Journeyman Brudegan to us apprentices, of course. Hes choir leader this season. First he thought it was me pulling a stunt, cause I sing high treble. So he stood right beside me. I didnt know what was up, acourse. Then he went on to Feldon and Bonz, and thats when I could hear what was happening. The boy had so engaging a grin that Menolly found herself smiling back. Shells, but Bruddie jumped about. He couldnt trace the sound. Then one of the basses pointed out the window! The boy chortled, suppressing the sound when it rose above the general level of table noise. Howd you train em to do that, huh? I didnt know you could get fire lizards to sing. Dragonll hum, but only when its Hatching time. Can anyone teach a fire lizard to sing? And do you really have eleven all your own?
Ive only got nine
Only nine, she says, and the boy rolled his eyes, encouraging his tablemates to second his envious response. Im Piemur, he added as an afterthought of courtesy.
She shouldnt be here, complained the lad immediately opposite Menolly. He spoke directly to Piemur, as if by ignoring Menolly he could be rude. He was bigger and older looking than Piemur. She belongs over there with them. And he jerked his head backward, toward the girls at the hearth table.
Well, shes here now, and fine where she is, Ranly, said Piemur with unexpected aggressiveness. She couldnt very well change once we were seated, could she? And besides, I heard that shes to be an apprentice, same as us. Not one of them.
Arent they apprentices? asked Menolly, inclining her head in the girls general direction.
Them? Piemurs astounded query was as scornful as the look on Ranlys face. No! The drawl in his negative put the girls in an inferior category. Theyre in the special class with the journeymen, but theyre not apprentices. No road!
Theyre a right nuisance, said Ranly with rich contempt.
Yeah, they are, said Piemur with a reflective sigh, but if they werent here, Id have to sing treble in the plays, and thatd be dire! Hey, Bonz, pass the meat back. Suddenly he let out a startled yip. Feldon! I asked first. Youve no right A boy had taken the last slice as he handed down the platter.
The other boys shushed Piemur vigorously, darting apprehensive glances toward the right corner.
But its not fair. I asked, Piemur said, lowering his voice slightly but not his insistence. And Menolly only had one slice. She should get more than that!
Menolly wasnt certain if Piemur was more outraged on her behalf or his own, but someone nudged her right arm. It was Camo.
Camo feed pretty Beauty?
Not now, Camo. Theyre not hungry now, Menolly assured him because his thick features registered such anxiety.
Theyre not hungry, but she is, Camo, Piemur said, shoving the meat platter at Camo. More meat, Camo. More meat, please, Camo?
More meat please, Camo repeated, jerking his head to his chest; and before Menolly could say anything, he had shuffled off to the corner of the dining hall where sliding shelves brought food directly up from the kitchen.
The boys were sniggering with the success of Piemurs stratagem, but they wiped their faces clear of amusement when Camo shuffled back with a well-laden platter.
Thank you very much, Camo, Menolly said, taking another thick slice. She couldnt fault the boys for their greed. The meat was tasty and tender, quite different from the tough or salted stuff she was used to at Half-Circle Sea Hold.
Another slab was dumped onto her plate.
You dont eat enough, Piemur said, scowling at her. Too bad shell have to sit with the others, he told his tablemates as he passed the platter. Camo likes her. And her fire lizards.
Did he really feed them with you? asked Ranly. He sounded doubtful and envious.
They dont frighten him, Menolly said, amazed at how fast news of everything spread in this place.
They wouldnt frighten me, Piemur and Ranly assured her on the same breath.
Say, you were at Impression at Benden Weyr, werent you? asked Piemur, nudging Ranly to be silent. Did you see Lord Jaxom Impress the white dragon? How big is he really? Is he going to live?
I was at the Impression
Well, dont go off in a trance, said Ranly. Tell us! All we get is secondhand information, That is, if the masters and journeymen think we apprentices ought to know. He sounded sour and disgusted.
Oh, shell it, Ranly, Piemur suggested. So what happened, Menolly?
