“No,” replied Menolly, and she grinned with great good humor. She had just realized something very important She wasn’t in the Sea Hold any longer. And no one here knew about her harpering. Likewise no one would know if it were her own songs she hummed when she felt like humming. So she began to hum her running song, and was doubly pleased with herself because the tune matched her paring strokes, too.

“It’s a relief to hear someone happy,” remarked Sanra, smiling encouragingly at Menolly.

Menolly realized then that she’d been vaguely aware all day of the fact that the atmosphere in the living cavern reminded her of those times when the fishing fleet was overdue in a storm and everyone was “waiting.” Mirrim was very worried about Brekke but she wouldn’t say why, and Menolly was reluctant to broach the girl’s sad reserve.

“I’m happy because my feet are healing,” she told Sanra and then hurried on, “but I wish someone would tell me what’ s wrong with Brekke. I know Mirrim’s worried sick about her ... ”

Sanra stared at Menolly for a moment “You mean, you haven’t heard about ... ” she lowered her voice and glanced about to make sure they weren’t overheard, “ ... about the queens?”

“No. No one tells girls anything in the Sea Hold.”

Sanra looked surprised but accepted the explanation. “Well, Brekke used to be at Southern, you did know that? Good. And when F’lar banished all the rebellious Oldtimers to Southern, the Southerners had to go somewhere. T’bor became Weyrleader at Fort Hold, Kylara ... ” and Sanra’s usually gentle voice became hard, “Kylara was Weyrwoman for Prideth, with Brekke and Wirenth ... ” Sanra was having enough trouble telling the tale so Menolly was very glad she hadn’t asked Mirrim. “Wirenth rose to mate, but Kylara ... ” and the name was spoken with intense hatred, “Kylara hadn’t taken Prideth far enough away. She was close to mating, too, and when Wirenth flew the bronzes, she rose, and ... ”

There were tears in Sanra’s eyes, and she shook her head, unable to continue.

“Both queens ... died?”

Sanra nodded.

“Brekke’s alive, though ... Isn’t she?”

“Kylara lost her mind, and we’re desperately afraid that Brekke will lose hers ... ” Sanra mopped the tears from her face, sniffing back her sorrow.

“Poor Mirrim. And she’s been so good to me!”

Sanra sniffed again, this time from pique.

“Mirrim likes to think she’s got the cares of the Weyr on her shoulders.”

“Well, I’ve a lot more respect for her the way she keeps on going when she’s worried sick than if she crept off someplace and just felt sorry for herself.”

Sanra stared at Menolly. “No need to bristle at me, girl, and if you keep on stabbing your knife that way, you will cut yourself.”

“Will Brekke be all right?” asked Menolly after a few minutes’ strict attention to her peeling.