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  "Be still a minute and listen to me," he said. When she'd stopped, he continued. "Believe me, Carrie, I know you're fertile. Your scent's different for one thing. Before, so much was happening that we had hardly any time for each other. Now I know you better, I know the signs."

  "Another cub won't replace her," she said defiantly, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

  "Never," he agreed. "You know I still grieve for her, too. Today is ours, no Link demands. It's time we moved on, Carrie; took control of our lives rather than sat back and let fate dictate what happens."

  "I'll have no tests," she said.

  "No tests, no doctors unless you want one," he agreed, beginning to nuzzle her ear. "You don't need to leave the estate for anything. The only Humans around will be those with Leskas of their own." His teeth gently closed on her ear.

  Your choice, Carrie. It's what we talked about, our first step to freedom, he sent. Will you choose to be the mother of my cub?

  She could feel the tension in his mind. They might be life-bonded, and though it gave him the right to expect her to carry at least one cub, he was asking her the way any young male would ask the female he loved. After what had happened the last time, he knew it was no small thing he hoped for.

  I know it wasn't your choice before because we didn't think it was possible. It would mean so much to me to know we both chose to make this cub together.

  Yes, she sent, and, I love you, as she felt the joy wash through him. I'm glad we have the choice this time.

  With relief, he felt her body become soft and pliant once more. There's no need for fear now. We know what to expect, he sent, gently releasing her though he kept hold of her hand.

  "So we're camping out for two days in a cave, are we?" she said as they moved off toward the clearing ahead.

  It has to be done the old way, he sent. It's a nice cave. I've made it as comfortable as possible, even brought some food and drink in case our hunting proves fruitless.

  "Are we going hunting, too?" she asked. "I'm glad it isn't winter yet!"

  "Yes," he said, lips curving up in an almost human smile. "We're going hunting. If we don't catch anything, we'll have a sparse third meal!"

  "How do we cook anything we might catch?" she asked, slowing down again as they approached the hillside.

  "I've collected firewood," he said, tugging her gently onward. "It's quite a civilized cave, honestly. Come and see it for yourself."

  He led her over to the creeper-covered rock face and began feeling among the vines with his free hand, trying to locate the entrance.

  She hesitated, and he knew instantly what she feared.

  "It is like stepping back into the past of my species, but there's nothing to be afraid of. I'm no different out here in the wilds than I am at home," he said quietly. He knew there were still times when for a moment she saw him as alien. "What have you to fear?"

  Nothing, she sent, dipping her head to one side, a half-smile on her face. She stepped past him and into the cave mouth.

  He followed, his hand automatically reaching for the ledge inside where he'd placed his torch. Picking it up, he flicked it on, illuminating the interior.

  "It's bigger than I thought," she said, following the beam upward with her eyes. The rocky ceiling was some six or seven meters above them.

  "It's natural," he said. "Hollowed out by the sea I believe."

  "Impressive."

  He turned the light on themselves so she could see his grin. "Daunting, you mean. Don't worry," he reassured her. "We're camping farther back, and there's a natural flue to the outside under which we can light our fire."

  "You used to camp out here as a youngling, with Ghyan."

  "That's right," he said, aiming the beam deeper into the cave as he reached for her hand again. "I'll show you where we're sleeping. We need to go there to collect our bows."

  A few meters ahead of them was a small side chamber and as they stepped inside it, Kusac felt the gentle draught of cool air from the surface ruffle his hair.

  The torchlight fully illuminated the small chamber, its light bounced back by the seams of crystal that crisscrossed the rock face.

  "Grass?" Carrie said in amazement, looking down at the sea of greenery around her feet.

  "Not ordinary grass," he said, bending down to pick up a handful of it to show her. "See, it's round, not flat. It's called sweet-grass because of its scent. It's part of doing it the old way."

  She took some from him, sniffing it gingerly.

  "Traditionally, we males would find a den for our mate and line it with sweet-grass," he said. "It's supposed to possess special qualities."

  "Oh?" she said, letting the grass fall back to the ground. "What are they?"

  "You know the type of thing," he said evasively, his tail swaying gently from side to side as he stepped further into the chamber. "Aids fertility, helps in childbirth, the usual things. It probably won't affect you, as I expect it's species-specific." Seeing the bows and quivers propped against the far wall reminded him why they'd come into the sleep-ing cave. He was reaching for them when Carrie touched his arm.

  Leave them till later, she sent. And no, it doesn't matter if it's me or the grass, she added as he turned round to face her.

  We'll miss second meal, he sent.

  We can eat later. Reaching for the buckle on his belt, she lifted her face up to his.

  The torch still held in one hand, he put his arm around her, letting the fingers of his free hand run through her hair.

  Gods, cub, you haven't been like this since before ... his thought faltered.

  ... the Challenge, she finished for him.

