Fire Margins

by Lisanne Norman

  “You come here at night?”

  Kitra frowned. “Why not? I don’t disturb anyone, except perhaps Dzaka,” she grinned.

  Kusac came in on the heels of her comment and stopped to ruffle her hair before sitting next to Carrie.

  “Kusac!” Kitra’s tone was outraged. “I just did my hair, and it took me ages! Now I’ll have to do it again.”

  “It’s fine, kitling,” said Kusac, reaching for the plate of freshly cooked meat. “I’m sure it had the desired effect on Dzaka. Where is he, by the way?”

  “I don’t know,” she said, putting her hands up to try and smooth the mass of waves down again. “He wouldn’t wake up when I came last night, and this morning he was gone when I woke.” She sounded very disgruntled.

  “Did you know your sister was coming over here in the dead of night?” asked Carrie, helping herself to some meat as well.

  “No, but I don’t mind so long as she doesn’t come bouncing in to see us the way she used to at home,” said Kusac. “Coffee, Kitra, or c’shar?”

  Kitra’s brows met in a frown. “You would remind me of that,” she said. “I was only a cub then. I’m a lot more grown-up now. C’shar, please.”

  Kusac choked slightly on his mouthful of food.

  I know it was only a month ago, but don’t you dare remind her! cautioned Carrie, casting him a look that spoke volumes.

  When he’d swallowed, he said, “So long as someone walks or drives you over, I don’t mind. Someone does, don’t they?”

  “Of course. I just told Carrie that,” she said, picking up the plate of meat and helping herself from it.

  “Where is Dzaka?” Kusac asked Carrie.

  “Fetching Kaid. He went to the Shrine this morning and it was too much for him. He’ll come for his meal when he sees Kitra’s not in his quarters.”

  True to her prediction, Dzaka arrived a few minutes later. “Kaid’s settled upstairs, Liegena,” he said, sitting down on the last of the chairs beside them.

  “Help yourself,” said Kusac, “if you can find anything my sister’s left for you!”

  “Huh!” was all she said, passing the single piece of meat left on the plate to Dzaka.

  Carrie pushed her chair back and was about to get to her feet, but Kusac stopped her.

  “I’ll see to something for Kaid,” he said. “You eat your own meal. You’ll get few enough peaceful mealtimes in a couple of months time.”

  “You’ll have more than a few disturbed ones yourself,” she said pointedly as he got to his feet.

  “Try stopping me,” he said, his hand touching her cheek gently as he walked past her to the main kitchen from which Zhala ruled the household.

  When he came back with more food, he glanced at the time. “I’ve got to go. I’ll be up at the caverns with the Touibans all day, I’m afraid. My father’s using their presence as an opportunity to accelerate the rest of my training in AlRel. He says the sooner I’ve got my final qualifications, the better.” He smiled down at her as he picked up his mug.

  “He did say that my practical experience with you was counting for a lot with the Board of Regulators. That’s why he’s had permission to speed up what’s left of the field work.”

  “I always knew I had another purpose in life,” she said with a sigh. “Field work. They might have phrased it a bit better.”

  He was still laughing as he left.

  Carrie looked over to Dzaka and Kitra. “So what do you plan to do today?”

  “Hunt,” said Kitra firmly. “And visit Father and the Touibans.”

  “Hunt and visit the Touibans,” repeated Dzaka with a shrug when Carrie looked at him.

  “Kitra, do remember Dzaka may have things he needs to do in his off-time,” she said, looking back to her bond-sister.

  “You don’t need to come to the caverns with me,” Kitra said to Dzaka, “just so long as you do take me hunting.”

  “We’ll go hunting,” he said, reaching out to take the hand that lay on the table. “And I actually do want to go to the caverns later, if you’re sure you don’t need me to help with Kaid,” he said to Carrie.

  “No, we’ll be fine. T’Chebbi’s around somewhere and Meral’s on duty today. You enjoy your rest day,” said Carrie, getting up from the table. “I’ve got a few things I want to see to myself today.”

