Chapter 12

The news of a clutch at High Reaches Weyr with a Golden Queen egg was of more interest to most people than the peccadilloes of a Ranking paying student.

Kelia's main gripe was that she was not able to run a book on who would get the Queen.

"Sagarra," said Amrys, "I bet!"

"You're on, I reckon she's too young. How much?"

"You think I'm an idiot? My bets are in the air, not in marks, it's why I don't get too poor despite all the fines I have to pay," said Amrys. "Rillys reckons betting is a mug's game, and she's right."

"Well, yes, and that's why there's more profit in holding the book and taking marks from mugs," said Kelia.

"Every time," agreed Breda. "My da found that out once he'd won his packet, so he had marks behind him. He loves the gees, so he's a bookie sort of as a hobby, not because he has to."

"You see? He'd be bored being idle," said Amrys.

"Yes, and I suppose I would too, though I'm not much good at sewing and weaving," said Breda.

"Handy skills to have, though," said Kelia. "Which is why I'm here, because if we do have to fettle for ourselves when the Pass ends, at least I won't go in rags. Especially since we sidetracked Journeyman Otelek onto how you can get fibres from stingweed, that make good paper, too."

"Journeyman Otelek is good for an interesting sidetrack," agreed Amrys. "He needs a good wife."

"Marry him yourself, sprout," said Kelia. "He'd make a good Holder's husband too."

"I'm a bit young to think of that," said Amrys. "Mmmm. I take your point, though."

oOo

The paying girls had been told that Fenoria had need to take time alone to understand how bad her upbringing had been; Otaysa told them to give her a chance when she returned.

"I gave her a chance before," said Breda, resentfully, "and she threw it in my face!"

Otaysa smiled at her.

"So you can be the best of real ladies and give her another, can't you?" she said.

"I won't snipe at her, Otaysa, but I'll not put my head back in her mouth, thank you," said Breda.

"Well, dear, if you can be civil to her, that's a very good start," said Otaysa.

"Others have turned themselves around, with support and help," said Kelia, "like B'lova; and G'sina her cousin. And Vorinia who's going to stand this time. I'll give her a go, Otaysa."

"Thank you, dear," said Otaysa.

"If she is making an effort, I'll meet her halfway," said Breda.

Otaysa beamed.

"That's more than I could ask, as she has been so rude to you," she said. Breda needed more encouragement to do what Kelia would think of as her duty as weyrbred.

oOo

Sadvia had told the story of Vorinia and Josis, and Molly came to talk to her.

"Is that all true?" she asked, abruptly.

"Entirely," said Sadvia. "Josis is a close friend of mine, and I'm rooting for her to have the Queen at the Weyr, now she's gone to join Vorinia there."

"I couldn't be that forgiving," said Molly.

"No, my dear; very few can. Josis is exceptional. But you didn't have the advantage of spending thirteen turns with a loving father and having at least that much of your childhood. I reckon you were just a kid when Fenoria made you drudge for her, am I right?"

Molly looked startled.

"Who talked?"

Sadvia laughed.

"Oh, my dear girl, I am a logicator! The coincidence of your arrival, under an air of mystery, that you are wearing apparel I recognise as belonging to one of the lads who grew out of it, Amrys being even busier than usual to get you settled in, a disappearing drudge said to be badly beaten and an appearing apprentice with a stiff back that has eased… I'm very skilled, you know!"

"Reckon you're dead clever, Journeyman," said Molly. "Was that aimed at me to make up with – what is it Amrys said, oh yes – the superfluous excess baggage of the Telgar line?"

"Trust Amrys," grinned Sadvia. "She loves her long words! No, not necessarily, but I wanted you to know that even the worst snots can change. I'll tell Fenoria the story when I think she can digest it. I'm suggesting a wary acceptance that she may be going to try."

"She's too lazy to try hard. At least this Vorinia had some gumption. Can't see Fenoria washing clothes."

"Somehow, nor can I," said Sadvia. "Which is why Vorinia is tipped to Impress, and Fenoria never will. But any improvement has to be good, hmm?"

"I suppose," said Molly, grudgingly. "Did the Lord whop her? There were yells."

"Oh yes, you were in the loom room almost below … yes he did, as cruelly or more than she ever beat you," said Sadvia. "And it's given her something to think about. It'll take her a while; poor girl hasn't got a lot to think with. You're better endowed in the brain department, which means you got the better deal in the long run, and can afford to be sorry for her."

Molly nodded, though Sadvia thought she looked somewhat unconvinced!

oOo

Fenoria dreaded meeting the girls again; but Otaysa's pep talk had paid off, and their greeting was quite casual, if not friendly.

"I'll show you how to make your bed and stuff if you like," said Kelia. "You'll want to learn how to fit in, of course."

Fenoria would have preferred to have gone home and not have to fit in, but doing so would make life easier and more comfortable.

oOo

Life slipped back into a routine; Fenoria was not entirely happy, but at least she had stopped making too many waves as she did the tasks allotted to her, even if it was not with particularly good grace. She was, as Indeela said to Sadvia, 'moderately tolerable' now.

