Fire Margins

by Lisanne Norman

  “I’ll talk, but that’s all,” she said. “He can stand inside the door.”

  Rrurto turned back to the street. “Go on,” he said to the sandy-robed acolyte.

  They waited a minute, hearing only a quiet murmur of voices from inside. The acolyte emerged again. “We’ll leave her here,” he said. “One dying female living on her own doesn’t interfere with the Prophet’s interpretation of Kezule’s Will. She’s more trouble than she’s worth.”

  Rrurto nodded, and the acolyte left. “Come on,” he said. “Back to the main streets.”

  As they walked back round to the square, L’Seuli was still thinking of the female and what she’d said. It was becoming more and more obvious that these people were utter fanatics, following some sunstroke madness of Fyak’s. Not madness, he corrected himself, he’s too methodical, too devious for mad.

  *

  Kaid rose at dawn the following day and went in search of T’Chebbi, who was on duty outside Carrie’s and Kusac’s suite.

  “I’m going to the Valsgarth estate, T’Chebbi,” he said quietly. “I need to speak to Ghyan. You know what to do when they leave?”

  She nodded.

  “Meral will relieve you at midday. You two and Lhea will cover them over the next two days.”

  She raised a curious eye ridge. “Aren’t you taking a shift?”

  “No, not this time.”

  “He’s asked you,” she said with satisfaction. “Knew they’d choose you.”

  Kaid gave her a long look. “I’m spending this time in retreat myself at the new Shrine. Dzaka’s coming with me.”

  T’Chebbi looked away, ears flicking back and remaining there in apology. “Your pardon, Brother Kaid,” she said quietly. “There’s a rightness in you going.”

  He reached out and briefly gripped her shoulder with his hand. “It’s all right, T’Chebbi,” he said. “It’s just that it comes as a mixed blessing for me. You know where I am if you need me.”

  Dzaka was waiting for him in the aircar. As soon as Kaid was seated, he took off.

  “Why are you going on retreat?” he asked, banking the aircar out toward the Valsgarth estate.

  “I thought we could both do with some time for meditation. I’ll tell you now, since you’ll hear soon enough. I’ve been chosen as the third for their Triad.”

  Dzaka glanced briefly across at him. “Was that ever in doubt?” he asked.

  “I take nothing for granted,” said Kaid. “Ghyan and Rulla are expecting us. If I know Rulla, he’ll be planning a large first meal for all of us. I need to speak to Ghyan first, so we’ll join you when we’re through.”

  “As you wish,” said Dzaka.

  As predicted, Rulla was waiting for them at the doorway of the newly appointed Shrine of Vartra. Kaid and Dzaka picked their way through the still unfinished front yard, trying not to stand in the muddy ruts.

  “We’re getting the cubs onto that today,” Rulla said, grinning at their discomfort. “At least we’re finished inside. We’ve even taken delivery of the statue of Vartra. That arrived yesterday, courtesy of Father Lijou.”

  Kaid looked at him in surprise. “A generous gift indeed.”

  “Lijou is Head of the Order,” Rulla reminded him, “but I agree. Ghyan’s in his office. He asked me to point you in the right direction when you arrived.” He led them into the main corridor. “Straight ahead, last door on the right.”

  Ghyan looked up from his desk as Kaid entered. “Good morning,” he said, closing his book and getting up to come round and join him. “Can I offer you some c’shar?” he asked, gesturing to the jug and mugs that sat on a storage unit to one side of the old-fashioned hearth.

  “Please,” said Kaid.

  “Take a seat,” the priest said as he went over to the unit. “I take it you’ve requested this retreat to study the En’Shalla rituals,” he said, adding whitener and sweetener to the mugs.

  Kaid moved toward the fireplace, sitting down in one of the two informal chairs placed there. “I’ve already been studying them, Ghyan,” he said, accepting the mug he was handed.

  “Kusac’s asked you then,” Ghyan said, sitting down opposite him. “Since you’re here, I take it you didn’t refuse.”

  “I tried, Ghyan,” said Kaid, taking a sip of his drink. “Vartra knows, I tried. Kusac would have none of it, though. Said it was what she wanted too. I need to get close to the God, to find out what He wants of me.”

