"Yes, Master, I'm not likely to forget a day like that. And Then T'lion hesitated.

Alemi took him by the shoulder, looking down at him kindly - for T'lion hadn't got his full growth yet and looked younger than his fifteen Turns. "And you've been talking to dolphins since, have you, lad?" He looked up then at Gadareth who turned calmly spinning eyes on the Fishman. "And Gadareth?

What does he think of them?"

"He likes them, Master Alemi, he really does. You know the cove west of Cove Hold? Well, the water's real deep there and the dolphins love it too, and we've sort of had a chance to get to know some of them.

"Good!" And Alemi was delighted. "Which ones? I'm trying to make a list of dolphin names. They're rather proud of them, you know.

T'lion grinned mischievously. "Don't they ju5t get stroppy when you miscall them! Well, the ones I've met are Rom, Alta - she's pod leader - and Fessi, Gar, Tom, Dik, and Boogie, that's Alta's latest calf. And

"Steady on, lad, Alemi said, laughing at the torrent of names he had unleashed as he fumbled in his belt pouch for pencil and pad. "Give me that list more slowly, will you?"

T'lion complied. "Have you met any of them, Master?"

"No, but i've met Dar and Alta from Monaco, Kib, Afo, Mel, Jim, Mul and Temp. You ask yours if they know mine and I'll do the same. Let's compare notes later, shall we? I see you now and again, flying in to collect Menolly but it's usually when I'm making out to sea and can't turn back. How do you call them? D'you use a bell'?"

"Gadareth bugles and they come. They like him!'

"I'd be surprised if they didn't."

"Well, we're sort of on the opposite side from the dolphins, though, aren't we?" T'lion remarked, looking up at the tall Fishman. "They eat what we char."

"Point. Dolphins and dragons are both intelligent creatures.

I'd say they'd respect each other's ways."

"Yes, yes, they do,' T'lion said excitedly.

"What do you talk about? Does Gadareth understand them, too?"

"That's what I wanted to ask you,' T'lion said, turning solemn.

"Could they hear what he thinks?"

Alemi considered that. "Well, now, I've never heard a dragon not in my head as you riders do. I understand dragons can make themselves heard to people they want to talk to but, well, I haven't been so complimented.

i will speak to you, Master Fishman, Gadareth said immediately to T'lion's surprise because he hadn't asked him to.

The stunned expression that overcame Alemi's tanned face gave evidence that the Fishman had heard very clearly.

"Ooosh,' and Alemi put a hand to his temple, rolling widened eyes. "The words do just come into your head." Then he bowed formally to Gadareth. "Thank you, Gadareth. That was very kind of you."

My pleasure, Master.

"Yes, well, to answer your questions, Aivas didn't say anything about any telepathic ability in dolphins, just that they had had mentasynth enhancement.

"What's that?"

Alemi chuckled. "I'm not at all sure I understand but it was a treatment the Ancients used and it allowed dolphins to use human speech."

"The reason I wanted to know is, well, sometimes they say something just after Gaddie and I have been talking and it just seems as if they're answering us. Only I'm not talking out loud."

"Really? That could be merely coincidence, you know. Great minds thinking along the same lines."

T'lion absently hauled off his riding helmet, scratching at his sweaty scalp. "I suppose it could be. But you'd know since you talked to Aivas."

Alemi gave a chuckle. Aivas only told me what he knew and that he got from the records. I doubt he's enjoyed our personal contact with the dolphins, or yours with your dragon."

T'lion cocked his head at Alemi. "Are yours speaking more?

I mean like, telling you more things?"

Alemi thought a moment. "I believe they are. I don't know about yours, but I've been trying to teach mine the correct pronunciation Or rather, how we say words. Aivas mentioned a language shift."

"Oh, that's why the words are sort of like we say them, sometimes. I'm not much on harpering but it's better if they speak more like us, isn't it?"

"If we want them to be understood by people here and now, it is.

But I do believe they are remembering more words." He grinned drolly. "Do try not to use words that sound alike and have different meanings. Like "w h 0 1 e" and "h 0 1 e". Dolphins know of only one hole,' and Alemi tapped the top of his head.

"Then it's all right for me to correct them?" T'lion asked, grinning. "I've got mine to say "bell" and "report" and other words properly. How come they got so . . . twisted?"

"Ah,' and Alemi held up one hand, "we don't speak the way our ancestors did."

"We don't?" T'lion exclaimed, his eyes widening. "But the harpers are forever saying that they've helped keep the language pure, just as it's always been spoken."

Alemi laughed. "Not according to Aivas. He had to make adjustments to allow for " Alemi hesitated briefly, trying to get the next words right, "lingual shifts. But let's not rub harper noses in the fact. I certainly want to keep on the good side of my sister, the Master Harper. I've only to mention her name and here she is! Good day to you, Master Menolly."

"Good day, Master Alemi brother. T'lion. Gadareth. How good you are to fly me so patiently,' Menolly said, putting her arms through the straps of the pack she carried. "D'you mind if we hurry on, Alemi? It's so hot in riding gear. And fish for me? Thank you, "Lemi. I'm being spoiled rotten. Camo?"

The big man came, carrying a chortling Robse pickaback.

"Here, dear, put these in the cooler, will you? What are you to do with the fish, Camo?" she said, tweaking his sleeve arm so that he looked right in her face.

"Fish?" Camo said, his expression blank as his mind tried hard to recall what she had just told him.

"Put the fish,' and she placed the creel firmly in his hand, "the fish in here into the cooler. Now, what are you to do with the fish?"

"Put in cooler.

"That's right,' and she turned him around and gave him a gentle push toward the door. "In the cooler now, Camo.

Then you take Robse to "Mina.

"Fish in cooler. Robse to "Mina,' Camo said under his breath and he could be heard repeating his instructions as he obeyed them, Robse's happy laughter as counterpoint to his litany.

"There, now, thanks again, "Lemi, and have a good day. Let's go, T'lion, before I sweat off my breakfast."

As they walked to the waiting bronze dragon, Menolly asked him what he and Alemi had been talking about so earnestly.

"Oh, this and that,' T'lion said in a noncommittal tone, unwilling to mention what Alemi had said about the "linguistic' shift and harpers.

"You've conveyed Alemi a time or two?" she asked casually.

"That's what I'm good at,' T'lion said and hopped across the last few paces to Gadareth. "You can still get up all right, Master Menolly?"

"Of course I can,' she said with a trilling laugh and proceeded to prove it. Though, in fact, it took an effort to hoist her gravid self into position between Gadareth's firm neck ridges. "Good thing you've a bronze. I'd never fit now on a blue or a brown.

Then, just before T'lion urged his bronze into the sky, she added ruefully, "And very soon I fear I shan't be able to fit on Gadareth. Guess I'll have to get that brother of mine to sail me around to Cove Hold."

"Or I could bring to you the people you need to see, T'lion offered, shouting over his shoulder at her.

"That, too, if push comes to shove, she yelled back and then the difficulty of speaking against the wind of flight kept them both silent.

T'lion was just as glad because he wasn't sure if he should mention all his visits with the dolphins to anyone. Not even Master Menolly who was so nice you never thought of her as one of the most important Masters on Pern.

One of the archivists that thronged Cove Hold these days was on the porch and hurried down to them when they arrived.

"Master Menolly, Master Robinton would like you to go up to Landing today. Aivas has had time to release more music,' and the journeywoman's eyes shone with eagerness. "I hear it's simply splendid."

"Oh, it must be the sonatas we've been after him to copy to us,' Menolly said, shifting herself a bit from the long ride. "Well, let's go, T'lion. I can see how Sharra's doing, too. She came south on the Dawn Sisters with me."

All the way up to Landing, T'lion wondered what he'd do if she started to have the baby while he was conveying her. His mother was always having babies in the night at which times he and his brothers were shoved out of the hold. He'd never be forgiven if anything happened to Master Menolly while she was in his care. He'd ask Mirrim.

That distracted him from the fact that he would have to forego his day's idling with the dolphins. Well, he was lucky to have as much free time as he did, he told himself sternly. And the kitchens up at Landing did produce much better food than he generally got at noontime at Cove Hold where everyone usually grabbed a meat roll or cold food and continued working.

Landing was really less fun than Cove Hold. Gadareth took himself up to the heights and sunbathed, or exchanged draconic comments with whoever else had arrived from the various Weyrs.

Gadareth told him that most of the dragonriders were in some sort of conference. There were Master Smiths, too, and half the Harper Hall, trying to construct a "printing press'.

When T'lion hopefully sidled into the kitch"n, he was immediately pounced on by the headwoman.

"Another pair of hands. T'lion. isn't it'? Yes, here, make yourself useful. Take this tray - and be careful not to spill it - to the large conference room. I've all that lot to make a nooning for and not enough hands to do it." She added several more sweet rolls to the tray and winked at him. "Something for you, too, lad."

T'lion hurried off before she also thought to order him to come back so he could help her more in the kitchen.

He managed to deliver the tray, remove his rolls and himself from the conference room before anyone questioned his presence.

Hearing voices and the tread of booted feet, he ducked into the small empty room next door so he could eat his rolls in peace.

"Yes? Identify?" said a deep voice.

Struggling not to choke on the generous bite he had just taken out of a sweet roll, T'lion looked guiltily about the room. There was no-one else in it and the door was still shut. He swallowed.

"Who's speaking?"

"Aivas. I did not realize there was a meeting scheduled here."

"Where are you?"

"Please address the screen,' T'lion was told.

"Huh?" But he turned toward the screen and saw the blinking red light in the lower right hand corner.

"Identify, please?"

"You can see me?"

"Identify! Please!'

"Oh, excuse me. I'm T'lion . "The rider of bronze Gadareth?"

T'lion gawped. "Yyyyyyess. How'd you know?"

"A listing of all current riders in the Weyrs, their names and the names and colors of their dragons has been input. You are welcome, T'lion. How may I help you?"

"Oh, I'm not supposed to be here. I mean, I didn't think anyone was in here and I needed a place " T'lion trailed off, shaking his head at his own words and stupidity. He was embarrassed to be caught where he had no business being, and amazed to be known by someone (something?) everyone else in his Weyr respected so highly. He didn't know what to do and felt foolish, standing there with sweet rolls in his hand. "I certainly shouldn't take up your time, Aivas."

"You have nothing of interest to report? All input is valuable.

"You mean about the dolphins?" T'lion could think of nothing else he'd been doing that would be of interest to the Aivas. He didn't think that Master Alemi would have mentioned his efforts but he could have.

"You have been in contact with the dolphins? Your report would be appreciated."

"It would?"

"Yes, it would.

"Well, I haven't done much more than correct them when they use words wrong but Master Alemi told me that it's us who're using the wrong words." T'lion found himself grinning.

It was surely all right to tell Aivas that since Alemi had heard it from Aivas

"Yes, that is true. Are the dolphins adapting to the correction?"

"Well, the ones I've been talking have been very quick to correct what they say,' T'lion said with a tinge of pride in his voice. " "Gave" instead of "gayve" and "we" instead of oo-we . They're using more words than they did when we first started talking."

"A fuller account is awaited.

"You really want to know? I haven't told anyone else,' T'lion began, still reluctant to admit to his pastime.

"All input is useful. No-one will be informed of your association if that is your wish but your account will provide further insight into the renewal of contact."

"In that case,' and T'lion settled himself on a chair and related, as concisely as he could since H'mar had always insisted on detailed reports. Aivas did not interrupt him but, when he had finished speaking, he was asked to repeat all the dolphin names he had been told.

Interesting that the names have been handed down.

What?"

The present dolphins seem to have shortened names from those given the original complement of tursiops tursio."

Really?"

Kib is a short form of Kibbe; Afo - possibly derived from Aphrodite, Alta from Atlanta, Dar from Dart. It is gratifying to see that they perpetuated many traditions. Please continue with your independent contact and report further discussions of any significance. Thank you, T'lion of Eastern Weyr, bronze Gadareth's rider." The light on the screen darkened and the pulse of the red corner light became much slower.

"Oh, you're welcome,' T'lion replied somewhat bemused by the interchange.

His stomach put in a strong rumble and he looked down at the sweet rolls he hadn't had a chance to eat. He mulled over the conversation with Aivas as he consumed them.

Menolly is looking for you, T'lion.

Licking his fingers clean, T'lion hurried down the hall and out the door to collect his passenger.

Master Idarolan did inform many members of his Craft of dolphin intelligence and his personal experience of it. He did not inform all his Craft since he knew some of the hide-bound ones, like Yanus of Half Circle Sea Hold, would deny the fact of shipfish intelligence. The replies he got indicated that many of his Masters and journeymen had had experiences, or knew of them from reliable sources. Some mentioned relief at vindication of what they thought they had just imagined shipfish talking to them. Idarolan had supplied the report peal sequence, annotated by his Hall Harper, so that even the most non-musical could ring a proper summons. He recommended that requests for assistance be rendered in simple language: he suggested asking about local fish runs, weather, or depth reports in dangerous waters.

Perusing records kept of ship sin kings, most of them occurred either during storms or by sailing too close to suspected reefs, shoals and sandbanks. On some occasions the captains reported seeing dolphins veering suddenly to port or starboard.

