Chapter Fifteen
The six Bronze and three Golden dragons with their riders appeared simultaneously above Landing's dig site. T'gellan on Monarth and Talina on Arwith were the first to land at the edge where eight buildings had been excavated down to the smooth stone walkways. T'gellan, who had seen the site only a sevenday before, marveled at the amount of work that had been accomplished.
"Dismount, quickly, Talina," he called over to the queen rider. "Nine dragons will not fit in this clearing." Monarth had already departed for the sunny heights above Landing as another queen and her rider landed.
Talina looked about her with awe as did the other woman who quickly dismounted. T'gellan bowed to the woman taking her by the elbow and escorting her to the first building. "Greetings rider of Miridath, I am T'gellan of Bend-"
"T'gellan of Benden", she cut in quickly, "you are legend!" She laughed huskily. "I am Volkona of Fort". Her dragon lifted and a bronze replaced her.
Talina came tripping up to the pair, as Arwith side stepped to make room for the third golden. T'gellan glanced at her then Arwith and back with hardness in his eyes until Arwith lifted. The rest of the riders were walking up from the meadow looking about their surroundings with amazement. T'gellan turned to Talina in a gesture of utmost respect, "Talina, rider of Golden Arwith; this is Volkona, Golden Miridath's rider of Fort. Volkona, taller and of greater size, faced the slight, dark beauty with her arms held out, palms down in greeting.
Talina hesitated only for a moment before lifting her arms in greeting and pressing her palms to the larger woman. "I greet you, Volkona of Fort."
"I greet you, Talina, Arwith's Rider of Benden," Volkona replied smoothly as she stepped back and locked her arm with the man who stepped up to her side. "This is Bronze Ioth's rider, F'nton of Fort.
F'nton had an easy smile and piercing blue eyes that surveyed Talina with obvious pleasure. "I greet you, Talina of Benden." He turned to T'gellan and both men gave the salute of equals then grasped each other's arms in familiarity. "It's good to see you again, T'gellan. N'ton sends his greeting."
T'gellan laughed heartily as he slapped the shorter man on the back. "Congratulations on making Wingleader in time to join this endeavor. It makes for two of N'ton's former Wingseconds."
They turned together to greet the other four bronze riders, while the two queen riders stepped back. P'wer, Bronze Boranth rider was from Ista and most likely the youngest rider. Nogirith's rider, S'form of High Reaches was a hatchmate of T'gellan's and conveyed his Weyrleader M'rand's greetings. The two of them greeted each other with the familiar embrace of brothers. K'lomar hailed from Telgar and rode Keith. H'rogan hailed from Igen and was Trebenath's rider. He was tanned dark with beetle black eyes and white, even teeth. He introduced his Weyrwoman, Delianna, rider of Golden Namanth. A tall blond of generous proportions, her appearance was reminiscent of Kylara but her smile was genuine as she greeted the other two Weyrwomen, matching Volkona in height and Talina in beauty.
With introductions completed and the air of suppressed excitement growing around the leaders of the next weyr of Pern they appraised their surroundings. Taking Talina's elbow, T'gellan led them into the one building he knew. It was the first in a semi-circle of buildings. Its use deemed to be a Harper Hall for the youngest of children. He was glad to see that the trestle table and benches were still in the front room. He escorted Talina to be seated first; P'wer was quick to sit next to her on the bench. H'rogan guided Delianna to sit next but put himself next to P'wer. S'form opted to sit opposite T'gellan and Talina. F'nton led Volkona to sit next to S'form then he took the spot next to her. K'lomar, by default, sat next to F'nton, pleased to be able to look directly at Delianna as well as turn his gaze to view Talina.
T'gellan nodded to himself evaluating where the riders seated themselves. He rolled the black marble with the bronze stripe inside his pocket then released the tube that was slung across his back. Pulling a scroll and unrolling it he began speaking, "Our first task will be to choose a site for our new Weyr".
