Kusac shook his head. “No. I think it was because her sister prevented her. You have my report on that link. In it I said that Elise pushed all her pain to Carrie, and that because Carrie expected her to do that, and didn’t realize her sister was using her, she not only accepted the pain but actually took it from her. There may also have been the fact that she never tried to block either her own pain or her sister’s.”
“Perhaps she just wasn’t aware she could,” suggested Sorli.
“Only practice will remove the block,” said Master Esken. “What about yourself? You tested negatively on healing both as a child and when you worked with the medics four years ago. Why the sudden change?”
“Perhaps I was approaching it the wrong way. Need is a great incentive,” he said. “We all know that each of us is an individual and works slightly differently from the next person. Perhaps I never found the right trigger to release my healing ability until I was on Keiss.”
“What about the fact that you’d already touched Carrie’s mind and established an early Link with her? Even though the Link was incomplete, could that have been enough to create a crossover of abilities from her to you?”
“I doubt it, Master Esken,” said Kusac. “She had never tried to heal anyone at that time.”
“She would still have had the ability to do it even then.”
“Who knows?” said Sorli. “We can speculate till tomorrow and never know conclusively.”
Esken nodded. “You’re right, of course.” He sat back in his chair and looked across his desk at Kusac and Sorli. “What about Carrie? In your opinion, has she acquired any skills from you?”
“Not skills. I taught her how to use her telepathic abilities,” said Kusac. “Once the initial Leska Link was forged, she knew what I could do with my Talent. That gave her the confidence to try what were to her totally new techniques.”
“We’ve also been guilty of failing to push the boundaries of our Talent forward,” said Sorli. “It’s taken the discovery of the Terrans to make us wake up to the fact that we aren’t the only telepathic species and that for too long we’ve sat on our Talent and assumed no one could rival us. Now we know otherwise. We need to explore our own abilities in the light of these findings.”
“It does indeed appear that we’ve been ignoring a wealth of Talents that we didn’t realize existed till now,” said Master Esken slowly. “If nothing else, Carrie’s link to you has taught us a great deal about our own abilities. I wonder why none of these skills was ever mentioned in the archives. Could it be in their desire to breed for telepaths, the guild ignored these other Talents, considering them lesser than telepathy?”
“Perhaps during the years that followed the Cataclysm only telepathy and healing were considered worth training,” suggested Sorli.
Master Esken sighed. “I suspect you’re right. What need had they of distant viewing when thoughts were all that was needed to communicate over large distances? What use was knowing an object’s past history when they were struggling to avoid starvation? Moving small objects is amusing, but it didn’t help rebuild their towns and Guild Houses. I wonder how many more Talents we’ve learned to ignore in the past thousand years.”
“Well, we’ve two choices ahead of us. Do we start testing everyone in the guild for these Talents now, or do we wait until the Terrans arrive so we can include them?”
“Start now,” said Sorli. “We’ll have our hands full when the Terrans arrive.”
Kusac nodded. “I agree. Not only that, but you can start training our people now. When the Terrans arrive, the system will be in operation and it’ll be easier slotting them into a fully integrated program rather than adding on extra classes later.”
“Very well, I’ll broach the matter tomorrow at the staff meeting. Sorli, can you present a first draft for the proposed course at that meeting?”
“If I can call on the personnel I need, Master Esken. One of those people is Kusac. No one knows more about these skills than he does.”
“By all means include him. You’re in rather an anomalous position here at the guild anyway, Kusac. Neither a student nor a tutor but a mixture of both. Your Leska is the one we need to teach.”
“Tell me about it,” Kusac murmured, switching off his comp. “I’m here so you can study me and see what I’ve become now that my mind is linked with an alien’s.”
Sorli looked startled. Master Esken merely smiled. “I’d have been disappointed in you if you’d failed to realize that,” he said. “Thank you both for your insights into the test results. I’d better let you get on with your work if you’re to have it ready for tomorrow.”
Sorli and Kusac rose.
“Good day, Master Esken,” said Sorli, inclining his head before turning toward the door.
