amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第43部分

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t　the　same　time；　be　careful　not　to　break　off　her　largest　offspring　at　the　end　of　the　reproductive　line；　lest　she　retaliate　with　some　of　the　stink…spray　to　defend　her　offspring。
　　〃No；　no！　Wait。〃
　　〃They're　heading　right　for　her。　I　don't　know　about　Zaranth　but　Golanth　hates　'em　crawling　on　him。　If　he　wakes；　he'll　squash　them。〃　F'lessan　did　not　add　that　Golanth　was　showing　more　and　more　of　a　proprietary　interest　in　the　green's　well…being；　one　of　the　subtler　reasons　why　he　was　glad　Tai　preferred　to　work　away　from　projects　with　other　dragonriders。　He　wasn't　ready　for　others　to　notice　the　growing　relationship　between　Golanth　and　Zaranth。
　　〃Watch；〃　she　said；　her　eyes　sparkling　green　as　she　rose　from　her　knees。
　　F'lessan　dropped　to　the　ground；　narrowing　his　eyes　in　the　bright　sun　to　check　the　angle　of　the　trundlebug　approach。
　　Tai　held　up　her　hand；　grinning。　〃Just　a　moment！〃
　　〃They're　heading　right　for　her　nose。　Doesn't　she　sense　them？　Golanth　usually　does。〃
　　〃Wait！〃　Putting　up　her　hand　to　stay　his　attack；　Tai　grinned　widely；　her　look　almost　mischievous。
　　The　trundlebug　parade　marched　relentlessly　in　its　unswerving　path；　oblivious　to　what　was　in　its　way。　Zaranth's　nose　twitched　but　she　didn't　open　so　much　as　a　slit　of　one　eye。　The　parade　was　abruptly　at　right　angles　to　its　original　path；　heading　back　into　the　scrubland。
　　〃There！〃　Tai　beamed　at　her　dragon。
　　〃She　blew　them　away？〃　F'lessan　exclaimed。
　　〃No。　She　didn't。　They　can　only　get　so　close　to　her　and　they　go　off　in　another　direction；　any　direction　so　long　as　it　is　away　from　her。〃
　　She　reclaimed　her　spade　from　him　and　began　to　dig　another　hole。　〃There're　two　spades；　you　know。〃
　　〃Yes；　yes；　of　course；　my　dear　green；〃　he　said；　making　a　play　of　diligence；　going　for　the　second　one。　Anything　to　keep　her　from　noticing　the　brilliant　green　of　the　sleeping　Zaranth；　lounging　so　gracefully　in　the　sun　by　the　sleeping　bronze。　How　long　would　Golanth　continue　to　fake　sleep？　F'lessan　wondered。
　　〃Tai；　a　question；〃　he　began；　digging　busily。　〃I　was　watching　and　Zaranth　didn't　move。　She　only　twitched　her　nose。　How　could　she　make　a　trundlebug　detour　doing　that？〃
　　Tai　dabbed　at　a　drop　of　sweat　rolling　down　her　nose　and；　picking　up　the　next　to　last　plant；　removed　the　wrapping　and　dropped　it　in　place。
　　〃I　don't　know。　But；　if　they　get　close　to　her；　they　are　suddenly　perpendicular　to　the　original　line　of　progress。　You　know　trundlebugs：　they　never　deviate　from　their　chosen　path。〃
　　〃Amazing！〃　He　blotted　the　sweat　from　his　face；　then　unwrapped　the　last　plant；　placed　it　firmly　in　the　ground；　and　tamped　dirt　around　it。　〃That's　that。　We're　supposed　to　water　them　now；　aren't　we？〃
　　Probably　the　first　thing　Benini　had　done　after　the　flooding　receded　was　to　sink　a　new　well　and　provide　a　long　watering　trough　from　which　they　could　easily　fill　buckets　for　that　last　garden　chore。
　　〃Didn't　Benini　say　they'd　rigged　a　shower　over　by　the　beasthold？〃　he　asked；　when　they　had　finished。
　　〃Yes；　with　a　big　enough　cistern　above　to　wash　all　of　them；〃　she　said；　looking　eagerly　around　to　point　to　the　freshly　painted　enclosure。　〃Or　so　his　spouse　said。　We'll　get　clean　much　quicker　showering　than　having　to　wash　in　a　bucket；〃　she　added；　dropping　hers　on　the　shadowed　side　of　the　well。
　　〃Leave　enough　warm　water　for　me；〃　he　said；　waving　her　to　go　first。　〃I'll　return　the　tools。〃　He　gathered　them　up　and　started　for　the　shed；　calling　after　her。　〃I　plan　to　hunt　Golanth　this　afternoon　at　Honshu。　How's　Zaranth's　appetite？〃　Well；　he　thought　privately；　〃appetite〃　was　one　word　for　it。
　　Tai　cast　a　look　over　her　shoulder　at　her　sleeping　dragon。　〃She　isn't　the　least　bit　off…color。〃
