Anne McCaffrey: Moreta - Dragon Lady Of Pern

«Off you go, dear heart.» Moreta gave Orlith's shoulder a loving thump and then, with Alessan at her side, she walked from the dancing square. As they reached the edge, Orlith leaped, her broad wings clearing the ground in the first downward sweep. The dragon had launched herself in a very shallow angle toward the sheer rock of Ruatha. As the queen flew a mere length above the stalls and gatherers, Moreta could hear the spate of startled cries. Beside her, Alessan stiffened.

«Do you know what you're doing, my love?» Moreta asked, reasonably but firm. «You're a bit egg-heavy for antics.»

«I am demonstrating the abilities of their queen. It will do them good and me no harm. See?»

Orlith had judged her angle finely, though from Moreta's perspective, she looked to be in danger of clipping her forearms on the cliff edge. But Orlith cleared the cliff easily and, dropping her shoulder, spun almost on wingtip. She set her hindquarters down directly over the Hold's main entrance, in the space vacated by other dragons. Then she flipped her wings to her back, sank down, and rested her triangular head on her forearms.

«Exhibitionist!» Moreta sent without rancor. «She's comfortable now, Lord Alessan.»

«I had heard of Orlith's reputation for close flying,» he replied, his eyes flicking to the jewelry Moreta wore.

So the young Lord knew of the old Lord's gift.

«An advantage in Threadfall.»

«This is a Gather.» With that slight emphasis on the pronoun, Alessan spoke as Lord Holder.

«And where is it more appropriate to display skill and craft and beauty?» Moreta gestured toward the gaily caparisoned stalls and the richly colored tunics and dresses of the crowd. She removed her hand from his arm, partly to show her annoyance with his criticism and partly to loosen her cloak. The chill of between had been replaced by the warmth of the afternoon sun. «Come now. Lord Alessan,» and she linked her arm through his again, «let us have no uncharitable words at your first Gather as Lord of Ruatha and my first outing since the winter solstice.»

They had reached the roadway and the stalls where people were examining wares and bargaining. Moreta smiled up at Lord Alessan to prove her firm intention of enjoying herself. He looked down at her, blinking and creasing his dark brows slightly. His expression cleared to a smile, still reserved but considerably more genuine than his stiff formality.

«I fear I have none of my dam's virtues. Lady Moreta.»

«And all of your sire's vices?»

«My good Lord Leef had no vices,» Alessan said very properly, but his eyes had begun to gleam with an amusement that proved to Moreta that the man had at least a vestige of his sire's humor.

«The races haven't started yet?»

Alessan missed a stride and glanced sharply at her.

«No, not yet.» His tone was wary. «We have been waiting for late arrivals.»

«There seemed to be a good number at the pickets. How many races?» She gave him a quick glance. Didn't he approve of racing?

«Ten races are planned, but the entries have been lighter than I had anticipated. You enjoy racing, Lady Moreta?»

«I came from a runnerhold in Keroon, Lord Alessan, and I have never lost my interest in the breed.»

«So you know where to place your wagers?»

«Lord Alessan,» she said in a determinedly light tone, «I never wager. The sight of a good race well run is always a pleasure and excitement enough.» His manner was still uncertain so she changed the subject. «I believe that we've missed the eastern visitors.»

«The Benden Weyrwoman and Weyrleader have only just left us.» Alessan's eyes sparkled at having acted the host to such prestigious guests.

«I had hoped to exchange news with them.» Moreta's regret was sincere, but she was also relieved. The Benden Weyrleaders did not like Orlith's fascination with Tuzuth, the Benden bronze, any more than she herself did. Such cross-weyr interests were encouraged in young queens but not in seniors. «Did Benden's Lord Holder come, too?»

«Yes.» Pleasure tinged Alessan's tone. «Lord Shadder and I had only the briefest but most congenial of talks. Most congenial. East and West don't often have much chance to meet. Have you met Lord Shadder?»

«When I was in Ista Weyr.» Moreta smiled back at Alessan, for Shadder of Benden was undoubtedly the most popular Lord Holder on Pern. His warmth and concern always seemed intensely personal. She sighed. «I really wish I had been able to come sooner. Who else attends?»

The briefest of frowns crossed Alessan's face. «At the moment,» he said briskly, «holders and Craftmasters from Ruatha, Fort, Crom, Nabol, Tillek and High Reaches. A long journey for some, but everyone seems well pleased that the warm weather had held for the Gather.» He glanced about the crowded stalls, noting trades in the making. «Tillek's Lord Holder may arrive later with the High Reaches Weyrleader. Lord Tolocamp rode in an hour ago and is changing.»

Moreta grinned in sympathy with Alessan. Lord Tolocamp was an energetic, forceful man who spoke his mind and gave his opinion on every topic as if he were the universal expert. As he did not have the least sense of humor, exchanges with him were apt to be awkward and boring. Moreta preferred to avoid his company whenever possible. But, as she was now senior Weyrwoman, she had fewer excuses to do so.

«How many of his ladies came with him?»

«Five.» Alessan's voice was carefully neutral. «My mother, Lady Oma, always enjoys a visit with Lady Pendra.»

Moreta had to choke back a laugh and turned her face slightly away. All Pern knew that Lady Pendra was angling to get Alessan to marry one of her numerous daughters, nieces, or cousins. Alessan's young wife, Suriana, had died the previous Turn in a fall. At the time, Lord Leef had not pressed his son to make another marriage, a fact that many had taken to mean that Alessan was not to succeed. As the Fort Hold girls were as plain as they were capable, Moreta didn't think much of Fort's chances, but Alessan would be obliged to marry soon if he wished his own bloodline to succeed.

«Would it please the Fort Weyrwoman for Lord Alessan to take a Fort Holder as wife?» His voice was cold and stiff.

«You can surely do better than that,» Moreta replied crisply and then laughed. «I'm sorry. It is not really a subject for levity, but you don't know how you sound.»

«And how do I sound?» Alessan's eyes glinted.

«Like a man sorely pressed in a direction he does not wish to travel. This is your first Gather. You should enjoy it, too.»

«Will you help me?» Pure mischief played across his face now.

«How?»

«You're my Weyrwoman.» His face assumed a proper respect. «Since Sh'gall has not accompanied you, I must be your partner.»

«In conscience, I could not monopolize your time.» Even as she spoke, Moreta realized that that was what she would rather like to do. There was a rebellion in him that attracted her. «Most of it?» His voice was wistfully pleading, quite a variance with his sparkling eyes and grin. «I know what I have to do but …»

«There'll be girls here from all over.»

«Yes, a Search has been conducted for my benefit.»

«What else did you expect. Lord Alessan, when you're now such a suitable match?»

«Suriana liked me, not my prospects,» Alessan said in a flat bleak voice. «When that match was arranged, of course, I had none, so we could suit ourselves. And we did.»

So that explained why he had been allowed to grieve and defer a second marriage. Moreta hadn't thought Lord Leef had so much compassion in him. «You were more fortunate than most,» she said, oddly envious. Once she had Impressed a queen, personal choice had been denied her. Once she had Impressed Orlith, their love compensated for many things; love for another human paled in comparison.