amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第18部分

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ve　the　quality　of　their　lives。〃
　　Sebell　held　up　one　hand　in　a　rueful　gesture。　〃We　would　if　we　could。　Hill　folk　are　the　most　hidebound　of　all。〃
　　Inadvertently　Batim's　face　mirrored　the　Harper's　opinion。
　　〃That　narrows　it　down；　doesn't　it？〃　the　Lord　Holder　said；　rubbing　his　hands　together　in　satisfaction。　〃Take　him　away；　Haligon。〃
　　〃I　have　rights！　Chartered　rights！　You're　all　so　big　about　that　blinding　Charter　of　yours；〃　Batim　cried　hoarsely　as　Haligon　called　the　guard　in。　The　prisoner　made　a　frantic　surge　toward　the　table　but　was　thwarted　by　the　quick…footed　Haligon。　Struggling；　Batim　reached　straining　fingers　toward　the　glasses。　〃Water。　I've　had　no　water　all　day。〃
　　〃Actually；〃　Lessa　said　in　a　cold　voice；　〃the　Charter　does　not　cite　water　in　the　list　of　rights。〃
　　〃But　it　has　to！〃
　　Haligon　and　the　guard　hauled　him　out　of　the　room　and　they　heard　him　demanding　water　as　the　door　closed。　Lessa　gave　a　shudder　of　distaste。　Master　Crivellan　continued　to　stare　fixedly　at　the　Benden　Weyrleader。
　　〃Crivellan；〃　N'ton　said；　touching　the　Healer's　arm；　〃F'lar　only　threatened　the　man；　no　more。　You　know　that　dragons　won't　hurt　a　human。〃
　　〃The　threat　is　usually　sufficient；〃　F'lar　remarked；　resuming　his　seat；　〃but　the　culprit　has　to　believe　the　threat　will　be　carried　out。　Batim　would　have　ignored　any　physical　coercion…apart　from　a　one…way　trip　a…dragonback。　So　we　put　him　off　balance。〃　He　grinned　at　Lessa。　〃And　elicited　some　interesting　reactions。〃
　　〃Oh！〃　was　the　Healer's　relieved　response。　〃My　pardon　for　doubting　your　methods。〃
　　〃Considering　what　harm　the　man　did　your　Craft；　you　are　remarkably　forbearing；〃　Lessa　said；　dropping　her　pose　of　indolence。
　　〃I　am　dedicated　to　saving　life；　Weyrwoman；〃　Crivellan　replied　with　great　dignity；　〃not　taking　it。〃
　　〃And　learning　all　you　can　from　Aivas　to　improve　your　skills。　Whereas　the　Abominators　seem　to　want　to　stop　progress　in　its　tracks；〃　she　replied　coldly。　〃We　found　out　as　much　from　what　he　didn't　say；　though　the　thought　of　trying　to　trace　him　in　Keroon；　where　the　hill　folk　won't　even　discuss　the　weather；　is　daunting。〃　She　caught　Sebell's　eye　and　held　it。
　　〃Shall　we　enlist　Lord　Kashman's　help？〃　Jaxom　asked。　〃I　know　he's　new　in　his　Holding　but；　if　his　people　are　in　any　way　involved；　he　should　be　consulted。〃
　　Sebell　cleared　his　throat。　〃None　claimed　Keroon　as　their　hold。〃
　　〃Did　we　expect　them　to？〃　Lessa　asked　scornfully。
　　〃Did　you　learn　anything　else　from　Batim；　Lessa？〃　F'lar　asked。
　　His　weyrmate　gave　a　fastidious　shudder。　〃Only　what　was　foremost　on　his　mind…denying　where　he　came　from。　He　reacted　more　strongly　to　'Keroon'　than　anywhere　else；〃　she　said；　giving　him　a　trenchant　glare。　〃He　was　very　annoyed　that　they'd　been　caught　and　was　steeling　himself　against　the　abominations　that　would　be　practiced　on　him　to　make　him　speak。〃
