“I’ve lived three Turns that you don’t know,” Fiona said, hoping to put the incident behind them. “I’ve not just thirteen Turns, I’ve nearer seventeen.”

“I’ll try to remember,” Kindan said. He pursed his lips tightly in consideration before adding, “And I’ll try to remember that you’re not your sister.”

“Again, I’m sorry,” Fiona said. “I can only guess how much you loved her.”

“Perhaps,” H’nez suggested diplomatically, “we should examine the Records?”

Fiona could almost kiss the man for his tact.

They were surprised to hear voices as they climbed up the queens’ ledge and past the sleeping Talenth.

“So you were the only girl?” Jeila’s voice could be heard clearly.

“Fiona was there, too,” Terin said. “After a while, we had the traders staying with us—”

“Really? In the Weyr?” Jeila sounded surprised and impressed. “You know, I’ve trader blood.”

“Hush! Someone’s coming!”

“It’s just us,” Fiona called as they entered her quarters. “We didn’t mean to interrupt. We’re going to the Records Room.”

Terin groaned and explained to Jeila. “Anytime she goes into the Records Room it means trouble.”

“Can I come?” Jeila asked, throwing off her blankets and sitting up.

“Bekka?” Fiona said, cocking her head to the young weyrgirl. Bekka examined the older woman’s forehead for heat, took her pulse, and checked her eyes.

“How do you feel?” she asked the young weyrwoman.

“I feel tired but otherwise fine and a bit fidgety,” Jeila confessed. Fiona glanced at her sharply: She felt fidgety herself.

“Well, you’re definitely not pregnant,” Bekka declared. Everyone turned to her in surprise. “It’s really all I know, now.”

“Whether someone’s pregnant?”

“My mother’s a midwife,” Bekka explained nonchalantly. “After a while, you just know.”

Fiona saw the way Bekka’s eyes lingered on Lorana and how the older woman’s lips tightened in surprise. Fiona glanced toward M’tal and the bronze rider met her eyes with a slight, confirming nod of his own. The air went out of Fiona’s lungs with a finality that surprised her. He’d told her that Kindan and Lorana had formed a bond; why did it bother her so much now to see the truth?

“Are the Rooms over there?” M’tal asked Fiona politely, rescuing her from another awkward moment.

“Yes,” she said. “I haven’t had a chance to—”

“Shaneese had them cleaned the other day, my lady,” Terin told her.

“Perhaps I should stay here with Terin,” Lorana said. She glanced at Fiona. “I could see this box that your Tenniz left.”

“Why don’t you go on,” Fiona called to the others. “I’d like to see this as well.”

Kindan and Lorana exchanged a quick glance, after which Kindan nodded and followed the two bronze riders to the Records Room.