Numbweed stink notwithstanding, Fnor was hungry. He hadnt eaten since late afternoon yesterday, and, since there was a good six hours time difference between Southern Boll on the western coast and Benden Weyr in the east, hed missed the dinner hour at Benden Weyr completely.
With a parting scratch, Fnor told Canth that hed get some food, and started down the stone ramp from his ledge. One of the privileges of being Wingsecond was choice of quarters. Since Ramoth as senior queen would permit only two junior queens in Benden Weyr, there were two unoccupied Weyrwoman quarters. Fnor had appropriated one and did not need to disturb Canth when he wished to descend to a lower level.
As he approached the entrance of the Lower Caverns, the aroma of boiling numbweed made his eyes smart. Hed grab some klah, bread and fruit and go listen to the Weyrlingmaster. They were upwind. As Wingsecond, Fnor liked to take every opportunity to measure up the new riders, particularly those who were not weyrbred. Life in a Weyr required certain adjustments for the craft and holdbred. The freedom and privileges sometimes went to a boys head, particularly after he was able to take his dragon between anywhere on Pern in the space it takes to count to three. Again, Fnor agreed with Flars preference in presenting older lads at Impression though the Oldtimers deplored that practice at Benden Weyr, too. But, by the Shell, a lad in his late teens recognized the responsibility of his position (even if he were holdbred) as a dragonrider. He was more emotionally mature and, while there was no lessening of the impact of Impression with his dragon, he could absorb and understand the implications of a lifelong link, of an in-the-soul contact, the total empathy between himself and his dragon. An older boy didnt get carried away. He knew enough to compensate until his dragonets instinctive sensibility unfolded. A baby dragon had precious little sense and, if some silly weyrling let his beast eat too much, the whole Weyr suffered through its torment. Even an older beast lived for the here and now, with little thought for the future and not all that much recollection except on the instinctive level for the past. That was just as well, Fnor thought. For dragons bore the brunt of Threadscore. Perhaps if their memories were more acute or associative, theyd refuse to fight.
Fnor took a deep breath and, blinking furiously against the fumes, entered the huge kitchen Cavern. It was seething with activity. Half the female population of the Weyr must be involved in this operation, Fnor thought, for great cauldrons monopolized all the large hearths set in the outside wall of the Cavern. Women were seated at the broad tables, washing and cutting the roots from which the salve was extracted. Some were ladling the boiling product into great earthenware pots. Those who stirred the concoction with long-handled paddles wore masks over nose and mouth and bent frequently to blot eyes watering from the acrid fumes. Older children were fetching and carrying, fuelrock from the store caves for the fires, pots to the cooling caves. Everyone was busy.
Fortunately the nighthearth, nearest the entrance, was operating for normal use, the huge klah pot and stew kettle swinging from their hooks, keeping warm over the coals. Just as Fnor had filled his cup, he heard his name called. Glancing around, he saw his blood mother, Manora, beckon to him. Her usually serene face wore a look of puzzled concern.
Obediently Fnor crossed to the hearth where she, Lessa, and another young woman who looked familiar though Fnor couldnt place her, were examining a small kettle.
My duty to you, Lessa, Manora and he paused, groping for the third name.
You ought to remember Brekke, Fnor, Lessa said, raising her eyebrows at his lapse.
How can you expect anyone to see in a place dense with fumes? Fnor demanded, making much of blotting his eyes on his sleeve. I havent seen much of you, Brekke, since the day Canth and I brought you from your crafthold to Impress young Wirenth.
Fnor, youre as bad as Flar, Lessa exclaimed, somewhat testily. You never forget a dragons name, but his riders?