Mara and Klamath slept soundly until G'raden gently woke them for the morning meal.

On waking, Mara felt rather disconnected, as if she were still dreaming. Definitely getting older, she thought to herself.

G'raden seemed in good spirits this day, grinning almost foolishly at her near drunken behavior.

Mara's 'punitive' meeting with the Weyrleaders was short and reserved. F'lar only asked about night watch, and granted that Wingleader F'nor was an exception to the 'no visitors' rule. Lessa merely said that she would meet Mara in the Records Room after breaking their fasts. Both Weyrleaders looked concerned about her semi-confused state of mind, but neither commented or asked any questions.

Mara was ravenous this morning, wishing with confusion that there was some rare meat available.

G'regg and B'nor teased only mildly this day, which served to confuse Mara even more. What was going on?

As G'raden walked Mara to the Records Room, Mara expressed her sincere appreciation for his help last evening. She was tired enough, and still confused enough, that his accompaniment into the Records Room only registered when Lessa greeted them.

Lessa closed the door and ushered them to seats around the table. She sat across from them and detailed what she expected.

"I've added a few more subjects to the index listing, so I'd like you to go to Landing early. They also have a 'Thesaurus'. Lenarra and Tianna will arrive at the tenth candle-mark with our Records, and I want you, Mara, to learn the process of recording them. Then, you can ask Aivas for the printed index and G'raden can use the remainder of Benden's candle-mark."

She turned her attention to G'raden. "I'd like you to show her around Landing. Introduce her to the key personnel and show her where to find anything she might need on future visits." Now she squinted slightly. "You're to be back before mid-day meal. I expect you to make good use of your time, G'raden."

Mara was confused again by her Weyrwoman's apparent reprimand, but even more confused by G'raden's broad, knowing grin.

"Yes, Weyrwoman. We will make good use of our time in Landing."

"Mara," Lessa now squinted slightly at her, "you and Klamath are to follow G'raden and Normond's directions going between this day, understood?"

Mara frowned. "Yes, Weyrwoman." Did Lessa really doubt their ability that much?

Lessa noticed the consternation in Mara's response. "You're tired, dear, and I don't want to risk losing you, understood?"

Now Mara relaxed and smiled. Lessa was just being motherly. "Yes, Weyrwoman. I understand."

"Good. Take this, G'raden." She handed him a small pocket sized timepiece. "Go, then." Lessa lead the way to the door, opened it, and motioned the riders to leave, placing a hand briefly on G'raden's arm as he passed. His smile and nod gave her some measure of security.

Mara waited until they reached their weyr to question G'raden. "Do you think I'm too tired to go between without directions?"

G'raden caught her arm as they walked toward the inner weyr, spun her to face him, and kept her steady as she nearly fell. He studied her face, with slight smudges beneath her bloodshot eyes, and responded firmly. "Yes." He then let loose of her arm and continued through the dragon hanging.

Mara gaped at him for several heartbeats before following. When she passed the hanging, G'raden was stuffing a rolled up lightweight fur into a medium sized carisak.

"Pack your lightest summer clothing; it's much warmer in Landing than here at Benden," he instructed. He reached into the clothing nook for some light weight clothing of his own.

Mara did as instructed, packing a light weight summer outfit in with her writing pad and word list, but finally curiosity won out. "Why did you pack a fur?"

G'raden merely grinned before returning to his task. "You'll see."

Finished packing, Mara watched as G'raden dug into one of his drawers under the bed and retrieved a small, but well packed, hide belt pouch. As he fastened it to his belt, Mara's curiosity turned to confusion.

"Why are you taking marks? We'll be back before mid-day meal."

"Landing has lots of shops. We might have a little time to visit some of them."

"Should I take my marks?"

"You won't need them. Ready?" He grabbed an already packed, smaller carisak from under the table. When Mara's questioning eyes caught his, he said simply, "You'll see," and walked past the Lytol dragon weaving into the dragons' weyr.

