So it was as well the Weyrwomen had not been included in this meeting. Put Mardra in the same room with Lessa and thered be problems. Add Kylara of the Southern Weyr who was apt to make trouble for the pure joy of getting attention by disrupting others, and nothing would be accomplished Nadira of Igen Weyr liked Lessa but in a passive way. Bedella of Telgar Weyr was stupid and Fanna of Ista, taciturn. Merika of the High Reaches was as much a sour sort as her Weyrleader Tkul.
This was a matter for men to settle.
Flar thanked Mnementh as he slid down the warm shoulder to the ledge, stumbling as his bootheels caught on the ridges of claw scars on the edge. Tron might have put out a basket of glows, Flar thought irritably, and then caught himself. Another trick to put everyone in as unreceptive a mood as possible.
Loranth, senior queen dragon of Fort Weyr, solemnly regarded Flar as he entered the main room of the Weyr. He gave her a cordial greeting, suppressing his relief that there was no sign of Mardra. If Loranth was solemn, Mardra would have been downright unpleasant. Undoubtedly the Fort Weyrwoman was sulking beyond the curtain between weyr and sleeping room. Maybe this awkward time had been her idea. It was after western dinner hours and too late for more than wine for those from later time zones. She thus avoided the necessity of playing hostess.
Lessa would never resort to such mean-spirited strategies. Flar knew how often the impulsive Lessa had bitten back quick answers when Mardra had patronized her. In fact, Lessas forbearance with the haughty Fort Weyrwoman was miraculous, considering Lessas temper. Flar supposed that his Weyrmate felt responsible for uprooting the Oldtimers. But the final decision to go forward in time had been theirs.
Well, if Lessa could endure Mardras condescension out of gratitude, Flar could try to put up with Tron. The man did know how to fight Thread effectively and Flar had learned a great deal from him at first. So, in a determinedly pleasant frame of mind, Flar walked down the short passage to the Fort Weyr Council Room.
Tron, seated in the big stone chair at the head of the Table, acknowledged Flars entry with a stiff nod. The light of the glows on the wall cast unflattering shadows on the Oldtimers heavy, lined face. It struck Flar forcibly that the man had never known anything but fighting Thread. He must have been born when the Red Star began that last fifty-Turn-long Pass around Pern, and hed fought Thread until the Star had finished its circuit. Then followed Lessa forward. A man could get mighty tired of fighting Thread in just seven short Turns. Flar halted that line of thought.
Dram of Ista Weyr and Gnarish of Igen also contented themselves with nods. Tbor, however, gave Flar a hearty greeting, his eyes glinting with emotion.
Good evening, gentlemen, Flar said to all. I apologize for taking you from your own affairs or rest with this request for an emergency meeting of all Weyrleaders, but it could not wait until the regular Solstice Gathering.
Ill conduct the meetings at Fort Weyr, Benden, Tron said in a cold harsh voice. Ill wait for Tkul and Rmart before I have any discussion of your your complaint.
Agreed.
Tron stared at Flar as if that hadnt been the answer hed anticipated and hed gathered himself for an argument that hadnt materialized. Flar nodded to Tbor as he took the seat beside him.
Ill say this now, Benden, Tron continued. The next time you elect to drag us all out of our Weyrs suddenly, you apply to me first. Forts the oldest Weyr on Pern. Dont just irresponsibly send messengers out to everyone.
I dont see that Flar acted irresponsibly, Gnarish said, evidently surprised by Trons attitude. Gnarish was a stocky young man, some Turns Flars junior and the youngest of the Weyrleaders to come forward in time. Any Weyrleader can call a joint meeting if circumstances warrant it. And these do! Gnarish emphasized this with a curt nod, adding when he saw the Fort Weyrleader scowling at him, Well, they do.