Chap. 226 Unusual Cargo

Chap. 226 Unusual Cargo

This was a great idea! he said to Raventh. The dragon merely laughed as he swam.

Cove Hold was beautiful. The beach was soft, white sand, the cove itself a perfect half circle. It was situated just so, the surf a gentle lapping rather than the pounding one that sometimes hit Kahrain Steppe Weyr. The weather was perfect, with enough of an offshore breeze to temper the heat of the sun. It was, after all, on the northern coast of the continent, much closer to the equator than either Kahrain or Landing.

Raventh was out in the cove, fishing. He could see Siskin with him. Two other dragons were fishing, as Cove Hold was, essentially, a Hold created by and for dragonriders.

Palm trees, brought to Pern by the colonists, provided both shade as well as a soft undertone of wind to the gentle surf.

There was even a sturdy rack set up for dragon riders to hang their harnesses so that they didn't get wet. Leather was perfect for harness but it never cared for water.

Do I take a nap? Or do I go beach combing? he wondered.

Behind him was Robinton's Hall. It had been built for the Master Harper when he had been forced into retirement in order to recover from an attempt on his life. Robinton had been dead for many years, but his legacy lived on. He had become almost a mythical character for people,like K'ndar, who hadn't been born yet.

Now the Hall served almost the same purpose, that of a rehab site for Harpers who needed a warm site in which to recover from accidents or illnesses.

It had also become an auxiliary Hall for Harpers. At the moment, it was empty of patients, and full of a class of people in their twenties, learning to be Harpers.

What would become of them, he wondered. Before Aivas, with its technological wonders spurring advancement in Pern society, Harpers served a multitude of services. They were primarily teachers, passing on knowledge, history and information through music. He still could recall many songs he'd learned from the itinierant Harper who served his area, lyrics that told how to sew a garment, or harvest hay, or take cover from Thread. Harpers maintained demographic records: births and deaths, establishment of Holds, Halls and Weyrs, marriages, partnerships, divorces; economic things such as which area of Pern was best at growing crops or livestock; and served as liaisons and diplomats. Some even were rumored to act as spies. But now, with the technology of computers and the datalinks that could reach over the planet, what would become of Harpers? Already children were learning to access the database via a datalink rather than sitting at a Harper's knee, memorizing the songs.

He could hear a familiar one emanating from the Hall. The words came to him without his having to think of them. This one about shoeing horses. He'd always liked it, not only because it involved horses, but because it gave boys the chance to shout the chorus of "clang clang!" at the top of their lungs, the words calling to mind the farrier's hammering on a shoe to make it fit the hoof.

Walking with his thoughts, he passed a woman, sitting on the beach.

"G'day," he said, absently, not really seeing her.

"It is, isn't it? You're new at Landing, aren't you?" she said.

"I'm...I'm sorry, do I know you?" he said, caught short. He'd never seen her before in his life.

"Leana, rider of green Marith. I'm at Landing, just like you. My husband, G'aryk, rides brown Corth. Those are our dragons, out there fishing. Pleased to finally meet you!"

"Ah..ha." K'ndar said, surprised. "And you, ma'am. K'ndar, rider of brown Raventh. I've only been at Landing for a week, I've not had a chance to meet the other dragonriders, except for Francie. I've known her for a couple years," he said.

"Francie's a dear, isn't she? As is Raylan, her husband! I see your dragon out in the water, see the green to his right? That's my girl, Marith. She loves the sea," she said.

"So does Raventh. I tell him he must have been a dolphin in a former life. He's fascinated by dolphins."

Leana laughed. "Aren't all dragons? Marith was hoping to see one today, but they don't seem to be around. And I don't want to ring the dolphin bell for no reason."

K'ndar nodded. "I know. I've talked to dolphins, one of them is a friend of mine. They'd like it if we DID call them more often. They want to talk, share experiences, and I must say, they seem far more intelligent than even us humans. I don't think they realize that we humans have decided that the bell is to be used only in emergencies," he said.

"They ARE more intelligent than us. Their brains are far more convoluted and far larger than ours. Even more amazing, they can sleep without fear of drowning. One half of their brain sleeps, the other is wide awake."

"Is that a fact! I didn't know that! Are you a biologist, like me?" he asked. He sat down beside her.

"No, actually, I'm was working in the computer shop, inputting 'data'. But I've been promoted to Acquisition! That's how I knew who you are. You are, well, the story has become thoroughly skewed, but you witnessed Shawn's um...denoument. That was a good thing. He was an evil, conniving scoundrel."

"Thank you for not turning me into some sort of hero. Congratulations on your promotion!"

"You're welcome. I'm glad to get out of Data. It was okay, but I got so tired of sitting down. I need to get up and walk. A lot. And Marith was always resentful that I spent so much time in the office," she said.

"That was the first problem I've had crop up this week..Raventh was pretty pissy today. He's usually easy going, but he was upset that I'd neglected him. And I haven't," he protested, "it's just..."

"Just that you can't do your office work on his back in flight, right?"

"Yes! In fact, he insisted on flying here rather than going between, just to get the kinks out of his wings. And I needed it, too. I wanted to hike the forest south of the dragon meadow but-you know it is with dragons."

Leana laughed. "I'll have Marith explain things to him. And Corth can, too. Now that they've met, I hope they'll be able to keep each other entertained. Where did they quarter you?"

"Grafton put me in one of the larger buildings, it's on 200th and Belior." He felt a bit of pride in his newly acquired skill in navigating Landing's odd grid like layout. "It's a larger building than most of the quarters, with a bay large enough for Raventh."

"Hmmm. We're way out in the boonies, on Timor, up near the foot of the lava flow. Is there a building in your area large enough for TWO dragons? Because right now, we're in two separate buildings, which, while they have room for A dragon, there's none for two, so we're forced to be in two buildings..and they're not even next to each other."

His pride was short lived. "I have no idea. But they've excavated that whole section where I am, and it's right on the dragon meadow. Francie is already planning on moving there, she's on...um, Eridani. So I'm thinking there's more large buildings."

