The White Dragon

CHAPTER VII

«I CAME TO TELL you that we have guests. Lord Jaxom; Master Robinton, N'ton and Menolly are above, just back from the Hatching. First, let's see to Ruth.»

«Didn't you go to Benden for the Hatching?» Jaxom asked.

Lytol shook his head as he walked toward Ruth's weyr. The white dragon was settling in for a well deserved nap. Lytol bowed courteously to him before peering closely at the thickly smeared scorings.

«You washed first in the lake, I presume.» Lytol's glance took in Jaxom's damp hair. «That water's pure enough, and the numbweed's been applied in good time. We'll check again in a few hours. But I think he's all right.» Lytol's gaze went then to Jaxom's all too obvious scoring.

«I had no reason to excuse you to our guests.» He sighed. «Be grateful it's N'ton above and not F'lar. I suppose Menolly knew what you were about?»

«I told no one what I intended. Lord Lytol,» Jaxom said with some formality.

«At least you've learned discretion.» The Lord Warder hesitated, his eyes sweeping the figure of his ward. «Ah, well, I'd best ask N'ton to take you for weyrling practice safer that way and you'd be with others. Robinton will guess what you've been about, but he'd learn in due course no matter how we evaded. Come then, they'll not give you too hard a time for your clumsiness. Not that you don't deserve more than a ribbing, taking such a chance with yourself and Ruth. And right now, when order is all in pieces anyhow…»

«I apologize for distressing you. Lord Lytol…»

The man subjected his charge to another shrewd scrutiny.

«No distress, Lord Jaxom. Any apologies are on my head. I ought to have realized your need to prove Ruth's abilities. I wish that you were a few Turns older and that matters were in such order that I could let you take Hold «

«I don't want to take Hold from you. Lord Lytol «

«I don't think I'd be permitted to step down right now anyway, Jaxom. As you'll hear for yourself. Come, we've kept our guests waiting long enough as it is.»

N'ton was facing the door of the smaller hall used at Ruatha when guests required privacy for their discussions. The bronze rider took one look at Jaxom's face and groaned. At his reaction. Master Robinton slewed round in his chair, his tired eyes registering surprise and, Jaxom hoped, a certain measure of approval.

«You're Threadscored, Jaxom,» Menolly cried, and her expression was one of shocked dismay. «How could you take such a risk right now?» She, who had taunted him about thinking, not doing, was now furious with him.

«I should have known you'd try it, young Jaxom,» N'ton said with a weary sigh, a rueful smile on his face. «You were bound to break out soon, but your timing is atrocious.»

Jaxom would have liked to say that, in point of fact, his timing had been faultless, but N'ton went on: «Ruth wasn't hurt, was he?»

«A single score on thigh and foot,» Lytol replied. «Well doctored.»

«I do sympathize with your ambition, Jaxom,» Robinton said, unusually solemn, «to fly Ruth with other dragons but I must counsel you to patience.»

«I'd rather he learned how to fly properly now, Robinton. With my other weyrlings,» N'ton interrupted unexpectedly, winning Jaxom's gratitude. «Particularly if he's mad enough, brave enough, to try it on his own without any guidance.»

«I doubt we could get Benden to approve,» Robinton said, shaking his head.

«I approve,» Lytol said in a firm voice, his face set. «I am Lord Jaxom's guardian, not F'lar or Lessa. Let her manage her own concerns. Lord Jaxom is my charge. He can come to little harm with the Fort Weyrlings.» Lytol stared fiercely at Jaxom. «And he will agree not to put his teaching to the test without consulting us. Will you abide by that. Lord Jaxom?»

Jaxom was relieved enough to know that the Benden Weyrleaders would not be queried so that he agreed to more stringent conditions than he might have. He nodded and was immediately beset by conflicting emotions amusement because everyone had assumed the obvious and annoyance because, having achieved so much more that day, he was now reduced to apprentice level. Yet, his experience at Keroon had demonstrated too sharply how much he still had to learn about fighting Thread if he wished to keep whole his and his dragon's hides.