  *

  Konis had taken a hopper down to the Valsgarth estate village. As well as meeting up with his son in the caverns, he wanted to see how matters were progressing regarding Pam Southgate. He’d called one of his AlRel team in the day before and had him added to Kusac’s people working in the dig. His job was to observe the Human and report back to him. He arranged to meet him at the village medical center.

  “It’s her personality that’s the root of the problem, Master Konis,” he said, using the informal AlRel title. “She’s no different with the members of her own team. It’s not a species problem, it’s a personality one.”

  Konis put his elbow on the chair arm and rested his chin on his hand. “What do you suggest we do? Request someone else in her place?”

  “We can’t. She’s got connections with the head of the Cultural Exchange back on Earth. She might be difficult to get on with, but at least her work is good.” Falma spread his hands expressively. “Every now and then we all come up against abrasive people who get appointed to their positions because of their connections, she just happens to be Terran as well. We wouldn’t send one of our own back for those reasons, so why should we do it with her?”

  “You’re saying our people need to learn to cope with her type in Human form.”

  He nodded. “If I might make a suggestion, it might be better for the Liegena if she stays away from the caverns while the archeologists are here.”

  Konis turned a chilly gaze on him. “My bond-daughter should not have to be careful of people living on her estate,” he said. “There has to be another solution.”

  “Why not pair the archeologist off with one of our folk interested in learning their trade. Make sure they’ll watch out for the Liegena as well.”

  “It might work,” said Konis thoughtfully. “Perhaps her opposite number from my son’s people. Thank you, Falma. What are you scheduled to do now?”

  “Since I was coming here anyway, I’ve been asked to observe your son working with the Touibans for the examination board, so I’ll be around for a few days yet.”

  Konis nodded. “You’re staying in the Human’s house, aren’t you? Have you everything you need?”

  “I’m fine, thank you, Master Konis,” he said.

  “Then I’ll see you down there,” said Konis, getting up.

  *

  Twelve Touibans in any one area made it seem crowded. Living their lives at a slightly faster pace than their Alliance allies, they darted about like glittering points of light, first here, then over there, with no apparent in-between. The trick was to not watch them too closely, otherwise motion sickness would set in very quickly.

  Carrie had once told Kusac that they reminded her of the mythical human trolls. Just over a meter and a half tall, they seemed impossibly long-limbed for the size of their bodies. Their eyes appeared to be sunk in dark sockets, and their noses were thin and flanged with stiff bristles. A shock of sandy-colored hair sprouted from the crown of their heads and their chins. By Human and Sholan standards, they might be ill-favored when it came to looks, but that paled into insignificance by comparison with their dress sense.

  No color or combination of colors was too loud or garish for them. The more, the brighter, the merrier seemed to be their motto. Then there was the jewelry.

  Vartra help the Touiban who falls into a lake, thought Konis. With the amount of gold chains, bracelets and rings each one of them is wearing, they’d sink to the bottom never to be seen again!

  The lab, as the cavern behind the steel door was now being called, was literally a hive of activity. The Touibans had had their own power source set up. While some were experimenting with
the ancient machines, others had made room on the long bench for their own comms and scanning equipment.

  Their high-pitched trills filled the air, varying in pitch and volume as they put the disks through all manner of scanning devices. A light and pleasing scent hung in the air: the scent of happily busy Touibans. A small group sat amidst the ruins of one ancient device, examining every component as they systematically took it apart.

  In the midst of this sea of colorful activity, Konis could see his son sitting on the end of the bench talking to the Touiban who was the designated Speaker for the two groups. This being’s job was to communicate with their Sholan employers and make sure they understood exactly what was being done. This was achieved partly by their own design of translating device, which each of them wore, and partly because their minds could be read, and sometimes even understood—if the telepath were good enough and had the experience. This experience was what Kusac was aiming to gain over the next few days.