Leana nodded. "I'll ask Grafton. It would be so much better if our two dragons were weyr'ed together, and we could live in just one building. Oh, here comes the ship. I hope G'aryk sees it, we're here to transport a load of fish and a passenger to Landing."

The sun, behind them, cast its light on the bright sails of a ship coming into the small wharf that served Cove.

"I'm no seaman, but that sure looks like a brand new ship," he said.

"I think it is. It's the Serengeti, out of Nerat."

Nerat! I hope...I wonder if Harve might be on her?

____________________________________________________________________

He was.

K'ndar watched as the crew bustled on the deck, moving cargo quickly and efficiently. The ship was tied up parallel to the floating dock.

He heard a familiar voice calling his name.

"K'ndar! K'ndar! Over here!" a tall young man hailed him from the deck of the ship.

He walked to the side of the ship. He could feel the dock moving gently with the swell.

"Harve!! Look at you, you've doubled in height!"

"And weight...but K'ndar, come aboard!"

"Harve...No. I'm not setting foot on a ship. Remember, I'm the one who got seasick on the dock at Tillek Sea Hold."

The ship's crew froze for a moment, then erupted in scathing laughter.

A very big man-K'ndar remembered meeting him at Nerat-roared, "Avast, you louts. That dragonrider is FAMILY, got it? No one laughs at the man who rescued our Harve, eh?"

A small woman suddenly appeared at the man's side.

"Hear me now, you yobs. Anyone who even thinks of laughing at K'ndar will be fed nothing but fish bait for the rest of the season. Understand?"

The silence was broken only by the sound of the squeal of blocks as the cargo was transferred to the dock. Harve was smirking.

After several seconds, one voice called, "Move on, you louts, think this is a rest day?"

The crew resumed moving cargo. There were snide looks, but not a soul said a word about K'ndar. The Captain might rule the ship, but the Cook ruled the crew's stomach.

"Cap'n, permission to leave the deck?" Harve called.

"Aye, laddie, I know why," the Captain said. "K'ndar, you're looking well!"

"I am, Captain, thank you!" he called back, wishing he remembered the man's name.

Harve didn't bother with the gangway, which was full of crew moving smaller loads. He leaped gracefully over the taffrail and landed on the dock.

He had grown. He was a hair taller than K'ndar, now. He gave K'ndar a big hug.

"By the egg, Harve, you look good. And happy. And your legs..."

"Straight as a sky broom mast, K'ndar! All I have to remind me is scars. What do you think of my new ship? Isn't she a dandy?"

K'ndar could smell new wood, new canvas, new cordage.

"She IS nice, but you know me, Harve, I don't know squat about ships."

"It's alright, K'ndar. She's built by my uncle, the Captain. He's the same man who built We're Here.

He used the same plans, but put in a lot of improvements. This is her first real mission, we've been sea trialing her all spring and summer. Guess who got to name her?"

"You?"

Harve swelled with pride. "And christen her with a bottle of Nerat's best fruit juice!. I've been studying, and learned that most of my ancient kin came from Earth on the Bahrain, from places called Kenya and Tanzania. Serengeti was the last place on earth that had wildlife. They had lions, K'ndar, just like ours!"

________________________________________________________________________

G'aryk, Leana's husband, greeted him.

"I'm G'aryk, rider of brown Corth. I see you've met my weyrmate, Leana."

"I have, and she and you already know I'm at Landing now."

G'aryk was tall and angular. He had the air of a leader, as if he were a bronze rider.

As if hearing his thought, G'aryk said, "I like Landing. It's different from Igen Weyr, that's where we're both from. Ever been to Igen?"

K'ndar shook his head. "No, I haven't. It's all desert, yes?"

"Parts of it, yes. Pretty desolate in some places, but I didn't mind. Still, I have to admit, Southern is far...better? It's warm here, agreed, but there's plenty of room for us dragonriders."

"True."

"I would like to sit and chat, but Leana and I are here on task. She's ferrying a passenger back to Landing, do you know Rahman?"

"I do! He's one of my mentors, he gave me books when I was still a Weyrling, for which I will forever be grateful. Is he back from Western, building the new telescope?"

"He is. He's riding behind Leana on Marith. I've got a load of fresh fish to transport back to Landing, but we have a problem. There's a big crate that was not on the manifest, and it's to be sent to Landing. It's too big for a green. I imagine you're off duty, but would you be willing to transport it with your brown?"

"Certainly," he said, without hesitation, "what is it, more fish?"

"No. In fact the crew of the ship pulled it out of the sea. They say it's a giant skull."

K'ndar was instantly intrigued.

"Wow. Yes, I insist, I am sure Raventh can handle the load. Did they say...what kind of skull?"

"No, but it's huge. It's probably not a good idea to open its crate here, but I'm sure it can be identified once we get it back to Landing."

Harve came up.

G'aryk said, "Harve, is it? K'ndar has agreed to take that huge crate."

"I was going to ask you, K'ndar. It's got a whacking great skull in it, top AND jaw. I have no idea what it is, it's certainly not a dolphin. It's got teeth as long as your forearm, and sharper than razors."

"Whew," G'aryk said, "how did you manage to get it?"

"It was tangled in one of our nets. All the fish escaped, right out through the holes the teeth cut in the net."

K'ndar was thinking.

"Is it long and narrow?" he asked, itching to look at it RIGHT NOW.

"Aye, it's at least two meters long, maybe more. Sends chills up your spine, just looking at it."

"I think I know what it is. A mosar. But I'll have to examine it in depth when we get to Landing."

"Mosar?"

"Yes. The Ancients called it a 'shark', but it's not the shark that used to exist in Earth's oceans. Believe it or not, it's distantly related to tunnel snakes, but a snake out of the darkest nightmare you can imagine," he said.

"How do you know this?" G'aryk asked.

