The White Dragon p-4

by Anne McCaffrey

  It is the day after the evening we left, Ruth announced. I always know when I am, he added with justifiable pride in his ability. Along the left dorsal, a terrible itch. You've left some mud.

  Jaxom could and did use sand on the rest of Ruth's hide and managed to ignore the way it smarted in his own scores. He was dead weary and aching by the time Ruth allowed that he was clean enough for a last plunge in the deeper part of the lake.

  The ripples lapping around his soaked ankles brought Jaxom's memory back to that not so distant day of his rebellion.

  «Well,» he said with a self deprecatory chuckle, «among other things, we did get to fight Thread.» And what a dismal showing they'd made of it with proof patent on their hides.

  We weren't exactly giving our complete attention to Thread, Ruth reminded him with a note of reproach. I know how now. We'll be much better at it next time. I'm faster than any of the big dragons. I can turn on my tail and go between in a single length from the ground.

  Jaxom told Ruth fervently and gratefully that he was without doubt the best, fastest, cleverest beast in all Pern, North and South. Ruth's eyes whirled greenly with pleasure and he paddled to the shore, wings extended to dry.

  You are cold and hungry and sore. My leg hurts. Let's go home.

  Jaxom knew that was the wisest course; he had to get numbweed on Ruth's leg and on his own injuries. But scores they were and undeniably caused by Thread. How in the name of the First Shell was he ever going to explain all of this to Lytol?

  Why explain anything? Ruth asked logically. We only did what we had to do.

  «Think logically, huh?» Jaxom replied with a laugh, and patted Ruth's neck before he wearily pulled himself up. With understandable reluctance and apprehension, he told Ruth to take them home.

  The watchdragon caroled a greeting and a mere half dozen fire lizards, all banded in Hold colors, swarmed up to escort Ruth down to his weyr courtyard.

  One of the drudges came hurrying out of the kitchen entrance, eyes wide with excitement.

  «Lord Jaxom, there's been a Hatching. The queen egg Hatched, it did. You were sent to come but no one could find you.»

  «I had other business. Fetch me some numbweed!»

  «Numbweed?» The drudge's eyes widened further with concern.

  «Numbweed! I'm sunburned.»

  Rather pleased with his resourcefulness considering he was shivering in wet clothes, Jaxom saw Ruth comfortably situated in his weyr, his injured leg propped up.

  It hurt Jaxom to get the tunic over his shoulder because Thread had scored right down the muscle, caught him at the wrist and continued to cut a long furrow down his thigh.

  A timid scratching on the door to the main Hold announced the incredibly speedy return of the drudge. Jaxom opened the door wide enough to get the jug of numbweed, and still keep his Threadscores from the curious eyes.

  «Thanks, and I'll want something hot to eat, too. Soup, klah, whatever's on the fire.»

  Jaxom closed the door, scooped up a bathing sheet which he knotted about his middle as he made his way to Ruth. He slathered a fistful of the numbweed on his dragon's leg and grinned at the sigh of intense relief that Ruth gave as the salve took immediate effect.

  Jaxom gratefully echoed the sentiments as he smeared his own wounds. Blessed, blessed numbweed. Never again would he begrudge his labor in gathering the plaquey, thorny greenery from which this incredible balm was stewed. He peered into his looking glass as he daubed his face cut. It'd leave a finger long scar. No getting around that. Now if he could get around Lytol's wrath…

  «Jaxom!»

  Lytol strode into the room after the most perfunctory knock at the door. «You've missed the Hatching at Benden Weyr and «At the sight of Jaxom, Lytol stopped so quickly in midstride that he rocked back on his heels. Clad only in a bathing sheet, the marks on Jaxom's shoulder and face were quite visible.

  «The egg Hatched all right then? Good,» Jaxom responded, picking up his tunic with a nonchalance he wasn't feeling. «I…» then he stopped, as much because his voice would be muffled in the fabric of his tunic as because he had been about to explain with his customary candor his bizarre night's work. He balked at the task. Ruth perhaps was right they had only done what they had to. It was sort of his and Ruth's private affair. You might even say his actions reflected his unconscious wish to atone for violating Ramoth's Hatching Ground as a boy. He pulled the shirt over his head, wincing as it caught the numbweed on his cheek. «I heard at Benden,» he said then, «that they were worried whether it would Hatch after all the coming and going between.»

