G'ny instructed Saleneth to make a wide loop down to the caldera of the Igen Weyr so they could fully take in their new home for the near foreseeable future. The bright desert sun was blinding, assailing her with even greater ferocity when reflected off of the shallow Weyr lake. When they landed in the Courtyard, a tall woman with dark hair and long, tanned features awaited them with crossed arms.

"G'ny, rider of green Saleneth, reporting from High Reaches Weyr," G'ny announced.

"Goodness me," the woman exclaimed, visibly taken aback. "When Allika said she had an insubordinate green rider who needed to better appreciate the niceties of Weyrs, I knew that description was probably a little hyperbolic, but this? A green female rider. And of such a majestic specimen at that? Interesting coloring." The woman eyed her closely. "Jealousy, wasn't it? She sent you away out of jealousy? I've always seen that vice rearing its ugly head in that woman."

"Ah, probably," G'ny sighed, feeling duty bound not to complain about her Werywoman.

"Well, we can always use an extra hand around here, especially with our reduced numbers. Are you hungry? It's just about lunch time, after which will be the Council meeting, at which I will have to introduce you. Which, silly me, I am Vowna, Weyrwoman of Igen, queenrider of gold Ganebeth. Pleased to have you here." G'ny was relieved at her warm welcome.

"Thank you, I hadn't gotten a chance to touch my breakfast when I was interrupted. I appreciate it." G'ny accepted. The food selection at Igen was a colorful change from the usual spread at High Reaches. Brightly colored fruits were plentifully laid out on the serving table. G'ny was especially enticed by a melon with a hard, outer rind and a soft, orange interior flesh. These delicacies very seldom made their way up to High Reaches. The cold of between often turned the fruit and it was a long trip adragonback. G'ny understood why Allika requested regularly flown supply runs from the area as part of her exile. It would be both fatiguing for G'ny and rewarding for Allika. Still, she doubted that the rest of her Weyr would see much of the treats she brought. The refreshing fruits helped soothe her already parched throat, and G'ny took an extra couple swigs of water for good measure before it was time to head to the Council Chambers.

"Hello," G'ny gave a curt bow. "Please, assign me wherever you see fit. I can fly both formation and reconnaissance, but I can also be put to work in the kitchens. I was a Holder before I was a dragonrider, and a Wingsecond before the change in Weyr leadership." G'ny listed her abilities.

"I've been thinking," Vowna said slowly, "have you tried your hand and weyrwoman duties?"

"No ma'am, but I can read, write, and count well. The necessary skills seem very akin to those I left behind as a Holder."

"And you seem to have taken easily to your other variety of duties. Without the support of a junior weyrwoman, I could use some extra help running this Weyr, what do you say?"

"It would be an honor, Weyrwoman," G'ny replied.

"It's settled then," B'don, the Weyrleader announced. "G'ny we are happy to have you on board. Say, with your experience as a Wingsecond, would you like to observe our strategy today, maybe compare notes about how matters were managed under T'tor? Vowna, you wouldn't mind waiting an extra hour for your new helper to join you, would you?" A boyish glimmer had grown in his eye.

"No, not at all. G'ny, go ahead and meet me one level below in the Records room when you are set free," Vowna instructed.

Now, three days after her initial introduction into the Weyr, G'ny decided it was time to assimilate beyond the charity of the Weyrleaders, just as she had done at High Reaches. At least then they were all in weyrling training together. It would be a little different here, as her peers already had established routines, in as far as she had peers here.

So much for her plan, she thought after a long afternoon during which stayed late into the evening pouring over the hidebound archives of Igen history. She stumbled out from the dim but sufficiently lit Archive Room into the Kitchen just in time for the last remains of supper. Without Lawana looking out for her, there was no pre-made plate carefully curated when her absence was noticed from the main meal time. She modestly loaded up a plate, filled a mug halfway with the mead that always seemed to flow at Igen, and looked dubiously around the Great Hall for comrades with whom she could sit. In the corner, a dark-haired, larger fellow sitting with two other riders caught her eye and beckoned her over.

"Well hello there, newcomer," he bellowed gregariously. "Come, sit with us, how are you liking Igen Weyr?"

"It's been lovely," G'ny replied, "The food is especially fine." She reviewed, holding up a spoonful of a fruity spread she was about to slather on the slice of roast wherry she had procured.

"Good, good, well, I'm A'jan, and these are my mates, B'ran and M'cal. We were just sharing some mead, do you have any? Oh good, you have a mug. No, you know what, let me top you off." A'jan filled her mug to the brim with a bottle waiting at the ready at their table. "You can't have more you have to do tonight, right? That's what I thought. No way Vowna would work you that hard in your first few days here!"

"Ha, thank you," G'ny said raising her mug to them.

"To you, newcomer from High Reaches!" A'jan toasted. His companions indulgently raised their mugs in solidarity. "Let's see now, I am rider of blue Olith. B'ran rides brown Saneth, and M'cal green Malleth. You just let us know if you need anything!" A'jan offered, his chest swelling. B'ran imperceptibly shook his head at his companion's forwardness, while M'cal nodded eagerly.

While A'jan leaned in for a small aside to M'cal, G'ny took a chance with the reserved one of the trio. "Not many women riders here either?" She hazarded casting a bemused expression in B'ran's direction.

"Ha, no. If you'll excuse me, my Wingleader said something about extra drills in the morning, so I really need to get some sleep." B'ran replied as way of excusing himself.

"Of course, nice to meet you B'ran," G'ny called and turned her attention to her remaining companions. "So, A'jan, M'cal, what kinds of drills do you fly, or like flying, over Igen?..."

The lights in the Great Hall were but a mere glow by the time G'ny stumbled up to her appointed quarters. The boys had offered to accompany her to make sure she arrived safely, but she politely declined. Unlike in High Reaches, her room was internal and separated from Saleneth's weyr. She missed the connection with her dragon, especially in such a foreign place.

The next morning, G'ny was gladder than ever for the relaxed mornings the Weyrleaders had afforded her. Usually, she took advantage of the two hours between breakfast to exercise and fly with her dragon if she didn't have an appointment with B'don. Following her late night session with A'jan and M'cal, however, she took the opportunity to finish up her beauty rest. Although she initially stirred at her usual hour, she rolled over after a quick roll call with her dragon. Saleneth, would you remind me - a hard cap of no more than three cups of mead before bed? She could hear the dragon's equivalent of a snicker. What are you up to this morning? Will you get in our usual laps? I'm sorry I don't think I'm up to joining you today. G'ny regretted.

I'm a little hungry, do you think I could get a few herdbeasts if I do?

Sure, B'don said to make yourself at home, maybe go for the smaller, but non-juvenile ones?

Okay, got it.

Come wake me if I'm not up by the time it's 10:00? That gives me what, another three hours of mercy?

Fine, and yes, I think so, Saleneth agreed.

You're the best.

Of course I am, was the smug reply.