepileandfiresburn/Greenwithers,armPern"

More enigma. Is someone piling the stones on the fires? Do they meanfirestone?Or do the stones pile themselves as in an avalanche?The balladeermight at least have suggested the season involved - or did he, with "greenwithers"?Yet vegetation purportedly attractedThreads,whichwas the reason,traditionally, that greenery was not permitted around human habitations. Butstones couldn't stop a Thread from burrowing underground and multiplying.

Only the phosphine emissions of a firestone-eating dragon stopped a Thread.And nowadays, Lessa smiled thinly, no one, not even dragonmen-with thenotable exceptions of F'lar and his wingmen-bothered to drill with firestone,muchlessuprootgrassnearhouses.Latelyhilltops,scouredbarrenforcenturies,wereallowedtoburgeonwithgreeninthespring.

"Guardallpasses."

Shedugthephraseoutwiththestylus,thinkingtoherself:SonodragonridercanleavetheWeyrundetected.

R'gul'scurrentcourseofinactionasWeyrleaderwasbasedontheideathatifno one. Lord or holder, saw a dragonrider, no one could be offended. Eventraditionalpatrolswereflownnowoveruninhabitedareas, toallowthecurrentagitationaboutthe"parasitical"Weyrtodiedown.Fax,whoseopendissensionhad sparked that movement, had not taken the cause to his grave. Larad, theyoungLordofTelgar,wassaidtobethenewleader.

R'gul as Weyrleader. That rankled Lessa deeply. He was so patentlyinadequate.ButhisHathhadtakenNemorthonherlastflight.Traditionally(andthatwordwasbeginningtonauseateLessaforthesinsofomissionascribabletoitsname)theWeyrleaderwastheriderofthequeen'smate.Oh,R'gullookedthepart-a big, husky man, physically vigorous and domineering, his heavy facesuggesting a sternly disciplined personality. Only, to Lessa's thinking, thedisciplinewasmisdirected.

Now F'lar ... he had disciplined himself and hit wingriders in what Lessaconsidered the proper direction. For he, unlike the Weyrleader, not onlysincerelybelievedintheLawsandTraditionshefollowed,heunderstoodthem.Time and again she hadmanaged tomake sense of a puzzling lesson from aphrase or two F'lar tossed in her direction. But, traditionally, only theWeyrleaderinstructedtheWeyrwoman.

Why, in the name of theEgg, hadn'tMnementh, F'lar's bronze giant, flownNemorth?Hathwasanoblebeast,infullprime,buthecouldnotcomparewithMnementh in size,wingspread,or strength.Therewouldhavebeenmore thanteneggsinthatlastclutchofNemorth'sifMnementhhadflownher.

Jora, the late and unlamented Weyrwoman, had been obese, stupid, andincompetent.Onthiseveryoneagreed.Supposedlythedragonreflecteditsriderasmuch as the rider the dragon.Lessa's thoughts turned critical.UndoubtedlyMnementhhadbeenasrepelledbythedragon,asamanlikeF'larwouldbebytherider-unrider,Lessacorrectedherself,sardonicallyglancingatthedrowsingS'lel.

But if F'lar had gone to the trouble of that desperate duelwith Fax to saveLessa's lifebackinRuathaHoldtobringhertotheWeyrasacandidateat theImpression,whyhadhenot takenover theWeyrwhen sheproved successful,and ousted R'gul? What was he waiting for? He had been vehement andpersuasive enough in making Lessa relinquish Ruatha and come to BendenWeyr.Why,now,didheadopt suchanaloofposeofdetachmentas theWeyrtumbledfurtherandfurtherintodisfavor?

"To save Pern," F'lar's words had been. From what if not R'gul? F'lar hadbetterstartsalvationprocedures.OrwashebidinghistimeuntilR'gulblunderedfatally?R'gulwon'tblunder,Lessathoughtsourly,becausehewon'tdoanything.Mostparticularlyhewouldn'texplainwhatshewantedtoknow.

"Star Stonewatch, scan sky." From her ledge, Lessa could see the giganticrectangleoftheStarStoneoutlinedagainstthesky.Awatch-rideralwaysstoodby it. One day she'd get up there. It gave a magnificent view of the BendenRangeandthehighplateauthatcamerightuptothefootoftheWeyr.LastTurntherehadbeenquite a ceremonyatStarStone,when the rising sun seemed tosettle briefly onFingerRock,marking thewinter solstice.However, that onlyexplainedthesignificanceoftheFingerRock,nottheStarStone.Addonemoreunexplainedmystery.

"ReadytheWeyrs,"Lessawrotemorosely.Plural.NotWeyrbutWeyrs.R'gulcouldn'tdenytherewerefiveemptyWeyrsaroundPern,desertedforwhoknowshowmanyTurns.She'dhadtolearnthenames,theorderoftheirestablishment,too. Fort was the first and mightiest, then Benden, High Reaches, Hot Igen,Ocean Ista and plainland Telgar.Yet no explanation as towhy five had beenabandoned.NorwhygreatBenden,capableofhousingfivehundredbeastsinitsmyriad weyr-caverns, maintained a scant two hundred. Of course, R'gul hadfobbedtheirnewWeyrwomanoffwiththeconvenientexcusethatJorahadbeen

an incompetentandneuroticWeyrwoman,allowingherdragonqueen togorgeunrestrained. (No one told Lessa why this was so undesirable, nor why,contradictorily, theyweresopleasedwhenRamothstuffedherself.)Ofcourse,Ramoth was growing, growing so rapidly that the changes were apparentovernight.

Lessasmiled,atendersmilethatnoteventhepresenceofR'gulandS'lelcouldembarrass.SheglancedupfromherwritingtothepassagewaythatledfromtheCouncilRoomuptothegreatcavernthatwasRamoth'sweyr.ShecouldsensethatRamothwasstilldeeplyasleep.Shelongedforthedragontowake,longedfor the reassuring regard of those rainbow eyes, for the comfortingcompanionshipthatmadelifeintheWeyrendurable.SometimesLessafeltshewas two people: gay and fulfilled when she was attending Ramoth, gray andfrustrated when the dragon slept. Abruptly Lessa cut off this depressingreflectionandbentdiligentlytoherlesson.Itdidpasstime.

"RedStarpasses."

Thatbenighted,begreenedRedStar,andLessajammedherstylusintothesoftwaxwiththesymbolforacompletedscore.

Therehadbeen that unforgettabledawn,over two fullTurns ago,when shehad been roused by an ominous presentiment from the damp straw of thecheeseroomatRuatha.AndtheRedStarhadgleamedather.

Yethereshewas.Andthatbright,activefutureF'larhadsoglowinglypaintedhadnotmaterialized.Insteadofusinghersubtlepowertomanipulateeventsandpeople for Pern's good, she was forced into a round of inconclusive,uninstructive,tediousdays,boredtoactivenauseabyR'gulandS'lel,restrictedto theWeyrwoman's apartments (however much of an improvement that wasoverhersquare footof thecheeseroomfloor)and the feedinggroundsand thebathinglake.Theonlytimesheusedherabilitywastoterminatethesesessionswithherso-calledtutors.Grindingherteeth,Lessathoughtthatifitweren'tforRamoth,shewouldjustleave.OustGemma'ssonandtakeHoldatRuathaassheoughttohavedoneonceFaxwasdead.

She caught her lip under her teeth, smiling in self-derision. If itweren't for

Ramoth,shewouldn'thavestayedhereamomentpastImpressionanyway.But,from the second inwhich her eyes hadmet those of the young queen on theHatching Ground, nothing but Ramoth mattered. Lessa was Ramoth's andRamoth was hers, mind and heart, irrevocably attuned. Only death coulddissolvethatincrediblebond.

Occasionally a dragonless man remained living, such as Lytol, Ruatha'sWarder,buthewashalfshadowandthatindistinctselflivedintorment.Whenhis rider died, a dragonwinked into between, that frozen nothingness throughwhich a dragon somehow moved himself and his rider, instantly, from onegeographicalpositiononPern toanother.Toenterbetweenhelddanger to theuniniated,Lessa knew, the danger of being trappedbetween for longer than ittookamantocoughthreetimes.

Yet Lessa's one dragonflight on Mnementh's neck had filled her with aninsatiable compulsion to repeat the experience. Naively she had thought shewouldbe taught, as theyoung riders anddragonetswere.But she, supposedlythemostimportantinhabitantoftheWeyrnexttoRamoth,remainedearthboundwhile theyoungsterswinked inandoutofbetweenabove theWeyr inendlesspractice.Shechafedattheintolerablerestriction.

Femaleornot,Ramothmusthavethesameinnateabilitytopassbetweenasthemalesdid.This theorywassupported -unequivocally inLessa'smind-by"TheBalladofMoreta'sRide."Werenotballadsconstructedtoinform?Toteachthosewhocouldnotreadandwrite?Sothat theyoungPernese,whetherhebedragonman. Lord, or holder, might learn his duty toward Pern and rehearsePern's bright history?These two arrant idiotsmight deny the existenceof thatBallad,buthowhadLessalearneditifitdidnotexist?Nodoubt,Lessathoughtacidly,forthesamereasonqueenshadwings!

WhenR'gulconsented-andshewouldwearhimdowntillhedid- toallowher to take up her "traditional" responsibility as Keeper of the Records, shewouldfindthatBallad.OnedayitwasgoingtohavetobeR'gul'smuchdelayed"righttime."

Righttime!shefumed.Righttime!Ihavetoomuchofthewrongtimeonmyhands.Whenwillthisparticularrighttimeoftheirsoccur?Whenthemoonsturn

green?Whataretheywaitingfor?AndwhatmightthesuperiorF'larbewaitingfor?ThepassingoftheRedStarhealonebelievesin?Shepaused,foreventhemost casual reference to that phenomenon evoked a cold, mocking sense ofmenacewithinher.

She shook her head to dispel it. Her movement was injudicious. It caughtR'gul'sattention.HelookedupfromtheRecordshewaslaboriouslyreading.Ashe drew her slate across the stone Council table, the clatter roused S'lel. Hejerkedhisheadup,uncertainofhissurroundings.

"Humph?Eh?Yes?"hemumbled,blinkingtofocussleep-blurredeyes.

Itwastoomuch.LessaquicklymadecontactwithS'lel'sTuenth,himselfjustrousingfromanap.Tuenthwasquiteagreeable.

"Tuenth is restless, must go," S'lel promptly muttered. He hastened up thepassageway,hisreliefatleavingnolessthanLessa'satseeinghimgo.Shewasstartled to hear him greet someone in the corridor and hoped the new arrivalwouldprovideanexcusetoridherselfofR'gul.

It was Manora who entered. Lessa greeted the headwoman of the LowerCaverns with thinly disguised relief. R'gul, always nervous in Manora'spresence,immediatelydeparted.

Manora, a statelywoman ofmiddle years, exuded an aura of quiet strengthand purpose, having come to a difficult compromise with life which shemaintained with serene dignity. Her patience tacitly chided Lessa for herfretfulness and petty grievances. Of all the women she hadmet in theWeyr,(when she was permitted by the dragonmen to meet any) Lessa admired andrespectedManoramost.SomeinstinctinLessamadeherbitterlyawarethatshewouldneverbeoneasyorintimatetermswithanyofthewomenintheWeyr.HercarefullyformalrelationshipwithManora,however,wasbothsatisfyingandsatisfactory.

Manora had brought the tally slates of the Supply Caves. It was herresponsibilityasheadwomantokeeptheWeyrwomaninformedofthedomesticmanagementoftheWeyr.(OnedutyR'gulinsistedsheperform.)

"Bitra,Benden,andLemoshavesentintheirtithes,butthatwon'tbeenoughtoseeusthroughthedeepcoldthisTurn."

"WehadonlythosethreelastTurnandseemedtoeatwellenough."

Manor smiled amiably, but it was obvious she did not consider the Weyrgenerouslysupplied.

"True,butthatwasbecausewehadstoresofpreservedanddriedfoodsfrommorebountifulTurnstosustainus.Thatreserveisnowgone.Exceptfor thosebarrelsandbarrelsoffishfromTillek..."Hervoicetrailedonexpressively.

Lessa shuddered. Dried fish, salted fish, fish, had been served all toofrequentlyoflate.

"Oursuppliesofgrainandflour in theDryCavesarevery low,forBenden,Bitra,andLemosarenotgrainproducers."

"Ourbiggestneedsaregrainsandmeat?"

"We could use more fruits and root vegetables for variety," Manora saidthoughtfully. "Particularly if we have the long cold season the weatherwisepredict.NowwedidgotoIgenPlainforthespringandfallnuts,berries..."

"We?toIgenPlain?"Lessainterruptedher,stunned.

"Yes,"Manoraanswered,surprisedatLessa'sreaction."Wealwayspickthere.Andwebeatoutthewatergrainsfromthelowswamplands."

"How do you get there?" asked Lessa sharply. There could be only oneanswer.

"Why,theoldonesflyus.Theydon'tmind,anditgivesthebeastssomethingtodothatisn'ttiring.Youknewthat,didn'tyou?"

"ThatthewomenintheLowerCavernsflywithdragonriders?"Lessapursedherlipsangrily."No.Iwasn'ttold."NordidithelpLessa'smoodtoseethepityandregretinManora'seyes.

"AsWeyrwoman,"shesaidgently,"yourobligationsrestrictyouwhere...""IfI should ask to be flown to ... Ruatha, for instance," Lessa cut in, ruthlesslypursuingasubjectshesensedManorawantedtodrop,"woulditberefusedme?"Manora regarded Lessa closely, her eyes dark with concern. Lessa waited.DeliberatelyshehadputManoraintoapositionwherethewomanmusteitherlieoutright,whichwouldbedistastefultoapersonofherintegrity,orprevaricate,whichcouldprovemoreinstructive.

"An absence for any reason these days might be disastrous. Absolutelydisastrous," Manora said firmly and, unaccountably, flushed. "Not with thequeengrowingsoquickly.Youmustbehere."Herunexpectedlyurgententreaty,delivered with a mounting anxiety, impressed Lessa far more than all R'gul'spompousexhortationsaboutconstantattendanceonRamoth.

"Youmustbehere,"Manorarepeated,herfearnaked.

"Queensdonot fly,"Lessa remindedher acidly.She suspectedManorawasabout to echo S'lel's reply to that statement, but the older woman suddenlyshiftedtoasafersubject.

"Wecannot,evenwithhalf-rations,"Manorablurtedoutbreathlessly,withanervousshufflingofherslates,"lastthefullCold."

"Hasn't there ever been such a shortage before ... in all Tradition?" Lessademandedwithcausticsweetness.

ManoraraisedquestioningeyestoLessa,whoflushed,ashamedofherselfforventingherfrustrationswiththedragonmenontheheadwoman.Shewasdoublycontrite when Manora gravely accepted her mute apology. In that momentLessa's determination to end R'gul's domination over herself and the Weyrcrystallized.

"No,"Manorawentoncalmly,"traditionally,"andsheaccordedLessaawrysmile, "theWeyr is supplied from the first fruitsof the soil andhunt.True, inrecentTurnswehavebeenchronicallyshorted,butitdidn'tsignify.Wehadnoyoung dragons to feed. They do eat, as you know." The glances of the twowomenlockedinatimelessfeminineamusementoverthevagariesoftheyoung

undertheircare.ThenManorashrugged."TheridersusedtohunttheirbeastsintheHighReachesorontheKeroonplateau.Now,however..."

ShemadeahelplessgrimacetoindicatethatR'gul'srestrictionsdeprivedthemofthatvictualrelief.

"Timewas," shewenton,hervoice softwithnostalgia, "wewouldpass thecoldest part of the Turn in one of the southern Holds. Or, if we wished andcould, return to our birthplaces. Families used to take pride in daughterswithdragonfolk sons." Her face settled into sad lines. "The world turns and timeschange."

"Yes,"Lessaheardherself say in agratingvoice, "theworlddoes turn, andtimes...timeswillchange."

ManoralookedatLessa,startled.

"EvenR'gulwillseewehavenoalternative,"Manoracontinuedhastily,tryingtosticktoherproblem.

"Towhat?Lettingthematuredragonshunt?"

"Oh, no. He's so adamant about that. No. We'll have to barter at Fort orTelgar."

RighteousindignationflaredupinLessa.

"The day theWeyr has to buywhat should be given ..." and she halted inmidsentence, stunned asmuchby such a necessity as by the ominous echoofotherwords."ThedayoneofmyHoldscannotsupport itselfor thevisitof itsrightful overlord ..." Fax's words rang in her head. Did those words againforeshadowdisaster?Forwhom?Forwhat?

"Iknow,Iknow,"Manorawassayingworriedly,unawareofLessa'sshock."Itgoesagainstthegrain.ButifR'gulwillnotpermitjudicioushunting,thereisnootherchoice.Hewillnotlikethepinchofhungerinhisbelly."

Lessawasstrugglingtocontrolherinnerterror.Shetookadeepbreath.

"He'd probably then cut his throat to isolate his stomach," she snapped, heracidcommentrestoringherwits.SheignoredManora'sstartledlookofdismayandwent on. "It is traditional for you as headwoman of theLowerCavern tobringsuchmatterstotheattentionoftheWeyrwoman,correct?"

Manoranodded,unsettledbyLessa'srapidswitchesofmood.

"I, then, as Weyrwoman, presumably bring this to the attention of theWeyrleaderwho,presumably,"-shemadenoattempttomoderateherderision-"actsuponit?"

Manoranodded,hereyesperplexed.

"Well,"Lessa said in apleasant, light voice, "youhavedutifullydischargedyourtraditionalobligation.Itisuptomenowtodischargemine.Right?"

ManoraregardedLessawarily.Lessasmiledatherreassuringly.

"Youmayleaveitinmyhands,then."

Manoraroseslowly.WithouttakinghereyesfromLessa,shebegantogatherupherrecords.

"It is said thatFortandTelgarhadunusuallygoodharvests," shesuggested,herlighttonenotquitemaskingheranxiety."Keroon,too,inspiteofthatcoastalflooding."

"Isthatso?"Lessamurmuredpolitely.

"Yes,"Manoracontinuedhelpfully,"andtheherdsatKeroonandTillekhadgoodincrease."

"I'mhappyforthem."Manorashotherameasuringlook,notatallassuredbyLessa'ssuddenaffability.ShefinishedgatheringupherRecords, thenset themdownagaininacarefulpile.

"HaveyounoticedhowK'netandhiswingriderschafeatR'gul'srestrictions?"sheasked,watchingLessaclosely.

"K'net?"

"Yes.AndoldC'gan.Oh,his leg isstillstiff,andTagathmaybemoregraywith age than blue, but he was of Udith's hatching. Her last clutch had finebeastsinit,"sheremarked."C'ganremembersotherdays..."

"Beforetheworldturnedandtimeschanged?"

Lessa'ssweetvoicedidnotmisleadManoranow.

"ItisnotjustasWeyrwomanthatyouareattractivetothedragonmen,LessaofPern,"Manora said sharply,her face stern. "Thereare severalof thebrownriders,forinstance..."

"F'nor?"Lessaaskedpointedly.

Manoradrewherselfupproudly."Heisamangrown,Weyrwoman,andweoftheLowerCavernshavelearnedtodisregardthetiesofbloodandaffection.Itisasabrownrider,notthesonIbore,thatIrecommendhim.Yes,I'drecommendF'nor,asIwouldalsorecommendT'sumandL'rad."

"Doyou suggest thembecause they are of F'lar'swing and bred in the truetraditions? Less apt to be swayed by my blandishments ..." "I suggest thembecause they believe in the tradition that theWeyrmust be supplied from theHolds."

"All right."LessagrinnedatManora, seeing thewomancouldnotbebaitedaboutF'nor."Ishalltakeyourrecommendationstoheart,forIdonotintend..."She broke off her sentence. "Thank you for apprising me of our supplyproblems.Weneedfreshmeatmostofall?"sheasked,risingtoherfeet.

"Grains, too, and some of the southern root vegetables would be verywelcome,"Manorarepliedformally.

"Verywell,"Lessaagreed.

Manoraleft,herexpressionthoughtful.

Lessareflectedforlongmomentsonthatinterview,sittinglikeaslimstatuetteinthecapaciousstonychair,herlegscurledupunderheronthepadding.

ForemostwasthedisturbingknowledgethatManorawasdeeplyafraidofthemere prospect of Lessa absent from the Weyr, from Ramoth's side, for anyreason, for any length of time. Her instinctive fear reaction was a far moreeffectiveargumentthananyofR'gul'ssententiousmouthings.However,Manorahadgivennohintofthereasonforthatnecessity.Verywell,Lessawouldnottryto fly one of the other dragons, with or without the rider, as she had beenbeginningtothinkshecould.

Asforthismatterofshortsupplies,onthatLessawouldact.EspeciallysinceR'gulwouldnot.And,sinceR'gulcouldnotprotestwhathedidnotknow,shewouldcontrive,withthehelpofK'netorF'nororhowevermanysheneeded,tokeeptheWeyrdecentlysupplied.Eatingregularlyhadbecomeapleasanthabitshedidnotwishtocurtail.Shedidnotintendbeinggreedy,butalittlejudiciouspilferingofabountifulharvestwouldgounnoticedbytheHoldLords.

K'net, though, was young; he might be rash and indiscreet. Perhaps F'norwouldbethewiserchoice.ButwasheasfreetomaneuverasK'net,whowas,afterall,abronzerider?MaybeC'gan.Theabsenceofaretiredbluerider,timeheavyonhishands,mightnotbenoticedatall.

Lessasmiledtoherself,buthersmilefadedquickly.

"ThedaytheWeyrhastobarterforwhatshouldbegiven..."Shethrustbackthe premonitory shudder, concentrated on the ignominy of that situation. Itcertainlyemphasizedthemeasureofherself-delusion.

Whyhad she thoughtbeing at theWeyrwouldbe sodifferent fromRuathaHold?Hadher early childhood training instilled such a questionless reverencefor theWeyr that lifemust alter its patternbecauseLessaofRuathahadbeenImpressedbyRamoth?Howcouldshehavebeensucharomanticlittlefool?

Look aroundyou,LessaofPern, look around theWeyrwithunveiled eyes.OldandhallowedistheWeyr?Yes,butshabbyandworn-anddisregarded.Yes,youwereelatedtositintheWeyrwoman'sgreatchairattheCouncilTable,but

thepaddingisthinandthefabricdusty.HumbledtothinkyourhandsrestwhereMoreta's and Torene's had rested? Well, the stone is ingrained with dirt andneedsagoodscrubbing.Andyourrumpmayrestwheretheirsdid-butthat'snotwhereyouhaveyourbrains.

The shabbyWeyr reflected thedeteriorationof itspurpose in the schemeoflife on Pern. Those handsome dragonriders, too, so brave in their wherhideaccoutrements, proud on the necks of their great beasts-they did not submitkindlytodoseexaminationwithoutafewdisappointingrevelations.Theywereonly men, with manlike lusts and ambitions, full of very human faults andfrustrations, unwilling to disrupt their easy existence for the harsh exigenciesthatwould reestablish theWeyr.Theyhad settled toodeeply in their isolationfromtherestoftheirrace;theydidnotrealizetheywerelittlethoughtof.Therewasnorealleaderattheirhead...

F'lar! What was he waiting for? For Lessa to see through R'gul'sineffectiveness? No, Lessa decided slowly, for Ramoth to grow up. ForMnementhtoflyherwhenhecan...traditionalistthatF'laris,andLessathoughtthis excuse to be specious ... when the mating dragon's rider became,traditionally,theWeyrleader.Thatrider!

Well,F'larmightjustfindeventsnotturningoutasheplanned.

Myeyeswere dazzledbyRamoth's, but I can see around the rainbownow,Lessa thought, steelingherself against the tenderness that alwaysaccompaniedanythoughtofthegoldenbeast.Yes,Icanseeintotheblackandgrayshadowsnow,wheremyapprenticeshipatRuathashouldstandme ingoodstead.True,there'smore to control than one smallHold and farmore perceptiveminds toinfluence.Perceptivebutdenseintheirownway.AgreaterhazardifIlose.ButhowcanI?Lessa'ssmilebroadened.Sherubbedherpalmsagainstherthighsinanticipationofthechallenge.TheycandonothingwithRamothwithoutme,andtheymusthaveRamoth.NoonecancoerceLessaofRuatha,andthey'reasstuckwithmeastheywerewithJora.Only,I'mnoJora!

Elated,Lessajumpedfromthechair.Shefeltaliveagain.AndmorepowerfulinherselfthanshefeltwhenRamothwasawake.

Time, time, time.R'gul's time.Well,Lessahaddonewithmarkinghis time.She'dbeenasillyfool.Nowshe'dbetheWeyrwomanF'larhadbeguiledhertothinkshecouldbe.

F'lar ...her thoughts returned tohimconstantly.She'dhave towatchout forhim.Particularlywhenshestarted"arranging"thingstosuitherself.Butshehadanadvantagehecouldn'tknow-thatshecouldspeaktoall thedragons,notjustRamoth.EventohispreciousMnementh.

Lessa threw back her hand and laughed, the sound echoing hollowly in thelarge,emptyCouncilRoom.Shelaughedagain,delightedwithanexerciseshehadhad rareoccasion touse.Hermirth rousedRamoth.Theexultationofherdecisionwasreplacedbythatofknowingthegoldendragonwaswaking.

Ramothstirredagainandstretchedrestlesslyashungerpiercedslumber.Lessaranupthepassageonlightfeet,eagerasachildforthefirstsightofthegloriouseyesandthesweetnessthatcharacterizedthedragon'spersonality.

Ramoth's huge golden wedge-shaped head swiveled around as the sleepydragoninstinctivelysoughtherWeyrmate.Lessaquicklytouchedherbluntchin,and the searchingheadwas still, comforted.The several protecting lidspartedoverthemany-facetedeyes,andRamothandLessarenewedthepledgeoftheirmutualdevotion.

Ramoth had had those dreams again, she told Lessa, shuddering slightly. Itwassocold there!Lessacaressed thesoftdownabovehereye-ridge, soothingthedragon.LinkedfirmlytoRamothasshehadbecome,shewasacutelyawareofthedismaythosecurioussequencesproduced.

Ramothcomplainedofanitchbytheleftdorsalridge.

"Theskinisflakingagain,"Lessatoldher,quicklyspreadingsweetoilontheaffectedarea."You'regrowingsofast,"sheaddedwithmockandtenderdismay.

Ramothrepeatedthatsheitchedabominably.

"Eithereatlesssoyou'llsleeplessorstopoutgrowingyourhideovernight."

She chanted dutifully as she rubbed in the oil, "Thedragonetmust be oileddaily as the rapid growth in early development can overstretch fragile skintissues,renderingthemtenderandsensitive."

Theyitch,Ramothcorrectedpetulantly,squirming.

"Hush.I'monlyrepeatingwhatIwastaught."

Ramothissuedadragon-sizedsnortthatblewLessa'srobetightlyaroundherlegs.

"Hush. Daily bathing is compulsory, and thorough oiling must accompanythese ablutions. Patchy skin becomes imperfect hide in the adult dragon.Imperfecthideresultsinskinrupturesthatmayprovefataltoaflyingbeast."

Don'tstoprubbing,Ramothentreated.

"Flyingbeastindeed!"

RamothinformedLessashewassohungry.Couldn'tshebatheandoillater?

"Themoment that cavern you call a belly is full, you're so sleepy you canbarelycrawl.You'vegottentoobigtobecarried."

Ramoth's tart rejoinder was interrupted by a low chuckle. Lessa whirled,hastily controlling the annoyance she felt at seeing F'lar lounging indolentlyagainstthearchwaytotheledge-corridor.

Hehadobviouslybeen flyingapatrol, forhe stillwore theheavywherhidegear.Thestifftunicclungtotheflatchest,outlinedthelong,muscularlegs.Hisbony but handsome facewas still reddened by the ultra-cold of between. Hiscuriouslyambereyesglintedwithamusementand,Lessaadded,conceit

"She grows sleek," he commented, approaching Ramoth's couch with acourteousbowtotheyoungqueen.

LessaheardMnementhgiveagreetingtoRamothfromhisperchontheledge.

Ramoth rolled her eyes coquettishly at thewingleader. His smile of almostpossessiveprideinherdoubledLessa'sirritation.

"Theescortarrivesingoodtimetobidthequeengoodday."

"Good day, Ramoth," F'lar said obediently. He straightened, slapping hisheavyglovesagainsthisthigh.

"Weinterruptedyourpatrolpattern?"askedLessa,sweetlyapologetic.

"Nomatter.A routine flight," F'lar replied, undaunted.He sauntered to onesideofLessaforanunimpededviewofthequeen."She'sbiggerthanmostofthebrowns.TherehavebeenhighseasandfloodingatTelgar.AndthetidalswampsatIgenaredragondeep."Hisgrinflashedasifthisminordisasterpleasedhim.

As F'lar said nothing without purpose, Lessa filed that statement away forfuturereference.HoweverirritatingF'larmightbe,shepreferredhiscompanytothatoftheotherbronzeriders.

RamothinterruptedLessa'sreflectionswithatartreminder:Ifshehadtobathebeforeeating,couldtheygetonwithitbeforesheexpiredfromhunger?

LessaheardMnementh'samusedrumblewithoutthecavern.

"Mnementhsayswe'dbetterhumorher,"F'larremarkedindulgently.

Lessa suppressed thedesire to retort that shecouldperfectlywellhearwhatMnementh said. One day it was going to be most salutary to witness F'lar'sstunnedreactiontotheknowledgethatshecouldhearandspeaktoeverydragonintheWeyr.

"Ineglecthershockingly,"Lessasaid,asifcontritely.

She saw F'lar about to answer her. He paused, his amber eyes narrowingbriefly.Smilingaffably,hegesturedforhertoleadtheway.

AninnerperversitypromptedLessatobaitF'larwheneverpossible.Onedayshewouldpierce thatposeand flayhim to thequick. Itwould takedoing.He

wassharp-witted.

The three joined Mnementh on the ledge. He hovered protectingly overRamoth as she glided awkwardly down to the far end of the long ovalWeyrBowl.Mist,risingfromthewarmedwaterofthesmalllake,partedinthesweepofRamoth'sungainlywings.Hergrowthhadbeensorapidthatshehadhadnotimetocoordinatemuscleandbulk.AsF'larsetLessaonMnementh'sneckfortheshortdrop,shelookedanxiouslyafterthegawky,blunderingqueen.

Queens don't fly because they can't, Lessa told herself with bitter candor,contrastingRamoth'sgrotesquedescentwithMnementh'seffortlessdrift.

"Mnementhsaystoassureyoushe'llbemoregracefulwhenshegetsherfullgrowth,"F'lar'samusedvoicesaidinherear.

"But the youngmales are growing just as fast, and they're not a bit..." Shebrokeoff.Shewouldn'tadmitanythingtothatF'lar.

"Theydon'tgrowaslarge,andtheyconstantlypractice..."

"Flying! ..." Lessa leaped on theword, and then, catching a glimpse of thebronzerider'sface,saidnomore.Hewasjustasquickwithacasualtaunt.

Ramothhadimmersedherselfandwasirritablywaitingtobesanded.Theleftdorsalridgeitchedabominably.Lessadutifullyattackedtheaffectedareawithasandyhand.

No,her life at theWeyrwasnodifferent from that atRuatha.Shewas stillscrubbing.AndtherewasmoreofRamothtoscrubeachday,shethoughtasshefinally sent thegoldenbeast into thedeeperwater to rinse.Ramothwallowed,submergingtothetipofhernose.Hereyes,coveredbythethininnerlid,glowedjust below the surface-watery jewels. Ramoth languidly turned over, and thewaterlappedaroundLessa'sankles.

AlloccupationsweresuspendedwhenRamothwasabroad.Lessanoticedthewomen clustered at the entrance to the Lower Caverns, their eyes wide withfascination.Dragonsperchedontheirledgesoridlycircledoverhead.Eventheweyrlings, boy and dragonet, wandered forth curiously from the fledgling

barracksofthetrainingfields.

AdragontrumpetedunexpectedlyontheheightsbytheStarStone.Heandhisriderspiraleddown.

"Timings,F'lar,atraininthepass,"theblueriderannounced,grinningbroadlyuntil hebecamedisappointedby thecalmwayhisunexpectedgoodnewswasreceivedbythebronzerider.

"F'norwillseetoit,"F'lartoldhimindifferently.Thebluedragonobedientlyliftedhisridertothewingsecond'sledge.

"Whocoulditbe?"LessaaskedF'lar."Theloyalthreearein."

F'lar waited until he saw F'nor on brown Canth wheel up and over theprotectinglipoftheWeyr,followedbyseveralgreenridersofthewing.

"We'll know soon enough," he remarked. He turned his head thoughtfullyeastward, anunpleasant smile touching the comerof hismouthbriefly.Lessa,too,glancedeastwardwhere,totheknowingeye,thefaintsparkoftheRedStarcouldbeseen,eventhoughthesunwasfullup.

"Theloyaloneswillbeprotected,"F'larmutteredunderhisbreath,"whentheRedStarpasses."

How and why they two were in accord in they unpopular belief in thesignificanceof theRedStarLessadidnotknow.Sheonlyknew that she, too,recognized itasMenace. Ithadactuallybeen the foremostconsideration inallF'lar'sargumentsthatsheleaveRuathaandcometotheWeyr.Whyhehadnotsuccumbed to the pernicious indifference that had emasculated the otherdragonmen she did not know. She had never asked him-not out of spite, butbecause itwas soobvious thathisbeliefwasbeyondquestion.Heknew.Andsheknew.

Andoccasionally thatknowledgemust stir in thedragons.Atdawn, asone,theystirredrestlesslyintheirsleep-if theyslept-orlashedtheirtailsandspreadtheirwingsinprotestiftheywereawake.Manora,too,seemedtobelieve.F'normust. And perhaps some of F'lar's surety had infected his wingriders. He

certainlydemandedimplicitobediencetotraditioninhisridersandreceivedit,tothepointofopendevotion.

Ramothemerged from the lakeandhalf-flapped,half-flounderedherway tothe feeding grounds. Mnementh arranged himself at the edge and permittedLessa to seatherselfonhis foreleg.Thegroundaway from theBowl rimwascoldunderfoot.

Ramoth ate, complainingbitterlyover the stringybucks thatmadehermealandresentingitwhenLessarestrictedhertosix.

"Othershavetoeat,too,youknow."

RamothinformedLessathatshewasqueenandhadpriority.

"You'llitchtomorrow."

Mnementhsaidshecouldhavehisshare.HehadeatenwellofafatbuckinKeroontwodaysago.LessaregardedMnementhwithconsiderableinterest.Wasthatwhy all the dragons in F'lar'swing looked so smug? Shemust paymoreattentionastowhofrequentedthefeedinggroundsandhowoften.

RamothhadsettledintoherweyragainandwasalreadydrowsingwhenF'larbroughtthetrain-captainintothequarters.

"Weyrwoman,"F'larsaid,"thismessengerisfromLytolwithdutytoyou."

Theman,reluctantlytearinghiseyesfromtheglowinggoldenqueen,bowedtoLessa.

"Tilarek, Weyrwoman, from Lytol, Warder of Ruatha Hold," he saidrespectfully,buthiseyes,ashelookedatLessa,weresoadmiringastobejustshort of impudence.Hewithdrew amessage from his belt and hesitated, tornbetweentheknowledgethatwomendidnotreadandhisinstructionstogiveittotheWeyrwoman. Just ashecaughtF'lar's amused reassurance,Lessaextendedherhandimperiously.

"Thequeensleeps,"F'larremarked,indicatingthepassagewaytotheCouncil

Room.

Adroit of F'lar, Lessa thought, to be sure themessenger had a long look atRamoth. Tilarek would spread the word on his return journey, properlyelaboratedwith each retelling, of thequeen's unusual size and finehealth.LetTilarekalsobroadcasthisopinionofthenewWeyrwoman.

LessawaiteduntilshesawF'larofferthecourierwinebeforesheopenedtheskin.AsshedecipheredLytol'sinscription,LessarealizedhowgladshewastoreceivenewsofRuatha.ButwhydidLytol's firstwordshave tobe:Thebabegrowsstrongandishealthy...Shecaredlittleforthatinfant'sprosperity.Ah...

Ruathaisgreen-free,fromhillcrowntocraftholdverge.Theharvesthasbeenverygood,andthebeastsmultiplyfromthenewstuds.HerewithisthedueandpropertitheofRuathaHold.MayitprospertheWeyrwhichprotectsus.

Lessasnortedunderherbreath.Ruathaknew itsduty, true,butnoteven theother three tithing holds had sent proper greetings. Lytol'smessage containedominously:

A word to the wise. With Fax's death, Telgar has come to the fore in thegrowingsedition.Meron,so-calledLordofNabol,isstrongandseeks,Ifeel,tobefirst:Telgaristoocautiousforhim.ThedissensionstrengthensandismorewidespreadthanwhenI lastspokewithBronzeRiderF'lar.TheWeyrmustbedoublyonitsguard.IfRuathamayserve,sendword.

Lessa scowled at the last sentence. It only emphasized the fact that too fewHoldsservedinanyway.

"...laughedatwewere,goodF'lar,"Tilarekwassaying,moisteninghisthroatwithagenerousgulpofWeyr-madewine,"fordoingasmenought.

"Funny thing, that, for thenearerwegot toBendenRange the less laughingweheard.Sometimesit'shardtomakesenseofsomethings,beingashowyoudon'tdo'emmuch.LikeifIwerenottokeepmyswordarmstrongandusedtotheweightofablade,"andhemadevigorousslashesandthrustswithhisrightarm,"I'dbeputtoittodefendmyselfcomealong-drawnfight.Somefolk,too,believewhattheloudesttalkersays.Andsomefolkbecauseitfrightensthemnot

to.However,"hewentonbriskly,"I'msoldier-bredanditgoeshardtotakethegibesofmerecraftersandholders.Butwe'dorderstokeepourswordssheathed,andwedid.Justaswell,"hesaidwithawrygrimace,"to talksoft.TheLordshavekeptfullguardsince...sincetheSearch..."

Lessawonderedwhathehadbeenabouttosay,buthewentonsoberly.

"Therearethosethat'llbesorrywhentheThreadsfallagainonallthatgreenaroundtheirdoors."

F'larrefilledtheman'scup,askingcasuallyabouttheharvestsseenontheroadhere.

"Fine, fat and heavy," the courier assured him. "They do say this Turn hasbeenthebestinmemoryoflivingman.Why,thevinesinCromhadbunchesthisbig!"Hemade awide circlewith his two huge hands, and his listenersmadeproper response. "And I've never seen the Telgar grain so full and heavy.Never."

"Pernprospers,"F'larremarkeddryly.

"Beggingyourpardon"-Tilarekpickedupawizenedpieceoffruitfromthetray - "I've scooped better than this dropped on the road behind a harvestwagon." He ate the fruit in two bites, wiping his hands on the tunic. Then,realizingwhathehadsaid,headdedinhastyapology,"RuathaHoldsentyouitsbest.Firstfruitsasmanought.Nogroundpickingsfromus.Youmaybesure."

"ItisreassuringtoknowwehaveRuatha'sloyaltyaswellasitsfullmeasure,"F'larassuredhim."Roadswereclear?"

"Aye,and there'sa funny thing this timeofyear.Cold, thensuddenlywarmlike the weather couldn't remember the season. No snow and little rain. Butwinds!Likeyou'dneverbelieve.Theydosayashow thecoastshavebeenhithardwith highwater."He rolled his eyes expressively and then, hunching hisshoulders,confidentiallyadded,"TheydosayIsta'ssmokingmountainthatdoesappearandthen...phffst...disappears...hasappearedagain."

F'lar looked properly sceptical, although Lessa did not miss the gleam of

excitementinhiseyes.ThemansoundedlikeoneofR'gul'sambiguousverses.

"Youmust stay a few days for a good rest," F'lar invited Tilarek genially,guidinghimoutpastsleepingRamoth.

"Aye and grateful.Man gets to theWeyrmaybe once or twice in his life,"Tilarekwassayingabsently,craninghisneck tokeepRamoth insightasF'larledhimout."Neverknewqueensgrewsobig."

"RamothisalreadymuchlargerandstrongerthanNemorth,"F'larassuredhimas he turned the messenger over to the weyrling waiting to escort him toquarters.

"Read this," Lessa said, impatiently shoving the skin at the bronze rider assoonastheywereagainintheCouncilRoom.

"Iexpectedlittleelse,"F'larremarked,unconcerned,perchingontheedgeofthegreatstonetable.

"And...?"Lessademandedfiercely.

"Timewilltell,"F'larrepliedserenely,examiningafruitforspots.

"Tilarek implied that not all the holders echo their Lords' seditioussentiments,"Lessacommented,tryingtoreassureherself.

F'larsnorted."Tilareksays'aswillpleasehislisteners,'"hesaidinapassableimitationoftheman'sspeech.

"You'dbetterknow,too,"F'norsaidfromthedoorway,"hedoesn'tspeakforallhismen.Therewasagooddealofgrumblingintheescort."F'noraccordedLessaacourteousifabsentmindedsalute."Itwasfelt thatRuathahasbeentoolongpoortogivesuchasharetotheWeyritsfirstprofitableTurn.AndI'llsaythatLytolwasmoregenerousthanheoughttobe.We'lleatwell...forawhile."

F'lartossedthemessageskintothebrownrider.

"As ifwedidn't know that,"F'nor grunted after hehadquickly scanned the

contents.

"Ifyouknowthat,whatwillyoudoaboutit?"Lessaspokeup."TheWeyrisinsuchdisreputethatthedayiscomingwhenitcan'tfeeditsown."

She used the phrase deliberately, noticingwith satisfaction that it stung thememoriesofbothdragonmen.Thelooktheyturnedonherwasalmostsavage.ThenF'larchuckledsothatF'norrelaxedwithasourlaugh.

"Well?"shedemanded.

"R'gulandS'lelwillundoubtedlygethungry,"F'norsaid,shrugging.

"Andyoutwo?"

F'larshrugged,too,and,rising,bowedformallytoLessa."AsRamothisdeepasleep,Weyrwoman,yourpermissiontowithdraw."

"Getout!"Lessashoutedatthem.

Theyhad turned,grinningateachother,whenR'gulcamestorming into thechamber,S'lel,D'nol,T'bor,andK'netcloseonhisheels.

"WhatisthisIhear?ThatRuathaaloneoftheHighReachessendstithes?"

"True,alltootrue,"F'larconcededcalmly,tossingthemessageskinatR'gul.

TheWeyrleaderscannedit,mumblingthewordsunderhisbreath,frowningatitscontent.HepasseditdistastefullytoS'lel,whohelditforalltoread.

"WefedtheWeyrlastyearonthetithingsofthreeHolds,"R'gulannounceddisdainfully."Lastyear,"Lessaputin,"butonlybecausetherewerereservesinthesupplycaves.Manorahasjustreportedthatthosereservesareexhausted...."

"Ruatha has been very generous," F'lar put in quickly. "It shouldmake thedifference."

Lessahesitatedamoment,thinkingshehadn'theardhimright.

