Chapter 1

Kaili sat on the grass in the early spring sunshine -early at least in the High Reaches region – and nibbled a strand of her unruly red hair. She could not quite work out if L'rilly and T'lana were clever and helpful, or the most interfering Weyrwomen ever!

She knew that she had behaved badly during the unwanted pregnancy caused by rape by Holder Aven; and she supposed that both her de facto sister-in-law L'rilly and her sister Mirielle had been very kind and full of forbearance for her. And it would not be fair of her to deny Mirielle her chance to Impress just because she did not herself want to remain in the weyr near the twins she had birthed. In all, the suggestion that had been made was probably a good one.

The idea had been hatched by L'rilly when the girl had been incapacitated after her operation to remove a growth on her womb in the Healer Hall. L'rilly had run the idea past her dearest friend T'lana: and the auburn haired weyrwoman had thought it excellent. The proposal had been put to Kaili that, loving runner beasts as she did, she should foster for a while with Runnerholder Tragen, who had formed close ties with the Weyr. T'lana had described him as 'dour on the outside and a real softie on the inside'; and Kaili had heard more of him from other sources. Bronze Rider M'gol, a well-respected wing leader had also spoken favourably of the man, for he had spent some time staying at Tragen's Runnerhold, though Kaili was not totally sure why. So she had concurred with the suggestion; and now, waiting to be taken to the Runnerhold Northfork, she was wondering if she was having second thoughts!

Kaili did not know that T'lana had visited Tragen and had been very frank about the younger girl's circumstances; for T'lana felt that he could not be asked to take on a fosterling who might prove difficult without fair warning.

"She's a filly with a sore mouth" she said. "She's been ridden too hard and needs gentling. But she's a good girl at bottom, I think. And she loves Runner beasts."

"Well I'll see how it works out, you persuasive little witch" said Tragen; for he liked T'lana enough to tease her. "I was favourably impressed by M'gol and Z'kan. That's a pair of good workers – and if the Unthinkable DOES ever happen to either of them, there's a place here for him. Or any of your people I guess. I know you people don't like to talk about it" he added "But it does happen."

T'lan nodded, not able to trust herself to speak, thinking of the enormity of losing a dragon: and knowing that Tragen meant well. And it was a generous offer; few people felt comfortable around the often disturbed dragonless men. Her own dear friend Sh'allen, once Sh'len whose dragon Tath had died, and who had re-Impressed crippled Warneth, had trouble living in the weyr even yet. He had been considering going to help out on T'lana's foster father's cothold where he and Warneth could help fight Thread at ground level; and the offer from Tragen did make sense. He touched her arm to take away any offence from making such a suggestion; an unusually sensitive attitude from one of the commons. She smiled to show she took no offence.

"Thank you, Tragen" she managed. "It's a generous offer; worthy of more thanks than I can manage."

He nodded.

"I know. It's difficult for you. But as to this other lassie, you know I've no wife to chaperone her. Will that be a problem?"

"Her aunt didn't prevent that Fax-spawn Aven from having her" said T'lana dryly. "Besides, Traders fuss less about such things. I've assured her uncle that you're a man of integrity and honour. My word's good enough for him."

Tragen nodded acceptance.

"I don't know much about lasses. But I'll do my best."

T'lana laughed.

"Treat her as you would a son. She doesn't need to be hedged around with female conventions. Let her stay in a tunic and work with the stable boys."

T'lana had taken L'rilly's idea one stage further in her own mind.

Tragen could do with a wife and heirs. And only one who loved runnerbeasts as he did would do. Kaili was rather anti men at the moment; but she was only seventeen turns. It would not be long before she rediscovered life and fun again. Thus thought T'lana from the worldly wise position of two turns older!

Kaili was sure to wear a loose tunic and trews to her new home; and she hacked short her vibrant curls. She had no intention of letting anyone get the wrong idea ever again. Her name was not so overwhelmingly feminine as some; but she decided to modify that too. Hence, when T'lana introduced her to the grim faced Runnerholder she smiled as she held out her hand and said firmly,

"Call me Kai!"