  Since then, he agreed, lowering his face to hers and gently nipping her lips before kissing her Terran-style. It's good to have you back, cub. It's been too long since you felt this relaxed with me.

  It's in the past now. Let's leave it there, she sent, returning his kiss as she dropped his belt to the ground and pressed open the front seal on his tunic.

  Let me put the torch down, he sent, trying to gently push her back.

  "Sod the torch," she murmured, her hands running across the silky fur that covered the front of his body. Reaching behind herself with one hand, she took the torch from him and let it fall to the ground.

  The beam flickered crazily then steadied as it landed on the deep layer of grass.

  As he bent and swept her up into his arms, he felt the tension begin to build in the muscles of his lower abdomen and groin.

  "I've never known anyone like you," he said softly, kneeling on the grass before putting her down gently on the pile of furs that lay nearby. "A touch, a kiss, and you have me as aroused as any youngling with his first female. You do it every time."

  She lay there looking up at him as he leaned over her and deftly untied the sash she wore round her waist. His amber eyes glittered in the reflected torchlight and as he unsealed her tunic and pushed it aside, his hair brushed against her cheek.

  Do I still make your heart beat faster? he asked, his hand cupping one breast as his mouth gently closed on the other.

  "Oh, yes," she whispered, reaching down to touch his ears and hair. "As fast as yours does."

  One hand closed in his hair, clutching it as his teeth and tongue began to work their magic on her. Then his body was touching hers, his fur like velvet against her bare skin. The sensations began to build inside her, higher and higher till they broke, leaving her shuddering with pleasure as he released her and gave a deep purr of amusement.

  "Stop teasing me," she moaned softly, reaching down for him, but her hand was batted away as he continued.

  "No more." She trapped his hand with hers. "I want you now, Kusac."

  Then he was there, within her, part of her.

  En'Shalla, Carrie, he sent as she arched her body against his. Say it, say En'Shalla. The cub we're making is in the hands of the Gods.

  "En'Shalla," she whispered, pulling him closer. "We're one, in the hands of the Go
ds."

  As always, their minds fused, each of them experiencing the other's pleasure mingled with their own. Around them, the scent of the crushed grass rose, filling the air and making it even more difficult for him to keep the self-control he needed.

  Your decision as well as mine, Carrie, he sent. This time we choose to make our cub, our daughter. Then, with both their minds focused on that thought, he let his control drop.

  She could feel it, like currents ebbing and flowing through their bodies and minds: a convergence of potentialities. Then mentally they reached out and grasped their choice and she felt a power like that of the gestalt surge through them. Their shared world exploded, the heightened sensations different from anything they'd experienced before, and for a brief moment— so brief that later she doubted it— she felt a third presence join with them only to vanish in the pleasure of their shared climax.

  Afterward as she lay clasped safe in her life-mate's arms, she knew that their daughter had been conceived. The arm that held her cradled against his chest was unlike hers with its covering of black fur. Across her legs she could feel the gentle weight of his tail, and the feather-light touch of its tip as it rose and fell slowly. She turned her face to look up at him, feeling the warmth and silkiness of his fur against her skin. His face with the high cheekbones and bifurcated mouth was humanoid but not human, nor were the amber-colored eyes that regarded her solemnly.

  She reached up to stroke his cheek. "Kashini," she said as a quiet contentment filled her. "She's called Kashini."

  With relief, he released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Kashini," he agreed, lowering his head to kiss her. This time he knew she wouldn't fear their child: this time she had faced the reality of his alienness and had accepted the fact that the cub she was carrying was only part human. This cub she'd chosen to carry. He thanked the Gods that he was a telepath because there was no way words could convey to her what he felt.

  * * *

  Lijou sat at his desk looking out across the valley to the Kysubi plains. Already he could begin to see the seasonal changes in the trees far below. He heard a scratching at the door and with an effort pulled his attention to his office.

  "Enter."

  The door opened to admit his second-in-command. "Excuse the interruption, Father Lijou," he said, "but we've had a disturbing message from one of our Brothers at the Laasoi Guildhouse concerning the situation in the Ghuulgul desert. I thought you should be told immediately."

  Lijou nodded and gestured for the gray-robed Brother Vusho to enter.

  He approached the Head Priest's desk. "Support for the self-styled priest, Fyak, is growing faster than we anticipated, Father," he said. "Vray sends that they've lost another telepath to them. Brother Chay. He was killed ... most horrifically," he said, his ears lying back along his head in obviously great distress.

  Lijou rose and went round to Vusho, taking him gently by the arm and drawing him over to the informal seats.

  "Sit, Brother Vusho," he said. "Take a moment to regain your composure. I take it you picked up the details of Brother Chay's death."

  Vusho nodded briefly as he sat on the edge of the chair.

  Lijou went to the heated c'shar unit and poured them both a drink. Returning to Vusho, he handed him a mug. "Drink it," he said, sitting down opposite him and taking a mouthful himself.

