Authors: Anne McCaffrey
“He draws,” Kindan declared stolidly in his defense.
“And is drawing valued at the Harper Hall?” Lord Bemin asked, glancing first at Conar and then at Kindan.
“I can’t say for certain, my lord,” Kindan replied after an agonizingly long silence, “but Master Murenny was pleased enough to take him on.”
“But that was because Father asked him,” Conar murmured to Kindan.
“Well,” Lord Bemin said, “I agree that a Lord Holder’s request is good enough for a harper.” He cast a sideways glance at Kindan and there was no warmth in his eyes.
“As you say, my lord,” Kindan replied nonchalantly. He ignored the curious looks that Nonala and Kelsa sent his way. “We were just returning to the Harper Hall, my lord.”
“Well, then, we can walk together, can’t we, Father?” Koriana said quickly, closing the distance between her and Kindan. “Father has some questions for Master Murenny and I have some questions for you.”
“I’ll be pleased to help in any way I can,” Kindan said. Bemin shot him a measuring look. “Would it have anything to do with fire-lizards?”
“Yes, it does,” Koriana said, looking surprised.
“I would be happy to answer your questions—but later, if that would be acceptable,” Kindan told her, trying to hide his pleasure. “My friends and I should be hurrying back; we’ve got chores to do before the start of the day.” He turned to Lord Bemin. “Would you mind if we left you, my lord?”
“I wouldn’t want you to get into any trouble,” Lord Bemin replied with a wave of his hand. “I’m sure that Koriana will be able to find you later.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Kindan replied with a half-nod. To the others he said, “We’d best hurry back as quick as we can.” He looked at Conar. “Are you all right or would it be better if you escorted the Lord Holder?”
“I’m all right,” Conar declared stoutly. “As long as we don’t run.”
Kindan snorted. “Don’t be so sure, just see the way Kelsa’s long legs eat up the distance!”
Kindan’s warning was prophetic; soon Conar was huffing and puffing to keep up with the longer-legged girl.
“Slow down, Kelsa, or you’ll leave Conar behind,” Kindan cautioned her.
“I just want to get back in time to do the chores and get a shower, that’s all,” Kelsa grumbled.
“I hope you like cold water,” Nonala muttered.
“Oh, Shards!” Kelsa exclaimed, stamping her foot. “You’re right, all the warm water will be gone!”
“You could go ahead and we’ll catch up,” Kindan said in an echo of his earlier suggestion. Kelsa and Nonala merely glared at him. Kindan glanced at Vaxoram, who, as senior apprentice, was responsible for assigning the apprentices’ chores. Then he said, “You’d best run ahead and catch up with the others.”
Vaxoram looked torn between his duty and his desire to stick with Conar and the others. In the end, he nodded at Kindan’s order and raced away.
As they finally passed under the archway into the courtyard, Kindan saw the last of the apprentices dispersing. Vaxoram was waiting for them.
“Finally,” he called. “I’ve got your assignments.”
“Lord Bemin is on his way,” Kindan reminded him. “The Masterharper will want to know.”
“I’ll tell him,” Vaxoram said. “You and the others are to replace the glows.”
“Now?” Kelsa groaned.
“While the sun is shining, yes,” Vaxoram returned tartly.
“But we won’t have time to eat!” Verilan objected.
“Or at least get a shower,” Kelsa cried.
“I can’t play favorites,” Vaxoram muttered, his eyes looking troubled. “And I must go tell the Masterharper.”
“It’s his job, as senior apprentice,” Kindan agreed, waving Vaxoram away.
“Shards!” Nonala groaned as Vaxoram ran out of sight. “We’ll never get it done.”
“Here’s what we do,” Kindan said. “Kelsa, you get your shower—but hurry. When you’re done, grab some rolls and butter from the dining hall.”
Kelsa nodded and sped off.
“Nonala, you get the glows out of the east side, and take Conar with you. Verilan, you and I will get the west.” Verilan and Nonala nodded in agreement. “Meet back here and we’ll take turns setting out the glows while the others shower and get dressed.” He grabbed Verilan’s arm and started to move off, calling over his shoulder, “And hurry!”
Kindan’s plan almost worked. He, Verilan, and Conar had just gotten in the shower when Kindan heard the Masterharper shout, “Kindan!”
With a groan, Kindan jumped out of the shower and hastily pulled on his clothes, rushing out of the dormitory just as the Masterharper shouted once again. “Kin—Oh, there you are!”
