The Master Harper of Pern

Murfytwen, the twentieth man to hold there, broke trail for Robinton when the storm had died. He had an urgent need to collect supplies which he hoped were awaiting him at High Reaches, a trip he had delayed far too long.

"Easier to haul it all back on snow, though," Murfytwen said cheerfully as he lashed the supplies to the sled which had been loaned him for the trip. "See ya when I see ya, Harper. Thanks for them new tunes. We'll learn "em good. An' Twenone will know his times tables by the time you're back again. Promise!"

With his gloved thumb up in a final gesture, Murfytwen started trudging back the way he had come.

High Reaches, set on its bluffs like the broadside of a fishing ship, had weathered many storms, and its thick walls kept all but the most shrieking winds from being heard. But living in this Hold was quite different from living in the Hall or even in Benden Hold. As every Hold should be, it was self-contained, with journeymen in all skills and a MasterMiner, Furlo, as well as his gangers who mainly worked for copper, which was always in demand. Master Furlo had a double quartet among his miners who sang most evenings – at the drop of a hat, as Mallan put it, gri

The evenings were not restricted to musical activities, but also featured wrestling and other such physical exercises. Robinton joined in the Hall and Step runs with enthusiasm. His long legs and the lung capacity singing had developed in him gave him an advantage.

He hadn't ever heard of Hall ru

Robinton did well enough in the ru

Even on his first encounter with the young holder – a question of who took the steps first at a landing where several Halls met -Robinton felt uneasy in the man's presence. Fax was aggressive, impatient and condescending. A nephew of Lord Faroguy, he had recently taken Hold of one of the Valley properties which he ran with a heavy hand, demanding perfection of all beholden to him.

Some craftsmen had asked for transfers to other holdings.

Robinton heard unsettling rumours about Fax's methods, but it wasn't for a harper to criticize – nor to take precedence over a holder – so he had courteously allowed Fax to go first. All he got for his deference was a sneer, and he noted that Fax, who had been striding with urgency to get somewhere, now slowed his pace deliberately. What that proved escaped Robinton completely, but it did give some of the rumours more credibility than he had originally thought.

One evening Fax went out of his way to get Robinton on the wrestling mats: not with himself but with one of his younger holders.

"An even match, I'd say, pound for pound and inch for inch," Fax said, his expression bland but his eyes challenging.

"I fear I'd be no match at all," Robinton said. "As a harper, I've only the usual training in body sports. Now, if your holder sings, then I'll accept a contest."

Fax regarded him a long moment and then, with a sneer, swung towards Lobira. "One phase of training that is so often ignored, Master Lobira."

Lobira was able to give back as well as take, and he did so with a matching contempt. "Many a man has rued the day he tried to best a harper, young Fax, for song and story last longer than mere physical prowess," he replied. "Or is your lad still complaining that my long-legged lad has bested him in the Hall runs every time they've competed?"

Robinton was surprised that his Master was aware that Robinton had won so many of those races, and frankly amazed that his wins had disgruntled Fax. At the time, the ru

Fax awarded Master Lobira a sustained and disturbing look, gave Robinton a final contemptuous glance, and left. Robinton breathed a sigh of relief.

"Watch him! He really wanted an opportunity to humiliate you in front of the entire Hold," Lobira said. "I can't have that. Ruins discipline in the class. But if you wanted to do some work-outs with Mallan on the defensive moves you were taught at the Hall, it wouldn't be a bad idea. For you both. And the apprentices."

"I think I will, Master," Robinton replied soberly. There was little doubt that Fax had a personal grudge against him. Or maybe it was against all harpers. In any event, Fax did not request a harper for his holding. That was his decision and his folk would be stinted by the lack, but only Lord Faroguy could require his holders to provide education. Since Fax's holding appeared to be so much more profitable under his management, Lord Faroguy had little reason to question his methods. Somehow Fax managed to keep from his uncle the fact that his profits were obtained by whippings and threats of eviction.

Mallan and Robinton went through the drills on mats and, if Robinton was able to floor Mallan occasionally, the other journeyman was just as deft. At least they were each capable of quick, reflexive action.

With the pass shut by massive drifts, communication was now limited to the drums and an eight-hour evening watch was one of Robinton's less agreeable duties as a journeyman. Even a blazing fire in the hearth did not keep the Drum Tower warm enough for comfort. The pacing of every drum-watchkeeper since the Hold had been carved out of solid rock had worn a trough around the perimeter of the Tower. One had to be careful not to stumble. One good thing, though – the Tower could be reached from within the Hold itself. Some of the Southern Holds had outside stairways to their drum heights.

Ma

All the new surroundings and experiences struck fresh chords within him. Rather boldly, he composed a song for the miners" double quartet that was more suited to their vocal skills than many available ballads: a humorous tale of six verses and a chorus about a miner and his love, just their style. It was so well received that Master Lobira wanted to know where Robinton had been hiding it.

"Oh, well, it was among the stuff I brought up," Robinton said, caught unawares.