He laughed. "Experience! We were working on the southern coastline of Southern. Raventh saw this 'thing' swimming just under the surface. We flew out over it, wanting to get a closer look and boy, didn't we get one! This monster leaped from the sea, completely clearing it and bit Raventh on the tail.

All I saw was a wall of teeth. If the mosar had gotten a good purchase on Raventh, we'd have been dead!

Raventh wasn't hurt too badly, although he'll always have the scars on his tail. But scared? You bet your arse we were scared. Spitless. The dolphins told me the thing's name, mosar. They thought it hilarious that a mosar could bite a dragon. I think that every dolphin on Pern knew about it within fifteen minutes. Every dolphin I talked to teased me about it until I met the Tillek, and she ordered that no dolphin tease me about it, ever again. Dolphins are the masters of the sea, but even they're afraid of mosars. Something with teeth like that, that can jump right out of the water? It's probably the most dangerous animal in the sea."

 

Chap. 225 Flight Non-Ops

Chap. 225 Flight Non Ops

"K'ndar, I believe you've a good grasp on what this job entails, " Lefsa said, "and I'm confident that you won't have many problems. The best thing about it is you may set your own schedule. Meaning, if you want to sleep in all morning and come to work in the afternoon, that's your choice."

He smiled. "I doubt I'll ever do that. I used to be up before dawn, feeding and mucking out the horses, and I've gotten used to it. So I'll be in here first thing, then maybe spend the afternoons either with Raventh or actually going to the field. You said earlier this week that I could set stuff aside and spend a week in the field? I think I'll do that," he said, part of his mind racing as to where to go? What to study?

"Careful, K'ndar, your desk has a way of reproducing work that, if you ignore it for too long, will multiply like insects." She laughed. "Remember, "Data reproduces exponentially"! I can attest to that, it's what I found when I took it over. I spent weeks just clearing away the backlog."

"Well, I can see there's no backlog now. You made it easy for me."

She smiled. "Remember, any time you get stuck, contact me. I might be working in Taxonomy now..a job created just for me, I think! I'll be in the next building over. Okay?"

She grinned again, then left. Such an odd girl, he thought. Most of the time, she's a happy girl, then something strikes her mind, something I've said or done, that turns her eyes sad for a moment. Bet it's her partner. He doesn't sound like the nicest bloke. Huh, how do I know that? My poor mum, putting up with the jerk that was my father. I remember the deepness of the gloom in her eyes. But now? Oh, she's happy with Fland. And he with her.

He sat at the desk, pondering the sudden quiet. My office. MY office? Strange. In a thousand years, I would never have dreamed I'd end up working in an office. But I also never dreamed I'd actually be a dragonrider. I thought I'd be under my father's thumb for the rest of my life.

That thought was so depressing he had to shake his head to get rid of it. And I'm happy, now, too.

Where to go. What to do. Something physical. Maybe a nice long hike? I've sat on my arse for most of the week.

He walked to the large, topographical map of Pern on the wall. Where to go. What to do.

A shaft of late morning sun came through the window. After a week of rain, the sun was shining. I have to go outside.

It's the end of the week. She did say I could make my own schedule. I really have nothing to do in here. I've been sitting on my arse all week. It's time to get up and get the kinks out. So I am officially ending my workday at noon.

Without another thought, he walked out of the office and started walking home.

Let's go flying Raventh said.

K'ndar sighed. In the tiny corner of his mind that he worked hard to keep from Raventh, he was dismayed. He wanted to walk, not fly. But this was Raventh, his partner, soulmate, dragon. He could not deny him.

Okay. Where are you? In the bay?

No. It's nice outside, I've been in the dragon meadow all morning.

Good. I'll get something to eat, then head home.

I don't know why I had so many problems making my way around this place, K'ndar thought, now confident he knew where he was going.

As he mused, Siskin frolicked in the air over his head, happy to have K'ndar to himself again.

I have an idea of what to do today Raventh said.

What would you like to do?

Go to the ocean and swim. Maybe go fishing?

After all our rain?

Fish aren't in the rain. They're in the water Raventh snarked.

How to deal with dragon sarcasm?

And I want to fly, I'm getting stiff? You've been in that building all week.

K'ndar heard just a hint of reproach.

I know. I'm sorry. I have neglected you, but I think that part is done, now. I'll still have to spend time in the office, but maybe not so much.

What is 'neglect'?

It's when I don't spend time with you when I should. Or I don't care for you when I should, like oiling you.

Oh. I don't need oiling. I was unhappy, but now I am not. I want to go to Cove Hold.

We've never been there. How do you know about Cove Hold?

Motanith told me. She said the fish are everywhere.

OK. Cove Hold. I haven't had the time to bone up on local coordinates.

More sitting. But sitting on Raventh's neck was nowhere near the dullness of sitting at a desk.

I'll get something to eat, then go to Flight Ops anyway. Then we'll fly.

He entered Flight Ops.

He recognized the man who worked Flight Ops, but he didn't remember the name. Pattis...Pattis...no, she was the evil tempered woman who worked in Kahrain's Flight Ops. This man had been her partner until their fighting eventually led to their being physically separated and Pattis taking a position at Kahrain Steppe Weyr. Where she excelled as a flight ops tech but as a human was miserable.

Landing's Flight Ops man was no improvement. He apparently hadn't changed from the first time he'd treated K'ndar badly. He'd arranged his desk so that he could see who was coming in before the person could see him. He also knew that most of the time it was dragonriders who would come in for more than just a look at the map.

K'ndar remembered how disdainful the man had been. He didn't like dragonriders. Risal had said he didn't like anybody. Why in the world people like him seem to have jobs that involved dealings with other humans, he had no clue. They're a lot like whers. Nasty tempered.

K'ndar stopped in the entry way. He caught the very faintest glance the man threw him, and then the man forced his attention on his desk, refusing to acknowledge K'ndar's presence.

