Anne McCaffrey - Pern 05 - Dragonsinger

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DRAGONSINGER

ANNE McCAFFREY

To Andre Norton

this book is respectfully, admiringly,

lovingly dedicated

At the Harper Craft Hall

Robinton--Masterharper; bronze fire lizard, Zair

Masters Jerint--Instrument maker

Domick--Composition

Morshal--Musical Theory

Shonagar--Voice

Arnor--Archivist

Oldive--Healer

Journeymen Sebell; gold fire lizard, Kimi

Brudegan

Talmor

Dermently

Apprentices Piemur

Ranly

Timiny

Brolly

Bonz

Menolly; 9 fire lizards

gold, Beauty

bronze, Rocky

Diver

brown, Lazybones

Mimic

Brownie

blue, Uncle

green, Auntie One

Auntie Two

Students Amania

Audiva

Pona

Briala

Silvina--headwoman

Abuna--kitchen worker

Camo-half-witted kitchen drudge

Dunca--cotholder of girl's cottage

At Fort Hold

Lord Holder Groghe; gold fire lizard, Merga

Benis--son of Groghe

Viderian--fosterling

Ligand--journeyman tanner

Palim--baker

T'ledon--dragonrider

At Half-Circle Sea Hold

Yanus--Sea Holder

Mavi--Sea Holders Lady

Alemi--son of Yanus

Petiron--old Harper

Elgion--new Harper

At Benden Weyr

F'lar--Weyrleader

Lessa--Weyrwoman

T'gellen--bronze dragonrider

F'nor--brown dragonrider; gold fire lizard Grall

Brekke--queenrider; bronze fire lizard Berd

Manora--Headwoman

Felena--second in charge

Merrim--fosterling of Brekke; 3 fire lizards

Dragonsinger

Chapter 1

The little queen all golden

Flew hissing at the sea.

To stop each wave

Her clutch to save

She ventured bravely.

As she attacked the sea in rage

A holderman came nigh

Along the sand

Fishnet in hand

And saw the queen midsky.

He stared at her in wonder

For often he'd been told

That such as she

Could never be

Who hovered there, bright gold.

He saw her plight and quickly

He looked up the cliff he faced

And saw a cave

Above the wave

In which her eggs he placed.

The little queen all golden

Upon his shoulder stood

Her eyes all blue

Glowed of her true

Undying gratitude.

When Menolly, daughter of Yanus Sea Holder, arrived at the Harper Craft Hall,

she came in style, aboard a bronze dragon. She was seated on Monarth's neck

between his rider, T'gellan, and the Masterharper of Pern, Robinton. For one

who had been told that girls could not become harpers, who had run away and

actually lived holdless because she could not continue life without music,

this was something of a triumphal success.

Yet it was also frightening. To be sure, music would not be denied her at the

Harper Hall. True, she had written some songs that the Masterharper had heard

and liked. But they were just tunings, not anything important. And what could

a girl, even one who had taught her Hold's youngsters their Teaching Songs and

Ballads, do at a Harper Hall from which all teaching songs originated?

Especially a girl who had inadvertently Impressed nine fire lizards when

everyone else on Pern would give a left arm to own just one? What had Master

Robinton in mind for her to do here in the Harper Hall?

She couldn't think, she was so tired. She'd had a busy, exciting day at Benden

Weyr on the opposite side of the continent where night now was well advanced.

Here in Fort Hold, the sky was just darkening.

"Just a few minutes more," said Robinton in her ear. She heard him laugh

because just then bronze Monarth trumpeted a greeting to the Fort Hold watch

dragon. "Hang on, Menolly. I know you must be exhausted. I'll put you in

Silvina's care the moment we land. See, there," and she followed the line of

his pointing finger and saw the lighted quadrangle of buildings at the foot of

the Fort Hold cliff. "That's the Harper Hall."

She shivered then, with fatigue, the cold of their passage between and

apprehension. Monarth was circling now, and figures were pouring out of the

Harper Hall into the courtyard, waving wildly to cheer the Masterharper's

return. Somehow, Menolly hadn't expected that there'd be so many people in the

Harper Craft Hall.

They kept well back, though their shouts of welcome didn't abate, while the

big bronze dragon settled in the courtyard, giving him plenty of wingroom.

"I've got two fire lizard eggs!" shouted Master Robinton. Hugging the earthen

pots tightly against his body, he slid from bronze Monarth's shoulder with the

ease of considerable practice in dismounting dragons. "Two fire lizard eggs!"

he repeated joyfully, holding the precious egg pots above his head and

striding quickly to show off his prizes.

