«It is also his option,» Robinton said gently.
«I know. I know. And no one would fault him but Lessa is very worried. D'ram may have stepped down, Robinton, but his knowledge, his opinions are valuable and valued. Right now more than ever. Bluntly we need him… need him available to us.»
Robinton thought briefly about the possibility that D'ram had realized this and deliberately removed himself and Tiroth from easy access. But D'ram would serve Pern, and dragonfolk at any time.
«He perhaps needs time to recover from his grief, F'lar.»
«He was worn out with tending Fanna. You know that. He could also be sick and who would be there to help? We're both worried.»
«I hesitate to suggest this, but has Brekke tried with the fire lizards? Hers as well as those at Ista Weyr.»
A grin tugged at the worried line of F'lar's mouth. «Oh, yes. She insisted. No luck. The fire lizards need a direction to go between time just like dragons.»
«I didn't exactly mean sending them. I mean, asking them to remember a lone bronze dragon.»
«Asking those creatures to remember?» F'lar laughed with incredulity.
«I'm serious, F'lar. They have good memories which can be triggered. For instance, how could the fire lizards have known that the Red Star…» He was interrupted by a squeal of protest from Zair, who launched himself so quickly from Robinton's shoulder that he scratched the Harper's neck. «I will mention it in his presence!» Robinton said, ruefully patting the scratch. «My point is, F'lar, that the fire lizards all knew that the Red Star was dangerous and could not be reached before F'nor and Canth tried to go there. If you can get a fire lizard to make any sense when you mention the Red Star, they say they remember being afraid of it. They? Or their ancestors when our ancestors first attempted to go to it?»
F'lar gave the Masterharper a long searching stare.
«That isn't the first memory of theirs that has proved to be accurate,» Robinton went on. «Master Andemon believes that it's entirely possible that these creatures can remember unusual events that one of their number has witnessed or felt. Instinct plays a part with all animals why not in their memories, too?»
«I'm not sure I see how you intend to get this this fire lizard memory to work in helping to find D'ram, whenever he's got to.»
«Simple. Ask them to remember seeing a lone dragon. That would be unusual enough to be noted.. and remembered.»
F'lar was not convinced it would work.
«Oh, I think so if we ask Ruth to ask them.»
«Ruth?»
«When every fire lizard was scared to death of the other dragons, they beleaguered Ruth. Jaxom's told me that they talk with his white wherever they are. With so many, there's bound to be one that might remember what we want to know.»
«If I could relieve Lessa's fears, I'd even forget my antipathy to those nuisances.»
«I trust you'll remember that statement.» Robinton grinned to soften the remark.
«Will you come with me to Ruatha Hold?»
In that moment, Robinton remembered Jaxom's Threadscoring. Of course, it would be long healed. But he couldn't remember if N'ton had ever discussed Jaxom's training with Benden Weyr.
«Shouldn't we find out if Jaxom's at the Hold?»
«Why wouldn't he be?» F'lar asked, frowning.
«Because he's often about the Hold, learning the land, or at Fandarel's with the other young people.»
«A point.» F'lar looked away from the Harper, out the window, his eyes unfocused. «No, Mnementh says Ruth's at the Hold. See, I have my own message sender,» F'lar added with a grin.
Robinton hoped that Ruth would think to tell Jaxom that Mnementh had bespoken him. He wished that he'd had time to send Zair with a message to Ruatha but he had no excuse and certainly no wish to jeopardize this gesture of F'lar's.
«More reliable than mine and farther reaching than Fandarel's little wire.» Robinton donned the thick wherhide jacket and helmet he used when flying. «Speaking of Fandarel, he's got his lines as far as Crom's mines, you know.» He gestured F'lar to precede him out of the room.
«Yes, I know. That's another reason to locate D'ram.»
«It is?»
F'lar laughed at the Harper's bland question, a laugh that held no constraint so that Robinton sincerely hoped that this visit mended their relationship.
«Hasn't Nicat been at you, too, Robinton? To go south to those mines?»
«The ones Toric's been trading from?»
«I thought you'd know.»
«Yes, I know that Nicat's worried about mining. The ores are getting very poor. Fandarel's a good sight more worried than Nicat. He needs the better quality metals.»
«Once we allow the Crafts into the South, the Lord Holders will press for entry…» F'lar instinctively lowered his voice though the courtyard they were crossing was empty.
