“Get firestone! Get it now!” Fiona shouted as she burst out of the Hatching Grounds. She raced toward the firestone shed and skidded to a surprised halt as she spied a group of weyrfolk lined up outside, sacks of firestone ready in their hands, looking at her in surprise.

“My lady?” Shaneese asked her in surprise. Fiona glanced at her, eyes wide with questions. “You ordered me to prepare the firestone an hour ago, my lady.”

Lorana caught up with her, gasping and holding her belly protectively. She and Fiona exchanged one glance and then Fiona called Talenth! I need you!

The dragon appeared from the Hatching Grounds to the surprise of all.

“Get them loaded up!” Fiona called as she ran to her dragon and clambered up to her perch, ignoring the lack of riding straps, and waving toward the landing Wings of dragons. Talenth, we must go back in time one hour.

I know, Talenth told her calmly. I heard you the first time.

The first time? Fiona asked, surprised.

When you told me not to say anything, Talenth told her calmly. She took two steps and leaped into the air and between in the same instant, ignoring the indignant squawks of the descending dragons.

Fiona had only a few moments between to consider this strange turn of events before they returned from between right above the Weyr Bowl. Talenth flipped one wing up and one down in a sharp turn to avoid flying into the wall of the Weyr itself and executed a neat landing almost in the exact spot from which she’d departed.

How—?

I knew where I would be, Talenth told her smugly. I remembered.

Fiona slapped Talenth’s neck affectionately, her pride in her dragon stronger than words could convey.

Now, you need to tell Shaneese, Talenth said. You weren’t here long before we went back.

Fiona raised an eyebrow in surprise at her queen’s determination and then her lips quirked into a smile as she realized that the young queen was nearly as perplexed by the whole event as she was.

Fiona raced to the Kitchen Cavern and caught Shaneese’s attention as soon as she entered, beckoning the headwoman toward her.

“Weyrwoman?” Shaneese asked, her brows furrowed.

“I’m not here, don’t tell anyone,” Fiona said. “You’re to get the weyrfolk readying firestone for a Fall.”

“For a Fall?” Shaneese said. “But Thread’s not due until tomorrow, my Lady.”

“We’ll be flying Thread in an hour,” Fiona assured her. “Get your people moving, I’ve got to get back!”

“Back?”

“To the future,” Fiona told her. “I’ll be just as surprised when I find you then as you are surprised to find me now.”

Outside Talenth rumbled in agreement, echoed a moment later by Talenth from her spot in the Hatching Grounds.

“You timed it?”

Fiona nodded and, with a wave, raced back to her queen.