High Reaches Weyr is in the tail end of the Second Interval, expecting threadfall in the start of the Third Pass in turn 508. The dragonriders have been dealing with fractured relationships with Holders and Crafters who believe that threadfall won't be happening again. Tithes have been short handed, low quality food and oftentimes the Weyrleader's are forced to travel to a nearby Hold to gain their due. It is not uncommon for them to show up unexpectedly and see Holders partaking of of better food than the Weyr has had to make do with.

Unknown to the Holders, dragonriders fear for the population of the Weyr and Hatchings are met with more excitement than previously Hatched clutches. Because of a history of Browns flying the Queens and the lack of Gold eggs, the dragon population has declined. Mating flights have since been closed to brownriders in an effort to gain larger clutches, and potential gold eggs. Weyrbrats have all started learning Candidate lessons in case the Weyr needs to pull from their pool for extra potential riders.

Weyrwoman Ranalin of Gold Cyridth and her Weyrleader Kil'dryk of Bronze Diresth were the figureheads of the Weyr during the second part of the Second Interval, keeping the traditions alive while there was no Threadfall. It was their insistance and diligence that kept the Holds tithing, albeit low quality food, that kept the dragonrider population going as the older dragons died off or became too old to protect against Thread. The older dragonpairs would quietly slip between in the night, and the keen from the remaining dragons would alert the Weyr to another loss. Deaths for the elder dragonpairs were celebrated as having lived long lives. It was an addled senior aged bronze that had a particular affection for a green that flew which caused a fight between itself and another, younger bronze.

Weyrwoman Lyrial ascended to her position after the previous Weyrwoman, Ranalin, lost her golden Cyridth in an accident trying to stop the fight between two bronzes over the green. The senile bronze, his mind too far gone to listen to the golden queen, attacked her and mauled her hideously. Cyridth, flying high above the Weyr with the bronzes, clasped the senile bronze and between'd both of them. Her sacrifice to help the Weyr rid itself of a dangerous situation, and her own pain, was honored for a full day of keening from the Weyr. It was a horrifyingly tragic event in the life of the Weyr and the young gold bonded to Lyrial was reaching Turn 7 of her life. She was already bigger than the lost queen, producing large clutches with the browns flying her and readily stepped up to the Senior Queen position from her previous Junior position. The Flight, won by bronze Rylarth bonded to J'ren, resulting in her Senior position produced a golden egg, which hatched the gold weyrling Avreneth. The gold hatchling bonded Alicona, weyrmate to the bronzerider J'tir. Both goldriders are friends, and share the duties of Weyrwomen between them.

Ranalin fought desperately with the riders, begging for them to take her between so she could end her life. Lyrial, now the Senior Weyrwoman, who was Fostered by the woman refused to allow her dragonriders to grant the Ranalin's wish. She was her mother, after all. It was after her Cyridth's death that the woman discovered her newfound ability to Hear All Dragons. This, combined with Lyrial appointing her as the new Headwoman, eased the pain of her loss. Ranalin came to accept that her dragon's sacrifice was for the best, as healing from the mauling would have been painful, and even then - not guaranteed. The rider of the senile bronze was granted his request by his long time friend and bluerider before Lyrial could say anything to him. It was best for the Weyr, as his dragon had committed a grievous act and it was a smear on his honor. Wielding great power within the Weyr as its Headwoman, the ex-goldrider found the strength to continue living and often teaches the gold weyrling lessons because of her considerable knowledge in the area. Ranalin is often taken away from the Weyr during a gold flight, as the memories of her gold resurface with a vengeance.

Both queens are expecting to Rise any time, and the Weyr eagerly awaits the clutches from what they hope are strong flights with many, many eggs. Weyrling Avraneth is due for her Maiden Flight, and everyone expects the experienced bronze Vleyth to fly her.