The Master Harper of Pern
Anne Mccaffrey
Pern: a beautiful world colonized by humans, terrorized by the deadly spores called Thread, and defended by magnificent flying dragons. Anne McCaffrey's bestselling tales of this planet have yielded a multitude of unforgettable characters. And now, after years of urging by devoted readers, one of the most popular denizens of Pern takes center stage in a novel that chronicles his extraordinary life.
Along with the dragonriders, perhaps none are so revered on Pern as the harpers, whose songs record history, warn of the coming of Thread, and prepare Pern's people for the future. And no one is more influential than the Masterharper of Pern. The son of renowned composer Petiron and gifted singer Merelan, Robinton is a prodigy from birth and enjoys a special rapport with the telepathic dragons. But it is a time when Thread has not been a threat for centuries, the harpers have fallen into disfavor, and one despotic man is plotting to take over Pern. In this climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own… driven by his belief in music, in the dragons, and in the salvation of his beloved Pern.
Anne McCaffrey
The Master Harper of Pern
Because she is always gracious and supportive, this book is most affectionately dedicated to
Shelly Shapiro and her husband, Tom Hitchins, as well as their daughter Adrianna
Acknowledgments
As usual, I am indebted to a variety of people for their help and input in writing this volume. Not the least of whom is Master Robinton (aka Frederic H. Robinson) who was quite upset that I had ended his life so abruptly. I would suspect it of a tenor, but for a baritone to insist on another encore is almost unheard of. But I have recently been asked – via the impressive Del Rey Website – to explain certain facts which had not previously been brought to light anent Pern pre-Dragon flight history. As Robinton had a fine Pernese hand in most of it, it behoves me to tell the story from his viewpoint.
I would like to thank Dr. Will Chlosta of St Mary's Hospital New Haven for reading over the medical, and sartorial, inclusions.
This time, my gratitude to Marilyn and Harry Alm as first readers is immense since they saved me from several time discrepancies and inconsistencies. Their knowledge of Pern is extensive and better remembered than mine at times. I am also grateful to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for reading two sets of proofs in four days: a true labour of love.
Most of all let me thank Tania Opland and Michael Freeman for their invaluable contribution on the musical side.
When I asked them if they could possibly supply some of Robinton's early compositions, I didn't realize that Tania had always wanted to be Robinton, from the days when we first met in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike has already made up a tune for me, the Dragonlady, so his inclusion was natural.
Finally, let me thank the numerous folk online in January and February whose IDs helped me find character names.
List of Characters
Adessa Lady Holder, Lessa's mother Ruatha Hold
Agust voice trainer Harper Hall
Anta child Benden Hold
Ashmichel ex-Lord Holder Ruatha Hold
Barba bossy child Harper Hall
Bargen 2nd son Faroguy High Reaches Hold
Benoria Lady Holder Fort Hold
Bosler MasterHarper, instrument maker Harper Hall
Bourdon SeaHold captain, Kasia's father Greystones Hold
Brahil 1st son Halibran Ista Hold
Brashia Kasia's mother Greystones Hold
Bravonner half-brother Falloner Benden Weyr
Bristol harper Telgar Hold
Brodo cotholder's son Benden Hold
Brosil 3rd son Halibmn Ista Hold
C'gan – Tagath Weyrsinger Benden Weyr
C'rob – Spakinth bronze rider Benden Weyr
C'vrel – Falarth bronze rider Benden Weyr
Camo son Robinton/Silvina Harper Hall
Carola – Feyrith Weyrwoman Benden Weyr
Carral Rantou's wife Pietie Hold
