A third of a turn, Lytah decided. Probably less if you really thought about it. But it had been last season when the changes occurred and it was hard to remember that it had been any different.

She glanced up to tune back into the conversation between her wingleader and the lord holder of Tillek. They were sitting at the main table with several others from her wing and his hold. She had taken over the small table at the back. Supposedly to be an impartial recorder. Actually she filled in her own journal in the massive amounts of free time she had while this lot ran the same inane arguments around in endless circles. Shards, if she was going to have to spend another day on top of the past three that she had spent here already, then she was going to go insane.

There was nothing different. She stood then and made her way to pour a drink of water. There was something here not quite right, she decided. Not just the terminal boredom, but for some reason she felt tense. Almost, she thought, as if she was right on edge.

That triggered a fit of coughing as she choked on a swallow. At least it gave her an excuse to leave the room, her departure noticeable in the sudden silence. How could she have missed the signs?

Coming out onto the balcony gave her reason why. Natoth was asleep on the sunbaked rocks below and Lytah really had to look hard to identify any change in colour. But sleep was not peaceful, as shown by a twitching tail. So, she was just on the turn.

But Lytah had the dreaded feeling that she was going to be in trouble once her dragon woke. Already two browns and the bronze from her wing stood by, tense and alert. Meeting or no sharding meeting, she was going to have to get out of here. Now.

Fort or Telgar? For the first time there was actually some indecision about the choice.

She would like to go home, the memories of Ierne were more than pleasant, but there was still the problem of how serious would that make the relationship. So to Telgar then. At least she could start working out what Natoth's cycle pattern might be now, which meant that she should be able to give M'con more notice for next time.

She was pulled to a halt when she came around the corner and found a brown rider standing outside her door. "Out of my way G'ret."

"Ch'dan wants you to return to the meeting."

"I will. Later this afternoon."

"He says that you have a duty to your job."

"Be that as it may, my first duty is to my dragon. Then my weyr. After that comes my weyrleader, flightleader and then Ch'dan figures in. You can go and tell him that a higher responsibility calls."

"He knows. And he doesn't want you to leave."

"He what!" The beginning of anger took the edge off the cold fear, until she put a stifle on both. Don't wake Natoth yet. She could definitely fight her way past him, but all that was likely to achieve would be to wake the dragon before she got down to her.

All right then, she would just have to take the flight between without her jacket and gloves. Retracing her steps part of the way, she went down a major passage that led to one set of outside doors. To come to another sudden stop before she had gone too far along. Another of her wing stood lounging against the closed doors in idle conversation with one of the hold personnel.

She took a few steps back to lean against the stones of a small alcove and drew several deep breaths. Pushing down the threat of anger, she focused on finding calm. Trapped huh?

So there was something more insidious to those suggestions, she could kick herself for not taking more serious notice of them. Ch'dan she could handle by herself, but not when he seemed to have added in a few of the wing in support.

Now what? She couldn't get to her dragon, so maybe Natoth could come to her. No, that was not going to work. When the green awoke, she was not going to be interested in rescuing her rider. And Lytah was going to be damned if she was going to let that bronze rider take advantage. Which went for any of the others in her wing. Not one was of the slightest interest to her.

Then what about her ex-wing? Why, she would rather have S'lon than any here. Though it did cross her mind to wonder what D'kor might have to say about this business. But could she reach them from here?

The second door she tried was unlocked and led her into a small empty workroom.

"Azoth? I think I need help."

Lytah? The connection was faint; she had to concentrate hard to hold it.

"Tell N'eth I need Alpha wing. Now."

But Lytah was unsure if that got through. She spent a few moments wondering if she might barricade herself in this room and wake Natoth. It might then be over with before anyone found her. Then again, it might not.

Lytah, what is wrong? Zenth's thoughts came through strong and clear.

"Natoth will rise when she wakes and they won't let me go."

Azoth says that you are at Tillek hold?

"Yes."

We are on our way.

