Disclaimer: Pern and its inhabitants are the property of the late, great Ann McCaffrey. Most of these characters in this story are the creation of Ann McCaffrey. A portion of Ann McCaffrey's Dragonrider Ballard appears in this chapter.

Chapter Eighteen

Talina roused when Arwith rumbled. "I lay my eggs in sand. Eastern and". Sand at this weyr is warm without under-heat." Talina rolled covers over her head. For the last month she had argued with her dragon and the leaders of Eastern over where Arwith would lay her eggs. T'gellan insisted that P'wer continue the plans on the seaside. Talina, instead, used vital manpower to not only clear the rich soil from the flattest spot on the river side but demanded they used draft animals to haul huge quantities of sand. The Weyrfolk grumbled because flat surfaces would have made good foundations for homes and other buildings. Some looked longingly at the wide expanse of tawny sand that could have been where they slept and their children took Harper lessons while others looked at their Weyrwoman then shook their heads. Why did dragonriders have to be so self centered?

"I have many more eggs to leave on this warm under-heat sand," Arwith said smugly.

With sudden realization, Talina sprang from her double cot and hurried on a light dress forgetting the new gown she had commissioned when the eggs were laid. "She didn't wake me," she thought to herself, "Scorch and sear her disloyal hide". She exited her cave falling in step with the excited Weyrfolk who were walking toward the seaside of the saddle and up toward P'wer's bathhouse. He had finished the hypocaust system behind the long stone building. And, it was full daylight, "Scorch her hide black," she thought again.

The bronze and other queen riders were atop the bathhouse facing the sandy bowl and cheering. Delianna and Volkona flanked T'gellan. All the people on the roof suddenly cheered, raising their fists into the air as the growing roar of the Weyrfolk reached her ears. Then the booming of the dragons shook the ground. They were lining the cliffs above the bowl. Their bronze, gold, brown, blue and green forms dappling the crags and spires like spatters of iridescent paint on a striated grey wall. Quickly she hiked her skirt climbing the ladder to the roof. As she rose to the top, P'wer grabbed her by the armpits, hoisting her to the roof. Exuberantly, he first hugged her then twirled with her a few times.

"I told you, I told you," he cried happily. "Arwith does prefer my hatching grounds." He let her go abruptly to link arms and spin with H'rogan then F'nton. Talina straightened her gown then marched to where T'gellan stood. He had just finished hugging and kissing Delianna and was in the process of kissing Volkona as she tapped his arm.

T'gellan's face was wildly happy as he released Volkona and lifted her over his head. "Gold, Talina! Arwith produced a gold!" He laughed crazily and held her close for a passionate kiss. He had barely touched her since the day Monarth flew Arwith and she was unsteady as he released her but kept hold of one hand. She faced the crowd lining the bowl where off to the side Arwith was straining to lay another egg. In that undignified position Arwith lifted her long neck to the sky and stretched her tail behind her. She lifted her hind legs and stepped forward to reveal another mottled egg.

"That's the twelfth," Volkona said as she pressed a charcoal stick to the paper held to a flat wooden tray. "I'd wager that one is a bronze too."

"I can take over that task, Volkona," Talina said with more antagonism than she meant to reveal, reaching for the tray.

"Don't be silly, Weyrwoman," Volkona replied with amenity. "Stand next to the Weyrleader, look pretty and triumphant. Arwith has laid a golden and at least four bronze eggs and I'd wager that she's not half done."

Talina sputtered as T'gellan's hand let go of hers to pull her by the waist to his side. He nuzzled her ear somewhat seductively as he hissed, "For the sake of your dragon's hide, woman, take Volkona's advice. Our Weyr, our very future rides on these eggs. At least look pleased." As he straightened, the excitement still on his face, he threw back his head and cheered as Arwith bunched for another egg. She looked back to the left but K'lomar had stepped between her and Volkona. He gave her a severe look then out to the sands, smiling. She had no choice but to face the crowds, her Weyrfolk, and show some sort of positive emotion that Eastern's first clutch boasted a golden egg.