S'form interrupted, "Don't we settle here, at the ancient's original site?"
T'gellan shook his head. "No, it's not big enough to hold a weyr and there'll be too much activity here. The other Weyrleaders agree that this site is the domain of all Pern as it is the site where our ancestors left their ships, the dawn sister stars." He pointed up, "to here, Landing. I was here five days ago and only this building had been excavated. Mastersmith Fanderel and Masterminer Nicat have flooded this area with their people but this part of the southern continent is still considered Dragonrider land. Here, take this end, K'lomar."
K'lomar stood to reach the scroll across the table. Delianna stood too, taking one edge and holding it down to the table.
"What thin hide, no this is paper!" she exclaimed as she smoothed her hand over the map.
"Yes, this is a copy of the map found in the space ship that brought our ancestors from the Dawn Sisters. One of the Harpermaster's journeymen drew this for our use. Talina run outside. Find some rocks so we can free our hands. All of us need to take a good look at this map". For a moment she hesitated, pursing her lips. P'wer nudged her as he swung a leg over the bench.
"C'mon Talina, let's collect rocks", he was already to the doorway where the slide had been propped open by a flat grey rock. "See," he said pointing at it, "They'll be easy to find." He didn't wait for her.
T'gellan gave her the same hard stare when Arwith hadn't made room for the other dragons until Talina rose gracefully and walked out the door.
"What we should do," Volkana said to cover the silent reprimand her new Weyrleader had just imposed on the other queen rider, "is move that bench and look at this map in the direction of the writing". She and the riders on her side stood as one and pushed the bench to the wall.
P'wer ran back into the room carrying one big, flat rock. "Look how easily this rock breaks up," he said as he brought it down on a raised knee which broke it neatly in half. He handed one half to H'rogan who snapped it and handed a piece to Delianna. She placed it on a corner as he placed the other, smoothing the curl of the paper. P'wer placed his two pieces on the other side. Talina had stepped next to P'wer at the near end as T'gellan had moved to the middle.
Several of the riders exclaimed awe at the size of the southern continent after each had located their own weyr in the north. "The Island of Ista is positively puny", P'wer said mostly to himself but he smiled broadly at Talina before turning his attention back to T'gellan.
"This is Landing, as it appeared when the ancients lived here. The harpers added Cove Hold and the other inhabited hold in the East: Paradise." He pointed at each mark on the map as he spoke. Tracing his finger along the coast until the spot marked Monaco Bay, he said, "This is another of the ancients' sites. It is a harbor with a functional jetty. Master Fandarel believes it is of the same durable construction as Boll's wharf, perhaps stronger. Master Idolaran plans to place a small fleet there. The Weyrleaders have accepted his request."
"Will we fight thread over all these sites?
"Of course; we fly all inhabited sites in the eastern part of the continent", T'gellan remarked as his hand slid along the coast from the Paradise River to Monaco Bay. Thread fell across Landing and Cove Hold five days ago. Thread isn't due to fall on our lands for 12 more days. In that time I expect a full six wings and a queen's wing to fight."
H'rogan spoke, "My wing is prepared to take any level; any position".
K'lomar added, "As can mine."
"I'd be glad for a right flank at either level", P'wer chimed in.
T'gellan looked from F'nton to S'form for their input, nodding his head with a big smile. "I see here four of us who have flown Fall Leader" he said as he pulled out his marble. S'form, H'rogan and K'lomar pulled their black marbles. "Volkona, as senior queen rider, I expect you to lead the queens wing. Will you pool our marbles for first Fall Leader?"
Volkona extended her hand and the four men put their marbles in her palm. She shook them between her hands then placed a marble in each of their extended hands. The black marble with the bronze stripe was deposited in H'rogan's hand. He enclosed it in his fist which he smacked into the palm of his left hand. Trebenath trumpeted from his perch on the heights. "Good", he beamed. The other bronze riders saluted him.
