The Master Harper of Pern

by Anne McCaffrey

  F'lon brushed hair back from his forehead in an irritable gesture and swung this way and that. "It's not as if we were close -weyrbred not taking that much store in relationships – and shards!

  But he's messed things up dying like this!"

  Whether or not that outburst was F'lon's way of expressing his grief, Robinton was never sure, but the dragonrider was certainly furious. Robinton knew that the young bronze rider had been proud of being the Weyrleader's son. He'd always affected an attitude of disdain for the relationship, but at least he had had one with his father. Robinton envied him that.

  "The others are too nervous as it is," F'lon went on savagely, looking every way but at the harper. He kicked at the dirt of the Bowl and kept shaking his head. "I told him he was chancing it with those chest pains. Listen to his son? Oh, no, he knew it all."

  In the glowbaskets, Robinton now noticed the wet streaks on F'lon's cheeks and he wished he could find something to say that would ease his loss. There was nothing.

  "Oh, go on, Rob. You're safer with C'gan anyway. At least right now."

  "Keep me posted how things are here, will you, F'lon? I know you can drum."

  He gripped the bronze rider's arm in what he hoped expressed his sympathy and regret and then, picking up his carisaks, made his way out of the brightly lit area to the blackness of the Bowl – the silhouetted shape of C'gan's blue Tagath, and the glimmering shine of sad dragon eyes, dotting the wall of the Weyr.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  His first act on returning to Benden was to search for Maizella and find out how Lady Hayara was doing. The girl looked almost as haggard as her stepmother had.

  "She's had a healer's draught and will sleep her grief out," she said. "And I'm about to take one myself. I still can't believe what's happened. Couldn't there still be a chance they'll emerge from between?"

  Robinton shook his head. "The dragons would know. And they know that Chendith is no more. I'm so sorry, Maizelie."

  "I know you are, Rob," she said, touching his arm. "And Raid's taking charge," she added with a touch of bitterness. "Could he not have waited until morning? Oh, he wants you on the Drum Tower..."

  That was Robinton's second act, sending out the sad report of the double tragedy. Raid had already composed the message and thrust it abruptly at Robinton the moment the harper reached the top of the Tower. As he got his wind back, Robinton read it.

  Different temperaments responded to tragedy in different ways, he reflected. He did not, as Maizella evidently did, think that Raid was heartless and unaffected. Rather he was proceeding with what he had been trained to do: take over the Hold and do whatever that new responsibility required of him.

  The Lord Holders of Fort, South Boll, Tillek and High Reaches, where it was only early evening, immediately drummed requests for dragons. There were messages later that long night from Telgar, Ista, Igen and Nerat as men were roused with the tragic news.

  By morning, all the major Holds knew and had responded. And by morning, a stream of Benden holders started arriving, some with wine or food. The women went either to the kitchens to help or upstairs to the family, to express their grief. The harpers from the outlying holds arrived to relieve Robinton at the drums: his hands were swollen from constant use of the sticks and he could barely concentrate on incoming messages, much less reply confidently.

  With the Tower manned, he collapsed for a few hours' needed sleep and was roused when F'lon, looking pale and exhausted, woke him with klah and slabs of bread.

  "I brought Faroguy in, with two of his family," the bronze rider said. "They didn't know I was S'loner's son." He gave a snort as he collapsed on the foot of the bed, slumping against the wall and nursing the hot klah on his chest. "You learn a lot more that way."

  "What more?" Robinton struggled to a sitting position. "Who came with Faroguy?" he asked, the mere fumes of the strong klah sparking his instincts.

  "Oh, that nephew and the son."

  "Fax?"

  F'lon frowned. "I think that was the name he said."

  Robinton swore under his breath. "Watch that one."

  "Oh, I intend to," F'lon said, cocking his head, his expression fierce. "He doesn't think much of dragonriders, and he doesn't think much of harpers, for that matter."

  "I know. I would have thought he'd abstain."

  "Shards no! He was grinning from ear to ear. Although ..." And now F'lon paused, knotting his brows. "I think that his coming was a last-minute addition. There were just Faroguy and his oldest waiting for me. Then Fax came rushing out. He was up on to Simanith before I could speak."

