He took a slow deep breath to control the frustrated anger he felt. I have to concede that it is possible a green can go into heat without warning under those conditions. Beside him, Tbor cursed under his breath. But for exactly that reason, Treb ought to have known to keep his green in the Weyr.
But Trebs a Fort Weyr rider, Tbor began heatedly, jumping to his feet. And Ive been told often enough that …
Youre out of order, Southern, Tron said in a loud voice, glaring at Flar, not Tbor. Cant you control your riders, Flar?
That is quite enough, Tron, Dram cried, on his feet.
As the two Oldtimers locked glances, Flar murmured urgently to Tbor, Cant you see hes trying to anger us? Dont lose control!
Were trying to settle the incident, Tron, Dram continued forcefully, not complicate it with irrelevant personalities. Since you are involved in this business, perhaps Id better conduct the meeting. With your permission, of course, Fort.
To Flars mind, that was a tacit admission that Dram realized, however he might try to evade it, how serious the incident was. The Istan Weyrleader turned to Flar, his brown eyes dark with concern. Flar entertained a half hope that Dram might have seen through Trons obstructiveness, but the Oldtimers next words disabused him. I do not agree with you, Flar, that the Crafter acted in good part. No let me finish. We came to the aid of your troubled time, expecting to be recompensed and supported in proper fashion, but the manner and the amount of tithing rendered the Weyrs from Hold and Craft has left much to be desired. Pern is much more productive than it was four Hundred Turns ago and yet that wealth has not been reflected in the tithes. There is four times the population of our Time and much, much more cultivated land. A heavy responsibility for the Weyrs. And he cut himself off with a rueful laugh. Im digressing, too. Suffice it to say that once it was obvious a dragonrider found the knife to his liking, Terry should have gifted it him. As craftsmen used to, without any question or hesitation.
Then, Drams face brightened slightly, Treb and Bnaj would have left before the green went into full heat, your Fnor would not have become involved in a disgraceful public brawl. Yes, it is all too plain, and Dram straightened his shoulders from the burden of decision, that the first error of judgment was on the part of the craftsman. He looked at each man, as if none of them had control over what a craftsman might do. Tbor refused to meet his eyes and ground a bootheel noisily into the stone floor.
Dram took another deep breath. Was he, Flar wondered bitterly, having trouble digesting that verdict?
We cannot, of course, permit a repetition of a green in mating heat outside her weyr. Or Dragonriders in an armed duel …
There wasnt any duel! The words seemed to explode from Tbor. Treb attacked Fnor without warning and sliced him up. Fnor never even drew his knife. Thats no duel. Thats an unwarranted attack …
A man whose green is in heat is unaccountable for his actions, Tron said, loud enough to drown Tbor out.
A green who never should have been out of her weyr in the first place no matter how you dance around the truth, Tron, Tbor said, savage with frustration. The first error in judgment was Trebs. Not Terrys.
Silence! Drams bellow silenced him and Loranth answered irritably from her weyr.
That does it, Tron exclaimed, rising. Im not having my senior queen upset. Youve had your meeting, Benden, and your your grievance has been aired. This meeting is adjourned.
Adjourned? Gnarish echoed him in surprise. But but nothings been done. The Igen Weyrleader looked from Dram to Tron puzzled, worried. And Flars rider was wounded. If the attack was …
How badly wounded is the man? Dram asked, turning quickly to Flar.
Now you ask! cried Tbor.
Fortunately, and Flar held Tbors angry eyes in a stern, warning glance before turning to Dram to answer, the wound is not serious. He will not lose the use of the arm.