That evening, as T'gellan took her elbow to escort her to the head table, she did not have to pretend her smugness; Arwith had laid 30 eggs. Riders were inclining their heads as they passed, looking directly at her with admiration for the first time. Even the commoners were smiling directly at her.

T'gellan placed her between F'nton and H'rogan at the head table then stepped away to speak to one of the herders who was approaching. She looked first to H'rogan who smiled cordially as he congratulated her and Arwith. F'nton echoed H'rogan's sentiments. Riders formed a line past her; each saying something congratulatory as he passed.

Meanwhile, Volkona moved beside T'gellan as he finished assuring several of the landsmen that the riverside hatching grounds were now theirs for whatever use they wanted. She nodded assuredly to the dour faces.

"Come now, Vetner, Olney," she said nodding to each landsman. "This particular difficulty with the Queen dragon is over. We simply didn't know where she would lay her eggs. It's not like a runner or herder beast that you can pen in. How do you expect us to pen in the sky?"

Vetner harrumphed while Olney kicked his boot into the gravel of the walkway. "Aye, Weyrwoman Volkona," Olny said looking directly at her. "Will'ya be taking any other tracts on this side or will it be as The Weyrleader says?"

"You have my word," T'gellan cut in. "With the exception of the infirmary and mess hall, which are shared; this side of the saddle is under your control."

Vetner frowned, "Hard to believe, after all the work your folk made us do dumping sand over arable land."

Volkona watched T'gellan's jaw work then he smoothly answered, "You have every right to doubt us, Vetner. But please consider this; the land is as new to us as it is to you. Four months ago, there was a grove of trees where we now stand and that sandy spot were hardly level."

"The Weyrleader makes sense," said a woman who chose that moment to walk between the dragon riders and landsmen. Stout, with a broad face and graying blond hair in a severe bun atop her head, she grinned up at the group, "Before today, I'd never seen a dragon egg, let alone watch one be laid."

Olney added, "Yes, Valta. It was incredible to see."

"And wait until the hatching! Why it will be your young standing on the sands before those eggs," Volkona added.

Vetner brightened for a moment, "I suppose. I'd never been to a hatching."

"As much as you have never lived so close to dragons and their riders, remember that they have not always been so near to our ways either," Valta added as she hooked her arm into Olney's. "Creating a living out of this rough country is going to take more than the hard work we've all been putting in. This'll take closer cooperation than any of us have ever had to bring."

"Thank you Headwoman Valta," T'gellan said genuinely. "We are all of Eastern Weyr. I must say I intend to give your way of thinking more weight."

Valta beamed. Vetner threaded his arm into Valta's free arm bowing slightly, "Aye, I suppose that Weyrwoman Talina had to answer to her golden. She'd been so adamant that I have to say I was a bit offended when the egg laying was at t'other site. But it's all to the better now."

Valta added quickly, "It'll be to the better that you sit to the tables so's we can begin the feast."

"Yes," Volkona agreed as she took T'gellan's arm pulling him back to the Weyrleaders' table. T'gellan's demeanor darkened.

"I should beat Talina publicly tonight," he snarled. Delianna appeared before him looking first at him then to Volkona. They stopped while still in a spot unlit by the torches.

"Did you ask him?" Delianna looked to Volkona.

T'gellan unlinked his arm and moved so he could look at both golden riders' faces. "If you're asking if she pleaded that I don't box the head herder's ears, I complied without the request," he spat.

Volkona shook her head and looked down for a moment, "Delianna and I want to plan the first hatching."

"Talina barely had the tact to get Arwith's eggs to the sands," Delianna added. "Please, T'gellan, tell us we can override her. It has been tricky keeping these people from choking her this past month."