　　F'lessan　blinked　and　then；　with　an　engaging　grin　that　Mirrim　would　have　identified　as　〃devious；〃　added；　〃We　could　hunt　felines。　Saw　some　a　little　closer　than　they　should　be　to　the　Honshu　herds。　Get　us　some　good　pelts。〃
　　Since　the　Flood；　most　green　riders　had　been　giving　all　their　customary　courier　services　free　of　charge。　But　there'd　be　a　Gather　in　Telgar　in　two　sevendays；　when　the　Council　met；　and　that　was　time　enough　to　cure　hides　for　sale　and　give　her　book…money。
　　〃Fine　by　me！〃　Tai　called　back。　He　caught　just　a　glimpse　of　her　back　and　long　tanned　legs　as　she　entered　the　shower　enclosure。
　　He　gathered　their　riding　gear　and　packs　and　walked　slowly　up　to　the　shower；　giving　her　time　for　a　good　wash　and　rinse。
　　〃Hey；　leave　me　some；〃　he　said；　speaking　above　the　sound　of　vigorous　splashings。　He　slipped　off　his　muddy　sandals。　Well；　cleaning　them　could　wait　till　he　got　back　to　Honshu；　but　he　smacked　them　against　the　side　of　the　wall　to　remove　as　much　mud　as　he　could。
　　〃You'll　find　it　warm　enough；〃　she　assured　him。　〃Can　you　hand　me　my　towel？〃
　　He　opened　her　pack　and　dragged　it；　and　her　fresh　clothes；　out。
　　〃Where　is　it？〃　she　asked。
　　He　saw　her　bare　arm　extending　from　the　shower　wall　and　accurately　lobbed　the　towel　to　her　searching　fingers。　There　were　shiny　new　hooks　screwed　to　the　wall　and　he　hung　her　fresh　clothes　on　one；　his　own　on　another。　Riders　were　not　as　bothered　by　nudity　as　holders　or　crafthall　folk　so　he　stripped　down；　glad　to　be　out　of　the　sweaty；　dirty　shorts。　As　she　emerged；　toweling　her　body　dry；　she　gave　him　a　fleeting　glimpse。　He　stepped　courteously　past　her；　into　the　shower；　and　looked　around　for　sweetsand。
　　When　he　had　had　a　good　scrub；　especially　his　feet；　he　rinsed　off　well　and；　vigorously　drying　himself；　sauntered　across　the　changing　area　to　his　clean　clothes。　Dressed　in　her　leathers；　with　her　jacket　still　open；　she　leaned　against　the　wall；　in　what　shade　there　was；　looking　out　at　the　scene　of　their　morning's　hard　work；　feeling　pleased。
　　Summoning　their　dragons；　they　took　off　before　heat　brought　fresh　sweat。
　　As　they　came　out　of　between　above　Honshu；　F'lessan　first　noted　that　there　were　no　dragons　lounging　on　the　summit　or　the　main　terrace。
　　Will　you　hunt　today；　Golanth？
　　I　will　hunt　well　today；　Golanth　replied；　watching　Zaranth　as　she　glided　past　him　to　land　on　Honshu's　main　terrace。
　　Startled　by　the　odd　note　in　his　dragon's　tone；　for　a　moment　F'lessan　worried　that　he　hadn't　been　as　sensitive　to　Golanth's　needs　as　he　should　be。　When　was　the　last　time　he'd　hunted　Golanth？
　　I　will　hunt　very　well　today！
　　The　bronze　was　ing　in　slowly…almost　stealthily…to　land　so　that　Zaranth　was　directly　in　front　of　them；　her　rider　stripping　the　safety　harness；　which　was　never　used　when　dragons　went　after　a　meal。　F'lessan　could　not　miss　Zaranth's　condition。　She　was　gleaming　with　more　than　health。　Why　hadn't　Tai　noticed　that　the　green　was　ing　into　heat？　He　tried　to　think　which　dragons　had　been　at　Honshu　early　this　morning。　Most　had　gone　well　before　dawn；　as　they　had；　to　begin　whatever　work　was　slated　for　that　day　in　the　reconstruction　of　Monaco's　Weyr　building。　In　a　traditional　Weyr；　with　dragons　basking　on　their　ledges；　her　readiness　would　have　been　noticed　long　before　the　green　herself　might　be　aware　of　her　form。　Honshu　had　been　guesting　dragons　since　the　Flood。　True；　both　riders　and　dragons　arrived　tired：　riders　eating　quickly　and　seeking　their　beds；　dragons　finding　a　spot　on　sun…warmed　terraces　and　rousing　only　when　their　riders　called　them　the　next　morning。　He　and　Tai　had　gone　directly　to　Paradise　River　and　from　there　to　Benini　Hold；　their　dragons　sprawling　in　full　sun；　several　hours　in　the　sun。　Heat　was　known　to　trigger　a　dragon's　mating　instinct。　He　swore；　wondering　if　any　of　the　other　dragons　had　been　awake　to　the　nearness　of　Zaranth's　cycle？　Riders　were　known　to　remember　when　greens　were　likely　to　e　into　heat。　Most　of　those　staying　at　Honshu　were　Monaco　Weyr　riders。　Would　they　e　storming　in　from　all　over　now　Zaranth　was　active？　Was　this　a　delayed　reaction　in　Zaranth？　Overdue？　But　he　was　a　Wingleader　and　he　shouldn't　have　missed　the　signs。　Well；　Tai　had！