  Lytol approached Jaxom slowly, his eyes on the young man's face, begging the question.

  Jaxom settled his tunic, belted it, then smoothed the numbweed into the cut again. He didn't know what to say.

  «Oh, Lytol, would you mind taking a look at Ruth's leg? See if I doctored it right?» Jaxom waited then, facing Lytol calmly. He noticed, with a sadness for the inevitability of this moment of reserve, that Lytol's eyes were dark with emotion. He owed the man so much, never more than at this moment. He wondered that he had ever considered Lytol cold or hard and unfeeling.

  «There's a trick of ducking Thread,» Lytol said quietly, «that you'd better teach Ruth, Lord Jaxom.»

  «If you'd be kind enough to tell me how. Lord Lytol…»

  CHAPTER VII

  Morning at Ruatha Hold, 15'.6.2

  «I CAME TO TELL you that we have guests. Lord Jaxom; Master Robinton, N'ton and Menolly are above, just back from the Hatching. First, let's see to Ruth.»

  «Didn't you go to Benden for the Hatching?» Jaxom asked.

  Lytol shook his head as he walked toward Ruth's weyr. The white dragon was settling in for a well deserved nap. Lytol bowed courteously to him before peering closely at the thickly smeared scorings.

  «You washed first in the lake, I presume.» Lytol's glance took in Jaxom's damp hair. «That water's pure enough, and the numbweed's been applied in good time. We'll check again in a few hours. But I think he's all right.» Lytol's gaze went then to Jaxom's all too obvious scoring.

  «I had no reason to excuse you to our guests.» He sighed. «Be grateful it's N'ton above and not F'lar. I suppose Menolly knew what you were about?»

  «I told no one what I intended. Lord Lytol,» Jaxom said with some formality.

  «At least you've learned discretion.» The Lord Warder hesitated, his eyes sweeping the figure of his ward. «Ah, well, I'd best ask N'ton to take you for weyrling practice safer that way and you'd be with others. Robinton will guess what you've been about, but he'd learn in due course no matter how we evaded. Come then, they'll not give you too hard a time for your clumsiness. Not that you don't deserve more than a ribbing, taking such a chance with yourself and Ruth. And right now, when order is all in pieces anyhow…»

  «I apologize for distressing you. Lord Lytol…»

  The man subjected his charge to another shrewd scrutiny.

  «No distress, Lord Jaxom. Any apologies are on my head. I ought to have realized your need to prove Ruth's abilities. I wish that you were a few Turns older and that matters were in such order that I could let you take Hold «

  «I don't want to take Hold from you. Lord Lytol «

  «I don't think I'd be permitted to step down right now anyway, Jaxom. As you'll hear for yourself. Come, we've kept our guests waiting long enough as it is.»

  N'ton was facing the door of the smaller hall used at Ruatha when guests required privacy for their discussions. The bronze rider took one look at Jaxom's face and groaned. At his reaction. Master Robinton slewed round in his chair, his tired eyes registering surprise and, Jaxom hoped, a certain measure of approval.

  «You're Threadscored, Jaxom,» Menolly cried, and her expression was one of shocked dismay. «How could you take such a risk right now?» She, who had taunted him about thinking, not doing, was now furious with him.

  «I should have known you'd try it, young Jaxom,» N'ton said with a weary sigh, a rueful smile on his
face. «You were bound to break out soon, but your timing is atrocious.»

  Jaxom would have liked to say that, in point of fact, his timing had been faultless, but N'ton went on: «Ruth wasn't hurt, was he?»

  «A single score on thigh and foot,» Lytol replied. «Well doctored.»

  «I do sympathize with your ambition, Jaxom,» Robinton said, unusually solemn, «to fly Ruth with other dragons but I must counsel you to patience.»

  «I'd rather he learned how to fly properly now, Robinton. With my other weyrlings,» N'ton interrupted unexpectedly, winning Jaxom's gratitude. «Particularly if he's mad enough, brave enough, to try it on his own without any guidance.»

  «I doubt we could get Benden to approve,» Robinton said, shaking his head.

