“Shouldn’t we keep them? Just in case we need them again?”

Lorana shook her head. “I don’t think we’d know what to do with them. Our training was very specific, directed toward this one problem.”

“Can I come with you? Do you need any help?”

Lorana shook her head again, smiling sadly. “I don’t think we’ll need any help, but you’re welcome to come with us.”

She glanced quickly at Kindan, who was hunched inward on himself. “We could use the company.”

And so it was arranged.

They left midday the next day, after Fiona had assured herself that T’mar had settled in for the day and that Shaneese and Terin, between them, had all the Weyr matters well in hand.

Because High Reaches was to the west, the sun rose four hours later than it did at Telgar, allowing them to make a leisurely noon departure and arrive at first light. With Talenth leading and Fiona carrying all the precious artefacts, and with Lorana and Kindan on Zirenth, they rose to the watch heights, circled once, and went between.

When they emerged from between, Fiona could easily see the outline of Tillek Hold in the growing light of the sun. They had no trouble finding their landing—Zirenth landed so lightly that it was only when Lorana started to move that Kindan realized they were once again earthbound.

A hoarse bugle greeted them, to be echoed more loudly by the dragons.

Tillesk, Talenth said to both Fiona and Lorana.

“They’ve got a watch-wher!” Kindan exclaimed, a look of delight blossoming on his face.

“Disaller at your service,” a richly clad man said as they passed through the large gates of Tillek Hold.

“Lord Disaller,” Fiona said, nodding slightly.

Disaller nodded politely back, but his attention was fixed on Lorana. He strode up to her quickly, grasped her free hand, and bowed. He was a great bear of a man, one fully built for the needs of the premier sea hold.

“News of your deeds, and your sacrifice, were heard throughout Pern,” he told her, his eyes full of sympathy. “It is an honor to have you here.”

He glanced at Kindan and pumped his hand firmly. “You, too, harper,” he said. His wagged his great bushy eyebrows at Kindan and his bearded mouth twitched up in a smile. “Perhaps we’ll get a proper song of the events from you, soon?”

“There is no better song than Wind Blossom’s,” Kindan told the holder honestly.

“But he is composing another,” Fiona said, her lips curved and her eyes twinkling. “Aren’t you?”

“I’ve only just started,” Kindan said, giving her an exasperated look.

“Pern is grateful to the both of you,” Disaller said, turning and waving toward his Hold. “And we’d be happy to let you take your ease with us for as long as you desire.”