amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第8部分

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　　〃She'll　show　him　off　to　anyone；　she's　so　proud。〃
　　〃I'm　better　acquainted　with　the　Cove　Hold　and　Readis's　pods；　you　see；〃　he　confided　in　her。
　　〃I　know；〃　she　replied。
　　〃Quite　likely；〃　he　said；　shooting　her　a　teasing　glance。　〃Dolphins　like　nothing　better　than　to　gossip。　They　can　spread　news　faster　than　Runners。　We　have　too　many　animals　on　this　planet　who　can　talk　back　to　us　humans。〃
　　She　gave　him　a　startled　look　and　then　let　herself　chuckle。　〃I　suppose　we　should　be　grateful　that　fire…lizards　can't　talk。〃
　　〃A　large　mercy；〃　he　agreed。　〃It's　bad　enough　they　sing！〃
　　〃But　they　add　such　beautiful　descants。〃
　　〃I　suppose　so；〃　he　replied　amiably。
　　She　knew　that　Lessa；　his　mother；　had　a　prejudice　against　fire…lizards。　Mirrim　had　said　it　was　because　no　one　had　known　how　to　control　the　creatures　when　they　were　first　brought　to　Benden。　Did　F'lessan　share　her　bias？　She　didn't　know　what　to　say　to　change　the　subject。　He　spared　her　by　speaking　first。
　　〃What　has　you　so　interested　in　Rukbat　system　charts？〃
　　〃Ah！〃　She　was　grateful　for　the　change　in　topic。　〃Well；　I'm　close　enough；　being　at　Monaco　Bay；　and　I　was　an　apprentice。。。　〃　She　floundered　a　moment。
　　〃So　you　said。。。　〃
　　〃So　I'm　often　asked　to　check　out　figures　on　the　original　charts；　which　are　much　too　valuable　to　be　anywhere　else。〃
　　〃Good　Master　Esselin。〃　F'lessan's　tone　was　facetious。
　　She　flushed。　〃He　doesn't　really　approve　of　me；　even　if　Master　Stinar　entrusts　me　to　take　Yoko　updates　to　Cove　Hold；　because　I'm　only　a　green　rider。〃
　　〃There's　no　such　thing　as　'only　a　green　rider；'　Tai。　A　wing　never　has　enough　green　riders；〃　he　replied　so　staunchly　that　she　was　startled　enough　to　catch　his　eyes。　〃That's　the　Wingleader　in　me　talking。　Besides　which；　Master　Esselin　is　a　pompous　old　hairsplitter！　Ignore　him。〃
　　〃I　can't。　And　weren't　you　hoping　to　avoid　him；　too？〃
　　〃Whenever　I　can。　He；〃　he　told　her；　dropping　his　tone　to　a　whisper　as　he　leaned　across　the　table　to　her；　〃doesn't　approve　of　me　being　in　Honshu。〃
　　〃But　you　found　it；〃　she　said；　surprised。
　　〃Yes；〃　he　said；　nodding　with　an　air　of　mischievous　satisfaction。　〃And　I　take　great　care　of　its　treasures。〃
　　〃So　I've　heard。〃
　　〃So　you　have　heard　some　good　of　me？〃
　　She　knew　he　was　teasing　her；　she　knew　she　was　often　too　solemn。　Even　Mirrim　said　she　shouldn't　be　quite　so　conscientious；　but　that　was　just　how　she　was。　She　just　didn't　know　how　to　respond　to　levity。　As　if　he　hadn't　noticed　her　uncertainty；　he　reached　for　the　skin。
　　〃More　wine；〃　he　said　briskly。
　　She　hadn't　realized　her　glass　was　empty　and　obediently　held　it　out。
　　〃Does　Erragon　let　you　stand　any　night　watches　with　him　at　Cove　Hold？〃　he　asked。
　　〃Yes。　I'm　a　good　timekeeper。〃　Conscientious　was　what　Erragon　called　her；　just　like　Mirrim。
　　〃Time　is　a　critical　factor　in　astronomy；〃　he　replied。
　　She　was　surprised　that　he　knew　that。
　　〃Did　you　study　much　astronomy？〃
　　〃Not　as　much　as　I　should　have；　but　I'll　catch　up。〃　He　wasn't　teasing　now。　He　was　quite　serious。　〃And　to　good　advantage；　since　we　must　look　beyond　our　traditional　duties。　I　like　people　who　think　ahead。〃
　　〃You　certainly　are；　with　Honshu。〃
　　His　expression　altered　again；　as　if　he；　too；　had　considered　his　future…which　put　another　dimension　to　the　outwardly　lighthearted　dragonrider。　He　grinned；　impulsively　covering　her　hand　with　a　reassuring　pressure。
　　〃Yes；　I've　plans　for　Honshu。〃　Then；　in　another　abrupt　change；　he　added；　〃I'll　just　get　us　second　servings　before　the　roasts　are　all　gone。〃
　　She　wouldn't　have　had　the　nerve　to　go　back　for　more　to　eat；　but　F'lessan　took　her　plate　before　she　could　protest。　Slightly　awed；　she　watched　as　he　chatted　with　the　cook　while　the　man　carved　generous　slices　from　the　roast。
