amc.masterharperofpern-第63部分

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　healer；　and　pick　five　of　the　biggest；　strongest　apprentices　to　go　with　you。　The　runners　got　him　over　the　Crom　border　into　Nabol　to　Station　193。　D'you　know　its　location？〃
　　　Robinton　did；　since　he　had　often　studied　the　disposition　of　Runner　Stations。　He　gathered　up　the　group；　including　the　sturdiest　healer　out　of　the　journeymen　presently　in　the　Healer　Hall；　and　mounted　them　on　the　best　of　the　runner…beasts　available。　They　made　it　to　the　Station；　riding　hard　and　changing　mounts　at　Ruatha。
　　　Evenek　had　been　very　kindly　attended　by　the　Station　Master；　who　had　brought　in　the　nearest　healer　he　could　reach。
　　　〃I've　done　what　I　can。〃　Germathen；　the　healer；　shook　his　head　clearly　distressed　by　the　incident。　〃They　broke　every　bone　in　his　hands。　They　also　mangled　his　throat　so　badly　I'd　be　surprised　if　he　ever　sings　again。〃
　　　〃Does　he　know　who　did　it？〃　Robinton　demanded　once　he　had　calmed　down　the　vengeful　mutterings　of　his　panions：　hard　to　do　with　rage　consuming　him；　but　he　knew　that　retaliation　…　however　satisfying　that　might　be　…　would　achieve　nothing　helpful　for　the　Harper　Hall。
　　　Germathen　shrugged。　〃I　think　he　does；　but　he　won't　say　…　and　talking　is　painful　enough　for　him。　I've　set　all　the　bones　I　could；　but　I'd　wish　for　someone　more　adept　than　I　to　check　my　settings。〃　〃Can　he　travel？〃
　　　Robinton　noticed　the　Station　Master's　interest　in　the　answer。
　　　〃If　you　take　it　by　slow　stages；〃　Germathen　replied。　〃In　fact；　I　think　Evenek　will　not　feel　safe　until　he　is　back　in　the　Harper　Hall。〃　〃If　any　of　us　are　safe　there。。。〃　one　of　the　apprentices　muttered。
　　　〃Fort　and　Ruatha　would　protect　the　Harper　Hall　to　the　last　man；〃　Robinton　said　firmly。　〃May　I　see　Ev　now？〃
　　　The　wounded　man　had　been　installed　in　the　last；　and　safest；　of　the　connecting　dormitory　rooms　in　the　Station。　Three　older　runners　were　seated　outside　his　door；　while　the　Station　Master's　spouse　sat　inside；　sewing　quietly。　She　rose；　one　hand　reaching　for　a　stout　cudgel；　when　the　harpers　entered。
　　　Evenek　was　asleep；　his　hands　swathed　in　bulky　bandages　and　cushioned　by　pillows。　His　face　was　a　mass　of　bruises；　and　his　neck　was　covered　in　bandages　as　far　down　as　his　chest。　Robinton　was　sick　to　his　stomach；　and　one　of　the　other　harpers　abruptly　retreated　from　the　room。　As　Robinton　stood　there；　a　bitterness　welled　up　in　him　of　a　strength　he　had　not　imagined　himself　capable　of　feeling　…　far　deeper　and　more　primitive　even　than　that　which　had　assailed　him　after　Kasia's　death。　He　thought　briefly　of　asking　for　F'lon's　help　to　transport　Evenek；　but　with　such　injuries　the　cold　of　between　was　inadvisable。
　　　The　joy　and　relief　in　Evenek's　eyes；　his　broken　attempts　to　thank　them；　had　an　even　more　profound　effect　on　those　who　had　e　to　his　aid。　He　managed　to　indicate　that　he　would　endure　any　disfort　which　travelling　might　cause　him。
　　　〃Home。。。　the　Hall。。。〃　he　kept　repeating。
　　　Germathen　and　the　healer　journeyman　had　a　quiet　professional　discussion　and　told　Robinton　that　they　could　start　back　the　next　morning。　If　those　in　the　Runner　Station　looked　relieved；　they　had　succoured　Evenek　when　he　most　needed　their　help　and　Robinton　made　certain　that　the　Harper　Hall　stood　in　their　debt。
　　　〃To　do　that　to　a　harper；　Robinton；　is　something　I　never　thought　to　see；〃　the　Station　Master　said；　shaking　his　head。　〃I　don't　know　what　the　world　is　ing　to；　I　don't。〃
