“I’ll call them out! Then I’ll join you in the camp.”
“I didn’t think it would come to this!” Capiam seized Tirone by the shoulder in an effort to express his appreciation at the Harper’s swift reinforcement.
“Tolocamp has presumed once too often on the generosity of the Halls!” Tirone’s usually smooth, persuasive voice had a hard edge. “I hope this example reminds others of our prerogatives.”
“Call our Craftspeople out, but don’t come to the camp with me, Tirone. You must stay in the hall with your people, and guide mine.”
“My people”Tirone gave a forced laugh“with very few exceptions, are languishing in that blighted camp of his. You are the one who must bide at the halls.”
“Master Capiam”
The men whirled toward the woman’s voice. The speaker emerged from the shadow of a doorway. She was one of the three remaining Fort daughters, a big-boned girl with large brown eyes well-spaced in an intelligent but plain face. Her thick black hair was pulled severely back from her face.
“I have the storeroom keys.” She held them up.
“How did you? . .” Tirone was uncharacteristically at a loss for words.
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Moreta: Dragon lady of Pern
“Lord Tolocamp made plain his position when he received the request for medicines. I helped harvest and preserve them.” “Lady? …” Capiam could not recall her name. “Nerilka.” She supplied it quickly with the faint smile of a someone who does not expect to be remembered. “I have the right to offer you the products of my own labor.” She gave Tirone an intense, challenging stare. Then she returned her direct gaze to Capiam.
“There is just one condition.”
“If it is within my giving.” Capiam would give a lot for medicines. “That I may leave this Hold in your company and work with the sick in that horrid camp. I’ve been vaccinated.” A wry smile lifted one side of her mouth. “Lord Tolocamp was expansive that day. Be that as it may, I will not stay in a Hold to be abused by a girl younger than myself. Tolocamp permitted her and her family to enter this hallowed Hold from the fire-heights yet he leaves healers
and harpers to die out there!” And he left my mother and sisters to die at Ruatha. Her unspoken
words were palpable in the brief silence. “This way, quickly,” she said, taking the initiative and pulling at
Capiam’s sleeve. “I’ll remove our Craftspeople from this Hold on my way out,”
Tirone said. He walked quickly toward the hall.
“Young woman, you do realize that once you leave the Hold without your father’s knowledge, particularly in his present frame of
mind” “Master Capiam, I doubt he’ll notice I’m gone.” She spoke with a
light disregard for the matter, obviously more bitter about her sire’s new wife. “These steps are very steep,” she added and nicked open a
handglow. Steep, circular, and narrow, Capiam realized as his foot slipped on
the first short step. He disliked blind stairways, of which Fort had more than its fair share. The Ancients had been fond of them in the construction of the first holds as auxiliary access between the levels of what were, essentially, natural caves. He was grateful for Ncrilka’s guidance and the soft glowlight but the descent seemed to take ages. Then the darkness lightened and they emerged on to a landing, with narrow high halls branching in three directions. Beside the circular stair they had just left was a second one that he hoped they would not need to use.
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern 207
Nerilka led him to the right, then down a short broad flight and to the left. He was completely disoriented. Nerilka made a second left turn. Three drudges who had been lounging on long benches by a heavy wooden door got to their feet, their faces impassive.
“You are prompt, I see,” Nerilka said, nodding approval to them. “Father appreciates promptness,” she said to Capiam as she was separating the keys. Unlocking the door took three of the larger ones. Opening required the effort of one of the drudges and then Capiam could smell the mingled stillroom aromas, astringent, bitter, fragrant, and oddly musty.