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Ge
"The MasterHarper was asked to Fort Weyr this fifth day of the ninth month, first Turn after Pass End." That was it: short and cryptic. In other similar instances when the MasterHarper was called to the Weyr, a more fulsome explanation was given.
The next entry was by the then MasterHarper, Creline, with a date a full two months later when Fort Hold's tithe train duly arrived with supplies and found the Weyr abandoned, and nothing but broken pottery on the top of the midden heap. Other Holders had noticed that their flags requesting dragon assistance had gone unanswered and, while a
A Conclave had been convened when it became all too apparent that five of the six Weyrs were empty. Benden's two Weyrleaders were as mystified, and even the bronze or green riders questioned seemed to be truly surprised by the abandonment, and by Benden being the only remaining Weyr.
Many theories had been put forth. A favourite claimed that a mysterious disease had spread through the five Weyrs, killing both dragons and riders. But that didn't account for the missing weyr-folk or the absence of every stick and stitch belonging to them.
Benden Weyr had even sent a wing, with reliable Hold and Hall passengers, to scan the Southern Continent in case all five Weyrs had – for some unknown reason – decided to resettle south, despite the hazards of that country.
The matter was under discussion – often heated – for Turns afterwards, and no one the wiser for all the talk.
Then Creline performed a new work, which he called the Question Song, and which was to be included in the compulsory Teaching Ballads. Ge
Odd song. Haunting melody. Yes, worth reviving.
Another fifty-five Turns remained before Threadfall was due again. That is, Ge
With a sigh of relief, he firmly turned his mind towards sleep.
Merelan's cough developed into a chest cold shortly after TurnOver. Sniffles and coughs were prevalent during the begi
So did Betrice and Ginia, for the singer had quickly lost what weight she had gained after the baby's birth – and more.
"You've really nothing big coming up in the way of rehearsals, have you?" Ginia asked Petiron privately after delivering another bottle of cough mixture for Merelan. With a certain degree of reluctance, he shook his head – had he not been sick, he most assuredly would have started composing something extravagant for the Spring Gathers.
"Well, then," Ginia continued, "I happen to know MasterHarper is looking for someone to provide basic instruction at a hold in South Boll – not far from where Merelan was born. So why don't you ask him to allow you to take the post? I believe the accommodation would be adequate for a small family like yours. The Ritecamp traders just arrived here, and their route takes you close by Pierie Hold."
Before Petiron could produce a good reason why he couldn't leave the Harper Hall at that time, he and his small family were on their way south, their baggage packed on pack animals which Master Ge
"If Master Petiron wouldn't mind taking some time of an evening to learn some of our youngsters their Teaching Ballads?
They're in dire need of some educating," Sev had suggested very politely. "And maybe give us a new song or two in the evening around our fire."
"That would be only fair," Merelan said when Petiron was not as prompt as he could have been in agreeing. Then she winked at her spouse, knowing very well that he hated doing "basics' with begi
As MasterSinger, she knew her Teaching Ballads and Songs as well as Petiron did.
The young daughter of the Ritecamps' leader had a toddler the same age as Robie – though not, Merelan privately thought, as sturdy as her lad – but she doubted that Dalma would mind watching two who could amuse each other while Merelan taught.
MasterHarper Ge
Although the Ruathan ru
Despite his forebodings and initial dismay, Petiron soon began to relax and enjoy the trip. Having overheard the favourable comments about the Ruathan breed, he offered Sev's eldest son the chance to ride his mount, and consequently he found all the Ritecamp men more genial towards him. He even enjoyed the nightly music sessions, for almost everyone in the thirty wagons of the train played some instrument and could carry intricate parts.
Many had good voices, and he found himself conducting four– and five-part harmonies to some of their favourite ballads and airs, as well as teaching them the newer songs.
"They're nearly as good as fourth-year apprentices," he said with some surprise to Merelan at the end of the third evening's session.
"They do it for fun," she said, gently.
"There's no reason they ca
"Now, hold still while I put the salve on your face," she went on, holding his chin firmly while she pasted his cheeks and nose with the remedy for the windburn he'd acquired.
With Merelan that close to him, he could see she had more colour in her pale cheeks, though she still coughed so hard it made him wince to think what damage she might be doing her vocal cords. But she didn't seem quite as strained about the eyes and mouth as she had been.
"Are you all right, Mere?" he asked, holding her by the arms.
"Of course I'm all right. Why, it's an answer to one of my childhood dreams: going adventuring in a trader's van."
When she favoured him with the wide smile that put dimples in both cheeks, she was more his Merelan than she had been since before her pregnancy. He folded her into his arms, hugging her -remembering to be gentle, as he felt how thin she still was in his embrace. That reminded him what he might not have, and he was about to put her firmly away from him when she clung tightly.