"Not that generous."She rushedon, ignoring the remandingglareF'lar shotherway.

"Thedragonetsrequiremorethisyear,anyway.Sothere'sonlyonesolution.TheWeyrmustbarterwithTelgarandForttosurvivetheCold."

Herwordstouchedoffinstantrebellion.

"Barter?Never'"

"TheWeyrreducedtobartering?Raid!"

"R'gul,we'llraidfirst.Barternever!"

That had stung all the bronze riders to the quick. Even S'lel reacted withindignation.K'netwas all but dancing, his eyes sparklingwith anticipation ofaction.

Only F'lar remained aloof, his arms folded across his chest, glaring at hercoldly.

"Raid?"R'gul'svoice roseauthoritativelyabove thenoise. "Therecanbenoraid!"

Outofconditionedreflextohiscommandingtone,theyquietedmomentarily.

"Noraids?"T'borandD'noldemandedinchorus.

"Whynot?"D'nolwenton,theveinsinhisneckstandingout.

He was not the one, groaned Lessa to herself, trying to spot S'lar, only torememberthathewasoutonthetrainingfield.OccasionallyheandD'nolactedtogether against R'gul in Council, but D'nol was not strong enough to standalone.

LessaglancedhopefullytowardF'lar.Whydidn'thespeakupnow?

"I'msickofstringyoldflesh,ofbadbread,ofwood-tastingroots,"D'nolwas

shouting, thoroughly incensed. "Pern prospered this Turn. Let some spill overintotheWeyrasitought!"

T'bor, standingbelligerentlybesidehim,growled agreement, his eyes fixingon first one, then anotherof the silentbronze riders.Lessa caught at thehopethatT'bormightactassubstituteforS'lan.

"OnemovefromtheWeyratthismoment,"R'gulinterrupted,hisarmraisedwarningly, "and all the Lords will move-against us." His arm droppeddramatically.

Hestood, squarely facing the two rebels, feet slightlyapart,headhigh,eyesflashing.He towered a head and a half above the stocky, shortD'nol and theslender T'bor. The contrast was unfortunate: the tableau was of the sternpatriarchreprimandingerrantchildren.

"Theroadsareclear,"R'gulwentonportentously,"withneitherrainnorsnowto stay an advancing army.TheLords have kept full guards under arms sinceFaxwaskilled."R'gul'sheadturnedjustslightlyinF'lar'sdirection."Surelyyouall remember the scanthospitalitywegotonSearch?"NowR'gulpinnedeachbronzeriderinturnwithasignificantstare."YouknowthetemperoftheHolds,you saw their strength." He jerked his chin up. "Are you fools to antagonizethem?"

"Agoodfirestoning..."D'nolblurtedoutangrilyandstopped.Hisrashwordsshockedhimselfasmuchasanyoneelseintheroom.

EvenLessagaspedattheideaofdeliberatelyusingfirestoneagainstman.

"Somethinghastobedone..."D'nolblunderedondesperately,turningfirsttoF'lar,then,lesshopefully,toT'bor.

IfR'gulwins, itwill be the end,Lessa thought, coldly furious, and reacted,turningherthoughtstowardT'bor.AtRuathaithadbeeneasiesttoswayangrymen.Ifshecouldjust...Adragontrumpetedoutside.

Anexcruciatinglysharppainlancedfromherinstepupherleg.Stunned,shestaggered backward, unexpectedly falling into F'lar. He caught her arm with

fingerslikeironbands.

"You dare control ..." he whispered savagely in her ear and, with falsesolicitude,allbut slammedherdown intoherchair.Hishandgraspedherarmwithvise-fingeredcoercion.

Swallowingconvulsivelyagainstthedoubleassault,shesatrigidly.Whenshecouldtakeinwhathadhappened,sherealizedthemomentofcrisishadpassed.

"Nothingcanbedoneatthistime,"R'gulwassayingforcefully.

"Atthistime..."ThewordsricochetedinLessa'sringingears.

"TheWeyrhasyoungdragonstotrain.YoungmentobringupintheproperTraditions."

EmptyTraditions,Lessa thought numbly, hermind seethingwithbitterness.AndtheywillemptytheveryWeyritself.

Sheglaredwith impotent fury atF'lar.Hishand tightenedwarninglyonherarm until his fingers pressed tendon to bone and she gasped againwith pain.Throughthetearsthatsprangtohereyes,shesawdefeatandshamewrittenonK'net'syoungface.HopeFlaredup,renewed.

With an effort she forced herself to relax. Slowly, as if F'lar had reallyfrightenedher.Slowlyenoughforhimtobelieveinhercapitulation.

Assoonasshecould,shewouldgetK'netaside.Hewasripefortheideashehadjustconceived.Hewasyoung,malleable,attractedtoheranyway.Hewouldserveherpurposeadmirably.

"Dragonman,avoidexcess,"R'gulwasintoning."GreedwillcausetheWeyrdistress." Lessa stared at the man, honestly appalled that he could clothe theWeyr'smoraldefeatwithhypocriticalhomily.

2Honorthosethedragonsheed

Inthoughtandfavor,wordanddeed.

Worldsarelostorworldsaresaved

Fromthedangersdragon-braved.

"WHAT'STHEmatter?NobleF'largoingagainsttradition?"Lessademandedof F'nor as the brown rider appeared with a courteous explanation of thewingleader'sabsence.

Lessanolongerbotheredto leashher tongueinF'nor'spresence.Thebrownriderknewitwasnotdirectedathimself,soherarelytookoffense.Someofhishalfbrother'sreservehadrubbedoffonhim.

Hisexpressiontoday,however,wasnottolerant;itwassternlydisapproving.

"He'stracingK'net,"F'norsaidbluntly,hisdarkeyestroubled.Hepushedhisheavy hair back from his forehead, another habit picked up fromF'lar,whichaddedfueltoLessa'sgrievancewiththeabsentweyrman.

"Oh,ishe?He'ddowelltoimitatehiminstead,"shesnapped.

F'nor'seyesflashedangrily.

Good,thoughtLessa.I'mgettingtohim,too.

"Whatyoudonot realize,Weyrwoman, is thatK'net takesyour instructionstooliberally.Ajudiciouspilferingwouldraisenoprotest,butK'netistooyoungtobecircumspect."

"Myinstructions?"Lessarepeatedinnocently.SurelyF'norandF'larhadn'tashredof evidence to goon.Not that she cared. "He's just too fed upwith thewholecowardlymess!"

F'norclampedhisteethdowntightlyagainstanangryrebuttal.Heshiftedhisstance, clamped his hands around the wide rider's belt until his knuckleswhitened.HereturnedLessa'sgazecoldly.

InthatpauseLessaregrettedantagonizingF'nor.Hehadtriedtobefriendly,pleasant, and had often amused her with anecdotes as she became more andmoreembittered.Astheworldturnedcolder,rationshadgottenslimmerat theWeyr in spiteof the systematicadditionsofK'net.Despairdrifted through theWeyrontheicywinds.

SinceD'nol'sabortive rebellion,all spirithaddrainedoutof thedragonmen.Even the beasts reflected it. Diet alonewould not account for the dullness oftheir hide and their deadened attunement. Apathy could - and did. LessawonderedthatR'guldidnotruetheresultofhisspinelessdecision.

"Ramoth isnotawake,"she toldF'norcalmly,"soyoudonotneedtodanceattendanceonme."

F'nor said nothing, and his continued silence began to discomfit Lessa. Sherose,rubbingherpalmsonherthighsasifshecoulderaseherlasthastywords.She paced back and forth, glancing fromher sleeping chamber intoRamoth's,wherethegoldenqueen,nowlargerthananyofthebronzedragons,layindeepslumber.

If only shewouldwake, Lessa thought.When she's awake, everything's allright.Asrightasitcanbe,thatis.Butshe'slikearock.

"So..."shebegan,tryingtokeephernervousnessoutofhervoice,"F'larisatlastdoingsomething,evenifitiscuttingoffouronesourceofsupply."

"Lytol sent in a message this morning," F'nor said curtly. His anger hadsubsided,butnothisdisapproval

Lessaturnedtofacehim,expectantly.

"Telgar and Fort have conferred with Keroon," F'nor went on heavily."They've decided theWeyr is behind their losses.Why," andhis angerFlaredhotagain,"ifyoupickedK'net,didn'tyoukeepaclosecheckonhim?He'stoogreen.C'gan,T'sum,Iwouldhave..."

"You?Youdon'tsneezewithoutF'lar'sconsent,"sheretorted.

F'norlaughedoutrightather.

"F'lardidgiveyoumorecreditthanyoudeserve,"hereplied,contemptuousofhisownturn."Haven'tyourealizedwhyhemustwait?"

"No," Lessa shouted at him. "I haven't! Is this something Imust divine, byinstinct, like thedragons?By the shellof the firstEgg,F'nor,nooneexplainsanythingtome!

"Butitisnicetoknowthathehasareasonforwaiting.Ijusthopeit'svalid.Thatitisnottoolatealready.BecauseIthinkitis."

Itwas too latewhenhestoppedmefromreinforcingT'bor,she thought,butrefrainedfromsaying. Instead,sheadded,"Itwas too latewhenR'gulwas toocowardlytofeeltheshameof..."

F'nor swung on her, his face white with anger. "It tookmore courage thanyou'lleverhavetowatchthatmomentslideby."

"Why?"

F'nortookahaltstepforward,somenacinglythatLessasteeledherselfforablow.Hemasteredtheimpulse,shakinghisheadviolentlytocontrolhimself.

"It is not R'gul's fault," he said finally, his face old and drawn, his eyestroubledandhurt."Ithasbeenhard,hardtowatchandtoknowyouhadtowait."

"Why?"Lessaallbutshrieked.

F'norwouldnolongerbegoaded.Hecontinuedinaquietvoice.

"Ithoughtyououghttoknow,butitgoesagainstF'lar'sgraintoapologizeforoneofhisown."

Lessabitbackthesarcasticremarkthatrosetoherlips,lestsheinterruptthislong-awaitedenlightenment.

"R'gulisWeyrleaderonlybydefault.He'dbewellenough,Isuppose,iftherehadn'tbeensuchalongInterval.TheRecordswarnofthedangers..."

"Records?Dangers?WhatdoyoumeanbyInterval?"

"AnIntervaloccurswhen theRedStardoesnotpasscloseenough toexcitetheThreads.TheRecords indicate it takesabout twohundredTurnsbefore theRedStarswingsbackagain.F'larfiguresnearlytwicethattimehaselapsedsincethelastThreadsfell."

Lessaglancedapprehensivelyeastward.F'nornoddedsolemnly.

"Yes,andit'dberathereasytoforgetfearandcautioninfourhundredyears.R'gul'sagood fighterandagoodwingleader,buthehas to seeand touchandsmell danger before he admits it exists. Oh, he learned the Laws and all theTraditions,butheneverunderstoodtheminhisbones.NotthewayF'lardoesorthewayIhavecometo,"headdeddefiantly,seeingthescepticalexpressiononLessa'sface.Hiseyesnarrowed,andhepointedanaccusingfingerather."Northewayyoudo,onlyyoudon'tknowwhy."

Shebackedaway,notfromhimbutfromthemenacesheknewexisted,evenifshedidn'tknowwhyshebelieved.

"The moment F'lar ImpressedMnementh, F'lon began training him to takeover. Then F'lon got himself killed in that ridiculous brawl." An expressioncomprised of anger, regret, and irritation passed over F'nor's face. BelatedlyLessarealizedthemanwasspeakingofhisfather.

"F'larwas tooyoung to takeover, andbeforeanyonecould intervene,R'gulgotHath to flyNemorth andwehad towait.ButR'gul couldn't control Jora'sgriefoverF'lon,andshedeterioratedrapidly.AndhemisinterpretedF'lon'splanforcarryingusover the lastof the Interval tomean isolation.Consequently" -

F'norshruggedexpressively-"theWeyrlostprestigefasterallthetime."

"Time,time,time,"Lessarailed."It'salwaysthewrongtime.Whenisnowthetime?"

"Listentome."F'nor'ssternwordsinterruptedhertiradeaseffectivelyasifhehadgrabbedandshakenher.ShehadnotsuspectedF'norofsuchforcefulness.Shelookedathimwithincreasedrespect.

"Ramothisfull-grown,readyforherfirstmatingflight.Whensheflies,allthebronzes rise to catch her. The strongest does not always get the queen.Sometimes it is the one everyone in the Weyr wants to have win her." Heenunciatedhiswords slowlyandclearly. "ThatwashowR'gulgotHath to flyNemorth.TheolderriderswantedR'gul.Theycouldn'tstomachanineteen-year-oldoverthemasWeyrleader,sonthoughhewastoF'lon.SoHathgotNemorth.AndtheygotR'gul.Theygotwhattheywanted.Andlookwhatthey'vegot!"Hisscornfulgesturetookinthethreadbareweyr.

"It is too late, it is too late,"Lessamoaned, understanding a great deal, toowell,toolate.

"It may be, thanks to your proddingK'net into uncontrolled raiding," F'norassuredhercynically."Youdidn'tneedhim,youknow.Ourwingwashandlingitquietly.Butwhensomuchkeptcomingin,wecutouroperationsdown.It'sacaseoftoomuchtoosoon,sincetheHoldLordsaregettingimprudentenoughtoretaliate. Think, Lessa of Pern," and F'nor leaned toward her, his smile bitter,"whatR'gul'sreactionwillbe.Youdidn'tstoptothinkofthat,didyou?Think,now,whathewilldowhenthewell-armedLordsoftheHoldappear,todemandsatisfaction?"

Lessaclosedhereyes,appalledatthesceneshecouldpicturealltooclearly.Shecaughtatherchairarm,limplysatdown,undonebytheknowledgeshehadmiscalculated.OverconfidentbecauseshehadbeenabletobringhaughtyFaxtohis death, she was about to bring the Weyr to its ruin through that samearrogance.

There was suddenly noise enough for half theWeyr to be storming up the

passagewayfromtheledge.Shecouldhearthedragonscallingexcitedlytoeachother,thefirstoutburstshehadheardfromthemintwomonths.

Startled, she jumped up. Had F'lar failed to intercept K'net? Had K'net, bysomehorriblechance,beencaughtbytheLords?TogethersheandF'norrushedoutintothequeen'sweyr.

ItwasnotF'larandK'netandanangryLord-orseveral-intowwhoentered.ItwasR'gul.hiscautiousfacedistorted,hiseyeswidewithexcitement.Fromtheoutside,ledgeLessacouldhearHathgeneratingthesameintenseagitation.R'gulshot a quickglance atRamoth.who slumberedonobliviously.His eyes asheapproachedLessawerecoldlycalculatingD'nolcamerushingintotheweyratadead run, hastily buckling on his tunic. Close on his heels came S'lan, S'lel,T'bor.TheyallconvergedinaloosesemicirclearoundLessa.

R'gul stepped forward, arm outstretched as if to embrace her. Before Lessacouldstepback,fortherewassomethinginR'gul'sexpressionthatrevoltedher,F'normovedadroitlytoherside,andR'gul,angry,loweredhisarm.

"Hathisbloodinghiskill?"thebrownrideraskedominously.

"BinthandOrth,too,"T'borblurtedout,hiseyesbrightwiththecuriousfeverthatseemedtobeaffectingallthebronzeriders.

Ramothstirredrestlessly,andeveryonepausedtowatchherintently.

"Blood their kill?" Lessa exclaimed, perplexed but knowing that this wasstrangelysignificant.

"CallinK'netandF'lar,"F'nororderedwithmoreauthoritythanabrownridershoulduseinthepresenceofbronzes.

R'gul'slaughwasunpleasant.

"Nooneknowswheretheywent."

D'nolstartedtoprotest,butR'gulcuthimoffwithasavagegesture.

"Youwouldn'tdare,R'gul,"F'norsaidwithcoldmenace.

Well, Lessa would dare. Her frantic appeal to Mnementh and Piyanthproducedafaintreply.ThentherewasabsoluteblanknesswhereMnementhhadbeen.

"Shewillwake,"R'gulwassaying,hiseyespiercingLessa's."Shewillwakeandriseill-tempered.Youmustallowheronlytobloodherkill.Iwarnyoushewillresist.Ifyoudonotrestrainher,shewillgorgeandcannotfly."

"She rises tomate,"F'nor snapped,hisvoice edgedwith cold anddesperatefury.

"Sherisestomatewithwhicheverbronzecancatchher,"R'gulcontinued,hisvoiceexultant.

AndhemeansforF'larnottobehere,Lessarealized.

"Thelongertheflight,thebettertheclutch.Andshecannotflywellorhighifsheisstuffedwithheavymeat.Shemustnotgorge.Shemustbepermittedonlytobloodherkill.Doyouunderstand?"

"Yes,R'gul,"Lessasaid,"Iunderstand.ForonceIdounderstandyou,alltoowell.F'larandK'netarenothere."Hervoicegrewshrill."ButRamothwillneverbeflownbyHathifIhavetotakeherbetween."

She saw naked fear and shock wipe R'gul's face clear of triumph, and shewatchedashegothimselfundercontrol.Amalevolentsneerreplacedsurpriseatherthreat.Didhethinkherdefiancewasempty?

"Good afternoon," said F'lar pleasantly from the entrance. K'net grinnedbroadly at his side. "Mnementh informs me that the bronzes blood their kill.Howkindofyoutocallusinforthespectacle."

RelieftemporarilysweptherrecentantagonismforF'laroutofLessa'smind.Thesightofhim,calm,arrogant,mocking,buoyedher.

R'gul'seyesdartedaround thesemicircleofbronze riders, trying topickout

whohadcalledinthesetwo.AndLessaknewR'gulhatedaswellasfearedF'lar.She could sense, too, that F'lar had changed. There was nothing passive orindifferent or detached about him now. Instead, there was tense anticipation.F'larwasdonewithwaiting!

Ramothroused,suddenlyandcompletelyawake.Hermindwasinsuchastatethat Lessa candidly realized F'lar and K'net had arrived none too soon. SointensewereRamoth'shungerpangs thatLessahastened toherhead tosootheher.ButRamothwasinnomoodforplacation.

Withunexpected agility she rose,making for the ledge.Lessa ran after her,followed by the dragonmen. Ramoth hissed in agitation at the bronzes whohoveredneartheledge.Theyscatteredquicklyoutofherway.Theirridersmadeforthebroadstairsthatledfromthequeen'sweyrtotheBowl.

In a daze Lessa felt F'nor place her on Canth's neck and urge his dragonquickly after the others to the feeding grounds. Lessa watched, amazed, asRamothglidedeffortlesslyandgracefullyinoverthealarmed,stampedingherd.Shestruckquickly,seizingherkillbytheneckandfurlingherwingssuddenly,droppingdownonit,tooravenoustocarryitaloft.

"Controlher!"F'norgasped,depositingLessaunceremoniouslytotheground.

RamothscreameddefianceofherWeyrwoman'sorder.Shesloughedherheadaround,rustlingherwingsangrily,hereyesblazingopalescentpoolsoffire.Sheextendedher neck skyward to its full reach, shrillingher insubordination.Theharsh echoes reverberated against the walls of the Weyr. All around, thedragons,blue,green,brown,andbronze,extendedtheirwingsinmightysweeps,theiransweringcallsbrassthunderintheair.

NowindeedmustLessacallonthestrengthofwillshehaddevelopedthroughhungry,vengefulyears.Ramoth'swedge-shapedheadwhippedbackand forth;her eyes glowed with incandescent rebellion. This was no amiable, trustingdragonchild.Thiswasaviolentdemon.

Across the bloody field Lessamatchedwills with the transformed Ramoth.Withnohintofweakness,novestigeoffearorthoughtofdefeat.Lessaforced

Ramothtoobey.Screechingprotest,thegoldendragondroppedherheadtoherkill, her tongue lashing at the inert body, her great jaws opening. Her headwaveredoverthesteamingentrailsherclawshadrippedout.Withafinalsnarlof reproach, Ramoth fastened her teeth on the thick throat of the buck andsuckedthecarcassdryofblood.

"Holdher,"F'normurmured.Lessahadforgottenhim.

Ramoth rose, screaming, and with incredible speed landed on a secondsquealingbuck.Shemadeasecondattempttoeatfromthesoftbellyofherkill.Again Lessa exerted her authority and won. Shrilling defiance, Ramothreluctantlybloodedagain.

She did not resist Lessa's orders the third time. The dragon had begun torealizenowthatirresistibleinstinctwasuponher.Shehadnotknownanythingbutfuryuntilshegotthetasteofhotblood.Nowsheknewwhatsheneeded:tofly fast, far, and long, away from theWeyr, away from these puny,winglessones,farinadvanceofthoseruttingbronzes.

Dragon instinct was limited to here-and-now, with no ability to control oranticipate. Mankind existed in partnership with them to supply wisdom andorder,Lessafoundherselfchantingsilently.

Withouthesitation,Ramoth struck for the fourth time,hissingwithgreedasshesuckedatthebeast'sthroat.

AtensesilencehadfallenovertheWeyrBowl,brokenonlybythesoundofRamoth'sfeedingandthehighkeeningofthewind.

Ramoth's skin began to glow. She seemed to enlarge, notwith gorging butwith luminescence.She raisedherbloodyhead, her tongue forkingout to lickhermuzzle.Shestraightened,andsimultaneouslyahumarosefromthebronzesringingthefeedinggroundinsilentanticipation.

Witha suddengoldenmovementRamotharchedhergreatback.Shesprangintothesky,wingswide.Withunbelievablespeedshewasairborne.Afterher,in the blink of an eye, seven bronze shapes followed, their mighty wingschurningbuffetsofsand-ladenairintothefacesofthewatchingweyrfolk.

Herheartinhermouthattheprodigiousflight,LessafelthersoulliftingwithRamoth.

"Staywithher,"F'norwhisperedurgently."Staywithher.Shemustnotescapeyourcontrolnow."

HesteppedawayfromLessa,backamongthefolkoftheWeyr,who,asone,turnedtheireyesskywardtothedisappearingshiningmotesofthedragons.

Lessa, her mind curiously suspended, retained only enough physicalconsciousnesstorealizethatshewasinfactearthbound.

AllothersenseandfeelingwerealoftwithRamothAndshe,Ramoth-Lessa,wasalivewithlimitlesspower,herwingsbeatingeffortlesslytothethinheights,elationsurgingthroughherframe,elationand-desire.

She sensed rather than saw the great bronze males pursuing her. She wascontemptuous of their ineffectual efforts. For she was wingfree andunconquerable.

Shesnakedherheadunderonewingandmockedtheirpunyeffortswithshrilltaunts. High above them she soared. Suddenly, folding her wings, sheplummeted down, delighting to see them veer off in wingcrowding haste toavoidcollision.

She soared quickly above them again as they labored tomake up their lostspeedandaltitude.

So Ramoth flirted leisurely with her lovers, splendid in her newfoundfreedom,daringthebronzeonestooutflyher.

Onedropped,spent.Shecrowedhersuperiority.Soonasecondabandonedthechase as she played with them, diving and darting in intricate patterns.Sometimesshewasobliviousof theirexistence,so lostwasshe in the thrillofflight.

When,atlast,alittlebored,shecondescendedtoglanceatherfollowers,she

wasvaguelyamusedtoseeonlythreegreatbeastsstillpursuing.SherecognizedMnementh,Orth,andHath.Allintheirprime;worthy,perhaps,ofher.

Sheglideddown,tantalizingthem,amusedattheirnowlaborednights.Hathshe couldn't bear. Orth? Now Orth was a fine young beast. She dropped herwingstoslidebetweenhimandMnementh.

As she swung past Mnementh, he suddenly closed his wings and droppedbesideher.Startled,shetriedtohoverandfoundherwingsfouledwithhis,hisneckwindingtightlyabouthers.

Entwined,theyfell.Mnementh,callingonhiddenreservesofstrength,spreadhis wings to check their downward fall. Out maneuvered and startled by theterrific speed of their descent, Ramoth, too, extended her great wings. Andthen...

Lessareeled,herhandswildlygrabbingoutforanysupport.Sheseemedtobeexplodingbackintoherbody,everynervethrobbing.

"Don'tfaint,youfool.Staywithher."F'lar'svoicegratedinherear.Hisarmsroughlysustainedher.

Shetriedtofocushereyes.Shecaughtastartledglimpseofthewallsofherownweyr.SheclutchedatF'lar,touchingbareskin,shakingherhead,confused.

"Bringherback."

"How?"shecried,panting,unabletocomprehendwhatcouldpossiblyenticeRamothfromsuchglory.

The pain of stinging blows on her face made her angrily aware of F'lar'sdisturbingproximity.Hiseyeswerewild,hismouthdistorted.

"Thinkwithher.Shecannotgobetween.Staywithher."

TremblingatthethoughtoflosingRamothbetween,Lessasoughtthedragon,stilllockedwingtowingwithMnementh.

The mating passion of the two dragons at that moment spiralled wide toincludeLessa.AtidalwaverisingrelentlesslyfromtheseaofhersoulfloodedLessa.WithalongingcrysheclungtoF'lar.Shefelthisbodyrock-firmagainsthers,hishardarmsliftingherup,hismouthfasteningmercilesslyonhersasshedrowneddeepinanotherunexpectedfloodofdesire.

"Now!Webringthemsafelyhome,"hemurmured.

3Dragonman,dragonman,

Betweentheeandthine,

Sharemethatglimpseoflove

Greaterthanmine.

F''LAR CAME suddenly awake. He listened attentively, heard and wasreassuredbyMnementh'sgratifiedrumble.Thebronzewasperchedontheledgeoutsidethequeen'sweyr.AllwaspeacefullyinorderintheBowlbelow.

Peacefulbutdifferent.F'lar, throughMnementh'seyesandsenses,perceivedthis instantly. There was an overnight change in the Weyr. F'lar permittedhimselfasatisfiedgrinatthepreviousday'stumultuousevents.Somethingmighthavegonewrong.

Somethingnearlydid,Mnementhremindedhim.

WhohadcalledK'netandhimselfback?F'larmusedagain.Mnementhonlyrepeatedthathehadbeencalledback.Whywouldn'theidentifytheinformer?

AnaggingworryintrudedonF'lar'swakingruminations.

"DidF'norrememberto..."hebeganaloud.

F'nornever forgetsyourorders,Mnementh reassuredhim testily.Canth toldmethatthesightingatdawntodayputstheRedStaratthetopoftheEyeRock.Thesunisstillofftoo.

F'lar ran impatient fingers through his hair. "At the top of the Eye Rock.Closer,andcloser theRedStarcame," justas theOldRecordspredicted.And

thatdawnwhen theStargleamedscarlet at thewatcher through theEyeRockheraldedadangerouspassingand...theThreads.

There was certainly no other explanation for that careful arrangement ofgiganticstonesandspecialrocksonBendenPeak.NorforitscounterpartontheeasternwallsofeachofthefiveabandonedWeyrs.

First,theFingerRockonwhichtherisingsunbalancedbrieflyatdawnatthewinter solstice.Then, twodragon lengths behind it, the rectangular, enormousStarStone,chest-hightoatallman,itspolishedsurfaceincisedbytwoarrows,one pointing due east toward the FingerRock, the other slightly north of dueeast,aimeddirectlyattheEyeRock,soingeniouslyandimmovablysetintotheStarStone.

Onedawninthenottoodistantfuture,hewouldlookthroughtheEyeRockandmeetthebalefulblinkoftheRedStar.Andthen...

SoundsofvigoroussplashinginterruptedF'lar'sreflections.Hegrinnedagainas he realized it was the girl bathing. She certainly cleaned up pretty, andundressed ... He stretched with leisurely recollection, reviewing what hisreception from that quartermight be. She ought to have no complaints at all.Whataflight!Hechuckledsoftly.

MnementhcommentedfromthesafetyofhisledgethatF'larhadbetterwatchhisstepwithLessa.

Lessa,isit?thoughtF'larbacktohisdragon.

Mnementh enigmatically repeated his caution. F'lar chuckled his self-confidence.

SuddenlyMnementhwasalerttoanalarm.

Watchers were sending out a rider to identify the unusually persistent dustcloudsontheplateaubelowBendenLake,Mnementhinformedhiswingleadercrisply.

F'lar rose hastily, gathered up his scattered clothes, and dressed. He was

bucklingthewiderider'sbeltwhenthecurtaintothebathingroomwasflippedaside.Lessaconfrontedhim,fullyclothed.

Hewasalwayssurprisedtoseehowslightshewas,anincongruousphysicalvesselforsuchstrengthofmind.Hernewlywashedhairframedhernarrowfacewithadarkcloud.Therewasnohintinhercomposedeyesofthedragon-rousedpassion they had experienced together yesterday. There was no friendlinessabout her at all. Nowarmth.Was thiswhatMnementhmeant?Whatwas thematterwiththegirl?

Mnementhgaveanadditionalalarmingreport,andF'larsethisjaw.Hewouldhavetopostponetheunderstandingtheymustreachintellectuallyuntilafterthisemergency.TohimselfhedamnedR'gul'sgreenhandlingofher.ThemanhadallbutruinedtheWeyrwoman,ashehadallbutdestroyedtheWeyr.

Well,F'lar,bronzeMnementh'srider,wasnowWeyrleader,andchangeswerelongoverdue.

Longoverdue,Mnementhconfirmeddryly.TheLordsoftheHoldsgatherinforceonthelakeplateau.

"There's trouble," F'lar announced to Lessa by way of greeting. Hisannouncementdidnotappeartoalarmher.

"TheLordsoftheHoldcometoprotest?"sheaskedcoolly.

Headmiredhercomposureevenashedecriedherpartinthisdevelopment.

"You'dhavedonebettertoletmehandletheraiding.K'net'sstillboyenoughtobecarriedawaywiththejoyofitall."

Her slight smilewas secretive. F'larwondered fleetingly if thatwasn'twhatshehadintendedinthefirstplace.HadRamothnotrisenyesterday,itwouldbeadifferentstoryaltogethertoday.Hadshethoughtofthat?

MnementhforewarnedhimthatR'gulwasattheledge.R'gulwasallchestandindignanteye,thedragoncommented,whichmeanthewasfeelinghisauthority.

"He has none," F'lar snapped .out loud, thoroughly awake and pleasedwithevents,despitetheirprecipitation.

"R'gul?"

Shewasquick-wittedall right,F'laradmitted."Come,girl.''Hegesturedhertoward the queen'sweyr.The scene hewas about to playwithR'gul ought toredeem that shameful day in theCouncilRoom twomonthsback.Heknew ithadrankledinherasinhim.Theyhadnosoonerenteredthequeen'sweyrthanR'gul,followedbyanexcitedK'net,stormedinfromtheoppositeside.

"Thewatch informsme,"R'gul began, "that there is a large body of armedmen,withbannersofmanyHolds,approachingtheTunnel.K'nethere"-R'gulwasfuriouswiththeyoungster-"confesseshehasbeenraidingsystematically-againstallreasonandmostcertainlyagainstmydistinctorders.Ofcourse,we'lldealwithhimlater,"heinformedtheerrantriderominously,"thatis,ifthereisaWeyrleftaftertheLordsarethroughwithus."

HeturnedbacktoF'lar,hisfrowndeepeningasherealizedF'larwasgrinningathim.

"Don'tstandthere,"R'gulgrowled."There'snothingtogrinabout.We'vegottothinkhowtoplacatethem."

"No, R'gul," F'lar contradicted the older man, still grinning, "the days ofplacatingtheLordsareover."

"What?Areyououtofyourmind?"

"No.Butyouareoutoforder,"F'larsaid,hisgringone,hisfacestern.

R'gul'seyeswidenedashestaredatF'larasifhehadneverseenhimbefore.

"You've forgotten a very important fact," F'lar went on ruthlessly. "PolicychangeswhentheleaderoftheWeyrisreplaced.I,F'lar,Mnementh'srider,amWeyrleadernow."

On that ringing phrase, S'lel, D'nol, T'bor, and S'lan came striding into the

room.Theystopped,shock-still,staringatthemotionlesstableau.

F'larwaited,givingthemachancetoabsorbthefactthatthedissensionintheroommeantthatauthorityhadindeedpassedtohim"Mnementh,"hesaidaloud,"call in allwingseconds and brown riders.We've some arrangements tomakebeforeour...guestsarrive.Asthequeenisasleep,dragonmen,intotheCouncilRoom,please.Afteryou,Weyrwoman."

He stepped aside to permit Lessa to pass, noticing the slight flush on hercheeks.Shewasnotcompletelyincommandofheremotions,afterall.

Nosoonerhad they takenplacesat theCouncilTable than thebrown ridersbegan to stream in. F'lar took careful note of the subtle difference in theirattitudes. They walked taller, he decided. And - yes, the air of defeat andfrustrationwasreplacedbytenseexcitement.Allelsebeingequal,today'seventsoughttorevivetheprideandpurposeoftheWeyr.

F'norandT'sum,hisownseconds,strodein.Therewasnodoubtoftheirhigh,proud good humor. Their eyes flashed around daring anyone to defy theirpromotionasT'sumstoodbythearchwayandF'normarchedsmartlyaroundtohispositionbehindF'lar'schair.F'norpausedtomakeadeeplyrespectfulbowtothegirl.F'larsawherflushanddrophereyes.

"Who'satourgate,F'nor?"thenewWeyrleaderaskedaffably.

"The Lords of Telgar, Nabol, Fort, and Keroon, to name the principalbanners,"F'noransweredinasimilarvein.

R'gulrosefromhischair;thehalf-formedprotestdiedonhislipsashecaughtthe expression in the faces of the bronze riders. S'lel, beside him, started tomumble,pickingathislowerlip."Estimatedstrength?"

"In excess of a thousand. In good order and well armed," F'nor reportedindifferently.

F'lar shot his second a remonstrating look. Confidence was one thing,indifference preferable to defeat, but there was no wisdom in denying thesituationwasverytight.

"Against theWeyr?" S'lel gasped. "Are we dragonmen or cowards?" D'nolsnapped,jumpingup,hisfistpoundingthetable."Thisisthefinalinsult."

"Indeeditis,"F'larconcurredheartily."Ithastobeputdown.We'llswallownomore,"D'nol continued vehemently, encouraged by F'lar's attitude. "A fewflaming..."

"That's enough,"F'lar said in a hardvoice. "Wearedragonmen!Rememberthat,andrememberalso-neverforget it - thisfellowship issworn toprotect."Heenunciatedthatworddistinctly,pinningeachmanwithafiercestare."Isthatpoint clear?" He glared questioningly at D'nol. There were to be no privateheroicstoday.

"We do not need firestone," he continued, certain that D'nol had taken, hismeaning, "todisperse these foolishLords."He leanedbackandwentonmorecalmly,"InoticedonSearch,asI'msureyoualldid,thatthecommonholderhasnotlostonejotofhis...letussay...respectfordragonkind."

T'borgrinned,andsomeonechuckledreminiscently.

"Oh,theyfollowtheirLordsquicklyenough,incitedwithindignationandlotsofnewwine.Butit'squiteanothermattertofaceadragon,hot, tired,andcoldsober.NottomentiononfootwithoutawallorHoldinsight."Hecouldsensetheirconcurrence."Themountedmen,too,willbetoomuchoccupiedwiththeirbeaststodoanyseriousfighting,"headdedwithachuckle,echoedbymostofthemenintheroom.

"Howeverconsoling thesereflectionsare, therearemorepowerful factors inourfavor.Idoubt thegoodLordsof theHoldhavebotheredtoreviewthem.Isuspect" - he glanced around sardonically at his riders - "they have probablyforgottenthem...astheyhaveconvenientlyforgottensomuchdragonlore...andtradition.

"Itisnowtimetoreeducatethem."Hisvoicewassteel.Anaffirmingmutteransweredhim.Good,hehadthem.

"For instance, they are here at our gates. They've traveled long and hard toreachthisremoteWeyr.Undoubtedlysomeunitshavebeenmarchingforweeks.

F'nor,"hesaidinacalculatedaside,"remindmetodiscusspatrolscheduleslatertoday.Askyourselvesthis,dragonmen,iftheLordsoftheHoldsarehere,whoisholdingtheHoldsfor theLords?WhokeepsguardontheInnerHold,overalltheLordsholddear?"

HeheardLessachucklingwickedly.Shewasquickerthananyofthebronzeriders.HehadchosenwellthatdayinRuatha,evenifithadmeantkillingwhileonSearch.

"OurWeyrwomanperceivesmyplan.T'sum,implementit."Hesnappedthatorderoutcrisply.T'sum,grinningbroadly,departed.

"Idon'tunderstand,"S'lelcomplained,blinkinginconfusion.

"Oh, letmeexplain,"Lessaput inquickly,herwordscouched in the sweet,reasonabletoneF'larwaslearningtoidentifyasLessaatherworst.Hecouldn'tblameherforwantingtogetsomeofherownbackfromS'lel,butthistasteofhersforvengeancecouldbecomepernicious.

"Someone ought to explain something," S'lel said querulously. "I don't likewhat's going on. Holders at the Tunnel Road. Dragons permitted firestone. Idon'tunderstand."

"It'ssosimple,"Lessaassuredhimsweetly,notwaitingforF'lar'spermission."I'membarrassedtohavetoexplain."

"Weyrwoman!"F'larcalledhersharplytoorder.

Shedidn'tlookathim,butshedidstopneedlingS'lel.

"TheLordshaveleft theirHoldsunprotected,"shesaid."Theyappearnot tohaveconsideredthatdragonscanmovebetweeninseconds.T'sum,ifIamnotmistaken,hasgonetoassemblesufficienthostagesfromtheunguardedHoldstoinsure that the Lords respect the sanctity of the Weyr." F'lar noddedconfirmation.Lessa'seyesflashedangrilyasshecontinued."ItisnotthefaultoftheLordsthattheyhavelostrespectfortheWeyr.TheWeyrhas..."

"TheWeyr."F'larcut insharply.Yes,hewouldhave towatch thisslimgirl

very carefully and very respectfully. "... the Weyr is about to insist on itstraditional rights andprerogatives.Before I outline exactly how,Weyrwoman,wouldyougreetournewestguests?AfewwordsmightbeinordertoreinforcetheobjectlessonwewillimpressonallPernesetoday."

The girl's eyes sparkled with anticipation. She grinned with such intensepleasure that F'larwondered if hewaswise to let her instruct the defenselesshostages.

"I relyonyourdiscretion,"hesaidemphatically, "and intelligence tohandletheassignmentadroitly."Hecaughtherglance,heldituntilshebrieflyinclinedher head in acknowledgement of his admonition. As she left, he sent a wordaheadtoMnementhtokeepaneyeonher.

Mnementhinformedhimthatthatwouldbewastedeffort.Hadn'tLessashownmorewitthananyoneelseintheWeyr?Shewascircumspectbyinstinct.

Circumspectenoughtohaveprecipitatedtoday'sinvasion,F'larremindedhisdragon.

"But...the...Lords,"R'gulwassputtering.

"Oh,freezeup,"K'netsuggested."Ifwehadn'tlistenedtoyouforsolong,wewouldn'tbeinthispositionatall.Shovebetweenifyoudon'tlikeit,butF'larisWeyrleadernow.AndIsayabouttime!"

"K'net! R'gul!" F'lar called them to order, shouting over the cheers K'net'simpudentwordsproduced."Thesearemyorders,"hewentonwhenhehadtheircompleteattention."Iexpect themtobefollowedexactly."Heglancedateachmantobesuretherewasnofurtherquestionofhisauthority.Thenheoutlinedhis intentions concisely and quickly,watchingwith satisfaction as uncertaintywasreplacedwithadmiringrespect.

Assured thateverybronzeandbrownriderunderstood theplanperfectly,heaskedMnementhforthelatestreport.

Theadvancingarmywasstreamingoutacross the lakeplateau, theforemostunitsontheTunnelroad,theonegroundentrancetotheWeyr.Mnementhadded

thattheHolders'womenwereprofitingfromtheirstayintheWeyr.

"Inwhatway?"F'lardemandedimmediately.

Mnementhrumbledwiththedragonequivalentoflaughter.Twooftheyounggreenswerefeeding,thatwasall.Butforsomereasonsuchanormaloccupationappearedtoupsetthewomen.

Thewomanwasdiabolicallyclever,F'larthoughtprivately,carefulnottoletMnementhsensehisconcern.Thatbronzeclownwasasbesottedwiththeriderashewaswiththequeen.WhatkindoffascinationdidtheWeyrwomanhaveforabronzedragon?

"Ourguestsareat thelakeplateau,"hetoldthedragonmen."Youhaveyourpositions. Order your wings out."Without a backward look, he marched out,conquering an intense urge to hurry to the ledge. He absolutely did not wantthosehostagesscaredwitless.

Downthevalleybythelake,thewomenwerelightlyattendedbyfourofthesmallestgreens-bigenoughfortheuninitiated-andthewomenwereprobablytooscaredathavingbeenseizedtonoticethatallfourriderswerebarelyoutofadolescence.HespottedtheslightfigureoftheWeyrwoman,seatedtoonesideofthemaingroup.Asoundofmuffledweepingdrifteduptohisears.Helookedbeyondthem,tothefeedinggrounds,andsawagreendragonsingleoutabuckand run it down. Another green was perched on a ledge above, eating withtypicalmessy, dragon greed. F'lar shrugged andmountedMnementh, clearingtheledgeforthehoveringdragonswhowaitedtopickuptheirownriders.

AsMnementhcircledabovetheconfusionofwingsandgleamingbodies,F'larnodded approvingly. A high, fast mating flight coupled with the promise ofactionimprovedeveryone'smorale.

Mnementhsnorted.

F'larpaidhimnoattention,watchingR'gulasheassembledhiswing.Themanhadtakenapsychologicaldefeat.Hewouldbearwatchingandcarefulhandling.OncetheThreadsstartedtofallandR'gul'sfaithwasrestored,he'dcomearound.

MnementhaskedhimiftheyshouldpickuptheWeyrwoman.

"She doesn't belong in this," F'lar said sharply, wondering why under thedoublemoonsthebronzehadmadesuchasuggestion.MnementhrepliedthathethoughtLessawouldliketobethere.

D'nol'swingandT'bor'sroseingoodformation.Thosetwoweremakinggoodleaders. K'net took up a double wing to the Bowl lip and winked out neatly,bound to reappearbehind theapproachingarmy.C'gan, theoldblue rider,hadtheyoungstersorganized.

F'lartoldMnementhtohaveCanthtellF'nortoproceed.WithafinallooktobesurethestonestotheLowerCavernswereinplace,F'largaveMnemenththesignaltogobetween.

4FromtheWeyrandfromtheBowl,

Bronzeandbrownandblueandgreen,

RisethedragonmenofPern,

Aloft,onwing;seen,thenunseen.

LARAD,LORDofTelgar,eyedthewallsofBendenWeyr.Thestriatedstonelooked like frozen waterfalls at sunset. And about as hospitable. Almostmoribundawe squirmedat thebackofhismind,of theblasphemyheand thearmyheledwereabouttocommit.Hestifledthatthoughtfirmly.