«The Southern Continent is large enough to take all of Northern Pern and rattle it. Why, we've only touched the fringes of it, F'lar. Great Shells and Shards!» Robinton slapped his forehead. «Talk about fire lizards and associative memories. That's it! That's where D'ram has gone.»
«Where?»
«At least I think that's where he might have gone.»
«Speak, man. Where?»
«The problem is still when, I fancy. And Ruth is still our key.»
They had only several dragonlengths to go before they reached Mnementh in the meadow. Zair fluttered above Robinton's head, chittering anxiously well away from the bronze dragon. He refused to alight on Robinton's shoulder, though the Harper gestured for him to land.
«I'm going to Ruatha to the white dragon, to Ruth. Join us there, then, you silly creature, if you won't ride on my shoulder.»
«Mnementh doesn't mind Zair,» F'lar said.
«It's still the other way round, I'm afraid,» Robinton said.
A hint of anger danced in the bronze rider's eyes. «No dragon flamed a fire lizard.»
«Not here, Weyrleader, not here. But all of them remember seeing it happen. And fire lizards can only tell what they or one of them have actually seen.»
«Then let's get to Ruatha and see if one of them has seen D'ram.»
So the fire lizards were still tender subjects, thought Robinton sadly as he climbed up Mnementh's shoulder to sit behind F'lar. He wished that Zair had not been so wary of Mnementh.
Jaxom and Lytol stood on the Hold steps as Mnementh bugled his name to the watchdragon and circled to land in the huge courtyard. As the two visitors were being greeted, Robinton scanned Jaxom's face to see if the Threadscore was obvious. He couldn't see a trace of it and wondered if he was examining the right cheek. He could only hope that Ruth had healed as well. Of course, F'lar was so involved with this business of D'ram he wouldn't be looking for scoring on Ruth or Jaxom.
«Ruth said Mnementh inquired for him, F'lar,» Jaxom said. «I trust nothing is wrong?»
«Ruth may be able to help us find D'ram.»
«Find D'ram? He hasn't…» Jaxom paused, looking anxiously at Lytol, who was frowning and shaking his head.
«No, but he has timed it somewhen,» Robinton said. «I thought perhaps if Ruth asked the fire lizards, they might tell him.»
Jaxom stared at the Harper, who wondered why the lad looked so stunned and, curiously, scared. Robinton did not miss the quick flick of Jaxom's eyes toward F'lar nor the convulsive swallowing.
«I remembered hearing you comment that fire lizards often tell Ruth things,» Robinton went on in a casual manner, giving Jaxom time to recover his composure. Whatever was bothering the boy?
«Where? Possibly. But when. Master Robinton?»
«I've a hunch I know where D'ram went. Would that help?»
«I'm not sure I understand,» Lytol said, looking from one to the other. «What's this all about?» Lytol had been guiding the visitors into the Hold and toward the small private room. Wine and cups had been set on the table, together with cheese, bread and fruits.
«Well,» Robinton said,
eyeing the wineskin, «I'll explain…»
«And you'll be dry, I'm sure,» Jaxom said, as he strode to the table to pour. «It's Benden wine, Master Robinton. Only the best for our distinguished visitors.»
«The lad's growing up, Lytol,» F'lar said, taking the cup and raising it approvingly toward Lytol.
«The lad has grown up,» Lytol said in a half growl. «Now, about those fire lizards…»
Zair appeared midair, squealed and swooped to Robinton's shoulder, wrapping his tail tightly about the Harper's neck and cluttering in a nervous tone as he reassured himself that Robinton had taken no harm riding the biggest one.
«Pardon me,» Robinton said, and soothed Zair to silence. Then he explained to Lytol his theory that fire lizards shared a vast pool of common knowledge which would explain their fear of he cleared his throat and pointed east to spare them all his bronze's antics. Fire lizards were able to communicate strong emotions as evidenced by Brekke's call to Canth that fateful night. They had had this fright about the queen's egg and all had been in a high state of turmoil until the egg had Hatched properly. They seemed to remember seeing it near a black nothingness, and they seemed to remember being flamed. Jaxom had told him on several occasions that the fire lizards regaled Ruth with incredible things they said they'd remembered seeing. If this curious talent of theirs was not the sun dreams of silly creatures he had to placate an outraged Zair then here was a case in which it could be proved, with Ruth's cooperation. D'ram had apparently gone off on his own, to a time when Ramoth could not reach the mind of his dragon. It was upsetting Ramoth and Lessa, who were worried that D'ram might be in physical distress. Despite his resignation as Weyrleader, Pern still had a need of and a place for D'ram and certainly did not wish to lose contact with him.