T'gellan held up his hands defensively, "I know but we had to have those eggs safe before I meted any discipline on Talina. I can apply a bit more now that a golden egg lies on the sands. I believe the two of you would bring more than honor with your plans for the first hatching. I suppose neither of you would want to include her?"

Both women looked stricken which made T'gellan chuckle. "I won't announce it tonight but you have my authority to plan events for the hatching." Both women smiled in relief. "What are your thoughts on putting more girls on the sands?"

"You plan to put girls to the green eggs!" Volkona answered. "I am pleased, more than pleased!"

Delianna looked thoughtful before adding, "Yes, Igen now boasts four women green riders since Path's rider of Benden… You know, T'gellan, Talina dislikes your Mirrim."

"I'd call it envy," Volkona interjected.

"Well there's never a more advantageous time to control a queen rider as when her dragon has eggs hardening," Delianna added while looking directly at T'gellan trying to gauge his reaction. "Talina's aversion could work to your advantage."

T'gellan smiled pleasantly, "I thank you for your advice on how to handle the Weyrwoman. I believe I have the ability to persuade her to act accordingly." He bowed and both queen riders knew that he had accepted their request as well as dismiss them. Each bobbed a curtsy, turned and skipped to the Weyrleaders' table. S'form stepped from the shadows into T'gellan's view.

"Please let me and especially P'wer be present when you do turn Talina onto your knee, for a beating is what that girl needs."

T'gellan chuckled while clouting S'form on the back, "I expect my powers of leadership are enough that it never comes to pass."

"I will share with you an insight," S'form said while lowering his voice and stepping closer to his hatchmate. "Talina has complained to me more than once that you never let her stay within the walls of your weyr to daybreak." S'form shrugged and stepped back into the torchlight taking his seat beside K'lomar and his latest woman.

H'rogan abruptly left his seat next to Talina. Without his constant chatter, Talina caught a snip of Delianna and Volkona's conversation about seating at the seaside bowl. A fury boiled up from her belly. What right did they have in planning this hatching? She was not going to allow any Oldtimer customs on Arwith's eggs.

"Don't suppose your Igen plans on the First Hatching, Delianna," Talina tried to say quietly.

"Nonsense," Volkona interrupted, "We plan new, Eastern customs for this First Hatching." She said it loud enough for the bronze riders to hear. Talina was certain she did it with malice. At least T'gellan, who was walking up to his seat beside her, scowled at Volkona first before directing his reprimanding gaze upon her. Talina straightened, facing T'gellan waiting to assert her right as Eastern's Premier Weyrwoman.

Instead he softened, "Come to my weyr tonight, Talina. Tonight, especially, we should be together. But right now, it is time for celebration." He held his hand out to her. "Weyrwoman, we cannot begin this feast until you confirm the count!"

She smiled delightedly. Too often he had sided with the others. Deference from everyone was owed Arwith and her rider tonight, even the Weyrleader. She stood then stepped upon the bench holding her arms high. As on cue the crowds quieted. As loudly as she could she stated "I present to the Weyr Golden Arwith's clutch by Bronze Monarth. Thirty eggs: amongst them a queen. Our Weyr grows!'

The cheering palpitated the air. Then the singing began: "Oh tongue, give sound to Joy and Sing! Of Hope and Promise on Dragonwing."

###

The festivities were beginning to wind down when T'gellan beckoned to Talina. She graciously laced her delicate fingers with his roughened digits. They walked over the saddle then along the walled path to his stone weyr. Monarth was stretched along the side of the building. His head, resting on his forelegs, tilted slightly away from the door which was constructed of two wooden panels. T'gellan pushed through them into a rectangular room that boasted a long table with benches. Denied his conference room, he had revised the construction of his weyr to hold councils.

"C'mon," he said, dropping her hand and signaling her to follow. He pushed aside a heavy curtain then unshielded a glow basket to bathe light on a smaller room. His cot was under a large, deep-sash window. He put the basket on the press adjacent to the cot as he leaned over it to slide a series of thin strips of overlapping wood across the window. Once the room was effectively sealed, he turned to her.

