Dragonsong - Энн Маккефри 8 стр.

That was the second time hed called her lad.

Youve a fine pace on you. Ever think of going for a hold runner?

The brown rider swung her forward so she could slide down the browns shoulders. The moment her feet touched the ground, she thought shed faint with the pain. She grabbed frantically at the browns foreleg. He nuzzled her sympathetically, humming to his rider.

Branth says youre hurt? The man slid down quickly beside her.

My feet! Shed run the boots to uppers without knowing it, and her lacerated feet were bloody from toe to heel.

Ill tell the world. Here we go!

He grabbed her by the wrist, gave a practiced yank and laid her over his shoulder. As he made for the entrance to the lower Caverns, he called out for someone to bring a pot of numbweed.

She was uprighted into a chair, the blood singing in her ears. Someone was propping her damaged feet onto a stool while women converged on her from several sides.

Hey, Manora, Felena, yelled the brown rider urgently.

Just look at his feet! Hes run them raw!

Tgran, wherever

Saw him trying to outrun Thread down Nerat way. Bloody near did!

Bloodys quite accurate. Manora, could you spare a moment, please?

Should we wash the feet first or

No, a cup of weed first, was Tgrans suggestion. Youll have to cut the boots off

Someone was holding a cup against her lips, bidding her drink it all down. On a stomach empty of anything but a few blades of cress, the fellis juice acted so quickly that the circle of faces about her became a confused blur.

Good heavens, the holders have gone mad, going out in Threadfall. Menolly thought the speaker sounded like Manora. This is the second one weve rescued today.

After that, voices became indistinguishable mumbles. Menolly was unable to focus her eyes. She seemed to be floating a few handspans off the ground. Which suited her because she didnt want to use her feet anyway.

Seated at a table on the other side of the kitchen cavern, Elgion at first thought the boy had fainted with relief at being rescued. He could appreciate the feeling certainly, having been sighted by a dragonrider as he was pelting back towards Half-Circle, fully winded and despairing of life. Now, with his stomach full of good weyr stew, his wits and breath restored, he was forced to face his folly in going outside the Hold so close to a Fall. And, more daunting to contemplate, the reception on his return to Half-Circle. Talk about disgracing the Sea Hold! And his explanation that he was searching for fire lizard eggs would not go down well with Yanus. Even Alemi, what would he think? Elgion sighed and watched as several weyrwomen carried the boy off towards the living caverns. He half-rose, wondering if he should have volunteered to help. Then he saw his first fire lizard and forgot everything else.

It was a little golden queen, swooping into the cavern, calling piteously. She seemed to hover motionless in midair, then winked out of sight. A moment later, she was diving into the kitchen cavern again, less agitated but looking for something or someone.

A girl emerged from the living cavern, saw the fire lizard and held up her arm. The little queen delicately landed, stroking the girls face with her tiny head while the girl evidently reassured her. The two walked out into the Bowl.

Youve never seen one, Harper? asked an amused voice, and Elgion came out of his trance to attend the weyrwoman whod been serving him food.

No, I hadnt.

She laughed at the wistfulness in his voice. Thats Grall, Fnors little queen, Felena told him. Then abruptly she asked Elgion if hed like more stew.

He politely declined because hed already had two platefuls: food being the weyrs way of reassuring those they rescued.

I really should be finding out if I can get back to Half-Circle Sea Hold. Theyll have discovered my absence and

Dont worry on that account, Harper, for word was passed back through the fighting wings. Theyll let Half-Circle know youre safely here.

Elgion expressed proper gratitude, but he couldnt help fretting over Yanuss displeasure. He would simply have to make it clear that hed been following Weyr orders, and Yanus was nothing if not obedient to his Weyr. Nonetheless, Elgion did not relish his return to the Sea Hold. He also couldnt politely insist on going when he chose because the dragons were tired as they returned to their Weyr, Thread successfully obliterated on this Fall.

Some of the young Harpers worst apprehensions were relieved by Tgellan, the bronze wingleader in charge of that Fall.

