The Skies of Pern (53 page)

“No engines, Lord Groghe, but dragons and their riders!”

Toric leaped to his feet, face suffused with blood, stabbing his finger at the Benden Weyrleader, and shouted, “So you think you can coerce the Holds to continue to support you forever?”

“Not at all, Lord Toric,” F’lar replied with calm pride. “You cannot perceive how deeply every Weyr—” He paused and the other dragonriders nodded or murmured emphatic agreement with that statement. “—wishes to be as independent as any other person on this planet. Necessity has required our dependence on the holds we protect, but, by the end of this Pass, we shall all have holdings or crafts with which to support ourselves. We shall be journeymen and -women, attracting apprentices to Star Holds and learning to be Masters of the Star Hall. We will study the stars and watch the skies of Pern until we know exactly what might threaten this planet again.”

“And what will you do then?” Toric bawled the question.

F’lar regarded Toric with a smile on his face. “We will divert it.”

“How?
How?”
Toric pounded the table. “You weren’t able to divert the Fireball.”

“Now that,” and F’lar paused significantly, without a trace of apology, “won’t happen again.” His tone was so confident, his manner so assured that the other dragonriders proudly straightened, so obviously in agreement with his statement, that the Southern Holder was perplexed.

“It is an ability that Aivas perceived in dragonkind,” Jaxom remarked
as one chiding his audience to remember something they had not previously considered.

“Indeed, Lord Jaxom,” F’lar said amiably. “The dragons have always had the ability. We have been busy refining it.”

“It takes time and practice,” N’ton said.

“The older the dragon, the more adept, you know,” K’van put in.

“Combined with observatories and a sound knowledge of the Rukbat system and our skies,” F’lar continued, “we’ll know exactly what’s around us and what else the Oort Cloud spawns.”

“As you all have reminded us,” Lessa added, “dragonriders are the caretakers of Pern’s skies. So let us continue to undertake that responsibility.”

“Practicing and preparing for when the need for this potent ability presents itself,” F’lar finished.

As draconic bellow had silenced argument, now everyone heard the carol that trilled the affirmative response of the dragons gathered on the cliffs of Telgar!

“Well, I for one,” Groghe said, beaming at F’lar and the other Weyrleaders, “am deeply relieved to hear all this. Though I can’t remember Aivas …”

“Naturally Aivas only discussed the subject with dragonriders,” Jaxom said in a grave manner.

“Thank you, Weyrleaders,” Sebell said. “You have relieved our fears considerably and I think I can speak for all the Craftmasters that there will be generous Hall support to match that already guaranteed new observatories by Lord Holders.” He bowed to Jaxom and Larad.

“Tillek is the nearest port,” Ranrel said to Erragon across the table, “we will donate shipping.”

“Services in place of tithes?” Toric cried, infuriated.

“Oh, do sit down, Toric,” Groghe said.

“There hasn’t been a vote about approving more observatories,” Toric complained.

“I can take a vote now,” Sebell put in hopefully.

“The necessity for
three
new observatories hasn’t been properly discussed,” Toric shouted.

“I want to know more about the Western Continent,” Master Ballora said in a loud voice. “We don’t know what life-forms are there. What effect contact with new ones would have with our indigenous species.”

“Not much is mentioned about it in Aivas records,” Deckter remarked. “Will the project need much metal ore?”

“Of course it will, Deckter,” Fandarel said, rubbing his big hands together in anticipation.

“Shall we deal with some of the minor petitions now?” Sebell asked, holding up a slim packet.

“No, no, not now,” Groghe said. “Need to eat now and be refreshed for that sort of thing.”

“What about the Western Continent?” Master Ballora objected. “I want to know more about
that
!”

“We’ll talk,” Erragon said while Sebell used the gavel to end the morning session.

