amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第68部分

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　　〃Easy；　F'lessan；　lie　still。〃　She　pushed　behind　his　ear　the　strand　of　hair　that　had　fallen　across　the　stitched　cheek。　〃Lie　still。　Golanth　lives！〃
　　〃Golly？〃　The　question　was　more　breath　than　word；　his　brows　creased　slightly；　halted　when　he　felt　the　pull　of　skin。　〃Golly？〃
　　His　eyes　opened；　blinked；　strained　to　focus　on　her　face。　He　seemed　puzzled　by　her　presence。　〃Where've　you　been？〃　It　was　almost　a　plaint。
　　〃They　wouldn't　let　me　e。〃
　　〃She　got　clawed；　too；　F'lessan；〃　T'lion　said；　leaning　over　the　other　side　of　the　bed。　〃But　I　said　I'd　bring　her　and　I　have。〃
　　F'lessan's　eyelids　seemed　too　heavy　to　keep　open　but　the　corner　of　his　mouth　turned　up。
　　〃So　you　did。　Don't　go　'way；　my　very　dear　green。　Don't　go　'way。〃
　　His　endearment　caught　at　her　heart　and　she　had　to　wait　a　moment　before　she　could　speak。
　　〃I'll　see　Golanth　and　then　I'll　be　right　back。　You　can　rest　now。〃
　　〃Hmmm；　yes。　I　can；　can't　I？〃　He　turned　his　head　to　one　side　and；　exhaling　a　deep　breath；　sank　into　a　stillness　that　scared　her　until　she　saw　his　chest　rise　again。
　　〃I'll　convey　you　to　bronze　Golanth；〃　T'lion　said；　picking　her　up　and　carrying　her　from　the　room。
　　〃Why；　just　look　at　him；　bronze　rider；〃　Sagassy　remarked；　pausing　to　look　back　at　F'lessan。　〃He's　much　less　restless　already。〃
　　It　was　as　well　Tai　had　seen　F'lessan　before　Golanth　because　the　sight　of　the　terribly　wounded　bronze　made　her　weep。
　　〃Now；　now；　he　looks　a　lot　worse　than　he　is；〃　the　Monaco　rider　said；　tightening　his　arms　about　her。
　　He　is　much　better；　Tai。　He　is　much　better；　and　Zaranth　rose　from　where　she　was　lying　on　the　sunny　terrace　beyond　Golanth's　supine　bulk。
　　〃Oh；　Zaranth！　How　can　you　say　that？〃　Tai　was　sobbing。
　　Because　it's　true。
　　〃Hey；　now；　Tai；　don't　go　to　pieces　on　me；〃　T'lion　said　in　a　rallying　tone。　〃He　was　badly　injured；　it's　true。　Flesh　gouged　out　of　him；　bits　gnawed　off　him；　but　they　got　the　tail　mended。　That's　what's　in　the　splint　affair。　And　he's　not　in　any　pain　because　we　don't　let　him　be。〃
　　That　was　when　Tai　noticed　all　the　other　people　on　the　terrace　and　valiantly　controlled　her　sobs。
　　〃Ah；　Green　Rider　Tai；〃　and　through　the　tear　haze　in　her　eyes；　Tai　recognized　Persellan's　familiar　face。　〃I　know　the　extent　of　Golanth's　injuries　seems　appalling；〃　he　went　on；　〃but　we　keep　him　fortable。〃　He　gestured　to　the　large　gray　pots　in　which　numbweed　was　stored。　〃Having　Zaranth　here　makes　it　certain　that　he　is　relieved　before　he　can　twitch　a　muscle　in　pain。　She's　been　as　close　to　him　as　a　pulse。〃
　　Golanth's　prostrate　body　made　the　terrace　seem　smaller　than　she　knew　it　was。　There　was　room　for　people　to　move　around　him。　Near　the　main　entrance；　there　were　supplies；　like　numbweed　pots　and　chests　of　dressings　or　other　medications；　chairs　where　carers　could　relax；　a　table　for　dining；　like　the　ones　that　had　been　set　out　when　half　of　Monaco　had　been　staying　here。
　　Golanth's　body　was　cushioned　from　the　rock　of　the　terrace　by　many　pads：　an　awning　had　been　rigged　above　him…a　sail；　Tai　thought；　by　the　look　of　it。　He　seemed　smaller　somehow；　diminished　by　the　absence　of　his　characteristic　vitality：　like　rider；　like　dragon。　She　pushed　that　thought　away。
　　There　were　marks　all　over　the　near　side　of　him；　where　claws　had　torn　and　teeth　had　snagged。　The　patch　over　his　left　eye　was　most　prominent　and　the　casing　around　the　end　of　his　tail；　which　was　positioned　by　his　body。　He　lay　with　his　head　between　his　front　legs　but　she　could　see　his　nostrils　flaring　slightly　with　every　breath　he　took。
　　He　is　much　better；　Tai；　Zaranth　said　with　the　heartiness　of　someone　who　has　watched　recovery。　Much　better。　Touch　him。　You　will　feel　the　strength　in　him。
