“I think, with your permission, it will be your father—”

“And his lady,” Lorana added.

“I’d hardly think that Kelsa would accept being anyone’s lady!” Kindan said with a laugh.

“Yet you claim me,” Lorana retorted in a low voice.

Kindan looked surprised and groped for words, saying, “I—I only thought—”

“You didn’t think, I’d say,” Fiona cut him off. She waved a hand toward Zirenth. “You’d best go.”

Sort it out later. Fiona wasn’t sure if that was Talenth, Lorana agreeing with her, or her own voice talking to Lorana. From the surprised look on Lorana’s face, it was clear that the older woman was just as unsure.

“Later,” Kindan agreed, turning with alacrity toward the bronze dragon’s lair.

Lorana spared a smile for Fiona before joining him.

“Now,” Fiona said to herself, “what other trouble can I get into today?”

“Trouble comes without asking for it,” a sour voice spoke up beside her. Fiona spun and saw Norik. The older man grinned a strained smile. Fiona fought down the sudden tension in her gut.

“It’s true,” Fiona agreed. “But I’ve often found that diving right into it puts it off guard.”

“Indeed?”

“It at least has the virtue of being novel,” Fiona told him. “And what trouble were you bringing me today?” She glanced around. “I thought you were instructing the youngsters in their singing.”

“I was,” Norik said. “I took a break when I learned you were here.”

Fiona gave him an attentive look.

“I don’t know, with all that has transpired, if you remember my request for a new assignment.”

“No,” Fiona assured him with a relieved smile, “I haven’t forgotten. In fact, I thought that you would be able to appeal directly to Master Zist when he arrives.”

Norik pursed his lips and nodded. “So I’d hoped.”

Fiona nodded, waiting attentively to see if their conversation was over. It was not.

“I think, if I might, I’d like to be posted to Benden Weyr.”

“Yes, you’d mentioned that. But I have to ask, why another Weyr?” Fiona said, surprised. And why, from what she’d heard, would anyone choose to be posted into the care of the prickly Weyrwoman Tullea? Of course, given Norik’s taciturn nature, perhaps the two would be a good match, Fiona thought impishly to herself.

“I’ve not heard of any open holds,” Norik said. He met her eyes squarely as he added, “And, truth be told, I like the freedom of the Weyrs.”

“As a former holder lass, I can’t argue with you!”

“I appreciate that, my lady,” Norik said. His normally flat eyes seemed to have found some sparkle as he continued, “And now, if you’ll forgive me, I must get back to the lessons.”