Good friends they had become, despite the big difference in age, Lytah mused. Until now. She swallowed hard and tried to down the hard lump. Nalaya had lived a long and fruitful life. It was probably only her that thought Nalaya's death by a strange illness, untimely.

Still, Lytah thought that Nalaya would have approved of the way that the whole weyr had remembered the weyrwoman's life. Most of Fort's five hundred or so dragon riders had celebrated in the great hall last night, and Lytah's own Alpha wing had continued the party on in their own part of the weyr well into the morning. In a way she was glad that she hadn't felt the desire to indulge in the supplies sent by her aunt for the occasion as much as some of her fellow wing members. There were going to be some interesting repercussions for some of the events of last night. She gave a slight smile; it was going to be an interesting day.

I'm hungry. Natoth's sleepy thoughts disturbed her own. Lytah closed the book she had been reading, her old journal, documenting her arrival here, five, or was it six, turns ago now? Getting up from the table she unhooked her jacket from the back of the chair before crossing the room and passing through the curtain into her smaller bedroom. This was the only concession made to her gender, on Nalaya's insistence. The rooms might be smaller than those of the other riders, but her bedroom was separate from her living / study area. A girl needed her privacy, she had been told. All the more important if she rode a green. Still, it had taken a while to feel comfortable in quarters designed for a young junior queen.

From her bedroom another curtain led out onto the ledge that was Natoth's sleeping area. That led directly into the bowl itself. She shrugged into the fur-trimmed jacket gladly, the morning mist was damp and cold and only just starting to burn off. She could change into warmer clothing, including full riding gear, but she had no intention of flying anywhere else at this time, so she would not need to rug up for protection from the freezing nothingness that was the between travelled by dragons, as they transferred from one place on Pern instantly to another.

"You are always hungry," she chided her dragon good-naturedly, moving to her side to scratch above her eye ridges affectionately. The feeling of loneliness disappeared instantly in the love in the dragon's gaze. Certainly she might be the only female rider at the moment in Fort Weyr, but in a few short weeks the queen egg on the sands would hatch and there would be a new weyrwoman.

Lytah smiled in memory. There was once a time when she thought that she might have liked that job, but she now knew better. The responsibilities, but more especially the restrictions, that went with that position would have stifled her.

She liked what she was now doing and would have even more time to pursue her own interests, now that Alpha Wing's responsibilities to fighting thread was effectively ended. Thread still fell, but less often, and by the time the roster cycled back to Alpha Wing through all the others of Fort, this Pass should be well and truly over. A life without the threat of thread? That was something beyond her experience.

Characteristically Natoth replied to her thoughts. We will keep busy.

"Yes, we will," she agreed, thinking how much more use her father was likely to make of her once he found out that she was no longer so committed to fighting thread. Well, she would cross that bridge when she came to it. "But in the meantime, shall we get you breakfasted while it is still quiet?"

It will be a while before the others wake, Natoth informed her as Lytah finished buckling on the riding straps. For even though it was only a short direct flight to the feeding grounds, accidents still could happen. Thanks to J'cob, she did a thorough check almost automatically, the weyrling master's lessons well instilled. She had great respect for the man, even if she had felt the hard edge of his walking cane on more than one occasion. He was harsh but fair and she liked him all the more for never showing her any favouritism, glad too that she had come under his tutelage. It was not by chance that the best riders in the weyr were his students.

Natoth bent her foreleg to allow Lytah to climb up to her seat on the dragon's shoulders. Natoth then walked to the edge of the balcony before launching herself into the air. There was the familiar stomach drop before the great wings spread to catch the air. Lytah felt the muscles beneath her legs bunch and relax as the thin expanse of iridescent green membrane beat the air.

As they passed over the bowl, Lytah noticed that the Benden caravan was preparing to leave. Located on the other side of the Northern continent, Benden was not beholden to Fort as Fort was supplied by tithes from the Holds of Fort, Ruatha and South Boll. But no place was going to pass up the chance to sample some of Benden's famous exports. It looked like they were getting ready to leave early today, so if she wanted to get a message to her aunt, she had better do it now.

Lytah dismounted on the high ledge as Natoth surveyed the animals below. She certainly approved of her dragon's hunting style. Natoth would spend time selecting her target carefully before a short flight, clean kill and then back to the ledge for a neat feed. For though the big heavy birds were stupid and thankfully short on memory, she really did not like the way some other riders let their beasts scare the fowl senseless.

