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  "Is she blocking you out again?"

  "No. She hasn't got the strength to do that now. Vanna's convinced she's reacting in a Sholan way— the way one of our females would if she'd suffered what Carrie's been through in the last few days."

  "What do you think?"

  "I think this is atypical for either Humans or Sholans. I believe she's just giving up."

  "I remember you telling me your father said he was worried for her sanity, and that was before the Challenge," said Kaid. He poked at the end of his twig for a moment, then bit off a few rough bits of bark. "Taking a sentient's life for the first time affects us all differently, Kusac," he said, still looking down at the twig in his hands. "Remember the first time you killed— three Valtegans, wasn't it? Remember your reaction. As well as her injuries, and losing your cub, she's also trying to come to terms with the fact she took another person's life and maybe believing she's paid for her death with the death of her cub— a life for a life. I know what you're going to say," he looked up at him, ears swiveling forward, "she's killed Valtegans, but they weren't people to her. Sholans are."

  Kaid's wrist unit began to emit an alarm tone. He raised his eye ridges at Kusac, then activated the receive function.

  "Alpha 1 to Base. Come in Base."

  "Base here," he said.

  "Striker 3 has requested permission to land. We have a visual. I've directed them to the open ground beyond the front of the house."

  "Alpha 1, who's aboard Striker 3?"

  "Physician Jack Reynolds, Base, at your request."

  Again Kaid looked quizzically at Kusac. "Confirm his identity, Alpha 1."

  "Did you send for Jack?" asked Kusac.

  His aide shook his head. "Not me. Who, then? If it is him."

  "Alpha 1. Here is a visual of the Physician."

  Kaid looked at the tiny comm screen. A small but perfect representation of the Human physician was there. "Liege, confirm this is Jack, please," he said, holding out his wrist.

  Kusac looked. A sandy mane of hair topped Jack's unmistakable bearded face. "It's him."

  "Alpha 1, identity confirmed. Allow access."

  "Confirmed, Base. Alpha 1 out."

  Kaid put away his stim-twig. "They'll have landed by the time we walk round," he said.

  "I take it my mother isn't expecting him," Kusac said, as overhead the sound of powerful engines could be heard.

  "None of us are."

  "This on top of all the other major upheavals today! My mother's really going to love us!"

  "The doctor doesn't have to stay here," said Kaid placidly. "He'll automatically be granted Medical Guild status. He could stay at that guild."

  "That's not a sensible option. He'll be much safer here."

  The door opened, making both of them half-rise as they looked into the interior of the room.

  "I swear this house becomes more like Chagda Station every hour!" said Rhyasha, her tone cool in the extreme as she swept into the lounge followed by Konis. "Who is it this time?" she demanded.

  "Dr. Jack Reynolds," said Kusac, getting to his feet as she came toward them.

  "Physician Reynolds?" she said in disbelief. "Who sent for him?"

  "I've no idea, Mother," said Kusac. "It wasn't either of us."

  "Then who?" she asked.

  The same idea hit them all at the same time, but it was Rhyasha who said it.

  "Taizia! When I get my hands on that cub ...! Her actions will be seen to be condoned by me, the Clan Leader. Damn the child! She's compromised our clan! Doesn't she realize that inviting an alien from another world isn't the same as inviting a friend from another clan over for a hunt!"

  "How can Jack's visit compromise us, Mother?" asked Kusac, baffled. "He's a personal friend, why shouldn't he visit, even if he is from another species?"

  "She's right, Kusac," said his father. "I didn't stop to think of the repercussions on the clan of having the kitlings brought here."

  Kusac turned to look at him.

  "Not to put too fine a point on it, I kidnapped them, Kusac," he admitted with an embarrassed flick of his ears. "I'll have to contact Governor Nesul and hope he backs up my actions. If not, we could be in for trouble from Esken if he chooses to pursue the matter."

  "How can he pursue it? The kitlings want to be here, their mother will agree to that. You haven't moved them here against their will."

  "Esken had other plans for them," said Konis.

  "What?"

  "He was going to have them taken to the Laasoi Guildhouse so we couldn't study them. He didn't want me finding out that their Link is more like yours than the normal Sholan Leska links," said Konis.

  "Dr. Reynolds arriving without official clearance makes it look even more like we think we're above the law. We could even be accused of allowing a Human physician to experiment on Sholan cubs. Just think how that could look on the newscasts!" his mother said.

  She pinned each one of them with her icy glare, making sure they all felt her quite justifiable anger. "I have no personal objections to the kitlings being here or the Human Physician coming to treat Carrie, but I will not have the clan compromised again by anyone. Kaid, go and greet the physician on our behalf. Assure him he'll be staying here as our guest. Bring him to my kitchen, not here. I don't want Carrie disturbed yet, not that an earthquake would wake her at the moment!" She gave a snort of derision, making the silver beads plaited into her hair jingle. "Put him up at the Medics Guild indeed!"

  She turned to Konis. "You had better go and talk to the Governor. Get Physician Reynold's visit cleared and do what you can concerning the kitlings and Esken. We might yet stave off any vote of censure from the other clans."

