All The Weyrs of Pern

1

By the time the Aivas had finished its recital of the first nine years of the colonization of Pern, the sun Rukbat had set with an unusually fine display. Not that many of the reverent listeners of the history that the Artificial Intelligence Voice-Address System narrated were aware of such externals.

During the hours that the Aivas's resonant tones had filled the chamber and penetrated to the hallway beyond, more people had crowded in to hear what it said, jostling each other to get an occasional look at the incredible moving pictures with which Aivas illustrated its narrative. Those Lord Holders and Craftmasters hastily summoned by fire-lizard messengers willingly crowded into the stuffy inner room.

Lord Jaxom of Ruatha had asked his white dragon, Ruth, to summon the Benden Weyrleaders, so they were the first to join the Masterharper Robinton and Mastersmith Fandarel. Lessa and F'lar slid onto the stools that Jaxom and Journeyman Harper Piemur vacated for them. Piemur frowned at his mate, Mastersmith Jancis, when she started to get down and gestured to Breide, standing gawking in the doorway, to bring more seating. When F'nor, the Benden Wingleader, came, he sat on the floor, where he had to crane his neck to see the screen, though he quickly became too engrossed in the history to notice any discomfort. Room was made in the small, crowded chamber for the Lord Holders, Groghe of Fort, Asgenar of Lemos, and Larad of Telgar. By then, Jaxom had been pushed back to the doorway and politely but firmly refused entry to anyone else.

Subtly the Aivas increased its volume so that the tale was audible to all those in the corridor. No one seemed to mind the stifling closeness of room and corridor, though matters improved when someone considerately passed around water and redfruit juice and, later, meatrolls. Someone also had the foresight to open as many of the windows in the building as possible, thus circulating some air down the corridor, though little enough reached the Aivas chamber.

"The final message received by this facility from Captain Keroon was to confirm that Fort Hold was operational. This message was logged in at 1700, fourth day of the tenth month, eleventh year after Landing."

When the Aivas ceased speaking, there was a profound and awed silence, finally broken by small scufflings as people shifted, almost apologetically, from long-held positions. A few polite coughs were quickly muffled.

Feeling it incumbent on him to make some response to these historic and unexpected revelations, the Masterharper cleared his throat.

"We are deeply indebted to you, Aivas, for this amazing tale." Robinton spoke with deep humility and respect. A murmur of agreement circulated room and corridor. "We have lost so much of our early history: It's been reduced to myth and legend in many cases. You have clarified much that puzzled us. But why does it end so abruptly?"

"There was no further input from the authorized operators."

"Why not?"

"No explanation was given. Failing prior instructions, this facility continued observations until the solar panels became clogged and power was reduced to the minimum needed to retain core integrity."

"Those panels are the source of your power?" Fandarel asked, his bass voice rumbling with eagerness.

"Yes."

"Those pictures? How did you do that?" Fandarel's usual reserved manner was discarded in his excitement.

"You no longer have recording devices?"

"No." Fandarel shook his head in disgust." Among many of the other marvels you mentioned in passing. Can you teach us what we have forgotten?" His eyes glowed in anticipation.

"The memory banks contain Planetary Engineering and Colonizing data, and the multicultural and historical files considered relevant by the Colony Administrators."

Before Fandarel could organize another question, F'lar held up one hand.

"With respect, Master Fandarel, we all have questions to ask Aivas." He turned around to signal Master Esselin and the ubiquitous Breide to come to the door. "I want this corridor cleared, Master Esselin. This room is not to be entered without express permission from one of us present now. Do I make myself plain?" He looked sternly from one to the other.

"Indeed, Weyrleader, perfectly plain," Breide said, his manner as obsequious as ever.

"Of course, Weyrleader, certainly, Weyrleader," Master Esselin said, bowing with each use of F'lar's title.

"Breide, make sure you report today's event to Lord Toric," F'lar added, knowing perfectly well that Breide would do just that without permission. "Esselin, bring enough glowbaskets to light the hall and the adjacent rooms. Bring a few cots or pallets, as well, and blankets. Some food."

"And wine. Don't forget wine, F'lar," Robinton called. "Benden wine, if you please, Esselin, and make that two wineskins. This could be very thirsty work," he added in a conversational tone, grinning at Lessa.

"Well, you're not going to drink up two skinsful, Robinton," Lessa said at her sternest, "talking yourself hoarse with Aivas. Which I can see is what you have in mind. I'd say you already had quite enough excitement for one day. It's certainly more than I can believe in one day."

"Be assured, Madam Lessa," Aivas said in a placatory voice, "that every word you have heard is factual."

Lessa turned toward the screen that had displayed marvels to her, images of people who had turned to dust centuries before and objects totally foreign to her eyes." I don't doubt you, Aivas. I doubt my ability to absorb half the wonders you have described and shown us."

"Be assured that you have achieved wonders of your own," Aivas replied, "to survive the menace that nearly overwhelmed the settlers. Are those immense and magnificent creatures ranged on the slopes outside the descendants of the dragons which Madam Kitti Ping Yung created?"

"Yes, they are," Lessa replied with proprietary pride. "The golden queen is Ramoth-"

"The largest dragon on all Pern," the Masterharper said in a sly tone, his eyes twinkling.

Lessa started to glare at him but instead burst out laughing. "Well, she is."

"The bronze who is probably resting beside her is Mnemonth, and I am his rider," F'lar said, grinning at his mate's discomfort.

"How do you know what is outside?" Fandarel blurted out.

"The exterior sensors of this facility are now operational."

"Exterior sensors..." Fandarel subsided into silent amazement.

"And the white one?" Aivas went on. "It-"

"He," Jaxom said firmly but without rancor, "is Ruth, and I am his rider."

"Remarkable. The bioengineering report indicated that there .were to be five variations, imitating the genetic material of the fire-dragons."

"Ruth is a sport," Jaxom replied. He had long since stopped being defensive about his dragon. Ruth had his own special abilities.

"A part of our history," Robinton said soothingly.

"Which," Lessa said with another stern glare at the Harper, "will wait until some of us have rested: "

"My curiosity will be contained, Madam."

Lessa darted a suspicious look at the dim screen panel." You have curiosity? And what is this 'madam'?"

"Gathering information is not restricted to humans. Madam is a title of respect."

"Lessa's respectful title is Weyrwoman, Aivas," F'lar said with another grin." Or Ramoth's rider."

"And yours, sir?"

