“I’ll be sure to bring your gear back from the Healer Hall,” she told him.

“Thank you,” Birentir said, and Fiona knew he wasn’t referring to her promise about his belongings. She smiled again and, with a wave, hurried out of the Dining Cavern in time to climb up behind Bekka and Seban, who were already perched on her eager queen. The older man had stored their gear and secured them ably onto Talenth.

To Bekka, she asked, “Are you ready?”

“I hope so,” Bekka said.

“You’ll do fine,” Fiona assured her. Silently, she gave Talenth the instruction to rise and, after they circled the watch heights once, went between.

When they came out again, Bekka took one look down and gasped in surprise. She turned back to face Fiona, an accusing look on her face.

“I promised Ellor I’d get Tintoval back first!” Fiona said, stifling a laugh. Her expression softened as she added, “And I thought you might want to see your mother, too.”

“Thank you,” Bekka said, peering down intently into the Weyr Bowl below.

Zirenth appeared just behind them and followed Talenth as she spiraled down for a landing.

They were met by Ellor and Merika first. In the distance, Cisca could be seen on the queens’ ledge, walking quickly toward them.

“Should we wait?” Fiona asked Seban, glancing in Cisca’s direction. But Bekka rendered the question pointless, quickly untying herself and jumping down, running toward her mother while screaming at the top of her lungs, “Mother! I’m going to be a healer!” Seban gave Fiona an apologetic look, but Fiona waved it aside. Grinning, she jumped down from Talenth, patting the golden queen softly on her leg while Seban clambered down.

“Queens are a lot bigger than blues,” Seban said, glancing back up at their perch on the queen’s neck.

“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.