She found a rock that had already started to become sun warmed to settle against. Again she thanked the deities for the unconscious habit of always wearing a small satchel. Not the one she had first brought to Fort, though she still had that. This one was a present from D'kor during their first year here, though she had never found out how he had discovered the date of her nameday. It was a clever little bag with separate compartments for parchment and a small writing set, as well as room for small items and a little water bottle. Her survival kit, and it had come in handy on more than one occasion. Made even more special when their mutual friend N'eth had confided to her that D'kor had fashioned the green dragon on the front flap himself. The boy would have made a craftmaster there.

But that had been a few turns ago, and though their small group always remembered each other's namedays, that first one had been special.

As she ground some ink into a little water she though of the others. Even in the context of riders, theirs was an unusual group. B'rak was the eldest, well into his third decade, if not his fourth, rider of blue Henth. A friendly easy-going man with a love of the dice that occasionally got him into trouble. Then there was L'tul who rode brown Nikolath. A handsome elegant man, his sense of tradition and avoidance of any politicking made him a strange member of the group, though his sensibleness added a necessary restraint on the whole. Especially for the more lively T'men who rode brown Katath and the flamboyant N'eth on green Azoth. That those four were close friends was understandable, they had known each other for turns. In fact it was rare that Azoth was not flown by either Katath, Nikolath or Henth.

What had been surprising was that they had adopted the two misfits of the weyr when they had been brought into Alpha wing on the completion of their training. And misfits she and her friend were.

Serious, quiet D'kor was the youngest rider in the weyr and the youngest bronze rider by a full ten turns. That age difference doubled when you restricted it to their Alpha Wing. That three of those in particular had made it their life's work to educate the boy and bring him out of his reserve was evident. In fact Zenth's first mating flight had been for Azoth and it had been one of the few times where she had been glad that she had not been around. Though it hadn't been him that had told her, she found out that it had been D'kor's first time as well. According to B'rak, sixteen was more than old enough.

Then there was her. As if being a girl rider of a fighting dragon was not different enough, the fact that she was more male in attitude and manner than some of the other green riders certainly set her apart. Then there was the newfound relationship that she had with her father now. She had been surprised as to how enthusiastic he had been about her new role in life, until she realised how useful she had become to him. She had always had a fascination for the more intriguing aspects of her father's craft and now found herself a valuable tool for him. A rider who was part harper was welcome indeed, especially one who had the contacts that she had.

She was grateful that her group of friends was always forthcoming with information for her, B'rak in particular with his extensive network, and she had made it a policy right from the start that she would always be honest with them. They may not know specifics, but they were always willing to help her with harper business. Still, it always intrigued her as to what benefit they derived from her friendship.

That she and D'kor would end up as friends had been pretty much established the first time they had met. As both strangers in a new world, they had been drawn together as well as with circumstance. Both S'bor and K'tan were members of Alpha wing and both felt a duty to look after each of them. S'bor on request from her uncle M'con she knew and K'tan because he had found the young D'kor on search. But she had always looked on her relationship with D'kor as an almost brother/sister type, even if as both only children she was not certain that is the way it was. Well, she had until last night.

Benden wine had certainly brought out some aspects of her friend's personalities that she had not suspected. Even though she had seen a few of them under the influence of drink before, the extent of some of their behaviour had taken even her by surprise. N'eth was going to find himself in serious trouble today she thought, and even B'rak was not going to find this day a pleasant one.

But it had been D'kor that had taken her by real surprise. She knew that he rarely drank to that extent and she had never been around before to see what he was like in that state. She was certainly unprepared for the fact that the attention he payed her went way beyond brotherly affection. Probably her own fault in part, or maybe she should blame her aunt. For though the woman never forgot to send her a nameday present of clothes, this time she had sent something that Lytah had actually considered wearing. The cream shirt had only a hint of frill around a low cut neckline and the green embroidery was subtle. Black pants were figure-hugging and made of a shiny material, complemented by a pair of new black boots. She hadn't realized how different she must have seemed when she wore the outfit to the party last night. At least not until the reaction from her friends, one in particular. It had been only then that she fully recognised how far D'kor had actually grown into the handsome young man that she always knew he would become.

Not that she would ever consider anything beyond friendship with him, or any man for that matter. Even before Natoth's first mating flight, she had known that a settled serious relationship was out of her equation, for which she was grateful.

