Dragonsinger - Chapter Ten and Eleven.

[kalinara]

So last time, nothing happened. It sort of LOOKED like something would happen. But it didn't.

I genuinely think the problem is Robinton. I think that Ms. McCaffrey can't bear the idea of Robinton being wrong or flawed, so there was no chance that he might mistake the fair incident as being remotely Menolly's fault. (...even though it partly was.) WE know Menolly's a good girl, so Robinton knows that too.

Amusingly, by immediately dismissing Menolly's accusers and taking her side BEFORE getting everyone's version of events, Robinton actually looks like a biased git and a terrible headmaster. It would have been very easy to have Robinton listen to Pona and her paramour's version of events, and build up some anxiety and tension for Menolly, and then have the tanner, who is a neutral third party, back up Menolly's version of events. But Robinton doesn't even bother with that. This would have been interesting if it were intentional, but I am reasonably sure there will be no follow through.

It's just like how the book refuses to let Menolly face real sexism in her quest to become the first female Harper in Pern. There actually IS a lot of built in sexism in the system, but McCaffrey won't acknowledge that because it would mean that Robinton isn't doing what he should be doing to combat it. Menolly therefore gets to bypass the worst of the unfair treatment, rather than actually face it.

It's very frustrating because we're at the penultimate chapter of a book that SHOULD have been great. I like Menolly, and I want her to succeed. I'm invested in seeing a woman overcome obstacles and become the first female Harper. I enjoyed Dragonsong a lot. I expected to love this book too.

I don't.



So just in case we DID have any lingering tension about whether or not Lord Groghe might be angry, Ms McCaffrey nips that in the bud in the first paragraph:

To Menolly’s intense relief, all Lord Groghe did want to talk about was the fire lizards—his in particular and in general. The four of them, Robinton, Sebell, Lord Groghe and herself, sat at a table apart from the others, on one side of the square, each of them with a fire lizard. Menolly was torn between amusement and awe that she, the newest of apprentices, should be in such exalted company. Lord Groghe, for all his clipped speech and an amazing range of descriptive grimaces, was very easy to talk to, once she got over her initial nervousness about the fracas with Benis. She heard, in detail, about the Hatching of Merga, smiled when Lord Groghe guffawed reminiscently over his early anxieties about her.

How fascinating.

Look, it's not Menolly's fault that she's ridiculously talented and everyone loves her immediately. But it doesn't make for an interesting story either!

Anyway, Groghe notes that he could have used someone with Menolly's expertise when Merga hatched. Menolly notes that her own lizards hatched about the same time, so she wouldn't have been helpful. Groghe notes that she can be helpful now, though. He asks her about training.

They discuss the possibility of Merga carrying objects like Menolly's lizards did. Menolly doubts that she can carry something as large as Menolly's pipes, given that there's only one of her. She thinks Merga might be able to carry a message though, if Groghe wants it badly enough.

Groghe, rather endearingly, thinks there probably isn't anything he wants badly enough. At his age, he's learned how to plan. And, while Groghe doesn't say this part, he's a Lord Holder. He can probably get whatever he wants pretty easily.

So Groghe realizes that the fire lizards primarily communicate through emotion "not knowledge". I THINK he's trying to say that they're empathic, rather than telepathic but doesn't quite have the words.

Conversation then turns to the fair. Groghe is curious but not accusatory about what happened. Menolly is, of course, already apologizing for "alarming" them. But Groghe quickly gets distracted by the fire lizards again. He's busy wondering how big they'll grow and when they'll mate. (There is a blink and miss it mention of Mirrim.)

I don't blame Menolly for being enthusiastic to change the subject, but I still wish there was some chance of actual consequences. (For the record, I don't blame Menolly for challenging Pona. I'm actually glad she did. But I do resent that it's so quickly forgotten.)