So many questions were asked about where exactly the observatories would be placed, the form they would take, the personnel to work in them, the training required, that petitions were put aside for the next day. Toric called for a vote about
any
new observatories, much less three, none of which were evidently to be placed in Southern. He voted against the whole idea but the majority was in favor of it. Then he had to sit through talk about the Western Continent’s urgently needed observatory and, while he fumed, everyone else seemed so enthusiastic about supplying engineering, construction, transport, labor, materials—without an increase in overall tithing, which he would have vigorously barred—the Star Masters and the sharding Weyrleaders got what they wanted. It never occurred to him that he had only himself to blame. He’d been prepared to argue about petitions and object to some—on principle—but none had been submitted for discussion. If he didn’t stay, the Council might slip something new in, vote it into law and he wouldn’t be able to gauge any new plans. He ought to make Besic accompany him. He’d be good for something then. Bargen had a son with him, so did Groghe. Such representatives were permitted to stand in for their Lord Holders at the petitions session: Fandarel had put Master Jancis in as his agent.

In the evening, Toric wandered outside, down into the Gather grounds. Dorse was supposed to find him so he had to be available. By morning, when Dorse didn’t appear before the Council convened, Toric asked at the Telgar Runner Station for any messages for him. There were none but he encountered Kashman and had to walk back to the Hold in the man’s company. Kashman was still furious with the trial at the Print Hall. He hadn’t been
in
Keroon Hold that night but the matter could have waited until morning. He complained bitterly about the presence of N’ton, a Fort Weyrleader, far away from Fort’s traditional authority, not to mention Jaxom. Who was not a subject to be mentioned in Toric’s company under the best of circumstances! Corman had kept this son of his inadequately informed for Lord Holdership, Toric thought.

Late that evening, Toric wandered aimlessly among the Gather tents and then walked the perimeter, keeping to the shadows to give Dorse a chance to approach him discreetly. There was the other matter: this dragon ability that Aivas had mentioned? As far as Toric knew, dragons could speak to their riders, go
between
, and chew a rock that produced the flame that destroyed Thread. He must ask Master Esselin to trace any reference to what Aivas had said about the creatures. Everything Aivas said or had done was recorded. Esselin could find it and report.

He was halfway around the tents a second time when Toric wondered who had been among those exiled so precipitously. If no one had given hold, hall, or name, who
were
they? On the other hand, Jaxom had been one of the judges. He would have known Dorse. So might N’ton. And Masterprinter Tagetarl.

“Lord Toric!”

His name was spoken softly and in a deep voice. Dorse had mentioned that Fifth had a most unusual one. A most eloquent speaker, Dorse had said, effective in rousing people.

“Yes?” Toric stepped into the shadows. He had very much wanted to meet Fifth. Dorse had told him about the man’s unusual obsession relating to the fact that the MasterHarper had been found dead in the Aivas chamber at the same approximate time that the Abomination had terminated itself. Was it possible that Master Robinton had indeed discovered some malign aspect
of the Abomination and attempted to end its influence on Pern? Or had Aivas, suspecting that his evil designs to pollute and corrupt the planet had been divined by the human, killed the MasterHarper? It was well documented that Aivas had hidden defenses.

The conundrum had fascinated Toric from the moment Dorse had confided it in him. Now he could question the source.

The moment Tai woke that morning, Sagassy appeared at her bedside.

“D’you need the necessary, Rider Tai?” she asked and whipped back the cover without waiting for an answer.

“Can’t I walk by myself?” Tai asked. She was determined to put weakness and dependency behind her as soon as possible. Sagassy had been so practical that her help had not given Tai any embarrassment.

“I’ll just put an arm about you in case.”

Tai did need help getting to her feet but she tried to do as much as she could without Sagassy’s help.

Her ankles and knees were still stiff; her calves felt more like blocks but they weren’t painful; the left leg would even bear weight without great discomfort. So that brief excursion went well enough and, leaning against the heavy sink top, Tai managed to wash hands and face. She ate all the breakfast that Sagassy brought and then asked, as she did every time someone came into the room, when she could see Zaranth, F’lessan, and Golanth.

Having been asked that question frequently, Sagassy put her hands on her hips and gave her head a little shake.

“Well, I’m one as says it don’t do
you
nor them any good not to. Leave it with me.”

Tai wanted to burst out in frustration because everyone responded with—“leave it with me.” So far it was left. She was surprised to see T’lion, bronze Gadareth’s rider, enter the room, Sagassy behind him, grinning with smug satisfaction.

“Sagassy says I’m strong enough, and long enough,” he said. “You look much better.”

“How do you know?” And answered herself. “Oh, Gadareth was there that morning, wasn’t he?”

