The Masterharper of Pern

CHAPTER TWELVE

By the time they reached Tillek Hold, however, he had got tired of hearing Groghe repeat the tale of their little foray into arbitration at every hold they sheltered in on the long coastline leading to the tip of Tillek and the Hold.Lord Melongel was relieved to hear that the situation had been remedied, and very pleased to procure Journeyman Robinton's addition to his staff with such an instance of his abilities in the field.To offset this minor success, Robinton felt obliged to explain the circumstances under which he had left Benden Hold.

"He'll learn, young Raid will," Melongel said after Robinton had been candid with him."His loss, Tillek's gain.Come, meet my Lady and my tribe of promising Bloods.Master Minnarden's off doing an arbitration service for me, so you'll have to wait to hear what your precise duties are here.However, I'll warn you now that I like to change journeymen every three or four turns, so don't take it personally when either Minnarden or I suggest we make a change."

Robinton grinned back, liking the man's manner: a refreshing change from the two much older Lords he had served, and a decided relief after Raid's didacticism.Melongel was in his prime, active and vigorous, with ragged good looks, though not quite as tall as his harper.He seemed to have time to attend to all his duties and still go out with the fishing fleet from time to time.Since Tillek Hold not only hosted the FishCraftHall but the MasterFishman, and did most of the western ship-building, Melongel thoroughly understood the needs of that Craft as well as the agriculture and forestry which made Tillek a profitable Hold.He had even qualified for his captaincy, but had never taken a command.On one cruise around the Southern Sea to Nerat, Melongel had found a major Holder's daughter, espoused her, and carried her back to his Hold.Robinton heard him call that the most profitable journey he'd ever made.

When Master Minnarden returned two days later, he welcomed his new journeyman effusively, with reminiscences of earlier days spent at the Harper Hall and duets sung with the MasterSinger Merelan.Robinton held his breath, but the MasterHarper did not embarrass him in front of the other two journeymen with tales of Merelan's little boy.

"I understand you're very patient with the slow, and I've several here I'd like to see you bring up to the level the others are at.With one it may not be possible.But if you can do anything, his parents and I would be grateful."

Robinton murmured something polite.

"To offset that chore, I'd like you to take the singers of the Hold for choral practice.I've had to do so much mediation lately, that I've had to give up a steady progression for them.You'll stand the necessary Drum Tower watches." At that, Minnarden grimaced, for the long hours of listening and little action were a penance for most harpers, who tended to be gregarious by nature."If you can find a couple of lads in the Hold to train up to drumming, I'd be grateful.

Shorten our hours.I've not had the time, and neither Mumolon nor Ifor has the top rating you got from the Hall DrumMaster."

Again Robinton nodded.He had had the advantage of being raised in the Harper Hall and learning to decipher messages long before he took the actual course.

"The usual evening divertissements, but we trade off." Then Master Minnarden looked quizzically at him."Bring any new songs with you?" When Robinton smiled in assent, Minnarden sighed with relief."Both Mumolon and Ifor are good harpers, excellent teachers, but couldn't compose if you gave them words and music to put together.That's your special skill, I understand…and don't turn modest on me."

Robinton chuckled.

"You're quartered well?"

Robinton bowed his head gratefully, for he had an outside room, small but private, with a window facing east and a bath next door.

"Need anything?"

Robinton shook his head.

"Good.Tillek is not as much a warren as many big Holds.I’d be grateful."

Robinton murmured something polite.

"To offset that chore, I'd like you to take the singers of the Hold for choral practice.I've had to do so much mediation lately, that I've had to give up a steady progression for them.You'll stand the necessary Drum Tower watches." At that, Minnarden grimaced, for the long hours of listening and little action were a penance for most harpers, who tended to be gregarious by nature."If you can find a couple of lads in the Hold to train up to drumming, I'd be grateful.

Shorten our hours.I've not had the time, and neither Mumolon nor Ifor has the top rating you got from the Hall DrumMaster."

Again Robinton nodded.He had had the advantage of being raised in the Harper Hall and learning to decipher messages long before he took the actual course.

"The usual evening divertissements, but we trade off." Then Master Minnarden looked quizzically at him."Bring any new songs with you?" When Robinton smiled in assent, Minnarden sighed with relief."Both Mumolon and Ifor are good harpers, excellent teachers, but couldn't compose if you gave them words and music to put together.That's your special skill, I understand…and don't turn modest on me."

Robinton chuckled.

"You're quartered well?"

Robinton bowed his head gratefully, for he had an outside room, small but private, with a window facing east and a bath next door.

"Need anything?"

Robinton shook his head.

"Good.Tillek is not as much a warren as many big Holds.But that's because the cliff doesn't have that many caves, so they've used the local stone to build sturdy, Threadproof housing." Robinton looked at him sharply.This was the first time anyone had mentioned Thread.

"Hmmm, yes, young harper, I believe we'll see Thread again," Minnarden said solemnly."I've read too much in the Archives to think Pern will escape its return…in due time.Are you of my mind?Which, I must add, is not shared by many, including Melongel, though he's a well-read man."

"The dragons told me.And I've friends in the Weyr…" Robinton admitted hesitantly.But if Minnarden believed Thread would return, he wouldn't object to Robinton's friendship with a dragonrider.

"Keep them.Cherish them," Minnarden said.Then he cocked his head to one side."Is that why young Lord Raid let you go?" He held up his hand when Robinton moved uneasily in the chair "I know, I know.If you believe in anything, anything, keep that faith.Now," he went on, rising, "if you've any questions after you've settled in, I prefer my harpers talking to me rather than complaining to each other.One last item, though, since this Hold's main source of income is from fishing, I'd like it if you could see your way clear to learn as much of this different lifestyle as you could.Never hurts.Even the hull of a ship has two sides."

Robinton groaned: he was getting mighty tired of that reference!

But he had to grin at Minnarden, who was clearly delighted with his new journeyman's adventure.

Minnarden then retrieved from the shelf behind him a squared-off, leather-bound record book and slid it across the table to Robinton.

"If you haven't memorized the Charter, you'd better, and study the examples of some of the more common infractions." Minnarden grinned."That aspect of our job can be quite interesting at times…" He paused to sigh."And at others, about as infuriating as dealing with the dumbest, most insubordinate, mentally deficient adolescent male." Melongel's middle children, he had nine, were part of the chores group that Robinton was to rehearse.Bright, intelligent and curious, the two boys and one girl were musical enough so that any of the three could have apprenticed in the Harper Hall.His oldest, just a turn younger than Robinton, was Oterel, a rangy, awkward lad needing to grow into his bones.Oterel was delighted to have Groghe share both his room and his duties, for he already had stewardship responsibilities, which went more swiftly with help.

And then there was Kasia, Lady Juvana's youngest sister, who was living at Tillek Hold.

Robinton felt a decided attraction at his first meeting with the attractive young woman.In the previous Turn, she had tragically lost her lover to a storm at sea off Nerat coast, half a month before their espousal.Her parents had sent her to Juvana to ease her grief.

It was the aura of sadness which caught his eye, the sorrow that lurked in her lovely sea-green eyes.And the tremulous smile which, only occasionally, briefly lifted it.But she was cheerful, helpful and kind, with a real understanding of the trials of her younger nieces and nephews.She was obviously their confidante, as well as her sister's.She had comprehensive recollection and was able to come out with astonishing bits and pieces of information which she had tunneled away in her retentive memory.