"Weyrleader, or Mnementh's rider. You have already met Masterharper Robinton, Harper Journeyman Piemur, Mastersmith Jancis, and Lord Jaxom of Ruatha Hold, but let me make known to you the Mastersmith Fandarel, Lord Groghe of Fort Hold, which we have always known was the first to be founded-" F'lar hid a grin at Lord Groghe's suddenly modest demeanor. "-though certainly not why. Lord of Telgar, Larad, and Lord of Lemos, Asgenar."

"Lemos? Indeed." But before the listeners could react to the mild surprise in Aivas's tone, it continued. "It is good to know that the name Telgar survived."

"We have lost the knowledge of the naming," Larad murmured. "And are prouder to know that the sacrifices of Sallah and Tarvi are remembered so lastingly."

"Aivas," F'lar said, standing squarely in front of the screen, "you said that you were attempting to discover where Thread came from and how to exterminate it. Did you come to any conclusion? "

"Several. The organism known as Thread is somehow attracted to the eccentric planet which, at aphelion, pierces the Oort Cloud; as it approaches perihelion, it drags matter with it into this sector of space. This trailing cloud disgorged a little of its burden into the skies of this planet. Calculations at the time indicated that this would continue for approximately fifty years, at which time the material in Pern's orbit would be exhausted. Calculations also indicated that there would be recurrences of the phenomenon at intervals of two hundred fifty years, give or take a decade either way."

F'lar glanced about to see if anyone had understood what the Aivas was saying.

"With due respect, Aivas, we do not understand your explanation," the Harper said wryly. "A great deal of time has passed since Admiral Benden and Governor Boll led the settlers north. We are currently in the seventeenth Turn -what you call a year, I think– of the Ninth Pass of the Red Star."

"Noted."

"It has always been assumed," F'lar said, "that Thread came from the Red Star."

"It is not a star: the most reasonable explanation is that it is a stray planet, probably drawn out of its native system by some odd event, traveling through space until it was attracted by Rukbat's gravitational pull and became trapped in this system. The matter you call Thread does not come from its surface. It originates in the Oort Cloud of this system."

"And just what is an Oort Cloud?" Master Fandarel asked ingenuously.

"According to the Dutch astronomer Jan Oort, the eponymous cloud is composed of material orbiting a sun far beyond the orbit of its outermost planet. Cometary material leaks from the cloud into the inner part of the system. In the particular case of Rukbat, some of the material is hard-shelled ovoids that change in a peculiar manner, losing their outer layers and attenuating on contact with the upper atmosphere, falling to the surface as what has been termed 'Thread'; this resembles a voracious organism that devours carbon-based organic material.

Fandarel blinked in his attempt to digest the information.

"Well, you did ask, Master Fandarel," Piemur remarked with a mischievous expression.

"Your explanations only confuse us, Aivas, for none of us have the learning to understand them," F'lar said, lifting a hand to indicate that he was not to be interrupted. "But if you knew, and presumably our ancestors knew, what Thread was and where it came from, why didn't they destroy its source?"

"By the time this facility reached those conclusions, Weyrleader, your ancestors had removed to the Northern Continent and did not return to receive the report."

A depressed and defeated silence prevailed over the room.

"But we are here now," Robinton said, straightening up on his stool. "And we can receive your report."

"If we can understand it," F'lar added drolly.

"This facility has educational programs that can supply remedial teaching in all branches of science. The prime directive given this unit by captains Keroon and Tillek, as well as Admiral Benden and Governor Boll, was to gather information and formulate a course of action that would end the threat posed by these incursions."

"Then it is possible to remove the threat of Thread?" F'lar asked, carefully schooling his expression to reveal none of the hope that he was feeling.

"The possibility exists, Weyrleader."

"What?" was the incredulous response of everyone in the room.

"The possibility exists, Weyrleader, but will require tremendous effort from you and quite likely the majority of your population. First, you must be able to understand scientific language and learn to work with advanced technology. In addition, access to the main banks of the Yokohama must be obtained to add to relevant data on asteroid positions. Then a course of action can be initiated that could probably result in the cessation of these incursions."

"Possibility? Probably result? But the possibility exists?" F'lar strode to the screen and put a hand on each side of its subtly glowing blankness. "I would do anything-anything-to rid Pern of Thread."

"If you are prepared to relearn lost skills and perfect them, the possibility does exist."

"And you would help us?"

"The end of these incursions remains the first priority of this facility."

"Not half as much as it is of ours!" F'lar replied. F'nor fervently seconded him.

The Lord Holders exchanged quick glances, hope warring with surprise. The destruction of all Thread was what F'lar had promised them nineteen Turns before when he had become leader of Pern's then single Weyr. Benden's wings of brave dragons and riders had been all that stood between the certain reduction of humankind on Pern to hunters and gatherers by the totally unexpected resumption of Threadfall after a lapse of four hundred Turns. In their extremity, the Lord Holders had promised support of all his emergency measures. Struggling with the exigencies of the Pass, they had quite forgotten his vow. But all three were quick to perceive the advantages to them-if they could also see the disadvantages to the Dragonriders-to be quit of their ancient responsibilities. Jaxom, as both rider and Holder, regarded F'lar with consternation. Yet there was no doubt the Benden Weyrleader meant exactly what he said-that he would do all he could to rid Pern of Thread forever.

"Then there is much to be done," Aivas said in a brisk tone. Almost, Master Robinton thought, as if the thing was relieved to have employment after so long a recess. "Your Records, Masters Robinton and Fandarel, would be of immense value in assessing your history and potential, and what knowledge of science you currently possess. Certainly a synopsis of your own history would assist an evaluation of the educational programs required to achieve your goal."

"The Harper Hall has assiduously kept accounts," the Harper said eagerly, "though the oldest of them have become illegible over the hundreds of Turns which have passed. I think the more recent Records of the seventeen Turns of this current Pass would inform you adequately. Jaxom, could you and Ruth possibly go to the Harper Hall and collect them?"

The young Lord Holder immediately rose.

"If you wouldn't mind, bring Sebell and Menolly," Robinton added, glancing at F'lar, who nodded emphatically, "back with you?"

"The records of my crafthall," Fandarel began, inching forward on his stool, wringing his huge hands together in an uncharacteristic gesture of tension, "are missing so many words and explanations -perhaps even one about this Oort Cloud. Generally what's missing is just where we cannot possibly figure out from the context what was meant. If you were able to tell us what words were missing or corrupted, you would be granting the most invaluable assistance to our efforts at self-improvement."

He was about to continue when Robinton's hand on his shoulder stopped him. They all heard Master Esselin come bustling down the corridor, directing those who carried food, cups, and wineskins to hand them over to Jancis and Piemur. He peremptorily gestured those carrying pallets and blankets into the smaller adjacent rooms. At a nod from F'lar, he horned back down the corridor, out of earshot.

