All The Weyrs of Pern

by Anne McCaffrey

  Their energy appeared almost obscene to Jaxom. No one had the right to have that much vitality at the end of a day. As they passed him, he noted that their shoulder knots identified them as coming from Tillek, far enough west that it was actually early in the day for them. He sighed.

  Lessa installed Master Oldive in a chair at the table and gestured for the drudges to supply everyone with klah and plates of roast beast and tubers. Never had such a plain meal smelled so appetizing to Jaxom. He gobbled down the food, and when he was offered a second helping, he took as much again.

  There was more color in Master Oldive's cheeks as he made inroads on his generous serving. Benelek ate with single-minded intensity, his eyes focused on some obscure distance, and occasionally he nodded his head as if approving his ruminations. Jaxom decided he hadn't the energy for thinking right then. He would think again the next morning. Sharra would understand. He hoped Brand would, since he would once again have to leave the Steward to cope with the details of running Ruatha Hold. Brand never seemed to mind. On the other hand, Lytol might, but surely Master Robinton would explain the importance of Aivas to Jaxom's old guardian.

  "I must send a message to that young journeyman of Wansor's," Oldive told Lessa, his enthusiasm vivid on his long face. "I must have an apparatus similar to the one that was found in Benden Weyr. It will magnify blood and tissue so that we can identify disease and infection." He reached for the neat pile Jancis had made of his papers and started leafing through them. "Aivas states that the use of a microscope is essential to improve medical diagnosis and even treatment. He has given me the details of how to run other necessary diagnostic tests."

  "A microscope?" Lessa asked indulgently. She thought highly of the Masterhealer, who had recently sent her a woman possessed of a miraculous talent for repairing even the most damaged wings or hideous Thread scores.

  "That's the word." Oldive put a hand to his forehead. "Aivas crammed so much into my poor head today that I wonder I can remember my name."

  "It's Oldive," Piemur said, putting on an innocently helpful expression. He rolled his eyes at the quelling glance Lessa threw him. Jancis poked him in the ribs, and he subsided meekly enough.

  When they had finished their meal, Jaxom presented himself ready to convey Master Oldive back to the Harper Hall.

  "Ah, no, Jaxom, I would like to go directly to Ruatha. I have advice for Sharra." There was a radiant smile of erect satisfaction on the healer's face.

  "Aivas knows a cure?" Jaxom asked.

  Master Oldive nodded toward his stack. "Cure? Perhaps. Certainly several avenues of investigation that may provide relief." Then he sighed. "There was so very much medical acumen lost over the centuries. He didn't say so, of course, but Aivas was clearly taken aback by our lack of remedial surgery. He was, however, most commendatory about our preventive measures and non-surgical techniques. Ah..." He made a weary gesture with one hand. "I could go on and on." He smiled with self-deprecation. "With whom should I arrange additional time with Aivas? There are both Masters and journeymen who would benefit immensely by consultations with him."

  Lessa looked up to see a weary-looking F'lar standing in the doorway. He shrugged.

  "I hadn't thought about apportioning Aivas's time," the Weyrleader said.

  "As soon as we manage to set up these individual stations," Piemur said, "there'll be four more links to Aivas."

  "The Healer Hall should have priority," Lessa added with a frown, scrubbing at her face in fatigue.

  "Those are to be teaching consoles," Benelek said, scowling.

  "For us, maybe," Piemur said. "But if they access Aivas, then they can be used for other purposes. At least that's what I figure."

  "You're a harper, not a journeyman mechanic."

  "I'm a Mastersmith," Jancis put in, her tone edged, "and let me remind you that Piemur got his unit up and running before either of us did."

  "Enough! " Lessa brought her hand down on the table with a slap of authority. "We're all tired." She rose abruptly. "Ramoth!" Outside, the golden queen dragon bugled a response. "You're all to leave this building now!" She leveled a stern look first at Benelek and then the others. "Including us." Her gaze settled on F'lar, who grinned and held up both hands as if to fend her off. "The two buildings to the left of this one have been set up as dormitories. Go!" She shooed them off with her hands, then glared at them until they started to move.

