amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第34章

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　planet；　Monaco　Bay　Weyr　would　be　experiencing　the　tsunami。　There　had　been　enough　dragons　to　rescue　every　man；　woman；　and　child；　hadn't　there？
　　The　news　he　brought　Toric　was　not　as　dire；　though　the　Southern　Holder　might　not　agree。　Idarolan　was　reasonably　sure　that　Southern　Hold's　cliffs　were　high　enough　to　withstand　the　diffraction　effect　of　the　tsunami；　pressed　between　Ista　Island　and　the　Southern　headland。　Unfortunately；　Toric　would　be　experiencing　the　event　on　both　sides　of　his　Holding。　Idarolan's　chart；　and　Erragon's　calculations；　indicated　a　direct　line　of　westbound　tsunami；　which　might…just…lose　significant　energy。　Either　way；　there　were　coastal　holds　that　must　be　evacuated　and　herdbeasts　moved　inland　from　the　low…lying　pastures。　However；　during　the　bad；　bad；　bad　blow　of　which　the　dolphins　had　warned　Toric；　he　had　not　moved　quickly　enough　to　reduce　the　devastation　of　the　horrific　gale　winds　of　that　hurricane。
　　K'van；　with　his　Weyrwoman；　Adrea；　Master　Sintary；　and　four　of　the　Southern　Wingleaders；　moved　out　of　the　shadows　as　Canth　landed　in　the　flower…scented　night。　Five　pairs　of　blue…green　eyes　shone　as　the　brown　dragon　crooned　a　greeting　and　went　to　join　them。　K'van　distributed　hand　lights。
　　〃Neither　moon's　out　tonight；〃　the　young　Weyrleader　said；　his　white　grin　visible　in　the　reflection　of　the　light　he　carried。　〃R'mart　wanted　to　e　but　we　convinced　him　that　retired　means　no　more　responsibility。〃
　　F'nor　bowed　to　Adrea；　nodded　to　the　other　bronze　riders；　and　finished　stripping　off　his　flying　gear。　He　was　grateful　for　the　fresh　breeze　on　the　plateau。
　　〃I　have　my　own　light；〃　Sintary　said；　turning　his　beam　on　the　well…worn　track　from　the　old　open　Weyr　to　the　Hold。
　　〃Of　course；　Toric　could　just　ignore　all　this；〃　F'nor　remarked　in　a　low　tone　as　the　eight　of　them　carefully　proceeded　to　the　Hold。
　　Before　they　reached　the　first　bend；　a　fierce　challenge　stopped　them。
　　〃Who's　out　there？〃
　　〃F'nor；　Canth's　rider；〃　and　F'nor　tilted　the　light　to　his　face。
　　〃K'van；　Adrea；　M'ling；　N'bil；　S'dra；　H'redan；〃　the　Weyrleader　said；　also　lighting　his　face　and　flashing　it　at　his　panions　as　he　named　them。
　　〃Idarolan　and　Sintary；〃　the　Harper　said　in　turn。
　　〃Bringing　an　urgent　message　to　Lord　Toric　from　Landing；〃　F'nor　said。
　　〃A　very　urgent　and　very　important　message；〃　Idarolan　said；　stepping　forward　in　a　purposeful　manner；　〃and　you　had　best　guide　us　to　him　immediately。〃
　　〃It's　the　middle　of　the　night！〃　was　the　protest。
　　〃Since　when　has　the　middle　of　the　night　been　free　of　trouble！〃　Idarolan　did　not　pause　in　his　stride　and　the　guard　gave　ground。
　　〃You　sound　like　Idarolan；〃　he　said　dubiously。
　　〃If　you　don't　know　your　Weyrleader　by　sight；〃　Sintary　remarked　acidly；　〃you're　in　a　lot　of　trouble。〃
　　〃This　way；　Master　Harper；　Weyrleader　K'van。　This　way。〃　They　were　going　past　the　large　square　when　he　made　one　more　remark。　〃You've　got　to　wake　him；　not　me！〃
　　F'nor　wasn't　the　only　one　who　chuckled。
　　Luckily；　it　was　Ramala　who　answered　their　summons；　holding　up　a　glowbasket　to　identify　the　visitors。
　　〃Bad　news？〃　she　asked；　leading　them　to　the　main　hall。
　　〃Perhaps　not　as　bad　for　Southern　as　it　is　for　others；〃　Idarolan　remarked　which　made　her　stop　and　regard　him　speculatively　in　the　dimly　lit　hall。　〃If　you　would　be　good　enough　to　wake　Toric？〃
　　〃Yes；　it　had　better　be　me；〃　she　said　and　waved　them　to　chairs　as　she　opened　the　nearest　glowbaskets。
　　She　disappeared　on　her　errand　and；　because　they　were　listening；　they　heard　Toric's　muffled　shout　of　protest。　Then　she　came　back；　nodded　at　them　and　said；　if　they　wouldn't　mind　opening　more　lights；　she　would　get　fresh　klah。
　　〃Or　wine；　if　you　feel　that　would　suit　better。〃
