amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第23章

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action　as　they　could　see　other　riders　heaving　pelts　to　their　dragons'　backs。　Suddenly　the　mass　was　whisked　away。　Zaranth　had　finished　eating　and　was　sweeping　her　wings　broadly；　scattering　the　insect　cloud。
　　I'm　ready　to　leave　when　you　are；　Zaranth　announced　with　a　final　lick　of　her　lips。
　　〃D'you　need　the　loan　of　my　rope？〃　Rency　asked。
　　〃That'd　be　real　wele；〃　Tai　agreed。　Her　riding　harness　would　secure　one。。。　but　two？
　　〃Be　sure　to　check　no　nits　burrowed　into　your　skin；〃　he　said。
　　〃I　most　assuredly　will；〃　she　told　him　through　clenched　teeth。
　　Deftly　the　two　humans　roped　the　pelts　on　either　side　of　Zaranth's　second　neck　ridge。　Flying　straight　was　time…consuming；　but　Zaranth　could　fly　high　enough…once　they'd　helped　move　the　herd…to　be　cool　and　escape　the　insects。　Tai　held　out　her　hand　to　Rency　to　thank　him　for　his　help　and　the　loan　of　his　rope；　and　swung　onto　Zaranth's　back。
　　〃My　pleasure；　dragonrider；〃　Rency　said；　stepping　back；　fanning　with　his　hat　as　swarms　tried　to　settle　to　the　hides。
　　Get　us　out　of　here　before　I　eat　bug；　Zaranth；　Tai　said；　wind…milling　her　hands　in　front　of　her　face。
　　I　ate　very　well；　Zaranth　said　smugly　and　Tai　could　feel　a　satisfied　belch　rumbling　from　her　chest；　to　her　throat　and　out。　Inelegant；　Tai　muttered　with　mock　severity　as　Zaranth　leaped　skyward。
　　Courteously；　Zaranth　dipped　her　wings；　causing　Rency's　mount　to　back　away　from　him　in　sudden　panic。
　　Out　of　here。　The　man　doesn't　need　to　be　chasing　his　runner。　Then　they　were　out　of　range　of　bloodsuckers　and　into　cooler　air。　Zaranth　circled；　looking　for　Monarth　and　the　rest　of　the　dragons。
　　Monarth　is　aloft；　and　so　is　Path；　Zaranth　told　her　and　headed　in　their　direction。　We　are　to　swing　wide　behind　the　beasts；　she　added。
　　It's　not　the　first　time　we've　herded；　Tai　said　grumpily。　She　wished　she　had　more　in　her　belly　than　cold　water；　she'd　had　no　lunch。
　　At　this　altitude；　she　had　a　good　view　of　the　bright…shirted　herders；　stringing　out　over　the　grassy　plain；　starting　the　beasts　back　the　way　they　had　stampeded。
　　It　would　be　good　to　have　a　swim　when　the　herd　is　turned。
　　It　most　certainly　would。　There　were　plenty　of　hospitable　coves　on　the　way　back　to　Monaco　Weyr；　and　trees　full　of　ripe　fruit。
　　Altogether；　Tai　thought；　apart　from　the　insects；　the　day　had　been　profitable。　It　would　take　time　to　clean　and　stretch　the　pelts；　but　once　word　got　around　to　the　traders　of　today's　kill；　she　might　even　get　to　sell　them　raw。　One　day　she　might　keep　a　particularly　fine　one…she　fancied　a　clouded　fur　with　ghost　stripes…but　in　the　meantime；　northerners　prized　whatever　was　taken。
　　
PART　2…Disaster
（Throughout　the　Same　Day）
RUATHA　HOLD…LOCAL　TIME　12：04　IN　THE　MORNING…1。9。31