Menolly ends up telling the story of how she found her lizards. Groghe is all "You wrote that song, didn't you?" and I'm perplexed, because I feel like he already knew that? But fuck if I'm willing to go back and look. There's an interesting moment where Groghe asks Robinton why he didn't tell him a girl wrote it. But Groghe doesn't seem to mind Menolly's gender.

...the funny thing is that Groghe actually reminds me a lot of F'lar here. He's got that same kind of single minded focus and utter disinterest in anything outside of his goals. No wonder they didn't get along.

So anyway, Menolly gets to tell us the story of Dragonsong again. When she mentions the difficulty of feeding the lizards, it gets everyone hungry, and Groghe sends an underling to get food.

Groghe then makes conversation about Half-Circle. He's never been there, but he surprisingly does seem to know a fair bit about it. I'm actually interested in Menolly's description of the cavern and its structure. Menolly's quiet assertion that she's a harper rather than a member of the Hold impresses Groghe, and he decides that "girl or not", he approves of Menolly.

Gosh, well. That was easy. Aggravatingly so.

Look, I like Groghe, and I appreciate how he's one of maybe three characters in the entire series that has some actual layers. He's an obstacle to F'lar, likely because they're so similar, but he's an ally here. He's difficult, but he loves his lizard. That's more depth than 90% of these characters.

But how much better would the story have been if Groghe had been introduced earlier? His comments about Menolly's gender make me think that he maybe wouldn't have been so in favor of a female harper prior to meeting her. So what if McCaffrey had used that.

Like, okay, Fort is the oldest Hold. Groghe's an old man, and kind of hidebound. He's not a bad person, but he doesn't necessarily approve of the idea of a girl shacking up with all those harpers. Maybe that's why the female students are so separate. Groghe insists because he's concerned about decency. He has serious doubts about this new girl student no matter how talented. And then the stories from Pona and Briala make him even more alarmed. He comes to the fair and finds out that his own son ended up clashing with this girl, who probably comes across as a big troublemaker.

I understand that McCaffrey doesn't want Robinton to be flawed. But Groghe, as the Lord of the Hold that hosts Harper Hall could be a significant adversary. He could be the reason Menolly has to live in Dunca's cot. He could be pushing for separate classes or uniforms, or chaperones, or other things that get in Menolly's way and impede her progress. He starts advocating that Menolly is disruptive and should be disciplined or even expelled.

Then he meets Menolly. She has fire lizards, which he may have heard about before, but never really considered. He ends up seeing how well she's got them trained. He is impressed. He gets her story and realizes that she's mature and disciplined and focused. He still on the fence about her as a Harper, but they get to know each other as he goes for her for advice on Merga. Gradually, he becomes impressed by her and supports her after all.

Wouldn't that be much more satisfying?

Groghe and Robinton have a cryptic exchange about cross-crafting, and Groghe thinks about sending some of his sons to Seaholds. Menolly likes the idea of Benis in Half-Circle, and I can't blame her. I feel like Yanus, for all his many faults, could get that kid in line.

Anyway, food arrives, and there are musical performances. Groghe is an enthusiastic audience. I'll spare you the descriptions of the performances, but they seem like a lot of fun. At some point, Brudegan and three older apprentices start to sing. We're told it's the song that Elgion had sung at his arrival at Half-Circle, which Menolly had never had the opportunity to learn. She focuses intently, trying to catch word and chord. Beauty starts to sing and Merga joins in.

I'm meanwhile slightly amazed that Ms. McCaffrey remembered that Elgion existed. Poor guy. You've served your role in this series and we'll never see you again. I hope you finally got your fire lizard.

The crowd starts demanding the fire lizard song, and Brudegan beckons to Menolly. Groghe also insists, as does Robinton, who accompanies her. She thinks about Shonagar's advice and sings. Afterward, she sings something from her Seahold that no one's heard before. It goes very well.

Menolly then gets to dance, with Sebell taking charge of Beauty for her. She dances with Talmor, Viderian, Brudegan, and even Domick. Piemur too. She realizes that among the most requested songs were the two that Petiron had sent in for her. Sebell catches her eye and grins at her.

