strongholdrising

by Lisanne Norman

  Carrie gave a wan smile. “You’re far too perceptive for my good,” she murmured.

  “I can’t run the Aldatan Clan and estate without knowing something about Sholan nature, cub,” she smiled. “No need for you to live like a widow because your life-mates are practicing self-denial. Encourage them! I hear T’Chebbi has an interesting range of perfumes,” she whispered, eyes twinkling with mischief.

  Carrie choked, trying to suppress her laughter. “You heard about that too?” she grinned.

  Rhyasha flattened her ears in embarrassment. “Not only that, I had it used on me by Konis.”

  “Konis?”

  “Shush!” hissed Rhyasha, looking round to see if anyone had heard. She leaned conspiratorially closer. “He was so worried about me just after we had the news of Kusac from the Hkariyash that he went to Vanna for advice rather than to our usual physician. She’d heard the story of T’Chebbi and Kaid from Garras— apparently Kaid told him— and she suggested Konis use this perfume she’d heard of.”

  “But how did he get hold of it with T’Chebbi away?”

  “Konis is too embarrassed to tell me, but I gather Vanna got Dzaka and Kitra involved in finding it, then she went to her sister, Sashti, to make up something for him based on that perfume.”

  “And it worked, I take it.”

  “Too well,” murmured Rhyasha. “I haven’t told anyone else in the clan yet, but he persuaded me it was time to have another family, so now we’re expecting twins in four months.”

  Carrie hesitated, unsure whether or not to congratulate her bond-mother.

  “Oh, yes, now I’m used to the idea, I’m very happy, and so is Konis. But twins!” She shook her head and smiled wryly. “So much work. It provided the distraction I needed, and has given me the ability to sit back from my son’s problem and be a little more objective.”

  They heard the sound of an approaching aircar. “Time for us to get Kusac, don’t you think?” said Rhyasha, getting up and smoothing down the skirt of her more formal long purple robe.

  *

  “I have every sympathy with you, Kusac. There’s little worse that a telepath can suffer than the loss of his Talent, but life has to go on. You cannot continue neglecting your duties toward the clan you fought so hard to found. Nor can you let your Triad fall apart.”

  “Garras manages the estate far better than I can right now, Father. He did well while we were away.”

  “How do you know? Have you checked through his reports? Gone to inspect the crops in the fields, examined the herds? We both know you haven’t. And before you assume I’m spying on you, or someone has been coming to me complaining, they haven’t. I can see the evidence for myself in the way those closest to you are behaving. I may not be able to feel your moods any more, Kusac, but I can feel theirs. You let yourself down, and the trust these people put in you.”

  Kusac sat silently, trying to deny the truth in what he said. How could his father expect him to just pick up the pieces of his old life and fix it as if it were a broken toy?

  Konis reached out to touch him on the knee. “It’s only because I love you that I’m telling you this,” he said quietly. “You’re pushing those closest to you away, like Carrie. She says nothing, but I can feel her unhappiness. She carries it everywhere with her. Only you can lift it. Not Kaid, not anyone else but you. She suffered badly too, and like you, she’s living with the result of her captivity. And I don’t just mean the cub she’s expecting, I mean you. Every time you turn aside from her, you make it worse.”

  “Why do you think I tried to kill myself?” he asked, feeling the beginnings of anger stirring again. Why did everyone feel they had a right to lecture him about his life?

  “To avoid dealing with the situation,” said Konis, his tone becoming colder as he withdrew his hand. “Just as you’re using anger now to avoid talking about it. Go ahead, lose your temper, Kusac. Let Carrie down in front of her father. Neither your mother nor I are prepared to avoid saying what we think for fear you’ll lose your temper. That’s your decision, not ours. You were brought up to have more self-control. It’s time you exercised it.”

  Shocked, Kusac could only look at him in disbelief.

