Fiona gestured to H’nez, who stepped forward. “Weyrleader T’mar is recovering from injuries, and in the meantime H’nez is senior flightleader.”

“Flightleader,” H’nez said with a nod toward J’lantir. “I believe you outrank me.”

“I might at that,” J’lantir said.

“We’ve a Fall tomorrow; how would you like to array the wings?” H’nez asked.

“I think I’d like to get settled in first,” J’lantir said. “If you’ve any training you’ve planned for your Flight today, please proceed.”

“Gladly,” H’nez said. He turned to Fiona and nodded to her. “Weyrwoman.”

“Fly safe,” Fiona said with a wave. Once he was out of earshot, she muttered to herself, “Old stick in the mud.”

“I’ve been called that, yes,” J’lantir said, turning to her.

“Not you,” Fiona corrected, pointing to H’nez’s retreating back. “Him.”

J’lantir’s brows rose once more as he registered the comment, but before he could make any remarks, Fiona continued, “We’ve weyrs set to your disposal and fresh food if your riders feel the need, Flightleader.”

“As soon as we get settled and pay our respects to the Weyrleader, we’ll probably want to join H’nez and get a feel for the air,” J’lantir said.

“Excellent,” Fiona said joyfully. At J’lantir’s surprised look, she added, “I had a bet with our headwoman and you’ve made me a winner.”

“Glad to oblige,” J’lantir said, smiling. “Are there any other wagers I should aid?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Fiona replied innocently, glancing significantly toward Kindan. “A Weyrwoman has to maintain decorum.”

J’lantir startled at that, asking, “Aren’t you the same Fiona who was so fond of tunnel snakes as a youngster?”

“I was more fond of the marks I earned catching them,” Fiona corrected him with a grin. “However, I now have reason to believe that I was never in any danger, having been protected by my continued existence.”

J’lantir gave her a blank look, so she said, “My snake-hunting companion was someone who knew that I would live long enough to go back in time to Igen and so had no worries inciting me to greater and greater levels of danger.”

“Oh!” J’lantir said, enlightened. “Not the sort of thing one encounters often.”

Fiona nodded in agreement. “If you need anything, bespeak Talenth.”

“Or have your dragon ask me,” Lorana said.

“Yes,” Fiona said. “Lorana can hear any dragon.”

“Oh,” J’lantir said, thinking quickly. He turned back to the taller woman. “Then you have my heartfelt commiserations; the past few months must have been quite a trial.”

Fiona linked hands with Lorana at the same time as Kindan encircled the dark-haired woman’s waist protectively.

“I am lucky in my friends,” Lorana told him.

J’lantir nodded and, somewhat bemusedly, turned back to the remaining Istan riders.