Take a tour of the holds. This is one of the trader's routes in the area. Fear not, there are no shunned or renegades to bar your way.
EXCERPT
To the left was the river, a broad, muddy stream between red sandstone banks. Small sailing craft skimmed the surface on a current that must be swifter than the turgid surface suggested. To the right was the broad, clean-swept rock shelf that led up to Igen Hold, a safe distance above the highest flood marks left by the river on the sandstone banks. Behind Igen Hold rose curious, wind-fashioned cliffs, some of which made additional holds for Igen’s people, for there were no rows of cotholds adjoining the main Hold here. Igen Hold also had no fire-heights, not needing any since there was nothing but sand and stone around the Hold proper, to which Thread could do no harm. The lands that supplied Igen hold were around the next bend of the river, where the waters had been led inland by canals to supply watergrain fields.
Piemur wasn’t sure that he would like living in such a barren-looking Hold, even if no Thread could ever attack it. And it was hot!
Red dust puffed up as Lioth landed, and suddenly Piemur was unbearably warm. He began to unbelt his wherhide jacket before he released the riding strap and noticed that Menolly was as quick to strip helmet, gloves and jacket.
“I always forget how hot it is at Igen,” she said, fluffing out her hair.
“The dragons love it,” said N’ton, pointing beyond the Hold to where the rough shapes that Piemer had assumed were rock now became recognizable as dragons, stretched out to bake in the sun.
The previous paragraphs are from Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey, copyright 1979 by Anne McCaffrey.