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Sorkana's Rise, a New Beginning By: Malissa Madison Holder's son Sorkan has been struggling with his gender identity. But he never dreamed that his dreams of becoming a Queen Rider could come true. But things are different in the Weyr's, people like him are openly accepted. But other things are happening in the Galaxy. This story is influenced by the Dragon Rider series by Anne McCaffrey. It is being resubmitted with corrections in keeping with her basic theme as well spelling of key names and locations. Thank you for any, and all comments. M&G Sorkan was upset, it had been two hundred and eighty years since his five times Great-Grandfather had taken part in biggest event that ever happened on Pern. He had been Lord Holder and Dragon Rider, Jaxom of Ruatha Hold. Of course, it had taken almost every adult dragon rider to accomplish the feat of altering the course of the Red Planet to end the 250-year cycle of thread fall. Still, being one of the descendants put him in the spotlight since the man had been the only Lord Holder to ride his own dragon. His grandfather on his father's side was a retired Dragon Rider. But his father had never Impressed a dragon and left the Weyr to Marry his Mother and assume the Lordship of the Hold since there were no male descendants in her generation who could take the title. Besides, his father hadn't ever impressed a dragon and refused to become just another dragonless Weyr man. Even though he could have studied Astronomy and become a member of the Star Watch guild with or without a dragon. His Great Grandmother on his mother's side was descended of F'lesson, rider of Bronze Golanth, only child of F'lar and Lessa, the most famous Weyr Leaders of history and Tai, Rider of Green Zaranth. They'd been pioneers in discovering the Telekinetic abilities of the dragons. Tessa, their youngest daughter had married Lord Jaxom's eldest son to become Lady Tessa of Ruatha, also returning more Ruathan blood into the bloodline. That brought him to thoughts of his matrilineal side, Honshu Hold and Observatory, was still governed by F'lesson and Tai's descendants. It was there that Zaranth and Golanth had taught other Dragon's to use telekinesis after being attacked by dozens of huge predatory felines. It was even a teaching ballad about how even a Green Dragon could teach a Golden Queen, showing that Green Dragons were valuable in more than the traditional ways. The number of dragons had gradually dropped off after that last pass, proving that Pern was in no danger of being over populated with Dragons. The queens only clutched around a dozen after rising to mate. And only a few of the golden Queens were hatched in each generation, just enough to keep the Weyr's from dying out. Nothing like it had been during the last pass of the Red Planet. But then Lilith had laid a rather large clutch, three dozen, including two golden queen eggs. The Dragon Riders had evolved into what was the most effective Police force as well the Star Watch Guild. Their duty to ensure that criminals were caught and punished by the new courts. Also, the deterrence of one Lord Holder trying to take over another's hold in territorial disputes. While being a direct descendant of Jaxom was bad enough, Sorkan often dreamed of being a girl. He would look at the murals hanging in the grand hall of Rautha hold and dream about what it must have been like to have ridden a Gold dragon as had the infamous Moreta and Lessa both, of the Ruathan bloodline. There was a long line of Queen riders from Ruatha, to include the rider of the first Queen, Sorka Hanrahan whose parents founded Ruatha Hold. The name itself was from the old language of their home planet Earth, and meant 'Red's Ford'. But of course, the old languages of Earth had been lost, in favor of one common language. He had been returned in disgrace last year from his fostering at Fort Hold when Lady Holder Erin had caught him wearing a feminine dress tunic and imagining that he was Lessa riding on Ramoth. Not a day went by that he hadn't been ridiculed or humiliated, constantly reminded that his actions were not acceptable as the first-born son, in line to inherit the Hold. His brother Rayan was now being groomed to take his fathers place. Then this morning, news had arrived from the south. Golden Lilith had clutched two Queen eggs during her latest mating flight, and the dragons would soon be riding in search. The Bronzes only rode in search of candidates when the queen dragon determined there were not enough suitable candidates. Her Bronzes would be sent out in search of those found worthy enough for the chance to impress the new dragonettes. "I suppose you think you have a chance to impress a Queen Dragon," sneered Rayan his next younger brother. That had started the daily jesting that led to the rest tormenting him each day. He'd tried to hide, to slip away unnoticed. Gretch and several of his sister's friends had caught him, stripped him down and forced him into one of the Drudges work dresses. Then to his utter humiliation, he had been forced along to carry the noonday meal out to the fields where the men were working to plant the new spring crops. The whip stings still hurt as he ran trying to outdistance his brother's runner beast as he tried to reach a safe place to escape. Even after the runner had left off the chase he continued to run across the fields, away from family and hold. Dodging the workmen as they pointed laughing at him hurling humiliations. But why had Rayan stopped so suddenly? He'd been trying to herd him back toward the Hold and his father's wrath. He was almost at the trees leading up into the foothills when the shadow passed overhead. He knew by the size and shape it was a dragon, he had to hide, he couldn't be found this way. Not by a dragon rider. He ran on, into the forest, dodging around trees, up and down hills and draws. Pausing only to catch his breath, he renewed his flight for freedom. It was near dark, and he was truly lost as he started across the open valley in search of shelter for the night. A dragon's bugle, way up high startled him, and he sprinted towards the closest edge. "Hold girl, stop running," he heard in his head. Twisting his head, he looked up and over his shoulder, the bronze dragon back winging to keep from over flying him. There were more dragons spread out in a search pattern, tears of humiliation running down his cheeks he ducked and renewed his efforts to reach the trees. The dragon thought he was a girl, that thought caused his feet to falter just a tiny bit. Almost at the edge, the dragon dropped nearly on top of him and he was caught up as great claws closed around him lifting him into the air holding him close, the great wings sweeping to lift it back into the sky, and he passed out. Such was his exhaustion as well his mental anguish that he never awoke, never felt the cold of 'between' until Torrith settled to the ground at Landing Weyr. "Torrith found her running at Ruatha Hold," reported the rider as someone softly sponged the streaks of dirt from his face. "Ruatha?" his eyes sprang open in fright, he'd met this Weyrwoman of Landing Weyr. "Tell me girl, what is your name?" asked a voice in his head that he now knew was the Queen Dragon Lilith. "Slow down Lilith, you don't want to frighten her any more than she already is," said the woman washing her face. "Her name is Sorkana," he heard again in his head. "She is the first born of the Lord Holder at Ruatha. Just look at that red hair, she is of the first blood." "Keyg's eldest is a son named Sorkan, not Sorkana," corrected the Bronze rider D'ven. "Oh! I wonder why Torrith," she was interrupted. "Are you sure Lilith? There has never been a, what was the word used by the ancients?" "Transgender," supplied someone. "Thank you, Rita, a Transgender Queen rider." "Maybe not, but you know as do I that the histories of the