Dragonseye Part 22

The sweetener jar was even full. Yes, it would have been Bethany, trying to ease this interview.

As he closed the door, he also turned the DO NOT DISTURB" sign around and flipped the catch. Sallisha had seated herself in the least comfortable chair - the woman positively enjoyed being martyred. She still held the notebook, like a precious artifact, across her chest.

You can not exclude Greek history from study," she said, aggressively launching into an obviously prepared speech.

"They've got to understand where our form of government came from to appreciate what they have. You have to include..."

"Sallisha, the precedents can be covered in the outline, but not the entire culture," he began.

"But the culture determined the form of government." She stared at him, appalled by his lack of comprehension.

"If a student is curious enough to want to know more, we shall have it to give him. But there is no point in forcing hill farmers and plains drovers to learn something which has absolutely no relevance to their way of life."

"You demean them by saying that."

"No, I save them hours of dull study by replacing it with the history of Pern."

"There is scarcely enough of that to dignify the word 'history'."

"Yesterday is history today, but do you want to repeat it?

"'History' is what happened in the life or development of a people... we," and he tapped his chest, "the Pernese. Also a systematic account of us," he tapped his chest again, "with an a.n.a.lysis and explanation. From the beginning of the Pern colony. That is history, grand and sweeping, surviving against incredible odds and an implacable menace, daring-do, ingenuity, courage, and of this planet, not of a place that's only a name. It's better than our ancient history - if it's taught right."

"Are you impugning my -"

"Never, Sallisha, which is why I particularly need your complete cooperation for the new, enriched, relevant curriculum. On average, your students rank higher in their final examination papers than any other teacher's... and that includes the hill-farmers and the plains drovers. But they never again use the information you imparted. Pern is difficult enough... with an external menace to contend with... Let them be proud of the accomplishments of their ancestors, their most recent ancestors. Not the confused and tortured mindlessness the Pern colonists left behind.

"Furthermore," he went on relentlessly as she opened her mouth to speak, "the trials at Telgar and Benden have proved that not enough time is spent teaching our people their rights under the Charter."

"But I spend..."

"You certainly have never been remiss, but we must emphasize," and he slapped one fist into the other palm, holder rights under their Lord: how to claim Charter acreage, how to prevent what happened in Bitra."

"No other Lord Holder is as wicked," and her mouth twisted with disgust as she enunciated the last word, "as that awful man. Don't think you can get me to teach there now Issony's left!" She waggled her index finger at him and her expression was fierce.

"Not you, Sallisha, you're far too valuable to waste on Bitra," he said, soothing her. Bitra would need a more compa.s.sionate and flexible teacher than Sallisha. But I'm amazed at just how many people were unaware of the Charter Rights. And that's wrong. Not that I think the cowed folk up in Bitra would have dared cite the clauses to him... even if they had known about them. I mean, it was appalling to realize just how few people who attended the trial KNEW that ordinary holders had the RIGHT to freedom of movement, and lawful a.s.sembly, or to appeal for mediation for crippling t.i.thes.

"Why haven't the Lord Holders impeached him?" she wanted to know, her fierceness diverted towards a new victim. It's patently obvious he is unfit to manage a Hold, much less one during a Fall. I cannot see why they have been waffling about over the matter.

"Sallisha, it takes a unanimous decision to impeach a Lord Holder," he said with a light admonishment.

She regarded him blankly for a moment. Then flushed.

"Who's holding out?"

"Jamson."

She clicked her tongue irritably. "And that's another place you mustn't send me. The cold would exacerbate my joint problem."

I'm aware of that, Sallisha, which is why I wondered if you'd consider Nerat South this year?"

"How much travelling?" she demanded, but not unappeased.

"Six major holds and five smaller units, but all within reasonable distance. And, of course, your journeys would fall on Threadfree days.

"Excellent accommodations and a very good contract. Gardner made sure that everything complies with your wishes as regards conditions." He reached into his jerkin pocket and pulled out the doc.u.ment. "I thought you might like to see it today."

"Sweetening me up, are you?" she said with an almost coquettish smile, hand half outstretched to the sheets.

"You are my best teacher, Sallisha," he told her and extended his hand until her fingers closed around the contract.

"This won't make me approve your butchery of pre-Pernese history, Clisser."

