Dram stared at Tron. Then why did you call the meeting for tonight?
At Flars insistence.
Tbor rose to protest before Flar could stop him, but Dram waved him to be seated and sternly reminded Tron that the Fort Weyrleader had set the time, not Flar of Benden.
Look, were here now, Tbor said, banging his fist on the table irritably. Lets get on with it. Its full night in southern Weyr. Id like …
I conduct the Fort Weyr meetings, Southern, Tron said in a loud, firm voice, although the effort of keeping his temper told in the flush of his face and the brightness of his eyes.
Then conduct it, Tbor replied. Tell us why a green rider took his dragon out of your Weyr when she was close to heat.
Treb was not aware she was that close …
Nonsense, Tbor cut in, glaring at Tron. You keep telling us how much of a traditionalist you are, and how well trained your riders are. Then dont tell me a rider as old as Treb cant estimate his beasts condition.
Flar began to think he didnt need an ally like Tbor.
A green changes color rather noticeably, Gnarish said, with some reluctance, Flar noted. Usually a full day before she wants to fly.
Not in the spring, Tron pointed out quickly. Not when shes off her feed from Threadscore. It can happen very quickly. Which it did. Tron spoke loudly, as if the volume of his explanation would bear more weight than its logic.
That is possible, Dram admitted slowly, nodding his head up and down before he turned to see what Flar thought.
I accept that possibility, Flar replied, keeping his voice even. He saw Tbor open his mouth to protest and kicked the man under the table. However, according to the testimony of Craftmaster Terry, my rider urged Treb repeatedly to take his dragon away. Treb persisted in his attempt to to acquire the belt knife.
And you accept the word of a commoner against a rider? Tron leaped on Flars statement with a great show of surprised indignation and incredulity.
What would a Craftmaster, and Flar emphasized the title, gain by bringing false witness?
Those smithcrafters are the most notorious misers of Pern, Tron replied as if this were a personal insult. The worst of all the crafts when it comes to parting with honest tithe.
A jeweled belt knife is not a tithe item.
What difference does that make, Benden? Tron demanded.
Flar stared back at the Fort Weyrleader. So Tron was trying to set the blame on Terry! Then he knew that his rider had been at fault. Why couldnt he just admit it and discipline the rider? Flar only wanted to see that thered be no repetitions of such an incident.
The difference is that that knife had been crafted for Lord Larad of Telgar as a gift to Lord Asgenar of Lemos Hold for his wedding six days from now. The blade was not Terrys to give or withhold. It already belonged to a Lord Holder. Therefore, the rider was …
Naturally youd take the part of your rider, Benden, Tron cut in with a slight, unpleasant smile on his face. But for a rider, a Weyrleader, to take the part of a Lord Holder against dragonfolk and Tron turned to Dram and Gnarish with a helpless shrug of dismay.
If Rmart were here, youd be Tbor began.
Dram gestured at him to be quiet. Were not discussing possession but what seems to be a grave breach of Weyr discipline, he said in a voice that overwhelmed Tbors protest. However, Flar, you do admit that a green, off her feed from Threadscore, can suddenly go into heat without warning?
Flar could feel Tbor urging him to deny that possibility. He knew that he had made a mistake in pointing out that the knife had been commissioned for a Lord Holder. Or in taking the part of a Holder not bound to Benden Weyr. If only Rmart had been here to speak in Lord Larads behalf. As it was, Flar had prejudiced his case. The incident had disturbed Dram so much that the man was deliberately closing his eyes to fact and seeking any extenuating circumstance he could. If Flar forced him to see the event clearly, would he prove anything to a man unwilling to believe that Dragonriders could be guilty of error? Would he get Dram to admit that Craft and Hold had privileges, too?