The Master Harper of Pern
by Anne McCaffrey
Acknowledgments
As usual, I am indebted to a variety of people for their help and input in writing this volume. Not the least of whom is Master Robinton (aka Frederic H. Robinson) who was quite upset that I had ended his life so abruptly. I would suspect it of a tenor, but for a baritone to insist on another encore is almost unheard of. But I have recently been asked – via the impressive Del Rey Website – to explain certain facts which had not previously been brought to light anent Pern pre-Dragon flight history. As Robinton had a fine Pernese hand in most of it, it behoves me to tell the story from his viewpoint.
I would like to thank Dr. Will Chlosta of St Mary’s Hospital New Haven for reading over the medical, and sartorial, inclusions.
This time, my gratitude to Marilyn and Harry Alm as first readers is immense since they saved me from several time discrepancies and inconsistencies. Their knowledge of Pern is extensive and better remembered than mine at times. I am also grateful to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for reading two sets of proofs in four days: a true labour of love.
Most of all let me thank Tania Opland and Michael Freeman for their invaluable contribution on the musical side.
When I asked them if they could possibly supply some of Robinton’s early compositions, I didn’t realize that Tania had always wanted to be Robinton, from the days when we first met in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike has already made up a tune for me, the Dragonlady, so his inclusion was natural.
Finally, let me thank the numerous folk online in January and February whose IDs helped me find character names.
List of Characters
dessa Lady Holder, Lessa’s mother Ruatha Hold
gust voice trainer Harper Hall
nta child Benden Hold
shmichel ex-Lord Holder Ruatha Hold
arba bossy child Harper Hall
argen 2nd son Faroguy High Reaches Hold
,enoria Lady Holder Fort Hold
,errice MasterHealer Harper Hall
,osler MasterHarper, instrument
maker Harper Hall ourdon SeaHold captain, Kasia’s father Greystones Hold ;rahil 1st son Halibran Ista Hold
;rashia Kasia’s mother Greystones Hold
,ravonner half-brother Falloner Benden Weyr
;ristol harper Telgar Hold
,rodo cotholder’s son Benden Hold
irosil 3rd son Halibmn Ista Hold
Ygan – Tagath Weyrsinger Benden Weyr
Yrob – Spakinth bronze rider Benden Weyr
Yvrel – Falarth bronze rider Benden Weyr
kamo son Robinton/Silvina Harper Hall
“arola – Feyrith Weyrwoman Benden Weyr
“arral Rantou’s wife Pietie Hold
“hochol hill holder Tillek Hold
slostan Hold Healer Tillek Hold
“ording spouse Morjella Benden Hold
Ereline MasterHarper Harper Hall
gunos child Harper Hall
Dalma trader Sev’s train
Domick composer Harper Hall
Donkin tenor singer Harper Hall
Drevalla child Benden Hold
Dugall spouse Segoina South Boll
Ellic seaman Wave Rider
Emfor assistant guard Harper Hall
Emry suitor Tillek Hold
Erkin boy Nerat border
Evarel MasterHarper Benden Hold
Evelene Lady Holder High Reaches Hold
Evenek tenor singer Harper Hall
Falawny apprentice Harper Hall
Fallamon (F’lar)
– Mnementh I st son Falloner Benden Weyr
Falloner (F’lon) Simanith weyr lad, son S’loner Benden Weyr
Famanoran (F’nor)
– Canth 2nd son Falloner Benden Weyr
Fanderal MasterSmith
Farevene 1 st son Faroguy High Reaches Hold
Faroguy Lord Holder High Reaches Hold
Forist Petiron kin Telgar Hold
Furlo MasterMiner Tillek Hold
G’ranad ex-Weyfieader Benden Weyr
Gemma Lady Holder, Fax’s spouse High Reaches Hold
Gennell MasterHarper Harper Hall
Germathen healer Nabol
Giffien assassin High Reaches Hold
Ginia MasterHealer Healer Hall
Gorazde WorkMaster Harper Hall
Gorton MasterWineman Bendon Hold
Gostol MasterFishman, Wave Rider Tillek Hold
Grodon 1st yr apprentice Harper Hall
Grogdian Lord Holder Fort Hold
Groghe 3rd son Grogellan Fort Hold
Halanna alto student Ista Hold
Halibran Halanna’s father Ista Hold
Hayara Lady Holder Benden Hold
Hayon Ist son Hayara Benden Hold
Idarolan MasterFishman Tillek Hold
Ifor journeyman harper Tillek Hold
Isla cot keeper Harper Hall
Jerint becomes Master Harper Hall
Jesken weyr lad Benden Weyr
Jez beastholder Ruatha Hold
Jonno weyr lad Benden Weyr
Jora – Nemerth Weyrwoman Benden Weyr
Jurana Lady Holder Tillek Hold
K’net – Pianth bronze rider Benden Weyr
Kailey journeyman harper Wide Bay Hold
Kale Lord Holder Ruatha Hold
Kalem journeyman shipbuilder Tillek Hold