Jaxom wondered about that but knew he couldnt ask. Just as he couldnt ask if he and Lytol were really going to the Hatching. Why else would the Weyrleader send them word? And wasnt Talina a Ruathan candidate for the queen egg? Ruatha ought to be represented at the Hatching. Benden Weyr always had open Impressions, even when the other Weyrs didnt. And he hadnt seen Felessan in ages. Not that anyone had done much more than Thread-watch since the wedding at Telgar.
Jaxom sighed. That had been some day. He shivered, remembered how sick, cold and yes how scared hed been (Lytol said a man wasnt afraid to admit to fear.) All the time hed watched Flar fighting Tron, hed been scared. He shuddered again, his spine rippling with reaction to that memory. Everything was going wrong on Pern. Dragon queens killing each other, Weyrleaders dueling in public, Thread falling here and there, with no rhyme or reason. Order had slipped away from life; the constants that made his routine were dissolving, and he was powerless to stop the inexorable slide. It wasnt fair. Everything had been going so well. Everyone had been saying how Ruatha Hold had improved. Now, this past six days, theyd lost that northeastern farmhold and, if things kept up, there wouldnt be much left of all Lytols hard work. Maybe thats why he was acting so so odd. But it wasnt fair. Lytol had worked so hard. And now, it looked as though Jaxom was going to miss the Hatching and see who Impressed that littlest egg. It wasnt at all fair.
Lord Jaxom, gasped a breathless drudge from the doorway, Lord Lytol said for you to change to your best. The Hatchings to start. Oh, sir, do you think Talina has a chance?
More than a chance, Jaxom said, rude with excitement, Shes Ruathan-bred after all. Now get out. His fingers were clumsy with the fastenings of his trousers and the tunic which had been new for the Telgar wedding. He hadnt spilled on the fine fabric, but you could still see the greasy fingerprints on the right shoulder where an excited guest had pulled him away from his vantage point on the Telgar Hold steps during the fight.
He shrugged into the cloak, found the second glove under the bed and raced down into the Great Court where the blue dragon waited.
Sight of the blue, however, inevitably reminded Jaxom that Groghes eldest son had been given one of the fire-lizard eggs, Lytol had deliberately refused the pair to which Ruatha Hold was entitled. That, too, was a rankling injustice. Jaxom should have had a fire-lizard egg, even if Lytol couldnt bear to Impress one. Jaxom was Lord of Ruatha and an egg had been his due. Lytol had no right to refuse him that perquisite.
Be a good day for Ruatha if your Talina Impresses, wont it? Dwer, the blues rider, greeted him.
Yes, Jaxom replied, and he sounded sullen even to himself.
Cheer up, lad, Dwer said. Things could be worse.
How?
Dwer chuckled and, while it offended Jaxom, he couldnt very well call a dragonman to task.
Good morning, Trebith, Jaxom said to the blue, who turned his head, the large eye whirling with color.
They both heard Lytols voice, dull-toned but clear as he gave instructions for the days work to the stewards.
For every field that gets scored, we plant two more as long as we can get seed in the ground. Theres plenty of fallow land in the northeast. Move the Holders.
But, Lord Lytol . .
Dont give me the old wail about temporary dwellings. Therell be temporary eating if we arent farsighted, and thats harder to endure than a draught or two.
Lytol gave Jaxom a cursory inspection and an absent good morning. The tic started in the Lord Holders face the moment he climbed up Trebiths shoulder to take his seat against the neck ridges. He motioned curtly to his ward to get in front of him and then nodded to Dwer.
The blue dragonman gave a slight smile of response, as if he expected no more notice from Lytol, and suddenly they were aloft. Aloft, with Ruathas fire height dwindling below. And between with Jaxom holding his breath against the frightening cold. Then above Bendens Star Stones, so close to other dragons also wincing into the Weyr that Jaxom feared collision at any moment.