"My fire lizards!" Anxiously Menolly glanced up and about her. "Did they

"No chance of that, Menolly," T'gellan replied, pointing to the slated roof

behind them. "I asked Monarth to tell them to perch there for the time being."

With infinite relief, Menolly saw the unmistakable outlines of her fire

lizards on the rooftop against the darkening sky.

"If only they don't misbehave as they did at Benden . . ."

"They won't," T'gellan assured her easily. "You'll see to that. You've done

more with your fair of fire lizards than F'nor has with his one little queen.

And F'nor's a trained dragonrider." He swung his right leg over Monarth's

neckridge and dropped to the ground raising his arms to her. "Bring your leg

over. I'll steady you so you won't jar those sore feet of yours," and his

hands braced her as she slid down Monarth's shoulder. "That's the girl, and

here you are, safe and sound in the Harper Hall." He gestured broadly as if

only he could have accomplished this mission.

Menolly looked across the courtyard, where the Masterharper's tall figure and

presence dominated those surrounding him. Was Silvina one of them? Wearily

Menolly hoped that the Harper would find her quickly. The girl could put no

reliance on T'gellan's glib assumption that her fire lizards would behave.

They'd only just got used to being at Benden Weyr, among people who had some

experience with winged antics.

"Don't worry so, Menolly. just remember," said T'gellan, gripping her shoulder

in awkward reassurance, "every harper on Pern has been trying to find

Petiron's lost apprentice . . ."

"Because they thought that apprentice was a boy . . ."

"That made no difference to Master Robinton when he asked you to come here.

Times are changing, Menolly, and it'll make no difference to the others.

You'll see. In a sevenday you'll have forgotten you've ever lived anywhere

else." The bronze dragonrider chuckled. "Great shells, girl, you've lived

holdless, outrun Thread, and Impressed nine fire lizards. What's to fear from

harpers?"

"Where is Silvina?" The Masterharper's voice rose above the others. There was

a momentary lull and someone was sent to the Hall to find the woman. "And no

more answers now. You've the bones of the news, I'll flesh it out for you

later. Now, don't drop these egg pots, Sebell. Right now, I've more good news!

I've found Petiron's lost apprentice!"

Amid exclamations of surprise, Robinton broke free of the crowd and beckoned

T'gellan to bring Menolly forward. For a brief second, Menolly fought the urge

to turn and run, impossible as it was with her feet barely healed from trying

to outrun Thread and with T'gellan's arm about her. His fingers squeezed on

her shoulder as if he sensed her nervousness.

"There's nothing for you to fear from harpers," he repeated in her ear as he

escorted her across the court.

Robinton met them halfway, beaming with pleasure as he took her right hand. He

flung up his other arm to command silence.

"This is Menolly, daughter of Yanus Sea Holder, late of Half-Circle Sea Hold,

and Petiron's lost apprentice!"

Whatever response the harpers made was covered by an explosion of fire lizard

cries from the rooftop. Fearful that the fair might wing down on the harpers,

Menolly turned, saw that their wings were indeed spread and sternly commanded

them to stay where they were. Then she had no excuse for not confronting the

sea of faces: some smiling, some with mouths ajar in surprise at her fire

lizards, but too many, many people.

"Yes, and those fire lizards are Menolly's," Robinton went on, his voice

easily projecting above the murmurs. "Just as that lovely song about the fire

lizard queen is Menolly's. Only it wasn't a man who saved the clutch from the

sea, it was Menolly. And when no one would let her play or sing in Half-Circle

Sea Hold after Petiron died, she ran away to the fire lizard queen's cave and

Impressed nine of the eggs before she realized what she was doing.

Furthermore," and he raised his volume above the ragged cheers of approval,

"furthermore, she found another clutch, which provided me with two eggs!"

The second cheer was more wholehearted, reverberating in the courtyard and

answered by shrill whistles from the fire lizards. Under cover of good-natured

laughter at that response, T'gellan muttered, "I told you so" in her ear.

"And where is Silvina?" asked the Harper again, a note of impatience audible.

"Here I am and you ought to be ashamed of yourself, Robinton," said a woman,

pushing through the ring of harpers. Menolly had an impression of very white

skin and large expressive eyes set in a broad-cheeked face framed by dark

hair. Then strong but gentle hands took her from Robinton's grasp. "Subjecting

the child to such an ordeal. No, no, you lot calm down. All this noise. And

those poor creatures up there too scared out of their wits to come down.

