Capiam, observing her exertions, was glad she had volunteered. He doubted that he could have managed it. “We could rig something similar with the spit canines, couldn’t we? Have to prod the beasts to maintain speed. One needs a constant speed. Or perhaps a smaller arrangement, with a handle so one could control the rotational veloc-ity?”
“Why? Do we … need … to do this … often?”
“If my theory is correct, we’ll need rather a lot of serum. You did leave word that K’lon is to be shown here as soon as he arrives?”
“I did. How … much … longer?”
Capiam could not have her desist too soon, yet Master Gallardy had said “in a very short time” orand Capiam looked more closely at his own handwritinghad he erred in transcribing? A concerned healer with thirty Turns of Craft life behind him, he silently cursed the diffidence of the spring-struck young apprentice he had been. “That ought to suffice, Desdra. Thank you!”
Breathless, Desdra slowed the swing of the jar and caught it, placing it on the table. Capiam hunched forward on the bed while Desdra examined the various layers with astonishment.
“That”Desdra pointed dubiously to the straw-colored fluid in the top level“is your cure?”
“Not a cure, exactly. An immunization.” Capiam enunciated the word carefully.
“One has to drink it?” Desdra’s voice was neutral with distaste.
“No, though I daresay it wouldn’t taste any worse than some of
174 Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern
the concoctions you’ve insisted I swallow. No, this must be injected
into the vein.” She gave him a long thoughtful look. “So that’s why you needed
the syringes.” She gave her head a little shake. “We don’t have enough of them. And I think you better see Master Fortine.”’ “Don’t you trust me?” Capiam was hurt by her response. “Completely. That’s why I suggest you go to Master Fortine. With your serum. He has been too frequent a visitor at our cautious Lord Holder’s internment camp. He’s coming down with the plague.”