Weyrs are full of those considered by others to be, 'strange'," K'lar the Weyr Leader stated. "From our very beginnings, we accepted those that others would not. The Dragons are never wrong, 'Sorkana', whether she impresses or not will be welcomed as a valuable member of the Weyr." "What are you saying?" asked several people at once. "There were several Gay, Lesbian and Transgender riders among those of the first Weyr the very first Wing even. And you know that the interactions between Green riders and the riders of the dragons they mate with are openly accepted." "Which was why your grandparents reverted to the old habits of presenting a mix to the lessor dragons for impression," stated Weyrwoman Zinda. "Rita, please bring us some Klah and sweetbread." "Sorkana, you are safe and welcome here, you can stop pretending to be asleep. We will let you rest and then D'ven, Bronze Torrith's rider will begin teaching the things you need to know about dragons so that you will be ready to join the other queen candidates in two days." Sorkan was confused, relieved, and excited all at the same time. They were calling him Sorkana and girl and she, did they truly understand, could they really know his secrets? The lower caverns head woman, Rita was easing her into a warm bath with scented scrubbing sands. She heard the stifled gasp as the welts came into view from the last time she'd been caught. So far, she was too confused to resist, or do more than act like a puppet. "We'll just get these cleaned up and then I'll slather them with numb weed. Now into the pool, sweetie." She finally began to feel embarrassed and her face flushed. "I, I'm sorry," she tried to cover herself. Rita continued as if it was an everyday occurrence. She gently poked at Sorkana's puffy chest. "And which herbs have you been taking to grow these?" "H, Herbs? You mean you can take Herbs to grow breasts" "You didn't know that?" asked Rita with a startled yet concerned expression. "W, why are Lilith and Torrith and, and Carneth laughing?" "Why do think they are laughing?" countered Rita in surprise. "Please I, I," she leaned forward and whispered, "I hear them in my head." Now Rita leaned back, her eyes studying this mysterious new girl for any hint of deception. "Do you know where Lilith is at this moment?" "C, crooning to Gayleth and the rest in the hatching grounds," answered Sorkana. "Gayleth?" chuckled Rita thinking she'd caught the girl in a deception. "We don't have any gold's, or any greens named." She stopped as Lilith bugled from the adjacent hatching grounds. A moment later the Weyrwoman rushed into the bathing room. "Rita, set Sorkana up in the junior queens weyr next to Lilith's, and be sure that she has some new clothes and a pair of Weyr Hide Boots." She just stood there smiling at her. "Did, did I do something wrong?" "Not at all dear, not at all, but can you get a feel for Dellith at Fort Weyr?" Dellith was the Fort Weyrwoman's Queen. Now she blushed, "I don't need to, I can hear all of Fort's dragons when I want to. Is that bad?" "You can speak to all the dragons, near and far. And you even named an unborn Queen, and you ask if that is bad?" Zinda chuckled. "Any Queen rider can hear the other dragons of her own Weyr, but only the greatest like K'lar's great grandmother Lessa, could hear any dragon anywhere. And, you are also descendant of Lord Jaxom, White Ruth's rider? They would be very proud of you." "Yes, but my granfa seldom visits," they were interrupted as the watch dragon challenged a new arrival. "R, Rutanth is here. How did he know I was here?" "Rita, new everything, spare no frills. I must go keep Rider J'som occupied while he awaits the introduction to his newest granddaughter," Zinda was in a rush now. Two young girls rushed in and Rita began issuing orders as she helped Sorkana to dry off. And then as the others returned she hurried to dress. The new knee-high riding boots were so soft and comfortable. Her hair was brushed out, and plaited in dragon rider fashion. A group of other young girls stood around glaring at her as she was led past Rutanth to the eating cavern. 'Good day Sorki', he spoke into her mind. "And to you Rutanth," she grinned. "Is Granfa upset with me?" 'I believe he is quite pleased with you. But not with your father.' It was another unknown voice commenting now. 'You are scaring her,' she heard Rutanth say. "Sorry, sorry, it's just that you look so much like your grandmother," stated the Weyr Harper's Dragon. Then Shozin, the Master Harper looked at something in her hand, "She is the spitting image of young Sorka, rider of Gold Faranth." She proffered what was now identified as a picture from the ancient's archives. "Sorka Hanrahan-Connell was the very first Queen Rider as Faranth was the first Queen. The mother of all the other first Queens of Fort Weyr. She was also Ruathan, or rather her parents and kin had founded Ruatha Hold after the first Dragons were Hatched and the settlers migrated north to escape the worst of Thread." Everyone knew who she was, it was in the teaching ballads that all children were taught as the grew up. But here was an actual picture of her, no doubt retrieved from the archives left by 'AIVIS' the artificial intelligence thingy that had been left at landing to help the settlers learn to cope with their new world. The huge thing had shut down, as if it had died right after the dragon riders had altered the course of the Red Star. It was a good night, getting to talk with her grandfather, to be reassured by him that her father would never take her away, regardless if she impressed or not. She fell asleep, her mind much relieved of all the worries of being dragged back to Ruatha in shame. She was floating in a vast nothingness, no worries, floating toward her destiny. In her dream she was staring into the multi-faceted eyes of the golden dragonette, her heart filled with such love as she'd never known before. 'It's time to wake up', someone was saying in her head. There was a humming sound reverberating from the walls around her. "Hey, wake up or you'll miss it," Rita was shaking her. "Hurry, put this on." The plain white dress was being pulled over her head as the other girls, all in white scurried out the door giggling. "I can't believe they were so calloused as to not wake you when the humming started." "The hatching!" she gasped, suddenly realizing what was happening. Still pulling her impression dress over her body she rushed to the door only to find it blocked from the other side. She and Rita both threw their weight against it, only gaining an opening of about six inches. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Watching the queen candidates as they filed across the hot sands, Torrith alerted his rider. 'Sorkana is not with them'. "Where is she?" D'ven asked. 