Fire Margins

by Lisanne Norman

  Dragging his eyes away from them, he continued on down the corridor, alert now for the slightest noise. Rounding a corner, he saw a doorway ahead of him. On either side of it, carved pillars of flame reached to the ceiling some six meters above.

  Cautiously, keeping to the shadows, he ventured forward till he was within a few meters of the doors. He stretched out his hand. No sooner had he touched one than it swung slowly open.

  From within, white light flooded out, blinding him with its intensity. Automatically his arms went up to cover his face. He peered through the narrow gap between them, seeing opposite him a tall statue of a seated God. Round his feet, discarded weapons lay and in his hands he held a brazier of glowing coals. The face of the statue was Sholan. With a sigh, he released his breath. Then he frowned. Something wasn’t quite right.

  A figure stepped between him and the God, cutting out the worst of the intense light.

  “Who are you to disturb the peace of Kezule?” a voice demanded in Sholan. “You have no right to be here. Leave, lest the wrath of Kezule strikes you down where you stand!”

  He hesitated. The voice and the form were familiar.

  The figure stepped forward, crimson robes rustling as he moved.

  Kaid retreated as the priest continued to advance. Turning, he ran back the way he’d come, emerging at full tilt into another cavern—a cavern housing Valtegans the like of which he’d never seen before. He came to an abrupt stop, hardly able to believe what he saw. Short and squat, they were a parody of the soldiers. One lifted its head, looking toward him, the gold collar at its throat glinting. The face bore a look of such mindless hunger that when it began to raise itself to an upright position, terror freed him and he began to back out. Guards yelled and rushed toward him. Shock sent adrenaline rushing through his system. The world spun crazily, then suddenly stopped, leaving him reeling with nausea and the memory of groups of what could only have been large eggs lying on the heated floor of the small cavern.

  *

  Opening his eyes, he found he was lying on the prayer mat in his room at the new Shrine of the Valsgarth estate. He sat up, blinking and rubbing his eyes groggily. He couldn’t be here, could he? Reaching out he touched the low table in front of him where the triple-wicked lamp still burned. It felt solid enough, but then, so had the cavern. He pushed himself up into a sitting position, looking round the room. Everything was where he remembered it. Had it all been a dream, then? Holding his hands up, he examined his wrists. The half-healed weals were still there. He flexed his shoulders. Pain shot through his back, making him gasp. Not a dream, then. Had Ghezu returned him to the estate, and if so, why?

  Getting carefully to his feet he made for the door, opening it and stepping out into the corridor.

  The cold made him shiver and he realized as he looked down at himself that he was still unclothed, as he’d been the last time he’d visited the Shrine room in the middle of the night.

  The building was silent as he padded his way along the corridor to the entrance. Pushing the door open, he stepped inside. A figure wrapped in a cloak sat huddled on the steps of the dais at the foot of the statue of Vartra.

  His hypersensitized sense of smell identified her at once. As he started down the hall toward her, she turned round. Her face was concealed by the folds of her cloak, but he knew it was her.

  “We thought we’d lost you,” she said, raising her hands to pull back her hood.

  The flames from the braziers cast flickering light and shadow across her alien features. He stopped a few feet from her.

  “How long have I been gone?” he asked.

  “Just over six weeks now. We had news from Fyak’s lair that you were there.”

  He shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. “When did I return from Stronghold? How was I brought here?”

  She frowned, reaching out to touch his face, her fingers cupping his cheek. “You’re really here this time, aren’t you? Then you returned now, Kaid.”

  Hope began to rise in him as he covered her hand with his—it was warm flesh and blood. He stepped closer, putting his other hand against her throat, feeling her pulse beating under his fingertips.

  Pulling her close, he buried his face against her neck. Breathing deeply of her scent, he tried to reassure himself with as many of his senses as possible that he was home.

