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All right, Ruth, let's go home to Ruatha. Jaxom gratefully focused his thoughts on the Hold, the big courtyard in front of the wide steps, and the smaller court that had been their quarters during their youth. The cold of between held a wicked bite on tired minds and bodies. It did not help to emerge into the weak afternoon sunlight and the chill of winter. Jaxom could feel Oldive shivering behind him. But Ruth had emerged only a few wing strokes above the Hold and glided effortlessly into the main courtyard, the Hold's fair of fire-lizards wheeling in raptures at his return.
Sharra, a thick furry cloak thrown over her shoulders, came ru
I'm going inside immediately, Ruth told his rider, or I'll lose all the benefit of my su
Sharra ordered food and drink as she pushed the two men toward the small office where they would have some privacy from the many people eager to hear Jaxom's report of the ongoing events at Landing. "Later, later," she told them firmly, and closed the door.
Before Oldive joined Jaxom and Sharra at the fire, he carefully laid his satchel on the wide desk where Jaxom generally sat to manage the details of his Hold. A pile of messages and Records lay waiting for his attention. There was a scratch at the door, and then the Steward himself entered, carrying a laden tray.
"Oh, that's kind of you, Brand," Jaxom said. "Lessa made us eat before she'd let us leave, Sharra, but klah will go down well. With a lashing of that fortified wine I see you brought along." Jaxom gri
Brand waved his hand in a disclaimer as he helped Sharra pass the hot drinks, the pungent wine masking the klah's fragrance. Jaxom took a judicious sip and felt the liquid rushing to restore warmth. Master Oldive, too, seemed to revive somewhat and sank into the chair that Brand placed close to the fire for him.
"My dear, your female patient is suffering a gall bladder malfunction," the old healer told Sharra. "Unfortunately, the man appears to have a cancerous growth, as we suspected. We can cure the one, for I have been given a specific medication for dissolving the gravel within the organ, but we can only ease the other from life." Master Oldive paused, his eyes wide and bright with excitement. "Aivas has the most extraordinary fund of medical information, which he is quite willing to impart to us. He can even help us revive corrective surgical procedures, which you know I have yearned to do. Our Craft may have been limited to repair surgeries for lack of proper training, but he can help us recover much of that lost skill."
"That would be wonderful, Master, but would we be able to overcome the prejudice in the Hall about intrusive measures?" Sharra exclaimed, her face mirroring her hope.
"Now that we have a mentor of unquestionable probity, I think that once we have proved the benefits to patients who will not mend without drastic measures, we can overcome those scruples." He drained his cup and resolutely rose to his feet. "A few moments in your infirmary, my dear Sharra, and we shall have the medication for your gall bladder sufferer. The other poor wight..." Oldive shrugged, his expression deeply compassionate.
"Come then, and you can tell me all the medical details that would bore Jaxom and Brand to tears," Sharra said, gri
"You never-" Jaxom paused to give that adverb full emphasis. "-bore me, Sharra." The loving look that she gave him warmed as the klah had not.
"You look tired, Jaxom," Brand said when the door had closed.
"I am, Brand, and my head aches with what I've seen and heard in the last two days. But I feel-I feel-" Jaxom stopped, clenching one fist. "That this is most momentous thing that has happened to Pern since-" and he laughed. "-our ancestors landed here." His second laugh was not as easy. "Not that everyone will see it that way, I'm sure."
"There are always those who oppose change," Brand said with a resigned shrug. "Has the Aivas told you exactly how it proposes to eliminate Thread?"
"We are mere babes, Brand, and must put in much hard work and learn many new things before Aivas will give us any details. But you should have seen Fandarel." Jaxom's laugh was uninhibited. "And Benelek. They were spi
"Another way of telling me you'll frequently be away from the Hold?" Brand asked, gri
"Well, apart from overseeing Falls, there's not much to do right now in the depths of winter, is there?" Jaxom replied defensively.
Brand laughed and, with the familiarity of their long and close relationship, clapped Jaxom on the shoulder. "That there isn't, lad. I'd be happy to learn if Aivas knows any way of heating stone-cold holds."
"I'll ask him!" Jaxom promised earnestly. "I'll ask him." And he leaned forward to warm his hands again.
5
Against his entreaties, F'lar took Master Robinton back to Cove Hold.
"You need the rest and the quiet, Robinton," F'lar told the Harper sternly. "You won't get that if you're allowed to stay at Landing again tonight. You're exhausted."
"But what a wonderful way to get tired, F'lar. And every time I turn around, I think of something else I must ask Aivas." Robinton chuckled. "It's rather like knowing you have the most fabulous vintage in your glass and being torn between drinking and admiring."
F'lar shot him an amused look. "That's apt enough, considering the source."
"I try! But surely you appreciate why I'm loath to leave?" And the Harper's expression was entreating.
"Oh, I do, Robinton." F'lar gri
"But this is giving me new life, F'lar. A new hope that I never imagined to receive."
"Nor I," F'lar replied fervently. "Which is why we must take care of you all the more-to interpret for us."
"Interpret? He speaks in plain and simple terms."
"Not what Aivas says, Robinton, but how our people will see what he offers. For me, and all dragonriders, despite the future effects on Weyrs and dragonkind, I ca
"Yes, similar thoughts had crossed my mind," Robinton said solemnly, but then he flashed F'lar a roguish grin. "But I also cross them out. The good done us will far outweigh the bad."
"Get a good night's rest, Robinton. Benden flies Thread tomorrow, but D'ram will oblige, I'm sure, to get you back to Landing."
"Him!" Robinton was suddenly petulant. "He's worse than a milk mother, as it is." And he settled easily into D'ram's voice." 'I wouldn't, if I were you, Robinton! Have you eaten enough, Robinton? Now would be a good time to rest in the sun.' Tsck! He fusses me!"