Red Star Rising 

by: Anne McCaffrey

NOTE: this book has two names, in the uk where this book was purchased
its entitled: "red star rising" but in the U.S. its called dragons eye

Synopsis:

When the volcanoes rumble and the powerful storms begin brewing on Pern,
it means one thing: Thread.  For 257 years Pern has been free of the
life-destroying Thread, but now the Red Star has reappeared in the sky
and soon the deadly Threadfall will follow.  In the holds and weyrs
across the land, the genetically-engineered dragons of Pern and their
human riders begin feverishly training to combat the Thread, for only
dragon fire can destroy the silvery invaders.  But, incredibly, one Lord
Holder refuses to believe the Thread will fall again, and he may
endanger the entire planet.

Prologue

Rukbat, in the Sagittarian sector, was a golden o-type star.

It had five planets, two asteroid belts, and a stray planet it had
attracted and held in recent millennia.  When men first settled on
Rukbat's third planet and called it Pern, they had taken little notice
of the stranger planet, swinging around its adopted primary in a wildly
erratic orbit - until the desperate path of the wanderer brought it
close to its stepsister at perihelion.

When such aspects were harmonious, and not distorted by conjunctions
with other planets in the system, the wanderer brought in a life form
which sought to bridge the space gap to the more temperate and
hospitable planet.

The initial losses the colonists suffered from the voracious
mycorrhizoid organism that fell on them were staggering.

They had divorced themselves from their home planet, Earth, and had
cannibalized the colony ships, the Yokohama, the Bahrain and the Buenos
Aires, so they would have to improvise with what they had.

Their first need was an aerial defence against the Thread, as they named
this menace.  Using highly sophisticated bio-engineering techniques,
they developed a specialized variant of a Pernese life form which had
two unusual, and useful, characteristics: the so-called fire-lizards
could digest a phosphine bearing rock in one of their two stomachs and,
belching forth the resultant gas, create a fiery breath which reduced
Thread to harmless char.  The second of their unusual qualities were the
ability to teleport and an empathy which allowed limited understanding
with humans.  The bio-engineered dragons' - so called because they
resembled the Earth's mythical creatures - were paired at hatching with
an empathic human, forming a symbiotic relationship of unusual depth and
mutual respect.

The colonists moved to the northern continent to seek shelter from the
insidious Thread in the cave systems which were called holds'.

The dragons and their riders came, too, housing themselves in old
volcanic craters or Weyrs.

The First Pass of Thread lasted nearly fifty years and what scientific
information the colonists were able to gather indicated that Thread
would be a cyclic problem, occurring every two hundred and fifty years
as the path of the wanderer once again approached Pern.

During this interval, the dragons multiplied and each successive
generation became a little larger than the last, although optimum level
would take many, many more generations to reach.  And the humans spread
out across the northern continent, creating holds to live in, and halls
in which to train young people in skills and professions.  Sometimes
folks even forgot that they lived on a threatened planet.

However, in both Holds and Weyrs, there were masses of reports,
journals, maps and charts to remind the Lords and Weyrleaders of the
problem: and much advice to assist their descendants when next the rogue
planet approached Pern and how to prepare for the incursion.

This is what happened two hundred and fifty-seven years later.

Early Autumn at Fort's Gather Dragons in squadrons wove, and interwove
sky trails, diving and climbing in wings, each precisely separated by
the minimum safety distance so that occasionally the watchers thought
they saw an uninterrupted line of dragons as the close order drill
continued.

The skies above Fort Hold, the oldest of the human settlements on the
northern continent, were brilliantly clear on this early autumn day:
that special sort of clarity and depth of colour that their ancestors in
the New England sector of the North American continent would have
instantly identified.

The sun gleamed on healthy dragon hides and intensified the golden queen
dragons who flew at the lowest level, sometimes seeming to touch the
tops of the nearby mountains as they circled Fort.  It was a sight to
behold, and always brought a thrill of pride to those who watched the
display: with one or two exceptions.

Well, that's done for now,' said Chalkin, Lord Holder of Bitra, the
first to lower his eyes, though the fly-past was not yet over.

He rotated his neck and smoothed the skin where the decorative
embroidered border of his best tunic had scratched the skin.  Actually,
he had had a few heart-stopping moments during some of the manoeuvres,
but he would never mention that aloud.  The dragon riders were far too
full of themselves as it was, without pandering to their egos and an
inflated sense of importance: constantly appearing at his Hold and
handing him lists of what hadn't been done and must be done before
Threadfall.  Chalkin snorted.  Just how many people were taken in with
all this twaddle?  The storms last year had been unusually hard, but
then that wasn't in itself unexpectable, so why were hard storms
supposed to be a prelude to a Pass?

Winter meant storms.

And this preoccupation with the volcanoes going off.  They did
periodically anyway, sort of a natural phenomenon, if he remembered his
science orientation correctly.  So what if three or four were active
right now?  That did not necessarily have to do with the proximity of a
spatial neighbour!  And he was not going to require guards to freeze
themselves keeping an easterly watch for the damned planet.  Especially
as every other Hold was also on the alert.  So what if it orbited near
Pern?  That didn't necessarily mean it was close enough to be dangerous,
no matter how the ancients had gone on about cyclical incursions.

The dragons were just one more of the settlers' weird experiments,
altering an avian species to take the place of the aircraft they had
once had.  He'd seen the air sled which the Telgar Foundry treasured as
an exhibit: a vehicle much more convenient to fly in than aboard a
dragon where one had to endure the black-cold of teleportation.  He
shuddered.  He had no liking for that sort of ultimate cold, even if it
avoided the fatigue of overland travel.  Surely in all those records the
College was mustering folks to copy, there were other materials that
could be substituted for whatever the ancients had used to power the
vehicles?  Why hadn't some bright lad found the answer before the last
of the air sleds deteriorated completely?  Why didn't the brainy ones
develop a new type of air-worthy vessel?  A vessel that didn't expect to
be thanked for doing its duty!

He glanced down at the wide roadway where the gather tables and stalls
were set up.  His were empty; even his gamesters were watching the
sight.  He'd have a word with them later.  They should have been able to
keep some customers at the various games of chance even with the
dragon rider display.  Surely everyone had seen that by now.

Still, the races had gone well and, with every one of the wager-takers
his operators, he'd have made a tidy profit from his percentage of the
bets.

As he made his way back to his seat, he saw that wine chillers had been
placed at every table.  He rubbed his be ringed fingers together in
anticipation, the black Istan diamonds flashing as they caught sunlight.
The wine was the only reason he had been willing to come to this
Gathering: and he'd half suspected Hegmon of some prevarication in the
matter.  An effervescent wine, like the champagne one heard about from
old Earth, was to have its debut.  And, of course, the food would be
marvellous too, even if the wine should not live up to its advance
notice.  Paulin, Fort Hold's Lord, had lured one of the best chefs on
the continent to his kitchens and the evening meal was sure to be good:
if it didn't turn sour in his stomach while he sat through the
obligatory meeting afterwards.  Chalkin had bid for the man's services,
but Chrislee had spurned Bitra's offer and that refusal had long rankled
in Chalkin's mind.

The Bitran Holder mentally ran through possible excuses for leaving
right after dinner: one plausible enough to be accepted by the others.
This close to putative Threadfall, he had to be careful of alienating
the wrong people.  If he left before the dinner...  but then he wouldn't
have a chance to sample this champagne-style wine, and he was determined
to.

He'd taken the trouble to go to Hegmon's Benden vineyard, with the clear
intention of buying cases of the vintage.  But Hegmon had refused to see
him.  Oh, his eldest son had been apologetic - something about a
critical time in the process requiring Hegmon's presence in the caverns
- but the upshot was that Chalkin couldn't even get his name put down on
the purchase list for the sparkling wine.  Since Benden Weyr was likely
to get the lion's share of it, Chalkin had to keep in good with the
Benden Weyrleaders so that, at the Hatching which was due to occur in
another few weeks, he'd be invited and could drink as much of their
allotment of wines as he could.

More than one way to skin a wherry!

He paused to twirl one of the bottles in its ice nest.  Almost perfectly
chilled.  Riders must have brought the ice in from the High Reaches for
Paulin.  Whenever he needed some, he couldn't find a rider willing to do
him, Bitra's Lord Holder, such a simple service.  Humph!

But of course, certain Bloodlines always got preferential treatment.

Rank didn't mean as much as it should, that was certain!

He was surreptitiously inspecting the label of a bottle when there was a
sudden, startled intake of fearful breaths from the watchers, instantly
followed by a wild cheer.  Looking up, he saw he had just missed some
sort of dangerous manoeuvre Ah, yes, they'd done another mid-air rescue.
He saw a bronze dragon veering from under a blue who was miming a
wounded wing: both riders now safely aboard the bronze's neck.  Quite
likely that Telgar Weyrleader who was such a dare-devil.

Cheers were now punctuated with applause and some banging of drums from
the bandsmen on their podium down on the wide courtyard that spread out
from the steps to the Hold down to the two right-angled annexes.  Once
again, both the infirmary and the teachers' college were being enlarged,
if the scaffolding was a reliable indication.  Chalkin snorted, for the
buildings were being extended outward, wide open to any Thread which was
purportedly supposed to start falling again.  They really ought to be
consistent!  Of course, tunnelling into the cliff would take more time
than building outside.  But too many folks preached one thing and
practised another.

Chalkin grunted to himself, wondering acidly if the architects had got
Weyrleader approval for the design.  Thread!  He snorted again and
wished that Paulin, chatting so cosily with the two Benden Holders as he
and his wife escorted them back to the head table, would hurry up.

He was dying to sample the bubbly white.

Rattling his fingers on the table, he awaited the return of his host and
the opening of the tempting bottles in the cooler.

K'vin, bronze Charanth's rider, put his lips close to the ear of the
young blue rider sitting in front of him.

Next time wait for my signal!" he said.

P'tero only grinned, giving him a backward glance, his bright blue eyes
merry.

Knew you'd catch me, he bellowed back.  Too many people watching to
let me swing and give Weyr secrets away!" Then P'tero waved
encouragingly at Ormonth, who was now flying anxiously at Charanth's
wingtip.  Though unseen from the ground, the safety-tethers still linked
the blue rider to his dragon.  P'tero unbuckled his end of the straps
and they dangled free.

Lucky you that I was looking up just then!" K'vin said so harshly that
the brash lad flushed to his ear tips.  Look at the fright you've given
Ormonth!" And he gestured towards the blue, his hide flushing in mottled
spots from his recent scare.

P'tero yelled something else which K'vin didn't catch so he leaned
forward, putting his right ear nearer the blue rider's mouth.

I was in no danger,' P'tero repeated.  I used brand-new straps and he
watched me braid em.

Hah!" As every rider knew, dragons had gaps in their ability to
correlate cause and effect.  So Ormonth would scarcely have connected
the new straps with his rider's perfect safety.

Oh, thanks,' the rider added as K'vin snapped one of his own straps to
P'tero's belt.  Not that they would be doing more than landing, but
K'vin wished to make a point of safety to P'tero.

While K'vin approved of courage, he did not appreciate recklessness,
especially if it endangered a dragon this close to the beginning of
Threadfall.  Careful supervision had kept his Weyr from losing any
dragon partners and he intended to maintain that record.

Spilling off his blue before K'vin had passed the word was taking a
totally unnecessary risk.  Fortunately, K'vin had seen P'tero dive.

His heart had lurched in his chest, even if he knew P'tero was equipped
with the especially heavy and long harness as a fail-safe.  Even if he
and Charanth had not accurately judged the mid-air rescue, those long
straps would have saved the blue rider from falling to his death.

Today's manoeuvre had been precipitous instead of well-executed.

And, if Charanth had not been as adept on the wing, P'tero might be
nursing broken ankles or severe bruising as a result of his folly.

No matter how broad, those safety straps really jerked a man about in
mid-air.

P'tero still showed no remorse.  K'vin only hoped that the stunt
produced the effect the love-struck P'tero wished.  His mate would have
been watching, heart in mouth, no doubt, and P'tero would reap the
harvest of such fear some time this evening.  K'vin wished that more
girls were available to Impress green dragons.  It made that facet of
Weyrleadership considerably easier to deal with.  There were still a
few, of course, but with parents keenly interested in applying for more
land by setting up cot holds for married children, fewer and fewer girls
were encouraged to stand on the Hatching Grounds.  While being a
dragon rider didn't prevent a girl from having children, if that's what
she wanted, it did prevent them from owning land.  Still, grandchildren,
even the Weyrborn, could claim land.  Though, in actual fact, more
Weyrborn preferred to stay in the Weyr even if they didn't Impress.

The dragons who had taken part in the mass fly-by were now landing their
riders in the wide road beyond the court.

Then they leaped up again to find a spot in which to enjoy the last of
the warm autumnal sun.  Many made for the adjoining cliffs as space on
Fort's heights filled up on either side of the solar panels.

Dragons could be trusted not to tread on what remained of the priceless
installations.  Fort's were the oldest, of course, and two banks had
been lost last winter to the unseasonably fierce storms.  Fort, being
the largest as well as the oldest northern installation, needed all its
arrays in full working order to supply heat for its warren of corridors,
power for air circulation units and what equipment still worked.
Fortunately a huge stockpile of panels had been made during the first
big wave of constructing new Weyrs and Holds.  There would be enough for
generations.

Weyrleaders sought their tables on the upper level with Lord Holders and
Professionals, while riders joined whatever company they preferred at
tables set up on the huge expanse of the outer apron.  Not a sprout of
vegetation anywhere on that plaza surface, K'vin noticed with approval.
S'nan, Fort's Weyrleader, had always been fussy and rightly so.

The musicians had struck up sprightly music and couples were already
dancing on the wooden floor set over the cobbles.  Beyond the dance
square were the stalls, tents and tables where goods were being sold or
exchanged.  There'd been brisk business all day, especially for items
needed during the winter months when there would be fewer big Gathers.

The various Craftsmen would be pleased, and there'd be less for the
dragons to haul back.

Charanth was now circling over the annexes which had been started to
increase living space for both Pern's main infirmary research facility
and teacher training.  The dormitories were also going to house
volunteers who were assiduously trying to save the records, damaged
during last spring when water had leaked down the walls of the vast
storage caverns under Fort.  Riders had offered to spend as much time as
possible from their training schedules to help in the project.

Everyone who had a legible script was acceptable, and Lord Paulin had
done a bang-up job in making the copyists comfortable.  The other Holds
had contributed material and work forces.

The exterior buildings of the College were designed to be Threadproof,
with high peaked roofs of Telgar slate and gutters which led into
underground cisterns where errant Thread would be drowned.

All the Craftsmen involved, including those destined to inhabit the
facility, would have preferred to enlarge the cave system, but there had
been two serious collapses of caverns and the mining engineers had
vetoed interior expansion for fear of undermining the whole cliff-side.

Even the mutant, blunt-winged, flightless photo-sensitive watchwhers had
refused to go on further subterranean explorations which, their handlers
insisted meant dangers human eyes couldn't see.  So build they did:
stout walls more than two and a half me tres thick at ground level,
tapering to just under two me tres under the roof.  With the iron mines
at Telgar going full blast, the necessary structural beams to support
such weight had posed no problem.

The new quarters were to be finished within the month.

Even today there had been a work force, though they had taken a break to
watch the aerial display and would finish in time for the evening meal
and entertainment.

Charanth landed gracefully, with Ormonth right beside him so that P'tero
could remove the tethering safety straps before they could be noticed.
As he was doing so, M'leng, green Sith's rider, came up to him, scolding
him for putting my heart in my mouth like that!" And he proceeded to
berate P'tero far more viciously than his Weyrleader would.

K'vin grinned to himself, especially as he saw how penitent P'tero
became under such a harangue.  K'vin rolled up his riding straps and
tied them to the harness ring.

Enjoy the sun, my friend,' he said, slapping Charanth on the wide
shoulder.

I wilL Meranath is already there, the bronze dragon said, his tone
slightly smug as he executed a powerful upward leap, showering his rider
with grit.

Charanth's attitude towards his mate, Meranath, amused, and pleased, his
rider.  No-one had expected K'vin to accede to Telgar's Weyrleadership
when it fell open after B'ner's death nine months before.  Who would
have expected that the sturdy rider, just into his sixth decade, had had
any heart problems?  But that is what the medics said killed him.  So,
when Meranath was ready to mate again, Telgar's senior Weyrwoman,
Zulaya, had called for an open flight, leaving it to the dragons to
decide on the next Leader.  She'd insisted that she had no personal
preference.  She had been sincerely attached to B'ner and was probably
still grieving for him.

There had certainly been no lack of suitors'.

K'vin had sent Charanth aloft in the mating flight because all the
Telgar Weyr wing leaders were expected to take part, as well as bronze
riders from the other Weyrs.  He had no real wish to lead a Weyr into a
Pass; he considered himself too yonng for such responsibilities.  He had
observed from B'ner that the normal duties of an Interval were bad
enough, but to know that a high percentage of your fellow-riders would
be injured, or killed, that the lives of so many people rested on your
expertise and endurance was too much to contemplate.  Some nights, now,
he was racked by terrifying dreams, and Threadfall hadn't even started.

On the occasions when he was in Zulaya's bed, she had been understanding
and calmly reassuring.

B'ner worried, too, if that's any consolation, Kev,' she said, using
his old nickname and soothing back sweat-curled hair as he trembled with
reaction.  He had nightmares, too.  Comes with the title.  As a rule,
the morning after a nightmare, B'ner'd go over Sean's notes.  I figure
he had to have memorized them.

I've seen you do the same thing.  You'll do well, Kev, when push comes
to shove.  I know it." Zulaya could sound so sure of something, but then
she was nearly a decade his senior and had had more experience as a
Weyrleader.  Sometimes her intuition was downright uncanny: she could
accurately predict the size of clutches, the distribution of the
colours, the sex of babies born in the Weyr and, occasionally, even the
type of weather in the future.  But then, she was Fort Weyrbred, a
linear descendant of one of the First Riders, Aliana Zuleita, and knew
things.  It was odd how the golden queens always seemed to prefer women
from outside the Weyrs, but sometimes a queen had a mind of her own and
chose a Weyrbred woman in spite of what had become custom.

However, just like his predecessor, he constantly reviewed accounts of
the individual Falls, how they differed, how you could tell from the
Leading Edge of Fall that this would be an odd one.  Most often the
accounts were dry statements of fact, but the prosaic language did not
disguise the presence of great courage: especially as those first riders
had to figure out how to cope with Thread, easy or hard.

The fact that he was a several times great-nephew of Sorka Connell, the
First Weyrwoman - and Zulaya pointed this out more than once -
constituted a secondary and subtle reassurance to the entire Weyr.

Maybe that's why Meranath let Charanth catch her.

Zulaya said, her face dead serious but her eyes dancing.

Had you, I mean...  did you think of me...  I mean...

K'vin tried to summon appropriate words two weeks after that momentous
flight.  He had been overwhelmed by her response to him that night.  But
afterwards she had seemed very casual in her dealings with him, and she
did not always invite him into her quarters, despite the fact that their
dragons were inseparable.

Who thinks at all during a mating flight?  But I do believe I'm glad
that Charanth was so clever.  If there is anything in heredity, having a
distant great-nephew of Fort Weyr's First Weyrwoman - AND from a family
that has put many acceptable candidates on the Hatching Grounds - as
Telgar's Weyrleader gives us all a boost.

I'm not my many times great-aunt, Zulaya She chuckled.

Fortunately, or you wouldn't be Weyrleader, but blood will tell!'
Zulaya had a disconcerting directness but gave him no real hint how she
- the woman, not the Weyrwoman - personally felt towards him.  She was
kind, helpful, made constructive suggesnons when they discussed training
programmes but so impersonal .  .  .  that K'vin had to decide that she
hadn't really got over B'ner's death yet.

He himself was obscurely comforted that his distant gre at aunt had
managed to survive Fall, and he would attempt to do the same.  As, he
was sure, would his two siblings and four cousins who were also
dragon riders  Though no others were Weyrleaders .  yet.  Still, if his
being of the Ruathan Bloodline which had produced Sorka, M'hall, M'dani,
Sorana and Mairian offered reassurance to his Weyr, he'd reinforce that
at every turn during the Pass.

Now, at probably the last large Gather Pern would enjoy wider Threadfree
skies for the next fifty years, he watched his Weyrwoman leave the group
of Telgar holders she had been talking to and stride towards him across
the open eourtyard.

Zulaya was tall for a woman, long-legged - all the better for bestriding
a dragon's neck.  He was a full head taller than she was, which she said
she liked in him: B'ner had been just her height.  It was her colouring
that fascinated K'vin: the inky-black curly hair that, once freed of the
flying helmet, tumbled down below her waist.

The hair framed a wide, highcheekboned face, set off the beige of her
smooth skin and large, lustrous eyes that were nearly black; a wide and
sensual mouth above a strong chin gave her face strength and purpose
which reinforced her authority with anyone.  She strode, unlike some of
the hold women who minced along, her steel-rimmed boot heels noisy on
the flagstones, her arms swinging at her sides.  She'd had time to put a
long, slitted skirt over her riding gear and it opened as she walked,
shpwing a well-formed leg in the leather pants and high boots.

She'd turned the high riding-boot cuffs down over her calves and the red
fur made a nice accent to her costume, echoed in the fur trim of her
cuffs and collar which she had opened.  As usual, she wore the sapphire
pendant she had inherited as the eldest female of her Blood.

So, did P'tero win M'leng's undying affection with that stunt?" she
demanded, an edge to her voice.  They've gone off together .  .  . and
she looked in the direction of the two riders who were headed towards
the temporary tents along the row of cots.

You might have a word with both later.  They're afraid of you,' K'vin
said, grinning.

For that piece of stupidity, I'll make them more afraid,' she said
briskly, hopping a step to match his stride.  You really should learn
how to scowl menacingly." She glanced up at K'vin and then shook her
head, sighing sadly.  She had once teased him that he was far too
handsome to ever look genuinely threatening, with the Hanrahan red hair,
blue eyes and freckles.  No, you just don't have the face for it.  Be
that as it may, Meranath's going to give out to Sith for allowing a blue
to put himself in danger.

Get em where it hurts,' K'vin said, nodding, because Meranath was even
more effective as a deterrent with the dragons than any human could be,
even the dragon's own rider.  Damned fool stunt!" However,' and now
Zulaya cleared her throat, the Telgarians thought it was "Just
marvellous!"' she added in a gushing tone.  Especially since they won't
get much chance to see the dive in real action." Now she grimaced.

Well, at least Telgarians believe,' K'vin said.

Who doesn't?" Zulaya demanded, looking up at him.

Chalkin, for one." Him!" She had absolutely no use for the Bitran Lord
Holder and never bothered to hide it.

If there's one, there may be others for all the lip service they give
us.

What?  With Second Fall only months away from us?" Zulaya demanded.
And why, pray tell, do we have dragons at all, if not to provide an
aerial defence for the continent?

Oh, we provide transportation services, but that's not nearly enough to
justify our existence.

Easy, lady,' K'vin said.  You're preaching to the dedicated.

She made a disgusted sound deep in her throat and then they had reached
the steps up to the upper Court.  She put her hand through his arm so
that they would present the proper picture of united Weyrleadership.
K'vin stifled a sigh that the accord was only for public display.

And Chalkin's already into that new bubbling wine of Hegmon's,' Zulaya
said irritably.

Why else do you think he came?" asked K'vin as he deftly guided her
away from the Bitran, who was smacking his lips and regarding his wine
glass with greedy speculation.

Though today's also a chance for his gamesters to profit." One thing
sure, I hear tell he's not on Hegmon's list,' she said as they reached
their table which the Telgarians shared, by choice, with the High
Reaches Weyr and Hold leaders and those from Tillek.  The senior Captain
of the Tillek fishing fleet and his new wife completed the complement at
their table.

That was quite a show you put on," said the jovial ship's master,
Kizan, wasn't it, Cherry, m'dear?" Oh, it was, indeed it was,' the
girl replied, clapping her hands together.  While the gesture was close
to an affectation, the young wife was clearly awed by the company she
kept at this Gather and everyone was trying to help her cope.  Kizan had
let it be known that she came from a small fishing hold and, while a
capable ship's master, she had little experience with a wider world.

I've often seen the dragons in the sky, but never so close up.  They
are so beautiful." Have you ridden one yet?" Zulaya asked kindly.

Oh, heavens, no,' Cherry replied, modestly lowering her eyes.

You may, and soon, her husband said.  We came overland here to Fort
for the Gather, but I think we'd better see how good our credit is Very
good, Captain,' said G'don, the High Reaches Weyrleader, as you've
never applied to us half as much as you're entitled to." Mari, his
Weyrwoman, nodded and smiled encouragingly at Cherry's almost horrified
reaction.

What?" Kizan teased his bride.  The woman who sailed through a Force
Nine gale without complaint is nervous about flying on a dragon?" Cherry
tried to respond, but she couldn't find words.

Don't tease,' Mari said.  Riding a dragon is considerably different to
standing on your own deck, but I don't know many people who refuse a
ride." Oh, I'm not refusing,' Cherry said hastily, startled.

Just like a child frarffil of being denied a promised treat, K'vin
thought and struggled to keep from grinning at her.

All of you, leave her alone,' said the Telgar Lady Holder, scowling at
them.  I remember my first ride adragonback.

Back that far, huh, said her husband, Lord Tashvi, eyeing her blandly.
And yet you can't remember where you put that bale of extra blankets .

Don't start on that again!" Salda began, scowling, but it was apparent
to the others at the table, even young Cherry, that the Telgar Holders
often indulged in such sparring.

Have you not opened your wine?" asked an eager voice and they looked
round at Vintner Hegmon, a stout, grey haired man of medium height with a
flushed face and a reddened nose which he jokingly called an
occupational hazard.

Do us the honour." said Tashvi, gesturing to the chilled bottles.

Hegmon complied and, in his experienced hands, the plug erupted from the
bottle neck with speed and a plop'.  The wine bubbled up but he deftly
put a glass under the lip before a drop could be spilled.

I think we've done it this time,' he said, filling the glasses
presented to him.

I say, it does look exciting,' said Salda, holding up her glass to
watch the bubbles make their ascent.  Thea, the High Reaches Lady
Holder, did likewise and then sniffed at her glass.  Oh, my word,' she
exclaimed, putting a hand to her nose just in time to catch a sneeze.

The bubbles tickle." Try the wine,' Hegmon urged.

Hmmmm,' Tashvi said and Kizan echoed the sentiment.

Dry, too,' the Captain said.  Go on, Cherry,' he urged his wife.

It's quite unlike Tillek brews.  They tend to be foxy and harsh.

This'll go down easily.

Ohhh,' and Cherry's response was one of sheer delight.

Oh, I like this!" Hegmon grinned at her ingenuousness and accepted the
approving nods from the others at the table.

I quite like it, too,' Zulaya said after letting a sip slide down her
throat.  Rather nice." I say, Hegmon, wouldn't mind a refill,' and
Chalkin appeared at the table, extending his glass under the mouth of
the bottle the Vintner held.

Hegmon kept the bottle upright and regarded the Lord Holder coolly.
There's more at your own table, Chalkin.

True, but I'd rather sample different bottles.

Hegmon stiffened and Salda intervened.

Leave off, Chalkin.  As if Hegmon would offer an inferior bottle to
anyone,' she said and waved him off.

Chalkin hesitated between a scowl and a smile but then, keeping his
expression bland, he bowed and backed away from the table with his empty
glass.  He did not, however, return to his own table, but moved on to
the next one where wine was being poured.

I could..." Hegmon began.

Just don't supply him, Hegmon." He's already insistent that I give him
vine starts so he can grow his own,' said Hegmon, furious at such
importunity.  Not that he'd do that any better than any of those other
projects he starts." Ignore him,' Zulaya suggested with a flick of her
fingers.

M'shall and Irene do.  He's such a toady." Unfortunately,' said Tashvi
with a grimace, he's managed to find like minds..

We'll settle him at the meeflng, said K'vin.

I hope so,' Tashvi said, though a man like that is not easily
convinced against his will.  And he does have a following.

Not where it matters,' Zulaya put in.

I hope so.  Ah, and here's food to soak up all this lovely stuff before
we're too muddled to keep our wits about us this evening.

Zulaya waved at the wine cooler.  I doubt there's more than two glasses
apiece, scarcely enough to muddle us, though it's lovely stuff." And she
sipped judiciously.  Hegmon is generous, but not overly so.  And here's
our dinner..." She sat back as a swarm of men and women in Fort colours
began to distribute platters of steaming foods among the tables.  And
bottles of red wine.

You spoke too soon about muddling, Zuli,' K'vin said, grinning as he
served her roast slices from the platter before passing it around the
table.

They had finished their meal and all the wine before Paulin rose from
his table and signalled those in the upper Court to follow him into the
Hold for the meeting.  Dancing was well under way in the square and the
music made a cheerful processional.

K'vin hoped the musicians would still be playing when the meeting ended.
Despite the height of her, Zulaya was so light on her feet she was a
pleasure to partner and, because he was so tall, she preferred him as
her partner too.  And a full orchestra of professionals was far more
entertaining than the half-trained if enthusiastic players currently in
the Weyr.

Different music, too.

Ah,' said Zulaya appreciatively as they filed into Fort's Great Hall,
they've done a great job of freshening the murals.

Hmmm,' K'vin agreed, craning his neck around and impeding Chalkin's
entrance into the Hall.  Sorry." Humph,' was Chalkin's response and he
glared sourly at Zulaya as he passed, shrugging his garments away from
touching them.

Consider the source,' K'vin said when he thought Zulaya might fire a
tart comment after the Lord Holder.

I want to be at Bitra when the first Fall hits his Hold,' she said.

Isn't he lucky, then, not to be beholden to us, but to Benden?" K'vin
asked wryly.

Indeed,' agreed Zulaya and allowed herself to be guided to Telgar
Weyr's usual seat at the big conference table.  I wonder did anyone get
any sleep in this Hold the past week,' she said, stroking the banner of
Telgar's colours that clothed their portion of the table.

Makes such a nice display,' she murmured as she pulled out the chair
which also sported Telgar's white field and black grain design.

The table itself was made up of many smaller units hooked together,
forming a multi-faceted circle: Telgar's Weyr and Hold leaders were
between High Reaches and Tillek since they were the northernmost
settlements.  Across from them were Ista Weyr and Hold, and Keroon Hold,
with their brilliant colours.  Benden Weyr was seated with Bitra on one
side and Nerat and Benden on the other.  The Chief Engineer, the Senior
Medic and the Headmaster were also included in the meeting.  Fort,
traditionally the senior Hold, with Ruatha and Southern Boll on either
side, was at table centre and this time was the Chair' Now, if any of
us still have our heads after Hegmon's fine new wine, let's get this
over with so we can get in some dancing,' said Paulin, smiling around
the table.

Chalkin banged the table in front of him with a very loud Hear, hear!"
K'vin stifled a groan.  The man was half-drunk, if not all drunk; his
face flushed red.

I'm sure we're all aware of the imminence of Threadfall..

Chalkin made a rude noise.

Look, Lord Chalkin,' said Paulin, scowling at the dissident, if you
managed to get too much of the champagne inside your skin, you can be
excused." No, that's exactly what he wants,' said M'shall, Benden's
Weyrleader, quickly.  Then he can claim anything decided today was done
behind his back." If he can't shut up, we can always hold his head
under the tap until he sobers enough to remember common courtesy, put in
Irene, Benden's Weyrwoman.  He doesn't like getting his Gather clothes
wet." Her expression suggested she'd had experience enough to know.

Chalkin!" Paulin said, his voice steely.

Oh, all right,' the Bitran said in a surly tone and he settled himself
more squarely in his chair, leaning forward on his elbows at the table.
If you're going to be that way Only because you are,' snapped Irene.
Paulin gave her a stern look and she subsided, though she kept narrowed
eyes on Chalkin for a while longer.

Three independent calculations were made and there's no doubt that the
Red Planet is getting closer spatially speaking."

Is there any chance of a collision?" asked Jamson of High Reaches.

Fraggit, Jamson,' Paulin said, let's not bring that up.

Why not?" said Chalkin, brightening.

Because that .  .  .  improbability has already been discussed to the
point of nausea,' Paulin replied.  There isn't a hint in any of the
information collected by our forefathers to indicate there is any chance
of a collision between the two planets.  Or that they considered the ..
.  improbability for any reason.

Yes, but does it say anywhere that there can't be?" Chalkin was
obviously delighted with this possibility.

Absolutely not,' Paulin said simultaneously with Clisser who was not
only the College Head but the senior of the trained astronomers.

Paulin gestured for Clisser to continue.

Captains Keroon and Tillek,' and he paused in reverence, both
annotated the AI VAS report which included data from the Yokohama's
records.  I have repeatedly reworked the relevant equations and the
rogue planet will Pass Pern on an elliptical orbit that canNOT alter to
a collision course with us.

A matter of celestial mechanics and Rukbat's gravitational pull.

I'd've brought the diagram of the orbits involved if I'd had
forewarning." Clisser gave Chalkin a disgusted glare.

Bad enough it brings in the Thread.  Do you want to be blown to
smithereens, Chalkin?" asked Kalvi, chief of the mechanical engineers.

And I checked the maths, too, so I concur with Clisser and everyone
else who's done the equations.  Why don't you, if you're so worried?"
Chalkin ignored the jibe since he had never been noted for scholarship
in any field.  He was also well pleased with the reaction to his remark.
No matter what they said, there was no proof that they were really that
safe.

Now, calculations indicate early spring will bring the first Threadfall
of this Pass.  There are several Falls which could be live, depending on
the weather conditions, mainly the ambient temperature, at the time of
Fall." Paulin reached under his table then and hauled up a board on
which Threadfall areas had been meticulously delineated.

S'nan cleared his throat, moving restlessly, as if he felt Paulin should
not have usurped a Fort prerogative.  The first two will be in Fort
Weyr's patrol area, the second two in High Reaches' and the third two in
Benden's.  These are due to occur in the first two weeks, about three
days apart.  The second Fall in Fort territory and the first one in High
Reaches happen on the same day - different flows of the same Fall. Also,
we know from the records that there will be live Falls over the Southern
Continent for about a week before the Falls commence here in the North.
S'nan,' and Paulin turned to the Fort Weyrleader, may we have your
progress report?" S'nan stood, holding up his ubiquitous clipboard.
(Rumour had it that that item had been passed down from the Connell
himself.)  He peered down at it a moment.  The old Leader of the premier
Weyr on Pern resembled his several times great-grandfather, though his
silvery hair was more sandy than red.

Privately, K'vin didn't think Sean Connell had been such a martinet,
even if he had promulgated the rules by which the Weyrs governed
themselves.  Most of these were common sensible even if S'nan managed to
pursue them into the ridiculous.

The first Fall,' S'nan began, and there was a touch of pride in his
voice, would start over the sea east of Fort Hold and come ashore at
the mouth of the river, passing diagonally across the peninsula and out
into the sea in the west.  The second two Falls, which will occur three
days later, will be over the southern tip of Southern Boll." He used his
stylus and, at his most condescending, touched Paulin's chart.

This one may go south far enough to miss land entirely, and in any case
will be over land for only a short while - and over the western tip of
High Reaches, again proceeding out to sea, and 50 over land for only a
short time.  The third Fall will start on the south coast of the Tillek
peninsula, east of the site of the Hold: and proceed out to sea, again
over land only for a short time.

Thread giving us all a chance to get accustomed to fighting it?" asked
B'nurrin of Igen.

Your levity is ill-placed,' S'nan said, but there were too many grins
around the table for his reprimand to affect the irrepressible young
Weyrleader.  He cleared his throat and launched once more into his
discourse.  The next two Falls will be the most dangerous for
unseasoned wings,' and he shot a stern glance at B'nurrin as he found
the proper Thread path.

The first will start over the sea in the east and proceed over Benden
Weyr and Bitra Hold, ending almost at Igen Weyr.

This would normally be flown jointly by Benden and Igen Weyrs.

The second will start at the northern end of the Nerat peninsula and
proceed across it, over the east coast of Keroon and the east tip of
Igen, and end just offshore from Igen.  This also would normally be a
joint Fall, flown by Benden over Nerat, Igen over the northern part of
Keroon, and Ista over the southern part of Keroon.

We really do know what Falls we fly, S'nan,' M'shall said.

Yes, yes, of course,' and S'nan cleared his throat again.

However,' and his glance went to the Lord Holders seated around the
table, it was decided at the last meeting of the Weyrleaders that,
since any of these would be the first Fall in our experience, every Weyr
would supply a double-wing at the initial engagement.  Thus each Weyr
would have first-hand experience.

I still think we could all get that by hitting those first Southern
Falls,' B'nurrin began.  If the dragons miss, it's not going to fall on
anyone's head or ruin any farmland." B'nurrin!" M'shall said sternly
before the startled S'nan could open his mouth.

K'vin privately thought B'nurrin had a good idea and had backed him, but
they had been overruled by the older Weyrleaders.  K'vin suspected that
if he were to take some wings down South for that first Fall there, he'd
be likely to find B'nurrin practising' there, too.

I still think it's a good idea,' the Igen leader said, shrugging.

Pretending such an interruption hadn't even occurred, S'nan went on. As
was customary in the First Pass, Lord Holders will supply adequate
ground crews and have them assembled as directed by the Weyrleaders.  In
this case, Weyrleader M'shall." He inclined slightly towards the Benden
bronze rider.  Master Kalvi,' and he bowed courteously to the Head
Engineer, has assured me that his foundry has turned out sufficient
HNO3 cylinders to equip the ground crews, but the HNO3 must be made up
on site.  As in the First Pass, the labour and material are supplied by
the engineer corps as part of their public duty.  You all should have
received your full allotment of tanks by Year's End." S'nan paused and
peered at Kalvi who rose to his feet.

The Fort Weyrleader was precise in his language, scorning to use the
term Turn' for a year which was coming into use among the younger
generation.

I've scheduled every major Hold with three days of training in the
maintenance and repair of the flame-throwers and a practice session
which, I think,' and Kalvi grinned, you will find comprehensive as well
as interesting." He shifted his stance and would have gone on, but S'nan
held up his hand and gestured Kalvi to sit.

With a bit of a snort and a grin, Kalvi complied.

Now the Fort Weyrleader turned his glance to Corey.  I believe you also
plan a three-day seminar to instruct major and minor hold personnel in
burn control and Thread --- ah first aid.

Corey did not rise but nodded.

Lords Holder must assign suitable medics with every ground control
unit, or have one member of each trained in first aid and supplied with
kits containing numb weed fell is juice and other first-aid medications,'
S'nan continued.

Now,' and he flipped over the top sheet, I have done pre-Pass
inspections of all Weyrs and find them well up to strength, with
sufficient cadet riders to supply the wings with phosphine rock during
the Pass.  I have discussed all aspects of flight tactics and Weyr
maintenance with the respective Weyrleaders .

K'vin writhed a bit on his chair, remembering the exhaustive inspection
carried out by S'nan and Sarai: they'd even inspected the recycling
plant!  Then he noticed that G'don, the oldest Weyrleader, was also
squirming.  So, the Fort pair had spared no-one in their officious
search for perfection.

Well, they were heading into a Pass and the Fort Weyrleaders

were correct to want every aspect of dragon riding at the highest
possible standard and readiness.  In the propagation of dragons, the
pair had found no fault with Telgar Weyr: it had had the largest
clutches of all the Weyrs in the last three years as the dragons
themselves answered the tide of preparations for the coming struggle.

K'vin was hoping that Charanth's first clutch would be larger than any
that B'ner's Miginth had sired; maybe then Zulaya would warm to him.

The two junior queens had done well in their latest clutches, producing
more of the useful greens and blues.  Telgar Weyr would soon be full!
They might have to shift out some of the excess population to other
Weyrs, but that could wait until the yearly review.

And, in conclusion, let me state that we are as ready as we can be."
Far more ready than the First Riders were,' G'don remarked in his dry
fashion.

Indeed,' echoed Irene of Benden.

K'vin contented himself with a smile.  Unbidden, a little wiggle of fear
shot up from his belly to chill him and he gave himself a shake.  He
came from a Blood that had produced First Riders and contributed many
sons and daughters to the Weyrs.

And you ride me, Charanth said firmly.  Ishall be formidable in the air.
Thread will fly in the other direction when it sees my flame.

And that was not all draconic boast, for Charanth had

Fracked up the Weyr Record for the length he achieved in flaming
practice.  Together we meet Thread, not just you on your own.  I shall
be with you and we shall overcome.

Thanks, Charrie.

You re welcome, Kev.

You've got that look in your eye, K'vin,' Zulaya murmured for his ear
alone.  What's Charanth's opinion of all this?" He's raring to go,'
K'vin whispered back, and grinned.

Charanth was right to remind him that he did not fly alone: they were
together as they had been from the moment the bronze had broken his
shell in half and stepped directly towards a fourteenyearold Kevin of
the Hanrahans waiting on the hot sands of Hatching Ground.  And Kevin
had realized that that was the moment all his life had been aimed at
Impression.  He'd seen his older brother Impress, and his second oldest
sister, and three of the four cousins currently riders.  From the moment
he was Searched out, part of him had been sure-sure-sure, with all the
fervour of an adolescent that he would Impress favourably.

The negative side of his' personality had perversely suggested that he'd
be left standing on the hot sands and he'd never live down such a
humiliating experience.

In conclusion,' S'nan said let me assure this Gathering that the Weyrs
are ready." \Vith that, he sat down to an approving applause.  I hope
that the Holds are too9' Not his voice end on an up-note but he raised'
.  only did his thick brows questioningly at the Fort Holder.

Paulin stood up again, shuffling until he found the right clipboard and
cleared his throat.  I have readiness reports in from all but two major
Holds,' and he glanced first at Franco, Lord Holder of Nerat, and then
tilted his head towards Chalkin.  I know you received the forms to fill
in..

The tall, thin bronze-skinned Neratian raised his hand.  I told you the
problem we have with vegetation, Paulin and we're still trying to keep
it under control .  .  . He grimace.

Not easy with the excellent weather we've been having and the
restriction against chemical deterrents.  But I can assure you that
we'll keep at it.  Otherwise, we have emergency roofing for the seedling
nurseries and sufficient stores of viable seeds to replant when that's
feasible.  We're also continuing our research into dwarfing plants for
indoor propagation.  All minor holders are fully aware of the problems
and are con plying  Everyone's signed up for the ground-crew course.

Paulin made a notation, nodding.  Agriculture's still working on the
?roblem of an inhibitor for your tropical weed types, Fran.

I hope so.  Stuff grows out of pure sand without any cultivation at
all.

Then Paulin turned to Chalkin who had been polishing his rings with
every evidence of boredom.

I've had nothing at all from you, Lord Chalkin of Bitra,' Paulin said.

Oh, there's plenty of time A report was required by this date,
Chalkin,' Paulin reminded, pushing the issue.

Chalkin shrugged.  You all can play that game if you wish, but I do not
believe that Thread is going to fall next spring, so why should I bother
my people with unnecessary tasks..." He wasn't able to finish his
sentence for the acrimonious reactions from everyone at the table.

Now see here, Chalkin - -.

Hey, wait a bleeding minute .  .  "Just where do you get off.

Bastom was on his feet with indignation.

Chalkin pointed one thick be ringed finger at the Tillek Holder.

The Holds are autonomous, are they not?  Is that not guaranteed in the
Charter?" Chalkin demanded, rounding on Paulin.

In ordinary times, yes,' Paulin answered, waving a hand to the others
to be quiet.  He had to raise his voice to be heard over the angry
remarks and protests.  However, with .

This Thread of yours coming.  So you say, but there's no proof.

.  . Chalkin said, grinning smugly.

Proof?  What more proof do you need?" Paulin demanded.

This planet is already feeling the perturbation of the rogue planet
Chalkin dismissed that with a shrug.  Winter brings bad storms,
volcanoes do erupt You can't so easily dismiss the fact that the planet
is becoming more visible .  .

Pooh.  That doesn't mean anything .

So,' and Paulin again had to quell angry murmurs to be heard, you
discount entirely the advice of our forebears?  The massive evidence
that they left for our guidance?" They left hysterical They were
scarcely hysterical .  .  .  Tashvi bellowed.  And they coped with the
emergency, and gave us specific guidelines to follow when the planet
came back.  And how to calculate a Pass.

Hold it, hold it,' Paulin shouted, raising both arms to restore order.
I'm Chair, I'll remind you,' and he glared at Tashvi until the Telgar
Lord resumed his seat and the others had quietened down.  What kind of
proof do you require, Lord Chalkin?" he asked in a very reasonable tone
of voice.

Thread falling..." someone muttered, and subsided before he could be
identified.

Well, Chalkin?" said Paulin.

Some proof that Thread will fall.  A report from this AI VAS we've all
heard about Landing is under tons of volcanic ash,' Paulin said, and
then recognized S'nan's urgent signal to speak.

Nine expeditions have been mounted to investigate the installation at
Landing and retrieve information from the AI VAS S'nan said in his
usual measured tones.  As he spoke he searched for and found a sheaf of
plastic and held it up.

These are the reports.

And?" Chalkin demanded, obviously enjoying the agitation he had
aroused.

We have been unable to locate the administration building in which the
AI VAS was located .

Why not?" Chalkin insisted.  I remember seeing tapes of Landing prior
to the first Threadfall .  .  -.

Then you will appreciate the size of the task, said S'nan.

Especially since the blanket of volcanic ash covers the entire plateau
and we have not been able to locate any landmark by which we could judge
the position of the administration building.  And since the housing was
similar, it's difficult to establish where we are when we have dug one
out of twenty feet of ash and debris.  Therefore we have not been able
to establish the location of the building.

Try again,' Chalkin said, turning his back to S'nan.

So you have done nothing at all to prepare your Hold for the
onslaught?" Paulin asked calmly, reasonably.

Chalkin shrugged.  I don't perceive a need to waste time and effort..

And money murmured the original heckler.

Precisely.  Marks are hard enough to come by to waste them on the
off-chance...

OFF-CHANCE?" Tashvi erupted out of his chair.  You'll have a revolt on
your hands.

I doubt that,' Chalkin said with a sly smile.

Because you haven't bloody seen fit to warn your holders?" Tashvi
demanded.

Lord Telgar,' Paulin said repressively, I'm Chair." He turned back to
Chalkin.  If the rest of us, however misguidedly, do believe in the
fore warnings - backed by irrefutable astronomical evidence of an
imminent Pass - how can you deny them?" Chalkin's grin was patronizing.

A space-borne organism?

That drops on a large planet and eats everything it touches?

Why wasn't Pern totally destroyed during previous visitations?

Why is it every two hundred years?  How come the Exploration Team which
did a survey of the planet before it was released to our ancestors to
colonize .  .  .  how come they didn't see any evidence?  Ah, no,'
Chalkin said, flicking the notion away from him with his be ringed hands,
ridiculous!" My calculations were confirmed by - Clisser said, feeling
that he was being maligned.

There was evidence of Threadfall,' Tashvi said, bouncing once more to
his feet.  I've read the report.  There were hundreds of circles where
vegetation was just starting to grow...

Inconclusive,' Chalkin said with another flap of a hand.

Could have been caused by one of the many fungus growths.

Well then, when this inconclusive evidence comes dropping out of the
skies onto your Hold, don't bother us,' Bastom said.

Or come crying to my Hold for help, added Bridgely, completely
disgusted by Chalkin's attitude.

You may be sure of that,' Chalkin said and, with a mocking bow to
Paulin, he left the Hall with no further word.

What are we going to do about him?" Bridgely asked, because sure as
night follows day, he will come running for aid to Franco and me.

There is provision in the Charter,' Paulin began.

Jamson of the High Reaches stared with wide and disbelieving eyes at
Paulin.

Only if he believes in the Charter .  .  . Bastom said.

Oh, Chalkin believes in the Charter all right,' Paulin said
sardonically.  The patent conferring the title of "Lord Holder" on the
original major northern Stakeholders is what gives his line the right to
Hold.  And he's already used the Charter to substantiate his autonomous
position.  I wonder if he also knows the penalty for failing to prepare
his Hold.  That constitutes a major breach of the trust .

Who trusts Chalkin?" Jamson put in.

the trust which holders rest in the Lord of their Hold in return for
their labour,' finished Paulin.

Ha!" said Bridgely.  I don't think much of his holders either.

Useless lot on the whole.  Most of em kicked out of other holds for
poor management or plain laziness." Bitra's badly managed, too.

Generally we have to return a full half of his tithings,' M'shall said.

Half the grain is mouldy and timber unseasoned, hides improperly cured
and often rancid.  It's a struggle every quarter to receive decent
supplies from him.

Really?" Paulin asked, jotting down notes.  I hadn't realized he
shorted you on tithes." M'Shall shrugged.  Why should you know?  It's
our problem.  We keep at him.  We'll have to keep at him over this, too,
you know.  Can't let him away with a total disregard for the upcoming
emergency.  Not every holder in Bitra's useless, Bridgely." Bridgely
shrugged.  Good apples in every basket as well as bad.  But I'd really
hate to have to cope with the problem come springtime and Threadfalls.
Benden's too near Bitra for my peace of mind." So what is the penalty
for what Chalkin's doing?  Or, rather not doing?" Franco asked.

Impeachment,' Paulin said flatly.

Impeachment!" Jamson was aghast.  I didn't know Article Fourteen,
Jamson,' said Paulin, "Dereliction of Duty by Lord Holder".

Can you give me a print-out on that, Clisser?  Perhaps we all should
have our memory refreshed on that point.

Certainly,' and the Head of the College made a note in his folder.  In
your hands tomorrow.

So your system's still working?" Tashvi asked.

Copies of the most important official documents were made in quantity
by my predecessor,' Clisser replied with a relieved smile.

I've a list if you need any.  .  .  handwritten but legible." Paulin
cleared his throat, calling them to order.  So, my Lords Holder, should
we proceed against Chalkin?" You've heard him.  What option do we
have?" M'shall wanted to know, glancing about the table.

Now, wait a minute,' began Jamson, scowling.  I'd want to have
incontrovertible proof of his inefficiency as a Lord Holder as well as
his failure to respond to this emergency.  I mean, impeachment's an
extreme step." Yes, and Chalkin'll do everything he can to slide out of
it, Bastom said cynically.

Surely there's a trial procedure for such a contingency?" asked Jamson,
looking anxiously about.  You certainly can't act without allowing him
the chance to respond to any charges.

In the matter of impeachment I believe that a unanimous agreement of
all major Holders and Leaders is sufficient to deprive him of his
position,' Paulin declared.

Are you sure?" Jamson asked.

If he isn't, I am,' Bridgely said, bringing one fist down firmly on the
table.  His spouse, Lady Jane, nodded her head emphatically.  I haven't
wanted to bring it up in a Council before,' Bridgely began.

He's very difficult to confront at the best of times,' said Irene,
setting her lips in a thin line of frustrations long borne.

Bridgely nodded sharply in her direction and continued.

He's come as near to bending, or breaking for that matter.

what few laws we do have on Pern.  Shady dealings, punitive contracts,
unusual harsh conditions for his holders We've had some refugees from
Bitra with stories that would curl your hair,' Jane, Benden's Lady
Holder said, wringing her hands in distress.  I've kept records .

Have you?" Paulin said.  I'd very much like to see them.

Autonomy is a privilege and a responsibility, but not a licence for
authoritarianism or despotic rule.  Certainly autonomy does not give
anyone the right to deprive his constituents of basic needs.  Such as
protection from Threadfall.

I don't know about going so far as to impeach him.  I mean, such an
extreme remedy could have a demoralizing effect on all the Holds,' said
Jamson, his reluctance deepening.

Possibly .  .  . Paulin began.

Not being prepared for Thread will certainly demoralize Bitra!' Tashvi
said.

Paulin held up his hand as he turned to M'shall.  Please give me
specific instances in which Bitra Hold has failed to supply the Weyr.

Jane, I'd like to look at the records you've kept." I've some, too,'
Irene added.

Paulin nodded and looked round the table.  Since his dereliction of
primary duty in regard to preparation against Threadfall could
jeopardize not only his own Hold but that of his neighbours, I feel we
must examine the problem as quickly as possible and indict him..."
Jamson jammed up an arm in protest, but Paulin held up a placatory hand.
If, that is, we do find just cause to do so.  Just now, he was acting
as if he'd had too much of Hegmon's new wine.

Ha!" was Irene of Benden's immediate response, a cynical reaction
echoed by others around the table.

We cannot allow personal feelings to colour this matter,' Paulin said
firmly.

Wait til you read my notes, was her wry answer.

And mine,' added Bridgely.

But who could take his place?" Jamson asked, now querulous with
anxiety.

Not a task I'd like so soon to Thread,' Bastom admitted.

Paulin grimaced.  But it may have to be done." Ah, if I may,' and
Clisser raised his hand.  The Charter requires us to find a suitable
candidate from the incumbent's Bloodline ..  . he began.

He has relatives?" Bridgely asked, mimicking surprise and
consternation.

I believe so,' Franco said, beyond his children.  An uncle If they're
of the same Blood as Chalkin, would that be an improvement?" Tashvi
wanted to know.

They do say a new broom sweeps clean,' Irene remarked.

I heard that Chalkin did his uncle out of succession by giving him an
isolated hold .  .  .   He got him out of the way fast enough, that's
sure,' said Bridgely.  Some mountain hold, back of beyond." All of
Bitra is back of beyond,' Azury of Boll remarked, grinning.

A replacement is not the most immediate concern,' Paulin said, taking
charge again, if we can persuade Chalkin that all of us can't be wrong
about Threadfall." Zulaya this time snorted at that unlikelihood.  He'll
admit he's wrong only when Thread is eating him .

.  .  which might solve the problem in the most effective way.  Bitra's
in the path of the first Fall.

Remiss as Chalkin appears to be,' Jamson said, Bitra Hold may be
better off with than without him.  You don't learn the management of a
Hold overnight, you know.

Paulin gave the High Reaches Lord a long look.  That is very true, but
if he hasn't even told his people that Thread is coming  and he opened
up his hands to show dismay at such an omission.  That's a dereliction
of duty right there.  His prime duty and the primary reason for having a
Leader during a crisis.  As a group, we also have a responsibility to be
sure each of us is performing duties inherent to our rank and position."
Zulaya shrugged.  It'd serve him right to be caught out in the first
Fall.

Yes, well,' and Paulin rattled papers.  I'll accept reports of
malfeasance and irregularities in his conduct of Bitra Hold.

We'll do this properly, gathering evidence and making a full report on
the problem.  Now, let's finish up today's agenda.

Kalvi, you wish to broach the subject of new mines?" The lean hawk-nosed
engineer sprang to his feet.  I sure do.  We've got fifty years of Fall
and we're going to need more ore: ore that's closer to the surface than
the Telgar deposits.

Thought they would last us a millennium,' Bridgely of Benden said.

Oh, there's certainly more ore down the main shafts, but it's not as
accessible as these mountain deposits which could be worked more
efficiently." He unrolled an opaque plastic map of the Great Western
range where he had circled an area beyond Ruatha's borders.  Here!

High-grade ore, and almost waiting to leap into carts.  We'll need that
quality if we're to replace flame-thrower equipment.  And we'll have to.
He said that with a degree of resignation.  I've the personnel trained
and ready to move up there - which I'd like to do to get the mines going
before Threadfall starts.  All I need is your OK.

You're asking to start a hold up there?  Or just a mine?" asked Paulin.

Kalvi scratched the side of his nose and grinned.  Well, it'd be a long
way to travel after the shift is over, especially if the dragons are all
busy fighting Thread." He unrolled another diagram.  One reason I've
backed this site is that there's a good cave system available for living
quarters as well as coal nearby for processing the ore.  The finished
ingots could be shipped down river.

There were murmurs among the others as the project was discussed.

Good thing Chalkin left,' Bridgely remarked.  He's got those mines in
Steng Valley he's been trying to reactivate.

They're unsafe,' Kalvi said scornfully.  I surveyed them myself, and
we'd have to spend too much time shoring up shafts and replacing
equipment.  The ore's second rate, too.

There isn't time to restore the mine .  .  .  much less argue with
Chalkin over a contract.  You know how he can be, haggling over minor
details for weeks before he'll make a decision." He contorted his long
face into a grimace.  If you,' and he turned to the others at the
table, grant this permission, I'll have a chance to noise it about the
Gather this evening and see who'd be interested in going along in
support capacity and necessary crafts." I'll second it,' said Tashvi
magnanimously, raising his hand.

Good.  Moved and seconded.  Now, all in favour of the formation of a
mining hold?" Hands shot up and were dutifully counted by Paulin.

Chalkin's going to say this was rigged,' Bastom remarked caustically,
and that we drove him out of the meeting before the subject came up.

So?" Paulin said.  No-one asked him to leave and he has a copy of the
agenda same as everyone else." He brought his fist down on the table.
Motion carried.  Tell your engineer he may start his project.

High Reaches Weyr,' and he turned to G'don.  Telgar,' and he included
K'vin now, can you supply transport?" Both Weyrleaders agreed.  If a
new hold was to be establislied, as many riders as possible from their
Weyrs should become familiar with its landmarks.

There won't be that much extra to protect against Threadfall,' Kalvi
said, with a grin for the dragon riders  It's all underground or within
the cliff caverns.  We'll use hydroponics for fresh food from the
start." Any more new business?" Paulin enquired.

Clisser raised his hand, was acknowledged and stood, glancing at the
assembled: falling into his lecture mode, K'vin thought.

Lord Chalkin's attitude may not be that unusual,' he began, startling
them into attention to his words.  At least, not in times to come.  We,
here and now, are not too distanced from the events of the First Pass.
We have actual visual records from that time with which to check on the
approach of the rogue planet.  We know it is a rogue because we know,
from the excellent and exhaustive reports done by Captains Keroon and
Tillek, that the planet was unlikely to have emerged from our sun.  Its
orbit alone substantiates that theory since it is not on the same
ecliptic al plane as the rest of Rukbat's satellites.

I am assiduous in training at least six students in every class in the
rudiments of astronomy and the use of the sextant, as well as being
certain that they have the requisite mathematics to compute declination
and right ascension and figure accurately the hour circle of any star.
We still have three usable telescopes with which to observe the skies,
but we once had more." He paused.  We are, as I'm sure we all must
honestly admit, losing more and more of the technology bequeathed us by
our ancestors.  Not through mishandling,' and he raised a hand against
objections, but from the attritions of age and an inability, however
much we may strive to compensate, to reach back to the same technical
level our ancestors enjoyed." Kalvi grimaced in reluctant agreement to
that fact.

Therefore, I suggest that we somehow, in some fashion, with what
technology we have left at our disposal, leave as permanent and
indestructible a record as possible for future generations.  I know that
some of us,' and Clisser paused, glancing significantly to the door
through which Chalkin had so recently passed, entertain the notion that
our ancestors were mistaken in thinking that Threadfall will occur
whenever the Red Planet passes Pern.  But we can scarcely ignore the
perturbations already obvious on the surface of our planet the extreme
weather, the volcanic eruptions, the other cosmic clues.

Should it so happen in centuries to come that too many doubt - not
wishing to destroy a flourishing economy and happy existence - that
Thread will return, all that we have striven to achieve, all we have
built with our bare hands,' and dramatically he lifted his, all we have
around us today,' and he gestured towards the music faintly heard
outside the Hall, would perish.

The denials were loud.

Ah,' and he held one hand over his head, but it could happen.

Lord Chalkin is proof of that.  We've already lost so much of our
technology.  Valuable and skilled men and women we could ill-afford to
lose because of their knowledge and skills have succumbed to disease or
old age.  We must have a fail-safe against Thread!  Something that will
last and remind our descendants to prepare, be ready, and to survive.

Is there any chance we could find that administration building then?"
Paulin asked S'nan.

Too close to Threadfall now,' M'shall answered.  And it's going into
the hot season down there which makes digging anything enervating.

However, I most emphatically agree with Clisser.  We need some sort of a
safeguard.  Something that would prove to doubters like Chalkin that
Thread isn't just a myth our ancestors thought up." But we keep records
.  .  . said Laura of Ista Weyr.

How much plasfilm do you have left?" Paulin asked pointedly.  I know
Fort's stock is running low.  And you know all that happened to our
Repository." True.  But we've paper .  .  . and she looked over at the
Telgar Holders, Tashvi and Salda.

Look, how can we estimate how much of forestry acres will survive
Threadfall?" Tashvi asked, raising his hands in doubt.

I've the timber jacks working non-stop, cutting, and the mill's turning
out as much lumber and pulp as it can." You know we'll do our best to
protect the forests,' K'vin said, though privately he wondered how good
their best could be since even one Thread burrow could devastate a wide
swath of timbered land in minutes.

Of course you will,' Salda said warmly, and we will stockpile as much
paper as we can beforehand.  Old rags are always welcome." Then her
expression sobered.  But I don't think any of us can know what will or
will not survive.  Tarvi Andiyar's survey when he took Hold indicated
that most of the slopes were denuded.  Ten years before Threadfall
ceased, he had seedlings in every corner of the Hold, ready to plant
out.  We were just lucky that natural succession also occurred in the
three decades after the end of First Pass." That is yet another item we
must record for future generations,' Clisser said.

The ultimate how-to,' put in Mari of High Reaches.

I beg pardon?" What to do when Threadfall has Passed is even more
important than what to do while it's happening,' she said, as if that
should be obvious.

We've got to first survive fifty years .  .  .  Salda began.

Let's get back to the subject,' said Paulin, rising to his feet.

The Chair concurs that we ought to have some permanent, indestructable,
unambiguous, simple way to anticipate the rogue planet's return.  Has
anyone any ideas?" We can engrave metal plates and put them in every
Weyr, Hold and Hall where they're too obvious to be ignored,' Kalvi
suggested.  And inscribe the sextant settings that indicate the Pass."
So long as there's a sextant, and someone to use it accurately,' Lord
Bastom said, that's fine.  But what happens when the last of them is
broken?" They're not that complicated to make,' Kalvi replied.

What if there's no-one trained in its use,' Salda put in.

My fleet captains use sextants daily,' Bastom said.  The instruments
are invaluable on the sea." Mathematics is a base course for all
students,' Clisser added, not just fishermen." You have to know the
method to get the answers you need,' said Corey, the Head Medic,
speaking for the first time.

And know when to use it., Her profession was struggling to maintain a
high standard as more and more equipment became unusable, and unusual
procedures became erudite.

There has to be some way to pass on that vital information to future
generations,' said Paulin, looking first at Clisser and then scanning
the faces at the table.  Let's have a hard think.

