Dragon's Destiny
Disclaimer: I do not own the Dragonrider saga or any of its characters. I view the writings of Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey with the utmost respect and wish only to honor the stories that have been a part of my life since I was very young.
T'mas began life as an outcast in his own home, loved only by his own sister. By an unexpected twist of fate he impresses Tarneth, a brown dragon who may hold the key to the future for all the dragons and dragonriders of Pern.
Chapter 8 – Discovery
Healer Hall, evening
Sharra stopped at the ward-healer's desk and looked at the patient status board on the wall. After making a few notes on her log she turned to greet the nightward healer. "Good evening, Mietra. How is our patient doing?"
Mietra's raised eyebrow and look of amusement told the tale. Sharra's eyes twinkled, "He's here again?"
"Music soothes the soul and aids healing, Lady Sharra. Haven't you heard that?"
Sharra smiled and headed down the hall to Lahlia's room. She heard Lahlia's soft laugh as she knocked softly on the door.
"Come."
Sharra's eyes took in Lahlia's bright eyes and the slight flush in her cheeks, as well as the peaceful smile on the journeyman harper's face, "Timiny, how nice to see you again. And how is your study for mastery progressing?"
"I study. I sleep. I study. I eat. I study." Timiny sighed dramatically, earning a suppressed giggle from Lahlia. "Occasionally I wander the halls aimlessly and visit the random invalid."
Lahlia's cheeks turned slightly darker. Neither lady took his last words at face value.
"Well, since you just happen to be here, I wonder if you would be willing to assist this random invalid up to the roof?"
Timiny bowed and extended a hand, "Why certainly. I always stand ready to assist fair maidens in their moment of need."
Sharra knew Timiny was a personal friend of Piemur and Menolly. Like Piemur, he had been apprenticed to Harper Hall very young. He had also walked the table to become a journeyman surprisingly young. He was regarded as a reliable harper, a fair singer and musician, and an excellent teacher. He had also demonstrated remarkable diplomacy in working at Crom Hold. One of the Hold harper's duties was to teach the holders their rights, to litigate and negotiate, and to accept petitions for redress. The professional duties often came in conflict with the Lord Holder, and Nessel had been known as one of the more difficult Lords. The fact that Timiny had done so well in such a difficult hold spoke well for him. In fact, many of his friends had wondered why he had petitioned to remain there as journeyman for so long.
The answer was obvious to Sharra as she watched the tall, thin, handsome harper escorting Lahlia down the hall. Sharra felt a pang of worry as she watched. It would be an impossible match, she thought sadly. Timiny had to know that he would never have been allowed to match a Lord Holder's daughter. And if Lady Lahlia was inaccessible to a journeyman harper at Crom Hold, Queen Rider Lahlia was probably just as inaccessible. Queens rose to mate, and bronze dragons caught them. While the dragons mated in the sky, their riders were consumed in the same passion below. It was a reality that dragonriders had learned to accept, and it made other non-weyr relationships difficult, if not impossible.
I like Timiny, and Marinath likes him very much as well. He makes Lahlia feel happy. Sharra didn't reply. Even though white Ruth seemed to be more aware than most dragons, he still did not fully comprehend human social relations. She remembered her own impossible love for Jaxom. It had been Jaxom and Ruth, working together, who had broken through every barrier her brother, Lord Toric, could throw in their path. Maybe they will find a way, Ruth. But they don't have a white dragon to make everything turn out right.
Sharra and Timiny led Lahlia up the stairs slowly. Her head injury had been severe. It had taken three weeks before she could safely move from her bed. Even now, two additional weeks later, Lahlia had to move carefully.
Lahlia paused to catch her breath, "I'm sorry. It's taking so long for me to get my strength back. I feel like I am failing in my duties."
"Nonsense," Sharra said gently, "Nobody begrudges you time for recovery. We were lucky to find you in time, Lahlia. Even an hour more…"
Timiny unconsciously tightened his grip as he once again fought down the feelings of fear he had felt for the seemingly endless first two weeks. When she had finally opened her eyes he had been there, and he had been unable to restrain his joyful relief. His voice was husky as he said, "Nobody's going to rush you, Queen Rider. We all want you healthy and whole, no matter how long that takes."
Sharra saw the look that the young man and woman exchanged, and she looked away to allow them some measure of privacy. Then Lahlia began moving again. Ruth, remind Marinath to be gentle.
Marinath will be gentle, Lady Sharra. She is maturing quickly.
