Dragondrums - Chapter Five
May. 1st, 2021 12:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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i_read_whatSo last time in Dragondrums, Piemur got to attend a Gather and a Hatching. (GO MIRRIM!) But things are getting worse back home. McCaffrey proves she actually does know how to write bullying after all.
So we rejoin Piemur as he's copying drum measures that he'll be expected to know by evening. He's already memorized them though, which leaves him able to listen for a new message. Basically Lord Meron of Nabol wants Oldive.
A heretofore unknown journeyman named Rokayas comes in. He asks who's "running messages" and everyone points to Piemur. Rokayas proves himself more competent than Robinton and Silvina combined when he comments on how Piemur seems to always be the one running messages. It does occur to me that we've never actually met the mysterious Olodkey, though presumably Piemur has. That's bizarre to me.
Anyway, Piemur goes running. Literally, dashing down flights of steps in a way that could best be described as plummeting. Apparently he always does this. This will be significant soon.
He picks up the response from Oldive. In a random world building note, Oldive wonders why Nabol didn't send a watch dragon, before remembering that Nabol apparently doesn't have one. I assume that was Meron's decision, since I can't imagine F'lar wanting a hole in their system even if he hates the guy personally.
Piemur races back upstairs when:
He was halfway up the second flight when he felt his right foot slide on the stone. He tried to catch himself, but his forward motion and the stretch of his legs were such that he hadn't a hope of saving himself from a fall. He tried to grab the stone railing with his right hand but it, too, was slick. He was thrown hard against the stone risers, wrenching thighs and hips, cracking his ribs painfully as he slid. He could have sworn that he heard a muffled laugh. His last conscious thought as his chin hit the stone and he bit his tongue hard was that someone had greased the rail and steps.
That's not good.
He wakes up to Dirzan shaking him and berating him. Piemur isn't really even verbal at the moment and is pretty groggy. Dirzan accuses him of knocking himself out by tripping on the stairs. Piemur tries to tell him that the steps were greased, but Dirzan doesn't believe him.
Credit where it's due, it definitely sounds like Piemur's got a nasty concussion. He's pretty nauseous and unsteady, and unfortunately Dirzan isn't inclined to listen.
Fortunately, Rokayas shows up here and is much more attentive. He immediately urges Piemur to stay where he is. And when Dirzan rants that the stairs are clean, Rokayas thinks they're TOO clean. He also thinks that if Piemur had fallen on the way back, he'd clearly been unconscious (or "between", which I love) for way too long. Rokayas wants to bring him to Silvina.
Dirzan is obstinant, which seems really stupid to me. He thinks Piemur's only got a skinned chin, when it's clear the kid can barely move. Even if you think he did this to himself, the fact that Piemur is QUIET ought to raise alarm bells.
Rokayas happily is implicable, and honestly, maybe HE should be in charge of the Drumheights since he's the only guy who seems to know what's going on. (WHERE is the master?) He calls Dirzan out on the fact that Piemur's been doing too much running and makes him help carry him, flat.
They run into Silvina. Dirzan again tries to dismiss everything, but Rokayas explains things clearly. Silvina also spots grease on Piemur's shoe. They get the poor kid settled into bed, but not before he ends up throwing up violently on the floor.
Silvina asks if Oldive has already left for Nabol, because of course she understands drum messages. And I'm not being fair here, because it absolutely makes sense that she would. She's been working at Harper Hall for apparently her entire life. It's not exactly Drizzt being able to navigate the streets of Calimport. And yet, I'm irrationally annoyed anyway.
Poor Silvina. I dislike her when she doesn't do her job and I dislike her when she does.
I'm gratified to see her anger on Piemur's behalf though. She, rightly, wants to know how Dirzan let things get so far out of hand. She'd noticed Piemur wasn't acting like himself, but she'd attributed it to his personal disappointments. This is criminal.
Robinton and Menolly appear around now, and the former wants to know what's going on:
“His skull isn't cracked, though how it wasn't I'll never know,” and she exhibited the glistening sole of Piemur's boot, “with stair treads coated with grease. He's bruised, scraped and shaken, and he's definitely suffering from shock and concussion.”
“When will he recover?” There was an urgency behind the Harper's voice that Silvina heard. Now she gave him a long keen look.
“A few days rest will see him right, I'm sure. But I mean rest!” She crossed her hands in a whipping motion to emphasize her verdict, then pointed to the closed infirmary door. “Right there! Nowhere near those murdering louts in the drumheights!”
...um, Robinton. What's with the URGENCY here? What is it you want from this poor kid?
Dirzan takes offense at the "murdering" comment and still tries to protest that there wasn't a trace of grease on the steps. Which you know, dude, pretty much implies premeditation. If they cleaned up the grease after Piemur fell, then they'd have seen him unconscious and just left him there.