I like the subtle ways that McCaffrey seeds the eventual romance. I'm going to utterly ignore the way Masterharper of Pern fucks over the timeline so I can enjoy them. (This book establishes that Sebell only recently became a journeyman. Masterharper basically says Sebell is ten years older than Lessa!!! and became a journeyman at fifteen! Fuck that retcon. McCaffrey FINALLY gave me a pairing in which the characters are reasonably close in age. I'm not giving that up!)

Anyway, eventually Beauty reminds Menolly that the fire lizards have been patiently waiting for supper, and they find Camo and Piemur. Afterward, Menolly goes to bed.

The next morning, things are back to normal. Menolly quickly brings up food for Robinton's lizard, because god forbid Robinton act like a real person. (He's apparently averse to appearing in the kitchen wrapped in a sleeping fur, which I understand, but I feel like Robinton ought to be willing to wake up early to see his lizard fed. But rank has its perks.) Menolly is sent off to work on her song. Robinton wants a finished version this morning.

Menolly checks on Sebell, who is at the journeyman's table with many willing assistants.

Domick is a little cranky about Menolly having to work on her song, because he wants her to go through the quartet music with him, Sebell and Talmor. Apparently, Morshal has the girls for theory, so Talmor is free.

Wait a second.

MORSHAL?

The one who Robinton laughs about, that doesn't see the point of educating girls??

The one who got angry at Menolly for answering questions right???

On one hand, I'm glad the girls are getting more of an education than I thought, but REALLY? I hope there are some kind of exams so that we can be sure Morshal is actually doing his fucking job.

Anyway, Domick shows her where the copying material is located. There's a paragraph of useless nonsense about cranky Master Arnor, who's never been mentioned before and probably won't be significant again. I'd have been a little more interested earlier in the novel. But now, I'm just bored. Sorry.

So Menolly copies her work. She does a few interpretations of the song. Domick eventually shows up to be impatient. He praises her copywork, saying it's neat enough to please Arnor. Of course it is. He approves of her work and ushers her away.

Menolly does overhear something "interesting":

“Now,” she heard the Masterharper’s voice from the room below, “the point is that all but one of the formalities has been observed. Admittedly, there’s not been much time spent in the Hall, but an apprenticeship served elsewhere under a competent journeyman has always been admissible. Does anyone wish to register any reservations about the competence of that journeyman?” There was a short pause. “So that’s settled. Ah, yes, thank you, Domick. Now, Master Arnor…” and Menolly lost the sound of his voice as he evidently moved away from the window.

Gosh, how cryptic. I wonder what they could be talking about. Don't worry. I'll be ranting a LOT about this next chapter. Menolly has been at Harper Hall for all of a fucking week!

So anyway, she catches up with the quartet (except Domick, who is of course in the aforementioned meeting), and they chat about the gather before they start practicing. Afterward, Domick asks if Menolly is going to see Shonagar in the afternoon and notes "in a cryptic fashion" that she'll have to continue that voice instruction anyway.

Gosh, what could he mean by that?

What is the POINT of this book? If SOMEONE is going to be promoted after a week, without any real education into politics or history or...

You know what? I'm NOT going to save this rant. What is the fucking point of all of this?

I've said before that one of the most frustrating parts of the book is that I still don't know what harpers do, beyond playing pretty music.

But apparently that IS all they do, if someone can become a journeyman after a week of classes, which basically just amount to showing how awesome she is at music.

Forget Sebell's stupid fish thing. Forget Elgion's assignment to expand the minds of Yanus and Half Circle Hold. Forget Robinton's role as F'lar's advisor. Hell, forget that the Question Song represents the secret that Lessa used to save Pern, preserved for hundreds of years.

None of that apparently matters. It's JUST musical ability. It's just performing music.

Okay.

