“Ruth’s settled, has he, Jaxom?” Lessa asked in a kind voice, gesturing the boy to come to her side.
“Yes, Lessa.”
“Some other settlings been done, too, kinsman,” she went on, smiling when she saw his apprehensive look.
“You know my son, Horon, don’t you? Your age?” Groghe asked.
Jaxom nodded, startled.
“Well, he’s going to foster here as company for you.”
“And possibly some other lads,” said Lessa. “Would you like that?”
Robinton noticed the incredulous widening of Jaxom’s eyes as he glanced from Lessa to Groghe and back to Lytol where his glance remained until Lytol had nodded solemnly.
“And, when Ruth is flying well, how about coming to my Hall to see what I can teach you about Pern that Lytol doesn’t know?” Robinton asked.
“Oh, sir,” and Jaxom looked again to his guardian, “may I really do all this?” There was unadulterated relief and joy in Jaxom’s voice.
CHAPTER II
Benden Weyr, Present Pass, 13th Turn
DUSK WAS SETTLING in Benden Weyr as Robinton climbed the stairs to the queen’s weyr, something he had done so many times in the past thirteen Turns. He paused as much to catch his breath as to speak to the man just behind him.
“We’ve timed it well, Toric. I don’t think anyone noticed our arrival. And they’ll certainly not question N’ton,” he said gesturing to the Fort Weyrleader dimly seen crossing the Bowl to the lighted kitchen caverns.
Toric wasn’t looking at him. He was staring up at the ledge where bronze Mnementh was seated on his haunches, regarding the new arrivals, his jewel-faceted eyes gleaming in the dim light. Robinton’s Zair reacted by digging his claws sharply into the Harper’s ear and twining his tail more tightly about his neck.
“He won’t hurt you, Zair,” Robinton said, but he hoped the message would also satisfy the Southern Holder whose face and bearing were taut with surprise.
“He’s almost twice as big as any of the Oldtimers’ beasts,” Toric said in a respectfully hushed voice. “And I thought N’ton’s Lioth was big!”
“I believe that Mnementh’s the largest bronze,” Robinton said, continuing up the last few steps. He was concerned by that twinge in his chest. He’d have thought that all his recent and unexpected rest would have eased that condition. He must remember to speak to Master Oldive about it. “Good evening, Mnementh,” he said as he reached the top step, inclining his body toward the great bronze. “It strikes me as disrespectful to barge by without acknowledging him,” he said in an aside to Toric. “And this is my friend, Toric, whom Lessa and F’lar are expecting.”
I know. I have told them you are come.
Robinton cleared his throat. He never expected an answer to his pleasantries but was always extremely flattered on those occasions when Mnementh responded. However, he did not share the dragon’s comment with Toric. The man seemed unnerved enough as it was.
Toric moved quickly toward the short corridor, keeping Robinton between himself and bronze Mnementh.
“I’d better warn you,” Robinton said, keeping amusement out of his voice, “that Ramoth’s even larger!”
Toric’s response was a grunt which dissolved into a gasp as the corridor opened up into the large rocky chamber which served as the home of Benden’s queen. She was asleep on her stone couch, her wedge-shaped head pointing in their direction, gleaming golden in the glows that illuminated the weyr.
“Robinton, you are indeed safely back,” Lessa cried, running toward him, a wide smile lighting her unusual face. “And so tanned!”
To the Harper’s delighted surprise, she threw her arms about him in a brief and totally unexpected embrace.
“I should get storm-lost more often,” he managed to say in a light tone, grinning as raffishly as he could with his heart pounding in his chest. Her body had been so vibrant, so light against him.
“Don’t you dare!” She flashed him a look compounded of anger, relief and outrage, then her mobile face assumed a more dignified smile for the other guest. “Toric, you are very welcome here, and thank you for rescuing our good Masterharper.”
“I did nothing,” Toric said, surprised. “He’d a dollop of pure unadulterated good luck. He ought to have drowned in that gale.”