amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第28部分

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cts。　As　she　served　D'ram　a　cup　of　klah；　she　bent　close　to　his　ear。
　　〃What　would　happen　if　that　fireball　came　down　anywhere？〃
　　Clearly　that　possibility　had　occurred　to　the　old　bronze　rider。
　　〃It　could　be　a　miss；〃　he　whispered　softly。
　　〃A　near　one？〃　Lessa　said；　hazarding　her　opinion。
　　〃We　can　hope　so；〃　he　replied；　shifting　his　position　in　his　chair。　〃Yoko　hasn't　displayed　any　information　about　its　size；　but　it's　clearly　a　large　object。〃
　　〃Flaming；〃　she　said　sardonically。　〃So　it　will　make　a　large　hole　and　shake　the　surface。〃
　　D'ram　gave　her　a　startled　glance。　〃We　don't　know　that　it　will　impact；　Lady　Lessa。〃
　　〃Let's　think　of　the　worst　that　could　happen　and　then　we　can　be　pleasantly　surprised。〃
　　〃Fortunately　there's　a　lot　of　sea　for　it　to　cross；〃　he　murmured。
　　〃Then　it's　best　if　it　falls　into　water　and　does　no　harm。〃
　　His　eyes　widened。　〃It　will　cause　harm！　If　it　falls；　there　will　be　tidal　waves　of　tremendous　force；　flooding　all　low　coastal　areas　and　surging　inland。　You　remember　the　high　waves　caused　by　the　last　eruption　of　Piemur's　volcano？〃
　　〃Indeed；　but　the　hurricane　of　two　Turns　ago　caused　a　great　deal　more　havoc。〃
　　D'ram　thinned　his　lips。　〃This　would　cause　more　widespread　damage；　believe　me。　That　is；〃　he　amended　hastily；　〃if　the　worst　should　happen。〃　He　paused；　frowning　and　twisting　his　lower　lip　between　two　fingers。　Looking　her　full　in　the　eyes；　he　added。　〃But　if　we　know　about　it；　we　could　prepare；　evacuate。〃
　　〃We…meaning　dragonriders？〃
　　He　nodded　quickly。　〃People　could　be　lifted　to　higher　ground　before　the　wall　of　waves　reaches　them。〃
　　Maps　hung　on　the　conference　room　walls　behind　them。　She　skewed　herself　around　and　saw　the　big　map　that　Aivas　had　called　a　Mercator　projection。　〃Faulty；〃　she　remembered　him　saying；　〃in　that　the　polar　areas　are　larger　than　their　actual　size　but　it　gives　you　a　coherent　grasp　of　the　disposition　of　land　and　sea　masses。〃　She　wished　with　all　her　being　that　somehow　Aivas's　deep　quiet　voice　would　issue　from　the　speakers；　informing　them　how　to　deal　with　this　crisis。　But　Aivas　was　gone！　Whatever　problem　this　fireball　presented　was　theirs　and　D'ram　had　suggested　a　way　in　which　they　could…in　an　emergency…reduce　the　potential　damage。　Master　Idarolan　had　once　told　her　about　seeing　a　huge　wall　of　water　drowning　an　island；　a　tsunami；　he　called　it。
　　〃If　it's　coastline　we　need　to　protect；　we　will　need　Master　Idarolan's　experience　and　knowledge；〃　she　murmured　to　D'ram。　〃He　still　has　his　charts　of　deep　harbors　and　shallow　moorings。〃
　　〃What　are　you　two　whispering　about；　Lessa？〃　F'lar　asked　as　quiet…spoken　as　they。
　　〃If　that　thing；〃…she　gestured　to　the　fireball　and　it　suddenly　looked　a　lot　less　amusing…〃falls　on　us；　we　need　to　be　prepared。〃
　　〃But。。。〃　F'lar　began。
　　〃Besides；〃　she　went　on；　intensifying　her　glance　at　him　and　giving　an　indolent　shrug；　〃even　if　it　misses；　this　is　a　phenomenon　that　would　fascinate　Idarolan。　He'll　see　it　better　from　here　than　from　his　deck　at　Nerat's　Ankle。〃
　　〃You　say；〃　and　Wansor's　light　voice　turned　excited；　〃that　the　probability　reads　fifty…eight　percent？〃
　　〃Go；　F'lar。　And　give　Idarolan　enough　time；〃　she　said；　stressing　the　word；　〃to　bring　all　the　records　he　might　need。〃
　　〃I'll　be…〃　F'lar　grinned　at　her；　〃right　back。〃
　　Lessa　glanced　over　at　the　wall　clock：　11：35！
　　〃Is　he　going　to…〃　D'ram　began；　stopping　in　surprise。　〃But　you　don't　encourage…〃
　　〃No；　I　don't；　but；　as　I　said；　if　we　prepare　for　the　worst；　we　can　be　pleasantly…rather　than　unpleasantly…surprised。　Something　about　that…〃　She　regarded　the　fireball。　〃When　a　dragon's　eyes　are　that　color；　she's　at　her　most　dangerous。〃
　　D'ram　looked　at　the　screen。　〃Yes；　you're　right。〃