TheWeyrhadoutliveditsusefulness.Thatwasobvious.Therewasnolongeranyneed for theHolders togiveup theprofitsof their sweat and labor to thelazyweyrfolk.TheHolders had beenpatientTheyhad supported theWeyr ingoodpartoutofgratitudeforpastservices.Butthedragonmenhadoversteppedthebordersofgratefulgenerosity.

First, thisarchaicSearch foolishness.Soaqueeneggwas laid.Whydid thedragonmenneedtostealawaytheprettiestwomenamongtheHolderswhentheyhadwomen of their own in theWeyr proper?No need to appropriate Larad'ssister,Kylora, eagerly awaiting a far different alliancewithBrant of Igen oneevening and gone on that ridiculous Search the next.Never heard from since,either.

AndkillingFax!Albeit themanhadbeendangerouslyambitious,hewasoftheBlood.AndtheWeyrhadnotbeenaskedtomeddleintheaffairsoftheHighReaches.

Butthissteadypilfering.Thatwasbeyondenough.Oh,aholdermightexcusea few bucks now and again. But when a dragon appeared out of nowhere (a

talentthatdisturbedLaraddeeply)andsnatchedthebeststudbucksfromaherdcarefullyprotectedandnurtured,thattoreit!

TheWeyr must be made to understand its subordinate position in Pern. Itwouldhave tomakeotherprovisions tovictual itspeople, fornofurther titheswouldcomefromanyone.Benden,Bitra,andLemoswouldcomearoundsoon.TheyoughttobepleasedtoendthissuperstitiousdominationbytheWeyr.

Nevertheless,theclosertheycametothegiganticmountain,themoredoubtsLarad experienced as to just how in theworld theLordswould penetrate thatmassif.He signaledMeron, so-calledLordofNabol (hedidn't really trust thissharp-facedex-WarderwithnoBloodatall)todrawhisridingbeastcloser.

MeronwhippedhismountabreastofLarad.

"ThereisnootherwayintotheWeyrproperbuttheTunnel?"

Meronshookhishead."Eventhelocalsareagreed."

ThisdidnotdismayMeron,buthecaughtLarad'sdoubtfulexpression.

"Ihavesentapartyonahead,tothesouthernlipofthePeak,"andheindicatedthearea."Theremightbealow,scalableclifftherewherethebrowdips."

"Yousentapartywithoutconsultingus?Iwasnamedleader..."

"True," Meron agreed, with an amiable show of teeth. "A mere notion ofmine."

"Adistinctpossibility, Iagree,butyou'dhavedonebetter ..."LaradglancedupatthePeak.

"They have seen us, have no doubt of that, Larad," Meron assured him,contemptuouslyregardingthesilentWeyr."Thatwillbesufficient.Deliverourultimatumand theywill surrenderbeforesucha forceasours.They'veprovedthemselvescowardsoverandover. Igave insult twice to thebronzerider theycallF'lar,andheignoredit.Whatmanwould?"

Asuddenrustlingroarandablastof thecoldestair in theworld interruptedtheir conference.As hemastered his plunging beast, Larad caught a confusedpanoramaofdragonsallcolors, sizes,andeverywhere.Theairwas filledwiththepanic-strickenshrieksofplungingbeasts,thecriesofstartled,terrifiedmen.

Larad managed, with great effort, to drag his beast around to face thedragonmen.

BytheVoidthatspawnedus,hethought,strugglingtocontrolhisownfear,I'dforgottendragonsaresobig.

Foremost in that frightening array was a triangular formation of four greatbronze beasts, their wings overlapping in a tremendous criss-cross pattern astheyhoveredjustabovetheground.Adragon'slengthaboveandbeyondthem,thererangedasecondline,longer,wider,ofbrownbeasts.Curvingbeyondthemandhigherupwereblueandgreenandmorebrownbeasts,allwith theyhugewingsfanningcoldairingreatdraftsontheterrifiedmobthathadbeenanarmymomentsbefore.

Wheredid thatpiercingcoldcome from,Laradwondered.Heyankeddownonhisbeast'smouthasitbegantoplungeagain.

Thedragonmenjustsatthereontheirbeasts'necks,watching,waiting.

"Getthemofftheirbeastsandthethingsawaysowecantalk,"MeronshoutedtoLaradashismountcavortedandscreamedinterror.

Laradsignaledfootsoldiersforward,butittookfourmenpermounttoquietthemenoughsotheLordscoulddismount.

Miscalculation number two,Larad thoughtwith grimhumor.We forgot theeffectofdragonsonthebeastsofPern.Manincluded.Settlinghissword,pullinghisglovesupontohiswrists,hejerkedhisheadattheotherLords,andtheyallmovedforward.

AshesawtheLordsdismount,F'lartoldMnementhtopassthewordtolandthe first three ranks. Like a great wave, the dragons obediently settled to theground,furlingtheirwingswithanenormousrustlingsigh.

Mnementh told F'lar that the dragons were excited and pleased. This wasmuchmorefunthanGames.

F'lartoldMnementhsternlythatthiswasnotfunatall.

"LaradofTelgar," the foremostman introducedhimself,hisvoicecrisp,hismannersoldierlyandconfidentforonerelativelyyoung.

"MeronofNabol."

F'lar immediately recognized the swarthy face with the sharp features andrestlesseyes.Ameanandprovocativefighter.

Mnementh relayed F'lar an unusual message from the Weyr. F'lar noddedimperceptiblyandcontinuedtoacknowledgeintroductions.

"I have been appointed spokesman," Larad of Telgar began. "The HolderLordsunanimouslyagreethattheWeyrhasoutliveditsfunction.Consequentlydemands from theWeyr are out of order. There are to be no more SearchesamongourHolds.NomoreraidingontheherdsandbarnsofanyHoldbyanydragonfolk."

F'largavehimcourteousattention.Laradwaswell-spokenandsuccinct.F'larnodded. He looked at each of the Lords before him carefully, getting theirmeasure.Theirsternfacesexpressedtheirconvictionandrighteousindignation.

"AsWeyrleader, I, F'lar,Mnementh's rider, answer you. Your complaint isheard. Now listen to what the Weyrleader commands." His casual pose wasgone.Mnementhrumbledamenacingcounterpointtohisrider'svoiceasitrangharshlymetallicacross theplateau, thewordscarriedclearlybackso thateventhemobheardhim.

"Youwill turnandgobacktoyourHolds.Youwill thengointoyourbarnsandamongyourherds.Youwillmakeajustandequabletithe.ThiswillbeonitswaytotheWeyrwithinthreedaysofyourreturn."

"TheWeyrleader isordering theLords to tithe?"MeronofNabol's.derisivelaughrangout.

F'larsignaled,andtwomorewingsofdragonmenappearedtohoverovertheNabolesecontingent.

"TheWeyrleadergivesorderstotheLordstotithe,"F'laraffirmed."AnduntilsuchtimeastheLordsdosendtheirtithings,weregretthattheladiesofNabol,Telgar,Fort, Igen,Keroonmustmake theirhomeswithus.Also, the ladiesofHoldBalan,HoldGar,Hold..."

He paused, for the Lords were muttering angrily and excitedly amongthemselves as they heard this list of hostages. F'lar gave Mnementh a quickmessagetorelay.

"Your bluffwon'twork,"Meron sneered, stepping forward, his hand on hisswordhilt.Raidingamongtheherdscouldbecredited;ithadhappened.ButtheHoldsweresacrosanct!They'dnotdare-

F'lar askedMnementh to pass the signal, and T'sum's wing appeared. EachriderheldaLadyontheneckofhisdragon.T'sumheldhisgroupaloftbutcloseenoughsotheLordscouldidentifyeachscaredorhystericalwoman.

Meron'sfacecontortedwithshockandnewhatred.

Larad stepped forward, tearinghis eyes fromhisownLady.Shewasanewwife tohimandmuchbeloved. Itwas small consolation that sheneitherweptnorfainted,beingaquietandbravelittleperson.

"Youhavetheadvantageofus,"Laradadmittedbleakly."Wewillretireandsend the tithe."Hewas about towheelwhenMeron pushed forward, his facewild.

"Wetamelysubmittotheirdemands?Whoisadragonmantoorderus?"

"Shutup,"Laradordered,grabbingtheNabolese'sarm.

F'larraisedhisarminanimperioussignal.Awingofbluesappeared,carryingMeron'swould-bemountaineers, some bearing evidence of their strugglewiththesouthernfaceofBendenPeak.

"Dragonmen do order.And nothing escapes their notice." F'lar's voice rangoutcoldly.

"YouwillretiretoyourHolds.Youwillsendpropertithingbecauseweshallknowifyoudonot.Youwillthenproceed,underpainoffirestone,toclearyourhabitations of green, craft andHold alike.GoodTelgar, look to that southernouter Hold of yours. The exposure is acutely vulnerable. Clear all firepits onridgedefences.You've let thembecome fouled.Theminesare tobe reopenedandfirestonestockpiled."

"Tithes,yes,buttherest..."Laradinterrupted.

F'lar'sarmshotskyward.

"Lookup.Lord.Lookwell.TheRedStarpulsesbydayaswellasnight.ThemountainsbeyondIstasteamandspoutflamingrock.Theseasrageinhightidesand flood the coast.Have you all forgotten theSagas andBallads?As you'veforgotten the abilities of dragons?Can you dismiss these portents that alwayspresagethecomingofThreads?"

Meronwouldnever believeuntil he saw the silverThreads streaking acrosstheskies.ButLaradandmanyoftheothers,F'larknew,nowdid.

"Andthequeen,"hecontinued,"hasrisentomateinhersecondyear.Risentomateandflownhighandfar."

Theheadsofallbeforehimjerkedupward.Theireyeswerewide.Meron,too,looked startled. F'lar heard R'gul gasp behind him, yet he dared not look,himself,lestitbeatrick.

Suddenly,ontheperipheryofhisvision,hecaughttheglintofgoldinthesky.

Mnementh, he snapped, andMnementhmerely rumbled happily.The queenwheeled into view just then, a brave and glowing sight, F'lar grudginglyadmitted.

Dressed in flowingwhite,Lessawasdistinctlyvisibleon the curvedgoldenneck.Ramothhovered,herwingspangreaterthanevenMnementh'sasshevaned

idly.Fromthewayshearchedherneck,itwasobviousthatRamothwasingoodandplayfulspirits,butF'larwasfurious.

Thespectacleofthequeenalofthadquiteaneffectonallbeholders.F'larwasawareofitsimpactonhimselfandsawitreflectedinthefacesoftheincredulousHoldersknewitfromthewaythedragonshummed,hearditfromMnementh.

"And,ofcourse,ourgreatestWeyrwomen-Moreta,Torene, tonameonlyafew-haveallcomefromRuathaHold,asdoesLessaofPern."

"Ruatha ..."Meron grated out the name, clenched his jaw sullenly, his facebleak.

"Threadsarecoming?"askedLarad.

F'lar nodded slowly. "Your harper can reinstruct you on the signs. GoodLords, thetitheisrequired.Yourwomenwillbereturned.TheHoldsaretobeput inorder.TheWeyrpreparesPern, as theWeyr ispledged toprotectPern.Your cooperation is expected - " he paused significantly - "and will beenforced."

Withthat,hevaultedtoMnementh'sneck,keepingthequeenalwaysinsight.Hesawhergoldenwingsbeatasthedragonturnedandsoaredupward.

It was infuriating of Lessa to take this moment, when all his energy andattentionought togotosettlingtheHolders'grievanceforashowofrebellion.Whydidshehavetoflauntherindependenceso,infullsightoftheentireWeyrandalltheLords?Helongedtochaseimmediatelyafterherandcouldnot.Notuntilhehadseenthearmyinactualretreat,notuntilhehadsignaledforthefinalshowofWeyrstrengthfortheHolders'elucidation.

Gritting his teeth, he signaledMnementh aloft. Thewings rose behind himwithspectaculartrumpetingsanddartingssothatthereappearedtobethousandsofdragonsintheairinsteadofthescanttwohundredBendenWeyrboasted.

Assured that that part of his strategy was proceeding in order, he badeMnementh fly after theWeyrwoman, whowas now dipping and gliding highabovetheWeyr.

Whenhegothishandsonthatgirl,hewouldtellherathingortwo....

Mnementhinformedhimcausticallythattellingherathingortwomightbeaverygoodidea.Muchbetterthanflyingsovengefullyafterapairwhowereonlytrying their wings out. Mnementh reminded his irate rider that, after all, thegoldendragonhadflownfarandwideyesterday,havingbloodedfour,buthadnot eaten since. She'd be neither capable of nor interested in any protractedflyinguntilshehadeatenfully.However,ifF'larinsistedonthisill-consideredand completely unnecessary pursuit, he might just antagonize Ramoth intojumpingbetweentoescapehim.

TheverythoughtofthatuntutoredpairgoingbetweencooledF'larinstantly.Controlling himself, he realized thatMnementh's judgment wasmore reliablethanhisatthemoment.He'dletangerandanxietyinfluencehisdecisions,but...

MnementhcircledintolandattheStarStone,thetipofBendenPeakbeingafinevantagepointfromwhichF'larcouldobserveboththedecampingarmyandthequeen.

Mnementh'sgreateyesgavetheappearanceofwhirlingasthedragonadjustedhisvisiontoitsfarthestreach.

He reported to F'lar that Piyanth's rider felt the dragons' supervision of theretreatwascausinghysteriaamongthemenandbeasts.Injurieswereoccurringintheresultantstampedes.

F'larimmediatelyorderedK'nettoassumesurveillancealtitudeuntilthearmycampedforthenight.HewastokeepclosewatchontheNabolesecontingentatalltimes,however.

Even as F'lar had Mnementh relay these orders, he realized his mind haddismissedthematter.Allhisattentionwasreallyonthathigh-flyingpair.

Youhadbetter teachher to flybetween,Mnementhremarked,onegreateyeshining directly over F'lar's shoulder. She's quick enough to figure it out forherself,andthenwherearewe?

F'lar let the sharp retort die on his lips as he watched, breathless. Ramoth

suddenlyfoldedherwings,agoldenstreakdivingthroughthesky.Effortlesslyshepulledoutatthecriticalpointandsoaredupwardagain.

Mnementh deliberately called to mind their first wildly acrobatic flight. AtendersmilecrossedF'lar's face,andsuddenlyheknewhowmuchLessamusthavelongedtofly,howbitteritmusthavebeenforhertowatchthedragonetspracticewhenshewasforbiddentotry.

Well,hewasnoR'gul,tornbyindecisionanddoubt.

AndsheisnoJora,Mnementhremindedhimpungently.I'mcallingthemin,thedragonadded.Ramothhasturnedadullorange.

F'larwatched as the flyers obediently began a downward glide, the queen'swingsarchingandcurvingassheslowedhertremendousforwardspeed.Unfedornot,shecouldfly!

HemountedMnementh,wavingthemon,downtowardthefeedinggrounds.HecaughtafleetingglimpseofLessa,herfacevividwithelationandrebellion.

Ramothlanded,andLessadroppedtotheground,gesturingthedragonontoeat.

The girl turned then, watching Mnementh glide in and hover to let F'lardismount. She straightened her shoulders, her chin lifted belligerently as herslender bodygathered itself to facehis censure.Her behaviorwas like that ofanyweyrling, anticipating punishment and determined to endure it, soundless.Shewasnottheleastbitrepentant!

Admiration for this indomitable personality replaced the last trace of F'lar'sanger.Hesmiledasheclosedthedistancebetweenthem.

Startled by his completely unexpected behavior, she took a half-stepbackward.

"Queenscan,too,fly,"sheblurtedout,daringhim.

Hisgrinbroadeningtosuffusehisface,heputhishandsonhershouldersand

gaveheranaffectionateshake.

"Ofcourse theycan fly,"heassuredher,hisvoice fullofprideand respect."That'swhytheyhavewings!"

PARTIII-DustFall

1

TheFingerpoints

AtanEyeblood-red.

AlerttheWeyrs

ToseartheThread.

"YOU STILL doubt, R'gul?" F'lar asked, appearing slightly amused by theolderbronzerider'sperversity.

R'gul, his handsome features stubbornly set, made no reply to theWeyrleader'staunt.HegroundhisteethtogetherasifhecouldgrindawayF'lar'sauthorityoverhim.

"There have been no Threads in Pern's skies for over four hundred Turns.Therearenomore!"

"There is always that possibility," F'lar conceded amiably. There was not,however,theslightesttraceoftoleranceinhisambereyes.Northeslightesthintofcompromiseinhismanner.

HewasmorelikeF'lon,hissire,R'guldecided,thanasonhadanyrighttobe.Alwayssosureofhimself,alwaysslightlycontemptuousofwhatothersdidandthought.Arrogant, that'swhat F'larwas. Impertinent, too, and underhanded inthematterofthatyoungWeyrwoman.Why,R'gulhadtrainedheruptobeoneof the finestWeyrwomen inmanyTurns.Beforehe'd finishedher instruction,she'dknownalltheTeachingBalladsandSagasletterperfect.AndthenthesillychildhadturnedtoF'lar.Didn'thavesenseenoughtoappreciatethemeritsofan

older,moreexperiencedman.UndoubtedlyshefeltafirstobligationtoF'larfordiscoveringheronSearch.

"Youdo,however,"F'larwassaying,"admitthatwhenthesunhitstheFingerRockatthemomentofdawn,wintersolsticehasbeenreached?"

"Anyfoolknowsthat'swhattheFingerRockisfor,"R'gulgrunted.

"Thenwhydon't you, youold fool, admit that theEyeRockwasplacedonStarStone to bracket theRedStarwhen it's about tomake aPass?" burst outK'net.

R'gulflushed,half-startingoutofhischair,readytotaketheyoungsprouttotaskforsuchinsolence.

"K'net!" F'lar's voice cracked authoritatively. "Do you really like flying theIgenpatrolsomuchyouwantanotherfewweeksatit?"

K'nethurriedlyseatedhimself,flushingatthereprimandandthethreat.

"There is, you know, R'gul, incontrovertible evidence to support myconclusions,"F'larwentonwithdeceptivemildness."'TheFingerpoints/AtanEyeblood-red...'"

"Don'tquotemeversesItaughtyouasaweyrling,"R'gulexclaimedheatedly.

"Then have faith in what you taught," F'lar snapped back, his amber eyesflashingdangerously.

R'gulstunnedbytheunexpectedforcefulness,sankbackintohischair.

"Youcannotdeny,R'gul,"F'lar continuedquietly, "thatno less thanhalf anhour ago the sun balanced on the Finger's tip at dawn and the Red Star wassquarely framed by the EyeRock." The other dragonriders, bronze aswell asbrown,murmuredandnodded theiragreement to thatphenomenon.TherewasalsoanundercurrentofresentmentforR'gul'scontinualcontestofF'lar'spoliciesas the new Weyrleader. Even old S'lel, once R'gul's avowed supporter, wasfollowingthemajority.

"TherehavebeennoThreadsinfourhundredTurns.TherearenoThreads,"R'gulmuttered.

"Then,my fellowdragonman,"F'lar said cheerfully, "all you have taught isfalsehood.Thedragonsare,astheLordsoftheHoldswishtobelieve,parasitesontheeconomyofPern,anachronisms.Andsoarewe.

"Therefore, far be it fromme to hold you here against the dictates of yourconscience.Youhavemypermission to leave theWeyrand takeup residencewhereyouwill."

Someonelaughed.

R'gul was too stunned by F'lar's ultimatum to take offense at the ridicule.LeavetheWeyr?Wasthemanmad?Wherewouldhego?TheWeyrhadbeenhis life.Hehadbeenbredup to it for generations.All hismale ancestorshadbeendragonriders.Notallbronze,true,butadecentpercentage.Hisowndam'ssire had been aWeyrleader just as he,R'gul, had beenuntil F'lar'sMnementhhadflownthenewqueen.

But dragonmen never left theWeyr.Well, they did if they were negligentenough to lose their dragons, like thatLytol fellow atRuathaHold.And howcouldheleavetheWeyrwithadragon?

WhatdidF'larwantofhim?WasitnotenoughthathewasWeyrleadernowinR'gul's stead? Wasn't F'lar's pride sufficiently swollen by having bluffed theLordsofPern intodisbanding their armywhen theywereall set to coerce theWeyr and dragonmen?Must F'lar dominate every dragonman, body andwill,too?Hestaredalongmoment,incredulous.

"Idonotbelieveweareparasites,"F'larsaid,breakingthesilencewithasoft,persuasivevoice."Noranachronistic.TherehavebeenlongIntervalsbefore.TheRedStardoesnotalwayspasscloseenoughtodropThreadsonPern.Whichiswhy our ingenious ancestors thought to position theEyeRock and the FingerRockastheydid...toconfirmwhenaPasswillbemade.Andanotherthing"-hisfaceturnedgrave-"therehavebeenothertimeswhendragonkindhasallbutdied out... and Pern with it because of skeptics like you." F'lar smiled and

relaxed indolently in his chair. "I prefer not to be recorded as a skeptic.Howshallwerecordyou,R'gul?"

TheCouncilRoomwastense.R'gulwasawareofsomeonebreathingharshlyand realized it was himself. He looked at the adamant face of the youngWeyrleaderandknewthatthethreatwasnotempty.HewouldeitherconcedetoF'lar's authority completely, though concession rankled deeply, or leave theWeyr.

And where could he go, unless to one of the other Weyrs, deserted forhundreds of Turns? And-R'gul's thoughts were savage-wasn't that indicationenough of the cessation of Threads? Five empty Weyrs? No, by the Egg ofFaranth,hewouldpracticesomeofF'lar'sownbrandofdeceitandbidehistime.WhenallPernturnedonthearrogantfool,he,R'gul,wouldbetheretosalvagesomethingfromtheruins.

"A dragonman stays in his Weyr," R'gul said with what dignity he couldmuster.

"AndacceptsthepoliciesofthecurrentWeyrleader?"ThetoneofF'lar'svoicemadeitlessofaquestionandmoreofanorder.

Soasnottoperjurehimself,R'gulgaveacurtnodofhishead.F'larcontinuedto stare at him andR'gulwondered if theman could read his thoughts as hisdragonmight.Hemanagedtoreturnthegazecalmly.Histurnwouldcome.He'dwait.

Apparently accepting the capitulation, F'lar stood up and crisply delegatedpatrolassignmentsfortheday.

"T'bor,you'reweather-watch.Keepaneyeon those tithing trainsasyoudo.Haveyouthemorning'sreport?"

"Weatherisfairatdawning...allacrossTelgarandKeroon...ifalltoocold,"T'borsaidwithawrygrin."Tithingtrainshavegoodhardroads,though,sotheyoughttobeheresoon."Hiseyestwinkledwithanticipationofthefeastingthatwould follow the supplies' arrival-a mood shared by all, to judge by theexpressionsaroundthetable.

F'larnodded."S'lanandD'nol,youaretocontinueanadroitSearchforlikelyboys. They should be striplings, if possible, but do not pass over anyonesuspectedoftalent.It'sallwellandgoodtopresent,forImpression,boysrearedup in the Weyr traditions." F'lar gave a one-sided smile. "But there are notenoughintheLowerCaverns.We,too,havebeenbehindinbegetting.Anyway,dragons reach full growth faster than their riders.Wemust havemore youngmentoImpresswhenRamothhatches.Takethesouthernholds,Ista,Nerat,Fort,and South Boll where maturity comes earlier. You can use the guise ofinspectingHoldsforgreenerytotalktotheboys.Andtakealongfirestoneandrun a few flaming passes on those heights that haven't been scoured in-oh-dragon'syears.Aflamingbeastimpressestheyoungandarousesenvy."

F'lar deliberately looked at R'gul to see the ex-Weyrleader's reaction to theorder. R'gul had been dead set against going outside the Weyr for morecandidates. In the first place, R'gul had argued that there were eighteenyoungstersintheLowerCaverns,somequiteyoung,tobesure,butR'gulwouldnot admit that Ramoth would lay more than the dozen Nemorth had alwaysdropped.Inthesecondplace,R'gulpersistedinwantingtoavoidanyactionthatmightantagonizetheLords.

R'gulmadenoovertprotest,andF'larwenton.

"K'net, back to the mines. I want the dispositions of each firestone-dumpcheckedandquantitiesavailable.R'gul,continuedrillingrecognitionpointswiththeweyrlings.Theymust be positive about their references. If they're used asmessengersandsuppliers,theymaybesentoutquicklyandwithnotimetoaskquestions.

"F'nor,T'sum"-F'larturnedtohisownbrownriders-"you'reclean-upsquadtoday." He allowed himself a grin at their dismay. "Try IstaWeyr. Clear theHatchingCavernandenoughWeyrsforadoublewing.And,F'nor,don'tleaveasingleRecordbehind.They'reworthpreserving.

"That will be all, dragonmen. Good flying." And with that, F'lar rose andstrodefromtheCouncilRoomuptothequeen'sweyr.

Ramoth still slept, her hide gleaming with health, its color deepening to ashadeofgoldclosertobronze,indicatingherpregnancy.Ashepassedher,thetipofherlongtailtwitchedslightly.

All the dragonswere restless these days,F'lar reflected.Yetwhenhe askedMnementh,thebronzedragoncouldgivenoreason.Hewoke,hewentbacktosleep.Thatwasall.F'larcouldn'taskaleadingquestionforthatwoulddefeathispurpose.Hehadtoremaindiscontentedwiththevaguefactthattherestlessnesswassomekindofinstinctivereaction.

Lessawasnot in the sleeping room,norwas she still bathing.F'lar snorted.Thatgirlwasgoingtoscrubherhideoffwiththisconstantbathing.She'dhadtolivegrimy toprotectherself inRuathaHold,butbathing twiceaday?Hewasbeginning to wonder if this might be a subtle Lessa-variety insult to himpersonally. F'lar sighed. That girl. Would she never turn to him of her ownaccord?Would he ever touch that elusive inner core of Lessa? She hadmorewarmth for his half brother, F'nor, and for K'net, the youngest of the bronzeridersthanshehadforF'larwhosharedherbed.

Hepulledthecurtainbackintoplace,irritated.Wherehadshegonetotodaywhen,forthefirsttimeinweeks,hehadbeenabletogetallthewingsoutoftheWeyrjustsohecouldteachhertoflybetween?

Ramothwouldsoonbetooegg-heavyforsuchactivity.HehadpromisedtheWeyrwoman,andhemeanttokeepthatpromise.Shehadtakentowearingthewherhide riding gear as a flagrant reminder of his unfulfilled pledge. Fromcertainremarksshehaddropped,heknewshewouldnotwaitmuchlongerforhisaid.Thatsheshouldtryitonherowndidn'tsuithimatall.

Hecrossedthequeen'sweyragainandpeereddownthepassagethatledtotheRecordsRoom.Shewasoften tobe found there,poringover themusty skins.Andthatwasonemorematterthatneededurgentconsideration.ThoseRecordswere deteriorating past legibility. Curiously enough, earlier ones were still ingoodconditionandreadable.Anothertechniqueforgotten.

That girl! He brushed his thick forelock of hair back from his brow in agesturehabitualtohimwhenhewasannoyedorworried.Thepassagewasdark,

whichmeantshecouldnotbebelowintheRecordsRoom.

"Mnementh," he called silently to his bronze dragon, sunning on the ledgeoutsidethequeen'sweyr."Whatisthatgirldoing?"

Lessa, the dragon replied, stressing the Weyrwoman's name with pointedcourtesy, is talking toManora.She'sdressedfor riding,headdedafteraslightpause.

F'lar thanked the bronze sarcastically and strode down the passage to theentrance.Asheturnedthelastbend,heallbutranLessadown.

Youhadn't askedmewhere shewas,Mnementhplaintively answeredF'lar'sblisteringreprimand.

Lessarockedbackonherheelsfromtheforceoftheirencounter.Sheglaredupathim,herlipsthinwithdispleasure,hereyesflashing.

"Why didn't I have the opportunity of seeing theRed Star through the EyeRock?"shedemandedinahard,angryvoice.

F'larpulledathishair.Lessaathermostdifficultwouldcompletethelistofthismorning'strials.

"ToomanytoaccommodateasitwasonthePeak,"hemuttered,determinednottoletherirritatehimtoday."Andyoualreadybelieve."

"I'd'velikedtoseeit,"shesnappedandpushedpasthimtowardtheweyr."IfonlyinmycapacityasWeyrwomanandRecorder."

Hecaughtherarmandfeltherbodytense.Hesethisteeth,wishing,ashehadahundredtimessinceRamothroseinherfirstmatingflight,thatLessahadnotbeenvirgin,too.Hehadnotthoughttocontrolhisdragon-incitedemotions,andLessa'sfirstsexualexperiencehadbeenviolent.Ithadsurprisedhimtobefirst,considering that her adolescent years had been spent drudging for lasciviouswardersandsoldiertypes.Evidentlynoonehadbotheredtopenetratethecurtainofragsandthecoatoffilthshehadcarefullymaintainedasadisguise.Hehadbeen a considerate and gentle bedmate ever since, but, unless Ramoth and

Mnementhwereinvolved,hemightaswellcallitrape.

Yet he knew someday, somehow, he would coax her into respondingwholeheartedlytohislovemaking.Hehadacertainprideinhisskill,andhewasinapositiontopersevere.

Nowhetookadeepbreathandreleasedherarmslowly.

"Howfortunateyou'rewearingridinggear.AssoonasthewingshaveclearedoutandRamothwakes,Ishallteachyoutoflybetween."

The gleam of excitement in her eyes was evident even in the dimly litpassageway.Heheardherinhalesharply.

"Can'tputitofftoomuchlongerorRamoth'llbeinnoshapetoflyatall,"hecontinuedamiably.

"Youmeanit?"Hervoicewaslowandbreathless,itsusualacidedgemissing."Youwillteachustoday?"Hewishedhecouldseeherfaceclearly.

Onceortwicehehadcaughtanunguardedexpressiononherface,lovingandtender. He would give much to have that look turned on him. However, headmittedwrylytohimself,heoughttobegladthatmeltingregardwasdirectedonlyatRamothandnotatanotherhuman.

"Yes,mydearWeyrwoman,Imeanit.Iwillteachyoutoflybetweentoday.Ifonly,"andhebowedtoherwithaflourish,"tokeepyoufromtryingityourself."

Herlowchuckleinformedhimhistauntwaswellaimed.

"Rightnow,however,"hesaid,indicatingforhertoleadthewaybacktotheweyr,"Icoulddowithsomefood.Wewereupbeforethekitchen."

Theyhadenteredthewell-lightedweyr,sohedidnotmissthetrenchantlooksheshothimoverhershoulder.Shewouldnotsoeasilyforgivebeingleftoutofthegroupat theStarStone thismorning,certainlynotwith thebribeof flyingbetween.

How different this inner room was now that Lessa wasWeyrwoman, F'larmused as Lessa called down the service shaft for food. During Jora'sincompetent tenure as Weyrwoman, the sleeping quarters had been crowdedwith junk, unwashed apparel, uncleared dishes.The state of theWeyr and thereduced number of dragons were as much Jora's fault as R'gul's, for she hadindirectlyencouragedsloth,negligence,andgluttony.

Ifhe,F'lar,hadbeenjustafewyearsolderwhenF'lon,hisfather,haddied...Jorahadbeendisgusting,butwhendragonsroseinmatingflight,theconditionofyourpartnercountedfornothing.

Lessatookatrayofbreadandcheese,andmugsofthestimulatingklahfromtheplatform.Sheservedhimdeftly.

"You'dnoteaten,either?"heasked.

Sheshookherheadvigorously,thebraidintowhichshehadplaitedherthick,finedarkhairbobbingacrosshershoulders.Thehairdressingwastoosevereforhernarrowface,butitdidnot,ifthatwasherintention,disguiseherfemininityorthecuriousbeautyofherdelicatefeatures.AgainF'larwonderedthatsuchaslightbodycontainedsomuchshrewdintelligenceandresourceful...cunning-yes,thatwastheword,cunning.F'lardidnotmakethemistake,asothershad,ofunderestimatingherabilities.

"ManoracalledmetowitnessthebirthofKylara'schild."

F'larmaintainedanexpressionofpoliteinterest.Heknewperfectlywell thatLessasuspectedthechildwashis,anditcouldhavebeen,headmittedprivately,but he doubted it. Kylara had been one of the ten candidates from the sameSearch threeyears agowhichhaddiscoveredLessa.Likeotherswho survivedImpression,KylarahadfoundcertainaspectsofWeyrlifeexactlysuitedtohertemperament. She had gone from one rider's weyr to another's. She had evenseducedF'lar-notatallagainsthiswill,tobesure.NowthathewasWeyrleader,he found it wiser to ignore her efforts to continue the relationship. T'bor hadtakenher inhandandhadhadhishands fulluntil he retiredher to theLowerCaverns,welladvancedinpregnancy.

Aside from having the amorous tendencies of a green dragon, Kylara wasquick and ambitious. She would make a strong Weyrwoman, so F'lar hadchargedManoraandLessawiththejobofplantingthenotioninKylara'smind.InthecapacityofWeyrwoman...ofanotherWeyr...herintensedriveswouldbeusedtoPern'sadvantage.Shehadnotlearnedtheseverelessonsofrestraintandpatience thatLessahad,andshedidn'thaveLessa'sdeviousmind.FortunatelyshewasinconsiderableaweofLessa,andF'larsuspectedthatLessawassubtlyinfluencingthisattitude.InKylara'scase,F'larpreferrednottoobjecttoLessa'smeddling.

"Afineson,"Lessawassaying.

F'larsippedhisklah.Shewasnotgoingtogethimtoadmitanyresponsibility.

AfteralongpauseLessaadded,"ShehasnamedhimT'kil."

F'larsuppressedagrinatLessa'sfailuretogetarisefromhim.

"Discreetofher."

"Oh?"

"Yes,"F'larrepliedblandly."T'larmightbeconfusingifshetookthesecondhalfofhernameasiscustomary. 'T'kil,'however,still indicatessireaswellasdam."

"WhileIwaswaitingforCounciltoend,"Lessasaidafterclearingherthroat,"ManoraandIcheckedthesupplycaverns.Thetithingtrains,whichtheHoldshavebeensograciousastosendus"-hervoicewassharp-"areduewithintheweek.Therewillshortlybebreadfittoeat,"sheadded,wrinklinghernoseatthecrumblinggraypastryshewasattemptingtospreadwithcheese.

"Anicechange,"F'laragreed.

Shepaused.

"TheRedStarperformeditsscheduledantic?"Henodded.

"AndR'gul'sdoubtshavebeenwipedawayintheenlighteningredglow?"

"Notatall."F'largrinnedbackather,ignoringhersarcasm."Notatall,buthewillnotbesovocalinhiscriticism."

She swallowed quickly so she could speak. "You'd do well to cut out hiscriticism," she said ruthlessly, gesturingwith her knife as if plunging it into aman'sheart."Heisnevergoingtoacceptyourauthoritywithgoodgrace."

"Weneedeverybronzerider...thereareonlyseven,youknow,"heremindedher pointedly. "R'gul's a goodwingleader.He'll settle downwhen theThreadsfall.Heneedsprooftolayhisdoubtsaside."

"AndtheRedStarintheEyeRockisnotproof?"Lessa'sexpressiveeyeswerewide.

F'larwasprivatelyofLessa'sopinion-thatitmightbewisertoremoveR'gul'sstubborncontentiousness.Buthecouldnotsacrificeawingleader,needingeverydragonandriderasbadlyashedid.

"Idon'ttrusthim,"sheaddeddarkly.Shesippedatherhotdrink,hergrayeyesdarkovertherimofhermug.Asif,F'larmused,shedidn'ttrusthim,either.

Andshedidn't,pastacertainpoint.Shehadmadethatplain,and,inhonesty,hecouldn'tblameher.ShedidrecognizethateveryactionF'lartookwastowardone end ... the safety and preservation of dragonkind and weyrfolk andconsequentlythesafetyandpreservationofPern.Toeffectthatend,heneededher full cooperation.WhenWeyr business or dragonlore were discussed, shesuspendedtheantipathyheknewshefeltforhim.Inconferencesshesupportedhimwholeheartedlyandpersuasively,butalwayshesuspectedthedoubleedgetohercommentsandsawaspeculative,suspiciouslookinhereyes.Heneedednotonlyhertolerancebutherempathy.

"Tellme," she said after a long silence, "did the sun touch theFingerRockbeforetheRedStarwasbracketedintheEyeRockorafter?"

"Matteroffact,I'mnotsure,asIdidnotseeitmyself...theconcurrencelastsonlyafewmoments...butthetwoaresupposedtobesimultaneous."

She frowned at him sourly. "Whom did you waste it on? R'gul?" She wasprovoked,herangryeyeslookedeverywherebutathim.

"IamWeyrleader,"heinformedhercurtly.Shewasunreasonable.

Sheawardedhimonelong,hardlookbeforeshebenttofinishhermeal.Sheateverylittle,quicklyandneatly.ComparedtoJora,shedidn'teatenoughinthecourseofanentiredaytonourishasickchild.But then, therewasnopoint inevercomparingLessatoJora.

Hefinishedhisownbreakfast,absentlypilingthemugstogetherontheemptytray.Sherosesilentlyandremovedthedishes.

"AssoonastheWeyrisfree,we'llgo,"hetoldher.

"So you said." She nodded toward the sleeping queen, visible through theopenarch."WestillmustwaituponRamoth."

"Isn'tsherousing?Hertail'sbeentwitchingforanhour."

"Shealwaysdoesthataboutthistimeofday."F'larleanedacrossthetable,hisbrows drawn together thoughtfully as hewatched the golden-forked tip of thequeen'stailjerkspasmodicallyfromsidetoside.

"Mnementh,too.Andalwaysatdawnandearlymorning.Asifsomehowtheyassociatethattimeofdaywithtrouble..."

"OrtheRedStar'srising?"Lessainterjected.

Some subtle difference in her tone caused F'lar to glance quickly at her. Itwasn'tangernowoverhavingmissedthemorning'sphenomenon.Hereyeswerefixed on nothing; her face, smooth at first,was soonwrinkledwith a vaguelyanxiousfrownastinylinesformedbetweenherarching,well-definedbrows.

"Dawn...that'swhenallwarningscome,"shemurmured.

"Whatkindofwarnings?"heaskedwithquietencouragement.

"There was that morning ... a few days before ... before you and FaxdescendedonRuathaHold.Somethingwokeme...afeeling,likeaveryheavypressure ... the sensation of some terrible danger threatening." Shewas silent."TheRedStarwasjustrising."Thefingersofherlefthandopenedandclosed.Shegaveaconvulsiveshudder.Hereyesrefocusedonhim.

"You andFax did come out of the northeast fromCrom," she said sharply,ignoringthefact,F'larnoticed,thattheRedStaralsorisesnorthoftrueeast.

"Indeed we did," he grinned at her, remembering that morning vividly."Although,"headded,gesturingaroundthegreatcaverntoemphasize,"IprefertobelieveIservedyouwellthatday...yourememberitwithdispleasure?"

Thelookshegavehimwascoldlyinscrutable.

"Dangercomesinmanyguises."

"I agree," he replied amiably, determined not to rise to her bait. "Had anyotherrudeawakenings?"heinquiredconversationally.

Theabsolutestillnessintheroombroughthisattentionbacktoher.Herfacehaddrainedofallcolor.

"The day Fax invaded Ruatha Hold." Her voice was a barely articulatedwhisper.Her eyeswerewide and staring.Her hands clenched the edge of thetable.ShesaidnothingforsuchalongintervalthatF'larbecameconcerned.Thiswasanunexpectedlyviolentreactiontoacasualquestion.

"Tellme,"hesuggestedsoftly.

She spoke in unemotional, impersonal tones, as if she were reciting aTraditional Ballad or something that had happened to an entirely differentperson.

"Iwasachild.Justeleven.Iwokeatdawn..."Hervoicetrailedoff.Hereyesremainedfocusedonnothing,staringatascenethathadhappenedlongago.

F'larwasstirredbyanirresistibledesiretocomforther.Itstruckhimforcibly,

evenashewasstirredbythisunusualcompassion,thathehadneverthoughtthatLessa,ofallpeople,wouldbetroubledbysooldaterror.

Mnementh sharply informed his rider that Lessa was obviously bothered agooddeal.EnoughsothathermentalanguishwasrousingRamothfromsleep.InlessaccusingtonesMnementhinformedF'larthatR'gulhadfinallytakenoffwith his weyrling pupils. His dragon, Hath, however, was in a fine state ofdisorientationdue toR'gul's state ofmind.MustF'lar unsettle everyone in theWeyr...

"Oh,bequiet,"F'larretortedunderhisbreath.

"Why?"Lessademandedinhernormalvoice.

"Ididn'tmeanyou,mydearWeyrwoman,"heassuredher,smilingpleasantly,as if the entranced interlude had never occurred. "Mnementh is full of advicethesedays."

"Likerider,likedragon,"sherepliedtartly.

Ramoth yawned mightily. Lessa was instantly on her feet, running to herdragon'sside,herslightfiguredwarfedbythesix-footdragonhead.

A tender, adoring expression flooded her face as she gazed into Ramoth'sgleaming opalescent eyes. F'lar clenched his teeth, envious, by the Egg, of arider's affection for her dragon. In his mind he heard Mnementh's dragonequivalentoflaughter.

"She'shungry,"LessainformedF'lar,anechoofherloveforRamothlingeringinthesoftlineofhermouth,inthekindnessinhergrayeyes.

"She'salwayshungry,"heobservedandfollowedthemoutoftheweyr.

MnementhhoveredcourteouslyjustbeyondtheledgeuntilLessaandRamothhad takenoff.Theyglideddown theWeyrBowl,over themistybathing lake,toward the feedinggroundat theoppositeendof the longoval thatcomprisedthefloorofBendenWeyr.Thestriated,precipitouswallswerepiercedwiththeblackmouthsofsingleweyrentrances,desertedat this timeofdayby thefew

dragonswhomightotherwisedozeontheirledgesinthewintrysun.

AsF'larvaultedtoMnementh'ssmoothbronzeneck,hehopedthatRamoth'sclutchwouldbespectacular,erasingtheignominyofthepaltrydozenNemorthhadlaidineachofherlastfewclutches.

He had no serious doubts of the improvement after Ramoth's remarkablematingflightwithhisMnementh.Thebronzedragonsmuglyechoedhisrider'scertainty,andbothlookedonthequeenpossessivelyasshecurvedherwingstoland.Shewas twiceNemorth's size, for one thing; herwingswere half-awingagainlongerthanMnementh's,whowasthebiggestofthesevenmalebronzes.F'larlookedtoRamothtorepopulatethefiveemptyWeyrs,evenashelookedtohimselfandLessatorejuvenatetheprideandfaithofdragonridersandofPernitself.Heonlyhoped timeenough remained tohim todowhatwasnecessary.TheRedStarhadbeenbracketedbytheEyeRock.TheThreadswouldsoonbefalling.Somewhere,inoneoftheotherWeyrs'Records,mustbetheinformationheneededtoascertainwhen,exactly,Threadswouldfall.

Mnementhlanded.F'lar jumpeddownfromthecurvingnecktostandbesideLessa.ThethreewatchedasRamoth,abuckgraspedineachofherforefeet,rosetoafeedingledge.

"Willherappetitenevertaperoff?"Lessaaskedwithaffectionatedismay.

