Chap. 165 The Scan
"A three day pass? How do you intend to spend it?" Rahman, the astronomer, asked.
K'ndar helped the elderly man board an obliging Raventh. Siskin chittered, ready to go.
"Um…I'm not sure. I'd intended to go exploring until your request came in, but had no idea where to go. It's, well, it feels strange, honestly, to suddenly have all this free time," he said.
"Why don't you spend those three days at Landing?" Rahman said, settling the straps around himself. He knew how powerful Raventh's takeoffs could be.
"I might as well. I packed my backpack for it, and brought some books, too,"K'ndar said.
"Never a bad idea to go prepared for sleeping somewhere other than your own weyr," Rahman said. He wriggled until he was comfortably between two of Raventh's spinal ridges.
"What you might want to do is what I used to do, when I was your age. I'd close my eyes over a map of Pern and make a big circle with my fingers over it for a few moments, then touch the map. Wherever it landed, that's where I'd go, if I could get a dragon to take me. Sometimes I'd board the first ship that would take me. I even went horseback, and sometimes, just walked. It was always fun, interesting," Rahman said. "I was and am forever taking readings from all points on the planet. That and making observations of weather patterns, the tides, the moons, I always had a way to 'pay my way'. The Council at Landing always made sure of that. That's important, it's why I like to think I'm welcome wherever I go."
K'ndar settled into his spot and made sure the harness was securely fastened. "I'll try that. I feel, well, a bit at odds with myself right now. So many of my classmates are settling down with partners or spouses, some have even started families. And I'm…well, I'm ambivalent about it. I don't think I'm ready to settle down. Not just yet, anyway," he said.
"There's a lot to be said for the nomadic life, K'ndar, I've done it for years. But there are downsides to it, too."
K'ndar turned to look at the old man behind him with a raised eyebrow.
"Logistics, K'ndar. Fancy word for food and shelter," the man said.
K'ndar nodded, thinking of how thin B'rost was.
"If you don't mind, sir, in the next few days, I'd like to ask you about being a 'nomad'. But for now, let's head for Landing. All secured?"
"Aye, young man. All secured. Lead on," and K'ndar, knowing well the last line, chimed in, "MacDuff."
____________________________________________________________________________
The chief of Landing's Flight Ops was a pleasant young woman, the antithesis of Pattis.
"You want to go where?"
"I don't know. I'd going to use Rahman's method of choosing," K'ndar said.
She laughed. "He's so nice. We are always happy to have him here. He's like a grandfather to the kids,and, well, to me," she said, unrolling a large flight map of the planet.
"He's like that to me. More like a father, really," K'ndar said.
She looked hard at him, hearing something in his voice.
"Let me guess. Your father wasn't the best of people?" she asked,warily.
He looked at her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," she said, backing off.
"No, not to worry. You're spot on. He was an evil man, and I am glad he's gone. Rahman and my weyrleaders gave me a lot of support when I needed it."
She nodded.
"I understand, I had something similar, but in my case it was my mother. Only fostering saved me, I think."
They shared eye contact for several moments, each lost in their memories.
He shook his head to scatter the dark memories of Hanliss.
"Right then, let me do the Rahman Method of Exploration," he said. He shut his eyes and made a circle in the air.
"No, not that way. Horizontally," the girl said, giggling, "there's no map in the air."
He opened his eyes and laughed, then shut them again and spun his hand horizontally.
"Three times. No less," she said.
"Sheesh," he said, eyes still close, but obeyed.
"Now, touch," she said.
He plunked a finger down onto the map and opened his eyes.
"Huh. The Eastern Archipelago," he said.
That's where you really wanted to go anyway Raventh said.
It is, isn't it!
It was true. The moment B'rost had said that the islands were empty of humans and beautiful, he'd wanted to see them.
"Good choice!" Ops said, "but we'll have to get a view of them from the Yokohama before I can let you go."
"Why?"
"You know why, K'ndar, you're a dragonrider. It's because some of them have been used to,um, maroon bad people. Like the Abominators who destroyed things at Harper Hall and the Printers Hall, when they kidnapped Robinton, remember? Poor Robinton, I am convinced they were the cause of his death. And they tried to destroy Aivas. After Council tried them, one of the dragonriders took them out to some of the islands and deposited them, as a way of punishing them without hurting them," she said, looking troubled.
"You're right. I'd forgotten," he said, abashed. Having done that duty himself, he knew exactly what she meant.
"So we'll look at the islands through the starship's eye, see if there's any that inhabited, and that way you can avoid those. Most of them have no dragonstones or logged coordinates," she said. She turned to a computer terminal at her elbow.
What a wonderful thing, he thought, the computer and the starship's eye in the sky, and Aivas's information, still providing knowledge.
She called up a live view of the archipelago. The islands were scattered across the entire screen.
"Whoa," he said, "there's…hundreds of them," he said, awed.
"Yes. Some of them are just tiny little specks of coral no bigger than a dragon. The map can't show them all. But there are plenty that are large enough, and have sources like water, to live on. Those are the ones I can sort through to see if it's okay to land on," she said.
"And…you can do that, right now?"
"Well, the easiest and most reliable way is to back up to last night, let's say about just after sundown, to see if there's human activity," she said.
"After dark?" he asked, "how can you do that?"
She giggled, enjoying the chance to show off.
"What do people do after dark?"
Mate Raventh snarked.
He laughed out loud.
She recognized the reason.
"Let me guess, your dragon said something funny," she said.
"Yes, …he said we mate," he said, laughing.
She roared.
He was beginning to like her, a lot. He stuffed that thought into his mind before Raventh could remark on it…
"ANYWAY, let's get our minds back to business. What do people do that's NOT MATING, dragon! after dark?" she said, knowing Raventh would hear.
"Um……well, we sit around a fire, or take walks, or…"
"Right. We move around. We're always putting out heat, and the Yokohama has cameras that see in the infrared and also has 'thermal imaging," she said. "For instance, you're from?"
"Kahrain Steppe Weyr" he said, now hooked.
She typed in the data and said, "Okay, I see that your weyr has a…a building? Oh, it's a pavilion. Nice! See that red spot? That's a firepit. This is from just at dawn this morning, before the sun warmed everything up. Look. You can see the heat signature from the fire, it's fairly low, it means there's no flame, just hot coals. Now, see, there are two people entering it. The pavilion must be thatched instead of stone roof because you can still see their heat signature, although it's muted. One of them….it looks like he stirs up a fire, because see? Suddenly there's a big spot of heat, right in front of the two people," she said. "That's the fire, putting out more heat than that of a human," she said.
A chill ran up his spine. That was him and B'rost, talking in the pavilion. It was eerie, seeing himself from this height. It felt..well, almost a violation of his privacy. As if there was privacy from the starship??
"By the egg, that's ME. And B'rost," he said.
"Hm! Well, anyway, if I back out, if I zoom out, like this, look, you can see heat signatures from dragons, ones that are out on their ledges rather than inside in their weyrs. See over here? That's livestock out in their pastures. Anything that puts out heat, I can see. You won't see people right now, because everyone is still in their weyrs. There's your watch dragon, up on that ridgeline.
Oh, did did you see that? A night wherry, flying over your heads. There's a cat, I think. Too small to see from this resolution.
But it's only effective after dark. It can't see through rock or deep water. Once the sun comes up, thermal imaging is useless. Too much 'background radiation'. We have other ways of seeing activity during the day, but this is easiest and reliable. Soooooooooooo, that's why I want to look at the islands, if I see that there's NO sign of heat signatures, those are islands safe for you to explore on," she said, smugly.
I love this job, she thought, it's so much fun, so interesting, I meet so many interesting people.. just wish I could go SEE some of these places.
She scrolled over the island chains, the dark screen showing the occasional sea creature breaking the surface of the water. Small dots of seabirds looked like snow. I didn't know they flew after dark, he thought. That's something no one knew…well, maybe the sailors did, but they probably never reported it.
There were spots on what he knew were islands that had obvious heat signatures. As the tech zoomed in, he saw firepits, he saw human figures walking around.
"Whoa. That's incredible," he said, utterly transfixed.
"It IS. Of course, there are times when you see people, um………"
"Yeah, I know. Don’t' say it too loud, my dragon will make a comment," he said.
Too late
He laughed. She giggled.
"Ah, here we go. This is a good sized one, way down here, near the equator. I don't see a sign of anything," she said.
She toggled the daylight scan.
"Here is a live view of it, as it is right now. I'm going to zoom in, scan the island…it's not too big, and..I don't see anything, really, that makes me think there's someone living there,"
He looked, too. "If I remember correctly, when the criminals were put on the islands, the dragonrider didn't tell anyone which islands he put them on," he said.
"Correct. He kept that information secret, because they were bad people. And he didn't group them, every one was put on his own island. As you can see, there's a LOT of them. But…I can see them. I know which ones are inhabited and which are not. So take a good look at this one, here, and memorize it, because there's no coordinates," she said.
He did. Raventh, look at this island. Siskin, you too. Memorize.
Got it, Raventh said, a few moments later. Siskin has it, too. There's that rock formation at the northern edge, it's distinctive
He could see trees bending down over the surf's edge. Old palm leaves littered the strand. I think those are palms, he thought, brought here by the colonists. I'm glad I brought my marine biology book.
"Got it. So does Raventh. Thank you," he said. "Do you want me to report on it when I return?"
"Yes, please. We're always wanting data like this. I have to report you as going there, it's just regular procedure, you know. It looks nice, I…I think I'd like to see it someday," she said, wistfully.
He heard it. He almost asked her to go with him, but the words died when he realized he really didn't want to have company, this time. But she could see it in his face.
29 March 2020
25 March 2020
Chap. 164 Three Day Pass
Chap. 164 Three Day Pass
Eager to go exploring, K'ndar had just mounted Raventh when the dragon said,
The Weyrleader wishes you to report to Flight Ops
What? I'm off, K'ndar thought in irritation. For a few moments, he considered ignoring it. But Raventh had passed the message from M'rvin via the Weyrleader's bronze Arcturuth…and dragons were incapable of lying. Or shirking their duty…
Sighing, K'ndar dismounted and said, Tell them I'm on my way.
"Siskin, stay with Raventh," he said to his fire lizard.
The blue cheeped and amiably settled into his accustomed position just in front of the saddle.
"K'ndar reporting as requested, sir," he said, entering Flight Ops. M'rvin, the Weyrleader, and Pattis, the Flight Ops chief were standing in front of the office's slate board. He stole a quick glance at the duty roster. He knew that his name was not on it, but checked anyway.
M'rvin turned.
"Good morning, K'ndar, I'm sorry to interrupt your plans for today, but I've received a transport request."
K'ndar, aggrieved, said, "Begging your pardon, sir, but I'm not scheduled for any duty today, having had watch dragon yesterday."
"Watch your tongue, dragonrider," Pattis snapped.
He looked hard at her. Two years ago, he would have been quaking in his boots, but now? he thought of her as a pain in the ass. She had nothing but disdain for dragonriders in general and, it had become apparent early on, him in particular. But he knew he was not alone, that she didn't like anyone, really. She lived alone, without so much as a pet.
Pattis had always been a sour, cranky woman who was convinced that her position gave her absolute authority over any dragonrider save the Weyrleaders themselves. Gossip had it that she sometimes acted as though she outranked even them. Having been rejected at at least three Hatchings-rumor said it was more-she'd given up trying to impress a dragon, and had earned her position in the vital Flight Ops by demonstrating a genius for tracking and scheduling the myriad tasks of dragonriders. Despite her overbearing attitude and delight in terrorizing young Weyrlings, she'd been tolerated as her management kept things running like a well oiled machine.
"Got to keep a thumb on her, though," B'rant, the Weyrlingmaster had observed more than once.
K'ndar looked at her coldly. "Pattis, I always speak respectfully to and of my Weyrleaders. I am merely pointing out that I'm not scheduled for transport today. I read your duty roster daily, thus I know that one of the post graduates is scheduled for transport," he said, enunciating every syllable in his deepest tone of voice.
"Dragonrider..." she bristled, knowing his name but not willing to give him any respect if she could help it.
M'rvin interrupted. "Stand down, Ops, he's right and you know it. K'ndar, the person requesting transport asked for you specifically. It's Rahman, he'd like transport to Landing, if you would be so kind? I know it's your day off but," M'rvin said.
Ummm. Rahman. I should have known it, seeing as to how he came in on a ship yesterday, he thought.
He rummaged around in his mind, knowing he could legally refuse the task, but-Rahman had grown to be not only a mentor, a friend and a teacher, but even better, a father figure. And he did want to talk with Rahman.
It's okay. I like Rahman. We can go to Landing, and then we can go exploring THERE Raventh said.
That's a good idea he said, I don't think I've seen even a tenth of Landing.
"It's okay, sir, I'd be honored to transport Rahman," he said, although M'rvin knew K'ndar would take the job, "I don't mind. Rahman is my friend," he said.
Pattis harrumphed. "Didn't know you had any," she snarked.
"That was rude of you," he snapped back. He'd learned from others that the only way to handle her stuff was to hand it right back. By the egg, I'd love to see you mouth off to F'mart, he thought, he'd hand you your head, neatly sawn off and tagged with the advice to "feed to the wherries". He laughed.
She turned her back on him, studiously studying her slate board to avoid his eyes. Snippy young man.
M'rvin grinned.
"Sir," he thought suddenly of B'rost, "I would like a word with you in private?"
M'rvin looked at Pattis' back and then nodded. She did not turn around, but her shoulders bunched in obvious resentment. He'd make SURE she couldn't overhear them.
Outside and out of Ops' earshot, K'ndar reported what B'rost had told him about Greta's possible attempt at boarding the Yokohama.
The Weyrleader grew serious.
"That was a serious violation of what is virtually law, despite it's never been entered into the charter. I'll have to let Benden know. Thank you for telling me, I had no idea B'rost had returned," he said.
"He got back from Western this morning, sir, just after I was relieved of duty. I don't know if he intends to sign back into the Weyr or what. He looked rough, sir, thin and scruffy. Raventh talked to Rath and said he was so tired he couldn't hunt. They're both probably sleeping right now," K'ndar said.
M'rvin's mind began to race.
B'rost was a good scientist, and had done well against Thread, but had gained the reputation of being reckless and impulsive. He wasn't sure if he WANTED B'rost back on his roster of dragon riders.