"A moment, dear friend," Robinton said when Fandarel was about to continue his request for help. "Aivas, you may have all the information the colonists considered relevant, but I don't really think we should dispense it without due consideration."

"Exactly what I was about to say," F'lar added.

"Discretion is a built-in feature of this Aivas model, Master Harper, Weyrleader. You should discuss among you who is to have access to this facility and in exactly what ways it may be of use to you."

The Masterharper groaned, holding his head in both hands, and was immediately surrounded by Lessa, Piemur, and Jaxom.

"I'm all right, I'm all right," he said testily, waving them off." Have you all realized just what this source of knowledge can mean to us?" His voice was rough with emotion." I've only now begun to absorb how profoundly this discovery could change our lives."

"I've been struggling to absorb that myself," F'lar said with a grim smile." If this Aivas knows something about Thread and the Red Star that would help us ..." F'lar halted, his hope too precious to express aloud. Then he smiled wryly and held up his hand." First, I believe it is extremely important to decide the question of who should be permitted into this room. As you pointed out, Robinton, Aivas cannot be accessible to everyone."

"Definitely," Master Robinton said. He took a long swig of the wine he had poured for himself." Definitely. Considering that crowd in the hall, there's no way we can censor the discovery of Aivas nor, " he added, holding up his hand at the protests, "do I think we should. However..." He grinned." We can't just have anyone who wants to popping up here and monopolizing -this-"

"Facility," Piemur put in, his expression genuinely thoughtful." When word of Aivas gets about, there'll be any number of people who'll want to talk to Aivas just to say that they had, because they don't grasp its significance."

"For once I agree with you, Piemur," Lessa said. She looked around her. "I think there's enough in this room right now with a real need to talk to Aivas and the common sense and courtesy to know when to stop." She paused to cast a stern eye on Master Robinton, who grinned back amiably. "Certainly we are representative of the planet -Weyrleaders, Masters, and Lord Holders-so no one can say Aivas is being monopolized by one group. Or is that too many, Aivas?"

"No." For some reason this easy acceptance made the Masterharper grin. Aivas went on. "The authority may be expanded or contracted as may be deemed necessary. To recapitulate, it is permitted for you..." And all those in the room were named in pleasant baritone tones.

"And Jaxom," Piemur added quickly, since Jaxom had gone on Robinton's errand and someone needed to speak up for the third party to the original discovery of Aivas.

"And Lord Jaxom of Ruatha Hold," Aivas amended, "to command my services. Is that correct? Very good. The necessary voiceprints have been registered, including Lord Jaxom's, whose voice I registered earlier, and this facility will respond to no others, or in the presence of others, until further notice."

"As an added precaution," Master Robinton said, "to change that roster, there must be one of the Weyrleaders, one Master, and one Lord Holder present in this room." He glanced about to see if that precaution was acceptable.

Just then, Esselin bustled down the corridor to ask if there were any further orders for the night.

"Yes; Esselin, assign the most responsible and least curious of your men to guard the building's entrance. Only Lord Jaxom and those who accompany him are to be permitted to enter the building tonight."

By the time Esselin had assured F'lar of his total cooperation, a rather tense discussion had started between Fandarel and Larad as to which crafthalls should have precedence in learning from Aivas.

"If I may interject a suggestion," Aivas said loudly, startling them all, "it is a relatively simple matter to expand this facility to accommodate many requirements." When the silence lengthened, Aivas added in a milder, almost apologetic tone, "That is, if the contents of the Catherine Caves are still intact and undamaged?"

"Do you mean the caves at the southern side of the grid?" Piemur asked.

"Those would be the ones." To the bewilderment of the watchers, images of a variety of items appeared on the screen. "And these are the objects required to supply additional stations."

"Your beaded panels, Piemur," Jancis said, clutching at his sleeve with one hand and pointing excitedly with the other.

"You're right," Piemur said. "What are they, Aivas? We seem to have boxes and boxes of them, all different sorts."

"Those are computer cards." To the listeners, it sounded as if Aivas's measured tone betrayed a discreet excitement. "Were there also any of these objects?" And boxes were displayed with screens that were smaller replicas of the screen facing them, along with rectangles resembling what Aivas had identified as a touch panel.

"Yes," Master Robinton said with surprise. "I couldn't think what they might be when I saw them, swathed in that thick film."

"If there are sufficient parts in good working order, then there need be no contention for access to this facility. These were the remainder of the ordinary processors. All other voice-activated units were packaged for shipment to the north and, it seems, lost, but these elementary models will admirably suit the current need. With sufficient power, up to twelve stations can be accommodated without affecting response time."

Once again the audience lapsed into numb silence.

"Do I understand you correctly?" Fandarel began, after clearing his throat." You can divide yourself into twelve segments?"

"That is correct."

"How can you do that?" Fandarel demanded, spreading his. arms wide in disbelief.

"Surely, Mastersmith, you do not limit yourself to one hearth, or anvil or forge, one hammer, one fire?"

"Of course not, but I have many men..."

"This facility is not a single hearth or fire or hammer, but many, and each can work as diligently as the others."

"This I find very hard to understand," Fandarel admitted, scratching his balding pate and shaking his head.

"Before you is a machine, Mastersmith, which can be segmented, and each discrete part can function as a separate tool."

"I don't begin to understand how you can do that, Aivas, but if you can, it would certainly solve the problems of priorities," Master Robinton said, grinning from ear to ear. Oh, the questions of past paradoxes that could now be answered by this marvelous creature! He took a large pull of his wine.

"To create these separate tools," Aivas went on, "will, in itself, provide the first of many lessons that must be understood before you will be ready to attack your primary objective, the annihilation of Thread."

"By all means, let us begin then," F'lar said, rubbing his hands together, infused with the first stirrings of real hope he had felt during the last few grueling Turns of the current Pass.

"There isn't enough space in here for a dozen of us all talking with a dozen of you, Aivas," Lord Larad of Telgar said reasonably.

"There are other rooms in this building that can be utilized. Indeed, it would be wise to have separate offices, and perhaps one larger room where many could observe and learn. It is best to begin at the beginning," Aivas said, and suddenly sheets began to roll out of a slot to one side of the main screen. "These are the items that will be needed in the morning, the tools that will be required to construct the additional stations, and a diagram of how to design this building to accommodate them."

Being earnest, Piemur caught the sheets as they were spewed out. Jancis came to his aid.

"More material will soon be needed for the printer," Aivas went on "Rolls should be stored in the Catherine Caves with the other supplies. Paper would be an acceptable substitute."

