amccaffrey.theskiesofpern-第7章

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　　Not　even　to　other　dragonriders；　Golanth　added；　slightly　offended　by　Tai's　utter　independence。
　　〃We　were　getting　along　quite　well　when　you　found　Stev　Kimmer's　signature　for　me；〃　F'lessan　said　gently。
　　Be　very　careful；　his　dragon　said　softly。
　　〃I　think　the　numbweed　is　dry　enough　now；〃　he　added。　〃I　know　I'm　hungry　and　thirsty　and；　while　I　would　prefer　to　go　back　to　Honshu；　I　have　to　put　in　an　appearance　out　there。〃　He　nodded　in　the　direction　of　the　music。
　　〃Is　that　where　Stev　Kimmer　went？　To　Honshu？　Why　would　that　be　his　destination？〃
　　〃Ah；〃　and　F'lessan　held　up　a　finger；　〃that's　part　of　the　puzzle　I've　got。　I　did　find　his　initials　on　surfaces　in　the　Hold；　and　yet　the　records　Ita　Fusaiyuki　kept　until　a　few　months　after　Kenjo's　death　make　no　mention　of　him。〃
　　〃She　died　there？〃
　　F'lessan　shook　his　head　as　she　absently　followed　his　slow　drift　out　of　the　Archives　room。
　　〃I　don't　know　that。　Aivas　has　records　of　messages　sent　to　her；　urging　her　to　e　first　to　Landing　to　cross　north。　So　she　was　still　alive　during　the　Second　Crossing。　Or　someone　at　Honshu　was。〃
　　〃I　promised　I'd　lock　up；〃　Tai　said；　pausing　in　the　entrance　hall　to　enable　the　alarm。
　　F'lessan　nodded　approval。　All　archival　material；　whether　here　or　at　a　Hall　or　Hold；　was　provided　with　safeguards　against　natural…or　unnatural…accidents。
　　Outside；　both　stopped　on　the　wide　top　step。　The　quick　transition　from　twilight　to　full　tropical　night　had　occurred　as　they　talked。　Below　them；　spread　out　in　festive　splendor；　were　the　lights；　sights；　and　sounds　of　Turnover。　More　enticing　were　the　luscious　aromas　of　the　fine　feast　awaiting　the　revelers。　As　one　they　inhaled　the　odors　and　then；　again　simultaneously；　turned　slightly　to　see　the　round　blue　lanterns　of　massed　dragon　eyes　on　the　heights；　the　blue　denoting　the　dragons'　own　enjoyment　of　the　happy　scene。　The　music　came　to　a　raucous　finale　and　the　sound　of　laughter　and　excited　chatter　drifted　back　to　them。
　　〃The　harpers　are　setting　down　their　instruments；〃　F'lessan　said；　pointing　to　the　platform。　He　rubbed　his　hands　together。　〃That　means　it's　time　to　eat　and　I'm　very　hungry。〃
　　He　looked　around　at　her：　she　was　exactly　the　right　height　for　him。　But　would　she　dance　if　he　asked　her？　〃I　am；　too；〃　she　admitted　and　tilted　her　chin　just　slightly。　He　made　a　bow　and　swept　his　hand　gracefully；　indicating　they　should　proceed。
　　〃You've　got　long　legs。　I'll　race　you　to　the　roast　pits。〃　And　he　took　off；　hearing　her　laugh　before　he　heard　her　boots　scrabbling　in　the　beach　pebbles　that　lined　the　path。
　　Tai；　who　knew　rather　more　about　Benden　Wingleader　F'lessan　than　he　was　aware；　surprised　herself　by　responding　to　the　challenge。　Despite　all　the　tales　she　had　heard　from　Mirrim　about　the　bronze　rider…including　dire　warnings　about　his　fecklessness…he　had　acted　considerately　and　courteously　toward　her　in　the　library。　She'd　been　surprised　that　he　appeared　to　know　his　way　around　the　shelves。　He　had　certainly　prevented　her　from　getting　in　trouble　with　Master　Esselin；　who　had　his　own　ideas　about　what　dragonriders　should　study。　Especially　green　female　riders。　After　Tai's　first　distressing　encounter　with　the　pompous　Archivist；　Mirrim　had　forted　her　with　a　tale　of　how　nasty　Esselin　had　once　been　to　her；　in　the　early　days　of　the　discoveries　at　Landing；　before　Aivas　was　discovered；　and　how　MasterHarper　Robinton　himself　had　acted　on　Mirrim's　behalf。　The　fussbudget　was　the　main　reason　Tai　tried　to　pick　unusual　hours　at　the　library：　times　when　she　wouldn't　have　to　deal　with　the　persnickety　old　man。