The Guild Master looked up from his comm. “Would you mind remaining a moment longer, Sorli? I need a few more minutes of your time.”
“Good day, Master Esken, Tutor Sorli,” said Kusac, opening the door and closing it softly behind him.
“Sorli, sit down again, please. Normally we don’t involve ourselves in civil matters, but I’m concerned about these two. You’re constantly involved with the training of our Leska pairs. Just how close are they?”
“Closer than if they had been born Talented twins,” said Sorli. “As you observed for yourself, there is a constant communication between them. Unlike Sholan Leskas, they don’t have to search for the knowledge of what their partner is doing, they know.”
“That’s what I thought from the data I’ve been sent by their physician and by you. It’s a damned shame she isn’t a Sholan. If she had been, then there might have been a chance of his father trying to negate this lifebonding contract with Vailkoi. It would also mean we wouldn’t have a problem over their ability to fight. As it is, I’m afraid they’re both going to be bitterly disappointed. How do you think Kusac will react?”
“I believe Kusac will disobey his father if it comes to it,” said Sorli thoughtfully. “He’s equally determined to have Carrie as his legal lifemate. Has anyone stopped to consider what the effect would be on the Terran if Kusac does marry and mate with Rala? Since they’re bound so closely, I feel sure the effect would be devastating to both of them. She’d be sharing his intimacy while he mated with Rala.”
“That’s just another problem they’ll have to face when they come to it, along with Konis’ wrath when he finds out Kusac has given the human his torc,” sighed Master Esken. “It’s at times like these that I’m glad to take the coward’s way out and claim political and civil neutrality. It isn’t up to us to inform him about Kusac’s unofficial betrothal gift to her.”
“Hardly the coward’s way, Master, more the diplomat’s.”
“At least she conceals the torc most of the time,” said Sorli quietly. “Was there anything more?”
“No. You’ve given me much to think about.”
*
Though religion on Shola was a matter of personal commitment and not organized, this wasn’t the case with those who chose to live a life of service to their God.
For Ghyan, a telepath and a Priest of Vartra, this meant he owed allegiance to Lijou, head of the cult of Vartra and coLeader of the Brotherhood of Vartra at Dzahai Stronghold.
Ghyan’s position with the cult was high since only to someone of his ability-and commitment-could the running of the Temple at Valsgarth, the main Telepath Guild town, be given. Equal to him in seniority came Joaylah, the priest at the Temple at Nazule, the Warrior Guild town.
Only the senior Priests and Brothers were aware of the true nature of Lijou and Ghezu’s program to achieve full guild status, and of their belief in the mortality of their God.
Ghyan didn’t have a problem about the duality of his God. Whatever the original nature of Vartra, the fact that He appeared to new Leska pairs at Valsgarth Telepath Guild, and that by following the temple rituals he could achieve a oneness with the God, made Him divine in his eyes. At Dzahai Stronghold, the Brothers
often had God-visions of a personal nature-prophetic ones.
Ghyan was taking his turn at trimming back the candle wicks and checking the torches. It was a job he enjoyed doing— probably because it wasn’t a regular task of his, he admitted with a grin to himself. Not far from him, one of the younger acolytes was polishing the metal features on the plinth of the statue of the God.
The youngster was handling the task with a lot of apprehension, not completely convinced that standing on the plinth and polishing Vartra’s weapons wasn’t an act of sacrilege. He was afraid that the God might come to life before his eyes.
“Come on, lad,” said Ghyan. “Put some effort into it! The God’s far more likely to censure you for not doing the job properly!”
“Yes, Father Ghyan,” said the youngling, his hands now scrubbing faster as he burnished the steel.
Ghyan felt the stillness of the mind before he heard the soft footfall. It had the mark of one of the Brothers. “Good morning, Brother. What can we do for you?” He turned round to see a black robed figure approaching him.
“Father Ghyan,” the Brother said, inclining his head before slipping back the hood.
