The Master Harper of Pern Read online

  The Master Harper of Pern

  Anne Mccaffrey

  Pern: a beautiful world colonized by humans, terrorized by the deadly spores called Thread, and defended by magnificent flying dragons. Anne McCaffrey's bestselling tales of this planet have yielded a multitude of unforgettable characters. And now, after years of urging by devoted readers, one of the most popular denizens of Pern takes center stage in a novel that chronicles his extraordinary life.

  Along with the dragonriders, perhaps none are so revered on Pern as the harpers, whose songs record history, warn of the coming of Thread, and prepare Pern's people for the future. And no one is more influential than the Masterharper of Pern. The son of renowned composer Petiron and gifted singer Merelan, Robinton is a prodigy from birth and enjoys a special rapport with the telepathic dragons. But it is a time when Thread has not been a threat for centuries, the harpers have fallen into disfavor, and one despotic man is plotting to take over Pern. In this climate of unrest, Robinton will come into his own… driven by his belief in music, in the dragons, and in the salvation of his beloved Pern.

  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

  Acknowledgments

  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.

  List of Characters

  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
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  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

  Sirde healer Harper Hall

  Sitta pert girl High Reaches Hold

  Sontie boy Nerat border

  Stolla headwoman Benden Weyr Struan (Fort Harper) dorm-mate Harper Hall

  Sucho Fort holder Fort Hold

  Tarathel Lord Holder Tillek Hold

  Targus unfriendly holder Nerat border

  Tesner Lord Holder Igen Hold

  Tinamon Hold Healer Benden Weyr

  Torlin holder Tillek Hold

  Tortole Tillek forester Tillek Hold

  Trailer student Harper Hall

  T'rell Weyrlingmaster Benden Weyr

  Triana dancer High Reaches Hold

  Valden forest holder Tillek Hold

  Valrol holder Tillek Hold

  Vendross guard captain Telgar Hold

  Vesna Gostol's daughter Northern MaM

  Warder (no name) steward Ruatha Hold

  Washell Apprentice Master Harper Hall

  Winalia Lady Holder Fort Hold

  Wonegal MasterVintner Benden Hold

  Yorag healer Benden Hold

  CHAPTER ONE

  "One thing sure," Betrice said wryly as she wrapped the squalling, wriggling baby tightly into the fine cotton sheet his mother had woven for just this moment, "he's got your lungs, Petiron. Here! I've got to make Merelan more comfortable now." The howling baby, his face brick red with his exertions, tiny fists clenched, was deposited into his alarmed father's arms. Jiggling the babe as he had seen other fathers do, Petiron carried him to the window to get a good look at his first-born. He didn't see the looks passing between the midwife and her assistant, nor did he see the younger woman leave quietly to summon a healer. Merelan's bleeding was not tapering off. The midwife suspected that something had been torn: the baby had been breech, and was large-headed as well. She packed ice in towels around Merelan's slim hips. It had been a long labour. Merelan lay limp in the bed, exhausted, her face white and lined. She seemed bloodless, and that worried Betrice more. There was such a risk in a transfusion: despite the similarity in colour, blood differed from person to person. Once, long ago, healers had known how to tell the difference and match the blood. Or so she'd heard. Betrice had suspected that Merelan would have trouble delivering, for she could feel the size of the child in the womb, and so she had asked the Healer Hall to stand by. There was a solution of special salts that in extreme cases could help a patient overcome the loss of blood.

  Betrice glanced over to the window and managed a little grin at the father's inexperienced handling. Harper Petiron might be, able to play for hours at a Gather, but he'd a lot to learn about fathering. For that matter, he was lucky enough to have a son at all, considering Merelan had lost three in the early stages of pregnancy. Some women were born to bear many, but Merelan was not one of them.

  Merelan's eyes flickered open and then widened with joy as she heard the lusty cries of her newborn.

  "There, now, he's here and all the parts in the right place, so you may rest easy, Singer," Betrice said, stroking Merelan's cheek.