Dirzan also repeats the accusation that Piemur spouts off the things he hears. But Silvina and Menolly immediately disbelieve that. Silvina says that Piemur is a conniver, sure, but not a babbler.
Robinton asks how much Piemur's actually learned of drum messaging. Dirzan admits that he's picked up every measure he's been given and seems to have a knack for it. Though he's only really "beat the woods or listen[ed] with the journeyman on duty." Rokayas, droll, suggests that Piemur knows more than he admits.
I admit, Rokayas is an interesting addition here. He's not a member of Robinton's inner cabal. He's not a friend of Piemur. He's a stranger to us too. This makes him the closest thing we have to an impartial observer.
Anyway, Menolly offers to have Rocky stay with Piemur, and Silvina approves. Robinton recruits Rokayas to help move Piemur's things from the drumheights, and Dirzan realizes from his attitude that he's maybe misjudged Piemur's importance.
I mean, yes. But I'd like to think a headmaster would be as protective and offended at the mistreatment of ANYONE. Not just a favorite.
Dirzan offered to do the small task himself, and was denied; offered to help Menolly, who awarded him a cool look. He desisted then, but the set look to his mouth and the controlled anger in his eyes suggested that he was going to deal sternly with the apprentices who had put him in such an invidious position. When he was unexpectedly placed on duty for the entire Feastday, he knew why the roster had been changed. He also knew better than to blame Piemur.
I do want to unpack this a little though.
a) why are the apprentices still permitted to study at Harper Hall after attempting to murder someone? Pona got kicked out for just making an accusation about Menolly.
b) If the apprentices are staying, then Dirzan really shouldn't be allowed to retaliate against them. They should be subjected to appropriate discipline.
c) But seriously, why are they still here after almost killing someone? They'd have had to walk past him to clean up!
d) I'm also not really a fan of the idea that they retaliate against him by making sure he works the entire feast day. Wouldn't it be better to remove him from his position teaching children?
e) SERIOUSLY. WHY ARE THEY STILL HERE?!?
So anyway, Robinton and Silvina chat about things. Silvina at least has become considerably more competent and aware of things. She thinks Piemur was wasted as a message drummer anyway, and has some idea of what he's been up to.
Robinton blames himself, but not in a way that's useful or implies he'll actually start doing his job:
“The whole accident is my fault,” said the Harper after a long sip of wine. He seated himself heavily. “Piemur is clever, and he can keep his tongue still. Too still for his own good health, I see now. He hasn't hinted of any trouble in the drumheights to either Menolly or Sebell.”
Also, this isn't Piemur's fault either, dude. Silvina notes that she didn't know until right after the Hatching:
“They did it while he was at Igen Hold, not knowing about the Impression?” He joined in her laughter, and Silvina knew that she'd restored his perspective of the unfortunate affair. “And to think that I placed him in the drumheights to safeguard him! You're sure he's sustained no lasting hurt?”
Um. Why is it funny?
I mean, yes, the apprentices having to sleep in filth is funny. But dude. You're the headmaster and you just found out that your students have been pretty brutally bullying another one. This isn't a laughing matter.
Talk moves to Meron, and what the real problem is. Mainly, Neron refuses to name a successor. There are "a dozen heirs of full blood" so it's not like he's suffering for choice. He's just vindictive and happy to leave his realm in chaos. Of course he is.
Silvina clarifies the situation: 9 or 10 full-Blooded male heirs. Meron's daughters are too young to get married, and Silvina makes a catty comment about how none of them will ever be pretty, taking after their sire as they all seem to have had the misfortune to do.
The fuck, Silvina?
a) if these girls are too young to marry, they're too young for you to take potshots at their look
b) What difference does it make if they are ugly. It sounds like there are plenty of people who want Meron's seat, and I'd imagine that (if it had been permitted) they'd be happy to marry the young girls.
There are also the rumors from Igen: that Nabol abounds with fire lizards. It's notable because Nabol doesn't have a shoreline. If you recall, Kylara had brought the original batch to Meron. Though I suppose he could have bred his own lizard.
Meron's also been ordering a lot of trade goods. Robinton and Silvina think that he's working with the Oldtimers. Apparently they and Meron are "two cuts from the same rib."
Wait a fucking second. HOW?
Okay, they're all dicks. But the Oldtimers were mad at the lack of respect from non-Dragonriders. Meron has never liked being subservient to the Weyrs. So what the fuck is their commonality here aside from being villains?
Meron's also scheduled a Gather at the same time as Lord Groghe's big feast. It's an opportunity though, no one will expect any Harpers at Meron's shindig, and Piemur would probably be happier going away than sitting through his missed opportunity.
