amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第59部分

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　　〃That's　the　whole　point　of　tonight's　meeting；〃　Wansor　said；　〃to　establish　a　sky　watch　and　train　those　who　will　keep　their　eyes　on　asteroids　like　that。〃
　　〃There're　only　four　scopes　in　the　Catherine　Caves；〃　Lessa　said；　and　wondered　if　they　would　be　enough。
　　〃Which；〃　and　F'lessan　jumped　to　his　feet；　〃makes　me　wonder　if　perhaps　the　Ancients　hadn't　planned　to　set　up　a　sky　watch　of　their　own　before　Thread　changed　all　their　options。〃
　　〃That　has　often　occurred　to　me；〃　Wansor　said；　nodding　his　round　head　thoughtfully。　〃And　why　there　is　no　northern　array。　Though；　of　course；　the　Ancients　had　settled　on　the　southern　continent　so　they　wouldn't　have　needed　a　northern　array　for　many　Turns。〃
　　〃A　northern　array　would　have　warned　us　of　that　storm；〃　G'dened　remarked　sourly。
　　〃Will　four　more　scopes　be　sufficient？〃　K'van　asked。
　　〃It　doesn't　even　take　a　large　scope　for　night…watching；　K'van；〃　Erragon　replied　reassuringly。　〃Master　Jancis　has　been　making　binoculars　that　many；〃　and　he　turned　to　Jaxom；　who　nodded；　〃have　been　utilizing。〃
　　〃All　watch…riders　use　them　and　all　of　us　have　done　our　watches　on　Weyr　Rims；〃　N'ton　added；　glancing　around　for　confirmation　from　the　other　Weyrleaders。　〃I　think　I　can　still　name　all　the　bright　stars。〃
　　〃Sadly；　it's　not　the　bright　ones　we　have　to　watch；　N'ton；〃　Wansor　said；　〃but　they　are　important　to　recognize；　to　give　the　positions　of　the　ones　we　must　chart　and　register。〃
　　〃It's　also　a　very　big　sky；　F'lessan；〃　K'van　remarked。
　　〃Which　is　why　it　is　such　a　very　good　idea　for　more　dragon…riders　to　learn　how　to　watch　it；〃　F'lessan　said；　giving　K'van；　the　Southern　Weyrleader；　a　challenge。　〃You've　an　admirable　situation　down　there　on　the　heights　in　your　new　Weyr。〃
　　〃It's　the　sort　of　thing　you　young　riders　should　do；〃　G'dened　said　emphatically。　Then　he　realized　what　he'd　said。　〃You　may　be　sure　I'll　encourage　my　riders。〃
　　〃Before　I　Impressed　Talmanth；〃　Palla　said；　raising　her　hand；　〃I　studied　astronomy。〃
　　〃Why；　so　you　did；〃　J'fery　said；　regarding　his　Weyrmate　with　surprise。
　　〃An　apprentice　I　was　sorry　to　lose　and　would　be　delighted　to　encourage；〃　Erragon　said；　nodding　acceptance　of　her　shy　offer。
　　Aware　that　everyone　was　looking　at　her；　she　ducked　her　head　and　stared　at　her　clasped　hands。　Lessa　noticed　that　J'fery　bent　to　say　something　in　her　ear　and　she　gave　him　a　quick　smile；　relaxing　her　hands。
　　〃That　sounds　like　it　will　take　a　lot　of　time；〃　G'dened　said；　not　sure　he　approved　of　such　activity。
　　〃Oh；　it　will；〃　Erragon　had　to　agree。　〃With　your　assistance；　we　will　have　a　splendid　register　to　present　the　Council。　Already　we　have　Master　Idarolan　quite　willing　to　move　anywhere　he　can　be　of　assistance；　in　teaching　or　watching。　He　reminds　me　that　most　Fishmen　use　the　stars　to　navigate　and　he　isn't　the　only　one　who's　retired。〃
　　〃Which　brings　us　back　to　making　this　sky　watch　efficient。　What　do　you　mean；　Master　Wansor；　by　twenty…four…hour　coverage　and　another　telescope？〃　F'lar　asked。
　　〃About　time；〃　F'lessan　said　forcefully。
　　〃We　have　Cove　Hold；　we　have　Honshu；〃　Erragon　replied；　〃we　need　to　site　at　least　one　of　the　Catherine　Cave　telescopes　in　the　north　as　soon　as　possible。〃　Erragon　coughed。　〃For　a　proper　twenty…four…hour　coverage；　we　should　consider　setting　up　the　first　observatory　on　the　Western　Continent。〃
　　〃There's　nothing　there；〃　Lessa　exclaimed。
　　〃There　are　still　stars　above　it；〃　F'lessan　reminded　her；　then　hastily　added；　〃We　can　worry　about　how　to　improve　the　place　later。〃
　　〃An　observatory　on　the　Western　Continent　must　be　established　as　soon　as　possible；〃　Erragon　said　firmly；　prepared　to　argue　that　point。