  Robinton continued to swear under his breath. He had no desire to confront Fax. He wondered how – and why – Fax had inserted himself into the group from High Reaches. He wasn't a member of the Council of Lord Holders and Masters. He couldn't vote on the matter of Raid's suitability.

  "Oh, I also picked up MasterHarper Gennell and Lord Grogellan from Fort. Gennell's asking for you."

  "Yes, he would be." Robinton drew his knees up so that he could throw the covers off his legs. He had not bothered to strip off his clothing, and now he could scarcely appear in such wrinkled garments.

  "Take your time. Have a quick bath. You need it." F'lon's ever whimsical sense of humour prompted him to hold his nose in demonstration.

  "Yes, I do, don't I?" Robinton was aware of the reek of wine and sweat about his person.

  "Gennell didn't seem in a hurry. Just asked where you were.

  Hayon said you were catching some rest."

  "How's Hayon taking his father's death?"

  "He's been marvellous with Lady Hayara and the others, but I can't think he likes having Raid in charge now. Don't think I would either," F'lon said bluntly and left the room.

  Robinton stripped off the dirty clothing, grabbed clean garments from his chest and strode to the bath, grateful that he didn't have to vie with others to use the common one down the hall. The hot water was stimulating, and he felt much better as he pulled on trousers and wriggled his arms into the clean shirt. He took his shoulder cords from the old shirt and attached them, making certain they were properly hung. Then he rough-dried his hair before he gathered it back with a thong. He really should have it trimmed. Later...

  F'lon wandered in just then, having filled Robinton's ldah mug.

  "Now you look respectable, as befits the Hold harper."

  "Why don't you get some sleep?" Robinton suggested, pointing to his empty bed.

  F'lon looked in that direction and sighed. "That's the best idea you've had so far. Call me if you need me," he said, gulping down the last of his klah and beginning to roll down the tops of his flying boots.

  Robinton heard the thud of the first one as he was closing his door.

  The Hold was teeming with quiet people, talking in the corridors or in small groups in the hall as Robinton descended the front stairs.

  Trestle tables had been set up and were loaded with plates of bread and bowls of fruit and slices of meat which had been rolled up for easy eating. He spotted Master Gennell talking to other Masters, flown in from their Halls to attend to the sad duty of succession.

  Gennell saw him and waved for him to join them.

  As Robinton obediently wove his way through the assembly, he looked about for Fax, or at least Faroguy and whichever son had accompanied him. He assumed the Lord Holders must be convening somewhere else, but he did spot Farevene standing in the entrance hall, looking around uneasily. Then Naprila came up to the young Holder and Robinton had reached the Masters.

  Gennell introduced him to the Masters surrounding him: Smith, Weaver, Fishman, Farmer and Miner. He already knew MasterHealer Ginia, and she nodded soberly in greeting. More Masters would assemble for the Council meeting; these were but the first arrivals.

  "Give us your account of what happened last night, Robinton," the MasterHarper said, and Robinton did, pleased that his wits had been aided by the klah and the bath so that he was able to make his report concise.
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br />   "Dreadful thing!"

  "Terrible tragedy to lose both a Lord Holder and the Weyrleader."

  "And at such a time – right after a Hatching!"

  "Who will take over at the Weyr?"

  They all looked at Robinton.

  "I believe that will be decided in the traditional way when the queen mates again," the young harper replied.

  "But the Weyr can't be without leadership for several turns," the MasterFishman protested.

  "There are older riders: C'vrel, C'rob and M'ridin," Robinton said. "They were taking charge last night."

  "It's not as if there were Threadfall to worry about," the MasterMiner said.

  The MasterWeaver snorted. "All too true, not that that S'loner wasn't drumming up alarms. Didn't take any serious notice of that, I can tell you."

  Robinton forbore to speak up in such company, but he did notice that all the other Masters but his own seemed in agreement on that point.

  "Jora is a young woman," the MasterFarmer went on. "I wouldn't be concerned with Weyr management if Carola were still alive. She knew what was what."

  "Weyr management', Master Gennell pointed out politely, "is the concern of the Weyr. Not ours. I presented my condolences to the bronze rider who conveyed us."