Given that, staying hidden was a poor option, especially if the wrong group found her. So, get back into public view, and more hold public than weyr. The meeting hall would be best. Close to the courtyard entrance and an atmosphere to put her to sleep rather than just keep her dragon in that state.

Ch'dan broke from his conversation to turn in his seat to face her. "Are you all right Lytah?"

"Absolutely," she said. "Just a little water that went down the wrong way. Sorry to have to disturbed you." She made her way to her seat. "Did I miss out on anything?"

"No." But the look he gave her was narrow, as if searching for more. Though it looked like G'ret had just been sent to stop her going into her room and had not reported back. Probably not needed as it was going to be fairly obvious when Natoth woke. Lytah opened to a blank page in her journal and focussed on drawing some elaborate patterns.

It seemed to take an age before Henth's thoughts intruded. We are here.

She stood then, forced herself to walk casually from the room. Though she had to step to one side as a couple of the hold people rushed past. Announcing the new arrivals?

She eventually found a group of four riders waiting in the main entrance hall that led to the courtyard. B'rak stepped forward with open arms as he called to her.

"Lytah! How's this for a surprise?"

Well, she could play along. "Welcome indeed. Though I have to ask as to the reason why?"

"Just what I was wondering myself." She turned back at Ch'dan's voice. He had obviously followed her out.

B'rak had a pained expression then. "Things that exciting around here that you have forgotten it is N'eth's name day? Just don't tell him that though. Anyway, as you were stuck out here, we thought that you might know of a place to take him out for a meal. We'll call him in after we make plans."

Of course. Close as the two green dragons were, Natoth would only see Azoth as a rival at present.

Lytah suddenly felt her knees buckle as a wave of heat washed through, leaving a light-headed feeling. Natoth was awake and it was as Lytah predicted. She felt her dragon's bloodlust rise and hoped that it was not going to be the hold's prized stock that would fall victim to Natoth's need to quench her thirst.

B'rak's arm had moved to around her waist in support. "Lytah?"

She turned into him and spoke low. "If it has to be Tanneth, please don't let it be Ch'dan."

His answer was as much a whisper as her question. "It is not expected for other green riders, it should not be the case for you."

"So this is why I will have to incur the wrath of my weyrleader and woman for leaving their meeting." She looked past B'rak to see D'kor enter through the massive doorway, her feeling of relief almost palatable. His tone might have been light, but even she could not miss the steel edge. "And why Zenth literally threw me off in the courtyard."

He walked past them towards the group that had followed her down from the meeting room, headed for the lord holder. "D'kor, Zenth's rider, flightleader from Fort," he introduced himself. "I apologise for the brevity of the greeting Lord Axenfeld, and also for what is about to occur.

Ch'dan, I will discuss with you later why this has been allowed to happen at a hold rather than the weyr." No trace of pleasantries in that.

"Who called you in?" Ch'dan was obviously not pleased with this turn of events.

"Zenth. A pact was made turns ago that Azoth and Natoth would be looked after by members of the Alpha wing. And even though Alpha has disbanded, the dragons still uphold that promise.

Now Lord Axenfeld, you have a wife and daughters? Then I suggest that you get to them now and lock them away for an hour or so."

Axenfeld was starting to look alarmed. "Just what is about to happen?"

"One of our green dragons is just about to rise to mate. She will be caught by one of the males, maybe a brown but more probably one of the bronzes. When that happens, the emotional backlash will be a little…overwhelming shall we say? It is something that weyr folk have become accustomed to. Not so hold folk, hence my suggestion. You might already feel the tension? I assure you, it is nothing compared to what will be broadcast with their union."

"We will converse later then. My duty to you flightleader."

"And mine to you, Lord holder.

Now, Ch'dan, you can go and make your own arrangements as Tanneth could be lucky. There is no need to worry about Lytah, we will make sure she is looked after."

"I have my duty as her wingleader."

"Which is superseded by my duty to her as her flightleader as well as bound by a promise as her friend." D'kor turned from him in dismissal.

Lytah had been struggling to keep any focus on what had been happening, caught up in her dragon's emotions as she was. Natoth was airborne, exuberant in her flight, her freedom and mockingly scornful of the clumsy males that gave her chase.