N'ton had been peering intently at Jaxom and his frown deepened so that, for one moment, Jaxom wondered if N'ton had somehow guessed what he and Ruth had actually been doing when they were Threadscored. If they ever found out, Jaxom would be twice bound with added restrictions.

«I think I'll require a further promise from you, Jaxom,» the bronze rider said. «No more timing it. You've been doing far too much of that lately. I can tell from your eyes.»

Startled, Lytol examined his ward's face more closely.

«I'm in no danger on Ruth, N'ton,» Jaxom said, relieved at being accused of a lesser transgression. «He always knows when he is.»

N'ton dismissed that talent impatiently. «Possibly, but the danger lies in the rider's mind an inadvertent time clue that could set both in jeopardy. Coming too close to yourself in subjective time is dangerous. Besides it's draining for both dragon and rider. You don't need to time it, young Jaxom. You'll have time enough for all you need to do.»

N'ton's words caused Jaxom to recall the inexplicable weakness that had overcome him in the Hatching Ground. Was it possible that at that very moment «I don't think you can have realized, Jaxom,» Robinton began, interrupting Jaxom's thoughts, «just how critical matters are in Pern right now. And you should know.»

«If you mean about the egg stealing, Master Robinton, and how close it came to dragon attacking dragon, I was in Benden Weyr that morning…»

«Were you?» Robinton was mildly surprised and shook his head as if he ought not to have forgotten. «Then you can guess at Lessa's temper today. If that egg hadn't hatched properly…»

«But the egg was returned. Master Robinton.» Jaxom was confused. Why would Lessa still be upset?

«Yes,» the Harper replied, «apparently not everyone in Southern was blind to the consequences of the theft. But Lessa is not appeased.»

«An insult was given Benden Weyr, and Ramoth and Lessa,» N'ton said.

«Dragons can't fight dragons!» Jaxom was appalled. «That's why the egg was returned.» If his risk and Ruth's injury had been futile…

«Our Lessa is a woman of strong emotions, Jaxom revenge being one of those most highly developed in her. Remember how you came to be Lord here?» Robinton's expression indicated regret for reminding Jaxom of his origin. «I do not belittle the Benden Weyrwoman when I say that. Such perseverance in the face of incredible odds is laudable. But her tenacity over the insult could have a disastrous effect on all Pern. So far, reason has prevailed but currently that balance is shaky indeed.»

Jaxom nodded, perceiving that he could never admit to his part, relieved that he had not blurted out his adventure to Lytol. No one must ever know that he, Jaxom, had returned the egg. Particularly Lessa. He sent a silent command to Ruth, who drowsily replied that he was too tired to talk to anyone about anything and couldn't he please sleep?

«Yes,» Jaxom said in reply to Robinton, «I quite understand the need for discretion.»

«There is another event,» Robinton's mobile face drew into a sorrowful grimace as he sought the proper word, «an event which will shortly compound our problems.» He glanced at N'ton. «D'ram.»

«I think you're right, Robinton,» the bronze rider said. «He's unlikely to remain Weyrleader if Fanna dies.»

«If? I'm afraid we must say when. And, according to what Master Oldive told me, the sooner it happens, the kinder it will be.»

«I didn't know that Fanna was ill,» Jaxom said, and his thoughts leaped ahead to the sorrowful knowledge that Fanna's queen, Mirath, would suicide when her Weyrwoman died. A queen's death would upset every dragon and Lessa and Ramoth!

Lytol's expression was bleak, as it always was whenever he was reminded of his own dragon's death. Jaxom swallowed the remainder of his pride and dismay about apprenticing as a weyrling; he would never risk injuring Ruth again.

«Fanna's been declining gradually,» Robinton was saying, «a wasting sickness that nothing seems to halt. Master Oldive is at Ista with her now.»

«Yes, his fire lizard will summon me when he's ready to leave. I want to be available to D'ram,» N'ton said.