Asadragonet,Ramothhadbeeneatingtogrow.Herfullstatureattained,shewas, of course, now eating for her young, and she applied herselfconscientiously.

F'larchuckledandsquatted,hunterfashion.Hepickedupshale-flakes,skatingthemacrosstheflatdryground,countingthedustpuffsboyishly.

"The time will come when she won't eat everything in sight," he assuredLessa."Butshe'syoung..."

"... and needs her strength," Lessa interrupted, her voice a fair imitation ofR'gul'spedantictones.

F'lar lookedupather, squintingagainst thewintry sun that slanteddownat

them.

"She's a finely grown beast, especially compared to Nemorth." He gave acontemptuous snort. "In fact, there isno comparison.However, lookhere,"heorderedperemptorily.

Hetappedthesmoothedsandinfrontofhim,andshesawthathisapparentlyidlegestureshadbeentoapurpose.Withasliverofstone,hedrewadesigninquickstrokes.

"In order to fly a dragon between, he has to knowwhere to go.And so doyou."Hegrinnedattheastonishedandinfuriatedlookofcomprehensiononherface. "Ah,but there are certain consequences to an ill-considered jump.Badlyvisualizedreferencepointsoften result instayingbetween."Hisvoicedroppedominously.Herfaceclearedofitsresentment."Sotherearecertainreferenceorrecognitionpointsarbitrarilytaughtallweyrlings.That,"-hepointedfirsttohisfacsimile and then to the actual Star Stone with its Finger and Eye Rockcompanions,onBendenpeak-"isthefirstrecognitionpointaweyrlinglearns.WhenItakeyoualoft,youwillreachanaltitudejustabovetheStarStone,nearenoughforyoutobeabletoseetheholeintheEyeRockclearly.Fixthatpicturesharplyinyourmind'seye,relayittoRamoth.Thatwillalwaysgetyouhome."

"Understood.ButhowdoIlearnrecognitionpointsofplacesI'veneverseen?"

Hegrinnedupather."You'redrilledinthem.Firstbyyourinstructor,"andhepointed the sliver at his chest, "and then by going there, having directed yourdragontogetthevisualizationfromherinstructor,"andheindicatedMnementh.Thebronzedragonloweredhiswedge-shapedheaduntiloneeyewasfocusedonhisriderandhismate'srider.Hemadeapleasednoisedeepinhischest.

Lessa laughedupat thegleamingeyeand,withunexpectedaffection,pattedthesoftnose.

F'larclearedhisthroatinsurprise.HehadbeenawarethatMnementhshowedanunusualaffectionfortheWeyrwoman,buthehadhadnoideaLessawasfondofthebronze.Perversely,hewasirritated.

"However,"hesaid,andhisvoicesoundedunnaturaltohimself,"wetakethe

youngridersconstantlytoandfromthemainreferencepointsallacrossPern,toall theHolds so that theyhaveeyewitness impressionsonwhich to rely.Asariderbecomesadeptinpickingoutlandmarks,hegetsadditionalreferencesfromotherriders.Therefore,togobetween,thereisactuallyonlyonerequirement:aclearpictureofwhereyouwanttogo.Andadragon!"Hegrinnedather."Also,youshouldalwaysplantoarriveaboveyourreferencepointinclearair."

Lessafrowned.

"Itisbettertoarriveinopenair"-F'larwavedahandabovehishead-"ratherthanunderground,"andheslappedhisopenhandonto thedirt.Apuffofdustrosewarningly.

"ButthewingstookoffwithintheBowlitselfthedaytheLordsoftheHoldarrived,"Lessaremindedhim.

F'larchuckledatheruptake."True,butonly themostseasonedriders.Oncewecameacrossadragonanda riderentombed together insolid rock.They ...were...veryyoung."Hiseyeswerebleak.

"I take the point," she assured him gravely. "That's her fifth," she added,pointingtowardRamoth,whowascarryingherlatestkilluptothebloodyledge.

"She'llworkthemofftoday,Iassureyou,"F'larremarked.Herose,brushingoffhiskneeswithsharpslapsofhisridinggloves."Testhertemper."

Lessadidsowithasilent.Hadenough?ShegrimacedatRamoth'sindignantrejectionofthethought.

Thequeenwent swoopingdown for a huge fowl, rising in a flurry of gray,brownandwhitefeathers.

"She'snotashungryasshe'smakingyou think, thedeceitfulcreature,"F'larchuckled and saw thatLessahad reached the same conclusion.Her eyesweresnappingwithvexation.

"Whenyou'vefinishedthebird,Ramoth,doletuslearnhowtoflybetween,"Lessa said aloud for F'lar's benefit, "before our goodWeyrleader changes his

mind."

Ramothlookedupfromhergorging,turnedherheadtowardthetworidersattheedgeof the feedingground.Hereyesgleamed.Shebentherheadagain toherkill,butLessacouldsensethedragonwouldobey.

Itwascoldaloft.Lessawasgladofthefurlininginherridinggear,andthewarmthofthegreatgoldenneckwhichshebestrode.Shedecidednottothinkoftheabsolutecoldofbetweenwhichshehadexperiencedonlyonce.SheglancedbelowonherrightwherebronzeMnementhhovered,andshecaughthisamusedthought.

F'lartellsmetotellRamothtotellyoutofixthealignmentoftheStarStonefirmlyinyourmindasahoming.Then,Mnementhwentonamiably,weshallflydown to the lake. You will return from between to this exact point. Do youunderstand?

Lessa found herself grinning foolishly with anticipation and noddedvigorously.Howmuchtimewassavedbecauseshecouldspeakdirectly to thedragons!

Ramoth made a disgruntled noise deep in her throat. Lessa patted herreassuringly.

"Haveyougot thepicture in yourmind, dear one?" she asked, andRamothagainrumbled,lessannoyed,becauseshewascatchingLessa'sexcitement.

Mnementhstrokedthecoldairwithhiswings,greenish-browninthesunlight,andcurveddowngracefullytowardthelakeontheplateaubelowBendenWeyr.HisflightlinetookhimverylowovertherimoftheWeyr.FromLessa'sangle,it looked like a collision course. Ramoth followed closely in his wake. Lessacaughtherbreathat thesightof thejaggedbouldersjustbelowRamoth'swingtips.

Itwasexhilarating,Lessacrowedtoherself,doublystimulatedbytheelationthatflowedbacktoherfromRamoth.

Mnementhhaltedabovethefarthestshoreofthelake,andthere,too,Ramoth

cametohover.

Mnementh flashed the thought toLessa that shewas to place the picture ofwhereshewishedtogofirmlyinhermindanddirectRamothtogetthere.

Lessacomplied.Thenextinstanttheawesome,bone-penetratingcoldofblackbetweenenvelopedthem.BeforeeithersheorRamothwasawareofmorethanthat biting touch of cold and impregnable darkness, theywere above the StarStone.

Lessaletoutacryofpuretriumph.

Itisextremelysimple.Ramothseemeddisappointed.

Mnementhreappearedbesideandslightlybelowthem.

Youare to returnby the same route to theLake,heordered,andbefore thethoughthadfinished,Ramothtookoff.

Mnementhwasbeside themabove the lake, fumingwithhisownandF'lar'sanger.You did not visualize before transferring.Don't think a first successfultrip makes you perfect. You have no conception of the dangers inherent inbetween.Neverfailtopictureyourarrivalpointagain.

Lessa glanced down at F'lar. Even two wingspans apart, she could see thevividangeronhis face,almost feel the furyflashingfromhiseyes.And lacedthrough thewrath,a terriblesinking fearfulness forhersafety thatwasamoreeffective reprimand than his wrath. Lessa's safety, she wondered bitterly, orRamoth's?

Youare to followus,Mnementhwas saying in a calmer tone, rehearsing inyourmindthetworeferencepointsyouhavealreadylearned.Weshalljumptoandfromthemthismorning,graduallylearningotherpointsaroundBenden.

They did. Flying as far away as Benden Hold itself, nestled against thefoothillsaboveBendenValley, theWeyrPeaka farpointagainst thenoondaysky,Lessadidnotneglecttovisualizeaclearlydetailedimpressioneachtime.

This was as marvelously exciting as she had hoped it would be, LessaconfidedtoRamoth.Ramothreplied:yes,itwascertainlypreferabletothetime-consumingmethodsothershadtouse,butshedidn'tthinkitwasexcitingatalltojump between fromBendenWeyr toBendenHold and back toBendenWeyragain.Itwasdull.

TheyhadmetwithMnementhabovetheStarStoneagain.Thebronzedragonsent Lessa the message that this was a very satisfactory initial session. Theywouldpracticesomedistantjumpingtomorrow.

Tomorrow, thought Lessa glumly, some emergencywill occur or our hard-workingWeyrleaderwilldecidetoday'ssessionconstituteskeepinghispromiseand that will be that. There was one jump she could make between, fromanywhereonPern,andnotmisshermark.

ShevisualizedRuathaforRamothasseenfromtheheightsabovetheHold...tosatisfythatrequirement.Tobescrupulouslyclear,Lessaprojectedthepatternof the firepits.Before Fax invaded and she had had tomanipulate its decline,Ruatha had been such a lovely, prosperous valley. She told Ramoth to jumpbetween.Thecoldwas intenseandseemed to last formanyheartbeats. JustasLessabegantofearthatshehadsomehowlostthembetween,theyexplodedintothe air above the Hold. Elation filled her. That for F'lar and his excessivecaution!WithRamothshecould jumpanywhere!For therewas thedistinctivepatternofRuatha'sfire-gutteredheights.Itwasjustbeforedawn,theBreastPassbetween Crom and Ruatha, black cones against the lightening gray sky.FleetinglyshenoticedtheabsenceoftheRedStarthatnowblazedinthedawnsky.Andfleetinglyshenoticedadifferenceintheair.Chill,yes,butnotwintry...theairheldthatmoistcoolnessofearlyspring.

Startled, she glanced downward, wondering if she could have, for all herassurance,erredinsomefashion.Butno,thiswasRuathaHold.TheTower,theinnerCourt,theaspectofthebroadavenueleadingdowntothecraftholdwerejustastheyshouldbe.Wispsofsmokefromdistantchimneysindicatedpeopleweremakingreadyfortheday.

Ramoth caught the tenor of her insecurity and began to press for anexplanation.

This isRuatha,Lessa replied stoutly. It can be no other.Circle the heights.See,therearethefirepitlinesIgaveyou....

Lessagasped,thecoldnessinherstomachfreezinghermuscles.

Belowherintheslowlyliftingpredawngloom,shesawthefiguresofmanymen toiling over the breast of the cliff from the hills beyond Ruatha, menmovingwithquietstealthlikecriminals.

SheorderedRamoth tokeepasstillaspossible in theair soasnot todirecttheirattentionupward.Thedragonwascuriousbutobedient.

WhowouldbeattackingRuatha?Itseemedincredible.Lytolwas,afterall,aformer dragonman and had savagely repelled one attack already. Could therepossibly be a thought of aggression among the Holds now that F'lar wasWeyrleader?AndwhatHoldLordwouldbefoolishenoughtomountaterritorialwarinthewinter?

No,notwinter.Theairwasdefinitelyspring-like.

Themencrepton,overthefirepitstotheedgeoftheheights.SuddenlyLessarealizedtheywereloweringropeladdersoverthefaceofthecliff,downtowardtheopenshuttersoftheInnerHold.

WildlysheclutchedatRamoth'sneck,certainofwhatshesaw.

Thiswas the invaderFax, nowdeadnearly threeTurns-FaxandhismenastheybegantheirattackonRuathanearlythirteenTurnsago.

Yes,therewastheTowerguard,hisfaceawhiteblotturnedtowardtheCliffitself,watching.Hehadbeenpaidhisbribetostandsilentthismorning.

But the watchwher, trained to give alarm for any intrusion-why was it nottrumpetingitswarning?Whywasitsilent?

Because,Ramothinformedherriderwithcalmlogic,itsensesyourpresenceaswellasmine,sohowcouldtheHoldbeindanger?

No,No!Lessamoaned.WhatcanIdonow?HowcanIwakethem?Whereisthe girl Iwas? Iwas asleep, and then Iwoke. I remember. I dashed frommyroom.Iwassoscared.Iwentdownthestepsandnearlyfell.IknewIhadtogettothewatchwher'skennel....Iknew....

LessaclutchedatRamoth'sneckforsupportaspastactsandmysteriesbecamedevastatinglyclear.

She herself had warned herself, just as it was her presence on the queendragon that had kept the watchwher from giving alarm. For as she watched,stunnedandspeechless,shesawthesmall,gray-robedfigurethatcouldonlybeherselfasayoungster,burstfromtheHoldHalldoor,raceuncertainlydownthecoldstonestepsintotheCourt,anddisappearintothewatchwher'sstinkingden.Faintlyshehearditcryinginpiteousconfusion.

JustasLessa-the-girlreachedthatdoubtfulsanctuary,Fax'sinvadersswoopedinto the open window embrasures and began the slaughter of her sleepingfamily.

"Back-backtotheStarStone!"Lessacried.Inherwideandstaringeyessheheld the image of the guiding rocks like a rudder for her sanity as well asRamoth'sdirection.

The intensecoldactedasa restorative.And then theywereabove thequiet,peacefulwintryWeyrasiftheyhadneverparadoxicallyvisitedRuatha.F'larandMnementhwere nowhere to be seen. Ramoth, however,was unshaken by theexperience.Shehadonlygonewhereshehadbeentoldtogoandhadnotquiteunderstood that goingwhere she had been told to go had shockedLessa. ShesuggestedtoherriderthatMnementhhadprobablyfollowedthemtoRuathasoif Lessa would give her the proper references, she'd take her there. Ramoth'ssensibleattitudewascomforting.

LessacarefullydrewforRamothnot thechild'smemoryofa long-vanished,idyllic Ruatha but her more recent recollection of the Hold, gray, sullen, atdawning,withaRedStarpulsingonthehorizon.

Andtheretheywereagain,hoveringovertheValley,theHoldbelowthemon

the right. The grasses grew untended on the heights, clogging firepit andbrickwork; the scene showed all the deterioration she had encouraged in herefforttothwartFaxofanyprofitfromconqueringRuathaHold

But, as she watched, vaguely disturbed, she saw a figure emerge from thekitchen,sawthewatchwhercreepfromitslairandfollowtheraggedlydressedfigureasfaracrosstheCourtasthechainpermitted.ShesawthefigureascendtheTower,gazefirsteastward,thennortheastward.ThiswasstillnotRuathaoftodayandnow!Lessa'smindreeled,disoriented.ThistimeshehadcomebacktovisitherselfofthreeTurnsago,toseethefilthydrudgeplottingrevengeonFax.

She felt the absolute cold of between as Ramoth snatched them back,emerging once more above the Star Stone. Lessa was shuddering, her eyesfranticallytakinginthereassuringsightoftheWeyrBowl,hopingshehadnotsomehowshiftedbackwardintimeyetagain.MnementhsuddenlyeruptedintotheairafewlengthsbelowandbeyondRamoth.Lessagreetedhimwithacryofintenserelief.

Back to your weyr! Therewas no disguising thewhite fury inMnementh'stone. Lessa was too unnerved to respond in any way other than instantcompliance.Ramothglidedswiftlytotheirledge,quicklyclearingtheperchforMnementhtoland.

TherageonF'lar'sfaceasheleapedfromMnementhandadvancedonLessabroughtherwitsbackabruptly.Shemadenomovetoevadehimashegrabbedhershouldersandshookherviolently.

"Howdareyou riskyourself andRamoth?Whymust youdefymeat everyopportunity?DoyourealizewhatwouldhappentoallPernifwelostRamoth?Wheredidyougo?"Hewasspittingwithanger,punctuatingeachquestionthattumbledfromhisUpsbygivingherahead-wrenchingshake.

"Ruatha,"shemanagedtosay,tryingtokeepherselferect.Shereachedouttocatchathisarms,butheshookheragain.

"Ruatha?Wewerethere.Youweren't.Wheredidyougo?"

"Ruatha!" Lessa cried louder, clutching at him distractedly because he kept

jerkingheroffbalance.Shecouldn'torganizeherthoughtswithhimjoltingheraround.

ShewasatRuatha,Mnementhsaidfirmly.

Weweretheretwice,Ramothadded.

As the dragons' calmer words penetrated F'lar's fury, he stopped shakingLessa.Shehunglimplyinhisgrasp,herhandsweaklypluckingathisarms,hereyesclosed,herfacegray.Hepickedherupandstroderapidlyintothequeen'sWeyr, the dragons following. He placed her upon the couch, wrapping hertightly in the fur cover.He calleddown the service shaft for theduty cook tosenduphotklah.

"Allright,whathappened?"hedemanded.

Shedidn'tlookathim,buthegotaglimpseofherhauntedeyes.Sheblinkedconstantlyasifshelongedtoerasewhatshehadjustseen.

Finallyshegotherselfsomewhatundercontrolandsaidinalow,tiredvoice,"IdidgotoRuatha.Only...IwentbacktoRuatha."

"Back to Ruatha?" F'lar repeated the words stupidly; the significancemomentarilyeludedhim.

Itcertainlydoes,MnementhagreedandflashedtoF'lar'smindthetwosceneshehadpickedoutofRamoth'smemory.

Staggered by the import of the visualization, F'lar found himself slowlysinkingtotheedgeofthebed.

"Youwentbetweentimes?"

She nodded slowly. The terror was beginning to leave her eyes. "Betweentimes,"F'larmurmured."Iwonder..."

His mind raced through the possibilities. It might well tip the scales ofsurvival in the Weyr's favor. He couldn't think exactly how to use this

extraordinaryability,buttheremustbeanadvantageinitfordragonfolk.

Theserviceshaftrumbled.Hetookthepitcherfromtheplatformandpouredtwomugs.

Lessa'shandswereshakingsomuchthatshecouldn'tgetherstoherlips.Hesteadieditforher,wonderingifgoingbetweentimeswouldregularlycausethiskindofshock.Ifso,itwouldn'tbeanyadvantageatall.Ifshe'dhadenoughofascare this day, shemight not be so contemptuous of his orders the next time;whichwouldbetohisbenefit.

Outsideintheweyr,Mnementhsnortedhisopiniononthat.F'larignoredhim.

Lessawastremblingviolentlynow.Heputanarmaroundher,pressingthefuragainstherslenderbody.Heheld themugtoher lips, forcingher todrink.Hecould feel the tremors ease off. She took long, slow, deep breaths betweenswallows,equallydetermined togetherselfundercontrol.Themomenthe felther stiffenunderhisarm,he releasedher.Hewondered ifLessahadeverhadsomeone to turn to.Certainly not after Fax invaded her familyHold. She hadbeen only eleven, a child. Had hate and revenge been the only emotions thegrowinggirlhadpracticed?

She lowered themug,cradling it inherhandscarefullyas if ithadassumedsomeundefinableimportancetoher.

"Now.Tellme,"heorderedevenly.

Shetookalongdeepbreathandbegantospeak,herhandstighteningaroundthemug.Herinnerturmoilhadnotlessened;itwasmerelyundercontrolnow.

"Ramoth and I were bored with the weyrling exercises," she admittedcandidly.

GrimlyF'larrecognizedthat,whiletheadventuremighthavetaughthertobemorecircumspect,ithadnotscaredherintoobedience.Hedoubtedthatanythingwould.

"IgaveherthepictureofRuathasowecouldgobetweenthere."Shedidnot

lookat him,butherprofilewasoutlined against thedark furof the rug. "TheRuathaIknewsowell-IaccidentallysentmyselfbackwardintimetothedayFaxinvaded."

Hershockwasnowcomprehensibletohim.

"And..."hepromptedher,hisvoicecarefullyneutral.

"AndIsawmyself -"Hervoicebrokeoff.Withaneffort shecontinued."IhadvisualizedforRamoththedesignsofthefirepitsandtheangleoftheHoldifone looked down from the pits into the Inner Court. That was where weemerged.Itwasjustdawn"-sheliftedherchinwithanervousjerk-"andtherewas noRed Star in the sky." She gave him a quick, defensive look as if sheexpectedhim tocontest thisdetail. "AndI sawmencreepingover the firepits,lowering rope ladders to the topwindowsof theHold. I saw theTowerguardwatching.Justwatching."Sheclenchedherteethatsuchtreachery,andhereyesgleamed malevolently. "And I saw myself run from the Hall into thewatchwher'slair.Anddoyouknowwhy"-hervoiceloweredtoabitterwhisper-"thewatchwherdidnotalarmtheHold?"

"Why?"

"Becausetherewasadragoninthesky,andI,LessaofRuatha,wasonher."Sheflungthemugfromherasifshewishedshecouldrejecttheknowledge,too."Because I was there, the watchwher did not alarm the Hold, thinking theintrusion legitimate,with one of theBlood on a dragon in the sky. So I" -herbodygrewrigid,herhandsclaspedsotightlythat theknuckleswerewhite-"Iwasthecauseofmyfamily'smassacre.NotFax!IfIhadnotactedthecaptiousfooltoday,IwouldnothavebeentherewithRamothandthewatchwherwould-"

Her voice had risen to an hysterical pitch of recrimination. He slapped hersharplyacrossthecheeks,grabbingher,robeandall,toshakeher.

The stunned look in her eyes and the tragedy in her face alarmed him.Hisindignationoverherwillfulnessdisappeared.Herunrulyindependenceofmindand spirit attractedhimasmuchasher curiousdarkbeauty. Infuriating asher

fractious ways might be, they were too vital a part of her integrity to beexorcised.Herindomitablewillhadtakenagrievousshocktoday,andherself-confidencehadbetterberestoredquickly.

"Onthecontrary,Lessa,"hesaidsternly,"Faxwouldstillhavemurderedyourfamily.He had planned it very carefully, even to scheduling his attack on themorningwhentheTowerguardwasonewhocouldbebribed.Remember,too,itwas dawn and the watchwher, being a nocturnal beast, blind by daylight, isrelievedof responsibilityatdawnandknows it.Yourpresence,damnableas itmayappeartoyou,wasnotthedecidingfactorbyanymeans.Itdid,andIdrawyourattentiontothisveryimportantfact,causeyoutosaveyourself,bywarningLessa-thechild.Don'tyouseethat?"

"Icouldhavecalledout,"shemurmured,butthefranticlookhadlefthereyesandtherewasafainthintofnormalcolorinherlips.

"Ifyouwish to flailaround inguilt,gorightahead,"hesaidwithdeliberatecallousness.

Ramoth interjecteda thought that,since the twoof themhadbeen there thatprevioustimeasFax'smenhadpreparedtoinvade,ithadalreadyhappened,sohowcould itbechanged?Theactwas inevitableboth thatdayand today.ForhowelsecouldLessahavelivedtocometotheWeyrandimpressRamothatthehatching?

Mnementh relayed Ramoth's message scrupulously, even to imitatingRamoth'segocentricnuances.F'lar lookedsharplyatLessa to see theeffectofRamoth'sastringentobservation.

"JustlikeRamothtohavethefinalword,"shesaidwithahintofherformerdrollhumor.

F'larfeltthemusclesalonghisneckandshouldersbegintorelax.She'dbeallright,hedecided,butitmightbewisertomakehertalkitalloutnow,toputthewholeexperienceintoproperperspective.

"Yousaidyouweretheretwice?"Heleanedbackonthecouch,watchingherclosely."Whenwasthesecondtime?"

"Can'tyouguess?"sheaskedsarcastically.

"No,"helied.

"WhenelsebutthedawnIwasawakened,feelingtheRedStarwasamenacetome?...ThreedaysbeforeyouandFaxcameoutofthenortheast."

"It would seem," he remarked dryly, "that youwere your own premonitionbothtimes."

Shenodded.

"Haveyouhadanymoreofthesepresentiments...orshouldIsayreinforcedwarnings?"

Sheshudderedbutansweredhimwithmoreofheroldspirit.

"No,butifIshould,yougo.Idon'twantto."

F'largrinnedmaliciously."Iwould,however,"sheadded,"liketoknowwhyandhowitcouldhappen."

"I've never run across amention of it anywhere," he told her candidly. "Ofcourse,ifyouhavedoneit-andyouundeniablyhave,"heassuredherhastilyatherindignantprotest,"itobviouslycanbedone.YousayyouthoughtofRuatha,but you thought of it as it was on that particular day. Certainly a day to beremembered.Youthoughtofspring,beforedawn,noRedStar-yes,Irememberyourmentioningthat-soonewouldhavetorememberreferencespeculiartoasignificantdaytoreturnbetweentimestothepast."

Shenoddedslowly,thoughtfully.

"You used the samemethod the second time, to get to the Ruatha of threeTurnsago.Again,ofcourse,itwasspring."

Herubbedhispalmstogether,thenbroughthishandsdownonhiskneeswithanemphaticslapandrosetohisfeet.

"I'llbeback,"hesaidandstrodefromtheroom,ignoringherhalf-articulatedcryofwarning.

RamothwascurlingupintheWeyrashepassedher.Henoticedthathercolorremainedgoodinspiteofthedrainonherenergiesbythemorning'sexercises.She glanced at him, her many-faceted eye already covered by the inner,protectivelid.

Mnementhawaitedhisriderontheledge,andthemomentF'larleapedtohisneck,tookoff.Hecircledupward,hoveringabovetheStarStone.

YouwishtotryLessa'strick,Mnementhsaid,unperturbedbytheprospectiveexperiment.

F'lar stroked the great curved neck affectionately. You understand how itworkedforRamothandLessa?

Aswellasanyonecan,Mnementhrepliedwiththeapproximationofashrug.Whendidyouhaveinmind?

BeforethatmomentF'larhadhadnoidea.Now,unerringly,histhoughtsdrewhim backward to the summer day R'gul's bronzeHath had flown tomate thegrotesque Nemorth, and R'gul had become Weyrleader in place of his deadfather,F'lon.

Onlythecoldofbetweengavethemanyindicationthattheyhadtransferred;theywerestillhoveringabovetheStarStone.F'larwonderediftheyhadmissedsomeessentialpartofthetransfer.Thenherealizedthatthesunwasinanotherquarter of the sky and the air was warm and sweet with summer. TheWeyrbelowwasempty;therewerenodragonssunningthemselvesontheledges,nowomen busy at tasks in the Bowl. Noises impinged on his senses: raucouslaughter,yells,shrieks,andasoftcrooningnoisethatdominatedthebedlam.

Then,fromthedirectionoftheweyrlingbarracksintheLowerCaverns,twofiguresemerged-astriplingandayoungbronzedragon.Theboy'sarmlaylimplyalongthebeast'sneck.Theimpressionthatreachedthehoveringobserverswasone of utter dejection. The two halted by the lake, the boy peering into theunruffledbluewaters,thenglancingupwardtowardthequeen'sweyr.

F'lar knew the boy for himself, and compassion for that younger self filledhim. If only he could reassure that boy, so torn by grief, so filled withresentment,thathewouldonedaybecomeWeyrleader...

Abruptly,startledbyhisownthoughts,heorderedMnementhtotransferback.Theuttercoldofbetweenwaslikeaslapinhisface,replacedalmostinstantlyastheybrokeoutofbetweenintothecoldofnormalwinter.

Slowly,Mnementhflewbackdowntothequeen'sweyr,assoberedasF'larbywhattheyhadseen.

2Countthreemonthsandmore,

Andfiveheatedweeks,

Adayofgloryand

Inamonth,whoseeks?

Risehighinglory,

Bronzeandgold.

Diveentwined,

EnhancetheHold.

Astrandofsilver

Inthesky...

Withheat,allquickens

Andalltimesfly.

"IDON'TKNOWwhyyouinsistedthatF'norunearththeseridiculousthingsfrom IstaWeyr," Lessa exclaimed in a tone of exasperation. "They consist ofnothingbuttrivialnotesonhowmanymeasuresofgrainwereusedtobakedailybread."

F'larglancedupatherfromtheRecordshewasstudying.Hesighed, leanedbackinhischairinabone-poppingstretch.

"AndIusedtothink,"Lessasaidwitharuefulexpressiononhervivid,narrowface, "that thosevenerableRecordswouldhold the total sumofalldragonloreandhumanwisdom.OrsoIwasledtobelieve,"sheaddedpointedly.

F'larchuckled."Theydo,butyouhavetodisinterit."

Lessa wrinkled her nose. "Phew. They smell as if we had ... and the onlydecentthingtodowouldbetoreburythem."

"Which is another item I'mhoping to find ... the old preservative techniquethatkepttheskinsfromhardeningandsmelling."

"It'sstupid,anyhow,touseskinsforrecording.Thereoughttobesomethingbetter.Wehavebecome,dearWeyrleader,entirelytoohidebound."

WhileF'larroaredwithappreciationofherpun,sheregardedhimimpatiently.Suddenlyshejumpedup,firedbyanotherofhermercurialmoods.

"Well,youwon'tfindit.Youwon'tfindthefactsyou'relookingfor.BecauseIknowwhatyou'rereallyafter,anditisn'trecorded!"

"Explainyourself."

"It'stimewestoppedhidingaratherbrutaltruthfromourselves."

"Whichis?"

"Ourmutual feeling that theRedStar isamenaceand that theThreadswillcome!Wedecidedthatoutofpureconceitandthenwentbackbetweentimestoparticularlycrucialpointsinourlivesandstrengthenedthatnotion,inourearlierselves.And for you, itwaswhenyou decided youwere destined" - her voicemadethewordmocking-"tobecomeWeyrleaderoneday."

"Coulditbe,"shewentonscornfully,"thatourultraconservativeR'gulhastheright of it? That there have been no Threads for four hundred Turns becausetherearenomore?Andthat thereasonwehavesofewdragonsisbecausethedragonssensetheyarenolongeressentialtoPern?Thatweareanachronismsaswellasparasites?"

F'lardidnotknowhowlonghesatlookingupatherbitterfaceorhowlongittookhimtofindanswerstoherprobingquestions.

"Anything is possible, Weyrwoman," he heard his voice replying calmly."Includingtheunlikelyfactthataneleven-year-oldchild,scaredstiff,couldplotrevengeonherfamily'smurdererand-againstallodds-succeed."

Shetookaninvoluntarystepforward,struckbyhisunexpectedrebuttal.Shelistenedintently.

"I prefer to believe," hewent on inexorably, "that there ismore to life thanraisingdragonsandplayingspringgames.Thatisnotenoughforme.AndIhavemadeotherslookfurther,beyondself-interestandcomfort.Ihavegiventhemapurpose,adiscipline.Everyone,dragonfolkandHolderalike,profits.

"IamnotlookingintheseRecordsforreassurance.I'mlookingforsolidfacts.

"Icanprove,Weyrwoman,thattherehavebeenThreads.Icanprovethattherehavebeen Intervalsduringwhich theWeyrshavedeclined. I canprove that ifyou sight the Red Star directly bracketed by the Eye Rock at themoment ofwintersolstice,theRedStarwillpasscloseenoughtoPerntothrowonThreads.Since I can prove those facts, I believePern is in danger. I believe ... not theyoungsteroffifteenTurnsago.F'lar,thebronzerider,theWeyrleader,believesit!"

Hesawhereyesreflectingshadowydoubts,buthesensedhisargumentswerebeginningtoreassureher.

"You feltconstrained tobelieve inmeoncebefore,"hewenton inamildervoice,"whenIsuggestedthatyoucouldbeWeyrwoman.Youbelievedmeand..."Hemadeagesturearoundtheweyrassubstantiation.

Shegavehimaweak,humorlesssmile.

"Thatwas because I had never plannedwhat to dowithmy life once I didhave Fax lying dead at my feet. Of course, being Ramoth's Weyrmate iswonderful,but" - she frownedslightly-"it isn't enoughanymore,either.That'swhyIwantedsotolearntoflyand..."

"... that's how this argument started in the first place,"F'lar finished for herwithasardonicsmile.

Heleanedacrossthetableurgently.

"Believewithme,Lessa,untilyouhavecausenot to. I respectyourdoubts.There's nothing wrong in doubting. It sometimes leads to greater faith. Butbelieve with me until spring. If the Threads have not fallen by then ..." Heshruggedfatalistically.

She looked at him for a longmoment and then inclined her head slowly inagreement.

He tried to suppress the relief he felt at her decision. Lessa, as Fax haddiscovered,was a ruthless adversary and a canny advocate.Besides these, shewasWeyrwoman:essentialtohisplans.

"Now,let'sgetbacktothecontemplationoftrivia.Theydotellme,youknow,time, place, and duration of Thread incursions," he grinned up at herreassuringly."AndthosefactsImusthavetomakeupmytimetable."

"Timetable?Butyousaidyoudidn'tknowthetime."

"NowthedaytothesecondwhentheThreadsmayspindown.Foronething,while the weather holds so unusually cold for this time of year, the Threadssimply turnbrittleandblowaway likedust.They'reharmless.However,whenthe air iswarm, they are viable and ... deadly."Hemade fists of both hands,placingoneaboveandtoonesideoftheother."TheRedStarismyrighthand,myleftisPern.TheRedStarturnsveryfastandintheoppositedirectionfromus.Italsowobbleserratically."

"Howdoyouknowthat?"

"DiagramonthewallsoftheFortWeyrHatchingGround.ThatwastheveryfirstWeyr,youknow."

Lessasmiledsourly."Iknow."

"So,when the Starmakes a pass, theThreads spin off, down toward us, inattacksthatlastsixhoursandoccurapproximatelyfourteenhoursapart."

"Attackslastsixhours?"

Henoddedgravely."WhentheRedStarisclosest tous.Rightnowit is justbeginningitsPass."

Shefrowned.

Herummagedamongtheskinsheetsonthetable,andanobjectdroppedtothestonefloorwithametallicclatter.

Curious,Lessabenttopickitup,turningthethinsheetoverinherhands.

"What'sthis?"Sherananexploratoryfingerlightlyacrosstheirregulardesignononeside.

"Idon'tknow.F'norbroughtitbackfromFortWeyr.ItwasnailedtooneofthechestsinwhichtheRecordshadbeenstored.Hebroughtitalong,thinkingitmightbeimportant.SaidtherewasaplatelikeitjustundertheRedStardiagramonthewalloftheHatchingGround."

"Thisfirstpartisplainenough:'Mother'sfather'sfather,whodepartedforalltime between, said thiswas the key to themystery, and it came to himwhiledoodling:he said that he said:ARRHENIUS?EUREKA!MYCORRHIZA... .'Ofcourse,thatpartdoesn'tmakeanysenseatall,"Lessasnorted."Itisn'tevenPernese-justbabbling,thoselastthreewords."

"I'vestudiedit,Lessa,"F'larreplied,glancingatitagainandtippingittowardhimtoreaffirmhisconclusions."Theonlywaytodepartforalltimebetweenistodie,right?Peoplejustdon'tflyawayontheirown,obviously.Soitisadeathvision, dutifully recordedby agrandchild,whocouldn't spell verywell either.'Doodling'asthepresenttenseofdying!"Hesmiledindulgently."Andasfortherestofit,afterthenonsense-likemostdeathvisions,it 'explains'whateveryonehasalwaysknown.Readon."

"'Flamethrowingfirelizardstowipeoutthespores.Q.E.D.'?"

"No help there, either. Obviously just a primitive rejoicing that he is adragonman,whodidn'tevenknowtherightwordforThreads."F'lar'sshrugwasexpressive.

Lessawetone fingertip to see if thepatternswere inkedon.Themetalwasshinyenoughforagoodmirrorifshecouldgetridofthedesigns.However,thepatternsremainedsmoothandprecise.

"Primitiveor no, theyhad amorepermanentwayof recording their visionsthatissuperiortoeventhewell-preservedskins,"shemurmured.

"Well-preserved babblings," F'lar said, turning back to the skins he wascheckingforunderstandabledata.

"Abadlyscoredballad?"Lessawonderedandthendismissedthewholething."Thedesignisn'tevenpretty."

F'larpulledforwardachartthatshowedoverlappinghorizontalbandsimposedontheprojectionofPern'scontinentalmass.

"Here," he said, "this represents waves of attack, and this one" - he pulledforwardthesecondmapwithverticalbandings-"showstimezones.Soyoucanseethatwithafourteen-hourbreakonlycertainpartsofPernareaffectedineachattack.OnereasonforspacingoftheWeyrs."

"SixfullWeyrs,"shemurmured,"closetothreethousanddragons."

"I'm aware of the statistics," he replied in a voice devoid of expression. "ItmeantnooneWeyrwasoverburdenedduringtheheightoftheattacks,notthatthreethousandbeastsmustbeavailable.However,withthesetimetables,wecanmanageuntilRamoth'sfirstclutcheshavematured."

She turned a cynical look on him. "You've a lot of faith in one queen'scapacity."

Hewavedthatremarkasideimpatiently."I'vemorefaith,nomatterwhatyouropinionis,inthestartlingrepetitionsofeventsintheseRecords."

"Ha!"

"I don't mean howmanymeasures for daily bread, Lessa," he retorted, hisvoicerising."Imeansuchthingsasthetimesuchandsuchawingwassentoutonpatrol,howlongthepatrollasted,howmanyriderswerehurt.Thebroodingcapacitiesofqueens,duringthefiftyyearsaPasslastsandtheIntervalsbetweensuch Passes. Yes, it tells that. By all I've studied here," and he poundedemphaticallyontheneareststackofdusty,smellyskins,"NemorthshouldhavebeenmatingtwiceaTurnforthelastten.Hadsheevenkepttoherpaltrytwelveaclutch,we'dhave twohundredand fortymorebeasts... .Don't interrupt.Butwe had Jora asWeyrwoman andR'gul asWeyrleader, andwe had fallen intoplanet-wide disfavor during a four hundred Turn Interval.Well, Ramoth willbroodovernomeaslydozen, and she'll layaqueenegg,markmywords.Shewill riseoften tomateandlaygenerously.Bythe timetheRedStar ispassingclosesttousandtheattacksbecomefrequent,we'llbeready."

Shestaredathim,hereyeswidewithincredulity."OutofRamoth?"

"OutofRamothandoutofthequeensshe'lllay.Remember,thereareRecordsofFaranthlayingsixtyeggsatatime,includingseveralqueeneggs."

Lessacouldonlyshakeherheadslowlyinwonder.

" 'Astrandofsilver/In thesky... .Withheat,allquickens/Andall times fly,'"F'larquotedtoher.

"She'sgotweeksmoretogobeforelaying,andthentheeggsmusthatch..."

"Beenon theHatchingGroundrecently?Wearyourboots.You'llbeburnedthroughsandals."

Shedismissed thatwith agutturalnoise.He satback,outwardlyamusedbyherdisbelief.

"AndthenyouhavetomakeImpressionandwait till theriders-"shewenton.

"WhydoyouthinkI'veinsistedonolderboys?Thedragonsarematurelong

beforetheirriders."

"Thenthesystemisfaulty."

Henarrowedhiseyesslightly,shakingthestylusather.

"Dragontraditionstartedoutasaguide...buttherecomesatimewhenmanbecomes too traditional, too -whatwas ityousaid? - toohidebound?Yes, it'straditional touse theweyrbred,because it'sbeenconvenient.Andbecause thissensitivity todragons strengthenswhereboth sireanddamareweyrbred.Thatdoesn'tmeanweyrbredisbest.You,forexample..."

"There'sWeyrbloodintheRuathanline,"shesaidproudly.

"Granted.TakeyoungNaton;he'scraftbredfromNabol,yetF'nortellsmehecanmakeCanthunderstandhim."

"Oh,that'snothardtodo,"sheinterjected.

"Whatdoyoumean?"F'larjumpedonherstatement.

Theywerebothinterruptedbyahigh-pitched,penetratingwhine.F'larlistenedintentlyforamomentandthenshrugged,grinning.

"Somegreen'sgettingherselfchasedagain."

"And that'sanother item theseso-calledall-knowingRecordsofyoursnevermention.Whyisitthatonlythegolddragoncanreproduce?"

F'lardidnotsuppressalasciviouschuckle.

"Well, for one thing, firestone inhibits reproduction. If they never chewedstone,agreencouldlay,butatbesttheyproducesmallbeasts,andweneedbigones.And,foranotherthing"-hischucklerolledoutashewentondeliberately,grinning mischievously- "if the greens could reproduce, considering theiramorousness and the numbers we have of them, we'd be up to our ears indragonsinnexttonotime."

The first whine was joined by another, and then a low hum throbbed as ifcarriedbythestonesoftheWeyritself.

F'lar, his face changing rapidly from surprise to triumphant astonishment,dashedupthepassage.

"What'sthematter?"Lessademanded,pickingupherskirtstorunafterhim."Whatdoesthatmean?"

Thehum, resonatingeverywhere,wasdeafening in the echo-chamberof thequeen'sweyr.LessaregisteredthefactthatRamothwasgone.SheheardF'lar'sboots pounding down the passage to the ledge, a sharp ta-ta-tat over thekettledrum booming hum. The whine was so high-pitched now that it wasinaudible,butstillnerve-racking.Disturbed,frightened,LessafollowedF'larout.

Bythetimeshereachedtheledge,theBowlwasa-whirwithdragonsonthewing,making for the high entrance to theHatchingGround.Weyrfolk, riders,women,children,allscreamingwithexcitement,werepouringacrosstheBowltothelowerentrancetotheGround.

ShecaughtsightofF'lar,chargingacrosstotheentrance,andsheshriekedathimtowaitHecouldn'thaveheardheracrossthebedlam.

Fumingbecauseshehadthelongstairstodescend,thenmustdoublebackasthe stairs faced the feeding grounds at the opposite end of theBowl from theHatchingGround, Lessa realized that she, theWeyrwoman,would be the lastonethere.

Why had Ramoth decided to be secretive about laying? Wasn't she closeenoughtoherownweyrmatetowantherwithher?

Adragonknowswhattodo,RamothcalmlyinformedLessa.

Youcouldhavetoldme,Lessawailed,feelingmuchabused.

Why,atthetimeF'larhadbeengoingonlargelyabouthugeclutchesandthreethousandbeasts,thatinfuriatingdragon-childhadbeendoingit!

Itdidn'timproveLessa'stempertohavetorecallanotherremarkofF'lar's-onthestateoftheHatchingGrounds.Themomentshesteppedintothemountain-high cavern, she felt the heat through the soles of her sandals. Everyonewascrowded ina loosecirclearound the farendof thecavern.Andeveryonewasswayingfromfoottofoot.AsLessawasshorttobeginwith,thisonlydecreasedthelikelihoodofhereverseeingwhatRamothhaddone.

"Letmethrough!"shedemandedimperiously,poundingonthewidebacksoftwotallriders.

Anaislewasreluctantlyopenedforher,andshewentthrough,lookingneithertoherrightorleftattheexcitedweyrfolk.Shewasfurious,confused,hurt,andknewshelookedridiculousbecausethehotsandmadeherwalkwithacuriousmincingquickstep.

Shehalted,stunnedandwide-eyedatthemassofeggs,andforgotsuchtrivialthings as hot feet. Ramothwas curled around the clutch, looking enormouslypleasedwith herself. She, too, kept shifting, closing and opening a protectivewingoverhereggs,sothatitwasdifficulttocountthem.

