thefiremargins

by Lisanne Norman

  Kaid flicked his ears in a shrug. "Like the others, he can do nothing. Who'd believe him? Telepaths are vital to every level of life. No one could afford the chaos that would result if this came to light. No, Ghezu and Lijou's solution is the best. They have enough on Esken to play him at his own game. Remember, the majority of telepaths, even those in senior positions, are ignorant of what's happening. Most of Esken's manipulation is at the Council level."

  "How did you find all this out?"

  "I keep my ears open, and I have my contacts," he said.

  "You must have," said Rulla. "Even I didn't know this."

  "I've always hated politics," muttered Kusac, sitting back in his seat.

  "You are the politics," said Kaid. "You and your Leska, along with Vanna and Brynne and the others like you, are the heart of this matter. With you as Telepath Guild members, Esken has what he's never had before. A private army, guild-bound to him, and the rest of the Council will know it. He'll be able to play his power games on a scale he never dreamed of before. The military? 'Sorry, my Telepath pairs aren't ready to be freed from their Guild commitments yet, however ...' Use them, Kusac, instead of letting them use you."

  "I get your point," sighed Kusac.

  * * *

  Meral stood safely out of reach at the foot of Garras' bed before pulling back the covers. Cautiously, he reached out to draw a claw tip along the pads on the sole of the sleeper's foot. The resultant kick just missed him as Garras landed in a crouch nearby.

  "It's me, Meral," he said.

  Garras straightened up. "What is it?" he asked, keeping his voice low as he cycled his side arm back to standby.

  "I woke early so I went for a walk. There's a scouter in the main yard, one from the estate. The scents were fresh, and I'm pretty sure one of them was Vanna's."

  "Vanna's? What the hell's she doing here?" Perplexed, Garras wrinkled his nose.

  "I don't know. I didn't try to find her, I came straight back to tell you. I don't think anyone saw me."

  "You did well," said Garras, turning to grab his jacket and belt from the chair. "Let's check it out. Remember the mental exercises I taught you. Keep your mind as still as possible. There're several people here capable of picking us up, and if it is Vanna, then Lijou will be awake."

  They padded silently down the corridor, keeping in the shadows until they reached the main staircase. Garras held Meral back. "Remember, if we meet anyone, I'm taking you on an early morning training session."

  Meral nodded and, trying not to clench his feet against the sudden cold of the stone stairs, followed Garras as silently as he could.

  * * *

  Dzaka's head came up suddenly and he looked toward the large curtain-covered window. "We're being watched, Father Lijou," he said.

  Lijou looked over in his direction, raising an eye ridge.

  "Two males," Dzaka said, shaking his head. "Their minds are too still to pick up any emotions."

  "Kaid." Ghezu said the word like it was an oath.

  "Not Kaid," said Lijou. "There hasn't been time, and Dzaka would know him." He turned to Vanna, feeling a flare from her mind. "Garras?" He turned back to Dzaka. "Is Garras here?"

  Dzaka flicked his ears in assent. "He brought a male called Meral to enroll him in the Brotherhood."

  "So, I have ex-Brothers sponsoring new members, have I?" Ghezu noticed Vanna's slight movement from the corner of his eye. "I think not, Physician," he said, turning to her. "You'll remain here for the moment. Dzaka, bring Garras and Meral here, if you please," he said.

  "Immediately, Leader Ghezu," he said, bowing his head toward him before going to the door.

  "Physician Kyjishi," said Lijou, returning to his chair beside Ghezu's desk. "Let's go over what you told us about these Valtegans."

  Vanna leaned forward across the desk. "I want to know when you're going to let me return to the Aldatan estate," she said angrily. "I've told you what I know. When Kusac and his parents realize I'm missing, they'll be far from pleased!"

  "But that's what I'm waiting for, Vanna," said Ghezu. "I want Kusac here. Since you refuse to join us without discussing the matter with him," he said, spreading his hands expressively, "we must wait for him to come to you."

  "That's why you had me brought here!" she said. "You aren't interested in me, it was Kusac you wanted all along!"

  "Could Kusac have identified the bones?" asked Lijou. "I doubt it. We needed you to do that. The fact that we only have to sit and wait for Kusac to arrive as well is a bonus."

  "And if he doesn't come?"

  "Oh, he will, my dear," purred Ghezu. "He will."

  * * *

  Dzaka padded silently along the corridor toward the stairs down to the south garden. He could sense that Garras and Meral had reached the floor below. He stopped, waiting till he felt them approaching the bend in the stairs, then he spoke.

  "Garras, it's me, Dzaka."

  There was a profound silence for the space of three heartbeats.

  "Where's Vanna?" Garras demanded, cautiously coming into sight.

  "She's with Father Lijou and Leader Ghezu," he said. "I've been sent to ask you to join them. Everything is fine," he said reassuringly. "You won't need your gun," he added, turning to move back into the corridor as they began to ascend the last flight.

  When he reached the top, Garras looked him up then down before reholstering his side arm. "What's she doing visiting them at this ungodly time?"

  "They needed her advice on a medical matter," Dzaka said as Meral drew abreast of him. "You'll be able to ask her yourself when we reach Leader Ghezu's office."