I myself told them you were safe, and a good thing, too. They were all ready to mount a search. Which, for old Yanus, is a remarkable concession.

Elgion grimaced. I suppose it wouldnt look well to lose two Harpers in a short time. Nonsense. Already Yanus prizes you above fish! Or so Alemi said.

Was he angry?

Who? Yanus?

No, Alemi.

Why? Id say he was better pleased than Yanus to hear you were safe and scoreless at Benden. More important, did you see any signs of fire lizard clutches?

No.

Tgellan sighed, stripping off his wide riding belt and opening the heavy wherhide jacket. How we need the silly creatures.

Are they that useful?

Tgellan gave him a long look. Possibly not. Lessa thinks them a real nuisance; but they look, and act, like dragons. And they give those narrow-minded, hidebound, insensitive Lord Holders just that necessary glimpse of what it is to ride a dragon. That is going to make lifeand progresseasier for us in the Weyrs!

Elgion rather hoped that this had been made plain to Yanus; and he was going to tactfully suggest that he was ready to go back to the Sea Hold when the bronze rider was called away to check a dragons wing injury.

Elgion found the additional delay instructive. He decided he would put his observations to good use in getting back into Yanuss favorfor he had an opportunity to see Weyr life as unsung in Saga and Ballad. An injured dragon cried as piteously as a child until his wounds were salved with numbweed. A dragon also cried distressingly if his rider was injured. Elgion watched the touching sight of a green dragon, crooning anxiously at her rider as he leaned against her forearm, while the weyrwomen dressed his Threadscored arm. Elgion saw the weyrlings bathing and oiling their young beasts, the Weyrs several fire lizards assisting. He saw the youngsters of the Weyr refilling firestone sacks for the next Fall, and couldnt fail to notice that they made less work of the onerous chore than Sea Hold lads would have done. He even ventured to peer into the Hatching Ground where golden Ramoth lay curled protectively around her eggs. He ducked out of sight, hoping she hadnt seen him.

Time passed so quickly that Elgion was surprised to hear the kitchen women calling everyone in to eat. He hovered at the entrance, wondering what to do when Tgellan grabbed him by the arm and propelled him to an empty table.

Gsel, come over here with that bronze nuisance of yours. I want the Half-Circle Harper to see him. Gsel has one of the original clutch Fnor discovered in Southern, Tgellan said in an undertone as they watched the stocky young man weaving his way through the tables towards them, balancing a bronze fire lizard on his forearm.

This is Rill, Harper, Gsel said, extending his arm to Elgion. Rill, be courteous, hes a Harper!

With great dignity the fire lizard extended his wings, executing what Elgion construed to be a bow, while the jeweled eyes regarded him intently. Not knowing how one saluted a fire lizard, Elgion tentatively extended his hand.

Scratch his eye ridges, Gsel suggested. They all love that.

To Elgions delight and amazement, the fire lizard accepted the caress, and as Elgions stroking eased an itch, Rills eyelids began to close in sensuous pleasure.

Hes another convert, said Tgellan, laughing and pulling out his chair. The noise roused the fire lizard from somnolence and his hissed softly at Tgellan. Theyre bold creatures, too, youll notice, Harper, with no respect for degree.

This was evidently an old jibe, for Gsel, seating himself, paid it no heed, but coaxed Rill to step onto a padded shoulder rest so he could eat the dinner now being served.

How much do they understand? Elgion asked, taking the chair opposite Gsel so he could see Rill better.

To hear Mirrim talk about her three, everything.

Tgellan snorted with good-natured derision.

I can ask Rill to carry a message to any place hes already been. No, to a person he knows at another Hold or Weyr Ive taken him to. He follows me no matter where I go. Even during Threadfall. At Tgellans snort, Gsel added, I told you to watch today, Tgellan. Rill was with us.

Yes, so tell Elgion how long it takes Rill to come back from delivering a message.

All right, all right, said Gsel with a laugh as he stroked Rill affectionately. And when youve one of your own, Tgellan

Possibly, possibly, the bronze rider said easily. Unless Elgion here finds us another clutch, well just have to stay jealous of you.

