The Best Dance Music On Pern

Writers: Eimi, Estelle
Date Posted: 8th September 2005

Characters: T'moran, Almonteo
Description: T'moran and Almonteo arrange for the Harper Hall to be temporarily located at Dolphin Cove Weyr
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 7, day 23 of Turn 3

Almonteo

T'moran had shaken his head in disbelief when word had reached him of the
fire at Emerald Falls. Wasn't it bad enough that they were in a Pass without
folk destroying their homes themselves? Sometimes he was very much tempted
to leave Emerald Falls to its own devices and defend those people who
actually showed some gratitude.

Still, when he received the request from the Harper Hall, it had brightened
his day considerably. The Weyr was much in need of good news, and having
stolen a Hall from the pompous Lord Enrizial certainly fit the bill, even if
it was only a temporary arrangement.

With luck, he hoped he might be able to persuade the harpers to stay for a
long time, and so he made sure a _bronze_ dragon was sent to transport the
new Hallmaster wherever he wished to go, even though bronzeriders' time was
precious since they were so few. When Haldarth informed him that the harper
had arrived, he made sure fresh klah was sent up to his office and greeted
the man with a smile.

"Hallmaster - welcome back to Dolphin Cove. I hope your preparations for the
move are going smoothly?"

"As smoothly as can be expected, thank you," Almonteo said with a smile. "I
must say, I think I can get used to this warmer weather. Have you lived
here all your life?"

"Most of it - I came here as a boy. Then I Impressed Haldarth and I've never
much wanted to leave." With his dragon he could visit any part of Pern he
wished and satisfy any wish he had to see exotic places, though lately he'd
had barely enough time on his hands to escape from his office. "We're lucky
to have the sea breezes to cool us down. Further inland the heat can get
unpleasant. But forgive me - I'm sure you didn't come all this way to
discuss the weather!"

"Of course not, but your assurances of a cool sea breeze are most
appreciated. It's not nearly as warm where I am from." The prospect of
daily walks on the beach with his lovely wife, however, appealed to the new
Hallmaster immensely. "But yes, you are right, we have more mundane things
to discuss, and I should not take up more time than necessary."

"First of all, you'll be needing sleeping quarters for yourself, your
craftsmen and their families. I've spoken with the Headwoman, and she says
we have enough room to fit you in here and there, but if you'd prefer to all
be together we can furnish some empty weyrs as dormitories and classrooms."

Almonteo considered this a moment. "I think it would be best to keep the
unmarried journeymen and apprentices together as much as possible. The
journeymen with families can, of course, live wherever you have space, but
if we can keep it as Hall-like as we can, I believe it would go a long way
towards helping our residents settle in."

"Agreed. We'll try to keep the weyrs you use as close together as possible,
and of course they'll be supplied with all the necessary furnishings - cots,
presses, desks and so on." He hesitated for a moment. "How much...did you
lose? I could ask those riders who are harper-trained if any of them could
lend musical instruments..."

"At this point I cannot say for sure. Perhaps some of the personal musical
instruments have been saved, but most of them are gone. If we could borrow
some it would be appreciated." Almonteo almost cried when he saw the burned
out shell the instrument workshop had become. So many turns of loving
craftsmanship gone in moments. And for what? "One of our first tasks will
be to replace the instruments lost. I would appreciate it if we could make
setting up some kind of workshop a priority."

"Certainly. We've got enough wood - Lord Enrizial tithes it and we can't
make use of all of it. I'll see if the woodcrafters can spare any tools."
T'moran made a note. "If there's anything else you need, don't hesitate to
ask the Headwoman. She's got an almost miraculous ability to find all sorts
of things in our storerooms."

"I cannot begin to tell you how much we appreciate the Weyr's generosity,
Weyrleader." It was more than Almonteo could have hoped for. "Of course,
as soon as we are able we will repay the Weyr for those materials we use.
Though, I am afraid it may take some time before a full tithe will be
possible."

"Please don't think about it. The Weyr is well supplied by the Holds, and we
rely on you harpers to convince the holders that we're not all greedy
libertines who live a dissolute life at their expense." The Weyrleader
grinned. "Besides, I'm sure that before long this Weyr's children will be
the best taught in the Southern Continent!"

Almonteo waved off the praise, "Oh, I'm sure your harpers are doing a fine
job as it is. But we will help them out in any way we can." He pointed a
finger towards the sky, "But I can promise you one thing. You will get the
best dance music on Pern any time you care for it."

The Weyrleader laughed. "My riders will certainly appreciate that, Master
Almonteo!" And their spirits would be lifted by the music and dancing, which
would be a blessing after the events of the past month. "We'll just have to
get you and your craftsmen here as quickly as possible. I can lend you
riders for transportation, though I understand you'd arranged to bring some
of your people and belongings by boat?"

"Yes, that we did. We have several families to move whose homes were not
effected by the fire. There are also those instruments and records we were
able to salvage from the fire. We would not want to over burden your
riders. Besides," he said with a smile, "the month that it should take them
might give us the time we need to get our 'hall' up and running before they
arrive."

"Perhaps their arrival would be an appropriate reason for a feast of
welcome!" There was nothing like good food to raise morale. "That would all
depend on our Headwoman, though..."

"That's an excellent idea! Perhaps a feast and a concert?" Almonteo's mind
was already turning with ideas. "Having something to practice will give my
harpers something to occupy themselves with on the long boat ride over. And
excellent idea, Weyrleader!"

T'moran smiled. "Then it's settled - I'll make certain to mention it to the
Headwoman." He offered the harper his hand. "We seem to be agreed on
everything, so I'll make this official. It's a pleasure to welcome you to
Dolphin Cove, Hallmaster."

Last updated on the September 8th 2005

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The Best Dance Music On Pern