“Sorry, Master,” Kindan called up to the Masterharper who was peering out of the upstairs window.
“Can you join us?”
“Immediately,” Kindan replied, rushing toward the stairs that led up to the Masterharper’s quarters. At the door he knocked.
“Come in,” the Masterharper called back. Kindan opened the door carefully, not entirely sure of his reception. Murenny beamed at him as he entered, and Kindan hid a sigh of relief.
“I hear that young Conar has a problem with his breath,” the Masterharper said.
“Yes, sir,” Kindan replied.
“Make sure that he sees Lenner later on today, if you would,” the Masterharper said. Kindan nodded. “I should have thought of it yesterday and warned Vaxoram.”
Kindan caught sight of Vaxoram standing off to one side of the room, looking chagrined.
“I couldn’t imagine that Ibraton would want his youngest dead from overexertion,” Lord Bemin remarked. “Let alone on his first run.”
Kindan wondered if Fort’s Lord Holder was upset that Ibraton hadn’t asked him to foster Conar. That was usually what was done with Holders’ sons and daughters. Lord Bemin’s tone reminded Kindan of someone, and it took him a moment to recall: Tarik, C’tov’s father. Kindan gave himself a quick mental shake. Lord Bemin was not at all like Tarik, who had turned out to be a murderer and was ultimately given the worst punishment ever handed out on Pern, being Shunned by all, including his wife and son. No, Lord Bemin merely sounded like Tarik had when he’d been particularly pompous or patronizing. Kindan glanced at the Masterharper, wondering if Master Murenny felt as nettled by Lord Bemin as Kindan had on occasion by Tarik.
Master Murenny turned to Kindan. “Lord Bemin was wondering what you knew about fire-lizards.”
“I can’t say that I know all that much about fire-lizards,” Kindan replied. “However, I will be glad to share what knowledge I have. And I may be able to find more in the Archives.”
Master Murenny blinked at him. “I’m not sure that you will find all that much in the Archives, actually.”
“Anything you can discover will help a lot,” Koriana added, giving Kindan a smile.
Kindan felt his cheeks grow hot. Vaxoram glowered.
“I was particularly anxious to know when we might expect my queen to rise to mate,” Koriana said, her cheeks also glowing.
“Koriana, really!” Fort’s Lady Holder scolded.
There was an awkward silence.
“Is there anything else we can help you with, my Lord Holder?” Master Murenny asked to fill the gap.
Lord Bemin turned his attention from scolding his daughter toward the Masterharper of Pern, but his features remained set. It was a moment before he replied.
“We were also wondering if perhaps Koriana here could learn your drum codes,” Lord Bemin said. “It would be useful to have another pair of ears at the Hold to listen to the drum conversations.”
Kindan wondered whether the Lord Bemin was being deliberately insulting to the harpers or merely did not trust Fort’s aging harper. A glance at Masterharper Murenny showed him that the same thoughts had crossed his mind, as well.
“We would be glad of her company,” Master Murenny said, smiling at the young holder girl. “When would be convenient for you, Lady Koriana?”
Koriana ducked her head in acknowledgment of the Master’s question and replied demurely, “I would like to start as soon as I could.”
“Kindan’s actually very good with drums,” Master Murenny said, nodding toward the young apprentice. “We could perhaps combine the two tasks into one.”
Lord Bemin glanced sharply at the Masterharper before turning an inquiring look to his own lady. Lady Sannora locked eyes with him for a moment before nodding in acquiescence.
“Well, I’m glad that’s settled,” said Master Murenny. He looked politely toward Fort’s Lord Holder. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Well, actually,” Fort’s Lady Holder said, “if there’s any way you could help Koriana improve her writing…”
“Mother!” Koriana protested.
“Well, dear, you really should work on it some more,” Sannora replied.
Koriana’s cheeks dimpled in embarrassment. Kindan smiled reassuringly at her.
“Actually, there is one other issue I would like to discuss with you,” Lord Bemin said to Murenny.
The Masterharper made a motion for him to continue.
“I was rather curious as to why Lord Ibraton thought to send his youngest son to the Harper Hall.”
“I’m not entirely certain myself,” Master Murenny replied. “I have not heard from him directly. However, Weyrleader M’tal led me to believe that perhaps Lord Holder Ibraton had hopes that his son, Conar, might one day become a healer.”