  Master Oldive chuckled softly as he accompanied Jaxom out of the building. "Not that I think I will sleep tonight at all with so much to absorb and review. Why, Jaxom, even what I learned today is only the veriest crumb of the medical knowledge which Aivas had stored! He clarified my understanding of several perplexing conditions. I must have Master Ampris, our herbalist, bring him our pharmacopoeia." A weary smile lit Master Oldive's face. "He said we have made very good use of indigenous plants, and he recognized many as those brought by our ancestors from Earth. Earth!" And Oldive looked up at the star-spangled sky, turning his twisted body to scan the dark heavens above them. "Do we know where Earth is in relation to Pern?"

  "I don't think so," Jaxom replied in mild surprise. "I don't remember that Aivas gave the direction. Maybe he didn't want to. Our ancestors came here to escape a war, a conflict of such scope and dimensions, waged against an evil far more destructive than Thread, that they wanted to forget Earth."

  "Really? Could anything be more destructive than Thread?" The healer was both astonished and appalled.

  "I find it hard to believe, too," Jaxom agreed.

  Ruth glided in from his sunning spot to the cleared area in front of the Aivas building. He ducked his head to receive his weyrmate's affectionate slap.

  "You must have baked yourself," Jaxom said, shaking his hand as if to cool it.

  Yes. It was good. Ramoth and Mnementh are waiting for us to leave this space, Ruth said. There's really enough room, but you know Ramoth. She likes to boss me.

  Jaxom chuckled as he mounted, aware that fatigue was making him clumsy. With no prompting needed, the white dragon crouched down to accommodate Master Oldive.

  Hauling the healer up only emphasized Jaxom's weariness. But they would be home soon. Inwardly he groaned: They would have to make yet another run later, to take Oldive back to his Hall.

  Sharra will make him stay the night. He'll want to talk, so she won't let him go, Ruth said.

  As Ruth rose from the ground, Jaxom and Oldive were able to appreciate just how busy Landing had become. Paths lit by glowbaskets spread like the spokes of a wheel radiating out from the Aivas building. Carpenters and joiners were working by glowlight to finish roofing the substantial annex. All of the housing immediately adjacent was lit, and the warm evening air was redolent with the aromas of roasting meats. On the mounds beyond, large, vivid, blue-faceted dragon eyes punctuated the darkness like immense jewels on a deep blue background. Two rose and glided beneath Ruth as he continued to rise.

  All right, Ruth, let's go home to Ruatha. Jaxom gratefully focused his thoughts on the Hold, the big courtyard in front of the wide steps, and the smaller court that had been their quarters during their youth. The cold of between held a wicked bite on tired minds and bodies. It did not help to emerge into the weak afternoon sunlight and the chill of winter. Jaxom could feel Oldive shivering behind him. But Ruth had emerged only a few wing strokes above the Hold and glided effortlessly into the main courtyard, the Hold's fair of fire-lizards wheeling in raptures at his return.

  Sharra, a thick furry cloak thrown over her shoulders, came running down the steps to them, effusive in her welcome, helping Master Oldive dismount, securing his satchel as it swung off his shoulder, smiling her delight up at Jaxom, and with her free hand giving Ruth an affectionate slap. Though she asked nothing, Jaxom knew his wife well enough to know that she was bursting with questions. He threw one arm across her shoulders and kissed her cheek; her smooth skin and the scent of her revived him as he guided Oldive up the steps and into the warmth of the Hold.

  I'm
going inside immediately, Ruth told his rider, or I'll lose all the benefit of my sunning. And he took himself off to his weyr in the old kitchen where, Jaxom knew, a fire would be waiting in the hearth.

  Sharra ordered food and drink as she pushed the two men toward the small office where they would have some privacy from the many people eager to hear Jaxom's report of the ongoing events at Landing. "Later, later," she told them firmly, and closed the door.

  Before Oldive joined Jaxom and Sharra at the fire, he carefully laid his satchel on the wide desk where Jaxom generally sat to manage the details of his Hold. A pile of messages and Records lay waiting for his attention. There was a scratch at the door, and then the Steward himself entered, carrying a laden tray.

  "Oh, that's kind of you, Brand," Jaxom said. "Lessa made us eat before she'd let us leave, Sharra, but klah will go down well. With a lashing of that fortified wine I see you brought along." Jaxom grinned at the stocky man who had been his friend since his childhood and was now his most valued assistant. "No, stay, Brand. You've the right to hear what keeps me from my proper tasks."