"By tomorrow, men, have your wing lists ready for H'rogan. Also, have the mates and families that wish to come south along with their craft levels for the queen riders. We'll see what we have for domestic and ancillary talents before recruiting". A few of the riders looked at each other then back at T'gellan with renewed admiration.
"Now, for today", T'gellan continued, "We'll break into groups of three and take a segment of coast. H'rogan, take Talina and F'nton to the Paradise River and fly the coast up to this headland. K'lomar, you take Delianna and S'form from Cove Hold up to the same point. Volkona and P'wer, we'll fly from Monaco Bay to Cove. Once we reach our destinations, we'll go to our respective weyrs until tomorrow at sixth hour, eastern. We will meet back here.
Delianna had scrolled the map and set it back in its tube. She handed it to T'gellan as all the riders exited the small room. Already several miners with long poles and smiths with various digging implements were swarming the area. T'gellan walked purposely down the meadow where Monarth, Trebenath and Keith were circling to land. H'rogan handed the black marble with the bronze stripe back to T'gellan who traded the plain black one back. He relayed, via Monarth, the coordinates to Paradise and Cove then hoisted himself to Monarth's neck. The three bronzes jumped to the sky simultaneously as the queens landed next.
T'gellan waited until the other two trios had popped between before giving the coordinates to Miridath and Boranth.
###
After T'gellan dismissed Volkona and P'wer he directed Monarth to Cove Hold. Monarth skip hopped to the water as T'gellan slung the riding straps over his shoulders. Soon, only his wake and bubbles showed where the big dragon was swimming. His rider watched until he surfaced beyond the point. T'gellan turned toward the wide veranda of the hold, F'nor was snoring from a hammock slung in a corner. His gear was spread on the floor beneath him. So much for discussing the new Weyr with the man who started Southern, T'gellan thought.
Leaving his gear on the banister he entered the main foyer which ran the length of the house. It was noticeably cooler. Once in the kitchen, he poured himself some fruit juice from the pitcher he found in the stone container and drank it down. It slackened his thirst and took the edge off his hunger. Loathed to eat Cove Hold's food, he knew that a meal would send him to sleep and he had too much to think about. T'gellan walked back through the main hall toward the Harpermaster's study.
"T'gellan! Come in!" Robinton's jovial voice called from his desk. "Congratulations Weyrleader."
"Acting Weyrleader, and I need to establish it before I can lead it", T'gellan replied as he entered the cool room and crossed to one of the comfortable wooden chairs in front of the Masterharper's desk. It was strewn with drawings, charts and artifacts. "You look well, Masterharper."
"Pease, call me Robinton, I am no longer the Masterharper. Have you met with the other riders to the new Weyr already?"
"Robinton", T'gellan murmured absently. "Yes, we met at the harper building at Landing then broke into groups to fly the coast. We'll meet again tomorrow and check some potential sites. I forgot how you sleep off the heat of the day, here. I wanted to speak to F'nor."
"Ah, yes, the founder of Southern Weyr. I suppose that F'nor would be an expert source," Robinton mused.
They both turned to the footfalls in the hall, "Robinton, you are supposed to be asleep, Oh! T'gellan!" Brekke stood at the doorway, awkwardly staring at the rider.
"I apologize for keeping your patient awake", T'gellan said as he rose. He expected her to shoo him out. Instead she joined them motioning for him to sit down. For the next hour the three spoke of known locations, the flora and fauna unique to Southern and logistics of holding not only dragonriders and their families but the crafts that would be needed to make this new Weyr self-sufficient. When F'nor woke, he joined them. Not until T'gellan crawled into a bed in a spare room at Cove Hold did he realize that none of them mentioned Mirrim.
###
A sea breeze buffeted off Monarth and Miridath as T'gellan and Volkona guided their dragons to land on a saddle of ground to the east of a series of cliffs that defined the far side of Monaco Bay. The grass on the saddle was sparse and short; the soil was sandy.