Mara followed her weyrmate to the ledge, shaking her head, wondering what he was up to, wishing the fog would lift from her mind, wondering if Manora's herbs might help. G'raden was already mounted on Normond, so she followed his example, and promptly forgot about stopping at the kitchen to speak with Manora.

She 'heard' Normond talking to Klamath, and was grateful that they would be following Normond and G'raden; the only thing she seemed capable of visualizing was the darkness behind closed eyes as she snuggled up to G'raden in their bed.

Normond looked back at Mara and huffed repeatedly as he turned back to step off the ledge. Klamath followed after a safe wait. The brown dragon followed the bronze dragon around and out of the Weyr bowl. With no advance warning Mara was aware of, they blinked into between.

Mara caught her breath at the sudden, unexpected cold and began counting. She grew somewhat worried as her counting exceeded its normal range.

Klamath reassured his rider. We are safe with Normond.

Before she could respond, they were back in daylight over the sea facing Cove Hold, not Landing. Mara's brow creased when she noticed how low Rukbat sat in the eastern sky. Normond bugled a greeting to the dragons lounging on the ridge overlooking the western end of the beach and several people swimming in the sea. A pair of drudges working at the eastern cooking pits waved and then pointed toward the other end of the beach.

Mynth is here! Klamath was quite excited at this announcement.

Is Cally in the water?

Klamath didn't answer as he was engaged in a conversation with Mynth, his first draconic love.

Normond and Klamath landed on the western beach away from spread furs and sunbathing riders.

Mara again followed G'raden's example and removed the riding straps from her big excited brown. She rolled them carefully, wiping off any sand, and tied them to her carisak. Klamath immediately took off to find a spot near Mynth. G'raden was already walking toward the water's edge. Mara had to run to catch up and grabbed his arm to stop his progress. "You timed it!" she said quietly and accusingly.

"Uh huh." He tried, not too hard, to resume his walking, but was spun back around toward Mara. He grinned impudently at her distress.

"G'raden," she nearly whispered, "you know why I'm being punished, right?"

"Uh huh." He nodded and looked just a bit confused.

"Then, why?"

"To make the best use of our time this day." He winked and turned back toward the water.

Mara shook her head, certain she had just recently heard that very same, or similar, combination of words, but could that have been a dream? Or was this a dream? She caught up with G'raden and put a hand on his arm, but didn't try to stop his forward movement. "I don't understand."

The big man put his hand over hers and looked as if he would like to laugh. "You will, very soon."

"Mara? G'raden? Is that really you?" A sweet voice called from near the water.

Mara stopped, turned toward the voice and stared, mouth open and slowly forming a smile, while G'raden did pretty much the same but continued walking to close the distance between them.

G'raden managed to speak first. "Cally? Is that you?" When the young woman laughed, he sounded shocked. "You've grown!"

She had indeed grown! Her petite frame could no longer be mistaken for that of a young lad except perhaps in bulky full winter dress. The young woman with short curly blonde hair wore a few patches of fabric tied with string that covered, but didn't hide, only a few of her key feminine attributes. She brazenly twirled around, arms in the air, displaying all her recently developed curves, as she skipped, giggling, toward the nearly matching dragonriders, and then launched herself into a hug with G'raden.

G'raden caught and held her with hands on her back, and spun her around, legs flying. "I'd know that giggle anywhere," he said through his laughter.

"Oh, I've missed you G'raden," said Cally as he lowered her to the ground. She still had to reach up to place hands on either side of his face. "You are as handsome and as sweet as ever!"

"And you!" G'raden put hands on her shoulders and pushed her away to have one more look. "You are prettier than ever, my little green rider! You better stop getting so pretty, or the bronze riders will be fighting over you!"

Cally gave him her 'I don't believe you' face, and turned toward Mara. "Aren't you going to say hello?" She immediately regretted such brashness when Mara nearly stumbled walking closer.

"I thought I'd wait till my weyrmate was done fondling you!" Mara stumbled again, but Cally steadied her as they met in a big hug. "You look wonderful, Cally, and so happy!"

"Are you all right, Mara?" Cally stepped back but kept her hands on Mara's arms.

"Oh, I'm just tired, Healer Cally."

