I had to have something about fire lizards, since I believe theyre going to be far more important than anyone has yet realized. And this tune his finger tapped the hard wax surface approvingly, was so exactly what I needed, that I just brushed up the harmonics, and compressed the lyric story. Probably what youdve done yourself if youd had the chance to work on it again. I couldnt really improve on the melodic line without destroying the integral charm of Whats the matter, Menolly?
Menolly realized that shed been staring at him, unable to believe that he was praising a silly tune shed only scrawled down. Guiltily, she examined the slate again.
I never did get a chance to play it I wasnt supposed to play my own tunes in the Sea Hold. I promised my father I wouldntso you see
Menolly!
Startled, she looked up at his stem tone.
I want you to promise meand youre now my apprenticeI want you to promise me to write down any tune that comes into your mind: I want you to play it as often as necessary to get it rightdo you understand me? Thats why I brought you here. He tapped the slate again. That was a good song even before I tampered with it. I need good songs badly.
What I said about change affects the Harper Hall more than any other craft, Menolly, because we are the ones who effect change. Just as we teach with our songs, so we also help people accept new ideas and necessary changes. And for that we need a special kind of harpering.
Now, I still have to consider Craft principles and standards. Especially in your unusual situation, the conventional procedure must be observed. Once weve dispensed with the formalities, we can proceed with your training as fast as you want to go. But this is where you belong, Menolly, you and your singing fire lizards. Bless me but that was lovely to hear this morning. Ah, Silvina, good morning and to you, as well, Master Oldive
Menolly knew it was impolite to stare at anyone and looked away as soon as she realized that she was staring, but Master Oldive required a long look. He was shorter than herself but only because his head was awry on his neck. His great lean face tilted up from its permanent slant, and she had the impression of enormous dark eyes under very shaggy brows taking in every detail of herself.
Im sorry, Master Robinton, have we interrupted you? Silvina paused on the threshold indecisively.
Yes, and no. I dont think Ive convinced Menolly but that will take time. Meanwhile, well get on with the basics. Well speak again, Menolly, said the Harper. Go along with Master Oldive now. Let him do his best, or his worst, for you. She must play again, Oldive. The Harpers smile as he gestured to Menolly to follow the man implied complete faith in his ability. And Silvina, Menolly says the eggs safe enough for four or five days, but youll please arrange to have someone
Why not Sebell? Hes got his egg to check, too, doesnt he? And with Menolly here in the Hall Silvina was saying as Master Oldive, ushering Menolly out of the room before him, closed the door.
Im to see to your feet as well, Silvina tells me, was the mans comment as he indicated Menolly should lead the way to her room. The Masters voice was unexpectedly deep. And while he might be shorter than herself in the torso, hed as long a leg and arm and matched her stride down the corridor. As he pushed wider her door, she realized that his stature was due to a terrible malformation of his spine.
By my life! Oldive exclaimed, stopping abruptly as Menolly preceded him into the room. I thought for a moment you were as blighted as myself. It is a fire lizard on your shoulder, isnt it? He chuckled. Now, theres one on me, so it is. Is the creature friendly? He peered up at Beauty, who chirruped back, since Oldive was patently addressing her. As long as Im friendly to your Menolly, I take it? Youll have to write another verse to your fire lizard song, proving the rewards of kindness, he added, gesturing her to sit on the window side of the bed as he pulled up the stool.
Oh, thats not my song she said, removing her slippers.
Master Oldive frowned. Not your song? But Master Robinton assigns it to youconstantly.
He rewrote ithe told me so.
Thats not unusual, and Master Oldive dismissed her protest. Proper mess you made of your feet, he said, his voice taking on a distant, thoughtful quality as he looked at first one, then the other foot. Running, I believe
Menolly felt reproved. I was caught out during Threadfall, you see, far from my cave and had to runoooh!
Sorry, did I hurt? The flesh is very tender. And will remain that way awhile longer.
