F'nor returned, at Brekke's insistence, to his duties. She prevailed upon Manora to allow her to come down to the Lower Caverns so that she could be of some use. Brekke was always accompanied by the fire-lizards. Fandarel also informed them that the distance-writer project was progressing far more slowly than expected, due to the difficulties in protecting the wires from Thread, and the demands for flame-throwers. F'lar had begun to call a daily cuoncil of his most intimate advisors and Wingseconds to prevent any chance of the overall plan being lost.