K'ndar waited for several seconds, then realize the man was playing his well known game, that of 'ignore the dragonrider's requests for information until the dragonrider begs for information'. Then he'd take the opportunity to insult and berate the dragonrider.

I'm not going to fall for it this time, he thought. The only way to beat him was to play the same game. The coordinates for Cove Hold should be on that area's weather board.

K'ndar walked around the area in front of the man's desk, looking at the sign in boards. There were few dragonriders assigned to Landing, so there wasn't much to see. He noticed his name wasn't on the assigned list.

He could feel the man's eyes on his back.

If I turn, he'll refuse to meet my eyes. My move.

He wandered over to the wall that had a large map of Pern. Alongside it was a series of chalk boards with forecasts of weather over all of Pern.

Cove Hold. Cove Hold. Ah, there it is. He memorized the permanently etched coordinates and passed them to Raventh and Siskin.

But wait. Rain? Rain forecast for the eastern half of Southern, to include here? But the sun is out and the skies clear blue. Oh. This has YESTERDAY's weather.

Yesterday?

He looked at other boards. None of the boards for all of Southern had updated weather.

Was this planned? How irresponsible, for the forecaster at LANDING, for Pern's sake, neglecting to post today's weather?

Do I dare fly to Cove Hold without knowing the weather? Well, it wasn't like it would be the first time, flying without knowing the weather at the destination, but still, Flight Ops was an essential part of dragon riding, as well as fishing, and farming, and... No self respecting Flight Ops tech allowed old data to stand.

He turned to look at the man. The name came to him. Howel. The man had his eyes firmly downcast. The bald spot atop the man's head glowed in the sunshine streaming in. He resisted the urge to ask why the weather boards were out of date. So he wants to play peek a boo, eh? No problem. I have eyes in the back of my head.

"Siskin. Watch him," he said, softly. Then he turned back to the map, as if engrossed in it.

Siskin sent him the vision of the man staring at K'ndar's back-then sticking out his tongue.

Without turning around, K'ndar grappled with his irritation, then was struck by inspiration.

He pulled his datalink out of its pouch on his side. I have no idea if this will work, but let's give it a go. At least I'll get a rise out of this shithead Howel.

He flicked the call button and said, "Pattis of Kahrain Steppe Weyr."

I hope Pattis has a datalink, otherwise I'll look foolish.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Howel's head jerk up.

"This is Pattis, who calls?"

"K'ndar of Landing. Pattis, I need the weather for Cove Hold, please?"

Don't be your normal pigheaded bitch this time, Pattis, please.

"You're at Landing and calling ME for weather?"

Howel came out from behind his desk, furious.

"You!! What you calling HER for?"

K'ndar froze the man with his eyes. Without dropping his stare, he said, "Pattis, I'm in Landing's Flight Ops, but no one has updated the weather boards. They're all yesterdays' weather, have you ever heard of such dereliction of duty?"

"Ay, you yob! Shut that off, you have no right to call her in MY Flight Ops!" Howel snapped.

He made a motion as if to slap the datalink from his hands. Siskin hissed like a steam kettle and the man backed off.

"Ay, yourself, jerk," K'ndar snapped. "I need today's weather. I obviously can't get it from YOU, but I do know Pattis has it, every dragonrider knows he can depend on her excellent data."

"I don't doubt the boards there are outdated," Pattis's voice said from the link, "That's because Howel has never forecasted or kept the weather updated. Risal, the girl who works night shift, is the one who does the day's weather. I did the same thing when I worked there. Howel always has an excuse as to why someone else is to blame. He couldn't forecast weather if you held him at knife point. Why Landing hasn't sacked that pimple on a boar's arse is a mystery. I'll send Cove Hold's weather...up to the minute, it is! to you right now."

Ah, Pattis, you've redeemed yourself for once, he thought. She sounded uncharacteristically cheerful...and helpful.

The expression on Howel's face was priceless. "That sow, she's..."

"Mind your tone, Howel. Obviously you can't be bothered to actually do your job, if that's what you call sitting on your arse and ignoring people. I am going to recommend to Council that you be fired. Your social skills are abysmal and your job performance is non-existent," K'ndar snarled, hoping Pattis heard.

She did.

"Is that him in the background, K'ndar? Tell him the best part of him ran down his father's leg," Pattis cackled.

Howel went scarlet.

His datalink went 'ping!'. There was Cove Hold's weather, with the coordinates, a map, and even the tide tables.

"Ah, Cove Hold's weather, up to the very minute! Thank you so much, Pattis, as always, you're on top of your game!" K'ndar said, wondering where he was getting the schmooze for Pattis, who, even on her best days, was evil tempered. Ah, what was it he'd read once? The enemy of my enemy is my friend?

"You bastard," Howel snarled.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," K'ndar said, smirking.

He turned and left.

Once outside, he said, "Thank you, Pattis," he said to the datalink, feeling a rare warmth for the woman.

"Stow it, K'ndar. You caught me in a rare mood. I still don't like you. But don't feel bad, I don't like anybody," she replied.

Stunned at her instant return to the Pattis he'd learn to loathe, he stared at the datalink.

"And K'ndar, you absolutely need to report Howel's dereliction. Flight Ops is my life, K'ndar, it's the only thing I do well, and I take pride in it. How Howel got assigned to FO at Landing? is beyond me. I'd been doing Flight Ops for years and they assigned..no, they put him OVER me! I never forgave them for that. I never will. Whatever insanity inspired me to partner with him has gone.

Howel's always been worse than useless, taking nips from a bottle while on duty, ignoring reports from other stations, forgetting to log people in and out, outdated weather? Nothing new for him. I carried his weight for years. Risal's bearing the same load I did...doing the work of two, and Howel stealing the credit. He's a slacker. Leave things up to him and someone..probably a dragonrider..is going to get killed someday. But I do appreciate you giving me the opportunity to stick it to that arse. I finally got the last word in. Now leave me alone," the woman said, and closed the link.

Whew.

 

Chap. 224 Grafton

Chap. 224 Grafton

"Good morning, Francie!! And who is your friend?"

