Chapter 10
Misty Reunion
The following morning as I put the saddlebags on Kismet, it was as if the crowds from last night's performance hadn't even gone home. Well-wishers filled the Hold courtyard and lined the causeway road beyond the gates.
"It's been a rare treat having you here, John," Jaxom said as I swung up into the saddle. "I hope you will visit us again, soon!"
"I would be honored to, Lord Jaxom," I replied, a smile on my face as I reached down to shake his hand.
Wish I could say goodbye, too, Ruth complained.
Jaxom and Sharra both chuckled, real affection for the little white dragon as they glanced over at his courtyard weyr, his head peeking out from around the edge of the door.
"Is Ruth afraid of Kismet, Lord Jaxom?"
"No, just the opposite," he chuckled, slapping my runner on the neck. "Dragons tend to spook runners. Ruth knows this. He doesn't want to upset Kismet."
I could understand one of the larger dragons spooking a runner, but Ruth … "Call him over, Lord Jaxom."
"John, do you think that's wise?" Sharra asked.
"Kismet's pretty steady for a runner. And I'd like to say goodbye, if I may."
Jaxom? Ruth stepped part way out of his weyr.
The Ruathan lord looked at me astride Kismet then turned and silently called his lifemate.
Slowly, Ruth emerged from his weyr and crossed the courtyard. Kismet remained motionless beneath me, my hand lightly stroking his mane. Eventually, dragon and runner were nose to nose … and nary a twitch from Kismet.
"Well, I'll be!" Jaxom chuckled, patting his white friend on the neck.
"Seems you were right, John," Sharra added as dragon and runner rubbed noses in greeting.
"I knew Ruth was no threat. Maybe Kismet sensed that from me."
Brave for a runner, was Ruth's observation. Then, drawing a step closer, he began rubbing his muzzle very gently against my leg. I'm sorry about yesterday.
Smiling, I reached over and gently patted his neck. "Lord Jaxom?"
"He's just apologizing for that incident yesterday," Jaxom explained, unaware that I already knew.
"Ah, don't give it another thought, my white friend," I assured the little dragon. "No real harm was done. And if what you sense is true, that I am of the Ruathan bloodline, …"
There is no doubt! Ruth vehemently replied. The power sings in you. You are Ruathan!
"Well, Ruth is certainly convinced!" Jaxom chuckled, patting his lifemate affectionately on the neck.
"You have a grand voice for singing, Ruth," I told Jaxom's dragon. "It's been a rare honor meeting you."
"When you return, please bring your young friend, Ryeena, with you," Sharra added. "We've heard such good things from Lessa about her that I'm dying to meet this young lady!"
"I shall certainly extend your gracious invitation to her, Lady Sharra," I said, "but it will be up to her uncle if she can attend."
"Safe journey, John," Jaxom said as he and Ruth slowly backed away.
"My deepest thanks for all your hospitality, Lord Jaxom," I spoke, gathering up Kismet's reins. "To all who dwell in Ruatha, I wish a long life and bountiful prosperity. Until we meet again!"
With a slap of the reins, Kismet headed slowly through the crowd and out the gates. Once clear of all the people, I turned him northwest along the foothills toward Ice Lake.
Travel through the mountainous terrain was slow because of the winding trails and constant switchbacks. I was very grateful for Kismet's sturdy build and endurance.
Our goal that second day was a small hold south of a mining site in the Great Western Mountains, about fifty miles west-northwest of Ruatha. Kismet and I reached the hold late that second afternoon, and, as promised, were warmly received by the inhabitants. Glowbaskets in the Hold burned late into the evening as I entertained the local holders with stories of my travels amongst the stars.
A sturdy lot and early risers, the miners were up before the sun, feeding and grooming Kismet and preparing a hearty breakfast for me. It was hard to say goodbye to my new friends, but time and impending Threadfalls were against me. There were tears in my eyes as I waved goodbye, the entire hold turning out to see me off. One day, I would return to this place to renew our friendships.
With the morning sun lighting our way, the trails on the western side of the mountain range were easier to negotiate, and once clear of the foothills, Kismet and I made good time to Sattle Hold on the Tillek peninsula, our next stopover point.
For the evening meal, herdbeast gave way to local sea fare: packtail, an ugly, boxy fish that was difficult to clean but whose meat, properly roasted, proved delicious; and spiderclaws, a sea crustacean not unlike Earth's crabs.
The meal was sumptuous, my hosts very congenial. They, too, proved insatiably curious about Earth and all the myriad worlds I'd been to. Glowbaskets had to be replenished that evening we stayed up so late.
At sunrise, with a full stomach and a hearty farewell, I said goodbye to my hosts at Sattle Hold and set off on the final leg of my journey to Ryeena's home — Misty Hold.