"The air is sweet and the sun heats my back." Monarth said as he landed and pawed at the ground with his forelegs. "Miridath is right; I do prefer this place."
T'gellan patted his dragon's neck. "The air is indeed sweet."
Volkona had already vaulted from Miridath who lifted to the lee side of the heights where the sun was shining. She was standing beside T'gellan's leg looking up. "Hmmm, yes. The air smells of part sea and part plant." She breathed deeply as he swung his leg over Monarth and landed next to her. Taking her by the elbow he led her out of the downdraft of Monarth's wings as he leapt to the air. He joined Miridath on the heights.
They were looking seaward down the gentle slope to the outer bay of Monaco. The ancient jetty was a grey line atop the deep blue expanse of water. The riders began walking toward the shore, surprised at the distance. The ground was evenly sandy with shallow outcrops of volcanic rock spotting the sparse, aromatic grass. As they approached the drop-off to the beach before the bay, Volkona remarked, "Not exactly a cave structure."
T'gellan kneeled and dug through the sandy ground before looking up at her, "True, but it meets more of our requirements than any of the other sites. It's coastal. Dragons can make wallows easily in this ground. We can build stone and mortar huts like Southern. There simply are no cave structures like Benden or Fort in this part of the southern continent".
"What about the plateau Talina and H'rogan found?"
"Too far inland. No road structure or water source. Everything would have to be hauled by dragon. We have to be self-sufficient." T'gellan straightened, put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. "Look to the left at that dark rock and the greener vegetation below it. There's our water source with a bit of work. All the crafters and holders can live on the other side of the saddle and the Weyrfolk on this side. There's a substantial river over there which empties into Monaco Bay, near that ancient jetty. Let's take a look". He gestured for her to walk beside him.
He continued to extol the virtues of the gentle slope of land as Volkona walked beside him. She enjoyed his easy stride and pleasant voice. Out of the six wingleaders, she believed that he was the most appropriate to lead this new Weyr. She was pleased that he continued to reinforce her first impression. If only Miridath could rise before Arwith.
As they crested the saddle, she paid more attention to T'gellan's discourse. He pointed out the river's orientation and the extent of its high water mark on both banks. There were wooded copse and stretches of grass. They walked past the more-prevalent outcrops of sharp, volcanic rock to the stretch of thicker, taller grass. T'gellan knelt again and tore up the grass by its roots exposing the darker, richer soil.
"Do you expect dragonmen to farm?" Volkona said as she knelt beside him and pulled the grass with its clump of soil into her own hands.
"Not us, but I plan to entice some hardy souls to start farming operations here. None of us will want to wait shipments of flour to come by sea just to have bread with our meat." T'gellan smiled as he sat back. "We need to find the right people to support our Weyr. People who won't panic because they're out in the open." He paused for a moment, dusting the dirt from his hands. "This is rich soil. It'll grow tubers bigger than my fist and this long growing season will mean two crops of wheat. We may eventually export to the north."
"Were you farm bred before searched?" Volkona asked as she sat beside him.
He chuckled in reply. "No, I was a child when F'nor brought Ramoth's first clutch back in time to Southern. We, all of us, were expected to make Southern operational. Now, that plateau had a suitable water source and full grown fruit trees. Some of the Weyrfolk started a small fishing fleet while others cleared land and grew grains and vegetables. Either by dragon or boat we'd head up or down the coast to forage as well".
Volkona chuckled while leaning back on her elbows. "I wondered at how you gained your self-reliance and knowledge of Southern. N'ton never mentioned your childhood."
"Aye, easier times as far as food and shelter went. We didn't have threadfalls in those days. When we returned to Benden with two more wings not only did we have the shock of Northern Climates and the immediate threat of Threadfall across all of the Northern Continent but the shift in time was telling on man and beast. When F'lar sent T'bor and Kylara back to Southern most of the Southern Weyrfolk returned with them for the chance of exploring, including my mother. I wanted to return but I was 12 turns and was put to Ramoth's next clutch. Lessa wanted young men to impress since fighting pairs were needed as soon as the dragons could go between but F'nor insisted I stand on the sands and Monarth chose me." Both riders, eyes unfocused, wore dreamy smiles as the sun shone on their upturned faces.