  “You have responsibilities, Kusac,” Konis said more gently. “You’ve a mate and a cub. Time you remembered that and got on with your life instead of giving in to self-pity. Carrie’s father is Governor of the Human world of Keiss. He alone of the Humans has a place on the Allied Worlds Council. Will you humiliate your life-mate and all Shola in front of him by treating Carrie as if she were a stranger? You do realize she now has the right to go back to Keiss, taking her daughter with her, don’t you? She can dissolve the marriage to you if she wishes, now she’s no longer tied to you by a Leska Link. Are you going to continue to give her reasons to want to leave?”

  “What?” It had never occurred to him that she’d be free to leave and take Kashini with her. “But she can’t! We’d never get our Link back if that happened!”

  Konis’ expression softened. “You do still love her.”

  “Of course,” said Kusac automatically. “Has she spoken to you or Mother?” he asked, suddenly afraid. “Is this why her father’s visiting us, to take her home?”

  “No, Kusac. He’s on Shola in an official capacity. It’s the first opportunity he’s had to visit, that’s all.” Konis sat back, watching him carefully. “I knew that you were missing weeks before your mother did. I had to keep silent, carry it around inside me without her finding out because of the security involved. My behavior during that time nearly lost me not only Kitra but your mother. Don’t make the same mistake I did. For Vartra’s sake, Kusac, show her you care, now, before you do alienate her.”

  His head had started to ache and he put his hand up to rub it. “How can I, Father? I failed her. It’s my duty, as you said, to protect her. If I hadn’t told the Valtegan priest about her sister, he wouldn’t have been interested in her at all. It was my fault she was…”

  “Kusac, stop this,” Konis interrupted him firmly, leaning forward and shaking him by the shoulders. “The priest was asking questions about her from the first. I know, I’ve read a transcript of your debriefing. He recognized her before he even saw you! There was no way you could possibly have stopped him. He wanted Carrie because her sister had died without giving him any information about the Keissian guerillas.”

  “I should have been able to keep quiet too!” he said, dropping his head to his hands, distraught at the memory. “If a Human female could do it, why couldn’t I? Kaid trained me in what to do if we were caught and interrogated. He succeeded in keeping information from Ghezu! Only I failed, Father!”

  He felt his father’s hand on his head, then a glass was held in front of him. He smelled the sharp scent of arrise.

  “You didn’t fail, Kusac,” said his father gently. “Kaid has told you, Carrie has told you, and now I’m telling you. Will you finally believe us all and stop surrounding yourself with guilt? Drink this. You need it. Even with the psi suppressants, you’re still managing to broadcast. Is your wrist damper turned up to full?”

  He released his head, sitting up to take the glass. “Yes,” he muttered before downing the drink in one swallow and handing the empty glass back. It tasted as bitter as it smelled. “My Talent’s gone. I don’t see how you can possibly be picking up anything from me.”

  “You know I can pick up a newly emerged latent telepath from just about anywhere on this continent, Kusac,” said Konis, putting the glass on the table behind him. “It’s not surprising I should sense you. The arrise will help the headache by damping all the residual psi activity. Your Talent isn’t completely gone, there is something left.”

  “Just not enough to use, and when I do use it without realizing, I suffer for it,” said Kusac morosely.

  “Be grateful there is something left,” said Konis, sitting beside him. “There’s still hope. We’ve only just begun to find out what can be done to help you. The TeLaxaudin are still w
orking on it. The Prime Ambassador M’szudoe assured me word would be sent directly here when they have news of any kind. In the meantime, you have to adapt, live your life as normally as possible. And that includes making an effort with those who are your closest friends.”

  They heard footsteps and looked round to see Rhyasha and Carrie coming in from the garden.

  “We heard the aircar,” said Rhyasha. “Time for them to go and greet Mr. Hamilton.”

  “You’re not coming with us?” asked Kusac, looking over at his mother.

  “No, that’s for you and Carrie,” said Rhyasha, pushing Carrie forward. “On you go, don’t keep him waiting. We’ll be in here. The others will stay in the garden till the time is right to introduce them.”

