amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第16章

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til　F'lessan　saw　the　swimmer：　a　black　spot　in　the　sea。
　　Swimming　is　good　for　aches；　Golanth　remarked。
　　〃Quite　likely；〃　F'lessan　replied　with　uncharacteristic　sarcasm。
　　The　swimmer　was　Tai。　She　seemed　to　be　treading　water　as　they　overflew　her。　
　　〃e　in！〃　F'lessan　yelled　through　cupped　hands。　Then　he　pointed　to　the　shore。
　　Craning　his　neck　backward；　he　saw　that　dolphins　acpanied　her。　Well；　maybe　she　wasn't　being　so　reckless；　then。
　　Yes；　she　swims　with　Natua　and　her　new　calf。
　　Were　you　listening　then；　last　night？　He　never　knew　when　Golanth　was。　Last　night　seemed　a　very　long　time　ago。
　　I　like　dolphins。　Flo　is　with　them。　And　here　e　others　from　the　pod。
　　Close　to　land　now；　F'lessan　could　see　Zaranth　sitting　upright　on　the　shore；　watching　her　rider。　Golanth　landed；　dipping　his　head　politely　to　the　big　green　and　managing　deftly　not　to　churn　sand　onto　her。　Draped　on　Zaranth's　neck　ridge　were　a　towel；　a　shirt；　and　shorts。　F'lessan　slipped　off　Golanth's　back　and　took　a　moment　to　shuck　off　his　flying　gear；　wishing　he　could　strip　and　swim。
　　You　could；　you　know。
　　Golanth！　F'lessan　should　have　grown　accustomed　to　his　dragon's　teasing。
　　Then　he　saw　Tai　limping　out　of　the　water　and；　grabbing　the　towel　from　Zaranth's　back；　he　jogged　down　to　the　edge　of　the　sea。　Only　because　he　knew　that　his　flying　boots　would　take　a　long　time　to　dry　did　he　resist　the　impulse　to　continue　into　the　water。　Her　body；　legs；　and　arms　were　covered　by　bruises。　Persellan　had　done　a　neat　repair　of　the　gash　on　her　right　cheekbone。
　　〃What's　wrong；　F'lessan？〃　she　asked　anxiously；　splashing　the　rest　of　the　way。
　　〃What　are　you　doing？〃　he　demanded；　looking　but　not　looking…as　was　polite…at　her　long　lean　figure　and　her　long；　lovely　legs。
　　〃Admiring　Natua's　calf；〃　she　answered　tartly；　taking　the　towel　from　his　hand　and　wrapping　it　about　her。　〃There　he　is。〃　She　pointed　to　the　dolphin　heads；　large　and　small；　bobbing　as　they　watched　her　safely　landed。　〃Salt　water's　good　for　wounds；　you　know。〃
　　〃And　washed　off　all　the　numbweed。〃　He　reached　for　his　belt　pouch。　He　had　seen　her　wince　when　the　towel　rubbed　against　one　of　the　contusions。
　　〃I　brought　some　with　me；〃　she　said；　pointing　to　her　clothes。
　　〃And　I　suppose　Zaranth　can　apply　it？〃　He　gestured　to　the　bruises　running　down　her　back。
　　〃Why　are　you　angry　with　me？〃
　　F'lessan　let　his　breath　go　out　in　one　exasperated　sigh　and　glanced　around　him；　looking　for　a　good　answer。　Even　the　right　one。
　　〃I'm　sorry。　I　was　worried。〃
　　She　gave　him　a　little　smile。　〃Thank　you。　Zaranth　was　doing　all　the　worrying　I　needed。〃　She　shot　a　fond　glance　at　her　green　dragon；　who　had　been　joined　by　Golanth；　sitting　beside　her　in　much　the　same　pose；　an　arm's　length　taller　at　the　shoulder。　〃How　bad　was　it　at　the　Healer　Hall？〃
　　F'lessan　blinked；　time…disoriented。　Landing　was　half　a　day　ahead　of　Fort。
　　〃Give　me　your　numbweed　and　I'll　apply　it　while　I　tell　you。〃
　　He　did　tell　her…in　perhaps　more　detail　than　was　possibly　discreet；　but　she　was　a　rider；　already　involved；　and　deserved　to　know。
　　On　her　part；　Tai　was　grateful　that　he　could　spread　on　more　salve。　The　salty　water　had　stung　the　cheek　cut　and　the　scrapes；　although　it　had　been　good　for　the　bruises。　The　solicitude　of　the　dolphins　had　been　another　balm。　When　dolphins　went　to　the　aid　of　humans　in　the　sea；　they　didn't　stop　to　consider　the　consequences：　they　acted。　Everyone　else　had　lectured　her　on　how　foolish　she　had　been　to　burst　in　on　the　vandals。　She　didn't　bother　to　justify　her　actions。　Of　course；　she　hadn't　had　any　reason　to　suspect　what　she'd　found：　men　swinging　hammers　and　crowbars　with　such　fervent　expressions　of　enjoyment　on　their　faces　that　at　first　she'd　thought　they'd　gone　mad。　