“Ask. They monitor us. Ask!” The word was a long, drawn out hiss.
She looked round, wondering where the listening device was, where she should direct her words.
“Just ask!”
“He needs food!” she said, turning round as she spoke. “D’you hear me, you bastards? He needs food, or he can’t heal!”
*
“What now?” asked Dzyash.
“She believes him,” added Zhyaf, looking at Fazzu.
The medic frowned. “Food, to help him heal? It’s possible, I suppose. When’s his next meal due?”
Nayla checked her wrist comm. “Not for two hours.”
“We need someone to go in and talk to them, and it isn’t going to be me,” he said. “Is Brother L’Seuli still here? Send for him.”
*
The food finally arrived. Keeza dispatched and prepared it quickly and efficiently, covering it liberally, as he’d asked, with the ground laalquoi powder. Supporting him, she fed it to him a piece at a time till it was all gone. When he was finished, she fetched him water.
“More food,” he said, pushing himself up on his elbow. “Need more.”
This time, when L’Seuli came, two guards backed a growling and spitting Keeza into a corner while a third covered Kezule at close range.
“Why the need for extra food, Kezule?” L’Seuli asked, pulling a chair over and sitting near his bed.
Kezule hissed a sentence in Valtegan, baring his needle-sharp teeth. He was caught this time, didn’t have an option. He needed the food, his life depended on it.
“You want extra food, you need to cooperate with me,” L’Seuli said, leaning back and folding his arms. “I don’t intend to wait long, either.” His tail swayed lazily.
What would be the least damaging piece of information to give him? He’d not anticipated having to discuss his physiology, hadn’t any half-truths prepared, and he was too ill to think coherently. “I can speed my healing, but need food. Laalgo uses body reserves. I have none.”
L’Seuli raised an eye ridge. “You can speed up your ability to heal? Useful, but hardly necessary, Kezule. You and I both know you’re not that badly hurt.” He got to his feet and turned to go.
From her corner, Keeza let forth a flood of invectives that contained a few even he hadn’t heard before.
“You want I die?” Kezule asked, lying down. “Is fine. No future for me here anyway.” He had to tell them or die. He began to cough, each intake of breath convulsing him with pain.
“You’re not dying, dammit!” said L’Seuli, striding over to the bedside. “Stop the acting!”
Kezule reached out and grasped L’Seuli by the jacket, pulling his face level with his. “You damage me this time in ways you not know!”
The guard stepped forward as L’Seuli’s fingers grasped Kezule’s palm, twisting it back against the wrist, but the Valtegan had already released him and the hold was unnecessary. Both pulled away, Kezule to fall back on his bed, coughing again.
“When you recover, you will explain how we managed to hurt you, and how you speed up your healing processes,” snarled L’Seuli. “Give him what he wants!” With that, he turned and strode out of the room, the guards following in his wake.
*
“Don’t go that close to him again,” said Rhyaz, his voice quiet as L’Seuli joined him in the control room.
“I’m sorry, Guild Master,” said L’Seuli, ears dipping in apology. He knew he’d acted foolishly, and Rhyaz’s quiet censure was worse than the chewing out he knew he deserved.
“Fazzu, once he’s had enough to eat, and when they’re settled, use the sedative gas,” said Rhyaz. “I want a full range of tests run on them, including body scans for him. I want to know exactly what damage he’s suffered. Compare them with the originals. There must be some obvious differences, swellings, internal bleeding, anything to let us know what’s happening.”
Fazzu nodded. “Any treatment? What do you want done with them when we’ve finished?”
Rhyaz looked surprised. “Return them exactly as they were. No treatment, I don’t want them knowing they’ve been disturbed. Keeza is showing signs of violence that I don’t like. I want to know why. On second thought, better scan her as well. She might have sustained a head injury from that beating a fortnight ago.”
“Yes, Master Rhyaz.”
*
Once Kezule had gorged himself into a stupor, Keeza began bathing his cheek. He stopped her, grasping her by the wrist and pulling her arm in front of his mouth. Slowly, he sank his teeth into her, making sure that those that carried the serum penetrated deeply enough to inject it. She mewled in shock, unable to pull free of his grasp. When he was done, he opened his mouth, taking care not to tear her flesh.