Now it was obvious to Master Idarolan that the dolphins had been trying to urge the helmsman to change course. Invariably the presence of shipfish was reported when a ship was storm tossed. Not all gave credit to the saving of life by the shipfish but it was often implied that help had been received from an external agency: most seamen being honest in what they logged.

Two incidents had been faithfully reported of small vessels which had been caught in one of the Great Currents, being pushed vigorously out of the current by the efforts of shipfish.

Idarolan asked for, and received, an interview with Aivas to report his findings and to ask for additional advice on how to promote the association to the benefit of both parties.

He learned that pods were autonomous, following their chosen leader - usually an older female. Young males and old ones were apt to go off on their own for most of the year. He was also given a copy of the same instructions which Aivas had printed out for Alemi: the basic vocabulary of words that the dolphins had been trained to understand and the hand signals that were used underwater.

Both men were somewhat disappointed, though, to find that the news of intelligent shipfish was overshadowed by the growing industry aimed at a final battle with Thread. That was the top priority and everything else subject to that goal.

Even Idarolan, after his initial fierce interest, found little time to pursue a meaningful relationship with the dolphins. He did, however, keep available on deck a pail of the small fish which Aivas said the creatures preferred. Whenever the Dawn Sisters had an escort, he himself offered them the reward. He also ordered his helmsmen to watch the directions the dolphins were taking and to follow their lead to the fishing grounds. In that way his hauls improved and twice Dawn Sisters avoided unexpected reefs by following dolphin directions.

It was Kitrin who alerted Menolly to her brother's evening time occupation. When the sea winds began to cool the day, Menolly gave herself such exercise as her condition permitted.

Mostly she swam, delighted to have the weight of her unborn child buoyed by the sea. Aramina often joined her, with Aranya in tow. Readis needed careful observation for he was utterly at home in the water, or under it, and had a tendency to swim farther out than his mother liked. Menolly also used these evening swims as an opportunity to get to know her brother's wife better. She couldn't get Kitrin to join Aramina and herself in doing laps but at least the woman would sit in waist high water and benefit from the cooling circulation of water about her gravid body. Alemi had taught his older daughters how to swim and they were quite adept, though they obeyed their mother the instant she called them to stay closer to the beach. Camo would come, too, wading out to no more than knee depth and following the fearless toddling Robse about in the shallows.

Once Menolly had done what she considered sufficient laps, she joined Kitrin to dote over the antics of their children. On one evening, Menolly asked if they could inveigle Alemi to join them. She hadn't actually had as much of Alemi's company as she had hoped but certainly more than in previous Turns. They were very comfortable with each other in a way that would never have been possible at Half Circle Sea Hold.

Oh, he's off on some Craft project most evenings, Kitrin said with a dismissive wave of her hand and a grin for male enthusiasms. "I never interfere with Hall matters and whatever it is, he comes back well pleased from the time spent on it."

Menolly frowned, having explored most of the area in her daily walks, with and without her pupils. She couldn't remember seeing any evidences of a project. "Building a new skiff, is he?"

Now it was Kitrin's turn to frown in concentration. "I don't think so because I believe he sent an order to the crafters at Ista. About the one Hall that isn't overinvolved with Aivas commissions." She straightened abruptly, one hand going to her belly. "Oh, I do so hope this one's a boy. They say that if you've morning sickness, you're carrying a boy?" She cocked her head at Menolly for confirmation.

Menolly shrugged, grinning in Robse's direction. He was having an argument with the little ripples that flowed in as he tried to dig something out of the sand at his feet. Imperiously he held up one hand to the next wave and shrieked with indignation when it, too, splashed him. Camo came bounding over to see if the toddler was in any danger.

"I'm not the one to ask. I didn't have morning sickness with Robse and certainly none with this one. What about Aramina?"

Kitrin sighed. "She never has problems."

"Don't fret, Kitrin,' Menolly said gently, laying a soothing hand on her forearm. Kitrin was a dainty person, with fine features, long black hair now braided and coiled about her well-shaped head. Her brown eyes were clouded with anxiety right now. "Alemi adores you and will continue to do so whether you ever give him a son or not." Then she wrinkled her face. "I remember that most Seahold women wanted daughters so they wouldn't have to face losing them to storms at sea.

"Oh?" Then Kitrin looked about, although they were alone in the water. Touching Menolly's arm to indicate a confidence, she leaned closer. "Have you heard that shipfish - Alemi insists on calling them doll fins now - are intelligent? And speak?"

"Yes, I have heard that rumor. From Readis,' and she smiled, "who told me in great detail the first day I held class that he had been rescued by "mammls". Quite a harper tale it was, too."

Kitrin heaved another of her sighs. "Well, it was true. Alemi says so. He was even sent for by Aivas to come to Landing and give a report on the incident." She leaned ever closer. "I think that it's the doll fins he talks to in the evenings. If the wind is right I can hear a bell. He put in an order, I know, to the Smith Craft Hall for a big bell but, with all they're doing for Aivas and the Benden Weyrleaders, it'll be ages before they get around to casting it. So he got a small one from Master Robinton. I think he uses it to summon the doll fins. He's got it on the pier around on the headland so he won't upset Aramina, or let Readis know what he's doing."

Readis?" and Menolly's gaze went to the intrepid boy who was diving in and out of the water, in much the same way she had observed shipfish disporting themselves.

"Yes, well, she does not want Readis getting keen to talk to shipfish. Just see hov he's swimming right now. Readis!' she called, swim back into shore now. That's what I mean and what worries her. Why, he'd swim right out to sea to meet a dolphin. No fear on him."

Well, I can help distract him from that,' Menolly said. At his age, they don't have a long concentration span." Now she gave a sigh. "You have to keep one step ahead of them, with something new to do, a game or a challenge. Your girls are a great help with him, by the way. Such biddable children."

Kitrin sat a bit straighter, hearing praise of her Kitral, Nika and Kami, neatly diverted away from the previous topic.

Curious, Menolly took the next opportunity she had to follow the well-used lane through the trees and shrubs that flourished on the headland to the pier. The three fishing ships were at anchor on the quiet evening in the small bay on the eastern side of the Head, their skiffs tied to the rings on the pier. At first she didn't see Alemi, though she could hear voices some of them pitched at a very odd level and emitting some very odd sounds. She saw the splashings first, and realized that half a dozen shipfish heads were protruding from the water. And it was they which were making the odd sounds - squees and clicks and watery noises. Only when she had walked to the end of the pier, did she see her brother, below the pier deck, sitting cross-legged on a fragile raft that was nearly flooded by the vigorous wavelets splashed on it by the shipfish.

She nearly fell off the side of the pier when a shipfish suddenly jumped into the air, one black eye fixed on her before it fell back intQ the water, squeeing.

"Squeee! New game coming, Lemi?" it asked plainly.

Alemi's head appeared above the deck of the pier. "Menolly?"

"None other, brother,' she said at her drollest, peering down at his surprised face. "Is this a secret?" she asked, gesturing at the attentive faces, now turned in her direction.

"This is Menolly, my pod sister,' Alemi said to the dolphins.

Menolly suppressed a burst of laughter as he went on. "Menolly, starting on the portside, here are Kib, Afo, Mel, Temp, Biz and Rom. Jim and Mul are missing this evening."

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance,' Menolly said in slow formal tones, nodding her head at each smiling shipfish face in the circle.

"G'day, Nolly,' several chorused at her. She was unable to suppress laughter any longer. "Nolly, has babbee inside."

"My word! I know I'm big with child but how would they know?" she exclaimed, pausing in her attempt to get her awkward pregnant body arranged in a sitting position on the edge of the pier.

"They know or, as they put it, "member" rather a lot about humans. "Nolly! That's a fair nickname."

"The dolphins may, but you may not,' she said sternly.

"What're you discussing?"

"I'm getting tomorrow's weather and a fish report, he told his sister.

"Really?"

"The dolphins have been very helpful over the past few weeks.

We've never had better hauls. They know exactly where schools are feeding and lead us right to them. My men are delighted since it means less time at sea as well as sufficient warnings on squalls."

"Oh, yes, that would be helpful, wouldn't it?" Menolly made herself as comfortable on the hard planking as she could. "Readis told me all about your dramatic rescue.

Alemi grinned. "I don't think he's embroidered it much from the last time I heard him tell it. And it really happened, sister.

Only,' and he waved his hand at the raft and dolphins, "Aramina would rather Readis forgot that adventure."

"So Kitrin told me and now I know, I can divert him. "Mina should have told me."

Alemi shrugged. "She's still recovering from the shock of your appearance, Master Harper sister dear."

"Oh? She seems pleased

"Of course she is. Who wouldn't want a harper of your talent to teach their children?"

"Teach? Teach?" asked two shipfish.

"Oh, sorry, fell as,' Alemi said, turning back to the bottlenoses.

"Where were we? I teach them new words . . . or rather get them to remember them."

"You? Teaching'?"

"C'mon, Menolly, I was Petiron's pet student until you came along.

"Oh, and you've sung to your new friends?"

"No,' Alemi refused to rise to her bait, "you're the singer in the family. And the teacher!'

Menolly shot her brother a close look. Alemi had a teasing streak in him but he was quite sincere.

"Go on. You sang to the fire-lizards, why not to dolphins? I'll do the tenor line, if you'll sing something I know.

"Very well,' and she launched into one of the sea songs she had composed not long after she had walked the tables as a journeywoman. Alemi's well-placed voice joined immediately in harmony. After the first startled squees and clickings, her audience was silent. Beauty, Rocky and Diver appeared suddenly in the air, settling on pilings, eyes whirling fast with curiosity as they saw her audience.

"Zea zong, one of the shipfish said when the last notes died away. "Nolly zing zea zong." The sibilants were drawn out.

"Zeee, squeee zong,' another added and Menolly laughed.

"Sea song, you silly creatures. Sea, not ZEE."

Then abruptly the shipfish began an intricate maneuver in and over the sea's surface, all the time squeeing "ssseee song, scee song' and on several tones so that it was almost a chord to what she and Alemi had sung. Delighted at their antics and the apparent compliment, Menolly clapped her hands. Two shipfish splashed water with their flippers as if imitating her action.

"They are intelligent, "Lemi. Do they mean to be funny?"

"Just look at their smiling faces. They're right rascals when they want to be,' Alemi said, hauling himself up off the float to sit beside her.

"Sing song, Nolly? Sing two song, Nolly?"

"All right, but settle down. You can't hear me when you're splashing around like that."

Beauty now assumed her usual perch on Menolly's shoulder, wrapping her tail about her neck, but being careful to place her talons on the fabric of the light top Menolly was wearing.

Menolly put up a caressing hand as she began one of the traditional ballads. Menolly was accustomed to respectful listeners but the attentiveness of these sea creatures was the most intense she had ever encountered. They listened with eye, body and whole being. They didn't even seem to breathe. Softly, in her ear, she heard Beauty begin her usual soft descant. The shipfish heard it, too, for their eyes turned slightly to her left and their grins, if anything, seemed to widen. Menolly had had many rare musical experiences with audiences but this surely was the most unique. She would have to tell Sebell all about it.

She would never forget this evening! From the expression on his face, she doubted Alemi would either.

Darkness came with the usual tropical immediacy and suddenly they were enclosed in the dark of full night, the attentive dolphin heads gleaming silvery in the light of Timor just rising over the sea.

"Thank you one and all,' Menolly said in a voice vibrant with gratitude. "I shall never forget meeting you."

"Thank you, Nolly. Love men song.

"In this case it is a woman song,' Alemi said in wry correction.

Nolly song. Nolly song!" was the rejoinder.

"Diff'rent, better, best,' Afo added, ducking her head and flipping a spray at them with her nose in farewell.

Menolly and Alemi watched as the six plunged seaward, leaping and diving gracefully until they could no longer be seen.

"Well, that was much more than I could ever have anticipated,' Menolly said as they walked slowly back toward the hold, Alemi holding the glow basket which he had learned to bring for the dark return walk. "It's almost a shame, really."

"What?"

"That there's all this fuss and industry over Thread when Aivas has so much more to offer us.

"What could be more important than getting rid of Thread forever?" Alemi asked, surprised by her comment. "Interest in the dolphins is likely to be limited to my Hall and totally ignored by land dwellers. No, I'm glad to keep them as useful allies, like dragons or fire-lizards. They're far more intelligent than runner beasts, or even the canines, and are far more use to us than fire-lizards. Especially since they can communicate, verbally, rather than mentally the way dragons do or the limited range of fire-lizards."

"No, let's not belittle fire-lizards, not to she who has ten and uses all. Does Master Idarolan know of these - " she laughed, "sea-dragons of yours?"

"Of course. He was the first person - besides Aivas - I talked to. I send him regular reports on my progress with this pod "Pod?"

"Yes, that's the name for individual units. Pods. Each one has waters it prefers to fish and play in. They're great ones for games, dolphins are. Alemi laughed indulgently. As far as they're concerned, I'm just a new game they're playing."

"But you said that they give you information about fishing and squalls?"