　　〃The　very　idea！〃　Master　Crivellan　was　appalled。
　　〃Someone　like　Batim　would　probably　enjoy　being　tortured；〃　Jaxom　remarked。
　　〃Jaxom！〃　Sharra　exclaimed。
　　〃He's　right；　you　know；〃　Lessa　said。　〃Don't　deny　that　you　would　have　liked　to　help；　considering　how　distressed　Master　Oldive　was。〃
　　〃Then　I　would　have；〃　Sharra　replied　candidly；　〃not　now。　I'm　sorry　they　don't　know　better。〃
　　〃They're　a　grudging　lot；〃　Jaxom　reminded　her。　〃Look　how　that　woman　reacted　when　Oldive　offered　to　treat　her　and　went　to　the　trouble　of　explaining　that　he　would　be　using　traditional　materials！　She　didn't　want　to　hear　the　truth。　Is　it　possible　that　we；〃　he　asked；　indicating　all　the　leaders；　〃have　not　taken　into　consideration　how　hold　and　hall　will　receive　Aivas's　innovations？〃
　　Sebell　cleared　his　throat。　〃We　do　hear　things　now　and　then　that　suggest　that　some　people　are　dubious　about　'progress。'　Often　because　they　doubt　they'll　ever　be　able　to　afford　it。〃
　　〃Or　don't　fully　understand　the　benefits？〃　Lessa　asked；　thinking　of　her　own　quarters；　warmed　by　an　Aivas　improvement。　Cold　seeped　through　the　stone　floor　under　the　table　and　chilled　her　feet　halfway　up　her　shins。
　　〃It'll　take　more　than　the　few　Turns　we've　had　since　Aivas　died　to　explain　to　all　who　need　to　know；〃　Sebell　said。
　　〃For　that　matter；〃　Groghe　remarked；　〃I've　a　significant　number　of　small　holders　who　won't　believe　dragonriders　diverted　the　Red　Star；　because　Thread　is　still　falling。〃
　　〃Some　will　never　understand；〃　Jaxom　said　wearily。
　　〃We　certainly　make　it　as　clear　and　to　as　many　holds　as　possible；〃　Sebell　said；　trying　not　to　sound　defensive。　The　burden　of　explanation　was　the　Harper　Hall's　responsibility。　〃But　the　understanding　of　some　is　limited。〃
　　〃And　those　are　happy　to　believe　easy　lies　rather　than　plicated　truths；〃　Jaxom　said；　shifting　in　his　chair。　〃Most　of　my　Hold　has　at　least　had　basic　lessons　but　even　so；　we　are　constantly　having　to　dispel　misconceptions。〃
　　Groghe　brought　both　hands　down　on　the　arms　of　his　chair。　〃That　is　not　the　question　tonight。　We　have　to　decide　what　to　do　with　this　lot　and；　if　at　all　possible；〃　he　added；　nodding　toward　Sebell；　〃find　out　who　planned　such　widespread　raids。　There　had　to　be　a　central　person　or　persons　for　so　many　to　have　acted　as　simultaneously　as　they　did。〃
　　〃And　see　what　can　be　done　to　prevent　any　more；〃　Jaxom　said。
　　〃Possibly　we　can　find　out　more　from　the　Keroonian；〃　Sebell　said；　checking　the　pile　of　notes　in　front　of　him。　〃Tawer；　by　name。　He's　a　tanner；　judging　by　the　calluses　and　dye　stains　on　his　hands。〃
　　〃He　could　be　a　hidebinder；　a　bookbinder；〃　Lessa　muttered；　〃badly　done　as　it　was。〃
　　〃Is　Tawer　the　one　who　lost　his　family　to　fever？〃　Crivellan　asked。　〃Our　healer　hall　at　Wide　Bay　keeps　meticulous　records。〃