  “You’re real,” Kaid whispered, running his fingers through her hair as he began to nuzzle her neck. “I’m really here, with you.” His tongue flicked across her cheek. As his mouth touched hers, his teeth gently caught hold of her, tasting the sweetness of her lips for the first time. Then he realized what he was doing and released her.

  “I’m sorry. It was just that … I didn’t mean to …” he said, backing away from her.

  “Kaid!” she cried, reaching out for him as he saw her begin to fade.

  *

  Carrie left the Shrine and headed for the room Kaid had used when he’d stayed here before. It was still as Dzaka had left it, the lamp burning in the hope that Vartra would guide Kaid home. She closed the door behind her, leaning against it as she sniffed the air. She could smell his scent! It couldn’t have been her imagination, could it? She reached out with her mind, searching for the pattern that was Kaid, but once more, she sensed nothing.

  Turning, she left the room and headed for home. As she walked along the main street in the gathering dusk, ahead she saw and heard the bustle of people outside the Brotherhood dwelling. With a shock, she recognized the mental patterns of Humans. It was the group of archaeologists, a full day earlier than expected. No wonder there was a commotion outside the houses!

  One of the Sholan guards standing helplessly watching the confused Humans saw her and came hurrying over.

  “Liegena,” she said. “They weren’t expected today! We can’t locate anyone who can key the door for them! Everyone’s at the dig trying to get as much done as possible before the Terrans take over. You can fix the door, can’t you?”

  “Me? I don’t involve myself with Terrans,” she said, taking a step back as she sent to Kusac, letting him know he was needed at the village.

  I’m on my way. Security informed me when they arrived. You shouldn’t have been out on your own! he sent. Leave them till we get back. It’ll only be another ten minutes. Keep that guard with you until I return!

  “The Liege will be here shortly,” she told the Warrior. “He’ll deal with them then. You’re to remain with me.”

  Shayola looked at the group of Humans, then back to Carrie. “We can’t leave them there, Liegena. It’s not an auspicious welcome for them.”

  Before she could answer her, one of the Humans who’d seen them in conversation started walking over to them.

  “Look,” the woman said, stopping in front of them. “We’ve just come from the Kysubi plains. We’re tired and hungry, and we don’t need this kind of foul-up! We’ve been subjected to the most ridiculous level of security checks to get onto this damned estate in the first place, and now we’ve been left high and dry out here in the street, in the cold, surrounded by a group of armed guards! We’ve been treated like intruders! I want to see someone in authority, and I want to see them now!”

  Dammit, Carrie! Get back home away from them! Tell that Warrior to do her job and guard you!

  She’s one of Ni’Zulhu’s people, not a personal guard.

  Still dazed after her experience in the Shrine, she was torn two ways. Basic hospitality told her the Humans weren’t asking much, instinct and Kusac were telling her to run back home, away from them, before they realized who she was.

  “Please, Liegena! You can key the door lock and let them in. The house is ready apart from perishable food,” Shayola was saying.

  “All right, but you must stay with me as a bodyguard until I’m back at the villa,” she said before looking at the Human.

  “I’ll let you in,” she said. “Someone will be along shortly to show you round the house and tell you where everything is. I’m afraid
we weren’t prepared for your arrival today, we were expecting you tomorrow.”

  Carrie stepped past the woman and began walking toward the house.

  I’m letting them in, Kusac, then I’ll go home. We really can’t leave them standing outside.

  “Hey! You can’t just walk off like that!” exclaimed the woman, turning round to trail after them. “I want to speak to someone in authority! I intend to lodge a formal complaint about the way we’ve been treated!”

  “Go ahead of me and clear them away from the doorway, please, Shayola,” Carrie said to the Sholan female. “I don’t want to have to push through them.”

  “Yes, Liegena.” She hurried off and began shouting orders to the other guards.

  A hand grasped her by the arm, stopping her in her tracks. “I said don’t walk away from me! I’m not done with you yet! I’m a professional archaeologist, here with my team at the personal invitation of the owner of this estate. I don’t expect to be given the runaround by people like you! Now, I want to know your name, and I want to know it now! I intend to report you to your superiors!”

