As they boarded the aircar to leave for the estate, Kusac watched Meral eye her warily. T’Chebbi gave no feeling of needing to make a place for herself on this small team, she knew her own worth; she’d been chosen.
Before the hatch was closed, Taizia came bounding up. “You’ll need me,” she said cryptically, giving Kusac a long, hard look.
Carrie had continued her friendship with his sister, finding that with Vanna busy in the medical area, she was bereft of female company. They’d gone to the town a couple of times on their own and with other friends of Taizia’s. She enjoyed their sense of adventure: life was becoming a little too quiet for her at the guild. She also enjoyed working with them on their report on the comparative differences between Keissian and Terran social customs. It gave her something to do that she felt was worthwhile when Kusac was busy.
Taizia settled herself beside Meral and began chatting animatedly with him.
*
From the air, Carrie’s first view of the Clan estate was breathtaking. The forested land thinned out gradually until the fields and clusters of houses took over. They flew over the estate gardens, both natural and formal, bisected by tiny crisscrossing paths. Set like a blazing jewel in the midst of this was Kusac’s home.
Walls of white reflected the sunlight back at them, almost dazzling their eyes. Terra-cotta pillared balconies fronted the two sides of the building facing them. As they came closer, she could see it was roughly square in shape, enclosing an internal open courtyard set with an ornamental pool and trees. As they came down to land in the outer courtyard, Carrie saw the family’s double sunburst emblem set above the massive terra-cotta pillars at the entrance. The panic she’d felt, which had receded when she caught sight of the house, now returned in full as she looked out at the imposing facade in front of her.
“Don’t be put off by its appearance,” said Kusac, unfastening his safety belt. “What you’re seeing is the cumulative effect of generations. Our Clan is one of the oldest on this continent, going back at least to the days of the Cataclysm. The house is several hundred years old and each successive generation has added to it. My father had a solar built two years ago.”
Your torcs, Kusac, sent Taizia from behind, using a private link. Is it wise to let him see them right now?
Not wise, but honest, Kusac replied, turning his attention back to Carrie.
It was well into summer now, and she was dressed in a lightweight purple tunic. Her legs and feet were bare save for the slip-on sandals she’d brought with her from Keiss. The bronze torc glinted at her throat and he’d brushed her hair that morning until it gleamed like spun gold. She looked exotic, and very alien.
As he got to his feet, his hand went unconsciously to his own torc for reassurance.
Carrie rose and followed him out, unable to take her eyes off the building. The entrance was open to the sunlight, giving it a light, airy look. Now she could see just how massive the pillars were. Topping only some twelve feet, they were broad, tapering from wide at the top to narrow at the base. On the steps up to the main entrance, two single pillars were set one behind the other to support the balcony on the floor above.
Movement from the interior of the house caught her eye. A male in long robes was coming toward them-Kusac’s father! Once again, the panic returned.
Kusac tried mentally to reassure her despite the apprehension he felt himself. They made their way up the stairs followed by Taizia, Meral, Kaid, and T’Chebbi.
Carrie’s fear began to swamp him, but it wasn’t until Taizia touched his arm warningly that he realized she was broadcasting.
Shield up, he sent, nerves already beginning to fray.
The tension eased as his father stepped forward, palm held out to Carrie.
There was a strong family resemblance in the line of the jaw and set of the ears, but here and there several white hairs were scattered over his face and hair. As she returned the greeting, she felt the gentle assessing touch she had come to associate with meeting fellow telepaths.
“Greetings, Carrie,” he said, his voice low and melodious. “It’s a pleasure to welcome you to our estate and to meet you at last in person.”
“I’m honored, Clan Lord Aldatan,” she murmured.
“Taizia, I didn’t expect to see you,” her father said, catching sight of his daughter.
“I thought it was time I showed my nose again,” she replied.
“Kusac,” he said, turning to his son. “I can see for myself that you look well. You’ve filled out over the last year. Your current lifestyle must suit you.”
“It’s the exercise,” Kusac said.
“Ah, yes. And how is the training going?” Konis asked, gesturing for them to precede him into the house.
“As a discipline, it goes well. Whether or not I can use it if the need arises has yet to be seen. Carrie will have no problem. Apparently she has a Warrior’s soul!”
“I wonder if that’s a gift to be wished for in a telepath,” said his father, leading them through the hall into the colonnaded courtyard. He stopped for a moment, waiting while Carrie looked at the frescoes on the walls.
“They’re beautiful,” she said, pointing to a scene depicting Sholan hunters in the reeds by a river.
“They are rather pleasant to look at, aren’t they? Most telepaths like to surround themselves with beauty in one form or another. It helps relax the spirit and calm the mind,” said Konis.
They went through the courtyard and past the pool with its ornamental waterfall before entering a corridor. It was cool and the dimmer light was soothing to the eyes compared to the glare outside. They emerged into a large airy lounge that opened onto the gardens where his mother and younger sister were sitting under the shade of a large leafed tree.
