Robinton spends three Turns at High Reaches, learning much about the administration of a Hold. Faroguy, Robinton sees, is an efficient and decisive Lord Holder, with a major "blind spot" concerning Fax, whom Mallan speculated might've actually been his son, rather than nephew. Lobirn rejected that idea. While at High Reaches, Robinton loses his virginity to a pretty girl named Sitta, thanks to Mallan's contriving. Her friends Marcine and Triana had also hoped to get Robinton. During his last year in High Reaches, Carola takes ill and dies, leaving Jora as Weyrwoman.