Noonewillstealthem,silly,sostopfluttering,Lessaadvisedasshetriedtomakeatally.

Obediently Ramoth folded her wings. To relieve her maternal anxiety,however, she snaked her head out across the circle ofmottled, glowing eggs,lookingallaroundthecavern,flickingherforkedtongueinandout.

An immense sigh, like a gust ofwind, swept through the cavern.For there,nowthatRamoth'swingswerefurled,gleamedaneggofglowinggoldamongthemottledones.Aqueenegg!

"Aqueenegg!"Thecrywentupsimultaneouslyfromhalfahundredthroats.TheHatchingGroundrangwithcheers,yells,screams,andhowlsofexultation.

SomeoneseizedLessaandswungheraroundinanexcessoffeeling.Akisslandedinthevicinityofhermouth.Nosoonerdidsherecoverherfootingthanshe was hugged by someone else - she thought it was Manora - and thenpoundedandbuffetedaroundincongratulationuntilshewasreelinginakindof

dancebetweenavoidingthecelebrantsandeasingthegrowingdiscomfortofherfeet.

She broke from themilling revelers and ran across theGround to Ramoth.Lessacame toa suddenstopbefore theeggs.Theyseemed tobepulsing.Theshells looked flaccid. She could have sworn they were hard the day sheImpressedRamoth.Shewantedtotouchone,justtomakesure,butdarednot.

Youmay,Ramothassuredhercondescendingly.ShetouchedLessa'sshouldergentlywithhertongue.

The eggwas soft to touch andLessa drewher handbackquickly, afraid ofdoinginjury.

Theheatwillhardenit,Ramothsaid.

"Ramoth,I'msoproudofyou,"Lessasighed,lookingadoringlyupatthegreateyesthatshoneinrainbowsofpride."Youarethemostmarvelousqueenever.IdobelieveyouwillredragonalltheWeyrs.Idobelieveyouwill."

Ramothinclinedherheadregally,thenbegantoswayitfromsidetosideoverthe eggs, protectingly. She began to hiss suddenly, raising from her crouch,beating the air with her wings, before settling back into the sands to lay yetanotheregg.

Theweyrfolk, uncomfortable on the hot sands,were beginning to leave theHatchingGroundnowthattheyhadpaidtributetothearrivalofthegoldenegg.A queen took several days to complete her clutch so there was no point towaiting. Seven eggs already lay beside the important golden one, and if thereweresevenalready,thisauguredwellfortheeventualtotal.WagerswerebeingmadeandtakenevenasRamothproducedherninthmottledegg.

"JustasIpredicted,aqueenegg,bythemotherofusall,"F'lar'svoicesaidinLessa'sear."AndI'llwagerthere'llbetenbronzesatleast."

She looked up at him, completely in harmony with theWeyrleader at thismoment.ShewasconsciousnowofMnementh,crouchingproudlyona ledge,gazingfondlyathismate.ImpulsivelyLessalaidherhandonF'lar'sarm.

"F'lar,Idobelieveyou."

"Onlynow?"F'larteasedher,buthissmilewaswideandhiseyesproud.

3Weyrman,watch;Weyrman,learn

SomethingnewineveryTurn,

Oldestmaybecoldest,too.

Sensetheright;findthetrue!

IF F'lar's orders over the next months caused no end of discussion andmuttering among the weyrfolk, they seemed to Lessa to be only the logicaloutcomes of their discussion after Ramoth had finished laying her gratifyingtotalofforty-oneeggs.

F'lar discarded tradition right and left, treading on more than R'gul'sconservativetoes.

Outofperversedistaste foroutworndoctrinesagainstwhichsheherselfhadchafedduringR'gul'sleadership,andoutofrespectforF'lar'sintelligence,Lessabackedhimcompletely.Shemightnothaverespectedherearlierpromisetohimthatshewouldbelievewithhimuntilspringifshehadnotseenhispredictionscome true, one after another. These were based, however, not on thepremonitions she no longer trusted after her experience between times, but onrecordedfacts.

Assoonas theeggshellshardenedandRamothhad rolledher specialqueenegg to one side of themottled clutch for attentive brooding, F'lar brought theprospective riders into theHatchingGround. Traditionally the candidates sawtheeggsforthefirsttimeonthedayofImpression.TothisprecedentF'laraddedothers:veryfewofthesixty-oddwereweyrbred,andmostofthemwereintheirlateteens.Thecandidatesweretogetusedtotheeggs,touchthem,caressthem,be comfortable with the notion that out of these eggs young dragons would

hatch,eagerandwaitingtobeImpressed.F'larfeltthatsuchapracticemightcutdownoncasualtiesduringImpressionwhentheboysweresimplytooscaredtomoveoutofthewayoftheawkwarddragonets.

F'laralsohadLessapersuadeRamothto letKylaranearherpreciousgoldenegg.Kylarareadilyenoughweanedhersonandspenthours,withLessaactingashertutor,besidethegoldenegg.DespiteKylara'slooseattachmenttoT'bor,sheshowed an open preference for F'lar's company. Therefore, Lessa took greatpainstofosterF'lar'splanforKylarasinceitmeantherremoval,withthenew-hatchedqueen,toFortWeyr.

F'lar's use of the Hold-born as riders served an additional purpose. Shortlybefore the actual Hatching and Impression, Lytol, the Warder appointed atRuathaHold,sentanothermessage.

"Themanpositivelydelights in sendingbadnews,"Lessa remarkedasF'larpassedthemessageskintoher.

"He's gloomy," F'nor agreed.He had brought themessage. "I feel sorry forthatyoungstercoopedupwithsuchapessimist."

Lessa frownedat thebrown rider.Shestill founddistastefulanymentionofGemma'sson,nowLordofherancestralHold.Yet ...asshehadinadvertentlycausedhismother'sdeathandshecouldnotbeWeyrwomanandLadyHolderatthesametime,itwasfittingthatGemma'sJaxombeLordatRuatha.

"I, however," F'lar said, "am grateful for his warnings. I suspected Meronwouldcausetroubleagain."

"He has shifty eyes, like Fax's," Lessa remarked. "Shifty-eyed or not, he'sdangerous,"F'laranswered. "And Icannothavehimspreading rumors thatwearedeliberatelychoosingmenoftheBloodtoweakenFamilyLines."

"There are more craftsmen's sons than Holders' boys, in any case," F'norsnorted.

"Idon'tlikehimquestioningthattheThreadshavenotappeared,"Lessasaidgloomily.

F'lar shrugged. "They'll appear in due time. Be thankful the weather hascontinuedcold.WhentheweatherwarmsupandstillnoThreadsappear,thenIwillworry."HegrinnedatLessainanintimatereminderofherpromise.

F'norclearedhisthroathastilyandlookedaway.

"However," theWeyrleaderwent on briskly, "I can do something about theotheraccusation."

So,whenitwasapparentthattheeggswereabouttohatch,hebrokeanotherlong-standing tradition and sent riders to fetch the fathers of the youngcandidatesfromcraftandHold.ThegreatHatchingCaverngavetheappearanceofbeingalmost full asHolderandWeyrfolkwatched from the tiersabove theheated Ground. This time, Lessa observed, there was no aura of fear. Theyouthfulcandidateswere tense,yes,butnot frightenedoutof theirwitsby therocking, shattering eggs. When the ill-coordinated dragonets awkwardlystumbled-itseemedtoLessathattheydeliberatelylookedaroundattheeagerfacesasthoughpre-Impressed-theyouthseithersteppedtoonesideoreagerlyadvancedasacrooningdragonetmadehischoice.TheImpressionsweremadequickly and with no accidents. All too soon, Lessa thought, the triumphantprocessionofstumblingdragonsandproudnewridersmovederraticallyoutoftheHatchingGroundtothebarracks.

The young queen burst from her shell and moved unerringly for Kylara,standing confidently on the hot sands. The watching beasts hummed theirapproval.

"Itwasovertoosoon,"LessasaidinadisappointedvoicethateveningtoF'lar.

He laughed indulgently, allowing himself a rare evening of relaxation nowthatanotherstephadgoneasplanned.TheHolderfolkhadbeenriddenhome,stunned,dazed,andthemselvesimpressedbytheWeyrandtheWeyrleader.

"That'sbecauseyouwerewatchingthistime,"heremarked,brushingalockofher hair back. It obscured his view of her profile.He chuckled again. "You'llnoticeNaton..."

"N'ton,"shecorrectedhim."Allright,N'ton-Impressedabronze."

"Justasyoupredicted,"shesaidwithsomeasperity.

"AndKylaraisWeyrwomanforPridith."Lessadidnotcommentonthat,andshedidherbesttoignorehislaughter.

"Iwonderwhichbronzewillflyher,"hemurmuredsoftly.

"IthadbetterbeT'bor'sOrth,"Lessasaid,bridling.Heansweredhertheonlywayawisemancould.

4Crackdust,blackdust,

Turninfreezingair.

Wastedust,spacedust,

FromRedStarbare.

LESSAWOKE abruptly, her head aching, her eyes blurred, hermouth dry.She had the immediate memory of a terrible nightmare that, just as quickly,escapedrecall.Shebrushedherhairoutofherfaceandwassurprisedtofindthatshehadbeensweatingheavily.

"F'lar?"shecalledinanuncertainvoice.Hehadevidentlyrisenearly."F'lar,"shecalledagain,louder.

He'scoming,Mnementhinformedher.Lessasensedthatthedragonwasjustlanding on the ledge. She touchedRamoth and found that the queen, too, hadbeenbotheredby formless, frighteningdreams.Thedragon rousedbriefly andthenfellbackintodeepersleep.

Disturbedbyhervaguefears,Lessaroseanddressed,forgoingabathforthefirsttimesinceshehadarrivedattheWeyr.

Shecalleddowntheshaftforbreakfast,thenplaitedherhairwithdeftfingersasshewaited.

ThetrayappearedontheshaftplatformjustasF'larentered.HekeptlookingbackoverhisshoulderatRamoth."What'sgottenintoher?"

"Echoingmynightmare.Iwokeinacoldsweat."

"YouweresleepingquietlyenoughwhenIlefttoassignpatrols.Youknow,attheratethosedragonetsaregrowing,they'realreadycapableoflimitedflightAlltheydoiseatandsleep,andthat's..."

"... what makes a dragon grow," Lessa finished for him and sippedthoughtfullyathersteaminghotklah."Youaregoingtobeextra-carefulabouttheirdrillprocedures,aren'tyou?"

"Youmeantopreventaninadvertentflightbetweentimes?Icertainlyam,"heassuredher."Idon'twantboreddragonridersirresponsiblypoppinginandout"Hegaveheralong,sternlook.

"Well,itwasn'tmyfaultnoonetaughtmetoflyearlyenough,"sherepliedinthe sweet tone sheusedwhen shewasbeingespeciallymalicious. "If I'dbeendrilled fromthedayof Impression to thedayofmyfirst flight, I'dneverhavediscoveredthattrick."

"Trueenough,"hesaidsolemnly.

"You know, F'lar, if I discovered it, someone elsemust have, and someoneelsemay.Iftheyhaven'talready."

F'lardrank,makingafaceastheklahscaldedhistongue."Idon'tknowhowtofindoutdiscreetly.Wewouldbefoolishtothinkwewerethefirst.Itis,afterall,aninherentabilityindragons,oryouwouldneverhavebeenabletodoit."

Shefrowned, tookaquickbreath,andthen let itgo,shrugging."Goon,"heencouragedher."Well,isn'titpossiblethatourconvictionabouttheimminenceof theThreads could stem fromone of us comingbackwhen theThreads areactuallyfalling?Imean..."

"My dear girl, we have both analyzed every stray thought and action-evenyourdreamthismorningupsetyou,althoughitwasnodoubtduetoallthewineyoudranklastnight-untilwewouldn'tknowanhonestpresentimentifitwalkedupandslappedusintheface."

"Ican'tdismissthethoughtthatthisbetweentimesabilityisofcrucialvalue,"shesaidemphatically.

"That,mydearWeyrwoman,isanhonestpresentiment."

"Butwhy?"

"Notwhy,"hecorrectedhercryptically. "When."An idea stirredvaguely inthe back of his mind. He tried to nudge it out where he could mull it over.MnementhannouncedthatF'norwasenteringtheweyr.

"What's thematterwith you?" F'lar demanded of his half brother, for F'norwaschokingandsputtering,hisfaceredwiththeparoxysm.

"Dust..."hecoughed,slappingathissleevesandchestwithhisridinggloves."Plentyofdust,butnoThreads,"hesaid,describingawidearcwithonearmashe fluttered his fingers suggestively. He brushed his tight wherhide pants,scowlingasafineblackdustdriftedoff.

F'lar felt everymuscle inhisbody tense ashewatched thedust float to thefloor.

"Wheredidyougetsodusty?"hedemanded.

F'norregardedhimwithmildsurprise."WeatherpatrolinTillek.Entirenorthhasbeenplaguedwithduststormslately.ButwhatIcameinfor ..."Hebrokeoff,alarmedbyF'lar'stautimmobility."What'sthematterwithdust?"heaskedinabaffledvoice.

F'larpivotedonhisheeland raced for thestairs to theRecordRoom.Lessawasrightbehindbun,F'norbelatedlytrailingafter.

"Tillek,yousaid?"F'larbarkedathiswingsecond.Hewasclearingthetableofstacksforthefourchartshethenlaidout."Howlonghavethesestormsbeengoingon?Whydidn'tyoureportthem?"

"Reportduststorms?Youwantedtoknowaboutwarmairmasses."

"Howlonghavethesestormsbeengoingon?"F'lar'svoicecrackled.

"Closetoaweek."

"Howclose?"

"Six days ago the first stormwas noticed in upper Tillek. They have beenreported inBitra,UpperTelgar,Crom, and theHighReaches," F'nor reportedtersely.

HeglancedhopefullyatLessabutsawshe,too,wasstaringatthefourunusualcharts. He tried to see why the horizontal and vertical strips had beensuperimposedonPern'slandmass,butthereasonwasbeyondhim.

F'larwasmaking hurried notations, pushing first onemap and then anotherawayfromhim.

"Tooinvolvedtothinkstraight,toseeclearly,tounderstand,"theWeyrleadersnarledtohimself,throwingdownthestylusangrily.

"You did say only warm air masses," F'nor heard himself saying humbly,awarethathehadsomehowfailedhisWeyrleader.

F'larshookhisheadimpatiently.

"Notyourfault,F'nor.Mine.Ishouldhaveasked.Iknewitwasgoodluckthatthe weather held so cold." He put both hands on F'nor's shoulders, lookingdirectly intohiseyes. "TheThreadshavebeen falling,"heannouncedgravely."Falling into cold air, freezing into bits to drift on the wind" - F'lar imitatedF'nor'sfinger-fluttering-"asspecksofblackdust."

" 'Crack dust, blackdust,'"Lessa quoted. "In "TheBallad ofMoreta'sRide,'thechorusisallaboutblackdust."

"Idon'tneedtoberemindedofMoretarightnow,"F'largrowled,bendingtothemaps."ShecouldtalktoanydragonintheWeyrs."

"ButIcandothat!"Lessaprotested.

Slowly,asifhedidn'tquitecredithisears,F'larturnedbacktoLessa."Whatdidyoujustsay?"

"IsaidIcantalktoanydragonintheWeyr."Stillstaringather,blinkinginutterastonishment,F'larsankdowntothetabletop.

"Howlong,"hemanagedtosay,"haveyouhadthisparticularskill?"

Somethinginhistone,inhismanner,causedLessatoflushandstammerlikean erring weyrling. "I ... I always could. Beginning with the watchwher atRuatha."ShegesturedindecisivelyinRuatha'swesterlydirection."AndItalkedtoMnementhatRuatha.And...whenIgothere,Icould..."HervoicefalteredattheaccusinglookinF'lar'scold,hardeyes.Accusingand,worse,contemptuous.

"Ithoughtyouhadagreedtohelpme,tobelieveinme?"

"I'm truly sorry, F'lar. It never occurred tome itwas of anyuse to anyone,but..."

F'lar exploded onto both feet, his eyes blazing with aggravation. "The onethingIcouldnotfigureoutwashowtodirectthewingsandkeepincontactwiththeWeyrduringanattack,howIwasgoingtogetreinforcementsandfirestoneintime.Andyou...youhavebeensittingthere,spitefullyhidingthe..."

"I am NOT spiteful," she screamed at him. "I said I was sorry. I am. Butyou've anasty, smughabit of keepingyourowncounsel.Howwas I toknowyou didn't have the same trick? You're F'lar, the Weyrleader, you can doanything.Only you're just as bad asR'gul because you never tellme half thethingsIoughttoknow..."

F'larreachedoutandshookheruntilherangryvoicewasstopped.

"Enough!Wecan'twastetimearguinglikechildren."Thenhiseyeswidened,hisjawdropped.

"Wastetime?That'sit."

"Gobetweentimes?"Lessagasped.."Betweentimes!"

F'norwastotallyconfused."Whatareyoutwotalkingabout?"

"TheThreadsstartedfallingatdawninNerat,"F'larsaid,hiseyesbright,hismannerdecisive.

F'nor could feel his guts congealing with apprehension. At dawn in Nerat?Why, the rainforestswouldbe demolished.He could feel a surgeof adrenalinchargingthroughhisbodyatthethoughtofdanger.

"Sowe're going back there, between times, and be therewhen the Threadsstartedfalling,twohoursago.F'nor,thedragonscangonotonlywherewedirectthembutwhen."

"Where?When?"F'norrepeated,bewildered."Thatcouldbedangerous."

"Yes, but today itwill saveNerat.Now,Lessa," andF'lar gave her anothershake, compounded of pride and affection, "order out all the dragons, young,old,anythatcanfly.Tellthemtoloadthemselvesdownwithfirestonesacks.Idon'tknowifyoucantalkacrosstime..."

"Mydreamthismorning..."

"Perhaps.ButrightnowrousetheWeyr."HepivotedtoF'nor."IfThreadsarefalling...werefalling...atNeratatdawn,they'llbefallingonKeroonandIstaright now, because they are in that time pattern. Take two wings to Keroon.Arouse the plains.Get them to start the firepits blazing.Take someweyrlingswithyouandsendthemontoIgenandIsta.ThoseHoldsarenotinasimmediatedangerasKeroon.I'llreinforceyouassoonasIcan.And...keepCanthintouchwithLessa."

F'lar clappedhis brother on the shoulder and sent himoff.The brown riderwastoousedtotakingorderstoargue.

"Mnementh says R'gul is duty officer and R'gul wants to know ..." Lessabegan.

"C'mon,girl,"F'larsaid,hiseyesbrilliantwithexcitement.Hegrabbeduphismapsandpropelledherupthestairs.

TheyarrivedintheweyrjustasR'gulenteredwithT'sum.R'gulwasmuttering

aboutthisunusualsummons.

"Hathtoldmetoreport,"hecomplained."Finethingwhenyourowndragon..."

"R'gul,T'sum,mount yourwings.Arm themwith all the firestone they cancarry,andassembleaboveStarStone.I'll joinyouinafewminutes.WegotoNeratatdawn."

"Nerat?I'mwatchofficer,notpatrol..."

"Thisisnopatrol,"F'larcuthimoff.

"But,sir,"T'suminterrupted,hiseyeswide,"Nerat'sdawnwastwohoursago,thesameasours."

"And that is when we are going to, brown riders. The dragons, we havediscovered, can go between places temporally as well as geographically. AtdawnThreadsfellatNerat.We'regoingback,betweentime,tosearthemfromthesky."

F'lar paidno attention toR'gul's stammereddemand for explanation.T'sum,however,grabbedupfirestonesacksandracedbacktotheledgeandhiswaitingMunth.

"Goon,youoldfool,"LessatoldR'gulirascibly."TheThreadsarehere.Youwerewrong.Nowbeadragonman!Orgobetweenandstaythere!"

Ramoth, awakened by the alarms, poked at R'gulwith herman-sized head,and the ex-Weyrleader came out of hismomentary shock.Without aword hefollowedT'sumdownthepassageway.

F'larhadthrownonhisheavywherhidetunicandshovedonhisridingboots."Lessa, be sure to sendmessages to all theHolds. Now, this attackwill stopaboutfourhoursfromnow.SothefarthestwestitcanreachwillbeIsta.ButIwanteveryHoldandcraftwarned."

Shenodded,hereyesintentonhisfacelestshemissaword.

"Fortunately, the Star is just beginning its Pass, sowewon't have toworryaboutanotherattackforafewdays.I'llfigureoutthenextonewhenIgetback."Now, getManora to organize herwomen.We'll need pails of ointment. Thedragonsaregoingtobelaced,andthathurts.Mostimportant,ifsomethinggoeswrong,you'llhavetowaittillabronzeisatleastayearoldtoflyRamoth..."

"No one's flying Ramoth but Mnementh," she cried, her eyes sparklingfiercely.

F'larcrushedheragainsthim,hismouthbruisinghersasifallhersweetnessandstrengthmustcomewithhim.HereleasedhersoabruptlythatshestaggeredbackagainstRamoth'sloweredhead.Sheclungforamomenttoherdragon,asmuchforsupportasforreassurance.

Thatis,ifMnementhcancatchme,Ramothamendedsmugly.

5Wheelandturn

Orbleedandburn.

Flybetween,

Blueandgreen.

Soar,divedown,

Bronzeandbrown

Dragonmenmustfly

WhenThreadsareinthesky.

AsF'LARraceddownthepassagewaytotheledge,firesacksbumpingagainsthisthighs,hewassuddenlygratefulforthetedioussweepingpatrolsovereveryHoldandhollowofPern.HecouldseeNeratclearlyinhismind'seye.Hecouldsee themany-petaled vineflowers whichwere the distinguished feature of therainforestatthistimeoftheyear.Then:ivoryblossomswouldbeglowinginthefirstbeamsofsunlightlikedragoneyesamongthetall,wide-leavedplants.

Mnementh, his eyes flashing with excitement, hovered skittishly over theledge.F'larvaultedtothebronzeneck.

The Weyr was seething with wings of all colors, noisy with shouts andcounter-commands.Theatmospherewaselectric,butF'larcouldsensenopanicin that ordered confusion. Dragon and human bodies oozed out of openingsaroundtheBowlwalls.WomenscurriedacrossthefloorfromoneLowerCaverntoanother.Thechildrenplayingbythelakeweresenttogatherwoodforafire.The weyrlings, supervised by old C'gan, were forming outside their barracks.

F'lar looked up to the peak and approved the tight formation of the wingsassembled there inclose flyingorder.Anotherwingformedupashewatched.HerecognizedbrownCanth,F'noronhisneck,justastheentirewingvanished.

HeorderedMnementhaloft.Thewindwascoldandcarriedahintofmoisture.Alatesnow?Thiswasthetimeforit,ifever.

R'gul'swingandT'bor'sfannedoutonhisleft,T'sumandD'nolonhisright.Henotedeachdragonwaswell-ladenwithsacks.ThenhegaveMnemenththevisualization of the early spring rainforest in Nerat, just before dawn, thevineflowersgleaming,theseabreakingagainsttherocksoftheHighShoal....

He felt the searing cold of between. And he felt a stab of doubt. Was heinjudicious,sendingthemallpossiblytotheirdeathsbetweentimesinthisefforttoouttimetheThreadsatNerat?

Thentheywereallthere,inthecrepuscularlightthatpromisesday.Thelush,fruity smells of the rainforest drifted up to them. Warm, too, and that wasfrightening.He looked up and slightly to the north. Pulsingwithmenace, theRedStarshonedown.

Themenhadrealizedwhathadhappened,theirvoicesraisedinastonishment.MnementhtoldF'larthatthedragonsweremildlysurprisedattheirriders'fuss.

"Listentome,dragonriders,"F'larcalled,hisvoiceharshanddistortedinanefforttobeheardbyall.Hewaitedtillthemenhadmovedascloseaspossible.HetoldMnementhtopasstheinformationontoeachdragon.Thenheexplainedwhattheyhaddoneandwhy.Noonespoke,butthereweremanynervouslooksexchangedacrossbrightwings.

Crisply he ordered the dragonriders to fan out in a staggered formation,keepingadistanceoffivewings'spreadupordown.

Thesuncameup.

Slanting across the sea, like an ever-thickening mist, Threads were falling,silent, beautiful, treacherous. Silvery gray were those space-traversing spores,spinning from hard frozen ovals into coarse filaments as they penetrated the

warmatmosphericenvelopeofPern.Lessthanmindless,theyhadbeenejectedfromtheirbarrenplanettowardPern,ahideousrainthatsoughtorganicmattertonourishitintogrowth.OneThread,sinkingintofertilesoil,wouldburrowdeep,propagating thousands in the warm earth, rendering it into a blackdustedwasteland.ThesoutherncontinentofPernhadalreadybeensuckeddry.ThetrueparasitesofPernwereThreads.

AstifledroarfromthethroatsofeightymenanddragonsbrokethedawnairaboveNerat'sgreenheights -as if theThreadsmighthear thischallenge,F'larmused.

As one, dragons swiveled their wedge-shaped heads to their riders forfirestone.Great jawsmacerated thehunks.Thefragmentswereswallowedandmore firestone was demanded. Inside the beasts, acids churned and thepoisonousphosphineswerereadied.Whenthedragonsbelchedforththegas,itwouldigniteintheairintoraveningflametoseartheThreadsfromthesky.Andburnthemfromthesoil.

DragoninstincttookoverthemomenttheThreadsbegantofallaboveNerat'sshores.

Asmuch admiration as F'lar had always held for his bronze companion, itachieved newer heights in the next hours. Beating the air in great strokes,Mnementh soared with flaming breath tomeet the downrushingmenace. Thefumes,sweptbackbythewind,chokedF'laruntilhethoughttocrouchlowontheleasideofthebronzeneck.ThedragonsquealedasaThreadflickedthetipofonewing.InstantlyF'larandheduckedintobetween,cold,calm,black.ThefrozenThreadcrackedoff. In the flickerofaneye, theywereback to face therealityofThreads.

AroundhimF'larsawdragonswinkinginandoutofbetween,flamingastheyreturned,diving,soaring.AstheattackcontinuedandtheydriftedacrossNerat,F'lar began to recognize the pattern in the dragons' instinctive evasion-attackmovements.AndintheThreads.For,contrarytowhathehadgatheredfromhisstudy of the Records, the Threads fell in patches. Not as rain will, in steadyunbroken sheets, but like flurries of snow, here, above, there,whipped to onesidesuddenly.Neverfluidly,despitethecontinuitytheirnameimplied.

You could see a patch above you. Flaming, your dragonwould rise.You'dhavetheintensejoyofseeingtheclumpshrivelfrombottomtotop.Sometimes,a patchwould fall between riders. One dragonwould signal hewould followand,spoutingflame,woulddiveandsear.

Graduallythedragonridersworkedtheirwayovertherainforests,sodensely,so invitinglygreen.F'larrefusedtodwellonwhat justone liveThreadburrowwoulddo to that lush land.Hewould sendbacka low-flyingpatrol toquartereveryfoot.OneThread, justoneThread,couldputout theivoryeyesofeveryluminousvineflower.

Adragonscreamedsomewheretohisleft.Beforehecouldidentifythebeast,it had ducked between. F'lar heard other cries of pain, from men as well asdragons.Heshuthisearsandconcentrated,asdragonsdid,onthehere-and-now.WouldMnementh remember those piercing cries later? F'lar wished he couldforgetthemnow.

He,F'lar,thebronzerider,feltsuddenlysuperfluous.Itwasthedragonswhowerefightingthisengagement.Youencouragedyourbeast,comfortedhimwhentheThreadsburned,butyoudependedonhisinstinctandspeed.

HotfiredrippedacrossF'lar'scheek,burrowinglikeacidintohisshoulder...acryofsurprisedagonyburstfromF'lar'slips.Mnementhtookthemtomercifulbetween. The dragonman battled with frantic hands at the Threads, felt themcrumble in the intense coldof between andbreakoff.Revolted, he slapped atinjuries still afire. Back in Nerat's humid air, the sting seemed to ease.Mnementhcroonedcomfortinglyandthendoveatapatch,breathingfire.

Shockedat self-consideration,F'larhurriedlyexaminedhismount's shoulderfortelltalescoremarks.

Iduckveryquickly,MnementhtoldhimandveeredawayfromadangerouslycloseclumpofThreads.Abrowndragonfollowedthemdownandburnedthemtoash.

Itmighthavebeenmoments, itmighthavebeenahundredhourslaterwhenF'larlookeddowninsurpriseatthesunlitsea.Threadsnowdroppedharmlessly

into the saltywaters. Neratwas to the east of him on his right, the rocky tipcurlingwestward.

F'lar feltweariness in everymuscle. In the excitementof frenziedbattle, hehad forgotten the bloody scores on cheek and shoulder. Now, as he andMnementhglidedslowly,theinjuriesachedandstung.

HeflewMnementhhighandwhentheyhadachievedsufficientaltitude,theyhovered. He could see no Threads falling landward. Below him, the dragonsranged,highandlow,searchingforanysignofaburrow,alertforanysuddenlytopplingtreesordisturbedvegetation.

"Back to theWeyr,"heorderedMnementhwithaheavy sigh.Heheard thebronze relay the command even as he himselfwas taken between.Hewas sotiredhedid not evenvisualizewhere-much less,when-relyingonMnementh'sinstincttobringhimsafelyhomethroughtimeandspace.

6Honorthosethedragonsheed,

Inthoughtandfavor,wordanddeed.

Worldsarelostorworldsaresaved

Fromthosedangersdragon-braved.

CRANINGHERnecktowardtheStarStoneatBendenPeak,Lessawatchedfromtheledgeuntilshesawthefourwingsdisappearfromview.

Sighingdeeplytoquietherinnerfears,LessaraceddownthestairstothefloorofBendenWeyr.ShenoticedthatsomeonewasbuildingafirebythelakeandthatManorawasalreadyorderingherwomenaround,hervoiceclearbutcalm.

Old C'gan had the weyrlings lined up. She caught the envious eyes of thenewestdragonridersatthebarrackswindows.They'dhavetimeenoughtoflyaflamingdragon.FromwhatF'larhadintimated,they'dhaveTurns.

She shuddered as she stepped up to theweyrlings butmanaged to smile atthem.ShegavethemtheirordersandsentthemofftowarntheHolds,checkingquicklywith each dragon to be sure the rider had given clear references. TheHoldswouldshortlybestirreduptoafroth.

CanthtoldherthattherewereThreadsatKeroon,fallingontheKeroonsideofNeratBay.He told her that F'nor did not think twowingswere enough toprotectthemeadowlands.

Lessastoppedinhertracks,tryingtothinkhowmanywingswerealreadyout.

K'net'swingisstillhere,Ramothinformedher.OnthePeak.

LessaglancedupandsawbronzePiyanthspreadhiswingsinanswer.Shetoldhim togetbetween toKeroon, close toNeratBay.Obediently theentirewingroseandthendisappeared.

SheturnedwithasightosaysomethingtoManorawhenarushofwindandavilestenchalmostoverpoweredher.TheairabovetheWeyrwasfullofdragons.Shewasabout todemandofPiyanthwhyhehadn'tgone toKeroonwhen sherealizedtherewerefarmorebeastsa-wingthanK'net'stwenty.

Butyoujustleft,shecriedassherecognizedtheunmistakablebulkofbronzeMnementh.

Thatwastwohoursagoforus,MnementhsaidwithsuchwearinessinhistonethatLessaclosedhereyesinsympathy.

Some dragonswere gliding in fast. From their awkwardness it was evidentthattheywerehurt.

As one, the women grabbed salve pots and clean rags and beckoned theinjureddown.Thenumbingointmentwassmearedonscoremarkswherewingsresembledblackandredlace.

Nomatterhowbadlyinjuredhemightbe,everyridertendedhisbeastfirst.

Lessa kept one eye onMnementh, sure that F'lar would not keep the hugebronzehoveringlikethatifhe'dbeenhurt.ShewashelpingT'sumwithMunth'scruellypiercedrightwingwhensherealized theskyabove theStarStonewasempty.

SheforcedherselftofinishwithMunthbeforeshewenttofindthebronzeandhis rider.When she did locate them, she also saw Kylara smearing salve onF'lar's cheek and shoulder. She was advancing purposefully across the sandstowardthepairwhenCanth'surgentpleareachedher.ShesawMnementh'sheadswingupwardashe,too,caughtthebrown'sthought.

"F'lar, Canth says they need help," Lessa cried. She didn't notice then thatKylaraslippedawayintothebusycrowd.

F'larwasn'tbadlyhurt.Shereassuredherselfaboutthat.Kylarahadtreatedthewickedburnsthatseemedtobeshallow.Someonehadfoundhimanotherfurtoreplace the tatters of the Threadbared one. He frowned - winced because thefrowncreasedhisburnedcheek.Hegulpedhurriedlyathisklah.

Mnementh,what'sthetallyofable-bodied?Oh,nevermind,justget'emaloftwithafullloadoffirestone.

"You'reallright?"Lessaasked,adetaininghandonhisarm.Hecouldn'tjustgoofflikethis,couldhe?

Hesmiledtiredlydownather,pressedhisemptymugintoherhands,givingthemaquick squeeze.Thenhevaulted toMnementh'sneck.Someonehandedhimaheavyloadofsacks.

Blue,green,brown,andbronzedragons liftedfromtheWeyrBowl inquickorder.A triflemore than sixtydragonshoveredbriefly above theWeyrwhereeightyhadlingeredsofewminutesbefore.

Sofewdragons.Sofewriders.Howlongcouldtheytakesuchtoll?

CanthsaidF'norneededmorefirestone.Shelookedaboutanxiously.Noneofthe weyrlings were back yet from their messenger rounds. A dragon wascrooningplaintively,andshewheeled,butitwasonlyyoungPridith,stumblingacross the Weyr to the feeding grounds, butting playfully at Kylara as theywalked.Theonlyotherdragonswereinjuredor-hereyefellonC'gan,emergingfrom theweyrling barracks, "C'gan, can you andTagath getmore firestone toF'noratKeroon?"

"Ofcourse,"theoldblueriderassuredher,hischestliftingwithpride,hiseyesflashing.Shehadn't thought tosendhimanywhere,yethehad livedhis life intrainingforthisemergency.Heshouldn'tbedeprivedofachanceatit

ShesmiledherapprovalathiseagernessastheypiledheavysacksonTagath'sneck.Theoldbluedragonsnortedanddancedas ifhewereyoungandstrongagain.ShegavethemthereferencesCanthhadvisualizedtoher.

ShewatchedasthetwoblinkedoutabovetheStarStone.

It isn't fair. They have all the fun, said Ramoth peevishly. Lessa saw hersunningherselfontheWeyrledge,preeningherenormouswings.

"You chew firestone and you're reduced to a silly green," Lessa told herWeyrmate sharply. She was inwardly amused by the queen's disgruntledcomplaint

Lessapassedamongtheinjuredthen.B'fol'sdaintygreenbeautymoanedandtossed her head, unable to bend one wing that had been threaded to barecartilage. She'd be out for weeks, but she had the worst injury among thedragons.LessalookedquicklyawayfromthemiseryinB'fol'sworriedeyes.

Asshedid the rounds, she realized thatmoremenwere injured thanbeasts.TwoinR'gul'swinghadsustainedseriousheaddamages.Onemanmightloseaneyecompletely.Manorahaddosedhimunconsciouswithnumb-weed.Anotherman'sarmhadbeenburnedcleartothebone.Minorthoughmostofthewoundswere,thetallydismayedLessa.HowmanymorewouldbedisabledatKeroon?

Out of one hundred and seventy-two dragons, fifteen already were out ofaction,someonlyforadayortwo,however.

A thought struckLessa. IfN'tonhadactually riddenCanth,maybehecouldrideoutonthenextdragonadeonaninjuredman'sbeast,sincethereweremoreinjuredridersthandragons.F'larbroketraditionsashechose.Herewasanotheronetosetaside-ifthedragonwasagreeable.

PresumingN'tonwasnottheonlynewriderabletotransfertoanotherbeast,whatgoodwouldsuchflexibilitydointhelongrun?F'larhaddefinitelysaidtheincursions would not be so frequent at first, when the Red Star was justbeginningitsfifty-Turn-longcirclingpassofPern.Howfrequentwasfrequent?Hewouldknow,buthewasn'there.

Well, he had been right this morning about the appearance of Threads atNerat,sohisexhaustivestudyofthoseoldRecordshadprovedworthwhile.

No,thatwasn'tquiteaccurate.Hehadforgottentohavethemenalertforsignsof black dust aswell aswarmingweather. As he had put thematter right bygoingbetween times, shewouldgraciouslyallowhimthatminorerror.Buthe

didhaveaninfuriatinghabitofguessingcorrectly.Lessacorrectedherselfagain.Hedidn'tguess.Hestudied.Heplanned.Hethoughtandthenheusedcommongoodsense.LikefiguringoutwhereandwhenThreadswouldstrikeaccordingtoentriesinthosesmellyRecords.Lessabegantofeelbetterabouttheirfuture.

Now,ifhewouldjustmaketheriderslearntotrusttheirdragons'sureinstinctinbattle,theywouldkeepcasualtiesdown,too.

AshriekpiercedairandearasabluedragonemergedabovetheStarStone.

Ramoth!Lessascreamedinaninstinctivereaction,hardlyknowingwhy.Thequeenwasa-wingbeforetheechoofhercommandhaddied.Forthecareeningbluewasobviouslyingravetrouble.Hewastryingtobrakehisforwardspeed,yetonewingwouldnot function.His riderhad slipped forwardover thegreatshoulder,precariouslyclingingtohisdragon'sneckwithonehand.

Lessa, her hands clappedover hermouth,watched fearfully.Therewasn't asoundintheBowlbutthenappingofRamoth'simmensewings.Thequeenroseswiftlytopositionherselfagainstthedesperateblue,lendinghimwingsupportonthecrippledside.

Thewatchersgaspedas theriderslipped, losthishold,andfell - landingonRamoth'swideshoulders.

The blue dropped like a stone. Ramoth came to a gentle stop near him,crouchinglowtoallowtheweyrfolktoremoveherpassenger.ItwasC'gan.

LessafeltherstomachheaveasshesawtheruintheThreadshadmadeoftheold harper's face. She dropped beside him, pillowing his head in her lap. Theweyrfolkgatheredinarespectful,silentcircle.

Manora, her face, as always, serene, had tears in her eyes. She knelt andplaced her hand on the old rider's heart. Concern flickered in her eyes as shelookedupatLessa.Slowlysheshookherhead.Then,settingher lips ina thinline,shebegantoapplythenumbingsalve.

"Too toothless old to flame and too slow to get between,"C'ganmumbled,rolling his head from side to side. 'Too old. But 'Dragomnen must fly/ when

Threadsareinthesky....'"Hisvoicetrailedoffintoasigh.Hiseyesclosed.

LessaandManora lookedateachother inanguish.A terrible,ear-shatteringnotecutthesilence.Tagathsprangaloftinatremendousleap.C'gan'seyesrolledslowlyopen,sightless.Lessa,breathsuspended,watchedthebluedragon,tryingtodenytheinevitableasTagathdisappearedinmid-air.

AlowmoanspranguparoundtheWeyr,likethetorn,lonelycryofakeeningwind.Thedragonsutteredtribute.

"Ishe...gone?"Lessaasked,althoughsheknew.

Manoranoddedslowly,tearsstreamingdownhercheeksasshereachedovertocloseC'gan'sdeadeyes.

Lessaroseslowlytoherfeet,motioningtosomeofthewomentoremovetheoldrider'sbody.Absentlysherubbedherbloodyhandsdryonherskirts,tryingtoconcentrateonwhatmightbeneedednext.

Yethermindturnedbacktowhathadjusthappened.Adragonriderhaddied.His dragon, too. The Threads had claimed one pair already.Howmanymorewould die this cruel Turn? How long could the Weyr survive? Even afterRamoth's fortymatured,and theonesshesoonwouldconceive,andherqueendaughters,too?

Lessa walked apart to quiet her uncertainties and ease her grief. She sawRamothwheelandglidealoft, tolandonthePeak.OnedaysoonwouldLessaseethosegoldenwingslacedredandblackfromThreadmarks?WouldRamoth...disappear?

No,Ramothwouldnot.NotwhileLessalived.

F'lar had told her long ago that she must learn to look beyond the narrowconfines of Hold Ruatha and mere revenge. He was, as usual, right. AsWeyrwoman under his tutelage, she had further learned that living wasmorethanraisingdragonsandSpringGames.Livingwasstrugglingtodosomethingimpossible-tosucceed,ordie,knowingyouhadtried!

Lessarealizedthatshehad,atlast,fullyacceptedherrole:asWeyrwomanandasmate, tohelpF'larshapemenandevents formanyTurns tocome-tosecurePern against the Threads. Lessa threw back her shoulders and lifted her chinhigh.

OldC'ganhadhadtherightofit.

7Dragonmenmustfly

WhenThreadsareinthesky!

Worldsarelostorworldsaresaved

Bythosedangersdragon'braved.

ASF'LARhadpredicted, theattackendedbyhighnoon,andwearydragonsandriderswerewelcomedbyRamoth'shigh-pitchedtrumpetingfromthePeak.OnceLessaassuredherselfthatF'larhadtakennoadditionalinjury,thatF'nor'sweresuperficialandthatManorawaskeepingKylarabusyinthekitchens,sheapplied herself to organizing the care of the injured and the comfort of theworried.

Asdusk fell, an uneasypeace settled on theWeyr - the quiet ofminds andbodies too tired or too hurtful to talk. Lessa's ownwordsmocked her as shemade out the list of wounded men and beasts. Twenty-eight men or dragonswereoutof the air for thenextThreadbattle.C'ganwas theonly fatality, buttherehadbeenfourmoreseriously injureddragonsatKeroonandsevenbadlyscoredmen,outofactionentirelyformonthstocome.

LessacrossedtheBowltoherWeyr,reluctantbutresignedtogivingF'larthisunsettlingnews.

Sheexpectedtofindhiminthesleepingroom,butitwasvacant.RamothwasasleepalreadyasLessapassedheronthewaytotheCouncilRoom-alsoempty.Puzzledandalittlealarmed,Lessahalf-randownthestepstotheRecordsRoom,tofindF'lar,haggardofface,poringovermustyskins.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"shedemandedangrily."Yououghttobeasleep."

"Soshouldyou,"hedrawled,amused.

"IwashelpingManorasettlethewounded..."

"Eachtohisowncraft."Buthedidleanbackfromthetable,rubbinghisneckandrotatingtheuninjuredshouldertoeasestiffenedmuscles.

"Icouldn'tsleep,"headmitted,"soIthoughtI'dseewhatanswersImightturnupintheRecords."

"More answers? To what?" Lessa cried, exasperated with him. As if theRecords ever answered anything.Obviously the tremendous responsibilities ofPern's defense against the Threads were beginning to tell on theWeyrleader.Afterall,therehadbeenthestressofthefirstbattle,nottomentionthedrainofthetravelingbetweentimeitselftogettoNerattoforestalltheThreads.

F'largrinnedandbeckonedLessatositbesidehimonthewallbench.