Etching on metal's one way .  .  .  and prominently placing tablets in
every Weyr and Hold so they can't be stored away and forgotten." A sort
of Rosetta Stone?" Clisser's tone was more statement than query.

What's that?" Bridgely asked.  Clisser had a habit, which annoyed some
folk, of dropping odd references into conversations: references with
which only he was familiar.  It would lead to long lectures from him if
anyone gave him the chance.

On Earth, in the late eighteenth century, a stone with three ancient
languages was discovered which gave the clue to translating those
languages.  We shall, of course, keep our language pure We're back to
etching again,' said Corey, grinning.

If it's the only way .  .  . Clisser began and then frowned.

No, there has to be some fail-safe method.  I'll investigate options.

All right then, Clisser, but don't put the project aside,' Paulin said.
I'd rather we had a hundred sirens, bells and whistles going off than
no warning at all." Clisser grinned slowly.  The bells and whistles are
easy enough.  It's the siren that will take time.

All right then,' and Paulin looked around the table.

Toe-tapping dance music was all too audible and the younger holders and
weyrfolk were plainly restless.  No more new business?" He didn't wait
for an answer but used the gavel to end the meeting.

That's all for now.  Enjoy yourselves, folks." The speed with which the
Hall emptied suggested that that was what all intended to do.

Gather at Fort Cliss, what on earth possessed you?" Sheledon demanded,
glowering.  He was head of the Arts faculty at the College and
constantly jealous of what free time he had in which to compose.

Well,' and Clisser looked away from Sheledon's direct and accusing
glare, we do have more records and are more familiar with the
techniques of accessing them than anyone else.  Information and training
are what this College was established to provide." Our main function,'
and Danja took up the complaint she wanted spare time in which to work
with her string quartet, is to teach youngsters who would rather ride
dragons or acquire many klicks of Pernese real estate to use the wits
they were born with.  And to brainwash enough youngsters to go out and
teach whatever they know to our ever widely-spreading population.

Dance music swirled about them, but Sheledon and Danja IF F

were so incensed that they seemed oblivious to the rhythms that were
causing the other three at their table to keep time with foot or hand.
Danja shot Lozell a peevish look and he stopped rattling fingers
callused from harp strings.

I don't think it'll be that hard to find some way to indicate a
celestial return,' he said in an attempt to appease the wrath of
Sheledon and Danja.

It isn't the "hard" that bothers me,' Danja said acidly, but when will
we have the time?" She stabbed her finger at the as-yet-unfinished
extension to the teaching facility.

Particularly since there is a time limit,' and she shot another dirty
look at Clisser.  Winter Solstice." Oh,' and Lozell grimaced.

Good point." We're all working every hour we can spare from classes on
what's urgent right now,' Danja went on, gesturing dramatically and
pacing up and down the length of their table.

While Sheledon closed in on himself when threatened, Danja exploded into
action.  Now her nervous movements knocked the chair on which she had
placed her violin and she reacted, as quickly, to keep the valuable
instrument from falling to the cobbles.  She gave Lozell a second nasty
look, as if he had been responsible.

Sheledon reached across and took violin and bow from her, putting them
very carefully on the table which had been cleared of all but wine
glasses.  Absently he mopped a wine spill near the precious violin, one
of the few usable relics from Landing days.  He gave it a loving pat
while Danja continued.

Like today,' she said, resuming her pacing, we taught in the morning,
managed to eat something before we spent an afternoon painting so that
there will be some finished rooms for the summer term.  We had five
minutes to change and even then we missed the fly-past which I, for
one,' and she paused to jab her thumb into her sternum, wanted to see.

We've played two sets,' she went on earnestly, and will undoubtedly
still be playing when the sun rises, and tomorrow will be a repeat of
today except no Gather, so we get a good night's rest to prepare us for
more of the above, except maybe get a little work done on next term.
Which starts in a week, and then we'll have no time at all since we now
have to prepare the teachers who'll be graduated to carry The Word to
the outer extremities of the continent." She gestured eastward in a
histrionic fashion, then flounced down on the chair the violin had
occupied.  So how are we going to find time to do yet more research,
Clisser?" We always do find the time,' Clisser said, his quiet
rejoinder a subtle criticism of her rant.

Use it as a history class project?" suggested Lozell brightly.

There you have the answer,' said Bethany who had merely, as was her
habit, watched the fireworks Danja was so good at sending up.  My
juniors could use an independent project.

So long as we have power to run the library,' Danja added sourly.

We will, we will,' Clisser said, with bright encouragement.

Kalvi had his engineers up on the heights during the fly-past working
on the sun panels.  They'll hook them up to the main banks tomorrow.

Other people worked today, you know.

Well, that's a big consolation,' said Danja acidly.

Clisser refilled her glass.  -And we'll need some catchy tunes and good
lyrics, too, I should think.  Something to teach students from a very
early age so that they learn all the signs of a Pass before they learn
to ask questions about it." "One and one is two, two and two are four?"
 Danja sang the old multiplying song, then grinned wryly.

The song remains an effective teaching aid,' Clisser said, filling his
glass.  She 1, would you put on your composer's hat and whip up some
simple effective tunes?" Sheledon nodded enthusiastically.

I've been saying for years that we ought to incorporate more basic
stuff into a musical format.  Jemmy's good at little popular airs." Most
of his songs were geared to show off the talent of his soprano spouse,
Sydra, who taught history and, in her spare time, was chronicling the
early years of the colony.

Bethany's face lit up with a great smile.  Jemmy was a favourite pupil
of hers, and she was his staunchest champion.

Even Danja looked mollified.

So,' Clisser went on, having solved one of his immediate problems,
what shall we do in the next set?" Just like that?" Danja demanded.
"What'll we do in this set?" Clisser, will you get real!' Clisser
looked hurt.  Bethany leaned over and patted his hand, smiling
encouragingly.

What did you mean by that, Danja?" Clisser asked.

Don't you realize what a huge responsibility you just so casually..  .
and Danja lifted wide her arms, flinging her hands skyward in
exasperation, laid on us all?" Nothing we can't solve, dear,' Bethany
said in her gentle manner.  With a little thought and time.

Back to time again.  Do we have time?" Lozell was back in the
discussion.  Especially if the winter's even half as bad as it was last
year .  .  .  and it's supposed to be, with that damned Red Planet
leering down on us...  how are we going to cope?" We will.  We always
do,' Sheledon said with a sigh of resignation.  Paulin will help us
out.  And certainly the Weyrs do." Danja glared at him.  We've changed
tunes, haven't we?  I thought you thought we didn't have time." Sheledon
shrugged diffidently.  I think Lozell's idea of making a survey a class
project will solve that problem.  And, if Jemmy can whistle up some
lyrics, I can certainly churn out some tunes.  Or maybe Jemmy can do
both in his spare time." Sheledon's face softened into a wry grin.  He
had had a tussle with himself, not to be jealous of Jemmy whose
brilliance was multi-faceted.  Though he wasn't officially graduated'
from the Hall, he already ran several smaller study groups and seemed
able to do a bit of everything - on a high level.  The consummate Jack
of all Trades, Clisser called him.

And what if, by leaving it to the student body - who are, as most
students, indifferent researchers - the best notion is missed?" Danja
asked.

That's why we're teachers, dear,' said Bethany.  To be sure they don't
miss an obvious solution.  They can at least save us having to sort
through pounds of material and present us with the most viable options.
We can put Jemmy in charge; he reads the fastest and his eyes are
younger.

Just then, the instrumentalists on the stage wound up their last number
and received an enthusiastic ovation from both the sweating dancers and
the onlookers drinking at the tables.

They filed off the stage.

All right, what set do we do, Clisser?" Sheledon asked, tossing off the
last of his wine as he got to his feet.

Those seniors did a lot of fast dance music,' Clisser said.

Let's give everyone a chance to catch their breaths and do some slow
stuff .  .  .  the old traditionals, I think.  Start with "Long and
Winding Road" - Put everyone in a sentimental mood." Hmmm...  then we
can get some supper while the juniors do what they so erroneously call
"music",' said Danja, who had considerable contempt for the contemporary
loud and diatonic musical fad.

Can't please everyone all the time,' Clisser said, collecting his
guitar.  He drew back Bethany's chair for her and offered her an arm.

Smiling in her gentle way at the courtesy, she picked up the flute in
its worn hard-case, her recorders in their leather sleeves and the
little reed whistle that had won its maker a prize that year.  It had a
particularly sweet, clear tone that young Jemmy had been trying to
reproduce with other reeds.  Then she limped forward, seemingly
oblivious to her clubbed foot and awkward gait, her head high, her gaze
directed ahead of her.

Jemmy joined them from his table, automatically taking Bethany's flute
case from her.  He was drummer for their group, though he had been
playing guitar with others.  Unprepossessing in physical appearance,
with pale hair and skin and oversized features, he was self-effacing,
indifferent to his academic achievements.  While not in the least
athletic, he had won the long-distance races in the Summer Games for the
last three years.  He did not relate well, however, to his peer group.

They don't think the same way I do,' was his diffident self-appraisal.

That was, of course, accurate since he had tested off the scale of the
standard aptitude tests given prospective scholars.

His family, fishers at Tillek Hold, didn't understand him at all and at
one point thought him retarded.  At fourteen he had followed his
siblings into training in the family occupation.  He lasted three
voyages.  Though he had proven himself an able navigator, he had had
such constant motion sickness - never acquiring sea legs' - that he had
been useless as a deck-hand: a source of much embarrassment to his
family.  Captain Kizan had interested himself in the lad and recommended
the boy be trained as a teacher, and sent Jemmy to Fort Hold for
evaluation.  Clisser had joyfully accepted him - finding such an avid
learner was a real boost to his morale.  And, when Clisser had seen how
Jemmy galloped through even the hardest lessons, he had set up an
independent study programme for him.  Although Jemmy had perfect pitch,
he couldn't sing and started playing instruments to make up for that
lack in himself.  There was nothing he couldn't play, given a few hours
of basic training.

Although his family, and indeed the Lord Holder Bastom, too, had
expected him to return to Tillek to teach, Clisser had argued hard that
anyone could teach the basics to hold children: he would supply a
suitably trained candidate.  But Jemmy must be allowed to continue at
the College Hall, benefiting the entire continent.

What no-one at the Hall mentioned beyond their most private sessions was
that Jemmy seemed intuitively to know how to fill in the gaps left by
improper copying or damaged records.  His notations, short and concise,
were models of lucidity.  The College could not afford to do without his
skills and intelligence.  He wasn't a good teacher, being frustrated by
mental processes slower than his own, but he could, and did, produce
manuals and guides that enhanced the basic texts the settlers had
brought with them.  Jemmy translated Earth' into Pern' If his peer
group did not enjoy his company, he enjoyed that of his mentors and was
fast outstripping all of them in knowledge and practical applications.
It was also well known if tacitly ignored, that he idolized Bethany. She
was consistently kind and encouraging to everyone, but refused to accept
any partner.  She had long since decided never to inflict her deformity
on offspring and refused any intimacy, even a childless one.

Clisser wondered, though, as he and Bethany made their sedate way to the
stage, if Jemmy might not breach the wall of her virginity.  He was
certain that Bethany cared more for the Tillek lad than anyone else in
the thirty years he had known her - student and teacher.  She was a
lovely, gentle woman; she deserved to be loved and love in return.

Since there were ways of preventing conception, her prime concern could
be taken care of.  Clisser thought the age difference was immaterial.

And Jemmy desperately needed the balance that a fully rounded life
experience would give him.

Clisser and Jemmy provided support for Bethany to ascend the un railed
steps to the stage and then, with a swirl of the long skirts that
covered the built-up shoe she wore, she settled herself in her chair.
She placed her flute case and the recorders where she wanted them, and
the little reed flute in the music stand.  Not that this group of
musicians required printed sheets to read from, but the other groups
did.

Danja lifted her fiddle to her chin, bow poised, and looked at Jemmy who
hummed an A' with his perfect pitch for her to tune her strings.
Sheledon softly strummed his guitar to check its tuning and Lozell ran
an arpeggio on his standing harp.  The continent's one remaining piano -
his preferred instrument - was undergoing repairs to the hammers: they
had not yet managed to reproduce quite the same sort of felt that had
been used originally.

Clisser nodded at Jemmy, who did a roll on his hand drum to attract
attention and then, on Clisser's downbeat, they began their set.

It was several days before Clisser had a chance to discuss the project
with Jemmy.

I've wondered why we didn't use the balladic medium to teach history,'
Jemmy replied.

It isn't history we'll be setting to music.

Oh yes, it is,' Jemmy had contradicted him in the flat and tactless way
he had.  It had taken Clisser time to get used to it.

Well, it will be when the next generation gets it - and the next one
after that.

That's a point, of course.

Jemmy hummed something, but broke off and sprang across to the table
where he grabbed a sheet of paper, turning it to the unused side.

He slashed five lines across it, added a clef and immediately began to
set notes down.  Clisser was fascinated.

Oh,' Jemmy said offhandedly as his fingers flew up and down the lines,
I've had this tune bugging me for months now.  It's almost a relief to
put it down on paper now that I've a use for it., He marked off another
measure, the pen hovering above the paper only briefly before he was off
again.  It can be a show piece anyhow.  Start off with a soprano - boy,
of course, setting the scene.  Then the tenors come in - they'll be the
dragon riders of course, and the baritones Lord Holders, with a few
basses to be the Professionals .  .  each describing his duty to the
.......  then a final chorus, s.a.t.b., a reprise of the first verse,
all Pern confirming what they owe the dragons.  Yes, that'll do nicely
for one.

Clisser knew when he wasn't needed and left the room, smiling to
himself.  Now, if Bethany was right and this term's students could
perform the research satisfactorily, he could make good on his blithe
promise to the Council.  He did hope that the computers would last long
enough for a comprehensive search.  They had got so erratic lately that
their performance was suspect at most times.  Some material was
definitely scrambled and lost among files.  And no-one knew how to solve
the problem of replacement parts.  Of course, the pcs were so old and
decrepit, it was truly a wonder that they had lasted as long as they
had.  Was there any point these days in holding a course on computer
electronics?

Which thought reminded him that he had interviews with two sets of
parents who were insisting that their offspring be put in the computer
course since that was the most prestigious of those offered.  And the
one involving the least work, since there were so few computers left.

Where would they practise the skills they learned?  Clisser wondered.

Furthermore, neither of the two students concerned had the aptitude to
work with mechanical objects; they just thought it was what they wanted.
There were always a few cases like that in an academic year.

And one set of Holder parents who did not like their daughter
associating with lesser breeds without the law' .  .  .  as Sheledon
put it.

As if there was room, or facilities, for more than one teachers' school.
Or the private tutors some Holders felt should be supplied them because
of their positions.  Ha!  As it was, the peripatetic teachers were going
all year long, trying to cover the basics with children in the far-flung
settlements.

Well, maybe one day they could site a second campus - was that the word?
- on the eastern coast.  Of course, with Threadfall coming, he'd have to
revise all the schedules as well as instruct his travellers on how to
avoid getting killed by the stuff.  He had seen footage - when the
projector still worked - of actual Threadfall.  He shuddered.

Accustomed as he had been all his life to the prospect of the menace, he
still didn't like the inevitability.  The reality was nearly on them.

The Weyrleaders could waffle on about how well prepared Hold and Weyr
were, with dragon strength at max, and ground crews and equipment
organized, but did anyone really know what it would be like?  He swore
under his breath as he made his way to the rooms that still needed to be
completed to receive occupants in five days.  He'd work on the syllabus
on his lunch break.

A sudden thought struck him so that he halted, foot poised briefly above
the next step.  What they really needed was a totally new approach to
education on Pern!

What was the point of teaching students subjects now rendered useless
here on Pern?  Like computer programming and electronic maintenance?
What good did it do the Pernese boys and girls to know the old
geographic and political subdivisions of Terra?  Useless information.
They'd never go IF

there!  Such matters did not impinge on their daily lives.  What was
needed was a complete revision of learning priorities, suitable to those
who were firmly and irrevocably based on this planet.  Why did anyone
NOW need to know the underlying causes of the Nathi Space War?

No-one here was going to get in space - even the dragons were limited to
distance which they could travel before they were in oxygen debt.

Why not study the spatial maps of Pern and forget those of Earth and its
colonies?  Study the Charter and its provisions as applicable to the
Pernese citizenry, rather than prehistoric governments and societies?
Well, some of the more relevant facts could be covered in the course to
show how the current governmental system, such as it was, had been
developed.  But there was so much trivia - no wonder his teachers
couldn't get through the lessons.  Small wonder the students got bored.

So little of what they were presently required to learn had any
relevance to the life they lived and the planet they inhabited.

History should really begin with Landing on Pern well, some nodding
acquaintance with the emergence of homo sapiens, but why deal with the
aliens which Earth's exploratory branch had discovered when there was
little chance of them arriving in the Rukbat system?

And further, Clisser decided, taken up with the notion, we should
encourage specialized training - raising agriculture and veterinary care
to the prestige of computer sciences.  Breeding to Pernese conditions
and coping with Pernese parasites was far more important than knowing
what had once bothered animals back on Earth.  Teach the miners and
metal workers where the spatial maps showed deposits of ores and what
they were good for; teach not the history of art - especially since many
of the slides of Masterpieces had now deteriorated to muddy blurs - but
how to use Pernese pigments, materials, design and tailoring; teach the
Great Currents, oceanography, fish-conservation, seamanship, naval
engineering and meteorology to those who fished the waters .  .  .  As
to that, why not separate the various disciplines so that each student
would learn what he needed to know, not a lot of basically useless
facts, figures and theories?

For instance, get Kalvi to take in.  ..  what was the old term ah,
apprentices...  take in apprentices to learn fabrication and metal-work?

And there'd have to be a discipline for mining, as well as
metal-working.  One for weaving; farming; fishing.  And one for
teaching, too.  Of course, education in itself was designed to teach you
how to solve the problems that cropped up in daily living, but for
speciali ties you could really slim down to the essential skills required
by each.  As it was, that sort of apprentice system was almost in place
anyhow with parents either instructing their kids in the family's
profession or getting a knowledgeable neighbour to do it.

Kalvi had both sons now in supervisory capacities in his Telgar Works.

And there should be provisions to save other kids, like Jemmy, and see
that they were able to develop a potential not in keeping with their
native hold's main business.

Adminster a basic aptitude test to every child at six, and the more
specific one at eleven or twelve, and be able to identify special
abilities and place him or her where she could learn best from the
people qualified to maximize the innate potential.

Even in medicine, a new curriculum should be established, based on what
was now available on Pern rather than what the First Settlers had had.
Mind you, Corey was constantly regretting the lack of this or that
medicine, or equipment and procedures that would have saved lives but
were no longer available.  Clisser snorted; too much time was spent
bitching about what had been' and if only we still had' instead of
making the best of what was available in the here and now.

What was that old saying?

Ours not to wonder what were fair in life But finding what may he, make
it fair up to our means?" Well, he couldn't remember who had said it or
to what it had applied.  But the meaning definitely applied!

Pern had great riches which were being ignored in the regret of the
what had been'.  Even Corey had to admit that the indigenous
pharmacopoeia was proving to be sufficient for most common ailments, and
even better in some cases now that the last of the carefully hoarded
Earth chemicals were depleted.

Basic concepts of maths, history, responsibility, duty, could indeed be
translated into music, easier to transmit and memorize.  Why, anyone who
could strum an instrument could give initial instruction in holds, teach
kids to read, write and do some figuring, and then let ffiem apply
themselves to the nitty-gritty of their life's occupation.

And music had always been important here.

He put his foot down on the step, pleased with this moment's revelation.
A whole new way of looking at the education and training of the young,
and entirely suitable to the planet and its needs.  He must really sit
down and think it all through.  .  .  when he found the time.

His laugh mocked his grandiose ideas and yet, they'd had to revise and
reform so many old concepts here on Pern: why not the method in which
education was administered?  Was that the word he wanted: administered?
Like a medicine?  He sighed He did wish that learning was not considered
an unavoidable dose.  Certainly someone like Jemmy proved that learning
was enjoyable.  But then, insatiable appetites like his for knowledge,
for its own sake, were rare.

Clisser trotted up the last of that flight of steps in considerably
better humour.  He'd find the time, by all that's still holy, he would.

Late Autumn at Telgar Weyr Zulaya beamed at Paulin.  Yes, she rather
outdid herself, didn't she?" She turned to regard her queen fondly as
the golden dragon hovered proprietorially over the fifty-one eggs which
would, by all the signs, hatch some time this day.

All morning dragons had conveyed in guests and candidates.

Aren't the Weyrs over-producing a trifle?" Paulin asked.

Benden and Ista Weyrs had also had Hatchings in the past month.

He had lost two very promising holder lads to the Weyrs; a felt loss, as
the boys could no longer journey easily between Hold and Weyr as riders
were freer to travel, and to learn and practise other professions during
an Interval.

Frequent clutches are one of the sure-fire signs that there will be a
Pass,' Zulaya said, obviously looking forward to the days when the
dragons of Pern started the work for which they were engineered.  Have
you heard that song the College sent out?" Hmmm, yes, I have,' and
Paulin grinned.  In fact, I can't get it out of my mind.

Clisser says they have several more to play for us tonight." Just
music?" Paulin asked, scowling.  It's a device we asked them for
something permanent so that no-one can deny the imminence of a Pass."
Zulaya patted his hand encouragingly.  You can ask what progress he's
made on that project." K'vin, coming up behind them, casually laid a
hand on his Weyrwoman's shoulder, acting as proprietorially of her as
her dragon was of her clutch.  Amused, Paulin coughed into his hand and
hurriedly excused himself.

He's worried about that fail-safe,' Zulaya said, also amused by K'vin's
show of jealousy but not about to remark on it.

You're looking very beautiful in that new dress,' he said, eyeing it.

Am I?  Why, thank you, Kev,' she said, twisting her hips to make the
skirt whirl.  Which reminds me .  .  . and she held out a fold of the
rich crimson patterned brocade which she had had made for this Hatching.
Fredig suggested tapestries, hanging in every Weyr and Hold, depicting
the return of the Red Star - with the formulae in the borders.  Make an
interesting design, certainly." Colours fade and fabrics certainly
deteriorate We've some that graced houses in Landing.  That Earth Moon
scene Which was made, as I've been told, out of synthetic yarns which
are more durable than what we have now cotton, linen and wool.  And even
they are looking worn and losing colour.

I'll have them washed You'll have them thread-worn .  - ooops,' and
K'vin grinned at the pun.

...  Which is not what is wanted but there's no reason, Kev, not to have
a hundred different reminders - .  - Something set in stone the
Weyrleader said in a more sober tone.

Even stones move - - Only prior to a Pass.  Only how to perpetuate the
critical information?" I think everyone's worrying too much.  I mean,
here we are,' and Zulaya gestured broadly to include the Hatching Ground
and the Weyr around them.  Why else have dragons?

And Weyrs set apart to preserve them, if not for a very, very good
reason?  They're the planet's only sure defence." A sound - subliminal
more than a real noise - alerted them.

It issued from Meranath who reared to her hindquarters, spreading her
broad wings; her eyes glowing brightly green and beginning to whirl with
excitement.

Ah, it starts,' Zulaya said, smiling in anticipation.  -Oh, I love
Hatchings!" Hand in hand, the two Weyrleaders raced to the entrance and
called out the news, scarcely needed, for the Telgar dragons were
already reacting to the queen's maternal croon with their deep masculine
humming.

The Weyr Bowl became active with dragons a-wing in excitement, flipping
here and there on seemingly unavoidable collision courses: with the
Weyrlingmaster herding the candidates forward: with parents and friends
of the lucky boys and girls rushing across the hot sands to take their
places in the amphitheatre: hustling to get the best seating for the
Impression about to happen.

K'vin sent Zulaya back to keep Meranath company as he urged people
inside, checked the nervous white-clad candidates who had been halted in
a clump near the entrance until the spectators were all seated.

You've long enough to wait on the hot sands as it is,' T'dam, the
Weyrlingmaster, told them.  Singe your feet, you could, out there .

All this time the humming was rising in volume: Meranath joined by all
the other dragons in a chorus of tones that Sheledon - and others had
tried to imitate but never quite succeeded.  Meranath's throat was
swollen with her sound, which continued unabated and seemingly without
her needing to draw breath.  Soon, as the volume increased, her chest
and belly would begin to vibrate too, with the intensity of her

humming.  K'vin was aware of the usual response in himself, a jumble of
emotions; a joy that threatened to burst his heart through his chest,
pride, hope, fear, yearning - oddly enough, hunger was part of it - and
a sadness that, on some occasions, could make him weep.

Zulaya always wept at Hatchings - at least, until Impressions began.

Then she was jubilant, picking up on her queen's acceptance of her
clutch's partnering.

In Fort Hold's storage, there were file boxes full of early
psychological profiles about the effect of Hatching on riders, dragons
and the new weyrlings.  The bonding that occurred was of such complexity
and depth that no other union could be compared with it: almost
overwhelming in the initial moment of recognition, and certainly the
most intense emotion the young candidates had ever experienced.

Some youngsters had no trouble at all adapting to the intense and
intrusive link: some suffered feelings of inadequacy and doubt.  Every
Weyr had its own compendium of information about what to do in
such-and-such a situation.  And every weyrling was assiduously trained
and supported through the early months of the relationship until the
Weyrleaders and Weyrlingmaster deemed he/ she was stable enough to take
responsibility for her/ himself and her/ his dragon.

But then, a rider was the dragon, and the dragon the rider, in a
partnership that was so unwavering, its cessation resulted in suicide
for the dragon who lost his mate.  The unfortunate rider was as apt to
take his life as not.  If he lived, he was only half a man, totally
bereft by his loss.  Female riders were less apt to suicide; they at
least had the option of sublimating their loss by having children.

When the little fire-lizards, who had supplied the genetic material to
bio-engineer the larger dragons, had still been available, a former male
rider found some solace in such a companionship.  Only three fire-lizard
clutches had been found in Ista in the last five decades, though it was
thought more might be found in the Southern Continent, but that quest
had so far been futile.  The vets had decided that some sort of odd
disease had infected the creatures on northern warm beaches, reducing
their numbers and/ or their clutches.  Whatever the reason, no-one had
fire-lizard companions any more.

As soon as most of the guests had crossed the hot sands, T'dam allowed
the candidates to make a loose circle around the eggs.  There was no
golden egg in this clutch - a circumstance which had both relieved and
worried the Weyrleaders.

They had five junior queens, which was quite enough for Telgar's low
flight wing.  In fact, there was no dearth of queens in any of the
Weyrs, but there was safety in having enough breeders.

Only five girls stood on the Hatching Ground vying to attract the
attention of the greens.  There should have been six, but one girl's
family had refused to give her up on Search since they claimed a union
had been arranged and they could not go back on that pledge.  As K'vin
thought that a good third or even half of this clutch might be greens,
he hoped there'd be enough suitable lads' to impress the green
hatchlings.  His study of Thread fighting tactics also indicated that
greens with male riders tended to be more volatile, apt to ignore their
Weyrleaders' orders in the excitement of a Fall: in short, they tended
to unnecessarily show off their bravery to the rest of the Weyr.  On the
other hand, the green dragons were valuable to a Weyr for their speed
and agility even if they didn't have the stamina of the larger dragons.
A careful wing leader alternated his green riders, resting each at least
an hour during a Fall.

There had been a monograph on the advantages of female over male green
riders in Threadfall.  Although the text allowed the reader to make his
own decision, K'vin had fallen on the side of preferring females when
Search provided them.

Certainly their personalities were more stable and they posed fewer
problems to the Weyrleaders.  Young male green riders could go into
emotional declines if they lost their weyrmates and be useless in Fall,
sometimes even suiciding in their distress.  On the other hand, since
the greens were sexually very active, there was more danger of female
riders becoming pregnant, unless they were extremely careful.

Even spontaneous abortions due to the extreme cold of between required
sensible convalescence.

Taking a short dragon-ride' was now a euphemism for ending an unwanted
pregnancy.  Another good reason to have a few female green riders in the
Weyr: less embarrassment.

According to Zulaya, though, there had been few such terminations since
she had become Weyrwoman.  Probably due to the fact that too many holds
had lost relatives to the last bad winter fever.  Or possibly because
everyone wanted to have enough children to extend their legitimate
holdings or establish new ones.

The draconic humming - what Clisser called a pre-birth lullaby was
reaching an almost unendurable level, climaxing when the first egg
cracked open.  The spectators were exhibiting the usual excitability,
jumping about, weeping, singing along with the dragons.  They'd calm
down, too, once the Hatching had begun.

And it did.  Three shells burst outwards simultaneously, fragments
raining down on nearby eggs and causing them to crack as well.  K'vin
counted nine dragons, six of them wetly green, and revised his third'
of greens closer to half.

The hatchlings were so dangerous at this stage, ravenous from their
encapsulation, and some of the nearer candidates hastily avoided the
bumbling progress of the new-born.  Two greens seemed headed for
Weyrbred girls but the blonde from Ista, already noted in the Weyr for
her quick wits, stepped beside one and Impression was made for both.

Three of the other greens made for lads who had demonstrated homosexual
preferences in their holds.  The remaining green, after lunging out of
her shell, stood, weaving her head back and forth, crying piteously.

T'dam called out to the remaining girls to converge on her.

The brunette girl from Ista made for her and instantly the little green
covered the intervening distance, squeaking with relief.

K'vin swallowed against the emotional lump in his throat: that instant
of recognition always brought back the moment when he had experienced
the shock of Impression with Charanth.  And the glory of that incredibly
loving mind linking with his: the knowledge that they were indissolubly
one, heart, mind and soul.

We are, are we not?  Charanth said, his tone rough with the memory of
that rapture.  Despite the fact that Charanth, like the rest of the
Weyr's dragons, was perched up along the ceiling, K'vin could hear' the
dragon's sigh.

Zulaya grinned up at K'vin, aware of what was taking place within him,
tears flowing down her face as the high emotional level of the Hatching
affected her.

Absently K'vin thought that the glowing bulk of Meranath behind Zulaya
made a great background for her beautiful new gown .  .  .  red against
gold.

Then another dozen or so eggs split wide open and the raucous screeching
of starving little drago nets reverberated back and forth on the Ground.
There was a piercing quality to these screams like lost souls.  As each
hatchling met its rider, the scream broke off and a mellow croon began.
That quickly segued into a piteous hungry' appeal which was almost more
devastating than the earliest screech the weyrlings made.  K'vin's
stomach invariably went into empathetic hunger cramps.

The noise of a Hatching, K'vin thought, was unique.

Fortunately, because human eardrums were not designed to deal with such
decibels and cacophony, it didn't last too long.

He always felt siightly deafened - certainly ear sore - by the end of a
Hatching.

He was suddenly aware of another sort of babble and fuss going on just
outside the Hatching Ground.  He tried to see what was happening, but he
saw T'dam striding over to investigate so K'vin turned his attention
back to the pairing of the last few hatchlings, two browns and the last
green.  Two lads were homing on the green, desperate expressions on
their faces.  Abruptly the green turned from them and resolutely charged
across the sands to the girl who had just entered.

K'vin gave a double-take.  There were only five girls, weren't they? Not
that he wasn't glad to see another.  And she was the one the green
wanted, for the hatchling pushed aside the boy who tried to divert her.

Then three men strode into the Ground, furious expressions on their
faces, with T'dam trying to intercept their angry progress towards the
lately Impressed green pair.

DEBERA!" yelled the first man, reaching out and snatching her away from
the green dragonet.

That was his first mistake, K'vin thought, running across the sands to
avert catastrophe.  Damn it all.  Why did this marvellous moment have to
be interrupted so abruptly?

Hatchings should be sacrosanct.

Before K'vin could get there, the green reacted to the man's attempt to
separate her from her chosen one.  She reared, despite being not
altogether sure of her balance on wobbly hindquarters.  Extending her
short forearms with claws unsheathed, she lunged at the man.

K'vin had one look at the shock on his face, the fear on the girl's
before the dragon had the man down and was trying to open her jaws wide
enough to fit around his head.

T'dam, being nearer, plunged to the rescue.  The girl, Debera, was also
trying to detach her dragonet from her father, for that's what she was
calling him.

Father!  Father!  Leave him alone, Morath.  He can't touch me now I'm a
dragon rider  Morath, do you hear me?" Except that K'vin was very
anxious that Morath might have already injured the man, he was close to
laughing at this Debera's tone of authority.  The girl had instinctively
adopted the right attitude with her newly hatched charge.

No wonder she'd been Searched and at some hold evidently not too far
away.

K'vin assisted Debera while T'dam pulled the fallen man out of the
dragon's reach.  Then his companions hauled him even further away while
Morath continued to squeal and writhed to resume her attack.

He would hurt you.  He would own you.  You are mine and I am yours and
no-one comes between us, Morath was saying so ferociously that every
rider heard her.

Zulaya joined the group and, bending to check the father's injuries,
called for the medics who were dealing with the minor lacerations that
generally occurred at this time.  Fortunately, Morath had no fangs yet
and, although there were raw weals on the man's face and his chest had
been badly scratched by unsheathed claws - despite their newness - he
had been somewhat protected by the leather jerkin he wore.

By now, most of the newly-hatched were out of the Grounds, being fed
their first meal by their new life companions.  The spectators,
beginning to dismount from the ampitheatre's levels, managed to get a
peek at the injured man.  Undoubtedly they would recount the incident at
every opportunity.  K'vin hoped the embellishments would stay within
reason.  Now he had to deal with the facts.

So, perhaps you would tell us what this is all about?" he asked Debera
who, confronted by the Weyrleader and Weyrwoman, was suddenly overcome
with remorse and doubt.

1 was Searched,' she said, urgently stroking Morath who was trying to
burrow her head into the girl's body.  1 had the right to come.  1
wanted to come,' and then she waved an indignant hand at her prostrate
father, and they didn't even show me the letter telling me to come. !!e
wants me for a union because he had a deal with Boris for a mining site
and with Ganmar for taking me on.  1 don't want Ganmar, and I don't know
anything about mining.  1 was Searched and 1 have the right to decide."
The indignant words rushed out, accompanied by expressions of distaste,
resentment and anger!

Yes, 1 remember seeing your name on the Search list, Debera,' said
Zulaya ranging herself beside the girl in a subtle position of support.
The alignment was not lost on the older of the two men attending their
fallen friend.  You are Boris?" she asked him.  So you must be
Ganmar,' she went on, addressing the younger one.  Did you not realize
that Debera had been Searched'?" Ganmar looked very uncomfortable and
dropped his eyes, while the scowl on Boris's face deepened and he jutted
out his jaw obstinately.

Lavel told me she'd refused.

At that point, Maranis, the Weyr's medic, arrived to have a look at the
wounded man.  When he had examined him, he sent a helper for
litter-bearers.  Then he began to deal with the injuries, pulling back
the tattered jerkin, provoking a groan from the dazed man.

Well, Boris,' Zulaya said, at her sternest.  As you seem to be aware,
Debera does have the right .  .  -.

That's what you weyrfolk always say.  But it's us who suffer from what
you call "right" Making more trouble, Boris?" asked Tashvi, arriving
just then with Salda.

You agreed, Tashvi,' Boris said, with little courtesy for his Lord
Holder.  You said we could dig that new mine.  You were glad to have me
and my son here start.  And Lavel was willing for Ganmar to have his
daughter Ah, but the daughter seems not to have been so willing, Lady
Salda remarked.

She was willing all right, wasn't you, Deb?" Boris said, staring with
angry accusation at the girl who returned his look by lifting her chin
proudly.  Til they came from the Weyr on Search Search has the
priority,' said Tashvi.  You know that, Boris.

We had it all arranged,' the father spoke up, now his pain had been
alleviated by the numb weed Maranis had slathered on his wounds.

We had it arranged!" And the look he gave his daughter was trenchant
with angry, bitter reproach.

You had it all arranged,' Debera said, equally bitter, between
yourselves, but not with me, even before the Search.

A wistful moan from Morath interrupted her angry rebuttal.

 She's hungry.  I have to feed her.  Come along now,' she added in a
far more loving tone.  Without a backward glance, she led her green
dragonet out of the Hatching Ground.

I'd say that the matter was certainly not well arranged, then,' Tashvi
said.

But it was,' said Lavel, jabbing one fist at the dragon riders until
they came round, putting ideas in her head when she was a good,
hard-working girl who always did as she was told.

Then you riders tell her she's fit for dragons.  Fit!  I know what you
riders get up to, and Debera's a good girl.  She's not like you lot
That's quite enough of such talk,' said Zulaya, drawing herself up,
insulted.

Indeed it is,' Tashvi agreed, scowling angrily.  The Weyrwoman will
realize that you're not yourself, wounded as you are.

Wounds got nothing to do with my righteous anger, Lord Holder.  I know
what I know, and I know we had it all arranged, and you should stick up
for your holders, not these weyrfolk and all their queer customs and
doings, and I dunno what'll happen to my daughter." At that point, he
began to weep, more in frustrated anger than from the pain of the now
well-anaesthetized injuries.  She was a good girl until they come.  A
good biddable girl!" Tashvi gestured peremptorily to the two litter-men
to take the man out.  Then he turned back to the Weyrleaders.

I did approve the new mine, and Boris and Ganmar as owners, but I'd no
idea that Lavel was in any way involved.

He's a troublemaker from way back,' Tashvi said, absently shifting his
feet on the hot sands.

Zulaya gestured for them all to leave the Hatching Ground.

Despite the extra lining she'd put in her boots this morning, she was
uncomfortable standing there, and Tashvi was wearing light pull-ons.

And it's not that he doesn't have other daughters,' said Salda, taking
her husband's arm to speed up his progress.

He's got upwards of a dozen children and had two wives already.

At the rate he's been making these arrangements of his, he'll have
himself sufficient land among his relatives to start his own Hold.  Not
that anyone in their right mind would want him as a Lord Holder." They
paused outside the Ground now.  Adroitly, Zulaya and K'vin chose a
position so that they could also keep a weather eye on the newly-hatched
who, with the help of their riders, were rapidly devouring the piles of
cut meat prepared for their initial feeding.

Debera's situation was unusual.  Most families were glad enough to have
a child chosen on Search, because of the advantages of having a
dragon rider in the family: the combination of the prestige accrued to
the Bloodline as well as the availability of transport.

F F

Listening to the vitriol in Lavel's criticism of Weyr life upset both
Weyrleaders and Lord Holders.  It was true that certain customs and
habits had been developed in the Weyrs to suit dragon needs, but
promiscuity was certainly not encouraged.

In fact, there was a very strictly observed code of conduct within the
Weyr.  There might not be formal union contracts but no rider reneged on
his word to a woman, nor failed to make provision for any children of
the pairing.  And few Weyrbred children, reaching puberty, left the Weyr
for the grand parental holds even if they failed to Impress.

Right now, the festivities had already started in the Main Cavern, with
the instrumentalists playing a happy tune, one that reflected the
triumph of a successful Hatching.  Although the new riders were still
feeding their dragons or settling them into the weyrling barracks, once
the sated drago nets fell asleep the new dragon men and women would join
their relatives.

Zulaya wondered if she should remind Lavel that the female riders were
housed separately from the males.  He obviously had no idea at all how
much care a new dragonet required from its human.  Most days the
weyrlings fell into bed too exhausted to do anything BUT sleep.  And had
to be rousted out of their bunks by the Weyrlingmaster when they failed
to respond to their hungry dragons' summonses.

The young lad, Ganmar, sulked, looking decidedly uncomfortable in his
present situation.  Zulaya doubted that his heart was the least bit
broken by this turn of events.  Of course, if he had to work with that
father of his building a new hold, maybe a pretty girl to bed at night
would have been a major compensation.

What I should like to know,' Salda was saying, is why Debera arrived
here so late, on her own and with you evidently in hot pursuit.

You realize, of course,' and the stern expression in Salda's eyes was
one Zulaya knew well, that we - Lord Tashvi and I - would not be at all
pleased to find that Debera has been denied her holder rights.

Holder?" Lavel snorted and then moaned as the injudicious movement
caused him pain.  She'll not be a holder now, will she?

She'll be lost to us for ever, she will." And any chance of bagging her
legal land allotment,' Salda said with mock remorse.  Lavel growled and
tried to turn away from the Lady Holder.  You've claimed more than most
as it is.  I trust Gisa is in good health?  Or have you got yet another
child on her?  You'll wear her out the same as you did Milla, you know.
But I suppose there are women stupid enough to fall for your
ever-increasing land masses.  Ssshish,' and Salda turned from him in
disgust.  Get him out of my sight.  He offends me.  And sullies the
spirit of this occasion.

He's not so wounded he can't travel,' the medic said helpfully.

Travel?" Boris exclaimed, pretending dismay as he had glanced in the
direction of the Lower Cavern where the roasts were being served.

I could find him a place overnight, Maranis began hesitantly.

Just then four young weyrfolk led up the visitors' horses which they had
recaptured.

Ah, here are your mounts, Boris,' Zulaya said.  Let us not keep you
from a safe journey home.  You should easily make it back before dark.
Maranis, give Lavel enough fell is juice to see him to his hold.

Lads, help him mount.  Come, K vin, we're overlong congratulating the
happy parents.

She linked her right arm in K'vin's and her left with Lady Salda and
hauled them along across the Bowl.

A very good Hatching, I'd say,' she began, without a backward look at
the three dismissed holders.  Nineteen greens, fifteen blues, ten
browns and seven bronzes.  Good distribution, too.  Good size to the
bronzes as well.  I do believe every clutch produces dragons just
slightly larger than the last." Dragons haven't yet reached their
design size,' K'vin said, answering her lead.  I doubt we'll see that
in our lifetime." Surely they're big enough already?" asked Salda, her
eyes wide.

Zulaya laughed.  Larger by several hands than the first ones who fought
Thread, which will make it all that much easier for us this time round.

You know what to expect, too,' Tashvi said, nodding approval.

Zulaya and K'vin exchanged brief glances.  Hopefully, what they could
expect did not include unwelcome surprises.

Indeed we have the advantage of our ancestors in that,' K'vin said
stoutly.

Zulaya gave his arm a little squeeze before she released him and strode
to the first table where the families of two new brown riders were
sitting.  K'vin continued in with Salda and saw her and Tashvi settled
at the head table, where he and Zulaya would join them after they'd done
their obligatory rounds of the tables.  Then, making a private bet with
himself, he started at the opposite end of the wide Cavern.

By the fourth stop, he had won his bet: news of the unusual Impression
of the last green dragon was already circulating.

Is it true,' the holder mother of a bronze rider asked, that that girl
had to run away from her hold?" She, and the others at this table, were
clearly appalled at such a circumstance.

She got here in time, that's what's important,' K'vin said, glossing
over that query.

What if she hadn't come?" asked one of the adolescents, her expression
avid.  Would the dragon have She stopped abruptly - as if she'd been
kicked under the table, K'vin thought, suppressing a grin.

Ah,' he said, bridging the brief pause, but I'm sure you saw that
other lads crowded round, ready and willing.  The dragonet would have
chosen one of them." That was not exactly true.  Which was why every
Weyr had more than sufficient candidates on the Ground during a
Hatching.  Early on, the records mentioned five occasions when a
dragonet had not found a compatible personality.  Its subsequent death
had upset the Weyr to the point where every effort was then made to
eliminate a second occurrence, including accepting the dragonet's choice
from among spectators.

There were also cases where an egg did not hatch.  In the early days,
when the technology had still been available, necropsies had been
performed to establish cause.  In most of the recorded instances, there
had been obvious yolk problems, or the creature had been mis formed and
would not have survived Hatching.  Three times, however, the cause of
death could not be established as the foetus had been perfect, with no
apparent deficiency or disability.  The message was handed down to
dispose of such unhatched eggs between immediately: a duty performed on
such rare occasions by the Weyrleader and his bronze.

I saw her ride up, said the girl, delighted to recount this fact.

And then the men who tried to stop her.

You must have had the best seat in the house,' K'vin told her,
grinning.

The girl shot a vindictive glance around the table.  Yes, I did, didn't
I?  I saw it all!  Even when the dragonet tried to eat someone.

Was that her father?" Suze, now, that's enough of that,' said her own
father, and the older boy beside her must have pinched her for she shot
straight up on the bench and glared at him.

Yes, it was her father,' K'vin said.

Didn't he know any better than to strike a dragon's rider?" asked
Suze's father, shocked by such behaviour.

I think he has perceived his error,' K'vin said dryly and caught Suze's
startled reaction.  What has your son (and Charanth, as he always did,
supplied the boy's name from his dragon's mind so quickly that the pause
was almost unnoticeable), Thomas, decided on for a rider name?" Well, I
don't think Thomas dared to hope,' his mother replied, but her
expression expressed both her pride in his modesty and her delight in
his success.

He never liked being a Thomas,' Suze said, irrepressible.

He'll pick a new name,' and she gave a snide sideways glance at her
parent.

And here he is, if I don't miss my guess,' K'vin said, gesturing
towards the lad making his way across the Cavern floor.  K'vin had
lectured the candidates on their responsibilities to their drago nets so
he was familiar with many of them.  This Thomas, or whatever, bore a
strong enough resemblance to both sister and brother to make him easily
identifiable.  He hoped that a facial resemblance was all Thomas shared
with his sister.  She was a spiteful one.

Well done, young man,' K'vin said, holding out his hand.

And how shall we style you now?" S'mon, Weyrleader,' the new bronze
rider said, still flushed with elation.  He had a good firm handshake.
I considered T'om, but I never liked the nickname.

You said you'd .  .  . Suze got yet another kick under the table, for
she yipped this time and tears started in her eyes.

It's easier to say,' S'mon said.  Tiabeth likes it." Now he showed the
delightful confusion of pride and proprietariness so many brand-new
weyrlings exhibited while accustoming themselves to their new condition
and duties.  As K'vin remembered so vividly, that took time.

And there was a T'mas in the first group at Benden.

He's long dead,' his father said, not altogether pleased with his son's
choice.  Thomas is a family name, he admitted to K'vin.  I'm Thomas,
ninth of my line.

The boy looked at his father with that curious aloofness of independence
that came with being a newly paired dragon rider sort of you can't tell
me what to do any more' and this is my business, Dad, you wouldn't
understand.

Tiabeth and S'mon,' K'vin said, lifting the glass he'd been carrying
from table to table and drinking a toast to the partners.  The others
made haste to repeat it.  Eat, S'mon.

You'll need every meal you get a chance to eat,' he added and left the
boy to follow that very good advice.

At each subsequent table, he heard more speculation about the late
arrival of Debera.  There had been embellishments: one had her father
bleeding to death.  Another variation suggested that Debera had been the
reluctant one and her family had insisted that she try to Impress,
having been Searched.  Young Suze had had the best seat in the Hatching
Ground after all, despite being so far from the centre that she hadn't
had a good view of Impression, but a perfect one for what was happening
outside.  So he edited the facts to keep the incident from getting out
of hand.  Fortunately, the music the band was playing, and the lyrics,
provided a happy distraction.  Most of the music was new.  Clisser's
musicians had done their job very well indeed.

K'vin avoided having his glass filled too often and used slices of the
roast wherry and beef to sop up what was required by the obligatory
toasting of the new riders.

He had almost completed his circuit when he saw the Telgar Holders and
T'dam leading Debera in, all moving towards the head table.  Salda and
Tashvi rose and went to meet her half-way.  She still had a dazed look
on her face and glanced, almost wildly, around the crowded Cavern.

Someone had given her a green gown which showed off a most womanly body,
and the style of it as well as the colour suited Debera.

The deep, clear green set off her fine complexion and a head of curling
bronze-coloured hair which was now attractively dressed, not straggling
unkempt around a sweaty distraught face.  No doubt Tisha, the head woman
had had a hand in the transformation.  Zulaya had once said Tisha
treated all the weyrgirls like live dolls, dressing them up and fussing
with their hair.  Nor was Tisha herself childless, but her excess of
maternal instinct was an asset in the Weyr.

Salda put an arm about Debera, her head inclined to the shorter girl as
she chatted; evidently determined to make up for the lack of family
members on what was generally a very happy occasion for holder or
crafter.  Had Debera seen the last of her relatives?  No matter, she was
in the larger, extended family of the Weyr and could find more amiable
and sympathetic replacements.

Zulaya was introducing Debera to Sarra, the sun-bleached blonde from
Ista who was chatting away with such animation that Debera smiled -
tentatively, K'vin thought, but with growing self-confidence.

You got Morath to sleep all right?" he asked, joining the women.

I thought she'd never stop eating,' Debera said, a slightly anxious
frown on her face.  Her green eyes, K'vin saw, were also emphasized by
the colour of the gown.  Tisha had done her proud.

They're voradous, said Zulaya, with a kind laugh.  And I F

so am I.  Come, let's all be seated before there's nothing left for us."
Salda gave a good-natured snort, grinning down at Debera.

Not likely.  We've been sending you the fatted calves for the past week
in anticipation." She turned to the girl as she passed her over to
K'vin.  One thing sure, girl, you'll eat higher on the hog here in
Telgar than you ever did at home.  And not have to cook it!' Debera was
so clearly startled by such jocularity that K'vin took her hand, guiding
her to the steps up to the platform on which the head table was placed.

I think you'll be very happy here, Debera,' he said gently, with
Morath as your friend." Immediately the girl's face softened with joy
and her eyes watered.  Her look of vulnerable wonder struck such a
responsive chord in him that he stumbled in following her.

Oh, and she is more than a friend,' she said, more like a prayer than a
statement of fact.

Come, sit beside me,' said Zulaya, pulling out the chair, and
signalling K'vin to take the one beyond.  They were not in their usual
centre table position, but quick eye contact with Salda and Tashvi had
the Holders pulling out those chairs as if such placement was normal.

Listen to that melody.  How lovely .  .  . she added, tilting her head
as the music, not quite martial but firm, was stopping conversation
throughout the Cavern.

So are the words.  .  . Salda said, eyes widening in surprise, as well
as delight, at what she heard.  When her husband started to say
something, she hushed him.

K'vin was happy to listen, too.

Sheledon, who had insisted on using the Telgar Impression as the debut
of some new music, was very pleased that conversation had trailed off
and everyone was hearing what was being sung.  Now was the time to
spring the big one on them.  As soon as the coda on what Jemmy called
Dragonlove' had finished, he held up the music to the Duty Ballad' and
then pointed it at Sydra who would sing the boy soprano part.

They hadn't found a lad with a suitable voice yet, but she could whiten
her voice to approximate the tone.  At Sheledon's signal, Bethany piped
the haunting notes of the intro and Sydra rose to sing the opening
verse.

All right, they didn't have enough trained voices to really sock the
Ballad' to this audience - in his mind, Sheledon heard' what a ffill
chorus would sound like - but the excellent accoustics in the Cavern
were a big help.  And the music captivated.  Sydra managed to sound very
young and awed..

Gollagee came in with his fine tenor as the dragon rider Sheledon was
right on cue with his baritone part and then, with Bethany singing alto
and the Weyr's own musicians adding their voices, they wound it all up.

There was just one split second's total silence - the sort that makes
performers rejoice - and then everyone was standing, wildly cheering,
clapping, stamping their approval.

Even the dragons joined in from outside, caught up in their riders'
enthusiasms.  Sydra kept bowing and urging the rest of the musicians to
stand and accept the accolades.  Even Bethany stood, a few tears
trickling down her cheeks at such a unanimous reception.

They gave five encores of the Ballad' - with people adding their voices
to the chorus as they quickly picked up on the words.  When Sheledon
ruefully waved off a sixth repeat, there were calls for the Dragonlove'
song which was so appropriate for this evening.

All in all, Sheledon decided as he caught Sydra's smiling face, a very
successful debut!  Jemmy had outdone himself and Clisser would be
delighted.  Perhaps there was something to Clisser's notion of
redesigning the educational system so less time would be wasted on
unessentials and the Real Meaning of Life' could be addressed sooner.

Life in the Weyrling Barracks and at the College It was the Weyrwoman,
Zulaya, who noticed Debera's increasing nervousness.

Go on back to Morath, m'dear.  You're exhausted and you'll need your
sleep." Thank you.  ..  ah We make no use of titles in the Weyr,'
Zulaya added.  Just go.  I've given you permission, if that's what you
were so politely waiting for.

Debera murmured her thanks and rose, wanting to slip out as
inconspicuously as possible.  She'd felt so awkward and unsocial, even
when everyone, even the Lord and Lady Holder - she couldn't reconcile
their behaviour with her father's stories about them, but she intended
to forget everything he'd ever told her - had been so incredibly kind
and easy.  She thought they would expect her to give an explanation of
her unusual behaviour, but they'd supported her instantly.  Really, it
was as if her real life had started the moment she and Morath had locked
eyes.

It had, she decided as she made her way along the side of the Cavern
wall, head down so she needn't make eye contact with anyone.

She saw only smiles from folks as she passed them, smiles and courtesy.

And certainly none of the lascivious behaviour that her father had often
said was prevalent in the Weyr.

Of course he'd told her a lot of things.  And not told her others.

Like the fact that an official announcement of Search, with her name on
it, had been delivered to the hold so that she'd know when to come, to
be available for the Hatching.

No, she'd had to find that, stuffed in the cupboard where bits and
pieces that could be re-used were kept.  No-one at Balan Hold,
especially her father and stepmother, Gisa, would have thrown out a
whole sheet of paper that had a clean side that could be recycled.  How
she hated that word!  Cycle, re-cycle.

Use, re-use.  The concept dominated every aspect of Balan Hold.

And they were not poor' in material possessions: not the way some
holders were.  But poor' Balan Hold had been in spirit ever since her
mother had died.

She'd been looking for something else entirely when she found the sheet.
Not that she knew the day's date, but it was obvious that the
announcement must have come some time before, the paper being soiled and
the creases well set.  Maybe even weeks.  She had been ready to accept
Ganmar as an alternative to continued living in her father's house.
She'd known that she'd have to work as hard, if not harder, setting up a
new hold, chiselling it out of rock above the mine, but it would have
been hers - and Ganmar's - and something she could design to her own
wishes.  Not that she'd been inclined to believe any of the blithe and
extravagant promises Ganmar or Boris had made her.  All they wanted was
a strong body with lots of hard work in it.

But she had seen a lot of dragons in the sky the day before, most of
them carrying passengers.  Balan Hold was not that far from Telgar Weyr
- not even by surface travel.  So, the moment she'd read the message,
she'd made her plans right then, without any have ring  She'd been
Searched: she had the right to be there.  No matter how life in the Weyr
might be, it couldn't be worse than what she now endured.  And if she
could be a dragon rider Debera had tucked the paper into her hip pocket
and slammed the drawer shut.  She was alone in the kitchen, and sun was
streaming in, almost as if adding light to her resolve.

She didn't even go back to the room she shared with her three
half-sisters, but grabbed her jacket and made for the paddock where the
riding horses were kept.  There was no-one about in the yard: all were
at work.  Assignments had been given out over breakfast, and everyone
had better show their father completed chores or there'd be no lunch
break until they were done.

She didnt even dare collect a saddle or bridle from the barn because her
eldest brothers were restacking hay - they'd done a sloppy job of it the
first time round.  She just grabbed up a leather thong.

Since she'd had the most to do with the hold horses, she'd have little
trouble managing any of them with just a lip rein.

Bilwil would be the fastest.  She had probably three hours before the
midday meal when her absence would be noticed.

By then, she'd be well up the track to the Weyr.

With one look over her shoulder to see if she was being observed, she
walked quickly - as if she were on an errand to the paddock.

Bilwil was not far from the fence which she climbed - the gate would be
too near the vegetable garden where two half-sisters were weeding.

They loved nothing better than to report her idling ways' to either
their mother or her father.  Two brothers in the barn, the next pair out
with him in the forestry, and her stepmother in the dairy hold making
cheese.  Debera had been grinding wheat for flour when the cotter pin
had snapped.  That's what she'd been trying to find in the drawer; a
nail or something to replace the cotter pin so she could continue her
task.  So Gisa wouldn't miss her for a while to sound an alarm.  For
until flour had been made there'd be no bread and Gisa wouldn't want to
turn that heavy stone, not pregnant as she was.

Bilwil nickered softly when she approached him she grabbed his forelock.
No-one had bothered to rub him down last night and his coat was rough
with perspiration from yesterday's timber hauling.  Maybe she should
take one of the others.

But Bilwil had lowered his head to accept the twist of thong around his
lower jaw.  She could scarcely risk chasing a better-rested, less
amenable mount about the paddock so she inserted the rein, grabbed a
handful of mane and vaulted to his back.  Would she be vaulting to the
back of a dragon tomorrow?  She lay as flat as she could across his
neck, just in case someone looked out across the paddock, and kneed him
forward towards the forest.

Just before they reached the intertwined hedging that marked the far
boundary she took one brief look back at the hold buildings - windows
chiselled out of the very rock, the uneven entrance to the main living
quarters, the wider one into the animal hold.  Not a soul in sight.

C'mon, bilwil, let's get out of here,' she'd murmured and kicked him
sharply intc) a trot, heading him right at the fence, a point not far
from (ne of the tracks through the forest.

It was a good thing Bilwil liked to jump anyhw, because she'd given him
only enough room to gather himself up.  But he was nimbly over and had
planted his left frnt foot, swinging left () it in response to her pull
on his mouth and her right heel as he brought his other feet down.  In
moments they were among the trees and quickly reached the track.

Bilwil tried once to pull to the left, to go back to the hold, but she
kicked him sharply and he went right.  They were far enough from the
hold so that his hoof heats wouldn't be audible - not unless someone had
their ear to the ground, which was unlikely.  Noses would be to the
grindstones, where hers no longer was.  The thought made her grin,
though she was not as yet safe from discovery.

As soon as the track widened, she set Bilwil to a canter, enjoying the
one activity in which she took any pleasure.

She stopped several times, to rest her own backside as well as Bilwil's
and found late berries to eat.  She really ought to have snatched up the
last of the breakfast cheese or even an apple or two to tide her on the
way.

It wasn't until she reached the final leg of the journey up to the
Telgar Weyr that she was aware of pursuit.  Or at least spied three
horsemen on the road.  They could well be visitors, coming for the
Hatching, but it was prudent to suspect the worst.  Her father could be
one, and possibly Boris and Ganmar the other two.  Either way, she had
to get to the safety of the Weyr before they caught her up.  How had
they made so much time in pursuit of her?  Had someone seen her after
all and run to alert Lavel?

A long tunnel had been carved in the thinnest wall of the Telgar Crater
as access for surface traffic.  it was lit with glow baskets.

Bilwil was tired from the last long, steep climb on top of yesterday's
work.  She thought she heard male voices yelling at her and kicked
Bilwil into a weary trot.  No matter how she used her heels on his ribs,
he wouldn't extend his stride.  Then she heard the humming - as if it
emanated from the walls around her.  She knew what that meant and she
gave a cry of despair.

After all this, she'd be too late and there wouldn't be a dragon left
for her to Impress .  even if she had been Searched.  How could she
possibly go back?  She wouldn't.

She knew her rights.  She'd been Searched.  She could stay at the Weyr
until the next clutch.  Anything was preferable to going back to what
she'd just left.  The union with Ganmar would not have been any real
improvement, although she had been determined to establish a proper
relationship with the young miner.  He looked impressible.  Her own
mother had told her that there were ways of handling a man so he didn't
even know he was being managed.  But Milla had died before she could
impart those ways to her daughter.  And Gisa, who had probably given up
all thought of a second union if she had been desperate enough to
part net her father, was a natural victim who enjoyed being dominated.

More hoof steps sounded in the tunnel and, desperate to reach her
objective, Debera kicked Bilwil on.  The gallant animal fell into a
heavy canter that jarred every bone in her body but they made it into
the Bowl.

Debera could see that not only was the Hatching Ground full of people,
but also new, staggering drago nets  But, as she got close enough, she
saw there were still a few eggs.  Her pursuers were catching up.  She
had no need to halt Bilwil at the entrance; he stopped moving forward
the moment she stopped kicking him.  She slid off and raced towards the
Hatching Ground just as her father, Boris and Ganmar caught up, yelling
at her to stop.  To come to her senses .  .  .

She wrenched herself free of grasping hands just in time to reach
Morath.  And finally came into her own.

Now, as she made her way back to the weyrling barracks, she was as tired
as she had ever been in her life and far happier!  As she rattled the
door in her nervousness to open it, T'dam poked his head out of the
boys' barracks next door.

 Back, are you?  Well, she hasn't moved so much as a muscle.  And I
don't think you will either, will you?" She shook her head, too tired to
speak.  She opened one side of a door wide enough to accommodate
wing-trailing drago nets and slipped inside, turning to close it after
her but T'dam came in as well, reaching up to turn the glow basket open.
As well he did, because Debera would have knocked into the first of the
dragonet beds.

These were basically simple wooden platforms, raised half a metre above
the ground, ample enough for dragons until they were old enough to be
transferred to a permanent weyr apartment.  The rider's bed was a
trundle affair to one side of the dragon's, with storage space
underneath and a deep chest at the foot.

She skirted the bed, relieved she had not awakened the occupant, and got
to Morath's, the next one in.  And hers.

There were several items of clothing on the chest.

Tisha sent in some other things since you weren't able to bring any
changes with you,' T'dam said.  And a nightdress, I believe.  Open the
glow above the bed and then I'll shut this one.

When she had done so, he closed the larger one and then the door behind
him.  Immediately he had, she examined Morath, curled tightly on her
platform, wings over her eyes.

Was that how drago nets slept?  Wondering at the good fortune that had
happened to her this day, Debera watched the sleeping dragonet as dearly
as any mother observed a newborn, much wanted child.  Morath's belly
still bulged with uneven lumps from all the meat she had eaten.

T'dam had laughed when Debera worried that the dragonet would make
herself sick with such greed.

They repeat the process six or seven times a day the first month,' he'd
warned her.  You'll end up thinking you've spent all your life chopping
gobbets until she settles to the usual three meals a day.

But don't worry.  By the end of her first year, she'll be eating only
twice a week - and catching her own at that." Debera smiled, remembering
that conversation and thinking that T'dam had no idea what a relief it
would be to have such an easy job, the doing of which would be a labour
of love and so gratefully received.  She held her hand over her beloved
Morath, wanting to caress this so-beloved creature but not wishing to
disturb her - especially when Debera was all but asleep herself.  She
lingered though, despite weariness, just watching Morath's ribs rise and
fall in sleeping rhythm.

Then she could no longer resist fatigue.

She was the lone human in the weyrling barn .  .  .  no, barracks.

Well, the others had their families to celebrate with.