Post-Thread had ushered in a new era, one where dragon riders were free to go when and where they wanted. Many of his riders had signed out, leaving the weyr for the older, fabled weyrs of the north, the ones with status. Benden, the most desirable and famous of all, had been forced to say 'no more, we're full up".
Part of him hoped B'rost was merely here for a free meal and a hot shower. D'nis, the former Weyrleader, and B'rant, the Weyrlingmaster, had both expressed dismay at B'rost's impulsive behavior. He was brave, no doubt about that-he'd witnessed B'rost's skill and courage when Thread was falling thick and fast. But he took unnecessary risks, M'rvin believed, solely to burnish his reputation.
No Weyrleader ever wanted to lose a rider through an accident, and B'rost seemed, at times, to be looking for one.
But Kahrain Steppe Weyr was shorthanded. Few riders from other weyrs had signed in. Why, he didn't know. Yet the tasks and requests for support from 'his' dragonriders' grew ever more numerous. Thankfully, his fears, like all weyrleaders, that dragonriders would become non-essential once Thread was eliminated, had proved groundless. Everyone, it seemed, wanted support.
"Did B'rost say HE tried to go to the Yokohama?" M'rvin said, hoping this would give him an edge on deciding whether to take B'rost back.
"No, sir. He didn't, at least he didn't say he did. And I know him well enough, I think that, for once, common sense held him back from doing so. I don't think he knew precisely what she was going to do. It's just…well, you don't abandon a fire lizard. That's what it sounded like to me, she managed to divert her lizard's attention long enough to prevent him from following her and Earth. Or maybe B'rost just got fed up with Greta and decided to come home."
He felt no shame in reporting on B'rost. The thought that he might be betraying B'rost's trust never occurred to him. What Greta had done probably ended up in her dying in outer space, as she-like anyone of his generation-had never been trained or equipped to function in airless space. Benden-and AIVAS-had specifically forbidden any further occupation of the starship.
He had read enough of recent history to know that a fire lizard had been the first to board the starship in order to turn on the life support systems before any human or dragon could teleport aboard. And only the smallest of dragons-Ruth-actually fit on the bridge itself. Would she have known to go inside rather than just go TO the starship?
He'd never seen a picture of the bridge, and those who did kept it a dark secret. How was it that Greta hadn't known this? Had she some information, some way of knowing what the bridge looked like? Did she not know there was no air in space? B'rost had said she had a 'gift', of being to go anywhere by merely imagining it. Had she thought that, maybe, it included the starship? Even with a so called gift, that was pushing one's luck. Maybe it was merely luck that was her 'gift'.
He remembered the saying race horse trainers lived by: You only have so much luck in life, don't waste it.
Didn't she pay attention in Weyrling school? For that matter, he wondered, what Weyr had she graduated from? He had no idea. Maybe she had told him and he'd forgotten. What he did know that every dragonrider, no, every person on Pern, had been told that the Yokohama was off limits, for any number of reasons. Maybe that was it-the lure of the forbidden, the excitement of danger coupled with a young adult's unfailing belief in one's invulnerability.
Sometimes people were fooled by what seemed a sure thing, like the steppe wherry that acts as if it were badly injured in order to lure a young dragon into approaching close enough to enable the wherry to kill and eat it.
"Then, until I talk to him, no violation has been committed, at least by B'rost," M'rvin said. "Nevertheless, I am going to have a talk with him. I won't mention that you reported to me, and I thank you for your doing so. You're a good man, K'ndar, and I'm glad to have you here at my Weyr," he said.
K'ndar dropped his eyes, humbled. "Thank you, sir. It was the right thing to do," he said.
"Aye, it was," M'rvin said. "I'm also obligated to report it to Benden. They'll want to talk to B'rost, I imagine. I admit, I'm glad Greta was never officially signed in as anything other than a guest, so I won't have a lot of explaining to do. Even so, I'll inform B'rant, as well, this will serve as a good lesson to teach the new Weyrling class, as well as a warning and reminder to anyone else in the weyrs who might be considering it," he said.
I will weigh what B'rost tells me and talk to the wingleaders before I make a decision on re-admitting him. They might not want him! he thought.
He might not WANT to be re-admitted, either Arcturuth, his bronze, said. Rath was just as reckless as B'rost. Like rider, like dragon.
Huh. You're right. I hadn't thought of that.
He reflected on what it must have felt like to die in the airless cold of space.
"Foolish girl," he said, shaking his head.
"Not a pleasant way to die, sir," K'ndar said.
"Aye, but I'll wager it was quick. Anyway, thank you, again, for briefing me, K'ndar. Hariko will know where B'rost is, and I'll let him sleep for the day. I'll have Arcturuth tell Rath that B'rost needs to report to me ASAP. But for now, off with you, sir, and thank you for stepping up to transport Rahman. I'll inform Pattis that you're to be credited for duty today."
He never minded tweaking Pattis when she had it coming. He remembered getting his share of her bile when he'd been a Weyrling. These days, only his rank as Weyrleader kept her respectful. But not too much tweak, he reminded himself, she does outstanding work. I hate to admit it, Flight Ops would be chaos without her.
"By the way, it's only fair that you are compensated for your time," M'rvin said, "so consider tomorrow and the next to be days off."
Delighted, K'ndar saluted with a laugh. Three days from now was a rest day. Essentially, he had a three day pass, starting now!
Eager to go exploring, K'ndar had just mounted Raventh when the dragon said,
The Weyrleader wishes you to report to Flight Ops
What? I'm off, K'ndar thought in irritation. For a few moments, he considered ignoring it. But Raventh had passed the message from M'rvin via the Weyrleader's bronze Arcturuth…and dragons were incapable of lying. Or shirking their duty…
Sighing, K'ndar dismounted and said, Tell them I'm on my way.
"Siskin, stay with Raventh," he said to his fire lizard.
The blue cheeped and amiably settled into his accustomed position just in front of the saddle.
"K'ndar reporting as requested, sir," he said, entering Flight Ops. M'rvin, the Weyrleader, and Pattis, the Flight Ops chief were standing in front of the office's slate board. He stole a quick glance at the duty roster. He knew that his name was not on it, but checked anyway.
M'rvin turned.
"Good morning, K'ndar, I'm sorry to interrupt your plans for today, but I've received a transport request."
K'ndar, aggrieved, said, "Begging your pardon, sir, but I'm not scheduled for any duty today, having had watch dragon yesterday."
"Watch your tongue, dragonrider," Pattis snapped.
He looked hard at her. Two years ago, he would have been quaking in his boots, but now? he thought of her as a pain in the ass. She had nothing but disdain for dragonriders in general and, it had become apparent early on, him in particular. But he knew he was not alone, that she didn't like anyone, really. She lived alone, without so much as a pet.
Pattis had always been a sour, cranky woman who was convinced that her position gave her absolute authority over any dragonrider save the Weyrleaders themselves. Gossip had it that she sometimes acted as though she outranked even them. Having been rejected at at least three Hatchings-rumor said it was more-she'd given up trying to impress a dragon, and had earned her position in the vital Flight Ops by demonstrating a genius for tracking and scheduling the myriad tasks of dragonriders. Despite her overbearing attitude and delight in terrorizing young Weyrlings, she'd been tolerated as her management kept things running like a well oiled machine.
"Got to keep a thumb on her, though," B'rant, the Weyrlingmaster had observed more than once.
K'ndar looked at her coldly. "Pattis, I always speak respectfully to and of my Weyrleaders. I am merely pointing out that I'm not scheduled for transport today. I read your duty roster daily, thus I know that one of the post graduates is scheduled for transport," he said, enunciating every syllable in his deepest tone of voice.
"Dragonrider..." she bristled, knowing his name but not willing to give him any respect if she could help it.
M'rvin interrupted. "Stand down, Ops, he's right and you know it. K'ndar, the person requesting transport asked for you specifically. It's Rahman, he'd like transport to Landing, if you would be so kind? I know it's your day off but," M'rvin said.
Ummm. Rahman. I should have known it, seeing as to how he came in on a ship yesterday, he thought.
He rummaged around in his mind, knowing he could legally refuse the task, but-Rahman had grown to be not only a mentor, a friend and a teacher, but even better, a father figure. And he did want to talk with Rahman.
It's okay. I like Rahman. We can go to Landing, and then we can go exploring THERE Raventh said.
That's a good idea he said, I don't think I've seen even a tenth of Landing.
"It's okay, sir, I'd be honored to transport Rahman," he said, although M'rvin knew K'ndar would take the job, "I don't mind. Rahman is my friend," he said.
Pattis harrumphed. "Didn't know you had any," she snarked.
"That was rude of you," he snapped back. He'd learned from others that the only way to handle her stuff was to hand it right back. By the egg, I'd love to see you mouth off to F'mart, he thought, he'd hand you your head, neatly sawn off and tagged with the advice to "feed to the wherries". He laughed.
She turned her back on him, studiously studying her slate board to avoid his eyes. Snippy young man.
M'rvin grinned.
"Sir," he thought suddenly of B'rost, "I would like a word with you in private?"
M'rvin looked at Pattis' back and then nodded. She did not turn around, but her shoulders bunched in obvious resentment. He'd make SURE she couldn't overhear them.
Outside and out of Ops' earshot, K'ndar reported what B'rost had told him about Greta's possible attempt at boarding the Yokohama.
The Weyrleader grew serious.
"That was a serious violation of what is virtually law, despite it's never been entered into the charter. I'll have to let Benden know. Thank you for telling me, I had no idea B'rost had returned," he said.
"He got back from Western this morning, sir, just after I was relieved of duty. I don't know if he intends to sign back into the Weyr or what. He looked rough, sir, thin and scruffy. Raventh talked to Rath and said he was so tired he couldn't hunt. They're both probably sleeping right now," K'ndar said.
M'rvin's mind began to race.
B'rost was a good scientist, and had done well against Thread, but had gained the reputation of being reckless and impulsive. He wasn't sure if he WANTED B'rost back on his roster of dragon riders.
Post-Thread had ushered in a new era, one where dragon riders were free to go when and where they wanted. Many of his riders had signed out, leaving the weyr for the older, fabled weyrs of the north, the ones with status. Benden, the most desirable and famous of all, had been forced to say 'no more, we're full up".
Part of him hoped B'rost was merely here for a free meal and a hot shower. D'nis, the former Weyrleader, and B'rant, the Weyrlingmaster, had both expressed dismay at B'rost's impulsive behavior. He was brave, no doubt about that-he'd witnessed B'rost's skill and courage when Thread was falling thick and fast. But he took unnecessary risks, M'rvin believed, solely to burnish his reputation.
No Weyrleader ever wanted to lose a rider through an accident, and B'rost seemed, at times, to be looking for one.
But Kahrain Steppe Weyr was shorthanded. Few riders from other weyrs had signed in. Why, he didn't know. Yet the tasks and requests for support from 'his' dragonriders' grew ever more numerous. Thankfully, his fears, like all weyrleaders, that dragonriders would become non-essential once Thread was eliminated, had proved groundless. Everyone, it seemed, wanted support.
"Did B'rost say HE tried to go to the Yokohama?" M'rvin said, hoping this would give him an edge on deciding whether to take B'rost back.
"No, sir. He didn't, at least he didn't say he did. And I know him well enough, I think that, for once, common sense held him back from doing so. I don't think he knew precisely what she was going to do. It's just…well, you don't abandon a fire lizard. That's what it sounded like to me, she managed to divert her lizard's attention long enough to prevent him from following her and Earth. Or maybe B'rost just got fed up with Greta and decided to come home."
He felt no shame in reporting on B'rost. The thought that he might be betraying B'rost's trust never occurred to him. What Greta had done probably ended up in her dying in outer space, as she-like anyone of his generation-had never been trained or equipped to function in airless space. Benden-and AIVAS-had specifically forbidden any further occupation of the starship.
He had read enough of recent history to know that a fire lizard had been the first to board the starship in order to turn on the life support systems before any human or dragon could teleport aboard. And only the smallest of dragons-Ruth-actually fit on the bridge itself. Would she have known to go inside rather than just go TO the starship?
He'd never seen a picture of the bridge, and those who did kept it a dark secret. How was it that Greta hadn't known this? Had she some information, some way of knowing what the bridge looked like? Did she not know there was no air in space? B'rost had said she had a 'gift', of being to go anywhere by merely imagining it. Had she thought that, maybe, it included the starship? Even with a so called gift, that was pushing one's luck. Maybe it was merely luck that was her 'gift'.
He remembered the saying race horse trainers lived by: You only have so much luck in life, don't waste it.
Didn't she pay attention in Weyrling school? For that matter, he wondered, what Weyr had she graduated from? He had no idea. Maybe she had told him and he'd forgotten. What he did know that every dragonrider, no, every person on Pern, had been told that the Yokohama was off limits, for any number of reasons. Maybe that was it-the lure of the forbidden, the excitement of danger coupled with a young adult's unfailing belief in one's invulnerability.
Sometimes people were fooled by what seemed a sure thing, like the steppe wherry that acts as if it were badly injured in order to lure a young dragon into approaching close enough to enable the wherry to kill and eat it.
"Then, until I talk to him, no violation has been committed, at least by B'rost," M'rvin said. "Nevertheless, I am going to have a talk with him. I won't mention that you reported to me, and I thank you for your doing so. You're a good man, K'ndar, and I'm glad to have you here at my Weyr," he said.
K'ndar dropped his eyes, humbled. "Thank you, sir. It was the right thing to do," he said.
"Aye, it was," M'rvin said. "I'm also obligated to report it to Benden. They'll want to talk to B'rost, I imagine. I admit, I'm glad Greta was never officially signed in as anything other than a guest, so I won't have a lot of explaining to do. Even so, I'll inform B'rant, as well, this will serve as a good lesson to teach the new Weyrling class, as well as a warning and reminder to anyone else in the weyrs who might be considering it," he said.
I will weigh what B'rost tells me and talk to the wingleaders before I make a decision on re-admitting him. They might not want him! he thought.
He might not WANT to be re-admitted, either Arcturuth, his bronze, said. Rath was just as reckless as B'rost. Like rider, like dragon.
Huh. You're right. I hadn't thought of that.
He reflected on what it must have felt like to die in the airless cold of space.