It had always been a source of concern that she couldn't live up to the expectations of the female members of her family, that she was a disappointment to them even before she impressed. It was a relief to have an excuse not to commit, even if she was nowhere near as promiscuous as other green riders, tried to be a little more selective and discrete with those times as she could.

Still, it was going to be interesting to see D'kor's reaction to her the next time they met. Assuming of course that he would remember anything about the later part of the evening, or should she say morning. Though to think on it, she was going to be surprised if he did, so she may be concerned about nothing. Yet there were going to be some interesting conversations with her and three others of their group, as she had the impression that they were as surprised at D'kor's behaviour as she was. She didn't think that N'eth would be involved as he was as far gone in the drink as the bronze rider.

Lytah finished writing quite a long letter to her aunt, thanking her for the present and giving her some account of subsequent events. That would please Sophian no end, of that Lytah was certain. She packed away her writing implements, tied up the scroll and addressed it, before waking up Natoth from her doze. The green had made an adequate meal of two of the fowl and was making use of the sun while Lytah was occupied.

But instead of heading back to her weyr, she asked Natoth to drop her off by the caravan on the ground. She then suggested that the dragon find a nice place on the heights to sun. She would walk back.

"Hello Perry," she said as she walked towards the older man who had broken from his conversation with another to head towards her.

"Well, if it isn't Lytah." His greeting was breathtaking in the severity of the hug. "Haven't you grown since the last time I saw you?"

"In more ways than one, old friend. If I had known it was you that had brought the supplies I would have sought you out sooner. For it looks like I will have to wait for another time to catch up on news."

"That you will. I am just waiting for young Fin and then I will be off."

Fin was here as well? Then that could only mean a message to her from her father, his young apprentice was often used to do such. Well, if she didn't meet him on her way back then she would have to wait to read what he had probably left.

"I'm glad to have caught you then, even if only for a quick hello. But the reason I stopped by was to ask if a message could be delivered to Sophian."

"No problem at all, though she will be pleased that you had a use for her gifts."

Lytah was startled for a moment, before she gave a laugh. "I should have remembered, nothing gets past you. Though tell her that I intend to indulge in her private supply to me at a quieter time."

Sophian always sent her enough wine for her own personal use that, with some judicial arrangement, managed to last her and her friends generally the full turn until the next shipment arrived. "Thank you Perry, and I promise that I will pay a visit to you soon." She gave him a long hug. "Now I will let you get back to your business."

"Your aunt will be pleased to hear that, as well as get this message so soon. Until next time then."

She started to walk away, but turned slightly to face him at his call. "Oh, and Lytah, have a nice nameday today."

"Thankyou Perry. But though I cannot guarantee it will be nice, I will give you my word that it will be interesting."

Lytah decided that an easy run was going to be the best way to move for the sit in the sun had not been all that warm. And though Natoth had had something to eat, she was achingly aware of her own empty belly.

Her reception from Tom in the kitchen was not unexpected, even if she was a little surprised as to the level of antagonism directed at her personally. She normally had a good relationship with the head cook, often supplying him with hard to find plants for the more exotic of his recipes, but you would not have thought that with his reaction to her this morning. It was as if he was going to take out his displeasure for one of her close friends on the whole group. The whole of the wing more probably, she decided as the conversation progressed. Not that he was unjustified in his anger; she had better go and have a word with N'eth when she had finished here. One did not make enemies with any of the staff in the weyr if you wished for your life to have some degree of comfort.

It took a fair amount of time and a lot of her considerable negotiating skills to mollify his temper to the stage where he was not going to kill any green rider on sight, one in particular. Still it might be worth sending someone else to pour more oil on these troubled waters before she sent N'eth himself to atone. D'kor probably, he had enough tact and diplomacy to deal with this. If he was well enough, she thought with an inward smile.

Still, she eventually calmed Tom enough to coax a few meat rolls from him. His apprentice Urik was a little more generous, she managed to get a whole pitcher of klah from him. Which was sufficient for her needs for the moment. She doubted that she would find anyone in a state to share in her food, but there was no one likely to refuse the stimulating hot drink. As she left, she quietly borrowed a couple of mugs as well.

As expected, N'eth was highly agitated, as well as grateful for the drink. She was surprised that he had some memory of pulling a knife on someone during the course of the evening, but was concerned for his safety until he could work out who it had been and seen them to make amends.