　　Seven　elapsed　minutes　later；　when　the　clock　registered　11：42；　F'lar　and　Idarolan　swung　into　the　conference　room。　Both　of　them　were　laden　with　bags　of　chart　rolls　and　looked　as　if　they　had　been　running。　Idarolan's　eyes　swept　those　gathered；　then　were　held　by　the　monitor　as　he　swung　his　burden　to　the　tabletop。
　　〃I　see　that　I　am　in　time；〃…his　roughened　seaman's　voice　caressed　the　word…〃to　be　of　use。〃
　　〃Oh；　yes；　Idarolan；　yes；　I'm　glad　you're　here；〃　Wansor　said　excitedly。　〃I　don't　think　the　etary　fragment　is　going　to　miss　us。〃　He　sounded　as　if　this　were　an　achievement　to　be　relished。　〃What's　the　object's　magnitude　right　now？〃
　　〃It's　sending　a　brightness　of　minus　eight；〃　Idarolan　exclaimed　and　sat　down　heavily；　ignoring　his　paraphernalia。　〃I'm　glad　I　did　some　calculations　before　I　came。〃　He　swung　about。　〃Where's　Erragon？〃
　　〃Interface　office；〃　Lytol　said　as　repressively　as　he　could；　trying　to　concentrate　on　giving　Wansor　at　least　some　of　the　readings。
　　〃It　will　hit　us　then；　won't　it？〃　Lessa　murmured。
　　〃Yes；　I　fear　so；〃　Wansor　said；　all　his　initial　enthusiasm　and　excitement　lost　in　acceptance　of　that　reality。
　　They　were　all　silent　as　the　screen　depicted　the　catastrophe　that　was　on　its　way　to　them。
　　Master　Idarolan　was　the　first　to　recover　his　wits。　〃I　will　need　the　help　of　your　best　mathematicians；〃　he　said；　hunting　through　the　bundles　on　the　table　and　selecting　a　tightly　wrapped　tube　of　papers。　〃Monaco　must　be　evacuated　first。　I　don't　know　how　long　they　will　have…two；　maybe　three　hours。〃
　　Lessa　stood　also　and　clasped　the　hand　holding　the　papers。　〃Tell　the　dragonriders　there　that　I　want　them　to　make…〃　She　paused　to　impress　that　on　him；　his　eyes　twinkled　as　he　took　her　meaning。　〃…time　to　acplish　what　needs　to　be　done。〃
　　
MONACO　WEYR…10。22　IN　THE　MORNING…TIMING　IT
　　Golanth　and　Zaranth　were　hovering　at　tree　level　above　the　wide　clearing　that　surrounded　the　large　long　building　that　was　Monaco　Bay　Weyr。　The　space　was　big　enough　to　acmodate　many　dragons；　F'lessan　thought。　Then　he　winced。　So　much　time　was　consumed　by　doing　〃safe〃　landings　and　take…offs。　They　had　no　time　to　waste　right　now。　As　Golanth　sank　to　the　ground　in　front　of　the　Weyr　center；　F'lessan　caught　one　glimpse　of　the　sea；　tranquil　and　pale　green；　and　a　bright　streak　slightly　north　and　east　of　Monaco　Bay。
　　As　much　as　I　wanted　to　see　that　et；　I　may　wish　I　never　had；　F'lessan　remarked　ironically。
　　Zaranth's　rider　said　that；　too。
　　Well；　tell　Zaranth　to　remember　the　position。　We　can　use　it　as　a　handy　time…mark　today。
　　Monarth　arrived；　too；　inches　above　ground。　Without　waiting　for　the　bronze　to　touch　ground；　T'gellan　was　sliding　off　and　racing　up　the　steps　to　the　wide　porch；　shouting　orders；　banging　on　doors　as　he　went　down　the　wide　porch　that　surrounded　the　Weyrhold。　Path　landed　even　closer　to　the　steps；　Mirrim　dropping　right　onto　the　porch　and　scrambling　to　the　nearest　wide　door。
　　〃But　you　just　left！〃　a　woman　exclaimed；　ing　out　of　the　Weyr's　main　building。
　　〃Well；　we're　back　and　there's　an　emergency；　Dilla；〃　Mirrim　said；　going　to　the　bell　and　rigorously　pulling　its　rope。　〃C'mon；　Tai；　we　can　start　evacuating　the　children。　You　can　help；　too；　F'lessan；　while　Gell　gets　the　maps。〃　She　raced　inside　and　F'lessan　heard　her　announcing　the　crisis　to　all　within。
　　Typical　Mirrim；　he　thought；　but　at　least　she　was　over　the　panic　that　had　seized　her　in　the　Interface　office。　Immediately　there　were　screams；　sobs；　shouts；　and　general　confusion。　The　loudest　plaint　was　〃There's　bread　to　be　baked。。。　〃
　　〃How　far　inland　is　safe？〃　F'lessan　cried；　catching　Tai　before　she　could　follow　Mirrim　indoors。
　　〃They　can　get　high　enough　in　twenty　minutes　fast…walking。〃　Tai　pointed　toward　a　well…used　path　that　led　around　one　corner。　〃Not　much　time　for　packing　but　we'll　need　some　things。〃