Lytah was vaguely aware that T'men spoke. "We have to get somewhere more private."

She fought for coherency. "My room has an adjoining that is empty."

"Perfect." That was D'kor. "You there, steward. Show us to the green rider's room."

"D'kor, you cannot."

Well, Lytah thought, she actually managed to surprise him.

"Ch'dan has to be disciplined."

"On what basis? Technically he has done nothing wrong."

"But he was preventing you from leaving!"

"That was just my interpretation of events. G'ret only asked me to return to the meeting and J'senton may have just been having polite conversation with one of the hold. Natoth's cycles are still not in her usual pattern and even I was caught by her sudden turn. It could be put down to that, my paranoia, that had me believe that Ch'dan was deliberately delaying our return to Fort and had this planned. No-one else could put credence on my accusations, and nor, in hindsight, can I."

"I wouldn't put it past him."

"Quite frankly, nor can I. But any action on your part is only going to be counterproductive. The only interpretation that will be made is that you are trying to get rid of a rival to Zenth. You won, and even if Tanneth had caught Natoth, you would still be seen to have won. Leave it at that. Consider this and any subsequent flights as practice for when Coranth rises. Make sure Zenth learns from each time as Tanneth is as wily as his rider."

"Does that mean that you will not be going to Telgar next time?"

She straightened from pulling on her boots, to then cross to where he was standing. "I think that I have made my preferences known."

His arms stayed around after she broke from a long kiss. "Not before time. But I want you out of his wing."

"Personal feelings aside, there is no reason for that. I am asking you to leave it alone. Besides, V'kai has already approved of my taking leave as of next month when my wing flies thread."

"V'kai? And why are you taking leave? Where are you going?"

"Nowhere. D'kor, there is something that I need to tell you…" But a knock on the door interrupted. "Later."

His regard was unusually serious. "Just how often have you postponed a 'later' to 'never'?"

"This is something that not even I will be able to keep hidden. A little like my dragon's preference for who catches her. Which has nothing to do with rider preference of course."

"Of course." He looked more relaxed as he opened the door to the adjoining room.

L'tul stood aside for them. "Good. Sorry, but Lord Axenfeld wishes a word with you D'kor. He is in the meeting room, Lytah knows where."

D'kor gave a slight grimace. "Can I guess about what?"

The roll of dice stopped as B'rak turned towards them. "D'kor, I have not known of gold – bronze pairings that intense. If anyone in Tillek was unaffected, then they were either dead or comatose."

Lytah swore under her breath. D'kor was more vocal.

T'men spoke. "If it helps, I don't think Axenfeld was too upset, judging the messenger's reaction."

"Still, I had better go now. Where's S'lon?" So D'kor had also noticed he was the only one missing.

L'tul answered. "He's just left to made some enquiries about a place around here that might serve good seafood."

D'kor looked surprised. "Why is he doing that?"

Lytah spoke. "That is why this lot are all here. Came for a visit so that the old Alpha wing can celebrate N'eth's nameday."

"Ah, interesting ploy. But just a question, do we have enough marks between us? I know that I left in a bit of a hurry."

A look around the room indicated a similar situation for the others. Lytah reached inside her satchel even knowing that she only carried one or two herself. She stopped when she touched something else. Now that might work. "Leave it with me. D'kor, a word while we find the Lord holder and this lot get ready to go out soon. I know that I am hungry."

"For seafood Lytah?" B'rak's look of innocence was actually quite good she thought.

She returned his smile. "All I can hope is that my appetite for fish can be dealt with as effectively."

B'rak was not the only one laughing as she closed the door behind her and D'kor.

D'kor fell into step beside her. "Am I allowed to ask as to what that was about?"

She almost said "Later," before she thought better of it. "You don't think that I get left out of any discussions about our little group's sexual activities, do you? Though at least they don't get involved in doing anything about my perceived lack."

"Ah."