Haven't you any sense, Robinton? Away! The lot of you. Into the Hall. Carry on

all night if you've the energy but I'm putting this child to bed. T'gellan, if

you'd help me . . ."

As she upbraided everyone impartially, the woman was also making her way, with

Menolly and T'gellan, through the crowd which parted respectfully but

humorously before her.

"It's too late to put her with the other girls at Dunca's," said Silvina to

T'gellan. "We'll just bed her in one of the guest rooms for the night."

Unable to see clearly in the shadows of the Hall, Menolly barked her toes on

the stone steps, cried out involuntarily at the pain and grabbed at the

supporting hands.

"What happened, child?" asked Silvina, her voice kind and anxious.

"My toes. . .my feet!" Menolly choked back tears that the unexpected pain had

brought to her eyes. Silvina mustn't think her a coward.

"Here! I'll carry her," said T'gellan and swung Menolly up into his arms

before she could protest. "Just lead the way, Silvina."

"That dratted Robinton," Silvina said, "he can go on all day and night without

sleep but forgets that others-"

"No, it's not his fault. He's done so much for me. . ." Menolly began.

"Ha! He's deeply in your debt, Menolly," said the dragonrider with a cryptic

laugh. "You'll have to have your healer see to her feet, Silvina," T'gellan

continued as he carried Menolly up the broad flight of stairs that led from

the main entrance of the Hall. "That's how we found her. She was trying to

outrun the leading edge of Threadfall."

"She was?" Silvina stared over her shoulder at Menolly, her green eyes wide

with respectful astonishment.

"She nearly did, too. Ran her feet raw. One of my wingmen saw her and brought

her back to Benden Weyr."

"In this room, T'gellan. The bed's on the left-hand side. I'll just open the

glow baskets . . ."

"I see it," and T'gellan deposited her gently in the bed. "I'll get the

shutters, Silvina, and let those fire lizards of hers in here before they do

get into trouble."

Menolly had let herself sink into the thick mattress of sweet rushes. Now she

loosened the thong holding the small bundle of belongings to her back but she

hadn't the energy to reach for the sleeping fur folded at the foot of the

bedstead. As soon as T'gellan had the second shutter open, she called her

friends in.

"I've heard so much about the fire lizards," Silvina was saying, "and had only

the glimpse of Lord Groghe's little queen that. . .Gracious goodness!"

At Silvina's startled remark, Menolly struggled out of the thick mattress to

see the fire lizards dipping and wheeling about the woman.

"How many did you say you have, Menolly?"

"There are only nine," replied T'gellan, laughing at Silvina's confusion. She

was twisting about, trying to get a good look at one or another of the

gyrating creatures.

Menolly told them to settle down quickly and behave. Rocky and Diver landed on

the table near the wall while the more daring Beauty took up her accustomed

perch on Menolly's shoulder. The others came to rest on the window ledges,

their jeweled eyes whirling with the orange of uncertainty and suspicion.

"Why, they're the loveliest creatures I've ever seen," said Silvina, peering

intently at the two bronzes on the table. Rocky chirped back, recognizing that

remarks were being made about him. He flipped his wings neatly to his back and

cocked his head at Silvina. "And a good evening to you, young bronze fire

lizard."

"That bold fellow is Rocky," said T'gellan, "if I remember correctly, and the

other bronze is Diver. Right, Menolly?" She nodded, relieved in her weariness

that T'gellan was ready to speak for her. "The greens are Aunties One and

Two," and the pair began to chatter so like old women that Silvina laughed.

'The little blue is Uncle but I haven't got the three browns sorted out . . ."

and now he turned inquiringly to Menolly.

"They're Lazybones, Mimic and Brownie," Menolly said pointing at each in turn,

"and this. . .is Beauty, Silvina," Menolly spoke the woman's name shyly

because she didn't know her title or rank in the Harper Hall.

"And a Beauty she is, too. Just like a miniature queen dragon. And just as

proud, I see." Then Silvina gave Menolly a hopeful look. "By any chance, will

one of Robinton's eggs hatch a queen?"

"I hope so, I really do," said Menolly fervently. "But it's not easy with fire

lizard eggs to tell which is the queen."

