Fire Margins

by Lisanne Norman

Kaid said nothing, moving just enough to keep Ghezu in the center of his sight.

  “Do you still get the drug-dreams? Dream of her a lot, do you? That’s as close as you’ll get now, Kaid,” he said, still pacing slowly round him. “Inch at a time, that’s what I said. I didn’t get the chance to finish it, but I will today.”

  Kaid watched and waited. He felt nothing for Ghezu now, he couldn’t afford to. Rage and anger had been put aside during the half hour he’d spent in the temple.

  *

  Kusac watched, afraid for his friend. He knew Kaid wasn’t ready to face Ghezu yet; he was still weak not only from the torture he’d undergone, but from their journey to the Fire Margins. It had left them all weaker. If ever Kaid needed a god to answer his prayers, now was the time!

  *

  Kaid himself had no illusions about his physical state. He knew that Ghezu had the edge on him. He was also insane, with the added strength that gave him.

  He’s nothing to lose, Kaid thought dispassionately as he continued to watch him.

  Tiny telltale movements warned him Ghezu was about to leap, but when he did, Kaid was no longer there. Dropping down on all fours, he shoulder-charged Ghezu, timing it perfectly and catching him just as the other landed. As Ghezu fell to the ground, Kaid reared up to his full height and spun round to face him again.

  As he rose, overextending his reach, Ghezu lashed out at him, his claws catching him across the chest, lacerating his flesh. Kaid leaped back; it stung, but nothing more and he knew the cuts were only shallow. As Ghezu continued coming toward him, Kaid pivoted to one side, landing him a vicious kick in the ribs. He felt something give beneath his foot and knew he’d caused some damage.

  With a grunt of pain, Ghezu staggered back and stumbled to the ground. He pressed his hand to his side, trying to catch his breath as he stood up.

  Warily Kaid began to circle, trying to keep on his opponent’s injured side, but Ghezu followed him.

  *

  Carrie sat on the step of the aircar, clutching herself as another spasm gripped her. Sweat was running down her forehead, stinging her eyes. It passed and, shaking, she wiped her face on her forearm. It was taking all her concentration to block the pain from Kusac. There would be time enough to tell him when the fight was over. She was also terrified Kaid might pick it up and be distracted.

  Like the sighing of the wind, she heard the sudden reaction of the crowd. Starting to her feet, she began to walk along the line of riding beasts toward the arena. She didn’t dare use her mind to find out who’d been hurt, and she had to know. The pain was gone now, and wouldn’t come again for another ten minutes or so. She had time enough to look.

  *

  The expected leap came, but with it was a cloud of dust and sand. Effectively blinded not only by the dust but by his inner eyelids, Kaid backed off, arms coming up to protect his face and throat from further injury. Then Ghezu’s weight hit him full in the chest and he fell to the ground, hard. His arms were dragged from his face and slammed down on either side of him as Ghezu landed astride his chest.

  Ghezu’s breath was hot on his face. Kaid blinked furiously, still trying to clear the sharp particles of grit from his eyes. He could see his enemy hazily: his face was only inches away.

  “You and me, Kaid. That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it? One on one—a chance to kill me.” His voice dropped to a low malicious snarl, lips pulling back to reveal his teeth. “You’re finished now. You’ve lost it, Kaid. I said I’d break you and I did. I knew I had the moment you tried to make me kill you at Stronghold.” He began to laugh, edging his left hand along Kaid’s arm toward his injured hand.

  Kaid did the only thing he could: he brought his head up sharply and hit Ghezu in the face. The blow stunned him, too, and he lay there momentarily dazed.

  With a yowl of pain, Ghezu released one of Kaid’s arms, sitting back to put his hand up to his nose. He sneezed and snorted as blood began to flow from it.

  Still dizzy, Kaid reached up and grabbed hold of him by the scruff, extending his claws into the loose flesh as he twisted it tightly, jerking Ghezu to the side. The unexpectedness of his follow-through caught Ghezu unaware and he tumbled sideways, taking Kaid with him.

  Releasing his grip, Kaid found himself sprawled across Ghezu. Seeing his opportunity, he lunged for the exposed throat. Ghezu was quicker, and forcing his hand between them, he managed to hold Kaid off. He still had hold of Kaid’s right hand, and shifting his grasp, he managed to trap it within his.