  Carrie was peripherally aware of the shocked reactions of the woman’s colleagues, and the estate guards with them, as the woman’s frustration and anger flowed through her.

  “Leave her alone, Pam,” called out one of the men. “She’s going to open the door for us. Let’s just get in and relax till someone comes to sort this all out.”

  Carrie took the opportunity to move to one side, but Pam was having none of it and made another grab for her, catching her by the arm again.

  “Oh, no you don’t,” she said, holding onto her.

  Anger flared through Carrie, hers as well as Kusac’s. As Shayola stepped forward to intervene, Carrie reached up with her free hand and pulled her hood back. Staring Pam straight in the face, she answered her.

  “I am someone in authority. I’m Liegena Aldatan, and my bond-mate owns the estate. Now, I suggest that you release me at once.” There was ice in her voice.

  The light from the open doorway was behind Pam, ensuring that she caught the full effect of Carrie’s feline eyes as they glowed in a way that was impossible for Humans’.

  Shocked, Pam let go of her and began to back away. A dark shape came to an abrupt stop on the edge of the group, making them scatter in fright. Rearing up to his full height, Kusac stepped out of the bushes to Carrie’s side.

  “I apologize there was no one here to greet you,” he said, putting his arm round his mate’s shoulder and drawing her close. “We weren’t expecting you. The security I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to. It isn’t normally so intrusive, but my people had to check your credentials, especially when you arrived so unexpectedly. Please, go into your lodgings. Someone will be here in a few minutes to show you round. In fact,” he said, looking over their heads, “here’s someone now.”

  As they turned round, the small party of Humans was treated to their second sight of a Sholan transforming from a four-legged lope to an upright stance.

  “I’ll do it, Liege,” said T’Chebbi, dusting the palms of her hands off on her thighs. “Dzaka’s gone for attendants. Humans be here in fifteen minutes. They’ll make it right.”

  “Thank you, T’Chebbi,” said Kusac. “Tomorrow morning, at fourth hour, I’ll join you here and brief you on our work at the site.”

  “I haven’t keyed the lock yet, Kusac,” said Carrie.

  “I’ll do it,” he said, moving toward the door. He placed his right hand on the lock plate and the door slid back. The interior lights came on, their warm glow a welcoming contrast to the chill night air.

  “Please, make yourselves at home,” said Kusac, standing back so they could enter.

  The rest of the group trooped past him, smiling and thanking him, but Pam would have none of it.

  “I intend to protest about our treatment,” she said angrily. “I demand to speak to the Clan Lord about this!”

  “My father isn’t in charge of this project, I am, and I’ve apologized for the inconvenience you’ve been caused because of your early arrival,” said Kusac smoothly. “If you’re of the same mind tomorrow, then by all means you can request a meeting with him.”

  “Pam,” said a female voice from the doorway. “Leave it till tomorrow. Come in and get a hot drink. We’re all overtired after our journey.”

  “An excellent idea,” said Kusac, looking curiously at the young woman.

  “Mattie,” she said. “Call me Mattie.” She moved forward, reaching out to touch the older woman on the arm. “Come on, Pam.”

  “If you wish, on your comms you’ll find the data regarding our discoveries so far at the dig,” said Kusac. “You can brief yourselves for tomorrow. Now, I must go. T’Chebbi will stay with you until our Dr. Reynolds and Mara arrive to help you settle in.”

  He turned away, moving swiftly back to Carrie’s side and drawing her away from the house.

  Let’s leave while we have the chance! Please don’t go out without one of our guards again, he sent. I’m not saying it could have got nasty there, but I didn’t like that older female’s attitude at all. Accidents happen. All it needs is a small push and you could fall. Wrapped in your cloak like that, it’s impossible to see you’re pregnant.

  I should have called Dzaka when I was ready to leave. I wasn’t expecting any strangers in the village.