"I'm sure he'll be just as thrilled no matter what the color. And speaking of

queens, T'gellan," and Silvina turned to the dragonrider, "do please tell me,

did Brekke re-Impress the new queen dragon at your Hatching today? We've been

so worried about her here, since her queen was killed."

"No. Brekke didn't re-Impress," and T'gellan smiled quickly to reassure

Silvina. "Her fire lizard wouldn't let her.

"No?"

"Yes. You should have seen it, Silvina. That little bronze midget flew at the

queen dragon, scolding like a wherry hen. Wouldn't let Brekke near the new

queen. But she snapped out of that depression, and she'll be all right now,

F'nor says. And it was little Berd who pulled the trick."

"Well, that really is interesting." Silvina regarded the two bronzes with

thoughtful respect. "So they've a full set of wits . . ."

"They seem to," T'gellan went on. "F'nor uses his little queen, Grall, to send

messages to the other Dragon Weyrs. Of course," and T'gellan chuckled

disparagingly, "she doesn't always return as promptly as she goes. .

.Menolly's trained hers better. You'll see." The dragonrider had been edging

toward the door and now gave a huge yawn. "Sorry . . ."

"I'm the one who should apologize," replied Silvina, "indulging my curiosity

when you two are all but asleep. Get along with you now, T'gellan, and my

thanks for your help with Menolly."

"Good luck, now, Menolly. I know you'll sleep well," said T'gellan with a

jaunty wink of farewell. He was out of the door, his boot heels clicking on

the stone floor before she could thank him.

"Now, let's just have a quick look at these feet you ran ragged . . ." Silvina

gently tugged off Menolly's slippers. "Hmmm. They're all but healed, Manora's

clever with her nursing, but we'll have Master Oldive look at you tomorrow.

Now, what's this?"

"My things, I don't have much . . ."

"Here, you two watch that and keep out of mischief," Silvina said, putting the

bundle on the table between Rocky and Diver. "Now, slip off your skirt,

Menolly, and settle down. A good long sleep, that's what you need. Your eyes

are burned holes in your head."

"I'm all right, really."

"To be sure you are, now you're here. Living in a cave, did T'gellan say? With

every harper on Pern looking for you in holds and crafthalls." Silvina deftly

tugged at skirt tapes. "Just like old Petiron to forget to mention you being a

girl."

"I don't think he forgot," Menolly said slowly, thinking of her father and

mother and their opposition to her playing. "He told me girls can't be

harpers."

Silvina gave her a long hard look. "Maybe under another Masterharper. Or in

the old days, but surely old Petiron knew his own son well enough to-"

"Petiron was Master Robinton's father?"

"Did he never tell you that?" Silvina paused as she was spreading the sleeping

fur over Menolly. "The old stubborn fool! Determined not to advance himself

because his son was elected Masterharper. . .and then picking a place halfway

to nowhere. I beg your pardon, Menolly . . ."

"Half-Circle Sea Hold is halfway to nowhere."

"Not if Petiron found you there," said Silvina, recovering her brisk tone,

"and sponsored you to this Craft. Now that's enough talking," she added,

closing the glow basket. "I'll leave the shutters open. . .but you sleep

yourself out, you hear me?"

Menolly mumbled a reply, her eyelids closing despite her effort to remain

politely awake while Silvina was in the room. She let out a soft sigh as the

door banged softly shut. Beauty immediately curled up by Menolly's ear, and

the girl felt other small hard bodies making themselves comfortable against

her. She composed herself for sleep, aware now of the dull throbbing of her

feet and the aching of her banged toes.

She was warm, she was comfortable; she was so tired. The bag that enclosed the

thick rushes was stout enough to keep stray edges from digging into her flesh,

but she couldn't sleep. She also couldn't move because, while her mind turned

over all the day's incredible events, her body wasn't hers to command but in

some nether region of unresponsiveness.

She was conscious of the spicy odor of Beauty, of the dry sweet scent of the

rushes, the earthy smell of wet fields borne in by the night wind, accented

occasionally by the touch of acrid blackstone smoke. Spring was not advanced

enough to dispense with evening fires.

Strange not to have the smell of sea in her nostrils, Menolly thought, for sea

and fish odors had dominated all but the last sevenday of her fifteen Turns.

How pleasant to realize that she had done with the sea, and fish, forever.

