amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第40部分

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　　Sebell　pursed　his　lips　and　regarded　his　panion。　〃Has　there　been　a　question　about　that？〃
　　〃Not　in　so　many　words　but　it　might　be　handy　to　know。〃
　　〃And　you're　curious？〃
　　〃Part　of　it。〃　Pinch's　shrug　was　nonmittal。
　　〃As　I　understand　it；　one　of　the　natural　attributes　of　a　proper　exile　is　that　no　one；　searching　in　a　ship　for　dissidents；　would　find　a　beach　to　land　on。　Many　of　such　islands　are　sheer…faced　cliffs。　The　relevant　ones　were　drenched　but　not　drowned。　What's　the　other　part　of　it？〃
　　〃A　snippet　of　conversation　I　overheard…misinformation；　actually…that　I'd　like　to　honestly…〃　He　put　his　hand　over　his　heart。　〃…genuinely；　sincerely；　trustworthily　repudiate。　As　I　was　saying；　I　suspect　our　plotters；　and　perhaps　the　ingenious　scum　who　assembled　the　pamphlets；　that　so　distressed　Master　Crivellan；　lurk　in　the　foothills　of　Keroon　where　dwell　many　with　insufficient　teachering　to　argue；　and　no　interest　in　what　happens　to　the　rest　of　the　planet。　Did　you　identify　that　third　chap？〃
　　〃He　looks　slightly　familiar　but　I　can't　place　him。〃
　　〃Nor　can　I。　He　resembles　half　a　dozen　men　I　know；　same　age；　same　height；　same　general　features；　but　he　seems　to　have　no　morals　or　ethics。　He　does　have　some　responsibilities　that　he　has　to　attend　to　from　time　to　time　or　a　person　he　makes　reports　to。　He　may　be　a　younger　Holder　son；　not　likely　to　succeed；　he　holds　his　nose　a　lot。　You've　seen　the　type；　though　he　adapts　to　his　surroundings　better　than　Third　and　Fifth　do。〃
　　〃Third　and　Fifth？〃
　　Pinch　made　a　face。　〃They　go　by　the　numbers。　The　one　woman's　referred　to　as　Fourth。　I　think　the　original　second　is　dead。　I　got　the　distinct　impression　that　they're　glad　he　is　since　he　objected　to　some　of　their　plans。　Third's　the　big　one；　Fourth　the　female。　Seven　in　all　or　at　least　seven　who　e　to　the　hill　retreat　from　time　to　time。　I'd　suspected　Sixth　was　from　Tillek；　with　that　flat　nasal　twang。　Third's　traveled…as　we　know…and　Fourth's　been　in　so　many　places　I　can't　tell　where　she　came　from。　Definitely　Third　is　in　it　for　money　and　sport。　I　think　Third　is　genuinely　concerned　about　too　much　technology。　Fourth　uses　Tradition　as　a　reason　to　exist。　Her　thinking's　skewed。　She　wants　to　lead　and　she　hasn't　got　the　personality　for　it。　She's　too　concerned　about　doing　things　the　old　way；　the　right　way；　the　way　she　was　taught　that　ought　to　be　the　way　everyone　does　it。〃　Pinch　paused。　〃Too　hidebound　to　know　the　color　of　her　pelt。〃
　　〃Are　they　planning　something？〃　Sebell　asked。
　　〃They　act　like　it；　all　this　leaving　of　messages　at　Runner　Halts　so　the　sender　can't　be　identified。〃
　　〃How　do　they　collect　messages；　then？〃
　　〃I　suspect　one　of　their　docile　hill　folk　do。　I　asked　at　Wide　Bay…Stationmaster　Arminet　knows　me…and　he　remarked；　casual　like；　that　a　lot　of　hill　folk　were　getting　messages。〃
　　Sebell　rubbed　his　chin　thoughtfully。　〃They　must　know　that　now　most　healer　halls　lock　away　their　stores…and　use　Master　Morilton's　glass。〃　He　gave　Pinch　a　telling　look。　〃The　Glass　Halls　have　shifted　healer　hall　work　to　more　secure　places；　the　SmithCraftHalls　have　started　using　digital　lock　systems。。。〃
　　〃And　Aivas　scores　another　posthumous　victory　over　vandalism；〃　Pinch　said　with　customary　impertinence；　raising　his　hand　in　triumphant　gesture。　〃Never　know　what　we'll　need　next　because　of　them。〃
　　〃Benelek's　delighted。　The　units　are　easy　to　build　and　attach　to　alarms。　I've　sent　some　handy　apprentices　down　for　a　few　weeks'　training　with　him。〃
　　〃You're　not　worried　about　them　breaking　in　here；　are　you？〃　Pinch　was　genuinely　alarmed。
　　Sebell　laughed；　lightening　his　generally　serious　manner。　〃Not　with　the　Fort　Hold　watch　dragon！〃
　　〃Who　didn't　hear　the　vandals　in　the　Healer　Hall。。。〃