Who'd have thought that Debera of Balan Hold would be sleeping with
dragons this night?  She certainly hadn't.  She slipped out of the fine
dress now, smoothed the soft fabric of the green gown one last time as
she folded it.  It had felt so good on her body and was such a becoming
colour: quite the loveliest thing she had ever worn.  Gisa had got all
her mother's dresses which ought by custom to have come to her.

Debera shrugged into the nightgown, aware of the subtle bouquet of the
herbs in which it had been stored.  Once she'd had time to gather the
fragrant flowers and leaves for sachets with her mother.

She pulled back the thick woollen blanket, fingering its softness, and
not regretting in the slightest the over washed and thin ones she had
shared with her step-sisters.  The pillow was thick under her cheek,
too, as she put her head down, and soft and redolent of yet more
fragrances.  That was all she had time to think.

Back at the College, Sheledon, Bethany and Sydra arrived a-dragon back
full of the ardent reception they'd had at Telgar Weyr.

I don't know why we didn't think of Teaching Ballads before now,' said
Sydra, slightly hoarse from all the singing she'd done the night before.

Too bad we hadn't the selections ready for the other two Impressions,'
Sheledon said, for he invariably saw disadvantages everywhere.  Are
there any more upcoming?" Well, there're Year's End celebrations  Beth
any replied.

We tend to stay here for them, said Sheledon, not wanting to miss the
feasts that Chrislee generally provided for those holidays.  The senior
teachers at the College invariably were included on the Fort guest list
and never missed such opportunities, even if they had the option of
returning to their native hearths for the three-day celebration.

Maybe this once,' Sydra began, looking at Sheledon, we should go home
and spread the word.

Bethany frowned.  The full chorus and accompaniment is what makes the
songs so effective - - -.

Sheledon frowned.  We can certainly organize substantial groups for the
main Holds.  The dragon riders always come as guests anyway, so they'd
all get a chance to hear .  .  . Then he smiled down at his wife,
settling an affectionate arm across her shoulders.  You sure did the
boy soprano bit well.  But I think we'd best get the juvenile voice for
Year's End.  You're hoarse today." Halllooo down there, and they all
looked up to see Clisser, bending far out from an upper window and
waving at them.

Did the Ballads work?" he yelled, hands to his mouth.

The musicians looked at each other, Sheledon counted the beat and they
roared back.  THEY LOVED US!" Clisser made a broad OK gesture with both
hands and then waved them to go to his office in the original section of
the facility.

They reached it first, still elated with the success of their
performance, an elation which began to disperse when they saw Clisser's
expression.

What's the matter?" asked Bethany, half rising from her chair.

The computers went down and Jemmy thinks they're totally banjaxed now,,
Clisser said glumly, flopping into the chair at his desk, his body slack
in despair.

What happened?  They were working perfectly,' Sheledon said, scowling.
What was Jemmy .

Clisser held up one hand.  Not Jemmy One of those students hacking
around Sheledon's expression suggested dire punishments.

Clisser shook his head.  Lightning Lightning?  But we had no storm
warnings Fried all the solar panels, tOO, although at least we can
replace those.  Corey lost her system, what was left of it, including
the diagnostics she's been trying so desperately to transcribe.

Made speechless by such a catastrophe, Sheledon sat down heavily on the
corner of the desk while Sydra leaned disconsolately against the wall.

How much is gone?" Bethany asked, trying to absorb the disaster.

All of it,' and Clisser flicked his fingers before he clasped them
together across his chest, chin down.

But .  .  .  but, surely, it's only a matter - -  Sheledon began.

The motherboards are charcoal and glue,' Clisser said dully.

Jemmy's gone through every box of chips we had left, and there aren't
enough to rebuild even a few meg - and that wouldn't operate the system.
Even part of the system.  It's gone,' and he waved his hand helplessly
again.

There was silence for long moments as those in the room struggled to
cope with such a massive loss.

How much did the students .  .  . Bethany began, cutting her sentence
off as Clisser waved, almost irritably, to silence her.

Surely they saved something Something, but nowhere near what we need,
what was waiting to be copied, a mere fraction of what we need to know..

Look, Clisser,' Bethany said gently, what have we really lost?" He
jerked his head up, glaring at her.  What have we really lost?

Why, everything!" Sheledon and Sydra were regarding Bethany as if she
had run mad.

The history we are already seeing as irrelevant to our lives now?" she
asked softly.  Descriptions of archaic devices and procedures which
have no relevance on Pern since we no longer operate an advanced
technological society'?  Isn't that what you were doing anyway, Clisser?
Changing the direction of teaching in line to what is needed in this
time, on this planet, and disregarding 1 don't know how many gigabytes
of stored information that is irrelevant!  Now that we don't have to
worry about all that,' and her hand airily dismissed the loss, we can
forge ahead and not have to concern ourselves with translating usdess
trivia for posterity.  So 1 ask you, what have we really lost'?" Silence
extended until Sheledon uttered a sharp laugh.

You know, she may be right.  We've been knocking ourselves out copying
down stuff that won't work here on Pern anyhow.

Especially,' and his voice hardened, since no-one back on Earth cares
enough to find out what's happened to us." Sydra regarded her husband
with a blink.  Not that old Tubberman homing tube business again?"
Sheledon went defensive.  Well, we know from.  .  .  the Records .
Sydra said with a malicious grin, and Sheledon flushed, that the
message tube was sent without Admiral Benden's authority.  Without the
name of a colony leader on it, no-one on Earth would have paid it any
heed if it even got to Earth in the first place.

IF I

Someone could have come and had a look-see,' Sheledon

said.

Oh, come now, Shel,' said Bethany, as amused by his sudden switch for
he had always derided the Tubberman Tube Theory.  Pern isn't rich
enough for anyone to bother about.

So the precious records said, but j think that was to save face.

They should have checked on us to see how we were faring .  They got
awfully proprietary about the Shavian colonies that were the basic
reason for the Nathi Space War." That was over three hundred years ago,
She 1,' Bethany said in her patient teacher-tone.

And it is totally irrelevant to now,' Sydra added.  Look, the loss of
the computers is undeniably a blow to us, but not something we cannot
overcome But all that information .  .  . cried Clisser, tears coming
to his eyes.

Clisser, dear, and Bethany leaned across to him, patting his hand
gently, we still have the best computers ever invented .  .  . and she
tapped her forehead, and they're crammed full of information: more than
we really need to operate - - But.  ..  but, now we'll never find out
how to preserve vital information -- like early warning of the return of
the Red Star.

We'll think of something,' she said in such a confident tone that it
penetrated Clisser's distress.  And briefly he looked a trifle brighter.

Then he slumped down in even deeper despair.  But we've failed the
trust placed in us to keep the data available Nonsense!" Sheledon said
vehemently, crashing one fist down on the desk-top.  We've kept them
going past their design optimum.  I've read enough in the old manuals to
appreciate that.  Every year for the past fifty has been a miracle.  And
we haven't, as Bethany says, lost all.  A gimmick from the past has
failed, like so many of them have.  And we're now going to have to
bypass the easy access to data they provided and sweat through books!
Books!  Books that we have in quantity.

Clisser blinked.  He shook his head as if mentally rejecting a thought.

We have been planning to ignore much of the old data,' Bethany said
gently.  What was most important to us..." and her hand indicated the
Pern of the present, has been copied well, most of it,' she amended
when Clisser opened his mouth.  If we haven't needed it up to now, we
never will.

But we've lost the sum total of human..." Clisser began..

Ha!" Sydra said.  Ancient history, man.  We've survived on Pern and it
is PERN that's important.  As Bethany said, if we haven't needed it up
to now, we never will.  So calm down." Clisser scrubbed at his skull
with both hands.  But how will I tell Paulin?" Didn't the lightning
affect Fort, too?" asked Sheledon and answered himself.  I thought I
saw a work force on the solar heights.

Clisser threw both hands up in the air.  I told him we were checking
the damage Which is total?" Sheledon asked.

Total!" and Clisser dropped his head once again to his chest in
resignation to the inevitable.

It's not as if you caused the storm or anything, Cliss, Bethany said.

He gave her a burning look.

Was the system being run at the time?" Sheledon asked.

Of course not,' Clisser said emphatically, scowling at Sheledon.

You know the rule.  All electronics are turned off in any storm.

And they were?" Of course they were." Bethany exchanged a look with
Sheledon as if they did not credit that assurance.  They both knew that
Jemmy would work until he fell asleep over the keyboard.

I tell you,' and Clisser went on, everything powered went down.

It's just luck that the generators have all those surge protectors, but
even those didn't save the computers.  The surge came in on the data
bus, not the power lines." Which were dying anyway.  They were now
dead, really I'  F

truly dead,' Sheledon said firmly.  Rest in peace.  I'll go and tell
Paulin if he's who you're worried about.

I am not,' and Clisser banged his fist on the table, worried about
Paulin.  And it's my duty to tell him." Then also tell him that our new
teaching techniques are in place and that we've lost nothing that future
generations will need to know,' said Sydra.

But .  .  .  but .  how do we know what they might need to know?"
Clisser asked, clearly still despairing with that rhetorical question.

We don't know the half of what we should know.

Bethany rose and took the two steps to the beverage counter.

it's not working either,' Clisser said in a sharp disgusted tone,
flicking one hand at it, insult on injury.

I shall miss the convenience, she said.

We all shall miss convenience,' said Clisser and exhaled sharply, once
again combing his hair back from his forehead with impatient fingers.

So,' said Sydra with a shrug of her shoulders, we use the gas-ring
instead.  It heats water just as hot, if not as quickly.

Now, let's all go and get a reviving cup, shall we?" She took Clisser by
the hand, to tug him out of his chair.  You look as if you need
reviving.

You're all high on last night's success, he told them accusingly, but
he got to his feet.

As well we are,' said Sheledon.  The better to console you, old
friend.

Clisser,' Bethany began in her soft, persuasive voice, we have known
from our reading of the Second Crossing that the artificial
intelligence, the AI VAS turned itself off.  We know why.  Because it
wisely knew that people were beginning to think it was infallible: that
it contained all the answers to all Mankind's problems.  Not just its
history.  Mankind had begun not only to consider it an oracle but to
depend on it far more than was wise.  For us.  So it went down.

We have let ourselves be guided too long by what we could read and
extract from the data left to us on computer.  We have been too
dependent.  It is high time we stood squarely on our own two feet .  .

. She paused, twisting her mouth wryly, to underscore her own uneven
stance, .  .  .  and made our own decisions.  Especially when what the
computers tell us has less and less relevance to our current problems."
You said it, Bethany,' agreed Sheledon, nodding approval with a little
quirk of his mouth.

Clisser smoothed back his hair again and smiled ruefully.

It would have been better if this could all have happened just a little
- and he made a space between thumb and forefinger, later.

When we found what we need for the dragon riders You mean, a
fail-proof system to prove the Red Star's on a drop course?" Sheledon
asked and then shrugged.  The best minds on the continent are working
on that problem.

We'll find a solution,' said Bethany, again with the oddly calm
resolution of hers.  Mankind generally does, you know." That's why we
have dragons,' Sydra said.  I could really murder a cup of klah.

Weyrling Barracks and Bitra Hold

An insistent, increasingly urgent sense of hunger nagged Debera out of
so deep a sleep she was totally disoriented.

The bed was too soft, she was alone in it, and neither the sounds nor
smells around her were familiar.

I really am most terribly hungree and I know that you were very \tired
but my stomach is empty, empty, empty MORA TH Debera shot bolt upright
and cracked her poll on the underside of the dragonet's head because
Morath had been leaning over her bed.  Ouch!  Oh, dearest, I didn't
hurt you, did I?" Standing up in the bed, Debera wrapped apologetic arms
about Morath, stroking her cheeks and ear knobs reassuring her with
murmurs of regret and promises to never hurt her again.

The little dragon refocused her eyes, whirling lightly, but with only
the faintest tinge of the red of pain and alarm which dissipated quickly
with such ardent reassurances.

Your head is much harder than it looks, she said, giving hers a little
shake.

Debera rubbed underneath the jaw where the contact had been made.

I'm so sorry, dearest, and then she heard a giggle behind her and
swivelling around, half in anger, half in reflexive defence, she saw
that she was not alone in the weyrling barracks.  The blonde girl from
Ista .  .  .  Sarra, that was her name .  .  .  was sitting on the edge
of her bed, folding clothes into the chest.  Her dragonet was still
curled up in a tight mound from which a slight snore could be heard.

Ooops, no offence intended .  .  . Sarra said, smiling with such good
nature that Debera immediately relaxed.  You should have seen the looks
on your faces.  Morath's eyes nearly crossed when you cracked her.

Debera rubbed the top of her head, grimacing, as she descended from the
bed.

I was so deeply asleep .  .  .  I couldn't think where I was at first .

Morath's been as good as she could be,' Sarra said.  T'dam said to
dress for dirty work.  We're supposed to bathe and oil them after their
first nap of the day." That was when Debera remembered the pile of
things she had not properly sorted the previous night.

Does dressing take long?  Morath asked plaintively.

No, it doesn't, love,' and, turning her back in case Sarra might be
embarrassed, Debera hauled off the nightdress and threw on the garments
on the top of the pile - not new, certainly, but suitable for rough
work.

The socks were new, knitted of a sturdy cotton, and she was especially
grateful for them since the pair she had had on yesterday had already
been worn several days.  She stamped her feet into her own boots and
stood.

I'm ready, dear,' she said to the little green.  who stepped down off
the raised platform and promptly fell on her nose.

Sarra jumped the intervening bed to help right Morath, struggling so
hard to keep from laughing that she nearly choked.  Once Debera saw that
Morath had taken no hurt, she grinned back at the Istan.

Are they always this .  .  ? Sarra nodded.  So T'dam told us.

You'll find a pail of meat just outside the door .  .  .  We get a break
this first morning,' and she wrinkled her nose in a grimace, but after
today, it's up at the crack of dawn and carve up our darlings'
breakfasts." There was a long snorting snore from Sarra's green and she
whirled, waiting to see if the dragonet was waking up.  But the snore
trembled into a tiny soprano ooooooh' and then resumed its rhythm.

Did she do that all night long?" Debera asked.

I am SO hungry Debera was all apologies, and so was Sarra who sprinted
ahead to fling open both leaves of the door, making a flourishing bow
for their exit.  Morath immediately crowded against Debera, pushing her
to the right, her young nose detecting the enticing smell in the two
covered pails on the rack outside the barracks.

Debera lifted the pail down while Morath impatiently nudged off the
cover and seemed to inhale the gobbets.

Debera allowed her to fill her mouth and then started shielding the pail
with her body.

You will chew what you eat, Morath, you hear me?  You could choke to
death, and then where would I be?" Morath gave her such a look of pained
astonishment and reproach that Debera couldn't remain stern.

Chew,' she said, popping a handful of pieces into Morath's open mouth.
Chew!" she repeated and Morath obediently exercised her jaws before
spreading them wide again for another batch.  Debera had not tended the
orphaned young animals of her hold without learning some of the tricks.

Whoever had decided on the quantity, Debera thought, knew the precise
size of a dragonet's belly.  Morath's demands had slowed considerably as
Debera reached the bottom of the pail and the dragonet sighed before she
swallowed the last.

I see she's had breakfast,' said T'dam, appearing from behind so
suddenly that Morath squawked in surprise and Debera struggled to get to
her feet.  T'dam's hand on her shoulder pushed her back down.

We're not formal in the Weyr, Debera, he said kindly.

Now, lead her over to the lake there,' and he gestured to the right
where Debera recognized the large mounds as sleeping drago nets

Then, when she wakes up from this feed she'll be just where you can
bathe and oil her." T'dam grinned.  Before you can feed her again,
though..." and then he motioned to his left.  Ar you squeamish?" he
asked.

Debera took a good look in the direction he pointed and saw six skinned
carcasses, swaying from butchering tripods.

Weyrlings were busy with knives carving flesh off the bones, or at the
table chopping raw meat into dragonet morsels.

Me?" Debera gave a cynical snort.  Not likely." Good,' T'dam said
approvingly.  Some of your peers are.

Come now, Morath,' he added in a totally altered tone, loving and kind
and wheedling, you'll need a little rest and the sands by the lake are
warm in the sun .

Morath lifted her head, her eyes glistening bluey-green as she regarded
the Weyrlingmaster.

He is a nice nian, she said and began to waddle towards the lake: her
swaying belly bulged lumpily with her meal.

When you've settled her, Debera, be sure to get your own breakfast in
the kitchen.  Good thing you're not squeamish he said, turning away, but
his chuckle drifted back to Debera's ears.

It's awffilly far to the lake, isn tit, Debera?  Morath said, puffing.

Not really,' Debera said.  Anyway, it's much too rocky underfoot right
here to make a comfortable bed for your nap.

Morath looked down her long nose, her left fore knocking a stone out of
her path.  And she sighed.  She kept going, Debera encouraging her with
every slow step, until they reached the sandier ground surrounding the
lake.  It had recently been raked, the marks visible between the paw-
and tail-prints of the drago nets  Debera urged Morath further on to the
sand, to an empty spot between two browns who were tightly curled with
wings to shield their eyes from the autumn sun pouring down on them.

With a great sigh, Morath dropped her hindquarters to the sand, with an
I'm not going a step further attitude and sank slowly over to her right
side.  She curled her tail about her, curved her head around under her
left wing and, with a sweet babyish croon rumbling in her throat, fell
asleep.

Once again, Debera could barely bring herself to leave the dragonet,
lost in the wonder of having been acceptable to such a marvellously
lovable creature.

She'd been lonely and lacking in love for so long - ever since her
mother had died and her oldest full brother had left the family Hold.

Now she had Morath, all her very own, and those long years of isolation
faded into a trivial moment.

She's perfectly safe here,' Debera told herself finally, and forced
herself to leave Morath and make her way across that quadrant of the
Bowl to the kitchen caverns.  Enticing smells of fresh bread and other
viands made her quicken her steps.

She hoped she'd have enough restraint not to bolt her food like her
dragonet.

The kitchen cavern at Telgar Weyr was actually a series of caves, each
with an entrance, varying in size, width and height.

As Debera paused at the entrance of the nearest and smallest one, she
saw that hearths or ovens were ranged against the outside wall, each
with a separate chimney protruding up the cliff face.  Inside, the many
long tables where last night guests had been entertained were reduced to
the number needed by the regular population of the Weyr.

But the interior was busy as men and women went about food preparation
tasks.

Breakfast's over there, a woman said, smiling at Debera and pointing.
Porridge's still hot and the klah's fresh made.

Help yourself." Debera looked to her left to the farthest hearth, which
had tables and chairs set invitingly near it.

There'll be fresh-baked bread soon, too, and I'll bring some over,' the
woman added and proceeded on her own business.

Debera had only just served herself a heaping of porridge - not a lump
in it, nor a fleck of burn - and a cup of klah when two boys, looking
bewildered and not at all sure of how to proceed, wandered in.

The bowls are there, the cups there,' Debera said, pointing.

And use that hunk of towel to hold the pot while you spoon out the
cereal.  It's hot.

They sent her tentative smiles - they must just be old enough for
Impression, she thought, feeling just a trifle older and wiser.  They
managed - but not without slopping gobs of porridge into the fire and
jumping back from the hiss and smell - to get enough in the bowls and to
pour klah into their cups.

C'mon, sit here, I won't bite, she said, tapping her table.

They were certainly not a bit sullen or grouchy, like her younger
half brothers

You've a green, haven't you?" the first one asked.  He had a crop of
black curls that had recently been trimmed very close to his skull.

Course she has a green, stoop id the other lad said, elbowing the
ribs of the first.  I'm M'rak, and Caneth's my bronze,' he added with a
justifiable smirk of pride.

My bronze is Tiabeth,' the black haired boy said, equally as proud of
his dragon, but added modestly, I'm S'mon.

What's yours called?" Morath,' and Debera found herself grinning
broadly.  Did all new riders feel as besotted as this?

The boys settled into chairs and began to eat, almost as eagerly as
drago nets  Deliberately Debera slowed the rhythm of her spoon.

This porridge was really too good to gulp down: not a husk nor a piece
of grit in it.  Obviously Telgar tithed of its best to the Weyr, even
with such a staple as oats for porridge.  She sighed, grateful for more
than Impressing Morath yesterday.

The boys suddenly stopped, spoons half lifted to their mouths and,
warned, Debera turned quickly.  Bearing down on their table was the
unmistakable bulk of Tisha, the head woman of the Lower Cavern.  Her
broad face was wreathed with a smile as generous as she was.

How are you today?  Settling in all right?  Need anything from stores?
Parents will pack your Gather best, and you really need your weeding
worst,' she said, her rich contralto voice bubbling with good humour.
Breakfast all right?

Bread's just out of the oven and you can have all you want." She had
halted by Debera's chair and her hands, shapely with long strong
fingers, patted Debera's shoulders lightly as if imparting a special
message to her along with that pressure.

You lack something, come tell me, or mention it to T'dam.

You weyrlings shouldn't worry about anything other than caring for your
drago nets  That's hard work enough, I'm telling you, so don't be shy,
now." She gave Debera a little extra pat before she removed her hands.

I didn't think to bring with me the gown you lent me last night,'
Debera said, wondering if that's what the subtle message was.

Heavens above, child,' said Tisha, big eyes even wider in her round
face, why, that dress was made for you, even if we didn't know you'd be
coming." Her deep chuckle made her large breasts and belly bounce.

But it's far too good a dress .  .  . Debera began in protest.

Tisha patted Debera's shoulder again.  And fits you to perfection.  I
love making new clothes.  My passion really, and you'll see: I'm always
working on something." Pat, pat.  But if I'd no-one in mind when I cut
and sewed it last year, 1

couldn't have worked better for you if I'd tried.  The dress is yours.
We all like to have something pretty to wear on Seventh Day.

Do you sew?" she asked, eyeing Debera hopefully.

No, I'm afraid not,' Debera answered, lowering her eyes for she
remembered her mother with work in her hands in the evenings,
embroidering or sewing fine seams in Gather clothes.  Gisa barely
managed to mend rips, and certainly neither of her daughters was
learning how to mend or make garments.

Well, I don't know what holder women are doing with their young these
days.  Why, I had a needle in my hand by the time I was three -, Tisha
went on.

The boys' eyes were glazing over at the turn of the conversation.

And you'll learn to sew harness, my fine young friends, she said,
wagging a finger at them.  And boots and jackets, too, if you've a mind
to design your own flying wear." Huh?" was M'rak's astonished reaction.
Sewing's fer women.

Not in the Weyr, it isn't,' Tisha said firmly.  As you'll see soon
enough.  It's all part of being a dragon rider  You'll learn.

 Ah, now, here's the bread, butter and a pot of jam.

Sure enough, another ample woman, grinning with the pleasure of what she
was about to bestow on them, deposited the laden tray on the table.

That should help, thank you, Allie,' Tisha said as Debera added a
murmur of appreciation and S'mon remembered his manners, too.  M'rak
made no such delay in grabbing up a piece of the steaming bread and
cramming it into his mouth.

Wow!  Great!" Well, just be sure you don't lose it, preparing your
dragonet's next meal,' Tisha said and moved off before the astonished
bronze rider had absorbed her remark.

What'd she mean by that?" he asked the others.

Debera grinned.  Hold-bred?" Naw, m'family's weavers,' M'rak said.
From Keroon Hold.

We have to cut up what our drago nets eat, though, don't we?" S'mon
asked in a slightly anxious voice.  From the the bodies they got hung
up?" You mean cut it off the things that wore the meat?" M'rak turned a
little pale and swallowed.

That's what we mean,' Debera said.  If you like, I'll do your carving
and you can just cut up.  Deal?" You bet,' M'rak agreed fervently.  And
gulped again, no longer attacking the rest of the bread that hung limply
from his fingers.  He put the slice down.  I didn't know that was part
of being a dragon rider too.

Debera chuckled.  I think we're all going to find out that being a
dragon rider is not just sitting on its neck and going wherever we want
to.

A prophecy she was to learn was all too accurate.  She didn't regret
making the bargain with the two youngsters - it was a fair distribution
of effort - but it did seem that she spent her next weeks either
butchering or feeding or bathing her dragonet with no time for anything
else but sleeping.  She had dealt with orphaned animals, true, but none
the size nor with the appetite capacity of drago nets  Morath seemed to
grow overnight, as if instantly transferring what she ate to visible
increase - which meant more to scrub, oil AND feed.

It's worth it, I keep telling myself,' Sarra murmured one day as she
wearily sprawled onto her bed.

Does it help?" Grasella asked, groaning as she turned on her side.

Does it matter?" put in Mesla, kicking her boots off.

All that oil is softening my hands,' Debera remarked in pleased
surprise, noticing the phenomenon for the first time.

And matting my hair something wicked,' said Jule, regarding the end of
the fuzzy plait she kept her hair in.  I wonder when I'll have time to
wash it again." If you ask Tisha, she'll give you the most marvellous
massage,' Angie said, stretching on her bed and yawning.

My leg's all better.

She and her Plath had tripped each other up, and she'd pulled all the
muscles in her right leg so badly that at first they feared she'd broken
a bone in the tumble.  Plath had been beside herself with worry until
Maranis had pronounced the damage only a bad wrenching'.  The other
girls had helped Angie tend Plath.

All part of being a dragon rider T'dam had said, but he exhibited
sympathy in making sure he was at hand to assist her.  too.  Nothing
you won't grin about later.

Although the room in which Lord Chalkin sat so that the newly-certified
Artist Iantine could paint his portrait of the Lord Holder was warmer
than any other chamber in Bitra that lantine had occupied, he sighed
softly in weariness.  His hand was cramped and he was very tired, though
he was careful not to reveal anything to his odious subject.  He also
had to do a bang-up job of this portrait as fast as possible, or he
might not leave this miserable Hold until the spring.

Fortunately this first snow was melting and, if he finished the
painting, he'd leave before the paint was dry.  And with the marks he'd
been promised!

Why he had ever thought himself able to handle any problem that could
occur on a commission, he did not know.

&rtainly he had been warned: more about not gambling with any Bitrans,
to be sure, had he had any marks to wager.  But the warnings had been
too general.  Why hadn't Ussie told him how many other people had been
defrauded by the Biran Lord Holder?  The contract had seemed all right,
sounded all right and was as near to a total disaster as made no never
mind.  Inexperienced and arrogant, that's what he was.

Too self-assured to listen to the wisdom of the years of experience
Master Domaize had tried to get through his thick head.

But Master Domaize had a reputation for letting you deal with your own
mistakes - especially the ones unconnected with Art.

Please, Lord Chalkin, would you hold still just a moment longer?

The light is too good to waste,' lantine said, aware of the twitching
muscles in Chalkin's fat cheeks.  The man didn't have a tic or anything,
but he could no more be still in his fancy chair than his children.

Impishly, lantine wondered if he could paint' a twitch - a muscle
rictus - but it was hard enough to make Chalkin look good as it was.

The man's muddy brown, close-set eyes seemed to cross towards the bridge
of his rather fleshy, bulbous nose - which Iantine had deftly refined.

Master Domaize had often told his students that one had to be discreet
in portraying people, but lantine had argued the matter: that realism
was necessary if the subject wanted a true' portrait.

True portraits are never realistic, his master had told him -and the
other students in the vast barn of a place where classes were held.

Save realism for landscapes and historical murals, not for portraits.

No-one wants to see themselves as others see them.  The successful
portraitist is one who paints with both tact and sympathy.

Iantine remembered railing about dishonesty and pandering to egos.

Master Domaize had looked over the half spectacles he now had to wear if
he wanted to see beyond his nose and smiled that gentle, knowing smile
of his.

Those of us who have learned that the portraitist must also be the
diplomat make a living.  Those of us who wish to portray truth end up in
a craft Hall, painting decorative borders." When the commission to do
miniatures of Lord Chalkin's young children had been received at Hall
Domaize, there had been no immediate takers.

What's wrong with it?" Iantine demanded when the notice had stayed on
the board for three weeks with no-one's initials.

He would shortly sit his final exams at Hall Domaize and had hopes to
pass them creditably.

Chalkin's what's wrong with it,' Ussie said with a cynical snort.

Oh, I know his reputation,' Iantine replied, blithely flicking a
paint-stained hand, everyone does.  But he sets out the conditions,'
and he tapped the document, and they're all the ones we're supposed to
ask for.

Ussie smothered a derogatory laugh in his hand and eyed him in the
patronizing way that irritated lantine so.  He knew he was a better
draughts man and colourist than Ussie would ever be, and yet Ussie always
acted so superior.  lantine knew his general skills were better, and
improving, because of course, in the studio, everyone had a chance to
view everyone else's work.  Ussie's anatomical sketches looked as if a
mutant had posed as the life model .  .  .  and his use of colour was
bizarre.  Ussie did much better with landscapes and was a dab hand at
designing heraldry shields and icons and such peripheral art work.

Yes, but you'll have to live in Bitra Hold while you're doing it, and
coming into winter is not the time to live there.

What?  To do four miniatures?  How long could it take?" Iantine had a
seven-day in mind.  Even for very small and active children, that should
be sufficient.

All right, all right, so you've always managed to get kids to sit still
for you.  But these are Chalkin's and if they're anything like him,
you'll have the devil's own time getting them to behave long enough to
get an accurate likeness.  Only, I sincerely doubt that an "accurate"
likeness is what is required.  And I know you, Ian .  .  . Ussie
waggled a finger at him, grinning more broadly now.  You'll never be
able to glamorize the little darlings enough to satisfy doting papa."
But.  -The last time a commission came in from Chalkin, said Chomas,
joining in the conversation, Macartor was there for nine months before
his work was deemed "satisfactory".

Chomas jabbed his finger at the clause that began on the completion of
satisfactory work'.  He came back a ghost of himself and poorer than
he'd started out.

Macartor?" lantine knew of the painter.  a capable man with a fine eye
for detail, now doing murals for the new Hall at Nerat Hold.

He tried to think of a reason why Macartor had not been able to deal
well with Chalkin.  Great man for detail, but not for portraiture,' he
said.

Ussie's eyebrows rose high in his long face and his grey eyes danced
with mischief.

So, take the commission and learn for yourself.  I mean, some of us
need some extra marks before Turn's End, but not so badly as we'd go to
Bitra Hold to earn em.  You know the reputation there for gambling?

They'd sooner stop breathing than stop gambling.

Oh, it can't be half as bad as they say it is,' Iantine replied.

The sixteen marks, plus keep and travel expenses, is scale.

Ussie ticked the points off on fingers.  Travel?  Well, you'd have to
pay your own way there .  - But he specifies travel - -  Iantine
protested, tapping that phrase impatiently.

Hmmm, but you have to pay out for the travel there and account for
every quarter mark you spent.  Take you a few days to sort out right
there.  Chalkin's so mingy no decent cook stays with him, ditto for
housekeeper, steward and any other staff, so you may end up having to
cook your own meals if he doesn't charge you for the fuel to cook with.
The Hold's not got central heating, and you'd want a room fire this time
of the year in that region.  Oh, and bring your own bed-furs, he doesn't
supply them to casual workers Casual?  A portraitist from Hall Domaize
is not classified as a casual worker,' Iantine said indignantly.

At Bitra, my friend, everyone's casual,' Chomas put in.

Chalkin's never issued a fair service contract in his life.  And read
EVERY SINGLE WORD on the page if you are foolish enough to take the
commission.  Which, if you had the sense of little green apples, you
won't." Chomas gave a final decisive nod of his head and continued on
his way to his own work station, where he was doing fine marquetry on a
desk.

However, lantine had a particular need for the marks the commission
would bring him.  With his professional diploma all but in his hand, he
wanted to start repaying what he owed his parents.  His father wanted to
avail himself of lantine's land allotment to extend his pasturage, but
he didn't have the marks to pay the Council transfer fees: never a huge
amount, but sufficient so that Ian tine's large family would have to cut
back on what few luxuries they had to save the sum.  it was therefore a
matter of self-esteem and pride for lantine to earn the fee.

His parents had given him a good start, more than he deserved
considering how seldom he had been at the hold since his twelfth
birthday.  His mother had wished him to be a teacher, as she had been
before her marriage.  She had taught all the basics to him, his nine
siblings and the children in the other nearby Benden mountain sheep and
farm holds.  And because he had shown not only a keen interest in
learning but also discernible skill in sketching - filling every inch of
a precious drawing book with studies of every aspect of life on the
hillside hold - it had been decided to send him to the College.  His
help would be missed, but his father had reluctantly agreed that the lad
showed more aptitude with pen and pencil than shepherd crook.  His next
youngest brother, who had the temperament for the work, had been
ecstatic to be promoted to Iantine's tasks.

Once at the College, his unusual talent and insights were instantly
recognized and encouraged.  Master Clisser had insisted that he do a
portfolio of sketches: animal, mineral and floral'.  That had been easy
to collect since lantine constantly sketched and had many vignettes of
unsuspecting classmates: some done at times when he should have been
doing other lessons.  One in particular - a favourite with Master
Clissex - was of Bethany playing her guitar, bending over the instrument
for intricate chording.  Everyone had admired it, even Bethany.

His portfolio was submitted to several private craft Halls which taught
a variety of skills, from fine leather tooling to wood, glass and stone
workings.  None of those on the West Coast had places for another
student, but the woman who was master weaver in Southern Boll had said
she would contact Master Domaize in Keroon, one of the foremost
portraitists on Pern, for she felt the boy's talent lay in that
direction.

To Iantine's astonishment, a green dragon had arrived one morning at the
College, available to convey him back for a formal interview with
Domaize himself.  Iantine wasn't quite sure what excited him most: the
ride on the dragon between, the prospect of meeting Master Domaize or
the thought of being able to continue with art as a possible profession.
He had been in a worse state on his return because Master Domaize,
having set him the task of sketching himself, had accepted him as a
student and sent off a message to his parents that very day, arranging
terms.

lantine's family had been astounded to receive such a message.

Still more astonishing had been the information that Benden's Lord and
Lady Holder were willing to pay more than half his fees.

Now he must earn as much as he could, as soon as he could, to show his
family that their sacrifices had not been wasted.

Undoubtedly Lord Chalkin would be difficult.  Undoubtedly there would be
problems, but the marks promised for the commission would pay the land
transfer fee.  So he'd initialled the contract; a copy was made for
Master Domaize's files and it had been returned to Lord Chalkin.

Chalkin had demanded, and received, a verification of Iantine's skill
from his Master and then returned the signed contract.

Best re-read it, Ian, Ussie said when Iantine waved the document about
in triumph.

Why?" Iantine glanced down the page and pointed to the bottom lines.
Here's my signature, and Master Domaize's, alongside Chalkin's.  That
is, if that's what this scrawl is supposed to be." He held it out to
Ussie.

Hmmm, looks all right, though I haven't seen Chalkin's hand before. My,
where did they find this typewriter?  Half the letters don't strike
evenly." Ussie passed the document back.

I'll see if there're any other examples of Lord Chalkin's signature in
the files,' Iantine said, though how.  .  .  and why - .

would he deny the contract when he himself proposed it?" He's a Bitran,
and you know how they are.  Are you sure that's your signature?" Ussie
grinned as Iantine peered with a suspicious glare at his own name.  Then
Ussie laughed.

Sure, I'm sure it's mine.  Look at the slant of the t".  Just as I
always make it.  What are you driving at, Ussie?" Iantine felt the first
twinges of irritation with Ussie's attitude.

Well, Bitrans are known to forge things.  Remember those bogus land
transfer deeds five years ago?  No, I don't suppose you'd have heard
about them.  You'd've still been a schoolboy." With an airy wave of his
hand, Ussie left a puzzled and worried Iantine.

When he brought the matter up to his master, Domaize could produce a
sample of Lord Chalkin's signature on a document much creased and worn.
Domaize also put his glasses up to his eyes and peered at his own name
on the current contract.

No, this is mine, and I recognize your slanting t-bar." He put the
document in the to-do' tray.  We'll copy it into our workbook.

If you have any trouble though, at Bitra Hold, let me know instantly.

It's much easier to sort things out when they start, you know.  And
don't,' and here Master Domaize had waggled a stern finger at him,
allow them to entice you into any games of chance, no matter how clever
you think you are.  Bitrans make their living at gaming.  You can't
compete at their level." lantine had promised faithfully to eschew any
gaming.  He'd never had much interest in such things, being far more
likely to sketch the players than join the game.  But gambling was not a
thing' that the Master would have meant.  Iantine was learning. what did
fall into that category: especially the nuances of the word
satisfaction'.  Such a simple word that can be so misconstrued.  As he
had done.

He had done not four miniatures, but nearly twenty, using up all the
materials he had brought with him so that he had had to send for more
from Hall Domaize since the wood used in miniatures had to be specially
seasoned or it would warp, especially in a damp environment like Bitra
Hold.  He had done the first four on the canvas he had brought with him
for the job, only to discover - along with a long list of other
objections from Lord Chalkin and his wife, Lady Nadona that canvas was
not satisfactory' If it isn't the best quality,' and she ran one of
her almost dragon-talon nails across one canvas, snagging a thread so
badly the surface was unusable, it doesn't last long.

Skybroom wood is what you should be using." Skybroom wood is expensive
.  You're being very well paid for these miniatures, she said.

The least we can expect is the best grade of materials." Skybroom wood
was not stipulated in the contract.  .  Did it have to be?" she
demanded haughtily.  I made sure that Domaize Hall has the very highest
standards.

Master Domaize provided me with the best canvas,' and he pushed his
remaining frames out of her reach.  He said that is what he always
supplies.  You should have stipulated sky broom wood in the contract if
that's what you wanted.

Of course it would be what I wanted, young man.  The very best is none
too good for my children." Is there any available in the Hold?" he
asked.  At least with sky broom you could clean off unsatisfactory'
work without the risk of damaging the surface.

Of course.

That was his first mistake.  Nevertheless, at that point he was still
eager to do a proper job to the best of his abilities.

However, what sky broom there was turned out to be substantial lumber,
being cured for furniture, and not thin enough to be used for
miniatures: miniatures' which were now twice the ordinary size.

High on the list of unsatisfactory' were the poses of the children,
although these had been suggested by the Lady Holder herself.

Chaldon doesn't look at all natural,' Lady Nadona said.

Not at all.  He looks so tense, hunching his shoulders like that.

Whyever did you not tell him to sit up straight?" lantine forbore to
mention that he had done so frequently, and within Lady Nadona's
hearing.  And you've given him such an odious scowl.

Which had been Chaldon's natural' expression.

Standing?" he suggested, cringing at the thought of arguing any of them
into standing for the sittings'.  He'd had enough trouble getting them
to sit still.  They were, as Ussie had foreseen, not biddable and had
such short attention spans that he could never get them to strike the
right pose, or assume an even halfway cheerful expression.

And why on earth did you paint on such a small canvas'?

I'll need to use a magnifying glass,' Lady Nadona had said, holding
Chaldon's likeness away from her as far as her arm would reach.

lantine had known enough about his patroness by then to suppress a
remark about her farsightedness.

This is the customary size for a miniature - So you say,' she replied
repressively.  I want something I can see when I'm on the other side of
the room.

As she was generally on the other side of her room' whenever her
children were in her vicinity, the need was understandable.  They were
the messiest pre-adolescents Iantine had ever encountered: plump, since
they were indolent by nature, dressed in ill-fitting apparel since the
Hold's seamstress was not particularly adept, and constantly eating:
generally something that ran, smeared or left crumbs on their chins and
tunics.  None of them bathed frequently enough and their hair was long,
greasy and roughly cut.  Even the two girls showed no feminine interest
in their appearance.  One had hacked her hair off with a knife .  .  .

except the long tress she wore down the back, strung with beads and
little bells.  The other had thick braids which were rarely redone
unless whatever fastened the end had got lost.

lantine had struggled with the porcine Chaldon, had realized that the
child could not be depicted naturally' and tried to retain enough
resemblance so that others would know which child had been painted.

But his portrait was unsatisfactory'.  Only the youngest, a sturdy lad
of three who said nothing beyond No' and carried a stuffed toy with him
from which he could not be parted, was deemed marginally satisfactory'.
Actually the dirty bear' was the best part of Briskin's portrait.

lantine had tried to romanticize Luccha's unusual hairstyle and was told
that she'd look better with proper hair' which he could certainly add
in if he was any good at all.  And why did she have such an awkward
expression on her face, when Luccha had the sweetest smile and such a
lovely disposition?

(Especially when she was busy trying to unite the Hold's cats by tying
their tails together, Iantine had added mentally.  Bitra Hold did not
have a single unscathed animal, and the spit-boy said they'd lost seven
dogs to accidents' that year already.)  Luccha's mouth was set aslant
in her face, the thin lips usually compressed in a sour line.

Lonada, the second daughter, had a pudding face, with small dark holes
for eyes, and her father's nose: bad enough in a male, but fatal for a
female.

lantine had also had to buy' a lock from the Hold steward to prevent
his sleeping-furs from walking out of the narrow little cubicle in which
he was quartered.  He knew his packs had been searched the first day;
probably several times by the variety of smeared fingerprints left on
the paint pots.  As he had brought nothing of real value with him - not
having many possessions - he hadn't worried.

Holds usually had one light-fingered person, and the Hold steward
usually knew who it was and retrieved what had gone astray from guests'
rooms.

But when lantine found his paint pots left open to dry out, he
protested.  And paid' for a lock.  Not that he felt all that secure,
for if there was one key to that lock, there could be duplicates.  But
his furs did remain on his bed.  And glad he was to have them, for the
thin blanket supplied was holey and ought to have been torn up for rug
lengths long since.

That was the least of his problems at Bitra Hold, however.

Having heard all that was wrong with the next set of miniatures he
managed to produce, a third larger than the first, Iantine began to have
a somewhat clearer grasp of just how the parents envisaged their
offspring.  On his fifth set, he nearly won the accolade of
satisfactory'.  Nearly Then the children, one after another, succumbed
to an infant disease that resulted in such a rash that they could not
possibly sit'.

Well, you'd better do something to earn your keep, Chalkin told his
contract portraitist when Lady Nadona had announced the children were
isolated.

The contract says I will have room and board - - -, Chalkin held up a
thick forefinger, his smile not the least bit humorous.  When you are
honouring that contract - But the children are sick Chalkin had
shrugged.  That's neither here nor there.  You are unable to honour the
specific conditions of the contract.

Therefore you are not entitled to be fed and housed at the Hold's
expense.  Of course, I can always deduct your leisure time from the fee
.  .  . The smile deepened vindictively.

Leisure .  .  .  lantine had been so enraged that the protest burst
from him before he could suppress it.  No wonder, he thought, shaking
with the control he had to enforce on himself, no-one else at Hall
Domaize would sign with Bitra.

Well,' Chalkin went on, as if he were a reasonable man, what else does
one call it if you are not engaged in the lab ours which you are
contracted for?" lantine had to wonder if Chalkin knew how necessary it
was for him to earn the exact fee promised.  Iantine had held no
conversations with anyone in the Hold; they were so sullen and
uncommunicative a group at their best - which was usually at mealtimes -
that he hoped he'd be spared them at their worst.  He had steadfastly
refused to have a little game' with cooks or guards, which accounted
for a good deal of the general animosity towards him.  So how would
anyone know anything about his personal life or his reasons for working
here?

So, instead of already being on his way home with a satisfactory
contract fulfilled and the marks for the transfer fee heavy in hi
pouch, lantine spent his leisure' time touching up the faces of
Chalkin's ancestors in the main Hall murals.

Good practice for you, I'm sure,' Chalkin had said, all too amiably, as
he made his daily inspection of this project.  You'll be better
equipped to do satisfactory portraits of this generation." Pig faces,
all of them, with the ancestral bulbous nose, lantine noticed.

Oddly enough, one or two of the ancestresses had been very pretty girls,
far too young and attractive for the mean-mouthed men they had been
contracted to.  Too bad the male genes dominated.

Of course, lantine had had to make up batches of the special paints
required for mural work, having initially had no idea that such would be
required.  He also found his supplies of the oil paints drastically
reduced by the repeated unsatisfactory' portraits.  He had the choice
of sending back to Hall Domaize for additional supplies and paying
transport charges, plus having to wait for them to reach him - or
finding the raw materials and manufacturing the colours himself - which
was the better option.

How much?" he exclaimed in shock when the head cook told him what he'd
have to pay for the eggs and oil he needed to mix into his pigments.

Yiss, an' that doan include cost of hiring the equipment,' the cook
added, sniffing.  The man had a perpetually running nose, sometimes
dripping down his upper lip.  But not, Iantine devoutly hoped, into
whatever he was in the process of preparing.

I have to hire bowls and jars from you?" Iantine wondered how the cook
could have become infected with Chalkin's greed.

Well, if I ain't using em, and you is, you should pay for the use,
seems like." He sniffed so deeply Iantine wondered there could be any
mucus left in his sinus cavities.  Shoulda brought yer stuff with ye if
ye'd need it.  Lord Holder sees you usin' things from his kitchen and
one of us'll be paying for it.  Won't be me!" And he sniffed again,
shrugging one dirty white shoulder as emphasis.

I came with adequate supplies and equipment for the work I was hired to
do,' Iantine said, curbing an intense desire to shove the man's face in
the thin soup he was stirring.

So?" lantine had walked, stiff-legged with fury, out of the kitchen.

He tried to tell himself that he was learning, the very hardest way, how
to deal with the client.

Finding the raw materials for his pigments had proved nearly as
difficult since it was, after all, coming on to deep winter here in the
Bitran hills.  He discovered a hefty hunk of stone with a rounded end
that would do as a pestle, and then a hollowed-out rock that would act
as a mortar.  He had found a whole hillside of the sabsab bush whose
roots produced a yellow colour; enough raw cobalt to get blue, and the
paw berry leaves that boiled up one of the finest pure reds with neither
tint nor tinge of orange or purple.  With the greatest of luck he also
came across ochre mud.  Rather than rent' containers, he used chipped
crockery he unearthed from the midden heap.  He did have to pay the
price of best oil for the substandard stuff which was all the cook would
sell him.

And that mark, he was sure, would never be passed on to Lord Chalkin as
fee.

He managed to get enough saucers or mugs - they used a very cheap
pottery in Bitra Hold - to hold the different colours he needed.  He
hadn't quite finished the repair work when Chaldon recovered
sufficiently from the rash to be able to sit/ stand once more.

Chaldon had lost weight during the fever which accompanied the emergence
of the rash.  He was also lethargic and, as long as Iantine could think
up funny stories to tell as he worked, he stayed reasonably still.
Calling himself the worst kind of panderer, Iantine made the boy
resemble the best looking of the ancestors he'd re limned  The boy was
certainly pleased and ran off to find his mother, shouting that he did
look like Greatgranddaddy, just as she always said he did.

The same ploy did not quite work on Luccha's portrait when she had
recovered.  Her skin was sallower, she'd lost hair and too much weight
to improve her undistinguished looks.  While he had aimed for her
great-grandmother thrice removed, she didn't have the right facial
structure and even he had to admit the result was unsatisfactory.

Her illness,' he'd mumbled when Chalkin and Nadona recited the long
catalogue of dissimilarities between their daughter and the portrait.

He did better with Lonada and Briskin who, several kilos lighter, had
the look of his great-uncle - pinch-faced, lantern jawed and big-eared.
Iantine had judiciously reduced the size of those ears even as he
wondered what artist had got away with such unflattering appendages on
great-uncle.

He redid Luccha's after the other two: she'd put on some weight and her
colour was better - not much, but better.  And he set her eyes wider in
her face, which improved her no end.

Too bad it couldn't be done to the model.  He vaguely remembered that
the First Settlers had been able to remodel noses and bob ears and stuff
like that.

So, grudgingly and after making him touch up each of the four not-so
miniature paintings to the point where he was ready to break something -
their heads for preference the Lord and Lady Holder considered the four
paintings satisfactory.  The final critique had lasted well into the
night, which was dark and stormy: the winds audible even through the
three-metre-thick cliff walls.

So, as he descended wearily but in great relief to the lower floor
cubicle, he became aware of the intense chill in this level.

The temperature in the big Hall had been somewhat warmed by the roaring
fires in the four hearths, but there was no heating down here.

In fact, it was so cold that lantine did no more than loosen his belt
and remove his boots before crawling on to the hard surface that was
supposed to be a mattress.  It looked and felt like something recycled
from the ships of the First Crossing.  He curled up in the furs, more
grateful than ever that he'd brought his own, and fell asleep.

Arctic temperatures swirling about his face roused him.  His face was
stiff with cold and, despite the warmth of his furs, when he tried to
stretch his body his muscles resisted.  He had a crick in his neck and
he wondered if he'd moved at all during the night.  Certainly it was
cold enough to have stayed in the warm of the furs.  But he had to
relieve himself.

He crammed his feet into boot leather that was rigid with ice and,
wrapping his furs tightly about himself, made his way down the corridor
to the toilet.  His breath was a plume of white, his cheeks and nose
stung by the cold.  He managed his business and returned to his room
only long enough to throw on his thickest woollen jumper.  With half a
mind to throw his furs around him for added warmth, he ran up the
several flights of stone steps, past walls that dripped with moisture.

lIe paused at the first window on the upper level: solidly snowed
closed.  Then he went up the next short flight and opened the door into
what should have been the relatively warmer kitchen area.

Had every fire in the place gone out overnight?  Had the spit-boys
frozen on their bed-shelf?  As he turned his head in their direction,
his glance caught at the window.  Snow was piled up against the first
hand's breadth of it.  He moved closer and looked out at the courtyard,
but it was all one expanse of unbroken snow.  Indeed, where the
courtyard should have stepped down to the roadway the snow was even,
concealing any depression where the road should have been.  No-one moved
outside.  Nor were there any tracks in the expanse of snow-covered court
to suggest that anyone had tried to come in from one of the outer holds.

Just what I needed,' lantine said, totally depressed by what he saw. I
could be trapped here for weeks!" Paying for room and board.

If only the kids hadn't come down with measles .  .  .  If only he
hadn't already freshened up the murals - - How would he survive?  Would
he have anything left of his original fee - that had seemed so generous
by the time he could leave this miserable Hold?

Later that morning, when half-frozen people had begun to cope with the
effects of the blizzard, he struck another bargain with the Holder Lord
and Lady: and very carefully did he word it.  Two full-sized portraits,
each a square metre on sky broom wood to be supplied by Lord Chalkin, one
of Lady Nadona and one of Lord Chalkin, head and shoulders in Gather
dress, with all materials and equipment to make additional pigments
supplied by the Hold; maintenance for himself and quarters on an upper
floor, with morning and evening fuel for a fire on the hearth.

He completed Lady Nadona's portrait without too much difficulty she
would sit still, loved nothing better than to have a valid excuse for
doing nothing.  Half-way through the sitting, though, she wanted to
change her costume, believing the red did not flatter her complexion as
well as the blue.

It didn't, but he talked her out of changing and subtly altered her
naturally florid complexion to a kinder blush, and darkened the colour
of her pale eyes so that they seemed to dominate her face.  By then,
he'd heard enough of the supposed resemblance between herself and Luccha
so that he improved on it, giving her a more youthful appearance.

When she wanted to change the collar of her dress, he improvised one he
remembered seeing in an Ancient's portrait - a lacy froth which hid much
of the loose skin of her neck.  Not that he had painted that in, but the
lace softened the whole look of her.

He had not been so lucky with Chalkin.  The man was psychologically
unable to sit still - tapping his fingers, swinging one leg as he
crossed and uncrossed them, twitching his shoulders or his face, making
it basically impossible to obtain a set pose.

lantine was nearly desperate now to finish and leave this dreadful place
before another snowstorm.  The young portraitist wondered if Chalkin's
delays, and the short periods in which he would deign to sit, were yet
another ploy to delay him - and rake back some of the original fee.
Though Chalkin had even invited him to come into the gaming rooms - the
warmest and most elegant rooms in the Hold - lantine had managed to
excuse himself somehow or other.

Do sit still, Lord Chalkin, I'm working on your eyes and I cannot if
you keep moving them about in your face,' lantine said, rather more
sharply than he had ever addressed the Lord Holder before.

I beg your pardon,' said Chalkin, jerking his shoulders about angrily.

Lord Chalkin, unless you wish to be portrayed with your eyes crossed,
sit still for five minutes!  I beg of you." Something of Iantine's
frustration must have come across because Chalkin not only sat still, he
glared at the portraitist.

And for longer than five minutes.

Working as fast as he could, Iantine completed the delicate work on the
eyes.  He had subtly widened them in the man's face and cleared up the
oedemic pouches which sagged below them.  He had made the jowly face
less porcine and subtracted sufficient flesh from the bulbous nose to
give it a more Roman look.  He had also widened and lifted the shoulders
to give a more athletic appearance, and darkened the hair.

Further, he had meticulously caught the fire of the many jewelled rings.

Actually, they dominated the painting, which he felt would find favour
with Lord Chalkin who seemed to have more rings than days of the year.

There!" he said, putting down his brush and standing back from the
painting, satisfied in himself that he had done the best job possible:
that is, the best job that would prove satisfactory' and allow him to
leave this ghastly Hold.

It's about time,' Chalkin said, slipping down from the chair and
stamping over to view the result.

Iantine watched his face, seeing that flash of pleasure before Chalkin's
usual glum expression settled back over his features.

Chalkin peered more closely, seeming to count the brush strokes although
there were none, for lantine was too competent a technician to have left
any.

Watch the paint.  It's not yet dry,' Iantine said quickly, raising his
arm to ward off Chalkin's touch.

Humph,' Chalkin said, shrugging his shoulders to settle his heavy
jerkin.  He affected to be diffident, but the way he kept looking at his
own face told lantine that the man was finally pleased.

Well?  Is it satisfactory?" asked lantine, unable to bear the suspense
any longer.

Not bad, not bad but..  - and Chalkin once again put out a finger.
You will not smear the paint, Lord Chalkin,' said lantine, fearing just
that and then another session to repair the damage.

You're a rude fellow, painter.

My title is artist, Lord Chalkin, and do tell me if this portrait is
satisfactory or not!

Chalkin gave him a quick nervous glance, one facial muscle twitching.
Even the Lord of Bitra Hold knew when he had pushed someone too hard.

It's not bad Is it satisfactory, Lord Chalkin?" lantine put all the
pent-up frustration and anxiety into that question.

Chalk in shifted one shoulder, screwed up his face with indecision and
then hastily composed his features in the more dignified pose of the
portrait before him.

Yes, I believe it is satisfactory.

Then,' and now lantine took Lord Chalkin by the elbow and steered him
towards the door, let us to your office and complete the contract."
Now, see here .

If it is satisfactory, I have honoured that contract and you may now
settle with me for the miniatures,' Iantine said, guiding the man down
the cold corridor and to his office.  He tapped his foot impatiently as
Chalkin took the keys from his inside pocket and opened the door.

The fire within was so fierce that Iantine felt sweat blossom on his
forehead.  At Chalkin's abrupt gesture, he turned around while the man
fiddled with wherever it was he had his strongbox.  He heard, with
infinite relief, the turn of the metal lock and then silence.  A
slamming of a lid.

Here you are,' said Chalkin coldly.

Iantine counted out the marks, sixteen of them, Farmermarks, but good
enough since he would be using them in Benden which didn't mind
Farmer-marks.

The contracts?" Chalkin glared but he unlocked the drawer and extracted
them, almost flinging them across the desk at lantine, who signed his
name and turned them back to Chalkin.

Use mine,' Iantine said when Chalkin made a show of finding a good pen
in the clutter on his desk.

Chalkin scrawled his name.

Date it,' lantine added, wishing to have no complaint at ,-i later
time.

You want too much, painter.

Artist, Lord Chalkin,' Iantine said with a humourless smile and turned
to leave.  At the door he turned again.  And don't touch the painting
for forty-eight hours.  I will not come back if you smear it.

It was satisfactory when we left the room, so keep it that way.

lantine returned to collect his good brushes, but left what remained of
the paints he had had to make.  Last night, in a hopeful mood, he had
packed everything else.  Now, he took the stairs up two and three at a
time, stored his brushes carefully, stuffed the signed and dated
contracts into his pack shrugged into his coat, rolled up his
sleeping-furs, looped both packs in one hand and was half-way down the
stairs again when he met Chalkin ascending.

You cannot leave now,' Chalkin protested, grabbing his arm.  You have
to wait until my wife has seen and approved my portrait.

Oh, no, I don't, said lantine, wrenching free of the restraining hand.

He was out of the main door before Chalkin could say another word, and
ran down the roadway between the soiled snow banks.  If he was benighted
on the road in the middle of a snowstorm, he would still be safer than
staying one more hour at Bitra Hold.

Luckily for him, he found shelter during that next storm in a woodsman's
holding some klicks away from the main Hold.

Telgar Weyr, Fort Hold Guess what I found?" P'tero cried, ushering his
guest into the kitchen cavern.  Tisha, he's half frozen and starving of
the hunger,' the young green rider added, hauling the tall fur wrapped
figure towards the nearest hearth and pushing him into a chair.  He
deposited the packs he was carrying on to the table.

Klah, for the love of little dragons, please .

Two women came running, one with klah and the other with a hastily
filled bowl of soup.  Tisha came striding across the cavern, demanding
to know what the problem was, who -had P'tero rescued and from where.

No-one should be out in weather like this,' she said as she reached the
table and grabbed the victim's wrist to get a pulse.

All but froze, he is." - -- Tisha pulled aside the furs wrapped about
his neck and - then let him take the cup.  He cradled the klah in
reddened - fingers, blowing before he took his first cautious sip.  He
was also shivering uncontrollably.

I spotted an SOS on the snow - lucky for him that the sun made shadows
or I'd never have seen it,' P'tero was saying, thornughly pleased with
himself.  Found him below Bitra Hold...

Poor man,' Tisha interjected.

Oh, you're so right there,' P'tero said with ironic fervour, and he'll
never return.  Not that he's told me all .  .  . and P'tero flopped to
a chair when someone brought him a cup of klah.  Got out of Chalkin's
clutches intact .  .  . and P'tero grinned impishly, and then survived
three nights in a Bitran woodsman's hold --- with only a half cup of old
oats to sustain him - - Through his explanation, Tisha ordered hot
water-bottles, warmed blankets and, taking a good look at the man's
fingers, numb weed and frostbite salve.

Don't think they're more than cold,' she said, removing one of his
hands from its fevered grip on the hot cup and spreading the fingers
out, lightly pinching the tips.  No, cold enough but not harmed. Thank
you, thank you," the man said, returning his fingers to the warm cup. I
got so cold stamping out that emergency code And out of doors in such
weather with no gloves,' Tisha chided him.

When I left Domaize Hall for Bitra Hold, it was only autumn,' he said
in a grating voice.

Autumn?" Tisha echoed, widening her fine eyes in surprise.

How long were you at Bitra Hold then?" Seven damned weeks,' the man
replied, spitting out the words in a disgusted tone of voice.  I had
thought a week at the most Tisha laughed, her belly heaving under her
broad apron.

What under the stars took you to Bitra in the first place?

Painter, are you?" she added.

How'd you know?" The man regarded her with surprise.

Still have paint under your nails Iantine inspected them and his
cold-reddened face flushed a deeper red.

I didn't even stop to wash,' he said.

As well you didn't, considering the price Chalkin charges for such
luxuries as soap,' she said, chuckling again.

The women returned with the things Tisha had ordered.

While they ministered to the warming of him, he clung with one hand or
the other to the klah.  And then to the soup cup.

ijis furs, which had kept him from freezing to death, were taken to dry
at one fire; his boots were removed and his toes checked for frostbite
but he had been lucky there, too, so they were coated with salve for
good measure and then wrapped in warm to welling while warmed blankets
were snugged about his body.  Salve was applied to his hands and face
and then he was allowed to finish the hot food.

Now, your name, and whom shall we contact to say that you've been
found?" Tisha asked when all this had been done.

I'm Iantine,' and then he added in wry pride, portraitist from Hall
Domaize.  I was contracted to do miniatures of Chalkin's children Your
first mistake,' said Tisha, chuckling.

lantine flushed.  You're so right, but I needed the fee.

Did you come away with any of it?" P'tero asked, his eyes gleaming with
mischief.

Oh, that I did,' the artist replied so fiercely that everyone grinned.
Then he sighed.  But I did have to part with an eighth at the
woodsman's hold.  He had little enough to share, but was willing to do
so.

At a profit, I'm sure lantine considered that for a moment.  I was
lucky to find any place to wait out the storm.  And he did share He
shrugged briefly, and a dejected look crossed his features as he sighed.
Anyway, it was he who suggested I make a sign in the snow to attract
any dragon rider  I'm just lucky one saw me." He nodded thanks to
P'tero.

No problem,' the blue dragon rider said airily.  Glad I came." He
leaned towards Tisha across the table.  He'd've been frozen solid in
another day!" Were you long waiting?"

Two days after the storm ended, but I spent the nights with ol'
Fendler.  If you're hungry enough, even tunnel snake tastes good,'
lantine added.

Ah, the poor laddie,' said Tisha and called out orders for a double
portion of stew to be brought immediately, and bread and sweetening and
some of the fruit that had been sent up from Ista.

By the time lantine had finished the meal, he felt he had made up for
the last four days.  His feet and hands were tingling despite the
numb weed and salve.  When he stood to go and relieve himself, he wobbled
badly and clutched at the chair for support.

Have a care, lad, filling the stomach was only half your problem,'
Tisha said, moving to support him with far more alacrity than her bulk
would suggest.  She gestured for P'tero to lend a hand.

I need to .  .  . lantine began.

Ach, it's on the way to the sleeping cavern,' Tisha told him and drew
one of his arms over her shoulder.  She was as tall as he.

P'tero took up the packs again and between them, they got him to the
toilet room.  And then into a bed in an empty cubicle.  Tisha checked
his feet again, applied another coat of numb weed and tiptoed out.
Iantine only made sure that his packs - and the precious fee were in the
room with him before he fell deeply asleep.

While he slept, messages went out - to Hall Domaize and to Benden Weyr
and Hold, since lantine nominally looked to Benden.  Although lantine
had taken no lasting harm, M'shall recognized yet another instance of
Chalkin taking unfair advantage.  Irene had already sent in a
substantial list of abuses and irregularities in Chalkin's dealings
generally with folk who had no recourse against his dictates.  He held
no court in which difficulties could be aired, and had no impartial
arbiters to make decisions.

The big traders, who could be counted on for impartial comment, bypassed
Bitra and could cite many examples of unfair dealings since Chalkin had
assumed the Holding fifteen years before.  The few small traders who
ventured in Bitra rarely returned.