"Oh, they do, but reporting's more like a game to them. "Oh, I see."

Don't discount the usefulness of such a game, Menolly,' he added earnestly.

"No, I won't but I do see that their appeal would be, should be limited. They're certainly not as easy to take home as firelizards."

"True, Alemi said, chuckling. "But they are endlessly interesting with their observations. They're much more their own selves than fire-lizards or even dragons. If they're not interested, they go off." Alemi shrugged.

"Like children .

"Yes, very much like children at times."

"Well, fire-lizards have proved useful,' Menolly said with a tinge of irritation in her tone. Some people discounted the many ways in which fire-lizards were useful.

"Easy, "Nolly,' Alemi said, and his tone made her look up at him, his white teeth showing in his grinning face. "And it was your method of teaching a fire-lizard manners that has helped me make meaningful contact with the dolphins."

"Sorry, brother,' Menolly said sheepishly.

"We have much to be thankful to the Ancients for,' Alemi said in an expansive tone.

"Though I wonder,' Menolly replied thoughtfully, "if we will say the same in a few Turns' time when Aivas unleashes all the wonders stored up."

"I thought harpers were applauding all the - what is it Aivas calls it - input?"

"Knowledge is sometimes two-edged, Alemi. You learn about all the marvels that used to be and they set the standard for what can be, and maybe shouldn't be."

"Are you worried?"

"Oh,' she said and shook herself, "put my fancies down to pregnancy. There's so much we don't know, don't remember, have lost. Like shipfish . . . excuse me, doll fins being able to speak intelligently. Every time I visit Cove Hold, D'ram or Lytol or Master Robinton have something newly remarkable to recount. The mind can only absorb so much.

"Isn't it up to the Harper Hall and the Benden Weyrleaders to see that we learn only the best of what there is?" He was half teasing, half serious.

"Indeed it is,' and she was very solemn. "A great responsibility, I assure you.

"You must find it dull living here in such a backwater."

"Not at all, "Lemi,' and she paused, catching his arm and giving him a little shake. "Frankly, living here and teaching your lovely children has given me a much needed respite and a chance to gain some perspective on all that's happening to our way of life."

"It's improved, that's what's happened.

"Ah, but is it really improvement?"

"You're in an odd mood, Menolly."

"I think of more things than the next song to write.

"I never said you didn't."

"No, you never did. Sorry, "Lemi. Night-time confessions and doubts generally are regretted in daylight."

Alemi put his arm about her shoulders in reassurance. "Don't ever doubt yourself, Menolly. You've come such a long way.

She chuckled. "Yes, I have, haven't I?" She clasped his hand on her shoulder, suffused with warm feelings for this favorite brother.

"But you can see, as a harper and a sea-bred holder, how helpful the relationship with dolphins can be."

"Yes, indeed I can, above and beyond my gratitude for their rescue of you and Readis."

"Mind you,' and his fingers squeezed her shoulders in warning, "don't mention this evening to Readis or Aramina, will you?"

"No, of course not. But I'd like to tell Sebell and Master Robin ton.

"Them, of course."

She declined his invitation to join him and Kitrin for an evening cup of klah or wine. He saw her safely to her holding despite her protests that she was able to see her way clear to her own door. She had every intention of sitting down and writing of the evening's surprises to Sebell, but the sight of the hammock swinging lightly in the night breeze was irresistible and she sank into it only for a moment - she thought, and fell instantly asleep.

Afo ecstatically reported the Nolly singing to them. Dolphins had songs of their own which all The Tilleks had taught so well they were imbedded in their memofles: which they sang remembering the waters they had come from. Sometimes the songs were sad - from the times when many dolphins died in nets that entangled them. Sometimes the sadness came from missing the mans, the great work that had been done and the happy partnerships. The happy songs were from the things dolphins had learned to do with mans, the Dun kirk, the Crossing of the Great Currents, the Swimming of the Whirlpool, or the finding of mans things that got into the water and shouldn't stay there; the saving of mans in storms. There were many songs dolphins would sound. Sometimes every pod would join in, weaving the sounds back and forth across the seas of Pern That darktime many songs floated on the Great Currents.

That they disturbed the sleep of two women and one small boy at Paradise River Hold was something that ended on the morning tide. But the song remained, a faint and pleasant memory, not a sad one as it had been at other times.

Chapter Six

allthough Aramina suspected that Alemi spent a great deal of time talking to the doll fins, he never mentioned it to anyone in her hearing. Gradually, Readis' adventure with the shipfish faded as other experiences - such as learning his traditional ballads under the guidance of Master Menolly, the birth of her second son, Olos, and Kitrin's longawaited son, Aleki - superseded that occasion. She began to relax again.

Readis was a very strong young swimmer, but she had no wish to see his strength overtaxed by further direct association with the sea creatures - mammals or whatever they were - luring him out beyond his depth. Readis was to succeed his father as Holder of Paradise River, though she secretly harbored the thought that he might be Searched for a dragonrider to the Eastern Weyr. He might be what she hadn't had the courage to pursue. He certainly enjoyed the company of the many dragons that came to Paradise River Hold: he'd scrubbed many a hide in the warm waters, and most often Lord Jaxom's white Ruth who appeared to have a special affinity for her son. It wasn't beyond the realm of possibility, really, she thought, that Readis couldn't have the same extraordinary option of being both rider and Holder that Lord Jaxom had enjoyed. Although, with all the plans to rid Pern of Thread forever, there'd be less objection to his dual role. From time to time, she wondered - as many did on Pern - if Weyrs would be disbanded after Thread no longer plagued them.

Of course, if Readis became a dragon rider, he would still be quite young - in his early thirties - when this Pass ended: more reason for him to be both rider and holder. After all, Jayge was a vigorous man and likely to last well past the end of Thread.

So Readis could ride and hold.

Then, too, dragons would speak to him, a momentous concession even if he didn't realize it yet in his youthful innocence.

He wouldn't know how much their willingness to do so gladdened her heart. Maybe that would weigh in their accepting him as a Candidate on the Hatching Sands. She wasn't at all sure how Jayge would view her ambitions for her son. But that didn't mean she couldn't have them. Readis' case was entirely different to hers in every respect. There was no reason not to consider that tantalizing future for her son.

The new harper came, appointed by Menolly herself to succeed her: a journeyman named Boskoney, in his early twenties and bred in a fishing hold on Ista so he was accustomed to the climate and occupations of Paradise River. She'd done the Paradise "River Holders the courtesy of presenting several candidates.

"I'm not going to let those lovely children be saddled by some journeyman who only wants to warm his bones in this climate,' she told them. "They have to have someone as alert, eager, and -" she smiled, "as adventurous and understanding of this environment as possible. We do have a lovely girl finishing her apprenticeship, if you wouldn't mind a woman harper Menolly had cocked her head at her friends with a sly grin and a twinkle in her eye.

"Of course, we wouldn't mind,' Jayge and Alemi said in unison, then grinned at each other for the force of their response.

"As well, but Hally won't walk the tables for another nine or ten months and it's not good to start the teaching process and then interrupt it for such a long time. The children of this hold are eager to learn and I don't like to put them off."

She went on to point out the strengths and failings of each of the other young men. Perschar, the best artist in the Harper Hall, had sent along portrait sketches of Boskoney, Tomol and Lesselam, several poses of each including a full length drawing in color.

"I never expected we'd have a choice, Aramina said, scrutinizing the drawings.

Menolly grinned at her. "What? And deprive my nieces, and nephew, of the best education there is? Of course, whoever comes here will have to spend some time helping the archivists with the music Aivas has been churning out for us. Tagetarl's in charge of the actual printing but the Paradise River Hold Harper is close enough to assist the work. That won't be a problem, will it?"

"Not at all,' Jayge said. "We're quiet here and there are not that many children

"Yet,' Aramina added with a wink. When the excitement of that admission had abated, she asked if any of the men were married.

"Not yet,' and Menolly grinned. "You've several lovely girls here among your holders. We have to give them some choice, too, and not limit it to smelly seamen." She grinned at her brother.

"I like him,' Aramina said, pointing to Boskoney. "He has a kind eye." Boskoney was not the handsomest of the three, nor as tall as Lesselan. His curly hair was sun-bleached and there were laugh wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. She felt comfortable looking at his portrait whereas the other two faces didn't seem as candid. "Ista bred, did you say? Then he won't mind the heat so much as the other two. And we won't have to explain about firehead and the other disadvantages of living in a tropical climate."

"Very well,' Menolly said briskly, pushing the sketch of Boskoney over to her. "Sebell will inform Boskoney of his posting and I'll ask T'gellan to send a rider to collect him. I'd like to discuss the various children with him so he'll know what aspects to concentrate on. They're such a lovely handful. I've quite enjoyed my time. Ooops, there's the baby awake again." Boskoney arrived, was duly briefed by Menolly on his students' abilities, and settled in the Harper's Hold as if he'd always been there. Menolly promised to visit Paradise River Hold again, especially when Camo volunteered the information that he would like to stay warm here. He didn't like winter but then, as Menolly explained, he had trouble remembering to put on his jacket as the year progressed into winter, and to forget to take it off as the year wound into spring and summer.

Boskoney elected to do his Harper Hall duty at Landing in the evenings, and T'lion and Gadareth were usually assigned to convey him. That suited T'lion, Gadareth and Alemi for they continued to improve their relations with the dolphins, and now there were many pods who would respond to the Bells. In the biggest tree bordering the strand nearest Eastern Weyr, T'lion had cobbled a sort of belfry arrangement - using a smaller bell than Alemi used at Paradise Head.

It wasn't that he was trying to be secretive about this activity.

It was more he was relishing the association too much as was Gadareth - that he didn't want his efforts ridiculed or demeaned.

After all, it wasn't as if Weyrleader T'gellan didn't know that dolphins rescued the sea-stranded. It was only that he, T'lion, hadn't exactly explained the connection he was improving all the time.

A summons to the Weyrleader's quarters that morning in no way alarmed T'lion since T'gellan often sent for him to assign the day's chores. But he did not expect to see his brother there and he was not at all reassured by the smug expression on K'din's face and the stern ones T'gellan and Mirrim wore.

I don't know why you're upset, Monarth, T'lion heard his dragon say quite loudly in his head. They are dolphins that the Ancients brought here. They save lives. They can speak to anyone.

That gave T'lion the clue he needed: K'din had been spying on his evening sessions with the dolphins.

"I believe you have some explaining to do, T'lion, T'gellan said sternly, cocking an eyebrow at his young rider. Mirrim also looked repressive.

"About the dolphins?" T'lion hoped he sounded more relaxed than he actually was.

"Dolphins?"

"Yes, dolphins is what Aivas called them,' and he saw the Weyrleaders exchange glances as he casually dropped in that authority. "They came with the Ancients, you know. They had been given mentasynth enhancement so they could speak with their human partners, the dolphineers." He got all the big words out without tripping over them.

T'gellan frowned. "You've been to Aivas with this?"

"Well, no, he interviewed me. Master Alemi at Paradise River Hold is working very closely with the dolphins since they give him weather reports, news about what fish are running and where. Saves the fishmen a lot of trouble. And better yet, they warn about squalls."

"They do!" T'gellan said, more statement than question, digesting T'lion's cheerfully rendered explanation.

"And just how did you get involved, T'lion?" Mirrim wanted to know.

"Oh, you know how these things happen, Mirrim. Like the time you impressed your fire-lizards."

She frowned, giving him a "don'tyoubecockywith-me stare. You impressed these creatures?"

"No, nothing like that, and T'lion dismissed the suggestion with a flick of his hand. "Nothing like dragons,' and his tone also relegated the association to a less significant interface. "They are useful, though,' and he decided not to add "like fire-lizards'.

"You summon them with a bell peal. If they feel like it, they answer. Mostly they do because we're sort of a new game for them.

"New game?" T'gellan leaned forward.

"That's what Master Alemi said. The pod that lives in these waters is different to the one he's in contact with. Aivas wants us to find out how many there are and try to improve their language skills.

"Language skills?" Mirrim said, blinking at him.

T'lion gave a shrug. "That's the term Aivas used. They speak badly . they say "mans" for "men" and "gayve" instead of gave . messing up words something fearful. I have to sort of teach them how to speak correctly."

K'din gave a scornful guffaw. "You, a teacher?"

"I do know more words than the dolphins do,' T'lion replied serenely. -Just when do you teach them, T'lion?"

The young bronze rider could see he wasn't out of the fire yet as far as his Weyrleader was concerned. "Oh, when I have time. Like when I'm bathing Gadareth. He rather likes the dolphins. They swim under him and tickle his belly. And when I'm scrubbing his wings, they vault over them."

"Do they so?" The Weyrleader's tone was rhetorical and T'lion remained silent, trying to act nonchalant.

Had K'din actually suggested that he was depriving or neglecting Gadareth in favor of dolphins? Not that he could be drummed out of the Weyr or anything! However, he could be disciplined and kept from associating with the dolphins. Had he mentioned Aivas enough so that T'gellan would be satisfied?

Or had he made too much of that association for a Weyrleader's unease?

