strongholdrising

by Lisanne Norman

“No. No one but you seems to notice it. Has anything other than your sense of smell changed since you came back from Haven?” Kaid put the tray of utensils on the narrow bed beside him and dragged over a tall stool to sit on.

  “Nothing’s different. I can just smell them, that’s all. What about your hand?” he said.

  “I wasn’t so enthusiastic with the knife,” said Kaid, taking hold of his hand and removing the wad. “You made a good job of it. Almost down to the bone for both cuts,” he said, putting a fresh pad of gauze on it. “It’s still bleeding. Hold it up again. I’ll see to the wound above your eye first.”

  Kaid stood up, dabbing the cut with an antiseptic soaked pad, making him flinch as he rested his upheld hands against his shoulder.

  “You shouldn’t have Challenged me in front of the class,” Kaid continued unsympathetically, shielding Kusac’s eye before spraying the small wound with sealant. “We can’t afford to let those young Valtegans see us as less than their superior officers, secure in our rank even among ourselves.”

  “I know,” he said as Kaid took hold of his aching arms and drew them down again. “I’m sorry. He was there, he was Valtegan— Prime,” he corrected himself before Kaid could, “— and I was angry.”

  He felt dizzy and hot. Sweat began to form on his forehead and he could feel it running down his back. He heard the sound of the clippers, felt them on his wrist as Kaid snipped back the small amount of fur at the shallow end of the cuts. Inside his head, the sound the torc was sending seemed to vibrate through his skull.

  “You’re doing what I did when we were at Stronghold, before we left for Jalna,” said Kaid quietly as he sprayed a local anesthetic over his head. “Overworking yourself. You need a break, Kusac. Time to relax.”

  He laughed, but it came out wrong. “Where, Kaid? Everywhere I go reminds me of my past. I need a future, and right now, I don’t have much of one.”

  “When I come back the day after tomorrow, we could hire an aircar, go hunting in the Taykui game forest for a few days.”

  He felt the coldness of the stapler, heard it firing and felt a slight sting each time as Kaid closed the wounds.

  “There’s no point. I can’t run away from it,” he mumbled, clutching the edge of the bed with his other hand. “I’m tired, Kaid. Tired of feeling isolated, tired of fighting the fear and the anger.” His head began to droop forward till his forehead rested on Kaid’s shoulder.

  “Then stop fighting it,” said Kaid, glancing at him before putting a dressing over his palm and fastening a bandage round it. “Let it go and you’ll be free of it.”

  “I can’t. It’s all I have left.”

  “It’s destroying you. And it isn’t all you have left. You have Carrie and me. We’re a Triad, remember? That’s what this was all about.”

  He felt Kaid touch his neck, his thumb rubbing gently along his jawline. “Help me, Kaid,” he mumbled, clutching at him as the room spun crazily around him.

  the Couana, Zhal-S’Asha, 21st day (October)

  He woke clearheaded, the worst of the exhaustion gone, but not the memories of his dreams. He lay in the darkness, remembering that he’d collapsed through loss of blood and shock, but much of what followed was still a blur. The injury had triggered a fever which had raged through his system for five days— something to do with the tendrils in his brain, the Cabbarran who’d accompanied the TeLaxaudin physician had said. Banner had brought them and Carrie to the Nezule estate the following day. He’d stayed with him part of the next day and night because it had been Kaid and Carrie’s Link day and they’d had to spend some time alone.

  The fever dreams had been terrifying, full of armored Primes and J’koshuk and pain. Only Kaid’s and Carrie’s presence had kept him sane, holding him, talking to him, giving him water when he was burning up. He couldn’t remember when she left and only Kaid remained. The need had been there then— his need, not Kaid’s as he’d once feared. It had changed everything between them, bound them closer than ever. Until this message had come.

  At the other side of the bed, he felt Banner stir. With a sigh, he let go of the memory. Regrets would do him no good now. If their relationship was strong enough, their Triad would survive. They’d see the truth of his actions, would know he’d not turned traitor. He reached out to trigger the light. As he sat up, a gentle glow filled the room.

