All The Weyrs of Pern

18

It was fortunate for the conspirators that Master Robinton recovered from the overdose of fellis and suffered only bruises from that wild cross-country journey. Until he was certain that Zair, too, would recover, he was not disposed to charity, but then he started murmuring about no real harm having been done.

"They have been grossly misguided," he began.

"Misguided!" Lytol, D'ram, F'lar, Jaxom, Piemur, Menolly, and Sebell chorused in outrage.

"The very idea that they intended to abduct you" -Lessa's expression was so fierce that Robinton regarded her with widened eyes and open mouth-to force us to destroy Aivas... bloody nearly killing you and Zair! And you call them misguided?"

"I've another name for it entirely," Lord Groghe said, his face flushed with anger. "I'm certain that almost every other Lord Holder will come to the same conclusion after hearing the confessions we've heard. Norist has never made any bones about his disagreement, but for Sigomal to actively assist him! Norist may call Aivas the Abomination, but it is he and Sigomal who have acted abominably! Infamously!"

"The masters will deal with Norist now," Sebell said implacably. Master Oldive was in complete agreement.

A special convocation of both the Lord Holders and the Mastercraftsmen was hastily called for that next evening. Together the two groups would hear the evidence against the scofflaws, although they would deliberate on their verdict separately, meting out justice as each group saw fit.

"These sessions are rare in Pernese Records," Lytol said, trying to find precedents in now-legible Ruatha Hold records.

"They've rarely been required," Lord Groghe remarked with a snort. "By and large, Hold, Hall, and Weyr have regulated their own members with few grievances spilling over. Everyone knows what is expected of them, what rights, privileges, and responsibilities are due or required."

"It is such a pity," Robinton said, his voice still reflecting his exhaustion, "that they should take such a perverse view."

"Especially when they've had no scruples about using the things which Aivas helps us produce," Lytol said in outrage.

"There may be some justification for their attitude," Robinton began again.

"There's no talking to the man," Menolly said, disgusted. "He must still be very tired to come out with twaddle like that!" She gestured for Robinton's visitors to leave.

"It's not twaddle, Menolly," Robinton replied testily, restlessly thrashing about in the bed where Oldive had insisted he remain. Zair, curled up comfortably in the furs by the Harper's feet and looking considerably more bronze than tan, chirped a protest. "We harpers failed somehow..."

"Failed nothing!" Menolly said, furious. "Those misbegotten idiots nearly killed you... and Zair..." She caught Robbinton's scowl. "Hah! At least you care about him, even if you don't give two hoots and a holler about your own skin. Out, everyone. Robinton must rest if he's to be fit for the Council."

With so much excitement charging the air, few had left Ruatha's Gather site when the dragonriders returned with Robinton and his captors. The riders had then been forced to protect the nine men from being torn to pieces by the incensed crowd. Jaxom had them interned separately in some of the small, dark inner rooms of the Hold, supplying them with only water and dim glowbaskets. The little drudge who had served the Harper the drugged food was found, and although she was plainly of very limited understanding, she was also placed in confinement.

The ship's captain, it turned out, was one of Sigomal's sons, which strongly suggested the Bitran Holder's involvement. It was remarkable, N'ton commented, how willing a man became to talk after he had been dangled a while in midair from a dragon's forearm.

When a wing of Benden dragonriders had appeared at Bitra Hold, Sigomal loudly and indignantly denied any involvement with such a dreadful, contemptible business; he had bitterly denounced a son who would bring so much dishonor to his sire and his Hold.

F'lar admitted later that he had come very close to smashing Sigomal's lying mouth-only Mnementh had saved the man. The big bronze dragon had been so incensed by his rider's anger that a little curl of flame had escaped his lips, which had had the immediate effect of silencing Sigomal.

