questions about rider liaisons as discretion permitted.
What he’d learned had been both reassuring and unsettling. There were
more ramifications to human affairs than he had ever previously
suspected. Dragonrider-human ones could get very complicated And
the green dragons, being so highly-strung and sexually oriented, were
the most complex.
I guess I’m lucky she talks to me at all,’ lantine said. Look, love,
I’ve said what I’ve wanted to say. I’ve heard what Morath has to say,
and we can leave it there for now. I’ve got to go to Benden Hold and
Morath has to . . . mature.” He gently tightened his arms around his
beloved. If I’m welcome to come back . . . to the Weyr, I will
return. Am I welcome?” Yes, you are,’ Debera said as Morath also
confirmed it.
Well, then,’ and he kissed her lightly, managing to break it off before
the emotion that could so easily start up again could fire, let us
dance, and dance and dance. That should cause no problems, should it?”
Of course, the words were no sooner out of his mouth than he knew that
having her so close to him all evening was going to be a trial of his
self-control.
His lips tingled as he led her back, her fingers trustingly twined into
his. The dance was ending as he put his arms around her, so they
managed just one brief spin. Since he now felt far more secure, he did
let Leopol partner Debera for one fast dance, or he’d never hear the
last of it from the boy.
Other than that surrender, he and Debera danced together all night,
cementing the bond that had begun: danced until the musicians called it
a night.
He was going to hate to be parted from her, more now because they did
have an understanding – of sorts – but there was no help for it.
He had the duty to Benden Hold.
New Year 258 After L(anding) – College, Benden Hold, Telgar Weyr On
the first official day of the New Year, 258 AL, Clisser had a chance to
review the four days of Turn’s End. Frantic at times, certainly hectic
despite the most careful plans and the wealth of experience, the main
performances – the First Day Landing Suite’, and Second Day Teaching
Songs and Ballads – had gone very well: far better than he had
anticipated given the scanty rehearsals available for some of the
performers. The tenor, for instance, had been a bit ragged in his big
solo; he really should have held that final note the full measure.
Sheledon glowered from the woodwind section: he’d’ve sung the part
himself, but he hadn’t the voice for it.
But then, the only solos which Sheledon wouldn’t find fault with would
be Sydra’s, and she never failed to give a splendid performance.
Bethany’s flute obbligatos had been remarkable, matching Sydra’s voice
to perfection.
Paulin had been on his feet time after time, applauding the soloists
and, at the finale, surreptitiously brushing a tear from his eye. Even
old S’nan looked pleased – also fatuous, but on the whole Clisser was
relieved at the reception. He hoped the two performances had been
popular elsewhere on the continent. A great deal of work had been put
into rehearsals by folks who had little spare time as it was.
The Teaching Songs and Ballads had been just as well received, with
people going about humming some of the tunes. Which was exactly what
the composers had hoped for. Fortunately, honours were even between
Jemmy and Sheledon for catchy tunes. He caught himself humming the
Duty Song’ chorus, which had gone particularly well. He wouldn’t have
to deal with a laborious copying of the Charter once youngsters learned
those words off by heart. It certainly fitted the bill.
Copies of all the new songs were being made by the teachers themselves,
who would then require their students to transcribe them, and that saved
a lot of effort for his College.
Really, a printing press of some kind must be put high on the list of
Kalvi’s engineering staff. They’d managed quite a few small
motor-driven, solar panel gadgets; why not a printing press? But a