  They walked in silence to Ghezu's door. Dzaka opened it for them, then stood back to let them enter first.

  As he did, an arm snaked across his throat, arching his body backward. At the same time he felt the touch of steel just under his ear. He didn't struggle.

  "You betrayed my trust." The voice was flat, carrying only a faint hint of the cold fury underneath.

  Breathing was difficult with Kaid's arm pressed hard against his throat.

  "I didn't touch the Human or Kusac," Dzaka gasped.

  Kaid pressed the point of his knife hard against Dzaka's skin until it just penetrated his flesh. A drop of blood swelled at the tip and began to roll down the blade. "Vanna was in my care, too. You know that."

  Icy fear ran down Dzaka's spine as he realized his life was poised at the end of Kaid's knife. "You'd kill me."

  "If it was anyone else, you would be dead now."

  "Where's your trust, foster-father?" he whispered. "Are you the only one due it? Do I deserve none?"

  Abruptly he was released. "If you've played false with me, you'll live to regret it, Dzaka," said Kaid. "There'll be no swift death for you."

  Dzaka put his hand up to rub the blood from the small wound on his neck before stepping into Ghezu's office.

  "Tallinu," said Ghezu, getting to his feet as Kaid entered. "What a pleasant surprise! I send Dzaka for Garras and he finds you as well. And Liegen Aldatan! Will wonders never cease?"

  "Good morning Leader Ghezu, Father Lijou," said Kusac with a curt nod to the two males. He stopped just inside the door, flanked by Rulla and T'Chebbi, Kaid standing beside him. "I trust that the emergency has been satisfactorily dealt with, Vanna, because I'm afraid we'll have to leave almost immediately."

  Vanna had risen to her feet the moment she'd seen Garras. "Is Carrie worse?" she asked Kusac, moving swiftly to stand beside her mate.

  "She's been in a great deal of pain for most of the night," he said. "I'm afraid the medication you left hasn't given her any relief." He looked over to the desk where Lijou and Ghezu were still standing. "I'm sure you understand that my mate's needs must come first."

  "But of course, Liegen," said Lijou with a courteous bow. "We won't delay you any longer. I hope the Liegena will recover quickly."

  "Before you go, Liegen, I need to have a few words with you," said Ghezu sharply as Kusac turned to leave.

  "A
moment only, Leader Ghezu," said Kusac. "Don't forget I feel the full measure of the pain that Carrie's suffering, and I won't let it continue any longer than is absolutely necessary."

  "We've heard you're dissatisfied with the Telepath Guild because of their treatment of Vanna and her Leska, as well as yourselves."

  "You've heard right."

  "We'll offer you sanctuary, here at Stronghold, Liegen Aldatan."

  Kusac looked in astonishment at Ghezu. "As far as I'm aware, we don't need sanctuary, thank you, Leader Ghezu."

  "Let me explain," said Lijou, stepping forward. "What my colleague means is that we are offering you membership in the Brotherhood."

  "Ah, yes. Kaid mentioned something of the sort to me on the way here, didn't you, Kaid?"

  "Yes, my Liege," said Kaid, hand resting lightly on the stock of the pulse rifle he wore slung over his shoulder.

  Lijou frowned. "It's a pity you haven't more time, Liegen. No offense to your ... adjutant, but he doesn't have all the facts at his disposal."

  "On the contrary, he pleaded your cause most eloquently."

  Lijou's eye ridges almost disappeared in his surprise. "Really? Then perhaps you'd be willing to discuss the matter in detail?"

  "Oh, I don't think I need to delay my decision, Father Lijou," said Kusac, his tail tip beginning to sway lazily. "As I said, my time is short. All I need to know is why you want our membership. Kaid obviously could not tell me that."

  Kusac, despite his tiredness and the continuing pain in his shoulder, was enjoying this little interchange with Lijou. He had him at a distinct disadvantage, and Lijou knew it.

  He watched the Head Priest of Vartra's eyes narrow as he folded his hands in the pouch at the front of his black robe. He was playing for enough time to think of a suitable reply.

  "If Kaid hasn't told you about Eksen's dealings on the Council then he's not the person I remember from ten years ago," Ghezu said abruptly.

  Lijou brought a hand out of his pouch and waved him to silence. "Leave this to me, Ghezu. Liegen, we need to challenge Esken on the Council. We need to show the Council members he's terrified into compliance that we can stand between them and Esken. To do this, we need seats on the Council, and to get those, we need to be a guild. If you join the Brotherhood, then they can't deny us guild status. In return, you'll be Brothers, with all the protection that entails. We have the facilities here to train mixed Leska pairs like you, not only in telepathy, but also in combat. And should we need any extra teachers, I'm sure we'd have no lack of volunteers from the other guilds. Will you accept our offer?"

  "Your proposition is certainly attractive, but we'll need to talk further on this," said Kusac. "Not now, in a few days' time."

  Lijou nodded. "As you say, Liegen. The Liegena's health must come first. When will you let us know your decision?"

  "When I'm convinced that changing guilds is the right thing for us to do," said Kusac, turning away again.