I was in the tiers, and Lord Jaxom was sitting below me with an older man and another boy
Thatd be Lord Warder Lytol, whos raised him, and the boy was probably Felessan. Hes the son of the Weyrleader and Lessa.
I know that, Piemur. Go on, Menolly.
Well, all the other dragon eggs had hatched, and there was just the little one left. Jaxom suddenly got up and ran along the edge of the tier, shouting for help. Then he jumped onto the Hatching Ground and started kicking the egg and slashing at the thick membrane inside. The next thing, the little white dragon had fallen out and
Impression! Piemur finished for her, bringing his hands together. Just like I told you, Ranly, you simply have to be in the right place at the right time. Luck, thats all it is. Luck! Piemur seemed to be pressing an old argument with his friend. Some people got a lot of luck; some dont. He turned back to Menolly. I heard you were daughter of the Sea Holder at Half-Circle.
Im in the Harper Hall now, arent I?
Piemur stretched out his hands as if that should end the discussion.
Menolly turned back to her dinner. Just as she finished mopping the last of the juices on her plate with bread, the shimmering sound of a gong brought instant silence to the hall. A single bench scraped across the stone floor as a journeyman rose from the top oval table at the far end of the hall.
Afternoon assignments are: by the sections; apprentice hall, 10; yard, 9; Hold, 8; and no sweeping behind the doors this time or youll do an extra half-day. Section 7, barns; 6, 5 and 4, fields; 3 is assigned to the Hold and 2 and 1 to the cothalls. Those who reported sick this morning are to attend Master Oldive. Players are not to be late this evening, and the call is for the twentieth hour.
The man sat down to the accompaniment of exaggerated sighs of relief, groans of complaint and mumbles.
Piemur was not pleased. The yard again! Then he turned to Menolly. Anyone mention a section number to you?
No, Menolly replied, although Silvina had mentioned the term. Not yet, she added as she caught Ranlys black stare.
You have all the luck.
The gong broke through the rumble of reaction, and the bench under Menolly began to move out from under her. Everyone was rising, so Menolly had to rise, too. But she stood in place as the others swarmed by, milling to pass through the main entrance, laughing, shoving, complaining. Two boys started gathering plates and mugs, and Menolly, at a loss, reached for a plate to have it snatched out of her hand by an indignant lad.
Hey, youre not in my section, he said in an accusing tone, tinged with surprise, and went about his task.
Menolly jumped at a light touch on her shoulder, stared and then apologized to the man who had come up beside her.
You are Menolly? he asked, a hint of displeasure in his tone. He had such a high-bridged nose that he seemed to have difficulty focusing beyond it. His face was lined with dissatisfaction, and a sallow complexion set off by graying locks tinged with yellow did nothing to alter the general impression he gave of supercilious discontent.
Yes, sir, Im Menolly.
I am Master Morshal, Craftmaster in Musical and Composition. Come, girl, one cant hear oneself think in this uproar, and he took her by the arm and began to lead her from the hall, the throng of boys parting before him, as if they felt his presence and wished to avoid any encounter. The Masterharper wants my opinion on your knowledge of musical theory.
Menolly was given to understand by the tone of his voice that the Masterharper relied on Master Morshals opinion in this and other far more important matters. And she also gathered the distinct impression that Morshal didnt expect her to know very much.
Menolly was sorry she had eaten so heartily because the food was beginning to weigh uneasily in her stomach. Morshal was obviously already predisposed against her.
Pssst! Menolly! A hoarse whisper attracted her attention to one side. Piemur ducked out from behind a taller boy, jerked his thumb upward in an easily interpreted gesture of encouragement. He rolled his eyes at the oblivious Morshal, grinned impudently and then popped out of sight in his group.
But the gesture heartened her. Funny-looking kid, Piemur was, with his tangle of tight black curls, missing half a front tooth and by far the smallest of the apprentice lot. How kind of him to reassure her.
When Menolly realized that Master Morshal must be taking her to the archroom, she sent a mental command to the fire lizards to stay quiet or go find a sunny roof until she called them again. There wasnt so much as a rustle or a chirp when she and Morshal entered. With a resigned attitude, he seated himself on the only backed chair at the sandtable. As he didnt indicate that she could seat herself, she remained standing.