  Rubbing his eyes, Banner looked owlishly at him. “Sorry,” he muttered, sitting up. “You fell asleep during my massage. I stayed with you for a while, then it got cold.”

  Experimentally, he lowered his mental barriers, tensing himself for the pain just in case. Slowly his awareness and sensitivity increased, and the torc remained quiet. “There was trouble last night,” he said, relaxing slightly. “Who?”

  “Who isn’t important,” Banner said, flinging back the covers and stumbling out of the bed. “I was hoping you hadn’t noticed. Someone came to the door.” He grinned as he stretched. “Afraid I shot your reputation. I implied we were spending the night together.”

  “Thanks,” he said dryly, getting up. “Rhyaz’ operative, I take it.”

  “It was necessary, Kusac,” Banner said more seriously. “Father Lijou briefed me on what to expect. He knew the change in you was almost complete before we left Stronghold. Master Rhyaz’ operative is looking for signs of instability in you, but I can see them for what they are.”

  “And what’s that?” he asked, picking up his tunic and pulling it on.

  “The dreams are disturbing, may even affect your waking hours, but they’re cathartic. By the time you’re done with them, you’ll be able to leave the past behind and move on, whole again. It’s what Father Lijou said the TeLaxaudin intended should happen.”

  “He probably told you I may show instances of psi abilities,” he said, picking up his belt. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear. Only I know what’s happening to me right now. There’s a device in my torc that mimics Talents.”

  “Then why did I go flying across the room yesterday when I woke you? Your strength alone didn’t do it.”

  He shrugged, looking up at Banner again. “I still have that much residual Talent left. You know it’s not wise to touch a sleeping telepath.”

  Banner looked at him, then came round the bed to fetch his own tunic from the chair where he’d left it. “Keep your own counsel, Kusac. But remember, I’m on your side, and damned few here are.”

  “They’ll all be on my side, as you put it, soon enough,” he said quietly. Then he found the name he’d been looking for. “You’d better sleep here again tonight if you want to keep Chima on the same scent.” He reached out to touch his Second’s arm. “Thanks, Banner. I know you didn’t do it lightly with your own reputation at stake, too.”

  Banner nodded slowly. “Like I said, Kusac, remember I’m on your side. Don’t leave me in the dark unnecessarily.”

  Shola, Zhal-Oeshi, 3rd day (August)

  “Skepp Lord,” he said, inclining his head and clasping his hands in front of his face. “Biological component has activated. Hunter receptive is to regulator.”

  In the communications screen, his superior signaled approval. “Compliments. Research progresses how?”

  “None needed, Skepp Lord, as expected. Opportunity occur for use similar technique on others here. We operate long-term brain damage patients. Success limited. Basic and median cognitive function restored, regrettably higher functions destroyed. Same technique for hunter would repair…”

  “Not authorized! Risks not you take! Attention not wished to us! Why do?”

  He winced at the outburst. “Camarilla say be not suspicious. Situation developed here. Tree discovers branch. Need to dissemble unless our role exposed. Phratry Leader also of Camarilla. He decide sharing simple medical techniques diverts attention, makes result on chosen hunter less obvious.”

  There was a short silence from the Skepp Lord. “Accepted. How our children exposed?”

  “Relationship develop between two from Kz’a
dul. Now produce offspring.”

  “Not compatible— made sure when species combined! How this possible?”

  “Hunter telepaths here changed female of ours. Not reproducible, takes many of them and cost of energy too high. A fluke, no more, but questions and answers exposed. Inevitable both species will discover their past.”

  “But not our part.”

  “Not ours.” He hesitated. “But will discover unavoidable later Phratry intervention. Not secret with children.”

  His superior went to the unusual length of making several noises of extreme annoyance. “Troublesome always have been the sand-dwellers! Much they cost us! If not for aiding them, solar flare not missed, Phratry intervention not needed for children!”

  “Almost cost our children,” he agreed softly. “Lucky Phratry Leaders saw danger. Second time nearly they be lost. A question, Skepp Lord. For balance and harmony, must be reciprocal plan for sand-dwellers.”

