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"Is that in the original Charter, too, Lytol?" Sangel asked nastily.
"No," Lytol replied, not the least bit perturbed. "The Crafthall scheme was originated shortly before the end of the First Pass by Fort, Ruatha, and Benden Holds to preserve skills and educate young men and women in the various urgently needed crafts. Originally," Lytol added, smiling slightly as he glanced toward Corman, "Ruatha Hold played host to the Masterbeastman and Masterfarmer until the wide plains of Keroon were explored and found more suitable to animal husbandry."
Larad rose to address the Council. "It is also worth noting that both Mastersmith Fandarel and Masterharper Sebell are completely within their rights to propose additional, separate Halls without even consulting other Mastercraftsmen. But they have done so and received full support-"
"It isn't full if one Mastercraftsman abstains!" Nessel took up the complaint in his peevish whine of a voice.
"Master Norist did not attend the meeting, though he was duly notified," Larad said. "Both the Printer and Technicians Halls will supply the special training now required and unavailable elsewhere. We have all benefited by the new machineries, especially clearly printed instruction books and records. For more people to enjoy these benefits, additional craftsmen must be trained in the skills."
"Why can't the printers work under Master Sebell and the repairers under Master Fandarel?" Corman demanded. "Why all this fuss to create new crafthalls?"
"Master Fandarel is working all the hours of the day already, filling orders for new equipment," Larad said. "He does not have the time, or the perso
"Well, this printing could be handled by your Masterwoodsmith, Asgenar," Corman replied. "He's not overworked."
Asgenar laughed. "He is, I am, and we still can't keep up with the demand from every single Hall and Hold for paper in the sizes, qualities, and styles you all seem to feel you must have." He shook his head. "Master Bendarek has a hall full of apprentices, only two journeymen, and no other master yet. He needs every pair of hands he can employ, but he can't oversee the printing, as well. Papermaking takes all his time and energy.
"Master Fandarel wished me to explain that specialist technicians will be required to keep all the new machinery operating at peak efficiency," Larad continued. "Right now we have machinery only a few people can understand or repair, while others are able to operate but not repair them. Eventually, we'll have men and women who can do both, but not right now."
"Then why don't you walk before you start ru
Jaxom started to rise but felt Groghe lay a warning hand on his arm. It took a great deal of self-control for Jaxom to obey that tacit command. He fervently wished that he could speak for himself but grimly recognized that the older Lord Holders were not going to accept him as a peer. When he really had helped destroy Thread, would they consider him an equal then? Or would he still be classed as Holder by default?
"Machines are slightly different, Corman," Groghe replied, gri
"No, damaged livestock can be slaughtered and eaten. Whaddya do with worn-out machinery? First thing you know we'll have piles of rusting scrap in every Hold and Hall. And probably the Weyrs, too, since this is all their fault."
"Lord Corman!" Trembling with outrage, Jaxom wrenched his arm from Groghe's grip and sprang to his feet, his fists clenched. "You may not disparage the Weyrs in my presence!"
He was only barely aware that Lord Groghe had risen beside him and clamped both hands on his left arm, while Asgenar, also on his feet, was restraining him on the other side. Larad was loud in his protest, as were Toronas, Deckter, Warbret, Bargen, and, to Jaxom's immense surprise, Toric.
"Lord Corman, you will immediately apologize to this Council for that remark!" Lytol roared.
With ten Lord Holders on their feet in protest, Corman had no option but to apologize. When he mumbled a phrase, Lytol icily demanded that he speak loud enough to be heard. Then Lytol stared at each of the standing Lord Holders until they sank back into their chairs.
"If we are to eliminate the menace of Thread, it will be necessary to have the equipment-equipment we are able to manufacture, operate, and service-with which to achieve that elimination. That has already been the ambition of every Weyr since Fort was first established. It is the end to which every Hold and Hall has worked. If to destroy Thread completely causes some reevaluation of ways and means, a displacement of useless or archaic traditions, the price is not too high for the reward of Thread-free skies." Lytol paused a moment, as if surprised by the vehemence of his own rhetoric. "There will be no mention of this incident when the Council is adjourned."
"Now," he continued briskly, "let us show some unanimity of purpose and encourage the two new Halls. How say you, Lords? Write 'yea' or 'nay.' "
Corman sat hunched in on himself, glowering, and his was probably the one blank sheet turned in to Lytol. There were two boldly printed "nays," but the "yeas" signified the approval that would be passed on to the two Mastercraftsmen involved.
"Who decides who're to be Craftmasters and pay for the establishment of these Halls?" Nessel asked.
"Craftsmasters have not yet been chosen, but there are suitable candidates. Empty buildings at Landing have already been altered for both new Crafts," Lytol went on, consulting his notes, "and the additional Halls will be built by those seeking to apprentice themselves to the new Crafts. Anyone wishing to transfer to either the Printer Hall or the Technicians Hall will need the permission of their Mastercraftsman and the Master of their present Hall."
"What about those working without their Mastercraftsman's permission?" Sangel asked disparagingly. Everyone knew he meant Morilton.
"That is an internal Craft matter," Lytol said, "and will be resolved by the parties involved, not by this Council."
"But what if we can't get glass-"
"There's no shortage of glass," Groghe said, curtly. "We buy what we choose from whom we choose. Simple as that! And there's many of us who patronize one Hall in preference to another. Always have, always will. It's only sensible, human nature being what it is."
Master Robinton wants to know what's delaying the a
Talk. The choice has been made, but Lytol 'dl peed me if I usurp his prerogative. Just hearing Ruth's voice helped to soothe Jaxom, who was seething at the subtle, and not so subtle, currents. At least he now knew which Holders to watch: Corman, Nessel, Sangel, and Begamon. Corman was blunt enough to speak his mind, but the others had been nursing their resentment and grievances, and that wasn't healthy. Did their intransigence stem more from fear of Aivas, or from a stubborn intractable resistance to change?
"Is there any other business before the Council?" Lytol asked as procedure dictated.
"I have a question," Toric said, rising.
"Yes, Lord Toric?"
"Who is to be Lord Holder of Landing?"
For once even Lytol lost his composure and gawked at the Southern Holder.
Toric gave a faint smile of satisfaction. "Certainly a place as important as Landing ca