B'ton yawned and stretched, strolling into the Lower Cavarens. He could have called down for some breakfast, but Jurille looked so peaceful, sleeping in his bed, that he slipped out and made for the kitchen barefoot. The Weyr was sleeping in, and good thing too, the first Thread of the spring would fall at dawn the next morning, and he wanted his Wings fresh.
"Weyrleader?" B'ton looked up as a short man with sandy blond hair and a brown fire lizard on his shoulder stood, and approached. It took B'ton a moment to see the harper's knot, slightly obscured by the brown's tail as it turned around on his shoulder to get a better look at the approaching Weyrleader.
"Yes, Harper...?" He asked curiously, unable to place his face.
"Bukset, Weyrleader." Bukset's smiles was faintly chagrined, as he reached into his belt pouch for his letter of introduction.
"Ah, yes, the Masterharper mentioned you. And please, B'ton is fine." The bronzerider smiled, and indicated the table the harper had been sitting at with a tilt of his head. "Don't let me interrupt your meal."
"Join me then?" Bukset suggested and both men returned to the table where a woman with a journeyman's knot stood waiting. One of the women by the ovens brought over a small fresh loaf of bread for him and a jar of jam.
"Klah, please." B'ton smiled at the woman and she nodded, as the two harpers sat.
"This is Maulul," Bukset introduced the journeywoman, and B'ton nodded pleasantly, ripping the still warm loaf in half.
"So what can I do for you?" B'ton asked, setting his loaf aside to cool.
"It's more what we can do for you. The Masterharper has asked me to show you the map of where we know Redell has been, and to remind you that J'kil is one who flew him to exile." Bukset explained, laying out a map on table. B'ton slid the map over to him, noting new marks on the map. "He was in Ruatha? I thought he was using his firelizard for directions."
"He still is. Our spy, before we lost contact with her, indicated that a new power had moved into the ranks of the minor Holds, and had two queen firelizards, one of which he would send with an emissary to disgruntled Holders." Maulul informed him, allowing Bukset to return to his cereal.
"You're missing a spy?" B'ton asked, looking troubled.
"We are missing five spies." Bukset sighed, as his firelizard scanned the area. Sopra is making sure no one is listening in. Wubath informed him helpfully from his sunny ledge. For all the good it will do him. B'ton, thought fiddling with his bread absently. "How long have they been missing?"
The Harpers shared a glance.
"Glanees has been missing the longest. Almost, what, four Turns? Everyone sent to find her ends up dead, or disappeared." Maulul replied.
"The Masterharper has actually forbidden others to go looking for her. Given Redell's proclivity for killing, I think it's safe to assume she's dead." Bukset added, finishing his bowl. "I know he has asked us to keep an eye out for any sign of her, but not to go looking."
"He doesn't want to lose any more of you. I understand that." B'ton offered. The Harpers nodded glumly. "So which are the newest areas he's been sighted?" The bronzerider asked, prodding the conversation back into directions that suggested action.
Galnees laid tangled up in Redell's arms, their bodies slowly cooling from the most recent round of love making. Redell was almost asleep, but not quite, when a knock came.
"Allow me, my lord." She murmured, slipping free from him as he protested weakly. "Keep the bed warm, and I swear I will return to you shortly." In the dark she grabbed the first tunic she found, Redell's she realized, when it feel unusually long around her calves. She opened the door just enough to peek out.
"Yes?"
"Message for you, Lady Glanees. From the Huntress." One of Redell's accountants offered her a folded sheet of vellum, the wax seal holding the impression of a wher talon.
"Thank you." She took the letter and shut the door, going over to a basket of glows.
"Should I be jealous of a mysterious admirer?" Redell asked with quiet dignity from the sleeping furs. Glanees glanced up at him, and realized it was a joke.
"Humor, my Lord?" But she grinned back at him and he almost smiled in return. Her smile vanished though, reading the letter.
"The Huntress writes to warn you that the WherQueen handler has joined forces with the Weyrs. The Masterharper sent his pet journeyman to learn from her the art of wherhunting." She said, returning to his side.
"His pet journeyman? I thought that was you, Harper Glanees." In the darkness, Redell caressed her cheek.
"No, I was his best, not his pet. Bukset was getting ready to walk tables when I was assigned to find you." She put the letter aside, and pulled the tunic off over her head. Redell's hands wandered lower.
"He was a fool not to see the value in you." He murmured, his breath hot on her ear, as she melted into him. He loved touching her, something he rarely did in public, but indulged in every chance he had, when they were alone. Her breath hitched as his fingers grazed tender nipples, her breasts already beginning to swell along with her belly.
"He seeks to draw a net around you, and knows your name. Be careful, my lord, I want you alive long after we finish our revenge."
"His net will find only smoke. I have the greatest asset in all of Pern with you and the whers." Redell promised, and pulled her in for a kiss.
Kestket had rather thought he could have gotten a better trade for his runners if he had held out more, but he was more than pleased with the solid black runner and a month's worth supplies. The tack for the runner was on the lower end quality-wise, but he figured he could barter for better workmanship at the next Gather he attended.
Jentka's hands fluttered and Slarjent watched him for a moment, then glanced at Kestket. "I'll have to ask." He told his son, then glanced at Kestket. "Serrin, do you have a set schedule?" Kestket shook his head. "No. Why?"
"We are heading south-east, to collect marsh wherries. If you have no pressing needs, would you like to travel with us?" Slarjent offered. Kestket raised an eyebrow, then glanced at his runner. "You are thinking of using Blackie as a pack beast?'' He grinned. Slarjent shrugged slightly, but smiled in return. "It had occurred to us, yes."
"I see no reason why not." Kestket nodded, and Jentka clapped his hands in glee. Kestket thanked the herdman he traded beasts with, and together the three of them followed the downward path.