So then, explain to me why the girls don't count as Harper Apprentices? That's what they're learning, after all.

Explain to me why Menolly is even at Harper Hall, if a week later she's going to be a journeyman? Explain why this book exists at all!

I've always been a bit frustrated at how Menolly was amazing at every single aspect of music, despite having only a limited amount of time to study, and parents who are very hostile to the idea of their daughter making music. But that's not insurmountable.

Menolly could be learning things here. She could be learning the historical songs and records that preserve ancient knowledge. Do we really think Petiron could have taught her every single one? Does she even know the significance of the Question Song? She could be learning about the Holds, and how they work. She could be learning etiquette and diplomacy. She could be learning how to speak publicly.

It would have been very possible to have Menolly grow and learn as a character even if she's the greatest musician on Earth. There was a way to make this feel earned. This is not earned.

So after the quartet, Menolly enters the dining hall. Apparently Master Morshal looks even more sour than usual. Why? We don't know. Morshal has never been anything other than a cartoon.

Piemur has news though: Pona's gone:

“See, Pona is gone! She got taken away a-dragonback,” Piemur added, his pleasure in her departure somewhat allayed by the prestigious manner of her going.

“Because of yesterday?” The thin knot of worry in her middle grew larger and colder. Pona in the cot, contained by the discipline of the Harper Hall, was bad enough; but, in her grandfather’s Hold, pouring out acid vengeance, she was much more dangerous for Harper apprentice, Menolly.

“Naw, not just yesterday,” Piemur said firmly. “So don’t you go feeling guilty about it. But yesterday was the final crack, the way I heard it, bearing false witness against you. And Dunca’s been raked over by Silvina! That pleased her no end; she’s just been itching to take Dunca down.”

So let's unpack this for a bit.

a) Pona is gone. Not just because of what happened at the fair, but that was apparently the last straw.

I know I'm a broken record at this point, but when exactly did Pona get the chance to offer her side of the story? Robinton got the story AFTER making Benis and Pona leave, from people unequivocally on Menolly's side. Is there any kind of appeal process here?

b) How did she "bear false witness"? She was literally sent off before she could say a word!

c) How exactly did Pona's behavior at the fair lead to DUNCA being in trouble? Dunca had nothing to do with it! Now yes, Dunca SHOULD have gotten in trouble for preventing Menolly from going to her lesson, but that was days ago. Where was Silvina then?!

Why does Silvina, the HEADSWOMAN, need to wait until now to "take Dunca down"?! Why hasn't she reined in Dunca before? Why did she put a young apprentice with Dunca if she didn't trust her?

So in a very undeserved moment of female camaraderie, Menolly goes to stand by an upset looking Audiva and they squeeze hands. Audiva was sympathetic, sure, but we saw no moment of real understanding between them. This is a little late, McCaffrey. Also, is Menolly going to use her new rank to help the other girls get more fair treatment? Does she even notice that they're not getting fair treatment?

There's some post fair banter with Piemur, who brought back more pies and more marks than he left with. At least someone's having fun, I suppose. Piemur also brings more news: they're posting journeymen. Of course.

There's an interesting bit from Piemur. When Menolly sternly tells him that she was brought up to not listen in on private conversations, Piemur points out that a harper is supposed to learn as much as he can. In his case, he has to think ahead. He's a boy soprano and what will happen to him after his voice changes? Apparently very few preserve any real voice afterward.

Is that true? That doesn't seem to make sense. The ability to breathe and project and sense of pitch and such should change just because they can't hit the high notes anymore. But I don't know enough about music to argue the topic. Insert the it's always sunny gif here, I suppose.

Anyway, Piemur thinks that if he gets good at ferreting information, he might get posted "like Sebell" and have a lizard to send messages. Oh, look! Another implication that being a Harper is about more than music! So why aren't the kids being given these lessons too?