Travel along the coast proved very relaxing, the sounds of the ocean waves keeping time with Kismet's steps. As we drew closer to our destination, he seemed to sense my excitement and several times burst into a gallop. I let him have his head for, truth be told, I was excited if a little anxious, too.
It was mid-afternoon on the Tillek peninsula when we finally 'Klop-klop'ed our way up the road leading to our destination. Misty Hold consisted of several smaller cotholds, and I would need help to find the one I was looking for. A few of the local cotholders were out tending their fields, so I turned Kismet in the direction of the nearest one.
"Good day to you, good holder," I called out as I reined Kismet to a halt a short distance away from him and his plow-beast. "Could you tell me where I might find the cot of Holder Gerrald?"
"You won't find him there, stranger," the holder replied. "He's out plowing his fields."
And then, the man spotted the blaster strapped to my leg.
"You're him!" he exclaimed, his eyes growing immense as he brushed the dirt from his hands. "The one whose strange craft fell on Tarron's fields! The one everyone's talking about!"
"My name's John, good holder," I said, dismounting to shake his hand. "And, yes, I come from Earth."
"I'm Messan," he introduced himself. "Gerrald's cot isn't far from here."
"Can you tell me how to find it?"
"Just over that rise," he said, pointing northwest in the direction the road was going. "You'll see a large rock outcropping in one of the fields. Gerrald's cot is the nearest to it, just the other side of the rocks."
"My thanks, Holder Messan," I said, remounting Kismet.
"Will you be staying long?"
"I'm hoping to." Seeing the keen interest in his eyes, I added, "Perhaps while I'm here, I might visit your cot, as well."
"I look forward to it, friend John," Messan said, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Till then!" I called out, flicking the reins to urge Kismet up the road.
It wasn't hard to find the outcropping – it stuck out of the field like a series of broken teeth. And the cot was right where Messan said it would be. The moment I laid eyes on it, all the uncertainty I'd felt back at the Harper Hall returned with a vengeance, mutating the butterflies in my stomach into fluttering behemoths. Gulping down the lump in my throat, I turned Kismet onto the path to the cot.
At the cot's front porch, Kismet stopped. For a long moment, I didn't stir from the saddle as I stared at the closed front door, uncertain if I had the courage to go through with it.
'"It may well be that she won't want to see you when you find her, John, but you won't know unless you go."' Silvina's words, echoing within my mind. '"And she won't know just how much she means to you unless you do."'
With an uneasy sigh, I finally dismounted, securing Kismet's reins to the porch rail.
Climbing the steps, I paused yet again, my fist hovering a scant few centimeters from the door. My hands were trembling and my knees felt weak, the butterfly behemoths stampeding around my insides.
"Ryeena …" I whispered.
Drawing one last steadying breath, I rapped gently on the door. A few seconds passed, then the door opened a crack.
"Yes?" a small young girl asked as she peered shyly out from around the door.
"I'm looking for the cot of Holder Gerrald, young miss," I said, bowing to her. "Could you tell me if I've come to the right place?"
"He's my daddy," she replied, stepping out a little from behind the door.
"Ah, good!" I said, smiling. "I'm told a young friend of mine lives here. Her name's Ryeena. Is she home?"
"She's your friend?" The little girl gasped, tiny hands flying to her mouth as she stared at me through enormous eyes. "John?!" she dared inquire as her gaze flicked dizzily back and forth from my face to the blaster at my side.
"That's right. I …"
BLAM! The slamming door was like a shot through my heart.
"No, wait!" I called out, a pleading hand rising to beckon the child back. "Please!"
Tears filled my eyes as I stared, confused and bereft, at the closed door. It seemed my worst fears had just been confirmed. Ryeena didn't want to see me! Heartbroken, I glanced helplessly at the saddlebags in my hands.
"Ryeena!" I wept, her name a mournful sob as I spoke it.
The gathering tears fell from my cheeks as I turned to leave, but before I could step off the porch, the door to the cot swung open once more. This time, a woman was there to greet me, the little girl beside her, pulling excitedly at the hem of the woman's skirt.
"See, Mommy? I told you!" she exclaimed, pointing excitedly. "It's him! He's here!"
"I … I'm … sorry to disturb you," I apologized as I wiped the tears away. "I was looking for my friend, Ryeena. Is she here?"
"I'm Nylene, her aunt," the woman said, smiling as she extended her hand in greeting. "Please, come in, John!"
Guiding me inside, she led me to the main sitting room and offered me a seat.
"Thank you," I said, easing myself into it.
"Trillene, go find Ryeena. Quickly, child!"
"Yes'm!" and the little girl bolted from sight.
"Are you alright, John?" Nylene inquired.
"What?" I responded a bit dazedly.
"I couldn't help noticing the tears," Nylene commented, her tone warm and caring.
I felt a warmth in my cheeks and knew I was blushing. A mighty sigh escaped me before I spoke.
