Gnarish sucked his breath in with a whistle. I thought hed only been scratched. I think we …
When a riders dragon is lustful Dram began, but broke off when he caught sight of the naked fury on Tbors face, the set look on Flars. A dragonrider can never forget his purpose, his responsibility, to his dragon or to his Weyr. This cant happen again. Youll speak to Treb, of course, Tron?
Trons eyes widened slightly at Drams question.
Speak to him? You may be sure hell hear from me about this. And Bnaj, too.
Good, said Dram, with the air of a man who has solved a difficult problem equitably. He nodded toward the others. It would be wise if we Weyrleaders caution all our riders against the possibility of a repetition. Put them all on their guard. Agreed? He continued nodding, as if to spare the others the effort. It is hard enough to work with some of these arrogant Holders and Crafters without giving them any occasion to fault us. Dram sighed deeply and scratched his head. I never have understood how commoners can forget how much they owe Dragonriders!
In four hundred Turns, a man can learn many new things, Flar replied. Coming, Tbor? and his tone was just short of command. My greetings to your Weyrwomen, riders. Good night.
He strode from the Council Room, Tbor pounding right behind him, swearing savagely until they got to the outer passageway to the Weyr ledge.
That old fool was in the wrong, Flar, and you know it!
Obviously.
Then why didnt you …
Rub his nose in it? Flar finished, halting in mid-stride and turning to Tbor in the dark of the passageway.
Dragonriders dont fight. Particularly Weyrleaders.
Tbor let out a violent exclamation of utter disgust.
How could you let a chance like that go by? When I think of the times hes criticized you us Tbor broke off. Never understand how commoners can forget all they owe Dragonriders? and Tbor mimicked Drams pompous intonation, If they really want to know …
Flar gripped Tbor by the shoulder, appreciating the younger mans sentiments all too deeply.
How can you tell a man what he doesnt want to hear? We couldnt even get them to admit that Treb was in the wrong Treb, not Terry, and not Fnor. But I dont think therell be another lapse like todays and thats what I really worried about.
What? Tbor stared at Flar in puzzled confusion.
That such an incident could occur worries me far more than who was in the wrong and for what reason.
I cant follow that logic any more than I can follow Trons.
Its simple. Dragonmen dont fight. Weyrleaders cant. Tron was hoping Id be mad enough to lose control. I think he was hoping Id attack him.
You cant be serious! Tbor was plainly shaken.
Remember, Tron considers himself the senior Weyrleader on Pern and therefore infallible.
Tbor made a rude noise. Despite himself, Flar grinned.
True, he continued, but Ive never had a reason to challenge him. And dont forget, the Oldtimers taught us a great deal about Thread fighting we certainly didnt know.
Why, our dragons can fight circles around the Oldtimers.
Thats not the point, Tbor. You and I, the modern Weyrs have certain obvious advantages over the Oldtimers size of dragons, number of queens that Im not interested in mentioning because it only makes for bad feeling. Nevertheless, we cant fight Thread without the Oldtimers. We need the Oldtimers more than they need us. Flar gave Tbor a wry, bitter grin. Dram was partly right. A dragonman can never forget his purpose, his responsibility. When Dram said to his dragon, to his Weyr, hes wrong. Our initial and ultimate responsibility is to Pern, to the people we were established to protect.
They had proceeded to the ledge and could see their dragons dropping off the height to meet them. Full dark had descended over Fort Weyr now, emphasizing the weariness that engulfed Flar.
If the Oldtimers have become introverted, we, Benden and Southern, cannot. We understand our Turn, our people. And somehow weve got to make the Oldtimers understand them, too.