Flar tapped the circles thoughtfully as though this tactile contact made them more real.
And there are four stars in the skies?
Indeed there are many more, Weyrleader, Wansor replied. But only these, and his stained forefinger pointed to the three newly discovered neighbors, appear so far as globes in the distance-viewer. The others are merely bright points of light as stars have always been. One must assume then, that these three are also controlled by our sun, and pass around it, even as we do. For I do not see how they could escape the force that tethers us and the Red Star to the sun a force we know to be tremendous …
Flar looked up from the rude sketches, a terrible expression on his face.
If these are so near, then does Thread really come from the Red Star?
Oh dear, oh dear, moaned Wansor softly and began caressing his fingertips with his thumbs in little fluttery gestures.
Nonsense, said Lessa so confidently that the three men glanced at her in surprise. Lets not make more complications than we already have. The ancients who knew enough to make that distance-viewer definitely stipulate the Red Star as the origin of Thread. If it were one of these others, theyd have said so. It is when the Red Star approaches Pern that we have Thread.
In that drawing in the Council Room at Fort Weyr there is a diagram of globes on circular routes, Nton said thoughtfully. Only there are six circles and, his eyes widened suddenly; he glanced quickly down at the sheet in Wansors hand, … one of them, the next to the last, has clusters of smaller satellites.
Well, then, except that weve seen it with our own eyes, whats all the worry? demanded Lessa, grabbing up the klah pitcher and mugs to serve the newcomers. Weve only just discovered for ourselves what the ancients knew and inscribed on that wall.
Only now, Nton said softly, we know what that design means.
Lessa shot him a long look and nearly flooded Wansors cup.
Indeed. The actual experience is the knowing, Nton.
I gather you have both spent the night at that distance-viewer? asked Flar. When they nodded, he asked, What of the Red Star? Did you see anything that could guide us in?
As to that. sir, Nton answered after a questioning glance at Wansor, there is an odd-shaped protuberance which puts me in mind of the tip of Nerat, only pointed east instead of west His voice trailed off and he gave a diffident shrug of his shoulders.
Flar sighed and leaned back again, all the eagerness gone from his face.
Insufficient detail, huh?
Last night, Nton added in hurried qualification. I doubt the following nights will alter the view.
On the contrary, Weyrleader, said Wansor, his eyes wide, the Red Star turns on its own axis much as Pern does.
But it is still too far away to make out any details, Lessa said firmly.
Flar shot her an annoyed look. If I could only see for myself …
Wansor looked up brightly. Well, now, you know, I had about figured out how to utilize the lenses from the magnifier. Of course, thered be no such maneuverability as one can achieve with the ancient device, but the advantage is that I could set up those lenses on your own Star Stones. Its rather interesting too, because if I put one lens in the Eye Rock and set the other on the Finger Rock, you will see or, but then you wont see, will you? And the little man seemed to debate.
Wont see what?
Well, those rocks are situated to catch the Red Star only at winter solstice, so of course the angles are wrong for any other time of year. But then, I could no, Wansors face was puckered with his intense frown. Only his eyes moved, restlessly, as the myriad thoughts he was undoubtedly sifting were reflected briefly. I will think about it. But I am sure that I can devise a means of your seeing the Red Star, Weyrleader, without moving from Benden.
You must be exhausted, Wansor, Lessa said, before Flar could ask another question.