Flar shook his head grimly; hed been watching for Lytols reaction to this news.
Theyre not accurate any more; they dont apply to this shift, he said. Lessa reminded me, as I do you, that there have been deviations in the Red Stars passage that cause long intervals. We must assume that something can cause a change in the rhythm of the Fall as well. As soon as we can gauge a pattern again, well correct the tables or make new ones.
Lytol stared at him uncomprehendingly. But how long will it take you? With three Falls, you ought to have some idea now. Ive acres of new plantings, forests. How can I protect them when I cant be sure where Thread will fall? He controlled himself with an effort. I apologize but this is this is terrible news. I dont know how the other Lord Holders will receive it on top of everything else. He took a quick drink of wine.
What do you mean, on top of everything else? Flar asked, startled.
Why, the way the Weyrs are behaving. That disaster in Esvay valley in Nabol, those plantations of Lord Sangels.
Tell me about the Esvay Valley and Lord Sangel.
You hadnt heard that either? Robinton asked in real surprise. Dont the Weyrs talk to one another? And he glanced from Flar to Lessa.
The Weyrs are autonomous, Flar replied. We dont interfere …
You mean, the Oldtimers keep exchanges with us contemporary radicals to a bare minimum, Lessa finished, her eyes flashing indignantly. Dont scowl at me, Flar. You know its true. Though Im sure Dram and Tron were as shocked as we were that Tkul would keep premature Threadfall a secret. Now, what happened at Esvay Vale and in Lord Sangels Southern Boll?
It was Robinton who answered her in an expressionless voice. Several weeks back, Tkul refused to help Meron of Nabol clear some furrows from wooded slopes above the Esvay valley. Said it was the job of the ground crews and Merons men were lazy and inefficient. The whole valley had to be fired in order to stop the burrows spreading. Lytol sent help; he knows. I went to see some of the families. Theyre holdless now and very bitter about dragonmen.
A few weeks later, Weyrleader Tron left Southern Boll Hold without clearing with Lord Sangels groundchief. They had to burn down three adult plantations. When Lord Sangel protested to Tron, he was told that the wings had reported the Fall under control.
On another level but disturbing in the over-all picture, Ive heard of any number of girls, snatched on the pretext of Search …
Girls beg to come to the Weyr, Lessa put in tartly.
To Benden Weyr, probably, Robinton agreed. But my harpers tell me of unwilling girls, forced from their babes and husbands, ending as drudges to Weyrladies. There is deep hatred building, Lady Lessa. There has always been resentment, envy, because Weyrlife is different and the ease with which Dragonriders can move across the continent while lesser folk struggle, the special privileges riders enjoy The Harper waved his hands. The Oldtimers really believe in special privilege, and that exacerbates the dangers inherent in such outdated attitudes. As for matters in the Crafthalls, the belt knife incident at Fandarels is a very minor item in the list of depredations. The crafts generously tithe of their products, but Weaver Zurg and Tanner Belesden are bitterly disillusioned now by the stiff rate of additional levies.
Is that why they were so cool to me when I asked for gown material? Lessa asked. But Zurg himself helped me choose.
I fancy that no one at Benden Weyr abuses privilege, Robinton replied. No one at Benden Weyr. After all, and he grinned toothily, managing to resemble Tron as he did so, Benden is the backsliding Weyr which has forgotten true custom and usage, become lax in their dealings. Why, they permit Holds bound to Benden Weyr to retain dignity, possession and forest. They encourage the Crafts to proliferate, hatching bastard breeds of who-knows-what. But Benden Weyr, and Robinton was himself again, and angry, is respected throughout Pern.
As a dragonrider, I ought to take offense, Flar said, so disturbed by this indictment that he spoke lightly.