She'd never have to gut another packtail in her life, or risk another infected

cut. She couldn't use her injured hand as much as she wanted to yet, but she

would. Nothing was impossible, not if she could get to the Harper Hall in

spite of all the odds against it. And she'd play gitar again and harp. Manora

had assured her she'd use the fingers properly in time. And her feet were

healing. It amused Menolly, now, to think that she'd had the temerity to try

to outrun the leading edge of Threadfall. Running had done more than save her

skin from Threadscoring: it had brought her to Benden Weyr, to the attention

of the Masterharper of Pern and to the start of a completely new life.

And her dear old friend, Petiron, had been Master Robinton's father? She'd

known the old Harper had been a good musician, but it had never occurred to

her before to wonder why he had been sent to Half-Circle Sea Hold where only

she had profited from his ability as a teacher. If only her father, Yanus, had

let her play gitar when the new Harper first arrived. . .but they'd been so

afraid that she'd disgrace the Sea Hold. Well, she hadn't, and she wouldn't!

One day her father, and yes, her mother, too, would realize that Menolly was

no disgrace to the Hold of her birth.

Menolly drifted on thoughts of triumph until sound invaded her reflections.

Male voices, laughing and rumbling in conversation, carried on the dear night

air. The voices of harpers; tenor, bass and baritone, in amused,

argumentative, cajoling tones, and one querulous, sort of quavery, older,

whiny voice. She didn't like that one.

Another, a velvet-soft, light baritone, rose above the cranky tenor, soothing.

Then the Masterharper's deeper baritone dominated and silenced the others.

Though she couldn't understand what he was saying, his voice lulled her to

sleep.

Chapter 2

Harper, tell me of the road

That leads beyond this Hold,

That wends its way beyond the hill. . .

Does it go further on until

It ends in sunset's gold?

Menolly roused briefly, reacting to an inner call that had nothing to do with

the sun's rising on this side of Pern. She saw dark night and stars through

the window, felt the sleeping fire lizards tucked about her, and gratefully

went back to sleep again. She was so tired.

Once the sun had cleared the roof of the outer side of the rectangle of

buildings that comprised the main Harper Craft Hall, it shone directly at her

windows, set in the eastern side of the Hall. Gradually the light penetrated

the room, and the unusual combination of light and warmth on her face woke

Menolly.

She lay, her body not yet responsive, wondering where she was. Remembering,

she was uncertain what to do next. Had she missed some general waking call?

No, Silvina had said that she was to sleep herself out. As she pushed back the

sleeping furs, she heard the sound of voices chanting. The rhythm was

familiar. She smiled, identifying one of the long Sagas. Apprentices were

being taught the complicated timing by rote, just as she had taught the

youngsters in Half-Circle Sea Hold when Petiron was sick and later after he

died. The similarity reassured her.

As she slid from the bed, she clenched her teeth in anticipation of touching

the cool hard stones of the floor, but to her surprise, her feet only felt

stiff, not painful, this morning. She glanced out the window at the sun. It

was well into morning by the cast of shadow: she'd really slept. Then she

laughed at herself, for, to be sure she had: she was halfway round Pern from

Benden Weyr and Half-Circle Hold, and she had had at least six hours more rest

than usual. Fortunately the fire lizards had been as tired as she or they'd

have wakened her with their hunger.

She stretched and shook out her hair, then hobbled carefully to the jar and

basin. After washing with soapsand, she dressed and brushed her hair, feeling

able to face new experiences.

Beauty gave an impatient chirp. She was awake. And very hungry. Rocky and

Diver echoed the complaint.

Menolly would have to find them food and right soon. Having nine fire lizards

would prejudice enough people against her, without having unmanageably hungry

ones who would irritate even the most tolerant of people.

Resolutely, Menolly opened the door to a silent hallway. The aromatic odors of

klah, baking breads and meats filled the air. Menolly decided she need only

follow the smells to their source to satisfy her friends.

On either side of the wide corridor were doors; those on the outside of the

Hall were open to let sun and air flood the inside. She descended from the

uppermost level into the large entranceway. Directly in front of the staircase

were dragon-high metal doors with the most curious closings she'd ever seen:

on the back of the doors were wheels, which evidently turned the heavy bars

into floor and ceiling. At Half-Circle Sea Hold there had been the heavy

horizontal bars, but this arrangement would be easier to lock and looked much

more secure.

To the left was a double-doored entrance into a Great Hall, probably the room

where the Harper had been talking last night. To the right, she looked into

the dining hall, almost as large as the Great Hall, with three long tables

parallel to the windows. Also to her right, by the stairwell, was an open

doorway, leading to shallow steps and the kitchen, judging by the appetizing

odors and familiar sounds.

