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 complaint.
"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 onlybecause 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 complete 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 remember that day?"
Robinton nodded; that had been one of the high points of his childhood.Once F'lon had mentioned that dragons were whimsical about talking to non-weyrfolk.Sometimes they would.More often they would not.F'lon had added with one of his mischievous smiles, "The dragons do like you, Rob." But Robinton had thought that was a secret between himself, the dragons and their riders.
"I didn't realize that anyone was watching."
Gennell grinned."I've watched you from the moment your mother told me you were piping variations on a theme."
"Have I ever thanked you, Gennell, for all you've done for me?" There was no irony in Robinton's voice now.
"Pssst." Gennell dismissed the matter with a flick of his fingers.
"I was your MasterHarper then, as I am now.Be a good Master to all within this Hall and I am doubly repaid.Do not let a tyrant like Fax still the voices of any more harpers."
To that Robinton swore purpose and loyalty.
"Did you hear the drum message this morning?" Gennell asked in a complete change of subject.
"Yes." Robinton smiled."A new baby at Ruatha Hold.A girl, small but healthy."
Two days later, both Robinton and Gennell were called to Fort Hold.Lord Grogellan had refused the advice of MasterHealer Ginia, her very capable young journeyman Oldive, and the Hold's healer.He would not allow them to attempt surgery.