"I just remember things," she said with a little shrug when Robinton asked her if she knew all the words to an old Teaching Song, one he was revitalizing.Which she did, word perfect."I can't say why I know that particular ballad, but you'll find it on the second shelf from the top on the right-hand side of the library."

And sure enough, there it was, with Kasia grinning with delight at her accuracy: an occasion when the sadness disappeared.He became determined to lift the shadow completely.He was chagrined to discover that he was not the only young man in the Hold who had the same ambition, including his fellow harpers.

Robinton was only twenty, a fact he kept hidden since he didn't look so young and could cite five turns of active harpering.

Neither Mumolon nor Ifor knew that he had been fifteen when he walked the tables to collect his journeyman's knot.Minnarden knew, and probably Melongel, but his youth was not a factor in assigning him difficult tasks. especially after the wall incident.If Ifor and Mumolon suspected, it didn't matter to them as he performed his duties too well to encourage criticism.

Kasia was several turns older, and looked younger: except for the harbored grief.However, that age difference and her continued mourning for her lost lover were the reasons why Robinton was hesitant in discovering if the sudden, keen attraction was mutual.Their ordinary tasks often brought them together.In that he was luckier than the others who sighed over her.

He contented himself with enjoying her company, her bright humour, her lovingness, and sparring with her in duels of memory and, often, song.She had had excellent training: she sang with a sweet light soprano and played fiddle and pipe.She was envious of his harp, which she played middling well, not having an instrument of her own.So he concocted the notion of making one for her in his spare time.Tillek's port shipped quantities of timber, as well as storing it for the building of hulls.He made himself agreeable to the local MasterCarver, an accomplished carpenter named Marlifin who was only too happy, when requested, to find him well-seasoned and unusual woods.Tillek Hold had a well-equipped workshop, as most large establishments did, so Robinton had only to start his project.He did ask Marlifin to do the carving of the forepillar in patterns of the flowers which Kasia had said she loved.Robinton couldn't carve fancywork without mining a lot of good wood, and this harp had to be special.It was going to take long enough as it was.After several faulty starts and not a few cuts on his hands, he did manage to carve the harmonic curve and the neck, which would hold the pegs to tune the strings of the harp…when he got that far.

He also took Minnarden's advice to learn more about a fishing hold and found great favour with Melongel, and incidentally with Kasia, when he volunteered to go out on a fishing run with Captain Gostol, whom he had met at the Harper Hall.Kasia shipped out on the same voyage as galley cook and companion to Gostol's daughter, Vesna, who was going for her second's ticket.There were two other women in the crew of fourteen, for the Northern Maid was the length of a queen dragon.The female sailors surprised Robinton.Being harper-trained, he was accustomed to women having equal status as performers and composers, but it had never occurred to him that other Crafts also promoted women to positions of trust and responsibility.He was astonished to find them fishing, since that was a hard life: he discovered just how hard on that trip.Fortunately his immunity to sea-sickness was a great mark in his favour.He straggled to help lower and haul in the trawling nets, slipped on fish guts, laughed when he got up covered with gore and slime, and was teased for the stench of him until the job was done and he could change.If he wasn't considered able to stand a watch, he was available to heat soup or klah in the galley for those who did.

Of course, Kasia's post was the galley, though she was also a dab hand at gutting and salting the catch.So they had time to talk.

He was as subtle as he could be, light-hearted, and finding odd bits and pieces of humorous things to tell her, to dispel the sadness which still lurked.And of an evening, or sailing to another likely spot to fish, he would manage to place himself close to her while they helped pass the time by singing.He toned down his heavier baritone to blend with her light voice in duets or choruses.He also picked up a few local work-songs, favoured by the Tillek Fishmen.

The most vivid memory he had of that seven-day was the sight of ship fish who were in the habit, Captain Gostol said, of accompanying the fishing vessels.

"That's old Scarface, that is," the captain said, pointing to one whose bottle-nose was indeed scarred."Got hisself caught somewhere."

"Are they singing?" Robinton asked, hearing sounds when the leaping shipfish were airborne.

"New, just the sounds they make, shooting the air out of them blow holes," Gostol said."Though I've known instances when a man blown over board’s been rescued by "em." He paused and tilted his head mid-ships."Storm was too fierce to save that un's man.

Shame, too.Good fisher.Nice girl.She shouldn't pine too long, ya think?" And now he cocked his head at Robinton, a sly grin on his rugged, weather-worn face.

Robinton laughed."Considering how many fellows come round to see her at Tillek Hold, it's only a question of her pointing a willing finger."

"So you say, do you?" Then Gostol pointed."She's got another young'un since last time I saw her.That one with the mottled rostrum.See her?"

The shipfish was in fact almost hovering in the air, squeaking, crackling at the humans, who she knew were admiring her.Her baby, half her size, was doing its best to match her leap.

"Do the same ones swim in these waters all the time?"

"Think so.Recognize "em certainly." The captain gave an uncharacteristic sigh."Like watching them.Sometimes," he said, leaning his forearms on the rail, "I think they sort of,’ he made a slanting motion with his thick-fingered tight hand, "ease us one way or t'other, and we follow, "cos they seem to know where the fish are schooling."

"Really?" Robinton leaned his arms on the rail too, as if he could get closer to the leaping shipfish who were still clicking and squeaking at him, almost as if they were saying something he just couldn't quite catch.

"They're good luck, they are.No fishman ignores them.Always give "em something from each net." The captain stood up, peering over the rail, his stance alert."Watch!Yup!We're sailing tight into a mess a' bordos.Good eating, bordo.Good for saltin'." And he started forward, shouting orders to the crew to be ready to drop the nets.

Robinton could actually see the school over the starboard side of the Northern Maid.The sleek thick bodies were grey-striped, as long as his forearm, with bulging eyes on either side of their blunt heads.He'd never seen such a concentration of fish.Oh, he'd fished as a child down at Pietie Hold but had never seen a multitude.

However did they wend their way without accident?Did they have a leader' the way some of the herd-beasts did?Or an instinct similar to dragons, who never interfered with each other even when they came out of between in wing formation?He was fascinated.

When Gostol roared out the command to lower the nets, Robinton went forward to lend a hand.

That was actually the last fair day of the run, for the clouds closed in and they had to work in a driving rain, making a difficult job even more arduous.Robinton was exhausted, his muscles protesting their abuse and his hands raw.So, when they finally had time to relax over a late meal and he was asked to play, he brought out his faithful pipe as being the easiest for his sore fingers.

He could not help but be relieved when they sailed back into the deep natural harbour which made Tillek the best port on the long western coast.There were long rows of terraced cots carved out, or built out from - the several levels of cliff above the harbour.

Some fishmen could anchor their ships right in front of their cot-holds.

Floats that rose and fell with the tides gave access to stairs, some cut deeply into the cliffside.

