Fortune's Wheel

by Lisanne Norman

  He ran the length of the vehicle, stopping at the wall. There was a gap just large enough for him tosqueeze through. The same with the next aircar. Carefully he moved forward to the front of the craft,looking round it to visually check on their position. Suddenly one of them came into view, backing intothe accessway between the two rows of bays.

  Eyes fixed on his target, Kusac brought the gun up, press-ing the trigger as the male came into range. Thebeam hit him, flinging his body through the air like a broken toy.

  A brief silence followed, then with a blur of movement too fast for him to react, the second male leapedforward from the gap, disappearing between the vehicles on the other side. Kusac heard the hollowmetallic thump of someone landing on a vehicle and using it as a springboard, followed by the flash of abody scrambling up to the next level. He was gone.

  Kusac stayed where he was, reaction finally setting in as he sat there mentally searching for any moreattackers.

  "Kusac!" He recognized Meral's voice. Although several hundred meters away, it sounded loud to his

  enhanced senses. With a brief mental acknowledgment to Carrie, he stopped searching.

  "Here!" he called. "I killed one. The other got away."

  "Sevrin?"

  "Dead."

  A short silence. "Stay where you are, I'll join you."

  Within five minutes, Meral appeared in front of the adja-cent vehicle. "The area's secure now," he said,crouching down beside him. "I checked the body. Nice shot. Pity you had to take his head with it. We'llneed a DNA typing for his identity."

  Kusac's eyes narrowed. "I wanted to be sure," he said shortly. "We've to wait here for Kaid. The

  Protectors are on their way."

  Meral nodded, squatting down like him with his back to the aircar, gun cradled ready for use. "Who'swatching Carrie?"

  "Armed Protectors," he said shortly.

  They sat in silence. Now was neither the time nor the place for talk. Later, when they returned to the Guild, he'd have plenty to say. For now he was keeping watch with his mind. The skills they'd learned thehard way on Keiss once more were proving invaluable.

  It took a lot to unsettle Kaid, but this silence from Kusac had him more rattled than he cared to admit.

  On the way out, he'd contacted the Brotherhood from the aircar, alerting them to the need to round up allsuspects and start a search for the remaining assailant. It had to be one of the two ground troopers fromthe Forces. No one else on Shola had a reason to do this.

  He was blazing with anger himself. He and his two males were supposed to be the final link in a chain ofsurveillance designed to stop any attempts like this. Instead, they had turned out to be the main defense. He intended to speak to Ghezu about that later.

  Meral was flying their vehicle while he sat in the back with Kusac. An escort of two armed Protectorcraft had ac-companied them, circling overhead as Meral brought the aircar down to land in the guildforecourt.

  As they climbed out, Carrie came running across to meet them. Kusac had never been more glad to seeher. Sevrin's death had reminded them how vulnerable flesh and blood were. They held each other closefor a moment, then Kusac turned to Meral and Kaid.

  "We're going to talk. Now." He turned, his arm still around Carrie, and started toward the Guild House.

  Kusac closed the door and turned on the two males. "Just what the hell is going on?" he demanded. "Youtold me the attack on the Khalossa was unexpected, out of the blue, yet it's happened again. I want toknow why. You also said all the dissidents were dead. If so, why were we attacked?"

  "The attack on the Liegena wasn't premeditated," began Kaid.

  "Don't lie to me, Kaid," Kusac warned quietly, walking past them toward his desk. He turned, leaning against the edge of it. "I'm remembering all the security people that rushed forward when Carrie was shot. At the time it was the last thing on my mind. Not now."

  "Normally the people I've guarded don't want to know what's happening around them," said Kaid,

  equally quietly. "I work better without interference."

  Carrie came over to stand beside Kusac. "How many tele-paths have you guarded?" she asked. "Enoughto know that we can help if we're aware of what we're facing, if we know there's danger around us? Orare you too much of a loner to want any help?"

  "The attack on the Khalossa was not premeditated," Kaid repeated, "but I was expecting an attack to be

  made at some point. The rest you know."

  "What about this attempt?"