  Kaid yowled in agony, pain lancing through him as Ghezu began to crush his damaged fingers. Slowly, painfully, he inched his free hand up, trying to grasp Ghezu by the jaw.

  *

  Carrie stood there, almost hidden among the desert fighters, her fist pressed to her mouth as she watched.

  One of the males standing beside her looked down. His hand reached out to touch her shoulder gently. She looked up at him, eyes wide with fear.

  “Vartra will protect him, Liegena, never fear,” he said.

  With a sob, Carrie turned and, clutching her belly, stumbled back toward the aircar. As she rounded the outcrop of rock between the riding beasts and the vehicle, she had to stop as another spasm wracked her.

  *

  Ghezu’s hand reached frantically for Kaid’s throat but met his teeth instead. Biting down hard, Kaid felt his canines puncture the flesh, and grate through the bones till his teeth met. Blood spurted into his mouth, almost choking him, making him swallow convulsively.

  The screech of pain from Ghezu almost deafened him and the pressure on his damaged hand was instantly removed. Opening his jaws, and releasing his grip on Ghezu’s neck, he pushed himself back, scrambling to consolidate his position on Ghezu’s chest. The pain in his own hand hadn’t diminished, but he pushed it aside as best he could.

  Beneath him, Ghezu twisted and bucked, trying to throw him off, trying to protect his mangled hand. It had to end now, Kaid knew. Ghezu’s neck arched back momentarily. Clenching his good hand, he struck at Ghezu’s larynx, crushing it, feeling the spine beneath snap.

  Ghezu went instantly limp. Eyes dilated, he stared up at Kaid, making small gurgling sounds as blood from his larynx and nose began to flood down into his lungs.

  “Who broke whom, Ghezu?” Kaid asked softly, reaching for Ghezu’s right arm and pulling Khemu’s bracelet free. Taking his time, he put it back on his own wrist, where it belonged.

  He could feel Ghezu’s helpless rage turn to horror as he realized he was dying. He wasn’t prepared to experience the dissolution of his enemy’s mind, the gradual extinction of his senses, his memories, and finally himself.

  Sickened, Kaid got to his feet, turned and walked away.

  *

  Kusac ran across the arena to meet him.

  “Are you hurt?” He touched the oozing claw tracks across his friend’s chest.

  Kaid shook his head slowly. “I had to kill him that way.” He needed Kusac to understand, and was afraid he wouldn’t. Part of his mind told him that this was what feelings did to one.

  “I know,” said Kusac, looking briefly over to where Ghezu lay gasping and wheezing. He held out the robe for him to put on. “Is it over now?” he asked, searching Kaid’s face.

  “Yes. It’s over,” Kaid said, closing his eyes and swaying slightly.

  Kusac caught hold of him.

  “I’m fine, just drained now it’s finished,” Kaid said, righting himself.

  “Let’s go home,” said Kusac, helping him into the robe and tying the sash for him. “Carrie’s waiting. You got Khemu’s bracelet?”

  Kaid nodded.

  The warriors parted for them as they headed toward the line of tethered animals. When they reached the rock where Carrie had stopped, Kaid held Kusac back.

  “Wait,” he said. His inner lids were partially closed and his face had a pinched look about it. Leaning against the rock for support, he began to vomit blood.

  “Kaid! What the hell’s wrong?” demanded Kusac,
leaning over him. “Where’s the blood coming from? You have been hurt! Have you got internal injuries?”

  Kaid grasped hold of his arm, holding onto him as his retching began to lessen. At last he straightened up, wiping a trembling forearm across his face. “I’m fine. It’s Ghezu’s blood, not mine.”

  Kusac reached out and put his hands on his friend’s shoulders. “You frightened me, Kaid. I thought we really were going to lose you this time.”

  Kaid’s grin was uneven—part Sholan, part Human. “Not yet,” he said, his good hand going up to cover Kusac’s.

  He hesitated a moment, then looked down at his injured hand. Once again his fingers were swollen and hurt when he tried to move them, though it didn’t feel as if they’d suffered any worse damage.

