Chapter 9

Kaili was exercising Avalanche when she saw two figures riding hard across the canyon she had ridden to the lip of; their demeanour was desperate, though she could tell little more at a distance. The runners they rode exuded feelings of stress, driven hard. Quickly Kaili scrawled a note for Tragen and sent little Swiftwind back with it, requesting T'han's presence.

Avalanche merely snorted as Firrianth backwinged in on the narrow ledge. The runner had learned the burly young Brown's scent; and with Kaili's encouragement classed him as 'mostly harmless'. Tragen had come along himself.

"There's people out there, look like they're fleeing from something" explained Kaili. "I've lost sight of them. I thought we ought to investigate. Was I right?" she asked Tragen. He nodded.

"Go with T'han – I'll stay here with Avalanche"

Kaili nodded and scrambled up onto the young dragon.

Soon she had spotted the fugitives, easier to see from the air; and T'han directed Firrianth to land far enough away not to unsettle the runners. In truth the poor beasts were too tired to panic, but the smell of dragon would have added to their misery. Kaili slid down Firrianth's leg and ran to intercept the riders, half indignant they should ride so hard.

The fugitives turned out to be the Lady Elexa and her daughter, the latter almost as exhausted as the runners. Elexa was virtually leading her daughter's mount; and she gave a cry of surprise at the sight of a brown dragon in the way; and at the sight of Kaili.

"Elexa? Are you all right?" Kaili asked, not bothering to add any honorific.

"I need to get to Tragen's – or the Weyr" Elexa tried to maintain a dignified mein, though she too was swaying with tiredness. "I must warn them what my brother is up to!"

"What is he up to?" questioned Kaili.

"He's training soldiers – like Fax – and he's training them in crossbow. He's heard that they can bring down dragons."

Kaili paled.

"Go to the Weyr with T'han" she ordered. "I'll see after Elena and the beasts and take them safely to Northfork. This has to be told – and quickly. T'han can fetch Elena when he's dropped you off. Quick!"

Elexa was not used to taking orders from any chit of a girl; but what Kaili said made sense and she was almost too tired to care. She passed her rein and Elena's to Kaili; and pausing only to hug her daughter approached Firrianth fearlessly. T'han was impressed and said so.

"I've no time to be afraid" snapped Elexa "And dragons are harmless enough. It's people you should fear, boy."

T'han helped her up meekly, feeling about six turns old!

oOoOo

T'bor heard Elexa's story; and after sending T'han back for the woman's daughter took her personally to tell her tale to Lord Bargen. He also sent several steady riders to discreetly overfly Lord Aven's holdings to report back; and he chose logicators. H'llon, V'gion, D're, L'gal and M'kel were sent, as the most observant people in the weyr outside of queenriders. None of the latter were sent on principle, lest Aven spot them and carry out a rash act of vicious violence. The riders had orders to fly high and under no circumstances to land. Each one carried one of Master Wansor's distance viewers borrowed hastily from a variety of sources, sometimes with the knowledge of the legitimate owner too! M'kel particularly figured that what T'bor didn't know wouldn't hurt him!

L'gal was chosen to bring the report to Lord Bargen, as a Harper in addition to being a Bronze Rider his testimony was unimpeachable. The others chose to come and support him, H'llon visibly fuming.

Bargen had heard Elexa's tale and found it hard to credit: but L'gal's report of many men in an encampment lent it credence.

"What on Pern am I to do?" he asked rhetorically.

"He swore to attack the Weyr, correct?" T'bor asked Elexa. She nodded.

"He was humiliated by having to pay fine because the girl Kaili that he took was the sister of a Bronze Rider. Then she bit him at the Gather when he manhandled her. He's out of control."

T'bor nodded, sure of his legal ground.

"If, my Lord, you will permit the Weyr to help in this" he said carefully "As the risk is to us as well, then we could pledge dragonback transport for your men to deal with this problem. And I don't doubt there'd be volunteers to back up your own people." He added grimly.

"Hear hear!" declared H'llon. "Time this Aven type was dealt with!"

T'bor did not even look repressively at his outspoken young rider!

"He – he might be unwell" ventured Elexa.

"What do you mean?" snapped Bargen. Elexa looked down.

"I gave him drugs to incapacitate him to give me the chance to escape with my daughter" she said quietly.