T'gellan leaned back too then looked at Volkona, appreciating her figure. He snorted. "Here am I complaining about a mere 20 year jump and you came Forward".
"From Benden, even", she replied, pleased that she surprised him. "I was searched out of Bitra for Falalath clutch. About a turn before we jumped to this pass, Miridath rose for the first time. D'troman's Ronueth caught her and I moved to Fort".
"T'ron and Madra's son was your weyrmate?!" T'gellan turned toward her.
"I thought at the time that they planned to step down with the end of the pass because Madra began training me before Miridath's eggs were laid. I hope my close association with the banished leaders doesn't . . . "
"Nonsense, Volkona," T'gellan laid a hand over hers. "All of you came forward 400 turns to help in this time and Madra was a great Weyrwoman. To know that you were trained in the care of dragons and weyr management by one of the best, why I would be proud to see you become Weyrwoman of our Weyr."
"With you as Weyrleader?"
"I would catch Miridath in a mating flight." Monarth added looking toward T'gellan far below him.
"Monarth's wingspan matches mine." Miridath added confidently to Volkona.
Volkona looked up at her golden dragon speculatively then rolled to her side to face T'gellan. "Talina says you had a green rider for a weyrmate before her."
T'gellan smiled slowly, "She means Mirrim. Mirrim and I were mates before she impressed Path."
Volkona's eyes popped in surprise, "the woman green rider of Benden. Will she join us in the Landing Weyr?"
"Eventually, I expect", T'gellan said. "Mirrim was raised in Southern and is a journeyman healer with quite extensive knowledge of dragon care as well. She was one of the first on Pern to impress a fire lizard. In fact she impressed three when F'nor found that first clutch. She'd be an asset to our Weyr."
Volkona smiled to herself, pleased that Talina's ruse to put her off seeking T'gellan's affection, failed. She lay back in the fragrant grass and gazed at the blue of the sky. "My brother was a green rider."
T'gellan was on his back gazing at the sky too. "Two from the same family is considered good luck. Did he come forward?"
"No, he stayed in the oldtimes at Benden. We were close in age growing up."
"Were you farm bred?"
"Gem cutters. When I was found on search my Pa said I could go on the condition that V'kon went too. If we hadn't impressed we were to be returned."
"Was that normal for your times?"
"It was the tail end of the pass. We were in training under our uncle and father, part of a dynasty. I suppose we would have served our craft after the pass but we both impressed", she was silent for a moment. "They're all long gone. I returned to our ancestral home in this time but the people there were no relation and not even jewelers. Not the Bitra I knew."
T'gellan rolled to his side again, facing Volkona, "Do you regret coming forward?"
"Miridath and I serve Pern better in this time," Volkona replied as she turned back toward him. T'gellan slid his hand from her shoulder to her hip pulling her toward him. She willingly leaned into him. He kissed her speculatively then both dragons on the heights warbled. Both riders laughed before submitting to their passion.
Later, as the sun shot red streamers across the western sky they awoke with their dragons beside them. "We must return to Fort," Miridath said to Volkona. She stretched languidly. As she dressed, T'gellan considered her.
He leaned against Monarth. "Do you think Miridath can rise before Arwith or Namanth?"
"All three queen riders believe that Arwith will rise first but Miridath and I have done what we can to rise before her," she winked before turning to mount her dragon.
"We must leave it to chance, then," he replied as he began dressing too. "It would be fitting to have you, Volkona, as Weyrwoman of the next Weyr of Pern.
