Robinton and Merelan continue to serve out Merelan's contract with Benden Hold. Merelan suggests sending Maizella to the Harper Hall for further training, and hopes to be able to give C'gan more training. Lady Hayara gives birth to a son. Falloner tells Robinton about how a clever rider can ensure that his Bronze gets the Queen, and recounts how his father S'loner became Weyrleader by edging out C'rob's Spakinth, and how Feyrith's clutch by Spakinth was much larger than her previous clutch by Spakinth. Robinton and Merelan finish their contract and return to the Harper Hall.