"I need the answer to the very pressing question of how one understrengthWeyrcandothefightingofsix."

Lessafoughtthepanicthatrose,acoldflood,fromherguts.

"Oh,yourtimescheduleswilltakecareofthat,"sherepliedgallantly."You'llbeabletoconservethedragon-poweruntilthenewfortycanjointheranks."

F'larraisedamockingeyebrow."Letusbehonestbetweenourselves,Lessa."

"But there have been Long Intervals before," she argued, "and since Pernsurvivedthem.Perncanagain."

"BeforetherewerealwayssixWeyrs.AndtwentyorsoTurnsbeforetheRedStar was due to begin its Pass, the queens would start to produce enormousclutches.All thequeens,not justonefaithfulgoldenRamoth.Oh,howIcurseJora!"Heslammedtohisfeetandstartedpacing,irritablybrushingthelockofblackhairthatfellacrosshiseyes.

Lessawastornwiththedesiretocomforthimandthesinking,chokingfearin

herbellythatmadeitdifficulttothinkatall."Youwerenotsodoubtful..."

Hewhirledback toher. "Notuntil I hadactuallyhadanencounterwith theThreadsandreckonedupthenumbersofinjuries.Thatsetstheoddsagainstus.Evensupposingwecanmountotherriderstouninjureddragons,wewillbehardputtokeepacontinuouslyeffectiveforceintheairandstillmaintainagroundguard."He caught her puzzled frown. "There'sNerat to be gone over on foottomorrow.I'dbeafoolindeedifIthoughtwe'dcaughtandsearedeveryThreadinmid-air."

"GettheHolderstodothat.Theycan'tjustimmurethemselvessafelyintheirInnerHoldsandletusdoall.Iftheyhadn'tbeensomiserlyandstupid..."

He cut off her complaint with an abrupt gesture. "They'll do their part allright,"heassuredher."I'msendingforafullCounciltomorrow,allHoldLordsandallCraftmasters.Butthere'smoretoitthanjustmarkingwhereThreadsfall.Howdo you destroy a burrow that's gone deep under the surface?A dragon'sbreathisfinefortheairandsurfaceworkbutnogoodthreefeetdown."

"Oh,Ihadn'tthoughtofthataspect.Butthefirepits..."

"... are only on the heights and around human habitations, not on themeadowlandsofKeroonoronNerat'ssogreenrainforests."

Thisconsiderationwasdauntingindeed.Shegavearuefullittlelaugh.

"ShortsightedofmetosupposeourdragonsareallpoorPernneedstodispatchtheThreads.Yet..."Sheshruggedexpressively."Thereareothermethods,"F'larsaid,"ortherewere.Theremusthavebeen.Ihaverunacrossfrequentmentionthat theHoldswere organizing ground groups and that theywere armedwithfire.Whatkindisnevermentionedbecauseitwassowellknown."Hethrewuphishandsindisgustandsaggedbackdownonthebench."Notevenfivehundreddragonscouldhavesearedall theThreadsthatfell today.YettheymanagedtokeepPernThreadfree."

"Pern,yes,butwasn'ttheSouthernContinentlost?OrdidtheyjusthavetheirhandstoofullwithPernitself?"

"Noone'sbotheredwiththeSouthernContinentinahundredthousandTurns,"F'larsnorted.

"It'sonthemaps,"Lessaremindedhim.

He scowleddisgustedly at theRecords, piled inuncommunicative stacksonthelongtable.

"Theanswermustbethere.Somewhere."

Therewasanedgeofdesperationinhisvoice,thehintthatheheldhimselftoblamefornothavingdiscoveredthoseelusivefacts.

"Half those thingscouldn'tbereadby themanwhowrote them,"Lessasaidtartly. "Besides that, it'sbeenyourown ideas thathavehelpedusmost so far.Youcompiledthetimemaps,andlookhowvaluabletheyhavebeenalready."

"I'mgettingtoohideboundagain,huh?"heasked,ahalfsmiletuggingatonecomerofhismouth.

"Undoubtedly,"sheassuredhimwithmoreconfidencethanshefelt."WebothknowtheRecordsareguiltyofthemostridiculousomissions."

"Well said,Lessa.So letus forget thesemisguidingandantiquatedpreceptsand think up our own guides. First, we needmore dragons. Second,we needthemnow.Third,weneedsomethingaseffectiveasaflamingdragontodestroyThreadswhichhaveburrowed."

"Fourth,weneedsleep,orwewon'tbeabletothinkofanything,"sheaddedwithatouchofherusualasperity.

F'larlaughedoutright,huggingher.

"You've got your mind on one thing, haven't you?" he teased, his handscaressinghereagerly.

Shepushedineffectuallyathim,tryingtoescape.Forawounded,tiredman,he was remarkably amorous. One with that Kylara. Imagine that woman's

presumption,dressinghiswounds.

"MyresponsibilityasWeyrwomanincludescareofyou,theWeyrleader."

"ButyouspendhourswithbluedragonridersandleavemetoKylara'stenderministrations."

"Youdidn'tlookasifyouobjected."

F'lar threw back his head and roared. "Should I open FortWeyr and sendKylaraon?"hetauntedher.

"I'd as soon Kylara were Turns as well as miles away from here," Lessasnapped,thoroughlyirritated.

F'lar'sjawdropped,hiseyeswidened.Heleapedtohisfeetwithanastonishedcry.

"You'vesaidit"

"Saidwhat?"

"Turnsaway!That'sit.We'llsendKylaraback,betweentimes,withherqueenand the new dragonets." F'lar excitedly paced the room while Lessa tried tofollowhisreasoning."No,I'dbettersendatleastoneoftheolderbronzes.F'nor,too...I'dratherhaveF'norincharge....Discreetly,ofcourse-"

"SendKylaraback...whereto?Whento?"Lessainterruptedhim.

"Good point." F'lar dragged out the ubiquitous charts. "Very good point.Where can we send them around here without causing anomalies by beingpresent at one of the otherWeyrs? The High Reaches are remote. No, we'vefound remains of fires there, you know, stillwarm, and no inkling as towhobuiltthemorwhy.Andifwehadalreadysentthemback,they'd'vebeenreadyfortoday,andtheyweren't.Sotheycan'thavebeenintwoplacesalready...."Heshookhishead,dazedbytheparadoxes.

Lessa's eyes were drawn to the blank outline of the neglected Southern

Continent."Sendthemthere,"shesuggestedsweetly,pointing."There'snothingthere."

"Theybringinwhattheyneed.Theremustbewater,forThreadscan'tdevourthat.Weflyinwhateverelseisneeded,fodderfortheherdbeasts,grain...."

F'lar drew his brows together in concentration, his eyes sparkling withthought,thedepressionanddefeatofafewmomentsagoforgotten.

"Threadswouldn'tbetheretenTurnsago.Andhaven'tbeenthereforclosetofour hundred. Ten Turns would give Pridith time tomature and have severalclutches.Maybemorequeens."

Thenhe frownedandshookhisheaddubiously."No, there'snoWeyr there.NoHatchingGround,no..."

"How do we know that?" Lessa caught him up sharply, too delighted withmanyaspectsofthisprojecttogiveitupeasily."TheRecordsdon'tmentiontheSouthernContinent, true, but theyomit a great deal.Howdoweknow it isn'tgreenagaininthefourhundredTurnssincetheThreadslastspun?WedoknowthatThreadscan't last longunless there issomethingorganiconwhich tofeedandthatoncethey'vedevouredall,theydryupandblowaway."

F'lar looked at her admiringly. "Now,why hasn't someonewondered aboutthatbefore?"

"Toohidebound."Lessawaggedher fingerathim."Besides, there'sbeennoneedtobotherwithit."

"Necessity-orisitjealousy?-hatchesmanyatoughshell."Therewasasmileofpuremaliceonhisface,andLessawhirledawayashereachedforher.

"ThegoodoftheWeyr,"sheretorted.

"Furthermore,I'llsendyoualongwithF'nortomorrowtolook.Onlyfair,sinceitisyouridea."

Lessastoodstill."You'renotgoing?"

"I feel confident I can leave this project in your very capable, interestedhands."He laughedandcaughtheragainsthisuninjuredside,smilingdownather,hiseyesglowing."ImustplayruthlessWeyrleaderandkeeptheHoldLordsfrom slamming shut their InnerDoors.And I'm hoping" - he raised his head,frowningslightly-"oneoftheCraftmastersmayknowthesolutiontothethirdproblem-gettingridofThreadburrows."

"But..."

"The trip will give Ramoth something to stop her fuming." He pressed thegirl's slender body more closely to him, his full attention at last on her odd,delicateface."Lessa,youaremyfourthproblem."Hebenttokissher.

At the sound of hurried steps in the passageway, F'lar scowled irritably,releasingher.

"At this hour?" hemuttered, ready to reprove the intruder scathingly. "Whogoesthere?"

"F'lar?"ItwasF'nor'svoice,anxious,hoarse.

The look on F'lar's face told Lessa that not even his half brotherwould besparedareprimand,anditpleasedher irrationally.But themomentF'norburstintotheroom,bothWeyrleaderandWeyrwomanwerestunnedsilent.Therewassomething subtlywrongwith thebrown rider.And as themanblurtedout hisincoherentmessage,thedifferencesuddenlyregisteredinLessa'smind.Hewastanned!Heworenobandagesandhadn't theslightesttraceoftheThread-markalonghischeekthatshehadtendedthisevening!

"F'lar,it'snotworkingout!Youcan'tbealiveintwotimesatonce!"F'norwasexclaimingdistractedly.Hestaggeredagainst thewall,grabbing thesheerrocktoholdhimselfupright.Thereweredeepcirclesunderhiseyes,visibledespitethetan."Idon'tknowhowmuchlongerwecanlastlikethis.We'reallaffected.Somedaysnotasbadlyasothers."

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Yourdragonsareallright,"F'norassuredtheWeyrleaderwithabitterlaugh.

"Itdoesn'tbotherthem.Theykeepalltheywitsaboutthem.Buttheirriders...alltheweyrfolk...we'reshadows,halfalive, likedragonlessmen,partofusgoneforever.ExceptKylara."Hisfacecontortedwithintensedislike."Allshewantstodoisgobackandwatchherself.Thewoman'segomaniawilldestroyusall,I'mafraid."

Hiseyessuddenlylostfocus,andheswayedwildly.Hiseyeswidened,andhismouthfellopen."Ican'tstay.I'mherealready.Tooclose.Makesittwiceasbad.ButIhadtowarnyou.Ipromise,F'lar,we'llstayaslongaswecan,butitwon'tbemuchlonger...soitwon'tbelongenough,butwetried.Wetried!"

BeforeF'larcouldmove,thebrownriderwhirledandran,half-crouched,fromtheroom.

"Buthehasn'tgoneyet!"Lessagasped."Hehasn'tevengoneyet!"

PARTIV-TheColdBetween

1

F'LARSTARED after his half brother, his brows contractingwith the keenanxietyhefelt

"Whatcanhavehappened?"LessademandedoftheWeyrleader."Wehaven'teventoldF'nor.Weourselvesjustfinishedconsideringtheidea."Herhandflewtoherowncheek."AndtheThread-mark-Idresseditmyselftonight-it'sgone.Gone.Sohe'sbeengonealongwhile."Shesankdowntothebench.

"However, he has come back. So he did go," F'lar remarked slowly in areflectivetoneofvoice."Yetwenowknowtheventureisnotentirelysuccessfulevenbefore itbegins.Andknowing this,wehavesenthimback tenTurns forwhatevergooditisdoing."F'larpausedthoughtfully."Consequentlywehavenoalternativebuttocontinuewiththeexperiment."

"Butwhatcouldbegoingwrong?"

"I think I know and there is no remedy."He sat down beside her, his eyesintent on hers. "Lessa, you were very upset when you got back from goingbetween to Ruatha that first time. But I think now it was more than just theshockof seeingFax'smen invadingyourownHoldor in thinkingyour returnmighthavebeenresponsibleforthatdisaster.I thinkithastodowithbeingintwotimesatonce."Hehesitatedagain, trying tounderstand this immensenewconceptevenashevoicedit.

Lessa regarded him with such awe that he found himself laughing withembarrassment.

"It'sunnervingunderanyconditions,"hewenton,"tothinkofreturningandseeingayoungerself."

"ThatmustbewhathemeantaboutKylara,"Lessagasped,"aboutherwanting

togobackandwatchherself ... asachild.Oh, thatwretchedgirl!"LessawasfilledwithangerforKylara'sself-absorption."Wretched,selfishcreature.She'llruineverything."

"Not yet," F'lar reminded her. "Look, although F'nor warned us that thesituationinhistimeisgettingdesperate,hedidn'ttellushowmuchhewasableto accomplish. But you noticed that his scar had healed to invisibility -consequentlysomeTurnsmusthaveelapsed.EvenifPridithlaysonlyonegood-sized clutch, even if just the forty of Ramoth's aremature enough to fight inthree days' time, we have accomplished something. Therefore, Weyrwoman,"and he noticed how she straightened up at the sound of her tide, "we mustdisregard F'nor's return. When you fly to the Southern Continent tomorrow,makenoallusiontoit.Doyouunderstand?"

Lessanoddedgravelyandthengavealittlesigh."Idon'tknowifI'mhappyordisappointed to realize, even beforewe get there tomorrow, that the SouthernContinentobviouslywillsupportaWeyr,"shesaidwithdismay."Itwaskindofexcitingtowonder."

"Eitherway,"F'lartoldherwithasardonicsmile,"wehavefoundonlypartoftheanswerstoproblemsoneandtwo."

"Well, you'd better answer number four right now!" Lessa suggested."Decisively!"

2Weaver,Miner,Harper,Smith,

Tanner,Farmer,Herdsman,Lord,

Gather,wingsped,listenwell

TotheWeyrman'surgentword.

THEYBOTHmanagedtoguardagainstanyreferencetohisprematurereturnwhentheyspoketoF'northenextmorning.F'laraskedbrownCanthtosendhisrider to the queen's weyr as soon as he awoke and was pleased to see F'noralmost immediately. If thebrownridernoticed thecuriously intent stareLessagavehisbandagedface,hegavenosignofit.Asamatteroffact, themomentF'lar outlined the bold venture of scouting the Southern Continent with thepossibilityofstartingaWeyrtenTurnsbackintime,F'norforgotallabouthiswounds.

"I'llgowillinglyonlyifyousendT'boralongwithKylara.I'mnotwaitingtillN'tonandhisbronzearebigenoughtotakeheron.T'borandsheareas-"F'norbrokeonwithagrimaceinLessa'sdirection."Well,they'reasnearapairascanbe. Idon'tobject tobeing ... importuned,but thereare limits towhataman iswillingtodooutofloyaltytodragonkind."

F'larbarelymanagedtorestraintheamusementhefeltoverF'nor'sreluctance.Kylaratriedherwilesoneveryrider,and,becauseF'norhadnotbeenamenable,shewasdeterminedtosucceedwithhim.

"Ihopetwobronzesareenough.Pridithmayhaveamindofherown,comematingtime."

"Youcan'tturnabrownintoabronze!"F'norexclaimedwithsuchdismaythatF'larcouldnolongerrestrainhimself.

"Oh,stopit!"AndthattouchedoffLessa'slaughter.

"You'reasbadapair,"F'norsnapped,gettingtohisfeet."Ifwe'regoingsouth,Weyrwoman, we'd better get started. Particularly if we're going to give thislaughingmaniacachancetocomposehimselfbeforethesolemnLordsdescend.I'llgetprovisionsfromManora.Well,Lessa?Areyoucomingwithme?"

Mufflingherlaughter,Lessagrabbedupherfurredflyingcloakandfollowedhim.Atleasttheadventurewasstartingoffwell.

Carryingthepitcherofklahandhiscup,F'laradjournedtotheCouncilRoom,debatingwhether to tell theLordsandCraftmastersof thissouthernventureornot.Thedragons'abilitytoflybetweentimesaswellasplaceswasnotyetwell-known. The Lords might not realize it had been used the previous day toforestall the Threads. If F'lar could be sure that project was going to besuccessful-well,itwouldaddanoptimisticnotetothemeeting.

Letthecharts,withthewavesandtimesoftheThreadattacksclearlyvisible,reassuretheLords.

The visitors were not long in assembling. Nor were they all successful inhidingtheirapprehensionandtheshocktheyhadreceivednowthatThreadshadagainspundownfromtheRedStartomenacealllifeonPern.Thiswasgoingtobe a difficult session, F'lar decided grimly. He had a fleetingwish, which hequickly suppressed, that he had gone with F'nor and Lessa to the SouthernContinent.Instead,hebentwithapparentindustrytothechartsbeforehim.

Soon there were but twomore to come,Meron of Nabol (whom hewouldhavelikednottoinclude,forthemanwasatroublemaker)andLytolofRuatha.

F'lar had sent forLytol last becausehedidnotwishLessa to encounter theman.Shewasstilloverly-and,tohismind,foolishly-sensitiveathavinghadtoresignherclaimtoRuathaHoldfortheLadyGemma'sposthumousson.Lytol,asWarderofRuatha,hadaplace in thisconference.Themanwasalsoanex-dragonman, and his return to the Weyr was painful enough without Lessa'scompounding it with her resentment. Lytol was, with the exception of youngLaradofTelgar,theWeyr'smostvaluableally.

S'lelcame inwithMerona stepbehindhim.TheHolderwas furiousat thissummons;itshowedinhiswalk,inhiseyes,inhishaughtybearing.Buthewasalsoasinquisitiveashewasdevious.HenoddedonlytoLaradamongtheLordsand took the seat leftvacant forhimbyLarad's side.Meron'smannermade itobviousthatthatplacewastooclosetoF'larbyhalfaroom.

TheWeyrleader acknowledged S'lel's salute and indicated the bronze ridershould be seated. F'lar had given thought to the seating arrangements in theCouncil Room, carefully interspersing brown and bronze dragonriders withHoldersandCraftsmen.Therewasnowbarelyroomtomoveinthegenerouslyproportioned cavern, but therewas also no room inwhich to draw daggers iftempersgothot.

A hush fell on the gathering, and F'lar looked up to see that the stocky,glowering ex-dragonman from Ruatha had stopped on the threshold of theCouncil.HeslowlybroughthishandupinarespectfulsalutetotheWeyrleader.AsF'larreturnedthesalute,henoticedthattheticinLytol's leftcheekjumpedalmostcontinuously.

Lytol'seyes,darkwithpainandinnerunquiet,rangedtheroom.Henoddedtothemembersofhisformerwing, toLaradandZurg,headofhisownweavers'craft. Stiff-legged, he walked to the remaining seat, murmuring a greeting toT'sumonhisleft

F'larrose.

"I appreciate your coming, good Lords and Craftmasters. The Threads spinonceagain.Thefirstattackhasbeenmetandsearedfromthesky.LordVincet,"and the worried Holder of Nerat looked up in alarm, "we have dispatched apatrol to the rainforest to do a low-flight sweep tomake certain there are noburrows."

Vincet swallowednervously, his facepaling at the thoughtofwhatThreadscoulddotohisfertile,lushholdings.

"Weshallneedyourbestjunglementohelp-"

"Help?Butyousaid...theThreadsweresearedinthesky?"

"Thereisnopointintakingtheslightestchance,"F'larreplied,implyingthatthepatrolwasonlyaprecautioninsteadofthenecessityheknewitwouldbe.

Vincetgulped,glancinganxiouslyaroundtheroomforsympathy,andfoundnone.Everyonewouldsoonbeinhisposition.

"There is a patrol due at Keroon and at Igen." F'lar looked first at LordCorman, then at Lord Banger, who gravely nodded. "Let me say by way ofreassurancethattherewillbenofurtherattacksforthreedaysandfourhours."F'lar tapped theappropriatechart. "TheThreadswillbeginapproximatelyhereonTelgar,driftwestward through the southernmostportionofCrom,which ismountainous,andon,throughRuathaandthesouthernendofNabol."

"Howcanyoubesocertainofthat?"

F'larrecognizedthecontemptuousvoiceofMeronofNabol.

"TheThreadsdonotfalllikeachild'sjackstraws,LordMeron,"F'larreplied."Theyfall inadefinitelypredictablepattern; theattacks lastexactlysixhours.TheintervalsbetweenattackswillgraduallyshortenoverthenextfewTurnsasthe Red Star draws closer. Then, for about forty full Turns, as the Red Starswings past and around us, the attacks occur every fourteen hours, marchingacrossourworldinatimeablefashion."

"Soyousay,"Meronsneered,andtherewasalowmumbleofsupport.

"SotheTeachingBalladssay,"Laradputinfirmly.

Meron glared at Telgar's Lord and went on, "I recall another of yourpredictions about how the Threads were supposed to begin falling right afterSolstice."

"Whichtheydid,"F'larinterruptedhim."AsblackdustintheNorthernHolds.For the reprievewe'vehad,wecan thankour lucky stars thatwehavehadanunusuallyhardandlongColdTurn."

"Dust?"demandedNesselofCrom."ThatdustwasThreads?"Themanwas

oneofFax'sbloodconnectionsandunderMeron'sinfluence:anoldermanwhohadlearnedlessonsfromhisconqueringrelative'sbloodywaysandhadnotthewit to improve on or alter the original. "MyHold is still blowingwith them.They'redangerous?"

F'larshookhisheademphatically."HowlonghastheblackdustbeenblowinginyourHold?Weeks?Doneanyharmyet?"

Nesselfrowned.

"I'm interested in your charts,Weyrleader," Larad of Telgar said smoothly."WilltheygiveusanaccurateideaofhowoftenwemayexpectThreadstofallinourownHolds?"

"Yes.Youmayalsoanticipate that thedragonmenwill arrive shortlybeforetheinvasionisdue,"F'larwenton."However,additionalmeasuresofyourownarenecessary,anditisforthisthatIcalledtheCouncil."

"Waitaminute,"CormanofKeroongrowled."Iwantacopyof thosefancychartsofyours formyown. Iwant toknowwhat thosebandsandwavy linesreallymean.Iwant..."

"Naturally you'll have a timetable of your own. I mean to impose onMasterharperRobinton"-F'larnoddedrespectfullytowardthatCraftmaster-"tooverseethecopyingandmakesureeveryoneunderstandsthetiminginvolved."

Robinton, a tall, gaunt man with a lined, saturnine face, bowed deeply. AslightsmilecurvedhiswidelipsatthenowhopefulglancesfavoredhimbytheHoldLords.Hiscraft,likethatofthedragonmen,hadbeenmuchmocked,andthisnewrespectamusedhim.Hewasamanwithakeeneyefortheridiculous,and an active imagination. The circumstances in which doubting Pern founditself were too ironic not to appeal to his innate sense of justice. He nowcontentedhimselfwithadeepbowandamildphrase.

"Truly all shall pay heed to the master." His voice was deep, his wordsenunciatedwithnoprovincialslurring.

F'lar,abouttospeak,lookedsharplyatRobintonashecaughtthedoublebarb

of that single line.Larad, too, looked around at theMasterharper, clearinghisthroathastily.

"Weshallhaveourcharts,"Laradsaid, forestallingMeron,whohadopenedhismouthtospeak."WeshallhavethedragonmenwhentheThreadsspin.Whataretheseadditionalmeasures?Andwhyaretheynecessary?"

AlleyeswereonF'laragain.

"WehaveoneWeyrwheresixonceflew."

"ButwordisthatRamothhashatchedoverfortymore,"someoneinthebackof the room declared. "And why did you Search out still more of our youngmen?"

"Forty-oneasyetunmatureddragons,"F'larsaid.

Privately,hehopedthatthissouthernventurewouldstillworkout.Therewasrealfearinthatman'svoice."Theygrowwellandquickly.Justatpresent,whiletheThreadsdonotstrikewithgreat frequencyas theRedStarbegins itsPass,ourWeyrissufficient...ifwehaveyourcooperationontheground.Traditionisthat"-henoddedtactfullytowardRobinton,thedispenserofTraditionalusage-"you Holders are responsible for only your dwellings, which, of course, areadequately protected by firepits and raw stone. However, it is spring and ourheights have been allowed to grow wild with vegetation. Arable land isblossoming with crops. This presents vast acreage vulnerable to the ThreadswhichoneWeyr,atthistime,isnotabletopatrolwithoutseverelydrainingthevitalityofourdragonsandriders."

At this candid admission, a frightened and angry mutter spread rapidlythroughouttheroom.

"Ramoth rises tomate again soon," F'lar continued in amatter-of-factway."Of course, in other times, the queens started producing heavy clutchesmanyTurnsbeforethecriticalsolsticeaswellasmorequeens.Unfortunately,Jorawasillandold,andNemorthintractable.Thematter-"Hewasinterrupted.

"Youdragonmenwithyourhighandmightyairswillbringdestructiononus

all!"

"Youhaveyourselvestoblame,"Robinton'svoicestabbedacrosstheensuingshouts. "Admit it, one and all. You've paid less honor to theWeyr than youwouldyourwatchwher'skennel-andthatnotmuch!Butnowthethievesareontheheights,andyouarescreamingbecausethepoorreptileisnightodeathfromneglect.Beathim,willyou?Whenyouexiledhimtohiskennelbecausehetriedto warn you? Tried to get you to prepare against the invaders? It's on yourconscience,not theWeyrleader'sor thedragonriders',whohavehonestlydonetheirduty thesehundredsofTurns inkeepingdragonkindalive ...againstyourprotests. Howmany of you" - his tonewas scathing- "have been generous inthoughtandfavortowarddragonkind?EvensinceIbecamemasterofmycraft,howoftenhavemyharperstoldmeofbeingbeatenforsingingtheoldsongsasis their duty? You earn only the right, good Lords and Craftsmen, to squirminsideyourstonyHoldsandwritheasyourcropsdiea-borning."Herose.

"'No Threads will fall. It's a harper's winter tale,'" he whined, in faultlessimitationofNessel. "'Thesedragonmen leechus of heir andharvest,'" andhisvoicetookontheconstricted,insinuatingtenorthatcouldonlybeMeron's."Andnowthetruthisasbitterasabraveman'sfearsandasdifficultasmockweedtoswallow.Forallthehonoryou'vedonethem,thedragonmenshouldleaveyoutobespunontheThreadsdistaff."

"Bitra,Lemos,andI,"spokeupRaid,thewiryLordofBenden,hisbluntchinliftedbelligerently,"havealwaysdoneourdutytotheWeyr."

Robinton swung around to him, his eyes flashing as he gave that speaker along,slowlook.

"Aye,andyouhave.Ofall theGreatHolds,you threehavebeen loyal.Butyouothers,"andhisvoiceroseindignantly,"asspokesmenformycraft,Iknow,to the last full stop in the score, your opinion of dragonkind. I heard the firstwhisperofyourattempttorideoutagainst theWeyr."HelaughedharshlyandpointedalongfingeratVincet."Wherewouldyoubetoday,goodLordVincet,iftheWeyrhadnotsentyoupackingback,hopingyourladieswouldbereturnedyou? All of you," and his accusing finger marked each of the Lords of thatabortiveeffort,"actuallyrodeagainsttheWeyrbecause...'there...were...no...

more...Threads!'"

Heplantedhisfistsoneitherhipandglaredat theassembly.F'larwantedtocheer. It was easy to see why the man was Masterharper, and he thankedcircumstancethatsuchamanwastheWeyr'spartisan.

"And now, at this critical moment, you have the incredible presumption toprotestagainstanymeasuretheWeyrsuggests?"Robinton'ssupplevoiceoozedderisionandamazement."AttendwhattheWeyrleadersaysandsparehimyourpettycarpings!"Hesnappedthosewordsoutasafathermightenjoinanerringchild."Youwere,"andheswitchedtothemildestofpoliteconversationaltonesas he addressed F'lar, "I believe, asking our cooperation, good F'lar? In whatcapacities?"

F'larhastilyclearedhisthroat.

"I shall require that theHoldspolice theirownfieldsandwoods,during theattacksifpossible,definitelyoncetheThreadshavepassed.Allburrowswhichmightlandmustbefound,marked,anddestroyed.Thesoonertheyarelocated,theeasieritistoberidofthem."

"There's no time to dig firepits through all the lands ... we'll lose half ourgrowingspace,"Nesselexclaimed.

"Therewereotherways,usedinoldentimes,whichIbelieveourMastersmithmight know." F'lar gestured politely toward Fandarel, the archetype of hisprofessionifeversuchexisted.

TheSmithCraftmasterwasby several inches the tallestman in theCouncilRoom, his massive shoulders and heavily muscled arms pressed against hisnearestneighbors,althoughhehadmadeaneffortnottocrowdagainstanyone.He rose, a giant tree-stump of aman, hooking thumbs like beast-horns in thethickbelt thatspannedhiswaistlessmidsection.Hisvoice,bynomeanssweetafter Turns of bellowing above roaring hearths and hammers, was, bycomparisontoRobinton'ssuperbdelivery,adiluted,unsupportedlightbaritone.

"Thereweremachines,thatmuchistrue,"heallowedindeliberate,thoughtfultones."Myfather, itwashe, toldmeofthemasacuriosityoftheCraft.There

maybesketchesintheHall.Theremaynot.Suchthingsdonotkeeponskinsforlong."HecastanobliquelookunderbeetledbrowsattheTannerCraftmaster.

"It is our own hides we must worry about preserving," F'lar remarked toforestallanyintercraftdisputes.

Fandarel grumbled in his throat in such a way that F'lar was not certainwhetherthesoundwastheman'slaughteroragutturalagreement.

"I shall consider the matter. So shall all my fellow craftsmen," FandarelassuredtheWeyrleader."TosearThreadsfromthegroundwithoutdamagingthesoilmaynotbesoeasy.Thereare,itistrue,fluidswhichburnandsear.Weuseanacidtoetchdesignondaggersandornamentalmetals.WeoftheCraftcallitagenothree.Thereisalsotheblackheavy-waterthatliesonthesurfaceofpoolsinIgenandBoll.Itburnshotandlong.Andif,asyousay,theColdTurnmadetheThreadsbreakintodust,perhapsicefromthecoldestnorthlandsmightfreezeand break grounded Threads. However, the problem is to bring such to theThreadswheretheyfallsincetheywillnotobligeusbyfallingwherewewantthem..."Hescreweduphisfaceinagrimace.

F'larstaredathim,surprised.Didthemanrealizehowhumoroushewas?No,hewasspeakingwithsincereconcern.NowtheMastersmithscratchedhishead,histoughfingersmakingaudiblegratingsoundsalonghiscoarsehairandheat-toughenedscalp.

"Aniceproblem.Aniceproblem,"hemused,undaunted."Ishallgiveiteveryattention."Hesatdown,theheavybenchcreakingunderhisweight.

TheMasterfarmerraisedhishandtentatively.

"When I became Craftmaster, I recall coming across a reference to thesandwormsofIgen.Theywereoncecultivatedasaprotective-"

"Neverheard Igenproducedanythingusefulexceptheatandsand,"quippedsomeone.

"Weneedeverysuggestion,"F'larsaidsharply,tryingtoidentifythatheckler."Pleasefindthatreference,Craftmaster.LordBangerofIgen,findmesomeof

thosesandworms!"

Banger, equally surprised that his arid Hold had a hidden asset, noddedvigorously.

"Untilwe havemore efficientways of killingThreads, allHoldersmust beorganized on the ground during attacks, to spot and mark burrows, to setfirestonetoburninthem.Idonotwishanymantobescored,butweknowhowquicklyThreadsburrowdeep,andnoburrowcanbelefttomultiply.Youstandto lose more," and he gestured emphatically at the Holder Lords, "than anyothers.Guardnot justyourselves,foraburrowononeman'sbordermaygrowacross to his neighbor's. Mobilize every man, woman, and child, farm andcrafthold.Doitnow."

TheCouncilRoomwasfraughtwithtensionandstunnedreflectionuntilZurg,theMasterweaver,rosetospeak.

"Mycraft,too,hassomethingtooffer...whichisonlyfairsincewedealwiththreadeverydayofourlives...inregardtotheancientmethods."Zurg'svoicewaslightanddry,andhiseyes,intheircreasesofspare,linedflesh,werebusy,darting fromone face in his audience to another. "InRuathaHold I once sawuponthewall...wherethetapestrynowresides,whoknows?"HeslylyglancedatMeronofNabolandthenatBargenoftheHighReacheswhohadsucceededto Fax's title there. "Theworkwas as old as dragonkind and showed, amongother things, aman on foot, carrying upon his back a curious contraption.Heheldwithinhishandarounded,sword-longobjectfromwhichtonguesofflame...magnificentlywovenintheorange-reddyesnowlosttous...spoutedtowardthe ground. Above, of course, were dragons in close formation, bronzespredominating...againwe'velostthattruedragonbronzeshade.ConsequentlyIremembertheworkasmuchforwhatwenowlackasforitssubjectmatter."

"Aflamethrower?"theSmithrumbled."Aflamethrower,"herepeatedwithafallinginflection."Aflamethrower,"hemurmuredthoughtfully,hisheavybrowsdrawn into a titanic scowl. "A thrower of what sort of flame? It requiresthought." He lowered his head and didn't speak, so engrossed in the requiredthoughtthathelostinterestintherestofthediscussion.

"Yes, good Zurg, there have beenmany tricks of every trade lost in recentTurns," F'lar commented sardonically. "If we wish to continue living, suchknowledge must be revived ... fast. I would particularly like to recover thetapestryofwhichMasterZurgspeaks,"F'larlookedsignificantlyatthoseLordswhohadquarreledoverFax'ssevenHoldsafterhisdeath.

"Itmay save all of youmuch loss. I suggest that it appear atRuatha.Or atZurg'sorFandarel'scrafthall.Whicheverismostconvenient."

Therewassomeshufflingoffeet,butnooneadmittedownership.

"It might then be returned to Fax's son, who is now Ruatha's Lord," F'laradded,wrylyamusedatsuchmagnanimousjustice.

Lytolsnortedsoftlyandgloweredaroundtheroom.F'larsupposedLytoltobeamusedandexperiencedafleetingregretfortheorphanedJaxom,rearedbysuchacheerlessifhonestguardian.

"IfImay,LordWeyrleader,"Robintonbrokein,"wemightallbenefit,asyourmapsprove tous, fromresearch inourownRecords."Hesmiledsuddenly,anunexpectedlyembarrassedsmile."IownIfindmyself insomedisgraceforweHarpers have let slip unpopular ballads and skimped on some of the longerTeaching Ballads and Sagas ... for lack of listeners and, occasionally, in theinterestofpreservingourskins."

F'larstifledalaughwithacough.Robintonwasagenius.

"ImustseethatRuathantapestry,"Fandarelsuddenlyboomedout.

"I'm sure it will be in your hands very soon," F'lar assured himwithmoreconfidence thanhedaredfeel."MyLords, there ismuch tobedone.Nowthatyou understand what we all face, I leave it in your hands as leaders in yourseparateHoldsandcraftshowbesttoorganizeyourownpeople.Craftsmen,turnyourbestmindstoourspecialproblems:reviewallRecordsthatmightturnupsomething to our purpose. Lords Telgar, Crom,Ruatha, andNabol, I shall bewithyou in threedays.Nerat,Keroon,andIgen, Iamatyourdisposal tohelpdestroyanyburrowonyourlands.WhilewehavetheMasterminerhere,tellhimyourneeds.Howstandsyourcraft?"

"Happytobesobusyatourtrade,Weyrleader,"pipeduptheMasterminer.

Just then F'lar caught sight of F'nor, hovering about in the shadows of thehallway, trying tocatchhiseye.Thebrownriderworeanexultantgrin,and itwasobvioushewasburstingwithnews.

F'lar wondered how they could have returned so swiftly from the SouthernContinent,andthenherealizedthatF'nor-again-wastanned.Hegaveajerkofhishead,indicatingthatF'nortakehimselfofftothesleepingquartersandwait.

"LordsandCraftmasters,adragonetwillbeatthedisposalofeachofyouformessagesandtransportation.Now,goodmorning."

HestrodeoutoftheCouncilRoom,upthepassagewayintothequeen'sweyr,andparted the still swinging curtains into the sleeping room just asF'norwaspouringhimselfacupofwine.

"Success!"F'norcriedastheWeyrleaderentered."Thoughhowyouknewtosendjustthirty-twocandidatesI'llneverunderstand.IthoughtyouwereinsultingournoblePridith.Butthirty-twoeggsshelaidinfourdays.ItwasallIcoulddotokeepfromridingoutwhenthefirstappeared."

F'lar respondedwith hearty congratulations, relieved that there would be atleast thatmuchbenefitfromthisapparentlyillfatedventure.NowallhehadtofigureoutwashowmuchlongerF'norhadstayedsouthuntilhisfranticvisitthenight before.For therewere noworry lines or strain inF'nor's grinning,well-tannedface.

"Noqueenegg?"askedF'larhopefully.Withthirtytwointheoneexperiment,perhapstheycouldsendasecondqueenbackandtryagain.

F'nor's face lengthened. "No, and I was sure there would be. But there arefourteenbronzes.PridithoutmatchedRamoththere,"headdedproudly.

"Indeedshedid.HowgoestheWeyrotherwise?"

F'nor frowned, shakinghis head against an innerbewilderment. "Kylara's ...

well,she'saproblem.Stirsuptroubleconstantly.T'borleadsasadtimewithher,andhe'ssotouchyeveryonekeepsadistancefromhim."F'norbrightenedalittle."YoungN'ton is shapingup intoa finewingleader, andhisbronzemayoutflyT'bor'sOrthwhenPridithfliestomatethenexttime.NotthatI'dwishKylaraonN'ton...oranyone."

"Notroublethenwithsupplies?"

F'nor laughed outright. "If you hadn't made it so plain we must notcommunicatewithyouhere,wecould supplyyouwith fruits and freshgreensthat are superior to anything in the north.We eat thewaydragonmen should!F'lar,wemustconsiderasupplyWeyrdownthere.Thenweshallneverhavetoworryabouttithingtrainsand..."

"Ingoodtime.Getbacknow.Youknowyoumustkeepthesevisitsshort"

F'norgrimaced."Oh,it'snotsobad.I'mnothereinthistime,anyway."

"True,"F'lar agreed, "butdon'tmistake the timeandcomewhileyou're stillhere."

"Hmmm?Oh,yes,that'sright.Iforgettimeiscreepingforusandspeedingforyou.Well,Ishan'tbebackagaintillPridithlaysthesecondclutch."

With a cheerful good-bye, F'nor strode out of the weyr. F'lar watched himthoughtfully as he slowly retraced his steps to the Council Room. Thirty-twonewdragons,fourteenofthembronzes,wasnosmallgainandseemedworththehazard.Orwouldthehazardwaxgreater?

Someone cleared his throat deliberately. F'lar looked up to see RobintonstandinginthearchwaythatledtotheCouncilRoom.

"BeforeIcancopyandinstructothersaboutthosemaps,Weyrleader,Imustmyselfunderstandthemcompletely.Itookthelibertyofremainingbehind."

"Youmakeagoodchampion,Masterharper."

"You have a noble cause, Weyrleader," and then Robinton's eyes glinted

maliciously. "I've been begging theEgg for an opportunity to speak out to sonobleanaudience."

"Acupofwinefirst?"

"BendengrapesaretheenvyofPern."

"Ifonehasthepalateforsuchadelicatebouquet."

"It is carefully cultivated by the knowledgeable." F'lar wondered when themanwouldstopplayingwithwords.Hehadmoreonhismindthanstudyingthetime-charts.

"Ihaveinmindaballadwhich,forlackofexplanation,IhadsetasidewhenIbecame theMaster of my crafthall," he said judiciously after an appreciativesavoringofhiswine. "It is anuneasy song, both the tune and thewords.Onedevelops, as a harpermust, a certain sensitivity forwhatwill be received andwhatwillbe rejected ... forcefully," andhewinced in retrospect. "I found thatthisballadunsettledsingeraswellasaudienceandretireditfromuse.Now,likethattapestry,itbearsrediscovery."

AfterhisdeathC'gan's instrumenthadbeenhungontheCouncilRoomwalltillanewWeyrsingercouldbechosen.Theguitarwasveryold, itswoodthin.OldC'ganhadkeptitwell-tunedandcovered.TheMasterharperhandleditnowwithreverence,lightlystrokingthestringstohearthetone,raisinghiseyebrowsatthefinevoiceoftheinstrument.

Hepluckedachord,adissonance.F'larwonderediftheinstrumentwasoutoftuneoriftheharperhad,bysomechance,struckthewrongstring.ButRobintonrepeatedtheodddiscord,thenmodulatingintoaweirdminorthatwassomehowmoredisturbingthanthefirstnotes.

"Itoldyouitwasanuneasysong.AndIwonderifyouknowtheanswerstothequestionsitasks.ForI'veturnedthepuzzleoverinmymindmanytimesoflate."

Thenabruptlyheshiftedfromthespokentothesungtone.

Goneaway,goneahead,

Echoesaway,dieunanswered.

Empty,open,dusty,dead,

WhyhavealltheWeyrfolkfled?

Wherehavedragonsgonetogether?

LeavingWeyrstowindandweather?

Settingherdbeastsfreeoftether?

Gone,oursafeguards,gonebutwhither?

HavetheyflowntosomenewWeyr

WherecruelThreadssomeothersfear?

Aretheyworldsawayfromhere?

Why,oh,why,theemptyWeyr?

Thelastplaintivechordreverberated.

"Of course, you realize that the song was first recorded in the craft annalssomefourhundredTurnsago,"Robintonsaidlightly,cradlingtheguitarinbotharms. "TheRedStarhad justpassedbeyondattackproximity.Thepeoplehadamplereasontobestunnedandworriedoverthesuddenlossofthepopulations

of five Weyrs. Oh, I imagine at the time they had any one of a number ofexplanations,butnone ...notoneexplanation ... isrecorded."Robintonpausedsignificantly.

"Ihavefoundnonerecorded,either,"F'larreplied."Asamatteroffact,Ihadall the Records brought here from the other Weyrs ... in order to compileaccurateattack timetables.And thoseotherWeyrRecords simplyend - "F'larmade a chopping gesture with one hand. "In Benden's Records there is nomention of sickness, death, fire, disaster-not one word of explanation for thesudden lapse of the usual intercourse between the Weyrs. Benden's Recordscontinue blithely, but only forBenden. There is one entry that pertains to themass disappearance ... the initiation of a Pern-wide patrol routing, not justBenden'simmediateresponsibility.Andthatisall."

"Strange,"Robintonmused."OncethedangerfromtheRedStarwaspast,thedragonsandridersmayhavegonebetweentoeasethedrainontheHolds.ButIsimplycannotbelievethat.OurcraftRecordsdomentionthatharvestswerebadand that therehadbeen several natural catastrophes ... other than theThreads.Menmaybegallantandyourbreedthemostgallantofall,butmasssuicide?Isimplydonotacceptthatexplanation...notfordragonmen."

"Mythanks,"F'larsaidwithmildirony.

"Don'tmentionit,"Robintonrepliedwithagraciousnod.

F'lar chuckedappreciatively. "I seewehavebeen tooweyrboundaswell astoohidebound."

RobintondrainedhiscupandlookedatitmournfullyuntilF'larrefilledit.

