"There can be." Yasmin reached out to run her
fingernails lightly across his chest. "You're an ambitious
It was J'hanos's turn to smile. "Yes, you could say
Her fingers followed the curve of muscle, stroking just
This story is printed by Kadanzer Weyr (
softly enough to leave his nerves tingling. "There are too
approved by Anne McCaffrey in 1995. Kadanzer Weyr is a non-profit group --
few bronzeriders in this Weyr who truly are. G'tin is,
all materials pertaining to Ms. McCaffrey's works displayed on this website may
although he's too proud to admit it. Z'hon, certainly. only be accessed for personal, non-commercial purposes. Please do notreproduce without permission. All references to worlds and characters based o n
B'deras is, when it means no effort is involved. But trueAnne McCaffrey's fiction are copyright Anne McCaffrey 1967, 2005, all rights
ambition? Few of your rivals have it. This Weyr has pretty
reserved, and used by permission of the author. The Dragonriders of Pern® isregistered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, by Anne McCaffrey, used here with
faces enough. B'deras, L'ars, R'mal – they all have pretty
permission. Use or reproduction without a license is strictly prohibited.
faces, just like you." She ran a finger across his lips. "But
your charisma is something more than skin deep, isn't it?
You do want your Weyr back, don't you?"
J'hanos stretched languidly, feeling the strains and aches
"My Weyr is dead and gone," J'hanos said. "But given
that inevitably followed a mating flight. The musky scent
time, this place might make an acceptable substitute."
in his nostrils was female and for a few delicious, half-asleep
Yasmin laughed in delight at that. Her cool fingertips
moments he thought that Vhauth had won a queen. but
stroked the side of his face. "That's a dueling scar, isn't it?"
then memory intruded and he recalled the green form
she asked, tracing the faint line down his cheek before
twisting and teasing ahead of her pursuers, recalled the thrill
reaching lower to touch the matching scar that crossed his
of her going pliant in Vhauth's grasp, echoing her rider's
eager surrender below. There was a sense of relief to
"Yes," he replied. "I had some. disagreements with
knowing that Vhauth could once again compete and win,
the sons of the High Reaches Blood before my Search.
tempered by the realization that the last flight they had won
Those are from the second duel -- Rebien proved to be better
'One step at a time,' he told himself, pushing away the
"You killed them both?" There was no horror in
sudden spike of familiar grief. 'Green today, gold
Yasmin's voice, only a keen curiosity.
"I did," he told her, finding it strange to be revisiting
Opening his eyes, the bronzerider found himself looking
what was, after all, quite literally ancient history. "It's why
at a young woman with long blonde hair and a frame that
I stood at Southern Weyr and not at High Reaches."
looked a little too skinny for her bones, lying on her side as
That earned a fresh smile. "Killer instinct is even rarer
she watched him wake. She smiled as she saw his regard.
in these parts than ambition. You can be ruthless, can’t you?
I can see that in your eyes. That is rare. Rare enough to
"Greenrider," J'hanos replied pleasantly, trying to place
treasure. You have the ambition. You've got the charisma.
her face. She was a pretty girl, if no particular beauty, one
You could be a Weyrleader again, especially with your giant
of R'mal's wingriders if he recalled correctly -- he hadn't
of a bronze. And I could help you do it."
bothered to ask when Vhauth had shown an interest in the
"Help me?" J'hanos relied dryly. "I rather think that
leadership choices are for Ihyanith to make."
"You have no idea who I am, do you?" the greenrider
"There's more to Weyr leadership than a queen's whim,
said, her voice a velvet purr of amusement. She propped her
as well you know." The young woman's pose was still
head up on one hand, her blue eyes watching his face. Her
languid, but there was now something passionate in her
body language was languid and relaxed – but there was
eyes. "You're a Lord's son. You understand the importance
something sharply observant about those eyes.
of family, and of family connections. So you'll understand
"Greenrider Yasmin, Tzarith's rider," J'hanos answered,
that it's not arrogance when I say that I'm more than just a
finally placing her. "You're Wingleader M'ler's weyrmate."
simple greenrider. I am the granddaughter of Lord Mendius,
M'ler had to be old enough to be the greenrider's grandfather,
and the daughter of Masterweaver Valorian. I can teach you
by the look of her. although, now that he thought about it,
what you'd need to know to be effective in this Pass." Her
he could remember Vesoz saying that she had once been
gaze was fierce now, determined. "I know who is important
young G'tin's weyrmate, before moving on to M'ler after a
here in this time and in this territory. I know what the feuds
are, what the politics are, who are allies, who are friends,
Suddenly those sharp blue eyes didn't seem quite so
and who want you to think they are loyal when really, they
just want to score at your expense." She moved closer to
"Yes. M'ler's my weyrmate. He's a good man, and
him, one hand pressed against his chest as she licked her
Warith is a solid bronze. They've both served this Weyr
lips and said, "I can help you be a Weyrleader worthy of the
loyally since the Poisoning." She smiled, but it didn't
touch her eyes. "Of course, steady and solid isn't always
"Can you now?" J'hanos rolled away from her and
pushed himself off the bed. He began to collect his
"Most would call it a good start," J'hanos told her, a
little warily. "There is much to be said for loyalty."
Yasmin sat up, a frown beginning to twist her features.
"I can. Deny that you need the help. If you're a Lord's son,
you know how important it is to know the intricacies of
holder relationships, and craft relationships. Weyrbreds
don't see the importance of such things, or care to
understand how such influences can last over generations. I
may be a greenrider, but I know things, and I know the value
of knowledge. I should have Impressed gold; as perfect as
Tzarith is, I'm wasted as a combat rider. Take a look at the
goldriders of this Weyr – beyond Lybelle, there's not a brain
to be found among the lot of them. You know Dunia's
faults, first-hand. Cassidoria is as bland as milk, while
Luka is afraid of her own shadow, and frigid as well. Zherra
is about as reliable as a green firelizard, and Faydra? The
brand on her face is all you need to know. Lybelle alone is
worthy of being a Weyrwoman. Or of being a partner to an
ambitious man like yourself. Consider my offer, bronzerider.
I can help you be Weyrleader again. As you should be."
J'hanos pulled on his pants as he considered the
greenrider and her words. "Mendius. Which Lordship does
"Dawn Sisters," Yasmin said, her chin lifting proudly.
"My mother is Mendius's oldest daughter, and I am the
J'hanos laughed, humorlessly. "Well then, you'll
understand the importance of 'holder relationships over
generations', when I point out that, as the son of the Lord of
Tillek and the father of Tillek's Lord Jeshan, I may have
slightly more in common with you than I'm entirely
Yasmin's face went pale, and her blue eyes widened.
J'hanos managed a half-smile before shrugging on his shirt.
"It looks as though you might want to do a little more
research next time. Your grandfather's mother would have
been… what? My ten? twelve? times great-granddaughter?"
He shook his head, amused by Yasmin's sudden wilt. "I'm
sorry, little girl, but there are some games that I am not
"We scarcely share a drop of Blood," Yasmin tried.
"Four hundred Turns is a long time --"
"Not for me, it isn't." J'hanos reached for the flightcot
door, opening it to leave. "I'll consider your offer,
greenrider, but please -- do not be surprised if I don't take
you up on it. Family connections and all, you know?"
He nodded to her once, and left. Vesoz was just going
to love hearing about this one.
In This Issue » Develop a Master Calendar for Your Family Resilience It’s natural to focus on our frailties. It helps us guard against the things that can damage us. But in doing this, we often overlook just how resilient human beings tend to be. Many people endure great emotional or physical trauma and manage to recover from it. It’s important to appreciate our resilience
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