“She’s the one who Impressed Tolarth’s queen?” Sonia asked. Fiona nodded. “So what did he leave Lorana?”

“It looked like a brooch but, if so, it was unfinished,” Fiona said, describing the gold staff with twined serpents that marked the symbol of a healer. She mentioned the odd small holes on either side.

“And what did his note say to her?”

“‘The way forward is dark and long. A dragon gold is only the first price you’ll pay for Pern.’”

Sonia glanced away, staring at nothing as she mulled over those words.

“And what did he say to you?” Sonia asked as she looked back at the Weyrwoman once more after she finished her musings.

“My note was from Mother Karina,” Fiona said. “Tenniz had her tell me that ‘it will all turn out right.’”

“That seems to leave a great burden on you!”

“Pardon?”

“Well, doesn’t that make it your responsibility to determine what ‘all turn out right’ actually means?”

Fiona gave her a confused look.

“Would it be all right for you if Lorana’s price was her life?” Sonia asked by way of example.

“No,” Fiona said. “I would sooner lose Talenth than her.”

From up on the watch heights, Talenth bellowed in agreement.

“She saved Pern,” Fiona said, gesturing up toward Talenth, “she saved my dragon.”

“Sometimes, as Tenniz seems to know, the price of a job well done is the payment of a higher price,” Sonia told her softly.

“Then she won’t pay the price alone,” Fiona declared, her eyes flashing angrily.

“I wish I could agree with you,” Sonia said. “But whatever pain you’re willing to suffer for her will only add to her pain, not replace it.”

“She’s been through too much already!” Fiona said, the pain in her voice wrenching at Sonia’s heart. “It’s time for someone else to take over.”

Another dragon burst into the sky above them, creeling with pain, her left wing hanging limply as she plunged through the sky.

Silently, Sonia’s Lyrinth rose from the Weyr Bowl as Fiona’s Talenth dove from her position on the watch heights, working together to position themselves under the falling green, catching her and lowering her gently to the ground.

“I think they need us now,” Fiona said, as she started racing toward the injured green.

Sonia was an instant behind her, shocked at how well her Lyrinth had worked with the younger Talenth. She eyed the back of the blond Weyrwoman thoughtfully as she raced to catch up.

Hours later, covered in ichor, exhausted, cold from the afternoon winds that had picked up, Sonia turned from the younger Weyrwoman in time to be wrapped warmly in D’vin’s arms.

“Her,” Sonia said, as she struggled to breathe in the bronze rider’s tight embrace, “her too.”