A PERN NOVEL

Where Dragon Dare to Fly

Laura Winterfeldt & Cyndy Johnson

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Introducation

            Where Dragon Dare to Fly was started by my mother years ago around 1997. She had an idea to write a story about what happened to Pern after Thread was gone and I joined not long after. I introduced my four wolves, Segarra, Alynn, Aria and Emger into the story and we kept going. The wolves may seem different then what some of you are use to and the ending is unfinished and a bit confusing, probably. Segarra’s mating run is still in the story but I’ve long abandoned the idea of mating runs for the wolves and having such a strong effect on the bonds (in this case, J’tha and Yakima). The hatching was corrupted (chapter 10) which is as disapointing as losing the first chapter and a few others.

            Pern is © to Anne McCaffrey. This novel is the result of two fans before The Skies of Pern was writtten.

            For people that know of Falas Weyr, you will know that J’tha became one of my princple characters there and was joined by more then one of the characters you will find in this story. Seneca was meant to replace Segarra (hence why she was white, too). J’tha’s bronze was still Bendar, his dragon was still a sunset named Zenith (just smaller and the son of Ruth). This is only for your couriosity as I have nothing else I can do with this story save putz around with it now and then to edit it for no reason as it will never be officially published.

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I

(Chapter Lost)

 

II

            “Segarra?” Jaxom called quietly. “Segarra wake up.” Segarra opened her eyes to stare at him. It was afternoon and she had gone to bed just that morning. She had been up all night running errands and delivering messages. She was not at all happy about being woke up.

            “This better be important,” she said raising her sleepy head.

            Jaxom nodded slowly. “Ruth and I wanted to know how Pern would turn out after all our work to eliminate Thread so we went forward in time. What we saw was not good. Pern is in trouble and needs our help. I have found a way to save Pern, but I need your help. “

            “With what?” she asked curiously.

            “I will need you to go to the future. Come with me.” Segarra followed him outside where his old white dragon, Ruth, was waiting.

            “Listen to me carefully.  Ruth will give you an image of the place you need to go. You will be going between times and you need to be accurate in the jump.” Segarra nodded understandingly.  She knew she would need this image since she would be going somewhere she had not been before. Jaxom told Segarra all he had seen in his jump forward in time. “Now, this is your assignment. Search Pern and find someone, anyone, who still understands the fire lizards. Since fire lizards are wary of humans and stay to themselves you may need some help getting their trust. I have asked Ruth to get the help of a willing fire lizard. He has found Farli, Piemur's queen. When the person you seek has been found you must return to me and tell me who it is.  Farli is going to stay and arrange a time and place for you to meet the person. Eventually I will be needing you to go the future and stay for a while to help this person with knowledge they no longer know. Are you willing to do this?”

            “Yes, if it will help Pern.” she said. Farli appeared at Ruth's beckon and settled on Segarra's back. Then Segarra took a deep breath. Okay Ruth, give me the image. The white dragon gave her the image and she took to flight. As she reached the preferred height to transfer, she looked down at Jaxom and Ruth who were looking at her, and waiting anxiously. Then she went between.

 

            Segarra came out above the Star Stone at Benden Weyr. It was late and the sun was setting. Even though Jaxom had warned her about the condition of the Weyr she was surprised to see it so desolated. The Weyr looked dead. Segarra hovered above the empty Weyr as if expecting something extraordinary to happen.

            Farli left her perch on Segarra's back and began flying low over the Weyr emitting a soft crooning sound. It echoed in the desolation of the place. Soon hesitant, but curious heads could be seen peaking out of nooks and crannies in the cliff walls. Farli continued to reassure the fire lizards and to explain to them who they were and why they had come.

            Suddenly the air was filled with fire lizards all chirping happily. Segarra looked at them with a weary smile. She landed on what had been the feeding grounds long ago.

“I need help,” she said when the group had settled down enough to speak to them. “I need to find a person who still is able to communicate with you. In all of Pern is there a person who still possess this ability?” One bronze nodded his head and began chirping excitedly. He sent Segarra an image of a town. Segarra could see the familiar layout of Landing in the background.

            “Good, lets us go and try and find this person.” Segarra said indicating that the bronze should come with her. After the bronze had settled on her back and he had given her the image of the place, she took to the air and they went between. Farli stayed behind to answer the bombardment of questions the native fire lizards were asking.

            Segarra and the bronze reappeared over the deserted part of town that was the original town of Landing. They landed and quietly headed for the main town making sure they would not be seen. The little bronze, perched on Segarra's back, directed her to a window of one of the buildings. The fire lizard chirped excitedly as she pointed out the boy inside and Segarra had to hush him to keep from being seen. She concentrated on memorizing the boy's face so she could relay an accurate image to Jaxom. It was nearly morning when Segarra learned the boy’s name. ‘Jedtha’; her keen eyes spotted it written on one of his school computer disks. The bronze had disappeared after he had done his job and returned to the Weyr to hear the tales that Farli was telling his friends.

            Segarra leaped into the air and disappeared just as the sun came up.

 

            “Jaxom! Jaxom! I found him and his name is Jedtha!” Segarra cried happily bounding up to him the afternoon that she got back at Ruatha Hold.

            “Good. Thank you.  I'll need you to run more errands latter this week so rest up and don't get lost.”  Jaxom said with a slight smile on his face seeing her so energetically pleased with herself. Her wolfish features went suddenly pale.

            “I'll have to get back to Benden immediately. How long was I gone?” she asked with a touch of fear in her voice.

            Jaxom chuckled. “A full day.”

            “Great. I'm going to be in big trouble with Lessa.” She ran out of the hold as fast as she could hoping she had not incited the Weyrwomans anger.

 

            Back at Benden Weyr Segarra confronted Lessa.

            “Where have you been today?” Lessa asked as Segarra tried to sneak into the weyr.

            “With Jaxom,” she answered truthfully. “I was doing an errand for him.”

            “What did Jaxom need you for?”

            “Lessa, you don't have to be so hard on her,” F'lar said entering the chamber. “You can go to your room if you wish,” he said to Segarra.  She nodded at F'lar, the old Weyrleader, with a look of pure relief. As she left the room she heard them talking about her.

            “I'm worried about her safety," Lessa said. Segarra was too far out of the room to hear F'lar's reply

 

            A few  days after her first jump forward, she meet Jaxom at Ruatha. He instructed her that she was to carry a box he had, forward in time to Jedtha's house and put it somewhere inconspicuous and help Jedtha find it. Segarra nodded and took the rope in her mouth that was tightly secured to the box. She took to a step away and jumped into the air spreading her wings and gaining height. She circled over the hold one time and disappeared.

            Moments later she was hovering above the house where Jedtha lived.  It was late afternoon and no one was around. She went between once more and was inside the house. Segarra wandered the halls looking in rooms until she came to a door at the end of a hallway. She opened the door and  stepped inside. This was definitely a storage room.  She closed the door behind her. Boxes were stored on shelves in  four rows. Segarra placed the box on an empty space. She carefully undid the rope using her teeth and left a  loop in it. Then  she placed the rope's loop around her neck. She managed to partly conceal the box with other boxes.

            Suddenly she heard footsteps coming down the hall.  She sensed that Jedtha was coming. Using her telepathic ability, she started to call the boy. Just a faint whisper in the boys head.

            Jedtha found his way to the storage room and began to look around. Segarra continued to direct him until he found the box she had brought.  She watched as he searched through its contents and came across the book. After replacing the other items Jedtha took the book and left heading for his room. Segarra then winked between still on the ground.

            As soon as she was above Ruatha again, she spread her wings to keep herself from plummeting to the ground below. She spotted Ruth was on the fire heights sunning himself. He raised his head and bugled  a welcome.

            You have been gone a whole week! he told her as she circled to land. Great. How was she going to explain this to F'lar and Lessa!

            “You’re finally back!” Jaxom exclaimed, coming out of the Hold to great her. “I guess you miss judged your leap between.”

            Segarra nodded grimly. “I left in a hurry. I didn't select my time very well. I didn't want to be seen and....”

            “Never mind that. You better be prepared to tell Lessa something, she will not be happy. I need you to meet me in the desert of Keroon by the large boulder that sits on the southern end. Do you know the spot.?” Jaxom asked to be sure Segarra would get there.

            “Yes I have flown over it often.”

            “Good, meet me there tomorrow, at noon, when the sun is warmest. I have thirty-six dragon eggs that must be transported to the future. Can you get help to handle all of them? They must be trustworthy to keep this to themselves.”

            “Thirty-six eggs!” Segarra stared at him in disbelief. “I'll get help to move them , but...where did you get the eggs?”

            “Ruth has flown  Lexshanath,” said Jaxom softly.

            “Lexshanath. How? When?” Seggara questioned in disbelief.

            “While you were gone for a whole week!” said Jaxom .

            Segarra caught on to the fact that Jaxom was teasing her again for her mistake in timing it. It also carried the warning that timing it is dangerous and ought to be done with more thought.

            “We had to get eggs that would not be missed nor would affect the events in our present time,” continued Jaxom. “Ruth reminded me that Lexshanath had never flown a bronze even though she was well past the age of mating. She is extremely shy and stays to herself in the cave at the far end of the Igen Weyr. Ruth convinced her of the urgency of the situation and she agreed to help.  She is on the small side for a queen and I think the big bronzes scare her so she won't rise for them. Ruth, however, is smaller and, as it turns out, much more the gentleman." Jaxom looked at his beloved Ruth who sat half asleep in the sun. He had not been paying attention to the conversation between Jaxom and Seggara. He did that a lot lately and it worried Jaxom to see his friend ageing. Jaxom  smiled down at Segarra letting the concern for his dragon be put aside for the moment.

            “Jaxom,” Segarra queried. “A small queen wouldn't lay thirty-six eggs in one clutch. And it takes longer than a sevenday for the eggs to harden.”

            “I know. Come inside and let me explain it to you. I figured it out all in one night.”

            “I must have been one long night,” the wolf mumbled, still confused about the eggs and how she was going to get help.

            The old Lord Holder lead her to his office. They meet a few people on the way. The holders greeted the couple then went on with their business. The office had a warm fire burning on the hearth. Jaxom gestured that Segarra go by it and lay down. She did, watching the fire lick the wood. Jaxom sat in the soft chair with a cup of klah.

            “How in the world did you manage this!” the wolf cried immediately.

            Jaxom chuckled and sipped the warm drink. He looked far older that she had last seen him. Strain, she thought. Timing it, I bet.

            “After Ruth convinced Lexshanath to help, Riana and I decided that we should go forward in time so that their would be less strain on us. We went ahead one hundred turns. That is where the first clutch of eggs are. Riana said their were thirteen, with a queen egg. After Lexshanath returned only a few hours after Ruth and I, we went one hundred and one turns ahead and repeated the process. Obviously Riana and Lexie planned it so that the queen would be in heat on time. Eleven eggs are at that time.”

            “And a queen?” Segarra asked.

            “Each clutch produced a queen,” Jaxom smiled. “A very lucky thing on our part.” He put his mug down and leaned back. “We accomplished two more jumps and flights before Ruth became to wiry to continue. Trip three has only nine eggs and the last has two.”

            “How am I going to bring them forward?”

            “Like it said, find help.” He sat up and  Time is not that much of a problem since the eggs are a hundred turns in the future but get help as soon as possible. I’m leaving it up to you to decide the best method in brining them forward. And who ever helps you. But now, you had better come up with a good story for Lessa!”

 

            Later that evening Segarra lay on the heights overlooking the Bowl at Benden. She had excused her absence as spending the nights at Honshu with her pack. She had indeed gone to Honshu for the night to make her excuse valid and to ask Alynn for help with the assignment of transporting the dragon eggs. Unfortunately, the guard wolves had forced away saying that he was not their. She had returned back to Benden Weyr sad but determined to try again in the morning. F'lar and Lessa accepted this excuse since she had a habit of returning to Honshu occasionally.

            There where at least forty winged wolves living in the caves all around southern Pern. They had to leave their home planet of Yukon when colonist arrived there and began killing them off. The settlers of  Yukon had feared the winged wolf and never tried to understand them or get to know them. The wolves, however, where elusive and avoided man. They hid in cliffs and dens. Segarra's pack lived in the cliffs of Honshu. They ate what they could. They enjoyed tunnel snakes and caught them whenever they could find them.

            Alynn was the leader of  Segarra's pack and he was much respected by all the wolves. He carried with him a hatred for men that was very deeply ingrained. His wisdom had enabled the wolves to stay secluded even though people lived all around them.  Segarra had seen nothing wrong with befriending man. She had come to trust Lessa and F'lar and she had  come to live with them. For this Alynn had rejected her. 

            Segarra was not so sure that Alynn would help her. He was smart but had a nasty temper. She would have to try to catch him at a good time, which she knew, was going to be hard to do. If she was able to get him to help, then she would have all the help that was needed. 

 

            “Alynn? Alynn?” Segarra called out. She had left early that morning to retrieve the help needed to convey the eggs.

            “He left with some others in his pack,” said a voice. It was Emger, one of the oldest winged wolves living on Pern. “He has gone to Ersataz's pack. They are having trouble and they have called on his wisdom to solve it,” he said staring her straight in the eye.

            “Do you know when  he's going to come back?” Segarra asked.

            “He did not know how long he would be. It's been five days since he left.”

            “Thank you Emger. I'll go and find him. I need his help to save Pern.”

            “Is this more human stuff? You know how Alynn feels about that,” Emger said sternly.

            Segarra than explained all that she knew. Emger listened intently. He knew the wolves did not want to have to be driven off because of man again. Pern had become there home.  

            “He will not be very receptive to this plan because of man's involvement. But,” Emger added thoughtfully, “if you can get him to listen to the reason why it must be done, I think he will agree to it. If I accompany you I may be able to add more weight to you case.”

            “Sure. That would be great! I know he does not think much of me living with the humans but he needs to stop living in the past. These are not the same humans that chased us off of Yukon. Maybe this assignment will gain his trust of humans,” Segarra said. 

            The two winged wolves took off. Emger, though old, was just as agile as Segarra. They winked between and reappeared over the well-hidden forest dens of  Ersataz's pack . They inquired around and found out that  Alynn was in a meeting with the pack leaders. Ersataz's pack was having trouble with humans moving  onto their hunting grounds. They had not been able to hunt as often as needed and the cubs were hungry. They were deciding if it would be necessary to move the pack to a more remote location. When he emerged from the meeting with his mate Aria and Ersataz den to see Segarra and Emger he glared at them. His glare was  for Segarra not Emger.

            “So. You decided to come and find me,” he said. “Thiamin said you were at Honshu last night. Looking for me.”

            “Yes. I came to ask for help. I need help to carry thirty-six dragon eggs into the future to save Pern,” she said and added softly, “for humans.”

            “Why should we do anything for humans?” Alynn growled. “They’ve persecuted us and driven us out of our home. Killed our families. Mine as well as yours. If we help them they will take advantage of us and hunt us out again. I will not risk our people in any way!” He and Aria, who looked at her firend with understanding, turned to leave.

            “Alynn!” Segarra cired. “The humans on our home planet Yukon were cruel and unkind, yes. The people here are willing to take us to their homes and take care of us. F'lar, Lessa, Jaxom and every one else on this planet treat me like they do there beloved dragons.” All this, of course was true, but Alynn was still not at all convinced.

            “This has nothing to do with us,” he barked.

            Segarra felt anger overwhelming her but she controlled it and spoke respectfully to the leader. She had one last blow to aim at him. “From what Jaxom tells me, the people of the future are having trouble with their computer system. If it crashes then the weather patterns will cause problems not only for them but for the winged wolves of the future.  Food will be scarce and terrible storms will wreck havoc on Pern.  The dragons can help save future Pern, for all that live here.” By now the  wolves that had accompanied  Alynn and the wolves from Ersataz's pack, as well as Ersataz,  had gathered around to hear what was going on.

            Alynn turned on her with his teeth bared. “You betrayed us to live with the humans and now you want to help them. Don't you remember what happened on Yukon?. When man came to the planet we accepted them and wanted to help them. But they beat to death our kind, old as well as young. Mother’s slain before the eyes of their pups? Pups dragged from their dens and clubbed to death. My den was found and we were all dragged from it and clubbed. They left us all to die, but I didn't. I lived only to find my mother and father dead not more than a quarter of a mile from the den. They massacred our race. So we had to leave and I vowed never to trust human's again.”

            “I do remember,” Segarra mused, remembering her family's own tragic tale. Her family had been near the beach and was spotted. They had drugged them baited food, then threw them off the edge of a steep cliff.  Segarra had not eaten as much of the bait as the others for her sister Calthia had taken it from her in puppyish play. She rememberd laying on the beach listening to Cally complain of a upset stomach and her mother trying to sooth her. It was the last she had ever heard of them. When she woke to the sound of men laughing, she had enough time to watch her father, a proud and respected male and friend to Emger and Alynn’s father, be thrown into a revine. Then she had fell. Catching her self on wings still unable to achive flight, she righted herself and landed on a flat rock. She had heard her families lifeless bodies fall with sickening thuds on the rock. It had been Emger who had saved her and taken her to live with him.

            “I will not hear of this matter any further,” Alynn firmly stated, snapping Segarra out of her painful recollections.

            “Give her a chance to explain Alynn,” Emger said meekly. “Then the great Alynn can decide if the wolves are to have a part in this adventure. Never begin a hunt without knollage of your pray,” the old wolf said.

            Alynn looked into the eyes of Emger,  the aged wolf who had taught him so well. He saw the logic behind his words and he sat down on his haunches. “Okay, then explain from the beginning. Convince me,” he replied looking straight at Segarra.

            Breathing a sigh of relief and sending thanks to Emger silently, Segarra leapt into what she knew about Jaxom’s  plot to cave their world of the future.

*******

            When Segarra had finished all the wolves sat in complete silence. They waited for  Alynn response. He thought about Segarra's argument for what seemed to be an eternity. The stillness among the wolves was eerie. Each wolf seemed to hold its breath waiting for Alynn's answer. Some of the younger ones who were eager to help in such a task fidgeted in their places emitting soft whines of impatience. Segarra saw the look of pups ready for adventure.

            “We will come.” Alynn proclaimed with a slight smile at Segarra. He stood and walked toward her, stopping a few strides from her. “Tell me, do you have any idea on how we are to accomplish this task?”

            “No,” she replied slowly and truthfully. “The eggs are at different times in the future. They all need to be brought four hundred turns-years-ahead to the same place. Where that is I’m yet to be told.”

            Alynn gave a curt nod and looked at the others. “Aria, Ersataz, Karla and Emger,” he called. “Meet in the Main Den to discuss this.” Each wolf nodded once and retreated from the leaders sight. He turned back at Segarra. “I want you to go to Bass Setia and Avon. Tell them that I require the presence.”

            “Yes, milord,” Segarra replied respectfully, bowing. She turned away with her head low and tail down.

            “And, Segarra,” Alynn said. She turned back at him. “Congratulations.” He bowed his head to her before turning to the entrance he had just left.

           

            Segarra’s heart sang with joy as she took off from Ersataz’s holding. She had actually beaten Alynn in a matter concerning his worst enemy! Segarra winked between to Bass Setia’s desert dwelling in Keroon Desert. Setia’s dens were underground and hidden amongst the rocks for protection from the weather and predators. She howled at her arrival and was greeted by a Destia, who stood on watch. Segarra circled quickly as the desert sand blew into her sensitive eyes. Destia greeted her as if Segarra really was an ambassador from the Honshu Pack. Des was a tawny wolf with black and white highlights. He yellow eyes and masked face were beautiful in the wolf’s fashion; however, Des was not mated to anyone yet. Each time she came into heat, she had outran all the prospecting males.

            “Gatha, Segarra,” Destia greeted her in the wolves native language. “What brings you to this desolated side of Pern?”

            “Where is Setia? Alynn wished a conference with him.” Segarra shook the dirt that had already found its way into her clean coat. She could never understand why any wolf would want to live in this harsh condition. But she did see Alynn’s logic in choosing Bass Setia. The desert wolves were the toughest on Pern and most likely the strongest; as was Avon’s.

            “Alynn?” Destia asked. “What’s going on in the wet lands now?”

            Segarra chuckled knowing that ‘wet lands’ meant the climate with a more humid atmosphere. “Between the leaders,” was the white wolf’s response.

            “Okay. I’ll take you too him.” Destia called for a replacement and lead Segarra over to a large group of rocks. Underneath, protected from the wind and rain, was a wolf size hole that was the entrance to the den. Destia called down and they heard Bass Setia’s answer.

            “Good luck,” Destia whispered. “Sounds like he’s in a bad mood again.”

            “Thanks, Des,” Segarra said and slipped into the hole.

            Down below that air was stale and dry yet cooler than above. Segarra shook the loss dirt off, grumbling to herself on how long it would take to get it all out, and entered the spacious cavern that was Bass Setia’s lodgings. He sat on a raised mound gnawing on a wherrie bone lazily and humming an old tune. He looked up as she entered.

            “Segarra!” he cried, forgetting his meal and running to great her. Segarra gave the respectful greeting of his pack by biting his muzzle gently than dropping to the ground on her belly. Setia nodded for her to get up. “What bring you our to my dry realm?” he asked with humor.

            Segarra raised her head to look at him. “Alynn wishes a conference with you.”

            “Alynn? The same mutt how disowned you?” Segarra nodded. “Well, what does he wish to speak about?”

            Segarra took a deep breath and shifted he position on the ground. “I’ve convinced him to help Jaxom of Ruatha Hold to transport thirty-six dragon eggs to the future. He is asking for you assistance.”

            “Oh?” Bass Setia looked shocked. “Alynn helping humans? You must have had a pretty believable story, my girl. Alynn’s not the type to agree to a prank.”

            “It’s no prank, Bass,” she assured him with his title. “Pern of the future is in trouble. Big trouble. Jaxom’s going to help it.”

            “And Alynn too, I suppose.” Bass Seita sighed. “Well, I’m in for an adventure. Just me, did he say?”

            Segarra stood with a smile of fulfillment. “And Avon and Afthena from the Seaside.”

            “Well, lets get young Avon and his mate. Times a wastin’ girl!” He walked briskly past Segarra and outside. Segarra made a quiet exclamation of joy and followed. Bass Setia called Destia, who stood at the entrance, to him and told her to watch things while he was gone. With a curt bow, she retreated to his quarters. Then Segarra and the desert leader took to flight to Avon’s Den on the coast of the Western Sea.

 

            “This is like Keroon in the rainy season,” Bass Setia remarked as they appeared above the coast line. “Only much, much more...salty.” Segarra laughed as she gave her name and pack to the Watcher on the rocks. She was denied permission to land so Bass Setia attempted and was permitted entrance. Segarra was forced to hover above the ground as the desert wolf acquired the pass Segarra needed. She knew that she would be denied her. The Keroon Pack was accustom to her presence for she often helped them out since Bass Setia was a lone leader leading the pack in the dry weather. When his mate, Phenixa  had died by a tunnel snake near their arrival on Pern, Setia had refused to take another mate and he was given the title ‘Bass’ which meant ‘lone’.

            Segarra heard the Watched call up to her with his pardon and she glided down and gracefully landed in front of him. Remembering Avon’s symbol of respect from Emger, she rolled to her back and awaited the Watchers approval. Being an official ‘lone wolf’ since Alynn had ordered her exile, she was required to show submission to all the wolves of any pack. Emger and the Keroon Pack were exceptions.

            “Arise,” the Watcher said flatly. He watched her as she got up on her feet and stood close to Bass Setia; head down and tail between her legs. The desert leader, on the other hand, held his head higher that the Watcher and his tail erect in the sign of leadership. “State the meaning of the visit,” the Watcher said evenly.

            “A talk with your leaders,” Bass Setia said pleasantly.

            “This way,” he said with a final glare at the sulking white female. He turned and lead them down the cliff on a narrow path made by the wolves. It was not worn down and the rocks skittered down the path as the walked single file to a large outcropping that looked like the ledge of a dragon’s weyr to Segarra. The morning sun bounced off the rock. Sea birds cried out from above. The waves below crashed against the wolves home, sending up cool spray’s of mist. It felt good to Segarra as she walked behind Bass Setia. The desert was dry and had left much dirt in her coat still. The first thing she was going to do when she had the chance was take a bath, Searra decided firmly. She leapt up after the leaders to the ledge.

            The Watched lead them into a system of tunnels and caves. Some went down and others up. They followed the long, wide corridor in front of them. Their were no lights inside. Her eyes adjusted quickly enough but Segarra wished that they could still find some way to use glows.

            “Avon, Afthena,” the Watcher announced, walking into a room with small rock bowls piled with glows and a rush bed. Segarra smiled at the glows that illuminated the cavern. Not many of the wolf leaders had figured out about them yet; only Alynn and Avon it seemed. Two wolves sat talking with five four month old pups around them. Another female lay off to the side in the shadows dozing. The male was a rusty black and his mate a white female like Segarra only she had brown and tan mixed into her coat. Their litter was of mixed variety.

            Segarra and the Watcher politely rolled on their backs while Bass Setia stood and bowed his head. Avon looked at them and nodded. They all stood. “Visitors, sire. Bass Setia and Segarra, Alynn’s Exile.” Segarra growled at him softly.

            “Thank you, Palajin,” Avon acnoliged. “You may return to you post.” Palajin nodded and left.

            Afthena turned to the wolf in the corner. “Vivian,” she called. The old female’s  head snapped up suddenly.

            “Yes, milady,” she said as she stood. The female leader gestured to her youngsters and Vivian called the pups to her. The went to another room adjacent to the Leader’s quarters to leave the four wolves alone.

            “‘Alynn’s Exile’, indeed,” Segarra snorted angrily.

            Avon’s face softened. “Forgive me, Segarra. I did not mean anything against you. Palajin and others in my Pack agreed strongly with Alynn’s decision. You know I did not.”

            “I know,” Segarra mumbled. “You and a few others voted against my banishment.”

            “Avon,” Bass Setia said. “Lord Alynn wishes that Afthena and you meet at Honshu...”

            “Ersataz’s Den for a meeting,” Segarra corrected and finished for him. “Lord Jaxom is in need of the wolves’ assistance in saving the future Pern.”

            “Ruth’s rider?” Afthena questioned. Segarra nodded. “I like Ruth,” the female smiled. “Very polite.”

            “We’ll come,” Avon said, standing. His mate stood next to him. “I’ll tell Palajin that we will be gone.” Segarra nodded in understanding. “How long will this take.”

            “We have to be at Keroon Desert by noon,” Segarra said, “to transport thirty-six dragon eggs to the future. This meeting is to discuses how it is to be done.”

            “Very well. Let’s go.”

            Avon left strict instructions for Palajin and they all jumped back to Ersataz’s forest den where their arrival was greeted with out the need of introductions.

 

            “Avon, Afthena, Setia,” Alynn greeted his fellow leaders with a curt nod. They returned the gesture. “Welcome. I’m sure you’ve all been informed on the subject of this assembly.”

            “We have, my lord,” Bass Setia acknowledged. He look his place next to Avon and looked over at Segarra who still stood with the other lower class wolves. Alynn noticed her, too.

            “Segarra. Today your place is up with me,” he said, moving aside to give her room while a few comments and gasps of surprise was heard in the room. He watched as the white female slowly stepped up next to him. He leaned over to her and whispered, “I do need the person in charge of this operation. I know only a little.”

            Alynn turned his attention back to the five leaders in front of him. Emger stood on the side while Aria sat as his right. “Segarra came to me this morning for help in transporting thirty-six dragon eggs to the future. What we want to know from you is how we are to do this.”

            “Their are four groups of eggs,” Segarra continued at Alynn’s request. “Thirteen in the first, eleven in the second, nine in the third and two in the last clutch. The first clutch is one hundred years in the furtre. From their, each clutch is one year forward. We must bring the eggs to Keroon Desert and gather them at the large bolder in the south. Jaxom will be waiting for us their. We are then to bring them four hundred years into the future.” Segarra gasped for air. She hadn’t realized how fast she had been talking. Alynn chuckled beside her.

            “What we need,” Alynn said, “I an order to bring the eggs here. The four packs present are to be involved in this feat. No other. Also, you cannot tell any of the other wolves about this. I don’t think I have to worry about men,” he said with noticeable disgust for them. Segarra felt him shiver and knew it was at the thought of helping one. “Any suggestions?”

            “We could divide up into teams,” Avon supplied reasonable. “Each team might have to go twice when retrieving the eggs from their current location.”

            “They are not current,” Bass Setia grinned. “Their in the future already therefore not in our current time.”

            “Funny, Setia,” Ersataz said. “I agree with Avon. We could choose wolves in our packs to bring them forward. For example, Avon’s pack could get one time frame and Alynn’s another.”

            “Point taken, Ersataz,” Alynn replied.

            “And when the eggs are at the boulder, the wolves can only take the eggs that they brought,” Aria suggested.

            “The last two clutches are very small,” Segarra reminded them. “The packs that are assigned those should go and help the others if they need help.”

            “Good point,” Alynn said. He stood and looked at them waiting for further comments. His eyes settled of Emger. The old wolf denied to speak. “Avon and Ersataz, you two have a large pack than most on Pern. Avon will get clutch one and Ersataz, two. Bass Setia, find at least five wolves to bring the nine forward. You’ll have to make two trips. Segarra, Aria, Emger and myself will bring in the last two. Dismissed.”

            As they walked out of the door, Segarra called out, “Meet at Keroon to bring the eggs here. Ruth just told me that Jaxom has found a way for us to carry them.”

            “That was nice of him,” Bass Setia remarked. “A most thoughtful human-being.” Then he and the others left.

            “You did well, Segarra,” Alynn said in a low voice. “It’s a shame that you don’t come to most arguments often. You could say a lot that many don’t think of.” Segarra lowered her head in a quick bow, a grateful smile on her lips, then she retreated out the door.

 

            Later that day, Ruth and Jaxom waited for the wolves to arrive. He and his dragon had flown twice to carry the wherry hide sacks to the dessert. They were built for the wolves and needed two to carry it. Segarra had told him that their about eighteen wolves coming to help. Jaxom had taken two more extra just in case.

            Their coming, Ruth announced as four small wings of wolves appeared in the desert sky. The white dragon bugled a greeting. Jaxom stood when he heard Segarra greet the dragon with a wolf call. A few others called back nervously. As they landed a whirlwind of dust rose out of the sand that they created with their feathered wings. Segarra was the fist to come bounding out of the dust with her tail wagging.

            “Easy, Seg,” Jaxom laughed as she rose to he haunches to be petted, placing her paws on his tunic. Jaxom backed away and let her fall back to the earth. He looked back at the wolves that had gathered in front of him. One creamy white female made her way curiously up to Ruth. The white dragon lowered his head and touched noses with her.

            He name is Afthena, he announced. She likes me. I like her, too. Jaxom smiled.

            “Ready?” he asked Segarra. She nodded.

            “We’re going to go get the eggs and bring them here,” she explained. “Than bring them forward to where ever we’re going to take them.”

            “You still don’t know?” Jaxom asked.

            “No,” she said sheepishly.

            Maybe he can help, Ruth said just as a bronze fire lizard appeared from between. He saw Segarra and chirped a greeting as he landed on he head.

            “Well, hi their!” she laughed. “Ruth, did you call him.”

            No. He just came. I knew he was coming.

            “Of course. Now my little friend, do you know where in time these eggs are to be brought?” Segarra asked.

            The little bronze chirped and sent her an image of Benden Weyr. The Weyr was cleaned but there were no people moving about. Segarra smiled. “Thanks, boy.” He leapt into the air and disappeared. She stared at his point of transfer for a moment. “H looked a bit older than when I last saw him,” she whispered.

            “Maybe he came latter.”

            “Jaxom?” a tentive male voice asked.

            “This is Alynn,” Segarra introduced her leader. Alynn lay on the ground and lowered his head. All the others present did the same.

            “That is not necessary, Alynn,” Jaxom smiled. “I have twenty carrying sacks by Ruth. Two wolves per egg. That is all I could get.”

            “Thank you,” Alynn replied. He turned to the wolves and said something in a language unknown to Jaxom. The wolves began to organize themselves. Segarra went to join the Honshu wolves. Jaxom walked back to Ruth and watched. His smile was satisfied.

 

            Their they are, Segarra told her comrades. Under the rock.

            The four wolves landed and proceeded to lay out the sacks for the eggs. Carefully they rolled the eggs into the fur lining.

            “This one is really interesting,” Segarra said, looking at the one Alynn and she would be taking. “It looks almost...orange.”

            “So,” Alynn said as he secured the straps with is teeth.

            “Well, sometimes you can guess what color the dragon is by the egg shell. Like the queens are a bit more golden the rest. Look at that one,” she gestured to the one Aria and Emger were loading. “That is definitely a queen.”

            “Then what is this one? A orange dragon?” Alynn laughed. “White was uncommon enough. No orange dragon would ever exist.”

            “I’m not saying that,” Segarra said as she shrugged into her side of the carrier. “It’s probably a bronze with a funny looking egg shell. But I sure hope I’m their when it hatches!”

            “So do I but I’m not going four hundred years into the future just to watch one egg hatch,” Alynn said as he prepared for take off.

            “Suit yourself. I have to go. After this, I may not be coming back to your time.” She looked at him sadly. Alynn looked stared at he in disbelief. He had never expected her to go away. It would be like she had died. And, he thought, she would be in a world where their wouldn't be any wolves that she knew. He sighed. He knew it was for the best anyway. After all, he had banished her from his pack. What about a permanent exile?

            “Let’s go,” he whispered. Simultaneously they leapt into the air and went back to Jaxom.

 

            After all the eggs were deposited in the desert sands, Segarra showed them all the image of the future Benden Weyr. They had the same partners again so that confusion would be ledd when timeing it back and forth.

            Segarra and Alynn apeared over the deserted but pleasent atomephere of Benden Weyr. Between them, the sack carring a queen egg swung slightly in the morning breeze. The other eight pairs of wolves apeared beside the in perfect formation.

            Fly single file into the cieling, Segarra told them all. Disposet the queen eggs at the place I tell you. With a silent command, the wolves glided into the Hatching Grounds with a perfection that made Alynn smile with pleasure.

            “Their you, go, girl,” Segarra cooed to the queen egg as it was settled next to her sisters. “All safe and sound.” The look on her canine face was motherly in eyery way.

            “It’s not even born yet,” Alynn mumbled. Unfortinely, her sensitive ears caught his words. She stood and looked at him, taking a stance of improtance in front of her leader.

            “Just because she’s not born dosn’t make her speacieal!” the white wolf retoreted. Alynn snorted. “ And I know that the one egg is already special.”

            “It’s a bronze, Seg,” Alynn rejected sternly. “Only Ruth is allowed to have a different shade of color.”

            “Say’s who?” she demanded.

            “Take the other end before I have you banished from Pern; at any time!”

            “I logical descion,” Emger told his pupiel.

            “My paws are burning,” Aria whailed softly, lifting her fore paws up then the hind legs to escape fom the hot sands. “Lets get those other eggs and go home!”

            “I agree,” the wolves answered her. The entire pack took off at Alynn’s silent command and they left Benden Weyr.

            After that first trip, only three trips were needed to complete the journey. Alynn stayed with Segarra each trip. He never spoke but she say a hazy mist in his eyes when he looked at he. She felt saddened, too. She might never come back to this time for Jaxom’s planned left it open for her to stay or come after he mission was complete. Knowing herself, she had a feeling in her heart that said she would stay.

            Jaxom thanked all the wolves as they returned to their homes. Bass Setia’s five members flew straight to their homes and Jaxom waved to them while Ruth bugled farewell. He looked down at Segarra standing next to him. The other three Honshu wolves sat away from him in silence. Pern’s two moons made Alynn look like a shadow and Segarra a ghost. Even his own dragon looked like something from another world.

            “Well, my friend,” Jaxom said in a tired voice. Segarra looked up at him. “Are you ready for the last stage.”

            “Yes,” she said softly. She let a exhausted sigh escape her. “But I need to rest. All the traveling through time had done me in.”

            “Wolves don’t need to recover from time travel,” Jaxom replied as he walked to Ruth. “What makes you so tired?”

            “Long day,” Segarra suggested. “Can you stop by Benden to tell F’lar and Lessa that I’m going to stay at Honshu tonight?” She saw Alynn’s head come up with a jolt.

            Jaxom smiled in the moonlight. “Of course.” Than he and Ruth leapt into the sky leaving the four wolves in a cloud of dust.

            “Shards,” Segarra grumbled. “First thing I do when I get to Honshu is to take a bath! I feel like a very dirty rug.”

            “You look like one, too,” Alynn laughed, obviously relived at her decision to spend the night. Segarra glared at him.

            “Let’s go home,” Aria suggested in a quieter voice than usual. She yawned and stretched.

            “I agree,” Emger replied. “These old bones of mine are much to old for time travel.”

            Laughing the wolves rose into the air to go to Honshu Weyrhold and it’s caves that housed Alynn’s pack. The first thing Segarra did was take a long bath in the nearest body of water she could find.

 

            The next morning, Segarra said goodbye to all her friends. She wanted to return to Benden to say farewell to the Weyrleader, too but could not knowing that she might tell them of Jaxom’s plan.

            She left the Den to Ruatha Hold to get final instructions from Jaxom.

            “This time you need to go forward in time and meet Jedtha at the Catherine Caves,” Jaxom told her in his office. “Farli has returned and she will give you the time that Jedtha will be at the caves. Wait in the cave until he comes in. That way we can be sure no one will see you. You must stay in that time until the job has been accomplished. Help Jedtha all you can. Return to me in this time, today,  just before sunset.” Segarra sighed wryly left the room. “And Segarra,” Jaxom said. She turned to look at him. “Good luck.” She smiled and left the Hold.

           

            Segarra came out of between over Monaco Bay. It was early morning and she was heading for Landing. She had gone ahead four hundred turns to the time Jaxom had insisted upon. The crisp ocean breeze lightened her heart a little as she glided over the water. When she left the sea, her thoughts became devoted to he task ahead.

            As she flew near Landing she suddenly did a quick left turn. Not as good as she had hoped,  but good enough not to be seen. As she watched from above, hovering in mid-air, she saw a young boy come out of a house, and walk to the hills that she knew was the old volcano. It was Jedtha! She slowly descended making sure she  kept out of Jedtha’s sight.

            Segarra followed him, keeping low enough to see what he was doing but quiet enough not to distract him. She back winged and landed behind a large stone behind him. She crept up on Jedtha and saw she was reading a book. Jedtha was reading the book Jaxom had wrote. She glanced at Jedtha. Jaxom had told her to meet him at Catherine Caverns so she would go there. Segarra carefully backed away then she walked to the deserted part of Landing. She stayed there wandering the empty streets and buildings, looking for some place to sleep that night.  Suddenly she leapt behind a building. It was Jedtha again, going home. That was close, Segarra thought. Then she noticed he had many scratches on his arms and legs. Now why did he go through the thickets, she wondered.

            After he had passed, Segarra made a dash for the old Administration building where she had decided to spend the night.

            That night she awoke to find the bronze fire lizard staring at her from the open window with his head cocked to the side. His small eyes were whirling with excitement. Then the little bronze projected an image of Jedtha pushing threw thorns, then fell in front of a cave. She saw Farli hovering in front of the boy who looked at her. Then he projected the image of sunrise at the cave.

            The bronze suddenly flew out the window and into the night. So that was  what happened to Jedtha, and according to the bronze, he would be back at sunrise tomorrow. She had better get some sleep so she could rise early enough to beat him to the cave.  She turned over and went to sleep again.

            That morning, before the sun was even up, she ran to the Catharine Caverns. It was a moonless sky and it made the forest seem forbidding.  There was a mist hanging low that added to the eerie feeling of the morning. When she reached the cave entrance she looked around her quickly to make sure that no one was following or had seen her, then she slipped inside. It was pitch black in the cavern, even darker than the forest had been, but her eyes adjusted quickly.  She found a dark corner to lay down to wait. She was beginning to feel weak again and was glad for the time to rest.

 

III

Jedtha awoke instinctively before his alarm went off. He had not thought that he would get any sleep but he must have drifted off. As his mind began to function he recalled all he had read the night before. He must go to that cave. He must find out more about Pern’s past and doomed future. Could he really stop it?

He began to stir and became aware of something curled up on his pillow near his head. He cautiously looked around and found himself looking into the sleepy eyes of the little bronze fire lizard from the day before. It startled Jedtha and he jumped up sending the frightened bronze up in the air where he disappeared in a poof.

When his heart stopped racing, he dressed himself, this time making sure he had long sleeves on to protect his arms just in case he wound up in the thickets again. He packed an illuminator and grabbed the book before he left the house. He remembered to duck the OSM this time and left unnoticed. 

Jedtha stayed in the shadows as he went through the town. He headed through the abandoned part of Landing and to the road he had found the day before. He made a direct line to the cave. As he was hurrying along there was a small poof and the little bronze fire lizard appeared.

“Well hello, I was wondering were you had gone off to?” Jedtha said to the fire lizard as it landed on his shoulder. It wrapped it's tail securely around Jedtha's neck and sat there chirping happily. Jedtha continued along the path, “I am going to have to give you a name since you seem to like me so much, let's see, how about.... Bendar? Yes I think that suits you. Bendar,” The fire lizard cocked his head to one side as if thinking then spread his wings and bobbed his head up and down as if agreeing, all the while chirping with such delight that Jedtha had to laugh. The pair continued towards the cave.

When he reached the cave, Bendar left his shoulder. Jedthe lit up his illuminator and cautiously took a step in side the cave. The cave was dark and had a musty odor. He could make out things all covered with dust scattered about like this had once been a storage area. He started to walk around and examine bits and pieces he found in the dust scattered on the floor. There were broken glass bits, empty storage crates of some type, obviously very old, and, of all things, computer pieces. Those stupid things. He scowled as he turned an old computer chip over in his had to examine it. Pern must be one giant computer! Even its dark forgotten caves had computer remnants in it. He placed the piece in his pocket, a souvenir.  Jedtha spotted a partially assembled computer at the far end of the cave. Forgetting the unpleasant smell of the cave, he walked over to the computer and began scrutinizing the ancient machine. He carefully dusted it off. As he was looking at it, he sensed that he was being watched. He whirled around and looked straight at a wolf...with wings! The wolf stood between himself and the entrance to the cave so that Jedtha was trapped. He cried out in alarm and it startled the winged wolf making it jump. Jedtha covered his head and cringed down, holding the illuminator in front of him as if to ward off an attack.

“Jedtha?” Jedtha looked up to find that the wolf was looking at him with its head cocked to one side.

“Yes,” he managed to muster up enough courage to say.

“Jaxom said you were going to be here. I'm Segarra,” she said.

“Segarra? The Segarra I read about?” Jedtha said.

“Yes, the one and only,” She replied, amused at Jedtha's reaction.

“You know Jaxom!” Jedtha said as he stood up.

“Yes. He sent me here to help you,” she said. “Do you think that we could get out of this musty hole? This smell is terrible.” Segarra didn't wait to hear his response and left the cave. Jedtha followed since he agreed with Segarra’s sentiments. Segarra led him up to the mountainside. Once they had settled in a clearing near the top, Jedtha pulled out the book he had found in the storage room.

 “I found this in the..,” he stopped when he saw Segarra nodding with a small smile on her face. “How did you know?” Jedtha demanded.

 “I helped you find it,” she replied evenly. Jedtha looked at her confused. She continued, “I was calling you to the storage room. I had just hidden the box when you arrived home. I was sent to deliver it to you. It contains things you will need to save Pern,” She explained.

  “But,” Jedtha replied thoughtfully. “If you are from Jaxom's time and you brought those things to me that means that those things are...,”

  “. . . from the past,” they both concluded in unison.

 “They belong... belonged to,“she said correcting herself, “ Jaxom and Sharra.”

 “Wow!“ Jedtha said eyeing the book with a new wonderment.

 “I have many questions, Seg...”

 “Segarra,” she finished because he hesitated on the name. “I know, that is why I am here. Where would you like to start?”

 Jedtha opened to the page in the beginning that had the drawing of the white fire lizard. “Segarra. Can you explain this picture of this white fire lizard?” he asked.

 “First of all, Jedtha, that's no fire lizard. That's Ruth!” Segarra said laughing.

 “Who's Ruth?”

 “Jaxom's white dragon.”

 “Then dragons do... I mean did, exist!” Jedtha cried. “But why aren't their any more dragons on Pern? What happened to them?”

 “I don't know. Not even Jaxom knows. But that does not matter now. The facts are that they are not here and you will be needing them. Have you noticed that the computer system has begun to break down?” Jedtha nodded.

 “Well what ever it is that causing the computers to fail will soon affect your whole computer system. That will affect your weather, transportation, food supply, communication, everything. That is what Jaxom tells me he saw when he went forward in time.”

 “Jaxom was HERE!” Jedtha replied astonished.

 “No, Further ahead in time. But, to be prepared for the problems to come he sent me to this time to find you and others who can impress dragons, to raise the dragons and learn to ride them. Time was needed to prepare for the problems ahead. That is what we must do now. The dragons will have to be impressed when they are born. Have you read about the people you must find?”

 “Yes. It said that I need to find forty people, five of them girls but I don't understand that. And what do you mean by  'Impress'?”

 “That is simple,” Segarra smiled. “You have to find forty people, I mean thirty-nine since you are one of the forty, that are willing enough to impress the dragons when they hatch from their eggs. Impression is the joining of minds of a dragon and the person it chooses to be its rider. But believe me, it's going to harder that it looks to find people willing to follow you in this adventure.”

 “But what about the eggs. How are we going to get the eggs?” Jedtha asked.

 Segarra looked at him with a weary smile. “They will be there.”

 “Another question for you,” Jedtha began. “Bendar, the bronze fire lizard, has been following me almost everywhere. Might you know why?”

 Segarra thought a moment then said, “Maybe you Impressed him. I don't know how because they have to be Impressed at hatching,” Segarra looked at the sky and called Bendar in her mind. Instantly the bronze appeared.

 “How does he do that!” Jedtha said as Bendar landed on his shoulder.

 “I called him.”

 “You can speak to fire lizards?” Jedtha looked at her surprised.

 Segarra nodded. “I can speak to dragons too. Both telepathically and verbally. The same goes for humans if they are open to me.”

 “But how does he do that 'poof" thing. He just appears and disappears!”

 “That's called 'going between'. Dragons, fire lizards and winged wolves can travel from one location to another instantly by going between. They can also go from one point in time to another point in time the same way. That is how Jaxom came forward in time and how I got here.”

 “Oh,” was all Jedtha could say. He had so many questions to ask the winged wolf that the morning went by fast. 

 “Segarra,” he said turning to her. Things were beginning to make sense to Jedtha but it was a lot to absorb in one day. “What do we do now?”

 “You need to find the people who will impress the dragon eggs and become Dragonriders. Send Bendar to me when you are ready to journey North to Benden Weyr,”

 “How do I 'send' him? How do I speak to him?” Jedtha asked.

 “In your mind. Give him an image, your mind to his mind. He will see the image and respond to it. It is the way I called you to the storage room. It is the way Bendar led you to the cave yesterday. It is the way Farli found out when you would be at the cave so I could meet you. It is how I called Bendar just now.”

 “Farli? Who is he?” He asked.

 “Not he, SHE. She was the banded fire lizard you saw yesterday. She was sent ahead with me so that the fire lizards would trust and help us. The people of this time have done a wonderful job of chasing them away.” She made an unapproving grunt in her throat, “She was gold colored and all golds and greens are females,” Sagarra said matter of factly.

 “That would make Bendar a male?” Jedtha asked.

 “Yes, all bronzes are male.”

 Segarra turned facing north, she turned her head sideways a little. “I will go north. We need dolphins and runner beast to get everyone to Benden Weyr.”

 “We need what to get where?” Jedtha was at his limit of new things.

 “Dolphins to cross the water to the North continent and runner beast to cross the land to Benden Weyr,” She explained patiently. “What you need is a good history lesson of Pern from the start. Oh, if only Avias could speak to you.”

 “Avias-Two you mean.”

 “No, Avias ONE,” She turned to him. “The computer that helped the colonist. Say...Maybe he can,” she said pondering the possibility. Then, more definitely, “We'll go to the old administration building in the deserted part of Landing. It contains this computer. Avias shut himself down years ago and no one knew how to restart him. Your generation though, has excelled in computer knowledge. Maybe you could restart him. He can answer your questions better than I.”

 Jedtha put the book back in his bag, “Lead on.”

 Segarra started to sway a little and had to stop.

 “Are you okay?” Jedtha asked.

 “Yea, Just a little dizzy, and feeling a little tired. I've just had a long day. I'll sleep well tonight,” She sat for a few minutes, and then the pair made their way down the hill.

 “What used to be in those caves?” Jedtha asked as they past the cave they had met in.

 “That is Catherine Caves. A girl from the original colony was walking around in this area and she fell down a vent hole and they named the caves after her. The colonist then used the cave to store things in to protect them from Thread,” Segarra explained.

 “Thread? The silver rain I read about in the book,” Jedtha added more for his benefit than for Segarra's.

They made their way back to Landing and Segarra showed him the Administration building.

They regarded each other then looked at the ancient door that had been shut long ago.

“I hope this thing still opens,” Jedtha said hopefully. He grabbed the door handle and tried to slide it open. It didn't move. He pulled harder. “It's no use Segarra, it won't move.”

“Nonsense,” she snorted. You are just not trying hard enough. Look, you did move it a little, see the gap down at the base? Get that big tree branch over there; we will both work some leverage on it.”

Jedtha got the branch and worked it into the small gap. Then he and Segarra pulled and pushed until, with a mighty groan, the door opened. Stale air rushed out to met them sending them backwards, coughing and sputtering.

They waited, glad for the chance to rest, while the air cleared.

Jedtha made the first move towards the open door. He looked in cautiously. Segarra laid were she had rested, head up and attentive, but body weakened. Jedtha then step inside using his illuminator. He went down the hallway to the room, door still open, and peered in. He let the light touch everything in the room as he glanced around. He felt a nudge on his leg and looked down to see Segarra peering around his legs. “There he is. That is Avias. Can you get him working?” Segarra asked.

“Well, not from here,” he answered stepping into the room. He bumped into something in the room. Shinning the light on it showed he had bumped into a chair. On the chair was a plaque. It said, “To the memory of our beloved Robinton. Here he sat and helped to save Pern. Here he died.” A shiver ran up Jedtha's spine.

Jedtha looked over Avias. A very small and primitive system compared to what he was used to operating.

“Well?” asked Segarra.

“Well,” replied Jedtha, “this ancient thing used solar energy and that is no longer functioning,” He replied.

“So it's hopeless,” Segarra said, lowering her head in disappointment. She had so wanted to met Avias after all she had been told about him.

“No,” replied Jedtha. “Say, can you do that poof thing, uh, between thing, and get another illuminator from my room? I can rig the power pack in it to run this thing,”

“Sure,” Segarra said perking up. “Now you see me, Now you don't,” She said taking a leap into the air and disappearing. Seconds latter she was back with the needed item.

“Tell me Segarra,” Jedtha asked while he worked on some rewiring to get power back into Avias, “If I ride dragons..,”

“When you ride a dragon,” Seggarra corrected.

He glanced at her, “When I ride a dragon will I do that between thing too?”

“Yes, you can go between, but it's cold. Colder than you can imagine. That is why Jaxom sent warm clothes ahead to you. With your weather controlled planet you don't have warm enough clothes to go between in,” Segarra said as she laid down. Going between had made her tired. Why was she so weak, she wondered to herself.

“There, that should do it, now lets see if this thing still works,” Jedtha said as he made the last connections. He adjusted some wires, turned some knobs, keyed some buttons and slowly a green light began to glow on the computer. “Okay, so it booted up, now what.”

“It used to talk to Jaxom,” Segarra said, a little disappointed that Avias hadn't greeted them.

“Well, you said it shut itself down, there must be a program to override the shut down. Let me think. This is elementary stuff. First lets run some programs to find out how the systems are operating.” Jedtha's trained fingers flew over the keyboard, writing showed up on the screen. Lights flashed. Beeps sounded. “Shards,” Jedtha said disgusted. “One of the chips are malfunctioning.”

“Can you fix it?” Segarra said hopefully.

“This is an ancient machine. There haven't been parts for this thing for a billion turns!” an exasperated Jedtha replied.

“I saw you put some kind of computer part in your pocket in the Catherine Caves,” Segarra added hopefully.

Jedtha's hand instantly went to his pocket. “Maybe, he said, just maybe...” He went to work again. Segarra rested her head on her paws and was soon asleep. The chip was replaced and again Jedtha began to run test. Soon the message 'Systems okay.' appeared on the screen .

“YES!” Jedtha shouted as he pumped his hand in the air to celebrate his small victory. The sudden yell in the quiet room had Segarra up on her feet in an instant.

“He's alive?” She asked.

Jedtha chuckled, “Not yet but the system is running. Now I have to see what he did to shut himself down so that I can override his program,” In moments Jedtha's fingers had typed out command lines. They both held their breath as the system whirled and buzzed. Then all was quiet. Segarra and Jedtha eyed the screen in a tense quiet. Both unconsciously held their breath. After what seemed to be forever, Jedtha let out a sigh. “Well it was worth a try I guess.” They eyed each other in disappointment and turned. Jedtha was going to gather his things and Segarra was heading out of the room with her head hanging wearily.

“Robinton? I feel weak, can I be supplied with more power?” a voice said from behind them.

Jedtha and Segarra turned abruptly to look at the screen that was now a lighter color.

“Avias?” Segarra called in a whisper, afraid she had heard wrong.

“I am Avias. I am trying to scan my database to recognize you but I am too weak. I can not seem to locate who you are.”

“Jedtha is my name and with me is Segarra.”