"It's not intended to, but we can't have you in danger on the plains of Keroon."

"I did promise to come back."

"They will understand."

"There are some really fine minds there."

"You will find them wherever you go, Sallisha, you have the knack." Then he hauled out the larger sheaf of papers, the new syllabus. "You may find this much easier to impart to your students." She eyed it as she would a tunnel snake.

High Reaches and Fort Holds

"So," Paulin asked Thea and Gallian in the comfortably warm High Reaches solarium where the High Reaches Lady Holder received her guests, "is there any way we can get him to change his mind?"

Thea shrugged. "Not by reasoned argument, that's for certain. He was indignant that 'a Lord Holder's right to deal with his own folk' had been set aside for the two trials."

"Not that he objected to the sentences. 'That was only right and just, and they should have been sent to the Islands as well, for they'll only make trouble of a different sort now,'" Gallian added, mimicking his father's thin, wheezing voice. "If he would only give me authorization to deal with all Hold matters..." and he raised his hands in helplessness.

"He's too sick."

"Wait a minute. He is sick," Paulin interrupted, "and your weather here is only aggravating the respiratory problem, isn't it?" Thea's eyes widened as she jumped to a conclusion.

"If he was sent to Ista or Nerat to recuperate, why he'd have to authorize Gallian - -", she began.

"Precisely."

"What happens when he recovers and finds out what I did knowing, as he's made sure I do, his views on impeachment," Gallian said, "and finds out I've gone against him? I could very likely lose my chance of succession."

"That not likely, dear. You know how he carries on about your stupid 'younger brothers'," said Thea rea.s.suringly, laying a hand on her son's arm. "You just know when to stand up to him. You've always had a flair for dealing with people. As for the nephews." She threw up her hand in despair.

Then her face clouded. "I really am worried about these constant chest infections. Frankly, I don't think he's going to last much longer." She sighed in regret. "He's been a good spouse."

"Can you get your medic to recommend the warmer climate?" Paulin asked sympathetically.

"He's been doing so constantly," Thea said, setting her mouth in a firm line. "I'll make it so. Somehow! I couldn't live with myself if I didn't. For his sake as well as those poor wretches."

Gallian looked uncertain.

"Don't worry, lad," said Paulin. "You've already got full marks in my book for cooperation. And, as long as I'm Chair, you've my support. The Conclave doesn't necessarily have to abide by the deceased's wishes as to successor. But we've got to take action now.

"Even waiting until Turn's End is dangerous. We rescued those people, their rights were upheld in a duly a.s.sembled court, and Chalkin's in some state of mind over that." Paulin's laugh was mirthless. "We can't let him take his vengeance out on them, or we've spent a lot of time and effort to no avail. With this thaw setting in, he'll be able to move about. And I think we all have a good idea that he'll retaliate in some fas.h.i.+on."

Thea shuddered, her comfortably plump body rippling under her thick gown. "I won't have that on my conscience, no matter what my Lord Jamson says." She rose.

"Jamson spent such a poor night, I'll catch him now, before he can put up any more objections. One thing's certain, he doesn't want to die. He likes Richud more than Franco.

I'll suggest Ista Hold. I wouldn't mind the winter there myself, In fact."

And suddenly, she straightened her shoulders, "I think I'm gomig dowd wifa gold, too..." and she altered her voice appropriately, sniffing. "He might just humor me where he wouldn't do a thing for himself. If you'll excuse me?" Both men had stood when she did, and now Gallian strode to open the door for her as she sailed gracefully out, grinning mischievously as she left. Gallian returned to his guest, shaking his head.

"I've never gone against my father before," he said anxiously, his expression unhappy.

"Nor would I urge you to do so, lad. I appreciate your doubts, but can you doubt what Chalkin will do?"

"No, I can't," and Gallian sighed, turning back to the Fort Lord Holder with a resolute expression. "I suppose I should get accustomed to making decisions, not merely carrying them out."

Paulin clapped him on the shoulder encouragingly. "That's it exactly, Gallian. And I'll guarantee, not all the decisions you'll be called upon to make will be the right ones. Being a Lord Holder doesn't keep you from making mistakes: just make the right wrong ones!"

Paulin grinned as Gallian tried to absorb that notion. "If you are right most of the time, you're ahead of the game. And you're right in this one for the good reasons which your father declines to see."

