The Skies of Pern

by Anne McCaffrey

  “Really?” Lessa asked.

  “Really,” Wansor said, nodding earnestly in her direction. “If we number dragonriders among the sky-watchers, establishing an observatory—even at such a distant point—will cause no great problem. They can be home daytimes, you see. It’s only the night they need to watch.”

  His cheerful qualification caused several to grin; Palla and Mirrim turned chuckles into coughs.

  “Then that’s one observatory settled,” he went on.

  “But where will there be others?” K’van asked, still smiling as he leaned forward, a keen expression on his sun-tanned face.

  Jaxom cleared his throat. “There’s an excellent spot for an observatory at Ruatha Hold. Near the Ice Lake, accessible enough. I am quite willing to cede it—and the tithes of any holds in the immediate area—to establish a wholly independent Star Hall.”

  Wansor beamed in his direction while others exchanged glances at such generous sponsorship.

  “With all due respect, Lord Jaxom,” J’fery said deferentially, “since Palla has some training already and there is also a possible site not far from our Weyr …”

  “Managing a Weyr takes all my time,” Cosira said, pointedly looking away from Palla.

  Lessa made a disparaging sound and dismissed that inference. “Palla’s younger than either of us, Cosira. Since she’s been Erragon’s apprentice, I don’t think any of us would object if she delegates part of her Weyr duties to the other queen riders.”

  “That’s as may be,” F’lar said, giving both Lessa and Cosira quelling stares.

  “Yes, yes,” Master Wansor said. “Thank you, Lord Jaxom, Weyrleader J’fery, Lady Palla. You will have to refresh and augment your original training. While I may not be able to see anymore, my memory is excellent. Master Samvel at the Landing school has a whole class of young people to whom I already teach basic astronomy. I suspect,” and his opaque eyes appeared to twinkle, “that there may be many older people, aunties and uncles, retired from physically demanding work, like Master Idarolan, who would be delighted to have responsible work to do, even if it is at night. Frankly, I only need a few hours’ sleep,” he added with an ingenuous smile.

  “It would be no problem for me and Tiroth,” D’ram said, “to bring students to Master Wansor. It will take considerable time, especially with the workload that is currently carried by our best people, to build an observatory, so we must make strong representations to the Council to start as soon as possible. In the meantime, the production of binoculars from the Smithcrafthall has been increased—”

  “By over half again as many,” Wansor interrupted with one hand upraised in apology, “since the Fireball.”

  “Has been increased considerably,” D’ram went on gently. “Master Jancis and Piemur assure us of a supply and Master Morilton has professed himself and his Hall willing to experiment with reflecting mirrors for small telescopes.”

  “And, when the dangerous objects are discovered, will dragons be required to push them out of the sky?” G’dened demanded sarcastically.

  Lessa noticed that F’lessan exchanged a quick look with Tai. F’lessan also had a gleam in his eye that had always preceded some mad start of his as a boy.

  “One never knows, G’dened,” Jaxom said, “considering what strange things dragons have done in the past eleven Turns. I repeat, I’m quite willing to site and provide for an observatory in the Ruathan hills.”

  “I’ll undertake to set another at Telgar. Master Fandarel will certainly approve of an efficient watch on the sky,” and J’fery grinned, “and Lord Larad is more open to such projects than other Holders.”

  “It would be wise,” Jaxom said, stressing the last word, “to include as many holders and crafters in this sky watch as possible.”

  “I thought it was to be a dragonrider responsibility,” G’dened said.

  Really, thought Lessa with a disgust she did not express, G’dened must step down. He was so hidebound.

  “We will need everyone who’s willing! Why, we’ll need to train two or more Halls full of people,” and Wansor held out both arms in an expansive gesture. “As Weyrleader K’van remarked, it’s a big sky. And we must discover as many objects as possible. Most will prove harmless when their orbits are charted, like our Turnover Ghost cometary trails. Many may come close but proceed on their ways.”

  “That’s all very well, Master Wansor,” G’dened said, still unconvinced, “but that doesn’t answer the important question: what could we do if another comet or meteor or whatever is close enough to impact Pern again?”