G'narish of Igen Weyr and his bronze riders took into custody Master Norist, five of his masters, and nine journeymen, all of whom had been implicated. By then the abduction cart, and the abused runners, had been brought back to Ruatha. Two would have to be put down. To compound the offense, they had been stolen out of a Ruathan paddock. While the Ruathan beastmaster attended to the poor creatures, the woodsmith and Master Fandarel inspected the vehicle that had been used to carry Robinton away. Bendarek found the maker's name on the footrest: Tosikin, a journeyman joiner in Bitra.

"Purpose-made," Fardarel murmured.

"No question of it," Bendarek replied, "with this sunken load bed, padded and long enough to accommodate a tall man like Master Robinton. Look at this lock top, these extra springs, heavy-duty axle, and larger, reinforced wheels. It was made to be used for fast, hard going." Then Bendarek scowled, noticing a poorly mitered edge and nails that had been badly sunk. "And for the one use. Man shouldn't have put his name to such a shoddily made contraption."

"Shall we have him here to speak his piece?" Fandarel asked, his dark eyes sparking as he rubbed his big hands together.

"Might as well. I wouldn't trust Sigomal not to slip out of this if he possibly can."

"I doubt he will this time," Fandarel said somberly.

The original intention had been to hold the extraordinary convocation in Ruatha's Great Hall. So many people flocked to the Hold, adding to all those Gatherers who had stayed over, that Jaxom, after conferring with Groghe, Lytol, D'ram, and F'lar, transferred the proceedings to the outside court. The weather, while crisp with autumn, remained clear, and by using the dance-square light standards, the court would be brilliantly illuminated if the matter took time. Dragons massed on the fireheights, their eyes glowing with vivid whirling color, added a bizarre display accented by the fairs of fire-lizards whipping restlessly about.

When Lord Begamon sent word that he could not attend, F'lar despatched F'nor and two wings to see that he did, for the Neratian was also implicated. The drudge, however, was excused. Sharra, Lessa, and Menolly had talked with her, kindly enough when they realized how simple she was. She had been told by a man in "beautiful new clothes" to be sure to feed the Master Harper well from special provisions that had been brought a great distance, just for him. She had been shown the wineskins that were reserved only for Master Robinton, and she had also been instructed to feed the fire-lizard only meat from a special bowl.

"Clearly she didn't know she was doing wrong," Lessa said after the interview. Then her expression hardened. "Appalling of them to make use of a simple child like that."

"Clever, too," Menolly said, with a grim twitch of her lips. "Zair would have sensed an open threat to Robinton, so they had to use an innocent pawn."

"Clever, but not clever enough, Menolly," Jaxom said. "Where does she come from?"

"A hold near a big mountain," Sharra said, sighing. "And she was so excited to be allowed to come to a Gather and serve someone as pleasant as the man in blue. I'll keep her here. She'll be safe from misuse at Ruatha. The cook says she's very good with the spit animals."

As soon as Lord Corman arrived that evening, he stomped up to Jaxom, who was standing with Groghe, Ranrel, Asgenar, and Larad.

"I don't agree with what you are doing to Pern. I don't like to see so many of our traditional ways and values flouted by what that-that machine is teaching you, but what you others do is your business. What I refuse to do is mine!"

Larad nodded solemnly. "Which is your prerogative."

"Just so that my position is understood," Corman said, his brows running together in a fierce scowl.

"No one doubts your integrity, Lord Corman," Jaxom said.

Corman raised his eyebrows, seemed about to take umbrage at the youngest Holder's comment, then reconsidered and, scowling once more, allowed Brand to lead him to a chair.

A dais had been hastily constructed in the shape of a flat-bottomed V: one side provided for the Lord Holders and the other for the Craftmasters. In the center Jaxom, as resident Lord Holder, would be seated, with Lytol on one side and D'ram on the other. Robinton would sit just below them, facing the accused, who would be accommodated on benches in the space between the wings. Lytol had tried to find an impartial spokesman to represent the accused, following the legal practices about which he had been reading in Aivas's historical files. Harpers generally performed such services but as no harper could be truthfully called "impartial" in this case and no one else could be found to perform that function, it was decided that the accused would have to speak for themselves-if Piemur had remarked, there could be anything that would mitigate their offense since their guilt was already proved.

