longer, Iantine?” Zulaya asked plaintively. The fingers of the hand she
had resting on her thigh twitched. I can’t feel my feet or my left hand
any more.
lantine gave an exaggerated sigh and laid down the palette, scratching
his head with the now free hand as he swished the fine brush in the jar
on the table. Sony, Zulaya. You should by rights have had a break
some time ago. But the light’s perfect and I didn’t want to stop.
Oh, help me up, K’vin,’ Zulaya said, holding out a hand.
I don’t usually get a chance to sit still so long – K’vin was glad to
assist her and she was stiff enough so that her first steps were
awkward. Then she recovered her mobility and walked firmly to the
easel.
My word, you did do yards today, didn’t you? Filled in that whole
panel of the dress and . . – have you got my eyes crossed?” Ian tine
laughed. No, step a little to this side. Now back again. Do the eyes
seem to follow you?” Zulaya gave a little shake, widening her eyes.
They do.
How do you contrive that? I must say, I’m not so sure I like me
watching everything I do. K’vin chuckled. You won’t, but your
presence hanging in the Lower Cavern may spur the lazy to complete their
tasks more quickly.
I’m not sure I like that idea any more than having me leering at me up
here.” She turned to the table, mostly covered by lantine’s
paraphernalia. I had klah sent up not too long ago,’ and she cast an
accusing eye on lantine. It should still be hot.” She unscrewed the
lid and steam obediently rose. It is. Shall I pour for all of us?”
Which she was doing even as she spoke.
Maybe I should leave now?” lantine suggested, looking from one to the
other.
No,’ she said quickly.
I wanted to be sure your sketches were safely in your possession,’ said
K’vin, taking a chair.
And, did they solve the problem?” Zulaya asked, spooning sweetener in
the cups and passing him his. Come, sit, lantine.
You must be more tired than I am. I’ve been sitting the whole time.” 6
lantine grinned as if – K’vin noted with a twinge of jealousy totally at
his ease with the Weyrwoman. Few were, except Tisha who treated
everyone like an errant child or Leopol who was impudent with everyone.
So? What’s the result?” She indicated with a wave of her hand that he
should speak out in the portraitist’s presence.
M’shall’s disgusted. They still don’t have a unanimous decision about
impeachment. Jamson’s the hold-out.” He’s not always dealing with a
full deck,’ Zulaya said succinctly, at least so Mari of High Reaches
Weyr told me.
And he’s getting worse. Thea takes charge when she can, and that older
lad of his . . -.
Gallian’s my age,’ K’vin exclaimed. Can’t they get around that?”
Short of making Jamson abdicate, no. At least according to my
understanding of the Charter. And it just got refreshed.” She gave
K’vin a droll smile. As well I listened in to what T’lan was reading.
I’d forgotten the half of it myself. Have you reread it recently?”
The Trials at Telgar and Ben den Weyrs
As it happened, a blizzard covered most of the eastern mountain ranges
and all of Bitra when the trial was convened. The winds were too fierce
over Bitra for even a dragon to penetrate. The storm had not yet
reached Benden so they, and representatives from every Weyr and Hold,
were present: with the exception of Lord Jamson of the High Reaches who
was very ill of a respiratory fever.
The Lady Holder Thea came, annoyed that Jamson had a legitimate excuse
for his absence and had sent Gallian in his place.
It might have done that stubborn streak of his some good to hear just
how that Chalkin conducts his Hold. Oh, he’d’ve spouted on about
autonomy but he most certainly is against any harm coming to unborn
children.” Thea gave Zulaya a significant nod, reminding those around
her that she had borne fourteen children to Lord Jamson in the course of