"I think we'd better meet these Dolphins, Weyrleader. They'd be pleased to make your acquaintance, too." T'lion sounded as cheerful as he could but he hoped the dolphins would display their positive talents instead of their love of play and games. "Can my brother come?

So he can get a good square look at the dolphins?"

T'gellan regarded the older brown rider with a speculative look. "I do believe that might be salutary."

Yes, very,' Mirrim added with a sour look in K'din's direction.

Monarth and Path are interested. I told them everything we do. But we should have told the Weyrleaders sooner. That is one thing wrong. I don't understand the other.

Not the most reassuring remark Gadareth could have made.

As T'lion turned to follow the Weyrleaders out to their waiting dragons, he realized that Gadareth was correct about not informing his Weyrleaders sooner. But, with conveying Menolly and others about, he hadn't been much in the Weyr these days.

But much on the seaside talking to dolphins, Gadareth reminded him conscientiously.

That brother of mine, T'lion thought back to his bronze, he'd love nothing better than to get me in trouble with the Weyrleaders.

Buleth doesn't like it.

Good on Buleth, then.

Fortunately for T'lion's purpose of demonstration, Tana and Natua appeared as soon as the bell peal had echoed across waters slightly roughened by a sea breeze and the incoming tide. T'lion walked in to waist depth to meet the two while the others stood on the shore, dragons, riders and Mirrim's fire-lizards.

"Just you two?" T'lion asked, having hoped to have more of the pod to show off. Then he raised his voice so those on the beach could hear what he said as he made introductions.

"Tana, Natua, that's my pod leader, T'gellan, and his mate, Mirrim. And K'din." He was not going to introduce him as his brother.

"G'day, Gellin, Mirm,' Natua said politely while Afo splashed water in their direction.

"G'day, Natua,' Mirrim said and waded out to stand by T'lion. She had a grin on her face. Her fire-lizards swirled above her head protectively. She patted the bottlenose that Natua pushed at her. Tana did a swim-by, observing Mirrim with first one eye and then the other on the return trip. Then she reared up in the water so that she and Mirrim were at eye level. "G'day, Tana. Water good?"

"Fine. Fish fine, too. Pod eating. Good eating.

Tana wanted to know what game they'd be playing so T'lion hastily intervened. "Sorry to call you from feeding, Tana."

"Bell ring. We answer. We promise. We here."

He was also pleased that their speech was so clear - he'd finally broken their habit of saying "oo-ee' for "we'.

"It's very good of you to be so prompt because my pod leaders wanted to meet you.

Natua did a backward flip, showering water on Mirrim and T'lion Mirrim's expression went blank as water dripped from her head and shoulders. Well accustomed to such antics, T'Iion winced that he hadn't thought to warn her. Mirrim flicked water off her arms and gave a deep sigh.

"You didn't need to soak Mirrim,' T'lion said, shaking a finger at Natua. The dolphin squeed and cut a circle about the two humans.

"Water warm. Good,' Natua said, his lower jaw dropping in a smile as he came to a halt by the young rider.

Mirrim began to laugh. "What's a soaking to sea creatures?

And I did enter his water." She used both hands to shake water out of her hair. "You like soaking humans."

"You woman, not oomans,' Natua said.

Mirrim made an o with her mouth, amazed that he recognized the difference. "Thank you, Natua! C'mon in, T'gellan, you're missing half the fun and the water's warm!'

Then to everyone's shock, Tana delivered a surprise. "You have baby inside."

"WHAT?" Mirrim cried, arching her body toward the dolphin.

"Tana sees baby.

"What did you say? Now, wait a minute, you, you fish!' Mirrim said, shock briefly draining color out of her face before indignation brought on a deep flush under her tanned skin.

"What'd that critter just say?" T'gellan demanded, wading into the water to his weyrmate and putting a protective arm about her.

T'lion was aghast. He didn't know what to do. He gulped and stammered, until he caught his brother's smug expression.

"It said I'm pregnant,' Mirrim replied. "This is not a joking matter, doll fin!'

"Not joking,' Tana said. "I know. Always we know. Sonar tells truth about woman body."

"Sonar? What's that?" T'gellan demanded of his young rider. -Just what is going on here?"

"I don't know,' T'lion said in a wail.

"I right. You ask medic. Squeee! Good time is baby time. I have baby, too. Like it."

"Medic?" T'gellan echoed, ignoring the rest of the comment.

"That's what the Ancients called healers,' Mirrim murmured, her head bent to watch the hand she put on her belly, just below the watery surface.

"I'm sorry, Mirrim. I don't know T'lion said, appalled by the incident and Tana's declaration. How could she queer this meeting? He'd thought they were his friends! He might just as well plead to be transferred to another Weyr before his disgrace became planet-wide . . . and he had no doubt at all that K'din would see that everyone knew! He'd truly shamed his family now. And he'd been so proud to speak to shipfish!

To his growing horror, Tana didn't stop chattering and Natua was nodding violently as if he, too, concurred!

"I know. Woman is preg-nant,' Tana repeated, excitedly weaving about in front of the three humans. Then, before anyone guessed her intent, she dropped back into the water, and with the greatest care and lightest touch, put her nose over Mirrim's hand. "Have baby. Not soon. Small."

T'gellan exchanged glances with his weyrmate and began to smile tenderly at Mirrim.

"Not that I don't wish you were, Mir, he said so softly that T'lion wasn't sure he'd heard properly.

"But nothing's happened yet . I mean, it's much too soon to be sure,' Mirrim murmured back, looking up at the tall bronze rider, her expression equally tender. Then she gave herself a shake and started to wade to the shore. "First thing, we find out from Aivas if that silly sea creature could possibly know what it's talking about." She swivelled back toward T'lion. "You come, too, T'lion, and we'll just settle the matter for once and all. Can't have a rider your age dealing with erratic creatures like these."

! love you, T'lion, Gadareth said in such a vehement tone that T'lion was a little comforted. Until he saw the triumphant expression on K'din's face. He closed his eyes, trying to close his ears against the joyous sounds of squeeing and clicking the two dolphins were making as he waded out of the water. I like the dolphins. They have such fun and made things fun for us, too.

Don't talk to me about doll fins right now, Gaddie. You don't know what they've just done.

I know. Path knows. Path is glad if her rider is to have a baby.

T'lion groaned as he obeyed T'gellan's hand signal to mount the young bronze.

"You'll come, too, K'din,' T'gellan said and his expression was suddenly severe. "I want you where I can see you. We're flying straight."

Mirrim had mounted Path, the drip from her wet legs and clothing running down the green's sides.

"Keep it a low flight,' she said. "We'll dry out as we go but I don't want it fast either." She did not so much as look in T'lion's direction which depressed him even further.

Schools of fish, warnings of shoals and squalls were well within a dolphin's abilities, but this? T'lion allowed his body to move with Gadareth's upward leap but he felt wooden, and scared, and totally miserable. How could Natua and Tana treat him so? Just when he needed them to show at their very best.

He'd never even had a chance to ask them about weather bearing down on them, or schools in the seas off Eastern Weyr The straight flight, though it wasn't actually that far, took ages. His clothes were dry and his nose burned enough to hurt by the time they reached Landing. K'din's smugness became slightly tinged now with awe as he followed his leaders into the Admin and right up to the table where D'ram was currently serving as visit monitor.

"T'gellan, Mirrim, how very good to see you. Monarth and Path are well? And here's T'lion again and this is your older brother, isn't it, T'lion? A noticeable family resemblance.

"Good day, D'ram, Tiroth looks fat and fine up there in the sun,' T'gellan said pleasantly but with an unmistakable urgency in his tone.

"A problem?"

"Yes, and one which only Aivas can solve for us. Is there any free time to query him?"

"Yes, certainly. Try the small conference room. T'lion knows the way.

T'lion would have given anything right now not to be so well known to D'ram. As the ex-Istan Weyrleader gave him a smiling permission to proceed, T'lion shrank in on himself.

"Lead on, T'lion,' T'gellan ordered, an indefinable expression on his face as he followed.

T'lion trudged disconsolately toward the conference room and utter humiliation, a short walk that seemed as long as the flight straight.

Monarth said they would like to have a baby, Gadareth told him in a cheerful tone. Path agrees.

But what if Tana can't know? What if she's wrong? !"ll die!

No, and Gadareth's tone chided him for rashness, because you would not like me to die, too, would you?

No, of course not! T'lion gave himself a shake. Whatever happened now he still had Gadareth. No-one could part him from his dragon.

He pushed open the door.

"Aivas, it's T'lion here with Weyrleader T'gellan and green Path's rider, Mirrim,' he announced to the screen. Only when he had caught a reproving glance from T'gellan did he mutter K'din's name.

"What is the topic of your, discussion today? The dolphins?"

"How did he know?" Mirrim asked in an undertone.

"Because T'lion usually reports on the progress of his meetings with the dolphins, Mirrim,' Aivas said and Mirrim winced, having forgotten the acuteness of the facility's "hearing'.

"One of the dolphins, Tana, said I was pregnant." Mirrim came straight to the point.

"If the dolphin noticed an alteration in your womb, she is likely to be accurate."

A profound silence fell on the small conference room.

"Well, now, how? I didn't even know myself, Aivas,' Mirrim said, easing herself on to a chair. "I mean - "Dolphin sonar - "That was the word she used "Sonar What is that?"

"Dolphin sonar is the means by which they navigate across the oceans of Pern, sending out signals and reading the sound waves that return to them. Sonar also informs the dolphin of minute changes in body mass. Dolphins accurately diagnose T'gellan exclaimed.

"to not only pregnancy but bodily tumors and growths and often other illnesses in their early stages. Medics - healers in your current parlance - relied on dolphin diagnostics as unique and correct.

"You mean, Mirrim is pregnant?" T'gellan asked.

"If a dolphin has pronounced it, indubitably she is with child.

T'lion looked from the radiant smile that suffused Mirrim's face to T'gellan's proud posture. Out of the corner of his eye he caught the grimace on his brother's face but he was careful not to exhibit his elation at Aivas' verdict. He didn't want to prod K'din into further acts of retaliation. It was enough that he, T'lion, was right and he mentally kicked himself for doubting the dolphins. But he hadn't had any idea they could "see' into human bodies!

"Perhaps this facet of dolphin abilities has been overlooked?" Aivas asked after T'gellan and Mirrim had shared a happy embrace.

T'gellan looked at T'lion who shrugged denial.

"I think we should ask the Weyr Healer to look into the matter,' T'gellan said. "Would the dolphins see infections that lie under the skin and then erupt?"

"The records so indicate. Do you refer to a puncture wound?"

"Yes, I do. M'sur nearly lost his leg because it wasn't until he saw the red lines of blood poisoning that he realized he had a severe injury. Persellan had a time saving his life and his leg!' Then T'gellan turned to T'lion. "I think we'd best inform the Healers Hall at Fort about this."

"D'you think they'll believe you?" Mirrim said with a laugh.

Her left hand hovered on her belt, fingers spread over her belly as if she still couldn't credit the diagnosis.

T'gellan shrugged, grinning. "They can or cannot as they so choose but I've a duty to inform them."

"There's a healer here at Landing, isn't there?" Mirrim asked.

"Oh, thank you, Aivas, for your time.

"You are welcome, dragonrider Mirrim."

"My gratitude, Aivas, on several counts, and he gave T'lion a reassuring grin. "That meeting with your dolphin friends took a most unexpected turn, lad. We thank you. Mirrim's lost two babes because she didn't know she was pregnant. We don't want to lose another. Come,' T'gellan said, one hand at Mirrim's waist, guiding her out the door. "We'll inform D'ram of this.

He'll see that the Healer Hall is informed."

"Yes, best coming from him,' Mirrim agreed, but she beckoned for T'lion to walk beside her on their way out.

It took a moment or two for D'ram to absorb the astonishing news, then he rose from his chair and heartily shook T'gellan's hand, beaming at Mirrim.

"It's always been a problem for Weyrwomen to know when they have conceived and stay out of between in the first few months. You'll have women flocking to the shores to speak to dolphins."

"I'm not sure that's what we want, T'gellan said, somewhat alarmed.

"Oh, well, yes, but I shall inform the Healer Hall and they can make what arrangements they find useful."

"If they believe the story,' Mirrim said.

"Oh, I know a few who are open minded enough to investigate especially if Aivas has verified the matter. First I shall ask Aivas to give me what information he has on the diagnostic abilities of the dolphin. Nothing like the printed word to reassure. Then the old Weyrleader turned to T'gellan. "You were wise to confirm this with Aivas instead of dismissing the matter."

"It was certainly worth the trouble of flying here straight,' T'gellan agreed, smiling fondly down at his weyrmate. "Though I won't deny I found it hard to credit. Sorry about that, T'lion."

"Oh, that's all right, T'gellan,' T'lion could honestly say now that his friends were vindicated. "I didn't believe it myself, you know.