  'Two males were involved, one from the Khalossa, one from the Rhyaki. They were due to meet up with

  the anti-Terran faction here. They were the two who attacked you to-day."

  "There's still one of them at large," said Carrie.

  "Not for long," said Kaid, his voice becoming a low growl. "The Brotherhood and the Protectors are

  looking for all of them now."

  "What of these others?" asked Kusac. "Are they also de-termined to stop the treaty with Earth by killing

  us?"

  "According to my informant, they plan merely to demon-strate their disapproval of the Earth treaty and would have nothing to do with the two troopers. They only wanted infor-mation from them, not your deaths."

  "In future I want to be kept informed, Kaid," said Kusac. "I want to know how much danger we're in. It's

  our lives, not yours."

  Carrie indicated the gun Kusac still wore stuck through his belt. "I want a gun, Kaid, and I want to learnhow to use it properly," she said. "If there ever is a next time, I want to be able to protect myself."

  "The Warrior Guild keeps contacting me, asking when we can schedule sessions with them," said Kusac.

  "I've been putting them off until now. I think it's become a necessity."

  Carrie frowned up at him. "The Warrior Guild? Why do they want us?"

  "Part of our orders were to attend their guild to have our ability to fight assessed," Kusac reminded her.

  "I think it's an excellent idea, Liegen," said Kaid. "Do you want me to see Master Esken and liaise

  between here and the Warrior Guild?"

  "Please."

  "What happens to Sevrin now?" Carrie asked in the si-lence that followed.

  "The Warrior Guild will inform his family that he died in the line of duty," said Kaid gently. "His body will

  be re-leased to them for cremation on the family estate."

  "I'd like to go to the funeral if the family wouldn't ob-ject," said Carrie. "I liked Sevrin. I can't believe he's

  gone."

  "I'll contact his parents personally," said Kusac. "You or-ganize the transport, Kaid. Would you also find

  out what you can about the female who was killed? I want to speak to her family, too."

  "I'll see to it, Liegen," said Kaid. "The Commissioner of the Protectorate has insisted in the interests of public safety that greater security measures should be initiated here at the guild. From now on, armed Warriors will be guarding the lower levels and the grounds. Esken will just have to live with it. Snipers and assassins don't care if the innocent are hurt as this afternoon demonstrated."

  * * *

  The funeral was held the following day at dusk. Sevrin's body lay on a bier in front of them. He lookedpeaceful, as if a touch on his shoulder would waken him. Carrie shiv-ered. The night air was chill and shestood beside Kusac wrapped within the folds of a woolen cloak. At her side, the unfamiliar weight of theenergy pistol on her belt felt com-forting.

  Even with her shields well up, she could still sense the ut-ter shock that Sevrin's family felt over their loss. Mingled with it was pride that he had died while on duty protecting the life of his Liegen, and that his Liegen was there with them, sharing their grief.

  The night was lit by the blazing torches held by the mem-bers of his immediate family, and by Kusac and

  Carrie.

  "Who's that?" asked Carrie, nodding toward a figure wearing a simple long brown robe. He was looking directly toward them and as
Kusac glanced in his direction, he tilted his head in acknowledgment. Beside him stood another fig-ure in a black robe.

  "Ghyan. He's the old friend I spoke of," he said quietly. "He's a priest of Vartra. I don't know the other."

  Carrie kept her eyes on him, aware of his curiosity. Then he turned his attention away from them andgestured the gathering to silence. All that could be heard was the sound of the wind whipping the flamesof the torches

  Flanked by Sevrin's parents, Ghyan stepped forward and said a few quiet words over the bier beforeturning toward the rest of the family and friends. He called for the blessing of Vartra upon them, andasked that the God receive Sevrin's spirit. This done, he stepped back and took his place amongst the

  mourners.

  Sevrin's father threw the first torch onto the bier, followed by his mother. Then the rest of the family wentforward, Carrie and Kusac bringing up the rear.

  The wind fanned the flames, making them leap high. As Kusac threw his torch, the last, a low keeningbegan to build around them. It rose in pitch until it became a howl that echoed round the courtyard. Again Carrie shivered. The sound was unbearably sad.