Promptly at the appointed hour, the accused were brought to the court, where they were jeered at and reviled by the huge throng, comprising representatives from all parts of Pern. It took some time to restore order, but at last all involved were seated and Lord Holders and Master Craftsmen took their places.

Jaxom rose, holding up his arms for silence. Then he spoke.

"Last evening Master Robinton was drugged and taken from the Gather without his consent and knowledge. A dead man who has not been identified was left in his place, wearing similar clothing. So there are two crimes which must be answered tonight: abduction and murder.

"These three men-" Jaxom pointed to each of them, holding his hand up to still the angry murmur from the crowd. "-drove the vehicle which transported Master Robinton without his knowledge or consent. These six men-" Again Jaxom pointed. "-were aboard the ship awaiting them, to take Master Robinton to a place of concealment without his knowledge or consent. I now read their statements, taken in the presence of a Harper, myself as Lord Holder, and Master Fandarel, representing the crafthalls."

Each statement began with the name and origin of the man involved and summarized the job he had been hired to do. Lord Sigomal and Master Norist were named as those who had given the orders and supplied both marks and equipment. The Glassmasters and journeymen also assembled had delivered messages to those involved and passed payments on. Master Idarolan produced a bill of sale for the ship, signed by one Federen, Masterglass-smith, now seated among the accused. It turned out that he had also led the initial attack on the batteries supplying Aivas, and he was the older brother of one of the men involved in the assault that Aivas had foiled. He was very bitter about his brother's punishment and deafness. Lord Begamon, too, was implicated: he was accused of supplying marks, the horses used on the abortive assault on Aivas, and a safe harbor for the ship.

Journeyman Tosikin, a meek and obsequious fellow plainly awed and terrified by the experience, pointed to Gomalsi, Lord Sigomal's son and the captain of the ship, as the man who had commissioned the strange cart. The journeyman had had no idea of its purpose and had tried to argue them into a different sort of vehicle to carry a "delicate cargo." No, he had not known that a man was to be the cargo.

Brestolli had asked to be allowed to speak of what he had overheard. He further provided a positive identification of three of the Bitrans from the ship as those he had overheard in the brewer's. That caused a surge of consternation and recriminations among the accused.

"You will each be allowed to speak in your own defense and inform this panel of any mitigating circumstances," Jaxom said, pointing first to the three men who had absconded with Robinton. But before any of them could speak, Lord Sigomal got to his feet, suddenly rousing from his apathy.

"I am innocent, innocent, I tell you! My son has been misguided, led astray by bad companions whom I pleaded with him to give up, little knowing what they were involved in-"

"I protest!" Gomalsi shouted, jumping to his feet, eyes blazing at his father. "You told me to do what I could to discredit that machine. You told me to destroy the batteries-and where to look for them. You gave me money to hire men-"

"You fool! You imbecile!" Sigomal shrieked back, stepping forward and clouting Gomalsi so hard across the face that the young man fell backward over the bench.

Immediately Jaxom signaled for guards to force Sigomal back to his place and to help Gomalsi.

"Any more outbursts, and Lord Holder or not, you'll be gagged," Jaxom said sternly to Sigomal. He motioned for the guards to remain behind the two Bitrans. Then he pointed at the first of the three actual abductors. "You may speak in your defense. First tell your name and your rank."

There was a soundless conference, and then the oldest of the three stood.

