I Read What?!

So last time, we got to see Pernese politics in action. It was actually pretty interesting, even if we had to look at it through Jaxom's eyes.



It's interesting to compare Jaxom's stint in All the Weyrs of Pern to F'lar's in Dragonquest. In both cases, a character I absolutely hated in their original book became the lead (or close enough to it) of a second book. In F'lar's case, it elevated him from "fuck you, F'lar" to one of my favorites in the franchise. In Jaxom's case... I mean, he's not terrible. But I'm still vaguely annoyed every time I see him.

In both cases, the characters are facing new, more political challenges. I think the difference is that F'lar is allowed to be, well, kind of bad at it. He's trying hard in Dragonquest, to keep everything together, and work with everyone, and we know that's not really his wheelhouse. He's USED to being able to just barrel through and get his way. It's interesting then, to see him struggle and fail and succeed in different ways.

Jaxom is also tackling political things he never has before, but sadly, he doesn't struggle at it. He just seems to miraculously have all this political insight and ability that he never showed in his original book. It makes some sense that he learned from Lytol, sure. But this is the guy who, rather than explain to Toric why an alliance with one of the oldest and most respectable Holds on Pern would be a good thing, decided to hide behind Lessa's skirts instead.

So yeah, his new ability at politics is something I don't buy. Like his miraculous ability at technology. PIEMUR, sure, he showed himself to be quick and adaptable and open-minded in HIS book. But Jaxom has shown none of these traits. But at least he can finally stop mentioning the fucking egg now that he has real things to brag about.

-
Anyway, rant done. Let's read!

So we start off with the announcement that Master Idarolan is the first to become "legless" at the new Lord Ranrel's celebration. Apparently he had the most to lose if Ranrel hadn't been elected and the stress had gotten to him. Because he's well liked, everyone ignored this uncharacteristic behavior.

I love "legless" as a euphemism for drunk.

It helps that he's a jovial, talkative drunk, so Jaxom, Sharra, Robinton, Sebell, Menolly and Tagetarl welcome his company at their table.

He explains his stress: the fisherfolk's hall is here. And if Blesserel had gotten the Lordship, he would have mortgaged the whole thing. I wonder how that works, legally speaking, but I can definitely see why an unpleasant, money grubbing lord would be a problem. Idarolan's backup plan had been to move everything to the harbor called Monaco, on the old maps.

Happily, it's not the case. Sebell and Jaxom help him go to the restroom, and very strangely, McCaffrey feels the need to tell us exactly how they helped and that it took so long for him to "take his relief" that both sober men were amazed.

I'm not sure why we need to know this, but thanks.

After, he passes out like a light. Sebell suggests leaving him to sleep it off, but Jaxom thinks Robinton would never forgive them and decides to help sober him up.

I hope no one is getting real life tips on dealing with alcoholism from this book. You'd think Sebell would know better given Robinton's habits.

Anyway, Sebell goes off to get something and Jaxom stays with Idarolan. Other men enter the restroom area, so Jaxom pulls Idarolan into the stall to prevent notice/embarrassment. This of course leaves them in the best position to overhear scheming. I'm just slightly boggled by the fact that Pern has public restrooms complete with stalls.

“Well, he’s not the only heir. He’s not even the direct heir,” one man was saying.

“We know that,” a second man said in a gravelly voice. “His dam was only a third cousin, once removed, of the Blood. But the second cousin’s alive, known to be of the Blood, and it’s her son we’d support in his place. The lad’d be dead easy to manipulate. Fancies himself as a true Blood.”

“Which he is,” a lighter voice said.

“Don’t forget her son has sons who’re in the direct line, even if his mother disqualified him to the succession,” the gravel voice said.

Jaxom, being an idiot, can't figure out who they're talking about, since Ranrel's lineage is very clear and obvious.

He's talking about you, you dipshit. Your mom is the third cousin, once removed. And the son who "has sons" must be F'lessan. Huh, F'lessan's old enough to have kids now?

I know he gets paired off in a later book.

The scheming gets more dangerous:

“So all we have to do is arrange a convenient accident to bring the Hold into contention again?”

“That’s all,” the gravel voice said.

“Yes, but how?” the light voice asked.

“He flies Thread, doesn’t he? And he goes up to the Dawn Sisters, doesn’t he? That’s dangerous. We just wait for the right moment and . . .” He had no need to finish his grisly premise.

Incredulous, Jaxom shook his head. He was aware of a paralytic chill oozing from his guts to his gorge as he realized that the men had to be referring to himself, Lessa, and F’lessan. The “local lad” could only be Pell, for his mother, Barla, was of the direct Ruathan Bloodline.

Oh, nice bit of continuity from Renegades actually. Barla is Aramina's mother, if I recall correctly. Which explains her ability to hear dragons.

