The White Dragon - Chapter Seven

[kalinara]

So last chapter, Jaxom finally did something. Yay! I find him much more likable when he's doing things.
If only he could put that focus into running the Hold. Or at least learning how.



So we rejoin Lytol and Jaxom. The real reason Lytol had come by is to tell Jaxom that they have guests: Robinton, N'ton and Menolly. They're back from the Hatching. Lytol suggests they see to Ruth.

Jaxom realizes that this means that Lytol DIDN'T go to the Hatching. But Lytol doesn't provide an explanation. Instead, Lytol "bow[s] courteously to [Ruth] before peering closely at the thickly marked scorings".

I love Lytol so much.

“You washed first in the lake, I presume.” Lytol’s glance took in Jaxom’s damp hair. “That water’s pure enough, and the numbweed’s been applied in good time. We’ll check again in a few hours. But I think he’s all right.” Lytol’s gaze went then to Jaxom’s all-too obvious scoring.

“I had no reason to excuse you to our guests.” He sighed. “Be grateful it’s N’ton above and not F’lar. I suppose Menolly knew what you were about?”

I feel like F'lar has bigger things on his mind. But it's kind of interesting that he's being placed in kind of the disapproving authority figure role here.

I also feel like Lytol is taking this very well. When Jaxom tells him that he's told no one what he intended to do, Lytol just says that "[a]t least you've learned discretion." He also thinks it's best to ask N'ton to take Jaxom for "weyrling practice" as it'll be safer for Jaxom to practice with others. Robinton will guess what he's been up to.

Lytol does note that Jaxom deserves more than a ribbing, taking a chance with himself and Ruth when everything's chaotic, but he seems calm enough. Especially when we remember that he lost his own dragon in a training accident.

“I apologize for distressing you. Lord Lytol ... ”

The man subjected his charge to another shrewd scrutiny.

"No distress, Lord Jaxom. Any apologies are on my head. I ought to have realized your need to prove Ruth’s abilities. I wish that you were a few Turns older and that matters were in such order that I could let you take Hold-"

"I don’t want to take Hold from you. Lord Lytol-"

"I don’t think I’d be permitted to step down right now anyway, Jaxom. As you’ll hear for yourself. Come, we’ve kept our guests waiting long enough as it is."

This bit intrigues me. Lytol is portrayed as so strict and cold, but he's been very understanding here. Far more than Jaxom really deserves. And honestly, we've seen nothing that indicates that Jaxom has either the ability or inclination to lead, so I'm not really surprised that Lytol is encountering difficulty.

Jaxom did a good thing today, but he's still got to prove himself a Lord Holder.

So it looks like no one knows exactly what Jaxom did. They think he went to fight Thread. Which is something Jaxom's wanted to do for a long time, so I think the scolding is warranted. Even though it's portrayed as a bit unfair, as Jaxom has done something heroic.

So the reactions are interesting: N'ton takes one look at Jaxom's face and groans. Robinton is surprised but also slightly approving. Menolly:

“You’re Threadscored, Jaxom,” Menolly cried, and her expression was one of shocked dismay. “How could you take such a risk right now?” She, who had taunted him about thinking, not doing, was now furious with him.

Yes. Because you're essentially an heir to a throne, you fucking idiot. If you want credit for your deed, you better tell people, because otherwise, it looks a lot like you were taking stupid risks for no reason.

And since you were talking about taking stupid risks for no reason earlier, I don't feel the sympathy for you that I should.

N'ton:

“I should have known you’d try it, young Jaxom,” N’ton said with a weary sigh, a rueful smile on his face. “You were bound to break out soon, but your timing is atrocious.”

Jaxom would have liked to say that, in point of fact, his timing had been faultless, but N’ton went on:

“Ruth wasn’t hurt, was he?”

"His timing had been faultless". This kind of thing is why I think you're a smug little asshole, Jaxom.

Robinton, for his part, sympathizes with Jaxom's ambition but counsels patience. N'ton, surprisingly, says he'd rather Jaxom learned how to fly properly now, with the other weyrlings. "Particularly if he's mad enough, brave enough, to try it on his own, without any guidance."