Tgellan changed the subject then to ask about Half-Circle Hold, general questions that did not embarrass or compromise Elgion. Tgellan evidently knew Yanuss reputation.

If you feel too isolated there, Harper, dont fail to fly the signal and well pop you up for an evening here.

Hatchings soon, Gsel suggested, grinning and giving Elgion a wink.

Hell be here for that certainly, Tgellan agreed.

Then Rill creeled for a bite to eat while the bronze rider chided Gsel for turning the lizard into an importunate beggar. Elgion noticed Tgellan, himself, finding a titbit for the little bronze, however, and he, too, offered Rill some meat, which the creature daintily accepted from the knife.

By the end of the meal Elgion was ready to brave Yanuss worst displeasure and wrath to find a fire lizard clutch and Impress a fire lizard of his own. That prospect made his inevitable return easier.

Id better do you the honors, Elgion, Tgellan said, rising at last from the table. And Id also better get you back early. No sense aggravating Yanus more than necessary.

Elgion wasnt certain how to take that remark or the wink that accompanied it, particularly as it was now full dark and for all he knew, the Hold doors were already barred for the night. Too late now to wish hed gone back as soon as the dragonriders had returned from the Fall. But then he wouldnt have met Rill.

They were aloft, Elgion reveling in the experience, craning his head to see as much as possible in the clear night air. He had only a glimpse of the Higher Benden Range hills before Tgellan asked Monarth to take them between.

Suddenly, it was no longer full dark: the sun was a handspan above the glowing sea as they burst into the air above Half-Circle Harbor.

Told you Id get you back early, Tgellan said, turning to grin at the Harpers startled exclamation. Were not supposed to time it, but all in a good cause.

Monarth circled down lazily so that everyone in the Sea Hold was gathered on the holdway when they landed. Yanus strode a few paces ahead of the others while Elgion searched the faces for Alemis.

Tgellan leaped from the bronzes shoulder and made a show of assisting Elgion as the entire Hold cheered loudly for their Harpers safe return.

Im neither crippled or old, Elgion muttered under his breath, aware of Yanuss approach. Dont overdo it.

Tgellan laid his arm across Elgions shoulders in a comradely fashion, beaming at the oncoming Sea Holder. Not at all, he said out of the corner of his mouth. The Weyr approves!

Sea Holder, I am profoundly embarrassed at the inconvenience

No, Harper Elgion, Tgellan interrupted him, any apologies are the Weyrs. You were adamant in wishing to return to Half-Circle immediately. But Lessa needed to have his report, Yanus, so we had to wait.

Whatever Yanus had been about to say to his erring Harper was neatly blocked by Tgellans obvious approval. The Sea Holder rocked a bit on his feet, blinking as he reorganized his thoughts.

Any fire lizard sign you discover must be made known to the Weyr as soon as possible, Tgellan continued blithely.

Then that tale is true? Yanus asked in a grumble of disbelief. Thosethose creatures do exist?

They do indeed, sir, Elgion replied warmly. I have seen, touched and fed a bronze fire lizard; his name is Rill. Hes about as big as my forearm

You did? He is? Alemi had pushed through the crowd, breathless from excitement and the exercise of hobbling as fast as he could down the holdway. Then you did find something in the cave?

The cave? Elgion had forgotten all about his original destination that morning.

What cave? demanded Tgellan.

The cave and Elgion gulped and then boldly embroidered on the lie Tgellan had begun, I told Lessa about. Surely you were in the room then.

What cave? demanded Yanus, stepping close to the younger men, his voice half-angry because he was being excluded from the conversation.

The cave that Alemi and I spotted on the shore near the Dragon Stones, Elgion said, trying to give the proper cues. Alemi, Elgion had to address Tgellan now, is the Sea Man who saw the fire lizards last spring near the Dragon Stones. Twothree days back, we sailed down the coast and saw the cave. Thats where I think its likely well find fire lizard eggs.

Well, then, since youre now safely in your Hold, Harper Elgion, I will leave you. Tgellan couldnt wait to get back to Monarth. And the cave.

