As Piemur jogged into the Harper Hall court, he heard Tilgin bravely singing his first solo as Lessa. Piemur grinned to himself, for Tilgins voice sounded tired even if he was note-wise. None of Menollys fair was sunning on the ridge, but Zair was sprawled on the ledge of the Harpers window so Piemur took the steps two at a time. While he sort of wished someone would encounter him on his triumphant return, he was also relieved that hed have no temptation to blurt out his adventures.
Master Robintons greeting, however, was warm enough to make Piemur puff his chest out in pride.
You make the most of your opportunities, young Piemurbut kindly explain your cryptic measures before I burst with curiosity! Old dragon does mean Oldtimers, I take it?
Yes, sir, and Piemur took the seat the Harper indicated and began. Tron and Fidranth with two blue dragons came to relieve the Miner of his sapphires!
Youre positive beyond doubt that it was Tron and Fidranth?
Positive! I did see them once or twice before they were exiled. Besides, the Miner knew them all too well.
The Harper gestured for him to continue, and the days events made good telling with the best of all audiences in the Masterharper, who listened intently without a single interruption. He then asked Piemur to repeat, this time questioning a detail here, a response there, and extracting from Piemur every nuance of the confrontation of Miner and Oldtimer. He laughed appreciatively at Piemurs strategy and lauded his caution of putting the four cut gems in his boots. It was only then that Piemur remembered to hand the precious stones to the Harper. The sun sparkled off the facets as the sapphires lay on the table.
Ill have a word with Master Nicat myself. And I think Ill see him today, said Robinton, holding up one of the gems between thumb and forefinger and squinting at it in the sunlight. Beautiful workmanship! Not a flaw!
Thats what the Miner said, and then Piemur daringly added. I gather its not easy to find the right blues for masterharpers.
Master Robinton regarded Piemur, a startled expression on his face, which changed to amusement. You will keep that to yourself as well, young man!
Piemur nodded solemnly. Of course, if Id had a fire lizard of my own, you wouldnt have had to worry about me and the stones, and perhaps something could have been done about Tron.
The Harpers face altered and the flash in his eyes had nothing to do with amusement. Now Piemur couldnt imagine what had prompted him to say such a thing. He didnt even dare look away from the Harpers severe gaze, although he wanted more than anything else to creep away and hide from his Masters disapproval. He did stiffen, fully expecting a blow for such impertinence.
When you can keep your wits about you as you did yesterday, Piemur, said Master Robinton after an interminable interval, you prove Menollys good opinion of your potential. You have also just proved the main criticism that Hall masters have expressed. I do not disapprove of ambition, nor the ability to think independently, but, and suddenly his voice lost the cold displeasure, presumption is unforgivable. Presuming to criticize a dragonrider is the most dangerous offense against discretion. Further, and the Harpers finger was raised in warning, you are rushing toward a privilege you have by no means earned. Now, off with you to Master Olodkey and learn the proper drum measure for Oldtimer.
The kindly note in his tone was almost too much for Piemur, who could more easily have borne blows and a tirade for his transgressions. He made his way to the door as fast as his leaden legs could bear him.
Piemur! Robintons voice checked him as he fumbled for the latch. You did handle yourself very well at the Minehold. Only do, and the Harper sounded as resigned as Master Shonagar often had, do please try to guard your quick tongue!
Oh, sir, Ill try as hard as I can, really I will! His voice cracked ignominiously, and he spun around the door so that the Harper wouldnt see the tears of shame and relief in his eyes.
He stood for a moment in the quiet hall, intensely grateful that it was empty at this time of day as he conquered dismay at his untimely insolence. The Harper was so right: he had to learn to think before he spoke; he never should have blurted out that unfortunate criticism of dragonriders. Hedve rated a right sound beating from any other Master. Domick wouldnt have hesitated a moment, nor even languid Master Shonagar, whose hand hed felt many a time for his brashness. But how had he dared criticize dragonriders, even Oldtimers, to Master Robinton? Certainly that took the prize for impudence, even from him.