　　Fortunately　the　path　from　that　wing　of　the　Archives　was　wide　all　the　way　down　to　the　open　area　where　the　Turnover　festivities　were　being　held。　Now　that　the　sun　was　down；　lighting　had　e　up　so　they　didn't　have　to　watch　where　they　put　their　feet。　F'lessan　was　ahead　of　her；　as　he　passed　the　Aivas　section；　but　he　slowed　and　looked　to　his　right　with　a　respectful　bend　of　his　head。　Tai　knew　that　he'd　been　very　much　involved　with　Aivas；　almost　from　the　day　of　discovery；　so　his　reverence　was　understandable。　She　slowed；　too；　as　much　from　surprise　as　to　nod　her　own　respects。　Then　he　lengthened　his　stride　and　so　did　she；　trying　to　catch　up。　She　wasn't　a　Runner；　but　she　was　no　drag　foot　either　and　really　wanted　to　catch　up。　Riders　kept　fit…it　was　part　of　their　dedication　to　their　dragons…and　running　was　good　exercise。
　　She　ran　into　the　dragonrider　when　he　abruptly　stopped；　rounding　a　curve　and　trying　to　keep　from　knocking　over　a　couple　who　were　so　involved　in　each　other　that　they　were　oblivious　to　their　surroundings。　His　halt　and　turn　were　close　to　acrobatic　as　he　kept　her　from　tripping　over　him。
　　Contrary　to　what　Mirrim　had　led　Tai　to　expect　in　F'lessan's　behavior；　he　held　her　no　longer　than　was　necessary　for　her　to　regain　her　balance。　His　eyes　were　merry　with　amusement　as　he　jerked　his　head　at　the　still　unmindful　pair；　lost　in　their　private　world。
　　〃Let　us　not　be　an　obstacle　in　the　path　of　true　love；〃　he　murmured　to　her　and　gestured　that　they　circle　around　the　lovers。　He　was　breathing　only　a　little　hard　from　the　run；　though　no　more　than　she　was。
　　They　made　the　detour　and　then；　the　race　forgotten；　loped　easily　side　by　side　toward　the　roasting　pits。　Diners　were　just　beginning　to　assemble。
　　There　was　always　an　evening　breeze　at　Landing；　and　that　dried　the　sweat　on　her　brow　as　they　stood　in　line。　They　arrived　just　before　the　crowd　streaming　from　the　square。　By　the　time　they　were　served　roast　beast　and　quarters　of　grilled　avians；　and　took　their　choice　from　steaming　bowls　of　tubers　and　vegetables；　the　line　at　the　serving　tables　had　tripled　its　length。
　　〃Where　shall　we　sit？〃　F'lessan　asked　her；　looking　around。
　　〃Surely　you're　joining　your　friends？〃
　　〃Ha！　No　one　in　particular。　I　wanted　free　time　at　the　Archives。　Look；　over　to　our　right；　there　at　the　edge。　A　quiet　table。〃　He　raised　his　voice。　〃Hey；　Geger！〃　A　wineman　glanced　their　way。　〃Serve　us；　will　you？〃　F'lessan　pointed　and；　putting　his　free　hand　on　her　elbow；　steered　her　in　that　direction。
　　The　wineman　converged　on　the　table　just　as　they　arrived。
　　〃White？　Red？〃　F'lessan　asked　her　before　turning　to　the　wineman。　〃D'you　have　any　Benden　there；　Geger？〃
　　〃Well；　seeing　as　it's　you；　F'lessan；　yes；　I　can　get　one。〃　The　wineman　put　his　fingers　to　his　lips　and　his　shrill　whistle　pierced　the　happy　noise　of　the　crowd。　Across　the　square；　where　skins　of　wine　were　hung　in　display；　another　wineman　looked　toward　them。　Geger　flagged　his　arms　in　a　private　code　and　the　man　waved　in　reply。　〃That'll　be　three　marks；　bronze　rider。〃
　　〃What？〃　F'lessan　demanded。
　　〃I'll　pay　my　share；〃　Tai　said　quickly；　reaching　for　her　belt　pouch。
　　〃That's　robbery；　Geger。　I　could　have　bought　from　the　source　for　one　and　a　half。〃
　　Tai　was　amused　by　the　outrage　in　his　voice。
　　〃Then　you　shoulda　done　before　you　got　here；　F'lessan。　And　you　know　three　marks　isn't　high　for　cold　white　Benden。〃　The　last　three　words　were　delivered　in　a　slow　cajoling　drawl。
　　〃But　three？〃
　　〃I'll　give…〃　Tai　began；　but　F'lessan　flapped　his　hand　sharply　at　her。
　　〃Geger　and　I　are　old　friends；〃　he　said；　his　eyes　sparkling。　There　was　a　firm　edge　to　his　voice。　〃Aren't　we；　old　friend？〃
　　〃Even　for　old　friends；　three　marks　for　a　'30　vintage　cold　white　Benden　is　a　good　price　at　Turnover。〃　Geger　was　not　to　be　moved　by　any　consideration　of　friendship。
　　〃Benden　marks；〃　F'lessan　said；　sticking　his　jaw　out。
　　〃Benden　marks　are；　to　be　sure；　the　best。　Almost　as　good　as　Harper　Hall。〃