  Brand waved his hand in a disclaimer as he helped Sharra pass the hot drinks, the pungent wine masking the klah's fragrance. Jaxom took a judicious sip and felt the liquid rushing to restore warmth. Master Oldive, too, seemed to revive somewhat and sank into the chair that Brand placed close to the fire for him.

  "My dear, your female patient is suffering a gall bladder malfunction," the old healer told Sharra. "Unfortunately, the man appears to have a cancerous growth, as we suspected. We can cure the one, for I have been given a specific medication for dissolving the gravel within the organ, but we can only ease the other from life." Master Oldive paused, his eyes wide and bright with excitement. "Aivas has the most extraordinary fund of medical information, which he is quite willing to impart to us. He can even help us revive corrective surgical procedures, which you know I have yearned to do. Our Craft may have been limited to repair surgeries for lack of proper training, but he can help us recover much of that lost skill."

  "That would be wonderful, Master, but would we be able to overcome the prejudice in the Hall about intrusive measures?" Sharra exclaimed, her face mirroring her hope.

  "Now that we have a mentor of unquestionable probity, I think that once we have proved the benefits to patients who will not mend without drastic measures, we can overcome those scruples." He drained his cup and resolutely rose to his feet. "A few moments in your infirmary, my dear Sharra, and we shall have the medication for your gall bladder sufferer. The other poor wight..." Oldive shrugged, his expression deeply compassionate.

  "Come then, and you can tell me all the medical details that would bore Jaxom and Brand to tears," Sharra said, grinning fondly at her mate.

  "You never-" Jaxom paused to give that adverb full emphasis. "-bore me, Sharra." The loving look that she gave him warmed as the klah had not.

  "You look tired, Jaxom," Brand said when the door had closed.

  "I am, Brand, and my head aches with what I've seen and heard in the last two days. But I feel-I feel-" Jaxom stopped, clenching one fist. "That this is most momentous thing that has happened to Pern since-" and he laughed. "-our ancestors landed here." His second laugh was not as easy. "Not that everyone will see it that way, I'm sure."

  "There are always those who oppose change," Brand said with a resigned shrug. "Has the Aivas told you exactly how it proposes to eliminate Thread?"

  "We are mere babes, Brand, and must put in much hard work and learn many new things before Aivas will give us any details. But you should have seen Fandarel." Jaxom's laugh was uninhibited. "And Benelek. They were spinning like tops to do everything at once. When Ruth and I got off transport duty, I was allowed to put together one of Aivas's gadgets." He examined the fingers of his right hand, the solder burn and the nicks where the screwdriver had slipped. "I'm learning to access knowledge. Tomorrow I may even get to read some of Aivas's stored wisdom. I tell you, Brand, the next few weeks are going to be fascinating."

  "Another way of telling me you'll frequently be away from the Hold?" Brand asked, grinning.

  "Well, apart from overseeing Falls, there's not much to do right now in the depths of winter, is there?" Jaxom replied defensively.

  Brand laughed and, with the familiarity of their long and close relationship, clapped Jaxom on the shoulder. "That there isn't, lad. I'd be happy to learn if Aivas knows any way of heating stone-cold holds."

  "I'll ask him!" Jaxom promised earnestly. "I'll ask him." And he leaned forward to warm his hands again.

  5

  AGAINST HIS ENTREATIES, F'lar took Master Robinton back to Cove Hold.

  "You need the rest and the quiet, Robinton," F'lar told the Harper sternly. "You won't get that if you're allowed to stay at Landing again tonight. You're exhausted."

  "But what a wonderful way to get tired, Flat. And every time I turn around, I think of something else I must ask Aivas." Robinton chuckled. "It's rather like knowing you have the most fabulous vintage in your glass and being torn between drinking and admiring."

  F'lar shot him an amused look. "That's apt enough, considering the source."

  "I try! But surely you appreciate why I'm loath to leave?" And the Harper's expression was entreating.

  "Oh, I do, Robinton." F'lar grinned as he handed the man down from Mnementh's great shoulder. "But it'd be worth my peace with Lessa if we let you overstretch yourself."

