Robinton thought briefly about the possibility that D'ram had realized this and deliberately removed himself and Tiroth from easy access. But D'ram would serve Pern, and dragonfolk at any time.
"He perhaps needs time to recover from his grief,
F'lar."
"He was worn out with tending Famia. You know that. He could also be sick and who would be there to help? We're both worried."
"I hesitate to suggest this, but has Brekke tried with the fire-lizards? Hers as well as those at Ista
Weyr."
A grin tugged at the worried line of F'lar's mouth. "Oh, yes. She insisted. No luck. The fire-lizards need a direction to go between time just like dragons."
"I didn't exactly mean sending them. I mean, ask- ing them to remember a lone bronze dragon."
"Asking those creatures to remember?" F'lar laughed with incredulity.
"I'm serious, F'lar. They have good memories which can be triggered. For instance, how could the fire-lizards have known that the Red Star..." He was interrupted by a squeal of protest from Zair, who launched himself so quickly from Robinton's shoulder that he scratched the Harper's neck. "I will mention it in his presence!" Robinton said, ruefully patting the scratch. "My point is, F'lar, that the fire-lizards all knew that the Red Star was dangerous and could not be reached before F'nor and Canth tried to go there. If you can get a fire-lizard to make any sense when you mention the Red Star, they say they remember being afraid of it. They? Or their ancestors when our ancestors first attempted to go to it?"
F'lar gave the Masterharper a long searching stare.
"That isn't the first memory of theirs that has proved to be accurate," Robinton went on. "Master Andemon believes that it's entirely possible that these creatures can remember unusual events that one of their number has witnessed or felt. Instinct plays a part with all animals—why not in their mem- ories, too?"
"I'm not sure I see how you intend to get this— this fire-lizard memory to work in helping to find D'ram, whenever he's got to."
"Simple. Ask them to remember seeing a lone dragon. That would be unusual enough to be noted... and remembered."
F'lar was not convinced it would work.
"Oh, I think so if we ask Ruth to ask them."
"Ruth?"
"When every fire-lizard was scared to death of the other dragons, they beleaguered Ruth. Jaxom's told me that they talk with his white wherever they are. With so many, there's bound to be one that might remember what we want to know."
"If I could relieve Lessa's fears, I'd even forget my antipathy to those nuisances."
"I trust you'll remember that statement." Robin- ton grinned to soften the remark.
"Will you come with me to Ruatha Hold?"
In that moment, Robinton remembered Jaxom's Threadscoring. Of course, it would be long healed. But he couldn't remember if N'ton had ever dis- cussed Jaxom's training with Benden Weyr.
"Shouldn't we find out if Jaxom's at the Hold?"
"Why wouldn't he be?" F'lar asked, frowning.
"Because he's often about the Hold, learning the land, or at Fandarel's with the other young people."
"A point." F'lar looked away from the Harper, out the window, his eyes unfocused. "No, Mnementh says Ruth's at the Hold. See, I have my own message sender," F'lar added with a grin.
Robinton hoped that Ruth would think to tell Jaxom that Mnementh had bespoken him. He wished that he'd had time to send Zair with a message to Ruatha but he had no excuse and certainly no wish to jeopardize this gesture of F'lar's.
"More reliable than mine and farther reaching than Fandarel's little wire." Robinton donned the thick wherhide jacket and helmet he used when fly- ing. "Speaking of Fandarel, he's got his lines as far as Crom's mines, you know." He gestured F'lar to precede him out of the room.
"Yes, I know. That's another reason to locate D'ram." "It is?"
F'lar laughed at the Harper's bland question, a laugh that held no constraint so that Robinton sin- cerely hoped that this visit mended their relationship.
"Hasn't Nicat been at you, too, Robinton? Togo south to those mines?"
"The ones Tone's been trading from?"
"I thought you'd know."
"Yes, I know that Nicat's worried about mining. The ores are getting very poor. Fandarel's a good sight more worried than Nicat. He needs the better quality metals."
