Part of Pern
First published 1997
Nerilka watches plague ravage the holds while her father hoards Fort Hold's resources. The disease spreads unchecked as holders and dragonriders struggle to contain it. Her father refuses to share medicines or supplies with desperate neighboring holds. Shame drives Nerilka to act. She packs medical supplies and slips away from Fort Hold without permission. Her journey takes her from hold to hold, helping wherever the need is greatest. At Ruatha Hold, she finds Lord Alessan working desperately to inoculate his people against the deadly plague. Nerilka had given up dreams of marriage and family long ago. Now she discovers purpose in her work with the Healers. Both they and Alessan value her contributions in ways her own family never did. For the first time, she feels truly useful and appreciated. What begins as a mission of mercy becomes something far more significant than she ever imagined.
Genres: drama, science-fiction-fantasy, romance, adventure, fantasy, historical-fantasy
Vibes: character-driven, emotional, intimate, purposeful, redemptive
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family, personal-growth, second-chance
Setting: Fort Hold, Ruatha Hold, Pern
182 pages · Paperback · Del Rey
Content warnings: death