  *

  Carrie, holding Kashini, accompanied Kusac along the colonnaded corridor that flanked the interior ornamental garden. The air was fresh here, cooled by the fountain in the center. She was nervous about meeting her father for the first time in over a year. Her thoughts were a jumble of memories from her childhood and worries about how he’d react to Kashini. For the life of her, she couldn’t remember if her daughter’s Validation had been broadcast to Keiss. If it hadn’t, then her father would be seeing his half-Sholan granddaughter for the first time.

  “Carrie,” said Kusac, suddenly coming to a halt.

  “What is it?” she asked, stopping.

  “You looked preoccupied. Is Kaid— sending to you, or can we talk for a minute?”

  “No, no one’s sending to me,” she said, trying to stop Kashini from wriggling free. “What is it? Do you want to go back to the lounge? Would you rather not come with us?”

  “No. I wouldn’t let you greet your father alone,” he said. “I have to know something first. Are you planning to leave me? Go back to Keiss with your father?”

  She looked at him in disbelief. “Excuse me?”

  “Is your father coming to take you home?” he asked. “Because, if he is, don’t go. I need you here.” He reached out to touch her face.

  “Kusac! What’s gotten into you? Of course I’m not leaving you,” she said, battling with the determined Kashini. “What maggot’s gotten into your mind to make you think that?”

  “Give her to me.” Kusac took the squirming cub from her and holding Kashini firmly on one hip, he reached out again for Carrie, resting his hand on the back of her neck. “I know things have been difficult between us, Carrie, but I do love you.” Hesitantly, he leaned closer till their lips touched.

  It was all Carrie needed to hear. She moved closer, closing her eyes as she rested her hands against his chest. It was like their first kiss, when they were still unsure of each other. She let him lead, enjoying the moment as his kiss gradually grew bolder.

  Footsteps and a cough sounded from the far end. Guiltily, they stopped, but Carrie remained where she was for a moment longer. “I will never leave you,” she whispered. “Without you, part of me would die, Kusac.”

  As they parted, Kusac lost his grip on Kashini. She tumbled to the ground, landing on all fours. Like a flash, she stood up and headed straight for the newcomer who stood just behind Che’Quul, the head attendant.

  “Mr. Hamilton is here, Clan Leaders,” said Che’Quul, trying not to smile as he attempted to catch the runaway.

  Kashini, sensing what Che’Quul planned to do, had already dropped back onto all fours and was making a mad dash at him.

  “Kashini, no!” exclaimed Carrie, starting to run after her errant daughter.

  With the determination of youth, Kashini darted between Che’Quul’s legs and, without missing a pace, leaped up to land smack in the center of her grandfather’s chest, arms and legs splayed, claws extended.

  Carrie’s father staggered back slightly under the unexpected weight, grabbing for the bundle of fur and dusty tunic. A bedraggled flower head was thrust into his face as the cub began to trill and purr happily.

  “Oh, Gods,” muttered Carrie, skidding to a halt as Kusac stopped just behind her.

  “I see you’ve met Kashini,” said Kusac, realizing there was nothing they could do to salvage the moment.

  “Hello, Dad,” said Carrie, watching as her father adjusted his grip on the youngster before accepting the battered flower.

  “Thank you, Kashini,” Peter Hamilton said. He looked past Che’Quul— who excused himself and beat a hasty retreat— to Carrie and Kusac. “I hadn’t expected quite so enthusiastic a greeting.”

  Carrie held out her arms. “I’ll take her, Dad.”

  “No, thank you. I think I’d like to get to know this young lady better since she so obviously wants to meet me.”

  *

  Rhyasha went back out to the garden and headed over toward where Kaid sat with his son and Kitra.

  “She’s got a sense of purpose about her,” said Kitra in an undervoice. “I wonder which of us she wants.”

  “I hope it’s not me,” muttered Dzaka.

  Rhyasha stopped in front of Kaid. “I’d like you to stay behind, if you don’t mind, Kaid. I need to have a word with you about Carrie and Kusac.”

  Kaid nodded, watching Rhyasha sweep off back to the house in a billow of purple robes.

  “I’ve seen that look in her eyes before,” said Dzaka with a shudder. “I sympathize with you, Father.”