"I've missed your niece very much, Lady Nylene," I said, eyes on the saddlebags in my hands. "I've been very worried she might not want to see me again. When Trillene slammed the door in my face, I …" Words failed me, my voice trailing off into silence.
"Oh, John, you've no idea how much Ryeena's missed you!"
Gasping in surprise, I looked up to find Nylene smiling and nodding to me.
"I spoke with the caravan master after he dropped her off," she explained. "He told me Ryeena cried for nearly two straight days on the journey back. And she hasn't stopped talking about you since. All the wonderful stories you shared with her, your singing, meeting Masterharper Menolly and her fair of fire lizards … I think she's grown quite attached to you!"
"As much as I've become very fond of her, Lady Nylene," I said, feeling tears in my eyes again. "I …"
From somewhere within the cot, Nylene and I both heard the startled squawk of a fire lizard.
"Sounds like Trillene's found her!" I chuckled.
In the same breath, Bolter popped from between, chittering excitedly. The moment he laid eyes on me, he squealed with delight, buzzing about my head in a blur of happiness.
It was impossible to keep up with the little dragon. One second he was perched on my shoulder, twittering madly, the next disheveling my hair as he flitted about my head, then off doing somersaults through the air before starting it all over again. I must have looked an absolute fright when Ryeena skidded to a halt at the sitting room entrance.
"Ry, watch it!" Trillene complained, plowing into her cousin from behind.
Neither of us moved as our eyes met. All during the trip here I'd gone over again and again in my mind what I was going to say. So, when the moment finally came, what was the best I could come up with?
"Hi."
"Hi," Ryeena quietly replied.
"Well, don't just stand there like a wherry, child," Nylene chided her niece. "Your friend's traveled a long way to see you!"
Ryeena's lips were trembling and there were tears in her eyes as I slowly knelt, arms outstretched, beckoning to her. In spite of her small size, she nearly bowled me over rushing into my arms.
"John!"
My name came out as a long shuddering sob; Ryeena's arms clinging to me with such fierceness, it robbed me of breath.
"Stars, I've missed you!" I wept, clutching her tightly to me.
We remained that way for quite some time, neither of us moving, both of us crying, neither of us caring a whit, Bolter crooning reassuringly to us both all the while. When Ryeena finally pulled back to gaze at me, she was smiling.
"You really missed me?" she whispered, gently touching my tear-dampened cheek. I nodded. "After the way I left you at the Harper Hall, I was afraid you'd never want to see me again!"
Nylene and I both giggled.
"What's so funny?" Ryeena wondered, looking from me to her aunt.
"Your friend said nearly the same thing just a moment ago, sweetheart," Nylene replied, smiling warmly at us.
"What?!" exclaimed Ryeena, eyes wide as she stared at me. "John, I …"
My finger on her lips cut her off.
"Sshhh! It's alright," I said, smiling as I laid a trembling hand against her cheek. "Silvina told me why you left. And I'm proud of you for keeping your promise."
"Promise?" inquired Nylene.
"Headwoman Silvina explained to me," I said as I stood, "that when I was first brought to the Harper Hall, Ryeena insisted on coming along. But, because she wasn't an apprentice there or a paying student, she promised to stay only until she felt I'd be alright."
"Hers was the first face I saw when I finally regained consciousness," I said, smiling at Ryeena. "Masterhealer Oldive and the other Harper Hall masters credit her constant presence at my bedside with saving my life. I can never fully repay her for that."
There was a beaming smile on my face as I gave my young friend a gentle embrace.
"Ryeena and Bolter have been my constant companions, Lady Nylene, my dearest friends," I continued, Ryeena grinning up at me as I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "She's been very patient with me and taught me everything she knows about Pern, helping me to understand a great deal about its people and customs. And when I was feeling a little sad or depressed, she always had a way of making me smile."
"You never told us any of this, dear," Nylene commented, smiling proudly.
Ryeena merely nibbled on her lower lip and gave my arm a hug.
Just then, from outside came the rapid pounding of a runnerbeast's hooves, the stuttering steps as it was reined to a halt, followed by heavy footsteps on the porch just before the front door burst open.
"Nylene!" a man bellowed as he entered. "Where …"
"No need to shout, love," she told him, going over to embrace the man. "John, this is my husband, Holder Gerrald." Then, gesturing toward Ryeena and I, "And this, sweetheart, is John, Ryeena's friend from Earth."
"A pleasure, Holder Gerrald," I replied as we shook hands. "But how did you know I was here? Holder Messan said you were out plowing your fields!"
"That bloody fool came running across the furrows, bellowing like a madman!" Gerrald laughed. "He was babbling so much, it took forever to calm him down long enough to understand what he was saying!"
"I hope this hasn't taken you away from anything important," I apologized.
"Don't give it another thought, John," Gerrald assured me, waving my concern aside. "Sun's going down. I'd've been coming in soon, anyway."