Apparently Tilgan has come along amazingly, and the chapter ends with an implication that Robinton may finally actually be keeping up to date with his students and their classes. First time for everything.
So we rejoin Piemur as he's copying drum measures that he'll be expected to know by evening. He's already memorized them though, which leaves him able to listen for a new message. Basically Lord Meron of Nabol wants Oldive.
A heretofore unknown journeyman named Rokayas comes in. He asks who's "running messages" and everyone points to Piemur. Rokayas proves himself more competent than Robinton and Silvina combined when he comments on how Piemur seems to always be the one running messages. It does occur to me that we've never actually met the mysterious Olodkey, though presumably Piemur has. That's bizarre to me.
Anyway, Piemur goes running. Literally, dashing down flights of steps in a way that could best be described as plummeting. Apparently he always does this. This will be significant soon.
He picks up the response from Oldive. In a random world building note, Oldive wonders why Nabol didn't send a watch dragon, before remembering that Nabol apparently doesn't have one. I assume that was Meron's decision, since I can't imagine F'lar wanting a hole in their system even if he hates the guy personally.
Piemur races back upstairs when:
He was halfway up the second flight when he felt his right foot slide on the stone. He tried to catch himself, but his forward motion and the stretch of his legs were such that he hadn't a hope of saving himself from a fall. He tried to grab the stone railing with his right hand but it, too, was slick. He was thrown hard against the stone risers, wrenching thighs and hips, cracking his ribs painfully as he slid. He could have sworn that he heard a muffled laugh. His last conscious thought as his chin hit the stone and he bit his tongue hard was that someone had greased the rail and steps.
That's not good.
He wakes up to Dirzan shaking him and berating him. Piemur isn't really even verbal at the moment and is pretty groggy. Dirzan accuses him of knocking himself out by tripping on the stairs. Piemur tries to tell him that the steps were greased, but Dirzan doesn't believe him.
Credit where it's due, it definitely sounds like Piemur's got a nasty concussion. He's pretty nauseous and unsteady, and unfortunately Dirzan isn't inclined to listen.
Fortunately, Rokayas shows up here and is much more attentive. He immediately urges Piemur to stay where he is. And when Dirzan rants that the stairs are clean, Rokayas thinks they're TOO clean. He also thinks that if Piemur had fallen on the way back, he'd clearly been unconscious (or "between", which I love) for way too long. Rokayas wants to bring him to Silvina.
Dirzan is obstinant, which seems really stupid to me. He thinks Piemur's only got a skinned chin, when it's clear the kid can barely move. Even if you think he did this to himself, the fact that Piemur is QUIET ought to raise alarm bells.
Rokayas happily is implicable, and honestly, maybe HE should be in charge of the Drumheights since he's the only guy who seems to know what's going on. (WHERE is the master?) He calls Dirzan out on the fact that Piemur's been doing too much running and makes him help carry him, flat.
They run into Silvina. Dirzan again tries to dismiss everything, but Rokayas explains things clearly. Silvina also spots grease on Piemur's shoe. They get the poor kid settled into bed, but not before he ends up throwing up violently on the floor.
Silvina asks if Oldive has already left for Nabol, because of course she understands drum messages. And I'm not being fair here, because it absolutely makes sense that she would. She's been working at Harper Hall for apparently her entire life. It's not exactly Drizzt being able to navigate the streets of Calimport. And yet, I'm irrationally annoyed anyway.
Poor Silvina. I dislike her when she doesn't do her job and I dislike her when she does.
I'm gratified to see her anger on Piemur's behalf though. She, rightly, wants to know how Dirzan let things get so far out of hand. She'd noticed Piemur wasn't acting like himself, but she'd attributed it to his personal disappointments. This is criminal.
Robinton and Menolly appear around now, and the former wants to know what's going on:
“His skull isn't cracked, though how it wasn't I'll never know,” and she exhibited the glistening sole of Piemur's boot, “with stair treads coated with grease. He's bruised, scraped and shaken, and he's definitely suffering from shock and concussion.”
“When will he recover?” There was an urgency behind the Harper's voice that Silvina heard. Now she gave him a long keen look.
“A few days rest will see him right, I'm sure. But I mean rest!” She crossed her hands in a whipping motion to emphasize her verdict, then pointed to the closed infirmary door. “Right there! Nowhere near those murdering louts in the drumheights!”
...um, Robinton. What's with the URGENCY here? What is it you want from this poor kid?
Dirzan takes offense at the "murdering" comment and still tries to protest that there wasn't a trace of grease on the steps. Which you know, dude, pretty much implies premeditation. If they cleaned up the grease after Piemur fell, then they'd have seen him unconscious and just left him there.