"Foolish girl," he said, shaking his head.
"Not a pleasant way to die, sir," K'ndar said.
"Aye, but I'll wager it was quick. Anyway, thank you, again, for briefing me, K'ndar. Hariko will know where B'rost is, and I'll let him sleep for the day. I'll have Arcturuth tell Rath that B'rost needs to report to me ASAP. But for now, off with you, sir, and thank you for stepping up to transport Rahman. I'll inform Pattis that you're to be credited for duty today."
He never minded tweaking Pattis when she had it coming. He remembered getting his share of her bile when he'd been a Weyrling. These days, only his rank as Weyrleader kept her respectful. But not too much tweak, he reminded himself, she does outstanding work. I hate to admit it, Flight Ops would be chaos without her.
"By the way, it's only fair that you are compensated for your time," M'rvin said, "so consider tomorrow and the next to be days off."
Delighted, K'ndar saluted with a laugh. Three days from now was a rest day. Essentially, he had a three day pass, starting now!
23 March 2020
Chap. 163 B'rost's Return
Chap. 163 B'rost's return
He was finishing breakfast when he heard a familiar voice say "Hello, K'ndar!" behind him.
It was B'rost, with a tray laden with food.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
Flabbergasted, K'ndar could only nod dumbly.
B'rost sat and began to eat.
After a few moments of watching, K'ndar saw how thin the blue rider was, and how he was gobbling as if he'd not eaten in a month.
He was torn. He wanted to head out on Raventh, go exploring. But his sudden re-appearance demanded some answers from the prodigal B'rost.
B'rost looked up and could see it. He paused.
"You're on your way to somewhere?" he said.
K'ndar nodded.
"I won't keep you, then."
K'ndar felt confusion and aggravation all in the same vexing moment.
"Right. You vanish like a dragon without warning and weeks later show up and I'm not supposed to wonder?"
"I know," B'rost said, between mouthfuls.
K'ndar wondered if the other was messing with him for some unknown reason. Shaff it, I want to go…
You won't be able to relax as long as you're wondering all these wonders. So talk to him and then we can still go exploring. Rath is here, he ate the scraps the fire lizards missed on a two day old kill, and then went to sleep. He said he was too tired to hunt. He looks exhausted and as if he's not been oiled in over a month. Raventh said.
That's about how long they've been gone. Is Earth with him?
No. He didn't say a thing about her. Just licked the bones clean and fell asleep by the skeleton.
B'rost's eating had slowed, and several minutes later, he sighed and put down his fork. He'd left not even a crumb.
"Done?" K'ndar asked.
B'rost nodded.
K'ndar collected their trays and dishes and returned them, then sat down with a mug of klah.
B'rost took a sip, but it was obvious that, for the moment, he was satiated.
"By the egg, you ate enough to fill a dragon. WHAT ….
"It's the first full meal I've had in a month," B'rost said.
"No doubt. You're rail thin and Raventh said Rath was so tired he couldn't hunt, he licked the bones clean from a two day old skeleton. WHAT in…"
"It's a long story, K'ndar, and I know you're probably pissed that we left without so much as good bye."
"You're right, there, and I'm not going to apologize for prying. Why did you just skyhoot off without a bit of notice, where is Greta, what have you been up to?"
B'rost sighed. "Come on, let's go out to the firepit, so we're not taking up room, and we can talk a little more privately," he said, standing up.
Exasperated, but intrigued, K'ndar agreed.
The sun felt good on his shoulders. It was coming on fall, and while the day would warm up, still, there was a chill in the early morning air. The firepit, while not active, would still have coals. He stirred them up until a small fire re-ignited.
"Speak," K'ndar ordered.
"I'm sorry, well, I am sorry that we left just like that. It was Greta's idea, she insisted I go along with her. But I'm not going to apologize for her," B'rost said. "I should have said SOMETHING to somebody, I guess," he said.
"Where is she?" K'ndar demanded, wondering why he was so worried about the girl.
"I…I don't know."
"What? You don't know? What the shaff…"
"I know you're pissed. It was just so sudden, you know? She said, Come on, let's get out of here, you and me, I'm bored. SO we…just did."
K'ndar lost his temper. B'rost had always been rash, taking risks without thinking things through beforehand. Maybe it was his place to check him, like a fractious horse. He knew he was probably the only one who could get through to B'rost. Maybe, he thought, I'm the only friend B'rost had. Or Greta.
"B'rost, your impulsiveness, this thoughtlessness is going to get you killed someday," K'ndar snapped.
"It almost did, K'ndar. It almost did." B'rost said, and his tone sobered K'ndar.
"First, we headed just, everywhere. Like a feather on the wind. She led the way, she chose where we went. I swear, she knows every spot on this planet. She's from Northern, and we went from hold to hold, you'd think she was a Wanderer. Every day it was move, move. Almost as if she were searching for something. I've never known someone so antsy. Always ready to move on, first here, then there, flitting like a fly from one spot to the next. We'd sleep outside. We'd eat what we'd find, fruit, berries. Sometimes we'd even steal a hunk of meat from one of the dragon's kills, but that wasn't often, because, well, we didn't have permission to hunt on other weyrs or holds. Sometimes we even raided a farmer's orchard. Sometimes we'd hide the dragons and walk to a farmer's hold and beg for something to eat. Most times we weren't welcome, people thought we were either Holdless bums or raiders and now I know why some holders dislike them. Sometimes they'd set their dogs onto us, but Roany would chase them off.
Greta loved it. She loved what she called 'the nomads' life. But me? I know, now, I don't want that life."
"But…why?" K'ndar asked, now entranced.
"I'm getting there," B'rost said, rubbing his face, "I'm still sort of confused myself. It's like I was mesmerized by her, by the, oh, the thrill of adventuring, of doing something with someone who, yeah, you're right, is riskier than me. I liked her, K'ndar, I've never gotten to know a girl as much as her, and we both love geology. Oh, we have seen some spots on Pern that are just AMAZING for a geologist. There were places I'd happily live in, just give me my hammer and a specimen bag and I could spend a year there. I had to give up collecting specimens, I had two bags full of rocks and we were moving, moving.
But part of it was, she knew Earth was coming into heat, and Greta didn't want to…um,…welllllll, she didn't want to have sex with anyone."
"Oh." K'ndar said. Warily, he asked, "She knew about your being gay, right?"
"Yes, she knew. I think that's why she insisted on me coming with her. She said it, she said I was safe because even if our dragons mated, which they did, I wouldn't want to have sex with her."
He shook his head. "She was right, K'ndar, but it made me feel, well, like I was being used, like I'd been chosen, not for who I was but what. Chosen!! Like I didn't have feelings? Like I was a gelding? I liked her a LOT, but not in that way, even when Earth and Rath mated," he said, reddening.
"Did you feel anything? Any…um, desire for her?"
"Oh, shards, yes…but, well, K'ndar, you're straight, I don't think it's something anyone who is can understand. But let me get to the end, and then you can go do what you had planned because I need a bath and then I need to get some sleep," B'rost said.
K'ndar looked at the sun, it was still early enough that he and Raventh could do just that.
"About a week ago, she said, let's go to Far Western, I want to show you something. She had the most phenomenal memory, K'ndar, I think she had every cairn, every dragonstone, every coordinate in her head. She even said it, she said, "there's no place on this planet that I can't visualize," and by the egg, she could. She had this gift, like an artist or a musician, all she had to do was imagine it and we'd pop into the spot. We even went to the islands, they're beautiful, K'ndar, you should see them. The sea is so clear you can see meters and meters to the bottom. And she got us there that just by thinking that she'd been there."
"Had she been there before?"
"No! That's what I'm saying, maybe she looked at a map? But she said she'd never been to one physically. There was no cairn, no dragonstone, no obvious coordinate that I could see. By then, I'd seen her gift, how it worked, so when she pushed the image into Earth, Rath picked it up and boom, we were there, on this beautiful, empty beach. When she dismounted, it was like she'd won something, she said, "One left," and she didn't explain."
He sighed and sat down on one of the benches. K'ndar joined him, still wanting to head out on on Raventh, but snared by B'rost's account.
"So we went to Far Western continent. She wanted to 'see more of it,' from your expedition. You're right, it's interesting, but it's not habitable, at least in my opinion. It's not even geologically interesting. We spent a few days there, watching how the new telescope is coming along. It's a good spot you found, K'ndar, I think it's the best ever for a telescope, and I'm no astronomer," B'rost said, "it's in a seismically calm zone, they won't have to worry about quakes."
"Don't give us the credit, it was the Sea Dragon's captain who found it, after all the time we'd spent surveying," K'ndar said, wondering if he knew about the cave where they'd found the opals.
"She said that. I was fascinated by how the scope is going up. We also went to that big caisson you found, on the northern side of the strait, and I'm sorry but I can't figure out what it was built for, either," B'rost said.
"Did you, um, go inland? Like way into the interior?"
"No, she said there was nothing there, just willows and stuff so thick there's no place for a dragon to land. She said it was the most boring, featureless landscape she'd ever seen," B'rost said.
"She's right," K'ndar said, relieved. He wasn't worried about B'rost finding out about the opals as much as him blabbing to the world about it, provoking a treasure-hunting rush. Far Western needed to stay wild.
"Anyway, after that, we went back to the first telescope and she talked the staff into letting her look through it. It's incredibly powerful, far more than the little one we have here. She spent almost an hour just looking through it, the staff had to shoo us out of the observatory, you know? I mean, I looked through it. I saw the moons and the Yokohama, but what's there to see? It's boring, really. But she looked at the Yokohama for almost that whole time. And after that she got strange, quiet, like she was upset with me.
We were lucky, the staff let us sleep in one of the rooms they had set aside for visitors, because they remembered her from the expedition. We even got a few good meals from their kitchen. I helped clean up for them, to repay them. They're nice people there, but they get so many yobs there, people who just want to bother them, they usually have to run people off.
Greta got very irritable, testy, like when Earth was in heat. I was afraid, K'ndar, afraid of her wanting something from me that I wasn't willing or able to provide. She didn't want to talk about what was on her mind, and I finally lost my temper and said I was tired of this, I'm ready to go home. She said, that was fine with her, she was done with me, anyway. Then she left, and I fell asleep." He shook his head.
"The next morning, she was gone and I figured she'd left without me. I told the staff I was leaving, thank you for putting us up, did they know where Greta was? and no one knew.
Rath said Earth had gone between, but Roany was with him. With Rath, not Earth. Roany was crying."
""Crying""?
B'rost nodded.
"He didn't go with Earth and Greta?" K'ndar asked, astounded.
"No. He was crying, I don't know much about fire lizards but I've never heard one make that sound. It sounded like, well, like crying. He was in a frenzy, searching, popping in and out of between, calling, looking everywhere, like a mother dog does when her puppy is missing. He was frantic, K'ndar. He kept looking for Greta, Rath said, he was out of his mind. He asked Roany where was his mum, where was Earth and all he could get out of Roany was darkness, and a bright light."
"Then, Roany vanished and didn't come back. Rath said he'd gone between. Forever."
K'ndar gulped.
"And Greta? Earth?"
B'rost shook his head.
"I hung around all day, waiting for her, wondering what was going on. Then I figured it out."
"What? Figured what out?"
"She said something, once, long before we left the weyr, about there being only 'two spots left on her list'. I didn't know what she meant, at the time. Now I think that we did all that moving around like, well, like it was a contest of hers, a hunt, you know? Marking off the spots she'd always wanted to see? When we landed on one of the islands she seemed..gratified. As if she'd won something. Then we took off again. And now I think I know where she went, and I have a feeling it didn't end up well," he sighed.
"Why?" K'ndar asked, feeling an icicle growing in his stomach.
"Rath said he couldn't hear Earth. You know what I think? I think…I think Greta tried to get to the Yokohama," B'rost said.
He began to cry.
He was finishing breakfast when he heard a familiar voice say "Hello, K'ndar!" behind him.
It was B'rost, with a tray laden with food.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
Flabbergasted, K'ndar could only nod dumbly.
B'rost sat and began to eat.
After a few moments of watching, K'ndar saw how thin the blue rider was, and how he was gobbling as if he'd not eaten in a month.
He was torn. He wanted to head out on Raventh, go exploring. But his sudden re-appearance demanded some answers from the prodigal B'rost.
B'rost looked up and could see it. He paused.
"You're on your way to somewhere?" he said.
K'ndar nodded.
"I won't keep you, then."
K'ndar felt confusion and aggravation all in the same vexing moment.
"Right. You vanish like a dragon without warning and weeks later show up and I'm not supposed to wonder?"
"I know," B'rost said, between mouthfuls.
K'ndar wondered if the other was messing with him for some unknown reason. Shaff it, I want to go…
You won't be able to relax as long as you're wondering all these wonders. So talk to him and then we can still go exploring. Rath is here, he ate the scraps the fire lizards missed on a two day old kill, and then went to sleep. He said he was too tired to hunt. He looks exhausted and as if he's not been oiled in over a month. Raventh said.
That's about how long they've been gone. Is Earth with him?
No. He didn't say a thing about her. Just licked the bones clean and fell asleep by the skeleton.
B'rost's eating had slowed, and several minutes later, he sighed and put down his fork. He'd left not even a crumb.
"Done?" K'ndar asked.
B'rost nodded.
K'ndar collected their trays and dishes and returned them, then sat down with a mug of klah.
B'rost took a sip, but it was obvious that, for the moment, he was satiated.
"By the egg, you ate enough to fill a dragon. WHAT ….
"It's the first full meal I've had in a month," B'rost said.
"No doubt. You're rail thin and Raventh said Rath was so tired he couldn't hunt, he licked the bones clean from a two day old skeleton. WHAT in…"
"It's a long story, K'ndar, and I know you're probably pissed that we left without so much as good bye."
"You're right, there, and I'm not going to apologize for prying. Why did you just skyhoot off without a bit of notice, where is Greta, what have you been up to?"
B'rost sighed. "Come on, let's go out to the firepit, so we're not taking up room, and we can talk a little more privately," he said, standing up.
Exasperated, but intrigued, K'ndar agreed.
The sun felt good on his shoulders. It was coming on fall, and while the day would warm up, still, there was a chill in the early morning air. The firepit, while not active, would still have coals. He stirred them up until a small fire re-ignited.
