The White Dragon - Chapter Eighteen

[kalinara]

So last time...stuff happened.

Look, to be honest with you, I've completely checked out of this book at this point. Jaxom is aggravating and tedious. Robinton is worse. And while I actually do really like the political element of the Weyrs, Holds and Southern Continent, that thread is unfortunately just a backdrop for the characters I dislike.

Oh, I'm sure Jaxom will do something important at some point. Eventually. I hope. He saved the egg in Chapter Six. We've had twice as many chapters since then, with pretty much nothing. So god willing, he'll be doing SOMETHING soon. We're only three chapters from the end!

I think ultimately my problem with this book, and Jaxom in general, is actually similar to my problem with Dragonsinger and Menolly. Though Menolly is admittedly far less obnoxious. The problem is that both characters could be the center of truly interesting or fun stories, but Ms. McCaffrey, for whatever reason, isn't interested in those stories.

Menolly is the first female Harper. That SHOULD bring with it unique challenges and perspectives and possibilities. Instead, we saw Menolly rock some music classes and then...nothing.

Jaxom is the young Lord of Ruatha. And that in and of itself could be a really interesting story. We could have seen what it truly meant to be a Lord in such a perilous setting, and have to be responsible for so many lives. Jaxom would have to learn to manage different pressures and expectations. He'd have to figure out how to allocate sparse resources and ensure that everyone is protected. Ms. McCaffrey could have even played up the divided loyalties a bit more. Jaxom thinks of himself as a Weyrman, but maybe Ruatha would also benefit from the resources available in the South. Maybe Jaxom has to learn to juggle that, while proving himself worthy to finally take his kingdom.

We get none of that though. We get some lip service to Jaxom feeling restless and powerless, but there's no sign of any attempt to improve his situation. There's no acknowledgment of the reasons why a Lord of Ruatha can't just be an ordinary dragonman. He shows carelessness with his subordinates, taking advantage of them professionally (Brand, the people who run the firestone mines, the watchdragon) or personally (Corana). He's not even been in his kingdom for five chapters.

In three chapters, this book will end. I'm assuming it will end with Jaxom as Lord of Ruatha. But he's done nothing to show his worthiness of it, and I have a hard time believing that will change. But I'd like to be wrong.

Now I should probably stop stalling and get to the actual review, right?



So we're back at the Cove. The timestamp tells us it's the day of Master Robinton's arrival. Joy.

Apparently with so many skilled hands involved, crafting "Cove Hold" apparently only took eleven days to complete. Lessa, Manora, Silvina and Sharra apparently took charge of furnishings and made the most effective use of "offerings which poured in from every hold, craft and cot".

Yeah, because they're women. And it's not like they have any other duties they could be doing. (...to be fair, it's not like Silvina was doing her job anyway.) So while the women are doing household things, we're told that N'ton, F'nor, and even F'lar (when he could arrange the time) were joining Jaxom and Piemur in exploring the lands adjacent to the Cove.

...so why doesn't one of THEM fly out to the goddamn mountain that they want Jaxom to visit?

Piemur rather arrogantly told F’lar that dragons had to be to a place first to get there again between or else get a sharp enough visualization from some one who had. But he, with his two feet and Stupid’s four, had to be first so that mere dragonriders could then follow. The dragonriders ignored the somewhat disparaging remarks, but Piemur’s attitude was beginning to get on Jaxom’s nerves.

...why can't the dragons just fly and look at the land themselves? I like Piemur, but that seems pretty silly. Dragons have enough stamina to cross Holds without going between. And if there's land below, they can stop and rest.

But Jaxom getting annoyed at Piemur annoys me too. Piemur at least has been doing something useful for the past few years. What have you done, Jaxom?

Okay, apparently they have been setting up temporary camps a "good day's flight" out from Cove Hold, each consist[ing] of a small tileroofed shelter and a stone bunker to secure emergency supplies and sleeping furs. and by "tacit agreement", they went two days toward the mountain to build a secondary camp.