This is Grafton? K'ndar thought. The tiny, wizened man in the chair in a small office was NOT what he was expecting. For some reason, he'd expected a male Hariko, but with Oscoral's build.

It was hard to see him in the darkened room. There wasn't so much as a window to admit the brilliant morning sunshine.

His eyes adjusted to the low level. Why would the headman of Landing be forced into such a tiny office? Without so much as a desk, never mind a slate board!

Hariko's slate boards had been one of the most important items in all of Kahrain Steppe Weyr. Children and adults-to include the Weyrleaders-learned early on that one touched Hariko's boards at their peril. Messing with her boards, his Weyrlingmaster had warned, was 'a dandy way to lose weight and discover the joys of sleeping on the beach'. But in this darkened room, boards would have been useless.

"Good morning, sir! This is K'ndar, he's here to meet you."

"Ah, K'ndar! Welcome to Landing! I trust you find your quarters to your liking? 2001 Belior, correct?"

"Thank you sir, and yes, my quarters are fine."

"Enough room for Raventh?"

Unnerved that the man knew his dragon's name, he said, "Yes sir. He's quite happy with it. The one problem I'll have is my fire lizard. He knows how to open doors using the wave plates. He's fascinated by the toilet, though, and if he learns how to flush it..."

"He'll be flushing it all day and night. A switch that only a primate with opposable thumbs can operate will be installed today. The wave switches for the bay door were repaired, I trust?"

"Yes, sir, two repairers fixed them," K'ndar said. Something was odd about the man. For one thing, he was staring at a blank wall, not at him and Francie. Maybe there was a tiny datalink screen embedded in the wall? He didn't want to move closer to the man to look for it, that would be rude. How was it this man knows him so well? Was there a camera in his quarters? Was the datalink recording his movements?

"Orlon's dependable as the sunrise. His brother, not so much. If Orlon didn't ride herd on his lazy brother, we'd have sent him packing long ago. Orlon's so valuable to Landing that his parasitic twin, as it were, is worth the price. "Such men just exist'". That's from the Lakota Sioux, lad. Do you know who they were?"

He is very strange, this man, and yet likable. You trusted him without knowing why.

"I'm sorry, sir, but no. I've never heard of them. Are they Northerners? From a small cothold?"

The man turned his head upwards and laughed.

"No, K'ndar, no, they were an indigenous tribe living in ancient America, on Earth. A truly noble people and by far the finest horsemen who ever straddled a horse. You're a horseman, I know, as well as a dragonrider."

"Um...yes, sir. From before I could walk."

"I could hear it in your footsteps, I thought, there's a man who's a horseman. It's been a long time since I've ridden, K'ndar. So, what can I do for you?"

"Excuse me, Grafton, but, where's Fafhrd?" Francie said.

"He's out hunting. He's met up with your trio, Francie, and they've fed. He'll be back shortly, and then I can more easily conduct business."

As if on cue, a bronze fire lizard whirled into the room. He immediately noticed Siskin and hovered just in front of K'ndar, his eyes glowing a brilliant orange. Siskin, perched on his shoulder, astonished K'ndar by whimpering..and then cowering. Had he been able to, he'd have curled his tail under his belly. Siskin?

The bronze is VERY dominant. He's like a Weyrleader's bronze, very very alpha. Raventh said.

Will he attack Siskin?

I doubt it. There's no need, really. Siskin has no intentions of challenging Fafhrd.

The bronze chittered softly and landed on Grafton's shoulder. He reached up to stroke the bronze's head. The bronze rubbed Grafton's hand, then turned to stare at K'ndar and Francie. Siskin stayed very still.

"I've had a packet of information created for you, K'ndar. You're also fully integrated with Landing's data system now. That data link Marsh gave you...that miserable little yob hacked it so that everything you did with it went through his without your knowing. I believe he thinks he can profit from your reputation for finding artifacts and wants to be in on it. He has no idea that I know this. Fool! As if the database doesn't log his every step? It has been rectified, K'ndar. After he finishes his morning chores, which, considering his character, will take half the day, Marsh will be informed that his work day has just started, what with all the digging he's going to be doing. The excavation team already has plans for him. Hopefully he'll neglect to wear gloves and develop blisters on his soft little hands. I doubt he has the ability to realize actions have consequences. By the way, he also must apologize to you. Do let me know if he does," Grafton said.

"I wasn't impressed by Marsh, sir, and I think I'd rather wander about like a headless wherry before I request his aid," K'ndar said, growing pissed. He wasn't sure what hacking entailed, but just the fact that it had been done sounding like it was an invasion of privacy.

He also knew that disobeying any request from Grafton would be something he'd NEVER do.
"I'll be sure to let you know, sir, should Marsh apologize."

"He has a week, K'ndar. Starting from yesterday."

"Aye, my lo...yes, sir," K'ndar caught himself. Grafton did that to you.

The bronze chittered again.

"Ah, thank you, Fafhrd," Grafton said to his bronze.

The man swiveled in his chair to face them.

It took K'ndar a full five seconds to recognize the savage, puckered scars that slashed across the man's face.

He'd seen such an injury only two or three times before. Only Threadscore looked like that.

Grafton was blind.

K'ndar suddenly realized that he was staring at the man's ruined face. He forced himself to drop his gaze, his stomach turning. He'd always been terrified of Thread, even when atop a flaming Raventh. That's impolite, K'ndar, he said to himself, but he's blind so he doesn't know I was staring.

"Threadscore, K'ndar. I was a child. We were holdless. We were caught out in a Threadfall. My father didn't make it," the man said. "I'm hard to look at, what?"

"I beg your pardon, sir, I didn't mean to...I'm so sorry, sir." K'ndar gulped, embarrassed, and, suddenly afraid. Is he reading my mind? Can he hear Raventh? Francie put a consoling hand on his shoulder.

No. He cannot hear me Raventh said, reassuring him.