"She's not tired," offered G'raden as he slipped an arm around Mara. "She's just not all here." When Cally looked shocked, he added, "We timed it. She'll be fine as soon as she falls asleep at the Weyr."

"You timed it? Master Oldive was telling me about the effects of timing it, just yesterday! Can I ask you some questions, Mara? And why don't you show any signs, G'raden?"

"Ha! I'm still sleeping in Benden. You'll see a difference when I wake up." An arm around each, he turned both of 'his girls' toward the hall. "We're expected at the house. You can ask your questions on the way."

Cally broke away. "Let me get my tunic. Lord Lytol and D'ram have trouble looking at me like this, and Master Wansor just grins; he must hear or feel something from the other two." She ran gracefully to her spot on the beach, snatched up a long lightweight tunic from her spread-out fur, hardly slowing down, and ran back as she pulled it over her head.

Apprentice Healer Cally inundated Mara with questions about how she was feeling as they walked toward the Hall at Cove Hold. G'raden laughed a few times, earning himself scowls from both girls.

About halfway to the Hall, Mara noticed an older man walking toward them. His craggy face was deeply etched with burn scars, and his brow seemed permanently furrowed as if he had lived a very difficult life. Mara found herself staring at the man; she felt she knew him from somewhere. His returned glances seemed to indicate recognition as well. Mara wondered where she could have met such a distinguished and powerful looking man.

"Lord Lytol," said G'raden. "I hope we haven't kept you waiting too long." He let loose of Cally to extend his hand as they drew close enough.

"Wingleader G'raden. Not at all. I was anxious to meet the lovely lady you brought with you this day." Lytol affected a slight, but sincere smile toward Mara as he firmly shook and held G'raden's hand.

"Ahh," said G'raden as he shifted his arm to free Mara's. "Lord Lytol, may I introduce Brown Rider Mara, rider of Klamath, of Benden Weyr."

Lytol took Mara's hand in both of his. "This is truly an honor, Brown Rider Mara. I hope you will indulge me with some answers to a great many questions."

Mara noticed a twitch in his cheek as he said 'brown rider'; this didn't surprise her as she, like most dragonriders, had heard about Lytol losing his brown Larth in a training accident. She also felt even stronger that she knew this man from somewhere; his smile, though quite reserved, warmed her with its familiarity. She belatedly answered his greeting. "I would be honored to answer any questions, Lord Lytol. I've heard so much about you, sir." She wanted to say more, but couldn't find the words.

"Please, join us in Robinton's Hall. Wansor and D'ram will be excited to meet you as well. And I believe you've already met Oldive." He walked at her other side to the Hall, repeatedly glancing in her direction. "Is this your first experience with 'timing it'?"

Mara heard humor in his thoughts, and remembrance of times long gone. "No. I've timed it before, but only back a very short period of time. This . . ." she flicked her fingers before her eyes, "is all new."

Lytol chuckled briefly. "It can be disconcerting."

Bronze rider D'ram met the foursome on the large open porch with a firm dragonrider's arm shake to each of the visiting riders, a little less firm with Cally, but with several teasing winks. Cally's giggles set his mouth twitching. His brows also twitched, each time he looked at the brown rider.

"Is that little Cally out there? What's all the commotion?" Master Starsmith Wansor held Masterhealer Oldive's elbow as they both walked onto the porch. "Has that big bronze rider, G'raden, arrived yet?"

G'raden chuckled. "I'm right here, Master Wansor." When Wansor held out his hand, G'raden grasped it and nodded to Oldive. "Good day, Master Oldive."

Oldive merely nodded with a smile, letting Wansor express his excitement over having new visitors.

"And who is this standing next to you, lad?" He had been studying Mara with his glazed eyes. In the bright outdoor light, he could barely distinguish shapes, but absolutely no detail. "He's big, like you. Is this one of your dragonrider friends?"

G'raden, and everyone else, chuckled. "She isn't as big as me! But she is definitely a very good friend, and more. Master Wansor, may I introduce Brown Rider Mara, rider of Klamath, and my precious weyrmate."