"My name is Halefor. I have no rank, nor hold, nor craft. I hire my services to whoever pays enough. This time it was Lord Sigomal. The three of us struck a price with him and were paid half in advance to take the Harper in the cart to the ship. That was all we was hired to do. Not to kill. That was an accident. Biswy had to drink some of the wine, so the fumes would be on him. But he was not meant to die from it. Nor did we wish any harm to Master Robinton. I didn't much like that part, but Lord Sigomal said it had to be him because he was so well liked. They'd smash the machine to get Master Robinton back." He looked all about, first at the Lord Holders and then at the Mastercraftsmen, gave a sharp nod of his head, and sat down.

From the men who were Gomalsi's crew came much the same story: They had been hired to do a job, to man a ship from Ruatha to an island off the eastern shore of Nerat. Lord Begamon groaned at that and hid his head in his hands. He continued to moan off and on through the rest of the proceedings. When asked harshly by Master Idarolan if any of them were either apprentices or journeymen, two replied that they had sailed a few seasons in fishing fleets but hadn't much cared for the long hours. Master Idarolan looked relieved that no craftsman of his had been involved.

Jaxom could understand Master Idarolan's desire to settle that point in the hearing of his peers and the Lord Holders. In many seacoast holds, boys and girls grew up able to handle a small skiff adequately. Knowing one end of a ship from the other was no crime. What offended Idarolan was the audacity of Gomalsi, who was not trained in seamanship and had thought that he could sail that small craft safely from Ruatha to the eastern coast of Nerat, across the Currents and into some of the trickiest waters of the planet, risking Robinton's safety every wave of the way.

Unlike the others, Master Norist stood proud and defiant.

"I did what my conscience dictated, to rid this world of that Abomination and all its evil works. It encourages sloth and dalliance among our young, distracting them from traditional duties. I see it destroying the very structure of our Halls and our Holds. Contaminating our Pern with vicious complexities that deprive honest men of work and their pride in workmanship, turning whole families away from what has been proved good and wholesome for twenty-five hundred Turns. I would do it again. I will do all in my power to destroy the spell this Abomination has placed on you!" He extended his arm and swept his pointing finger at every one of the Masters who sat in judgment on him. "You have been deluded. You will suffer. And all Pern will suffer because of your blindness, your lapse from the purity of our culture and knowledge."

Two of his Masters and five of his journeymen cheered their master.

Jaxom could see the shocked expression of other Craftmasters. The Lord Holders were solemn to a man. Toric was plainly scornful whenever he looked toward either Sigomal or Begamon. Corman was disgusted and didn't try to hide that any more than he had hidden his own distrust of Aivas.

The Neratian Holder did not choose to say anything in his defense. When Jaxom asked him again, he just kept on shaking his head and moaning and refused to speak.

"Lord Jaxom," Master Oldive said, rising, "my colleagues have just handed me their opinion concerning the cause of the dead man's state."

"And?"

"There is sufficient bodily evidence to suggest that his end was due to a heart attack. There were no visible wounds or damage to his skull. His lips and nails, however, were blue, a common indication of heart failure." Oldive cleared his throat. "His stomach contained a great deal of fellis, which possibly caused his heart to stop."

"Under these circumstances, it would seem that the deceased met his death by misadventure rather than by the design of the defendants, so the charge of murder is no longer applicable." Jaxom noticed the palpable relief of Halefor. "Has the matter of the premeditated abduction of Masterharper Robinton been established?"

He ignored the vehement affirmatives shouted, almost in chorus, from the audience. The Lords Holder duly raised hands, even Corman. Brand wrote down the count. Then Jaxom repeated the question to the Craftmasters. Every hand was raised, Idarolan's as high as he could push his clenched fist in the air. "Then you may retire to the Great Hall to consider your verdicts."

Master Robinton suddenly put his hand up. Surprised, Jaxom allowed him to speak. As the victim, the Harper had the right to be heard, as well as to face his assailants. Jaxom worried that Robinton might plead for leniency, which he thought would only exacerbate the problem-especially with a man as narrow-minded and vindictive as Norist had proved to be.