"A pity you missed their reunion, sweetheart," Nylene said, taking Gerrald's arm, happy tears glistening in her eyes. "It was absolutely priceless!"
"I can well imagine!" Gerrald commented, looking from Ryeena to me.
From outside, many hurried footsteps and excited voices heralded the arrival of the hold youngsters; Gerrald's and Nylene's own children and the hold fosterlings, about a dozen in all. They poured through the open door, hands and clothes soiled from work in the field.
"Dad, what's going on?" one boy asked, breathing hard. They'd obviously been running to get here.
"Yeah!" a girl added. "We saw you tearing over the hill on Far Runner like you were trying to outrun Threadfall!"
"Thread's not falling early, is it?" another youngster anxiously inquired.
"And where'd that other runner come from?" still another wondered aloud.
"Hey, who's he?" one of the children inquired, pointing my way.
"My friend!" Ryeena informed them, smiling as she gave me a proprietary hug.
Her pronouncement brought instant silence … and bugged-out eyes!
"You … you mean …" one of the girls stammered, pointing off in the direction of my crash site.
"Jays! Not the one from …" one of the elder boys spluttered, one hand limply pointing upward.
"Yep!" Ryeena replied, beaming at me.
None of the children moved. They just stood there, gawking, unsure what to do next. With no warning, I leaped at them, landing in a crouch, snarling like some wild beast. The children scattered, their immobility cured, some screaming in fright, others looking ready to faint. Gerrald roared with laughter.
"It's not funny, Daddy!" one of the girls complained. "I nearly messed myself!"
"I'm sorry, Varla," Gerrald chuckled, giving the girl a hug. "You were all staring at John so hard, I think he was just trying to tell you he won't bite."
Varla turned to me, her face uncertain.
I nodded, confirming her father's statement. Extending my hand, with an embarrassed grin, I asked, "Friends, Varla?"
She looked to her father, who nodded, then back to me.
"Friends!" she agreed, vigorously pumping my arm up and down.
That's all it took to finally break the ice. The children gathered close, each eagerly asking his or her own question, the cacophony of sound making it difficult to hear even one of them. Somewhere during the press of bodies, a hand found its way to my blaster, and I turned in time to see it moving off with one of the elder boys to one side of the room.
"Hey! Look at this!" he cried as he fingered the barrel. "What is it?"
"Mostef, be careful!" Ryeena exclaimed, grabbing his arm. "That's John's blaster. It's dangerous!"
"You know what that thing is?" Gerrald asked, coming up beside her.
"John used it to save me from the wherries," she told him. "Something shoots out of it like a thrower. He brought down seven wherries with it from over twelve dragonlengths away!"
"Twelve?!" Mostef exclaimed, eyeing the blaster with renewed excitement.
"Better give it to me," I said, holding out my hand.
Bolter flitted about the boy's head, scolding angrily as he dove repeatedly at the hand Mostef held my blaster with.
"I want to try it!" he demanded, pulling it away.
"You can't," I said, shaking my head. "A Star Service blaster is made in such a way that only its original owner can use it."
"I don't believe you," he hissed.
"Mostef, give John his weapon!" Gerrald ordered. "Now!"
"I think he's bluffing," Mostef spoke defiantly, his finger closing about the trigger.
"You don't want to fool with it, Mostef," I warned him. "Trust me. It won't let you."
"It?" he scoffed, chuckling as he looked down at the blaster. "And what's it going to do, bite me?"
"Worse."
Our eyes locked. For an instant, there was doubt in Mostef's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by wry amusement. He never saw the seriousness in mine.
"Now I know you're bluffing," he laughed, pointing the blaster at one of the chairs and squeezing the trigger.
"Mostef!" Gerrald barked.
There was a short, loud burst of sound from the blaster, but it wasn't the only thing that ended up on the floor. Mostef wound up flat on his back … after first being hurled nearly four meters through the air.
"John?" Ryeena inquired, her face anxious as she looked at me.
No one moved as I retrieved my blaster then went over to check on Mostef.
"He'll be alright, Ryeena," I assured her with a nod and a wink. "Just a stun charge, is all."
Bolter settled to my shoulder as I peered down at Mostef.
"Stun charge?" Gerrald wondered, sounding confused.
"As I tried to warn your son, Holder Gerrald," I said as I checked Mostef's pulse, "the Star Service blaster is designed to prevent it being used if it ever fell into the wrong hands. Anyone other than the original owner trying to use it triggers a stun charge, rendering the would-be user unconscious and, hopefully, discouraging them from trying again in the future."
"Ohh!" Mostef blinked his eyes a few times, finally got them to focus, then looked about. "What …"
"I tried to warn you," I said.
Bolter added his own reprimand, twittering angrily from his perch on my shoulder before giving a final snort and hiss of disgust.
"Warn me!?" Mostef exploded, sitting bolt upright. "Shells, it felt like a runnerbeast kicked me in the chest!"