  Robinton nodded. "That was F'lon, a son of S'loner."

  "It was?" Ginia exclaimed in surprise. "Amazing. I don't think we need worry about the Weyr if that is the standard of rider presently handling its affairs."

  Robinton told himself he must remember to tell F'lon that he had one admirer among the Masters.

  Just then, Raid approached and greeted them all with weary courtesy, thanking them for coming so quickly. "I've had seats for the entire Council placed in the small dining room, if you'd like to proceed," he said. "Robinton, will you show them the way?"

  "Are we all present and accounted for then?" the MasterWeaver asked, glancing about the crowded room.

  "The last have arrived and are prepared to proceed," Raid said, bowing and moving off towards the refreshments, where Maizella was pouring wine assisted by Cording. Hayon was standing near by, looking dolefully into his glass, Rasa and Anta beyond him.

  Robinton duly led the Masters to the small dining room, which was just about large enough to accommodate the numbers.

  "Wait here, Rob, in case we need to send for someone," Gennell said, pausing as the rest of the Craftmasters filed in.

  Robinton nodded. Send for whom? There were no other Weyrleaders who traditionally officiated at such a meeting.

  "It's started?" a familiar voice asked with a touch of amused malice.

  Robinton turned his head slowly to regard Fax and gave him a cool look.

  "I believe so," he said in a flat, unequivocal tone.

  "You're harper here, are you, Robinton?"

  "Yes."

  Fax regarded him steadily, amusement still keen. "And no corpse to lay to rest, either. Convenient, that."

  Robinton refused to rise to the bait and looked straight ahead, hoping Fax would go away.

  "I'll leave you to your duty, then," Fax said. Swivelling on one heel, he made a leisurely return to the Hall.

  Raid was confirmed within the hour, and then Robinton was sent to find out if any of the dragonriders he had named were present in the Hold. The Council begged the favour of a few words with any of the bronze riders. Robinton wondered as he went in search if he should send someone to wake F'lon. But he found M'ridin, C'vrel, C'gan and C'rob in the courtyard, as well as the girl he had seen speaking to the Weyrleader.

  "Manora here," C'rob said, indicating the girl, "says that the Weyrleader was unwell at dinner. She overheard Maidir asking to be conveyed home, and S'loner said he'd do it because he wanted an excuse to leave. He'd been having pains in his arm rather more often than he admitted, even to Tinamon."

  She looked both uneasy and dignified; her eyes were still red from tears. But she nodded, confirming what C'rob reported.

  Robinton escorted them all to the Lord Holders. Fax sauntered along in their wake, smiling enigmatically when Robinton firmly closed the door in his face.

  When the Lord Holders concluded their interview with Manora and the bronze riders, most of them left the small dining room for the refreshments available in the hall. But, of the group who remained, Robinton saw Lord Faroguy and was startled by the change in the man. He looked almost bloodless with fatigue, as if he had little energy and substance, barely responding to whatever Lord Melongel, of Tillek Hold, was saying to him.

  Then Farevene bustled down the hall, carrying a tray of food and drink. Giving Robinton a nod ofin the hour, and then Robinton was sent to find out if any of the dragonriders he had named were present in the Hold. The Council begged the favour of a few words with any of the bronze riders. Robinton wondered as he went in search if he should send someone to wake F'lon. But he found M'ridin, C'vrel, C'gan and C'rob in the courtyard, as well as the girl he had seen speaking to the Weyrleader.

  "Manora here," C'rob said, indicating the girl, "says that the Weyrleader was unwell at dinner. She overheard Maidir asking to be conveyed home, and S'loner said he'd do it because he wanted an excuse to leave. He'd been having pains in his arm rather more often than he admitted, even to Tinamon."

  She looked both uneasy and dignified; her eyes were still red from tears. But she nodded, confirming what C'rob reported.

  Robinton escorted them all to the Lord Holders. Fax sauntered along in their wake, smiling enigmatically when Robinton firmly closed the door in his face.

  When the Lord Holders concluded their interview with Manora and the bronze riders, most of them left the small dining room for the refreshments available in the hall. But, of the group who remained, Robinton saw Lord Faroguy and was startled by the change in the man. He looked almost bloodless with fatigue, as if he had little energy and substance, barely responding to whatever Lord Melongel, of Tillek Hold, was saying to him.

