amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第54部分

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　　He　was　still　alive　when　they　took　him　by　the　shoulders；　dragged　him　the　short　distance　to　the　top　of　the　cellar　stairs　and　then　tipped　him　down；　the　hissing　fire…lizards　following　him　into　the　darkness　below。
　　Crouching；　they　moved　back　to　the　open　kitchen　door。
　　Rosheen　gasped　as　she　jiggled　her　hand　at　the　flaming　torches　across　the　cobbles。　He　caught　her　before　she　could　move。　〃Look　carefully；〃　he　whispered　in　her　ear。　〃It's　only　the　torches　burning。〃
　　〃Yes；　but　what　happens　when　they　see　the　fire　hasn't　taken？〃　she　shot　back　at　him。
　　Where　was　Pinch？
　　Suddenly　he　heard　a　loud；　creaking　rasp　of　wood；　the　odd；　squeaking；　popping　sound　of　screws　being　wrenched　forcibly　out　of　their　seating；　a　mutter　of　triumph；　and；　in　the　light　of　the　torches；　he　saw　the　double　doors　of　the　Hall　being　flattened　to　the　cobbles。　The　intruders；　audibly　pleased　with　this　success；　started　trampling　across　the　broken　leaves　of　the　door。　In　the　next　moment；　Tagetarl's　ears　were　pierced　by　such　a　weird　warble　that　he　flinched　and　blinked；　as　the　court　seemed　to　be　full　of　wings　and　gouts　of　flame；　converging　on　the　battered　entrance　to　the　Print　Hall。　Now　human　shrieks　and　screams　reverberated　amid　sudden　surprised　shouts　and　protests。　Tagetarl　was　on　his　feet；　cudgel　held　high　as　he　took　the　porch　steps　in　two　leaps；　Rosheen　right　behind　him；　swinging　her　skillet。
　　Fortunately　they　were　running　down　the　left…hand　side　of　the　court　toward　the　Hall　because　something　large　and　gray　settled　to　the　cobbles；　almost　on　top　of　them。　Flattening　his　body　against　the　wall；　Tagetarl　snatched　Rosheen　back　out　of　the　way；　unable　to　imagine　what　other　menace　the　intruders　had　imported。　But　the　shouts　from　inside　his　Hall　altered　to　angry；　startled　ones　and　shrieks　of　pain　and　curses。
　　〃Get　off'　my　face！〃　〃You're　breaking　my　ribs！〃　〃My　face；　my　face！〃　interspersed　with　pounding　on　the　outer　gate　and　anxious　calls。　〃What's　happening　in　there？　Open　up！　Tagetarl！　Master　Printer！〃
　　〃Master　Tagetarl；　it's　Venabil！　What's　happening　in　there？〃
　　〃Watch　out！〃
　　〃Shards！　Do　you　see　what　I　see？〃
　　〃Here！　Back　off！　There　now！　Stand　aside！〃
　　There　was　a　clearance　of　perhaps　a　meter　and　a　half　between　the　top　of　the　outer　gates　and　the　arch；　and　that　space　was　filled　with　two　whirling；　orange　eyes。
　　〃Tagetarl！　Get　this　gate　open！〃
　　〃In　a　minute！　In　a　minute！〃　Pinch　roared　back。　〃Who　has　the　hand　lights？　Torjus；　Chenoa；　dowse　those　torches！　Macy；　help　me　unfasten　the　bar！〃
　　The　court　was　suddenly　awash　with　light。　Someone　in　the　Hall　had　had　the　sense　to　turn　on　the　main　switch。　The　large　gray　object　Tagetarl　had　been　trying　to　avoid　turned　rainbow…colored　eyes　on　him　and　Tagetarl　stared　back　at　the　white　dragon；　Ruth。　And　then　at　the　man　dismounting。