Sharra shook her head slightly. Even after five weeks she couldn't quite get used to having T'mas speaking directly into her mind like a dragon. Ruth had been right though, the boy's voice was beautiful in some indefinable way. She had mentioned this to Jaxom and he had teased her about falling for a younger man. It made her wonder what impact the handicapped boy would have on the young ladies when he started bespeaking them in that fashion.
They reached the top landing and Timiny stepped forward to pull open the door to the flat roof. They all gasped at the sight that met their eyes when they stepped out into the evening. Ruth was standing tall on his hind legs while a slightly smaller golden, and an even smaller brown, along with a multitude of fire lizards circled around him.
Marinath! Lahlia felt a surge of fear, but then she got her feelings in check.
"She's fine, Lali," T'mas said. He was leaning against the wall, beside the door that they had just exited. "Tarneth's been working with her. Even if she starts to fall we can catch her."
This is fun, Lahlia! I'm flying with Tarneth! Do you want to try it?
Either Tarneth or T'mas had opened the channel so that Sharra and Timiny were able to hear the little golden dragon. They laughed merrily, caught up in her unbridled joy.
I'm itchy now. Can you oil me Lahlia? Marinath's question was gently plaintative. Lahlia had been so weak that Sharra had forbidden any strenuous activity, including the daily ministrations to her dragon.
Lahlia looked her plea to Sharra. Sharra smiled, "I think that you are well enough tonight… that is… if Harper Timiny and T'mas will help?"
Lahlia looked at Timiny, who still held her arm. "Do you need to get back to your studies? I don't want to impose."
Timiny was glad that the dark of the evening hid his flushed face, "My services are yours to command, My Lady."
Crom Hold, late evening on the same day
Ranitar lifted his bloodied head off of his arm as he heard the keys rattle in the lock on his cell door. More abuse? He seethed. Kern should be happy. I finally cleared the way for him, even if that wasn't my intention. The door opened as he pushed himself into an upright position.
The one thing that his status as Nessel's son had afforded him was a private cell. But that also meant that he had been unable to compare notes with his companions. He still had no idea what had, or had not been revealed about their crimes. In the past few weeks his interrogators had accused him of every petty crime in Crom, and some crimes in the surrounding area. They were wrong, of course; he had been well behaved. Not because he wouldn't have committed those crimes, but because he hadn't wanted to attract attention before their Gather raid.
The man who stepped through the door wasn't one of the ones who had come before, but he did look vaguely familiar. The man was medium height and medium build, showing as much as sixty turns, but something in his eyes and stance informed Ranitar that the man was deadly dangerous.
The man knelt to bring himself to eye-level with the prisoner. "Shards, you sure don't look much like a Lord Holder's son now."
Ranitar bit back an acid retort. Something about this situation made him want to be cautious.
"Now don't tell me you've lost your spirit? That would be disappointing." The man sneered in disgust.
"Shard off, old man. Go find someone else to toy with."
The man chuckled, "Better. You interest me, boy. Tell me, did you ever feel any guilt about killing the man who taught you how to defend yourself? Or did you enjoy sliding your blade along poor old Martimas' neck?"
Ranitar suddenly recognized the man! He was the man who had spent the first Gather evening with Martimas. His eyes grew wide, and he tried to slide back.
The man chuckled again, "Settle down, boy. Martimas got soft, settled. In the old days there's no way two men could have taken him so easily. People like us, we can't afford to let our guards down."
"You… you saw us?!"
"Sure did. Liked your style. You let the big, dumb one take the risks, and then you stepped in and finished him quick and clean. At least you listened to Martimas before you killed him." He leaned back on his haunches, allowing the prisoner to absorb his words.
"But… you didn't help him. You just…"
"Yep. You see, I'm recruiting. I thought an old hand like Martimas might be running an operation on the side here. But old Marti went and got comfortable. He was fat and happy working for your father. Shame, really. But then I saw you shadowing us and figured you were up to something. Watched your whole operation. Not too bright about the girl… but then again people have a habit of underestimating dragons and dragonriders."
He leaned forward now, his cold blue eyes holding Ranitar's like a predator, "I just have one question for you. You answer me correctly, and we'll talk some more… mebbe see about some things. But you lie to me and we're through."
Ranitar felt small and timid under the man's gaze, "Wha.. what question?"
"Why didn't you let them kill the girl, or better yet, kill the girl yourself?"
Ranitar felt his spine constrict in fear. He had told his interrogators over and over that he refused to kill Lahlia because she was his sister, and a queen dragonrider. He had insisted that he had brought her along until he could find a way to get her medical attention. He had sworn that it was he, and he only, who kept the others from slashing her throat in the same way that the others had killed Martimas. He wanted to say that now… wanted to say that with every fiber of his being.