«Now,» Robinton went on, «there have been occasions in recent Turns…» He cleared his throat, glanced toward F'lar for permission and received the nod. «…occasions when I have ventured South. On one such instance, Menolly and I were blown off course, far to the east where we came to rest in a beautiful cove, white sanded, with red fruit trees abounding; the waters of the cove teemed with yellowtail and white fingerfish. The sun was warm and the waters of a stream just inland was sweet as wine.» He looked into his cup wistfully. With a laugh, Jaxom refilled it. «I told D'ram of it, I've forgotten why now. I'm reasonably certain I described it well enough for a dragon of Tiroth's abilities to find his way there.»
«D'ram would not wish to cause complications here,» Lytol said slowly. «He'd have gone to a time when the Oldtimers were not in the South. A jump back of ten twelve Turns wouldn't overtax Tiroth.»
«A point, Robinton, that might complicate matters,» F'lar said. «If these creatures can remember significant events that happened to their predecessors» and F'lar was patently skeptical «then none of the fire lizards here could possibly have any recollections for our purpose. No ancestors from the area.» He indicated Zair. «He's from that clutch Menolly brought up from below Half Circle Sea Hold, isn't he?»
«Fire lizards from all over converge on Ruth,» Robinton said, looking to the young Lord for corroboration.
«F'lar has made a good point,» Jaxom said.
«Not if you go to that cove, Jaxom. I'm sure the fatal fascination fire lizards all have for Ruth will operate even there.»
«You want me to go to the Southern Continent?»
Robinton noted the incredulity and sudden start of intense interest in Jaxom's eyes. So, the boy had discovered that flying a fire breathing dragon was not enough to keep him content with his life.
«I don't want anyone to go South,» F'lar replied, «since that… is a breach of our agreement, but I can't see any other way of locating D'ram.»
«The cove is a long way from the Southern Weyr,» Robinton said gently, «and we know the Oldtimers don't venture far from it.»
«They ventured far enough from it a little while ago, didn't they?» F'lar asked with considerable heat in his voice and an angry shine in his amber eyes.
Wearily Robinton saw that the breach between Harper Hall and Benden Weyr was only thinly healed.
«Lord Lytol,» the Benden Weyrleader continued, «I am remiss. May we have your permission to recruit Jaxom to this search?»
Lytol shook his head and gestured toward Jaxom. «It is entirely up to Lord Jaxom.»
Robinton could see F'lar digesting the implications of that referral, and he gave Jaxom a long keen look. Then he smiled. «And your answer. Lord Jaxom?»
With commendable poise, Robinton thought, the young man inclined his head. «I'm flattered to be asked to assist, Weyrleader.»
«You don't happen to have any maps of the Southern Continent in this Hold, do you?» asked F'lar.
«As a matter of fact, I do.» Then Jaxom added a hasty explanation. «Fandarel gave us several sessions of chartmaking at his Hall.»
The charts were, however, incomplete. F'lar recognized them as copies of F'nor's original explorations of the Southern Continent when the Benden wingsecond had taken Ramoth's first clutch back ten Turns to mature before Thread would fall again an undertaking marked by partial success.
«I have more comprehensive maps of the coastline,» Robinton said casually and scribbled a note to Menolly which he attached to the clasp on Zair's collar. He sent the little bronze back to the Harper Hold with an entreaty not to forget his errand.
«And he'll bring the charts back directly?» F'lar asked, skeptical and somewhat contemptuous. «Brekke and F'nor keep trying to convince me of their usefulness, too.»
«I suspect with something as important as the charts, Menolly will wheedle the watchdragon into bringing her.» Robinton sighed, wishing he'd thought to insist she return the charts by fire lizard. No opportunity should be wasted.
«How much timing it have you done, Jaxom?» F'lar asked suddenly.
A flush suffused Jaxom's face. With a start, Robinton saw the thin line of scar white against the reddened cheek. Luckily that side of Jaxom's face was turned away from the Weyrleader.