　　〃Because　they　entered　quietly　and　wearing　healer　green。　Then　there're　all　the　fire…lizards　that　live　here…not　just　Menolly's。〃　Sebell　pointed　a　finger　at　the　roving　Harper。　〃You　hear　anything　of　their　plans；　even　a　whisper。。。〃
　　〃My　hearing's　excellent　and　Bista's　is　better。〃
　　〃Send　word。〃　Sebell　frowned　a　little；　thinking。　〃Odd；　isn't　it；　that　those　who　dislike　the　advantages　Aivas　gave　us　should　force　us　to　use　his　technology　to　thwart　them！〃
　　〃Ironic；　too。〃　Pinch　rose　from　his　perch　on　the　desk　corner。　〃I've　read　enough　in　Aivas's　historical　files　to　feel　that　Pern　will　never　be　in　danger　of　being　over…technical。　Takes　too　long　to　develop　the　skills　needed；　except　in　special　instances　like　the　digital　locks；　and　we　certainly　don't　have　the　production　systems　the　Ancients　had。　As　a　population；　we　have　been　conditioned　to　this　slower；　more　methodical　rhythm　of　living　and　only　a　very　small　portion　will　ever　feel　the　urge　to　aspire　to　Aivasian　heights。〃
　　〃A　Pinch　of　philosophy；　too；　huh？〃　Sebell　said；　grinning。　〃I　wonder　would　such　reassurance　suffice　to　content　the　dissenters。〃
　　〃We　all　have　a　choice；〃　Pinch　said　and　rubbed　his　hands　together　with　an　air　of　anticipation。　〃What　petitions　d'you　want　me　to　go　over？　I'm　here　overnight　at　least。〃
　　Just　as　Sebell　was　deciding　which　pile；　the　latch　of　the　Master's　office　door　was　being　pulled　down。　Both　men　heard　a　child's　delighted　laughter　and　then　the　door　was　pushed　inward。
　　〃Da；　I　learnt　'nothertune。　Perfect！〃
　　The　child…and　Pinch　had　no　difficulty　in　identifying　him　by　his　tangle　of　dark　curly　hair　as　Menolly's　oldest　son；　Robse…swung　in　on　the　door　handle；　waving　his　wooden　recorder　over　his　head。　〃Ooops；　sorry。　Dint　know　anyone　was　here。〃
　　〃No；　e　in；　e　in；〃　Pinch　said；　wondering　if　he　could　escape　being　lumbered　with　petitions。
　　〃Is　by　Aivas！〃　Robse　announced　as　if　the　source　made　all　the　difference。
　　〃By　Aivas；　is　it？〃　Pinch　could　not　resist　echoing　the　phrase。
　　〃By　Aivas！〃　Robse　affirmed　with　a　nod　that　made　the　curls　on　his　head　bounce　and　his　expression　turn　very　stern　indeed。
　　〃If　it's　by　Aivas；　then　it's　all　right；〃　Pinch　said。
　　〃These；　Master　Mekelroy；　are　for　your　perusal；〃　Sebell　said；　bowing　as　he　held　out　one　of　the　larger　piles　to　Pinch。
　　〃Thank　you；　Master　Sebell；　thank　you。　You　are　always　so　generous　to　me。　I　can't　thank　you　enough　for　giving　me　something　to　busy　myself　with　while　I'm　here；〃　and　with　such　effusions；　and　a　wink　at　the　mystified　Robse；　Pinch　backed　out　of　the　room。　〃A　perfect　tune　really　must　be　heard　as　soon　as　it's　learnt；〃　and　he　closed　the　door　on　that　remark。
　　He'd　given　Sebell　the　most　important　news；　though　he　still　had　to　discuss　the　problem　of　far　too　many　people　wanting　to　know　〃What　were　the　dragonriders　going　to　do　about　things　that　fell　from　the　sky？〃
　　
BENDEN　WEYR
　　The　watch　dragon　trilled　the　note　that　Weyrleaders　were　flying　into　Benden　and　Mnementh　and　Ramoth　on　their　ledges　rose　to　bugle　a　wele；　which　informed　Lessa　and　F'lar　of　important；　if　unscheduled；　visitors。
　　Tileth　and　Segrith；　Ramoth　said；　raising　her　head　from　her　front　legs。
　　〃Really？〃　Lessa　was　as　surprised　as　F'lar。　〃Did　you　forget　they　were　ing？〃
　　〃I　wouldn't　forget　something　as　unusual　as　that；〃　he　chided　her　as　he　quickly　slipped　off　the　soft；　fleece…lined　ankle…boots　he　was　wearing　and　pulled　on　leather　ones　warming　near　the　heating　unit；　shrugged　off　the　wool　vest；　and　rose　to　his　feet；　straightening　his　collar　and　settling　the　deep　cuffs　of　his　wool　shirt。
　　With　an　air　of　not　noticing　his　rearrangements；　she　wrapped　her　long　braid　into　a　more　formal　coronet　and　smoothed　the　creases　out　of　her　woolen　trouser…skirt。