"I'm glad you got over being like her," said Sadvia, quietly.

Indeela stared.

"I never was!"

"Oh yes you were! Quite nearly as bad! How ashamed I was when you were rude to L'sya before she Impressed, calling her 'only a drudge!' I wanted to slap you!"

Indeela flushed.

"I guess … I guess I got in the habit of it seeming important what your birth was."

"It's a bad habit, and I'm glad you broke it, kid. I hope Fenoria can break it too."

Indeela sighed.

"Y'know, I'm not as busy as you, but I'm not lazy either! Or in the habit of looking for slights, 'cos mostly I take people as I find them! But Fenoria hasn't got the get up and go to change her habits further than having a quiet life!"

"Well, perhaps the walks Otaysa insists on will give her more energy for some change, and maybe you kids can help her establish a habit of mannerly behaviour that she'll be too lazy to lose," said Sadvia, thinking of Amrys' description of Fenoria, having seen the girl sewing lackadaisically.

Amrys had said,

"Y'know, if that girl was any lazier, she'd need a drudge to work bellows to keep her breathing."

But the fresh air and exercise were helping Fenoria, and one could hope it would make a lasting impression that her cheeks had faint roses, and she could go upstairs without panting. Poor child, her parents had really failed her!

oOo

Hatching approached; and Kelia managed to run a book even out of the Weyr, as Sagarra had sent wicked word pictures of all the candidates. Several too were known to Kelia, even if only by reputation, and some were known to the weaver apprentices by reputation too. Vana they had declared was 'their' candidate, having been a paying student the turn before.

Amrys and Jilamon were invited to the hatching by Sagarra, standing for the first time, and their parents too, of course.

It was a dramatic hatching; and Amrys refused to talk much about it on their return, save to volunteer the information that R'inia had the Queen, J'sis had a Green, as did V'na, and a girl had been hurt.

That there were doubts about the injured girl's survival, Amrys did not dwell on; nor that her friend Sagarra was heartbroken at not Impressing at all when she had hoped to get a Green, if not the Queen. Sagarra's foster sister was now S'relis, and that seemed cruel.

The weavers were mostly interested in V'na of course, and to some extent, Sadvia's friend J'sis. Rulene had also been invited and was full of her little sister M'litta's Impression, and that the child had declared every intention of Weyring one day with new Brown Rider G'ran, one of Lord Groghe's numerous offspring!

Rulene was more forthcoming to her fellows in Gold dormitory, about the terrible injuries to Tirreysa.

"I was so shocked by what Ma – M'litta said," she said. "She said 'girl's spoilt, stuck up and pushy; couldn't happen to a better person.' And M'litta's not a spiteful child, but she did have bruises and I reckon this Tirreysa tried to push her around."

"Used to happen all the time," said Kelia. "Until they started training the potential Queenriders better, instead of just picking the prettiest Ranking brats with legs that opened even wider than their prattling mouths. Sounds like she might well deserve it, but your sister is just so tactless, Rulene – and it is a tasteless way to put it."

"I did tell her off, but she had that mulish look she used to wear when there were fosterlings bullying her, when we were all in the hold," said Rulene. "And this girl has been thrown out of fostering with Tragen, so I guess some people just won't learn."

"If she lives, it might be the making of her," said Kelia. "A rather sharp lesson, but maybe a timely one."

They both sighed, and tried not to look at Fenoria.

Fenoria was shocked!

She wondered if she might be considered 'no better a person' for such a terrible thing to happen to.

It was not perhaps a huge change; but it was another point she was pondering, as well as her improved complexion, and ability to mount stairs easily.

oOo

Summer was drawing to a close; nights were drawing in rapidly as frost lay on the ground in the mornings. Molly and Marra felt as though they had been there as long as the others now they had settled in, and they were catching up quickly.

"Shells!" said Amrys, "Almost another Turn around! After the Autumnal Gather, Winter will be on us!"

She was pummelled.

oOo

The Autumn Gather was jolly as always; and most of the apprentices had something to offer for sale! Even Marra and Molly had made the most of their better-developed sewing skills to embroider collars to fit to tunics or dresses, and had hemmed handkerchiefs. No-one, as Molly said, could ever have too many handkerchiefs!

Fenoria still had no idea who Molly was, and watched the apprentices run about playing, as she stood with the other paying girls. Not a glimmer of recognition passed her features over Molly, who scrutinised her carefully to make sure.

Otaysa thought it would be a real breakthrough if the girl showed enough care and compassion to ask what had become of her drudge; but that breakthrough had not yet come. Otaysa privately wondered if it ever would.

Molly was more of a victory; she was a changed girl, learning to accept love and gifts, and to return affection truly, not just the semblance of loyalty to get a better life. Otaysa was beginning to feel real affection for her foster daughter, who was as careful of little Janika as ever Amrys was, and as tender to the child. She played games with Janika, with her dolls, taking such parts as the little girl suggested with them. Otaysa had ordered from Sadvia a jointed doll for the older girl, as a Turnover gift; an adult-proportioned doll who could be dressed in fashionable clothes that an older girl might claim as an aid to her study, if pride would not let her own to wanting a doll to play with!