"Paper?" Larad exclaimed. "Wood-pulp paper?"

"If nothing else is available, that will do."

"It would seem, Asgenar," F'lar said with a chuckle, "that the skills of Master Bendarek were not developed a Turn too soon."

"You have lost the skill of extruding plastic from silicates?" Aivas asked. Master Robinton thought he heard a note of surprise in its voice.

"Silicates?" Master Fandarel asked.

"But one of the many skills we have lost," Robinton said ruefully. "We will make diligent pupils."

The flow of sheets stopped, and as Piemur and Jancis sorted them, they realized that there were six copies of each page. When they had assembled the sheets, they looked around expectantly at those in the room.

"Not tonight," Lessa said firmly. "You'd break your necks stumbling about those caves in the dark. We've waited this long, we can wait until morning. And I think that we all should" -she swung around to pinion the Masterharper with a stern eye "either seek a bed for the night or go back where we belong."

"My dear Weyrwoman," Robinton began, pulling himself erect. "Nothing, absolutely nothing, including your direst threat would compel me-" And suddenly he seemed to wilt and fold in on himself. Piemur caught the cup before it fell from the Harper's hand. As-he supported his Master's limp body, he had a smug smile on his face.

"Except of course the fellis juice I put in his last cup of wine," he said by way of explanation. "So let's get him to bed."

F'lar and Larad immediately started forward, but Fandarel held up one huge hand. Picking up the long Harper in his arms, he nodded to Jancis to show him where to put the sleeping Robinton to bed.

"Piemur, you haven't changed, have you?" Lessa accused with a mock scowl that turned into a grin. Then, because she wondered at what the machine would think of what it had seen, she added, "Aivas, Masterharper Robinton often lets his enthusiasm get the better of his well-being."

"This facility is able to monitor for physical stress," Aivas said." The Masterharper emanated considerable excitement but nothing harmful."

"You are a healer, as well?" F'lar exclaimed.

"No, Weyrleader, but this facility is equipped to monitor the vital signs of those in this room. However, the medical information stored in files was updated to state-of-the-art at the time the expedition departed for this system. Your medics may wish to avail themselves of this information."

F'lar's groan was audible. "Master Oldive must come here as soon as possible."

"Half the planet must come as soon as possible," Lessa said tartly. She gave a gusty sigh. "I doubt twelve of Aivas will be half enough."

"Then let us organize ourselves," Fandarel said, returning from his errand. "We must contain our excitement and direct our energies in the most efficient way..." There were chuckles at the Mastersmith's use of his favorite word. "You may laugh, but you know it is only sensible and time-saving to work efficiently, and we are each going in several directions at once tonight. We cannot but be stimulated by this sudden gift from our ancestors, but we should do nothing hasty. I will go back to Telgar crafthold now, if F'nor and Canth will be so kind. I shall make suitable arrangements and draft the services of those who can help us delve into the caves to find the required materials, and to find people to understand the diagrams Aivas has given us. But tomorrow is soon enough. F'nor?" And, raising his hairy eyebrows at the brown rider, Fandarel nodded to one and all, bowed courteously to the screen, and took his leave.

"A moment, F'nor," Larad said, "for I should return to Telgar. Asgenar, do you join us?"

Asgenar looked about him and smiled ruefully. "I think I'd better leave now. My mind is seething with questions to put to Aivas, yet I don't think I could actually come out with a sensible query. I'll bring Bendarek with me in the morning."

Lord Groghe, who had said very little but looked exceedingly thoughtful, asked N'ton to return him to Fort Hold.

"Jancis and I will stay here in case Master Robinton wakes," Piemur told Lessa and F'lar. Then his mischievous grin surfaced. "And I won't ask my eight thousand five hundred and thirty-two burning questions all in one breath, either."

"Then I think we all bid you good night now, Aivas," F'lar said, turning toward the dark screen.

"Good night." The lights of the room dimmed to a faint glow. One pulsing green light remained at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

Two hours later Jaxom and Ruth arrived with both Harper Masters, Sebell and Menolly. The white dragon was festooned with sacks. By considerably reducing the level of klah in the beakers Esselin had provided, Piemur had managed to stay awake while Jancis got a nap.

"One of us has to be alert tomorrow to organize people," she had told the young journeyman harper. "I'm better at that than you are, love." She had given him a kiss to sweeten the comment.

Piemur had no quarrel with that; with a mock-paternal kiss he settled her on a pallet in the room beyond Master Robinton's.

Despite his joke about not asking questions, when Piemur returned to the Aivas room he found that he couldn't immediately formulate a single intelligent query. Instead, with a cup in hand and the beaker beside him, Piemur sat, bereft of words, in the semigloom of the chamber.

"Aivas?" he began tentatively.

"Yes, Journeyman Piemur?" The room brightened enough for Piemur to see clearly.

"How do you do that?" Piemur asked, startled.

"The panels that you and Journeywoman Jancis exposed yesterday are capable of drawing energy from the sun: it is called solar power. When all the panels are exposed, an hour's bright illumination will power this unit for twelve hours."

"You're not going to have ordinary usage from now on;" Piemur said with a snort.

"A query: You apparently utilize the luminescent organism in handlights, but do you not have some sort of power generation, perhaps hydroelectric power?"

"Hydroelectric?" Piemur's quick ear allowed him to repeat the unfamiliar words accurately.

"The production of electric current by the energy of moving water."

"Master Fandarel uses water wheels in Telgar Smithcrafthold to drive the big hammers and the forge bellows, but 'electric' is an unfamiliar word. Unless that's what Fandarel does with those acid tanks of his."

"Acid tanks? Batteries?"

Piemur shrugged." I don't know what he calls them. I'm a harper. Whatever 'electric' is, so long as it is efficient, Master Fandarel will love it."

"Would Master Fandarel's equipment resemble this structure?" The screen suddenly lit up with a diagram of a water wheel.

"That's it. How did you know?"

"This is the most frequent primitive application. Have you explored the Landing site, Journeyman Piemur?"

"I don't need my title all the time, Aivas. Piemur is enough."

"No disrespect would be construed?"

"Not from me, Aivas. Some of the Lord Holders get a bit touchy, but Jaxom doesn't, nor Larad and Asgenar. Lessa can be sticky, but not F'lar, or F'nor, or N'ton. And yes, I've explored the Landing site. What should I be looking for?"

The screen displayed a complex mechanism, set at the base of the river hill.

"Nothing like that there now," Piemur said, shaking his head.

"As Mastersmith Fandarel already uses water wheels, a new installation can be erected so that this facility is not dependent on the solar panels, which will be inadequate for the projected demands just discussed."