"For those of you who witness this," Robinton began, speaking not to the Lord Holders or the Craftmasters but to the people outside the court, lining the walls, the ramp, and the roofs of the nearer cots. His voice was weak but true. He cleared his throat and started again. "For those of you here, let me say that Aivas has taught us nothing that our ancestors did not know. He has given us no machines and tools and conveniences that they did not have and use when they first came to Pern. He restored to all crafts only that knowledge which time had blurred or eradicated in Records. So, if that knowledge is evil, then we all are. But I do not think any of us here believes that we are intrinsically evil, or work evil in our crafthalls. For the Holds, he filled in the gaps in their separate histories, so that all know of their past and which of those who traveled to start a new life on Pern started each Hold. And they do not consider themselves evil, or spawned by evil men and women." Master Robinton stared at Norist, who refused to make eye contact.

"For our Weyrs, he gave the promise of deliverance from a long, long struggle, a deliverance made possible by the abilities of our dragons, who were created by our ancestors, and the courage of their riders. They are not evil, or they would have turned the power of the dragons upon us and enslaved us all. But they have not.

"The evil that was done to me by these men was brought on me for the worst of reasons: to force others to destroy our link with our past, our chance of making this world what our ancestors hoped it would become-peaceful, prosperous, pleasant. I have done none of these men harm," Robinton went on, a wave of hand indicating Sigomal, Begamon, and Norist, "nor wished them harm, nor wish them harm now. I pity them for their fear of the unknown, of the unusual, for their violence and unthinking narrowness of vision and spirit."

Master Robinton then looked at the three abductors. "I forgive you for myself; but you took marks to do evil, which is a great wrong. And you were ready to silence a Harper, and that is a greater wrong, for when speech is restricted, all men suffer, not just I."

He sat down, almost as if he could not stand any longer, but when Menolly would have gone to his side, he shook his head.

Groghe bent across Warbret beside him and whispered to him and Bargen; Toric, who couldn't hear, stepped around the table to be where he could. Ranrel, Deckter, and Laudey followed his example. Nessel looked exceedingly uncomfortable with Asgenar on one side and Larad on the other, while Sangel and Toronas disputed a point.

The Craftmasters also huddled close together, Fandarel in the center, his voice lowered to a harsh rumble. Morilton spoke only once and then was silent, though he listened intently to the others. He was representing the Glasscraft on the tribunal, as none of the other Glassmasters had been willing to accept the onus.

"My lords and masters, you may retire if you choose," Jaxom repeated.

"We're well enough here," Groghe said loudly.

Thinking that Robinton might be the better for a glass of wine, Jaxom poured it, then sipped from it himself before passing Robinton the glass, with a reassuring grin. Master Robinton made a little show of distrust but then, after raising the glass to Jaxom, drank eagerly and smiled approval-a little byplay that sent a ripple of applause and laughter through the waiting crowd and succeeded in reducing somewhat the tension that had been building.

"I find that what I resent the most," Robinton said in a guarded aside to Jaxom, "is that people might think I could no longer handle my wine, to see me sprawled asleep like that so early in a Gather."

"We have come to a decision, Lord Jaxom," Groghe announced. The Lord Holders resumed their seats.

"And we," Master Idarolan, said standing up.

"What is your decision, Lord Holder Groghe?" Jaxom asked.

"Sigomal and Begamon have proved themselves totally unacceptable to this Council; they must not govern their Holds. They are dishonored. In the first part, to plot and carry out a punitive action in another Hold or common property, which is the designation of Landing; and in the second part, to abduct a person against his will for purposes of extortion against the best interests of the planet and all of us."

Sigomal took his censure with some dignity, but Begamon began to sob, falling from the bench to his knees.

