*
The towel was a bloody rag by the time the door went. “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Vanna Kyjishi,” came the answer.
He opened the door and stepped aside for her to enter.
“What’s all this… Gods, what happened to you, Garras?” she said, catching sight of him standing beyond Dzaka. She pushed past the Brother, anxious to reach him. “Sit down and let me see to it.” Then she saw Carrie lying on the mats.
“Just what the hell’s been going on here?” she demanded, going instantly to the human girl’s side.
“She’s just unconscious, Vanna,” said Garras, his ears twitching as he tried to prevent them from lying backward along his skull. “I found her down on this level when I came off duty. She was hysterical. I had to do something.”
Obviously satisfied by her quick examination of Carrie, Vanna left her to return to Garras. “Tell me about it while I see to your arm,” she said, placing her medikit on the floor. “And it better be good!”
Garras sat down on the plinth again, resting his arm on his thighs.
Squatting on her heels, Vanna carefully unwrapped the towel. Blood was still oozing from the crescent-shaped wound.
She glanced up at Dzaka. “Fetch me another towel, please.”
When he handed it to her, she placed it under Garras’ arm, discarding the soiled one. From her kit she pulled out a container of sterile water and some soft wool and began swabbing the wound carefully to see the full extent of the injury.
“Tell me what happened,” she said, reaching for the coagulant spray.
“I’d just come off duty when I saw Carrie running toward me,” he said, watching her begin to clip back the fur at the edges of the wound. “That’s one hell of a deep bite.”
“It is,” she agreed, spraying an antibiotic over the whole area. “Carry on.”
“I could see from her face that she was in a panic, so when she drew level with me, I grabbed her. She went berserk, Vanna, laying into me with hands and feet— and teeth.”
“So I see,” she said, looking up at him before pulling a dressing and bandage out of her kit.
“I’ve never seen anyone so terrified,” he said, glancing over to the girl’s still form. “She’d gone feral. So I picked her up and brought her in here to get Dzaka’s help.”
“Another of your old friends?” she asked, not expecting an answer. “So why did you need to knock her out?” She finished tying off the bandage. “Try moving your arm.”
“It’s the damnedest thing, Vanna,” he said slowly as he lifted his arm and flexed it carefully. “It’s fine,” he nodded. “I couldn’t get her to let go of me, so I dumped her on the mats. As I tried to open her mouth, I began to feel as if I was being strangled. It was as if there was something tight around my neck. I knew she was doing it. There was nothing else I could do but…”
“Hit her on the jaw,” finished Vanna.
He nodded. “Believe me, I wouldn’t have done it if there was another way. Especially since she’s pregnant.”
Vanna looked at him sharply. “What?”
“Well, it’s obvious, isn’t it? I have to admit I would never have guessed if I hadn’t held her.”
Vanna’s frown cleared. “She’s not pregnant, Garras. Terran females are different from us, that’s all.”
Garras looked puzzled. “Are you sure?”
“Positive. I carried out the initial medical examination on her, remember? If she was pregnant, believe me, I’d know about it,” she said, pulling her hypo gun out and loading it. “I’m giving you a large dose of a broad spectrum antibiotic, and an analgesic, just in case,” she said, swabbing down his upper arm before triggering the drug. “You’re also off duty for at least a week till that arm begins to heal.” She packed the hypo away then got up. “Let’s have a look at Carrie now.”
She sat down beside the girl, reaching out gently and taking hold of her jaw. “You made a good job of that.”
“I didn’t realize she’d bruise so badly,” he said apologetically.
“Well, she’s still out cold,” said Vanna, checking the girl’s eyes to find the inner lids closed. “and likely to remain so for some time from the looks of her. Have you called Kusac yet to let him know where she is?”
Garras shook his head. “No. I thought it best to contact you first.”
“I’d better give him a call. He’ll be beside himself with worry. Have you a comm I can use?” she asked Dzaka.
“In the other room,” he said, nodding toward it.