Though he was justifiably worried when she told him it had been Tom. "I'm in trouble for sure, I may as well leave the weyr now."

"I wouldn't go quite that far, though I'd leave it for a little while before you see him for yourself. It might be a good idea for someone like T'men or D'kor to have a word with him also."

"Well D'kor has just left here and said he would make some enquiries on my behalf, so I might just wait until he returns."

"Then if I see him before he finds Tom himself, I'll point him in the right direction. But it is surprising that he is up and about already after last night."

"Isn't it?" Despite his own problems N'eth was always ready for gossip. His grin was infectious. "So, am I allowed to ask if things got as far as they seemed to be going?"

"Of course you are not allowed to ask, but since when has that ever stopped you?" She returned his grin, even if surprised that he had any memory of what had happened. "But to put you out of your misery there, as you will have enough from other quarters today, no. I wasn't drunk enough."

"It would be interesting to see what would have happened if you had been."

"Not likely, I like to have my wits about me. Besides N'eth, I thoroughly enjoy my life just the way it is; I don't need those sorts of complications. And I am nothing if not a realist."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Bronzes fly the queen. And you tell me who you would prefer to work under as weyrleader in the distant future, D'kor or that overbearing braggart Ch'dan?"

"I cannot see D'kor in that position."

"At the moment, nor can I. But then, I never saw him as a bronze rider either. The fellow is full of surprises I would bet. But as soon as this clutch hatches, Morath will go between and the new gold will be our queen. And even if this hatching gives us a couple more bronzes, it is more than likely that it will be Zenth or Tanneth that flies her. I am not going to risk ending up with Ch'dan because of some naïve romantic notions in D'kor's head. He's still a kid N'eth, I don't intend to give him any encouragement along those lines."

N'eth's smile was warm. "And you're not a kid yourself Lytah?"

She laughed. "Me? Never. At least not that I am aware of, not with my upbringing. And I think that if you talk to my father, he'll tell you that I have never been one either. But enough of that, was there any other reason for D'kor to be up and about this early?"

"It seems that S'bor has asked him to remind all of Alpha wing about the meeting this morning. Though you will have to ask him for details, I cannot recall what the timing of that was. I don't imagine it to be too early."

"Nor do I. Well, I'll leave you now to work out what you are going to say to Tom. Though I must say a word in your defence, I think there was something to your complaints last night. I know I didn't have much of the meat myself due to its strange taste."

"Thanks ever so much. But before you go, I have something for you."

He walked away to a shelf then to take a box from there before coming back to her. She caught her breath when opening the lid revealed six glass goblets. Taking one out she saw that the bowl was clear but the stem was coloured with streaks of brown. "Its from the four of us. D'kor said that he would prefer to do something for himself."

"Oh N'eth, they are beautiful."

"Actually, you have either L'tul's or T'men's glass there." He had reached in and pulled out another. This one had green in the stem. "There is one for each of us. Two greens, a blue, two browns and a bronze. Happy nameday."

"Thank you. And we must make it a point very soon of christening these the next time we happen to be in the same place at the same time."

"Let's at least try and make that before your next nameday."

Lytah found Fin sitting at the table in her room. He closed her journal as she approached to put the pitcher, cup and present on the table. That didn't surprise her in the slightest, her father had often said that her personal reports were more informative than official versions and she had long ago learnt to trust Fin's discretion with her more personal entries. He refused her offer of a cup of klah, so she sat opposite to drink it instead as she had the impression he was in no hurry to leave.

"You have word then rather than just a message Fin?"

"Jackly didn't want anything in writing, but he wanted you to know that he agrees with your suspicions in that your weyrwoman's death was not natural."

That was a relief. If her father accepted her last report, then maybe she could put away the feeling of slight paranoia. So, he too found it strange that Nalaya could pick up a disease of a cold climate from Ista, a tropical one.

Fin continued. "More than that, he is of the opinion the disease is not unlike that chronicled in Moreta's Ride."

She felt a lump harden in her stomach. "By the first egg Fin, I hope he is wrong." That plague, nearly five hundred turns ago at the end of the last Pass, was devastating.

"So too does he wish. But every indication from Healer hall is that he is not. Already they are far too busy with an overload of what sounds like your weyrwoman's disease.

Keep that to yourself until I can give you his conformation. No need to start a panic."