He nodded, unperturbed.

"Very well, Kai. As you wish. I am Tragen; and unless the Weyrwoman has any other jobs for me, I thought I'd show you around."

T'lana chuckled.

"'Go away T'lana while I get to know my new fosterling' – I can take a hint!" she grinned. "Best of luck, Kaili – Kai. And you, Tragen!" and with a cheery wave she was striding back to Mirrith.

Kaili watched her go and had to swallow hard on the lump in her throat. She was on her own now, amongst strangers! Part of her yearned to run after T'lana and beg her to take her back, where at least she had her kin; and part of her thought scorn to act like a quitter. She bit her lip, and composed herself to face whatever might come. It could not be so very difficult, could it?

Tragen watched, sympathetically.

"I'll introduce you to the runnerbeasts first" he said. "That way you've compensation if you don't like the people here."

Kaili stared; and then grinned.

He nodded.

"Sometimes I think they've a deal more sense than a lot of folk." He confided. "And the worst vices you'll find are bad temper and mischief."

Her face clouded.

"Which is more than can be said for many people."

He shrugged.

"It's the way it is. What can't be cured must be endured."

"Do you know what…what happened to me?" she asked, quailing at the thought he might know; more daunted by the concept of having to explain.

He nodded. His harsh face softened in sympathy; but not pity. She was glad.

"I know in broad." He said. "To foster fair I needed to know what special needs you might have. For another, it might have been my duty to look for suitable candidates to suggest to you for a husband – but you'll not, unless I miss my guess, be wanting that."

She shook her head vehemently.

"No." her tone was emphatic.

"And you'll tell me, I hope, if anyone upsets you by being over forward. T'would probably be meaning no harm; but I'll warn off anyone if you wish it."

She managed a smile.

"Thank you" she said, a little tremulously. For all his apparent dourness, this Tragen seemed kind! Kaili added, "In my things I've firelizard eggs. I think it would be well to get them by a hearth before I look around. Z'kan and M'gol wanted to say 'thank you' to you and their friends here, they said. And they thought I should have one too in case I needed to send any messages to D're."

"Firelizard eggs! What a very generous gesture!" Tragen was moved. Kaili gave a tentative grin.

"I think the High Reaches people like to do nice things for their friends. And it does make sense, for everyone, to be able to send messages quickly." She went on, "I've been told to make sure of eggs for you, Morill, Kren, Calum and Kirissa; there are six eggs that are further on, labelled; and another dozen, mostly green, D're says, for you to share out as you see fit, or do wild-style Impression with if you want to avoid accusations of favouritism. Besides, wild-style does give the dragonets more choice" she explained.

"I see. Yes, I must say I can't stomach the thought of someone unsuitable Impressing or owning any animal. I'm careful to whom I sell my beasts." Said Tragen. "But I suspect that one reason the High Reaches people like wild style impression is that it gives them a clue to possible suitable candidates, hmmm?"

"I'd not thought of that. But I suppose it makes sense" she said. "Though they say that Green and Blue Riders can often sense the suitable."

"Yes, I had heard that. Now, let's get these eggs to the kitchen and break the good news to Kirissa" Tragen led her away.

Kirissa was deeply moved that M'gol and Z'kan had provided so generous a gift, and carefully arranged the warming pots on the hearth. They were, as Kaili had told Tragen labelled; but what the girl did not realise was that D're had already looked over the eggs: and the colours had been matched to the recipients accordingly. A queen had been packed for Tragen, which would be a fillip to his status; and a bronze for Kaili. M'gol was privy to some of T'lana's schemes, for she had consulted him since he had gotten to know the dour runnerholder well. If all went as T'lana hoped, a bronze mate for Tragen's queen would not come amiss. If not, it was fitting that a Bronze Rider's sister should have the status of a bronze firelizard.

Of the other eggs, Kren and Morill and Calum would all have browns, and Kirissa a green. M'gol was well aware that there was chemistry between Morill and the diminutive cook, although they were cousins; and being able to share through their lizards would be, he thought, an extra gift he could give!