Following that Oather and its decision to consider deposing Chalkin,
M'shall had his sweep riders check in every minor bold to learn if
Chalkin had duly informed his people of the imminence of Thread.  None
had, although Lord Chalkin had increased his tithe on every household.
The manner in which he was conducting this extra tithe suggested that he
was amassing supplies for his own good, not that of the Hold.

Those in more isolated situations would certainly have a hard time
obtaining even basic food supplies.  That constituted a flagrant abuse
of his position as Lord Holder.

When Paulin read M'shall's report, he asked if Chalkin's holders would
speak out against him.  M'shall had to report that his initial survey of
the minor holders indicated a severe lack of civic duty.

Chalkin had his folk so cowed, none would accuse him - especially this
close to a Pass, for he had still had the power to turn objectors out of
their holds.

They may change their minds once Thread has started,' K'vin remarked to
Zulaya.

Too late, I'd say, for any decent preparations to be made., K'vin
shrugged.  He's really not our concern - for which I, for one, am
thankful.  At least we rescued Jantine.

Zulaya gave a wry chuckle.  That poor lad!  Starting his professional
career at Bitra?  Not the best place.

Maybe that's all he could aspire to,' K'vin suggested.

Not if he's from Hall Domaize,' Zulaya said tartly.  Wonder how long
it'll take his hands to recover?" Thinking of a new portrait?" K'vin
asked, amused.

Well, he's down an eighth of what he needs,' she said.

K'vin gave her a wide-eyed look.  You wouldn't.

Of course I wouldn't,' she said with an edge to her voice.

He needs something in his pocket of his own.  I admire a lad who'd
endure Bitra for any reason.  And lantine's was an honourable one in
wanting to pay the transfer fee." Wear that red Hatching dress when you
sit for him,' K'vin said.  Then he rubbed his chin.  You know, I might
have my portrait done, too." Zulaya gave him a long look.  The boy may
find it as hard to leave Telgar Weyr as it was Bitra.

With a much fuller pouch and no maintenance subtracted And soap and
hot water and decent food,' Zulaya said.

According to Tisha, he'll need feeding up.  He's skin and bones.

When the singing woke lantine, he was totally disoriented.

No-one had sung a note at Bitra Hold.  And he was warm!

The air was redolent of good eating odours, too.  He sat up.

Hands, feet and face were stiff, but the tingling was gone.  And he was
exceedingly hungry.

The curtain across the cubicle rustled and a boy's head popped through.

You're awake, Artist lantine?" the lad asked.

Indeed, I am,' and lantine looked around for his clothes.

Someone had undressed him and he didn't see his own clothes.

I'm to help you if you need it,' the boy said, pushing half-way through
the curtains.  Tisha laid out clean clothes." He wrinkled a snub nose.
Yours were pretty ripe, she said.

lantine chuckled.  They prbably were.  1 ran out of soap for washing
three weeks ago.

You wuz at Bitra.  They charge for everything there, and the boy threw
up both arms in disgust.  I'm Leopol,' he added.

Then he lifted the soft slippers from the pile on the StOol.

Tisha said you'd better wear these, not your boots.  And you're to use
the salve first He held up the lidded jar.

Dinner's ready." Leopol then licked his lips.

And you must wait your meal until I'm ready, huh'?" Leopol nodded
solemnly and then grinned.  I don't mind.

I'll get more because I waited." Is food in short supply at this Weyr?"
lantine asked jokingly as he began to dress in the clean gear.

Odd how important simple things, like freshly laundered clothing,
assumed the level of luxury when you've had to do without.

Leopol helped him spread the salve on his feet.  They were still tender
to the touch and even the act of applying the salve made them suddenly
itchy.  Fortunately the numb weed or whatever it was, reduced that
sensation.

When he had relieved himself again and gingerly washed face and hands,
he and Leopol made their way to the Lower Cavern where the evening meal
was in progress.

The lad led him to a side table near the hearth which had been set for
two.  Instantly cooks descended with plates overflowing with food, wine
for him and klah for Leopol.

There now, Artist man,' the cook said, nodding appreciation as lantine
attacked the roast meat, eat first and then the Weyrleaders would like
a few words with you, if you're not too tired." lantine murmured thanks
and understanding and addressed himself single-mindedly to his food. How
long had it been since he'd eaten a decent meal?

He would have had additional servings of the main course, but his
stomach felt uneasy: too much good food after several days of
semi-fasting, probably.  Leopol brought him a large serving of the sweet
course, but he couldn't finish it all because the back of his throat
felt raw and sore.  He would have gone back to his bed then, but he saw
the Weyrleaders advancing on him.  Leopol made a discreet exit, grinning
reassurance at him.  Ian tine tried to stand in courtesy to his hosts,
but he wobbled on his numbed feet and dropped back into the chair.

We don't stand much on ceremony here,' Zulaya said, gesturing for him
to stay seated as K'vin pulled out one chair for her.

He carried the wine-skin from which he filled all the glasses.

lantine took a polite sip - it was a nice crisp wine - but even the one
sip made his stomach feel sourer.

Messages have been sent, and acknowledgments received, that you've been
rescued,' K'vin said, grinning over the last word.  Master Domaize was
becoming worried, so we saved him a messenger to Bitra." That's very
good of you, Zulaya, K'vin,' lantine said, thankful that part of his
training at Hall Domaize had included knowing the important names in
every Hold, Weyr and Hall.

I certainly appreciated P'tero's rescue." Zulaya grinned.  He'll be
dining out on that one for the rest of the year.  But it proves the
wisdom of sweep riding even during the Interval." You should know,'
lantine blurted out, that Lord Chalkin doesn't believe there will be a
Pass." Of course not,' K'vin replied easily.  It doesn't suit him to.

Bridgely and M'shall would like a report from you, though, concerning
your visit there." You mean, there's something that can be done about
him?" lantine was amazed.  Lord Holders were autonomous within their
borders; he hadn't known there'd be any recourse.

He may do himself in,' Zulaya said with a grim twist of her lips.

That would be wonderful,' said lantine.  Only,' and now honesty forced
him to admit this, he didn't really do anything to me.

Our Weyr artist may not be trained,' K'vin said, but Waine informed me
that it doesn't take seven weeks to do four miniatures I actually
painted twenty-two to get four that they liked,' lantine explained,
clearing his throat grimly.  The hooker in the contract was the word
"satisfactory" Ah,' Zulaya and K'vin said in chorus.

I ran out of paint and canvas because I brought only what I thought I'd
need.  He lifted his hands, then rubbed them because they were
beginning to itch again.  Then the children all got measles and so,
rather than have anything deducted from the fee for room and board, I
agreed to freshen up the Hold murals .  .  .  only I hadn't brought that
sort of paint and had to manufacture the colours .

Did he charge you for the use of the equipment?" Zulaya asked to
lantine's astonishment.

How did you know?" When she only laughed and waved at him to continue
his telling, lantine went on, So I excavated what I needed in the
midden Good for you Zulaya clapped her hands, delighted by his
resourcefulness, Fortunately, most of the raw materials for pigments
are readily available.  You only have to find them and make the colours
up.  Which I'd have to do anyhow.  Master Domaize was good about passing
on techniques like that.

Then I finally got them to accept the miniatures, which weren't exactly
miniature size any more, by the way, just before the first blizzard
snowed me in." lantine flushed; his narrative showed him to be such a
ninny.

So?  What did you contract for then?" Zulaya shot K'vin a knowing look.

I was a bit wiser.  Or so I thought,' he said with a grimace and then
told them the clauses he'd insisted on.

He had you on the drudges' level at Bitra?" Zulaya was appalled.

And you a diploma'd artist?  I would protest about that!  There are
certain courtesies which most Holds, Halls and Weyrs accord a student of
a craft, and certainly to an artist!" So, when Lord Chalkin finally
accepted his portrait, I made tracks away as fast as I could!" K'vin
clapped him on the shoulder, grinning at the fervour with which that
statement came out.

Not that my conditions improved that much,' lantine added quickly and
then grinned, until P'tero rescued me." His throat kept clogging up and
he had to clear it again.  I want to thank you very much for that.  I
hope I didn't keep him from proper duties.

No, no,' K'vin said.  Mind you, I'm not all that sure why he was over
Bitra, but it's as well he was.

How are your hands'?" Zulaya asked, looking down at him as he washed'
his itching fingers together.

I shouldn't rub the skin, should I?" Zulaya spoke over her shoulder.
Leopol, get the numb weed for lantine, please." The young artist hadn't
noticed the boy's discreet presence, but he was glad he didn't have to
walk all the way to the cubicle to get the salve.

It's just the after-effects of cold,' he said, looking at his fingers,
and noticing what Tisha had - pigment under the nails.  He curled his
fingers, ashamed to be at a Weyr table with dirty hands.

And a deep shiver went down his spine.

I was wondering, lantine,' Zulaya began, if you'd feel up to doing
another portrait or two?  The Weyr pays the usual rates, and no extras
charged against you.

lantine protested.  I'd gladly do your portrait, Weyrwoman.

It is of yourself you were speaking, isn't it?" That first shiver was
followed by another which he did his best to mask.

You'll do it only if you are paid a proper fee, young man,' Zulaya said
sternly.

But No buts,' K'vin put in.  What with preparations for a Pass,
neither Zulaya nor I have had the time to commission proper portraits.

However, since you're here .  .  .  and willing?" I'm willing, all
right, but you don't know my work and I'm only just accredited Zulaya
caught his hands in hers, for he'd been wildly gesticulating in both
eagerness and an attempt to disguise another spasm.

Artist lantine, if you managed to do four miniatures and two formal
portraits, and refresh murals for Chalkin, you're more than qualified.
Didn't you know that it took Macartor five months to finish Chalkin's
wedding-day scene?" And he had to borrow marks from an engineer to pay
off the last of his "debt"?" K'vin added.  Here's Waine to greet you.
But you're not to start work again until you're completely recovered
from the cold." Oh, I'm recovered, I'm wcovered, lantine said, standing
up as the Weyrleaders did, determined to control the next set of
shiverings.

After they had introduced him to the little man, Waine, they left him,
circulating to other tables as the Weyr relaxed.

There was singing and guitar playing from one side of the room, cheerful
noises, above a general level of easy conversation.  That was something
else which lantine only now realized had been totally absent at Bitra
Hold: music, talk, people relaxing after a day's work.

Heard you ran afoul a' Chalkin?" Waine said, grinning and ducking his
head.  Then he brought from behind his back a sheaf of large-sized paper
sheets, neatly tied together, and a handful of pencils.  Thought you
might need em, like,' he said shyly.  Heard tell you used up all at
Bitra.

Thank you,' lantine replied, running his fingers appreciatively over
the fine sheets and noticing that the pencils were of different weights
of carbon.  How much do I owe you?" Waine laughed, showing gaps in his
teeth.  You been at Bitra too long, Artist man.  I've colours, too, but
not many.

Don't do more'n basics." Then let me make you a range of paints,'
lantine said gratefully, gritting his teeth against yet another
onslaught of ague.  You know where to find the raw stuff around here,
and I'll show you how I make the tints." Waine grinned toothlessly
again.  That's a right good trade.

He held out a hand and nearly crushed lantine's fingers with his
enthusiasm.  But he caught the paroxysm of almost uncontrollable
shivering which lantine could not hide.

Hey, man, you're cold.

I can't seem to stop shivering, for all that I'm on top of the fire,'
and lantine had to surrender to the shaking.

TIS HA lantine was embarrassed by Waine's bellow for assistance, but
he didn't resist when he was bundled back into his quarters and the
medic summoned while Tisha ordered more furs, hot water-bottles,
aromatics to be steeped in hot water to make breathing easier.  He made
no resistance to the medication that was immediately prescribed for him
because, by then, his head had started to ache.  So did his bones.

The last thing he remembered before he drifted off to an uneasy sleep
was what Maranis, the medic, said to Tisha.

Let's hope they all have it at Bitra for giving it to him!" Much later
Leopol told him that Tisha had stayed by his bedside three nights while
he burned of the mountain fever he had caught, compounding his illness
by exposure on the cold slopes.  Maranis felt that the old woodsman
might be a carrier for the disease: himself immune, but able to transmit
the fever.

lantine was amazed to find his mother there when he woke from the fever.
Her eyes were red with crying and she burst into tears again when she
realized he was no longer delirious.

Leopol also told him that Tisha had insisted she be sent for when his
fever lasted so long.

To lantine's astonishment, his mother didn't seem as pleased to receive
the transfer fee as he was to give it.

Your life isn't worth the fee,' she told him finally when he was afraid
she was displeased with the missing eighth mark he'd had to give the
woodsman.  And he nearly killed you for that eighth." He's a good lad
you have for a son,' Tisha said with an edge to her voice, working that
hard to earn money from Chalkin.

Oh yes,' his mother hastily agreed as she suddenly realized she ought
to be more grateful.  Though why ever you sought to please that old
skinflint is beyond me.

The fee was right,' lantine said weakly.

Don't take on so, now, Ian,' Tisha said when his mother had to return
to the sheep hold  She was far more worried about you than about the
marks.  Which shows her heart's in the right place.  Worry makes people
act odd, you know." She patted lantine's shoulder.  She wanted to take
you home and nurse you there,' she went on reassuringly.

But couldn't risk your lungs in the cold of between.  I don't think she
liked us taking care of you!" She grinned.  Mothers never trust others,
you know.

lantine managed a grin back at Tisha.  I guess that's it." It was
Leopol who restored lantine's peace of mind.

You gotta real nice mother, you know,' he said, sitting on the end of
the bed.  Worried herself sick about leaving until P'tero promised to
convey her again if you took any turn for the worst.  She'd never ridden
a dragon before.

lantine chuckled.  No, I don't think she has.  Must have frightened
her.

Not as much,' and now Leopol cocked a slightly dirty finger at the
artist, as you being so sick she had to be sent for.  But she was
telling P'tero how happy your father would be to have those marks you
earned.  Real happy.  And she near deafened P'tero, shouting about how
she'd always known you'd be a success, and to get the whole fee out of
Chalkin was quite an achievement.

She did?" lantine perked up.  His mother had been bragging about him?

She did indeed,' Leopol said, giving an emphatic nod to his head.

Leopol seemed to know a great deal about a lot of matters in the Weyr.
He also never seemed to mind being sent on errands as lantine made a
slow convalescence.

Master Domaize paid him a visit, too.  And it was Leopol w.h?

told the convalescent why the Master had made such a visit.

That Lord Chalkin sent a complaint to Master Domaize that you had
skived out of the Hold without any courtesy and he was seriously
considering lodging a demand for the return of some of the fee since you
were so obviously very new at your art, and the fee had been for a
seasoned painter, not a young upstart." Leopol grinned at lantine's
furious reaction.

Oh, don't worry.  Your master wasn't born yesterday.  M'shall himself
brought him to Bitra Hold, and they said that there was not a thing
wrong with any of the work you'd done for that Lord Chalkin." He cocked
his head to one side, regarding lantine with a calculating look.

Seems like there's lot of people wanting to sit their portraits with
you.  Didja know that?" lantine shook his head, trying to absorb the
injustice of Chalkin's objection.  He was speechless with fury.  Leopol
grinned again.

Don't worry, lantine.  Chalkin's the one should worry, treating you
like that.  Your Master and the Benden Weyrleader gave out to that Lord
Holder about it, too.  You're qualified, and entitled to all the
courtesies of which you got none at Bitra Hold.  Good thing you didn't
get sick until after Zulaya and K'vin had a chance to hear your side of
the story.

Not that anyone would believe Chalkin, no matter what he says.

Did you know that even wherries won t roost in Bitra Hold?"
Convalescence from the lung infection took time and lantine fretted at
his weakness.

I keep falling asleep,' he complained to Tisha one morning when she
arrived with his potion.  How long do I have to keep taking this
stuff?" Until Maranis hears clear lungs in you,' she said in her
no-nonsense tone.  Then she handed him the sketch paper and pencils that
Waine had given him on his first night in the Weyr.  Get your hand back
in.  At least doing what you're best at can be done sitting still.

It was good to have paper and pencil again.  lt was good to look about
the Lower Caverns and catch poses, especially when the poser didn't
realize he was being sketched.  And his eye had not lost its keenness,
and if his fingers cramped now and then from weakness, strength
gradually returned.  He became unaware of the passage of time, nor did
he notice people coming up behind him to see what he was drawing just
then.

Waine arrived with mortar, pestle, oil, eggs and cobalt to make a good
blue.  The man had picked up bits of technique and procedures on his
own, but picking things up here and there was no substitute for the
concentrated drill which lantine had had: drills that he had once
despised but now appreciated when he could see what resulted from the
lack of them.

Winter had set in but on the first day of full sun, Tisha insisted on
wrapping him up in a cocoon of furs to sit out in the Bowl for the good
of fresh air'.  As it was bath-time for the drago nets lantine was
immediately fascinated by their antics and began to appreciate just how
much hard work went into their nurture.  It was also the first chance
he'd ever had of seeing drago nets  He knew the grace and power of the
adult dragons and their awesome appearance.  Now he saw the weyrlings as
mischievous - even naughty, as one ducked her rider into the lake - and
endlessly inventive.  None of this last Hatching were ready to fly yet,
but some of the previous clutch were beginning to take on adult duties.
He had first-hand observation of their not-so-graceful performances.

The next day he saw P'tero and blue Ormonth in the focus of some sort of
large class.  As he wandered over, he saw that not only the weyrlings
from the last three Hatchings were attending but also all youngsters
above the age of twelve.

Ormonth had one wing extended and was gazing at it in an abstract
fashion, as if he'd never seen it before.  The expression was too much
for the artist in lantine and he flipped open his pad and sketched the
scene.  P'tero noticed, but the class was being extremely attentive.

What T'dam was saying slowly reached through lantine's absorption with
line and pose.

Now, records show us that the worst injuries occur on wing edges,
especially if Thread falls in clumps and the partners are not sharp
enough to avoid em.  A dragon can fly with one third of his exterior
sail damaged and T'dam ran his hand along the edge of Ormonth's wing.

However,' and T'dam looked up at Ormonth, if you would be good enough
to close your wing slightly, Ormonth,' and the blue did so.

Thank you - T'dam had to stand slightly on tip-toe to reach the area of
the inner wing.  Injuries in here are far more serious as Thread can,
depending on the angle of its fall, sear through the wing and into his
body.  This,' and he now ducked under the wing and tapped the side, is
where the lungs are and injury here can even be fatal There was a gasp
around the semi-circle of his students.

That's why you have to be sharp every instant you're in flight.

Go between the instant you even suspect you've been hit.  -How do we
know?" someone asked.

Ha!" T'dam propped his fists on his thick leather belt and paused.
Dragons are very brave creatures for the most part, considering what we
ask them to do.  But,' and he stroked Ormonth in apology, they have
exceedingly quick responses ...  especially to pain.

You'll know!" He paused again.  Some of you were here when Missath
broke her sail bone, weren't you?" and he pointed around the group until
he saw several hands raised.  Remember how she squealed?" Went right
through me like a bone cutter - a big lad said and shivered
convulsively.

She was squealing the instant she lost her balance and actually before
she snapped the bone.  She knew she would hurt even as she fell.

Now, you don't have quite the same immediacy in Threadfall since you'll
be high on adrenalin, but you'll know.  So, this brings up a point that
we make constantly in all training procedures, always, ALWAYS have a
point to go to in your head.  During Fall, it had better be the Weyr
since everyone here,' and now the sweep of his hand included those Ian
tine recognized as non-riders, will be ready to help.

DON'T make the mistake of coming in too low.  Going between will have
stopped Thread burrowing further into your dragon...  A muted chorus of
disgust and fearfulness greeted that concept.  .  .  .  So you can make
as orderly a landing as injuries permit.  What you don't need is a bad
landing which could compound the original Thread score.  Start
encouraging your dragon as soon as you know he's been hit.  Of course,
you may be hit too, and I appreciate that, but you're riders and you can
certainly control your own pain while seeing to your dragon's.

HE's the important one of you, remember.

Without him you don't function as a rider.

Now, the drill is,' and once again he swept his glance around his
students, slather!" He picked up the wide brush F from the pail at his
feet and began to ply it on Ormonth's wing: water, to judge the way it
dripped.  The blue regarded the operation with lightly whirling eyes.

Slather, slather, slather,' and T'dam emphasized each repetition with a
long brush stroke.  You can't put too much numb weed on a dragon's
injuries to suit him or her,' and he grinned at the female green riders,
and the injury will be numb in exactly three seconds at least the outer
area.  It does take time to penetrate through the epidermis to what
passes for the germinative layer in a dragon's hide.  So you may have to
convince your dragon that he's not as badly hurt as he or she feels.
Your injured dragon needs all the reassurance you can give...  No matter
how bad you think the injury looks, don't think that at the dragon. Tell
him or her what a great brave dragon they are, and that the numb weed is
working and the pain will go away.

Now, if a bone has been penetrated - - - Why, you've got P'tero to the
life,' said an awed voice softly in lantine's ear, and he shot a glance
at the tall lad standing behind him: M'leng, green Sith's rider, and
P'tero's special friend.  lantine had seen the two riders, always
together, in the kitchen cavern.  Oooh, is there any chance I could
have that corner?" And he tapped the portion which contained P'tero and
Ormonth.

M'leng was a handsome young man, with almond-shaped green eyes in an
angular face.  The light breeze in the Bowl ruffled tight dark brown
curls on his head.

Since I owe P'tero my life, let me make a larger sketch for you Oh,
would you?" And a smile animated M'leng's rather solemn face.

Can we settle a price?  I've marks enough to do better than Chalkin did
you!" He reached for his belt pouch.

lantine tried to demur, pleading he owed P'tero.

Tero was only doing his duty for once,' M'leng said with a touch of
asperity.  But I really would like a proper portrait of him.  You know,
what with Threadfall coming and all, I'd want to have something..."
M'leng broke off, swallowed, and then reinforced his pleading.

I've to do a commission for the Weyrleaders .  .  . lantine said.

Is that the only one?" M'leng seemed surprised.  I'd've thought
everyone in the Weyr would be after you lantine grinned.  Tisha hasn't
released me from her care yet.

Oh, her,' and M'leng dismissed the head woman with a wave of his hand.
She's so fussy at times.  But there's nothing wrong with your hand or
your eye .  .  .  and that little pose of P'tero, leaning against
Ormonth, why it's him!" lantine felt his spirits rise at the compliment
because the sketch of the blue rider was good - better than the false
ones he had done at Bitra Hold.  He still cringed, remembering how he
had allowed himself to compromise his standards by contriving such
obsequious portrayals.  He hoped he would never be in such a position
again.  M'leng's comment was balto his psyche.

I can do better But I like the pose.  Can't you just do it?  I mean,
and M'leng looked everywhere but at lantine, I'd rather P'tero didn't
know..  .  I mean .

Is it to be a surprise for him?" No, it's to be for me!" And M'leng
jabbed his bwastbone with his thumb, his manner defiant.  So I'll have
it At such intransigence, lantine was at a loss and hastily agreed
before M'leng became more emotional.  His eyes had filled and he set his
mouth in a stubborn line.

I will, of course, but a sitting would help Oh, 1 can arrange that, so
he still doesn't know.  You're always sketching,' and that came out
almost as an accusation.

Ian tine was - thanks to the lecture he had been overhearing
considerably more aware now of the dangers dragons, and their riders,
would shortly face.  If M'leng was comforted by having a portrait of his
friend, that was the least Ian tine could do.

This very night,' M'leng continued, single-minded in his objective,
I'll see we sit close to where you usually do.  I'll get him to wear
his good tunic so you can paint him at his very best.

But suppose - .  . lantine began, wondering how he could keep P'tero
from knowing he was being done.

You do the portrait,' M'leng said, patting lantine's arm to still his
objections.  I'll take care of P'tero - - - and he added under his
breath, as long as I have him." That little afterthought made the
breath stop in lantine's throat.  Was M'Leng so sure that P'tero would
die'?

I'll do my best, M'leng, you may be sure of that!" Oh, I am,' said
M'leng, tossing his head up so that the curls fell back from his face.
He gave lantine a wry smile.  I've been watching how you work, you
see." He extended a hand soft with the oils riders used to tend their
dragons.  lantine took it and was astonished at the strength in the
green rider's grip.

Waine said a good miniature - which is what I want,' and he patted his
breast pocket to show the intended site of the painting, by an artist
is priced at four marks.  Is that correct?" lantine nodded, unable to
speak for the lump in his throat.

Surely M'leng was dramatizing matters?  Or was he?  In the background,
lantine could hear T'dam advising his listeners on the types and
severity of injuries and the immediate aid to be given to each variety.

What a bizarre, and cruel, lecture to give to the weyrlings!

And yet - the thought stopped him - was it not kinder to be truthful now
and ease the shock of what could possibly happen?

This evening?" M'leng said firmly.

This very evening, M'leng,' lantine agreed, nodding his head.

When the green rider had left him, it took the young artist some long
moments before he could return to his sketching.

Well, this was one thing he could do as a gift to the Weyr for all their
kindnesses to him - he could leave behind a graphic gallery of everyone
currently living in Telgar Weyr!

Fort Hold

Classes were also being held that same day in Fort Hold.  in the College
assembly room, Corey, as Head Medic, was conducting a seminar for
healers from all over Pern who had been flown in for a three-day clinic.
This included a first-aid session dealing with both human and dragon
injuries.  She was assisted by the Fort Weyr medic, N'ran, who had
originally studied animal medicine before he had inadvertently Impressed
brown Galath.  Galath, on this occasion, was outside, enjoying the sun,
while a green dragon, who was small enough to fit in the Hall, was being
used for demonstration purposes much as Ormonth was at Telgar Weyr.

Now we have been able to duplicate the records of Doctors Tomlinson,
Marchane and Lao which include some fading photos of actual injuries.
Lunch is fortunately sufficiently in the future,' she said with a quirky
smile.  Then her expression turned sober.  The verbal descriptions are
worse, but it's necessary to impress on all those who have to deal with
a man began and his ground injuries how incredibly fast,' she ticked off
one finger, how horrendous Thread is,' another and then with a sigh,
and how quickly we must act to . her pause was longer now, .  .  . to
limit suffering.

Murmurs answered her and she could see that some of the audience had
paled.  Others looked defiant.

From what I, and my staff,' and she indicated those in the front seat,
have determined, there is little option.  The alternative of getting
into cold between as the dragons can is not available to us .

.  .  Yes?" Why not?  If that's an alternative .  .  -.

For them, not us,' she said firmly.  Because all the records emphasize
the speed with which Thread...  consumes organic material.

Too swiftly to call a dragon, even if any were available, in your
locale.  A whole cow goes in less than two minutes.

Why, that's not even time to voice trailed off.

Precisely,' Corey agreed.  If a limb is scored, there's the chance it
could be amputated before the organism spreads over the body Shards!
You can't just .  .  . another man began.

If survival means loss of just a limb, it can be done.

But only if you're right there . Corey recognized him as a
practitioner in a large hold in Nerat.

And many of us will be right there,' Corey said firmly, with the
ground crews, sharing their dangers and hopefully saving as many as we
can." She managed a wry smile.  Any body of water handy is useful since
Thread drowns.  Quickly, according to reports.  Depending on the site of
the injury, water can impede the ingestion long enough for an amputation
to be performed.  Even a trough is sufficient." She glanced down at her
notes.  Thread needs oxygen as well as organic material.

It drowns in three seconds." What if it's burrowed into flesh?" Three
seconds.  Flesh does not have the free oxygen necessary for Thread life.
Ice, too, can retard progress, but that isn't always available either.

Let us assume that we have, somehow, halted the organism's progress but
we have a bad scoring and/ or an amputation.  Numbweed, numb weed
numb weed  And bless this planet for inventing something it didn't know
we'd need so badly.  In the case of an amputation, of course, proceed
with standard practices, including cautery.  That at least would
eliminate any final vestige of Thread.  There will be significant trauma
so fell is is recommended if the patient is still conscious.

She glanced down at her notes.  Tomlinson and Marchane also indicate
that the mortality rate, due to heart failure or stroke, is high in
Thread injuries.  Lao, who practised until the end of the First Pass,
notes that often patients who had received slight scores, successfully
treated, died from the pathological trauma of being scored.  In
preparing our groups fcr this problem, do stress that Threadscore can be
successfully treated.

If we can move fast enough,' a man said facetiously.

That's why it's important for a medic to accompany as many ground-crew
teams as possible.  And why first-aid procedures must be taught to every
Hold and Hall within your practice.  There are only so many of us, but
we can teach many what to do and cut down on fatalities.

And,' Corey went on, we must emphasize that all nonessential personnel
is to STAY safely indoors until ground crews report the area safe.

Now, we will go on to dragon injuries since these, too.  will occur and
those of us on the spot may need to assist the dragon and rider.  They
will have the one advantage we can't provide - the chance to go between
and freeze the attacking organism.

But the score will be just as painful.

The larger proportion of draconic injuries are to the wing surfaces . .
.  if you please, Balzith,' and she turned to the patient green dragon
and she obediently extended her wing as the medic conducted that section
of her lecture.

When they had adjourned for lunch, prior to discussing other problems -
such as hygiene and sanitation within small and medium holds where the
amenities were not as efficient as in the larger population cent res -
Corey was approached by Joanson of South Boll and Frenkal of Tillek
Hold, both senior medics.

Corey, what is your position on...  mercy?" asked Joanson in a very
thoughtful tone.

She regarded the tall man for a long moment.  What it has always been,
Joanson.  We have, as you realize, quite a few persons in this audience
who have not received full medical training.  I cannot ask them to do
what I would find very, very difficult to do: administer mercy." She
gave Joanson a long stare, then glanced at Frenkal who seemed to enjoy
the ethical spot she was in.

We are sworn to preserve life.  We are also sworn to maintain a decent
quality of life for those under our care." She felt her lips twitch,
remembering that there were occasions when those two aims were in
conflict.  We must, each of us, reflect on how we will face such a
desperate situation: whether to cut short a final agony is necessary,
even ethical.  I don't think there will be much time to consider morals,
ethics, kind or cruel, at the time we are forced to take action." She
paused, took a deep breath.  I do remember seeing the tapes the
Infirmary used to have, showing very graphically an animal being eaten
alive by Thread ..  . She noticed Joanson's wince.  Yes, eaten alive
because Thread caught the hind end of it.  I think, if it was someone
you knew, you'd opt for the quickest possible end to that." Since they
were not the only two who approached her on that subject, she was almost
glad when the lunch break ended and she could address the less vex ious
matter of amputation.

Everyone needed a refresher on that procedure, especially an emergency
type of operation when there might not be time for all the preliminaries
that made for a neat stump.  She did have the new bone cutters - well,
more axes than the traditional surgical tool - for distribution
afterwards.  Kalvi had brought them with him.

Best edge we've ever been able to make on a surgical tool, Corey,' he
told her with some pride.  Had them tested at the abattoir.

Cut through flesh and bone like going through cheese.  Gotta keep em
honed, though.  And I've made eases for the blades so no-one slices off
a finger by mistake.

Surgeons were not the only ones with a ghoulish sen se of humour, Corey
decided.

Meanwhile, in the Great Hall of Fort Hold, with Lord Paulin seated in
the front row, Kalvi himself was demonstrating to those who would form
the Fort ground crews how to use and service the HNO3 cylinders, taking
his audience from assembly of the parts and then a quick rundown of
common problems likely to be encountered in the field, Every small
holder within Fort's authority was present; many had brought their elder
children.  All had come on foot, their own or on horseback.  Fort Weyr,
like the other five, was beginning to restrict dragon rides.

Lord Paulin understood and approved.

We've had it far too easy, using the dragons the way our ancestors
would have used the sleds and airborne vehicles, he was heard to say
when one of his holders complained that he had been denied his right to
a dragon ride  We haven't been breeding horses just to run races, you
know.  And the dragon riders have been far too accommodating.

Do us all good to walk or ride.  You have, of course, extended your
beast holds to shelter all your livestock?" There had been moaning over
that necessity, too, with complaints that the engineers should really
have spent more time trying to replicate the marvellous rock-cutting
equipment with which their ancestors had wrested living quarters out of
cliff-sides.

Kalvi had come in for considerable harangue over that, which he shrugged
off.

We have a list of priorities: that's not one.  Nor could be.

We still have two sleds in the north, but no power to run em.

Never did find out what they used,' he said.  No way of duplicating
such power packs either, or I'm sure our ancestors would have. Otherwise
why did they engineer the dragons?

Anyway, renewable resources make more sense than erudite or exotic
imports." When the main lecture was concluded, everyone was told to
reassemble after the noon meal for target practice.  This was vastly
more interesting than having to listen to Kalvi waffle on about how to
adjust the wands of the HNO3

throwers to give a long, narrow tongue of fire or a broader, shorter
flame.  Or how to clear the nozzle of clogged matter.

You've got almost as much variation in flame as a dragon has..." Kalvi
said as he slung the tanks to his back, his voice slightly muffled by
his safety gear.  You, there, the hard hat has a purpose.

Put it on your head!  Lower the face screen!" The offender immediately
complied, Kalvi scowling at him.

The effective range of this equipment is six me tres on the narrowest
setting, two on the broader.  You wouldn't want it to get closer to
you..." He was fiddling with his wand.  Damn thing's stubborn  He took
out a screwdriver and made a slight adjustment.

ALWAYS .  .  . he said loudly and firmly as he held the wand away from
his body, keep the nozzle of the wand pointed away from YOU and anyone
in your immediate vicinity.  We're flaming Thread, not folks.

NEVER .  .  .  never .  .  .  engage the flow of the two gases without
looking in what direction the wand is pointing.  You can also burn,
scorch, sear things without meaning to.  CAN'T YOU, Laland?" he said,
aiming his remark at one of his students.

The man grinned and shifted his feet nervously, looking anywhere but at
his Master.

Now, signal the topside crews, will you, Paulin?" said Kalvi, setting
himself firmly on both feet and aiming the wand up.

Paulin waved a red kerchief and suddenly a tangle of something'
catapulted off the cliff, startling everyone in the crowd behind Kalvi.

Those with wands raised them defensively and others gasped as the tangle
separated into long silver strands - some fine, some thick and falling
at slightly different rates.  As soon as they were within range, Kalvi
activated his flame-thrower.

There was a brief second when the fire seemed to pause on the ends of
the launched strands before the flame raced along the material and
consumed it so that only bits of smoking char reached the ground .  .  .

and the rock that had been tied to the leading edge.  There was a roar
of pprova and great applause.

Not bad,' Paulin said, grinning as he noted the new alertness in the
crowd.

Well, we tried for the effect we just delivered,' said Kalvi, turning
off both tanks.  Used a retardant on the rope, too.

Had plenty of description of how Thread falls, and this is as near as we
can get.

Now,' and he turned back to his students, it's best to get Thread
before it gets to you or to the ground.  We know there are two kinds:
first the ones that eat themselves dead - they're not a problem, even if
they are in the majority and messy.

Records tell us that the second kind find something in what they ingest
that allows them to progress to the second step of their life-cycle; our
ancestors never could do much with investigating this type.  They only
knew that it existed.  We know it existed, too, because there are areas
here in the north which are still sterile two hundred-odd years since
the last Fall.  If this type gets the nourishment it needs, above and
beyond organic materials, then it can propagate, or divide or whatever
it is Thread does.  This is what ground crews were needed for.  This is
the type we don't want hanging around and burrowing out of sight.  Our
ancestors thought Thread had to have some trace minerals or elements in
the dirt but, as they never figured out what, we're not likely to now."
Kalvi heaved a sigh of regret.  So,' and with a wide sweep of his arm,
we incinerate all the buggers the dragon riders miss!" He paused and
looked up the cliff-side where the catapult crews were waiting.

OK UP THERE?" he yelled, hands bracketing his mouth.

Immediately in response, red flags were waved at intervals along the
cliff.

All right, in groups of five, range yourself parallel to the red flags
you now see.  When we're all in place - and out of range of anyone's
wand,' and Kalvi gave a wry grin, I'll give the signal and we'll see
how you manage.

The results were somewhat erratic: some men seemed to get the hang of
their equipment immediately, while others couldn't even get the right
mix on the gases to produce flame.

Well, it happens,' Kalvi said in patient resignation.  Should make em
climb the thread back up the cliff  he added.

Do em good." Take too much time.  THROW DOWN THE NETS,' Kalvi roared
and then grinned at Paulin.  Thought we'd have some trouble.

We'll get our mock threads back up and in use." How much did you
bring?" Yards,' was all Kalvi said with another grin.

By the time the short winter afternoon was closing into darkness, all
the holders had had a chance to sear' thread despite hiccups and
misses.  The mock thread supply ran out before they lost interest in the
practice.

Now I don't want you to overdo it on your own,' Paulin said to those
nearest him as they walked back to the Hold.

The practice area had been some distance up the North Road from Fort
Hold, where there were neither beasts nor cot holds that could be
affected.  HNO3 isn't all that hard to manufacture, but the equipment
is.  Don't wear it out before it's needed.

During their practice, the main Hall had been rearranged for the evening
meal and the trainees were as hungry as gatherers.

Tomorrow we'll clean the gear,' Kalvi announced while klah was being
served, and you'll strip down and reassemble the units so I'm sure you
know what you're doing.  The man who does it fastest and best will get
Lord Paulin's reward." A loud cheer resounded through the Hall.

Morale's good,' Paulin said to Kalvi who nodded, well satisfied with
the way this first instruction session had gone.

If all of those meetings planned for the Head Engineer at the other
major holds went as smoothly, Kalvi thought he might even get a chance
for a few days off to fish in Istan waters.  In the frantic search
during the run-up to the Second Pass for materials long left in storage,
some reels of stout nylon fishing line had been found.  The bar-coding
on the carton had been damaged so there was no way of knowing how long
ago the line had been manufactured, but Kalvi Was eager to put it to the
test with some of the big uns that 5wa in the tropical waters.  This
sort of synthetic material was extremely durable and would certainly
take the weight of pack fish which could sometimes be quite substantial.

A third group made up of teachers - novices and experienced were
gathered in the College's spacious refectory.

Today this convocation had the happier task, learning and rehearsing the
new Ballads which were to be used in teaching the young.

On the second day the Fort Weyrleader would instruct the peripatetic
teachers on how best to shelter themselves if they should be caught out
during Threadfall.

Clisser had been inundated with complaints that the Weyrs were
restricting rides which had been the accustomed mode of transport.  Not
all the teachers were familiar with, nor competent to ride, the sturdy
horses that had been bred for long-distance and mountain travel.  He was
going to have to reassign a lot of his older teachers, yet another
headache.

But for this three-day period at least, the emphasis would be on the
music and the new curriculum.  Not that he hadn't had contentious
reactions to that.  He was beginning to think that Bethany had had the
right of it when she suggested that they, like the first Settlers, had
relied too heavily on easy access to information.  Oddly enough, some of
the older teachers loudly approved the new curriculum.

High time we brought things up to date, with relevance to the life
we're leading here, not what folks had there,' Layrence of Tillek said,
stuff we'll never have, so what's the point of quizzing them on it?"
But we have traditions we must uphold,' Sallisha said, her brow creased
in a frown.  Which made Clisser realize once again that her reputation
for being a right wagon' was not without merit.

Traditions which they must understand to appreciate what we have Oh,
Sallisha,' and Bethany smiled in her soothing way, we're incorporating
all those traditions in the Ballads but stressing what they need to
understand of the life they have here." But our glorious past .  .  .
Sallisha began.

Is past,' Sheledon said forcefully, scowling right back at her.

All past, all gone, and why dwell on contacts our ancestors severed for
their own good reasons?" But - - but - - - they should know - - -
Sallisha began again.

If they wish to know more, they can read it.  .  . Sheledon said, for
advanced study.  Right now, they have to cope with the problem of
Threadfall.  .  And that's far more important than which planets
outlasted the Nathi bombardments and who was World Leader in 2089,' said
Shulse.  Or how to plot a parabolic course around a primary.

Sallisha glared implacably at the maths teacher.

Of course,' Shulse went on, I do approve of mentioning such history
where it pertains to Emily Boll as Governor, or Paul Benden as Admiral
of the Fleet, because they are part and parcel of Pernese history." But
you have to show students the overall picture - - -.

Sallisha was persistence itself.

And some students will be vitally interested, I'm sure,' Shulse said,
but I agree with Clisser that we have to streamline the material to be
studied to the point where it has relevance to this world and our
civilization." Civilization?" Sallisha said at her most scornful.

What?  You don't call what we've made here "civilized"?" Sheledon loved
to tease the literal-minded Sallisha.

Not in terms of what our ancestors had." And all that went with a
high-tech society - like prepubescent addicts, city gangs, wild plagues,
so much tech fraud that people were stuffing credits in their mattresses
to protect their income, the Spare me,' Sallisha said contemptuously,
and concentrate on the good that was done Sheledon gave a chuckle.
D'you know how dangerous it was to be a teacher on old Earth?"
Nonsense, our civilization,' and she emphasized the word, revered
professors and instructors on every level.  Only after they were
allowed class-room discipline Sheledon began.

And the use of stunners,' added Shulse.

That is not a problem on Pern,' Sallisha said loftily.

And we'll keep it that way,' said Clisser firmly, by adjusting what
interests our classes and dispensing with irrelevancies." Sallisha
whirled on Clisser.  What you decide is relevant?" Clisser pointed to
the files along one wall of the library in which they were talking.  I
sent out questionnaires to every teacher on the rolls, and to holders,
major and minor, asking for input.  I got it, and this curriculum,' he
lifted the thick volume, is the result.  You've all received copies.

And the Teaching Ballads will be part of the package you receive during
the conference.

Sallisha retired with poor grace, sulking as obviously as any
intractable student would.  He wondered if she saw the resemblance in
attitude.  However, Sallisha was a very good teacher, able to impart
knowledge at the level needed, and was therefore supervisor of
Southeastern Pern.  But she had her little quirks - like everyone else
in the world.

Making the children memorize the Teaching Ballads would improve their
retention of words: a skill that Clisser realized he had lost with his
dependence on technology.  But then, one of the reasons the Colonists
had come to Pern with its limited resources was to revert to a society
that was not so dependent on technology.  He read accounts of persons
who never left their home place, contacting others only by electronics,
living as ere mites  Not so much out of fear of the outside world as
indolence.  No-one could be indolent on Pern, Clisser told himself, and
smiled.  What a wasted life to remain in one place all one's days! Well,
perhaps here on Pern, events - like Threadfall had forced them a little
lower on the technological scale than the Settlers had anticipated, but
they had adapted to Pern and were adapting it to their own use.  And
would meet the menace with a fully developed, renewable air defence
force.

He hoped Clisser sucked in his breath in a sort of reverse whistle.
Everyone on the planet - with one notable exception - was girding their
loins and securing their premises against that attack.

Preparing was one thing, but enduring fifty years of an aerial attack
was another.  Briefly he reviewed the accounts published by the besieged
colonists on Sirius III and Vega IV when the Nathi started bombarding
the planets.  Day after day, according to the history tapes, the worlds
had been shelled with dirty missiles, rendering the surface
uninhabitable.  Whole generations had grown up on eolonial planets,
living in deep shelters .  Clisser smiled to himself - not much
different from the cave holds in which the Pernese now lived.  And
indeed those accommodations had benefited by the Sirian and Vegan
experiences - using the magma core taps to provide heat and solar panels
for power.  Humans had survived under far worse conditions than
pertained on this planet.  At least on Pern, you knew when and where
Thread would fall and could mount effective de fences  And yet, the
scale of Threadfall was awesome and failure had appalling consequences.

Failure usually did.

Therefore, Clisser hoped that the music which had been composed as
psychologically uplifting would have the desired effect: developing the
morale and encouraging the effort.

Briefly he wondered what would have happened on old Earth, during the
National period, if there'd been a common extraterrestrial enemy to
unite the diverse races.

Jemmy and Sheledon had certainly written some stirring music, martial as
well as hopeful.  Some of the less ambitious tunes had a tendency to
stay in the mind so that you woke up in the morning whistling one or
hearing it in your head: the mark of a good melody to Clisser's way of
thinking.  And they had scored the music for various solo instruments or
combinations of those readily available, so that even inexperienced
players in the most isolated Hold or Hall would be able to accompany
singers.

Jemmy's riddling song was a delight and Clisser hadn't quite got all the
answers yet, but it would prove useful during the hours of a Fall to
distract folk about what was happening outside.  Bethany's lament - the
first song she had ever composed - was next on the programme and he
settled back to listen to it.

But his mind, working overtime in anxiety over the success of his new
programme, refused to be caught up in the music.

Among other things, WHAT was he going to do about Bitra Hold?  The last
teacher he'd sent there had left, voiding his contract with Chalkin -
not that Clisser blamed Issony when he'd heard the way the man had been
humiliated and threatened by unruly holder children - but children had
to receive rudimentary education, You couldn't afford to let one whole
province lapse into illiteracy.

To be sure, children learn at different rates; he knew that, and
learning should be made as interesting as possible, to lay the
foundations for further study and for life itself, flr that matter.

That was the purpose of education: to develop the skills required to
solve problems.  And to utilize the potential that existed in everyone -
even a Bitran, he added sourly.

Maybe he should reappoint Sallisha to that area?  Then he chuckled.  Not
much chance of that.  She had enough Seniority to refuse point blank.

He made up his mind then, with the lovely phrases of Bethany's song
soothing him, to bring up the problem of Chalkin, Lord Holder of Bitra,
in the next Condave.  Something had to be done about the man.

During the final evening meal in which all three groups joined up on the
Fort court for a dinner featuring three whole roasted steers, Clisser
heard Chalkin's name come up and homed in on the group discussing the
man.

That's not all,' M'shall was saying, a deep frown on his usually
amiable face, he's put up guards at the borders, and anyone who wants
to leave can take only their clothes with them.  Nothing else, not even
the animals which they may have raised themselves.

Clisser had not realized that the Benden Weyrleader had arrived, but his
presence was certainly fortuitous.

You're speaking of Chalkin?" he asked when the others cknowledged his
presence and made room for him in their circle.

M'shall gave a scornful laugh.  Who else would turn folks out of their
holds right now?" I've just heard from one of my travelling teachers,
Issony, and he's quit and nothing would persuade him to go back to
Bitra.  But even they have to grow up literate." Ha!' M'shall's
scoffing was echoed by the others.

School hours keep Bitrans from other jobs which earn their Holder more
marks.  What did he do to Issony?" He'll give you chapter and verse if
you ask him.  In fact, it would do him good.  I understand one of your
riders rescued him." We do a lot of rescue work in Bitra,' M'shall
said, not at all pleased by the necessity.  But only non-Bitrans,' he
added.

Now, look,' and Bridgely seemed about to explode, I will not succour
all his refugees.  And I will not lift a hand to help him when his Hold
is overrun by Thread.  Ah,' and M'shall raised one finger in a sardonic
gesture, but you see, he doesn't believe Thread's coming.

Wouldn't we feel silly if he was right after all?" said Farley, one of
the other minor Fort holders.  Oops, wrong thing to say,' he added when
coldly repressive stares rejected his witticism.

Chalkin has always been contrary by nature,' Clisser said.

But never such an outright fool." Well, he's exceeded even "damned
fool",' Bridgely said.  Is your teacher, Issony, here now?

Well, then, bring him up to Fort.  We're about to do something
definitive about Chalkin." Right now?" Clisser couldn't help looking
over at the roasting carcasses and sniffing at the succulent odours they
were producing.

I expect to eat, too,' said Bridgely, relenting.

I just finished eating at Benden,' M'shall said, but his nose was
twitching at the aromas.  Ah, well, we could have a slice to allow you
to enjoy your meal." Timed it just right, didn't you?" Farley said with
a grin

for their obvious interest in the roasting meats.  Can some thing be
done about an irresponsible Lord Holder?" Read your copy of the
Charter, Farley,' Clisser advised.

And how long have border guards - - . and Paulin paused, made
indignant by such a measure been in place?" He'd assembled those
concerned in his office at the Hold when they'd finished eating.

Issony was on call if his testimony was required.

As near as we can figure out, about seven days,' M'shall said.

As you know, we've been canvassing all the holds to see who, if any, of
Chalkin's people has been told about the imminence of Thread.

Surely they'd have heard that much at Gathers Paulin began.

Ha!" Bridgely put in.  Very few of his folk hear where or when Gathers
are being held, much less attend them." That isn't right,' said Paulin,
shaking his head.

Frankly, Paulin, I'd say his tithing of them is punitive.  None of them
ever seem to have a mark to spend even when they do bring work to sell
at a Benden Gather.  Not that they're encouraged to travel at all."
Even to Gathers?" Paulin answered his own query.  No, he wouldn't
encourage them, would he?" Not if he's afraid they'll compare
conditions in another Hold.  Also, he doesn't like Bitran marks to go
past his borders.

And gets every one those high rollers have when they attend those
friendly little games he runs,' M'shall said.

I must confess I hadn't known how restrictive he is." Paulin spoke in a
very thoughtful tone of voice.

Well, how would you?" Bridgely replied, absolving him.  You're west
coast.  We know because we see so few Bitrans at east coast gathers. Oh,
his gamesters attend every one - Hmm, yes, they're ubiquitous, you
might say,' Paulin murmured under his breath.  So, if he's had to close
the it would appear that some holders panicked when they learned
Threadfall is indeed expected?" Indeed,' Bridgely agreed with a grim
expression, and when delegation got the nerve to approach him, he had
them beaten out of the Hold.  I saw the lash marks so I know they aren't
lying.  They said they'd never seen him in such a temper.

}je announced that the dragon riders are trying to get extra tithing on
false pretences by spreading such rum ours  He was also quite damning
about the new mine being opened above uatha when good Bitrans could have
worked the Steng Valley ones.

The world is against Bitrans?" Paulin asked in a droll tone.

You got it,' M'shall agreed.

Chalkin also refused to accept delivery of HNO3 tanks .  ;;g Kalvi.

Wouldn't pay for them, you mean' M shall said.  That's what Telgar
riders told mine.

-Either way, there'll be no ground crews.  I think he's gone IM enough
to warrant impeachment,' Paulin said with slow deliberation.

As a Lord Holder, it's his duty to inform, and prepare his folk, for
Threadfall.  That's why the Holder system was adopted: to give people a
strong leader to supply direction ?urig a Fall and to provide emergency
assistance.  By closing ;<ti borders, he's also abrogated one of the
basic tenets {;vchsafed in the Charter: freedom of movement.  He's
turned autonomy into despotism.  I'll send all Lord Holders and
IProfessional Heads particulars .  .  .  Oh,' and he glanced at - aisser
in dismay, we can't make quick copies any more, can we?" One
dragon rider could contact all the other Lord Holders,' shall suggested.

Or one messenger on this coast and another on ours.  That makes only
two copies needed.

I'll request a rider from S'nan,' said Paulin, reaching for a pad.

That'll please S'nan no end,' M'shall said.  He's not been least bit
pleased with Chalkin's defiance.  Simply isn't done, you know,' and
M'shall grinned as he mimicked S'nan's prim tones.

We must take action against Chalkin now,' Paulin stated, rather than
leave it until the next formal Conclave at Turn's End.  Time's running
out." Then he turned to Clisser.  Which reminds me, Clisser, any luck
on finding some method of irrefutably determining the return of Thread?"
Clisser jerked himself into alertness.  We've several possibilities,'
he replied, trying to sound more positive than he Was.

What with the loss of computer access, it's taking longer to sift
through ways and means.

Well, keep at it .  .  . and then Paulin touched Clisser's shoulder
and smiled, along with everything else you're doing.

By the way, the teaching songs are very good indeed." Then he put a
finger in his ear, drilling it briefly as he grinned more broadly.

The kids sing em all the time, not just in class." That's what we
intended,' Clisser said with droll satisfaction.  Shall I wait for your
message?" No need for that, my friend, but thanks for offering.

This I will take pleasure in penning." And Fort's Lord Holder grinned.

And I'll remember to keep a copy for the Archives.

By the way, wasn't there some ancient way of making copies ...

something that would transfer the writing to the next page under?"
Clisser bowed his head briefly in thought.  Carbon copying, I think you
mean.  We don't have it, but Lady Salda might have some ideas.

We've got to figure a way to make multiple copies or else spend hours
copying." He gave a heavy sigh of regret.

I'll leave it to you then, Clisser,' said Paulin.  Thank you all.  Now
get out here, the lot of you,' and he grinned at the Benden leaders and
Kalvi, and enjoy the rest of the evening while I get on with this task.
Not that I won't enjoy it in some respects,' he added, picking up his
pen and examining the tip.

At that polite dismissal, they all filed out of the office.

Clisser thought that Issony looked disappointed at not being able to
recite his catalogue of complaints against Lord Chalkin; so he made sure
that Issony had as much of the good wine as he wanted.

Telgar Weyr lantine asked to be allowed out again on the next sunny day,
so he was in the Bowl when the travelling traders arrived.

The entire complement of the caverns flocked out to greet them.

lantine furiously sketched the various scenes around him: the big dusty
carts with their multiple teams of the heavy-duty ox-types which had
been bred for such work.  They had been one of the last bio-engineering
feats from Wind Blossom, whose grandmother had done such notable work
creating the dragons of Pern.

lantine had seen traders come and go on their routes since childhood,
and fondly remembered the stellar occasions when the Benden trading
group had arrived at their rather remote sheep hold  More specifically,
he recalled the taste of the boiled sweets, flavoured by the fruits
which grew so abundantly in Nerat, which the traders passed out by the
handful.  Once, there'd been fresh citrus, a treat of unsurpassed
delight to himself and his siblings.

For a remote holding, having travellers drop by was almost as good as a
Gather.  To lantine's surprise, weyrfolk were equally delighted.

Despite the fact that they could usually find a dragon to convey them
wherever they wanted to go, the arrival of the traders was even better
than tithe trains.

(The tithe wagons were a different matter, since everyone had to pitch
in to store the produce given to the support of the Weyr.)  And traders
brought the news of all the Holds and Halls along the way.

There were as many clusters of folks just talking, lantine noticed, as
examining goods in the stalls the Liliencamps set up.  Tables and chairs
were brought out from the Lower Cavern; klah and the day's fresh bread
and rolls were being served.

Leopol, always on hand for lantine, brought over a midmorning snack and
hunkered down to give the artist the latest news.

They've been setting up sheltered halts, he said between bits of his
own sweet roll, along the road to here.  They won't stop doing their
routes just because Thread's coming.  But they gotta prepare for it.
Half of what they got on those big wagons right now is materials for
safe havens.  Course, they can use what caves there are, but no more
camping out in the open.

That's going to cramp their style,' and he grinned broadly.

But if ya gotta, ya gotta.  See,' and one jam-stained finger pointed to
a group of men and women seated with the two Weyrleaders.

They were all hunched over maps spread out on the table.  They're
checking the sites over so's everyone here'll know where they might be
if they're caught out in a Fall." Who trades through Bitra?" lantine
asked with considerable irony.

Leopol snorted.  No-one in their right mind!  Specially now.

Didja hear that Chalkin's closed his borders to keep his own people in?
Didja know that Chalkin doesn't believe Thread's coming?" The boy's eyes
widened in horrified dismay at such irreverence.  And he never told his
holders it is?" Actually I got that distinct impression while I was
there,' lantine said, more from what wasn't said and done than what
was.  I mean, even Hall Domaize was stocking food and supplies against
Threadfall.  They'd talk enough about odds .iid wagers at Bitra, but not
a word about Thread.

Did they sucker you into any gaming?" Leopol's avid expression
suggested he yearned for a positive answer.

lantine shook his head and grinned at his eager listener.

In the first place, I'd been warned.  Isn't everyone warned about
Bitrans at Gathers?  And then, I didn't have any spare marks to wager."
Otherwise you'd have lost your commission fer fair, Leopol murmured,
his eyes still round with his unvoiced speculations of the disaster
lantine had avoided.

I'd say Chalkin's gambling in the wrong game if he thinks ignoring
Thread will make it not happen,' lantine said.

Shelters are going to have to be huge,' he added, gesturing towards the
solid beasts who were being led to the lake to drink.

Either they were accustomed to drago nets from coming to Telgar Weyr, or
they were so phlegmatic they didn't care.

However, the weyrlings had never seen them before in their short lives,
so they reacted with alarm at the massive cart beasts, squealing with
such fright that dragons, sleeping in the pale wintry sun on their weyr
ledges, woke up to see what the fuss was about.  lantine grinned.

He did a rapid sketch of that in a corner of the page.  At the rate he
was going, he'd use up even this generous supply of paper.

Well, they've had to use a lot of sheet roofing, I know,' Leopol said.
The Veyr contributes, too, ya know, since the Liliencamps have to
detour to get up to us.

lantine had never given any thought to the support system required to
serve a Weyr and its dragons.  He had always assumed that dragons and
riders took care of themselves from tithings, but he was acquiring a
great respect for the organization and management of such a facility.

In a direct contrast with what he had seen at Bitra, everybody in the
Weyr worked cheerfully at any task set them and took great pride in
being part of it.  Everyone helped everyone else; everyone seemed happy.

To be sure, lantine had recently realized that his early childhood had
been relatively carefree and happy.  His learning years at the College
had also been good as well as productive; his apprenticeship to Hall
Domaize had proceeded with only occasional ups and downs as he struggled
to perfect new techniques and a full understanding of Art.

Bitra Hold had been an eye-opener.  So, of course, was the Weyr, but in
a far more positive manner.  Grimly, lantine realized that one had to
know the bad to properly appreciate the good.  He smiled wryly to
himself while his right hand now rapidly completed the sketch of the
Weyrleaders in earnest collaboration with the Liliencamp trail bosses.

That Bloodline had been the first of the peripatetic traders, bringing
goods and delivering less urgent messages on their way from one isolated
hold to another.  A Liliencamp had been one of the more prominent First
Settlers.  Ian tine thought he'd been portrayed in the great Mural in
Fort Hold, with the other Charterers: a smallish man with black hair,
depicted with sharp eyes and a pad of some sort depending from his belt,
and - lantine had of course noted them several writing implements
stuffed in his chest pocket, and one behind his ear.  It had seemed such
a logical place to store a pencil that lantine had taken to the habit
himself.

He peered more closely at the trail bosses.  Yes, one of them had what
looked like a pencil perched behind one ear - and he also had an empty
pouch at his belt: one that probably accommodated the pad on the table
before him.

But, even with such wayside precautions, would such traders be able to
continue throughout the fifty dangerous years of a Pass?  It was one
thing to plan and quite another, as lantine had only just discovered, to
put plans into operation.  Still, considerable hardship would result in
transporting items from Hall to Hold to Weyr during Threadfall,
especially since dragons would be wholly involved in protecting the land
from Thread.  They could not be asked to perform trivial duties.

After all, dragons were not a transportation facility; they had been
bio-engineered as a defensive force, and conveying people and goods was
only an Interval occupation.

He wondered if the traders had any paper in their great wagons.

Not that he had even a quarter mark left in his pouch, but maybe they'd
take a sketch or two in trade.

As quickly as he neatly could, he filled his last empty page with a
montage: the train entering the Weyr Bowl, people rushing out to meet
it, the goods being exhibited, deals being made, with the central
portion the scene of the trail bosses discussing shelters with the
Weyrleaders.  He held the pad at arm's length and regarded it
critically.

That's marvellous,' a voice said behind him, and he twisted about in
surprise.  Why, you did it in a flash!" The green rider, her dragonet
lounging beside her, smiled self-consciously, her green eyes shining
with something akin to awe.  Leopol had pointed this new rider out to
him the other day and related the circumstances of her precipitous
arrival at the Hatching.

Debera?" he asked, remembering the name.  She gasped, slightly
recoiling from him in her startlement.  Her dragon came immediately
alert, eyes twirling faster with alarm.  Oh, say, I didn't mean to .

Easy, Morath, he means me no harm,' she said to the dragon and then
smiled reassuringly up at him.  I was just surprised you'd know my name
- -, Leopol,' and lantine pointed his pencil to where the boy stood in
earnest bargaining with a trader lad about the same age, used to tell
me everything that happened in the Weyr while I was recovering.

Oh, yes,' and the girl seemed to relax and even managed a wider smile,
I know him.  He's into everything.  But kindhearted,' she added
hastily, glancing up at lantine.  You've had some adventures, too, or
so Leopol told me." Then she indicated his sketch.  You did that so
well and so quickly.

Why, you can almost hear them bargaining,' she added, pointing to the
trader with his mouth open.

lantine regarded it critically.  Well, speed is not necessarily a good
thing if you want to do good work." He deftly added a fold to the head
trader's tunic, where he now saw there was a bulge over the belt.

Let's see if the subject likes it.  He was amazed to hear the edge in
his voice.  She glanced warily up at him.

If that's what you can do quickly,' she said reassuringly.  I'd like
to see what you do when you take your time.

He couldn't resist and flipped over pages to where he had made a sketch
of her oiling Morath.

Oh, and I didn't see you doing this  She reached out to touch it, but
he was flipping to the page where he had sketched her and Morath
listening to T'dam at the lecture.

She'd had one arm draped over her dragon's neck and he thought he had
captured the subtle bond that had prompted the embrace.

Oh, that's marvellous,' and lantine was amazed to see tears in her
eyes.  In a spontaneous gesture, she clung to his arm, feasting her eyes
on the drawing and preventing him from turning the page over.

Oh, how I'd You like it?" Oh, I do,' and she snatched her hands away
from his arm and clasped them behind her back, blushing deeply.  I do
and bit her lip, swaying nervously.

What's the matter?" She gave an embarrassed laugh.  I haven't so much
as the shaving of a mark .  - He tore the sketch out of the pad and
handed it to her.

Oh, I couldn't .  .  .  I couldn't,' and she stepped back, although the
look in her eyes told lantine how much she wanted it.

Why not?" He pressed the paper against her, pushing it at her when she
continued to resist.  Please, Debera?  I've had to get my hand back in
after my fingers freezing, and it's only a sketch." She glanced up at
him, nervously and with some other fear lurking in the shadows of her
lovely green eyes.

You should have it, you know, to remind you of Morath at this age." One
hand crept from behind her back and reached for the sheet.

You're very good, lantine,' she murmured and held the sketch by
fingertips as if she was afraid she'd soil it.  But I've nothing to pay
.

Yes, you have,' he said quickly with sudden inspiration and gestured
towards the traders still in their group about the table.

You can be a satisfied customer and help me wheedle another pad out of
the traders in return for this drawing of them.