As the Northern Maid slid past the breakwaters which extended the arms of the U-shaped harbour, folk waved to the sailors who were making right and tight the sheets and lines, preparatory to docking.Gostol was allowing his second to bring his ship in, and Robinton, knowing how important it was for Vesna to complete the manoeuvre satisfactorily, was holding his breath for her when Kasia joined him.She had changed from her rough-weather gear into a long skirt and a thick woolen jumper against the chilly wind; her hair was newly braided.Her eyes didn't seem quite as shadowed.

Maybe she had sailed with them to dissipate the last vestiges of her sorrow for Merdine.She had actually mentioned his name at one point during the voyage.

"Breathe, Rob," she said, laughing at him and lightly clasping her hands around his left arm.

The use of a short name for him made him catch his breath twice in a row.Did that mean she liked him?

"Will she make it?" he asked.Kasia had more experience with such things than he.

"The ship's just making enough way, so that I think she'll nudge the dock and come to a full stop.Which is exactly what she should do."

The Northern Maid did seem to be moving but imperceptibly, the smallest hint of a wake visible on this side of the bow.

Kasia laughed, leaning into him, as he unconsciously exhaled as if his breath could give the ship just that touch more forward motion.They were nearly broadside of the fishing dock, their destination.Seamen stood fore and aft on the Maid's deck, ready with mooring lines.They'd already put out the buffers.Men and women on the dock were edging forward, to catch the lines and snag them on the bollards, eager to proceed with unloading the perishable cargo.

Time seemed suspended as the Maid drifted more and more slowly until she just barely touched the dock and slid along it, the protective bumpers kissing the dock edge, coming to a final halt as the mooring lines were secured with deft loopings which stopped all movement with just the least little jar.

Kasia let go of Robinton's arm and clapped, shouting a "Well done' in the direction of Vesna at the wheel.There were other congratulatory roars, and Robinton grinned at Vesna's pantomime of wiping sweat from her brow.She was smiling happily.

"Gostol's a hard taskmaster, but I'd say she's passed this test," Kasia said."Let's go.They'll be at the unloading for hours, and I'm dying for a long hot soak.My hair must reek of fish and cooking oils."

Since she hadn't spoken a word of complaint throughout the voyage, Robinton was surprised at the return of fastidiousness.Not that he wasn't just as eager for a bath as she.

They'd given Gostol formal thanks and made farewells as the Maid was on her final tack into the harbour, so now they were free to disembark with carisaks of wet and dirty clothing over their shoulders.

"There're worn spots on this wharf, Rob," she said as they started across the wooden expanse."Watch where you go."

"A mere several hundred turns old, Minnarden said."

"A mere?" She tossed her head sideways, laughing at him, her sea-green eyes sparkling.

They wove past the fish-factory workers, guiding their carts to the ship, and strode up the wide steps to the right and on to the wide road which led to the Hold.

The day was overcast, rain threatening, but the roadway was bustling with people on their everyday activities.Many greeted the harper and Kasia without interrupting their progress.Occasionally their free hands touched, and Robinton was aware of each brash.

He didn't dare look down at Kasia to see if she noticed the contact, but he did feel that the trip had been very worthwhile in cementing a relationship.A glow of satisfaction added to his contented sense of accomplishment.

"Let's do it again, Rob, and soon," Kasia said, her face glowing.

"You're a good sailor, and Captain Gostol said he'd take you on board any time you wanted to lend a hand."

"I'll sail again, any time, with you," he said, grinning down at her and, daringly, caught her hand in his, squeezing it a trifle and eager to see her reaction to such a familiarity.

She squeezed right back."I can't wait to get clean," she exclaimed and raced up the steps to the Hold so he had to follow with more haste than dignity.

In fact, she seemed intent on leaving him behind as she careened into the hall and then around to the first flight of steps.They had two more to go before they were on their level.She was half a step ahead of him as they reached the top landing, breathless with laughter and the climb.She turned, grinning at her success and he paused on the next-to-last step, their faces on a level.He didn't think, he just caught her about the waist, pulled her to him, and kissed her.

He hadn't known he was going to before he did, and as she leaned into him, arms about his neck, he was thrilled that she didn't reject him.It was the sweetest of kisses but far too short because, hearing steps coming down one of the halls, they broke apart.Kasia whirled, flashing him a brilliant smile, and dashed off to her apartment, leaving him more breathless than ever but surely the happiest man in the Hold at that moment.

All during his bath, which he was half tempted to shorten so that he could search Kasia out that much sooner, he fantasized about their possible future together.After all, a journeyman harper who was going for his Mastery was a good match to make, even for a Holder's Blood.And his father had Telgar Blood.They couldn't fault his mother's achievements as a MasterSinger.He could always make instruments for extra marks.His contract with Tilek Hold was fair enough for a single man; he felt he could rely on Lord Melongel's basic sense of fair play to make an adjustment for an espoused, especially one espoused to kin.He could finish his contract here, and make certain his next one improved enough to support a spouse.

Since Kasia was Blood kin to the Lady Holder, they could expect to receive larger quarters for an espoused pair, and there were rooms available.He chided himself for such thoughts on the one hand and, on the other, relished the joy of having them.

Since he suspected Kasia would take her time bathing off the brine and fish oils, he forced himself to be as thorough.The colour of the water and the thin slick of oil suggested that he was wise to soak.His hands stung a bit from the soap-sand, and he'd several broken nails as well as various scrapes and nicks.Nothing that wouldn't heal.Salt water was good to clean wounds, even tittle ones.

So he tended to his appearance and nails as he dressed in clean, warm clothes.He must see about getting some new things.These were all old: serviceable, but not exactly stylish.Clostan, the Hold's healer, was always so well turned out that he might ask the man which tailor he used in Tillek.Clean at last, Robinton became conscious of the reek from the carisak of dirty clothing.He'd take it down to the washroom himself rather than have it contaminate his quarters.After all, maybe Kasia…and he cut short that delightful thought, although the prospect might be possible.

He was apologizing to the old auntie in charge of the laundry drudges for the state of his clothes and she was grinning toothlessly up at him, when light steps on the stairs alerted him to Kasia's arrival with her bundle.Their eyes met, and he was sure he was blushing at the intensity of her gaze.That her cheeks reddened, too, was an excellent sign.

"Juvana wants to hear how we fared, Robinton," Kasia said, almost formal in manner.She passed over her clothing to the auntie, all too casual, and the woman's grin broadened as she looked from one to the other.

"Well, by all means let us relate our adventures," he said the colour of the water and the thin slick of oil suggested that he was wise to soak.His hands stung a bit from the soap-sand, and he'd several broken nails as well as various scrapes and nicks.Nothing that wouldn't heal.Salt water was good to clean wounds, even tittle ones.

So he tended to his appearance and nails as he dressed in clean, warm clothes.He must see about getting some new things.These were all old: serviceable, but not exactly stylish.Clostan, the Hold's healer, was always so well turned out that he might ask the man which tailor he used in Tillek.Clean at last, Robinton became conscious of the reek from the carisak of dirty clothing.He'd take it down to the washroom himself rather than have it contaminate his quarters.After all, maybe Kasia…and he cut short that delightful thought, although the prospect might be possible.

He was apologizing to the old auntie in charge of the laundry drudges for the state of his clothes and she was grinning toothlessly up at him, when light steps on the stairs alerted him to Kasia's arrival with her bundle.Their eyes met, and he was sure he was blushing at the intensity of her gaze.That her cheeks reddened, too, was an excellent sign.