　　〃To　allow　us　to　confirm　sightings　with　as　much　accuracy　as　possible；　we　must　have　one　there；　despite　its　distance　from　any　other　major　population　center；〃　Wansor　said；　bringing　one　hand　down　flat　on　the　table。　The　noise　startled　everyone。　Master　Wansor　was　the　mildest　of　men　and　his　sudden　insistence　surprised　G'dened　and　G'narish。　〃We　must　have　one　there　or　the　sky　watch　can　fail。　Master　Idarolan　is　of　the　firm　opinion　that　a　small　settlement　is　feasible。　He　even　suggests　a　sheltered　harbor　between　the　two　halves　of　the　western　Continent　and　knows　where　clear　water　is　available。　Even　some　trees。〃
　　〃Really？〃　Lessa　asked。
　　〃Really；〃　Wansor　said；　nodding　earnestly　in　her　direction。　〃If　we　number　dragonriders　among　the　sky…watchers；　establishing　an　observatory…even　at　such　a　distant　point…will　cause　no　great　problem。　They　can　be　home　daytimes；　you　see。　It's　only　the　night　they　need　to　watch。〃
　　His　cheerful　qualification　caused　several　to　grin；　Palla　and　Mirrim　turned　chuckles　into　coughs。
　　〃Then　that's　one　observatory　settled；〃　he　went　on。
　　〃But　where　will　there　be　others？〃　K'van　asked；　still　smiling　as　he　leaned　forward；　a　keen　expression　on　his　suntanned　face。
　　Jaxom　cleared　his　throat。　〃There's　an　excellent　spot　for　an　observatory　at　Ruatha　Hold。　Near　the　Ice　Lake；　accessible　enough。　I　am　quite　willing　to　cede　it…and　the　tithes　of　any　holds　in　the　immediate　area…to　establish　a　wholly　independent　Star　Hall。〃
　　Wansor　beamed　in　his　direction　while　others　exchanged　glances　at　such　generous　sponsorship。
　　〃With　all　due　respect；　Lord　Jaxom；〃　J'fery　said　deferentially；　〃since　Palla　has　some　training　already　and　there　is　also　a　possible　site　not　far　from　our　Weyr。。。〃
　　〃Managing　a　Weyr　takes　all　my　time；〃　Cosira　said；　pointedly　looking　away　from　Palla。
　　Lessa　made　a　disparaging　sound　and　dismissed　that　inference。　〃Palla's　younger　than　either　of　us；　Cosira。　Since　she's　been　Erragon's　apprentice；　I　don't　think　any　of　us　would　object　if　she　delegates　part　of　her　Weyr　duties　to　the　other　queen　riders。〃
　　〃That's　as　may　be；〃　F'lar　said；　giving　both　Lessa　and　Cosira　quelling　stares。
　　〃Yes；　yes；〃　Master　Wansor　said。　〃Thank　you；　Lord　Jaxom；　Weyrleader　J'fery；　Lady　Palla。　You　will　have　to　refresh　and　augment　your　original　training。　While　I　may　not　be　able　to　see　anymore；　my　memory　is　excellent。　Master　Samvel　at　the　Landing　school　has　a　whole　class　of　young　people　to　whom　I　already　teach　basic　astronomy。　I　suspect；〃　and　his　opaque　eyes　appeared　to　twinkle；　〃that　there　may　be　many　older　people；　aunties　and　uncles；　retired　from　physically　demanding　work；　like　Master　Idarolan；　who　would　be　delighted　to　have　responsible　work　to　do；　even　if　it　is　at　night。　Frankly；　I　only　need　a　few　hours'　sleep；〃　he　added　with　an　ingenuous　smile。
　　〃It　would　be　no　problem　for　me　and　Tiroth；〃　D'ram　said；　〃to　bring　students　to　Master　Wansor。　It　will　take　considerable　time；　especially　with　the　workload　that　is　currently　carried　by　our　best　people；　to　build　an　observatory；　so　we　must　make　strong　representations　to　the　Council　to　start　as　soon　as　possible。　In　the　meantime；　the　production　of　binoculars　from　the　SmithCraftHall　has　been　increased…〃
　　〃By　over　half　again　as　many；〃　Wansor　interrupted　with　one　hand　upraised　in　apology；　〃since　the　Fireball。〃
　　〃Has　been　increased　considerably；〃　D'ram　went　on　gently。　〃Master　Jancis　and　Piemur　assure　us　of　a　supply　and　Master　Morilton　has　professed　himself　and　his　Hall　willing　to　experiment　with　reflecting　mirrors　for　small　telescopes。〃
　　〃And；　when　the　dangerous　objects　are　discovered；　will　dragons　be　required　to　push　them　out　of　the　sky？〃　G'dened　demanded　sarcastically。
　　Lessa　noticed　that　F'lessan　exchanged　a　quick　look　with　Tai。　F'lessan　also　had　a　gleam　in　his　eye　that　had　always　preceded　some　mad　start　of　his　as　a　boy。