Chochol hill holder Tillek Hold
Clostan Hold Healer Tillek Hold
Cording spouse Morjella Benden Hold
Creline MasterHarper Harper Hall
Cunos child Harper Hall
Dalma trader Sev's train
Domick composer Harper Hall
Donkin tenor singer Harper Hall
Drevalla child Benden Hold
Dugall spouse Segoina South Boll
Ellic seaman Wave Rider
Emfor assistant guard Harper Hall
Emry suitor Tillek Hold
Erkin boy Nerat border
Evarel MasterHarper Benden Hold
Evelene Lady Holder High Reaches Hold
Evenek tenor singer Harper Hall
Falawny apprentice Harper Hall
Fallamon (F'lar) – Mnementh 1st son Falloner Benden Weyr
Falloner (F'lon) Simanith weyr lad, son S'loner Benden Weyr
Famanoran (F'nor) – Canth 2nd son Falloner Benden Weyr
Fanderal MasterSmith
Farevene 1 st son Faroguy High Reaches Hold
Faroguy Lord Holder High Reaches Hold
Forist Petiron kin Telgar Hold
Furlo MasterMiner Tillek Hold
G'ranad ex-Weyfieader Benden Weyr
Gemma Lady Holder, Fax's spouse High Reaches Hold
Gennell MasterHarper Harper Hall
Germathen healer Nabol
Giffien assassin High Reaches Hold
Ginia MasterHealer Healer Hall
Gorazde WorkMaster Harper Hall
Gorton MasterWineman Bendon Hold
Gostol MasterFishman, Wave Rider Tillek Hold
Grodon 1st yr apprentice Harper Hall
Grogdian Lord Holder Fort Hold
Groghe 3rd son Grogellan Fort Hold
Halanna alto student Ista Hold
Halibran Halanna's father Ista Hold
Hayara Lady Holder Benden Hold
Hayon Ist son Hayara Benden Hold
Idarolan MasterFishman Tillek Hold
Ifor journeyman harper Tillek Hold
Isla cot keeper Harper Hall
Jerint becomes Master Harper Hall
Jesken weyr lad Benden Weyr
Jez beastholder Ruatha Hold
Jonno weyr lad Benden Weyr
Jora – Nemerth Weyrwoman Benden Weyr
Jurana Lady Holder Tillek Hold
K'net – Pianth bronze rider Benden Weyr
Kailey journeyman harper Wide Bay Hold
Kale Lord Holder Ruatha Hold
Kalem journeyman shipbuilder Tillek Hold
Karenchok journeyman harper South Boll
Kasia Juvana's sister Tillek Hold
Kepiru Fax's lad Telgar Gather
Klada shy holder Tillek Hold
Kubisa primary teacher Harper Hall
Kulla hospitable woman Nerat border
Laela woman South Boll Hold
Landon 2nd son Halibran Ista Hold
Larad son Tarathel Telgar Hold
Lama Carola's daughter Benden Weyr
Lear dorm-mate Harper Hall
Lessa Kale's daughter, Weyrwoman Ruatha Hold
Lesseldon Lord Holder Crom
Lexey slow child Harper Hall
Libby Kubisa's daughter Harper Hall
Lissala seawoman Wave Rider
Lobirn MasterHarper High Reaches Hold
Londik treble apprentice Harper Hall
Lorra headwoman Harper Hall
Lotricia Lobirn's spouse High Reaches Hold
Lytonal (L'tol)
– Larth ex-harper, brown rider Benden Weyr
M'odon – Nigarth oldest rider Benden Weyr
M'ridin – Cortath bronze rider Benden Weyr
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Macester guard Telgar Hold
Maidir Lord Holder Benden Hold
Maizella daughter Maidir Benden Hold
Mallan journeyman harper High Reaches Hold
Manora mother Famanoran Benden Weyr
Marcine dancer High Reaches Hold
Marlifin MasterCarver Tillek Hold
Matsen SeaHolder South Boll Hold
Maxilant harper Ista Hold
Melongel Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Merdine (dec.) Kasia's ex-espoused Greystones Hold
Merelan MasterSinger Harper Hall
Meren Station Master Runner Station
Miata teacher Benden Weyr
Milla kitchener Benden Weyr
Minnarden MasterHarper Tillek Hold
Monegal MasterVintner Tillek Hold
Motif weyr lad Benden Weyr
Motjell journeyman harper Fort Hold
Mosse boy Nerat border
Mumolen journeyman harper Tillek Hold
Murphytwen holder High Reaches Hold
Murphytwenone his son High Reaches Hold
Naprila child Benden Hold
Naylor holder Piefie Hold
Neilla student Harper Hall
Nip (aka Kinsale) harper-spy Harper Hall
Ogolly MasterArchivist Harper Hall
Oldive MasterHealer Harper Hall
Oterel son Melongel, becomes
Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Patty uncle Pierie Hold
