“Tolarth is even bigger,” Fiona reminded him.

“Is that a complaint?” Seban teased.

“Oh, no!” Fiona said, patting Talenth once more. “My queen and I are exactly the right size for each other.” She turned to face him, asking softly, “Wasn’t it that way with you and Serth?”

“It was,” Seban said in a choked voice.

“I’m sorry,” Fiona said, reaching out a hand consolingly. Seban glanced at it and took it, wrapping both his hands around it.

“Here’s the Weyrwoman,” Seban said, glancing in Cisca’s direction.

“Let’s go see her, then,” Fiona said, turning and using his grip on her hand to tug him along beside her.

Cisca met them halfway across the Bowl. “Fiona, is that Zirenth in the distance?”

“It is,” Fiona said. “We’re bringing back some healers to the Hall and needed another dragon.” She gestured toward Lorana and Kindan, adding, “T’mar’s still recovering, but he was willing to oblige us with his bronze.”

“And not for the first time,” Cisca said, giving the blond Weyrwoman a knowing look.

Fiona met her eyes squarely. “If it weren’t for Lorana and Kindan, we would have lost both Zirenth and T’mar.”

“Come with me,” Cisca said, waving toward the Kitchen. “It’s far too cold to converse out here; you’ll have to forgive my manners.”

Inside, seated with warm klah and fresh rolls, Cisca was much more relaxed.

“Congratulations on your flight,” Fiona said, raising her mug in toast.

“And on yours,” Cisca said, raising her own mug in response. She glanced around at a sudden eruption of noise and spotted Bekka with a group of friends, helping themselves to a snack. Glancing at the youngster, she asked, “Did she wear you out, too?”

“Hardly!” Fiona said, smiling. “Especially not with Seban to mind her.” She waved at Bekka and the youngster waved back before flying out of the Kitchen toward the living quarters. “But an opportunity arose to get her healer training, and so we’re taking it.”

“Wise.”

“I learned from the best,” Fiona said, nodding back at Cisca.

“And you’re here because of her?”

“No,” Fiona said. “I’m here returning Tintoval.” She explained how she’d purloined the Weyr’s healer, had gone to the Healer Hall, and had acquired the three journeyman healers.

“So you kept the older grouchy one?” Cisca said when Fiona had finished. “And why is that?”

Fiona shrugged, not quite certain of her reasoning. Cisca gave her a thoughtful look, then cocked her head toward Lorana and Kindan. “Are you keeping them, too?”

“I don’t know if ‘keep’ is the right word,” Fiona said defensively.

“We really haven’t made any plans,” Kindan said, looking over toward Lorana.

“We’re staying with Fiona,” Lorana declared. She glanced to the younger woman. “If you’ll have us.”

“I don’t see what’s in it for you,” Cisca said, pursing her lips thoughtfully as she gazed at Lorana.