...why is that tacit? It only makes sense, if you're planning to explore the mountain.

We're told that the restriction on Jaxom's flying between will be lifted soon. Ugh. It's just waiting on a final examination by Master Oldive. Master Oldive will be here soon to check on Robinton.

And this happens:

“And, if I can go between, so can Menolly,” Jaxom said.

“Why would you have to wait until Menolly can go between?” Sharra asked, with an edge to her voice that Jaxom hoped might be a twinge of jealousy.

“She and Master Robinton found this Cove first, you know.” He wasn’t glancing in the direction of the Cove when he spoke, but toward the omnipresent mountain.

“By sea,” Piemur said with some disgust for such a mode of transport.

“I have to admit, Piemur,” Sharra said after regarding him for a long moment, “that feet were used before wings and sail. I, for one, am thankful that there are other ways of getting from one place to another. And it’s no disgrace to use them.”

She then turned and walked off, leaving Piemur to stare after her in surprise.

...okay, is it just me, or are we approaching Shapechangers level of incoherent conversation here?

1. Why DOES Menolly have to be along? I don't recall her having any sort of proprietary interest in that mountain. She seemed happy enough to find the Cove.

2. I know Piemur travels by land, but he had to have gotten to the continent somehow, so his scorn seems a little odd.

3. That said, Piemur just kvetched about the sea, Sharra. He didn't insult your mother. What's with the snooty, "it's no disgrace to use other ways" response. I'm pretty sure Piemur realizes that, because again, he can't walk from the Southern Continent to Harper Hall.

Apparently this incident clears the air, and Jaxom is "relieved to note that Piemur ceased his snide remarks about flying and riding." Oh, I'm sorry, Jaxom. Is your pride stung because someone doesn't appreciate the value of your fucking dragon?

Also, I love how you needed Sharra to step in.

Anyway, Piemur does get narrative praise for his accurate charts. Masterfisher Idarolan was able to use them to identify his position and predict the arrival of the Dawn Sister.

Wait a second, I just read last chapter. Idarolan is on the fucking Dawn Sister! How can he read Piemur's map to tell when the ship he's on will arrive?!

Anyway, apparently Oldive and Brekke have put the kibosh on a big party. There's no point in undoing the benefit of the "long, restful voyage". So they have a quiet get together with Fandarel representing the hundreds of craftsmen and masters who produced Cove Hold. Lessa represents the Weyrs who provided draconic transport, and Jaxom represented the Lord Holders who contributed men and supplies.

...so does that mean the workers don't get any kind of celebration or thank you? Can't they go somewhere else for it? Why do the big name people get all the credit and recognition here?

...I'm excepting Lessa from this of course. Lessa deserves more credit then she ever gets. Fandarel, well okay. But why does Jaxom get to take part. He didn't help in the capacity as a Lord Holder. He didn't contribute men or supplies. He just happened to be lounging about here already, and bitching about the intrusion on his solitude.

So Robinton arrives. Master Idorolan is on the ship, by the way, so I don't know what that bullshit with the charts was about. Maybe he'd been given the charts before they departed? Everyone, of course, cheers for Robinton.

Ramoth and Ruth bugled overhead, startling the fire-lizards into wilder extravagances of motion. Lessa embraced the Harper by standing on tiptoe and imperiously pulling his head down so she could kiss him soundly. Tears sparkled on her cheeks and, to Jaxom’s surprise, he realized his own eyes were wet, too. He stood politely back while Fandarel gently thumped the Harper off balance, sticking out a hamlike hand to steady his friend. Then he turned to assist Brekke and Menolly down the bouncing plank. Everyone began talking at once. Brekke looked anxiously from Robinton to Jaxom, demanding if the latter had had any headaches or eye spots, then urging the Harper to get out of the fierce sun as if he hadn’t been baking in it on board ship day after day.

I really shouldn't kvetch about this. It's perfectly reasonable for them to care about their friend. I just really hate Robinton, so this seems much for me.