"Juvana wants to hear how we fared, Robinton," Kasia said, almost formal in manner.She passed over her clothing to the auntie, all too casual, and the woman's grin broadened as she looked from one to the other.

"Well, by all means let us relate our adventures," he said as blandly as he could, and taking her arm in his with a grand gesture, at which the auntie cackled - he led her up the stairs.

This time they did not race but walked slowly, eyes meeting when their legs brushed as they climbed the steps.At the top, Robinton was almost trembling.Oh, he'd sung lover songs and knew the various degrees of loving as well as the next harper.But to be himself immersed in precisely what the lyrics described was another experience entirely.To see Kasia responding to him was an even greater miracle.

They spent an hour with Juvana and helped her to sort mending yarns, allowing their hands to meet in the process.Robinton knew how to spin out a good tale about his inadequacies on board a working ship, while Kasia loyally corrected him with her version of the mattel

"I have considerably more respect for fishmen now, I assure you, Lady Juvana," he said when the bell sounded for the midday meal.

"D'you think Gostol will give Vesna her ticket now?" Juvana asked Kasia as they made their way down to the dining hall.

"I know he was pleased with her docking…stylish and accurate," Kasia said after a pause to consider her answer."And she certainly knows her craft.Is she after the new hull in the shipyard?"

"Which joumeyman isn't?" Juvana said in a droll tone."Now you're back, will you help me with fitting the children's new clothes?"

"Did you get the borders all done?"

"I didn't waste my time while you were having fun sailing…"

"Fun?" Kasia protested, giving her sister a stern look."In the weather we had?"

Robinton felt left out of this exchange, but told himself not to be silly.Just because he was besotted with Kasia, it didn't mean he could expect her undivided attention.And she might not wish to ascribe more to that quick kiss than the whimsy of the moment.

Gloomily he added to himself that it might only have been the elation of getting home.There were other men, as he'd told Gostol, who showed a keen interest in Kasia.What did he, a journeyman harper, really have to offer a girl of good Blood?

So he plunged back into the work he was contracted to do and tried not to think of ways to intercept Kasia in her daily rounds.But it was hard and they did seem to keep meeting, in the halls, on the steps, certainly in the schoolroom and for meals.She accepted his company at table as readily as she accepted that of Valden, who was soon to take over a new hold created in the forested lands above Tillek, which Robinton devoutly hoped might be too isolated to attract a socially active girl.Or Kalem, who was a journeyman shipbuilder with a cot of his own up the hill, so that Kasia would be near her sister.Emry was exceedingly handsome and managed one of the Storage and Shipping holds for Melongel.

He evidently made plenty of marks, to judge by the fine clothing he wore: even what he wore when bringing reports to his Lord Holder was better than Robinton's best Gather wear.And during the evenings, when Rob might have monopolized her company, he had to play or sing with the other harpers.He only had one or two dances with her, when Mumolon or Ifor took turns.The other men had the whole evening in her company, with no responsibilities.

It was frustrating, but he worked on the harp.Her birthing day was in early spring and he wanted it ready by then, but he had to restrain himself from slighting any of the steps required in its making.

The glue had to harden on the sound box; he had carved the pegs and set the sharping blades, which would permit modulation and even changing keys.He intended to tune the harp to C major.

He had to wait for the strings to arrive from the Fort SmithCraftHall, which specialized in extruding the fine wire needed.Still, he spent less time working on the harp than he did looking at it, and thinking about how it would look in Kasia's lap, being touched by Kasia's hands.

Everyone in the Hold seemed anxious to celebrate Kasia's day with her, and Robinton desperately wanted to have privacy when he presented her with the harp.He was beginning to think that such a gift would establish the depth of his feeling for her.Which was what it was supposed to do, really.It was scarcely on a level with the casual gifts that were generally presented on a birthing day.

Presenting it to her publicly would leave him open to teasing, as well as speculation about his affection for her.Affection?His love!

And the harp was a fine one.He gave himself that much credit.He did do good work, especially when his heart was in the doing.

So that he did not appear empty-handed in public, he had found some early berries in the woods above the Hold.She made much of his thoughtfulness and exclaimed a lot over the pretty basket he had woven to hold them.He managed to get a private word in her ear because, fortunately, it was customary to give a birthday girl an embrace and a quick kiss, if you were so inclined.In Robinton's mind, there were too many so inclined.He watched to see just how long she permitted the familiarity and rather thought she had clung just a moment longer to him.So he took that chance to murmur in her ear that he had something special to give her but not in front of everyone.Could she meet him in the workshop?

She nodded, her eyes dancing, and murmured, "After the meal," before releasing him and turning to accept other tokens.For she was popular.There were presents from everyone, including a lovely comb which Vesna had scrimshawed on the Northern Maid for giving her the moral courage she needed in getting her second mate's ticket.There were the usual lengths of cloth, and scarves and bracelets.Valden had presented a slim little belt knife with a blue leather sheath.The most impressive gift was from her parents: a beautiful Gather outfit in a shade of delicate spring yellow, with stiff silver thread embroidering neck, hem and cuffs.Various sea captains had obliged by passing it on around the continent on the Great Western Stream from Mardela Hold in Nerat until it arrived at Tillek, three days before her party.Juvana had kept it hidden in her closet.

"You must wear it tonight," Juvana said.

"Not tonight," Kasia protested, her fingers running along the stylized embroidery.I'll save it for the Gather."

"Well, just try it on and let's see you in it," Juvana insisted.

"Later, not now," Kasia said firmly and arranged her presents in a pile before sitting down to the midday meal.As was customary, all the food offerings were known favourites of hers.

"Everyone's making such a fuss over just a birthing day," she said, colouring with embarrassment.

"But it's your birthday," her oldest niece protested.

Robinton could hardly eat.But eventually the meal was over and he made a leisurely descent to the workshop.And then paced and paced, waiting for Kasia to arrive.

When she did, she was flustered.

"I couldn't get away!" she said."Now what…oh!"

He hadn't been able to think of anything appropriate to say to introduce the gift so he had been standing in front of it.Now he moved aside and, with his best and most elaborate gesture, indicated it was hers.

"Oh, Robie…"

His name, said in just that voice and tone, was more than compensation for all his hard work.On seeing it, her eyes had widened and then filled with tears as she stepped forward.Almost hesitantly, she reached out to touch it, a fingertip following the line of the neck progressing around the ornamentation down the forepillar before she let her fingers run up the strings.

"Oh!" she gasped again at the delicate sound it gave.

Impatient for her to use it, to hold it on her lap and give it voice, he pulled a chair over to her and practically sat her down, lifting the harp to her knee.

"Oh, Robie, this is the most beautiful thing.I've never had such a magnificent gift.Even? ' And she stopped short.He suspected she might have been about to cite something Merdine had given her.She gave him a quick glance and he smiled encouragingly back, though his mouth had gone very dry and he had a sick feeling in his stomach.Then she lifted her hands, as he had seen her do in his mind during the long hours of woodworking, and struck a chord.He had tuned the harp very carefully so that the chord sang tremulously on the still air of the empty workshop."This is not just a birthing gift, is it, Rob?" she asked, turning to him, her wide eyes soft.

