Acknowledgments
As usual, I am indebted to a variety of people for their help and input in writing this volume. Not the least of whom is Master Robinton (aka Frederic H. Robinson) who was quite upset that I had ended his life so abruptly. I would suspect it of a tenor, but for a baritone to insist on another encore is almost unheard of. But I have recently been asked - via the impressive Del Rey Website - to explain certain facts which had not previously been brought to light anent Pern pre-Dragon flight history. As Robinton had a fine Pernese hand in most of it, it behooves me to tell the story from his viewpoint.
I would like to thank Dr. Will Chlosta of St Mary's Hospital New Haven for reading over the medical, and sartorial, inclusions.
This time, my gratitude to Marilyn and Harry Alm as first readers is immense since they saved me from several time discrepancies and inconsistencies. Their knowledge of Pern is extensive and better remembered than mine at times. I am also grateful to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for reading two sets of proofs in four days: a true labour of love.
Most of all let me thank Tania Opland and Michael Freeman for their invaluable contribution on the musical side.
When I asked them if they could possibly supply some of Robinton's early compositions, I didn't realize that Tania had always wanted to be Robinton, from the days when we first met in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike has already made up a tune for me, the Dragonlady, so his inclusion was natural.
Finally, let me thank the numerous folk online in January and February whose IDs helped me find character names.
Adessa ― Lady Holder, Lessa's mother Ruatha Hold
Agust ― voice trainer, Harper Hall
Anta ― child, Benden Hold
Ashmichel ― ex-Lord Holder, Ruatha Hold
Aot ― bossy child, Harper Hall
Bargen ― 2nd son Faroguy, High Reaches Hold
Benoria ― Lady Holder, Fort Hold
Betrice ― MasterHealer, Harper Hall
Bosler ― MasterHarper, instrument maker, Harper Hall
Bourdon ― SeaHold captain, Kasia's father Greystones Hold
Brahil ― 1st son Halibran, Ista Hold
Brashia ― Kasia's mother, Greystones Hold
Bravonner ― half-brother Falloner, Benden Weyr
Bristol ― harper, Telgar Hold
Brodo ― cotholder's son, Benden Hold
Brosil ― 3rd son Halibmn, Ista Hold
C'gan ― Tagath, Weyrsinger, Benden Weyr
C'rob ― Spakinth, bronze rider, Benden Weyr
C'vrel ― Falarth, bronze rider, Benden Weyr
Camo ― son Robinton/Silvina, Harper Hall
Carola ― Feyrith Weyrwoman, Benden Weyr
Carral ― Rantou's wife, Pietie Hold
Chochol ― hill holder, Tillek Hold
Clostan ― Hold Healer, Tillek Hold
Cording ― spouse Morjella, Benden Hold
Creline ― MasterHarper, Harper Hall
Unos ― child, Harper Hall
Dalma ― trader, Sev's train
Domick ― composer, Harper Hall
Donkin ― tenor singer, Harper Hall
Drevalla ― child, Benden Hold
Dugall ― spouse Segoina, South Boll
Ellic ― seaman, Wave Rider
Emfor ― assistant guard, Harper Hall
Emry ― suitor, Tillek Hold
Erkin ― boy, Nerat border
Evarel ― MasterHarper, Benden Hold
Evelene ― Lady Holder, High Reaches Hold
Evenek ― tenor singer, Harper Hall
Falawny ― apprentice, Harper Hall
Fallamon (F'lar) ― Mnementh, 1st son Falloner, Benden Weyr
Falloner (F'lon) Simanith ― weyr lad, son S'loner, Benden Weyr
Famanoran (F'nor) ― Canth, 2nd son Falloner, Benden Weyr
Fanderal ― MasterSmith
Farevene ― 1st son Faroguy, High Reaches Hold
Faroguy ― Lord Holder, High Reaches Hold
Forist ― Petiron kin, Telgar Hold
Furlo ― MasterMiner, Tillek Hold
G'ranad ― ex-Weyrleader, Benden Weyr
Gemma ― Lady Holder ― Fax's spouse, High Reaches Hold
Gennell ― MasterHarper, Harper Hall
Germathen ― healer, Nabol
Giffien ― assassin, High Reaches Hold
Ginia ― MasterHealer, Healer Hall
Gorazde ― WorkMaster, Harper Hall
Gorton ― MasterWineman, Bendon Hold
Gostol ― MasterFishman, Wave Rider, Tillek Hold
Grodon ― 1st yr apprentice, Harper Hall
Grogdian ― Lord Holder, Fort Hold
Groghe ― 3rd son Grogellan, Fort Hold
Halanna ― alto student, Ista Hold
Halibran ― Halanna's father, Ista Hold
Hayara ― Lady Holder, Benden Hold
Hayon ― 1st son Hayara, Benden Hold
Idarolan ― MasterFishman, Tillek Hold
Ifor ― journeyman harper, Tillek Hold
Isla ― cot keeper, Harper Hall