Wansor's face lit up at the mention of Mara's position, and his jaw dropped at the word 'weyrmate'. He turned a mock accusing face back to G'raden. "Oh, you silly man! You've told me about the Lady Brown Rider, and you've told me about your lovely weyrmate, but you never told me your weyrmate was the Lady Brown Rider!"

"Consider this, my dear Wansor," said Oldive. "How do you suppose this bronze rider would know so much about Pern's Lady Brown Rider? Hmm?"

Wansor sputtered a bit, and even blushed a bit, but finally extended his hand to Mara. "This is quite embarrassing, Lady Mara." As he shook her hand with both of his, he beamed enthusiasm. "Oh, what a pleasure to finally meet you!" Still holding her hand, he turned toward a table sitting further down the porch. "I believe our good friends are going to bring us some drinks. Shall we all sit down?"

"I'm sure they'll want to change out of those wherhide clothes, Wansor. You sit while I show them to their room." D'ram ushered the visiting riders to one of the guest rooms to change.

G'raden and Mara changed quickly into their lightweight outfits, and at G'raden's suggestion, left their carisaks on one of the two small beds.

When they returned to the porch, poor Wansor was suffering a bit of teasing for not making the connections that D'ram and Lytol had from conversations with G'raden. He took it in good stride, though, and motioned for Mara to sit next to him as compensation for the others' 'ruthless' teasing.

Wansor was allowed to dominate the conversation with his fairly typical, and sometimes tactless, questions of a female brown rider. Lytol and D'ram were quite impressed with Mara's straightforward, though sometimes accompanied with a blush, answers to the old smith's seemingly endless questions. Oldive chuckled quite a bit and occasionally jabbed Wansor in the ribs for his lack of tact.

After just a few questions, Mara's head began to clear. There was some joking about how much better she felt after falling asleep. Wansor was lost until Mara explained about having 'timed it', and how she must be asleep at Benden Weyr now.

When Wansor ran out of questions for Pern's Lady Brown Rider, D'ram asked a few, and then the discussion moved on to their purpose in Landing this day. This eventually led to Mara's punishments, and the reasons and causes. Wansor was shocked at the severity of her punishment, Lytol seemed amused, D'ram gave no indication of his reaction, and Oldive, knowing Mara longer than the others, actually laughed.

Eventually, to Mara's relief, they came to G'raden's plans for his scheduled time with Aivas. G'raden fought to keep his excitement in check among such distinguished company; he was truly excited about his research into Earth's governments. Mara had to bite her lip many times at the gleam in his eyes.

Lytol and G'raden had a brief discussion on the pros and cons of the democratic form of government and wound up listing historical proofs of the inherent problems associated with Earth democracies.

Cally excused herself at this point, declaring that her interests were in medical history, and returned to the beach.

Mara listened intently as each of the men at the table provided possible remedies to problems that had plagued democracies on Earth.

When the conversation lulled, Lytol turned his attention to Mara. "Are you at all interested in history?"

"In as much as it can help with decisions about the future, yes, sir."

"Any interest in your personal family history?" asked Oldive in a contriving manner.

"I would like to know my mother's name, and who her family was, or is."

"How will that help with future decisions?" asked Lytol.

"It most likely won't, but it would be nice to know."

"Knowledge for the sake of knowledge?" asked D'ram.

"Perhaps. And . . . maybe . . . there's some family who might . . . want to know about me? I'd certainly like to know about them!"

"Breanna," Lytol caught one of the drudges as she passed. "Will you please bring out that weaving we were discussing earlier?"

After a quick glance at Mara, the well tanned, middle aged woman said with a barely suppressed snicker, "Of course!" and walked quickly into the Hall.

"What do you know of your mother's family?" asked Lytol.

Mara harrumphed. "Nothing. I always called her Mama, and my sire refused to talk about her after she died. She sold scented things at the markets, and liked to sing. She particularly liked a song about a . . . red fort?"

Lytol smiled, his eyes misting. "The Ballad of Red's Ford, perhaps?"

"That's possible. I'd have to hear it again to be sure."