"Speak," K'ndar ordered.
"I'm sorry, well, I am sorry that we left just like that. It was Greta's idea, she insisted I go along with her. But I'm not going to apologize for her," B'rost said. "I should have said SOMETHING to somebody, I guess," he said.
"Where is she?" K'ndar demanded, wondering why he was so worried about the girl.
"I…I don't know."
"What? You don't know? What the shaff…"
"I know you're pissed. It was just so sudden, you know? She said, Come on, let's get out of here, you and me, I'm bored. SO we…just did."
K'ndar lost his temper. B'rost had always been rash, taking risks without thinking things through beforehand. Maybe it was his place to check him, like a fractious horse. He knew he was probably the only one who could get through to B'rost. Maybe, he thought, I'm the only friend B'rost had. Or Greta.
"B'rost, your impulsiveness, this thoughtlessness is going to get you killed someday," K'ndar snapped.
"It almost did, K'ndar. It almost did." B'rost said, and his tone sobered K'ndar.
"First, we headed just, everywhere. Like a feather on the wind. She led the way, she chose where we went. I swear, she knows every spot on this planet. She's from Northern, and we went from hold to hold, you'd think she was a Wanderer. Every day it was move, move. Almost as if she were searching for something. I've never known someone so antsy. Always ready to move on, first here, then there, flitting like a fly from one spot to the next. We'd sleep outside. We'd eat what we'd find, fruit, berries. Sometimes we'd even steal a hunk of meat from one of the dragon's kills, but that wasn't often, because, well, we didn't have permission to hunt on other weyrs or holds. Sometimes we even raided a farmer's orchard. Sometimes we'd hide the dragons and walk to a farmer's hold and beg for something to eat. Most times we weren't welcome, people thought we were either Holdless bums or raiders and now I know why some holders dislike them. Sometimes they'd set their dogs onto us, but Roany would chase them off.
Greta loved it. She loved what she called 'the nomads' life. But me? I know, now, I don't want that life."
"But…why?" K'ndar asked, now entranced.
"I'm getting there," B'rost said, rubbing his face, "I'm still sort of confused myself. It's like I was mesmerized by her, by the, oh, the thrill of adventuring, of doing something with someone who, yeah, you're right, is riskier than me. I liked her, K'ndar, I've never gotten to know a girl as much as her, and we both love geology. Oh, we have seen some spots on Pern that are just AMAZING for a geologist. There were places I'd happily live in, just give me my hammer and a specimen bag and I could spend a year there. I had to give up collecting specimens, I had two bags full of rocks and we were moving, moving.
But part of it was, she knew Earth was coming into heat, and Greta didn't want to…um,…welllllll, she didn't want to have sex with anyone."
"Oh." K'ndar said. Warily, he asked, "She knew about your being gay, right?"
"Yes, she knew. I think that's why she insisted on me coming with her. She said it, she said I was safe because even if our dragons mated, which they did, I wouldn't want to have sex with her."
He shook his head. "She was right, K'ndar, but it made me feel, well, like I was being used, like I'd been chosen, not for who I was but what. Chosen!! Like I didn't have feelings? Like I was a gelding? I liked her a LOT, but not in that way, even when Earth and Rath mated," he said, reddening.
"Did you feel anything? Any…um, desire for her?"
"Oh, shards, yes…but, well, K'ndar, you're straight, I don't think it's something anyone who is can understand. But let me get to the end, and then you can go do what you had planned because I need a bath and then I need to get some sleep," B'rost said.
K'ndar looked at the sun, it was still early enough that he and Raventh could do just that.
"About a week ago, she said, let's go to Far Western, I want to show you something. She had the most phenomenal memory, K'ndar, I think she had every cairn, every dragonstone, every coordinate in her head. She even said it, she said, "there's no place on this planet that I can't visualize," and by the egg, she could. She had this gift, like an artist or a musician, all she had to do was imagine it and we'd pop into the spot. We even went to the islands, they're beautiful, K'ndar, you should see them. The sea is so clear you can see meters and meters to the bottom. And she got us there that just by thinking that she'd been there."
"Had she been there before?"
"No! That's what I'm saying, maybe she looked at a map? But she said she'd never been to one physically. There was no cairn, no dragonstone, no obvious coordinate that I could see. By then, I'd seen her gift, how it worked, so when she pushed the image into Earth, Rath picked it up and boom, we were there, on this beautiful, empty beach. When she dismounted, it was like she'd won something, she said, "One left," and she didn't explain."
He sighed and sat down on one of the benches. K'ndar joined him, still wanting to head out on on Raventh, but snared by B'rost's account.
"So we went to Far Western continent. She wanted to 'see more of it,' from your expedition. You're right, it's interesting, but it's not habitable, at least in my opinion. It's not even geologically interesting. We spent a few days there, watching how the new telescope is coming along. It's a good spot you found, K'ndar, I think it's the best ever for a telescope, and I'm no astronomer," B'rost said, "it's in a seismically calm zone, they won't have to worry about quakes."
"Don't give us the credit, it was the Sea Dragon's captain who found it, after all the time we'd spent surveying," K'ndar said, wondering if he knew about the cave where they'd found the opals.
"She said that. I was fascinated by how the scope is going up. We also went to that big caisson you found, on the northern side of the strait, and I'm sorry but I can't figure out what it was built for, either," B'rost said.
"Did you, um, go inland? Like way into the interior?"
"No, she said there was nothing there, just willows and stuff so thick there's no place for a dragon to land. She said it was the most boring, featureless landscape she'd ever seen," B'rost said.
"She's right," K'ndar said, relieved. He wasn't worried about B'rost finding out about the opals as much as him blabbing to the world about it, provoking a treasure-hunting rush. Far Western needed to stay wild.
"Anyway, after that, we went back to the first telescope and she talked the staff into letting her look through it. It's incredibly powerful, far more than the little one we have here. She spent almost an hour just looking through it, the staff had to shoo us out of the observatory, you know? I mean, I looked through it. I saw the moons and the Yokohama, but what's there to see? It's boring, really. But she looked at the Yokohama for almost that whole time. And after that she got strange, quiet, like she was upset with me.
We were lucky, the staff let us sleep in one of the rooms they had set aside for visitors, because they remembered her from the expedition. We even got a few good meals from their kitchen. I helped clean up for them, to repay them. They're nice people there, but they get so many yobs there, people who just want to bother them, they usually have to run people off.
Greta got very irritable, testy, like when Earth was in heat. I was afraid, K'ndar, afraid of her wanting something from me that I wasn't willing or able to provide. She didn't want to talk about what was on her mind, and I finally lost my temper and said I was tired of this, I'm ready to go home. She said, that was fine with her, she was done with me, anyway. Then she left, and I fell asleep." He shook his head.
"The next morning, she was gone and I figured she'd left without me. I told the staff I was leaving, thank you for putting us up, did they know where Greta was? and no one knew.
Rath said Earth had gone between, but Roany was with him. With Rath, not Earth. Roany was crying."
""Crying""?
B'rost nodded.
"He didn't go with Earth and Greta?" K'ndar asked, astounded.
"No. He was crying, I don't know much about fire lizards but I've never heard one make that sound. It sounded like, well, like crying. He was in a frenzy, searching, popping in and out of between, calling, looking everywhere, like a mother dog does when her puppy is missing. He was frantic, K'ndar. He kept looking for Greta, Rath said, he was out of his mind. He asked Roany where was his mum, where was Earth and all he could get out of Roany was darkness, and a bright light."
"Then, Roany vanished and didn't come back. Rath said he'd gone between. Forever."
K'ndar gulped.
"And Greta? Earth?"
B'rost shook his head.
"I hung around all day, waiting for her, wondering what was going on. Then I figured it out."
"What? Figured what out?"
"She said something, once, long before we left the weyr, about there being only 'two spots left on her list'. I didn't know what she meant, at the time. Now I think that we did all that moving around like, well, like it was a contest of hers, a hunt, you know? Marking off the spots she'd always wanted to see? When we landed on one of the islands she seemed..gratified. As if she'd won something. Then we took off again. And now I think I know where she went, and I have a feeling it didn't end up well," he sighed.
"Why?" K'ndar asked, feeling an icicle growing in his stomach.
"Rath said he couldn't hear Earth. You know what I think? I think…I think Greta tried to get to the Yokohama," B'rost said.
He began to cry.
14 March 2020
Chap. 162 Reflections
Chap. 162 Reflections
He never minded being on watch. Especially on fine days such as this one.
Perched atop the highest point of the weyr, K'ndar could see for what seemed to the ends of the world. The telescope was right next to him, and now he was confident in his ability to use it. If he were on night watch, he would look at the stars, or the starship, the Yokohama. He would love to go aboard her, he thought, knowing that it was probably the only ship in the world that he wouldn't get seasick aboard.
Raventh was resting alongside him. How like a cat he could be, K'ndar reflected, with his forelegs tucked under his chest, long tail wrapped alongside and his wings…well, cats didn't have wings, now did they?
How DID you humans manage without wings? Raventh asked.
K'ndar shrugged. I think the Terrans used birds, because I do remember reading about them flying, but I don't really know. I know they had machines that could fly and of course, the starships.
It's better to have more than one way to move around. I can walk. I can fly. I can go between
That's true, although dolphins don't have wings OR feet and as far as I know, they don't go between, and they manage just fine.
I see some, right now, to the northwest. In front of that ship.
He was suddenly dismayed at his failure to see it. He'd been so engrossed in his book-which wasn't quite legal when one was on watch, but nobody had ever said he COULDN'T read while on duty-that he hadn't been paying attention. "Dereliction of Duty" rang in his mind and he very purposefully put the book away into his backpack. I won't let that happen again, he swore.
Now that Thread was gone, Watch duty had lessened in importance, but it was never wise to let one's guard down. There were still raiders, many heavily armed and ready to commit crimes and mayhem. Now he understood that Thread or no Thread, his job was to be Watching.
He could see a ship, obviously on course for the weyr. That was unusual. Being that the Weyr was southeast of Landing, and wasn't considered a true port, ships seldom docked at the weyr, unless they were traders.
He got up and looked through the telescope. He knew very little about ships, but this one looked oddly familiar. As he watched, he could see a group of dolphins jumping out of the water just ahead of its..bow? Yes, bow. Front part of the ship.
Raventh, pass the word to Arcturuth that a ship is approaching from the northwest. It is flying a…
he looked through the scope again to check the flag
flag bearing Tillek Sea Hold's colors.
What a convenience, he thought, not for the first time, to be able to communicate via dragon telepathy.
M'rvin says, message received and he is sending a welcoming party out to the dock Raventh responded within moments.
"Siskin. See that ship? Take a vision of it to Zeta. Lindea will know what ship it is," he asked his fire lizard.
The blue chirped, always happy to go and chat up a female, even if Lindea's gold would probably ignore him. He vanished.
Within a few moments, Zeta appeared, with a message pouch on her chest. She chirped, and allowed him to remove the expected message.
I'm hoping it's my brother, Braig. Can you give me a ride up to your post? I'm at the base of the weyr. L
He leaned over the precipitous edge of the granite ledge he was on and saw, far below, Lindea's familiar form. He waved. She waved back.
Raventh, would you please drop down and give Lindea a ride up here?
Of course. I like her, a lot. You should mate with her.
RAVENTH…although I would love to. It's..not to be, okay? Not right now, at least.
You humans are so strange in your mating patterns
Not ALL of us are as horny as dragons. I'm not.
I know Raventh snarked, and before K'ndar could retort, he'd risen to his feet, opened his wings, catching the warm updraft, and dropped below the lip of the cliff.
K'ndar thought how odd it looked to see his dragon being ridden by someone else. Oh, of course, he'd packed many people, but always as a passenger, not in HIS place of honor on the dragon's back.
You're getting fairly snarky, my dragon
Raventh snickered, then sobered.
It's just you and me who know we've never mated. Even Siskin has.
Within moments, Raventh flew back up to their perch high above the bowl. Siskin greeted Zeta with a chip, but she ignored him.
Lindea climbed off Raventh.
She turned and patted his leg.
"Thank you, Raventh," she said.
The brown rolled his eyes a bright blue. K'ndar didn't have to interpret his 'you're welcome'.
"K'ndar, it seems like forever since we've talked. I'm off duty, now. Let's see that ship you mentioned," she said.
Still a bit bemused by her presence as well as Raventh's rather sharp comment, he said, "I know, I've been so busy. Anyway, have a look through the telescope, I've got it fairly well on her."
But she merely shaded her eyes from the afternoon sun and looked out to sea.
"Oh. That's not Braig. That's definitely not my brother's ship," she said, shaking her head.
"You can tell, even without the scope?"
"I'm shipbred, K'ndar. You learn to recognize ships, just from how they're rigged and even how they're handled. That's…um, I don't know who that ship is, I've never seen that cut of jib before. Okay, NOW I'll look through your scope."
"Here, showoff," K'ndar said, envious at her sharp eye and expertise, and a bit annoyed at her presumptuous tone.
"If nothing else, I know she's flying Tillek Sea Hold's colors," he said, glumly. She caught its emotional meaning.
"I'm sorry, K'ndar, I didn't mean to make it sound like it did. It's just…I know. Just like I bet you can tell dragons apart from a long ways away," she said.
He was mollified. "You're right. I can. And horses, too. Anyway, close one of your eyes and look through this end, it's called the ocular, with the open one."
After a few attempts, she said, "It's all…it's fuzzy," she said, "Is it supposed to be fuzzy?"
"No, I'll focus it. Tell me when it gets sharp, not fuzzy."
He turned the focus ring one way.
"No, that's worse!"
"It will be easier if you turn it. I can't see through it, of course," he said. "Give me your hand."
Without taking her eye from the eyepiece, she raised a hand.
"Twist it away or towards you until it gets sharp," he said, placing her fingers on the focus ring."
How lovely her hand was, despite the fact that she baked with them every day. It was a strong hand, that of a working woman, and yet still very feminine. And warm…
"Oh, oh, that's it. It's sharp and clear," she said, then gasped, "Wow, this is incredible. I can see..oh, I can see him! It's Rahman, the astronomer! I can see him at the taffrail!"
"Oh, good," K'ndar said, anxious to see the man through the scope.
