at F’jian. The bronze rider was breathing heavily and had a cut over his right eye, that Fiona judged

painful but superficial.

“Is honor satisfied now, bronze rider?” she asked him in a tone that dictated the response.

“Yes, Weyrwoman,” F’jian replied. Fiona nodded to the other riders, saying, “Get them out of the

suits.”

When F’jian was once more standing in front of her in his riding clothes, Fiona pointed to his cut. “I

bet that stings.”

“Not much,” F’jian said cockily.

Before she could have any second thoughts, Fiona raised her hand, spun on her heel, and slapped him

hard on the cheek.

“I’ll bet that does,” she growled as she turned back to face him, her hand raised for a repeat

performance. In the distance, Talenth rumbled angrily, echoed by the distressed calls of the Weyr’s

dragons.

“Yes, it does, Weyrwoman,” F’jian cried, his tough stance disintegrating into the bewildered look of a

young man uncertain of his ground and standing.

“Good,” Fiona growled, hating herself even as she said it. “Don’t make it necessary for me to do that

ever again.”

As she turned away, Terin rushed past her, crying in sympathy for F’jian’s injuries.

Fiona knew that Terin would be furious at her for days to come, but she also knew that she’d done

exactly what was necessary to enforce the discipline of the Weyr. She did not turn back when Terin

loudly commiserated with F’jian over his injuries and his hurt pride, but her lips curled upward when she

heard Terin kiss him soundly. She had hoped that would happen.

T’mar stepped in front of her, one eyebrow raised questioningly as he glanced back over her shoulder.

“What now, Weyrwoman?”

“Well, they’ll have to be punished,” Fiona said with a sigh. “J’gerd will get extra duties for the next

fortnight.”

“And F’jian?”

“Bronze riders are not exempt from Weyr discipline,” Fiona said. “I think I have a special duty for

F’jian.”

“And that would be?”

“I think that Talenth and I need to spend more time here,” Fiona said. “And as Terin so often

represents the Weyr with the Wherhold, I believe that I shall require F’jian to provide her transport.” Her

lips turned upward as she added, “She is trading babysitting duties with Nuella and Zenor for some

special trinket.” She paused. “Let him change diapers for a while.”

Beside her, T’mar chuckled evilly.

For the next several sevendays, Terin slept elsewhere than Fiona’s weyr.

“You’ve only solved one problem, you know,” Mother Karina said to Fiona late one evening as they

tended the hearth together.

Fiona made an attempt to look quizzical, but the old woman was having none of it. With a sigh, Fiona

nodded.

“It’s difficult,” she said.

“It always is,” Karina agreed gently.

“I mean, I’ve got a queen and I’m Weyrwoman,” Fiona objected.