  "But this is giving me new life, F'lar. A new hope that I never imagined to receive."

  "Nor I," F'lar replied fervently. "Which is why we must take care of you all the more-to interpret for us."

  "Interpret? He speaks in plain and simple terms."

  "Not what Aivas says, Robinton, but how our people will see what he offers. For me, and all dragonriders, despite the future effects on Weyrs and dragonkind, I cannot but accept Aivas's offer to rid us of Thread. But already there are those who are either frightened or feel threatened by what Aivas can tell us, or give us."

  "Yes, similar thoughts had crossed my mind," Robinton said solemnly, but then he flashed F'lar a roguish grin. "But I also cross them out. The good done us will far outweigh the bad."

  "Get a good night's rest, Robinton. Benden flies Thread tomorrow, but Dram will oblige, I'm sure, to get you back to Landing."

  "Him!" Robinton was suddenly petulant. "He's worse than a milk mother, as it is." And he settled easily into D'ram's voice." 'I wouldn't, if I were you, Robinton! Have you eaten enough, Robinton? Now would be a good time to rest in the sun.' Tsck! He fusses me!"

  "Not tomorrow. D'ram's as eager to see and hear more of Aivas as you are, you know," F'lar said just before Mnementh launched himself upward.

  I've told Tiroth to take you tomorrow only if you're well rested, the dragon said. Zair, bronze tail wrapped about the Harper's neck and talons lightly clasping his right ear, chirruped agreement.

  "Oh, you!" Robinton was torn between irritation at their overprotectiveness and pleasure that Mnementh had a word for him. He could never forget how much he personally owed the dragons who had kept him alive when his labored heart had faltered that terrible day at Ista Weyr two Turns earlier.

  When he arrived at Cove Hold, Robinton was forced to admit to himself that he was tired. Just walking the short distance to the steps of his lovely residence winded him. There were lights on in the main hall: Dram and, doubtless, Lytol waiting up for him.

  Zair chirped again, confirming his guess. Well, they would not tax him, and certainly they both deserved a brief report of the day's activities. Only how to be brief, considering all that had occurred since he had awakened early that morning? Only that morning? It was Turns away in knowledge and understanding.

  But when he walked into the pleasant, well-lit room, Dram, the venerable retired Weyrleader, and Lytol, former dragonrider and Jaxom's mentor, would listen to no explanations; they ushered him to his room with instructions that he was to rest first.

  "Whatever momentous events
occurred after I left can wait until morning," Dram said.

  "Drink your wine," Lytol added, holding out the Harper's beautiful blue glass goblet. "And yes, I've added something to make you sleep tonight, because just one look at your face tells me you need rest above all else."

  Robinton closed his hand about the goblet. Norist might be a closed-minded Craftmaster, but he blew elegant glass when he had a mind to, and in the exact shade of harper blue. "But I've so much to tell you," the Harper objected after a sip of the wine.

  "All the better told when you've had a good night's sleep," Lytol said. When he would have bent to undo Robinton's boots, the Harper became indignant and pushed him away.

  "I'm not quite that tired, thank you, Lytol," he said with great dignity.

  Laughing, Dram and Lytol left. Robinton took another sip of wine before loosening the fastenings of his boots. The third before he hauled his tunic over his head. And another as he loosened his belt with his free hand. That's enough, he told himself and, draining the cup, lay back. He had only sufficient energy to pull the light blanket over him against the possible chill of a morning sea breeze. He felt Zair nestle down on the next pillow-and that was all.

  The next morning he awoke slowly, aware that the dream he had had during the night had been both satisfying and confusing, but its ephemeral details eluded a conscious effort at recall. He lay for a moment, orienting himself. Sometimes, of a morning, he had difficulty remembering what day it was, or the tasks he had mentally assigned himself to accomplish.

  Today he experienced no such disorientation. He remembered everything that had happened the day before with amazing clarity. Ah, that was good. A challenge to stimulate his flagging faculties. Corman and his accusation of gullibility! Indeed! Zair rumbled reassuringly on the pillow and stroked his head against Robinton's cheek.

  "Will you pass the word along that I'm now completely refreshed?" he asked the bronze fire-lizard.