'Throwing herself against the door of the Weyrling Barracks.' D'ven quickly counted, eight laughing girls were skipping across the sands of the hatching grounds, there should have been ten. Already there were eggs rocking as the boys ringed the clutch of bronze, brown, green and blue mottled eggs. He saw the startled, surprised look of his Weyr Leaders as they realized there were two candidates missing, even as the two gold eggs began to rock. L'mar stood quickly, joining D'ven, Tiva, his candidate was missing also. It was a mad dash across the feeding grounds of the weyr, to reach the Weyrling barracks. Just inside the door they heard Tiva beating on a supply room door. D'ven rushed past to throw the blocking bench aside. The door flew open and both Rita and Sorkana fell out into his arms. L'mar had the other door open and Sorkana only paused long enough to grab Tiva's hand, pulling her along behind her. "D'ven," Rita gasped in shock holding out Sorkana's weyrhide boots. The three raced after the two girls. Already two young hatchlings, a brown and a blue were being led to the feeding grounds. The first golden egg cracked open, the little queen spilling out onto the ground, and five of the girls rushed forward. Each trying to touch her. Lilith screamed, the dragonette gained her feet, her wet wings flapping wildly as she looked about. Her jaws snapping at those in front of her. Three more lessor eggs hatched, one green racing past the gathered boys toward the other three girls. The youngest, 'Pina' turned to step out of the way, only to be caught up in Impression. The second gold egg split open, the dragonette hopping free. The piteous cries emitting as she joined her sister searching for that special person to bond with. The first queen's tail whipped out knocking a girl off her feet, her head swinging about to slam another out of her way as she started toward the feeding ground. "Oh gods, if they feed before they are impressed," Zinda gasped in horror. The second little queen following the first. Their wings and snapping toothless jaws forcing everyone out of their way. "Gayleth!" they heard as two figures rushed through the opening into the hatching grounds. "Divinath?" Tiva rushed to the second young queen. The remaining two girls who had stood back ended up being impressed to two more greens. While the original five backed slowly into a corner, Lilith, tail whipping side to side in agitation, wings dragging low in menace stood in front of them, her anger very much in evidence. 'Try to stop them from impressing their rightful riders,' she accused. "Lilith! I will deal with them," promised Zinda. "Go help your daughters find that which they need." Still there were six eggs left to hatch by the time Lilith grudgingly followed out to the feeding grounds. Zinda was afraid of what would happen if her queen stayed, she needed her to calm down, it had also, not escaped her notice that both young girls had raced across the scorching hot sands barefoot to the aide of the little queens. The three who had impressed greens were Weyr bred girls, also arriving well ahead of the five who had tried to prevent Sorkana and Tiva from attending the hatching. They had also not known about the attempt until the other five had arrived outside, still giggling about the incident even as them started onto the hot sands. Usually, unsuccessful candidates were given a choice of returning home or becoming part of the Weyr support contingent. In this incident, they were packed up and sent home along with their expectant parents, not allowed to even stay until after the hatching feast. Such crude, deliberate sabotage of other candidates at a hatching could have had very detrimental effects on the Weyr. Even as people milled past offering congratulations, Sorkana tried to puzzle out how she had ended up in the Weyrling barracks. "You needed rest," Tiva told her. "Rita gave you Fellis in your wine so that you would be able to relax and sleep." "Your subconscious thoughts were disturbing the dragons in the Weyr," offered Zinda. "And it was becoming difficult to prevent D'ven and a few others from following the suggestions of their dragons. Even Lilith wanted to have a word with your father about his treatment of you. And that could not be allowed to happen before the hatching." "That is the biggest reason they were not here. But of course, if you wish, we could send word that you are now the rider of Gold Gayleth," K'lar said with a hint of mischief. "Oh, how your grandfather would love to point out that only an unworthy Lord Holder would mistreat the next Weyr Woman of Western Weyr." "Love, you're flying your Queens before they're hatched," Zinda chimed in. "The next Weyr Leaders will be determined by which of the two new Queens rises first, and which bronze flies her." Zinda's hand was squeezing hers beneath the table. Did Zinda know something she wasn't saying? She sure was giving her a lot of extra attention. Wait, he said Western Weyr. There wasn't a Queen there, just the dragon riders who manned the huge Telescope watching the night skies for danger. Were there truly enough dragons there to form an independent Weyr? 'Yes, there are many strong, young dragons there. Though none so fine as Torrith,' Gayleth thought to her new rider. She saw Zinda's startled expression, then the sly smile. The Weyr Woman had caught the exchange between them. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The Federated Sentient Planets, Exploration Ship, Longbow was on a new mission. They had been dispatched to discover if the planet Pern, had recovered from the Thread Organism that had been reported by the science officers after recovering eleven of the twelve survivors of the three colony ships that settled there. "Rukbat System locked in, estimated travel time remaining two years, four months, three days," reported the navigator. "Good, the science types are anxious that we wake them at least four months out," advised the Longbow's Captain. "We'll be coming in past Rukbat Three Alpha. It is actually on the same Orbital path as Pern, but it stays pretty much hidden by the Star itself and the Ort Cloud. "Sir, Pern is a red flagged planet, why are we going there. I mean, there can't be any life left, not according to the reports of the rescue ship. FSP Amherst reported that a rogue planet caught in Cometary Orbit was responsible for dragging the organisms from the nearby Ort Cloud. Amherst reported an approximate 200 to 250-year return cycle." "Yes, and that Planet is now on a new orbital path that is dropping that thread on a recently chosen colony planet that was discovered by the Amherst but only recently scouted by a colonization survey probe. Besides, other small asteroids have been reported as diverted mysteriously away from the planet Pern." The Captain left it hanging to see who would figure out the significance of the information. "The Amherst was on a Hyperbolic trajectory, they only had what, seven days to search for survivors?" grasped the science officer. "Five, and their search team nearly missed their rescheduled recovery window," smiled the captain. "They also made no search of the norther continent or the still forming western continent. There were at the time of the rescue operation, a lot of active under sea volcanos." "So out of the entire colony only twelve people survived?" asked the First Officer. "Here, read the 'still' Classified report," offered the Captain. 'After recovery of the Amherst's search and survey team, the rescuees admitted that the majority, of the colony migrated to the northern continent to use the extensive cave systems for shelter. The survey team also noted that there was still previously domesticated livestock as well as indigenous plant life growing. Also, the landing and takeoff surveys showed plant as well as animal life on the northern continent.' "So, the Amherst's survey team didn't conduct a full survey. They contacted a group of survivors in the south and left without actually going to any place in the north," surmised the Science officer. "Wait, how recent are these images of the three colony ships?" He was looking at three separate sets of photos of the ships in orbit. The latest was taken right after the altered orbit of the red planet, and showed clearly that all three ships were missing their interstellar drive engines. "Those photos are nearly 300 years old," grinned the Captain. "Please feel free to use the long-range telemetry. But remember, I want 'everyone' awake and on their toes before we arrive. We have approximately one year to conduct a complete survey. That planet is reported to be rich in mineral as well Gem deposits, just like our Diamond Drive system uses." The Longbow's Laser Drive system was in fact powered by fist size Black Diamonds of the type brought back by the rescued survivors. The young Science Officer, Lieutenant Phillip Benden, understood he would be the third member of his family to visit the planet. Looking across at his Senior Science Officer and Marine Biologist, Captain Jeffery Tillek wondered if there was a reason why the man had been added at the last minute along with three Mentasynth Dolphins and two of the only remaining Humpback Whales. The Dolphins and Whales were extinct on Earth, only perhaps a hundred left on the outer worlds with compatible oceans. The two whales he had discovered shortly after liftoff would be the last two of their species. The rest had died after being attacked by an unknown group of Anarchists. The colonists had brought Dolphins with them, and reports from the survivors indicated they could have survived and flourished in the oceans of Pern. Or at least they had been before thread had supposedly wiped out the rest of the colonists. Still, the long-range telemetry was too far off to scan for planetary inhabitants through the atmosphere. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Gayleth was growing rapidly, Sorkana had begun to think that she might never stop being hungry. But now at seven months, she was three times as large as she had been at hatching, three quarters the size of her mother. Already she was able to fly in the Weyr and catch her own meals, which relieved Sorkana's mind. Not only had she been drilled in the care of her dragon, she had begun learning to teach her to use Telekinetic abilities. Gayleth was learning faster than any other of the new hatchings. She was also growing eager to be ridden by her rider and complained every day that she was large enough to do more than just fly to the feeding grounds. Already the latest Weyrlings had been moved to their own individual Weyr's. she and Tiva were being taught the duties of Weyr management when she overheard Zinda and the other Weyr Women in their private meeting. "I tell you there is something coming," Zinda said. "Look at the facts, all our Queens are laying larger clutches. And we have seven queen eggs in our combined hatching grounds. The queens always respond to a threat by increasing the number of dragons." "We need to increase the number of Observatories. Sky Watch needs more observation to find it before it gets too close," demanded Cassia of Fort Weyr. "Our numbers have dropped considerably since the last time we had to deflect something. And that took almost every dragon we had because of the size and speed it was traveling." "What reports do we have from the Yoko?" "She has some object moving this way that is on a trajectory that may have originated in the Sol system," commented Vera. "You mean Earth?" The conversation grew hushed after that, but then Zinda closed the meeting. "I'd love to keep visiting, but I have two young Queen riders to teach how to fly today. And Neomath is about to rise, so I need to be able to get them away from the Weyr. You know how Possessive Queens can be during a mating flight." She was walking the others out to their queens when she said to Sorkana, "Get your flying gear. Today we leave the Weyr on a short flight," she advised. "Lilith, inform Tiva and Divinath to meet us on the heights." "I've not been hunting since they hatched," Sorkana could feel the joy in the older queen's thoughts. "I am ready to hunt, I'm really hungry," responded Gayleth. "I am ready for a long flight to strengthen my wings." Sorkana was surprised to find not just her Weyrhide flying suit but Gayleth's flying harness floating to her as she reached the ledge. "I wonder where we're going to hunt?" commented Tiva. "Honshu," replied five dragons as two more Bronzes joined them. Sorkana was pleased to see that D'ven was going along as well as L'mar. both young riders were twenty-one, three turns older than the two youngest Queen riders. Sorkana already knew that Tiva and L'mar had shared his Weyr before she had impressed Divinath. She was also aware that not only was she attracted to D'ven, he was attracted to her. Reaching the heights above the Weyr, Zinda instructed, "Fix this image in your minds. Blink several times so that it becomes automatic to picture it." "You know we should not go between when our dragons have a full stomach," reminded L'mar as he and D'ven thought about the view of Honshu from above the observatory. "We go," Gayleth and Divinath thought together as their riders caught the flash image in their minds. Suddenly it was so very cold, Sorkana could feel nothing. She had heard over and over from those around her what Between felt like. 'I am here,' thought Gayleth and suddenly they were above the Observatory. A moment later Zinda, D'ven and L'mar were beside them. "Do not ever do that again," intoned Zinda. Lilith repeating the reprimand to the two young Queen's. then before either rider could respond she continued, "You did very well for taking the image from your Bronzes. But it is important that you learn to do it on your own unless there is an emergency." Her tone had turned gentler. "Sorry mother," replied Tiva. Mother? Sorkana was shocked, was Tiva really her daughter? "Yes," echoed five voices in her head. They were circling to land when Sorkana recognized Carneth waiting on the heights. "Neomath is blooding her kill," reported Gayleth. "We are here to keep our Bronzes away from the flight, as if I would permit Torrith to fly anyone else." "You are my Bronze," Divinath informed L'mar's Nareth. "Lilith, Carneth, keep them out of trouble," directed Zinda as she led the way into the Observatory. Sorkana was all eyes as she looked around at everything. The big view screens with their images from beyond Pern. "Have you found anything?" asked K'lar. Suddenly there were new images of the same stars on the screen. "Yes sir, this asteroid is growing closer. Both Benden and Fort believe that it has altered its own course to come into our system." "Altered its course?" asked Zinda. "They studied images from the other observatories," a new series was now on the screen. A red circle appeared around a tiny dot in each one. it was growing farther away in these six. Four months ago, it began growing closer. The trajectory arc began to change, it is now heading in our direction." "How is that possible?" "We believe that it is a ship, like the Yokohama," stated a Master Star Watcher. "It matches almost exactly, a trajectory for an asteroid that was tracked during 59AL, (After Landing). We only just discovered that entry in the data base of the Yoko when we were using her to try to find any similarities." "We believe that this," a series of noises emitted from the speakers, "Is a signal from an FSP ship. But without the communications codes from one of the Yoko's flight crew, we have no access to anything but ship to ground communications." "FSP?" questioned Sorkana. "Federated Sentient Planets," answered D'ven. "Basically, Earth and all her colonies, wherever they are." "We don't need them coming here, bringing their wars and pollution to poison to our world. It's in the original Charter. The technology that was allowed and that which wasn't because it harmed the planet," stated K'lar. "If we just knew the code," mused Zinda. "What is this?" Sorkana asked, pointing to another view screen. "It looks like Ruatha Hold from the mountain by the Ice Lake." "It is," answered K'lar with a twinkle. "Ruatha Observatory, this is Honshu. What's the expected weather over the Hold?" "Clear, they had an early rain but it's warming up nicely," she heard her Granfa say. "We will be there this afternoon, as soon as Gayleth has had time to digest her Meal," stated Zinda. "Are you sure about this Zinda?" asked D'ven. "Better that she should go in our company, than to try it on her own the first time." Sorkana was still looking at the view, fixing it in her mind. She'd known of the observatory funded by her great, great grandfather, Lord Jaxom. But she had never seen the place, never even gotten close to it. While she waited for the dragons to let their stomachs settle enough, she was introduced to methods of retrieving information from the Yokohama's archives. She had had the introductory