She gave a smile at his expression. "We can continue this discussion later if you wish, but for the moment there is something else. While I would never give away the first pearl you gave me, I do have the one you found for my last nameday. Would you mind if I used that to buy an evening's celebration?"

"It is yours to do with as you wish, why should I mind? But there is nothing special about the first."

"No? Just how much trouble did it cost you in getting it? That in itself justifies its worth."

"Thank you. But apart from N'eth's supposed nameday, is there anything else we are celebrating?"

"There is something that I am hoping will be cause for celebration. We do have to talk, but not just now." For they had arrived at the meeting room. She led the way in.

Lord Axenfeld was there with his wife Cassia. As D'kor moved forward to greet the lord, Lytah headed for the lady. It was rare indeed that Lytah could strike up a rapport with anyone who was not a rider, especially a woman. This was one.

Cassia walked forward to meet her. "Well Lytah, that was an interesting experience."

"I offer my deepest apologies…" But she was cut off with a wave of a hand before Cassia pulled her to the side.

"Don't. In fact, you have done me a service by reminding me why it was that I chose to be wife to Axenfeld. As well as reminding him that there are other duties to that of lord holder ones."

"But the problems I caused."

"Will be dealt with as they arise, as always. Now come, introduce me to this flightleader of yours. Definitely easier on the eye than your wingleader." A moment during which Cassia seemed to be listening to the conversation between the two men. She leant close to whisper in Lytah's ear. "Easier on the ears too."

"Cassia." Axenfeld called as they approached. "This is D'kor, rider of bronze Zenth, flightleader of Fort."

"Greetings D'kor. It is nice to be able to put a face to the name." Lytah was more than aware of D'kor's look of query to her at that. "Yet my husband has informed me that you and your friends have arrived for celebration. And subsequently given us cause for one too."

"My duty to you Lady Cassia and thank you for accepting the disturbance with such good grace."

"That sort of disturbance I approve of anytime. Yet there is a nameday for one of your group? Then may I offer you our hold's hospitality to host a private party for you all?"

"I would not put you to so much trouble."

"No trouble at all flightleader. You would, in fact, be doing me honour. I have heard a great deal about this Alpha wing of yours and you would be allowing my curiosity to be satisfied."

Axenfeld entered the discussion. "I echo those sentiments. And assure you that nowhere in Tillek will you find a better serving of food, of both sea and land."

Lytah could tell from D'kor's serious regard that this matter was going to be discussed between them later. For the moment there was only his question. "So, what say you green rider?"

"The hospitality of the Lord and Lady holder of Tillek is one that should not be passed up lightly."

"Then it would be ill-mannered of me to refuse. On behalf of the members of the disbanded Alpha wing, I accept with gratitude your gracious offer with the hope that reality does not disappoint you."

Cassia clapped her hands in apparent delight. "Good! And you will all stay the night? To enjoy celebrations fully?"

D'kor shook his head. "That is asking far too much."

"Nonsense. Then that is settled. Now come Lytah, we have work to do."

That caught Lytah unprepared. "Pardon Cassia?"

"We can allow gentlemen to wear uniform to such a function but a lady may not. We have to find you a suitable dress and do something with your hair."

"A dress?" Lytah said. She then glared at D'kor on his muffled noise and decided that she was going to hit him if he actually laughed. His indication then was that he had no intention of saying anything even if obviously amused. "Cassia, I am no lady."

"Tonight you will be and I will broker no argument."

If this was a small private function, then Lytah didn't think that she wanted to know what a large one would be like. There must be over fifty people in the room, including those of her current and ex wings.

Axenfeld was right, the food at Tillek was some of the best she'd ever had and went well with some of their darker wines. She was actually one who enjoyed some of the stronger, more robust local produce. Due to the more acid soil here as compared to the lighter ones of Benden. But, she decided ruefully, it was going to be a while before she indulged fully in either. Instead she wandered around the room with the same glass she had started with, only occasionally taking a sip. It did get put down once in a while for a slow dance or two, again regretfully, leaving the more energetic jigs to others.

