Zulaya waved at the wine cooler. I doubt there’s more than two glasses
apiece, scarcely enough to muddle us, though it’s lovely stuff.” And she
sipped judiciously. Hegmon is generous, but not overly so. And here’s
our dinner…” She sat back as a swarm of men and women in Fort colours
began to distribute platters of steaming foods among the tables. And
bottles of red wine.
You spoke too soon about muddling, Zuli,’ K’vin said, grinning as he
served her roast slices from the platter before passing it around the
table.
They had finished their meal and all the wine before Paulin rose from
his table and signalled those in the upper Court to follow him into the
Hold for the meeting. Dancing was well under way in the square and the
music made a cheerful processional.
K’vin hoped the musicians would still be playing when the meeting ended.
Despite the height of her, Zulaya was so light on her feet she was a
pleasure to partner and, because he was so tall, she preferred him as
her partner too. And a full orchestra of professionals was far more
entertaining than the half-trained if enthusiastic players currently in
the Weyr.
Different music, too.
Ah,’ said Zulaya appreciatively as they filed into Fort’s Great Hall,
they’ve done a great job of freshening the murals.
Hmmm,’ K’vin agreed, craning his neck around and impeding Chalkin’s
entrance into the Hall. Sorry.” Humph,’ was Chalkin’s response and he
glared sourly at Zulaya as he passed, shrugging his garments away from
touching them.
Consider the source,’ K’vin said when he thought Zulaya might fire a
tart comment after the Lord Holder.
I want to be at Bitra when the first Fall hits his Hold,’ she said.
Isn’t he lucky, then, not to be beholden to us, but to Benden?” K’vin
asked wryly.
Indeed,’ agreed Zulaya and allowed herself to be guided to Telgar
Weyr’s usual seat at the big conference table. I wonder did anyone get
any sleep in this Hold the past week,’ she said, stroking the banner of
Telgar’s colours that clothed their portion of the table.
Makes such a nice display,’ she murmured as she pulled out the chair
which also sported Telgar’s white field and black grain design.
The table itself was made up of many smaller units hooked together,
forming a multi-faceted circle: Telgar’s Weyr and Hold leaders were
between High Reaches and Tillek since they were the northernmost
settlements. Across from them were Ista Weyr and Hold, and Keroon Hold,
with their brilliant colours. Benden Weyr was seated with Bitra on one
side and Nerat and Benden on the other. The Chief Engineer, the Senior
Medic and the Headmaster were also included in the meeting. Fort,
traditionally the senior Hold, with Ruatha and Southern Boll on either
side, was at table centre and this time was the Chair’ Now, if any of
us still have our heads after Hegmon’s fine new wine, let’s get this
over with so we can get in some dancing,’ said Paulin, smiling around
the table.
Chalkin banged the table in front of him with a very loud Hear, hear!”
K’vin stifled a groan. The man was half-drunk, if not all drunk; his
face flushed red.
I’m sure we’re all aware of the imminence of Threadfall..
Chalkin made a rude noise.
Look, Lord Chalkin,’ said Paulin, scowling at the dissident, if you
managed to get too much of the champagne inside your skin, you can be
excused.” No, that’s exactly what he wants,’ said M’shall, Benden’s
Weyrleader, quickly. Then he can claim anything decided today was done
behind his back.” If he can’t shut up, we can always hold his head
under the tap until he sobers enough to remember common courtesy, put in
Irene, Benden’s Weyrwoman. He doesn’t like getting his Gather clothes
wet.” Her expression suggested she’d had experience enough to know.
Chalkin!” Paulin said, his voice steely.
Oh, all right,’ the Bitran said in a surly tone and he settled himself
more squarely in his chair, leaning forward on his elbows at the table.
If you’re going to be that way Only because you are,’ snapped Irene.
Paulin gave her a stern look and she subsided, though she kept narrowed