«Well, sir…»
«Come, lad, I don't know any young dragonrider who hasn't used the trick to be on time. What I want to establish is how accurate Ruth's time sense is. Some dragons don't have any at all.»
«Ruth always knows when he is,» Jaxom replied with quick pride. «I'd say he has the best time memory on Pern.»
F'lar considered that for a long moment. «Have you ever tried any long jumps?»
Jaxom nodded slowly, his eyes flicking to Lytol whose face remained impassive.
«No wavering of the leap? No unduly long stay between?»
«No, sir. It's easy to be accurate anyhow if you jump at night.»
«I'm not sure I follow that reasoning.»
«Those star equations that Wansor worked out. I think you were at that session in the Smithcrafthall…» The young man's voice trailed off uncertainly until F'lar caught his drift and looked his surprise. «If you work out the position of the dominant stars in the skies, you can position yourself most accurately.»
«If you jump at night,» the Masterharper added, never having thought to put that use to Wansor's equations.
«Never occurred to me to do that,» F'lar said.
«There is a precedent,» Robinton remarked, grinning, «in your own Weyr, F'lar.»
«Lessa used the stars from the tapestry to go back for the Oldtimers, didn't she?» Jaxom had clearly forgotten that, and also, to judge by the sudden comic dismay on his face, forgotten that his reference to the Oldtimers was not adroit.
«We can't ignore them, can we?» the Weyrleader said with more tolerance than Robinton had anticipated. «Well, they exist and can't be ignored. To the present problem, Robinton. How long is it likely to take your fire lizard?»
Just outside the Hold window a multivoiced squabbling arose, so obviously that of fire lizards that they all hurried to the window.
«Menolly did it,» Robinton said in an undertone to Jaxom. «They're here, F'lar.»
«Who?
Menolly with the watchdragon?»
«No, sir,» Jaxom said, his voice triumphant, «Zair, and Menolly's queen and her three bronzes. They've all got charts strapped to their backs.»
Zair flew in, cluttering in a combination of anger concern and confusion. Menolly's four followed. The little queen. Beauty, started scolding all of them as she circled about the room. Robinton easily lured Zair to his arm. But Beauty kept her bronzes in circulation, out of reach, while F'lar, grinning sardonically, and Lytol, expressionless, watched the attempts of Robinton and Jaxom to land the other four fire lizards.
«Ruth, would you tell Beauty to behave and come to my arm?» Jaxom cried as his futile attempts to coax the little queen began to assume ludicrous proportions in front of someone he was trying to impress.
Beauty let out a startled squawk but immediately came to rest on the table. She scolded Jaxom furiously as he undid the chart. She kept up her monologue as the bronzes timidly landed, not quite furling their wings, to have their burdens removed. Once free of their encumbrances, the bronzes retreated out the window. Beauty gave everyone in the room one final raucous harangue and then, with a flick of her tail, disappeared from sight. Zair let out one sort of apologetic cheep and hid his face in Robinton's hair.
«Well,» Robinton said as welcome silence settled on the room, «they did return promptly, didn't they?»
F'lar burst out laughing. «Return, yes. Delivery was another problem. I'd hate to have to argue for every message brought me.»
«That was just because Menolly wasn't here,» Jaxom said. «Beauty wasn't certain whom she could trust, you know. Meaning no offense, F'lar,» he added hastily.
«Here's the one I need,» Robinton said, unwinding it fully. He gestured for the others to unroll the segments they held. Shortly the maps were placed in sequence across the table, the curling ends weighted down with pieces of fruit and wine cups.
«It would appear,» Lytol said mildly, «that you have been blown off course in every direction, Master Robinton.»
«Oh, not me, sir,» the Harper replied ingenuously. «SeaHolders have been very helpful here, here and here,» and he pointed to the western portions where an intricate coastline was carefully delineated. «This is the work of Idarolan and the captains reporting to him.» He paused, toying with the notion of mentioning just how much of Idarolan's explorations had been assisted by the various fire lizards of the crews. «Toric and his holders, of course,» he went on, deciding against gilding the matter now, «have a perfect right to discover their land. They've detailed this portion…» His hand swept across the peninsular thumb that was the Southern Hold and Weyr and substantial portions of the territory on either side.
The White Dragon p-4 Page 16