  “I saw him get your hand,” Kusac growled, watching while Kaid examined it.

  “I don’t think it’s that bad. Kusac, my hand had healed,” Kaid said, looking up at him. “Time acted strangely on us while we were in the past. We’ve aged by several weeks. It’s done the same to Carrie. She’s closer to having the cub than we thought.”

  Kusac glanced round at the aircar, worry written in the set of his ears. He began to run, Kaid close behind him.

  *

  Carrie was sitting resting quietly when they arrived. She opened her eyes and smiled at them.

  “I knew you were all right,” she said.

  “Carrie, how close are you to having the cub?” asked Kusac, squatting down beside her.

  “Several weeks yet,” she said, reaching out to stroke his face. “Don’t worry, we’re fine.”

  “Kaid’s hand healed faster than it should. You’re further on than you think.”

  “We’re going home. I’ll see Vanna as soon as we get there, I promise,” she said.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, taking her hand in his.

  “Positive. Now let’s leave,” she said.

  “I’ll drive, you sit with her,” said Kaid, slipping into the pilot’s seat and sealing the door.

  “I’ll call home first,” said Kusac, moving to sit in the front.

  He punched in the number and to his surprise, found the call diverted to the Shrine.

  “Thank the Gods you’re safe,” Konis said, the relief evident on his face. “You’re at Chezy?”

  “How did you know?”

  “T’Chebbi. She worked out you’d arrived back at another temple. Ghyan pinpointed it as Chezy. Raiban’s forces are already on their way out for you.” He hesitated. “Did you… ?”

  Kusac nodded. “We walked the Fire Margins, Father, and we’re all safe.”

  “What about the situation out there? How did you persuade Fyak to let you go?”

  “Fyak’s dead, so’s Ghezu. It’s a long story, Father. I’ll tell you when we get back. Have you been told about the Valtegan yet?”

  “What Valtegan?”

  “Contact Raiban. We brought Fyak’s God Kezule back with us.”

  “What?” Konis’ confusion showed in the set of his ears. “You’ve brought back a Valtegan?”

  “One from the old days, before they were so afraid of us. You should be able to get a lot of information from him, even if it’s one and a half thousand years out of date.” Kusac could feel the tiredness descending on him like a weight. “Talk to Raiban, Father. Tell Vanna that Carrie’s near her time. We’ll need her when we arrive.”

  Konis frowned. “Carrie’s all right, isn’t she? She wasn’t due for another couple of months.”

  “It was going back in time that did it. The cub isn’t premature, don’t worry.”

  “I thought she was going to Noni.”

  Kusac shrugged and grinned. “She wants to come home.”

  “I’ll tell Raiban you’re on your way,” said Konis. “Travel safely.”

  “We’ll see you soon,” said Kusac, signing off.

  *

  The presence exploded within their minds, stunning them all with the force of its sending. They could almost hear the roar of victory that preceded it.

  We succeeded, and we live! Tell Vartra that his experiments worked!

  They all saw the darkened cellar, and the indistinct forms of three Humans before it was replaced by an image of a female so like Rhyasha that it defied belief.

  It was Carrie who responded. Rezac? She felt the affirmative rather than heard it. Trust those with you. They’ll bring you safely home.

  Then a sense of danger filled her as she saw the force gathered against them. Take care! We’ll come for you, I swear it!

  As suddenly as it came, the sending was gone, leaving them feeling drained and confused.

  “Who was it, Carrie?” demanded Kusac. “Where were they?”

  Shaking, she put her hand up to her eyes, trying to rub the tiredness from them before answering.

  “It was Rezac and his Leska, Zashou. I don’t know how, but they seem to be in the same place as Jo and Davies.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. We’ve all seen them before in replays.”

  Kusac let out a long breath as he looked at Kaid. “They’re still alive,” he said. “Your father!”

  Kaid made a dismissive gesture. “I’ll believe that when I meet them,” he said. “Let’s get Carrie home.”

  They’d barely been traveling for more than quarter of an hour when Carrie, unable to hide the fact she was in labor any longer, began to moan.

  “What is it?” asked Kusac, immediately concerned as she doubled up, clutching her belly in obvious pain.