  He could see the coldness in Ghyan’s eyes when he looked at him. Inwardly, he sighed. Personally, Ghyan’s prejudice didn’t matter, but it would make him more difficult to work with.

  “You’re welcome, of course,” said Ghyan. “Father Lijou is due later this morning to dedicate the Shrine. We’re not on the same level as the Temple at Valsgarth town was, never will be, in fact. I’ll have a small staff of acolytes, plus any of the youngsters from either estate who choose to serve some time here. In fact, the cubs that are helping outside are all from the main estate. There’s still quite a lot of building work going on to extend the premises, so this isn’t the quietist of times for you to be here.”

  “It has to be now. The Liege and the Liegena are on an En’Shalla retreat for the next two days,” said Kaid, looking away from him as he put his mug down on the table that sat between them. “Kusac asked me as a lay-priest to witness his intention to make sure that the cub they’ll conceive in the next two days will be En’Shalla—in the hands of the Gods.”

  “He has, has he?” The question was rhetorical, but Kaid could hear the amusement in his voice.

  He looked up sharply, frowning as he saw the humorous look Ghyan was giving him. “What?”

  “You’re not the only devious one, Kaid,” said the priest, mouth opening in a slight smile.

  “What are you talking about?” asked Kaid.

  “You know what he’s doing, don’t you?” Then he stopped, ears flicking briefly backward as he obviously realized Kaid had no idea what he was talking about. “You don’t know, do you?” he said. “Vanna’s DNA tests show that there’s a chance that some of us may be genetically compatible with the mixed Leska pairs.”

  “So what, Ghyan? He wants to know her cub is his. What could be more natural? If you think that bothers me, you’re mistaken. Last time we spoke you complained I needed to learn to care about her, now you’re amused because you think I do! I suggested you as the priest for the new clan because I felt you genuinely cared about the people in your charge. We’re working toward the same ends. Stop treating me as if I’m the enemy.”

  Kaid was letting his quite justifiable anger mask the sudden fear that Ghyan’s remark had caused. He remembered Noni asking who’d fathered Carrie’s lost cub. Had she seen something in the future that she wasn’t telling him?

  Ghyan was silent for a few moments. “You’re right,” he said, his ears going flat. “It was unworthy of me. I apologize. Of course I’ll help you all I can.”

  Kaid picked up his mug again, pushing the disturbing thoughts to the back of his mind. “We’ve all had to put duty before our personal wishes at some time, Ghyan,” he said. “If what you’ve just told me doesn’t show you the hand of Vartra positively at work in their lives, then I don’t know what He has to do to convince you. Only He could arrange the timing of everything so it all fitted together.”

  This time, Ghyan’s gaze was curious. “Father Lijou said you were unusual.”

  “Did he also tell you that for good or ill, once I give my oath, I keep it?” Kaid said. “I don’t give my oath lightly, Ghyan, but Kusac is my Liege, as is Carrie. You still see Kusac as the youngling you knew at the Guild, not the adult he’s become; that’s why you don’t trust his judgment.”

  Ghyan sighed. “Once again, you may well be right. How can I help you?”

  “I need time in the Shrine room, to mediate. Will this be possible? When do you expect Father Lijou?”

  “About an hour before second meal. We’re still finishing off decorating the Shrine roo
m, although it’s almost set up. As I said, Father Lijou is dedicating the Shrine today. He gave us our statue of Vartra. A small one, to be sure, but then the actual Shrine is too small for a life-size one. It was a most generous gesture on his part, as is his offer to come and do the dedication.”

  “Very,” said Kaid, wondering what was behind the Head Priest’s gesture. “Considering how Ghezu views us, I’m impressed. Lijou couldn’t have had an easy time justifying it to him.”

  “I believe our Leader is more than capable of handling the situation,” said Ghyan, his tone becoming formal. “Our Order is independent of Stronghold. Father Lijou is co-ruler of the Brotherhood with Leader Ghezu, not his subordinate.”