　　F'lessan　passed　over　the　three　marks　just　as　the　other　wineman　arrived　with　the　skin；　a　large　one。
　　〃Good　Turnover；〃　Geger　said；　tipping　a　salute　to　F'lessan　and　a　wink　at　Tai。
　　〃Well；〃　F'lessan　mented；　feeling　the　skin；　〃it's　properly　cold。〃　He　unplugged　the　small　end；　gesturing　for　Tai　to　supply　glasses　from　those　on　the　table。　He　filled　both　deftly；　restored　the　plug；　and　laid　the　skin　under　the　table。　〃Safe　skies！〃　he　said　in　the　traditional　toast。　Quickly　she　touched　her　glass　to　his。
　　〃I　think　it　is　a　'30；〃　he　added　after　a　judicious　sip。　He　grinned　broadly。　〃You　know；　three　marks　isn't　that　bad　for　a　vintage　Benden　white。〃
　　His　remark　caught　her　taking　her　first　sip　and　she　nearly　choked　on　it。　Three　marks　would　have　been　out　of　her　reach　even　at　a　Turnover　celebration　when　everyone　tended　to　spend　freely。　She　hadn't　brought　much　with　her；　once　she'd　pleted　the　declinations　that　Erragon　wanted；　she　hadn't　expected　to　do　more　than　get　a　quick　meal　here…and　maybe　listen　to　the　harpers　awhile…before　returning　with　Zaranth　to　her　weyr　down　by　Monaco　Bay。　She　didn't　have　a　great　many　marks　in　any　event；　though　like　many　other　green　riders　she　could　be　hired　to　deliver　small　packages　and　letters　almost　anywhere　in　Southern；　when　she　wasn't　involved　in　Weyr　duties　or　researching　for　Master　Wansor　at　Cove　Hold。
　　〃Thank　you；　bronze　rider；〃　she　said。
　　〃I'm　F'lessan；　Tai；〃　he　replied　with　gentle　chiding　and　a　smile　lurking　in　his　eyes。
　　She　wasn't　sure　how　to　respond　to　that。
　　〃Let's　eat；〃　he　suggested；　taking　his　belt　knife　from　its　sheath。　〃I　think　from　the　smell　of　it　the　Landing　cooks　have　used　their　special　sauce。　What　more　can　one　ask　for　on　a　Turnover　night？〃
　　Tai　wouldn't　have　asked　for　this　much；　she　mused　as　she　picked　up　a　clean　fork　and　started　on　the　roast　tubers；　her　favorite。
　　The　wine　was　the　best　she'd　ever　tasted　and　so　was　the　food。
　　〃How's　the　hand？〃　F'lessan　asked　after　they'd　eaten　in　hungry　silence　for　a　few　minutes。
　　〃My　hand？〃　Tai　looked　down　at　it。　〃Oh；　truly　nothing　now。　My　thanks　again。　And　I　usually　do　keep　numbweed　handy。　I　just　didn't。。。　today。〃　In　truth　she　had　a　big　jar　among　the　supplies　in　her　weyr；　but　she　did　not　have　one　small　enough　to　fit　in　her　belt　pouch。
　　〃How'd　you　do　it？〃
　　〃Oh；　probably　when　I　was　scrubbing　Zaranth　this　afternoon。　She　hunted　today　and　needed　a　good　wash。〃　Hunting　and　bathing　Zaranth　had　taken　longer　than　Tai　had　planned。　Knowing　that　the　Archives　were　more　likely　to　be　unoccupied　on　Turnover　days；　she'd　been　anxious　to　get　there…and　not　careful　enough　to　avoid　barnacle…covered　rocks　when　rinsing　the　stiff　brush　she　used　on　Zaranth's　hide。
　　〃That　can　happen；〃　he　said　with　rueful　agreement。　〃Are　you　weyred　along　the　coast　or　inland？〃
　　Tai　tried　not　to　freeze　at　the　question：　bronze　riders　with　an　eye　to　mating　with　Zaranth　the　next　time　she　was　〃ripe〃　always　wanted　to　know　where　she　could　be　found。　Zaranth　wasn't　even　close　to　her　cycle。　〃Coast；〃　she　replied　quickly。　Almost　too　quickly。　〃Do　you　spend　a　lot　of　time　at　Honshu？〃
　　〃Coast；　huh？　See　much　of　the　Monaco　dolphins？〃
　　She　made　herself　relax。　She　was　being　overly　suspicious。　〃Yes；　I　do。〃　She　smiled。　Thinking　of　her　dolphin　friends　always　made　her　smile。　It　seemed　to　have　a　similar　effect　on　F'lessan；　who　grinned　back　at　her。　He　had　such　a　merry　smile。　Just　as　Mirrim　said　he　had。
　　〃Natua　has　a　new　calf。　She　showed　him　off　to　Zaranth　and　me；〃　she　said；　quite　willing　to　talk　about　dolphins。
　　〃She　did？〃　F'lessan　was　really　interested。　It　showed　in　the　way　his　eyes　sparkled　and　his　whole　face　lit　up。　〃Golanth　and　I　must　take　the　time　to　admire　him。〃
　　〃She'll　show　him　off　to　anyone；　she's　so　proud。〃
　　〃I'm　better　acquainted　with　the　C