“I’m Nicat, Masterminer of Crom Hold. Weyr-woman Lessa said that I was to have two fire lizard eggs.”

Beyond his stiff manner, Menolly could see he was restraining an eager impatience to hold fire lizard eggs of his own.

“Indeed I have sir, right here,” she said, smiling warmly at him and indicating the table-protected basket

“Well, my word,” and his manner thawed visibly, “you’re taking no chances, are you.”

He helped her move the table and watched anxiously as she brushed back the top layer of sand and exposed the first of the eggs.

“Could I have a queen egg?” he asked.

“Master Nicat, Lessa explained to you that there’s no way of telling which is which among the fire lizard eggs,” said T’gellan, joining them to Menolly’s intense relief. “Of course, Menolly might have a way of telling ... ”

“She might?” Mastenniner Nicat regarded her with surprise.

“She’s Impressed nine, you know.”

“Nine?” Master Nicat frowned at her now, and she could practically read his mind: Nine for a child, and only two for the Masterminer?

“Pick Master Nicat two of the best, Menolly! We don’t want him to be disappointed.” Although T’gellan’s face was sober, Menolly caught the expression in his eyes.

She managed to conduct herself with proper dignity and made a play of picking out just the right eggs for Masterminer Nicat, all the while being certain in her own mind that the queen egg was going to Master-harper Robinton only.

“Here you are, sir,” she said, handing Mastermind Nicat the furry pouch with its precious contents. “You’d best carry them in your riding jacket, against your skin, on the way home.”

“Then what do I do?” Master Nicat asked with humility as he held the sack in both hands against his chest.

Menolly looked at T’gellan, but both men were looking at her. She gulped.

“Well, I’d do exactly what we’re doing here. Keep them near the hearth in a strong basket with either hot sand or furs. The Weyrwoman said they’d be hatching in about a sevenday. Feed them as soon as they break their shells, as much as they can eat, and talk to them all the time. It’s important to ... ” She faltered; how could she tell this hard-faced man that you had to be affectionate and kind …

“You must reassure them constantly. They’re nervous when they’re first hatched. You saw the dragons today. Touch them and stroke them ... ” The Master-miner was nodding as he catalogued her instructions. ‘They must be bathed daily, and their skins must be oiled. You can always tell when a crack is developing from scaly patches on the hide. And they keep scratching themselves ... ”

Master Nicat turned questioningly to T’gellan. “Oh, Menolly knows what to do. Why, she has her fire lizards singing tunes along with her and all ... ”