　　〃We　have　wines；　don't　we？　And　perhaps　Manora　will　send　someone　with　fresh　klah　and　whatever　is　freshly　baked；〃　she　said。　〃I　wonder　why　they're　here！〃　she　added。
　　〃No　doubt　they'll　inform　us！〃　he　said　as　he　opened　the　thick　curtain　that　kept　cold　air　from　leaking　into　their　fortable　quarters。　He　frowned　as　he　looked　out。　〃They　should　have　checked　our　weather　first。　It's　turned　into　a　miserable　day。〃
　　Did　they　ask；　Ramoth？
　　No；　or　I　would　have　told　you。　I；　too；　do　not　forget　any　thing。　Ramoth　turned　lightly；　whirling　reproachful　eyes　on　her　rider。
　　〃Of　course　not。〃
　　She　heard　voices　on　the　ledge　and　stepped　around　the　curve　of　the　wall　to　see　Pilgra　slipping；　putting　one　hand　firmly　out　to　the　stone　to　get　her　balance。
　　〃My　dear　Pilgra；　you　should　have　checked　the　weather；〃　she　said　solicitously。　Pilgra　was　not　her　favorite　of　the　Oldtimer　Weyrwomen　but　anyone　venturing　out　today　would　receive　her　concern。　〃e　to　the　heat。　Let　me　take　your　coat。　Ah；　you've　one　of　the　new　long　ones！　Is　it　warmer；　d'you　think？〃
　　〃On　a　better　day；　it　might　be　enough　but　I　didn't　expect　it　to　be　so　miserable　here。　It's　cold　enough　in　High　Reaches；　but　at　least　the　sun's　out。〃
　　Holding　the　wet　coat；　Lessa　noticed　that　Pilgra's　wool　trousers　were　baggy　at　the　knees　and　unattractively　creased　at　the　thigh。
　　〃Oh；　how　warm　you've　made　your　weyr；〃　the　older　woman　said；　her　eyes　taking　in　the　heating　units。　〃Good　day　to　you；　Ramoth；〃　she　added；　nodding　formally　to　the　queen　who　was　observing　the　visitor　with　tranquil　green　eyes。　Then　she　walked　rapidly　to　the　nearest　source　of　warmth；　giving　a　mock　shiver。　〃How　marvelous！　We　have　heat　now；　too；　but　nothing　seems　to　penetrate　the　cold　in　High　Reaches。〃
　　Suddenly　Lessa　had　an　idea　why　the　two　Weyrleaders　had　e。
　　The　sun　may　shine　on　High　Reaches；　but　it　never　warms；　Ramoth　remarked。　I　have　told　Tileth　and　Segrith　to　warm　themselves　on　our　Hatching　Sands。　It　would　be　better　than　waiting　on　the　ledge　in　this　weather。　How　thoughtful！　Lessa　responded。　Then　she　turned　to　greet　M'rand　and　saw　the　pinched　look　on　his　face。　Yes；　definitely；　they　were　here　about　stepping　down。　Not　that　they　had　to　discuss　such　a　decision　with　Benden　since　the　Weyrs　were　autonomous；　but　M'rand　was　punctilious　about　such　fine　points。
　　〃Wine？　Or　some　of　Master　Oldive's　liqueur？〃　she　asked　him。
　　〃That'd　do　fine；　Lessa；〃　M'rand　said；　and　a　spasm　of　coughing　shook　him。
　　Why　hadn't　she　noticed　that　M'rand　was　aging？　When　was　the　last　time　the　Weyrleaders　had　seen　each　other？　The　queens　exchanged　messages　from　time　to　time　but　the　riders　had　not　visited。　The　mental　image　she　had　of　the　High　Reaches　leader；　hearty；　vigorous；　straight；　underwent　a　distressing　revision：　he　was　slightly　stooped　in　the　shoulder；　his　solid　features…once　handsome…were　thinned　and　dry；　his　cheeks　a　network　of　red　lines；　the　tip　of　his　nose　was　mottled；　and　the　flesh　sagged　slightly　under　his　chin　and　neck。　Pilgra's　dark　hair　showed　no　glint　of　white　but　the　density　of　the　color　suggested　to　Lessa　that　the　woman　made　use　of　some　of　the　personal　products　that　had　bee　available　from　Aivas's　files。　There'd　always　been　a　red　dye　available　from　Pernese　roots　but　the　result　was　not　as　natural…looking　as　the　new　ones　that　had　many　shades　to　choose　from。
　　F'lar　served　the　liqueur　to　all；　and　Lessa　asked　after　friends　in　the　Weyr　and　Lord　Bargen　who；　she　was　informed；　was　still　annoyed　that　three　of　his　sons　had　abandoned　him　to　find　holdings　in　the　south。
　　〃Hosbon's　done　quite　well；〃　Pilgra　said。　〃Has　a　pier；　a　drum　tower；　and　a　sloop　at　Seminole。〃
　　〃He　got　that　much　out　of　Toric？〃　Lessa　said；　exchanging　surprised　looks　with　F'lar　who　chuckled。
　　〃Must　be　a　chip　off　the　old　block　if　he　can　wheedle　amenities　out　of　Toric；〃　he　said。
　　M'rand　nodded　enthusiastic　agreement。　〃Well；　Bargen　brought　'e