"They didn't store away any of your panels in the caves?"

"No."

"How can you be sure?" Piemur found such didacticism irritating. It would be totally unfair if this-this intelligence was always right.

"The list of items in the Catherine Caves is available data and does not include spare panels."

"It must be nice to know everything," he said.

"Accuracy is required of an Aivas system-and a very large data base, what you would call 'knowledge.' You must not believe that the data base can contain 'everything.' But sufficient to realize the priorities of the programming."

A harper has to be accurate, too," Piemur said sourly. Master Fandarel's search for efficiency had always had, for Piemur, its humorous side. He wasn't sure if he could be as tolerant of Aivas's rectitude.

A harper -one who plays a harp, an instrument?" Aivas asked.

"I do that, too," Piemur replied, his capricious humor revived as he realized that Aivas did not know very much at all about present-day Pern." The primary function of the Harper Hall is, however, to teach, to communicate, and at need, to arbitrate."

"Not to entertain?"

"We do that, too-it's a good way to teach, as well-and there are many who only do that, but the more skilled of us have multiple duties. It would be presumptuous of me to usurp Master Robinton's right to enlighten you on that account. Although, in actual fact, he is no longer the Masterharper of Pern. Sebell is, because Master Robinton had a nearly fatal heart attack and was made to retire from active service to the Harper Hall. Not that he has retired, despite being in Cove Hold now, because of all that has happened since Jaxom discovered Landing and the Ship Meadow, and then the caves." Piemur halted, realizing that he was rattling on. It was just like him to want to impress Aivas with his knowledge; more than that, Piemur was experiencing an intense need to anchor his personal values in the presence of this superior intelligence.

"Sebell, who is now Masterharper of all Pern, is on his way with the Records," he went on. "And Menolly. They may look young to you, but they are the most important people in the Harper Hall." Then he added deferentially, "But you should know that Master Robinton is the most honored and respected man on Pern. The dragons kept him from dying. That's how important he is."

"The dragons then have been a successful experiment?" Aivas asked.

"Experiment?" Piemur was indignant and then subsided with a rueful chuckle. "I wouldn't let the Weyrleaders hear you calling their dragons 'experiments.'"

"The advice is appreciated."

Piemur eyed the screen for a moment." You mean that, don't you?"

"Yes. The culture and societies of your present-day Pern have evolved and altered considerably from the early days of the colony. It is incumbent on this facility to learn the new protocol and thus avoid giving unnecessary offense. The dragons have, therefore, become important above and beyond their initial role in the aerial defense of the planet?"

"They are the most important creatures on the planet. We couldn't survive without them." Piemur's voice rang with pride and gratitude.

"Without intending any offense, is it currently acceptable to maintain the sports of the breed?"

Piemur snorted." You mean Ruth? He and Jaxom are exceptions-to a lot of rules. He's a Lord Holder and shouldn't ever have Impressed a dragon. But he did, and because they thought Ruth wouldn't survive long, he was allowed to be raised."

"That is contradictory."

"I know, but Ruth's special. He always knows when he is in time.

The resultant pause did much to assuage Piemur's feelings of inferiority. He had stumped the Aivas.

"Your remark is unclear."

"You did know that dragons can move instantaneously between one place and another?"

"That was a basic ability of the fire-dragon from whose genetic material the dragons were originally bioengineered. It was similar to the teleportation ability demonstrated by some species on several other planets."

"Well, dragons can also move between one time end another. Lessa did, and Jaxom." Piemur grinned, being one of the few people to know exactly when and why Jaxom had moved between one time and another. "But it's an exceedingly dangerous ability and severely discouraged. Very few dragons have Ruth's sense of time and space. So, if a dragonrider times it without his Weyrleader's express permission, he gets royally reamed -if he hasn't come to grief messing around with timing, that is."

"Would you be good enough to explain in what circumstances timing is permissible?"

Piemur had already berated himself for mentioning Jaxom's little excursion. He should have kept it to Lessa's adventure, which was already part of the fabric of recent history. So he switched to a less sensitive subject and told Aivas in detail the tale of Lessa's heroic ride on Ramoth: how she had brought the five lost Weyrs of Pern forward in time to save those in the Present Pass from annihilation. Even if he said so himself, Piemur thought he recited it with considerable flair. Though Aivas no comment throughout, Piemur sensed that his unusual audience heard-and remembered-every word.

A Spectacularly brave and daring. exploit, clearly of epic proportions despite the considerable risk she ran in losing both herself and the queen Ramoth. The results clearly justified the journey," Aivas stated. It was more praise than Piemur had expected. He grinned with satisfaction that he had managed to impress the thing.

"You mentioned that the Long Interval caused the decline of the Weyrs' authority and its prominence in your society," Aivas said. "Do you know how many times the cycle has been similarly altered?"

"The cycle?"

"Yes. How many times has the orbit of what you call the Red Star failed to bring Thread to Pern?"

"Oh, you mean how many Long Intervals? There have been two recorded in our history. We were told that long intervals would occur, but I don't know who knew that. That's why so many people were so certain, right up till the time we had our first Fall of this Pass, that Thread had actually disappeared forever."

From her favorite spot, wrapped loosely about Piemur's neck, his golden fire-lizard roused and gave a warning cheep.

"Sensors register that the lump on your shoulder is actually a creature clinging to you."

"Oh, that's only Farli, my queen fire-lizard."

"The creatures have remained in contact with you?"

"Yes and no." Piemur did not think there would be time to give Aivas the recent history of the fire-lizard.

"She just told me that Ruth and Jaxom have returned with the records and Sebell and Menolly." Piemur stood up, draining the last of the klah from his cup. "Then you'll know all that's happened this Pass. Which hasn't been dull at all, but you-you sort of cap it.

Piemur could hear the exchange of low-voiced conversation down the hallway, and he started to the entrance in case Esselin's guards were being officious. He had taken no more than a few steps when Jaxom, Sebell, and Menolly, bowed under the weight of the sacks they were carrying, came striding down the hall. Menolly, her dark hair still tangled from her flying cap, reached Piemur first.

"Where's Master Robinton?" Menolly asked, looking about, her narrow, elegant features reflecting her perpetual anxiety for her mentor.

"In there, Menolly," Piemur said, pointing. "As if we'd risk him."

She thrust her heavy sack at him and ducked into the room to reassure herself, while Piemur smiled tolerantly.

"And they left you to mind Aivas all on your own?" Jaxom asked in a whisper. "Learned all the secrets of the universe yet?"