Talina released the clasp at the nape of her neck and let her gown fall. She stepped out of it and walked toward T'gellan who had removed his clothes. He held her tenderly then picked her up and rested her on the cot.

Since coming to Eastern, Talina allowed herself only the Bronze Wingleaders. She considered T'gellan a solicitous and thorough lover. On those occasions when she could entice him to her weyr, the surprise was his keenness to pleasure her. H'rogan was definitely the most energetic; P'wer the most appreciative but T'gellan knew how to bring sensations to her body that were evocative of a mating flight. Tonight T'gellan was more thorough than usual. As she lay wrapped in the soft furs and in his arms afterwards, she was certain he was asleep. She couldn't help giggling. She was going to wake up with him, in his weyr. No woman, to her knowledge, had managed that but Mirrim.

A wintry, commanding voice broke her reverie. "I tell you now, Talina, Delianna and Volkona are in charge of First Hatching."

Before she could launch a protest, he continued, "Do not speak. Your behavior since the mating has been deplorable. I tell you now, Talina, you will not order any more people to do so much as carry water. I catch you even trying to tell a drudge what work to do; I will publicly set you over my knee like a three-turner. You will abandon that flat spot on the river side to the non-dragon folk. You will set up living quarters next to Arwith's eggs until they hatch. And, we will put girls to the green eggs."

Talina felt the burn in her belly and as she tried to rise. She found that he had swaddled her in the furs. Angrily she spat out, "There will be no girls on the hatching grounds except around the queen egg. I will not be responsible for another girl green rider on Pern."

"You have no say in the matter. Ask Arwith."

Talina tired to twist out of the cocoon but she was trapped. "I am The Weyrwoman; I will have my say in this matter. No women green riders at Eastern!"

"The Queen and Bronze riders are of one mind. You have been negligent toward your duties. You will defer to the judgment of those with more experience and dedication until you prove true worthiness of a Weyrwoman."

"I won the right of Weyrwoman when Arwith rose first."

"Yes, we both won our leadership but now we must prove worthy to these people or we will lose it. And you are causing these people to question their decision to leave established homes to come to this wilderness. I tell you now, you will comply or you will be replaced. T'gellan rolled over her, pinning her, "One more thing, I am inviting Mirrim to Eastern."

"No, No, NO!" Talina's impotent rage pored through that dissent. "You want my compliance with Delianna and Volkona then you will have it only if that woman never sets foot in my Weyr. You will not bring Mrrim here!"

"Done." T'gellan said with toneless finality. He rolled off of her and was silent.

Talina struggled to extricate herself from the furs to no avail. "T'gellan! Get me out of these furs."

"No"

"I agreed to your demands. You have made your point. Release me."

"Talina, we are bound to each other as Weyrleaders and I have had to endure the bounds of your ineptitudes until that golden egg was counted. You can endure the stricture for one night. Go to sleep."

Even in her anger, Talina had to admire T'gellan's tactics against her. He had lulled her into complacency, enforced his will and bound her to an agreement she had never meant to accede. He had even allowed her the empty victory of emerging publicly from his weyr in the morning. Her fuming cooled to musing. He merely mentioned his former lover's name and she cracked like a green's egg. She couldn't feel completely abused. T'gellan had guided her to his will like markers between. "You may have your victory over me, Weyrleader but I will exact this price," thought Talina. "I will be your biddable Weyrwoman but you will not ever bring that woman to this bed. I promise you that upon the shell of my Queen."

Cruelty tinged her next statement. "Did you hear that Path rose yesterday? F'lar set lots at 30 riders and the trading was high, even to a brown or two at High Reaches and a Telgar blue." Talina knew T'gellan had registered her statement because he stiffened. He did not reply. "I'm trying to remember who rode her. I guess it doesn't matter." Soon the silence lulled her into slumber. The man beside her was not so fortunate.