"A portion of our tithes," Lord Lytol said, "will be distributed to the other locations as well as to pay teachers."

"The SmithCraftHall cannot produce the telescopes required for observatories…" Master Fandarel began.

"There are four in the Catherine Caves," Master Erragon said, bowing respectfully to the Mastersmith for his interruption.

"Ah, well, in that case," and Fandarel raised a thick swollen hand in agreement.

"I have undertaken to supply a Star Hold," Jaxom said, rising briefly, "with appropriate tithes, and the cost of building one at Ice Lake as recommended by Master Erragon."

Toric's frown grew deeper when Lord Larad rose to his feet.

"Telgar does the same. Weyrwoman Palla completed most of her apprenticeship with Master Wansor."

"As a twenty-four-hour coverage of our skies is essential to its overall success," F'lar said, but Lessa could see how much he relished the shock he was about to give the entire Council, "an observatory must be constructed as soon as possible on a site, approved by Masters Wansor, Erragon, and Idarolan, on the Western Continent."

The Council was in an uproar. Even the usually placid Mastercraftsmen were excited, demanding details and plans while the Lord Holders were protesting such a drain on tithe-marks and labor. It took time for Sebell to reestablish order.

"But it was the Yokohamathat saw the Fireball," Groghe exclaimed as the din abated.

"Why are so many needed?" Langrell asked plaintively.

"It's a big sky," K'van remarked.

"You have to findthe near object before you can divert it," F'lar put in almost offhandedly.

"Divert it?" Groghe exclaimed, the smile that had been growing during F'lar's opening sentences turning into stunned amazement. "But there are no more engines to divert anything since we blew the Red Star up, are there?"

"No engines, Lord Groghe, but dragons and their riders!" Toric leaped to his feet, face suffused with blood, stabbing his finger at the Benden Weyrleader, and shouted, "So you think you can coerce the Holds to continue to support you forever?"

"Not at all, Lord Toric," F'lar replied with calm pride. "You cannot perceive how deeply every Weyr-" He paused and the other dragonriders nodded or murmured emphatic agreement with that statement. "-wishes to be as independent as any other person on this planet. Necessity has required our dependence on the holds we protect, but, by the end of this Pass, we shall all have holdings or crafts with which to support ourselves. We shall be journeymen and -women, attracting apprentices to Star Holds and learning to be Masters of the Star Hall. We will study the stars and watch until we know exactly what might threaten this planet again."

"And what will you do then?" Toric bawled the question.

F'lar regarded Toric with a smile on his face. "We will divert it."

"How? How?"Toric pounded the table. "You weren't able to divert the Fireball."

"Now that," and F'lar paused significantly, without a trace of apology, "won't happen again." His tone was so confident, his manner so assured that the other dragonriders proudly straightened, so obviously in agreement with his statement, that the Southern Holder was perplexed.

"It is an ability that Aivas perceived in dragonkind," Jaxom remarked as one chiding his audience to remember something they had not previously considered.

"Indeed, Lord Jaxom," F'lar said amiably. "The dragons have always had the ability. We have been busy refining it."

"It takes time and practice," N'ton said.

"The older the dragon, the more adept, you know," K'van put in.

"Combined with observatories and a sound knowledge of the Rukbat system and our skies," F'lar continued, "we'll know exactly what's around us and what else the Oort Cloud spawns."

"As you all have reminded us," Lessa added, "dragonriders are the caretakers of Pern's skies. So let us continue to undertake that responsibility."

"Practicing and preparing for when the need for this potent ability presents itself," F'lar finished.

As draconic bellow had silenced argument, now everyone heard the carol that trilled the affirmative response of the dragons gathered on the cliffs of Telgar!

"Well, I for one," Groghe said, beaming at F'lar and the other Weyrleaders, "am deeply relieved to hear all this. Though I can't remember Aivas…"

"Naturally Aivas only discussed the subject with dragon-riders," Jaxom said in a grave manner.

"Thank you, Weyrleaders," Sebell said. "You have relieved our fears considerably and I think I can speak for all the Craftmasters that there will be generous Hall support to match that already guaranteed new observatories by Lord Holders." He bowed to Jaxom and Larad.

"Tillek is the nearest port," Ranrel said to Erragon across the table, "we will donate shipping."

"Services in place of tithes?" Toric cried, infuriated.

"Oh, do sit down, Toric," Groghe said.

"There hasn't been a vote about approving more observatories," Toric complained.

"I can take a vote now," Sebell put in hopefully.

"The necessity for threenew observatories hasn't been properly discussed," Toric shouted.

"I want to know more about the Western Continent," Master Ballora said in a loud voice. "We don't know what life-forms are there. What effect contact with new ones would have with our indigenous species."

"Not much is mentioned about it in Aivas records," Deckter remarked. "Will the project need much metal ore?"

"Of course it will, Deckter," Fandarel said, rubbing his big hands together in anticipation.

"Shall we deal with some of the minor petitions now?" Sebell asked, holding up a slim packet.

"No, no, not now," Groghe said. "Need to eat now and be refreshed for that sort of thing."

"What about the Western Continent?" Master Ballora objected. "I want to know more about thatl"

"We'll talk," Erragon said while Sebell used the gavel to end the morning session.

So many questions were asked about where exactly the observatories would be placed, the form they would take, the personnel to work in them, the training required, that petitions were put aside for the next day. Toric called for a vote about anynew observatories, much less three, none of which were evidently to be placed in Southern. He voted against the whole idea but the majority was in favor of it. Then he had to sit through talk about the Western Continent's urgently needed observatory and, while he fumed, everyone else seemed so enthusiastic about supplying engineering, construction, transport, labor, materials-without an increase in overall tithing, which he would have vigorously barred-the Star Masters and the sharding Weyrleaders got what they wanted. It never occurred to him that he had only himself to blame. He'd been prepared to argue about petitions and object to some-on principle-but none had been submitted for discussion. If he didn't stay, the Council might slip something new in, vote it into law and he wouldn't be able to gauge any new plans. He ought to make Besic accompany him. He'd be good for something then. Bargen had a son with him, so did Groghe. Such representatives were permitted to stand in for their Lord Holders at the petitions session: Fandarel had put Master Jancis in as his agent.

In the evening, Toric wandered outside, down into the Gather grounds. Dorse was supposed to find him so he had to be available. By morning, when Dorse didn't appear before the Council convened, Toric asked at the Telgar Runner Station for any messages for him. There were none but he encountered Kashman and had to walk back to the Hold in the man's company. Kashman was still furious with the trial at the Print Hall. He hadn't been inKeroon Hold that night but the matter could have waited until morning. He complained bitterly about the presence of N'ton, a Fort Weyrleader, far away from Fort's traditional authority, not to mention Jaxom. Who was not a subject to be mentioned in Toric's company under the best of circumstances! Corman had kept this son of his inadequately informed for Lord Holdership, Toric thought.