"So what can I do?"

"Make your suspicions a little more widely known. Fort needs to be on guard and if the suggestion comes from within their own ranks, then the riders are going to be more alert to any danger. Especially if they are going to be out and about if search is called."

"I'll try my best."

Fin's raised brow showed that he did not miss the note of doubt in her voice. "I can understand that your older riders can be a little reticent about taking suggestions from more recent members, but Jackly has full confidence in your powers of persuasion."

"I'm glad someone does. But I will at least mention my concerns regarding Nalaya's death to the wing meeting later. At least I can put the idea in their heads, to then work on individuals quietly at a later stage."

"Especially your young friend D'kor."

He thoughts regarding her father were suddenly wary. "Why single out D'kor?"

"No reason." She could tell that was not strictly true, but there was no point in attempting to gain more. "It is just that I have seen S'bor, to pass on Harper Hall's condolences, and he mentioned that D'kor was to be sent on search. So I made a point to introduce myself as he will probably end up at Fort Hold and I'm likely to see him around Harper Hall."

The next time she saw her father she was going to have strong words with him about using her friends without her involvement. Jackly was unlikely to be as open with them as she was.

"Was there anything else Fin?"

"Nothing else that is not in a letter from your father. I had better be going as Perry wants to be off early." He was on his feet. "Till next time we meet, fair weather and clear skies. By the way, have a pleasant nameday Lytah."

"Pleasant is not the word I would use," she said, to get his laugh as he left.

The last of her drink was cold, making her grimace as she swallowed. Still, it added moisture to a suddenly dry mouth as the veiled words in her father's letter expanded on Fin's conversation. It was going to be a challenge to subtly get her fellow riders on the guard that suddenly seemed to be all too necessary.

Yet someone was coming.

Sitting with her back to the doorway, she used the sound of his footfall to identify D'kor. Confirmed when he came to sit casually in the chair opposite, pour himself some klah. It would only be warm by now but he didn't seem to mind. She studied him while he drank.

His manner indicated that he remembered nothing of his suggestions to her last night. His pale complexion gave her reason why.

"Good morning D'kor."

She gave a slight smile as he winced with the nod of head in greeting. She doubted that he even remembered what day it was, given his attitude. Especially its significance to her. She continued. "You looked like you were having fun last night."

"I was, what little I remember of it."

"Nalaya would be pleased to know we celebrated her life so vigorously."

He poured the last from the pitcher into the cup. "And some more vigorously than others."

There was the lead in she had hoped he would provide. "You mean N'eth? He made a proper display of himself, so I hear. I didn't see anything…" Not strictly true but it suited her purposes for him to make his own discoveries. "…but rumours are flying this morning, about him and one of the kitchen staff."

That gained his interest, looked like she had provided him with some direction. "Yes. I've already spoken to N'eth and it seems that he…"

Pulled a knife on Tom after getting into an argument about the taste of the herdbeast? She finished his sentence in her thoughts as he trailed off and she could tell that he didn't want to embarrass their friend further by adding to those rumours himself.

"Never mind that now. Actually I am glad you're here. I found this book in the gambling hall last night and I don't know who it belongs to. You've been out and about this morning, would you happen to know anything about it?"

"Actually I might. I saw Lockenn this morning and he said that he had lost a book. I'll take it for you if you like, I've still a bit to do."

"So what has you up and about so early?"

"Just a couple of little jobs. S'bor asked me to remind all of Alpha about the meeting just before lunch. K'tan decided that a little refresher course in knife combat was needed, to make me pay for him having to take it off me last night I would bet.

V'hul asked me to deliver a ballad to F'ben and I get the usual from him as well as getting the brunt of S'lon's renewed displeasure regarding S'bor. Jim's gone missing and I promised Gillian I'd look for him. At least you have helped me with Lockenn's problem. And then there's N'eth."

She had to laugh at the chagrin in his tone. "And I bet that all you wanted was a nice quiet day. How's the head?"

"The klah has helped, but not much."

"They say that Tom has the best cures for too much wine."

Actually it was Urik that was the wizard with hangover cures, but he would be in the kitchens at this hour and it would get D'kor in the right direction.

"Then the kitchens it is, before Zenth complains again about me setting him on edge. I'll catch you at the meeting."

