“D’you suppose now that they’re all safely Hatched and Impressed, her temper will improve?” Menolly asked.
“And Lessa’s as well?” Robinton’s lips twitched to suppress his amusement. “No doubt once Ramoth can be persuaded to eat, both will feel more charitable.”
“I hope so.” Menolly’s reply was low and fervent, not meant, Jaxom thought, to be heard by Robinton, for the Harper had turned to the back of the tiers, evidently looking for someone.
Robinton had heard, however, and gave his journeyman a warm grin. “Too bad we can’t postpone this meeting until the happy restoration has occurred.”
“Can’t I come with you this once?”
“To protect me, Menolly?”. The Harper gripped her by the shoulder, smiling affectionately. “No, it’s not a general meeting and I cannot offend by including you.”
“He can come …” Menolly jerked her thumb at I Jaxom, glaring at him with resentment.
“I can what?”
“You hadn’t learned from Lytol that a meeting’s been called after the Impression?” the Harper asked.
“Ruatha must attend.”
“They couldn’t exclude you as Masterharper,” said Menolly in a tight voice.
“Why would they?” Jaxom asked, surprised by Menolly’s uncharacteristic defensiveness.
“Because, you dim glow . ..”
“That’s enough, Menolly. I appreciate your concern, but all things come to pass in the fullness of time. My head is neither bloodied or bowed. Once Ramoth has killed, I’ll have no fear of being dragon bait, either.” Robinton patted her shoulder, reassuringly.
The queen was making her way out of the Hatching Ground and, as they watched, she took wing.
“There, you see. She’s gone to feed,” the Harper said. “I have nothing to fear anymore.”
Menolly gave him a long sardonic look. “I just wish I could be with you, that’s all.”
“I know. Ah, Fandarel,” The Harper raised his voice and waved to catch the eye of the big Mastersmith. “Come, Lord Jaxom, we’ve business in the Council Chamber.”
This must be what Lytol had meant by his being required to attend the Hatching. But oughtn’t Lytol to have been there if the meeting was as important as Menolly intimated? Jaxom was flattered by his guardian’s confidence.
The two Masters, having met on their way down the tiers, attached other Craftmasters who nodded greetings with more solemnity than a Hatching generally occasioned. Menolly’s hint that this was to be an unusual meeting was reinforced. Again Jaxom wondered that Lytol was not here. He had, Jaxom knew, agreed to support Robinton.
“Thought Ramoth was going to prevent Impression for a moment there,” Fandarel said, nodding at Jaxom. “Hear you’ve deserted me for your favorite pastime, huh, lad?”
“Training only. Master Fandarel. All dragons must learn to chew firestone.”
“Upon my soul,” Masterminer Nicat exclaimed. “Never thought he’d live long enough to do that.”
Jaxom caught the Masterharper’s warning expression as he was about to reply with some heat, and rephrased his answer. “Ruth is very good at it, thank you.”
“One forgets the passage of time, Master Nicat,” Robinton said, smoothly, “and that growth and maturity come to those we remember first as very young. Ah, Andemon, how are you today?” The Harper beckoned to the Masterfarmer to join them as they made their way across the hot sands.
Nicat fell in beside Jaxom, chuckling. “Teaching the little white to chew firestone, huh? That wouldn’t happen to be why some of our supplies appear short in the morning?”
“Master Nicat, I’m training at Fort Weyr and have all the firestone Ruth needs there.”
“Training at Fort Weyr, are you?” Nicat’s grin widened as his eyes flicked to Jaxom’s cheek, stayed and moved on. “With dragonriders, huh, Lord Jaxom?” There was the barest stress of the title before Nicat looked ahead at the steps up to the queen’s weyr and the ledge where Mnementh generally perched.
The bronze had gone off to watch his queen feed in the meadow below. Jaxom looked for the white hide of Ruth by the lake and felt his dragon’s mental presence.
“Good Hatching, with a nice bit of suspense for starters, huh?” Nicat said conversationally.
“Did you have any lads on the Ground today?” Jaxom asked politely.
“Only one this time; Two lads had already gone to Telgar’s last Hatching so no complaints. No complaints. Although, if you’ve a clutch of firelizard eggs going a-begging, I wouldn’t say no to a couple.”