But before he could, she said, "And dolphins…they're riding on the bow wave," she said. "Remember, our very first time we did a task, in the barn? Afterwards, when we walked on the beach and you told me to not feel stupid?"
He nodded, remembering it, as if it were a century ago, rather than just a couple years. How time had flown!
"I do, I remember that day, we were walking on the beach after mucking out stalls," he said.
"Yes, and you didn't know what a bow wave was," she said, backing off from the scope. "I couldn't explain a bow wave, we weren't on a ship! But look, look at the bow of the ship, you'll see the dolphins, riding on a wave of water just at the keel of the ship. That's the edge, down the middle at the very front of the ship. That water is called the bow wave!"
K'ndar put his eye to the scope, refocused it, and saw several dolphins, all leaping or disappearing on a foaming white curl of water in front of the ship. The wave looked solid but the foaming white top told how fast the ship was going. The dolphins were frolicking in it, capable of much faster speed than any ship.
"Ohhhhhhhh, NOW I understand," he said, "I remember thinking a bow wave was something you could CLEAN!"
She laughed, and he couldn’t help but join her.
"But now I know, and this is the best way to learn," he said, "because, maybe you didn’t know this, but I learned the hard way that I'm no seaman. I get seasick."
"Oh, no, K'ndar. Really? I'm not boasting, but I was born at sea, and I've never been seasick. Not once. But I know it can be very nasty. I'm so sorry. How long before you got better? From what I've seen, it usually only takes a few days to get over it," she said.
"Not me, Lindea. It was when we were up at Tillek Sea Hold. I got aboard a ship, the Sea Dragon.
It was at the dock. We weren't even moving, and I got so sick, I had to run back to the dock and lost my breakfast. I couldn't even look at food for the rest of the day," he said, mournfully.
Biting her lip, she covered her mouth to hide her amusement.
He hung his head, embarrassed, and a bit resentful. Yet another seaman, laughing at his inability to tolerate the sea. Should have kept that to yourself, K'ndar.
Ashamed of herself, Lindea, put her hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry, K'ndar, I don't mean to laugh at you. It's not funny, not from how I've seen some people suffer," she apologized.
He looked in her eyes. He believed her.
"I felt…well, so stupid. So…dumb. It didn't help that everyone on the docks was laughing at me. I got the nickname Seasick at the Dock," he said, sadly.
She shook her head. "I'm not going to apologize for arses like that. It's not right. Some seamen, some sailors, they can only boast about being a seaman, because they can't do anything else or function anywhere else but on a ship, where someone else is making all the decisions for them. Put them on land and they're helpless as a fish out of water. If it makes you feel better, I've never seen a landsman who didn't get seasick. Most of the time they adapt, if they're out at sea long enough," she said, softly.
"I didn't even make it out to sea! The ship started going up and down while tied to the dock and suddenly I was sick. I wanted to die. I swear, you'll never get me aboard a ship again. I'll swim if I have to, and I'm a lousy swimmer," he said.
Why bother. We can fly wherever we want Raventh said.
He laughed, feeling better with the support from his dragon.
"Raventh?" she asked, recognizing the momentary inward look on K'ndar's face.
He nodded, smiling.
"He reminded me that a dragon can FLY anywhere we want," he said.
"See? You're right, he's right. It takes days to get anywhere on a ship. It takes you, what, three breaths? And you talk to each other. All the time. Ships don't talk in your mind, they're…just ships."
She felt better, seeing K'ndar's normal self-confidence return. How I would have loved to have a dragon's soul in my heart, her voice in my head. Never alone, never again, once you impressed a dragon. But now she knew herself so much better. I don't regret making that decision, she thought.
"If you remember, K'ndar, in the barn, you had to show me how to hold a muck fork. I hadn't ever been in a barn or that close to a horse in my life. I still don't know much about them other than you and so many others are absolutely crazy about them. And your sister, she's so young and yet she rides like she was born in the saddle. So we were both feeling stupid that day, and me especially, because you were the first person I ever admitted to that I didn't want to impress a dragon," she said. "You didn’t laugh at me, for being afraid, you …you helped me."
She dropped her eyes for a moment. "I wanted to have that person, that dragon in my head and my heart," she said, "but I was afraid to admit to even myself that I didn't want the rest of it. You showed me that it was okay to be honest with myself. You gave me hope and the courage to admit something before I made a big, terrible mistake." She sighed.
He nodded, unable to speak through the knot in his throat.
"You helped me so much that day, K'ndar," she said, gently, "and you have always been my friend."
He gulped, feeling a wave of emotion that had no name-but felt wonderful.
He never minded being on watch. Especially on fine days such as this one.
Perched atop the highest point of the weyr, K'ndar could see for what seemed to the ends of the world. The telescope was right next to him, and now he was confident in his ability to use it. If he were on night watch, he would look at the stars, or the starship, the Yokohama. He would love to go aboard her, he thought, knowing that it was probably the only ship in the world that he wouldn't get seasick aboard.
Raventh was resting alongside him. How like a cat he could be, K'ndar reflected, with his forelegs tucked under his chest, long tail wrapped alongside and his wings…well, cats didn't have wings, now did they?
How DID you humans manage without wings? Raventh asked.
K'ndar shrugged. I think the Terrans used birds, because I do remember reading about them flying, but I don't really know. I know they had machines that could fly and of course, the starships.
It's better to have more than one way to move around. I can walk. I can fly. I can go between
That's true, although dolphins don't have wings OR feet and as far as I know, they don't go between, and they manage just fine.
I see some, right now, to the northwest. In front of that ship.
He was suddenly dismayed at his failure to see it. He'd been so engrossed in his book-which wasn't quite legal when one was on watch, but nobody had ever said he COULDN'T read while on duty-that he hadn't been paying attention. "Dereliction of Duty" rang in his mind and he very purposefully put the book away into his backpack. I won't let that happen again, he swore.
Now that Thread was gone, Watch duty had lessened in importance, but it was never wise to let one's guard down. There were still raiders, many heavily armed and ready to commit crimes and mayhem. Now he understood that Thread or no Thread, his job was to be Watching.
He could see a ship, obviously on course for the weyr. That was unusual. Being that the Weyr was southeast of Landing, and wasn't considered a true port, ships seldom docked at the weyr, unless they were traders.
He got up and looked through the telescope. He knew very little about ships, but this one looked oddly familiar. As he watched, he could see a group of dolphins jumping out of the water just ahead of its..bow? Yes, bow. Front part of the ship.
Raventh, pass the word to Arcturuth that a ship is approaching from the northwest. It is flying a…
he looked through the scope again to check the flag
flag bearing Tillek Sea Hold's colors.
What a convenience, he thought, not for the first time, to be able to communicate via dragon telepathy.
M'rvin says, message received and he is sending a welcoming party out to the dock Raventh responded within moments.
"Siskin. See that ship? Take a vision of it to Zeta. Lindea will know what ship it is," he asked his fire lizard.
The blue chirped, always happy to go and chat up a female, even if Lindea's gold would probably ignore him. He vanished.
Within a few moments, Zeta appeared, with a message pouch on her chest. She chirped, and allowed him to remove the expected message.
I'm hoping it's my brother, Braig. Can you give me a ride up to your post? I'm at the base of the weyr. L
He leaned over the precipitous edge of the granite ledge he was on and saw, far below, Lindea's familiar form. He waved. She waved back.
Raventh, would you please drop down and give Lindea a ride up here?
Of course. I like her, a lot. You should mate with her.
RAVENTH…although I would love to. It's..not to be, okay? Not right now, at least.
You humans are so strange in your mating patterns
Not ALL of us are as horny as dragons. I'm not.
I know Raventh snarked, and before K'ndar could retort, he'd risen to his feet, opened his wings, catching the warm updraft, and dropped below the lip of the cliff.
K'ndar thought how odd it looked to see his dragon being ridden by someone else. Oh, of course, he'd packed many people, but always as a passenger, not in HIS place of honor on the dragon's back.
You're getting fairly snarky, my dragon
Raventh snickered, then sobered.
It's just you and me who know we've never mated. Even Siskin has.
Within moments, Raventh flew back up to their perch high above the bowl. Siskin greeted Zeta with a chip, but she ignored him.
Lindea climbed off Raventh.
She turned and patted his leg.
"Thank you, Raventh," she said.
The brown rolled his eyes a bright blue. K'ndar didn't have to interpret his 'you're welcome'.
"K'ndar, it seems like forever since we've talked. I'm off duty, now. Let's see that ship you mentioned," she said.
Still a bit bemused by her presence as well as Raventh's rather sharp comment, he said, "I know, I've been so busy. Anyway, have a look through the telescope, I've got it fairly well on her."
But she merely shaded her eyes from the afternoon sun and looked out to sea.
"Oh. That's not Braig. That's definitely not my brother's ship," she said, shaking her head.
"You can tell, even without the scope?"
"I'm shipbred, K'ndar. You learn to recognize ships, just from how they're rigged and even how they're handled. That's…um, I don't know who that ship is, I've never seen that cut of jib before. Okay, NOW I'll look through your scope."
"Here, showoff," K'ndar said, envious at her sharp eye and expertise, and a bit annoyed at her presumptuous tone.
"If nothing else, I know she's flying Tillek Sea Hold's colors," he said, glumly. She caught its emotional meaning.
"I'm sorry, K'ndar, I didn't mean to make it sound like it did. It's just…I know. Just like I bet you can tell dragons apart from a long ways away," she said.
He was mollified. "You're right. I can. And horses, too. Anyway, close one of your eyes and look through this end, it's called the ocular, with the open one."
After a few attempts, she said, "It's all…it's fuzzy," she said, "Is it supposed to be fuzzy?"
"No, I'll focus it. Tell me when it gets sharp, not fuzzy."
He turned the focus ring one way.
"No, that's worse!"
"It will be easier if you turn it. I can't see through it, of course," he said. "Give me your hand."
Without taking her eye from the eyepiece, she raised a hand.
"Twist it away or towards you until it gets sharp," he said, placing her fingers on the focus ring."
How lovely her hand was, despite the fact that she baked with them every day. It was a strong hand, that of a working woman, and yet still very feminine. And warm…
"Oh, oh, that's it. It's sharp and clear," she said, then gasped, "Wow, this is incredible. I can see..oh, I can see him! It's Rahman, the astronomer! I can see him at the taffrail!"
"Oh, good," K'ndar said, anxious to see the man through the scope.
But before he could, she said, "And dolphins…they're riding on the bow wave," she said. "Remember, our very first time we did a task, in the barn? Afterwards, when we walked on the beach and you told me to not feel stupid?"
He nodded, remembering it, as if it were a century ago, rather than just a couple years. How time had flown!
"I do, I remember that day, we were walking on the beach after mucking out stalls," he said.
"Yes, and you didn't know what a bow wave was," she said, backing off from the scope. "I couldn't explain a bow wave, we weren't on a ship! But look, look at the bow of the ship, you'll see the dolphins, riding on a wave of water just at the keel of the ship. That's the edge, down the middle at the very front of the ship. That water is called the bow wave!"
K'ndar put his eye to the scope, refocused it, and saw several dolphins, all leaping or disappearing on a foaming white curl of water in front of the ship. The wave looked solid but the foaming white top told how fast the ship was going. The dolphins were frolicking in it, capable of much faster speed than any ship.
"Ohhhhhhhh, NOW I understand," he said, "I remember thinking a bow wave was something you could CLEAN!"
She laughed, and he couldn’t help but join her.
"But now I know, and this is the best way to learn," he said, "because, maybe you didn’t know this, but I learned the hard way that I'm no seaman. I get seasick."
"Oh, no, K'ndar. Really? I'm not boasting, but I was born at sea, and I've never been seasick. Not once. But I know it can be very nasty. I'm so sorry. How long before you got better? From what I've seen, it usually only takes a few days to get over it," she said.
"Not me, Lindea. It was when we were up at Tillek Sea Hold. I got aboard a ship, the Sea Dragon.
It was at the dock. We weren't even moving, and I got so sick, I had to run back to the dock and lost my breakfast. I couldn't even look at food for the rest of the day," he said, mournfully.
Biting her lip, she covered her mouth to hide her amusement.
He hung his head, embarrassed, and a bit resentful. Yet another seaman, laughing at his inability to tolerate the sea. Should have kept that to yourself, K'ndar.
Ashamed of herself, Lindea, put her hand on his arm.
"I'm sorry, K'ndar, I don't mean to laugh at you. It's not funny, not from how I've seen some people suffer," she apologized.
He looked in her eyes. He believed her.
"I felt…well, so stupid. So…dumb. It didn't help that everyone on the docks was laughing at me. I got the nickname Seasick at the Dock," he said, sadly.
She shook her head. "I'm not going to apologize for arses like that. It's not right. Some seamen, some sailors, they can only boast about being a seaman, because they can't do anything else or function anywhere else but on a ship, where someone else is making all the decisions for them. Put them on land and they're helpless as a fish out of water. If it makes you feel better, I've never seen a landsman who didn't get seasick. Most of the time they adapt, if they're out at sea long enough," she said, softly.
"I didn't even make it out to sea! The ship started going up and down while tied to the dock and suddenly I was sick. I wanted to die. I swear, you'll never get me aboard a ship again. I'll swim if I have to, and I'm a lousy swimmer," he said.
Why bother. We can fly wherever we want Raventh said.
He laughed, feeling better with the support from his dragon.
"Raventh?" she asked, recognizing the momentary inward look on K'ndar's face.
He nodded, smiling.
"He reminded me that a dragon can FLY anywhere we want," he said.
"See? You're right, he's right. It takes days to get anywhere on a ship. It takes you, what, three breaths? And you talk to each other. All the time. Ships don't talk in your mind, they're…just ships."
She felt better, seeing K'ndar's normal self-confidence return. How I would have loved to have a dragon's soul in my heart, her voice in my head. Never alone, never again, once you impressed a dragon. But now she knew herself so much better. I don't regret making that decision, she thought.
"If you remember, K'ndar, in the barn, you had to show me how to hold a muck fork. I hadn't ever been in a barn or that close to a horse in my life. I still don't know much about them other than you and so many others are absolutely crazy about them. And your sister, she's so young and yet she rides like she was born in the saddle. So we were both feeling stupid that day, and me especially, because you were the first person I ever admitted to that I didn't want to impress a dragon," she said. "You didn’t laugh at me, for being afraid, you …you helped me."