What if this is a trick to get the truth? What if the man is wanting to avenge his old friend?
But those cold eyes held his, and he had to tell the truth, "I… I wanted to ransom her. I thought that Telgar would pay top price to rescue a precious queen rider."
The older man held his gaze for just a little longer, and then smiled. "Good. Figured as much. Not many would be willing to kill or even harm a dragonrider. But the weyrfolk are the ones who are our enemies, boy. As long as dragons and dragonriders feel safe from harm, people like you and me have to hide in the shadows. I need men who aren't afraid to kill dragonman or dragon. I need men who will smile as they kill their own fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and teachers.
"Are you interested?"
"Can you get me out of here? And how much does it pay?"
The man chuckled again. "That's the spirit."
Fort Weyr, mid-afternoon
The assembled guests watched as T'mas levitated several feet into the air while Tarneth circled around him. Tarneth had grown a full meter in length in the last five weeks. This necessitated him keeping a greater distance from T'mas, but he still managed to dart in and out in alarmingly tricky maneuvers.
To demonstrate that telekinesis was not restricted to just one special dragon, Marinath joined the spectacle, trilling happily while she frolicked with her smaller brown brother. Finally, to provide the full impact of this newly discovered talent, F'lessan mounted Golanth and they exploded up into the air and out of the Fort crater. The gathering of Weyrleaders applauded and shouted in astonishment.
All of the dragonfolk of Pern had heard of the feline attack on Golanth, Zaranth, and their riders. The weyrleaders had also heard of the ramp that had been built to help Golanth move about. Many, though not all, were aware that the bronze and green pair had discovered some new way to lift heavy objects easily. But nobody could have guessed that this new ability would allow a wing-crippled dragon to regain the gift of flight.
Oddly, only a few of the assembled dragonriders spent thought on the fact that T'mas had also levitated. As amazing as that was to them, it also set his off as someone so far beyond the natural as to be an anomaly. Yes, he could levitate, but it did not naturally follow that they might do so as well.
Nevertheless, F'lessan, Tai, and T'mas were pleased with the response of the gathered weyrleaders.
Despite the fact that each weyr was independent, the other weyrleaders had gradually turned to F'lar and Lessa as the heart and soul of the dragonpeople. Thus it was only natural that Lessa and F'lar take the lead in the conclave that now took place. In the meeting that followed, Honshu Weyrhold took on a new role as the training center for this new ability. It would also be the recuperation center for wing-injured dragons, allowing them to learn how to fly once again.
Healer Hall, late evening
That night found F'lessan, Tai, Jaxom, Sharra, T'mas, Lahlia, and Timiny resting on the roof of the Healer's Hall as they watched the two growing hatchlings frolicking with the firelizards and Ruth. The night was clear, so F'lessan, Tai, Jaxom, and Sharra were having an impromptu contest to identify the most stars and constellations.
Lahlia, having made her feelings for the handsome harper clear, was resting on his arm while she listened to the two couples. "I think that I'd like to be a skywatcher," she said, to nobody in particular, "I used to love to sit out at night and watch the stars. When T'mas was little he would fall asleep on my lap while I tried to count them. I don't know how many times we spent the night that way."
T'mas smiled happily, "I remember that! I could never stay awake. You could always hear the tapping in the mines off in the distance… miners don't make a distinction between night and day, you know… and the tapping was kind of like music."
"You could, you know." Tai said.
"Pardon?" Lahlia and T'mas replied, almost in sync.
"I mean you, Lahlia. You could come to Honshu, learn to be a skywatcher. We need as many as we can train right now. With the change in the Red Star's trajectory there have been other changes as well. A mass that large exerts a lot of gravitational pull. We may be seeing a lot of unexpected changes, and we need to watch the sky to be able to react in time."
F'lessan joined in with his mate, "Take the asteroid strike: That wasn't caused by the change, but there might be others out there that will change course. Some may come toward us for the first time. That's why we're working so hard to map the sky."
There was silence for a long time. Finally Lahlia spoke again, "I doubt that J'fery and Palla would let me go."
Sharra was leaning against Jaxom. She turned, her head still against his chest, and regarded Lahlia, "I think that they might. Even though your Marinath can float beautifully now, thanks to Tarneth, she is still far from being ready to fly normally. You are still recovering and can't take on all of the duties of being a junior weyrwoman anytime soon." She let that hang for a minute longer before continuing, "Besides, Master Timiny, didn't you have something to tell us?"