　　Stepping　out　of　the　cothold；　Sharra　wrapped　her　cloak　tightly　around　her。　It　was　very　cold；　but　the　wind；　which　could　cut　like　a　knife　down　the　broad　avenue　back　to　Ruatha　Hold；　had　died　out。　She　was　tired　from　a　long　nursing；　but　relieved　that　the　weaver　would　recover　from　his　accident。　She　silently　thanked　Aivas　once　more　for　the　medical　information　he　had　left。　She　had　been　able　to　repair　the　tendon　in　Fossil's　hand…something　she　could　not　have　done　five　Turns　earlier…and　to　stitch　shut　the　jagged　wound。　She　could　honestly　tell　him　that　he　would　have　the　use　of　his　hand　and　be　as　skillful　as　ever　in　two　months'　time。
　　A　light　caught　her　eye。　To　the　east！　Startled；　because　it　was　automatic　to　be　fearful　of　anything　ing　from　the　east；　she　saw　shooting　stars；　long　straight　slashes　in　the　dark　sky。　She　stopped　in　her　tracks。　These　were　not　like　the　Ghosts　of　Turnover；　for　all　they'd　been　bright　this　year。　Ghosts　lasted　a　second　or　two。　These　were　visibly　longer；　almost　ribbons　in　the　night　sky。　One　bright　spot　seemed　to　linger；　then　exploded。
　　She　blinked。　This　could　not　be　the　result　of　fatigue　after　a　delicate　surgery。　Certainly　not　Thread！　She　told　herself　firmly。　Thread　isn't　due　to　fall　anywhere　tomorrow；　and　Thread　came　down　silver…gray；　like　rain；　in　daylight；　not　like　a　streak　of　fire　at　midnight。
　　She　didn't　realize　she　was　running　until　she　was　halfway　up　Ruatha's　broad　causeway　and　could　hear　the　fretful　whine　of　the　watchwher。
　　〃Mickulin！〃　she　called；　remembering　from　the　duty　roster　who　was　on　guard　that　night。
　　〃I'm　not　seeing　things；　am　I；　Lady　Sharra？〃　Mickulin's　hoarse　whisper　sounded　scared　as　he　leaned　over　the　top　of　the　smaller　tower。
　　〃If　you're　seeing　long　white　streamers；　you're　seeing　the　same　thing　I　am！〃　She　raced　up　the　stairs。　〃I'm　calling　Jaxom。　Go　rouse　Brand。　But　it's　not　Thread；　Mickulin；　and　it's　not　Turnover　Ghosts　either。〃　Ruth！　Ruth！　Wake　up。　She　felt　the　very　reassuring　presence　of　the　white　dragon…a　sleepy　one…in　her　mind。　Wake　Jaxom。　Tell　him　to　bring　his　binoculars。　There's　something　he　must　see。　Hurry！　And　it's　cold。
　　Mickulin　rushed　past　her　to　open　the　great　Hold　door　just　wide　enough　to　slip　through　it　on　his　way　to　wake　Steward　Brand。　Sharra　stood　with　her　back　to　the　door；　facing　east；　hoping　that　this　amazing　display　would　continue　long　enough　for　Jaxom　to　see　it。
　　There！　Another　long　streamer；　shading　to　a　yellow　tinge　in　the　trail…the　Ghosts　never　had　colors…and　another！　A　long　drop　and　then　nothing。
　　〃What's　the　matter？〃　Jaxom　hauled　the　door　open；　the　sound　echoed　by　the　opening　of　a　second　door　in　the　lower；　inner　courtyard　as　Ruth　poked　his　head　out　of　his　quarters　in　the　old　kitchen。　The　white　dragon's　eyes　began　to　whirl　as　he　stared　at　the　splashings　in　the　sky。　〃Shards！〃　his　rider　cried；　and　lifted　his　binoculars　to　focus　on　the　display。　〃What　are　they？　What　are　they？〃