“I see,” Lord Bemin replied. His eyes darted over to his wife, who made no response. The Lord Holder turned his gaze back to Master Murenny. “Well…”
Beside him, the Lady Holder cleared her throat loudly. Lord Bemin glanced quickly at her.
“Ah…yes,” Lord Bemin said suddenly. “And there is one other thing, if you could.”
“I am at your service,” Master Murenny replied.
“Would it be possible to get a list of those holders and crafters who have bronze fire-lizards?”
“Father!” Koriana shouted in protest.
Lord Bemin held up his hand consolingly, shaking his head at his eldest daughter. “Now dear, we’ve discussed this already and you know that it makes sense.”
“Really, you must at least know what the possibilities are,” Lady Bemin added.
Kindan glanced nervously around the room, wishing he were elsewhere.
“I am not sure we have that information either,” Masterharper Murenny confessed to the Lord Holder. “However,” he said with a glance toward Kindan, “I feel certain that we can add that to our list of inquiries.”
Lord Bemin nodded, but the glance that he cast at Kindan was not a happy one.
Master Murenny realized that the conversation was over and stood up. “If there’s any other way that I can help you, my Lord Holder, please let me know immediately.” He gestured them toward the door.
At the entrance, however, he turned to Koriana and said, “Perhaps you would like to begin your studies today?”
Koriana looked inquiringly between her two parents. Lord and Lady Bemin exchanged looks, and finally Lady Bemin nodded.
“Of course, dear,” said Fort’s Lady Holder. “When shall we expect you back?”
By now, the toddler, whom Lady Sannora had been shifting from hip to hip, had grown impatient and was starting to make irritated noises.
“I should probably be back in time for lunch,” Koriana said, looking at Kindan and Masterharper Murenny for approval.
“Of course,” the Master said, “you could always eat with us.”
“Oh, no!” Lady Sannora said hastily. “You really must come back and eat with us, Koriana.”
Koriana fought successfully to keep a triumphant grin from her face as she nodded in acquiescence to her mother; she had succeeded in maneuvering her parents into letting her stay till lunchtime without them even realizing.
Masterharper Murenny looked back at Vaxoram, who was following the rear of the party. “Vaxoram, would you please lead Lady Koriana down to Master Archivist Resler?”
Vaxoram nodded and gestured for Koriana to precede him.
“Kindan,” Murenny said, “please remain here, while I escort the Lord and Lady Holder.”
Kindan nodded, somewhat perplexed. He raised his hand in a partial wave toward Koriana but dropped it again quickly as he noticed Fort’s Lady Holder glaring at him. Waiting in the room by himself, he walked to the large windows and looked down to see Master Murenny guiding the Lord and Lady Holders through the archway of the Harper Hall.
If things hadn’t seemed so odd, Kindan would have thought that this was the best day of his life. However, the undercurrents of the conversation between the Masterharper and the Lord and Lady Holder disturbed Kindan. Did the Holders really not trust their own harper?
Could it be that Lord Holder Bemin did not trust harpers at all?
Kindan’s stomach grumbled. Kindan looked around the Masterharper’s quarters and noticed the tray of dainties that had been brought up—probably, he guessed, for the Lord and Lady of Fort Hold. They won’t miss this, he thought as he helped himself to a dainty. He quickly gulped it down and helped himself to another, listening carefully for the sound of returning footsteps.
They came after Kindan’s third dainty. The door opened and Masterharper Murenny stepped inside, glancing over at Kindan as he did so.
“Well, what did you think of that?” Murenny asked Kindan. He glanced at the tray of dainties and smiled. “Ah, I see that you have used your time profitably!”
Kindan felt his cheeks reddening, but could only nod.
“Have another,” the Masterharper said.
Gratefully, Kindan obeyed, then glanced nervously at the Masterharper, remembering that he had been asked his opinion and feeling torn between filling his stomach and answering the Master. Murenny smiled and waved him on.
“No, no! Eat first,” the Master told him firmly. “It’s always important to think on a full stomach.” He leaned across and helped himself to a dainty. “I think I shall take my own advice.”
Chewing, he reached over to the pitcher of
klah
and poured two cups. He passed one to Kindan courteously and then drank deeply from the other. For several moments they ate together, in a slightly awkward but companionable silence.
“Now,” the Masterharper said as he finished the last of his
klah.
“Are you ready to tell me your thoughts?”
Kindan could only shrug.
“Well then, just tell me your impressions.”
Kindan thought for a moment, then blurted out, “Does he not trust the Fort harper?”