Why do I do this when it's obvious that Pern isn't mine and it never will be.

At the appointed time, the whole Weyr was waiting along the rim and the bowl, waiting for the signal from F'lar to give the dragons firestone and to take off. Finally, the signal was given and as one, all the fighting dragons, even J'ral's Jameth, gave a lump of firestone.

J'ral was stationed right behind Lessa and between the two junior weywomen. He knew that one piece of firestone wouldn't give Jameth the needed flame, so he gave a second piece. After Jameth chewed the second piece of firestone, he lifted his head and angled it so he wouldn't hit Lessa or Ramoth with his flame. A couple seconds after he finished the firestone, flame erupted between his jaws, extending about a half dragonlenght.

Nice flame, Jameth, J'ral said to his dragon. All around them, other dragons were flaming. Now all we have to do is wait until the signal comes. Any new orders?

No, J'ral. Nothing new, Jameth said. Suddenly F'lar's hand raised in the signal for takeoff. We go now.

As one, the dragons took flight. After a minute of flying, the wings formed up in their normal formations with J'ral and Jameth flying several dragonlengths under the Queen's Wing. They continued to fly like this for another few minutes, giving each rider time to accurately visualize their intended destination with how things were looking.

J'ral, we've got a visualization that F'lar wants us to use, Jameth said as he shared the image.

Concentrate real hard on it J'ral said as he focused on preparing to use his ability. At that time, F'lar signaled the Weyr to go between.

The skies above Lemos Hold were as clear as was predicted. There wasn't any indication that Thread was about to fall, but J'ral knew that it was. Jameth, tell Mnementh that Thread will begin falling in three minutes.

I will, Jameth replied. Immediately he said Mnementh says that F'lar thanks you. Do you know where it will start?

No, unfortunately, J'ral said after a moment of deep concentration.

When the Thread started falling, it fell right on top of the lead wing. F'lar, Thread will fall right on top of your wing. You might want to back off, J'ral warned a few seconds before Thread started falling.

And that was the beginning of one of J'ral's busiest Falls ever. Every couple of minutes he was giving out warnings. However, despite all of his best efforts, J'ral missed a patch of Thread coming dangerously close to a dragon and its rider. Ten people had to jump between to the Weyr to get patched up.

After the halfway point of the Fall, J'ral was starting to get tired out. He couldn't concentrate as much on the Fall. Jameth, please warn Mnementh that he's flying straight into where a patch of Thread will fall in a second.

Yes, J'ral, Jameth replied as he relayed the message. Mnementh thanks you. Canth flew right where he was flying and flamed the Thread. It was a big patch and most likely would've sent F'lar to the Weyr to be treated.

J'ral was only half listening to the other dragons, concentrating of the Thread. That was when he realized that there was a big hole right above the Queen's Wing for Thread to get through, which it did. Someone needs to fly above this area. As he was saying that, the Thread fell right on top of the Queen's Wing, which jumped out as one.

Jameth was about to follow when J'ral felt pain all over his body. He barely even noticed Jameth going between. When they came out, they were above the Weyr and Jameth began the quickest decent he could while carrying an injured rider. When he landed, J'ral was unconscious.

The weyrhealer grimaced when he looked at the rider on the latest pair to land. The dragon was also badly injured, but it was the rider he was most concerned about. There were several bad scores on him, one going down his left cheek, two on his right arm and one on his left, one going down his left leg and one going down his chest.

"Get him off the dragon quickly, but carefully. He's badly injured. I will personally work on him. Martha, you'll lead the rest of the healers for now when you get more injuries."

"Ok," she said as they weyrhealer bent down over the dragonrider.