...so Jaxom's getting rewarded for his heroism by getting exactly what he wanted. I shouldn't complain, because he was legitimately heroic, but they don't know that. All they know is that he was scheming secretly and taking risks.

Which he WAS. And he's clearly not going to face any kind of discipline.

This is interesting though:

“I doubt we could get Benden to approve,” Robinton said, shaking his head.

“I approve,” Lytol said in a firm voice, his face set. “I am Lord Jaxom’s guardian, not F’lar or Lessa. Let her manage her own concerns. Lord Jaxom is my charge. He can come to little harm with the Fort Weyrlings.” Lytol stared fiercely at Jaxom. “And he will agree not to put his teaching to the test without consulting us. Will you abide by that. Lord Jaxom?”

I like that F'lar's put in an adversarial position here actually. It's like Lessa in Dragonquest. McCaffrey seems unable or unwilling to give her villains nuance, or make her favorites wrong. This is a welcome exception.

F'lar and Lessa are, by far, the most complicated and layered characters in the series. I'd actually give the edge a little more to F'lar, whose had the advantage of two books to flesh out his layers and flaws. Lessa is more dynamic though. But anyway, by placing them in an adversarial position, we do get something a little more nuanced than usual.

I COULD wish that F'lar was given the opportunity to express or explain his issues with Jaxom taking risks. I personally sympathize, because I, as a reader, have issues with Jaxom taking risks. But that's me, not the book. But this part bothers me a lot less than the way everyone turned on Lessa for daring to be angry about the loss of her spiritual step-child.

And Lytol is amazing.

So how does Jaxom react to getting everything he's ever wanted as a reward for, seeming, delinquency:

Jaxom was relieved enough to know that the Benden Weyrleaders would not be queried so that he agreed to more stringent conditions than he might have. He nodded and was immediately beset by conflicting emotions-amusement because everyone had assumed the obvious and annoyance because, having achieved so much more that day, he was now reduced to apprentice level. Yet, his experience at Keroon had demonstrated too sharply how much he still had to learn about fighting Thread if he wished to keep whole his and his dragon’s hides.

You ungrateful little shit.

N'ton frowns when peering at Jaxom, and Jaxom is worried that N'ton guessed what they'd really done. He thinks that means he'd be bound with even more restrictions. But N'ton simply tells him to stop "timing it". He can see from Jaxom's eyes that he's been doing too much of that.

Jaxom protests that he's in no danger on Ruth. Ruth always knows where he is. N'ton dismisses that, the danger is that if a rider can't keep focused, both could be in jeopardy. And it's physically draining. Jaxom wonders if that explains the sudden weakness he'd felt in the Hatching Ground.

There are bigger fish to fry than Jaxom's heroics though, as Robinton interrupts by asserting that Jaxom can't realize how critical matters are in Pern right now. He explains the situation with Lessa.

“An insult was given Benden Weyr, and Ramoth and Lessa,” N’ton said.

“Dragons can’t fight dragons!” Jaxom was appalled. “That’s why the egg was returned.” If his risk and Ruth’s injury had been futile ...

“Our Lessa is a woman of strong emotions, Jaxom -revenge being one of those most highly developed in her. Remember how you came to be Lord here?” Robinton’s expression indicated regret for reminding Jaxom of his origin. “I do not belittle the Benden Weyrwoman when I say that. Such perseverance in the face of incredible odds is laudable. But her tenacity over the insult could have a disastrous effect on all Pern. So far, reason has prevailed but currently that balance is shaky indeed.”

You've basically been belittling her for an entire chapter. And I really hate how this is being portrayed as a matter of rage, when it's so clearly a matter of TRAUMA. You're supposed to be friends with F'lar and Lessa, Robinton!

Jaxom realizes that this means he can't ever take credit for returning the egg. He commands Ruth not to tell anyone, and Ruth says he's too tired anyway.

That's okay, Jaxom, I'm sure you'll be able to brag in your own mind.

Anyway, there's something else going on. This one is actually news.

The Weyrwoman of Ista, Fanna, is dying from some kind of wasting sickness. When she dies, her queen will suicide, which would upset every dragon ("and Lessa and Ramoth!" I hate how they treat her in this book, but I rather love that she gets her own special distinction.)