"Sigomal's third son, Sousmal, is known to most of us, and it is our decision that he should temporarily manage Bitra Hold until further notice by the Council of Lord Holders. As Begamon has no children old enough to Hold in his stead, we appoint his brother, Ciparis, as temporary Lord Holder, also until further notice. Gomalsi is to be exiled with his father for his part in the first attack on the Aivas installation, for his part in the abduction, and because, by setting himself up as a captain of a seagoing ship without qualifications, he has offended all members of the Fishercrafthalls. We suggest that one of the islands in the Eastern Ring be designated the place of exile."

Sigomal groaned, and Gomalsi bit back a cry of protest.

"Master Norist is also stripped of his rank, as are the other Craft members of this conspiracy," Idarolan said. "All are to be exiled. The same place would doubtless give them the company of like minds." He turned to where the other Glasscraftsmen were standing in the crowd. "It is the decision of this body that you must accept Master Morilton as your Craftmaster until such time as we, your peers, decide that you can choose, without prejudice, a man with a more open mind and forward vision than Norist."

Lytol nodded at Jaxom, whose task it was to pass judgment on the other scofflaws. Jaxom had never had to discipline a man for the rest of that man's natural life, but he thought again of the anguish he had felt on that wild ride to rescue Master Robinton.

"Exile!" he announced. Most of the men accepted that, though two of the younger ones looked so desperate that Jaxom added, "Your families may accompany you into exile, if they so choose."

He saw Sharra's slight smile and Lessa's approving nod.

"The convicted will be returned to their quarters and tomorrow will be taken to their place of exile. From this time onward, they are holdless, craftless men and no longer protected by the Weyrs." Jaxom raised his voice over Begamon's frightened babble. "This court is adjourned."

Guards closed in around the condemned, and judges and jury filed into the Hold.

Somehow food had been prepared to serve the unexpected numbers who had come to Ruatha. Sharra told Jaxom in the few moments they had for private conversation that everyone had been exceedingly helpful, Hold, Hall, and Weyr, in accumulating enough provisions to send none away hungry.

"You were, by the way, my love, magnificent," she added. "It was a terrible case to have to judge, but given the evidence and the admissions, no one can fault your decision. The sentence was fairer than they deserved." Her face set in angry lines, and she clenched her fists. "When I saw the bruising Master Robinton sustained..."

"He'll be all right?" Jaxom wondered if maybe he had been too forbearing, though he could not have ordered a death sentence. Had Master Robinton died-or had Biswy not died of heart failure-he might have had to decide differently.

Lord Groghe sought him out then, to reassure Jaxom that he himself, had the offenses happened in his Hold, would have done exactly the same. To Jaxom's surprise and a certain sad gratification, Lord Corman also approached him later in the evening.

"Well handled, Jaxom. Only thing you could have done under the circumstances."

The Keroonian Holder did not remain for the evening meal, nor did he ever visit Landing again. But from then on he neither prevented his holders from using the new products nor objected when young folk asked to go South to study. Of Aivas-developed items, Lord Corman purchased only paper, remarking once in his harper's hearing that Bendarek had discovered a form of paper on his own before "the machine" had awakened.

The next morning three Fort Weyr wings arrived at Ruatha to convey the convicted to their place of exile. Delivery of the letters the men had written to their families was promised. Those wishing to join their menfolk would be brought to the island as soon as they were ready.

Master Idarolan had chosen the exile site. "Not too large, not too small, with good fishing and some game, though wherry makes a dull diet. Plenty of fruit and root vegetables. They'll have to work to survive, but that's no more than we must do."

"Threadfall?" Jaxom asked.

Master Idarolan shrugged. "There're a few caves, and you're taking care of the future of that problem. They can endure it or not as they choose. There's also an old volcano and evidence that the island has been inhabited before. It's far more hospitable than Far West Continent, where they'd have only sand and snakes."

When the men were mounted on the dragons, they were handed sacks with basic tools and a few supplies. Then the wings took off between.

Jaxom felt enervated as never before, his spirits sunken to a bleak nadir. But as Ruatha's Lord Holder, he had to respond with courtesy and civility to others who were acrimonious in their opinions and harbored considerable rancor for the guilty. Those he admired most among the Lord Holders said little or nothing.

