Disclaimer: I don't own Pern. I do, however own many of the characters in this story.

Chapter Five: Visitors

Two queens, Igatch and Hayatch were holding the arms of a clearly panic-stricken young woman. Kilatch and Satch were doing likewise to a young man, older than the girl by no more than a Turn or two, and clearly doing his best to remain silent. Worse than knowing another human was there to destroy her peaceful existence with the dragon-people was knowing who those people were.

The girl, whose hair was a darker brown that Virika's and done up in many small braids, was her own younger sister Vyrania. She was fourteen, younger than the resident guest of the dragon-folks' by three years, while her companion, at only a year younger than Virika herself, was Eleneir. Squawking at the top of her lungs a green fire lizard darted back and fourth between the dragon-people, unsuccessfully trying to get them to let go of her human friend. Vyrania's little blue lizard was cheeping pitifully on the sands farther back, one wing caught underneath himself, in his claws.

"Hayatch, Kilatch, Satch, Igatch! Let them go!" (Distantly she wondered why all watch-wher names ended in sk, all dragon names ended in th and all dragon-person named ended in tch.) "Vyrania, Eleneir, stop struggling!" She was as surprised as they were to hear herself issue an order in a woman's voice, clear and calm, and even more amazed when it was obeyed.

Vyrania and Eleneir stared at Virika disbelievingly as they sat in the sand next to each other. Kifewing, the green, was still attempting to attack the dragon-people. "And that is enough from you!" snapped Virika, hands on hips, glaring at the green. With a surprised squawk the little fire lizard settled swiftly down on her owner's shoulder, crooning anxiously in his ear. A low cry of pain reached Virika, and she strode over to pick up the little blue that belonged to her sister. Handing Lacefrost to his owner she bit her lip, and regarded her uninvited guests silently.

Suddenly her little sister, the blue flapping to keep his balance, stood and lunged at Virika, grasping her in a hug. "We thought someone had taken you, and you ended up as a drudge! We thought you had been made to write that note, that 'of the dragon-folk' meant that you had been taken to the Weyr!" cried the younger girl. Virika returned the hug just as fiercely, closing her eyes against the tears of so unexpected reunion.

Of all her family Vyrania was the one sister she had thought least likely to see again, and the one she most wanted to.

"I have been here, and quite happy, Vyrania. But –Shards!– why ever did you leave them?" She stood back, holding her sister at arms' length to look her over. The younger girl was nearly as ever, except more tanned than she recalled.

"Mother has me running up the coast trying to find you- Dragonracer returned during the night so we couldn't tell which direction he came from. I went the other way first; that's why we only just got here. We're been gathering another crop."

At the mention of the third human, Virika glanced at him, and he nodded to say that Vyrania's explanation was true as he stood up smiling shyly at her.

Eleneir was the son of a runnerbeast trainer who her family had known since before Virika had been born. She smiled back, just as carefully politely. Even with only her sister there to witness neither of them wanted anyone to think that there had or was anything between them. They were friends. That was all.

"Virika? These are friends of yours?" Startled, the older girl turned, and noticed that Hayatch was looking down at them curiously. Several other dragon-people were grouped around her on the rock slabs.

"This is my sister, Vyrania, and my family's friend Eleneir," she explained. It occurred to her that the fire lizards they had were the first she had seen; unusual for such a lovely spot for them, she mused absently, then turned back to the other humans, gesturing to Hayatch and introduced her to them.

Hesitantly Vyrania came forward and held out her hand to the intimidating, fierce-looking seven-foot-tall queen. Hayatch, startled, looked at the hand, then at Virika, who grinned. "You shake it," she said. Her friend warily took the girl's thumb, and juggled it a little. Virika and Eleneir traded grins, then looked away before they laughed out loud.

"Your family and friend present us with a problem," Kilatch said, a frown on her face as she came to stand beside her slightly taller daughter. "They now know of us. They have seen and spoken with us."

"Eleneir wouldn't tell anyone, and neither would Vyrania," Virika stoutly defended them. "Would you." It was not a question.

Both shook their heads.

"Nonetheless, they have seen and spoken with us. They must swear to secrecy. No other humans have even found us before, besides you Virika, and you were –are, I suppose– quite discrete."

"Of course we'll swear. By… by the shards of Faranth's egg, I swear not to say a word to anyone of your existence, milady." Vyrania bowed to the queen.

"I pledge through Fall, fire and fog to let your presence go unnoticed by any," swore Eleneir quietly, and bowed with courtly grace to mother and daughter.

"Is that satisfactory, Kilatch?" asked Virika, and the queen nodded.

"We will be content." she replied, bowing her head gratefully to the pair of newcomers.

Now the formalities were over, Virika saw no reason to stand on ceremony with those she had know for many years. "It's too hot here. Let's go swimming a little," she suggested, turning to her sister and friend. The others nodded happily, and raced for the ocean. Starting after them Virika turned and beckoned to Hayatch, who sprang into the air and dove under the water as the other three splashed happily after her.

000

After spending most of the long, hot afternoon in the water the four of them clambered out and followed Virika back to the rock where they lazed, drying off. When the first breath of chill night wind made them shiver Virika showed them the best place she thought for them to sleep. Just inside the cave's entrances there were large alcoves, sheltered from the wind. She herself curled up with Hayatch where they usually stayed in a large pocket on the outside of the caves,

All around the dragon-people slept on the jungle; their thick skins proved handy in the rather chilly night air.

000

The next morning, when the sun was already warming the day, Virika crawled out of her alcove, careful not to disturb Hayatch, and half slid, half scrambled to the ground. She found that Eleneir's and Vyrania's runnerbeasts had returned from their fright, and coaxed them to come to her, then tethered them to trees with plenty of grazing ground and removed their burdens. Her sister found her there, grooming Eleneir's light-gray mare; the younger girl's mount, a red-brown girl, had attended first.

"We want to return to the Hold soon." Vyrania said abruptly, giving her mare a pat on the neck. "Mother will be missing all three of us, and I don't want that."

Virika continued to groom the gray, face troubled, but resolute. Then she turned to face her sister and locked eyes with her. "Neither do I. That's why I'm coming back with you."