　　〃Both；〃　F'nor　said　bluntly。　He　could　use　a　glass　of　wine　right　now。　Breakfast　at　Benden　seemed　to　have　been　a　long　time　ago　despite　the　food　that　had　been　served　during　the　emergency　meeting　at　Landing。
　　Sintary　and　two　of　the　bronze　riders　opened　only　sufficient　glowbaskets　to　light　the　front　part　of　the　big　hall。　They　had　taken　seats　at　one　end　of　the　long　table　when　they　heard　the　scrape　of　sandals　on　stone。　Idarolan　grinned；　arranging　his　papers　on　the　table；　preparatory　to　an　argument　with　Toric。
　　Shirt　open；　drawstring　shorts　rucked　at　one　hip；　the　Lord　Holder　swung　into　the　room；　scowling；　and　the　scowl　deepened　as　he　paused　on　the　threshold；　regarding　those　awaiting　him。
　　〃What　the　shards　is　the　matter　now？　This　can't　constitute　a　Council！〃
　　〃A　fireball　impacted　in　the　Eastern　sea　at　approximately　twelve　hours　twenty　minutes　Landing　time；〃　F'nor　said　bluntly。
　　〃The　impact　of　what　we　believe　is　a　etary　fragment　has　created　tsunamis；〃　Idarolan　said。　〃You　will　remember　what　happened　when　that　volcano　Piemur　discovered　erupted。〃
　　Toric's　eyes　rounded；　thick　sun…bleached　eyebrows　turning　his　scowl　into　an　expression　of　unpleasant　surprise。
　　〃Some　of　your　Hold　is　in　the　path　of　the　tsunamis…two　sets　of　them；　one　with　three　different　waves　from　the　east　and　the　other　from　the　west；〃　Idarolan　went　on　relentlessly。　He　used　the　map　in　front　of　him　to　point　them　out。　〃Journeyman　Erragon　and　Master　Wansor　confirmed　the　phenomenon。〃　He　paused　for　a　moment　and　then　rushed　on；　as　a　man　who　regretted　what　he　had　to　say。　〃Even　as　we　speak；　Monaco　Bay　is　probably　being　drowned！〃
　　Adrea　gasped；　and　S'dra　and　N'bil　inhaled　sharply。
　　Toric　stared　at　the　retired　MasterFishman　and　then　glared　at　K'van。　〃Then　what　are　you　dragonriders　doing　here　instead　of　being　there　to　help　them？〃　He　waved　his　arms　furiously　to　indicate　the　different　sites。　He　dropped　his　eyes　to　study　the　chart；　pulling　it　toward　him。
　　〃Every　Weyr　has　sent　wings　to　help；〃　F'nor　said；　〃We're　here　to　tell　you　what　to　expect　in　roughly　eleven　hours　from　now。〃
　　Toric　blinked。
　　〃I　will　have　riders　in　the　sky　rousing　the　coastal　holders　as　soon　as　Adrea's　queen　gives　them　the　orders；〃　said　K'van　with　a　stiff　bow　to　Toric。　〃We　know　you　prefer　to　be　informed　of　the　Weyr's　movements。　I　have　just　returned　from　the　emergency　meeting　at　Landing。〃
　　〃I'll　rouse　your　portmaster　myself；〃　Idarolan　volunteered；　〃to　warn　the　ships　at　anchor。　They'll　be　safe　enough　at　sea。　Able　to　ride　the　tsunami　swell；　if　they　notice　it　at　all。　It's　the　land　that's　vulnerable。〃
　　Ramala　came　in　with　a　tray　of　cups　and　food；　followed　by　a　very　sleepy　and　resentful　pair　of　holder　women；　one　bearing　a　big　klah　pot；　the　other　a　wineskin。　〃You　all　need　something　in　your　stomachs　to　organize　the　evacuations！〃　she　said。
　　F'nor　wondered　how　she　knew　what　they　had　e　to　organize。　Ramala　was　a　good　woman　to　have　subtly　on　your　side。
　　〃Then；　leaving　you　in　good　hands；　Lord　Toric；〃　F'nor　said　courteous；　〃I　will　return　to　Landing。〃
　　〃Good　hands？　I'll。。。〃　Toric　lurched　at　F'nor。
　　Instantly；　before　Toric　had　a　chance　to　plete　his　lunge　at　the　brown　rider；　Idarolan　stood　between　then。　With　a　well…calculated　blow　of　his　fist　to　Toric's　shoulder；　he　spun　him　off　balance。
　　〃If　we're　to　save　any　of　your　coastal　holds；　Lord　Toric；　you'd　best　pay　attention　to　me；〃　Master　Idarolan　said　in　a　loud　harsh　voice　that　had　quelled　argument　before　and　made　the　infuriated　Lord　Holder　think。
　　F'nor？　Canth's　mental　tone　was　alarmed。
　　F'nor　saw　Sintary　move　to　Idarolan's　side　as　the　stern　MasterFishman　held　Toric　motionless　with　his　stony　glare。
　　The　Southern　Lord　Holder　seemed　to　shake　himself。　With　teeth　clamped　shut　behind　his　bared　lips；　he　gave　a　long　hiss　of　breath　and　pivoted　back　to　the　table；　spread　with　maps　of　his　holding。