"It's alright, K'ndar. It was a long time ago. In an odd way, it's made me stronger. I've learned...you take one sense away from a person, the others compensate by growing sharper."

"So I see, sir. You seem to know so much about me and I have only just met you."

Grafton laughed. The bronze fire lizard chortled, enjoying K'ndar's discomfort. Siskin made sure he drew none of the bronze's attention.

"They pay me well to keep tabs on everything going on here at Landing. I had a reputation by then of having a good memory. Council took me on and had patience with me. I had things fairly well in hand, and then, a wonderful lady named Francie gifted me with a fire lizard egg. So now, after many, many years of darkness, NOW, through Fafhrd's eyes, I can see. But my faculties remain the same," Grafton said.

"Sir..." something in Grafton's way made K'ndar want to unburden himself right away.

"Sir, begging your pardon, but you're scaring the squat out of me. I feel as if you've been watching me for my entire life!"

The man laughed.

"Ah, K'ndar, such candor...oh, delightful! There's a rhyme there! Such candor is refreshing, my friend. My memory had to work hard to compensate for my lack of sight. You notice no boards, unlike your Weyr's Hariko's office? It's all in here, K'ndar, here, in my mind," he tapped his skull. "The mind is an incredibly powerful organ, K'ndar. Never let it rest, always keep it working."

"Yes, sir. You know Hariko?" he asked, feeling a surge of pride in his former weyr's headwoman.

"A wonderful woman, she is. I love Hariko, despite her partnered status. Her weyrmate is a lucky man. Yes, I know Hariko. Next time you see her, tell her Grafton sends his love."

"On my honor, sir, I promise I will do that. Although she'll probably kiss me and tell me to send it on to you..." K'ndar said, beginning to feel comfortable and yet, the idea of kissing a man made him squirm.

"I won't turn down a kiss from Hariko, even if it's second hand, as long as it's on my cheek," he said.

Francie laughed. "I'll do the honors, Grafton." She walked over to the man, leaned down and kissed the man's cheek opposite his bronze fire lizard.

Grafton grinned. "Such a great way to start a day, with a kiss from a lovely lass. K'ndar, cancel your kiss, Francie does it far better."

K'ndar laughed.

"K'ndar, I think Grafton knows everyone on Pern," she said.

"Not quite, Francie, I don't know the children. Now then, on your way, K'ndar. I believe Raylan and Lefsa have you scheduled for a full day of training. Although I must say that your job will be much easier, now that Lefsa's staying here. She's a font of knowledge of her job and will be on hand to ease you into the flow," he said.

It was Francie's turn to gape. "She's...but just yesterday...is her husband..."

"She's asked to stay. Not husband, just mate, Francie, although HE insists they're married. He's far older than Lefsa, and I think...just my opinion, mind you! that he partnered her more out of desperation than passion. That may be part of the problem, he's always been...difficult, but...Grafton, you're gossiping. I don't interfere with marrieds. Never got there myself, no woman would have me, so I'm not sure of what will happen. Raylan's still working on whether to keep her in Biology or move her to another division. For the moment, though, K'ndar, you'd be well advised to pick her brains. She's sharp as a razor. I'm happy that you're on board with us, now, K'ndar. The moment I learned of you, so long ago, I urged Raylan to take you on if you were willing. Your expeditionary work has been stellar and I'm looking forward to seeing what new things you discover. Ha ha! Looking forward with Fafhrd's eyes, eh?"

 

Chap. 223 Navigating

Chap. 223 Navigating

I needed that flight Raventh said.

I did, too K'ndar said.

He unharnessed Raventh. Just a little ways away, Francie was unharnessing her green, Motanith.

Lefsa was chirping as excitedly as a fire lizard. "That was INCREDIBLE! And you do that every day?"

Francie, grinning, nodded her head. Her three fire lizards swirled over her head. Siskin chittered and looked at K'ndar.

"Go ahead, lad," he said, wondering why the fire lizard suddenly asked for permission.

Any ideas?

Not a one. He usually just goes.

I know.

Francie rolled up her harness and put it over her shoulder. She and Lefsa approached them.

"Which one is your quarters, K'ndar?" she asked.

"That one, way over there, on the left. They gave it to me because it's got a bay large enough for Raventh. I just realized your quarters are in the middle of the village. How does Motanith fit?"

"She doesn't, not really. Only because she's a green can she fit. We literally have to move out into the middle of the commons, so that she can launch. Sometimes we have to chase the kids away, they want to be Right THERE. But it was the only place big enough for a green, if you can believe it, at the time. Since then, they've uncovered a lot more buildings. I've been discussing it with Raylan, we are thinking of moving to this end. I'll ask Grafton for new quarters, like yours. I'm sure he's got the roomier buildings now. It's the moving all our stuff that will be a pain," Francie said.

"I can help," K'ndar said, "After moving an entire weyr AND the livestock before a hurricane, one little home can't be much," he said.

"Thank you, I'll be sure to take you up on it," she said.

"I volunteer, too, " Lefsa said, "it's the least I can do to repay you for your help."

"Pay? Piffle, Lefsa. We dragonriders are always ready for any excuse to go flying," Francie said.

Grasping on the name Grafton, K'ndar failed to see the two women exchange knowing glances.

"Just who is this Grafton? I've heard his name dropped a dozen times," K'ndar asked.

The two women laughed. "He's our headman. Like your Hariko, but of Landing. We don't have a Weyrwoman or a Lord Holder, so we've had to invent new positions and responsibilities," Francie said.

Raventh shook his wings and folded them neatly by his side. Then he headed for their quarters.

"Look at him, " K'ndar said, "he knows where we live and the only way I know how to find my way back home is to have Siskin lead me."

"What? What do you mean?" the two asked in unison.

"Every time I've come to Landing, I've had someone lead me to where I need to go. I can find Main and Library, now, or at least I did until the re-organization, but since I've been here, I'm lost. A kid named Marsh showed me to my quarters, and came back in the morning to take me to Science division, where Lefsa's office is, but afterwards, I had to find my way back 'home'. I had to have Siskin lead me. I'm totally confused by how Landing is laid out. How do you remember which way to turn?"