  Kusac's arm came round her shoulders, holding her firmly against his side. She felt his sorrow at losing Sevrin, as well as his fierce relief that they would never have to do this for each other. They would live,and die, together. The thought chilled her even as it comforted her and she turned into his arms, pressingclose against his chest, aware of how near death had been.

  The gathering broke up, following the parents back to the house. The all-night vigil would be kept by Sevrin's fellow guild members, Meral foremost among them. As they turned to leave, Ghyan came overto them.

  "Funerals sadden me," he said. "His was a brave spirit from what I sense from his family and friends. He

  will be missed."

  "Yes," said Kusac, "he will."

  Ghyan put his head on one side, trying to see Carrie's face within the folds of her hooded cloak. "Thismust be your Leska," he said.

  Carrie lifted her hood back and looked up at him. His ears were smaller than average, yet had the widthof Raid's. Brown eyes set above wide cheekbones regarded her with a faint look of amusement.

  "You're from inland, aren't you? One of the highlanders," she said, holding out her palm. "And a telepath,"

  she added, gently touching the edges of his mind before he touched her hand.

  Ghyan's mouth dropped in a smile. "You're learning our ways," he said, his fingertips touching hers. "It's apleasure to meet you, Carrie, though I'm sorry it had to be at a friend's funeral. Kusac has told me a lot

  about you."

  Carrie's eyebrows disappeared under her fringe. "Oh? All good, I hope."

  "But of course. Kusac," he said, "you must bring her to see me some day soon."

  "I will."

  "Have you had your strange dream again?"

  "No," said Kusac.

  "Yes," said Carrie, glancing sideways at her Leska.

  Kusac looked down at her. "You haven't mentioned it."

  "I didn't see the point," she said. "The images were all confused, like a memory that's begun to fade. I

  couldn't make any sense of them."

  "Is that why you wake in the night?"

  She nodded. "Mostly."

  "When you come to visit me, you must tell me about these dreams," said Ghyan. "I must go now, I'm

  afraid. Sevrin's parents will need to speak to me."

  "We'll see you again, Ghyan. Good-bye."

  "Good-bye, Kusac. Guard your little cub well," said

  Ghyan, his fingers fleetingly touching Carrie's cheek before he left.

  Carrie turned to Kusac with a frown. "What did he mean?"

  "That he appreciates your qualities," he said ambiguously, and wouldn't be drawn further.

  They took their leave and returned to the guild with Kaid.

  * * *

  Once they had gone to their room, Kaid contacted the of-fice of the Protectorate, the civilian police forceon Shola. He was put through to the Commissioner of Valsgarth.

  "Any news yet, Commissioner?" he asked.

  "Nazule has rounded up all the protesters you spoke of. Their papers have been checked and their files run through the comm. They're all clean. They had no charges on which to detain them, so they let them go this morning after AlRel had a word with them. No sign of this other trooper. We did establish that the dead one was from the Rhyaki. I think it's unlikely our missing male will return to the Khalossa."

  "I agree with you," said Kaid. "Have you displayed his image on the public comm nets?"

  "It's going out every two hours with the newscasts. As you requested, we're not mentioning Liegen

  Aldatan. Some-one is bound to have seen our missing male."

  "Let me know the minute there's any news."

  "I will."

  Cutting the connection, Kaid switched off and was about to leave his room to check with the seniorsecurity officer when the message light buzzed.

  "Kaid," drawled a familiar voice, "remind me to return the favor someday. I really enjoyed my free bed

  last night."

  Raid's mouth opened in a grin. "I thought you might. See it as my thanks for luring me out of retirementwith a job I couldn't refuse."

  "Bastard," said Garras without rancor.

  "How's it going?"

  "No problems. This lot's as innocent as day-old cubs. When the protectors told them that there had been an assas-sination attempt against Liegen Aldatan to stop the treaty with Earth, they were genuinely shocked. Even the truth-sayer—remember old Jorto? He's still around and he recog-nized me—he vouched for us all."

