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It was fortunate for the conspirators that Master Robinton recovered from the overdose of fellis and suffered only bruises from that wild cross-country journey. Until he was certain that Zair, too, would recover, he was not disposed to charity, but then he started murmuring about no real harm having been done.
"They have been grossly misguided," he began.
"Misguided!" Lytol, D'ram, F'lar, Jaxom, Piemur, Menolly, and Sebell chorused in outrage.
"The very idea that they intended to abduct you" -Lessa's expression was so fierce that Robinton regarded her with widened eyes and open mouth-to force us to destroy Aivas... bloody nearly killing you and Zair! And you call them misguided?"
"I've another name for it entirely," Lord Groghe said, his face flushed with anger. "I'm certain that almost every other Lord Holder will come to the same conclusion after hearing the confessions we've heard. Norist has never made any bones about his disagreement, but for Sigomal to actively assist him! Norist may call Aivas the Abomination, but it is he and Sigomal who have acted abominably! Infamously!"
"The masters will deal with Norist now," Sebell said implacably. Master Oldive was in complete agreement.
A special convocation of both the Lord Holders and the Mastercraftsmen was hastily called for that next evening. Together the two groups would hear the evidence against the scofflaws, although they would deliberate on their verdict separately, meting out justice as each group saw fit.
"These sessions are rare in Pernese Records," Lytol said, trying to find precedents in now-legible Ruatha Hold records.
"They've rarely been required," Lord Groghe remarked with a snort. "By and large, Hold, Hall, and Weyr have regulated their own members with few grievances spilling over. Everyone knows what is expected of them, what rights, privileges, and responsibilities are due or required."
"It is such a pity," Robinton said, his voice still reflecting his exhaustion, "that they should take such a perverse view."
"Especially when they've had no scruples about using the things which Aivas helps us produce," Lytol said in outrage.
"There may be some justification for their attitude," Robinton began again.
"There's no talking to the man," Menolly said, disgusted. "He must still be very tired to come out with twaddle like that!" She gestured for Robinton's visitors to leave.
"It's not twaddle, Menolly," Robinton replied testily, restlessly thrashing about in the bed where Oldive had insisted he remain. Zair, curled up comfortably in the furs by the Harper's feet and looking considerably more bronze than tan, chirped a protest. "We harpers failed somehow..."
"Failed nothing!" Menolly said, furious. "Those misbegotten idiots nearly killed you... and Zair..." She caught Robbinton's scowl. "Hah! At least you care about him, even if you don't give two hoots and a holler about your own skin. Out, everyone. Robinton must rest if he's to be fit for the Council."
With so much excitement charging the air, few had left Ruatha's Gather site when the dragonriders returned with Robinton and his captors. The riders had then been forced to protect the nine men from being torn to pieces by the incensed crowd. Jaxom had them interned separately in some of the small, dark i
The ship's captain, it turned out, was one of Sigomal's sons, which strongly suggested the Bitran Holder's involvement. It was remarkable, N'ton commented, how willing a man became to talk after he had been dangled a while in midair from a dragon's forearm.
When a wing of Benden dragonriders had appeared at Bitra Hold, Sigomal loudly and indignantly denied any involvement with such a dreadful, contemptible business; he had bitterly denounced a son who would bring so much dishonor to his sire and his Hold.
F'lar admitted later that he had come very close to smashing Sigomal's lying mouth-only Mnementh had saved the man. The big bronze dragon had been so incensed by his rider's anger that a little curl of flame had escaped his lips, which had had the immediate effect of silencing Sigomal.
G'narish of Igen Weyr and his bronze riders took into custody Master Norist, five of his masters, and nine journeymen, all of whom had been implicated. By then the abduction cart, and the abused ru
"Purpose-made," Fardarel murmured.
"No question of it," Bendarek replied, "with this sunken load bed, padded and long enough to accommodate a tall man like Master Robinton. Look at this lock top, these extra springs, heavy-duty axle, and larger, reinforced wheels. It was made to be used for fast, hard going." Then Bendarek scowled, noticing a poorly mitered edge and nails that had been badly sunk. "And for the one use. Man shouldn't have put his name to such a shoddily made contraption."
"Shall we have him here to speak his piece?" Fandarel asked, his dark eyes sparking as he rubbed his big hands together.
"Might as well. I wouldn't trust Sigomal not to slip out of this if he possibly can."
"I doubt he will this time," Fandarel said somberly.
The original intention had been to hold the extraordinary convocation in Ruatha's Great Hall. So many people flocked to the Hold, adding to all those Gatherers who had stayed over, that Jaxom, after conferring with Groghe, Lytol, D'ram, and F'lar, transferred the proceedings to the outside court. The weather, while crisp with autumn, remained clear, and by using the dance-square light standards, the court would be brilliantly illuminated if the matter took time. Dragons massed on the fireheights, their eyes glowing with vivid whirling color, added a bizarre display accented by the fairs of fire-lizards whipping restlessly about.
When Lord Begamon sent word that he could not attend, F'lar despatched F'nor and two wings to see that he did, for the Neratian was also implicated. The drudge, however, was excused. Sharra, Lessa, and Menolly had talked with her, kindly enough when they realized how simple she was. She had been told by a man in "beautiful new clothes" to be sure to feed the Master Harper well from special provisions that had been brought a great distance, just for him. She had been shown the wineskins that were reserved only for Master Robinton, and she had also been instructed to feed the fire-lizard only meat from a special bowl.
"Clearly she didn't know she was doing wrong," Lessa said after the interview. Then her expression hardened. "Appalling of them to make use of a simple child like that."
"Clever, too," Menolly said, with a grim twitch of her lips. "Zair would have sensed an open threat to Robinton, so they had to use an i
"Clever, but not clever enough, Menolly," Jaxom said. "Where does she come from?"
"A hold near a big mountain," Sharra said, sighing. "And she was so excited to be allowed to come to a Gather and serve someone as pleasant as the man in blue. I'll keep her here. She'll be safe from misuse at Ruatha. The cook says she's very good with the spit animals."
As soon as Lord Corman arrived that evening, he stomped up to Jaxom, who was standing with Groghe, Ranrel, Asgenar, and Larad.
"I don't agree with what you are doing to Pern. I don't like to see so many of our traditional ways and values flouted by what that-that machine is teaching you, but what you others do is your business. What I refuse to do is mine!"