Lahlia sat up too quickly and suddenly became dizzy. Timiny reached out a steadying hand, but she slapped it away, "Master!? When were you going to tell me?"
Timiny scowled at Sharra, and then turned an apologetic face back to Lahlia, "I was going to tell you tomorrow. I… didn't want to distract from the celebration and… well I… I didn't want to spoil your night… not that you think of me… I mean…"
Timiny was silenced when Lahlia, despite the fact that she shouldn't move quickly, threw herself at him and kissed him soundly. Little Marinath bugled shrilly, and the two couples chuckled. Lahlia leaned back, "Congratulations, you idiot." She took a deep, almost fearful breath, "Now tell me the rest, and stop hesitating."
"I've been assigned to work on the Southern Continent to monitor the legal claiming and settling of new properties. I will be travelling throughout the continent, working with Master Piemur."
Sharra interjected, "Piemur, naturally, has set up his offices at Cove Hold. Timiny will need to find his own office space."
F'lessan, in his most innocent manner, said, "I have empty spaces at Honshu Weyrhold… should anyone have need of them."
Lahlia looked long and hard at Master Timiny before speaking, "I think I should talk to J'frey and Palla. Maybe skywatching is just the right thing for an invalid like myself."
"Yipee!" T'mas exclaimed, "That's great! You'll be at Honshu where I can see you all the time!"
F'lessan cleared his throat, "Ah-hmm, actually, T'mas, the weyrleaders and I have talked it over, and… we have agreed that it's time for you to finish your regular training at Telgar Weyr." He saw the boy begin to protest, and raised a hand to forestall him, "Please listen, T'mas. You and Tarneth are perhaps the most amazing young pair Pern has seen. But the key word here is 'young.' Out of necessity we have allowed you and Tarneth to do things that no hatchlings have ever been allowed to do before, but you need proper training.
"You and I have spoken about this. You admitted that there were several times that your mistakes could have cost you both your lives. You love Tarneth, don't you? And you would never want anything bad to happen? Then you need to spend your proper time learning the basics with your fellow weyrlings.
"When you have completed your training J'fery and Palla have agreed to allow you to leave Telgar and shift your affiliation to Honshu. Tai and I want you to work with us, but we want you to be truly ready. Agreed?"
Tarneth had come to settle next to his distressed lifemate. He pressed his knobby head against T'mas to comfort and encourage him. T'mas nodded, meeting F'lessan's eyes maturely, "Agreed, Bronze Rider."
Crom Hold, early morning
Guard captain Anister knocked uncertainly on the heavy wooden door and flinched at the loud, angry shout, "Come in!"
He obeyed, but stood near the door as if hesitant to move forward and face the new Lord Holder's wrath. "My Lord, I've spoken with everyone who was there on duty anywhere in the hold last night. Tobet was guarding the cell, Lord Kern, and he is gone. Roltig was guarding the side exit, and he's gone. Bardit was guarding the runnerbeast stables, and he's been killed; same as Martimas, slashed throat."
"And is there any sign of my brother?"
"None, sir. Not a trace."
"Sit down, Anister. Pour yourself some klah. I'm not going to eat you." Lord Kern rubbed the bridge of his nose with two fingers, "Maybe it's for the best. I didn't like the idea of killing my own blood that much anyway. I want the others executed on time, and with no mistakes."
After all, Ranitar is a penniless fugitive now. What harm could he really do?
Cove Hold, mid-day
D'ram and Lytol watched the unkempt Master Starsmith being assisted in by an exhausted bewildered looking Journeyman Antales. Antales helped the master to his seat and then went to pour them both cups of klah.
"Good day, Antales. Long night at Landing, Wansor?" D'ram's question was meant to be polite, rather than an expression of concern.
"Yes, but very fascinating…" Wansor drifted off, staring blindly into his cup.
Lytol rolled his eyes at D'ram. They were both used to the little man drifting off into his own thoughts, "And what was fascinating about last night, if we may ask?"
Wansor seemed surprisingly alert and focused as he lifted his head and faced their voices, "First of all, I thing we had better collect Erragon from the Western Telescope. And ask F'lessan and Tai to come as well… Did Jaxom get his telescope installed yet?"
Both of the aging men were very serious now, "Master Wansor, what did you discover last night?"
"An asteroid. And it's fairly large."
Author's Note: Thank you to Ginnystar for correcting my glaring mistake at the end: Wansor was blind in the last book. I've revised the last segment to reflect this. Piermur and his mate Jancis have moved their residence to Cove Hold for several reasons that will be made clear in future chapters.
