Энн Маккефри - Dragon’s Kin

“No, they won’t,” Kindan said again. “It’ll be night. Watch-whers are awake at night. You’ll stumble no more than anyone else.”

“Zenor never said you were blind!” Renna broke in. She had listened patiently while Kindan was talking, but she realized that for all his good intentions, he didn’t get it. She turned to Nuella. “He never used your name, but I knew he was sweet on someone. He would talk about all the things he wanted in a girlfriend, and he’d smile that secret smile of his, like he knew something I didn’t.” She snorted, shaking her head at the foolishness of her brother trying to keep a secret from her. “I knew it had to be you the moment I saw you, Nuella. You are everything he was talking about.”

Nuella looked puzzled.

“Don’t you see?” Renna asked. “He never talked about your sight. It doesn’t matter to him.” She paused. “And I think it doesn’t matter to him because it doesn’t matter to you. You just get on with living, don’t you?”

Nuella nodded reluctantly.

“If it doesn’t matter to you,” Henna continued fiercely, “and it doesn’t matter to my brother, why are you being so blind that you can’t see that it doesn’t matter to anyone else?”

Nuella sniffed a final sniff and wiped her eyes. She pushed herself away from Kindan and faced Renna. “Do you really think he likes me?”

Renna nodded, and then said, “Of course. He’d be a fool not to.” Thoughtfully, she added, “Sometimes I don’t think he’s all that smart, but he can’t be that stupid.”

Nuella smiled. “But my father—”

“A secret that causes harm is a bad secret,” Kindan said.

“I think we can still keep your father’s secret,” J’lantir offered. “I rather doubt that Telgar Weyr will want to train watch-whers to talk to dragons. And if that’s the case, then no one in Crom will ever meet you.”

“Rumor travels fast,” Master Zist pointed out.

“Of course, if we don’t tell him...” Kindan suggested.

“No, I think there are too many secrets already,” Master Zist said firmly. He looked at J’lantir. “Natalon is a good man,” he said, “and while he may err on the side of caution, I do not believe he would do anything to hinder you in this worthy cause.”

“Once he calms down,” Nuella corrected, her normal sense of humor having returned. She turned to Renna and said, “You will keep the secret, won’t you?”

Renna made a sour face. “I will,” she agreed. “But I think it’s a bad idea.” She looked squarely at J’lantir. “I think people should tell the truth. All the time, no matter what the consequences.”

J’lantir gave her a shocked look. Then he grew thoughtful, brows furrowed.

“I think that some youngsters should mind their manners,” Master Zist said tightly. “Particularly with dragonriders.”

Renna dropped her eyes and nodded unhappily. “I’m sorry.”

J’lantir waved the apology away. “No harm done,” he said. Renna looked up. J’lantir grinned at her. “And perhaps some good.” They shared a look for a moment, before the dragonrider continued, “Food for thought, at least.”

Master Zist looked up at that. “Food is an excellent idea, J’lantir,” he said agreeably. “Perhaps you and I should head up to Miner Natalon’s hold in search of some.”

J’lantir nodded in enlightenment. “That would allow me to pay my respects,” he allowed.

Master Zist laughed. “And bring up any matters of import at the same time.” With a groan he uncoiled himself from his cross-legged position on the straw. “You know, Kindan, you must really see about getting some chairs in here sometime. All this sitting on the floor is hard on us older people.”

“Not to mention cold,” Nuella added. She looked up at Master Zist. “Should I—?”

“I don’t think there’s any reason for you to accompany us,” he said.

She looked ready to accept, but thought better of it and shook her head firmly. “No,” she said slowly, “Renna’s right. There have been too many secrets. This concerns me; I should be there.”

“As you wish,” J’lantir said, rising to his feet. “Perhaps you could lead the way?”

Master Zist turned to Renna, who had started to get up, and looked thoughtfully at her. “Aren’t you supposed to be on watch?”

“I traded with Jori,” Renna said. “She owes me.”

He wagged a finger at her. “Then,” he intoned, “you are up far too late and need some sleep. I expect you in my class bright and early.”

“I could bring some klah to help wake you up in the morning,” she suggested impishly.

Master Zist drew breath to scold her, paused, then let it out, nodding his head. “I’m afraid I’ll be needing it,” he agreed wearily.

“Are you all set, Nuella?” J’lantir called over his shoulder as they prepared to go between.

“I’m a bit nervous,” she admitted, clutching the dragonrider tightly.

You’ll be fine, Lolanth reassured her.

“Remember it will take no longer than it does to cough three times,” the dragonrider added.

“All right,” Nuella said. For a moment, nothing changed. Then she felt cold and detached from anything and everything. This is strange, she thought. She savored the moment and then it was gone. Nuella took a breath, then carefully sniffed the air. It was different from home.

“We’re here,” J’lantir said. “You did just fine.”

“It was great!” Nuella exclaimed.

J’lantir laughed. “That’s not the normal reaction people have the first time they go between.”

Nuella clutched the dragonrider tighter as Lolanth banked and started a steady spiral down to the ground. The sensation startled her, but she recovered before Lolanth said, We are landing, it’s all right.

“Nuella, you’re here,” M’tal called, rushing up to greet them. “Welcome to Lemos Hold.”

When she felt his hand grip hers, she swung her leg over Lolanth’s neck. Getting down was easier than getting up, particularly with M’tal’s strong arms to hold her.

She felt J’lantir’s hand on her shoulder as he landed beside her.

“Permit me to lead the way,” M’tal said, deftly catching her hand and placing it on his elbow, just the way Master Zist had assured her that all the great lords escorted their great ladies. Nuella blushed at the thought, but followed M’tal gratefully.

“Harper Inrion has managed to convince the Lord Holder to let young Lord Darel and his sister, Lady Erla, stay up with Lemosk to get your training,” M’tal explained as they walked up the steps to the Great Hall of Lemos Hold.

“But it’s old Renilan and his watch-wher Resk that you’ll really need to train,” J’lantir added. “If you can convince him...”

Nuella nodded. Her father had agreed readily enough when J’lantir and Master Zist had presented the facts to him, but he had insisted that if, for any reason, Nuella couldn’t train other watch-whers, she be returned immediately to her hold. Nuella understood, and even agreed with his thinking: It would be bad enough if she failed, but utterly unbearable if she was asked to repeat her failure time and time again.

“I want to start with the most stubborn person,” she had said. When J’lantir had protested, she dug in her heels until Master Zist dryly informed the dragonrider that it would be very hard to find someone more stubborn than she was. Nuella wasn’t so sure, but she wanted to find out as soon as possible.

In the days between her father’s consent and M’tal’s news that he’d set up a class at Lemos Hold, Nuella and Kisk had trained hard together, going over everything it was felt watch-whers and their handlers needed to know. Nuella marveled at how helpful and patient Kindan was, even when he mostly had to stand aside and let her work directly with Kisk.