As she looked at the dozens of tiny oozing puncture wounds in utter shock, he pulled her closer, till he could speak into her ear and not be overheard.
“The bite is nothing, but it is poisoned. I need to go into laalgo to heal. There is no Sholan word for it. You watch me; watch me well. When I waken, then I take the poison from you.”
He released her. “Now, help me out of the clothes, then see to the wounds,” he said, lying back tiredly. It wasn’t a poison exactly, but he needed her to think it was. For him, it was as drastic a step as going into the laalgo state. He couldn’t remember if he’d seen any of the Sholan pets with bite marks, but he knew it worked on the females of some of the slave species. She needed to be focused on him, protective of him to a greater degree than she already was, because while in laalgo, he’d be utterly defenseless.
The cut on his face and the visible bruising treated with antiseptic and salve, he had her cover him with the blankets, telling her to press them close against his naked body.
“Your blanket, too,” he ordered. “Stay close, lie on the bed against me. I need the warmth. I’ll be in laalgo for several days. When I wake, you give me water, then food. Let no one touch me or try to wake me. You understand?”
She nodded, standing there holding her blanket clutched in front of her.
Again he reached out and pulled her close. “They try to wake me too soon, it could kill me. If I die, so do you. Only when I wake will I stop the poison.”
“But what if it kills me first?”
“Won’t kill you quickly,” he grinned humorlessly. “Make you feel sick, maybe, but I’ll wake in time.” One day, the tables would be reversed. This new indignity was already added to his list.
*
“What’s taking so long?” fretted Fazzu, pacing the control room. “Is he performing some damned ritual or something?”
“I don’t believe it! She’s lying down with him!” exclaimed Nayla. “I saw the tape of what happened last time she approached him! You’d think she’d have learned her lesson.”
“He’s asked her to join him,” said L’Seuli from his perch on the edge of the counter. “Her body language is too confident for it to be her idea. Zhyaf? What do you say?”
“Her fear’s abated, certainly but she’s still nervous. I’d have to agree with you, though. This looks like something he’s told her to do.”
“Why?” asked Dzyash. “We know he hates the thought of any intimacy with alien females, so why is he inviting it now?”
“Why do people lie close, apart from for paring?” asked L’Seuli. “Warmth. He’s had her add her blanket to those on his bed, now he wants her lying on the top beside him. Not for sexual reasons. Some desert tribes males allow their favored herding beasts on their beds at night in the winter, especially the pregnant females. Remember, he sees her as a pet.”
“His readings are falling,” said Dzyash suddenly. “Falling rapidly. Heartbeat, respiration, temperature, the lot!”
L’Seuli leaped down to get a better view of the screen over Dzyash’s shoulder. “What’s happening?” he demanded.
“I think we’re about to see him go into a hibernation state,” said Fazzu. “It’s a theory we’ve been discussing, given that h
e’s got similarities to our reptiles, but I didn’t expect it to actually happen.” He pointed to the screen. “Look, increased brain activity. He’s certainly doing something to himself.”
“What about the sedative gas?” asked Nayla.
“Leave it till he’s stabilized. If we interfere in what’s obviously a natural process for him, it could be fatal. For now, we watch and wait.”
*
Mentor Sorli had been allocated an office on the ground floor: one of the reception rooms which would be converted for him. He’d refused, deciding instead to have one of the Leska suites.
It was his favorite part of the building, reached by a narrow spiral stone staircase. Dubbed the bird run, the corridor that connected the half dozen or so suites was wooden flooredâ not stained, highly treated wood, but rough, scarred by generations of clawed Sholan feet and bleached almost white by scrubbing and sanding. It was where the newly Linked Leska pairs lived while learning how to cope with their partner and combined abilities. It was also where established pairs would stay while visiting Valsgarth. They were isolated to a degree from the bustle and hubbub of the daily life of the Guildhouse.