“I recall no Jedtha...” Avias buzzed and whirled some more. “Where is Robinton?”

“Robinton has been dead for hundredths of years,” Segarra said quietly .

“Strange. I last talked to him, before I shut down,” Avias said.

“Yes, I know. Jaxom told me all about it. Robinton died right here in this room,” Segarra replied.

“Jaxom is still here?” Avais inquired.

“No, but I am from the past. I live with Lessa and F'lar. I help people any way I can. Jaxom sent me here because Pern is in danger again and Jedtha is going to save it. I am here to help Jedtha. Jedtha started you up again because the past history of Pern has been lost. He needs you to inform him. He is to be a Dragonrider.” Segarra said the last words with much importance..

“I will inform him. He needs to update my databanks. Is Thread again raining on Pern?” Avais questioned.

“No!” Jedtha quickly replied, “Computers are reigning on Pern!” and then he added so as not to offend Avais, “Present company excluded.”

“Thanks to your hard work and information, Avais, Thread has ceased falling forever. Many are glad,” Segarra said smiling.

“I will need more power, this power source is not strong enough for me to function to my full strength. Can you supply that Jedtha?” Avias asked.

“At home is a bigger power cell. It will be sufficient to run you to your full capacity. I will return with it tomorrow... oh shards, I am suppose to go with my father to work.” He thought hard “I will return very early and hook up the power cell.”

“Very good. I can consider myself reactivated because of a new mission?” Avais inquired.

“Yes, you have a new mission. I will be here before sunrise. We will start then,” Jedtha turned to go. “What are you going to do Segarra?” Jedtha asked.

“I will stay here and rest. I'd like to speak with Avias while you are gone. Can you bring me something to eat when you come back?” she asked.

“Sure, Wherrie steak and flax bread. Will that do?”

“My mouth already waters,” Sagarra said hungrily.

 

IV

(Chapter Corupted)

 

V

            Segarra awoke to the smell of a wherrie roast. She looked up and saw Jedtha eating a piece of wherrie meat. Bendar was perched on his shoulder getting tidbits of the meat every so often.

            “Any thing left for me? Or did you eat it all!” Segarra asked teasingly.

            “Sure. Over there.” Jedtha pointed over to the meat he had saved for her. She stood and walked over to the raw meat and began to eat. When she was finished, she lay down next to Jedtha with her head on her paws. He looked at her and stroked her with his free hand. Her coat was smooth despite what she had been through.

            “Segarra?” Jedtha finally asked leaning back against the rock with his hands behind his head. “When I was reading that book of Jaxom's he said nothing about you or any winged wolf.  He did say he was sending his friend Segarra to help but he did not say you were a winged wolf. What I’m trying to ask is.... did you always live on Pern or did you come from somewhere else?”

             Segarra turned her head to look at him. “Brethil,” she said.

            “Brethil,” Jedtha repeated. “Never heard of it.”

            “You probably wouldn't have. It's at least twenty turns from here. Brethil means world in our language. Man kicked the winged wolves out of their home. The men had come from Earth for the same reason that they came to Pern, to find  a new home and build a better life. But when they came to Brethil, which they renamed  Sentra, they destroyed many of the life forms living there including ours. They thought that the winged wolves were causing trouble for them, so they started seeking out our dens and killing us off. Pack by pack they hunted us down.  That is how my family was killed. Only I survived because I did not eat much of the drugged meat they had left by the den. I was able to fly when they threw us off the cliff. The others in my family died.” she said dolefully as it brought back the sad memories. Then she continued.  “Then  Alynn took Lordship of the devastated planet. His parents and siblings had also been killed. As two more turns went by and more of us were killed, Alynn made a drastic and dangerous decision. He decided to take what was left of the winged wolves to another planet where they would not be persecuted. This was dangerous for we would be going to an unknown  place. But he is wise and  he brought us all here safely.”

            Segarra ended the tale she had repeated so many times to the young school children of Jaxom's time. She had been asked to teach them  so that the future generation of Pern would not make the same mistake and force the wolves of Brethil to again leave.

            “And they came to Pern,” Jedtha said thoughtfully. Segarra nodded. They were silent as Jedtha finished eating and Segarra dozed off.

            “So what's next in our plan?” Jedtha asked giving Bendar the last of the meat he had.

            “Well, I guess I'll have to go and try to find some means of transportation across the water,” Segarra said as she raised her head. “The dolphins will be able to help us,  I hope,” she said.

            “They might be hard to find,” Jedtha said. “The people of this time have been killing them. They say that they are a nuisance in the seas. They follow the ships wherever they go and get tangled in the fishing nets. Plus their sonic squeals interfere with the computers sensors.”

            “Of course they would follow the boats and ships.” Segarra raised her head appalled by what she had just heard. “They were asked to do that by the humans long ago.”

            “Yes, Aivas told me,” Jedtha said meekly. “It seems the more man advances in technology the more we decline in compassion and understanding.“ He paused thoughtfully. “So, while you’re off doing that. I'll be...”

            “Starting your search for the future dragonriders of Pern,” Segarra finished for him. She stood up and looked at Jedtha.

            “Well, I guess I'll see you later,” Jedtha said. Segarra nodded and left the cave. Jedtha followed her and watched her fly off. Then he went back and sat down to think of how he was going to find thirty-nine would be dragon riders.

 

            Segarra went to Monaco Bay to start her search. After hours of searching, Segarra felt weak again but she was determined to find the dolphins so she kept flying. She hardly noticed when she started to drift lower.

            Then  she spotted Dolphin Hall on its rocky coast. She had visited the place a few times in the past with the Weyrleaders and others. She landed on the shore with a thud as her weakened legs refused to hold her weight. She lay on the shore to rest  for a while. When she had regained some of her strength she walked slowly to the caves.

            She wandered the place until she found the bell. She went toward the waters edge and pulled on the old frail rope attached to it. The sound echoed in the caves and Segarra lay down with her paws over her ears until the sound ended. She stood, shook her head clear of the ringing still vibrating in her head, and waited. Nothing happened. She looked out toward the sea. She saw no fins slicing the rolling waves. Again she tugged on the rope. This time in the "Come in" sequence she had been taught and again nothing happened.

 

            Far out in the ocean, a small pod of dolphins were fishing in the currents. Delta, the pod leader, stopped to listen. It was a bell. His first impulse was to swim toward it. But he hesitated. Mans had been hunting the dolphins. This was the reason why his pod was so small. Then the bell sounded again. It was the "Come In" sequence. Delta decided to check into the source of the sound.

            “Mara,” he called. Mara answered. “I need you to go to Dolphin-Hall. I hear the bell ringing. You do not need to get to close to shore. You do not want to be spotted.” Mara nodded and took off toward shore.

            As Mara neared the shore, she heard the bell again. This time the “Report” signal. The call was  sounding desperate. Mara went deeper into the water after surfacing quickly for a breath of air and then went into the cave.

            What Mara saw startled her. It looked like a canine with wings! It was ringing the bell. It pulled the rope again and looked out toward the sea. It suddenly took to flight. When it disappeared, Mara swam quickly back to her pod to inform the pod leader of this incredible news.

 

            “A winged canine, hmm. Mara, I have always trusted to tell me the truth but this is ridiculous. A winged canine indeed!” Delta snorted when Mara told him her findings.

            Mara was silent for a bit. Suddenly she squealed in fright. "I'm telling the truth! Look!” Delta looked up in the sky in time to see Segarra  flying over head. She was searching the water intently looking  for any sign that dolphins existed.

            “Get down from the surface!” Delta ordered. The five dolphins in his pod obeyed. When Delta was sure that Segarra had left, they rose to the surface for a breath of air.

            “We'll have to be careful. We do not know why it is  searching  for us. May want to kill us,” Delta said.

 

            Segarra again returned to the Dolphin Hall and again rang the bell and again she waited. After repeating the process over and over she took to flight to look over the sea hoping to see the familiar sight of dolphin fins cutting the waters surface.

            She was half way out to sea when she felt fatigue over powering her. She tried to beat her wings but blackness began to envelop her sight.  As she succumbs to the sickness overtaking her body, she fainted and her wings fell uselessly  to her side as she plummeted into the water below her.  Segarra felt nothing after that. Once she thought that there was sleek body swimming about her. She opened her eyes and saw the familiar shape of a dolphin. Then she lost consciousness.

            When Segarra finally awoke, she found herself  in a tide area near shore. She lifted her head slightly and looked around. She saw that she was close to the Dolphin Hall. She struggled to her feet and collapsed again. She again attempted to reach shore and again she fell. Finally she gave up and crawled to the old bell. She  with her head on her paws, staring out over the water. A sudden splash at the far end of the inlet in the cave brought her head up. She saw a dolphin shape swimming out to sea. She sighed. Well they did still exist, but fearful of anyone.

            Segarra lay her head down and slept again. She was awaken by a cold splash on her face. She raised her head and looked straight into the noble face of a dolphin! Others began surfacing  around the first one.

            “You all right?” one dolphin asked.

            “Yes, I think so. But I'm still very tired,” Segarra replied. The dolphins looked at her as if trying to determine who and what she was and why she was there.

            “Who is you leader?” Segarra asked. The first dolphin that had asked her if she was all right,  rose out of  the water.

            “Delta,” he said. Then he gently settled back into the water. The others called their names out too. Mara, Fray, Azonic and Cither. Segarra asked why the pod was so small and Delta said that the 'mans' were hunting them.  Segarra cringed, it was just as Jedtha had told her.

            Segarra saw that the sun was already starting to go down and said good-bye to the group as they swam off. That night she slept until the sun was half way up into the sky. The dolphins were waiting for her at the edge of the pool.

            “Can you swim?” Fray asked. Segarra nodded. “Come swim with us!” Fray cried and all around her came a “Come! Come swim with us!” Segarra laughed and went into the water. It was cool but she didn't mind.  It felt good on her feverish body. She spent half the afternoon swimming  and wading in the water with the dolphins. The dolphins showed Segarra where bloodfish had attached themselves to their sleek bodies. Segarra pulled them off and let them die on the sandy beach. Then she went back to shore to rest.

  Segarra spent two days trying to learn the names of the dolphins. But it was harder than she thought for more dolphins arrived almost every day. Soon about eighty were responding to the bell when she rang it. Sometimes at night, she heard sounds outside and she knew that news was traveling  fast. Especially in the ocean.

            One day, Segarra rang the “Report” sequence and she meet the nine pods outside on a rock peninsula reaching into the sea. In this way she could talk to all the dolphins at the same time.

            “I've asked you to come today because man needs your help.”

            “Nooooo!” Frith, leader of one of the other pods wailed. “Mans kill dolphin!”

            “Yessss! Yes!” Delta agreed. “Hate dolphins.”

            “Perhaps dislike is a more appropriate word.” It was not Segarra's voice.

            “No! Hate!” Delta corrected as he addressed the voice that had come from behind Segarra.  Segarra  turned and saw  Alynn, his coal black coat almost hidden in the dark shadows of the rocks. Segarra gasped and backed away, almost falling into the water behind her as Alynn approached.

            Alynn swiftly covered the distance between them and soon stood in front of  Segarra. She had recovered from the  initial shock of having Alynn suddenly appear and now stood straight. She smiled faintly at the thought of all the dolphins behind her watching. She was embarrassed on having been taken by surprise.

            “What are you doing here?” Segarra hissed, slightly agitated.

            Calmly, the dark leader looked past her flashing eyes to the sea of dolphins. “First to help you convince this bunch to help you,” Alynn said. Segarra relaxed. Then she noticed another shape on the rocks.

            “How many of the winged wolves did you bring with you?” Segarra whispered to Alynn. Alynn turned to look were Segarra was looking..

            “I only came,” he said a bit confused and then he saw what Segarra had seen.

            “Emger!” Segarra and Alynn cried in unison. The old wolf smiled.

            “Why did you follow me?” Alynn demanded to know since he had told the other wolves to wait for him.

            “I thought you might need some help getting Segarra back for her vaccine,” Emger said resolutely.

            “A vaccine! For what?!” Segarra cried before Alynn could answer the determined wolf. Emger always did as he wished no matter what Alynn told him. But, Alynn found it hard to be upset since Emger seemed to always show up when he was needed.

            “The winged wolves that accompanied you in your jump forward to deliver the dragon eggs, got sick. They got weaker and weaker until they could no longer go on. Some of the old ones died. We had to do something. So, I went to man for help. Jaxom has a medicine for it." Alynn replied then as he looked past Segarra to the dolphins. “Are you going to introduce me to your friends?”

            The dolphin pod leaders introduced themselves. It would have been too much to introduce every dolphin that was assembled at Dolphin Hall .

            Maya, one of the pod leaders spoke first. “Who are these two new winged canines?” She asked of  Segarra with her head tilted sideways.

            “They are wolves and they are good friends of mine. This is Alynn, he's our, umm, Tillek,” she said trying to use a word they could relate to, “And the other is Emger, he's everyone's friend and advisor. A very wise wolf.”

            “So, let's get this matter settled,” Alynn said firmly.

            You are not talking to a pack of winged wolves needing your help! Segarra told Alynn privately. They need to help me transport people and equipment across the sea to the Northern Continent. But they don't trust humans. “The mans...” Segarra began out loud.

            “Mans?” Emger and Alynn said together, looking very puzzled.

            ‘Mans’ is the way they say it. Segarra told them.

            “The mans I talk about are nice and will not try to kill you.  They are going to Benden Weyr to impress dragon eggs. They HAVE to get there on time or the eggs will die!” Segarra explained who Jedtha was and the mission they had to accomplish and all about the problems on Pern.

            “If  I'm right,” Alynn started. “Pern will soon be filled with dragons for you to swim with.” The response Alynn received was a chorus of  squeals from the dolphins. I thought that one would be convincing! Alynn remarked to Segarra and Emger. They started laughing.

            Works in our time, why not hear? Segarra told her leader.

            “We will help,” the Tillek said. Segarra smiled.

            “Thank you.” She looked up at Alynn. He nodded. “I have to go right now but I'll be back,” Segarra said to the dolphins.

            “Where are you going?” Maya asked.

            “With Alynn and Emger. I won't be gone long. We will call you when mans is ready to cross.” The dolphins nodded their heads up and down sending a spray of water droplets out over the wolves and clicking, then they did a back flip a disappeared. Soon the sight of dolphin backs could be seen heading out to sea.

            Segarra wanted to tell Jedtha about what she had accomplished and where she was going so she called Jedtha telepathically.

            Jedtha?

            The response was slow. What?

            I have found eighty-eight dolphins to get us across the Southern Sea. I'll be leaving for a little while. I have to go with Alynn and Emger.

            They're here? Jedtha asked surprised.

            Yes. I'll be back as soon as I can. Jedtha told her that it wasn't a problem for him since he was busy enough with his part of the project.

            “Let go,” Alynn said and he rose into the air. Emger followed and then Segarra, who had trouble lifting off the ground. Alynn took the lead with Segarra and Emger behind him. Then they winked between.

 

            Alynn, Emger and Segarra winked out of between above Ruatha Hold. Segarra shivered from the frosty wind that had started to blow. It was fall and Segarra  had been in the warm computer controlled tempertaures of the Southern Continent in Jedtha's time. The change hit her hard.

            Jaxom's waiting for us. Alynn lead Segarra down to the steps to where Jaxom stood. Something was  obviously  wrong  from the look on Jaxom's face. He beckoned them to come inside and they followed.

            Jaxom led them to his office. A fire was burning in the fireplace and Segarra started to walk toward it, she was so cold. Alynn grabbed her tail to stop her and keep her in one place. Jaxom went to get the medicine and gave it to Segarra. Segarra was surprised to see that it was nothing but a small pill. She swallowed it and looked around expecting another one.

            Jaxom smiled at her puzzled look then said, “That's all.”

They then allowed Segarra to go lie on the hearth and warm herself. As she did she began to think. It was a question that had been bothering her since she had been asked to go forward in time.  As she lay there she inquired of  Jaxom. “Jaxom? Why don't  I meet up with any winged wolves when I am in the future? Have they died off?”

            “Maybe the whole population of winged wolves ,” Jaxom suggested after giving it some thought. “...went to future Pern.”

            Segarra and Alynn cocked their heads to the side wondering at that thought. Then Jaxom continued. “Once Benden Weyr was the only Weyr and we did not know what happened to all the others. There was even a song, The Question Song, that asked were did they go, they just vanished all at once. Everyone, poof, gone. No records left to say what happened. When Thread began to fall again F'lar could not manage with only one Weyr to fight for all of Pern. Then Lessa recalled the Question  Song and she went back to Ruatha to study and old wall hanging. She finally figured out what happened to the other Weyrs. She had gone back in time and brought them forward to help fight thread. So from the time they vanished until Lessa brought them forward in time they did not exist . So maybe, just maybe you are not seeing any future relatives  because they don't exist. They  go forward in time with you and they just aren't there yet.”

            “Why would we all go forward in time. What could possibly be the advantage to the wolves in doing that?” Alynn asked the Lord Holder.

            “With all due respect Alynn, don't be too quick to dismiss the idea. From what Segarra tells me our help could be used in the future. Maybe this is a good time for the wolves to come out of hiding and become part of Pern instead of always hiding in holes and dark caves. We could show ourselves and not fear anymore. Haven't we lived in fear long enough?” wise Emger said.

            “As always Emger, your words make sense. We should discuss this matter with all the pack leaders. Let them be assembled,” Alynn replied. He knew Emger to well to dismiss his judgment in the matter.

            “I will go and assemble them,” Emger said lowering his head a bit as he backed away from Alynn.

            “I want a word with you Segarra. I'd like to find out what is happening in future Pern. I need to know more about this before we assemble to talk to all the pack leaders. After that you are to go to Honshu to rest. I have found out that winged wolves recover faster from this illness  in a warmer climate.” Alynn turn his attention to Segarra.

            Segarra informed Alynn and then left and returned to Honshu. She tried to sleep but could not for something was bugging her. She tried to think of what it was. She ran through the things that it might be and then she remembered.

            How did Alynn know that Jaxom would have the cure for the disease she had? She had to find out. She slowly stood up only to find that her legs had fallen asleep. She ignored them and went to the large cavern were Kalona was watching some cubs. Kalona was lower in the pack status but she was a good friend of Segarra's. She did much of the cub sitting while the leaders were away.

            “Segarra! You should be resting,” she said sternly.

            “I know. But...”

            “Alynn told me to keep your resting no matter what,” Kalona replied firmly.

            “BUT,” Segarra started again, “Something has been bothering me and I have to know the answer.” 

            “Okay, but then you WILL go rest,” Kalona said in such a tone that Segarra knew she would enforce the command.

            “Of course,” Segarra replied as if she wouldn't dare think disobeying. “How did Alynn know that Jaxom had the cure? And what made him turn to  humans? He vowed never to trust them again.”

            Kalona looked at her then quickly turned away. “When Marcia started to get sick, he knew that something was wrong. At first he did nothing, but then he started to get the same sickness.  All the wolves that went  to transport the lizard...”

            “Dragon,” Segarra corrected.

            “Dragon eggs,” she glanced at Segarra then continued, “were the first to get sick. It started to spread to the rest of the pack . He began to check on all the packs  that had wolves that went to the future. He found out that his predication was right.  All the wolves that had gone to the future became sick and then it began to spread to others in those packs.  When some of the older ones died he ventured to Jaxom since he had been the one to send them all forward in time.  He said that he knew nothing of the sickness but that he would inquire of the Healers Hall. They looked into the matter and discovered a bacteria that is present in future Pern and not in this time. Since you had jumped forward in time you had not slowly build up antibodies for the sickness so you were unable to fight it off. Then he became very worried about you because he knew you had returned to the future and...”

            “Worried about me?” Segarra said cutting of Kalona's sentence. “He hated me for trusting the humans and going against HIS orders!”   

            “Well he was worried, so, as I was saying, after the Healers Hall had been successful in curing the packs here he went forward in time to find you.”

            Segarra was silent then she asked in a whisper, “What about his vow about trusting humans?”

            Kalona shrugged. “I'm not sure but I do know that he and Emger spent some sleepless nights in here talking. He listens to Emger you know.” With that she shrugged her head in the direction of the den Segarra was suppose to be sleeping in and Segarra obediently went off to rest.

 

            “Lord Alynn?” Emger said, using Alynn's former title from Brethil. “We have gathered and we are ready.”

            Alynn nodded  and went outside.

            He took his place on the rock with  the seven winged wolf pack leaders and their mates gathered around it  talking about the possible reasons they  had been gathered on such short notice. Alynn and Aria  lived in the rocks and cliffs near Honshu,  Ersatz and Karla lived in the forest, Bass Setia who was alone leading his pack in the harsh conditions of the dessert. Segarra had often helped him with problem since he had no mate but Alynn did not know this,  Avyan and Crimea who dwelled in the mountains,  Avon and Afthena from the seaside, Mohan and Mauna who were living on a island that had never been settled by men, and Deecka and Tamara who were on the plains. The conversation was a soft steady hum to Alynn as he seated himself on the rock.

            “We are here to discuss whether it is to the benefit of the wolves to leave Pern,” Alynn began.

            “Leave Pern! We can't! This is our home!” Mohan said. All the wolves started to talk at once.

            “LEAVE PERN...” Alynn began raising his voice authoritatively above the noise, “to live in a different time in Pern.”

            “Why?” Aria asked her mate.

            Alynn was silent not knowing what to say. Many here knew that he had turned Segarra away from his pack and many of the others had also rejected her because of this. How was he to explain that the only reason he had was to help Segarra?

            “We are planning to leave to benefit future Pern,” Emger said saving Alynn from answering.

            “How do you know that future Pern is in trouble?” Cholera  sneered.

            “Segarra told us." Emger stood up. “She has, as I see it, been risking her life in order to save Pern for our generations to come.” A mummer went through the crowd as they all began whispering to one another as Alynn explained what it was that Segarra had been doing.

            “So, let her go if she wants to, why do we all have to leave . She made her choice. I see no reason to go,” Mauna growled.

            “There IS something she has discovered that should be considered,” Emger growled back at the contrary female.

            “What is that?” Ersatz asked.

            “Segarra has noticed that there are no wolves in future Pern. There are no dragons either. The dolphins are hunted and have to hide in fear and the fire lizards are driven away,” explained Emger.

            “So,” sneered Mohan siding with his mate.

            “So,” began Alynn. “Maybe there are no wolves for the same reason that there are no dragons and for the same reason the dolphins and fire lizards hide. Maybe man killed us off!”

            “And if we go forward in time,” said Tamara a quiet but practical female, “we can bring wolves back to Pern as Segarra is bringing the Dragons back.”

            “Why, so they can kill us?” grumpy Mohan argued.

            “Some of us may die, but Segarra has gone to a time when Pern is undergoing great change. If the wolves help with this change we will  be able to live among men as their friends as Segarra does. We would not have to live in  fear,” Alynn retorted.

            “You rejected Segarra for living with man and now you WANT us to live with man?” Avon questioned, shocked.

            Emger was silent. All wolves waited for Alynn's reply.

            It was Emger that responded. “Things change. The wolves must change also or be destroyed."

            At that Mohan noticed Jaxom walking up behind Alynn. “Man is not welcome at this meeting,” he growled menacingly.

            “Man saved your hide when you were dying from the Sickness!” Deecka  said glaring at the argumentive wolf.

            “We need more information to make such an important decision. How can we be sure the wolves are killed off?” asked Tamara as her mate continued to glare at Mohan and Mauna, who sunk quietly down.

                        “We could send a fire lizard to search Pern then we will know." Jaxom suggested.

            Mohan began to open his mouth to protest but Deecka's glare tore into him as fire and he shut his muzzle and remained quiet.

            “Man is right. Let us find out about future wolves,” said Afthena, no doubt thinking of her new litter of cubs back at their den.

            “My friend F'nor has a willing queen, Grall. I anticipated this problem and have already sent...” Jaxom was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Grall. Alynn and Emger looked at Jaxom. Alynn chuckled to himself and Emger nodded approvingly at Jaxom's foresight. “...and here she is with the news you seek.” He turned to Grall and told her to report to all what she had found.

            As Grall delivered her report the wolves’ mouths hung open in shock, some wolves whined and hung their heads. Mohan and Mauna sneered in disbelief. When Grall had finished Jaxom let her return to F'nor before she would be missed. All the wolves sat in silence. Then the low buzz of the leaders talking among them selves began again. Jaxom was the first to address the group. He looked pale for what he had just seen through the mind of the fire lizard. “I apologize for what man will do to you in the future. No one here will harm you in that way. It sickens me to know what road future man takes. I am glad I can help change all that. “

            “So, man hunts and fears us again,” Alynn started. Emger feared the great wolf would  renew his vow to hate them. Instead Alynn lifted his head and held it high as he reached his decision. “Each of you return to your packs and tell them all you know. Tell them of Jaxom and Segarra. Tell them of the future Pern. Tell them of our future. Then let each family, let each wolf decide to go or stay. Obviously some will stay or Grall would not have seen any. It is also obvious that those who do stay will have their future generation killed by man. As for Aria and myself, we go.”

            “What about the expecting mothers and the young pups?” Karna asked. She and Ersatz were expecting another litter of pups.

            “Stay until you are able to safely leave. These men will not hurt you, only future men will,” Emger said.

            “I say one more thing to all of you. May you remember this and tell it to all in your packs. Segarra is accepted back into my pack with full honors for this great thing she is doing.  Also, “he said as he looked up at Jaxom. “All men are not bad. I renounce my former vow to hate them. There are good and bad men just as there are good and bad wolves. Trust the good men. Hate not all, but only the bad ones and may they do the same with us.” Jaxom was standing next to Alynn as he said this. All the leaders watched as he placed his hand upon Alynn's head and stroked it as he had Segarra's so many times. With that the leaders began to leave, talking as they went about departing to future Pern.

            The next morning, Segarra woke to the sound of other wolves rushing around her. She stood and shook out the dirt that had collected that night. She spotted Alynn walking out of the cave entrance. She called to him and he stopped to wait for her to catch up to him.

            “What happened last night?” she asked.

            “This pack is going with you when you leave. I do not know about the other packs. I left them to decide on their own. How are you feeling?” He asked.

            “Much better!” Segarra exclaimed. “But do tell me what has happened.”

Alynn told Segarra of the  meeting and all that had gone on there. Segarra growled softly at hearing of Mauna and Mohan's attitude. She never had gotten along with that pair. Then Alynn changed the tone in his voice and Segarra knew something was wrong. “Jaxom also told me something else,” he paused and looked at Segarra. “F'lar is dying.”

            "What!" She responded, too shocked to say anything else. Inside, her heart lurched. Then and unexpected tiredness came over her and she stood, mouth open. F’lar was dying. She felt it. Her whole body did, just like bronze Mmenenth would be. Segarra let out a whimper and hung her head. Why hadn’t she realized it before?

            “You go to Benden Weyr. We will take care of all that needs to be done here. Go be with your friend,” Alynn said.

            Segarra lowered her head in respect for Alynn then she quickly ran outside and took to the air. Tears stung her eyes as she went between.

            Segarra landed on Mnementh's ledge. Inside she heard Lessa talking to some one. Segarra entered the weyr and saw F'lar's  bronze dragon, Mnementh. His great bronze head was raised and he was looking to the sleeping quarters. He never even noticed the small white figure of a winged wolf lope by.

            The first thing Segarra saw, was Lessa sitting next to F'lar's bed. F'nor, F'lar's half brother,  was also keeping vigil near the bed. Lessa and F'nor looked up as Segarra entered.

            “Alynn just told me. What's wrong with him?” Segarra asked half choked by the lump in her throat.

            “He's old. His body is giving out,” Lessa said barely audible.

            They stood by in silence. Segarra put her head on the bed near F'lar and whimpered. F'lar raised his hand and placed it on Segarra's head.

            “Good-by my dear, dear friend,” he whispered to Segarra.

            Before the old Weyrwoman could say any thing, Mnementh gave a piercing cry. Segarra ran outside to the ledge and saw him taking off , his great wings beating the air as he drove himself upward. With a loud eerie bugle he went between. All the dragons an the ledges and in their weyr's began the death song knowing that great Mnementh had suicided because of the loss of his soul mate.

            Segarra ran back  to the Lessa. She was crying. F'nor looked no better. Segarra trotted over to her and placed her head in the Weyrwoman's lap like any other canine who feels concerned for their master. Lessa hugged Segarra and  Segarra let her. The wingsecond, F'nor, put a comforting arm around Lessa. They stood there for a long time next to the old Benden Weyrleader. Segarra feeling the sorrow from Lessa and F'nor and herself. Then F'nor tapped Segarra on the back and motioned her to leave with him so that Lessa could be alone. She hung her head and followed F'nor out of the room leaving Lessa to mourn for F'lar.

            That night, the lights were on in Ramoth's weyr and Segarra, being in the adjacent room, could not sleep. There was a silence throughout the weyr even though most did not sleep that night. The sadness infected the entire weyr.

            When Segarra awoke the next morning she went to Ramoth's weyr, it was empty. Ramoth was gone! She tried to call the queen but she heard no answer. Then she tried to call Lessa. Her cries became more intense and fearful. F'nor arrived and saw her standing in the large room...alone.

            “What is the matter?” F'nor asked. By the sound of his voice, he was still recovering from the death of his brother.

            “Lessa and Ramoth are gone. They do not answer. Were are they F'nor?” she asked pleadingly. In her mind she knew they had followed F'lar but she did not want to accept this.

            “They must had left,” F'nor said. His voice was tired. He did not want to believe that they had gone but he was sure that is what happened.

            Then the dragon's began voicing their death song and Segarra and F'nor knew they were gone. F'nor tried to comfort her as she raised her head and howled at the sky that had taken her friends. She felt like she had a thousand pounds of  rock in her stomach. She lay down and cried. Back at Ruatha Hold  Ruth raised his head and bugled his farewell to his friends. At it's heartbreaking sound tears welled up in Jaxom's eyes and he looked skyward.

 

            Two days latter, F'lar was buried. Arranged in their fighting wings, all the dragons and weyrs of Pern, watched from above. Scattered around in the air  with the dragons were a numerous amount of winged wolves. Segarra hovered  next to Ruth and Jaxom, Alynn, Aria and Emger. Alynn had looked pale when Segarra told him the news. He had only begun to know the two leaders and yet he mourned them. Pern had suffered a great loss.

            Just before the casket was slipped into the water, the winged wolves of Brethil arranged themselves into seven wings as the dragons were. Then, F'lar, Weyrleader of Benden Weyr and rider of bronze Mnementh, slipped into the green blue ocean. The dragons bugled a farewell and the wolves joined them. There cries harmonizing perfectly.

 

VI

            After Segarra left, Jedtha tried to think of a way to find the people who would become Pern's dragonriders. Then Bendar appeared and settled on his shoulder.  Jedtha smiled. The shoulder pad that Aivas had told him his ancestors had used was keeping Bendar’s sharp talons out of his flesh.  As he stroked the little bronze, the idea came to him; he could use the fire lizards to find the people. That is the way Segarra had found him so that is what he would do.

            “Bendar, can you get the fire lizards to help us?” He showed the little fire lizard the image of many fire lizards fluttering about the cavern. Bendar left his shoulder and disappeared in a poof. Minutes later, Bendar reappeared with many fire lizards.  They were so excited about helping that they were diving and swooping all around the room. Jedtha had to ask Bendar to settle them down. When they had quieted down enough and found places to perch, Jedtha explained to them what was going on.

            “We need people that can understand fire lizards. Seek out the people who do not chase you away or hurt you. They will be the next generation of dragon riders for Pern....” Jedtha was cut off by the excited chirping of the fire lizards at the mention of dragons returning to Pern. He again waited for them to find their perches and began continued. “I don't know how Segarra knew that I understood fire lizards, and I don't know how she found...”

            Jedtha was interrupted when Bendar gave a shrill cry. Jedtha looked at him startled. He was not angry and definitely not hungry since he had eaten his full not long ago. Then Bendar began showing Jedtha the images of Segarra appearing over a deserted canyon with many caves and ledges around it. A fire lizard, which was perched on her back, took off and began flying through the canyon emitting a soft crooning sound.  Jedtha saw that it was the queen that wore a colored collar. It was the same queen that showed him the cave. He saw Bendar tell Segarra something and he took the perch on Segarra's shoulder where Farli had been and then they disappeared. He saw Segarra sitting outside his bedroom window, watching him. Then she left and went between. Bendar stopped the images.

            “Okay,” Jedtha said slowly. “That's how Segarra found me.” Then he shook his head and said, “Any way, each of you must find a person, whoever you choose, to Impress the dragon eggs. You can search any where on Pern you like.  Segarra said that the people on the Southern Continent are to meet at a place called Cove Hold. The others, from the North, will meet us at a cave near Nerat Hold. We must make this journey without being found out. We can take no chances of being caught. There are those that would try to stop us because they do not realize that Pern's entire future rest on the dragons that will hatch.” Jedtha finished and then showed them what to do. They all disappeared seconds latter.

            He felt tired after all the things that happened today so he put some more wood on the fire and went to sleep. Bendar curled up next to him.

 

            Radshaw placed the skin that he had just tanned and dried up on the self. His father was a Tanner and so was his grandfather. His father had said that it was a very old Craft passed down from generation to generation. His father was teaching him the art even though there was no need for it now with the Computer run planet.  Radshaw and his family didn't agree with the way of life on Pern.  

            Radshaw lived in Igen Hold with his father. His mother had died when he was very young. He was almost eighteen turns old. He sometimes wondered what life would have been like without computers. Radshaw shut the door to the workshop and headed to the house for his dinner. He shuttered as a cold wind swept through his light clothing.

            “Today I got word from Lord Holder Mason. He said that the computer system down at Landing is going crazy. That is why the weather has been so cold lately. All of Pern is being affected,” Radshaw's father said during dinner.

            Radshaw said nothing and kept eating.

            “They're blaming those fire lizards for it. They say they have even got proof that they have been doing it. One of the bronzes stole a RAK unit right from under the clerks nose, then disappeared into thin air,” his father said snapping his fingers together to make his point.

            Suddenly a terrifying squawk was heard outside their door. Seconds later a small fire lizard appeared above the table. She cried out in terror again and stared at the door. There was a loud, sudden pounding at the door.

            “Open the door!” a male voice roared.

            Radshaw looked at the frightened green and she looked at him. There was a pleading in her whirling eyes that seemed to be trying to tell him something. “They're looking for her, father. We can't let her be caught,” Radshaw implored. His father also looked at the frightened green. At the same instant the door burst open. “Get out of here!” Radshaw shrieked at the fire lizard. She disappeared just as a large man barged in.

            “Where is it? I was following it and I almost had it in my trap. Then it just disappeared when it got to your door. Did you to see the green fire lizard in here?” he asked. Father and son both shook their heads. “I must catch it; they are giving a reward for each one caught.” The man left, slamming the door behind him, and then they let out their breaths. The fire lizard appeared again and settled on Radshaw's shoulder, wrapping her tail around his neck securely.

            “Why didn't you say that she was in here?” Radshaw asked his father.

            “I don't know.  There was something in her eyes, I just couldn't betray her,” Mashaw said. Suddenly a blue fire lizard appeared and settled on his shoulder. Radshaw and his father started laughing.

            As the fire lizards began showing their new owners the images Jedtha had told them to relay, they both stopped laughing. They had never had images portrayed right to their minds. “Nerat Hold? Dragons?” Radshaw was confused.

            “My blue said that some one has found a solution to this computer problem and wants us to meet him at Nerat Hold. Is that right?” He asked the blue fire lizard as he reached his hand up to stroke the little head. Both fire lizards bobbed their heads up and down.

            “We'll leave tonight. That way no one will see us,” Mashaw said as he stood up and looked around the little cottage. “This place has never been the same since your mother died. It's so empty. And this life of computers...” he gestured his hand up “...is not for me.  Will you see to our packs to travel with? We'll need food, clothing some cooking utensils and something to cover ourselves with. Shards it's cold lately. I'm going to go to the workshop and gather some tools. I don't want to leave them here; maybe they will come in handy sometime.” Mashaw went out to the workshop and began packing tools for the trip. He uncovered a little four-wheeled cart from generation’s back. “This may not be computer run but at least it is not mal-functioning.” He said to himself voicing his distaste for computers.

            Radshaw packed the things needed from the house. He hauled the packs outside and put them in the ancient cart. Radshaw went inside for a last look around to see if they had gotten everything they needed. Before closing the door his eyes surveyed the little place. Not at all like the new places with all there fancy computer gadgets, just a plain simple place. Mashaw had never liked the changes in Pern and had stayed to himself, holding on to the ‘old’ ways. That is why he still tanned leather even though no one used it any more. The computers now made clothes out of man made things. Plastics had replaced other items that used to be leather. No, it was the simple life for Mashaw. When his wife had died he shut himself up in the little cottage and his workshop. He taught Radshaw the old trade of tanning and kept him from the schools. Radshaw shut the door behind him and walked to the cart. His father wasn't there so he double-checked the cart's load to make sure it was secure. The green and the blue fire lizard appeared and settled on his shoulders, wrapping their tail securely so they would not fall off. 

            Mashaw knelt beside a grave with tears silently making their way down his cheeks. “I promised never to leave you but I must go. Maybe we return when Pern is safe and tech-nol-ogy is in its place.” He stood and wiped his eyes, then returned to the cart. He picked up one shaft and Radshaw the other and they began to pull the cart down the trail towards Nerat. The fire lizards settled themselves in among the baggage. Neither looked back as they left Igen hold. Radshaw asked, “Tell me about the runnerbeast who used to pull the carts.”

 

            Yakima watched the chestnut roan mare, Verna, run around in the small enclosure. She had spent much of her thirteen turns with runner beasts, training, riding, breeding and taking care of them. Ruatha Hold, where she lived, had been famous for its runners. Her father was Lord Holder at Ruatha and had kept the animals only because of that reason. Not that they were useful any more with the new technology, but the sport of racing was still indulged in at Ruatha.

            Turning from the corral, Yakima walked to the stable. It was old and was falling apart and in need of many repairs but her father never noticed. After all, the racers were just for sport, not like the computers that needed so much attention.  She walked down the aisle to the stall at the far end. Chase, her favorite stallion, stood in the corner eating the bedding. Yakima scolded him and he lifted his head. He walked over to the stall door and nuzzled her hand.

            “How about a ride?” She asked the gray. He bobbed his head up and down as if answering.            

            Yakima smiled and gave him one last pat and walked to the other side of the old barn. She grabbed a bridle and saddle and walked to the stall. She gave his already glimmering hide a brushing then tacked him up and mounted.

            When she was passing the hold's doors, her older sister, Mandie, saw her.

            “What do you think your doing?” Mania scolded.

            “Taking Chase for a ride.”

            “To where?”

            Yakima, not wanting to speak to her sister, spun the stallion around and cantered him to the fields beyond.

            Chase ran until they got to Yakima's favorite valley in the mountains. She unsaddled Chase and let him eat the mountain grass. She lay down and closed her eyes.

            Yakima awoke to the sound of chattering over her head. She carefully opened one eye and saw a gold fire lizard flying in tight circles about her head chattering wildly. It saw that Yakima had opened her eyes and was looking at her.  It stopped its noise and landed on a rock close to the girl and looked at her as if it was studying her.

            “Why, hello there,” Yakima said. The gold chirped again.

            Yakima stood up, expecting the queen to fly away. She stayed where she was looking at the girl. Yakima looked around for Chase and saw him a few lengths away. She whistled but he seemed like he hadn't heard. Then, an even more piercing shriek was heard, sounding just like hers. Chase lifted his head and galloped toward her. Yakima turned to look at the fire lizard. She was starring at the gray stallion with whirling eyes. She turned her small head to Yakima and projected the image of Nerat Hold and other people waiting. Very large fire lizards flying in the sky over a valley with people on them. Yakima caught her breath at the image of the dragons.

            “So you want me to go and ride a dragon?” she asked the queen. The queen nodded. “One small problem. There is no such thing as a dragon!” The gold shrieked again startling Chase so that he ran to the other side of the valley.

            “Great! No look what you've done.” She was about to run after the stallion when the queen disappeared. She stopped and looked around for the fire lizard. She was no where to be seen. She then heard the queen screech again and looked to the other end of the field and saw her bring Chase back to her.

            “Well, at least you helpful at bringing in a loose runnerbeast!” Yakima laughed as the queen settled on her shoulder. She saddled Chase up, mounted him and nudged him toward Ruatha Hold.

            “You'll need a name,” Yakima said as she trotted Chase out of valley. The queen fire lizard was sitting on Yakima's shoulder with her tail wrapped around her neck as not to fall off. She turned her head to Yakima and looked at her.

            “Elnora?” she asked after a bit of thought. The name was from her favorite mare that was of the same dark gold color as the fire lizard. Elnora had died two years ago from old age. The gold nodded her head.

            That night Yakima lay in bed starring at the ceiling. During dinner, Elnora had appeared and scared her father, mother and sister. They scared the gold fire lizard enough to send her into the air, disappearing in a small poof. When her father had asked Yakima what had happened that day she had told him under the fiery glare of her sister who loved to see Yakima in trouble.  Her father had then sent her to her room because she wasted far too much time with useless creatures. He forbids her to be with the runner beast any more and she was to study for her computer classes harder. Her sister was a computer ace. Why couldn't she be more like that he had said? She hated those blasted things. Computers never nuzzled you or whinnied to you or ran to greet you in the morning.

            Yakima thought back to what Elnora had showed her about the oversized fire lizards. Maybe she should go to this valley. She was sure that Elnora knew the way. If she did go, her family wouldn't care. She could ride Chase and take the mare she called Verna, with her as a pack animal to carry the supplies and food for the journey.

            With that in mind, she carefully got up with out waking Elnora who had reappeared in her sleeping quarters and was asleep on the pillow. She dressed and pulled out an old bag. She filled it with a few blankets, extra cloths, an illuminator, and a few other things. She grabbed another bag to carry food that she would get from the kitchen latter, then she woke Elnora. The fire lizard sensed what was going on and flew to her shoulder.

            When the two reached the kitchen, Yakima carefully opened the door. Nobody was there. She got the food she needed and left.

  As she was running to the stable, Elnora showed her the image of many people riding runner beasts. Then the image of people walking without runnerbeasts.

            “Oh!” Yakima whispered, stopping. “We should bring more runners for more people, right?” Elnora nodded her golden head.

            “Kimi!” Yakima turned to see three people running up. Judith, an orphaned girl they had gotten to work as a drudge, and two boys Yakima didn't recognize. They caught up with her, their chests heaving to catch their breath.  “We got images from fire lizards to go to this place to meet some people,” Judith said as a green fire lizard appeared and landed on her shoulder.

            “Yes, me too. That’s where I’m going. I'm riding Chase and using Verna to carry supplies. I'm going to take the rest of the runners too.”

            “For other people?” One boy asked.

            “Yes.”

            “Can we help?” the other boy asked, whom Yakima remembered as Erek.

            Elnora suddenly shrieked and the other three took up the cry. Yakima looked to the Hall to see the lights being turned on in her room and she heard her father calling for her.

            “Hurry!” She cried to the others. “They're looking for me! Go to the stable!” They ran to the stable as fast as they could.

            “You three unlatch all the stall doors while I tack up the runners. Ask your fire lizards to herd the runners up and hold them in a group outside.” As the others ran to what they were asked, Yakima ran to get the saddles. She was disappointed to find the rigging on one saddle broken.  She would have to ride bare back. She quickly tacked up three runners and tied them to a pole.

            “Elnora! Bring Verna into the barn!” Elnora disappeared and returned with Verna who was in frenzy with fear from the queen flying about her and crying loudly. Yakima yelled at her to be quiet as not to attract attention to the barn. She gathered the things for the journey and placed them on the roan mare, then she ran to get Chase. She found one of the boys trying to get Chase out of his stall. Chase reared and began pawing the air. The boy grabbed a rope hanging nearby and looped it. He began to twirl it to throw over the stallion’s head. Just as he was about to let it go, Yakima grabbed the rope. Chase settled down at seeing her.

            “I'll take him,” she said to the boy. “Easy, Chase,” she said as the stallion did a half rear and the boy left. She clipped a rope on his halter and led him out of the stall. She put the remaining bridle on Chase. The others were ready and waiting outside. Elnora and the other fire lizards were holding the runners in a small group.

            Yakima got hold of Verna's lead, checked to make sure that the bags were secure.  She swung up on Chase just as her father and five other men came bursting out of the Hold door. “Yakima get back here!” her father yelled as they ran towards the barn.

            Elnora screamed her challenge at the same time driving the fifteen runners to the opposite gate. Yakima's father was the first to clear the fence and he caught hold of the reins before she could move.

            “I told you not to ride this animal again!” He roared.

            “I don't care anymore!” Yakima kicked Chase hard causing him to rear. Verna whinnied, and backed up wildly. Trying not to get trampled Yakima’s father released Chase long enough for the gray stallion to bolt with the young mare running behind.

            “Let’s go!” Judith cried also kicking her mare sending it into a canter.

            Yakima heard yelling and looked back for a second to see Elnora diving at her father.  Elnora stopped her cries as her father stopped chasing her and stood still. Yakima pulled on the reins and Chase came to a clean halt. Her father looked at her and Elnora flew to her shoulder. She looked at her father then gave Chase a nudge and sent him galloping after the other three runners.  She had no notion of where they were going so Yakima just followed her queen.

            She knows what she's doing, Yakima thought as Elnora shrieked and drove the runners toward her destination.

 

            At eleven turns old, Vikki was scrubbing the floor of her mistress home. It was a very new home with all the new fangled computer things that were available. Vikki's mother had not been able to care for her or her siblings Felecia, nine turn old, and Kevon, seven turns old, after their father had been killed in a mining accident. The computers had malfunctioned and indicated that the roof structure was strong enough but it wasn't and it had collapsed on him and ten other miners. Alpena, their mother, had then given them to this childless couple, Zoren and Kirsten, to raise. They had all the wealth a person could have and were happy to welcome the children into their home. However, it was soon apparent that the children were no more than drudges.

            It was late as Vikki worked on the last task for the day, cleaning the kitchen floor. Kevon and Felecia had finished their chores and had collapsed in their beds to tired to move. Vikki bent her head and began to weep. Why had everything gone wrong? Her family had been so close until... the computer had malfunctioned and killed her father.  She had the distinct feeling that she was not alone and she looked up thinking she would see the scowling face of Kirsten glaring at her.  However she saw no one in the room. She looked all around and then heard a soft crooning sound coming from the rafters. She looked to see a blue, a green and a brown fire lizard starring at her from the rafters.  As she stared back to startled to speak, the fire lizard began to explain things to her by way of images in her head. Vikki left her cleaning tools on the floor and left to wake her brother and sister.

            “Felecia,” she said quietly as she shook her gently. “Wake up.”

Felecia opened her eyes slowly, “What does Kirsten and Zoren want us to do now?” she said sleepily.

            “They do not want us to do anything but, those three do,” she said pointing at the fire lizards that had followed her to the sleeping chambers.

            Felecia's eyes grew wide. “What are they doing here!”

            “I'll tell you in a minute, we have to get Kevon.” Vikki told her as she dressed quickly. They stealthy went through the corridors until they reached Kevon's room. Actually it was just a corner of a storage room.  There Vikki explained what she had learned from the fire lizard.

            “We have nothing here, let's go.”

            “But where do we go to?” asked Felecia.  

            “He says,” Kevon said pointing to the brown fire lizard, “to Cove Hold.”

            The fire lizards flew low and quiet as they made their way out of the house. They took nothing but the clothes on their backs that were mostly rags. Then Vikki stopped short, “Wait, the OSM, how do we avoid that?”

            The fire lizards, sensing the problem projected an image that made the three children laugh. As the fire lizards attacked the sensors, rendering the OSM useless, Vikki, Felecia and Kevon left the home that had been their prison for four turns. Not sure of what they were getting into but sure that they did not want to stay with Zoren and Kirsten any longer, they followed their newly acquired friends, the fire lizards.

            Many people left their holds that night. Some were laden down with supplies and tools of the trades that had been passed down through many generations and carefully persevered despite the computers. Some left with no more than the clothes on their backs and the desire to go. Although each had a story of their own they all were heading towards one goal, Benden Weyr and the dragons eggs.

 

VII

            For two days, Jedtha had been getting things ready to travel to the cove where they would meet the dolphins that would take them across the sea to the northern continent. He was braiding a rope that would be needed to make rafts. Avais had showed him how to find the reeds in marshy places and make them into strong lengths of rope. Then he heard his name being called.

            Jedtha? It sounded like Segarra but when he looked around he could not see her. He placed the partially finished rope down and thought. Segarra had said she could speak telepathically to humans.

            What? He asked.

            Segarra told him that she had found dolphins and would be gone a while.

            Fine. I am busy preparing things here. He picked up the rope again and started braiding.

 

            Seven days after Segarra had called him she arrived with many other winged wolves. Jedtha was packing the last of the supplies they had to bring to Cove Hold. "How many wolves did you bring with you?" Jedtha asked looking around in astonishment.

            “All who could and would come,” a dark wolf said in a rich, lordly tone.

            “Jedtha,” Segarra said looking towards the black wolf that had spoken. “This is Alynn. He's my pack leader and the one who helped convince the others to come here.”

            “Hello Alynn. I've heard much about you from Segarra. It is a privilege to meet such a reputable wolf as yourself. I am glad you all came, but what made you all leave old Pern?” Jedtha asked being a bit puzzled at the mass arrival of winged wolves.

            “Segarra noted that she did not see any winged wolves in this time of Pern's history so Jaxom sent a fire-lizard off into the future to see what becomes of the wolves. We found out that somewhere between Jaxom's time and your time man kills off all the wolves.  He treats us just as the dolphins and the fire-lizards. We decided to skip ahead in time to preserve our species. We would like to help you bring about the changes on Pern that you are working towards. Then we hope to live in peace as man’s friend so that neither man needs to fears the wolf nor wolf need to fear the man,” Alynn explained.

            “Yes,” Jedtha said shaking his head in understanding, “Survival of the species. A wise decision, as I suppose any leader would do under those circumstances. Tell me, will more wolves be coming?”

            “Yes. Others will be arriving when they are ready. Some were expecting litters or had pups too young to leave. Segarra gave them the image so they could get here. Some, however, were too arrogant to leave but that was expected.”

            “Will you be joining us now?” Asked Jedtha.

            “First we need to go back to where we used to live and settle the packs into their dens,” a creamy white wolf said. His name, Jedtha found out later, was Bass Setia.

            “Afterward, we'll help you,” Alynn said. He gave an unheard signal and the winged wolves rose as one into the air and disappeared in unison. Segarra stayed behind.

            Jedtha looked at Segarra. She didn't look much like the Segarra he knew. She seemed very depressed and withdrawn. Alynn and the gray wolf, Emger, had stayed behind. He asked them if they could help him move to the cove so they could start putting the rafts together.

            “I will go ahead and find a place near the cove where we can stay hidden and still be close enough to build the rafts and launch them. I will call the dolphins when we are ready to leave and they will see us safely across to Nerat,” Segarra said. She rose and went between leaving Jedtha with Aylnn and Emger.

            Jedtha and the wolves had everything packed and ready to go when Segarra returned. Segarra gave the image of the new location to the other wolves that began taking the packs to the new location by going between. Jedtha had to walk and Segarra stayed with him to guide him.

            As they walked, Jedtha questioned Segarra. “Why are you so gloomy?”

            “F'lar, he was sick when I returned to old Pern. He died and then Mnementh suicided because he was gone. “She stopped and choked back some tears. “Then Lessa left.”

            “Lessa left the Weyr?” Jedtha asked surprised that the Weyrwoman would do that.

            “Lessa and Ramoth did not want to live without F'lar and Mnementh and so Lessa took Ramoth between and they suicided.” They walked the rest of the journey in silence.

            When they arrived at the new camp Jedtha started a fire. The other wolves had already caught a couple of wherrie's for everyone to eat. Jedtha was starving so he wasted no time in cooking his portion.

            As Jedtha cooked his meal the wolves began talking to each other telepathically.  

            Now that you have been accepted back into the pack will you be returning to us? Alynn asked Segarra.

            I will return to Jaxom and report to him on the outcome of this venture as I promised I would. Then I will be returning here to live with Jedtha. Segarra replied.

            “What!” Jedtha suddenly cried. “But...”

            Segarra smiled. He had been listening to the short conversation between the two winged wolves.

            “But,” Jedtha started again.

            “I can't go back to the pack. I'll have to live like Alynn and my friends in dens and caves. I am used to living with people now. The Weyrleaders were...well, like my owners. They treated me like one of their beloved dragons. They're gone now,” Segarra sighed. “I have decided that I want live with you, Jedtha, no matter what happens.”

            Jedtha reached out and stroked Segarra's head. “And you are welcome to stay with me my friend.”

            Alynn nudged Segarra with his nose. If we do not want any more interruptions, Segarra Jesria than we better speak in our old tongue; Marl.

            “Ona zaph,” Segarra replied, nodding.

            “Huh?” Jedtha looked up from his labors over the fire. “On a giraffe?”

            Segarra burst out laughing. Alynn chuckled and smiled. “Ona zaph means ‘I agree’ in the wolves tongue, Jedtha,” Alynn explained. “It is called Marl. To reduce your ability to understand private conversations in the future we shall use that to communicate.”

            “But, what if it’s something really important?”

            “Than we will speak in your language, my arra,” Segarra smiled.

            “And that means...”

            “Friend,” Alynn said. “Segarra means ‘playful friend’, while mine is ‘great leader’.”

            Jedtha took a deep breath and bent to his cooking again. “I think that, just because of you two, I will attempt to learn Marl.” Alynn snorted in a friendly manner and Segarra walked up to him and lay down next to him. She closed her eyes, content with her life.

