A Book for a Bronzerider

Writers: Yvonne
Date Posted: 24th March 2024

Characters: J'nus
Description: J'nus tries to keep his promise to replace Kapera's terrible book
Location: Sunstone Seahold
Date: month 2, day 14 of Turn 11
Notes: Mentions: Kapera
Follows 'BLW: Drivel Like That'

The next restday, J'nus made the journey to Sunstone Seahold just as their gather market was opening. It was a drizzly grey day with a leaden-bellied sky and a lightly salted breeze, and the bronzerider let himself enjoy walking through the little stalls and listening to the holders barter. Every so often he caught the lilt of a traveller's voice, making him smile.

Sunstone's market burst with fresh fish, smoked tea, and bright ceramics that were at odds with the dreary weather. He bought a bottle of rivergrain wine and a citrus, which he peeled and ate while he searched. He'd promised Kapera a gift, and J'nus wasn't the type of man to break his promises.

Finally he found what he was looking for in the middle of the market, well away from the damp of the shoreline. A small, wood sided stall packed to the brim with paper and hides. Books, mostly, as well as a supply of ink and wax tablets. A plain-faced woman with threads of silver in her dark hair huddled beneath an umbrella in a wooden chair near the entrance. She looked up and smiled at his approach, revealing two gaps where teeth used to be. "Welcome, bronzerider. Can I help you find something in particular?"

"Actually, yes. I... ah, need a Harper novel." J'nus smiled back at her. "Something... appropriate for a Weyr."

She blinked. "A.. oh, I think I see what you mean. _That_ sort of Harper novel." Her smile grew sly. "Got yourself a lady friend, do you? Or is the novel for yourself?"

"Perhaps a bit of both," he admitted after a moment, although the way the woman was looking at him made him want to explain that he also read histories, poetry and scientific texts. The twinkle in her eye was a bit much. "Have you any?"

"I do, but in the back. Don't want the young'uns getting their little hands on them." She set aside her umbrella and gestured for him to follow her into the little market stall. It was darker inside, crowded with shelves that leaned together like drunkards. The air was stale and surprisingly warm. The merchant pointed at a wooden chest in the back corner. She pulled a key from the belt on her waist and used it to open the chest's lock. "Take your pick! Unless you're looking for something... particular? I could help find it quicker for you. I know my titles."

"I can look myself," J'nus said quickly. "Thank you."

They locked eyes, and she hesitated. "Usually I watch, to make sure I don't get robbed. But you're a bronzerider. A trustworthy sort, I'm sure."

He blinked. "I assure you, madam. I am not a thief."

"Sometimes novels like these can get a man's blood up, if you know what I mean." She waggled her eyebrows. "A little insurance wouldn't hurt."

J'nus sighed and dug out an eighth mark. "Will this do for now?"

The wooden mark disappeared and so did the merchant, although she did wink at him again as she left to resume her seat at the front of her booth.

The bronzerider knelt and began going through the books. The paper was so thin that it was nearly transparent, and the ink stained his fingers. The chest was full of silly tales, everything from romances with heaving bosoms to salacious crimes to bold holders in the remote reaches of Pern somehow fighting Thread on their own. He snorted at the last one. Propaganda of the most idiotic sort.

But not what he was looking for. There were a few books that were close, so J'nus selected one about a pair of large-breasted greenriders competing to seduce the most attractive brownrider at Dragonsfall Weyr and closed the trunk. When he re-emerged into the sunlit market his eyes watered at the change.

"Find something to your liking?" There was a smirk in her voice.

J'nus held up the book. "I did. How much for just this?"

"Normally I'd take that eighth mark you gave me, but... I was hoping to arrange for a ride to visit my sister at Citrus Bay Hold." She smiled brightly. "I don't want to be a bother so I could lock up my booth and go with you now, if you're leaving?"

"Only if you throw in a second Harper novel." Perhaps it wasn't dignified for a Wingleader and bronzerider to barter, but old habits died hard.

"Done! Pick whichever one you want, bronzerider!"

J'nus turned to go back into the stall, then turned back to the merchant. "My name is J'nus. And I _am_ looking for something particular... did you happen to have a Harper novel about a goldrider who seduces holders?"

The merchant's eyebrows flew upward. "Ah... no? I can ask around but I don't think I've seen one like that."

"Pity. Ah well, I'll go pick one out." J'nus returned to the dark tent and selected the novel about the holder family fighting Thread using their hands and wits out of the pile. Kapera would like that, he thought. Perhaps he'd read it to her when they were going to bed.

The merchant, who was named Ginnes, locked her booth after him and returned his eighth mark with a wink and a gap-toothed smile. She hurried off to pack a bag with a promise to meet him by her stall in a quarter candlemark. J'nus bought another citrus and ate it beneath an awning as he waited.

Perhaps he'd have better luck finding the perfect Harper novel at the next market day, or at another Hold. There had to be one out there, somewhere...

Last updated on the March 28th 2024

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

A Book for a Bronzerider