"Once we allow the Crafts into the South, the Lord Holders will press for entry..." F'lar instinctively lowered his voice though the courtyard they were crossing was empty.
"The Southern Continent is large enough to take all of Northern Pern and rattle it. Why, we've only touched the fringes of it, F'lar. Great Shells and Shards!" Robinton slapped his forehead. "Talk about fire-lizards and associative memories. That's it! That's where D'ram has gone."
"Where?"
"At least I think that's where he might have gone."
"Speak, man. Where?"
"The problem is still when, I fancy. And Ruth is still our key."
They had only several dragonlengths to go before they reached Mnementh in the meadow. Zair flut- tered above Robinton's head, chittering anxiously well away from the bronze dragon. He refused to alight on Robinton's shoulder, though the Harper ges- tured for him to land.
"I'm going to Ruatha to the white dragon, to Ruth. Join us there, then, you silly creature, if you won't ride on my shoulder."
"Mnementh doesn't mind Zair," F'lar said.
"It's still the other way round, I'm afraid," Robin- ton said.
A hint of anger danced in the bronze rider's eyes. "No dragon flamed a fire-lizard."
"Not here, Weyrleader, not here. But all of them remember seeing it happen. And fire-lizards can only tell what they or one of them have actually seen."
"Then let's get to Ruatha and see if one of them has seen D'ram."
So the fire-lizards were still tender subjects, thought Robinton sadly as he climbed up Mnementh's shoul- der to sit behind F'lar. He wished that Zair had not been so wary of Mnementh.
Jaxom and Lytol stood on the Hold steps as Mnementh bugled his name to the watchdragon and circled to land in the huge courtyard. As the two vis- itors were being greeted, Robinton scanned Jaxom's face to see if the Threadscore was obvious. He couldn't see a trace of it and wondered if he was ex- amining the right cheek. He could only hope that Ruth had healed as well. Of course, F'lar was so in- volved with this business of D'ram he wouldn't be looking for scoring on Ruth or Jaxom.
"Ruth said Mnementh inquired for him, F'lar," Jaxom said. "I trust nothing is wrong?"
"Ruth may be able to help us find D'ram."
"Find D'ram? He hasn't..." Jaxom paused, look- ing anxiously at Lytol, who was frowning and shaking his head.
"No, but he has timed it somewhen," Robinton said. "I thought perhaps if Ruth asked the fire-lizards, they might tell him."
Jaxom stared at the Harper, who wondered why the lad looked so stunned and, curiously, scared. Robinton did not miss the quick flick of Jaxom's eyes toward F'lar nor the convulsive swallowing.
"I remembered hearing you comment that fire- lizards often tell Ruth things," Robinton went on in a casual manner, giving Jaxom time to recover his com- posure. Whatever was bothering the boy?
"Where? Possibly. But when. Master Robinton?"
"I've a hunch I know where D'ram went. Would that help?"
"I'm not sure I understand," Lytol said, looking from one to the other. "What's this all about?" Lytol had been guiding the visitors into the Hold and to- ward the small private room. Wine and cups had been set on the table, together with cheese, bread and fruits.
"Well," Robinton said, eyeing the wineskin, "I'll explain..."
"And you'll be dry, I'm sure," Jaxom said, as he strode to the table to pour. "It's Benden wine, Master Robinton. Only the best for our distinguished visitors."
"The lad's growing up, Lytol," F'lar said, taking the cup and raising it approvingly toward Lytol.
"The lad has grown up," Lytol said
in a half-growl. "Now, about those fire-lizards..."
Zair appeared midair, squealed and swooped to Robinton's shoulder, wrapping his tail tightly about the Harper's neck and cluttering in a nervous tone as he reassured himself that Robinton had taken no harm riding the biggest one.