He was still young, just entering the prime of life, Ghyan judged. A highlander, his color an unremarkable tan. Wider than usual ears were pricked toward him, and brown eyes regarded him lazily from a rounded, stocky face.
“I requested leave to attend the Temple. Leaders Lijou and Ghezu appointed me to Valsgarth. Until now my posting had been on board the Khalossa. My name is Rulla.”
“Well come, Rulla,” Ghyan said, laying his paring knife down on the bench below where he’d been working. “Leader Lijou had mentioned I might expect one or more of the Brothers.” He felt a faint flare of surprise from Rulla. Not an agent, then. Curious.
“Have you luggage?” he asked, going over to join him.
“In the passage,” replied Rulla. “I didn’t like to bring it into the Temple.”
“I’ll get one of the younglings to take it to your quarters. You’ll join me in a mug of c’shar?”
“Please.”
“See to the rest of the candles when you finish, Vrazo,” he said before leading Rulla toward the door to his private quarters.
*
Settled with a plate of cold meats and bread between them, Ghyan sipped his c’shar, eyeing Rulla curiously.
“What do you plan to do with your time here, Rulla?” he asked.
Rulla put down his mug and helped himself to a slice of meat. He placed it meticulously on the bread, then rolled it into a cylinder.
“I’d like to study, if I may, Father Ghyan,” he said before taking a bite of his meat roll.
“We do have an extensive library here,” said Ghyan with a pleased smile. “In fact, it’s my own particular pride that I’ve been able to add to the wealth of books— real books, not the cartridges for the comp pads. What are you wanting to study?”
“Comparative religions.” He hesitated. “With particular reference to the Keissian religion.”
Ghyan’s mouth fell open in surprise. Recollecting himself, he shut it almost immediately.
“I have to admit I was hoping to be posted here,” Rulla continued. “You see, I know you have a friend with an— intimate knowledge— of Keissian customs.”
Ghyan frowned. “I can only authorize your use of the facilities here at the Temple,” he said stiffly. “We have nothing yet on Keissian religions. As to my personal friends, they remain just that. Personal.”
“Oh, I appreciate that, Father Ghyan. I merely hoped to contact a friend of mine who’s in the employ of your friend. I trust you would have no objections to me conducting some research outside the Temple, if I can get permission to speak to Liegen Aldatan and his Leska. I would, of course, leave a copy of my studies with the Temple when I depart.”
“I think you’ll find it highly unlikely that you’ll get permission,” said Ghyan. “Should you be lucky enough to do so, then I’d have no objection.” This was no coincidence, Ghyan was sure. If Lijou hadn’t sent him, then who had? A word to Kusac was the least he could do. If he was mistaken, it would cause no harm. If he wasn’t…
*
Kaid accompanied Taizia and Carrie to the inn where they were meeting some of the other students from her year.
“I don’t know that this is a good idea,” said Carrie as they stepped out into the guild’s sunny courtyard.
“Of course it is,” said Taizia, taking her by the arm. “Tell her it is, Kaid. She’s been shut up in this mausoleum of a guild for far too long. She needs to get out and meet people.”
“She’s probably right,” Kaid agreed, falling into step on her other side.
“Your life is here on Shola with my brother, so you need to meet people and make friends.”
“I have friends, Taizia. I have Vanna and you as well as Kaid, Meral, and Sevrin.”
“I mean more friends, then! Come on, don’t dig your claws in, we’ll be late,” she chided, pulling Carrie on when she tried to lag back at the main gate.
Carrie allowed herself to be drawn into the street. It was only her second visit to the town. Over the last few weeks they’d been kept busy with tests for the guild. At least Vanna’s tests were less frequent now. Taizia was right; she needed the break and the fresh air.
“Where are we going?”
“To the Green Goddess Inn. It has a wonderful garden out the back.”
“Green Goddess?” asked Carrie as they walked past the food stalls. “I thought Vartra was your main God.”