　　〃That　isn't　Thread；〃　Jaxom　said　decisively；　〃and　they're　too　bright　for　Ghosts…besides　which；　according　to　Wansor　and　Erragon；　that　etary　shower　is　long　past　us。　And　they　seem　to　be　ing　from　one　place　in　the　sky。　I　think。　Hard　to　focus。〃　He　propped　himself　against　the　door　frame　and　held　his　breath。　〃A　little　better。　Here！　Brace　yourself　before　you　look！〃　He　handed　the　binoculars　to　her。
　　It　took　her　a　moment　to　alter　the　focus　of　double…eye；　they　were　a　relatively　new　acquisition；　an　instrument　that　Jancis　had　recently　developed。
　　〃Oh；　they　are　beautiful！　And　they　are　radiating　from　one　spot。〃　She　said　the　last　in　a　fearful　tone。
　　Jaxom　pulled　her　toward　him；　moving　oddly　from　one　foot　to　another　until　she　saw　his　feet　were　bare。　〃I　said　it　was　cold！〃　she　exclaimed。　〃If　you're　not　going　to　look；　I　will；〃　he　said；　taking　the　binoculars　she　had　lowered　from　her　face。　〃Oh；　Wansor　and　Erragon　are　going　to　want　to　know　about　this。　How　many　sparks　did　you　see？〃
　　〃I　wasn't　counting；〃　she　said　tersely。　She　undid　her　scarf　and　put　it　down。　〃Stand　on　this。　I'm　not　nursing　you　again。〃
　　Without　looking　down；　Jaxom　stepped　onto　the　scarf。　〃Eight；　nine；　ten。〃　He　counted　off　another　five　rapidly；　swinging　round　as　he　followed　the　path　of　whatever　was　burning　so　bright。　〃Possibly　just　another　etary　tail。〃
　　〃Has　Thread　ever　fallen　at　night？〃　Sharra　asked　in　a　whisper。
　　Jaxom　shrugged。　〃Too　bad　there's　no　way　I　can　reach　Tippel　at　Crom。　He's　nearly　as　dedicated　a　sky…watcher　as　Master　Idarolan；　and　he's　got　binoculars；　too。　Maybe　he　did　see　it。〃　Jaxom　took　another　long　look。　〃Think　I'd　better　have　Ruth　bespeak　D'ram's　Tiroth。　Cove　Hold　should　be　informed。　It's　early　morning　dawn　there。〃
　　He　was　talking　to　Ruth　when　the　door　behind　them　opened　and　Brand　came　out。　The　steward　saw　the　long　streaks　in　the　sky　and　stood　as　transfixed　by　the　sight　as　everyone　else。　〃How　beautiful！〃　he　said。
　　〃Is；　isn't　it？〃　Mickulin　said；　looking　up　as　five　separate　glowing　spikes　flared　out　at　once。　With　a　jaunty　set　to　his　shoulders；　he　moved　past　the　three　in　the　doorway　and　returned　to　his　post。
　　〃Yes；　it　is；〃　Sharra　agreed；　by　now　overing　her　initial　concern。　She　eased　against　Jaxom；　who　tightened　his　affectionate　hold　as　he　offered　the　binoculars　to　Brand。
　　〃Did　you　note　the　time；　Brand？〃
　　〃In　passing；　Jaxom；〃　the　steward　said；　his　attention　on　the　sky。　〃Whatever　it　is。。。　〃
　　〃Meteors；　I　suspect；　if　I　remember　my　astronomy　lessons　from　Aivas；〃　Jaxom　said。
　　〃They　seem　to　be　flying　from　east　to　west　but…〃　Brand　swiveled　to　follow　another　shower。　〃…are　they　likely　to　strike　the　ground？〃
　　〃Probably　burn　up　in　the　atmosphere；〃　Jaxom　said；　almost　regretfully。
　　Pretty；　Ruth　said　from　the　courtyard。　I　have　told　Tiroth。　He　will　tell　D'ram；　who　is　running　around　and　very　excited。