"What was your sire's name?"

"Marlin."

"Hmm." Lytol shook his head. He brightened when Breanna caught his attention from the doorway, stood, and walked to meet her. "Will you help me with this?"

D'ram joined them, motioning for the drudge to move to the table. "She's not tall enough."

Lytol handed him a corner of the carefully rolled weaving, they each lifted their corners, and Lytol let the roll fall.

G'raden and Mara both gasped in surprise while Oldive and Breanna watched their reactions. The weaving was a beautiful, lifelike rendering of a robust woman with long, very wavy, auburn hair. Her wide, bright smile and glittering hazel eyes radiated love, joy, and happiness.

Except for the long hair, Mara thought she might be looking at polished metal. There were minor differences, but the woman could easily be Mara's twin sister. Mara looked for the telltale tradesman's mark in the bottom corner; it was the same as what graced G'raden's Lytol weavings.

"You made that?" She looked at the older man's sadly smiling, nodding face. "When?"

"Over forty turns ago."

Mara stammered, lips moving, but no words forming. She looked at the woman on the weaving and she looked into the laughing, but nearly weeping eyes of Lytol. "Who is she?"

"She was my wife . . . for almost twenty turns."

"Papa?" The brown rider was surprised, as the name seemed to come unbidden from deep inside some long lost memory.

Stoic, distinguished, Lord Lytol laughed even as tears fell from his eyes. "That's what you called me thirty some turns ago." He handed his corner of the weaving to D'ram and walked toward the table.

Mara, tears flowing freely, stood and walked to meet him. She placed a hand tenderly on his scarred cheek, briefly shocked that the size of her hand didn't match her memory, and then leaned forward to kiss the same cheek, allowing him to pull her into a hug. After a few moments, and a grunt from D'ram, she said teasingly, "You're shorter than I remember."

Lytol nearly lost his legs when near hysterical laughter burst forth. He allowed her to support him until the fit passed, and then pushed back enough to see her face. "You have your grandmother's sense of humor, little girl."

Now Mara laughed; she couldn't remember ever being called a little girl, but it seemed fitting from this man, her mother's sire. "Was she tall, like me?"

"Oh, yes, she was. Tall and beautiful!" He ran his hands down her arms, squeezing gently. "But she hid her muscle better than you do."

They returned to the table, arms wrapped around each other, searching each other's faces. Once seated, Lytol told how Mara had been almost two turns old when his oldest daughter, Marilee, and her then husband, Marand, had fled High Reaches with his second daughter.

Mara was at first shocked and then well pleased that the man who sold her was not truly her sire.

Lytol went on to tell how his second daughter, Lyralee, had found her way to Southern Boll and met a young journeyman weaver. They started a family, with four grown and nearly grown children now, and after he achieved the status of Master Weaver, they moved north a ways and opened a clothware shop. Lytol had only learned of her survival a few turns ago, and was thrilled to share that he also had two great-grandchildren.

At one point, Lytol asked Breanna to bring him a large hide-bound notebook from a drawer in his press. He proudly, but sadly, showed Mara and then the remainder of his guests, harper drawn pictures of his family when all his daughters still lived with their parents.

Mara was surprised that the daughters, including her mother, were all fairly petite compared to their parents. Lytol explained that in his wife, Laralee's family, every other generation at least one of the daughters would grow to Mara's size; otherwise, they were fairly normal sized women.

At Mara's dismay that she could not carry on that family trait, Lytol informed her that she had a cousin who rivaled her size. That cousin was now a journeywoman beastcrafter, and dreamed of one day working with dragons. And she was the dam of Lytol's two beautiful great-grandchildren, a boy and a girl.

After further discussion, with sometimes helpful input from all at the table, it was decided that Mara and Klamath should take Lytol for a visit to the small Hold south of Fort, as soon as Mara was free to do so.

As the morning passed, D'ram sheepishly informed Lytol that he needed to take Tiroth hunting before he wasted away to lizard-size. Lytol queried Mara and G'raden about their dragon's stomachs, and it was determined that all three riders should feed their poor, malnourished beasts.