 

            The next morning the three wolves and Jedtha began working on rafts that would get them across the ocean. While Jedtha felled trees the wolves brought then to the beach were they could tie them together with the rope that Jedtha had woven. It was unbelievably hot that morning. As the sweat dripped from his forehead he wondered at the extent of the computer damage by now. It had been two months that he had been gone and the weather had not been as consistent as it used to be. This morning was no different.

            Jedtha swung the ax again, another item Aivas had helped him construct while he was in his hidden valley. Bendar suddenly rose from his peaceful dozing. He began screeching and diving at Jedtha's head. Then he would pull at his hair or anything he could grab, trying to get Jedtha to move.

            “What's got into you?” Jedtha asked as he swatted at Bendar. “Stop it. I'm trying to work!”

            The three wolves appeared from between and hovered over Jedtha, all wore fearful expressions.

            “Look at the sky! You must take cover. You must hide!” Segarra said as she joined in with Bendar's efforts to move Jedtha towards safety.

            Jedtha looked up at the sky. It had once been clear and blue but now on the horizon, huge, black ominous looking clouds were blowing in to the cove. Jedtha felt the wind picking up force and it was cold against his sweat-covered skin.

            “What in tarnation is that?” He asked the wolves.

            "A storm. Charliran and Crimea have reported that many of these storms have been plaguing the northern continent lately,” Emger announced.

            A sudden gust of wind forced the wolves to land.  They searched for shelter and Segarra spotted a cave near the edge of a clearing.

            "Jedtha!" she shouted above the wind. "I found a cave!" As they began to run towards the shelter a sudden down pour of rain began to drench them. Jedtha covered his face with his hands as the wolves spread their wings in front of them to hide from the pelting drops. They ran as quick as they could to the cave and ducked in just as a cloud burst sent rain pouring down on them like buckets full of water. Alynn sighed in relief.

            "Last time I was in a storm like this it was in Yukon. I just happen to be in the desert during the rainy season." Segarra laughed at his sarcasm. Alynn shook himself, scattering cold rainwater on everyone.

            "Alynn!" Jedtha playfully scolded. "You've soaked me!"

            Segarra looked around the cave. Now that she got a better look at it, it was familiar. She then she spotted something partially hidden in the sand.

            "Jedtha! You won't believe what I just found!" Segarra exclaimed. Jedtha, Alynn and Emger came over.

            "Wow! What is it?" Emger asked as she dug the pouch out of the sand.

            "Marks. From the past." Segarra dumped out the contents. There were mostly harper marks, Segarra noticed.

            "What are Marks?" Alynn asked.

            "A type of money that people use. I've seen Lessa and F'lar use them to get things they needed. " Segarra said.

            "We have a those too." Jedtha reached into his pocket and pulled out a metal disk with a marking on it. Segarra thought it looked like the Computers Hall symbol.

            " It's from the Computer Hall. I found it on the ground one day." Jedtha explained. Segarra placed a mark from the bag in Jedtha's hand next to the one he had. It was another Computer mark. "They look identical!"

            "What is this place?" Emger asked. Segarra explained that this was the cave that Jaxom had found. She explained all that Jaxom had told her about it and that Cove Hold was built somewhere around here for Master Harper Robinton after his heart attack.

            "Hey! The rains letting up!" Alynn said suddenly. The foursome began to venture outside. Then hail began to pelt down on their heads. "Opps. I guess I spoke a little too soon." They quickly ducked back into the cave.  Segarra sighed and shook her self lightly and lay down to sleep. Alynn and Emger told Jedtha more about the winged wolves. In return Jedtha told the wolves about the Pern they had decided to live in.  Then they all drifted off to sleep to the rhythm of the falling rain.

            "Wow! Blue sky. I thought you would never return." Alynn called to the sky. " Hey, Segarra. Not a fluffy black cloud in sight." .

            Segarra ignored Alynn and followed Jedtha and Emger outside. Alynn had a way of showing off sometimes. It was early morning and it had rained all night, sometimes pouring with such a force that they thought they would be flooded out of the cave. The winds had howled fiercely and they could hear the trees groaning outside.

            "I'm more interested in the damage," Segarra said looking around. The wind had been straight-line winds but they had done their share of damage.

            "One good thing about this storm Jedtha," Alynn replied as he looked around at all the trees that had fallen during the storm. " You will not have to cut down many more trees for the rafts."

            " No, I should say not," he said then as he looked at his blistered hands he added, " And it's a good thing too. My hands are about done in. I'm going to take a look around and see what the extent of the damage is."Jedtha walked off with Bendar flying around his head. He was glad to be in the sunshine again. Jedtha began walking up a trail.  What the wolves had told him about Cove Hold and Master Harper Robinton made his mind wander. Where on this beach might he have lived? Could he be walking on the same sands Robinton had walked on?

            "Shards!" Jedtha yelled as he grabbed his foot. He had not been watching where he was going and he had stubbed his toe on something hard. He hopped around on one foot and held onto the throbbing toe. "What was that anyways" He said looking down to find the offending object. What he saw made him wonder. It looked like it was made of black reef rock and was filled with a white substance. It had a straight edge that looked more man made than natural. He dropped to his knees and began digging out the object.     When he was done he called for the others who came to see what all his excitement was about.

            "What do you make this out to be Segarra?" He asked pointing at his excavation.

            "It looks to be a step. I must be part of the steps to Robinton's hold. I've visited this hold after Robinton died with Jaxom and the Weyrleaders. But," she said looking in an eastwardly direction," I thought it was more over there. Time must have changed the look of the land."

            Emger and Alynn began digging and quickly unearthed another step just below the first. "We must be standing on the Masters Porch." Emger said looking around as if he might suddenly see the house appear. They all began looking around and sifting through the sand. Alynn found a metal shutter whose edge was poking out of the sands due to the rains. Jedtha saw a glimmer of blue in the rising suns light. He carefully dug around it and unearthed a cup. He used a corner of his shirt to wipe off the cup and he gasped at his find. The wolves came over to investigate. It was a goblet whose base was a beautiful shade of blue. Inscribed on it was the name Master Harper Robinton and the symbol of a harp.

            "The harper blue goblet that Robinton was given when he arrived here." said Segarra in a barely audible whisper.

            "I wish we had the time to unearth this area." Segarra continued as she looked over the area. "I've heard so much about this Robinton; I'd like to see what we could find."

            "We have more urgent things to do now." Emger said. As he did he put his nose in the air sniffing the breeze, "We have company, and we must hide." The foursome disappeared in the bushes as a traveler came out on to the cove.

 

            Terradorn dropped his heavy sack on the ground. It was soaked. He had been caught out in the rains last night with only a make shift shelter. He was thirty turns old and had worked at the shipping docks loading the computer run transit ships for fifteen turns. His arms were hard as steel. He stitched his long lean frame out in the sunshine and let its rays penetrate his chilled bones. Oh it felt good to be warm. A brown fire lizard appeared and landed in the sands near him. "And where were you during the storm, Algeen." The fire lizard keened softly. Terradorn chuckled and stroked his head. "Well, if I could have disappeared and gotten out of that rain I would have."

 

            Suddenly Bendar chirped loudly a flew out of the bushes to greet the brown fire lizard. Algeen and Bendar began swooping and diving around Terradorn. “Who’s your friend Algeen?” He asked. At that moment the bushes rustled and Jedtha stepped out followed by the three winged wolves.

            "Hello, my name is Jedtha, and you must be one who was found by a fire lizard." Jedtha said walking out with his hand out stretched.

            "Yes, the name is Terradorn and this is," he said gesturing towards the fire lizard, "Algeen. We have traveled from Southern Hold. I made most of the journey by boat until the storm hit and we had to go a shore. Who are your friends? I've never seen the likes of them." 

            "I am Alynn," he said stepping forward, "And this is Emger and Segarra."

            They started to explain the situation in more detail to Terradorn when they heard squeals and clicking coming from the ocean.

            "Look," said Segarra excitedly, "It's the dolphins!"

            Segarra ran to the shore to greet her friends with the others following behind her. The first dolphin had a small boy sitting on it. Segarra recognized the dolphin as Delta. She waded into the water and helped the young boy off the dolphin. He was wet and was shivering. Segarra started barking and they looked and saw two other people being towed in by the dolphins. The dolphins brought them as close to shore as they could and they scrambled onto the dry land. The boy ran to meet them shouting their names.

            "Vikki! Felecia! Look, on the beach!" Vikki and Felecia looked straight at the three winged wolves.  Her mouth dropped open to speak but she wasn't able to because Kendra, her green fire lizard, appeared swooping around her. Bendar and Algeen joined in crooning. The other two fire lizards appeared also joining in the display. Terradorn and Jedtha brought blankets that were dry and wrapped the three new comers in them. Segarra grabbed an empty sack and then took to flight to search for some dry firewood. The rain had drenched everything in the area and the children were going to need a fire.  She returned while Jedtha and the others were trying to start the fire. Segarra landed and laughed at the fire lizards who were starring at the pile of wet wood. Jedtha was trying to start the fire with sparks that couldn't seem to get started.

            "Jedtha."

            "What?" he asked striking harder on the rocks clearly irritated at his futile efforts.

            "Well. I just thought that you might find this dry wood helpful." she said. Jedtha looked up. " And this fire stone."

            "You mean that stone can start a fire?" Jedtha asked looking at the strange rocks. Segarra just smiled.

            Segarra replaced the wet wood with the dry logs she had found. She then asked all the fire lizards to chew some of the firestone she had brought back with her. Jedtha's eyes widened in astonishment as the fire lizards began chewing the rocks.

            "Bendar, stop that you'll break your teeth for sure!"  He said to Bendar who ignored him and continued grinding the stone with his teeth.

            A few minutes later the fire lizards began emitting little puffs of smoke. They then turned to the logs and blew flame at them. Soon a warm, cozy fire was going and Vikki, Felecia and Kevon started telling their story.

            They told of their father’s death and why their mother had to sent them to live with Zoren and Kirsten. They told of the treatment they had received there, and how the fire lizards had found them.

            " We decided to go by way of the river since it would be the fastest way to travel. So, we took an old boat we had found in Zoren's shed, knowing that it would not be missed. If we took the good one they would have known were to look for us. We traveled up Island River out to the sea then followed the coast," Vikki began. "When we had traveled a ways a storm blew up. We were by a cove that had some caves by it."

            "Dolphin's Hall." Segarra and Terradorn said in unison.

            "Well, whatever it's called, that's when the storm blew in. The waves were strong and high and they kept splashing into the boat. We tried to bail out the water with our hands but it wasn't fast enough. Then a large wave hit our boat broad side and capsized us. We fought to hang on to the slippery bottom of the boat. But the water... it was so cold. " she shivered as she remembered the feel of the water that night. " After a while I couldn't feel my arms and legs."

            "Ya," Kevon said. "Then I slipped. I couldn't hang on any more. My sisters started yelling at me to swim but I couldn't move my arms and legs. I just kept sinking. Then I felt something slippery rub against my leg. I saw a fin  in front of me and I managed to grabbed it. More bodies pushed up against me. Before I knew it I was being pulled and pushed to the surface. When we reached the surface one of them pushed up under me and there I was, riding the dolphin. I looked back long and saw that my sisters each had a hold on a dolphin."

            "They could even speak," Felecia said.

            "The people who were first here from Earth brought the dolphins." Segarra said. "They used a procedure called mentasynth to teach them to talk."

             "Did you come with humans too?" Kevon asked.

            "No," Jedtha said. "They came from another planet to escape people trying to kill them. Yukon, I think."

            "Alynn! Look,"Segarra suddenly said. Emger, Alynn and Jedtha looked into the air. Two other winged wolves were circling the Hold.

            "Aria! Kalona! Down here!" Segarra called. Everybody went to meet the two new arrivals.

            "Aria and I thought you might need some help," Kalona said.

            "And who's watching the pack," Alynn said sternly to his mate.

            " Shiraz is." Aria said.

            "Segarra, why are you laughing?" Emger asked.

            "Shiraz's doing a good job of watching them. Alynn, look again at the sky."

            Suddenly Alynn chuckled as the other wolves in his pack landed.

            "Jedtha, you now have a lot of help," Alynn laughed again.

            "Well we are going to need food," Jedtha said. "And lots of it. Here comes more people."

            That day, and for the next five days after that, people kept coming. Segarra and her friends were kept pretty busy at catching wherries and gathering  find fruit that still grew in abundance on the southern continent, despite people. At every new arrival, Jedtha would place that person or people into a  work group. They had to build the rafts,  make ropes and care for the needs of all the people. When they were close to leaving Jedtha asked his friends, the wolves, to fly around to see if  any more people were coming. He did not want to leave any behind.  " There are One Hundred and twenty-six people! And more will be coming from the north." Jedtha said to Alynn as the wolves got ready to search the area. Segarra was about to take off when she turned to Jedtha.

            “It takes many people to run a Weyr,” then, half folding her wings. "The people that do not Impress will be able to help in the Weyr with other chores. Oh," She said extending her wings again, "You need to give them all the details of this venture. Some of the fire lizards were very vague in explaining things to these people. "

            "Tonight would be a good, while we wait for darkness to conceal our departure. That is, if no one else is coming."

            "Show them Aivas. They'll need a history lesson too," Segarra smiled then leaped into the air.

            "No one else is coming." Alynn said when the wolves  returned.

            "Okay. Well then we leave at midnight and have the history lesson that  Segarra suggested. We'll also need more food," Jedtha said smiling slightly. Segarra groaned a little as did a few others. The hunting job never seemed to end.

            "I do remember a time when we ate what we caught,"Kalona said.

            "I  need a few of  you to help me," Jedtha said. He was hoping that Segarra would stay but she went hunting with the rest. Alynn, Emger, Kalona and a few others stayed to help. After the wolves returned the people enjoyed a feast.

            "Maybe you know what your here for and maybe you don't," Jedtha started when everyone had eaten their fill and were gathered around warm fires.  Segarra laid down next to him just in case help was needed. " We're going to go to Benden Weyr to ride dragons. I have a RAK unit that is hooked up to Aivas. Aivas is the computer that the colonist used when they first came to Pern. He will teach you the history of Pern. Then I will inform you of the reason you were sought out by the fire lizards."

            Jedtha pulled out his RAK system and punched his password in.

            "Hi, Avias. Please review Pern's history thing again?"

            "My pleasure," Avias said and again explained about the colonist and their landing, Thread and the creation of the dragons,  all the way up to the time he shut himself down prior to  Master Robinton's death.

            "You won't have to fight Thread," Segarra said as they started to talk about the deadly thing. "But some of you will be riding a dragon."

            "But there are no dragons!" someone shouted above the noise.

            "There will be. We did not bring all those eggs forward in time for nothing!" Alynn cried. He was standing behind Segarra.

            "You brought the eggs?" Jedtha asked turning to Alynn.

            "Well it was her idea." Alynn nodded to Segarra who was in shock for the information that her pack leader had just disclosed.

            "No." Segarra corrected him. "It was Jaxom's idea." Alynn shrugged indifferently.

            "Any way," Jedtha began taking a deep breath. "we need those dragons to save Pern." Jedtha then explained all he knew about Pern's future and Jaxom's plan to save the planet. Then he continued. " We are crossing the sea tonight. We need to leave under the cover of darkness so we will not be seen.  Some people do not agree with this plan and may try to stop us. Some of  you have run away, as I have, and we can not risk being caught. So start packing. Segarra and her friends will pull the rafts into the water. When they have been launched we can load them." Jedtha dismissed them and they left to get their things ready.

            "I'll call the dolphins," Segarra said.

            That night, a long line of rafts, pulled by dolphins, left Cove Hold.

            "Segarra," Jedtha called. She flew closer to hear. "I did hope to explore Robinton's house more."

            "There will be time when this venture is over."

            They talked very little on the ocean trip. Suddenly Segarra remembered something. "We still need runnerbeast to cross the land. How will I find so many!" she moaned softly. I'll think of that later.

            Think of what later? Alynn asked, listening in to her thoughts.

            Nothing.

             In the morning they saw the coast line near Nerat. As they got closer they saw people. And to Segarra's satisfaction and delight, runnerbeasts!

 

VIII

            The rain beat down on Radshaw and Mashaw as they pulled the overly loaded wagon down the trail toward Nerat. Rains beat down on them making the road slippery. Up ahead was a ravine with a swiftly moving creek running through it. The creek was normally a calm slowly winding stream but the heavy rainstorms that had been plaguing the area continuously, had turned it into a torrent of rushing water.

            “I think we better cross the stream tonight and make camp on the other side. By morning it will be even worse. Let's hope there is dry wood somewhere so we can make a fire. The last few nights have been very cold and my old bones ache,” Mashaw said above the ragging storm.

            “I'm all for a nice warming fire,” Radshaw said shivering under his rain soaked clothing.

            The two men began pulling the cart through the stream. Part way through, the wheels sank up to the hubs in the muddy creek bottom. All their efforts to pull or pry the wagon loose failed. The two men went to the shore and fell to the ground exhausted.

            “We can do no more tonight,” Mashaw said. “Take a rope from the wagon and tie it to that hardwood tree,” he instructed, indicating a large, sturdy tree that was near the swollen creek.

            Radshaw stood up and wadded through the stream back to the wagon. He found a long rope and tied it to the front axel with a strong knot. Then he went to shore and secured the rope around the tree.

            While Radshaw was securing the wagon, Mashaw was cutting some fronds and began building a shelter. Meanwhile, Zera, Radshaw's green fire lizard, and Ollas, Mashaw's blue, emerged from their shelter among the luggage in the back of the wagon. They flew to where their human friends sat. Ollas looked at Zera and chirped. With that, the blue and the green took to flight and disappeared in a small poof.

            “I wonder where they are off to?” Radshaw asked looking at the spot where the fire lizards had disappeared.

            “Probably to a place that is a whole lot drier!” Mashaw said.

 

            Yakima and her friends were riding toward Nerat when her gold fire lizard, Elnora, took to flight and began swooping and diving with an unknown green and blue fire lizard.

            “It looks like Elnora has visitors,” Yakima said to Judith above the sound of the rain.

Then Elnora swooped down to Yakima's shoulder and began giving her the image of two men trying to pull a wagon out of the mud of a swollen creek.

            “Who are these men?” She asked her queen.

            Elnora chirped as she gave Yakima the image of a dragon and it's rider.

            “Dragons. You mean they are going to Nerat, too?” The queen nodded her head and crooned.

            “Where are these men?” Yakima questioned her queen.

            Elnora gave her the image of the location of Mashaw and Radshaw. They were just to the east of them.

            “I think they could use some runner beast power,” she said to Elnora who took to flight and began an aerial display with Zera and Ollas. Then turning to Judith and the boys she announced, “We have a slight detour.”  Yakima explained the situation to the others. All were in agreement to help the two stranded men. They decided to make camp in some dense forest underbrush that night because of the rains. They would take off at first light to intercept the trail of the two men.

 

            Radshaw and Mashaw where starring out of their shelter, sipping on a morning cup of klah. This was the second morning they had been here unable to budge the wagon. They were disappointed, discouraged and thoroughly exhausted.  Zera and Ollas appeared from beneath the warm covers. They landed on the shoulders of their preferred person and chirping happily.

            “What are you so happy about,” Radshaw asked his fire lizard. With that they heard the unmistakable snort of runner beast. They jumped up together and found themselves starring at four mounted riders and a herd of runner beast.

            “Hi, my name is Yakima. Elnora tells me you’re in need of some help?” Yakima couldn't help but grin at the surprise on the two men's faces.

            “Yakima?” Mashaw quiried. “Lord Maness daughter from Ruatha.”

            Yakima nodded. “Yes. It looks as if people of many ranks are invited to meet dragons.” She glanced at Radshaw who still stood motionless. “What is the problem here?”

            “We can't move the wagon,” Radshaw explained to the young girl as he regained his composer. He gestured to the hopelessly stuck wagon in the unrelenting streambed.

            “I think I have a runner that will be able to pull that out,” Yakima asked Elnora to get Sable and bring him to them. He was a sturdy, coal black, stallion with a gentle disposition. Elnora cut Sable out of the herd and directed him to Yakima by chirping and diving at the slow moving animal. Yakima dismounted Chase and handed him over to Arges that the stallion could nibble the grass as they released the wagon from the mire. She took a long rope from one of Verna's packs and made a quick and durable halter for Sable. She started to lead him into the raging creek. He stopped once to snort at the water as it swirled around his legs.

            “It's okay boy,” Yakima said patting his shoulder. “You'll be fine.” The big stallion plodded on at Yakima's encouragement. As they past the back of the wagon she noticed that it contained leather.

            “You work with leather?” she asked. Both mean nodded.

            “Would you have a thick wide strap we can put across Sable's chest? I think this rope will chafe him.”

            “I told you they would come in handy,” Mashaw grinned at his son.

            Mashaw dug out a strap and handed it to Yakima for her to inspect. After she approved of it she positioned Sable in front of the wagon and then went to work fastening the strap around Sable's wide chest They attached a smaller strap that looped over his withers to keep the chest strap in place.  Then they attached the ropes that Mashaw and Radshaw had used to pull the wagon, to the ends of the chest strap by using with metal rings Mashaw had in his possession. When the makeshift harness was ready, Argus, Erik, Radshaw and Mashaw pushed on the back of the wagon while Yakima urged Sable forward. The great stallion really didn't need the extra help. Sable leaned into the harness and pulled it out with no effort at all. Everyone cheered as they splashed across the water to the shore.

            Yakima patted Sable and waited as the wagon was inspected for damage.

            “It okay and everything's still in it. It's just a bit water logged,” Mashaw said.

            Yakima undid the halter and made a slip loop in the center of the rope. She slipped the loop into Sable's mouth and handed the rope ends to Radshaw.

            “Here, you can use him to pull your cart. The country up ahead will be difficult and you won't be able to pull the cart yourself,” she said giving Sable a quick pat then waded across the stream to where Arges held Chase.

            “I can't believe she gave us the runnerbeast!” Radshaw exclaimed holding the reins. Sable turned his head and nudged Radshaw. He smiled and stroked the black nose. Then Mashaw and his father quickly packed up their camp and left. Yakima and her friends moved the runner beasts across the stream and followed the wagon.

                        The small group continued on through the mountains heading in a southward direction towards the tip on Nerat. As the group rode along the crest of a mountain ridge they looked down upon a green, lush valley. “Look!” Judith exclaimed as she pointed to the dark figures in the valley. “Wild runnerbeast!”

                        Yakima cantered Chase up to the front of the group where Judith was.  “There must be fifty adults down there, and look at all those foals and yearlings!” They heard the shrill cry of a stallion and the wild group took off across the valley. They watched, as they became small dots in the distance. “Boy would I love to get my hands on that bunch!” Yakima said, then sighed. Ever since she was young, she had wanted to train the most intelligent and beautiful horse in all Pern. Yet, didn’t all people want something that was beyond their reach?

            They continued on, avoiding the steepest of the mountains and keeping the seacoast visible on their right. They past close to Half Circle Hold that was a busy shipping port for the transport units. They past by it at night to keep out of sight.

            “There doesn't seem to be any activity at the port at all, don't they receive cargo day and night?” asked Argus.

            “Yes, usually. The weather has been very unpredictable lately; maybe that's been grounding the transport units,” answered Yakima.

            “Come to think of it, we haven't seen any units pass over us for four or five days now,” Judith added.

            The group moved on slowly, looking over the seemingly deserted cargo port in silence as they pasted by it unnoticed. When they reached an isolated stretch of beach on the south most point, the fire lizards began chirping and diving happily, indicating that this was where they needed to wait, so they set up camp to wait. As they waited other people began to join the group. The appearance of fire lizards and an enthusiastic aerial greeting given by their own fire lizards preceded each new arrival. 

           

            A few days latter, a strange fair of fire lizards appeared in the early morning just as the sun began to rise. Elnora and the others joined the new comers in the sky, diving and warbling happily.

            “I think we shall have company soon,” Radshaw said as he watched the group.

            “What's that out on the sea?” Yakima said straining her eyes as far she could as the rafts became visible on the horizon. The group on the shore watched until they could make out the rafts and the people on them who were cheering and waving.  As they waved back they began to see the dorsal fins of dolphins slicing the water in front of the rafts. It was soon apparent that dolphins were pulling the rafts.

            “Dolphins?” said Erek. “I thought the dolphins avoided people?”

            “That's only because people have killed so many of them. It just like the fire lizards. Imagine blaming so many problems on these intelligent creatures.” Yakima said as Elnora landed on her shoulder and rubbed her golden wedged shaped head on Yakima's cheek.

            As they came in close to shore and the water became to shallow for the dolphins, some of the men on the rafts jumped into the water and began tugging on the ropes to bring the rafts up on the sandy beach. Others on the shore waded out to help.  Yakima went out to help but as she started to reach for a rope of a raft a dark figure splashed into the water beside her. It caught her by surprise and she stumbled backwards, arms flailing wildly, until she lost her balance and fell into the knee-deep water.

            “Alynn!” A female voice said. “Can't you land like everyone else? Now quit playing around and help Jedtha and I.”

            Yakima pulled herself up and looked to see who had startled her.   A boy was pulling at one of the ropes attached to the same raft, and a dog was helping him. She was surprised that the boy had such a feminine voice for surely the dog hadn't spoken.

            “Now I’ve seen everything,” Yakima mumbled as she got over the shock of her soaking and of seeing the dog helping. She took hold of the rope she had tried to grab before and they all pulled the raft onto shore. As the bottom began to drag on the sand, others ran over to grab a piece of rope where ever they could, and heaved mightily until the raft was a safe distance from the sea.

            Elnora landed on Yakima's shoulder and she stroked the little head that was nuzzling her.

            “I'm sorry about what happened,” a voice said.

            Yakima turned to see the two dogs looking at her, heads cocked to the side.

            “Alynn can be a little too playful at times.” Yakima eyes widened as she realized that the dog had spoken. She stood frozen in her spot. Elnora felt Yakima's fear and shrieked, she took to flight and began diving at one wolf and then the other. She stopped and landed on Yakima's shoulder, eyeing the wolves and chirping wildly in warning.

            “Protective, aren't you,” the wolf laughed. “What's her name?” she asked Yakima.

            “Umm... Elnora. I'm Yakima,” she stammered.

            “I am Segarra.” The wolf executed a graceful bow, her left foreleg bent.

            “And I am Alynn, son of Alcorn, Lord of the Wolves,” proclaimed the darker male. Yakima smiled shyly. She had thought she had caught the sight of something on their sides but dismissed that for sunlight.

            “Segarra!” Jedtha called from down the beach. “Come over here.”

            “Now what have I done, “ Segarra groaned.

            “I bet it's something terrible,” Alynn teased. The threesome made their way over to Jedtha.

            “Yakima, this is Jedtha.” Segarra said introducing the two humans and ignoring Alynn. Then she stretched her wings that were sore from the long flight. Yakima jumped backward at the sight of the wings, causing Elnora to shriek in alarm and dig her talons into Yakima's shoulder.

            “Segarra is a winged wolf,” Jedtha said grinning at Yakima's surprise. “Where are you from?” he questioned her.

  “I'm from Ruatha Hold,” she said. “And this is my queen, Elnora. I brought fifteen runners with me. Elnora told me to do so.”

            “I told you I saw runners on shore!” Segarra said to Jedtha.

            "Humph" Jedtha grunted in reply. “Who's in charge of this group?” he asked Yakima swinging his arm to indicate the group that had been camping along the beach.

            “Oh, well , I don't know that there is an appointed leader, so to speak. But,  Radshaw, Mashaw and I have done most of the organizing, if that's what you mean,” Yakima said stroking her queen.

            As they began to walk down the beach talking about the merging of the two groups,  Segarra barked loudly. “Jedtha! Aren't we going to unload.”

            “What?” Jedtha turned to Segarra. “Oh yeah, that. Well, you and Alynn take charge of that. You know what to do.” He turned around and continued talking.

            “Man! Takes one look at a girl and off he goes,” Alynn said  walking up to Segarra.

            “What!” Segarra asked exasperated at Alynn's teasing.

            “He meets a pretty, young girl and he walks off and leaving you in charge of all the work.”

            “No, he said both of us,” Segarra said firmly. She turned back to where Jedtha and Yakima were talking. She did feel a tiny bit rejected. Jedtha was all she had left. But... her thoughts trailed off. She took a deep breath and sat down to wait for help to move the rafts up to shore.

             Alynn flew to a near by rock and howled. A call answered his. Segarra listened. Alynn had called to see who was near. Avon had answered. He said that his pack could come and help. When they arrived they helped unload the sacks on the rafts. Then they wandered up to the shore where Jedtha had activated Avias so that they all could listen to a brief recitation of Pern's history.

            Segarra sought out Jedtha after Avias was done and found him busy feeding Bendar. She sighed and found a place on the beach that was warmed to perfection by the sun and promptly curled up and went to sleep.

 

            “Segarra. The sun is up,” Alynn said softly in her ear. She was up with a jolt and looked around her wildly.            

            Alynn laughed. “Bad dream?”

            “Uh, no you just startled me, that's all,” Segarra said standing up, then lowering her front end down to the ground to stretch her stiff muscles. She didn’t want to admit that it had been a bad dream. About loosing Jedtha. Stubbornly, she shook her head. Jedtha would never, never leave me! she thought angrily.

            “Jedtha wants to see you,” Alynn said indicating a campfire encircled by a group of humans working on their morning cup of klah.

             They approached the group, Segarra silent in her thoughts. Bendar sighted them and chirped a greeting. Segarra bowed her head slightly to Bendar and said, “And good day to you too, Bendar.”

            “Where did you go last night,” Jedtha asked. “I didn't see you at the feast. I didn't think you would miss that!” he said teasingly.

            “When  I saw you , you were  busy so I decided to curl up and wait for  you on a warm sunny piece of beach. I guess I fell asleep.”

             Jedtha sighed. “I had to take care of a lot things last night. I was talking to  Yakima, that girl you introduced me to on the beach,” he said looking at Segarra. She felt something twist inside of her. “Kimi was helping me reorganize our little group. Do you realize how many people are here?” He said then continued before Segarra could answer. “I thought there was only going to be forty for the dragon eggs,” he said looking intently at Segarra for an answer. The wolf shook herself inside and pushed her doubts away. Jedtha needed her to save Pern. That was their goal and she could not be distracted from it. Besides, Jedtha had just meet the hold girl.

            “There is only forty for the dragon eggs, however, having these extra people is a good thing. Do you realize how much there is to do in a Weyr?” She asked, then looked at Jedtha who was starring at her blankly.

            “Until a few weeks ago I didn't even know what a Weyr was!” He exclaimed.

            “No, I guess you didn't.” She grinned.

            “Here, I saved some meat for you to eat," Jedtha said, changing the subject. He produced a raw wherrie streak from a pouch.

            Segarra shook her head. “I'm not hungry.”

            “She ate before she went to sleep on the beach,” Alynn told Jedtha.

            “Yakima says that their trip to the coast was difficult. They had a lot of stormy weather. It made for swollen rivers that were hard to cross and a lot of mud and mire. It slowed them down. It's going to make getting all this,” he gestured over the contents of the beach, “all the way to Benden very difficult. Do you have any ideas?”

            As Segarra and Jedtha contemplated the problem Yakima walked up the fire. 

            “You came down through the mountains didn't you?” Jedtha asked as he handed her a cup of klah.

            “Yes,” She replied as she gratefully accepted the cup to warm her hands in the coolness of the morning. She looked nervously at Segarra, who had taken her place at Jedtha’s feet, head in paws and watching Yakima intently. The girl was certain that there was something in the blue wolfish eyes that were wary about her.

            “Do you think we could get all this up the Benden Weyr by that route?” Jedtha asked her, bringing her attention back to him.

            Yakima grimaced. “It would be difficult. Even if we could turn the rafts into wagons and use the runner beast to pull them, it would be tough going. What about the way you got here ?” Yakima asked as she sipped her Klah and watched Kevon playing with the dolphins in the bay.

            “You mean the rafts?” Segarra said following her gaze out to the bay.

            “Yes. Couldn't your dolphin friends pull the rafts up the coastline to the closest point , and then go from there. It would save a lot of time,” he asked.

            “Yes, it would at that. Segarra, could you talk this over with the dolphins?” he asked. Segarra nodded and left to find Delta. Alynn followed, inquiring of her all the way to the beach about her. Neither Jedtha nor Yakima could hear what it was. “Now, what about the runnerbeast you brought? They  won't ride the rafts. Will they?” Jedtha asked turning his attention to Yakima.

            “No, I don't think so,” she chuckled as she imagined the beast riding on the rafts. “Elnora was convinced that I needed to bring them. I wonder why? She keeps nagging me about the wild ones we saw too.” Yakima caressed the little golden head.

            “You saw wild runnerbeast?” Jedtha looked at her in bewilderment.

            “Yes. Just up in the mountains, just before we got here,” she replied, gesturing off in a northern direction.

            “Do you think you could get them to Benden  Weyr?” He asked thoughtfully.

            “Possibly. I'd need some more riders for the trained runners I brought with me. What would we need them all for?”

            “I don't know yet, but Bendar is imaging the wild beast urgently to me now too. They must know something. Find whatever you need to get the job accomplished. Then report to me. I need to check in with Segarra to see if we will have the dolphins help.” He stood to leave, placing the cup on the ground and calling Bendar to him.

            “Jedtha,” Yakima said quickly, rising to her feet gracefully. “Have you noticed anything wrong with your wolf friend?”

            “Segarra? No, not really,” Jedtha said turning to her. “Why?”

            Yakima shrugged. “I don’t know. She just acts really wary of me, ever since the beach yesterday.”

            Jedtha smiled at her reassuringly. “She’ll be fine.”

            “Oh. I just though that she may be, well, jealous of me.” Yakima felt a blush creep across her face under Jedtha’s stare. “I mean,” she continued hurriedly, “she is a female and...”

            “Easy, Kimi,” Jedtha laughed. “Segarra is a wolf. However, I do know that her species is like the dragons, or fire lizards. I guess you could say that  the wolves bond with people instead of impress.”

            Yakima nodded thoughtfully. She felt silly at his explanation.

            “If you’ll excuse me,” Jedtha said politely, and left her to finish her klah and get to work on her task. She sat down on the blankets and called her queen to her. As she stroked the golden head, she thought, mostly about the runnerbeast; she forced herself to do that.

 

             After she had finished her klah, Yakima rinsed out the cup, and left it with the supplies by the campfire. She joined Ares and Erek,  who were doing the morning chores. She smiled at Mashaw as he hauled some fresh water to Sable. He grinned broadly at her as he patted the stallion’s great neck. She smiled.  

            “Good morning boys. Jedtha has a job for us,” she began.

            “Oh yea, what?” asked Erek throwing a armful of fresh grass in front of the confined runnerbeasts.

            “He wants us to round up those wild runners we saw.” She frowned. “We will need more riders to help us out. Do you know if any of these people ride?”

            “How about Radshaw? He  likes the runners. He would probably help us out,” offered Arges.

            “Hmm. Yes, we could ask him.” She eyed Radshaw who was approaching his father carrying his breakfast. She called him over. He walked over to the group along with  Mashaw who was munching on the food he had been given. Yakima explained what had been suggested about the dolphins pulling the rafts and the wild runners. Radshaw's eyes lit up as he thought about rounding up the wild runners.

            “Could I help! I'd love to try that!” He paused. “But you'll have to teach me to ride first. They didn‘t have very many runnerbeasts at Igen Hold. At least open to the public,” he said.

            “YOU’RE NOT GOING WITHOUT ME!” Mashaw protested. “Sable and I could carry provisions. Besides, I can't get him on a raft either and I am not about to leave him behind,” he said sternly.

            Yakima laughed. “Of course you could come.” She grinned broadly. “Do you think you could make us up some simple headpieces for the other runners that will be ridden?” She asked. “I've only the four that we are using.”

            “No problem. How many do you need?” he mumbled through a refilled mouth.

            “Fifteen, if we can find that many people who want to go with us,” She answered.

            As it turned out they had more volunteers than horses, so Yakima decided to choose the people based upon the ability to ride. She saddled four of the beast with the gear they had and had each willing person show off their ability, or lack  there of, in riding. She made an obstacle course on the beach and carefully noted how each handled the runner.  It amused the fire lizards, winged wolves and dolphins as much as it did the humans. Before long, not only the volunteers for the roundup were riding but also those who were going by raft. Wagers were made and the compation ran high as each person tried to outdo the other in speed and ability. They soon found it to be late afternoon and all the would be riders happily joined the campfires to rest and eat. Yakima did manage to find eleven people out of the days trials that were well qualified for the roundup.

            Mashaw had managed to make the necessary equipment, so all that was needed was to leave. Jedtha and Segarra joined the campfire where Yakima rested. Segarra was right next to the boy. Yakima wondered if she had even left his side at all that day. She envied the wolf. Canines were ‘mans best friend’, why not a wolf.

            “So, did you find the people you needed in  your ro-de-o today?” Jedtha  grinned.

            “What's a ro-de-o?” she asked, puzzled, looking up from the saddle pad she was constructing from furs.

            “I was conversing with Avias on our progress so far and our travel plans and I mentioned what you were up to...” Segarra suddenly started to laugh. “What’s so funny?” Jedtha demanded.

            “Nothing!” the wolf grinned. “‘I was conversing with Avias...”

            “Oh, hush. I was true.”

            “It sounds funny coming from you!” Segarra said in defense.

            “He sounds like a leader,” Yakima interrupted. Segarra shot her a hurt look. Yakima bit her tongue. “You were saying Jedtha,” she said quickly.

            “Anyway, Avias then showed me Ear-th pictures of a ro-de-o. The people would have a ro-de-o  to prove who had the best stock animals and riders. A little competion among beast holds, uhh, ran-ches, as they were called. They had the funniest looking rider beast you ever saw. Avias said they were called hor-ses. He said that hor-ses were brought to Pern and changed to fit Pern's conditions. It's the same way the fire lizards were changed to become dragons.”

            “The fire lizards are related to dragons?” Yakima was stunned.

            “Yes, the colonist who first came to Pern knew how to change the genetic structure of living things. Kitty Ping, I believe that was the name Avias used, she did the work on the fire lizards. They needed something big that could fly and flame that disgusting Thread out of the sky.” A shiver went up his spine.

            “You sure do talk with Avias a lot?” Yakima remarked.

            “I always liked history class, but they never thought us too much about the past. I've had so many questioned and now I have someone who can answer them. Anyway, did you find riders to go with you?”  he asked.

            “We have eleven that will be joining us four, plus Mashaw with his wagon. And, thanks to Mashaw and Radshaw, we have the equipment ready so all we need to do is round up the herd,” she said as if it would be that simple.

            “The dolphins said they would help us, so we will begin packing right after we eat tonight. I want to take off while it's dark. I wonder if  any more are heading this way?” Bendar crooned at the question.        

            "Ahh, he says he doesn't hear any more fire lizards. What would I do without you?” He lovingly said to Bendar as he scratched his eye ridge.

            “And who brought the two of you together?” Segarra asked sarcastically.

            “Okay, I'll scratch your head, too,” Jedtha patted her head teasingly.

            “So, anyways, do you think you could leave tonight?” he turned his attention back to Yakima.

            “We did tire the runner beast out today, and it is my guess that a few show off's will be a bit sore, but I think we can get as far as that valley we saw those wild ones in and set up a camp. Then we can  begin rounding them up first thing in the morning,” she said.

            “Good. You get going then, I'll get people started on the job of  launching  and loading the rafts. The dolphins are happy they can help us some more. Hear them squealing and squeaking out in the bay?” The group turned to eye the dolphins. They were making a racket and kept leaping and twisting in the air to such an extent that the people began to laugh.

            “Look!" exclaimed Yakima. “A water ro-de-o!”

            Yakima and the others readied the runners and organized their group. Jedtha took some time out from launching rafts  to see them off.

            “Bendar tells me your ready to leave,” He said more as a question.

            “Yep. We should reach the camp sight before it's too dark,” She replied.

            “Okay, get going then but,” and he raised a finger pointing to Elnora, “keep in touch.”

            Yakima smiled, “You bet. See you at the Weyr.” She swung up on Chase easily and held the stallion back as he pranced, eager to get moving again. She looked once again at Segarra, wishing she could have a time to talk about Jedtha.

            Pern comes first, Yakima, a voice that sounded like Segarra’s said. The wolf winked reassuringly.

            “Lets go, boy,” Yakima told Chase, nudging his sleek sides gently. Despite the softness, the stallion leapt into a canter immediately. She rode over to the other riders to instruct what they were about to embark on. When they were all ready, they took off at a steady pace. Mashaw followed more slowly in the cart. He would meet the riders latter.

            Jedtha watched them go. He and Segarra had stood motionless the entire time. Segarra looked up at him as the herd disappeared in a storm of dust and runners.

            “We have a good group with us,” she said at last.

            “Yes. And it’s a good thing, too. With so many traits needed, we all have a part to play.”

            “ Xia ni lem rikel er efil,” Segarra said softly.

            Jedtha scowled at her. “Don’t you dare start that! What did you say?”

            Segarra grinned. “As in the circle of life.” The boy pointed a warning finger at her.

            “Come on,” he said. Together, they started off to the beach to prepare the rafts for their final departure.

 

IX

            The dolphins were just as eager to get started. There were many more assembled this time than had helped with the crossing over from the south.  The winged wolves stayed at the beach camp and slept. They would wake before dawn and catch up with the rafts. Jedtha promised to send Bendar if they had trouble. With the rafts loaded and secure, and the people aboard, the men pushed the rafts out to the deeper water, then jumped on as the dolphins were able to grab the towlines. Some of the men had made crude paddles and helped the dolphins in their efforts.

            The younger children were soon asleep to the lulling sound of the water. The men paddled, and the dolphins took turns in pulling. The little caravan advanced northward.

            The trip was easy going with only an occasional light rain to contend with. As they approached the landing sight, which Bendar had excitedly pointed out to them, they spotted the wolves gliding effortlessly in to join them. Avon had taken his pack back to their dens so only Segarra, Aylnn, Emger and a few other rejoined the group. The rafts were beached and unloaded. The dolphins clicked and squealed at the departing people. The people thanked them and rubbed their soft noses before going to the shore to rest a bit and cook some food.

            They rested that morning but, in the excitement to reach Benden, they left early in the afternoon.  Vikki hauled Kevon out of the sea because he did not want to leave the dolphins. But, soon the group was on it's way again, Segarra leading. The little fire lizard, Bendar, excited in returning to his home at Benden Weyr, flitted above Segarra's head chirping and crooning until Segarra, totally annoyed, ordered him back to Jedtha.

            “Out done your welcome?” Jedtha asked as Bendar settled on his shoulder looking dejected. He decided to send Bendar out on a mission to locate Yakima and see how they were getting along. Bendar cheered up, took off, and went between.

            Yakima and the others were slowly moving the wild herd through the mountains. Elnora lead the procession as they made their way back to her home, Benden Weyr. With a poof, Bendar appeared, first greeting Elnora then obediently located Yakima. He landed on her shoulder and chirped once.

            “So, I'm being checked on am I? Tell him it will take us another couple of days with this slow moving group. Some of the mares are still gravid. We can't push them to hard. And the stallion, he slipped our trap but he follows at a distance. I hope he doesn't cause too much trouble,” she added, more to herself than Bendar.

            Bendar chirped some more.

            “Tell him I'll give him the details when we get there. And,” as Bendar took to flight to return to Jedtha she added, “ tell him to have a roasted wherrie ready, I’m hungry for a good hot meal.” Then Bendar was gone.

            He reappeared by Jedtha and landed contentedly on his shoulder. Jedtha smiled as Bendar relayed his message. “Roast wherrie huh,” he mumbled.

            Many carried their packs themselves but occasionally the winged wolves would help out to relieve a youngster or an older one from the burdens. The going was hard as they journeyed father into the mountains. Jedtha sighed.

            “There is only one entrance into Benden for those who can't fly,” Segarra announced as if reading Jedtha's mind.

            “You think they'd have had a better road than this,” Jedtha replied. “After all it was a prospering Weyr, I've been told.”

            “Yea, but you forget, most just flew in,” she extended her wings part way to emphasize her point. “And besides it has been a long time since anyone's been down this road.”

            Towards dusk they arrived at a lake plateau, huge cliffs formed an awe-inspiring backdrop. The tops seem to reach into heaven itself, and the cliff walls a looked like a waterfall, frozen in time. Even in the semi darkness the group of travelers could do no less than admire the scene. Segarra approached Jedtha who still had his eyes fixed on the cliffs.

            “Benden Weyr,” she said.

            “Are you sure there’s a way in?” he replied as his eyes took in the immense, rocky tower that loomed up ahead of him.

            “The Tunnel Road. It's the only way in other than by flight. The first ones to inhabit Benden Weyr dug the tunnel through the thinnest park of the cliff wall. That's how the tithe trains got in.”

            “Tithe trains?” Jedtha asked.

            “Yes.  Each hold was required to tithe to the Weyr so that it could concentrate on fighting Thread.”  Segarra chuckled. “That reminds me of something funny that happened right here where we are. When F'lar had first become Weyrleader, thread hadn't fallen for almost four hundred and fifty years. Not many believed that it would ever fall again, so they did not want to support the Weyr with tithing. Only three holds continued to do so, Lemos, Bitra and Benden. Then the other Lord Holders sent armies against Benden Weyr so they could stop the tithing requirement. F'lar got them good. The Lord Holders forgot that dragons could go between places instantly, so while their armies were at the Weyr's doorstep, he sent dragon riders to abduct the women of the holds. " she laughed loudly this time. "Oh, to hear him talk about the looks on their faces as they witnessed a dragon eating for the first time. Anyways, then, in fighting wing formation, a group of dragons appeared just in front of the advancing armies, just up there a little ways." She indicated the trail that led towards the cliffs. " The runner beast scattered taking their riders with them.  They forgot the effect dragons had on man and beast alike. Well, that ended that rebellion. After the first falls every one was more than happy to tithe.”

            “That Thread had to have been awful stuff. What was it any way?” Jedtha asked.

            Segarra frowned as she thought of how to describe the stuff. "A type of life form. It was pulled down to Pern from the Red Star that pasted close to Pern every two hundred years. It then fell for fifty years. It consumed anything that was carbon based that it managed to touch. Plant's, animals, gone, just like that. Only water, cold or flame killed it. Sometimes it burrowed into the ground. Sometimes it left eggs behind; shells were found every once in a while. "

            “What hatched from them,” Jedtha asked.

            “Don't know. No one ever knew,” Segarra replied.

            “You said it past every two hundred years, but before you said it had been four hundred and fifty years since Threadfall when F'lar became Weyrleader. How can that be?” Jedtha was puzzled.

            “That's another story. You see there had been two long intervals of four hundred and fifty years. No one really knew why. Jaxom told me though. The three space ships that the colonist came in where still orbiting Pern. Avias had them use the dragons to transport the engines of the ships to a crater in the Red Star. They then made it so the engines would blow up. However, what they didn't know was that they didn't all blow up at the same time. It was assumed they did because only one explosion was seen. You see, Ruth had the special talent of always knowing when and where he was. Avias used this talent to direct the teams that placed two of the engines on the Red Star, one during the time of the Fourth Pass and one during the time of the Eighth Pass. F'lar and Mnementh placed one engine during the time of the Ninth Pass. So, back in time during the Fourth and Eighth Passes, you will find recorded that a bright light was seen in the heavens. That was the explosion of the engines on the Red Star. Those of Jaxom's day only saw the explosion of one engine. They had to do it that way because the Red Star had to be blow of course over a period of time. The effect was that each explosion was followed by a long interval. The two hundred years between passes, plus the fifty years of pass, then another two hundred years between passes.” Segarra ended her explanation.

            “Why couldn’t Jaxom just tell every one that he placed the engines back in time?” Jedtha asked.

            “Lessa almost died timing it, so F'lar had disapproved of it's use. The other riders would not have accepted such a venture,” Segarra answered simply.

            The group then settled in for the night, getting campfires started, cooking food, and bedding weary bodies down. Tomorrow they would enter Benden Weyr, there new home.

            As they lounged around the fires, after eating a filling meal, Jedtha asked Avias to tell them about their new home. After some whirling Avias began,

            “After Thread began falling and the volcano by Landing erupted, the colonist moved north, all except Steve Kimmer and the family of Kenjo Fusaiyuki. It is assumed they stayed at Honshu and died in Threadfall for they were never heard of again.”

            Aylnn looked surprised, “Honshu is were our pack is located!”

            “Yes, it was discovered again many years latter by F'lessan and Golanth when exploring the south after they had re-discovered me.” Then he continued. “All the people moved into the cliffs known now as Fort Hold since Thread could not penetrate stone. Fort Weyr was established nearby for the dragons and dragon riders to live. The first Weyr leaders were Sean and Sorka. They were young children when the colonist first landed and were among the first group to impress dragons. As the population increased in both Fort Hold and Fort Weyr so did the problems. 

            “Sean decided to divide the Weyr. New Weyr locations were found and explored.  He then assigned riders into groups splitting them between the soon to be Benden Weyr, High Reaches Weyr, Telgar Weyr and Ista Weyr. It was decided to let the dragons choose who would become Weyrleader. The queen who rose first and the bronze that caught her would be leaders.

            “Soon after the assignments were given Arianth rose to mate. Torene was her rider. They were from the group assigned to go to Benden Weyr. It was bronze Brianth who caught her, making his rider M'hall the Weyrleader and Torene the Weyrwoman. M'hall was the son of Sean and Sorka.

            “The Weyr was named after Admiral Paul Benden who flew the Yokohama, the largest of the three colonist ships.

            “Years latter all but Benden Weyr was abandoned. No one knew where they had gone.  Benden Weyr continued until that fateful day when a candidate was searched out for a Queen Dragon Egg. Lessa was working as a drudge at Ruatha hold even though she was of true Ruatha blood. Her family had been killed by a greedy holder by the name of Fax. Only she survived. Lessa impressed Ramoth. When Ramoth rose to mate, it was Mnementh who caught her making F'lar Weyrleader and Lessa Weyrwoman.

            “At that time queens were said not to be able to fly but Lessa proved otherwise. Not only did she fly Ramoth, but she rediscovered the fact that dragon can go between time as easily as they can go between places, something that had been forgotten.

            “F'nor had a problem in that Thread was due to fall again and there were not enough dragons to flame it and protect Pern. That is when Lessa solved the mystery of the Riddle Song. That song asked about the disappearance of the other Weyr's. She found out that the Weyr's had disappeared when they all came forward in time to help F'lar protect Pern from Thread. So, Lessa went back in time and brought the Weyrs forward. They were willing to leave because Thread had stopped falling in their time and they were not needed. All but Benden followed Lessa to the future. They called these people the Oldtimers.  Although they helped Pern with that problem, eventually they caused a lot of trouble because they wanted to stick to the old ways and not change with the times. They had to be banished to the southern continent.

            “After I was rediscovered and Thread was eliminated forever, the dragons and riders were going to spread out and become part of Pern society. I shut down so that they would not come to rely on a machine and would advance themselves with out me. Although, I have been informed by Jedtha, that they became obsessed with technology to the detriment of the planet. They became a society so reliant on technology that they can not function without it. That brings us to you, the new inhabitants of Benden Weyr. You represent those who have realized that other things exist and are more important than machines. Machines must work for the benefit of humans; humans must not work for the benefit of machines.”

            Many nods of approval went around the group as the people caressed and stroked their fire lizards, knowing full well that the majority of Pern had rejected the simple way of life to the extent that they could no longer relate to anything that was not attached to a keyboard. The runner beast, fire lizards, dolphins, dragons and, as they had discovered, the winged wolves were either killed off by man or sought seclusion in isolated parts of Pern.

 

            As the two moons set that night and the people set quietly contemplating all that Avias had just told them, a snort was heard. Then the unmistakable plodding of many runnerbeasts broke the silence. Out of the darkness Yakima emerged on a now placid and tired, Chase.

            “Elnora would not let us stop tonight. She said you were not far ahead. Did we miss anything?” she asked noticing the solemn mood of the group.

            People looked at one another and a round of laughter broke out, easing the tension.

            “I'll fill you in as soon as you have taken care of that bunch for the night,” Jedtha replied getting control of himself.

            Morning came. All were eager to enter the Weyr but time was taken to have some breakfast and klah before breaking camp. At the campfire Jedtha asked Yakima how things went on the roundup.

            “Well, we were going to get an early start and surprise them but we all overslept. I guess all the activity the day before wore us out more than we thought. Any way, Elnora woke me in a frenzy, telling me how the wild herd's stallion had smelled us and was heading the group down the far end of the valley. There was a gorge there that led out of the valley. I knew that if they got through that gorge we could lose them in the endless maze of valleys.

            “So, we were up and moving before we could even eat. We headed down to the far end of the valley at a gallop, making a wide arch in hopes that we would not push them out the gorge. We wanted to get around in front of them. They almost made it out. That stallion saw us and was pushing the group as fast as they would go. They had just about reached the gorge entrance when a fair of fire lizards appeared from nowhere. There were more fire lizards than we owned. Elnora had gotten some friends to help us. The sight of all those shrieking fire lizards turned the beast in spite of the efforts of the stallion. They turned right into us and we got around behind them and kept them at a dead run, right back across that valley. By the time we reached the other end, by our camp, we had gotten them under control. We packed up and began to slowly making our way here. They were all very willing to cooperate since the morning run had tired them out.

            “That stallion though, he escaped us. He followed at a distance. I could tell because Chase would keep looking back at snorting. I caught a glimpse of him a few times. He's a beauty. Black and white he is marked. And sleek. The conformation on him is perfect. Must be years of good bloodlines in him even if they are wild now.”