The smaller figure, a miniature copy of his mother, turned round and leaped to her feet with a squeak of pleasure, racing through the room to Kusac and flinging her arms around him as he bent to meet her.
“Kitra, it’s good to see you again,” he said, picking her up.
“I’ve missed you,” she said, giving him a hug before looking toward Carrie.
“Is this your Terran Leska?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She held her hand out to Carrie. “Greetings to you,” she said solemnly, her brown eyes wide as she tried not to stare.
“Greetings to you, Kitra,” said Carrie, reaching out to touch her hand.
Kusac’s mother entered. She, too, was dressed for the hot weather, wearing a short tunic similar to Carrie’s.
Carrie turned to meet her as Kusac put his sister down. Rhyasha approached the girl, putting her hands on her shoulders and drawing her close until their cheeks touched. “It’s good to see you again, Carrie. You are well come to our home.”
She was released as Rhyasha turned to Kusac, hugging him closely before stepping back to look at him carefully. She ran a hand across his cheek, pushing a stray lock of hair behind his ear.
“You look better,” she said critically. “You’ve put some weight on, and the God knows, you needed to!” Surreptitiously she touched his torc.
“Hush,” said Kusac, hugging her tightly. “Just wish me well,” he whispered in her ear, receiving a fierce hug in return.
“Don’t crush him to death,” said his father, moving past them to take up his seat in the garden again.
“Taizia, please take the guards to the kitchen and arrange for them to be fed, and order c’shar for us. We’ll dine in half an hour,” Rhyasha said, giving her daughter a quick embrace.
Taizia moved to do her bidding as Carrie and Kusac followed Rhyasha and Kitra into the garden.
“How did your trip to Earth go?” asked Kusac, pulling a couple of soft cushions up for himself and Carrie. As he squatted down on them, Carrie settled herself next to him.
“I didn’t have to go down to Earth,” said Konis. “I spoke directly to their negotiators on the Rhyaki and by comm link to their leaders on the planet. They were trying to tell
us they had no telepaths, so I quoted the names of a few centers of learning where the encyclopedia said they were studying what they call psychic talents. After that, they were quiet for a day or two, then the telepaths started arriving.”
“How many are there?”
“About twenty. A couple of families with three or four members, the rest single people, mainly males. They’ll be brought down to the guild the day after tomorrow. How are the arrangements going for their accommodation?”
“Fine,” said Kusac. “They’ve erected a semipermanent building for them near the medical facility. It’s completely self-contained as you asked, and fully shielded.”
“Good. I’ll be going over to see them again once they’ve settled in. The discovery of another species with telepathic abilities is going to affect our culture, not to mention Earth’s, profoundly, especially if there are other Leska pairings like yours,” said Konis.
“I know,” said Kusac. “Carrie and I have been speculating on what the changes could be.”
“If there are more Leska pairings, let’s hope they’re mainly between our males and Terran females, like yours and Carrie’s, because we already have an imbalance with our male population,” said Rhyasha dryly. “Ah, here come our drinks.”
Taizia emerged from the lounge with a large tray of mugs and a jug of c’shar.
“Did you try their coffee when you were on the Rhyaki by any chance?” asked Kusac with a faint grin.
“I did, as a matter of fact. Quite nice for a change. I brought a few plants back as a gift for your mother. She likes the odd gardening challenge.”
After a leisurely evening meal, Kusac reached for Taizia’s mind, asking her to take Carrie off to her room while he spoke to their father.
Keep her occupied. I have a feeling Father is not at his most amenable tonight.
I’m on your side, but you can hardly blame him, can you? she replied.
Kusac glared at her and hurriedly she turned to Carrie.
“Let’s leave these gray heads to talk,” she said. “Come up to my room. I’ve got a few things I’d like to show you.”
*
When they’d left, Kusac turned to his father. “I want you to dissolve my marriage contract, Father,” he said. “I have no intention of lifebonding to Rala.”
“I gathered that when I saw you and Carrie had exchanged torcs.” said Konis. “Tell me, what prompted you to make such a foolish gesture?”
“It wasn’t foolish. I gave it to her for her peace of mind and protection as much as anything else. Her people have a more rigid sexual code than ours, and I’m well aware that others have found her attractive,” Kusac said, looking down at the knife he was toying with.
“As my wife, she would to a large degree be spared the problem of dealing ,with unwanted lovers. Having seen the Terrans for yourself, you’re probably aware that they usually pair for life, taking no other lovers. Carrie will feel more secure if we’re lifebonded.”
“I suppose your feelings for her never came into it?”
“Of course they did,” he said, looking up. “Will you cancel the contract?”
“No,” said his father calmly. “You have duties to your Clan that you can’t ignore. Having a Leska is not a valid reason for terminating the contract.”
“I’d be willing to release him from Clan duties, Konis,” Rhyasha said quietly.
“There are specific grounds set down in the laws governing the dissolution of a marriage contract. I can’t, and won’t ask for a special case to be made for Kusac.”
“I can’t marry Rala, Father. It would destroy Carrie. She gave up home and Clan-everything for me. I can’t do less for her.”