  «I approve,» Lytol said in a firm voice, his face set. «I am Lord Jaxom's guardian, not F'lar or Lessa. Let her manage her own concerns. Lord Jaxom is my charge. He can come to little harm with the Fort Weyrlings.» Lytol stared fiercely at Jaxom. «And he will agree not to put his teaching to the test without consulting us. Will you abide by that. Lord Jaxom?»

  Jaxom was relieved enough to know that the Benden Weyrleaders would not be queried so that he agreed to more stringent conditions than he might have. He nodded and was immediately beset by conflicting emotions amusement because everyone had assumed the obvious and annoyance because, having achieved so much more that day, he was now reduced to apprentice level. Yet, his experience at Keroon had demonstrated too sharply how much he still had to learn about fighting Thread if he wished to keep whole his and his dragon's hides.

  N'ton had been peering intently at Jaxom and his frown deepened so that, for one moment, Jaxom wondered if N'ton had somehow guessed what he and Ruth had actually been doing when they were Threadscored. If they ever found out, Jaxom would be twice bound with added restrictions.

  «I think I'll require a further promise from you, Jaxom,» the bronze rider said. «No more timing it. You've been doing far too much of that lately. I can tell from your eyes.»

  Startled, Lytol examined his ward's face more closely.

  «I'm in no danger on Ruth, N'ton,» Jaxom said, relieved at being accused of a lesser transgression. «He always knows when he is.»

  N'ton dismissed that talent impatiently. «Possibly, but the danger lies in the rider's mind an inadvertent time clue that could set both in jeopardy. Coming too close to yourself in subjective time is dangerous. Besides it's draining for both dragon and rider. You don't need to time it, young Jaxom. You'll have time enough for all you need to do.»

  N'ton's words caused Jaxom to recall the inexplicable weakness that had overcome him in the Hatching Ground. Was it possible that at that very moment «I don't think you can have realized, Jaxom,» Robinton began, interrupting Jaxom's thoughts, «just how critical matters are in Pern right now. And you should know.»

  «If you mean about the egg stealing, Master Robinton, and how close it came to dragon attacking dragon, I was in Benden Weyr that morning…»

  «Were you?» Robinton was mildly surprised and shook his head as if he ought not to have forgotten. «Then you can guess at Lessa's temper today. If that egg hadn't hatched properly…»

  «But the egg was returned. Master Robinton.» Jaxom was confused. Why would Lessa still be upset?

  «Yes,» the Harper replied, «apparently not everyone in Southern was blind to the consequences of the theft. But Lessa is not appeased.»

  «An insult was given Benden Weyr, and Ramoth and Lessa,» N'ton said.

  «Dragons can't fight dragons!» Jaxom was appalled. «That's why the egg was returned.» If his risk and Ruth's injury had been futile…

  «Our Lessa is a woman of strong emotions, Jaxom revenge being one of those most highly developed in her. Remember how you came to be Lord here?» Robinton's expression indicated regret for reminding Jaxom of his origin. «I do not belittle the Benden Weyrwoman when I say that. Such perseverance in the face of incredible odds is laudable. But her tenacity over the insult could have a disastrous effect on all Pern. So far, reason has prevailed but currently that balance is shaky indeed.»

  Jaxom nodded, perceiving that he could never admit to his part, relieved that he had not blurted out his adventure to Lytol. No one must ever know that he, Jaxom, had returned the egg. Particularly Lessa. He sent a silent command to Ruth, who drowsily replied that he was too tired to talk to anyone about anything and couldn't he please sleep?

  «Yes,» Jaxom said in reply to Robinton, «I quite understand the need for discretion.»

  «There is another event,» Robinton's mobile face drew into a sorrowful grimace as he sought the proper word, «an event which will shortly compound our problems.» He glanced at N'ton. «D'ram.»

  «I think you're right, Robinton,» the bronze rider said. «He's unlikely to remain Weyrleader if Fanna dies.»

  «If? I'm afraid we must say when. And, according to what Master Oldive told me, the sooner it happens, the kinder it will be.»

  «I didn't know that Fanna was ill,» Jaxom said, and his thoughts leaped ahead to the sorrowful knowledge that Fanna's queen, Mirath, would suicide when her Weyrwoman died. A queen's death would upset every dragon and Lessa and Ramoth!