He began to smooth on a pungent-smelling substance, and she couldnt keep her foot still. He grabbed her ankle firmly to complete the medication, countering her embarrassed apology by remarking that her twitching proved that shed done the nerves no harm with the pounding shed given her feet.
Youre to keep off them as much as possible. Ill tell Silvina so. And use this salve morning and night. Aids healing and keeps the skin from itching. He replaced Menollys slippers. Now, this hand of yours.
She hesitated, knowing that his opinion of the bungled wound was likely to echo Manoras and Silvinas. Perversely she was afflicted by an obscure loyalty to her mother.
Oldive regarded her steadily, as if divining some mea sure of her reluctance, and extended his own hand. Compelled by the very neutrality of his gaze, she gave him her injured hand. To her surprise, there was no change of expression on his face, no condemnation or pity, merely interest in the problem the thick-scarred palm posed for a man of his skill. He prodded the scar tissue, murmuring thoughtfully in his throat.
Make a fist.
She could just about do that but, when he asked her to extend her fingers, the scar pulled as she tried to stretch the palm.
Not as bad as I was led to believe. An infection, I suppose
Packtail slime
Hmm, yes. Insidious stuff. He gave her hand another twist. But the scar is not long healed, and the tissue can still be stretched. A few more months and we might not have been able to do anything to flex the hand. Now, you will do exercises, tightening your fingers about a small hard ball, which I will provide you, and extending the hand. He demonstrated, forcing her fingers upward and apart so that she cried out involuntarily. If you can discipline yourself to the point of actual discomfort, you are doing the exercise properly. We must stretch the tightened skin, the webbing between your fingers, and the stiffened tendons. I shall also provide a salve, which you are to rub well into the scar tissue to make it softer and more pliable. Conscientious effort on your part will determine the rate of progress. I suspect that you will be sufficiently motivated.
Before Menolly could stammer her thanks, the astonishing man was out of the room and closing the door behind him. Beauty made a soundhalf quizzical chirp, half approving burble. Shed come loose from Menollys neck during the examination, watching the proceedings from a depression in the sleeping furs. Now she walked over to Menolly and stroked her head against Menollys arm.
From the apprentices hall across the courtyard, the singing was renewed, with vigor and volume. Beauty cocked her head, humming with delight and then, when Menolly shushed her, looked wistfully up at the girl.
I dont think we should sing again just now, but they do sound grand, dont they?
She sat there, caressing Beauty, delighting in the music. Very close harmony, she realized approvingly, the sort only trained voices and well-rehearsed singers can achieve.
Well, said Silvina, entering the room briskly, you have stirred them up. Its good to hear that old rooter sung with some spirit.
Menolly had no time to register astonishment at Silvinas comment, for the headwoman poked at Menollys bundle of things on the table, and twitched the sleeping rug into neat folds.
We might just as well get you settled in Duncas cottage now, Silvina continued. Fortunately, theres an outside room unoccupied The headwoman wrinkled her nose in a slightly disparaging grimace. Those holder girls are impossible about being outside, but it oughtnt to worry you. She smiled at Menolly. Oldive says youre to keep off your feet, but some walkings got to be done. Still, you wont be in a chore sectionanother good reason to keep you at Duncas, I suppose Silvina frowned and then looked back at Menollys small bundle.
This is all you brought with you?
And nine fire lizards.
Silvina laughed. An embarrassment of riches. She glanced out the window, peering across the courtyard to the far roof where the fire lizards were still sunning themselves. They do stay where theyre told, dont they?
Generally. But Im not sure how good they are with too many people about or unusual noise.
Or fascinating diversions Silvina smiled again at Menolly as she nodded toward the windows and the music issuing from the apprentices hall.
They always sang along with meI didnt realize we shouldnt
How should you? Not to worry, Menolly. Youll fit in here just fine. Now, lets wrap up your bundle and show you the way to Duncas. Then Robinton wants you to borrow a gitar, Master Jerint is sure to have a spare usable one in the workshop. Youll have to make your own, you know. Unless you made one for Petiron at the Sea Hold?
I had none of my own. Menolly was relieved that she could keep her voice steady.