Piemur gave a snort. "As it turned out, I answered his-its-questions. But it was interesting all the same," Piemur said. "And I gave him-it-a few tips to the wise. "He laid his finger along his nose, grinning. "Which is a harper function."

Sebell, looking browner than ever in the dimly lit corridor, gave Piemur the slow smile that added considerable charm to the handsome, intelligent face of the tall Masterharper.

"According to Jaxom, this Aivas of yours is a tale spinner to shame the best of us, with knowledge of all that we were, and what we can be."

"Well, I suspect Aivas might well create more problems than he solves," Piemur said, "but I guarantee you it'll be exciting." He helped Jaxom remove the Records, carefully, from the sacks." Aivas is right interested in you and Ruth, too."

"What have you been telling him?" Jaxom asked in what Piemur privately called his Lord Holder attitude.

"Me? Nothing you'd object to, friend," Piemur hastily reassured him. Jaxom could still be touchy about other people discussing Ruth. "I spent more time reciting Lessa's ride, which he said was of epic proportions." He grinned broadly.

As Piemur talked, Sebell had been taking in the details of the room, studying the strange wall furnishings. Sebell rarely rushed in the way Piemur did.

"And this Aivas has preserved itself from our first days on Pern?" Sebell let out a long, soft whistle. He tapped one of the clear panels and looked around the room. "Where does it store its records? Jaxom said it displayed amazing pictures of our past, as well."

"Aivas, speak for yourself," Piemur suggested cockily, wanting to see how Sebell -or Menolly, who entered just then-handled the entity. "Aivas?" he prompted. "This is Sebell, Masterharper of Pern, Master Robinton's successor, and Master Menolly, Pern's ablest composer." When there was still no response from Aivas, Piemur felt his irritation rising. "They've brought the Records for you to read."

Aivas remained silent.

"Maybe it's used up the power stored in the sun panels," he said, forcing himself to keep his tone light as he wondered how the Aivas could be forced into answering. He scowled at the unresponsive screen and the green pulse winking in the corner. The feckless thing was awake, so it had to be listening. "I don't understand," he said to the others, disgusted by the inactivity. "He was talking up a storm to me just before you came-oh, shards!" He slapped his forehead dramatically with one palm. "Neither you nor Menolly are on his list yet."

"His list?" Jaxom asked, frowning in irritation.

"Yes, his list," Piemur said. He sighed wearily and sagged onto the nearest stool. "The people he is authorized to speak to. Master Robinton and the others decided to limit those who have access to Aivas."

"But I was here," Jaxom exclaimed.

"Oh, he'll probably talk to you once Sebell and Menolly leave. It got set up so that it takes a Weyrleader, a Lord, and a Masterharper for Aivas to add someone to the privileged list."

"Well, I'm Lord Holder of Ruatha," Jaxom began.

"Piemur's not a Master yet, and there are no Weyrleaders present," Menolly said with a little laugh. "Aivas is doing as he was told, which is more than you always do, Piemur." She grinned at him.

"Yes, but now would be the best time for Aivas to catch up on our history while there's peace and quiet. And before Fandarel returns to monopolize him," Piemur said, scrubbing at his face. The effects of a very exciting day were catching up with him.

"I'm on the list though, am I not?" Jaxom asked, a touch of asperity in his voice.

"Yes-you, me, Jancis, Master Robinton, all of us who were in the room when Aivas woke up."

"And he talked to you when you were alone," Jaxom said. "Maybe, if Sebell and Menolly leave-sorry about that-he'll talk to me, and I can feed the Records to him."

"Our feelings won't be hurt," Menolly said, glancing up at Sebell to see him nod in agreement. Sebell's good sense and equable nature were two of the many reasons she loved and respected him. "There're other empty pallets, Piemur; you look to be out on your feet. You and Sebell go sleep in with Master Robinton, and I'll join Jancis. If this Aivas has waited-how many Turns did you say, Jaxom? Twenty-five hundred-" She gave a little shudder for such a long span. "-we can wait until tomorrow."

"I shouldn't leave it all to Jaxom..." Piemur said, definitely tempted by the thought of lying horizontal for a while. That last cup of klah had made no dent in his fatigue.

Menolly took him by the hand. "I'll even tuck you in, the way I would Robse." She grinned at his disgusted snort." You're no better than Master Robinton in taking care of yourself. Come, get some sleep, now. You, too, Sebell. Tomorrow-no, it's already today here, isn't it-well, I suspect everyone is going to rush about like headless wherries. So it'll behoove us to stay cool and calm."

When the doors had closed quietly behind them, Jaxom turned to Aivas.

"There's just me here now, Aivas."

"That is obvious."

"You were obeying your orders, then, weren't you?"

"That is my function."

"All right, then it is my function to show you the Records of our history, as Master Robinton wanted."

"Please place the Record facedown on the lighted plate."

Carefully, with full regard that Master Arnor, the head archivist at Harper Hall, would have his guts for garters if he damaged a single one of the precious pages, Jaxom opened the first Record, Present Pass One, and laid it on the green glowing panel.

"Next!"

"What? I barely had time to place it," Jaxom exclaimed.

"Scanning is instantaneous, Lord Jaxom."

"This is going to be a long night," Jaxom remarked, and obediently opened the Record to a new page.

"Journeyman Piemur said your white dragon is an exceptional beast," Aivas said, "with many unusual qualities."

"Compensation for him being small, white, and uninterested in mating." Jaxom wondered what Piemur had said about Ruth, even though he knew the journeyman was devoted to both him and the white dragon.

"Was the journeyman correct in saying that Ruth always knows when he is, and that he has traveled in time?"

"All the dragons can travel in time, at least backward," Jaxom said a trifle absently, his attention focused on turning the pages carefully, as well as quickly.

"Timing is also prohibited?"

"Timing is dangerous."

"Why?"

Jaxom shrugged as he changed pages. "A dragon has to know exactly the time when he is going to, or he can come out of between at the same spot he's inhabiting at that earlier time. Too close, and it is thought that both dragon and rider will die. Equally, it's unwise to go any place you haven't already been, so you shouldn't go forward, because you wouldn't know if you were there or not." Jaxom paused to smooth some pages flat where the binding was particularly tight. "Lessa made a particularly spectacular flight."

"So Journeyman Piemur told me. A brave feat, but apparently not without debilitating consequences. The method of teleporting was never fully explained, but judging by the journeyman's account, an abnormally long period spent in such travel causes sensory deprivations. You and your white dragon have also timed it?"

"That is the term," Jaxom said in a fiat tone that he hoped would discourage further questions. But Aivas was not human, he realized, and might not perceive his reluctance from tone or words. "The episode is not common knowledge."