            “Did he cause you any trouble?” Jedtha asked.

            “No, he just followed. I'm not sure when...” Chase's shriek alarmed them all. Yakima saw what had upset him and jumped up. Arges and Erek, who had been watching the herd, were frantically trying to keep Chase under control as the wild stallion made his appearance and screamed defiance at the ones who had stolen his herd.

            Elnora was there in an instant. Yakima sent her to help calm the stallion as she grabbed a long rope lying with the runner beast equipment and leaped on to the back of Verna who Erek had just dismounted. . Her heals dug into the mare’s ribs and, using only her legs to guide the beast she barreled towards the stallion. When the stallion saw her he screamed in anger, rearing and flipping his head defiantly. Then he wheeled and began to race away. Yakima had managed to come abreast to the stallion and began whirling the rope in the air. Finally she let the rope fly and the noose settled over the stallion’s neck. It tightened and Verna stopped dead, planting her hooves against the stallion’s forward momentum. Yakima braced her self for the force of the impact. The stallion was forced to flip around and face them. With eyes wild in anger he pulled against the rope. When Yakima felt sure that she could no longer hold him, he changed his tactics and lunged forward towards the source of his entrapment. Verna swerved to avoid the collision.  Arges had caught up with them on his mount and proceeded to drop another rope about the stallion’s neck. The stallion tried rearing and lunging but with the two ropes holding him it was useless. He stood his ground proudly and allowed himself to be half led, half pulled, back to the camp where he was secured to a stout tree, away from Chase.

            Yakima and Arges were applauded by the now wide-awake camp for their success and for giving the day such an exciting start.  After the group calmed down, the fires were dosed with water and everyone broke camp. They assembled behind Segarra and Jedtha and began walking toward Tunnel Road. Yakima took the rear with the runner beast. People were silent but the atmosphere was full of excitement and apprehension. Finally they reached the entrance to Tunnel Road.

            “It's really dark in there, I don't have enough illuminators,” Jedtha remarked.

            “No problem,” Segarra replied and she spoke silently to Bendar. The little bronze chirped in understanding and disappeared, as did all the fire lizards. Soon glowing lights were seen lining the walls.

            “By the first egg Segarra what's that?” Jedtha asked the grinning wolf.

            “Illuminators. Fire lizard eyes. Go take the people through. Just follow the line of shinning eyes on the wall. I'll have Yakima hold the runners here until the people are safely out of the way. Then the fire lizards will help us get them through.”

            The people walked carefully through the tunnel guided only by shinning eyes on the wall. They emerged on the other side in the Weyr bowl. Each quietly eyed in awe the immense Weyr. The sound of trotting runner beast broke the silence and got the last of the lagers to enter the bowl and clear the tunnel.  When the runners burst into the bowl they took off at a gallop. Only through the effort of the fire lizard were the people able to get them headed towards the far end were Segarra had told them the beast pens had been. The group in charge of the runners spent the rest of their day fixing pens and erecting a sturdy, high fenced pen for the wild stallion.

            They had reached the end of their journey, Segarra thought, but not the end of their troubles. She knew that the hardest part lay before them.

            “What's that over there?” Jedtha asked coming up beside her.

            “Those are the Lower Caverns. We past one entrance to them on Tunnel Road. That is the other entrance. There are more passageways and rooms beyond them,” Segarra smiled at her next thought. “Jaxom accidentally found one of those rooms. The ancients used them for something, although we were never sure what it was.  The first dragon riders to inhabit Benden built the cave system years ago. Most of the caves were already here; it was just a matter of adding more height or width to them. The colonist had some sort of machine that allowed them to cut through the rock.”

             They started to walk towards the Lower Caverns entrance when a group of fire lizards caught their attention. They flitted about a bit, then settle themselves on the ledges around the Weyr. They chirped and crooned excitedly amongst themselves.

            “There seems to be more fire lizards here than we brought with us,” Jedtha stated in a questioning way.

            “The fire lizards came to inhabit this place when man started to hunt them down. They hid here because no one came here,” Segarra started to explain.

            “I can believe that, it's not exactly an easy walk to get here,” Jedtha sneered.

            “No, but it's easy to fly here,” she retorted. “Anyways, when I first came to your time I came here. I had the help of Farli, a fire lizard from Jaxom's time, to gain the trust of these wild ones. They were happy to help. They are now glad to see people back in the Weyr. Fire lizards talk a lot amongst themselves. They haven't forgotten when people were nice to them. They want that peace to be again. So, they helped me, first to find you, and then to find these others who were still open to fire lizard talk. This is where I meet Bendar for the first time.”

            “How did technology get so out of control?” Jedtha asked as they began to walk towards the cavern entrance.

            “I don't know. We may never know how it happened, we just know that it did happen. I can tell you this much, it only takes a few headstrong people to ruin it for everyone,” Segarra said angrily, frowning.

            “Thinking of your home planet?” Jedtha asked kindly.

            “Yea,” was all she replied.

            They arrived and Jedtha pulled out his illuminator. They entered the cavern.

            “We need light and this,” he said indicating his illuminator, “will not be enough.”

            “We need glows,” Segarra said matter of factly. Jedtha starred incomprehensibly.

            “See those baskets hanging about?” she indicated one with the flip of her head. “Those are glow baskets. There is a luminous fungus that grows in caves. When it is exposed to oxygen it glows and acts like your illuminator. The people used to collect them and put them in those baskets. When they wanted to turn them off they would close the basket. With out the oxygen the fungus would not glow, or as you would say, be turned off. They always had a stash of these things on hand. I know where they used to keep them here. I'll see if any remain,” Segarra said as she began to walk off.

            Jedtha looked around. Now that his eyes had accustomed themselves to the darkness, he could see objects. Tables and chairs were spread about the room. Most were unusable, but some might suffice until new ones could be made. Did they have a carpenter in amongst them? He made a mental note to find out. He explored another room. Big hearths occupied this room along with tables shelves and utensils. Must be the kitchen. As he poked through the layers of dirt and grime that had settled on everything he wondered about all those people who had been here before. He could imagine F'lar and F'nor and Lessa eating their noon meal. He could hear the dragons warbling and imagined seeing the legendary Ramoth taking flight towards that huge rock pile out side. He'd have to ask Segarra about that too. His thoughts were broken when light filled the room. He turned to see Segarra holding a filled glow basket in her mouth. He relieved her of it and turned it this way and that in his hand, inspecting it.

            “Incredible,” he remarked as he studied the plant. “And no power cells needed!”

            Segarra chuckled. "There's plenty more where those came from. I'll need help filling enough baskets to light this hall. Then we can start cleaning it. Maybe by tonight we can eat in the dinning room."

            Jedtha found some people to help Segarra and then arranged others into working groups. When the glows were in place, cleaning started in earnest. The unusable wooden furniture was turned into firewood, while the good ones dragged out side and thoroughly cleaned. The kitchen to was scoured from top to bottom. A big fire was stared out side to heat water from the lake to clean and bath with. When all was ready, the hearths were lit and a meal cooked in the kitchen of their new home.

            After the meal a fresh roasted wherrie that the wolves had caught, Jedtha rose and took a place where all could see and hear. “It is time to fill you all in on what we are to do. I know the fire lizards that found you have given you a vague idea. I will now tell you all I know.” Then he began the story.

            “My great, great grandfather's name was Jaxom. He impresses a white dragon named Ruth. He lived during a time of great change. First Avias,” and he gesture to the RAK unit that was never far from him, “was discovered at Landing. Avias had been assigned to find a way to end Threadfall. He and Ruth had much to do in the process of achieving that end.”

             Yakima shivered. “I hated the sight of it. Even if it was on Avias' screen. It made Elnora go hysteric,” she whispered to Judith who was beside her.

            “The colonist had brought with them all the most advanced technology from Earth. But, with no way to keep the machines working, they eventually broke down. People didn't know how to repair them anymore and they began to find other ways to teach people and remember history. They came up with the Harper Hall. They used song's to teach the people with since a musical tune was the easiest way to remember things. They used drums to send messages far. They relied on runner beast for land transportation, and ships for the seas. People learned how to live WITH Pern.

            “When Avias had completed his task of eliminating Thread forever, he shut himself down. He had started the people on the road of technology, but did not want them to become dependant on technology.” Various remarks of that failure went around the room. Jedtha went on.

            “Jaxom wanted to see just were all this ‘new knowledge’ would take them, so he used his dragons ability to go between times and came forward to our time. What he found appalled him. First he found all the dragons gone from Pern. Then he found out that Pern was totally dependent on technology. From our transportation and communication to controlling the weather. Did we really make a better world?” He paused as people reflected on their own thoughts.

            “NO!” was his emphatic answer. “We are dependent on machines. A machine that is now, somehow corrupted. That is why Pern is now deteriorating. The machine we all relied on is ... broken.” Again he paused.

            “We are here because Jaxom had a plan. Jaxom saw the problems the computer break down caused. There would be no transportation because computers control the transport units. The weather has been erratic and in some cases, deadly because the weather controls unit is controlled by the computer. The food shortage that is plaguing the planet is the direct of the weather problems. Without the constant climate control, the weather is reverting back to its natural state, which is cold in the north and warm in the south. The northern continent is loosing their crops due to the return of winter weather. The southern continent is being plagued by tropical storms as the climate reverts back to what it was. That also is damaging crops. Plus, the food that is available can not be transported to the holds that need it because of the transportation units. Combine that with the fact that communication has been reduced to a trickle because that too was controlled by the computer.”

            “How can the few of us here fix all of these problems?” asked a voice from the back of the room.

            “Jaxom is giving us dragons. With them we have a fast means of transportation. With transportation we can revive communication and deliver food to the needy. The real solution is to re-teach the people of Pern how to live with Pern. Leave her climates to nature. Learn the basic trades and skills that our ancestors knew. We must become less dependent on machines and learn how to do things for ourselves.

            “Jaxom also said we must find out what or who caused the computers to malfunction in the first place,” Jedtha finished.

            After a moments reflective thought, someone voiced what every one was wondering about. “What do we do now?”

            “We turn this into a livable place and prepare for the dragons. Tonight we sleep in here. Tomorrow we will begin cleaning the living quarters.”

 

            They were glad to be inside that night. A fierce storm past over the Weyr that sent hail the size of wherrie eggs pelting down on them.  Yakima was able to shelter the runner beast in a cavern by the beast pens and stayed with them. An occasional challenge from Chase and the answering echo from the wild stallion kept Yakima from a deep sleep.

            During the night the slithering of tunnel snakes could be heard in the lower caverns. Along with that the snapping of wolf jaws as they enjoyed a meal that didn't require much chasing. Jedtha slept better knowing the wolves were eating the snakes.

            As both moon faded and the deep darkness that proceeds dawn settle in the Weyr, a new sound was heard. It came close and Jedtha could feel his muscles tense up. His heart pounded so hard that he was sure everyone could hear it. Segarra only lifted her head and let a soft whine escape her. The fire lizards were not startled by the noise, so why should he be afraid. The scraping noise began to recede back down the halls and finally stop.

            The next morning he was too busy to remember to ask Segarra about the noise. He did ask if they were going to have to heat water over a fire for the rest of time. Segarra chuckled. “They had a sophisticated heating system that used geothermal heat. That is what heated the hatching grounds too. We will need to make that operational again or the sands will not be hot enough for the eggs, and you will have to heat water over a fire till the end of time!”

            Jedtha pretended to be exasperated with her comment. Then he thought about Segarra comments.          “Do we anyone skilled in the area of geothermal heat?” Jedtha asked himself as much as Segarra.

 Bendar began chirping excitedly. “Bendar says he knows were the vents are but that they have been buried with time. We will have to dig them out.”

            “Don’t even ask. I know what you’re thinking. I talk to Alynn and we will get a crew of wolves to do the digging,” Segarra said.

            Jedtha smiled. “Well you are equipped for the job already.” Segarra just looked at him.

            The vents were located and excavated but still they had no warm air coming form them. She asked the fire lizards if anyone knew how to fix it. Felrell, a young brown that belonged to Merles, reported that his owner knew the craft so Segarra had Felrell bring the man to her to see if he could fix it.

            Segarra explained what she knew of the system. There were reservoirs on top of the Weyr cliffs. Water from these slowly dripped into a bucket that weighted a chain that moves the props of fans. They blew the hot air through the vents. There were also two tubes that ran down to red-hot stone. Water was pumped down one and heated by the stone, then steam returns through the other.  The steam was used to heat the higher Weyrs and also to provide hydraulic assist for the service chutes.  After explaining the system to Merles he nodded. Then he went to his sleeping space in the lower caverns and collected some tools he had brought along. He then followed Segarra to the location of the reservoirs and began working on it.

            The reservoirs had to be rebuilt and the fans, buckets and chains replaced by modern ones. The service shafts that brought the hot air up also had to be replaced because of crumbling. Merles soon had heat flowing into the Hatching Grounds and the lower caverns.

            Meanwhile, other groups were cleaning out sleeping quarters and people began to settle themselves in the rooms they choose.

           

             Yakima and her group of riders were sent to bring in a group herd beast that Emger had located. They would need food for the dragons. They returned after a seven-day with a large herd that was quite healthy despite the harsh weather.  They were settled into their area and left to graze.

            After the cleaning and preparation work had slowed down, and the heating system was working, bring them a endless supply of warm water when needed for cooking and bathing, Jedtha decided to find Segarra and check out those other rooms he said Jaxom had stumbled across. He found Segarra drinking at the lake in the Bowl.

            “I want you to come with me,” Jedtha said.

            “To where?” She asked with out lifting her head.

            “To those rooms you talked about. The ones Jaxom found with the writing on the walls. I'd like to see them.”

            Segarra thought a moment before answering, “If I go it wouldn't be any fun because I know were I am going. Don't you want to find them like Jaxom did?”

            “I'll go with you,” Yakima said walking up. “The animals are taken care of.”

            “At least I don't have to go alone,” Jedtha growled at the winged wolf. Jedtha turned and started to walk off. Then he stopped. “Where are these caverns, Segarra?”

            “Come on, I'll show you. I haven't visited them in a long while,” Segarra said. She turned and walked toward the Lower Caverns with her two friends following her.

            Segarra lead them to the Lower Caverns and down a long passage. They brought a fresh basket of glows with them since Segarra had informed them of how Jaxom had gotten lost with old glows that went out. The rock was smooth at some places and rough at others. They heard tunnel snakes slithering to get out of their way but they remained just out of the lights beam. When they came to one of the cross sections, Jedtha asked Segarra which way to go.

            “If you go straight you will come to the Hatching Grounds. The young boys used to sneak down here to get a glimpse of the dragon eggs. That's what Jaxom and Felessen were doing when Jaxom wound up getting himself lost. They were almost caught by Ramoth too.”

            “Jaxom walked down this very passage,” Jedtha said in awe.

            They turned and followed the corridor. Suddenly Segarra stopped. “Alynn calling for me, I better go find out what he wants. The doors are just up ahead. You will find them easy enough. I will return as soon as I can.” She turned and trotted down the tunnel and left Yakima and Jedtha to stare at each other.

            “I'm glad she knows where she's going,” Jedtha remarked. Then they turned and walked on until they came to a large door that was partially open.

            “You go first,” Yakima said.

            They pushed on the heavy door and it opened wider. They then set about exploring the room. They found a door ajar on the far side of the room This led to another room so this too they entered. This room also had a door that was opened and brought them to the biggest room of all.  Each had a different story. The thing that fascinated them both was the drawings on the wall. What were they? There were tables and cabinets, it reminded Jedtha of his science room. At the far side of this room was yet another door. They entered and found themselves in a tunnel. It took a sharp bend and then another. Just as Jedtha was beginning to wonder if they should go on because of the stench in that tunnel, their light hit on the sleeping form of the ugliest creature they had ever seen. It looked like a large fire lizard but its wings were too small to give the creature flight. It had two claws on each foot plus its head was massive.

            Segarra? He called.

            Yes.

            I found this... thing. Then he projected the picture of what lay before him.

            That's a watch wher. I’ve heard it wandering the tunnels at night but I didn't know where it was hiding out during the day. Do not disturb it. It's liable to kill you both. They are unpredictable even when raised with humans.  Jedtha nodded and whispered to Yakima that they should leave. They quietly turned to leave when they heard hissing behind them. Jedtha whirled to find that the wher had awakened.

            The wher's eyes glowed in the dark with orange. It hissed again and looked at them. Yakima clung to Jedtha's arm while he reached his other hand into his pocket and grabbed at the only thing he could think of, a meat roll. The watch wher started to lumber toward them, mouth gaped open and Jedtha quickly placed the roll in front of him.

            The wher sniffed the air, testing it and smelled the meat. It stretched its ugly head towards Jedtha drawing back its lips in what looked like a wolf growl. Then it opened its huge mouth and Jedtha could see the powerful jaws inside of it. Just when Jedtha had decided that it would be better to drop the roll and run, the wher carefully took the meat roll from him. Then he started to look for more, nudging Jedtha's pockets with his nose.

            Segarra, he said shakily. I think I've just Impressed it.

            Oh, that's great. How's Kimi?

            She's fine. She's still clinging to me in her fear but she's okay. Jedtha chuckled and tried to get Yakima to move. She released him but stay as far away from the wher as possible. Elnora and Bendar appeared and, while Bendar chirped excitedly at his friend’s new find, Elnora tried to comfort Yakima.

 

            “Well, Jedtha,” Segarra said when they came out from the caves. “You’ve made a new friend.” The wher had followed them outside since it was already dark. They had spent all afternoon exploring the caves.

            Jedtha didn't know if she sounded angry or delighted. “I didn't mean too, Segarra. I just had to think fast.” The wher felt Jedtha unhappiness, and butted him gently. Jedtha patted the ugly creature’s head in reassurance.

            “Don't worry, Jedtha,” Segarra said smiling, “We would have found him sooner of latter. A wher might be useful at that. Let’s get him some more to eat. Then we better house him somewhere.”

            “It looks so much like a dragon and yet, it's so ugly!” Jedtha said as they walked to the far end bowl.

            “Yes, they are related. History tells us of how Kitty Ping had bioengineered the fire lizards to make the dragons. She died slumped over her last efforts. Those eggs hatched into dragons. Then Wind Blossom who was her granddaughter and who had studied under her, took over. She tried to copy what her grandmother had done but wound up creating this,” She glanced at the following Wher. “At first they had no use for the thing. It can't fly and it remains a small beast. They were however, very fast. Then they found out it could be impressed like a dragon. Its biggest assets were it's keen night vision and it's ability to hear and smell so well. They began to use this creature to watch over the holds at night. I'm surprised this one has taken to you. Normally they will remain wild if not hatched with humans around.” 

            The wher didn't stay in Jedtha's keeping for long. They set up a cave for him to sleep in during the day. At night he was chained up to watch over the Weyr.

            Many times, people going past the den, would throw a morsel of food in for him. Even Yakima feed him every once and a while. He came to belong to the whole Weyrs. He thought that it was pretty neat that everybody feed him scraps and leftovers. Segarra decided that there were no more of it's kind around and that this loneliness had caused the wher to take to the people who had taken over it's home.

 

            Two months after arriving at Benden, Segarra went to talk to Alynn about the arrival of the eggs.

            “Alynn, do you remember who accompanied us when the eggs were brought here?” she asked.

            “Of course, why do... Oh yea, when's that happening?” Alynn asked suddenly realizing her point. If they were to over lap themselves in time, they would all become ill.

            “Tomorrow. We arrived just before dawn. The Weyr is ready for the dragons. The Hatching Grounds are clean and warmed, we have herd beast for them to eat, and the candidates are chosen. Though, I wish Jedtha had chosen Yakima for one of the queen eggs. He said she has to take care of the other animals. He said she was the best person they had to care for the runners and she couldn't be spared.” Segarra snorted at that.

            Alynn thought a moment. “Let me think. Emger, Ersatz, Kumis, Sevath, Jerome, Sati, Chivea, Aria, and... and a whole bunch more. Ill fly to Honshu and send the message.?”

            “I‘ll stay here, than,” Segarra said. Alynn leapt into the darkening sky. Before winking between, Alynn called to her; “We will all meet in the bowl just outside the lower caverns!” and then they disappeared.

            All that night, the sound of wolf howls were heard. To all it was a mysterious sound; putting fear or curiosity into their hearts.

 

X

(Chapter Corupted)

 

XI

            Early the following morning, J'tha was awaken by his disquieting thoughts. The sketches in Iantine's book where etched in his memory and it left him tossing in his sleep. Pern can't succumb to people like this. Why sabotage the computers? He went into Zenith's Weyr and found the dragon wide awake. His elegant head was turned toward the bowl and his eyes were focused on something outside. His eyes gleamed a deep blue in the early morning sun rays.

            Ruth says the thing you are looking for is by your riding harness. Ruth says it's a nice harness and should fit me well. Ruth says you should be riding me by now. I want you to ride me.

            J'tha stood with his mouth gaping open. Then Zenith turned his head to face his soul mate, wondering why he was not saying anything.

            “RUTH WAS HERE!” He shouted at Zenith.

            Yes. Ruth and Jaxom leave now. They need to go back to their time. Ruth is tired. They have been searching Pern for answers. Zenith turned his head and starred out past his ledge. J'tha's let his eyes follow the direction of Zenith's gaze. He could just make out a dark form slowly rising into the sky. Then it disappeared.

            “Ruth was a white dragon,” J'tha replied, gesturing with his hand to dismiss the possibility that the dragon he saw was Ruth.

            Ruth made himself dirty so that they would be able to sneak into the Weyr and leave you the books you need. A  trick they have done before. Ruth and Jaxom returned Ramoth's stolen egg!  Ruth says the dirt is making him itch. He wants a bath.

            “How long were they here?!”

            Not long enough. They're both tired. They've been timing it, trying to fing out what happened to all the dragons on Pern. They brought you the records books from all the other weyrs. Ruth says you need this information to save our world.

            “Why didn't you wake me!” J'tha cried, exasperated.

            Ruth said I should not disturb you. They wanted to return to their time unnoticed.

            "Ruth, Ruth, Ruth!” J'tha said, throwing both his hands up in the air in disgust, “Did he impressed at your hatching so that you won't confide in your rider now!” Zenith turned to look at his rider, eyes whirling a calm blue despite his riders aggravation.

            Ruth is my father.

            “I know,” J'tha said, letting out a deep sigh and scratching his dragons eye ridge. “I'm sorry I yelled at you.”

            You are not my rider yet,  Zenith reminded him. J'tha playfully slapped Zenith's soft neck.

            “I will, I will. Now leave me alone about it.”

            Try the harness on me. I want to see how it feels.

            “Okay, I'll do that much,” J'tha said feeling a little guilty about losing his temper with Zenith.         J'tha got the harness. There by the hanging pegs, on the floor, were the record books Zenith said were delivered. He tenderly caressed the cover of the top book. This is what had called him. This is what he was searching for in  the Weyr. But how did he know to look for something when it hadn't even been delivered yet?

            You knew they would be here. came Zenith's reply. He made it sound so logical.

            “But how did I know?” he asked as he returned with the harness dangling over his shoulder. Zenith made no reply but arranged himself so that he could be harnessed. J'tha made a fuss about getting the harness on just right and checking all the straps.

            This feels good. It fit's fine! He flexed his muscles feeling how the straps felt against the strain of his shoulder and neck muscles. I would feel better if  you sat on me.

            “Okay, okay. I'll sit on you but that is all.” Zenith instinctively bent his forearm to give J'tha a step. Using the straps to pull himself up he climbed on Zenith. He carefully lowered his weight between the last two neck ridges. He sat stiff and tense.

            RELAX,  Zenith nearly yelled in his head , You do not hurt me. It feels good. It feels right. Zenith crouched a little and stretched his wings out slowly, upward and outward.

            “What are you doing!” J'tha felt fear rise in him.

            Relax. I want to see how it feels to move my wings with you on my back. They sat watching the sun rise. Zenith slowly beat his wings up and down and would crouch and stand, slowly, imitating a leap into the air.  J'tha felt himself relaxing. Watching the sun rise, feeling the warmth of his dragon beneath him, smelling the sweet smell of his hide. Below them the early risers began to make their way outdoors.

            Suddenly Zenith leaped  into the air, spreading his wings and gliding on a slowly descending circle.

   “HEY!” shouted J'tha. “What are your doing!?” he screamed at the dragon as he took a death grip on the leather straps.

            I am your dragon. You are my rider. You are riding me. You were ready.

            They glided down low over the bowl. The early risers greeted them with cheering and arm waving as they saw the airborne pair. Zenith landed by the morning fire that was heating some fresh klah. His backwinging sent the flames dancing and almost extinguished them. Gerlana, who had worked hard to start the fire, scolded Zenith for his carelessness. Zenith was too happy about the first flight to argue with the woman.

            “That's quite an entrance!” Segarra said as a pale J'tha dismounted his dragon. J'tha's legs were shaking and he had to keep his hand on Zenith for balance.

            “He just jumped off the ledge! I didn't tell him to. He said we were just going to sit there to 'see how it feels!” J'tha let his tone mock Zenith's words. “I said we weren't ready to fly but he...”

            “I think,” Segarra said interrupting J'tha's protests, “that we better start teaching riders how to fly before we wind up with a lot of broken necks.  Look!” She pointed skyward with her muzzle. A large gold dragon was gliding down to the feeding grounds, with a rider.

            “Got to be Yakima and Rhiath.” They both held their breath unconsciously until the dragon had landed and the rider had dismounted.

 

            Yakima had also woken up early that morning. She was disturbed by her queen's thoughts. She pushed the sleeping furs away, quickly dressed and walked into the queens weyr.

Rhiath was awake and stood on her ledge staring out into the Bowl.

            “What's the matter, Rhiath?” She asked.

A dragon came. He was a dark shade and he told Zenith many things. I listened, Rhiath told her, not turning her head.

            “What type of things did he tell him?” Yakima questioned, coming up to her side and laying a hand on the golden shoulder.

            Something about record books and a harness and that J'tha should be ridding Zenith by now. Rhiath turned her head to her rider.

            Yakima shook her head. “Segarra's in charge of the weyrlings. She'll tell us when were ready to fly.”

            I'm ready. Zenith is too. Look at him! Yakima's followed her queens gaze to Zenith's ledge across the Bowl. She watched as the dragon leaped into the air the started to glide down to the bowl floor with Jedhta on him.

            “What are they doing?!” Yakima cried.

            Flying, Rhiath said simply.

            They watched as the pair landed by the fires and J'tha dismount. Yakima realized that she had been holding her breath. She let her breath out in a loud sighed of relief as the pair landed and  were now safe.

            You like J'tha, Rhiath suddenly said. I like Zenith. I want to try to fly now.

            “I do not like J'tha!” Yakima said defiantly. She felt he cheeks getting hot and turned away from her dragon hoping that she wouldn't notice. “And I don't think we should try to fly. Especially if Segarra didn't say we could. We don't even have a harness.”

            I don't need a harness. I just want to go eat. We will glide down to the feeding grounds. I'll go slowly, Rhiath reassured Yakima.

            “I'm not to sure girl. What if I fall off. I'ts a long way down you know.”

            I won't let you fall.

            “But... it is a long way down, girl,” Yakima persisted, pointing down to the Bowl floor where J'tha and Segarra talked.

                        I will not let you fall, the queen said sternly. Please? If they can do it, she said gesturing with her wedge shaped head to Zenith and J'tha who was now talking with Segarra, so can we. Just relax a bit. It's almost like riding Chase, just in the air.

            Yakima smiled at the way Rhiath spoke of the stallion. When ever she rode him, Rhiath would watch from above. The bond between her and Chase was almost like the one between her and Rhiath. Rhiath was not jealous of the girl and the runnerbeast, instead she found great pleasure in Yakima's joy of riding .  As chase galloped  through an open meadow  with Yakima astride, her hair flowing behind her , she drank in the feeling of sheer freedom. The dragon would follow high in the air, she too was caught up in the freedom Yakima felt. She beat her wings in the rhythm of the galloping hooves, rising on the air currents when Chase leapt over something, and driving when he landed. The three were as one. 

            She stepped on to her dragons lowered forearm, and hosted her self up like it was a saddle. She landed gently between the last two neck ridges and sat comfortably while Rhiath slowly extended her large wings. Yakima smiled. Segarra had told her that she was the largest queen in the whole weyr.

            Rhiath crouched and sprang in the air, beating her wings to give her lift.  Yakima, however, had been ready. She had imagined herself on a runnerbeast. When Rhiath had lowered herself to make a the leap, it had reminded her of leaping over a gate on Chase or Verna. She had jumped many times before but being on her own dragon and flying made her cry out with joy.

            Rhiath glided easily to the Feeding grounds. The beasts in the pens, seeing the dragon coming toward them, fled to the other side of their confinement. She backwinged and allowed Yakima to dismount.

            See, she pointed out in a teasing tone. You didn't fall off.

            “Okay, okay. Maybe I didn't. But I'm still not to sure what Segarra's going to say about this.” Rhiath snorted then sprang back into the air and went after the scattering herd.

Yakima glanced over where J'tha and Segarra stood watching her. Segarra nodded, a smile on her face and turned back to J'tha. Yakima grinned. After Rhiath had settled her self on the Rim to sun bath Yakima walked to the lower Caverns . Watching her dragon eat had reminded her of her own hunger.

 

            “I'm glad their alright,” Segarra remarked, turning to J'tha.

            I think their copy cats, Zenith complained.

            “They sure scared me, though. Why didn't you stop them, Zenith. We can't loose a queen or her rider you know.”

            Rhiath said she would not let Yakima fall. Seg told Rhiath is was alright. They were ready.

            J'tha looked at Segarra  blankly for a moment. "Seg?"

            “Yes, the dragons like to shorten names. It's easier for them,” Segarra explained.

            “You let them fly! Yakima could have been killed. Then Rhaith would have...” J'tha raised his voice in his disbelief that Segarra would let them try the flight. 

            “ Iota, J'tha. Easy. I had not known that they would follow Zenith in that fashion. I approved of the flight after they had landed. It’s not like I want to loose Kimi either.” Segarra shrugged. “Rhiath told me that Yakima and she were sure of themselves. Riding a dragon is almost like riding a runnerbeast. You know Yakima has rode ever since she was a young girl. It would be easy for her. The take off is like leaping over a barrier. Yakima knew this and anticipated it. Don't worry about her. She and Rhiath will be alright. It's the other riders that worry me.”

            “You know best I guess.” J'tha gave his dragon a deft slap on the neck. Then he remembered the books Ruth brought forward to him that morning. “Segarra,” he said, turning toward her. “I need to see you in the weyr as early as possible. Right after I'm able to eat and my legs stop shaking enough to carry me back up.”

            I'll get you back up, Zenith replied.

            “No,” J'tha smiled and shook his head. “Once is enough for today. And Segarra,” he turned to her. “I thought I told you about your native language already.”

            The wolf grinned. “You did. Not all canines are obedient.”

 

            Segarra meet J'tha later that day in his weyr. She listened patiently as J'tha told her about Jaxom's appearance that morning.

            “I wish I had seen him,” she mumbled when he had finished.

            “He didn't want to be seen. He made Ruth all black.”

            “Ha!” Segarra snickered. “The old Return the Queen Egg trick.”

            J'tha smiled. “That's what Zenith said. You knew about that?”

            “Zenith talked to Ruth?” Segarra was a little surprised. She tilted her head to the side.

            “Well, yes. After all, Ruth is his father,” J'tha said sarcastically looking at his dragon who was resting his head on the stone floor.

            Humph, Zenith snorted, sending dust flying in a puff. Segarra and J'tha laughed then turned their attention to the books.

            Segarra's blue eyes wandered the covers as J'tha displayed them all in turn. “These are the weyr Records. Fort, Benden, High Reaches, Telgar,  Ista, Igen, Southren, Eastren, Xanadu and Honshu Weyrhold.”

            “Jaxom wants us ro read all of this?” J'tha asked opening one book and looking at all the writing in it.

            “We have to find out what happened to all the dragons. Jaxom must be sure that these will tell us or he wouldn't have brought them  forward,” Segarra said. “Open Xanadu's Weyr record and see what its last notes were.”

            J'tha began reading.

 

Xanadu Weyr. 2598 Turn. Weyrleaders O‘rem, rider of bronze Iotath, and Siketa, ridder of gold Azonith. Fort Weyrleader C’tel( bronze Emmerth) and Weyrwoman Suava(gold Mimith) visited this morning. The lack of need for dragons has greatly hindered the queens. They fly very seldom and clutches are small. Society has turned it's back on the dragons as it pushes ahead in technology. Dragons and their riders are looked down upon. Dragon riders have been returning to the Weyr's to live instead of trying to keep their holds. People harass them even though they try to provide for themselves. Even with the riders returning to the Weyr's, the numbers are dwindling. There is mounting prejudice against us.  It is necessary for us to combine Weyr's. We will fill a few of the Weys and combine our number's so that we can create a self sufficient society away from the harassment of the others. It is our hope that the tide will change and dragon's will again prosper. Xanadu will move to Southren Weyr. We will also be joined by Honshu Weyr. We hope to return....soon.

 

            J'tha put down that record book and took up the one marked Honshu Weyr. He found it said the same thing.

            As he searched each record book in turn he discovered how the Weyr's had reorganized themselves. Besides Honshu and Fort moving into Southren Weyr, Eastren and Telgar moved into High Reaches. Igen moved in with Benden and Ista moved in with Fort.

            The records reveiled a continual regrouping as the older dragons died and the queend produced fewer eggs in each clutch. Some of the Weyrs recorded the fact that technology was growing at such a rapid rate that the dragon's were becoming ...useless. Sadness pierced the atmosphere of the writtings.

            The two records that held the last documented accounts were Fort Weyr and Benden Weyr. Curtel and Suava meet with Weyrleader Duanel and Weyrwoman Massina from Benden.  It was decided to send dragon's ahead in time to find out if dragon's died out. Two teams of four riders were sent out. The first team went ahead fifty years.  The second team went ahead seventy five years.  Each group was then to search Pern, unconspicuously, and gather the information that was needed. Then they were to advance fifty years and repete the process. They were to make five, fifty year jumps and then return to Benden and report their findings. The record continued:

 

  Upon return to Benden Weyr, the two teams reported these facts to the Weyrleaders. The dragons do disappear from Pern. They also reported not seeing many fire lizards or dolphins. They seemed to hide from the sight of humans. This is the findings of each jump.

  Fifty turn mark: Few dragon's. No weyrling's. Watch dragon seemed to be expecting our visit!

  Seventy five turn mark: Only one Weyr inhabited. Only old dragons. No Queens left. Watch dragon expecting   our visit. His farewell bugle was filled with sorrow. Much death, much sadness permeated the air.

 On the following four jumps, no dragon's werefound on Pern. However, team two reported that the firelizards  buzzed with news of a lone dragon, dark colored.

 

            J'tha and Segarra looked at each other and grinnned.“Ruth and Jaxom” the said in unison, with a small nod of their heads for emphasis. It continued:

 

 On the fifth jump, team one found a small number of dragons living in Benden Weyr. They were all Weyrlings. There was no watch dragon, but there was a Watch weyr! The fire lizards stories were confusing and teamed with excitedmnet about dragon's return. A strange creature was also seen living in the Weyr, and all about Pern. A flying creature that resembled a canine. One group of these creatures were inhabiting the abandoned Honshu Weyrhold. We were not seen. We were not expected.

 

  J'tha and Segarra looked at each other, both jaws dropped open at the realization that they were reading about themselves. They continued.

 

  Team two reported two prospering Weyr's. They were surprised, not only in the number of dragon's, but also to find that they had overlapped themselves in time. They were living at Fort Weyr, and they were expected by the watch dragon!

  We do not understand the disappearance of the Dragon's but it seems clear that we ourselves go forward in time to re-inhabit the Weyr's during a time that is more favable for us. The old will stay here and live out our days. The jump would be too much for them. The young will jump forward to turn 2885 and settle in Fort Weyr.  K'ron, bronze rider of  Nermenth, will lead the Weyr untill a queen flies. As the last of the weyrlings mature, they will be sent forward also.

 

            J'tha turned to Segarra. “What turn is this?” he asked thoughtfully.

            “2880,” she replied as the news sunk in. “It seems to me that we will have company in five turns.”

            “Wish they were here now,” J'tha sighed heavily. “Well. At least we know what happens to the dragons.”

            “If,” Segara said thoughtfully, “Jaxom had not had the dragon eggs transported forward in time, the teams would not have found any dragons living no matter how many turns in the future they went.”

            “So Jaxom went forward,” J'tha continued were Segarra had left off, “to see what happened to Pern. He found out that technolgy took over to the detriment of the planet. He found us suffering from an over reliance on machines, machines that were failing. He found us dependant on these machines and hopeless in the wake of there malfunction. So, he determined that in order for us to survive we needed to learn how to live without all the machines we are used to having. His answer to the problem were the dragons. They could provide rapid transportation . With that we could transport clothing food and have a way to  communicate. But how did he know we would be able to survive, to relearn the old ways?” J'tha questioned.

            “That's easy. That's why he sent that box of supplies forward, to show you some of the things you would need. Then he sent me forward and I got the fire lizards to help me find the right of people. Then we found Avais. Maybe that was sheer luck but somehow I think not. That chip you found, how was it you found just the right piece that Avais needed?” she shrugged, “Any way's Avias has tought us much we needed to know.”

            “I wonder whats happening back home?” J'tha asked.

            “We could send the fire lizards out as scouts?” Segarra suggested.

            “Good idea! We can spare fire lizards. How will we organize them for this assignment?” 

            “There is a boy who camed across the sea with us.  His name is Kevon. He is young but he has a way with fire lizards. He can talk to any of them,” Segarra said.

            “Good, get him. Get this scouting venture arranged. Then have him report back to me.”

            “Very good Weyrleader," Segarra said with a respectful bow.

            “Now, next item. Can we get the rider's flying yet?” he asked.

            “Yes, we can begin training today. I've gotten half the harnesses from Mashaw. We can get the bravest one's in the air to start with,” Segara said with a gleem in her eye.

            J'tha cleared his throat , “Yes, well, see that Yakima and Rhiath have one for sure. We can't afford to lose any Queens to foolishness no matter how well she can ride a runner beast. Have a talk with her too, would you please?”  He asked letting his concern for the queen rider show in his eyes. 

            “Sure. Will that be all?” Segarra said, letting a knowing grin grace her muzzel.

            “Yes,” J'tha said, turning away as he felt his face flush. “Then he turned back to her as a thought crossed his mind, "Say, did we just have our first Weyr meeting?” he asked.

            “I guess so. You better start a record book. You never know when it will be useful!”  J'tha ginned and shook his head at Segarra's  play on the word when. Segarra left to take care of her assignments.

            J'tha turned to the RAK unit as Segarra left the room. “Now it's just you and me.”  He typed in the password and Avias whirled and hummed.

            “Are we ready to begin the process?” Avias questioned.

            “Yes,” J'tha said softy. He was sad knowing what this would do to Avias. Even before he had replied, Avias had began displaying programs. J'tha dutiful copied each line. It was well into the late afternoon when he had finnished. His hand crammped from so much hand writting. His belly rumbled from hunger. When was it he had last eaten?

            Avias broke the silence. “You need to load these programs into my system. The first program will copy all that is stored in my ground system memory banks to the data banks in the Yoko. The second will disconnect me from the Yoko. The third will prepare my system to locate the virus source. My screen will then diagram the location on a map. The fourth is the program that will connect a new computer to the memory bank's in the Yoko.  Now you must run the first three programs and then connect me to Avias two. Once the connection is made  you must hit the command to commence tracing immediately. Every second will count. I do not know how long I can survive before I succumb to the virus myself. The sooner we start the better. The longer we wait the more advanced the virus becomes and the less time I will have to trace it.”

J'tha nodded solemmly. He began to duitifuly type in the commands. He typed in the first program  and gave the command to execute it. Avais whirrled and hummed and then he reported,                                    “All files copied to Yokohama’s main banks.”

            J'tha made no reply but set about typing in the next program. When completed Avais reported, “Diconnected from Yokohama.”

            Again J'tha set to work. The third program was typed in. “Search and display virus enty point. All systems go.”

            J'tha sighed and typed in the program that would connect his friend to the infected computer.  He hesitated, his finger hooverd above the enter key that would finnish the job and start the process.

            “Every second counts,” Avias reminded him.

            “I don't want to loose you,” J'tha said.

            “You will loose Pern if you don't make the connection. I am a machine, built by humans to serve humans. In my day I was the most advanced techonolgy available. I have long outlived my usefulness. My data is the only thing that is of any use and you will get that back when you connect up the the Yokohama again with a new computer.”

            “You are right, my friend,” J'tha ageed reluctlently. J'tha took a deep breath and pressed the enter key. “Good bye my friend,” He whispered softly. The screen displayed the message, “Connection sucessful.”  With that ready, J'tha entered the command to commence the operation. Avias whirled and hummed. A diagram was displayed on the screen, not of Pern  but of a computer system. Red lines showed the extent of the virus. Backwards it traced the virus, along each circuit, like creeks flowing into streams, which combined to form rivers. They in turn combined until only one line was left. Then, it stopped. The singular point began to blink. Avias then began drawing the land outline of Pern. Part way through, Avias stopped. He had surcumb to the virus and failed. The half finnished drawing and the tell tale blinking light remained frozen on the screen. With tears threatning to overflow his eyes, J'tha copied the screen's display. Then, solemly, he switched the RAK unit off. He starred at the now empty screen. Avias was dead.

            “J'tha?” Segarras voice cut through the gloomy silence. It was now well past dark. When J'tha did not reply she walked over to him. She looked at the dark RAK unit screen and then at the diagram laid out before J'tha. “Avais, is he...” she left the sentence dangle.

            “Avais is gone,” he said softly. His mouth seemed so dry. He heard Segarra walk up to him and place a cold nose on his arm. J'tha looked down at her. The sky blue eyes were full of compation, as he felt from his own dragon. “He couldn't finnish the map. How will we ever find out were on Pern this place is?” he said pointing to the singular point were the light had blinked.

            Segarra was thoughtful for a moment. Then she made a suggestion, “There is a man named Jarone, he is from the southren continent. He worked in the transport units main control room. He's had much experience with Pern's geographical layout. Maybe he can help. Shall I find him?” She asked.

            “Yes, please,” was J'tha emthatic reply. He was still starring at the map in front of him. The anwer was there, but how was he going to figure it out?

             A few minutes latter Vicke flew to Zenith's ledge on Stratuth. Jarone was with her. They dismounted and went to J'tha's living quarters were he still sat starring at the uncomprehensible map. They stopped in the doorway. “You asked to see me?” Jarone asked.

            “Oh, yes,  come over here,” he gestured that he should enter.

            My clutch sister says he enjoys flying too!  came Zenith's thoughts to J'tha's mind. J'tha quickly looked to Vicke who let a broad grin errupt on her face as Stratuth told her she had spoken to Zenith. “Segarra said we should practice flying around the Weyr. I'd like to fly outside the Weyr but she won't let me.”

            “Listen to her! We can't have dragons flying all over Pern.... yet.”

            “Of course.” She let her expression turn serious. “Here, Segarra sent this to you.” She said handing J'tha a steaming pitcher of klah. “I hope none of it spilled. We haven't got landing down quite smooth yet.”

            J'tha let a small smile cross his face. “Thank you, the klah was thoughtful of Segarra,” he said taking it.

            “He's awesome you know,” Vicke said indicating Zenith with a backwards gesture of her thumb.

            “Who is?” J'tha said looking up from his drink.

            “Zenith...that color. It demands attention wherever he goes.”

            “Yes, he is special,” J'tha said letting his soul swell with pride.   

            “Hummump.” Jarone voiced a grunt to get J'tha's attention.

            “Oh, yes. Look at this map. What can you make of it?” he said getting back to the puzzel at hand.

            Vickie left quietly, gliding down to the bowl floor.

            J'tha explained all he knew as Jarone studied the map. “Humm,” was all he said for a long time as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. J'tha felt his head drop as he began to fall asleep.                                He sat up straighter and took some more sips of klah. 

            “See here,” Jarone's voice broke the silence and J'tha's head popped up as he had been drifting off again. “The point here that you indicated as the source of the virus, it's one line over to here,” he traced the path with his finger to the spot where it split into four. “Right here where it split's is Landing. That's the main computer,” his finger  tapped the spot. “These branches off of  Landing are were the computer system divides into four sub systems. This one here,"his finger tapped the one on the far right, “this one is the transport unit system were I worked. The other lines branching out from the transport station are indicating how far the virus has infected the system. From the looks of it I'd say there isn't much moving now a days.” Jarone shook his head slowly and sadly.

            “So how do I find out where this is?” J'tha's finger thumped down on the point that showed the source of the virus.

            “Humm,” Jarone groaned and rubbed his chin again. “Let me think.” J'tha watched the older man as he studied the map. He was not a heavily muscled man, having spent his life working in the office of the transport unit control room. He wasn't much over thirty,  but he was quite smart. J'tha wondered how any of this could have been accomplished without those with these special talents. Hadn't Segarra said the fire lizards knew who to pick? “I think it's beyond the Great Bay.” J'tha jumped. He had been deep in his own thoughts and he was startled.  “In this isolated bay area. There never was much here. See here,” his finger dropped to the coast line Avias had begun to draw. “This is the Jordan River were landing is. It goes out and around and this indentation which would be Paradise River. The next one here is the Black River. The land goes out and around Southern Hold. The map indicates the two rivers that flow to Drakes Lake. This next point is Piemur's volcano and that's were Avais stopped. From here it would cross,” and he began to lightly sketch in the missing coast line, “the Great Bay to this isolated land mass. It's not very hospitable so no one lives there. A perfect place to hideout.” 

            “Yea, but who?” J'tha asked bitterly.

            “That I can't tell you from the map,” Jarone answered knowing the scowl was for those who had caused this problem and not hmself.

            “I know. It's just that...” he let the sentence trail off.

            “J'tha?” a young voice broke the silence. He looked up to see a boy, not much over eight turns  if that. “Segarra told me to report to you. I am Kevon. My sister insisted on flying me up here on her dragon,” he said indicating  a grinning Vikcki on the ledge scratching Stratuth's eye ridge. “Other wise I would have taken the stairs and not have startled you so.”

            “That's okay. Are you the one with the fire lizard report?” He asked.

            “Yes,” came the shy, quiet reply.

            “Come in, come in,” he gestured him to take a seat. “Tell me. What is going on out there?” he was eager to know.

            “It's bad,” Kevon recalled account after account  of famine, tornadoe's, flash floods, hail and hurricanes. The weather had been totaly unpredictable. The crops were being ruined, transportation and communication were at a stand still . “It's every man for himself. Pern is destroyed.” he said gloomyly. “All this has been for nothing,” he said gesturing over the Weyr.

            “No. It's not for nothing. I want you to write down everything you just told me. Every minute detail. I have an idea. I need to see Segarra. where is she?” he said looking around and starting to get up as if he was going to call for her.

            “Sleeping,” Kevon said. “The whole Weyr is sleeping exept us.”

            “You would think better if you had some rest too,” Jarone added. He helped the unresisting J'tha to his bed, where he promptly feel asleep.

 

XII

            A small round head rubbed vigorously on his neck as J’tha roused slowly from sleep. He pushed the offending creature away and rolled over. A wolfish yelp sprung up a few feet away and a snarl spoken in an unrecognizable language proceeded the curse. Slowly, the boy turned to see a rather upset Segarra facing him. He blinked once to stare at the female wolf in confusion.

            “What were you doing their, Seg? You have your own bed,”  J’tha yawned sleepily. He stretched. Bendar appeared and landed on his arm. He stood still as J’tha lowered  his arm. The little bronze tilted his head quizzically at him, chirped and flew off with a satisfied air. Grinning, J’tha looked back at Segarra who had finished stretching and leaped gracefully to the weyr floor. The sunlight that now filled the room made long shadows where it hit the objects in his weyr. Full realization dawned on J’tha and he hastily threw back the sleeping furs, getting another line of Marl curses as it fell on top of Segarra from the other side of the bed. She shook them off and growled at the boy in a understanding manner.

            “A an not making your bed this morning!” She declared, shaking her self lightly. “You can do that yourself.”

            “Why didn’t you wake me!” J’tha protested, pointing outside. “Half the day’s gone!”

            Segarra made a wolf-like shrug. “You needed your rest,” she explained simply. The wolf looked him up and down spectacularly “I would advise that you bathe and clean up before you talk to me or anyone else.”

            “No,” he replied firmly, making his way to the living quarters. Segarra bounded ahead of him and landed squarely on his path. She rose from her crouched position and gave him a stern stare that J’tha knew better to argue with. He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Alright, alright. A very, very fast one.” The wolfish smile on her face told him everything.

            He turned to gather some fresh cloths. As he rummaged through the handmade garments, he looked back at Segarra who was looking down at her feet with a partly titled head. “What’s the matter with you. Haven’t you seen those before?” he laughed lightly.

            “No, it’s just that...Never mind.” She looked back at him. “Kevon left the fire lizard reports on the table. I was glancing at them as best as I could. I think we should ask Yakima to the meeting as well.”

            “Kimi?” He felt like hitting himself as his voice shook. Segarra was sensitive to emotion just like Zenith. He by no means wanted his wolf companion knowing that he actually had feeling for another girl; and a queen rider.

            “Yes, Kimi,” Segarra snorted in annoyance. “You know her. Queen rider, rides Rhiath, largest queen on Pern. Good with runners.”

            J’tha couldn’t help but smile. “Is that why you want her their?” he asked as he stood and made his way to the bathing room.

            “Well, she knows more about the Northern Continent than I do. At least the inhabited parts of this time. And her knowledge of the equine species might be useful as well. I’m even about to go as Alynn and Emger to join. Just to have more than three brains working at the same time.”

            J’tha nodded, shaking an approving finger at her as he slipped behind the curtains. “All three of them, Seg. Just get them quickly.”

            “My pleasure, sunset rider. As soon as I find that disappearing wolf leader of mine.” he last words were cut off from J’tha as she let her voice slip into a mumble and she turned to leave. Hearing the boy’s chuckle at the first statement, she smiled and left his weyr with a joyous heart.

 

            “Gatha, Yakima,” Segarra greeted the blond haired girl as she met them at the Bowl lake. Her long braid was plastered against Yakima’s skin and strands of it curled out of place. The queen rider was soaked, Segarra noted, noticing her drenched tunic. Yakima turned to her and sighed, patting Rhiath’s shoulder. Seeing that the white wolf was not planning to join her for a swim, she waded to the shore, rining a cloth in her hand. She came to sit next to Segarra, watching her dragon play in the deep water. She looked back at the wolf with an exasperated sigh.

            “Why didn’t you tell me that this was going to be difficult?”

            Segarra chuckled. “Is Rhiath giving you a hard time?”

            “Only a little! I think she’s the one giving me a bath!” Yakima pulled her soaked tunic from her skin and shook it lightly as if trying to rid it of the water.

            “Zenith is worse, in my opinion. Then again, I’ve never helped you.”

            “No you haven’t,” Yakima replied. He gaze went back to Rhiath and he mood softened.

            “You’re pretty, you know,” Segarra said suddenly. Yakima blushed and stared at her.

            “How would you know? You’re not human.”

            “No, but I’ve lived with them long enough. Long enough to understand a few things. Appearance for one. Behavior and such follow. And cleanliness,” she added with an afterthought to that morning.

            Yakima grinned. “J’tha giving you a hard time?”

            “Oh, nothing I can’t handle.” She turned to the girl and cocked he head in question. “Do you know how to make a completely destroyed bed? It’s hard for me. I have paws, not hands.”

            “I’ll help,” agreed Yakima, smiling again with a faint blush on her cheeks.

            Segarra stood. “I need you at J’tha’s weyr in ten minutes.”

            Yakima looked up at her in surprise. “Setting deadlines for me to do housework?” she asked.

            “No. Only meeting deadlines,” Segarra grinned back. Yakima shook her head and stood.

 

            Suddenly, the five dragons on the heights bugled. Two wolf voices called down their greetings. Segarra rose her voice in a greeting and Yakima covered her ears for protection. Rhiath rumbled as Alynn and Emger landed a dragon length from Segarra and the queen rider.

            “Gatha, elo arra,” said Alynn. Segarra nodded politely. The wolf leader looked at Yakima and said, “Good day, Yakima.”

            “Good day, Alynn.”

            “Okay!” Segarra cried. “All present up to J’tha’s weyr. We need to talk.”

            “What else is new for you,” Alynn mused in an undertone.

            “I heard that!” the female barked.

            “Can I change first?” Yakima asked plaintively. Segarra looked at her and smiled apologetically.

            “Sorry, Kimi,” she said. “J’tha’s weyr in ten minutes.”

            “Yes, ma’am,” and she hurried off to her weyr while Rhiath declined to stay in the water for a while longer. The three wolves trotted over the weyr bowl slowly. They saw Zenith appear on his ledge and stretch. Various dragons in the bowl greeted him respectfully.

            “He would be so small next to Mnementh,” Segarra whispered sadly seeing the younger beast perched on the bronzes former resting place so many years ago. He ears went back slightly in remorse.

            Alynn and Emger followed her gaze and nodded. “The only animal that any of these dragons would be able to dwarf would be Ruth.”

            “Or the past dragons,” Emger reminded him. “They were smaller and a pack of wolves could no doubt take one down; yet I dare say that I wouldn’t even want to try.”

            “Kind of you, Emger,” Alynn remarked. “But is that out of respect for those who ride them or you knowledge that you have gained over the years.”

            Emger nodded with a slight tilt to his head. “Both,” was his one word answer. His companions laughed softly, knowing that their answer would have been the same.

