heatherslibrary | #0105: Dragonriders of Pern: The Masterharper of Pern, by Anne McCaffrey (Reply)

Dragonriders of Pern: The Masterharper of Pern
by Anne McCaffrey

p.70 "Cortath?" he called out, racing across the vast courtyard as fast as he could toward the three bronzes who had landed to one side. He ducked in among the greens and blues, completely unaware that it was actually the greens and blues who were sensitive to those who might make good Impressions.
     Cortath is not here today.
     Robie stopped short, breathing hard as he realized that, indeed, his good friend was not there. "But I wanted to talk to him," he said, almost in tears with disappointment.
     I will tell him a harper boy regretted his absence.
     "I'm not a harper...yet," Robinton admitted, identifying the not-so-bright bronze as the one who had spoken to him. "Would you mind my talking to you? If you've got nothing better to do for a moment? May I ask your name?" And he executed a half bow to show he was being respectful.
     You may. I call myself Kilminth and my rider is S'bran. What is your name?
     As if you'll remember, said another dragon voice. It was the very dark bronze one. It is only a child.
     Who hears dragons when they speak, so I will talk to him while our riders are busy. It is nice to talk to a child who hears.
     He's not old enough to be Searched.
     Don't mind Calanuth, Kilminth told Robie in a somewhat supercilious tone. He's too young to have much sense.
     Oh, go curl up in the sun, and then Kilminth lowered his head down to Robinton.

p.95 "It doesn't cost any marks to be gracious, no matter where you are or what you're doing," his mother was always saying. "No singer of professional caliber would think of drowning out other singers" was another point she often made.

p.178 The Charter was first taught as a Teaching Ballad to the youngest children, and then with more detail as the students grew old enough to memorize its provisions and to understand the meaning of each clause. A holder was not doing his duty by his people to deny them this information.
     On the other hand, there was no provision made to punish holders who did not disseminate the information contained in the Charter. This was one of the shortcomings of the document. When Robinton had queried that in class, Master Washell had responded with a snort and then the notion that it must never have occurred to the writers of the charter that anyone would be denied such basic human rights.
     Robinton hoped that those who had learned their figures and letters under the previous holder would pass them on--however illicitly--to their children. Knowledge had a way of permeating any barriers set to exclude it. He could only hope that held true in Fax's hold.

p.235 He played and sang until he went went hoarse. As the gathering progressed, one after another of his listeners began to sing choruses with him. In fact, by the time he could sing no more, he had quite a good chorus going, with three-part harmony in places.
     It was Groghe who called a halt. Robinton could no longer feel his own buttocks, they'd been mashed against the post so long.
     "We've had a long day's travel, my friends, and you have a wall to build tomorrow," the holder said. "You have sung in harmony this evening. Continue that mood tomorrow."
     "I'll only build my half of the wall," Tortole said, unwilling to concede.
     "And Sucho will build his," Robinton said quickly, pointing at Sucho, who hesitated briefly before nodding. "Your women don't need you two fighting," he added. "They are lonely enough up on this hill without being able to share their lives with another family."
     The women agreed loudly.

p.257 She was quite matter-of-fact and Robinton knew that she spoke common sense. "You're both young. You have time. I have told Kasia that I would gladly foster any child of yours should your work make it impossible to give that child the advantages of a permanent home."
     Robinton managed to stammer out his astonishment at such a magnificent honor: an honor that he had never imagined being offered him. Usually it was the grandparents who offered fostering, or a very close friend. To have his child fostered at Tillek Hold would be a privilege.
     "That's an incredible offer, Juvana," he said, getting his wits together. "I'd like to think I'd be a good enough father that a child would not need more than his parents to reassure him, wherever he went."
     Juvana regarded him solemnly for a moment. "Yes, you would want to be a good father. And I think you would be. I've watched you with the slow ones, and you're kind and patient, though some of their antics would be enough to drive me to sea in a leaky boat."
     Kasia laughed. "Juvana gets seasick just looking at a rocking boat."

p.264 Kissing her provoked other sensations, and once again he didn't get around to mentioning the Sonata for Sea-Green eyes.
     Of course, the longer he delayed, the harder it was going to work in a playing of it before the Gather. And suddenly he wasn't at all sure of its worth. It was definitely the most serious piece of music he had ever written, and he was quite unsure of its merit. He could be fooling himself. It wasn't as if he could play for a critical listener, like Minnarden, who had seen the rest of his travel songs and liked them. They were insignificant compared to the Sonata--if it was any good at all. Yet whenever he heard the music in his head, it thrilled him, and he felt a tremendous lift at the finale of the final movement. Like making love. And that's what he wanted people to hear when they listened to it--the crescendo that was also an orgasm.

p.281 Their legs were twined under the table so tightly that Robinton hoped no one could see under the cloth--and that he wouldn't be asked to stand.

p.327 "So, Master Robinton, I have named you my choice of successor."
     Robinton demurred, muttering about his youth and the fact that there were plenty of men who would be more logical choices.
     "None of them want the job," Gennell said with grim humor. "Minnarden strongly urged me to consider you, as did Evarel, and certainly I've had support from all the resident Masters."
     "Including...Petiron?" Robinton asked, grinning.
     "Oddly enough, yes. Oh, I doubt he would have suggested you, but he did not oppose the selection."
     That did surprise Robinton.
     "I admit that I got the position more by default than by ambition," Gennell said with a hearty chuckle. "I have served the Hall to the best of my ability..." Robinton concurred: Gennell was exceedingly popular as MasterHarper. The old Master went on. "I shouldn't care to take on the responsibilities of dealing with Fax, much less Thread."
     "You're too kind," Robinton murmured sarcastically.
p.336 "A man convinced against his will, is of his own opinion still."

p.345 Then Robinton had caught sight of the way Nip was shivering despite the wine and the heat. "Let me take those boots off for you, Nip. They look soaked."
     "You're the only man I'd allow such a privilege," the irrepressible Nip replied as he lifted his left leg and then placed his right boot on Robinton's butt. "I know many people who'd love to have the MasterHarper of Pern at the end of their boot!" he added chuckling. He gave Rob a hefty push--all to help remove his boot, of course.

NAMES: Klada, Sucho, Torlin, Saday, Pessia, Lobirn, Evelene, Valrol, Faroguy, Farvene, Bargen, Sellel, Bravoner, Mallan, Jesken, Morit, Rangul, Kubisa, Fulyar, Rerelan, Dalma, Rantou, Petiron, Oterel, Tathartel, Redharc, Melongel, Domick, Gorazde, Ashmichel, Ogolly, Jerint, Relna, Adessa, Oldive, Lessedlen, Winalla, Evenek