  Then Farevene bustled down the hall, carrying a tray of food and drink. Giving Robinton a nod of recognition, he hurried up to his father and Lord Melongel. Melongel took the nearest glass of wine and passed it to Faroguy, then watched anxiously as the older man sipped and smiled in appreciation of the courtesy.

  "There may be need for another Council soon, Harper," Fax commented, appearing at Robinton's elbow. "Mark my words."

  Robinton made no reply, managing to keep his expression bland though he seethed inwardly at Fax's pretentiousness. He could not help but worry about Faroguy, though it irritated him to give any weight to something Fax might say – especially since both Melongel and Farevene seemed so concerned over the High Reaches Lord Holder.

  There was little a harper could do, Robinton realized philosophically, but he'd have a word with Farevene if the opportunity arose.

  Then what Farevene was saying to his father reached his ears. "MasterHealer Ginia would be glad to give you a consultation, Father, as soon as you feel able."

  "It won't do any harm," Melongel agreed heartily.

  "Very well," Faroguy said with a heavy sigh and a flick of his pale hands where they rested on the arm of the chair He managed a weak smile. "I'd rather another Council was not called sooner than necessary. And on my account." He took another drink of the wine, then looked at the glass. "Benden wine is, I fear, superior, Melongel."

  "Just give us the time Benden has had with viticulture and you'll see a comparison in our favour," Melongel replied with a hint of challenge.

  "Robinton?"

  The journeyman turned at the touch of his arm to see C'vrel standing there, frowning.

  "Simanith is on the heights, but I can't find F'lon anywhere."

  "He's asleep in my quarters. He was reeling with fatigue," Robinton replied.

  "Yes, well, we all are. But I'd rather you either kept him in your rooms or woke him now. Fax is wandering around, and I have a good suspicion – confirmed by Farevene in there – that he's probably looking for F'lon." C'vrel shifted his weight anxiously.
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  "There's no doubt in my mind that F'lon would start trouble. We've had enough."

  "I'd agree to that."

  C'vrel gave a short bark. "S'loner sent F'lon out on quite a few unwise' – he lifted one thick black eyebrow – "errands which, quite frankly, were not conducted to the Weyr's advantage. I, for one, did not condone some of S'loner's methods or aims. Candidly, but it's almost as much a relief to us' – the flick of his hand was meant to indicate the other older bronze riders – "that S'loner's no longer leader as it is to the Council. So do us all a favour, Harper, and keep F'lon out of Fax's way. I'll take the High Reaches party back myself. I didn't know, in fact, that F'lon had been to that Hold today. M'ridin was to make that transfen"

  Robinton nodded. Odd: F'lon had wished Robinton to think he didn't know Fax, and yet the young rider had seemed almost eager for a confrontation with the holder. It was fortunate indeed that exhaustion had intervened.

  As he made his way to the front staircase, Robinton stopped by Hayon. I'll be in my quarters if I'm needed. I've been advised to keep F'lon and Fax separated."

  "Oh, F'lon's in your rooms?" Hayon heaved a sigh of relief.

  "We've all been wondering. Especially that Fax. I don't like that man."

  "Perceptive of you, Hayon."

  I'll cover for you. There're enough harpers here, as well as Master Gennell."

  Robinton wished he could have been in two places at once, but it was far more important for him to keep F'lon asleep until the Council had departed. He wondered just what had transpired between the two. F'lon was known to be a clever fighter ... but no rider should put his life – and that of his dragon – in jeopardy.

  Which was why it had been irresponsible of S'loner to fly when he was unwell. Robinton knew that a man's heart could stop from one second to another. Chendith would have known in that instant that his rider had died, and the presence of a passenger would not have deterred the dragon from suicide. And the grievously tragic death of Lord Maidin

  F'lon was asleep, sprawled out on the bed. Carefully, Robinton laid a blanket over him lest a chill wake him prematurely. The sun was well west by now, and the room was cooling down. He locked his door, pocketed the key and, taking a light fur from the closet, laid himself down on the little bed in the room he'd occupied as a child.