The fire lizards creeled in hunger, but Menolly couldn't have the whole fair

invading the kitchen and upsetting the drudges. She ordered them to perch on

the cornices in the shadows above the door. She'd bring them food, she

promised them, but they had to behave. Beauty scolded until the others settled

meekly into place, only their glowing, jewel-faceted eyes giving evidence of

their positions.

Then Beauty assumed her favorite perch on Menolly's shoulder, her head

half-buried in Menolly's thick hair, and her tail wrapped securely about

Menolly's throat like a golden necklace.

As Menolly reached the kitchen, the scene with the drudges and cooks scurrying

about preparing the midday meal fleetingly revived memories of happier days at

HalfCircle. But here, it was Silvina who noticed her and smiled, as Menolly's

mother would not have done.

"You're awake? Are you rested?" Silvina gestured imperatively at a

slack-featured, clumsy-looking man by the hearth. "Klah, Camo, pour a mug of

klah, for Menolly. You must be famished, child. How are your feet?"

"Fine, thank you. And I don't want to bother anyone . . ."

"Bother? What bother? Camo, pour the klah into the mug."

"It's not for myself I'm here . . ."

"Well, you need to eat, and you must be famished."

"Please, it's my fire lizards. Have you any scraps . . ."

Silvina's hands flew to her mouth. She glanced about her head as if expecting

a swarm of fire lizards.

"No, I've told them to wait," Menolly said quickly. "They won't come in here."

"Now, you are a thoughtful child," Silvina said in so firm a tone that Menolly

wondered why and then realized that she was the object of a good deal of

furtive curiosity.

"Camo, here. Give me that!" Silvina took the cup from the man, who was walking

with exaggerated care not to slop an overfull container. "And get the big blue

bowl from the cold room. The big blue bowl, Camo, from the cold room. Bring it

to me." Silvina deftly handed the cup to Menolly without spilling a drop. "The

cold room, Camo, and the blue bowl." She turned the man by the shoulders and

gave him a gentle shove in the proper direction. "Abuna, you're nearest the

hearth. Do dish up some of the cereal. Plenty of sweetening on it, too, the

child's nothing but skin and bones." Silvina smiled at Menolly. "No use

feeding the fowl and starving the servant, as it were. I saved meat for your

friends when we trussed up the roast," and Silvina nodded toward the biggest

hearth where great joints of meat were turning on heavy spits, "since meat's

what the Harper said fire lizards need. Now, where would the best place . . ."

Silvina glanced about her undecidedly, but Menolly had noticed a low door that

led up a short flight of steps to the comer of the courtyard.

"Would I disturb anyone out there?"

"Not at all, you are a considerate child. That's right, Camo. And thank you."

Silvina patted the half-wit's arm kindly, while he beamed with the pleasure of

a job properly done and rewarded. Silvina tipped the edge of the bowl toward

Menolly. "Is this enough? There's more . . ."

"Oh, that's a gracious plenty, Silvina."

"Camo, this is Menolly. Follow Menolly with the bowl. She can't carry it and

her own breakfast. This is Menolly, Camo, follow Menolly. Go right out, dear.

Camo's good at carrying things . . . at least what doesn't spill."

Silvina turned from her then, speaking sharply to two women chopping roots,

bidding them to slice, not stare. Very much aware of scrutiny, Menolly moved

awkwardly to the steps, cup in one hand, bowl of warm cereal in the other, and

Camo shuffling behind her. Beauty, who had remained discreetly covered by

Menolly's hair, now craned her neck about, smelling the raw meat in the bowl

Camo carried.

"Pretty, pretty," the man mumbled as he noticed the fire lizard. "Pretty small

dragon?" He tapped Menolly on the shoulder. "Pretty small dragon?" He was so

anxious for her answer that he almost tripped on the shallow steps.

"Yes, she is like a small dragon, and she is pretty," Menolly agreed, smiling.

"Her name is Beauty."

"Her name is Beauty." Camo was entranced. "Her name is Beauty. She pretty

small dragon." He beamed as he loudly declared this information.

Menolly shushed him, not wanting either to alarm or distract Silvina's

helpers. She put down her mug and bow and reached for the meat.

"Pretty small dragon Beauty," Camo said, ignoring her as she pulled the bowl

so firmly clutched in his huge, thick-fingered hands.