Jerint ― becomes Master, Harper Hall
Jesken ― weyr lad, Benden Weyr
Jez ― beastholder, Ruatha Hold
Jonno ― weyr lad, Benden Weyr
Jora – Nemorth, Weyrwoman, Benden Weyr
Jurana ― Lady Holder, Tillek Hold
K'net – Pianth, bronze rider, Benden Weyr
Kailey ― journeyman harper, Wide Bay Hold
Kale ― Lord Holder, Ruatha Hold
Kalem ― journeyman shipbuilder, Tillek Hold
Karenchok ― journeyman harper, South Boll
Kasia ― Juvana's sister, Tillek Hold
Kepiru ― Fax's lad, Telgar Gather
Klada ― shy holder, Tillek Hold
Kubisa ― primary teacher, Harper Hall
Kulla ― hospitable woman, Nerat border
Laela ― woman, South Boll Hold
Landon ― 2nd son Halibran, Ista Hold
Larad ― son Tarathel, Telgar Hold
Lama ― Carola's daughter, Benden Weyr
Lear ― dorm-mate, Harper Hall
Lessa ― Kale's daughter, Weyrwoman, Ruatha Hold
Lesselden ― Lord Holder, Crom
Lexey ― slow child, Harper Hall
Libby ― Kubisa's daughter, Harper Hall
Lissala ― Seawoman, Wave Rider
Lobirn ― MasterHarper, High Reaches Hold
Londik ― treble apprentice, Harper Hall
Lorra ― headwoman, Harper Hall
Lotricia ― Lobirn's spouse, High Reaches Hold
Lytonal (L'tol) ― Larth, ex-harper, brown rider, Benden Weyr
M'odon – Nigarth ― oldest rider, Benden Weyr
M'ridin – Cortath ― bronze rider, Benden Weyr
Macester ― guard, Telgar Hold
Maidir ― Lord Holder, Benden Hold
Maizella ― daughter of Maidir, Benden Hold
Mallan ― journeyman harper, High Reaches Hold
Manora ― mother Famanoran, Benden Weyr
Marcine ― dancer, High Reaches Hold
Marlifin ― MasterCarver, Tillek Hold
Matsen ― SeaHolder, South Boll Hold
Maxilant ― harper, Ista Hold
Melongel ― Lord Holder, Tillek Hold
Merdine (dec.) ― Kasia's ex-espoused, Greystones Hold
Merelan ― MasterSinger, Harper Hall
Meren ― Station Master, Runner Station
Miata ― teacher, Benden Weyr
Milla ― kitchener, Benden Weyr
Minnarden ― MasterHarper, Tillek Hold
Monegal ― MasterVintner, Tillek Hold
Motif ― weyr lad, Benden Weyr
Motjell ― journeyman harper, Fort Hold
Mosse ― boy, Nerat border
Mumolen ― journeyman harper, Tillek Hold
Murphytwen ― holder, High Reaches Hold
Murphytwenone ― his son, High Reaches Hold
Naprila ― child, Benden Hold
Naylor ― holder, Piefie Hold
Neilla ― student, Harper Hall
Nip (aka Kinsale) ― harper-spy, Harper Hall
Ogolly ― MasterArchivist, Harper Hall
Oldive ― MasterHealer, Harper Hall
Oterel ― son Melongel, becomes Lord Holder, Tillek Hold
Patty ― uncle, Pierie Hold
Pessia ― spouse Valrol, Tillek Hold
Petiron ― MasterComposer, Harper Hall
Pragel ― weyr lad, Benden Weyr
Raid ― 1st son Maidir, Benden Hold
Rangul (R'gul) ― bronze rider, Benden Weyr
Rantou ― forester, South Boll
Rasa ― child, Benden Hold
Relna ― Lady Holder, Crom
Ricardy ― Master, Fort Hold
Robinton ― MasterHarper, Harper Hall
Rochers ― woodsie
Rulyar (R'yar) – Garanath ― brown rider, ex-Harper Hall
S'bran – Kilminth ― bronze rider, Benden Weyr
S'loner – Chendith ― Weyrleader, Benden Weyr
S'tellan – Vickith ― brown rider, Benden Weyr
Saday ― holder woodcarver, Tillek Hold
Saltor ― head guard, Harper Hall
Sangel ― Lord Holder, South Boll
Saretta ― healer, South Boll Hold
Sebell ― grandson Rantou, South Boll
Segoina ― Merelan's aunt, South Boll Hold
Sellel (S'lel) ― bronze rider, Benden Weyr
Sev Ritecamp ― MasterTrader, Runner Station
Shelline ― dorm-mate, Harper Hall
Sheve ― boy, Nerat border
Shonagar ― journeyman harper, ex-Keroon
Sifer ― Lord Holder, Bitra Hold
Silvina ― Lorra's daughter, Harper Hall
Sirde ― healer, Harper Hall
Sitta ― pert girl, High Reaches Hold
Sontie ― boy, Nerat border
Stolla ― headwoman, Benden Weyr
Struan (Fort Harper) ― dorm-mate, Harper Hall
Sucho ― Fort holder, Fort Hold
Tarathel ― Lord Holder, Tillek Hold
Targus ― unfriendly holder, Nerat border
Tesner ― Lord Holder, Igen Hold
Tinamon ― Hold Healer, Benden Weyr
Torlin ― holder, Tillek Hold
Tortole ― Tillek forester, Tillek Hold
Trailer ― student, Harper Hall
T'rell ― Weyrlingmaster, Benden Weyr
Triana ― dancer, High Reaches Hold
Valden ― forest holder, Tillek Hold
Valrol ― holder, Tillek Hold
Vendross ― guard captain, Telgar Hold
Vesna ― Gostol's daughter, Northern MaM
Warder (no name) ― steward, Ruatha Hold
Washell ― Apprentice Master, Harper Hall
Winalia ― Lady Holder, Fort Hold
Wonegal ― MasterVintner, Benden Hold
Yorag ― healer, Benden Hold