  “There’s no need to be defensive, Ghyan. You’ve not been involved in the Brotherhood’s religious functions. They’re somewhat different from yours, even leaving aside the fact that we’re all trained as lay-priests,” said Kaid. “I’ll agree that outside the Brotherhood, Ghezu has no authority over the Order, but that’s not the case within Stronghold. Rulla’s been with you for some time now, surely he’s told you something of the religious setup?”

  Ghyan’s ears gave the tiniest of flicks.

  Kaid grinned. “Let me guess. You thought it was just his bias.”

  “You have to realize,” Ghyan said, his tone defensive again, “that when you hear tales of the absolute head of your Order having leadership wrangles over the deployment of personnel, they do seem somewhat unbelievable.”

  “I’m sure they do,” Kaid said, getting to his feet. “However, now you can put them in their correct perspective. Shall we join Dzaka and Rulla for first meal?”

  “Yes. Of course. I’d forgotten about that,” he said as he rose. “After we’ve eaten, I’ll get Rulla to show you to your rooms.”

  “I’d also appreciate it if I could have a look at some of the records you’ve been compiling of the God-Visions and dreams experienced by Leska pairs, and the Brothers.”

  “You know about my work?”

  “I keep my ears turned to the wind, Ghezu,” said Kaid. “It may be that we can collaborate. I’ve had one or two visions of my own lately.”

  “I’ll pull them out for you later today.”

  *

  Rulla took them to their rooms. They were small, and though the furnishings were austere, there was a meditation mat and lamp in each of them. Dzaka elected to go with Rulla and organize the local younglings and cubs into flattening the front yard while Kaid decided to remain in his room until Lijou arrived.

  The building had once been a communal school and nursery, but for now they had more need of a Shrine with the religious guidance and teaching it would provide. A school building and nursery could come later, when the estate had its own population of cubs.

  Kaid spread the meditation mat on the floor, then placed the low table and lamp in front of it. Going over to the bed, he dug in the small kit bag he’d brought, bringing out a packet of his favorite incense. From the cupboard set atop the drawer unit by the window, he took out the standard flask of oil and incense bowl which he placed on the table to the right of the lamp.

  He dug in his pocket for an igniter, then undoing his belt, he shrugged off his jacket and flung it on the end of the bed. Finally, he squatted down on the mat. Putting the igniter on the table, he picked up the oil flask, and as he poured it into the lamp, he quietly began murmuring the litany of Preparation.

  The bronze lamp was shaped like the flower of the nung tree, symbol of hope and rebirth. The outer bowl was sculpted in the form of the nine petals that protected the inner stamen from which the three wicks protruded. Surrounding it were three ornamental filaments.

  Threes again, he thought, his mind drifting as he took the charcoal out of the incense bowl. The igniter’s red glow spat and crackled as it spread across the black disk. Hurriedly he placed the coal back on the surface of the sand-filled bowl. Taking a small block of incense from his packet, he put it on the table before lighting the lamp.

  It flared brightly for a moment, then settled down to a steady yellow flame. He continued reciting the litany as he crumbled the incense onto the charcoal. Once more it spat and hissed, this time sending up clouds of blue smoke until the resins had melted over the surface of the block.

  The heavy scent filled the small room, and as he finished the Preparation, he began the Relaxation, withdrawing his mind from the reality of his surroundings through the familiar phrases and the flickering light of the lamp. Deeper and deeper he let himself sink, until all he could sense was a gray mist surrounding him.

  He waited, drifting patiently, praying that the God would be accessible today.

  *

  “How’re things at the main estate?” asked Rulla, leaning back against the wall, nonchalantly chewing his stim-twig as he watched the younglings padding around with buckets of earth for the cubs to enthusiastically stamp into the wet ruts and holes.

  “Things are quiet,” he said. “Kaid has me doing electronic surveillance shifts at the gatehouse and accompanying Clan Leader Rhyasha and Clan Lord Konis when they need an aide.”

  Rulla nodded. “He’s seeing you widen your experience,” he said. “That’s good. And Ghezu?”

  “He’s getting twitchy about my weekly ‘Nothing to report’ reports.”

  Rulla took the twig from his mouth. “The time will come when Ghezu asks you do to something you can’t. What then, Dzaka?”

  “I’ll avoid it.”

  “And if you can’t?”

