The Master Harper of Pern

Anne McCaffrey The Master Harper of Pern

Because she is always gracious and supportive, this book is most affectionately dedicated to

Shelly Shapiro and her husband, Tom Hitchins, as well as their daughter Adrianna

Acknowledgments

As usual, I am indebted to a variety of people for their help and input in writing this volume. Not the least of whom is Master Robinton (aka Frederic H. Robinson) who was quite upset that I had ended his life so abruptly. I would suspect it of a tenor, but for a baritone to insist on another encore is almost unheard of. But I have recently been asked – via the impressive Del Rey Website – to explain certain facts which had not previously been brought to light anent Pern pre-Dragon flight history. As Robinton had a fine Pernese hand in most of it, it behoves me to tell the story from his viewpoint.

I would like to thank Dr. Will Chlosta of St Mary's Hospital New Haven for reading over the medical, and sartorial, inclusions.

This time, my gratitude to Marilyn and Harry Alm as first readers is immense since they saved me from several time discrepancies and inconsistencies. Their knowledge of Pern is extensive and better remembered than mine at times. I am also grateful to my daughter, Georgeanne Kennedy, for reading two sets of proofs in four days: a true labour of love.

Most of all let me thank Tania Opland and Michael Freeman for their invaluable contribution on the musical side.

When I asked them if they could possibly supply some of Robinton's early compositions, I didn't realize that Tania had always wanted to be Robinton, from the days when we first met in Fairbanks, Alaska. Mike has already made up a tune for me, the Dragonlady, so his inclusion was natural.

Finally, let me thank the numerous folk online in January and February whose IDs helped me find character names.

List of Characters

Adessa Lady Holder, Lessa's mother Ruatha Hold

Agust voice trainer Harper Hall

Anta child Benden Hold

Ashmichel ex-Lord Holder Ruatha Hold

Barba bossy child Harper Hall

Bargen 2nd son Faroguy High Reaches Hold

Benoria Lady Holder Fort Hold

Bosler MasterHarper, instrument maker Harper Hall

Bourdon SeaHold captain, Kasia's father Greystones Hold

Brahil 1st son Halibran Ista Hold

Brashia Kasia's mother Greystones Hold

Bravonner half-brother Falloner Benden Weyr

Bristol harper Telgar Hold

Brodo cotholder's son Benden Hold

Brosil 3rd son Halibmn Ista Hold

C'gan – Tagath Weyrsinger Benden Weyr

C'rob – Spakinth bronze rider Benden Weyr

C'vrel – Falarth bronze rider Benden Weyr

Camo son Robinton/Silvina Harper Hall

Carola – Feyrith Weyrwoman Benden Weyr

Carral Rantou's wife Pietie Hold

Chochol hill holder Tillek Hold

Clostan Hold Healer Tillek Hold

Cording spouse Morjella Benden Hold

Creline MasterHarper Harper Hall

Cunos child Harper Hall

Dalma trader Sev's train

Domick composer Harper Hall

Donkin tenor singer Harper Hall

Drevalla child Benden Hold

Dugall spouse Segoina South Boll

Ellic seaman Wave Rider

Emfor assistant guard Harper Hall

Emry suitor Tillek Hold

Erkin boy Nerat border

Evarel MasterHarper Benden Hold

Evelene Lady Holder High Reaches Hold

Evenek tenor singer Harper Hall

Falawny apprentice Harper Hall

Fallamon (F'lar) – Mnementh 1st son Falloner Benden Weyr

Falloner (F'lon) Simanith weyr lad, son S'loner Benden Weyr

Famanoran (F'nor) – Canth 2nd son Falloner Benden Weyr

Fanderal MasterSmith

Farevene 1 st son Faroguy High Reaches Hold

Faroguy Lord Holder High Reaches Hold

Forist Petiron kin Telgar Hold

Furlo MasterMiner Tillek Hold

G'ranad ex-Weyfieader Benden Weyr

Gemma Lady Holder, Fax's spouse High Reaches Hold

Gennell MasterHarper Harper Hall

Germathen healer Nabol

Giffien assassin High Reaches Hold

Ginia MasterHealer Healer Hall

Gorazde WorkMaster Harper Hall

Gorton MasterWineman Bendon Hold

Gostol MasterFishman, Wave Rider Tillek Hold

Grodon 1st yr apprentice Harper Hall

Grogdian Lord Holder Fort Hold

Groghe 3rd son Grogellan Fort Hold

Halanna alto student Ista Hold

Halibran Halanna's father Ista Hold

Hayara Lady Holder Benden Hold

Hayon Ist son Hayara Benden Hold

Idarolan MasterFishman Tillek Hold

Ifor journeyman harper Tillek Hold

Isla cot keeper Harper Hall

Jerint becomes Master Harper Hall

Jesken weyr lad Benden Weyr

Jez beastholder Ruatha Hold

Jonno weyr lad Benden Weyr

Jora – Nemerth Weyrwoman Benden Weyr

Jurana Lady Holder Tillek Hold

K'net – Pianth bronze rider Benden Weyr

Kailey journeyman harper Wide Bay Hold

Kale Lord Holder Ruatha Hold