Fire lizards? How was Meron going to use a fire lizard? Unless it was because Kylara, a Weyrwoman, had given him one. Yes. That was guaranteed to sow dissension. Undoubtedly every Lord Holder here would want one, so as to be equal to Meron. There couldnt be enough eggs to go around. Meron would capitalize on forgotten yearnings, and chalk up one more irritation against dragonmen.
Robinton found that the meatrolls sat heavily in his stomach. Suddenly Brudegan detached himself from the crowd, bowing with a rueful grin to those hed been serenading as if he were reluctantly answering his Masters summons.
The undercurrent is something fierce, the journeyman said, pretending to tune his instrument. Everyones so determined to have a good time. Odd, too. Its not what they say, but how they say it that tips you off. The boy flushed as Robinton nodded approvingly. For instance, they refer to that Weyrleader meaning their own weyrbound leader. The Weyrleader always means Flar of Benden. The Weyrleader had understood. The Weyrleader had tried. She means Lessa. Her means their own Weyrwoman. Interesting?
Fascinating. Whats the feeling about Threadfall?
Brudegan bent his head to the gitar, twanged strings discordantly. He drew his hand across all eight in a dissonant chord that ran a chill down the Masterharpers spine. Then Brudegan turned away with a gay song.
Robinton wished that Flar and Lessa would arrive. He did see Dram of Ista Weyr talking earnestly to Igens Weyrleader, Gnarish. He liked that pair best of the Oldtimers, Gnarish being young enough to change and Dram essentially too honest to deny a truth when his nose was in it. Trouble was, he kept his nose inside Ista Weyr too much.
Neither man looked at ease, as much because there was an island of empty space around them an obvious ostracization with the Court so crowded as anything else. They greeted Robinton with grave relief.
Such a happy occasion, he said and, when they reacted with surprise, he hurried on. Have you heard from Flar?
Should we? Theres been more Thread? Gnarish asked, alarmed.
Not that I know of.
Have you seen Tron or Tkul about? We just arrived.
No, in fact, none of the western people seem to be here except Lord Warder Lytol of Ruatha.
Dram clenched his teeth with an audible snap.
Rmart of Telgar cant come, the Oldtimer said. He took a bad scoring.
Id heard it was wicked at Crom Hold, Robinton murmured, sympathetically. No way to predict itd fall there at that time, either.
I see Lord Nessel of Crom and his Holders are here in strength, though, Dram said, his voice bitter.
He could scarcely stay away without insulting Lord Larad. How bad were the Telgar Weyrs casualties? And if Rmarts out of action, whos leading?
Dram gave the Harper the distinct feeling that hed asked an impertinent question, but Gnarish answered easily.
The wingsecond, Mrek, took over but the Weyr is so badly under strength that Dram and I talked it over and sent replacements. As it happens, weve enough weyrlings whove just started chewing stone so were wing-full. Gnarish glanced at the older dragonman as if he suddenly realized that he was discussing Weyr affairs with an outsider. He gave a shrug. It makes more sense with Thread falling out of phase and the Crom Hold demoralized. We used to do it in the Oldtime when a Weyr was understrength. In fact, I flew with Benden one season as a weyrling.
Im certain that Crom and Telgar Holds will appreciate your cooperation, Weyrleaders, Robinton said. Tell me, though, have you had any luck Impressing some fire lizards? Igen and Ista ought to be good hunting grounds.
Impressing? Fire lizards? Dram snorted with as much incredulity as Robinton had expressed earlier.
Thatd be a trick, Gnarish laughed. Look, theres Ramoth and Mnementh now.
There was no mistaking the two beasts who were gliding to the fire heights. It was also unmistakable that the dragons already perched on the pinnacle moved aside to make room for them.
Now, thats the first time Gnarish muttered under his breath and stopped, because a sudden lull in the conversation had swept through the assembly, punctuated by audible hushings and scrapings as people turned to the Gate.