Jaxom uselessly pleads Sebell to hurry up to see who just left the restroom. Or, you know, you could try to peek out and look. Well, to be fair, I do get why he doesn't. One man vs. a number could end badly for him.

...but they are in a public place. So if he confronts them and yells for help, someone would probably hear them, right?

Either way, I suppose I can't be too much of a jerk to Jaxom. Wait, no. I can. Because when Sebell comes back.

“Never mind, too late now,” Jaxom said, feeling defeated. He decided not to worry Sebell by reporting a conversation that might well have been just disgruntled speculation. Talking was harmless, he told himself, though the conversation he had overheard had sounded anything but harmless. He sighed in fateful resignation.

Right, because no one needs to know about men planning your assassination or anything, you idiot.

Also this bit makes me laugh:

Jaxom managed a detached manner. “I suppose one has to expect that not everyone is happy about Ranrel’s Holding.”

Sebell gave him a shrewd look. “No, but here’s one who is. Hold his head up. Maybe the aroma of klah will revive him. And we’ve got reinforcements coming.”

“I don’t mind . . .” Jaxom began. He hated people to think him pretentious and unwilling to cope with an inebriated friend.

I think you're pretentious, stupid, and a terrible friend, if it helps.

Sebell reassures him and says Idarolan's people are worried so they'll handle it discreetly. When they themselves go outside, they see that it's now very crowded with celebrants. So naturally, Sebell wouldn't have seen the men in question.
--

We skip forward a bit. Jaxom is feeling better. He and Sharra got to dance. But now duty calls: Threadfall is approaching Ruatha.

Jaxom never missed flying against Thread, no matter how involved he was with Aivas at Landing, and obligingly joined the wings of T’gellan’s Eastern Weyr when Thread fell there. It wasn’t simply a point of honor with Jaxom; both he and Ruth were stimulated by the implicit danger of Fall and reveled in being part of a fighting Weyr.

Hm. I remember that time in White Dragon you missed flying thread then got mad because F'nor called you out on it. I'm glad you matured, but I have a long memory. Also, maybe you should check your gear, because the people who want you dead did specifically mention how you fly Thread?

There is a sweet moment where a departing Jaxom and Sharra ask Ruth to hover over Tillek to see the view. And a bit of bizarre description where Jaxom feels Ruth's sigh through his buttocks. Then they head back to Ruatha.
--

We transition to the next morning. Jaxom notes that it's hard getting out of bed in the morning, though Sharra's already up taking care of one of the kids. Of course she is.

We actually get to see the kids for a moment though:

It was not easy to climb out of bed the next morning, even though Sharra had already left it to comfort young Shawan, who had cried fretfully about dawn. Fall was not due until early afternoon, so Jaxom allowed himself a few more moments to savor the first morning cup of klah. Sharra came in with Shawan, once more a cheerful child. Jarrol appeared the moment he heard his father’s voice and bounced across the bed, demanding a tickle, his cheeks still rosy with sleep and his curly hair mashed on one side of his head. The tickle duly administered, Jarrol followed his father as he washed and dressed. By then, breakfast was ready in the main room of their apartment.

Ten chapters in and the kids finally make an appearance.

Eventually, Jaxom decides to ask Brand about Pell. Pell is learning his Craft, and wanting to be in Landing. He brings up the idea of Pell's claim to Ruatha, and Brand reacts with more personality than he's ever been given so far:

Brand sat up, a look of consternation on his face. “What are you talking about, Jaxom?” he scolded, in the tone he had used to scold the erring boy that Jaxom had once been. “There’s not a thing wrong with you, and you’ve two fine sons and probably more to come.” He scowled. “What exactly was said? Have you told Lytol?”

“No, and you’re not to either. This is between us, Holder to Steward, as well as friend to friend, Brand. I want that understood.”

“Yes, of course,” Brand hastily assured him, then waggled a finger. “But only if you tell me what you heard.”

Given that this guy seems to be the de facto ruler when Jaxom and Sharra are off doing Aivas type stuff, it'd be nice to have a clearer idea of who he is.

But anyway, Jaxom fills Brand in. Brand has some good questions about whether anyone could somehow plan an accident "up there".

Jaxom says that, from now on, he intends to pick his companions carefully. I mean, Aivas picks the companions, right? But anyway, the list of people are pretty well vetted.

Brand also brings a political perspective:

“Clearly they underestimate both you and Ruth, and now that you’re forewarned . . .” Brand frowned, his eyes narrowing into slits. “I’ll have a word or two with young Pell. And young he is, proud of his heritage but not so foolish as to wish to become Holder by way of your demise. Besides you and your sons, there’re also those three lads of F’lessan’s. Their claim to Ruatha is direct through Lessa, even if she did defer to you at your birth. I can’t see the older Lord Holders denying their claim because F’lessan’s a dragonrider. The Bloodline would be the important aspect, so I don’t think Pell would have a chance. At least not with the present composition of the Council. Not that the circumstance will ever arrive!” Brand’s conviction did much to assuage the niggling anxiety in Jaxom’s mind.