So they get to surprise Brekke, Robinton and Menolly with the Hold. Brekke is astonished. Robinton a bit hesitant. And weirdly, Menolly is annoyed that Cove Hold already has a name.

No, seriously:

“I know, Menolly. They took pains to keep it lovely. And just wait till you see inside Cove Hold ... ”

“It’s already been named?” That seemed to irritate her, but Jaxom could appreciate her reaction.

“Well, it is a hold in a cove, so ‘Cove Hold.’”

...I mean, to be fair, Cove Hold is a boring name. But I'm not sure why Menolly would be annoyed. Did she think she'd get to name it? She didn't even know it existed.

Ooo, some great description:

They had reached the steps of black reef rock, filled with white hardset, making it sturdy and attractive at the same time. A creamy orange tile roof extended over the porch which ringed the Hold almost to the surrounding trees, their blooms adding spicy fragrance to the air. The metal shutters were folded back from the unusually wide windows so that they could see through the house and catch glimpses of the furnishings within. The Harper’s voice was raised in delight and amazement as he moved about the main room. As Jaxom, Brekke and Menolly entered, Robinton had been peering into the room set aside as his study, and his expression was dazed as he realized that Silvina had sent down everything from his crowded workroom in the Harper Hall. Zair echoed his confusion, chittering high and excitedly from his perch On a crossbeam. Beauty and Berd flew to join him, and suddenly, Meer, Talla and Farli appeared. They all seemed to be comparing notes, Jaxom thought.

I was going to say that I hoped Sebell didn't need anything from Robinton's workroom. But then I remembered Dragonsinger, and well, it's not like Robinton was doing his job anyway.

Robinton actually wins a bit of a reprieve from me by asking after Piemur. When told that Piemur is attending the spits with Sharra, and that they hadn't wanted too many people tiring him, he bellows for the boy.

...seriously guys, why did JAXOM get to be present and Robinton's own student was excluded? He contributed as much as Jaxom did.

So Robinton yells at Piemur to report. And starts bitching about how his "momentary disability" set him back. Fandarel is about to retort something whe Menolly distracts them by pointing out the lovely glassware with its base stained Harper Blue.

From my crafthall,” Fandarel said, beaming. “Mermal thought to tint the entire glass blue but I argued that you would prefer to see the red of Benden wine in a clear cup.”

Robinton’s eyes gleamed with appreciation and gratitude as he examined the cup carefully. Then his long face fell into a sorrowful expression.

“But it’s empty,” he said in a plaintive, mournful tone.

Hahah, that Robinton. Such a hilarious alcoholic.

(It occurs to me that tone is not obvious in a written review, so please be assured that I'm not mocking alcoholism. I'm actually really annoyed with the cavalier way the series portrays Robinton's fixation on wine.)

So Piemur arrives and we're about to get an emotional reunion, right?

“Master?” he gasped.

“Ah, yes, Piemur,” the Harper drawled, eyeing his young journeyman as if he had momentarily forgotten why he had summoned the young man. The two regarded each other steadily, a puzzled frown on the Harper’s face while Piemur’s chest heaved as he panted, blinking sweat from his eyes. “Piemur, you’ve been here long enough to know where they store the wine? I’ve been given this lovely goblet and it’s empty!”

Piemur blinked again and then shook his head slowly and said to the room at large, “There’s nothing wrong with him anymore! And if that roast wherry burns ... ” He gave the Harper a thoroughly disgusted look, turned on his heel, whipped aside the curtain and could be heard noisily opening doors.

It's also hilarious how terrible Robinton is as a mentor. You sent the kid off to go explore a continent alone for three years. You could at least be glad to see him, you fucking hack.

Anyway, Piemur comes back with a wineskin, and Robinton is grateful of course:

“Don’t swing it, lad,” the Harper cried, holding up a restraining hand at such sacrilegious treatment. “Wine must be handled with respect ... ” He took the skin from Piemur and peered at the seal. “Hmmm, One of the better vintages! Tsk, tsk, Piemur, have you learned nothing from me of how to treat wine?” He made a grimace as he expertly cracked the seal and sighed with relief as he saw the condition of the stopper’s end. He passed it under his nose, sniffing delicately. “Ah! Yes! Beautiful! Took no harm from its travel! There’s a good lad, Piemur, pour for us all, will you, please? I can see this Hold is admirably supplied with cups.”