　　〃Good　point；〃　Sebell　said。　〃I'll　also　find　out　what　Tagetarl　does　with　blurred　or　damaged　pages。〃
　　〃Unless　Wide　Bay　healer　hall　is　missing　some　of　their　medical　texts；〃　Sharra　added。
　　〃Yes；　we　must　find　out　where　and　who　issued　that　filth；〃　Crivellan　urged。
　　〃I　doubt　we　will；〃　Sebell　said。　〃But；　if　you'll　pass　the　word　of　such　things　to　your　healers；　we'll　have　harpers　keep　their　eyes　open。　Runners；　too。〃　He　glanced　at　Haligon；　who　nodded。　Then　he　began　to　tick　off　more　points　on　his　fingers。　〃Right　now　we've　enough　to　make　some　discreet　inquiries　in　Keroon；　trace　the　Crom　runnerbeasts；　see　if　anyone　else　saw　them　on　the　way　here；　or　perhaps　crossing　Telgar　and　Keroon；　find　out　where　they　got　the　fabric　for　their　clothing；　and　pass　around　sketches　of　Batim；　Scalp；　and　Itch。〃
　　〃And　suggest　that　all　Halls　keep　guard　at　night；〃　F'lar　said。
　　〃You're　within　your　rights；　Groghe；〃　Jaxom　said；　pausing　to　smile　ironically；　〃to　keep　them　as　long　as　they　might　be　needed。〃
　　〃Needed？〃　Groghe　was　offended。　〃I'll　have　them　out　of　my　Hold　as　soon　as　possible。〃　Scowling；　he　glanced　around　the　table；　assessing　all。　〃I　know　what　I　want　to　do　with　them。　What　I　firmly　believe　should　be　done　with　all　these　dissenting　Abominators。〃　He　brought　his　fist　down　again　on　the　table。　〃Exile　'em！〃
　　Crivellan　jumped　at　the　crack　of　fist　on　wood。　〃I　thought　that　required　a　trial　and　jury；〃　he　said；　surprised。
　　Groghe　gestured　to　include　those　present。　〃Masters；　Weyrleaders；　and　Lord　Holders。　Adequate　judges。　The　vandals　were　caught　in　the　act。　Plenty　of　people　saw　what　they　did。　Destroyed　valuable　property；　depriving　others　of　medicines　and　services。　And　not　just　in　Fort。〃　He　waved　an　enpassing　arm。　He　focused　narrowed　eyes　on　the　irresolute　Healer。　〃Ordinarily；　I'd　send　them　to　the　mines。　However；　the　notion　of　being　exiled　might　make　others　think　twice。　I　wouldn't　want　anyone　to　think　the　healer　halls　can　be　attacked　with　impunity。　Right；　Master　Crivellan？〃
　　〃Yes；〃　the　man　admitted　hesitantly。　〃It　will　be　hard　enough　to　replace　what　was　spoiled　and　broken　today。　Though　stopping　that　sort　of　travesty；〃　he　added；　pointing　to　the　pamphlet；　〃is　even　more　important！〃
　　〃I　thought　you'd　see　it　our　way；〃　Groghe　said。　〃We'll　proceed　accordingly。〃
　　Sebell　rose。　〃I　shall　have　many　messages　for　Kimi。〃
　　〃Meer　and　Talla　can　help　if　you　wish；〃　Sharra　offered。
　　〃Tris；　too；〃　N'ton　said。　He　got　to　his　feet；　stretching　stiffly。
　　〃You　know；　exile　is　a　just　punishment　for　them；〃　Lessa　remarked。　〃They　can't　escape　it　or　each　other。　Don't　make　it　a　large　island；　will　you；　N'ton。〃　She　took　F'lar's　hand　to　get　to　her　feet　and　retrieved　her　heavy　fur…lined　riding　jacket　from　the　back　of　her　chair。　〃We　shall　all　keep　our　ears　and　eyes　open　during　Fall　two　days　from　now。〃