No shadows.When he didn't, couldn't, answer, she said in the tenderest possible tone, "Is my eloquent harper wordless for once?"

He swallowed and managed a sharp nod."Absolutely," he said, opening his arms in his helplessness, knowing that his smile must appear inane.

Her lips curved in one of her gentle and delicious smiles."Oh, Robie," she said, turning her head from side to side, a look of wonder and joy on her face."Haven't I done my best to show you how I care?Even braving the sea to fish so we'd be together?"

His paralysis ended at her gentle reprimand and he pulled her into his arms.Her arms went about his neck, her hands catching in his thick hair as she pulled his head down."I want a proper kiss from you now, Harper Robinton!Not a polite birthday peck."

He was as properly improper as he dared.Only she dared more and, before he could fret about any inadequacies as a lover, she was responding in such a way that it fuelled his ardour out of bounds.

Always, afterwards, he remembered that moment any time he smelled the pungency of varnish or well-seasoned wood.

In the loving aftermath, Kasia told him that Juvana approved and would support her choice with their parents.

"How does she know?" Robinton demanded, startled to think that Lady Juvana had been discussing him with Kasia.And possibly with Lord Melongel.

"Because I've been filling her ears with Rob this and Rob that," Kasia said, grinning at his reaction.

Kasia was more than old enough to choose for herself, and her parents had sent her to Tillek Hold so that she would have more choice, and fewer memories of the man she had lost.

"Am I at all like him?" Robinton asked, a question which had run circles in his head for a long time.

She regarded him with a little smile on her lips, tracing the line of his mouth with her finger."Yes, and no.Not in looks.Merdine hadn't your inches: as well for a seaman who'd be clouting his head all the time on beams.He was good-looking, but your face has far more character.You'll grow handsomer as you age…and I'll be there to keep the roving women away." She drew his head down to kiss him."You've lovely bones!"

"Bones, the girl says." Robinton burst out laughing in surprise.

"Lots of long bones," she repeated with a newly established proprietary delight."Merdine was much more assertive.Well, he'd have to be as a sea captain, whereas a harper has to be more tactful and persuasive."

"He does?" Robinton mocked her.

"Well, you are both.I've heard you, Journeyman? "

He interrupted her."Your parents will not object to you espousing a harper?I intend to get my Mastery, but it does mean we'll do a lot of travelling.Will they mind?"

"And a sea captain doesn't travel?A harper doesn't encounter the same sort of hazards? ' She stopped there, her eyes darkening with the sorrow Robinton had hoped he had lifted for ever.

"I don't know about that," he said into the pause, speaking lightly and trying to restore the happy mood they had been enjoying.

"Sorry, Rob."

"No need to be…love," he said, experimenting with using the word in her presence.

"That's what I especially love about you, Rob.Your perceptions and understanding.Merdine…was not an understanding man.

Not the way you are.And I think, on balance, that's very important in creating a good harmony for a long life together."

They would have explored that topic much further except that they both heard voices along the hallway outside the workshop.

They had straightened themselves and their clothing, and Robinton pretended to tighten a string on the harp.The voices talked on, their owners continued past the workshop.But that interlude was over.

I’ll carry it for you," Robinton said.

"Then we will both explain its significance to my sister," she said firmly."Not that she'll need much explanation when we walk in with this beautiful instrument."

Nor did they.Juvana was delighted, saying this was the best birthing day gift her little sister could possibly have.There wasn't another harper in the family, so it was about time there was one.

"Melongel's been wondering when you would declare yourself, Robinton," she added, giving him a sly sideways glance.

"And what gave him the need to wonder?" Robinton asked.He had prided himself on keeping his feelings under control.

"Oh, I thought he should consider the matter," Juvana said airily, "especially since my baby sister has been sighing over you for some time.He won't object."

Melongel didn't.He already knew of the Telgar Blood connection of Petiron, and the fact that Merelan was a MasterSinger of Pern wide prestige made no bar to an espousal.

"But the summer's ahead of us, the busiest season for journeymen harpers," he said more severely, since he did not permit pleasure to interfere with duty."Autumn Equinox would be a better time for espousal than Summer Solstice.We will, however, announce the pact tonight and spare Robinton competition for dances."

Melongel could not spare Robinton either the teasing or the envy of those who had also hoped to espouse Kasia.But the public announcement of their intention made their lives far more comfortable.

Rob had sent a formal announcement to his parents, at Juvana's suggestion.

"Mothers need to know such things, Robinton," she said, smiling with just a touch of maternal condescension."You're old enough to choose your own partner, but even if your relations with your father are poor, you should include him."

Robinton stared at her, shocked.He'd never mentioned anything about his father.

"That's just it, Rob," Kasia put in gently, touching his arm and peering into his face."You don't mention Petiron, ever.But you mention your mother at least forty times a day."

"I don't…that's exaggeration," he said, but he relaxed and smiled at her teasing."I don't want you to think that I don't admire Petiron's music…"

"That's what I meant," Juvana said."He's never your father.

Always Petiron." She paused, watching the shock on his face."It gives a clue to those who have your good interests at heart.Not something a casual person would look for." She wrinkled her nose.

"Then, too, I've met your father and I agree: he's a remarkable composer.It's your songs, however, that everyone sings."

Robinton didn't know what to say, since he had no idea that he had given himself away simply by not mentioning a subject.

"You've heard me go on and on about my father," Kasia said, now earnestly trying to ease the shock of their casual disclosure.

"Mind you, I can see why he'd be hard to emulate."

"Nonsense, I'd far rather have music I can hum or whistle than those intricate and, yes, I'll say it, tortured musical forms."

Robinton couldn't stifle a nervous chuckle at Juvana's remark.

"There, that's better," Kasia said."If I ever meet him, I'll be oh so punctilious and formal.Now your mother…she's a dear and loving person."

Robinton gawked at her."How do you figure that?Have you met her?"

"Not really, but I've heard her sing.And her face is so expressive that she must be loving.And if she brought you up the way you are now, she's a dear." Then she gave him a warm hug and a loving kiss before she relaxed against his arm.He covered her hand with his.

"Should I ask the MasterHarper's permission?" he asked.

"You're a journeyman," Juvana said, lifting one shoulder.

"You've the permission of your contract holder and have officially announced your intent.But I think it would do no harm to tell Master Gennell."

"I'd like to tell the whole world," Robinton said, beaming down at Kasia, still marvelling that she would love him.That was when the music poured into his head and he knew exactly how he could publish his happiness.Sonata to Sea-Green Eyes, he would call it, and he hung on to the lyrical line as he often did when there was no opportunity to write music down.

"As Kasia's sister and as your Lady Holder, I will expect you to come to me with any problems you might encounter as you start your lives together," Juvana said, coming to the real purpose of her interview with the pair."I have already discussed this with Kasia, and she will protect herself, which is her duty, until such time as you are settled enough to contemplate children."

Robinton blushed.He and Kasia had not discussed the natural outcome of their love-making and he realized that he had been remiss in this regard.

Juvana went on."I offer the suggestion that you should spend several years enjoying each other's company, consolidating your new relationship, especially since it is unnecessary for either of you to need children to help in your professions." She was quite matter-of-fact, and Robinton knew that she spoke common sense."You're both young.You have time.I have told Kasia that I would gladly foster any child of yours should your work make it impossible to give that child the advantages of a permanent home."

