Fire Margins

by Lisanne Norman

  He tried moving his arm, bringing it closer to his body for protection. There was a strange noise. His ears tried to focus on it, then he realized it was himself whimpering gently. He was glad of the darkness then: he wasn’t ready to see what Ghezu had done to him.

  Carefully he pushed himself into a sitting position. Moving slowly, using his good hand, he felt around till he located something solid—a metal strut. Recognizing it as one of the legs on his bed, he inched his way over to it. By the time he finally reached it, he was sweating with the exertion. He hauled himself up against the side of the bed, leaning against it with relief.

  His recollection of what had happened after Ghezu injured his hand was hazy. Had he told him the codes? He couldn’t for the life of him remember. For the life of him, he thought. What life? Ghezu’s breaking every law of civilized behavior, let alone the Brotherhood, in treating me like this! He’s insane, beyond reason! His fear now was that Ghezu wouldn’t kill him. There were worse things than death: however painful it was, it was an end.

  Unclothed as he was, he had no way to end the torture Ghezu was inflicting on him. All he had was a mattress, a blanket and a sheet—even his jacket had been taken from him. The walls, though roughly carved from the rock, had no projections onto which he could tie anything. His meals were served without knife or fork, he had to use his hands to eat.

  The temporary warmth his exertions had generated had gone now and he began to shiver again. The movement jarred his hand, reawakening the pain he’d managed to push a little distance from the forefront of his mind. Death was preferable to this. One thing all warriors feared was dying limb by limb. Better a clean death than living with a broken or maimed body.

  An inch at a time, he’d said. The words echoed inside Kaid’s head and he felt the fear grow. To have the strength to make one attack! Even if he didn’t take Ghezu with him, the guards would be sure to kill him. But Ghezu was keeping him weakened with pain and the drug.

  Forgetting his new injuries, he clenched his fists in anger, coming close to blacking out with the agony it caused.

  Tallinn?

  Gods, I’m still hallucinating! he thought, lightheaded.

  Tallinu, damn you! Listen to me!

  His reserves were gone, there was no more fight left in him. He let the dream flow through him.

  Tallinu!

  The tone was familiar. Noni?

  Vartra be praised! You’re still alive! Where are you?

  Where am I? Why was she asking that? The basement cells. But you aren’t real, Noni.

  They’re here, Tallinu, and they’re coming to get you out! Hold on for just a little longer, and for the God’s sake, boy, use that damned crystal so she can keep track of you! Ghezu’s got that place sewn up tighter than a highlander’s purse! We’re real, never fear.

  What’s real, Noni? I can’t tell any more. The drug …

  Touch the crystal, then you’ll know what’s real. Trust me. Have I ever lied to you, boy?

  I don’t know that I can hold out any longer. The admission hurt.

  The crystal, Tallinu. Hold it, then you won’t be alone, she’ll be with you. Only an hour, maybe two at most, and we’ll be there.

  She’d gone. His mind was silent once more. There was an inevitability about the dreams: once they had started, he had no choice but to follow where the storyteller led. Twisting round slowly, he reached up under his pillow and tugged his sheet back till he could find the hole in which he’d hidden his crystal. Probing through the stuffing, his finger finally touched the leather bag and pulled it free. There was no reason not to do what she’d said, but he didn’t believe anything would come of it. Holding the neck between his teeth, with his left hand he poked the opening wider till he could reach inside and take the crystal out.

  As soon as his hand closed around it, it warmed to his touch, releasing memories, not of their time at Noni’s as he’d expected, but of the dream meeting at the Valsgarth Shrine. He could smell her scent, sense her presence. Then he felt her unmistakable mental touch. Embarrassed, he backed away, only to find his mind held by hers.

  Kaid, we’re here. We got your message. Ghezu has been indicted for treason. We didn’t wait for the warrant. One of Lijou’s people is letting us in through the tunnels. Just keep hanging in there, Kaid. We … I … don’t want to lose you again.

  His thoughts were too confused to be coherent even to himself.

  I’m keyed in to you now, Kaid. Put the crystal back into its pouch, but keep wearing it, and don’t give up. I promise you we’ll be with you soon.