If T'lion found himself appointed as dolphin liaison - a word Kib suggested to him from his revived vocabulary of Ancient terms - for the sceptical medics who did come, sometimes with patients, more often not, he had no objections. It kept him out of K'din's way and made it less likely that any tale K'din might concoct would discredit him in the Weyrleader's eyes. Persellan, the Weyr's healer, a journeyman from the southernmost tip of South Boll, was nearly scornful as he announced that it was impossible to detect a pregnancy so soon after conception.

But Tana neatly demolished his disbelief when she pinpointed yet another festering puncture wound in the arm of a weyrchild who kept complaining that his arm hurt. The headwoman had been sure it was an attempt to avoid his chores. Tana not only was correct about the infection but she touched her nose on exactly the point which the skeptical Persellan was to poultice.

The next morning the infection had come to a head and in it could clearly be seen the needle fine thorn which caused the problem.

Thorns from a variety of vegetation on the Southern continent were a constant problem to the healers. Most people wore little in the hot summers so there was more bare flesh which could be invaded by a casual brush against leaves and plants. Even tough dragon hide was not impervious to the problem though the protective layer just under the skin was rarely penetrated.

More often it was the rider, scrubbing his dragon, who found a thorn imbedding itself in a water-soaked hand.

Not by any means thoroughly convinced of this method of ascertaining pregnancy, Persellan did bring women in various stages of a known pregnancy to test Tana and other members of her pod who seemed eager to prove their abilities.

It was, however, a broken bone that persuaded Persellan. A broken bone, moreover, that had healed badly just below the elbow, inhibiting the free use of her right arm. The woman had come to discover if she was pregnant again, a condition she didn't wish to continue since she considered that three children were more than enough to saddle the Weyr with.

"Bone broke. Healed wrong,' Tana told Persellan. "Here."

"What about a baby, fish?" the woman demanded even as Persellan seized her arm, his trained hands finding the thickened joint. "I've had no bleeding in two months."

"How long ago did that happen?"

Durras jerked her arm out of his grip, scowling at the Healer.

"I didn't come about the arm. I was a child when it broke.

Fish, what about the baby?"

"No babbee, but full womb. Not good. Needs cleaning out.

"WHAT?" The woman backed out of the water and ran up the sands and away from the diagnostician.

"What do you mean? Full womb? Needs cleaning out?" Persellan asked. He had been startled by Durras' reaction but, in his long apprenticeship, there had been not infrequent occasions of interrupted flows where the patient had later had severe and constant abdominal pains and several instances where the woman had died: where only heavy doses of numbweed had eased the resultant pain.

"Growwwwsse,' Tana said, trying to enunciate a difficult word. "Bad things.

"Growths?" Persellan asked. Intrusive surgeries were not a facet of healing, though he now knew that specially trained healers were actually cutting into a human body to relieve some conditions. Aivas had had much to tell the Healer Hall but very few had actually undertaken operations. He'd heard that the Hall had authorized after-death examinations. Even thinking about such intrusions made him shudder but valuable information had resulted. "Did the Ancients cut into a body to remove growths?"

"No need. Opening is there. Clean out. Then have babbee.

"How? What opening?"

"Main one down below. Way babbee comes.

Persellan shuddered again. The very idea of entering by that passage was repugnant. Still, a healer was often required to perform measures unpleasant, and even hurtful to the patient, to restore health.

The next surprise Persellan had came later that eventful morning when T'lion came to summon him to the bay.

"They're bringing in an injured dolphin. Natua and Tana say you'll need to sew him up.

"Sew up a dolphin?" Persellan halted in the act of reaching for his healer's bag. "Really, T'lion! That's enough!'

"Why?" T'lion demanded. "You do dragons when they're cut."

"But fish?"

"They are not fish, Healer, they're mammals, same as humans, and Boojie won't heal properly unless you stitch the wound."

"Have you seen it?"

"No, but Tana asked. She's helped you, now you help her.

Persellan could not fault that argument but he muttered under his breath all the way down to the beach about having to extend his practice to heal sea creatures. The moment he saw the long deep gash he was set to turn right about and return to his weyr.

"There's no way I could close that. Why, the . . . creature would bite me or something. The pain would be intense."

"Numbweed,' T'lion said, stubbornly blocking Persellan's path and sending Gadareth an urgent plea to come help.

"How do I know numbweed would help? It might even be a dangerous

"Tana told me. She said Boojie's too young to die but he will if that wound is not closed."

"How'd he gouge himself like that?" Persellan continued to argue even as T'lion pulled him toward the water and the swarm of dolphins clumped together in the shallower water. "I don't even know if stitching's the answer."

"Sew Boojie,' Tana said, then daring water almost too shallow for her to swim, pushed the healer with her nose toward the injured dolphin which podmates kept afloat.

"Come on, Persellan,' T'lion said, up to his chest in the water.

"How can I possibly It's so absurd,' the healer cried but a stiff nose in his crotch pushed him forward. "Stop that!' And he batted his free hand at Tana's importunate melon. "I simply don't know how to go about Shock from such a wound, not to mention suturing I mean, I've never done anything like this in my life."

"Didn't they tell you life in a Weyr would never be boring?" T'lion said, silly with relief that the healer was complying.

He almost gagged when he saw the depth of the wound, the flesh laid bare to several levels. The moment of nausea passed because he was fascinated that any creature so badly injured had survived the journey here. Boojie was barely breathing, too exhausted to make so much as a soft squee. Only the gleam in the visible left eye, as intelligent as ever, despite the wound, was evidence that the bottlenose lived. T'lion placed a hand close to the lung, far enough away from the ghastly slice not to cause any additional pain, and felt the rumble of activity within the dolphin's body.

"If you're going to do something, you better do it now, Persellan,' he murmured. "Boojie's just hanging on."

"How on earth am I going to do any suturing in the ocean?"

Seeing the problem, for the dolphin nurses had to prop the patient and that made it difficult for Persellan to reach a useful position, T'lion called Gadareth.

"Dragon claws were made useful,' he told Persellan. "Gaddie will cradle Boojie, just enough in the water, but with his side turned to you."

A flurry as the bronze dragon, perceiving from his rider's mind what had to be accomplished, entered the water and approached the group.

"Gaddie'Il help, Tana. Tell the others to let him take Boojie. He won t harm him. You know dragons wouldn't harm a dolphin."

Tana clicked, squeed and spouted water so urgently that the maneuver was deftly accomplished, though it took a bit to get Boojie angled just right for the repair.

"By the first shell, will you look at this?" Persellan exclaimed and pointed to the thick layer of blubber lying just under the dolphin's rubbery skin. "I suppose it's normal? Would she know? Come to think of it a very fat herd beast has a fatty layer. I suppose it's all right. Oh, well, it can only bite me." Keeping up a running monologue - which T'lion rightly had the sense not to answer - and muttering darkly about a most unusual healing, Persellan began to smear numbweed on the lips of the wound. "Don't know if the stuff will penetrate enough to do any good but the Master Farmer always uses it on injured animals so I don't see why I can't use it on a sea creature." His dabbings were tentative at first, but his motions became more confident when his patient did not twitch or move during the procedure.

T'lion helped when he saw what to do, and his smaller fingers managed to ease the paste all along the edges of the wound.

"I've never done anything so bizarre in my life,' Persellan muttered as he paused, the long thin needle he used for dragon flesh poised for the first stitch. "I've never heard of anything so weird as suturing a fish

"Boojie's not a fish,' T'lion corrected but he was grinning.

"He's a mammal."

"Put your hands on either side, would you, and see if you can't push the lips together?"

It was not an easy job Persellan asked of T'lion and toward the end, though the healer worked swiftly, the young rider's muscles began to spasm in protest. But together the humans finished closing the gash.

"Three hands long "Persellan said, measuring and shaking his head. "I doubt he'll live. Shock alone Although salt water wounds do heal well . . - He shook his head again as he scrubbed the remaining blood from his hands before passing the brush to his equally gory assistant. He also washed the needle and replaced it in its leather and what was left of the fine strong thread he had used back in his wet healer's bag. He'd forgotten all about it during the procedure and now clicked his tongue.

"So what do we do with this Boojie now, T'lion? Nurse him here, in the shallows? I'm water-pocked from the waist down.

"Afo, what now?" T'lion asked, seeing her in the circle of observant dolphins grouped on either side of Gadareth who still held Boojie in his talons.

"You do good. Tell dragon to let Boojie go. We care him."

Ordinarily T'lion would have corrected her phrase but he understood what she meant. With a sharp series of whistles, she organized her helpers, Gar, Jim and Tana among them, T'lion noticed, as Gadareth obediently and very carefully lowered his forearms into the water until Boojie's body floated free. T'lion was relieved to notice a slight motion of fins as Boojie wearily responded to his freedom. Then his podmates renewed their support and pointed him seaward.

"T'ank you! T'ank you! T'ank you!" came the unexpected chorus as the group headed slowly out to sea.

"Will he be all right, Natua?"

She gave a little leap in an answer which he took to be affirmative. Both he and Persellan watched in silence until the dorsal fins of patient and nurses were no longer easily visible.

"Never done anything like that before in my life,' Persellan muttered as he strode out of the water. He took no more than a few steps up on the sand before he collapsed, to spread out his length on the warm sand. "And I don't even know if it will be enough. But I tried."

"You did indeed, Healer, and I'm very grateful you did,' T'lion said. Gaddie, you were great!

I know it. I've never done anything like that either. But the dolphin lives. We all did well. Tell the healer.

"Gadareth, too, says you did well, Persellan,' T'lion murmured, with a weary grin. A snore answered him. A nap seemed like a good idea but he had enough common sense remaining to collect two of the wide leaves they often used to shield the harsh sun rays. He put one on Persellan's head and face, and draped the second over himself.

Gadareth, wings carefully tight against his back, rolled this way and that in the warm sands before he, too, settled his head on his front legs and relaxed in the sun.

Chapter Seven

early the next morning Persellan joined T'lion and Gadareth on the strand when the young dragonrider rang the "report' peal. He had spent an anxious night, worrying about Boojie, and rather pleased to see that Persellan was also concerned.

No sooner had the last note of the ring echoed across the waters than two dolphins leaped above the surface, a distant squeeing audible.

"Hope that's a happy sound,' T'lion murmured.

"Hmmmm,' was Persellan's reply as he shielded his eyes and peered across the dawn-lightened waters.

"They feed at dawn, you know,' T'lion informed him conversationally. "Best time to get them."

"Am I likely to be on call to dolphins, too, now?"

T'lion looked up to check the healer's mood. He didn't know the man well enough to judge whether or not his gruffness was genuine. Most people tended to be grumpy in the early hours of a day. Healers certainly had the right, called up at the most inconvenient of times.

"Would that bother you?" T'lion asked apprehensively.

"Hmmmm. Depends. I could see that the creature had to have that gash sutured. Are they often injured? How did that happen to it?"

"I don't know about injuries in general. Most of the dolphins have scars here and there. I haven't asked how they get them, though. We haven't reached that sort of thing. Most of our conversations have been pretty basic. Maybe Master Alemi knows. I can ask him."

"Who's Master Alemi?" Persellan asked, his gaze still on the incoming dolphins' progress.

"Master Fishman at Paradise River Hold. He got me interested in the dolphins. Aivas asked me to continue."

"Did he?" Persellan shot a glance down at his young companion.

"Yes, yesterday wasn't my first visit to report to Aivas,' T'lion said in a tone he hoped wasn't boastful.

"Indeed! Hmmmm, well."

The squeeing was louder now and T'Iion thought it sounded happy. Maybe because he wanted it to. He let out a sigh. Then, as the two dolphins neared the shore, he couldn't wait any longer and ran out into the water until he was waist deep.

"Is Boojie OK?" he shouted through cupped hands.

"Squeeee yes. Squee yes!'

"Yes?"

"Yesssssss, squeee yessssss!" The two dolphins made it a chorus and seemed to speed up. Their final leap splashed T'lion thoroughly but he didn't care. Natua pushed his face right up into the dragonrider's, and his ever grinning smile was deeper than ever. He dropped his jaw and squeed again.

"Boojie best grateful. Ate well."

"Swims little, is better."

"Tell them,' Persellan called from where he stood at the water's edge, "Boojie must have the sutures removed Are dolphins aware of time? I mean I don't want to leave those stitches in forever. They could tear the flesh."

"When d'you want Boojie back?" T'lion asked.

"In a sevenday. Would they understand that?"

T'lion nodded vigorously even as he repeated the instructions to the two dolphins. "In seven and T'lion held up sufficient fingers, tapping them in turn on Natua's nose, "dawns, Boojie is to come back to the Healer. Understand?"

"Squeeee! Understand. Seven dawns."

"We tell!" Tana added, clicking affirmatively.

"Thanks for coming,' T'lion added.

"You ring. We come. We promise. Thank medic." And Tana did her half-stand, nodding her head vigorously before she gave a final tail swish and leaped sideways, over and under the water and swam off, Natua squeeing after her.

"Did you hear, Persellan?" T'lion asked as he waded back out. "Boojie's very grateful. He ate and they understood to bring him back in a sevenday.

"I must say, I'm gratified, since I hadn't a notion if I was doing the creature any good at all."

"Oh, you did, Persellan, you did!'

Amazing incident, actually. I must report now who would I report to? Not the Master Farmer certainly for the sea is not his province.