　　　After　dinner；　the　harpers　…　quietly　…　entertained　those　at　the　Station。　They　brought　Evenek　safely　back　to　the　Harper　Hall；　where　his　condition　reduced　Master　Gennell　to　tears。　Later　MasterHealer　Ginia　and　her　assistant；　Oldive；　having　had　a　chance　to　assess　his　injuries；　announced　that　while　they　thought　they　could　give　him　back　the　use　of　his　hands；　he　might　not　be　as　adept　on　some　instruments　as　before。　About　his　voice；　they　could　not　yet　give　any　reassurance：　the　trachea　had　been　badly　damaged。
　　　It　was　some　time　before　the　shock　of　Evenek's　injuries　was　absorbed　by　the　Hall。　But　Lord　Grogellan；　with　his　sons；　made　a　formal　visit　to　Master　Gennell；　assuring　Harper　Hall　of　their　firm　and　unequivocal　support；　and　protection；　of　the　Hall　and　any　harpers　wherever　they　might　need　assistance。
　　　While　such　brutality　seemed　to　be　an　isolated　incident；　harpers　everywhere　were　warned　to　be　on　their　guard　and　to　travel　with　traders　or　other　known…to…be…friendly　groups。
　　　Master　Gennell；　who　suffered　badly　now　from　joint…ail；　continued　to　send　Robinton　as　his　representative　…　and　as　another　set　of　'eyes　and　ears'。　This　morning；　when　Gennell　sent　an　apprentice　to　ask　Robinton　to　join　him　in　his　office；　Robinton　registered　a　mild　and　humorous　plaint。
　　　〃So　where　can　you　send　me　this　time；　Master？　I　do　believe　that　I've　met　every　Lord　Holder；　most　of　the　minor　ones；　and　been　in　every　Crafthold　on　the　continent。　What　place　can　I　have　missed　on　my　travels　for　you？〃
　　　〃Oh；　I've　found　one；〃　Gennell　replied　with　a　smile；　gesturing　for　Robinton　to　be　seated。　〃Not　that　you　haven't　been　at　Telgar　often　enough；　but　there's　to　be　a　big　Gather　and　Lord　Tarathel　has　invited　Fax。〃
　　　〃What？〃
　　　〃I　thought　that　would　get　your　attention。　Tarathel　means　to　have　a　chat　with　the　man。　He's　annoyed　over　certain　problems　on　his　borders　with　Fax。〃
　　　〃I　shouldn't　wonder。〃
　　　〃Nip　tells　me　that　Fax　is　planning　something。　He　can't　figure　out　what；　but　Fax　is　far　too　eager　to　attend　and　has　been　drilling　his　men。。。〃
　　　〃In　what？〃
　　　〃Parades。　And　wrestling。　With　daggers。〃
　　　〃How　are　you　with　a　dagger；　Rob？〃
　　　〃I've　pinned　Shonagar　with　my　blade　at　his　throat；〃　the　young　Master　said。
　　　〃Oh；　really？〃　Gennell's　eyebrows　raised　high　in　surprise。　〃That's　good。　But。。。　you're　to　keep　your　dagger　in　its　sheath。　I've　more　use　for　you　than　being　pincushion　to　one　of　Fax's　louts。〃
　　　〃Oh？〃
　　　Gennell　shifted　in　his　chair；　clasping　his　stiff；　knotted　fingers　across　his　increasing　paunch。　He　tilted　his　head　to　one　side；　observing　Robinton　for　such　a　long　moment　that；　in　spite　of　himself；　Robinton　shifted　at　such　scrutiny。
　　　〃I've　had　a　purpose　in　sending　you　here　and　there；　to　every　major　Hold　and　Hall　on　Pern。〃
　　　〃Really！〃　With　great　difficulty；　Robinton　kept　curiosity　out　of　his　response。　But　it　was　hard。
　　　〃Yes；　I'm　growing　old；　Rob；　and　I've　to　look　for　a　replacement。　Of　course　all　the　MasterHarpers　vote　as　their　conscience　dictates；　but　I've　made　my　wish　clear。　You！〃
　　　Robinton　stared　at　his　old　friend。　He　hadn't　expected　that。
　　　〃You'll　be　around　a　long　time　yet；　Gennell；〃　he　said　with　a　laugh　which　died　when　he　saw　the　expression　on　Gennell's　face。
　　　〃No；　I　think　not；〃　the　MasterHarper　said。　〃What　with　this　joint…ail　and　no　Betrice　to　fuss〃　…　Gennell　smiled　fondly　at　the　thought　of　his　spouse　…　〃the　heart's　gone　out　of　me。　I　may　call　for　the　election　and　spend　my　remaining　time　on　a　warm　beach　in　Ista。〃　〃Now；　wait　a　minute；　Gennell；　I'm　much　too　young。。。〃