  He sat there for several minutes before rousing himself to return the crystal to its bag and putting it round his neck. Then he waited for Ghezu—or the dreams—to return.

  *

  Carrie hiked her robe up yet again as it got tangled between her ankles.

  “Damned thing!” she muttered. “Never could stand skirts!”

  “Ground’s uneven here,” said T’Chebbi from in front. “Watch your feet, Liegena.”

  Reaching out for the tunnel wall, Carrie used it to steady herself as she cautiously picked her way among the fallen debris. T’Chebbi’s torch shed enough light for her to see by and she silently thanked Vartra that she had functional Sholan eyes. Had she had Human eyes, the journey would have been virtually impossible for her.

  The first part had been easy. While she maintained a light contact with Kaid through the crystal, Kusac had mentally checked the tunnel ahead. Though not that dependable a talent, it made them feel more secure. Garras entered the code Kha’Qwa had given them into the keypad set into the concealed entrance in the hillside.

  The technically abandoned tunnel was kept clear—mainly by students who had overstayed the curfew—of any small rocks and rubble that broke off from the roof or walls. They knew they’d come to their turning when they saw a brick wall off to one side. Blocked off a generation ago, it only took the removal of the loose bricks that Kha’Qwa had told them about, and they had a space large enough to crawl through. But the floor of the tunnel ahead was littered with the debris of countless minor rock movements.

  Suddenly Carrie collided with T’Chebbi, letting out a surprised gasp. Behind her, Dzaka came to an abrupt stop.

  People ahead. Friends of Kha’Qwa, I think, Kusac sent as they all started moving slowly again.

  Beneath her fingers, the wall was damp and, in places, slimy to the touch. With a shudder of distaste, she pulled away from it, touching it only with her fingertips. T’Chebbi’s flashlight glinted off the veins of crystal embedded in the rock walls around her.

  Up front, Kusac and Garras disappeared into the darkness. The gap between the two groups had gradually increased as Carrie had slowed down.

  We’ll check out who’s waiting up ahead, said Kusac. Take your time, Carrie. This ground’s treacherous.

  I’ll have to! I’m having difficulty maintaining any contact with Kaid!

  Why?

  His mind’s still behind those barriers of his. All I can really do is keep track of where the crystal is.

  If they move him, let me know!

  I will.

  *

  They weren’t far behind Kusac and by the time they arrived, one of the females was telling him that unless they took out the main power system, there was no chance of disabling all the dampers. A couple of people were going after a few selected key units, though. With any luck it would allow them to communicate with Lijou and the outside world.

  Among the group of half a dozen Brothers was a telepath Kusac recognized from his father’s description—Vriuzu.

  Catching Kusac’s curious glance, Vriuzu’s mouth opened in a slight grin and he held out his palm in greeting.

  “Didn’t think I’d ever see any of the Telepath Guild again,” he said as Kusac responded. “I know you’re not with them now,” he added.

  “It’s good to know you’re safe, and that you’ve found peace with your talent,” said Kusac.

  “I owe the Special Ope
ratives my life. I’ll gladly do anything I can to help one of them.”

  Kusac nodded his thanks, then turned to Carrie. “Have you still got a fix on Kaid?”

  “Just. As I said, it’s more of a fix on the crystal than him now. I can barely sense his presence,” she said tiredly, leaning back against a dry section of the wall.

  You shouldn’t have come, Kusac sent, looking over at her, ears flicking in concern.

  You need me to find him. What I’m getting is so faint, I could never have picked it up from Noni’s. Besides, we owe him. Without him that sniper could have killed us during my Challenge.

  Kusac could feel her still raw memories of that day. “Where is Kaid?” he asked quietly.

  “West of here, on this level,” she said, waving her hand in the direction they needed to take.

  “She’s right enough,” said Rhayna, the obvious leader of the group of Brothers.

  “I’ve got contact with Lijou,” said Vriuzu suddenly. “The dampers are down between us and him.”

  “Make sure no one overhears you,” warned Kusac. “Keep him up to date. We’ll let him know when we need him. Right, let’s go, Rhayna.”

  Rhayna took the lead as they turned a corner and stepped through the heavy wooden door that was the entrance to Stronghold.

