“We’re done here,” Lorana called as she packed up.

“You’re welcome to join us.”

“Your dragons should rest,” Lorana said as she and Kindan fell in behind her.

Talenth, Fiona said, tell Terin that we are in my rooms.

She knows, Talenth replied.

You should get some rest, Fiona told her queen. You need to recover.

She heard Talenth rumble in agreement and start ambling along behind them. Another set of footsteps caused her to turn. It was H’nez. He appeared worried. With a look, she invited him to follow them.

They climbed the incline of the queens’ ledge and entered Fiona’s weyr. She and M’tal gently laid Jeila down in her bed and then she gestured for the others to take seats around her day table.

“Terin will be along with food and klah,” she told them.

H’nez cleared his throat, then asked Lorana, “Did I hear you say that the dragons will be tired—even the healthy ones?”

Lorana glanced warily at M’tal.

“The cure usually makes them very tired for a day or so,” the bronze rider responded. He saw H’nez’s troubled look and was startled by it until, with a groan, he realized, “You’ve Threadfall tomorrow!”

“Yes,” H’nez replied shortly.

Fiona looked at Lorana. “Will we be able to fly tomorrow?”

“We’ll have to be,” H’nez declared. He stood, his thoughts surrounding him like a dark cloud, before he turned swiftly, saying, “Your pardon, but I’ve got to be certain that my riders rest their dragons immediately.”

“Of course,” M’tal called after him. After a moment he added, “If you’d like, I’ll fly with you.”

H’nez paused mid-stride and turned back, eyeing M’tal carefully before replying, “If you wish.”

“What about F’jian’s Ladirth?” Fiona asked, glancing among the three Benden weyrfolk. “If the healthy dragons will be tired from the cure, will Ladirth be well enough to fly tomorrow? He’s been coughing.”

Kindan frowned and glanced at Lorana, who shrugged. “I don’t know,” she said.

“Perhaps M’tal could lead F’jian’s wing,” Fiona suggested to H’nez.

H’nez frowned and turned away. “I’ll be back.”

“Don’t hurry,” Fiona called after him. “You need rest, too.”

H’nez waved a hand over his shoulder in acknowledgment, but Fiona got the distinct impression that the prickly bronze rider was surprised at her concern.

As he moved out of sight, Terin and Xhinna arrived, each bearing a well-laden tray.

“She’ll be okay?” Xhinna demanded, gesturing toward Talenth. “You’ve found a cure?”

“Yes,” M’tal told her, casting a sidelong look toward Fiona. Fiona felt that the old rider was amused by the possessiveness in Xhinna’s reaction.

“Oh, thank you!” Xhinna cried. She placed her tray on the table and turned away for a moment. Fiona rose from her seat and went to hug her.