  Dzaka turned to look at him, his green eyes cold. “I’ll have to decide at the time, Rulla.”

  “If you’ve still to decide, what are you doing here?” he demanded, straightening up, his ears giving a brief flick of annoyance. “You’ve had plenty of time to make up your mind.”

  “It’s easy for you, isn’t it, Rulla?” said Dzaka. “You knew what you were going to do from the first, didn’t you? Never had any doubts. And, of course, Ghezu freed you from your Oath. Tell me what you would have done if he hadn’t released you?” He looked back to where the cubs were happily sending mud splashing everywhere before continuing. “You haven’t had any choices to make. I face death on every side, Rulla. Had you thought of that?”

  “Don’t you trust us to protect you, youngling?” asked Rulla, a sneer in his voice as he lifted an eye ridge in mock surprise. “If you wanted to leave the Brotherhood now, all it would take is asking Kaid. We’d all back him.”

  “Listen to yourself, Rulla,” said Dzaka, looking at him again. “You’ll back him. Not me. Hardly calculated to inspire my confidence.”

  Rulla gave a snort of derision and put his twig back in his mouth. “Why should any of us back you, youngling? We don’t know you, and before you say because we’re guild brothers, think again. One of our prime rules is that Brothers never take opposing contracts. You let yourself be maneuvered into that position, then compounded your idiocy by not telling anyone!” He shook his head. “You give us reason to trust you, Dzaka, and we’ll back you against Ghezu.”

  The younger male said nothing, returning to watching the cubs.

  Rulla observed him from the corner of his eye, but Dzaka remained still, showing no emotions, neither his body nor his face giving away what he felt. After a few minutes, Rulla took the twig from his mouth once more. “If it happens again, Dzaka, tell one of us,” he said quietly. “The Brotherhood looks after its own. A way out can be found. Leader Ghezu has always had a tendency to blur the lines between breaking guild policy and fulfilling difficult contracts. We older ones have found ways to deal with him. As we hear it, he’s gotten worse since he brought Kaid back.”

  Dzaka said nothing, continuing to stare stonily ahead at the yard where the cubs’ pothole filling detail had degenerated into a mudslinging match.

  Rulla sighed, then pocketed his twig before turning his attention to his charges.

  “Just what the hell do you think you’re doing?” he roared, striding forward to the margins of the mud fiel
d. His hand snaked out to grab the nearest youngster by the scruff, holding him up until he was glaring eye to eye with him. “Look at you! I could plant next year’s grain crop on you, and it would grow! What d’you think your mothers will say about the state of you?” he demanded, looking past his dangling catch to pin the other half a dozen youngsters with his glare.

  “We’d finished, Brother Rulla,” stammered his captive.

  “Did I hear you speak?” he thundered, shaking the lad.

  “N … no, Brother!”

  “The beach is five minutes’ run from here,” he said, dropping the cub to the ground. “I expect to see you back here, without a trace of mud, in eight minutes!”

  Rooted to the spot with fear, not one of them dared move.

  “What are you waiting for?” he roared, watching his victim scramble to his feet and take off in the direction of the sea.

  The others left, running for dear life. Beyond them the ten younglings who’d been carrying the buckets of earth, rushed up, attracted by the noise. They stood beyond the yard wall, mouths open in grins.

  “Did I say you were excused?” demanded Rulla, turning an angry face on them.

  They disappeared on the heels of the cubs.

  Rulla turned and walked back to Dzaka. “I’m going in for a c’shar,” he said.

  Dzaka frowned briefly. “The cubs?”

  The other gave a purring chuckle. “They’ll find us. They’ve done their work, let off some steam, now it’s time to reestablish the discipline. Are you coming, or do you fancy a cold swim, too?”

  Dzaka’s mouth opened a fraction in a grin. “No. I think I’ll pass on that one for today,” he said, following him in to the refectory.

  *

  The mists resolved so gradually that it took Kaid some time to realize that they had. His surroundings weren’t familiar. He’d expected the God’s temple, instead he saw a cavern, its walls lined with spars of wood. At first he thought the two figures were engaged in some kind of highly ritualized dance, then he realized they were fighting.