"You go to Silvina, Camo. You go to Silvina."

Camo stood where he was, bobbing his head up and down, his mouth set in a wet,

wide grimace of childish delight, too entranced by Beauty to be distracted.

Beauty now creeled imperiously, and Menolly grabbed a handful of meat to quiet

her. But her cries had alerted the others. They came, some of them from the

open windows of the dining hall above Menolly's head, others, judging by the

shrieks of dismay, through the kitchen and out the door by the steps.

"Pretty, pretty. All pretty!" Camo exclaimed, turning his head from side to

side, trying to see all the flitting fire lizards at once.

He didn't move a muscle as Auntie One and Two perched on his forearms,

snatching gobblets of meat directly from the bowl. Uncle secured his talons to

the fabric of Camo's tunic, his right wingtip jabbing the man in the neck and

chin as the littlest fire lizard fought for his fair share of the meat.

Brownie, Mimic, and Lazybones ranged from Camo's shoulders to Menolly's as she

tried to distribute the meat evenly.

Alternating between embarrassment at her friends' bad manners and gratitude

for Camo's stolid assistance, Menolly was acutely aware that all activity had

ceased in the kitchen to watch the spectacle. Momentarily, she expected to

hear an irate Silvina order Camo back to his ordinary duties, but all she

heard was the buzz of whispered gossiping.

"How many does she have?" she heard one clear whisper out of the general

mumble.

"Nine," Silvina answered, imperturbable. "When the two the Harper was given

have hatched, the Harper Hall will have eleven." Silvina sounded smugly

superior. The buzz increased in volume. "That bread's risen enough now Abuna.

You and Kayla shape it."

The fire lizards had cleared the bowl of meat, and Camo stared into its

hollow, his face contorted by an expression of dismay.

"All gone? Pretties hungry?"

"No, Camo. They've had more than enough. They're not hungry anymore." In fact,

their bellies were distended, they'd gorged so. "You go to Silvina. Silvina

wants you, Camo," and Menolly followed Silvina's example: she took him by the

shoulders, turned him down the steps, and gave him a gentle shove.

Menolly sipped the good hot klah, beginning to think that Silvina's marked

attentions and kindness were deliberate. Or was that foolish? Silvina was just

a kind, thoughtful person: look how she treated dull-witted Camo. She was

patience itself with his inadequacy. Nonetheless, Silvina was obviously the

headwoman at the Harper Craft Hall and, like serene Manora at Benden Weyr,

undoubtedly wielded a good deal of authority. If Silvina was friendly, others

would follow her lead.

Menolly began to relax in the warm sun. Her dreams last night had been

troubled though she couldn't remember details now in the bright morning, only

a sense of uneasiness and helplessness. Silvina had done much to dissipate the

lingering misgivings. Nothing to fear from harpers. T'gellan had repeatedly

told her.

Across the courtyard, young voices broke into a lusty rendition of the Saga

previously chanted. The fire lizards rose at the eruption of sound, settling

again as Menolly laughingly reassured them.

Then a pure sweet trill from Beauty soared in delicate descant above the

apprentices' male voices. Rocky and Diver joined her, wings half-spread as

they expanded their lungs for breath. Mimic and Brownie dropped from the

window ledge to add their voices. Lazy would not put himself to any such

effort, and the two Aunties and blue Uncle were at best indifferent singers,

but they listened, heads cocked, jeweled eyes whirling. The five singers rose

to their haunches now, their throats thickening, their cheeks swelling as

their jaws relaxed to emit the sweet pure notes. Their eyes were half-lidded

as they concentrated, as good singers will, to produce the fluting descant.

They were happy then, Menolly thought with relief, and picked up the melody of

the Saga, not that the fire lizards needed her voice with the apprentices

supplying the tune and harmony.

They were on the last two measures of the chorus when Menolly suddenly

realized that it was only herself and the fire lizards singing, that the male

voices had ceased. Startled, she looked up and saw that almost every window

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DRAGONSINGERANNEMcCAFFREYToAndreNortonthisbookisrespectfully,admiringly,lovinglydedicatedAttheHarperCraftHallRobinton--Masterharper;bronzefirelizard,ZairMastersJerint--InstrumentmakerDomick--CompositionMorshal--MusicalTheoryShonagar--VoiceArnor--ArchivistOldive--HealerJourneymenSebell;goldfirelizard...

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Anne McCaffrey - Pern 05 - Dragonsinger

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