Piemur shivered and vowed fervently to mind his thoughts and, even more carefully, his tongue. Particularly now, when he did know something of real significance. For he had been aware, previous to his imprudent comment, that the appearance of the Oldtimers at the mine, not to mention their errand, was unwelcome news to the Harper.
Besides, what could have been done about the Oldtimers illegal return to the North?
Piemur gave his own ear a clout that made his eyes swim and then started down the corridor. Now, how was he to find out the drum code for Oldtimers? Under the circumstances he couldnt just ask Dirzan outright without having to explain why he needed to know. Nor could he ask one of the other apprentices. They were annoyed enough with him and his quick studying. Thered be a way, he was sure.
Then he wondered why Master Robinton had asked him to find out. Was it a code hed need? Did that mean the Harper expected this wouldnt be the first such visit by the Oldtimers? Or what?
The speculations on this subject occupied Piemurs mind off and on for the next few days until he did have the chance to check the code.
Somewhat to Piemurs disgust, Dirzan treated him as if he had deliberately protracted his errand to avoid the drums. This was his first task, and because Piemur couldnt polish when the drums were in use, it dragged on until the midday meal.
That afternoon Piemur began to participate in another activity of the drumheights, since he had unfortunately learned the drum measures so well. All apprentices were supposed to stop and listen when messages came in and write down what they heard, if they could. Then Dirzan checked their interpretations of the message. It seemed harmless enough, but Piemur soon learned that it was one more road to trouble for him. All drum messages were considered private information. A bit silly to Piemurs way of thinking, since most journeymen and all masters had to be adept in drum messages. A full third of the Harper Hall would understand most of a drum message booming across the valley. Nonetheless, if word of something especially sensitive became common knowledge about the Hall, it was deemed the fault of a gossipy drum apprentice. Piemur was twigged for that role now!
When Dirzan first accused him of loose talk, a day or two after he started writing messages, he stared in utter astonishment at the journeyman. And got a hard clout across the head for it.
Dont try your ways on me, Piemur. Im well aware of your tricks.
But, sir, Im only in the Hall at mealtimes, and sometimes not even then.
Dont answer back!
But, sir
Dirzan fetched him another clout, and Piemur nursed his grievance in silence, rapidly trying to figure out which of the other apprentices was making mischief for him. Probably Clell! And how was he going to stop it? He certainly didnt want Master Robinton to hear such a wretched lie.
Two days later a rather urgent message for Master Oldive was drummed through from Nabol. As Piemur was on duty, he was dispatched with it to the Healer. Mindful of a possible repeat accusation, Piemur noted that no one was about in court or hall as he delivered his message. Master Oldive bade him wait for a reply which he wrote on a then carefully folded sheet. Piemur raced across the empty court, up the stairs to the drumheights and arrived out of breath, shoving the note into Dirzans hand.
There! Still in its original folds. I met no one coming or going. Dirzan stared at Piemur, his scowl deepening. Youre being insolent again. He raised his hand.
Piemur stepped back deliberately, catching sight of the other apprentices watching the scene with great interest. The especially eager glint in Clells eyes confirmed Piemurs suspicion.
No, Im trying to prove to you that Im no babble-mouth, even if I did understand that message. Lord Meron of Nabol is ill and requires Master Oldive urgently. But whod care if he died after what hes done to Pern?
Piemur knew hed merited Dirzans blow then and didnt duck.
Youll learn to keep a civil tongue in your head, Piemur, or its back to the runner hold for you.
Ive a right to defend my honor! And I can! Piemur caught himself just in time before he blurted out that Master Robinton could attest to his discretion. As rife with rumor as the Harper Hall generally was, there hadnt been a whisper about the Oldtimers raid on the mine.
How? Dirzans single derisive word told Piemur forcibly how very difficult that would be without being rightfully accused of indiscretion.
Ill figure a way. Youll see! Piemur glared impotently at the delighted grins of the other apprentices.