"Understood," Aivas replied, to Jaxom's surprise. "Would you object, Lord Jaxom, to a discussion of the duties of the various social groups that have been mentioned in the Records so far? For instance, what are the responsibilities and privileges of a Lord Holder? Or a Weyrleader? A Craftmaster? Some terms are so well understood by the scribes that they are not defined. It is necessary to have a firm grasp of such terms to understand the current political and social structures."

Jaxom gave a little chuckle. "You'd do better to ask one of the more experienced Lord Holders: Groghe, for instance, or even Larad or Asgenar."

"You are here, Lord Jaxom."

"Yes, am I not!" The quickness of the Aivas amused Jaxom. So, as talking would certainly relieve the tedium of turning pages, Jaxom complied-and found it very easy indeed to talk to Aivas through the long night. Only later would he realize how skillfully he had been queried. He could not even guess how valuable his explanations would prove to be.

Jaxom had worked his way through five Turns of the Present Pass when the muscles in his shoulders began to tense. He needed a break. So when he heard someone stirring, he called out softly.

"Who's up?"

"Jancis. You came back-oh!" She grinned as she entered the chamber. "Shall I take over? You look exhausted. Why didn't Sebell or Menolly do this?"

"Because Aivas will have nothing to do with them until they've been formally introduced to him. By a Lord Holder, a Masterharper, and a Weyrleader."

Jancis's expression was rueful. "Sometimes we outsmart ourselves. Here, I'll take over, Jaxom. Get yourself some klah. It should still be good and hot." And taking the Record from his hands, she spread the pages on the panel. "Master Robinton, and the others here then, quite rightly decided it was wiser to limit who could talk to Aivas."

"Hmm, yes, there's no telling what people will ask Aivas," Jaxom said, thinking of the way he had rattled on and on, although Aivas had done all the asking.

By the time he had finished the klah, which was not as hot as he liked but did stimulate him, Jancis had finished that volume. She started on another.

How soon, Jaxom wondered, could he get his lady, Sharra, admitted to the roster? She had been so excited when he had told her about the medical knowledge Aivas claimed to possess. She had two cotholders, suffering intense pains that she was unable to alleviate with fellis. They were slowly wasting away. Master Oldive, whose advice had been sought, was also baffled by their declines. Then Jaxom reminded himself that Oldive, being Masterhealer, would have precedence with Aivas. Jaxom was careful about using his privileges as Lord Holder, and yet, in a case of life or death, could he not make an exception?

"That will be all for now, Journeywoman Jancis," Aivas said in a muted voice. "The energy supplies are nearly exhausted. An hour of good sunlight will be needed to restore power. If the remaining panels could be cleared, there would be more power available in the future."

"Did I do something wrong?" Jancis asked Jaxom in confusion.

"No," Jaxom said, chuckling. "It gets its power from those panels you and Piemur uncovered on the roof. Sun power. Sun's been down for hours now." He yawned hugely. "It's late. We should both get some sleep."

Jancis considered the idea, then reached for the nearly empty klah beaker. "No, I'm awake now. I'll brew more klah. We'll need plenty of that when people start arriving." And she bustled off.

Jaxom liked Jancis. Not long ago, they had shared lessons at the Mastersmithcraft and he remembered that she had worked a lot harder than he had-and that she clearly had a talent for smithing. She deserved her Master's status. He had been a bit surprised when she and Piemur had come to an understanding, though Sharra had heartily approved. Wandering up and down the Southern coastline had turned Piemur strange there for a time, she had said. What he needed to set him right was a sound relationship. And certainly the impudent young harper would encourage Jancis to develop some needed assertiveness and maybe lose some of the inhibitions caused by growing up in the shadow of her awesome grandfather, Fandarel. Jaxom knew just how capable a draftsman she was.

Tired but unwilling to settle down to sleep, Jaxom wandered to the entrance, nodding to the two bored guards as he walked out into the cool night air and up the mound of excavated dirt, to stand on its summit. Ruth rumbled affectionately at him from the next hillock, and Jaxom sent the white dragon a caressing thought.

Though Jaxom hadn't even mentioned it to Sharra, he felt oddly proprietorial about this plateau, which he and Ruth had originally discovered, and in particular about this Aivas entity, which they had dug out. Having heard Aivas list the names of the first colonists, Jaxom wondered who his ancestors had been. He had never been comfortable with having Fax as his sire, which was the main reason why he so rarely made use of many of a Lord Holder's traditional privileges. Larad of Telgar was not a prideful man, but he must feel immensely proud of his heritage after hearing of his forebears, Sallah Telgar Andiyar and Tarvi Andiyar. Groghe was a sensible man, but knowing that his direct ancestor had been a universal hero would make the Fort Lord Holder inordinately proud. But why hadn't Fort Hold been named after the valiant Admiral Benden? Why was Benden Hold in the east? And why hadn't Aivas known more about the dragons? Fascinating. No doubt there would be more revelations.

I listened, Ruth said, gliding from his perch to the mound on which Jaxom stood, to what this Aivas creature said. It is true that we were an experiment? Ruth moved forward until he was close enough to touch Jaxom and then leaned his head against his weyrmate. What is an experiment?

Jaxom heard the indignation in Ruth's tone and stifled a chuckle at his friend's reaction.

"A most felicitous happening, dear friend, not that it matters a lead mark how you and the other dragons came to be," Jaxom said stoutly. "Besides you've always known-better than anyone else on Pern-that dragons are cousins to the fire-lizards. So why should it bother you how you were created?"

I don't know, Ruth replied in a strangely subdued, uncertain tone. Is this Aivas thing good?

"I believe it is," Jaxom answered, briefly considering his reply. "I think it will depend on us, the use to which we put the information tire Aivas can give us. If it rids Pern of Thread. . ."

If it can, that means dragons won't be needed anymore, doesn't it?

"Nonsense," Jaxom said more sharply than he had intended. He threw his arm around his dragon's neck in quick reassurance, caressing Ruth's cheek and leaning into his shoulder. "Pern will always need dragons. You could do a lot more useful and much less dangerous things than sear Thread out of the skies, believe you me! Don't you fret for a single moment about our future, my friend!"

Jaxom wondered if F'lar, Lessa, and F'nor had heard from their dragons on that score. But he knew that such a worry would not be the important issue to them. The dragonriders were totally committed to ridding Pern of Thread. Everyone knew that F'lar had set that as his life's task.

"No, Ruth, don't you worry your heart out over that. Threadless skies are, I fear, a long way off in Pern's future! Aivas may know a great deal more than we do about Oort Clouds and planets and things, but it is only a machine that speaks. Talk's cheap."

