The Masterharper of Pern

Acknowledgments

As usual, I am indebted to a variety of people for their help and input in writing this volume.Not the least of whom is Master Robinton (aka Frederic H.Robinson) who was quite upset that I had ended his life so abruptly.I would suspect it of a tenor, but for a baritone to insist on another encore is almost unheard of.But I have recently been asked - via the impressive Del Rey Website - to explain certain facts which had not previously been brought to light anent Pern pre-Dragon flight history.As Robinton had a fine Pernese hand in most of it, it behooves me to tell the story from his viewpoint.

I would like to thank Dr. Will Chlosta of St Mary's Hospital New Haven for reading over the medical, and sartorial, inclusions.

This time, my gratitude to Marilyn and Harry Alm as first readers is immense since they saved me from several time discrepancies and inconsistencies.Their knowledge of Pern is extensive and better remembered than mine at times.I am also grateful to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for reading two sets of proofs in four days: a true labour of love.

Most of all let me thank Tania Opland and Michael Freeman for their invaluable contribution on the musical side.

When I asked them if they could possibly supply some of Robinton's early compositions, I didn't realize that Tania had always wanted to be Robinton, from the days when we first met in Fairbanks, Alaska.Mike has already made up a tune for me, the Dragonlady, so his inclusion was natural.

Finally, let me thank the numerous folk online in January and February whose IDs helped me find character names.