  "Stay where you are for the time being in case our male turns up looking for help."

  "Fair enough. I'm involved with this rather nice young fe-male at the moment. How's Vanna?"

  "Busy, but fine. We don't see much of her these days."

  "I want to see her soon, Kaid."

  Garras looked around and called to someone off screen before turning back to him. "Got to go."

  Later that night, he called Stronghold. "Ghezu, what the hell's going on? You told me that you'd give mebackup. Where was it when I needed it today?" he demanded.

  "We can't watch them every minute of the day, Tallinu. That's your job, remember?" said Ghezu. "We do

  what we can. In enclosed areas like the vehicle park, it isn't easy to have you tailed."

  "If you've had a change of priorities, I expect to be kept informed. You do still want them kept alive,

  don't you?"

  "Don't be ridiculous! Of course we do!"

  "Then give me some people and I'll take charge of sur-veillance."

  Ghezu only hesitated for a moment. "I'll send four people over to you tomorrow."

  "How important are they to you, Ghezu?" Kaid's voice was silky.

  "All right, eight, dammit, and no more!" He leaned for-ward and cut the connection.

  Kaid smiled to himself as he switched off the comm.

  * * *

  It was the following week before Carrie and Kusac's schedule could be adjusted to fit in regular sessionsat the Warrior Guild. Meral and Kaid were accompanying them and staying at the guild while they werethere.

  "Is it really necessary?" asked Kusac. "Surely we should be safe there."

  "I'm not prepared to take the risk," Kaid said.

  "Neither am I," said Carrie as the small aircar took off. Sevrin's death was still weighing heavily on her

  spirits.

  The flight to the center of Nazule took about an hour. When they arrived, they were taken to Guild Master Rhayfso's private rooms. His study was an armory with a desk in the corner and a variety ofswords and knives mounted in brackets on the walls. Two of the four corners of the room containedstacks of every imaginable type of pole weapon.

  "Ah, you've arrived," he said, looking up from the two blades he was examining on his desk. "Good to see you again, Kaid, Meral. It's been too long. No
w you two," he said, turning to Carrie and Kusac. "What do you think of these? Just arrived this morning."

  Carrie stepped forward to look at the swords, putting out a tentative finger. "I won't," she said in answerto his un-spoken warning, making him jump. She drew her finger along the single-edged blade just aboveits surface. "Your son is a fine smith. He's put beauty and strength into these blades."

  "No wonder there's a superstitious awe of telepaths when you come out with something like that," said the Master, shaking his head. "Enough of these," he said, closing the lid of their case, "I want to discuss the details of your program with us."

  He pushed the case to one side of his cluttered desk and sat down, indicating that they should do thesame. Carrie and Kusac took the chairs nearest him while Meral and Kaid moved toward a bench at therear of the room.

  "Since Kaid contacted us, I've spent some time discussing with my staff which skills would best suit your needs. We've compiled a special course to familiarize you as swiftly as possible with the basics in three areas. Modern energy weap-ons, hand-to-hand combat, and the traditional skills of knife and sword. Once you've mastered them, I want to try you out against some of my students so you can see for yourself how capable you are. Commander Chuz, President of Sholan High Command, wants your capability to fight in simulated real situations assessed. Does that meet with your agree-ment?"

  Kusac looked at Carrie and shrugged. "Whatever you say, Master Rhayfso. It's pretty much what Iexpected. We're here to learn."

  "Good. Meral and Kaid will take you down to the veter-ans' quarters where you'll be staying overnight, and where your teachers will meet you. Come and see me if you have any problems," he said, standing up to indicate the meeting was over.

  "Oh, by the way, you're hardly likely to need Meral and

  Kaid as bodyguards while you're here," he said. "I should let them have some time off duty if I were you."

  "I'll stay," said Kaid unequivocally. "Meral can go off duty until twelfth hour."

  The sprawl of buildings that made up the Warrior Guild seemed to have retained an austere look incomparison to the Telepath Guild. In fact, there was little comparison between the two guilds despitetheir ancient ties. Comfort here was on a minimal level, even for the Master.