"Master Alemi says that the Master Fishman, Idarolan, is interested in the dolphins."

"Well, then, I shall report to him, and to T'gellan, as well as to Master Oldive. At least he will find this case interesting. Many wouldn't, but Oldive will." That seemed to please Persellan even more as they made their way back to the Weyr.

T'lion hoped he'd have a chance to tell Master Alemi all about yesterday and dolphin sonar. Well, maybe he shouldn't talk about Mirrim's baby yet, but he could tell about Persellan's sewing up Boojie.

It was several days before T'Iion had a chance to stop off at Paradise Hold. He was on his way back from conveying Master Fandarel to Telgar Smith Craft Hall and saw no harm in stopping off that evening to see Alemi. The big yawl, the Fair Winds, was not at anchor, nor the other sloop or the ketch that fished from Paradise River. T'lion was about to tell Gadareth to go on to the Weyr when he saw a ship sailing into the next cove. The northern coast of the Southern Continent had many inlets. He thought it very odd that the ship didn't put into the Paradise River anchorage. Could they have mistaken their port of call?

That cove also had a river, but a small one, feeding into the sea.

Could the captain have mistaken this one for the true Hold?

Puzzled, he asked Gadareth to glide over that way. What he saw on the beach did nothing to reassure him. For people were hurriedly unloading small boats: quite a mound of crates and stuff already on the beach. Was Paradise River opening new holdings on its land? He'd heard remarks at dinner in the Weyr that more and more people were heading to the Southern Continent after what had been an extremely cold winter.

Gaddie, let's just check with Holder Jayge, T'lion said and his dragon obliged, winking into between, hopefully before those on the beach had seen him. They'd had the sun at their backs and wouldn't have been all that visible. There had been something furtive about the beaching.

"Holder Jayge, were you expecting more new settlers?" T'lion asked, presenting himself and apologizing for interrupting their supper.

"No,' and Jayge frowned, rising. "Why?"

"Well, there's a ship anchored next cove over and stuff's all over the beach. I thought you should know."

"Indeed I should, T'lion,' and angry sparks lit his eyes. "Did you happen to see the Fair Winds on her way in?"

"No, sir, we came out of between above the pier and no sign of any of your ships."

"I know that dragonriders are not supposed to intervene in Hold matters, Jayge said, beckoning T'lion to follow him to the front porch, "but if Alemi knew about this . . . intrusion, he could assist us." He glanced west where the tip of the setting sun was just visible. "Could you estimate how many are on that beach?"

T'lion shook his head. "They were unloading two small boats, coming and going."

"Did they see you?"

"No, I was coming in from the west. Sun behind me."

"Good,' and Jayge emphasized that by gripping T'lion's arm in approval. "Possibly eight, ten men, if they had two boats.

Well, if we start now, we should reach the cove by moonrise!

But I'd want Alemi's reinforcement." He waited for T'lion's response.

"I'd never find Alemi at sea,' T'lion began, half of him wanting to help Jayge and the other half most loath to get into further trouble with T'gellan. Which he would if he interfered even in a minor way. Someone would drop the word that a dragonrider had told Alemi.

Dolphins find Alemi faster, Gadareth said slyly from the shadows in which he waited.

"Dolphins! They could find Alemi and tell him to come,' T'lion cried.

"Good lad!" Jayge clapped him on the back now. "Those critters really are good for something."

While T'lion knew that this was not the moment to mention the dolphins' latest skill, he had no reservations about using them.

"I'll just go ring the bell on the pier,' T'lion said, running back to his dragon.

"My gratitude, dragonrider,' Jayge called after him.

As Gadareth lifted into the night and angled himself toward the head of the bay, T'lion heard Jayge hammering on the alarm triangle.

The pier was long enough to accommodate the bronze dragon so Gadareth set T'lion down right by the bell tower. He clanged it as vigorously as Jayge had been plying the iron. Dusk was also a good time to get a quick response from dolphins who would be looking for a game to play. In his head, T'lion sorted out the words to use to convey the message to Alemi.

Kib, Temp and Afo answered the summons.

"You must find Alemi, Kib,' T'lion said, holding the dolphin's head at an angle so the eye was on him.

"Can do easy. Not far now.

"Then tell him Jayge needs his help immediately at the next cove. Over there,' and T'lion jabbed his hand in the appropriate direction.

"Where ship is?"

"You saw them?"

"Northern ship smelly. In wrong place?"

"You bet your safety straps they are,' T'lion said. "They are invading Paradise River Hold."

"Invade no good?"

"That's right. Those men do no good to Alemi, Jayge and Readis."

T'lion was amazed by the hostile notes in the clicking and squeeing which came out in a deeper, almost menacing, tone and tempo.

"Go. Find Alemi. Tell him trouble comes here. Be at next cove by moonrise to help Jayge and his men. Kib wriggled himself on his tail, waving his flippers. "Find Alemi. Tell him trouble. Moon rise. We know where! We go!'

In one of their incredible maneuvers, the three dolphins simultaneously launched themselves high above the water and, turning their agile bodies, dove back. T'lion saw them emerge briefly, travelling at great speed, out to sea, as if they knew exactly where they were going.

They probably do know exactly where they're going, T'lion told Gadareth. "Well, we'd better get back home as fast as we can or someone might wonder how long it took us to get Master Fandarel home."

You were given food when you arrived, Gadareth remarked as T'lion settled himself again between his neck ridges.

T'lion chortled as he slapped his dragon's neck. "That's right and a good meal it was. I had seconds! Let's go home!' Several days later at dinner in the Weyr Hall, T'lion heard that a group of northerners had been forcefully expelled from Paradise River Hold. The master of the ship that had brought them would be severely disciplined by Master Idarolan and deprived of his command. Ingenuously T'lion asked for details.

"You know, I used to go there at lot,' T'lion remarked, "nice folk."

He was told about the clever way in which Holder Jayge and his small force of men had emerged from the forest, caught the intruders asleep in their hastily set-up camp and tied them up. The Paradise River Fishmaster Alemi and his fishmen had boarded their transport ship and, with a crew from his own Fishhold, had sailed it and the unwelcome immigrants into Ista Harbor where the vessel was impounded and its crew and passengers transported back to their point of departure in Igen. Lord Holder Laudey was not best pleased by this escapade and the men and women were sentenced to work in the mines. The episode was well spread by harpers with the moral that those who wished to settle on the southern continent had to obtain permission.

"There'll be more of such occurrences, V'line remarked.

"Paradise River Hold's already had a couple of problems along that line.

"You mean when that self-styled Lady Holdless Thella attacked the Hold a couple of Turns back?" one of the wingleaders asked.

"That was the worst,' V'line replied, having inadvertently arrived while the raid was in progress.

"The Weyrs can't involve themselves in Hold matters,' the brown rider, M'sur, said, frowning. "It's enough that we have to convey people in and out of Landing all the time." He nodded at T'lion. "Not to mention having to survey every inch of this continent to prepare for the day Threadfall stops forever.

T'lion shrugged and grinned when several other riders glanced in his direction. No-one had even noticed his return after full dark on the night in question. And really, he hadn't really been involved. The dolphins had! And who would know that?

Lord Toric heard about the attempted intrusion and smiled.

It amused him that more people were illegally attempting to invade the south - so long as they kept away from his zealously guarded holding - and ignoring the Benden Weyrleaders' edict that immigration must be to sites they had approved. That only verified to Toric that the Weyrleaders were indeed keeping the best sites for the dragonriders. He was hoping that some of the tries would succeed if only to prove that people could survive very well, thank you, wherever they were willing to work hard enough to "hold'. It didn't matter to Toric that these would-be settlers could die from sampling exotic-looking and sweet-smelling tree fruits, that there were hungry and feral beasts quite able to take down a full-grown adult, that there were the most insidious dangers from thorn-poisoning and fevers. Toric's notion was that the strong survived and if the unfit died, they merited no mourning. What irked him most was that the Benden Weyrleaders felt they had the right to apportion the south where they wished to bestow it. Just because they'd found some document that told how the Ancients had dealt with settling. Land was held by those strong enough to hang on to it and improve it.

And then there was that infamous meeting of Weyrleaders and Lords Holder - which he had been unable to attend while he was involved with ousting the renegade Denol from lerne Island. That's when all those old-womanish Lords had actually established that the dragonriders had the right to control the Southern Continent land grabbings. "Out of respect for the services dragonriders have given Hold and Hall over the centuries of Threadfall." As if tithing to support the indolent riders hadn't been reward enough for dragons doing what they had been bred to do. Much less the gratuities which had always been lavished on dragonriders.

When Toric had heard of that decision, he had been infuriated, especially as it had been voted on behind his back. He'd have stopped the whole notion right then if he'd been able to come.

The first insult to him had been that the Northern Lords hadn't waited until he could come to a meeting that, when all was said and deplorably done, affected him more than any of them, since he was the only confirmed Lord Holder in the south.

And Lord of Hold so much larger than anything in the north, including Telgar, that it had been ludicrous to hold such a meeting without him. Of course, the Weyrleaders had planned it that way, knowing he would protest. Knowing he would have been able to sway some of the indecisive idiots who had their titles by default and certainly wouldn't have been able to survive a season in the south. He'd've seen that the Southern Continent would be wide open for those with the guts to work to hold any land. And apply for confirmation to a full Council of Lords Holder and no Weyrleaders present for it wasn't up to dragonriders who held and where! Not in Toric's lexicon.

On his bedroom and office walls were outsized copies of the Southern Continent: several aspects, including one which had cost him a sack of marks, a spatial view of the south, its terrain stretching out and out to the curve of the horizon. That view caused him the most irritation since it was proof positive that he had been cheated. The Weyrwoman had shown him only a small section of the continent when she and F'lar had tricked him into settling for only the land between the two rivers. He had been deceived into settling for a tiny portion when he could have had more, much more. And those two Weyrleaders had known it. Although his wife had tried to convince him that they couldn't have known the extent of Southern, not until Master Idarolan and Master Rampesi had sailed, one west and one east, until they had met, was the size of the southern continent truly discovered. Toric could not be convinced otherwise. He had wanted more and, since the Weyrleaders had thwarted him in that devious meeting, he would have more. Especially when the dragonriders had not helped him regain the big island from Denol's clutches. He was especially bitter about that.

Right now, of course, with everyone scurrying about following the orders of that machine, Aivas, he had to bide his time. It was as essential to his future plans as everyone else's that Thread be stopped from ever falling on Pern again. He had even allowed Hamian to spend full time experimenting and contriving the new machines and equipment needed to end the airborne menace. He had informants in place so that anything of any significance occurring at Landing was reported to him.

He appeared when vital decisions were being discussed. He also tagged those who would be of use to him later on. If, and Toric entertained some doubts, Aivas managed to do as it had promised: rid the planet of Thread.

He had already started to make his plans: spurred by his animosity for the Benden Weyrleaders. He still had the notes which young Piemur had made of his explorations along the coast. He himself had taken short trips - no absences long enough to arouse suspicion, and never where dragonriders might inconveniently overfly him. He would personally select those he placed where he wanted them, and enough on large enough holdings so that, after Threadfall, there would be enough Lords Holder grateful to him, Toric, to vote a majority over the northern idiots. When the time was ripe . . . And he smiled again. The domination of the Weyrs over the Southern Continent would suffer a major curtailment. He had no doubt he would find support among the Lords Holder, especially since he could use that Ancient document to justify the actions. Ah, yes, when the time was ripe The next morning was the seventh day when Boojie was supposed to report to Persellan. Healer and dragonrider arrived at first light on the beach and saw dolphins cavorting in the water on a shoreward course.

"I do hope Boojie isn't one of those leapers, Persellan said in a grouchy tone. "He'll pull his stitches and I won't sew him up again.

T'lion gave the bell a few pulls to be sure their presence was noticed. Then he and Persellan, who was dressed in shortlegged pants and had put what he needed out of his healer's bag in a small pouch slung over one shoulder, waded out to meet the incoming sea creatures.

The one who glided in across their path stopped right in front of them and eased over on to his back. The long gash was visible, just under the water.

"Gaddie, we may need you again . T'lion began.

"No, I don't think we need trouble Gadareth,' Persellan said because the dolphin was holding steady, presenting the injury well enough for the purpose of removing the sutures. "Here, hold this for me,' the healer said, having removed a blunt-ended pair of scissors from his pack before he pushed it at T'lion.

Running skilled fingers along the injury, Persellan gave one of his meditative hums, his expression registering approval and satisfaction.

"It's well closed, not a single suture torn or pulled. Really, if I'd known they heal so quickly, I could have removed the stitches earlier. Remarkable recovery."

"The salt water?"

"Could be, and the excellent state of health these wild creatures enjoy. Now tell him not to move. I don't want to inadvertently puncture him at this stage of his recovery."

T'Iion bent close to Boojie's head, noticed the brightness of the eye regarding him and patted the melon.

"Hold as still as you can, Boojie. Won't hurt."

Boojie dropped his jaw in token of understanding. T'lion nearly fell backwards, though, as the tip of another dolphin snout protruded from the water just beyond Boojie's head.