“Indeed he was and has been extremely smug and glowing ever since. Now, put an arm around my neck.”

“I can walk, I can walk!”

“I doubt it and I came to carry you because seeing all the invalids—not that Zaranth really
is
anymore—would definitely be too far for you to walk today.” He had swooped her up in his arms before she could protest further and carried her out of the room. She’d had so many people moving her places that such intimacy no longer bothered her. “In reverse order of preference, perhaps, because I know you want to reassure yourself that Zaranth is fine, but F’lessan’s just in here, so it’s on your way to her.”

There was a sudden alteration of the cheerfulness in his voice as he angled her into the largest of the sleeping quarters, not the one she and F’lessan had shared so often. She blinked back tears as she saw F’lessan’s white face turning restlessly on the pillow, his lips twitching, his brows creasing, ricking the lines that now scored his cheeks. His body looked unusually bulky under the cover—bandages, she thought, snatching back the hand she had unconsciously extended toward him. He shouldn’t be allowed to thrash so. Manora had said his wounds were deep. He could do himself more injury with this tossing.

T’lion placed her in the chair by the bed. She saw that F’lessan’s dark hair had been cut back on the right side, clearly showing the stitches on his scalp. Holding her hand a scant few centimeters above his face, her fingers trembled as she followed the path of the other facial scars. They didn’t look that deep but they were terrible to see on his handsome face.

As if conscious of someone watching him, he moved his head more restlessly from side to side and tried to lift first one hand, and then the other: the left hand slid limply to dangle beside the narrow bed. She picked it up, returning it to his side, and lightly touched his shoulder.

“Easy, F’lessan, lie still.” She pushed behind his ear the strand
of hair that had fallen across the stitched cheek. “Lie still. Golanth lives!”

“Golly?” The question was more breath than word, his brows creased slightly, halted when he felt the pull of skin. “Golly?”

His eyes opened, blinked, strained to focus on her face. He seemed puzzled by her presence. “Where’ve you been?” It was almost a complaint.

“They wouldn’t let me come.”

“She got clawed, too, F’lessan,” T’lion said, leaning over the other side of the bed. “But I said I’d bring her and I have.”

F’lessan’s eyelids seemed too heavy to keep open but the corner of his mouth turned up.

“So you did. Don’t go ’way, my very dear green. Don’t go ’way.”

His endearment caught at her heart and she had to wait a moment before she could speak.

“I’ll see Golanth and then I’ll be right back. You can rest now.”

“Hmmm, yes. I can, can’t I?” He turned his head to one side and, exhaling a deep breath, sank into a stillness that scared her until she saw his chest rise again.

“I’ll convey you to bronze Golanth,” T’lion said, picking her up and carrying her from the room.

“Why, just look at him, bronze rider,” Sagassy remarked, pausing to look back at F’lessan. “He’s much less restless already.”

It was as well Tai had seen F’lessan before Golanth because the sight of the terribly wounded bronze made her weep.

“Now, now, he looks a lot worse than he is,” the Monaco rider said, tightening his arms about her.

He is much better, Tai. He is much better
, and Zaranth rose from where she was lying on the sunny terrace beyond Golanth’s supine bulk.

“Oh, Zaranth! How can you say that?” Tai was sobbing.
Because it’s true
.

“Hey, now, Tai, don’t go to pieces on me,” T’lion said in a rallying tone. “He was badly injured, it’s true. Flesh gouged out of him, bits gnawed off him, but they got the tail mended. That’s
what’s in the splint affair. And he’s not in any pain because we don’t let him be.”

That was when Tai noticed all the other people on the terrace and valiantly controlled her sobs.

“Ah, Green Rider Tai,” and through the tear haze in her eyes, Tai recognized Persellan’s familiar face. “I know the extent of Golanth’s injuries seems appalling,” he went on, “but we keep him comfortable.” He gestured to the large gray pots in which numbweed was stored. “Having Zaranth here makes it certain that he is relieved before he can twitch a muscle in pain. She’s been as close to him as a pulse.”

Golanth’s prostrate body made the terrace seem smaller than she knew it was. There was room for people to move around him. Near the main entrance, there were supplies, like numbweed pots and chests of dressings or other medications, chairs where carers could relax, a table for dining, like the ones that had been set out when half of Monaco had been staying here.