said, running her finger along Rubicon River.
How’re the grubs supposed to get across that?” K’vin asked, tapping the
contour lines for the steep cliffs which lined the river, gradually
tapering down above the Sea of Azov.
The Agric guys say they’ll either go around or be carried across the
river as larvi in the digestive tracts of wherries and some of those
sport animals that were let loose. They have been breeding, you know.
Zulaya was teasing now, since she knew very well that Charanth had had
to rescue him from a very large, hungry orangeandblack-stnped feline.
Charanth had been highly insulted because the creature had actually then
attacked him, a bronze dragon! The incident had been a levelling one
for both rider and dragon.
Oh, and don’t I know it! I’ll not be caught that way twice.
It grew a mighty fine hide,’ she said, her eyes dancing with challenge.
Catch your own, Zu. Now, let’s see . . . should we check and see if
any of the other Weyrs want to come? Make this a joint exercise?”
Why?” she countered with a shrug. The whole idea is to get our wings
away for a bit for something besides Fall readiness.
Meranath,’ and she turned to her queen, who was lounging indolently on
her couch, her head turned in their direction and her eyes open, would
you be good enough to spread the word that the Weyr’s going off on
exercise,’ and she grinned at K’vin, tomorrow, first light? That
should startle a few.” Undoubtedly, and glancing at Zulaya for
permission, K’vin made a second request of Meranath. And ask J’dar and
T’dam to step up here, please?” The sun will be much warmer in the
south, Meranath said, and we will all like that, K’vin.
Glad you approve,’ he told her, giving the gold queen a little bow. He
was also considerably gratified that she was using his name more. Could
that mean that Zulaya was thinking of him more often? He kept that
question tight in his mind, where even Charanth wouldn’t hear it. Did
she really approve of his leadership? Zulaya never gave him any clues
despite her courtesies to him in public; though he certainly appreciated
that much. He didn’t seem any closer to a real intimacy with her, and
he wanted one badly. Would he ever figure out how to achieve that?
Could that be why she had suggested this excursion?
How long has it been since there was an update on the grubs?” She
shrugged. That’s not the point. We need a diversion, and this makes a
good one. Also, someone should do it for the Agric records. And we’ll
probably have to go down during Fall to see if the grubs really do what
they’re supposed to do.” Do you want to put us out of business?” he
asked.
Zulaya shook her head. As long as Thread falls from Pernese skies, we
won’t be out of business. Psychologically, it’s imperative that we keep
as much of the stuff as possible off the surface of the planet. The
grubs are just an extra added precaution; not the total answer.” The two
Weyrleaders had forgotten to caution their dragons against mentioning
the destination, and it was all over the Weyr by dinner-time. They were
besieged by requests from weyrfolk to be taken along. Even Tisha was
not shy about requesting a lift.
Some of the bronzes would need to carry two passengers, K’vin said,
doing some quick calculations.
The weyrlings would have to stay,’ Zulaya told him, that necessity
causing a brief hitch to the euphoria. But she shrugged.
We’ll make an occasion for T’dam to take them down once they are
flighted, but they’re weyrbound this time.” That wouldn’t be until
after Thread has started,’ K’vin said, looking doubtful.
Sure, we know when it falls, north or south, and a day off for the
auxiliaries is no big thing. Plan it for a rainy day, here,’ Zulaya
said, and they won’t mind for the sun down south.” So that issue was
settled.
The entire Weyr assembled, loading passengers and supplies for an outing
that was now scheduled for three days.
K’vin allowed they would need that long to make a diligent survey of