Huh, it's interesting that, implicitly, Jaxom only has his claim because F'lessan's never exerted his or his children's right. Jaxom doesn't seem to really acknowledge it, which is a shame given that they were close when they were younger.

Also, how the fuck old IS F'lessan now. Jaxom's like five years older than him, per Dragonquest. That kid's been busy.

Oh, and there's this thing:

Jaxom grimaced. “Yes, maybe then I can speak now and again at these Councils.”

Brand smiled broadly. “I heard that Toric finally got your message.”

“Hmm, yes, even if it was Groghe who delivered it. Now, what have you for me? I’ve Fall after the noon meal.”

We saw NO evidence that Jaxom EVER tried to talk to Toric directly about this until the asspull last chapter. Sorry, McCaffrey, you can't retcon this bullshit. Either Jaxom didn't have a solution, or he had one but never told Toric. Either way, bullshit.

--

So now, Jaxom heads to Fort Weyr. I do like this bit:

As Jaxom and Ruth circled down to Fort Weyr, Jaxom once again wondered what it had been like for the first dragonriders who had inhabited the old crater. Had they ranged themselves in preparation for their leader’s commands as this century’s dragons did, along the rim from the Star Stones to where Fort Weyr’s bowl had crumbled in an ancient landslide? How many dragonriders had there been before they had needed to expand into Benden Weyr? There was no way of knowing—and Jaxom felt a pang of regret for the lost history, a regret made all the more bittersweet for the history they had been able to reclaim through Aivas. Still, whatever the glory of the past, the sight of the Weyr displayed was as breathtaking as ever. And Fort was right now at full strength, with this Turn’s young riders taking their places in the wings. Green, blue, brown ranked in their wings beyond the bronze Wingseconds, every hide glistening with health in the midday sun.

N'ton's there, looking grand on Lioth. Jaxom takes his "customary position" on N'ton's right. Um, why is Jaxom in such a prominent position again? As opposed to any bronze or brown dragon that would normally be on the Weyrleader's wing?

Oh right, because it's Jaxom.

Anyway, everyone chews firestone, then goes between. Then threadfighting, which is suitably exciting. A poor blue dragon has a mishap and is injured. Ruth notes that the rider is new, and there's always one who doesn't keep his eyes open.

HAH. Stupidity strikes.

Jaxom's saddle strap breaks. Gosh, I wonder if it was sabotaged! Jaxom, of course, thinks about the ominous conversation.

A dragonman maintained his own riding straps, renewing them frequently, testing them every Fall for signs of wear or strain. Jaxom cursed himself. He hadn’t actually looked at his harness that morning, merely lifted it from its peg in Ruth’s weyr, a place open to anyone in Ruatha. And to any casual visitor.

So you admit that you're an incompetent idiot who doesn't do the basic part of your job? Good to know.

They do make it back though, and the Weyrlingmaster scolds him. Jaxom even admits, in narrative anyway, that it's well-deserved. So that's character growth. It's apparently just ordinary wear and tear, and not obvious sabotage, which shows that Jaxom is an idiot yet again.

He does, when they get back, immediately cut new straps, and with his son's assistance, he oils and sews them. He says nothing about it to Sharra, because he's an idiot. He does however put the mended harness on the peg, but hides the new harness and the double one he shares with Sharra, just in case.

--

So now everyone is going to the landing. They're bringing Jarrol, though Shawan is too young to be exposed to between and has been left to a nurse. I'm not sure why they don't leave BOTH kids with the nurse, since Jaxom and Sharra are supposed to go to space. Instead, Jancis is stuck being babysitter, though conveniently she also has her own child, Pierjan, so Jaxom and Sharra look less like assholes, I guess.

Mirrim is there and greets them. Oh hey, check this out.

“Easy, girl!” Jaxom laughed. Her association with T’gellan had calmed her considerably, but she still tended to become a bit overzealous in her enthusiasms. Not necessarily a bad trait, Jaxom realized, but it could be wearing on her companions.

Well, I'm glad Mirrim had some character growth, sadly off page. It'd be nice if the narrative acknowledged Jaxom had some to do as well. But he's getting laid regularly now, so who cares, I guess.

Apparently the fact that Jaxom told Toric the solution to his problem made its way to D'ram's ears too. He's amused. Reinforcing my interpretation that Jaxom could have told him any time. Hmph.