She had been standing here to the side for a little while now, watching the people. And one thing was becoming increasingly clear. Her current wingleader was not happy to have members of her old wing here. A situation that could only fester into problems once they got back home if allowed to continue.

The glass was put down with a sigh. So she could not allow it to continue. A word was needed with Ch'dan then. Not likely to be the most amicable she had had with him, but she needed to clear the air and now was going to be better than later.

She headed across to where he was standing apart from the others, all the while trying to work out how to ask him to walk outside with her without it being misconstrued.

D'kor was confused, a situation he found he did not like in the slightest. His relationship with Lytah could never be described as normal at the best of times and he was at a loss to work out what it was now. On one hand he got the impression that she approved of the level they had found themselves on, but that only seemed to apply outside the weyr. Back home it was a different story and she could never be pinned down long enough to discuss anything remotely personal. And if it wasn't for Natoth's seeming preference for Zenth, he may not even have got as far as he had.

He had taken a break from the feasting and dancing to find a moment for quiet reflection. But it had not helped, for this place was neither quiet nor reflective. He had just straightened with the thought that he might go for a walk outside, when he noticed that someone else had obviously had the same idea. Lytah. But why on earth was she going with Ch'dan? He felt his earlier thoughts when he noticed her heading to him a few minutes ago, darken. There was something going on here and he was going to find out what. How could she say on one hand the she was glad he was here and then go out of her way to defend Ch'dan? And now she was going outside with her wingleader when she had been avoiding her flightleader all evening.

D'kor was so focused in his crossing of the room that he almost ran into Cassia as she stopped in front of him. And though he wanted to be elsewhere, it would not be proper form to leave the Lady holder. He resigned himself to the change of plans even as he offered courteous greeting. Lytah would have to wait. Though not for long.

"Ah, D'kor. A moment of your time please. There is a slight problem of protocol I wish to discuss with you if I may?"

"Certainly Lady, if I can be of service."

"Please call me Cassia, as I hope you forgive me calling you D'kor. But I have heard so many words of you in these last few days that I feel we are old friends."

That was something D'kor found surprising. Cassia could only be referring to Lytah and he was unaware that the green rider had friends outside the weyr. Outside of Alpha wing, he would have even gone as far to suggest.

"Again, I would hope to live up to expectations. So, how can I help you?"

"I understand that children of hall and hold can foster at the weyr. But do children of dragon riders foster away from the weyr?"

"During a Pass, certainly. The whole occupation of the weyr is to keep dragon and rider in the air so there is little time to focus on children. It normally depends on the mother's weyr duties as she has sole responsibility if the father is a rider."

"And if the mother is a rider?"

D'kor had to think on that. He could not remember exactly how many children Nalaya had, but he was almost certain that none of them were at the weyr. "Then weyr responsibility usually means fostering."

"So on the understanding that you are now in charge of Fort weyr, it is to you that I seek to offer fostering?"

"V'kai is weyrleader, I am only second in command. But I can still be spoken to regarding such matters."

"Then at some later stage I would like to discuss with you about the possibility of fostering one of your rider's children. Of course I will have more discussions with Lytah before making a more formal application."

D'kor just felt the ground fall out from under him. It seemed to take an awful long time before he felt that he was thinking again.

He noticed Cassia's strange regard. "D'kor?"

"My apologies Cassia, you have given me news I was unaware of. Do I understand you correctly? Lytah is with child?"

"I understand that she has successfully passed the first trimester. Which is good news for her and her wingleader."

So her wingleader was the father. D'kor found it a hard fight to stay calm. Well, that certainly explained a few things. He fought the rise of anger to try for a civilized departure. "Then certainly approach Fort when you think it appropriate. Now please excuse me Cassia. There is something I need to attend to."

D'kor turned and strode from the room. T'men looked surprised as D'kor almost pushed him out of the entrance doorway, but D'kor was almost too preoccupied to notice.

"Zenth!"

Yes D'kor?

"The courtyard. Now. We are leaving."

But D'kor…

"I said now!"

