Master Robinton acknowledged their entry with a sympathetic grin for their deliberate and slow movements, the aftereffects of a very convivial evening. He then began asking for explanations of their latest additions to the main chart. When he had satisfied himself on that point, he asked how they had arrived at their conclusions. When they'd told him, he leaned back from the desk, fiddling with his drawing stick with such an unreadable expression on his face that Jaxom began to worry about what the Harper might be planning.
«Have either of you happened to notice the trio of stars we have been calling erroneously, I might add the Dawn Sisters?»
Jaxom and Piemur exchanged glances.
«Do you have a far viewer with you, sir?» Jaxom asked.
The Harper nodded. «Master Idarolan has one aboard his ship. I construe that question to mean that you've noticed that they also appear at dusk?»
«And whenever there's enough moonlight…» Piemur added.
«And always in the same place!»
«I see you did profit by your classes,» the Harper said, beaming at both of them. «Now, I've asked Master Fandarel if we could prevail on Master Wansor to visit here for a few days. Why, might I ask, are you two grinning as if you'd eaten all the bubbly pies at a gather?»
Piemur's grin deepened at this reference to his apprentice pastime.
«I don't think anyone on Pern would refuse to come here, given the whisper of an invitation,» he said.
«Does Master Wansor have his new far viewer finished?» Jaxom asked.
«I certainly hope that he does…»
«Master Robinton…» Brekke stood in the doorway, a curious expression on her face.
«Brekke,» the Harper held up a warning hand, «if you have come to tell me that I have to rest, or drink a potion of your making, I beg you, don't! I have far too much to do.»
«All I have is a message which Kimi has just brought from Sebell,» she said, handing him the small tube.
«Oh!»
«As to your resting, I've only to watch Zair to know when that's necessary!» Her glance, as she turned to leave the study, fell on Jaxom and Piemur. There was no doubt in Jaxom's mind that he and Piemur were under tacit orders not to overstrain the Harper's strength.
Master Robinton raised his eyebrows in surprise as he read the message «Oh, dear. Toric was invaded by a shipload of holders' sons last evening. Sebell feels he should wait till they've settled into temporary quarters.» He chuckled and, when he saw the expressions of Jaxom and Piemur, then added, «I infer that all did not progress as smoothly as the holder boys could wish!»
Piemur snorted, with the contempt born of his Turns' exploring and his knowledge of Toric and his Hold's accommodations.
«Once you can go between, Jaxom,» Robinton continued, «our investigation can proceed more rapidly. I've in mind to set you and the girls out as teams.»
«Harper and Holder?» Jaxom asked, seizing the opportunity he'd been waiting for.
«Harper and holder? Oh, yes, of course. Piemur, you and Menolly have worked well together, I know. So Sharra can go with Jaxom. Now…» Oblivious to the sharp look Piemur gave Jaxom, the man went on. «One sees things from the air in a perspective not always possible at ground level. The reverse, of course, applies. So any exploration should involve both methods. Jaxom, Piemur knows what I'm looking for…»
«Sir?»
«Traces of the original habitation of this continent. I can't for the life of me imagine why our long dead ancestors left this fruitful and beautiful continent for the colder, duller North, but I assume that they had good reasons. The oldest of our Records states: When man came to Pern, he established a good Hold in the South. We used to think,» the Harper smiled apologetically for that error, «that Fort Hold was meant, since it is south in the Northern Continent. But that particular document goes on to state ambiguously: but found it necessary to move north to shield. That never made any sense, but so many of the old Records have deteriorated past deciphering, much less coherence.
«Well, then Toric discovered an iron mine, worked in the open fashion. And N'ton and I sighted unnatural formations set in a mountainside which, when we had finally reached the spot on foot, were clearly mine shafts.
«If the ancients had been long enough in the Southern Continent to discover ore and mine it, there must be other traces of their habitation somewhere here in the South.»
«In hot weather and rainy forest, nothing survives very long,» Jaxom said. «D'ram built a shelter here a scant twenty five Turns back and not much remains of it. And what F'lessan and I stumbled on in Benden Weyr had been sealed up, protected from weather.»
«Nothing,» Piemur said emphatically, «could dent, scratch or mar the pit supports we found in that mine. And not even the best stoneman can carve through solid rock like cheese. Yet the ancients did.»
«We have found some traces. There must be more.»
Jaxom had never heard the Harper so adamant, but he couldn't suppress a sigh as he glanced at the size of the map before him.
«I know, Jaxom, the scope is daunting, but what a triumph when we find the place. Or places!» Master Robinton's eyes shone with anticipation. «Now,» he went on briskly, «once Jaxom is pronounced fit enough to fly between, we will progress southward, using that symmetrical mountain as our guide. Any objections?» The man barely waited for an answer. «Piemur will start out on the ground with Stupid. Menolly can accompany him, if she wishes, or can wait for Jaxom to take her and Sharra on Ruth to the secondary camp. While the girls survey the immediate vicinity, which I understand has not been done, you, Jaxom, can fly ahead with Ruth to set up another camp to which you can fly between the next day. And so on.
«I think you must have been drilled at Fort Weyr,» the Harper said, looking at Jaxom, «to be able to observe and distinguish ground formations from the air? However, I want to impress on you both that though this is a joint effort, Piemur is far more experienced, Jaxom, and you will please bear this in mind when problems occur. And send me your reports for this…» he tapped the chart, «every evening! Off with you both, now, and organize your equipment and supplies. And your partners!»
Though explaining the situation to Menolly and Sharra and organizing their supplies and equipment took very little time, the explorers did not leave Cove Hold that day.
Master Oldive arrived on Lioth with N'ton and was lavishly welcomed by the Harper, more sedately by Brekke and Sharra, and with some reservations by Jaxom. Robinton immediately insisted on showing the Healer the beautiful new hold before, as Robinton expressed it, Oldive had to see his old carcass.
«He's not fooling Master Oldive,» Sharra said, her rich voice for Jaxom's ear alone as they watched the Harper striding vigorously about the holding, Master Oldive murmuring appropriate comments. «Not one fingertip is he fooling the Healer.»
«That's a relief,» Jaxom said. «Otherwise the Harper'll be coming with us.»
«Not between, he won't.»
«No, he'd ride Stupid.»
Sharra laughed, but her amusement ended as they both watched the Healer firmly steer the Harper into his sleeping quarters and quietly close the door.
«No,» Sharra said, shaking her head slowly, «Master Robinton wasn't fooling Master Oldive!»
Jaxom was very glad he didn't have to try to fool the Master Healer when it came his turn to be examined. The ordeal for him was brief a few questions, Master Oldive's inspection of his eyes, tapping on his chest, listening to his heart and the pleased smile on the Healer's mobile face gave Jaxom the favorable verdict.
«Master Robinton will be all right, too, won't he, Master Oldive?» Jaxom couldn't resist asking.
When the Harper had emerged from his room, he had been too quiet, rather thoughtful, and the bounce had gone out of his step. Menolly had poured him a cup of wine which he had accepted with a wistful smile and a deep sigh.