«Fire lizards, yes, hmmm,» said Robinton. «Another sore subject at Benden Weyr.» He glanced at his bronze, perched contentedly on his shoulder. «I felt naked without Zair at that Hatching. Upon my word!» He stared at his somnolent bronze, then over to N'ton's Tris, drowsy eyed on the rider's arm. «They've calmed down!»

«Ruth's here,» N'ton said, stroking Tris. «They feel safe with him.»

«No, that isn't it,» Menolly said, her eyes resting on Jaxom's face. «They were worried even with Ruth. But that wild restlessness is gone. No more visions of the egg!» She peered sideways at her little queen. «I suppose that makes sense. It's Hatched and healthy. Whatever was plaguing them hasn't happened. Or,» she stared at Jaxom suddenly, «or has it?»

Jaxom affected surprise and confusion.

«They were worried about the egg hatching, Menolly?» Robinton asked. «Too bad we can't tell Lessa how concerned they've all been. It might help restore them to her good graces.»

«I think it's high time something was done about fire lizards,» Menolly said severely.

«My dear girl…» Robinton was surprised.

«I don't mean ours, Master Robinton. They've proved to be extremely useful. Too many people take them for granted and make no effort to train them.» She gave a peculiar laugh. «As Jaxom can vouch. They congregate wherever Ruth goes till he's driven between by their attentions. Isn't that right, Jaxom?» There was a strange quality about her gaze that puzzled him.

«I wouldn't say he objects… most of the time, Menolly,» he replied coolly, casually stretching his long legs under the table. «But a fellow likes a little time to himself, you know.»

Lytol gave a knowing snort which told Jaxom that Brand had had a word with the Warder about Corana.

«Why? To chew firestone?» N'ton asked, grinning.

«Was that what you were doing with your… time, Jaxom?» Menolly asked him, her eyes wide, affecting innocent inquiry.

«You might say so.»

«Do the fire lizards really present you with problems?» Robinton asked, «in their preference for Ruth's company?»

«Well, sir,» Jaxom replied, «no matter where we go, every fire lizard in the vicinity pops in to see Ruth. Generally it's no bother because they keep Ruth amused if I'm busy with Hold matters.»

«They wouldn't by any chance have told Ruth why they've been troubled? Or did you know about those images?» Robinton leaned forward, eager to have Jaxom's answer.

«You mean fire lizards being flamed? The dark nothingness and the egg? Oh yes, they've been driving Ruth frantic with that nonsense,» said Jaxom. He scowled as if annoyed for his friend, and was careful not to look in Menolly's direction. «But that seems to have passed. Perhaps the disturbance was connected with the stolen egg. But it's hatched now and look, they're not the least bit as agitated as they've been, and they're letting Ruth sleep by himself again.»

«Where were you when the egg was being Hatched?» Menolly pounced on Jaxom so swiftly with her question that Robinton and N'ton regarded her with surprise.

«Why,» and Jaxom laughed as he touched his scored cheek, «trying to sear Thread!»

His ready answer threw Menolly into quiet confusion while Robinton, Lytol and N'ton all had another go at him for his foolhardiness. He endured the scolding in good part because it kept Menolly from plaguing him. She'd been suspicious after all. He wished that he could tell her the truth. Of all the people on Pern, she was the only one he could trust now that he knew how infinitely wiser it was to let everyone else believe a Southern dragonrider had returned the egg. He was discontented, though, because it would be a relief, a pleasure, to be able to tell someone what he'd done.

Food was served them and they kept the discussions to the problem of the fire lizards whether they were more nuisance than valuable until Jaxom pointed out that everyone about the table was converted. What they needed was a way to pacify Lessa and Ramoth.

«Ramoth will forget her aggravation soon enough,» N'ton said.

«Lessa won't, although I doubt there'll be that much reason for me to send Zair to Benden Weyr.»

As N'ton and Lytol vigorously reassured the Harper, Jaxom realized there was a curious restraint about the man, an odd note in his voice when he mentioned Benden or the Weyrwoman. Robinton wasn't worried simply that Lessa had prohibited fire lizards at Benden.

