“Oh,” Fiona said, trying for a lighter tone, “so this is all about Lorana, is it?”

“Of course it is,” Cisca said, holding out a hand toward Fiona. “It’s only because she can talk to all the dragons, you know.” When Fiona accepted her hand, Cisca maneuvered the smaller Weyrwoman until she had her arm wrapped around her shoulder. As they walked back to the Kitchen Cavern, she leaned down and said quietly, “You have a knack for making your life difficult.”

“My father preferred the word ‘interesting,’” Fiona said, glancing up into Cisca’s warm brown eyes.

“Well, just so you know, I’m not jealous,” Cisca told her. “I’ve seen a few of these relationships with the blue riders and green riders and—”

“They don’t last,” Fiona finished for her. Cisca’s eyes widened. “I know, I’ve seen them, too.”

“Just so you know what you’re getting into,” Cisca said. She looked measuringly at Fiona and then added more kindly, “Although, sometimes they do work out.”

“I know that, too,” Fiona said. “It takes a lot of work.”

“All relationships take work,” Cisca said. She shrugged. “Really, when you think about it, anything you care to do well takes work.”

“Now, you be good and listen to your father,” Merika called up from the ground below as Bekka settled into her perch behind Seban and in front of Fiona on Talenth’s golden neck.

“I will,” Bekka promised.

“And you,” Merika said, wagging a finger at Seban, “be good and listen to your daughter.”

“I will,” Seban called back with a chuckle.

“And both of you,” Merika went on, waving a hand in disgust at Seban’s amusement, “remember that there are those who love you and they’re only between away.”

“We will!” Bekka called back loudly.

“You too, Weyrwoman,” Cisca called, jumping up and down to gain Fiona’s attention.

“We will!” Fiona called back just as loudly, causing Cisca to gape in surprise and then laugh.

Come on, Talenth, let’s go! Fiona said to her queen as she waved goodbye to the Fort Weyr riders and weyrfolk gathered to see them off. Fort Hold.

The gold and bronze climbed up quickly in the afternoon air, circled the Star Stones once, and were gone, between to Fort Hold.

Fiona insisted upon circling Fort Hold’s Great Hall before they glided down for a landing in the field outside the Healer Hall.

“So, you’re back?” Betrony said as he approached from the Healer Hall. “And you’ve brought trouble?”

“We’ll need Birentir’s gear, sir,” Fiona said.

“Birentir, eh?” Betrony said, his eyebrows arching. “Good choice, good choice.” He glanced inquiringly toward Seban and Bekka.

Fiona got the hint and gestured toward them. “Masterhealer, may I present, with my compliments, Seban, formerly rider of blue Serth, and his daughter, Bekka.” To Bekka and Seban she said, “This is Masterhealer Betrony.”

“Kindan!” A loud voice boomed from the distance. “Report!”