  Lytol's expression was bleak, as it always was whenever he was reminded of his own dragon's death. Jaxom swallowed the remainder of his pride and dismay about apprenticing as a weyrling; he would never risk injuring Ruth again.

  «Fanna's been declining gradually,» Robinton was saying, «a wasting sickness that nothing seems to halt. Master Oldive is at Ista with her now.»

  «Yes, his fire lizard will summon me when he's ready to leave. I want to be available to D'ram,» N'ton said.

  «Fire lizards, yes, hmmm,» said Robinton. «Another sore subject at Benden Weyr.» He glanced at his bronze, perched contentedly on his shoulder. «I felt naked without Zair at that Hatching. Upon my word!» He stared at his somnolent bronze, then over to N'ton's Tris, drowsy eyed on the rider's arm. «They've calmed down!»

  «Ruth's here,» N'ton said, stroking Tris. «They feel safe with him.»

  «No, that isn't it,» Menolly said, her eyes resting on Jaxom's face. «They were worried even with Ruth. But that wild restlessness is gone. No more visions of the egg!» She peered sideways at her little queen. «I suppose that makes sense. It's Hatched and healthy. Whatever was plaguing them hasn't happened. Or,» she stared at Jaxom suddenly, «or has it?»

  Jaxom affected surprise and confusion.

  «They were worried about the egg hatching, Menolly?» Robinton asked. «Too bad we can't tell Lessa how concerned they've all been. It might help restore them to her good graces.»

  «I think it's high time something was done about fire lizards,» Menolly said severely.

  «My dear girl…» Robinton was surprised.

  «I don't mean ours, Master Robinton. They've proved to be extremely useful. Too many people take them for granted and make no effort to train them.» She gave a peculiar laugh. «As Jaxom can vouch. They congregate wherever Ruth goes till he's driven between by their attentions. Isn't that right, Jaxom?» There was a strange quality about her gaze that puzzled him.

  «I wouldn't say he objects… most of the time, Menolly,» he replied coolly, casually stretching his long legs under the table. «But a fellow likes a little time to himself, you know.»

  Lytol gave a knowing snort which told Jaxom that Brand had had a word with the Warder about Corana.

  «Why? To chew firestone?» N'ton asked, grinning.

  «Was that what you were doing with your… time, Jaxom?» Menolly asked him, her eyes wide, affecting innocent inquiry.

  «You might say so.»

  «Do the fire lizards really present you with problems?» Robinton asked, «in their preference for Ruth's company?»

  «Well, sir,» Jaxom replied, «no matter where we go, every fire lizard in the vicinity pops in to see Ruth. Generally it's no bother because they keep Ruth amused if I'm busy with Hold matters.»

  «They wouldn't b
y any chance have told Ruth why they've been troubled? Or did you know about those images?» Robinton leaned forward, eager to have Jaxom's answer.

  «You mean fire lizards being flamed? The dark nothingness and the egg? Oh yes, they've been driving Ruth frantic with that nonsense,» said Jaxom. He scowled as if annoyed for his friend, and was careful not to look in Menolly's direction. «But that seems to have passed. Perhaps the disturbance was connected with the stolen egg. But it's hatched now and look, they're not the least bit as agitated as they've been, and they're letting Ruth sleep by himself again.»

  «Where were you when the egg was being Hatched?» Menolly pounced on Jaxom so swiftly with her question that Robinton and N'ton regarded her with surprise.

  «Why,» and Jaxom laughed as he touched his scored cheek, «trying to sear Thread!»

  His ready answer threw Menolly into quiet confusion while Robinton, Lytol and N'ton all had another go at him for his foolhardiness. He endured the scolding in good part because it kept Menolly from plaguing him. She'd been suspicious after all. He wished that he could tell her the truth. Of all the people on Pern, she was the only one he could trust now that he knew how infinitely wiser it was to let everyone else believe a Southern dragonrider had returned the egg. He was discontented, though, because it would be a relief, a pleasure, to be able to tell someone what he'd done.

  Food was served them and they kept the discussions to the problem of the fire lizards whether they were more nuisance than valuable until Jaxom pointed out that everyone about the table was converted. What they needed was a way to pacify Lessa and Ramoth.

  «Ramoth will forget her aggravation soon enough,» N'ton said.

  «Lessa won't, although I doubt there'll be that much reason for me to send Zair to Benden Weyr.»