“That far?” The bronze rider appeared surprised and perhaps a trifle alarmed.
Robinton knew from that auspiciously discovered map that, while the area from the sea to the Western Range was immense, it was but a small segment of the total area of the vast Southern Continent.
“And, of course, Piemur reached the Great Desert Bay to the west,” Toric was saying.
“My dear Toric, how can you possibly Hold all that?” F’lar seemed politely concerned.
“I’ve small cotholders with burgeoning families along most of the habitable shoreline, and at strategic points in the interior. The men you sent me these past few Turns proved most industrious.” Toric’s smile was more assured.
“I suspect they have pledged loyalty to you in return for your original generosity?” F’lar asked with a sigh.
“Naturally.”
Lessa laughed. “I thought when we met at Benden that you were a shrewd and independent man.”
“There’s more land, my dear Weyrwoman, for any man who can hold it. Some small holds could turn out to be far more valuable than larger spreads, in the eyes of those who truly appreciate their worth.”
“I’d say then,” Lessa went on, pointedly ignoring Toric’s allusion to Ruatha’s size, “that you’ll have more than enough to occupy you fully and to hold, from sea to Western Range to the Great Bay …”
Suddenly Toric straightened. Lessa had been looking at F’lar, obliquely seeking his approval for what she granted Toric, so it was only Robinton who caught the full alertness, the look of intense surprise and displeasure in the Southerner’s eyes. He recovered himself quickly.
“To the Great Bay in the West, yes, that is my hope. I do have maps. In my Hold, but if I’ve your leave…”
He had taken one stride to the door when Ramoth’s bugle halted him. And as Mnementh chimed in, F’lar moved swiftly to block his way.
“It’s already too late, Toric.”
As Jaxom watched the Benden Weyrleaders and the Harper walk toward the excavated house with Toric, he expelled with a deep breath the anger he had contained for Toric’s belittling manner.
” ‘Ruatha a table-sized Hold?’ ” Indeed! Ruatha, the second oldest and certainly one of the most prosperous Holds on Pern. If Lessa hadn’t come then, he’d have shown—
Jaxom took another breath. Toric had the height and reach of him. He’d have been slaughtered by the Southerner if Lessa hadn’t interfered and saved him from sheer folly. It had never occurred to Jaxom that Toric might not be honored by an alliance with Ruatha. He’d been stunned when Ruth had informed him of Sharra’s contact-that she had been lured back to Southern-and told that Toric would not countenance a marriage for her in the North. Nor would Toric listen to Sharra’s avowal of a true attachment to Jaxom. So he had set his queen on her two firelizards to keep her from sending messages to Jaxom. Toric hadn’t known that Sharra could talk to Ruth, something she had done as soon as she’d awakened that morning. There was a hint of amusement in Ruth’s tone for the secret exchange.
Jaxom waited until the four had entered the little dwelling before he moved to Ruth. “Fly into Southern and carry her off,” the Harper had said in jest, but that was exactly what Jaxom intended.
“Ruth,” he asked in his mind as he closed the distance between them, “are there any firelizards of Toric’s about you?”
No! We are going to rescue Sharra? Where shall I tell her to meet us? We’ve only been to the Hatching Grounds in Southern. Shall I ask Ramoth?
“I’d prefer not to involve the Benden dragons in this. We’ll go to the Hatching Ground. That egg is coming in useful to us after all,” he added, appreciating the irony of the situation as he vaulted to Ruth’s back. “Give her the picture, Ruth. Ask her if she can reach the place?”
She says yes.
“Let’s get there then!”
Jaxom began laughing openly as Ruth took them between.
They came in low from the east, just as they had not quite a Turn before. Now, however, the ring of warm sand was unoccupied. Only briefly, for firelizards swooped down in cheerful greeting.