  “Stop the aircar,” she said, barely able to talk.

  “Stop?” he repeated, confused by the sensations of pain that were starting to flood through him.

  “Oh, God,” she whimpered. “Land it, Kusac! The baby’s coming!”

  “I’m landing,” said Kaid, dropping the aircar down to look for a likely site. “We’re not clear of the hills yet, it’s not going to be easy.”

  Carrie felt her barriers weakening but she was in too much pain now to care.

  Kusac watched his mate in panic, trying to put his arms round her while at the same time experiencing the same abdomen-wrenching pains. “Kaid, land this ’car now!” he said. “She’s broadcasting her pain!” He looked at Carried trying to use his own blocks to keep her agony at bay. “What do we do?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, tears running down her face. “No one told me! There were supposed to be weeks left yet. It hurts, Kusac!”

  “There should be a medikit on board,” said Kaid, glancing round.

  Her pain had stopped for the moment and Kusac was able to slide out from his seat and look at the locker fronts. One of them bore the Medic Guild’s symbol on the front. “Go it,” he said, opening it and pulling the medikit out.

  “See if there’s analgesics in it. And psychic suppressants,” he added, feeling an echo of Carrie’s pain himself.

  Kusac sat down beside her again. She was beginning to uncurl and looked a little better as some of the color returned to her face. “Everything’ll be fine,” he reassured her as he began to fumble in the bag. Various sealed bandages and dressings began to fall out as he searched for the drugs. Finally he pulled a pack out.

  “Got some analgesics and a hypo,” he said, as Carrie once more doubled up. The pain hit him again too, low in his gut, making him double over in shock.

  “Kaid! Get this thing down! I can’t help her when we’re like this!”

  She was making small mewling noises of pain as she rocked herself back and forth in an effort to ease the agony.

  “I’m trying,” said Kaid, aware of the pain both of them were suffering. He reached inside himself, building the barriers he’d lived behind until now. This time there was a real need for them. “Don’t do anything till I’ve landed,” he warned. “I need to check the drugs myself. Try and find those suppressants! This is the craft Anirra used to use when he had to accompany them on a raid. There’s got to be some on board somewhere!”

  He fl
ew lower, searching for a clearing. Some almost forgotten bit of knowledge from his days in Dzahai village came back to him.

  “How far apart are her pains? The closer they are, the nearer she is to giving birth. And the membrane round the cub, has it burst yet?”

  “They don’t stop,” Carrie whimpered as the contractions continued. “And yes, it burst while you were fighting.”

  “Kaid,” said Kusac, his voice taut with pain as he dropped the medikit and tried to comfort Carrie, “In the God’s name, land anywhere!”

  “Got somewhere,” Kaid said, circling over a small clearing before beginning to descend.

  No sooner had he switched the engines off than he was out of his seat and round beside them.

  “We need to move her,” he said. “There’s no room to treat her. Carry her down to the rear. Her pains have eased off, you should be able to cope for a few minutes.”

  Wrapping his arms around her, Kusac picked her up carefully and eased his way off the seat. While he was doing that, Kaid was opening all the lockers to get what blankets and pillows he could, as well as trying to locate the suppressants. He only came up with two blankets.

  Kusac was squatting with Carrie held across his knees, unwilling to lay her down on the bare metal floor. Kaid opened the blankets out, then reached over and handed them to Kusac.

  “Make her as comfortable as you can while I check the drugs,” he said, going back to where the medikit lay on the floor.

  “Kaid! I don’t know anything about this! Come back!” said Kusac, looking up the aisle at him.

  “Neither do I!” Kaid replied, reading the instructions on the pack.

  Kusac threw one blanket down on the floor then placed Carrie carefully on part of it, covering her with the rest. Quickly he folded the other, placing it against his knees. He drew her closer, resting her head on his lap, gently stroking her with one hand while she held onto his other.

  She began to laugh hysterically, tears of pain running unchecked down her cheeks. “Oh, God! Here I am, in the middle of nowhere, the first Human woman to have a Sholan cub, with two males who don’t know the first thing about childbirth as birthers!”

  Her laughter turned into a cry of pain as the contractions intensified and she began to moan again, gripping Kusac’s hand so hard she was hurting him.