amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第71部分

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rkened　room；　his　left　leg　jutting　straight　out　over　the　end　of　the　bed。
　　〃A　bit　sudden；　isn't　it；　Tai；〃　he　said；　opening　his　eyes。　
　　〃I'm　thirsty。〃　That　was　plaintive。　The　next　was　definitive。　
　　〃And　I　do　not　want　any　fellis　juice。　I　want　water；　lots　of　it。　Cold。〃
　　Limping　a　little　because　she'd　strained　her　bad　leg；　Tai　paused　at　the　door　to　listen　for　any　activity　in　the　hall；　and　then　slipped　as　quickly　as　she　could　back　to　F'lessan's　sickroom。　She　took　the　pitcher　and　the　glass　from　the　table　and　returned　with　them。　Maybe　she　should　have　found　some　wine；　or　something　sweet；　for　the　shock。　Now　that　she　had　had　a　few　moments　to　get　accustomed　to　the　uncovered　eye；　it　could　have　been　worse：　Golly　had　some　sight。　It　must　have　been　much　worse　for　F'lessan；　not　able　to　check　but　very　able　to　lie　in　that　bed；　numbed　with　the　weed　and　fellis；　thinking；　thinking；　and　thinking。　There　would　be　considerable　relief　in　knowing　just　how　bad　it　was。
　　She　got　back　with　no　one　the　wiser　in　the　sleeping　weyrhold。　She　poured　water　for　F'lessan；　who　dragged　himself　to　a　sitting　position　on　one　elbow。　He　drained　the　glass。　She　arranged　pillows　and　pushed　him　back　against　them　before　she　took　a　long　swig　from　the　pitcher　to　quench　her　own　thirst。
　　〃More；　please。〃　He　held　up　the　empty　glass。　When　she　refilled　it；　he　sipped　in　mouthfuls　this　time。　She　drank　again　from　the　pitcher。　The　water　was　nearly　gone。　Should　she　get　some　fruit　juice　from　the　kitchen？　Sagassy　could　be　relied　on　to　have　a　beaker　cooling　there。　It　wasn't　just　the　sea　that　had　made　her　mouth　dry。
　　When　she　made　a　move　to　leave；　he　caught　her　hand。　〃Don't　go；　Tai。　Don't　leave　me；　my　very　dear　green。〃
　　〃Golanth's　patch；　I　should　replace　it。〃
　　He　grabbed　at　her　hand；　his　fingers　unexpectedly　fierce。　〃No；　he　can　use　the　lids　if　he　needs　to　shield。。。　what's　left　to　see　with。　He　hated　that　patch。　I　promised　I'd　get　it　off。〃
　　〃If　you'd　only　told　us！〃
　　Eyes　closed　with　exhaustion；　he　gave　a　weak　smile。　〃Would　you；　Tai？　Would　you　have　flouted　Wyzall；　Ballora；　all　of　them？〃
　　〃Yes！〃
　　His　smile　broadened；　tinged　with　doubt；　as　he　turned　his　head　on　the　pillow　toward　her；　his　hand　patting　hers。
　　〃Yes；　I　would　have；〃　she　said　firmly。
　　Then　he　scowled。　〃And　what　were　you　doing　away　from　Honshu　in　the　middle　of　the　night；　dear　rider？〃
　　She　grinned。　〃We　went　swimming。〃
　　〃Swimming　in　the　middle　of　the　night？〃　he　cried；　astonished。
　　〃Belior's　up　and　it　did　me　a　lot　of　good。〃
　　〃Alone？〃　He　tried　to　scold　her。
　　〃Not　with　nearly　a　full　pod　of　dolphins　about。〃　Then；　before　he　could　continue；　she　added；　〃And　all　the　good　of　that　swim　might　be　undone　coping　with　your　jaunt　tonight。〃
　　He　sighed；　giving　a　weary　shake　to　his　head。　〃I　think；　my　very　dear　green；　my　very　dear　Tai；　we're　all　the　better　for　tonight。〃　Wearily　he　closed　his　eyes　but　his　lips　curved　in　a　slight　smile。
　　He　is；　Golanth　is；　I　am；　you　are；　Zaranth　said。
　　F'lessan　gave　her　hand　a　final　pat　before　the　fingers　lay　lax。　She　checked　again　for　any　seepage　from　the　bandages。　It　would　be　like　F'lessan　to　be　unscathed　by　such　a　desperate　antic。　When　she　fumbled　to　draw　the　light　cover　over　them；　he　was　breathing　evenly　and　the　fretful　lines　on　his　face　had　relaxed。　He　almost　looked　like　himself；　except　for　the　scar　and　the　lack　of　hair　around　it。
　　He　sleeps；　said　both　dragons。　We　sleep。
　　She　gave　a　happy　sigh；　ignored　the　ache　in　her　leg　and　her　bruised　hand；　put　her　head　on　the　pillow　beside　F'lessan's；　and　turned　her　cheek　against　his　bare　shoulder。
　　Excited；　concerned　whispers　and　running　feet　awakened　her。　She　was　in　that　state　of　limp　repose　that　allowed　her　to　be　aware　of　the　distraction　but　unwilling　to　respond　to　the　air　of　alarm。