"You okay?"
"Yeah," he grumbled.
"Good," I growled.
With a surprised squawk, Bolter suddenly found himself airborne as I, moving with a speed swift enough to unseat him from his perch, grabbed Mostef's shirt with both hands, yanked him bodily off the floor, and slammed him into the wall.
"I don't know if you've got herdbeast dung for brains, Mostef," I hissed, fury sparking like fire from my eyes, "but the next time you call somebody's bluff, you better be damned certain you know what you're doing. Such foolhardiness could get you killed!"
"I … I'm sorry," he stammered, his face suddenly ashen.
Setting him back on the floor, I smoothed out his shirt, saying, "If you learned something from this, then I'm glad, 'cause I don't want to see you get hurt."
Mostef stared at me as if I'd just slapped him in the face.
"It's okay to be curious," I said, looking about at the others, "but temper that curiosity with caution."
"Friends?" I asked, offering Mostef my hand.
"Friends!" he agreed, sighing with relief as we shook hands.
"Hope you learned something from this, son," Gerrald said, gripping Mostef's shoulder.
"I sure did," he chuckled, grinning at me. "Never stand behind a kicking runnerbeast!"
That sent everyone into a fit of giggling.
When we'd all finally regained our composure, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, Gerrald asked, "Will you be able to stay for the evening meal, John? Our table would be greatly honored if you'd join us."
Coming up beside me, Ryeena gave my arm a hug, a smile on her lips and a plea in her eyes.
"Actually, Holder Gerrald, I was hoping I might be able to stay a bit longer than that," I said, eliciting a hopeful gasp from Ryeena. "It's one of the reasons why I came here. Masterhealer Oldive seemed to think some time in the sun and salty air might help my recovery."
"Please, Uncle, can he stay?" Ryeena implored, hugging me about the waist.
"I'm willing to work for my keep," I said. "It might actually do me some good, helping to rebuild my strength."
"No lack of work around here," Gerrald said, gazing out the window at the fields beyond.
"Then, he can stay?" Ryeena dared hope.
Bolter added his own appeal, trilling sweetly from Ryeena's shoulder. Every eye was on Gerrald, the room filled with a hush of anticipation.
"More hands will certainly make the work go faster," he commented, stroking the side of his chin before turning to his wife. "That spare cot still in the storeroom?"
Ryeena let out a squeal of delight as she gave me another fierce hug.
"I'll get some of the children to help move it," Nylene replied, smiling at her niece. "We can bed him down with the boys."
"Thank you, Holder Gerrald, Lady Nylene," I said, shaking his hand, bowing deeply to her. "This is most generous of you."
"A moment ago, John, you hinted at more than one reason for coming here …" Gerrald commented, regarding me.
"Indeed I did," I acknowledged. "The first night of my journey here, I had the good fortune to spend the evening with Lord Jaxom and Lady Sharra of Ruatha. I was quite surprised to learn Lord Jaxom is also a dragonrider!"
"A just Lord Holder, that one," Gerrald commented, nodding approvingly. "Wouldn't mind living in Ruatha."
"Did you meet Ruth, John?" Trillene boldly inquired.
"I sure did," I chuckled as I reached over to ruffle her hair. "We also did 'Keymon's Song', Ryeena."
"'Keymon's Song'?" Gerrald pondered.
"It's a beautiful song, Uncle Gerrald," Ryeena enthusiastically explained, "taught to him by his friend, the one the song's named after. Did Lady Sharra's fire lizards sing along?"
"Meer and Talla?" I asked.
Ryeena nodded.
"More," I told her, smiling broadly at the surprise on her face, "many, many more."
"Just how many look to her, John?" Nylene asked.
"Only Meer and Talla," I laughed, waving assurances. "The others were from outside Ruatha Hold."
"Outside?" one of the other children queried.
"Lord Jaxom's dragon had wanted to hear the song, but he wouldn't fit comfortably within the hold, so we moved out to the courtyard," I explained. "I also asked Lord Jaxom to invite the local holders to come so that I could repay them for the kindness I'd been shown. The courtyard and the causeway road beyond were packed with spectators, and those with fire lizards soon found themselves being serenaded."
"Wish I'd been there to see it," Ryeena said, grinning. "I'll bet that surprised them!"
"It was pure magic, Ryeena," I sighed, happily. "Even the local wild fire lizards came, a dozen or so perched on the courtyard wall, listening. One or two of them were even brave enough to join the singing!"
"Wild fire lizards?!"
"You'll never guess who filled in for Lazybones on the last verse."
"Who?"
"Yes, who?" Nylene queried, her curiosity piqued.
"Guess!" I said, looking at Ryeena.
At first, she shook her head, her expression puzzled. Then, all at once, Ryeena gasped, her eyes flying wide as she stared at me, jaw hanging open. I was grinning from ear to ear, chuckling at the look of astonishment on her face.