"If you over-calculated the dose and he dies, sure, I reckon none will blame you – as I heard he was plannin' to violate the little girl" said D're, staring pointedly at Lord Bargen.

Bargen knew full well that D're was trying to manipulate him, and wondered whether to take offence or no

"How did you know that?" Elexa asked D're sharply.

D're shrugged.

"Didn't me own dharlin' sister Kaili see the way the little turd looked at and handled the ghirlie, like no close relative ought to?" he declared.

Bargen frowned.

"If such is the case, Lady Elexa, no-one would blame you if you deliberately gave your brother a fatal dose. A womanmust be permitted to protect herself – and particularly her children."

Elexa almost fainted with relief; only her pride kept her upright. There had always been stories of dragonmen reading hearts to find out who had perpetrated crimes, and the logicators had revived, unwittingly, all the old tales of this sort!

T'bor nodded.

"I think we agree on THAT point" he said. "Give us a little time to get ready, Lord Bargen – and we'll be back in force to pick up your men. Say at dusk. Tell them to relieve themselves and empty their bowels first. Going between for the first time can lead to accidents."

Bargen nodded. He was himself used to travel dragonback and had almost forgotten the advice to first time flyers!

oOoOo

Lord Bargen's men were not prepared for a full Weyr complement of 300 fighting dragons; everyone had volunteered from a nearly toothless Blue Rider to the youngest of the Blooded; and T'bor had had to prevent some youngsters still learning to go between from sneaking along too! It was an impressive sight.

"And the better to impress upon people that when Weyr and Hold work together, those of Fax'x stamp had better look out!" said T'bor crisply. "This is a message we're driving home; the message is partly the manner of its delivery."

"Magnificent deliverers at that!" murmured Bargen; who had never contemplated before what several hundred grim faced men on flaming dragons could be capable of if they made a concerted effort; even T'kul's infamous reign had not made so martial a showing! He was grateful once again that dragonmen were sworn to PROTECT the people of Pern – and that T'bor and his people were scrupulous over that vow!

The battle was short; and brutal. T'bor had conferred briefly with the leader of Bargen's troops, and the two men had sized each other up and like what they saw. A consensus was found that prisoners would only make things untidy. Dragonriders hated to kill without reason as it upset dragons; but to prevent a second Fax and to protect their beloved dragons seemed reason enough to most! Those who did not feel that they could kill contented themselves with transporting others and kept themselves out of the actual fighting. Aven's bully boys were for the most part holdless outlaws; and as such little match for trained men, for Aven was not the military genius that his father had been. There were not even any lookouts posted; and when the dragons burst from between at virtually ground level in perfect formation they achieved total surprise. The hastily improvised tactic of having the passengers ready grasped by the wrist to drop straight away was hardly needed. The brutal Holder did not seem to be in evidence to rally and lead his demoralised rabble, and many of the supposed army had taken advantage of his absence to become drunk!

After a while it turned the stomachs of the attackers to kill drunken oafs; but they continued the grim work, reminding themselves that, if sober, these same oafs would have no compunction about killing them, or any dragons, or raping their womenfolk.

The only casualty to the dragons was Camnath; who trod heavily backwards onto a heavy crossbow that had been left cocked and received a bolt in his tail. Camnath's bellow of outrage and declaration that something had bitten his tail was later to make a good story; and R'cal called him a silly old fool when he realised that the wound was superficial!

Wounds to men were also mostly superficial, for the surprise had been so complete. When it was all over, Aven was discovered in his bed stone dead, twisted and with a look of horror on his face. No-one mourned. Indeed D're suggested a citation be sent to the Lady Elexa: but T'bor frowned him down!

"Though it's a fact" said Bargen dryly "That if they'd had their leader present they might have been alert; and we could have taken more casualties, men and dragons alike. We owe a debt of several lives to that clever woman, and it's no point denying it!"

"And we'll be glad to take her and her daughter as candidates" said T'bor "For when we next have a clutch. Her brother Jaxom's a dragonrider after all."

Bargen beamed.

It relieved him of the responsibility of finding a niche for a clever woman with a knowledge of poisons!

Meantime, Kaili had helped Elena ford the small stream at the bottom of the canyon; and Tragen led Avalanche down as a fresh mount for the exhausted girl to relieve her own. Kaili told Tragen what had happened; and he exclaimed in horror.