　　Fortunately　it　was　Sagassy　who　put　her　head　in　the　door　and　stared　at　them。　With　a　sense　of　mischief　that　astonished　Tai　as　much　as　it　did　the　hold　woman；　Tai　put　one　finger　to　her　lips　to　keep　Sagassy　from　alerting　the　searchers。　At　that；　Sagassy　did　give　them　a　few　more　moments'　peace；　going　back　into　the　hall。
　　〃The　dragons　are　sleeping；　aren't　they？　So　the　riders've　e　to　no　harm　or　be　sure　we'd've　all　heard　the　bugling。　Now　let's　all　be　sensible。。。〃
　　Then　someone　called　urgently　from　the　terrace。　And　Sagassy　ran　off。
　　Beside　her；　F'lessan　moved；　stretching　a　little。　〃I'll　bet　they　found　Golly's　patch　has　been　removed。〃
　　That　was　the　startled　news　reverberating　down　the　hall。　F'lessan　slowly　slid　his　arm　under　Tai's　shoulder　and　nestled　her　against　him；　his　head　on　hers。
　　〃It　won't　be　long　now；〃　he　murmured　indolently　and　kissed　her　temple。　Tai　felt　something　inside　her　snap；　as　if　all　her　guts　and　her　ribs　had　been　tangled　in　a　great　knot；　which　the　kiss　had　untied。　〃I'm　going　to　insist　that　we　occupy　this　room　from　now　on。　It's　big　enough　so　you　won't　be　bashing　into　me。　You're　a　quiet　sleeper　anyway。　I　don't　think　you　moved　all　night。〃
　　〃They　have　to　be　somewhere；〃　they　heard　Keita　shouting。
　　〃That　is；　if　it's　your　choice；　Tai？〃
　　For　a　split　second…wanting　to　throw　her　arms　about　him　in　an　excess　of　relief…she　didn't　know　where　it　was　safe　to　embrace　him。　So　she　demurely　rubbed　her　head　against　his　left　shoulder。　〃I　choose。　I　choose　you　in　any　condition　and　any　way　I　get　to　choose　you。〃
　　By　then；　their　refuge　was　officially　discovered　and　they　were　the　victims　of　some　choice　sarcastic　official　displeasure　and　tongue…lashing。　Tai　was　ejected　from　the　bed　so　that　Keita　could　be　sure　that　F'lessan　had　done　no　damage　to　himself。
　　The　main　puzzle…how　had　they　gotten　to　this　room…was　the　easiest　to　answer。
　　〃Zaranth　put　us　here；〃　Tai　said。　〃She　can；　you　know。〃
　　〃And　brought　F'lessan　out　to　Golanth？〃　Keita　demanded；　still　outraged　by　finding　the　patch　removed。
　　Tai　gave　a　negligent　shrug　and　let　them　assume　what　they　wanted　to。　Then　the　healer　had　F'lessan　carried　back　to　his　sickroom　where　medicines　and　bandages　were　stored；　to　make　sure　that　he　hadn't　done　himself　any　harm。　F'lessan's　grin　might　have　been　a　trifle　off…center　as　Keita　changed　dressings　to　reassure　herself　that　no　stitches　had　broken；　but　he　remained　unrepentant。
　　〃I'm　soaked　in　numbweed；〃　he　said。
　　〃You　both　should　know　by　now；〃　Keita　said；　reproachfully；　her　expression　severe；　〃that　the　deadening　effect　of　numbweed　is　deceptive。　It　is　so　very　easy　to　damage　tissue　or　tendon　because　you　can't　feel　what　strain　you're　inadvertently　exerting。　If　the　green　dragon　did　indeed　effect　your　unwise　and　unauthorized　trip　to　the　terrace；　then　that　at　least　proves　you're　not　totally　bereft　of　mon　sense；　bronze　rider。〃
　　〃And　Golly's　eye　suffered　no　further　damage？〃　F'lessan　asked　with　a　touch　of　arrogance　and；　to　Tai；　a　wish　to　be　reassured　that　it　was；　indeed；　all　right。　〃Persellan　has　seen　it？〃
　　〃You're　very　lucky　that　the　lids　have　healed　as　well　as　they　have；〃　Keita　said；　giving　them　full　measure　of　her　censure。　〃They　were　in　shreds　after　the　attack。　Fortunately　dragon　membrane；　unlike　the　more　delicate　eye　facets；　can　regenerate。〃
　　〃Yes；〃　F'lessan　said　in　a　dry　tone；　〃that's　been　explained。　Golly　knows　he　has　limited　vision　but　he　does　have　some。〃
　　Keita　had　to　admit　that。
　　〃He　said　the　lids　get　very　dry。〃
　　〃Part　of　the　injury　includes　an　inability　to　generate　sufficient　moisture　to　lubricate　the　lids。　I　think　we　can　help　there；　with　a　light　gel；　applied　when　needed。　We　coated　the　eye　with　it　before　we　sewed　the　lids　shut　against　sun　damage。〃
