AN: I added a little more dialogue to the end of part 3 - but it's just a fun little bit that really isn't important to the story, so you don't need to go back and read it if you don't want to.
They danced longer than N'kar had intended. He had planned to leave after one dance, send Kayta on her way back to the Weyr and then start on his errands, but one look at her smiling face and he found himself agreeing to one more dance and then another and another. Let her enjoy herself while she can, he thought, she would be right back to work as soon as they returned to the Weyr. His reasons weren't entirely selfless - he was also enjoying having her attention all to himself. Even if she did have her eye on M'rocav, when she smiled at him like she was doing now, he could pretend for a moment that he was the only one she cared about aside from her dragon.
Once the harpers had finished playing, and the holders and crafters retreated inside for the night, N'kar and Kayta finally left for the Island Weyr. Kayta had wanted to time it back so that she arrived earlier than she had left in order to avoid any confrontations with R'nahl. N'kar pointed out that a discussion was sure to happen once the others found out where she had been regardless of when she arrived back at the Weyr - but since he had been with her all day, then the only thing they might have to worry about was the fact that she hadn't told anyone where she had planned on going. She smiled at that, "So I won't have to face the wherries alone then?"
"No, you won't have to face the wherries alone. Though if R'nahl claims I'm letting my feelings for you get in the way of my responsibilities, I will let him know that this was entirely your idea." Kayta had been the one to suggest that N'kar needn't tell R'nahl where they were since he was with her.
"Fine. Then I get to pull rank on him."
"As long as you don't let Lysith bellow."
"Allright. But she at least gets to pull rank on his dragon and Kaelith. She is the Queen after all, and they've been getting a bit too uppity lately..."
The tropical air was muggy and thick after the brisk cold of Tillek, and they quickly stripped off their wherhide jackets as they walked towards the cluster of buildings and caves that made up the Weyr's lower caverns. Up ahead N'kar could see a shadow pacing in front of the well lit dining cavern; R'nahl. He stepped in front of Kayta as if to protect her from the outburst he was sure that awaited them, but the Weyrwoman grabbed his hand, stopping him. "What?"
"Once we get up there I may not have a chance to speak with you again for awhile. I wanted to thank you for staying at the gather even though you had other things to do."
"It's nothing."
"Remember how I said my favorite Turnover was the one at Blue Vale? I think today bested it." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, then turned to start back up the hill to face her fate, leaving the brownrider staring after her in a stunned silence.
AN Part Two: I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into N'kar and Kayta's lives. If you enjoyed reading it, and you haven't checked out Renegade Weyr yet, I highly recommend that you take a glance at it. There will be more updates to it in the near future!
Love,
AS