"You're serious?!" she exclaimed.
"On my life, Ryeena!" I laughed, raising one hand, the other covering my heart.
"Who was it?" one of the girls asked.
"Yes, who?" added Mostef.
The room filled with a long moment of silence, Ryeena and I grinning conspiratorially at one another.
"It was Ruth, wasn't it?" asked little Trillene.
"Ruth?!" Gerrald exclaimed, "Lord Jaxom's dragon?"
Murmurs of disbelief swept through his family as I knelt in front of Trillene, marveling at such perceptiveness in one so young.
"I sympathize with your disbelief, Holder Gerrald," I said, giving Trillene a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Even Lord Jaxom was surprised. But it was beautiful to listen to!"
I sighed happily, remembering the splendor of that magical moment.
"Wish I'd been there to hear it," Ryeena muttered, clearly disappointed.
"You may yet have a chance to, Ryeena," I said, "if your uncle agrees."
"Agrees?" Gerrald pondered. "To what?"
"The second reason for my visit," I replied, standing again. "Lord Jaxom and Lady Sharra had spoken with the Benden Weyrleaders recently and had heard good things about Ryeena from them."
"Me?!" she stammered, her cheeks reddening as excited whispers came from the other children.
"Before I left Ruatha, Lord Jaxom invited me to return one day," I continued, "and Lady Sharra asked that I please bring Ryeena along so that she could finally meet her!"
"I see!" Gerrald commented, coming over to stand before his niece. "Seems a good deal more went on at the Harper Hall than you've told us, young lady." Ryeena squirmed nervously, shuffling her feet, her eyes averted. "Still, there'll be a Gather soon at Ruatha. Perhaps we could all go."
This brought jubilant cries and excited whispers from the other children.
"Uncle Gerrald," Ryeena muttered, "I … I can't!"
"Why not, child?" Nylene inquired, cocking her head to peer into Ryeena's down-turned face.
"A visit with the Lord and Lady Holder of Ruatha?" she quietly wept. "I don't have anything near good enough to wear to something so important."
"Oh, Ryeena," Nylene sighed, drawing her niece to her. "Don't worry, honey. We'll find you something." Then, looking up at her husband, she added, "We'll all have to find something proper to wear, I fear."
"Perhaps this will do, Ryeena," I said, holding out a colorfully wrapped package retrieved from my saddlebags.
"What is it?" Gerrald asked as I gently laid the bundle into Ryeena's waiting hands.
"The final reason for my visit, Holder Gerrald," I told him, "the real reason I came to find Ryeena."
"What is it, John?" Nylene inquired, examining the bundle in Ryeena's hands.
Smiling warmly at my friend, I said, "Something she left behind at the Harper Hall."
Ryeena gasped, nearly dropping the package. Her hands were trembling as I gently squeezed them reassuringly, her lips quivered with the effort to control her emotions, and tears fell like rain from her eyes. No words were said between us; none were needed. The look in Ryeena's tear-filled eyes as I drew her to me was all that was necessary.
"John, what's going on?" Gerrald demanded. "Why is Ryeena crying? What, by the First Egg, is in that package?"
Ryeena was first to speak, pulling back from me a little.
"It … it …" she stammered, struggling to control her happy weeping.
"Take a deep breath, Ryeena," Nylene urged her, stroking the hair out of her eyes. "Now, try again. What is it?"
"It …" she began again, wiping her eyes, but still speech eluded her. She turned to me. "John …"
"It's a gown, Lady Nylene," I told her, hugging Ryeena's head to me, "painstakingly fashioned from a most beautiful deep forest green fabric. A gift from the Harper Hall headwoman, Silvina … Ryeena's reward for all the time and effort she spent helping me to recover." Her smiling face beamed up at me as I looked at her. "She was wearing it the day she introduced me to the Weyrleaders and Weyrwomen of Pern!"
"You've met Dragonriders in person?!" Gerrald stammered, the awe and envy in his voice unmistakable.
"Weyrwoman Lessa herself shook hands with your niece, Holder Gerrald," I said, smiling at my friend. But the looks of astonishment on the faces around me made it clear that Ryeena's family knew nothing about it. "You didn't tell them?"
"John, I …"
Kneeling before my friend, I smiled in understanding. "No … no, you wouldn't, would you?" I said as I laid my hand against Ryeena's blushing cheek. "Why don't you go put on the gown so everyone can see how beautiful you look in it? And I'll fill in the details, alright?"
"Okay," she said, sniffling back a happy tear.
I watched Ryeena depart, Bolter warbling happily as he winged along above her head, Trillene going along to help. Then, I turned to face Ryeena's family.
"Where should I start?" I asked.
"The beginning, I think," Holder Gerrald replied, staring after his niece.