　　〃How　soon　can　you　get　any　information　from　the　Runners；　Haligon？〃　F'lar　asked。
　　Haligon　shrugged。　〃They've　first　to　spread　the　word。　When　I　explained　the　matter　to　Torlo　at　the　Fort　Station；　he　wrote　messages　for　every　pouch　being　forwarded。〃
　　〃Pern　has　relied　on　the　Runners　for　much；〃　F'lar　stated。
　　〃It　always　will；〃　Lessa　added　on　her　way　to　the　door。
　　Sharra　wondered　if　she　was　the　only　one　to　see　Haligon's　delighted　reaction　to　Lessa's　reassurance。　She　was　as　eager　to　get　home　as　Lessa。　It　had　been　a　very　long　and　trying　day。
　　〃We'll　sort　this　out；〃　Groghe　said　at　his　heartiest。　〃Thank　you　one　and　all　for　assistance　in　this　vexing　matter。　Let's　hope　the　new　Turn　improves　from　here　on　out！〃
　　〃I'll　second　that！〃　Jaxom　replied　fervently。
　　
FORT　HOLD　RUNNER　STATION…1。2。31
　　〃We've　no　word　from　Crom　yet；〃　Torlo　said　the　moment　Haligon　walked　into　the　Runner　Station。　Torlo　had　just　finished　dispatching　the　day's　runners；　laden　with　Crafthall　messages；　resulting　from　a　very　busy　Turnover。　〃Hard　frost　makes　a　hard　trace。〃
　　〃Weyr；　Hold；　and　Hall　are　indebted　to　you；　Torlo；〃　Haligon　said　courteously；　wondering　now　why　he　had　proffered　services　last　night　that　he　might　not　be　able　to　secure。　Runners　had　unassailable　ethics。
　　〃No　more　than　our　duty　to　trace　letters；〃　the　old　man　replied　with　a　careless　flick　of　his　hand；　〃especially　after　all　that　dirty　business　at　the　Healer　Hall。〃　Then　he　cast　a　shrewd　look　at　his　early　morning　guest。　〃Too　early；　too；　for　you　to　be　looking　for　Tenna；　bearing　in　mind　you　should　know　by　now　how　long　it　takes　her　to　make　a　run　back。　You　got　to　spend　most　of　Turnover　with　her。〃
　　Haligon　cleared　his　throat；　not　sure　how　to　state　his　real　business　of　the　morning。
　　〃Oh？　Something　else；　is　it？〃　Torlo；　who　was　a　perceptive　man　under　a　brusque　manner；　pointed　to　the　corner　of　the　empty　hall　of　the　Runner　Station。　〃Fresh　klah；　Lord　Haligon？〃
　　Maybe　this　should　have　been　done　more　informally；　but　Torlo　had　called　the　tone　by　using　his　title。　Hiding　his　chagrin；　Haligon　accepted　the　hospitality　and　slid　onto　a　settle　seat　at　the　end　table　while　Torlo　filled　cups　and　brought　a　breadboard　with　some　of　the　morning's　bake　on　it。　Everyone　would　have　known　about　the　meeting　in　the　Hold's　private　dining　room。　That　Batim　had　been　questioned。　Certainly　the　fire…lizard　traffic　out　of　the　Harper　Hall　last　night　would　have　been　noticed。　The　Runners　had　never　objected…in　so　many　words…to　fire…lizards　carrying　messages。　They　appreciated　that　speed　could　be　a　critical　factor　that　had　not；　yet；　interfered　with　their　craft。　In　the　very　early　days；　while　clutches　were　still　being　found　on　the　beaches　of　Boll；　Ista；　and　Keroon；　Runners　had　used　fire…lizards；　too。
　　The　young　Lord　sipped　the　klah…it　was　always　excellent　here…and　deliberated　exactly　how　to　approach　Torlo。