No, or they wouldn’t have gone. Then lantine caught Tisha’s sharp eye
on his face and wondered if she had read his expression which he had
tried to keep blank. Fortunately, the much-glamorized Chalkin stared
out of the painting at them and Tisha’s first good look sent her into
gales of laughter, with Leopol whooping nearly as loud.
The head woman had an infectious laugh under any condition: a mere
chuckle from her would have anyone in her vicinity grinning in response.
lantine was in sore need of a good laugh and, if his inner anxieties
kept him from joining in wholeheartedly, at least he was made to grin.
Tisha’s amusement alerted the rest of the weyrfolk to lantine’s return,
and the table was shortly surrounded by people having a good laugh over
what Chalkin had considered to be a satisfactory portrait’ of himself.
He sated their curiosity by giving a brief report of what had happened.
Everyone was much relieved that Chalkin was not only no longer Bitra’s
Lord, but also that he had been exiled far away from the Mainland.
Too good for him, really,’ someone said.
Ah, but he’s lord of all he surveys, ain’t he? Suit him!’ No-one was
hurt?” Who’s going to take Hold there now, with so much to do close to
Fall?” lantine answered as circumspectly as he could, though he was
amazed at how accurately the weyrfolk had guessed what had happened.
They also seemed to know a great deal about a Hold that was not beholden
to Telgar Weyr. He didn’t think he’d talked much about his
uncomfortable stay at Bitra, so they must have had their information
from other sources.
Weyrfolk did get to travel more than holders, so perhaps their level of
information was more comprehensive.
Riders drifted in, early for the noontime meal but just as interested in
what had happened at Bitra Hold. Some of the older ones remembered the
wager that had cost Vergerin the Holding, and other details about that
Bloodline that certainly showed them well informed.
lantine was grateful for the klah and cookies Tisha had brought and
equally pleased to have Leopol bring him bread, cheese and the sliced
wherry meat that was being served for lunch. He did have a moment’s
anxiety when he saw K’vin, at the edge of the crowd, gesturing for his
attention. Maybe he shouldn’t have said a thing.
He told Leopol to take the notorious portrait to his quarters, bundled
his pad under his arm – because he knew nothing would keep Leopol from
looking all through it – and then made his way to K’vin.
Since he had obviously told all he was going to tell, he was allowed to
pass, with good-natured mauling on his way.
I’m sorry, Weyrleader, if I was speaking out of turn .
K’vin regarded him with widened eyes. Speaking out of turn? Ha, they
had probably figured out everything on their own. What could you
possibly tell them that they didn’t know?” How many people Chalkin had
in those appalling cells,’ lantine said, blurting out the words before
he realized what he was saying.
K’vin put a sympathetic arm around his shoulders. I think I’ll have a
few bad dreams over that myself,’ and he gave a deep shudder.
Perhaps you’d best get some rest . No, I’d rather not, if you’d
something else for me to do,’ lantine said truthfully. He didn’t even
need to stop off at his own quarters as his tubes of oil and brushes
were already in the Weyrleaders’ quarters.
K’vin’s solicitous expression brightened. I’ve some time now, and
you’ve the painting to finish of me .. . unless you’d rather redo
Chalkin . . . but Bridgely made it very plain to me that he’d like
you at Benden to do his commissions by Turn’s End. You’re much sought
after, you know.
lantine made a disparaging noise in his throat, embarrassed by his
notoriety. K’vin, grinning at his reaction, slapped him lightly on his
back in affection.
So what’s it to be?” the Weyrleader asked.
You, of course. Did you…” and he hesitated, not wanting to be
thought pushy, did you like Zulaya’s portrait?” K’vin gave a low laugh