Enough! Groghe of Fort Hold bellowed, his face flushed, his eyes protruding from their sockets.
Flar met Groghes eyes steadily so that the choleric Lord Holder would realize that he was not being mocked; that Flar was in earnest.
To be at all effective, Lord Groghe, such an undertaking would leave Pern totally unprotected. I could not in conscience order such an expedition now that I see how much is involved. I hope you will agree that it is far more important, at this time, to secure what we have. Better to risk Groghes pride if necessary to defeat that premature ambition. He couldnt afford to evade an issue that could become a convenient rallying cry for the disaffected. Id want to get a good look at the Red Star before I took such a leap, Lord Groghe. And the other Leaders would too. I can promise you that once we are able to distinguish some jumping coordinates acceptable to the dragons, we can send a volunteer group to explore. Ive often wondered why no one has gone before now. Or, if they have, what happened. He had dropped his voice on those last words and there wasnt a sound in the Chamber for a long moment.
The fire lizard on Lord Merons arm squawked nervously, causing an instant, violent reaction from every man.
Probably that Record deteriorated, too, Flar said, raising his voice to a level audible above the restless scraping and throat-clearing. Lord Groghe, Fort is the oldest of the Holds. Is there a chance that your back corridors, too, hide treasures we can use?
Groghes reply was a curt nod of his head. He seated himself abruptly, staring straight ahead. Flar wondered if he had alienated the man beyond reconciliation.
I dont think Id ever fully appreciated the enormity of such a venture, Corman of Keroon Hold remarked in a thoughtful drawl.
One jump ahead of us, again, Benden? asked Larad of Telgar Hold with a rueful grin.
I shouldnt say that, Lord Larad, Flar replied. The destruction of all Thread at its source has been a favorite preoccupation of dragonmen Turn after Turn. I know how much territory one Weyr can cover, for instance, how much firestone is used by a Weyr in a Falls span. Naturally we, and he gestured to the other Leaders, would have information unavailable to you just as you could tell us how many guests you can feed at a banquet. That elicited a chuckle from many.
Seven Turns ago, I called you together to prepare to defend Pern against its ancient scourge. Desperate measures were in order if we were to survive. We are in nowhere as difficult a condition as we were seven Turns ago but we have all been guilty of misunderstandings which have deflected us from the important concern. We have no time to waste in assigning guilt or awarding compensation. We are still at the mercy of Thread though we are better equipped to deal with it.
Once before we found answers in old Records, in the helpful recollections of Master Weaver Zurg, Masterfarmer Andemon, Masterharper Robinton, and the efficiencies of Mastersmith Fandarel. You know what weve found in abandoned rooms at Benden and Fort Weyrs objects made long Turns ago when we had not lost certain skills and techniques.
Frankly, and Flar grinned suddenly, Id rather rely on skills and techniques we, in our Turn, right now, can develop.
There was an unexpected ripple of assent to that.
I speak of the skill of working together, the technique of crossing the arbitrary lines of land, craft and status, because we must learn more from each other than the simple fact that none of us can stand alone and survive!
He couldnt go on because half the men were on their feet, suddenly cheering. Dram was pulling at his sleeve. Gnarish was arguing with the Telgar Weyr Second, whose expression was grievously undecided. Flar got a glimpse of Groghes face before someone stood in the way. Forts Lord, too, was plainly anxious but that was better than overt antagonism. Robinton caught his eye and smiled broad encouragement. So Flar had no choice but to let them unwind. They might as well infect each other with enthusiasm probably with more effect than his best chosen arguments. He looked around for Lessa and saw her slipping toward the hallway where she stopped, evidently warned of a late arrival.