  "My son..." Merelan whispered, her usually magical voice raspy with exhaustion. Her head turned in the direction of the noise her baby was making, and her fingers twitched on the stained sheet. "Soon, Singer. Let me clean you up..."

  "I must hold him..." Merelan's voice was feeble, but her need was fierce.

  "Now, you'll have plenty of time to hold him, Merelan," Betrice said, a hint of sternness in her soothing tone. "I promise you that." And hope I'm not lying in my teeth, she added to herself.

  Just then Sirtie and the healer arrived. Betrice breathed in relief when she saw Ginia and the bottle of clear liquid she carried which might mean the difference between life and death for the new mother.

  "Petiron, take that yowling child of yours and show him off," Ginia said in a peremptory tone, scowling at the nervously jiggling father. "They've all been waiting in the Hall to see him in person, not that anyone doubts he's here with that set of lungs. Off with you!"

  Petiron was only too willing to go. He'd been as much help as he could be, rubbing Merelan's back and sponging her sweaty forehead during the long labour, and he desperately needed a drink to soothe his nerves. He'd been so afraid for Merelan towards the end, especially right after the birth when she seemed to shrink into nothing in the bloodied bed. They wouldn't have told him to leave if it weren't all right, he was sure of that! He was also sure that he'd never put merelan in such danger again; he hadn't known just how difficult childbirth was.

  "The lungs on him," Ginia said with a mirthless smile as she bent to examine Merelan. "She's torn all right. You can give her some fellis now, Betrice. Sirtie, strap her arm to that splint board. She needs fluid. How I wish we understood more about whole blood transferences. That's what she really needs, with all she seems to have lost. You know how to find a vein with the needle thorn, Sirrie, but if you' have trouble, let me know."

  Sirrie nodded and began her ministration, while Ginia did what she could to mend the torn flesh. The baby's protests were still audible despite the distance between this room and the main Hall. "She's fighting the fellis, Ginia," Betrice said anxiously. "What's she saying?"

  "She wants her baby." Then Betrice mouthed words that Gin
ia could easily read: "She thinks she's dying."

  "Not while I'm here, she isn't," Ginia said vehemently. "Get the babe back. It won't hurt her to have it suckling, and that would help contract the womb. Either way, it'll calm her, and I want her as calm as possible right now."

  Betrice went herself and brought back the now outraged infant, grinning broadly at his ferocity and grip on life.

  "He'll put right back into her with his own, so he will," she said, smiling as she laid the baby beside Merelan, whose right arm instinctively curled about her child. He found her breast with no help from anyone. And Merelan sighed with relief.

  "I swear he's doing the trick," Betrice said, amazed at the sudden flush of colour in the singer's cheeks.

  "I've seen stranger things happen," Ginia replied, glancing up.

  "There. That's all I can do ... except caution Petiron that she's not to get pregnant again. I doubt she can, but he'll have to restrain himself."

  The three women grinned at each other, for the entire Hold knew how devoted the couple were to each other: enough so that thinly disguised love ballads about their adoration circulated Pern.

  "With all the talent available on this continent, it isn't as if Petiron had to breed a choir," Ginia said, rising.

  Briskly the women changed the bedding for fresh, Merelan barely stirring as they did so, the baby clinging tightly to her. When Ginia and Betrice felt they could leave her safely in Sirrie's care, she was asleep, but looking far less pallid.

  "Tell you one thing," Betrice confided in the healer, "she won't be all that pleased having just one baby."

  "Then we'll see that she fosters others. It's far better for a child to have siblings than not, especially the way Merelan's going to dote on that boy. Keep that in mind next year. That is, if she continues to pick up strength."

  Betrice gave a snort. "She'd better. I've a reputation to keep." "Haven't we all!"

  It was Petiron who objected to his spouse fostering the children of others. He found it hard enough to share her with their son, and he didn't believe other fathers and mothers when they informed him that young Robinton – for that was what they had named him, in memory of Merelan's father, Roblyn – was a good child and very undemanding.

  "I always thought Petiron a generous man," Betrice told her spouse, MasterHarper Gennell.

  "Why have you changed your mind?" Gennell asked with mild surprise.