Anne McCaffrey - The Masterharper of Pern (Dragonriders of Pern)

The Master Harper of Pern

By Anne McCaffrey

Synopsis:

Pern: a beautiful world colonized by humans, terrorized by the deadly spores called Thread, and defended by magnificent flying dragons. Anne McCaffrey's bestselling tales of this planet have yielded a multitude of unforgettable characters. And now, after years of urging by devoted readers, one of the most popular denizens of Pern takes center stage in a novel that chronicles his extraordinary life.

Along with the dragonriders, perhaps none are so revered on Pern as the harpers, whose songs record history, warn of the coming of Thread, and prepare Pern's people for the future. And no one is more influential than the Masterharper of Pern. The son of renowned composer Petiron and gifted singer Merelan, Robinton is a prodigy from birth and enjoys a special rapport with the telepathic dragons. But it is a time when Thread has not been a threat for centuries, the harpers have fallen into disfavor, and one despotic man is plotting to take over Pern. In this climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own... driven by his belief in music, in the dragons, and in the salvation of his beloved Pern.

Acknowledgments

As usual, I am indebted to a variety of people for their help and input in writing this volume. Not the least of whom is Master Robinton (aka Frederic H. Robinson) who was quite upset that I had ended his life so abruptly. I would suspect it of a tenor, but for a baritone to insist on another encore is almost unheard of. But I have recently been asked - via the impressive Del Rey Website - to explain certain facts which had not previously been brought to light anent Pern pre-Dragon flight history. As Robinton had a fine Pernese hand in most of it, it behoves me to tell the story from his viewpoint.

I would like to thank Dr. Will Chlosta of St Mary's Hospital New Haven for reading over the medical, and sartorial, inclusions.

This time, my gratitude to Marilyn and Harry Alm as first readers is immense since they saved me from several time discrepancies and inconsistencies. Their knowledge of Pern is extensive and better remembered than mine at times. I am also grateful to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for reading two sets of proofs in four days: a true labour of love.

Most of all let me thank Tania Opland and Michael Freeman for their invaluable contribution on the musical side.

When I asked them if they could possibly supply some of Robinton's early compositions, I didn't realize that Tania had always wanted to be Robinton, from the days when we first met in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike has already made up a tune for me, the Dragonlady, so his inclusion was natural.

Finally, let me thank the numerous folk online in January and February whose IDs helped me find character names.

List of Characters

dessa Lady Holder, Lessa's mother Ruatha Hold

gust voice trainer Harper Hall

nta child Benden Hold

shmichel ex-Lord Holder Ruatha Hold

arba bossy child Harper Hall

argen 2nd son Faroguy High Reaches Hold

,enoria Lady Holder Fort Hold

,errice MasterHealer Harper Hall

,osler MasterHarper, instrument

maker Harper Hall ourdon SeaHold captain, Kasia's father Greystones Hold ;rahil 1st son Halibran Ista Hold

;rashia Kasia's mother Greystones Hold

,ravonner half-brother Falloner Benden Weyr

;ristol harper Telgar Hold

,rodo cotholder's son Benden Hold

irosil 3rd son Halibmn Ista Hold

Ygan - Tagath Weyrsinger Benden Weyr

Yrob - Spakinth bronze rider Benden Weyr

Yvrel - Falarth bronze rider Benden Weyr

kamo son Robinton/Silvina Harper Hall

"arola - Feyrith Weyrwoman Benden Weyr

"arral Rantou's wife Pietie Hold

"hochol hill holder Tillek Hold

slostan Hold Healer Tillek Hold

"ording spouse Morjella Benden Hold

Ereline MasterHarper Harper Hall

gunos child Harper Hall

Dalma trader Sev's train

Domick composer Harper Hall

Donkin tenor singer Harper Hall

Drevalla child Benden Hold

Dugall spouse Segoina South Boll

Ellic seaman Wave Rider

Emfor assistant guard Harper Hall

Emry suitor Tillek Hold

Erkin boy Nerat border

Evarel MasterHarper Benden Hold

Evelene Lady Holder High Reaches Hold

Evenek tenor singer Harper Hall

Falawny apprentice Harper Hall

Fallamon (F'lar)

- Mnementh I st son Falloner Benden Weyr

Falloner (F'lon) Simanith weyr lad, son S'loner Benden Weyr

Famanoran (F'nor)

- Canth 2nd son Falloner Benden Weyr

Fanderal MasterSmith

Farevene 1 st son Faroguy High Reaches Hold

Faroguy Lord Holder High Reaches Hold

Forist Petiron kin Telgar Hold

Furlo MasterMiner Tillek Hold

G'ranad ex-Weyfieader Benden Weyr

Gemma Lady Holder, Fax's spouse High Reaches Hold

Gennell MasterHarper Harper Hall

Germathen healer Nabol

Giffien assassin High Reaches Hold

Ginia MasterHealer Healer Hall

Gorazde WorkMaster Harper Hall

Gorton MasterWineman Bendon Hold

Gostol MasterFishman, Wave Rider Tillek Hold

Grodon 1st yr apprentice Harper Hall

Grogdian Lord Holder Fort Hold

Groghe 3rd son Grogellan Fort Hold

Halanna alto student Ista Hold

Halibran Halanna's father Ista Hold

Hayara Lady Holder Benden Hold

Hayon Ist son Hayara Benden Hold

Idarolan MasterFishman Tillek Hold

Ifor journeyman harper Tillek Hold

Isla cot keeper Harper Hall

Jerint becomes Master Harper Hall

Jesken weyr lad Benden Weyr

Jez beastholder Ruatha Hold

Jonno weyr lad Benden Weyr

Jora - Nemerth Weyrwoman Benden Weyr

Jurana Lady Holder Tillek Hold

K'net - Pianth bronze rider Benden Weyr

Kailey journeyman harper Wide Bay Hold

Kale Lord Holder Ruatha Hold

Kalem journeyman shipbuilder Tillek Hold

Karenchok journeyman harper South Boll

Kasia Juvana's sister Tillek Hold

Kepiru Fax's lad Telgar Gather

Klada shy holder Tillek Hold

Kubisa primary teacher Harper Hall

Kulla hospitable woman Nerat border

Laela woman South Boll Hold

Landon 2nd son Halibran Ista Hold

Larad son Tarathel Telgar Hold

Lama Carola's daughter Benden Weyr

Lear dorm-mate Harper Hall

Lessa Kale's daughter, Weyrwoman Ruatha Hold

Lesseldon Lord Holder Crom

Lexey slow child Harper Hall

Libby Kubisa's daughter Harper Hall

Lissala seawoman Wave Rider

Lobirn MasterHarper High Reaches Hold

Londik treble apprentice Harper Hall

Lorra headwoman Harper Hall

Lotricia Lobirn's spouse High Reaches Hold

Lytonal (L'tol)

- Larth ex-harper, brown rider Benden Weyr

M'odon - Nigarth oldest rider Benden Weyr

M'ridin - Cortath bronze rider Benden Weyr

Macester guard Telgar Hold

Maidir Lord Holder Benden Hold

Maizella daughter Maidir Benden Hold

Mallan journeyman harper High Reaches Hold

Manora mother Famanoran Benden Weyr

Marcine dancer High Reaches Hold

Marlifin MasterCarver Tillek Hold

Matsen SeaHolder South Boll Hold

Maxilant harper Ista Hold

Melongel Lord Holder Tillek Hold

Merdine (dec.) Kasia's ex-espoused Greystones Hold

Merelan MasterSinger Harper Hall

Meren Station Master Runner Station