She dropped her eyes for a moment. "I wanted to have that person, that dragon in my head and my heart," she said, "but I was afraid to admit to even myself that I didn't want the rest of it. You showed me that it was okay to be honest with myself. You gave me hope and the courage to admit something before I made a big, terrible mistake." She sighed.
He nodded, unable to speak through the knot in his throat.
"You helped me so much that day, K'ndar," she said, gently, "and you have always been my friend."
He gulped, feeling a wave of emotion that had no name-but felt wonderful.
03 March 2020
Chap. 161 End of the Gather
Chap. 161 End of the Gather
K'ndar sat down in the shade of Lizard's caravan. The sun, while late afternoon, was still very warm.
Siskin appeared and perched on K'ndar's shoulder, scolding him for being gone for so long.
"Tell me what all the noise was about, after the Stakes," Lizard asked. "I saw the aftermath, but I stayed out of the thick of it."
So K'ndar and Glyena filled him in.
"Ah, lassie, what a fitting end to a pair of misfits. I'm so glad it all came out right in the end," he said.
He poured some freshly brewed klah. K'ndar and Glyena each took a mug. She took a sip, but her eyes began to close.
Crunch, the dog, sniffed at their mugs, then curled up next to Glyena.
Within seconds, she was asleep.
Lizard looked at her sleeping form with a grin.
"Wore her out, did you?"
"Truth be told, I could do with a nap myself. It's been a long day. I had planned on going to the horse auction, but now? I think I'll let her sleep for a few minutes, then we'll head home. Oh, wait, I need to ask Terylin if she wants a ride home," K'ndar said, feeling sleep tugging at his eyes. To forestall it, he asked, "Will you be staying on? I think this is a two day Gather?"
"It is," Lizard said, sipping at his mug, "And I am. Like you, I want to go see the horse auction. I looked the horses over earlier, after the cattle auction. See 'em? See at the end of the paddocks, the individual ones? That bay, Drummer, in the 3K was in one of them. I don't see him right now, but earlier, I saw one of the Ruathans leading him there after his race," Lizard said.
"Drummer! Glyena was going to ride him, until the real rider showed up, and I am so glad she got off. He was…….well, crazy. Not mean, but, not a riding horse. Not at all," K'ndar said. He looked for the bay, but didn't see him.
"No doubt. He was a handful from the start. I had considered bidding on him at the auction, but after his nonsense in the race, I'll let him go to someone more willing to risk a broken neck," Lizard said.
"I heard one of their staff say he was a perfect horse in harness. I think they're going to sell him as a cart horse," K'ndar said, "and I think they said a Wanderer was interested in him. Funny thing, I had one of them come up to me, just before that race. He insisted I put a bet on the filly. Said I'd done him a 'good turn', although I can't remember ever seeing him before, and this was how he wanted to repay me."
Lizard gawped. "You did, tell me you bet on the filly."
K'ndar nodded. "I was a bit skeptical, but yes, I did. She paid…well, quite well, honestly, especially for a beginner like me," he said.
Lizard laughed. "Good lad. When a Wanderer vouches for someone, or some horse, take 'em at their word. They're odd, you know, they've always acted as if they're not really Pernese and they keep to themselves, but they're honorable people and they know horses better than anyone else on the planet.
The thing with racers is to not get overconfident in your ability to 'guage' a horse, especially a hot one in a new environment or with strange horses around. I made that mistake, even though I know better."
"You didn't bet on Drummer, did you?"
Lizard nodded, ruefully. "Sorry to say, I did. But not a lot. I don't like to lose big."
K'ndar shook his head. He knew it wasn't polite to ask how much someone lost-or won.
"Well, I didn't bet after that, even though I knew Swiftsure would win. He's a grand horse, he is." K'ndar said.
"I'll be switched," Lizard said, looking out the auction ring, "Someone made a deal."
K'ndar saw a small, wizened man leading Drummer away from where the horses up for auction were sequestered before the auction.
"That's…that's him," he said.
"That man with the bay?" Lizard said.
"Yes. It looks like he bought Drummer. He's the one who told me to bet the filly," K'ndar said.
Something told him to go talk to him. Without explanation, he got up and ran to the man.
Drummer had been cooled out and fed, and was minding his manners.
K'ndar stopped the man.
"Sir, I want to thank you for your tip," he said.
The man smiled shyly, yet with a tinge of pride.
"You took my advice, did you?"
"Yes sir," he said, and something pulled the words from him, "I wonder if you'd want to share a little of what I won?"
The man looked surprised, then grateful. Drummer nuzzled him. The action surprised K'ndar, knowing how bizarre the bay had acted earlier.
"Ah, that's kind of you, my man, but no, thank you. You did me a good turn, when you rescued one of our little girls from a handful of raiders. I can't take your money, although I do appreciate it," he said.
Lizard joined them.
Ah, now I remember, K'ndar thought. "I remember now, sir. Please tell me you bet on the filly, too," he begged.
The man laughed. "I did, of course. Of course! I bred and raised her, don't you know? Own her dam AND sire. She was a racer from the very first, she told me so. I'm too old to break and train a racehorse anymore, but that young girl you rescued? My niece? She has the touch, you know, she backed the filly and taught her well-because she listens to the horse.
And her elders…but I don't need a race horse, I need a good carthorse, and I could see from the start this here Drummer is no racer. Fast, yes, but I could see from the start he was more interested in showing his bollocks, despite having lost them, rather than settle down and do his work. Horse like this, he needs a harness to keep his mind on his job. So,well, I talked to the Ruathans. They wanted the filly, I wanted a harness horse, so we…well, let's just say no money changed hands, but both parties are happy," he said.
Drummer seemed enchanted with his new owner. Lizard is right, he thought, the Wanderers DO seem to have a special way with horses, something even I don't have and I've been a horseman since I was born.
"Seems to me the horse is happy, too," Lizard interjected.
The Wanderer smiled and patted the horse on the neck.
K'ndar smiled, and turned to Lizard. Knowing, now, that Lizard preferred to maintain a professional mien in public, he said, "Sir, this man is…"
"Probably looking to barter or buy a new harness for this horse, correct?" Lizard interrupted.
The Wandered looked at him.
"I know you as Fire Lizard Man, and word is you're an honorable man and a fair trader. Aye, I DO need a harness, I've got a good one in my caravan but it won't fit this gelding. I bet you've got just the one I need," he said.
Lizard smiled. "Aye, you're a sharp one, sir. Won't you come to my caravan? Let this horse graze while we fit him," he said.
K'ndar looked at him and grinned. He knew business was about to be done, and that Lizard was now 'on duty'.
"Thank you for the transaction, sir, I'll just pick up my gear and be on my way," he said.
Lizard winked.
____________________________________________________________________________
"K'ndar,I want to go home," Glyena said, "I'm tired." They'd shouldered their packs. Somehow they felt heavier than when they'd grounded them at Lizard's caravan.
"I am too, I'm ready, but we need to check with Terilyn before we leave. She might want a ride back home," he said.
The crowds were beginning to thin. Most folks were heading for the food tents or to their own homes.
There would be music and dancing later that night, but neither of them were interested.
Terilyn was closing up her booth. Siskin immediately flew to Putzu and chirruped. She responded with an equally friendly chip.
"You're…packing up?" he asked her.
"I am. I'm sold out," Terilyn said, very pleased.
"Really! Everything?" K'ndar said, happy for his friend.
"Yes, and I've orders for more of just about everything. It'll keep me busy for weeks," she said.
Want some help packing?" K'ndar asked. Glyena didn't really want to help, she was VERY tired, but one look from her brother told her to shut up and help out. She began to untie the cables to the canopy.
"No, Glyena, the canopy itself is Ruatha's, leave it standing. My stuff, there's not much left, just my stool and tripods and the little crate," Terilyn said.
"This little one, it's empty," Glyena said.
"It IS! It breaks down, so that it packs nicely into the larger crate," Terilyn said, proud of her design.
"It's clever," Glyena said.
"Do you want a ride back to our weyr? Or your cothold?" K'ndar asked.
"Please? I had planned on staying through tomorrow, but now I have no reason to stay overnight, as I'd planned. Do you think I could stay at Kahrain tonight?"
"Shouldn't be a problem, Hariko usually has a room open for overnight guests," K'ndar said hoping he wasn't lying.
Putzu chirped at Siskin, in a tone of voice that sounded seductive.
"Don't tell me she's in heat again," K'ndar said, frowning. Terilyn had never indicated any anger with K'ndar for Siskin mating her Putzu earlier, but maybe that was because she was a kind, understanding soul. And there was no way to stop a fire lizard from mating. You couldn't sequester an animal that could go between.
"Yes, I'm afraid she is, she's a horny little thing at times. Thank goodness they're sterile, otherwise I'd be up to my ears in blues and greens."
"Green fire lizards are sterile?" Glyena said. K'ndar was surprised, too.
"Most of the time, I've found," Terilyn said, "although from what I've heard, they do sometimes have fertile eggs. They're not like golds, all a green can lay is green females and blue males. "Putzu is very good about making a nest and watching over her eggs, for a while, then she sort of forgets about them and leaves them. I think she can tell they're not good eggs." she said.
She kissed at Putzu, who obediently left Siskin and flew to her shoulder.
"How did you know they only lay greens and blues?" Glyena asked.
"I dissected some of the eggs after Putzu abandoned them. The embryos weren't full formed, it's as if they stopped developing at some point. But their color was obvious," she said.
"What about green dragons? Is it the same with them?" Glyena asked, looking at K'ndar.
"Wellllll, we've always been told that green dragons CAN'T lay eggs, I've always assumed it was because of them eating firestone, but now we don't have to do that, and the greens still go into heat and mate. But, since I've not heard of a green laying eggs, maybe, when Kitty Ping noodled around with their hormones she made it so that they're incapable of making eggs. Or maybe they're sterile from the start. I don't know," he said, thinking this would make a very interesting line of research.
They finished packing Terilyn's gear. "I thought you had more than this?" K'ndar asked.
"I did, I shipped two crates. But, like I said earlier, everything, to include the smaller crate breaks down to fit into the larger one. Everything is made of lightwood, so it's also fairly lightweight. I made half a dozen mistakes, designing it, but now it all fits nicely. Not, of course, when I bring the wheel, but I didn't bring it this time, if you'll recall.
I'll have to leave it, I'm going to let the gather manager know I'm leaving early, and he'll hopefully ship it back," she said.
Glyena looked at it. "K'ndar, can't Raventh carry it?"
He looked at the crate. Hmmm. It would be nice, he thought, to save Terilyn the cost of shipping it back.
Are you ready to go home? he asked Raventh.
I am. You are looking at that box?
I am. Can you carry it as well as the three of us?
Raventh 'looked' at it. K'ndar remembered Aivas telling them that dragons could lift anything they thought they could.
I think so, as long as it's balanced
Of course.That's a given.
Let's do it, then
K'ndar nodded. "Raventh says he can carry it," he said.
Terilyn smiled. "That would be nice, it would save me the time and the shipping costs. It's not too heavy, it's just a little bulky, is all." They each took a handle and K'ndar let Raventh 'feel' its weight.
She was right…it wasn't very heavy at all.
Shouldn't be too difficult Raventh said.
____________________________________________________________________________
He made sure Terilyn and Glyena were harnessed in and the crate balanced. The fire lizards were firmly set just behind Raventh's head.
There was just barely enough room for everyone and the crate. Well, Raventh WAS small, for a brown.
Yes, but I am still RAVENTH
K'ndar hugged the dragon's neck.
Of course you are, the best dragon on Pern
We look like a family of Wanderers, K'ndar thought, laughing inside his head, with everything but the kitchen sink.
What is a kitchen sink?
Never mind. You aren't carrying one.
"Did you have fun today, Glyena?" Terilyn asked.
"OH, YES ma'am…but I want to get some dinner and then go to bed," the girl said.
"Me too," K'ndar said.
K'ndar sat down in the shade of Lizard's caravan. The sun, while late afternoon, was still very warm.
Siskin appeared and perched on K'ndar's shoulder, scolding him for being gone for so long.
"Tell me what all the noise was about, after the Stakes," Lizard asked. "I saw the aftermath, but I stayed out of the thick of it."
So K'ndar and Glyena filled him in.
"Ah, lassie, what a fitting end to a pair of misfits. I'm so glad it all came out right in the end," he said.
He poured some freshly brewed klah. K'ndar and Glyena each took a mug. She took a sip, but her eyes began to close.
Crunch, the dog, sniffed at their mugs, then curled up next to Glyena.
Within seconds, she was asleep.
Lizard looked at her sleeping form with a grin.
"Wore her out, did you?"
"Truth be told, I could do with a nap myself. It's been a long day. I had planned on going to the horse auction, but now? I think I'll let her sleep for a few minutes, then we'll head home. Oh, wait, I need to ask Terylin if she wants a ride home," K'ndar said, feeling sleep tugging at his eyes. To forestall it, he asked, "Will you be staying on? I think this is a two day Gather?"
"It is," Lizard said, sipping at his mug, "And I am. Like you, I want to go see the horse auction. I looked the horses over earlier, after the cattle auction. See 'em? See at the end of the paddocks, the individual ones? That bay, Drummer, in the 3K was in one of them. I don't see him right now, but earlier, I saw one of the Ruathans leading him there after his race," Lizard said.
"Drummer! Glyena was going to ride him, until the real rider showed up, and I am so glad she got off. He was…….well, crazy. Not mean, but, not a riding horse. Not at all," K'ndar said. He looked for the bay, but didn't see him.
"No doubt. He was a handful from the start. I had considered bidding on him at the auction, but after his nonsense in the race, I'll let him go to someone more willing to risk a broken neck," Lizard said.
"I heard one of their staff say he was a perfect horse in harness. I think they're going to sell him as a cart horse," K'ndar said, "and I think they said a Wanderer was interested in him. Funny thing, I had one of them come up to me, just before that race. He insisted I put a bet on the filly. Said I'd done him a 'good turn', although I can't remember ever seeing him before, and this was how he wanted to repay me."
Lizard gawped. "You did, tell me you bet on the filly."
K'ndar nodded. "I was a bit skeptical, but yes, I did. She paid…well, quite well, honestly, especially for a beginner like me," he said.
