“I told the entire Hold off this morning.”
“I told Lytol it wouldn’t be long now.”
“What?”
“What tipped the scales? Deelan’s blubbering?”
“Ruth is a dragon!”
“Of course he is,” N’ton replied with such emphasis that Lioth turned his head to regard them. “Who says he’s not?”
“They do. At Ruatha. Everywhere! They say he’s nothing but an overgrown firelizard. And you know that’s been said.”
Lioth hissed. Tris took wing in surprise, but Ruth warbled complacently and the others settled.
“I know it’s been said,” N’ton replied, taking hold of Jaxom’s shoulders. “But there isn’t a dragonrider I know who hasn’t corrected the speaker-somewhat forcefully on occasion.”
“If you consider him a dragon, why can’t he act like one?”
“He does!” N’ton gave Ruth a long look as if the creature had somehow changed in the last moment.
“I mean like other full fighting dragons.”
“Oh.” N’ton grimaced. “So that’s it. Look, lad …”
“It’s Lytol, isn’t it? He’s told you not to let me fight Thread on Ruth. That’s why you’ll never let me teach Ruth how to chew firestone.”
“It’s not that, Jaxom . ..”
“Then what is it? There isn’t a place on Pern we can’t get to, first time, right on. Ruth’s small but he’s faster, turns quicker midair, less mass to move-”
“It’s not a question of ability, Jaxom,” N’ton said, raising his voice slightly to make Jaxom hear what he had to say, “it’s a matter of what is advisable.”
“More evasions.”
“No!” N’ton’s firm negative cut through Jaxom’s resentment. “Flying with a fighting wing during Threadfall is bloody dangerous, lad. I’m not impugning your courage, but bluntly, however keen you are, however quick and clever Ruth is, you’d be a liability to a fighting wing. You haven’t the training, the discipline …”
“If it’s only training-”
N’ton grabbed Jaxom by the shoulders to stop his contentiousness.
“It isn’t.” N’ton drew a deep breath. “I said it’s not a question of Ruth’s abilities or yours; it is solely a question of advisability. Pern can’t afford to lose either you, young Lord of Ruatha, or Ruth, who is unique.”
“But I’m not Lord of Ruatha either. Not yet! Lytol is. He makes all the decisions … I just listen, and nod my head like a sunstruck wherry.” Jaxom faltered, aware he was implying criticism of Lytol. “I mean, I know Lytol has to manage until the Lord Holders confirm me … and I don’t really want Lytol to leave Ruatha Hold. But if I could be a dragonrider, it wouldn’t come to that. You see?”
As Jaxom caught the expression in N’ton’s eyes, his shoulders slumped in defeat. “You see, but the answer’s still no! It would just make different ripples, probably bigger ones, wouldn’t it? So I’ve got to muck on as something in between everything. Not a real Lord Holder, not a real dragonrider … not a real anything except a problem. A real problem to everybody!”
Not to me, Ruth said clearly and reassuringly touched his rider with his muzzle.
“You’re not a problem, Jaxom, but I do see that you have one,” N’ton said with quiet sympathy. “If it were up to me, I’d say it would do you a world of good to join a wing and teach Ruth to chew firestone. For the firsthand knowledge no other Lord Holder could contest.”
For one hopeful moment, Jaxom thought N’ton was offering him the chance he so wanted.
“If it were my decision, Jaxom, which it isn’t and can’t be. But,” and N’ton paused, his eyes searching Jaxom’s face, “this is a matter that had better be discussed. You’re old enough to be confirmed as Lord Holder or to do something else constructive. I’ll speak to Lytol and F’lar on your behalf.”
“Lytol will say that I am Lord Holder, and F’lar will say Ruth isn’t big enough for a fighting wing-”
“And I won’t say anything if you act like a sulky boy.”
A bellow overhead interrupted them. Two more dragons were circling, indicating that they wanted to land. N’ton waved acknowledgment, and then he and Jaxom jogged out of the way toward the Smithcrafthall. Just short of the door, N’ton held him back.