Robinton managed to stammer out his astonishment at such a magnificent offer: an honour that he had never imagined being offered him.Usually it was the grandparents who offered fostering, or a very close friend.To have his child fostered at Tillek Hold would be a privilege.

"That's an incredible offer, Juvana," he said, getting his wits together."I'd like to think I'd be a sufficiently good father that a child would not need more than his parents to reassure him, wherever we went."

Juvana regarded him solemnly for a moment."Yes, you would want to be a good father.And I think you would be.I've watched you with the slow ones, and you're kind and patient, though some of their antics would be enough to drive me to sea in a leaky boat."

Kasia laughed."Juvana gets seasick just looking at a rocking boat." "This is all? ' he gestured with the hand Kasia was not holding to indicate being overwhelmed? "rather more than I thought espousing entailed."

"That's why there are such wise women as myself," Juvana said portentously, grinning to take any sting out of her tone."So we'll plan the formal vow-taking for the Autumn Equinox.I doubt our parents can come…

"If they wouldn't mind riding a dragon, I think I can arrange conveyance," Robinton said, wondering at himself for speaking out since he had been delighted her parents lived as far away as Nerat and he'd be unlikely to meet them.But that was just faint-heartedness on his part, and silly of him, since he'd been reassured by Melongel, as well as Juvana, that Kasia's parents had no objection at all to a harper in the family.

"Can you arrange such a ride?" Juvana was surprised.

"Yes, sister dear," Kasia said, beaming on her intended."He's been friends with F'lon, bronze rider of Simanith, ever since he and his mother spent a winter at Benden Hold."

"Really?How useful."

"You wouldn't mind a dragonrider?"

"Who could possibly be so dense as to ignore that sort of a connection?" Juvana asked parenthetically. Robinton thought of Fax.And he had occasionally encountered the notion, from men who knew little beyond their cotholds, that the Weyr and the dragonriders were an encumbrance, maintained long past their usefulness.

"I'll see if F'lon is willing.I think he might like to come to the espousal."

"I think my parents would very much enjoy coming a-dragonback,"

Juvana said wistfully."Is it as exciting as I've heard?”

Robinton was quite happy to give her a full accounting of his various trips a-dragonback.

He and Kasia enjoyed the next two seven-days, until they were separated by his duties as the Turn moved into summer, fair weather and long days when the journeymen had to travel to the outlying holds to make sure the Teaching Ballads were being correctly taught and sung.Mumolon and Ifor envied Robinton his smooth-paced Ruathan runner, so he volunteered to take the furthest assigned sweep.

"If I can travel faster and more smoothly than you can, it's only right for me to go further," he said, grinning.It also meant longer distances, which he could use to work on his sonata.He had done no more than the opening measures so far, and the music was plaguing him.

"You won't get a protest from me," Mumolon said.

"You'll learn, you'll learn," Ifor teased him."Days more away from the lovely Kasia, though."

Robinton controlled the spurt of rage he felt, reminding himself that, with his intentions announced, his claim to her affections would no longer be challenged.So he made his lips smile and sloughed off the irritation…and retired to his room to write a few more measures of the music that wouldn't leave his head.

Before he left, he had an ecstatic and very long letter from his mother, delighted by his news, asking for a sketch of Kasia and so many details that, laughingly, he suggested that Kasia had better answer.Which Kasia immediately did, including a sketched portrait which Marlifin was able to do for her.Master Gennell sent felicitations and thought he would accompany Merelan, to be sure she made it safely to Tillek Hold.Kasia's parents, Bourdon and Brashia, expressed delight in her upcoming espousal and readily accepted the possibility, though Robinton was still waiting for an answer from F'lon, of a quick and safe transfer to the west coast.

At last F'lon sent a drummed message that he would be there, with whoever needed conveyance.

After a loving and reluctant farewell to Kasia, he set his runner on the north-eastern route, up to the Piro River which separated Tillek from High Reaches Hold.From there he headed across the plateau into the highlands and down the Greeney River to the sea in the corner of Tillek and Fort.There was a rapidly expanding series of holds along the Greeney River, some so new that the hard-set was still drying, or so the longer established holders said with grins.That tour took him most of the summer and into the cooler nights and shorter days of the autumn.Occasional runner notes from Kasia sustained him.And each evening he faithfully recorded his doings to be returned, often by the same runner.

He was very grateful when he reached the apex of his journey, a hill holding right below the High Reaches border.He stayed four days, teaching the children, who were at first very shy with him but warmed as he taught them the ballads and sang them the humorous songs with which he had relaxed many a nervous student.On his final night Chochol, the holder, had taken him, and a skin of the rough white Tillek wine, to see the two moons rise, and then unburdened his mind to the harper.

"Once, twice, maybe, Harper," Chochol said in his rough voice, pitched low so that not even the herd-beasts grazing near by could hear what he said, "I would not worry.Anyone can come to a disagreement with his Holder.But there have been eight lots and they arrive scared of their shadows.Wounded, and the pretty ones have been badly handled." He paused, indicating with a nod what he wouldn't say about their condition."Badly handled." He emphasized the repetition with a second sharp nod.Then he pointed down the hillside, which was grassland with a few stunted trees."Twice? ' he held up two thick, work-callused fingers? "the women were sure that Lord Faroguy must be dead for such things to happen in High Reaches.

Scared my spouse, that did.But we see anything coming up here and I tell her we're in Tillek, holding with Lord Melongel, who's a fair Holder if ever there was one, and the time hasn't come when one Lord'll run over what another has owned since his Blood took hold." The phrase "run over what another has owned' sent a shudder of fear through Robinton right down to his guts.

"So's to reassure her, we've another cot," Chochol said, waving his hand vaguely over his shoulder, "where we could go did we see someone coming who ought not.I don't like it, Harper, I don't like it one bit."

"Nor I, Chochol, and you may be sure I will tell Lord Melongel of your worries."

Robinton did no composing that night, for music had gone out of his head.He had asked Chochol if the women had mentioned names, or where they were going in Tillek, but Chochol replied that he didn't know because he hadn't asked.He had seen them safely to the fiver track to the sea, and given them what they could spare of provisions.

Most nights, though, Robinton would drain glowbaskets of their last glimmer, penning his sonata.He also wrote other music for his Kasia, composing love songs on the long stretchesbetween holds, though sometimes the notes on the hide showed the roughness of his travel and had to be corrected.These were only for Kasia, written for her to play for herself on her harp.

He finished the sonata before he got back to Tillek Hold, before the Autumn Gather and their espousal.

Kasia welcomed him so warmly that their reunion lasted all night long, which delighted a travel-weary young man who had desperately missed the object of his affections.

They spent almost as much time talking as making love.They discussed their future at length.Now and then, he related the amusing incidents that he hadn't written to her, since most of his letters had been intensely loverly, as she described them.She would treasure them for ever.Of course, the wall incident had been meat for runners all across Tillek Hold.

"I'll probably never live it down," he told her, stroking her thick hair, rolling a tress on his finger.

"Why would you want to, Rob?" She giggled."I think it's a marvellous comment on your abilities."

"I had to live up to expectations," he said.

"Which, to judge by Melongel's remarks, you certainly did."

