Ah, so here we have it, chapter 4 already! Okay, so it's a day late...and XIII Dragon even reminded me yesterday and earlier today...but I've got a friend over and was being extraordinarily lazy about updating. So -sheepish smile- er, sorry? But we generally don't get reviews until a few days after we update anyway, so I'm sort of assuming we don't have the sort of fans that stick around on the site Thursday evenings just waiting for us to update . . . lol. Oh well. ;)

Okay, this chapter is very different from the others; it's in Val's POV, but it's not a "normal" chapter. It's...well, guess. And enjoy, and review and all that good stuff. :)

Oh, and XIII Dragon reminded me that I also keep forgetting the disclaimer. Oy, will I never learn?

WE DO NOT OWN THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN, AS IT ALL BELONGS TO ANNE MCCAFFREY. WE DID MAKE UP THE CHARACTERS OF VAL AND CALEEA AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT DON'T APPEAR IN THE CANON BUT WE STILL PRETTY MUCH DON'T OWN THEM, WHICH IS SORT OF SAD IF YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT. SO, LET'S MOVE ON. CHAPTER 4, ANYONE?

Chapter 4:

It's so different then what I was told. You never described the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, nor the sea breeze. There's so much here that you never told me about, and it's all so different from what I thought.

It's interesting, really; I never thought I'd be able to visit the place you were born. The place you missed so much. The place you told me one day you'd take me to visit. But you never got the chance to take me.

So much as changed as well. The hall you described to me when I was young as I sat on your lap is now gone. A landslide covered it up. In its place a new one was constructed. You should see it now; it's larger than the one you described. Apparently it made it easier to serve the hold and I agree.

It's a lot busier around Nerat Hold as well, more people bustling about. The place you described on the shore where you used to go to be alone is still there. I went there the other day in the middle of the night and just sat there listening to the waves lapping the shore. The moon was out and particularly bright and at one time I think I even managed to catch a glimpse of the Yokohama, but the time was wrong so I'm not certain.

It's been very busy for Caleea and I. We settled in yesterday and were taken around the holding; introduced to everyone. Headwoman Reisse reminded me of Teira. They both have that sweet personality but if you get their bad side, Thread's a better fate. They even look similar with their golden hair and tanned skin. Their blue eyes are uncanny in similarity.

Has Teira grown any taller yet? The reason I ask is because Reisse is slightly shorter than me and the last time I saw my sister she was just a child. Sometimes I wonder how much she remembers of me.

As usual, Caleea wanted to jump straight in with the lessons and for once I could not dissuade her from her notion. I tried, but she'd give me that look of hers and my heart would start beating faster, I would loose my voice and all I'd be able to do is nod. Is this Love? You never did describe the feeling to me. You always said you would one day.

The lesson we had didn't go as well as I had hoped it would. I was standing in the corner, evaluating each person as they came in and to my surprise, Caleea froze just as she was about to address them. A couple of the students dared laugh at her, but I managed to set them straight.

Seeing as Caleea was indisposed for the moment, I took over and set up a test. You should have seen their faces when I told them that. The horror that was evident. I wouldn't give that up even for the chance of becoming a bronze rider. Okay, maybe I would.

Once again, it seems like my mind is wandering. As I was saying before, I set up a quick test. An aptitude test if you will, similar to the one used down at Landing to see everyone's skill level. Most were skilled and remember their teaching ballads well, though there were one or two flaws here and there. One was harper material and I'll be testing her some more before sending a letter to Harper Hall.

Those who passed the aptitude test with time to spare, I sent to Caleea for some more in-depth testing; seeing how well they wrote and which instruments they excelled in. By the end of the day, we had a very good overview of the various abilities and attitudes of the students. Most of them seem annoyed that we're so young, but there's not much I can do about that.

I'm not sure what the Masters were thinking when they posted us here. After all, this is a major hold and we've got no teaching experience. Caleea knows, though, I'm positive of it. Why she won't tell me is a completely different matter. You'd think she'd trust her only friend enough.

My day however, didn't get much better after that. I will never understand Caleea. She knows I hate being the centre of attention. Yet she just had to state that we would be performing tonight. She gets on my nerves so much, but there's just something about her . . .

At least the performance went without incident unlike the teaching earlier—whatever that was about—but that in no way made it better. We performed a couple new pieces fresh from the Printer at Harper Hall. The Final Pass seemed to a favourite of the hall, I've included the sheet music with this letter. A lovely piece written by Master Menolly.

How's Teira been? Still pinning after that Trader that passes through? He'd better not hurt her or I will come back.

From your beloved son,

Valth.