session at the Aivis center where the video was replayed for everyone learning to be Star and Sky watchers. "It seems as though no one cared about Pern after the Colonists left their home worlds," she remarked sadly. "They never even got a reply back to their safe landing message." "Perhaps the message took longer to travel through space," suggested a technician at the main console. "The time delay here, using the weather satellites is why we prefer to use dragons and fire lizards." C'van, typed in a search request for interstellar communications on his console. "See, nothing at all from the home world, the FSP or," his comment stopped. "What were the names of the shuttles used at landing?" "No this can't be right, this is fifty-nine years after landing, and the Shuttles name is Erica of the Amherst." "What?" gasped everyone else in the room. "They are even reported as landing at two separate locations." "Where?" "Landing, and, and then here." "So, they knew that we were still here and living after the first pass and did nothing to help?" asked K'lar. "Now that we've found this information, we have other information. The Yoko tracked that sled F'lesson found when he was exploring this place. They never went to the northern continent. Just as far as Bitkim island." "That place was investigated after we discovered AIVIS," added a rider. "All they found was an empty Cot Hold, and a bunch of Ship Fish that we now know are called Dolphins, circling the island." "The asteroid impact after the Red Star was deflected from our orbit destroyed almost everything left on the island. But still the Dolphins are there," stated a senior Star Watcher, Kina, who was the current Lady Holder as well the rider of Green Jadarrath. Kina was a great granddaughter of F'lesson and Tai. Her own Green, Jadarrath, was below in the Weyr curled about her clutch of eggs. A Clutching green was something relatively new to the Dragon Riders. Always before they had never laid a clutch, it had been experimented with at the Southern Weyr. Greens who chewed fire stone became sterile, those who didn't remained fertile. Of course, their eggs were smaller, Blue, Green and Brown with the occasional Bronze but never a Gold. The big excitement about Gisa's clutch was that there was a Golden egg in it's midst. All the riders were speculating as to whether it would hatch, as so far, only about half of a Greens clutch ever hatched. But then again, Greens often went between when heavy with eggs and seldom tended the clutch after it was laid. Jadarath had not ever chewed fire stone, gone between after mating, or left her clutch longer than to feed and exercise since it was laid. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ FSP Longbow: "The Colonial Authority probe shows a lot of similarities between the original planet Pern and her hidden Twin," reported Dennis Ferris the chief Astrogator. "The planet isn't really hidden so much behind the star, but it would be hidden by the Ort Cloud. It showed a lot of evidence of vegetation and aquatic development prior to the alteration of the rogue planets orbit. Look here, this is the new orbit after the alteration, it passes close enough on its way out of the system after passing back through the cloud. Thread is about to start falling in the next six to ten months, destroying the vegetation and the land based life forms." "We need to get there before so we can study it as it happens. Maybe find a way to stop it so they can colonize the planet," stated a biologist. "We need to notify the Captain, we need to get there before that happens." "Our Primary mission is still the phenomenon's occurring around Pern itself," stated the Captain. "We have twelve drop shuttles, I'll detail three to observe and study the activity on the twin. The other nine are still dedicated to searching for answers on Pern itself." "Nav, plot a new course and speed. Com, notify Fleet of the new developments." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sorkana shivered a little, not at having gone between, but at coming out in the sky above Ruatha Hold. Gayleth bugled her greeting to the watch dragon, alerting those in the fields and pastures. She could see her mother and sisters in the garden, a hand shielding their eyes as they tried to make out the Dragon Riders who had suddenly appeared from between. Gayleth adjusted her wings, effecting a graceful low-level glide toward the courtyard over the Hold Gardens as her father and brothers on their runner beasts began racing to greet the riders. Her father Keyg and brother Rayan noted there were three Golden Queens, this required the full household to formally greet their guests. Sistine, her youngest sister recognized her instantly. 'Oh crap, I hope she isn't here for vengeance,' she thought as she shucked her apron. "I wonder if Daddy knows it's her?" "What was that Sistine?" asked her mother Corra as they hurried toward the courtyard. "My sister, Sorkana has come to visit," she smiled. "You there," she directed the nearest drudges. "Refreshments for the Riders. And tell the cooks to begin a welcome feast." She if no one else would take the appropriate measures to welcome the three Queen riders, and her mother and older sisters didn't correct her since they obviously didn't recognize their own sibling in the lead. Sistine and her youngest brother Keeve had been the only ones of her family to worry about Sorkan after he'd run away. Now she was genuinely happy to discover what had happened. Sure, she knew his peculiarities, but she had always kept his secrets. "What are you going on about?" demanded the eldest sister, Gretch as they finally reached the front courtyard. The three queens had landed together and the rider in the lead was just now removing her flying gear. "What the hells are you doing here?" "Easy love," Sorkana patted the Dragons shoulder. "Gretch is just jealous of us." "Sorkana," Sistine rushed forward to hug her oldest sibling. As they hugged, she heard the angry huff of her father. Reluctantly, Sorkana released her youngest sister and stepped forward. "Lord Holder Keyg," she acknowledged his presence. "Lady Zinda, Weyr Leader," he instead addressed the senior riders. "Welcome riders, Welcome Sister," spoke Keeve the third born son of Lord Holder Keyg. "If no one other than our sister will welcome you, then I will do what is honorable for Ruatha Hold, and I am sorry that our father has forgotten what it is to live in a Weyr." "Thank you, Keeve, Sistine. You do honor to Ruatha Hold," stated Zinda as the three queens took the short flight to the cliffs above the hold so that the Bronzes could land. Sorkana turned her head toward D'ven, then looked up at Torrith as another Bronze appeared from between. "Zinda, V'rik comes in search." "Yes, but for whom does he search?" her eyes fell on Sistine as the three Bronzes communicated their feelings. V'rik was a Bronze rider from Honshu, and he was searching for an Impression Candidate for the only Gold egg to be Clutched by a Green. Since the new custom of allowing Green Dragons and their riders the option of chewing fire stone or not, there had been a remarkable number of their clutches to hatch. Also, the number of Green Riders who were female, had increased. It had also been discovered that another reason Greens, seldom Clutched was due to their going between in the time from mating to Clutching. Queens never chewed fire stone and they never went between when they were gravid with a clutch. Green clutches were heavy with Blue dragons and about a third of each clutch were Greens. Pern had really changed since the Red Star had been diverted. Sure, the size and number of dragon clutches had dropped over the turns, but now they were increasing. Increasing just like they had in the olden days just before a Pass of the Red Star. That was why the Observatories had increased their watches as well as the how much of the skies beyond Pern