All the Weyrs of Pern Read Online Free PDF Page A

time and space. So, if a dragonrider times it without his Weyrleader’s express permission, he gets royally reamed—if he hasn’t come to grief messing around with timing, that is.”
    “Would you be good enough to explain in what circumstances timing is permissible?”
    Piemur had already berated himself for mentioning Jaxom’s little excursion. He should have kept it to Lessa’s adventure, which was already part of the fabric of recent history. So he switched to a less sensitive subject and told Aivas in detail the tale of Lessa’s heroic ride on Ramoth: how she had brought the five lost Weyrs of Pern forward in time to save those in the Present Pass from annihilation. Even if he said so himself, Piemur thought he recited it with considerable flair. Though Aivas made no comment throughout, Piemur sensed that his unusual audience heard—and remembered—every word.
    “A spectacularly brave and daring exploit, clearly of epic proportions despite the considerable risk she ran in losing both herself and the queen Ramoth. The results clearly justified the journey,” Aivas stated. It was more praise than Piemur had expected. He grinned with satisfaction that he had managed to impress the thing.
    “You mentioned that the Long Interval caused the decline of the Weyrs’ authority and its prominence in your society,” Aivas said. “Do you know how many times the cycle has been similarly altered?”
    “The cycle?”
    “Yes. How many times has the orbit of what you call the Red Star failed to bring Thread to Pern?”
    “Oh, you mean how many Long Intervals? There have been two recorded in our history. We were told that long intervals would occur, but I don’t know who knew that. That’s why so many people were so certain, right up till the time we had our first Fall of this Pass, that Thread had actually disappeared forever.”
    From her favorite spot, wrapped loosely about Piemur’s neck, his golden fire-lizard roused and gave a warning cheep.
    “Sensors register that the lump on your shoulder is actually a creature clinging to you.”
    “Oh, that’s only Farli, my queen fire-lizard.”
    “The creatures have remained in contact with you?”
    “Yes and no.” Piemur did not think there would be time to give Aivas the recent history of the fire-lizard. “She just told me that Ruth and Jaxom have returned with the records and Sebell and Menolly.” Piemur stood up, draining the last of the klah from his cup. “Then you’ll know all that’s happened this Pass. Which hasn’t been dull at all, but you—you sort of cap it.”
    Piemur could hear the exchange of low-voiced conversation down the hallway, and he started to the entrance in case Esselin’s guards were being officious. He had taken no more than a few steps when Jaxom, Sebell, and Menolly, bowed under the weight of the sacks they were carrying, came striding down the hall. Menolly, her dark hair still tangled from her flying cap, reached Piemur first.
    “Where’s Master Robinton?” Menolly asked, looking about, her narrow, elegant features reflecting her perpetual anxiety for her mentor.
    “In there, Menolly,” Piemur said, pointing. “As if we’d risk him.”
    She thrust her heavy sack at him and ducked into the room to reassure herself, while Piemur smiled tolerantly.
    “And they left you to mind Aivas all on your own?” Jaxom asked in a whisper. “Learned all the secrets of the universe yet?”
    Piemur gave a snort. “As it turned out, I answered his—its—questions. But it was interesting all the same,” Piemur said. “And I gave him—it—a few tips to the wise.” He laid his finger along his nose, grinning. “Which is a harper function.”
    Sebell, looking browner than ever in the dimly lit corridor, gave Piemur the slow smile that added considerable charm to the handsome, intelligent face of the tall Masterharper.
    “According to Jaxom, this Aivas of yours is a tale spinner to shame the best of us, with knowledge of all that