shpwing a well-formed leg in the leather pants and high boots.
She’d turned the high riding-boot cuffs down over her calves and the red
fur made a nice accent to her costume, echoed in the fur trim of her
cuffs and collar which she had opened. As usual, she wore the sapphire
pendant she had inherited as the eldest female of her Blood.
So, did P’tero win M’leng’s undying affection with that stunt?” she
demanded, an edge to her voice. They’ve gone off together . . . and
she looked in the direction of the two riders who were headed towards
the temporary tents along the row of cots.
You might have a word with both later. They’re afraid of you,’ K’vin
said, grinning.
For that piece of stupidity, I’ll make them more afraid,’ she said
briskly, hopping a step to match his stride. You really should learn
how to scowl menacingly.” She glanced up at K’vin and then shook her
head, sighing sadly. She had once teased him that he was far too
handsome to ever look genuinely threatening, with the Hanrahan red hair,
blue eyes and freckles. No, you just don’t have the face for it. Be
that as it may, Meranath’s going to give out to Sith for allowing a blue
to put himself in danger.
Get em where it hurts,’ K’vin said, nodding, because Meranath was even
more effective as a deterrent with the dragons than any human could be,
even the dragon’s own rider. Damned fool stunt!” However,’ and now
Zulaya cleared her throat, the Telgarians thought it was “Just
marvellous!”‘ she added in a gushing tone. Especially since they won’t
get much chance to see the dive in real action.” Now she grimaced.
Well, at least Telgarians believe,’ K’vin said.
Who doesn’t?” Zulaya demanded, looking up at him.
Chalkin, for one.” Him!” She had absolutely no use for the Bitran Lord
Holder and never bothered to hide it.
If there’s one, there may be others for all the lip service they give
us.
What? With Second Fall only months away from us?” Zulaya demanded.
And why, pray tell, do we have dragons at all, if not to provide an
aerial defence for the continent?
Oh, we provide transportation services, but that’s not nearly enough to
justify our existence.
Easy, lady,’ K’vin said. You’re preaching to the dedicated.
She made a disgusted sound deep in her throat and then they had reached
the steps up to the upper Court. She put her hand through his arm so
that they would present the proper picture of united Weyrleadership.
K’vin stifled a sigh that the accord was only for public display.
And Chalkin’s already into that new bubbling wine of Hegmon’s,’ Zulaya
said irritably.
Why else do you think he came?” asked K’vin as he deftly guided her
away from the Bitran, who was smacking his lips and regarding his wine
glass with greedy speculation.
Though today’s also a chance for his gamesters to profit.” One thing
sure, I hear tell he’s not on Hegmon’s list,’ she said as they reached
their table which the Telgarians shared, by choice, with the High
Reaches Weyr and Hold leaders and those from Tillek. The senior Captain
of the Tillek fishing fleet and his new wife completed the complement at
their table.
That was quite a show you put on,” said the jovial ship’s master,
Kizan, wasn’t it, Cherry, m’dear?” Oh, it was, indeed it was,’ the
girl replied, clapping her hands together. While the gesture was close
to an affectation, the young wife was clearly awed by the company she
kept at this Gather and everyone was trying to help her cope. Kizan had
let it be known that she came from a small fishing hold and, while a
capable ship’s master, she had little experience with a wider world.
I’ve often seen the dragons in the sky, but never so close up. They
are so beautiful.” Have you ridden one yet?” Zulaya asked kindly.
Oh, heavens, no,’ Cherry replied, modestly lowering her eyes.
You may, and soon, her husband said. We came overland here to Fort
for the Gather, but I think we’d better see how good our credit is Very