　　〃Could　be　this　is　more　widespread　than　it　would　seem；〃　Jaxom　said。　〃Brand；　keep　an　eye　on　it；　will　you？　I　think　I'll　get　dressed。〃
　　〃You　can't　have　been　undressed；〃　Sharra　said　somewhat　caustically；　because　she　could　see　his　legs　encased　in　the　same　trousers　that　he　had　worn　all　day。
　　〃Not　pletely。〃　He　flicked　his　tunic　away　so　she　could　see　his　bare　chest。　〃I　was　waiting　for　you　to　get　back。　Were　you　able　to　repair　Fossil's　hand？〃
　　〃Thanks　to　Aivas；　I　was。〃
　　〃I　may　go　on　to　Landing；　love；〃　Jaxom　said；　〃but　you'd　better　get　some　sleep。〃
　　〃And　you　can　do　without？〃　she　asked　reproachfully　as　he　guided　her　into　the　main　Hall。
　　〃You　know　me。　I'll　rest　when　I　find　out　what　this　is　all　about。　If　D'ram　is　running　around　at　Cove　Hold；　then　what　we're　seeing　is　more　than　pretty　shooting　stars。〃
　　
TELGAR　WEYR…LOCAL　TIME　4：04　IN　THE　MORNING…1。9。31
　　H'nor　and　old　brown　Ranneth　were　on　night　duty　on　Telgar's　Rim　when　the　rider　saw　the　tiny　sparkles　of　light　low　on　the　horizon　in　the　southeast。　He　blinked　and　turned　away。　Couldn't　be　the　Red　Star；　he　knew　too　well　how　that　looked。　Besides　which；　it　couldn't　be　in　the　east：　it　had　been　nor…nor…west　when　it　had　been　skewed　out　of　its　old　orbit。　It　wouldn't　be　in　a　position　to　drop　sharding　Thread　on　Pern　ever　again。　No　way　that　sharding　thing　could　bounce　back　east。
　　He　took　up　the　binoculars…now　required　watchrider　equipment…and　focused　carefully　on　the　sparkles。　They　were　like　a　shower；　could　they　be　ing　from　one　place　before　disappearing？　That　wasn't　what　the　Turn's　End　Ghosts　looked　like：　they　were　pale　and　strung　out　across　the　sky。　Furthermore；　the　Ghosts　were　much　farther　north；　nearer　the　ice　regions。　He　had　an　uneasy　feeling。
　　H'nor　rose　from　his　fortable　position　on　the　upper　arm　of　his　brown　Ranneth；　eyeglass　still　focused　on　the　brilliant　showers。　There　was　another　long　one。　Definitely　not　Ghosts。　Burned　too　long。
　　What　is　it？　Ranneth　demanded；　ing　out　of　his　doze。　A　brown　of　many　Turns；　he　slept　when　and　where　he　could；　but　his　rider's　alarm　was　palpable。　He　turned　his　head　in　the　direction　H'nor　faced　and　was　equally　startled；　rearing　back　on　his　haunches。　It　is　fire　but　what　could　stay　alight　so　high　above　Pern？
　　H'nor　gulped。　I　don't　know。
　　Sometimes　metal　fell　from　the　sky；　large　enough　to　cause　damage。　Like　the　big　hole　at　Circle　Runner　Station。
　　Knowing　that　the　Dawn　Sisters　had　been　the　ships　that　had　brought　the　Ancients　to　Pern　had　not　been　easy　for　H'nor　to　assimilate。　Learning　about　Aivas　had　also　been　unsettling。　He　was　too　old　for　such　plications。　He　wanted　no　flaming　things　falling　down　before　he　and　Ranneth　could　retire　to　a　warm　and　fortable　weyr　on　the　Southern　continent。
　　As　watchrider；　he　did　have　a　duty　to　sound　an　alarm　for　any　unusual　occurrence　and　this　ranked