"Pardon me," Robinton said, and soothed Zair to silence. Then he explained to Lytol his theory that fire-lizards shared a vast pool of common knowledge which would explain their fear of—he cleared his throat and pointed east to spare them all his bronze's antics. Fire-lizards were able to communicate strong emotions as evidenced by Brekke's call to Canth that fateful night. They had had this fright about the queen's egg and all had been in a high state'of turmoil until the egg had Hatched properly. They seemed to remember seeing it near a black nothingness, and they seemed to remember being flamed. Jaxom had told him on several occasions that the fire-lizards regaled Ruth with incredible things they said they'd remem- bered seeing. If this curious talent of theirs was not the sun-dreams of silly creatures—he had to placate an outraged Zair—then here was a case in which it could be proved, with Ruth's cooperation. D'ram had apparently gone off on his own, to a time when
Ramoth could not reach the mind of his dragon. It was upsetting Ramoth and Lessa, who were worried that D'ram might be in physical distress. Despite his resignation as Weyrleader, Pern still had a need of and a place for D'ram and certainly did not wish to lose contact with him.
"Now," Robinton went on, "there have been occa- sions in recent Turns..." He cleared his throat, glanced toward F'lar for permission and received the nod. "... occasions when I have ventured South. On one such instance, Menolly and I were blown off course, far to the east where we came to rest in a beautiful cove, white-sanded, with red fruit trees abounding; the waters of the cove teemed with yel- lowtail and white fingerfish. The sun was warm and the waters of a stream just inland was sweet as wine." He looked into his cup wistfully. With a laugh, Jaxom refilled it. "I told D'ram of it, I've forgotten why now. I'm reasonably certain I described it well enough for a dragon of Tiroth's abilities to find his way there."
"D'ram would not wish to cause complications here," Lytol said slowly. "He'd have gone to a time when the Oldtimers were not in the South. A jump back of ten-twelve Turns wouldn't overtax Tiroth."
"A point, Robinton, that might complicate mat- ters," F'lar said. "If these creatures can remember significant events that happened to their predecessors" —and F'lar was patently skeptical—"then none of the fire-lizards here could possibly have any recollec- tions for our purpose. No ancestors from the area." He indicated Zair. "He's from that clutch Menolly brought up from below Half-Circle Sea Hold, isn't be?"
''Fire-lizards from all over converge on Ruth," Robinton said, looking to the young Lord for corrob- oration.
"P'lar has made a good point," Jaxom said.
"Not if you go to that cove, Jaxom. I'm sure the fatal fascination fire-lizards all have for Ruth will op- erate even there."
"You want me to go to the Southern Continent?"
Robinton noted the incredulity and sudden start of intense interest in Jaxom's eyes. So, the boy had dis- covered that flying a fire-breathing dragon was not enough to keep him content with his life.
"I don't want anyone to go South," F'lar replied, "since that... is a breach of our agreement, but I can't see any other way of locating D'ram."
"The cove is a long way from the Southern Weyr," Robinton said gently, "and we know the Oldtimers don't venture far from it."
"They ventured far enough from it a little while ( ago, didn't they?" F'lar asked with considerable heat | in his voice and an angry shine in his amber eyes.
Wearily Robinton saw that the breach between Harper Hall and Benden Weyr was only thinly healed.
"Lord Lytol," the Benden Weyrleader continued, "I am remiss. May we have your permission to recruit Jaxom to this search?"
Lytol shook his head and gestured toward Jaxom. "It is entirely up to Lord Jaxom."
Robinton could see F'lar digesting the implications of that referral, and he gave Jaxom a long keen look. Then he smiled. "And your answer. Lord Jaxom?"
With commendable poise, Robinton thought, the young man inclined his head. "I'm flattered to be asked to assist, Weyrleader."
"You don't happen to have any maps of the South- ern Continent in this Hold, do you?" asked F'lar.
"As a matter of fact, I do." Then Jaxom added a hasty explanation. "Fandarel gave us several sessions of chartmaking at his Hall."
The charts were, however, incomplete. F'lar recog- nized them as copies of F'nor's original explorations of the Southern Continent when the Benden wing- second had taken Ramoth's first clutch back ten Turns to mature before Thread would fall again—an under- taking marked by partial success.
