With my own eyes I saw it, Lord Jamson,’ M’shall said in an unequivocal
tone. And I thought it wise to ask several of the guards to stay in
the Weyr so you may learn what their orders were.
But here, Chalkin complains that you have not accorded him the courtesy
of conveyance.” Jamson frowned.
If you had seen what I have, Lord Jamson, you migh find it hard to
oblige him,’ M’shall said, his face stark.
Really, Jamson, don’t be such a prick,’ Bridgely said, under no similar
restraint of courtesy with his peer. Nerat and Telgar are taking in
refugees as well as Benden. You can speak to any you wish to, to
determine the extent of Chalkin’s perfidy.
I’ll gladly convey you where you wish to go . – – M’shall offered.
I’ve my own Weyr, Jamson said stiffly, if I need transport.
But it’s not the weather to be travelling about in unnecessarily at
all.” Which was true enough, since the High Reaches Hold was cloaked in
snow crusted as hard as ice on the ground.
Agreed,’ said Bridgely, trying hard not to shiver and wondering at
Jamson’s parsimony with fires, or if the heating system in the Hold was
another victim to technological obsolescence. So you will grant that
only a dire need would bring me out, asking you to change your mind
about taking immediate action against Clialkin. People would have
frozen to death on Bitra’s borders last night!” And he pointed
vigorously eastward.
He doesn’t mention that in this,’ Jamson said, peering at the letter on
the table.
Doubtless he’ll circulate a longer letter on that score,’ said Bridgely
with deep irony. But what I saw required me to give aid without any
delay to meditate.” As you know, Lord Jamson,’ M’shall put in, Weyrs
are also autonomous and may withhold services with sufficient
justification. I feel perfectly justified in refusing him basic
courtesies. Come, Bridgely. We’re wasting Lord Jamson’s valuable time.
Good day to you.
Before the astonished High Reaches Holder could respond to such
peremptory behaviour, the two men had left the room.
My word! And I always considered M’shall to be a sensible man.
Thank goodness, G’don is a solid, predictable Weyrleader – One simply
does not impeach a Lord Holder overnight! Not this close to
Threadfall.” Jamson buried his hands more deeply into the sleeves of his
fur-lined jerkin.
Azury was so shocked he did not even comment on M’shall’s dereliction’
of services.
I’d no idea, really,’ he said.
In direct contrast to High Reaches, Southern Boll’s weather was hot
enough for Bridgely to wish he’d worn a lighter shirt.
Although they were well shaded from the morning sun on a porch decorated
by a blooming plant with fragrant pink blossoms tangling in clusters, he
had to open his collar and roll up his sleeves to be comfortable. Azury
had ordered a fruit drink and by the time it came, Bridgely’s throat was
dry enough to appreciate the cool tang.
I know Chalkin’s not exactly. . . reliable, and Azury then grinned
wryly. And I’ve lost sufficient marks in his little games of chance to
wonder about his basic honesty. But.
and he shook his head. A Holder simply doesn’t keep his folk in the
dark about something as critical to their survival as Thread. Does he
really think it won’t come? That we’re all foolish or stupid?” He is
both foolish and stupid,’ Bridgely said. Why else did our ancestors
bio-engineer the dragons? And develop a totally Unique society to
nurture and succour the species, if not for future need?” He glanced at
M’shall who merely raised his eyebrows. It isn’t as if we didn’t have
graphic proof of the existence of Thread, which was part of our
education. Nor tons of records annotating the problem. It’s not
something we thought up to inconvenience Chalkin of Bitra!” Preaching
to the converted, Bridge,’ Azury said. He’s ten times the fool if he
thinks to brace the rest of the planet on this score. But,’ and he
leaned forward on his wicker wood chair which creaked slightly, Holders
can spin great lies . .
And I can spot a whinge and a bitcher as fast as you can, Azury,’ said