“We should,” T’mar said, jerking his head invitingly toward his weyr. “In the meantime, perhaps you’d care for a demonstration of my newly regained strength.”

Fiona gave him an arch look. “Are you so desperate to put yourself in a coma?”

T’mar snorted. “Really, Weyrwoman, I think you overestimate yourself.”

“Probably,” Fiona agreed. “But there are some experiments I’m not willing to try.”

T’mar’s expression softened at the tone in her voice. “So, exactly what experiments are you willing to try?”

Fiona snorted and waved for him to precede her into his quarters.

They were lying together, asleep, much later when the sound of Zirenth’s wings awoke them. Fiona untangled herself from him and, with a restraining look, gestured for him to remain while she went and helped Kindan and Lorana.

They reeked of firestone, as did Zirenth.

“You’ve been flaming?”

Fiona said, her lips set disapprovingly. “Had to,” Kindan said. “When one of the wingleaders was injured, K’lior assigned us to take over.” Fiona’s eyes widened in surprise.

“It was for the best,” Lorana said. “It got us closer to the fighting, so we could coordinate better.” She smiled as she looked at Kindan. “He did all the fighting while Nuella and I did the controlling.”

“It worked out well enough,” Kindan said diffidently as they walked into T’mar’s rooms.

“You had my dragon flaming?” T’mar asked, sitting up in his bed.

“As you knew,” Lorana said without any sign of apology. “You were in touch with Zirenth so much you nearly distracted him.”

“You were?” Fiona said, glaring at the Weyrleader. “Even while we …?”

“No, not then,” T’mar assured her hastily.

“I’m sorry,” Fiona said to Lorana, “if I had realized he was interfering, I would have distracted him more fully.”

“Don’t,” Lorana said with a smile for T’mar, “you’ll only encourage him.”

Kindan’s features sharpened grimly as he absorbed their banter, eyeing Fiona appraisingly. Fiona sensed that he was disappointed somehow and her elated mood evaporated.

“It’s late,” Kindan said, “we shouldn’t detain you too long, Weyrleader.”

“How bad was it?” T’mar asked.

“They lost four dragons, had two seriously injured, and two who will take a good month to recover,” Lorana reported.

“High Reaches flies at night in three days’ time,” T’mar said with a sigh. He glanced up at Kindan. “They’ll want you again, won’t they?”

Kindan didn’t reply, looking distracted, so it was Lorana who answered, “I expect so, Weyrleader, if that’s all right with you.”

“It’s for the good of Pern,” T’mar said. He cocked his head toward Kindan, adding, “Though I’ll be happy when you get your own dragon.”

Kindan glanced sharply at T’mar and shook his head. “I’m not sure that’ll happen, Weyrleader.”