Now, recite for me the notes in a C major chord, he said. She did so. He regarded her steadily for a moment, and blinked.
What notes would comprise a major fifth in C?
When she had answered that, he began to fire questions at her, irritable if she paused, however briefly, to reply, but Petiron had drilled her too often the same way. Morshals bored expression was disconcerting but, as his queries became more and more complex, she suddenly realized that he was taking examples from various traditional Sagas and Ballads. Once he mentioned the signature and which chord, it was simple enough for her to visualize the record hide and recite from memory.
Suddenly he grunted and then murmured in his throat.
Abruptly he asked her if she'd been taught the drum. When she admitted some knowledge, he asked tedious questions about basic beats in each time factor. How would she vary the beat? Now, as to finger positions on a tenor pipe, what closures did one make for a chord in F? He took her through scales again. She could have demonstrated more quickly, but he gave her no chance to suggest it.
Stand still, girl, he said testily as she shifted her throbbing feet. Shoulders back, feet together, girl, head up. He heard a soft twitter, but as hed been glaring at Menolly, it was obvious she hadnt opened her lips. He glanced about, to seek the source, as Menolly silently reassured Beauty and urged silence. Dont slouch. What was my question?
She told him, and he continued the barrage. The more she answered, the more he asked. Her feet were aching so that she had to ask permission to sit, if only briefly. But, to her amazement, before she could, Morshal abruptly stabbed a finger at the stool next to him. She hesitated, not quite believing the gesture.
Sit! sit! sit! he said in an excess of irritation at her delay. Now, lets see if you know anything about writing down what youve been repeating so glibly.
So shed been answering correctly, and he was annoyed because she knew so much. Her flagging spirits lifted, and as Master Morshal dictated musical notations, her fingers drove the pointer quickly over the sands. In her mind, a different, kinder voice dictated; and the exercise became a game, rather than an examination by a prejudiced judge.
Well, move back so I can see what youve written. Morshals testy voice recalled her to the present.
He peered at her inscriptions, pursed his lips, humphed and sat back. He gestured peremptorily for her to smooth the sand surface and rapidly gave her another set of chords. They included some difficult modulations and time values, but after the first two, she recognized the Riddle Song and was very glad Petiron had made her learn the haunting tune.
Thats enough of that, Master Morshal said, drawing his overtunic about him with quick, angry motions. Now, have you an instrument?
Yes, sir.
Then get it and that third score from the top shelf. Over there. Be quick about it.
Menolly hissed to herself as she stepped on her throbbing feet. Sitting had not relieved the swelling, and her feet felt thick at the ankles and stiff.
Hurry up, girl. Dont waste my time!
Beauty gave a soft hiss, too, from her perch on the top shelf, unlidding her eyes, and from the rustling sounds in the same general area, Menolly knew the other fire lizards had roused. With her back to Master Morshal, she gestured to Beauty to close her eyes and be quiet. She cringed at the thought of Master Morshals probable reaction to fire lizards.
I said to hurry, girl,
She shuffled to the place where she had laid the gitar and hurried back with instrument and music. The Master took the hides, his lips twitching with annoyance as he turned the thick leaves. This was new copying, Menolly saw, for the hide was almost white and the notes clear and easily read. The hide edges were neatly trimmed, too, the lines going from margin to margin, to be sure, but no notes lost in decayed edges.
There! Play me that! The music was slid across the sandtable withMenolly thought, somewhat shockedcomplete disregard for the value of the work.
By some freak of chance, Master Morshal had chosen the Ballad of Moretas Ride. Shed never manage the verse chords as written, and hed fault her if she couldnt.
Sir, my she began, holding out her left hand.
I want no excuses. Either you can play it as written or I assume that you are unable to perform a traditional work to a creditable standard.
Menolly ran her fingers across the strings to see if the tuning had held. Come, come. If you can read written scores, you can play them.
