Энн Маккефри - Dragonsinger стр 2.

I hope so, I really do, said Menolly fervently. But its not easy with fire lizard eggs to tell which is the queen.

Im sure hell be just as thrilled no matter what the color. And speaking of queens, Tgellan, and Silvina turned to the dragonrider, do please tell me, did Brekke re-Impress the new queen dragon at your Hatching today? Weve been so worried about her here, since her queen was killed.

No, Brekke didnt re-Impress, and Tgellan smiled quickly to reassure Silvina. Her fire lizard wouldnt let her.

No?

Yes, You should have seen it, Silvina. That little bronze midget flew at the queen dragon, scolding like a wherry hen. Wouldnt let Brekke near the new queen. But she snapped out of that depression, and shell be all right now, Fnor says. And it was little Berd who pulled the trick.

Well, that really is interesting. Silvina regarded the two bronzes with thoughtful respect. So theyve a full set of wits

They seem to, Tgellan went on. Fnor uses his little queen, Grall, to send messages to the other Dragon Weyrs. Of course, and Tgellan chuckled disparagingly, she doesnt always return as promptly as she goesMenollys trained hers better. Youll see. The dragonrider had been edging toward the door and now gave a huge yawn. Sorry

Im the one who should apologize, replied Silvina, indulging my curiosity when you two are all but asleep. Get along with you now, Tgellan, and my thanks for your help with Menolly.

Good luck, now, Menolly. I know youll sleep well, said Tgellan 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, lets just have a quick look at these feet you ran ragged Silvina gently tugged off Menollys slippers. Hmmm. Theyre all but healed, Manoras clever with her nursing, but well have Master Oldive look at you tomorrow. Now, whats this?

My things, I dont 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, thats what you need. Your eyes are burned holes in your head.

Im all right, really.

To be sure you are, now youre here. Living in a cave, did Tgellan 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 dont think he forgot, Menolly said slowly, thinking of her father and mother and their opposition to her playing. He told me girls cant 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 Robintons 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 Masterharperand then picking a place halfway to nowhereI 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 thats enough talking, she added, closing the glow basket. Ill leave the shutters openbut 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 Menollys 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 couldnt sleep. She also couldnt move because, while her mind turned over all the days incredible events, her body wasnt 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. Shed never have to gut another packtail in her life, or risk another infected cut. She couldnt 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 shed play gitar again and harp. Manora had assured her shed use the fingers properly in time. And her feet were healing. It amused Menolly, now, to think that shed 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 Robintons father? Shed 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 arrivedbut theyd been so afraid that shed disgrace the Sea Hold. Well, she hadnt, and she wouldnt! 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 clear 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 didnt like that one.

Another, a velvet-soft, light baritone, rose above the cranky tenor, soothing. Then the Masterharpers deeper baritone dominated and silenced the others. Though she couldnt understand what he was saying, his voice lulled her to sleep.

Chapter 2

Menolly roused briefly, reacting to an inner call that had nothing to do with the suns 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: shed 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 theyd 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 shed 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 couldnt 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. Shed 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 Menollys shoulder, her head half-buried in Menollys thick hair, and her tail wrapped securely about Menollys 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 Half-Circle. But here, it was Silvina who noticed her and smiled, as Menollys mother would not have done.

Youre 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 dont want to bother anyone

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

Its not for myself Im here

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

Please, its my fire lizards, Have you any scraps

Silvinas hands flew to her mouth. She glanced about her head as if expecting a swarm of fire lizards.

No, Ive told them to wait, Menolly said quickly. They wont 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, youre nearest the hearth. Do dish up some of the cereal. Plenty of sweetening on it, too, the childs 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 meats 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 corner of the courtyard.

Would I disturb anyone out there?

Not at all, you are a considerate child. Thats right, Camo. And thank you. Silvina patted the halfwits 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? Theres more

Oh, thats a gracious plenty, Silvina!

Camo, this is Menolly. Follow Menolly with the bowl. She cant carry it and her own breakfast. This is Menolly, Camo, follow Menolly. Go right out, dear. Camos good at carrying thingsat least what doesnt 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 Menollys 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.