　　All　the　tables　around　them　were　filled　now　with　boisterous　diners；　enjoying　the　excellent　Turnover　meal。　Though　several　called　cheerfully　to　F'lessan　as　he　made　his　way　back；　he　returned　the　greetings　without　stopping　to　chat。　He　wasn't　at　all　what　she'd　expected　based　on　Mirrim's　tales　of　some　of　his　pranks　at　Benden　Weyr。　Well；　that　had　been　Turns　ago；　before　he'd　Impressed。　He　did　have　a　serious　side　to　his　nature；　along　with　that　most　amazing　sparkle　in　his　eyes。　She　should　be　wary　of　such　a　sparkle。　Mirrim　had　said　he　had　been　very　much　a　bronze　rider！　Maybe　she　should　slip　away　while　she　had　a　chance。　But　that　seemed　very　discourteous。　She　had　barely　touched　the　second　glass　he'd　poured。
　　A　bright　chord　of　music　cut　through　conversations　and　she　saw　that　harpers　were　ranged　on　the　platform；　ready　to　entertain　the　diners。　Moreover；　there'd　be　new　music　for　a　Turnover。　She'd　intended　to　stay　that　long。　She　reached　out　for　Zaranth's　mind；　but　the　green　was　obviously　enjoying　herself　on　the　heights　with　the　other　dragons。
　　F'lessan　deftly　placed　the　dish　before　her。　It　was　piled　so　high　she　wondered　where　she'd　put　all　that　food。
　　〃I　brought　you　some　of　the　things　I　like；　too。　Fresh　from　the　ovens。〃　He　topped　off　their　wineglasses。　〃With　music！　Good！〃
　　He　had　no　trouble　putting　away　his　second　helping　of　Turnover　food。　Nor　did　she；　but　then；　her　parents　had　raised　her　to　〃eat　what's　on　your　plate　and　be　thankful。〃　She　took　a　hasty　sip　of　the　white　Benden；　she　hadn't　thought　of　her　family　recently。　Her　life　with　them　had　been　so　different　from　the　one　she　now　had…even　before　she　had　Impressed　Zaranth。　Zaranth…and　Monaco　Weyr…was　her　family　now；　and　closer　to　her　than　she　had　ever　been　to　her　bloodkin。
　　Determinedly　she　concentrated　on　something　else　and　the　music　caught　her　up。　Sometime　during　the　first　round　of　songs；　their　plates　were　removed　and　a　basket　of　southern　fruit；　northern　nuts；　and　sweet　cakes　was　deposited　on　the　table。　Klah　was　also　being　served　and　F'lessan；　she　noticed；　drank　more　of　that　than　the　wine；　which　he　continued　to　savor　in　sips。
　　It　was　expected　that　the　diners　would　join　in　the　chorus　of　the　ballads。　When　F'lessan　opened　his　mouth　to　join　in；　she　was　astonished。　He　plained　about　fire…lizards？　They　could　harmonize；　and　were　supplying　descants　from　wherever　they　were　perched。　He　couldn't　even　find　the　melodic　line！　He　wasn't　quite　a　monotone；　but　so　near　to　one　that　she　hoped　the　lusty　voices　around　them　drowned　him　out。　Yet　he　was…well；　not　exactly　singing；　although　he　bellowed　out　the　right　words…carrying　on　as　if　he　didn't　care。　He　merely　waved　to　those　at　the　nearest　table；　who　were　grimacing　at　him　and　vigorously　indicating　that　he　should　either　shut　his　mouth　or　go　elsewhere。
　　Should　she　try　to　drown　him　out？　She　had　an　alto　range　but　at　least　she　sang　on　pitch　and　with　reasonable　musicality。　He　was　gesturing　broadly…urgently…for　her　to　sing。　His　merry　eyes　caught　hers；　and　from　the　mischief　in　them；　she　suddenly　realized　that　he　knew　very　well　how　badly　he　sang　and　didn't　care。　That　he　was　willing　to　show　such　a　defect　in　a　culture　that　apotheosized　music；　and　certainly　encouraged　vocal　talents；　astonished　her。　Mirrim　might　criticize　his　fickleness　and　breezy　attitudes　to　weyrmates；　but　why　hadn't　she　mentioned　his　flawed　voice？
　　Now；　still　lofting　his　hearty　non…tone；　he　cupped　his　ear　to　indicate　that　he　couldn't　hear　her　singing。　Out　of　pique；　she　took　a　deep　breath　and　joined　in…hopefully　loud　enough　to　cover　his　performance。　Vigorously；　he　approved　her　efforts；　amiably　marking　out　the　tempo　with　both　hands。　He　did　have　a　good　sense　of　timing。　At　the　rousing　end　of　the　final　chorus；　he　closed　his　mouth　but　applauded　enthusiastically。