«There's another aspect of this affair that is nagging at the back of my overactive imagination,» Robinton said. «The matter has brought Southern to everyone's attention.»

«Why is that a problem?» Lytol asked.

Robinton took a sip of his wine, delaying his answer as he savored the taste. «Just this: these recent events have made everyone realize that that huge continent is occupied by a mere handful of people.»

«So?»

«I know some restless Lord Holders whose halls are crowded, whose cots are jammed. And the Weyrs, instead of protecting the inviolability of the Southern Continent, were half set to force their way in. What's to prevent the Lord Holders from taking the initiative and claiming whole portions of it?»

«There wouldn't be dragons enough to protect that much area, that's what,» Lytol said. «The Oldtimers surely wouldn't.»

«They don't really need dragonriders in the South,» Robinton said slowly.

Lytol stared at him, aghast at such a statement.

«It's true,» he said. «The land is thoroughly sowed by grubs. Traders have told me that they more or less ignore Falls; Holder Toric just makes certain everyone's safe and all stock is under cover.»

«There will come a time when no dragonriders will be needed in the North either,» N'ton said, slowly, compounding Lytol's shock.

«Dragonriders will always be needed on Pern while there is Thread!» Lytol emphasized his conviction by banging the table with his fist.

«At least in our lifetimes,» Robinton said soothingly. «But I could have wished less interest in Southern. Think it over, Lytol.»

«More of your thinking ahead, Robinton?» Lytol asked, a sour note in his voice and a jaundiced expression on his face.

«Looking ahead is far more constructive than looking behind,» said Robinton. He held his clenched fist up. «I'd all the facts in my grasp and I couldn't see the water for the waves.»

«You've been down to the Southern Continent often, Masterharper?»

Robinton gave Lytol a long considering look. «I have. Discreetly, I assure you. There are some things that must be seen to be believed.»

«Such as?»

Robinton idly stroked Zair as he gazed out, over Lytol's head, at some distant view.

«Mind you, there are times when looking back can be helpful,» he said and then turned back to the Lord Warder. «Are you aware that we originally, all of us, came from the Southern Continent?»

Lytol's first surprise at such a sudden turn of the conversation melded into a thoughtful frown. «Yes, that was implicit in the oldest Records.»

«I've often wondered if there aren't older Records, moldering somewhere in the South.»

Lytol snorted at the notion. «Moldering is right. There'd be nothing left after so many thousands of Turns.»

«They had ways of tempering metal, those ancestors of ours, ways that made it impervious to rust and wear. Those plates found at Fort Weyr, the instruments, like the long distance viewer that fascinates Wansor and Fandarel. I don't believe that time can have erased all traces of such clever people.»

Jaxom glanced at Menolly, recalling hints that she'd let slip. Her eyes were sparkling with suppressed excitement. She knew something that the Harper wasn't saying. Jaxom looked then at the Fort Weyrleader and realized that N'ton knew all about this.

«The Southern Continent was ceded to the dissident Oldtimers,» Lytol said heavily.

«And they have already broken their side of the agreement,» N'ton said.

«Is that any reason for us to break ours?» Lytol asked, drawing his shoulders back and scowling at both Weyrleader and Harper.

«They occupy only a small tongue of land, jutting out into the Southern Sea,» said Robinton in his smooth way. «They have been unaware of any activity elsewhere.»

«You've already been exploring in the South?»

«Judiciously. Judiciously.»

«And you'd not have your… judicious intrusions discovered?»

«No,» answered Robinton slowly. «I shall make the knowledge public soon enough. I don't want every disgruntled apprentice and evicted small holder running about indiscriminately, destroying what should be preserved because they haven't the wit to understand it.»

«What have you discovered so far?»

«Old mine workings, shored up with lightweight but so durable a material that it is as unscratched today as when it was put in place in the shaft. Tools, powered by who can guess bits and pieces that not even young Benelek can assemble.»

There was a long silence which Lytol broke with a snort. «Harpers! Harpers are supposed to instruct the young.»

«And first and foremost, to preserve our heritage!»