But anyway, they chat about the mission and the time table. The dragons: Ruth, Path, and S'len's Bigath, are being fitted with oxygen tanks and water barrels. We're told Mirrim fusses about the placement, because of course she does. If she's not bitchy, we might forget that she has a really interesting story that McCaffrey has no interest in writing.

It also means Jaxom gets to tell her SHE's wasting time now. Because of course. They head up to the Yokohama.

Jaxom muses about the difficulty of explaining dragon capabilities to Aivas. Mostly because the riders know jack shit:

If there were many things Jaxom did not understand about Aivas, the artificial intelligence had some problem understanding dragon capabilities. For instance, how much weight could a dragon carry? For which the answer was: How much weight did the dragon think he could carry? An answer Aivas found specious—and certainly not helpful when what was needed was hard numbers.

Then there was the question, How do dragons know where to go? “Their riders tell them,” did nothing to explain the actual process to Aivas. While Aivas did accept teleportation, it could not understand why telekinesis was so impossible a concept to explain to the dragons and the fire-lizards. Especially when Ruth had indeed understood what Farli had not: to go to the Yokohama.

I feel like at some point in Pern's history, they should have people study dragons outright. But there's never really been any mention of that. Too bad.

So they get there. Sharra is amazed at the sight of Pern from above. Mirrim is freaked out, understandably, but I'm rolling my eyes, because of course the character McCaffrey is lukewarm about is the one who is having trouble processing, when the character who has never been flying on a dragon until adulthood is fine with it.

Mirrim also gets to forget how to manage in free fall, so Jaxom can talk her and everyone else through the experience. Mirrim's a pretty good sport about the whole thing though. She appreciates why greens are chosen for the mission.

S'lel is also pleased that, for once, the greens are getting the best assignments. I'm actually glad for this too. For too long poor little green dragons and fire lizards tended to get shit on.

Path and Bigath also have some funny moments getting used to freefall. Of course, Ruth is fine. And that's reasonable, because Jaxom has been up here before. But man if I'm not annoyed anyway.

They enjoy the view of Pern: Benden and Ruatha aren't visible from the angle. Eastern Weyr is, but barely, impressing S'lel who'd thought it was big.

Jaxom, of course, gets to explain things.

“That’s what a geosynchronous orbit means, my friends, the ship stays in the same position relative to the surface of the planet,” Jaxom said. “However, if you’ll move over to that first console—easy does it!” He grabbed Mirrim before she could propel herself too forcefully away from the window. “We can see the coast of Nerat and something of Benden on the rear screen, but,” he added with a nod to Sharra, “Southern Hold’s over the horizon.”

I know it's not fair of me, but my dislike of Jaxom makes me read this as very smug. He also gets to show off with the console and enlarge the view.

He does manage to offend S'lel a bit, by offering to accompany him to the Bahrain. This irrationally makes me think S'lel's going to fuck up later, because how dare he be offended at Jaxom's helpfulness. But I'd like to be wrong.

Jaxom instead helps the girls get the barrels down to the Environment section. Sharra is struck by the cold, and Jaxom smugs that it's warmer than it was. He also gets to call Mirrim back like a child when she gets too excited.

They do manage to set things up and then the girls kick Jaxom out to do their jobs. Hah, I do not blame them one bit.

Jaxom heads back to the bridge to monitor and set up the telescope under Aivas's instruction.

Ah, time to take a potshot at Mirrim:

“S’len’s working away?” Mirrim asked. “Time for us to do the Buenos Aires, then.” She buckled up her jacket, nodding at Sharra to do the same. “Aivas, Farli has turned on the life-support systems there, hasn’t she?”

“Yes. There is now oxygen in the relevant areas of the Buenos Aires.”

Sharra gave Jaxom a look that was tolerant of Mirrim’s predilection to take charge.

Ruth, Jaxom began, for although he did really trust Mirrim and Path, it was Sharra they would be taking to the Buenos Aires.

I appreciate the hypocrisy here. But why shouldn't Mirrim take charge in her own job? And there's a nice bit where Ruth points out that if Path catches him supervising her, Mirrim will be upset. Jaxom acknowledges that either he trusts Mirrim or he doesn't and actually backs off for once.

Good boy, more of that and maybe I'll stop irrationally disliking you.

--

And hey, it does end well. Sharra and Mirrim make it back to Landing just fine. Though check this shit out.

When Sharra and Mirrim returned to Landing, Brekke and Master Oldive were there. Brekke, F’nor’s introverted wife, had agreed to learn more about the treatment of wounds, since she often worked as an aide to Benden Weyr’s healers.

Poor Brekke, you deserve better than being described as "F'nor's introverted wife".

On the plus side, they now have microscopes for everyone, which causes Mirrim to be adorably thrilled. Aivas walks them through how to observe bacteria samples. The bacteria was extracted from infected wounds. Ew. But cool.

The chapter ends with the characters learning about antibiotics.