Otaysa reflected that it would be Turnover almost before they knew where they were; and a new intake of students! Still, she thought, we may be happier next summer when Fenoria is gone. For all her sympathy for the badly brought up girl, it was impossible to really like her.

They would lose one paying student at Turnover; Breda had taken Amrys' advice and had written to her father asking to foster at Northfork Runnerhold, as Lady Amrys had recommended it – a sure way to catch his interest – where she could also have musical training with their large number of Harpers, without feeling as embarrassed over having no knowledge as she might do in the main Harper Hall.

Breda was actually excited, and even came to see the apprentices to let off steam of her enthusiasm.

"I hope it will make you happy, Breda," said Marra, earnestly. "I'm really happy here; I hope you, too, find out what you really want."

"Thanks," said Breda, gruffly.

She, at least, thought Amrys, had benefited from being here, and had learned a lot; and Kaili would not take any nonsense if the girl went back to being silly.

In terms of getting two new female apprentices and taming Breda, it had been a successful half-turn. It only wanted a little while to see what the new intake would be like! And something occurred to Amrys.

"Breda, you and Marra do look alike, side by side," she said. "If you came from the same Hold before Newfields, could you be related?"

Breda went white.

"You mean, did my father muck with one of the drudges and I've disgraced my family by not looking out for a half sister?" she said, bluntly.

"Breda, if you are my sister, that's about the best way to look at it, and I can consider all the past between us wiped out for it," said Marra.

Breda considered.

"I'm not sure I could ask my father," she said.

"I'll write to my mother," said Marra. "And perhaps as we've come a long way together, we can adopt each other anyway?"

"I … I guess I'd like that," said Breda. "You've been more than decent to me when I started to learn."

"We both learned," shrugged Marra.

It duly turned out that Marra's mother had succumbed to the charms of Breda's father, which as Marra said, at least meant it was not rape, and had been devastated to find out he was married. When Breda's mother died, and they moved to Newfields, Marra's mother had gone along to try to persuade Bredan to marry her, but he had never intended anything but a light flirtation. His attitude had probably led to Breda learning to despise the drudge's daughter.

"Wrongs and foolishness on both sides," Marra sighed, showing Breda the letter.

"He ought to have got her herbs," said Breda, "But I'm glad he didn't. Are we going to fight over who should have done what?"

"No, we just accept that they were both foolish and try not to do anything so daft ourselves," said Marra.

"I love my Da."

"I love my Ma. Doesn't mean they ought to be together though."

Breda heaved a sigh of relief.

"I don't think they'd suit."

"No, and at least your Da was wise enough to recognise that. If he'd married her when he was widowed, you'd have resented her and me more, and they'd have fought."

"Well, we can be friends and sisters," said Breda. "Write to me?"

"I will," said Marra. "I'm glad Ma was honest in the letter."

"Perhaps as she's told it, she can move on."

"I hope so!"

oOo

The building works were coming on apace; though of course they had to stop with the first snow. Master Lynger was confident that the two or three months of spring would be enough to see the work completed!

oOo

With Turnover came promotions to Journeyman and confirmations of apprentices. And the Master was glad to confirm all the new ones this turn; for though some would never be great luminaries of the craft, none were so poor that it made their continued training a waste of time, though Cavan came close. However, the boy had an incentive to buck his ideas up, since two more girls in his class, who came late and still made a better showing than him was an affront to his pride.

Of promotions to Journeyman, Larterel had duly heeded the warnings and was now ready; and with the agreement of the other Masters, he was to Walk the tables. Silger had not pulled himself up enough, and, disappointed, the Master left him. Of the others, the Master proposed a younger boy, Hetel; and there was general agreement!

Jerellan was too young, as were Zayven and Mellsi, who could both do with another turn's maturity, though the Master had considered Zayven most carefully.

On due consideration, the Master decided to make no real changes to the dormitories. Four of the five boys in Lower Bronze were either too young – that was Tirley, Nelon and Sherek – to consider making senior apprentices, or not ready, as in the case of Greggor. Telonas would join the seniors. All of Lower White would become Upper White, with the new intake forming Lower White when the Hall reopened to students. The two new girls, Clareena, and Cavan would receive extra tuition from the new journeymen, to help keep them up with the rest of the class; and if need be, could spend another Turn at the level of Upper White.

It was going, thought the Master, very well!

finis for now. There's another one partly written and for those who follow my Krait stories, part four of year 16 is complete and with my beta. I also plan to follow up Breda at Northfork. And yes, I will be doing the Impression with Vorinia and Josis and co. Life is settling more into a routine, so I hope I may write one fanfic between every 3 or 4 novels that pay the bills. As I hope to turn out 6-8 novels a year that should be two fanfics. That, at least, is the aim. wish me luck and good productivity ...