Oh, but...  She had shot a quick, frightened glance at the traders and
then, in as rapid a change of mood, gave herself a shake, her free hand
going to her dragon's head as if seeking reassurance.  The dragonet
turned adoring eyes to her and Debera's eyes briefly unfocused, the way
lantine had noticed in riders who paused to talk to their dragons.  She
let out a breath and faced him resolutely.  I would be glad to say a
good word for you with Master Jol.  He's by way of being a cousin of my
mother's." Is he now?" lantine said with fervour.  Then let us see if
kinship is useful in trading." I can't, of course, promise anything,'
she said candidly as they moved towards the group.  She found it hard to
keep the sketch from fluttering.  Oh dear.

Roll it up,' he suggested.  Shall I do it for you?" he added.

No, thank you, I can manage." And she did, making a much tighter job of
it than he would have done.

The conference was ending as they approached and the participants began
to separate.

Master Jol?" Debera said, her voice cracking slightly and not reaching
very far.  Master Jol,' she repeated, projecting a firmer tone. lantine
wondered if she was afraid the trader wouldn't recognize her at all.

Is that Debera?" the trader said, peering at her as if he didn't
believe his eyes.  Then a broad smile of recollection covered his face
and he strode rapidly across the distance between them, hands extended.

Debera seemed to shy from such a warm welcome.  My dear, I'd heard that
you'd - Impressed a dragon." lantine put a reassuring hand at her waist
and gave her an imperceptible forward push.

Yes, this is Morath,' and suddenly her manner became sure and proud.
Dragon and rider exchanged one of those melting looks that lantine found
incredibly touching.

Well, well, my greetings to you, young Morath,' he said, bowing
formally to the dragonet, whose eyes began to whirl faster.

Debera gave her a reassuring little pat.  Master Jo!  is my mother's
cousin,' she explained to Morath.

Which makes me yours as well, my lass,' Jo!  reminded her.

And very proud to have dragon rider kin.  Ah, you're so like your
mother.  Did you know that?" lantine watched as Debera's expression
turned sad.

Ah, now, I didn't mean to grieve you, child,' Jo!  said with instant
dismay.  And how happy she would be to see you.

he paused and cleared his throat so that lantine knew the trader was
hastily amending what he had started to say, here, a dragon rider And
out of my father's control,' Debera finished with droll bitterness. Had
you heard that too, Master Jo!?" Oh, indeed,' Master Jo!  said,
grinning even more broadly, his eyes twinkling with a slight hint of
malice.  I was right pleased to hear that, indeed and I was.

Now, what can I do for you?  Some Gather clothes, good lined boots -
you'll have come with little if I know your father." Such plain speaking
momentarily made Debera uneasy, but her dragonet crowded reassuringly
against her.

The Weyr has furnished me with everything I need, Master Jo!  .

.  . she replied with quiet dignity.

Master?  Am I not cousin to you, young woman?" Jo!  asked with mock
severity.

Now her smile returned.  Cousin, but I thank you, though I do have a
favour to ask .  .  And what might that be?" Debera flipped open her
sketch and showed it to the trader.

lantine here did this of me.  and he has one of you .  .  . On cue,
lantine offered his sketch pad, open to the montage.

Only lantine's used up his pad and, like me, hasn't a sliver to spend.

Master Jo!  reached for the pad, his manner altering instantly to a
trader's critical appraisal.  But he had only cast an eye over the
sketch when he paused, peering more closely at the at'tist.

lantine, you said?" And when both Debera and lantine nodded, his smile
quirked the line of his generous mouth.  I place the name now.

You're the lad who managed to escape unscathed from Chalkin's clutches."
Jo!  offered his free hand to lantine.  Well done, lad!

I'd had wind of your adventure.

He winked, his expression approving.  But then we traders hear
everything and learn to sift the fine thread of truth from the chaff of
gossip.

Then he turned back to the sketch, examining it carefully, nodding his
head as his eyes went from one panel to the next.

He gave an amused sniff as he took a longer look at himself, pencil
cocked behind his ear.

You've got me to the life, pencil and all, and he touched the tool to
be sure it was in place.  May I?" he asked courteously, indicating a
desire to look at the other pages.

Certainly,' said lantine, making a polite bow.  He could have kicked
himself when he swayed a bit on his feet.

Here now, lad, I know you're not long recovered from your ordeal,' Jo!
said, quickly supporting him.  Let's just take a seat so I can have a
good look at everything this pad seems to have on offer.

Ignoring lantine's protests, Jo!  led him to the table he had just left
and pushed him onto a stool.  Debera and Morath followed, Debera looking
very pleased with this consideration.

And Jo!  went through the pad as thoroughly as Master Domaize would have
done, making comments about those Weyr folk he knew, smiling and nodding
a good deal.  He also knew when lantine had left a pose unfinished.

Now, what is it you require, Artist lantine?" More paper, mainly,'
lantine said in a tentative tone.

Jo!  nodded.  I believe I do have a pad of this quality paper, but
smaller.  I bring some in for Waine from time to time.  I can, of
course, get larger sheets .  .

It's not as if I'll be staying around the Weyr until your next round
Master Jo!  dismissed that consideration.  I've stores at Telgar Hold
and can forward what you need in a day or two." He gave lantine a
thoughtful glance.  You'll not be leaving here all that soon, I'd say."
He took the pencil from behind his ear with one hand and the pad from
its pouch at his belt with the other.  Now, what exactly are your
requirements, Artist lantine?" Ah He wants to make sketches of every
rider and dragon in the Weyr,' said Leopol, who had eased himself
unnoticed close enough to hear what was being said.

So you've many commissions already, have you?" Master Jo!  asked
approvingly, pencil poised over the fresh leaf of his pad.

Well, no, not exactly, you see,' lantine stammered.

You've three I know of,' said Leopol.  P'tero for M'leng And the
Weyrleaders .

lantine almost bit Leopol's nose off.  The Weyrleaders're different.  I
will do them in oils, but the sketches are to thank those in the Weyr
who've been so kind to me.

Doing portraits of an entire Weyr is quite an undertaking, and Master
Jo!  scribbled a line.  You'll need a good deal of paper and plenty of
pencils.  Or would you prefer ink?  I stock a very good quality.
Guaranteed not to fade or blot." He looked at lantine expectantly.

But I've only this sketch to trade with you,' lantine said.

Lad, you've credit with Jo!  Liliencamp Traders,' Jo!  told him gently,
touching his pencil to lantine's shoulder and giving it a little push.
I'm not Chalkin, mind you.  Not any way, shape or form." And he gave a
burst of such infectious laughter that lantine grinned in spite of
himself.  Now, give me your requirements straight.  But to ease your
mind, if you'd finish off this,' and the pencil end tapped the montage,
in water colour, I'm ready to give you two marks for it.

Oh, and I'd like this one of T'dam giving his lecture..." he added,
flipping to that page.  That'!!  show some folks that dragon riders do
niething beyond glide about the skies.  A mark and a half for that But.
.  but.  .  .  lantine floundered, trying to organize his t1'oughts as
well as his needs.  Debera was grinning from ear to ear and so was her
dragon.  I've no water colours with me  he began, wishing to indicate
his willingness to finish the inontage.

Ah, but I just happen to have some, which is why I suggested them,'
said Jo!  beaming again.  Really, this meeting is most serendipitous,'
he added, and his smile included Debera.  And this,' he touched the
montage again in a very proprietary fashion, coloured up a bit and with
glass to protect it, will look very good indeed in my wagon office.

Indeed it will Advertising, I believe the ancestors called it." Ah,
Master Jo!?" called someone from one of the trade wagons.  A moment of
your time - - I'll be back, lad, just you stay there.  You, too,
Debera.  I've not finished with the pair of you yet, so I haven't." As
lantine and Debera exchanged stunned looks, he trotted off to see what
was required of him, tucking the pencil behind his ear again and folding
up his pad as he went.

I don't believe him,' lantine said, shaking his head, feeling weak and
breathless.

Are you all right?" Debera asked, leaning across the table to him.

Gob-smacked,' lantine told her, remembering a favourite expression of
his father's.  Completely gob-smacked!" Debera grinned knowingly.  I
think I am, too.  I never expected --Neither did I!' Why?  Don't you
trust traders?" Leopol asked, sounding slightly defensive.

lantine gave a shaky laugh.  One can trust traders.  It's just I never
expected such generosity .  - How long were you in Bitra?" Debera asked
tartly, giving a long look.

Long enough,' lantine said, grimacing, to learn new meanings to the
word "satisfactory"' Debera gave him a little frown.

Never mind,' he said, shaking his head and patting her hand.

And thank you very much for introducing me to your cousin.

Once he saw that sketch, you really didn't need me,' she remarked,
almost shyly.

I believe you ordered these,' said a baritone voice.  Rider and artist
looked up in astonishment as a trader deposited an armful of items on
the table: two pads, one larger than the other, a neat square box which
held a full glass bottle of ink, a sheaf of pens and a parcel of
pencils.  Special delivery." With a grin, he pivoted and went back the
way he had come.

Master Jo!  does pride himself on his quick service,' Leopol said with
a wide grin.

There now!  You're all set,' said Debera.

I am indeed,' and the words came out of lantine like a prayer.

Lord Paulin's message to the other Lords Holder and Weyrleaders received
a mixed reception: not everyone was in favour of impeachment, despite
the evidence presented.

Paulin was both annoyed and frustrated, having hoped for a unanimous
decision so that Chalkin could be removed before his Hold was totally
demoralized.

Jamson and Azury felt that the matter could wait until the Turn's End
Council meeting: Jamson was known to be conservative, but Paulin was
surprised by Azury's reservations.  Those who lived in tropical zones
rarely understood the problems of winter weather.  To be sure, it would
be more difficult to prepare Bitra Hold in full winter, which was
Azury's stated concern, but some progress could be made to prepare the
Hold for the vernal onslaught of Threadfall.

Preparations ought to have begun - as in every other Hold two years ago:
larger crops sowed, harvests stored and general maintenance done on
buildings and arable lands, as well as Fort Hold and Bitran Borders -
Early Winter VI

the construction of emergency shelters on the main roads and for ground
crews.  Not to mention training holders how to combat Thread burrows.

There was the added disadvantage that Chalkin's folk seemed generally
dispirited anyhow - though that should not be used as an excuse for
denying them news of the impending problem.

And who would succeed to the Hold?  A consideration that was certainly
fraught with problems.

In his response, Bastom had made a good suggestion: the appointment of a
deputy or regent right away until one of Chalkin's sons came of age -
sons who would be specifically, and firmly, trained to Hold properly.
Not that the new Holder had to be of the Bloodline, but following the
precepts of inheritance outlined in the Charter would pacify the nervous
Lords.  To Paulin's way of thinking, competence should always be the
prime decider in succession, and that was n)t always passed on in the
genes of Bloodlines.

For that matter, Paulin's eldest nephew had shown a sure grasp of hold
management.  Sidny was a hard worker, a fair man, and a good judge of
character and ability.  Paulin was half tempted to recommend him for
Fort's leadership when he was gone.  He had a few reservations about his
son, Mattew, but Paulin knew that he tended to be more critical of his
own Blood than others were.

He would definitely suggest Bastom's idea to the Council: good practice
for younger folk to have actual hands-on experience in running a Hold.
Considering the state Bitra Hold was in, a team would be required.  Such
an expedient would certainly reduce the cry of nepotism', and give
young men and women a chance to display initiative and ability.

When the last of the replies came in, Paulin gave the young green rider
a message for M'shall at Benden Weyr on the result of the polling.  The
Weyrleader was sure to be as disappointed as he was.  He tried to
convince himself that they could still get Bitra Hold right and tight in
time for Threadfall.

But the sooner it was done, the better.  He hoped M'shall could get back
to him about locating the Bitran uncle, and whether he was competent to
take Hold.  Otherwise a Search must be made of legitimate heirs to - -
Fraggital!,' Paulin muttered, pushing back from his desk and sighing
deeply in frustration.  One could no longer do a quick search on the
Bloodline Program for a comprehensive genealogy.  Surely that was one
program Clisser had printed out, and copied.  Well, we'll need a copy
of whatever form that program's in,' he told himself, sighing again.  To
cheer himself up, he reviewed the progress report from the new mine.

They wanted permission to call the hold CROM, an acronym of the
founders: Chester, Ricard, Otty and Minerva.

Paulin didn't see a problem with that but, as a matter of form
especially right now - the request should first be presented to the
Council.  During the Interval so many procedures had been relaxed and
the leniency was now coming back to plague them, as in the case of
Chalkin becoming Lord Holder.  At least Paulin was consoled by the
knowledge that it was his father, the late Lord Emilin, who had voted
Fort on that score.

That evidence of bad judgment wasn't Paulin's error even if it was now
up to him to rectify the situation.

There was an abrupt rapping of knuckles on his door and before he could
respond, it swung open: the Benden Weyrleader, M'shall, brushed past
Mattew to enter.

We've got to do something NOW, Paulin,' the Weyrleader said, his
expression grim as he hauled off his riding gauntlets and opened up his
jacket.

You got my message quickly enough .  .  .  Bring klah, Matt,' Paulin
asked, gesturing for his son to be quick.

M'shall's face looked pinched with the cold of between and more.

I got it.  And that's not the end of it.  There's rough weather in
Bitra and people freezing to death because they will not leave the
border,' M'shall announced.

Will not?  Or cannot?" More cannot than will not.  Though Chalkin sent
down orders that none of the "ungrateful dissenters" could expect to
reclaim their holdings - - - punishment for defying him.  .

V-"-'

irrespective of the fact that he's putting their lives at risk by his
notion of Holding.

How many are involved?" Paulin's sense of alarm increased.

M'shall ruffled thick greying hair that had been pressed down by his
helmet.  L'sur says there must be well over a hundred at the main
border crossing into Benden with women, children and elder lies  There
are as many or more at other border points and no shelter at any, bar
what the guards are using.  The refugees have all been herded into a
makeshift pen.  What's more atrocious, L'sur saw several bodies hung up
by the feet which seemed to have been used as target practice.  Benden
Weyr cannot ignore such barbarity, Paulin.

No, it can't, nor can Fort Hold!" Paulin was on his feet and pacing.
If that's what he calls Hold management, he has to be removed." My
thinking, too,' M'shall agreed, running agitated hands through his hair
again.  Another night like last and those people'!!

be dead of exposure and starvation.  Bridgely concurs with me that
something has to be done, now, today.  And it's getting towards a cold
night now, there.  I've come to you for Council authority since Bridgely
says we'd better do this as properly as possible  He paused, bitter.
Such a situation is not supposed to happen.  Those people aren't
defying him.

They're just scared to death and desperate for security .

which obviously they don't expect to find in Bitra." He hitched himself
forward in the chair.  Thing is, Paulin, if we hand out supplies,
what's to keep the border guards from just collecting them the moment we
take off?  So, I think I'll have to leave a couple of riders as
protection .  .  which'!!  give Chalk in a chance to cry "Weyr
Interference" Paulin felt nauseous.  That sort of thing was straight out
of the ancient bloody history the settlers had deliberately left behind:
evolving a code of ethics and conduct that would make such events
improbable!  This planet was settled with the idea that there was room
enough for everyone willing to work the land that was his or hers by
Charter-given birthright.

There's no interference if your riders stay on your side of the border.
Besides which, Bitra Hold looks to Benden Weyr for protection .  .
Thread protection,' M'shall corrected.

In a matter of speaking,' and Paulin's smile was grim, this is partly
Thread protection.  They're looking for what they should have had from
their Lord Holder, and who else should they turn to but the Weyr?  No,'
and he brought one fist down sharply on the desk.  You're within your
rights - - if you've riders willing to volunteer for such duty."
L'sur's stayed on, or so his dragon told Craigath.

But no firestone,' and Paulin held up a stern finger, much as some
might like to show force.

Oh, I've made myself clear on that point, I assure you, and M'shall
gave a bitter twist to his lips.  And we haven't had any training at
Benden recently, so there's not a whisper of flame in any of the
dragons.  As for disciplining the guards, a short hop and a long drop
between would be my preference ...  but.  .  . and he held up both his
hands to assure Paulin of self-restraint.

At that point, Mattew returned with a tray, steaming cups of klah and
soup and a basket of hot breads which he deposited on the table and
left.

M'shall didn't wait for Paulin's invitation but grabbed up the soup and
blew on its surface, sipping as soon as he dared.

That hits the spot and if you've a cauldron of it, I'll take it back
with me." He grinned, licking his lips.  It's certainly hot enough to
survive a jump between." You may have it, cauldron and all.

L'sur has stayed on, you say?  How about riders at other crossing
points?" Paulin asked, stirring sweetener into his klah.  M'shall
nodded.

Good.  Their presence ought to inhibit any further violence." But that
presence was only a deterrent, not assistance.  He would like to do more
than send soup but his position at this point, even as Council Chair,
might be compromised.  At least the Weyr has a right to take action,
and so does Bridgely,' he added thoughtfully.  He thumped his fist
again.  But I will go personally to see both Jamson and Azury;
especially since Chalkin has used such extreme measures.  I'm
hard-pressed to see the reason for them." M'shall shrugged.  Fort
holders have every reason to trust you, Paulin.  Bitrans never have had
any with Chalkin holding.

What I'd like to do is haul the indecisive like Jamson and Azury - and
show them what's happening at Bitra.  They probably think we've
exaggerated the situation.

Exaggerated?" M'shall was indignant, and it was as well the cup was
empty of soup when he planted it hard on the table.  Sorry.

What's wrong with them?" They wouldn't behave in such a manner.  lt's
hard for them to believe another Lord Holder would." Well,' and M'shall
nearly growled, he would and he has.

There was a more circumspect knock on the door which Matt opened,
showing in K'vin.

I just heard about the border trouble, M'shall.  Zulaya had Meranath
bespeak Maruth, so Charanth and 1 thought to catch you here,' the young
Weyrleader said, his expression as grim as Benden's.

So he's blocked the western borders as well?" K'vin nodded.

Telgar has no grounds to object to his closing his borders, but he's
deliberately killing people, turfing them out in this weather.  I can't
.  .  .  and won't .  .  .  permit people to be treated like that." He
fixed an expectant stare on Paulin.

M'shall and I have been discussing the intolerable situation.

I've already polled the Lord Holders with a view to taking immediate
action.  The response was not unanimous so even as Council Chair, there
is little I can do - officially, that is.  But, as M'shall pointed out,
the Weyr has certain responsibilities to protect people.  By stretching
a point, you could say they're Thread-lost,' and Paulin's smile was wry,
escaping a Hold which is unprepared.  So the Weyrs can move where the
Council Chair may not.

That's all I need to know!" K'vin slapped his riding gloves against his
thigh to emphasize his approval.

Of course,' and Paulin held up one hand in restraint, you must be
careful not to give Chalkin due cause to cite an infringement against
Hold autonomy.

Not if that includes deliberate mistreatment of people he's already
misled,' said K'vin, his voice rising in alarm.

This is not the time to jeopardize the neutrality of the Weyrs, you
know,' Paulin said, looking from one to the other.

Thread hasn't started falling yet.

C'mon, Paulin,' M'shall began in protest.

I'm with you in spirit, but as Council Chair I have to remind you -
above and beyond my private opinion, that we don't have the right to
interfere in the government of a Hold." You may not, Paulin,' K'vin
said.  But M'shall and I do.

There's truth in what you said about Weyrs protecting people from peril.
From Threadfall -  Paulin reminded the younger Weyrleader.

From peril,' K'vin repeated firmly.  Freezing to death without shelter
from inclement weather constitutes peril as surely as Threadfall does.

Paulin nodded approvingly.  I may even forget that you visited here
this morning." He grinned.  M'shall, you don't happen to know where
Chalkin's remaining uncle lives?" I already thought of that and he's
not there,' replied M:shall.  Place was empty.  Too empty.  I know
Vergerin was alive and well last autumn." How do you mean "too empty"?"
Paulin asked, jotting down the uncle's name.

It had been cleaned out too thoroughly.  Not,' and M'shall held up one
hand to forestall Paulin's query, as if it had been set to rights after
a man's death, but as if to prove no-one had been there at all.  But
Vergerin had cleared vegetation back from his front court, as every
smart holder should.

Someone had thrown debris all around to disguise the clearance.

Has Chalkin anticipated us?" Paulin asked in a rhetorical question.

Then he looked from one dragon rider to the other.

Rescue those folks before either the weather or Chalkin's bullies kill
them.  And I'd like interviews from them, too, once they're not afraid
to talk to outsiders." Just as M'shall had his hand on the door knob,
Paulin added, And not so much as a trickle of flame, please.

That could get magnified out of all proportion.

K'vin pretended wide-eyed shock at such a notion.  M'shall glanced
around.  I didn't hear that, Paulin,' the Benden Weyrleader said with
stiff dignity.

As if we would .  .  . K'vin remarked to M'shall as they strode out of
Fort Hold.

I'd like to,' said M'shall, in a taut voice, that's the problem.

But then, I've known Chalkin longer than you.

 Craigath and Charanth were already on the court, awaiting their riders.

You'll take the western and northern crossings, K'vin?" M'shall asked
as they separated to reach their bronzes.  Have you been checking on
numbers for transport?" Yes, and had sweep riders checking in ever
since Chalkin closed the borders.  Zulaya will warn Tashvi and Salda
that we're proceeding.  We'll take all to the Weyr first.  The entire
Weyr is organized to help.

You're a good man, K'vin,' and M'shall grinned at his colleague.

So let's do it!" The Benden Weyrleader launched himself up his dragon's
shoulder and swung neatly between the end ridges.

We go to help?  Charanth asked K'vin.

In deed we do.  Tell Meranath to have Zulaya put our pThn into
operation.  I'll meet my wing at the Falls road.  And I think we'd
better ask Jantine to come along.

When K'vin returned to Telgar, the first rescue wave was ready to take
off at his signal.  He paused long enough to haul lantine behind him on
Charanth.

Get as much down in black and white as you can, lantine.

I want Chalkin nailed by the evidence.

lantine was all too happy to comply with the request.  It would be one
way of paying back the arrogant Lord Holder for his snaking ways and
meanness.  But, no sooner had lantine dropped to the hard-packed snow of
the border point than his attitude changed to horrified disgust.  Using
an economy of line, he sketched the pen' - ropes looped around trees
and the shivering knots of people forced to stand for there was not
enough room to sit down - in the churned mud of an inadequate space.  He
drew the haggard faces, the chilled bodies bent inward from cold, or
those clumped together to share what warmth they had.  Some had been
stripped of all but what covered private parts, and they had been
surrounded by their fellows in an attempt to keep them from freezing.

Some were standing barefoot on the rough rags and boots of their
neighbours, feet blue and dangerously white from frostbite.  Children
wandered weeping with hunger and fatigue, or slumped in unconscious
bundles in the mud at the feet of the adults.  Three elder lies were
stiff in death.  Bloodied faces and bruised eyes were more common than
the unmarked.

The guards, however, were warm with many layers of clothing, good fires
with cooking spits turning to roast the meat of such animals as the
refugees had brought with them.

Others were tied or penned up for future use.  Such belongings as the
refugees had brought with them were now piled at the side of the guard
house or in the barrows or carts lined up behind.  lantine faithfully
recorded rings and bracelets, even earrings, inappropriately adorning
the guards.

They had been alarmed at the arrival of the dragon riders as many as
could retreating into the shelter of the stone border facility.

That had made it considerably easier to move the refugees.  Of course,
many of them were in such a state of shock and fear that they were as
frightened of the dragons and the riders as of the brutal guards.

Zulaya had brought weyrfolk with her, and their presence reassured many.
So did the blankets and the warm jackets.

And the soup: the first sustenance many had had since they had left
their holds.

What lantine couldn't put down on paper were the sounds and the smells
of that scene.  And yet he did .  .  .  in the open mouths of the
terrified folk, their haunted eyes, the contortions of their abused
bodies, their ragged coverings, and the piles of human ordure because
the guards had made no provision for that human requirement, and the
abandoned belongings and carts.

Now that he had seen real privation, Ian tine realized how lucky he had
been in his brief encounter with the Lord Holder of Bitra.

lantine returned with the last group, letting his hand rest only in
between, sketching as they flew, propping his pad against P'tero's back.

You haven't stopped a moment,' P'tero shouted over his shoulder.

You'll freeze your hand up here, you know." lantine waved it to prove
its flexibility and continued to sketch.  He was adding details to the
men who had been hung by their heels and used in target practice.  The
men had been cut down - one of the first things the rescuers had done.

lantine had only had time enough to do an outline but the details -
despite all the other sketches he had made that day - were vivid in his
mind's eye, and he had to get every one down on paper or he would feel
he had betrayed them.

When the young blue rider deposited him in front of the Lower Cavern,
lantine, still filling in substance, managed to get himself to a table
near enough the fire to get the good of the warmth - and increase the
fluidity of his drawing.  His fingers gradually thawed and his pencil
raced faster.

A touch on his shoulder startled him half out of his chair.

It's Debera,' and the green rider placed klah and a bowl of stew in
front of him.  Everyone else has eaten.  You'd better,' she said
severely, wrenching the pencil out of one hand and taking the pad from
the other.  You look awful, she added, peering closely at his face.

He reached for his pad but she slapped at his hand, swinging it out of
his reach.

No, you eat first.  You'll draw better for it.  Oh, my word!" Her eye
was caught by the scene and her free hand went to her mouth, her eyes
widening in shock.  Oh, they couldn't have.

I sketched what I saw,' he said, exhaling in a remorse that came from
his guts and then inhaling the tantalizing odour emanating from the
stew.  He looked down at it, thick with vegetables and chunks of meat.
They really could do miracles with wherry here.  He picked up the spoon
and began to eat, only then realizing how empty his stomach was.  It
almost hurt receiving food, and that nearly made him stop eating
altogether.  Chalkin's prisoners had been without food for three or four
days.

They're all fed now,' Debera murmured.

lantine gave her a startled glance and she patted his shoulder
reassuringly, as she often patted her Morath.

I felt the same way when I ate earlier on." She sat down across from
him.  We'd been going flat out to feed them when Tisba made us all stop
to get something to eat, too." She started turning the pages of his
book, the look on her face becoming more and more distressed at each new
scene of the tragedy.  How could he?" lantine reached over and gently
pulled the sketch-pad from her, setting it down, closed, between them.

He gave the orders  lantine began.

And knew just what would happen when he did, I know.

I've met some of his .  .  .  "guards".  Even my father wouldn't have
one about the hold." She tapped the pad.  No-one can ignore that sort
of evidence." lantine gave a snort.  Not with dragon riders verifying
what's in here!" He finished the last of the stew and stretched out his
legs under the table, scrubbing at his face, still tingling with his
long hours in the unremitting cold of the border crossing.

Go to bed, why don't you, lantine?" Debera said, rising.

She glanced around the cavern, which was occupied by only a few riders
and folk finishing their evening meal.  They've all been sorted out and
you'!] be lucky if you have your room to yourself.  But I'd better get
some sleep, too.  That Morath of mine!  She wakes positively starved, no
matter how much I give her.

lantine smiled at the affection that softened Debera's voice.

He got to his feet, swaying slightly.  You're right.  I need sleep.

Good night, Debera." He watched her, striding purposefully out of the
cavern, observing the proud tilt to her head and set of her shoulders.

She'd changed a great deal since she Impressed Morath.  He grinned,
picked up his pad and slowly made his way to his quarters.

He wasn't sharing with any refugee, but Leopol sprawled on a bed-pad
along one wall and didn't even stir as lantine prepared himself for bed.

There were more refugees than originally estimated and while the
resources of the two Weyrs were stretched, the Lord Holders immediately
sent additional supplies and offered shelter.  Some of those rescued
were in bad shape from the cold and could not be immediately transferred
to the sanctuaries offered by Nerat, Benden and Telgar Holds.

Zulaya had headed a rescue team of the other queens and the green
riders.  She came back, seething with rage.

I knew he was a greedy fool and an idiot, but not a sadist.

There were three pregnant women at the Forest Road border and they'd
been raped because, of course, they couldn't sue the guards later on a
paternity claim.

Are the women all right?" K'vin asked, appalled by yet another instance
of the brutality.  We arrived at the North Pass just in time to spare
three lads from very unkind attentions by the guards.  Where does
Chalkin find such men?" From holds which have tossed them out for
anti-social behaviour or criminal activities, of course,' Zulaya
replied, almost spitting in anger.  And that blizzard's closed in.  We
moved just in time.  If we hadn't, I fear most of these people would be
dead by morning.  Absolutely nothing allowed them!

Not even the comfort of a fire!" I know, I know,' he said, as bitter
about the sadistic behaviour as she was.  We should have treated those
guards to a taste of absolute cold.  Like a long wait between.  Only
that would have been a clean death.

We still can,' Zulaya said in a grating tone.  K'vin regarded her in
astonishment and she glared at him, clenching her fists at her sides.
Oh, I know we can't, but that doesn't keep me from wanting to!

Did you take lantine with you?  I thought of how useful on-the-spot
sketches might be." In fact, he asked to come.  He's got plenty to show
Lord Paulin and the Council,' he said.  He swallowed, remembering the
stark drawings that had filled one pad.  lantine's quick hand had
captured the reality, made even more compelling by the economy of line,
depicting horrific scenes of deliberate cruelty.

The Weyrleaders introduced themselves to the first of the refugees, and
started off by interviewing an older couple.

M'grandsir's grand sir came to Bitra with the then Holder, the man said,
his eyes nervously going from one Weyrleader to the other.  He kept
wiggling his bandaged fingers, though N'ran had assured them the pain
and itch had been dulled by fell is and numb weed  I'm Brookie,
m'woman's Ferina.  We farmed it since.  Never no reason to complain,
though the Holder keeps asking for more tithe and there's only so much
comes out of any acre, no matter who tills it.  But he'd the right.

Not to take our sow, though, his mate added, her expression rebellious.
We needed that un to make more piggies to meet the tithe he set." Like
her man, she laid a stress on the pronoun.  Took our daughter, too, to
work in the Hold when we wanted her land grant.  Said we didn't work
what we had good enough so we couldn't have more." Really?" said
Zulaya, deceptively mild as she shot K'vin a meaningful glance.  Now
that's interesting, holder Ferina.

K'vin envied Zulaya's trick of remembering names.

You could've asked me, Charanth said helpfully.

You've been listening?

The people needed dragons' help.  I listen.  We all do.

When the pity of dragons has also been aroused, surely that's enough
justification for what we've just done, thought K'vin, if the Cound!
should turn up stiff.  I must remember to tell Zulaya.

But he says we got it wrong and we ain't had no teacher to ask,' the
man said.  An' thassa nut her thing - we should have a teacher for our
kids." At least so they can read the Charter and know what rights you
all do have,' Zulaya said firmly.  I've a copy we can show you right
now, so you can refresh your memories.

The two exchanged alarmed glances.

In fact,' Zulaya went on smoothly, I think we'll have someone read you
your rights .  .  .  since it would be difficult for you to turn pages
with bandaged hands, Brookie.  And you're not in much better case,
Ferina.

Ferina managed a nervous smile.  I'd like that real well, Weyrwoman.
Real well.  Our rights are printed out'?  In the Charter and a!!?" Your
rights as holders are part of the Charter,' Zulaya said, shooting K'vin
another unhappy look.  In detailed paragraphs." She rose to her feet
abruptly.  Why don't you sit over there in the sun, Ferina, Brookie?"
And she pointed to the eastern wall, where some of the Weyr's elder lies
were seated, enjoying the warmth of the westering sun.  We'll make sure
you hear it all, and you can ask any questions you want.

She helped the two to their feet and started them on their way across
the Bow!  as K'vin whistled for Leopol.

Go get the Weyr's copy of the Charter, will you, lad?" You want me to
read it to them, too?" the boy asked, eyes glinting partly in mischief
and partly because he enjoyed second-guessing errands.

Smart pants, are we?" K'vin said.  No, I think we need T'lan for
this." He pointed towards the white-haired old brown rider who was
serving klah to the refugees.  Just get the Charter now.  I'll request
T'!an's services.

Leopo!  moved off at his usual sprint and K'vin went over to speak to
the elderly brown rider.  He had exactly the right manner to deal with
nervous and frightened holders.

Bridgely arrived in Benden Weyr, his face suffused with blood, torn
between fury and laughter.

The nerve of the man, the consummate nerve!" he exclaimed and threw
down the message he carried.  It landed closer to Irene than M'sha!l, so
she picked it up.

From Chalkin?" she exclaimed, looking up at Bridgely.

Read it...  and pour me some wine, would you, M'sha!l?" the Lord Holder
said, slipping into a chair.  I mean, I know that man's got gall, but
to presume - - - to have the effrontery Ssssh,' Irene said, her eyes
widening as she read.  Oh, I don't believe it!  Just !is ten M'shal!.
"This Ho!d has the right to dragon messengers.  The appropriate red
striped banner has been totally ignored though my guards have seen
dragons near enough to see that an urgent message must be delivered.

Therefore I must add She peered more closely at the written page.

His handwriting's abominable Ah.

"dereliction" - - .  really, where does he get off to cry "dereliction"

"of their prime duty to the other complaints I am forced to lay at their
door.  Not only have they been interfering with the management of this
Hold but they fill the minds of my loyal holders with outrageous lies. I
demand their immediate censure.  They are not even reliable enough to
perform those duties which fall within their limited abilities."

Limited abilities?" Irene turned pale with fury.  I'll un limit him!"
Especially when we've had an earful of how he treats his loyal holders
- M'sha!l said, his expression grimmer than ever.  Wait a minute.
What's the date on his letter?" Five days ago,' Bridgely answered, with
a malicious grin.

He had to send it by rider.  From what the fellow told me, Chalkin's
sent messengers to Nerat and Telgar as well.  He wants me, you'!!  see
in the last paragraph, Irene,' and Bridgely pointed to that section of
the missive, to forward it by a reliable messenger to Lord Paulin,
registering his complaint with the Council Chair.  I suppose,' and his
grin was droll, I'll get another one when he finds out about
yesterday's airlift rescue.

The man.  .  .  Irene paused, unable to find words.  When I think of
how he's treated those poor people And when he's called to account,
he'!!  probably whinge that his guards exceeded their instructions .  .

.  and he's fired them all,' said Bridgely with a cynical shrug.

Oh,' M'shall said brightly, not all of them." He scratched the back of
his head.  Ah they wanted to know why they couldn't get to ride a
dragon if the riffraff could.

You didn't, M'shall,' Irene exclaimed, her eyes wide with delighted
anticipation, drop them off on the way, did you?" No,' and M'shall
shrugged with mock regret.  But I felt it might be wise to .

.  .  ah sequester?  Yes, that's the word, sequester certain of them
should they be required to stand before the Council and explain exactly
what orders they received.

Oh,' and Bridgely turned pensive.

Oh, I was select, you might say,' and M'shall's face was grim.

I found out which had had a hand in those killings and took testimony
against them from bereaved witnesses.  Not even guards, acting under a
Lord Holder's orders, may execute without trial, you know.

Oh, indeed, and you've acted circumspectly,' Bridgely said, nodding
with understanding.  Really, I don't think this can wait until Turn's
End.  And I shall so inform Jamson and Azury." I'd be happy to take you
myself,' offered M'shall, and speak for the Weyr.  In fact,' and the
Weyrleader reached for Chalkin's written message, you could deliver
this at the same time, Bridgely.

You are all consideration, Weyrleader,' Bridgely said, gesturing
grandly and looking exceedingly pleased.

My pleasure at any time, Lord Holder." M'shall swept his arm in an
equally grand gesture.

Whenever you can spare a moment from your duties, Weyrleader?" Why, I
do believe I can spare an hour or two now, since I perceive that it is
an appropriate time to visit the western half of the continent.  .

Oh, will you two stop your nonsense and GO!" Irene said, laughter in
her voice though she tried to look reproving.  But their antics relieved
the tension in the Weyr.

High Reaches Boll Holds, Ista Ben den Weyr, Ista Hold - High Reaches
Fort Holds and Telgar Holds Now really, M'shall, Bndgely, said Jamson,
fussing with his robes as he shifted uneasily in his chair.

High Reaches was invariably a cold place and today, in Jamson's private
office, was no exception.  The Benden Holder was glad he had riding
fl irs on and made no attempt to open his jacket nor un glove his left
hand after the usual handshake with Jamson.  He noted M'shall did the
same.  I cannot believe that a Lord Holder would treat the very people
he depends on in such a way.  Not in midwinter.

With my own eyes I saw it, Lord Jamson,' M'shall said in an unequivocal
tone.  And I thought it wise to ask several of the guards to stay in
the Weyr so you may learn what their orders were.

But here, Chalkin complains that you have not accorded him the courtesy
of conveyance." Jamson frowned.

If you had seen what I have, Lord Jamson, you migh find it hard to
oblige him,' M'shall said, his face stark.

Really, Jamson, don't be such a prick,' Bridgely said, under no similar
restraint of courtesy with his peer.  Nerat and Telgar are taking in
refugees as well as Benden.  You can speak to any you wish to, to
determine the extent of Chalkin's perfidy.

I'll gladly convey you where you wish to go .  - - M'shall offered.

I've my own Weyr, Jamson said stiffly, if I need transport.

But it's not the weather to be travelling about in unnecessarily at
all." Which was true enough, since the High Reaches Hold was cloaked in
snow crusted as hard as ice on the ground.

Agreed,' said Bridgely, trying hard not to shiver and wondering at
Jamson's parsimony with fires, or if the heating system in the Hold was
another victim to technological obsolescence.  So you will grant that
only a dire need would bring me out, asking you to change your mind
about taking immediate action against Clialkin.  People would have
frozen to death on Bitra's borders last night!" And he pointed
vigorously eastward.

He doesn't mention that in this,' Jamson said, peering at the letter on
the table.

Doubtless he'll circulate a longer letter on that score,' said Bridgely
with deep irony.  But what I saw required me to give aid without any
delay to meditate." As you know, Lord Jamson,' M'shall put in, Weyrs
are also autonomous and may withhold services with sufficient
justification.  I feel perfectly justified in refusing him basic
courtesies.  Come, Bridgely.  We're wasting Lord Jamson's valuable time.
Good day to you.

Before the astonished High Reaches Holder could respond to such
peremptory behaviour, the two men had left the room.

My word!  And I always considered M'shall to be a sensible man.

Thank goodness, G'don is a solid, predictable Weyrleader - One simply
does not impeach a Lord Holder overnight!  Not this close to
Threadfall." Jamson buried his hands more deeply into the sleeves of his
fur-lined jerkin.

Azury was so shocked he did not even comment on M'shall's dereliction'
of services.

I'd no idea, really,' he said.

In direct contrast to High Reaches, Southern Boll's weather was hot
enough for Bridgely to wish he'd worn a lighter shirt.

Although they were well shaded from the morning sun on a porch decorated
by a blooming plant with fragrant pink blossoms tangling in clusters, he
had to open his collar and roll up his sleeves to be comfortable.  Azury
had ordered a fruit drink and by the time it came, Bridgely's throat was
dry enough to appreciate the cool tang.

I know Chalkin's not exactly.  .  .  reliable, and Azury then grinned
wryly.  And I've lost sufficient marks in his little games of chance to
wonder about his basic honesty.  But.

and he shook his head.  A Holder simply doesn't keep his folk in the
dark about something as critical to their survival as Thread.  Does he
really think it won't come?  That we're all foolish or stupid?" He is
both foolish and stupid,' Bridgely said.  Why else did our ancestors
bio-engineer the dragons?  And develop a totally Unique society to
nurture and succour the species, if not for future need?" He glanced at
M'shall who merely raised his eyebrows.  It isn't as if we didn't have
graphic proof of the existence of Thread, which was part of our
education.  Nor tons of records annotating the problem.  It's not
something we thought up to inconvenience Chalkin of Bitra!" Preaching
to the converted, Bridge,' Azury said.  He's ten times the fool if he
thinks to brace the rest of the planet on this score.  But,' and he
leaned forward on his wicker wood chair which creaked slightly, Holders
can spin great lies .  .

And I can spot a whinge and a bitcher as fast as you can, Azury,' said
Bridgely, moving to the edge of his chair which also reacted noisily to
the weight shift.  Like this chair.  You can interview any of those
we've taken in...  and the sooner the better, so you can judge the
condition they were in before we rescued them." I think I'd better have
an eyes-on at that, Azury told him.

He raised one hand quickly.  Not that I doubt you, but impeaching
another Lord Holder.  .  .  Nervous-making.

That's as may be, but having a Hold that is totally unprepared for the
onslaught of Thread - one that's adjacent to me,' and Bridgely jabbed a
thumb in his chest, is far more nervous-making." You've a point
there,' Azury admitted.  He looked over his shoulder and beckoned one of
the attendants, asking him to bring his riding gear.  You said that
Jamson's reluctant?

Doesn't impeachment require a unanimous verdict?" It does,' Bridgely
agreed, and set his lips in an implacable line.

Azury grinned, thanking the attendant who had quickly returned with his
gear.  Then you also need me to add weight to a second delegation to
High Reaches?" If you feel you can turn Jamson's opinion?" Azury
stamped into his boots.  That one's just perverse enough to hold out,
but we'll see.  Tashvi, Bastom and Franco are involved, and I know
Paulin is agitated .  .  .  Who does that leave?

Richud of Ista?  Well, he will go along with a majority." He rose.

Now, let's leave before I swim in my own sweat - Azury interviewed each
of the fourteen refugees still housed in Benden Weyr as unfit to be
transferred elsewhere.  He then had a chat with three of the guards.

Not that they were in a chatting mood, he said, his light blue eyes
vivid with anger in his tanned face, but they may soon have second
thoughts on how much their loyalty is worth to Lord Chalkin.

They do claim,' and, as he grinned, his teeth were very white against
his skin, that they were outnumbered by the influx of so many ranting,
raving maniacs and had to use force to restrain them until they could
receive orders from the Hold.

That conflicts with what the ranting, raving maniacs say, doesn't it?"
M'shall replied.

Oh, indeed,' Azury agreed, grinning without humour.  And I do wonder
that the guards came out of the ranting and raving mass unscathed while
all of the maniacs seem to have a variety of injuries.

Clearly the truth is being pulled in many directions.

But it lies there, limpid as usual, to the eye that sees and the ear
that hears." Well said,' Bridgely nodded.

So let's speak with Richud." It was harder to find the Lord Holder of
Ista because he had taken the afternoon off to fish - his favourite
occupation.

The harbour master was unable to give any specific direction for a
search.

The dolphins went with him circle your dragon, and see can he spot
them?  Small sloop with a red sail but a lot of dolphins.  Richud claims
they understand him.  He may be right,' and the elderly man scratched
his head, gflnning with amusement at the notion.

They do - according to the records, Azury said.  My fishers always
watch out for them in the Currents.

Wal, as you wish,' the Harbourmaster said and went back to his tedious
accounting of creel weights lifted ashore the previous seven days.

Craigath flew his passengers in a high-altitude circle, spiralling
outwards from Ista Harbour.  It was he who spotted the craft and, with
mighty use of his pinions, dived for it.

Despite the broad safety band securing him to his position, Azury
grabbed frantically at Bridgely who was sitting in front of him and
Bridgely worried lest his own grip bruise the dragon rider

M'shall merely turned his head to grin back at them.  The words he spoke
- for his mouth moved - were lost in the speed of their descent.

Bridgely watched the sea coming nearer and nearer and arched himself
slightly backwards.

He'd ridden often enough not to be alarmed by dragon antics, but never
at such an angle or speed.  He tightened his hold on his safety straps
and argued himself out of closing his cowardly eyes.  Just as it seemed
as if Craigath would impale himself on the mast of the sloop which
wasn't all that small to Bridgely's mind - the bronze went into hover,
startling the two crew who were watching Richud struggle with a pole
bent almost double by his efforts to land the fish he'd hooked.

Any time you're free, Lord Richud,' shouted M'shall between his cupped
hands.

Richud glanced once over his shoulder, then again, and lost control of
pole and fish - the reel spinning wildly as pressure ended.

Don't creep up on me like that!  Lookit what you made me do!

Fraggit!  Can't I ever get an afternoon off?  Oh well, what
catastrophe's hit us now?  Must be something bad to bring the three of
you this far south.

He handed his pole to a crewman and came to the starboard side.

There was still some distance between him and his visitors.

I'd ask you aboard, but the bronze would sink us,' he said.

No problem, M'shall said and his eyes unfocused as he spoke to his
dragon.  Can you get us a little closer, Craigath?

Craigath, eyes gleaming bluely and whirling with some speed, set himself
down in the water, wings neatly furled to his backbone while with his
left forearm he took hold of the safety rail, pulling himself and his
passengers closer to the hull of the ship.  The sloop began to heel over
at the strength of the dragon's hold.

The wind left the sail and the boom started to whip round when, just as
abruptly, the sail caught wind again and the ship resumed her forward
motion and speed.

M'shall laughed, thumping Craigath on the neck in appreciation of the
completed manoeuvre.

What'd he do?  How'd he do that?  What under the sun?" Richud was
looking at the dragon, back at the ship, and then at M'shall in
confusion.

He's paddling to keep up so you won't lose headway,' the Benden
Wayrleader explained.

This is ftn.  I like it, Craigath informed his rider.

He's enjoying himself,' said M'shall.

He won't snap the rail, will he?" Richud asked, staring with some
apprehension at the huge forepaw clutching the metal upright.

The dragon shook his head.  It is fragile so I don t hold it hard.

M'shall paused a moment.  Good lad.  He says he's well aware of its
fragility.

He didn't say that,' Richud replied, shaking his head in denial.

Fragility?" His very word.  Craigath's got quite a vocabulary.  You
know how Irene speaks - - - well, he has to keep up with Maruth, doesn't
he?" The dragon nodded.

Well, I never.  Never seen Ronelth or Jemath swim like this either,'
Richud murmured.  So, what urgent matter brings you here?" Chalkin
must be impeached as soon as possible.  A Hold is autonomous until it
exceeds its rights,' Bridgely said, and went on to give the Istan Lord
Holder details of Chalkin's heinous behavior.

I'd no idea he'd evict so many.  Surely it's winter up there and they'd
be in danger of freezing?" They would be and have been,' M'shall said.

 Their condition was appalling, Richud,' Azury told him.  I went to
Benden myself to see.  And the guards .  .  - He dismissed them with a
wide gesture.  You know the sort Chalkin hires .  Yes, tough necks
layabouts, ruffians and scoundrels like those Gather artists of his."
Richud paused in thought.  Has that impeachment clause ever been used?"
No, but it was put there as a safeguard.  And there are a lot of people
in Bitra who need their safety guarded .

especially this close to Fall.

Agreed.  I'll go along with you.  Only,' and his tone turned
entreating, not when I have an afternoon off to fish?" Craigath let go
of the rail and the two groups drifted apart.

Suddenly the bronze shuddered from pate to tail.

I like that.  Do it again.

Who are you talking to, Craigath?  M'shall demanded, having had to
clutch the neck ridge and lift his legs high above sudden waves sloshing
Craigath's sides.  His passengers had reacted as well to keep from a
wetting.

Doll fins rubbed me.

Playffit, are they?  Welt, another time, my friend.  We still have work
to do.  Sorry about that.  The dolphins were tickling Craigath.

Dragons are ticklish?" Bridgely asked, startled.

Their bellies, yes.

Dolphins flowed from under the dragon now, leaping up in the air and
diving neatly back into the water as they sped off after the sloop.

So what do we do now?  Beard Jamson again?" asked M'shall, stroking the
bronze's neck affectionately.  He was amused to see that Richud had
retrieved his pole and was evidently baiting his hook.

We'd probably have to drag Jamson down to Benden so he can see for
himself, as you had to, Azury,' Bridgely said, shivering as he thought
of having to return to the frigid High Reaches.

Take the pictures, suggested Craigath, to his rider's astonishment.
Dragons did not often offer unsolicited opinions, but then M'shall
considered Craigath very intelligent.

What pictures?" he asked.

Pictures?" echoed Bridgely.  What pictures?" Maruth says there are
pictures.  At Telgar.

At Telgar?" Oh, that young painter,' M'shall and Bridgely said in
unison.

What painter?" Azury wanted to know.

Bridgely explained.

Very good idea, if Jamson will accept the proof as genuine, the
Southern Boll Holder said, sceptic ally

Which was exactly what happened.

How can you be sure these are accurate?" asked the High Reaches Lord
Holder when he had leafed through the vivid and detailed drawings on
lantine's pad.  I think the whole matter has been exaggerated out of
all proportion." He closed the pad halfway on the stark sketch of the
hanging men.

And you won't even accept my word, Jamson?" Azury said.

I've just been there and spoken to these people..." He riffled through
the pages and came to one of a holder he'd interviewed.  That fellow,
for instance.  I spoke to him myself, and I've no trouble accepting the
truth of his story.  He was four nights in an animal pen with no food
and only the moisture he could get from snow, with his wife and elderly
parents.

Incidentally, they died of exposure despite all that Benden Weyr could
do to try to revive them." I do not see why, Azury,' Jamson said at his
most pompous, you do not content yourself with running your own Hold.

Leave Chalkin to run his.  He has the right." But not the right to
inflict atrocities on any of his people.

Azury's reply was heated.

Jamson regarded him coldly.  A few lazy holders .  .

A FEW?" Bridgely exploded in frustration which, even as he did so, he
knew defeated his purpose.  A few hundred is more like it, Jamson.  And
for that many we should all stir ourselves!" Well, I for one shall not,
Bridgely.  And that's final." He folded his arms across his chest and
sat there, glaring at his visitors.

Jamson,' Azury said in a very controlled, calm voice as he pushed
Bridgely to one side and leaned across the desk towards Jamson huddled
in his furs.  I, too, was sceptical when Bridgely came to me, unwilling
to believe his report, much less his solution to the problem.

One does not lightly impugn the honour of a peer.  and I could not
understand why Bridgely was so agitated over a few insignificant
holders.  Then, too, Bitra is too far to affect anything in my Hold.

Though I quite took his point that Thread must not be allowed to burrow
unchecked anywhere on the northern continent.  So I conceived that it
was my duty, my responsibility, to personally investigate the
allegations.

I have the witness of my own eyes and ears now.  As well as the
disparity between what the guards told me and the evidence of my own
eyes.  The Bitran situation is dire and must be rectified.  We cannot,
as intelligent, responsible leaders, allow such a situation to fester
and spread.  It affects the very roots of our society, the strength of
the Charter, the fundamentals on which this whole society is based.  We
cannot ignore it as the internal problem of an autonomous Holding.

You as an honourable Lord Holder owe it to yourself to investigate the
situation.  Then you can come to a considered judgment.  At least, set
your own doubts to rest by going, as I did, to Benden and gather
first-hand information." I have no doubts,' Jamson said.  The Charter
clearly states that a Lord Holder has autonomy within his borders.

What he does is his business, and that's that.  I should certainly
protest against anyone poking his nose in my business.  So I suggest you
take your meddling noses and spurious charges out of here, right now!"
This time he rang a hand bell and, when his oldest son opened the door in
response, he said, They're leaving.  See them out." Bridgely took in a
deep breath, but a sudden short blow to his midriff by Azury robbed him
of wind to speak and he was Ihelpless as the Southern Boll Holder
dragged him out of the room.

No matter what you said, he's not in a mood to listen,' Azury told him,
straightening Bridgely's jacket in a tacit apology.

Lord Azury's right, I'm afraid,' M'shall agreed.

You came about Bitra?" the son asked, leaning against the heavy office
door to be sure it was tightly closed.  I'm Gallian, his eldest and
acting steward.

You've heard?" Hmmm, the door was a bit ajar,' said Gallian, not at
all penitent about eavesdropping, and during your last visit too.

Father's memory's slipping a bit, so one of us tries to be nearby for
important visits.  He sometimes gets details muddled." Any chance you
can un muddle this visit to get his cooperation?" May I see the
sketches?" He held out one hand.

Certainly,' Bridgely said and put the pad in his hand.

Awful,' Gallian said, shaking his head as he viewed the distressing
scenes and peering briefly with intent gaze at one or two.

And these are accurate?" he asked Azury.

Yes, inasmuch as I verified the condition of some of these people now
at Benden Weyr,' Azury replied.

The bell jangled.  Gallian thrust the pad at Azury.

I'll do what I can.  And not because I already consider Chalkin a thief
and a cheat.  I must go.  See yourselves out, can you?" We can and
will.

What could the boy do?" M'shall wanted to know as they ran quickly down
the steps to the front door and out into the icy air.

One can never tell,' Azury admitted.  Shards, but it's colder than
between here.  Get me back to my sun as fast as possible.

Would a stop at Fort Hold be too much to expect from you?" asked
Bridgely, grinning at the southerner's chattering teeth.

No, and I expect it's a tactical necessity in this struggle with
Chalkin.

M'shall nodded approvingly and, vaulting to Craigath's back, lent a hand
to the other two to mount.

The ambient temperature at Fort Hold was not warm but a decided
improvement over High Reaches.  Warmer still was the greeting Paulin
gave them, insisting on a hot mulled wine when he heard of their
adventures.

I don't expect Jamson will change his mind, especially now he has been
specifically asked to do so,' Paulin said when his guests were settled
near the good fire he had on his office hearth.  Jamson's always been
perverse." Then the son is unlikely to be able to alter him?" Bridgely
suggested humour.  K'vin knew that Zulaya found it amusing to sit for a
portrait at all, and was twitting him about what he should wear to be
immortalized.  K'vin also knew about lantine's project to do miniatures
of all the riders.  Ambitious, considering there were close to six
hundred in the Weyr at the moment.  On the one hand, K'vin was grateful
these would be the gallery, while on the other hand, he dreaded those
who would become casualties.

Will it make it any easier not to have pictures?" Zulaya had asked the
other night when she had required him to tell her why he was so
preoccupied.  We have nothing to remind us of the first occupants of
this Weyr.  I think I would have liked that.  Gives a continuity to life
and living.

K'vin had supposed it did, and decided that he had to have a more
positive attitude.

It's not as if we knew who will not be here this time next year, she
added.  But it'd be nice to know that they were here." How much
longer, Iantine?" Zulaya asked plaintively.  The fingers of the hand she
had resting on her thigh twitched.  I can't feel my feet or my left hand
any more.

lantine gave an exaggerated sigh and laid down the palette, scratching
his head with the now free hand as he swished the fine brush in the jar
on the table.  Sony, Zulaya.  You should by rights have had a break
some time ago.  But the light's perfect and I didn't want to stop.

Oh, help me up, K'vin,' Zulaya said, holding out a hand.

I don't usually get a chance to sit still so long - K'vin was glad to
assist her and she was stiff enough so that her first steps were
awkward.  Then she recovered her mobility and walked firmly to the
easel.

My word, you did do yards today, didn't you?  Filled in that whole
panel of the dress and .  .  - have you got my eyes crossed?" Ian tine
laughed.  No, step a little to this side.  Now back again.  Do the eyes
seem to follow you?" Zulaya gave a little shake, widening her eyes.
They do.

How do you contrive that?  I must say, I'm not so sure I like me
watching everything I do.  K'vin chuckled.  You won't, but your
presence hanging in the Lower Cavern may spur the lazy to complete their
tasks more quickly.

I'm not sure I like that idea any more than having me leering at me up
here." She turned to the table, mostly covered by lantine's
paraphernalia.  I had klah sent up not too long ago,' and she cast an
accusing eye on lantine.  It should still be hot." She unscrewed the
lid and steam obediently rose.  It is.  Shall I pour for all of us?"
Which she was doing even as she spoke.

Maybe I should leave now?" lantine suggested, looking from one to the
other.

No,' she said quickly.

I wanted to be sure your sketches were safely in your possession,' said
K'vin, taking a chair.

And, did they solve the problem?" Zulaya asked, spooning sweetener in
the cups and passing him his.  Come, sit, lantine.

You must be more tired than I am.  I've been sitting the whole time." 6

lantine grinned as if - K'vin noted with a twinge of jealousy totally at
his ease with the Weyrwoman.  Few were, except Tisha who treated
everyone like an errant child or Leopol who was impudent with everyone.

So?  What's the result?" She indicated with a wave of her hand that he
should speak out in the portraitist's presence.

M'shall's disgusted.  They still don't have a unanimous decision about
impeachment.  Jamson's the hold-out." He's not always dealing with a
full deck,' Zulaya said succinctly, at least so Mari of High Reaches
Weyr told me.

And he's getting worse.  Thea takes charge when she can, and that older
lad of his .  .  -.

Gallian's my age,' K'vin exclaimed.  Can't they get around that?"
Short of making Jamson abdicate, no.  At least according to my
understanding of the Charter.  And it just got refreshed." She gave
K'vin a droll smile.  As well I listened in to what T'lan was reading.

I'd forgotten the half of it myself.  Have you reread it recently?"

The Trials at Telgar and Ben den Weyrs

As it happened, a blizzard covered most of the eastern mountain ranges
and all of Bitra when the trial was convened.  The winds were too fierce
over Bitra for even a dragon to penetrate.  The storm had not yet
reached Benden so they, and representatives from every Weyr and Hold,
were present: with the exception of Lord Jamson of the High Reaches who
was very ill of a respiratory fever.

The Lady Holder Thea came, annoyed that Jamson had a legitimate excuse
for his absence and had sent Gallian in his place.

It might have done that stubborn streak of his some good to hear just
how that Chalkin conducts his Hold.  Oh, he'd've spouted on about
autonomy but he most certainly is against any harm coming to unborn
children." Thea gave Zulaya a significant nod, reminding those around
her that she had borne fourteen children to Lord Jamson in the course of
her fertile years: sufficient to substantially increase the borders of
the Hold when the children were old enough to claim their land grants.

Held in the capacious Lower Cavern at Benden Weyr, the first of the two
trials was a sobering, well-conducted affair.  At one time there had
been trained legists on Pern, but the need for such persons had waned.
Most arguments were settled by negotiated compromise or, when all
negotiation efforts failed, by hand-to-hand combat.

Consequently a spokesperson for the accused guards had to be found: one
of the teachers from Fort Hold who specialized in legal contracts and
land deeds reluctantly agreed to officiate.

Gardner had not been very enthusiastic about involving himself, however
briefly, with rapists but he recognized the necessity for representation
and did his best.  He had perfunctorily questioned the victims as to the
identity of their alleged assailants and tried to shake their testimony.
The three women were no longer the frightened, half-starved wretches who
had been so abused.  Their time in the Weyr had done wonders for their
courage, self-esteem and appearance.

Gardner even insisted that the had been rehearsed in their testimony,
but that did not m gate the circumstances of the grievous bodily and
mental harm inflicted on them.

Sure I rehearsed,' the oldest of the women said loudly.  In me mind,
night after night, how I was flung down and .

done by dirty men as wouldn't have dared step inside a decent woman's
hold with such notions in their head.  I ache still rehearsing .  .  .
and she spat the word at him, what they again and again and again." For
emphasis she slammed one fist into the other hand.  Gardner ceased that
line of questioning.

In the end, he managed one small concession for the the right to be
returned to their Contract Hold, following the trial, rather than have
to make their own way back to Bitra.

Fat lot of good that'll do them,' Zulaya muttered under breath when he
won that point.  Chalkin hates losers and e guys have lost a lot more
than their contract.

I wonder what sort of tone Chalkin's next letter of protest will take,'
Irene said with a malicious chuckle.  Paulin had received a thick screed
from the Bitran Holder when he discovered the unmitigated interference
of assorted renegade dragon riders in his affairs and the abduction of
loyal holders from their premises'.  If he dares make one .  .  . She
went on.

Oh, why did it have to snow so hard?  I'd love to have had him here
when his guards said they "was only following orders to keep the holders
from leaving"!  M'shall would have gathered him up in a ball and
rendered him spit less M'shall had assumed the role of prosecutor,
claiming that right since it had been his riders who were first on the
scene.

He had been exceedingly precise in manner and in his questioning.

Poring over the Charter and what books Clisser could send him on legal
procedures,' Irene told Zulaya with a broad grin.

It's done him a world of good.  Taken his mind off the spring, you
know.

Zulaya had nodded approvingly.  He'd have been a good legi st or did
they call them lawyers?  No, barristers." Yes, barristers stood before
the judge and handled the trial procedures,' Irene replied.

Gardner wasn't half bad, you know.  He tried,' Zulaya remarked.

I'll even forgive him asking for mercy for those miserable clods.

After all, he had to appear to work for his clients,' she added
tolerantly.  I'm glad we had lantine sit up close.  I want to see his
sketches of the trial.  I could wish he worked as fast with my
portrait., Your portrait is scarcely the same thing as annotating a
trial.  And he's to come to Benden when he's finished with you two, you
know.

Zulaya was pleased to hear the pride in Irene's voice when she mentioned
lantine.  He was a Bendenian.

You mean, when he's finished sketching our riders?" Irene gave a
wistful smile, tinged with sadness.  You'll be glad he did.  I wonder
will he do the same thing for us at Benden?" Whatever he can fit in,
I'm sure.  That young man's got himself more work than he can handle."
If he can get it all done before .  .  oh, the jury's back." The twelve
men and women, picked at random by straw from those who had come to
observe, had listened to all the evidence.  Tashvi, Bridgely and Franco
had sat as judges.  Now a silence descended over the room, so intense
that a cough was quickly muffled.

The three rapists were accounted guilty as charged and three more were
sentenced as accessories, since they had helped pin the victims down.
The penalty for the rape of a pregnant woman was castration, which was
to be carried out immediately.  The others were to receive forty lashes,
well laid on by Telgar's large and strong stewards.

They were lucky there isn't Fall,' Zulaya remarked to Irene, Lady Thea
and K'vin.  Otherwise they could also have been tied out during the
next Fall.

Despite herself, Thea gave a shudder.  Which is probably why there are
so few cases of rape recorded in our Hold's annals." Small wonder,'
K'vin said, crossing his legs again.  Zulaya had noticed his defensive
position and her lips twitched briefly.  He turned away.  His Weyrmate
had nearly cheered -aloud when the verdict was dive red

You can't do that to me,' one of the guards was roaring now as he
belatedly realized the significance of the verdict.

He had been the leader of the men stationed at the eastern border
crossing.  The other defendants were too stunned, their mouths moving in
soundless protest, Morinst being loud enough to drown out any complaint
they could voice.  You're none of you my Lord,' he'd railed at three
Lord Holder iudges.  You've got no right to do this." And you had no
right to rape a pregnant woman!" But Chalkin ain't even here." The man
writhed in the grip of his guards.

Chalkin's presence would have had no effect on the trial )r the
verdict,' said Tashvi, at his most repressive.

But he should've been here!" Morinst protested.

He was invited to attend,' Tashvi said without regret.

He's gotta know.  You can't do nuthin' without him knowing.  I gotta
contract with him.

To rape, torture and humiliate?" Bridgely asked in too soft a voice.