  “You don’t know what it’s about,” said Kaid, flicking his ear as a buzzing insect got too close.

  “Did I tell you about the time Rhyasha gave me a lecture on what was acceptable behavior toward a young female whose first lover you’re about to become?”

  “I think you mentioned it,” said Kaid as Kitra began to laugh quietly.

  “Well, like I said, I sympathize with you.”

  Kaid grunted and wondered how he could escape the forthcoming conversation.

  Shanagi, Governor’s Palace, the same day

  At roughly the same time, in the Governor’s Palace, Ambassador Taira Khebo was called before a disciplinary council made up of Alliance Ambassadors and a representative from Sholan Alien Relations. The meeting was chaired by Toueesut and his swarm of five male Touibans as they were deemed the most neutral.

  “No right have you to call me here,” said Taira belligerently in pidgin Sholan as he stopped his powered chair opposite the semicircle of people facing him. “Ambassador, I am. Have diplomatic immunity like yourselves. Why you not allow my guards to be with me?”

  Toueesut’s translator began to speak, drowning out the quieter sounds of his trilling. “Personal guards not needed at Hearing. Diplomatic immunity not prevent prosecution for kidnapping of young Sholan Leska couple which is a crime against all Alliance. The young of us all are our future and their safety when traveling in Alliance space should be assured. This matter the concern of every species.”

  “Not kidnapping them. Young Sholan misunderstand. I take them to Chemer homeworld for safety. Hospitality of our people extended while contacting their kin. Always Sholans misunderstand our motives,” said Taira angrily, his large ears beginning to curl and uncurl at the outer edges.

  “The complaint was made by Kate Harvey, actually, Ambassador Taira,” said Peter Jordan, the representative from Keiss. “We have her statement here.” He held it up for Taira to see. “I believe you were sent a copy.”

  “I see it. Female Human not trustworthy. Hysterical, you call,” said Taira with a wave of his long-fingered hand. “She watched as Valtegan killed her family on Keiss. Still shocked when we find her. Trust her you cannot.”

  “Complaint made weeks later,” pointed out Mrocca’s translator as she raised herself on her forelimbs to give him a long stare. “Why she say this if not true?”

  Taira turned his large brown eyes on the Cabbarran and regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. “Humans and Sholans become very close allies. Can even breed together. New Alliance members like yourselves not know of bad blood between us and Sholans in past. I say this is fabricated by both to bring dishonor on my species.”

  Jordan glan
ced at Falma. The Sholan stirred. “Are you accusing us of collaborating to invent these accusations, Taira?” His voice held a low rumble of anger. “That’s a very serious allegation to make.”

  “So is kidnapping!” snapped the Chemerian, glaring at him.

  “And accusing us of working with the Sholans against you isn’t?” demanded Jordan. “If anyone is being divisive, it’s you, Taira, by suggesting we’re trying to undermine the Alliance!”

  Taira glanced at Jordan, blinking rapidly. “I not say that!” he protested. “I say that young ones invent story!”

  “Did we also invent it, Taira?” asked Shaqee, the U’Churian, quietly. “Because we put in our own complaint. Not only about the kidnapping, but about the fact you withheld information about the existence of the Alliance from us.”

  “What complaint?” asked Taira, glancing nervously in her direction. “I not been sent that.”

  “You were sent it at the same time as the ones concerning Taynar Arrazo and Kate Harvey,” said Falma, lifting a sheaf of papers.

  Taira’s blinking increased and he looked up at the lights overhead, holding a hand up to shield his eyes. “Too bright in here,” he muttered, his long fingers whitening as he gripped the arms of his chair more tightly. “Gives bad head. Cannot think straight.”

  “Lowering of lights please for all our comforts,” said Toueesut to the Sholan Recorder who sat at the end of the table taking notes. “Thinking straight not the issue here, Ambassador Taira. What we meet to find out is truth of matter of kidnapping and withholding of information vital to Alliance and Free Traders. Waiting for the answers we are.”