  I know you’re safe here, among our own, but even if it’s just across to Vanna’s, take someone with you. You could fall, or one of the kitlings run into you and knock you over—it’s not worth the risk, cub.

  She sighed. “You’re right, I suppose, but I think you worry too much.”

  As they approached the archway into the grounds of their home, Carrie, as usual, glanced up at the emblem set into the plaster. For some unknown reason, this time she really noticed it. “Why two suns, Kusac?”

  He nodded in passing to the guard on duty. “Excuse me?”

  “Why does the crest have two suns?”

  He shrugged as he opened the door. “Don’t know. Never really thought about it before.”

  “It isn’t as if there are two suns,” she said thoughtfully, stepping into the welcoming warmth. “How long have your family used that design?”

  “For generations,” he said, turning to help her off with her cloak.

  “As far back as the Cataclysm? Yours is one of the oldest families on this continent.”

  “It could be. Mother’s the one to ask about that.” He handed her garment to the main house attendant who, realizing the Liege and the Liegena were home, had suddenly appeared at his side. Kusac flicked his ears in thanks.

  “Let’s go into the den. I’ve something I must tell you about,” she said, linking her arm through his.

  “I need a shower first, Carrie. I’m covered in earth from the caverns.” He held out his arm and brushed his pelt against the lie of the fur.

  “Then I’ll talk to you while you shower,” she said, backing away from the ensuing small cloud of dust.

  “I won’t be able to hear you over the sound of the water. Why don’t you tell Zhala that we’ll be ready to eat in half an hour and I’ll join you downstairs?”

  “Don’t take too long,” she said as he headed upstairs.

  *

  When they were through at the archaeologists’ house, Dzaka accompanied Jack over to the village’s medical center and labs.

  “Don’t go yet, lad,” said Jack as they reached the pathway. “I haven’t had time to talk to you about the other day.”

  “Talk to me about what?”

  Jack took him by the arm and drew him up the path to the door, which as always, was open.

  “Come in for a while. I think you need to talk,” he said.

  Dzaka hesitated. Jack was right, he did need to talk to someone, but who?

  “Are they expecting you at the villa tonight?”

  “Not till later,” he admitted.

  “Then there’s nothing to stop you.”

 
He followed Jack in, waiting beside him while the Human opened the door to his private quarters.

  “You’ve not been here before, have you?” asked Jack, heading over to the kitchen at the far end of his lounge.

  “No, I haven’t.”

  Dzaka looked round in interest. Books lined the walls, the shelves almost groaning under their weight. In front of them were curios—a lump of rock here, a shell there, a small ornament or two. The desk, despite having the usual comm, was covered with papers, writing instruments, and more books.

  The obligatory settee and couple of easy chairs were covered with brightly woven rugs of obviously Human make.

  “Oh, they’re from Keiss,” said Jack, following his gaze from the kitchen doorway. “My possessions finally caught up with me. Sit down, Dzaka. Do you want coffee or c’shar?”

  “C’shar,” he said, lowering himself into one of the chairs.

  Jack disappeared to return a few minutes later with a mug for each of them. Handing Dzaka his, he sat down opposite him.

  “Now, how about starting by telling me what that bunch of no-goods were up to when I came along the other night,” said Jack.

  “A mistake, that’s all,” said Dzaka with a shrug, trying to avoid the other’s piercing gaze.

  “Mistake, eh? You didn’t say that when I patched up your face and ribs.”

  Dzaka tried but couldn’t control the flicking of his tail. “They thought I was someone else,” he said.

  Jack leaned forward, mug cradled in both hands. “Look, Dzaka, I know how difficult it is for you here. Your father is popular, people blame you for his capture, and you feel Kusac and Garras tolerate you for his sake, not through any care of you personally. There’s no one you can really talk to, is there? That’s why I’m offering. For you, not for them. I’ve yet to meet Kaid, so that makes me different from the rest, doesn’t it?”