Getting up she went over to the room and sat down at Dzaka’s desk. She switched on the comm, selecting the vidiphone channel, and keyed in Kusac’s number.
The image resolved to show Kaid.
“What the hell are you doing out of bed?” she demanded, then shook her head. “Never mind, just get me Kusac.”
Kaid’s worried look cleared. “You’ve found her.”
“Yes, we’ve got her. She’s here at the temple with Garras and me. What happened to make her leave there on her own?”
“They had a row,” said Kaid. “I’ve just persuaded Kusac to lie down again because of his headache, and I don’t want to disturb him yet. How is she?”
“Unconscious. Garras had to knock her out she was so hysterical. Beyond that, she appears to be fine. Garras wasn’t so lucky. She took a chunk out of his arm.”
Kaid’s eye ridges went up. “She’s a fighter,” he said.
“I could have told you that,” said Vanna. “What’s wrong with Kusac? He isn’t unconscious, too, is he?”
“No, just sleeping. Give me a moment to contact Draz and call off the search,” he said, moving aside from the screen. He was back a moment later.
“This morning Carrie was involved in an abortive attempt to question a captive Valtegan. Afterward she let rip at the Mentor for criticizing the way she’d handled the situation. Then this afternoon Kusac was called down to his Tutor’s where pressure was put on him to make Carrie toe the guild line and turn up for training, or else,” said Kaid. “The Mentor’s concerned that Carrie’s undisciplined Talent and bad attitude is a danger to the guild, which is why she wants her brought in line.”
“What the hell is the Mentor playing at?” Vanna asked angrily. “I gave her a copy of the current medical data on them both and took the trouble to explain it personally to her. She knows their endocrine levels are in flux at the moment! They can’t handle the stress of this sort of pressure! Tell Kusac she’s safe here with us. We’ll bring her back when she comes round, but I want to talk to her first.”
“Oh, almost forgot. Kusac says the gestalt triggered for a few seconds, then she became unconscious.”
Vanna nodded. “I’ll sort it out from this end. Tell him that he can call her if he wants, but to leave it for about an hour. How’s his headache?”
“He took one of the pills you gave him a few days ago, but since then he’s thrown up. He seems a little better, but I convinced him it would be wise to lie down.”
“I’ll turn my pager on. If you need me, call.”
Kaid nodded, and she cut the connection.
She turned round to face Garras. “I want a word with you in private,” she said.
He followed her to the door and stepped outside. “What is it?”
“Why bring her here? I don’t like you involving the Brotherhood, Garras.”
“There wasn’t anywhere else I could take her, Vanna,” he said reasonably. “There’s nothing wrong with Dzaka. If I hadn’t had to knock her out, he’d have been the ideal person to help calm her down.”
“I don’t like it, Garras. The Brothers have always been a two-edged benefit that can go either way. I’m afraid for Carrie.”
“Look, I’m here, don’t worry. I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”
“I have to go. Just watch her well because I don’t trust Dzaka. She’s likely to be out for another hour at least. Can you cope? I have a few words I want to say to Rhuso
and Mnya,” she said grimly.
“We’ll be fine,” he said.
“Make sure that if she wakes she can’t get out. I don’t want us to be chasing her all over the ship again.”
“Vanna,” said Garras, catching her by the arm. “I didn’t know Terrans went feral with fear.”
“They don’t, as far as I know,” she said quietly.
*
As Garras closed the door behind her, Dzaka got up. “Would you like a c’shar?”
“Please,” he said tiredly, returning to his seat on the plinth. He leaned back against the God’s knee, glad now for the analgesic Vanna had given him. “You do remember me, don’t you, Dzaka? You were a lot younger when we last met.”
“Of course. After you left, Kaid was never quite the same. He lost something,” he said, coming to the doorway.
Garras grunted, detecting the faint hint of censure. “You know the rules concerning anyone who has to leave the Brotherhood for Clan reasons. They cease to exist outside Stronghold. Those who remain can’t have ties to anyone outside.” He moved his arm, trying to make it more comfortable.