That was assuming a lot, Menolly thought to herself. But she struck the opening chords and, mindful that he was undoubtedly waiting for her to falter, she played the so well-known Ballad according to the score before her, rather than by rote. There were variations in the chords: two of which were easily managed, but she flubbed the fourth and fifth because her scarred hand would not stretch.
I see, I see, he said, waving her to stop, but he looked oddly pleased. You cannot play accurately at tempo. Very well, that is all. You are dismissed.
I beg your pardon, Master MorshalMenolly began, again extending her hand as explanation.
You what? He glared at her, his eyes wide with incredulity that she seemed to be defying him. Out! I just dismissed you! What is the world coming to when girls presume to be harpers and pretend to compose music! Out! Great shells and stars! His voice changed from scold to panic. Whats that? What are they? Who let them in here?
Already making her way down the steps, Menolly lost her anger with him at the fright in his voice. His anger had roused her friends, and since she was apparently in danger, they had rushed to protect her, by squeaking and diving at him. She laughed as she heard the slamming of a heavy door, and as instantly regretted the scene. Master Morshal would be against her, and that would not make her life easy in the Harper Hall. Nothing to fear from harpers? Was that what Tgellan had said last night? Maybe not fear, but certainly she was going to have to be cautious with them. Perhaps she ought not to have been so knowledgeable about music; that had irritated him. But wasnt that knowledge what he was testing? Once again, she wondered if there really was a place for her here? Presume to be a harper? No, she hadnt, and it was up to Master Robinton, wasnt it? Were Master Morshal and Master Domick part of the conventional procedures Master Robinton had mentioned? Even if she neednt have much to do with them, she sensed their antagonism and dislike.
She sighed and turned on the landing for the second flight and stopped. Piemur was in the hall, motionless, his eyes enormous as he followed the excited flitting of the fire lizards. Lazy and Uncle had subsided to the banister.
Im not seeing things? he asked her, watching Lazy and Uncle with apprehensive gaze. From the hand held rigid at his side, the forefinger indicated the two fire lizards.
No, youre not. The brown one is Lazy, and the blue is Uncle!
His eyes followed the flight of the others a moment longer, trying to count. Then they popped out further as Beauty landed daintily on Menollys shoulder, in her usual position.
This is Beauty, the queen.
Yes, she is, isnt she? Piemur kept staring as Menolly descended to the floor level.
Beauty stretched her neck, her eyes whirling gently as she returned his look. Suddenly she blinked her eyes, and so did Piemur, which made Menolly giggle.
No wonder Camo was cracking his shell over her. Then Piemur shook himself, all over, like a fire lizard shedding seawater. I was sent to bring you to Master Shonagar.
Whos he? asked Menolly, weary enough from the session with Master Morshal.
Old Marshface give you a hard time? Dont worry about it. Youll like Master Shonagar; hes my Master, hes the Voice Master. Hes the best, Piemurs face lit up with real enthusiasm. And he said that if you can sing half as well as your fire lizards do, youre an assssatest?
Asset? It amused Menolly to be so considered by anyone.
Thats the word. And he said that it didnt really matter if you croaked like a watchwher, so long as you could get the fire lizards to sing. Do you think she likes me? he added, for he hadnt stopped staring at Beauty. Nor had he moved.
Why not?
She keeps staring at me so, and her eyes are whirling. He gestured absently with one hand. Youre staring at her. Piemur blinked again and looked at Menolly, smiling shyly and giggling a bit self-consciously. Yeah, I was, wasnt I? Sorry about that, Beauty. I know its rude, but Ive always wanted to see a fire lizard! Hey, Menolly, cmon, and now Piemur moved off at a half-run, gesturing urgently for Menolly to follow him across the courtyard. Master Shonagars waiting, and I know youre new here, but you dont ever keep a master waiting. And say, can you keep them from following us, cause they might sing, and Master Shonagar did say it was you he wanted to hear sing today, not them again.
Theyll be quiet if I ask them to.
Ranly, he sat across the table from you, hes from Crom and hes so smart, he says they only mimic.
Oh no, they dont.
