Renegades of Pern

1989

For all that thread has not fallen for over four hundred turns the greater majority of the people of Pern still live in the stone girt Holds and the greatest threat that a Holder has is to exile a troublemaker.

Despite this, there are those who actually prefer the Great Outdoors. The trading Clan of the Lilcamps is one such group. They and their gigantic trade caravans had been travelling the paths of Pern ever since anyone could find records.

There were other groups, though; those for which the threat of exile was far outweighed by the chance of gaining personal power. Thella daughter of the Lord Holder of Telgar was one such; or those forced out of Home and Hold by the actions of those who successfully grabbed Holds to which they were not entitled. When lord Fax successfully invaded Ruatha those who could fled including Aramina's family who were related to the slaughtered family of the lord of Ruatha. Aramina herself is one of those rare people who can talk to all the dragons. When this power is revealed to the world Aramina becomes a target of those who would use her to further their own plans - in particular Lady Thella who now led a band of robbers, thieves and murderers.

After Jayge's caravan was destroyed by Threadfall, he became a refugee in the camps set up by the lord of Igen Hold where he meets Aramina in their dark depths.

Thella had not given up her dreams of rule though, and traces Aramina. This time, the dragonriders are watching Aramina and things go ill for Thella and her sorry band of adherents.

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