  Konis decided not to disturb him and sent a questing thought toward his son, looking for an opportunity to send telepathically to him.

  *

  Kusac raised his hand in acknowledgment and continued listening to the Touiban. From the corner of his eye, he saw Pam heading in his direction. He sighed inwardly, knowing what was coming.

  She stopped behind the Touiban, fixing Kusac with an angry look over the top of that person’s head. “I don’t know how you expect me to work under these conditions,” she snapped. “Look at the place! These damned little people are everywhere! My folk can’t move for them! Not just that, but…”

  The Touiban turned swiftly round, aiming a brief, high-pitched riff of sound at her before turning back to Kusac. The air immediately behind the being was permeated by a harsh scent of displeasure.

  As the Touiban continued his discussion with him, Kusac managed to keep one eye on the Human as she began to cough and choke on the scent. She began to back away, hastily pulling a handkerchief out of her pocket and placing it over her nose and mouth.

  He wasn’t too concerned about her, scent was only the Touibans’ secondary means of communication and though not harmful, could be far more unpleasant than that which Pam had been subjected to.

  Noticing a sudden tapping on his knee, he looked back at the Touiban, realizing he’d let his attention slip. He apologized profusely, using gestures that the Speaker in front of him understood, trying to explain that never having met his people before, the Human hadn’t realized the iniquity of her interruption.

  “As soon as our negotiations are concluded, Speaker, I will explain the etiquette to her,” he assured him.

  “Turns must be taken. Without turns who knows which being speaks when there are so many, many voices all to be heard. You instruct her on this then she can take her place and her voice will be heard as separate from the many. We need that they stay away from our workings and do not interfere with what we are using. Curiosity is acceptable as through that all beings learn but it must be asked through me as the Speaker. Only you may address our sect members directly, as their concentration on these ancient pieces of equipment is great and to talk to them breaks it. You see to this now so I may attend to what our sects need in the way of nourishment.” With that, he inclined his head and vanished.

  Kusac took a deep breath, and immediately regretted it as he began to cough. The scent message was still hanging in the air. He got up and hurriedly headed behind the metal cabinets. This was hard work, and he could only justify a few minutes break before going to find Pam and trying to not only calm her down, but explain the intricacies of communication with the Touibans.

  *

  With a grin, Konis turned away and ambled back to the other chamber. Large radiant heating units had been placed throughout the cavern, raising the temperature to one in which it was possible to work comfortably. Makeshift tables and basic chairs had been set up to provide not only working space, but also at the far end near a heater, a mobile kitchen and dining area.

  Seeing T’Chebbi sitting there nursing a mug, he headed in her direction. Having been given his drink by the attendant, he sat down opposite her.

  Immediately she sat bolt upright, obviously wondering how she could salute him as was his due while seated. She began to move but Konis shook his head.

  “Stay in your seat, T’Chebbi,” he said. “Consider us both off duty. What do you make of all this?” he asked, half-turning in his seat and indicating with a wave of his arm the heaters and the kitchen area they were in. “Isn’t this going a little too far?”

  “No, Master Konis,” she said. “Only your second visit. We’ve done weeks in the cold and damp. Governor sent this. All major sites like this to continue working through winter.”

  Konis raised his mug to his mouth. “We’re a major site, then.”

  “Yes,” she said. “This is complete. The others are ruins.”

  “Everything lowlying shows evidence of having suffered massive earthquakes and flooding,” said Kusac, coming round to sit beside his father. “We’ve some earthquake damage here, but nowhere near as much as the other sites.”

  “Our family seems to be fated to be at the center of everything,” sighed Konis. “Still, it could be worse. At least I only have to get out of bed to be virtually at the site. Oh, before I forget, was Kitra with you last night?”

  “Not with me, Father!”

  “You know what I mean. Was she with Dzaka?”

  “Yes. They’ve gone hunting and plan to join us here later today. She said she’d left a message for Mother.”