“I knew Ghezu would give Kaid orders concerning these two,” he nodded toward where Carrie lay. “It was a chance I had to take when I called him in to guard them, but I trust his judgment. Don’t preempt him, Dzaka,” he said, the warning implicit in his tone.
“You called him in?” Dzaka leaned against the door jamb.
“Yes.” He turned his head to look at the younger male, noticing the faint creasing of the skin around his nose. “Kaid and I worked together for eight years before you were found. We go back a long way. How does it go? ‘Observe, assess, recruit or destroy’? Rogue telepaths always attract the Brotherhood’s specialists, so who better to protect them?” He noticed with amusement Dzaka’s slight discomfort at the description. Still young enough to have illusions, then.
“I’m not having a group of younglings fresh from their mother’s last grooming use their deaths to make a political statement. I also don’t want them sacrificed for the Telepath Guild’s peace of mind. They’re decent people, Dzaka, they only want to be left alone.”
“I’m sure Kaid will make the right decision,” murmured Dzaka, returning to his c’shar making.
*
Vanna headed up to the Telepath Guild’s office on the twenty-fifth level. “Is the Mentor in?” she asked the secretary.
“Yes, but you have to have an appointment to see her,” he replied. “Hey! You can’t just walk in like that!” he said as Vanna walked past him to open the door to the inner office.
“Watch me,” she said over her shoulder.
Startled, Mnya stood up as soon as she entered. “Vanna,” she said. “This is a surprise.”
“It shouldn’t be,” said Vanna. “I could understand your actions if I hadn’t made a point of explaining my findings to you in person, but considering I did, your blatant lack of concern for these two people’s physical and mental health is beyond my understanding. Why the hell couldn’t you have waited a few more days before demanding she attend training classes? Or couldn’t you have framed it as a request rather than a poorly veiled threat?”
“Physician Vanna,” said Mnya stiffly, “in my opinion…”
“Bugger your opinion!” said the enraged Vanna. “How dare you go against my medical advice? I’ve every intention of reporting this to the Commander! I specifically said they were not to be put under any form of stress for the next few weeks until I gave the all clear. Not only are they at a vulnerable point in their relationship, but Carrie has to cope with the immense problem of leaving her Clan behind to make a new life amongst us. She’s faced with prejudice from her own people, including her father, and now pressure from Kusac to conform to our ways because of you!”
“I think you’re overreacting, Physician…”
“Am I! They both need a period of adjustment, not only to get used to each other, but for Carrie to get used to our way of life. You shouldn’t even have involved her in questioning the Valtegan today! How much more plainly can I say it? Their moods are unstable, their adrenaline levels are unstable, they cannot function properly until their systems level out! For the Gods’ sake, give them a chance! I’ve found Carrie cooperative, helpful, and understanding. If you can’t find those qualities in her, then perhaps it’s you who are approaching her in the wrong way. As for being afraid of her talents, I’ll bet you she’s more afraid than you could ever be!”
“Have you quite finished?” asked Mnya, her face and tone frozen.
“Yes, thank you,” said Vanna, turning and marching out.
*
A chuckle came from the comm as Mnya stared angrily at the door.
“It seems they already have friends ready to Challenge for them.”
Mnya schooled her features into impassivity before she sat down. “My apologies, Master Esken,” she said to the elderly Sholan on the vidiphone link. “Physician Kyjishi just rushed in unannounced.”
“Her comments were worthwhile, Mnya,” he said. “I think that now is too early for you to make a judgment on them. From what she said there are sound medical reasons for the Keissian human’s behavior. I appreciate you had to take advantage of the moment, but it would have been wiser, in hindsight, not to have involved our unique Leska pair in questioning the Valtegan. Send me a copy of Physician Kyjishi’s report and in the interim, treat them both gently. If she turns up for training, all well and good. If not, send Rhuso to her and let Kusac remain in the same room. I want to be able to study them here at Valsgarth, not have to have one or both of them hospitalized through excess stress.”