Piemur is worried that his ambition offended Menolly and confirms he really likes the fire lizards in his own right. Menolly is amused, not hurt, and promises that if she ever has a say in the matter, Piemur will get an egg from one of Beauty's clutches. Aw.

Menolly asks after Audiva, which again would mean a little more if the two girls ever had a meaningful conversation. Menolly points out, for example, that Audiva was the best musician of "the lot" which is a fine way to talk about the female students. Audiva perks up at the praise. Menolly invites Audiva to come practice with her.

Why couldn't this conversation have happened five chapters ago?

Audiva has her own "not like other girls" moment when she complains about how all the other girls want to do is talk about clothes, and fosterlings at their hold, and who their fathers will choose for their husbands. Audiva just wants to play.

a) I like the implied scorn here, but why WOULDN'T the girls be focused on these topics?! We've seen the lot of women on Pern. Why wouldn't they want to know who they're going to be stuck with?

I like how writers like McCaffrey are happy to decry the idea of arranged marriage when it's something that their heroines can struggle against, but they have no sympathy for the girls who might want to TALK about the subject.

b) But I sympathize with Audiva for wanting to play. And honestly, she illustrates the unfairness of the system. She WANTS to learn, but she didn't have a Petiron. So she's stuck in a journeyman's classes with fellow students who don't care. She's being bunked away from Harper Hall, so she doesn't really have a chance to practice. At least one of her teachers hates the thought of teaching women.

Honestly, I am a lot more invested in Audiva's story right now than Menolly's. Menolly might be the first female harper, but it's not like her advancement does anything for the girls following behind her.

Menolly and Audiva discuss Menolly's concern about retribution from Pona's grandfather, but Audiva points out that the Masterharper gets to decide who studies in his Hall, and is the equivalent basically of being a Lord Holder himself. And Menolly is both a holder's daughter and Robinton's apprentice.

So that's that for Pona's role of adversary then. The worst she ever managed was to make Menolly miss one class appointment and hurt her feelings. How formidable.

McCaffrey seems to realize that because she has Briala start ranting about what Pona might tell her grandfather, and what Benis has planned for Viderian. Too little, too late.

Piemur, for his part, is just dismayed that he'll be stuck singing Pona's part.

So we follow Menolly through the rest of her day: Oldive affirms that Menolly's feet are finally "sound enough" and her hand is improving. She heads to Shonagar, who gives her a hard time for performing at the gather. He does note that she didn't perform too badly. He acknowledges that she'll probably be obliged to sing her songs again, since they're popular and she wrote them, so he decides he'll teach her to sing them well.

Shonagar then tells her to bring the song she wrote "about Brekke" and says that she at least has wit to write music she can sing.

I hate that they all know the song is about Brekke. Isn't it enough that it's a sad song? I don't even LIKE Brekke, but I feel like I know her well enough from Dragonquest to know that she'd HATE the idea of her anguish turned into a public display! She's already suffered enough!

I can accept that Menolly, as a snot nosed teenager, isn't thinking about this. But surely one of the adults should! Maybe the song should still performed, if nothing else, because it likely details the dangers of going to the Red Star. But this is still a discussion they could be having!

There's a class that Menolly could be taking: ethics.

After her lesson, Audiva is waiting for her. Apparently she's so tired of the "poisonous atmosphere" with the other girls. Which brings me again to Silvina. She intervened to get Menolly out of there, but she's perfectly happy to let the other girls remain under Dunca's authoritative thumb. We'd had no sign that Audiva was THIS unhappy before, so maybe the others were too!

Hell, maybe PONA was unhappy! But we're not supposed to think about that.