　　Zaranth　had　not　moved　from　her　position　behind　Golanth　but　now　she　cocked　her　head　at　her　rider。
　　〃I'll　take　you　round；〃　T'lion　offered。　〃There's　a　place　for　you　to　sit　and　be　private　with　Zaranth。　Let　me　tell　you；　despite　her　own　injuries；　she　has　been　conscientious　in　helping　us　tend　Golanth。〃
　　T'lion　deftly　maneuvered　her　behind　him　and　Tai　nearly　burst　into　tears　again　to　see　the　slashes；　hidden　behind　Golanth's　body；　that　marred　Zaranth's　green　hide。　T'lion　put　her　on　the　bench　and　stepped　back；　giving　Tai's　shoulder　a　firm　reassuring　grip　before　he　left　them。　Zaranth　took　the　small　step　that　separated　rider　and　dragon　and　put　her　nose　down　to　Tai's　knees。
　　I　do　not　hurt；　Tai。　They　tend　me　as　well　as　Golanth　but　only　I　can　hear　to　help　him。　He　grieves　for　F'lessan's　hurts。　And　that　pain　is　the　worst。　Zaranth　emphasized　that　with　a　little　push　of　her　nose。
　　It　would　be。　And　you've　needed　me！
　　In　deep　apology　for　her　absence；　Tai　put　her　arms　carefully　around　her　dragon's　nose；　rested　her　face　against　Zaranth's　cheek；　aware　of　the　dragon's　warmth　and　the　particular　smell　of　her　sun…warmed　hide　mixed　with　the　astringency　of　numbweed。　Then；　tenderly；　lightly；　she　placed　her　right　hand　on　the　scored　chest　and　felt　the　beat　of　the　powerful　heart；　letting　herself　relax　against　her　beloved。　Reassured　by　the　essential　strong　rhythm；　she　felt　tension　draining　out　of　her　body；　softening　her　muscles；　and　giving　her　back　the　sense　of　Tightness　that　was　the　bond　between　dragon　and　rider。　They　remained　in　this　silent　munion　until　Tai　was　restored　to　serenity。　And　had　renewed　the　strength　in　them　both。
　　Caringly；　she　stroked　Zaranth's　nose；　her　cheekbones；　was　able　to　touch　the　deep　gashes　with　gently　inquiring　fingers。　She　could　see　that　they　were　shallow；　worse　than　scratches　but　not　as　deep　as　the　troughs　that　scored　Golanth。　Zaranth　looked　as　if　she　were　wearing　stripes。
　　How　did　you　do　it；　my　heart？　the　rider　asked　the　dragon。　How　did　you　save　us？
　　I　called。　Ramoth　and　the　others　came　quickly。　I　told　Ramoth。　The　dragon's　tone　was　squeaky　with　self…satisfaction。　She　did　what　I　told　her　to　do。　She　saw　how　to　do　it　and　told　the　others。　They　did　more　than　me。　There　were　more　of　them。　Zaranth　sighed　gustily　into　her　rider's　lap。　And　the　felines　threatened　our　lives：　all　four　of　us。　But　we　were　too　much　for　them。　I　was　very　glad　to　see　the　other　dragons　arrive：　especially　Ramoth。
　　I'm　sure　you　were。　So　was　I！　Tai　admitted；　letting　tears　well　up　in　her　eyes；　tears　of　exquisite　relief　now　that　she　was　physically　close　to　her　brave　and　clever　Zaranth。
　　F'lessan　has　been　anxious；　Zaranth　said　with　great　concern。　He　will　not　rest。　Golanth　sleeps　a　lot。　I　tell　F'lessan　not　to　worry　but　I　don't　think　he　believes　me。
　　He　will　believe　me！　Tai　caressed　Zaranth's　sensitive　eye　ridges　soothingly；　just　the　way　her　green　dragon　preferred。　Zaranth　leaned　her　head　more　and　more　on　Tai's　knees　until　she　became　aware　that　this　pressure　was　causing　her　rider　pain。　Zaranth　opened　her　eyes　and　lifted　her　head。
　　I　have　called　him。
　　Called　who？
　　The　bronze　rider。　The　one　who　carried　you。　I　thought　about　bringing　you　here　myself；　and　Zaranth's　eyelids　lowered　apologetically；　but　it's　one　thing　to　do　it　because　it's　the　only　thing　to　DO　but　I　couldn't　risk　dropping　you　and　I'm　not　quite　that　good　at　it　as　I　should　be　to　try　lifting　you　carefully。　So；　first　he　will　let　you　touch　Golanth；　this　side　isn't　as　bad。　Golanth　knows　that　you　are　here。　You　will　touch　Golanth　and　tell　him　that　you　have　seen　F'lessan。　He　will　believe　you！
　　When　T'lion　duly　returned；　he　supported　Tai　while　she　placed　her　hands　on　the　bronze's　side；　carefully　avoiding　the　grooves　in　Golanth's　right　shoulder　that　might；　had　they　been　a　little　higher；　a　little　deeper；　have　ended　the　bronze　dragon's　life。　And　F'lessan's；　too。
