Lessa approved of her calm in accepting such an accolade and her composed nod to the rest of the Council.
"Well, then, let's to real business," Toric said, remaining on his feet while the rest of the Council resumed their chairs.
"It's my autonomy that has been abrogated, Lord Toric," Kashman cried, standing up, his thin features reddened by agitation. "Those intruders should have been brought to myHold for myjudgment. I want to know why myauthority was ignored."
Before the Masterprinter could get to his feet, Lord Lytol leaned toward Kashman, his gaunt face serene.
"Let me point out, Lord Kashman, a fact that you may not be acquainted with yet," he said, "but MasterCraftHalls enjoy autonomy within their halls and may set punishment or fines, depending on the nature of any offense committed within their confines."
"But-but the Printer Hall's new…" Kashman began.
"That does not," Sebell said, "interfere with its autonomy or internal discipline."
Tagetarl spoke up. "Let me remind Lord Kashman that the intruders refused-in front of witnesses-to name either hold or hall to which they could be taken to receive a hearing from another authority."
"It just happens…" and Kashman waved his arm in a sarcastic manner, "that Lord Jaxom who resides in Ruatha and N'ton whose Weyr is in Fort happened to be present in Wide Bay at such an unlikely hour?"
"The intruders picked the hour," Tagetarl said.
"The dragons responded to a summons for support," N'ton added.
"Who summoned them?" Kashman demanded, his nostrils flaring with irritation.
"Beauty, in my case," Jaxom said and turned to N'ton.
"In mine as well."
"Beauty?" Kashman echoed, confounded by that identification.
"Beauty is the queen fire-lizard that often conveys urgent messages from the Harper Hall," N'ton said.
"You respondedto a message brought by a fire-lizard?" Kashman was incredulous. Toric snorted at his inexperience.
"When such a message comes from a main Crafthall," Sebell went on, "it is not wise to disregard its import, especially since other Crafthalls have become targets for vandalism. Twelve people do not simultaneously decide to sample Crafthall wares in the middle of the night, armed with torches, chisels, hammers, and spikes, Lord Kashman. They were discovered insidethe main gates, which had not been opened to them, destroying the doors to the Print Hall itself. What conclusion would you have come to?"
"Yes, Kashman, what conclusion could you have come to?" Lord Groghe demanded.
"Something's got to be done about such impertinent men and women," Bargen said with considerable exasperation. "Wanton destruction-when it takes time and good materials to make anything these days-cannot be permitted. If we have already decided that exile would be a deterrent, then whoever sits in judgment-a proper court, with three judges and witnesses-has the right, indeed the duty of sentencing them to exile. Now, let's go on to the most important issue before this Council."
Beyond him, Kashman was gaping, infuriated that the older Lord Holders were so blithely setting aside hisissue.
"What are you going to do about preventing fireballs dropping from the sky?" Bargen asked, surveying the Weyr-leaders with a critical sweep.
"We have several recommendations…" F'lar said, rising to his feet.
"Don't want recommendations," Bargen retorted. "I want positive reassurance that such displays won't be repeated in the near future."
"Nothing in the nearfuture has so far been discerned," F'lar said and found he had everyone's attention.
"What do you mean by that?" Groghe demanded.
"Such surveys of near Pern objects as Master Erragon has been able to complete with a dedicated band of sky-watchers suggest that nothing is close enough to descend on Pern's surface in the nearfuture."
"And?" Bargen prompted, scowling. "In the further future?"
"We must place more telescopes in strategic positions to watch our skies, mobilize a body of dedicated people to support at least five major observatories-"
Toric leaped to his feet. "You want the Council to support five!Tithes are already in full use. Where would more marks come from for fiveobservatories?"
Bargen was on his feet, so were Langrell and Toronas, shouting against such major projects. Deckter asked for details. Even Lord Groghe appeared concerned. F'lar stood still, ignoring the shouts, the arguments as Sebell struck the gavel for silence.
A burst of thunder-dragons shouting-penetrated the Great Hall and deafened everyone.
"As I was saying, if you wish to avoid more problems like that Fireball, you have to be prepared," F'lar went on in a normal tone of voice. "We already have Cove Hold and Honshu," and he bowed to Lord Lytol and the Star Master, "which is generously maintained by Landing."
"A portion of our tithes," Lord Lytol said, "will be distributed to the other locations as well as to pay teachers."
"The SmithCraftHall cannot produce the telescopes required for observatories…" Master Fandarel began.
"There are four in the Catherine Caves," Master Erragon said, bowing respectfully to the Mastersmith for his interruption.
"Ah, well, in that case," and Fandarel raised a thick swollen hand in agreement.
"I have undertaken to supply a Star Hold," Jaxom said, rising briefly, "with appropriate tithes, and the cost of building one at Ice Lake as recommended by Master Erragon."
Toric's frown grew deeper when Lord Larad rose to his feet.
"Telgar does the same. Weyrwoman Palla completed most of her apprenticeship with Master Wansor."
"As a twenty-four-hour coverage of our skies is essential to its overall success," F'lar said, but Lessa could see how much he relished the shock he was about to give the entire Council, "an observatory must be constructed as soon as possible on a site, approved by Masters Wansor, Erragon, and Idarolan, on the Western Continent."
The Council was in an uproar. Even the usually placid Mastercraftsmen were excited, demanding details and plans while the Lord Holders were protesting such a drain on tithe-marks and labor. It took time for Sebell to reestablish order.
"But it was the Yokohamathat saw the Fireball," Groghe exclaimed as the din abated.
"Why are so many needed?" Langrell asked plaintively.
"It's a big sky," K'van remarked.
"You have to findthe near object before you can divert it," F'lar put in almost offhandedly.
"Divert it?" Groghe exclaimed, the smile that had been growing during F'lar's opening sentences turning into stunned amazement. "But there are no more engines to divert anything since we blew the Red Star up, are there?"
"No engines, Lord Groghe, but dragons and their riders!" Toric leaped to his feet, face suffused with blood, stabbing his finger at the Benden Weyrleader, and shouted, "So you think you can coerce the Holds to continue to support you forever?"
"Not at all, Lord Toric," F'lar replied with calm pride. "You cannot perceive how deeply every Weyr-" He paused and the other dragonriders nodded or murmured emphatic agreement with that statement. "-wishes to be as independent as any other person on this planet. Necessity has required our dependence on the holds we protect, but, by the end of this Pass, we shall all have holdings or crafts with which to support ourselves. We shall be journeymen and -women, attracting apprentices to Star Holds and learning to be Masters of the Star Hall. We will study the stars and watch until we know exactly what might threaten this planet again."