“If they would be willing just to listen a little harder right now,” F’lar suggested, raising an eyebrow.

Haligon nodded. “I’ll ask.”

“Anything that will prevent a repetition of today’s attacks,” Lessa said firmly.

“Any assistance would be welcome,” Crivellan added urgently, leaning toward Haligon. “Master Oldive is going to be terribly upset by that vileness. He’s had such plans for the extension of healer services. If such untruths are circulating, healers may be discredited, or endangered. So often they travel alone and great distances.”

“Any healer who requires the assistance of the Weyr need only let us know,” F’lar said, looking to N’ton, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

“The problem often is that we can’t know how serious an injury or a condition is when we’re called to attend,” Crivellan said.

“How many healers have fire-lizards?” Sharra asked, acutely aware of how useful hers were.

“Not many here in the north,” Crivellan replied regretfully.

“I thought healers had priority on Master Bassage’s little hand units.” Lessa turned to F’lar.

The Weyrleader’s expression was rueful. “They do and Master Bassage is working as diligently as possible, but the materials come from various sources and have to be handmade. Again, it all takes time.”

“Oh, some have been delivered,” Master Crivellan hastily admitted, “but not enough, and even then,” he added with a little shrug, “the things don’t work in deep valleys.”

“The benefits of Aivas’s technology are often ambivalent,” F’lar remarked.

“They require work,” Groghe announced bitingly, “determination, and application. Too few of this generation want to work.”

“We know the problem, it’s the solution that eludes us,” Sebell said. He sounded and looked tired.

“Shall we deal with the problem of this Batim?” Groghe asked, regarding Lessa with a benevolent eye.

“For all the good it’s likely to do,” Jaxom remarked, hooking one arm over his chair back.

“He might just let some clue drop,” F’lar said blandly.

Groghe gave a sharp nod to Haligon, who rose and left the room. “He’s been cleaned up. He’ll undoubtedly start claiming his ‘rights.’ His sort usually does.”

“And the rest of his crew?” Lessa asked, frowning.

“And the—ah—Scalp’s injury?” Sharra asked, not at all solicitous.

“Oh, you heard her reject Oldive’s offer? Magnanimous of him when you think what she’d just done. However,” Groghe continued with a malicious grin, “they’ve been fed, and washing took care of the dried blood and other dirts.”

“You had them washed?” Lessa asked.

“They objected strenuously to being hosed down,” Groghe said, “and Haligon said they complained that the food they were given was too salty.”

Lessa grinned at Sharra, who also felt that some deprivation was very much in order, but Master Crivellan was dismayed by the news.