Pessia spouse Valrol Tillek Hold
Petiron MasterComposer Harper Hall
Pragel weyr lad Benden Weyr
Raid 1st son Maidir Benden Hold
Rangul (R'gul) bronze rider Benden Weyr
Rantou forester South Boll
Rasa child Benden Hold
Relna Lady Holder Crom
Ricardy Master Fort Hold
Robinton MasterHarper Harper Hall
Rochers woodsie
Rulyar (R'yar) – Garanath brown rider ex-Harper Hall
S'bran – Kilminth bronze rider Benden Weyr
S'loner – Chendith Weydeader Benden Weyr
S'tellan – Vickith brown rider Benden Weyr
Saday holder woodcarver Tillek Hold
Saltor head guard Harper Hall
Sangel Lord Holder South Boll
Saretta healer South Boll Hold
Sebell grandson Rantou South Boll
Segoina Merelan's aunt South Boll Hold
Sellel (S'lel) bronze rider Benden Weyr
Sev Ritecamp MasterTrader Runner Station
Shelline dorm-mate Harper Hall
Sheve boy Nerat border
Shonagar journeyman harper ex-Keroon
Sifer Lord Holder Bitra Hold
Silvina Lorra's daughter Harper Hall
Sirde healer Harper Hall
Sitta pert girl High Reaches Hold
Sontie boy Nerat border
Stolla headwoman Benden Weyr Struan (Fort Harper) dorm-mate Harper Hall
Sucho Fort holder Fort Hold
Tarathel Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Targus unfriendly holder Nerat border
Tesner Lord Holder Igen Hold
Tinamon Hold Healer Benden Weyr
Torlin holder Tillek Hold
Tortole Tillek forester Tillek Hold
Trailer student Harper Hall
T'rell Weyrlingmaster Benden Weyr
Triana dancer High Reaches Hold
Valden forest holder Tillek Hold
Valrol holder Tillek Hold
Vendross guard captain Telgar Hold
Vesna Gostol's daughter Northern MaM
Warder (no name) steward Ruatha Hold
Washell Apprentice Master Harper Hall
Winalia Lady Holder Fort Hold
Wonegal MasterVintner Benden Hold
Yorag healer Benden Hold
CHAPTER ONE
"One thing sure," Betrice said wryly as she wrapped the squalling, wriggling baby tightly into the fine cotton sheet his mother had woven for just this moment, "he's got your lungs, Petiron. Here! I've got to make Merelan more comfortable now." The howling baby, his face brick red with his exertions, tiny fists clenched, was deposited into his alarmed father's arms. Jiggling the babe as he had seen other fathers do, Petiron carried him to the window to get a good look at his first-born. He didn't see the looks passing between the midwife and her assistant, nor did he see the younger woman leave quietly to summon a healer. Merelan's bleeding was not tapering off. The midwife suspected that something had been torn: the baby had been breech, and was large-headed as well. She packed ice in towels around Merelan's slim hips. It had been a long labour. Merelan lay limp in the bed, exhausted, her face white and lined. She seemed bloodless, and that worried Betrice more. There was such a risk in a transfusion: despite the similarity in colour, blood differed from person to person. Once, long ago, healers had known how to tell the difference and match the blood. Or so she'd heard. Betrice had suspected that Merelan would have trouble delivering, for she could feel the size of the child in the womb, and so she had asked the Healer Hall to stand by. There was a solution of special salts that in extreme cases could help a patient overcome the loss of blood.
Betrice glanced over to the window and managed a little grin at the father's inexperienced handling. Harper Petiron might be, able to play for hours at a Gather, but he'd a lot to learn about fathering. For that matter, he was lucky enough to have a son at all, considering Merelan had lost three in the early stages of pregnancy. Some women were born to bear many, but Merelan was not one of them.
Merelan's eyes flickered open and then widened with joy as she heard the lusty cries of her newborn.
"There, now, he's here and all the parts in the right place, so you may rest easy, Singer," Betrice said, stroking Merelan's cheek.
