“That was nothing we hadn’t discussed beforehand!” Fiona protested.

“Discussing and treating are two different things,” Tintoval told her.

“There was no one else—”

“You did brilliantly,” Tintoval said. She grimaced in Cisca’s direction as she added, “I’m not quite sure you’ve heard that enough since your return.”

Fiona grinned. “Well, we’ve had other things to discuss,” she allowed, adding more seriously, “but Cisca is a good Weyrwoman and she does well.”

“Hmm,” Tintoval murmured thoughtfully. “You’d be the best judge of that.” She paused, then added, “With your three Turns in Igen, you’ve more experience than she.”

“I wouldn’t have managed without her example,” Fiona said.

“Perhaps.”

“Come on,” Fiona said, nudging the Weyr Healer. “We need to check on the others.”

K’lior took in the situation the moment he and Rineth burst from between over Keroon.

Tell T’mar and K’rall that they are reserve and will provide firestone, K’lior said.

They are returning to the Weyr to load more firestone, Rineth reported at the same time as thirty-two dragons winked out between. K’lior nodded to himself in satisfaction.

They wouldn’t be fighting a full Fall, as it had started first over Benden and had proceeded south toward Keroon, so he felt that a full Flight of dragons would suffice—and assigning two small wings as reserve would allow him to dismiss his worries about getting extra firestone or not providing the Weyr with some final defense in case—

He spotted the pitifully few Istan riders as they appeared and waved, closing in on J’lantir.

—in case Fort Weyr suffered as badly as Ista. He turned to look over his shoulder, casually examining the formations behind him and more carefully eyeing the Threadfall.

We’ll fight as full wings, K’lior told Rineth. M’valer and M’kury will lead the other two. Have the wings re-form now.

In a moment six understrength wings had re-formed into three full-strength wings.

K’lior was greeted by J’lantir, the acting Istan Weyrleader who had taken over after C’rion had gone between in their first Fall. He gladly accepted J’lantir’s offer to let him lead the Fall and quickly integrated the Istan wing with his own wings, arraying them on his left, with the other two Fort wings on his right.

Four wings abreast, they rose to fight Thread.

Talenth’s challenge alerted Fiona, who glanced up from her position at the nearest aid table. Her eyes narrowed as she counted two wings of dragons circling in for a landing.

Zirenth and Seyorth, Talenth reported. They have been sent for firestone.

Fiona raced over to the firestone shed, calling for her helpers as she went.

“We’ve got time,” T’mar’s voice in her ear surprised her as she was opening the shed doors. “They’ve got at least an hour before they’ll need more.”