Karenchok journeyman harper South Boll
Kasia Juvana’s sister Tillek Hold
Kepiru Fax’s lad Telgar Gather
Klada shy holder Tillek Hold
Kubisa primary teacher Harper Hall
Kulla hospitable woman Nerat border
Laela woman South Boll Hold
Landon 2nd son Halibran Ista Hold
Larad son Tarathel Telgar Hold
Lama Carola’s daughter Benden Weyr
Lear dorm-mate Harper Hall
Lessa Kale’s daughter, Weyrwoman Ruatha Hold
Lesseldon Lord Holder Crom
Lexey slow child Harper Hall
Libby Kubisa’s daughter Harper Hall
Lissala seawoman Wave Rider
Lobirn MasterHarper High Reaches Hold
Londik treble apprentice Harper Hall
Lorra headwoman Harper Hall
Lotricia Lobirn’s spouse High Reaches Hold
Lytonal (L’tol)
– Larth ex-harper, brown rider Benden Weyr
M’odon – Nigarth oldest rider Benden Weyr
M’ridin – Cortath bronze rider Benden Weyr
Macester guard Telgar Hold
Maidir Lord Holder Benden Hold
Maizella daughter Maidir Benden Hold
Mallan journeyman harper High Reaches Hold
Manora mother Famanoran Benden Weyr
Marcine dancer High Reaches Hold
Marlifin MasterCarver Tillek Hold
Matsen SeaHolder South Boll Hold
Maxilant harper Ista Hold
Melongel Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Merdine (dec.) Kasia’s ex-espoused Greystones Hold
Merelan MasterSinger Harper Hall
Meren Station Master Runner Station
Miata teacher Benden Weyr
Milla kitchener Benden Weyr
Minnarden MasterHarper Tillek Hold
Monegal MasterVintner Tillek Hold
Motif weyr lad Benden Weyr
Motjell journeyman harper Fort Hold
Mosse boy Nerat border
Mumolen journeyman harper Tillek Hold
Murphytwen holder High Reaches Hold
Murphytwenone his son High Reaches Hold
Naprila child Benden Hold
Naylor holder Piefie Hold
Neilla student Harper Hall
Nip (aka Kinsale) harper-spy Harper Hall
Ogolly MasterArchivist Harper Hall
Oldive MasterHealer Harper Hall
Oterel son Melongel, becomes
Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Patty uncle Pierie Hold
Pessia spouse Valrol Tillek Hold
Petiron MasterComposer Harper Hall
Pragel weyr lad Benden Weyr
Raid 1st son Maidir Benden Hold
Rangul (R’gul) bronze rider Benden Weyr
Rantou forester South Boll
Rasa child Benden Hold
Relna Lady Holder Crom
Ricardy Master Fort Hold
Robinton MasterHarper Harper Hall
Rochers woodsie
Rulyar (R’yar)
– Garanath brown rider ex-Harper Hall
S’bran – Kilminth bronze rider Benden Weyr
S’loner – Chendith Weydeader Benden Weyr
S’tellan – Vickith brown rider Benden Weyr
Saday holder woodcarver Tillek Hold
Saltor head guard Harper Hall
Sangel Lord Holder South Boll
Saretta healer South Boll Hold
Sebell grandson Rantou South Boll
Segoina Merelan’s aunt South Boll Hold
Sellel (S’lel) bronze rider Benden Weyr
Sev Ritecamp MasterTrader Runner Station
Shelline dorm-mate Harper Hall
Sheve boy Nerat border
Shonagar journeyman harper ex-Keroon
Sifer Lord Holder Bitra Hold
Silvina Lorra’s daughter Harper Hall
Sirde healer Harper Hall
Sitta pert girl High Reaches Hold
Sontie boy Nerat border
Stolla headwoman Benden Weyr Struan (Fort Harper) dorm-mate Harper Hall
Sucho Fort holder Fort Hold
Tarathel Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Targus unfriendly holder Nerat border
Tesner Lord Holder Igen Hold
Tinamon Hold Healer Benden Weyr
Torlin holder Tillek Hold
Tortole Tillek forester Tillek Hold
Trailer student Harper Hall
T’rell Weyrlingmaster Benden Weyr
Triana dancer High Reaches Hold
Valden forest holder Tillek Hold
Valrol holder Tillek Hold
Vendross guard captain Telgar Hold
Vesna Gostol’s daughter Northern MaM
Warder (no name) steward Ruatha Hold
Washell Apprentice Master Harper Hall
Winalia Lady Holder Fort Hold
Wonegal MasterVintner Benden Hold
Yorag healer Benden Hold
CHAPTER ONE
“One thing sure,” Betrice said wryly as she wrapped the squalling, wriggling baby tightly into the fine cotton sheet his mother had woven for just this moment, “he’s got your lungs, Petiron. Here! I’ve got to make Merelan more comfortable now.” The howling baby, his face brick red with his exertions, tiny fists clenched, was deposited into his alarmed father’s arms. Jiggling the babe as he had seen other fathers do, Petiron carried him to the window to get a good look at his first-born. He didn’t see the looks passing between the midwife and her assistant, nor did he see the younger woman leave quietly to summon a healer. Merelan’s bleeding was not tapering off. The midwife suspected that something had been torn: the baby had been breech, and was large-headed as well. She packed ice in towels around Merelan’s slim hips. It had been a long labour. Merelan lay limp in the bed, exhausted, her face white and lined. She seemed bloodless, and that worried Betrice more. There was such a risk in a transfusion: despite the similarity in colour, blood differed from person to person. Once, long ago, healers had known how to tell the difference and match the blood. Or so she’d heard. Betrice had suspected that Merelan would have trouble delivering, for she could feel the size of the child in the womb, and so she had asked the Healer Hall to stand by. There was a solution of