Kirissa hugged Kaili as she said her delighted thanks; and the girl endured it. She could quite understand anyone being effusive with such a gift; she had been fairly overwhelmed herself when D're had told her. Runnerbeasts were her first love; but she admitted to being quite charmed by the delightful little miniatures of the great beasts her brother and his friends rode. And it also occurred to her that Impression of one of these would help her better to understand her sister Mirielle's desire to be a dragonrider and her brother's devotion to Bronze Esruth. Kaili was doing her best to grow up!

Tragen whisked Kaili off as soon as the pots were stowed, with instructions that Kaili's pack be taken to her room. They headed, to the girl's delight, for the stables. Morill and Kren were waiting; and Tragen introduced them to her. Kaili said what was polite; but it must be noted that the message for the two men from M'gol was delivered in a rather cursory way when the girl caught sight of Darkspeed! The mare whickered gently as Kaili petted her, crooning nonsense cheerfully into her ear.

"And what a beautiful foal you're going to have!" she murmured. "Coal black all over – what a stallion he'll be!"

Tragen was staring at her, wonderment writ across his stern features. He spoke softly.

"You know."

It was a statement, not a question.

"Of course I know. It's easy enough to feel. And she's so pleased, isn't she?"

"Of course? There's no 'of course' about it, my girl!" he said. Kaili looked puzzled; and Tragen went on, "You know how Runnerbeasts feel. And you act like everyone else does!"

"You mean they don't?" she was genuinely surprised.

"Do your whole family do this? Have you ever spoken to them about it?"

Kaili blinked.

"I've never mentioned it. It never seemed necessary. I – I thought it was normal."

He shook his head, his face lightening into something akin to a smile.

"It's a rare gift. I have it too. I never ever met anyone else – though T'lana does something very like it. But she hears dragons better."

"I guess that's just as well for a Queen Rider" said Kaili practically. "Does it make me more useful, then?"

"Useful! My dear Kai, it makes you invaluable! I couldn't ask for a better skill in my own blood, if I had any. And if you ever wanted to train as a jockey, you could be the best!"

"I agree!" cut in Morill, who had been listening. "You rarely meet a whisperer more than once in a lifetime – now I know two. Three, I guess, if you count the Weyrwoman. You'll surpass me" he tried not to sound chagrined. Kaili shook her head, bemused.

"Well" she said firmly "I'm glad I've something useful. I did wonder if I was being foisted onto you as 'something to do with that girl Kaili' and you'd felt obliged to take me."

"It would have been" said Tragen dryly "A favour I'd always gladly do for my friends to help out someone they cared for. But I already knew you were good with Runners. Lady T'lana told me, and I value her opinion."

Kaili flushed.

"I thank you" she said "For giving me the chance to prove her right. It's an opportunity to jump at – especially if you really mean I can train as a jockey. I'd love that beyond anything."

"Even Impression?" Kren was sceptical.

"Oh – dragons." Kaili was dismissive. "They're fine enough, I suppose. But not as beautiful as runners."

Tragen's stables included some hundred or so runnerbeasts of various types: as well as the racing stables, which was his own particular hobby, he bred and raised working runners, specialising in those trained to pull loads.

"There are basically five kinds of runners" he told Kaili. "The racers, lithest and lightest; in many ways the most beautiful. Akin to them are the riding beasts for personal transport. They can vary from sturdy creatures that traders like your family use through to rather showy beasts for Lords Holders' offspring" he gave grim smile. "I tend to breed the more workmanlike end of the market" he added. He continued to enumerate types of runner. "Largest of all the runnerbeasts are the Puncherons or Draft Beasts. They're used to draw ploughs and harrows and pull the heaviest loads. Lord Deckter's family have always brought theirs from me to pull their great drays" he added proudly. "Also they use smaller cart beasts, the smallest of which are used for troikas, sleds and wheeled conveyances for the transport of people and light goods. These ones have a similar look to the riding beasts, but generally their temperament is subtly different. A riding beast has to be more empathic than a cartbeast for a Waggoner must be trained. Any fool can – and frequently does – try to ride."