that they watched. But was the new sighting of the star that had changed course the reason? It was too far off to know for sure, so while they watched it, they also searched other sections of the stars. But that wasn't the important thing here, V'rik had come in search, following his dragon's instinct. This was another first, usually only Blues and Browns searched for candidates of a Green's clutch. "No!" stated Keyg, not recognizing Sorkana. "You are not taking my daughter as some tribute for a Green dragon's clutch. Besides, my Hold is still searching for my eldest son who disappeared during your last search. He's probably dead because the Weyr's refused to search for him." "They didn't search because I'd already been found," snapped Sorkana, angry that he would refuse to acknowledge her presence. He stopped staring at her now as realization finally set in, it wasn't just a resemblance. "That's right 'father', I'm Gayleth's rider, she is my Queen," she finished as Gayleth bugled her warning from atop the fire heights. "Sistine," everyone turned to look at Lady Corra. "You will need warmer clothes to go between. Besides, Ruatha has never let a rider go hungry." "What are you saying, I am the Lord Holder here," he was angry. "You forget, you married me to become Lord Holder. This is my Hold," Lady Corra was angry. "Keeve is now 'My' chosen successor. And we will host a Gather to honor my eldest daughter becoming a Queen's rider, raise the Gather Flag and send out the runners." "Sorkan?" "Sorkana, mother," she answered. "I am happy for you, I should have stopped your father, can you forgive me?" "I don't know mother, I had to put up with a lot of humiliation, degradation," she said as her Queen Bugled from the heights. "How long do we have until the hatching," asked Corra. "I missed one of my children impressing her dragon, I don't want to miss another." She reached out and caressed Sistine's cheek. "Lady Corra, we have about two weeks," Zinda informed her. "Then we shall have a feast today to honor my eldest daughter. And will my youngest be able to return in one week for the Gather in her honor?" "I will bring her myself, mother," promised Sorkana. "Would you like to meet Gayleth." She waved her hand in the air and the golden dragon landed lightly. "She's so beautiful, is she hungry? We have plenty of heard beasts," offered her mother. "Gayleth, you ate this morning," warned Sorkana. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aboard Longbow: "Sir, we have established a Comm link with the Yokohama. There are a number of anomalies plus communications with the planetary surface," reported the Communications officer. "We are working on the link with the Bridge Cameras." "A response to our Quarries?" "Negative Sir, these are actual transmissions between the ship and Landing." "AIVIS was active and directing those on the ship in how to establish the Oxygen Hydroponics and activate the Life Support Systems." They punched a replay and the captain listened to the conversations. Two hours later he said, "There is no doubt that the Amherst missed the other surviving colonists. I also think they are responsible for altering the Rogue Planets orbit." "Holy shit," cried a Comm Tech as she jerked back from her view screen. "What the hell is that?" "I believe, that is what those people in the communications were referring to as a Dragon," stated Lt Benden. He watched as a person climbed onto it, then it started opening its wings and disappeared. "Captain?" he didn't need to finish, Captain Tillek had been watching and now issued new orders. "Bring forward debris shields to maximum, increase speed by one hundred percent." "Lt, I want three of your Dolphins ready to go with the first landing party, if nothing else they can contact the Dolphins left behind." "Sir, estimated new arrival in eleven months four days," reported the navigator. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Six days later. Planetary Leadership Meeting, Landing Hold: "Every observatory has now confirmed, the object discovered three months ago is heading this way," stated K'lar. "It has increased the velocity of its advance and completed changing course." Dandra, rider of Green Pollith spoke next. "As you know my team is assigned to the Yoko. Recently the Communications Interstellar Consoles have responded to some outside source. Information from the archives has also been transmitted to that console. We are still trying to find the proper code to give us access to those communications." "Is it the home world?" many wanted to know. "Can the Dragons deflect it away from us?" the rest demanded, not believing it could be another ship. "It would have to be a lot closer before the dragons can influence its course," stated Zinda. "But rest assured, if it is not a ship, the dragons will deflect it." "I can assure you, if it is a ship, the Dragon Riders will not allow them to violate the charter," Stated Master Harper Shozin. She looked making eye contact with each Lord Holder. Just like the dragon riders, she knew which of them might pose problems. After the meeting the Riders and Master Harper lingered to hold another and decide how much of the newest information to share with the Lord Holders and the Craft Holders. This meeting included every Queen Rider currently flying. "There is no doubt about it, with the new telemetry from that other ship, Amherst and her shuttle that we just discovered, Pern has a Twin Planet that is now in danger from Thread," stated Shozin as she led the meeting. "It is barely visible beyond the glare of our sun, is why it was not discovered before." "Yes," continued Zinda. "We have been able to find very clear reference points." She pulled up the images transmitted to AIVIS from the observatories. "Yoko has relayed these images from the Buenos Aries, which is in a better position to spot it." Most were fuzzy, but there were a few that were crystal clear, showing high peaked mountains and vast oceans, heavy jungles and grass covered planes. Images they knew from the archives depicting similar images of Pern after a Thread Pass, great circles of new growth where thread had last eaten the vegetation. "This," Kina stated as she took over. "Is footage from three days ago, taken at 10,000 times magnification." The lights dimmed, and a clear shot of a mountain top was shown, clearly a deep volcanic bowl overlooking a beach, with one side blown out but nearly over grown. As they continued to watch, the magnification increased, the colorful ridges coming into clearer view. Around the ridge were thousands of Fire Lizards of every color. Some taking flight, others just sitting in the sun light. "We were planning to try and mount an expedition to see if our dragons can make it," continued Zinda. "And then we spotted this," finished K'lar. Images of crudely erected near representations of the star stones above each of the older Weyr's came into view. A fire lizard queen sitting in the eye rock surrounded by a bevy of Bronzes. Each Weyr Leader and Queen rider was given copies of the still pictures. "We want one volunteer from each Weyr," stated K'lar. "But no Queen or current Weyr Leader is going. We can't afford the risk of losing one." Sorkana fought hard to hide her excitement. Gayleth had expressed privately her desire to see the new world where those lost went between. They were flying home when she finally had a chance to ask Gayleth what she had meant. "Our little cousins call it between. It is where they go when they are frightened." "Most return after a few days when they figure out they have erred in their jump." "So, the lost riders could be there," she grasped at hope. "It takes a very clear image for Dragons to go there without being caught between by the Sun," replied Gayleth and Divinath at the same time. "Why haven't the Fire Lizards told their people about this in the past when asked where they have been?" asked Tiva. "They have, but no one understands that Between is what they call that world," answered the two Queens. "Would this be a clear enough image?" Sorkana asked Gayleth. "We go," echoed Divinath as both dragons shared the jump image with the wings flying in escort. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It was cold, colder than any jump between she had ever made, and it was longer too, nearly a dozen heartbeats long. But they came out from between above the crude star stones, the little Queen fire lizard taking startled flight. Circling, descending deeper into the bowl they could see where others had carved out Weyr's for their dragons, but no one remained. In the bottom, near a small lake were the broken-down remnants of corrals used to keep feeding stock for dragons. Wild beasts similar to runners and herd beasts grazed as if they had never seen a dragon before. A huge cavern opened near the bottom, a low shelf of a ledge provided a landing space. "I am hungry," announced Gayleth. "Go ahead and eat, but stay alert in case we need you," said Sorkana. Just inside the opening they found torches and remains of cooking fires centuries old. Lighting one, Tiva gasped then said, "Look, writing." On the wall, gouged into the smooth rock were names of riders. D'nor, F'ken, almost an entire wings worth was in the main group. But there were many others, some in individual groups, some just a single name. "Tiva, these are the names of the lost Wing," exclaimed Sorkana. It was a Weyr teaching ballad taught to Riders to remind them of the dangers of going between without a clear destination image. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Where are they?" D'ven and L'mar were frantically asking their dragons. "They did not say," answered Torrith. "But they are safe, my queen hunts." "D'ven, where are they?" demanded Zinda. "They are between," answered Lilith. As she projected the image of the crude star stones to her rider. "Between? They cannot live between for this long." "That is the name used by the Fire Lizards," she answered. Zinda knew that her queen as well the two young bronzes were in contact now, the other dragons had stopped panicking. "You just wait until I get my hands those two," she fumed in anger. "Endangering their dragons this way. I would expect such immature behavior from a young green, but not from a queen." Both D'ven and L'mar's wings were in the air now. "Where are you going?" demanded Zinda. "To bring our Queen's home," stated D'ven as both bronzes launched to join the wings. Even before she could respond the forty-six dragons winked out together. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Sorkana heard Gayleth bugling her greeting as was Divinath. Two wings had come with D'ven and L'mar. The two Queen riders stood together, defiantly waiting to be chastised. "Where are they?" D'ven asked gently. He didn't have the heart to discipline either of the riders. His only concern was that they were safe since neither dragon was in sight. "They are investigating their Hatching grounds," stated Sorkana evenly. She was biting her lip because she had recognized Gayleth's distress. The long jump had pushed both young Queens into their mating cycle months earlier than expected. Neither had gorged on their kills, both would rise at almost the same time. As if on cue, Gayleth launched herself from the sands inside the Hatching Weyr. Riders scrambled to jump to the ground as Torrith and his wing lept into the air to follow. "Oh god," breathed L'mar. both Queens together here was not good, and Divinath was herself only minutes away from rising. But he was soon lost, caught up in the bond of the mating flight. Gayleth was rising fast, faster than any queen he could remember. Still only one dragon was close to her. suddenly, she turned, Torrith catching her mid turn as his neck entwined hers. Both dragons began to fall, wings extended, tails entwined they caught the air, their fall checked, changed into a glide as they mated. Sorkana was caught up in the lust of her dragon as she lay with D'ven, their own bodies entwined in lust. Barely audible, she heard the sounds not far away. Nareth had just caught Divinath, L'mar and Tiva caught up in their own dragon's rapture. Still, Gayleth had risen first. She was still catching her breath when she realized what had happened, what it meant. Neither queen could go between now until they clutched. Not without losing their eggs. Then even more astonished she realized that unlike other queens, they hadn't had to be separated during the mating flight. They had not competed for any of the five Bronzes or the two dozen Browns. Sheepishly, Sorkana and Tiva shared the hot bathing pool together. They were stuck here for the next four months until the eggs hatched. But now, they would be the first Weyr established on Between. "Why are you both so smug?" asked L'mar. "There are no Weyrlings here to impress the clutches," stated D'ven. "We will have a long jump in search of suitable candidates," stated B'nard, Bronze Killith's rider. "We will start now, but we will know how many as soon as the clutches are laid," stated D'ven. "B'nard, take half the wing and carry the news to Landing. Bring back what you can, F'ron will join L'mar's wing in search for another suitable Weyr site. I think we should plan to stay here, since the new dragons won't be able to make the jump before thread starts to fall sometime next month." "I know, bring lots of Fire Stone," grinned B'nard. "We will leave at first light; the dragons should be well rested by then." "Don't push them too hard," cautioned both D'ven and L'mar. "But we need that Fire Stone." "I am sure that the other Weyr's might wish to relieve some of their overcrowding," intoned Tiva. "But we need experienced riders, not those just learning to flame." Liza sat with her fire lizard trying to get her to ask the local Fire Lizards about possible Weyr sites. The little queen was excited as she chittered with the other little Queens. Yes, they knew other places where dragons had lived before. One was even big and Gold like the two queens, only much older. All the Lizards could say was Orlith. But the name sent stunned shivers through every rider. Orlith was Moreta's Queen Dragon, and Moreta was not only a legend with teaching ballads about her, she was Ruathan born. The dragons split up into sweep wings of three and four in a group, as B'nard and his group set out to return to Pern. A small contingent was left working to repair the fence across the lower entrance to the new Weyr. Others worked to repair the pens for the livestock. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Pern: B'nard and the eleven riders who followed appeared in the sky above Landing. Instantly challenged by the watch dragon. To save time, they landed in the clear space before the hatching grounds and the Queens Weyr. "B'nard, where are Gayleth and Divinath? Are they alright?" demanded Zinda as she rushed out to meet them. "Why didn't they return with you?" "They can't return, not right now anyway," he tried to explain. "So, they are injured," K'lar surmised. "No, they have risen and will not take a chance on losing their clutch. D'ven's Torrith flew Gayleth and is Weyr Leader of Between Pern's Western Weyr. L'mar's Nareth flew Divinath and they are searching for the Weyr that the local fire lizards claim was used by Moreta and Orlith," he had rushed to get it out before he could be interrupted. Everyone stood staring at them in stunned shock. "The new Weyr, the Star Stones were put there by the lost Wing of legend. All their names and the names of others are etched into the walls of the hatching grounds." "It was a bit scary," added a brown rider. "Having two queens rise at the same time, but they didn't fight. They didn't even show any aggression toward each other either." 