“Why not? You’re stepping on no one’s toes here.”
Robinton had a lump in his throat the next afternoon when he had to say goodbye to all those he’d met at Benden – especially Falloner and Hayon.
“Don’t worry, Rob,” Falloner murmured in his ear as they stood by Spakinth’s side, watching as the carisaks were heaved up and over the bronze’s back. “As soon as I’ve a bronze dragon, I’ll come and visit. Promise.”
“I’ll expect you,” Robinton told him, grinning broadly to keep the tears back.
“Up you get,” C’rob said and flung him up the bronze’s side.
Robinton knew the trick of grabbing a neck ridge and scrambling into place. Then his mother, more gracefully, seated herself behind him and waved to those on the ground who were seeing them off. When he heard her sniffing, Robie knew he wasn’t the only one sorry to leave Benden. He did wish they could have stayed longer.
It took a little longer to get Maizella up on Cortath, since she had so much baggage to bring with her for her Turn of training at the Harper Hall. Tears were streaming down her face – tears of joy, he knew.
Well, he thought with little charity, she’ll find the Hall quite different from living in Benden Hold. And that thought kept him from sniffling.
Then they were off, Spakinth once more nearly shaking his skull from his neck with his skyward jump. Robinton was becoming
inured to the fright of between by now and felt only the cold, not the fear. He was rather proud of himself.
Spakinth was showing off: he emerged right over the Harper Hall courtyard, low enough to be on a level with the rooftops as he backwinged and delicately landed.
“Well done, Spakinth,” Merelan said, clapping her hands.
“I’ll kill him later,” C’rob said almost grimly. “Pulling a stunt like that without permission.”
“Oh, don’t, C’rob,” Merelan said, her eyes dancing. “What an entrance! And here comes Cortath with M’ridin and Maizella, rather more circumspectly.”
Grinning, she waved at those gathered on the steps. Then she began to clap again as a chorus from the second-storey assembly room sang a loud musical welcome:
We’re glad you’re home
We’re glad you’ve come
We welcome you
With heart and voice
And hope you’ll never leave.
Someone even provided a trumpet flourish and a roll of drums as a finale, which delighted Merelan even more. Only Robinton saw her sweeping gaze looking, just as he was, for his father.
Petiron was not among those standing on the Harper Hall steps, but maybe he was leading the singers. Master Gennell was there, waving enthusiastically along with Betrice, Ginia, Lorra, with her youngest daughter on her hip, Master Bosler, and Master Ogolly who had an arm about Lexey and Libby. Barba stood on the step below them.
“Don’t mention your father’s melody, Rob, love. Not unless he does’ his mother hurriedly whispered in his ear, and then helped him dismount from Spakinth’s high withers as Gennell and Betrice rushed forward to assist.
“My, you’ve grown,” Betrice cried, giving him a big hug before Lexey and Libby could reach him. “And is that young Maizella?” she asked as Master Bosler and Ginia went to help the Benden Hold girl. “Another of Halanna’s stripe? No, there’s not that much luggage, is there?”
“Maizella’s all right, and she listens to my mother.” Robie grinned as he opened the heavy jacket he’d worn for between and resettled his shirt.
“Didja miss us?” Lexey wanted to know, dancing about: his expression suggested that he had missed his patient friend very much indeed.
“Course I did, Lexey,” and Rob gave him a mock punch. “I learned some great new games, too, Libby,” he added, turning to the girl.
His mother began to introduce her new student to the MasterHarper, his spouse and the other adults, letting Betrice take charge.
“Robinton …” and his mother prompted him to thank Spakinth and C’ rob for returning them home.
“Glad to do it, MasterSinger. Any chance of your coming back to sing at the Autumn Gather? I was asked to ask you,” C’rob said, grinning from ear to ear.
“I’ll see if it’s possible, C’rob. I’d certainly like to.” At her words, Robinton nodded vigorously, which made her laugh. “I can see that I’ll be nagged to death until I do,” she added, tousling her son’s hair. “Can you not stop for some klah?”