  “She did, but you know how your mother worries,” he said. “Did I tell you she found out who attacked Dzaka? Well, she’s dealt with it. I really don’t think he’ll have any more problems.”

  “I’m glad. Dzaka’s beginning to fit in well with the rest of us now. He’s getting himself straightened out slowly but surely, as is Kaid. They’re both coming to terms with their new relationship.”

  Konis sighed, idly picking at a loose sliver of wood on the table top. “There was a time when no telepath would have anything to do with those in military careers, now look at us. The estates patrolled by guards, electronic surveillance all over the place, each of us with bodyguards, and my two daughters both with Companions from the Brotherhood of Vartra.”

  “We live in more dangerous times, Father,” said Kusac. “At least you know both your daughters are safe even in sleep. Not many can say that.”

  “You’re right,” sighed Konis, looking up at him. “I’m beginning to sound like one of the elders. Let’s get on with business. What have the Touibans discovered?”

  “They’re still discovering what the disks aren’t. However, one small group is building, as near as they can, a duplicate device which they think is a reader for the disks. They’re having a great time,” he said. “They love a challenge, and one like this is unique. They say the joy of solving it will be payment in itself, provided, of course, they’re allowed to make full use of whatever devices and information they find.”

  “That’s too far reaching. I hope you didn’t agree to it. We can’t possibly negotiate the matter with no knowledge of the type of information we’re discussing.”

  “I passed it over to the Governor’s office,” said Kusac. “It’s well outside my negotiating authority.”

  “Best place for it,” agreed Konis.

  “What do you think of our site now? Kind of mushroomed, hasn’t it?”

  “T’Chebbi was telling me. If the Governor feels it’s worth it, I’m not going to argue, especially when T’Chebbi indicated how cold it gets in here. At least with everything at the same location, you can work the day and night round if you need to.”

  Putting his mug down, he crossed his arms in front of him, leaning on the table. “I stopped off to talk to Falma. He tells me the problem is down to the personality of the female, Pam Southgate, herself.”

  “In retrospect it was naive to assume otherwise,” said Kusac. “What now?”


  “Falma suggests we team Ms. Southgate with her opposite number among your people. That way there will always be one of us around if she has to deal with Carrie.”

  “We can’t do that. Our expert is Jack and he’s got his own research program with Vanna.” He turned and looked thoughtfully round the cavern.

  “No, Liege, not me! I’m one of the Brotherhood, not a soil-grubber!” T’Chebbi protested as his glance met hers. The look on her face was one of pain.

  Kusac laughed. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t you appoint someone from AlRel and tell this Pam they’re from General Raiban’s staff? She’s always going on about her remit coming from the General. If she’s got what she thinks is one of his aides working with her, we should have a lot less problems. She’ll feel her interests are being looked after, and at the same time we’ve got someone there who can look out for Carrie.”

  Konis raised an eye ridge in surprise. “I’ll speak to Raiban today,” he said. “An excellent suggestion, Kusac.” He’d make sure that Falma heard about this. It would count well toward his son’s grades.

  *

  Half drowsing, Kaid sensed Garras’ arrival outside his rooms.

  Come in, he sent. I hoped you might call by.

  From Garras he received a sense of communication being easier now than it had been in their past.

  How do you think I kept up with all that was going on? he replied.

  “You fraud,” said Garras as he came through into the bedroom. “You mean to say that all along …”

  “No, I don’t mean that,” said Kaid, turning onto his back so he could see his friend. “I did have good contacts, you know that. I also just knew things. I never could work out how, it just happened. What about you?”

  Garras shrugged, then went to get himself a seat. “Who knows? You know I receive better than I send. Whatever it is, it’s not quite telepathy. I can’t send words, just the idea of what I’m trying to say. It improved after that ni’uzu epidemic, though, and now I can communicate reasonably well with Vanna.”

  “We were all boosted by that infection,” said Kaid drily.