He’d chosen the suite at the end of the corridor. Coincidentally it had what he considered the best views of the grounds. His office looked out across the plain to the woodland, beyond which the ornate white-domed roof of the temple was visible.
As he stood by his desk, the door burst open, admitting Esken. Sorli’s aide, Maeshou, trailed unhappily behind him trying to apologize for the disturbance.
“Tell this assistant of yours not to try and keep me out of your office again, Sorli,” snapped Esken. “I’ve had a bad enough day without her adding to it.”
Sorli gestured to Maeshou, letting her know there was nothing more she could do.
“Master Esken, won’t you take a seat? What brings you here?” he asked, indicating the comfortable chairs just beyond his desk.
Esken was already on his way there, grumbling. “D’you know what Challa’s doing now? Redecorating my apartments! First she moves inâ despite my direct orders not to, mark youâ then her damned cubs join her! They could board downstairs like the others, but no, that’s not good enough for her! Now this! I can’t move for painters and carpenters hammering and sawing everywhere.” He stopped as Sorli sat down opposite him.
“Why the hell did you have to have your office up in this Gods’ forsaken bit of building?” he demanded. “Must have climbed at least a hundred steps. Damned inconvenient of you, Sorli.”
“Not a hundred, Master Esken,” Sorli murmured. “About thirty-nine in all. I’m sorry to hear of your troubles, but to what do I owe this visit?”
“This is no call to exchange pleasantries, Sorli. I’m disappointed in you, damned disappointed. I expected a report from you concerning the latest happenings with the mixed Leskas. Instead I have to hear the news from Khafsa when the female’s brought into the medical center because she’s lost her Talent! And I knew nothing about the Aldatans testing all the telepaths! They’ve taken some thirty from all over the continent to live at their estate! Just what d’you think you’re doing, Sorli? Do I have to remind you that I’m still the Guild Master here? You’ve let your promotion go to your head!”
Sorli’s temper had been rising during Esken’s tirade. Now it had reached its zenith. “Master Esken, I am in charge of the mixed Leskas. You yourself appointed me to the position, and to oversee the daily running of this Guildhouse. I am doing this. The testing of the telepaths was not my concern. It was requested at a higher level, by the military, I believe. It’s no longer my job to keep you informed of gossip! You have aides in plenty to do that, and your legions of whispering jeggets like Khafsa!”
“You forget yourself, Sorli.” Esken’s tone was arctic. “An appointment can be reversed as easily as it is made.”
Sorli got to his feet. He hated confrontations, and prayed that Esken couldn’t tell how badly this was upsetting him. “You forget, Master Esken, that I returned on the clear understanding that I would be independent of you. Do you realize just what damage you’ve done to our Guild? You refused Governor Nesul a legitimate request for a knowledge transfer to bring him up to date on the off-world political situation. You blackmailed and frightened members of the ruling council into voting your way at meetings; you antagonized the Aldatan Clan, and the Clan Lord, to the point where he removed his daughters from their training here and none of his family will visit this Guildhouse without bodyguards! You kidnapped and drugged Physician Kyjishi and her Leska, Brynne Stevens… Do I need to continue, Master Esken? Don’t threaten me with demotion, because before you can do that, I will very publicly leave here and join the Brotherhood of Vartra as a priest!”
He stopped, taking a deep breath, then turned and walked slowly to the door. Pressing his hand to the lock, he stood back. “Good day, Master Esken. I’ve nothing more to say to you.”
Esken got silently to his feet and walked to the door. He stopped as he drew level with Sorli and opened his mouth.
“Good day,” repeated Sorli, looking past him into his outer office and the bird run beyond.
Esken left, and Sorli thumbed the door closed. Letting out a sigh of relief, he leaned against the wall for a moment, shaking.
In the adjoining room, his mate, Mayoi, looked across to where Lijou and Kha’Qwa sat. Their door had been open and they’d heard everything. “Would you excuse me a moment,” she murmured, getting to her feet.
Kha’Qwa reached out a comforting hand. “Tell him we wish to take him out for a meal. I think you both need a change of scene right now.”