The two looked at him with astonishment. Lefsa's eyes were full of suppressed amusement. K'ndar caught it, and felt stupid. Lefsa was about to speak but Francie put a hand on her arm.

"Wait, Lefsa, it's not as strange as it sounds. Most everyone on Pern lives in caves. Even here, the Ancients took shelter in those tiny little caves, at the base of the mountain, until they put up all these buildings. We fix up caves to keep out the wind and rain but still, we're cave dwellers. You know why, of course, it was the best protection from Thread, for millennia. Caves aren't planned, aren't set out in neat, orderly rows, like here at Landing. Outbuildings like wooden barns are sacrificial to Thread, people expected to lose them, so they just put up outbuildings wherever it was most convenient.

This place, Landing, tells you a lot about the Ancients, before they came here. They obviously didn't have to worry about Thread. They had machines that moved without horses. They made use of this grid pattern of housing because it is the best use of land to cram in a lot of families and places to work. The Ancients lived like this, I'm certain, and planned this place the same way their villages were, they called them 'cities' on Earth. This layout was most familiar to them. I bet they were confused as can be when they landed here and found only caves.

Dragonriders don't purposefully plan a Weyr, they adapt to it. They need a place that has caves large enough to accommodate a dragon and one that a dragon can fly to without having to land. We live in extinct volcanoes that are circular in most cases, but in K'ndar's weyr, which used to be mine, too, it's a cluster of smaller, semi-circular cones stitched together by a straight ridge. Cottages and barns are just stuck anywhere they'll fit. I've seen Landing folk get lost on the grounds of a weyr. There's no rhyme or reason, it's what my mother used call "higgledypiggledy". So K'ndar has never had any concept of rows and columns of buildings, like here at Landing. It's the only place on Pern like it," Francie said, sympathetically.

Lefsa blushed. K'ndar felt glad for Francie's rescue, and for teaching him something he'd not even considered. Of course weyrs are a muddle. It was LANDING that was odd.

"I'm sorry I was about to laugh at you, K'ndar. I didn't know, I've never been to a weyr," Lefsa said. "I'm afraid your 'guide', Marsh, has a reputation for being less than helpful in dealing with newcomers," she said. "Your datalink..he did give you a datalink, didn't he?"

"He did, but I know how to operate a datalink about as much as I know how to birth a baby," he said.

The women laughed.

"Marsh. Yes, we all know Marsh. I bet my lunch...well, I've eaten it so I bet my dinner he didn't tell you about the map of Landing," Lefsa said.

"NO! I wish he had, I can read a map," K'ndar said, heatedly. That little shit, Marsh...I'll settle your hash, one way or another, he thought.

"Well, then, let's go to your quarters, I'll show you how to access the map, but first, I want to show you how easy it is to navigate Landing," Francie said.

The four fire lizards zoomed towards his quarters. Raventh and Motanith followed them.

"There were two workmen here earlier, they fixed the bay door," K'ndar said. He strode to the bay door and waved at the glowing panel next to it. For one heart stopping moment he thought it wouldn't open, but with a soft woosh, it went up to its open position.

"Ah, they took away the screech, too," he said.

Siskin cheeped and led Francies' three into the bay to give them a tour of the high ledges. They landed on one of them, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Didn't they clean up there?" Lefsa snapped.

"Marsh said they didn't have a ladder. Don't worry, I'll get to it. If I can get a ladder, I'll get up there and do it myself. I don't think I want Marsh back here...he's a snob."

"Aye, he is. But anyway, K'ndar, oh, Motanith wants to go in and try it for size, does Raventh mind?" Francie said.

I don't mind...I like greens. A lot.

K'ndar laughed. "No, he doesn't mind at all," he said, "he's an incurable flirt."

Raventh entered his bay, and stepped onto the hefty couch that had been made for him. He told Motanith to wait until he turned around.

"I don't know, it looks pretty tight with Raventh in there," Francie said, doubtfully.

Motanith gauged how much room there was between Raventh and the walls and deferred.

Too small for two but I would like to have a weyr like this Motanith said.

Francie patted her green's jaw, glad the dragon hadn't tried to squeeze in alongside Raventh.

"Okay, she won't go in, she says it's too small for two dragons," she said.

I know, my lass, it's okay, we'll get you a room like this, soon she said to the green.

"I'm just so amazed at how he..how your dragons understand what we say, and they respond!" Lefsa said.

"They do indeed, Lefsa. It's a shame you weren't Searched. Were you?" Francie asked.

"I don't remember, so I guess not. Is it..like being in love? You don't know until you know?"

Both dragonriders roared.

"Well, yes, kind of. You don't know until you know. You don't know until the dragon chooses YOU," Francie said.

"Oh," Lefsa said, "I had heard that the dragon chooses you. And what happens if you don't get chosen?"

"You can wait until the next clutch is laid, but that is usually just once a year, especially with older golds. I know riders who were passed over three times, but that's unusual. Usually, a Candidate either waits around for another year, and then leaves, or just accepts that he's not going to be chosen and he finds something else to do," Francie said.

"Um. I bet it's heartbreaking, like when you fall in love with someone and they don't love you back," Lefsa said, with a tone that reeked of experience.

"It's a lot like that," K'ndar said, "I think, but I've never been in love, so I'm not sure."

"Pity," Francie said, winking at him, "you're a good catch. But ANYWAY, I'll show you how to know where you live. It's called an address. Come with me," and she stepped outside to lead him around the corner of the building.

"See this road? It's wide enough for what the Ancients called 'vehicles' to move along. Two wagons can fit on it side by side. See that bolster there, the one made of stone?" she pointed to the intersection of two roads.

"I noticed it but didn't think it was of any importance. But then, there's a lot of things I've not noticed before here. I feel pretty stupid, right now."