  “Deduction is correct.”

  He could hear a note of respect in his superior’s voice and lifted his head in pleasure. It wasn’t easy to impress the Lords of the Camarilla.

  “What happens there?”

  “One among them has been chosen. We continue directing his course toward fulfilling our goal. Successful your early work on him was. Remembers far past of his species now.”

  “How will recovery or destruction of matter compiler be achieved through hunter and sand-dweller, Skepp Lord? Possible resolutions I have tried to see but are many. One clear way eludes me.”

  “As it should. Agents do. Responsibility is of Camarilla to see changing potentialities and weave to keep balance.”

  “As you say, Skepp Lord.”

  “Talk again we will when next phase complete. Tell Phratry Leader all is as it should be.” The screen went blank.

  Beside him, out of range of the comm, the Phratry Leader stirred. “Explains why Watcher ships we make for Sholans,” he said thoughtfully. “Doing is good, knowing is good. Not enough knowing for now. I think more on this, speak Phratry soon.”

  Nezule Estate, same day

  Kaid looked up as the door opened.

  “Call for you from Stronghold,” Banner said. “They have a secure line in the office you can use.”

  “Stay with Kusac,” he said, slipping out of his jacket and handing it to him before leaving.

  The heat outside was welcome after the chill of the air-conditioning in Kusac’s room. Although he was now on the mend, Kaid wasn’t happy leaving him and he made his way hastily to the office. He was shown into the side room where the comm was already waiting for him. Slipping into the seat, he switched it on.

  “I’ve just been speaking to Ambassador M’szudoe of the Primes,” said Rhyaz. “He had some disturbing news for us. General Kezule is training the other twenty of their Warriors and it appears the matter of their Warrior caste isn’t as simple as they thought. There are two distinct types of Warriors. The ordinary, more aggressive ones we met on Keiss, and the officer class, like Kezule, who were interbred with the Intellectual caste. We have the more aggressive ones.”

  “How come?” Kaid asked, leaning his elbows on the desk and trying not to yawn.

  “It’s in their scents. Kezule can tell that the M’zullian stock they used for breeding had no Intellectual caste in it. Officers smell different, apparently.”

  “The implication being?”

  “They are constantly seeking to improve their position within their own ranks by looking for weaknesses in their superiors. At the first scent of fear, they’ll turn on that individual. Only the presence and scent of the officers keeps them under control.”

  He grunted. “Sounds somewhat implausible to me.”

  “I’m assured it’s not. They’ve lost five of their Warriors already due to this. They want Prince Zsurtul pulled out immediately. With his drone ancestry, he’s more at risk than any of them. And so are we.”

  “Then they’re doing something we aren’t because we’ve had no more problems with them than with any bunch of new Warriors,” said Kaid, smothering a yawn with his hand.

  “They want their Prince sent back to the Embassy, Kaid,” said Rhyaz firmly.

  Kaid roused himself. “I’ll pull Zsurtul out, but I want him kept here, Rhyaz. He’ll be their ruler one day. It’s important that he continue working with us. As for the others, they respond well to our people and there have been no problems between them and the other students here, but I’ll have them watched more closely, split into smaller units for training and accommodation. If the Primes are that worried, I’ll even make sure we have people standing by armed with trank guns at all times.”

  Rhyaz hesitated.

  “Zsurtul will want to stay, I can tell you that now. I can put him in with Khy and the others, have him train only with them and a small group of Naraan’s students. I’ll even twin him with one of ours so he’s never alone. He couldn’t be safer.”

  “I’ll see what the ambassador says, Kaid. But take no chances with those Valtegan Warriors.”

  “I don’t intend to. You know, I remember Kusac saying Zsurtul smelled different from the others. Maybe there’s something about our scents that makes them respond to us as if we were their officers.”

  “Maybe. It could even be as simple as their diet. Weren’t you told to feed them cooked food, not raw, to curb their aggressiveness?”

  “Yes. It might be worth getting Annuur back here to check on the scents. This might help that research of yours, if you get my drift.”