  The silence in the hall was so complete that the incoming waves could be heard rippling up the beach, and the occasional splash of dolphins playing one of their evening games.

  “We’ll think of something,” F’lar said into that silence.

  “What’s the matter with all of you …” F’lessan cried, jumping to his feet.

  Lessa could almost hear the words he had been about to utter: old dragonriders.

  He recovered quickly, almost stumbling over the next words. “We’ve only started exploring the masses of information Aivas left us and somewhere in all that information there will be a way of dealing with them. When Thread first starting falling, our ancestors made do with what they had, and developed what they needed to survive—the dragons. They found ways to adapt that have sheltered and expanded a population that, had they been less resourceful and optimistic, would have perished without a trace in that first Pass. All due respects to you, Erragon, but Aivas had a habit of hiding information so we have to work to find it. Let us make the best of what we have—those telescopes and the brains we were born with.”

  Lessa regarded her son with considerable, if pessimistic, respect. And yet, what he said might well be true. Aivas had talked about weapons of mass destruction and she earnestly hoped that nowhere in those records were such particulars. But if there was hope …

  “We had to learn a great many things to blow the Red Star off course. We still don’t know the half of what there is in Aivas’s records,” F’lessan went on.

  “There’s more than half of that we don’t need to know, F’lessan,” G’dened said, scowling.

  “Quite possibly more than half, G’dened, but, as dragonriders, we are committed to learn as much about our responsibilities of protecting this planet as possible.”

  Giving F’lessan an approving nod, F’lar rose. “The Weyrs will continue to serve. If we propose the sky watch to the Council in the most positive terms, and with complete accord,” he glanced meaningfully at G’dened and the puzzled G’narish, “then, by the first Eggs that hatched here in Landing, we dragonriders will add a new dimension to our future!”

  His fist came down on the table and, eyes brilliant, he stared around, daring anyone to challenge him.

  Now that, Lessa thought with a surge of pride for her weyrmate, was plain speaking! The two new Weyrleaders, so determined to succeed in their new responsibilities, would have followed any strong lead. Between F’lessan and F’lar, they now had one and rose to their feet, cheering. T’gellan’s dejection noticeably lightened and, if Cosira looked confused, at least G’narish seemed revitalized by F’lar’s stirring words.

  “I suppose it’s best to show a united front,” G’dened muttered, reluctantly acquiescing to the majority.

  “Well now, that’s most encouraging, most encouraging,” Wansor said, nodding around. “So, let us summarize our plans. Yoko, Cove Hold, and Honshu will continue their search patterns of near-space; we’ll request the Council to release three of the remaining telescopes; start work on the vitally required one on the Western Continent, another to be sited at Ice Lake—thank you very much, Lord Jaxom. The third at Telgar—if Lord Larad’s goodwill and assistance can be obtained. Good of you, Lady Palla, Lord J’fery, to offer your services. Of course, we shall ask the invaluable cooperation of Master Fandarel. We shall also ask for volunteers—sky-watching will require many eyes as well as many of the dark hours—
and instigate an accelerated training program. I’m sure the Harper Hall will encourage this. And I’ll ask Master Tagetarl to print up one of his notices. The entire planet will know!” He swung his arms wide, his broad smile infectious.

  “I think that does about summarize what the dragonriders will do,” F’lar said. “Now, why don’t we relax and have some wine? We brought some Benden with us for those who might like it.”

  There wasn’t a person in the hall, save perhaps G’dened, who wasn’t quite happy to take a glass. Mirrim bustled out to the kitchen with Talina, Adrea, and Sharra in tow. Tai started to join them but F’lessan held her back, to help him explain the prints to Palla, J’fery, and K’van. Erragon produced old Aivas projections, which showed how much currently unobserved sky would be the responsibility of the Western Continent installation.

  Relieved that this meeting, which she had begun with little hope of any positive support, had ended on such a high note, Lessa felt incredible relief. The Weyrleaders of Pern would take their places at the Council with considerably more confidence and that, in itself, would impress the Lord Holders and Craftmasters. She especially looked forward to announcing the post-Thread occupation for which dragonriders were undeniably suited. She smiled to herself. Sharra brought her a glass of wine and a small dish of savories. She was roused from her private thoughts by G’dened’s testy question to Master Wansor.