　　　〃The　Hall　must　have　someone　young　and　vigorous　as　MasterHarper；　Rob。〃　Gennell's　manner　turned　resolute；　as　well　as　anxious。　〃Now　more　than　ever　before。　I　can't　leave　the　CraftHall　without　someone　who　appreciates　the　threat　Fax　poses　to　the　entire　world。　I　must　know　that　other　holds　will　not　suffer　the　same　future　that　High　Reaches　and　now　Crom　are　facing：　illiteracy　and　oppression。〃　Watching　intently；　Robinton　could　see　clearly　how　age　and　infirmity　were　hampering　the　once　brisk　and　energetic　MasterHarper。　〃And　someone；〃　Gennell　continued；　pointing　a　gnarled　forefinger　at　the　seated　harper；　〃who　believes；　as　I　do；　that　Thread　will　return　to　menace　the　land。〃　He　wearily　brushed　back　thinning　hair。　〃I　don't　know　what　the　Weyr　is　going　to　do；　but　it　is　our　beholden　duty　as　harpers　to　support　Benden　in　any　way　we　can。　Your　going　there　as　a　child；　and　as　a　journeyman；　has　given　you　an　admirable　contact　in　F'lon。　He's　making　himself　a　shade　unpopular　with　some　of　the　Lord　Holders。　If　you　could　give　him　some　advice。。。〃
　　　〃Which　F'lon's　not　likely　to　take　from　anyone。　Including　me；〃　Robinton　said　sourly。
　　　〃I　think　you　underestimate　your　influence　on　him；　Rob；〃　Gennell　said；　he　sank　heavily　into　his　chair　again；　grimacing　at　the　pain。
　　　〃And　I　think　you've　more　influence　throughout　the　land　now　than　you　may　realize。　Are　you　still　able　to　talk　to　dragons？〃
　　　Robinton　nodded。　〃Simanith；　at　any　rate。　I　suspect　that's　only　because　of　F'lon。　Not　that　our　conversations　are　anything　to　write　ballads　about。〃
　　　Gennell　waggled　a　finger　at　him。　〃It's　more　than　most　non…weyrfolk　ever　have。〃
　　　〃That's　true　enough。〃
　　　Gennell　smiled　briefly。　〃Nip　reports　that　of　all　the　harpers；　you're　one　that　even　the　Hall's　worst　critics　will　accept。〃
　　　〃Except　in　the　High　Reaches。〃
　　　〃Fax　will　overstep　himself。　That　sort　of　man　always　does。　There've　been　others　like　him　before；　there　will　be　more　like　him　in　the　future。　When　we　live　by　the　Charter；　everyone　prospers。　When　it　is　abrogated；　the　whole　continent　suffers。〃
　　　Robinton　nodded　in　plete　agreement；　though　the　prospect　of　trying　to　ensure　that　the　Charter　was　obeyed　was　daunting。
　　　Especially　in　the　face　of　Fax's　active　aggression。
　　　〃So；　Master　Robinton；　I　have　named　you　my　choice　of　successor。〃
　　　Robinton　demurred；　muttering　about　his　youth　and　the　fact　that　there　were　plenty　of　men　who　would　be　more　logical　choices。
　　　〃None　of　them　wants　the　job；〃　Gennell　said　with　grim　humour。
　　　〃Minnarden　strongly　urged　me　to　consider　you；　as　did　Evarel；　and　certainly　I've　had　support　from　all　the　resident　Masters。〃　〃Including。。。　Petiron？〃　Robinton　asked；　grinning。
　　　〃Oddly　enough；　yes。　Oh；　I　doubt　he　would　have　suggested　you；　but　he　did　not　oppose　the　selection。〃
　　　That　did　surprise　Robinton。
　　　〃I　admit　that　I　got　the　position　more　by　default　than　ambition；〃　Gennell　said　with　a　hearty　chuckle。　〃I　have　served　the　Hall　to　the　best　of　my　ability。。。〃　Robinton　concurred：　Gennell　was　exceedingly　popular　as　MasterHarper。　The　old　Master　went　on：　〃I　shouldn't　care　to　take　on　the　responsibilities　of　dealing　with　Fax；　much　less　Thread。〃
　　　〃You're　too　kind；〃　Robinton　murmured　ironically。
　　　〃I've　had　you　marked　as　my　successor　from　the　moment　I　saw　you　talking　to　the　dragons。　Do　you　re