“I never went into the infirmary and I never touched the feline. I washed thoroughly in the Ice Lake before I returned to the Weyr.”
“So that’s why your wits are slowtoo bad your tongue thawed first! Hold it, Weyrleaderi” Leri’s forceful tone and her stem face quelled the retort on the bronze rider’s lips. “Now, while you slept, Moreta was busy. So was I.” She hefted the heavy Record in her lap. “The watchriders all know to deny the Weyr, not that anyone’s likely to be flying in this fog after two Gathers. The drum towers of Fort Hold have been booming all day. Peterpar’s checked the herds for sign of illness, which isn’t likely since the last drove came from Tillek. Nesso has been busy talking to those sober enough to absorb information. K’lon continues to improve. Moreta, exactly what do you think is wrong with Berchar?”
Moreta had never doubted that Leri kept an ear on everything that
106 Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern
occurred outside her weyr, but the former Weyrwoman was too discreet to display her knowledge.
“Berchar?” Sh’gall exclaimed. “What’s wrong with him?” “Quite likely what ailed K’lon. At Berchar’s instructions, S’gor isolated him and will himself remain weyrbound.” ‘ Sh’gall began to sputter with the questions he wanted to ask. “If K’lon has recovered, Berchar should as well,” Moreta continued reasonably.
“Two sick!” Sh’gall’s hand went to his throat, then his forehead. “If Capiam says two to four days before the onset of illness, you shouldn’t be feeling ill yet,” Leri said bluntly but not unkindly. “You’ll lead in tomorrow’s Fall. Holth and I will fly with the queens’ wing and, as is my custom, I will receive ground-crew reportsthat is, if any ground crew are about. It’s unlikely that Nabol and Crom will panic. A disease would have to be desperate indeed to seek victims in those forsaken holds. As is my custom, I shall remain on Holth, thus keeping to a minimum any possible contagion. It is essential to the main duty of the Weyrs to keep in contact with every holder. Without ground crews to assist us, we’d have twice the work. Do you not agree, Weyrieader?”
Judging by the consternation on Sh’gall’s face, he had not yet considered the possibility of inadequate ground-crew support.
“Not that it would matter if I did contract this plague of Capiam’s. As well as being elderly”Leri cast a malicious glance at Sh’gall“I’m certainly the most expendable rider.”
Holth and Orlith trumpeted in alarm. Even Kadith spoke as Moreta rushed to embrace Leri, her throat suddenly thick at the casual remark.
“You are not expendable! You are not! You’re the most valiant of all the queen riders on Pem.”
Leri gently disentangled herself from Moreta’s fierce grasp then dismissed Sh’gall imperiously. “Go. All that can be done has been done.”
“I’ll get Kadith settled,” he said, leaving as if pursued. “And you settle yourself,” Leri said to Moreta. “I’m worth no one’s tears. Besides, it is true. I am expendable. I think Holth would like to rest and she can’t until I do, you know.” “Leri! Don’t say such things! What would I do without you?” Leri gave her a long searching look, her eyes very bright. “Why,
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my girl, you’d do what you have to. You always will. But I’d miss you. Now, you’d best get down to the Cavern. Everyone will have heard the queens sounding off and Kadith’s tizzy. They’ll need to be reassured.”
Moreta stepped back from Holth’s couch and Leri, abashed by the intensity of her feeling.
“You’re not worried because you touched that runner at Ruatha, are you?”
“Not particularly.” Moreta shrugged diffidently. “But I did and it’s done. My rash impulses always worried L’mal”
“Not half as much as your ability to deal with injured dragons pleased him. Now go, before they have too much time to fret themselves. Oh, and would you take this piece of harness to T’ral to be mended?” She chucked a roll of leatherstrap to Moreta. “Would never do for me to tumble off, would it? Such an ignominious end! Go on now, girl. And check your own harnessroutine is reassuring in times like these. I wish to continue my fascinating reading!” Leri made a comical grimace as she tugged the Record volume into a more comfortable position.