“We were ready for Thread when it fell, brown rider,” he responded calmly. “My duty as the rider of a dragon was to protect Cove Hold. I did. My pleasure and privilege was to fly with Benden.” He gave a slight bow and had the satisfaction of seeing the anger in F’nor’s face give way to surprise. “I’m sure the others have by now reported to Master Robinton what we discovered this morning. Into the water with you, Ruth. I’ll be glad to answer all your questions, F’nor, when I’ve cleaned Ruth up.” He gave F’nor, who was staring at him in honest amazement, a second bow and then stripped off hot and sweaty flying gear, leaving on only the shortened trousers that were more suitable to the heat.
F’nor was still staring at him when he ran and dove neatly into the water, coming up beside his wallowing white friend.
Ruth twisted, blowing water in a fountain above his head, his half-lidded eyes gleaming greenly just under the surface.
Canth says that F’nor is confused. What did you say that confuses a brown rider?
“What he didn’t expect to hear from a white rider. I can’t wash you when you’re rolling over all the time.”
You are angry. You will tear my hide scrubbing so hard.
“I am angry. Not at you.”
Should we go to our lake? Ruth’s question was tentative and he turned his head toward his rider in an anxious manner.
“What do we need with a freezing lake when we’ve an entire warm ocean? I’m just annoyed with F’nor. It isn’t as if I were still sick, or a child that needed a guardian. I’ve fought Thread with you, and without you. If I’m old enough to do that, I don’t need to account for any of my movements to any one for any reason.”
I forgot that Thread would fall today!
Jaxom couldn’t help but laugh at Ruth’s humble admission.
“So did I. But don’t you ever let on to anyone.”
Firelizards descended now to assist, needing a bit of scrub themselves to judge by the reek their wet hides exuded. They scolded Ruth much more unkindly than Jaxom did if he wallowed too deeply in the waves when they wanted to rinse him. Among the fair were Meer, Talla and Farli. Jaxom bent to his task. He was tired but he decided that as long as he kept himself going, he’d be able to finish bathing Ruth. Then he’d have all afternoon to rest.
He didn’t. He also didn’t have to bathe Ruth all by himself because Sharra joined him.
“Would you like me to take the other side again?” she asked as she waded up to him.
“I’d appreciate it no end,” he said with a grin and sigh.
She tossed him a handled brush. “Brekke brought these with her. Thought they’d help clean dragons, and things. Good stiff bristles. You’ll like that, won’t you, Ruth?”
She scooped handsful of sand from the cove floor, dribbling the wet stuff on Ruth’s neck and then applying the brush with vigor. Ruth whistled through the water with pleasure.
“What happened to you while I was fighting Thread?” he asked her, pausing before attacking Ruth’s rump.
“Menolly’s still answering questions.” Sharra regarded him over Ruth’s recumbent body, her eyes dancing, her smile full of mischief. “She talked so fast he couldn’t interrupt, and she was still talking when I left. I didn’t realize anyone could outtalk the Master Harper. Anyway, he stopped fuming very early on. Did you get scorched by F’nor?”
“We exchanged … opinions.”
“I’ll just bet you did the way Brekke was carrying on. I told her that you’d got pretty fit while she was away. She acted as if you’d risen from your deathbed to ride Fall!” Sharra made a scornful sound.
Jaxom leaned over Ruth’s back, grinning at her, thinking how pretty she was with the mischief in her eyes, and beads of water on her face where Ruth had splashed her. She glanced up at him, raising one eye in query.
“Did we really see what I thought we saw this morning, Sharra?”
“We surely did!” She pointed her brush at him, her expression severe. “And you’re very lucky that we were along to vouch because I don’t think anyone would have believed just you.” She paused, the twinkle back in her eyes. “I’m not entirely sure they believe us anyhow.”