  “You mentioned three other dedicated people? Who would they be?”

  “Why, Master Stinar is one, the others are two of my old students from Telgar who are now masters in their own Halls, Tippel in Crom and Murolin in Southern Boll. They have even built their own scopes—reflecting telescopes, only one-hundred-millimeter—but adequate for the sky-watching. It is to Tippel’s everlasting despair that he missed seeing the Fireball; it had been so cold he’d gone in early.” Master Wansor made a comical face of regret. “However, I do have a suggestion for you, Weyrleader G’dened. Have a look at the sky tonight from the Cove Hold telescope.”

  Lessa sat straight up, grinning at G’dened’s sudden confusion.

  “Now, why didn’t one of us think of that?” She stood up. “I should like a chance to see myself. Is it possible, Erragon?” She saw the brief hesitation on the Master’s face. “Or would we be interrupting your search pattern?”

  “All in a good cause, Lady Lessa.” Erragon bowed with sincere courtesy.

  “Who’s there while you’re here?” G’dened wanted to know.

  “Lofton, a capable journeyman,” he replied just as F’lessan came up to Lessa.

  “Tai and I would be glad to demonstrate Honshu’s scope,” F’lessan said, grinning from ear to ear. “I’ve got K’van, Adrea, Palla, and J’fery coming.”

  G’dened and Cosira were the only ones who did not care to go on to view the stars, either at Cove Hold Observatory or Honshu. G’dened did agree that he would find out who among his riders would wish to train themselves for this sky-watch project.

  “You did say, Erragon,” said F’lar, joining Lessa, “that you have more prints we can show to relieve the fears of the Council?”

  “And the majority of the holders and crafters,” K’van murmured, adding so only F’lessan and Tai heard him, “not to mention the dragonriders.”

  It wasn’t until Lessa and F’lar got back to their weyr that she remembered she hadn’t had a chance to speak to Jaxom, who had slipped out with Sharra while others were finishing their wine. She missed a moment with F’lessan, as he, too, left more ostentatiously with the group going to Honshu, so that she didn’t have any time to talk to this green rider of his. She had never seen him so protective of anyone. Tai did not look fragile.

  “She’ll do,” F’lar murmured, once again touching her very thoughts as he slipped an arm about her shoulders and made her comfortable against him in bed.

  Part 4

  NEW DIMENSIONS

  Honshu Weyrhold—2.26–27.31

  After the Cove Hold meeting that Tai had dreaded, she was as exhilarated as F’lessan. He had had to be unusually stern—for him—to get her to attend and only because Erragon had been equally insistent had she reluctantly complied. Then, during the meeting, both men had made so many references to her assistance that she had been embarrassed. When old G’dened had proved intransigent and supercilious, so—so stupid about the dangers, she had had to speak up. Erragon and even Lord Lytol, who often took the opposite side of any argument, had supported her comment. And encouraged her to speak. It had been a high and totally unexpected moment of acceptance for her. Neither Benden Weyrleader had taken exception to or even seemed surprised by F’lessan’s remarks. She had been almost overcome with pride in him. When Mirrim would have marched her off to the kitchen, F’lessan had kept her by his side, to explain to the younger Weyrleaders how they established the scan, set the remote imager for timed exposures, and how to determine the significance of the images and why so many exposures of the night sky were required. Palla seemed almost as overwhelmed by the company she was in as Tai, and the two exchanged sympathetic glances. Palla was the only other young dragonrider who understood the immediate task.

  Then F’lessan issued the invitation for those interested to adjourn to Honshu. And eleven riders and dragons had flown to the weyrhold. That had been the heady part, especially with Mirrim present—showing off the observatory and bringing up images of the minor planets above the horizon. When F’lessan and Tai realized that Palla had remembered a good deal of her apprentice studies, they encouraged her to explain to J’fery, K’van, and T’gellan. Talina listened in the way she had of being of a group but not part of it. Mirrim pretended interest but Tai was aware of her restlessness, so when she offered to find out what there was to eat in the weyrhold, F’lessan told her by all means to find out and serve it up. He snagged Tai by the hand.