  *

  Suddenly the light came on. Kaid stayed where he was, having no reason to move.

  The door didn’t open immediately but when it did, Zhaya stood in the doorway. He was alone. Moving to the side of the open door, he gestured with his stunner. “Get up,” he ordered.

  Kaid leaned on the bed with his good arm, levering himself tiredly to his feet. Cradling his right arm and hand, he turned and moved slowly toward him.

  “You know what this stunner can do,” said Zhaya. “So let’s keep this civilized, shall we?” Holding him firmly by the good arm, he dragged Kaid along the corridor.

  Kaid tried to keep his mind blank, to think of nothing, but gradually the forgotten memories of his last visit with Ghezu began to seep through from his subconscious. As Zhaya opened the door, he remembered the smell of his own freshly spilled blood so strongly he could taste its metallic tang in his mouth.

  His tongue flicked out to moisten his lips only to find he’d bitten himself again. He thrust the memories aside, forcing his mind to become still once more. Attempting to control the pain was difficult enough without remembering and anticipating what was to come. He needed to focus all his attention on now. When his moment came, he had to see it and take it: he’d never get a second chance to end this.

  *

  “He’s been moved,” said Carrie.

  “Where?” demanded Kusac, turning back to her.

  “I don’t know. All I felt was a sudden flare from him, then silence again. He’s in danger, Kusac, that much I did get.”

  Kusac looked at Vriuzu.

  He shook his head. “My Talent’s sending, not receiving,” he said.

  “Rhayna, where would they take him?”

  “It could be anywhere. Depends what they’re doing with him. It wouldn’t be to any of the common areas of Stronghold, that’s all I can tell you.”

  “Lijou says try the interrogation rooms,” said Vriuzu.

  “Where?” demanded Kusac.

  “Here,” said Rhayna. “This level’s where the old holding cells and interrogation rooms are. They’re never used now because their facilities are so primitive.”

  “Take us there. Carrie, for the God’s sake, try to find him!”

  She nodded, her face pale with concentration and worry.

  *

  Ghezu was sitting at the desk when Zhaya and Kaid entered. He looked up from his comp pad.

  “Sit down, Kaid. I’ll be with you in a moment.”

  The wooden chair was in the same place as before. Kaid found himself walking over to it as if it was part of a well established ritual. How often had he been here? Once—or more? The fact that he didn’t know disturbed him profoundly. Silently, he sat down, watching Zhaya walk across the room to stand behind his chair.

  Ghezu continued to study the pad for several more minutes before putting it aside and getting to his feet.

  “How’s the hand today?” he asked, coming round to stand in front of him. As he reached out toward him, Kaid pulled back.

  “It’s your own fault,” Ghezu said. A flick of his ear and Zhaya stepped forward to grasp Kaid by the shoulders, holding him firmly against the chair back.

  “All you had to do was give me the codes. I’m not unreasonable.” Again Ghezu reached out for Kaid’s hand.

  This time he couldn’t pull away. As Ghezu took hold of him by the wrist and pulled his hand forward to examine it, a low mew of pain escaped him, and for the first time, he looked down at his injuries. His hand was distended, the fur matted with blood. Agony lanced through it and up his arm when Ghezu touched the two swollen outer fingers. The fourth one, the smallest, was missing.

  “Nasty,” said Ghezu, ears flicking in false concern. “The whole hand’s badly inflamed. Still, we did a good job of cauterizing that finger, even if I do say it myself.”

  His touch was light but it was enough to make Kaid cry out again and try to twist free. Ghezu let his hand go and turned to walk back to his desk. “The others are only broken, Kaid. They should heal, given time.”

  Kaid held his hand close against his chest, barely conscious, the room seeming to recede around him. Rather than holding him still, Zhaya was now holding him upright.

  “Let’s start again, shall we?” he heard Ghezu say. “We’ll use your left hand today, give the other one a chance to heal. Remember what I said to you. If I have to cut the information out of you an inch at a time, I’ll do it. It’s a matter of how many fingers you’re willing to lose. Bring him over, Zhaya.”

