certain courtesies which most Holds, Halls and Weyrs accord a student of
a craft, and certainly to an artist!” So, when Lord Chalkin finally
accepted his portrait, I made tracks away as fast as I could!” K’vin
clapped him on the shoulder, grinning at the fervour with which that
statement came out.
Not that my conditions improved that much,’ lantine added quickly and
then grinned, until P’tero rescued me.” His throat kept clogging up and
he had to clear it again. I want to thank you very much for that. I
hope I didn’t keep him from proper duties.
No, no,’ K’vin said. Mind you, I’m not all that sure why he was over
Bitra, but it’s as well he was.
How are your hands’?” Zulaya asked, looking down at him as he washed’
his itching fingers together.
I shouldn’t rub the skin, should I?” Zulaya spoke over her shoulder.
Leopol, get the numb weed for lantine, please.” The young artist hadn’t
noticed the boy’s discreet presence, but he was glad he didn’t have to
walk all the way to the cubicle to get the salve.
It’s just the after-effects of cold,’ he said, looking at his fingers,
and noticing what Tisha had – pigment under the nails. He curled his
fingers, ashamed to be at a Weyr table with dirty hands.
And a deep shiver went down his spine.
I was wondering, lantine,’ Zulaya began, if you’d feel up to doing
another portrait or two? The Weyr pays the usual rates, and no extras
charged against you.
lantine protested. I’d gladly do your portrait, Weyrwoman.
It is of yourself you were speaking, isn’t it?” That first shiver was
followed by another which he did his best to mask.
You’ll do it only if you are paid a proper fee, young man,’ Zulaya said
sternly.
But No buts,’ K’vin put in. What with preparations for a Pass,
neither Zulaya nor I have had the time to commission proper portraits.
However, since you’re here . . . and willing?” I’m willing, all
right, but you don’t know my work and I’m only just accredited Zulaya
caught his hands in hers, for he’d been wildly gesticulating in both
eagerness and an attempt to disguise another spasm.
Artist lantine, if you managed to do four miniatures and two formal
portraits, and refresh murals for Chalkin, you’re more than qualified.
Didn’t you know that it took Macartor five months to finish Chalkin’s
wedding-day scene?” And he had to borrow marks from an engineer to pay
off the last of his “debt”?” K’vin added. Here’s Waine to greet you.
But you’re not to start work again until you’re completely recovered
from the cold.” Oh, I’m recovered, I’m wcovered, lantine said, standing
up as the Weyrleaders did, determined to control the next set of
shiverings.
After they had introduced him to the little man, Waine, they left him,
circulating to other tables as the Weyr relaxed.
There was singing and guitar playing from one side of the room, cheerful
noises, above a general level of easy conversation. That was something
else which lantine only now realized had been totally absent at Bitra
Hold: music, talk, people relaxing after a day’s work.
Heard you ran afoul a’ Chalkin?” Waine said, grinning and ducking his
head. Then he brought from behind his back a sheaf of large-sized paper
sheets, neatly tied together, and a handful of pencils. Thought you
might need em, like,’ he said shyly. Heard tell you used up all at
Bitra.
Thank you,’ lantine replied, running his fingers appreciatively over
the fine sheets and noticing that the pencils were of different weights
of carbon. How much do I owe you?” Waine laughed, showing gaps in his
teeth. You been at Bitra too long, Artist man. I’ve colours, too, but
not many.
Don’t do more’n basics.” Then let me make you a range of paints,’
lantine said gratefully, gritting his teeth against yet another
onslaught of ague. You know where to find the raw stuff around here,
and I’ll show you how I make the tints.” Waine grinned toothlessly
again. That’s a right good trade.
He held out a hand and nearly crushed lantine’s fingers with his