Anyway, Audiva praises Menolly's singing, and notes she made a good friend in Viderian. Yay. I'd care more if we had any idea who Viderian was, aside from the guy who was with Audiva at the fair. Audiva also reassures Menolly that Pona can't do anything to her:

“Audiva, could Lord Sangel of Boll make Master Robinton…”

“You didn’t heed to that spiteful wherry, Briala? Oh, Menolly…”

“But can an apprentice…”

“An apprentice, an ordinary apprentice, yes," Audiva said with a reluctant sigh for the truth, “because apprentices have no rank. Journeymen do. But you are Master Robinton’s own special apprentice, just as Piemur said, and it’d take more than a Lord Holder to shift Master Robinton when he’s made up his mind. Besides, you weren’t at fault. Pona was. Bearing false witness. Now, you listen to me, Menolly, don’t you dare let that bunch of sly slippers worry you! They’re just jealous. That was Pona’s problem, too. Besides,” and Audiva’s face brightened as she thought of the telling argument, “Lord Groghe needs you here to help him train Merga. There’s your new song. Oh, Menolly, Talmor was playing it, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. ‘Live for my living/or else I must die.’ ” Audiva had a throaty contralto voice that throbbed poignantly on the deep note. “I wanted to weep, and while I know I’m just a silly girl—”

...thank you, Audiva, for spelling out every damn problem I have with this book. I don't mind that Menolly is talented. I don't mind that she's Robinton's apprentice, or that Groghe likes her.

I mind that it feels unearned.

Let me clarify that a bit. It's not that Menolly doesn't deserve the praise she gets. She IS a talented musician. She IS a skilled fire lizard trainer. She DID write beautiful music.

But nothing about that is new to this book. She learned to be a talented musician from Petiron. She trained her fire lizards on a beach and in the Weyr. She wrote a new song here, sure, but there's no indication that she incorporated anything from her lessons with Domick or Shonagar in it.

I'm a firm believer in the idea that a character's triumph should be earned by the events of the story. These triumphs were earned, yes, in DRAGONSONG. You know how, in an open ended game like Skyrim, it's easy enough to wander into a dungeon and loot some doohicky from a chest that later turns out to be a quest resolution?

You go to some Lord or another, and he's like "I want you to bring me the lute of whatsits" and then "Oh, you already have it. Here's your exp and gold then."

That's this whole damn book. Menolly is given a quest: "become a talented harper", and since she's already done that quest with Petiron, she's now being told "here's your exp and gold". It's just taken eleven chapters of nothing to get there.

But this book isn't done pissing me off.

Audiva apologizes again for not telling Menolly about Domick's message. Menolly points out that Audiva also cleared her name there. And then, and then, Menolly says this:

‘Well, then, if fair’s fair, you did stand up with me against Pona and all those fosterlings when it really mattered. Let’s forget everything else…and just be friends.” I’ve never had a girl friend before,” Menolly added shyly.

Um. I BEG YOUR PARDON?!

WHAT ABOUT MIRRIM?!

You know, Mirrim? Who you spent half of Dragonsong having substantial friendly interactions with? Who was promptly discard as soon as she had no point to the narrative anymore? Who got mentioned ONCE in this whole damn book?!

So anyway, Audiva is surprised, and then reveals that the girls have to practice Menolly's song and hate it. She asks Menolly to help her with simpler chords, because she's having trouble.

And hey, this is actually interesting:

Menolly soon realized that she didn’t have as much patience as she ought to with Audiva, especially since Audiva was her best friend now, and she certainly did try to follow Menolly’s instructions; but both girls were relieved when Beauty’s creeling interrupted the practice. Audiva declared that she’d have to fly to change before supper. She wouldn’t have the time after, or she’d be late to rehearsal. She gave Menolly a quick and grateful embrace, and dashed down the steps ahead of her.

There's something that maybe the Harper Hall could teach Menolly: how to instruct students. She did well enough with the kids at Half Circle, but Petiron had already done the hard work. But harpers do need to teach, right?

So the chapter ends with some worry about Pona. Because that's really going to be an issue in the one chapter we have left.

You know what? Fuck it. I want to be done. On to chapter Eleven:

==

So next morning, Domick catches Menolly as she leaves the dining hall. He wants her to write down the sea song she sang. Apparently Robinton wants to have sea songs taught to inland harpers and vice versa. What a revolutionary idea!