Lizard laughed. "Good lad. When a Wanderer vouches for someone, or some horse, take 'em at their word. They're odd, you know, they've always acted as if they're not really Pernese and they keep to themselves, but they're honorable people and they know horses better than anyone else on the planet.
The thing with racers is to not get overconfident in your ability to 'guage' a horse, especially a hot one in a new environment or with strange horses around. I made that mistake, even though I know better."
"You didn't bet on Drummer, did you?"
Lizard nodded, ruefully. "Sorry to say, I did. But not a lot. I don't like to lose big."
K'ndar shook his head. He knew it wasn't polite to ask how much someone lost-or won.
"Well, I didn't bet after that, even though I knew Swiftsure would win. He's a grand horse, he is." K'ndar said.
"I'll be switched," Lizard said, looking out the auction ring, "Someone made a deal."
K'ndar saw a small, wizened man leading Drummer away from where the horses up for auction were sequestered before the auction.
"That's…that's him," he said.
"That man with the bay?" Lizard said.
"Yes. It looks like he bought Drummer. He's the one who told me to bet the filly," K'ndar said.
Something told him to go talk to him. Without explanation, he got up and ran to the man.
Drummer had been cooled out and fed, and was minding his manners.
K'ndar stopped the man.
"Sir, I want to thank you for your tip," he said.
The man smiled shyly, yet with a tinge of pride.
"You took my advice, did you?"
"Yes sir," he said, and something pulled the words from him, "I wonder if you'd want to share a little of what I won?"
The man looked surprised, then grateful. Drummer nuzzled him. The action surprised K'ndar, knowing how bizarre the bay had acted earlier.
"Ah, that's kind of you, my man, but no, thank you. You did me a good turn, when you rescued one of our little girls from a handful of raiders. I can't take your money, although I do appreciate it," he said.
Lizard joined them.
Ah, now I remember, K'ndar thought. "I remember now, sir. Please tell me you bet on the filly, too," he begged.
The man laughed. "I did, of course. Of course! I bred and raised her, don't you know? Own her dam AND sire. She was a racer from the very first, she told me so. I'm too old to break and train a racehorse anymore, but that young girl you rescued? My niece? She has the touch, you know, she backed the filly and taught her well-because she listens to the horse.
And her elders…but I don't need a race horse, I need a good carthorse, and I could see from the start this here Drummer is no racer. Fast, yes, but I could see from the start he was more interested in showing his bollocks, despite having lost them, rather than settle down and do his work. Horse like this, he needs a harness to keep his mind on his job. So,well, I talked to the Ruathans. They wanted the filly, I wanted a harness horse, so we…well, let's just say no money changed hands, but both parties are happy," he said.
Drummer seemed enchanted with his new owner. Lizard is right, he thought, the Wanderers DO seem to have a special way with horses, something even I don't have and I've been a horseman since I was born.
"Seems to me the horse is happy, too," Lizard interjected.
The Wanderer smiled and patted the horse on the neck.
K'ndar smiled, and turned to Lizard. Knowing, now, that Lizard preferred to maintain a professional mien in public, he said, "Sir, this man is…"
"Probably looking to barter or buy a new harness for this horse, correct?" Lizard interrupted.
The Wandered looked at him.
"I know you as Fire Lizard Man, and word is you're an honorable man and a fair trader. Aye, I DO need a harness, I've got a good one in my caravan but it won't fit this gelding. I bet you've got just the one I need," he said.
Lizard smiled. "Aye, you're a sharp one, sir. Won't you come to my caravan? Let this horse graze while we fit him," he said.
K'ndar looked at him and grinned. He knew business was about to be done, and that Lizard was now 'on duty'.
"Thank you for the transaction, sir, I'll just pick up my gear and be on my way," he said.
Lizard winked.
____________________________________________________________________________
"K'ndar,I want to go home," Glyena said, "I'm tired." They'd shouldered their packs. Somehow they felt heavier than when they'd grounded them at Lizard's caravan.
"I am too, I'm ready, but we need to check with Terilyn before we leave. She might want a ride back home," he said.
The crowds were beginning to thin. Most folks were heading for the food tents or to their own homes.
There would be music and dancing later that night, but neither of them were interested.
Terilyn was closing up her booth. Siskin immediately flew to Putzu and chirruped. She responded with an equally friendly chip.
"You're…packing up?" he asked her.
"I am. I'm sold out," Terilyn said, very pleased.
"Really! Everything?" K'ndar said, happy for his friend.
"Yes, and I've orders for more of just about everything. It'll keep me busy for weeks," she said.
Want some help packing?" K'ndar asked. Glyena didn't really want to help, she was VERY tired, but one look from her brother told her to shut up and help out. She began to untie the cables to the canopy.
"No, Glyena, the canopy itself is Ruatha's, leave it standing. My stuff, there's not much left, just my stool and tripods and the little crate," Terilyn said.
"This little one, it's empty," Glyena said.
"It IS! It breaks down, so that it packs nicely into the larger crate," Terilyn said, proud of her design.
"It's clever," Glyena said.
"Do you want a ride back to our weyr? Or your cothold?" K'ndar asked.
"Please? I had planned on staying through tomorrow, but now I have no reason to stay overnight, as I'd planned. Do you think I could stay at Kahrain tonight?"
"Shouldn't be a problem, Hariko usually has a room open for overnight guests," K'ndar said hoping he wasn't lying.
Putzu chirped at Siskin, in a tone of voice that sounded seductive.
"Don't tell me she's in heat again," K'ndar said, frowning. Terilyn had never indicated any anger with K'ndar for Siskin mating her Putzu earlier, but maybe that was because she was a kind, understanding soul. And there was no way to stop a fire lizard from mating. You couldn't sequester an animal that could go between.
"Yes, I'm afraid she is, she's a horny little thing at times. Thank goodness they're sterile, otherwise I'd be up to my ears in blues and greens."
"Green fire lizards are sterile?" Glyena said. K'ndar was surprised, too.
"Most of the time, I've found," Terilyn said, "although from what I've heard, they do sometimes have fertile eggs. They're not like golds, all a green can lay is green females and blue males. "Putzu is very good about making a nest and watching over her eggs, for a while, then she sort of forgets about them and leaves them. I think she can tell they're not good eggs." she said.
She kissed at Putzu, who obediently left Siskin and flew to her shoulder.
"How did you know they only lay greens and blues?" Glyena asked.
"I dissected some of the eggs after Putzu abandoned them. The embryos weren't full formed, it's as if they stopped developing at some point. But their color was obvious," she said.
"What about green dragons? Is it the same with them?" Glyena asked, looking at K'ndar.
"Wellllll, we've always been told that green dragons CAN'T lay eggs, I've always assumed it was because of them eating firestone, but now we don't have to do that, and the greens still go into heat and mate. But, since I've not heard of a green laying eggs, maybe, when Kitty Ping noodled around with their hormones she made it so that they're incapable of making eggs. Or maybe they're sterile from the start. I don't know," he said, thinking this would make a very interesting line of research.
They finished packing Terilyn's gear. "I thought you had more than this?" K'ndar asked.
"I did, I shipped two crates. But, like I said earlier, everything, to include the smaller crate breaks down to fit into the larger one. Everything is made of lightwood, so it's also fairly lightweight. I made half a dozen mistakes, designing it, but now it all fits nicely. Not, of course, when I bring the wheel, but I didn't bring it this time, if you'll recall.
I'll have to leave it, I'm going to let the gather manager know I'm leaving early, and he'll hopefully ship it back," she said.
Glyena looked at it. "K'ndar, can't Raventh carry it?"
He looked at the crate. Hmmm. It would be nice, he thought, to save Terilyn the cost of shipping it back.
Are you ready to go home? he asked Raventh.
I am. You are looking at that box?
I am. Can you carry it as well as the three of us?
Raventh 'looked' at it. K'ndar remembered Aivas telling them that dragons could lift anything they thought they could.
I think so, as long as it's balanced
Of course.That's a given.
Let's do it, then
K'ndar nodded. "Raventh says he can carry it," he said.
Terilyn smiled. "That would be nice, it would save me the time and the shipping costs. It's not too heavy, it's just a little bulky, is all." They each took a handle and K'ndar let Raventh 'feel' its weight.
She was right…it wasn't very heavy at all.
Shouldn't be too difficult Raventh said.
____________________________________________________________________________
He made sure Terilyn and Glyena were harnessed in and the crate balanced. The fire lizards were firmly set just behind Raventh's head.
There was just barely enough room for everyone and the crate. Well, Raventh WAS small, for a brown.
Yes, but I am still RAVENTH
K'ndar hugged the dragon's neck.
Of course you are, the best dragon on Pern
We look like a family of Wanderers, K'ndar thought, laughing inside his head, with everything but the kitchen sink.
What is a kitchen sink?
Never mind. You aren't carrying one.
"Did you have fun today, Glyena?" Terilyn asked.
"OH, YES ma'am…but I want to get some dinner and then go to bed," the girl said.
"Me too," K'ndar said.
02 March 2020
Chap. 160 Swiftsure's testimony
Chap. 160 Swiftsure's testimony
"Didn't bet on Swiftsure?" the stallion's handler asked K'ndar. They watched as the victorious Swiftsure trotted towards the Ruathan viewing platform.
"No, sir, I was absolutely convinced he was going to win, and from what little I know of betting, I wouldn't have won very much money," K'ndar replied. "Besides, I didn't want to tempt fate!"
The handler laughed. "Aye, well, you're right, and he ran exactly the way we've trained him to," he said. He stepped off the platform, heading for the paddock.
Glyena piped up, "He was out in front the whole way!"
Lord Jaxom turned and looked at her.
"Now that I have time, Miss Glyena, I'd like to thank you for alerting us to Swiftsure's having been tampered with," he said. He was grateful that he actually got to see his horse race, rather than listen to complaints from residents of his hold. "Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't had the courage to bring it to our attention?"
She nodded her head in respect. "You're welcome, my lord," she said, in her most proper voice. K'ndar felt proud of her deportment. Sometimes kids didn't listen when taught protocol, failing to understand its importance.
"Where is she going?" Rhian said. Ursula, on the stallion, had stopped. Then she spun the horse around, putting him into a fast trot and then a gallop.
She shouted, "Stop! Stop them!" She approached the railing at the far end of the track. "Hoka hey! Out of my way!" she cried. The people on the other side scattered.
"By the egg," Rhian said, "she's going to JUMP it?" and indeed, the chestnut rose and arced gracefully over the railing with plenty of room to spare.
One of the outriders galloped up to the platform. "My lord, Swiftsure's rider is chasing two men, she wanted me to tell you she recognized them!"
Rhian cursed. "And me without a horse!"
"Go after them," Jaxom cried, "have security grab them."
The outrider galloped after the stallion.
The crowds split in two as the girl on the horse hurried through them. It swirled around behind her, and they could hear confused shouting. Ursula was shrieking at the top of her voice. "Those men!" she cried, "stop them!"
Suddenly the pitch of the crowd's cries changed to one of victory.
"Come on, it sounds as if they've been caught," Jaxom said, leaping from the platform.
________________________________________________________________________
"Sorriest looking pair I've ever seen," Rhian said.
K'ndar had pulled Glyena behind him and the other Ruathans. Several men had the two between them. A crowd was on the other side of the railing, curious. The outrider had opened a gate to allow the stallion back onto the track. Ursula halted the stallion a little way from the group. His handler immediately came out and took the bridle.
"My lord," Ursula said, a wicked grin on her face, "these are the men who knocked me down, before the race," she said. The horse tossed his head up and down.
Jaxom nodded, and gave the two men an icy glare.
"He needs a cooling out and a nice dinner, ma'am," the handler said, wanting to care for the stallion. Still wet from the race, the horse rubbed his head against the man. "Get by, you daft beast," he said, smiling.
"Not yet, sir," Rhian said, "he'll be our witness."
K'ndar bent down and whispered into Glyena's ear, "Now, listen to them, with your eyes closed, okay? And be sure. If you're not, that's okay. Don't make it up, or pretend. Either they're the ones, or they're not." Glyena nodded and shut her eyes, tight.
Jaxom and Rhian looked at the men.
"Who are you? Where are you from?" Jaxom said, angrily.
"No one in particular," said one, smirking, and the other added, "Around."
"You knocked my rider over, purposefully, in order to sponge my horse," he said.
"No, my lord," they both said, their eyes wide.
"You most definitely are the same two who knocked me over," Ursula cried.
"What? What? I apologized, couldn't help it, this lout bumped into me," said one.
"I didn't even see him, it were an accident," said the other.
Glyena searched her memory as they spoke. She wanted them to be the ones who'd she'd heard. But she also wanted to be sure.
Rhian glanced at her. It was smart of K'ndar to bring her with, he thought, if Ursula's visual ID and Glyena's supporting voice recognition coincided, the men were about to find out what the inside of a cell looked like. Thank the egg I had the brains to invite them to the platform, otherwise, they'd have vanished in the crowds.
"I need more," she said, softly, her eyes still shut. Jaxom heard it.
"You're the two who stuffed a sponge up my horse's nose," Lord Jaxom said, "I don't appreciate that. That's not only cheating, which I do not condone, it's also cruelty to an animal."
"Nay! No, it wasn't me, it wasn't us," said one. The other one flinched. Everyone saw it.
The flincher shook his head. "I never touched him. Not once."
"Touched who? Convince me you're not the ones who tried to rig the race," Rhian said.
K'ndar could see Glyena's expression begin to change from uncertainty to conviction.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't touch this horse, Swiftsure, no, I didn't. I wasn't paying no mind where I was going, walked right into this man, here, don't know him from the moons, and he knocked the girl over. It were an accident, that's all, my lord, I swear," said the flincher.
Jaxom sounded cold. "And yet you're still walking around like best of mates, at my Gather, even though you're strangers?"
"My lord, it isn't what it looks like, it isn't," said the one.
Yes. Yes. Glyena was nodding her head. It was the same voices, the same odd accent.
She opened her eyes and caught Rhian's. She nodded, hard. Yes. He smiled, then turned his attention back to the two miscreants.
"Well, then, I have two witnesses who can attest to your plans, and by far the most important one is the horse himself. Why don't you let my stallion tell us which one of you sponged him?" Rhian said, getting angry.