She smiled wistfully from her mount on Miridath's neck. T'gellan stepped back instinctively as the golden dragon bunched for her initial jump to the sky. Monarth and T'gellan watched as the pair rose higher in the sky then winked out.
###
S'form, Delianna and T'gellan were flying from the river that emptied into Monaco Bay to the site that the ancients called Cardiff looking for herds of runner beasts west of the Bay. Both riders had been pleased with the site T'gellan was leaning toward. As they flew due west and inland from the site, they surveyed the ground for sign of animals. T'gellan flew to the north, Delianna on Namanth flew center and S'form on Nogirith was to the south.
"Another clearing ahead," Monarth said as he dipped. T'gellan leaned back watching though his dragon's eyes. "I see movement."
T'gellan and Monarth spiraled over the clearing. They counted several females with young and an angry buck who circled his harem while positioning himself directly under the flying pair. "More defense against wherrie behavior," T'gellan thought toward Monarth. "Mark it. They will be easy to catch once the stockyard is built." He looked south to the other two riders. They were circling over clearings below them. Monarth and T'gellan rose to see the river called Jordan to their west.
"This is as far west as we were going to fly today, Monarth. Tell Nogirith and Namanth to return to our site of origin."
"They will return on my mark." Monarth replied.
T'gellan hadn't realized how humid the air had become flying west until he smelled the sweet air of his Monaco site. All three dragons landed on the saddle of land between the soaring heights T'gellan had a momentary vision of all six wings in a semi circle below the saddle. There was room for twelve more. In that moment, T'gellan decided it was the location of their new Weyr.
Delianna had walked up beside him, standing in the same position as Volkana had only three days before. "Are you ready for some food?" she asked him while holding up a substantial basket.
"I could eat," he replied as he swung down from Monarth, landing neatly in front of her. He took the basket and Delianna's hand rushing her away from his dragon who had announced he was going for a swim. Monarth barely lifted from the saddle to fly close to the slope down to the bay. He dove neatly beneath it and they watched his form slice under the water until he raised his long neck above the waves. In the next instant, Nogirith and Namanth had left the heights to join him. As the dragons cavorted the riders sat around a small hearth that Volkona and S'form had built when they had first surveyed the site. There was still a supply of wood from the beach beside it.
Delianna pulled out a pot while S'form built up a small fire with driftwood. "Burning wood," she remarked with mock asperity.
"It burns as well as blackstone, and there's so much of it on the beach." S'form added a few more pieces then slid the pot onto a pole that he balanced between two forked posts supported by rocks.
Delianna passed around meat rolls which the men ate quickly. "Did you even taste them?" she remarked as she lifted the pot's lid with her gloves. Dropping in a supply of klah bark chunks, she set the lid quickly then sat back to enjoy her one meat roll. Both men were finishing their second before she took her first bite.
"Have you spoken to Wendel about setting up an infirmary?" T'gellan asked S'form.
"He's considering it," S'form replied after swallowing quickly. "Although Morilsuly was displeased; he is still annoyed that Benden took three of his healers and now you want another."
"The gall of that old man!" T'gellan replied with some gruffness. "Brekke and Mirrim don't count and Goren came of his own will when Formar swapped with him. I'd think he'd be pleased for Wendel to return to the southern continent and start an infirmary. He'd be capable."
"I think we can count on Wendel once he has spoken to Master Oldive for replacements. I bet in a few turns old Morri will want to come warm his bones on this very site." S'form pulled out a cup and used a glove to pour some of the klah into it. "Hmm, needs to steep more."
Delianna added, "Veena and her brother Carten have agreed to come. She's a seamstress and he is a tanner, also a friend of one H'rogan's blue riders.
While the klah steeped, sending forth whiffs of pungent steam, the riders continued discussions about kitchen help, farmers, herdsmen, miners, harpers, and possible Weyrlingmasters. T'gellan was finishing the last of his cup of klah as the other two rose on their dragons then disappeared to their respective weyrs.