I fucking hate you, Robinton.

Anyway, Robinton admits he's overwhelmed by all of this. (He proves it by only taking a SMALL sip of wine. HAHAHA, Alcoholism!). Lessa says there's more to be seen and starts pulling him away:

“Not so fast, Lessa. I’ll spill the wine!” The Harper watched his glass as Lessa pulled him behind her.

Hahaha. I hate this fucking book.

The Harper’s sleeping room was the largest, occupying the comer opposite his workroom. Four more sleeping rooms had been furnished to accommodate two guests in each but, as Lessa pointed out, the porch itself could comfortably sleep half a Hold of guests. Not that Robinton was to be allowed that many. He expressed pleasure at the bathing room and was suitably impressed by the large kitchen, and dutifully peered at the auxiliary hearth outside. He sniffed as the aroma of roasting meat wafted on the sea breeze. “Where’s that being done, might I ask?”

It DOES sound pretty swanky.

I hope Piemur isn't stuck living there though. He deserves better than to be relegated to Robinton's gofer.

There's also a very swanky chair that Bendarek made for him. Robinton gushes over everything, and I won't mock that.

Menolly's found another discovery:

“Master Robinton! Look here!” Menolly’s voice was high with surprise. She was looking inside one of the cabinets that lined the walls between windows. “I’d swear it’s Dermently’s hand! And every single Traditional song and ballad, newly written on leaves and bound in blue wherhide! Just what you’ve been wanting to have Arnor do for you.”

Ooo, great, Menolly! Maybe you'll get a chance to actually learn those historical songs, since you pretty much aced out of Harper Hall without learning a goddamn thing.

So anyway, now we're told that nothing would do but he had to open each folder and appreciate the craftsmanship and collection. You have guests, dude. But eventually everyone goes swimming and relaxing.

F'lar and F'nor show up in the evening and are enthusiastically welcomed. Robinton tries to show off his beautiful Hold, and is disappointed to hear that they already know it. F'lar points out that given how many people helped build it, it's probably the best known Hold in the world.

I will admit, for one brief second, I actually feel Robinton here. I love showing off awesome things too. But I also love how F'lar is too much of a tactless asshole to play along.

They eat and split off. Jaxom, Menolly, Piemur and Sharra hang out together, noting the dragonriders and craftsman in their own group. Piemur wonders, sourly, what they're planning for them to do now.

Menolly thinks it's more of the same. Robinton's been going over the charts and reports and oh god, I've just realized that with Robinton here, I'm going to be stuck with both protagonists in the same plot. Fuck.

Anyway, Sebell, N'ton, and Oldive's coming tomorrow, and Sebell, N'ton and F'lar will be overseeing some of Toric's men and holder's sons to chart the Western part of the Continent. (The dividing line is some black rock river that Piemur found and still hates.)

The others, with F'nor and "the Harper" will explore this side of it. I hate that Menolly calls Robinton "the Harper". It's not a fucking one man role, even if McCaffrey wants it to be.

There's more tension with Piemur:

She nodded. “I understand,” and she glanced over her shoulder at the Weyrleaders and Craftmasters, “that Idarolan may sail the coast ... ”

“More power to him. I’ve walked far enough!”

“Oh, hush, Piemur. No one forced you to ... ”

“Oh?”

“Enough, Piemur,” Jaxom said, impatiently. “So we’re to go inland?” Menolly nodded.

I can't really tell if Piemur's serious in his grumbling, but you know what? If he was? He has every fucking right to be. He's been scouting alone for YEARS.