"I have more comprehensive maps of the coast- line," Robinton said casually and scribbled a note to Menolly which he attached to the clasp on Zair's collar. He sent the little bronze back to the Harper Hold with an entreaty not to forget his errand.
"And he'll bring the charts back directly?" F'lar asked, skeptical and somewhat contemptuous. "Brekke and F'nor keep trying to convince me of their useful- ness, too."
"I suspect with something as important as the charts, Menolly will wheedle the watchdragon into bringing her." Robinton sighed, wishing he'd thought to insist she return the charts by fire-lizard. No oppor- tunity should be wasted.
"How much timing it have you done, Jaxom?" F'lar asked suddenly.
A flush suffused Jaxom's face. With a start, Robin- ton saw the thin line of scar white against the red- dened cheek. Luckily that side of Jaxom's face was turned away from the Weyrleader.
"Well, sir..."
"Come, lad, I don't know any young dragonrider who hasn't used the trick to be on time. What I want to establish is how accurate Ruth's time sense is. Some dragons don't have any at all."
"Ruth always knows when he is," Jaxom replied with quick pride. "I'd say he has the best time mem- ory on Pern."
F'lar considered that for a long moment. "Have you ever tried any long jumps?"
Jaxom nodded slowly, his eyes flicking to Lytol whose face remained impassive.
"No wavering of the leap? No unduly long stay between?"
"No, sir. It's easy to be accurate anyhow if you jump at night."
"I'm not sure I follow that reasoning."
"Those star equations that Wansor worked out. I think you were at that session in the Smithcraft- hall..." The young man's voice trailed off un- certainly until F'lar caught his drift and looked his surprise. "If you work out the position of the domi- nant stars in the skies, you can position yourself most accurately."
"If you jump at night," the Masterharper added, never having thought to put that use to Wansor's equations,
"Never occurred to me to do that," F'lar said.
"There is a precedent," Robinton remarked, grin- ning, "in your own Weyr, F'lar."
"Lessa used the stars from the tapestry to go back for the Oldtimers, didn't she?" Jaxom had clearly for- gotten that, and also, to judge by the sudden comic dismay on his face, forgotten that his reference to the Oldtimers was not adroit.
"We can't ignore them, can we?" the Weyrleader said with more tolerance than Robinton had antici- pated. "Well, they exist and can't be ignored. To the present problem, Robinton. How long is it likely to take your fire-lizard?"
Just outside the Hold window a multivoiced squab- bling arose, so obviously that of fire-lizards that they all hurried to the window.
"Menolly did it," Robinton said in an undertone to Jaxom. "They're here, F'lar."
"Who? Menolly with the watchdragon?"
"No, sir," Jaxom said, his voice triumphant, "Zair, and Menolly's queen and her three bronzes. They've all got charts strapped to their backs."
Zair flew in, cluttering in a combination of anger concern and confusion. Menolly's four followed. The little queen. Beauty, started scolding all of them as she circled about the room. Robinton easily lure
d Zair to his arm. But Beauty kept her bronzes in cir- culation, out of reach, while F'lar, grinning sardoni- cally, and Lytol, expressionless, watched the attempts of Robinton and Jaxom to land the other four fire- lizards.
"Ruth, would you tell Beauty to behave and come to my arm?" Jaxom cried as his futile attempts to coax the little queen began to assume ludicrous pro- portions in front of someone he was trying to impress.
Beauty let out a startled squawk but immediately came to rest on the table. She scolded Jaxom furiously as he undid the chart. She kept up her monologue as the bronzes timidly landed, not quite furling their wings, to have their burdens removed. Once free of their encumbrances, the bronzes retreated out the window. Beauty gave everyone in the room one final raucous harangue and then, with a flick of her tail, disappeared from sight. Zair let out one sort of apolo- getic cheep and hid his face in Robinton's hair.
Anne McCaffrey - Pern06 White Dragon Page 18