And moreover, D'ram's unlikely to remain Weyrleader when Fanna dies too. So we'll be out two experienced leaders for the price of one.

Have I mentioned yet this book how utterly idiotic their governing system is?

So N'ton will be notified by fire-lizard. He wants to be available to D'ram. And this leads Robinton to muse about how they're "Another sore subject at Benden Weyr."

Hah, as much as I love cats and would want a fire lizard, I'm siding with Lessa here. We've seen how chaotic and disruptive even the ones with local bondmates are. And they have been used for spying. It's not like F'nor or Brekke or Mirrim have to send their own away or anything!

Interestingly, though, when Robinton looks at Zair and N'ton's Tris, he realizes that they've calmed down.

I feel like that would have been hard to miss, but okay. Interestingly, Menolly may be putting two and two together:

“Ruth’s here,” N’ton said, stroking Tris. “They feel safe with him.”

“No, that isn’t it,” Menolly said, her eyes resting on Jaxom’s face. “They were worried even with Ruth. But that wild restlessness is gone. No more visions of the egg!” She peered sideways at her little queen. “I suppose that makes sense. It’s Hatched and healthy. Whatever was plaguing them hasn’t happened. Or,” she stared at Jaxom suddenly, “or has it?”

Robinton assumes she means they were nervous about the egg hatching, and thinks it's too bad that they can't tell Lessa how concerned the fire lizards were.

...why can't you?

So Menolly takes an interesting position here. She thinks something needs to be done about the firelizards.

“I don’t mean ours, Master Robinton. They’ve proved to be extremely useful. Too many people take them for granted and make no effort to train them.” She gave a peculiar laugh. “As Jaxom can vouch. They congregate wherever Ruth goes till he’s driven between by their attentions. Isn’t that right, Jaxom?” There was a strange quality about her gaze that puzzled him.

“I wouldn’t say he objects ... most of the time, Menolly,” he replied coolly, casually stretching his long legs under the table. “But a fellow likes a little time to himself, you know.”

Lytol gave a knowing snort which told Jaxom that Brand had had a word with the Warder about Corana.

“Why? To chew firestone?” N’ton asked, grinning.

“Was that what you were doing with your ... time, Jaxom?” Menolly asked him, her eyes wide, affecting innocent inquiry.

“You might say so.”


Okay, I admit, THIS is funny. They're assuming firestone is the excuse for Jaxom to see Corana, when it's the reverse!

I wish Corana seemed like more of a person to Jaxom. I'm not a fan of how much that relationship seems like an afterthought

But it is interesting that Menolly the fire lizard expert is advocating some restraint and control over them. It makes sense though, because they were pretty chaotic for a while. She knows, better than a lot, how distracting a shit ton of fire lizards are.

So Robinton asks if the lizards told Ruth about why they were troubled, and Jaxom tries to cover for it:

“You mean fire-lizards being flamed? The dark nothingness and the egg? Oh yes, they’ve been driving Ruth frantic with that nonsense,” said Jaxom. He scowled as if annoyed for his friend, and was careful not to look in Menolly’s direction. “But that seems to have passed. Perhaps the disturbance was connected with the stolen egg. But it’s hatched now and look, they’re not the least bit as agitated as they’ve been, and they’re letting Ruth sleep by himself again.”

Menolly of course pounces on this, asking where Jaxom was when the egg hatched. Jaxom claims that he was trying to sear Thread.

This of course leads Robinton, Lytol, and N'ton to scold him for his foolishness. He accepts it because it got Menolly off his back. But he actually does wish he could tell her the truth, she's the only one he trusts now that he realizes that it's actually pretty important that the others believe a Southern rider returned the egg. But he's discontented, because he'd enjoy being able to tell someone what he'd done.

Fair enough, I'd want to get credit for my heroics too. But...can't you not bring Menolly into another room and tell her?

So they serve dinner, and discuss the merits vs. inconveniences of fire lizards, "What they needed was a way to pacify Lessa and Ramoth."

N'ton notes that Ramoth will forget her aggravation soon enough. Robinton notes that Lessa won't, though he doubts that there'll be that much reason to send Zair to Benden Weyr.