That night, when everyone else slept through the dead hours, Piemur lay awake, restless with agitation. The more he examined his problem, the harder it was to solve it without being indiscreet on some count or another. When hed still been free to chatter with his friends, he could have asked the help of Brolly, Bonz, Timiny or Ranly. Among them, theyd surely have been able to discover a solution. If he approached Menolly or Sebell about such a piffling problem, they might decide he wasnt the right lad for their needs. They might even consider his complaint a lack of discretion in itself.
How right Master Robinton had been when he said that Piemur might possibly be plagued into disclosing matters best left unmentioned! Only how could the Harper have known that Piemur was stuck in the one discipline, as a drum apprentice, where he was most likely to be accused of indiscretions?
One possibility presented itself to his questioning mind: the apprentices, even Clell as the oldest, were still plodding through the medium hard drum measures. Therefore some parts of every long message reaching the Harper Hall were incomprehensible to them. Now, if Piemur learned drum language beat perfect, hed understand the messages in full. Not that hed let Dirzan know that when he wrote the message down for him. But hed keep a private record of everything he translated. Then, the next time there was a rumor of a half-understood message, Piemur would prove; to Dirzan that he had known all the message, not just the parts the other apprentices had understood.
To further achieve his end, Piemur kept to the drum-heights even at mealtimes. Preferably within the sight of Dirzan, the Master, or one of the other duty journeymen. If he wasnt near others, he couldnt be accused of gossiping to them. Even when he was sent on message-runs, he made the return trip so fast no one could possibly accuse him of dawdling and gossiping on the way. The only other time he was in the court was to help Menolly feed the fire lizards. Messages came through, some of them urgent, some tempting enough, Piemur would have thought, for one of the apprentices to repeat, but no whisper of rumor repaid his immolation. In despair he gave up his plan and tore up the messages he had written. But he still held himself away from others.
He wasnt certain how much more of this he could endure when Menolly appeared in the drumheights just after breakfast one morning.
I need a messenger today, she said to Dirzan.
Clell would
No. I want Piemur.
Now, Menolly, I wouldnt mind letting him go for a minor errand but
Piemur is Master Robintons choice, she said with a shrug, and hes cleared this with Master Olodkey. Piemur, get your gear together.
Piemur blandly ignored the black looks Clell directed his way as he crossed the living room. Menolly, I think you ought to mention to Master Robinton that we havent found Piemur too reliable
Piemur? Unreliable?
Piemur had been about to whip around and defy Dirzan, but the amused condescension in Menollys tone was a far better defense than any he could muster under his circumstances. In one mild question, Menolly had given Dirzan, not to mention Clell and the others, a lot to think about.
Oh, hes been bleating to you, has he? Piemur could hear the sneer in the journeymans voice. He took a deep breath and continued to gather his things.
In point of fact, and now Menolly sounded puzzled, hes not been talkative at all, apart from commenting on the weather and the condition of my fire lizards. Should he have reason to bleat, Dirzan?
Piemur half-ran back into the room, to forestall any explanation by the journeyman. This opportunity was playing beautifully into his hands.
Im ready to go, Menolly.
Yes, and we have to move fast. It was obvious to Piemur that Menolly had wanted to hear Dirzans reply. Ill be back to you on this, Dirzan. Cmon, Piemur!
She led the way down the steps at a clatter, and only when they had passed the first landing did she turn to him.
What have you been up to, Piemur?
I havent been up to anything, he replied with such vehemence that Menolly grinned at him. Thats the trouble.
Your reputations caught up with you?
More than that. Its being used against me. As much as Piemur wanted to expand, the less he said, he decided, even to Menolly, the stronger his position.
The other apprentices against you? Yes, I saw their expressions. What did you do to set them so?
Learned drum measures too fast is all I can think of.
You sure?
Im bloody sure, Menolly. Dyou think Id do anything to get in the Masterharpers bad record?
No, she said thoughtfully as they skipped down the last flight. No, you wouldnt. Look, well sort it out when we come back. Theres a Gather today at Igen Hold. Sebell and I are to be there as harpers, but Master Robinton wants you to play scruffy boy apprentice.