Sigomal groaned, and Gomalsi bit back a cry of protest.
"Master Norist is also stripped of his rank, as are the other Craft members of this conspiracy," Idarolan said. "All are to be exiled. The same place would doubtless give them the company of like minds." He turned to where the other Glasscraftsmen were standing in the crowd. "It is the decision of this body that you must accept Master Morilton as your Craftmaster until such time as we, your peers, decide that you can choose, without prejudice, a man with a more open mind and forward vision than Norist."
Lytol nodded at Jaxom, whose task it was to pass judgment on the other scofflaws. Jaxom had never had to discipline a man for the rest of that man's natural life, but he thought again of the anguish he had felt on that wild ride to rescue Master Robinton.
"Exile!" he announced. Most of the men accepted that, though two of the younger ones looked so desperate that Jaxom added, "Your families may accompany you into exile, if they so choose."
He saw Sharra's slight smile and Lessa's approving nod.
"The convicted will be returned to their quarters and tomorrow will be taken to their place of exile. From this time onward, they are holdless, craftless men and no longer protected by the Weyrs." Jaxom raised his voice over Begamon's frightened babble. "This court is adjourned."
Guards closed in around the condemned, and judges and jury filed into the Hold.
Somehow food had been prepared to serve the unexpected numbers who had come to Ruatha. Sharra told Jaxom in the few moments they had for private conversation that everyone had been exceedingly helpful, Hold, Hall, and Weyr, in accumulating enough provisions to send none away hungry.
"You were, by the way, my love, magnificent," she added. "It was a terrible case to have to judge, but given the evidence and the admissions, no one can fault your decision. The sentence was fairer than they deserved." Her face set in angry lines, and she clenched her fists. "When I saw the bruising Master Robinton sustained..."
"He'll be all right?" Jaxom wondered if maybe he had been too forbearing, though he could not have ordered a death sentence. Had Master Robinton died-or had Biswy not died of heart failure-he might have had to decide differently.
Lord Groghe sought him out then, to reassure Jaxom that he himself, had the offenses happened in his Hold, would have done exactly the same. To Jaxom's surprise and a certain sad gratification, Lord Corman also approached him later in the evening.
"Well handled, Jaxom. Only thing you could have done under the circumstances."
The Keroonian Holder did not remain for the evening meal, nor did he ever visit Landing again. But from then on he neither prevented his holders from using the new products nor objected when young folk asked to go South to study. Of Aivas-developed items, Lord Corman purchased only paper, remarking once in his harper's hearing that Bendarek had discovered a form of paper on his own before "the machine" had awakened.
The next morning three Fort Weyr wings arrived at Ruatha to convey the convicted to their place of exile. Delivery of the letters the men had written to their families was promised. Those wishing to join their menfolk would be brought to the island as soon as they were ready.
Master Idarolan had chosen the exile site. "Not too large, not too small, with good fishing and some game, though wherry makes a dull diet. Plenty of fruit and root vegetables. They'll have to work to survive, but that's no more than we must do."
"Threadfall?" Jaxom asked.
Master Idarolan shrugged. "There're a few caves, and you're taking care of the future of that problem. They can endure it or not as they choose. There's also an old volcano and evidence that the island has been inhabited before. It's far more hospitable than Far West Continent, where they'd have only sand and snakes."
When the men were mounted on the dragons, they were handed sacks with basic tools and a few supplies. Then the wings took off between.
Jaxom felt enervated as never before, his spirits sunken to a bleak nadir. But as Ruatha's Lord Holder, he had to respond with courtesy and civility to others who were acrimonious in their opinions and harbored considerable rancor for the guilty. Those he admired most among the Lord Holders said little or nothing.
Asgenar and Toronas departed to assist young Sousmal at Bitra. On their way back to Cove Hold, D'ram and Robinton would drop Lytol off at Nerat Hold to apprise Ciparis, who had previously acted as Begamon's Steward, of his new status.
Brand and his under-stewards were busy arranging for transportation for the many visitors, seeing to travel supplies for those who had exhausted their own and directing the drudges to clear up the debris and repair the damage caused by the large crowd.
Jaxom was perversely grateful when Sharra, looking extremely torn between her responsibilities, asked him if she was needed to help.
"You're wanted back at the laboratory on the Yokohama?" he asked.
"Oldive and I both."
He gave her a brief hug and a kiss and nodded. In a way it would be a relief to be able to sort out his thoughts without infecting her with his dejection.
"I'll spend some time with the boys," he said. "I'm not needed right now for anything at the Yokohama or Landing."
That was not essentially true, and Sharra knew it. She gave him a quick stare, but then she smiled sadly, kissed his cheek, and left him alone in their quarters.
From his window, he watched her and Oldive mount on the young blue who was now on duty at Ruatha-and that, unfortunately, reminded him of G'lanar.
I am here, Ruth said softly from his weyr in the Hold.
You always are here for me, dear friend, Jaxom said, intolerably weary.
You did as you had to, as you ought to. No blame is yours.
But I am left to deal with its aftermath.
You have acted with honor. Others did not. Can you do more than act with honor?
A good question, Ruth, a very good question. Jaxom stretched out on his bed, hands clasped behind his head. Could I have avoided this outcome?
How? By not helping Piemur and Jancis to uncover Aivas that day? The machine would have been found by someone. More good has come of that day's work than any other-except, of course– and Jaxom, hearing the odd satisfied chirp in Ruth's tone, smiled faintly-the day we brought the queen egg back to Ramoth. And yesterday, when we went forward and assured our success...
Jaxom's smile deepened in spite of his disconsolate mood, as he envisioned Ruth's eyes twirling with blue mischief.
Men think differently than dragons do, Ruth went on thoughtfully. Most of the time dragons understand their mates. Sometimes, like now, I cannot quite understand why you are troubled. You allow people to think as they wish so long as they do not impose their thoughts on you. You are good about listening to both sides of a problem. I've heard you. You allow people to do as they wish, so long as they do not injure anybody, especially someone you love and admire.
Ah, but when we knew that Sigomal was plotting against Robinton, we should have confronted him then, Jaxom said.
Were the plans known?
No, not exactly.
And you took measures to protect the Harper.
Which didn't work, did they?
Not your fault. Who could have thought that they would try something at a Gather, with so many other people about? You must put aside such useless thoughts, Jaxom. You only make yourself miserable. We have much to look forward to...
Don't we! Jaxom grimaced as he flopped over onto his stomach, burying his face in the pillow, knowing as he did so that he was merely evading that issue. He made himself think of it: Would he and Ruth tackle the problem Aivas had posed them?