Anne McCaffrey - Dragonsinger

At the Harper Craft Hall

RobintonMasterharper; bronze fire lizard, Zair

Masters:

JerintInstrument maker

DomickComposition

MorshalMusical Theory

ShonagarVoice

ArnorArchivist

OldiveHealer

Journeymen:

Sebell; gold fire lizard, Kimi

Brudegan

Talmor

Dermently

Apprentices:

Piemur

Ranly

Timiny

Brolly

Bonz

Menolly; 9 fire lizards:

Gold: Beauty

Bronze: Rocky, Diver

Brown: Lazybones, Mimic, Brownie

Blue: Uncle

Green: Auntie One, Auntie Two

Students:

Amania

Audiva

Pona

Briala

Silvinaheadwoman

Abunakitchen worker

Camohalf-witted kitchen drudge

Duncacotholder of girls cottage

At Fort Hold

Lord Holder Groghe; gold fire lizard, Merga

Benisson of Groghe

Viderianfosterling

Ligand-journeyman tanner

Palimbaker

Tledondragonrider

At Half-Circle Sea Hold

YanusSea Holder

MaviSea Molders Lady

Alemison of Yanus

Petironold Harper

Elgionnew Harper

At Benden Weyr

FlarWeyrleader

LessaWeyrwoman

Tgellanbronze dragonrider

Fnorbrown dragonrider; gold fire lizard Grall

Brekkequeenrider; bronze fire lizard Berd

ManoraHeadwoman

Felenasecond in charge

Mirrimfosterling of Brekke; 3 fire lizards

As she attacked the sea in rage

A holderman came nigh

Along the sand

Fishnet in hand

And saw the queen midsky.

He saw her plight and quickly

He looked up the cliff he faced

And saw a cave

Above the wave

In which her eggs he placed.

When Menolly, daughter of Yanus Sea Holder, arrived at the Harper Craft Hall, she came in style, aboard a bronze dragon. She was seated on Monarths neck between his rider, Tgellan, and the Masterharper of Pern, Robinton. For one who had been told that girls could not become harpers, who had run away and actually lived holdless because she could not continue life without music, this was something of a triumphal success.

Yet it was also frightening. To be sure, music would not be denied her at the Harper Hall. True, she had written some songs that the Masterharper had heard and liked. But they were just tunings, not anything important. And what could a girl, even one who had taught her Holds youngsters their Teaching Songs and Ballads, do at a Harper Hall from which all teaching songs originated? Especially a girl who had inadvertently Impressed nine fire lizards when everyone else on Pern would give a left arm to own just one? What had Master Robinton in mind for her to do here in the Harper Hall?

She couldnt think, she was so tired. Shed had a busy, exciting day at Benden Weyr on the opposite side of the continent where night now was well advanced. Here in Fort Hold, the sky was just darkening.

Just a few minutes more, said Robinton in her ear. She heard him laugh because just then bronze Monarth trumpeted a greeting to the Fort Hold watch dragon. Hang on, Menolly. I know you must be exhausted. Ill put you in Silvinas care the moment we land. See, there, and she followed the line of his pointing finger and saw the lighted quadrangle of buildings at the foot of the Fort Hold cliff. Thats the Harper Hall.

She shivered then, with fatigue, the cold of their passage between and apprehension. Monarth was circling now, and figures were pouring out of the Harper Hall into the courtyard, waving wildly to cheer the Masterharpers return. Somehow, Menolly hadnt expected that thered be so many people in the Harper Craft Hall.

They kept well back, though their shouts of welcome didnt abate, while the big bronze dragon settled in the courtyard, giving him plenty of wingroom.

Ive got two fire lizard eggs! shouted Master Robinton. Hugging the earthen pots tightly against his body, he slid from bronze Monarths shoulder with the ease of considerable practice in dismounting dragons. Two fire lizard eggs! he repeated joyfully, holding the precious egg pots above his head and striding quickly to show off his prizes.

My fire lizards! Anxiously Menolly glanced up and about her. Did they follow us, Tgellan? Theyre not lost between.

No chance of that, Menolly, Tgellan replied, pointing to the slated roof behind them. I asked Monarth to tell them to perch there for the time being.

With infinite relief, Menolly saw the unmistakable outlines of her fire lizards on the rooftop against the darkening sky.

If only they dont misbehave as they did at Benden

They wont, Tgellan assured her easily. Youll see to that. Youve done more with your fair of fire lizards than Fnor has with his one little queen. And Fnors a trained dragonrider. He swung his right leg over Monarths neckridge and dropped to the ground raising his arms to her. Bring your leg over. Ill steady you so you wont jar those sore feet of yours, and his hands braced her as she slid down Monarths shoulder. Thats the girl, and here you are, safe and sound in the Harper Hall. He gestured broadly as if only he could have accomplished this mission.

Menolly looked across the courtyard, where the Masterharpers tall figure and presence dominated those surrounding him. Was Silvina one of them? Wearily Menolly hoped that the Harper would find her quickly. The girl could put no reliance on Tgellans glib assumption that her fire lizards would behave. Theyd only just got used to being at Benden Weyr, among people who had some experience with winged antics.

Dont worry so, Menolly. Just remember, said Tgellan, gripping her shoulder in awkward every harper on Pern has been trying to find Petirons lost apprentice

Because they thought that apprentice was a boy

That made no difference to Master Robinton when he asked you to come here. Times are changing, Menolly, and itll make no difference to the others. Youll see. In a sevenday youll have forgotten youve ever lived anywhere else. The bronze dragonrider chuckled. Great shells, girl, youve lived holdless, outrun Thread, and Impressed nine fire lizards. Whats to fear from harpers?

Where is Silvina? The Masterharpers voice rose above the others. There was a momentary lull and someone was sent to the Hall to find the woman. And no more answers now; Youve the bones of the news, Ill flesh it out for you later, Now, dont drop these egg pots, Sebell. Right now, Ive more good news! Ive found Petirons lost apprentice!

Amid exclamations of surprise, Robinton broke free of the crowd and beckoned Tgellan to bring Menolly forward. For a brief second, Menolly fought the urge to turn and run, impossible as it was with her feet barely healed from trying to outrun Thread and with Tgellans arm about her. His fingers squeezed on her shoulder as if he sensed her nervousness.