　　He's　under　control　now；　Canth；　F'nor　said；　turning　as　casually　as　he　could；　trying　to　calm　himself　and　his　dragon。　Sharding　idiot！　He　could　feel　the　anger　of　the　other　dragonriders　as　he　left　the　hall　in　measured　strides。　Thank　the　First　Egg　that　Idarolan　had　been　right　that　Toric　respected　him。　Slowly　his　fists　unclenched。　He　took　his　time　walking　back　in　the　night　to　the　old　Southern　Weyr　to　regain　full　control　of　himself。　And　to　face　the　other　disasters　this　day　seemed　to　be　so　full　of。　As　much　as　he　dreaded　what　he　must　see　of　a　flooded　Monaco；　he　was　needed　there；　or　at　Benden。　He　could　get　back　to　his　duties　in　time。　After　all。　at　the　very　beginning　of　this　Pass；　thirty　Turns　ago；　Lessa　had　sent　him　a　full　ten　Turns　back；　to　raise　weyrlings。　Timing　it　was　far　more　wearing　on　the　rider　than　the　dragon。　He　wondered　if　he　could　make　time　to　see　Brekke　at　Benden。　She'd　undoubtedly　be　extremely　busy　organizing　the　mass　evacuations　along　the　Benden　Hold　coast。　She　might　even　be　annoyed　with　him　for　interrupting　her　at　whatever　she　was　doing。　He　knew　that　he　took　strength　from　her　slight　person；　strength　and　fort；　and　he　did　so　need　to　be　forted…however　briefly…for　the　terrible　reality　of　a　drowned　Monaco。
　　She　is　at　Loscar。　The　High　Shoals　should　protect　it；　Canth　told　him；　eyes　a　brilliant　blue　as　he　stepped　from　the　shadows。　Other　bright　eyes　watched　the　brown　rider。
　　〃Your　riders　will　be　here　shortly；〃　F'nor　told　the　other　dragons；　trying　to　strike　a　cheerful　note。　〃Lord　Toric　had　no　immediate　argument　with　the　news　we　brought　him。〃　He　shrugged　into　his　jacket；　secured　his　helmet；　and　climbed　to　Canth's　back；　affectionately　slapping　him　on　the　shoulder。
　　Where　do　we　go　now？
　　Where　else；　good　friend？　Landing。
　　Sometimes　it　was　as　well　to　do　the　hardest　thing　first；　F'nor　thought　as　they　went　between　to　Landing。
　　And　some　hard　things；　F'nor　realized；　tears　blurring　his　eyes；　his　chest　painful；　were　harder　than　others。　Canth　had　e　out　above　Landing；　facing　north；　so　he　had　too　good　a　view　of　the　watery　plain　that　had　been　forested　Monaco；　sparkling　in　the　afternoon　sun。　He　had　given　Canth　a　time　after　the　waves　hit　Monaco；　but　before　they　pounded　the　Jordan　River　mouth。　Involuntarily　F'nor　covered　his　face；　but　he　could　block　out　neither　the　gleaming　expanse　of　water　that　had　boiled　inland　on　the　crest　of　the　tsunami　nor　the　smaller　seiche　waves　that　were　sloshing　back　and　forth　in　perpendicular　movement　across　what　had　been　Monaco's　crescent　bay。
　　The　water　will　not　stay。　It　will　drain　back。　His　dragon's　voice　was　so　full　of　sympathy　and　understanding　of　the　pain　in　his　rider's　heart　that　F'nor　dropped　his　hands；　the　wind　in　his　face　drying　the　tears　on　his　cheeks。　He　forced　himself　to　think　of　the　red　indentations　on　Idarolan's　chart　and　hoped　that　the　tsunami　had　not　penetrated　as　far　as　initial　estimates。　For　partial　reassurance；　he　could　see　blobs　of　green　on　the　western　side　of　Monaco　Cape　where　stands　of　the　big　trees　had　survived　the　assault。　And　more；　farther　inland；　on　other　hills。
　　A　rumble　penetrated　his　grief　for　the　stricken　coast　and　he　felt　Canth　tilt　and　turn。　There　were　other　dragons　in　the　sky；　all　facing　west；　all　carrying　at　least　two　passengers：　he　easily　recognized　Ramoth；　Mnementh；　and　the　other　Benden　queens　with　nine　more　bronzes；　ten　browns；　and　some　greens　in　attendance。　They　hovered　above　the　Jordan　River　inlet。
　　Join　them！　Might　as　well　twist　the　knife　a　little；　F'nor　thought　with　rare　masochism。
　　They　were　not　in　time　to　witness　the　initial　heaving　of　the　sea；　like　the　shoulders　of　a　great；　headless；　pewter…colored　beast。　They　did　see　the　white　spume；　outlining　the　leading　edge。　And　they　did　see　the　gi