You’d think that the people of Pern had suffered enough plagues—but no!—the dragons must now face an infection as well. You’d also think that the people of Pern would eventually catch on and start quickly realizing whenever time travel might be a help. But no! It seems to come as a complete revelation each time.
K’lior’s face grew ashen. “Fort is lucky. We don’t have another Threadfall in the next three sevendays. We’ll probably be able to fight that,” he answered, adding a shake of his head, “but I can’t say about next Fall.”

The despair that gripped the Weyrleader was palpable. Egremer looked for some words of encouragement to give him but could find none. It was K’lior who spoke next, pulling himself erect and willing a smile back on to his face.

“We’ll find a way, Lord Egremer,’ he declared with forced cheer. “We’re dragonriders, we always find a way.” He nodded firmly and then said to Egremer, “Now, if you’ll excuse me. . .”

“Certainly!” Egremer replied. “I’ll see you out. And don’t worry about those weyrlings, if it’s too much bother. Having them would only save us time.”

K’lior stopped so suddenly that Egremer had to swerve to avoid bumping into him.

“Time!” K’lior shouted exultantly.

Variants

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  1. Dragonheart by Todd McCaffrey (Del Rey, November 2008).
    2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . written by Todd McCaffrey