Youll let us know if you find anything, wont you? Elgion called after him and received only a wild arm gesture before the bronze rider swung himself up to Monarths back.

We offered him no hospitality for his trouble in returning you, Yanus said, worried and somewhat aggrieved by the bronze riders precipitous departure.

Hed just eaten, Elgion replied, as the bronze dragon beat his way upward above the sunset-lit waters of the harbor.

So early.

Ah, hed been fighting Thread. And hes wingleader, so he must be back at the Weyr. That did impress Yanus. Rider and dragon winked out, drawing a startled exclamation of delight from everyone. Alemi caught Elgions eye, and the Harper had to suppress his grin: hed share the full jest with Alemi later. Only would the joke be on himself if after all the half-truths Tgellan found fire lizard eggsor a piperin the cave?

Harper Elgion, said Yanus firmly, waving the rest of the holders away from them as he pointed to the Hold door. Harper Elgion, Id be grateful for a few words of explanation.

Indeed, sir, and Ive much to report to you of happenings in the Weyr. Elgion respectfully followed the Sea Holder. He knew now how to deal with Yanus with no further recourse to evasions or lies.

Chapter l0

When Menolly roused, she was in a quiet dark place and something crooned comfortingly in her ear. She knew it was Beauty, but she wondered how she could be so warm all over. She moved, and her feet felt big, stuffed and very sore.

She must have made some sound because she heard a soft movement and then the glow in the corner of the room was half-unshielded.

Are you comfortable? Are your feet painful?

The warmth beside Menollys ear disappeared. Clever Beauty, Menolly thought with approval after an instants fear of discovery.

Someone was bending over Menolly now, securing the sleeping furs about her shoulders; someone whose hands were gentle, soothing, who smelled of clean herbs and faintly of numbweed.

They only hurt a little, Menolly replied untruthfully because her feet had taken to throbbing so hard she was afraid the woman could hear them.

Her soft murmur and her gentle hands denied Menollys stoicism.

You must surely be hungry. Youve slept all day.

I have?

We gave you fellis juice. Youd run your feet to ribbons There was a slight hesitation in the womans voice. Theyll be fine in a sevenday. No serious cuts. The quiet voice held a ripple of amusement. Tgran is convinced youre the fastestrunner in Pern.

Im not a runner. Im just a girl.

Not just a girl. Ill get you something to eat. And then its best if you sleep again.

Alone, Menolly tried not to think of her throbbing feet and a body which felt stone-heavy, immobile. She worried for fear Beauty or some of the others would come and be discovered by the weyrwoman, and what would happen to Lazy with no one to make him hunt for himself and

Im Manora, the woman said as she returned with a bowl of steaming stew and a mug. You realize that youre at Benden Weyr? Good. You may stay here, you know, as long as you wish.

I can? A relief as intense as the pain in her feet flooded Menolly.

Yes, you can, and the firmness of that reply made that right inalienable.

Menolly is my name She hesitated because Manora was nodding. How did you know?

Manora motioned for her to continue eating. Ive seen you at Half-Circle, you know, and the Harper asked the wingleader to keep search for youafter you disappeared. We wont discuss that now, Menolly, but I do assure you that you can stay at Benden.

Please dont tell them

As you wish. Finish your stew and take all the drink. You must sleep to heal.

She left as noiselessly as shed come, but Menolly was reassured. Manora was headwoman at Benden Weyr, and what she said was so.

The stew was delicious, thick with meat chunks and satisfying with herb flavors. Shed almost finished it when she heard a faint rustle and Beauty returned, piteously broadcasting hunger. With a sigh, Menolly pushed the bowl under the little queens nose. Beauty licked it dry, then hummed softly and rubbed her face against Menollys cheek.

Where are the others?Menolly asked, worriedly.

The little queen gave another hum and began to curl herself up in a ball by Menollys shoulder. She wouldnt have been so relaxed if the others were in trouble, Menolly thought, as she sipped the fellis juice.

Beauty, Menolly whispered, nudging the queen, if anyone comes, you go. You mustnt be seen here. Do you understand?