Breanna boldly informed D'ram that mid-day meal would be ready in about a candle-mark and that he had better not be late. He informed her, with a wink, that since she had not overseen its preparation, it would not be unthinkable to miss said meal. With a swat to her rump as she hurried back to the kitchen, he laughed at her defensive remarks about her ability to manage a simple meal.

At their rider's calls, Tiroth, Normond and Klamath landed close to the front of Robinton's Hall. D'ram commented on Klamath's size with an oath to the Great Faranth. He then informed the others that riding straps would not be necessary for the short straight flight to the feeding pasture. Shortly, two bronzes and a brown launched into the air and flew south and west.

Klamath interrupted Mara's pleasurable thoughts as they flew alongside the older bronze dragon. Tiroth's rider suggests that you keep your mouth closed. He says there are some very large and unappetizing flying insects on the Southern Continent.

Mara grinned even wider. Please ask Tiroth's rider how he acquired that information.

The retired bronze rider howled loud enough to be heard by both riders nearby.

Klamath relayed his message: He says 'experience'. After a thoughtful pause, he continued. Do people eat insects?

Not willingly, my love. Mara waved an arm at D'ram and then lowered her hand to cover her previously uncovered teeth.

D'ram waved back and then pointed to a pasture ahead.

The very large pasture, with trees creating a screened-off section at one end, held close to twenty young male herdbeasts. Tiroth glided into the small hidden section, Normond and then Klamath following closely. The dragons landing frightened the beasts out of the shade-giving trees, into the larger open portion of the field.

As dragons returned to the air, D'ram led G'raden and Mara through the trees, where all three spread out to thwart attempts by the beasts to regain their cover. Tiroth struck first, grabbing a fat bull from the pasture, and returning with his kill to a spot closer to the trees. Normond allowed Klamath to make the next catch, and swooped down quickly to catch his own healthy, fat beast. The dragons spread out with their respective kills near the trees, causing the remaining beasts to huddle at the far, open end near and in the small stream cutting through the pasture.

The riders met near the middle of the line of trees and sat in the shade. D'ram explained that nearby holders voluntarily kept this pasture full of excess young male beasts specifically for dragons visiting Cove Hold. D'ram spoke fondly of the people who made it quite clear they were not tithing; they merely enjoyed the sight of flying dragons, and with the excellent conditions on Southern, they could afford such luxuries. As they spoke, several holders appeared near the fence lines, with friendly waves to the riders, to observe their latest guests. D'ram waved back with motions indicating an invitation to join them in the shade.

A man on one side of the pasture lifted two fairly young children over the fence. The children, apparently accustomed to visiting with dragons and their riders, walked calmly, with only a few bounces, along the fence to the back side of the trees. They could soon be heard chattering as they passed through the trees to join the riders.

Another man, on the other side of the pasture, with a woman at his side, lifted another small child over the fence as an older boy climbed over. The older lad, of perhaps eight turns, took the hand of the smaller child, and both walked quite calmly along the fence line in the same manner as the other children.

D'ram welcomed each of them by name and introduced each to G'raden and Mara.

The oldest boy bowed deeply at Mara and stated with immense pleasure how honored he was to meet her as he shook her hand. He bowed as well for G'raden, but not as deeply, and then sat between them, where he could ask questions and still observe the three massive dragons.

The riders answered all the children's questions as best they could, the children's excitement often interrupting the answers with more questions. Only D'ram spoke as each of the dragons finished their first beast and one by one flew up high and then swooped down for a second beast to the 'ooo's and 'aaah's of the smallest children. The oldest boy, though wide-eyed and flushed with excitement, tried hard to appear practiced at watching dragons hunt.

Questions continued as the three dragons ate their second beasts. When feeding was finished, and the dragons content, or shamed into being content, D'ram, using well practiced hand signals, asked the adults if the children could ride the dragons. The adults agreeable, D'ram lined the children up as if for inspection.

"With no riding straps this day, we can only take one passenger on each dragon." He stood and spoke as if he were a weyrlingmaster. "Who is willing to wait for a later flight?" He studied the children, already knowing the answer.