Seriously, Domick is acting like this is a brand new idea. He admits that he agrees in principle, but Robinton wants it done NOW. So they need copies of the songs. Really? In thousands of years, no one thought to share the songs between harpers?

What the hell is the point of the harpers, again?

Anyway, Menolly offers to make multiple copies, and because she's got a mighty neat hand, Domick agrees.

Yeesh, Petiron really must have been an amazing teacher given that he's taught Menolly every single instrument, how to make them, how to read music, all the musical theory, all the traditional forms and chords and harmonics, how to write music, and basically every other skill one can imagine EXCEPT singing.

Menolly finds herself wondering how Yanus would approve of land songs at Half Circle. But...Elgion wasn't from a sea hold either. So...there should BE land songs at Half Circle.

Oh right, Elgion doesn't matter anymore. Like Mirrim, he served his purpose so we're supposed to forget he exists.

Menolly considers writing to her mother and sister to casually mention that she's Robinton's apprentice. But she won't. She might write Alemi though.

She learns that the journeymen are "going off" soon, which makes Menolly sad, since Talmor and Sebell are journeymen.

Hey, who teaches the girls if Talmor has to go "journey"? Or am I not supposed to wonder about that? (And really, if Talmor has been taught as much as Menolly has about actually teaching students, no wonder the girls suck.)

Domick tells her not to worry about their quartet and breaks into an emotional speech, in an attempt to fool us into thinking Menolly has actually earned what's coming up.

“Don’t worry about our quartet,” replied Domick with sudden perception. “It’s one thing to send away someone who’s really needed here and quite another for a master to refuse to let a qualified journeyman go out of the Hall because he’ll be put to the bother of training a new assistant. The whole point of the Harper Hall is to extend knowledge.” Domick’s arms swept wide to include all Pern. “Not to confine it,” and his right fist made a tight ball. “That’s what’s been wrong with Pern, why we haven’t really matured; everything’s been kept in shallow little minds that forget important things, that resist new knowledge, and experience…” He grinned at her, “That is why, I, Domick, Composition Master, know that your songs are as important to the Craft Hall, and Pern, as my music. They are a fresh voice, fresh new ways of looking at things and people, with tunes no one can keep from humming.”

Wow. This is a completely undeserved emotional moment. She's been here a week, dude.

Also, hey, we FINALLY get a mission statement for the Harpers, such as it is: to extend knowledge.

So what knowledge is Menolly extending actually? She can make pretty music, sure. But what has she LEARNED. What does she know about the world?

So Menolly and Domick have a discussion about what Masters do, which I'd find interesting if this weren't the last fucking chapter. Menolly goes off to the dining hall, and then to Shonagar. Finally, she goes off to feed the lizards and chat with Piemur. Suddenly, there are dragons in the air. They're here for the journeymen, so they can be transported to new Holds.

Okay, this is actually a really interesting bit of world building, and I think it's a sign of F'lar's greater influence.

We know T'ron had been opposed to stationing dragons in Holds and crafthalls. I can't imagine he'd have been on board with acting as a taxi service for Harper Journeymen. Especially since Robinton is F'lar's crony. I also can't imagine he'd be on board with Benden dragons going in and out of Fort Hold.

But F'lar HAS been seeking to incorporate dragons in wider Pern society. So I could see him proposing something like this. Especially given the repeated question: what happens to the Weyrs if Thread is no longer a threat? Maybe they become a taxi service! There are worse jobs.

Poor Elgion though, HE had to come to Half Circle in a boat. These guys get to go via dragon. And indeed, the dragon riders are all wearing the colors of Istan, Igen, Telgar, and Benden. The Benden rider's T'gellan! Oh, hi there. Some actual continuity with Dragonsong!