The queen rustled her wings irritably.

Beauty, you mustnt be seen. Menolly spoke as sternly as she could, and the queen opened one eye, which whirled slowly. Oh dear, wont you understand? The queen gave a soft reassuring croon and then closed both lids.

The fellis juice was already melting Menollys limbs into weightlessness. The dreadful throb of her feet eased. As her eyes relentlessly closed, Menolly had one last thought: how had Beauty known where she was?

When Menolly woke, it was to hear faint sounds of children laughing, an infectious laughter that made her grin and wonder what caused such happiness. Beauty was gone but the space where shed lain by Menollys head was warm to the touch. The curtain across the cubicle parted and a figure was silhouetted against the light beyond.

Whats the matter with you all of a sudden, Reppa? the girl said softly to someone Menolly couldnt see. Oh, all right. Im well rid of you for now. She turned and saw Menolly looking at her. How do you feel today? As she adjusted the glow for full light, Menolly saw a girl about her own age, dark hair tied primly back from a face that was sad, tired and oddly mature. Then she smiled, and the impression of maturity dissolved. Did you really run across Nerat?

I really didnt, although my feet feel as if they had!

Imagine it! And you holdbred and out during a Fall! There was a grudging respect in her voice.

I was running for shelter, Menolly felt obliged to say.

Speaking of running, Manora couldnt come to see you herself right now so youre in my charge. Shes told me exactly what to do, and the girl grimaced with such feeling that Menolly had a swift vision of Manora delivering her precise and careful instructions, and Ive had a lot of experience An expression of pain and anxiety crossed her face.

Are you Manoras fosterling? asked Menolly politely.

The expression deepened for a moment, and then the girl erased all expression from her face, drawing her shoulders up with pride. No, Im Brekkes. My name is Mirrim. I used to be in the Southern Weyr.

She made the statement as if that should make all plain to Menolly. You mean, in the Southern Continent?

Yes, and Mirrim sounded irritated.

I didnt know anyone lived there. The words were no sooner out of her mouth than Menolly remembered some snippet of information overheard in conversations between Petiron and her father.

Where have you been all your life? demanded Mirrim, exasperated.

In Half-Circle Sea Hold, Menolly replied meekly because she didnt wish to offend the girl.

Mirrim stared at her.

Havent you ever heard of it? It was Menollys turn to be condescending. We have the biggest dock cavern on Pern. Mirrim caught her eye, and then both girls began to laugh, the moment in which their friendship began.

Look, let me help you to the necessary, you must be bursting and Mirrim briskly threw back the sleeping fur. You just lean on me.

Menolly had to because her feet were incredibly sore, even with Mirrim supporting most of her weight. Fortunately the necessary was no more than a few steps beyond the sleeping cubicle. By the time Menolly crawled back into her bed, she was shaking all over.

Stay on your stomach, Menolly; itll be easier to change your bandages, Mirrim said. I havent had to do many feet, its true; but if you dont have to see whats going on, that makes it easier. Everyone at Southern said my hands are gentle, and Ill drown your feet in numbweed. Or would you want some more fellis juice? Manora said you could.

Menolly shook her head.

Brekke and here Mirrims voice faltered briefly, Brekke taught me how to change sticky bandages because IOh, dearie me, your feet look just like raw meat. Ooops, thats not the right thing to say, but they do. They will be all right, Manora said, and there was such confidence in that statement that Menolly pre ferred to believe it, too. Now Threadscorethats nasty. Youve just lost all the skin on your feet, thats all, but I expect you feel thats quite enough. Sorry. Caught you there. Anyway, youll not wen have scars once the new skin grows, and its really amazing how quickly skin does grow. Or so Ive observed. Now Threadscore, thats nasty for healing. Never quite fades. Lucky for you Tgrans Branth spotted you running. Dragons are very longsighted, you know. There, now, this should help

Menolly gasped involuntarily as Mirrim slathered cool numbweed on her right foot. Shed been biting her lips against the pain while Mirrim, with very gentle hands indeed, had removed the blood-caked bandages but the relief from pain was almost a shock. If shed only lost the skin from her feet, why did they hurt so much more than her hand had?