"I'm not so sure of that," he said, worried.

"I know you did," she said loyally, poking his nose gently.

He groaned."I hope I did.Every hold seemed to have some sort of long-term dispute that only I-' he thumbed his chest "-could settle."

"Which I'm sure you did."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I know my Rob.Who sees with clear eyes," she said, touching them one by one, which interrupted him when he was about to tell her about the sonata, "great perception-' and she touched his temples "-and the clever tongue to speak truth and to the point." She kissed him and that ended their conversation for some while.

If he went about his duties at the Hold yawning and only half there, knowing and kindly smiles absolved him.

During his verbal report to Melongel, he mentioned what Chochol had told him."Hill holding, well kept.The holder's named Chochol," he said, leading up to the distressing news.

Melongel glanced up at the map and nodded as he identified the place.

"He's given hospitality to holdless fleeing from the High Reaches."

"Oh?"

Robinton shifted uneasily, trying not to alarm unnecessarily and yet to state his fears and reservations candidly."I was three Turns at High Reaches, you know, and I have great respect for Lord Faroguy, but the last time I saw him, at Benden Hold, for Lord Raid's confirmation, he looked very ill."

Melongel nodded, confirming that opinion."Hmm.I noticed."

"Well, it seems that Lord Faroguy may be dead and we simply haven't been told."

Melongel regarded him with shock."How could that be?"

"I don't know, but Chochol thought it possible because he has sheltered several holdless folk, women and children mostly, returning to their relatives' holdings here in Tillek."

Melongel frowned."I know of several holders who have asked for dispensation on their tithes because of increases in dependants." He shuffled through some hides."I didn't know the women had been made homeless.Or that they'd come from High Reaches."

Robinton cleared his throat, coming to the most dubious part of what Chochol had told him."The women said that they had been driven out of holds.Chochol said that some of the younger ones had been badly handled.That they thought Lord Faroguy must be dead for such things to happen."

Melongel scowled, fixing Robinton with a glance which many would have been unable to meet.

"You believe Chochol?"

"I do, because I know there is a very ambitious man in High Reaches who will try to claim succession for himself…when Lord Faroguy dies."

"Does this ambitious man have a name?"

Something in Melongel's eyes suggested to Robinton that the Lord Holder knew to whom he was referring.

"Fax."

"That nephew of Faroguy?" Melongel looked away from Robinton for a long moment."I think I shall ask Faroguy to join us for the Gather.As you have served him, he might wish to come."

That suggestion was more than Robinton had hoped for.But Chochol's tale had revived suspicions he had once thought groundless.

"Ah, here," Melongel said, tweaking a hide from the pile and glancing down at the text."I'll just see what I can find out.Two of these enlarged holders live near by." He folded his hands across his chest, looking down at a point on the floor.Then he looked up again, giving Robinton a little smile."Good report, Robinton.Well done.I've met that nephew and, quite frankly, I tagged him as ambitious, too.Would you say that Farevene is able for him?"

Robinton cleared his throat, struggling with being honest without being derogatory."Let me say that I wouldn't back Farevene in a wrestling match with Fax."

"Frankly, nor would I, but I know Farevene has been well trained to succeed his father, and I would certainly not confirm Fax in his place."

Robinton let out a relieved breath through his lips and said nothing more.

Melongel grinned more broadly now."Go on, lad.I know you're eager to spend time with Kasia after being so long away.One more thing: you'll be on the panel of the Gather Day Court with Minnarden and myself."

Inwardly, Robinton groaned, once more the wall incident was raising its head, even if he was appreciative of the honour just accorded him.Minnarden had been very pleased with his application to the study of the Charter and his understanding of the principles of mediation and adjudication.This would be his first time to sit on a Hold Court panel.Kasia would be pleased, even if he wasn't.

"I doubt it will be a long session, Rob, and certainly won't cut into your espousal in the afternoon."

With a clap on the shoulder, Melongel finally dismissed him.

"At the Gather Court?Oh, Rob, that is an honour," Kasia exclaimed when he told her, her eyes wide.Then she giggled."Melongel really likes you."

"He's working my butt-end off," Robinton said in an unrepentant growl."I’ll be all morning listening to troublemakers' excuses and deciding fines for minor infractions."

"Keep you from being nervous about the afternoon," she said, teasingly.

"Ha!The morning'll make me worse.Having to sit through Court will give me indigestion, having to listen to all those half-truths and alibis…" He pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair, which had a soothing effect on his disturbed digestion.Kissing her provoked other sensations, and once again he didn't get around to mentioning the Sonata to Sea-Green Eyes.

Of course, the longer he delayed, the harder it was going to be to work in a playing of it before the Gather.And suddenly he wasn't at all sure of its worth.It was definitely the most serious music he had ever written, and he was quite unsure of its merit.He could be fooling himself.It wasn't as if he could play for a critical listener, like Minnarden, who had seen the rest of his travel songs and liked them.They were insignificant compared with the sonata, if it was any good at all.Yet whenever he heard the music in his head, it thrilled him, and he felt a tremendous lift at the finale of the last movement.Like making love.And that's what he wanted people to hear when they listened to it, the crescendo which was also an orgasm.

Finally it was the day before the Gather and his mother arrived with Master Gennell.What with the necessary hospitality accorded them, he had trouble finding a few moments alone with Merelan, when he could chide her for making such a long journey when she was obviously tired.

"Tired of riding, yes," she said, her voice vigorous."Your father has sent a short piece, which I'm to sing at your espousal."

"He did?" Robinton was flabbergasted as he took the score from his mother's hand.

"It's not in his usual style, either.I do believe your father is mellowing with age."

Robinton snorted but, as he scanned the music, he realized that this was a softer music, almost gentle, and quite simple, considering the usual style in which his father wrote.

"Minnarden said he would accompany me, as you'll he otherwise occupied…" And then Merelan hugged him fiercely.

"She's lovely, your Kasia, and she is besotted with you.You'll be happy, Robie.I know you'll be happy."

"I am already," he said with a silly grin on his face."And Mother, I have some music I need you to look over."

"You do?Just like old times," she said, waiting as he rummaged in his drawers to find the sonata."I'm almost jealous that others get to see your music now before I do."

"I always send? "

"I know you do, lovey, but it was such fun to be the first to? " She had unrolled the score and blinked at the first measures.She read on, and started to hum the opening melody.Cocking her head, she took to walking as she read, sometimes half-singing, sometimes nodding her head to the tempo, her eyes never leaving the page.

While his stomach churned and his heart seemed to be squeezed tight, he watched.Fortunately he had moved into their new quarters on the uppermost level of the Hold, well down the corridors from the rooms the old aunties and uncles occupied.There were two rooms with a small bathing facility in what Kasia called a walk-into closet.So there was space for Merelan to pace from the bedroom door across the wide living area.

Abruptly Merelan paused, gave him a bemused look, then sat herself down on the stool by his gitar stand and, propping up the music and picking up the gitar, she started to play it.

He had arranged it for first fiddle, or a gitar, harp and pipes, with the occasional emphasis of a flat drum.It wasn't that long a piece, for all its three movements.He had not added a fourth, as his father would have done, because he had said, musically, all that he needed to in the allegro, adagio and rondo.A scherzo would have fractured the mood.