The older boy stepped forward. "My sister's never flown on a dragon. I can wait for another day."

"Good man!" declared D'ram as he dropped to one knee to speak to the sister. "You've never flown on a dragon?"

The little girl, perhaps three turns, shook her head.

"Are you afraid of dragons?"

She bit her lower lip as her eyes darted toward the dragons. Wide eyes met the aged bronze rider's for a moment before she shook her head again, but only once to each side.

"Good!" said D'ram as he offered her a hand. He stood and turned her to face Mara. "A first ride should be on a smaller," he made a face at Mara, "dragon. Why don't you ask Mara if you may ride on brown Klamath?" He gently pushed the little girl in the brown rider's direction.

The sweet girl took a few steps and turned wide, hopeful eyes up to Mara. Barely audible, she asked, "May I ride on your dragon, please?"

Mara couldn't help but notice the pride on her brother's face. She dropped to one knee to answer. "Yes, you may, but we need to ask Klamath if he's willing."

Of course, I'm willing.

The little girl's jaw dropped as she swiveled her head to look at the brown.

I thought you would be, my generous love, but little people need to learn manners.

Even that little?

The smaller, the better.

Mara led the girl to Klamath's head and introduced them. Klamath kindly moved his muzzle within reach of the little hand stretching out to pet.

"May I fly with you, Klamath?" asked the girl, mesmerized by his swirling blue and green eyes.

Klamath pulled in his muzzle in a human-recognized nod, just as Normond had taught him, and moved forward again for more petting.

She will be a dragonrider one day.

You think so, love?

I am certain. Her brother, too.

"Well," said Mara, "should we go flying?" She led the way to Klamath's side and demonstrated standing on his forearm before leaping to his neck.

Once settled, she reached down for the girl already on Klamath's arm. She wasn't quite tall enough to reach until her brother joined her and lifted. Mara pulled her up and sat her in front, explaining how to hold on to Klamath's neck ridge.

The girl thoughtfully thanked her big brother for his help as he backed away, smiling with pride and just a touch of envy.

Tiroth says we will fly one wide circle around the field. He suggests we fly in formation, with him in the lead.

Sounds good to me, my love.

Is she ready?

"Are you ready?" Mara wrapped her arms around the small body as the girl nodded.

We're ready.

Tiroth launched first, with a screech from the child in D'ram's arms, followed by Normond, and then Klamath. Klamath's little passenger merely giggled as she was forced tighter against Mara.

The dragons, Tiroth in the lead and Normond and Klamath to either side, gained some altitude over the field and then lazily turned back toward the trees. They flew between the sets of adults at the fence lines, allowing children to wave at parents, and then made a slow, wide pass around the entire pasture. They all dropped gently to land near the trees again, passengers showing varying degrees of excitement or fear. Klamath's passenger asked for more.

Mara explained that Klamath's belly was full and they still had to fly back to Cove Hold, and the girl reluctantly acquiesced. When safely on the ground, and with her brother's gentle urging, she returned to Klamath's head and thanked him with sincerity. She then skipped back to her brother, who placed a proudly protective arm over her shoulders and turned her toward the waiting adults.

"Boy!" G'raden called. When the older boy turned back, he motioned him closer. "Your turn!"

The boy lit up. "Really?" He took a quick step forward, remembered his sister, and turned hopeful eyes to Mara. When Mara took the girl's hand, he ran, full speed to G'raden, tripping on the last step.

G'raden laughed as he caught the boy. Normond, head turned back, huffed as well. G'raden mounted and reached down. The boy stepped onto Normond's foreleg and reached as far as he could, but not far enough. Normond placed his muzzle behind the boy's legs, G'raden instructed him to have a seat, and Normond lifted him to within reach of his rider.

Once situated, Normond lifted into the sky with laughing rider and passenger. He flew the same course as before, except that at the far end, he flew a rather tight figure eight. The boy's squeals of delight at being sideways to the ground could be heard even in the pasture. His sister, bouncing next to Mara, squealed as well, perhaps in empathy, or perhaps in response to her brother's happy squeals.

