thefiremargins Page 11

  "Fine. At least I'll get to choose where it'll be! So, I ask Kaid to confirm the rumors: what then, Master Planner?"

  "What did you tell Sorli?"

  "That I'd check my rosters and see who I have free."

  Lijou leaned back again, steepling his fingertips together. Why can't he see the obvious solution? Ghezu's slipping: this obsession with Kaid and Dzaka is beginning to make him lose his grip.

  "It occurs to me that if the rumors are true, and Clan Lord Aldatan is indeed in charge of the Mixed Leska Project, then you have no problem," he said.

  Ghezu glared at him. "It's our problem, Lijou, not just mine! We both have the same goal here."

  "As you say," said Lijou, flicking an ear in grudging agreement, at the same time castigating himself for once more baiting Ghezu. He knew he shouldn't, but the Brotherhood's temporal leader was so irritating that baiting Ghezu occasionally was all that kept him from really losing his temper.

  "If the Clan Lord is really in charge," said Ghezu, realization dawning at last, "then I have to report this request to him and have it ratified."

  Vartra be praised! Lijou thought irreverently. "Exactly."

  "I'll just be unobtainable if Sorli calls back, and hopefully they'll assume we'll send the escort on their behalf."

  "Which we will, but to deliver the Leskas to the Aldatan estate," finished Lijou.

  Ghezu nodded, getting to his feet. "I'll contact Kaid now."

  * * *

  "Dr. Reynolds," said Kaid, inclining his head as the doctor emerged from the Stealth craft.

  From the top of the ladder, Jack squinted down at the brown-furred Sholan. "Kaid? Yes, it is you. I'm still not very good at recognizing individuals, but I'm getting better." Turning round, he carefully climbed down the vertical ladder. It was with relief that he felt firm ground under his feet.

  "It may be fast," he said, stretching his arms and back, "but, by God, it's cramped!"

  The copilot lowered a net containing the doctor's luggage. Kaid gestured the house attendant who'd accompanied him forward to catch it.

  Before he turned to follow Kaid into the house, Jack raised his hand in farewell, then took his medical case from the attendant.

  The doctor's gaze darted in every direction, taking in the white and terra-cotta architecture of the house. "Quite palatial, isn't it?"

  "It's old," said Kaid, leading him up the entrance stairs into the inner cloistered courtyard. "One of the oldest estate houses on this continent."

  As they entered the hallway, the sight of the murals stopped Jack in his tracks.

  "They're superb," he said, gazing at the frescoes of Sholan hunters. "Is the whole house decorated like that?"

  "Some areas are," said Kaid, leading him on again.

  The water from the fountain in the courtyard played across the colored rocks, babbling merrily down into the pool. From above came the sound of children's voices.

  "Large family?"

  Kaid looked at him, mouth open in amusement. "We have quite recently added two cubs to the household," he said. "They arrived today. They're a Leska pair about of an age with my Liege's sister, Kitra."

  "Are we going to see Carrie now? How is she?"

  "The Clan Leader asked me to bring you to her kitchen first. The Liegena is sleeping in the lounge and she doesn't want to disturb her yet," said Kaid, leading him out of the sunlight and down a long corridor. "As to how she is, Physician Kyjishi will tell you."

  The door ahead of them opened and Kusac came out. "Jack, thank the Gods you're here," he said, holding his hand out to the Keissian Human. "I hope your journey wasn't too uncomfortable?"

  "I managed," Jack said, remembering as he briefly touched fingertips with him that telepaths were uncomfortable if touched by anyone except close family or friends.

  Kusac, however, would have none of it, and took Jack's hand in both of his. "Thank you for coming," he said before releasing him. "I'm worried about her, Jack. Mother and Vanna think I'm overprotective, but I think they're forgetting that she's still a Human, too, no matter how Sholan she's become."

  "We'll see, lad," said Jack, face creasing into a smile. "Between us, we'll soon have her up on her feet again."

  "Come and have some coffee. Kaid's told you that you're staying here with us?"

  "No, he hasn't mentioned that yet," said Jack, looking round for him. "Where's he gone off to?"

  "Back to Carrie. We don't leave her alone," he said, leading him into the kitchen.

  "Physician Reynolds," said Rhyasha, rising to greet him. "It was good of you to come so far at such short notice."

  "Oh, it was nothing," said Jack, returning her finger-touch greeting. "D'you think I'd pass up an opportunity to visit your home world? There're more than enough doctors on Keiss to go round now, and they don't think much of the likes of me. Say I'm too parochial."

  "It's their loss. Please, sit, and be well come to our home," she said, indicating a chair. "You remember Vanna, of course?"

  "How could I forget a colleague?" he said, nodding in her direction, another broad grin splitting his bearded face. "I hope I'm not stepping on your toes, lass."

  "Not at all, Jack," said Vanna. "In fact, I'm glad you're here. I need your advice on some other medical matters."

  "With pleasure," he said, easing his slightly rotund frame onto the bench seat at the table.