　　〃So　it's　you　Ruth　wants　me　to　rescue；〃　was　Lord　Jaxom's　slightly　amused　greeting。
　　〃How　did　you　know！？〃　　Not　that　Tagetarl　wasn't　remarkably　relieved　to　see　him。
　　〃Only　to　e；　here　and　now。〃　Jaxom　was　unfastening　his　jacket　and　it　could　be　seen　that　he　was　wearing　casual　clothing　underneath；　not　full　riding　gear。　〃Ruth　tells　me　Lioth　and　N'ton　have　also　been　summoned。　Do　I　assume　that　you've　had　some　intruders？〃　He　pointed　toward　the　broken　doors　and　the　wriggling　mass　hanging　just　above　it。　〃Did　you　catch　them　all　in　the　one　net？〃
　　Stunned　by　all　that　had　happened　so　quickly；　Tagetarl　had　not　really　noticed。　So　nets　had　been　stuffed　in　those　barrels？　Hadn't　Pinch　mentioned　that　some　of　his　helpers　were　sea…folk？　How　ingenious。　He　then　saw　that　the　fairs　of　fire…lizards　that　had　e　swooping　and　flaming　in　were　attacking　those　captive　in　the　nets；　pecking　and　scratching　at　arms；　legs；　and　various　other　parts　that　were　protruding　from　the　mesh。　The　anguished　and　pained　protests　were　almost　louder　than　the　furor　of　the　crowd　outside；　demanding　to　be　let　in。
　　〃There's　one　more；〃　Rosheen　said；　breathless　with　relief　and　pride。　〃He　tried　to　get　into　the　hold　and　we　knocked　him　out　and　pushed　him　down　into　the　cellar。〃
　　〃Clever　of　you；〃　Jaxom　said；　raising　his　voice　to　be　heard；　〃but　whatever　did　you　do；　Tag；　to　annoy　the　Abominators？〃
　　〃Why　are　you　sure　that's　who　they　are？〃　Rosheen　asked。
　　〃Who　else　would　try　to　damage　a　Print　Hall　when　most　of　Pern　can't　wait　to　own　real　books？　And　why　else　are　N'ton　and　I　here；　too？　As　witnesses　to　a　midnight　attack　on　defenseless　premises。〃
　　Just　then；　Pinch　and　Macy　lifted　the　sky…broom　bar　and　the　outer　gates　were　flung　open　to　the　considerable　crowd　waiting　to　enter；　waving　cudgels；　knives；　and　more　torches。　They　surged　right　up　to　the　flattened　leaves　of　the　Hall's　doors；　halted　and　stared　up　at　the　swinging　net。
　　〃Jaxom？　Are　you　all　right？〃　someone　cried　above　the　angry　shouting。　A　tall　figure　in　riding　leathers　came　striding　through　the　crowd　to　join　them。　〃Lioth　was　told　to　bring　me　to　Wide　Bay　immediately。　Tagetarl？　Isn't　this　your　Print　Hall？〃　N'ton　had　rocked　to　a　halt　when　he　recognized　those　standing　with　Jaxom。　Then　his　eyes　went　wide。　He　looked　over　his　shoulder　at　the　swinging　net。　〃What's　the　haul？〃
　　〃That's　what　we　must　discover；〃　Pinch　said；　stepping　forward　and　nodding　courteously　to　the　Lord　Holder　and　the　Weyrleader。　〃I　may　have　acted　hastily　but　I　did　hear　that　the　Printer　Hall　might　be　vulnerable。　So；　since　it　is　such　a　valuable　asset　to　Pern；　north　and　south；　I　thought　to　prevent　any　untoward　impairment　of　its　facilities。　Had　a…beauty…of　a　message　yesterday。〃
　　Tagetarl　saw　Jaxom　and　N'ton　exchange　glances　but；　Harper　though　he　was；　he　could　not　read　more　than　an　odd　regret　on　N'ton's　face　and　a　sadness　in　Jaxom's。
