182 pages
English language
Published Aug. 6, 1986 by Ballantine Books.
Everyone, holder and dragonrider alike, pitched in to help--except Nerilka's father, who refused to share Fort Hold's bounty with the other holds. So, ashamed of her family and determined to do her part, Nerilka packed up medicines and supplies and sneaked off to aid her people.Her quest to help wherever she was most needed led her finally to Ruatha Hold, where Lord Alessan was frantically inoculations against the dread plague.
Nerilika had long ago abandoned the hope of marriage and a home of her own. Now she found happiness in being useful and appreciated---first the Healers and then Alessan made very clear that they were grateful for her help.
She had no idea that her new path would change the course of her life forever.
Not a tremendously complex story, but blessedly free of the issues that have so annoyed me in the rest of the series. Short enough to read in one sitting and actually having a bit of emotional depth earns it three stars, if only by comparison.
