He was, in truth, rather pleased with himself because of the success of their interference.
CHAPTER TWELVE
By the time they reached Tillek Hold, however, he had got tired of hearing Groghe repeat the tale of their little foray into arbitration at every hold they sheltered in on the long coastline leading to the tip of Tillek and the Hold.Lord Melongel was relieved to hear that the situation had been remedied, and very pleased to procure Journeyman Robinton's addition to his staff with such an instance of his abilities in the field.To offset this minor success, Robinton felt obliged to explain the circumstances under which he had left Benden Hold.
"He'll learn, young Raid will," Melongel said after Robinton had been candid with him."His loss, Tillek's gain.Come, meet my Lady and my tribe of promising Bloods.Master Minnarden's off doing an arbitration service for me, so you'll have to wait to hear what your precise duties are here.However, I'll warn you now that I like to change journeymen every three or four turns, so don't take it personally when either Minnarden or I suggest we make a change."
Robinton grinned back, liking the man's manner: a refreshing change from the two much older Lords he had served, and a decided relief after Raid's didacticism.Melongel was in his prime, active and vigorous, with ragged good looks, though not quite as tall as his harper.He seemed to have time to attend to all his duties and still go out with the fishing fleet from time to time.Since Tillek Hold not only hosted the FishCraftHall but the MasterFishman, and did most of the western ship-building, Melongel thoroughly understood the needs of that Craft as well as the agriculture and forestry which made Tillek a profitable Hold.He had even qualified for his captaincy, but had never taken a command.On one cruise around the Southern Sea to Nerat, Melongel had found a major Holder's daughter, espoused her, and carried her back to his Hold.Robinton heard him call that the most profitable journey he'd ever made.
When Master Minnarden returned two days later, he welcomed his new journeyman effusively, with reminiscences of earlier days spent at the Harper Hall and duets sung with the MasterSinger Merelan.Robinton held his breath, but the MasterHarper did not embarrass him in front of the other two journeymen with tales of Merelan's little boy.
"I understand you're very patient with the slow, and I've several here I'd like to see you bring up to the level the others are at.With one it may not be possible.But if you can do anything, his parents and I would be grateful."
Robinton murmured something polite.
"To offset that chore, I'd like you to take the singers of the Hold for choral practice.I've had to do so much mediation lately, that I've had to give up a steady progression for them.You'll stand the necessary Drum Tower watches." At that, Minnarden grimaced, for the long hours of listening and little action were a penance for most harpers, who tended to be gregarious by nature."If you can find a couple of lads in the Hold to train up to drumming, I'd be grateful.
Shorten our hours.I've not had the time, and neither Mumolon nor Ifor has the top rating you got from the Hall DrumMaster."
Again Robinton nodded.He had had the advantage of being raised in the Harper Hall and learning to decipher messages long before he took the actual course.
"The usual evening divertissements, but we trade off." Then Master Minnarden looked quizzically at him."Bring any new songs with you?" When Robinton smiled in assent, Minnarden sighed with relief."Both Mumolon and Ifor are good harpers, excellent teachers, but couldn't compose if you gave them words and music to put together.That's your special skill, I understand…and don't turn modest on me."
Robinton chuckled.
"You're quartered well?"
Robinton bowed his head gratefully, for he had an outside room, small but private, with a window facing east and a bath next door.
"Need anything?"
Robinton shook his head.
"Good.Tillek is not as much a warren as many big Holds.I’d be grateful."
Robinton murmured something polite.
"To offset that chore, I'd like you to take the singers of the Hold for choral practice.I've had to do so much mediation lately, that I've had to give up a steady progression for them.You'll stand the necessary Drum Tower watches." At that, Minnarden grimaced, for the long hours of listening and little action were a penance for most harpers, who tended to be gregarious by nature."If you can find a couple of lads in the Hold to train up to drumming, I'd be grateful.
Shorten our hours.I've not had the time, and neither Mumolon nor Ifor has the top rating you got from the Hall DrumMaster."
Again Robinton nodded.He had had the advantage of being raised in the Harper Hall and learning to decipher messages long before he took the actual course.
"The usual evening divertissements, but we trade off." Then Master Minnarden looked quizzically at him."Bring any new songs with you?" When Robinton smiled in assent, Minnarden sighed with relief."Both Mumolon and Ifor are good harpers, excellent teachers, but couldn't compose if you gave them words and music to put together.That's your special skill, I understand…and don't turn modest on me."
Robinton chuckled.
"You're quartered well?"
Robinton bowed his head gratefully, for he had an outside room, small but private, with a window facing east and a bath next door.
"Need anything?"
Robinton shook his head.
"Good.Tillek is not as much a warren as many big Holds.But that's because the cliff doesn't have that many caves, so they've used the local stone to build sturdy, Threadproof housing." Robinton looked at him sharply.This was the first time anyone had mentioned Thread.
"Hmmm, yes, young harper, I believe we'll see Thread again," Minnarden said solemnly."I've read too much in the Archives to think Pern will escape its return…in due time.Are you of my mind?Which, I must add, is not shared by many, including Melongel, though he's a well-read man."
"The dragons told me.And I've friends in the Weyr…" Robinton admitted hesitantly.But if Minnarden believed Thread would return, he wouldn't object to Robinton's friendship with a dragonrider.
"Keep them.Cherish them," Minnarden said.Then he cocked his head to one side."Is that why young Lord Raid let you go?" He held up his hand when Robinton moved uneasily in the chair "I know, I know.If you believe in anything, anything, keep that faith.Now," he went on, rising, "if you've any questions after you've settled in, I prefer my harpers talking to me rather than complaining to each other.One last item, though, since this Hold's main source of income is from fishing, I'd like it if you could see your way clear to learn as much of this different lifestyle as you could.Never hurts.Even the hull of a ship has two sides."
Robinton groaned: he was getting mighty tired of that reference!
But he had to grin at Minnarden, who was clearly delighted with his new journeyman's adventure.
Minnarden then retrieved from the shelf behind him a squared-off, leather-bound record book and slid it across the table to Robinton.
"If you haven't memorized the Charter, you'd better, and study the examples of some of the more common infractions." Minnarden grinned."That aspect of our job can be quite interesting at times…" He paused to sigh."And at others, about as infuriating as dealing with the dumbest, most insubordinate, mentally deficient adolescent male." Melongel's middle children, he had nine, were part of the chores group that Robinton was to rehearse.Bright, intelligent and curious, the two boys and one girl were musical enough so that any of the three could have apprenticed in the Harper Hall.His oldest, just a turn younger than Robinton, was Oterel, a rangy, awkward lad needing to grow into his bones.Oterel was delighted to have Groghe share both his room and his duties, for he already had stewardship responsibilities, which went more swiftly with help.