　　〃There's　no　question　harm　was　meant？〃　N'ton　asked　Pinch　who　shook　his　head。
　　〃Three　sent　in　over　the　roofs；〃　and　Pinch　pointed；　raising　his　voice　to　make　himself　heard　over　the　tumult　in　the　court；　〃to　open　the　main　gate；　torches　set　to　fire　the　paper　stores；　hauling　the　Printer　Hall　doors　off　their　hinges。〃
　　〃But　the　gates　weren't　opened；〃　N'ton　said。
　　〃Not　for　lack　of　trying；〃　Pinch　said。
　　〃One　broke　the　glass　and　the　door　to　the　hold　and　Rosheen　flattened　him　with　her　iron　skillet；〃　Tagetarl　said。　His　arm　still　felt　the　repercussion。
　　〃And　there's　the　matter　of　the　drugged　wine；　too；〃　Pinch　added。
　　〃Drugged　wine？〃　Jaxom　repeated。
　　〃So　you　netted　those　entering　the　Hall？〃　N'ton　asked。
　　〃Only　after　they'd　battered　down　the　doors；〃　Pinch　replied；　eyes　wide　with　injured　innocence。
　　〃Hey；　the　fire…lizards　are　having　all　the　fun！〃　someone　shouted　from　the　crowd　ranged　about　the　entrance　of　the　Print　Hall。
　　Since　it　was　obvious　that　the　fire…lizards　were　also　preventing　the　crowd　getting　near　enough　to　have　a　go　at　the　captives；　Jaxom　turned　to　Ruth；　patting　the　white　shoulder。　〃Do　dismiss　them；　Ruth；　with　our　thanks。　They've　performed　admirably。〃
　　Ruth　raised　his　head　and　emitted　an　unusual　warble。　Not　only　did　it　mute　the　noise　of　the　crowd　but　also　the　fire…lizards　departed　in　one　final　dramatic　swoop；　low　enough　to　make　the　tallest　onlookers　duck。　Gesturing　to　his　friends　to　acpany　him；　Jaxom　strode　forward　and　the　crowd　parted　to　allow　them　to　reach　the　battered　doors　on　the　cobbles；　conversations　dying　down　now　that　someone　was　taking　charge。
　　〃Lower　the　net！〃　Jaxom　ordered　and　four　of　Pinch's　assistants　jumped　to　obey。
　　〃Belay　that！〃　cried　a　voice　from　the　right…hand　side　of　the　crowd　and　a　big　man；　capped　as　a　fisherman　and　showing　a　Master's　knot；　stood　apart。　〃If　you　leave　'em　in　the　net；　Lord　Jaxom；　we　can　just　sling　the　whole　lot　of　'em　aft　of　my　ship　and　I'll　tow　'em　out　to　the　deep　water！　Save　a　lot　of　trouble！〃
　　The　crowd　roared　its　approval　of　such　rough　justice。
　　〃Ah；　but；　Captain；　I　am　here；〃　Jaxom　said　and　his　expression　was　one　of　rueful　regret；　〃and　so　is　Weyrleader　N'ton　and　the　MasterPrinter。　So　we　are　obliged　to　follow　established　procedures。〃
　　〃Which　are？〃　the　captain　demanded；　not　pleased　with　the　rejection。
　　〃According　to　the　Charter；〃　and　Jaxom　swung　slowly　around　to　the　audience；　his　eyes　seeming　to　touch　everyone　in　the　front　ranks；　〃by　which　we　have　been　well　governed　for　the　past　twenty…five　hundred　Turns；　a　Lord　Holder；　a　Weyrleader；　and　a　Master　of　any　Craft　may　hold　a　trial。〃
　　〃Hold　it　then！〃　roared　the　captain　and　the　crowd　roared　back　an　affirmative。
　　〃You　can't　do　that！〃　one　of　the　captives　shouted；　struggling　in　the　net。　〃We've　done　nothing　wrong。〃