He was on his feet at that. She was a little surprised that he hadn't even thanked her for the drink. Not like him at all, he must be feeling unwell. She stood herself and started tidying her table. He had almost reached the entrance when she moved the box of glasses. She felt an unusual desire to tease him somewhat.

"D'kor?"

He stopped with his back to her, before turning his head slightly in her direction. "Yes?"

"Do you know what day it is?" It was fairly obvious that he didn't. "The same day it was when you found me that pearl last turn."

Shaffit! She could have kicked herself for saying that, for the words had also reminded her as to how much trouble that had caused. So much for trying to be subtle, nothing like having things backfire on you. Maybe Zenth could help her.

"Your nameday?"

Zenth! Her thoughts were only partly on her conversation with D'kor as she mentally called for his dragon. I've done something stupid here, please help.

"Could be D'kor, could be."

What can I do for you Lytah?

Remind D'kor what trouble finding me a present last turn caused, he cannot afford to let his duties to the weyr slip again.

"But don't worry yourself with it." And that she meant. It was hard to keep her tone light. "I'm sure you have more important things on your mind."

It might be useful to remind him that bronzes are not for greens.

"Hmm."

D'kor's stance stiffened, Lytah could tell that he was in communication with his dragon. And it wasn't hard to tell what he thought of the conversation, not with the clenching of his fists. Confirmed in his tone when he spoke aloud. "I know Zenth, I know." It was a moment later that he strode from the room.

Lytah, I did as you asked, but D'kor is not pleased.

It felt more comfortable to speak out aloud, possible now that D'kor had left. "I'm sorry for making it so awkward for you Zenth, but it would be better coming from you than me. He's got better things to do than be distracted by irrelevant silly quests."

True enough, but I do not fully understand your concerns. D'kor likes you as I like Natoth. Why would you not wish me to fly her?

"That is not it at all Zenth. Unfortunately humans are a lot more complicated than you dragons. But be assured I like both you and D'kor a great deal and count you both as dear friends."

As do I. Natoth's thoughts joined them. Lytah found this situation more than a little strange. She knew that dragon and rider shared a strong emotional bond, but had never discussed it, especially concerning other dragons and their riders.

"Of course dear heart." She smothered her concerns raised by Natoth's thoughts, she was sure she stifled her dragon enough as it was. But of all the dragons she could show a preference for, she hoped it really was not that one. Not in regard to Zenth personally, he was the biggest and strongest of all of Fort's males, a magnificent beast.

But Zenth assumes a great deal if he thinks I will let him catch me. I might not be as big as he is, but I am faster and more agile, definitely have as much stamina. And there are some worthy browns at Telgar.

Browns? Zenth was obviously insulted by that. You would compare me to a mere brown? Lytah gave a relieved smile as the dragons' presence receded from her mind as they continued their conversation without her. Still it was a situation that she was going to have to remain aware of.

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D'kor sat at the table in his quarters, absently playing with his knife. K'tan would probably be waiting for him already. In fact D'kor would not be surprised if the elder was not already on his way here to find out the reasons for the delay. And K'tan was not going to be pleased to find that there were none. Except that D'kor had just needed a few minutes of peace and quiet.

Shards, what a morning it had been. He had been busier in these past few hours, more than in the past sevenday, and there looked like no easing up of the situation. Not that he hadn't expected to be sent on Search. As the rider of the youngest bronze in his wing, it made perfect sense. In turns to come Zenth would probably be the main competitor to fly the new queen. Which would mean that D'kor and the queen rider would have to develop some sort of rapport. That would also include….

D'kor had to forcibly stop himself from driving the point of his knife into the table. He had got himself into enough trouble last night with trying to carve his name into a table in the hall, but he had no memory of that event. In fact, most of the latter part of the night was more than a little foggy.

Shaffit! What had he been thinking? Not that he didn't drink on occasion, but not to that extent when one particular person was around. And just when he needed a peaceful day to try and work out how much damage control was needed, he'd been sent on Search.

The knife was allowed to drop to the table as he stood. Leaning against the stone mantelpiece, he gazed into the fire. As a young bronze rider there was the expectation and training that he would be aspiring to be weyrleader one day. But that was an unlikely possibility for way in the future. Until now.

For a gold egg lay on the sands. And now with Nalaya gone, once the eggs hatched, Morath would go between and not come back. Which will mean that the new queen's rider will be weyrwoman. With the rider of the bronze that flew the queen becoming weyrleader. In two to three turns.

