Lower Cavern, leaping towards lantine who put out a restraining hand so
the boy wouldn’t carom off the edge of the painting.
What have you done now?” Leopol demanded, taking care not to batter it.
It’s to be redone,’ lantine said, knowing the uselessness of avoiding
Leopol’s interest.
Oh, the Chalkin portrait?” Leopol reached for it and lantine pivoted,
putting his body between it and the lad’s acquisitive hands.
You’re clever, aren’t you?” Yup,’ and Leopol’s grin bore not a single
trace of remorse.
So? What happened when you deposed him?” lantine stopped in his tracks
and stared at him.
Deposed whom?” Leopol planted his fists on his belt, cocked his head
and gave lantine a long and disgusted look, finally shaking his head.
One, you rode away on a Fort Weyr dragon. Two, you’ve been gone
overnight so something was up. Especially when the Weyrleaders are
gone, too. Three, we all know that Chalkin’s for the chop, and four.
you come back with a portrait and it isn’t one you’ve done here.
Leopol spread his hands.
It’s obvious. The Lords and Leaders have got rid of Chalkin.
Impeached, deposed and exiled him. Right?” He grinned at the summation,
cocking his head over the other shoulder.
Right?” he repeated.
lantine sighed. It’s not my place to confirm or deny,’ he said
tactfully, and started again for his quarters.
Leopol dodged in front, halting him again. But I’m right about
Chalkin, aren’t I? He won’t get ready for Threadfall, he’s been far too
hard on his people and half the Lord Holders owe him huge sacks of marks
in gambling debts.” lantine stopped. Gambling debts?” He brushed past,
determined to get to the dubious safety of his room without giving
anything away to such a gossip as Leopol.
Ah, lantine.” Tisha caught sight of him and moved her bulk through the
tables with surprising speed and agility to intercept him.
Did they catch Chalkin all right? Did he struggle?
Did that spouse of his go with him, which frankly would surprise me? Did
they find Vergerin alive? Will he take Hold, or does he have to wait
til the Conclave at Turn’s End?” Leopol bent double with laughter at
lantine’s expression.
Yes, no, no, yes and I don’t know,’ he answered in reply to her
rapid-fire questions.
You see? I’m not the only one,’ Leopol said, hanging on to a chair
with one hand to keep his balance while he brushed laugh tears from his
eyes with the other, thoroughly delighted with himself and lantine’s
reaction.
I’d like to hear all, lantine,’ Tisha said and deposited the klah mugs
and the plate of freshly baked cookies on the table nearest him.
Do sit. You’ve had a hard day already and it’s not noon yet.” I’ll
take it and put it very carefully in your room,’ Leopol said, grabbing
hold of the wrapped painting and then snatching it out of lantine’s
unconsciously relaxed grip. And I won’t look until you tell me I can.
No, wait, Leo,’ said Tisha. I want to see what Chalkin considered
“satisfactory”-‘ Do I have no privacy around here?” lantine demanded,
raising his hands in helplessness. Is there no way to keep secrets?”
Not in a well-run Weyr, there isn’t,’ said Tisha. Eat.
Drink.
And, Leo, take the basket I made ready for K’vin up to his weyr.
I didn’t see Zulaya and Meranath, so she may have stopped over at Telgar
Hold.” His knees weakened, as did his resolve, and lantine collapsed
into the chair Tisha had invitingly pulled out for him.
Shall I?” Leopol asked in his best wheedling tone, one hand on the cord
knot.
I’m not sure I could stop you,’ lantine said, and caught the pad he had
stuffed inside the wrapping as Leopol made short work of opening.
lantine put the pad to one side. He didn’t really want to show the
latest drawings he’d done. The two castrati had died shortly after he
had finished the sketches. He intensely regretted how pleased he had
been with their sentences. Had they had any idea of what additional
torment Chalkin would inflict on them when they asked to be returned to
their Hold?