He hadn't been aware that a dolphin lurked that close, Tana probably.

"Hold your hand out, please, T'lion. I need to be sure I've removed all the stitches."

T'lion obeyed and the procedure was very quickly accomplished. Persellan bent his head to peer at the closed wound.

"Hmmmm. Yes, remarkable. I really should encourage patients to swim Or at least to immerse themselves in the water here for its curative powers. Good fellow, Boojie. You've been a grand patient. Where do I scratch?"

"Not there,' T'lion said hastily and grabbed Persellan's hand away from what was indecently close to dolphin privates. "Here, under the chin. They love it."

Persellan caressed Boojie. "You've been a very good patient.

I could wish humans were as well behaved. But then I didn't have to oversee you in your watery ward, did I?" Persellan's hum turned into a chuckle. "Dragonriders do not take kindly to having to remain in bed. Shards!" Persellan backed away in surprise as Boojie suddenly loomed up out of the water until he was on eye level with the healer. Then, with great care, the dolphin touched his nose to Persellan's mouth before dropping back into the water.

"Thank you, Peerrssss-lan,' Boojie said with an enthusiastic squee to emphasize his statement.

"You are very welcome, Boojie. Very welcome indeed, Persellan said, executing a few short bows at the dolphin.

"Hmmm. I don't always get thanked by my human patients either. You know, T'lion, I don't think I'd mind being healer to the dolphins after all. D'you think I should see what other information Aivas has on sea mammal ailments and cures?"

T'lion grinned as he handed the healer back his pouch and they both waded out of the sea.

"I don't see why not. The more we learn from Aivas the better. Have you heard anything from Master Oldive?" T'lion asked.

"Yes, I have. Most gratifying. Oddly enough, it was the Harper Hall - Master Menolly, in particular - which supported my suggestion,' and Persellan glanced quizzically at T'lion.

"She was at Paradise River Hold and Alemi is her brother.

He might have told her what he was doing with the dolphins."

"Which is?"

"Much what I'm doing, getting to know them and teach them our words."

"But they know them "No, they know the words people used to use,' T'lion said, mastering an urge to grin at the healer's confusion. "Our language has shifted slightly from what the dolphins learned long ago from us.

"Language shifted?" Persellan was indignant.

"Aivas told me."

"For a rider who hasn't even flown Thread yet, you seem to be remarkably well connected."

"Me? Shards, no, Persellan, I just have to convey a lot of people here and there,' T'Iion said in an earnestly selfdeprecating tone. He didn't wish to give Persellan the impression that he was boasting or anything. "I was conveying Master Alemi when he rang that old bell they dredged up from Monaco Bay and summoned the dolphins. That's how I got involved."

"But you've put up a bell here."

"Aivas asked me to. I'm supposed to help count how many dolphins there are these days.

"Doing well, I see. Hmmm. What does Gadareth think about all this?"

"You saw for yourself, healer. He was quite ready to help with Boojie."

"So he was. Well,' and they had entered the clearing around the Weyr Hall, "let me know if they need any more stitching or something. Like dragons, they are appreciative!" He sniffed once disparagingly and made for his quarters.

At Fort Hold, Menolly. Sebell, Master Oldive and two of his journeymen had made their way to the Fort harbor.

"I find it most fascinating that no-one . . . " Master Oldive paused to emphasize the negative, "ever bothered to ask why that bell was known as the "doll fins bell"."

Menolly laughed, enjoying this outing from the Healer Hall now that the weather was more clement with an early spring warming. It was good to be on runner-back and especially to have something which could pry Sebell loose from his increasingly heavy duties as Master Harper. They scarcely seemed to have any time together these days with all the activity and industry connected with Aivas' plan to rid Pern of Threadfall. "Surely you've had come across enigmas in your Healer Hall records."

"Oh, indeed,' Master Oldive said with a laugh. "Even the most legible entries contain references to procedures the authors were familiar with but which we lost over the centuries.

Thankfully, Aivas is explaining more and more." Then he sighed, his expression thoughtful. He shook off whatever reflection troubled him and spoke more briskly. "And you'll be able to communicate with the dolphins? If any come in response.

"My brother assures me that they assured him that all dolphins have maintained their traditions. And we know that there are dolphins in these waters. So we shall ring the peal and see what happens.

"I do so hope they come,' Oldive said, sighing heavily. "If they can, as Weyr Healer Persellan said, pinpoint irregularities in a human body with this sonar ability of theirs, I might just be able to treat three puzzling cases that have worried me excessively."

Menolly lowered her voice so it would not carry to the journeymen riding behind them. "You're having trouble convincing your Craft of the "surgical" treatments the old records recommend."

"Indeed!" Oldive's comment was heartfelt. "The caesarean to release a womb-held baby is permitted, and the one to remove the pendicks, but neither are the lengthy repairs and deep delving that Aivas reports were last measures even then. But we don't have the medicines that the Ancients did that would dissolve or shrink other conditions to which occasionally people are subject."

They had reached the pier and were welcomed by the Master Fishman who delegated men to take the runnerbeasts from their riders. Menolly noticed that all five vessels of the Fort fishing fleet were in port. She grimaced. She hadn't anticipated an audience but they had had to inform Samvel of their intentions for the day's excursion.

Master ldarolan had, of course, informed him of dolphin intelligence. Sebell, also spreading such news, had met with considerable skepticism, especially from those inland who had never seen dolphins escorting ships. -A long cold ride, you will need at least a cup of klah before you ring any bells,' Curran said jovially, gesturing them to enter his hold, situated on the height above the sea. There was another smaller cot built on the T-bar of the pier itself for the harbormaster.

Menolly, always conscious of being away from her children, would have preferred not to dally but courtesy required the grateful acceptance of hospitality. And hot klah would be welcome. She was somewhat stiff after the long ride, having had little occasion to exercise of late. She almost resented the ease with which Sebell, who was constantly riding both runners and dragons, dismounted.

More than klah was offered which was very nice of Curran and his wife, Robina, and actually very welcome: small fish rolls that were delectably spiced, the cold roe of fish spread on tiny bread rounds, the hot spiced klah and a cup of a chowder that was also highly seasoned. But then Robina was from a southern Fishhold and liked such blood-warming preparations. The journeymen, as hungry as any ever born, tucked into the food with a good will. Even Master Oldive made a good meal.

Finally, they were able to go to the long pier, with a throng of interested fishers and cotholders. Menolly should have known that this would become an occasion, especially after a long and sequestering winter. Everyone took what excuses for diversion they could find. This would certainly be a more interesting one. No sooner had she stepped out of the hold than Beauty, Diver and Rocky launched themselves from the roof, Beauty settling to her shoulder while Diver and Rocky swanned about in the air above. Other fire-lizards joined them, uttering glad cries, though Menolly knew they could hardly appreciate the reason for the day's activities.

The dolphins' bell had been given a new housing, the wood preservative still rank enough to catch you in the back of the throat despite the light breeze. The bell itself had been shined to a high polish.

"We added a new clapper,' Curran said proudly. "Made Master Fandarel hold up some other work to get it done in time."

"I could wish to know how you did that, Master Curran, Oldive said with a wry smile.

"How long has the bell been without a clapper then?" Sebell asked in his quiet way of extracting information.

"Oh,' and Curran threw up arms thick from years of hauling nets and sails, "it had none when I became Master here."

"Did your master not notice?" Sebell asked, his eyes twinkling.

"I suppose he did but he must have taken it on in that condition." Curran looked a trifle embarrassed.

"The Monaco Bell had no clapper either,' Sebell said to pacify the man but Menolly noticed her mate did not mention that the Monaco Bell had been at the bottom of the sea for centuries.

"But it has one now and can be put to its original use again. Will you do the honors, Menolly?"

"Delighted,' she said and seized the rope by the end. "I think, Curran, the purpose of the Dolphins' Bell is for them to be able to ring it, too, to summon men to hear their reports. "I didn't know that,' Curran said, surprised. "But what would I do if they should ring it?"

Menolly smiled reassuringly at him. "Ask why they rang it, of course. This is to let them know the Bell's back in service." She gave the pull a hefty yank, and then settled into the "report' sequence that Alemi had taught her. She sincerely hoped it would be effective or Curran would think he had wasted time, effort and badgered the Master Smith for no purpose.

So, pretending that the sequence was longer than it actually was, she pealed off the "report' a second time. "Alemi's had very good fishing since he's listened to the dolphin reports.

He's also been able to avoid some of those appalling squalls the southern waters spawn.

"Look!" cried one of the fishmen who had followed them to the pier. On her shoulder, Beauty let out a piercing cry. Rocky and Diver swooped off to investigate.

Distance viewers appeared from pockets to aid the naked eyes.

"Fins!" cried Curran's first mate. "Half a dozen . . . no, more than that. Coming from all directions. Heading here!'

Curran reached for the distance view from his mate and peered out to sea. Beauty spread her wings, tangling them in Menolly's winter cap so that Menolly had to grab it before it fell into the sea.

"Easy there, now, Beauty. You've seen dolphins before.

Beauty chittered something but obediently folded her wings and blinked bright blue eyes.

"Quite a display they're making,' Curran remarked and politely passed the viewer to Menolly. She grinned and gestured for him to give it to Sebell who had not yet had a chance to see a dolphin pod arriving in answer to the age-old summons.

How had the creatures remembered for such a long time!

Maybe there were dolphin equivalents to harpers? The pod leaders?

Sebell sucked in his breath as he watched. "They are moving at an incredible rate and doing all those leaps and ah one just somersaulted midair."

"I'd say they were delighted to hear the bell rung again, Menolly said with a nostalgic little smile and a catch in her chest. To be ignored, to have one's abilities neglected must have been hard and yet the dolphins had continued to do what they could to aid humans all these long centuries. She must write a special song for them. A very special song of loyalty and joy.

The squeeing was soon audible to the watchers on the dock.

"How can they speak?" Curran asked.

"They do,' Menolly said, "if you listen." She glanced up at Sebell, standing straight and tall beside her and grinned impishly. "Despite all we harpers did, the language shifted but the dolphins are adapting to the new words."

Sebell gave her a jaundiced stare for that familiar tease and she chuckled at harper discomfiture over the "purity of speech' which the Craft had tried so hard to preserve.

"But I thought "Curran began and then stopped, clearing his throat.

The vanguard were now closing the gap and the watchers were unable to count the number of dolphin bodies in their leaping and plunging.

"Where's the boat, do we need to be close to them?" Menolly asked and Curran pointed to a ladder at the side and, peering over the edge, Menolly saw the long boat bobbing at its painter.

Curran led the way and carefully guided her feet to the rungs and safely into the tossing boat. It was one of the off-shore fishers and accommodated a fair number of folk: an orderly descent was made by those whom Curran had apparently ticked off as audience to this momentous occasion.

They were barely settled when the first dolphin raised its head above the waters.

"Bellill ring. Oo-ee come! Bellill not ring long long." The creature squeeed, and was joined by other importunate heads, all of them jostling for a view of those in the boat.

"Your name? I'm Nolly,' she said, leaning over the side of the boat and extending a hand to scratch a bottlenose chin.

Almost ecstatically the dolphin allowed the caress, the jaw dropped into the water in its excess of delight.

"Inka! Inka! Pod-leader. Inka!'

"By the first Egg,' Curran cried and there was excited muttering from the other fishmen.

"Here is Curran,' Menolly said. "Fish Master.

"Oo-ee know,' Inka said.

"Flip me,' another dolphin said, raising itself well above the water to reach an eyelevel that startled the Fish Master.

Hipme?" Curran asked.

"Flip! Flip! "On-ra-bul naym.

"On-ra-bul?" Curran repeated amazed.

"Maybe he means honorable?" Sebell suggested and held out a hand, hoping to entice a dolphin to him. One immediately raised up and offered fins in his direction. "Your name?" he asked.

"Ajay, Ajay. Mans name?" The interrogatory lift to the word was unmistakable.

"Sebell. Sebell, Ajay!'

"Sebell." "Sebell, Nolly, Cur-ran,- chorused dolphins in their high funny voices.

"Oldive,' Menolly said, putting her arms about the Master Healer. She had long since ignored the hump on the man's back and her arm curved over it as she made the introduction.

"Healer. Medic,' she added.

"Me-dick! Meddick!" Dolphins passed this information back and forth among those that now thronged the waters about the boat and great pier bollards that rose above the surface and supported the T-shaped facility. "Oll-deeve, medick!" Excited squees and clicks followed this introduction and the immediate waters seethed with dolphins changing position and many attempting to inspect the Healer simultaneously. "Ooooo heal?

Ooooo skraabbb blufisss?"

"How remarkable!" Oldive said, surprised to be the focus of such attention from so many cheerful faces. "Oooo heal?" he asked, turning to Menolly for a translation. "Skraaabbb blufiss?"

"Bloodfish. It's a parasite and has to be cut off,' Menolly said.

"Alemi did it for his pod. Something they are unable to do for themselves."