Morinst clamped his lips shut.  He struggled more violently as the
bailiffs aimed him towards the exit .  .  .  And his punishment.  Not
that he could escape either the sentence or the Weyr.  The other two
were still too stunned to resist their removal to the infirmary where
the verdict would be carried out.  Those to be lashed were brought
outside, though not all the audience followed to witness the corporal
punishment.

When that, too, had been completed and the men removed to have their
wounds treated, the observers filed back into the Lower Cavern.

While this was scarcely an occasion for celebration, except that justice
had been served, a substantial meal had been prepared.  Wine was the
first item sought and served.

You were superb, M'shall, said Irene when her Weyrmate joined her, a
newly opened skin of Benden wine on his shoulder, and do please give me
a glass.  Though I'm sure you need one more than I.  Nice of Bridgely to
supply it,' she added to Zulaya.

I think we all need it,' the Telgar Weyrwoman said, glancing over to
where the three plaintiffs were celebrating with considerable
enthusiasm.  Well, let them.  Now what do we do'?" Well, we've the
second trial to get through.  I hope it goes as well,' M'shall said.

NO, with them,' and his Weyrmate pointed to the three women.

Oh.  That them.  They say they just want to go back to their homes. Not
going to let Chalkin take it because they're not there holding their
places." He made a grimace.  Some of them don't really have much to go
back to.  Chalkin's bullies burned what was flammable and pulled down
what they could.  I'd say the storms kept more damage from being done.
But,' and he altered the grimace to a grin, give em credit.  They do
own what they hold, and now they know it.  It may give them a tad more
backbone next time they're chivvied and more pride in what they do.
They've also asked for ground-crew training." Nothing like losing
something - however briefly - to make you value what you have,' Thea
said.  On the practical side, though, I think High Reaches can supply
some basic items.

Anyone organizing that?" She glanced about at others in the group.

D'you have numbers yet?" Actually we do,' Zulaya said, including Irene
in her nod.

Three hundred and forty-two - no, forty-three with that premature baby.
It's very good of you to offer, Thea." Thea snorted.  I've reread the
Charter, too, and know my duty to my fellow creatures.  You wouldn't
also happen to know how many poor wretches hold in Bitra?" M'shall had
that answer.  Of course, you can't tell if Chalkin doctored the last
census or not, but he's supposed to have 24,657 inhabitants." Really?"
Ziilaya was surprised.

But then, Bitra's one of the smaller holds and doesn't have any
indigenous industry - apart from some forestry.  The 5 down to what's
needed locally.  There're a few looms , but no great competition for
Keroon or Benden.

And the gaming,' Thea added with a disgusted sniff.

That's Chalkin's main industry." Well, he's lost a lot on this
gamble,' Zulaya said.

Has he?" K'vin wanted to know.

ie second trial was almost anticlimactic.  Gardner again :nted the seven
defendants accused of allegedly causgrievous bodily harm and death' to
five innocent men and While Gardner again stipulated that the men had
only been ing orders to restrain by any means' anyone trying to s the
border out of Bitra Hold, their putative domicile, it claimed that
unnecessarily severe restraint had been used caused the deaths of
persons who should not have been ied lawful' exit, this being a
usurpation of their basic "tered Right to freedom of movement.

The subsequent mutilation and/ or torture of the seven, the prosecution
said, was not inherent in the order to restrain by any means'.  Chalkin
had no right to take the lives of any holders without due cause and/ or
trial by jury.

The day's jury retired and, within half an hour, unanimously rendered a
verdict of guilty.  The men were sentenced to be transported by
dragon back to the eastern islands with a seven-day supply of food, which
was the customary punishment for murderers.

Are there many on the islands?" Thea asked.  I mean, there have been
others sequestered there.  Even families, I read, but that was years
ago." Zulaya shrugged.  Telgar's never had to take anyone there, so I
wouldn't know.

Benden hasn't, Irene said, at least not as long as we've been Leaders.

My father sent two,' Paulin said.  And I do believe that both Ista and
Nerat have sent killers there." Chalkin did, too,' Gallian surprised
them by saying.  About four years ago.  I don't know where I heard
about them.  Some sort of real trouble down in his Hold, and he had Ista
transport them since the men originated from that Hold.

Oh, I remember now,' Irene said.  M'shall only mentioned he was glad he
hadn't had to do the transport.

Maybe we should send Chalkin's men there when they can travel,' Zulaya
suggested.

No, let him see that we won't tolerate his methods of Holding,' Irene
said, her tone implacable.  Maybe he'll come to his senses.

That'll be the day!" Zulaya said facetiously.

When snow had melted sufficiently to allow any travel out of Bitra,
Chalkin did send another blistering note of protest to Paulin, making it
plain that he intended to demand compensation at the Turn's End Conclave
for the ritual disfigurement of men only doing their duty'.  This time,
however, an elderly green rider collected the message when the urgent
banner was seen flying from the panel heights of Bitra Hold.  F'tol
endured a long harangue from Chalkin that letter had better be
delivered, that dragon riders were parasites on the face of Pern, that
there'd be some changes made or .  .  .  F'tol was neither intimidated
nor impressed.

Stoically he took the letter and responsibly delivered it.

Whether Chalkin knew, or cared, that the refugees had been returned to
their holdings was not known.  F'tol was reasonably sure that would have
been included in the tirade, since Chalkin seemed to have included every
other shortcoming, mistake and venial sin ever committed by a
dragon rider

Both Telgar and Benden Weyrs made daily checks on the returned, to
reassure them as well as those concerned with their welfare.  Of course
the conditions in Bitra, with dragon-high drifts blocking major roads
and tracks, made it improbable that any of Chalkin's men would have been
able to move, much less go the distance to the far-flung properties.

Benden Hold and Weyr became the latest winter victims as the blizzards
which had hovered over Bitra made their way eastward, coating the
eastern seaboard, even down into the northern section of Nerat which
hadn't seen any snow since the settlement of the Bendens in the early
decades of the First Pass.

The dragons were the only living creatures who didn't mind snow, since
their tough hide was impervious to its cold as well as between.

They muchly enjoyed the snow battles that the weyrfolk indulged in, and
then the warmth of sun intensified by the white landscape so they
lounged in reflected be spite the more northerly position, Telgar Weyr
got only a hand span of snow and made do with that.  The young were
fascinated by the stuff and by having to crack ice of the lake to bathe.
Bathing a dragon had become a hazard, but T'dam allowed the weyrlings to
suds up a *ago net and allow it to rinse itself off in the frigid water.
But y washings resulted in some distress for the rider.

I've chilblains again,' Debera complained to lantine, showing him her
swollen fingers when he came out to watch her tend Morath.

The little green was a favourite subject of his because, he told Debera,
she has a tremendous range of expression on her face and gets in the
most incredible positions." Debera was far too besotted with her dragon
to disagree with such an impartial opinion.  If she herself figured in
every sketch Jantine did, she did not wonder about it.  But the other
green riders did.

You should get some of Tisha's cream.  It stopped my fingers from
itching,' he snapped his fingers, like that!" Oh, I have some of
that,' she told him.

Well, it doesn't do you any good in the jar, you know." Yes, I know,'
she said, ducking her head, her tone low and apologetic.

Hey, I'm not scolding, he said gently, putting one finger under her
chin and lifting her head.  What'd I do wrong?" Oh, nothing,' she
replied and pushed his finger away, giving him a too-bright smile.  I
get silly notions sometimes.

Don't pay me any mind.

Oh, I don't,' he replied so blithely that she gave him a startled look.
Just go on with lathering up that beast of yours He turned to a new
page and removed the pencil from behind his ear.  Go on .

lantine's gone on you, Debera,' Grasella said, eyeing her barrack mate
shrewdly.

lantine?  He's sketch-mad.  He'd do his big toe if he had nothing else
to pose for him,' Debera replied.  Besides, he'll leave soon for Benden
Will you miss him?" Jule asked, a sly look on her face.

Miss him?" Debera echoed, surprised at the question.

I will miss him, Morath said in such a mournful tone that the other
drago nets turned towards her, their eyes whirling in minor distress.

What did she say that's got them all upset?" Jule demanded.

That she'd miss him.  But, love, he's not Weyrbred,' Debera told her
dragon, stroking her cheek and then her head-knob.

He can't stay here indefinitely." If anyone asked me, I'd say lantine
would like to,' Sarra put in.

No-one's asked you,' Angie replied tartly.

Has he ever done anything I mean, beyond sketching you, Deb?" Jule
asked with an avid glint in her eyes.

No, of course not.  Why would he?" responded Debera, and flustered.
That was the trouble with having to aleep with the others.

They could be terribly nosy, even if they weren't as mean as her
stepmother and sisters had been.  She t pry into where they were when
they were late in at I give up on her,' said Jule, raising her hands
skyward in asperahon.  The handsomest unattached man in the Weyr.

she's blind.

She's Morath-besotted,' Sarra put in.  Not that any of us .e much
better.

Most of us .  .  .  and Jule paused significantly, know that, dragons
may now be a significant factor in our lives, are not everything, you
know.  Even old T'dam-damn has a weyrmate, after all.

We don't have weyrs yet,' said Mesla, speaking for the first She took
everything literally.  Couldn't have anyone in e with you gawking.

Debera knew she was blushing: her cheeks felt hot.

That hasn't held you back, I noticed,' Sarra said to Jule, cking her
head knowingly.

Jule smiled mysteriously.  From the only Weyrbred resident this
barracks, let me assure you that our wishes can ence our dragons'
choices." They won't rise for another eight or ten months,, said though
she had obviously taken heed of Jule's remark.

,Jule, suppose your dragon fancies a dragon whose rider can't stand?"
You mean, O'ney?" and she grinned at Angie's discomfort.

The girl overcame her embarrassment and snapped back y enough.

He's impossible, even for a bronze rider.

you ever heard him go on about how his wing is always ps in
competitions!  As if that was all that mattered!" To him it probably
is,' Grasella said, but, Jule, I'm more ried about the blue riders.  I
mean, some of them are very nice guys and I wouldn't want to hurt their
feelings, but they don't like girls." Oh,' and Jule shrugged
indolently, that's easier still.  You make an arrangement with another
rider to be on hand when your green gets proddy.  Then the blue rider
gets his mate, if he's got one, or anyone else who's willing - and you'd
better believe that anyone's willing when dragons are going to
participate.  So you bed the one you like, and the blue rider his
choice, and you ALL enjoy!" The girls absorbed this information with
varying degrees of enthusiasm or distaste.

Well, it's up to yourselves what you do, you know,' Jule went on.

And we're not limited to this Weyr, either.  Oh!" and she let out a
gusty sigh.  I'll be so glad when we can fly out of here anytime we
want.

But I thought you were arranging matters with T'red?" Mesla said, her
eyes wide with consternation.

Well, so I am, but that doesn't mean I might not find someone I like
better at another Weyr.  Greens like it, you know.  Ah, but can we go
to other Weyrs?" Sarra asked, waggling a finger at Jule.  In four-five
months, we'll have Fall and then we'll really work hard, ferrying
firestone sacks to the fighters.

Her eyes gleamed brightly in anticipation and she hugged herself.

We'll be doing something a lot more exciting than having just one mate
and plenty of kids.

Debera averted her face, not wanting to take part in such a ridiculous
discussion.

Something bothers you, Morath said and slowly lowered her head to her
rider's lap.  I love you.  I think you re wonderftl.

lantine does, too.

That confidence startled Debera.  He does?

He does!  And Morath's tone was emphatic.  He likes your green eyes, the
way you walk, and the ffinny crackle in your voice.  How do you do that?

Debera's hand went to her throat and she felt really silly now.

Can you talk to him, too?  Or just listen to what he's thinking?

He thinks very loud.  Especially near you.  I don t hear him too good
far away.  He thinks loud about you a lot.

t;{:.  DEBRA?" Sarra's loud call severed that most interesting
conversation.

What?  I was talking to Morath.  What did you say?" Never mind,' and
Sarra grinned broadly.  Have you got your Turn's End dresses finished
yet?" I've one more fitting,' Debera said, although that subject, too,
caused her embarrassment.  She tried to argue with Tisha that the
beautiful green dress was quite enough: she didn't need more.

Tisha had ignored that and demanded that she ù, choose two colours from
the samples available: one for ù{1; evening and another good one for
daytime wear.  Everyone 41 in the Weyr, it seemed, had new clothes for
Turn's End.  And {i?  yet, something in Debera had delighted in knowing
she'd have two completely new dresses that no-one had ever worn before
her.  She had, he admitted very very quietly to herself, hoped that
lantine would notice her in them.  Now, with Morath's information, she
wondered if he'd notice at all that she was wearing new clothes.

Speaking of weyrs,' Mesla said.

That was half an hour ago, Mesla," Angie protested.  Well?" There
aren't that many left and the bigger dragons would have first choice,
wouldn't they?" she went on.

Don't worry,' Jule told her, some'll come free by the time we need
them." Then she covered her mouth, aware of what she had just implied.
I didn't mean that.  I really didn't.  1

mean, I wouldn't think of moving in Just shut up, Jule,' Sarra said in
a quiet but firm voice.

There was a long moment of silence, with no-one daring to look at
anyone.

Say, who has the salve?" Grasella asked softly from the bunk beyond
her, breaking the almost intolerable silence.  My fingers are itching
again.  No-one told me I'd have to cope with chilblains while dealing
with dragons.

Angie found it in her furs and passed it on.

After you,' Debera said softly as she gave it to Grasella.

The easy laughing chatter was over for the night.

*

*

*

I haven't had much time,." Jemmy told Clisser in his most uncooperative
tone of voice when Clisser asked how he was coming on the last of the
History Ballads.  Had to look up all that law stuff.

Why'd you have to take so much trouble with those fragging guards?

They shoulda all been dropped on the islands, right away.  None of this
trial farce.

The trials were not farces, Jemmy,' said Clisser, so
uncharacteristically reproving that Jemmy looked up in a state of
amazement.  The trials were necessary.  To prove that we would not act
in an arbitrary fashion You mean, the way Chalkin would have, and Jemmy
grinned, his uneven teeth looking more vulpine than ever in his long
face.

Exactly.

You're wasting too much time on him.  Jemmy turned back to reading.

What are you looking up?" I don't know.  I'm looking because I know
there's something we can use to check on the Red Planet's position .

something so simple I'm disgusted I can't call it to mind.  I know I've
seen it somewhere  Irritably he pushed the volume away from him.

It'd help a great deal if the people who copied for us had had decent
handwriting.  I spend too much time trying to decipher it." Abruptly he
reached across the cluttered work-top to the windowsill and plonked down
in front of him a curious apparatus.  Here's your new computer." He
grinned up at Clisser who regarded the object - bright coloured beads
strung on ten narrow rods, divided into two unequal portions.

What is it?" Clisser exclaimed, picking it up and finding that the
beads moved stiffly up and down on the rods.

An abacus, they called it.  A counter.  Ancient and still functional."
Jemmy took the device from Clisser and demonstrated.

It'll take the place of a calculator.  Most are down now.  Oh, and I
found the designs for this, too." He fumbled around his papers and
withdrew an instrument consisting of a ruler with a central sliding
piece, both marked with logarithmic scales.  You can do quite
complicated mathematical calculations on this slide-rule, as they called
it.  Almost as fast as you could type into a digital pad." Clisser
looked from one to the other.  So that's what a slide rule looks like. I
saw one mentioned in a treatise on early calculators but I never thought
we'd have to resort to ancient devices.  And mention of an abacus, too,
actually.  You have been busy reinventing alternatives.

And I'll find that other device, too, if you'll leave me alone and
don't dump more vitally important, urgent research on me.

I'm hoping,' Clisser said at his most diplomatic, that you can give me
something to show before the Winter Solstice and Turn's End.

Jemmy shot straight up in his chair.  cocked his head and stared at
Clisser so that Clisser leaned forward hopefully, holding his breath
lest he disrupt Jemmy's concentration.

Fraggit,' and Jemmy collapsed again, beating his fists on the table.
It has to DO with Solstices.

Well, if you've gone back to abac ii and slide-rules, why not a sun-dial
clock?" Clisser asked facetiously.

Jemmy sat up again, even straighter.  Not a sun-dial,' he said slowly,
but a cosmic clock - a star dial like .  .  .  stone stone SOMETHING
Stonehenge?" What was that?" A prehistoric structure back on Earth.
Sallisha can tell you more about it if you'd care to ask her,' Clisser
said slyly and was rewarded by Jemmy's rude dismissal of the suggestion.
It turned out to be rather an astonishing calendar since it accurately
predicted eclipses as well as verifying Solstices dawn Clisser stopped,
looking wide-eyed at Jemmy whose mouth had dropped open to form a
soundless 0' as what he said astounded them both.

Only that was a stone circle .  .  .  on a plain .  .  . Clisser
stammered, gesturing dolmens and cross-beams.  Muttering Under his
breath, he strode across to the shelves, trying to find the text he
wanted.  We must have copied it.  We had to have copied it .

Not necessarily since you've been on these relevant only historical
entries,' Jemmy contradicted him.  I remember accessing it once.  It's
only that we'll have to adapt it to fit our needs, which is framing the
Red Planet when the conjunct io is right." He was scrabbling amongst the
litter on his desk for a clean sheet of paper and a pencil.

The first three he found were either stubs or broken.  That's another
thing we've got to re-invent .  .  .  fountain pens.

Fountain pens?" Clisser echoed.  Never heard of fountain pens." I'll
do them tomorrow.  Leave me to work this out but,' and Jemmy paused long
enough to grin diabolically up at Clisser's befuddlement, I think I'll
have something by Turn's End.  Maybe even a model...  but only if you
leave now." Clisser left, closing the door quietly behind him and
pausing a moment.

I do believe I've been kicked out of my own office,' he said, pivoting
to regard the door.  His name, which had recently been repainted, was
cent red in the upper panel.

Hmm." He turned the sign hung there on a nail to DO NOT DISTURB' and
walked away whistling the chorus from the Duty Song' He'd catch
Sallisha before she climbed up the stairs to his office.  That would
please her.  Well, it might.

He hurried down the steps and met her coming in the door.

I'm not late,' she said, at her most caustic, her arm tightening
convulsively on the bulging notebook she carried.

He was in for it.

I didn't say you were.  Let's take the more comfortable option of the
teachers' lounge.

My conclusions are not something you'll wish to discuss in public,' she
said, recoiling.  She might be one of his best teachers though the
rumour was that children learned their lessons to get out of her
clutches - but her attitude towards him, and his proposed revitalization
programme, was totally hostile.

Clisser smiled as graciously as he could.  It's empty right now and will
be for at least two hours.

She sniffed but, when he courteously gestured for her to precede him,
she tramped on in an implacable fashion.  Like a Morinst to his Clisser
shuddered and hurriedly followed her.

The lounge was empty, a good fire crackling on the hearth.

The klah pitcher rested on the warmer and there were, for a change,
clean cups.  He wondered if Bethany had done the housekeeping.

The sweetener jar was even full.  Yes, it would have been Bethany,
trying to ease this interview.

As he closed the door, he also turned the DO NOT DISTURB' sign around
and flipped the catch.  Sallisha had seated herself in the least
comfortable chair - the woman positively enjoyed being martyred.  She
still held the notebook, like a precious artifact, across her chest.

You can riot exclude Greek history from study,' she said, aggressively
launching into an obviously prepared speech.

They've got to understand where our form of government came from to
appreciate what they have.  You have to include Sallisha, the
precedents can be covered in the outline, but not the entire culture,'
he began.

But the culture determined the form of government .  - -.

She stared at him, appalled by his lack of comprehension.

If a student is curious enough to want to know more, we shall have it
to give him.  But there is no point in forcing hill farmers and plains
drovers to learn something which has absolutely no relevance to their
way of life.

You demean them by saying that.

No, I save them hours of dull study by replacing it with the history of
Pern There is scarcely enough of that to dignify the word "history"
Yesterday is history today, but do you want to repeat it?

"History" is what happened in the life or development of a people .  . .
we,' and he tapped his chest, the Pernese.  Also a systematic account
of us,' he tapped his chest again, with an

analysis and explanation.  From...  the beginning of the Pern colony . .
.  that is history, grand and sweeping, surviving against incredible
odds and an implacable menace, derring-do, ingenuity, courage, and OF
this planet, not of a place that's only a name.  It's better than our
ancient history - if it's taught right.

Are you impugning my - Never, Sallisha, which is why I particularly
need your complete cooperation for the new, enriched, relevant
curriculum.  On average, your students rank higher in their final
examination papers than any other teacher's .  .  .  and that includes
the hill-farmers and the plains drovers.  But they never again use the
information you imparted.  Pern is difficult enough..  .  with an
external menace to contend with...  Let them be proud of the
accomplishments of their ancestors their most recent ancestors.  Not the
confused and tortured mindlessness the Pern colonists left behind.

Furthermore,' he went on relentlessly as she opened her mouth to speak,
the trials at Telgar and Benden have proved that not enough time is
spent teaching our people their rights under the Charter But I spend
You certainly have never been remiss, but we must emphasize,' and he
slapped one fist into the other palm, holder rights under their Lord:
how to claim Charter acreage, how to prevent what happened in Bitra No
other Lord Holder is as wicked,' and her mouth twisted with disgust as
she enunciated the last word, as that awful man.  Don't think you can
get me to teach there now Issony's left!" She waggled her index finger
at him and her expression was fierce.

Not you, Sallisha, you're far too valuable to waste on Bitra,' he said,
soothing her.  Bitra would need a more compassionate and flexible
teacher than Sallisha.  But I'm amazed at just how many people were
unaware of the Charter Rights.  And that's wrong.  Not that I think the
cowed folk up in Bitra would have dared cite the clauses to him...  even
if they had known about them.  I mean, it was appalling to realize just
how few people who attended the trial KNEW that ordinary holders had the
RIGHT to freedom of movement, and lawful assembly, or to appeal for
mediation for crippling tithes.

Why haven't the Lord Holders impeached him?" she wanted to know, her
fierceness diverted towards a new victim.

It's patently obvious he is unfit to manage a Hold, much less one
during a Fall.  I cannot see why they have been waffling about over the
matter.

Sallisha, it takes a unanimous decision to impeach a Lord Holder,' he
said with a light admonishment.

She regarded him blankly for a moment.  Then flushed.

Who's holding out?" Jamson.

She clicked her tongue irritably.  And that's another place you mustn't
send me.  The cold would exacerbate my joint problem.

I'm aware of that, Sallisha, which is why I wondered if you'd consider
Nerat South this year?" How much travelling?" she demanded, but not
unappeased.

Six major holds and five smaller units, but all within reasonable
distance.  And, of course, your journeys would fall on Threadfree days.

Excellent accommodations and a very good contract.  Gardner made sure
that everything complies with your wishes as regards conditions." He
reached into his jerkin pocket and pulled out the document.  I thought
you might like to see it today.

Sweetening me up, are you?" she said with an almost coquettish smile,
hand half outstretched to the sheets.

You are my best teacher, Sallisha,' he told her and extended his hand
until her fingers closed around the contract.

This won't make me approve your butchery of pre-Pernese history,
Clisser.

It's not intended to, but we can't have you in danger on - - the plains
of Keroon - I did promise to come back They will understand.

There are some really fine minds there You will find them wherever you
go, Sallisha, you have the knack." Then he hauled out the larger sheaf
of papers, the new syllabus.  You may find this much easier to impart
to your students." She eyed it as she would a tunnel snake.

High Reaches and Fort Holds So,' Paulin asked Thea and Gallian in the
comfortably warm High Reaches solarium where the High Reaches Lady
Holder received her guests, is there any way we can get him to change
his mind?" Thea shrugged.  Not by reasoned argument, that's for
certain.  He was indignant that "a Lord Holder's right to deal with his
own folk" had been set aside for the two trials.  Not that he objected
to the sentences "That was only right and just, and they should have
been sent to the Islands as well, for they'll only make trouble of a
different sort now,"' Gallian added, mimicking his father's thin,
wheezing voice.  If he would only give me authorization to deal with
all Hold matters .  .  . and he raised his hands in helplessness.

He's too sick .  .

Wait a minute.  He is sick,' Paulin interrupted, and your weather here
is only aggravating the respiratory problem, isn't it?" Thea's eyes
widened as she jumped to a conclusion.

If he was sent to Ista or Nerat to recuperate, why he'd have to
authorize Gallian - -, she began.

Precisely - - What happens when he recovers and finds out what I did
knowing, as he's made sure I do, his views on impeachment,' Gallian
said, and finds out I've gone against him?  I could very likely lose my
chance of succession.

IT hat not likely, dear.  You know how he carries on about your
stupid" younger brothers,' said Thea reassuringly, laying a hand on her
son's arm.  You just know when to stand up to him.  You've always had a
flair for dealing with people.

As for the nephews She threw up her hand in despair.

Then her face clouded.  I really am worried about these constant chest
infections.  Frankly, I don't think he's going to last much longer." She
sighed in regret.  He's been a good spouse..

Can you get your medic to recommend the warmer climate?" Paulin asked
sympathetically.

He's been doing so constantly,' Thea said, setting her mouth in a firm
line.  I'll make it so.  Somehow!  1 couldn't live with myself if I
didn't.  For his sake as well as those poor wretches.

Gallian looked uncertain.

Don't worry, lad,' said Paulin.  You've already got full marks in my
book for cooperation.  And, as long as I'm Chair, you've my support. The
Conclave doesn't necessarily have to abide by the deceased's wishes as
to successor.  But we've got to take action now.

Even waiting until Turn's End is dangerous.  We rescued those people,
their rights were upheld in a duly assembled court, and Chalkin's in
some state of mind over that." Paulin's laugh was mirthless.  We can't
let him take his vengeance out on them, or we've spent a lot of time and
effort to no avail.  With this thaw setting in, he'll be able to move
about.  And I think we all have a good idea that he'll retaliate in some
fashion.

Thea shuddered, her comfortably plump body rippling under her thick
gown.  I won't have that on my conscience, no matter what my Lord
Jamson says." She rose.  Jamson spent such a poor night, I'll catch him
now, before he can put up any more objections.  One thing's certain, he
doesn't want to die.  He likes Richud more than Franco.

I'll suggest Ista Hold.  I wouldn't mind the winter there myself.  In
fact .

and suddenly, she straightened her shoulders, I think I'm gomig dowd
wifa gold, too .  .  .  and she altered her voice appropriately,
sniffing.  He might just humour me where he wouldn't do a thing for
himself.  If you'll excuse me?" Both men had stood when she did, and now
Gallian strode to open the door for her as she sailed gracefully out,
grinning mischievously as she left.  Gallian returned to his guest,
shaking his head.

I've never gone against my father before,' he said anxiously, his
expression unhappy.

Nor would I urge you to do so, lad.  I appreciate your doubts, but can
you doubt what Chalkin will do?" No, I can't,' and Gallian sighed,
turning back to the Fort Lord Holder with a resolute expression.  I
suppose I should get accustomed to making decisions, not merely carrying
them out.

Paulin clapped him on the shoulder encouragingly.

That's it exactly, Gallian.  And I'll guarantee, not all the decisions
you'll be called upon to make will be the right ones.

Being a Lord Holder doesn't keep you from making mistakes: just make the
right wrong ones!" Paulin grinned as Gallian tried to absorb that
notion.  If you are right most of the time, you're ahead of the game.
And you're right in this one for the good reasons which your father
declines to see.

Gallian nodded his head.  Then he asked more briskly, Will you have
some wine now, Paulin?" You've your mother's way with you,' Paulin
said, accepting the offer.  Which you will find is an advantage ...
Not, mind you, that I in any way imply a lack in your father's manners."
No, of course not,' Gallian agreed but he smiled briefly, then cleared
his throat.  Ah, what happens to Chalkin when he's removed?  I mean,
it's not as if he could be dropped on the southern islands, is it?" Why
not?" Paulin replied equably.  Not,' he added hastily when he saw
Gallian's consternation, that he would be placed on the same one as the
murderers.  There is a whole chain an archipelago of them .

Aren't they volcanic?" Only Young Island, otherwise they're tropical
and quite habitable.  But one is certain then that the .  .  .

ah .  .  detainee cannot leave and cause ructions.  Which Chalkin would
certainly do if he was allowed to remain on the Mainland.  No, the most
sensible and most humane solution is to put him where he can't do any
more harm than he's already done." Then who's to take over managing
Bitra?" His children are too young, certainly, but there's an uncle,
not much older than Chalkin at that.  I heard a rumour though that
Vergerin and Chalkin had played a game, the stakes being an uncontested
succession.

My father mentioned that, too, early on when impeachment first came up.
Said he ought to have insisted that Vergerin stand in spite of what the
old Neratian Lord wanted.  Chalkin's spouse is Franco's sister, you
know." I'd forgotten that.  Amazing,' Paulin added.

Franco's totally different, but then his mother was Brenton's first
spouse.

They were discussing the ever-interesting problem of heredity when the
door suddenly opened and Thea came in, almost bent double.

Great Stars, mother!" Gallian rushed to assist her.  Why, what's the
matter?  You're so flushed She slammed the door shut, waved aside her
son's help and collapsed in her chair with laughter.

What's so funny?" Oh, your father, dear.  ..  She wiped tears from her
cheeks and some of the flush' came away, too.  She looked at the
handkerchief and rubbed her cheeks more vigorously, still laughing.

We did it!  He's going to the warm.  I left him writing to ask for
Richud's hospitality.  I said I'd have e message pennon flown, but your
rider would take it, wouldn't he, Paulin?  When he takes you back to
Fort?" Indeed, he will .  or rather I'll take it to Richud myself and
ask him to connive with us to keep Jamson from knowing what's happening
off the island,' said Paulin, grinning with relief.

But why are you laughing, Mother?  And why the face paint.   Gallian
demanded.

Well, and she flitted her handkerchief, beaming at the two.

What he wouldn't do for himself, he'd do for his ailing mate, she said,
again assuming a stuffed-nose voice.  So first I had your sister go in
and fetch Canell, as if there were an emergency.  I primed Canell to
back me up, and it was he who suggested the rouge.  So when I came into
your father's room, I arrived moaning over my aches and pains which had
developed so rapidly overnight.  And sneezing constantly fortunately, 1
have a small sneeze so I can imitate it.  .  .  Then Canell took over -
really, the man was quite convincing.  He got alarmed over my rapid
pulse and flushed face.  He made much of worrying about the condition of
my lungs and the strain on my heart.  So between us, why, Jamson agreed
to take me south to Ista until I'm completely recovered.  So there!" She
beamed from one to the other, quite delighted.

Mother!  You are the living end.

Of course,' she said patronizingly.  Then she surprised both men by
sneezing.  Oh, good heavens!" Hmmm,' said Gallian with mock severity,
that's what happens when you tell stories.  You get what you pretended
you had." He's sent someone looking for you, too.  So.

There was a polite tap at the door.  Gallian went immediately to answer
it, opening only wide enough to be seen.

Yes, tell Lord Jamson that I'll be there directly.

I'll wait with Lord Paulin until you can get the letter, Galli,' she
said, pouring herself some wine.  This is to fortify myself against my
cold and any relapse I might have taken .  .

Another small glass for yourself, Paulin?  To toast my debut as an
actress?" I wish you'd thought of that ploy earlier." So do I,' she
said with a little sigh.  But I hadn't such an overwhelming need to
before.  Those poor people!  Who will take over from Chalkin once you
get him out?  And what will happen to him, for that matter?" That has
to be decided.

We were just discussing that, Mother,' Gallian said.

There's Vergerin, the uncle on the father's side." But Vergerin
gambled his succession rights away,' Thea said sternly.

You heard that, too?" Paulin asked.

Well, you know that Bloodline,' Thea said.  Always gambling.  On the
most ridiculous things, too, and for the most bizarre wagers.  But to
gamble on the succession?" Her expression showed her disgust over that
wager.

Perhaps Vergerin learned a lesson,' Gallian remarked a trifle
condescendingly, Paulin thought.

Perhaps,' Paulin said.  If we find him alive." Oh, no!" Thea's hand
went to her throat in dismay.

If the Council votes to impeach Not if, Gallian, when,' said Paulin,
raising his hand in correction.

When they do, how do they go about getting Chalkin out of Bitra Hold?"
Gallian asked.

I think that will require thought and planning,' Paulin replied.

But go now and see your father, Gallian.  Mustn't keep him waiting.

He might change his mind.

Not when Mother's health is at stake,' Gallian said and, with a final
grin, he left the room.

Promise me, Paulin, that Gallian's chance at succession won't suffer
because of this?" asked Thea, earnestly gripping his arm.

I do promise, Thea,' he said, patting her hand.

Four days later, when Lord Jamson and Lady Thea had been safely conveyed
to Ista Hold, the rest of the Lords, Ladies Holder and the Weyrleaders
convened an emergtncy meeting at Telgar Hold and formally impeached Lord
Chalkin for dereliction of his duties and responsibilities to Benden
Weyr, for the cruel and unusual punishment of innocent holders
(lantine's drawings were submitted as well as the proceedings of the
recent trials), for refusing to allow the Charter to be taught so that
all would know their rights as well as their responsibility (Issony gave
testimony on that account) and for denying these rights to his holders
without due reason.

Gallian soberly voted Yea' in his turn, having duly exhibited his
authorization to act in all matters concerning High Reaches Hold.

So, now what do we do?" Tashvi asked, clasping his hands together with
an air of relief at a difficult decision completed.

Obviously, we inform Chalkin and remove him,' Paulin said.

No other trial?" Gallian asked, startled.

He just had it,' said Paulin.  Judge and jury of his peers." It would
be against all precedent to employ dragon riders to effect his removal,'
S'nan stated flatly.

Everyone turned to the Fort Weyrleader, showing varying degrees of
surprise, disgust, anger or incredulity at such a fatuous statement.

Impeachment is also against all precedent, too, S'nan, M'shall said,
because this is the first time that Clause has been invoked since it
was written two-hundred and fifty-odd years ago.  But it's now a matter
of record.  However, I disagree that the dragon riders should bow out.
Fraggit, S'nan, one of the main reasons for getting rid of him is that
he has not helped to prepare his Hold which we are honour bound to
protect.  I'll drag him out of there myself if need be.

Irene beside him nodded vehemently in his support and then glared at
S'nan.  Sarai, S'nan's Weyrwoman, regarded Irene in horrified dismay.

If you don't grab him first, he'll just flit out of that warren of a
Hold of his, and who knows what he might do then?" Irene said.

Then she blinked and cocked her head, puzzled.

You know, I don't know enough about the interior lay-out of Bitra Hold
to know where to find him, much less grab him with all those bodyguards
he has around him.  Franco?" What?" The Nerat Lord Holder responded
nervously.  I can t tell you what Bitra's like.  I've never been in
more than the reception rooms even if Nadona is my sister." How
curious,' Bastom remarked.

What will we do when we do get him out?" Franco asked.

Who's to Hold?  Those kids of his are too young.

The uncle, Vergerin .  .  . Paulin began.

What about a regency til they're of age?" Azury Suggested, cutting
across the Fort Lord's beginning.

Or a promising younger son from a well-conducted Hold?" Richud of 1sta
asked, looking about brightly.

We know the Bloodline's tainted with the gambling addiction,' put in
Bridgely.

That trait can be remedied by strict discipline and a good education,'
Salda of Telgar said firmly.  As the seed is SOW Il so will it ripen.

Vergerin .   Paulin said again, raising his voice to be heard above
the various arguments.

Him?  He gambled his rights away .  .  . Sarai of Fort Weyr said at
her most severe.

Chalkin cheated .  said M'shall.  He did in every high-stake game I
ever heard of.

Irene gave him a very thoughtful stare.

So I heard!" M'shall repeated.

VERGE RING and Paulin roared the word, stunning everyone into silence,
must be considered first, since he is of the Bloodline.

That's a stipulation of the Charter which I intend to follow to the
letter.  He is missing from the property where he had quietly resided
since Chalkin took Hold.

Missing?" Chalkin do it?" Where?  Why?" Vergerin would have had
training from his brother in Hold management,' Paulin continued, and I
believe that the records state that Kinver was a capable and fair Lord
Holder." He gambled, too,' Irene remarked in an undertone.

But he didn't cheat,' M'shall said, giving his Weyrmate a stern look.

We all adhere, do we not,' Paulin went on, to the Charter Inheritance
Clause which stipulates that a member of the Bloodline must be
considered first?  Now, if Vergerin is available .

And willing  M'shall added.

And able,' G'don of the High Reaches Weyr amended in a firm voice.

Able and willing,' Paulin echoed, we would then be following the
Charter - We've set one precedent today,' Bastom said.  Why not give
Bitra a break and put in someone trained and competent?

Especially since there's so much to be done to get that Hold cleared for
the spring action." Good point.  How about a team?  Give some young,
eager scions some practice in day-to-day management?" Tashvi suggested.

All those with younger sons and daughters available for the job, raise
your hands,' said M'shall, not quite as facetiously as he sounded.

No, you have to replace Chalkin with a member of the Bloodline,' S'nan
said loudly, pounding the table with both fists.

Then it has to be Vergerin.

If we can find him ORDER!  ORDER!" and Paulin banged his gavel
forcefully until silence prevailed.  There!  Now, we can think again.

First, we must remove Chalkin What good does that do if we've no-one to
put in authority in a Hold that will be totally demoralized to find
itself leaderless?" S'nan asked, so incensed that he was speaking
faster than anyone had ever heard him talk.

Ah, but we put in a new Holder so quickly no-one will have time to
become demoralized,' Tashvi said.

I suspect that we will,' Paulin said.  Vergerin is not in his known
holding, and indeed the place looks to have been deserted for some
length of time." S'nan was aghast.  Chalkin has removed him?" Probably
to that cold storage he's said to have in his lower levels,' M'shall
said grimly.

Master Domaize insisted that we learn the rudiments of architectural
draughting,' the young portraitist said.

There's another level,' Issony put in, tapping the right-hand corner of
the paper.  You were lucky not to visit it." He gave a snort.  Chalkin
calls it his cold storage." The teacher glanced around the table.  A
lot of small cubicles, some horizontal, some vertical, and none of them
longnough or wide enough for the poor blighters shoved in em.

You can't be serious?" S'nan's eyes protruded in dismay Never more,'
Issony said.  One of the kitchen girls spilled a tub of sweetener and
she was immured for a week.  She died of the damp cold of the place."
Then, as lantine's pencil slowed, There're steps down from his rooms
here.  They come out in the kitchen.  He's always complaining that
delicacies disappear from storage, but I know for a fact he's the one
snitching." Issony grinned.  I was trying to get some food one night
and he nearly caught me at it., There's an upper level over this
section, lantine said his pencil poised.  But the door was padlocked."
Supposedly due to subsidence,' said Issony with a bit of a snort.

But there wasn't as much dust in the hall as usual in his back
corridors.  I think it could be an access to the panel heights." We'll
have a dragon up there, too,' Paulin said.  He wasn't the only one to
stand behind the artist to watch him work.

Quite a warren.  Glad you looked about you when you were there,
lantine." He patted the young man's shoulder in approval.  So how many
.  .  .  ah .  .  .  discreet exits are there'?" I know of nine,
besides the front one and the kitchen door,' Issony said as he pointed
out the locations.

Paulin rubbed his hands together and, waving everyone to resume their
seats at the table, stood for a long moment looking at the floor plan.

So, let us not waste time and let us agree on the .  .  .  ah ...

strategy here and now.  Irene, I appreciate your willingness to be bait,
but let us use surprise instead.  Issony, lantine, when would the Hold
be at its most vulnerable?" The two men exchanged glances.  Issony
shrugged.  Early morning, about four-five o'clock.  Even the
watchwher's getting tired.  Most of the guards would be asleep." He
glanced towards lantine who nodded.

So, we will need dragon riders .

Let's stick to those of us in this room if we can,' M'shall suggested.

It's totally improper to hound a man in his own Hold, began S'nan,
starting to rise from his seat.

G'don of High Reaches, seated just beyond him, pulled his arm to reseat
him.

Give over, S'nan,' he said wearily.

F You're excused from the force, S'nan,' Paulin told him, equally
exasperated.

But.  .  .  but Even his Weyrmate shushed him.

There're more than enough of us quite willing,' said Shanna of Igen
with a withering glance at the dismayed Fort Weyrleader.

Good.  Then we'll cover all the exits .

There's one window in the kitchen that they always forget to lock,'
lantine said, and I don't think they ever feed the watchwher enough.
He's all bones.  Something juicy might occupy him.  And I think the
window's beyond his chain's reach." Good points, lantine,' said Paulin.
Through the window, then, and we'll infiltrate irninediately up to
Chalkin's private quarters through the back stairs.

The hidden door's the panel next to the spice cupboard.

If you take me along, I can find it in a jiffy,' Issony suggested, his
eyes bright with anticipation.

If you're willing .  .  . Paulin said.

I am, too,' lantine added.

I rather thought you might be,' said Paulin, and then rapidly issued
the details of the plan.

With the exception of S'nan, all the Weyrleaders were involved and even
young Gallian was persuaded to come.

I might as well be hanged for the sheep as the lamb,' he said with a
fatalistic shrug.

You'll not suffer from this day's work, Gallian,' Bastom assured him.
It's a unanimous decision and our presence there will make that plain
to Chalkin.  He has no allies among us,' the Tillek Lord said, with a
reproving glance at S'nan who sat with face set in such a mournful
expression that Bastom was nearly sorry for the punctilious Weyrleader.

So we are agreed, Lords, Ladies and Leaders?" Paulin said when he was
sure everyone had grasped their roles in the deposition.  Then let us
refresh ourselves and rest until it's time to depart.

Bitra Hold and Telgar Weyr Except for the fact that the watchwher did
not succumb to the choice bits of meat brought to lure it from its duty
and M'shall had to have Craigath speak sharply to it, entry was
obtained.

Whoever should have heard the watchwher's one bellow did not.

Issony had no trouble entering by the unlocked window and opening the
kitchen door to that contingent.  Those who were assigned to watch the
various other exits from the Hold were by then in place.  lantine sped
through the kitchen and up into the main reception rooms where he opened
the front entrance and the rest of the group entered.

Meanwhile, Issony had found the hidden door in the kitchen.  Although
the stairway was lit by dying glows, there was enough illumination for
Paulin and the arresting' Lords, Ladies and Leaders.

Paulin opened the access door at the top and entered Chalkin's private
apartments first.  Behind him came eight Lords and Ladies Holder and
M'shall, who insisted on representing the Weyrs.  To their surprise, the
room was brightly lit, glows shining from wall sconces so that the
sleeping figures in the massive fur-covered bed were quite visible.  All
three of them .  .  .  Chalkin's portly frame bulked the largest under
the sleeping furs, though hi head was covered by a fold of the fine
white bedsheet.

One of the girls woke first.  She opened her mouth to scream, but did
not when she saw Paulin's abrupt gesture fir silence.  Instead, she
slithered across the mattress, sheet held up to her chin, to the edge of
the bed and grabbed a discarded dress from the pile on the floor.

Paulin indicated that she could clothe herself.  As smoothly as she
moved, or perhaps because she had the sheet up to her chin and let in
cold air, the other girl was awakened.  She did scream.

As loud as a green in season,' M'shall said later chuckling at the
memory.  At that, Chalkin didn't rouse.

His guards had been alerted though and charged into the room, to be
flabbergasted by the sight of so many armed folk in Chalkin's most
private apartment.

Chalkin has been impeached for failure to prepare this Hold for
Threadfall, for abuse of his privilege as Lord Holder and for denying
his holders their Charter-given rights,' Paulin said in a loud voice,
sword drawn.  Unless you wish to join him in his exile, put up your
weapons.

To a man, they did just that as the reinforcements, led by lantine,
burst in from the hall.  That was what finally roused Chalkin from a
drunken sleep.

Later Paulin remarked that he'd been disappointed at such an
anti-climactic outcome of their dawn invasion.

S'nan will be reassured,' K'vin said.  I think he was certain we
intended to humiliate Chalkin." We have,' Tashvi said with a chuckle.

Lady Nadona, though she took a strong case of hysterics Irene took some
pleasure in applying the slaps that cut her histrionics short decided
that she could not leave her darling children to the mercies o0f
unfeeling men and women, and would sacrifice herself to remain behind
while Chalkin went into exile.  She was exceedingly well acquainted with
her own rights as granted by the Charter, down to the Clause and
relevant sub-paragraphs.

Chalkin showed every fibre of his cowardice, trying to bribe one Lord
Holder after another, with hints of unusual treasure if they assisted
him.  If anyone had been in the least bit tempted, their resolve was
strengthened when the broken, shivering wrecks were released from cold
storage'.

The place was full,' Issony said, looking shattered by what he had seen
on that level.  Border guards, most of them, but they didn't deserve
that from Chalkin!" Even the hardiest of them would bear the marks of
their incarceration for the rest of their lives.

lantine?  Did you bring...  ah, you did.  Do a quick sketch of them,
will you?" Issony asked, pointing to the two so close to death: the two
who had been castrated for rape.  All that could be done for them was to
ease their passing with fell is juice.  To show S'nan.  In case he has
lingering doubts as to the justice of what was done here today." Any
sign of Vergerin?" Paulin asked when all the cells had been emptied.

No,' M'shall said grimly.  That shouldn't reassure you any." He jerked
his thumb at some of the stretcher-bearers who had previously been the
cold storage' guards.  They said there were four dead ones who were
slipped into the lime pits day before yesterday.  We may have moved too
late for Vergerin." Paulin cursed under his breath.  Did you ask if any
had heard the name?" M'shall grunted.  No-one down there had a name.

Paulin winced.  We'd best send for the Holder team." I have dispatched
riders to collect the deputies already.

They should be here.

There was a commotion in the Hall, with cheering and shouts of welcome.

They can't have got here this soon,' M'shall said, surprised.

Both men went to investigate.

A tall man was shrugging out of thin and dirty furs and smiling at the
riders clapping him on the back or whatever part of him they could
touch.

Guess who just walked in?" B'nurrin of Igen cried, seeing Paulin and
M'shall.

Vergerin?" Paulin asked.

Optimist,' M'shall muttered, and then, taking a second hard look at the
face no longer hidden by a big furred hat, exclaimed, It is!' It is?"
Paulin hastened across the broad Hall.

Has the family eyebrows,' M'shall said with a chuckle.

Where've you been hiding, Vergerin?" M'shall?" Vergerin peered around,
a hopeful smile breaking across his weather-beaten face.  He did bear a
facial resemblance to Chalkin; as if Chalkin's features had been
elongated and refined.  You don't know how glad I was to see all those
dragons on the heights.  I figured you had to come to your senses and
get rid of him  He jerked his thumb ceiling ward  You've no idea
Where did you hide?  When did you hide?" Paulin asked, clasping
Vergerin's hand and shaking it enthusiastically.

Vergerin's grin turned wry.  I figured the safest place was under
Chalkin's nose." He gestured in the general direction of the cot holds

He houses his beasts better than his folk, so the smell of me is at
least clean horse manure.  I've been earning my keep at the beast hold

But your holding has been empty By my design, I assure you,' Vergerin
said, running a grubby hand through greasy hair and smiling
apologetically.

I've a strong survival streak, my Lords Holder, and when I realized my
nephew really was not going to do a single thing about the imminence of
Thread, I thought I had better disappear before he thought of possible
retaliation - - and me as his only too obvious replacement." He had
unwound the layers that clothed him and stood with a quiet dignity in
the midst of the warmly-dressed riders and Lord Holders.  It was that
innate dignity which impressed Paulin.  Nor was he alone in, noticing
it.

Admittedly, my Blood claim to the Hold was squandered foolishly but
then, I should have known that Chalkin was likely to cheat that night,
if ever, with such stakes.  It took me quite some while to figure out
how he managed it, for I'm not without knowing a few tricks myself, and
most of those that can be played on the unwary." He gave a
self-deprecating little smile.  I forgot just how hungry Chalkin was
for a Lord Holder's power." But you kept your promises,' Paulin said,
nodding approval.

The least I could do to restore self-esteem, and Vergerin executed a
little bow to Paulin and the others.

Dare I hope that you wish to keep this Bloodline in Bitra Hold?" He
cocked one of his heavy dark eyebrows, his glance candid and accepting.

Paulin did a quick check of the expressions on the faces of the other
four Lord Holders who had arrived on the scene.

You will certainly be considered by the Conclave when it meets at
Turn's End,' Paulin said, nodding.  The others murmured agreement.

Loud protestations of innocence suddenly broke up the tableau as
Chalkin, bracketed by Bastom and Bridgely, was walked down the main
stairs.  The tears of his wife and the frightened shrieks of his
children added to the tumult.

At the last landing, Chalkin halted, wrenching his arms free from the
two Lords as he flung himself down the stairs at Vergerin.

You!  YOU!  You betrayed me!  You broke your word!  You did it.

You did it all!" Bastom and Bridgely, moving with creditable speed,
managed to recapture Chalkin and restrained him from physically
attacking Vergerin, who did not so much as recoil from his nephew.

You did it to me.  You did it all,' Chalkin said and shrieked louder
than his children when Vergerin, with an expressionless face, slowly
pivoted away from him.

Then Lady Nadona saw Vergerin and her cries turned raucous with hatred.

You've taken my husband and now you stand there to take my Hold, my
children's inheritance - - Oh, Franco, how can you let them do this to
your sister?" She fell against the Neratian's chest.

Franco's expression was far from repentant as he quickly unwound her
plump arms from his neck with the help of Zulaya and the Istan Laura.
Nadona was still in her nightdress, with a robe half-closed over the
thin garment.  Richud had the two boys by the arm, and his spouse the
two weeping little girls who certainly didn't understand what was
happening but were hysterical because their mother was.

Paulin took Vergerin by the arm and led him towards the nearest door,
which turned out to be Chalkin's office.

Decanters and glasses were part of the appointments and Paulin hurriedly
poured two glasses.  Vergerin took his and drank it down, the draught
restoring some colour to his face.

He exhaled deeply.

Paulin, impressed by the man's control in a difficult situation, clapped
his shoulder and gripped it firmly.

It can't have been easy,' he said.

Vergerin murmured, then straightened himself.  What was hardest,' and
his smile was wry, was knowing what a consummate idiot I had been.

One can forgive almost anything except one's own stupidities." Despite
the thick stone walls the screams and bellows continued, the sound
altering slightly as Chalkin was hauled out of the Hold and down the
courtyard steps.

Lady Nadona's shrieks became earsplitting and then abruptly ceased, at
which Paulin let out a sigh of relief.  Irene might have knocked her out
but she'd probably fainted.  Either way the silence was welcome.

More shouting and confused orders!  With an exasperated sigh, Paulin
went to the shuttered window and threw it open on the most extraordinary
scene: five men struggling to lift Chalkin to Craigath's back while the
dragon, eyes whirling violently with red and orane, craned his neck
about to see what was happening.  Abruptly Chalkin's body relaxed and
was shoved into position on Craigath's neck.  M'shall leaped to his back
and waited while two other Weyrmen roped Chalkin to M'shall and then
added the collection of sacks and bags which would accompany the former
Lord Holder into exile.

Craigath took off with a mighty bound and brought his wide wings down
only once before he disappeared between.

An island exile?" Vergerin asked, pouring himself another glass of
wine.

Yes, but not the same one we sent the guards to.  Fortunately, there's
a whole string of them.

Young Island would be the safest one,' Vergerin said dryly, sipping the
wine.  Then he made a face, looking down at the glass.

Wherever does he get his wines?" Paulin smothered a laugh.  He's got
no palate at all.  Or did you like the idea of your nephew on an active
volcanic island?" He's quick-witted enough to survive even that.  Does
Nadona stay on?" Her children are young, but you would be perfectly
within your rights to relegate her to a secluded apartment and take over
the education and discipline of the children." Vergerin gave a shudder
of revulsion.

Oh, there might be something worth saving in them, you know,' Paulin
said magnanimously.

In Chalkin and Nadona's get?  Unlikely." Then Vergerin walked to the
cabinet where Hold records should be kept and, on the point of opening
the doors, turned back to Paulin.

Should I start right in?  Or wait for the Conclave's decision?" Since
we didn't know whether or not you had escaped Chalkin's grasp, we
decided to let competent younger sons and daughters see what order they
could contrive.  However, since you would know a lot more about this
Hold than they could, would you take overall charge?" Vergerin now
exhaled and a smile of intense relief lit his features.  Considering
what I know of the state of this Hold and the demoralization of its
holders, I'll need every bit of assistance I can muster." He shook his
head.  I don't say my late brother was the best Holder in Pern, but he
would never have countenanced the neglect much less Chalkin's ridiculous
notion that Thread couldn't return because it would reduce the gaming he
could do.

There was a polite rap on the door and when Paulin answered, Irene poked
her head in.

We managed to get the kitchen staff to prepare some food.

I can't vouch for more than that the klah is hot and the bread fresh
made.

Vergerin looked down at himself.  I couldn't possibly eat anything
until I've washed.

Irene grinned.  I thought of that and had a room, and a bath, prepared
for you.  Even some clean clothing.

Fresh bread and good hot klah will go down a treat,' said Paulin,
gesturing for Vergerin to precede him out of the room.

No, my Lord Holder, after you,' Vergerin said with a courtly gesture.

Ah, but my soon-to-be Lord Holder, after you.

I didn't realize I smelled that bad,' Vergerin said ruefully and led
the way out.

He was looking about him now, Paulin noticed, as if assessing the
condition of the place.  He stopped so short that Paulin nearly bounced
off him.  Pointing to the inner wall where Chalkin's portrait by Iantine
was ostentatiously illuminated, he pivoted, eyes wide, his expression
incredulous.

My nephew never .  .  .  looked .  .  - like that,' he said, laughter
rippling through his tone.

Paulin chuckled, too, having his first good look at the representation.
I believe it took the artist some time to paint a .

.  satisfactory portrait of your nephew.

With so little to work on .  .  .  but I can't have that hanging
there,' Vergerin exclaimed.  It's .  .  .  it's Ludicrous?" Paulin
suggested.  Poor lantine, to have had to prostitute his abilities to
create that!

That will do for starters." Paulin leaned close to Vergerin, trying not
to inhale because the warmth of the Hall was increasing the pong of
manure emanating from Vergerin's clothing.

I don't think you'll hurt the artist's feelings by removing it from
such a prominent place." Would he consider repainting it to a closer
likeness to the model?" Vergerin asked.  That would remind me of my
youthful follies as well as how not to manage a Hold.

lantine's here - helped us get in, in fact.  You can ask him yourself.

After I've had that bath, Vergerin said and continued on his way to the
stairs and cleanliness.

Younger sons and daughters were conveyed in from every major Hold,
dressed and prepared to work hard.  If some were disappointed that
Vergerin had been found, they hid it well which did them no disservice.

By the time a substantial breakfast had been served, Vergerin had had a
chance to speak to each of the eight young folk and decide what areas of
responsibility they should assume.

Irene put a wing of Benden riders at Vergerin's disposition to use in
contacting the larger holdings in Bitra and announcing Chalkin's
impeachment and exile.

By then M'shall had returned.  I dumped him .  .  .  and his packages,
on Island 32.  You'll need to know that for the records.

It's rather a nice place.  Too bad he gets it." Did you have any
trouble with him?" Paulin asked.

M'shall looked amused as he unbuckled his flight gear.

With the wallop Bastom gave him?  He was still unconscious when I left
him.  Near a stream." M'shall made a face.  I should have dumped him in
it.  Serve him right for what he did to those he had in cold storage.

By mid-morning matters seemed to be in Vergerin's complete control and
the Council members felt able to leave Bitra Hold.

lantine begged a ride from K'vin for himself and Chalkin's portrait.

When are you coming to Benden Hold?" Bridgely wanted to know, catching
the young portraitist coming down the 1'courtyard steps.

Lord Bridgely, I am sorry not to be ready quite yet,' lantine said.

Bridgely jabbed his finger at the painting.  You're not letting that
take precedent, are you?" And he scowled.

No, never,' lantine said, recoiling slightly.  Then he grill fled.

Not that it will take me long to change the face on it.  Hut it's last
()n my list.  I've to finish K'vin's portrait, and a few nire of the
Telgar riders, and then I'll come.  I can probably mke it after Turn's
End." Well, I'll give you until then, yung man, but no longer, Bridgely
said, sounding aggrieved.  Then he smiled to ill,iy lantine's obvious
anxiety.  Don't worry about it, lad.  1 just want to know where my lady
and I fit into your appointment calendar.

With that he walked away.

K'vin was hiding his grin behind his gloved hand.  One Cifi be too
successful, you know,' he said.  Then he gestured for lantine to mount
Charanth, while he held the painting which he passed up to the artist
when he was settled.  I'm glad you're going to fix this.

Lord Holder Vergerin specifically requested me to.  And I must say, I'm
glad to do the sitter - justice." Justice?" K'vin laughed as he landed
neatly between the bnnze neck ridges.  I think that's possibly a dirty
word to Chalkin now!" lantine grunted as the dragon suddenly launched
himself.

Not only was lantine going to be able to set right tht inaccurate
portrait - he felt he had demeaned himself ind Hall Domaize by
succumbing to Chalkin's coercion, in spite of having no viable
alternative - but he had given himself more time at Telgar Weyr.  And
Turn's End was nearing: Turn's End and the festivities that the
mid-winter holiday always incurred.  Maybe then he could come to some
agreement with Debera.

Dragonriders could and often did take mates from non riders  It would
have been easier i his profession was one that he could offer the Weyr
in return for staying on in Telgar.

But, once Morath was able to fly, Debera could fly hinl wherever his
commissions took him.

That is, if she felt anywhere near the same about him as he did about
her.  Never in his wildest dreams had he thought he'd be IN a Weyr at
all.  He could almost have thanked Chalkin for being the catalyst on
that score: almost.  Until he remembered the stark horror of what
Chalkin had done at the borders and in the cold storage cells.

He shuddered.

Thought you'd be used to this by now,' K'vin said, leaning back to
speak into lantine's ear.

It isn't this,' lantine said, shaking his head and grinning.

He thoroughly enjoyed flying and, after the first experience with the
utter cold and nothingness of between, had not been nervous about that
transfer.  He took a firmer grip on the strings about the painting.
Charanth was now high enough above Bitra Hold to go between.

Meranath, bearing Tashvi and Salda as well as Zulaya, zoomed up beside
his right wing: the dragon's golden body gleaming in the bright morning
sun as her riders waved at him.

As he waved back, lantine was surprised to think it was still morning.
The invasion of Bitra Hold had begun in such early hours that the day
was not that old.  So much happened these days!

BLACKNESS!  lantine couldn't feel the cord on the painting, his butt on
Charanth's neck, and then they were out in the sun, hanging over
Telgar's familiar cone.

Far below, above the prow of Telgar Hold, a sparkle showed that Meranath
had arrived.  The big bronze now turned gracefully on one wing and
headed down towards the Weyr.

For lantine, this happened all too swiftly, for he saw so much more from
this vantage point than he did from the ground: the dragons sleeping in
the sun on their weyr ledges, the younger riders practising catch and
throw with firestone sacks, even the weyrlings getting their morning
scrub around the lake.  Debera would be among them.  He tried to see if
he could identify her, and Morath, but at that height details were lost.
Two dragons, browns both, were eating their kill further down the
valley.  Another rider burst into the air above a watch rider who
gestured broadly for him to land.  Then Charanth had spiralled close
enough to be identified, too, and welcomed back.  lantine could feel a
rumble in the bronze's body.  Did dragons speak out loud to each other?
He had to tighten his hold on the painting or have the wind of their
descent pull it free.

As they dropped, K'vin turned his head.  At the Cavern?" Please,' and
lantine nodded, struggling to keep a grip on the painting.  Not that
losing it would bother him, but then he'd have to waste another board.

He swung his leg over and slid down Charanth's shoulder as quickly as he
could.

My thanks, K'vin,' he said, grinning up, having to shield his eyes from
the sun.

Not needed.  You more than earned it with today's doings." Charanth
rumbled again, his gently whirling blue eyes focused on lantine who
saluted him in gratitude.  Then the bronze leaped up, flapped his wings
twice and was landing on the ledge of the Weyrwoman's quarters.

You're back, you're back, and safe,' and Leopol came racing out of the
Lower Cavern, leaping towards lantine who put out a restraining hand so
the boy wouldn't carom off the edge of the painting.

What have you done now?" Leopol demanded, taking care not to batter it.

It's to be redone,' lantine said, knowing the uselessness of avoiding
Leopol's interest.

Oh, the Chalkin portrait?" Leopol reached for it and lantine pivoted,
putting his body between it and the lad's acquisitive hands.

You're clever, aren't you?" Yup,' and Leopol's grin bore not a single
trace of remorse.

So?  What happened when you deposed him?" lantine stopped in his tracks
and stared at him.

Deposed whom?" Leopol planted his fists on his belt, cocked his head
and gave lantine a long and disgusted look, finally shaking his head.

One, you rode away on a Fort Weyr dragon.  Two, you've been gone
overnight so something was up.  Especially when the Weyrleaders are
gone, too.  Three, we all know that Chalkin's for the chop, and four.

you come back with a portrait and it isn't one you've done here.

Leopol spread his hands.

It's obvious.  The Lords and Leaders have got rid of Chalkin.

Impeached, deposed and exiled him.  Right?" He grinned at the summation,
cocking his head over the other shoulder.

Right?" he repeated.

lantine sighed.  It's not my place to confirm or deny,' he said
tactfully, and started again for his quarters.

Leopol dodged in front, halting him again.  But I'm right about
Chalkin, aren't I?  He won't get ready for Threadfall, he's been far too
hard on his people and half the Lord Holders owe him huge sacks of marks
in gambling debts." lantine stopped.  Gambling debts?" He brushed past,
determined to get to the dubious safety of his room without giving
anything away to such a gossip as Leopol.

Ah, lantine." Tisha caught sight of him and moved her bulk through the
tables with surprising speed and agility to intercept him.

Did they catch Chalkin all right?  Did he struggle?

Did that spouse of his go with him, which frankly would surprise me? Did
they find Vergerin alive?  Will he take Hold, or does he have to wait
til the Conclave at Turn's End?" Leopol bent double with laughter at
lantine's expression.

Yes, no, no, yes and I don't know,' he answered in reply to her
rapid-fire questions.

You see?  I'm not the only one,' Leopol said, hanging on to a chair
with one hand to keep his balance while he brushed laugh tears from his
eyes with the other, thoroughly delighted with himself and lantine's
reaction.

I'd like to hear all, lantine,' Tisha said and deposited the klah mugs
and the plate of freshly baked cookies on the table nearest him.