            “I’m flying up their,” Segarra announced suddenly. She stopped and loosened her wings from their customary position on her back. Rhiath, fly Yakima to J’tha’s weyr, please.

            I will, the gold dragon responded. They all heard her exit from the water and turned to watch her as she beat powerful wings up to her weyr. Segarra leapt up into the air in a graceful bound and glided on the evening air currents to the J’tha’s quarters. Alynn and Emger sighed simultaneously and followed their female friend. Zenith greeted them with a welcoming rumble and the trio passed into the boys chambers. J’tha was out and hastily pulling on his tunic. Segarra frowned.

            “I told her ten minutes, J’tha, not ten seconds.”

            “So,” the boy said, his voice momentarily muted until his head popped out of his shirt. “We have a lot to do and little time to do it in. Especially since you didn’t wake me up this morning.” He looked as her accusingly. She merely snorted in response.

            “What did you want us here for?” Emger asked as the wolves followed them into the living quarters.

            “To talk about fire lizard reports. Segarra,”

            “Humm?”

            “I don’t want you complaining about my bed. Look at yours.” She grinned. Though not as bad as his, her furs were on the floor as well. Her ‘bed’ consisted of cleaned yet old furs piled into a box made for her. She didn’t mind it at all. It was much more comfortable than the cold stone floor.

            “That I can fix,” Segarra said and went over to right the unending pile of fur and blankets.

            J’tha chuckled and motioned that the two males join him at the table.

            Rhiath comes, Zenith obediently announced. J’tha rose from his seat and stod into the weyr where Rhiath had just landed. He hurried over and politely helped the girl dismount. Her close were dry but the braid in her hair was damp and neatly in place.

            “You didn’t have to,” J’tha smiled as she slid off the golden shoulder.

            “What?”

            “Take a bath just to see me.”

            “Oh, this!” She reached up her hand and touched her hair. “Actually I was trying to give Rhia a bath. I don’t know who’s more wet; me or her.”

            “Zenith doesn't do that...often. Segarra is the one who gets dunked at the end.” They laughed as the walked into the weyr. J’tha stopped short.

            “Segarra what are you doing!” he cried. Yakima broke into a fit of giggles, joining Alynn and Emger in laughter.

            It won’t come loss! she growled angrily as she pulled at a fur blanket.

            “Well don’t kill it! Let me help.” He walked over to her and carefully untangled the hairy mass and  set them neatly in place. “Their,” he said, standing up to study his handy work. “Was that so hard.”

            “Easy to say for someone with fingers and hands,” the female grumbled. “I have to use my mouth.”

            “Why did you want me here for?” Yakima asked, pulling up a set and leafing through the papers on the table.

            “Those,” J’tha said as he and Segarra sat down, “are Kevon’s reports that he received from the fire lizards. I want to analyze them and get opinions from more than just me and Segarra. I wanted Alynn and Emger to represent to wolves since they are in charge of the packs and such. You I just wanted here for advise.”

            “Oh,” was all the girl said, he cheeks still flushed.

            J’tha picked up a piece of paper and scanned it. Slowly, Yakima took one herself as the wolves waited patiently for the outcome. Elnora and Bendar appeared and settled on the table.

            “Segarra,” J’tha said thoughtfully, not looking up her. “When did Kevon send the fire lizards?”

            “About a sevenday forward, I think. He said he wanted us to have time to prepare help if we could.” She rested her head on the table and watched him.

            “That’s good,” he mumbled as he finished reading. “Hurricanes will hit many places. I expected that. One ship is caught out in the storm while trying to cross the sea to deliver supplies.”

            “The ships are unaccustomed to harsh weather and are not built for it,” Yakima said. “This report mentions a few other capsizes.” She set it down next to the pile of unread material, picking up another as she did so.

            “The wolves could...” Alynn began slowly.

            “No,” Segarra rejected firmly. “Not even the dragons could fly those heavy winds long enough to offer support to those ships. The fire lizards themselves were not their long. I suggest an animal that is accustom to such weather and environment.”

            “Dolphins,” Emger said quickly. “They’ve made rescues in the past.”

            “Yes they have,” J’tha replied, remembering Vikki, Felecia and Kevon and their arrival at Cove Hold. “Segarra...”

            “Yes,” Segarra grinned, reading his mind. “After this I’ll find Delta and his pod.”

            “Thank you,” the boy smiled and chuckled.

            “Hey, Seg,” Alynn said, “look at this one.” He placed his nose on the draft he had been scanning. The white wolf leaned closer as did the other three. “The Northern Holds can’t survive the harsh conditions. Crops are failing, they don’t have hunting equipment nor skilled hunters, and the holders are lacking warm clothing. Sounds like the story of Lord Garthin on Yukon during...”

            “Save the history lesson, Alynn,” Emger scolded in a fatherly tone.

            “J’tha,” Yakima said after reading through Kevon’s report. “The holds are not use the shortage in food supply. We gathered food all season in Ruatha. And the only thing our tanners were taught were how to make bridles and saddles for the runners.”

            “What if we sent Mashaw to the holds?” J’tha suggested.

            “Every single one?” Segarra cocked an eyebrow at him. “He couldn’t travel to every Hold in time. Even with faithful Sable in the harness. Not even with a dragons help.”

            “He has a few apprentices,” J’tha retorted sternly. “They could be of help.”

            “Yes.”

            “And dragons take them from hold from hold!” Yakima chimed in excitedly.

            Segarra’s face turned thoughtful. She looked at Alynn and Emger then to the two humans. “Only the blues and greens, depending on the preference of the apprentice. They are smaller and more agile then the other three colors and high winds, strong rains and other dangers might be tolerated by them. Mashaw will take Eth. But these groups cannot begin their rounds until the wings take off for their rescues.”

            “Why not?” J’tha demanded.

            Segarra grinned at him mockingly. “No one in the Weyr can fly or go between yet. It would be useful to both passengers and Holds that they know how to get their.” J’tha blushed. He heard Yakima chuckle.

            “As for food,” Alynn said, his tone rising so that he could be heard. “Depending on location, I could arrange pack leaders to assign members of their packs to hunt and gather food until the havoc stops and life is peaceful enough to allow the holder to get their own food.”

            “Two to a hold,” Emger replied.

            “Four,” Alynn countered.

            “Two.”

            Four...”

            “Two,” Segarra cried. “We don’t have that many wolves Alynn. Not only are their large holdings, but smaller ones as well.”

            “Oh.”

            “These storms that have been plaguing Pern are not getting any better,” J’tha interrupted the conversation after writing the decided on information down for future reference. He lay the sheet down for the wolves and Yakima to see. “The hurricane we were in at Cove was nothing compared to these. Floods, tornados, sever thunder storms...” He blinked at the list in front of him. “Ice storms.”

            “Really far up north,” Segarra grinned at his confusion. “I’ve never been in one so don’t ask.”

            “Avalanches, too,” Yakima said, leaning over his shoulder to look at the paper.

            J’tha looked up at the three wolves. “I know the dragons must be involved here. And this time I have a good plan.”

            “Good,” was Segarra’s one word answer before she waited for him to continue.

            “Well,” he said, taking a deep breath. “We, the dragonriders, must be able to fly obviously, we have to fly between and we have to time it.”

            “Hold up, Jedtha!” Yakima cried. “We have only a week to learn all this. It took months for the Weyrlings to learn to fly and do all that stuff back in the Ninth Pass. Even before that.”

            “And yesterday we couldn't get you on your dragon!” Segarra cried. “Now you want to time it!” Segarra stared at him.

            “Uh-huh,” J’tha nodded in acknowledgment, his mind remembering the image of his aunt and the tornado that Bendar had shown him long ago. The wolf shook her head and the other two canines looked at each other and said something in Marl.

            “Okay,” the female sighed. “As soon as Mashaw finished the harnesses, we’ll begin tomorrow.”

            “Tomorrow,” J’tha whined in a childish manner. “I want to start now. The sooner the better.”

            “I’ll start tomorrow,” Yakima volunteered.

            “Don’t rush into things, Weyrleader,” Emger said softly, as a mentor would. “Preplanned is best of success.”

            “Fine.”

            “Stop acting like a pup!” Alynn teased. “Your a man, not a boy.”

            “I don’t feel like it.”

            “Tomorrow,” Segarra stressed. “Promise. On the Egg of Faranth.”

            The boy grinned at the phrase. “How about ‘the Egg of Zenith?’” Segarra merely shrugged. The two other wolves stood as did Yakima and J’tha. “Meeting dismissed.”

            “Oh!” Everyone turned to look at Segarra as if she had suddenly been hurt. “That reminds me. We need to start a Weyr Record Book.”

            “Good idea. I’ll do that as soon as I get some paper since computers are out for record keeping.” Yakima nodded. Then she and the two male wolves left leaving Segarra and J’tha alone.

            “Their are a few harnesses finished,” Segarra said. “I think I’ll divide up the dragons into groups and begin teaching them the basics. Take-off, landing and such. They should know that any way with their dragons helping them. Like Zenith did with you.”

            “Great!” She saw the excitement light up in his eyes in an instant. “Let’s get flying.”

            “Queen riders are in a separate group.”

            “Why?” J’tha asked in obvious disappointment.

            “The other colors are two. Your with the bronze groups for Zenith’s size is closer to a bronze. ”

            J’tha was still confused and she saw it written over his face.

            “Each dragon had a special talent that the other colors do not have. With the dragons divided like that, I can expand a little more on that talent. But I might do a little combining so that I’ll be able to work with them in even groups and less in each group. When we start going between I combine the group. The harnesses will be done by then.”

            “When are they to be done?” J’tha asked as he gathered his papers together.

            “Tomorrow. Mashaw told me so,” she said in a tone of childish pride. The boy smiled at her and, pulling a piece of blank paper from the stack, began writing the first entry in the New Age Benden Weyr Record.

 

            “You and your dragon must communicate in order for you get anywhere.” Segarra’s voice rang out above the seven dragonriders in front of her. It was the last group of the day and already the Perness sun was setting below the Rim. This group consisted of the four queens, one green and two blues. She didn’t know how many times she had started out reminding the riders about their already powerful bonds with their beasts. But, having lived with F’lar and Lessa and listening to the Werylingmaster lecture his pupils, she had a good understanding on what she was to do. Her students were attentinve and eager to go. They each had a harness that had been used four other times that day. Segarra had gone over how to clean and maintain the leathers usability. They were all eager now to get outside. All had watched the short drills with the other dragonriders. They wanted their turn.

            “The most important reason you must have a keen sense of both yourself and your dragon is especially needed when going between and timing it. These will be talked about later, however. Today, just worry about getting the harness on properly and staying on your dragon.” The two blue riders chuckled.

            “Kimi won’t have that problem,” C’rek said. “She’s already ridden Rhiath.”

            “That doesn't mean she will get through this trouble free,” said Segarra, jumping to the queen riders defense. “I also want all of you to focus on your dragons and what they are capable of. I will not allow any stunt devils to try and play ‘Hero of the Day’. We are practicing for tomorrow and that’s it.

            “Now,” she switched he attention to the upcoming event. “All of you double check your straps. Test them for any breakage of wear.” She watched with wolfish patience as they all obeyed. She noticed that the green rider, Sativa, was done before the others and looked at her until she caught the wolfs eyes. “Again,” Segarra said. “Just because they’ve been used all today does not mean that you assume the leather is still safe.” The girl obeyed with a flush developing on her checks.

            When they had met her standers of a thorough inspection, she told them to follow her out of the Lower Caverns to the Bowl lake where their dragons awaited them. Segarra couldn’t help but notice the whirling excitement in their eyes as they approached. It was the same excitement that was in the riders’ eyes as well. They went to their own beast and stood waiting for instructions. Segarra leapt up to a rock that was beside the water and sat down facing them.

            “Yakima and Rhiath,” she called. “Can I use you two as a model?”

            “Ya, I guess,” Yakima said embarrassed

            Of course, was the gold more enthusiastic response. Segarra chuckled. Together, the pair made their way over to Segarra. Like and eager child, Rhiath sat ready for the next step.

            “The harness is set in the same place as the withers on a runner. Place it behind the last neck ridges on the shoulder.” She indicated the Kimi do what Segarra was saying. She did so, with the help of Rhiath. “The largest of the straps goes around your dragons neck and connects at the chest. This might have to be adjusted right now until you have your own harnesses. The safety straps- that you will all use until I permit them to be taken off-” she heard a few groans in the group but ignored them. “...are fastened above the harness and meet in the center of the chest.” Yakima finished refitting the harness to Rhiath’s larger size. Segarra showed her an image of the next step. The girl hastily finished her task and stood back to inspect her work. She glanced at the white wolf who winked.

            “If the rest of you need help, I’ll help. Saddle up!”

            With eager enthusiasm, the riders dispersed to their beasts to obey the wolf. Segarra trotted of to Yakima and glanced at the harness. Rhiath peered down at the harness herself and looked back a the wolf as if she was confused.

            “What?” Yakima asked as if she had done something wrong.

            “Nothing,” Segarra reassured her. “But I would like you to take the harness off and put it back on. Don’t look at me like I’m crazy! The rest did it at least three times before we flew. You’re ahead of the rest already and it’s not because of your flight yesterday either. You have grown up with runners and know more that the basics. You’ll be the first up today.” The girl smiled and turned to take the harness off her queen.

            No! The other way, I’m sure of it!

            Segarra turned her head toward Argoth and C’rek. The blue rider was desperately trying to fasten the harness around his blue’s small chest. The wolf could tell that the harness was last on a green for it was to small. As she trotted over to the pair, Segarra connected with Argoth’s mind. Tell C’rek to make the harness larger for you.

            “I don’t know how,” the rider snapped when his blue had relayed the message.

            “Unbuckle the strap and pull in down two notches,” Segarra said. C’rek looked up in surprise at the sound of her voice. He turned and did what she said and loosened the straps. When the harness slipped easily around Argoth’s neck and settled into place C’rek grunted. Segarra know that he had wanted to prove her wrong. He finish connecting the straps and turned standing as if he was waiting for Segarra to shout ‘Mount’.

            “Take it off and do it again.” His jaw dropped and he tried to say something. “You need practice, C’rek,” Segarra explained. “Yakima is doing the same thing.” With an irritated grumble, the blue rider did as he was told.

            “Do you want me to do that, too?” a younger voice asked. Segarra turned to R’shaw. She smiled and looked over at Eth. He had done a good job.

            The wolf nodded with a grateful smile. “Yes, two more times. Then we’ll fly.”

            Fly? she heard several dragons query.

            Into the sky, she told them.

            When the dragons were harnesses, Segarra had the riders gather their equipment. She ignored C’rek’s complaint about stalling. She told them about the safety percussions and when to use them and how. After all seven riders were geared up in the proper cloths, she ordered them back to their dragons.

            “When you are seated behind your dragon, secure the safety straps and yourself,” Segarra told them. She knew she sounded boring and Yakima and R’shaw knew it. They smiled helpfully next to Rhiath and Eth. Then, with a grateful sigh, the winged wolf said, “Mount.”

            She watched as the dragons almost simultaneously extended their legs and their riders climbed on. Each checked the harness and themselves then waited for her next order. Segarra couldn't wait for the day when a real Weyrlingmaster could take over.

            “The dragons will be listening to me when we get in the air. I’ll lead you around the Weyr and a few miles outside. When you fly alone stay in the Weyr unless instructed by me to leave. Now,” and she leapt to the ground and stood like a mouse next to a dog against the dragons. “The first leapt is neck-breaking from what I’ve heard. Yakima and Rhiath started from a ledge and could glide instead of leap. I advise you all to hang on!”

            “Right,” Felecia said quickly. Fancyth crooned gently.

            Okay, ladies and gentlemen, Segarra told the dragons. When I give the command ersir take off. Two at a time so that we space out a bit.

            We understand, seven dragons answered.

            Segarra crouched and loosened her wings from her back. She saw Rhiath and Fancyth assumed a semi crouch and extend their wings.

            “Ersir!” Segarra cried, leaping into the air with two dragons behind her. Pariath and Myth, Segarra commanded as she rose into the air. Eth and Argoth. When she was hovering over the star stone she called to green Celtith to join them. She had the dragons arranged themselves in a small fighting wing triangle with herself in front. Then she swooped down over the bowl with the wings behind.

 

            Yakima felt Rhiath’s muscles beneath her thighs and her queens heart beat beneath the soft golden hide. As the golden beast dipped closer to the ground for take off, extending her wings for the first downward sweep, she gripped the harness. Segarra cried something in Marl and Rhiath and Fancyth leapt into the air after the small winged wolf.

            Her head snapped back and she nearly let go of the riding straps.

            Sorry, Rhiath apologized. Yakima told her it was her fault. Then she looked about her. Rhiath’s powerful wings beat the air swiftly covering the distance from where Segarra waited. Looking back at the bowl she saw Eth and Argoth take off. Then Rhiath stopped and hovered next to Segarra above the star stones. The last green dragon leapt from the ground and then she heard Segarra order the dragons into a triangle formation with Rhiath in lead. Butterflies built in her stomach when she realized that this small wing would be...

            Under Segarra command. Rhiath swiveled her head to look at her rider. She just picked someone and it was you. Yakima tried to smile as she glanced back at the six other accompanying her. Segarra suddenly veered downward doward the bowl lake. Rhaith dived after her and the sound of the dragons’ wings as the followed were like thunder. As they passed Zenith on the ledge sunning himself, he bugled a greeting. The wing answered and Segarra let out a short howl.

            They swerved up the side of the Weyr’s Rim into the forest below. The trees flew by faster than on runnerback.

            Can you breath? Rhiath suddenly asked.

            Yakima gulped in a breath of fresh air and nearly choked in the wind.

            Segarra says that we’re going back. Even as she said this the wolf turned to the right in a large semi circle. She wants Myth to take lead now. Yakima saw gold Myth leaving her place in rear. She felt Rhiath shift to the left and down to take over the smaller golds place.

            Black and cold suddenly enveloped Yakima and her dragon. She tried to scream. No sound came out. She couldn’t even feel Rhiath beneath her. She heard Segarra cry her name in her mind. Then they were hovering in the wing again. Yakima shook from fear. Segarra appeared and landed in front of Yakima on the golds neck. The rest of the dragons hovered beside them.

            “Yakima, what happened?” the wolf demanded.

            I wanted to get their faster, Rhaith said. Kimi gave the image to me.

            “Kimi,” Segarra scolded. The girl shook her head confused. “Kimi?” the wolf asked more gently.

            “I didn’t want her to. Did I go...between?”

            Segarra nodded slowly. “Try  not to do that again. J’tha can’t lose any queens. Any color for that matter. Zenith knew the instant Rhiath took you two between and now J’tha does. Let’s get you home. You look very pale.”

            As the wolf released her grip on Rhiath’s neck, letting herself free fall before winking between to the front of the group where Myth hovered in Rhiath’s old place, Yakima heard her say to the gold, Please don’t do that again. It gave me a heart attack and Kimi wasn’t ready for that.

            I won’t, Rhiath said humbly.

            Segarra lead the wing back home. Dragons bugled a welcome back as they appeared over the Rim. As she and the dragons glided to the floor, she saw J’tha running up to them. She scowled. Not because of his concern for Yakima, which was why he was their she knew, but because of how much trouble she was going to be in.

 

            “It was not my fault. Rhiath admitted it as hers,” Segarra protested for what she thought was the billionth time. J’tha sat at the table, arms folded and his head buried in them. The wolf thought she could see him shaking. He hadn’t spoken to her until this morning and she had been up most of the night anyway worrying about Kimi, J’tha and Rhiath.

            “How did it happen?” J’tha asked, his voice muffled in his arms.

            “Rhiath wanted to get their faster. Kimi might have been envisioning a point of reference and Rhiath took it.”

            “We could have lost them! Do you know what that would have done to me!”

            Segarra backed up against the wall, tail between her legs and ears back. in distress. She closed her eyes and felt her self shake. She had seen the wild look in the boys eyes as he stood to face her. When he had helped Kimi off Rhiath, the girl had clung to him and shook with fear. She didn’t want to think about what would have happened to J’tha if Rhiath had not emerged.

            “Jedtha, please,” Segarra whispered.

            He opened hi mouth to speak. He saw his friend cowered in the corner. His heart still clenched from the thought of losing Kimi. She had cried for a while in his arms. Then she just held him as if he was the only solid thing in the world.

            Mashaw’s coming, Zenith informed him.

            “Segarra?”

            “She’ll be fine,” the wolf whispered, coming out of her crouched position. Her tail still between her legs. “We learn how to go between today.”

            “I hope Kimi can get on Rhiath.”

            “Weyrleader?” Mashaw asked from the door way. The winged wolf and boy turned to look at the man. J’tha frowned. He seemed to have aged over night. Lines of tiredness and strain lingered in his old features. He leaned on the doorway, a leather harness lay against his arm. Segarra looked at him with a frown of worry and whined softly.

            “You look tired, old friend,” J’tha said.

            “Indeed I am. Up all night working on the harnesses. The apprentices and I. I wanted to bring yours to you personally.” He smiled kindly. He wasn’t able to move the other leather strap that he had hidden amongst the harness from Segarra’s eyes. She looked at him accusingly and whined in protest. Mashaw merely glanced at her and she scowled. It was for her. She sat down an pouted like a pup.

            “It’s beautiful,” she heard J’tha muse. Forgetting Mashaw and his hidden gift, she walked over to look at it. The leather had been carved and shaped with dragons and other symbols. A red and orange gem with its colors swirled together was placed in the center where it would sit on Zenith’s chest.

            “It’s a mural,” Segarra complimented. “Landing, Sean and the Dragonriders in their first Fall, I’m guessing that’s Moreta,” she said indicating the dragon next to the center stone. Mashaw nodded excitedly. She looked at the next one. “F’lar and Lessa,” she whispered. “And Robinton. Then the destruction of the Red Star with the three ships.”

            “And the arrival of the winged wolves and the Hatching in this time,” Mashaw explained proudly. “We all decided that J’tha and Zenith deserved this since he is the Weyrleader.”

            “Right now,” J’tha whispered. He looked up at the Tanner.

            Can I try it on? Zenith queried from his weyr.

            “Good idea!” J’tha smiled and went to meet his dragon. Segarra bounded in front of him with Bendar riding on her back. Mashaw followed more slowly.

            “Beautiful, my friend,” J’tha exclaimed when he had finished strapping the last buckle. Zenith strained his neck at a strange angle to look at it. The red-orange stone glittered in the morning sun the was rising over the Weyr. The sunset dragon rumbled in satisfaction.

            “Thank you, Mashaw,” J’tha said.

            “No need to. The extra effort was necessary. But I have one more thing for Segarra.”

            “Yes! It’s a muzzle right?” she suddenly sounded skeptical and looked at him questionably. She watched as he passed the leather quickly to J’tha so she wouldn’t see it.

            “A collar?” J’tha asked.

            “I hope Segarra won’t mind wearing it,” said Mashaw worriedly. “She’s not a real canine and...”

            “Let me see it first!” J’tha knelt next to her to show her the diamond studded and engraved collar. Perness flowers decorated it elegantly. A gem for each sparkle on the petal.

            I had to put mine on, Zenith said. And so do you.

            “Fine,” the wolf laughed. “Put it on.” J’tha smiled and buckled it snuggly around her neck. He stood back to look at her when she had finished. Bendar jumped to her neck and dropped under her chin to examined it himself. After a few seconds of looking at it he chirped and flew back to his friend.

            “Well? How do I look?” she asked looking at the two men.”

            “Like a wolf with a collar on,” J’tha joked. Segarra glared at him.

            Very pretty, Zenith said.

            Segarra grinned and walked up to Mashaw. He knelt and patted her head. “Thank you,” she said.

            “Your welcome.”

            “But now I must go dolphin hunting again,” the wolf said sighing. “Did the other riders get their harnesses as well?”

            “Yes. Kimi, too. Though she was very quiet when she picked it up. My son told me what happened.”

            “You can stop reminding me,” Segarra grumbled. “Have all the riders assemble in an hour. We start then.” She turned and trotted outside to the ledge. The three figures in the quarters watched as she jumped into the sky and went between. J’tha turned to take the harness of his dragon and Mashaw left to his sleeping quarters

 

            The old bell finished echoing in the hall. Even before Segarra could get up from covering her sensitive ears, she sensed the dolphins surfacing in the water near by. She stood and looked into the noble faces of Delta’s pod. The leader rose into the air high and slid back down. It was his way of greeting his wolf friend. Segarra smiled and nodded.

            “What wrong?” Delta asked.

            “We need your help once again,” began Segarra, having a seat next to the water’s edge.

            “Boootsss!” Azon squealed happily. “Tooow boootss again? Fun! Fun gaamee dolphins play agin!”

            Segarra smiled at the dolphin but shook her head. “Sorry Azon. Not this time. But boats are involved. The seas will become very rough and people are going to try to cross the deadly seas. We need you to save the humans...”

            “Nooo! No help ships. No help mans. Only help Segarra! Mans kill dolphins. We swim and hide where mans ships can’t goo.” Delta glared at her at flipped his head angrily, splashing her with water. Shaking the water from her coat she tired to reason with the upset pod leader.

            “You shall be helping me, Delta. J’tha and the dragons...”

            “Dragons!” Fra clicked excitedly. “Dragons back! Dragons play games with dolphins! Dragons fun!”

            “Yes,” Segarra laughed as the other dolphins joined in the chorus. “The dragons are back. But they can’t play with you until you help save mans. The dragonriders have a plan that hopefully will bring about many changes. You and your kind shall be safe in Pern’s waters and my race on land and air. You’ll be able to ride the waves in front of the boats once again and safe to hunt for fish and play with man and dragons again.”

            A splash from the far side of the gate interrupted the dolphins. “Latec,” Delta whispered. “She never comes to shore...”

            A scared female surfaced by Delta. All the other members  moved to give the larger dolphin room. Segarra guessed that this was a highly respect female even if she was not the Tilek. The wolf looked at the old dolphin more closely. Their was no sparkle of mischief in her eyes or sense of play about her manner. The beautiful face was scared with a large white mark running from her nose tip to the bottom of her dorsal fin. The front part of her dorsal fin was missing and so was one of her eyes on the right side of her face. Only an indentation of where it once was remained. When she spoke, Segarra cringed at the wisdom and superiority in her voice. And she spoke clearer than those she had meet before.

            “Dolphins shall never be save from men. Merely a dream the young dream of,” she said, blowing a spray of water from her blow hole in disgust. “I was a young calf by my mothers side when harpoons were sent into the water. Many in my pod died. My eye was hit and I was blinded and could not see. My mother pushed me into deeper water. When she was not their, I looked up to see her writhing in pain. I saw the shaft of a harpoon in her heart. She died before my very eyes. The water was filled with blood. A red storm. Friends and family gone because of man. They leave behind the red storm, nothing else. Only death. Leave them before they kill you as well.”

            “They’ve tried, Letec. I, too, lost my family to mans mercy. We were poisoned and thrown off a cliff. I survived by eating less of the drugged bait and caught myself in mid fall. I was only four months old. All the winged wolves fear man in some way yet they have covered the fire to help set things right. Those men I know, J’tha and those at Benden Weyr, wish to help and end your troubles...”

            “Pawh!” Letec snorted. “How dare you forget your family. Man are evil and deadly.”

            “Never is my parents and siblings forgotten, Letec. I know how dangerous men can be, yet I came from another world and few know of my races’ arrival. I am trying to right the wrongs but I cannot do this alone. With the humans at the Weyr on land, the dolphins in the sea and the dragons in the air, we have hope.”

            “Hope is mere fantasy. Dragons are the only kind creature in Pern.”

            “Calm, Letec, and listen to one who has spoken to man and understand the kind side of them.” They stared for a long moment. Then, slowly, Letec nodded and yet much doubt was still in her eyes.

            Segarra took a deep breath. “The dragonriders are back to save Pern for all that live here. J’tha, the Weyrleader, has a plan to prevent the on coming disaster. He needs the help of the brave and fearless dolphin's of Pern. You must save the cargo and passengers that the storms toss into the sea. Perhaps men will respect you then and end the massacres.”

            “In the Fantasy World, winged wolf,” Letec said. “In a dream.” She twisted and landed in the water and disappeared, leaving Segarra to shake out the salt water in her white coat. She surfaced outside the cave, blowing water from her spout then was gone.  Silence fell over them and Segarra lay her ears back in sympathy. She had once vowed to kill every man she meet. And so had Alynn. Yet they were both working with man to save a world in which they live. Not all hearts could be turned.

            “We understand, See-geea-ra,” Delta said, stumbling on her name.

            Segarra smiled. “Thank you, Pod Leader. But, try saying ‘Seg-gar-a.”

            “See-gar-a,” the dolphin repeated faithfully.

            “You got it!” Delta squealed happily. Segarra grinned. “I now have to leave. Their is still much work to do in the Weyr. The dragons are learning to fly with their riders and disappear. Spread the mission all over the oceans and tell them to be on patrol for man in danger. Now until the storms resume their steady pattern. And even afterward. Dutha, good-bye,” she said and left the cave. She leapt into the air, listening to the dolphins as they followed her out of the cave to the ocean. They clicked a squealed joyfully. As Segarra prepared for the black cold of between, she thought about Letec and hoped that the scar on the dolphins heart could be healed.

XIII

            Segarra arrived at Benden Weyr and saw that the it was as active as on Hatching day. Zenith and the watch dragon bugled a welcome. She answered in the winged wolves’ traditional call and glided downward. She glanced at the sun and saw that she had an half an hour before the lesson started. She turned to go to Yakima’s weyr, landing gracefully on the stone ledge where golden Rhiath was sun bathing.

            “Kimi?” she asked as she entered the cavern. Elnora appeared a greeted the wolf with a a chirp. Her golden hide was gleaming from water. Splashing from the bathing pool told Segarra where the girl was. The gold fire lizard disappeared back to Yakima.

            Segarra shook, as if it would rid her of the nervousness. J’tha’s lecture that morning could never be forgotten. Nor the frighten look in the boy’s eyes. She herself had been sure her heart had ceased beating when Rhiath went between. She had heard Yakima’s mental scream. When the queen reappeared, Rhiath was fine but her rider badly shaken. Segarra wanted to make sure that the girl would join them today.

            She leapt up into the chair and sat down. Papers were scattered across the table. Sketches and paintings of the dragons, fire lizards and the Weyrfolk decorated the pages. The colors were light colored paints were water based, made with natural derived plants. Most of the paintings were of Rhiath. However, Segarra saw Zenith in the background of many.

            “Elnora said you were here,” Yakima suddenly said, picking up the papers into a neatly stacked pile. She was blushing as she gathered the drawing equipment and put them into a oak box with the burnt images of Pern on it.

            “You’re a very good artist,” Segarra commented as she looked at the top drawing of Rhiath as a dragonet.

            “Thank you. I made the paint’s myself. It’s a talent that my father disapproved of me using. Like training runners.” Yakima pushed the box into a drawer along with the images. She wore a white tunic with golden edges. Her golden hair was braided neatly behind her while the shoulder knot of her rank, which many of the riders would ware just to show off, was around her wrist loosely. She placed that above on the counter top.

            “I didn’t see me in any of those,” Segarra said glancing after the painting and giving the queen rider an accusing look.

            “You are in a lot. You, Emger and Alynn. I don’t have many of Aria, her color is hard to get right.” She sat down looking at Segarra. There was no fear in her eyes any more. It surprised Segarra that it was not a surprise after all. She had known that Yakima had trained many runners and was use to strange things happening. Segarra smiled softly a thought about the past months that Yakima was one of the best riders in the Weyr.

            “From what I know about dragons,” Segarra said, “Rhiath no doubt enjoys your artwork.”

            Yakima nodded, smiling at the thought. “She loves them. Especially when I do Zenith and Bendar.”

            “And J’tha?”

            “Yes,” and her blush deepened.

            Segarra cleared her thought and straitened. So did Kimi knowing that she was about to hear from Weyrwoman Segarra. “Speaking of J’tha, he talked to me about the accident. I’m not going to tell you what he said but he was very scared. I want to know if you’re ready for today.”

            “Yes,” Yakima said quietly without looking at the winged wolf. She felt uneasy and realized that Segarra was staring at her intently. “Yes I am,” she said more firmly. “This time I know what shall happen and have instructions.”

            The wolf nodded and smiled broadly. “You do know that Rhiath could have killed both of you.”

            “No.” The girl’s face was slightly pale for a second.

            “Without a firm reference a dragon will get lost between and never come back out. That is why J’tha was so upset with me.”

            “I didn’t mean to get you into trouble,” Yakima apologized quickly.

            “It’s all right,” Segarra smiled and leaped to from the chair. “You have about a half an hour to get ready. There'll be less more eyes watching the riders today. Alynn and Emger have decided to join me.” Yakima smiled understandingly at the wolf. Segarra executed a curt bow and left the room. Yakima went to Rhiath on the ledge, Elnora flying to her perch on the girl’s shoulder.

            I didn’t want to scare them, Rhiath crooned sadly.

            Yakima scratched the golden eye ridge lovingly. “There are only four Queen dragons in the Weyr. If they loose one, there’re be only three.”

            I like four better, the gold replied. Sounds bigger. Like more wherries for lunch.

            “Oh, are you hungry?” she asked with an already knowing tone. She eyed the gold for a moment while Rhiath’s faceted eyes shaded to a semi-hungry color.

            Two sounds good right now.

            Yakima smiled and put her arms around the golden muzzle. Rhiath’s dragon scent and warmth filled her and reminded Kimi of the dragon she so loved. She only moved when Rhiath inched her way out of the girl’s embrace and turned swiftly into her weyr. Kimi never knew that a dragon could move so fast.

            We have to use the harness! Rhiath cried with enthusiasm.

            Of course, Yakima replied mentally, her mouth forming a frown. Weyrlingmaster Segarra would have a fit if we didn’t.

            Yakima carefully placed the harness on her dragon’s back and lead her to the ledge. No need for a jacket, she thought as she buckled the helmet against her wet hair. Gripping the golden hide tighter as with Chase or a runner, Yakima prepared her self for the all-important leap. Rhiath’s muscles contracted and her crouched deepened. The transparent golden wings extended. Rhiath leapt from the ledge, letting her rider enjoy the short glide to the Bowl‘s Feeding Grounds.

 

            “You’ve all experienced flight before,” Segarra announced to the eager crowd of dragons and humans. All dressed for flight and dragons harnessed. “And normally, flight and between would take longer. Months even. Unfortunately, Pern needs her dragons now to save it. Today we learn how to go between.” A few of the dragons rumbled in anticipation. Riders shifted nervously and some looked up at the blue sky eagerly.

            Segarra looked at Alynn and Emger. Neither looked at her but they were smiling and she heard the old wolf’s silent complaint Pups! “Since J’tha and Yakima’s flight a few days back, I have allowed you to fly but only in the Weyr. Yesterday was the first day that we left the Bowl for a longer flight time. I hope you are ready for today for it will not be as quick as a ride.

            “Right now, look over your harnesses again! I will not be responsible for any harness breaks in mid-air.” As the three wolves gazed over the weyrlings, the riders obeyed her commanded. Segarra watched as J’tha looked over his harness as is it was a fragile artifact. Zenith peered down at him in concern. Segarra didn’t hear the verbal reply. “Between,” Segarra began again when the riders had finished, “is a fast mode of travel. But it also holds its dangers and death is not used properly. It is a dragon’s instinct to wink into the cold of between in danger. That is how those of during the Passes and Intervals long ago escaped Thread when they...” A large fair of fire lizards began screaming. Alynn and Emger began howling and the creatures quieted. Segarra looked at J’tha and Yakima who were trying to keep from laughing however it was not going well. Elnora and Bendar, as far as Segarra knew, had become upset.

            “I guess the “T” word better not be used,” Alynn said. A chuckle spread threw the riders.

            “Any way, the dragons used it to escape from dangers such as those. But the Weyrlingmasters, riders and Weyrleaders have told me about the dangers of between. As for the winged wolves, it is dreadfully cold, dark and nothing. You can’t feel anything, not even your dragon or yourself. However, your dragon will be in your mind at all times to keep you company. Some riders panic but, as I was taught, count the time laps. Or keep your destination in you mind.

            “When you emerge from between be mindful of you surroundings and those around you. If you wink into a place where another dragon is, your dragon can switch over to another location in the middle of transport. Finally, never go between without a fixed location in your mind. If not, you be lost between forever and never come out.” She looked at Yakima how was staring at the ground uneasily, and J’tha who was slightly pale.

            “Moreta, rider of gold Orlith and Weyrwoman from Fort Weyr during the end of the Sixth Pass. This is the time of the Great Plague that wiped out much of the original species, including the horses in which the runnerbeast came from. People and animals became sick and died. A vaccine was created to protect those still alive. With Orlith tending to her eggs, Moreta and ex-Weyrwoman Leri’s Hoth’s went from Hold to Hold delivering the vaccine. On their last trip, the old, tired queen with a equally exhausted rider, winked out of existence. Hoth went between before Moreta could give the image.” A silent group greeted her. Yakima hugged Rhiath and most of the riders stared at her. Segarra looked at the sunset rider.

            “J’tha, mount.”

            He jumped, as if woken from a nightmare and stared at her. “Me.”

            “You,” she smiled, hoping it would offer encouragement.

            Your picking on me like you did yesterday, the boy grumbled silently to her.

            I picked on four other as well, Jedtha.

            Zenith extended his forearm for his rider to mount. With all thirty-four dragonriders and their beast’s watching, he mounted and sat down behind the last neck ridge. He listened to Segarra as she informed the others on what they were about to do.

            “As with past drills, this one will be the same. J’tha and I will go first. After we have finished, Alynn and Emger will be taking some of you between. I will fly with J’tha and take them between to the other side of the Bowl. Zenith will take the image from me first. After several more jumps, J’tha and Zenith will try it on their own. You will all be doing the same. J’tha, take flight.”

            Zenith launched himself skyward, his wings beating powerfully skyward. Suddenly, Segarra was with them and Zenith was hovering above the bowl. Glancing at his hands, he saw that his knuckles were white.

            “If you don’t relax, you’ll never get through with this,” Segarra said from her position on Zeniths neck.

            “Is it really that bad?”

            “You're asking an animal with fur,” Segarra laughed. “You’ll be fine. Let Zenith take it for a while. Unless you don’t trust me.”

            “I trust you! You got me this far. How often does ones dream come true in one turn? I always thought dragons were only in stories and songs!” J’tha cried, letting go of his grip. “And, if the dragonriders back them were able to do it so long ago why can’t I?”

            Segarra smiled in admiration, shaking her head. “You’ll be the next Weyrleader of Benden yet, boy.” She took off from Zenith’s gleaming hide and hovered above them. An image of the other side of the bowl came into his mind.

            We’re going, Zenith informed him. Segarra said to show it to you.

            Count, was the wolf’s final command before the deathlike stillness of between enveloped them.

            ZENITH! J’tha’s mind shrieked. Cold, black and feeling dreadfully alone, she knew he shook.

            Count, came Segarra’s and Zenith’s voices. So he counted. One...

            Warm and beautiful, the other side of the Bowl reappeared. J’tha gasped and collapsed against his dragons warm neck. Segarra’s wet nose touched his face. He looked up and saw her wolfish smile as she hovered next to them. He grinned back. On the other side of the Weyr, dragons bugled, fire lizards chattered, people cheered and two wolves howled. Zenith rumbled in satisfaction.

            “Th... that was...n’t so bad,” he stuttered. Segarra burst out laughing. He glared at her in mock anger. “I didn’t even get to count.”

            “I expected that. The first time is a little frightening. Younger winged wolf pups have the same response. Let’s get back. No...” she paused pondering something. “Let’s take a longer jump. Slightly outside the Weyr at the Tunnel Roads entrance. And don’t do anything fancy, Zenith. Stay above the ground at least two dragonlengths.”

            I know, the sunset dragon rumbled and turned his head to look at her.

            Again the image came to J’tha’s mind and they went between. For a brief second, the intense cold and nothingness caught him again. He counted two beats before they hovered above the Weyrs entrance. He glanced over at Segarra. She smiled and nodded.

            Now back to the group, she said before the image entered his mind and they went between again. The cheers that greeted them were deafening. Zenith continued to hover above them as Segarra called to the dragons mentally for them to quiet down. When they were silent, Segarra landed once again on the sunset’s neck.

            “You're by yourself now,” she told J’tha. “I want you two to go to your weyr and land on the ledge. Then you can glide back straight. Don’t return by going between. Don’t forget the image and to stay calm.” All J’tha found himself capable of doing was to nod.

            I’ll be here, Zenith assured him.

            I know, Zeny, J’tha told his dragon. Segarra glided down to the two male wolves on the ground. He thought he saw Alynn nuzzle her but couldn’t be certain.

            He turned his attentions to Zenith. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the ledge of their weyr. He imagined the sun setting on it and the shadows, the opening and the ridges in the stone.

             I have it! Zenith said calmly. Somehow, his weyrmates gentle tone slowed his racing heart a little.

            “Let’s go then!” J’tha cried. Between greeted him with the usual hello; black, cold and senseless. One, two, thr... his mind counted before their ledge opened up before him. Zenith landed and J’tha allowed him self to be propelled into the soft red-orange neck with a grateful sigh of immense joy and relief.

 

            “Ready?” Alynn asked the pair in front of him. The green and her rider looked extremely tense. Sevith and E’rad looked at him as if they were stunned. “Listen, just because I’m not Segarra dose not mean I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve had ten dragon pairs already. Plus I’ve taught a dozen pups to jump.”

            “Is that like between? E’rad asked.

            “Just a different name that we call it.” Alynn glanced as gold Myth took off with Segarra. Emger was assigned to Yakima and Alynn was thankful for the old wolf knew more about jumping then he did. Sevith rumbled and Alynn jumped. “Is she upset?” Alynn yelped, his body tense.

            “No, only anxious to get going,” E’rad commented, patting the green neck comfortingly.

            “Well then,” Alynn said, pulling himself up from his defense position and assuming command again. “Ersir, Sevith!” and he sprang into the air swiftly with the green dragon behind them. They flew over near the Star Stones and hovered. Alynn looked over to the tallest peak of the Weyr’s Rim. It was his first stop as with the last ten pairs. Inside his stomach churned with uneasiness. His body was tense and his mind alert. Something was going to go wrong.

            Sevith accepted the image and waited for the wolf’s single. Alynn nodded and they winked between.

            “SEGARRA!” Alynn shrieked vocally and mentally as he jumped to the void itself. He felt Segarra and Emger appear beside him. He sought for the greens presence and found it. Simultaneously, the three wolves jumped back to the Weyr where the dragons’ voices turned from cried of distress to bugles of joy. Two bronze riders who had completed their training appeared to catch the unconscious pair as Sevith began to fall. The three wolves winked back down to the bowl; all shaken and trembling.

            “Call Gerlana.” Segarra’s voice was weak from fear. Alynn glanced at her and saw her whole body shaking. Only when a blanket was lain over him did Alynn realize that he to was shaken up. He closed his eyes and willed his heart to slow down.

            “Segarra! Segarra what happened!” J’tha pushed his way to the white female. Alynn looked up to see him cradling her head in his lap. A deadened growl escaped his lips but it was to soft for any one to hear. His eyes narrowed at the boy. Segarra loved man before her own kind which was one reason that she had not mated for a long time. And it had been he who had called Segarra’s attention to the pair’s disappearance.

            E’rad and Sevith were lain down a dragonlength from the wolves. Gerlana was their and E’rad was taken from the green’s back and lain on the ground. By the time Gerlana had finished examining both dragon and rider, all three wolves had recovered and sat waiting for the news. Gerlana whistled softly as she approached.

            “It’s a miracle that the boy even lived,” she exclaimed coming up to J’tha who stood clutching Segarra’s collar which Alynn realized she had on for the first time. His heart sank. She belonged to men now. “But I don’t understand it. He went between and never should have came out. At least that’s what Sheka told me.” She indicated the gold on her shoulder.

            “The wolves are capable of saving those lost in the void,” Emger stated in his lecture tone which made Alynn want to groaned and fall over dead. “I rarely succeeds. Sometimes, not even the rescuers live.” Alynn noticed J’tha clutch Segarra harder. She whined and turned to lick his hand. He bit back his hurt feelings. And, as he knew, Emger’s voice went on. “Alynn alerted us in time, however, and we were successful.”

            “Well, they’ll live,” Gerlana said quickly before Emger could launch himself into the process for the rescue. “I’m taking him to the caverns though. Maybe Sevith could get a rid to her weyr.”

            “T’rel and B’torl,” J’tha called to the two bronze riders who had caught the pair. “Carry Sevith to her weyr.”

            “I want Lynda to go with,” Gerlana interrupted as the riders went off. “She can look after Sevith until both have recovered.” The woman ran after the leaders and had to explain to B’torl why she was following.

            When they had gone, Segarra called the remaining riders together. “There are two of you who have yet to make your jumps. I’m sure you’ll not want to take these jumps. You have to, like the rest of us. The rest of you take a break. We meet again in an hour and a half. Those two that must fly yet stay here. K’ris and Azorath, your first. Then Yakima. Dismissed.”

            Segarra walked up to the two wolves as the riders dispersed to the Lower Caverns. She noticed Alynn’s glare and cringed, declining to a more cowardly posture.

            “Alynn,” she began, trying to take a little of the matter in her hands.

            “You truly belong to them,” Alynn whispered in a soft tone. “I see the collar.”

            “And I am thankful for the gift that Mashaw  gave to me.”

            “The other packs will begin to turn against you again,” Alynn replied, his tone never changing.

            “I have the protection of the Weyr, Alynn,” Segarra said curtly, standing her ground. “They may think what they like.”

            A staring match took place a brief time before Alynn felt himself surrendering to the females eyes. “Then you have the Weyr‘s protection, and Honshu’s,” he replied quietly.

            “You two may rest with the rest of the riders if you wish,” Segarra said, taking a commanding tone with both wolves, which would have been unacceptable in a pack situation due to her rank.

            “I will finish with G’lan and Daluth first, then join Alynn,” Emger said as if the female was his superior rather than a lone wolf. “They have yet to make two more jumps then their own leap.” Segarra nodded and the gray male trotted off to where his charges waited where he had sent them during the rescue.

            Segarra turned to Alynn. He wasn’t looking at her but the ground. “Alynn?” she asked gently. “Are you okay?”

            “I knew something was going to happen,” he cried, barely audible. “As soon as we lifted off the ground. Even before they disappeared I knew what was going to happen. Sevith didn’t have the image as well as she thought she did.”

            “This happens, Alynn,” Segarra said gently coming up to him and resting her next to his. “J’tha may have given me much of the credit, but it was you who called Emger and me and saved those two. J’tha didn’t know what happened up their. We do. You saved the day.”

            Alynn looked at her. His muzzle creased into a smile of gratitude. Her eyes are beautiful, he thought for the brief second that they had before K’ris walked up to them.

            Segarra turned and nodded, moving hastily away from her leader as if embarrassed. “Let’s go,” she said and lead him back to Azorath.

            Alynn watched them take off before he went with Emger to the Lower Caverns to join the riders. K’ris was a brave man as was his dragon. They were still eager to go between and no doubt were challenging the blackness of the void.

            As they neared the Lower Caverns, Alynn noticed J’tha standing at the entrance watching Yakima and Rhiath as they waited their turn. He was solemn and quite. His eyes were distance and his face still pale. Alynn didn’t blame him. And, the wolf knew, he wouldn't rest until Yakima was safe on the ground.

 

            I have it, Rhiath informed Yakima as she showed her rider the image Segarra had relayed. The girl clutched the riding straps tighter. She knew what to expect this time. Segarra nodded, her face stern and eyes intent. Rhiath winked between.

            It took her breath away when the sharp cold touched her skin. She counted up to two before the Star Stone emerged in front of her. Segarra appeared next to them, a smile across her face. The next image came to mind and they jumped to the interior entrance of the Tunnel Road. On the third, Segarra had them appear over the lake. Then she settled on Rhiath’s neck.

            “Ready?” Yakima nodded. She stole a glance at the Lower Caverns where the other riders were waiting. When she looked back at Segarra, the wolf smiled. “He’s watching. So is Zenith.” With her muzzle she gestured to the sunset dragon who watched intently.

            “I want you to invasion your weyr and appear over it. It’s an easy image to remember,” Segarra said, looking directly at the queen rider. Then she slid of the golden neck and hovered below them.

            Yakima thought about her weyr ledge and saw the rock that was Rhiath’s perch and sun rock. She saw the large entrance to Rhiath sleeping quarters. Then she stopped. Have it? she asked her queen.

            Yes.

            “Let’s go.”

            “It felt no different than it had been with the winged wolf beside them. Three seconds later, they were hovering above their weyr. Yakima smiled and leaned over to hug her dragon and Rhiath landed on the ledge.

 

            Segarra and Yakima walked to the Caverns where J’tha rushed up and hugged Yakima tightly. When he backed away, her face was crimson. Segarra chuckled.

            “A little worried, J’tha?” she asked, tilting her head with a knowing expression.

            “Only a little!” the boy cried letting go of the girl. “I was terrified.”

            “You trusted me with you, what’s the difference?” Segarra trotted up to a plate set aside for the wolves. Alynn and Emger were dozing in the sun. J’tha picked the plate up off the table and placed it on the floor. She gratefully took a piece and finished it before looking back at the queen rider. “You get something to eat.”

            “They have some meat rolls out and fruit juice...” The boy’s voice was drowned out as he propelled Yakima toward the table with the meats set aside for the riders. Segarra shook her head as she took another slice of raw wherry. When she had eaten enough to satisfy her hunger, she went to the other two male wolves and lay down in the sun to rest.

 

            Segarra sat over looking the weyr Bowl on the Star Stone. Below her, dragons and riders bathed in the lake. Emger and Alynn had left after the two hours of practicing of flying in small wing formation and jumping in a wing were finished. Besides E’rad and his green, no more major causalities had been reported. Minor scrapes and bruises due to bumping into dragons were the only causes. She had called on so much of what she had watched the Weyrlingmasters of F’lar’s time do that she dreaded making a mistake. When Thread still fell on Pern, all the dragons in the world mourned the loss of a dragon. Now, if one was lost, only thirty-four would grieve its passing.

            A lone call sprang up from far off. The call of a wolf Messenger sending out the news of the birth of a litter of pups born to a small pack. Two males. Segarra sighed. Like the dragons, it would take time for the winged wolves to grow in population. Almost a year had gone by since the Hatching and Benden Weyr and as they waited Pern was falling into ruin.

            We are ready, several dragon voices coursed.

            Zenith raised his head and looked at the wolf from his ledge. Like our ancestors defended Pern, so shall we. The dragons’ bugles of conferment echoed in the Weyr. The inhabitants below stopped at stared at the dragons in confusion. Then all was quiet from Rim, Bowl and weyr. Segarra smiled in gratitude and stood. She stretched and stepped off the Stone and glided down to the Lower Caverns where J’tha waited holding a cup of klah. He was watching Zenith dozing in the late afternoon sun with a smile that Segarra knew was only for the sunset dragon.

            “Admiring the sun, Weyrleader?” Segarra question as she came up to him.

            “If you mean the one in the northeast, yes.” He looked down at he and grinned. “He looks magnificent in the setting sun.”

            “And at dawn, when the light is right,” the wolf acknowledged. She sat down at his feet, allowing him to stroke her fur gently. They didn’t move for a while. J’tha was tired from the strenuous exercise that they had all been through. And the near death of one rider. Segarra was trying to figure out what the next lesson was to be for the next day.

            “What are we doing tomorrow?” J’tha asked as if he had read her mind. Segarra laughed at the coincidence.

            “Same at today,” she replied. “Only more turning and stopping. I’m also installing Wingleaders and Wingseconds. Four Wings is all Benden Weyr has at the Present. And that's much to low for the standard amount.”

            “What do you mean ‘low’?” J’tha asked, sipping the klah.

            “An average twelve to thirty dragons are in a wing. Ninety dragons are called a Flight. We, as a whole, have a Wing. Or at least close. The four queens have a wing to themselves as they did four hundred turns ago. Three Wings of ten to eleven dragons will fly. You, T’rel and M’kon are the Wingleaders while Kimi leads the queens.”

            “Wait a minute their, wolf,” J’tha cried, placing the half-empty mug on the nearest table. “First I’m a Weyrleader, then a Wingleader. How can that change from high to lower?”

            “It happened in Jaxom’s time, too,” explained Segarra. “When an old Weyrleader lost his place in the next mating flight, he could go to a wing. Often, Weyrleaders are Wingleaders anyway.”

            “Oh,” was all J’tha said for a time. He sat down in the doorway slumped against the wall, his knees brought up to his chest and arms folded across them. He rested his head on his arms and looked at the white winged wolf that lay at his feet watching the Weyr’s activities with wolfish intent.

            “Have you chosen my Wingseconds?” J’tha asked.

            “You’ll find out tomorrow, J’tha,” she answered, eyes never leaving the Bowl.

            “Segarra!” J’tha whinnied. This time she did look at him and tilted her head in annoyance.

            “Tomorrow.”

            The boy snorted and hid his head. Segarra stood and nuzzled his cheek. He pushed her away with his hand. She forced her muzzle between his arm and face and licked what ever her tongue could reach. He started to laugh and call her name at the same time. Rolling to his side, he tired to evade her but that only gave Segarra the chance to pin him down. He lay on the ground defeated.

            “What now?” he asked somewhat out of breath.

            “It’s been a very long day,” Segarra smiled. “How does a warm soft bed sound like to you.”

            “That,” and he touched her nose with his index finger, making her jump slightly and close her eyes, “sounds perfect. But you have to let me up.”

            “I never said you get the bed. I just suggested it.”

            “You’re not getting my bed!” J’tha cried, pushing her off of him. She turned and bounded away with her tail wagging gaily. The boy grabbed his mug of klah and ran after her.