'My daughters have an entire world, they had no need to fight over bronzes,' Lilith informed her. "Right now, we need supplies. Mostly fire stone, and I was told to tell you they need more dragons but don't want to run Pern short," stated B'nard. "They are asking for experienced Riders, we have a Thread pass starting soon." K'lar turned to his wing leaders. Bring the Master Harper, and notify the other Weyr's of what is happening. They are to notify the Lord Holders as well, we will meet at the Ruatha Gather. "Rita," called Zinda. "Oh, there you are. You heard what is happening?" "Yes, I presume they sent a list of needed supplies?" she asked B'nard holding out her hand. "Sorry we had nothing to write with, but the primary request is for fire stone and any weyr folk who can be spared to help repair the Weyr and establish the second Weyr. We think it is in the Eastern part of the continent." "Mirka is more than capable to keep things running here," she told Zinda. "I will go and help them get established." Zinda started to protest, but changed her mind. Both of Rita's sons were there, D'ven and L'mar. "Gather what you need for the first supply flight. We will be bringing the others who will migrate, here so that they can help to carry everything." She turned to K'lar, "We are going with the first group." He knew better than to try and change her mind. "Zinda?" it was Sistine. "I was thinking they will need Holders to help settle the lands between the Weyr's and Candidates for the clutches." 'She is thinking of the Holdless who wander from hold to hold seeking honest work.' "How many Holdless live in the mountains near Ruatha?" she asked. "How many would wish a chance to have a hold of their own?" "You know the Lord Holders will protest," K'lar had picked up on the ideas being hatched between Zinda and Sistine. "Yes indeed," chuckled Shozin as she slid from the bronze dragon to greet them. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Between Pern: "Look," someone shouted, pointing to the distant mountains. There were dragons in the sky. Wild unbonded dragons. They were small, obviously from a Greens clutch. There weren't many, maybe a dozen, and they were drawn by the newly arrived dragons and their riders. They weren't aggressive, they were just curious and found the newcomers interesting. After flying for nearly six hours straight, Tiva was ready for a rest, and delighted to see the ancient volcano, it's long dormant cone reaching skyward, nearly to the clouds. And this was where the wild dragons were leading them. As they overflew the rich land below, they noted places that could be turned into Holdings, if they just had the people to Hold them. Tiva had reported the wild dragons, and through Divinath sent the images of the Eastern Weyr site. The wild dragons seemed fascinated by the Golden Queen. And while they would let no rider touch them, they freely interacted with the dragons. Sorkana soon discovered other wild dragons coming in pairs and in small groups from the caves in the nearby mountain ranges as they searched the land below them. Satellite Probe three began to transmit images of the dragons and riders back to the Longbow. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ruatha Gather, Weyr Leaders Meeting; The Weyr Leaders had already held a closed meeting at Landing Weyr the night before. They had all agreed that allowing the Lord Holders to send their Sons to claim Holds in the south had been nearly disastrous. Very few of the Holdless had actually been able to stake a Hold, and those who had were now governed by those sons. Master Harper Shozin and Sistine had devised a new plan, they created a new Charter which was almost exactly like the original. Only this one did not allow anyone already connected to an established Hold to migrate to Between Pern. They had to be free of obligations and have no criminal records. They could sign on as individuals or in groups. The Migration Charter even had provisions for Crafters. The first group of Crafters to sign were from the Harper Hall, and under the supervision of Junior Master Harper Nolly. Nolly had been one of three Masters being groomed by Master Harper Shozin. At the meeting they allowed the Master Harper to present the new charter. She did so while reminding the Lord holders that it was a way of clearing the Holdless from their lands. Holdless who owed them no loyalties nor paid tithes to the Holders. She pointed out that the holds would have to be carved out of the wilderness, surrounded by unknown dangers as well as the threat of Thread which was fast approaching the new planet. She also held back information about fire lizards and the wild unbonded dragons, while reporting that there were other dangers yet undiscovered. In the end, it was the very real danger of 'Thread' that swayed the Lord Holders to allowing the Holdless to settle the new world. "Ruatha," announced Lady Corra. "Will pay a partial of the cost of provisions for any Holdless now in the low hills who wishes to sign the new charter." "Are you daft?" demanded Keyg. "Do you know how much that will cost us? They are not signing any agreements of loyalty to us." "They owe us no loyalty, and yet you have no bones about using their labor when it is needed. And don't think I haven't noticed how you under pay them either." She hesitated, "Ruatha is mine to hold by birth rite, you only governed at my convenience. Now it is my time to show my appreciation and compassion for the hard labor they provided when needed." "Lady Holder, if you would gather those who wish to sign the charter, we will transport them to Honshu when we come to bring you to the hatching," promised Zinda. "They will be transported from there after the Hatching feast." After the meeting; "So, it is true after all," grinned Lord Myron of Ista Hold. "Ruatha is being led by a Lady holder now. Whatever happened to that disgrace of a first son?" "Rayan has been given duties where he might learn respect for those less fortunate," stated Lady Corra. "I was Speaking of Sorkan," he tried to hide his grin, thinking that the boys disgrace was a sore spot. "Weyr Woman Sorkana, rider of Golden Gayleth is one of the Weyr Leaders of the new Between Weyr's," stated Corra proudly. "Ruatha now has two young ladies who have been chosen on Search for a Queen's Hatching." "Mother," interrupted Keeve. "Yes Keeve, what is it?" "Head woman Dorrita is here to see you," he announced. She was short, but stout. Not overly buxom, nor by her appearance overly old. "Lady Corra, I heard that you were asking about me." "Excuse me Lord Myron," she turned and led the young woman toward the Main Hold. "A most wonderful opportunity has just been presented to allow you and all those who follow you the chance to stake a Hold Claim of your own," she said. She noticed three young girls following close behind. "It does require a bit of traveling though." "You want us to leave Ruatha, Ruatha who has been good to us even though we are Holdless?" She was led into the office where a long page that looked like the charter was laid out. As Dorrita looked around the room she noticed it was filled with Harpers. "Master Nolly, this is Lady Dorrita," she was introduced. And she immediately blushed at being called Lady. "Lady Dorrita," began Shozin, Pern's Master Harper. "Master Nolly has been chosen to become Master Harper of Between." "Between?" she was confused. "It is not widely known yet, that there are two Weyr's being established on Pern's sister planet that the dragons and Fire Lizards call 'Between'. That is where the two newest Queens are, why they are not here," explained Corra. Dorrita looked to the two Master Harpers for confirmation. "Unlike the Southern Continent, it has been decided that only deserving Holdless are to be allowed to settle and Stake Holds there." They spent nearly half an hour explaining the known as well the unknown dangers. And then, only because she knew that Dorrita had gone out of her way to help Sorkan, Sorkana