DragonsingerAnne McCaffrey
The Cast:
At the Harper Craft Hall
RobintonMasterharper; bronze fire lizard, Zair
Masters:
JerintInstrument maker
DomickComposition
MorshalMusical Theory
ShonagarVoice
ArnorArchivist
OldiveHealer
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
Silvinaheadwoman
Abunakitchen worker
Camohalf-witted kitchen drudge
Duncacotholder of girls cottage
At Fort Hold
Lord Holder Groghe; gold fire lizard, Merga
Benisson of Groghe
Viderianfosterling
Ligand-journeyman tanner
Palimbaker
Tledondragonrider
At Half-Circle Sea Hold
YanusSea Holder
MaviSea Molders Lady
Alemison of Yanus
Petironold Harper
Elgionnew Harper
At Benden Weyr
FlarWeyrleader
LessaWeyrwoman
Tgellanbronze dragonrider
Fnorbrown dragonrider; gold fire lizard Grall
Brekkequeenrider; bronze fire lizard Berd
ManoraHeadwoman
Felenasecond in charge
Mirrimfosterling of Brekke; 3 fire lizards
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 hed 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 Monarths neck between his rider, Tgellan, 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 Holds 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 couldnt think, she was so tired. Shed 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. Ill put you in Silvinas 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. Thats 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 Masterharpers return. Somehow, Menolly hadnt expected that thered be so many people in the Harper Craft Hall.
They kept well back, though their shouts of welcome didnt abate, while the big bronze dragon settled in the courtyard, giving him plenty of wingroom.
Ive got two fire lizard eggs! shouted Master Robinton. Hugging the earthen pots tightly against his body, he slid from bronze Monarths 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 follow us, Tgellan? Theyre not lost between.
No chance of that, Menolly, Tgellan 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 dont misbehave as they did at Benden
They wont, Tgellan assured her easily. Youll see to that. Youve done more with your fair of fire lizards than Fnor has with his one little queen. And Fnors a trained dragonrider. He swung his right leg over Monarths neckridge and dropped to the ground raising his arms to her. Bring your leg over. Ill steady you so you wont jar those sore feet of yours, and his hands braced her as she slid down Monarths shoulder. Thats 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 Masterharpers 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 Tgellans glib assumption that her fire lizards would behave. Theyd only just got used to being at Benden Weyr, among people who had some experience with winged antics.
Dont worry so, Menolly. Just remember, said Tgellan, gripping her shoulder in awkward every harper on Pern has been trying to find Petirons 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 itll make no difference to the others. Youll see. In a sevenday youll have forgotten youve ever lived anywhere else. The bronze dragonrider chuckled. Great shells, girl, youve lived holdless, outrun Thread, and Impressed nine fire lizards. Whats to fear from harpers?
Where is Silvina? The Masterharpers 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; Youve the bones of the news, Ill flesh it out for you later, Now, dont drop these egg pots, Sebell. Right now, Ive more good news! Ive found Petirons lost apprentice!
Amid exclamations of surprise, Robinton broke free of the crowd and beckoned Tgellan 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 Tgellans arm about her. His fingers squeezed on her shoulder as if he sensed her nervousness.
Theres 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 Petirons 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 Menollys, Robinton went on, his voice easily projecting above the murmurs. Just as that lovely song about the fire lizard queen is Menollys. Only it wasnt 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 queens 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, Tgellan 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 Robintons 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. Havent you any sense, Robinton? Away! The lot of you. Into the Hall. Carry on all night if youve the energy but Im putting this child to bed. Tgellan, if youd help me
As she upbraided everyone impartially, the woman was also making her way, with Menolly and Tgellan, through the crowd which parted respectfully but humorously, before her.
Its too late to put her with the other girls at Duncas, said Silvina to Tgellan. Well 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 toesmy feet! Menolly choked back tears that the unexpected pain had brought to her eyes. Silvina mustnt think her a coward.
Here! Ill carry her, said Tgellan 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, its not his fault. Hes done so much for me Menolly began.
Ha! Hes deeply in your debt, Menolly, said the dragonrider with a cryptic laugh. Youll have to have your healer see to her feet, Silvina, Tgellan continued as he carried Menolly up the broad flight of stairs that led from the main entrance of the Hall. Thats 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, Tgellan. The beds on the left-hand side, Ill just open the glow baskets
I see it, and Tgellan deposited her gently in the bed. Ill 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 hadnt the energy to reach for the sleeping fur folded at the foot of the bedstead. As soon as Tgellan had the second shutter open, she called her friends in.
Ive heard so much about the fire lizards, Silvina was saying, and had only the glimpse of Lord Groghes little queen that Gracious goodness!
At Silvinas 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 Tgellan, laughing at Silvinas 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 Menollys shoulder. The others came to rest on the window ledges, their jeweled eyes whirling with the orange of uncertainty and suspicion.
Why, theyre the loveliest creatures Ive 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 Tgellan, if I remember correctly, and the other bronze is Diver. Right, Menolly? She nodded, relieved in her weariness that Tgellan 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 havent got the three browns sorted out and now he turned inquiringly to Menolly.
Theyre Lazybones, Mimic and Brownie, Menolly said pointing at each in turn, and thisis Beauty, Silvina, Menolly spoke the womans name shyly because she didnt 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 Robintons eggs hatch a queen?