“He is, if you’re a telepath or a Warrior,” Taizia said. “But there are others, lots of them. Religion is up to the individual. Most houses have a shrine to one of the Gods or Goddesses. Our religions aren’t organized like yours are.” She gave her a quick grin. “I’ve been reading up on your people. That encyclopedia is fascinating.” She pronounced the unfamiliar Terran word carefully.
“How did you manage to see it? I thought it was still restricted.”
Taizia gave a low purring laugh. “It is, but Mother let me use her access code to the locked AlRel files. I thought that since my brother’s Leska is human, I should learn something about her people. Anyway, I’m officially allowed to have it now.”
Abruptly Taizia pulled her over to a stall selling grilled cubes of meat on skewers. “Three, please,” she said, digging into the pocket of her tabard for the appropriate coins. “Here,” she said, distributing them to Carrie and Kaid. “They smelled so good I couldn’t resist them.”
“Thank you,” said Carrie, gingerly taking a small mouthful. The meat was spicy and tender. She took a larger bite. “I thought you said we were eating at the inn.”
“Oh, we are, don’t worry,” she said, licking the juices off her forearm.
“Don’t you get fur in your mouth?” Carrie asked.
“Only if you lick against the lie of the fur,” said Taizia, eyes alight with humor. “I thought you’d been with Kusac long enough to learn that.”
Carrie decided to ignore the remark.
The inn was near the jewelry quarter, a part of the town she’d visited before. As they made their way along one of the small streets, Carrie stopped abruptly in front of one of the stores.
“Kaid, isn’t this the store we visited on my first trip?”
“Yes, I believe it is, Liegena.”
Taizia frowned and caught him by the arm. “Don’t call her Liegena, Kaid. It’ll only draw attention to her. We don’t need that yet,” she said quietly.
“I agree,” said Carrie, turning back to look at them. “Please, call me Carrie, Kaid. I’d prefer it.”
“I didn’t think you’d hear me,” said Taizia, her ears flicking in embarrassment.
“I can hear and smell almost as well as you, Taizia,” said Carrie. It was her turn to look amused. “All my senses are sharper since your brother and I became fully Linked.” She turned to Kaid. “I need to collect something from the shop. Will you wait outside for me?”
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Kaid frowned. “Let me check it out first,” he said before biting the last cube of meat off its skewer. Tossing the stick in a nearby bin, he went into the shop. Moments later he was out again. “It’s empty except for the storekeeper,” he said. “I’ll remain outside unless someone else goes in.”
Carrie nodded and went in. A few minutes later she returned with the belt pouch at her waist looking a good deal heavier.
“What’s all the mystery?” asked Taizia as they moved off again toward the inn.
“It would be wiser to be ignorant in this case,” Kaid murmured in her ear as he moved past her to Carrie’s other side.
Carrie noticed Taizia give him a sharp look, but she said nothing.
The inn was at the corner of a row of stores. A large, closely cropped, open green swathe was at the rear of the building. On it were set rustic benches and tables round which groups of Sholans lounged.
As Taizia led them across the green toward a table set a little back from the others, Carrie was aware of the curious stares and retreated behind her shield feeling exposed and vulnerable. She straightened her back automatically. Let them look. At least she was getting more used to it. Taizia gave her arm a reassuring squeeze as they approached a group of about half a dozen females.
“You’re going to be outnumbered, Kaid,” Carrie said, trying to conceal her nervousness. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not when the company is so stimulating,” Kaid said with a slight grin.
Taizia laughed. “You’ve got a rare escort there, Carrie,” she said. “Few of them are that diplomatic and complimentary at the same time.”
Carrie found her arm taken again by Taizia as they approached the table.
“Hello, everyone,” she said. “I’d like you to meet Carrie, my brother’s Leska, and this is Kaid, her escort.”
Carrie looked at the circle of new faces. A wave of panic hit her until she felt her arm nipped by Taizia on one side, then Kaid’s comforting presence moving closer to her on the other.
Take a deep breath, you’ll be fine, Taizia sent. We’re all students from AlRel. We’ve actually had some experience with other species. If Kusac has his way and lifebonds to you, you’ll have to get used to mixing with other Sholans.
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