  Rhyaz nodded. “Follow that up, Kaid. Obviously, get back to me immediately if there’s any trouble from the young Valtegans. How’s Kusac? You look like you’re having a rough time of it.”

  “On the mend, but he’s still feverish.”

  “Try and get some rest yourself. I’ll let you know what the ambassador says.”

  As he left, he called Khy on his wrist comm, telling him to take Zsurtul immediately to the small common room that had been allocated to them.

  “I’m staying,” Zsurtul said before he’d finished explaining the situation to him. “My place is here with my people.”

  “You can’t be with them,” said Kaid. “If you want to stay, then you’ll have to observe my safety instructions. I’m moving you into Khy’s dorm, and twinning you with Tyak. He’ll be your bodyguard and you’ll go nowhere without him, understood? We can’t afford to have you mauled or killed by your own people. Think of what that would do to our treaty.”

  Zsurtul nodded slowly. “You’re right. I’ll stay with Tyak, you have my word, Kaid.”

  “Good. Khy, call Tyak and brief him, then divide the rest into two groups of ten for all activities. I’ve sent for another eight of our folk from Valsgarth Estate. They should be here within the hour. I want two people armed with trank guns at every class from now on. Sort out their dorms, too. If the worst happens, we can handle them in groups of ten. And keep this as low key as possible. I don’t want them smelling any fear from our folk. It might be all that’s needed to push them over the edge.”

  “Not going to be easy,” said Khy. “I’m going to have to explain why all the extra security.”

  “I don’t want them looking like security. Those on guard can be lounging around watching, or training on their own at one end of the hall. Divide up the extra personnel any way you want— you’ll need to replace Tyak anyway.”

  “Who will I train with?” asked the Prince.

  “With us or some of the other Warriors,” said Kaid, getting up. “Get him some target practice, Khy. Maybe he can even help with the trank guns. I need to get back and relieve Banner. You know where I am if you need me.”

  “Kaid, thank you for letting me stay,” said Zsurtul. “You’re going to a lot of bother for me. I appreciate it.”

  Kaid shrugged. “We have a dinner date with you when Kusac’s well again,” he said. “You don’t think I’m going to let you leave before then, do you?”

  The young Prime grinned. “M
y treat, then. I’ll send for food from the Embassy. It will be a meal you won’t forget, I promise!”

  “Uh huh,” said Kaid, wondering if he’d live to regret it.

  CHAPTER 13

  Prime World, Zhal-Oeshi, 3rd day (August)

  WARMTH and peace were all he’d known as he floated weightlessly in the liquid of the growth tank. Awareness there was, of a distant voice, quieter than the ever-present heartbeat that surrounded him. It murmured constantly within his mind, whispering to him of the might and glory of the Prime Empire and his place within it. He was a vassal, one of eight, who owed obedience and loyalty to the compassionate and generous Overlords who looked after him. His life was theirs, his greatest pleasure was to serve them: he would gladly live, or die, for them. He felt contentment in the security of knowing his place in the universe.

  A vibration set the fluid in motion, sending rippling waves washing against his body. Sensitivity intensified as he became aware of the movement of each individual hair swaying gently in the liquid that surrounded him. He felt himself begin to sink, become heavier. Unpleasant sensations he identified as pain ranged across his body as catheters and umbilicals were automatically detached. The steady heartbeat began to quicken, and beneath his toes, he felt a solid surface. As his head broke the surface and he gasped his first breath of air, he knew terror.

  *

  K’hedduk watched as the growth fluid was slowly drained from the last tank. Even through the toughened fabric of the tube, the child’s shriek of terror was audible. His black pelt slick, he lay there gasping for breath as he coughed up the liquid that had nurtured him for the past eleven weeks.

  As the cylinder began to slowly rise around him, he looked up, amber eyes meeting K’hedduk’s with a steadiness at odds with his birth age of ten years. A nurse stepped forward and clasped a narrow metal collar round his neck before helping him to his feet. Wiping his face, she wrapped his shivering body in the large towel she carried.

  K’hedduk grasped him by the shoulder as they passed. “Wait. Who are you?” he asked, as he’d asked the seven others before him.