But Petiron took his with him. Surely you
I had the use of it, yes. Menolly managed to keep her tone even as she rigidly suppressed the memory of how she had lost the use, of the beating her father had given her for forbidden tuning, playing her own songs. I made myself pipes she added, diverting Silvina from further questions. Rummaging in her bundle, she brought out the multiple pipes she had made in her cave by the sea.
Reeds? And done with a belt knife by the look of them, said Silvina, walking to the window for more light as she turned the pipes in a critical examination. Well done for just a belt knife. She returned the pipes to Menolly with an approving expression. Petiron was a good teacher.
Did you know him well? Menolly felt a wave of grief at her loss of the only person in her home hold who had been interested in her.
Indeed I did. Silvina gave Menolly a frown, Did he not talk of the Harper Hall at all to you?
No. Why should he?
Why shouldnt he? He taught you, didnt he? He encouraged you to writeSent Robinton those songs Silvina stared at Menolly in real surprise for a long moment, then she shrugged with a little laugh. Well, Petiron always had his own reasons for everything he did, and no one the wiser. But he was a good man!
Menolly nodded, unable for a moment to speak, berating herself for ever once doubting, during those lonely miserable days at Half-Circle after Petirons death, that hed done what he said hed do. Though the old Harpers mind had taken to wandering
Before I forget it, Silvina said, How often do your fire lizards need to be fed?
Theyre hungriest in the morning, though they eat any time, but maybe that was because I had to hunt and catch food for them, and it took hours. The wild ones seemed to have no trouble
Fed em once and theyre always looking to you, is that it? Silvina smiled, to soften any implied criticism. The cooks throw all scraps into a big earthen jar in the cold roommost of it goes to the watchwhers, but Ill give orders that youre to have whatever you require.
I dont mean to be a bother Silvina gave her such a look that Menolly broke off her attempt to apologize.
Be sure that when you do bother me, Ill inform you. Silvina grinned. Just ask any of the apprentices if I wont.
Silvina had been leading Menolly down the steps and out of the cliffhold of the Harper Hall as she talked. Now they passed under an arch that gave onto a broad road of paving stones, never a blade of grass or spot of moss to be seen anywhere.
For the first time Menolly had a chance to appreciate the size of Fort Hold. Knowing that it was the oldest and largest Hold was quite different from seeing it, being outside the towering cliff.
Thousands of people must live in the cliffholds and cottages that hugged the rock palisade. Awed, Menollys steps slowed as she stared at the wide ramp leading to the courtyard and main entrance of Fort Hold, higher in the cliff face than the Harper Graft Hall, and with rows of windows extending upward in sheer stone, almost to the fire heights themselves. In Half-Circle Sea Hold, everyone had been in the cliff, but at Fort Hold, stone buildings had been built out in wings from the cliff, forming a quadrangle similar to the Harper Craft Hall, Smaller cottages had been added onto the original wings, on either side of the ramp. There were dwellings bordering the sides of the broad paved road that led in several well-traveled directions; south to the fields and pastures, east down the valley toward the low foothills and west around to the pass in the cliff that would lead to the higher mountains of the Central Fort Range.
Silvina guided Menolly now toward a cottage, a good-sized one with five windows, all of them shuttered tight, on the upper floor. The cottage nestled against the slope of the ramp. As they got close enough, Menolly realized that the little cot was also quite old. And the cottage door was metal, too! Incredible! Silvina opened it, calling out for Dunca. Menolly had just time to notice that the metal door closed as the one at the Harper Hall did, with a small wheel throwing the thick rods into grooves in ceiling and floor.
Menolly, come and meet Dunca who holds the cottage for the girls who study at the Harper Hall.
Menolly dutifully greeted the short, dumpy little woman with bright black eyes and cheeks like a puff-bellys sides. Dunca gave Menolly a raking look, at odds with her jolly appearance, as if measuring up Menolly to the gossip shed already heard. Then Dunca saw Beauty peeking around Menollys ear. She gave a shriek, jumping back.