Do sit.  You've had a hard day already and it's not noon yet." I'll
take it and put it very carefully in your room,' Leopol said, grabbing
hold of the wrapped painting and then snatching it out of lantine's
unconsciously relaxed grip.  And I won't look until you tell me I can.

No, wait, Leo,' said Tisha.  I want to see what Chalkin considered
"satisfactory"-' Do I have no privacy around here?" lantine demanded,
raising his hands in helplessness.  Is there no way to keep secrets?"
Not in a well-run Weyr, there isn't,' said Tisha.  Eat.

Drink.

And, Leo, take the basket I made ready for K'vin up to his weyr.

I didn't see Zulaya and Meranath, so she may have stopped over at Telgar
Hold." His knees weakened, as did his resolve, and lantine collapsed
into the chair Tisha had invitingly pulled out for him.

Shall I?" Leopol asked in his best wheedling tone, one hand on the cord
knot.

I'm not sure I could stop you,' lantine said, and caught the pad he had
stuffed inside the wrapping as Leopol made short work of opening.

lantine put the pad to one side.  He didn't really want to show the
latest drawings he'd done.  The two castrati had died shortly after he
had finished the sketches.  He intensely regretted how pleased he had
been with their sentences.  Had they had any idea of what additional
torment Chalkin would inflict on them when they asked to be returned to
their Hold?

No, or they wouldn't have gone.  Then lantine caught Tisha's sharp eye
on his face and wondered if she had read his expression which he had
tried to keep blank.  Fortunately, the much-glamorized Chalkin stared
out of the painting at them and Tisha's first good look sent her into
gales of laughter, with Leopol whooping nearly as loud.

The head woman had an infectious laugh under any condition: a mere
chuckle from her would have anyone in her vicinity grinning in response.
lantine was in sore need of a good laugh and, if his inner anxieties
kept him from joining in wholeheartedly, at least he was made to grin.

Tisha's amusement alerted the rest of the weyrfolk to lantine's return,
and the table was shortly surrounded by people having a good laugh over
what Chalkin had considered to be a satisfactory portrait' of himself.
He sated their curiosity by giving a brief report of what had happened.

Everyone was much relieved that Chalkin was not only no longer Bitra's
Lord, but also that he had been exiled far away from the Mainland.

Too good for him, really,' someone said.

Ah, but he's lord of all he surveys, ain't he?  Suit him!' No-one was
hurt?" Who's going to take Hold there now, with so much to do close to
Fall?" lantine answered as circumspectly as he could, though he was
amazed at how accurately the weyrfolk had guessed what had happened.
They also seemed to know a great deal about a Hold that was not beholden
to Telgar Weyr.  He didn't think he'd talked much about his
uncomfortable stay at Bitra, so they must have had their information
from other sources.

Weyrfolk did get to travel more than holders, so perhaps their level of
information was more comprehensive.

Riders drifted in, early for the noontime meal but just as interested in
what had happened at Bitra Hold.  Some of the older ones remembered the
wager that had cost Vergerin the Holding, and other details about that
Bloodline that certainly showed them well informed.

lantine was grateful for the klah and cookies Tisha had brought and
equally pleased to have Leopol bring him bread, cheese and the sliced
wherry meat that was being served for lunch.  He did have a moment's
anxiety when he saw K'vin, at the edge of the crowd, gesturing for his
attention.  Maybe he shouldn't have said a thing.

He told Leopol to take the notorious portrait to his quarters, bundled
his pad under his arm - because he knew nothing would keep Leopol from
looking all through it - and then made his way to K'vin.

Since he had obviously told all he was going to tell, he was allowed to
pass, with good-natured mauling on his way.

I'm sorry, Weyrleader, if I was speaking out of turn .

K'vin regarded him with widened eyes.  Speaking out of turn?  Ha, they
had probably figured out everything on their own.  What could you
possibly tell them that they didn't know?" How many people Chalkin had
in those appalling cells,' lantine said, blurting out the words before
he realized what he was saying.

K'vin put a sympathetic arm around his shoulders.  I think I'll have a
few bad dreams over that myself,' and he gave a deep shudder.

Perhaps you'd best get some rest .  No, I'd rather not, if you'd
something else for me to do,' lantine said truthfully.  He didn't even
need to stop off at his own quarters as his tubes of oil and brushes
were already in the Weyrleaders' quarters.

K'vin's solicitous expression brightened.  I've some time now, and
you've the painting to finish of me ..  .  unless you'd rather redo
Chalkin .  .  .  but Bridgely made it very plain to me that he'd like
you at Benden to do his commissions by Turn's End.  You're much sought
after, you know.

lantine made a disparaging noise in his throat, embarrassed by his
notoriety.  K'vin, grinning at his reaction, slapped him lightly on his
back in affection.

So what's it to be?" the Weyrleader asked.

You, of course.  Did you..." and he hesitated, not wanting to be
thought pushy, did you like Zulaya's portrait?" K'vin gave a low laugh
and turned his face away.  You've done her proud, lantine.  Proud."
She's easy.  She's beautiful,' lantine said.

Yes, isn't she?" Something about the tone of his voice made lantine
wonder at such a response.  They were Weyrleaders, together, weren't
they?  They always made such a stance of a good partnership.

But lantine was getting as good at hearing things that weren't expressed
as he was at seeing all that could be seen.  Not his place to comment,
though, despite a growing admiration for K'vin as Weyrleader.

Zulaya was a bit reserved, he knew from having spent so much time
painting her, but she was much older than lantine.  And older than
K'vin, too, for that matter.

That gown was perfect for her,' lantine remarked to break an awkward
silence.

Yes, she had it made for the last Hatching,' K'vin said and the smile
he turned towards lantine was easy, relaxed.

lantine wondered if all he'd seen that morning hadn't skewed his
judgment.  They were at the weyr stairs now and climbed up.  At the top
of the steep flight, lantine was glad he wasn't even out of breath.

You're in good shape,' K'vin said, with another friendly slap to his
back to push him on into the high-ceilinged entrance to the weyr.

I'd need to be, wouldn't I?" lantine replied with a droll laugh.

He paused briefly, his eyes seeking the weyrlings at the lake.  Yes,
Debera was there, oiling Morath.  He'd have a chance to talk to her
later: maybe even take dinner with her and show her Chalkin's portrait
before he made the changes.

Could he, he wondered as he watched K'vin change into the Gather clothes
he wore for his portrait, add to that face what went on in that man's
miserable soul?  Was he good enough to attempt such a portrayal?

Amid all the frantic preparations for Turn's End, Clisser braved S'nan's
displeasure to request transport to the Telgar Engineering Hall to
discuss the feasibility of the Stonehenge installation for Pern's
purposes.  Well, Clisser kept his request to a need to discuss something
vital with Kalvi since S'nan felt such bells, whistles and signals
should be unnecessary if the Weyrs were kept on their toes during
Intervals.

Jemmy had meticulously drawn a replica of the prehistoric stone circle,
plus another of a reconstruction of what it had originally looked like,
and such description as might be valuable to Kalvi and his team.

Kalvi took one quick, almost derisive glance at the drawings, and then a
second, more respectful one.

Eye Rock?  Finger Rock?  Solstice?" He gave Clisser a broad smile.  I
do believe it will suffice and rather neatly." Then he frowned.
Couldn't you have given me a little more time?  Solstice is only two
weeks offI Clisser began.

Sorry, friend,' Kalvi said with a self-deprecating smile, you'd be
busy with rehearsing and all that.  Hmmm.  Just leave it with me.  I
think we can contrive something and he riffled through Jemmy's sketches.
Hmmm, yes, the lad has real talent.

Don't you dare seduce him away from the College,' Clisser said,
assembling as fierce a frown on his face as he gave to wayward students.

Kalvi grinned, pretending to recoil in terror but his eyes were on the
drawings.  We'll manage." He gave an exaggerated sigh.  It's what
we're good at." Clisser left, reassured that he would not fail the
Conclave on this matter.

Turn 5 End at Fort Hold and Telgar Weyr Traditionally the Lords Holder
and the Weyrleaders and the invited heads of the various Professions -
met in Conclave the day beftre Turn's End - the Winter Solstice - to
discuss what matters should be brought to those who would assemble for
the festivities.  Should a referendum figure on the agenda, its details
would have been previously circulated.  It would also be read out that
evening in every main Hold and Hall.  If voting was required, votes were
cast the morning of the First Day of Turn's End, the results counted and
returned to the second traditional sitting of the Conclave on the day
after Turn's End, when the New Year started.

The tradition was even more important in this 258th year after Landing
with the Pass so imminent.  Although Vergerin had been in charge but
twenty days before the Conclave, it was obvious that he was taking a
firm, but just Hold on Bitra.

He was also working his assistants hard but fairly.  None of

them had any complaint to register when adroitly queried by their
fathers or mothers.  Vergerin's first official act had been to send
riders to every single known holding and announce Chalkin's removal and
that as many as could attend Turn's End at Bitra Hold would be made
welcome.  Vergerin paid for additional supplies out of his own funds.

(No-one had found Chalkin's treasury; nor had he taken it with him into
exile.  Nadona had denied any knowledge of its whereabouts and moaned
that he had left her without a mark to her name.)  Altering a previously
made decision, the Teachers' College planned now to supply a Turn's End
concert to Bitra.  They would bring the copies of the Charter which
Vergerin had requested, to be given to each small holder.  That would
deplete to a few dozen the printed copies left in the College Library,
but Clisser felt it to be in a very good caus the Turn's End music
featured Sheledon's ambitious Landing Suite' - which made mention of
the Charter - the audience would have a better understanding of what the
music, and indeed, the printed Charter, was all about.  Bitran holders
would n longer be kept in abysmal ignorance of their Charter-given
rights.

Consequently when the Conclave sat, the first order of business was to
confirm Vergerin as Lord Holder of Bitra.  He was not abjured to train
his young relatives, Chalkin's sons - to succession although he was in
conscience bound to see them well taken care of, educated and prepared
to make their own living as adults.  He was relieved of his promise to
forego having legitimate heirs and promptly installed at Bitra a
nine-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter No-one ever knew who
their mother had been.  Vergerin made it plain that he was interested in
acquiring a spouse suitable to hold as his Lady.

Clisser was called on to report on the matter of an indestructible and
unambiguous method of confirming a Pass, and said that Kalvi and he had
agreed on the mechanism and it would be installed on the eastern face of
every Weyr.  Kalvi looked suitably smug and nodded wisely, so Paulin
allowed himself to be reassured.  He wanted no more problems like
Chalkin to arise again!  Ever!  And now was the moment to prevent them.

The matter of a new hold being established and named CROM came up, and
there was considerable discussion.

Look, they are entitled to use their Charter-granted acres, and that
amounts to a fair whack of land,' Bastom said, unexpectedly coming down
on the side of the applicants.  Let em call it a hold Yes, but they
want autonomy and besides, they're too far from any other Hold up there
in the hills,' Azury put in.

It'll have to prove it's self-sufficient  Tashvi said, looking
reluctant to admit that much.  Which was understandable since Telgar was
also a mining Hold.

They have to follow the rules, same as everyone else, Paulin said in a
neutral manner.  And supply basic needs to Contract workers." They're
in good shape to do so," Azury remarked dryly, what with the profit
they can expect from supplying high grade ore at the start of a Pass."
Consider them on probation,' was Bridgely's suggestion, and that was
the motion which was carried.

There were a few more minor details to be discussed but these were
carried as well.  This year there was no referendum to be presented to
the population.

However, I want every one of you to give a fitli report of the trials
and Chalkin's impeachment to the assembled,' Paulin reminded the Lord
Holders.  We want the truth circulated and believed: not a mess of
rum ours

Like the cannibalism!" Bridgely had been highly indignant over that
one.  Sadistic Chalkin was, but let's squash that one now!" How under
the sun did such a rumour ever get started?" Paulin asked, appalled.
S'nan looked in a state of shock, staring incredulous at the Benden Lord
Holder.

The "cold storage", I suspect,' Bridgely said, disgusted.

We didn't coin the term,' said Azury with a shrug.

Well, we don't want it circulated,' M'shall said angrily.  Bad V,;

enough having to live with the facts without having to debunk the
fantasies." We do want the swift justice meted out to the rapists and
the murderers to be well publicized, though,' Richud put in.

That, yes!  Speculation, no,' Paulin said.  He rose, and tapped the
gavel on its block.  I declare this session of the Conclave dismissed.
Enjoy Turn's End and we'll meet in three days' time.

He intended to enjoy every moment of it for the year he'd put in.

He noticed a similar determination on other faces, especially young
Gallian's.  Apart from the Chalkin affair, Jamson had no need to fault
his son's management of High Reaches.  Though maybe that bit about
cannibalism' could be whispered in Jamson's presence.  That would
certainly alter his opinion about impeachment.  Somehow Thea was still
ailing' and had persuaded her spouse to stay on in Ista for Turn's End.
That gave more opportunity for the Chalkin affair to die a natural
death.

Turn's End was a holiday for everyone except for those involved in the
ambitious Landing Suite' debut at all the Weyrs and the major Holds.
Clisser was run ragged with rehearsals and last-minute assignments, and
understudies for those with winter colds.  Then he had the extra burden
of preparing for the precise calculations needed to set up the fail-safe
mechanism to predict a Pass.  Torn between the musical rehearsals and
observing the installation of a permanent Thread-Fall warning device, he
opted for the latter.  Of course, his role was supervisory, as the more
precise location had to be conducted by teams of astronomers, engineers
and Weyrleaders on the eastern rim of all six establishments.  He, Jemmy
and Kalvi were to set the mechanism at Benden, the first Weyr to see'
the phenomenon, then skedaddle on dragon back to each of the other five
Weyrs to be sure all went smoothly.

It was imperative that the first installation, at Benden, had to be spot
on in case there might be a distortion at any other.

Though Clisser doubted it, not with Kalvi fussing and fussing over the
components.  Clisser had been over and over the requisite steps to
pinpoint the rise of the Red Star.  Once that circular eye' was set on
the Rim, they could install the pointer, the finger.  But the eye' had
to be spot on!  The teams had been in place for the past week, with
pre-dawn checks on the Red Planet's position at dawn.  All that was
necessary now was a clear morning, and that seemed to be possible across
the continent which had enjoyed some bright clear, if wintry, skies.
Fine weather was critically important at Benden, for the other Weyrs
could take adjusted measurements from that reading if necessary.

Kalvi was still fiddling with the design of what he was calling the Eye
Rock, which would bracket the Red Planet at dawn on Winter Solstice. His
main problem was adjusting the pointer .  .  .  the position at a
distance from the Eye itself at which the viewer would stand to see the
planet.  The pointer had to accommodate different physical heights.  Old
diagrams of Stonehenge and other prehistoric rings had surfaced.

Actually Bethany's students had found them after an intensive search of
long-unused documents.  Fortunately for Clisser's peace, Sallisha had
gone to Nerat for the Turn's End celebration, ready to start her next
year's teaching Contract.  He was spared any reminder from her of how
important it was to keep such ancient knowledge viable.

He had rehearsed arguments, in case he had a letter from her, about the
fact that, in the crunch, someone had remembered.

He was quite excited - if freezing - to be on Benden Weyr's Rim with the
others, telescopes set up, aimed in the appropriate direction while
Kalvi and Jemmy fiddled with their components.  Kalvi had put up a cone
for the pointer; the notion being that a person resting their chin on
the cone's tip would see the Red Planet bracketed just as it cleared the
horizon.  They'd have to try it with folks of various statures to be
sure that the device worked, but technically, Clisser thought it would.
Kalvi was the shortest, he was tallest, M'shall was a half-head shorter,
and Jemmy between the Weyrleader and Kalvi.  If all could see the Red
Planet in the Eye, the device would be proven.

Well, it would really be proven in another two hundred and fifty years
or so with the Third Pass!

But this moment was exciting.  He slapped his body with his arms, trying
to warm himself.  His feet, despite the extra lining, were frozen; he
could barely feel his toes, and his breath was so visible he worried
that it might cloud his chance to see the phenomenon.

Here it comes,' said Kalvi, though Clisser could see nothing in the
crepuscular dawn light.  Kalvi was looking at his instrument, not the
sky.

A tip of red appeared just over the bottom of the Eye a breath or two
later.  A redness that seemed to pulsate.  It wasn't a very large planet
- from this distance, it wouldn't be, Clisser thought, though they had
the measurements of it from the Yokohama observations.  It was
approximately the same size as Earth's old sister, Venus.  And about as
hospitable.

Somehow, Clisser thought - and told himself to breathe as he watched,
the wanderer managed to look baleful in its redness.  Hadn't one of the
other Sol satellites been called the red planet'?  Oh, yes, Mars.
Suitable, too, since it had been named after a war god.

And equally a suitable colour for a planet that was about to wreak havoc
on us.  How could such an avaricious organism develop on a planet that
spent most of its orbit too far away from Rubkat's warmth to generate
any life form?  Of course, he was aware that very odd Life' forms had
been found by the early space explorers.  Who had blundered into the
Nathi, to name another vicious species?

But the reports on this mycorrhizoid gave it no intelligence whatsoever.
A menace without malice.  Clisser sighed.  Well, that was some
consolation: it didn't really mean to eat everything in sight, people,
animals, plants, trees; but that was all it could do.

Which was more than enough, Clissser thought grimly, remembering the
visuals of recorded incidents.  That's another thing he ought to have
done - a graphic record - even a still picture would make vividly plain
how devastating Thread could be.  lantine's sketches done at the Bitran
borders had impressed the Teacher immensely.  Though it was a shame to
waste lantine's talents on a cop)' job.  Anyone could copy; few could
originate.

Meanwhile, the red edge crept up over the Rim of Benden Weyr.

THAT'S IT!" Kalvi cried.  He was lying on his stomach, the iron circle
in his hands.  I got it.  Cement it in place now.  Quickly.

You there at the Finger Rock.  Eyeball the phenomenon.  All of you
should see it bracketed by this circle." The viewers had lined
themselves up and each took a turn even as Kalvi raced back to grab a
look from this vantage point.

Yup, that'll do it.  You got that solidly in place?  Good,' and the
energetic engineer turned to M'shall.  As you love your dragon, don't
let anyone or anything touch that iron rim.  I've used a fast-drying
cement, but even a fraction out of alignment and we've lost it."
No-one'll be up here after we leave,' M'shall promised, eyeing the
metal circle nervously.  For all he knew that the ring was iron, it
looked fragile sitting there, the Red Planet slowly rising above it.

But that's going to be replaced, isn't it?  With stone?" It is, and
don't worry about us messing up the alignment later.  We won't,' Kaivi
said, blithely confident, rubbing his hands together and grinning with
success.  Now, we've got some more dawns to meet." Yes, surely, but
take time for breakfast." Ha!  No time to pamper ourselves.  But I was
indeed grateful for the klah." Kalvi was gathering up his equpment,
including five more iron circles, and gesturing to his crew to hurry up.

Not with five more stops to make this morning.  The things I talk
myself into!" He looked around now in the semi-dark of false dawn.

Where's our ride?" That way,' M'shall said, pointing to the brown
dragons and riders waiting around on the Rim.

Oh, good.  Thanks, M shall' And rings clanging dully where they rode on
his shoulder, Kalvi gathered up his packs and half-ran, his crew
trailing behind.  Clisser sighed and followed.

Well, he thought, he'd be well inured to the cold of between.

They'd have an hour and a half between Benden and Igen, but then only
half an hour from Igen to Ista to Telgar, where they'd have a little
over an hour and time for something hot to eat before going on to Fort.
High Reaches was actually the last Weyr to be done, which really didn't
salve S'nan's pride all that much, but sunrise came forty-five minutes
later in the northernmost Weyr due to the longitudinal difference.
However, S'nan couldn't argue the point that Benden had to have its
equipment installed first since it was the most easterly.

Clisser had heard the talk about S'nan's continued distress over
Chalkin's impeachment.  The Fort Weyrleader was not the oldest of the
six: G'don was, but no-one worried about his competence to lead the
Weyr.  S'nan had always been inflexible, literal, didactic, but that
wouldn't necessarily signify poor leadership during the Pass.  Clisser
sighed.  That was a Weyr problem, not his.  Thank goodness!  He had
enough of them.

He'd catch some rest when they finished at Fort Weyr so he'd be fresh
for the final rehearsal at the Hall.  If Sheledon had altered the score
again during his absence, he'd take him to task.  No-one would know what
to play with all the changes.

Get this performance over with and then refine the work.  it was,
Clisser felt, quite possibly Sheledon's masterpiece.

You're riding with me, Teacher,' a voice said.  Don't want you walking
off the Rim!" Clisser shook himself to attention and smiled up at the
brown rider.  Yes, yes, of course.

Here's my hand,' and Clisser reached up to it.

Oh, thank you,' he added to the dragon who had not only turned his head
but helpfully lifted his forearm to make an easier step up.

Then he was astride the big dragon, settling himself, snapping on the
safety strap.

I'm ready." Clisser did catch his breath though when the dragon seemed
to just fall off the Rim into the blackness of Benden's Bowl.

He grabbed at the security of the safety strap and then almost cracked
his chin on his chest as the dragon's wings caught the air and he soared
upward.

They were facing east, and the malevolence of the Red Star was dimmed by
the glow of Rukbat rising, altering the rogue planet's aspect to one of
almost negligible visibility, almost anonymity, in the brightening sky.

Amazing!  thought Clisser.  1 must remember to jot that down.

But he knew he never would.  And Pernese literature was thus saved
another diarist, he amended.  Clisser saw that the rider, too, had his
eyes fastened on the magnificent spectacle.  He must savour this ride.

The dragon veered northward, pivoting slowly on his left wing-tip.  The
dragons would soon have more important journeys to make.  Clisser did
observe the majestic snow capped mountains of the Great Northern Range,
tinted delicate shades of orange by the rising sun.  What lantine could
make of such a scene!  Then abruptly all he could see was the black
nothingness of between.

What happens if you wear your fingers out?" Leopol asked lantine.

The artist hadn't even been aware of the lads presence but the comment -
because lantine was sketching the scene of the drago nets so fast that
his elbow was actually aching - caused him to burst out laughing, even
though he didn't pause for a moment.

I don't know.  I've never heard of it happening, though, if that's any
consolation.  Not to me, but for you,' Leopol said, cocking his head in
his characteristically impudent fashion.

I'll miss you, you know,' lantine told him, grinning down at the sharp
expression on Leopol's face.

I should hope so, when I've been your hands, feet and mouth for months
now,' was the irrepressible answer.  You could take me with you.  I'd
be useful,' and Leopol's expression was earnest, his grey eyes clouded.
I know how you like your paints mixed, your brushes cleaned, and even
how to prepare wood or canvas for portraits." His pathetic stance could
have persuaded almost anyone.

lantine chuckled and ruffled the boy's thick black hair.  And what
would your father do?" Him?  He's winding himself up for Threadfall." A
discreet question to Tisha had produced the information that a bronze
rider, C'lim, was the boy's father; the mother had died shortly after
Leopol's birth.  But he, like every other child of the Weyr.  had become
everyone's child, loved and disciplined as the need arose.  He doesn't
half pay attention to me any more.

Which was fair, lantine thought, since Leopol had become his shadow.
Tisha?" Her?  She'll find someone else to mother." Well, I will ask,
but I doubt you'd be allowed.  The other riders think you'll Impress a
bronze when you're old enough.

Leopol tossed off that future with a shrug.  What he could do now was
more important than what might be three or four years in the future.
D'you have to go?" Yes, I have to go.  I'm in grave danger of
overstaying my welcome here." No, you're not,' and Leopol looked
significantly towards the lake where the weyrlings were having their
customary bath.  And you haven't drawn all the riders yet.

Be that as it may, Leo, I'm due at Benden to do the Holders, and that's
a commission I've been owing since I started my training at Hall
Domaize.  When you do those, will you come straight back?  You haven't
done Chalkin's face like he really is, you know, and it isn't as if you
were doing anyone else out of a place to sleep." Leopol's face was
completely contorted now by his dismay.  Debera really wants you to
stay, you know." lantine shot him an almost angry look.  Leopol?" he
said warningly.

Aw,' and the boy screwed his boot toe into the dirt, everyone knows
you fancy her, and the girls say that she's gone on you.  It's only
Morath who's the problem.  And she doesn't have to be.  Soon as she can
fly, she'll have a weyr and you'll have some privacy.

Privacy?" lantine knew that Leopol was precocious but.

Leopol cocked his head and had the grace not to grin.

Weyrs're like that.  Everyone knows everyone else's secrets." lantine
hung amid irritation to relief in the information about Debera and
amusement that his carefully hidden interest was so transparent.

He had never thought about loving someone so much that their absence
could cause physical discomfort.  He never thought he would spend
sleepless hours reviewing even the briefest of conversations; identify a
certain voice in a crowded cavern; have to rub out sketches of imagined
meetings and poses which his fingers did of their own accord.

He kept close guard on his sketch-pads because there were far too many
of Debera - and the ever-present Morath.  Morath liked him, too.  He
knew that because she'd told him she did.

That, actually, had been the first encouraging sign he'd had.

He had tried, adroitly, to figure out how significant that might be, as
far as Debera's awareness of him was concerned.  He'd ask while he was
sketching a rider, as if he was only politely enquiring about what was
closest to his model's heart anyway.

It appeared that a dragon could talk to an yon she/ he wished to.

They did so for reasons of their own, which sometimes they did not
discuss with their riders.  Or they did.  None of the other weyrlings,
even the greens with whom lantine was now quite familiar, spoke to him.

It was Morath who counted.

Not that the green dragon - who was the largest of that colour from that
clutch - ever explained herself.  Nor did lantine ask.

He merely treasured the immense compliment of her conversation.

She did ask to see his sketch-pad once.  He noticed the phenomenon of
the pad reflected in every one of the many facets of her eyes.

They'd been bluey-green at the time, their normal shade, and whirling
slowly.

Do you see anything?" Yes.  Shapes.  You put the shapes on the pad with
the thing in your hand?

I do." How much could a dragon see with that kind of optical equipment?
Still, lantine supposed it would be useful when Thread was falling from
all directions.  As the dragon eye protruded out from the head, it
obtained overhead images, too.  Good design.  But then, dragons had been
designed, though no-one nowadays knew who could have managed the genetic
engineering.  It was one thing to breed animals for specific traits, but
to begin from the first cell to create a totally new creature?  Do you
like this one of Debera oiling you?" He tapped his pencil on the one
he'd done that morning.

It looks like Debera.  It looks like me?  and there was plaintive
surprise in Morath's contralto voice.  That was when lantine realized
that Morath sounded very much like her rider.

But then, that was only logical since they were inseparable.

Inseparable!  That's what bothered him most.  He knew that his love for
Debera would be constant, but any love left over from Morath for him
could scarcely match his commitment.

Did it have to?  After all, he was totally committed to his work.

Could he fault her for being equally single-minded?  There was, however,
a considerable difference between loving a dragon and loving to paint.
Or was there?

Maybe it was as well, Ian tine thought, tucking his pencil behind his
ear and closing his pad, that he was going to Benden after Turn's End.
Maybe if Debera .  .  .  and Morath were out of sight, they might also
go out of mind and his attachment would ease off.

You got your Turn's End clothes ready?  Need ironing, er, anything?"
Leopol asked, his expression wistful.

You did em yesterday, and I haven't worn em yet,' he said, but he
ruffled the boy's thick hair again and, looping his arm over the thin
shoulders, steered him to the kitchen.  Let's eat." Ah, there's not
much to eat, Leopol said in disgust.

Everyone's getting ready for tonight.

They've been getting ready all week,' lantine said.  But there's bread
and cold meats set out.

Huh!" lantine noticed that Leopol had no trouble making himself several
sandwiches of what was available, and had two cups of soup and two
apples.  He noted that he had no trouble eating, either, though some of
the smells emanating from the ovens - and all were in use were more
appetizing than lunch.

He intended to enjoy himself this evening.

Then Leopol, eyes wide with excitement, leaped from the table.

Look, look, the musicians are here!" Glancing outward, lantine saw them
dismounting from half a dozen dragons.  They were laughing and shouting
as instruments were carefully handed down from dragon backs and carisaks
were passed around.  Tisha sailed out, her assistants with her, and
shortly everyone was in the Lower Cavern and being served a lunch
considerably more complicated than soup and sandwiches.  Leopol was in
the thick of it, too, the rascal, and the recipient of a huge wedge of
iced cake.  lantine selected a good spot against the wall, sharpened his
pencil with his knife and opened his pad.  This was a good scene to
preserve.  If he got them down on paper now, maybe he could listen to
the music this evening without itchy fingers.

As he worked, he realized that Telgar had rated some of the best
musicians, called back from wherever their contracts had taken them, for
Turn's End celebrations.  He'd finish in time for the concert, and that
would be that for the day!

It wasn't, of course.  But then, he found it hard not to sketch exciting
moments and scenes.  Especially as he didn't want to leave this pad
anywhere that it could be casually opened.

And he could listen to the music just as well while drawing.

Sketching also kept his hands where they should be and not itching to go
round Debera's shoulder, or hold her hand.

Sketching did allow him some licence, for he could always apologize that
he didn't realize his leg was against hers', or that their shoulders
were touching' or that he was bending his body close to hers'.  After
all, he was so busy sketching, he wouldn't be noticing externals.

If Debera had found the contact unpleasant or annoying, she could have
moved her leg away from his, or moved about on the bench.  But she
didn't seem to mind him overlapping her from time to time in the zeal
to get this or that pose'.

Truth was he was totally conscious of her proximity, the floral
fragrance that she used which didn't quite hide the new' smell of the
lovely pale green dress she was wearing.  Green was her colour and she
must know that: a gentle green, like new leaves, which made her
complexion glow.  Angie had told him the colour of Debera's Turn's End
gown, so he'd bought a shirt of a much deeper green so that they'd go
together.  He liked the way she'd made a coronet of her long hair, with
pale green ribbons laced in and dangling down her back.  Even her
slippers were green.  He wondered if there'd be dancing music, too, but
there usually was at Turn's End.  Although maybe not, what with the
Landing Suite' first.  He bent to ask her to reserve dances for him,
but she shushed him.

Listen, too, Ian,' she said in a soft whisper, gesturing to his pad.
The words are as beautiful as the music." lantine glanced forward
again, only now realizing that there were singers, too.  Had he been
that rapt in being next to Debera without Morath?

I'm here.  I listen, too and Morath's voice startled him, coming into
his head so unexpectedly.

He gulped.  Would the dragon always be able to read his mind?

He asked the question again, more loudly, in his own head.

There was no reply.  Because there was no reply?  Or because there was
none needed to such an obvious question?

But Morath hadn't sounded upset that he was luxuriating in Debera's
proximity.  She had sounded pleased to be there and listening.

Dragons liked music.

He glanced over his shoulder to the Bowl and could see along the eastern
wall the many pairs of dragon eyes, like so many round blue-green
lanterns up and down the wall of the Weyr where dragons made part of the
audience.

He began then, obediently, to listen to the words, and found himself
drawn in to the drama unfolding, even if he'd known the story from
childhood.  The musicians called it the Landing Suite' and this verse
was about leaving the great colony ships for the last time.  A poignant
moment, and the tenor voice rose in a grateful farewell to them where
they would orbit over Landing for ever, their corridors empty, the
bridge deserted, the bays echoing vaults.  The tenor, with creditable
breath control, let his final note die away as if lost in the vast
distance between the ships and the planet.

A respectful pause followed and then the ovation which his solo had
indeed merited burst forth.  Quickly lantine sketched him, taking his
bows, before he stepped back into the ensemble.

Oh, good, Ian.  He was just marvellous,' Debera said, craning her head
to see what he was doing.  She kept right on clapping, her eyes shining.
He'll be delighted you did him, too." lantine doubted that, and managed
a smile that did not echo the stab of jealousy he felt because Debera's
interest had been distracted from him.

She likes you, Ian, said Morath as if from a great distance, though she
was ranged with the other still flightless drago nets on the Bowl floor.

Ian?  he echoed in surprise.  Other riders had told him that, while
dragons would talk to people other than their own rider, they weren't so
good at remembering human names.  Morath knows my name?

Why shouldn't I?  I hear it often enough.  And Morath sounded sort of
tetchy.

Morath may never know just how much that remark means to me, lantine
thought, taking in a deep breath that swelled his chest out.

Now, if he could just get her by herself alone .  But she's never alone,
now that she's my rider.

lantine stifled a groan which he wanted neither dragon nor rider to hear
and compressed his thoughts as far down in his head as he could.  Would
it all be worth it?  he wondered.  And tried to divorce himself from
Debera for the rest of the concert.

He didn't pay such close attention to the second and third parts of the
Landing Suite', which brought events up to the present.  A cynical
section of his mind noticed that Chalkin's impeachment was not
mentioned, but then it was a very recent incident which the composer and
lyricist would not have known about.  He wondered would it ever make
history?  Chalkin would love it.  Which might well be why no-one would
include him.  That'd be the final punishment anonymity.

Dinner was announced at the conclusion of the Suite', and the big Lower
Cavern was efficiently reorganized for dining.

In the scurry and fuss of setting up tables and chairs, he got separated
from Debera.  The panic which that caused him made it extremely clear
that he could not divorce his emotions from the girl.

When they found each other again, her hand went out to him as quickly as
his to her, and they remained clasped while they waited in line to
collect their food.

lantine and Debera finally found seats at one of the long trestle tables
where everyone was discussing the music, the singers, the orchestration,
how lucky they were to be in a Weyr which got preferential treatment.
There was, of course, a tradition of music on Pern, brought by their
ancestors and encouraged by not only the Teaching Hall but also Weyr and
Hold.  Everyone was taught how to read music from an early age and
encouraged to learn to play at least one instrument, if not two or
three.  It was a poor hold indeed that could not produce a guitar or at
least pipes and a drum to liven winter nights and special occasions.

The meal was very good - though lantine had to concentrate on tasting
it.  Most of his senses were involved in sitting thigh to thigh with
Debera.  She was quite volatile, talking to everyone, with a great many
things to say about the various performances and the melodic lines that
she particularly liked.  Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes very
bright.  He'd never seen her so elated.  But then, he knew he was
feeling high with an almost breathless anticipation of the dancing.

He'd have her in his arms, then, even closer than they were now.  He
could barely wait.

But he had to, for of course on First Day ice-cream, the special and
traditional sweet, was available and no-one would want to miss that.  It
was a fruit flavour this year, creamy, rich, tangy with lots of tiny
fruit pieces, and he was torn between eating slowly - which meant the
confection might turn sloppy since the Lower Cavern was warm indeed - or
gulping it down firm and cold.  He noticed that Debera ate quickly, so
he did the same.

As soon as the diners finished, they dismantled the tables and pushed
back the chairs so that there'd be space for the dancing.  The
musicians, re-assembling in smaller units so that the dance music would
be continuous, were tuning up their instruments again.

When all was ready, K'vin led Zulaya - res pendent in the red brocade
dress of her portrait - on to the floor for their traditional opening of
the dance.  lantine caught himself wanting to sketch the
distinguished-looking couple, but he'd hidden his pad in the pile of
tables and had to content himself with storing the details in his mind.

He'd never seen Zulaya flirt so with K'vin and the Weyrleader was
responding gallantly.  He did notice some riders talking among
themselves, their eyes on the two Leaders, but he couldn't hear what was
said, and while the glances were speculative it wasn't his business.

Next the wing leaders handed their partners out on the floor for three
turns before the wing seconds joined them.

Then Tisha - partnered by N'ran, the Weyr medic - whirled very
gracefully in among the dancers.  The first dance ended, but now the
floor was open to everyone.  The next number was a brisk two-step.

Will you dance with me, Debera?" lantine asked, with a formal bow.

Eyes gleaming, head held high and smiling as if her face would split
apart, Debera responded with a deep dip.  Why, I was hoping you'd ask,
lantine!" I get the next one,' Leopol cried, appearing unexpectedly
beside them and looking up at Debera, his eyes exceedingly bright.

Did you sneak some wine tonight?" lantine asked, suspicious.

Who'd give me any?" Leopol replied morosely.

No-one would give you anything you couldn't take another way, Leo,'
Debera said.  But I'll keep you a dance.  Later on.

And she stepped towards the floor, lantine whisking her away from the
boy as fast as he could.

Even for a Weyr lad, he's precocious,' Debera said, and she held up her
arms as she moved into his.

He is at that,' lantine replied, but he didn't want to talk about
Leopol at all as he swung her lithe body among the dancers, and eased
them away to the opposite side of the floor from Leopol.

He'll follow, you know, until he gets his dance, she said, grinning up
at him.

We'll see about that, and he tightened his arms possessively around her
strong, slender body.

Will I dance when I'm older?  lantine clearly heard the green dragon
ask.

Startled, he looked down at Debera and saw by the laughter in her eyes
that the dragon had spoken to them both.

Dragons don't dance,' Debera said in her fond dragon tone

lantine had noticed that she had a special one for Morath.

They sing,' lantine said, wondering how he was ever going to eliminate
Morath from the conversation long enough to speak about them.

She'll listen to anything you say, Morath's voice, so much like
Debera's, sounded in his head.

lantine grimaced, wondering how under the sun he could manage any sort
of a private conversation with his beloved.

I won't listen then.  Morath sounded contrite.

How long do you think you'll be at Benden, Ian?" Debera asked.

He wondered if Morath had spoken to her, too, but decided against
asking, though he didn't want to discuss his departure at all.

Certainly not with Debera, the reason he desperately wanted to stay at
Telgar.

Oh,' he said as casually as he could, I'd want to do my best for Lord
Bridgely and his Lady.  They've been my sponsors, you see, and I owe
them a lot." Do you know them well?" What?  Me?  No, my family's
mountain holders.

So were mine.

Were?" Debera gave a wry laugh.  Don't let's talk about families.

I'd far rather talk about us,' he said, and then mentally kicked
himself for such a trite response.

Debera's face clouded.

Now what did I say wrong?" He tightened his arms on her reassuringly.
Her expression was so woeful.

She's been upset about something Tisha told the weyrlings yesterday.  I
know I said I wouldn t interfere, but sometimes it's needed.

You didn't,' Debera said at the same time so he wasn't sure who had
said what, since the voices were so alike.

But something is troubling you?" She didn't answer immediately, but her
hands tightened where they gripped him.

C'mon, now, Deb,' and he tried to jolly her a bit.  I'll listen to
anything you have to say." She gave him an odd glance.  That's just
it." What is?" You wanting to talk to me, dance with only me and
Ooooh,' and suddenly lantine had a hunch.  Tisha gave all the riders
that don't-do-anything-you'll-be-sorry-for at Turn's End lecture?" She
gave him a startled look, and he grinned back at her.  I've been read
that one a time or two myself, you know." But you don't know,' she
said, that it's different for dragon riders  For green riders with very
immature dragons.

Then she gave him a horrified look as if she hadn't meant to be so
candid.  Oh!" He pulled her closer to him, even when she resisted, and
chuckled.  All those casual questions he'd asked dragon riders explained
all that she didn't say.

Green dragons are .  how do I put it, kindly?  Eager.

loving, willing, too friendly for their own good  She stared up at him,
a blush suffusing her cheeks, her eyes V

angry and her body stiffening against the rhythm of the dance.

They were about to pass an opening, one of the corridors that led back
to the storage areas of the Weyr.  He whirled them in that direction
despite her resistance, speaking in a persuasively understanding tone.

You're the rider of a young green and she's much too young for any
sexual stimulation.  But I don't think a kiss will do her any damage,
and I've got to kiss you once before I have to go to Benden." And he did
so.  The moment their lips touched, although she tried to resist, the
attraction that they each had for the other made the contact electric.
She could not have resisted responding - even to preserve Morath's
innocence.

Finally, breathless, they separated, but not by more than enough
centime tres to let air into their lungs.  Her body hung almost limply
against his, and only because he was leaning against the wall did he
have the strength to support them both.

That's very nice, you know.

Morath!" Debera jerked her body upright, though her hands clenched
tightly on his neck and shoulder.  .....  .  dear, what have I done?"
Not as much to her as you have to me,' lantine said in a shaky voice.
She doesn't sound upset or anything." Debera pushed away to stare up at
him - he thought she had never looked so lovely.

You heard Morath?" Hmmm, yes.

You mean, that wasn't the first time?" She was even more startled.

Hmmm.  She knows my name, too,' he said, plunging in with a bit of
information that he knew might really distress her, but now was the time
to be candid.

Debera's eyes widened even more and her face had paled in the glow light
of the corridor.  She leaned weakly against him.

Oh, what do I do now?" He stroked her hair, relieved that she hadn't
just stormed off, leaving all his hopes in crumbs.

I don't think we upset Morath with that little kiss,' he said softly.

Little kiss?" Her expression went blank.  I've never been kissed like
that before in my life." lantine laughed.  Me neither.  Even if you
didn't want to kiss me back." He hugged her, knowing that the critical
moment had passed.  I have to say this, Debera, I love you.

I can't get you out of my mind.  Your face .  .  .  and .  .  . and he
added tactfully because it was also true, Morath's decorate the margin
of every sketch I draw.  I'm going to miss you like -  .  like you'd
miss Morath." She caught in her breath at even the mention of such a
possibility.

lantine, what can I say to that?  I'm a dragon rider  You know that
Morath is always first with me,' she said gently, touching his face.

He nodded.  That's as it should be,' he said, although he heartily
wished he could be her sole and only concern.

I'm glad you do know that but I don't know what I feel about you, Ian,
except that I did like your kiss." Her eyes were tender and she glanced
shyly away from him.  I'm even glad you did kiss me.  I've sort of
wanted to know - - - she said with a ripple in her voice, but still
shy.

So I can kiss you again?" She put her hand on his chest.  Not quite so
fast, lantine!

Not quite so fast.  For my sake as well as Morath's.  Because and then
she blurted out the next sentence, I know I'm going to miss you .

.  .  almost.  .  .  as much as I'd miss Morath.

I didn't know a rider could be so involved with another human.

Not like this.  And,' she increased her pressure on the hand that held
them apart because he wanted so to kiss her for that, I can't be
honestly sure if it's not because Morath rather likes you, too, and is
influencing me." I am not said Morath firmly, almost indignantly.

She says .  .  . Debera began as lantine said, I heard that." They
both laughed and the sensual tension between them eased.  He made quick
use of the opportunity to kiss her, lightly, to prove that he could and
that he did understand about Morath.  He had also actually asked as many
questions about rider liaisons as discretion permitted.

What he'd learned had been both reassuring and unsettling.  There were
more ramifications to human affairs than he had ever previously
suspected.  Dragonrider-human ones could get very complicated  And
the green dragons, being so highly-strung and sexually oriented, were
the most complex.

I guess I'm lucky she talks to me at all,' lantine said.  Look, love,
I've said what I've wanted to say.  I've heard what Morath has to say,
and we can leave it there for now.  I've got to go to Benden Hold and
Morath has to .  .  .  mature." He gently tightened his arms around his
beloved.  If I'm welcome to come back .  .  .  to the Weyr, I will
return.  Am I welcome?" Yes, you are,' Debera said as Morath also
confirmed it.

Well, then,' and he kissed her lightly, managing to break it off before
the emotion that could so easily start up again could fire, let us
dance, and dance and dance.  That should cause no problems, should it?"
Of course, the words were no sooner out of his mouth than he knew that
having her so close to him all evening was going to be a trial of his
self-control.

His lips tingled as he led her back, her fingers trustingly twined into
his.  The dance was ending as he put his arms around her, so they
managed just one brief spin.  Since he now felt far more secure, he did
let Leopol partner Debera for one fast dance, or he'd never hear the
last of it from the boy.

Other than that surrender, he and Debera danced together all night,
cementing the bond that had begun: danced until the musicians called it
a night.

He was going to hate to be parted from her, more now because they did
have an understanding - of sorts - but there was no help for it.

He had the duty to Benden Hold.

New Year 258 After L(anding) - College, Benden Hold, Telgar Weyr On
the first official day of the New Year, 258 AL, Clisser had a chance to
review the four days of Turn's End.  Frantic at times, certainly hectic
despite the most careful plans and the wealth of experience, the main
performances - the First Day Landing Suite', and Second Day Teaching
Songs and Ballads - had gone very well: far better than he had
anticipated given the scanty rehearsals available for some of the
performers.  The tenor, for instance, had been a bit ragged in his big
solo; he really should have held that final note the full measure.
Sheledon glowered from the woodwind section: he'd've sung the part
himself, but he hadn't the voice for it.

But then, the only solos which Sheledon wouldn't find fault with would
be Sydra's, and she never failed to give a splendid performance.

Bethany's flute obbligatos had been remarkable, matching Sydra's voice
to perfection.

Paulin had been on his feet time after time, applauding the soloists
and, at the finale, surreptitiously brushing a tear from his eye.  Even
old S'nan looked pleased - also fatuous, but on the whole Clisser was
relieved at the reception.  He hoped the two performances had been
popular elsewhere on the continent.  A great deal of work had been put
into rehearsals by folks who had little spare time as it was.

The Teaching Songs and Ballads had been just as well received, with
people going about humming some of the tunes.  Which was exactly what
the composers had hoped for.  Fortunately, honours were even between
Jemmy and Sheledon for catchy tunes.  He caught himself humming the
Duty Song' chorus, which had gone particularly well.  He wouldn't have
to deal with a laborious copying of the Charter once youngsters learned
those words off by heart.  It certainly fitted the bill.

Copies of all the new songs were being made by the teachers themselves,
who would then require their students to transcribe them, and that saved
a lot of effort for his College.

Really, a printing press of some kind must be put high on the list of
Kalvi's engineering staff.  They'd managed quite a few small
motor-driven, solar panel gadgets; why not a printing press?  But a
printing press required paper and the forests were going to be
vulnerable for the next fifty years no matter how assiduous the Weyrs
were in their protective umbrella.

One tangle of Thread could destroy acres of trees in the time it took to
get a ground crew to the affected area.

He sighed.  If only the organics plastic machinery were still
operating...  but the one unit housed in the Fort storage had rusted in
the same flooding that had ruined so much else.

"Ours not to wonder what were fair in life",' he quoted to himself,
which is a saying I should have made up to remind me that we've got
what we've got and have to make do." He couldn't help but feel somewhat
depressed, though.

There had been some high moments these last few days, and it was hard to
resume normal routine.  Not everyone on the teaching staff was back,
though all should have checked in by late evening.  He'd hear then how
the performances went elsewhere.  He'd have to wait to learn how the new
curriculum was working.  By springtime he'd know what fine tuning would
be needed.  He could count on Sallisha for that, he was sure.

By springtime, Thread would fall and the easy pace they had all enjoyed
would be a memory.

Ah, that was what he had to do - he'd put it off long enough write up
the roster for ground crews drafted from students over fifteen and
teachers.  He'd promised that to Lord Paulin and, what with everything
else, never produced it.  He pulled a fresh sheet of paper from the
drawer, then stopped, put it back and picked up a sheet from the re-use
pile.  A clean side was all he needed.  Mustn't waste, or he'd want soon
enough.

Lady Jane herself led lantine to his quarters, asking all the gracious
questions a hostess did: Where had he been for Turn's End?

Had he enjoyed himself?  Had he had the opportunity to hear the splendid
new music from the College?

What instrument did he play'?  What did he hear from his parents?

He answered as well as he could, amazed at the difference between his
reception here and the one he'd had at Bitra.  Lady Jane was a fluttery
sort of woman, not at all what he would have expected as the spouse of a
man like Bridgely.  She must be extremely efficient under all that
flutter, he thought, contrasting the grace, order and appearance of the
public rooms with those at Bitra, and seeing a vast difference between
the two.

No low-level living for him here, either.  Lady Jane led him on to the
family's floor, urging the two drudges who were carrying the canvases
and sky broom wood panels to mind their steps and not damage their
burdens.

She opened the door, presenting him with the key, and he was bemused as
he followed her into a large day room, at least ten times larger than
the cubicle at Bitra, on the outside of the Hold so that it had a wide,
tall window facing northeast.  It was a gracious room, too, the stone
walls washed a delicate greeny-white, the furnishings well-polished
wood, with a pleasing geometric pattern in greens and beige on the
coverings.

I do know that artists prefer a north light, but this is the best we
can do for you on that score  Benden's Lady fluttered her hands here
and there.  They were graceful, small hands, with only the wide band of
a spousal ring on the appropriate finger.  Another contrast to the
Bitran tendency to many gaudy jewels.

It's far more than I expected, Lady Jane,' he said as sincerely as he
could.

And I'm sure it's far more than you had at Bitra Hold,' she said with a
contemputous sniff.  Or so I've been told.  You may be sure that Benden
Hold would never place an artist of your rank and ability with the
drudges.  Bitrans may lay claim, and her tone expressed her doubt, to
having a proper Bloodline, but they have never shown much couth!" She
noticed him testing the sturdiness of the easel.  That's from stores.
It belonged to Lesnour.  D'you know his work?" Lesnour?

Indeed." lantine dropped his hand from the smoothly waxed upright.

Lesnour, who'd lived well past the hundred mark, had designed and
executed Benden Hold's murals and had been famed for his use of colour.

He'd also compiled a glossary of pigments available from indigenous
materials, a volume which lantine had studied and which had certainly
helped him at Bitra.

Lady Jane pushed open the wooden door into the sleeping room, which was
not large but still generous in size.  He could see the large bed, its
four posts carved with unusual leaves and flowers: probably taken from
Earth's botany.  She pointed at the back to the third room of the suite:
a private toilet and bath.  And the whole suite was warm.

Benden had been constructed with all the same conveniences that Fort
Hold boasted.

This is much more than I need, Lady Jane,' lantine said, almost
embarrassed as he dropped his carisak to the floor of the day room.

Nonsense!  We know at Benden what is due a man of your abilities.

Space,' and she gave a graceful sweep of her hand about the room, is so
necessary to compose the thoughts and to allow the mind to relax." She
did another complicated arabesque with her hands and smiled up at him.
He smiled back at her, trying to act gracious rather than amused at her
extravagant manner.  Now, the evening meal will be served in the Great
Hall at eight, and you'll dine at the upper table, she said with a firm
smile to forestall any protests.  Would you care to have someone put at
your disposal to help with your materials?" No, thank you most kindly,
Lady Jane, but I'm used to doing for myself." Maybe he could have
borrowed Leopol for a few weeks?  There was certainly enough space for
the boy to be accommodated in with him.

So she left, after he had once again expressed his profuse thanks for
the courtesies.

He prowled about the rooms, then washed his hands and face, learning
that the water came very hot out of the spigot.

The bath had been carved out of the rock, deep enough for him to immerse
himself completely and sufficiently long to lie flat out in the water.
Even the Weyr had not such elegant conveniences.

He unpacked his clothing so that the wrinkles would hang out of his good
green shirt and began setting up his workplace.

And then sat down in one of the upholstered chairs, plunked his feet
down on the footstool, leaned back and sighed.  He could get accustomed
to this sort of living, so he could!  Except for the one lack - Debera.

He wondered briefly if Lady Jane would flutter while she posed for him.
And how would he pose her?  Somehow he must put in the flutter of her,
but also her grace and charm.

He wondered what instrument she played with those small hands.  If only
Debera weren't so far away lantine might not have been pleased to know
that Debera was at that very moment the subject of discussion between
the Weyrleaders at Telgar.

No,' Zulaya was saying, shaking her head, she has more retrieved the
relevant chart from the storage cabinet and brought it to the table.
K'vin hastily cleared a space.  Then look along the Kahrainian coast
where the Armada had a long stop for repairs." That's all been gone
over so often And not much retrieved.  Anyway, it's not so much what we
find but more that we went for a look,' Zulaya said with a droll grin.

The entire Weyr?" Well, the fighting wings, certainly.  Leave the
training ones here, give them responsibility .  .  .  and see how they
like it." J'dar had better be in charge,' K'vin said, glancing to see
if she agreed.

She shrugged.  J'dar or O'ney." No, J'dar." Oddly enough, she gave him
a pleased smile.  He hadn't expected that, since she had specifically
named O'ney, one of the oldest bronze riders.  He tried to defer to her
judgment whenever possible, but he'd noticed that O'ney tended to be
unnecessarily officious.

Now, this is as far as grubs had migrated on last winter's check,' she
said, running her finger along Rubicon River.

How're the grubs supposed to get across that?" K'vin asked, tapping the
contour lines for the steep cliffs which lined the river, gradually
tapering down above the Sea of Azov.

The Agric guys say they'll either go around or be carried across the
river as larvi in the digestive tracts of wherries and some of those
sport animals that were let loose.  They have been breeding, you know.

Zulaya was teasing now, since she knew very well that Charanth had had
to rescue him from a very large, hungry orangeandblack-stnped feline.
Charanth had been highly insulted because the creature had actually then
attacked him, a bronze dragon!  The incident had been a levelling one
for both rider and dragon.

Oh, and don't I know it!  I'll not be caught that way twice.

It grew a mighty fine hide,' she said, her eyes dancing with challenge.

Catch your own, Zu.  Now, let's see .  .  .  should we check and see if
any of the other Weyrs want to come?  Make this a joint exercise?"
Why?" she countered with a shrug.  The whole idea is to get our wings
away for a bit for something besides Fall readiness.

Meranath,' and she turned to her queen, who was lounging indolently on
her couch, her head turned in their direction and her eyes open, would
you be good enough to spread the word that the Weyr's going off on
exercise,' and she grinned at K'vin, tomorrow, first light?  That
should startle a few." Undoubtedly, and glancing at Zulaya for
permission, K'vin made a second request of Meranath.  And ask J'dar and
T'dam to step up here, please?" The sun will be much warmer in the
south, Meranath said, and we will all like that, K'vin.

Glad you approve,' he told her, giving the gold queen a little bow.  He
was also considerably gratified that she was using his name more.  Could
that mean that Zulaya was thinking of him more often?  He kept that
question tight in his mind, where even Charanth wouldn't hear it.  Did
she really approve of his leadership?  Zulaya never gave him any clues
despite her courtesies to him in public; though he certainly appreciated
that much.  He didn't seem any closer to a real intimacy with her, and
he wanted one badly.  Would he ever figure out how to achieve that?
Could that be why she had suggested this excursion?

How long has it been since there was an update on the grubs?" She
shrugged.  That's not the point.  We need a diversion, and this makes a
good one.  Also, someone should do it for the Agric records.  And we'll
probably have to go down during Fall to see if the grubs really do what
they're supposed to do." Do you want to put us out of business?" he
asked.

Zulaya shook her head.  As long as Thread falls from Pernese skies, we
won't be out of business.  Psychologically, it's imperative that we keep
as much of the stuff as possible off the surface of the planet.  The
grubs are just an extra added precaution; not the total answer." The two
Weyrleaders had forgotten to caution their dragons against mentioning
the destination, and it was all over the Weyr by dinner-time.  They were
besieged by requests from weyrfolk to be taken along.  Even Tisha was
not shy about requesting a lift.

Some of the bronzes would need to carry two passengers, K'vin said,
doing some quick calculations.

The weyrlings would have to stay,' Zulaya told him, that necessity
causing a brief hitch to the euphoria.  But she shrugged.

We'll make an occasion for T'dam to take them down once they are
flighted, but they're weyrbound this time." That wouldn't be until
after Thread has started,' K'vin said, looking doubtful.

Sure, we know when it falls, north or south, and a day off for the
auxiliaries is no big thing.  Plan it for a rainy day, here,' Zulaya
said, and they won't mind for the sun down south." So that issue was
settled.

The entire Weyr assembled, loading passengers and supplies for an outing
that was now scheduled for three days.

K'vin allowed they would need that long to make a diligent survey of
grub penetration.  He brought with him maps and writing material so he
could make accurate records.

The morning had its moment of humour: getting Tisha aboard brown Branuth
had been a struggle, involving not only Branuth's rider, T'lel (who
laughed so hard he had hiccups), but four other riders, the strongest
and tallest.

Branuth, an extremely quizzical expression on his long face, craned his
head around to watch and got a bad cramp in his neck muscles doing so.
T'lel and Z'ran had to massage him.

Stop that and get up here, T'lel,' Tisha was yelling, her thick legs
stuck out at angles from her perch between the neck ridges.  I'll be
split.  And if I'm split, you'll suffer.  I never should have said I'd
come.  I should know better than to leave my caverns for any reason
whatsoever.  This is very uncomfortable.  Stop that guffawing, T'lel.

Stop it right now.  It isn't funny where I'm sitting.  Get up here and
let's go!" Getting Tisha aboard Branuth had taken so much time that
everyone else was in place and ready to go by the time T'lel did manage
to take his place in front of Tisha.

Not only am I being split, I'm also been bisected by these ridges.  Did
you sharpen them on purpose, T'lel?  No wonder riders are so skinny.
They'd have to be.  Don't dragons grow ridges for large people?  I
should have had K'vin take me up.

Charanth is a much bigger dragon Why couldn't you have put me up on your
bronze, K'vin?" Tisha shouted across the intervening space.

K'vin was trying to preserve his dignity as Weyrleader by not laughing
at the sight of her, but he didn't dare look in her direction again.
Instead he swivelled his torso so he could scan everyone, pleased to see
all eyes on him, rider, passengers and dragon.  He peered upwards to the
rim where more dragons awaited their departure, poised well clear of the
newly positioned Eye and Finger Rocks.  Now he raised his arm.

Charrie, they are to assume their wing positions in the air.

They know, Charnath sounded petulant, for this was a frequent drill.
K'vin slapped his neck affectionately with one hand while he gave his
upheld right arm the pump.

All the dragons in the Bowl lifted, swirling up dust and grit from the
Bowl floor with a battery of wings, and then those on the Rim lifted,
sorting themselves out in the air to form their respective wings. Zulaya
and the other queens rose above the others.

And in formation in jig time, too.  Let's go, Charrie.

With a great leap, Charanth was airborne.  One wing-sweep and he was
level with the wings, another and he was in front of the queens.

Heads turned upwards and Charanth dutifully angled himself earthward so
that all could see the Weyrleader.

Inform the Weyr that our destination is the Sea of Azov.

I have!

K'vin pumped his arm in the continuous gesture to signal, Go between'!
The entire Weyr blinked out simultaneously.

Steady, he cautioned Charanth, pleased with that disciplined departure.
Now we go!

r

Three seconds he counted, and then the warm air above the brilliantly
blue Sea of Azov was like the smack of a hot towel in his face. Charanth
rumbled in pleasure.

K'vin was far more interested in discovering that the ranks of the
dragons, wing by wing, had arrived still in formation.

He grinned.

Please inform the wing leaders to take their riders to their separate
destinations.

One by one the wings disappeared, with the excep,fion, of T'lel's which
had picked the Sea area for their excursion site.

The queens started to glide towards the shore too, for they carried
quite a few of the supplies which Tisha would need to set up her hearths
for the evening meal.

Let's wait and let them all get safely to the surface, K'vin told
Charanth, although part of him wanted to see how Tisha managed to
dismount Branuth.  He was therefore somewhat surprised, and at first a
little concerned, when he saw a brown dragon detach itself from the main
wing and glide in a landing, on the water, just short of the shore.
Charanth had his head down and was observing the effort.

Branuth says she ordered it.  She's swimming free of his back.

Charanth sounded amused, too, and K'vin chuckled.

That was much more dignified.

Branuth says it was easier on him, too, but he doesn t think he should
do the same back at Telgar.

Not with the water that cold this time of year.

We can now land?  Branuth says the sun is warm.

I thought you wanted to hunL Later.  NOW I want to get warm all over.

Charanth's preference was almost unanimous as the dragons spread out on
both the pebbled beach and the shore line which was covered with a shrub
that, when bruised by large dragon bodies, gave off a rich pungent odour
which was not at all unpleasant.

Tisha had some of the weyrfolk off finding kindling and stones to make
camp-fires, and to see what fruits might be ripe, and another group set
to fish where boulders had tumbled down in to the Sea like a breakwater.

I'm going for a long swim,' Zulaya called out to him as he and Charanth
glided to a landing.  She was already stripping off her jacket.
Meranath wants one, too." She touched down long enough to strip off the
rest of her clothing, which she left in a neat pile on a boulder before
making her way to the water.

What about the grubs?" They'll wait,' she yelled over her shoulder,
wading out until the water was deep enough for swimming.

We don t have to go find gnbs now, do we?  asked Charanth plaintively,
and the eyes he turned up to his rider whirled with a yellow anxiety.

No, we don't,' K'vin said.  Grubs were an excuse to leave the Weyr for
a few days.

He shucked his clothes and dragon and rider joined the others in the
warm Azovian waters.

It might not have pleased K'vin to learn that almost every rider
procrastinated over the stated objective of the journey south: grubs
were, in fact, probably the last thing on anyone's mind.  Sunning,
swimming in the pleasant waters, hunting for dragons and food-gathering
for humans took precedence and space and time for absolute privacy.

P'tero and M'leng asked permission of V'last, their wing leader to take
their dragons hunting.

Remember what K'vin told you about the sport creatures down here,'
V'last said, serving the same warning to the other riders wishing to
hunt their dragons.

P'tero and M'leng nodded obediently but, as soon as they left the
clearing where their wing had landed on the Malay River, they laughed at
the very notion that any creature could be dangerous to their dragons.

It's really hot here,' M'leng said, glancing back at the river.

We'll be hotter after we've hunted the dragons,' said P'tero.

But once that's done, we really don't have to do another thing until
dinner." So let's not come back here until just before,' M'leng
suggested, laughing recklessly.  Or we'll end up having to hunt or fish
or gather.

There're enough weyrfolk with us to do all that - and enjoy,' P'tero
said, rather condescendingly.  Let's get out of here." He made a
running jump and neatly vaulted onto Ormonth's blue back.  M'leng
simultaneously boarded green Sith.

What shall we go after?" M'leng asked.

Whatever we see first,' P'tero replied and pumped his arm to send them
both aloft.  M'leng preferred him to be leader.

They didn't have far to go to see grazing herds of runner beasts,
smaller than the ones they were accustomed to seeing in the Holds.  But
when they also saw other dragons in the sky, gliding in to hunt, P'tera
signalled M'leng to fly on in a south-westerly direction.  They hadn't
gone very far before both found it necessary to strip off their flying
jackets, and then their shirts which were winter weight anyhow.  P'tero
admired M'leng's compact body.  The green rider was small boned which
had always delighted P'tero, with a surprisingly strong and agile wiry
frame.  He was also winter-white, right to his collar.  He looked so
funny, as if he had two different skins.

Then the blue rider became fascinated with the tropical terrain around
them, subtly different from the north's warmer Holds.  Nerat was rain
forests and vast tracks of almost impenetrable jungle except along the
western side, whereas Ista was sharp hills and deep valleys, also
densely vegetated.