　　She　blinked　back　more　tears。　This　time　death　had　not　robbed　her　again　of　those　she　loved。　She　wasn't　certain　just　how　Golanth　had　escaped：　the　feline　had　been　leaping　in　exactly　the　right　arc/trajectory　to　land　on　Golanth's　spine；　teeth　bared；　talons　extended。　But　somehow　it　had　missed　and　she　was　profoundly　grateful。
　　She　spread　her　fingers　on　uninjured　parts　of　Golanth's　sun…warmed　hide。　She　found　a　place　where　she　could　lean　her　forehead　on　his　rib　cage。　She　felt　a　rumble　from　Golanth　and　then　a　thought。
　　You　have　e。
　　F'lessan　is　weaker　than　you　are；　Golanth；　so　they　will　not　bring　him　to　you。　But　I　have　held　his　hand；　I　have　spoken　with　him。　Now　I　will　tell　him　that　I　have　touched　you。　And　you　will　both　start　feeling　better　and　healing　as　fast　as　possible。　Do　you　hear　me？
　　I　hear　you。　The　body　beneath　her　hands　heaved　slightly　and　she　felt　him　sigh。　I　hear　F'lessan。　He　wants　to　know　if　you　are　ing　back。
　　Now　that　I　have　seen　you　and　Zaranth；　I'll　　be　right　back。
　　〃This　may　have　been　too　much　for　you；　Tai；〃　T'lion　said；　picking　her　up。　〃I　swear　you　feel　lighter。〃
　　〃That's　as　well　for　you　then；〃　she　said。
　　〃I'm　stronger　than　I　look；　you　know；〃　he　replied　firmly　as　he　carried　her　back　into　the　weyrhold　and　down　the　hall。
　　〃I　must　go　back　to　F'lessan。〃
　　〃Oh；　I'm　taking　you　there　as　fast　as　I　can。　And　you　must　drink　what　Sagassy　has　concocted　for　you。　Maybe　even　get　F'lessan　to　sip　some。〃
　　Which　Tai　did；　after　she　had　assured　him　of　Golanth's　condition。　Most　of　the　time　he　slept；　his　fingers　twined　in　hers　in　a　grip　which　alternately　made　her　weep　or　feel　intense　pride　that；　of　all　the　humans　he　knew；　it　was　she　whom　he　wanted　by　him。
　　
INTERIM　AT　BENDEN　AND　ELSEWHERE
　　Despite　F'lar's　assurance　to　the　Council；　despite　Ramoth's　assurances　to　Lessa；　not　all　the　dragons　were　able　to　imitate　Zaranth　and　the　dragons　who　came　to　her　assistance　in　Honshu　that　terrible　morning。　Although　Ramoth　had　told　Lessa　that　she　had　understood　how　Zaranth　had　managed　telekinesis；　anger；　fear；　and　outrage　had　had　a　lot　to　do　with　the　process。　Cool　thought；　or　gradually；　more　ardent　wishes；　were　not　as　successful。　And　nowhere　near　as　safe。
　　First；　the　path　between　the　original　position　and　the　destination　of　an　object　being　moved　by　a　dragon's　mind　had　to　be　clear　of　any　impediment。　The　distance　did　not　seem　to　be　an　obstacle；　for　inanimate　objects。　Even　for　smaller　living　creatures；　like　wherries　or　herdbeasts。　But　there　could　be　nothing　in　the　way。　While　stones　didn't　suffer　from　being　moved　telekinetically；　they　might　be　broken　if　they　collided　with　anything；　so　might　what　they　collided　with。　The　speed　was　another　problem。　The　transfer　was　instantaneous…which　could；　and　did；　affect　what　was　kinetically　moved。
　　〃A　case　of　all　or　nothing；〃　F'lar　said　after　the　first　few　hours　of　imperfect　results　with　Mnementh。
　　〃Control；〃　Lessa　suggested　cryptically；　having　had　no　better　performance　from　her　queen。
　　With　the　felines；　there　hadn't　been　a　problem　of　safe　transit　or　landing。　Pieces　had　done　very　well。　Ramoth　disapproved　of　challenging　more　felines　for　practice　or　in　groups　large　enough　to　provide　the　stimulus　that　Zaranth　had　had：　sheer　terror　at　seeing　her　weyrmate　and　the　two　riders　attacked。
　　The　dragons　could　send　things　straight　up　in　the　open　air…and　out　of　sight。　To　move　an　object　telekinetically　in　a　horizontal　direction　had　taken　a　lot　of　control　and　required　Mnementh　and　Ramoth　working　together；　one　slowing　the　other　down。　Ramoth　and　Mnementh　practiced　daily；　slowly　lifting　small　rocks　vertically　from　the　ground　and　putting　them　back　down　without　crushing　them　into　dust　or　pebbles。　They　could　probably　have　thrown　one　all　the　way