"They'll sort it out in the Weyr" said Kaili cheerfully. "Give over complaining, Avalanche, m'bhoy. Sure, you're not too dim to manage a little bit lass like this now?" her brogue thickened.

Avalanche grumbled, but did as he was bid.

"A little bit lass?" Elena managed an indignant snort. "I've fourteen turns, you know!"

"Is that so? Then you are what the Weyr calls the 'age of choice' and counted an adult" Kaili said. She was talking mostly for the sake of talking, to reassure the frightened girl and to give her something to focus on to prevent her from collapsing. This comment had an excellent effect on the girl and she sat up straighter; and Avalanche communicated that it was easier now than trying to lug a sack like a burro.

Elena said,

"Do I get to make my own choices there then? Even if I want something Mother doesn't want for me?"

"Even so" Kaili confirmed. "Though you'd be foolish not to take the advice from elders that have your interests at heart. Or at least to listen, even if you discard their advice. Heave ho, now, 'tis a steep place!"

Tragen and Kaili had led runners and Avalanche with his burden back to the ledge from which Kaili had first seen the fugitives before T'han returned. Kaili nodded thanks to him; and turned to Tragen.

"Will you have me lead the beasts in while you fly back?" she asked. "Someone ought to be at the Hold who knows what's happening in case the Weyr sends for anything."

Tragen nodded, and she embraced him.

"Sure you don't want me to lead them?" he asked, with a quick glance at T'han. The boy was good looking and near to Kaili's own age; and she seemed easy in his company. Had he found her only to lose her? a cold hand clutched at his heart.

Kaili was shaking her head.

"They'll fuss if you're gone too long. Besides, I'm happier on the ground than up there. The boss gets to do the less pleasant duties" she twinkled at him; and Tragen laughed in relief. What a foolish thought – that she'd choose a handsome dragonrider over runnerbeasts!

D're came late with news that all had been sorted out; and both Tragen and Kaili sighed with relief. T'han had dropped Tragen off at Northfork and taken Elena on to the Weyr where, D're said, she had been reunited in rather lachrymose fashion with her mother.

"And L'rilly's set on putting both to egg" he said.

"Both?" queried Kaili. "Well, I guess ELexa was no more than a child when Elena was born so I guess that's reasonable. Does she trust her? I do."

D're grinned.

"I'm not sure about that – but she does LIKE anyone who'd poison Aven with klah filled with lurweed!"

"That must have been painful" said Kaili, with satisfaction. "It causes convulsions in runnerbeasts. I guess it's no different in humans."

"I guess not" grinned D're. "I can live with that without qualm!"

"So can I!" agreed Kaili emphatically.

After D're had left, she threw herself on Tragen's chest and sobbed. He stroked her hair gently.

"What is it love?" he asked

"He's dead. At last he's dead and he can't hurt us and I'm so relieved. But I'm crying." Kaili was bewildered.

"Sh, love. You've been so worried. That's all" he reassured her.

She lifted a teary face.

"Tragen – I know we're not wed yet; but will you kill him totally for me? Show me once and for all what it's like with love?"

"Of course – if you're sure that's what you want."

She nodded, blushing; and he kissed her. It was tender at first, then increasingly passionate as she responded; then he picked her up and carried her into his room. Tragen was a man of experience; and it was Kaili's desires that led their loving until all her fears were dispelled and all her hurts had turned to joy. And Tragen knew that he would never need fear her finding some other young man, for as both were Whisperers their very emotions could join almost like a firelizard driven experience! And, Tragen reflected, they had that too to share one day when Windfire was old enough to mate! And all was right with the world at Northfork as Tragen and Kaili slept in each other's arms.

Tragen made sure to have the wedding arrangements organised as soon as possible. Although his own people would not cavil over any irregularities in his and Kaili's relationship, he had no intention of risking the legitimacy of any offspring that might result – for there were always those that would throw mud, especially those who envied his holdings enough to make serious trouble. Kaili's wedding gown was echoed by the red leaves of the few maples that grew by Northfork to provide its sugar; and if the red clashed with her hair, neither bride nor groom cared. As D're put it bluntly,

"Besides sister mine, the purpose of a wedding gown is for the groom to be takin' it off, so it is!"

The End

For now