"Well,your isolationservedsomepurpose,youknow,andyouhandled thatuprising of the Lords magnificently. I nearly choked to death laughing,"Robinton remarked, grinning broadly. "Stealing theirwomen in the flash of adragon's breath!" He chuckled again, then suddenly sobered, looking F'larstraight in the eye. "Accustomed as I am to hearingwhat aman does not sayaloud, I suspect there ismuch you glossed over in thatCouncilmeeting.Youmay be sure ofmy discretion ... and ... youmay be sure ofmywholehearted

supportandthatofmynot ineffectualcraft.Tobeblunt,howmaymyharpersaid you?" and he strummed a vigorous marching air. "Stir men's pulses withballads of past glories and success?" The tune, under his flashing fingers,changedabruptlytoasternbutdeterminedrhythm."Strengthentheirmentalandphysicalsinewsforhardship?"

"If all your harpers could stir men as you yourself do, I should have noworriesthatfivehundredorsoadditionaldragonswouldnotimmediatelyend."

"Oh, then despite your bravewords andmarked charts, the situation is" - adissonant twangon theguitar accentedhis finalwords - "moredesperate thanyoucarefullydidnotsay."

"Itmaybe."

"The flamethrowers old Zurg remembered and Fandarel must reconstruct -willtheytipthescales?"

F'larregardedthisclevermanthoughtfullyandmadeaquickdecision.

"Even Igen's sandwormswill help, but as theworld turns and theRed Starnears,theintervalbetweendailyattacksshortensandwehaveonlyseventy-twonewdragonstoaddtothosewehadyesterday.Oneisnowdeadandseveralwillnotflyforseveralweeks."

"Seventy-two?"Robintoncaughthimupsharply."Ramothhatchedbutforty,andtheyarestilltooyoungtoeatfirestone."

F'lar outlinedF'nor andLessa's expedition, takingplace at thatmoment.Hewent on to F'nor's reappearance and warning, as well as the fact that theexperiment had been successful in part with the hatching of thirty-two newdragonsfromPridith'sfirstclutch.

Robintoncaughthimup.

"HowcanF'noralreadyhavereturnedwhenyouhaven'theardfromLessaandhimthatthereisabreedingplaceontheSouthernContinent?"

"Dragonscangobetweentimesaswellasplaces.Theygoaseasilytoawhenastoawhere."

Robinton'seyeswidenedashedigestedthisastonishingnews.

"That is how we forestalled the attack on Nerat yesterday morning. WejumpedbacktwohoursbetweentimetomeettheThreadsastheyfell."

"Youcanactuallyjumpbackward?Howfarback?"

"I don't know.Lessa,when Iwas teaching her to flyRamoth, inadvertentlyreturned to Ruatha Hold, to the dawn thirteen Turns ago when Fax's meninvaded from the heights. When she returned to the present, I attempted abetweentimesjumpofsometenTurns.Tothedragonsitisasimplemattertogobetween times or spaces, but there appears to be a terrific drain on the rider.Yesterday,bythetimewereturnedfromNeratandhadtogoontoKeroon,IfeltasthoughIhadbeenpoundedflatandlefttodryforasummeronIgenPlain."

F'lar shook his head. "We have obviously succeeded in sending Kylara,Pridith,andtheotherstenTurnsbetween,becauseF'norhasalreadyreportedtome that he has been there several Turns. The drain on humans, however, isbecomingmoreandmoremarked.Butevenseventy-twomorematuredragonswillbeahelp."

"Send a rider ahead in time to see if it is sufficient," Robinton suggestedhelpfully."Saveyouafewdays'worrying."

"Idon'tknowhowtogettoawhenthathasnotyethappened.Youmustgiveyourdragon referencepoints, youknow.Howcanyou referhim to times thathavenotyetoccurred?"

"You'vegotanimagination.Projectit."

"AndperhapsloseadragonwhenIhavenonetospare?No,Imustcontinue...because obviously I have, judging by F'nor's returns ... as I decided to start.Whichremindsme,Imustgiveorderstostartpacking.ThenIshallgooverthetime-chartswithyou."

Itwasn'tuntilafterthenoonmeal,whichRobintontookwiththeWeyrleader,that theMasterharper was confident that he understood the charts and left tobegintheircopying.

3Acrossawasteoflonelytossingsea,

Wherenodragonwingshadlatelyspread,

Flewagoldandasturdybrowninspring

Searchingifalandbedead.

ASRAMOTHandCanthboreLessaandF'noruptotheStarStone,theysawthefirstoftheHoldLordsandCraftmastersarrivingfortheCouncil.

In order to get back to the SouthernContinent of tenTurns ago,Lessa andF'norhaddecideditwaseasiesttotransferfirstbetweentimestotheWeyroftenTurnsbackwhichF'nor remembered.Then theywouldgobetweenplaces toaseapoint just off the coast of the neglected Southern Continent which was asclosetoitastheRecordsgaveanyreferences.

F'norputCanth inmindof aparticulardayhe remembered tenTurnsback,andRamothpickedupthereferencesfromthebrown'smind.TheawesomecoldofbetweentimestookLessa'sbreathaway,anditwaswithintensereliefthatshecaught a glimpse of the normal weyr activity before the dragons took thembetweenplacestohoverovertheturgidsea.

Beyond them, smudged purple on this overcast and gloomy day, lurked theSouthern Continent. Lessa felt a new anxiety replace the uncertainty of thetemporal displacement. Ramoth beat forwardwith great sweeps of herwings,makingforthedistantcoast.Canthgallantlytriedtomaintainamatchingspeed.

He'sonlyabrown,Lessascoldedhergoldenqueen.

If he is flying withme, Ramoth replied coolly, hemust stretch his wings alittle.

Lessagrinned, thinkingveryprivately thatRamothwas still piqued that shehadnotbeenabletofightwithherweyrmates.Allthemaleswouldhaveahardtimewithherforawhile.

TheysawtheflockofwherriesfirstandrealizedthattherewouldhavetobesomevegetationontheContinent.Wherriesneededgreenstolive,althoughtheycouldsubsistonlittleelsebesidesoccasionalgrubsifnecessary.

Lessa hadCanth relay questions to his rider. If the SouthernContinentwasrendered barren by the Threads, how did new growth start? Where did thewherriescomefrom?

Evernoticetheseedpodssplitopenandtheflakescarriedawaybythewinds?Evernoticethatwherriesflysouthaftertheautumnsolstice?

Yes,but...

Yes,but!ButthelandwasThreadbared!InlessthanfourhundredTurnseventhe scorchedhilltopsofourContinentbegin to sprout in the springtime,F'norrepliedbywayofCanth,so it iseasy toassume theSouthernContinentcouldrevive,too.

EvenatthepaceRamothset,ittooktimetoreachthejaggedshorelinewithitsforbidding cliffs, stark stone in the sullen light. Lessa groaned inwardly buturgedRamothhigher to seeover themaskinghighlands.All seemedgrayanddesolatefromthataltitude.Suddenlythesunbrokethroughthecloudcoverandthegraydissolvedintodensegreensandbrowns,livingcolors,thelivegreensoflush tropical growth, the browns of vigorous trees and vines. Lessa's cry oftriumph was echoed by F'nor's hurrah and the brass voices of the dragons.Wherries, startled by the unusual sound, rose in squeaking alarm from theirperches.

Beyond the headland, the land sloped away to jungle and grassy plateau,similartomid-Boll.Thoughtheysearchedallmorning,theyfoundnohospitablecliffs wherein to found a new Weyr. Was that a contributing factor in thesouthernventure'sfailure,Lessawondered.

Discouraged,theylandedonahighplateaubyasmalllake.Theweatherwas

warmbutnotoppressive,andwhileF'norandLessaatetheirnoondaymeal,thetwodragonswallowedinthewater,refreshingthemselves.

Lessa feltuneasyandhad littleappetite for themeatandbread.ShenoticedthatF'norwas restless, too, shooting surreptitiousglances around the lake andthejungleverge.

"Whatunderthesunareweexpecting?Wherriesdon'tcharge,andwildwherswould come nowhere near a dragon.We're ten Turns before theRed Star, sotherecan'tbeanyThreads."

F'norshrugged,grimacingsheepishlyashe tossedhisunfinishedbreadbackintothefoodpouch.

"Placefeelssoempty,Iguess,"hetendered,glancingaround.Hespottedripefruit hanging from a moonflower vine. "Now that looks familiar and goodenoughtoeat,withouttastinglikedustinthemouth."

Heclimbednimblyandsnaggedtheorange-redfruit.

"Smellsright,feelsripe,looksripe,"heannouncedanddeftlyslicedthefruitopen.Grinning,hehandedLessathefirstslice,carvinganotherforhimself.Helifteditchallengingly."Letuseatanddietogether!"

Shecouldn'thelpbutlaughandsalutedhimback.Theybitintothesucculentfleshsimultaneously.Sweet juicesdribbledfromthecomersofhermouth,andLessahurriedlylickedherlipstocapturetheleastdropofthedeliciousliquid.

"Diehappy-Iwill,"F'norcried,eatingmorefruit.

Bothweresubtlyreassuredby theexperimentandwereable todiscuss theirdiscomposure.

"Ithink,"F'norsuggested,"itisthelackofcliffandcavernandthestill,stillqualityoftheplace,theknowingthattherearenoothermenorbeastsaboutbutus."

Lessanoddedherheadinagreement."Ramoth,Canth,wouldhavingnoWeyr

upsetyou?"

We didn't always live in caves, Ramoth replied, somewhat haughtily as sherolledoverinthelake.SizablewavesrusheduptheshorealmosttowhereLessaandF'norwereseatedonafallentreetrunk.Thesunhereiswarmandpleasant,thewatercooling.Iwouldenjoyithere,butIamnottocome.

"Sheisoutofsorts,"LessawhisperedtoF'nor."LetPridithhaveit,dearone,"shecalledsoothinglytothegoldenqueen."You'vetheWeyrandall!"

Ramothduckedunderthewater,blowingupafrothindisgruntledreply.

Canthadmitted thathehadnoreservationsatallabout livingWeyrless.Thedryearthwouldbewarmerthanstonetosleepon,onceasuitablycomfortablehollowhadbeenachieved.No,hecouldn'tobjecttothelackofthecaveaslongastherewasenoughtoeat.

"We'll have to bring herdbeasts in," F'normused. "Enough to start a good-sizedherd.Ofcourse,thewherriesherearehuge.Cometothinkofit,Ibelievethis plateau has no exits.Wewouldn't need to pasture it off. I'd better check.Otherwise, this plateauwith the lake and enough clear space forHolds seemsideal.Walkoutandpickbreakfastfromthetree."

"Itmightbewise to choose thosewhowerenotHold-reared,"Lessa added."They would not feel so uneasy away from protecting heights and stone-security."Shegaveashortlaugh."I'mmoreacreatureofhabitthanIsuspected.All these open spaces, untenanted and quiet, seem ... indecent." She gave adelicateshudder,scanningthebroadandopenplainbeyondthelake.

"Fruitfulandlovely,"F'noramended,leapinguptosecuremoreoftheorange-redsucculents."Thistastesuncommonlygoodtome.Can'trememberanythingthissweetandjuicyfromNerat,andyetit'sthesamevariety."

"UndeniablysuperiortowhattheWeyrgets.IsuspectNeratserveshomefirst,Weyrlast."

Theybothstuffedthemselvesgreedily.

Further investigation proved that the plateau was isolated, and ample topasture ahugeherdof foodbeasts for thedragons. It ended in a sheerdropofseveraldragonlengthsintodenserjungleononeside,thesea-sideescarpmentontheother.Thetimberstandswouldproviderawmaterialfromwhichdwellingscouldbemadefor theWeyrfolk.RamothandCanthstoutlyagreeddragonkindwouldbe comfortable enoughunder theheavy foliageof thedense jungle.Asthispartofthecontinentwassimilar,weatherwise,toUpperNerat,therewouldbeneitherintenseheatnorcoldtogivedistress.

However, ifLessawasgladenough to leave,F'nor seemed reluctant to startback.

"Wecangobetweentimeandplaceonthewayback,"Lessainsistedfinally,"andbeintheWeyrbylateafternoon.TheLordswillsurelybegonebythen."

F'norconcurred,andLessasteeledherselfforthetripbetween.Shewonderedwhythewhenbetweenbotheredhermorethanthewhere,forithadnoeffectonthedragonsatall.Ramoth,sensingLessa'sdepression,croonedencouragingly.The long, longblack suspensionof theutter coldofbetweenwhereandwhenendedsuddenlyinsunlightabovetheWeyr.

Somewhatstartled,LessasawbundlesandsacksspreadoutbeforetheLowerCavernsasdragonriderssupervisedtheloadingoftheirbeasts.

"Whathasbeenhappening?"F'norexclaimed.

"Oh,F'lar'sbeenanticipatingsuccess,"sheassuredhimglibly.

Mnementh,whowaswatchingthebustlefromtheledgeofthequeen'sweyr,sentagreetingtothetravelersandtheinformationthatF'larwishedthemtojoinhimintheweyrassoonastheyreturned.

They found F'lar, as usual, bent over some of the oldest and least legibleRecordskinsthathehadhadbroughttotheCouncilRoom.

"And?"heasked,grinningabroadwelcomeatthem.

"Green, lush, and livable," Lessa declared,watching him intently.He knew

somethingelse, too.Well, shehopedhe'dwatchhiswords.F'norwasno fool,andthisforeknowledgewasdangerous.

"ThatiswhatIhadsohopedtohearyousay,"F'larwentonsmoothly."Cometellme in detailwhat you observed and discovered. It'll be good to fill in theblankspacesonthechart."

LessaletF'norgivemostof theaccount, towhichF'lar listenedwithsincereattention,makingnotes.

"On the chance that it would be practical, I started packing supplies andalertingtheriderstogowithyou,"hetoldF'norwhentheaccountwasfinished."Remember,we'veonly threedays in this time inwhich to start youback tenTurnsago.Wehavenomomentstospare.Andwemusthavemanymorematuredragons ready to fight atTelgar in threedays' time.So, though tenTurnswillhavepassedforyou, threedaysonlywillelapsehere.Lessa,your thought thatthefarm-bredmightdobetteriswell-taken.We'reluckythatourrecentSearchfor rider candidates for the dragons Pridith will have come mainly from thecraftsandfarms.Noproblemthere.Andmostofthethirty-twoareinthem:earlyteens."

"Thirty-two?" F'nor exclaimed. "We should have fifty. The dragonets musthave some choice, even ifwe get the candidates used to the dragonets beforethey'rehatched."

F'larshruggednegligently."Sendbackformore.You'llhavetime,remember,"and F'lar chuckled as though he had started to add something and decidedagainstit.

F'nor had no time to debate with the Weyrleader, for F'lar immediatelylaunchedonotherrapidinstructions.

F'norwastotakehisownwingriderstohelptraintheweyrlings.TheywouldalsotakethefortyyoungdragonsofRamoth'sfirstclutch:KylarawithherqueenPridith,T'borandhisbronzePiyanth.N'ton'syoungbronzemightalsobereadyto fly and mate by the time Pridith was, so that gave the young queen twobronzesatleast.

"Suppose we'd found the continent barren?" F'nor asked, still puzzled byF'lar'sassurance."Whatthen?"

"Oh,we'd'vesent thembackto,say, theHighReaches,"F'larrepliedfar tooglibly, but quickly went on. "I should send on other bronzes, but I'll needeveryoneelseheretorideburrow-searchonKeroonandNerat.They'vealreadyunearthedseveralatNerat.Vincet,I'mtold,isclosetoheartattackfromfright."

LessamadeashortcommentonthatHoldLord.

"Whatofthemeetingthismorning?"F'norasked,remembering.

"Nevermindthatnow.You'vegottostartshiftingbetweenbyevening,F'nor."

Lessagave theWeyrleadera longhard lookanddecidedshewouldhave tofindoutwhathadhappenedindetailverysoon.

"Sketchmesomereferences,willyou,Lessa?"F'larasked.

Therewasadefinitepleainhiseyesashedrewcleanhideandastylustoher.Hewantednoquestions fromhernowthatwouldalarmF'nor.Shesighedandpickedupthedrawingtool.

She sketched quickly,with one or two details added by F'nor until she hadrendereda reasonablemapof theplateau theyhadchosen.Then,abruptly,shehadtroublefocusinghereyes.Shefeltlightheaded.

"Lessa?"F'larbenttoher.

"Everything's ...moving ... circling ..." and she collapsed backward into hisarms.

AsF'lar raisedher slightbody intohisarms,heexchangedanalarmed lookwithhishalfbrother.

"Howdoyoufeel?"theWeyrleadercalledafterhisbrother.

"Tired but no more than that," F'nor assured him as he shouted down the

service shaft to the kitchens forManora to come and for hot klah.He neededthat,andnodoubtofit.

F'larlaidtheWeyrwomanonthesleepingcouch,coveringhergently.

"I don't like this," he muttered, rapidly recalling what F'nor had said ofKylara'sdecline,whichF'norcouldnotknowwasyettocomeinhisfuture.WhyshoulditstartsoswiftlywithLessa?

"Time-jumpingmakesonefeelslightly-"F'norpaused,gropingfortheexactwording."Notentirely...whole.YoufoughtbetweentimesatNeratyesterday...."

"I fought," F'lar reminded him, "but neither you nor Lessa battled anythingtoday. Theremay be some inner ... mental ... stress simply to going betweentimes.Look,F'nor, I'd ratheronlyyoucamebackonceyoureach thesouthernWeyr.I'llmakeitanorderandgetRamothtoinhibitthedragons.Thatwaynoridercantakeit intohisheadtocomebackevenifhewantsto.Thereissomefactor thatmaybemore serious thanwe canguess.Let's take no unnecessaryrisks."

"Agreed."

"Oneotherdetail,F'nor.Beverycarefulwhichtimesyoupicktocomebacktoseeme.Iwouldn'tjumpbetweentooclosetoanytimeyouwereactuallyhere.Ican't imagine what would happen if you walked into your own self in thepassageway,andIcan'tloseyou."

With a rare demonstration of affection, F'lar gripped his half brother'sshouldertightly.

"Remember,F'nor. Iwashereallmorningandyoudidnotarrivebackfromthefirsttriptillmidaftemoon.Andremember,too,wehaveonlythreedays.YouhavetenTurns."

F'nor left, passing Manora in the hall. The woman could find nothingobviously the matter with Lessa, and they finally decided it might be simplefatigue; yesterday's strainwhenLessa had to relaymessages between dragons

andfightersfollowedbythedisjointingbetweentimestriptoday.

WhenF'larwent towish the southernventurers a good trip,Lessawas in anormalsleep,herfacepale,butherbreathingeasy,

F'larhadMnementhrelay toRamoth theprohibitionhewished thequeen toinstillinalldragonkindassignedtotheventure.Ramothobliged,butaddedinanasidetobronzeMnementh,whichhepassedontoF'lar, thateveryoneelsehadadventureswhileshe,theWeyrqueen,wasforcedtostaybehind.

Nosoonerhadtheladendragons,onebyone,winkedoutoftheskyabovetheStarStonethantheyoungweyrlingassignedtoNeratHoldasmessengercameglidingdown,hisfacewhitewithfear.

"Weyrleader,manymoreburrowshavebeenfound,andtheycannotbeburnedoutwithfirealone.LordVincetwantsyou."

F'larcouldwellimaginethatVincetdid.

"Getyourselfsomedinner,boy,beforeyoustartback.I'llgoshortly."

Ashepassed throughto thesleepingquarters,heheardRamothrumbling inherthroat.Shehadsettledherselfdowntorest.

Lessastillslept,onehandcurledunderhercheek,herdarkhairtrailingovertheedgeofthebed.Shelookedfragile,childlike,andveryprecioustohim.F'larsmiled tohimself.Soshewas jealousofKylara'sattentionsyesterday.Hewaspleasedandflattered.NeverwouldLessalearnfromhimthatKylara,forallherboldbeautyandsensuousnature,didnothaveone tenth theattraction forhimthat the unpredictable, dark, and delicate Lessa held. Even her stubbornintractableness,herkeenandmalicioushumor,addedzest to their relationship.Withatendernesshewouldnevershowherawake,F'larbentandkissedherlips.Shestirredandsmiled,sighinglightlyinhersleep.

Reluctantlyreturningtowhatmustbedone,F'larleftherso.Ashepausedbythequeen,Ramothraisedhergreat,wedge-shapedhead;hermany-facetedeyesgleamedwithbrightluminescenceassheregardedtheWeyrleader.

"Mnementh,pleaseaskRamothtogetintouchwiththedragonetatFandarel'scrafthall.I'dliketheMastersmithtocomewithmetoNerat.IwanttoseewhathisagenothreedoestoThreads."

Ramothnoddedherheadasthebronzedragonrelayedthemessagetoher.

Shehasdoneso,andthegreendragoncomesassoonashecan.Mnementhreportedtohisrider.Itiseasiertodo,thistalkingabout,whenLessaisawake,hegrumbled.

F'laragreedheartily.Ithadbeenquiteanadvantageyesterdayinthebattleandwouldbemoreandmoreofanasset.

Maybeitwouldbebetterifshetriedtospeak,acrosstime,toF'nor...butno,F'norhadcomeback.

F'lar strode into theCouncilRoom, still hopeful that somewherewithin theillegibleportionsoftheoldRecordswastheonecluehesodesperatelyneeded.There must be a way out of this impasse. If not the southern venture, thensomethingelse.Something!

Fandarel showed himself a man of iron will as well as sinew; he lookedcalmly at the exposed tangle of perceptibly growingThreads thatwrithed andintertwinedobscenely.

"Hundreds and thousands in this one burrow," Lord Vincet of Nerat wasexclaiminginafrantictoneofvoice.Hewavedhishandsdistractedlyaroundtheplantation of young trees in which the burrow had been discovered. "Thesestalks are already withering even as you hesitate. Do something! How manymore young trees will die in this one field alone? How many more burrowsescaped dragon's breath yesterday?Where is a dragon to sear them?Why areyoujuststandingthere?"

F'lar and Fandarel paid no attention to theman's raving, both fascinated aswellas revoltedby their first sightof theburrowingstageof theirancient foe.DespiteVincet'spanickyaccusations, itwas theonlyburrowon thisparticularslope. F'lar did not like to contemplate how many more might have slippedthrough the dragons' efforts and had reached Nerat's warm and fertile soil. If

they had only had time enough to set outwatchmen to track the fall of strayclumps.Theycould,at least,remedythaterrorinTelgar,Crom,andRuathainthreedays.Butitwasnotenough.Notenough.

Fandarel motioned forward the two craftsmen who had accompanied him.Theywereburdenedwithanoddcontraption:alargecylinderofmetaltowhichwasattachedawandwithawidenozzle.At theotherendof thecylinderwasanother shortpipe-lengthand thena shortcylinderwithan innerplunger.Onecraftsmanworkedtheplungervigorously,while thesecond,barelykeepinghishandssteady,pointedthenozzleendtowardtheThreadburrow.Atanodfromthispumper,themanreleasedasmallknobonthenozzle,extendingitcarefullyawayfromhimandover theburrow.Athinspraydancedfromthenozzleanddrifted down into the burrow. No sooner had the spray motes contacted theThread tangles than steam hissed out of the burrow. Before long, all thatremained of the pallid writhing tendrils was a smoking mass of blackenedstrands. Long after Fandarel had waved the craftsmen back, he stared at thegrave.Finallyhegruntedand foundhimself a longstickwithwhichhepokedandproddedtheremains.NotoneThreadwriggled.

"Humph,"hegruntedwithevidentsatisfaction."However,wecanscarcelygoarounddiggingupeveryburrow.Ineedanother."

WithLordVincetahand-wringingmoanerintheirwake,theywereescortedbythejunglementoanotherundisturbedburrowonthesea-sideoftherainforest.TheThreadshad entered the earthby the sideof ahuge tree thatwas alreadydrooping.

WithhisproddingstickFandarelmadeatinyholeatthetopoftheburrowandthenwaved his craftsmen forward. The pumpermade vigorousmotions at hisend, while the nozzle-holder adjusted his pipe before inserting it in the hole.Fandarel gave the sign to start and counted slowly before hewaved a cutoff.Smokeoozedoutofthetinyhole.

After a suitable lapse of time, Fandarel ordered the junglemen to dig,remindingthemtobecarefulnottocomeincontactwiththeagenothreeliquid.When the burrowwasuncovered, the acid haddone itswork, leavingnothingbutathoroughlycharredmassoftangles.

Fandarelgrimacedbutthistimescratchedhisheadindissatisfaction.

"Takes toomuch time,eitherway.Best toget themstill at the surface," theMastersmithgrumbled.

"Besttogetthemintheair,"LordVincetchattered."Andwhatwillthatstuffdotomyyoungorchards?Whatwillitdo?"

Fandarelswungaround,apparentlynoticingthedistressedHolderforthefirsttime.

"Littleman,agenothreeindilutedformiswhatyouusetofertilizeyourplantsin thespring.True, thisfieldhasbeenburnedoutforafewyears,but it isnotThread-full.Itwouldbebetterifwecouldgetthesprayuphighintheair.Thenitwould floatdownanddissipateharmlessly -fertilizingvery evenly, too."Hepaused,scratchedhisheadgratingly."Youngdragonscouldcarryateamaloft...Hmmm.Apossibility,buttheapparatusisbulkyyet."HeturnedhisbackonthesurprisedHoldLord then and askedF'lar if the tapestry had been returned. "Icannotyetdiscoverhowtomakeatubethrowflame.Igotthismechanismfromwhatwemakefortheorchardfarmers."

"I'm stillwaiting forword on the tapestry," F'lar replied, "but this spray ofyoursiseffective.TheThreadburrowisdead."

"Thesandwormsareeffective too,butnotreallyefficient,"Fandarelgruntedindissatisfaction.Hebeckonedabruptlytohisassistantsandstalkedoffintotheincreasingtwilighttothedragons.

Robintonawaited their returnat theWeyr,hisoutwardcalmbarelymaskinghis inner excitement.He inquired politely, however, of Fandarel's efforts. TheMastersmithgruntedandshrugged."Ihaveallmycraftatwork."

"TheMastersmith is entirely toomodest," F'lar put in. "He has already puttogether an ingenious device that sprays agenothree into Thread burrows andsearsthemintoablackpulp."

"Not efficient. I like the idea of flamethrowers," the smith said, his eyesgleaminginhisexpressionlessface."Athrowerofflame,"herepeated,hiseyes

unfocusing.He shook his heavy headwith a bone-popping crack. "I go," andwithacurtnodtotheharperandtheWeyrleader,heleft.

"I like that man's dedication to an idea," Robinton observed. Despite hisamusementwiththeman'seccentricbehavior,therewasastrongundercurrentofrespectforthesmith."ImustsetmyapprenticesataskforanappropriateSagaon theMastersmith. I understand," he said, turning toF'lar, "that the southernventurehasbeeninaugurated."

F'larnoddedunhappily.

"Yourdoubtsincrease?"

"Thisbetweentimestraveltakesitsowntoll,"headmitted,glancinganxiouslytowardthesleepingroom.

"TheWeyrwomanisill?"

"Sleeping,but today's journeyaffectedher.Weneedanother, lessdangerousanswer!"andF'larslammedonefistintotheotherpalm.

"I camewithno real answer,"Robinton said then, briskly, "butwithwhat Ibelieve to be another part of the puzzle. I have found an entry. Four hundredTurnsagothethenMasterharperwascalledtoFortWeyrnotlongaftertheRedStarretreatedawayfromPernintheeveningsky."

"Anentry?Whatisit?"

"Mindyou,theThreadattackshadjustliftedandtheMasterharperwascalledonelateeveningtoFortWeyr.Anunusualsummons.However,"andRobintonemphasizedthedistinctionbypointingalong,callous-tippedfingeratF'lar,"nofurthermentionisevermadeofthatvisit.Thereoughttohavebeen,forallsuchsummonseshaveapurpose.Allsuchmeetingsarerecorded,yetnoexplanationof this one is given. The record is taken up several weeks later by theMasterharper as though he had not left his crafthall at all. Some ten monthsafterward,theQuestionSongwasaddedtocompulsoryTeachingBallads."

"YoubelievethetwoareconnectedwiththeabandonmentofthefiveWeyrs?"

"I do, but I could not say why. I only feel that the events, the visit, thedisappearances,theQuestionSong,areconnected."

F'larpouredthembothcupsofwine.

"Ihavecheckedback,too,seekingsomeindications."Heshrugged."Allmusthavebeennormal rightup to thepoint theydisappeared.ThereareRecordsoftithing trains received, supplies stored, the list of injured dragons and menreturningtoactivepatrols.AndthentheRecordsceaseatfullCold,leavingonlyBendenWeyroccupied."

"Andwhy that oneWeyr of the six to choose from?" Robinton demanded."IslandIstawouldbeabetterchoiceifonlyoneWeyrwastobeleft.BendensofarnorthisnotalikelyplacetopassfourhundredTurns."

"Benden is high and isolated. A disease that struck the others and waspreventedfromreachingBenden?"

"And no explanation of it? They can't all-dragons, riders, weyrfolk-havedroppeddeadonthesameinstantandleftnocarcassesrottinginthesun."

"Then let us ask ourselves, why was the harper called? Was he told toconstructaTeachingBalladcoveringthisdisappearance?"

"Well,"Robintonsnorted, "it certainlywasn'tmeant to reassureus,notwiththattune-ifonecarestocallitatuneatall,andIdon't-nordoesitansweranyquestions!Itposesthem."

"Forustoanswer?"suggestedF'larsoftly.

"Aye."Robinton'seyes shone. "Forus toanswer, indeed, for it isadifficultsong to forget.Whichmeans itwasmeant tobe remembered.Thosequestionsareimportant,F'lar!"

"Whichquestionsareimportant?"demandedLessa,whohadenteredquietly.

Bothmenwereontheirfeet.F'lar,withunusualattentiveness,heldachairforLessaandpouredherwine.

"I'mnotgoingtobreakapart,"shesaidtartly,almostannoyedattheexcessofcourtesy.ThenshesmiledupatF'lartotakethestingoutofherwords."IsleptandIfeelmuchbetter.Whatwereyoutwogettingsointenseabout?"

F'lar quickly outlined what he and the Masterharper had been discussing.WhenhementionedtheQuestionSong,Lessashuddered.

"That's one I can't forget, either. Which, I've always been told," and shegrimaced,rememberingthehatefullessonswithR'gul,"meansit'simportant.Butwhy? It only asked questions." Then she bunked, her eyes went wide withamazement

" 'Gone away, gone ... ahead!'" she cried, on her feet. "That's it! All fiveWeyrswent...ahead.Buttowhen?"

F'larturnedtoher,speechless.

"Theycameaheadtoourtime!FiveWeyrsfullofdragons,"sherepeatedinanawedvoice.

"No,that'simpossible,"F'larcontradicted.

"Why?"Robintondemandedexcitedly."Doesn'tthatsolvetheproblemwe'refacing? The need for fighting dragons? Doesn't it explain why they left sosuddenlywithnoexplanationexceptthatQuestionSong?"

F'larbrushedbacktheheavylockofhairthatoverhunghiseyes.

"Itwouldexplaintheiractionsinleaving,"headmitted,"becausetheycouldn'tleaveanycluessayingwheretheywent,oritwouldcancelthewholething.Justas I couldn't tellF'nor I knew the southernventurewouldhaveproblems.Buthowdotheygethere- ifhere iswhentheycame?Theyaren'therenow.Howwouldtheyhaveknowntheywereneeded-orwhentheywereneeded?Andthisis the real problem - how can you conceivably give a dragon references to awhenthathasnotyetoccurred?"

"Someone here must go back to give them the proper references," Lessarepliedinaveryquietvoice.

"You're mad, Lessa," F'lar shouted at her, alarm written on his face. "Youknowwhathappenedtoyoutoday.Howcanyouconsidergoingbacktoawhenyoucan'tremotelyimagine?ToawhenfourhundredTurnsago?GoingbacktenTurnsleftyoufaintingandhalf-ill."

"Wouldn'titbeworthit?"sheaskedhim,hereyesgrave."Isn'tPernworthit?"

F'largrabbedherbytheshoulders,shakingher,hiseyeswildwithfear.

"NotevenPernisworthlosingyou,orRamoth.Lessa,Lessa,don'tyoudaredisobeymeinthis."Hisvoicedroppedtoanintense,icywhisper,shakingwithanger.

"Ah, theremaybeawayofeffecting that solution,momentarilybeyondus,Weyrwoman,"Robintonput inadroitly."Whoknowswhat tomorrowholds?Itcertainlyisnotsomethingonedoeswithoutconsideringeveryangle."

LessadidnotshrugoffF'lar'sviselikegriponhershouldersasshegazedatRobinton.

"Wine?"theMasterharpersuggested,pouringamugforher.HisdiversionaryactionbrokethetableauofLessaandF'lar.

"Ramothisnotafraidtotry,"Lessasaid,hermouthsetinadeterminedline.

F'lar glared at the golden dragon whowas regarding the humans, her neckcurledaroundalmosttotheshoulderjointofhergreatwing.

"Ramoth is young,"F'lar snapped and then caughtMnementh'swry thoughtevenasLessadid.

Shethrewherheadback,herpealoflaughterechoinginthevaultingchamber,

"I'mbadlyinneedofagoodjokemyself,"Robintonremarkedpointedly.

"MnementhtoldF'larthathewasneitheryoungnorafraidtotry,either.Itwasjustalongstep,"Lessaexplained,wipingtearsfromhereyes.

F'lar glanced dourly at the passageway, at the end of which Mnementhloungedonhiscustomaryledge.

Aladendragoncomes,thebronzewarnedthoseintheWeyr.ItisLytolbehindyoungB'rantonbrownFanth.

"Nowhebringshisownbadnews?"Lessaaskedsourly.

"ItishardenoughforLytoltorideanother'sdragonorcomehereatall,LessaofRuatha.Donotincreasehistormentonejotwithyourchildishness,"F'larsaidsternly.

Lessadroppedhereyes, furiouswithF'lar for speaking so toher in frontofRobinton.

Lytol stumped into thequeen'sweyr,carryingoneendofa large rolled rug.YoungB'rant,strugglingtoupholdtheotherend,wassweatingwiththeeffort.LytolbowedrespectfullytowardRamothandgesturedtheyoungbrownridertohelp him unroll their burden. As the immense tapestry uncoiled, F'lar couldunderstand why Masterweaver Zurg had remembered it. The colors, ancientthough they undoubtedly were, remained vibrant and undimmed. The subjectmatterwasevenmoreinteresting.

"Mnementh, send for Fandarel. Here's the model he needs for hisflamethrower,"F'larsaid.

"That tapestry isRuatha's,"Lessacried indignantly."I remember it frommychildhood. It hung in the Great Hall and was the most cherished of myBloodline'spossessions.Wherehasitbeen?"Hereyeswereflashing.

"Lady,it isbeingreturnedtowhereitbelongs,"Lytolsaidstolidly,avoidinghergaze."Amasterweaver'swork,this,"hewenton,touchingtheheavyfabricwithreverentfingers."Suchcolors,suchpatterning.Ittookaman'slifetosetupthe loom, a craft's whole effort to complete, or I am no judge of truecraftsmanship."

F'larwalkedalongtheedgeoftheimmensearras,wishingitcouldbehungtoafford the proper perspective of the heroic scene.A flying formation of three

wingsofdragonsdominated theupperportionofhalf thehanging.Theywerebreathing flame as they dove upon gray, falling clumps of Threads in thebrilliant sky. A sky just that perfect autumnal blue, F'lar decided, that cannotoccur in warmer weather. Upon the lower slopes of the hills, foliage wasdepicted as turning yellow from chilly nights. The slatey rocks suggestedRuathancountry.Was thatwhy the tapestryhadhung inRuathaHall?Below,menhadlefttheprotectingHold,cutintothecliffitself.Themenwereburdenedwith thecuriouscylindersofwhichZurghadspoken.The tubes in theirhandsbelchedbrillianttonguesofflameinlongstreams,aimedatthewrithingThreadsthatattemptedtoburrowintheground.

Lessa gave a startled exclamation, walking right onto the tapestry, staringdownat thewovenoutlineof theHold, itsmassivedoorajar, thedetailsof itsbronzeornamentationpainstakinglyrenderedinfineyams.

"Ibelievethat'sthedesignontheRuathaHolddoor,"F'larremarked.

"Itis...anditisn't,"Lessarepliedinapuzzledvoice.

Lytolgloweredatherandthenatthewovendoor."True.Itisn'tandyetitis,and Iwent through thatdoora scanthourago."He scowleddownat thedoorbeforehistoes.

"Well,herearethedesignsFandarelwantstostudy,"F'larsaidwithrelief,ashepeeredattheflamethrowers.

WhetherornotthesmithcouldproduceaworkingmodelfromthiswovenoneintimetohelpthemthreedayshenceF'larcouldn'tguess.ButifFandarelcouldnot,nomancould.

TheMastersmithwas,forhim,jubilantoverthepresenceofthetapestry.Helay upon the rug, his nose tickled by the nap as he studied the details. Hegrumbled,moaned,andmutteredashesatcross-leggedtosketchandpeer.

"Hasbeendone.Canbedone.Mustbedone,"hewasheardtorumble.

Lessa called for klah, bread, andmeatwhen she learned fromyoungB'rantthatneitherhenorLytolhadeatenyet.Sheservedallthemen,hermannergay

andteasing.F'larwasrelievedforLytol'ssake.LessaevenpressedfoodandklahonFandarel,atinyfigurebesidethemammothman,insistingthathecomeawayfromthetapestryandeatanddrinkbeforehecouldreturntohismumblinganddrawing.

Fandarel finallydecided thathehadenoughsketchesanddisappeared, tobeflownbacktohiscrafthold.

"Nopointinaskinghimwhenhe'llbeback.He'stoodeepinthoughttohear,"F'larremarked,amused.

"If you don't mind, I shall excuse myself as well," Lessa said, smilinggraciously to the four remainingaround the table."GoodWarderLytol,youngB'rantshouldsoonbeexcused,too.He'shalfasleep."

"Imostcertainlyamnot,Weyrlady,"B'rantassuredherhastily,wideninghiseyeswithstimulatedalertness.

Lessamerelylaughedassheretreatedintothesleepingchamber.F'larstaredthoughtfullyafterher.

"I mistrust the Weyrwoman when she uses that particularly docile tone ofvoice,"hesaidslowly.

"Well,wemustalldepart,"Robintonsuggested,rising.

"Ramoth is youngbutnot that foolish,"F'larmurmuredafter theothershadleft.

Ramoth slept, oblivious of his scrutiny. He reached for the consolationMnementhcouldgivehim,withoutresponse.Thebigbronzewasdozingonhisledge.

4Black,blacker,blackest,

Andcoldbeyondfrozenthings.

Whereisbetweenwhenthereisnaught

ToLifebutfragiledragonwings?

"IJUSTwanttoseethattapestrybackonthewallatRuatha,"LessainsistedtoF'larthenextday."Iwantitwhereitbelongs."

TheyhadgonetocheckontheinjuredandhadhadoneargumentalreadyoverF'lar'shavingsentN'tonalongwiththesouthernventure.Lessahadwantedhimtotryridinganother'sdragon.F'larhadpreferredforhimtolearntoleadawingofhisowninthesouth,giventheTurnstomaturein.HehadremindedLessa,inthe hope that itmight prove inhibiting to any ideas she had about going fourhundredTurnsback,aboutF'nor'sreturntrips,andhehadbornedownhardonthedifficultiesshehadalreadyexperienced.

Shehadbecomeverythoughtful,althoughshehadsaidnothing.

Therefore,whenFandarel sentword that hewould like to showF'lar anewmechanism,theWeyrleaderfeltreasonablysafeinallowingLessathetriumphofreturningthepurloinedtapestrytoRuatha.ShewenttohavethearrasrolledandstrappedtoRamoth'sback.

HewatchedRamothrisewithgreatsweepsofherwidewings,uptotheStarStone before going between toRuatha.R'gul appeared on the ledge just then,reporting thatahuge trainof firestonewasentering theTunnel.Consequently,busywithsuchdetails,itwasmidmorningbeforehecouldgettoseeFandarel'scrude and not yet effective flamethrower ... the fire did not "throw" from thenozzleofthetubewithanyforceatall.Itwaslateafternoonbeforehereached

theWeyragain.

R'gulannouncedsourlythatF'norhadbeenlookingforhim-twice,infact.

"Twice?"

"Twice,asIsaid.Hewouldnotleaveamessagewithmeforyou."R'gulwasclearlyinsultedbyF'nor'srefusal.

By the evening meal, when there was still no sign of Lessa, F'lar sent toRuathatolearnthatshehadindeedbroughtthetapestry.Shehadbadgeredandbothered the entire Hold until the thing was properly hung. For upward ofseveralhoursshehadsatandlookedatit,pacingitslengthoccasionally.

She and Ramoth had then taken to the sky above the Great Tower anddisappeared. Lytol had assumed, as had everyone at Ruatha, that she hadreturnedtoBendenWeyr.

"Mnementh," F'lar bellowedwhen themessenger had finished. "Mnementh,wherearethey?"

Mnementh's answerwasa long time incoming. I cannothear them,he saidfinally,hismentalvoicesoftandasfullofworryasadragon'scouldbe.

F'largrippedthetablewithbothhands,staringatthequeen'semptyweyr.Heknew,intheanguishedprivacyofhismind,whereLessahadtriedtogo.

5Coldasdeath,death'bearing,

Stayanddie,unguided.

Braveandbraving,linger.

Thiswaywastwicedecided.

BELOWTHEMwasRuatha'sGreatTower.LessacoaxedRamothslightlytotheleft,ignoringthedragon'sacidcomments,knowingthatshewasexcited,too.

That'sright,dear,thisisexactlytheangleatwhichthetapestryillustratestheHolddoor.Onlywhenthattapestrywasdesigned,noonehadcarvedthelintelsor capped the door. And there was no Tower, no inner Court, no gate. Shestrokedthesurprisinglysoftskinofthecurvingneck,laughingtohideherowntensenervousnessandapprehensionatwhatshewasabouttoattempt.

Shetoldherselfthereweregoodreasonspromptingheractioninthismatter.Theballad'sopeningphrase,"Goneaway,goneahead,"wasclearlyareferenceto between times. And the tapestry gave the required reference points for thejumpbetweenwhens.Oh,howshe thanked theMasterweaverwhohadwoventhat doorway. Shemust remember to tell him howwell he hadwrought. Shehopedshe'dbeableto.Enoughofthat.Ofcourse,she'dbeableto.Forhadn'ttheWeyrsdisappeared?Knowingtheyhadgoneahead,knowinghowtogobacktobringthemahead,itwasshe,obviously,whomustgobackandleadthem.Itwasverysimple,andonlysheandRamothcoulddoit.Becausetheyalreadyhad.

Shelaughedagain,nervously,andtookseveraldeep,shudderingbreaths.

"All right, my golden love," she murmured. "You have the reference. Youknow when I want to go. Take me between, Ramoth, between four hundredTurns."