Asgenar and Toronas departed to assist young Sousmal at Bitra. On their way back to Cove Hold, D'ram and Robinton would drop Lytol off at Nerat Hold to apprise Ciparis, who had previously acted as Begamon's Steward, of his new status.

Brand and his under-stewards were busy arranging for transportation for the many visitors, seeing to travel supplies for those who had exhausted their own and directing the drudges to clear up the debris and repair the damage caused by the large crowd.

Jaxom was perversely grateful when Sharra, looking extremely torn between her responsibilities, asked him if she was needed to help.

"You're wanted back at the laboratory on the Yokohama?" he asked.

"Oldive and I both."

He gave her a brief hug and a kiss and nodded. In a way it would be a relief to be able to sort out his thoughts without infecting her with his dejection.

"I'll spend some time with the boys," he said. "I'm not needed right now for anything at the Yokohama or Landing."

That was not essentially true, and Sharra knew it. She gave him a quick stare, but then she smiled sadly, kissed his cheek, and left him alone in their quarters.

From his window, he watched her and Oldive mount on the young blue who was now on duty at Ruatha-and that, unfortunately, reminded him of G'lanar.

I am here, Ruth said softly from his weyr in the Hold.

You always are here for me, dear friend, Jaxom said, intolerably weary.

You did as you had to, as you ought to. No blame is yours.

But I am left to deal with its aftermath.

You have acted with honor. Others did not. Can you do more than act with honor?

A good question, Ruth, a very good question. Jaxom stretched out on his bed, hands clasped behind his head. Could I have avoided this outcome?

How? By not helping Piemur and Jancis to uncover Aivas that day? The machine would have been found by someone. More good has come of that day's work than any other-except, of course– and Jaxom, hearing the odd satisfied chirp in Ruth's tone, smiled faintly-the day we brought the queen egg back to Ramoth. And yesterday, when we went forward and assured our success...

Jaxom's smile deepened in spite of his disconsolate mood, as he envisioned Ruth's eyes twirling with blue mischief.

Men think differently than dragons do, Ruth went on thoughtfully. Most of the time dragons understand their mates. Sometimes, like now, I cannot quite understand why you are troubled. You allow people to think as they wish so long as they do not impose their thoughts on you. You are good about listening to both sides of a problem. I've heard you. You allow people to do as they wish, so long as they do not injure anybody, especially someone you love and admire.

Ah, but when we knew that Sigomal was plotting against Robinton, we should have confronted him then, Jaxom said.

Were the plans known?

No, not exactly.

And you took measures to protect the Harper.

Which didn't work, did they?

Not your fault. Who could have thought that they would try something at a Gather, with so many other people about? You must put aside such useless thoughts, Jaxom. You only make yourself miserable. We have much to look forward to...

Don't we! Jaxom grimaced as he flopped over onto his stomach, burying his face in the pillow, knowing as he did so that he was merely evading that issue. He made himself think of it: Would he and Ruth tackle the problem Aivas had posed them?

It is not a problem, Jaxom. For it has been solved. Aivas has told you so. He has shown you so.

And you agree with him? You'll risk it?

We went forward to see if it worked. It had. Therefore we will do it because we have done it. It will be quite a feat. Ruth sounded eager and elated. Surprised, Jaxom pushed himself up to his elbows. It will be even more challenging than saving Ramoth's egg, Ruth went on. And even more important for the future of this world. That is what you must think of, not these sad and useless pasts. What has been done, has been done and cannot be undone.

Did Sharra have a word with you before she left? Jaxom wouldn't have put it past his wife to enlist the aid of his dragon.

She did not need to. Am I not always close to your heart and your mind?

Always, dear heart. Always! And Jaxom swung his legs over the edge of the bed. There was still a lot to be done at Ruatha before he could return with a clear conscience to Aivas and Landing.