  Rhyasha placed a mug of coffee in front of him and gestured to a plate of cookies. "Please, help yourself. Third meal is a few hours away yet."

  The other door opened and Konis came in. "Rhyasha, I've got an important meeting here tonight, I'm afraid ..." His voice trailed off as he saw Jack.

  "You must be Kusac's father," said Jack. "I can see the strong family resemblance."

  "You're the Keissian physician who saved my son's life, aren't you? We are in your debt, Dr. Reynolds. I hope you enjoy your stay with us." He paused. "I'm sorry to appear rude, but could you excuse us a moment? Rhyasha," he said, turning to his wife and touching her on the shoulder to draw her attention. "I need to talk to you."

  "Do excuse us," said Rhyasha, getting to her feet.

  As they approached the door, it opened.

  "Clan Lord, I'm sorry to interrupt," said Kaid, "but Leader Ghezu of the Brotherhood is on the comm. He needs to speak to you on a matter of some urgency."

  "It's going to be one of those evenings," said Konis, ears flicking with annoyance. "Will you come with me anyway?" he asked Rhyasha. "Whatever he has to say to me can be heard by you."

  "They're popular all of a sudden," said Vanna as the door closed behind them. "What do you bet it concerns the cubs, Jinoe and Rrai?"

  "I don't think so," said Kusac, remembering what Kaid had said earlier— much earlier— that day. "I think that several different political factions have just realized our family holds the focus of power now. This is likely to be only the beginning."

  "Sounds like I've arrived at an interesting time," said Jack, sipping his drink. "Any chance of filling in the details for me?"

  Kusac's wrist comm buzzed. "What did I tell you?" he said.

  "Liege," they heard Kaid's voice say. "There's a call for you from Ghyan at the temple."

  "I'll take it upstairs. Patch it through for me, please," he said, rising. "Sorry about this. I'll only be a few minutes."

  Left alone with Vanna, Jack looked across the table at her. "Well, now, how about telling me how Carrie is? That's why I'm here, after all."

  "Jack, how long can you stay?" she asked. "I mean, what are your current orders?"

  "I'm not in the military, lass, I'm very definitely a civilian. What is it you have in mind? This has to do with more than just Carrie, doesn't it?"

  She flicked her ears in assent. "Apart from any other considerations, it'll be easier to carry on our research for a common contraceptive for the Leska pairs if we're both working in the same lab, not strung out across light-years of space."

  "I'd be delighted to stay longer, but I don't want to impos
e on the hospitality of this good family."

  "If I can sort out the accommodation side, could you stay indefinitely? I need someone with your experience and knowledge of Humans to help me. The number of anomalous Links is increasing, and shortly, I'll be unable to cope with the workload alone." She looked down at the table, not wishing to meet his gaze. "Also I'm pregnant by my Human Leska, and I'd like you to deliver my child. For various reasons, I don't trust anyone else to do it."

  Jack looked at her in surprise. "I'd be honored my dear, but ..."

  "I'll explain it all later, Jack, I promise," Vanna interrupted, looking up again though still not meeting his eyes. Before he could say anything further, she said hastily, "I think we should go and look at Carrie now."

  "Certainly, my dear," he said. "Kaid told me you think Kusac's being overprotective, so what is it that's got him and Kusac worried?"

  "I don't know what's got Kaid worried, but Kusac's being overanxious, as would any male of his youth in these circumstances," she said, getting up and leading the way out.

  * * *

  "Ghyan," said Kusac, "this is a surprise, but a welcome one. What can I do for you?"

  "Can you come over to the temple tonight?"

  "Tonight? Why?" He wrinkled his nose in surprise. "Is something wrong?"

  "No, nothing like that," his friend assured him. "One of the senior temple officials has asked me to contact you. There's a matter he needs to discuss with you."

  "With me? Who is it?" Kusac was puzzled. He knew of no reason for the Priesthood of Vartra to contact him. Surely his plans to take the Fire Margins ritual weren't already known?

  "I can't say more, Kusac. It is important. Can I expect you at the eighteenth hour?"

  "Ah ... Yes, I suppose so," he said reluctantly. "Are you sure there's nothing wrong?"

  Ghyan opened his mouth in a faint smile. "I'm sure," he said. "How's your life-mate? She looked so tiny and frail at the funeral. I'm concerned for her."

  Kusac's ears flicked back in worry. "Her wounds are healing, but not her spirit. She's growing mentally distant from me, Ghyan. Even Kaid's concerned about her."

  "Kaid?" Ghyan was obviously startled.

  "Yes, Kaid. What's so strange about that?" frowned Kusac.

  "Nothing. I just wouldn't have expected him to be so sensitive to her condition," his friend reassured him.

  "How do you know him?"

  "Vartra's Priesthood is ruled from Stronghold by Father Lijou, Kusac," said Ghyan.

  "So it is," said Kusac thoughtfully. "One tends to forget that." So Kaid and Ghyan had had dealings with each other, had they? "Very well, I'll be there," he said. "Until then."

  "Till then," echoed Ghyan.