  After a quick glance in the direction of the still sleeping Carrie, Rhyasha moved to the nearest chair and curled up in the depths of its bowl-shaped seat with a sigh. A moment's rest was what she needed.

  Kusac realized her reaction was justified. He'd gotten so used to seeking outlandish solutions to their problems that he'd forgotten the strict protocol which defined the lives of those who lived on Shola, and had at one time been as natural to him as breathing.

  He shifted from one foot to the other, unsure what to say, wanting to defend his sister. Her actions might have been unwise, but in light of Carrie's current condition, they were very fortuitous.

  His mother sighed again. "Sit down, Kusac. You've enough to concern yourself with looking after Carrie. I'll see to Taizia. I know why she did it— she felt responsible for Carrie's injuries because she'd suggested the Challenge. I'll not be too unkind. Are we expecting any more visitors that I know nothing about?"

  Kusac sat in the chair opposite. "None that I know of." He hesitated. "We're headed for trouble with Esken and the Telepath Guild, aren't we?"

  "It looks like it." She closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of her chair.

  I'm sorry, Mother, he sent. If it hadn't been for me having Carrie as a Leska, then none of this would have happened.

  Kusac, let me say this one last time, then never mention it again! I have never been more proud of you than when we stood in your suite on the Khalossa and you told me that the Human female wearing your torc was your Leska and your future mate. In those moments, I knew that you'd listened to all I'd tried to teach you about life and honor and responsibility. She opened her eyes and stretched out her hand to him. A lesser male wouldn't have stood by his Leska and fought for her the way you did.

  Kusac rose and went to her, taking her hand in his as he sat on his haunches beside her chair.

  She's my bond-daughter, Kusac, your life-mate. She's carried my first grandchild. When he flinched, she leaned forward and held his face in both her hands. Yes, you lost your child, but she'll have more, Kusac. You're my son, of my blood; when she shared that blood with you, you became one. She's part of our clan now as surely as if she'd been born to it. I love her too, Kusac!

  She gave him a gentle shake, then tugged at one of his ears. I know how you feel at this
time, but it still doesn't excuse you doubting how I feel about her. She is a jewel in our clan, someone rare and precious. If trouble with the Guild is what it costs for you to be together, then trouble is what we'll make! With a last affectionate caress, she let him go and sat back again.

  "If Esken is going to threaten to move any new Leska pairs, mixed or not, to another guildhouse, then I fear we must find them somewhere else to live."

  "I've thought of that, Mother," said Kusac. "You know that my villa on the Valsgarth estate was being made ready for us to use? If we opened up the estate again properly, renovated the existing houses, built new ones, it would serve the purpose. Perhaps Father can still work with them at the Guild during the day, with access to all the medical and testing equipment there. We can make sure they'll be safe there by assigning each pair one of the Brothers to guard them. And when they return to the estate, our security will protect them."

  "That's another point," she said. "Security. Who's paying for all this?" She waved her hand vaguely in the air. "All day Ni'Zulhu has had people tramping around the house, measuring, drilling, sawing and painting, setting up his various devices. And it's not just restricted to the house. The whole estate is having ground sensors planted round the perime-ter, and he's taken the old gatehouse as his 'command center.' Boxes and crates have been arriving all day. At this rate, we'll be bankrupt before the end of the week!"

  "Kaid's arranged for the military to fund it," he said. "They can try out their new equipment here and protect us at the same time."

  "He has been busy on our behalf," said Rhyasha dryly. "Does he consult with you first, or does he always use his own initiative and tell you later?"

  Kusac hesitated. "Kaid's unique, Mother. He's always acted independently. It's his strength, and possibly his weakness. I do trust him implicitly, though."

  "Hmpf! Well, try and break him of the habit. Your Physician will be here in a moment," she said as the low whine of the engines changed pitch. "Let's leave Carrie in peace for now."

  * * *

  "He's done what?" Esken couldn't believe what Khafsa was telling him.

  "I have no proof it was the Clan Lord, Master Esken," said Khafsa. "Garras was recognized. He's Vanna Kyjishi's mate and they're both currently living on the Aldatan estate. It could be that Kusac Aldatan is behind this."

  "Not likely, considering his father was here this morning and questioning me about them," said Esken grimly. "Thank you for telling me." He switched off his comm and turned to Sorli. "Damn Konis! The last thing I needed was him working against us! There's absolutely nothing I can do about this, and he knows it!"

  "With respect, Master Esken, I did warn you against drugging Physician Kyjishi and the Human, Brynne Stevens. That's what's brought this to a head," said Sorli. "She's too close to Liegen Aldatan to have taken such action."

  "What's done's done now," snapped Esken. "I've got to keep control of those mixed Leskas. When's the ship due in with Interpreter Zhyaf and his Human Leska?"

  "It arrives at Chagda Station in two days, Master."

  "Get in touch with Leader Ghezu at Stronghold and request an escort for them. I want them brought straight here."

  "Yes, Master. Do you want them met at Chagda or at the spaceport?"

