“Weyr management’, Master Gennell pointed out politely, “is the concern of the Weyr. Not ours. I presented my condolences to the bronze rider who conveyed us.”
Robinton nodded. “That was F’lon, a son of S’loner.”
“It was?” Ginia exclaimed in surprise. “Amazing. I don’t think we need worry about the Weyr if that is the standard of rider presently handling its affairs.”
Robinton told himself he must remember to tell F’lon that he had one admirer among the Masters.
Just then, Raid approached and greeted them all with weary courtesy, thanking them for coming so quickly. “I’ve had seats for the entire Council placed in the small dining room, if you’d like to proceed,” he said. “Robinton, will you show them the way?”
“Are we all present and accounted for then?” the MasterWeaver asked, glancing about the crowded room.
“The last have arrived and are prepared to proceed,” Raid said, bowing and moving off towards the refreshments, where Maizella was pouring wine assisted by Cording. Hayon was standing near by, looking dolefully into his glass, Rasa and Anta beyond him.
Robinton duly led the Masters to the small dining room, which was just about large enough to accommodate the numbers.
“Wait here, Rob, in case we need to send for someone,” Gennell said, pausing as the rest of the Craftmasters filed in.
Robinton nodded. Send for whom? There were no other Weyrleaders who traditionally officiated at such a meeting.
“It’s started?” a familiar voice asked with a touch of amused malice.
Robinton turned his head slowly to regard Fax and gave him a cool look.
“I believe so,” he said in a flat, unequivocal tone.
“You’re harper here, are you, Robinton?” “Yes.”
Fax regarded him steadily, amusement still keen. “And no corpse to lay to rest, either. Convenient, that.”
Robinton refused to rise to the bait and looked straight ahead, hoping Fax would go away. “I’ll leave you to your duty, then,” Fax said. Swivelling on one heel, he made a leisurely return to the Hall.
Raid was confirmed within the hour, and then Robinton was sent to find out if any of the dragonriders he had named were present in the Hold. The Council begged the favour of a few words with any of the bronze riders. Robinton wondered as he went in search if he should send someone to wake F’lon. But he found M’ridin, C’vrel, C’gan and C’rob in the courtyard, as well as the girl he had seen speaking to the Weyrleader.
“Manora here,” C’rob said, indicating the girl, “says that the Weyrleader was unwell at dinner. She overheard Maidir asking to be conveyed home, and S’loner said he’d do it because he wanted an excuse to leave. He’d been having pains in his arm rather more often than he admitted, even to Tinamon.”
She looked both uneasy and dignified; her eyes were still red from tears. But she nodded, confirming what C’rob reported.
Robinton escorted them all to the Lord Holders. Fax sauntered along in their wake, smiling enigmatically when Robinton firmly closed the door in his face.
When the Lord Holders concluded their interview with Manora and the bronze riders, most of them left the small dining room for the refreshments available in the hall. But, of the group who remained, Robinton saw Lord Faroguy and was startled by the change in the man. He looked almost bloodless with fatigue, as if he had little energy and substance, barely responding to whatever Lord Melongel, of Tillek Hold, was saying to him.
Then Farevene bustled down the hall, carrying a tray of food and drink. Giving Robinton a nod ofin the hour, and then Robinton was sent to find out if any of the dragonriders he had named were present in the Hold. The Council begged the favour of a few words with any of the bronze riders. Robinton wondered as he went in search if he should send someone to wake F’lon. But he found M’ridin, C’vrel, C’gan and C’rob in the courtyard, as well as the girl he had seen speaking to the Weyrleader.
“Manora here,” C’rob said, indicating the girl, “says that the Weyrleader was unwell at dinner. She overheard Maidir asking to be conveyed home, and S’loner said he’d do it because he wanted an excuse to leave. He’d been having pains in his arm rather more often than he admitted, even to Tinamon.”