She　had　wrestled　a　bar　from　one　man's　grasp；　her　interference　confusing　him　enough　to　loosen　his　grip。　She　poked　him　hard　in　the　groin　and　then；　once　he'd　dropped　to　his　knees；　she　started　swinging　the　bar　indiscriminately　around　her。　She'd　been　so　furious　that　she　really　hadn't　thought　of　the　danger　to　herself。　The　very　idea　of　someone　destroying　healer　remedies…some　of　which　might　be　needed　before　the　night　was　over…had　given　her　a　strength；　and　an　agility；　she　hadn't　known　she　had。　But　what　would　have　happened　to　her　if　that　vandal　had　managed　to　plete　the　swing　of　his　hammer？　She　flinched；　remembering　how　close　it　had　e。
　　〃Didn't　mean　to　be　so　heavy…handed；〃　F'lessan　said　in　quick　apology。　〃I'm　nearly　finished。〃
　　〃Not　your　touch；　F'lessan；〃　she　replied。　〃It's　the　thought　that　there　are　still　Abominators；　causing　willful　damage　for　some　perverted　reason。　You'd　think　that　a　healer　hall　would　be　the　last　place　to　be　attacked！　For　any　reason！〃
　　He　screwed　on　the　cap　of　the　numbweed　jar　with　an　angry　twist；　and　then　stared　out　across　the　sea；　turning　his　head　northeast；　in　the　general　direction　of　the　islands　where　the　first　Abominators　had　been　exiled　after　the　abduction　of　Master　Robinton。
　　〃There's　no　chance；　is　there；〃　she　asked；　following　his　gaze　and　dreading　the　answer；　〃that　they've　been　rescued　and　are　responsible　for　these　new　attacks？〃
　　F'lessan　shook　his　head；　rolling　up　the　sleeves　of　his　rumpled　Gather　shirt。　The　sun　wasn't　up　very　high　yet；　but　even　here　by　the　sea；　the　air　was　getting　warm　with　the　new　day。
　　〃I　suspect　riders　will　investigate。　Do　you　know　if　T'gellan　learned　anything？〃
　　Tai　shook　her　head；　her　lips　twitching　in　amusement。　〃Green　riders　are　the　last　to　hear。　Besides；　Persellan　sent　me　to　my　weyr。　I　went；　but　I　couldn't　get　fortable。〃
　　〃Hmmm。　That's　understandable；　considering　the　number　of　bruises　I　just　tended。　Have　you　fellis　to　take？〃　He　had　returned　her　numbweed　jar　and　now　fumbled　in　his　pouch。
　　〃Yes；　I　do；〃　she　replied　and　rose　to　her　feet。　〃I　help　Persellan；　you　know。　I've　all　I　need。〃　She　grinned。　〃Except　my　arms　don't　bend　to　reach　the　awkward　spots。　Thanks。　I　think　I　will　be　able　to　rest　now。〃
　　〃Promise？〃
　　She　cocked　her　head　at　him　in　mild　reprimand。　〃You're　the　one　who　needs　to　rest；　bronze　rider。　Thank　you　for　your　concern。〃　She　extended　her　hand　toward　Golanth。　〃Zaranth　will　take　me　back。〃
　　And　I　will　take　you；　F'lessan；　Golanth　said；　rising　to　all　four　feet；　to　Honshu。
　　For　a　confused　moment；　F'lessan　looked　after　Tai's　towel…draped　body　striding　across　the　white　sands　to　her　dragon　and　saw　her　begin　to　dress。
　　It　will　make　sense　when　you've　had　some　sleep；　Golanth　remarked　as　rider　and　dragon　watched　the　green　make　a　graceful　spring　into　the　air；　neatly　down…winging　to　gain　altitude　and　quickly　reaching　a　gliding　height　on　a　sea　thermal。　Zaranth's　a　good　size　for　a　green。　You're　sweating。　It'll　　be　cooler；　and　much　nicer；　in　Honshu　right　now。
　　F'lessan　rolled　down　his　sleeves；　shrugged　into　his　riding　gear；　and　jumped　to　his　dragon's　back。
　　〃Then　let's　get　there；　please；　Golly。〃
　　They　were　already　airborne　when　a　horrible　thought　crossed　F'lessan's　mind。　What　if　yet　another　gang　of　Abominators　had　broken　into　Honshu　during　one　of　his　absences　and　smashed　some　of　the　brittle　artifacts？
　　You　are　silly…tired；　Golanth　said　with　exasperation。　It　takes　days　to　walk　there。　Not　even　a　runner　trace　to　guide　a　stranger。
　　〃Runners！〃　F'lessan　exclaimed。　〃The　Runners　should　be　asked　if　they've　seen　any　suspicious　groups　out　on　their　tracks！〃
　　Someone　else　will　remember　to　do　that。　We're　going　to　Honshu。　With　that；　Golanth　took　them　between。
　　
FORT　HOLD…LATE　NIGHT…1。1。31