　　〃Why　do　you　sing；　when　you　know　you　can't？〃　she　demanded　in　a　low　voice。
　　〃Because　I　do　know　all　the　words；〃　he　replied；　not　at　all　abashed。
　　She　had　to　laugh　and　waved　her　hands　helplessly。　This　group　of　harpers　had　finished　their　stint　and　F'lessan　stood　up；　surveying　other　tables；　waving　to　someone　who　waved　back；　though　he　made　no　effort　to　leave　her　side。　Then　suddenly　he　was　hailed。
　　〃Thought　we　heard　your　bellow；　F'lessan！〃
　　Tai　saw　the　unmistakable　figures　of　T'gellan　and　Mirrim　making　their　way　toward　them。　That　wouldn't　do　at　all！　While　the　bronze　rider　was　urging　them　to　join　him；　Tai　got　to　her　feet　and；　pausing　only　to　take　her　wineglass　with　her…the　white　Benden　was　too　good　to　be　abandoned…she　slipped　into　the　shadows　and　away。
　　She　heard　him　weling　the　bronze　and　green　riders。
　　〃T'gellan；　Mirrim；　you'll　never　guess　who　I　met　at　the…〃
　　His　voice　broke　off　as　he　realized　that　she　had　gone。　She　halted　in　the　darkness；　waiting　for　him　to　identify　her。　She'd　never　hear　the　last　of　it　from　Mirrim。
　　〃Geger；〃　he　called　after　a　beat。　〃D'you　have　more　white　Benden？〃
　　Tai　hurried　away。
　　That　was　silly；　Zaranth　said。
　　You　know　how　Mirrim　can　be。
　　Why　would　she　object？
　　You　know　Mirrim；　Tai　replied。
　　You're　silly。　Then　Zaranth　asked　wistfully。　Do　we　have　to　go　now？
　　No；　love。　I　want　to　listen　to　the　music。　I　can　do　that　from　any　part　of　the　Square。
　　You'll　　have　to　stand。　Everyone　who　can　be　is　at　Landing's　Turnover。
　　Don't　tell　Golanth　where　I　am；　Tai　said；　remembering　the　proximity　of　the　two　dragons　on　the　heights。
　　Why　not？
　　Just　don't。
　　Oh！　As　you　wish。　Zaranth　sounded　confused。
　　It's　all　right。
　　Tai　found　herself　a　place　to　stand　at　the　edge　of　the　throng　and　listened　to　the　splendid　music。　She　made　her　glass　of　Benden　white　last　through　the　concert。　It　really　was　the　best　wine　she'd　ever　tasted。
　　It　was　when　she　was　making　her　way　back　to　the　heights　that　she　heard　the　crashing。　Glass？　Rather　a　lot　of　glass；　by　the　sound　of　it。　An　accident？　She　ought　to　see　what　was　happening。　That　was　much　too　much　noise　for　a　simple　mishap。
　　
BENDEN　WEYR…1。1。31
　　Lessa；　Ramoth's　rider　and　Benden's　Weyrwoman；　emerged　into　the　winter　night　air；　shivering　as　the　crisp　cold　struck。　At　least　the　blizzard　blanking　out　High　Reaches　and　a　good　bit　of　Tillek　Hold　had　not　marred　this　last　night　of　Benden's　Turnover。　She　wrapped　the　long　fur…lined　coat　about　her　and　wished　she'd　put　her　gloves　on；　too；　though　the　basket　of　hot　pastries；　which　Manora　had　pressed　on　her　as　they　left；　kept　her　right　hand　warm。　When　F'lar　finished　closing　the　panel　on　the　rousing　chorus　of　the　latest　Harper　ballad；　she　slipped　her　left　hand　between　his　elbow　and　the　rough　hide　of　his　jacket。　He　slung　the　wineskin　over　his　left　shoulder　and　pressed　her　hand　tighter　to　his　side。
　　Out　of　habit　they　both　glanced　across　the　Bowl；　which　was　eerily　silent。　Opposite　them；　on　the　ledges　to　the　Weyrwoman's　quarters；　they　could　see　their　dragons　in　the　moonlight。　Blue…green；　two　pairs　of　dragon　eyes　winked　open　and　followed　the　progress　of　their　partners　across　the　flat；　frosted　Bowl。
　　Belior；　its　brightness　better　than　a　glowbasket；　lit　the　eastern　arc　of　the　huge　double　crater；　throwing　the　entrances　to　the　individual　weyrs　into　darkness。　The　moon　illuminated　the　watchdragon　and　his　rider；　striding　up　and　down　the　Rim　to　keep　warm。
　　〃Don't　dally；　girl；〃　F'lar　murmured；　shrugging　into　the　warmth　of　his　jacket　and　lengthening　his　stride。
　　〃If　I　had　a　Harper　mark　for　every　time　I've　crossed　the　Bowl；〃　Lessa　said。
　　〃Add　those　to　mine　and　we'd　be　as　rich　as　Toric。〃
　　Lessa　gave　a　snort　and；　her　breath　misting　before　her；　quickened　her　steps。　Maybe　t