            When J’tha reached his sleeping quarters, Segarra lay stretched out comically on his sleeping furs. Out of breath and feeling overly tired from his run, he glared at her. “No!” he commanded in a friendly voice. “My weyr, my quarters, my bed. Yours is over there.” He pointed to the make shift bed that had been crafted to fit the winged wolf’s long body.

            “That one’s too small,” Segarra whined.

            “Then sleep with Zenith. His couch is very big.” He placed his klah on the table and pulled off his shirt.

            “Too hard,” Segarra complained. J’tha flung the tunic at her. She yelped playfully and jumped of the bed. She walked to her own and lay down, breathing hard and watching him with playful intent yet in her eyes . Bendar swooped down and scolded her angrily. J’tha called to him and he settled on the sleeping furs still watching the wolf with whirling eyes.

            J’tha walked into Zenith’s weyr. The sunset dragon was still outside on his ledge. He walked in when his rider entered, swiveling his head to watch J’tha’s approach. He lowered his head for the boy to scratch the eye ridge. J’tha smiled as Zenith crooned with pleasure. It calmed him down from Segarra’s game just recently. Bendar flew in, crooning happily and landing on J’tha’s shoulder. The little bronze rubbed his head on the boy’s cheek.

            “Hi, Bendar,” J’tha whispered, patting the small head. “I’m sorry I neglected you today.”

            We were busy, Zenith said reasonably. We have to save Pern.

            “Yes, we do,” J’tha mused, leaning against the dragons red-orange hide. “And we have a lot of help. The winged wolves, all those who came to the Weyr and the dolphins.”

            And the dragons, Zenith reminded him. J’tha smiled again.

            “And the dragons.”

            I want to catch the last of the sun, said Zenith and he turned to leave. You sleep. We fly in bigger groups tomorrow.

            J’tha watched as the sunset dragon lay down on the ledge. Lazily, he stroked Bendar’s head. When he turned and headed back to his bed, he closed the glow baskets. He climbed into the sleeping furs to find them unpleasantly cold. He shivered and his fire lizard snuggled closer to him for warmth. In the darkness, J’tha looked over to Segarra’s bed. She appeared to be asleep. Even her breathing had dropped to the rhythm of sleep.

            “Segarra,” the boy whispered into the darkness. “Segaarrrra!” he called slightly louder.

            “What?” she cried and jumped from the bed.

            “You’re warm and I’m cold. Have any bright ideas?” 

            In the glow from the setting sun that illuminated her white fur, he saw her smile. She trotted up to bed and lay down beside. J'tha buried his hands and face into her thick coat. Bendar snuggled underneath the wolf’s silvery white wings and chirped in content. Segarra smiled peacefully and fell asleep with their soft breathing in her ears.

 

            J’tha woke to the howl of wolves outside. He jumped and looked around his weyr. Segarra was no where to be seen and Bendar was still curled up by his head. Zenith was awake and looked rumbled in response to his riders awakening.

            “What time is it?” J’tha asked his dragon as he pushed his sleeping covers away, disturbing Bendar.

            The other dragons are waking up. Alynn and Segarra are calling them.

            “At least I’m not late,” J’tha said walking to the bathing room after grabbing fresh clothing. “Tell Segarra that I’ll be down in a minute.”

            If you can bathe in a minute, Segarra responded. J’tha snorted. He forgot that the winged wolf could read his mind like Zenith could.

            When he emerged from the bathing room, Segarra was tugging at the sleeping furs trying to put them back in place. It was stubbornly refusing to budge. She had obviously intended on having his bed made for him when he came out. Silently, he walked up and reached over her head to put it in place himself. Segarra withdrew and glared at him.

            “ You weren't suppose to come out so soon,” she said.

            “Well, I did. I don’t want to be late for Weyrlingmaster Segarra’s next lesson of the day.” She grinned at his sarcasm.

            “You already are,” she replied smugly.

            You’re waiting for us, Zenith said confused.

            “I know, I know!” Segarra said. “Hurry up. Your wing is waiting for you.”

            J’tha glanced at her as her took Zenith’s harness from the hook, his jacket and helmet. He strode into the weyr where Zenith greeted him with a warble. When he put the harness onto the sunset neck, J’tha heard a distinct disproving grunt and felt Segarra’s eyes on him. Blushing, he obediently ran his hands over the carved leather to make sure it was safe for flight. Then he placed it on his dragons back. After his jacket and helmet was in place, he followed his dragon and wolf friend to the ledge where he mounted. He grinned as he looked down at Segarra, securing himself in the harness.

            “Felt like I’ve always done this!” he laughed. Segarra just grinned and leapt into the air down to the bowl where thirty-three dragons waited. Zenith followed, landing where Segarra indicated which was in front of their Wing.

 

            That day was spent mostly on flying in wing formation and jumping between while staying together. Segarra took all four Wingleaders and their Wingseconds aside while Alynn and Emger continued to work with the other dragonriders. They meet on the other side of the Weyr away from the commotion.

            “Let me guess,” J’tha said, pulling his gloves off and unstrapping his riding helmet, setting them on the table, “we did something wrong.”

            “No. You all have to learn something new.”

            “What?” T’rel asked as he sat at the table that was set out for them.

            “The Wingleaders use gestures to tell their wings what to do. For example, a lift and drop of the arm tells the other riders that they are to jump between. Most of the time, the destination is predetermined. Other wise, the dragons convey the Wing’s destination.”

            She proceeded to tell them the customary commands that they would use. She had each of them practice, including the Seconds, and then rejoined the Flight, as Segarra called the four groups. She then had them practice using the singles for over an hour before she called a break. After lunch, their training continued as it had in the morning. When the dragonriders crawled gratefully into their beds that night, Segarra stayed up, consulting the fire lizard reports about how she was to teach the dragons to catch things midair and to time it. They were not very far in their training but, when she looked at Pern’s two moons orbiting in the night sky, she forced herself to face the fact that they were running out of time.

 

            “You must all practice catching an object midair. Granted, winds, rain and other things will be against you when you perform these tasks for real. But, being just practice, it’ll do.”

            The weary dragonriders could only look at her silently. They all knew in their hearts that this had to be learned quickly and efficiently; even at five in the morning when the sun was still just waking. They could barely see their mentor, a white figure on the rocks. Their dragons were dark around them. Zenith was already beginning to glow in the pre-dawn light, giving them hope.

            “I need a wherry hide.” Segarra’s light voice cut into the tired thoughts of the riders. R’shaw looked up in as if he had been jolted awake from a deep sleep.

            “I’ll get it,” he responded immediately, understanding the question and raising his hand. Before Segarra could object, he was running toward the Tanner hall to retrieve what the wolf requested. As they waited for him to return, Segarra smiled understandingly at them.

            “I know you’re tired,” she said, laying down on the rock. “We rest the day before we leave.”

            “When’s that?” a female green rider asked.

            Segarra sighed. “We still have tomorrow yet,” the wolf replied. She caught Alynn pathetic ‘falling over dead’ act and Emger’s nod of approval, who was ignoring his companion. Segarra smiled at the old wolf, then looked at her leader who was enjoying the laughs he had received from a few riders. She sighed. For the top leader in Pern, Alynn, in her opinion, was rather young for his position.

            When R’shaw returned with the hide, Segarra had made sure that all the harnesses were ready for the day’s exercise. She sat on the rock that was her stand and watched as the boy walked up and bowed with an exaggerated flourish, handing her the wherrie hide.

            “At your service,” he said, and looked at her with a foolish grin. Segarra chuckled and took the hide in her mouth. Still grinning, R’shaw stepped back and joined Eth who rumbled at his riders actions.

            Segarra called Bendar to her and, after telling him what he should do, he took it in his front talons and winked between. When the wolf directed her gaze to J’tha and Zenith, the boy was already frowning.

            “J’tha, Bendar is waiting at the other side of the Weyr, over the lake. I’ve told him to drop it as soon as I tell him. You and Zenith must jump between, grab the hide as it’s falling, and bring it back. When you give Zenith his destination, envision the hide falling without Bendar near it.” Then she nodded that he should go.

            Bendar says that it is easy, Zenith said. I agree.

            “Easy for you to say,” J’tha said. “You wouldn’t care if all Pern was watching this!”

            No, Zenith replied truthfully as his rider secured himself with the safety tethers. We are to save Pern. Why shouldn’t Pern not watch us save it?

            J’tha smiled and squeezed his dragon gently for him to take off. As they rose higher into the air, he looked down and saw Segarra and all the dragons and their riders watching. Why did Segarra always have to pick him first when doing something like this.

            She has a lot of faith in you.

            “Well, lets get this over with,” J’tha said, smiling at his dragon’s comment. He focused of the wherrie hide and it falling above the lake. As soon as they entered the cold void, he started to count and successfully reached three before Zenith emerged from between and grabbed the hide. After the return image was given to Zenith, they jumped back. Applause greeted the pair when they arrived above the three wings of dragons. The four queens rose to their hind legs and bugled a welcome. J’tha laughed as they landed.

            “Well done, Wingleader,” Segarra smiled and took the hide. J’tha grinned as he dismounted and joined the wing again. Leaning against his dragon’s shoulder, he watched as the wolf called M’kon and Corinth out next. As little Zantie disappeared clutching the wherrie hide, Bendar joined him and rubbed the boy’s cheek with his head.

            The three wolves lead the dragons on a series of drills that included flying in pairs and catching a larger object such as a beam or a animal; a wolf who pretended to be unconscious. Latter, with eleven fire lizards, an entire wing would jump between, grab the hides, and return to the starting place. It took a few tries for them to arrive back in formation. The queen’s wing received similar training and latter joined the larger wing when they were needed. Alynn called in his pack latter in the afternoon after the mid-day meal and the wings preformed a series of ‘rescues’ that included catching flying objects and falling objects. By the time the sun began setting all the wolves, fire lizards, dragons and riders were fatigued. They ate their evening meal and went to their weyrs thankful that tomorrow was the last day.

 

            “I wish we had more time,” Segarra murmured, her head resting on the table watching the riders eat. “I so afraid we’re going to loss at least a dozen dragons in the rescues.”

            J’tha looked at her over his mug of klah. He took a quick gulp before answering her. “I thought we were going to loss some during this training. We almost did on the second day, remember, E’rad and Sevith. Thanks to Alynn, Emger and you, we still have them.”

            Segarra lifted her head and looked at him. “We can’t rescue all the dragons that don’t make it from between. It nearly killed the three of us. We should have had more help in retrieving them from that void and...”

            “Calm down, Segarra,” M’kon soothed her. She looked at the two bronze riders that sat with them at the table. Besides the wolf and Wingleaders, all the Wingseconds sat enjoying the break that they had finally gotten. T’rel chuckled and bit into his slice of bread.

            “How is E’rad doing anyway?” Segarra asked, placing her head back on the table.

            “They still won’t be able to fly for another week,” M’kon said. “But Corinth told me that Sevith woke up demanding water. Then she went hysterical because E’rad was still unconscious. He should wake up soon enough. In the mean time, Lynda is caring for Sevith.”

            “You’re going to be short a rider when it comes to flying, M’kon,” T’rel said, looking at him. “You’ll wish for him when you make a jump to a hold and something crashes into a building killing a bunch of people.”

            “We’ll make due,” the bronze rider said so calmly that Segarra was glad she had picked him as a Wingleader.

            “What are we doing today?” J’tha asked plaintively, shoving a fork full of meat into his mouth.

            “What do you think?” Segarra asked skeptically. “You three are nowhere near ready to save Pern yet. Jumping and reforming your wings. Then, with the objects scattered all around the weyr and coming together again.”

            M’kon looked at T’rel. “Defiantly more time,” they said in unison. Segarra and J’tha began to laugh knowing that they too wanted the same thing.

 

            T’rel lead his wing out first. They disappeared and showed up at the far end of the Weyr in formation. When they jumped back, their placement was perfect and Segarra ordered them to land. She called the queens out, then M’kon’s group. After they had achieved what the wolf considered satisfactory, she told J’tha to make his jump. Alynn walked up to Segarra as they took off. He looked sick and his eyes were frightened. Segarra tilted her head at him questionably.

            “Camth,” he said softly. Segarra focused on K’ron’s brown and realized what Alynn was talking about.

            Image! Image, Camth! K’ron! When they went between, Alynn let out a cry of agony and Segarra emitted a sharp bark. All three wolves lunched themselves skyward as the J’tha’s wing appeared at the other side of the bowl. Hold it, Zenith. Don’t come back.

            I know. We’re staying. Zenith’s voice was worried as well.

            Camth emerged on the other side of the Bowl and let out a terrified shriek as his head was rammed against the rock wall. He hung suspended in midair for a brief second before tumbling toward the ground. As she and her two friends beat their wings toward the hurt brown, daring not going between, she heard Emryth and Corinth start arranging their wings. Rhiath bugled and took flight with Yakima still upon her back. They winked between at the same moment, Simyth and the two bronzes did. They reemerged below Camth’s fallen form. Segarra ordered the two wolves to halt when they were half a dragon length from the dragons.

            Rhiath caught K’ron and flew off to allow the rescue to continue. Simyth and Corinth dove underneath the falling brown and Emryth hovered above just incase something went wrong. Before Camth and his rescuers crashed into the Bowl floor, they were able to slow him down enough to let him fall gently to the ground. T’dorn and M’kon took off and landed a few meters away and dismounted. Rhiath and Yakima let K’ron dismounts closer and then backed away.

            Land, Segarra commanded Zenith and watched as the Wing descended to the Bowl. Gerlana, she called to the Healer. Camth’s ran into the Rim’s wall.

            That wasn't very smart a thing to do, Gerlana answered the wolf. Segarra felt the woman gathering her things and followed Emger and Alynn as they descended to the bowl floor.

            “Camth! Camth I’m sorry!” K’ron was crying holding the browns head. Camth moaned in pain and Segarra saw that his head knobs were bleeding and his nose was scratched up. Segarra winced just at the sight of it. She felt the browns pain in her own mind and saw it whirling in his eyes.

            Gerlana came running up to the brown and bellowed out to all in her way to move. Only Segarra and the wolves stayed as the woman strode up, breathing heavily. A young apprentice was with her and turned pale at the sight of Camth.

            Gerlana soothed K’ron and his dragon as she examined the wounds carefully. She spoke to the boy, Darmian, explaining what she was doing. She looked up at Segarra and the stricken rider and smiled.

            “He’ll fly, I assure you. Scraped the head knobs up pretty well, though. Nothing to worry about.” She applied numbweed the wound after she cleaned it with a clean cloth and Camth crooned with relief. “I advise that you two stay out of today’s training though,” Gerlana said sternly to K’ron.

            “And the rescues,” Segarra added sadly. “I would need you and Camth to know everything that we are going to do today.”

            K’ron moaned and hid his face. Camth crooned sadly and turned to nuzzle his rider who wrapped his arms around his dragon’s neck. J’tha looked at Segarra. The wolf could only shrug helplessly. I can’t risk it, J’tha, she told him. The boy nodded understandingly.

            The three Wingleaders singled that their riders should return to their dragons. Gerlana left as When they were alone, Segarra walked up to the brown rider an nudged him with her wet nose.

            “K’ron,” she said softly. He looked up and quickly tried to hide the tears that caressed his face. “I’m sorry. But I can’t risk losing any riders when Rescue Day arrives. There is nothing I can do.”

            “Camth wants to fly today,” the young man moaned. The brown crooned again. “He says his head hurts but he can fly.”

            I would fight Thread if I had to, the brown dragon rumbled haughtily.

            “Not unless you knew how to chew firestone!” Segarra snapped quickly, her stomach tightened at the thought of training fighting dragons. Camth’s eyes whirled humbly seeing her fright and anger. Segarra turned to K’ron.

            “Rejoin you Wing. But,” she cautioned him as he jumped up, his spirit returned, “I Alynn, who sensed the accident before it happened again, or myself suspect that something is going to go wrong, listen to us. I don’t want to lose anyone to foolishness.”

            “You have the word of a dragonrider!” K’ron cried as he turned at to mount his dragon.

            “Check you harness,” Segarra cried. “They could have been damaged during the fall.” She watched him as he obeyed and ran his hands over the leather. “K’ron,” Segarra called as he mounted. He looked at her susceptibly. “If Threads did fall on Pern during this time, I wouldn’t doubt that you two would be the bravest of them all.” Camth rumbled with pride and K’ron grinned. Then they took off to rejoin their wing.

 

            The rest of the day was uneventful concerning major injuries. Camth and K’ron were fine during the practice drills. By the end of the day, Segarra and Alynn had arranged the dragons and winged wolves in the appropriate places where, according to the fire lizards, needed the most help. Segarra made sure that all the riders knew what they were doing and Alynn the wolves when he returned to his pack that night. The riders and Weyrfolk went to sleep that night thankful that they could sleep all the next day if they desired. Many of them did, too, and Segarra, who woke in the afternoon to fly with Alynn and his wings to do a sweep of the lands for danger and food, didn’t blame them.

            The next morning, when night was still eminent in the sky, all the riders and their dragons woke, ate and meet in by the lake. Segarra watched them as they flew from their weyr’s, responding to the howl that Alynn gave from the Star Stone. J’tha looked nervous and tense as he walked up to stand beside her, no longer a student of hers. When they had gathered in front of them, J’tha held up his hand for silence. Bendar appeared and landed on the outstretched arm as if her had been told to do it. Segarra called the little bronze to her and he settled on her back, chirping in confusion.

            “Today is the day that we save Pern,” J’tha began, looking at them all. “Each of you has been assigned to a smaller division of you wing to accomplish this. Two small wings will divide up and fly to the Holds to assist the holders. A tanner, healer and a herdsman will go to each hold to assist them. Alynn,” and he gestured to the wolves that sat to the left of them, watching as intently as their leader, “has arranged for two wolves to accompany the riders. They will hunt a provide the food that is needed until they can fend for themselves.

            “The rest of you have prearranged places in Pern that needs your help. You know where you are to go. Meet with your wingleaders and await for Segarra’s signal.” He stepped down from the rock as the riders dispersed. He heard Alynn command the wolves to join their wings. As he walked up to Zenith, the sunset dragon rumbled encouragingly. J’tha felt like he had a billion fire lizards in his stomach and all of them were fluttering around.

            We’ll do fine, Zenith reassured him. This is what I’ve been waiting for. To save Pern. With you as my rider.

            J’tha’s fire lizards quieted slightly, remembering Zenith’s hatching. He heard some one walking up behind him and turned to see Yakima, her hair pulled back in a long braid and her face pale in the moonless sky. J’tha thought she looked beautiful.

            “I’m flying over Ruatha,” she said in her quiet voice. “I requested it from Segarra.”

            “I understand why,” J’tha replied, nervously running his hands over the leather of Zenith’s riding harness. All during training, he had used the old one. For this special day, he wanted to use the gift Mashaw had given him. It made him feel better seeing and feeling the dragons and their riders from the past on the soft leather. The golden-red gem looked as if it was glowing. It was probably from the morning fires that Gerlana had woken up early for the day.

            “J’tha,” Yakima said, softer than before. He turned and she kissed his cheek gently. J’tha froze and stared at her. She smiled shyly. “For luck,” she said. He smiled and bent his own head to kiss her face. Her skin was soft.

            “For luck,” he whispered back. Then she turned and ran to Rhiath who’s wing was preparing to form for take off. J’tha still couldn’t move, even when Segarra walked up and nuzzled him. He looked down startled and embarrassed.

            “Do I get a kiss, too?” she asked playfully. J’tha chuckled and bent to kiss her head. Bendar flew to his friends shoulder and nuzzled him. Stroking the bronze, he looked at the winged wolf who was easily seen in the dark. Then at Zenith.

            It is time, Zenith rumbled. J’tha gave the wolf a final pat before mounting his dragon. He looked about him as the other riders in his wing of three, including himself, followed suit. Most of the wings were already arranged in their positions. He saw the winged wolves and dragons who would be going to the holds, passengers on the backs of the beasts, waiting for Segarra’s single. The three winged wolves suddenly took off from the ground. All heads turned to them as the saw Segarra’s form land on the Star Stone. All the dragons let out a strong, certain bugle as the trio ascended. Alynn and Emger, much darker than the white wolf, were only shadows on the Rim. Then silence fell on the Weyr.

            Segarra lifted her head skyward and emitted a strong, commanding howl that was chorused by the other two. The eleven dragons flanked by two winged wolves each, rose into the air and formed a V wing with the wolves hovering below and on either side of their assigned dragon. Silently, Segarra told T’rel to signal his wing between to the holds. They disappeared into the night.

            The eight remaining wings of three dragons each, looked up at the wolves awaiting their signal.

            Alynn howled first, sending M’kon’s team off. As soon as they were airborne, Emger sent Vikki. Segarra silently told the wingleaders to take them between. When J’tha heard Alynn call Yakima’s wing, he watched until L’bel, R’ges and she went to Ruatha. Zenith warbled a muted good-bye to them as disappeared.

            Emger called Camth and K’ron next, sending them to the oceans to assist the dolphins were they could. Segarra had told J’tha what Camth had said and had wholeheartedly agreed to his placement with the other two riders, both daring and willing to brave danger of any kind. He almost wished that he was heading for the seas, but then again, he would probably meet up with plenty of water where he was leading his team. Two sturdy dragons. Bronze Jyith and blue Chivath, both originally from his Wing. Alynn let out an ear-piercing cry that sent chills down his back. Lifting his hand, J’tha clutched Zenith with his legs as the dragon assumed a semi crouch. The wings extended and the boy felt his dragon tremble with readiness. He dropped his arm and cried to Zenith, Let’s fly!

            For Pern! Zenith added joubently as he sprang into the air with one powerful leap.

            Good luck, my friend, he heard Segarra say. Knowing that the other riders had had a different signal, he smiled and pictured his aunt’s hold, a black twister descending upon the terrified people and winked between.

 

            Segarra, Alynn and Emger watched as the last of the dragons disappeared. Alynn joined her on the rock and they gazed over the Weyr. All three were silent. All three wanted to be out helping save the planet they had come to love. It made them feel proud that the dragons were not the only ones performing the rescues, however. Twenty-two wolves had accompanied the eleven dragons to the holds. And, many of the packs had planned to help those who were in need. The wolves had done a fine job by themselves till now. The dragons were now ready to help them.

            “We did well,” Alynn said softly. “Very well.”

            Segarra looked at him. “Say nothing until this is over! We will loss dragons, Alynn. I feel that in my heart. And, not every life will be saved during this time.”

            “Quite true,” Emger agreed. “We have done all we can. It is now up to those who once defended Pern long ago to save it again. It is up to the riders now. And their dragons.”

            As they watched, two dragons appeared, a brown and green. Brown Tigath deposited a large beam on a pile set aside for the debris from the storms. Another carried a passenger on her back and she descended to the Lower Caverns where Gerlana and her staff was waiting for them with food, cloths, fires and medicine. Segarra and her friends took flight and glided to aid the Weyrfolk as it gathered Pern’s people together.

           

XIV

            “Mama!” little Skakea screamed above the winds of the hurricane. She stood alone in the house while the deadly storm ripped at the walls and roof. Water drenched her small body, making her shiver uncontrollably. She screamed again as a beam split and the house moaned. Scrambling up the crumbling stairs, she clutched to the railing. Water rushed in the living room. Water that was just yesterday calm and obedient to the computers covered what was in the lower level.

            “Skakea!” a woman cried. “Shakea where are you!”

            “Mama!” the seven-turn-old girl screeched her hands slipping as the braces for the stairs began to cave in. “Up here!” She saw her mother wading the rushing water; her water logged skirts weighing her down and nearly pulling her under the currents.

            The woman reached the door way that lead to the stairs and looked up at her terrified daughter. “Clime, girl. I’m right behind you.” Shaking with cold and fear, Shakea turned and began to clime the stairs. She heard her mother behind her. When she reached the second floor, her mother climbed to the top and pushed open the battered window, already glassless, and helped her daughter get outside. With the winds and heavy rain, Shakea could barely make out the bulk of a bronze dragon clutching to the roof with his talons. A soaked-gloved hand grabbed the girl’s hand and pulled her up to meet the full force of the storm. Then she was set on the dragon’s neck, barely able to understand what was going on.

            Easy child. You are safe. The voice was strong and sure in her mind. A green fire lizard appeared and rubbed his hand on her cheek.

            As bronze Veleth tried to calm the frightened child, B’ynt braved the failing house and powerful winds to rescue the woman. He pushed was hit by a flying branch and fell. Veleth and Gala bugled a late warning and the bronze began to insist that his rider return. Stubbornly, B’ynt continued and reached the window where the woman was crouched. He could already see the water rising to the second floor and the house was noticeably swaying.

            “C’mon! Before the house collapses!” the bronze rider shouted. Reaching for her hand he tired to pull her out. She made an effort to grab hold and missed. The floor buckled beneath her and she screamed. B’ynt caught her hand just as his dragon moved toward them on a wing beat so that his rider would not fall. He grasp his rider by his torso and pulled them up. The mother screamed as she was lifted into the air, dangling from the bronze rider’s strong grip with only one hand.

            Benden, Veleth! B’ynt cried to his dragon, picturing the Lower caverns and the burning fires. B’ynt didn’t breath again until his legs touched the ground and a warm blanket was placed over his shoulders. Then, while sipping a warm mug of klah, he watched as Shakea and her mother were welcomed into the weyr and given food and warmth. After he was sufficiently dry and the rest of his wing had regrouped, they set off again.

 

            The twister had come out of nowhere. The night had been stormy all night. Even before the sun rose, the Emergency Alert Sirens started blaring when fire lizards had begun herding people inside, even when many had been caught or killed. Failing computers detected the twister when it began descending to the ground. Watchers in the towers had sounded the EAS seconds before the first hold was destroyed; the people inside either trapped or killed.

            When the sirens began to blare, Leona was up early feeding her young baby. He muscles went ridged. Wind and dust swirled outside her window before a rock the size of her fist crashed into the window sending in a cloud of dirt and debris. Grabbing a blanket, she instinctively covered up her infant and ran to the door. Her instincts to flee overcoming all else.

            The twister was behind her house; the writhing black cloud black and mercifulness as it started toward them. Planks, sheets of metal and extremely large objects flew past her as she ran. Leona stumbled and fell.

            “Aunt Leona!” a fermiluar voice cried from above. She looked up as a darkened blur of red and orange appeared and landed over her and her crying baby. The dragon hovered protectively above them as her nephew stretched out his hands to her.

            Leona stared at him. “Jedtha!” was the only cry she could make before the great beast in which he rode bugled defiantly at the black cloud. Faintly, she was sure that two more voices answered him. Reaching up, Leona grabbed J’tha’s hand and was pulled up behind him. As the sunset dragon launched himself skyward, J’tha wrapped her in a fur blanket. She clutched him with her baby between them for warmth.

            “Hold on and don’t panic!” J’tha shouted. Seconds later, Leona found out why. The coldest cold she had ever known and the blackest black meet her as Zenith took them between to Benden Weyr. Her adrenaline already to its peak, she tried to scream but couldn’t hear herself. Then they were hovering above what she knew to be one of the abandon Weyrs. But no longer was it abandoned. People were gathered near the Lower Caverns. Great fires were built and people sat or stood around them. Fire lizards flew about chitterling wildly. A small bronze separated himself from the fairs and landed on J’tha’s shoulder. Dragons bugled on the heights and Leona remembered where she was.

            As Zenith glided to the Bowl with two dragons behind him, each bearing passengers, Leona leaned forward and touched J’tha’s shoulder nervously. “Where are we, Jedtha? Where did the dragons come from?”

            “The past,” the boy replied. “Segarra and the winged wolves brought them forward as eggs. To save Pern.” The dragon she rode rumbled deep in his chest and Leona let out a little cry of fear. J’tha looked surprised at her reaction.

            “He won’t eat you,” he said. “He’s my friend. For life. So is Bendar. I got him over a year ago.”

            “When you disappeared! Sharra told me about your running off. She was so upset and Thengar...”

            “I had a bigger mission to accomplish. Pern needed help and Jaxom had an idea to save.”

            “Oh, Jedtha!” Leona cried as she clutched her infant to her chest. “You’ve gone crazy!”

            Zenith landed in front of the fires, nearly blowing them out. Several men and women rushed forward as J’tha helped his aunt dismount. Leona was looked at them with joy and fright as they urged her to the fires. She heard her nephew’s dragon bugle once. Two howls answered him for across the Weyr. Then she turned to see the sunset dragon leap into the dark sky, his hide glowing golden red in the firelight. A bronze and brown followed him. Faintly, Leona could see them hovering above the predawn sky. Then they were gone.

            “Here. For your baby,” a woman said gently. A warm bottle of milk was pressed into her hands. Leona looked up at the old woman who had given it to her. Smiling the old woman gestured to the crying infant. Cradling the baby in her arms, Leona offered the milk to the little girl. She ate gladly.

            Leona’s thoughts went back to what had just happened in the last few minutes. She knew that she had heard the EAS go off, a tornado rushing toward them, roaring in triumph as it devoured another hold. Then the almost magical appearance of the dragon and Jedtha. She looked about her. The now active Weyr was thriving and busy. Dragons arrived often, bugling and being answered by the two wolves at the far end of the Weyr. Wolves? What had Jedtha said about winged wolves bringing dragon eggs forward? And Jaxom, Ruatha deceased Lord Holder? She shook her head and cuddled little Shauna closer.

            “Feeling better?” a female voice asked kindly.

            Smiling, Leona answered before she looked at the speaker. “Much better thank you...” He sentence died when she looked at the white wolf that stood before her. Folded on her back was a pair of silvery white wings that glimmered in the firelight.

            “Segarra, J’tha’s friend,” the wolf said, bowing to Leona swiftly.

            “See...Segarra? You brought the dragons back to Pern!” Leona looked at her, dumbfounded.

            “Sure, give her all the credit!” A darker wolf emerged from he crowd. He didn’t stop but went to where a family of four was waiting. Segarra glared at him with a smile.

            “That is Alynn, our Leader. He also brought the eggs forward from the past.”

            “The past?” Leona looked at her amused. “Jedtha was telling me about Jaxom who is in my family line.”

            “I lived four hundred Turns in the past with Jaxom before coming here. The winged wolves followed me and have been helping us save Pern. The dragons that you see coming and going are his dragon’s offspring. White Ruth and gold Lexshanath made this day possible.”

            “I don’t doubt you, Segarra,” Leona whispered as a dragons bugle penetrated the darkness. “I don’t doubt you.”

 

            The runnerbeast squealed in fright suddenly, causing Dillon to clutch the gelding’s sides suddenly as it reared up. The forest was quite, Dillon realized when he was able to calm his freighted beast. He looked about him in the trees. Dead quiet. Nothing stirred. It was snowing again but even the sound of the snow flakes falling to Pern was taciturn. He saw his breath in the cold air and frowned. Why had the sharding computers had to fail? He had loaned this old runner from the stables in Crom to get help to his sister and brother-in-law farther into the mountains. Calina was sick and would usually send for her brother when a medical emergency aroused. Strangely, the message had come to him by the way of a blue fire lizard.

            “Let’s go, Gil,” Dillon said to the runner and nudged him forward. The uneasiness in his belly still not going away.

            Pardor met them at the door. He took the reins to let Dillon dismount, holding the dim illuminator up in the light.

            “How is she?” Dillon asked as he gathered his herbs from the pack.

            “Her fever is so very high,” the man mused. “Little Teer hasn’t left her side.”

            “That blue that nearly gave me a heart attack?” Dillon asked. “When did she get a fire lizard?”

            “I showed up about a year ago, asking her to leave to find dragons. I didn’t let her go even though she tried. With all the storms and such, it was too risky. Plus, she might have lost Palnar.”

            “Right,” Dillon said as her entered the house. The boy, Palnar, was asleep in a couch with a blanket pulled over him. He was only a few months old, born during a snowstorm that wasn't much different from this one. When he glanced outside, he noticed that the storm had increased its fury and was howling outside.

            Dillon followed Pardor to his sister’s bedroom. She appeared to be sleep. He skin was pale and hot. He asked that hot water be brought and lay out the herbs that he had so carefully collected during the years. An old woman had taught him what he knew. She had been from Nabol Hold. Gerlana knew so much about healing with the old ways that he wished that the old woman was still around to teach him more. She had disappeared about a year ago when many men, women and children of all ages had vanished into the night never to be seen again.

            “That’s not the wind,” Pardor murmured as her set a bowl of streaming water beside his brother-in-law. “I’ve heard the wolves howl often on gentler nights. But they’re closer now.”

            “Wolves?” Dillon asked confused. “Not the winged wolves I’ve heard about.”

            “I don’t know,” the man shrugged, watching Dillon measure the herbs carefully. “But it’s almost like were be guarded.” Dillon snorted.

            “What’s Pern coming to?” he asked, stirring the potion into a tea. He placed a straw in the cup and placed it to Calina’s lips. After much prodding, the fevered woman began to drink. When most of the tea was gone, they let her rest. Teer appeared from the bed sheets and blinked. Then he snuggled up to Calina and fell back to sleep.

            “You know,” Dillon said as he put his things away, “They don’t really look as mean as some people say they are.”

            Pardor laughed softly so as not to disturb his wife. “Teer has become the family pet. He loves little Palnar and hasn’t hurt him on purpose. The best pet we could have.”

            Three sharp barks at the front door startled both men. Looking worriedly at Dillon, Pardor walked to the front door and opened it. Three snow covered wolves stood in the doorway. Dillon yelped and grabbed something to fight with. Palnar couldn’t move.

            A young female stepped forward and bowed quickly. “The storm has started an avalanche. Your home is in danger. We have shelter for you. Wake your family! We have to time!”

            “Get your runner!” Pardor shouted to Dillon. We need it to carry Calina!” As Dillon slowly uncurled from his defense crouch, the other man ran to wake Calina who had just been able to sleep peacefully. Dillon looked into the wolf’s eyes and saw the wisdom and truth that no other canine had. Perhaps the stories of the winged wolves were true. Maybe they were helping those in need and these three had been gaurding his sister’s family. He dropped the iron rod and ran to the door to get Gil. A snow-covered male followed him at the female’s command. She was the leader, no doubt about it, Dillon thought.

            Gil was prancing in the snow when Pardor emerged from the house half carrying Calina who was still pale. Their son was tucked underneath her arms and he was crying. Dillon helped his sister board Gil and secured them to the runner. Teer appeared and bugled warning. The leader of the wolves looked at the sick woman blankly.

            “How long have you had him?”

            “A year,” Palnor said quickly, urging Gil forward. The wolf frowned and turned to the dark forest. She barked commands in an unknown language to her two followers and the followed on the right and behind.

            Dillon remembered little of that trek through the snow. He soon began to hear a growing rumble and looked at the wolf leading them. She picked up her pace before he said anything. Presently, a cave was seen. A dim light source illuminated the large cave. A pack of wolves stood outside, all nervous and tense as the wall of snow came closer. A large brown male appeared from the entrance and bounded to meet their leader. The embraced briefly in wolfish fashion before he beckoned urgently for the humans to follow. Gil had to be chased in by the wolves before he would go near them. Calina leaned upon Dillon and Palnor weakly as the pack lead them deep into the cave system. They entered a large cavern and were sat down on a beds made of rushes and grasses which Gil found much better to eat than sit on.

            A strong rumbling began and shook the mountainside. Some of the young wolves howled as the avalanche descended upon them. Dillon held onto Gil while Palnor clung to his wife and son. The two alphas waited calmly in the back. When all was silent, the male started to bark commands in his own tongue. The female walked up to them, glancing over at her still whimpering children that huddled close to her.

            “I am Crimea,” she said. “My mate, Avyan are the pack leaders for the mountain wolves.”

            “Can we get out?” Dillon asked. He watched as pack of ten wolves trotted toward the entrance that he knew was caved in. If that was the only way out and the way was blocked up completely, then they could suffocate in hours, maybe minutes.

            “Avyan has only sent those to inspect the damage. There is another exit on the other side of the mountain. We shall exit that way while the others open the entrance from the inside.” One of her pups whimpered and she bent her head to nuzzle him.

            “Lady,” Palnor whispered, meekly. “My wife is sick. She won’t make it back...”

            Crimea looked down at the woman who had fainted in his arms. She frowned and looked toward the rest of the pack. “Kelya, come here.” A young golden gray female obediently walked up to them and bowed briefly, laying down before her leader with her head low to the ground. None of the humans doubted that this was a wolf very low in the pack status.

            “I want you to fly to Benden Weyr and alert Segarra. Have her send a dragon to bring them to the Weyr.”

            “Weyr? Dragon?” Dillon asked, his eyes widening. “The Weyrs have long been deserted and dragons don’t exist.”

            “They exist, my young friend,” Crimea murmured with a strange smile. Kelya turned as she spoke and jumped into the air. Teer chirped excitedly and disappeared with the wolf. “When that young fire lizard found Calina and asked her to follow him, she was not the only one who received the same message. Many people left their holds and halls to congregate at the seacoast by Nerat where they would then travel by rafts pulled by dolphins to the coast by Benden Weyr. After months of waiting, dragon eggs arrived carried by the winged wolves, hatching that morning producing thirty-five dragons of Perns new age. They fly this morning rescuing people caught in the computer virus’s havoc.

            “But let us leave to the other side of the mountain to wait for the dragon,” Crimea said and smiled at them kindly.

            As Dillon helped the others to their feet, he murmured something about a strange dream then followed two of the wolves to the other side of the cave. He looked back when Gil whinnied. Avyan grabbed the geldings lead and pulled him toward the exit while another scared the runner forward when it was obvious that Gil had no indentation of following carnivores. As the runner trotted past, Dillon caught the reins and stopped him. When he looked at Avyan, the wolf grinned wolfishly. Dillon waved to the male alpha before they went behind a large wall.

            The trek through the darkness was not as long. Soon they rounded a bend and saw predawn light seeping trough the trees. A white figure stood by the exit and barked when they came into view. Crimea answered her and ran to meet the other wolf.

            “Segarra,” the other wolf beside them said. “And a brown dragon.”

            Dillon looked closely and saw a man standing beside a large bulk of a animal. Gil whinnied happily at the sight of the brown beast and began to move forward. Then man walked past Segarra and the mountain wolf to them.

            “Golan!” Dillon cried seeing his friend when the dying illuminator reflected on the riders face. “You ride a dragon!”

            “Aye, Dil. Daluth is his name and we have offered to bring you to safety.”

            “We don’t have much time,” the white winged wolf said coming up to the. “G’lan and Daluth have to return to their wing. They have much to do in so little time to accomplish it in.”

            Segarra and G’lan helped settle the family on the dragon. Gil pranced eagerly while the brown rider held onto him. Then he mounted in front of his passengers.

            “What about Gil?” Palnor asked. “We can’t leave him here!”

            “We’re not. But he can’t ride on Daluth!” G’lan laughed as Daluth sprang into the air snapping their necks. After the were above the ground and trees, Daluth swerved downward and hovered above the bay who looked completely comfortable with the huge dragon hovering above them. As the brown picked him up in his talons, Segarra leapt into the air with a fare well to Crimea and Kelya. Daluth beat his wings against the snow and wind until he was sufficiently above ground. He hovered briefly with Gil dangling from his talons then winked into the coldest darkness Dillon had ever known. Only when Benden Weyr, completely alive and prospering, appeared above him did he breath.

 

            This is completely insane, Cye thought as the eastern side of the house began to crumble. He struck out into the freezing water toward the door where his only chance of living was; outside in the storm.

            Lighting crashed outside so often that it was like the enter sky was ablaze with the electricity. Thunder rolled and boomed in his ears causing Cye to wince as his head began to throb. Rain pelted the fragile structure of the house with a force mercyfuless. Cye had never seen such a storm over the last year since the computers had started to fail. The Computer Hall was unable to fix the systems that just continued to get worse. He wished that all this would stop.

            The door was rammed shut by the force of the water. Jammed between the ceiling and the high water, Cye fumbled for the doorknob as he fought the current. At the same time wondering why his Aunt and Uncle, who had gone out to care for the runners a half an hour earlier, hadn’t moved to higher ground last summer when all of this had began.

            Cye took a deep breath and dove under the water, his hand feeling along the door’s frame and he went down. He found the knob and pulled at it hard. It wouldn’t budge. He felt for the control panel that activated the door and pressed the ‘open’ command. With a slow rush, the door opened and the indoor water converged with the outside current causing Cye to be pushed backward into the house. He came to the surface in a higher part of the house gasping for air. He looked toward the front door and could see nothing. He would have to swim under water to get there. Thankful that he had learned how to swim, he sucked in a large gulp of air and dove downward and forward to the door.

            He saw the door begin to close as he neared it. Managing to swim up to in, he wedged his way between the door and frame, thankful that the water had deadened the computer that controlled it. Stuck between the door and loosing air, he hit the outside panel and to door released, letting him swim to the surface. He gasped and gapped onto the hardwood branch that floated next to him, still connected to the tree that was half submerged in the muddy water. Hail pelted him. It was nearly the size of a fire lizard egg and made him cry out. He swam under the branch where he was protected from the hard rain. He clung gasping for air and shivering. If he didn’t drown first, then he’ll die of pneumonia of something. His aunt never let him go into the rain with out a jacket. She’d kill him if she saw him now.

            When he couldn’t hide under the branch no longer, he looked around for a place to hide. The skimmer shed. He could reach the loft now and it was only a few meters away. Daring the currents and rapids, Cye struck out with his remaining strength. He dove underwater and swam straight for the refuge. When he couldn’t hold his breath any more, he went up for air. The creaking of a tree brought his attention up short. He turned to see the hardwood that had just kept him safe begin to fall. He screamed and began to swim as fast as he could for the shed.

            A bugle of some large animal echoed in the storm’s fury. He turned back to see three huge fire lizards turning the tree away from him. He stopped struggling and floated in the water, thankful that the hail had turned into small pebbles. The fire lizards then disappeared and were gone.

            “Dragons?!” Cy whispered awed and scared. He had seen the three people that clung to their backs. They were no fire lizards. People couldn't ride fire lizards in the first place.

            Two people screamed from the direction of the shed. A bronze and brown dragon were swimming toward the skimmer shed. When they could jump off, the riders entered the loft. His Aunt and Uncle came out a moment latter and mounted the two beast.

            “Wait for me!” Cye shouted. He swam with all his might to the shed. “Don’t leave me here! Wait!” Scared that he would be left behind Cye’s energy grew and the currents were less trouble. He watched as the two dragons took off and disappeared leaving him to bob in the muddy water staring helplessly.

            Their had been three dragons and two had come back. Where was the third? The big gold one. The rain pelted down on him harder and he shivered as he swam to the shed. A gold fire lizard appeared and chirped. He looked at her but kept going. If he was to live, he had to get to the shed. Maybe the dragons had been his imagination and his Aunt and Uncle were still in the shed waiting for him. Dragons didn’t exist any way. He was delirious.

            A large wave pushed him forward and he was submerged underwater briefly while he fought to come to the surface.  When he came sputtering to the top, he found that the rain was being blocked by something from above. He looked up to see a transparent wing curved over him. A giggle made him look at the rider.

            “Lady Yakima!” he cried, nearly going under again. His body was becoming weak and staying on the surface was difficult.

            Yakima smiled and through a rope to him. He caught it and held on as she pulled him back into the pelting rain. He was secured to her queens back and covered with a wherrie hide before she spoke.

            “Your Aunt and Uncle are safe,” she said. “Let’s get you out of here.”

            “Dragons...are...real?” he stuttered, clinging to her from behind.

            “As real as the fire lizards,” and the little gold queen that had appeared landed on the girls arm, chirping approvingly.

            It’s starting to hail again, the gold dragon told her rider as she beat her wings upward. Bryith and Tigath are waiting back at the Weyr.

            Then the bitter cold of between consumed Cye. He vaguely remembered the dragon landing, the people surrounding him and taking him off Rhiath’s back. The voices of his Aunt and Uncle were the last thing he saw before he slipped into a feverish sleep.

 

            “Hard to starboard!” Captain Chelkan cried to his shipmate who stood at the helm. The wind and rain from the storm was causing the passage from Tillek’s port more difficult then the Weather Service had predicted. Most of the forecast had been considerably off the past year, as the Crafts had to create primitive equipment to help the people survive. The computers no longer worked and the virus ruined anything that was connected to the remote computer. The sea bearing ships that had been dormant since over five decades when the newest travel glider was created to cross the seas, replacing the older ships. Now that the Sea Transports were offline, the ships were needed to transport goods and supplies to the Holds. Even that was becoming imposable.

            A wave hit the Sea Glider broad side causing her to tip dangerously. Chelkan grabbed the dashboard as the bridge shifted underneath him. Dashkin, who was unable to catch himself, fell into him and cursed. He heard screams from outside and realized that Glider was capsizing. Instruments that no longer worked tumbled to the floor and broke. Chelkan grabbed Dashkin by the shoulders and pushed open the door, which now leaned at a very distinct right angle. The deck was flood and waves continued to crash over the side. He saw some of his crewmen swept overboard by the waters force. Others cried “Men overboard” even as they were thrown into the water.

            Chelkan looked about him and bellowed over the storm, “Every one over!” just as the Sea Glider began to capsize. Chelkan rolled onto the deck and into the swirling waters. The huge sea vessel was above him, still floating from the air still in its belly.

            Struggling to reach the surface, Chelkan thought he heard clicking of dolphins from far away. When the sleek gray forms appeared ahead of him he tensed and swam as hard as he could to the surface. A shipping crate that had sat on the Glider’s deck fell toward him and crashed into his struggling body, knocking his unconscious.

            The dolphins answered the Western Sea Pods alert call when they spotted the ship struggling in the oceans. They quickly began rescuing the falling creates and humans who couldn’t pull the out of the waters underwater tow. Many others forced humans that refused to grab hold of a dolphin’s dorsal fin to the surface.

            As the dolphins worked from below, K’ron and his team appeared and grabbed the Glider by the side and pulled it back up right. When the water allowed the ship to stay upright, they then began taking the cargo and passengers back to the ship. Ropes were secured to the front of the ship for dragons and dolphins. The engines were powered up and the fleet and wing began to pull it to safety.

            Below all the action floated an old female. She watched as the humans were pulled to safety and the ship’s cargo saved. The ship was heaved upward and the shadowy figures of dragons came into view. Segarra had been telling the truth about the gentle creatures that her mother had told her about. The were again flying the sky’s of Pern. But would the humans ever trust her race again? That was the only lie she knew the wolf had lied about. Men were deadly and cruel. The scars that marked her body proved it.

            A sinking figure caught her attention. The captain. He sank along with a cargo crate. He was unconsious and not moving. Fighting the emotions that welled up in her heart, the dolphin suddenly flicked her tail and raced toward the falling human. She butted him angrily in the stomach, forcing him upward. She continued to push him up and up to where the storm raged above. They broke the surface with a mighty splash. Letting out a confused squeal, she reentered the water with a backward dive.

            Delta watched Latec swim out of sight. It was the last time she saw the old dolphin swimming in the seas. No one knew what happened to her. But many believed that she died with less remorse against mans then before. If one like her ever died.

            Battling the water, Delta caught the captain before he sank again. With her nose, she pushed the man toward the shore. A winged wolf appeared shortly after and Delta stopped.

            “Segarra!” she called. “Git Segarra. Need dragon!” The wolf disappeared and Delta urgently kept the man from sinking until the delightful call of a dragon drowned out the storms fury. The great beast picked the man up from the water and disappeared. Delta squealed with joy at the greens brief appearance. She flipped in the water and swam to her pod telling them of the beast’s rescue.

 

            Bitter winds swept through the Hold. Inside, Lord Maness sat at his desk going over the papers. Storms had hit east of Ruatha and flooding the land where it was too low. Many of his people were starving and had killed and eaten any of the animals they could find. Some were trying to catch the fire lizards for meals. Not many of these attempts succeeded for fire lizards had become scarce the past year. Some said that they went to the abandoned Weyrs and were living contentedly there. Which pleased the humans. So many people blamed the little creatures for the problems on Pern that their disappearance wasn’t missed.

            The computer screen next to him blinked on displaying the records that lay over his desk in piles. Maness frowned and touched the keyboard. The next document, telling about the destruction of a smaller hold to the east, appeared. After scanning through it, Maness punched the ‘next’ key. A last year report popped up. Maness cursed and pushed the machine away. Nothing worked these days. Not even personal computers not connected to the unit at Landing. He glanced again in disgust at the blinking screen. He caught his daughter’s name in the report and stared, a whole in his heart mounting.

            He still remembered his daughter running off with three other holder children. He had tried to stop her that night but a queen fire lizard had protected Yakima, forbidding him to catch her again. He had watched her run off into the night calling her name that changed from anger to pain. She hadn’t come back and there was no question that Yakima was gone. It had broke Alyssa’s heart when he had told her. Mande could care less.

            Maness sighed and looked back at the papers. But they were blurry and fading out. He tried to forget his daughter for the millionth time since she ran off. She had after all, disobeyed him. Even taken his prized runners, including Chase. He had tried so often to convince himself that what ever happened to her and the others were right; in a sense.

            A gentle knock on the office door startled him. He dried his face and pulled himself together before allowing the person to enter. His wife Alyssa walked in with a tray of bread and water. He looked up at her and tried to smile. She wore her daughters shawl still. She said that she didn’t believe that Yakima was dead. But a year without being seen by anyone was strange.

            “The kitchen had me bring this up,” Alyssa said. “It’s the best stuff that they had.” Maness gestured that she set the tray on his desk and she did. She glanced at the papers and frowned. Alyssa picked one up and read it over before setting it down.

            “Maness, dear,” she said, looking at his tired face. “Maybe you should rest. It’s almost dawn and you’ve been up all night.”

            “Not when my people are dying and storms and other things are ruining Ruathan Territory!” He took the bread and pulled it apart with his hands before taking a bit out of it. Stale and plain. Not the best bread he had had but that was all the kitchens had.

            His wife was silent as she watched him. Then she put her arms about his neck and kissed his cheek. “Thinking about Yakima?” Maness didn’t answer her but she saw his fists clench. “She's alive, Maness. I feel it in my heart.”

            “Then where is she?” the Lord Holder demanded softly. “She’s been gone for year, woman!” He stood and faced his wife. She recoiled back and looked at him. After a moment, Maness flung the bread to the tray where it crashed to the floor. He stomped outside and heaved the door open with such force that Alyssa let out a startled cry. Then she ran after her husband.

            Maness ran outside of the hold and looked at the sky. Dark clouds, fierce, cold wind and the eminent smell of rain. Another storm. What else would be new? Pern would die either of starvation of storms and now one could save it. They had tried to shut down the computers but that had only affected the shut down program. And, because there were so many systems connected to the main unit, it was almost imposable to do so.

            “Maness! Maness please,” Alyssa wailed from behind him. “Your people are depending on you. Don’t give up hope!”

            “What hope does Pern have now?” he asked her sadly.

            A lightning bolt ripped through the sky startling the couple. Just before the strike disappeared, a blue form was seen gliding down to the gate with two smaller, furrier bodies flying on either side. Alyssa cried out in terror and Maness held her so that she didn’t have to watch. The blue dragon landed gracefully flanked by the two winged wolves. As the Lord Holders watched, four people dismounted and ran up to the doors. The winged wolves followed. Maness looked from them to the blue’s whirling eyes. He couldn’t move.

            “Lord Maness,” a man asked as he came forward, hand shielding his face from the wind. “We come to offer you the things that you know need to live.” He gestured to those behind him. “I am R’shaw, rider of blue Eth. With me is my father Mashaw, MasterTanner, Dalya, a healer, and Kerlon, a herdsman. Kana and Cessna are the winged wolves. We give you our knowledge and hope.”

            “Hope?” Maness squeaked in the wind. Then he found that he could move and remembered his daughter the night she had left. “Yakima?” he demanded. “Have you seen her?”

            R’shaw smiled slightly. “She is at Benden Weyr safe. Today she flies around Ruatha and saves the people in danger.”

            “Oh!” Alyssa cried and buried her head in her husband’s arm.

            Maness gestured that his guests come in out of the rain that had started. He had R’shaw’s green Zera sent a message to Benden Weyr for Yakima. When Zera returned, informing her friend that she had delivered it to Segarra for Kimi was just leaving, they set about gathering the holders to begin training for the crafts.

            Cessna and Kana left immediately to hunt and gather fruit for the Hold. Mashaw was given a group of apprentices who had the most skill in the tanner craft. Dalya found a rather large group of people who knew a thing or two about healing with herbs and she had her bronze call up enough fire lizard to send them to get more plants that they needed. Kerlon and Maness went to the beast pens that had been guarded from the hungry people. The herdsman gathered enough help to being to breed and raise the animals. The two remaining runners that had been given to Maness by a fellow Holder, were both mares. One too old for breeding while the other had a few years left. Kerlon told Maness that Chase, at Benden, could sire the foal and other runners could be brought in due time.

            Even after that day, all the major Holds were taught the old crafts. The wolves were kept busy feeding the holders and the dragons that were with them offered to help. Halls flourished in time and the crafts were refounded. It would take years to repair the damage but the first step had been taken.

 

            A group of children huddled with their elders in a small building that was one of the last remaining. The storm that had been plaguing the sea for three days was showing no signs of letting up. Some of the older people were saying that the hurricane’s eye was not going to pass them or that this was one of the largest tropical storms to his in ages. The children didn’t care. There was little food or warmth and all were drenched from the sprays of water that came in from the walls and roof. Nothing was dry.

            “Did' a hear that?” a boy asked, his head turning toward the shaking door. He raised from his soaking bed as sat looking at it as if a dream was beyond it.

            “It’s nothin’ dear,” his mother soothed her son. “Try to get some rest.”