The coldwas intense, evenmore penetrating than she had imagined.Yet itwasnotaphysicalcold.Itwastheawarenessoftheabsenceofeverything.Nolight. No sound. No touch. As they hovered, longer, and longer, in thisnothingness, Lessa recognized full-blown panic of a kind that threatened tooverwhelmher reason.Sheknew she sat onRamoth's neck, yet she couldnotfeel the great beast under her thighs, under her hands. She tried to cry outinadvertentlyandopenedhermouthto...nothing...nosoundinherownears.She could not even feel the hands that she knew she had raised to her owncheeks.

I am here, she heard Ramoth say in her mind.We are together, and thisreassurancewasallthatkeptherfromlosinghergrasponsanityinthatterrifyingaeonofunpassing,timelessnothingness.

SomeonehadsenseenoughtocallforRobinton.TheMasterharperfoundF'larsittingatthetable,hisfacedeathlypale,hiseyesstaringattheemptyweyr.Thecraftmaster's entrance, his calm voice, reached F'lar in his shocked numbness.Hesenttheothersoutwithaperemptorywave.

"She's gone.She tried to goback four hundredTurns,"F'lar said in a tight,hardvoice.

TheMasterharpersankintothechairoppositetheWeyrleader.

"She took the tapestryback toRuatha,"F'lar continued in that samechokedvoice."I'dtoldheraboutF'nor'sreturns.Itoldherhowdangerousthiswas.Shedidn'targueverymuch,andIknowgoingbetweentimeshadfrightenedher, ifanything could frightenLessa."He banged the tablewith an important fist. "Ishould have suspected her. When she thinks she's right, she doesn't stop toanalyze,toconsider.Shejustdoesit!"

"But she'snota foolishwoman,"Robinton remindedhimslowly. "Notevenshewouldjumpbetweentimeswithoutareferencepoint.Wouldshe?"

"'Goneaway,goneahead'-that'stheonlycluewehave!"

"Now wait a moment," Robinton cautioned him, then snapped his fingers."Lastnight,whenshewalkeduponthetapestry,shewasuncommonlyinterestedintheHalldoor.Remember,shediscusseditwithLytol."

F'larwasonhisfeetandhalfwaydownthepassageway.

"Comeon,man,we'vegottogettoRuatha."

LytolliteveryglowintheHoldforF'larandRobintontoexaminethetapestryclearly.

"Shespenttheafternoonjustlookingatit,"theWardersaid,shakinghishead."You'resureshehastriedthisincrediblejump?"

"Shemusthave.Mnementhcan'theareitherherorRamothanywhere.Yethesays he can get an echo from Canth many Turns away and in the SouthernContinent." F'lar stalked past the tapestry. "What is it about the door, Lytol?Think,man!"

"Itismuchasitisnow,savethattherearenocarvedlintels,thereisnoouterCourtorTower..."

"That's it.Oh,bythefirstEgg,it issosimple.Zurgsaidthistapestryisold.LessamusthavedecideditwasfourhundredTurns,andshehasuseditas thereferencepointtogobackbetweentimes."

"Why, then, she's there and safe," Robinton cried, sinking with relief in achair.

"Oh, no, harper. It is not as easy as that," F'lar murmured, and RobintoncaughthisstrickenlookandthedespairechoedinLytol'sface.

"What'sthematter?"

"Thereisnothingbetween,"F'larsaidinadeadvoice."Togobetweenplacestakes only as much time as for a man to cough three times. Between fourhundredTurns...."Hisvoicetrailedoff.

6Whowills,Can.

Whotries,Does.

Wholoves,Lives.

THEREWEREvoicesthatfirstwereroarsinherachingearsandthenhushedbeyondthethresholdofsound.Shegaspedasthewhirling,nauseatingsensationapparentlyspunher,andthebedwhichshefeltbeneathher,aroundandaround.She clung to the sides of the bed as pain jabbed through her head, fromsomewheredirectlyinthemiddleofherskull.Shescreamed,asmuchinprotestat the pain as from the terrifying, rolling, whirling, dropping lack of a solidground.

Yetsomefrighteningnecessitykepthertryingtogabbleoutthemessageshehad come to give. Sometimes she feltRamoth trying to reach her in that vastswoopingdarknessthatenvelopedher.ShewouldtrytoclingtoRamoth'smind,hopingthegoldenqueencouldleadheroutofthistorturingnowhere.Exhausted,shewouldsinkdown,down,onlytobetornfromoblivionbythedesperateneedtocommunicate.

Shewasfinallyawareofasoft,smoothhanduponherarm,ofaliquid,warmandsavory,inhermouth.Sherolleditaroundhertongue,andittrickleddownher sore throat. A fit of coughing left her gasping and weak. Then sheexperimentally opened her eyes, and the images before her did not lurch andspin."Who...are...you?"shemanagedtocroak.

"Oh,mydearLessa..."

"IsthatwhoIam?"sheasked,confused.

"SoyourRamothtellsus,"shewasassured."IamMardraofFortWeyr."

"Oh, F'lar will be so angry with me," Lessa moaned as her memory camerushingback. "Hewill shakemeand shakeme.He always shakesmewhen Idisobey him. But I was right. I was right. Mardra? ... Oh, that ... awful ...nothingness," and she felt herself drifting off into sleep, unable to resist thatoverwhelmingurge.Comfortingly,herbednolongerrockedbeneathher.

Theroom,dimlylitbywallglows,wasbothlikeherownatBendenWeyrandsubtly different. Lessa lay still, trying to isolate that difference. Ah, theweyrwallswereverysmoothhere.Theroomwaslarger,too,theceilinghigherandcurving.Thefurnishings,nowthathereyeswereusedtothedimlightandshecoulddistinguishdetails,weremorefinelycrafted.Shestirredrestlessly.

"Ah,you'reawakeagain,mysterylady,"amansaid.Lightbeyondthepartedcurtain flooded in from the outer weyr. Lessa sensed rather than saw thepresenceofothersintheroombeyond.

Awomanpassedundertheman'sarm,movingswiftlytothebedside.

"Irememberyou.You'reMardra,"Lessasaidwithsurprise.

"IndeedIam,andhereisT'ron,WeyrleaderatFort."

T'ronwastossingmoreglowsintothewallbasket,peeringoverhisshoulderatLessatoseeifthelightbotheredher.

"Ramoth!"Lessaexclaimed,sittingupright,awareforthefirsttimethatitwasnotRamoth'smindshetouchedintheouterweyr.

"Oh,thatone,"Mardralaughedwithamuseddismay."She'lleatusoutoftheweyr,andevenmyLoranthhashadtocalltheotherqueenstorestrainher."

"SheperchesontheStarStonesasifsheownedthemandkeensconstantly,"T'ronadded,lesscharitably.Hecockedanear."Ha.She'sstopped."

"Youcancome,can'tyou?"Lessablurtedout.

"Come?Comewhere,mydear?"Mardraasked,confused."You'vebeengoingon and on about our 'coming,' and Threads approaching, and the Red Starbracketed in theEyeRock,and ...mydear,don'tyou realize theRedStarhasbeenpastPernthesetwomonths?"

"No,no,they'vestarted.That'swhyIcamebackbetweentimes..."

"Back? Between times?" T'ron exclaimed, striding over to the bed, eyeingLessaintently.

"Could I have some klah. I know I'm notmakingmuch sense, and I'm notreallyawakeyet.ButI'mnotmadorstillsick,andthisisrathercomplicated."

"Yes,itis,"T'ronremarkedwithdeceptivemildness.Buthedidcalldowntheservice shaft for klah. And he did drag a chair over to her bedside, settlinghimselftolistentoher.

"Ofcourseyou'renotmad,"Mardrasoothedher,glaringatherweyrmate."Orshewouldn'trideaqueen."

T'ronhadtoagreetothat.Lessawaitedfortheklahtocome;whenitdid,shesippedgratefullyatitsstimulatingwarmth.

Then she took a deep breath and began, telling them of the Long IntervalbetweenthedangerouspassesoftheRedStar:howthesoleWeyrhadfallenintodisfavor and contempt, how Jora had deteriorated and lost control over herqueen,Nemorth,sothat,astheRedStarneared,therewasnosuddenincreaseinthe size of clutches. How she had Impressed Ramoth to become Benden'sWeyrwoman.HowF'larhadoutwitted thedissentingHoldLords thedayafterRamoth's first mating flight and taken firm command of Weyr and Pern,preparing for the Threads he knew were coming. She told her by now raptaudienceofherownfirstattemptstoflyRamothandhowshehadinadvertentlygonebackbetweentimetothedayFaxhadinvadedRuathaHold.

"Invade...myfamily'sHold?"Mardracried,aghast.

"Ruathahasgiven theWeyrsmanyfamousWeyrwomen,"LessasaidwithaslysmileatwhichT'ronburstoutlaughing.

"She's Ruathan, no question," he assured Mardra. She told them of thesituationinwhichDragonmennowfoundthemselves,withaninsufficientforcetomeettheThreadattacks.OftheQuestionSongandthegreattapestry.

"Atapestry?"Mardracried,herhandgoingtohercheekinalarm."Describeittome!"

AndwhenLessadid,shesaw-atlast-beliefinboththeirfaces.

"Myfatherhasjustcommissionedatapestrywithsuchascene.HetoldmeofittheotherdaybecausethelastbattlewiththeThreadswasheldoverRuatha."Incredulous,MardraturnedtoT'ron,whonolongerlookedamused."Shemusthavedonewhatshehassaidshe'ddone.Howcouldshepossiblyknowaboutthetapestry?"

"Youmightalsoaskyourqueendragon,andmine,"Lessasuggested.

"Mydear,wedonotdoubtyounow,"Mardrasaidsincerely,"butitisamostincrediblefeat."

"Idon'tthink,"Lessasaid,"thatIwouldevertryitagain,knowingwhatIdoknow."

"Yes,thisshockmakesaforwardjumpbetweentimesquiteaproblemifyourF'larmusthaveaneffectivefightingforce,"T'ronremarked.

"Youwillcome?Youwill?"

"Thereisadistinctpossibilitywewill,"T'ronsaidgravely,andhisfacebrokeintoalopsidedgrin."YousaidwelefttheWeyrs...abandonedthem,infact,andleftnoexplanation.Wewentsomewhere ... somewhen, that is, forwearestillherenow...."

Theywereallsilent,forthesamealternativeoccurredtothemsimultaneously.TheWeyrshadbeenleftvacant,butLessahadnowayofprovingthatthefiveWeyrsreappearedinhertime.

"Theremustbeaway.Theremustbeaway,"Lessacrieddistractedly."And

there'snotimetowaste.Notimeatall!"

T'rongaveabarkoflaughter."There'splentyoftimeatthisendofhistory,mydear."

Theymadeher rest then,moreconcerned thanshewas thatshehadbeen illsomeweeks,deliriouslyscreamingthatshewasfallingandcouldnotsee,couldnot hear, could not touch. Ramoth, too, they told her, had suffered from theappalling nothingness of a protracted stay between, emerging above ancientRuathaapaleyellowwraithofherformerrobustself.

TheLordofRuathaHold,Mardra'sfather,hadbeensurprisedoutofhiswitsby the appearanceof a staggering rider andapallidqueenonhis stoneverge.Naturallyand luckilyhehadsent tohisdaughteratFortWeyr forhelp.Lessaand Ramoth had been transported to the Weyr, and the Ruathan Lord keptsilenceonthematter.

When Lessa was strong enough, T'ron called a Council of Weyrleaders.Curiously, there was no opposition to going ... provided they could solve theproblemof time-shockandfindreferencepointsalongtheway.Itdidnot takeLessa long to comprehendwhy the dragonriderswere so eager to attempt thejourney.MostofthemhadbeenbornduringthepresentThreadincursions.Theyhadnowhadclosetofourmonthsofunexcitingroutinepatrolsandwereboredwithmonotony.TrainingGameswerepallidsubstitutesfortherealbattlestheyhadallfought.TheHolds,whichoncecouldnotdodragonmenfavorsenough,were beginning to be indifferent. The Weyrleaders could see these incidentsincreasingasThread-generatedfearsreceded.Itwasamoraledecayasinsidiousas awasting disease inWeyr andHold. The alternativewhich Lessa's appealofferedwasbetterthanaslowdeclineintheirowntime.

OfBenden,onlytheWeyrleaderhimselfwasprivytothesemeetings.BecauseBendenwastheonlyWeyrinLessa'stime,itmustremainignorant,andintact,untilhertime.NorcouldanymentionbemadeofLessa'spresence,forthat,too,wasunknowninherTurn.

SheinsistedthattheycallintheMasterharperbecauseherRecordssaidhehadbeencalled.Butwhenheaskedher to tell him theQuestionSong, she smiled

anddemurred.

"You'll write it, or your successor will, when the Weyrs are found to beabandoned,"shetoldhim."Butitmustbeyourdoing,notmyrepeating."

"A difficult assignment to know one must write a song that four hundredTurnslatergivesavaluableclue."

"Onlybesure,"shecautionedhim,"thatitisaTeachingtune.Itmustnotbeforgotten,foritposesquestionsthatIhavetoanswer."

Ashestartedtochuckle,sherealizedshehadalreadygivenhimapointer.

Thediscussions-howtogosofarsafelywithnosustainedsensedeprivations-grew heated. There were more constructive notions, however impractical, onhowtofindreferencepointsalongtheway.ThefiveWeyrshadnotbeenaheadin time, and Lessa, in her one gigantic backward leap, had not stopped forintermediatetimemarks.

"You did say that a between times jump of ten years caused no hardship?"T'ronaskedofLessaasalltheWeyrleadersandtheMasterharpermettodiscussthisimpasse.

"None.Ittakes...oh,twiceaslongasabetweenplacesjump."

"It is the four hundred Turn leap that left you unbalanced. Hmmm.Maybetwentyortwenty-fiveTurnsegmentswouldbesafeenough."

ThatsuggestionfoundmerituntilIsta'scautiousleader,D'ram,spokeup.

"I don't mean to be a Hold-hider, but there is one possibility we haven'tmentioned.HowdoweknowwemadethejumpbetweentoLessa'stime?Goingbetweenisachancybusiness.Mengomissingoften.AndLessabarelymadeitherealive."

"Agoodpoint,D'ram,"T'ron concurredbriskly, "but I feel there ismore toprovethatwedo-did-will-goforward.Theclues,foronething-theywereaimedatLessa.TheveryemergencythatleftfiveWeyrsemptysentherbackto

appealforourhelp-"

"Agreed,agreed,"D'raminterruptedearnestly,"butwhatImeaniscanyoubesurewereachedLessa'stime?Ithadn'thappenedyet.Doweknowitcan?"

T'ronwasnottheonlyonewhosearchedhismindforananswertothat.Allofasuddenheslammedbothhands,palmsdown,onthetable.

"BytheEgg,it'sdieslow,doingnothing,ordiequick,trying.I'vehadasurfeitof the quiet lifewe dragonmenmust lead after theRedStar passes tillwe gobetweeninoldage.IconfessI'malmostsorrytoseetheRedStardwindlefartherfromusintheeveningsky.Isay,grabtheriskwithbothhandsandshakeittillit's gone. We're dragonmen, aren't we, bred to fight the Threads? Let's gohunting...fourhundredTurnsahead!"

Lessa's drawn face relaxed. She had recognized the validity of D'ram'salternatepossibility,andithadtouchedoffbitterfearinherheart.Toriskherselfwasherownresponsibility,buttoriskthesehundredsofmenanddragons,theweyrfolkwhowouldaccompanytheirmen...?

T'ron'sringingwordsforonceandalldispensedwiththatconsideration.

"AndIbelieve,"theMasterharper'sexultantvoicecut throughtheansweringshoutsofagreement,"Ihaveyourreferencepoints."Asmileofsurprisedwonderilluminatedhisface."TwentyTurnsortwentyhundred,youhaveaguide!AndT'ronsaidit.AstheRedStardwindlesintheeveningsky..."

Later, as they plotted the orbit of the Red Star, they found how easy thatsolutionactuallywasandchuckledthattheirancientfoeshouldbetheirguide.

AtopFortWeyr,asonalltheWeyrs,weregreatstones.TheyweresoplacedthatatcertaintimesoftheyeartheymarkedtheapproachandretreatoftheRedStar,asitorbitedinitserratictwohundredTurn-longcoursearoundthesun.ByconsultingtheRecordswhich,amongothermorselsofinformation,includedtheRed Star's wanderings, it was not hard to plan jumps between of twenty-fiveTurnsforeachWeyr.IthadbeendecidedthatthecomplementofeachseparateWeyrwouldjumpbetweenaboveitsownbase,fortherewouldunquestionablybeaccidentsifclosetoeighteenhundredladenbeaststrieditatonepoint.

EachmomentnowwasonetoolongawayfromherowntimeforLessa.ShehadbeenamonthawayfromF'larandmissedhimmore thanshehad thoughtpossible.Also,shewasworriedthatRamothwouldmateawayfromMnementh.There were, to be sure, bronze dragons and bronze riders eager to do thatservice,butLessahadnointerestinthem.

T'ron and Mardra occupied her with the many details in organizing theexodus,sothatnoclues,pastthetapestryandtheQuestionSongthatwouldbecomposedatalaterdate,remainedintheWeyrs.

ItwaswithareliefclosetotearsthatLessaurgedRamothupwardinthenightskytotakeherplacenearT'ronandMardraabovetheFortWeyrStarStone.Atfive otherWeyrs great wings were ranged in formation, ready to depart theirowntimes.

AseachWeyrleader'sdragonreportedtoLessathatallwereready,referencepointsdeterminedbytheRedStar'stravelsinmind,itwasthistravelerfromthefuturewhogavethecommandtojumpbetween.

7Theblackestnightmustendindawn,

Thesundispelthedreamer'sfear:

Whenshallmysoul'sbleak,hopelesspain

FindsolaceinitsdarkeningWeyr?

THEYHADmadeelevenjumpsbetween,theWeyrleaders'bronzesspeakingtoLessaastheyrestedbrieflybetweeneachjump.Oftheeighteenhundred-oddtravelers, only four failed to come ahead, and they had been older beasts.Allfivesectionsagreedtopauseforaquickmealandhotklahbeforethefinaljump,whichwouldbebuttwelveTurns.

"Itiseasier,"T'roncommentedasMardraservedtheklah,"togotwenty-fiveTurns than twelve." He glanced up at the Red Dawn Star, their winking andfaithfulguide."Itdoesnotalter itspositionasmuch.Icountonyou,Lessa, togiveusadditionalreferences."

"I want to get us back to Ruatha before F'lar discovers I have gone." SheshiveredasshelookedupattheRedStarandsippedhastilyatthehotklah."I'veseentheStarjustlikethat,once...no,twice...beforeatRuatha."ShestaredatT'ron,herthroatconstrictingassherememberedthatmorning:thetimeshehaddecidedthattheRedStarwasamenacetoher, threedaysafterwhichFaxandF'larhadappearedatRuathaHold.FaxhaddiedonF'lar'sdagger,andshehadgone toBendenWeyr.She felt suddenlydizzy,weak, strangelyunsettled.Shehadnotfeltthiswayastheypausedbetweenotherjumps.

"Are you all right, Lessa?" Mardra asked with concern. "You're so white.You're shaking." She put her arm around Lessa, glancing, concerned, at herWeyrmate.

"Twelve Turns ago I was at Ruatha," Lessa murmured, grasping Mardra'shandforsupport."IwasatRuatha twice.Let'sgoonquickly. I'mtoomanyinthismorning.Imustgetback.ImustgetbacktoF'lar.He'llbesoangry."

ThenoteofhysteriainhervoicealarmedbothMardraandT'ron.Hastilythelattergaveordersforthefirestobeextinguished,fortheWeyrfolktomountandprepareforthefinaljumpahead.

Hermindinchaos,LessatransmittedthereferencestotheotherWeyrleaders'dragons:Ruathaintheeveninglight,theGreatTower,theinnerCourt,thelandatspringtime...

8Afleckofredinacoldnightsky,

Adropofbloodtoguidethemby,

Turnaway.Turnaway.Turn,begone,

ARedStarbeckonsthetravelerson.

BETWEENTHEM,LytolandRobintonforcedF'lartoeat,deliberatelyplyinghimwithwine.AtthebackofhismindF'larknewhewouldhavetokeepgoing,buttheeffortwasimmense,thespiritgonefromhim.Itwasnocomfortthattheystill had Pridith and Kylara to continue dragonkind, yet he delayed sendingsomeone back for F'nor, unable to face the reality of that admission: that insending for Pridith and Kylara, he had acknowledged the fact that Lessa andRamothwouldnotreturn.

Lessa, Lessa, his mind cried endlessly, damning her one moment for herreckless, thoughtless daring, loving her the next for attempting such anincrediblefeat.

"I said, F'lar, you need sleep now more than wine." Robinton's voicepenetratedhispreoccupation.

F'larlookedathim,frowninginperplexity.HerealizedthathewastryingtoliftthewinejugthatRobintonwasholdingfirmlydown.

"Whatdidyousay?"

"Come.I'llbearyoucompanytoBenden.Indeed,nothingcouldpersuademetoleaveyourside.Youhaveagedyears,man,inthecourseofhours."

"And isn't it understandable?" F'lar shouted, rising to his feet, the impotent

angerboilingoutofhimatthenearesttargetintheformofRobinton.

Robinton'seyeswerefullofcompassionashereachedforF'lar'sarm,grippingittightly.

"Man,noteventhisMasterharperhaswordsenoughtoexpressthesympathyandhonorhehasforyou.Butyoumustsleep;youhavetomorrowtoendure,andthetomorrowafterthatyouhavetofight.Thedragonmenmusthavealeader...."Hisvoicetrailedoff."TomorrowyoumustsendforF'nor...andPridith."

F'larpivotedonhisheelandstrodetowardthefatefuldoorofRuatha'sgreathall.

9Oh,Tongue,givesound

tojoyandsing

Ofhopeandpromise

ondragonwing.

BEFORETHEMloomedRuatha'sGreatTower, thehighwallsof theOuterCourtclearlyvisibleinthefadinglight.

The claxon rang violent summons into the air, barely heard over theearsplitting thunder as hundreds of dragons appeared, ranging in full fightingarray,winguponwing,upanddownthevalley.

AshaftoflightstainedtheflagstonesoftheCourtastheHolddooropened.

Lessa ordered Ramoth down, close to the Tower, and dismounted, runningeagerly forward togreet themenwhopiledoutof thedoor.Shemadeout thestockyfigureofLytol,ahandbasketofglowsheldhighabovehishead.ShewassorelievedtoseehimthatsheforgotherpreviousantagonismtotheWarder.

"Youmisjudgedthelastjumpbytwodays,Lessa,"hecriedassoonashewasnearenoughforhertohearhimoverthenoiseofsettlingdragons.

"Misjudged?HowcouldI?"shebreathed.

T'ronandMardracameupbesideher.

"Noneedtoworry,"Lytolreassuredher,grippingherhandstightlyinhis,hiseyesdancing.Hewasactuallysmilingather."Youovershot theday.Gobackbetween,returntoRuathaoftwodaysago.That'sall."Hisgrinwidenedather

confusion."Itisallright,"herepeated,pattingherhands."Takethissamehour,theGreatCourt,everything,butvisualizeF'lar,Robinton,andmyselfhereontheflagstones.PlaceMnementhontheGreatTowerandabluedragonontheverge.Nowgo."

Mnementh?Ramoth queriedLessa, eager to see herWeyrmate. She duckedhergreathead,andherhugeeyesgleamedwithscintillatingfire.

"Idon'tunderstand,"Lessawailed.Mardraslippedacomfortingarmaroundhershoulders.

"ButIdo,Ido-trustme,"Lytolpleaded,pattinghershoulderawkwardlyandglancing at T'ron for support. "It is as F'nor has said. You cannot be severalplacesintimewithoutexperiencinggreatdistress,andwhenyoustoppedtwelveTurnsback,itthrewLessaalltopieces."

"Youknowthat?"T'roncried.

"Of course. Just go back two days. You see, I know you have. I shall, ofcourse, be surprised then, but now, tonight, I know you reappeared two daysearlier.Oh,go.Don'targue.F'larwashalfoutofhismindwithworryforyou."

"He'llshakeme,"Lessacried,likealittlegirl."Lessa!"T'rontookherbythehandandledherbacktoRamoth,whocrouchedsoherridercouldmount.

T'rontookcompletechargeandhadhisFidranthpasstheordertoreturntothereferences Lytol had given, adding by way of Ramoth a description of thehumansandMnementh.

The coldof between restoredLessa to herself, althoughher error hadbadlyjarred her confidence. But then there was Ruatha again. The dragons happilyarranged themselves in tremendous display.And there, silhouetted against thelightfromtheHall,stoodLytol,Robinton'stallfigure,and...F'lar.

Mnementh'svoicegaveabrassywelcome,andRamothcouldnotlandLessaquicklyenoughtogoandtwineneckswithhermate.

LessastoodwhereRamothhadlefther,unabletomove.Shewasawarethat

MardraandT'ronwerebesideher.ShewasconsciousonlyofF'lar,racingacrosstheCourttowardher.Yetshecouldnotmove.

Hegrabbedher inhisarms,holdingherso tightly tohimthatshecouldnotdoubtthejoyofhiswelcome.

"Lessa, Lessa," his voice raggedly chanted in her ear. He pressed her faceagainsthis,crushinghertobreathlessness,allhiscarefuldetachmentabandoned.He kissed her, hugged her, held her, and then kissed her with rough urgencyagain.Thenhesuddenlysetheronherfeetandgrippedhershoulders."Lessa,ifyou ever ..."he said, punctuating eachwordwith a flexingof his fingers, thenstopped,awareofagrinningcircleofstrangerssurroundingthem.

"I told you he'd shakeme," Lessawas saying, dashing tears from her face."But,F'lar,Ibroughtthemall...allbutBendenWeyr.AndthatiswhythefiveWeyrswereabandoned.Ibroughtthem."

F'larlookedaroundhim,lookedbeyondtheleaderstothemassesofdragonssettlingintheValley,ontheheights,everywhereheturned.Thereweredragons,blue,green,bronze,brown,andawholewingfulofgoldenqueendragonsalone.

"YoubroughttheWeyrs?"heechoed,stunned.

"Yes,thisisMardraandT'ronofFortWeyr,D'ramand..."

Hestoppedherwithalittleshake,pullinghertohissidesohecouldseeandgreetthenewcomers.

"Iammoregratefulthanyoucanknow,"hesaidandcouldnotgoonwithallthemanywordshewantedtoadd.

T'ron stepped forward, holding out his hand, which F'lar seized and heldfirmly.

"We bring eighteen hundred dragons, seventeen queens, and all that isnecessarytoimplementourWeyrs."

"Andtheybroughtflamethrowers,too,"Lessaputinexcitedly.

"But-tocome...toattemptit..."F'larmurmuredinadmiringwonder.

T'ronandD'ramandtheotherslaughed."YourLessashowedtheway..."

"...withtheRedStartoguideus..."shesaid.

"Wearedragonmen,"T'roncontinuedsolemnly,"asyouareyourself,F'larofBenden. We were told there are Threads here to fight, and that's work fordragonmentodo...inanytime!"

10Drummer,beat,andpiper,blow,

Harper,strike,andsoldier,go.

Freetheflameandsearthegrasses

TillthedawningRedStarpasses.

EVENASthefiveWeyrshadbeensettlingaroundRuathaValley,F'norhadbeen compelled to bring forward in time his southernweyrfolk. They had allreached the end of endurance in double-time life, gratefully creeping back toquarterstheyhadvacatedtwodaysandtenTurnsago.

R'gul, totally unaware of Lessa's backward plunge, greeted F'lar and hisWeyrwoman,on their return to theWeyr,with thenewsofF'nor's appearancewithseventy-twonewdragonsandthefurtherwordthathedoubtedanyoftheriderswouldbefittofight.

"I've never seen such exhausted men in my life," R'gul rattled on, "can'timaginewhatcouldhavegottenintothem,withsunandplentyoffoodandall,andnoresponsibilities."

F'larandLessaexchangedglances.

"Well,thesouthernWeyroughttobemaintained,R'gul.Thinkitover."

"I'm a fighting dragonman, not a womanizer," the old dragonrider grunted."It'dtakemorethanatripbetweentimestoreducemelikethoseothers."

"Oh,they'llbethemselvesagaininnexttonotime,"Lessasaidand,toR'gul'sintensedisapproval,shegiggled.

"They'll have to be if we're to keep the skies Threadfree," R'gul snappedtestily.

"Noproblemaboutthatnow,"F'larassuredhimeasily.

"Noproblem?Withonlyahundredandforty-fourdragons?"

"Twohundredandsixteen,"Lessacorrectedhimfirmly.

Ignoringher,R'gulasked,"HasthatMastersmithfoundaflamethrowerthat'llwork?"

"Indeedhehas,"F'larassuredR'gul,grinningbroadly.

The fiveWeyrs had also brought forward their equipment. Fandarel all butsnatchedexamplesfromtheirbacksand,undoubtedly,everyhearthandsmithythroughthecontinentwouldbereadytoduplicatethedesignbymorning.T'ronhad told F'lar that, in his time, eachHold had ample flamethrowers for everymanon the ground. In the courseof theLong Interval, however, the throwersmusthavebeeneithersmelteddownorlostasincomprehensibledevices.D'ram,particularly, was very much interested in Fandarel's agenothree sprayer,consideringitbetterthanthrown-flame,sinceitwouldalsoactasafertilizer.

"Well,"R'gul admitted gloomily, "a flamethrower or twowill be somehelpdayaftertomorrow."

"Wehavefoundsomethingelsethatwillhelpalotmore,"Lessaremarkedandthenhastilyexcusedherself,dashingintothesleepingquarters.

Thesoundsthatdriftedpastthecurtainwereeitherlaughterorsobs,andR'gulfrownedonboth.ThatgirlwasjusttooyoungtobeWeyrwomanatsuchatime.Nostability.

"Has she realizedhowcritical our situation is?EvenwithF'nor's additions?Thatis,iftheycanfly?"R'guldemandedtestily."Yououghtn'ttoletherleavetheWeyratall."

F'larignoredthatandbeganpouringhimselfacupofwine.

"You once pointed out tome that the five emptyWeyrs of Pern supportedyourtheorythattherewouldbenomoreThreads."

R'gul clearedhis throat, thinking that apologies - even if theymight beduefromtheWeyrleader-werescarcelyeffectiveagainsttheThreads.

"Now therewasmerit in that theory,"F'larwenton, filling a cup forR'gul."Not,however,asyouinterpretedit.ThefiveWeyrswereemptybecausethey...theycamehere."

R'gul,hiscuphalfwaytohislips,staredatF'lar.Thismanalsowastooyoungto bear his responsibilities. But ... he seemed actually to believewhat hewassaying.

"Believeitornot,R'gul-andinabareday'stimeyouwill-thefiveWeyrsareemptynolonger.They'rehere,intheWeyrs,inthistime.Andtheyshalljoinus,eighteenhundredstrong, thedayafter tomorrowatTelgar,with flamethrowersandwithplentyofbattleexperience."

R'gulregardedthepoormanstolidlyforalongmoment.Carefullyheputhiscupdownand,turningonhisheel,lefttheweyr.Herefusedtobeanobjectofridicule.He'dbetterplan to takeover the leadership tomorrow if theywere tofightThreadsthedayafter.

Thenextmorning,whenhesawtheclutchofgreatbronzedragonsbearingtheWeyrleadersandtheirwingleaderstotheconference,R'gulgotquietlydrunk.

Lessa exchangedgoodmorningswithher friends and then, smiling sweetly,left theweyr,sayingshemust feedRamoth.F'larstaredafterher thoughtfully,then went to greet Robinton and Fandarel, who had been asked to attend themeeting,too.NeitherCraftmastersaidmuch,butneithermissedawordspoken.Fandarel'sgreatheadkeptswivelingfromspeakertospeaker,hisdeep-seteyesblinking occasionally. Robinton sat with a bemused smile on his face, utterlydelightedbyancestralvisitors.

F'larwasquicklytalkedoutofresigninghistitularpositionasWeyrleaderofBendenonthegroundsthathewastooinexperienced.

"YoudidwellenoughatNeratandKeroon.Wellindeed,"T'ronsaid.

"Youcalltwenty-eightmenordragonsoutofactiongoodleadership?"

"Forafirstbattle,witheverydragonmangreenasahatchling?No,man,youwereontimeatNerat,howeveryougotthere,"andT'rongrinnedmaliciouslyatF'lar,"whichiswhatadragonmanmustdo.No,thatwaswellflown,Isay.Wellflown." The other four Weyrleaders muttered complete agreement with thatcompliment. "YourWeyr is understrength, though, so we'll lend you enoughodd-wing riders till you've gotten theWeyr up to full strength again.Oh, thequeenslovethesetimes!"Andhisgrinbroadenedtoindicatethatbronzeridersdid,too.

F'lar returned that smile, thinking that Ramothwas about ready for anothermating flight, and this time, Lessa ... oh, that girl was being too deceptivelydocile.He'dbetterwatchherclosely.

"Now," T'ron was saying, "we left with Fandarel's crafthold all theflamethrowerswebroughtupsothatthegroundmenwillbearmedtomorrow."

"Aye, andmy thanks,"Fandarelgrunted. "Well turnoutnewones in recordtimeandreturnyourssoon."

"Don'tforgettoadaptthatagenothreeforairspraying,too,"D'ramputin.

"It isagreed,"andT'ronglancedquicklyaroundat theother riders, "thatallthe Weyrs will meet, full strength, three hours after dawn above Telgar, tofollow the Thread's attack across to Crom. By the way, F'lar, those charts ofyoursthatRobintonshowedmearesuperb.Weneverhadthem."

"Howdidyouknowwhentheattackswouldcome?"

T'ronshrugged."TheywerecomingsoregularlyevenwhenIwasaweyrling,youkindofknewwhenonewasdue.Butthiswayismuch,muchbetter."

"Moreefficient,"Fandareladdedapprovingly.

"Aftertomorrow,whenalltheWeyrsshowupatTelgar,wecanrequestwhat

supplies we need to stock the emptyWeyrs," T'ron grinned. "Like old times,squeezingextra tithes from theHolders."Henibbledhishands inanticipation."Likeoldtimes."

"There's the southernWeyr,"F'nor suggested. "We'vebeengone from theresixTurnsinthistime,andtheherdbeastswereleft.They'llhavemultiplied,andthere'llbeallthatfruitandgrain."

"Itwouldpleaseme tosee that southernventurecontinued,"F'lar remarked,noddingencouraginglyatF'nor.

"Yes,andcontinueKylaradownthere,please,too,"F'noraddedurgently,hiseyessparklingwithirritation.

They discussed sending for some immediate supplies to help out the newlyoccupiedWeyrs,andthenadjournedthemeeting.

"Itisatrifleunsettling,"T'ronsaidashesharedwinewithRobinton,"tofindthat theWeyryouleft thedaybefore ingoodorderhasbecomeadustyhulk."Hechuckled."ThewomenoftheLowerCavernswereabitupset."

"Wecleanedupthosekitchens,"F'norrepliedindignantly.Agoodnight'srestinafreshtimehadremovedmuchofhisfatigue.

T'ronclearedhisthroat."AccordingtoMardra,nomancancleananything."

"Do you think you'll be up to riding tomorrow, F'nor?" F'lar askedsolicitously.Hewaskeenlyawareofthestressshowinginhishalfbrother'sface,despite his improvement overnight. Yet those strenuous Turns had beennecessary, nor had they become futile even in hindsight with the arrival ofeighteen hundred dragons from past time. When F'lar had ordered F'nor tenTurnsbackwardtobreedthedesperatelyneededreplacements,theyhadnotyetbroughttomindtheQuestionSongorknownofthetapestry.

"Iwouldn'tmissthatfightifIweredragonless,"F'nordeclaredstoutly.

"Which remindsme,"F'lar remarked, "we'llneedLessaatTelgar tomorrow.Shecanspeaktoanydragon,youknow,"heexplained,almostapologetically,to

T'ronandD'ram.

"Oh,weknow,"T'ronassuredhim."AndMardradoesn'tmind."SeeingF'lar'sblank expression, he added, "As seniorWeyrwoman,Mardra, of course, leadsthequeens'wing."

F'lar'sfacegrewblanker."Queens'wing?"

"Certainly," and T'ron and D'ram exchanged questioning glances at F'lar'ssurprise."Youdon'tkeepyourqueensfromfighting,doyou?"

"Ourqueens?T'ron,weatBendenhavehadonlyonequeendragon-atatime- for so many generations that there are those who denounce the legends ofqueensinbattleasblackheresy!"

T'ron looked rueful. "Ihadnot truly realized till this instanthowsmallyournumberswere."But his enthusiasmsovertookhim. "Just the same, queens areveryusefulwithflamethrowers.Theygetclumpsotherridersmightmiss.Theyflyinlow,underthemainwings.That'sonereasonD'ram'ssointerestedintheagenothreespray.Doesn'tsingethehairofftheHolders'heads,sotospeak,andisfarbetterovertilledfields."

"Doyoumean to say that you allowyourqueens to fly - againstThreads?"F'larignoredthefactthatF'norwasgrinning,andT'ron,too.

"Allow?" D'ram bellowed. "You can't stop them. Don't you know yourBallads?"

"'Moreta'sRide?'"

"Exactly."

F'norlaughedaloudattheexpressiononF'lar'sfaceasheirritablypulledthehangingforelockfromhiseyes.Then,sheepishly,hebegantogrin.

"Thanks.Thatgivesmeanidea."

HesawhisfellowWeyrleaderstotheirdragons,wavedcheerfullytoRobinton

andFandarel,morelightheartedthanhewouldhavethoughthe'dbethemorningbeforethesecondbattle.ThenheaskedMnementhwhereLessamightbe.

Bathing,thebronzedragonreplied.

F'larglancedattheemptyqueen'sweyr.

Oh,RamothisonthePeak,asusual.Mnementhsoundedaggrieved.

F'larheardthesoundofsplashinginthebathingroomsuddenlycease,sohecalleddownforhotklah.Hewasgoingtoenjoythis.

"Oh,didthemeetinggowell?"Lessaaskedsweetlyassheemergedfromthebathingroom,drying-clothwrappedtightlyaroundherslenderfigure.

"Extremely.Yourealize,ofcourse,Lessa,thatyou'llbeneededatTelgar?"

Shelookedathimintentlyforamomentbeforeshesmiledagain.

"IamtheonlyWeyrwomanwhocanspeaktoanydragon,"sherepliedarchly.

"True," F'lar admitted blithely. "And no longer the only queen's rider inBenden...."

"I hate you!" Lessa snapped, unable to evade F'lar as he pinned her cloth-swathedbodytohis.

"Evenwhen I tell you thatFandarel has a flamethrower for you soyou canjointhequeens'wing?"

Shestoppedsquirminginhisarmsandstaredathim,disconcertedthathehadoutguessedher.

"AndthatKylarawillbeinstalledasWeyrwomaninthesouth...inthistime?AsWeyrleader,Ineedmypeaceandquietbetweenbattles...."

The cloth fell from her body to the floor as she responded to his kiss asardentlyasifdragon-roused.

11FromtheWeyrandfromtheBowl,

Bronzeandbrownandblueandgreen,

RisethedragonmenofPern,

Aloft,onwing;seen,thenunseen.

RANGEDABOVEthePeakofBendenWeyr,ascantthreehoursafterdawn,two hundred and sixteen dragons held their formations as F'lar on bronzeMnementhinspectedtheirranks.

BelowintheBowlweregatheredalltheweyrfolkandsomeofthoseinjuredinthefirstbattle.Alltheweyrfolk,thatis,exceptLessaandRamoth.Theyhadgoneon toFortWeyrwhere thequeens'wingwasassembling.F'larcouldnotquitesuppressatwingeofconcernthatsheandRamothwouldbefighting,too.Aholdover,heknew,fromthedayswhenPernhadhadonlyonequeen.IfLessacould jump four hundredTurns between and lead fiveWeyrs back, she couldtakecareofherselfandherdragonagainstThreads.

Hechecked tobesure thateverymanwaswell loadedwith firestonesacks,thateachdragonwasingoodcolor,especiallythoseinfromthesouthernWeyr.Ofcourse,thedragonswerefit,butthefacesofthemenstillshowedevidencesof the temporal strains they had endured. He was procrastinating, and theThreadswouldbedroppingintheskiesofTelgar.

Hegavetheordertogobetween.Theyreappearedabove,andtothesouthofTelgarHolditself,andwerenotthefirstarrivals.Tothewest,tothenorth,and,yes,totheeastnow,wingsarriveduntilthehorizonwaspatternedwiththegreatV'sofseveralthousanddragonwings.FaintlyheheardtheclaxonbellonTelgarHoldTowerastheunexpecteddragonstrengthwasacclaimedfromtheground.

"Where is she?"F'lar demanded ofMnementh. "We'll need her presently torelayorders..."

She's coming,Mnementh interrupted him.Right above TelgarHold anotherwingappeared.Evenat thisdistance,F'larcouldsee thedifference: thegoldendragonsshoneinthebrightmorningsunlight.

A hum of approval drifted down the dragon ranks, and despite his fleetingworry,F'largrinnedwithproudindulgenceattheglitteringsight.

Just then theeasternwingssoaredstraightupward in theskyas thedragonsbecameinstinctivelyawareofthepresenceoftheirancientfoe.

Mnementhraisedhishead,echoingbackthebrassthunderofthewarcry.Heturnedhishead,evenashundredsofotherbeaststurnedtoreceivefirestonefromtheir riders. Hundreds of great jaws masticated the stone, swallowed it, theirdigestive acids transforming dry stone into flame-producing gases, igniting oncontactwithoxygen.

Threads!F'larcouldsee themclearlynowagainst thespringsky.Hispulsesbegan to quicken, not with apprehension, but with a savage joy. His heartpoundedunevenly.Mnementhdemandedmorestoneandbegantospeedupthestrokes of his wings in the air, gathering himself to leap upward whencommanded.

TheleadingWeyralreadybelchedgoutsoforange-redflameintothepalebluesky.Dragonswinkedinandout,flamedanddove.

The great golden queens sped at cliff-skimmingheight to coverwhatmighthave beenmissed. Then F'lar gave the command to gain altitude tomeet theThreads halfway in their abortive descent.AsMnementh surgedupward, F'larshookhisfistdefiantlyatthewinkingRedEyeoftheStar.

"Oneday,"heShouted,"wewillnot sit tamelyhere,awaitingyour fall.Wewillfallonyou,whereyouspin,andsearyouonyourownground."

BytheEgg,hetoldhimself,ifwecantravelfourhundredTurnsbackwardandacross seas and lands in theblinkof an eye,what is travel fromoneworld to

anotherbutadifferentkindofstep?

F'lar grinned to himself. He'd better not mention that audacious notion inLessa'spresence.

Clumpsahead,Mnementhwarnedhim.

As the bronze dragon charged, flaming, F'lar tightened his knees on themassiveneck.Motherofusall,hewasgladthatnow,ofalltimesconceivable,he,F'lar,riderofbronzeMnementh,wasadragonmanofPern!