　　〃Then　perhaps　I　can　take　over　that　duty　now；〃　F'lessan　said；　easing　his　body　into　a　sitting　position。　Keita　watched　him；　one　hand　lifting　to　suggest　great　care。
　　Then　she　said；　〃I'd　very　much　like　to　see　how　green　Zaranth　does　this　telekinesis。〃
　　I　can't　do　it　slowly；　Tai。　Tai　could　almost　hear　her　dragon　gulp　in　anxiety。
　　I　do　the　slow　part；　Golanth　said。　You　apply　the　lift。
　　There　is　a　chair　out　here；　Zaranth　added。
　　〃Master　Keita；　would　you　have　the　gel　handy？〃　Tai　asked　to　distract　her。
　　Keita　turned　to　the　chest　where　healer　supplies　were　stored。
　　Stay　very　still；　Tai　heard　her　green　say。
　　Out　of　the　corner　of　her　eye；　Tai　saw　F'lessan　disappear。
　　Not…so…fast！　Golanth　said。　Her　heart　gave　a　thump　of　alarm；　and　she　shot　a　glance　down　the　hall　in　time　to　see　F'lessan's　body　inserted　in　the　chair；　a　look　of　surprise　on　his　face。　Trundlebugs　had　never　appeared　to　notice。
　　We　didn't　even　bump　him；　Zaranth　said；　highly　pleased。
　　A　matter　of　practice。　You　shove。
　　I　don't。　I　move。
　　I　slow。
　　We　can　try　it　the　other　way　round；　and　to　Tai　her　dragon's　voice　sounded　wily。
　　You　can　practice　on　other　things；　F'lessan　said　firmly　to　Zaranth　and　Golanth　but　Tai　could　hear　the　amusement　in　his　voice。
　　Hand　reaching　for　a　small　jar；　Keita　swiveled；　stared　accusingly　at　Tai。　She　gave　a　deep　sigh　of　exasperation。　〃I　suppose　it's　similar　to　going　between！〃
　　〃Not　really。　It's　sort　of　all　at　once；　instead　of　by　degrees。　Is　that　the　gel？　I'll　just　take　it　out　to　him。〃
　　Tai　left　the　room　as　fast　as　she　could。
　　〃Just　so　long　as　he　es　out　of　it　alive　on　the　other　end；〃　Keita　called　after　her。
　　When　she　reached　the　terrace；　F'lessan　was　still　in　the　chair；　leaning　down　to　look　at　Golanth's　hind　leg。　One　of　the　other　healers　was　just　staring　at　him。　Zaranth；　on　the　upper　ledge；　was　blinking　and　looking；　Tai　thought；　rather　paler　green　than　she　should　be。
　　Does　it　take　a　lot　of　effort？
　　No；　Golanth　helps。　Last　night　I　was　afraid　I　might　hurt　him。
　　I　slowed　him　down；　Golanth　said。　That's　important；　too。　He　isn't　a　feline。
　　He　also　isn't　a　trundlebug。　Heavier。　Zaranth　replied。
　　He　seems　to　have　survived；　Tai　said；　walking　quickly　down　the　hall。
　　It　may　be　just　a　matter　of　control。　We　must　find　out　how　the　other　dragons　are　doing；　Golanth　said。
　　Tai　reached　F'lessan　in　his　chair。
　　〃How　was　the　ride？〃
　　〃It's　not　like　going　between；〃　he　said　firmly；　looking　her　in　the　eye。　〃But　I　got　here　and　Golly's　leg　isn't　near　as　bad　as　I　thought　it　was。　Couldn't　really　see　it　last　night；　you　know。〃
　　〃You　had　too　much　time　to　think。　I　told　you　it　was　healing。〃
　　〃I　had　to　see　it。〃
　　〃I　know；〃　she　agreed　affably　but；　when　he　started　to　get　up；　she　pushed　him　back。
　　〃I　want　to　see　all　of　Golly；〃　he　protested。
　　〃Golly　can　turn　around。　You　stay　put。　It'll　do　Golly　good　to　move。〃
　　〃But　he's　smeared　with　numbweed；〃　F'lessan　replied　hotly。　〃You　heard　Keita　lecture　us。〃
　　〃It　won't　hurt　Golly　to　turn　around　in　place。　He　has　done　it。〃　Tai　spoke　firmly；　sounding　a　bit　like　Keita。
　　I　can　do　it。　And　Golanth　ended　that　argument　by　rising　to　four　feet；　and　whatever　the　turn　might　have　lacked　in　grace；　it　did　allow　his　seated　rider　to　see　all　of　him；　glistening　in　ribbons　and　patches　with　recently　and　generously　applied　numbweed。　Except　for　the　deepest　ones；　the　claw　marks　were　now　mostly　black　tracings；　where　the　wing　sails　had　been　punctured；　the　membrane　tissue　was　ringed　with　pale　new　growth。　When　F'lessan　asked　him　to；　Golanth　obediently　stopped　so　his　rider　could　lean　forward　for　a　closer　look　at　one　deep　groove　or　the　imprint　of　claw　tips。　At　the　point　where　Golanth　was　facing　Zaranth　on　her　ledge；　he　raised　his　head　and　gave　her　an　affectionate