Still soothing Ruth's cheek, Jaxom looked out over the settlement that his ancestors had once inhabited. There were unsightly mounds in every direction where buildings had been greedily excavated only to prove disappointingly empty. How ironic that the real treasure should be nearly the last thing to be uncovered. Incredible that the treasure should prove to be the agency that unlocked the truth to their past. Would it be the key to their future? Despite his reassurances, Jaxom harbored some of the same doubts that made Ruth fretful.

Maybe it was wrong for F'lar to wish an end to Thread, if it inevitably meant an end to usefulness for dragons. And yet, to see the last of Thread, in his own lifetime...More importantly, to be able to improve life on Pern with the vast store of knowledge Aivas said it had-surely that was for the good of all?

Just then he saw lights coming up in some of the buildings that the excavation teams were using as dormitories. It was not yet dawn, but obviously there were many others who, like Jaxom, had slept little that night, restless with all the history and incredible moving images churning in their minds.

And what of Aivas's promise of help? It? He? Referring to this-this entity-as an 'it' seemed impolite. The masculine voice was so rich and lively. Yet Aivas called it/himself a machine, the product of an advanced technological culture and, for all its knowledge, an inanimate device. Jaxom felt more comfortable thinking of Aivas as real, as real as his own flesh-and-blood self.

It was then that Jaxom realized that he was going to have to revise many previously accepted concepts. That could be hard to do. The familiar was so comfortable. But the thought of the challenge brought a thrill to Jaxom -the incredible excitement of a future he could not have imagined just two days before, when he and Ruth had helped Piemur and Jancis excavate this one building out of the hundreds here. He didn't feel tired-he felt exhilarated.

"It's going to be exciting, Ruth. Think of it that way, as an exciting challenge." He rubbed Ruth's eyeridge with his knuckles. "We could both use a challenge, something new. Life's been getting dull."

You'd better not say that to Sharra, Ruth advised.

Jaxom grinned." She'll be challenged, too, if I know my mate."

Ramoth, Mnementh, Canth, Lioth, Golanth, and Monarth are coming, Ruth said, his tone brightening.

"Reinforcements, huh?" Jaxom gave the eyeridge one more stiff drubbing. "Company for you certainly."

Ramoth is grumpy, Ruth said, his tone suddenly wary. Canth said that lights were burning all night in Lessa's weyr, and Ramoth had long conversations with all the other queens. He sounded anxious.

"Don't worry, Ruth, please. It's going to work out. This is just a new beginning, just as our Impression was! Though nothing could ever be better than that day was for me!"

Ruth raised his head, his eyes altering from a murky shade to a happier blue-green.

The incoming dragons were circling, their faceted eyes vivid green and blue points against the dawn-gray light. As they back-winged, their hind legs poised to take the impact of landing, Jaxom was just able to discern that each dragon carried extra passengers. Some of the dragons waited only long enough to let their passengers dismount before they launched themselves again, disappearing between when they had gained sufficient height. The others settled down to wait while their riders and passengers headed for the administration building.

Jaxom sighed and gave Ruth an affectionate farewell slap before slipping back down the dusty slope to greet the new arrivals. When F'lar, Lessa, and Master Fandarel reached him in the doorway, Jaxom informed them that Aivas was resting.

"Resting?" Lessa demanded, halting so abruptly in midstride that F'lar had to sidestep to avoid barging into his slender weyrmate.

"The solar panels run out of power," Jaxom replied.

Master Fandarel looked both aggrieved and incredulous.

"But-but Aivas said that he could provide twelve different stations."

"Lower your voice, please, Master Fandarel. Master Robinton's still asleep." Jaxom kept his own voice low as a hint to the others. "I brought Sebell and Menolly and the Records Master Robinton wanted Aivas to see. Jancis and I got as far as the sixth Turn before Aivas turned off. He says he'll be all right again after a few hours of sunlight."

"So we get here in the middle of the night and it isn't working?" Lessa said, disgusted.

"Now, there is much we can do while we await his revival," Fandarel said soothingly.

"What?" Lessa demanded. "I don't want people bungling about in the dark caves, you know. And it's scarcely the time to start reassembling this facility. F'lar and I have questions for Aivas. It's one thing to be promised a miracle, quite another to produce it. In courtesy, we should allow the other Weyrleaders to see and hear this Aivas for themselves, for I assure you," she added at her drollest, "they didn't believe what had happened here. And if they come and there's nothing to see..." Her voice trailed off ominously.

"I hardly believe it myself," F'lar remarked with a wry grin at Jaxom. "So I can't fault others."

"There are more than enough glowbaskets to illuminate the caves," Master Fandarel said in his approximation of a whisper, "and the dawn is not far away now. My craftsmen can begin to assemble the items Aivas said it needs. Where are those sheets Aivas made? Bendarek is fascinated by my description of printed sheets emerging from a wall. He's just coming up the hill now." Clearly Master Fandarel entertained no reservations about accepting the Aivas's offer to restore his Records to legibility.

"Where are Sebell and Menolly?" Lessa asked, peering down the corridor toward the Aivas chamber.

Jaxom chuckled. "They're getting some rest. Aivas wouldn't even talk in front of them."

"Why not?" Lessa asked, surprised. "We told him they were coming."

"But they're not on the list. And while I'm a Lord Holder, and Piemur's a harper, we had no Weyrleader present."

Lessa frowned.

"That's exactly what we stipulated, Lessa," F'lar said. "I can trust someone that is scrupulous about obeying orders. Particularly something as potent as this Aivas."

A bass rumble startled them, and it took a moment to realize that the noise was Fandarel's chuckle. "It is the function of a machine to do what it is designed to do. I approve."

"You approve of anything that's efficient," Lessa said. "Even if that isn't always sensible."

"We've lived too long with dragons," F'lar said, grinning down at his diminutive weyrmate, "who understand what we mean, even when we haven't said it."

"Hmmm," Lessa replied in a testy mumble as she gave him a sour glance.

"We all will have new things to learn, I think," Fandarel said. "And it is time. Jaxom, I'll need those sheets Aivas made, so I can give them to Bendarek."

Obediently, Jaxom collected them from the flat worktop where Piemur and Jancis had left them. "Jancis went to make fresh klah," he told Lessa. "She should be back any time now."

"Then off you all go," Lessa said, flipping her hands at them in dismissal. "Jaxom, if you're all determined to get a start on the caves, take Fandarel on Ruth, will you? That way he won't break his neck stumbling about in the dark. I'll wait for Jancis and Aivas."