  "Will you also reconsider our offer, Physician?" Lijou asked Vanna.

  "If Kusac and Carrie are joining, then I will," said Vanna, casting a quick look in Kusac's direction.

  As they began to file out, Ghezu called to Dzaka. "Dzaka, I want you to remain for the time being," he said. "I'm sure Leigen Aldatan has enough people that he can spare you."

  In the hallway, Kusac stopped and looked at Kaid. He'd been standing beside them during their confrontation. Dzaka's answer was easily heard.

  "I'm sorry, Leader Ghezu, but I'm oath-bound to protect the Liegena, and she hasn't released me from my oath. I have to return with them."

  "Let him go, Ghezu," said Lijou, his voice sounding tired.

  Stop playing your games with him and Kaid, Kusac heard him sending.

  "Go," said Ghezu, suppressed fury in his voice.

  Dzaka joined them in the hallway, shutting the door behind them. Kusac saw his eyes go to Kaid's back as the other started walking. Whatever it was that was wrong between them, it went deep.

  * * *

  No one spoke until they were in the aircar, then Vanna turned on Kusac.

  "Just what the hell are you doing here?" she demanded. "Have you looked at yourself recently? And what are you doing leaving Carrie if her condition's worsened?"

  "Vanna," he said tiredly, "Carrie's fine. She's still asleep. We had to get you out of there and that was the best we could come up with."

  She made a noncommittal grunt as she reached out and began to unbuckle Kusac's belt. "Pass me the medikit please, Garras," she said. "Your shoulder's begun to bleed again, Kusac."

  He put a hand over hers, stopping her. "Leave it till we get back."

  "No way, Kusac," she said, ears flicking in anger as she pushed his hand aside and pulled his belt free.

  "Physician, Liege, I can't leave till you're seated," said Kaid, turning round to look at them.

  Garras placed the kit on the seat beside her, then returned to his own seat beside Kaid.

  "I said it can wait, Vanna," said Kusac, irritated by her insistence, trying to push her hands away as she reached for the seal on the front of his jacket.

  "You're the one delaying us, Kusac," she said, looking him straight in the eye. "Once your jacket's off, we can sit down. You can't afford the blood loss, you know that. What weakens you, weakens Carrie."

  With a muttered oath he undid his jacket, trying to ease himself out of it.

  "You're an ungrateful, bullying jegget, Vanna," he said, submitting ungraciously to her help. "We've come all the way out here to rescue you, and what do you do? Start ordering us around! I wonder how you put up with her, Garras!" He sat down on the seat, sliding over to leave room for her.

  Garras glanced over his shoulder at him but diplomatically said nothing.

  As she laid his jacket on one of the vacant seats, Vanna looked toward where Kaid and Garras sat. "I am grateful, Kaid," she said quietly before picking up her kit and rejoining Kusac. "What happened to make your shoulder start bleeding again?" she asked as she cut the soiled dressing free.

  "My fault, Physician," said Kaid as the craft rose above the tops of Stronghold's towers. "When I tried to stop him accompanying us, I grabbed him by his injured arm." He banked away from the early morning sun, heading back to Valsgarth.

  "Well, you didn't succeed, did you?" she grumbled, deftly wiping the blood from Kusac's shoulder wound with a sterile pad before spraying on a coagulant. Taking out a fresh dressing, she bound it up again.

  Kusac leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes. His shoulder ached and Vanna's attentions made it worse.

  He'd hoped that once Carrie's Challenge was over they'd be left alone to have some peace, instead of which, they were now at the heart of political maneuvering between their guild and the Brotherhood. Something unresolved was niggling at him, then he remembered what it was.

  "Why did they want you at Stronghold, Vanna?" he asked as he felt the slight sting of the hypo gun against his arm.

  "Physician," said Dzaka from behind them. "I think it would be wiser to say as little as possible for the present."

  "Don't start trying to order me around, Dzaka," said Vanna coldly as she finished packing up the small medikit. "I haven't forgiven you for what you did. Had you told me why Lijou and Ghezu needed to speak to me, I'd have agreed to go. Your methods were totally unprincipled and unnecessary."

  "I've a bone to pick with you, too," growled Rulla, reaching out to pull Dzaka back from Vanna.

  "What did they want?" asked Garras, turning round to look at her over the top of his seat.

  "They've found a complete Valtegan skeleton in one of the ancient cities," she said.

  "What?" Kusac sat up again, his tiredness pushed aside by the enormity of what she'd said.

  Stunned, the others looked at each other.

  "How the hell did it get there?" asked Garras. "You knew about this, Dzaka, and didn't tell us? The Valtegans killed your mate and cub down on Szurtha and you said nothing of this? Just what's going on in that head of your
s?"

  "Dzaka knew nothing about the remains until we got there," said Vanna. "That much was obvious when Lijou uncovered them to show me. They've found bones before but this was the first time they'd been able to remove a whole skeleton before Esken's Guild priests destroyed the site," she said.

  Kusac was stunned. He didn't know which news rocked him more— that Master Esken had been destroying alien remains in the ruined cities, or that centuries ago there had been Valtegans on Shola.