But here a vast grassland, similar in some respects to the plains of
Keroon, spread out in all directions, dotted by up thrusts of bare yellow
rock, occasional copses of angular trees with fronds spilling from the
crests, and large, wide branched trees like islands.  The dragons'
flight over some of these caused flocks of wherries and other avian
forms to debouch in frantic escape.

Can I eat them?  Ormonth enquired of his rider, speeding up in case he
was allowed to give chase.

What?  Those tough mouthffils?  P'tero asked scornfully.

Then he cupped his hands and shouted at M'leng: Ormonth's hungry enough
to eat wherries!" Sith wanted to, as well.  We'd better feed them,'
M'leng yelled back.  Over there!" and he pointed to one of the rock
piles.  One of the spreading trees had grown right up against the pile,
shading the long incline to the top.

P'tero thought the formation looked like the prow of a ship, with
midships plunging into the sea of ground.  And the tree a muchly
misplaced mast.

M'leng nodded vigorously in approval and pumped his arm, nudging Sith
into a wide curve so that they came up to the prow to land.  A fine
breeze blew against them from the south, cooling the perspiration on
their bare torsos.

Immediately they landed, the two young men stripped off their heavy
flight pants and boots.  They had to put their socks back on, for the
rock was far too hot for bare feet.

M'leng, who had good distance vision, covered his eyes with one hand,
peering to the west where a long dark line seemed to be moving.

Oh, good, herd beasts." He hauled Sith's head round and then pushed it
in the right direction.  See?  You can eat those.

Much better than wherries.  Off you go, now!" And he gave Sith a thump
of dismissal.

Follow Sith, Ormonth,' and P'tero shoved the blue's head to the right.
Hunt with her and you can't get into any trouble that way.

We'll watch from here." Ormonth shifted weight from one diagonal to the
other, his whirling eyes with a trace of anxious yellow.

What's the matter with you?" P'tero demanded, wanting both dragons to
be away so that he and M'leng could have some real privacy.

And if the pair were busy enough hunting and eating, they'd pay no
attention at all to what their riders were doing.

Smell something!

M'leng, does Sith smell anything?" P'tero was annoyed, but you didn't
ignore your dragon.

Different smells down here, that's all." M'leng shrugged, his eager
expression indicating that he wanted the dragons away as much as P'tero
did.

I'll keep my eyes open,' P'tero assured Ormonth and slapped him
peremptorily to be on his way.

The two launched upwards at the same moment and P'tero watched with some
pride in the blue's elegant flight attitude as he made height before he
would glide down towards his prey.

M'leng slipped in under P'tero's arm.

Oooh, your hide is hot.  We'd best be careful not to burn in this sun."
We'll be all right if we move a lot." And we will, won't we?" They
enjoyed each other's company so much that neither was aware when the
breeze altered to the west.  It still cooled their bare bodies, drying
the sweat they had generated.  They weren't even aware of much until two
things happened at the same instant: Ormonth's angry scream reverberated
in P'tero's skull, and he was rammed down hard against M'leng so that he
cracked his chin on the rock as sharp things tore into his buttocks.

OR MONTH he shrieked mentally and vocally.

M'leng was limp under P'tero as he writhed in agony from whatever was
attacking him.

HELP ME!  he howled, struggling to turn and see that was trying to eat
him!

A dark shadow, and the air pressure above him seemed compressed: a most
hideous roar sent a carrion stink and hot breath across his bare back!
The talons were ripped from his flesh, causing him to shriek again.
Something heavy and furry was being hauled across his tortured legs and
away!  He caught a glimpse of green hide and then blue..  .

And then something large and tawny that seemed to come from nowhere.  A
blue tail curled protectingly around him.  Above his head he heard
Ormonth roaring, which turned to shrieks of pain and anger, but mostly
anger.  He was mentally assailed by vivid images and emotions of revenge
that were totally alien to a dragon mind.

As waves of almost unendurable agony gripped him, he realized that
Ormonth and Sith were rending whatever had attacked him into shreds;
showering blood and gobbets of hot flesh all over him.  Then he realized
that he was lying on top of M'leng, who was suddenly being pulled away.
To his horrified eyes, he saw a great brown paw, dirty big yellow claws
unsheathing and curling into his weyrmate's back, blood welling up.
Despite the pain in his legs and back, he lurched across M'leng and beat
at the paw, struggling to lift the claws out of his lover's body.

More noise, more draconic roars, and suddenly there was space above him,
letting in fresh air and the sight of other dragons.  Two were attacking
the tawny lean creatures that were swarming up the rock out-thrust.  The
dragons hauled them backwards by their tails or hind quarters while the
creatures writhed and roared and spat defiance, turning to attack the
dragons.  One had curled itself around a brown's forearm, slashing out
at a dragon face.

M'leng, M'leng, answer me!" P'tero cried, turning his lover's face
towards him, slapping his cheeks.

Booted feet stopped by M'leng's head.

Oh help us, help us!" he pleaded, clutching at the boots.

Help me!  I'm dying!" The pain in his legs was so awful .

Who's got the fell is  Where's the numb weed As P'tero felt himself
slipping into oblivion, he wondered how under the sun Zulaya had got
here, and if he was dying.

Cathay, Telgar Weyr, Bitra Hold, Telgar

P'tero didn't die, although for some days he wished he had.

The shame of being attacked, of endangering M'leng, of being responsible
for the injury of nine dragons - when K'vin had particularly warned
everyone to be careful - was almost more than he could bear.  M'leng
might say that P'tero had saved his life - although he had to have his
chest wound stitched but P'tero knew that was incidental in the sequence
of the attack.  Both Sith and Ormonth had suffered from the fangs and
claws of the attacking felines, for the creatures had not been easily
quelled.  Meranath nursed a bite on her left forearm and a slash on her
cheek.  P'tero hadn't yet been able to look Zulaya in the eye.  V'last's
Collith's worst injuries were his forearm, gashed to the bone by the
powerful hind legs of the female attacking him.  The dragon-lion battle
had been fierce while it lasted, for the lions had no fear of the
dragons and the entire pride of some fourteen adult beasts had joined
battle with them.

Meranath had reacted instantly to Ormonth's shriek - in fact, so quickly
that she actually left Zulaya behind.  The Weyrwoman had been
astonished: dragons simply didn't do that.  Though later, Leopol told
P'tero, she had laughed about it - since she'd been swimming and would
not have appreciated being hauled dripping wet to companion her dragon.

She'd followed, quickly enough, with V'last, K'vin and others who
answered the mayday call.

She was some put out, too,' Leopol went on, relishing the telling,
because the dragons made a mess of good lion fur well, what they didn't
eat." The dragons ate the lions?" P'tero gasped.

Sure, why not?" Leopol shrugged, grinning.  The entire pride attacked
the dragons.  But they let the cubs go, you know, though some folks
thought they ought to get rid of all they could find.  V'last said
Collith said they were quite tasty, if a bit tough to chew.  Waste not,
want not.  But Zulaya really would have liked a lion fur for her bed."
P'tero shuddered.  He never wanted anything to do with lions ever again.

You should a seen yourself brought in, P'tero,' Leopol added, gesturing
to the temporary quarters which had been set up to tend the badly
injured riders.  Charanth himself carried you back in his arms." He
did?" P'tero's chagrin reached a new depth.

And O'ney's bronze Queth brought M'leng in.  Your wing helped Ormonth
and Sith back.  Actually, they came in sort of piggy-back on Gorianth
and Spelth.  They were pretty shaken, you know.

P'tero had heard echoes of that journey from Ormonth who, bless his
heart, had never once criticized his rider: another source of infinite
distress to P'tero.  The blue had been intensely grateful to his
weyrmates for their assistance, as he couldn't leave his rider out of
his sight.  It had been all the other dragons could do - although Leopol
did not relate this - to reassure Ormonth and Sith that neither of their
riders would die.

The Weyr had set up a hasty camp to tend the injured for some, like
P'tero and Collith, couldn't risk being taken between until their wounds
had scabbed over.  K'vin had sent to Fort for Corey to stitch the worst
injuries.  Maranis, the Weyr medic, was more than competent for the
dragons' wounds, but he needed reassurance on his treatment of the two
injured riders.  Messengers had gone back to Telgar Weyr to reassure
those whose dragons had reported the accident and to bring back more
equipment for an extended

stay.

In their innocence, the two young riders had chosen a site just above
the cave home of a pride of lions.  P'tero had never even heard of
lions'.  Evidently he could thank Tubberman for their existence, for
they'd broken out of Calusa and bred quite handily in the wild.

They were, Leopol told him with great relish, some of the sport beasts
that Tubberman had been experimenting with.  They had got loose, after
killing Tubberman.

This was not much consolation to P'tero while he lay on his stomach to
let the deep fang and claw-marks heal.

He worried endlessly that M'leng would no longer love him, with such a
scarred and imperfect body.  M'leng, however, seemed to dwell so on
P'tero's heroism in protecting him with his own body that the blue rider
decided not to mention the fact that it had been entirely involuntary.
M'leng had been unconscious from the moment of attack, and had a great
lump and a cut on the back of his head as well as the chest wound.

Zulaya had arrived to see P'tero trying to remove the claws from
M'leng's back, so there was little the blue rider could say to
contradict the Weyrwoman's version.

Tisha, coming to give him fell is early one morning, found him in tears,
positive that he had lost M'leng with such a marred body.

Nonsense, my lad,' Tisha had said, soothing back his sweaty hair as she
held the straw for his fell is juice to his lips.

He will only see what you endured for his sake, to save him.

And those scars will heal quite nicely, thanks to Corey's neat
stitching." The reference to the skill of the Head Medic almost reduced
him to tears again.  He'd caused so much fuss, he said.

Indeed you have, but you've livened things up considerably, young man,
and taught everyone some valuable lessons.

I have?" P'tero would just as soon not have done.

For one, dragons think they're invulnerable .  .  .  and they aren't. A
very good lesson to take into Fall with them, I assure you.

Cool some of the hot-heads, so certain that it's just a matter of
breathing fire in the right direction.

For another.  the southern continent has developed its own hazards.

Did the Weyr ever find out about the grubs?" P'tero asked, suddenly
recalling the reason for the excursion.

Tisha burst out laughing, then stifled it though P'tero's tent was a
distance from any others.  There, lad, you've a good head as well as a
brave heart.  Yes, they completed the survey faster'n any other's ever
been done." P'tero learned later that the grubs had infested yet a few
more kilometres westward and southward towards the Great Barrier Range
in an uneven wave of expansion.  Their progress into the sandy
scrub lands east of Landing had slowed to a few me tres but the
agricultural experts were not particularly concerned; they were more
eager to hav- the rich grass and forest lands preserved.

So the trip hasn't been a waste?" P'tero asked, relaxing as he felt the
fell is spreading out.

Tisha gave him more maternal pats, settling the furs and making sure
nothing was binding across his bottom and legs.

By no means, lovey.  Now you go back to sleep...

As if he could prevent that, P'tero thought as the fell is took over and
blotted out conscious thought as well as the pain.

It was three weeks before P'tero's wounds had healed sufficiently for
the trip back.  The makeshift infirmary had more patients since there
were other hazards besides large, hungry and territorially-minded
felines in the southern continent: the

heat, unwary exposure to too much sun, and a variety of other minor
injuries.  Leopol got a thorn in his foot which had festered, so that he
joined P'tero in the infirmary shelter until the poison drained.

Tisha and one of the weyrfolk came down with a fever that had Maranis
sending back to Fort for a medic more qualified than he in such matters.
The woman recovered in a few days but Tisha had a much harder time of
it, sweating kilos off her big frame, to leave her so enervated Maranis
was desperately worried about her.  K'vin sent to Ista to beg a ship to
transport her back north, since he could not subject her to trying to
climb aboard a dragon.

Her illness depressed everyone.

You don't really know how important someone is,' Zulaya said, having
come down to reassure herself on the state of the convalescents, until
they're suddenly .  .  .  not there!" Her remark quite sank P'tero's
spirits.  And Tisha was not there to jolly him out of his depression.
But M'leng was, and appeared in the shelter.

How dare you be so self-cent red the green rider said in a taut,
outraged tone of voice.

Huh?" Tisha's illness is not your fault.  Leopol wasn't wearing shoes
when he was told to, and so his infected foot also isn't your fault.  In
fact, it isn't even your fault that we picked that rock out of all the
ones we could have picked.  It was bad luck, but nothing more, and I
don't want to have Ormonth upsetting Sith any more.  D'you hear me?"
P'tero burst into tears.  Just as he'd thought: M'leng didn't love him
any more.

Then M'leng's gentle arms went around him, and he was pulled to M'leng's
lightly bandaged back and comforted with many caresses and kisses.

Don't be such a stupid idiot, you stupid idiot!  How could I not love
you?" Later, P'tero wondered how he could ever have doubted M'leng.

When the convalescents did return to Telgar Weyr, they found Tisha once
more in charge of the Lower Caverns.  If her clothes were still loose on
her frame, she was tanned from the sea voyage back from the mouth of the
Rubicon and looked completely recovered.

Some of the green and blue riders in the wing had freshened up both
P'tero's and M'leng's weyrs, with paint and new fabrics.  The worn
pillows had been replaced with plump ones.

Because Tisha said you'd need to sit real soft for a while longer,' and
Z'gal sniggered into his hand.  Lady Salda let us have feathers from
the Turn's End birds." Then Z'gal's lover, T'sen, brought an object from
behind his back.  P'tero stared at it, puzzled.  It seemed to be a pad
with very long thongs.

Ah, what is it?" Z'gal went into a laughing fit which annoyed T'sen,
who scowled and kept pushing it to P'tero.

To sit on, of course.  It'll fit between neck ridges.  We measured.

Belatedly, but as effusively as he could, P'tero thanked T'sen for such
a thoughtful gift.  It wasn't so much his bottom that needed padding,
but the muscles in the buttocks and down his legs that needed
strengthening and massage to get them back in full working order.  Of
course, M'leng had been assiduous in the massage sessions, but P'tero
was now concerned that he'd be fit for fighting when Threadfall began.

M'leng had been wounded in a much better site; he wouldn't miss a day's
fighting.

There was wine, biscuits and cheese for a small in-weyr party.

M'leng capped the return celebrations by presenting P'tero with a flat,
wrapped parcel.

M'leng's eyes were shining in anticipation as P'tero untied the string,
wondering what on earth this could be.

Iantine's back, you know,' M'leng said, breathlessly watching every
movement of P'tero's hands.

The other riders were equally excited and P'tero felt a spurt of
petulance that they all knew what this was and were dying to see his
reaction.

Naturally, the picture was face down when he finished unwrapping.

P'tero was stunned silent when he turned it over and his eyes nearly
bugged out of his head at the scene depicted.

But .  .  .  but .  .  .  lantine wasn't even there!" He's so good,
isn't he?" Z'gal said.  Did he get it all right'?

M'leng described it over and over - -.

P'tero didn't quite know what to say - he was so bewildered.

So much of it was what he would have given his right arm to have
actually happened.  The lion was clawing his backside, M'leng was
sprawled under him, and there were more lions climbing up the rock,
their vicious intent vivid in their posture, their open mouths showing
fangs longer than a dragon's.

P'tero was posed in an obvious act of defending his lover, his head
turned, one arm upraised in a fist aimed at the attacking lion's head.
But that wasn't the worst of the inaccuracies: both riders were fully
clothed.

P'tero?" M'leng' 5 voice was quite anxious.

The blue rider swallowed.  I don't know what to say!" Where am I?

Ormonth wanted to know, evidently viewing it through his rider's eyes as
a dragon sometimes could.

There!" and P'tero pointed to the dragons high up in the sky, wings
straight up in a landing configuration, claws unsheathed, ready to grab
the attacker, eyes a mad whirl of red and orange.

Of course, I was unconscious, M'leng was saying, but that's what
Ormonth and Sith would have been doing.  Wasn't it?" And he jabbed
P'tero warningly.

Exactly,' P'tero said hurriedly.  And it probably was, although he
hadn't seen it since he'd been looking in the other direction.

Everything happened so fast it's almost eerie how lantine has got it
all down in one scene!" The amazement and respect in his voice was not
the least bit feigned.

Now,' and M'leng pointed to the wall, we've even got a hook for you to
hang it on." Wouldn't you rather have it?" P'tero suggested hopefully.

I've a copy of my own.  lantine did two, one for each of us,' M'leng
said, beaming proudly at his lover.

So P'tero had to hang the wretched reminder of the worst day of his life
on his own wall, just where he couldn't miss it every morning of his
life when he woke up.

You'll never know how much this means to me,' he said and that, too,
was quite truthful.

No-one thought it the least bit odd that he got very, very drunk on wine
that night.

lana th comes, Charanth told his rider.

So Meranath tells me,' Zulaya said before K'vin could speak.  He wants
to know all about our trip south.

I thought he'd given up on that notion to practice on the first Falls
in the South,' K'vin said.  He tried to sound diffident.

Then Zulaya put a finger across her lips and pointed to the sleeping
Meranath, a signal to K'vin to guard his thoughts to Charanth outside on
the ledge.  He nodded understanding.

You don't fool me, Kev,' and then she waggled her finger at him.

You and B'nurrin would give your eye-teeth to be in on the first real
Fall - even if it does take place in the South where nothing could be
hurt.  Or, for that matter, saved." The grubs haven't spread across the
entire southern continent, you know.

That has nothing to do with seeing Thread for the first time in two
hundred years.

He answered her droll smile with an abashed grin.

We don't need to have the dragons stoked up or anything, he said.

Yes, but do you really want to have S'nan reproaching you for the rest
of your career?  That is, if you have one as a Weyrleader with this sort
of antic in mind.

K'vin gave her a long look.  And don't tell me you like the fact that
Sarrai will be leading a queen's wing in Falls before you will.

Zulaya rocked back in her chair just enough for K'vin to realize he had
made a palpable hit.  She was honest enough to grin back.

We don't even know that's what's on B'nurrin's mind,'

she said.

That's exactly what was, however, even after both Zulaya and K'vin
enumerated the problems they'd had on that ill-favoured excursion to the
southern continent.  However, almost the first thing B'nurrin did was a
repetition of Zulaya's signal to shield their thoughts from their
dragons.

In the first place, we wouldn't be landing anywhere.  And I don't mean
for whole wings to go, Kev,' B'nurrin said, not like it makes sense to
do with the first actual Falls we do get - wherever that actually is ...
And you're hoping S'nan doesn't get first go Zulaya said with a
malicious grin.

Too right on that,' B'nurrin agreed in a sour tone.  He really gets up
my nose, you know.  I don't see any harm in having a look.  I mean .  .
. He paused, steeling himself a moment and staring straight into
K'vin's eyes, I'll be frank.

I'm scared I'll be needing clean pants half a dozen times the first Fall
I have to lead .

I've wondered about that myself,' K'vin admitted drolly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he was rather surprised to notice a
fleeting expression of approval on Zulaya's face.  Surely B'ner had
never mentioned that even as a remote possibility'?

So, I figure, if I get a good look at it before I have to act brave and
unconcerned - - - Anyone who isn't concerned about Thread's a damn
fool, Zulaya put in.

Agreed." B'nurrin nodded at her, grinning.  So, will you join me?"
Because if two of us go, neither of us will be as much to blame?" K'vin
asked, one eye on Zulaya's face.

B'nurrin scratched his jaw.  Yes, I guess that's the size of it."
We're the first you've asked?" B'nurrin gave a snort.  Well, I
certainly wouldn't suggest it again to S'nan after the way he's clapped
my ears back twice now.  I figured you were more likely to than D'miel,
though, you know, I think M'shall might come.  If the weather's wrong at
Fort and High Reaches, Benden's might be the first actual Fall we meet."
M'shall might just be amenable at that,' Zulaya said, though he's the
last one of the whole lot of you to doubt his abilities.

That's true enough, said B'nurrin, then his enthusiasm got the better
of him.  But look at it this way, even if old S'nan gets to fight this
Pass's first Fall over Fort, we'll have been to one before him, so to
speak." The Igen Weyrleader grinned with such boyish delight in the
scheme that K'vin had to chuckle.

How long is there between Southern's first and ours?" he asked.

He was astonished to see that Zulaya was already unrolling Telgar Weyr's
Thread chart onto the table.

Roughly two weeks,' she said.

So we could have gone and seen and not jeopardized the readiness of our
own Weyrs,' B'nurrin said, adding one more argument in favour of his
idea.

The first possible Fall over Fort is number seven.  Number four is over
the Landing Site,' Zulaya went on, tapping her finger on the various
Thread corridors.  Five's no good, but six starts offshore of the mouth
of Paradise River, not far from where we just were.

What about the first three?" B'nurrin asked, craning his neck to see.
Oh, not really as good for good coordinates, are they?" Then he looked
up in a direct challenge at K'vin.  Will you join me?" I'd like to,'
K'vin said decisively, pointedly not looking in Zulaya's direction.

I think I would, too, she said, surprising both men.  When they
regarded her in amazement, Well, queens' wings fly a lot lower into
danger than the rest of the Weyr does.  Makes it quicker for me to
change my pants, but that doesn't mean I want to have to." Then, when
they grinned with relief at her, So, does Shanna want to come, too?"
Grinning even more broadly, B'nurrin said, Only if you were going." At
least one of you at Igen Weyr has some sense,' said Zulaya.  Let's just
sit on the idea for a few days.  Just to be sure.

Who will know, if we don't mention it?" B'nurrin asked, swivelling
around to pointedly regard a sleeping Meranath.

Paulin took Jamson with him to Bitra Hold.  The older Lord Holder was
still furious with his son for voting High Reaches Hold in the
impeachment.  But he had been unable to fault his son's management
during his two-month convalescence.  This had indeed restored Jamson to
vigorous health, if not tolerance.

The change in Bitra was obvious from the moment Magrith dropped to the
courtyard and Vergerin hurried down the steps to greet his guests.

He had been alerted.

S'nan had insisted on being allowed to convey the two Lords Holder.  for
he had been as stunned by the impeachment as Jamson.

My word!" the Fort Weyrleader said, staring about him.

Magrith was staring too, and Paulin had to suppress a grin since the
dragon was looking in one direction, his rider in the other.

The courtyard was neat and the recent snow swept from the paving which
showed fresh cement grouting.  The road, in either direction, was no
longer bordered by straggling bushes and weed trees.  The row of
cot holds sported fresh roof slates, repaired chimneys and painted metal
shutters, all obviously in good working order.  Although some of the
upper windows were already shuttered tight, the faade was no longer
festooned with dead vine branches.  Sunlight glinted off solar panels
that had been cleaned and repaired.

Piled under a newly built shed were HNO3 tanks, racked for easy usage,
with the hoses and nozzles hung properly on pegs.  Kalvi had told Paulin
that he'd been asked to deliver the Bitran consignment within a week of
Vergerin taking Hold.  And the following week he had sent his best
teachers to instruct in their use and maintenance.

Vergerin wore a good tunic over his trousers, but they were made of
stout material and he had obviously been working before his guests
arrived.  He greeted Paulin affably and responded courteously to the
introduction to Jamson, whose response was frosty.

You've done a lot since you took over, Vergerin,' Paulin said, giving
the man the encouragement of his public support.

I wouldn't have believed it possible, frankly." Well,' and Vergerin
grinned in the most charming way, I found Chalkin's hoard, so I've been
able to hire in craftsmen.

Even the nearest holders aren't accustomed to me yet and timid?"
Scared, more likely,' said Paulin dryly.

That, too, I'm sure, but I've done what I can to supply them with
materials to make their own repairs.  The Hold was in an appalling
state, you know.

Jamson grunted, but his eyes widened as he saw the quiet order and
cleanliness of the first reception room.  S'nan made approving noises
deep in his throat and even ran a finger across the wide table with its
attractive arrangement of winter berries and leaves.  A drudge, in
livery so new the creases hadn't been lost, was hurrying across the hall
with a heavy tray.

My office is quite comfortable,' and Vergerin gestured for them to
enter.

Paulin noticed that the heavy wooden door gleamed with oil and the brass
door plates were polished to a high gloss.

The interior had been totally replaced, with work-tops, tidy shelving
and bookcases.  A scale map of Bitra Hold was nailed up on the interior
wooden wall; beneath that was the northern continent and, oddly enough,
the Steng Valley.  Did Vergerin plan to reopen the mines there?  A fire
burned on the hearth, three upholstered chairs cosily arranged, while a
low table evidently awaited the tray.  Polished metal vases on the deep
window-ledge held arrangements of bright orange berries and evergreen
boughs: altogether a different room under Vergerin's management.

There's klah, an excellent broth which I do recommend, and wine, mulled
or room temperature,' Vergerin said, gesturing for his three guests to
take the comfortable chairs.

You've a new cook as well, Vergerin?" Paulin asked, and pointed to the
steaming pitcher when Vergerin grinned.  I'll sample the broth, then."
Jamson didn't mind if he did, too, but S'nan wanted the klah.

You remember the back staircase, Paulin?" Vergerin asked, taking the
broth as well and pulling up a straight chair for himself.

I do.  Was that where the marks were hidden'?" Yes, in one of the
steps." Vergerin chuckled.  Chalkin must have forgotten that I knew
about that hidey-hole, too.  It's been a life-saver, both to return
unnecessary tithings and to buy in supplies.  One thing Chalkin did do
correctly was keep records.  1 knew exactly how much he had extorted
from his people.  Jamson cleared his throat testily.

Well, he did, Lord Jamson,' Vergerin said without cavil.  They hadn't
even enough in stores to get by on this winter, let alone have reserves
for Fall.  I'm still unloading what we couldn't possibly use from what
Chalkin had amassed." Vergerin gave a mirthless laugh.

Chalkin would have weathered all fifty years of the Pass from what he
had on hand .  .  .  but none of his people would have lasted the first
year.  Let alone have the materials to safeguard what they could plant
out.  Bitra being established after the First Fall, there were no
hydroponics sheds although the tanks are stored below.  Jamson gave
another snort.  And the gaming'?  Have you curtailed that?" Both here
and elsewhere,' Vergerin said, flushing a little.

I haven't so much as touched dice or card since that game with Chalkin.

What about his games men Vergerin's smile was grim.  They had the
choice of signing new contracts with me - for I will not honour the old
ones or leaving.  Not many left!" S'nan barked out a cackle of a laugh.
Not many would, considering the hazards of being hold less during a
Pass.  You have done well, Vergerin." He nodded in emphasis.

You've had a second chance, Vergerin,' Jamson said, waggling his
finger, so see that you continue to profit by such good fortune." He
had finished the broth and now stood.  We will go on a quick survey of
the holds, if you please.

Of course,' and Vergerin rose hastily, pushing back his chair.

By horse .

No, no." Jamson dismissed that.  You've no need to accompany us.

Better if you don't." Now, Jamson,' Paulin began, for it was
discourteous of the High Reaches Holder even to suggest Vergerin stay
behind.

Certainly, as you wish." Vergerin motioned them to pause at the map and
indicated directions.  We've managed to complete all the necesssary
repairs on the holds adjacent to or not far from the major link roads.
Those high up have had to wait on supplies.  I can't overdo my welcome
at Benden Weyr, though M'shall has been far more obliging than I thought
he'd be.

It's to his advantage to oblige,' S'nan said stiffly, at the merest
hint of criticism of a Weyrleader.

Jamson had opened the door into the Hall and stopped so short, staring
at the opposite wall, that Paulin nearly walked up his heels.

Jamson muttered something under his breath and, pointing at the wall,
turned to Vergerin.

Why under the sun are you hanging his portrait there?" he demanded,
almost outraged.

Paulin and S'nan peered in the direction indicated.

And Paulin had to laugh.

When did lantine get a chance to Vergerin, who was also broadly
grinning.

I got it yesterday,' and he walked across the Hall to stand beneath it.
I think the likeness is now excellent.

There was a moment of silence as they all viewed the portrait, now
altered to an honest representation of the former Bitran Lord close-set
eyes, bad complexion, scanty hair and the mole on his chin.

redo it?" he asked N

S'nan sniffed.  Why would you want his face around at all, Vergerin?"
One, to remind me to improve my management of Bitra, and two, because
it's traditional to display the likenesses of previous Lord Holders." He
gestured up the double-sided staircase where hung the portraits of
previous incumbents.

Jamson harumphed several times.  And Chalkin?  How's he doing?" Paulin
shrugged and looked to S'nan, for only dragon riders could get to the
exile's island.

He was supplied with all he needs.  There is no need to exacerbate his
expulsion by further contact.

And his children?" Jamson asked, eyes glinting coldly.

Vergerin grinned, ducking his head.  I feel they have improved in
health, well-being and self-discipline.

They stood in great need of the latter,' Paulin added.

They may surprise you, Lord Paulin,' Vergerin said with a sly smile.

I could bear it.

As the branch is bent, so it will grow,' Jamson intoned piously.

Come this way,' Vergerin said, putting a finger to his lips to indicate
silence.

He led them down the corridor, towards what Paulin remembered as one of
the gaming rooms.  They could hear muted singing: Paulin instantly
recognized the melody as one of the College's latest issues.

As they got closer to the source, he heard the words of the Duty Song."
Jamson gave another one of his harumphs and sniffed.

Carefully Vergerin opened the door on a mightily altered room.

The students - and there were far more of them than Paulin had expected
- were seated with their backs to the door.  The teacher - and Paulin
was surprised to recognize Issony back at Bitra - gave an additional nod
to his head to acknowledge their presence as he continued to beat the
tempo of the song.

Children's voices - even those who couldn't carry the tune - are always
appealing; perhaps it is the innocence of the tone and the guilelessness
in their rendition of the song's dynamics.

Even Jamson smiled, but then the verse they were singing was about the
Lord Holder's responsibilities.

Which ones are Chalkin's?" Paulin whispered to Vergerin.

He pointed, and only then could Paulin pick out the children in the
front rows: the girls on the one side and the boys on the other.

They were much better clothed than the others but no less attentive to
their teacher, and singing lustily: the older girl had the most piercing
voice.  Somewhat like her mother's, Paulin thought.

Vergerin motioned for them to withdraw, grinning.

Issony's been right that those youngsters needed competition.

The holder kids need no incentives; they want to learn, and Chaldon is
determined not to let mere holders get better grades than he.  Oh,
there's still whinings and pleadings and tantrums, but Issony has my
permission to deal with them.

And he does.  Most effectively." Nadona?" Paulin asked.

Vergerin raised his eyebrows.  She's learning much the same lessons as
her children, but she's not as quick a study, as Issony would say.  She
has her own quarters,' and he inclined his head towards the upper
levels.  She stays within.

And leaves you to get on with the real work?" Paulin asked in a droll
tone.

Exaaly Hmm, yes, well, that's it here, I think,' Paulin said, and then
made much of fastening his riding jacket to indicate his willingness to
depart on the inspection tour.  Do you agree, Jamson?" Jamson
harumphed, but the fact that he did not have questions Paulin took as a
good sign.

When they left the house, men and women were busy putting on the
flame-thrower tanks.

I've scheduled a drill.  Have to make up for lost time, you know,'
Vergerin said by way of explanation.  Jamson and S'nan exchanged such
fatuous glances that Paulin did his best not to laugh out loud.

Vergerin caught his eye and winked, then bade a polite farewell to his
guests before he returned to the ground crew.

Well, he obviously learned a thing or two, Jamson said in a
sanctimonious tone as they went down the steps to the waiting bronze
dragon.

Yes, it would seem he has,' S'nan said, and then frowned slightly.
Although I cannot like him turning loose Chalkin's games men  They'll
cause trouble at Gathers, mark my words.

No more than they've always done,' Paulin said, giving Jamson a
discreet helping hand up Magrith's tall shoulder.

Probably less without Chalkin exhorting them to squeeze more out of
innocent and guileless holders.

No gambling should be allowed for any reason in a Weyr, said S'nan, as
portentous as ever.

Paulin mounted silently, hoping that these two would see sufficient in a
quick swoop to reassure them about Vergerin's worth and the wisdom of
Chalkin's impeachment.  The brief visit had satisfied him especially the
sight of Chalkin's much improved portrait.  He must send a message to
lantine at Telgar Weyr; Bridgely had said the artist had returned there
as soon as he was finished at Benden Hold and enquired when he and his
spouse could hope to have a sitting.

During the rest of the inspection circuit, Paulin addressed the more
important problem of subtly reinstating Gallian in his father's favour.
Paulin didn't know if it was working, and probably wouldn't until Jamson
died and the succession was in question.  There were so many instances
of visible repairs and clearings that Jamson could certainly see how
poor a Holder Chalkin had been.  For once, S'nan's critical comments
were a positive encomium of Vergerin's effort at taking Hold.

Paulin was well pleased he had taken the trouble to accompany Jamson. He
hoped Lady Thea would be able to tell him that Gallian was off the hot
seat.

You are not saving the entire world from Threadfall by yourself,
P'tero,' said K'vin, glaring up at the young blue rider.

He was nearly beside himself with rage at P'tero's utter disregard of
common sense.  You are not going to impress M'leng.  If this is how you
see your role in Threadfall, I think you'll be a long time on messenger
duty.

But, but.

Furthermore, and K'vin pointed a finger fiercely under the boy's nose,
Maranis tells me that your wounds are not well enough healed for you to
be back on duty.

But .  .  .  but .  .  . and P'tero, eyes wide with fright, recoiled
from his Weyrleader's fury, clutching the neck ridge before he
over-balanced.  The pad which T'sen had given him now slipped, the ties
torn loose some time during the exercises.

Blood spotted it.

Get down here,' K'vin roared, pointing to where he wanted P'tero: on
the ground.  Right now.

P'tero obeyed as promptly as he could, but he was stiff from sitting so
long during the day's manoeuvres and from the barely healed flesh of his
buttocks.

K'vin caught him by the shoulder and whirled him around.

Not only new blood, but old stains,' he said, his voice trenchant with
scorn and fury.  You're off duty But .  .  .  but .  .  .  Thread's
nearly here!" P'tero cried in anguish, almost in tears with frustration
and the fear of being unable to show M'leng just how brave he really
was.  Not mock-brave, like the lion attack, but brave in the air.

And Thread'll be here for fifty years, young man.  That's plenty long
enough for it to fear you and Ormonth in the air!

Report to Maranis immediately.  You're grounded!" But I have to be in
the first Fall wings,' P'tero cried, anguished.

That wasn't the way to get there.  Go to Maranis!" K'vin didn't wait to
see if P'tero obeyed.  He stormed across the Bowl, the temptation to
shake sense into the blue rider so intense that he had to put distance
between them.

Ormonth tried to keep him from flying today, Charanth informed his
rider.

K'vin halted, now glaring up at his bronze dragon who was settling
himself on his weyr ledge to get what sun remained.

Then you're as bad as the pair of them!  K'vin had the satisfaction of
seeing Charanth quail at his fury.

From now on, you are to report to me - instantly - when any rider, or
his dragon, is not one hundred per cent fit for duty.  Do you understand
me?

Charanth's eyes whirled, the yellow of anxiety colouring the blue.

His tone was remorseful.

I will not fail you again.

If they had been in real danger, I would have warned them off, Meranath
said, entering the conversation.

1 didn't ask you!  K'vin was so irate he didn't really care if he
offended Meranath, or her rider.  But he was not going to lose riders
from foolish and vainglorious actions.  There were fifty years of Thread
fighting ahead of them, and he was not going to lose partners or risk
their injuries due to some cockamamie notion of what comprises
courageous actions.

If you think that I would jeopardize a single rider K'vin took the
stairs up to the queen's weyr three at a time, trying to work out his
rage before he had to confront Zulaya and explain why he thought he
could speak to her queen in such a peremptory fashion.

I should be informed of ANY unfit rider or dragon, at any time,
anywhere.  Meranath and you should know that or, by the first egg, why
are you senior queen?

Because I am her rider!" Zulaya came storming out on to the weyr ledge,
her eyes sparkling with indignation.

How dare you address my queen?" How dare she withhold information from
ME?" Zulaya stared at him, surprised, for K'vin had never reprimanded
either her or Meranath, though she had to admit privately that he could
have legitimately done so on several occasions she would be embarrassed
to admit.

Did you know about P'tero's condition?" he demanded, and she backed
into the weyr, away from him.  He was rather magnificently furious, eyes
blazing, face stern, the epitome of indignation.

Tisha remarked that Maranis wasn't pleased with him assuming duty.  The
scar tissue is thin - And you said nothing to me?" He's only a blue
rider .

EVERY ONE OF MY RIDERS IS IMPORTANT TO ME!" K'vin roared, clenching his
fists at his sides because they wanted to grab something to release the
pent-up fury in him.

Threadfall is two days away.  I need to have a Weyr in full readiness.
I need to be sure of everyone I ask to face Thread in two days' time.  I
don't need secrets or evasions or K'vin,' Zulaya began, reaching out a
hand to him, Kev, it's all right.  The Weyr is ready perhaps tuned a
little too tight, but that's all to the good ALL TO THE GOOD?" and
K'vin batted her hand away, when we have unfit riders taking positions
they couldn't possibly manage in their condition?" He began pacing now
and Zulaya watched him, smiling with relief and pride.

He was going to be a splendid Weyrleader, much better than B'ner would
have been.

He halted just short of where she stood - his eyes, brilliant with his
anger and frustration, fixed on her face.

What on earth can you find to grin about right now?" he demanded -
suspiciously, for there was a quality in her smile that he'd never seen
before.

That you're in full control, she said, leaving her smile in place.

Oh, I am, am I?" Then, as she had always hoped he would, he took her in
his arms and began kissing her with the full authority of his
masculinity and his position as her Weyrleader, without a trace of
hesitation or deference.  Just what she had always hoped she'd provoke
him to do.

K'vin was still very much in complete control even very early the next
morning, before dawn in fact, when Meranath told them that B'nurrin and
Shanna were waiting for them.

Waiting for what?" K'vin asked, pulling himself reluctantly away from
Zulaya to reach for his pants.

It is time to go, Charanth added.

Go where?" asked K'vin in a querulous tone of voice.

Go where?" Zulaya echoed sleepily.

South, they say, Meranath and Charanth echoed.

Suddenly K'vin remembered.  Today was the day they would go to see
Thread.  He said that very, very quietly in the back of his mind where
Charanth might not hear it.  Both dragons had been asleep when B'nurrin
had made his visit.

Which was just as well, or the whole Weyr might have been privy to the
notion of a pre-viewing of Thread.

B'nurrin wants us to join him,' K'vin said, giving Zulaya a cautionary
look.

She frowned for a moment, then her face cleared abruptly as she said,
Oh." With a conspiratorial grin, she was out of the bed, trailing the
sheet on her way to her riding gear.

When they passed each other once in the course of dressing, she pulled
his head down to her mouth.  I could bring my flame-thrower.

Might as well paint your destination on your forehead, he murmured
back.  We're only going to watch." Yes, watch." Then she asked more
loudly, Where do we meet B'nurrin, Meranath?" We know that, too,
remember?" K'vin said, grabbing Zulaya and giving her arm a little
shake.  Then he mouthed Landing.

Yes, how could I forget?" If the dragon and rider on watch on the Rim
wondered why the two Weyrleaders were slipping away long before dawn,
neither asked and the rider gave a cheery swing of his arm as they
passed over him.

lana th says to count to three and then go, Charanth told his rider,
still mystified.

Landing is where we're going, K'vin replied, glancing across the space
between his dragon and Meranath.  Zulaya showed him a thumb's-up signal
to signify she had had the same message.  Visualizing the arid sweep of
desolate volcanic ash from Mount Garben down to Monaco Bay, K'vin nodded
his head three times.

GO!

Abruptly Charanth rumbled deep in his belly while his mind said in
surprised shock OH!" K'vin felt him shift.  Consequently he was perhaps
not as surprised as he might have been to realize that the airspace
around them, and Meranath and Zulaya, was well occupied.  With that
extra sense dragons had, the two had averted a collision.  In fact, as
K'vin swivelled about to check, the only two Weyrleaders he didn't see
were S'nan and Sarrai, although they might well have been among those
who winked out of sight between so as not to be recognized.

K'vin caught flashes of blue, brown and even one or two green hides in
the southern sun before they disappeared.  Nor was this meeting composed
now only of Weyrleaders and dragons; some thirty or so bronzes and
browns were present.

The sight was too much for K'vin's sense of the ridiculous and it was a
good thing that he was clipped into his safety harness.  He was seized
with such a laughing fit that he reeled back and forth against
Charanth's neck ridges.

Had every rider on Pern been possessed of the compulsion to come here
this morning?  Of course, the particular site of Landing was well known
to all riders.  But for so many to decide independently to come here . .
.  Probably every one certain he or she'd be the only ones daring
enough!

Nor was K'vin the only one laughing hard.  Right now he was more in
danger of wetting his breeches from mirth - not fright at seeing Thread
for the first time.  Which reminded him why he was here.  Again that
realization became universal.

Laughter faded as every dragon and rider irresistibly turned
north-eastward.

It was there, too, the much-described silvery-grey haze on the upper
levels of the blue sky.  Not a dragon wing moved, not a rider recoiled
as the silver stuff began to drop on to the sea.  THREAD!  And so aptly
called.

THREAD!

The word seemed to rumble from dragon to dragon and K'vin had to grab
hold of the neck ridge as Charanth started to lurch towards what he had
known all his life as his adversary.

I have no firestone!  How can I flame it?  What is wrong?

Why have you brought me here where there is Thread and I have no fire to
char it!

It's all righ4 Charanth.  We're here to watch.  To see.

But it is Thread!  I must chew to flame.  Why may I not flame when there
is THREAD!

Glancing wildly around him, K'vin realized that he was by no means the
only rider having the same difficulty with a frustratedly zealous
dragon, rapidly trying to close the gap to Threadfall.

I've seen enough, Charanth.  Take us back to Telgar.

But THREAD?  And the bronze dragon's tone was piteous, confused and
horrified.

We leave.  Now!

Leave?  But we have not met Thread.

Not here or now or in this place, Charanth.

It took K'vin every bit of will-power and moral strength, and Charanth's
faith in him, to overcome his bronze's impassioned protest.

Then, all of a sudden, Charanth stopped flying towards Thread.

Oh, all right!  The tone was that of a petulant child forced by a senior
authority to follow orders totally against the grain.

What?

The queens say we must go to the Red Butte.

Then let us go there.  K'vin did not question the order, being far too
glad that one was given which the dragon would obey.

The Butte was a training landmark in lower Keroon, a laccolithic dome so
difficult to mistake that it figured in all weyrling training
programmes.  And there the would-be observers managed to get their
dragons to land.  Even the queens eyes were revolving at a stiff
red-orange pace, but some of the bronzes were so distraught with anger
that their eyes pulsed wickedly, revolving at incredible speed.

K'vin was almost relieved to swing down from Charanth's neck.  But he,
and the other Weyrleaders, all kept one hand on their dragons, leg,
shoulder or muzzle: some contact was maintained.  In a wide outer circle
were the brown and bronze riders who had also been rescued': they
remained mounted, soothing their dragons, allowing their leaders the
centre for discussion.

It was M'shall who spoke first.  Well, that was one good idea gone
awry,' he said in a droll tone.  Great minds, all of us!" Except for
forgetting one simple rule, Irene added, pulling off her flying cap. Her
face was still pale from the fright she must have had.

K'vin glanced at Zulaya who was wiping sweat from her face, so he knew
none of the queen riders had had an easy time to get their queens to
insist on the disengagement.

Dragons know what they're supposed to do when Thread falls,' M'shall
said, nodding.  And then he started to laugh.

K'vin grinned and, when he heard G'don's bass chuckle, saw no reason to
hold his laughter in any longer.  B'nurrin was howling so that he had to
clutch at K'vin to keep his balance.  Even D'miel looked properly
abashed, and Laura's giggle was infectious enough to increase the
volume.  Beyond the inner circle, the rest of the riders caught the joke
on themselves and joined in the laugh.  It was a good release from the
fright that they had all just had.

Did anyone happen to notice a Fort rider disappearing in guilty
retreat?" M'shall asked when the laughter died down.

He'd been checking the identity of those on the rim of this informal
assembly.

They'd be the last to admit coming,' said Irene.

I doubt that, Renee,' G'don said.  S'nan runs a strict Weyr, it's
true, but I'll wager there're a few renegades among his wing leaders I
know there are,' Mari agreed, blotting her eyes which were still merry
from laughter.  It's just such a hoot that we all..." and she ringed
them with a swirl of her hand, thought to come and have a peek.

It's not going to inhibit any of the dragons, is it?" Laura asked,
turning pale at the sudden thought.  Turning them off like that?"
D'miel wasn't the only Weyrleader to dismiss that notion derisively.
Hardly!  It's increased rider-credibility a hundredfold.

They now know without doubt that what we've been telling them since they
were Hatched is true!" Oh, yes, it would, wouldn't it?" she said,
relieved.

I myself wouid like to thank the queen riders for exerting their
powerful influence on our bronzes,' G'don said with a formal hand over
his heart as he bowed to the five queen riders.

The advantage of having three very senior queens,' said Zulaya, and
two very strong-minded young women.

Laura blushed while Shanna stood even straighter.

All right then,' M'shall began, having taken note that most of the male
dragons' eyes were resuming normal colour and speed.  He took a step
towards the centre of the sandy circle and cupped his hands, turning as
he spoke.  All right, then, every one of you.  This is a meeting that
never happened and isn't to be referred to in any Weyr for any reason.
Do you understand me?" The tesponse was loud and clear.

He nodded and stepped back towards Craigath.  We'll meet .  .  . he
said now to the other leaders, where Thread first..  .  officially
falls North.

We've sweep riders out all the time,' G'don reminded them.

And we're all very sure that S'nan has, too,' B'nurrin put in,
grinning.

So we'll know when and where to meet again Wait a moment more, G'don,'
K'vin said.  Why don't we rotate the wings that meet that first Fall,
wherever it is'?" A little cheer from the outer circle gave instant
approval to that suggestion.  That'll give even more riders a chance
for at least a little experience before the individual Weyrs have to
meet Thread on their own.

G'don paused at Chakath's side, looking around to check the reaction to
that idea.  In hourly intervals?" he asked.

Make it two hours to allow wings to get properly into the routine,'
M'shall amended.

It's not that we're green riders or anything,' B'nurrin put in as
protest.

Two hours makes more sense than swapping around every hour .  .

. D'miel said thoughtfully.

I'd agree on two,' said G'don.  We'll bring the matter up to S'nan; he
deserves that much from us.  I'll initiate the idea,' and he grinned
again, since S'nan would listen to him as the oldest Weyrleader where he
would summarily dismiss a younger man.  I'll let you know when we'll
meet to make the changes we've already agreed to." Red dust swirled up
in a cloud around the Butte as all the dragons leaped almost
simultaneously from the ground.

Threadfall

Bitter cold weather and winds swept down from the icy poles of Pern on
the day that S'nan set up a meeting with the other five Weyrleaders to
discuss the rotation of wings which G'don had suggested to him. Freezing
weather was likely to do Fort Weyr out of its chance to be the first
Weyr to meet Thread in this Fall.

That S'nan keenly felt deprived was obvious.  Throughout the meeting he
paced the floor, pausing to peer out of the slanting corridor to the
sleet falling heavily into Fort Bowl.

He had only half his mind on the discussion.  B'nurrin was all but
laughing, only the kicks he received under the table from K'vin keeping
him from bursting out.  Not that K'vin could blame the Igen Weyrleader,
for the meeting was a charade: each of them giving soberly presented
reasons for the two hourly rotation while S'nan said little more than
monosyllables.  He kept his expression blank; it was Sarrai's petulant
expression that was honest.

She's been dying to get all of us under her wing,' Zulaya whispered to
K'vin when the Fort Weyrwoman's face was turned towards her anxiously
pacing mate.

Don't think she will, love,' K'vin said, the endearment coming easily
to his lips now.  He sighed.  You know,' and he moved his lips close to
her ear.  I'm almost sorry for the old man.

Zulaya gave a little snort.  I'm not!" Then she altered her expression
to one of earnest attention as Sarrai looked over at them for
whispering.

Thread came down as black dust, sifted in with snow or sleet.

Fort sweep riders brought buckets of it for S'nan to see and mournfully
wave off.  High Reaches were even more diligent in their efforts to
locate live, dangerous Thread.

Some riders even suffered frostbite, so earnestly did they watch for the
reappearance of the old enemy, although one long piece of frozen Thread
was brought for G'don to examine.  The stench of it as it melted was
enough to dispose of it completely.

By the time of Benden's First Fall - by the numbers, Ten - the weather
pattern had shifted sufficiently on the east coast to a warmer front so
that a good deal of that projected Fall would be considered live' and
dangerous.  The call went out to all the Weyrs of Pern.

K'vin and Telgar Weyr's two full wings of dragon riders reassembled in
the upper right quadrant of air above Benden Weyr, not a rider out of
alignment.  Below him the Weyr was ablaze with lights in this dark
pre-dawn time, lighting the bellies of the dragons in their ranks.  He
wasn't sure if the Telgar contingent got there before the units of the
other Weyrs, but they were certainly all present and accounted for at
the designated hour and in the assigned positions.  Everyone would have
preferred a daylight defence, but Thread didn't need to see to Fall.

And according to Sean's reports of early morning or late evening Falls,
the silvery stuff would be luminous enough for the practical purpose of
flaming it out of the sky.

This First Fall of the Second Pass would start across the high
mountains, still deep with winter snows, and would thus fall harmlessly.
Much would probably fall as black dust in the still frigid temperatures
of that area though quite likely, on other occasions, Fall would merely
be observed until it moved inexorably down to habitable lands.  Today
was the exception.

The final decision by the Weyrleaders had been unanimous - when M'shall
had made S'nan put it to a vote - to ride the entire Fall over the
ranges, harmless or not, to see it for themselves'.  Everyone was too
keyed-up over the first three dud' Falls to wait any longer to go into
action.  Of course, some of the peaks jutted at altitudes where oxygen
had thinned to an un sustainable level even for dragons.  But it could be
seen in actual descent and the general aspect of this Fall judged.

The wings would be rotated after two hours, giving as many as possible a
chance at the real thing'.  K'vin briefly thought of P'tero's vain
attempt to be included in the fighting force Telgar would launch.  Maybe
he should have put the blue rider in, sore ass and all, to prove that
there was a lot more to fighting Thread than having the guts to do it.
But to include P'tero would have been to exclude a perfectly healthy and
less erratic rider.  K'vin had not selected M'leng of the green riders
chosen for the First Fall.  That would ease any discord between the
pair: that one had gone and the other had not.

Basically, they were good weyrmates having a reasonably stable
relationship ever since P'tero, who was the younger, had Impressed
Ormonth.

Movement and a shift in air pressure caught K'vin's attention and he
looked down at Benden's Rim.

Craigath warns us, Charanth told his rider.  Three, two, one...

GO!

The command came from many minds and many throats in the dark above
Benden Weyr.  The blackness of between was more intense but scarcely
less cold than the atmosphere above the peaks where the wings re-entered
real space.  K'vin was glad of the wool fabric across his mouth and
nose, though it did not altogether warm the thin air he inhaled.  Below,
the snowy mountains gave off a curious light of their own.  Belior was
setting in the west and K'vin looked around, to the east, and saw the
baleful orb of the Red Planet, vivid amongst the stars.

Spits of fire blossomed in the darkness all around as eager dragons
belched.  Too full a belly of firestone, K'vin thought with professional
detachment, but he could hardly fault rider or dragon for over-priming.

For two centuries they had waited for this moment: centuries of training
and lives lived so that dragons - and riders - would be here, right now,
waiting to defend Pern.

Yet this was a first, too.  For Pern had had no dragons the first time
Thread had fallen.  And the planet had been so close to total disaster
before the first eighteen dragons had emerged from between above Fort
Hold to flame the parasite from the skies and give hope to the
beleaguered defenders.  K'vin had always been struck by the courage - he
should make P'tero read those entries - of the despairing Admiral Paul
Benden in his diary written just prior to that magnificent triumph.

Even in his most recent reading of that journal, his throat closed over
as he read the words: And then that young rogue had the temerity to
salute and say, "Admiral Ben den, may I present the Dragonriders of
Pern?"

More spurts of fiery breath and every dragon head turned slightly
northward.

It comes!  Charanth said, rumbling deep in his chest, a vibration that
K'vin felt through his legs.  He was aware then that the only warm part
of him was what was pressing against his dragon's neck.  His nose had no
feeling of the fabric across it.  Maybe they should drop down a thousand
feet or so .

and K'vin looked towards the central block of the massed wings, where
M'shall and Craigath waited.  It was the Benden Weyrleader's call, not
his.

Then he saw it - or rather the mass of something lustrous against the
black of night, like a banner spread from some distant source in the
sky, a banner that rippled and spun.  The pace of his heartbeat picked
up.  He felt an odd coldness in his guts, but it could simply be because
it was very, very cold at this altitude.

Charanth's rumble increased and a little spit of flame spilled from his
mouth.

Steady, lad!

I'm not moving!  It is!  And I can flame this time!

K'vin could not reproach Charanth for that snide reminder.

And, oddly enough, he also felt no fear as he regarded the advance.
There was this sense of inevitability, that he would be here, at this
moment in time, to observe this phenomenon, to be part of this defence.

Closer and closer the waves of Thread came as the massed wings watched.
The leading edge was now falling visibly on the mountainsides.  In this
cold air not even the steam of its dissolution was visible.

Thread was falling in a steady stream, freezing dead in the snow.

A steady stream, no tangles, no bare spots.

Craigath says we regmup at the second meeting point.

Agreed.

Oddly enough, K'vin did not like even to regroup, though there was
nothing Thread could have done to harm the snowy mountainsides and it
was foolish to waste time and flame here.

But it felt like retreat.

Charanth had broadcast the order and took them between.

The air was noticeably warmer at the altitude of the new position.

He rubbed at his nose and cheeks to bring blood to the surface.  Even
his fingertips felt numb from the cold.

False dawn began in the east, the Red Star paling slightly in the
greying skies.  And Thread suddenly looked more ominous.  More dragons
spewed flame and he told Charanth to warn them to conserve their breath.

Suddenly the wait was chafing.  They had waited so long, hadn't they?
Two hundred years!  When would they begin?

But Thread fell on snow, and K'vin was close enough to Leading Edge now
to see the holes it made in the whiteness.

NOW!  Craigath's command reached K'vin's mind in the same moment that
Charanth roared, full flame erupting from his mouth, as he beat his
wings to power his forward surge.

K'vin clutched at the flight strap, felt frantically for the rope that
tethered the firestone sacks to the neck ridge in front of him, and
clamped his knees as tight as he could to his bronze!

His right arm raised and pointed forward, as if any rider had missed
Craigath's command or the roars that emerged from dragon th oats across
the sky.

They were flying in ranks, Telgar being the second and slightly behind
the uppermost wings which were from High Reaches.  There was sufficient
air between the two layers of dragons so that flame from one level would
not interfere with another; and a corridor for manoeuvre as well.  Every
Weyr had drilled its wings for this strategy until it was instinctive to
stay within the plane assigned them.

The moment when Charanth's breath sizzled up descending Thread was a
transcendental experience for both partners.

Cha-anth sustained his flame magnificently, crossing this cordon, and
then they were out, beyond Thread's fall and turning.  K'vin spared a
glance at the rest of his wings and saw them pivoting simultaneously,
all those long, long hours and years of practice resulting in a perfect
manoeuvre.  His heart was like to burst in his chest with pride.  Below
and above him, other wings were turning, all now flaming to catch the
next band of falling Thread.  And the next.  And the next.

Meranath and the others are here, Charanth announced, dropping his head
to peer far below.

They are?  Tirn.  K'vin looked below and saw the unmistakable arrow of
golden bodies in their low-level position, the flame-throwers which the
queen riders used spouting here and there as they disintegrated stray
strands escaping the higher ranks.

Does Meranath fly well?

Meranath flies very well, Charanth said proudly.

Tell the wings it is time to execute the first change-over, K'vin said.
He swivelled his body around to watch that manoeuvre, holding his right
arm up high, sweeping his eyes across Telgar's wings.  He dropped his
arm and counted nine or ten dragons still flaming.  Then they, too, went
off.  He counted to five and suddenly full wings flew behind him.  He
raised his arm high in recognition of their arrival, which was all he
had time for because the wall of Thread advanced to flaming distance and
Charanth was ready with his fire.  So far he could find no fault with
the performance of Telgar's wings.

It seemed no time after that when he realized his sacks of firestone
were empty, and he had Charanth call for more.  It surprised K'vin to
notice that they had flown from night into day, for the sun slanted
right into the eyes as they flew east again.  There was good reason to
use tinted glass in the goggles.

Z'gal and blue Tracath made the drop, swooping in neatly just above his
head and depositing the new sacks across Charanth's neck.

K'vin pulled the release knot of the empty sacks and saw Tracath swivel
and dive beneath Charanth, Z'gal deftly catching the limp ones and
disappearing instantly between.

Tell Tracath that was well done, K'vin said.

They were over the northern-most edge of Benden now, above pasture
lands, forests and small farming holds.  The need for accuracy and
complete destruction of Thread was more crucial now.  The queens' wing
was more visible, gold against the dark green or brown of fields not yet
verdant with spring growth.

Sacks had to be replenished again.  He called in the second change-over
of wings, only then realizing that he was beginning to tire.

Are you all right, Charanth?

I flame well.  My wings beat strongly.  We are together.  There is no
problem.

The calm, strong tone of his bronze was like a tonic.  Yes, they were
together, doing what they had been bred and maintained to do.

Meranath says we are over Bitra Hold now.  They were turning west again,
back for another run.  K'vin did notice that there seemed to be less
Thread falling now, even gaps between the sheets of it.  This Fall is
nearly over?

K'vin wasn't sure if Charanth was pleased, surprised or disappointed.
He, for one, was enormously relieved!  He had survived the ultimate test
of the Weyrleader.

They did one more pass eastward and then there was no more Thread
visible above.  A cheer echoed from rider to rider, and all those within
K'vin's range pumped both arms in jubilation.

We should land at Bitra Hold, in case we are needed for burrows that
might have escaped us, K'vin told Charanth.  Tell the wings well-done,
and all but J'dar's may return.  He will wait with us for the all-clear.
It is M'shall's pThasure to tell us that!  Any casualties?

 That was the traditional Weyrleader's query, though reports would also
be made to him during the Fall so that he could assess what replacements
might be needed.

Today only some minor burns from char.  Nothing bad enough that anyone
cared to report to you.

K'vin wasn't that pleased that news had been withheld, but he could
understand the reluctance of any rider in today's Fall retiring for a
mere char burn.  Now he noticed that he had quite a few black spots on
his own riding leathers, but nothing had penetrated through to his
flesh.  Would that every Fall would be so trouble-free!  And the next
one which Telgar flew would show up the foolhardy.  He'd have to give
the entire Weyr a hard bollocking to prevent the cocksure from disaster.

Today the queens' wing would join the wing leaders at Bitra Hold, though
traditionally they stayed aloft to assist ground crews.

Zulaya sought K'vin immediately she was on the ground and embraced him,
seeking his mouth to kiss him with enthusiasm.

We did it!  We did it!" This time,' K'vin said, hugging her tightly to
him.  He could almost have thanked P'tero for getting him so angry.  It
had done the world of good for his relations with Zulaya.

The way she looked at him now, the way she had to touch him .  .

well, they were truly weyrmates.

M'shall was moving among the riders, slapping one on the

shoulder, thanking each Weyrleader for participating in this almost
scathe less Fall, a wide smile plastered on his face.

I'd say that this was a normal Fall,' S'nan was saying rather
portentiously.

How can we possibly tell?" G'don asked.

The records, man, the records,' said S'nan, glaring.  It's exactly as
Sean described Fall #325, in his records of 11 AL.

Exactly.

Oh, Fall #325?" asked B'nurrin, his eyes dancing.  Myself, I felt it
was more like #499 in 12 AL." B'nurrin?" M'shall's raised eyebrows
suggested that the irrepressible young Igen Weyrleader should stop
baiting S'nan.

We got off much too easily,' said D'miel of Ista, shaking his head.  I
mean, we were all on a high.  I for one was expecting far worse Isn't
it nice to be disappointed?" K'vin said, but he agreed with D'miel.
Everything had gone too well.

Nonsense,' said G'don.  We were all flying our best riders.

We've been keyed up for weeks, and nervous.  And I don't mind admitting
I was,' he added, glancing around him, but he winked at K'vin and
B'nurrin.  Others nodded agreement.  So we were very cautious.

It's when we're so accustomed to the menace that we're liable to be
careless, to take unnecessary risks, to stop watching out of the backs
of our heads.

A murmur of agreement and nods greeted that observation.

We must never relax our guard during Fall,' S'nan declared, again
sententious.  Never!" We'll have to be doubly cautious during the
second Fall over south Benden and Keroon,' Zulaya said softly to K'vin.

Well, I for one was pleased with the way the wings performed.

Not much got through,' he repeated.  Between the upper flights and the
queens' wing, only four incidents of burrow, and those were handled with
great dispatch.  Thanks to Vergerin .

The Bitra Lord Holder was directing the distribution of Hegmon's
sparkling wine to those crowding in his courtyard.

Only think what might have happened if Chalkin was still here!' Irene
said, raising her glass towards Vergerin.

Who wants to think what might have happened?" Laura of Ista Weyr
demanded, laughing with exaggerated relief.

For one thing, we wouldn't have this champagne,' Irene replied.

That's for damned sure!" How'd you get the sparkly out of Hegmon,
Vergerin?" G'don wanted to know, cradling his glass lovingly.

We're old friends, you might say,' Vergerin replied with a droll grin.

Did any wing report injuries?" asked M'shall, his expression turning
sober.

Nothing above char burns in mine,' K'vin said.  And that was what the
other wing leaders reported one afler another.

Well, we're fragging lucky if that's all.  Though I shudder to think
how careless the average rider can get,' M'shall said.

We'll have to keep them on their toes.

And on their dragons,' his weyrmate added.

Look at it this way,' said B'nurrin, grinning from ear to ear, We've
only five thousand eight hundred and fourteen more Falls to attend, give
or take a few, before it's all over for another two hundred years!"
There was a moment of dumbfounded silence as that fact was absorbed and
then B'nurrin ducked away before the wrath of his peers could descend on
him.

But Fall has begun,' K'vin said softly to Zulaya, standing proudly
beside him, and we have met the enemy again." What a time to be alive
And riding a dragon!" And thus began the Second Pass of Thread on Pern!