  "Chagda. Let's not take any chances on Konis getting them first."

  * * *

  "Oh to have been there when Esken discovered they were missing!" chuckled Governor Nesul. "Yes, Konis, I'll provide you with the authorizations you need to house the anomalous Leskas at your son's estate." His mood changed, becoming serious. "We need to talk, Konis. Tonight."

  "Of course, Governor," said Konis, frowning slightly. This was most unusual. "What time do you want me to arrive?"

  "Not here. I'll come to you. Twentieth hour. No fuss, Konis. I don't want it known I'm coming."

  "Very well, Governor. I'll see you at the twentieth hour." As Konis saw Nesul reach to turn off his comm, he remembered something. "Oh, ah ... We have extra security on our estate now, Governor."

  Nesul raised an eye ridge. "Fortuitous considering the situation," he said, then cut the connection.

  Konis cleared his screen thoughtfully. The Governor, coming here for private talks? There was obviously more to this guild business than met the eye.

  * * *

  The door to Lijou's private study swung open. Ghezu stood framed in the doorway.

  "We've got a problem," he said, shutting the door be-hind him.

  Lijou blanked his comm screen with a sigh. He'd always found Ghezu difficult to work with, but lately he'd been worse. His lack of concern for anyone's privacy was one of his least appealing characteristics.

  "What is it this time?" he asked tiredly, sitting back in his chair and folding his hands in his lap.

  Ghezu gave an angry growl as he came farther into the room. "Don't trivialize me, Lijou. We're balanced on a knife edge at the moment. One wrong move and we could lose everything that Stronghold has worked toward for generations."

  "I'm as aware of that, Ghezu, as you are. Now, tell me the nature of this particular problem."

  "I've been requested by Valsgarth Telepath Guild to provide an escort for Interpreter Zhyaf and his Leska. They arrive at Chagda Station the day after tomorrow." He moved over to one of the chairs by Lijou's desk and sat down.

  Lijou frowned. "Why do they want an escort from us? Usually the Warriors provide one in these circumstances."

  "They want to be sure the pair arrive at their Valsgarth Guildhouse. I had to prise out of Sorli the information that they're afraid that Clan Lord Aldatan's people may get there before the Telepaths and take the Leskas directly to the Aldatan estate."

  "Now why would they think that? Have you checked on the current rumors from the palace?"

  "Naturally," said Ghezu. "What do you take me for?"

  Lately, an idiot who can't control his temper and sees everything as a confrontation! Lijou thought, but repressed it hurriedly lest one of the Brothers pick it up.

  "What did you find out?" By Vartra, it's like pulling teeth from a krolla!

  "Governor Nesul has put the Clan Lord and AlRel in charge of the Mixed Leska program, and Esken isn't happy."

  "Really?" Lijou sat forward, unclasping his hands and placing them on his desk. Out of sight of Ghezu, his tail flicked.

  "That surprised you!" said Ghezu, leaning forward on the desk. "I don't mind telling you it surprised me, too. Seems our Governor has been looking for a way to curb Esken for some time."

  "That's hardly news," said Lijou, dismissing it with a wave of his hand.

  "There's more. It's rumored that the Clan Lord apparently spirited two Leska cubs out of their Guild medical center to his estate. Seems Konis Aldatan doesn't trust Master Esken either."

  "Now that is extremely interesting! So both our Governor and the Clan Lord see the need to separate the new Leskas from Esken and the Telepath Guild."

  "Events are moving faster than we predicted," said Ghezu. "Having AlRel in charge of the Leskas doesn't make life any easier for us." Absently, he picked up one of the carved blue-white crystal ornaments on Lijou's desk.

  "They still need to belong to a guild," said Lijou thoughtfully, "and with them at the Aldatan estate, they'll be exposed to the influence of the Aldatan cub, Kusac, and kept out of Esken's way. That is definitely to our advantage."

  Ghezu grunted noncommittally. "Maybe. We still haven't had a firm undertaking from him to join us yet."

  "Then I'll have to pursue that, won't I? What do you plan to do about Esken's request?"

  Ghezu put the crystal down and flexed his claws impatiently. "What can I do?" he asked. "If I refuse, what reason can I give? We've said we'll accept protective contracts for the mixed Leska pairs. But if I comply, we're taking them exactly where we don't want them to be."

  "A dilemma indeed," said Lijou. "Perhaps in this case, the best course of action is to be direct. Contact Kaid and get him to confirm these rumors of the Clan Lord's appointment, a
nd his ... ah ... acquisition of these cubs." He gave a low chuckle.

  "What's so funny?" demanded Ghezu, picking the crystal up again and tapping it on the desk.

  "The idea of our Clan Lord kidnapping anyone!" smiled Lijou.

  "I fail to see the humor in it," said Ghezu testily.

  "Ghezu, Ghezu," said Lijou, shaking his head in mock solemnity and reaching forward to take the ornament from him. "You mustn't be so serious. You should learn to see the inherent humor in most situations. You'll build your own funeral pyre at this rate." He placed the crystal flower in front of himself, out of Ghezu's reach.