Anne McCaffrey
The Master Harper of Pern
Because she is always gracious and supportive, this book is most affectionately dedicated to
Shelly Shapiro and her husband, Tom Hitchins, as well as their daughter Adrianna
As usual, I am indebted to a variety of people for their help and input in writing this volume. Not the least of whom is Master Robinton (aka Frederic H. Robinson) who was quite upset that I had ended his life so abruptly. I would suspect it of a tenor, but for a baritone to insist on another encore is almost unheard of. But I have recently been asked – via the impressive Del Rey Website – to explain certain facts which had not previously been brought to light anent Pern pre-Dragon flight history. As Robinton had a fine Pernese hand in most of it, it behoves me to tell the story from his viewpoint.
I would like to thank Dr. Will Chlosta of St Mary's Hospital New Haven for reading over the medical, and sartorial, inclusions.
This time, my gratitude to Marilyn and Harry Alm as first readers is immense since they saved me from several time discrepancies and inconsistencies. Their knowledge of Pern is extensive and better remembered than mine at times. I am also grateful to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for reading two sets of proofs in four days: a true labour of love.
Most of all let me thank Tania Opland and Michael Freeman for their invaluable contribution on the musical side.
When I asked them if they could possibly supply some of Robinton's early compositions, I didn't realize that Tania had always wanted to be Robinton, from the days when we first met in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike has already made up a tune for me, the Dragonlady, so his inclusion was natural.
Finally, let me thank the numerous folk online in January and February whose IDs helped me find character names.
Adessa Lady Holder, Lessa's mother Ruatha Hold
Agust voice trainer Harper Hall
Anta child Benden Hold
Ashmichel ex-Lord Holder Ruatha Hold
Barba bossy child Harper Hall
Bargen 2nd son Faroguy High Reaches Hold
Benoria Lady Holder Fort Hold
Bosler MasterHarper, instrument maker Harper Hall
Bourdon SeaHold captain, Kasia's father Greystones Hold
Brahil 1st son Halibran Ista Hold
Brashia Kasia's mother Greystones Hold
Bravonner half-brother Falloner Benden Weyr
Bristol harper Telgar Hold
Brodo cotholder's son Benden Hold
Brosil 3rd son Halibmn Ista Hold
C'gan – Tagath Weyrsinger Benden Weyr
C'rob – Spakinth bronze rider Benden Weyr
C'vrel – Falarth bronze rider Benden Weyr
Camo son Robinton/Silvina Harper Hall
Carola – Feyrith Weyrwoman Benden Weyr
Carral Rantou's wife Pietie Hold
Chochol hill holder Tillek Hold
Clostan Hold Healer Tillek Hold
Cording spouse Morjella Benden Hold
Creline MasterHarper Harper Hall
Cunos child Harper Hall
Dalma trader Sev's train
Domick composer Harper Hall
Donkin tenor singer Harper Hall
Drevalla child Benden Hold
Dugall spouse Segoina South Boll
Ellic seaman Wave Rider
Emfor assistant guard Harper Hall
Emry suitor Tillek Hold
Erkin boy Nerat border
Evarel MasterHarper Benden Hold
Evelene Lady Holder High Reaches Hold
Evenek tenor singer Harper Hall
Falawny apprentice Harper Hall
Fallamon (F'lar) – Mnementh 1st son Falloner Benden Weyr
Falloner (F'lon) Simanith weyr lad, son S'loner Benden Weyr
Famanoran (F'nor) – Canth 2nd son Falloner Benden Weyr
Fanderal MasterSmith
Farevene 1 st son Faroguy High Reaches Hold
Faroguy Lord Holder High Reaches Hold
Forist Petiron kin Telgar Hold
Furlo MasterMiner Tillek Hold
G'ranad ex-Weyfieader Benden Weyr
Gemma Lady Holder, Fax's spouse High Reaches Hold
Gennell MasterHarper Harper Hall
Germathen healer Nabol
