Lord Raid looked uneasily away from Lytols direct gaze.
If, and Lytol stressed the word as though he felt the possibility was remote, the Lords decide to act in Conclave I shall strongly urge that no man fault Lord Jaxoms conduct today. He acted in honor and at the promptings of his training. He best serves Pern, however, by returning to his Hold. At Ruatha, young Ruth will be cared for and honored for as long as he is with us.
There was no doubt that Larad and Asgenar were of Lytols mind. Old Sifer sat pulling at his lip, unwilling to look toward Raid.
I still think dragonfolk belong in Weyrs! Raid muttered, glum and resentful.
That problem apparently settled, Lessa turned to leave and nearly fell into Fnors arms.
He steadied her. A weyr is where a dragon is, he said in a low voice rippling with amusement. The strain of the past week still showed in his face but his eyes were clear and his lips no longer thin with tension. Brekkes resolution was evidently all in his favor.
Shes asleep, he said. I told you she wouldnt Impress.
Lessa made an impatient gesture. At least the experience snapped her out of that shock.
Yes, and there was a wealth of relief in the mans soft affirmative.
So, youd better come with me to the Rooms. I want to find out why Masterfarmer Andemon has just flown in. And its about time you got back to work!
Fnor chuckled. It is, if someone else has been doing my work. Did anyone bring Flar his Threads? There was a note in his voice that told Lessa he was concerned.
Fton did!
I thought he was riding Wingsecond to Flar at Fort Weyr!
As you remarked the other morning, whenever youre not here to keep him under control, Flar rearranges matters. She saw his stricken look and caught his arm, smiling up at him reassuringly; he wasnt up to teasing yet. No one could take your place with Flar or me. Canth and Brekke needed you more for a while. She gave his hand a squeeze. But that doesnt mean things havent been happening and youd better catch up. Ntons been included in our affairs because Flar had a sudden glimpse of his mortality when he was sick and decided to stop being secretive. Or it might be another four hundred Turns or so before we control Thread.
She gathered her skirt so she could move more rapidly over the sandy floor.
Can I come, too? asked the Harper.
You? Sober enough to walk that far?
Robinton chuckled, smoothing his rumpled hair back into place at his neck. Lytol couldnt drink me drunk, my dear Lady Lessa. Only the Smith has the ah capacity.
There was no doubt that he was steady on his feet as the three walked toward the glow-marked entrance to the Rooms. The stars were brilliant in the soft black spring sky, and the glows on the lower levels threw bright circles of light on the sands. Above, on weyr ledges, dragons watched with gleaming opalescent eyes, occasionally humming with pleasure. High up, Lessa saw three dragon silhouettes by the Star Stones: Ramoth and Mnementh were perched to the right of the watchdragon, their wings overlapping. They were both smug tonight; shed heard Ramoths tenor often that evening. It was such a relief to have her in an agreeable mood for a while. Lessa rather hoped thered be a long interval before the queen felt the urge to mate again.
When they entered the Rooms, the spare figure of the Masterfarmer was bending over the largest of the tubs, turning the leaves of the fellis sapling. Flar watched him with a wary expression while Nton was grinning, unable to observe the solemnity of the moment.
As soon as Flar caught sight of Fnor, he smiled broadly and quickly crossed the room to clasp his half-brothers arm.
Manora said Brekke had snapped out of shock. Its twice a relief, believe me. Id have been happier still if shed brought herself to re-Impress …
That would have served no purpose, Fnor said, so flatly contradictory that Flars grin faded a little.