I feel like I'd also be offended about the "no one forced you to" part if I remembered more of Dragondrums. Because I SEEM to remember that Piemur didn't really have a place at the Hall after his voice changed. And this was what Robinton found for him to do. ASSUMING that's correct, then how much choice does a boy with no prospects, who's been at the Hall since he was younger than ten, have when the Masterharper asks him to do something?

But we'll table that outrage until I've actually read Dragondrums. It's very possible that I've misremembered a lot.

Jaxom however can shut the fuck up.

Piemur and Jaxom have a snide exchange about Jaxom's ability to fly between and how he'll still need to fly the route straight. Jaxom thinks of this as a renewal of Piemur's "usual sour theme". I think that a boy who has a fucking kingdom and a dragon can suck it up.

Menolly asks after the Southern fire-lizards, particularly if Jaxom has found out anything more about their men. Jaxom has to admit that he hasn't tried, which irritates Menolly.

“What? And deprive you of the pleasure?” Jaxom affected surprised hurt. “I wouldn’t dream of it ... ” He stopped abruptly, remembering those very peculiar dreams, as if he’d been seeing something out of hundreds of eyes.

It's not like you were doing a lot else, you asshole.

Anyway, Jaxom remembers Brekke saying something about it being difficult to see out of three sets of eyes, when Ruth flew. He thinks maybe he did dream about it, and asks Menolly to try to remember any dreams she has tonight.

Sharra is curious about the subject, and admits that she's had dreams she doesn't really remember. Just that she can't see clearly.

Her turn of phrase inspires Menolly, and things get awkward:

Piemur groaned and flailed at the sand with his fists. “Here comes another song!”

“Oh, do be quiet!” Menolly regarded him with impatience. “All that lone traveling has changed you, Piemur, and I for one don’t like the change.”

“No one says you have to,” Piemur snapped at her and, with a fluid motion, was on his feet and striding into the forest, angrily batting the underbrush out of his way.

“How long has he been so touchy?” Menolly asked Jaxom and Sharra.

“Since he arrived here,” Jaxom said, shrugging to indicate that they hadn’t been able to change him.

“Remember, he’s been very worried about Master Robinton,” Sharra said slowly.

“We’ve all been worried about Master Robinton,” Menolly said, “but that’s no reason to change one’s temperament!”

I think I'm supposed to see Piemur as being the unreasonable, tetchy one here. But honestly, Menolly is coming across a LOT bitchier. Piemur's spent YEARS alone. That's got to be hard. Menolly owes him a lot for his welcome and support when she came to Harper Hall, so she could give him a little bit of patience.

Anyway, Sharra runs off, ostensibly to check on Stupid. But probably to check on Piemur.

Meanwhile. Oh fucking god. Not again.

“While they’re out of earshot, Jaxom,” she glanced about to be sure no one had come up behind her, “I’d better mention that it’s been pretty well established now that no one at Southern Weyr returned Ramoth’s egg.”

I don't care about the fucking egg!

Jaxom isn't sure if Menolly's warning him or not. And now that Southern Weyr is being integrated with the others, there's no real need to admit his part in the affair. Except that you won't let it fucking go. It's been twelve fucking chapters, dude. Find a new heroic act!

(Maybe three years charting an unknown continent?)

...and this is how the chapter ends:

Menolly wandered over to collect her gitar from the table and then seated herself at the bench, strumming softly to herself. A new song, about dream eyes, Jaxom wondered. Then he looked off in the direction Sharra had gone. Had he any legitimate reason for following her? He sighed. He liked Piemur, despite his acid tongue. He’d been glad to see the young Harper, grateful for his company and assistance. He just wished that Piemur had taken a day longer, even half a day longer, to reach the Cove. Since his arrival, Jaxom had had no time at all alone with Sharra. Was she avoiding him? Or was it just the circumstances of the building and getting Cove Hold ready for Master Robinton? He must figure out some way to separate Sharra from the others! Or else visit Corana!

You stay the fuck away from Corana!

Comments

[copperfyre]

URGHHHHHH

Also how has nothing happened in so long and yet we're almost at the end of this book????

[kalinara]

I wish I knew! Something please happen!