　　〃One　never　knows；　G'dened；〃　Jaxom　said；　〃considering　what　strange　things　dragons　have　done　in　the　past　eleven　Turns。　I　repeat；　I'm　quite　willing　to　site　and　provide　for　an　observatory　in　the　Ruathan　hills。〃
　　〃I'll　undertake　to　set　another　at　Telgar。　Master　Fandarel　will　certainly　approve　of　an　efficient　watch　on　the　sky；〃　and　J'fery　grinned；　〃and　Lord　Larad　is　more　open　to　such　projects　than　other　Holders。〃
　　〃It　would　be　wise；〃　Jaxom　said；　stressing　the　last　word；　〃to　include　as　many　holders　and　crafters　in　this　sky　watch　as　possible。〃
　　〃I　thought　it　was　to　be　a　dragonrider　responsibility；〃　G'dened　said。
　　Really；　thought　Lessa　with　a　disgust　she　did　not　express；　G'dened　must　step　down。　He　was　so　hidebound。
　　〃We　will　need　everyone　who's　willing！　Why；　we'll　need　to　train　two　or　more　Halls　full　of　people；〃　and　Wansor　held　out　both　arms　in　an　expansive　gesture。　〃As　Weyrleader　K'van　remarked；　it's　a　big　sky。　And　we　must　discover　as　many　objects　as　possible。　Most　will　prove　harmless　when　their　orbits　are　charted；　like　our　Turnover　Ghost　etary　trails。　Many　may　e　close　but　proceed　on　their　ways。〃
　　〃That's　all　very　well；　Master　Wansor；〃　G'dened　said；　still　unconvinced；　〃but　that　doesn't　answer　the　important　question：　what　could　we　do　if　another　et　or　meteor　or　whatever　is　close　enough　to　impact　Pern　again？〃
　　The　silence　in　the　hall　was　so　plete　that　the　ining　waves　could　be　heard　rippling　up　the　beach；　and　the　occasional　splash　of　dolphins　playing　one　of　their　evening　games。
　　〃We'll　think　of　something；〃　F'lar　said　into　that　silence。
　　〃What's　the　matter　with　all　of　you。。。〃　F'lessan　cried；　jumping　to　his　feet。
　　Lessa　could　almost　hear　the　words　he　had　been　about　to　utter：　old　dragonriders。
　　He　recovered　quickly；　almost　stumbling　over　the　next　words。　〃We've　only　started　exploring　the　masses　of　information　Aivas　left　us　and　somewhere　in　all　that　information　there　will　be　a　way　of　dealing　with　them。　When　Thread　first　starting　falling；　our　ancestors　made　do　with　what　they　had；　and　developed　what　they　needed　to　survive…the　dragons。　They　found　ways　to　adapt　that　have　sheltered　and　expanded　a　population　that；　had　they　been　less　resourceful　and　optimistic；　would　have　perished　without　a　trace　in　that　first　Pass。　All　due　respects　to　you；　Erragon；　but　Aivas　had　a　habit　of　hiding　information　so　we　have　to　work　to　find　it。　Let　us　make　the　best　of　what　we　have…those　telescopes　and　the　brains　we　were　born　with。〃
　　Lessa　regarded　her　son　with　considerable；　if　pessimistic；　respect。　And　yet；　what　he　said　might　well　be　true。　Aivas　had　talked　about　weapons　of　mass　destruction　and　she　earnestly　hoped　that　nowhere　in　those　records　were　such　particulars。　But　if　there　was　hope。。。　
　　〃We　had　to　learn　a　great　many　things　to　blow　the　Red　Star　off　course。　We　still　don't　know　the　half　of　what　there　is　in　Aivas's　records；〃　F'lessan　went　on。
　　〃There's　more　than　half　of　that　we　don't　need　to　know；　F'lessan；〃　G'dened　said；　scowling。
　　〃Quite　possibly　more　than　half；　G'dened；　but；　as　dragonriders；　we　are　mitted　to　learn　as　much　about　our　responsibilities　of　protecting　this　planet　as　possible。〃
　　Giving　F'lessan　an　approving　nod；　F'lar　rose。　〃The　Weyrs　will　continue　to　serve。　If　we　propose　the　sky　watch　to　the　Council　in　the　most　positive　terms；　and　with　plete　accord；〃　he　glanced　meaningfully　at　G'dened　and　the　puzzled　G'narish；　〃then；　by　the　first　Eggs　that　hatched　here　in　Landing；　we　dragonriders　will　add　a　new　dimension　to　our　future！〃
　　His　fist　came　down　on　the　table　and；　eyes　brilliant；　he　stared　around；　daring　anyone　to　challenge　him。
　　Now　that；　Lessa　thought　with　a　surge　of　pride　for　her　weyrmate；　was　plain　speaking！　The　two　new　Weyrleaders；　so　determined　to　succeed　in　their　new　responsibilities；　would　have　followed　any　strong　lead。　Betw