Dumping the dregs and absently setting his mug next to the spent fire, T'gellan watched a few rollers far out to sea behind a series of natural breakers. Breathing deeply he turned to survey the lea side of the saddle. "That expanse facing the bay will be for the weyrs; we'll build wood and stone huts like Southern. We'll need masons for that," he spoke aloud to a drowsy Monarth. "We'll bring in a driller from Telgar to tap that natural seep for a source of fresh water."
"This side," he waved his hand over the copse of trees and grasses that gently sloped toward the river, "will be for the gardens, crafthalls, stockyards … I bet more of it is arable once we cut down those hardwood trees. As he walks along a grove of them he spied a clump of tiny pink flowers. He picked a stalk that ended in a burst of the fragrant little stars.
A sniff brought the memory of a restday that he and Mirrim enjoyed walking a trail through the same kind of trees in Lemos. Absently he noted that these southern trees were taller with bigger trunks. Mirrim had bent to pick this same kind of flower and tucked it behind her ear after raising it to his nose.
"A happier time, eh Monarth?" T'gellan looked toward his dragon sunning himself on the heights. He wasn't quite asleep but chose not to answer. Mirrim had wanted to show T'gellan the sear between the grove of trees that she and Path had cleared of thread. The pair had been so effective that by the time the groundcrew arrived adragonback, there was nothing for them to do but praise her and Path for how they had saved some of the best wood in Lemos' forest. Not as durable as broomtree but highly sought for cabinets, instruments and veneers because of their even and bold grain. Lord Asgenar had been so pleased that he had given her a belt knife in a jeweled sheath to express his Hold's gratitude.
Suddenly, T'gellan laughed because he knew what fine currency stood before him for the cost of drillers and masons.
"Namanth and her rider land," Monarth announced as he became fully awake. In the sunset T'gellan could see Delianna in a light gather gown standing alone on the saddle. She was looking toward the sea as he approached then turned toward him with an inviting smile.
"They make their bid to be Weyrleaders," T'gellan replied to Monarth's bugle of welcome as Namanth rose to his side. Impulsively, he tucked the flower spray into the thick golden waves of Delianna's hair, in the vicinity of her ear.
###
In the predawn, T'gellan woke under a rock overhang smelling a scent reminiscent of Mirrim. Delianna was nestled beside him. The wilted flower was still behind her ear and next to his nose. As he extricated himself, T'gellan picked up his clothing and walked out to the predawn southern skies so different from Benden but as comforting as the skies of his childhood.
Monarth and Namanth were deep in sleep. Each had made a separate wallow in the sandy ground facing the bay.
"A pity," T'gellan thought. "Arwith is going to rise first and my only competition will be H'rogan. If only Volkona or Delianna's queen would rise first. Either one of them would be a better Weyrwoman than Talina. But there'd be more competition." As he searched the eastern sky for the dawn sisters, T'gellan knew like the other bronzes and queens; leadership of this new Weyr would be left to chance. However chance was favoring Talina and T'gellan. The other bronzes were beginning to realize the perseverance and thankless hard work a new weyr in this remote eastern outcrop would be.
With a sudden realization, T'gellan turned westward and up. The Dawn Sisters were glowing, almost like the disks he knew them to actually be. He laughed aloud, "We are east of Landing!"
"That is obvious," Delianna replied as she walked up to him.
T'gellan picked her up at the waist and twirled her. "Eastern, that's our name and this is our Weyr!" T'gellan crowed. "We are so far east that the Dawn Sisters are west of us." He pointed up and Delianna looked up in time to see them before the sun spilled over the eastern ocean.
"Our new Weyr: Eastern." She smiled up at him as Namanth landed before them. "I should get back to my former Weyr. I suppose we should start moving in?" She arched one brow as Namanth bunched for her downsweep.
T'gellan closed his eyes to avoid grit in them then plopped down on the sandy ground feeling the sun's rays on his face, all thoughts on establishing this weyr before Arwith rose.