  “She knows where everything is—” F’lessan murmured in her ear and paused significantly, “in the kitchen. Let her.”

  Revived by baskets of bread, cheese, fruit, cold river fish, meat, and klah that Mirrim served, the spontaneous first session of Astronomy for Weyrleaders—as F’lessan jokingly called it—went on till well after Rigel had set.

  Having bid farewell to their guests, Tai began to clear the baskets, sweeping the remnants into one while F’lessan put the telescope to bed. She was gathering up the prints when he caught her starting to file them.

  “Just make a neat pile. We need to get some rest tonight, my dear green,” he said, curling his arms about her, pulling her into him and away from the chore. She leaned out of his arms to snag several more prints. “They’ll come to no harm and filing will not only take you ages but you’re tired enough to make mistakes.” He kissed her neck. “You take the litter down with Zaranth. I’ll close the roof and meet you downstairs.”

  “You walked up, I’ll go down,” she said firmly.

  “No, I will. It’s easier going down, and that way you’ll have enough time to put the kitchen to rights after Mirrim’s been messing in it and then we’ll both take a quick swim in the river which I suddenly feel the urge to do.”

  F’lessan knew exactly how to manipulate her, Tai thought as she climbed the ladder to the roof and took the baskets that F’lessan handed up to her, grinning with his success. She heard the machinery that closed the roof begin to whir as she mounted Zaranth. Golanth’s eyes blinked greenly at her.

  I come with you, he said and dropped off the knob of stone he’d been perched on.

  She left the two dragons on the terrace and made for the kitchen. All the lights were on and most of the cupboards left half ajar. There was rather more of a mess to clear up than she’d’ve thought. Had Mirrim done this on purpose? No, Talina had been with her; Talina might be indolent but she wasn’t spiteful. Mirrim still didn’t believe her about the pelts. Although Golanth had now managed, with just a little control from Zaranth, to alter the direction of trundlebugs only as much as was actually required, that had been as much experimentation as they had had time
for. Images had had to be selected and prepared for the Weyrleaders’ meeting and that had taken all their spare time. Well, almost all their spare time. Tai blushed as she cleared and wiped the worktops and decided that there weren’t really that many dishes that needed more than a quick rinse. There was enough redfruit to make a pitcher of juice and she suspected that F’lessan would be thirsty. Any more klah and they’d never get to sleep. Maybe she wouldn’t rest anyway, with so much of that meeting to review; vivid scenes in her mind. F’lessan would probably want to talk, and he always insisted that she have opinions and share them with him.

  He looked tired when he finally got to the kitchen but his eyes lit up at the sight of the pitcher of juice. He had towels and two blankets over his shoulder, and clean clothes—for both of them—neatly folded over his left arm.

  “How did you know I’d be dry as a bone, my dear green?” He poured juice into the two glasses.

  She pointed to what he was carrying.

  “Golanth has informed me that he now needs to wash the brine of Cove Hold off him and so does Zaranth, only she thinks we should all go to sleep. So I thought, if we went down to the river, they could get a good wash and we could watch the stars for what remains of the night. I really,” and somehow he managed to stretch both arms out in a very dramatic gesture, “feel too elated to be cooped up! Drink!”

  She did, laughing between swallows, because F’lessan in this mood was not easy to gainsay. And she did feel that she’d knocked down a few private walls tonight. So much had happened. So incredibly much. She’d been part of a special Weyrleader meeting, had spoken up and given information, shown examples of star images she herself had taken on the Honshu scope, and received commendatory glances from Erragon, Lytol, F’lar, and even Lessa. She felt for the first time that she was really a dragonrider, not just a green rider!

  They finished the juice, mounted their dragons—F’lessan tossed over her clothes and a towel—and glided down from Honshu’s heights to the river below the terraces. The pool was wide enough for several dragons to bathe in. It was deep on the Honshu side, where thick underbrush buried roots into cracked rocks, but the other side slanted up to a wide path packed down by centuries of herdbeasts watering there. Three wide terraces stepped up from the watering place before vegetation had found sufficient soil to nourish it. Many Monacan dragons had sunned here after the Flood. From the uppermost level, they could have seen the slate roofs of the cluster of holds. But daybreak was several hours away.