Now, weve only the left foot to go. The numbweed does help, doesnt it? Did you ever have to boil it? Mirrim asked with a groan and, as usual, didnt wait for an answer. For three days I just grit my teeth and close my nose and firmly remind myself that it would be so much worse if we didnt have numbweed. I suppose thats the bad with the good Manoras always saying we have to have. But youll be relieved to know that theres no sign of infection

Infection? Menolly jerked herself up on her elbows, craning her head about.

Will you keep still? Mirrim glared so authoritatively that Menolly forced herself to relax. All she could see of her feet were salvesmeared heels. And youre very, very lucky there isnt any infection. After all, youd been running shoeless over sand, dirt and goodness knows what. It took us forever to wash the grit off. Minim made a sympathetic sound. Just as well wed dosed you good.

Youre sure theres no infection this time?

This time? You havent done this before, have you? Mirrims voice was shocked.

No, not my feet. My hand, and Menolly turned on her side, holding out her scarred hand. She was considerably gratified by the concerned pity in Mirrims face as she examined the wound.

However did you do that?

I was gutting packtail, and the knife slipped.

You were lucky to miss the tendons.

Miss?

Well, you are using those fingers. A bit drawn that scar, though. Mirrim clucked her tongue with professional dismay. Dont think much of your Holds nursing if thats any sample.

Packtail slime is difficult, as bad as Threadscore in its own way, Menolly muttered, perversely defending her Hold.

Be that as it may, and Mirrim gave the foot bandage a final twitch, well see you dont have any such trouble with your feet. Now, Ill bring you something to eat. You must be starved

Now that the worst of the dressing was over and the numbweed had deadened the pain in her feet, Menolly was definitely aware of the emptiness in her stomach.

So Ill be right back, Menolly, and if you need anything after that, just shout for Sanra. Shes below on the Floor, minding the little ones, and she knows shes to listen for you.

As Menolly worked her way through the generous meal Mirrim brought, she reflected on some harsh truths. Definitely Mavi had given her the distinct impression that shed never be able to use her hand again. Yet Mavi was too skilled a healer not to have known that the knife had missed the finger tendons. She had deliberately let the hand heal with drawn flesh. It was painfully clear to Menolly that Mavi, as well as Yanus, had not wanted her to be able to play again.

Grimly Menolly vowed that shed never, never return to Half-Circle. Her reflections made her doubt Manoras assurance that she could stay at Benden Weyr. No matter, she could run away again. Run she could, and live holdless. And thats what shed do. Why, shed run across all PernAnd why not? Menolly became pleased with the notion. Indeed, there was nothing to stop her running right to the Masterharperhall in Fort Hold. Maybe Petiron had sent her songs to Masterharper Robinton. Maybe they were more than just twiddles. Maybebut there was no maybe about returning to Half-Circle Hold! That she would not do.

The issue did not arise over the next few days while her feet itchedMirrim said that was a good sign of healingand she found herself beginning to fret with impatience at her disability.

She also worried about her fire lizards now she wasnt able to forage for them. But the first evening when Beauty reappeared, her little eyes darting about the chamber to be sure Menolly was alone, there was nothing of hunger in her manner. She daintily accepted the morsels that Menolly had carefully saved from her supper. Rocky and Diver appeared just as she was drifting off to sleep. However, they promptly curled themselves up to sleep against the small of her back, which they wouldnt have done if theyd been hungry.

They were gone the next morning, but Beauty lingered, stroking her head against Menollys cheek until she heard footsteps in the corridor. Menolly shooed her away, telling her to stay with the others.

I know its boring to stay abed, Mirrim agreed the third morning with a weary sigh that told Menolly Mirrim would gladly have swapped places, but its kept you out of Lessas way. Since thewell, and Mirrim censored what shed been about to say. With Ramoth broody over those eggs, were all treading hot sands until they Hatch, so its better youre here.

There must be something I can do, now that Im better. Im good with my hands and then Menolly, too, halted uncertainly.