“I only did what I considered appropriate, Guild Master,” said Mnya stiffly.
“I am fully appreciative of your efforts, Mnya,” he said gently. “You have put Rhuso in charge of her, now let him do his job. I have to go now, I’m afraid. High Command is restricting the time allowed for essential communications. It was difficult enough to get permission to speak to you at all. Konis Aldatan says AlRel expects the communications block to be lifted within a week. I’ll hear from you then.”
“Guild Master,” she said as the screen changed to show the Allied Worlds logo.
*
Guild Master Esken sat for a moment regarding the blank screen of his comm. From the moment he’d heard that Kusac Aldatan was the Sholan telepath involved in this cross-species link, he knew there’d be problems. Still, if the Brotherhood passed him, then when they arrived at Valsgarth, there would still be time to make sure they remained true to the guild.
He scratched behind his ear thoughtfully. If he remembered correctly, Kusac had always been one of the quieter students, never exhibiting any rash behavior— until he left home, that was. He sighed, knowing there was no easy solution to his problem. The impact of another telepathic species on their culture couldn’t be gauged, even without the added complication of Carrie’s and Kusac’s Link. He just prayed that it wouldn’t awaken the old fears of telepaths.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Senior Tutor Sorli poked his head round. “Master Esken, there’s been another find over at the Chazoun Guild. Their Mentor has just notified us.”
Esken nodded. “Tell Mentor Khoenga to dispatch his priest and attendants to bless the site as usual. Make sure they check the explosives are laid to destroy all the artifacts this time. Too many of them are being recovered and falling into the wrong hands.”
“The excavators are too afraid of the God to steal from the ruins, Master,” said Sorli. “I hardly think…”
“Some artifacts are turning up,” interrupted Esken. “I don’t know who’s taking them, nor do I particularly care at this moment in time. I merely want it to stop. If the charges are properly laid, then the ruins will be destroyed but the refined metals will remain salvageable. Just see to it, Sorli.”
“Yes Master Esken.”
*
As Vanna rode the elevator to the Admin level, she checked her wrist uni
t. She’d have to hurry.
As luck would have it, Myak was in the Commander’s outer office. “Myak,” she said, “I want a word with you.”
“Certainly, Physician Kyjishi,” he said. “Would it be to do with the Mentor and Kusac?”
Vanna frowned. “Has she been in touch with you already?”
Myak made a noncommittal gesture.
“Fine. Now you can hear my side of it,” she said.
*
Carrie moaned, putting her hand up to her jaw as she opened her eyes. Her sense of smell, almost as acute as Kusac’s now, had already told her she was in an unfamiliar place. She moved her head slowly till she saw the statue with the weapons round its feet. Then she remembered.
Lurching to her feet, she tried to reach the door as simultaneously she sent out a mental cry for help, trying desperately to find a mind she recognized.
Before she’d taken more than two steps, a strange male, one she’d never seen before, was blocking the door. She didn’t notice the plain black robe, all she saw was the gray brindled fur, and the green eyes set in a narrow face. Her mind screamed, Wolf! She opened her mouth to cry out, then someone touched her from behind.
As she whirled round, Garras felt his mind being probed and winced in pain. “You’re going to have to learn to be more gentle, Carrie,” he said, his hand closing firmly on her arm.
He could feel the stiffness suddenly leave her body as she recognized him.
“That’s what Kusac says.”
“Well, he’s right,” he said candidly. “That was painful.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “Where am I, Garras? Who’s he?” She indicated the male behind her.
“You’re at the temple on level fourteen. That’s Dzaka, the lay priest in charge.”
“How did I get here? The last thing I remember is someone grabbing me. Oh,” she said, as she saw Garras’ bandage. “Your arm.”
“I brought you here, and don’t let anyone ever tell you that you haven’t got sharp teeth,” said Garras, his mouth opening in a faint grin.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her face taking on a stricken look that even Garras recognized. “I didn’t realize it was you.” She put a tentative hand up to her jaw.
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