Dirzan also repeats the accusation that Piemur spouts off the things he hears. But Silvina and Menolly immediately disbelieve that. Silvina says that Piemur is a conniver, sure, but not a babbler.
Robinton asks how much Piemur's actually learned of drum messaging. Dirzan admits that he's picked up every measure he's been given and seems to have a knack for it. Though he's only really "beat the woods or listen[ed] with the journeyman on duty." Rokayas, droll, suggests that Piemur knows more than he admits.
I admit, Rokayas is an interesting addition here. He's not a member of Robinton's inner cabal. He's not a friend of Piemur. He's a stranger to us too. This makes him the closest thing we have to an impartial observer.
Anyway, Menolly offers to have Rocky stay with Piemur, and Silvina approves. Robinton recruits Rokayas to help move Piemur's things from the drumheights, and Dirzan realizes from his attitude that he's maybe misjudged Piemur's importance.
I mean, yes. But I'd like to think a headmaster would be as protective and offended at the mistreatment of ANYONE. Not just a favorite.
Dirzan offered to do the small task himself, and was denied; offered to help Menolly, who awarded him a cool look. He desisted then, but the set look to his mouth and the controlled anger in his eyes suggested that he was going to deal sternly with the apprentices who had put him in such an invidious position. When he was unexpectedly placed on duty for the entire Feastday, he knew why the roster had been changed. He also knew better than to blame Piemur.
I do want to unpack this a little though.
a) why are the apprentices still permitted to study at Harper Hall after attempting to murder someone? Pona got kicked out for just making an accusation about Menolly.
b) If the apprentices are staying, then Dirzan really shouldn't be allowed to retaliate against them. They should be subjected to appropriate discipline.
c) But seriously, why are they still here after almost killing someone? They'd have had to walk past him to clean up!
d) I'm also not really a fan of the idea that they retaliate against him by making sure he works the entire feast day. Wouldn't it be better to remove him from his position teaching children?
e) SERIOUSLY. WHY ARE THEY STILL HERE?!?
So anyway, Robinton and Silvina chat about things. Silvina at least has become considerably more competent and aware of things. She thinks Piemur was wasted as a message drummer anyway, and has some idea of what he's been up to.
Robinton blames himself, but not in a way that's useful or implies he'll actually start doing his job:
“The whole accident is my fault,” said the Harper after a long sip of wine. He seated himself heavily. “Piemur is clever, and he can keep his tongue still. Too still for his own good health, I see now. He hasn't hinted of any trouble in the drumheights to either Menolly or Sebell.”
Also, this isn't Piemur's fault either, dude. Silvina notes that she didn't know until right after the Hatching:
“They did it while he was at Igen Hold, not knowing about the Impression?” He joined in her laughter, and Silvina knew that she'd restored his perspective of the unfortunate affair. “And to think that I placed him in the drumheights to safeguard him! You're sure he's sustained no lasting hurt?”
Um. Why is it funny?
I mean, yes, the apprentices having to sleep in filth is funny. But dude. You're the headmaster and you just found out that your students have been pretty brutally bullying another one. This isn't a laughing matter.
Talk moves to Meron, and what the real problem is. Mainly, Neron refuses to name a successor. There are "a dozen heirs of full blood" so it's not like he's suffering for choice. He's just vindictive and happy to leave his realm in chaos. Of course he is.
Silvina clarifies the situation: 9 or 10 full-Blooded male heirs. Meron's daughters are too young to get married, and Silvina makes a catty comment about how none of them will ever be pretty, taking after their sire as they all seem to have had the misfortune to do.
The fuck, Silvina?
a) if these girls are too young to marry, they're too young for you to take potshots at their look
b) What difference does it make if they are ugly. It sounds like there are plenty of people who want Meron's seat, and I'd imagine that (if it had been permitted) they'd be happy to marry the young girls.
There are also the rumors from Igen: that Nabol abounds with fire lizards. It's notable because Nabol doesn't have a shoreline. If you recall, Kylara had brought the original batch to Meron. Though I suppose he could have bred his own lizard.
Meron's also been ordering a lot of trade goods. Robinton and Silvina think that he's working with the Oldtimers. Apparently they and Meron are "two cuts from the same rib."
Wait a fucking second. HOW?
Okay, they're all dicks. But the Oldtimers were mad at the lack of respect from non-Dragonriders. Meron has never liked being subservient to the Weyrs. So what the fuck is their commonality here aside from being villains?
Meron's also scheduled a Gather at the same time as Lord Groghe's big feast. It's an opportunity though, no one will expect any Harpers at Meron's shindig, and Piemur would probably be happier going away than sitting through his missed opportunity.
Apparently Tilgan has come along amazingly, and the chapter ends with an implication that Robinton may finally actually be keeping up to date with his students and their classes. First time for everything.