　　She　wavered　for　a　moment　on　the　threshold；　looking　beyond　the　clearing；　then　sighed　and　shrugged　her　shoulders；　hurrying　on　inside。
　　Mirrim's　shrill　voice　was　organizing　the　weyrfolk　inside；　while　others；　alarmed　by　the　tolling　bell；　were　racing　in　on　the　various　paths；　to　find　out　what　was　wrong。　Just　then　a　crowd　of　half…grown　boys　and　girls　came　swarming　to　the　end　of　the　porch；　joining　the　other　worried　weyrfolk。
　　〃The　Weyr　must　be　evacuated；〃　he　told　them。
　　〃I　told　you　that　fireball　was　bad　luck；〃　one　of　the　older　boys　told　the　others。
　　〃How　could　it　make　the　sea　burn？〃　a　girl　demanded；　looking　to　the　bronze　rider　for　an　answer。
　　〃It　won't；〃　F'lessan　said　authoritatively。　〃Don't　make　guesses。　Right　now　you　need　to　do　what　you're　told。〃　He　gave　them　his　best　reassuring　grin。　〃This　is　going　to　be　an　adventure！　You've　got　to　get　to　your　own　weyrs。　Pack　as　much　as　you　can　as　quickly　as　you　can。　No　more　than　you　can　carry。　Tell　everyone　to　make　for　the　heights。〃　He　pointed　the　path　Tai　had　indicated。　〃You　need　to　be　at　least　two　hundred　meters　from　the　shore；　up　into　the　grove　of　fellis　trees。〃　He　gave　the　bell　another　clanging　to　reinforce　the　urgency　and　those　who　had　heard　what　he　had　to　tell　them　dispersed　in　seconds；　running　in　all　directions。
　　Mirrim　came　out；　herding　little　ones　in　front　of　her；　helped　by　her　sturdy　son；　Gellim；　while　other　weyrwomen　followed　her；　some　carrying　sacks　and　bundles。　Tai　had　one　arm　burdened　with　packs　and　the　other　around　a　screaming　toddler。
　　〃Tai；　get　aboard　Zaranth　and　I'll　hand　the　babies　up　to　you。　F'lessan；　use　the　safety　straps　to　tie　them　to　her。　Oh；　do　stop　screaming；　Vessa；〃　Mirrim　said　to　the　hysterical　child　behind　her。　〃F'lessan；　get　her　aboard　Golanth。　She　can　hold　another　once　she's　on　his　back。　He　can　follow　Zaranth　to　the　heights　with　this　lot。　Then　e　back　for　another。　It's　too　far　for　them　to　make　it　on　their　own。〃
　　Minim's　bossy　streak　was　in　full　operation；　F'lessan　thought　as　he　hoisted　an　hysterical　mother　up　to　Golanth　and　started　passing　up　sacks　and　bundles。　Tai　placed　the　screaming　toddler　on　Zaranth's　neck；　an　action　that　instantly　silenced　it。　She　leaped　astride　and　took　the　others　Mirrim　lifted　up　to　her。
　　〃I'm　ready；〃　Tai　cried。
　　Follow　Zaranth；　Golly！
　　Of　course！
　　〃I　know　we're　responsible　for　all　of　Monaco　but　I　can　work　better　if　I　know　our　folk　are　safe；〃　Mirrim　said；　excusing　her　actions。　〃While　Golanth's　gone；　you　can　help　me　organize　the　others　inside。　We　have　cradlers　to　take；　too。　Will　Golanth　mind？〃
　　〃Not　likely；〃　F'lessan　said；　even　his　dragon　would　not　thwart　Mirrim　in　this　mood　or　under　these　circumstances。　Fortunately　Mirrim　was　already　on　her　way　back　inside　the　room　and　did　not　see　how　close　to　the　ground　both　green　and　bronze　had　been　when　they　went　between。　Think　of　the　time　they　saved；　he　told　himself。
　　〃You；　you　can　go　on　Path；〃　he　heard　her　saying　and　she　nearly　ran　him　down　on　her　return　with　three　older　women；　barely　able　to　move　for　the　things　they　were　clutching。　〃F'lessan；　we'll　need　rope　to　tie　the　cradles　to　Golanth。　Over　in　that　closet。〃
　　〃We　have　some　time　to　spare；　Mirrim；〃　he　told　her　as　he　plied。　Golanth！　Carry　cradles？　Well；　who　better？
　　〃I'll　send　these　off　on　my　Path。　She　knows　where　to　go。　F'lessan；　when　you've　got　the　ropes；　put　them　on　the　porch。　The　tanner　journeyman　needs　your　help　with　his　materials。　And　we've　rolls　of　fabric　in　the　loft　we　simply　must　save。〃
　　〃There's　Monarth　doing　nothing；〃　F'lessan　muttered　under　his　breath；　but　he　got　the　ropes；　put　them　on　the　porch；　and　went　to　the　assistance　of　the　crafter　who　was　trying　to　carry　too　many　hides　as　well　as　various　tools；　and　dropping　things。　And　where　was　T'gellan　w