amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第22部分

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sing　Zaranth's　wing；　and　in　spectacular　leaps；　made　for　the　cover　of　the　jungle。　To　flush　a　feline　was　unusual。　Neither　dragon　nor　rider　would　have　seen　it　lurking　in　the　shade。　Of　course；　neither　would　the　herdbeasts　who　were　obviously　the　intended　prey。
　　Zaranth　hissed　at　so　close　a　swipe；　a　small　flame；　residue　of　the　most　recent　Fall；　escaped；　spurting　after　the　beast。
　　Watch　it；　love！　The　hide's　worth　more　unsinged；　Tai　cried。
　　Despite　being　large　for　a　green；　Zaranth　had　lost　none　of　the　agility　that　was　her　color's　most　valuable　characteristic。　She　dove；　with　a　burst　of　speed　that　took　the　breath　out　of　Tai's　mouth。　Matching　the　rhythm　of　the　feline's　bounds；　she　caught　it　mid…leap。　Tai　felt　Zaranth's　heavy　shoulder　muscles　convulse；　then　relax。　She　had　a　glimpse　over　her　shoulder　of　the　limp　spotted　body　stretched　out　on　the　plain；　its　back　broken。
　　The　other　one！　Zaranth　cried；　spinning　obliquely　to　her　left　and　heading　back　up　the　plateau　toward　the　first　predator　they　had　seen；　who　was　now　closing　in　on　a　herdbeast　and　unaware　that　its　hunting　partner　had　just　been　taken　down。
　　The　most　successful…and　safest…tactic　was　to　e　up　behind　a　feline　as　Zaranth　was　now　doing；　keeping　their　shadow　from　warning　the　carnivore　of　pursuit。　Now；　just　as　the　feline　swiped　its　front　paws　at　the　herdbeast's　galloping　hindquarters；　Zaranth's　claws　made　contact　and　snapped　its　neck　in　one　clean　jerk。
　　Not　bad　hunting；　Tai　said；　well　pleased　with　a　bag　of　two；　both　prime　specimens　and；　unless　Zaranth　had　singed　the　first　one；　quite　saleable。　Shall　we　continue？
　　Monarth　says　it　is　all　in　hand。　A　big　pride；　but　a　half　wing　is　sufficient；　Zaranth　said　as　she　circled　back　with　her　second　kill；　depositing　it　with　an　almost　disdainful　negligence　beside　the　first。　These；　and　Zaranth's　tone　was　possessive；　are　mine！
　　No　one　will　dispute　it；　but　I　get　the　skins。
　　And　skinning　was　hard　work。　Tai's　brief　elation　departed。
　　I'll　help；　Zaranth　said。
　　If　you　promise　not　to　drool　all　over　me　or　lick　while　I'm　working；　Tai　replied　with　mock　severity。　In　the　heat　of　the　day；　in　an　open　field；　there　was　no　shelter　at　all　from　the　pests　that　would　smell　blood　and　e　for　their　share。　However；　she　told　herself；　two　pelts　would　be　worth　the　disfort。
　　She　debated　throwing　the　bodies　over　Zaranth's　neck　and　taking　them　up　to　the　cooler；　swarm…free　foothills　to　skin。
　　Once　she　was　on　the　ground　beside　them；　she　discarded　that　idea。　They　were　big　brutes。　She　was　strong；　but　these　dead　weights　would　be　impossible　to　shift　onto　her　dragon。　The　first　one　was　smaller；　of　a　different　mix；　with　a　mottled　hide；　the　other　was　a　tawny　yellow…brown；　with　striped　markings　on　its　legs。　Both　were　females　with　engorged　dugs；　and　Tai　sighed　at　the　thought　of　yet　more　of　these　monsters　maturing　to　savage　herds。
　　She　removed　her　jacket　and　hung　it　on　a　low　bush；　taking　a　well…honed　knife　from　her　boot。
　　〃Lift　the　first　one　up；　please！〃　she　said；　〃and　remember；　you　get　the　carcass　faster　if　you　hold　still…and　don't　salivate　all　over　me。〃
　　I　know；　I　know；　but　Zaranth's　mouth　was　very　wet　as　she　lifted　the　feline　by　the　head　so　Tai　could　make　the　first　incision　at　the　base　of　the　thick　throat。　One　zip　down；　slit　the　legs。　Zaranth　did　drool　as　she　helped。　Tai　quickly　worked　up　a　sweat。　To　distract　herself；　she　pondered　once　again　about　meeting　F'lessan　and　his　interest　in　astronomy。　Was　he　going　to　make　that　his　career　After？　Maybe　she'd　meet　him　again。　Then　she　reproved　herself。　He　was　a　Benden　Wingleader；　son　of　Lessa　and　F'lar；　and　despite　the　fact　that　he　had　quite　earnestly　said　that　green　dragons　were　essential　for　every　wing；　their　paths　were　unlikely　to　cross　again。　She　concentrated　on　her　task。　Helpfully；　the　green　idly　moved　her　wings　to　deflect　the　swarms　of　insects　drawn　to　the　smell　of　blood　and　raw　flesh。　The　most　persistent　attacked　between　wingstrokes。