T'gellan is excited to see Menolly and has brought boots from Felena, who had been worried about her. You know, I completely forgot that Felena had basically offered to adopt Menolly! That had actually been a really emotional moment! That meant nothing for this entire book.

Oh, and Menolly asks him to give her love to Mirrim and thank Manora. You know, the Mirrim who didn't count as Menolly's friend. That Mirrim. No, I'm not letting this go. Fuck this whole book.

So then it's dinner time. T'gellan sits at the round table. The other dragonriders stand. The journeymen are excited, because they've been assigned out, though they don't yet know where. Piemur thinks that the Masterharper really wants to "spread the word".

Timiny, a student who was mentioned all of once before, is confused and so am I. Piemur explains: Robinton wants to shuffle everyone around, "cross-crafting."

...I feel like this should have been an idea introduced earlier than two chapters ago? At no point did we ever hear that Robinton wanted to do this. I mean, it makes sense, given some of his instruction to Elgion, and the cryptic shit about Sebell, but it needs a little more than that.

So we get the announcements, which I'd care about if I had any idea who these people were. But it is interesting because it actually gives us an idea of what's expected of these guys.

“Journeyman Farnol, Gar is your assignment, in Ista. Journeyman Sefran, please do what you can to improve understanding and extend enlightenment in Telgar at Balen Hold. Journeyman Campiol, you are also Telgar-bound, to the Minercrafthall under Facenden. See what you can do to improve the quality of metal for our pipes and brasses. Journeyman Dermently, I’d like you to assist Wansor, the Starsmith at Telgar Smithcrafthall.” There was a murmur of surprise from Dermently’s companions. “You have the finest hand with drafting, and while I am sorry to rob Master Arnor of his most accurate copyist, your efforts are essential if Wansor’s studies are to progress and be properly recorded.

“There’s a small seahold on Igen River mouth that requires a man of your tolerance and good nature, Journeyman Strud. I also want you to keep an eye on the beaches for possible fire lizard mounds. You are, however, to report them to your Holder, not to me.” The regret in the Masterharper’s voice caused a ripple of amusement to run through his audience. “Journeyman Deece is also Igen bound, to the Hold. Harper Bantur needs a young assistant. He’s a dab hand at bringing on a good harper to understand the complexity of a Masterharper’s job. And you’ve the new songs to give him as well. Journeyman Petillo, it’s no sinecure, but I need your patience and tact at Bitra to bolster Harper Fransman.

“Journeyman Rammany, Lord Asgenar at Lemos has asked for someone from Master Jerint’s hands. You’ll work principally with Woodsmith Benelek, and I don’t think you’ll find that too onerous a task with such wood as Benelek dries for us. However, be sure you’re on hand to choose the next consignment of wood for our use, and Master Jerint will bless you.

So, we have diplomacy and outreach. Working with crafters and consignment. All of which, I'd think, would require some actual education in additional subjects aside from music.

Does Menolly even know basic arithmetic?

Then we get to a very dramatic speech:

“To be a harper requires many talents, as you all ought to realize by now,” and he frowned at the very youngest of the apprentices who giggled nervously. “Not all of these skills need to be learned within these walls. Indeed, many of our most valuable lessons are more forcefully learned at some distance from this hallowed Hall,” and he frowned at the journeymen, who grinned back at him. “However, when the fundamentals of our craft have been well and truly learned, I insist that we hold no one back from the rank they are entitled to by knowledge and ability, and in this case, rare talent. Sebell, Talmor, since neither of you will resign in the other’s favor…”

So anyway, both Talmor and Sebell come over to Menolly. She's of course being made a Journeyman. Despite being in Harper Hall for all of a week, and basically learning nothing in the process. Oh, she did get to pick up some breathing techniques for singing, I suppose.

But...oh forget it.

I've already ranted about this, and I've got the verdict post coming up. But I will say this: this isn't earned. This isn't warranted. And this entire book could have been rendered into two paragraphs of exposition the next time Menolly appears in a book.

But at least it's done.