Glad to hear that, because I told him theyre just as smart as dragons, and he wouldnt believe me. Piemur had been leading her toward the big hall where the chorus had been practicing that morning. Hurry up, Menolly. Masters hate to be kept waiting, and Ive been gone awhile tracking you down.
I cant walk fast, Menolly said, gritting her teeth at the pain of each step.
You sure are walking funny. Whats the matter with your feet?
Menolly wondered that he hadnt heard that tidbit of news. I got caught away from the cave just at Threadfall. I had to run for safety.
Piemurs eyes threatened to bulge out of their sockets. You ran? His voice squeaked. Ahead of Thread?
I ran my shoes off my feet and the skin as well.
Menolly had no chance to speak further because Piemur had brought her to the hall door. Before she could adjust her eyes to the darkness within the huge room, she was told not to gawk but come forward at a proper pace, he detested dawdling.
With respect, sir, Menollys feet were injured out-running Thread, said Piemur, just as if hed always been in possession of this truth. Shes not the dawdling kind.
Now Menolly could see the barrel-shaped figure seated at the massive sandtable opposite the entrance.
Proceed at your own pace then, for surely a girl who outruns Thread has learned not to dawdle. The voice flowed out of the darkness, rich, round, with the rs rolled and the vowel sounds pure and ringing.
The other fire lizards swooped in through the open door, and the Masters eyes widened slightly. He regarded Menolly in mock surprise.
Piemur! The single word stopped the boy in his tracks, and the volume, which startled Menolly, caused Piemur to flick her a grin. Did you not convey my message accurately? The creatures were not to come.
They follow her everywhere, Master Shonagar, only she says theyll be quiet if she tells them to.
Master Shonagar turned his heavy head to regard Menolly with hooded eyes,
So tell them!
Menolly detached Beauty from her shoulder and ordered them all to perch themselves quietly. And not to make a single sound until she said they could.
Well, remarked Master Shonagar, turning his head slightly to observe the obedience of the fire lizards. That is a welcome sight, surrounded as I generally am by mass disobedience. He glared narrow-eyed at Piemur, who had had the temerity to giggle, and, at Master Shonagars stare, tried to assume a sober expression. Ive had enough of your bold face, Piemur, and your dilatory manner. Take them away!
Yes, sir, said Piemur cheerfully, and twisting about on his heels, he marched himself smartly to the door, pausing to give Menolly an encouraging wave as he skipped down the steps.
Rascal, said the Master in a mock growl as he flicked his fingers at Menolly to take the stool opposite him. Im given to believe that Petiron ended his days as Harper at your Hold, Menolly.
She nodded, tacitly reassured by his unexpected willingness to address her by name. And he taught you to play instruments and to understand musical theory?
Menolly nodded again,
In which Masters Domick and Morshal have examined you today. Some dryness in his tone alerted her, and she regarded him more warily as he tilted his heavy head sideways on his massive shoulders. And did Petiron, and now the bass voice rolled with a hint of coming displeasure, so that Menolly wondered if her original assessment of this man was wrong and he was just as prejudiced as cynical Domick and soured Morshal, did he have the audacity to teach you how to use your voice?
No, sir. At least, I dont think he did. Wewe just sang together.
Ha! And the huge hand of Master Shonagar came down so forcefully on the sand table that the drier portions jumped in their frames. You just sang together. As you sang together with those fire lizards of yours?
Her friends chirped inquiringly. Silence! he cried, with another sand-displacing thump on the table.
Somewhat to Menollys surprise, because Master Shonagar had startled her again, the fire lizards flipped their wings to their backs and settled down.
Well?
Did I just sing with them? Yes, I did.
As you used to sing with Petiron?
Well, I used to sing descant to Petirons melody, and the fire lizards usually do the descant now.
That was not precisely what I meant. Now, I wish you just to sing for me.
What, sir? she asked, reaching for the gitar slung across her back.
No, not with that, and he waved at her impatiently. Sing, not concertize. The voice only is important now, not how you mask vocal inadequacies with pleasant strumming and clever harmony. I want to hear the voice It is the voice we communicate with, the voice which utters the words we seek to impress on mens minds, the voice which evokes emotional response; tears, laughter, sense. Your voice is the most important, most complex, most amazing instrument of all. And if you cannot use that voice properly, effectively, you might just as well go back to whatever insignificant hold you came from.