When Normond landed, the boy slid gracelessly from his back and immediately ran and then walked more manly to the bronze's head. He bowed deeply and thanked Normond profusely for the wonderful flight.

Normond nodded and then poked the boy in the belly, inviting a petting, but receiving instead a big hug. Normond crooned understandingly as the boy reached his arms as far as he could around the end of his muzzle.

The boy then graciously thanked all the riders for their kindness before leading his sister back to their parents.

"Was he crying?" asked Mara when the boy was out of hearing distance.

D'ram sniffed and ran the back of his hand across his eyes. "With joy, every single time! He'll be a rider some day."

"And his sister, according to Klamath."

"Oh! So he's a search dragon as well?"

Mara blushed; she hadn't meant to flaunt. "I don't know, sir. We haven't spent much time with non-riders, but he told me they'll both be riders one day."

"You be sure to tell F'lar about this. And I'll get a real search dragon out here to confirm or refute Klamath's abilities."

"Ahh, as if we need more duties right now."

The old weyrleader just laughed at her. "We all do anything we can, like it or not."

"I didn't say we wouldn't like searching. We're just a little tired right now, and we've barely begun these night watches."

D'ram laughed again. "You'll grow accustomed to night watches, and then you'll have trouble returning to your normal routine."

"Ah well. At least we're learning something."

"Not to 'time it' without permission?"

"If the need arises again, we'll be far more careful about who sees us return."

"Ha! G'raden, you teach her well. We wouldn't want Lytol's 'little girl' lost between times."

"Yes, sir!" said G'raden with a chuckle.

"And stop 'sir'ing me, flame it all! I'm retired and sick and tired of all the 'yes sir's and 'no sir's!"

Mara and G'raden glanced at each other and both responded in unison. "Yes, sir!"

D'ram smacked each of them on the back as he walked toward Tiroth. "Let's get back to Cove Hold. I'm hungry!"

"Yes, sir!" they both responded.

D'ram growled as he mounted his big, but aging bronze. They all flew back to Cove Hold, all feeling pretty pleased with their hunting expedition.

Back at Cove Hold, riding straps were removed so that three satisfied dragons could nap in the mid day sun.

On the shaded, breezy porch of Robinton's Hall, four dragonriders, one dragonless Lord Holder, and two Masters (three if the Lord Holder were counted twice) enjoyed a light, but filling meal to jovial talk of the day's events thus far.

As the meal ended, G'raden checked the timepiece Lessa had loaned him and informed the group that, regrettably, he and Mara had business to attend to in Landing.

Being somewhat overwhelmed with pleasant emotion, Mara hugged everyone present. Lytol returned the hug and then gave her a slow kiss on the cheek and a caressing hand on her face. Wansor let out a whoop as he returned her hug, and Oldive grinned with moisture filled eyes. Cally bounced and promised they'd meet again real soon.

D'ram stood against the wall with arms crossed watching the touching farewells with ironic amusement. He didn't change position when Mara approached, and merely glared at the brown rider as if displeased.

Mara held out her hand. "It's been a pleasure speaking with you D'ram."

D'ram didn't move. "Did you learn anything this day?"

Mara did not retrieve her hand, but continued grinning. "Quite a bit . . . sir."

"Ha!" He reached out and grasped her arm, dragonrider style, and then pulled her into a quick hug with a slap on her back. He pushed her away just as quickly, but maintained his grip on her arm. "You take care of yourself, brown rider, and that big dragon, too."

"Yes, sir!"

G'raden broke up their staring match by flinging Mara's carisak at her.

As they walked toward their dragons, Mara noticed that G'raden carried only his riding straps. "Where's your carisak?"

"I left it in our room. We'll be back in few couple candle-marks."

Mara mock punched his arm. "And you let me make a fool of myself with all those goodbyes?"

G'raden grinned at her. "I mentioned that we'd be staying when we first arrived. Maybe you were still only half here."

They harnessed their dragons quickly, and were soon in the air. G'raden gave the appropriate hand signal, and they blinked into between.