Read Online All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffrey - Free Book Online Page B

trust, Menolly decided. Then she was stunned by the realization that Aivas had known and talked to that man, so long dead and so long remembered. “A fine man, Admiral Benden,” Aivas went on. “Holding the settlers together, always encouraging, preserving them through considerable trials to establish a safer haven in the Northern Continent.”
    “And I’m related to the admiral?” Toronas asked, rather more humble in his request than Oterel. “Our earliest Records are impossible to decipher.”
    As the Lord Holders awaited Aivas’s reply, Menolly noticed Wansor’s discreet departure.
    “It is entirely possible,” Aivas said, “even likely that you are a direct descendant. Four children were recorded to the marriage of Paul Benden and Ju Adjai. Perhaps if you bring in your Records at some later date, they can be deciphered. A program is available that utilizes a special light which can often restore lost words and phrases.”
    Enthralled, Menolly listened as Aivas dealt with both Sigomal and Warbret, as cleverly and in as personal a fashion, catering to their self-images.
    Then Jancis, Piemur, and Benelek hovered uncertainly in the doorway, each clutching several sheets. Piemur rattled his to get Sebell’s attention; the Masterharper deferentially told the Lord Holders that Aivas must be consulted again and politely gestured for them to leave.
    Oterel grumbled, but Sigomal rose readily enough and took the old Tillek Lord by the arm. “It’s stifling in here, Oterel. Far too stuffy for comfort. I don’t know about you, but I intend to search out those Records and then see what this Aivas thing can tell me. Come along now.”
    “He manipulates them like so many string-dolls,” Menolly told her mate in an undertone after he had escorted the Lord Holders into the hallway.
    “Master Robinton had advised that tact and flattery might be required,” Aivas replied. “Especially for those who cannot be accommodated with a lengthy interview.”
    “How did you hear me?” Menolly asked, dismayed that Aivas had overheard her whisper.
    “Master Menolly, you are sitting beside a receptor. Whispers are clearly audible.”
    She caught Sebell’s amused glance. He might have warned her about that.
    “Don’t distract Aivas, Menolly,” Piemur said, arranging his papers on the plate.
    “Master Menolly is not a distraction,” Aivas said mildly. “Next page please, Piemur.”
    “Could you really read those old moldy Records?” Menolly asked.
    “The attempt should be made. The ink that was used to write the Records you were kind enough to bring last night is of an indelible type that will yield to certain techniques available to this facility. Outside manual assistance will be needed, however, to prepare the documents before they can be scanned. That is a project which has been put on hold.”
    “On hold?” Menolly was delighted by the unusual but descriptive phrase. “How explanatory!”
    Then she heard the sounds of movement in the hall and saw a file of people, laden with cartons, striding purposefully toward her. She saw F’lessan and F’nor among them.
    “I’d better leave,” she said reluctantly.
    “Hang about,” Sebell told her.
    “You seem to be bringing the cave here. Wouldn’t it have been easier to move Aivas to the caves?” she asked.
    “Negatory,” Aivas said in as sharp a tone as Menolly had yet heard him utter. “This installation must remain in its present position, or it cannot access
Yokohama
.”
    “I was being facetious, Aivas,” Menolly said penitently, and rolled her eyes at Sebell.
    As the dragonriders came in, Menolly moved to N’ton’s earlier position against the wall and watched as carton after carton was displayed to Aivas, to be either dismissed or sent into the rooms where others were attempting to construct the devices that would permit wider access to Aivas’s facilities. None of the dragonriders seemed at all surprised to see her there, and F’lessan’s grin had