Chapters (64)
- Other titles by Anne McCaffreyPublished by Ballantine Books:
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- PROLOGUE
- At a Gather—6.15.30
- Part 1
- Turnover at Landing—1.1.31 Present Pass Aivas—Aivas Adjusted Turn 2553
- Benden Weyr—1.1.31
- Southern Hold—1.1.31
- Healer Hall—1.1.31
- Back at Landing—1.2.31
- Fort Hold—late night—1.1.31
- Fort Hold Runner Station—1.2.31
- Keroon Printer Hall—1.3.31
- Benden Weyr—midday—1.3.31
- Monaco Bay Weyr—five days later—1.8.31
- Part 2
- Ruatha Hold—local time 12:04 in the morning—1.9.31
- Telgar Weyr—local time 4:04 in the morning—1.9.31
- Benden Weyr—local time 6:04 in the morning—1.9.31
- Harper Hall—local time 1:00 in the morning—1.9.31
- Landing—local time 10:12 mid-morning—1.9.31
- In the Conference Room at Landing—1.9.31
- Monaco Weyr—10:22 in the morning—Timing it
- In the Conference Room at Landing—local time 1:10–1.9.31
- Sunrise Cliff Seahold—timed-back
- In the Conference Room—local time 2:12 at Landing—1.9.31
- Back at Landing—local time—3:40
- Harper Hall—5:00 in the morning, and Southern Hold—2:00 in the morning–1.9.31
- Landing—late afternoon—1.9.31
- Same time at Keroon Printer Hall—local time 11:15—1.9.31
- Later, on an unusually bright evening at Landing, Sunrise Cliff, and Honshu Hold—1.9.31
- Part 3
- Honshu—1.10.31
- Circle Runner Station—1.18.31
- Harper Hall
- Benden Weyr—
- Benini Hold—east Monaco and Honshu—1.20.31
- Harper Hall—1.28.31
- Honshu Hold—2.1.31
- Fort Hold—2.13.31
- Printer Hall at Wide Bay—same night
- Honshu Hold—2.9.31
- Night at Wide Bay—2.9.31
- Ruatha Hold—late evening—2.9.31
- Core Hold—two days before Council Meeting—2.26.31
- Part 4
- Honshu Weyrhold—2.26–27.31
- Council Meeting at Telgar Hold—3.1.31
- Honshu Weyrhold—3.01.31
- Interim at Benden and elsewhere
- Honshu Weyrhold—time passing slowly
- Landing—3.21.31
- Honshu Weyrhold—3.21.31
- Southern Hold—3.23.31
- Honshu Weyrhold—3.27.31
- Benden Weyr—3.27.31
- Cove Hold—same day, same approximate time
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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“These incursions were far too widespread not to have been planned,” Lessa said when they had all been served klah fortified with the Healer Hall’s restorative liqueur. “Making too much good use of the laxity everywhere at Turnover.”
“Not well-enough executed or timed, though,” F’lessan remarked sardonically. “One of T’gellan’s green riders investigated the sound of breaking glass and forestalled a more comprehensive destruction.” His usually amiable expression was harsh. “T’gellan is questioning the three that were caught.”
“The Benden Healer was not as lucky,” F’lar said, “though his journeywoman says he’ll recover. Our wings will search until full dark.”
“Sintary got just a glimpse of the vandals,” K’van said, and added in an apologetic tone, “The jungle’s too thick to hope we’ll find them easily.”
“We’ve got this lot,” Groghe said with great satisfaction as his fist came down on the table in emphasis.
“That leader looked an obstinate sort,” Sebell remarked. “The kind who might die for a principle.”
“I doubt the others are of similar fortitude,” Sharra said wryly. “Scalp Wound is a moaner.”
“Itch’s rash is going to spread all over her body,” Keita said, passing around a tray of tiny, hot Gather rolls.
Sharra tsked-tsked in mock pity. “Let them get thirsty, too?”
“Thirsty, Itchy, Scalp Wound?” Lessa asked pointedly.
Sebell explained and Lessa’s grin of understanding turned into a wide yawn.
“My apologies, but we didn’t get much sleep last night,” she said.
“There are guest quarters here, Lessa,” Oldive offered quickly.
“We’re not that decrepit,” F’lar said stiffly.
“Maybe you’re not, F’lar,” Lessa said, rising slowly to her feet, “but I was looking forward to a good night’s sleep eight hours ago. And I would be grateful for some of it. Anywhere.”
“Of course, of course,” Groghe said. “You’re always welcome at Fort.”
“And Ruatha,” Jaxom and Sharra said in unison, knowing how much Lessa liked to visit at her birthplace.
The Benden Weyrwoman shook her head with a rueful smile.
“Ramoth and Mnementh are already ensconced in the sun on Fort’s fire-heights,” she said, rising. “I’m for a quiet room. Here.” She pointed downward. “No Gather noise.”
“Shards! I have to get back to the Gather. Explain this mess and collect petitions,” Groghe said, getting his feet under him to stand. “Those Abominators can bloody wait. Do them good.”
“If anything will do that wretched lot any good,” Sharra added bleakly.
Keita hurried forward, to escort the Benden Weyrleaders to guest rooms.
“I must return to report to Lord Toric,” K’van said ruefully, pushing back from the table. “I doubt he’ll appreciate that he’s only one of many targets.”
“Toric does indeed prefer to be singular,” F’lar said, lifting a hand to acknowledge K’van’s uneasy truce with the Southern Holder.