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"We was told he knew everything!" the miner insisted stubbornly.
"Not even I know everything," Robinton responded gently. "Nor has Aivas even once suggested that he does. He knows a great deal more, however, than we do. And we shall all learn from him. Now, let me speak to Master Esselin on your behalf. There are, let's see, how many of you?" And he did a quick head count. "Thirty-four. Well, that's too many for one go. Dram, choose by lots. You all know Dram here as a fair man. You'll all have a turn-brief it may be, but Aivas you shall see."
Master Esselin was delighted to see the Harper but appalled at Robinton's solution to the matter of the plaintiffs.
"We can't send them away unhappy, Esselin. They have every bit as much of a right to see Aivas as a Lord Holder. More, even, because they'll be the doing of Aivas's grand plans over the next few years. Who's in there now?"
"Master Terry with Masters and journeymen from every Smithcrafthall in the world." Then his eyes went round with anxiety. "And Master Hamian from Southern Hold and two of his apprentices."
"Ah, Toric's finally sent an emissary?" Robinton wasn't sure if the news pleased or worried him. He had rather hoped not to have to contend with Toric's avarice yet.
"I don't think he comes on Lord Toric's behalf." Esselin shook his head, his eyes still wide with apprehension. "Master Hamian did say to Master Terry that his sister, the Lady Sharra of Ruatha, suggested that he drop everything and come here immediately."
"And so he should. So he should," Robinton agreed affably. Hamian would be an excellent man to have involved here. A clever i
"But they're only Stewards and small miners . . ."
"There are more of those than of Lord Holders and Crafthallmasters and Weyrleaders, Esselin, and every single one of them has the right to approach Aivas."
"That wasn't what I was told," Master Esselin said, resorting to his usual obstructive attitude, thrusting his heavy chin belligerently forward.
Robinton eyed him pityingly for such a long moment that even the thick-ski
"I think you will find before the day is out that you will be told differently, Master Esselin. Now, if you will excuse me..." And with that Robinton strode down the hall to the Aivas chamber.
As he approached, he could hear Aivas's sonorous voice using the sort of penetrating tone that suggested he was addressing a large group. When Robinton quietly opened the door, he was first amazed at how many people were standing in the room, and then that even more occupied the new wings on either side of the Aivas facility. Two doors had been opened into the large a
"You have explained in such detail," Master Nicat said, his swarthy face wearing a most respectful expression, "that even the most simple-minded apprentice would understand."
"Ah, if you don't mind, Aivas..." A Masterminer whom Robinton knew to be the Master of the works at one of the larger Telgar iron foundries raised his hand. "If faulty melts can be remedied up to standard, then can we repair the damage to ones long since discarded?"
"That is correct. The process can be applied to used metals. In fact, quite often the use of old metal improves the final product."
"Even metals made by the ancients?" Master Hamian asked. "We have found some in what I understand were the original workings at Andiyar's Stake in Dorado."
"Once in the crucible, the melt burns off impurities of all kinds." Then, to Robinton's astonishment, Aivas added, "Good afternoon, Master Robinton. What assistance do you need today?"
Robinton found himself embarrassed. "I do not intend to interrupt..."
"You aren't," Terry replied, rising and stretching. "Right, Nicat?" he added to the Masterminer, who looked like a man hoping that he had understood his orders.
The other craftsmen began low conversations with neighbors, and those nearest the door began to file out, carefully folding their drawings and notes.
As Robinton moved farther into the room, he caught the pungency of sweating bodies, laced with the taint of metal's acidity and the odd dank smell of deep mine shafts. As the room emptied, he could appreciate the size of the room that had been achieved overnight.
"Well, well!" he murmured, noticing the windows on either ends, opened to a breeze which began to circulate freely as the last of the craftsmen left. Jancis alone remained in her corner, furiously scribbling.
She looked up and smiled at the Harper. "We've accomplished so much today, Master Robinton."
"And did you get any sleep last night, young woman?"
Her cheeks dimpled in a mischievous smile. "Indeed we did!" And then she colored. "I mean, we both slept. I mean, Piemur fell asleep first-oh, blast!"
Robinton laughed heartily. "I won't misconstrue, Jancis, even if it mattered. You're not going to let all this fuss and fascination delay your formal a
"No," she said firmly. "I want to bring the date forward." She blushed prettily but kept the eye contact. "It would make things easier." She gathered up her things. "The others are all in the computer room. You might want to take a crack at it, too."
"Me?" The Harper was dumbfounded. "That's for young resilient minds like yours and Piemur's and Jaxom's."
"Learning is not limited to the young, Master Robinton," Aivas said.
"Well, we'll see," the Harper replied, hedging and ru
"With that lot out there; determined against all Master Esselin's prejudice on seeing Aivas?" Jancis asked.
"Hmm, a minor miner problem," Robinton heard himself saying, and groaned.
Jancis pleased him by chuckling. "It is apt," she said. "They need to see Aivas so that they can tell their lords and masters that they have?"
"That's about the size of it. Aivas, if you would agree, I shall waft them in and out, with just time enough to say that they've been here."
"Is that your true wish in this instance?"
Robinton cleared his throat. "I could wish that as many men and women as possible on this planet could be exposed to your fund of knowledge, but even with these enlarged accommodations, that is neither possible nor wise. The parochially minded tend to flog petty issues to a nubbin. The worried assume their problems are uniquely threatening, or that you are omniscient enough to solve any problem put to you."