Mayoi smiled. “That should help, but give us a few minutes first.” As she left, she made sure to close the door behind her.
“We must do something, Lijou, else Sorli will leave and we’ll be back where we started. It’s time for the Brotherhood to get involved.”
“Involved?” Then he realized what she meant. “Oh, no. We’re not going to start intimidating…”
“Esken’s proved himself to be untrustworthy, Lijou. Should we lose Sorli because of him? I don’t think so. I’ll speak to Rhyaz when we get home. Now hush, I can hear them. Help me get up. I’ve been sitting in this position long enough.”
Instantly Lijou was at her side, helping her out of the chair. More than halfway through her pregnancy, she was beginning to find herself less agile than usual.
*
Events took their own turn as, a couple of days later, Master Esken was struck down with a heart seizure in the middle of one of his rages. While he was recovering in the medical unit next to the Guildhouse, he requested a truthsayer and notary and tendered his resignation as Master of the Telepath Guild. A week later, Mentor Sorli was confirmed in his new post as Guild Master.
*
“Was the Brotherhood involved?” Lijou asked Kha’Qwa when he heard the news.
She shrugged prettily and reached for another rainbow fruit. “How could they be? Master Esken had a heart seizure, Infonet just said so.”
He looked at her suspiciously for a moment, but when she winced and tried to make herself more comfortable as the cub inside her kicked, he decided there were other things he’d rather think about.
*
Left to her own devices, Keeza had quickly developed a rhythm of resting, eating, and sleeping. The resting drifted into trancelike states where more of the strange dreams came to her. Most importantly, though, the food and the enforced rest were returning her to full health.
The dreams were troubled, all about a time she had no memory of, a time of conflict and fighting, the night around her laced with the glow of energy weapon beams and the screams of the injured and dying. There were others, more peaceful ones, of gardens and flowers, and an old female who spoke kindly words. These she liked and when she could, returned to them, enjoying the quiet of the garden and the scent of the blossoms there.
Kezule had wakened once to drink and gorge again. She’d fed him as befo
re, piece by piece till he was done. When he got her to help him to the bathroom to wash the strips of dead skin from his body she could almost see the shape of the undigested food pressing against his distended belly.
Strangely, it didn’t disgust her. Perhaps she’d gotten as used to the coolness of his smooth, hairless skin as she was to his musty scent.
“You felt the sickness?” he asked as she wrapped him once more in the blankets.
“A little,” she said, glancing involuntarily at the bite on her forearm.
“Show me.”
She held it out for his inspection. The dozens of tiny puncture wounds were healing, but the scabs over them had a greenish tint.
He grunted. It had worked. “No one has disturbed us?”
“No one.”
“They feed you?”
“They send your food, and I eat it.” Her nose wrinkled in concern, ears flicking back worriedly. “Do I do right, my General?” she asked, risking a touch to his face.
“Yes,” he said shortly, turning away from her. Anger began to build within him and he tried to suppress it. His body responded slowly, but it responded: he was healing. He needed to be calm to go back into laalgo, but his anger was justified. They had made it impossible for him to do without her attentions; they were responsible for the indignity of what he’d had to doâ what he still had to do. He hissed, then closed his eyes and began to compose himself once more, feeling the laalquoi begin reacting within his stomach. This was a long healing. His ability to cope had been badly lessened by his treatment and injuries.
She watched as he grew still and cool. The chill of his body had frightened her at first, but she’d realized this was part of his laalgo state. Lying back, she settled down, cuddling herself close against the mound of blankets that was him. He needed her to protect him. Well, he’d learn his trust wasn’t misplaced. She pushed herself up on an elbow and looked down into his still face. He was just different, not ugly as she’d first thought.
His crest lay folded, almost invisible against the central ridge of his skull. Beneath closed eyelids, the bulbous eyes were still: no eyelashes to quiver, no eyebrows above them either. Forehead and cheeks curved upward till they met in a nose that wasn’t quite what a nose should be; his nostrils were just two slits which dilated almost imperceptibly as he breathed. Below them, his deadly sharp teeth were concealed behind a wide, almost V-shaped mouth.
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