So did Betrice and Ginia, for the singer had quickly lost what weight she had gained after the baby’s birth – and more.
“You’ve really nothing big coming up in the way of rehearsals, have you?” Ginia asked Petiron privately after delivering another bottle of cough mixture for Merelan. With a certain degree of reluctance, he shook his head – had he not been sick, he most assuredly would have started composing something extravagant for the Spring Gathers.
“Well, then,” Ginia continued, “I happen to know MasterHarper is looking for someone to provide basic instruction at a hold in South Boll – not far from where Merelan was born. So why don’t you ask him to allow you to take the post? I believe the accommodation would be adequate for a small family like yours. The Ritecamp traders just arrived here, and their route takes you close by Pierie Hold.”
Before Petiron could produce a good reason why he couldn’t leave the Harper Hall at that time, he and his small family were on their way south, their baggage packed on pack animals which Master Gennell ordered. He sent along two good Ruathan-bred mounts, as well. MasterTrader Sev Ritecamp was only too happy to oblige the Harper Hall and had agreed to take them to the very door of Pierie Hold.
“If Master Petiron wouldn’t mind taking some time of an evening to learn some of our youngsters their Teaching Ballads?
They’re in dire need of some educating,” Sev had suggested very politely. “And maybe give us a new song or two in the evening around our fire.”
“That would be only fair,” Merelan said when Petiron was not as prompt as he could have been in agreeing. Then she winked at her spouse, knowing very well that he hated doing “basics’ with beginners while she enjoyed teaching the very young. So long as the children were taught, it really didn’t matter who did the teaching.
As MasterSinger, she knew her Teaching Ballads and Songs as well as Petiron did.
The young daughter of the Ritecamps’ leader had a toddler the same age as Robie – though not, Merelan privately thought, as sturdy as her lad – but she doubted that Dalma would mind watching two who could amuse each other while Merelan taught.
MasterHarper Gennell was delighted to have a Master to assign for however short a term. Betrice had a word with the Ritecamp healer about Merelan’s condition and waved farewell with the rest of the Hall.
Although the Ruathan runner-beasts provided were well trained and easy riding, Merelan at first rode in Dalma’s efficient housewagon, since she knew herself incapable of managing the antics of a mount right then. Petiron, less familiar with riding beasts, was more often on the lead-wagon seat, talking to Sev Ritecamp or his father or his uncle or whoever was the day’s guide.
Despite his forebodings and initial dismay, Petiron soon began to relax and enjoy the trip. Having overheard the favourable comments about the Ruathan breed, he offered Sev’s eldest son the chance to ride his mount, and consequently he found all the Ritecamp men more genial towards him. He even enjoyed the nightly music sessions, for almost everyone in the thirty wagons of the train played some instrument and could carry intricate parts.
Many had good voices, and he found himself conducting four-and five-part harmonies to some of their favourite ballads and airs, as well as teaching them the newer songs.
“They’re nearly as good as fourth-year apprentices,” he said with some surprise to Merelan at the end of the third evening’s session.
“They do it for fun,” she said, gently.
“There’s no reason they cannot do it better and have fun too,” he said, not at all pleased at her subtle rebuke over his attempt to improve the harmonies.
“Now, hold still while I put the salve on your face,” she went on, holding his chin firmly while she pasted his cheeks and nose with the remedy for the windburn he’d acquired.
With Merelan that close to him, he could see she had more colour in her pale cheeks, though she still coughed so hard it made him wince to think what damage she might be doing her vocal cords. But she didn’t seem quite as strained about the eyes and mouth as she had been.