　　I　didn't。
　　For　once；　Golanth　jolted　gracelessly　onto　the　terrace；　throwing　his　rider　forward　in　an　unexpected　assist　in　dismounting。　F'lessan　was　lucky　to　keep　on　his　feet；　running　a　few　steps　to　restore　his　balance。　Did　Golanth　sense　other　male　dragons　near　enough　to　challenge　him？　Certainly　the　bronze　demonstrated　his　eagerness　by　arching　his　neck；　tucking　his　head　into　his　chest；　proudly　male。　Sweeping　the　skies　for　the　appearance　of　more　dragons；　F'lessan　quickly　stripped　off　safety　straps；　shucking　the　pile　to　the　nearest　bench；　as　he　began　to　shed　his　flying　gear。　Golanth　moved　carefully　toward　Zaranth；　his　eyes　beginning　to　whirl　in　anticipation。
　　Tai　was　standing　there；　the　harness　folded　over　her　arms；　gazing　fatuously　at　her　dragon。
　　〃Good　to　see　her　looking　so　well。　She'd　gone　quite　dull　there　for　a　while　after　the　Flood；〃　she　remarked　as　F'lessan　strode　up　to　her。　〃How　near　are　the　felines？〃
　　〃Looking　so　well？〃　F'lessan　paused；　astonished　by　her　choice　of　words。　Then　he　pointed　dramatically　at　Zaranth。　〃By　the　Egg；　look　at　her；　Tai！〃
　　Her　eyes　gleaming　orangey…red；　Zaranth　angled　her　head　coquettishly　back　at　Golanth　who　was　displaying；　moving　cautiously　nearer；　his　faceted　eyes　sparking　more　redly。
　　Tai　gasped；　eyes　widening　with　an　expression　of　such　fear　and　intense　loathing　that　F'lessan　wondered　just　what　had　happened　during　Zaranth's　other　mating　flights。
　　〃But　there's　just　us！〃　she　cried　defensively；　the　harness　slipping　off　her　arms　as　she　spread　them　wide　in　a　gesture　of　panic　and　confusion。
　　How　had　she　thought　there　was　safety　in　that？　Of　course　there　had　been　other　dragons　and　riders　around；　in　and　out　of　Honshu。　Until　right　now！　But；　with　a　green　in　heat；　there　was　no　safety　in　numbers。　Her　hands　turned；　palms　toward　him　in　flat　rejection。　And；　of　course；　he　thought　in　fury；　when　Zaranth　had　gone　proddy　before；　every　blue；　brown；　and　needy　bronze　had　appeared：　their　riders　had　corralled　her　rider；　waiting　to　see　which　dragon　would　win　the　green。　He　closed　his　eyes；　he　knew　very　well　how　intense　the　mood　would　be。　But　the　green　rider　would　choose！
　　〃Tai；　did　you　never　choose？〃　he　cried；　outraged　for　her　as　he　started　to　close　the　distance　between　them。　And　halted。　He　mustn't　crowd　her。　The　others　had。　How　much　time　could　he　give　her？　How　could　he　soothe　her？
　　She　was　trembling　violently；　her　eyes　wide…not　in　an　answer　to　her　dragon's　sensuality；　but　in　sheer　terror。　She　seemed　to　draw　into　herself；　denying　what　was　about　to　happen。　Crossing　her　arms　in　a　defensive　position！　Shards！　Had　previous　riders　raped　her　as　their　dragons　twined？　He　tried　to　remember　which　blues　and　browns　weyred　at　Monaco。
　　Tai　continued　backing　away　from　him；　looking　about　wildly　for　some　refuge。
　　〃They　were　all　the　same；〃　she　muttered。　〃There's　no　escape　from　them。　From　their。。。〃　She　swallowed；　trying　to　lick　dry　lips；　white…faced　with　revulsion：　her　green　eyes　stark。
　　〃Tai；　were　you　forced？〃　With　those　words　Tai　shot　F'lessan　a　look　of　such　fear　laced　with　guilt　that　he　felt　his　belly　fall　flat。　〃You　didn't　choose？〃　He　spoke　very　gently；　appalled。　This　should　be　the　most　wonderful　experience：　a　doubled　ecstasy　as　both　dragon　and　rider　exalted　in　the　union。　He'd　thought　he'd　made　it　so　for　those　he'd　partnered。　The　queen　riders　had　always　known：　they　had　chosen　him。　With　the　state　she　was　in；　there　was　no　way　Tai　had　ever　chosen。　〃It　should