Menolly had been so fascinated by the richness and variety of the Masters tones that she didnt really pay heed to the content.
Well? he demanded. She blinked at him, drawing in her breath, belatedly aware that he was waiting for her to sing.
No, not like that! Dolt! You breathe from here, and his fingers spread across his barrel-width midsection, pressing in so that the sound from his mouth reflected that pressure. Through the nose, so and he inhaled, his massive chest barely rising as it was filled, down the windpipe, and he spoke on a single musical note, to the belly, and the voice dropped an octave. You breathe from your bellyif you breathe properly.
She took the breath as suggested and then expelled it because she didnt know what to sing with all that breath.
For the sake of the Hold that protects us, and he raised his eyes and hands aloft as if he could grasp patience from thin air, the girl simply sits there. Sing, Menolly, sing!
Menolly was quite willing to, but he had so much to say before she could start or think of what to sing.
She took another quick breath, felt uncomfortable seated, and without asking, stood and launched into the same song that the apprentices had been singing that morning. She had a brief notion of showing him that he wasnt the only one who could fill the hall with resounding tones, but some fragment of advice from Petiron came to mind, and she concentrated on singing intensely, rather than loudly.
He just looked at her. She held the last note, letting it die away as if the singer were moving off, and then she sank down onto the stool. She was trembling, and now that shed stopped singing, her feet began to throb in a dull beat.
Master Shonagar only sat there, great folds of chin billowing down his chest. Without lifting his hand, he tilted his body backward and stared at her from under his fleshy and black-haired brows.
And you say that Petiron never taught you to use your voice?
Not the way you did, and Menolly pressed her hands demonstratively against her flat belly, He told me always to sing with my gut and heart. I can sing louder, she added, wondering if thats why Shonagar was frowning.
He waggled his fingers. Any idiot can bellow. Camo can bellow. But he cant sing.
Petiron used to say, If you sing loud, they only hear noise, not sound or song.
Ha! He told you that? My words! My words exactly. So he did listen to me, after all. The last was delivered in an undertone to himself. Petiron was wise enough to know his limitations.
Silently Menolly bridled at the aspersion. From the window ledge, Beauty hissed, and Rocky and Diver echoed her sentiment. Master Shonagar raised his head and regarded them in mild perplexity,
So? and he fixed his deep eyes on her. What the mistress feels the pretty creatures echo? And you loved Petiron and will hear no ill-word against him? He leaned forward slightly, wagging a forefinger at her. Know this, Menolly who runs, we all have limitations, and wise is he who recognizes them. I meant, and he settled back into his chair, no disrespect for the departed Petiron. For me that was praise. He tilted his head again. For you, the best thing possible; for Petiron had sense enough not to meddle but to wait until I could attend to your vocal education. Temper and refine what is naturaland produce now Master Shonagars left eyebrow was jerking up and down, the one arching while the other remained unmoved, so that Menolly was fascinated by his control, produce a well-placed, proper singing voice. The Master exhaled hugely.
Then Menolly took in the sense of what hed been saying, no longer distracted by his facial contortions.
You mean, I can sing?
Any idiot on Pern can sing, the Master said disparagingly. No more talk. Im weary. He began brushing her away from him. Take those other sweet-throated freaks along with you, too. Ive had enough of their baleful looks and assorted noises.
Ill see that they stay
Stay away? No. Shonagars eyebrows rose sharply. Bring them. They learn from example, one assumes. So you will set them a good example. A distant look clouded his face, and then a slow smile tugged up the corners of his mouth. Go, Menolly. Go now. All this has wearied me beyond belief.
With that, he leaned his elbow on the sandtable so heavily that the opposite end left the floor. He cushioned his head against his fist and, while Menolly watched bemused, began to snore. Although she didnt think any human could fall asleep so quickly, she obeyed the implicit dismissal and, beckoning to her fire lizards, quietly departed.