Giffien assassin High Reaches Hold
Ginia MasterHealer Healer Hall
Gorazde WorkMaster Harper Hall
Gorton MasterWineman Bendon Hold
Gostol MasterFishman, Wave Rider Tillek Hold
Grodon 1st yr apprentice Harper Hall
Grogdian Lord Holder Fort Hold
Groghe 3rd son Grogellan Fort Hold
Halanna alto student Ista Hold
Halibran Halanna's father Ista Hold
Hayara Lady Holder Benden Hold
Hayon Ist son Hayara Benden Hold
Idarolan MasterFishman Tillek Hold
Ifor journeyman harper Tillek Hold
Isla cot keeper Harper Hall
Jerint becomes Master Harper Hall
Jesken weyr lad Benden Weyr
Jez beastholder Ruatha Hold
Jonno weyr lad Benden Weyr
Jora – Nemerth Weyrwoman Benden Weyr
Jurana Lady Holder Tillek Hold
K'net – Pianth bronze rider Benden Weyr
Kailey journeyman harper Wide Bay Hold
Kale Lord Holder Ruatha Hold
Kalem journeyman shipbuilder Tillek Hold
Karenchok journeyman harper South Boll
Kasia Juvana's sister Tillek Hold
Kepiru Fax's lad Telgar Gather
Klada shy holder Tillek Hold
Kubisa primary teacher Harper Hall
Kulla hospitable woman Nerat border
Laela woman South Boll Hold
Landon 2nd son Halibran Ista Hold
Larad son Tarathel Telgar Hold
Lama Carola's daughter Benden Weyr
Lear dorm-mate Harper Hall
Lessa Kale's daughter, Weyrwoman Ruatha Hold
Lesseldon Lord Holder Crom
Lexey slow child Harper Hall
Libby Kubisa's daughter Harper Hall
Lissala seawoman Wave Rider
Lobirn MasterHarper High Reaches Hold
Londik treble apprentice Harper Hall
Lorra headwoman Harper Hall
Lotricia Lobirn's spouse High Reaches Hold
Lytonal (L'tol)
– Larth ex-harper, brown rider Benden Weyr
M'odon – Nigarth oldest rider Benden Weyr
M'ridin – Cortath bronze rider Benden Weyr
Macester guard Telgar Hold
Maidir Lord Holder Benden Hold
Maizella daughter Maidir Benden Hold
Mallan journeyman harper High Reaches Hold
Manora mother Famanoran Benden Weyr
Marcine dancer High Reaches Hold
Marlifin MasterCarver Tillek Hold
Matsen SeaHolder South Boll Hold
Maxilant harper Ista Hold
Melongel Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Merdine (dec.) Kasia's ex-espoused Greystones Hold
Merelan MasterSinger Harper Hall
Meren Station Master Runner Station
Miata teacher Benden Weyr
Milla kitchener Benden Weyr
Minnarden MasterHarper Tillek Hold
Monegal MasterVintner Tillek Hold
Motif weyr lad Benden Weyr
Motjell journeyman harper Fort Hold
Mosse boy Nerat border
Mumolen journeyman harper Tillek Hold
Murphytwen holder High Reaches Hold
Murphytwenone his son High Reaches Hold
Naprila child Benden Hold
Naylor holder Piefie Hold
Neilla student Harper Hall
Nip (aka Kinsale) harper-spy Harper Hall
Ogolly MasterArchivist Harper Hall
Oldive MasterHealer Harper Hall
Oterel son Melongel, becomes
Lord Holder Tillek Hold
Patty uncle Pierie Hold
Pessia spouse Valrol Tillek Hold
Petiron MasterComposer Harper Hall
Pragel weyr lad Benden Weyr
Raid 1st son Maidir Benden Hold
Rangul (R'gul) bronze rider Benden Weyr
Rantou forester South Boll
Rasa child Benden Hold
Relna Lady Holder Crom
Ricardy Master Fort Hold
Robinton MasterHarper Harper Hall
Rochers woodsie
Rulyar (R'yar) – Garanath brown rider ex-Harper Hall
S'bran – Kilminth bronze rider Benden Weyr
S'loner – Chendith Weydeader Benden Weyr
S'tellan – Vickith brown rider Benden Weyr
Saday holder woodcarver Tillek Hold
Saltor head guard Harper Hall
Sangel Lord Holder South Boll
Saretta healer South Boll Hold
Sebell grandson Rantou South Boll
Segoina Merelan's aunt South Boll Hold
Sellel (S'lel) bronze rider Benden Weyr
Sev Ritecamp MasterTrader Runner Station
Shelline dorm-mate Harper Hall
Sheve boy Nerat border
Shonagar journeyman harper ex-Keroon
Sifer Lord Holder Bitra Hold
Silvina Lorra's daughter Harper Hall