How can Thread choose? Tbor demanded with the anger of a frightened man. Its mindless!
Flar gazed up at tropical skies so brilliant that the fateful stare of the Red Star, low on the horizon, wasnt visible.
If the Red Star deviates for four hundred Turn Intervals, why not a variation in the way it falls?
What do we do then? asked Tbor, a note of desperation in his voice. Thread that pierces and doesnt burrow! Thread falling days out of phase and then for only two hours!
Put out Sweepriders, to begin with, and let me know where and when Thread falls here. As you said, Thread is mindless. Even in these new Shifts, we may find a predictable pattern. Flar frowned up at the hot sun; he was sweating in the wher-hide fighting clothes more suited to upper levels and cold between.
Fly a sweep with me, Flar, Tbor suggested anxiously. Fnor, are you up to it? If we missed even one burrow here …
Tbor had Orth call in every rider, even the weyrlings, told them what to look for, what was feared.
The entire complement of Southern spread out, wingtip to wingtip, flying at minimum altitude, and scanned the swampy region right back to Fall Edge. Not one man or beast could report any unusual disturbance of greenery or ground. The land over which Thread had so recently fallen was now undeniably Threadfree.
The clearance made Tbor even more apprehensive, but another tour seemed pointless. The fighting wings went between to the Weyr then, leaving the convalescents to fly straight.
As Tbor and Flar glided in over the Weyr compound, the roofs of the weyrholds and the bare black soil and rock of the dragonbeds flashed under them like a pattern through the leaves of the giant fellis and spongewood trees. In the main clearing by the Weyrhall, Prideth extended her neck and wings, bugling to her Weyrmates.
Circle once again, Mnementh, Flar said to his bronze. First hed better get over the urge to beat Kylara, and give Tbor the chance to reprimand her privately. He regretted once more, that he had ever suggested to Lessa that she pressure that female into being a Weyrwoman. It had seemed a logical solution at the time. And he was sincerely sorry for Tbor although the man did manage to keep her worst depredations under control. But the absence of a queen from a Weyr … Well, how could Kylara have known Thread would fall here ahead of schedule? Yet where was she that she couldnt hear that alarm? No dragon slept that deeply.
He circled as the rest of the dragons peeled off to their weyrs and realized that none had had to descend by the Infirmary.
Fighting Thread with no casualties?
I like that, Mnementh remarked.
Somehow that aspect of the days encounter unsettled Flar the most. Rather than delve into that, Flar judged it time to land. He didnt relish the thought of confronting Kylara, but he hadnt had the chance to tell Tbor what had been happening north.
I told you, Kylara was saying in sullen anger, that I found a clutch and Impressed this queen. When I got back, there wasnt anyone left here who knew where youd all gone. Prideth has to have coordinates, you know. She turned toward Flar now, her eyes glittering. My duty to you, Flar of Benden, and her voice took on a caressing tone which made Tbor stiffen and clench his teeth. How kind of you to fight with us when Benden Weyr has troubles of its own.
Flar ignored the jibe and nodded a curt acknowledgment.
See my fire lizard. Isnt she magnificent? She held up her right arm, exhibiting the drowsing golden lizard, the outlines of her latest meal pressing sharp designs against her belly hide.
Wirenth was here and Brekke. They knew, Tbor told her.
Her! Kylara dismissed the Weyrwoman with a negligent shrug of contempt. She gave me some nonsensical coordinates, deep in the western swamp. Threads dont fall.
They did today, Tbor cried, his face suffused with anger.
Do tell!
Prideth began to rumble restlessly and Kylara, the hard defiant lines of her face softening, turned to reassure her.