good, Captain,’ said G’don, the High Reaches Weyrleader, as you’ve
never applied to us half as much as you’re entitled to.” Mari, his
Weyrwoman, nodded and smiled encouragingly at Cherry’s almost horrified
reaction.
What?” Kizan teased his bride. The woman who sailed through a Force
Nine gale without complaint is nervous about flying on a dragon?” Cherry
tried to respond, but she couldn’t find words.
Don’t tease,’ Mari said. Riding a dragon is considerably different to
standing on your own deck, but I don’t know many people who refuse a
ride.” Oh, I’m not refusing,’ Cherry said hastily, startled.
Just like a child frarffil of being denied a promised treat, K’vin
thought and struggled to keep from grinning at her.
All of you, leave her alone,’ said the Telgar Lady Holder, scowling at
them. I remember my first ride adragonback.
Back that far, huh, said her husband, Lord Tashvi, eyeing her blandly.
And yet you can’t remember where you put that bale of extra blankets .
Don’t start on that again!” Salda began, scowling, but it was apparent
to the others at the table, even young Cherry, that the Telgar Holders
often indulged in such sparring.
Have you not opened your wine?” asked an eager voice and they looked
round at Vintner Hegmon, a stout, grey haired man of medium height with a
flushed face and a reddened nose which he jokingly called an
occupational hazard.
Do us the honour.” said Tashvi, gesturing to the chilled bottles.
Hegmon complied and, in his experienced hands, the plug erupted from the
bottle neck with speed and a plop’. The wine bubbled up but he deftly
put a glass under the lip before a drop could be spilled.
I think we’ve done it this time,’ he said, filling the glasses
presented to him.
I say, it does look exciting,’ said Salda, holding up her glass to
watch the bubbles make their ascent. Thea, the High Reaches Lady
Holder, did likewise and then sniffed at her glass. Oh, my word,’ she
exclaimed, putting a hand to her nose just in time to catch a sneeze.
The bubbles tickle.” Try the wine,’ Hegmon urged.
Hmmmm,’ Tashvi said and Kizan echoed the sentiment.
Dry, too,’ the Captain said. Go on, Cherry,’ he urged his wife.
It’s quite unlike Tillek brews. They tend to be foxy and harsh.
This’ll go down easily.
Ohhh,’ and Cherry’s response was one of sheer delight.
Oh, I like this!” Hegmon grinned at her ingenuousness and accepted the
approving nods from the others at the table.
I quite like it, too,’ Zulaya said after letting a sip slide down her
throat. Rather nice.” I say, Hegmon, wouldn’t mind a refill,’ and
Chalkin appeared at the table, extending his glass under the mouth of
the bottle the Vintner held.
Hegmon kept the bottle upright and regarded the Lord Holder coolly.
There’s more at your own table, Chalkin.
True, but I’d rather sample different bottles.
Hegmon stiffened and Salda intervened.
Leave off, Chalkin. As if Hegmon would offer an inferior bottle to
anyone,’ she said and waved him off.
Chalkin hesitated between a scowl and a smile but then, keeping his
expression bland, he bowed and backed away from the table with his empty
glass. He did not, however, return to his own table, but moved on to
the next one where wine was being poured.
I could…” Hegmon began.
Just don’t supply him, Hegmon.” He’s already insistent that I give him
vine starts so he can grow his own,’ said Hegmon, furious at such
importunity. Not that he’d do that any better than any of those other
projects he starts.” Ignore him,’ Zulaya suggested with a flick of her
fingers.
M’shall and Irene do. He’s such a toady.” Unfortunately,’ said Tashvi
with a grimace, he’s managed to find like minds..
We’ll settle him at the meeflng, said K’vin.
I hope so,’ Tashvi said, though a man like that is not easily
convinced against his will. And he does have a following.
Not where it matters,’ Zulaya put in.
I hope so. Ah, and here’s food to soak up all this lovely stuff before
we’re too muddled to keep our wits about us this evening.