So I recounted my tale of the message rocket and how it had eventually led me to the Pern Colonization Charter. I gave them a brief description of the dreams I'd had since first finding the charter right up to the last one just before the meteor storm. I didn't go into any lengthy details about my impulse escape, the obstacles of the asteroid belt, nor the hazards of reentry, but I could tell by their expressions they were still suitably impressed.
"Whew! Nearly being crushed by something as big as Belior!" Varla whistled, struggling to even imagine such a near calamity. "By the stars!"
"It's a wonder you're even alive, John!" Gerrald said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"A daunting chain of events, Holder Gerrald, to be sure," I remarked, nodding agreement.
"And the distance you traveled to get here!" Nylene added, her brow furrowed as she struggled to grasp its enormity. "Alone all that time … nearly three Turns. However did you manage?"
"Belief in my dreams, Lady Nylene," I replied. "Somehow Pern was calling to me, even across such a vast distance. I had to find out what had become of Admiral Benden and the other colonists. It was a path I felt compelled to follow, no matter the cost."
"Daddy?"
All eyes turned at the sound of Trillene's voice. Startled gasps followed quickly by jealous 'oohs' and envious 'ahhs' filled the room. Ryeena, dressed once more in that lovely gown of forest green, was standing beside Trillene in the hallway opening, a shy smile upon her glowing face. Crossing the room to where she stood, I offered her my arm and led her over to her aunt and uncle.
"So, Holder Gerrald, Lady Nylene, what do you think of my pretty protector?" I asked, a beaming smile on my face.
"John, please!" Ryeena quietly murmured, demurely averting her eyes as the blush in her cheeks spread clear to the tips of her ears.
The other children gathered around us, staring in awe and wonder at Ryeena's gown. Occasionally, a curious hand would reach out to finger the fabric it was made of.
"Sweetheart, it's absolutely gorgeous!" Nylene proclaimed, hugging her niece. "You look so pretty in it, like a fairy tale princess!"
"Thanks, Auntie Nylene," Ryeena replied.
"John, why'd you call Ryeena your 'pretty protector'?" Trillene inquired as she tugged on my shirtsleeve.
Ryeena's blush deepened.
"Ryeena …" I spoke, nodding for her to explain.
My young friend merely fidgeted nervously, her eyes turned away, biting her lower lip and shuffling her feet. I gently reached out and lifted her chin so she would look at me.
"According to Master Oldive and Silvina," I told everyone, "for the three sevendays I lay unconscious, Ryeena was constantly in attendance, hardly ever leaving my side. And when she did leave, Bolter was there to keep an eye on me."
I reached over to scratch the little brown's eye ridges.
"I don't remember it myself, but I'm told they were able to get some nourishment into me during several brief periods of semi-consciousness because Ryeena was there to alert them," I explained, giving her a grateful hug. "It kept me alive until I regained consciousness."
"She saved your life?!" Varla exclaimed, staring in wonder at her cousin.
"Ryeena might dispute it," I said, grinning as I gave her a companionable hug, "but Master Oldive and Silvina both agree her constant presence at my bedside made the difference."
"Well, you saved my life, John," Ryeena added, smiling up at me, "so we're even!"
"It was on my first full day after regaining consciousness that Master Oldive, Silvina, and Master Sebell came to see me," I said, continuing my explanation. "It seemed the Weyrleaders of Pern were anxious to meet with me, and Master Oldive wanted to know if I felt up to it. Ryeena insisted we wait a day to give me time to rest, recover some of my strength, and get some additional nourishment into my body."
"You told the Dragonriders to wait?!" Gerrald spluttered, his jaw hanging open as he stared, disbelieving, at Ryeena, nervous murmurings coming from the others around us.
"You needn't worry, Holder Gerrald," I assured him. "Ryeena had Master Oldive's and Master Sebell's complete support. The Dragonriders were very understanding. Weyrwoman Lessa herself praised Ryeena's courage and good sense."
"You can be very proud of your niece, Holder Gerrald, Lady Nylene," I told them as I looked down and gave my friend a loving hug, tears coming freely to my eyes. "I know I was."
There was a grin on Holder Gerrald's face stretching from ear to ear, and he looked ready to bust out of his shirt he was so proud. The children merely stood about gawking at Ryeena, totally flabbergasted.
"You could have told us a little bit, you know," Nylene said, gently chiding Ryeena as she knelt in front of her.
"I'm sorry, Auntie."
"Don't be, child!" Nylene told her, weeping as she hugged Ryeena tightly. "We are proud of you … very, very proud!"
Tears fell from Ryeena's face as she returned her aunt's embrace.
"You met Weyrwoman Lessa? Stars!" Trillene sighed, grinning enviously as she stared in awe at Ryeena. "What was she like, Ryeena, huh?"
"We'll have plenty of time to hear all about it, but later," Gerrald said. "Right now, we've got to get John settled, his runnerbeast bedded down, and the evening meal on the table."