            “But, I thought I heard a bugle. And a fair of fire lizards screeching,” the boy protested, pouting.

            An elderly man scolded. “Any good those creatures can do it to make trouble. Heard what happened at Landing?”

            “The bronze who stole the RAK?” the mother said. “Ya, heard it from my brother-in-law. Says it...”

            The door that had been keeping most of the wind and rain from them was torn off its hinges and blown away. The children shrieked and the boy dove into his mothers arms. He glanced to the sea and saw through the raging rain the dock. Waves as high as houses crashed on the shore; some reaching the doorway where he hid. A strong wave struck the dock, causing it to crumble. Wide eyed and terrified, he watched as a huge beam was lifted by the wind as if it was a stick and hurled straight toward them.

            His wings instantly put to work, brown Simyth appeared from between, grasped the beam in mid flight and winked out. The boy and his comrades were too shocked to notice that the harsh winds of the hurricane were beating against their unprotected faces. Only when three dragons emerged, red-orange, bronze and the same brown, after a minute did the let out either a terrified shriek of a shout of pure joy. The three dragons landed side by side and huddled close together as their riders ran up to the hold. Each had a fire lizard around their necks.

            “Come on!” said a boy, no more that fifteen Turns. “We have a safer place for you.”

            “Where, boy?” the elderly man demanded crossly. “All Pern is under havoc.”

            “True. But there is nothing plaguing Benden Weyr now,” he said, grinning as he said the name of the refuge. As the fifteen people stumbled out of the hold, J’tha reached for the mans hand. He did not take it but stepped to look in the boy’s eyes. Then at the three dragons.

            “It is true then. The dragons exist?”

            “Yes, and fly to save Pern as we speak.” The old man looked at him for a second then ran to catch up with his family who were already being placed on dragons.

            As J’tha gave the signal to launch, he smiled again. The dragons were becoming known and they were saving Pern as they had in the past. The dragons had returned--for good.

 

            As the day progressed, more and more refuagees were brought to Benden Weyr. Some were sick while others were suprised and frightened by the sight of the dragons. Gerlana and her crew were kept busy preparing food, giving people clothing and encuragement. All ages were brought in. Some were children who would never see their families again for the dragons were unable to save them. Some families were split or whole. As the sun rose over the Weyr’s Rim, the people who were awake enough watched the wings apeare and disapeare. Some helped the Weyrfolk tend the refuagees. The winged wolves hunted and brought in fruit and other food suplies that started to become short. Segarra, Alynn and Emger were called on a few missions when their kind called for their assistance. Meanwhile, they comforted those who were being brought in and explained what was going on. They told about the past year and what the were going to try to prevent. Some young men and women were eager to help, no matter what conditoin they were in.

            Only four dragons were lost that day. Each time, the dragons that were resting at the Weyr and the fire lizards let up a keel that sent shivers up the peoples spines. The wolves would howl until the dragons had quieted. Segarra would then go over to the team listing and have someone near by underline the dragon and rider. One brown, two greens, and bronze. None that Segarra knew well enough but the atmosphere in the Weyr changed with each dragons passing. She also would call the dragons together to let them rest. Each hour she called them in, giving them a half and hour to sleep or eat. Even with that, more dragons died and Segarra couldn’t shake the guilt from her heart or mind.

 

            It was weary riders that returned finally to the Weyr that late night. The hold dragons returned and were given night assignments to continue the rescues. Alynn sent messages to the other packs to be alert and send out scouts to watch for people in danger. None of the packs disagreed and volunteered immediately. Alynn then flew home with the wolves who had come to help that day. Others arrived latter to assist the night group. Segarra stayed and helped until she was too tired to stay awake. She meet J’tha in the Lower Caverns feeding Bendar. He was pale and tired. When she entered, he looked up at her.

            “I told the riders to eat and sleep.”

            “They feed their dragons I hope,” the wolf grumbled. “Nearly all those beasts were dull when they came back.”

            “Zenith is feed!” J’tha snapped defensively.

            “Sorry, J’tha.” Segarra sighed. “Lets get you to bed before you go to sleep and wake up stiff in the morning.”

            They walked wearily to Zenith’s weyr. The sunset dragon was fast asleep on his couch. As J’tha prepared himself for bed, Segarra, sitting at the table on his cushioned chair, looked at the papers on the table. J’tha looked at her as she read them then joined her, pulling the paper from under her nose.

            “A map of the location for the intruders,” he said looking at it. “I was going to ask you to arrange a spy team or something to check it out so that we know what we’re heading for. Like how many people their are and such.”

            “I know what you’re thinking,” Segarra smiled, her eyes looked dull for tiredness. “I go and meet with Alynn for a minute so we can set it up. Then I’m coming right back and sleeping for twenty thousand years!” She jumped off the chair and shook herself.

            “You can’t do that!” J’tha cried. “You have work to do tomorrow!”

            “And how do you know I’m going to be included in the spy team?” the wolf demanded.

            J’tha sighed and shrugged, giving in. He was too tired to argue. As he walked to his bed and climbed in, he looked at Segarra in the doorway. “They did well today,” he whispered. “The dragons. Even with those who didn’t make it. Hurricanes, floods blizzards; nothing stood in our way. Where dragons dare to fly...” his voice faded as Segarra walked up to him and pulled the fur closer to him. Bendar appeared and cuddled against his young friend’s cheek.

            As Segarra turned to leave, she looked back at the sleeping boy. Boy or man? He had been so young when they had first met. Now, nearly a year latter, he was holding the entire fate of Pern in his young hands. Something that not even she or Alynn could do. Segarra smiled and left to Honshu, still thinking about the young man that had so bravely led Pern’s dragons today.

            When she and Alynn had arranged the party, she crept back gratefully to her bed and fell asleep, her mind repeating what J’tha had last said. Where dragons dare to fly.

 

XV

            Segarra was waken by Alynn the next day. Aria and Emger were with him waiting on Zenith’s ledge. J’tha and his dragon were sound asleep, both looking much better then they had last night. Segarra streched and followed Alynn and the others down to the Bowl floor. Segarra was not going to leave without a bit to eat and she made it quite clear to her leader as they decended. Gerlana’s second-in-charge was their giving some other refugees their morining meal. Segarra smiled at them and went to where her lunch awaited her.

            “Females,” she heard Alynn grumble as he lay down with his head in his paws. “Always wanting to eat.”

            “Don’t you start complaining about eating,” Aria exclaimed. “Who was the one who ate almost an entire wherry last night?”

            “Not me,” the darker wolf defended himself houmoresly. “I only ate the largest half.” Aria snorted and Emger shook his head.

            Segarra finished her meal and yawned again. She was still tired from last night. She glanced at the Team llistings. No dragons had died during the night. It made her feel a little better. Alynn saw her looking at the paper and smiled understandingly.

            “We did well, Segarra,” he comforted her. “The best we could have under the cercumstances.”

            “I know. But...I still feel as if I could have done something to prevent their deaths.”

            “Even if the wolves had been in the dragons places, their would have been deaths.” Emger stood and looked at her in his calm manner. Segarra nodded reluctlantly. Then Alynn and the old wolf went off to the door. Aria and Segarra loped after them, passing the males with taungting laughs. They leapt into the air together with the other two right beside them.

            As they hovered above the Star Stone, a bronze dragon appeared and bugled his arrival. Two passangers and the rider clung to his back as they spirled down to land. The Lower Caverns were up  and ready at the dragons announcement and were waiting for the two refugees. Alynn grinned foolishly and ordered them onto the Star Stone. Segarra woke Bendar from J’tha’s weyr and asked him to land on her shoulder.

            She asked the little bronze to fly to the destination that she gave and to go strainght north until he found people. As soon as he found them, he was to come right back and give her the image. With a chirp, Bendar disapered and the wolves watied.

            Two more dragons appeared, both carring timber that was water logged. Segarra noticed that green Celtith looked dull and beat the air weakly. Segarra ordered her to land to rest and eat. Neither rider or dragon disobayed. Bendar apeared and began chirping excitedly. All the wolves jumped at his apperence and Alynn nearly lost his grip on the stone. Segarra calmed the bronze and he gave her the image she needed. She gave a short happy bark and Bendar went back to J’tha.

            “I’ve got it,” she said. “By his image, their are huts and a large cilindar type object in a near by field. Well appear below the tree line so were no seen.”

            “Just what I was thinking,” Alynn said teasingly as he righted himself on the stone. He lost his footing again, yelped as he fell and opened his wings to catch himself as he fell. He flew back up to where Segarra and the others were watching worridly.

            “Well,” he gasped. “Not all of us are gracefull and agile!”

            “At least all but you,” Segarra said softly as she sprang into the air.

            Alynn heard it and flew around her in cirlces so that she stopped and hovered, smiling. “Just remember who’s leading this expedition, loner,” he said and halted in front of her, his wings cooling her face.

            “Don’t start that, Alynn,” Aria cousended. “Segarra got us this far so don’t harass her!”      “I was teasing!” Alynn said to Aira. He grinned at Segarra who batted at his face with her paw.

            “Wing group two formation,” ALynn called out and Aria and Segarra flanked behind him. Emger positened him self so that a diamond was formed. Segarra gave her firends Bendar’s location. Alynn ordered them into the void.

 

            This is like the first hunt, Alynn was saying to his comrads as they crept trough the Perness undergrowth. Except we’re hunting men, not a delcer.

            Segarra smiled. They had all agreed that conversing through their minds was much better than speaking aloud. They were getting closer to the site Bendar had showed her. The smell that had been plauging them for the past hour was getting stronger and she couldn’t place it. Alynn and Aria were crawling expertadly  forward. Segarra was slightly unacustom to the steth that was being demanded on her body. Emger and she were behind; tho old wolf’s breathing slightly heavier than she liked.

            Oh, Alynn, Segarra called. Wolves falling behind. Unable to keep up.

            Hurry up. I smell something interesting, Alynn replied. He snifed the air and snezzed.

            Good one, dear, Aria said. They heard that one for sure.

            Alynn glared at her acusingly. It’s not my fault. It’s Mr. Odors.

            Thanks for wating, Segarra laughed as she crept by. She heard Alynn’s cry of supprise before she stopped and odered them all to halt. Alynn complained about him leading the group and hushed, sinking to the ground and commaned them all to follow suit as two men in strange garb and beards walked by.

            “It was over here,” one said. “Sounded much like a sneeze or snort.”

            His comrade survayed the area and the wolves didn’t breath while he past their hiding place. “Nothing but bushes and strange little dragons. Like that bronze fellow. Wonder what he was up to?”

            I quess Bendar was caught, Aria told Segarra. The white female frowned.

            He might not have known it. Bendar was very careful but his flight to find us a place to land might have been noted as unuasall.

            True, Emger noted agreinly. The men are moving off. Lets cut around to the right when their out of range. They had guns.

            Oh no! Aria moaned inwardly.  She remembered the sticks that spouted bullets and fire. It had killed her father and she dreaded them like Mohan had been with men. Alynn nuzzled her gently as they started out, Emger leading the way past the men who’s voices where fading gradualy.

            They reached the perimiter of of the forest and gazed over a clearing that was crouded with people moving about. A large hut was in the center, clervely hidden from arial view. Others followed the same fastion. Segarra looked at Alynn.

            Men. That’s what I smelled. But all the undergrowth and trees were making it difucult to distunguest. Not to mention that other smell that I can’t place.

            Space, Segarra told him. Follow me. They all crept back into the brush and toward a heavely covered craft. Segarra  slunk around to the belly of the ship and then beconed the others to follow.

            A differnt kind that what was at landing. These people must have came from anouther planet or even...

            Yukon? Aria queired, tilting her head in confusion.

            Segarra shook her head but it was Emger who answered. To far away. And why would they leave just yet.

            You’re forgetting that it’s been nearly four hundred years since we left Yukon, Alynn told the wolf. That’s a long time.

            Segarra sighed. It could be from Earth. I don’t think that the people on Yukon needed to move even after our time jump. Besides, they wouldn’t be able to get the ships started again. to make the jump here.

            True. Alynn looked over the camp sight. He saw that their were more people outside. All were watching the skies. Quickly! Over to that clump off brush. Four figures darted from the shuttle craft closer to one of the huts. Segarra volenterred and rose her front paws to the sides to look in the window. She looked inside ans supressed a gasp.

            Two men were sitting at a computer screen looking over a map of Pern. The same mapping structure that Avias had computed, only broader, sat looking back at her. The men were talking and what she heard made her angry.

            “They’ve tried to isolate out virus on many ocatsion,” a young man was saying, tuching the key pad and ininsalizing three blinking lights apear on the map. “I was able to cancele their attemps. Once, a compleate shut down almost happened. That was overridden as well.”

            “Good work, Gary,” the older man said, clasping his back firmly. “Pern’s under so much havoc now that it’s just a matter of time.” Then he left. Segarra jumped down from the window and ran back to the others.

            We saw it, Alynn said, obvoisly disgusted. I’ve estimated at least twenty colonist. No women or children though, which is confusing.

            Maybe they didn’t plan on staying long, Aria sugessted. Alynn shurgged.

            Let’s get out of here, Segarra grumbled. They tunred and retraced their steps back to the shuttle and into the woods. No one spoke and no one heard the men that came from behind.

            “Get them!”

            “Run!” Alynn yelped, and all four sprang forward as the man rasied a rifle to his arm. He fired and Aria let out a howl of pain as she fell, trying to regain her footing. Alynn and Segarra Skidded to a halt and leapt at the two men. Emger grabbed Aria by the neck and dragged her off. Alynn wrestled with the man who had fired the shot. The man had look dumbfounded as the wolf sprang into his chest and knocking the rifle to the ground. Segarra growled mencinigly at the other who stared at her before lowering his gun and backing off. Alynn, who had pinned his oponet to the ground jumped at the other man and bit his lower leg hard. The man cired out and fell to the ground screaming. Segarra grabed his wrist and yanked.

            She sensed the other man coming up behind her, a long stick in his hand. As it decended upon her head, she turned and caught it in her mouth and threw it aside. Emger gave a short howl and she saw him protecting Aria’s still form.

            “They’ve heard us!” he cired. “Look out behind you!”

            A gun shot exploded a few feet away from Segarra on the nearest tree. Segarra took off and grabbed Aria’s loose hide as Emger did. Then they both winked between from the ground.

            Alynn, his anger over coming her by Aria’s accindent, didn’t allow him to notice the others that had gathered about him until and rope caught him and pulled him back, choking him. he gagged, struggling to his feet and turrning on his captor. The air was suddenly filled with fire lizards and the five men that had come to aid the others were to busy chasing the little creatues away to see Alynn struggle out of the rope. One man saw him run off and dove after him before Alynn launched him self skyward and disapered. The man collided with another and looked back at where Alynn had last been. The fire lizards disapered imedently after the wolf had.

            “I could have sworn it had been their,” one said, rubbing his forehead.

            “It was!” the man who had had his leg ripped apeart by Alynn’s teeth, moaned. “I have the mark to prove it.”

            “Double the patrolls,” an important looking man orderd. “I heard the old one speak. They might be trying to stop us.”

 

            Zenith bugled when the  three wolves apered. He alerted his rider when he saw Aria being carried between Segarra and Emger and Alynn no where in sight. J’tha rose instantly from his morning meal and ran down to the Bowl.

            Segarra looked around for Alynn and felt fear in her mind where he was. Aria was whinning in agony and she and Emger getnly law her down on the ground near the Lower Caverns. She sent Elnora and Bendar with several wings of fire lizards to the landing site to aid her firend. When Alynn and the fire lizards appered, she breathed a sigh of relief.

            Gerlana came out of the Lower Cavens with her medical team at hand. Alynn landed and hovered protectivly over Aria. Segarra and Emger backed away and watched. Gerlana had two assistants hold Aria down and forced her to eat a peice if meat the had been soaked in fellis juice. When the female had calmed down enough, Gerlana explored the wound in Aria’s flank gingerly, careful no to damage to surounding area. As J’tha aproched, she looked up and frowded.

            “I have to remove the bullet, hovever, she will live. But, from this angle...” she .looked at Alynn sadly. “She may never be able to bear pups again.” Alynn moaned and sank to the ground with his head hidden bu his paws. Segarra whinned and Emger looked at the unconsouse female with a frown.

            Gerlana ordered that a strecher be brought and Aria was taken inside. Alynn was allowed to watch from a distance and Emger flew back to Honshu to diliver the news to the pack. Segarra walked solomly back with J’tha to his weyr. J’tha said nothing but watched her. When they reached the living quarters, Segarra jumped up on the table and looked at him expencently.

            “What?” J’tha asked, his hands spread out in bemusment.

            “The report. Then Aria,” she said. The boy frowned and pulled out a clean peice of paper and a writing instrment.

            “Estimented Twenty men,” Segarra said. Then she projected the image of the arial sight, mentaly pointing out the huts, shuttle craft and the hut that housed the computer system. She explained what she had over heard and J’tha’s scoul deepened as he finished his digram and report. He then lay back and looked at the winged wolf.

            “What happened to Aria?” J’tha asked imendently.

            “We were caught on our return trip and were shot at with. Aria fell and Alynn and I turned on the two gaurds. Alynn wounded one before Emger and I got Aria out of their. I don’t know why Alynn was late and he probably won’t tell me for a while.” Her story came out quickly and tears came to her eyes that she tried to shake away. “With Aria unable to produce pups, Honshu Pack is in grave danger unless Alynn resides leadership and a knew leader is chosen. A wolf mates for life like our unwinged ansestors.”

            “I see,” J’tha said softly. He didn’t want to press the matter farther. Obvoisly Segarra was in pain over it and to pressure her more was cruel. He looked at the papers that were weighted down in front of them. He looked at Segarra’s report and the avalible riders. Their were enough to make one trip and catch all the men in one shot. He glanced at Segarra who was resting her head on the table with a far off look in her eyes. He nudged her and she jumped. “Don’t fade out now, Seg,” he said gently. “We’re not done yet.”

            “You’re right,” she said with slightly more ethusaum. “How many riders retuned to the Weyr last night.”

            “Twenty one dragons able to fly. We had a few casualties and the others are grounded for a while.” He looked at the copy of the deaths and riders. His expression turned sad as he scanned it. “L’red and his bronze died,” he said softly. “Who’s going to replace him in M’kon’s wing.”

            Segarra shook her head and said, “All the wings have to be reoganized, Weyrleader. Let’s hope that we lose no more to Pern’s raging storms and such.”

            J’tha nodded and began listing the riders that would accopany the wing the next day. He pulled three extra riders from the group that was curretnly flying around Pern. With Segarra’s help, he organized the riders in the wing. He grumbled something about favorites when Segarra put him as Wingleader. She caught it and reorted that tomarrow would be Zenith’s day and that the sunset dragon had been waiting for the day when he would save Pern. J’tha couldn’t argue with that. He scribbled his name in his position and stood to go to the Bowl and post the positions.

           

            Segarra imendietly sent for the three riders that were out and ordered them to rest up. Latter that evening, she called them together and told them how the wing was to operate. After they emergerd from between directly above the camp, they were to take the men, either in their tallons or on their backs. After reforming the wing, they were to wink to Landing where they would deposit the men in front of the Warders office. After that, things would be done on instinct.

            “That should settle things for now,” J’tha told Segarra as they walked to the Lower Caverns. “I can’t wait till it’s over. My father will be so mad when he sees me tomarrow and...was thier a reson that you chose Landing?” he suddenly demamded. 

            “Not because of your family, J’tha, but becuause that is where the main computer system is.”She looked up at him breffly as they entered the rooms that were filled with people. They followed a passage way before turning into a room where Aria lay asleep. Alynn slept next to her, laying protectivly over his mates neck. Segarra’s gaze went to the woman who stood as they entered. Gerlana smiled at the couple in the bed and beconed them outside.

            “How is she?” J’tha asked queitly.

            “Asleep. The surgery went well. But, as I told you outside, she’ll never give birth agian. Alynn watched from the door as we removed the bullet. I’ve never seen him more tense.”

            “The wing flys tommarow against the men,” Segarra stated firmly, rasing herself to full hight. “Those that hurt Aria will pay for it. But I’m more worried about Honshu’s pack. I don’t want Alynn to reside at his age. He’s far to young.”

            Gerlana nodded and leaned against the post of the doorway. “But she’s not dead. What if another female became his breeding mate and...” She stopped at Segarra’s look. “It was a thought,” the woman shrugged.

            “How long before she can go back to her pack?” J’tha asked.

            “Not for another two weeks at the most,” Gerlana said. “But I can’t have Alynn about all the time. He was a nervouse reck. We had to shut the door during the middle of the opperation so that we could think. Then he started barking so we sudated him as well. He didn’t climb up their you know. We put him like that.”

            Segarra chuclked glancing at the sleeping pair. She watched Alynn for a long moment until J’tha began calling her to follow.

            They left Gerlana with the two wolves and acended to the Zenith’s weyr where the dragon greeted them with a warble. J’tha scratched the eye ridge before Zenith butted Segarra, pushing her down. They laughed, causing Bendar to fly rapidly about them. Segarra leapt up onto Zenith’s shoulder and watched J’tha shake his head and walk into his quarters. Wolf and dragon looked at each other and shrugged. Then they curled up together to sleep.

            J’tha went back to his table and began putting his things back together. He was smiling from Segarra and Zenith. He couldn’t shake his pride from himself. He had two of the most--Bendar chirped from his shoulder indigentaly and J’tha stroked the bronze reasuringly--three of the most talented and wonderful animals on Pern. He had been fourteen when Segarra and Bendar had called him out to go to Benden Weyr. He was fifteen now. At landing, he would be with his father working with the computers at the Hall. He was thankful that he had left when he did or else he would be one of the people trying to stop Perns distrucion; at least the hard way. Thanks to Jaxom, he had a best firend for life, many new firends and hope for Pern.

            When he had fiished putting the things back where they belonged, J’tha went back down to the Bowl to make sure every thing was set for tomarrow. Yakima meet him on the way to the Lower Caverns and she smiled at him.

            “I saw the rank listings for tommarow,” she said, coming up to him and holding a leather halter in her hands. He looked at it confused. “Oh, for Chase,” she explained quickly. “We just went for a ride outside the Weyr. He’s lonely.”

            “I bet,” J’tha laughed as they went to get something to eat. “How is that foal that I heard about?”

            Yakima grinned. “She’s fine. Healthy and strong. Erek and Judith have been working with the runners so I don’t get to see them much, being Rhiath takes up so much of my time. But I get to escape and ride Chase ocasionaly.”

            They reached the Caverns and went inside. The other two Wingleaders dragged J’tha off to talk about the wing the next day leaving Kimi alone to watch. She then left to feed herself and Elnora and talk to Sadia who was alone as well.

            The riders went to bed that night eager for the next day. Many had trouble sleeping but eventualy did. Alynn and Aria woke late that night and Gerlana ordered the male leader back to his pack before something went wrong. He left unwillingly, the Headwoman having to push him out the door with the reasurance that his mate waould be fine. When Alynn reached Honshu, Emger imedietly needed help for the pack was all out of control at the news of Aria’s accident. Alynn latter called a meeting for the next day and went to sleep thinking about his and his packs future.

 

            Early the next morning, twenty-three dragons woke and prepared themselves for the day’s task. The dragons were bathed and feed. Their riders dressed, ate and inspected their harnesses and equipment. Segarra was sitting on the Star Stones watching the dragons arrive on the Bowl floor as the sun peaked the edges of the Weyr with golden light. On the far side of the Weyr, one of the teams that were still preforming rescues, took off and winked between. When the dragons had gathered, Segarra flew down to the bowl gave the signle to mount. She hovered while the dragons waited. Nodding once to J’tha, she watched as he gave the wing the hand gesture to rise.

            The dragons rose like a large wave with Zenith leading. In the center, three greens in a smaller, more spread out wing. As she watched, the dragons winked between and disapered from sight. When enough time had lapsed, she lead the remaining dragons to Landing.

 

            “You’ll be okay, lad,” the man told his pacent. “He didn’t bite enough to break bone.”

            The man grininced as he looked at his leg that the wolf had bit. Yesterday morning had been kayos. With the wolves that had probably been looking for food instead of spying out the land--how could a wolf talk anyway!--and then reports that had came in about a ship actually making it to shore after it capssized in the sea along with the fire lizards sudden intrest in their hide out. His leg wasn’t much better. He had woken up early this morning to find it burning in pain. He almost wished that he had stayed home where it was safe instead of coming on this crazy mission.

            The doctor bandeged his leg and sent him out. The morning was cold and he suddered against the moring air. The walk back to his hut was long. Every step was agaonizing and excruciating. He clenched his teeth and forced himself to keep walking.

            A sudden wind, fierce bugles and the sound of thunder made him spin around. A large gourp of huge fire lizards dove down at the encapment, hissing, eyes whirling orange in anger and talons extended. He hobbled to his door and shut it, to terrifed to move.

            Zenith spotted the man’s escape and told his rider. J’tha had his dargon land in front of the hut. As he dismounted, he watched as the dragons dove from the sky, snatching people fleeing from their wake. They then rose into the sky waiting for the others to join them. He smiled proudly and knocked on the door as if he had come for a plesent call.

            “Go away!” a scared voice cired. “Leave me alone. I’m hurt.”

            J’tha ground his teeth and pushed the door open. Zenith bugled as his rider fell, his wedged shaped head apearing in the door way. The man screamed at the dragons closeness.

            “He won’t hurt you!” J’tha snarled and grabbed the man by the arm and draged him outside. “You and your friend hurt Aria yesterday. You bear the mark Alynn gave you.”

            “They...they were...y...yours?” the man stammered as J’tha pushed him onto Zenith’s back. The dragons growled softly.

            “Yes,” J’tha said as he climed on behind. “We are saving Pern from you and the others.”

            “I’m Falan Jenkins,” the man said quickly.

            “Jedtha,” the boy mummbled. “Aloft, Zenith!” The sunset dragon launched himself skyward with a powerful leap. They rejoined the wing and J’tha gave them the signal to jump to Landing.

 

            The dragons emerged from between bugling trumpphently. They flew over Landing in wing toward the Warders office. Below, people watched as they flew over them. Some cheered while others screamed or were silent; to awed or scared to believe what they saw. People began to follow them to the Contaniment Quartes. Dragons dropped their shivering cargo to the ground unceremoniously on the ground. Zenith was the last to land with the ingjured man moaning with cold and pain. The trip between had not helped his leg any better. J’tha jumped off and Falan slumped across Zenith’s neck.

            As the riders landed, some sending their dragons off to bathe in the sun, the voices of wolves and dragons echoed from above. The remianing dragons able to fly appeared lead by Segarra and other wolves. Fire lizards flew to their firends and chattered excitedly while the people tried to calm them down. The native fire lizards took to flight and perched on roofs and trees to watch. When Segarra and Emger had joined them, the dragonriders stepped forward to the Warder who was motionless and speachless in the door way.

            “Jedtha!” a mans voice cried. “It’s Jedtha...”

            He reconized his fathers voice but didn’t look. He glared at the men that sat huddled on the ground. Bendar appered and growled at them so angerly that J’tha glanced at him in supprise. Then he faced the Warder with Segarra, Emger and the dragonriders of Pern behind him. “These men,” he stated, pionting at the men, “are the cause of the havoc that has been plauging out planet. They set a virius to distroy our main sytems. Aresst them and hold them in Secure Solitary Confindment until they can be tired and sentenced.

            The warder stared at him and blinked. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. J’tha turned to the crowd and saw Segarra step toward the people.

            “The fire lizards are not the causes of your problems,” she said loudly. “And, in my opinon, neither our these men wholy the cause. You have all become so dependent on machines that who cannot think with out them. If you had had leaway for a problem, perhaps your planet would not be dying at this moment.”

            J’tha heard the Warder stir and whisper, “I thought those creatures dies off long ago...” Smiling to himself softly, J’tha knew that what Alynn had told him about Mahan and his pack staying was true and that they had been killed.

            Their was a commotion in the front of the crowd as Thengar pushed his way up to the front. “Why did you run off?” he demanded in a way that made the boy cringe and Segarra and Bendar growl. “Your mother has been worried sick.”

            “I had to,” J’tha said quickly. Then added, “for Pern.”

            He turned back to the crowd and raised his had for silence. “My great-great-great grandfather, Jaxom, Lord Holder of Ruatha and dragonrider to white Ruth, had much to do in saving Pern from the raveges of Thread. When the riders were no longer needed for Pern’s defense, what would happen to them? How would the planet fare after all his efforts to save it. So, with Ruth, he jumped forward in time to answer that question. What he found was people engrossed in tecnology. A planet that was run by computers. Their history lost and forgeotten, save only in stories and ledgendes.” He stopped to catch his breath. Once quiet and reseved, J;tha was supprised to find the words flowing from his mouth so easily. He glanced at Segarra, who smiled and nodded, and continued. “What hurt him more was the absence of the dragons. The same beasts that had in his time saved Pern from Thread were all dead. And, the dolphins that had once shared the voyage from Earth to Pern on the three ships had been driven off.

            “Then a virus sprang up and began to corupt the systems. The tecnology that Pern was dependeded on was malfunctaioning and dystroying itself. Seeking a way to save his beloved planet, he knew that the dragons were the only answer to his problem. These dragons,” and he gestured to those sunning them selves and seated with their riders, “were given to us and have come four hundred turns into the furture to save us. Jaxom sent them here to aid the people when the time was right. He also sent his friend Segarra, who was chossen to lead the new age of dragonriders in saving Pern. I, along with these people and many more, traveled from our homes to Benden Weyr in the North where we meet the dragons. We raised them, learned to ride them rode them to save Pern.

            “We have saved those who have been in need. Delevering aid in old crafts, food and long forgotten ways of our ancestors. On their backs we plucked strangers and kin from waters and storms and saved their lives. Their was not a place of situation that our dragons dared no to go. And we lost firends and their dragons to the distaters that they dared fly into. And not all was saved. Those that were were delivered to Benden Weyr where they whait to return home.”

            He pointed to the men that stared to him and the dragons. Fire lizards were now gathered around and growling at them. “Here are the ones that sabatoged the computer systems. For what reson I do not know. But, like Segarra said, we can only blame our selves for relying on computers so much. We built a world that was run by machine, and that world nearly distroyed us.”

            The Warder turned to the group of men. “Explain yourselves, here and now, before Pern. Who are you and why set a virus in our systems?”

            A sturdy man, a bit shorter and heavier then the rest, stood and approched the Warder. Segarra growled as J’tha knelt beside her. He rested his hand on her shoulder. Aria’s accident raced trhough his mind and he saw the same man in a window giving orders. The Warder nodded to the man and the boy closed his had over the wolf’s muzzle to keep her quiet. The man turend and looked steadly into the faces of the angry people.

            “I am Jayne Lehman. My crew and I are from Earth...”A murrmmer rippled in the croud as he said this. Emger snorted slightly. “My ancestors were born here, on Pern.” Again the croud was stunned. “At that time, a ship was passing close to Pern’s orbit, was summoned to check out a distress singnel. They landed and discovered that only a few servivors lived. They took them back to Earth. The stories that were past down not only told of a deadly menence called Thread; the beleived casuse of the other colonists deaths, but of the wealth that lay hidden in the planets crust. Gold, diamonds, black diamonds and many more rarities. We,” and he gestured to his compaions, “dicided to collect this wealth and take it home to Earth. We would be rich.

            “The stories said that Pern was abbandoned. That Thread had devoored them all. We were supprised to see the planet thriving. We were not about to go empty handed so we devised a virus that would slowly dystroy the planet and its people. We set our camp in an isolated region and set up our base station. You made it easy for us. With a central coumputer all we had to do was to tap into your system and set the virus in motion. We never expected the virus to unable you two fix it latter, which my cheif engeneer informed me yesterday, or the affect it had on the weather. We were affected by storms like you and that might have been the cause of the inability to stop the virus.”

            “You caused much devistion on Pern,” the Warder snapped, his eyes blazing with anger. “You’ve caused death and illness. You and the others will be held in the SSC until we can decide what is to be done with you. In the mean time, where is the injeneiir you were talking about?”

            Jayne looked over at Zenith and pointed to the slumped form on the dragons neck. The man was pale and sick. J’tha felt Segarra nugde him with her nose and he looked down. “He never should have gone between,” she said softly. “If he hadn’t been the only person who could stop the virus, my heart would feel difrently.”

            “I understand,” J’tha mused. He stood and faced the Warder who was watching him sternly. The boy cringed slightly and glanced over at the men who were being lead away. While talking to Segarra, he had missed what was going on. Taking a step forward, the Warder closed a little more space between them.

            Do not fear him, J’tha, Zenith said when he felt his riders fear. No one can hurt you with me by your side. I would knock him off his feet before he reached you. He rumbled and swung his tail to demonstrate. J’tha grinned and stood straghter. The Warder looked at the dragon uneasily then at J’tha. He continued forward, keeping an eye on the mighty dragon who seemed to continue to watch him.

            “Jedtha,” he said offering his had to the boy who took it firmly. “We seem to be in your mercy and debt. What can the people of Pern do for their dragonriders?”

            “Not kill my people,” Segarra grumbled quickly. She looked at the Warder hopefully and he smiled and nodded. She grinned them came forward and bowed at him. “Can I make a sugestion?” the winged wolf asked. Gesturing for her to speak, the Warder looked at her with a confused and suprised grin. “Well, first off, we need all the Lord Holder and CraftMasters here to discuss the furtre of Pern. And I’m calling Gerlana to take care of that man on Zenith. We still need him.”

            “So be it. The Holder and Masters shall meet tonight at landing in point-o-three hours. As for the Engeneer, the medical supplies that are still functioning properly are able to take care of his wound. If you have a healer at the Weyr, bring him.” He smiled again. Then he frowned and glanced at J’tha. “Jedtha, is it possable to get your dragons to carry the leaders here? With all the types of transportaion down and communitaon, their is now way to reach them.”

            With a glance at his wolf friend, J’tha grinned and took an exaggerated bow. “At your service, sir!”

            Laughing, the Warder nodded. “Good. Very good.”

            “This is going to be fun!” Segarra cried. “Like any of these Lords or Masters have ever been on a dragon, much less gone between. I‘m going to get the wolf leaders, too. They have all the right to be here.”

            “I’ll inform Lord Beron of the meeting and what happened.” He turned to his assstant  and told him to follow in inside. As he left, the assitant glandced at the red-orange dragon and paled noticabley when Zeneith yawned.

 

            J’tha sent riders to pick up the Holder and Masters. Emger sent a Honshu wolf to gather the pack leaders. Alynn was dragged with from Benden but was still upset over Aria. Under Emger’s orders, the wolf kept the injured man a secret so that Alynn would not kill him before the virus was ended. The other leaders came eagerly. The human leaders were all uneasy about traveling dragonback. Many messages, sent  by fire lizards, were dispatched from Landing and the various Holds for the conferment of the meeting and that absolutely no other method of travel was availible. Some agreed to that. Others had to be persuaded with the time and cause. After that, they agreed but some never wanted to travel dragonback again, especially between.

 

            J’tha followed Zenith as he walked over to a sunny spot. Holders moved out of the way hurriedly; fear on all their faces. As the sunset beast settled on the ground, heaving a contented sigh, J’tha patted the golden-red neck.

            Rhiath is coming over, the dragon said joyfully. J’tha turned to see Rhiath lumber toward them Yakima was approaching J’tha with Emger. She was smiling. her hair was out of her riding helmet in a long braid and her jacket slung over her arm. J’tha was glad that she had not cut her hair like the other riders. Most of the time she wore hers braided for an easier fit in the helmet.

            “Jedtha,” she began, laying her gear on the ground. “Your father and mother is looking for you.”

            J’tha scowled. He turned from her to scratch Zeniths eye ridge. The sunset dragon crooned softly with pleasure. Rhiath’s golden form, which was slightly larger that Zenith, settled beside them. “Where?”

            “Over at the Square,” Emger said. “Some of your friends are their, too.”

            “Great!” groaned J’tha. “Now is when Segarra would be helpful.”

            “She’s getting the wolf leaders. I’ll have to suffice.”

            Yakima lay a gentle hand on his arm. “I’ll go with you if you want,” she replied softly. J’tha smiled.

            “Thank you, Kimi,” he said. He took her hand and lead the way to the town. People congratulated them on the way. He guessed that the whole town was out now, gawking at the dragons and their riders. The only other dragonrider that was from Landing was L’bel, a brown rider. J’tha and Yakima saw him with his wife and kids. L’bel waved them over. Slowly, the two made their way to them.

            “J’tha,” L’bel said, hugging his wife close to him. J’tha released Yakima’s hand. “This is my wife, Jessika and my two children.” He pointed to the four-turn-old girl with long red hair, dark green eyes and, J’tha guessed if she would get away from her father, a pretty face. “This is Kinnisa, and,” he gestured to the two-turn-old in Jessika’s arms, “Jankin, my son.”

            “Hi,” J’tha said, feeling uncomfortable.

            “Hello,” Yakima smiled confidently, thanking her life as a Lord Holders daughter.

            “Aren’t you Lord Maness’ daughter?” Jessika asked, putting Jankin on the ground.

            “Yes.”

            Jessika laughed. “You picked a good variety, then, Jedtha,” she said.

            “The fire lizards choose,” J’tha said as a gold, bronze and a blue appeared and choose their appropriate people. “All the people at Benden Weyr have them.”

            “Fire lizards! We had a fire lizards steal a RAK unit way back. I can’t believe you trusted them.” J’tha felt his cheeks reddening at the mention of Bendar and Avias’s RAK system.

            “I’m going to pay for that. I needed it for Avias,” J’tha said swiftly.

            “Avais! You took...”

            “Jedtha! Oh, Jedtha,” Sharra’s voice wailed as she ran up. “How dare you...”

            “Mom!” J’tha back up a step, nearly tripping into Emger who yelped as his forepaw was crushed. “Emger, I’m sorry.”

            “No hurt taken...badly,” he said, licking his injured paw.

            “Wolf!” Sharra cried. “Not another one that talks!”

            “It’s a fralamar, mom. They came with Segarra, the white female.” J’tha knelt next to Emger and stroked his head gently. “Packs are scattered all around the...”

            Sharra hugged him tightly. “Don’t you ever leave Landing again!” She wept. Feeling uncomfortable with Yakima standing their and smiling, he hugged her back. Bendar flew to L’bel and his family walked away to go see his dragon, Tigath. Yakima and Emger left to talk with others about what had happened.

            “Jedtha.” It was Thengar. His father stood a few feet away, arms crossed, face stern. Slowly, J’tha stood, pulling his mother up with him. Sharra tried to dry her tears. The young rider stood before him straight; inside he was trembling. “You’re not staying, are you.”

            “No. Zenith and the Weyr need me now.”

            “Zenith?” Sharra queried as she tried to end her sobs. J’tha didn’t answer her.

            Thengar started to chuckled. “I never imagined that you would be a dragonrider! How did you get the dragons in the first place.”

            “Jaxom sent them,” he said, feeling slightly more relaxed.

            “Jaxom!” Sharra cried, her excitement rose. “Jaxom and Ruth! From my stories?”

            J’tha grinned. “He sent fouty-six eggs forward. Four queens and the thirty-six that hatched, including my Zenith.”

            “Did you meet Jaxom?” Sharra asked.

            “No, but I did!” a voice said before the boy could answer. They all turned to Segarra as she trotted lazily up to them, her tail wagging with glee. “He sent be here too. If you want, you can blame me for J’tha’s disappearance. And the missing RAK unit.”

            “You didn’t take that,” Thengar dismissed. “A bronze fire lizard did.”

            “I know. That was Bendar. I needed the Keyboard to bring Avias with me,” J’tha explained, his uneasiness returning. “The original Avias that the colonist brought with them. Avias helped find Jayne and his men.”

            “So did I,” Segarra pouted.

            “Yes you did, elo ara,” J’tha smiled and patted a satisfied wolf.

            “Why does she call you ‘J’tha’,” Sharra asked. “Is it because you are a dragonrider now?”

            “Yes. Dragonriders-the males only- get their names shortened. All of the bronze, brown, blue and male green rider have names like mine.”

            “Why didn’t Jaxom...” Sharra began.

            “He had to be a Lord Holder still. Ruth lived at Ruatha Hold instead of the Weyr. In the stable.”

            “You have to show me Ruth’s weyr, Segarra,” J’tha reminded the white female.

            “I know, I know. When we have time.”

            Thengar walked up to his son and hugged him. Tears hung on his eyes from relief and joy. “I love you, son,” he whispered. He stood back and held J’tha firmly by the shoulders. “And congratulations on saving Pern.”

            “It was Jaxom’s idea,” Segarra interrupted.

            Go away, Zenith hissed at her from his place in the sun. He wants to be alone with his parents.

            As if struck by a knife in her heart, Segarra’s tail dropped to between her legs and her head fell. Rejected, she left J’tha, Thengar and Sharra alone.

            I still love you, Seg, came J’tha’s thoughts as he followed his parents back to his old house.

            Me, too. Zenith sounded very apologetic.

            Segarra smiled. So J’tha was busy. He would be back of course. She looked around the crowd. Okay, she thought. Who is in need of company? She spotted T’dorn and M’kon standing alone and nervous at the other side of the Square. Bingo! the wolf thought as she moved over to them with wolfish agility.

 

XVI

            By mid afternoon all the Lord Holders and Masters of the remaining Crafts, including Mashaw and Gerlana, had gathered at Landings Meeting Hall. J’tha sent many of the riders back to Benden after they had delivered the Lords and Masters. The Wingleader, seconds and four queen riders were asked to be represented at the meeting. Emger had called the wolf leaders to Landing. Only Aria was not present and Segarra tried very hard to keep her pack leader happy. He only moaned and complained about Aria and not being with her.

            Lord Maness of Ruatha Hold arrived on blue Eth with his family. They were lead to the Hall were refreshments-compliments of the wolves and Weyr-were being served.  J’tha, Yakima and Lord Deshor of Nerat were talking.

            “That explains why some holders mentioned a big comoshion in the southern shore,” Deshor was saying as the two youths finished telling the sortened version of their trip to the Weyr. J’tha smiled at looked up as Maness aproched. Following his gaze so did Deshor and Yakima who nearly choaked on the fruit juice she had just took a sip of.

            “Father!” she gasped, the glass nearly falling to the floor. On her shoulder, Elnora squaked in suprise and rage at seeing the man that had tried to keep Kimi from leaving to Impress Rhiath. Bendar chirped in echo to the golds outbust.

            “Yakima,” Maness said softly. All he did was stare. Her mother came from behind her husband and hugged her daughter tighty, crying her name over and over again. She stood, looked at Maness and said, “I told you she was alive.”

            Maness was silent still. He looked at the young boy smiling broadly with a broze fire lizard on his shoulder. Then at Deshor who was also grinning. “Yakima...” he started, looking at his daughter. He didn’t know what to say. The pain that he had felt the night she left had been almost unbearable. He had thought that his little girl was gone forever. But to see her standing here with no aperent harm was something he couldn’t put to words.

            Yakima made up his mind and flung herself into her fathers arms. Elnora flew to J’tha who stroked his bronze, smiling. Elnora chirped in concern and looked at the boy for help. When it was apperent that neither J’tha or Bendar was going to protect Kimi she flung herself at the mans face, talons unsheathed.

            “Father!” Mande screamed. The Lord Holder had enough time to look up and see an angry gold flying straight at him before Elnora had her talons in his neck and face.

            “Elnora! NO!” shrieked Yakima.        

            He can’t take her away from us now, little one, Rhiath told the enraged queen. Shocked, confused and knowing that she had done wrong, Elnora winked between to Benden Weyr.

            “What happened?” Deshor asked coming up to them.

            In a shaky voice, Yakima told them. “She never forgave my father the night I ram off to Nerat. He tried to stop me.”

            “I hate fire lizards,” Mande muttered, shudering.

            Maness looked at the boy who’s young face was full of consern toward Yakima. “Will she attack me again?” he asked, glaring slightly at J’tha’s intent interest.

            Yakima shook her head. “Rhiath yelled at her that you can take me away from them.”

            “Them?” Alyssa asked.

            “Yes,” J’tha said. “Yakima is a rider at Benden Weyr. Her dragon is Rhiath; a gold queen. I am J’tha, sunset Zenith’s rider.”

            “Who saved Pern,” Deshor put in.

            J’tha scouled and blushed a little. “With help!” he reminded the old Holder.

            “A dragon, Kimi?” Maness asked. “Will you be able to come home?”

            “No, I must stay at the Weyr. It’s where the dragons live together. But I can visit. And I’ll send Chase back with a large herd of runners fit for any race!” Maness grinned, remembering the letter he had sent her. His eyes and face seemed younger for the hurt and pain of the last year erased. He hugged his daughter closer and kissed her hair.

            Mande just scouled as she watched. She had hoped the her sister would get repremanded again fro running off. Instead, Yakima was getting all the attention.

            Lord Beron came up, greeting the Holders. He looked at J’tha and extended his hand to the boy. J’tha took it and smiled shyly. He heard Yakima supress a giggle at his akwardness. “We’re ready,” Beron said. “Lehman is standing to represent his men. The Engenner, Jenkins, is also their though he is in a lot of pain.”

            “I hope Alynn dosn’t see him,” J’tha mused.

            “Who is Alynn?” Maness asked. “I’ve heard the wolves at Ruatha mentioning that name sometimes.”

            “Oh, he’s the overall leader of the wolves,” Yakima explained. “His mate, Aria, was injured by Falan’s gun at their campsite. She will never be able to produce pups again and his pack is in danger.”

            “More like a rukus,” said Segarra and Emger as they walked up looking tired. Not far behind walked Bass Setia, the Desert pack leader, who was grinning foolishly about him. “The whole pack is disoreneted,” the female continued. “After this meeting between the human leaders, Alynn is calling for a cession between the wolves.”

            “Segarra,” Yakima said as the wolves sat down-save Bass Setia who was meagling over to the table of refreshments. “This is my father, mother and sister Mande.”           

            The wolf bowed her head in acknolagement. “Nice to meet you,” Segarra said. “You do realize that Kimi can’t return to Ruatha since she is a dragonrider?”

            “Yes,” Maness said sadly.

            “But I will visit,” Yakima promised.

            J’tha cleared his throat. “Shall we go?” he asked. They all turned to leave when a startled yelp came from the table. Bass Setia appeared next to Segarra glaring at the table where a few fruits had fallen where his head should have been. Segarra gave him a disaproving look. He shrugged noncalantly.

            The Hall at Landing was huge.  Floresent lights lay dorment in the ceiling while tall windows rose on the north and south side of the building. Five long metel tables with comfortable chairs lined the room in two columns.  At the end of the Hall was a table that was ajacent to the windows. The Lords and Craftmasters were seating themselves at one of the five tables. The wolf leaders were arranged on the side for non would sit next to the Lords, Ladies and Masters until things were settled; some had been hesitant in hleping Alynn in the begining and still were. The Wingleaders, queen riders, J’tha and Segarra sat with Lord Beron at the head table. The riders’ fire lizards had been sent to the Weyr to stay out of the way.

            When the crowd had stilled, Beron rose. “I’m sure many of you only have a vuage idea about what has been going on latly on our planet. We all did know that their was a computer problem and that irregular storms were treatining to ruin our lives. But while we were all dealing with the virus itself, the dragons were beinging reborn.  And it is to these young men and women that we have...”

            “And wolves,” Segarra butted in.

            Beron smiled. “And wolves to thank for our rescue. Twenty men were captured and are in the containment quarters. Their leader, Captain Jayne Lehman of the Destiny, is present to plea his case. Bring him before us.” Beron sat down and the man was brought in, his wrists bound with a rope behind his back. He shot an angry, hateful glance at J’tha and Segarra but said nothing as he turned to face the Lord Holder.

            “You’ve already gave testimony to your crime,” Beron said. “You are charged with sabatoge and attemped anialation of an enitre planet. Will you deny these?”

            “No,” Lehman said evenly.

            “Then you give the punishment up to us?”

            “Yes.”

            The people were quiet. On the sides the wolves murrmered amoungst themselves. Beron rose his voice abouve the noise that was begining to increase. “Any sugestions?” he asked.

            Lord Masion from Igen rose. “Send them back to Earth where they belong!” he cried. “Empty handed!”

            “Execute them!” one of the wolves cried.

            “Why, Ersataz?” Emger asked the leaders. He sat with Segarra infront of J’tha’s table. “What would killing them prove? And why send them to Earth, milord? Just to come back latter in Pern’s future to attempt anouther plan. No, I think they should live and be punished in a way that will also benifit the residents of Pern.”

            “They could clean up the Holds and such,” Maness said. “Help clean up the destruction the storms caused and such.” A murrmer of aproval came from the crowds. Yakima grinned at her father.

            Beron nodded, rasing his hands for silence. “It is agreed then, by the wolves as well, I hope.”

            “Yes,” Alynn said, speaking for all those present. He still looked tired and worried as he stood off to the side with young Avon.

            “Then, Jayne Lehman, you and your men are sentenced to community service until we can let you go. But not to Earth. You are to stay here until the day you die. Take him back to the SSC,” Beron ordered. When Lehman was gone, some began to talk again. “We have yet to discuss the virus. We have an Engineer for the Destiny that is willing to and knows how to stop the virus.”

            “How do we know that he is trustable?” the Master Technichian asked sourly.

            “We don’t,” J’tha said. “But he’s the one who desinged it and knows how to stop it. From what I’ve seen and heard so far non of us know how to do that. Falan Jenkins is our last hope to settle everything down decently.”

            Lord Talan of Southern Boll stood. His dark eyes were narrowed at the young dragonrider seated at the head of the table. “And what if he is unable to fix it, boy? What will we do then?”

            “Wait for the storms to settle into the normal pattern?” Segarra asked with slight humor. “I’m sure they would when the systems were distroyed.” Talan snorted at the wolf.

            “We will give Jenkins a try at it first,” Beron said. “He is, as J’tha said, our only and last hope.”

            Segarra turned to Emger and whispered in the old wolfs ear, “We still could just shut down every computer on Pern.” Emger just shook his head, laughing slighly.

            “What are the dragonriders going to do know?” Mashaw asked. “I mean they’ve done what they were born to do.”

            Segarra stood and smiled up at J’tha who saw the lecture look in her blue eyes and sighed, yet he was interested in what his mentor was going to say since it meant him and Zenith. “The dragons,” the wolf began, “were sent to save Pern that is true. But Jaxom also ment for them to do as they had years ago; transporting people and goods around the continent. Also, the Weyr was once like a castle where people wanted to be to watch the dragons. A Weyrleader was the highest rank a bronze rider could have. As for the Holds, they were required to pay tithes to the Weyr for the services that they gave the Holds. During that time is was fighting Thread but now it will have to be helping set Pern aright.”

            Their was silence that greeted her. A few cleared their troughts-mostly the Craftmasters who had not yet seen a winged wolf much less heard one speak- others nodded in aproval and some disagreed. J’tha looked at Beron. The Lord Holder rose his voice once again above the din. “The wolf...”

            “Segarra,” hissed J’tha.

            “Segarra,” Beron corrected himself, “is right. Right now we all have much to give to these young people and their beasts. I agree with Segarra that they be payed in tithes when the Holds are capable.”

            “The dragonriders will in turn be used as a transportation system and aid in the rebuilding of the Holds,” M’kon said, glancing afterward at J’tha for appoval. The sunset rider just nodded.

            Deecka, standing beside his mate, barked for silence. Many eyes turned to look at the Plains pack leader who looked rather upset. “What about us?” he asked coldly. “What about the wolves. We were promised a life without hunting by our leader,” and he glanced accusingly at the sulking Alynn. “All the pack leaders risked the saftly of their packs to aid in the rescues. But I’m sure that I’m speaking for us all when I ask if our packs are to be safe from human hunters.”

            “What you have promised will be granted,” Beron said. “You are as needed as the dragons at this time.”

            Avyan snorted. “ ‘At this time’? What about the future?”

            “That too will be safe for your kind,” Lord Maness promised. “I have become rather fond of the two at Ruatha and all their help.”

            “Does that satisfy you all?” Emger asked, glaring at all the tired leaders one at a time. They nodded reluctlanly.

            “And what about the crafts?” Gerlana asked. “We will need to refound them since the computers, as I see it, are no longer reliable.” A few of the other people mumbled their agreements.

            Lord Talan shuffled in his place. “Then refound them.”

            Segarra, who had been resting her head in her paws, raised her eyes to the Lord Holders. “Is their any Harpers or weavers present?” she asked. An aged Harper stood but other than Gerlana, Mashaw and a one other were their. “You are going to come and rely on the lost crafts to continue to live. I for one am not about to set a computer run world again.”

            “What about the Computer and Technician Halls?” some one asked.

            The white wolf shrugged. “They can stay because I don’t think you are ready to go back in time to the begining of the Ninth Pass. Basic things like personal computers and security things might be funtinal after the virus is stopped. But no central computer. That has proven to be a bad idea.”

            “We should also include some of the things that Avias taught us,” T’rel said. “Including the lost crafts.” J’tha nodded eagerly at him.

            “What about the dolphins?” Felecia asked.

            A few of those present blinked. “Doll-fins?” they questioned.

            “Dolphins,” the young queen rider said with slight anger. She and her brother, Kevon , had become rather touchy about the way the sea animals’ name was spoken. Expeccialy after they saved their lives a turn ago. “Why not reopen the Dolphin Hall?”

            “Let me quess,” J’tha said, leaning over the table to look at Felecia. “You’re going to be the first volenteer?”

            She nodded, grinning.  “And Kevon,” she added.                 

            “All the crafts will be reborn,” Beron said. “But, why would Avias be teaching you things that we don’t even know?”