D'kor was not pleased. He knew it was because things were moving fast out of his control and he did not like that in the slightest. He was one to sit back and think on things, look and plan for all possible contingencies. Even S'bor had said on occasion that D'kor was too cautious. Until last night.

Under N'eth's guidance, D'kor had thrown caution to the winds. And all he had got for it was a hangover and a busy day.

Though there was something else. But to work on that he needed a clearer head, hours of thinking time and quiet meaningful chats with the one who knew him the best.

Lytah. He has the suspicion that all of those barriers that he had carefully built had been allowed to crumble last night. B'rak and N'eth he could have expected some comment from, but even T'men and L'tul had given him hints to that effect.

So he needed to swallow his pride and ask directly the one person who would have been sober enough to know, who was also the last person he could ask.

Especially now. Because for all his forward thinking and planning there was one thing he had never considered a possibility. Zenth did not approve.

A hail from the entrance to his room pulled D'kor from his thoughts, with some little relief. For he had a strong feeling that this was one problem he was going to need more than a couple of hours to think through.

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Though it was a relief in one way, Lytah was still becoming increasingly worried with just how seriously her wingleader was taking her concerns. S'bor had requested that she stay behind and without such direct orders to the others of Alpha wing, it had only been in the last few minutes that they had been finally left alone. Yet that had been long enough to let her know that, despite his earlier words, S'bor was also uneasy regarding Nalaya's death. For thought it was comforting that she had her wing leader's support, it was not comforting to feel that her fears were right.

S'bor's sudden silence caught her by surprise. She followed his gaze with one of her own back over her shoulder, in time to see K'tan leave the area of his quarters. D'kor was at his side and she knew the young rider too well not to know that his look to her indicated a wish to have a talk.

But they both had more pressing needs. She gave him a wave in acknowledgement, a slight pattern made with her fingers to get his nod. They would chat later. Before her attention was drawn more fully to K'tan. As she watched the men cross to the stairs to take them down, she thought to her dragon.

Natoth. Could you ask Branth to keep a close watch on K'tan. He hasn't seemed well for the past couple of days and I thought he was getting better.

She could have spoken directly to Branth but found it difficult to bethink the older bronze and she didn't want to talk aloud with S'bor around. Her ability to communicate with all dragons was not something she let be known.

Branth is concerned and will do as you ask. K'tan woke unwell and has been getting worse all morning. He is too hot and has a nasty cough.

Lytah liked the sound of none of that. She had almost made up her mind to chase after K'tan herself when S'bor spoke. "K'tan is getting worse, don't you think?"

Lytah turned back to him, feeling herself start to anger. "So why send him out on search?"

"Can you think of a better excuse to get him to Fort Hold? If I said that I wanted him to see the Masterhealer, do you think he would have gone? We cannot deal with what he has, here."

Lytah felt her worry turn to an icy lump in her stomach. "It cannot be the same as Nalaya." Yet even as she spoke the words, she knew their lie. "S'bor, what can I do?"

"Research. Fin tells me that Healer Hall is concerned that it is the same plague that Moreta dealt with. She was weyrwoman here during that time, so I want you to go through all our records and see what you can find. I have already told Mishra that you have unlimited access to all records and she is to help you as much as she can." His request took her by surprise. It was the first time he had ever given her such a serious assignment, as well as effective unlimited access to anywhere in the weyr. Something unheard of for the lowest of the rider ranks. "Why me wingleader?"

"Because you are the best for the job. Your harper background will ensure your effective search and your healer training will let you know when you have found it. You would be the next best thing to having Moreta here herself."

Lytah felt uncomfortable under such high words of praise. Specifically with S'bor giving them, as he was not one to compliment lightly.

"But, Lytah, do not think I am doing you any favours here. I want results and I want them now. Yesterday, if possible. Thread still falls and we loose too many to it, to waste lives to some disease."

Almost as if to emphasise his words, Lytah found herself fighting an overpowering surge of grief. A split second later the very air itself reverberated to the deep sound of hundreds of dragon voices, raised in the dreadful keening that told of the death of one of their number. With eyes stung with the threat of tears, she turned to S'bor, even as the sound died to an ache deep in her bones.

"It was H'trons. Old as well as ill, he was not likely to fight this off. Lytah, make sure we do not loose any more."

The weight of such responsibility settled heavy as she stood.