"My son..." Merelan whispered, her usually magical voice raspy with exhaustion. Her head turned in the direction of the noise her baby was making, and her fingers twitched on the stained sheet. "Soon, Singer. Let me clean you up..."
"I must hold him..." Merelan's voice was feeble, but her need was fierce.
"Now, you'll have plenty of time to hold him, Merelan," Betrice said, a hint of sternness in her soothing tone. "I promise you that." And hope I'm not lying in my teeth, she added to herself.
Just then Sirtie and the healer arrived. Betrice breathed in relief when she saw Ginia and the bottle of clear liquid she carried which might mean the difference between life and death for the new mother.
"Petiron, take that yowling child of yours and show him off," Ginia said in a peremptory tone, scowling at the nervously jiggling father. "They've all been waiting in the Hall to see him in person, not that anyone doubts he's here with that set of lungs. Off with you!"
Petiron was only too willing to go. He'd been as much help as he could be, rubbing Merelan's back and sponging her sweaty forehead during the long labour, and he desperately needed a drink to soothe his nerves. He'd been so afraid for Merelan towards the end, especially right after the birth when she seemed to shrink into nothing in the bloodied bed. They wouldn't have told him to leave if it weren't all right, he was sure of that! He was also sure that he'd never put merelan in such danger again; he hadn't known just how difficult childbirth was.
"The lungs on him," Ginia said with a mirthless smile as she bent to examine Merelan. "She's torn all right. You can give her some fellis now, Betrice. Sirtie, strap her arm to that splint board. She needs fluid. How I wish we understood more about whole blood transferences. That's what she really needs, with all she seems to have lost. You know how to find a vein with the needle thorn, Sirrie, but if you' have trouble, let me know."
Sirrie nodded and began her ministration, while Ginia did what she could to mend the torn flesh. The baby's protests were still audible despite the distance between this room and the main Hall. "She's fighting the fellis, Ginia," Betrice said anxiously. "What's she saying?"
"She wants her baby." Then Betrice mouthed words that Gin
ia could easily read: "She thinks she's dying."
"Not while I'm here, she isn't," Ginia said vehemently. "Get the babe back. It won't hurt her to have it suckling, and that would help contract the womb. Either way, it'll calm her, and I want her as calm as possible right now."
Betrice went herself and brought back the now outraged infant, grinning broadly at his ferocity and grip on life.
"He'll put right back into her with his own, so he will," she said, smiling as she laid the baby beside Merelan, whose right arm instinctively curled about her child. He found her breast with no help from anyone. And Merelan sighed with relief.
"I swear he's doing the trick," Betrice said, amazed at the sudden flush of colour in the singer's cheeks.
"I've seen stranger things happen," Ginia replied, glancing up.
"There. That's all I can do ... except caution Petiron that she's not to get pregnant again. I doubt she can, but he'll have to restrain himself."
The three women grinned at each other, for the entire Hold knew how devoted the couple were to each other: enough so that thinly disguised love ballads about their adoration circulated Pern.
"With all the talent available on this continent, it isn't as if Petiron had to breed a choir," Ginia said, rising.
Briskly the women changed the bedding for fresh, Merelan barely stirring as they did so, the baby clinging tightly to her. When Ginia and Betrice felt they could leave her safely in Sirrie's care, she was asleep, but looking far less pallid.
"Tell you one thing," Betrice confided in the healer, "she won't be all that pleased having just one baby."
"Then we'll see that she fosters others. It's far better for a child to have siblings than not, especially the way Merelan's going to dote on that boy. Keep that in mind next year. That is, if she continues to pick up strength."
Betrice gave a snort. "She'd better. I've a reputation to keep." "Haven't we all!"
It was Petiron who objected to his spouse fostering the children of others. He found it hard enough to share her with their son, and he didn't believe other fathers and mothers when they informed him that young Robinton – for that was what they had named him, in memory of Merelan's father, Roblyn – was a good child and very undemanding.
"I always thought Petiron a generous man," Betrice told her spouse, MasterHarper Gennell.
"Why have you changed your mind?" Gennell asked with mild surprise.
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