Little did Holder Gerrald realize the storm of confusion he would unleash as the older children began fighting over who would help me move the spare cot and who would help take care of Kismet. Eventually, he had to step in, sending three of the children with Nylene to begin preparing the evening meal, four to see to Kismet and Holder Gerrald's own runnerbeast, while Mostef, Gerrald, and I retrieved the spare cot and placed it by the window in the room with the boys.
The evening meal was sumptuous, each dish a tasty delight. All through the meal, Ryeena and I were bombarded with questions about all the goings-on at the Harper Hall during her stay there, and we did our best to answer all of them.
I couldn't help but notice the smiles of pride on the faces of Gerrald and Nylene nor the furtive, jealous or envious looks from the other Hold children as I recounted the story of Ryeena singing the 'Fire Lizard's Song' accompanied by Menolly's fair. Then, as was fitting, it was my turn to squirm with embarrassment as Ryeena told them about 'Keymon's Song' and the stir that it caused in the Harper Hall. The highlight of the evening, though, was Ryeena's retelling of our meeting with the Weyrleaders and Weyrwomen of Pern.
"Ista, Southern, Fort … and Benden Weyrs!" Gerrald remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.
"And Weyrwoman Lessa!" Nylene whispered, glancing nervously about her. "Oh!"
It wasn't hard to guess she was worried about what the Benden Weyrwoman would think of her home if she ever came to call.
Every face that regarded Ryeena and I was a complex mask of awe, respect, and jealousy; even Gerrald's and Nylene's where pride was an added feature. From Ryeena's teachings, I knew that for any Pernese citizen, having seen a dragonrider was cause enough to boast. Actually meeting one made you the target of envy and jealousy from those less fortunate. And Ryeena and I had been in the same room and shaken hands with some of the most important Dragonriders on all Pern, including the Benden leaders.
"He did what?!" Gerrald exploded, leaping to his feet.
"Hit Mnementh in the face," Ryeena repeated, unable to stop giggling, "with a pillow!"
Nylene looked ready to faint; the hold children merely stared, thunderstruck, at me. In true harper fashion, Ryeena held the entire family spellbound with her tale of the incident with Mnementh and Ramoth. All through the telling, there were furtive, even wary, glances from her family, and I found it difficult not to squirm under their scrutiny. Yet, these same people had opened their hearts and home to me, welcoming me to their family. I didn't want to jeopardize their friendship, so I called upon all my first contactor experience and put on my best diplomatic air in the hope of placating any fears or jealousies. I managed to make it to bed without having to explain about the watch-dragon incident.
Life around the little cothold quickly settled into a more normal routine. In the mornings, I would join Holder Gerrald and his family in the fields helping to cultivate their crops. And in the evenings, I would help prepare some of the dishes for the evening meal.
"Here you go, John," Ryeena said, handing me a cup of water.
"Oh! Thanks, Ryeena," I replied, brushing the dirt I'd gotten from picking tubers from my hands before taking the cup.
From atop Ryeena's shoulder, Bolter began twittering angrily, looking back and forth at the two of us as if saying 'Hey, what about me?'
"When John's had his, you greedy gut!" Ryeena scolded, playfully swatting Bolter's forepaws away.
"Look at them, Gerrald," Nylene commented, watching us from a nearby rise. "I've never seen Ryeena so happy!"
"Humph!" Gerrald snorted, turning back to the harness on his plow-beast.
"Haven't you noticed the way they look at each other?" Nylene asked, laying a hand on Gerrald's shoulder. "Like …"
"She used to look at us that way," was his reply, the plow-beast grunting as Gerrald tightened one of the cinches a bit too forcefully.
"No, not like this," Nylene disagreed, turning back toward us, "never like this. There's a bond between them," she said, smiling as I bowed to Ryeena in gratitude for the water, "a special one that runs to the very core of their beings. John has lost his heart to her, Gerrald," she said, wiping away a tear as Ryeena gave me a hug before returning to the cot with the basket of tubers I'd picked, "and she has given hers freely to him."
"He's not her father!" Gerrald objected, rounding on her, anger bringing redness to his face.
"And neither are you!" Nylene just as hotly responded, hands planted firmly on her hips. Then, more gently, she added, "My love, we've done all we could for her. These past three Turns since the tragic accident that took your sister and brother-in-law, we've been her family, loving her and caring for her. But neither of us has been able to reach this far and touch her this deeply. Would you take from her the happiness she has found once again?"
"No," Gerrald grunted, turning away from her. "No."
"Oh, sweetheart," Nylene murmured, hugging herself to his strong back. "The day will soon be coming when John will feel well enough to travel on, and Ryeena may want to go with him."
Gerrald turned round to his wife, a weak smile upon his lips.
"Then, let us hope, my love," he whispered, hugging Nylene close to hide the tears in his eyes, "that when that day arrives, we somehow find the courage to say 'Yes'."