Gallian nodded his head. Then he asked more briskly, "Will you have some wine now, Paulin?"

"You've your mother's way with you," Paulin said, accepting the offer. "Which you will find is an advantage... Not, mind you, that I in any way imply a lack in your father's manners."

"No, of course not," Gallian agreed but he smiled briefly, then cleared his throat. "Ah, what happens to Chalkin when he's removed? I mean, it's not as if he could be dropped on the southern islands, is it?"

"Why not?" Paulin replied equably. "Not," he added hastily when he saw Gallian's consternation, "that he would be placed on the same one as the murderers. There is a whole chain an archipelago of them."

"Aren't they volcanic?"

"Only Young Island, otherwise they're tropical and quite habitable. But one is certain then that the... ah.. detainee cannot leave and cause reactions. Which Chalkin would certainly do if he was allowed to remain on the Mainland. No, the most sensible and most humane solution is to put him where he can't do any more harm than he's already done."

"Then who's to take over managing Bitra?"

"His children are too young, certainly, but there's an uncle, not much older than Chalkin at that."

"I heard a rumor though that Vergerin and Chalkin had played a game, the stakes being an uncontested succession."

"My father mentioned that, too, early on when impeachment first came up. Said he ought to have insisted that Vergerin stand in spite of what the old Neratian Lord wanted. Chalkin's spouse is Franco's sister, you know."

"I'd forgotten that. Amazing," Paulin added.

"Franco's totally different, but then his mother was Brenton's first spouse.

They were discussing the ever-interesting problem of heredity when the door suddenly opened and Thea came in, almost bent double.

"Great Stars, mother!" Gallian rushed to a.s.sist her. "Why, what's the matter? You're so flushed."

She slammed the door shut, waved aside her son's help and collapsed in her chair with laughter.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, your father, dear..." She wiped tears from her cheeks and some of the 'flush' came away, too. She looked at the handkerchief and rubbed her cheeks more vigorously, still laughing.

"We did it! He's going to the warm. I left him writing to ask for Richud's hospitality. I said I'd have a message pennon flown, but your rider would take it, wouldn't he, Paulin? When he takes you back to Fort?"

"Indeed, he will. or rather I'll take it to Richud myself and ask him to connive with us to keep Jamson from knowing what's happening off the island," said Paulin, grinning with relief.

"But why are you laughing, Mother? And why the face paint?" Gallian demanded.

"Well," and she flitted her handkerchief, beaming at the two. "What he wouldn't do for himself, he'd do for his ailing mate," she said, again a.s.suming a stuffed-nose voice. "So first I had your sister go in and fetch Canell, as if there were an emergency. I primed Canell to back me up, and it was he who suggested the rouge. So when I came into your father's room, I arrived moaning over my aches and pains which had developed so rapidly overnight. And sneezing constantly fortunately, I have a small sneeze so I can imitate it... Then Canell took over - really, the man was quite convincing. He got alarmed over my rapid pulse and flushed face. He made much of worrying about the condition of my lungs and the strain on my heart. So between us, why, Jamson agreed to take me south to Ista until I'm completely recovered. So there!" She beamed from one to the other, quite delighted.

"Mother! You are the living end."

"Of course," she said patronizingly. Then she surprised both men by sneezing. "Oh, good heavens!"

"Hmmm," said Gallian with mock severity, "that's what happens when you tell stories. You get what you pretended you had."

"He's sent someone looking for you, too, son.""

There was a polite tap at the door. Gallian went immediately to answer it, opening only wide enough to be seen.

"Yes, tell Lord Jamson that I'll be there directly."

"I'll wait with Lord Paulin until you can get the letter, Galli," she said, pouring herself some wine. "This is to fortify myself against my cold and any relapse I might have taken.

"Another small gla.s.s for yourself, Paulin? To toast my debut as an actress?"

"I wish you'd thought of that ploy earlier."

"So do I," she said with a little sigh. "But I hadn't such an overwhelming need to before. Those poor people! Who will take over from Chalkin once you get him out? And what will happen to him, for that matter?"

"That has to be decided."

"We were just discussing that, Mother," Gallian said.

"There's Vergerin, the uncle on the father's side."

"But Vergerin gambled his succession rights away," Thea said sternly.

"You heard that, too?" Paulin asked.