　　It　was　dry　work；　too；　in　this　heat　and　Tai　regretted　that　she　hadn't　grabbed　up　her　water　bottle　in　her　haste　to　answer　T'gellan's　summons。　She　took　a　deep　breath　as　Zaranth　rotated　the　feline　so　Tai　could　strip　the　pelt　from　the　limp　body。　A　mass　of　flying　insects　covered　skin　and　skinners　as　Zaranth；　fanning　furiously　and　growling；　lifted　the　carcass　a　length　away。
　　Without　Zaranth's　wings；　clouds　of　insects　attached　themselves　to　the　blood　on　Tai's　arms。　She　broke　a　wide　leaf　off　a　low…growing　shrub　and；　beating　the　air　about　her；　walked　up　the　slight　incline　to　see　how　the　rest　of　the　wing　was　faring　before　she　started　the　backbreaking　task　of　skinning　the　second　feline。
　　Shading　her　eyes；　she　saw　that　two　dragons　were　still　aloft；　chasing　felines　away　from　the　safety　of　the　thick　vegetation　bordering　the　plateau。　She　counted　eight　dragons　on　the　ground；　waiting　for　their　treats　to　be　skinned。　Three　more　were　already　eating。　Dust　settling　off　to　the　northeast　indicated　that　the　herdbeasts；　stupid　as　they　were；　had　stopped　running。　It　was　a　good…sized　herd。　Then　she　caught　sight　of　bright…colored　shirts　and　galloping　Runners　streaming　down　toward　them：　the　Cardiff　herders　catching　up　with　the　stampede。　Brave　of　them；　she　thought；　since　they　could　still　be　attacked　by　any　of　the　remaining　pride。　One　of　them　hailed　Tai　on　the　hillock　and　turned　his　mount　toward　her。　Slung　across　his　back　were　a　short　bow　and　a　weyrhide　carrier　full　of　the　sort　of　barbed　arrows　that　would　be　needed　to　bring　down　felines。
　　〃Our　thanks　for　such　a　prompt　response；〃　he　said；　halting　beside　her　and　swinging　down。　〃Tai；　isn't　it？　And　Zaranth？　We　been　following　the　herd　since　dawn。　Got　stampeded　by　last　night's　heat　lightning；　and　with　the　smarts　only　such　dumb　critters　possess；　they　headed　right　toward　the　thickest　congregation　of　felines　anywhere　in　Cardiff。　We　keep　huntin'　'em；　but　they　keep　producing。　And　you　got　two。　Big　mothers！〃
　　〃You　said　it。　Both　were　nursing　cubs。〃
　　He　cursed　under　his　breath；　wiping　his　forehead　on　his　red　sleeve。　〃More　of　the　sharding　killers　to　get。　And　getting　smarter　all　the　time。〃
　　〃Dragons're　even　smarter；〃　Tai　said；　grinning　with　pride。　But　quickly　she　shut　her　mouth　tightly　so　as　not　to　inhale　any　of　the　fresh　insect　clouds　that　zoomed　in　on　both　of　them　and　the　sweaty　mount。　She　swept　her　frond　in　a　wider　arc　to　discourage　the　swarm。
　　〃Miserable　things；　ain't　they？〃　he　mented　with　a　rueful　smile；　using　his　broad…brimmed　hat　as　a　fan　and　tugging　a　big；　dirty　cloth　from　a　leg　pocket　to　mop　his　sweaty；　sun…weathered　face。　She　didn't　recognize　him；　but　she　wasn't　surprised　that　he　knew　who　she　was；　Cardiff　holders　were　punctilious　about　knowing　the　riders　who　weyred　at　Monaco　Bay。
　　〃I'm　Rency；　Cardiff　Hold　Journeyman；〃　he　said；　squinting　against　the　sun　glare。　〃Ain't　easy　to　bring　down　two；〃　he　added；　impressed。
　　〃We　flushed　the　first　by　chance；〃　she　said　easily。　〃Zaranth's　fast。〃
　　〃Obviously。〃
　　〃The　other　didn't　see　its　partner　go　down　and　we　came　up　behind　her。〃
　　He　chuckled　appreciatively；　but　her　disclaimer　did　not　lessen　his　respect　for　her　double　kill。
　　〃Heard　tell　you're　as　good　bringing　down　vandals；〃　he　said；　touching　his　own　face　to　indicate　he　had　noticed　her　healing　cheek。　He　untied　the　water　bottle　from　the　back　of　his　saddle　and　handed　it　to　her。　As　she　drank；　he　kept　fanning。
　　〃Thanks；〃　she　said；　refreshed　by　the　cool　water。　His　canteen　must　have　been　one　of　the　new　thermal　types。　She　coveted　one　for　herself。　They　were　expensive；　and　the　waiting　list　was　long。　Still；　the　price　of　the　two　pelts　would　bring　that　wish　closer。