"NO! It's not stupid, it's just that you're new. The roads, here, K'ndar, run north and south, east and west. Here at this intersection..think of your geometry, K'ndar, that bolster? Go up to it and read it. They've apparently not cleaned it yet. Landing's roads are on a perfect x-y axis, like in math," Francie said.

"I hated math, Francie," he said, but he obeyed. He examined the bolster, still feeling provincial. Precisely square, it had been carved with some precision instrument out of basalt. It was about chest high. On the eastern and western sides of the bolster was the number 200. On the north/south side was a name. He brushed away lichen growing over it. It had been incised with incredible precision, even after 2500 years of wear.

"What does it say?" Francie said, knowing what it was.

"Bee..Ee...Ell...Belior! Like the moon!"

"Right! The names of the roads are on the x axis, the north-south roads. They're named after stars, and in some cases, other astral bodies, like our moons. The east-west roads are numbered.

See that column of buildings off to your left? It's the farthest south. They're on road number 1. Your building here is the most southeastern one of its column, which is number 2. The bolster says 200, correct?"

"Yes", he said, not at all understanding, but hoping the map would clarify it.

"This building here is the first set of buildings on the 2nd column. So to begin with, your home is on the corner of Belior and 200. But there's a little more, let's go around the corner to the human door," she said, leading the way.

"Here we are, see the number next to the door? It needs a clean up, too, but it reads what?"

"2001" K'ndar read. He'd not noticed the number before.

"Correct! And on this block there should be, um.....oh, I don't know how many buildings there are on this specific block, but as with a map, read right and up," she said.

Lefsa counted quickly. "There's 9, of various sizes. And like just about every other block, there's a small commons in the middle," she said. "The one at my place is being used to grow vegetables," she said.

"So the building just west of this one should be 2002. It's not difficult, K'ndar, just a little confusing at first. I won't go into it deeper, I can see your eyes beginning to glaze," she laughed.

K'ndar nodded his head.

"It will come to you, K'ndar, after you see a map. For now, all you need do is remember your address is 2001 Belior. The north-south roads are all in alphabetical order, so can you guess what the next one should be called?"

K'ndar was befuddled but was trying hard.

"Um...C?"

"Right! C for Canopus. And the next?"

"D" he said, with growing understanding.

"D for Deneb," Francie said, "And E is for Eridani, my address is 4100 Eridani. Lefsa?"

"6330 Fomalhaut."

"The names are all stars?"

"Stars. Or moons, like 'Timor' is off to our north. I think it was the Ancients way of reminding everyone that they navigated through space by the stars, just like we do at sea, except they were navigating through three dimensions," Francie said, relishing teaching.

K'ndar shook his head. "Where things are in three dimensions! I don't even want to know how hard THAT was to navigate."

"No, four dimensions, if you count time. But it's not much different than flying, K'ndar. That's three dimensions and it's not hard to know it...when you get frostbitten in flight, you know you're too high." Francie said, giggling. "Trust me, when I show you on the datalink, it'll be clear as mud. Can we go in?"

"Um...certainly, but right now, nothing's unpacked. I've been too busy. By the way, what is Aivas's address? And can I go see it, someday? Or is it forbidden?"

Both women shook their heads.

"Not forbidden. It's on Aldebaran road, in the same complex as Administration. You've been there, you just didn't see Aivas, it's in a smaller building. No. It was decided that putting Aivas off limits would only make it into something to be feared, or worse, adorated. Of course you can "see" Aivas, but you can't go into the office itself. Everyone just peers in at it through the door. There are people who go in the office where it's at, that's just to keep the place swept out, but K'ndar, everyone here is linked to it with computers and now datalinks. We don't NEED to go into that specific office anymore," Francie said.

"Does it..respond?"

"It's not talking, anymore, remember, it told Master Robinton it's job was done. We access it, every day. It's still aware of its surroundings. It can and has defended itself, but that was a very long time ago. We'll take you to see it, but for now, let's see that datalink of yours. And tomorrow, K'ndar, I'll take you to meet Grafton. You're going to have to meet him anyway. As for having nothing unpacked...well, K'ndar, you let us girls take a look at your quarters, and we'll help you turn it from a place into a home."

Later that night, K'ndar appreciated the help the women had provided.

"You need artwork on the walls, K'ndar, if I may? I have some stuff laying around my quarters, I don't have the wall space for it. How'd you like a picture of Donal?

"I'd love it, Francie, you know how I am with horses," he'd said.

"I'll bring it tomorrow," she promised, and they left.

After emptying the two crates of his belongings, he felt it was still a very large space to fill.

He began to find spots to store his few belongings.

He picked up his lasso. It's been a very long time since I've thrown a loop, he thought, can I still do it? It hadn't been rosined in years, but was still limber. Keeping it in a canvas bag had helped. He went outside through the open bay with it and shook it into neat circles. It felt good in his hands. Yes, it's been-since I was Searched!

He looked side to side to see if he had any witnesses. He had none save Raventh and Siskin, who'd come out to watch. If I miss the throw, I don't want to look foolish, he thought. Although did anyone here at Landing even know what a lasso was or what for?

He raised his throwing arm and circled it, his muscles remembering what it felt like.

What is that? Raventh asked.

A lasso. This is how I caught cattle. Usually from horseback.

Raventh was amazed. Like a bolo?

Not quite the same. Watch. It's been a long time, I may completely miss my target.

He did. Aiming at the bolster, his first loop fell to the ground. The second, the third. He wasn't too worried, he'd roped the ground many times. Then his brain said, Oh, yeah, I remember.

He threw another, just right. The loop settled over the bolster and he instinctively pulled it taut.

Satisfied, he removed the loop, returned to his original spot several meters away and threw several more, every one neatly roping the bolster.

I think I'll do this every day from now on, just to keep in practice, he thought.

While removing the rope from the bolster, he caught the name: Belior.

"Huh. First time I ever roped a moon," he said.