"I shouldn't wonder with just flippers and no fingers. How would I "Who has blufiss?" Menolly asked and four dolphins squeed and pushed in toward her. She had had a chance to study Aivas' tapes on the dolphins and now gave the signal for them to lay on their sides.

"Oh I say,' Oldive remarked with great sympathy. "I've never seen a fully bloated bloodfish before. They must be very painful.

One would have to use a sharp knife."

"Niggghhhfff, nigghhhfff,' was repeated back to him from those nearest with exposed bellies. They waggled themselves from side to side. "Skraaabbb blufisss."

"Well, I suppose they'd know . . . Oldive said and, taking out his belt knife, tested its edge. "Sharp enough, I'll hope."

He leaned over the side of the boat. Before any of the seamen could warn them, the harpers and healers leaned over to watch the operation. The boat, of course, rocked and spilled Master Oldive and Menolly into the water.

"No, no, leave me, I'm fine. I swim quite competently,' Oldive said, batting at the hands stretched out to retrieve him.

"Ooooo, it's cold,' Menolly said but she also declined offers to drag her back into the boat. She did however slip off her boots and passed them up to Sebell. Then she took out her belt knife.

"Ah, is that how you do it?" she said as Oldive first sliced the head off the fish, with a deft cutting movement, removed the clinging body, and then pried out the head's sucker, leaving only a tiny hole. The sucker was of remarkable length since it had had to penetrate through the layers of blubber to tap a vein.

Just as Oldive dealt with his first patient, another dolphin nosed through its fellows, clicking in such an authoritative tone, the others parted for it.

"You really should wait your turn,' Oldive said in a gently chiding tone.

The dolphin smiled and turned its head this way and that as the bright black eyes fixed themselves on the healer.

"Bad back!" the creature said quite plainly.

"My goodness!" The remark caused a brief silence, almost an appalled one that a sea creature would make such a statement.

Oldive held out his hand to the creature's nose as if absolving it from mentioning what few did. "How could you know?" Oldive asked. Despite his wetting, the hump was not that apparent under his carefully contrived shirt and the creature had only observed him from the front.

"Seeee. Seee. I Bit, Oll-deeeve medick."

"I don't really believe what I'm hearing,' Curran murmured to Menolly. "And it knew about " He closed his lips. "How could it see?"

"Perhaps what Persellan said about the creatures' . Oldive looked at Menolly for the word.

"Sonar . . . " she supplied.

"Is very true. Proof positive,' and because Oldive appeared cheerful about the matter, everyone began to relax. "What is it?

This sonar?"

Menolly recollected the exact phrasing she'd had from Alemi.

"Sonar. Dolphins can emit high frequency sounds and register the vibrations coming back to their ears. That's how they navigate in the sea and send messages long distance to other dolphins. Somehow they can use it on human bodies as well."

"If this Bit could see my hump through all my clothes, I'm willing to believe. Bit, do you wish me to skraabbb your blufisss?"

"Now, see here, Master Oldive,' began one of the medics who had been upset to see his master in the water, "there are more and more coming. You had better come out of the water. There are too many for you to do them."

"I've counted forty so far,' Sebell said, relieved and gratified.

"Pleeesss, Ol-deeve. Many many blufiss."

"Skraabbb blufisss,' the cry went up from the many crowding in.

"I can really only do one more today,' Oldive said. "The water is very cold." His teeth were beginning to chatter and the others kept begging him to come back into the boat and be dried off.

Menolly's teeth began to chatter too. "Look, we are humans, not dolphins. But there are enough in this boat to remove any more parasites those dolphins have. Those we don't do today, we can do tomorrow. All right?"

"Rigggh. Rigggh,' was the enthusiastic delphinic response.

The humans were not quite as pleased by her offer. When she insisted that Oldive re-enter the boat with her, and blankets were brought for them, she found willing enough hands to assist.

Over the next few hours of this auspicious meeting, most of the humans in the boat ignored their wet clothing although they were unable to attend to all the dolphins who applied for that service. When Sebell remarked that Bit and Inka who had a dark splotch like a cap on her head, seemed to have some authority over the pods, he, Menolly and Sebell managed to explain to the newcomers that they should return the next day.

"When the sun comes up, Menolly said, using the hand signals for "next day'. "More blufiss cull. Understand?"

Squeeings and clickings, as well as some happy acrobatics answered her, and the press of dolphin bodies about the boat eased. They were later to learn that Bit was one of the oldest dolphins in the nearby seas. Certainly she seemed to understand more and certainly appeared to be the most respected member of the pod. Bit taught the young calves and sent the smartest ones to the Great Whirlpool to The Tillek. At first the use of that name confused the two harpers. Gradually they realized that The Tillek meant the oldest and wisest dolphin who was evidently the repository of all marine knowledge the way harpers were for humans.

When Sebell and Menolly asked if they would ever meet The Tillek, Bit said she would ask. The Tillek was known to be very pleased with the mans.

"The Tillek is wo-mans, Bit said, giving them a long stare with her very bright and intelligent eyes. "Best, biggest, wisest.

"I'm sure she is,' Menolly said and proceeded to ask Bit detailed questions of what dolphins learned from The Tillek.

"T'e Tillek sing too,' Bit remarked, her lower jaw dropped in what was the most expansive dolphin grin they had yet seen.

"I guess that settles me,' Menolly told Sebell, grinning. About then she noticed that most of the people on the boat were holding what looked like two-way conversations with separate dolphins.

The cold of twilight, augmented by a sharp southern wind, forced the humans out of the boat but with many promises to continue the contact the next day, and every day.

"Oooo ring bell. Oo-ee come. Oo-ee promise. "Member! Oooo member! Next sun more blufisss skraaabss." Though, by the fall of night, the dolphin numbers had shrunk from the nearly hundred that had swum into the pier in response to the Report peal, to twenty, they were as loath to leave as the humans.

Curran urged all back into the warmth of his hold which was then crowded with wet, oily and damp fleece smells, but the hot mulled wine that was passed around was very welcome indeed. The first mate, Texur, and three of the other skippers then took folks back to their cotholds where they could dry their clothing. Robina clucked about, handing out fur rugs, and fussing over Master Oldive.

"You'll be treating yourself if you don't have more of a care for your own health, Master,' she said, scowling fiercely. "And then where will the rest of us be?" "Ringing the Dolphin Bell,' Oldive murmured in a whisper that only Menolly and Sebell heard. "There is so much, so much more than we could have ever anticipated,' he went on in a slightly louder but reflective tone of voice, "and we must learn all we can. All we can." His voice fell again and his hand nearly let go the cup of mulled wine. Menolly rescued it with a smile which he returned. "Goodness, I don't think I've had this much outdoor activity in decades."

"We should have had you conveyed a-dragonback, Menolly said anxiously.

"No, no, my dear, Oldive said, sitting up straighter. "I'm always after my patients to exercise and get fresh air and I never listen to my own advice. This has been a truly remarkable day."

"As soon as you're dried out enough, I'll send Beauty to Fort Weyr and we'll get you home safe, sound and unwet,' Menolly said firmly and gave him a stern look.

"Oh, no, not today. I must wait over and speak with Bit again.

But let us send back Worlain and Fabry. I have a particular patient in the Hall at the moment. Bit might just be able to see what ails her for without some help, I fear she will die. There is so much we don't know,' he added, shaking his head.

"Now, Master,' Fabry said for he evidently had an ear cocked in his Master's direction, "Mizlue's the last person to expose to a dolphin. In the first places she'll be terrified

"She's also terrified of dying,' Oldive said crisply.

"But how will you transport her here? The jolting of a gather wagon would be too painful

"A dragon will oblige."

Fabry snorted. "She'd be even more afraid of riding a dragon - if we could get her astride one, than even the doll fin."

"Dolphin,' Sebell said in absent correction.

"Whatever,' Fabry said, glancing at the Master Harper with all the arrogance some of the healers often displayed for other Crafts.

"If that Holder woman intends to live to see the grandchild she hopes her daughter-in-law carries, then she'll obey my orders,' Oldive said with a tinge of impatience in his usually serene voice. He laid a sensitive, thin-fingered hand on Fabry's arm and the stocky Journeyman assumed an attentive stance. "You will make the arrangements on your return to the Hall, Fabry. I know I can count on you but you are not to forewarn her "She'll want details. She always wants details,' Fabry said with a much put upon sigh.

"The sea, Fabry. It is possible that a sea cure will help her, Oldive said, one of his irresistible smiles lighting his gentle face and kind eyes.

"A sea cure?" Fabry barked a laugh.

"A sea cure,' Oldive repeated, smiling back.

So Menolly despatched Beauty to Fort Weyr with a request for N'ton to provide dragons for those returning that evening.

Though Menolly received a warm invitation from Robina to remain overnight, too, she declined, anxious to return to her children. Sebell elected to remain with Oldive for a further meeting the next day with the dolphins. That left the question of the runner beasts they had ridden down to the Hold but Curran said he'd have one of his holders lead them back, laden with fish, in a few days.

Sebell gave Menolly a quick embrace when the dragons arrived.

"Now, don't spend all night composing, will you?"

"Much as I'd like to,' she said, hugging him fiercely, "the fresh air's got me yawning, too. I'm so glad that it all worked."

"Were you worried?" Sebell asked, looking down into her face with searching eyes.

"Well, not exactly worried, but I certainly didn't expect the turn out! I'll have to tell Alemi. He'll be thrilled. lt is too bad, though,' Menolly added, uxoriously smoothing the wrinkles of a jacket only just dried from the afternoon's soaking.

"What?"

"That so much else is happening to detract from the dolphins.

"Hmmm. Yes, but we'll have the dolphins with us for the rest of our lives on Pern Right now it is imperative that we follow Aivas' timetable and rid us of Thread."

"You're right of course, Sebell. The dolphins will be with us as they have been with us all along. I do hope Lessa doesn't mind."

"Why should she mind?" Sebell asked, holding his mate from him to peer into her face. She could come out with the most astonishing observations.

"Well, you know how she was about fire-lizards!'

"Not yours, my love. Just the undisciplined mob. I'll brief Master Robinton and he'll break it to her."

Chapter Eight

oll fins?" Lessa demanded, her eyebrows raising in black arcs of astonishment. She stared at Alemi, glared fiercely until Master Harper Robinton laughed at her.

"Dolphins, Lessa." Adroitly he corrected her pronunciation.

"They have been mentioned. They came with the original settlers and have been happily plying the seas, saving lives when they could, and waiting until humans remembered them. Aivas is very interested in reestablishing the association."

She blinked at the Harper. "Well, I suppose I do remember some mention of the sea creatures, but there's been so much else going on "And her tone chided him for bringing up a subject which she plainly considered irrelevant and immaterial.

"They've been around longer than dragons,' he said teasingly.

"And they're proving far more useful than, say, the fire-lizards." He shot her a wicked glance for her well-known disgruntlement with fire-lizards pestering her gold dragon, Ramoth.

Lessa awarded him a very sour look until she caught sight of Ramoth, splashing in the waters of Cove Hold, her bathing assisted by wild and tame fire-lizards.

"The dragons that have met them seem to like them, Lessa,' Alemi said, taking his cue from the Harper nd not letting himself be intimidated by the diminutive but forceful Weyrwoman of Benden.

"Which ones?"

"First, Gadareth, the bronze of young T'lion from Eastern Weyr. He was conveying me the day I inadvertently summoned the Monaco Bay pod." She accepted that with a flick of her fingers so Alemi went on. "Master Oldive had a very puzzling patient which the dolphins at Fort Sea Hold diagnosed as having an internal growth in the belly.

"And that caused enough problems with his Hall,' she said dryly. "I really don't like the idea of cutting into human bodies." She gave a little shudder.

"No more than when a child is hard to birth, Alemi said, knowing that Lessa had had to have that surgery. Probably why she disliked intrusive operations. "The woman's recovering and most grateful. However,' and he went on briskly, having noticed her resistance, "the dolphins are certainly proving invaluable assets to my Craft."

"I did hear Master Idarolan on the subject but now is not the time to go off half-cocked,' she said. "We must not let anything interfere with Aivas' program.

"No more will the dolphins,' Robinton said soothingly. "I've met one or two and they are charming. It's so nice to see creatures smiling all the time."

Lessa's glare intensified and then, abruptly, she burst out laughing. "I have been a grouch, haven't I?"

"Indeed you have,' Robinton said as cheerfully as any dolphin.

"You should meet a few. They all have names.

"Sea creatures with names?" Lessa exclaimed and her frown returned. That the dragons knew their own names at birth was an indisputable mark of their self-awareness and intelligence.

To hear that the dolphins also had names smacked of heresy to the Weyrwoman.

"Each calf is named as it's born, I'm told, Alemi hastily explained. Aivas said those names are variations on the names of the original dolphins. They have traditions, too, you see.

"I suppose the next thing will be the formation of yet another Craft Hall to take care of dolphins."

"They seem to take very good care of themselves, my dear, Robinton said, "if they've survived on their own in our seas all this while."

"Hmmm, yes, well. I don't want anything to detract from the priorities Aivas has set us."

"This won't,' Alemi said with such conviction that he won a smile from her.

She rose then. "If that's all today?" she asked Master Robinton.