　　〃Drink　up；　Tai。　We're　not　far　now　from　water。　Can　I　help　you　skin　the　second　one？〃　He　gave　her　a　broad　smile。　〃Won't　take　two　of　us　long。〃
　　She　nodded；　her　smile　appreciative。　As　he　divested　himself　of　the　bow　and　arrow　sheath；　she　took　a　second；　longer　drink；　carefully　replaced　the　plug；　and　handed　it　back　to　him。
　　〃Would　you　know　yet　how　many　the　dragons　brought　down？〃　he　asked　as　she　led　the　way　down　to　the　second　feline。　Zaranth　didn't　raise　her　head　from　her　meal。
　　〃I　saw　eleven　dragons　on　the　ground。　T'gellan　brought　half　the　wing；　and　a　couple　are　still　hunting。〃
　　〃And　you　accounted　for　two！〃　he　said　again。　She　skinned　up　the　front　leg　as　he　deftly　did　the　hind　one。　〃We'd　been　trying　to　catch　up　with　this　part　of　the　herd；〃　he　explained　in　a　rueful　tone　through　clenched　teeth。　〃Wanted　to　get　'em　turned　before　they　got　this　close　to　the　jungle。　Felines　don't　usually　hunt　so　late　in　the　day；　but　if　there　were　two　with　litters；　they'd　be　hungry　and　more　apt　to　attack　when　they　saw　so　much　food　on　the　hoof。〃
　　He　gave　a　resigned　sigh；　swiveling　to　look　at　the　dense　forest　with　its　multiple　shades　of　green　leaves；　fronds；　and　spikes　that　bordered　the　plateau；　the　light　breeze　ruffling　the　taller；　more　flexible　branches。　He　mopped　his　forehead　and　cheeks　and　shook　his　head。　〃Well；　if　we　didn't　have　so　much　on　the　hoof　nearby；　it'd　save　us　to　track　down　and　finish　the　cubs　before　they　start　hunting。〃　He　paused。　〃As　it　is；　they'll　have　to　take　their　chances　like　the　rest　of　us。〃
　　〃Can　we　help　you　turn　the　herd　back　out　of　immediate　danger？〃　Tai　asked　as　they　flipped　the　hide　from　the　legs　and　wrestled　the　carcass　over。　Rency　was　almost　as　good　as　Zaranth　as　a　helper。
　　〃We'd　sure　appreciate　it；〃　Rency　said。
　　Herdbeasts　were　as　terrified　of　dragons　in　the　air　as　felines　on　the　ground；　so　herding　them　merely　required　the　dragons　to　keep　their　shadows　on　the　beasts。
　　〃Sure。　Dragons　have　to　fly　straight　with　full　stomachs；　you　know；〃　she　said。　〃No　reason　we　can't　help　you　spook　the　herd　in　the　right　direction　for　now。〃　Today's　feed　would　last　Zaranth　a　sevenday。
　　〃Just　need　to　set　them　in　the　right　direction；　Tai；〃　he　said。　〃There's　a　ravine〃…he　pointed　in　a　northwesterly　direction…〃and　water。　Whooshing　'em　that　way　is　all　we'd　need。〃
　　〃No　problem；〃　Tai　said。　If　you'll　be　kind　enough　to　stop　eating　long　enough　to　tell　Monarth　what's　needed；　she　said　to　her　dragon。
　　He　just　told　me；　Zaranth　said；　sucking　the　tail　into　her　mouth　and　licking　her　lips。
　　〃Makes　short　work　of　it；　doesn't　she？〃　Rency　remarked　approvingly。
　　Tai　grinned。　〃Monarth　says　we'll　be　glad　to　help。　Half　the　wing　has　fed　today。〃
　　I　am　the　only　one　who　has　two。　Zaranth；　her　faceted　eyes　flickering　with　orange　pleasure；　strolled　indolently　over　to　them　to　await　her　second　course。
　　Rency　and　Tai　pulled　the　skin　cleanly　off　the　flesh。　Once　they　had　rolled　it　up；　he　went　back　to　his　mount；　which　stood　far　enough　away　from　the　dragon　to　feel　safe。　Tai；　letting　Zaranth　move　in　on　her　bloody　kill；　followed　him；　hoping　to　get　away　from　the　worst　of　the　insect　swarms。　Rency　handed　her　the　water　bottle　and　a　towel。
　　〃Take　a　good　swig　and　then　we　can　wash　off　some　of　the　gore。　Like　I　said；　I'm　not　that　far　from　water；〃　he　said　and　Tai　was　grateful　to　be　able　to　rinse　herself。
　　Feeling　somewhat　less　sticky；　they　walked　to　the　top　of　the　incline。　Though　they　had　washed　off　most　of　the　blood；　the　swarms　began　a　renewed　assault　in　waves　so　that　they　clenched　their　teeth　and　kept　their　eyes　narrowed。　Fanning　vigorously　with　his　hat；　Rency　watched　with　satisfaction　as　they　could　see　other　riders　heaving　pelts　to　their　dragons'　backs。　Suddenly　the　mass　was　w