"Does anyone know any good of this Vormital?" Sebell asked.

"If anyone does, it will be the first time," Groghe said in a voice meant to be heard.

"Who's the other one?" Bargen of High Reaches said. He had fought hard to return High Reaches to his Bloodline after Fax's presumptive holding and he saw nothing wrong with fighting to claim Bloodright-for males, of course.

"Warlow is the child of Sangel's youngest sister. He has a small farm and five sons, three of whom have served Lady Marella in minor capacities."

"If his sons served, and he hasn't pushed for himself, he'd be useless," was Bargen's immediate answer. "Are we left with the girl?"

"Lady Janissian has served as steward to her grandfather and grandmother-" Sebell began.

"More the grandmother's doing, I'm certain," Langrell of Igen remarked.

"It's more important that she was doing"Groghe said, scowling at Langrell. "And she is of the Blood."

"Oh, confirm her and let's get on with this meeting," Toric demanded impatiently.

"In that case, I will collect your votes," Sebell said.

"Isn't it a good thing," Lessa murmured to F'lar after they had both written their decisions, "that Janissian happens to be well qualified."

"Hold Blood's getting thin after twenty-five hundred Turns. And, with the end of Threadfall…" F'lar murmured.

"Holding began with Fort, with Paul Benden. There's nothing wrong with Fort's Bloodline. But that form of inheritance is not in the Charter, you know."

F'lar regarded her in mild surprise. "No, actually, it isn't. Holders and all those traditions came later." He looked at Toric who was impatiently tapping the table while Sebell was sorting through the slips.

Sebell held up two piles-one thin, one fat. Three slips remained on his lectern.

"Three abstentions, five nays, and thirty-seven yeas," Sebell said. "Harper Hall votes yea."

Nothing more than murmured sounds of relief were expressed but Sebell strode quickly to the big doors, opened one leaf and gestured.

"Lady Janissian of Southern Boll, the Council would be pleased if you would take your seat as Boll's Lady Holder!"

There was cheering from outside as Janissian, a smiling Menolly giving her a little push, stepped in and the door was closed behind her. She stood there, her head no higher than Sebell's shoulder, and her dark hair fetchingly arranged around her pale, handsome face; the hem of her red gown matched the white shields and bright chevrons that were Boll's insignia. She wore the heirloom diamond and ruby chevron pendant that was supposed to have been handed down from Emily Boll and she gave the impression of great dignity. Sebell took her hand, and while everyone stood-even Toric, though he took his time getting to his feet-he walked her to the empty chair beside Lord Groghe. The old Lord Holder was red-faced with pleasure and kissed her on both cheeks as soon as she was seated.

Lessa approved of her calm in accepting such an accolade and her composed nod to the rest of the Council.

"Well, then, let's to real business," Toric said, remaining on his feet while the rest of the Council resumed their chairs.

"It's my autonomy that has been abrogated, Lord Toric," Kashman cried, standing up, his thin features reddened by agitation. "Those intruders should have been brought to myHold for myjudgment. I want to know why myauthority was ignored."

Before the Masterprinter could get to his feet, Lord Lytol leaned toward Kashman, his gaunt face serene.

"Let me point out, Lord Kashman, a fact that you may not be acquainted with yet," he said, "but MasterCraftHalls enjoy autonomy within their halls and may set punishment or fines, depending on the nature of any offense committed within their confines."

"But-but the Printer Hall's new…" Kashman began.

"That does not," Sebell said, "interfere with its autonomy or internal discipline."

Tagetarl spoke up. "Let me remind Lord Kashman that the intruders refused-in front of witnesses-to name either hold or hall to which they could be taken to receive a hearing from another authority."

"It just happens…" and Kashman waved his arm in a sarcastic manner, "that Lord Jaxom who resides in Ruatha and N'ton whose Weyr is in Fort happened to be present in Wide Bay at such an unlikely hour?"

"The intruders picked the hour," Tagetarl said.

"The dragons responded to a summons for support," N'ton added.

"Who summoned them?" Kashman demanded, his nostrils flaring with irritation.

"Beauty, in my case," Jaxom said and turned to N'ton.

"In mine as well."

"Beauty?" Kashman echoed, confounded by that identification.

"Beauty is the queen fire-lizard that often conveys urgent messages from the Harper Hall," N'ton said.

"You respondedto a message brought by a fire-lizard?" Kashman was incredulous. Toric snorted at his inexperience.

"When such a message comes from a main Crafthall," Sebell went on, "it is not wise to disregard its import, especially since other Crafthalls have become targets for vandalism. Twelve people do not simultaneously decide to sample Crafthall wares in the middle of the night, armed with torches, chisels, hammers, and spikes, Lord Kashman. They were discovered insidethe main gates, which had not been opened to them, destroying the doors to the Print Hall itself. What conclusion would you have come to?"

"Yes, Kashman, what conclusion could you have come to?" Lord Groghe demanded.

"Something's got to be done about such impertinent men and women," Bargen said with considerable exasperation. "Wanton destruction-when it takes time and good materials to make anything these days-cannot be permitted. If we have already decided that exile would be a deterrent, then whoever sits in judgment-a proper court, with three judges and witnesses-has the right, indeed the duty of sentencing them to exile. Now, let's go on to the most important issue before this Council."

Beyond him, Kashman was gaping, infuriated that the older Lord Holders were so blithely setting aside hisissue.

"What are you going to do about preventing fireballs dropping from the sky?" Bargen asked, surveying the Weyr-leaders with a critical sweep.

"We have several recommendations…" F'lar said, rising to his feet.

"Don't want recommendations," Bargen retorted. "I want positive reassurance that such displays won't be repeated in the near future."

"Nothing in the nearfuture has so far been discerned," F'lar said and found he had everyone's attention.

"What do you mean by that?" Groghe demanded.

"Such surveys of near Pern objects as Master Erragon has been able to complete with a dedicated band of sky-watchers suggest that nothing is close enough to descend on Pern's surface in the nearfuture."

"And?" Bargen prompted, scowling. "In the further future?"

"We must place more telescopes in strategic positions to watch our skies, mobilize a body of dedicated people to support at least five major observatories-"

Toric leaped to his feet. "You want the Council to support five!Tithes are already in full use. Where would more marks come from for fiveobservatories?"

Bargen was on his feet, so were Langrell and Toronas, shouting against such major projects. Deckter asked for details. Even Lord Groghe appeared concerned. F'lar stood still, ignoring the shouts, the arguments as Sebell struck the gavel for silence.

A burst of thunder-dragons shouting-penetrated the Great Hall and deafened everyone.

"As I was saying, if you wish to avoid more problems like that Fireball, you have to be prepared," F'lar went on in a normal tone of voice. "We already have Cove Hold and Honshu," and he bowed to Lord Lytol and the Star Master, "which is generously maintained by Landing."