I do.” How much could a dragon see with that kind of optical equipment?
Still, lantine supposed it would be useful when Thread was falling from
all directions. As the dragon eye protruded out from the head, it
obtained overhead images, too. Good design. But then, dragons had been
designed, though no-one nowadays knew who could have managed the genetic
engineering. It was one thing to breed animals for specific traits, but
to begin from the first cell to create a totally new creature? Do you
like this one of Debera oiling you?” He tapped his pencil on the one
he’d done that morning.
It looks like Debera. It looks like me? and there was plaintive
surprise in Morath’s contralto voice. That was when lantine realized
that Morath sounded very much like her rider.
But then, that was only logical since they were inseparable.
Inseparable! That’s what bothered him most. He knew that his love for
Debera would be constant, but any love left over from Morath for him
could scarcely match his commitment.
Did it have to? After all, he was totally committed to his work.
Could he fault her for being equally single-minded? There was, however,
a considerable difference between loving a dragon and loving to paint.
Or was there?
Maybe it was as well, Ian tine thought, tucking his pencil behind his
ear and closing his pad, that he was going to Benden after Turn’s End.
Maybe if Debera . . . and Morath were out of sight, they might also
go out of mind and his attachment would ease off.
You got your Turn’s End clothes ready? Need ironing, er, anything?”
Leopol asked, his expression wistful.
You did em yesterday, and I haven’t worn em yet,’ he said, but he
ruffled the boy’s thick hair again and, looping his arm over the thin
shoulders, steered him to the kitchen. Let’s eat.” Ah, there’s not
much to eat, Leopol said in disgust.
Everyone’s getting ready for tonight.
They’ve been getting ready all week,’ lantine said. But there’s bread
and cold meats set out.
Huh!” lantine noticed that Leopol had no trouble making himself several
sandwiches of what was available, and had two cups of soup and two
apples. He noted that he had no trouble eating, either, though some of
the smells emanating from the ovens – and all were in use were more
appetizing than lunch.
He intended to enjoy himself this evening.
Then Leopol, eyes wide with excitement, leaped from the table.
Look, look, the musicians are here!” Glancing outward, lantine saw them
dismounting from half a dozen dragons. They were laughing and shouting
as instruments were carefully handed down from dragon backs and carisaks
were passed around. Tisha sailed out, her assistants with her, and
shortly everyone was in the Lower Cavern and being served a lunch
considerably more complicated than soup and sandwiches. Leopol was in
the thick of it, too, the rascal, and the recipient of a huge wedge of
iced cake. lantine selected a good spot against the wall, sharpened his
pencil with his knife and opened his pad. This was a good scene to
preserve. If he got them down on paper now, maybe he could listen to
the music this evening without itchy fingers.
As he worked, he realized that Telgar had rated some of the best
musicians, called back from wherever their contracts had taken them, for
Turn’s End celebrations. He’d finish in time for the concert, and that
would be that for the day!
It wasn’t, of course. But then, he found it hard not to sketch exciting
moments and scenes. Especially as he didn’t want to leave this pad
anywhere that it could be casually opened.
And he could listen to the music just as well while drawing.
Sketching also kept his hands where they should be and not itching to go
round Debera’s shoulder, or hold her hand.
Sketching did allow him some licence, for he could always apologize that
he didn’t realize his leg was against hers’, or that their shoulders
were touching’ or that he was bending his body close to hers’. After
all, he was so busy sketching, he wouldn’t be noticing externals.