The Weyrleader of Fort Weyr, T'ron, and his Weyrwoman, Mardra, had become less scrupulous about checking to see that no Thread burrows had escaped their wing riders to fall on the lush forests.

"If you know where you are in relation to other wing riders, you always know where to come back to," he said, stressing the last word.

There was of course renewed astonishment and rueful congratulations when Dave and his wing riders heard the news.

Well, he would certainly choose Zaranth and Tai as wing riders.