“I should be there. The clutch must be turned; the eggs are hi warm sand by the hearth; but Tgellan brought me into the Hatching Cavern and told me to wait…”
J6I
*‘And seems to have forgot you. Not surprising, considering today’s surprises.” The man hastily cleared his throat and extended his hand to her.
She accepted his aid because she couldn’t have risen without it He had taken three strides when he realized that she wasn’t keeping up with him. Politely he turned. Menolly tried to walk normally, a feat she managed for about three strides when her heel came down so painfully on a patch of pebbles that she involuntarily cried out Beauty whirled, scolding fiercely, and Rocky and Diver added their antics, which were of no help to anyone.
“Here’s my arm, girl. Were you too long on the hot sands? Ah now, wait. You’re a long child, but there’s no meat on your bones.”
Before Menolly could protest, he’d swung her up into his arms and was carrying her across the Bowl.
*TeH that queen of yours I’m helping you,” he asked when Beauty disordered his silvering hair, diving at him. “After sober reflection, be sure you give me green eggs.”
Beauty was too excited to harken to Menolly, so she had to wave her arms about his head and face to protect him. It was not astonishing then that their approach to the kitchen caverns attracted attention; but people made way so politely, bowing to them with such deference, that Menolly began to wonder who the man was. His tunic was a gray cloth with just a band of blue, so he must be a harper of some sort; probably weyrbound to Fort Weyr to judge by the yellow arm device.
“Menolly, did you hurt your feet?” Felena appeared before them, curious at the flurry of excitement “Didn’t Tgellan remember you? He’s got no memory, drat the man. How good of you to rescue her, sir!”
“Think nothing of it, Felena. I discovered she was custodian of the fire lizard eggs. However, if you happened to have a cup of wine … This is thirsty work.”
162
1 can stand, really I can, sir,” Menolly protested, for something in Felena’s manner told her that this man was too-important to be toting sore-footed girls. “Felena, I couldn’t stop him.”
*Tm only being my usual ingratiating self,” the man told her, “and do stop struggling. You’re too heavy!”
Felena was laughing at his exaggeration as she led the way to Menoll/s table above the egg basket.
**You’re a terrible fellow, Master Robinton, indeed you are. But you’ll have your wine while Menolly picks out the best of the clutch. Have you spotted the queen egg, Menolly?”
“After the way Menofl/s queen has been attacking me, I’d be safer with any other color, Felena. Now do get that wine for me, there’s a good woman. I’m utterly parched.”
As he gently settled her into her chair, Menolly heard Felena’s teasing remark, **… terrible fellow, Master Robinton … terrible fellow, Master Robinton …” She stared at him, disbelieving.
“Now, whaf s the matter, Menolly? Did my exercise bring out spots on my face?” He mopped at his cheeks and brow and examined his hand. “Ah, thank you, Felena. You’ve saved my life. My tongue was quite stuck to the roof of my mouth. And here’s to you, young queen, and thank you for your courtesy.” He raised his cup to Beauty, who was perched on Menoll/s shoulder, her tail firmly entwined as she glared at him. “Well?” he asked kindly of Menolly.
“You’re the Masterharper?”
“Yes, I’m Robinton.” He sounded quite casual about it “And I think you need some wine, too.”
“No, I couldn’t” Menolly held up her hands in refusal. *1 get hiccups. And go to sleep.” She hadn’t meant to say that either, but she had to explain why she was discourteous enough to refuse his cup. She was also acutely aware now of her stained overshirt, her sandy clothes and slippers, her complete disarray. This
163
wasn’t how she imagined her first meeting with the Masterharper of Pern, and she hung her head in em-barassment.
“I always advise eating before drinking,” remarked Master Robinton in the nicest possible way. “I shouldn’t wonder but that’s half the problem right now/’ he added and then raised his voice. “This child is faint with hunger, Felena.”