"Yes, let's," said Ursula, "I've been holding him back. He's angry, you know, horses never forget someone who hurts them purposefully."
The handler jumped into the game.
"Last time someone tampered with him, he bit the man's nose off. Which of you wants to go first?"
"He bit a nose off?" one of them said, aghast.
"Oh, aye. The man who hurt him was lucky to not have lost the whole side of his face. Horses have strong jaws, you know. Here, lad, take a good whiff of this lout," the handler said to Swiftsure. He brought the stallion's head next to that of the man.
"No! I just did the bumping, it weren't me, I swear, no, it..."
"Quiet, you arse, if you're telling the truth, the horse will tell us," Rhian snapped.
The man struggled but the men holding him had iron grips.
"Give him a good sniff, there, that's my lad," the handler said to the horse. The man's eyes bugged out in terror, but the horse merely sniffed and then lifted his head. The man sagged in relief.
"You, you're next," the handler said.
The sponger quailed. He writhed in his captor's grip, helpless to escape.
"No, I swear, I didn't do it, it weren't me," he cried, his eyes nailed on the horse. The stallion was very near.
"Stand still, then, if you're innocent, he won't hurt you," Rhian said.
The stallion looked hard at the man, then sniffed him. His breath was hot on the man's cheek.
Swiftsure suddenly pinned his ears flat and squealed in anger. The handler cried, "Oh! He's pulling!"
The man collapsed, wailing in terror.
"No, please, don't let him bite me, please, I didn't mean no harm, I didn't, it were just a little sponge, I just wanted to make some money on a bet," he sobbed.
"But you DID mean to harm him. He's been injured, and you're responsible. I don't know a soul who goes about stuffing sponges up horse's noses just on a whim," Jaxom snarled.
"My lord, I think Swiftsure should bite him, just to settle matters," one of the men holding the man said, making the others laugh.
"Aye, perhaps on the bollocks as well, my lord?"
Jaxom laughed, then said, "And poison a good horse? I'm of the same mind, but I've a better idea for these louts."
"Thank you, Swiftsure," Rhian said, and to the handler, "Now, sir, he needs a good rubdown and a good dinner. He did very well today, he did," he said, patting the chestnut's neck. Ursula turned the stallion and headed for the paddock, the handler right alongside the horse, crooning to him.
"Seems as if you've done it before, eh? To other horses? At MY Gather?" Jaxom said, even more angry, now.
The one shook his head, looking up at Jaxom.
"Stand up, you pig. You were brave enough to hurt him, now you're not?" Jaxom snarled. Without waiting for a response, he said, "I find you guilty as charged. Your names and Hold?"
They were silent, looking down at their feet.
Lord Jaxom crossed his arms.
"I thought as much. No matter. I'll have you as my guests, in a deep, dark cell, until I talk to other horsemen and lords. I might even have you fed, now and then, that is, if the pigs leave anything"
He smiled.
"Sirs, if you would, please, take these louts to the cells. You know which ones I mean."
"Aye, my lord," said one, smugly, "the ones the tunnel snakes live in?"
"Aye. The very same ones," Jaxom grinned. "Outrider, follow them, if they break loose, run 'em down."
"My pleasure, my lord!" the rider said, grinning. The louts were manhandled away.
Before they could ask her, Glyena said, "That was them, my lord, on my honor."
He looked down at her, smiling. "Thank you, my little lady, for telling us. Thank you so much. Between Ursula seeing them, and you hearing them, we got them, didn't we?"
Glyena nodded, scowling. "I didn't think it was nice. It was wrong. And I don't like it when mean people hurt animals. Or people."
"I don't either," Lord Jaxom said. Rhian nodded in agreement.
Jaxom looked up at K'ndar. "You and your sister both have good minds and grand hearts. You both are always welcome here at Ruatha," he said.
"Thank you, my lord," K'ndar said. Glyena nodded.
"Maybe someday, if I can pull myself away from my duties, we'll go flying. It took me a while to realize who you are by your name. I've heard of some your discoveries from the folks at Landing. You'll have to show me around your weyr. You're from Kahrain, yes? I'm sorry if I've forgotten," he said.
"No need to apologize, my lord, and I would be honored, sir, to take you out onto the steppe, the weyr, anytime you like," K'ndar said, awed.
"And you can meet Jordan! He's little, but he's fast and I won a race on him at our Gather last summer," Glyena said. Everyone laughed. She suddenly turned serious.
"Would…did Swiftsure really bite someone's nose off?" Glyena said, awed.
The Ruathans laughed.
"No," the Ruathans chimed, and Rhian said, "No, Miss, he's mannerly. But yon criminal, he didn't know that!"
"Didn't bet on Swiftsure?" the stallion's handler asked K'ndar. They watched as the victorious Swiftsure trotted towards the Ruathan viewing platform.
"No, sir, I was absolutely convinced he was going to win, and from what little I know of betting, I wouldn't have won very much money," K'ndar replied. "Besides, I didn't want to tempt fate!"
The handler laughed. "Aye, well, you're right, and he ran exactly the way we've trained him to," he said. He stepped off the platform, heading for the paddock.
Glyena piped up, "He was out in front the whole way!"
Lord Jaxom turned and looked at her.
"Now that I have time, Miss Glyena, I'd like to thank you for alerting us to Swiftsure's having been tampered with," he said. He was grateful that he actually got to see his horse race, rather than listen to complaints from residents of his hold. "Who knows what would have happened if you hadn't had the courage to bring it to our attention?"
She nodded her head in respect. "You're welcome, my lord," she said, in her most proper voice. K'ndar felt proud of her deportment. Sometimes kids didn't listen when taught protocol, failing to understand its importance.
"Where is she going?" Rhian said. Ursula, on the stallion, had stopped. Then she spun the horse around, putting him into a fast trot and then a gallop.
She shouted, "Stop! Stop them!" She approached the railing at the far end of the track. "Hoka hey! Out of my way!" she cried. The people on the other side scattered.
"By the egg," Rhian said, "she's going to JUMP it?" and indeed, the chestnut rose and arced gracefully over the railing with plenty of room to spare.
One of the outriders galloped up to the platform. "My lord, Swiftsure's rider is chasing two men, she wanted me to tell you she recognized them!"
Rhian cursed. "And me without a horse!"
"Go after them," Jaxom cried, "have security grab them."
The outrider galloped after the stallion.
The crowds split in two as the girl on the horse hurried through them. It swirled around behind her, and they could hear confused shouting. Ursula was shrieking at the top of her voice. "Those men!" she cried, "stop them!"
Suddenly the pitch of the crowd's cries changed to one of victory.
"Come on, it sounds as if they've been caught," Jaxom said, leaping from the platform.
________________________________________________________________________
"Sorriest looking pair I've ever seen," Rhian said.
K'ndar had pulled Glyena behind him and the other Ruathans. Several men had the two between them. A crowd was on the other side of the railing, curious. The outrider had opened a gate to allow the stallion back onto the track. Ursula halted the stallion a little way from the group. His handler immediately came out and took the bridle.
"My lord," Ursula said, a wicked grin on her face, "these are the men who knocked me down, before the race," she said. The horse tossed his head up and down.
Jaxom nodded, and gave the two men an icy glare.
"He needs a cooling out and a nice dinner, ma'am," the handler said, wanting to care for the stallion. Still wet from the race, the horse rubbed his head against the man. "Get by, you daft beast," he said, smiling.
"Not yet, sir," Rhian said, "he'll be our witness."
K'ndar bent down and whispered into Glyena's ear, "Now, listen to them, with your eyes closed, okay? And be sure. If you're not, that's okay. Don't make it up, or pretend. Either they're the ones, or they're not." Glyena nodded and shut her eyes, tight.
Jaxom and Rhian looked at the men.
"Who are you? Where are you from?" Jaxom said, angrily.
"No one in particular," said one, smirking, and the other added, "Around."
"You knocked my rider over, purposefully, in order to sponge my horse," he said.
"No, my lord," they both said, their eyes wide.
"You most definitely are the same two who knocked me over," Ursula cried.
"What? What? I apologized, couldn't help it, this lout bumped into me," said one.
"I didn't even see him, it were an accident," said the other.
Glyena searched her memory as they spoke. She wanted them to be the ones who'd she'd heard. But she also wanted to be sure.
Rhian glanced at her. It was smart of K'ndar to bring her with, he thought, if Ursula's visual ID and Glyena's supporting voice recognition coincided, the men were about to find out what the inside of a cell looked like. Thank the egg I had the brains to invite them to the platform, otherwise, they'd have vanished in the crowds.
"I need more," she said, softly, her eyes still shut. Jaxom heard it.
"You're the two who stuffed a sponge up my horse's nose," Lord Jaxom said, "I don't appreciate that. That's not only cheating, which I do not condone, it's also cruelty to an animal."
"Nay! No, it wasn't me, it wasn't us," said one. The other one flinched. Everyone saw it.
The flincher shook his head. "I never touched him. Not once."
"Touched who? Convince me you're not the ones who tried to rig the race," Rhian said.
K'ndar could see Glyena's expression begin to change from uncertainty to conviction.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't touch this horse, Swiftsure, no, I didn't. I wasn't paying no mind where I was going, walked right into this man, here, don't know him from the moons, and he knocked the girl over. It were an accident, that's all, my lord, I swear," said the flincher.
Jaxom sounded cold. "And yet you're still walking around like best of mates, at my Gather, even though you're strangers?"
"My lord, it isn't what it looks like, it isn't," said the one.
Yes. Yes. Glyena was nodding her head. It was the same voices, the same odd accent.
She opened her eyes and caught Rhian's. She nodded, hard. Yes. He smiled, then turned his attention back to the two miscreants.
"Well, then, I have two witnesses who can attest to your plans, and by far the most important one is the horse himself. Why don't you let my stallion tell us which one of you sponged him?" Rhian said, getting angry.
"Yes, let's," said Ursula, "I've been holding him back. He's angry, you know, horses never forget someone who hurts them purposefully."
The handler jumped into the game.
"Last time someone tampered with him, he bit the man's nose off. Which of you wants to go first?"
"He bit a nose off?" one of them said, aghast.
"Oh, aye. The man who hurt him was lucky to not have lost the whole side of his face. Horses have strong jaws, you know. Here, lad, take a good whiff of this lout," the handler said to Swiftsure. He brought the stallion's head next to that of the man.
"No! I just did the bumping, it weren't me, I swear, no, it..."
"Quiet, you arse, if you're telling the truth, the horse will tell us," Rhian snapped.
The man struggled but the men holding him had iron grips.
"Give him a good sniff, there, that's my lad," the handler said to the horse. The man's eyes bugged out in terror, but the horse merely sniffed and then lifted his head. The man sagged in relief.
"You, you're next," the handler said.
The sponger quailed. He writhed in his captor's grip, helpless to escape.
"No, I swear, I didn't do it, it weren't me," he cried, his eyes nailed on the horse. The stallion was very near.
"Stand still, then, if you're innocent, he won't hurt you," Rhian said.
The stallion looked hard at the man, then sniffed him. His breath was hot on the man's cheek.
Swiftsure suddenly pinned his ears flat and squealed in anger. The handler cried, "Oh! He's pulling!"
The man collapsed, wailing in terror.
"No, please, don't let him bite me, please, I didn't mean no harm, I didn't, it were just a little sponge, I just wanted to make some money on a bet," he sobbed.
"But you DID mean to harm him. He's been injured, and you're responsible. I don't know a soul who goes about stuffing sponges up horse's noses just on a whim," Jaxom snarled.
"My lord, I think Swiftsure should bite him, just to settle matters," one of the men holding the man said, making the others laugh.
"Aye, perhaps on the bollocks as well, my lord?"
Jaxom laughed, then said, "And poison a good horse? I'm of the same mind, but I've a better idea for these louts."
"Thank you, Swiftsure," Rhian said, and to the handler, "Now, sir, he needs a good rubdown and a good dinner. He did very well today, he did," he said, patting the chestnut's neck. Ursula turned the stallion and headed for the paddock, the handler right alongside the horse, crooning to him.
"Seems as if you've done it before, eh? To other horses? At MY Gather?" Jaxom said, even more angry, now.
The one shook his head, looking up at Jaxom.
"Stand up, you pig. You were brave enough to hurt him, now you're not?" Jaxom snarled. Without waiting for a response, he said, "I find you guilty as charged. Your names and Hold?"
They were silent, looking down at their feet.
Lord Jaxom crossed his arms.
"I thought as much. No matter. I'll have you as my guests, in a deep, dark cell, until I talk to other horsemen and lords. I might even have you fed, now and then, that is, if the pigs leave anything"
He smiled.
"Sirs, if you would, please, take these louts to the cells. You know which ones I mean."
"Aye, my lord," said one, smugly, "the ones the tunnel snakes live in?"
"Aye. The very same ones," Jaxom grinned. "Outrider, follow them, if they break loose, run 'em down."
"My pleasure, my lord!" the rider said, grinning. The louts were manhandled away.
Before they could ask her, Glyena said, "That was them, my lord, on my honor."
He looked down at her, smiling. "Thank you, my little lady, for telling us. Thank you so much. Between Ursula seeing them, and you hearing them, we got them, didn't we?"
Glyena nodded, scowling. "I didn't think it was nice. It was wrong. And I don't like it when mean people hurt animals. Or people."
"I don't either," Lord Jaxom said. Rhian nodded in agreement.
Jaxom looked up at K'ndar. "You and your sister both have good minds and grand hearts. You both are always welcome here at Ruatha," he said.
"Thank you, my lord," K'ndar said. Glyena nodded.
"Maybe someday, if I can pull myself away from my duties, we'll go flying. It took me a while to realize who you are by your name. I've heard of some your discoveries from the folks at Landing. You'll have to show me around your weyr. You're from Kahrain, yes? I'm sorry if I've forgotten," he said.
"No need to apologize, my lord, and I would be honored, sir, to take you out onto the steppe, the weyr, anytime you like," K'ndar said, awed.
"And you can meet Jordan! He's little, but he's fast and I won a race on him at our Gather last summer," Glyena said. Everyone laughed. She suddenly turned serious.
"Would…did Swiftsure really bite someone's nose off?" Glyena said, awed.
The Ruathans laughed.
"No," the Ruathans chimed, and Rhian said, "No, Miss, he's mannerly. But yon criminal, he didn't know that!"
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