  With a shaking hand, Vusho put the mug to his mouth and took a sip. "He was torn apart by the villagers," he said softly, tears beginning to roll unheeded down his face. "How could they do that? How can they inflict such pain on another person?"

  "Fear and hate are powerful motivations," said Lijou. "Fyak preaches both."

  Vusho looked up at him. "Is there any news of Raza and Shi?"

  "Nothing good," said Lijou regretfully. "This Fyak managed to burn out the area of their brain that processes their telepathic talents. There's nothing we can do for them. They're still comatose and likely to remain that way. If our medics at Valsgarth can do nothing for them, then it's just a matter of time."

  "What about Noni? Can't she help them?"

  "Noni?" Lijou said in surprise. "Is she still alive? She must be nearly a hundred and thirty by now!"

  "Could she help?"

  Lijou took another drink, regarding Vusho thoughtfully. "The Brothers still go to her?"

  Vusho's ears flicked assent. "Those from the mountains would rather see her than our physician or medic," he said candidly.

  "Does she still refuse to travel?" Seeing Vusho's ears flick again, he continued. "It would mean bringing them back from Valsgarth in IC units and all that entails, including asking Esken to release them to us. Relations between us and the Guild are not the best at the moment," he mused. "In the end, Noni may be able to do nothing either."

  He sat for a moment, deep in thought then, coming to a decision, put his mug down. "Contact Valsgarth Medical Center on my authorization and familiarize yourself with the details of their cases, then go to Noni and tell her. See what she says. There is no point in bringing them here if she can do nothing. We haven't the facilities for caring for them long-term, they're better at Valsgarth if that's the case."

  Vusho's ears pricked up and forward. "Father Lijou," was all he could say, all he needed to as his mind conveyed the rest.

  "What other news is there from Lassoi?" Lijou asked.

  "Fyak's support grows," said Vusho, taking a drink. "Every day he takes more of the desert people on as his Faithful."

  "Faithful?"

  "Disciples, his inner priesthood, for want of a better word," explained Vusho. "He surrounds himself with a guard made up of the older males, veterans of the constant inter-Tribal skirmishes. There was a battle a few days ago at a village called Sonashi."

  "A battle?" Lijou's eye ridges lifted in surprise.

  "The Sonashi were decimated," said Vusho. "There hasn't been such ferocious action between the Tribes in the last thirty years."

  "Hmm. I wonder if it was just a battle. Could it have been a disciplinary action? Perhaps the Tribe wanted nothing to do with Fyak and his followers."

  "I don't know, Father," said Vusho. "There have been reports of a few refugees arriving at the Laasoi Guildhouse. That's where we got what little information we have. Unfortunately they aren't saying much at all."

  Lijou shifted in his seat, his long robe rustling as he moved. "Contact Brother Vray again and have him question these refugees more thoroughly. Since they've come to us for sanctuary, they can tell us what they know. Tell him to order the return of our remaining two priests from the desert areas as a matter of urgency. I won't have our people endangered any longer. The risks are too high."

  "Guild Master Esken still has telepaths in the field."

  Lijou gave a hiss of exasperation. "Then he's a bigger fool than I thought! There's nothing we can do, I'm afraid, Vusho. My next worry is how long the Guildhouse at Laasoi will be safe. They're too near the desert for comfort. I'll have to contact Mentor Nishou myself about that. Thank the God that his Guildhouse is for us, not Esken!"

  Vusho nodded, setting his empty mug down on the low table between them before getting to his feet. "I'll see to those matters straight away, Father," he said.

  Lijou stood too, his hand going out to touch Vusho on the shoulder. "Your sensitivity does you credit, Brother Vusho," he said gently. "You can only do so much to help and no more."

  "I know, Father Lijou," he said with a sigh. "Sometimes that side of my Talent is more of a curse than a blessing. There should be another report in by the twenty-third hour tonight. I'll bring you the news when it reaches us."

  "No, Brother Vusho, you won't," said Lijou firmly. "You will be sleeping. The Brother on duty can bring me the news. I need you rested if you're going to see Noni tomorrow and hopefully bring our Brothers home from Valsgarth. There's no one else I can entrust these tasks to. I will be at the new Valsgarth estate for much of the morning. If you need me, have a message sent."

  "Yes, Father Lijou."
<
br />   As Vusho approached the door, Lijou called out again. "How is Leader Ghezu today?"

  Vusho didn't turn round. "Those of us who have to deal with him go in pairs, Father. The Warrior Brothers make sure there is always an extra senior Brother at all training sessions. For the moment, Vartra smiles on us as Leader Ghezu is busy researching the Brotherhood's Warrior records for some reason."

  "Let us pray that He continues to smile," said Lijou dryly. "May Vartra walk with you, Brother Vusho."

  "And with you, Father."

  * * *