　　The　Benden　and　Fort　Weyrleaders；　along　with　Lord　Jaxom　and　Lady　Sharra　of　Ruatha　Hold；　joined　Lord　Groghe；　his　sons；　MasterHarper　Sebell；　and　Master　Healer　Crivellan　at　a　late　private　meeting　in　the　small　dining　room。　Not　as　lavishly　decorated　for　Turnover　as　the　Main　Hall　and　located　on　the　inside　rank　of　the　Hold's　main　reception　area；　the　warm；　fortably　sized　room　was　partly　wood…paneled；　and　hung　with　a　mixture　of　tastefully　arranged　portraits　and　landscapes　of　varying　styles　and　periods。
　　Since　the　possibility　that　the　Abominators　exiled　in　2539　had　somehow　escaped　their　remote　island　occurred　to　others　during　the　afternoon；　N'ton　had　gone　with　one　of　Sebell's　most　discreet　men　to　make　certain　that　those　men　and　women　were　all　present　and　accounted　for。　The　island　was　one　of　many　in　the　long　eastern　archipelago；　its　precise　location　known　only　to　N'ton；　even　the　most　diligent　search　by　other　dissidents　would　have　been　unlikely　to　find　the　inhabited　one。
　　〃At　the　time　I　wasn't　all　that　certain　everyone　involved　in　the　shameful　business　of　abducting　Master　Robinton　was　apprehended；〃　Groghe　said　brusquely　after　N'ton　delivered　his　report。
　　〃Those　involved　in　the　original　attacks　on　Aivas　and　the　Crafthalls　were　sentenced　to　labor　in　the　mines；〃　Jaxom　said；　his　expression　as　bleak　as　Groghe's。　〃Do　we　know　if　they　are　still　in　custody？〃
　　〃Most　are　registered　as　dead；〃　Sebell　replied。　〃Of　the　two　remaining；　one　escaped　when　that　meteorite　tore　through　the　minehold。　A　search　was　initiated；　of　course；　but　it's　believed　he　must　have　died。　The　terrain　there　is　difficult　to　traverse…little　vegetation；　not　much　of　it　edible。　He　was　deaf　and　not　considered　very　bright。　I　don't　think　we　have　to　worry　about　that　one。〃　He　dismissed　the　problem　with　a　wave　of　his　hand。
　　〃Then　let's　deal　with　today's　atrocities；〃　Lessa　said；　restlessly　trying　to　find　a　fortable　position；　her　slender　body　taut　with　indignation　at　the　scope　of　the　destruction。　Impatient　as　ever；　she　wanted　answers　before　she　could　go　back　to　Benden　with　an　easy　mind。　She　and　F'lar　had　gotten　some　rest　at　the　Healer　Hall　and　had　an　excellent　dinner　in　Fort's　smaller　dining　room。　However；　the　ability　to　sense　people's　thoughts…and　sometimes　to　cloud　their　perceptions　with　the　strength　of　her　mind…could　be　useful　in　extracting　or　confirming　truths。　Aivas　had　said　she　was　as　much　a　telepath　as　any　of　the　dragons。　F'lar　called　it　〃leaning　on　people；〃　though　she　had　never　been　able　to　cloud　his　mind。　Still；　though　it　was　an　enervating　process　and　one　she　disliked　being　required　to　use；　she　had　leaned　on　people　to　advantage　on　a　number　of　occasions。　Tonight　would　probably　be　another。　〃How　many　in　total；　Sebell？〃
　　〃Benden；　Landing；　Southern；　here；　Southern　Boll…trouble　avoided　at　Crom　because　the　healer　was　stitching　a　wound　and　the　patient's　relatives　beat　off　the　'drunken　louts。'　Then　caught　them　when　they　tried　to　sneak　back　in；〃　Sebell　said　with　wry　amusement。　〃Bitra's　healer　chased　two　off；　and　Nerat　was　locked　up　too　tight；　though　an　obvious　attempt　had　been　made　to　break　in。　Haven't　heard　anything　from　Keroon。　That　makes　twenty…three　apprehended　while　damaging　Healer　property；　and　nine　who　were　detained　for　damaging　three　separate　Glass　Halls。　Master　Fandarel　says　there　were　prowlers　at　the　SmithCraftHall　but　no　harm　done。　Benelek　was　working　late。　In　view　of　the　number　of　attempts；　he　thinks　there　may　have　been　one　on　the　puter　Hall；　too。　They're　frequent　enough。〃
　　〃I　hadn't　realized　there　were　so　many；〃　Groghe　said；　twisting　his　glass　until　the　wine　came　dangerously　close　to　the　rim。
　　〃Then　there's　less　possibility　that　these　were　all　random；　local　disgruntlements；〃　F'lar　said。
　　〃If　there　hadn't　been　so　many；　and　such　emphasis　on　healer　halls；〃　Lessa　said；　frowning　slightly；　〃I　mi