Lytah had only just given a mental sigh to a relatively successful discussion with Ch'dan, when Natoth's worried thoughts intruded. Lytah, what happened?

It could not have been this meeting just now. "What do you mean?"

Zenth has just left Tillek and he says that he has never seen D'kor so furious. He was wondering if I knew anything.

Now what? D'kor had some interesting mood swings of late, and it was her that was supposed to be dealing with hormonal changes. She wondered what this one was about as she couldn't immediately bring to mind anything she had done wrong. Not that that meant a great deal.

"I cannot help you. Though ask Zenth to let me know when I might have a quiet talk with him. Meanwhile, I will see if anything happened here to upset his rider."

It took her a good few minutes and several short conversations for her to find out that D'kor had last spoken to the Lady holder. But she had to sit down and accept the juice Cassia pushed on her once she heard what they had discussed.

The liquid eased a suddenly dry mouth. "Cassia, you used the term wingleader?"

"I know you mentioned no names, just that the father was a rider, but I am sure you said that."

Lytah swore under her breath and Cassia started to look even more worried. "Lytah, what is wrong? Have I done something I should not have?"

"No Cassia, you are not to blame. It is just that I hadn't yet got around to telling D'kor that I am having his child."

"D'kor? Is he not your flightleader?"

"At the time I was just getting used to the idea of him being my wingleader and I still tend to think in those terms. Unfortunately D'kor himself is going to come up with Ch'dan, as my current wingleader. Which might explain his anger. Unless you can think of anything else?"

"No. Lytah, I haven't caused you any problems, have I?"

"Of course not. Any problems are my fault for procrastinating with the news. But I was told that things may not be certain until I at least got through Natoth's flight. I had planned on speaking to D'kor this evening. It will be a slightly different conversation now."

"You are heading back to Fort this evening?"

Lytah gave a slight smile. "There is not a lot of point actually. D'kor is likely to be more rational in the morning."

I think we should go now.

"Why is that Natoth?"

Zenth believes that it will be counterproductive to not sort it out straight away. D'kor is not one for whom letting a problem brew, works well.

"Be that as it may dear heart. I still need time to work out what I am going to say."

Lytah had planned on staying for the month, to see out her duties until threadfall for her wing. That expectation lasted just one sevenday.

She stood in the dining room of Fort and decided that if she actually tried to move, then she might fall instead. The only part of her that didn't feel numb was her mind, and not for the first time did she wonder why she was cursed with that ability. To remain calm and clear when all she wanted to do was scream at something. Or someone.

"Lytah." N'eth sounded as surprised as he felt herself. "I'm sorry. I really thought that you had been exaggerating."

She was amazed that when she could find her voice, it actually sounded normal. "I wish that it was so. Still, I suppose it is a relief in one way that I am right in that D'kor is ignoring me."

"Ignoring you!" N'eth sounded outraged as he took her by the arm to push her to sit on a nearby bench. "He acted then as if you didn't exist, as if he hadn't heard you."

"Nothing new in that. But I had to test it in public, to see how badly our relationship has been damaged. Pretty total, I would say."

"I wouldn't go quite that far."

"No? But then you have always been more optimistic than me. I'll go this afternoon though, I don't really need the public humiliation."

"To Benden hold?"

"I've decided not. As much as I like my aunt, I don't think I can cope with her for this situation. I'm accepting Cassia's invitation. So I would ask you and the others of Alpha to bring some of my stuff when you visit once I've settled. Which is why I am not bothering with good byes. I expect to see you all. Well, with one exception."

"And what do you want us to say if he asks?"

"I don't expect him to. D'kor has a very stubborn streak, as do I. He believes I have wronged him and I don't think that I have. Where is the ground for compromise there? But maybe it is for the best. Fort is likely to be better off without me."

"Not true. But you are coming back though?"

"N'eth, to be honest, I'm not thinking much beyond this next turn. But there is the possibility of going to Telgar. I might be able to give up Fort but I could never give up being a rider. Now, I must go and see V'kai."

She took comfort in his crushing embrace, fought hard the threat of tears.