Kaili grinned at his dismissive tone, but was instantly serious.

"But if someone unskilled mounts, it could risk damaging the runner's mouth!" she said.

"Aye. But the more placid and empathic the creature, the better it can gauge what is wanted of it; and the less likely that is to occur. It minimises risk. I can take care to whom I sell. I can't guarantee who he might let use his animals" Tragen's tone was dry.

"What's the fifth type?" asked Kaili.

"Now I'd think that would be obvious to YOU my girl. You tell me" demanded Tragen.

She frowned, then grinned and snapped her fingers.

"Of course. Pack ponies" she said. "Small and sturdy and very strong. We often use burros and mules too. They're different, aren't they?"

"Yes. Burros or asses are related to runnerbeasts even as whers are related to dragons. Except that asses can breed with runners to make mules which have strength and endurance, but are generally sterile."

"Why's that?" she was interested. He shrugged.

"Sorry, Kai, I don't know. I've asked beastherder journeymen and they don't know either. Though most try to cover it up by trying to look mysterious and muttering about 'craft secrets'" he added pithily. Kaili laughed.

"Do you have a journeyman beastcrafter here?" she asked. He shook his head.

"I don't get on that well with beastcrafters. They're pigheaded and hidebound almost to a man. And it's my belief that those who aren't leave for other crafts or Impression. My family has bred runners for generations – and we've gained plenty of our own lore in that time. I do my own healing, and train my grooms and jockeys to do likewise."

"How many grooms do you have?"

"I have eight main grooms, outside of the racing side, each of whom has three or four undergrooms and half a dozen stable lads under him. Most of the jockeys act as grooms to the beasts they regularly ride or drive with a couple of grooms and undergrooms or lads to help them. Plenty of lads apply to be jockeys, and I like them to spend time working with the runners, checking if any has the potential. It's good training. Much like what you've been doing already for your family's beasts, I'll be bound. So you've served that apprenticeship" he smiled as her eyes glowed at the thought of riding racing beasts! He went on, "We'll put you on Darkstar later. She's a forgiving sort of beast if you don't live up to what I think your potential is; and one of the best rides in the stable if you've the talent."

"I'd love that" she said softly. "You must have a lot of people under you here."

He nodded.

"Close on three hundred with the support staff. Nothing compared with a major Hold but big, I suppose, for a minor one. There are also cotholders who raise grain and food to feed us all, and who are partially independent. Here, most of the grooms and their underlings have personal quarters in the caves of the cliff. It's all grown over time" he waved a hand to the large, rambling stone building that housed the main quarters of the Hold.

As M'gol had described it to her, its styles showed how it had begun as a small hold with many halls and rooms built on subsequently; and the great covered run to the cliff face that made too a veranda the length of the stable entrances to allow covered access during Threadfall. Kaili felt no fear at using an open sided corridor during Thread; she and her family were used to taking what shelter they could, often bare inches from the falling curtain of grey Threads. They carried Agenothree and flamethrowers; and like all young traders she was adept in their use. It had been the misfortune of a rock fall destroying some cover that had led to her brother D're – then Daire – losing his lower leg after severe Threadscoring in a cave that had previously proved adequate; and it was an occurrence accepted as one of the hazards of a free life. In truth, Kaili was delighted that Tragen seemed to accept Thread with more equanimity than many Holders in whose Holds her family had sheltered during Fall; for one of the things she had been concerned about over being fostered was a loss of the freedom she had come to expect. From what M'gol had said, Threadfall was treated here as no more than a rather dangerous inconvenience, a disturbance to be dealt with by those courageous enough to go out on the groundcrews, but otherwise virtually ignored beyond the taking of precautions. It was an attitude she liked; it tallied with the way the weyrfolk acted. The folk of High Reaches too seemed to approve of this refusal to be cowed by Thread – so long as the groundcrews did their jobs. And with the stuff being treated in so matter-of-fact way, there was a higher number of better disciplined groundcrew, for they did not panic the way some holdbound crews did!