            Emger chuckled and Segarra looked up at the Lord Holder. “Not your Avias, my good Lord Holder,” Segarra said. “The original Avias that J’tha brought with him when he left Landing. He downloaded his program into a RAK unit so that Avias could travel with him. That Avias was also the one who was able to locate Lehman and his men before he too contracted the virus.”

            Maness looked as confused as the other Lord Holders. “Maybe, J’tha, you would like to explain everything that went on to those who do not know what went on.”

            J’tha glanced at Beron then Segarra. The Lord Holder smiled encourigly and Segarra nodded for him to continue. So he stood and, starting from when he had found the old box then Bendar. How Segarra had came to him and how Avias was brought back. He told them about going to Cove Hold to gather all the people the fire lizards had choosen together. He told them about the crossing of the sea and journey to Benden Weyr. He told them about the Hatching, mentioning Zenith specificaly which earned him a look from a knowing Segarra. He finished with the rescues and the capture of the men. Segarra then stood and continued from a point that J’tha did not know much about.

            “I was sent by Jaxom, Lord Holder of Ruatha Hold during the Ninth Pass of Thread.” She saw Lord Maness straigten at the mention on his hold and smiled. “Jaxom had jumped between times and saw that Pern was in trouble. He sent me to help J’tha get to Benden Weyr where the thrirty-five dragon eggs had been brought. It was the winged wolves who had took the eggs forward then they themselves went forward to further aid J’tha and I. If any of you have wondered how the dragons that have been gone for so may years are suddenly back, that is why.”

            “Are the dragons from the past?” a young Lord Holder asked.

            “Yes, they were lain in the past but hatched here,” Emger said.

            “What about those dragons you mentioned?” Talan asked. “The ones that are coming from the past?”

            “They will settle in Fort Weyr,” J’tha said. “Unless they want to come with us at Benden.”

            Segarra tugged at his pant leg and he looked down at her. “We do need to clean Fort up before they arrive,” she said.

            Why can’t you tell them? he asked her but did voice her statement to the others. As well as cleaning up the Holds, Fort Weyr was also to  be cleaned  and settled for the coming dragons.

            The dragons carried the Lords and Masters back to their homes that night before retireing to the Weyr. Segarra had those who had been running the never ending rescues rest while a new group was sent out. She noticed that even the dragons were lossing the vigor that they had had the day before. She didn’t doubt them.

            J’tha was convinced by his parents to stay with them that night. Segarra was offered to stay, too, but she reclined saying that the wolves were having a councle as well and she was needed at Honshu. Zenith sat outside his riders house, watching thorugh the window. Sharra served the best meal that she could and they talked about the past year. Bendar, of course, got the best wherry that they had. Segarra returned late that night, jumping into the boy’s room so that the OSM would not be desturbed. Without waking J’tha, she curled up on the end of his bed to sleep.

 

            Alynn paced eagerly at the enterence to his den. The decisons that had been made at the meeting had lessened his fears about his subjects but not about his pack. Aria lay on sleeping in the setting sun, her belly wrapped in bangedges. A blue dragon had dropped her off so that she could  be present at the Councle. All the leaders had jumped directly to Honshu after the metting in Landing. They were just waiting for Segarra.

            “Why even bother waiting for her?” Deecka asked. “She’s a loner, not even a pack member.”

            Alynn growled at the leader as he paced by. “You must not remember my announcement long ago before we came to this Pern. Segarra is part of my pack now.” Deecka shrugged.

            Just then, Segarra appeared and howled a greeting. Alynn answered her. She landed, stumbling a little from wiryness. When she looked up, Alynn beckoned her to follow him and the other leaders. The cave  was slighly damp from the cold sea air. Aira, aided by Kolona and Emger, was lain by the door. She looked tired, her head resting on her paws, but her eyes were eager. After all, the pack was hers as well.

            “You already know your options, Alynn,” Bass Setia said. “Either resign or find a new mate. Those were they very rules that were lain down by your ancestors and the ones that I had to face when Phenixa died.”

            “I will not resign,” Alynn said firmly. “This is my pack and I refuse to let it go.”

            Avyan looked at him sterny. “Then choose another mate. At least to produce an heir.” Alynn snorted at the idea. He looked at Aria.

            “Alynn,” the injured female said. “I want you to choose another mate.”

            “NO!” Alynn cried, jumping up to face his mate with paniced  eyes. “I will not desert you!”

            Aria, dispite her pain in her belly, glared back at him. “If you don’t I’ll...I’ll...go between forever!”

            “NO!” three wolves cried together. Segarra, Emger and Alynn started at her in disbelife. Alynn trembled.

            “All of you shut up and sit down!” Avon commanded. Very slowly they did, Aria still glaring defiently at her mate. Segarra and Emger looked at each other, slightly ashamed for their ranks were very low. Alynn shook as he sat on his haunches and faced the pack leaders. Young Avon was standing, eyes stern and angry. When all eyes were on him, he looked Alynn until he caught his attention. “Now, Lord Alynn, I know it is not my place to tell you this, but I have a sugestion that I’ve been contiplating since Lady Aria’s acident.

            “Since Aria is unable to mate and produce an heir, and you wish to remain Pack Leader at Honshu, I sugest this. When Aira is well, she can return to Honshu as the Lady. However, I sugest that you do choose a mate to produce pups for the pack. Aria may serve as the Pack Leader to Honshu while the other female gives the pack more members.”

            A silece fell over them. Alynn sudenly tried to jump up and rebuke the young wolf’s proposal. Segarra steped on his foot and shot him a stern glare.

            “Thier is sense to what Avon says,” Emger replied in a calm voice. “If you do not wish to shun Aria but want to keep the pack going it is a wise decision.”

            “Afthena and I have agreed that If something of the sort should happen to us, we would make the same comitment on benifit of the Seaside Pack.” Beside Avon, his mate nodded exubrently.

            Alynn looked at Aria. She was still glowering at him. Hopefully he turned to the white female and his advisor. Neither held any hope. “But...”he started. “I...”

            “Who will it be?” Emger suddenly asked, reading the wolf’s mind before he voiced the answer out loud. Alynn sagged in defeat and Aria sighed in relief. He was silent, thinking about all the females in his pack. Then he looked up and smiled sheepishly at Segarra.

            She didn’t relize it until all those assembled were staring at her. Segarra stammered, her mouth gone dry and her eyes falling acusingly on Alynn. “No! Absolutly not. I live at the Weyr and that is finale.”

            “But you are the only wolf other then Aria that I’ll take as my mate,” Alynn explained. “Other wise, I’ll...have to resign.”

            “Oh, no you won’t!” Aria cried. She tried to stand but fell back to the ground, dizzy with pain. She whimpered slightly and Alynn rushed to her side. Segarra sat watching her friend. Why me? she asked herself. Of all the young females why me? She lay down, head in her paws and facing the wall. She had never run in all her life. Since she was a pup her body had  been able to come into heat once, but after that it had not settled down enough to allow her to raise a family. Now Alynn wanted her to save his pack. But what about J’tha and Benden Weyr? They still needed her as did all of Pern.

            “No!” she suddenly cried, bolting from the Den and back to Benden Weyr to call a dragon to transport Aria. And to settle down before returning to J’tha at Landing.

 

            The lives of all the people on Pern changed after the meeting between the Holders, Craftmasters and the dragonriders. Falan Jenkins was able to termenate the virus and save a few systems that were soon distroyed because the main drives were already dead. Some of the minor computers, such as the security systems, personal computers and other little things were saved. Ships, runnercarts and dragon wings were the only way of transportation afterward. The riders became common sights at the holds. Some were their on assingment to rebuild the homes that had been destoyed. Others were visiting families that they had not seen for a turn. Lehman and his men were sent to twenty difrent locations where they were needed. Falan stayed at Landing to aid in the computer system and recover from Alynn’s attack.

            Avias was saved; his program recovered from the Yokohama’s banks. He was taken from the Administraion building and reinstauled with updated parts in the Landing School to teach history and the lost crafts. Soon his program was used world wide to aid the eager folk needing advise.

            The wolves began to multiply throughout Pern. Alynn never mentioned anything about his choice at the councile and she tried very hard not to change her life style when it came to busy. It wasn’t very hard since their was always something to do, at Hold, Hall or Weyr.

 

            Segarra slept uneasily a turn after the capture of Lehman. She knew why. Her time was near. A wolf of her kind came into heat only when the body was calm enough to bare young. When she had been ready that day on Yukon, she had fled all the males and living a solitary life for the seven day time. It had not been a pleasant experience. Her body had been hot and feverish. Her belly ached from her need to mate; to run. Like the dragons on Pern, a young female would have to run  from her prospective mates. The strongest or most cunning were the winner of the female. The mated pair were then mates for life.

            Never in her five turns of life had Segarra wanted to be a mother. After her first experience, she had no intention of ever running again. After her frist run, she had been far to busy to let her body to prepare itself again for the cycle. But now that J’tha had been able to bring the problems on Pern to a crawl, she was ready again. Unfortunately, it was the middle of the night. She wanted to hide again. She could not be a mother nor a mate. She loved J’tha and all her new found friends. Sure, they would be glad that she had conceived, but the Weyr needed her.

            Muscles in her stomach tightened; hard. She nearly cried out but held her tongue. Trying to find a position that might ease her pain, Segarra twisted on the fur blanket that was her bed. She felt weak. Strange, she thought as she tried to overcome the sudden attack of dizziness. This must have been a while since I started. When another cramp hit her, she whined in agony.

            She heard the curtains to the sleeping quarters move aside in a urgent rustle. “Segarra?” J’tha. She lifted her head as he came forward and knelt next to the wolf. He rested his hand on her head. Another contraction. She whimpered again. “What’s wrong girl?” the boy’s voice asked her. “Zeny says that you are ill.”

            Segarra gasped tiredly. “He is right. But Gerlana cannot heal it.”

            “But...I don’t want to see you suffering like this, elo ara,” J’tha cried, speaking a few of the words he had learned in Marl. He ran his hand down her sides and her wings which seemed to glitter in the darkness. “Where does it hurt? Maybe...”

            “This has happened before, J’tha,” Segarra snapped. “I’m in heat. I’ve ignored the warning symptoms and this is the final stage.”

            “Heat? You’re ready to mate?” The boy took his hands away, surprise on his young face. Only three turns had gone by since they had meet and he looked more like a man than the brave young boy that had lead Pern to a new and better future.

            Segarra cringed as the pain seized her body again. “Yes,” she whispered hoarsely. “But I do not want to be a mother!” Her voice rose into a scream. Zenith bugled outside as his rider reached out to restrain his friend. J’tha was cautious of another dragon landing and the rider running into his weyr. He turned to see Yakima run in, still in her night shift and a hunter green robe over her shoulders. She held a glow basket in her right hand, illuminating her face. She, too, was older and her beauty, J’tha would say to Zenith privately, was getting more refined each day.

            “Jedtha?” she asked. The sunset rider smiled. Not all the riders had gotten use to calling them by their dragonific names. Kimi did, but when they were alone she addressed him a she had two turns ago.

            Segrarra sank back down to the furs out of breath. She trembled under her masters touch as a frightened rabbit would shake when in was in danger. Yakima’s soft features turned to pure sympathy when she spotted the white wolf. She knelt next to J’tha and touched the soft fur that was slightly damp. “What’s wrong? Rhiath couldn't understand her pain.”

            “She’s ready to mate, but she won’t.”

            “Why not!” Yakima demanded, facing him. “I would love to see her happy with a family.”

            Segarra shook her head wryly. “Now is not the time, Kimi. You, J’tha, T‘dorn, all the Weyr needs me. Being a parent would take up much of the time.”

            “But...”

            “I’ll be fine in a few days,” the wolf mused.

            “And until then?” Yakima snapped. J’tha rested a gently hand on the enraged girls shoulder. I had no effect and she continued. “Wouldn’t it be best to get it over with? What are you going to do the next time? This?”

            “Yes,” Segarra squeaked as her body went into convulsions again.

            Yakima watched as her friend twisted in the fur. Rhiath, she said to her dragon. Call Alynn and Emger. Maybe they can talk some sense into her.

            They are males, the sunset dragon told her before Rhiath could answer. If she is ready to mate, they will want to be her partner.

            Yakima ground her teeth. True. But, if any hope did come-either way-Segarra’s pain would end. Call them anyway. Just them.

            They come, Rhiath announced. Yakima heard the sound of wolf paws touching stone and feather wings beating the air as the creatures landed. Seconds later, Alynn and Emger came in. The wolf leader looked anxiously at them, his yellow eyes settling on the tired form of Segarra. Emger looked from the wolf to J’tha. He made a slight, respectful bow. Then gestured that both riders move aside.

            Still pondering the fact that two males wolves had appeared, J’tha moved aside, pulling Kimi with him. He thought that maybe the two wolves came as potential mates. He knew that the canine species knew thing like that from nature; winged or not. Another reason could be that someone had called them. Either Zenith or Flynnth or Kimi. Maybe himself, knowing his deep connection with even the most powerful wolf their was. Alynn and he may not have as strong as a bond as he had with the white female, but it was their.

            Alynn walked up to Segarra. She saw them and groaned. Attempting to stand, she looked accusingly at J’tha. Alynn spoke to her softly in Marl. Emger stood on the other side of the white wolf. He, too, offered comfort.

            “Lay down, Segarra,” Emger crooned, this time in the language that the humans used. “We want to help.”

            “Help!” she yelped. “In what way? I will not Run!”

            “Then don’t try to escape us.” Deep within his voice, yet he had spoken softly, Alynn betrayed to Segarra the emotions he was feeling. If she did Run tonight, she knew, Alynn would surly be in it.

            As a convolution took her, J’tha politely cleared his throat. “Lord Alynn?” he queried.

            “Not now, boy,” the wolf said, his voice low and soft with emotion.

            “This is her second time of missing her Run,” Emger informed the two teenagers who waited near them. “It is possible that she could die this time.”

            “Second?” Yakima asked. “It’s been two turns since we meet her. Hasn’t she come into heat then?”

            “As far as we know, no. A fralamar, as we call ourselves, can control their heat cycles a little bit. When the body is too busy to raise pups, the signal that triggers reproduction is stopped until a calmer time is a hand.”

            “Alynn,” Seagrra cried with such pain that J’tha tried to move away from his spot.

            “Segarra, Segarra!” the leader wept. “Run. Aria is unable to produce pups and the pack has been dying. I will Run with you. No other. Just Run! Before you leave me forever!”

            “J’tha will...be...affected, Alynn,” Segarra gasped. “Emotionally.”

            “I will?” J’tha and Yakima  looked at each other. “Emger...”

            “Like your dragon, Zenith, you and Segarra are combined in the mind. It’s called Bonded in our world. You and Segarra are Bonded like she was to F’lar and Lessa. She is the first wolf to Bond to any human. The effects are the same as the result of Impressing a dragonet; just at a smaller degree.”

            “But if she mates...” His sentence trailed off. He looked at Kimi, her eyes wide in the glow’s light.

            “The same, Weyrleader. It’s the same as a mating flight, only less dramatic. I don’t thin anything beyond kissing would occur.”

            “J’tha,” Segarra had stood. She looked as if she was the living dead. “You understand what will happen, don’t you? And Yakima?”

            “Me,” Kimi said, taken by surprise at the mention of her name.

            “Wolves Bond to more that one, Kimi,” Emger explained patiently.

            J’tha stood as the two dragons outside rumbled in anticipation. “It’s up to you, Seg.” He glanced at Alynn. The male was tense. Did he want to win the Run for his pack or because of Segarra?

            “Go, Segarra,” Emger said as Yakima raised herself from the floor and stood a small distance from J’tha. The wolf’s old and keen eyes saw a nervous blush on the queenriders cheeks. And J’tha’s. “Alynn must stay a while until you have a head start. Remember that your wings are useless due to the hormone that is in your body. You can only run. And so can Alynn.”

            The female nodded. To her surprise, the pain that had plagued her body a few minuets before had ended. She knew that because she was ready to run and doing it her mind had sent another hormone to end the pain and prepare her for her Run. She took a deep breath and bounded out of the weyr to the stairs.

            Alynn tried to run after her as the bronze dragons did when their queen leapt into the air after blooding her kill. Emger and the two riders, whose minds was already with the female wolf,  restrained him.

            “His mating instincts are taking over,” Emger announced, not knowing if the two adolescents could hear him. “He is a wild animal now. When I say ‘go’, let him go after her.” Like dumbstruck people, J’tha and Yakima nodded, tightening their grip on the wolf’s fur coat.

 

            Her body was so ready. Never had she remember running this fast or being so agile. Segarra leapt from the foot of the stairs and ran as if on air toward the Tunnel Road. She passed a few late night workers who watched her run past but she took no notice of them.

            She reached the dark passage of the Tunnel Road. Glows lit up the passage. Swiftly she covered the distance to the outside of the Weyr. She halted when Pern’s two moons made double shadows on the dark emerald ground. She looked back up at the immense cliff of Benden Weyr. Alynn would be in frenzy by now; unable to comprehend anything but finding her. She was not going to let him find her easily. Right now she felt as if she could run around Pern forever even if her wings were useless at her sides. They were numb; as if the healer had spread numbweed over both of them. But that didn’t matter. She could use her legs. And her wits, unlike her pursier.

            Segarra turned back to the road. It was a fifty-fifty chance that he would expect her to stick to the road or flee into the forest. She choose the road and took off at full speed down the dirt path that had finally begun to look like a road after the last few years.

            Trees flew past her. Normally she would have stopped to look at them in the moonlight. Not now. Her body wanted to move. To flee. To hide. To run.

            She swerved suddenly to the right and leapt the brush on the side of the road in a graceful leapt. With all four feet landing on the ground in two beats, she made her way through the brush with such agility that she laughed at her new found powers. Alynn couldn’t catch her. No one could. Not even a dragon!

           

            “GO!” Emger cried. J’tha and Kimi tumbled back as the older wolf released his grip and Alynn sprung forward after Segarra.

            “J’tha,” Kimi’s worried voice asked. “What will this do to Rhiath’s mating flight. Will the Weyrfolk call us the Weyrleaders after this.”

            J’tha stood, his mind in a whirl. What was Zenith, when he did rise after a queen, be like. Segarra said that he would have no control over his body. Only half of his mind was their with her now. He knew exactly where Segarra was at the moment. Outside the Weyr. Running.

            “I...I don’t think it will hinder that, Kimi,” he answered softly, still confused. “Dragons choose that. Not wolves.”

            “Well said, young J’tha. Well said.” Emger came up to them. “But are you going to live this experience out here or in the sleeping quarters?”

            J’tha grabbed Kimi’s hand. “I hope this is fast,” he mumbled.

            “I can last a few days, depending on the female’s tactics.”

            “WHAT!” The boy whirled. “It better not be! I do have a job remember.”

            Emger looked at him. His eyes were smiling a little at his outburst. “Considering Segarra’s condition when she left, it might be just a few hours.”

            “Good,” J’tha said, straightening and loosening the girl’s hand a bit. “Lets go, Kimi. And lets hope to the First Egg that this is done quickly.” Even as he said it, he knew he didn’t mean it. He did like Yakima. Had ever since he had seen Alynn soak her at the bay near Nerat those few turns ago. Yakima, too, wanted this to be longer...much longer.

            J’tha lead her to the bed. The covers were already drawn down from a few minutes ago when Zenith had woken him up. He pulled them father down, not releasing the girls hand. He felt a nervousness that he knew didn’t come from Segarra. It was own heart fluttering at the thought of kissing the girl he loved.

            Yakima obediently sat down on the bed. J’tha sat down beside her. Neither moved.

            Kiss, a dragon’s voice told them. Strangely, J’tha could not place the voice for it did not sound like his Zenith’s. That way Segarra’s passion's won't take you by surprise.

            “Kiss,” J’tha said. His whole body felt excited. He looked at Yakima and he saw her beautiful, sapphire eyes looking at him. “Kiss,” he whispered again. Taking a deep breath, J’tha bent his head to touch her lips with his.

 

            Alynn senses were tuned only to the smell of the female. So little of his humanoid self was working. He did know that this Run meant as much to the Pack as to him. Yes, he needed another mate to continue his pack at Honshu for if he didn’t find a mate that would produce young he would have to forfeit his Leadership. It was an ancient law that was still abided by even on Pern. Not only was he running for the Pack, he said to himself as the Perness trees, nothing more than a blur, rushed passed, but for himself. He loved Segarra. Ever since she had come to ask for help in delivering the eggs to the future. He had seen a female that could lead as well as argue and plea. Aria was a fine young female. Too fine at times. But he loved her as well. He only wished it had been Segarra first.

            His highly tuned nose caught the sent of the trail Segarra had taken into the brush. Without hesitation, he switched directions; leaping the barrier in front of him gracefully yet the landing was much to hurried. He fell only to get back up again. Time was of the essence. Essential. He only remembered Emger and the two human children holding him back. He growled softly at them for delaying him. Segarra was a swift runner without the extra hormones in her body. He only hoped that his mating instincts were enough to catch her.

 

            She was lost. Having run all this way under the influence of mating passions she had lost her way.

            “Dyad,” Segarra swore under her breath. “Curse love and all its meaning.” She started down a run with the faint sent of wherrie lingering on the dirt and branches.

            She ran, and ran. Dawns first rays of light touched the tips of the mountains with its gentle kiss. After running for endless hours without losing strength or even hearing a sound from Alynn, Segarra’s urge to run was dissipating. She didn’t want to run anymore. She wanted a male wolf to ease the new pain in her loins. She needed to mate.

            Turning the way she had come, she retraced her steps. Each footfall on the springy ground etched a painful reminded of what she wanted in her heart. The birds sang their hello’s to the sun while other bid farewell to the two moons that were now setting. She came upon a stream in a glade. The air smelled of rainwater and flowers. Only the wind stirred the leaves.

            A twig snapped. Segarra whirled to see Alynn emerge from the undergrowth of the forest. He looked like she; tired yet unsatisfied. He stood erect immediately and their gazes meet. No words were spoken as he took one step forward toward her. When she didn’t move, he moved closer. Every nerve in his body waited for her to flee. She just stood their, waiting for him. A urgent whine escaped her and he covered the distance between them.

            The throbbing pain in Segarra’s belly and heart was replaced with a warm feeling that left her unable to move or think.

           

            “Segarra,” a gentle voice roused her from sleep. She opened her eyes. The glade and its brook was still their. The sunlight that dappled the forest floor was brighter and coming from a different angle. She lifted her head only to hit it on something hard.

            “Hey!” Alynn cried with noticeable mirth. “That’s what I get after this morning?”

            “Sorry,” she mumbled. She realized that her body was being covered by his. A strange feeling crept over her. Love? No, she thought. He is the High Pack Leader and mate to Aria, even if her friend could no longer fulfill her rightful place as High Pack Female and produce young due to her accident. I cannot love my leader.

            Segarra started to get up. Alynn obediently moved aside and let her walk to the edge of the pool. The water coursed around boulders and rocks in a memorizing pattern. Segarra leapt into the cool water and dived into a deeper spot in the middle of the stream near a large bolder bigger than herself. Alynn watched her. Aria had done nearly the same thing when he had caught her. But Segarra, he knew, was different. Much different. For all he knew, she just might want to kill him. Slowly, she walked up behind her. She stood shoulder deep in the water just watching it.

            “Segarra, thia,” he asked. “Did I do something wrong?”

            She looked back at him. “Thia?” she asked. “Why do you call me ‘love’, Lord Alynn? Is not Aria your mate?”

            “True,” Alynn said. He knew this would happen. “Aria is my mate. However, she cannot bare anymore offspring. I need a female to do that in her stead. I choose you, remember? When the Council met a year ago. And I tell you why now. I loved you long before Aria was injured and maimed by the men. I need you Segarra. I love you.”

            Silence greeted the eager wolf as his new mate stared at the glassy water at her feet. “The Weyr needs me, Alynn,” she finally said softly. “J’tha needs me.  I could never live in a pack again. We’ve already been through this.”

            “Yes, I know!” Alynn cried, moving his body to look at her. The cold water splashed them both as he moved. “But...we’ll work something out, thia. I promise. But for now, the Run is not over.”

            “It is for me!” the white female declared as she turned to leave. “I have no idea what this has done to J’tha and Yakima. I have to make sure they know and I know that we all are okay.”

            “Segarra! Wait! Degas! Halt! I command thee!”

            She turned to meet his eyes. And their she stayed for she was unable to move.

            He came toward her slowly. He was a leader born and bred. It was in his blood to be a leader and he demonstrated this on numerous occasions. Alynn stopped a few feet from her and said; “Have you not ever loved, elo thia? Can you not love me? A leader I may be and mated to another but I love you. Aria, by my leave and that of the Councils, will live as High Pack Female in our pack. To you I give the title of Beta in the human tongue. You shall be my mate and Aria a politic leader for the pack. Your...our offspring,” and he smiled at the thought, “shall live with you at Benden Weyr until you wish them to leave and are ready to part. Not all may go, I only ask that those that show the ability to live at Honshu be sent to me. The rest my stay with you if they wish. This allows both of us to be satisfied.”

            “Not fully, my lord,” Segarra said in a strange voice. “For, and this is hard for me to admit, when I was in the bed at the Weyr in pain, I could only think about you and you coming to liberate me from the pain I felt in my heart as well as my body. No other wolf would have fulfilled what you have this morning. I love you, Alynn.” She watched as the male’s features softened considerably and his firm posture faded to allow his muscles to loosen. He took a step and licked her face with wolfish kisses.

            They spent two days away from the Weyr.

 

            Jedtha.

            “Hmmm?” the boy asked sleepily. His arm came to rest on a slim figure of a girl. His eyes opened wide in an instant. “Kimi!” he cried.

            “J’tha, hush,” the girl giggled. “I’ve been awake longer than you.”

            “Did you call me, than?” he asked as she sat up. Her long golden hair was disorderly and her night gown was misplaced. He saw the robe at the end of the bed. Segarra was no where in sight.

            “No,” Yakima said slowly. “Maybe Zenith did.”

            I did, came the dragons reply. Emger asked me to.

            “Emger!” the boy shouted. “You better be in here!”

            “He left,” Yakima said, after uncovering her ears. “He went to get something to eat.” J’tha snorted. He pushed the sleeping furs away. He remembered last night perfectly. Nothing sexual had happened, as the old wolf had said, but the passion that his own heart had stirred up was undeniable. He promised himself that no matter what queen rose to mate first for Weyrleadership that he would wait for Rhiath to fly.

            Yakima got out of bed. She felt a little sad about his actions this morning. She had almost hoped that just because their energy had run out earlier then Segarra’s that he would talk to her as his girlfriend when they woke up. They had been so exhausted after ward that Yakima found it hard to move. She had fallen asleep almost instantly in J’tha’s arms.

            Rhiath, Yakima called as she donned her robe. Out of the corner of her eye she saw J’tha getting dressed. She felt her cheeks flush and quickly went out to the living quarters.

            I am here, came the queens response.

            Where is Segarra?

            Rhiath was quiet for a moment. With Alynn. He’s caught her. About a half hour ago.

            A sigh of relife escaped from her lips. Well done, Segarra, she thought. And you, too, Alynn. And thank you for that beautiful evening.

            “Kimi?” J’tha asked, stepping from the curtains. “Do you want to join me for breakfast?”

            A smile formed on her lips. “Of course, my Weyrleader. Just let me get dressed.”

            J’tha grinned. He watched as she left. He was almost glad that Segarra had flown and would be gone for a while, from what Zenith had said.

 

XVII

            “Segarra?” J’tha asked as he entered his weyr. He saw the white wolf sprawled out on his sleeping furs and Alynn next to her. Figuring that they were asleep, he began to tip-toe out, smiling.

            “Yes, Weyrleader?” asked a calm voice. He whirled to see both wolves smiling at him. As he tried to come up with an answer, he stumbled on the words. Alynn came to his rescue shook his head, indicating that J’tha don’t say anything. The leader stood and, after nuzzling Segarra lovingly and whispering something in her ear, left the boy alone with his new mate. J’tha watched as Alynn trotted past him, tail wagging gaily and head held high.

            “He’s changed,” the boy commented. He turned back to Segarra who just shrugged, stood and began to strech. After she was content, she leapt lightly to the floor and went to sit at his feet. He patted her head, kneeling beside her. Then he hugged her tight.

            Segarra chuckled. “Were you worried about me, J’tha?” the wolf asked, licking his face.

            J’tha shook his head in her fur then raised his eyes to hers. “No, I wasn’t worried about you and Alynn. Just Kimi and I.”

            She gave him a knowing look. “I promise you that the dragon’s choices are completely their own. They have shourt term memories. Most likely they will forget the whole thing happened.”

            “Are you hungry?” the boy asked. “Zenith said you might be.”

            “As a matter of fact, I’m starving. But you’re changing the subject, J’tha.” She followed him down to the Weyr Bowl where dragons were feeding and bathing. J’tha didn’t answer her but Zenith did.

            I like Rhiath. J’tha liked Yakima.

            Thanks for proving the opposite of my point, Zeny, the wolf scowled at the sunset dragon. Bendar, perched on the boy’s shoulder, crooned quizzically at the wolf. Inside, Segarra was worried about the mating flight when Rhaith did rise. She knew that sometimes the dragonic choice was due to what the Weyrfolk wanted. Or maybe their riders. Either way, she hoped that her run whould not interfere.

            They entered the Lower Caverns and went to take a seat. Gerlana and the other women served J’tha his morning porriage and Segarra a large slab of raw wherrie. She ate heartedly and asked for more quickly. She ignored J’tha’s chuckle when she lay over on her side with a bulging belly.

 

            M’kon finished oiling Corinth’s bronze hide and slapped the cloth against the dragons hind quarters. Corinth turned his wedge shaped head to regaurd his rider’s work and crooned approvigly. His eyes whirled with a gentle blue as M’kon put the oiling cloth away and pulled on his shirt.

            Segarra is back, Corinth informed his rider. Both looked to where J’tha and the wolf were walking to the Lower Caverns. Alynn caught her, the bronze added. M’kon smiled.

            “They were gone for a long time,” he remarked. Then he turned to his dragon. “Why don’t you catch some sun, my friend.”

            Corinth was staring at the Feeding Grounds where six bronzes where feeding. THeir were no other colors present. M’kon raised his head to where two golds were taking off at the Rim and settleing on their ledges. Gold Myth took off with Sadia. Then Pariath and Fancyth flew to the Star Stones and disapered.

            “Corinth...?”M’kon asked quietly.

            Rhiath rises, the dragon said. The bronzes are blooding their kills.

            M’kon was unable to move. It wasn’t until Cornith launched himself skyward that he broke into a run toward the Lower Caverns. He watched as Zenith glided down to the grounds and struck a buck. Corinth raised his head at the smaller dragon and hissed. M’kon kept running.

 

            “Rhiath rises to mate!” M’kon cried, stumbling into the Caverns where several other bronze riders were taking their morining meal. Segarra was laying on her side looking rather content and J’tha was sipping a cup of hot klah. The boy nearly dropped the mug when M’kon rushed in and made his announcement. Segarra, dispite her gravid situation, was up on her feet and staring at the man wide eyed.

            “Where are the other queens?” she asked immediately. J’tha grabbed the bronze rider by the shoulders to steady him.

            M’kon shook his head slightly. “They left.”

            “Good. Bronze riders come with me.” She loped out of the Lower Caverns followed by the others. As they made their way to Yakima’s weyr, Segarra couldn’t shake the feeling that Rhiath’s mating flight was happening because of her.

*******

            Kimi sat drinking a steaming cup of klah and looking over some papers. She looked up startled when the large group of men ran into her weyr. Then she noticed that they were bronze riders. “What in the name of...”

            “Rhiath rises,” J’tha squeaked.

            Yakima stared at him. He looked very pale. The other riders looked eager and watched her intently. When her eyes fell on Segarra, she moaned and covered her head in her hands. “Why now?”

            Segarra took a deep breath. “Because Rhiath knows you are ready to do this. I’m rather suprised it took three turns for her to come into heat. But you must listen to me, Yakima.” The girl raised her head and looked at the wolf. “When she wakes,” and she gestured to the sleeping Rhiath, “she will be hungry and want to gourge her kill. Use all your strenght and will power to make her blood it. If she gourges she will be too heavy to fly.”

            Rhiath stirred on the couch and Yakima rushed to calm her irritated gold. Segarra butted the male riders to the door and told them to leave. Yakima noticed that her dragon was different as soon as she woke. She was grumpy and angry. Without paying much attention to her rider she walked to the ledge, hissed at the hovering male dragons who moved aside to let her pass, then launched herself toward the Feeding Grounds. Yakima hardly noticed when she was placed on K’ron’s Camth and flew down to the hatching grounds where Rhiath had struck her first buck. The gold settled on the feeding ledge and began to rip with unsheathed talons at the soft belly.

            Blood it, Rhiath! Yakima cried to her queen. Her muzzle red from blood, Rhiath lifted her head and screamed defiantly at the command. Again Yakima repeated the order. Flipping her head, trying to see where the voice was coming from, Rhiath bugled again. She was answered by the eight dragons surrounding her. Then, slowly, she lowered her head and drank the blood from the animals soft neck.

            The males hummed when the gold leapt after another. Rhiath forwent landing on the ledge and attempted to feed on the ground. Yakima clenched her fists. Blood it! Blood it! Blood it! she screamed over and over again until the gold did as she bade and blooded the doe. By the time Rhiath finished with the second, her already shimmering golden hide was glowing. She struck her third and it didn’t take much for Yakima to convince her queen to drink the blood. The bronzes and Zenith moved closer to her, their eyes whirling eagerly.

            With a rebellious cry, Rhiath flung the drained carcass away and launched herself skyward. Aware of only their dragons, the riders stumbled across the Weyr Bowl Yakima’s weyr. Segarra lay on the ground and watched the nine shapes receded into the distance. Then she lay her head in her paws and hoped for the best.

            Rhiath dove down the slope of Benden Weyr, back winged into a turn on her tail and flew between the startled males. Turning again, she flew out toward the sea, taunting and teasing her pursuers. When she looked back, she watched as bronze Taigath winked between back to the Weyr. She crooned at the remaining males’ piteous efforts. Azorath, K’ris’s bronze suddenly appeared above her and attempted to shake twin his neck with hers. She hissed at him and folded her wings to dive straight down.

            After a while, she turned once again to regard the last of her followers. Four remained. Zenith, who flew ahead of them all, Corinth, Emryth and B’del’s bronze, Zentrith. She dived once again and came up behind them. Zenith followed. As Rhiath hovered above the three large males, the small sunset twisted midair to knock her off balance. She screamed at the inconvenience and tried to shake him off and regain flight. Stubbornly, Zenith refused to let go and tightly twined his neck with hers, talons locked as he spread his wings to slow their decent into the shimmering blue green sea.

 

            “Kimi!” J’tha cried as he entered reality. “Kimi? Zenith?”

            Yakima looked up into his face confused. Her head was still dizzy from the dragons passion and her hands groped for something solid to cling to. Her fingers found his bare back and she gasped. “Jedtha?!”

            He grinned at her. “Zenith did it!” he cried happily. “Now you’re mine.” He bent his head and kissed her possessively. She kissed him back them pushed him away. His eyes shone brightly as he smiled tenderly.

            “Yes, he did. And I am impressed at the stunt he pulled.”

            “Yes, well, catching all those things during the rescues helped, too,” the Weyrleader grinned. He sat up and pulled her with him. Tracing her cheek with a gentle hand he whispered, “Do you think that Segarra’s run had an influence?”

            Yakima shook her head, leaning into the caress. “Of course not, love. ‘The dragons know best.’ ” With that, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him urgently.

            “You know,” J’tha murmured between intervals, “I rather like you calling me that.” Out side they heard Segarra raise her head a howl a welcome as two wolves arrived. Then in their heads her voice.

            Alynn and Emger ask me to go to Honshu. I’ll be back at dawn. Congratulations, my Benden Weyrleaders.

            J’tha and Yakima grinned at each other. Then he lay her down on the furs and kissed her mouth with as much desire as if his dragon was involved.

 

            “You look well,” Alynn commented as they settled on the rocky entrance of Honshu’s den. Then he tilted a questioning stare at her. “It doesn't take that short of time dose it?”

            “No!” the female laughed. “I just gorged myself before Rhiath flew.”

            “I saw she and Zenith asleep on the Rim,” Emger mused.

            Segarra smiled. “J’tha and Kimi are the Weyrleaders. Officially,” she added as they stepped into the cool den.

            Only the male leaders were present. The females were tending to pups at the dens. Segarra flopped down in a cool, dark area and dozed; half listening to the conversation. The meeting was brief. It was mostly about the pups that Segarra would bare the pack. They would, as it was decided, be raised at Benden then sent to Honshu. Segarra had no objections to the notion since she had never been a mother and didn’t want to be one. The leaders left in good spirits and Segarra stayed curled up in the corner asleep.

 

            Yakima murrmured as a small fire lizard head rubbed against her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked up into Elnora’s whirling eyes. “Hey, girl,” she wispered, reaching a hand up from the furs to stroke the golden head. Elnora crooned and leaned into the caress.

            “What do you want, Bendar?” J’tha asked from the other side of the bed. Yakima heard the bronze chirping urgently. Then the image of Fort Weyr and many dragons came to the girls mind.

            “Fort!” she cried, throwing the covers from her body. J’tha yelped at the cold air but sat up to watch his weyrmate pull on her cloths.

            “What about F...” J’tha began then he too was hasdidly trying to pull on a shirt. Outsdie, Segarra landed on the ledge and ran in. She was grinning, tail wagging and eyes eager.

            J’tha scouled at the wolf. “Is their a reason you didn’t tell me?” he snapped as she jumped on the unmaid bed. She looked at him with an anoyed glance.

            “How could I when I spent the night at Honshu? And we didn’t know the exact date they were coming.”

            The Weyrleader meerly snorted and pulled on his riding jacket. Ready, Zeny? he asked his dragon.

            It’s not even morning, Zenith said sleepily. J’tha looked out toward the ledge where Rhiath’s eyes whirled in the pre dawn light.

            It’s close enough, love, J’tha said.

            “Rhiath and I’ll give you a ride to the weyr,” Yakima said walking up to him while she was pulling on her gloves. J’tha looked at her then kissed her in response. She smiled, blushed and went to ready her queen. J’tha ran after her with Segarra following more slowly behind.

           

            The bright sunlight made J’tha blink when they arrived above Fort’s Star Stones. Their were no dragons but the four that hovered over the Weyr. Fires burned near the Lower Caverns where the Weyrfolk lived. The Weyrleaders of Benden, accompied by their Wingleaders and Segarra, landed by the fires and dismounted. Phiema, the Headwoman, came out to greet them.

            “Their not here yet,” she said. She was an older woman with gray hair and deep eyes. She was also Gerlana’s sister. “But the fire lizards have been exited all day.” She gestured up to where the wild fairs were circling.

            J’tha sighed and looked at Yakima. She came up to him, removeing her riding helmet and golves, and hugged him. The Weyrleader looked at Segarra. “Now what?” he asked her.

            “We wait,” she replied and sat down next to the fires.

            “If you want to come in,” Phiema said, gesturing at them, “You can catch a bit to eat.”\

            “That would be wonderful,” Yakima said. J’tha followed his weyrmate and the woman to the caverns. Segarra lay contentidly in the summer sun. The Weyrleader smiled. He couldn’t wait for her pups to be born. He looked up to where Zenith and Rhaith were settling on the Rim, the sunset’s head resting protectivly on his mates shoulder. Feeling a sense of imense pride he turned and ran to catch up with the other two.

            They ate a quick meal before Segarra came into the Caverns, calm but eyes full of mischife. J’tha shot her a spectical look over the rim of his cup of klah. “What'd do?”

            “Nothing,” the wolf said. “Come with me.”

            Feeling nervouse and confused the Benden Weyrleaders followed Segarra outside. She directed their attention a wing of four dragons, all blue, on the far side of the Bowl. J’tha was between joy a disapointed suprise. So few dragons? He was expecting many.

            “It’s a scout party,” the winged wolf said, reading his thoughts. As she said this, the entire wing went between. “They’ll be arriving any minute.”

            “Why didn’t the dragons bugle a welcome?”

            “I told them to be quite and watch. The blues didn’t see them anyway.” Segarra watched as three Benden dragons, two browns and a gold apeared and Zenith and Rhiath bugled a greeting. Just as their riders were dismountng, four full fighting wings of dragons appeared abouve the Star Stones. All seven dragons rose to thier haunches and gave a fanfare welcome. They were answered by a deafining choures from the wings as they decended. A large bronze glided toward J’tha, Yakima and the other five stunned riders. Just as those wings settled on ledges and the Bowl, two smaller wings appeared made up of smaller dragons that Segarra saw were young. Surveying the group, she counted three queens all together. Seven Pern-wide.

            The rider of the bronze was striding forward when Zenith told J’tha, Nermenth is bigger than I am! Or Rhiath!

            They are from the past, Zeen, Segarra told him.  You’re only a little bigger than Ruth. He was VERY small against Ramoth.

            “Greeting, bronze Nermenth’s rider,” Segarra said respectfuly to the man. He jumped, startled. She grinned. “My name is Segarra. This is J’tha and Yakima, the Weyrleaders of Benden. Behind them are a few riders.”

            The rider turned to look at J’tha and held out his hand. J’tha took it, a huge grin on his face suddenly. “I am C’zen, Nermenth’s rider and temporary Weyrleader for Fort. We bring one hudred-thrity-seven dragons from the first group. The rest we have yet to tally. They are the riders that are sent forward when they were old enough.” Zenith bugled a greeting as a small wing of blues, greens and a few browns appeared and settled on the crouded Bowl. C’zen looked up at Zenith, puzzled. “What color is he?”

            “Sunset,” Yakima said quickly.

            “Zenith is my dragon,” J’tha smiled. “The queen is Rhiath, Senior at Benden.”

            C’zen gestured to those behind them. “And who might these be?” he asked.

            “M’kon and T’rel, my two Wingleaders,  K’ron and B’torl, wingseconds and Sadia, a queen rider,” J’tha said. “This is Phiema, Forts Headwoman.”

            “I’va hot klah wating, sir,” Phiema said quickly.

            “We could talk about things in the councile room. Less ears to listen,” Segarra sugested. C’zen turned to her again. J’tha agreed to this and reached out for Yakima’s hand. She smiled before taking his, letting the white winged wolf trot ahead of them toward the Council room

           

XV

The next morning, J'tha found Segarra sleeping on the end of the bed. He looked next to him and found that Yakima was gone.  His heart beat faster. Did she already leave him? The sound of splashing in the bathing room told him that he was wrong. He slipped out of the bed, careful not to wake Segarra, and dressed. Glancing in Zenith's weyr, he found that his dragon was not alone. Rhiath was curled up next to him, both able to share the spacious stone bed. He smiled and the noise in the bathing room stopped.

“Oh, your up,” Segarra said. J'tha watched as she uncurled her self and stretched. She spread her wings half was then flipped them against her back. “C'ron visited this morning. He wanted to talk to you. I told him you were asleep and he asked if you could meet him at Fort Weyr. I said yes.”

“You're still making the decisions for me are you?” J'tha asked giving her a look. She just smiled.

“Hey. I'm just glad I'm no longer the stand-in-Weyrwoman. But, you will, aren't you?” she told him, still smiling.

“Of course. Of course. But I bet you told him about yesterday, right?” he said, looking to where Yakima had finished her bath.

“Not really.” She turned to go down to the Lower Caverns and added over her shoulder; “I'll get both of you something to eat, okay.”

“Fine.”

Bendar appeared with Elnora and they landed on J'tha's shoulders.  They were chirping at each other angrily. “What's got into you two?” he asked surprised.

“Elnora is just taking over,” Yakima said, emerging out from behind the curtains. J'tha smiled faintly then coxed Bendar to his shoulder. The little gold left to Yakima's held up arm as well. No sooner had they landed, they took off again. J'tha shook his head.

Segarra landed on the ledge and trotted in. Yakima went to get the tray she was carrying with the special strap, and set it on the table. “The klah's hot,” she said.

“Thank you, Segarra,” J'tha said.

“I've got to go. Alynn has something for us to discuss. My pack position and all that other stuff you two wouldn't understand.” She turned and again left to Honshu Weyrhold.

Silently, Yakima poured the klah and handed a cup to J'tha. Segarra had brought up hot porridge as well and they ate in silence. As J'tha was pouring himself a cup of klah, he said, “We have to go to Fort Weyr today. C'ron wants to speak to me about things.”

“Does he know that you are the Weyrleader?” Yakima questioned.

“I don't know. Segarra didn't tell me.”

“I'm glad she's here to help us,” she said, sipping the klah. “She's helped us a lot in so much.”

“Including on getting to this Weyr,” J'tha smiled. “And I could have never managed with out her. She...”

“I think you rely too much on that winged wolf,” Yakima said, almost angrily. J'tha looked up confused. “Some day, she'll be gone and you'll not now what to do.”

“But I have you, too, now,” J'tha pointed out. “When she's gone, you'll still be with me, right?”

Yakima smiled shyly. “Of course.”

“Besides, Segarra and Avias taught us all we know now. She taught us to ride the dragons, go between, everything. You have to give her some admiration, Yakima.” Yakima looked at him but said nothing, deep in her own thoughts.

Zenith, J'tha asked, standing as he drained his cup. We have to go to Fort. He retrieved the things in the hallway then walked to the weyr. Yakima had left to get the things still left in her weyr. He was going to have to ask Segarra... Shards! Yakima was right. He relied on Segarra for so much.

She is your friend, Zenith replied. You need to know the thing she know to live. I it good we have her here.

“But what am I going to do when she's gone?” he asked his dragon as he harnessed him.

She will not leave you in a time of need. And neither will I.

J'tha just smiled as he smiled as he patted his shoulder. “I know you won't, Zeny.” Yakima walked in then and he watched while Yakima harnessed Rhiath.

She looked at him and he saw something in her eyes that told him she knew something he didn't. “What is it?” he asked. She shook her head and mounted Rhiath. The dragons leapt of the ledge, one after the other, then went between.

 

C'ron was waiting for them when they arrived. They dismounted on Nermenth's ledge and went inside. C'ron was a little surprised to she Yakima, but not Segarra with J'tha. "She did say she might be late," he said gesturing for the two guests to be seated. He offered them something to drink but J'tha explained that they had just ate.

“The Weyr has come a long way since you came,” J'tha said.

“Yes. Yes it has,” C'ron grinned. “I'm surprised that so many people were willing to help. Even from the Holds and Crafts! Those winged wolves have helped a great deal, too. Delivering meat and other useful things to us. Segarra and Alynn are so helpful.”

J'tha glanced at Yakima to see if she would say anything but she didn't. “Segarra has brought us a long way, too, C'ron. If she hadn't been here, we wouldn't have saved Pern or any lives five Turns ago.”

“Segarra told me that a queen flew yesterday, right after I left I gather, and your Zenith caught her. Who's queen was it? Yours?” he asked Yakima.

“Yes. Rhiath rose to mate in the afternoon. I was glad Segarra was their to explain things to me before she woke up!”

“J'tha.  Now that you're the real Weyrleader, can I ask you a few things?”

“Go ahead,” J'tha replied leaning back in his chair.

“We only have one queen. Sadly, she's much to young to rise to mate. Now you have, five, four queens that are at your Weyr. Usually, you would keep five. But, as I see it, we will have to spread the dragons gene pool a bit. Choose two to come here, and the other two can stay at Benden. What do you say?”

“Well,” J'tha started. “Felecia and her gold left to stay with her brother, Kevon, at the Dolphin Hall. Kevon loves the dolphins had wanted so much to work and play and heal them. Felecia flew him their but she wanted to stay with them also. So we accualy have three queens. What if you have one and we have the others?”

“Now wait one minute, J'tha, “ C'ron said. “You have a fertile queen. We have a very young one. If you give us the oldest queen... rider and her dragon... Then I'll agree. I would rather have two though.”

“Vikkie and Stratuth. She's fifteen. And Myth. Merlana's almost twenty now,” Yakima suggested.

“Why didn't she rise instead of Rhiath?” J'tha wondered out loud.

“Dragons know best, sometimes.” Segarra  walked in, looking a little drawn out and tired.

“Did every thing go well?” C'ron and J'tha asked at the same time.

“Yes, but some of the younger wolves think I should stay at the Weyr. Alynn and I decided that I should commute between Weyr and Pack.”

“Come and have a seat, Segarra,” Yakima said. Segarra leaped up on one of the chairs and sat down. Then, as the two men spoke about the Wyer's and the coming gather, Yakima apologized to Segarra about this morning.

“J'tha and I got into an argument this morning. I said that he was too dependent on you for too many things.”

Segarra nodded an understanding. “He does, Yakima. But soon that will pass. When I die, he will know all the things he will need to run the weyr. Don't worry about him. He comes to me less now.”

“He does?” Yakima was surprised.

“Yes. He has been taking care of the weyr. Until yesterday, he wasn't even Weyrleader.” Yakima just nodded and smiled.

Later that day, they departed from Fort and went to Benden to gather the dragons that would be needed to convey the Lord Holders and Craft Masters to Landing once again. This time to talk about the Gather. The Benden dragons were asked to transport the Lord Holders and Fort agreed to pick up the Masters.

Yakima choose to pick up her mother and father at Ruatha Hold. “I'll have to talk to them sooner or later,” she had told J'tha before she left. J'tha nodded and smiled as he remembered his families reunion. He kissed her then she mounted Rhiath.

“You worry too much about her,” Segarra said.

“Yes, I know. But it's just I know what my father was like when I saw him again after I ran off. He was glad to have me home, sure, but he also yelled at me and gave me a big lecture about my actions and...”

Segarra cut him off. “He loves you and was worried about you.”

“I was glad you were their to help me.”

“And I will be if Yakima needs help. But don't fret. She's a Weyrleader, not a young girl.”

“Try telling Lord Maness that,” J'tha said disgusted.

 

Rhiath landed gracefully in Ruatha's court yard. Her parents were waiting on the steps and started to walk forward as soon as they saw the gold queen appear in the clear sky. Mande walked a few paces behind them, holding hands with a young man Yakima didn't know. By the look on her face, she knew that Mande was not going to come to the Meeting this day.

You don't like her? Rhiath asked, watching the group approach.

“Well, she's my sister. Why would I like her?”

I like my sisters, Rhiath said surprised.

“That's different,” Yakima laughed and took off her riding helmet and shook her head a bit to loosen her hair that had been pressed down.

“I hardly recognized you, Yakima, with all that gear and stuff you have on,” Mande said, smiling half heartedly.

“It keeps me warm in between,” Yakima replied. She saw Kana and Cessna carrying a freshly killed wherrie and waved to them. “The wolves still hunting for the Hold?” she asked, some-what puzzled. “I thought you would have sent hunting parties out by now.”

“It is easier this way,” Maness told her sternly. “The wolves are all to eager to help.”

Yakima said nothing and smiled.  “Lets get you to landing before J'tha wonders what's delaying me.”

“Why would he...” her mother started.

“J'tha is the Weyrleader,” Yakima pointed out.

“And I bet your his wife!” Mande laughed. "Oh, give me a break, Kim. You'll never amount to anything.”

She is to the Weyrwoman, Rhiath hissed. Mande stopped to stare at the dragon. Maness held his wife closer trying to protect her. Just as sure as I'm her dragon.

“Rhiath!” Yakima cried looking up at the queen. “You can speak to them!”

No. They are just frightened of me. But I can still hear their thoughts.

Yakima slapped her forehead and shook her head, almost laughing at her queens tone. I can hear them. You can hear Zenith...

I know I can hear Zenith, Rhiath. J'tha's my weyrmate.

Rhiath continued as if she had said nothing. And Eth, and Camth, and Corinth. Why don't you tell Segarra?

“I don't think she'll understand, girl,” Yakima sighed.

“Are you feeling alright, Kimi?” her mother asked, placing a hand on her daughters forehead.

 Yakima pushed it away. “I'm fine.”

“Well your eyes unfocused, like you were...”

“Talking to a dragon?” Yakima asked laughingly. “I was speaking to Rhiath. Come on. We have to get to Landing. The other Holders will be waiting.” She moved aside from Rhiath and Maness and his wife mounted the queen. Just before Yakima was about to swing up, Mande grabbed her coat sleeve.

“I forgot to introduce my spouse,” she said pointing toward the young man next to her, looking a little shy and uneasy at the present. “His name is Chovu. It meet him...”

“Later, Mande,” Yakima said. She mounted in front of her father and Rhiath sprang into the air.

I don't like your sister, she said, beating her wings upward. Yakima laughed and patted her golden neck.

“It will be cold between so hang on. It wont be long,” she told her passengers. Just then, they were. Yakima knew that her father was holding tightly to her, though she couldn't feel it. When they appeared  over Landing, Maness released his grip. Rhiath bugled welcome as Zenith appeared. They landed side by side and allowed their riders and passengers to dismount.

“How'd it go?” J'tha asked worriedly, placing his hands on her shoulders. He didn't notice Lord Maness watching.

“I guess you could say it was better then you and your parents meeting, J'tha,” she smiled. “Mande was a pain of course, but I didn't expect anything else from her.” She turned to Rhiath and said that that was all they had to do right now. Both dragons leapt into the air, showering the ones on the ground with dirt.

“Hey,” Segarra called, flying low over head. “Their starting to assemble in the Great Hall.”

J'tha waved for her to kept going and started to follow on foot to the Hall. He put his arm around Yakima as he talked to Maness about things that really, she thought, didn't concern her.

 

Lord Byron conducted the Meeting. This time, only the Lord holder, Masters and the Weyrleaders were to attend. Alynn was their for the wolves and Segarra as well. Byron started out with a welcome to C'ron and the other Fort riders. Then he went into explain things that have and need to be done.