　　A　lump　hammer　dropped　free　of　the　mesh　and　then　Tagetarl　saw　that　it　was　not　the　only　tool　that　had　tumbled　to　the　ground。
　　The　captain　threw　back　his　head　to　roar　with　laughter。　〃Only　because　you　didn't　get　the　chance！〃
　　The　crowd　howled　with　delight。
　　〃Would　you　prefer　the　captain's　justice？〃　Jaxom　demanded。
　　〃That　isn't　justice！〃　cried　a　woman's　voice。　〃Stop　grabbing　me！〃　she　added　angrily　to　someone　beside　her　in　the　net。　〃You've　no　right　to　do　this　to　us。〃
　　Another　heavy　object　dropped　ringingly　to　the　cobbles。
　　〃Oh；　clear　all　that　hardware　away；　Pinch；　and　drop　the　net；〃　Jaxom　said；　utterly　disgusted　with　his　attempt　to　make　this　an　orderly　procedure。　〃Let's　see　what　sort　of　catch　you've　made。　Black…faced　iron　fins？　Did　you　get　the　whole　school　of　'em？　D'you　know　the　captain；　Tag？〃　he　asked　in　a　quick　aside。
　　〃Captain　Venabil；〃　Tagetarl　replied。　〃He's　well　known　but　no　one　would　dare　board　his　ship　without　permission。〃
　　The　net　came　down　hard　enough　to　rattle　everyone　in　it；　provoking　a　new　spate　of　cries；　curses；　and　pained　exclamations。　The　captives　were　then　as　unceremoniously　dumped　out　of　the　thick　mesh　as　a　load　of　fish：　some　sprawled　facedown；　others　on　all　fours；　groggy　after　their　time　in　the　swaying　net。
　　〃All　right　there。〃　It　was　Pinch　who　took　charge。　〃Stand　up！　Make　a　line！〃　Roughly；　he　pulled　one　man　up　and　signaled　for　his　assistants　to　get　the　rest　to　their　feet。　〃Search　'em；　too。〃
　　While　that　was　being　done；　and　knives；　chisels；　matches；　and　long　spikes　were　added　to　the　pile；　he　walked　up　and　down　the　uneven　line　that　was　finally　formed　by　the　captives。
　　〃Nothing　else　on　them？〃　N'ton　asked；　remembering　Fort　Hold　and　the　conspicuous　absence　of　any　personal　identification。
　　〃Clothes？〃　someone　from　the　crowd　suggested；　laughing　raucously。
　　〃A　bit　worn；　some　of　'em；〃　another　man　replied　derisively。
　　〃What　a　sorry　bunch！〃　Captain　Venabil　said；　fists　thrust　against　his　hips；　shaking　his　head。　〃It's　plain　as　the　nose　on　my　face　this　lot　were　up　to　no　good　sneaking　into　the　Print　Hall；　faces　blackened　and　all。　Not　to　mention　pulling　the　doors　down　and　heaving　torches　about。　Wide　Bay's　not　a　wild　hold　and　we　don't　want　such　louts　hanging　about。　What's　this　established　procedure　of　yours；　Lord　Jaxom？　I'd　like　to　get　back　to　my　ship　before　dawn。〃
　　Jaxom　accorded　him　a　little　bow。
　　〃Shouldn't　we　send　for　Lord　Kashman？〃　someone　shouted　from　the　crowd。　〃He's　our　Holder　and　he's　supposed　to　deal　with　peace…breakers；　thieves；　burglars；　and　such。〃
　　〃For　general　Hold　matters；〃　Pinch　said　quickly。　〃This　is　a　Harper　Hall　matter。　However；　if　any　of　you。。。〃　and　he　addressed　the　captives；　〃is　from　this　Hold　you　may　step　forward　and　I'm　sure　Lord　Kashman　will　keep　you　fortably　enough。〃
　　He　was　interrupted　by　a　derisive　snort　and　the　ment　from　the