When his mother played the final chords, her hands remained motionless on the strings for a long moment.Then she gave a funny little shake as if she'd had a spasm and looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, Robie, that is the most beautiful thing you've ever written.

Does Kasia like it?For I know you wrote it for her."

Robinton gulped."I haven't shown it to her.I didn't…know… if it was any good or not." The last phrase came out fast.

"Not good!Not good!" His mother returned the gitar to its stand and rose in indignation."Robinton, you have never written a bad piece of music yet, and that? ' she pointed a stiff forefinger at the roll "? is the best composition to date.How dare you not give it to her?You said she plays the harp.Why, it's the most romantic piece of music I have ever heard.Even better…" She closed her lips.

"No, there is no comparison.You have a far more romantic soul, my dearest son." She put her arms around his waist and hugged him."If you don't show her that before tomorrow…"

"When will I have the time?It is nearly tomorrow now, Mother!" He hugged her tightly to him, smelling the scent she packed her clothing with and wondering at how the two women he loved felt much the same in his arms.

"You'd better do it soon, then," Merelan said."She'll never forgive you for not doing it sooner…unless, of course, you've just finished the piece."

"No, I wrote it this summer."

"Oh!" she exclaimed in explosive dismay."If you were so worried about it, why didn't you send it to me?I'd have reassured you."

Why he hadn't sent it was no mystery to either of them, but he felt relieved and more confident than ever, having her positive opinion.And he knew that she would never have been so enthusiastic if she didn't truly find it good.That courtesy had nothing to do with him being her son.

"Is there a copy of it, Rob?Master Gennell will want to use it for other espousals.It's so…so lyric.So romantic.Oh, Robinton, you are such a comfort to me." Abruptly she changed moods."I'm exhausted after that, love.Will you escort me to my room?I don't think I could find my way back down."

When he had returned from escorting his mother, he prepared for bed himself, since it was late and tomorrow would be an exceedingly eventful day.He smiled, and then broke into a chuckle as he shucked off his clothes and settled into the wide bed that he and Kasia would be sharing.It was far too warm to require night-wear, and besides, he seldom bothered and now probably never would, it being so comforting to snuggle Kasia into his arms and have her skin next to his all night long.He exhaled deeply, and then realized that he was far too excited to sleep yet.

So he threw off the light fur and found a long-tailed shirt.His new clothes for the espousal, well, Gather Day, if he wasn't being self-centered, were hanging on the closet door.He ran a hand down the fine, brocaded fabric which Clostan had talked him into having made up.It really was a fine set, and he could see why cut and fit were so important.

"Do harpers really like wearing bags?" Clostan had sarcastically demanded when Robinton would have settled for the first outfit long enough to fit his torso and legs at Tillek's WeaverHall.The MasterHealer was as tall as Robinton, dark-haired and handsome, with fine, long hands which were clever in sewing up wounds and gently strong in setting broken bones.He had been at Tillek for the past seven turns, ever since he attained his Mastery, for the Hold required an experienced healer and Clostan had worked hard to adapt treatment to the needs of a fishing community."By the Egg, man, you do yourself no favours.You've broad shoulders…" Clostan flicked fingers at them."You've a trim waist? ' he couldn't pinch much there "? and long shanks…Show them off." Clostan's trousers tended to cling to his strong, muscular legs, just missing a tension that might be considered lewd."Especially during your espousal…show all the girls what a fine one they missed out on.

And allow Kasia to be proud of you."

"Because I show off?" Robinton had demanded, almost indignant.

"I can't” I was far too excited to sleep yet.

So he threw off the light fur and found a long-tailed shirt.His new clothes for the espousal, well, Gather Day, if he wasn't being self-centered, were hanging on the closet door.He ran a hand down the fine, brocaded fabric which Clostan had talked him into having made up.It really was a fine set, and he could see why cut and fit were so important.

"Do harpers really like wearing bags?" Clostan had sarcastically demanded when Robinton would have settled for the first outfit long enough to fit his torso and legs at Tillek's WeaverHall.The MasterHealer was as tall as Robinton, dark-haired and handsome, with fine, long hands which were clever in sewing up wounds and gently strong in setting broken bones.He had been at Tillek for the past seven turns, ever since he attained his Mastery, for the Hold required an experienced healer and Clostan had worked hard to adapt treatment to the needs of a fishing community."By the Egg, man, you do yourself no favours.You've broad shoulders…" Clostan flicked fingers at them."You've a trim waist,' he couldn't pinch much there, "and long shanks…Show them off." Clostan's trousers tended to cling to his strong, muscular legs, just missing a tension that might be considered lewd."Especially during your espousal…show all the girls what a fine one they missed out on.

And allow Kasia to be proud of you."

"Because I show off?." Robinton had demanded, almost indignant.

"I can't imagine you ever showing off, Rob," Clostan had said, shaking his head in mock despair.He grinned, a smile which showed his excellent white teeth and echoed in his dark eyes.He turned serious then and grabbed up the swatch of materials the tailor had on hand.He held them up to Robinton's face to see how they looked against the weather-tan the harper had acquired over the summer."Hmmm, yes.I know what Kasia's wearing, so we must also consider her colours.Can't clash.Hmmm.I think this rich resset shade of the brocade…"

"Brocade?" Robinton was aghast.He was prudent with his marks, and he had brought the sum he felt adequate with him.But brocade…

"Well, you can hardly appear in something shabby for your espousal, can you?" Clostan remarked in disgust."Look at it this way," he said, mastering his impatience, "you'll be able to wear this to Gathers for turns before it frays." He robbed the sample roughly between his fingers, and then pulled both ends of the swatch to show its strength."You'd have to spend far more to match it for quality over the same period of turns.Good clothing is an investment."

"And you make many," Robinton said, stung to retort.

Clostan gave him a slightly malicious grin."I may, but they have all been wise choices, and I can change to fit the mood of the day and the weather of the season.Besides, it heartens my patients to see me well-dressed."

Dispassionately, and because it was his espousal to Kasia, Robinton fingered the swatch and then held it against his face, noting that the rich russet shade did enhance his skin colour.

"Tailored correctly," Clostan gestured for the tailor to take measurements "you'll be glad you took the time and effort.And you might consider a few new shirts too," he added, waving another set of colours."You've only three."

Robinton, extending his arms for their measure, was half-tempted to clout Clostan for his manners.Then he started to laugh.

At himself.

"And a new pair of pants.The ones you came with are all but threadbare, in embarrassing spots, since you rode out of here," Clostan added, peering down at Robinton's backside.

Since the harper had that very morning realized that Clostan's observation was all too true, he also ordered shirts and pants, including one of leather which would take the harder wear.He had secretly coveted the leather pants he had seen Ifor and Mumolon wearing.

When he returned for the fitting, he had been very pleased with the result and admired himself in the tailor's long mirror.

Furthermore, they all fitted so comfortably that he wondered why he had never thought of having tailor-made clothing before.But it had been as easy to find something in a Gather stall that was reasonably priced and fitted, more or less.

He was grateful to Clostan and brought him a skin of good Benden wine.

"Well, you do me proud," Clostan said, gratefully accepting the skin."The one drawback with this Hold is its wretched wine." With which sentiment Robinton totally agreed.