As N’ton and Lytol vigorously reassured the Harper, Jaxom realized there was a curious restraint about the man, an odd note in his voice when he mentioned Benden or the Weyrwoman. Robinton wasn’t worried simply that Lessa had prohibited fire-lizards at Benden.

a) Official fire lizards can be sent to Brekke or Mirrim, you melodramatic wanker.

b) Maybe you could have been less insulting to a bereaved woman? Just saying.

Robinton has another reason to be concerned. Apparently this matter brought Southern to everyone's attention. I feel like Robinton's own misadventure, and bringing Toric to Benden helped with that. But still. Everyone's realized that a very large continent is occupied by a handful of people.

“I know some restless Lord Holders whose halls are crowded, whose cots are jammed. And the Weyrs, instead of protecting the inviolability of the Southern Continent, were half-set to force their way in. What’s to prevent the Lord Holders from taking the initiative and claiming whole portions of it?”

“There wouldn’t be dragons enough to protect that much area, that’s what,” Lytol said. “The Oldtimers surely wouldn’t.”

“They don’t really need dragonriders in the South,”

Robinton said slowly.

Lytol stared at him, aghast at such a statement.

...um, okay. First, why is it a problem if the Lord Holders expand? If the grubs handle things, and the people just need to keep themselves safe and the stock under cover, then why NOT settle more?

Second, I still don't understand how Lord Holders having so many kids is treated like a new problem. This civilization has existed for thousands of years. You can't tell me no one decided to send their second born kids to the church (...is there religion on Pern?) or a crafthall?

N'ton distracts the issue by noting that there'll come a time when they won't need dragonriders in the North either.

Lytol is shocked by this and insists that dragonriders will ALWAYS be needed if there's thread. I mean, yes? For forests if nothing else. Grubs help protect what's in the ground. But trees and plants have stalks and fruit and leaves that are above ground and will get scoured.

Robinton is mostly concerned about the interest in the Southern continent itself:

“At least in our lifetimes,” Robinton said soothingly. “But I could have wished less interest in Southern. Think it over, Lytol.”

“More of your thinking ahead, Robinton?” Lytol asked, a sour note in his voice and a jaundiced expression on his face.

“Looking ahead is far more constructive than looking behind,” said Robinton. He held his clenched fist up. “I’d all the facts in my grasp and I couldn’t see the water for the waves.”

Since when has Robinton been the "thinking ahead" sort? So far, he's been a cheerleader for the Weyrs and an incompetent headmaster. And neither I, nor Lytol, understand why Southern is specifically a problem.

Robinton's interest is this: people originally settled in the Southern Continent before heading North. That means there might be even older records hidden somewhere South. Lytol is skeptical that the records could last after thousands of years, but Robinton reminds him and us that the Ancients had ways to temper metal. He reminds them of the plates at Fort Weyr, and the instruments and distant viewers. He thinks there must be other traces.

Lytol notes that the Southern Continent was already ceded to the Oldtimers. But N'ton notes that they've already broken their side of the agreement.

Lytol wins my love, again, by asking if that's any reason for them to break THEIR side.

Robinton points out that the Oldtimers are only occupying a small tongue of land, that juts into the Southern Sea. They're unaware of activity elsewhere. Robinton has been judiciously exploring.

Um. How? Is he hiring a ship? Is he flying dragonback? He's taking a pretty big risk here...

Anyway, Robinton's been keeping his expeditions secretly. All he's found so far are old mine workings, shored with a lightweight and durable material that is still unscratched, tools, and pieces that even Beneiek can't assemble.

The Chapter ends with:

There was a long silence which Lytol broke with a snort. “Harpers! Harpers are supposed to instruct the young.”

“And first and foremost, to preserve our heritage!”

Well, at least Robinton seems to be good at one half of that, considering how crap he is at instructing anyone.

And hey, after two thirds of a Harper Hall Trilogy, we finally have SOMETHING of an explanation as to what Harpers do. It's just kind of funny that neither "instruction" or "preservation of materials" seemed to be on Menolly's curriculum.

But that's a rant for a different book.