  Zhaya hauled him to his feet and dragged him over to the desk. His left hand was pressed down onto the desktop and held there as Kaid fought to remain conscious and on his feet. Between his spread fingers, he could see the bloodstained white scars already in the wood’s surface. His blood. Once again, his senses began to swim.

  Gods! It was too soon! He had to do something before …! His mind veered away from that. Leaning forward, he took several large breaths, trying to focus his thoughts. Already he could feel the sweat starting to form across the back of his shoulders.

  Suddenly Ghezu leaned forward to grasp the leather bag hanging from Kaid’s neck.

  “What’s this? Why haven’t I noticed it before?” he asked sharply, using the thong to jerk Kaid’s head closer.

  “Leave it.”

  “Something else she gave you? Maybe I should take it, too.”

  Kaid said nothing, just stared.

  Ghezu twisted the thong round his hand and pulled sharply, breaking it. He let it dangle in front of Kaid.

  “I’ll take everything you ever had, or hoped to have, Kaid. I already hold your life, and Khemu’s bracelet. Now this little trinket.” He began to open it.

  The pressure on his left hand had eased a little. Zhaya was as intrigued as Ghezu as to what was in the leather pouch.

  Concentrating all his remaining energy, Kaid twisted round and swung the elbow of his injured arm backward, catching Zhaya hard in the pit of his stomach. As the guard released him and doubled over retching, Kaid, hardly able to see through the haze of pain the blow had cost him, staggered away from the desk. Sight didn’t matter, he knew where Ghezu was. Regaining his balance, he dropped into a crouch, ready to leap.

  “I wouldn’t, Kaid,” said Ghezu, pointing his energy pistol at him. “It won’t work. I can stop you without killing you, but do you really want to lose a leg? Isn’t one finger enough?”

  *

  With a cry of pain, Carrie clutched her head and stumbled into T’Chebbi, who just managed to catch her before she fell.

  Kusac was at his mate’s side. Taking her from T’Chebbi, he held her close.

  “What is it? What happened, Carrie?”

/>   Although she was still trembling, she’d already begun to recover. “The crystal. Ghezu took the crystal from him,” she said, pushing him away. “We’ve got to get there now, Kusac! Kaid’s trying to make Ghezu kill him! Go! We’ll follow!”

  Are you sure you’re all right?

  Go!

  He went, followed by all but Dzaka and Vriuzu.

  “Send to Lijou now, Vriuzu,” she said, leaning against the wall. “Tell him to bring Noni. She’ll be needed.” She looked up at Dzaka. “Don’t even think of following them,” she said, her tone uncompromising. “You’re here to protect me, not get yourself killed because of Ghezu’s Contract.” She held her hand out to him.

  He took it, pulling her upright till she could lean on his arm. “I’ll say with you, Liegena,” he said.

  “You don’t need to like it,” she said, aware that her tone had been sharper than she’d intended. “Believe me, I’d be there with them if I could, but I’ve got other responsibilities too.”

  Dzaka looked down at her, mouth opening in a small grin. “So we have, Liegena. Thank you for reminding me.”

  Her hand tightened reassuringly on his arm. “I’ll know as soon as Kusac does, Dzaka. It’s almost as good as being there. They’ll be in time, don’t worry.”

  *

  As Kaid hesitated, the door exploded inward in a shower of splinters and smoke. Kusac and Garras appeared in the opening, rifles trained on Ghezu and the still retching Zhaya.

  “We’ve got a warrant for your arrest, Ghezu,” said Kusac, his voice cold and dispassionate. “High treason. I suggest you put down the gun and surrender quietly.”

  Ghezu moved swiftly, grabbing Kaid and pressing the pistol to the side of his head. “I think not,” he said, backing away toward a door at the rear of the room. “You want your friend alive, don’t you?”

  The sound of running feet could be heard echoing in the corridor behind Kusac and Garras.

  “Just keep your people under control and no one need get hurt,” said Ghezu, stopping at the door. As he changed his grip on Kaid to fumble for the door handle, his gun knocked against his captive’s injured hand. Soundlessly Kaid began to crumple, dragging Ghezu down with him. Dropping him, in one fluid move, Ghezu had the door open and was gone.