That makes sense, Lessa said, looking hopefully at Flar. Certainly that explains why the dragons havent jumped between to the Red Star. They didnt need to. Protection was being provided.
Then why dont we have grubs here in the north? asked Flar contentiously.
Ha! Someone didnt live long enough to transmit the news, or sow the grubs, or cultivate them, or something. Who can tell? Lessa threw wide her arms. It was obvious to Flar that she preferred this theory, subtle as she may have been in trying to block his desire to go to the Red Star.
He was willing to believe that the grubs were the answer, but the Red Star had to be visited. If only to reassure the Lord Holders that the dragonmen were trustworthy.
We still dont know if the grubs exist beyond the swamps, Flar reminded her.
I dont mind sneaking in and finding out, Nton said. I know Southern very well, sir. Probably as well as anyone even Fnor. Id like permission to go south and check. When Nton saw Flar hesitate and Lessa frown, he went on hurriedly. I can evade Tkul. That mans so obvious, hes pathetic.
All right, all right. Nton. Go. Its the truth Ive no one else to send, and Flar tried not to feel bitter that Fnor was involved with a woman; he was a dragonrider first, wasnt he? Then Flar suppressed such uncharitable thoughts. Brekke had been a Weyrwoman; through no fault of hers (and Flar still berated himself that he had not thought of keeping a closer check on Kylaras activities hed been warned), Brekke was deprived of her dragon. If she found some comfort in Fnors presence, it was unforgivable to deprive her of his company. Go, Nton. Spot-check. And bring back samples of those grubs from every location. I wish Wansor had not dismantled that other contraption. We could look closely at the grubs. That Masterherder was a fool. The grubs might not be the same in every spot.
Grubs are grubs, Lessa mumbled.
Landbeasts raised in the mountains are different from landbeasts raised on the plains, Nton said. Fellis trees grown south are larger with better fruit than Nerats best.
You know too much, Lessa replied, grinning to take the sting from her words.
Nton grinned. Im a bronze rider, Weyrwoman.
Youd best be off. No, wait. Are you sure Fort is not going to need you and Lioth for Thread? Flar asked, wanting to be rid of this very healthy youngster who only emphasized his illness.
Not for a while, sir. Its full night there still.
That underscored his youthfulness and Flar waved him out, trying to suppress jealousy with gratitude. The moment hed gone, Flar let out a sudden exasperated oath that brought Lessa, all consideration, to his side.
Ill get well, Ill get well, he fumed. He held her hand against his cheek, grateful, too, for the cool of her fingers as they curved to fit against his face.
Of course youll get well. Youre never sick, she murmured softly, stroking his forehead with her free hand. Then her voice took on a teasing note. Youre just stupid. Otherwise you wouldnt have gone between, let cold into a wound, and developed fever.
Flar, reassured as much by her caustic jibe as her cool and loving caresses, lay back and willed himself to sleep, to health.
CHAPTER XIV
Early Morning at Ruatha Hold
Midday at Benden Weyr
WHEN WORD CAME that the Hatching was likely to occur that bright spring day, Jaxom didnt know whether he was glad or not. Ever since the two queens had killed each other ten days before, Lytol had been sunk in such a deep gloom that Jaxom had tiptoed around the Hold. His guardian had always been a somber man, never given to joking or teasing, but this new silence unnerved the entire Hold. Even the new baby didnt cry.
It was bad, very bad, to lose one queen, Jaxom knew, but to lose two, in such a horrible way! It was almost as if things were pointing toward even direr events. Jaxom was scared, a deep voiceless feeling in his bones. He almost dreaded seeing Felessan. He had never shaken off his sense of blasphemy for invading the Hatching Ground, and wondered if this were his punishment. But he was a logical boy and the death of the two queens had not occurred at Ruatha, not over Fort Weyr to which Ruatha Hold was bound. Hed never met Kylara or Brekke. He did know Fnor and felt sorry for him if half what hed heard was true that Fnor had taken Brekke into his weyr and had abandoned his duties as a Wingsecond to care for her. She was very sick. Funny, everyone was sorry for Brekke but no one mentioned Kylara, and shed lost a queen, too.