  * * *

  Kusac decided this time he had to talk to his father. He still hadn't had a chance to tell him what had happened at Stronghold that morning— both of them had been so busy— and his father really should have been informed. Maybe he'd be free now.

  Checking with Vanna on his way downstairs, he was told to stay away from Carrie until after she and Jack had examined her. Sighing, he continued on to his father's study.

  He knocked on the door and waited. His mother answered, opening the door only a crack.

  Not now, she sent. This is too important to interrupt. Later. Her fingers brushed his check, then she was gone and the door was closed again.

  Frustrated, he headed back to the kitchen. Kaid was there. He looked up as Kusac entered.

  "T'Chebbi's watching her," he said. "Physician Reynolds and Physician Kyjishi are with her."

  Kusac regarded him speculatively for a moment, then, picking up his empty mug, went over to the hot plate to refill it.

  "We're going out tonight, Kaid. At the eighteenth hour," he said, resuming his seat at the table.

  "Where?"

  "The temple," he said, watching him carefully over the top of his mug as he took a drink from it. "Ghyan has been asked by one of the senior priests to arrange a meeting with me."

  "It'll be with Lijou," said Kaid, pulling his stim-twig out of his pocket. "I've just been talking to Ghezu. He wanted confirmation that your father was heading the Mixed Leska Project and that the two cubs from the Telepath Guild were here."

  "Why would he need to know that?"

  "Esken's requested an escort for Interpreter Zhyaf and his Leska. He wants to be sure they reach his Guild. Ghezu's discussing this with your father now."

  Kusac nodded, then glanced across at the timepiece on the wall. "Vanna and Jack have been in with Carrie for quite a while. What's taking so long?"

  "It's her first contact with the life that she had on Keiss in a long time, Liege," said Kaid. "She must have missed him. Can't you sense what's happening?"

  "Not really. It's confused," he said, putting his mug down. "I don't like this, Kaid. It's as if we're losing everything we had." He got to his feet, beginning to pace, tail flicking from side to side in agitation. He could feel her sudden distress. Ears flicking flat and sideways, he headed for the door only to find Kaid there before him, barring his way.

  "Let me pass," he said, trying to move the older male aside. "She's upset. She needs me."

  "No. Let her be upset with him. He's the nearest thing she has to her own Human family," he said, refusing to move. "If she really needs you, you'll know. Now sit down and wait till they're done."

  "By Vartra's fire, Kaid ...!" he began angrily.

  "Dammit, Kusac! Stop acting like a youngling! You're only a year from adulthood, you should be able to control your pheromone responses to her. You're going to be the Clan Leader of a new clan, you can't keep overreacting like this! You don't have to prove anything to her— she knows how well you can look after her, she knows you'll be a good father to her cubs, and you know you don't have any rivals for her. So, in the name of Vartra, calm down!"

  Blinking in surprise, Kusac took a step backward. He'd never seen Kaid so agitated before, and no one had spoken to him like that for a long time. He took a deep breath, forcing his heart rate down and trying to release the tension from his body. Kaid was right. He wasn't thinking straight. If she'd really needed him, she'd have sent. She was probably telling Jack about their cub. That was good, she needed to speak to another of her kind about their lost daughter. He pushed aside the grief that threatened to sweep through him, too. This was no time to think of himself. Carrie was the important one.

  "If she can speak to Physician Reynolds about your cub, then that's to the good. She was terrified that Humans would react badly to the news of her pregnancy, so the fact that she can talk to Jack about it shows she's beginning to mend," said Kaid quietly. "They shouldn't be much longer now."

  Kusac nodded slowly, ears beginning to rise again as he turned and walked back to the table.

  "I think you and Carrie would both benefit by learning our mental exercises," said Kaid, keeping an eye on him as he sat down again. "It's how we control not only our gifts but our bodies. We learn litanies to help to focus the mind in times of crisis. In fact, all of you could benefit from them. Why don't you ask Ghyan to visit you here daily and teach you?"

  "Is it like the meditation Dzaka was teaching Carrie on the Khalossa?"

  "Yes, the same. Ghyan knows it too and he teaches it at the temple. We've long thought that all telepaths could benefit from adopting some of our training methods. Those we recruited certainly became more stable once we'd taught them to meditate." He paused as a thought struck him. "You were helping Sorli put together a schedule for training the new mixed Leska pairs, so why not learn our methods and incorporate some of them in that program?"

  "I have to admit I've never met anyone with such effective self-control as you," said Kusac. "It's almost impossible to read your body, let alone your mind."

  "Oh, I have my less controlled moments like anyone else," said Kaid with a faint smile. "At least give our exercises a try. They were very effective for Carrie."

  Kusac flicked his ears in assent. "Why bother Ghyan when Dza
ka's here already?" he asked, watching for Kaid's response.

  "Of course, if that's what you wish," said Kaid, looking down at his mug. "You and Carrie as well as the cubs could work with him, but I doubt either Vanna or Brynne will have anything to do with him now."

  "Why the animosity between you two?"

  "I wouldn't call it animosity," said Kaid, taking a drink.

  "I would."