“It won’t destroy her. Other Leskas cope with their partner’s marriage, so will she.”
“I don’t think you realize how closely we’re Linked,” said Kusac, trying to prevent his ears from lying flat.
His father stirred slightly, resting his forearms on the table and leaning forward.
“I have a fair idea. I get sent the data from both guilds. There is little about your relationship I don’t know.”
Kusac’s ears flicked with embarrassment. “Then you should know how she’ll react to even the news I’m expected to marry.”
His father sighed. “You shouldn’t have given her your torc, Kusac. You weren’t free to give it, and you should have told her you were already betrothed. You’ve compounded your own folly.”
“You betrothed me when I was a child, Father! Circumstances have changed,” he said, beginning to lose the battle to keep his temper.
“That’s irrelevant. Rala was chosen as a mate for you because of her bloodlines and the political advantages of an alliance with the northern Telepath Clans. I know you dislike her, but you’re free to love where you want. You only have to father children on Rala and treat her with the courtesy due to a wife, nothing more.”
“What does Carrie do while I’m fathering these children?” asked Kusac angrily. “She’s aware of everything I do or say, it’s almost impossible to keep anything from her!”
“If she can’t cope with the situation, then we’ll have her drugged so she’s unaware of it,” came the calm reply.
“Konis,” said Rhyasha warningly, “this isn’t a wise way to approach the matter.”
“I don’t intend to let my Leska be drugged for the sake of some female I can’t tolerate!” Kusac exclaimed angrily. “If I have to marry her, then it will be in name only. Or will you drug me into acquiescence, too?” he asked with barely suppressed fury.
“If Carrie was Sholan, it might have been feasible to nullify the contract because of the responsibility of Leska pairs to have children, but she isn’t. She can’t provide you with heirs, and the Family needs heirs, legitimate heirs, not bastards, no matter whether your mother would allow it or not,” Konis said angrily. “As Lord of the Council I can’t allow my son to break his contract and if drugging both of you is what it takes, then, yes, I’ll have it done!”
“What about Rala’s behavior at the guild? The fact that she’s misusing a minor Talent to manipulate people? That’s grounds for an annulment!”
“Give her what she wants, Kusac, and she’ll be easily kept under control,” said Konis, his tone more conciliatory. “You’re making too much of the guild incident, and too much of this marriage.”
“I disagree. Had it been anyone else, you would have taken some disciplinary action. Because it’s Rala, you won’t!”
“I’ve had enough, Kusac! You’ll do as you’re told! Today at the Council meeting I had to sit through a discussion on whether you, with an alien Leska, were fit to remain a candidate. The majority vote was no! It was narrow-minded of them, but they see their comfortable little world threatened by these Terrans. I need you to marry Rala to prove to them that your Link to a Terran doesn’t make you unfit for a position of responsibility. Happily Vailkoi doesn’t agree with the majority, even if his opinion is affected by the fact that he doesn’t want his future son-in-law to lose his candidacy for the leadership of the Clans!”
“Vailkoi will do anything to get rid of his daughter! She’s a damned liability to him now with her moods and tantrums!” Kusac’s voice had become an angry snarl.
“You’ll do as you’re told, Kusac,” repeated his father in a voice like ice. “Tomorrow Rala is coming here to see you. I expect you to greet her as your betrothed wife.”
“I think you’re being too hasty about this,” said his mother, touching her husband lightly on the arm.
Konis shook her off, getting to his feet. “He marries Rala, Rhyasha. That’s the last I want to hear of the matter,” he snapped, stalking angrily from the room.
His mother sighed. “I don’t know what more I can do. He’s adamant, as you can see.”
“So am I,” muttered Kusac, aware with a sinking feeling that Carrie had heard the conversation. “I have to go to her, Mother. She heard him.”
“Go, then,” she said. “Don’t do anything
foolish, Kusac. I’d rather you were happy than have the heirs your father wants.”
Kusac touched her briefly on the shoulder as he passed her.
*
He took the stairs at a lope, heading along the pillared central balcony to Taizia’s room. His sister opened the door for him.
“You lied to me,” said Carrie as he entered.
“No, I only tried to…”
“You lied!” Her eyes were narrowed to slits and her voice was like winter’s breath. He’d never seen her so angry before.
“You knew about this marriage all along, yet you purposely kept it from me. I trusted you, Kusac! How could you keep something as important as this from me?”
“It isn’t important, Carrie,” he said quietly, moving away from the door. “It’s only an arranged marriage. She means nothing to me. I didn’t choose her.”
“It’s a marriage, Kusac,” she said, cold fury in her voice as she got to her feet and began to pace between the bed and the window.
“Arranged marriages happen all the time in the Clans. It doesn’t stop the people involved from having lovers and living apart from each other, you know that. Even if I have to marry her, it won’t affect us.”
“Oh, won’t it?” She spun round, eyes blazing. “What am I supposed to do while you’re screwing that female? Enjoy the secondhand experience? I’m your Leska, Kusac, we’re Linked together for life, we belong to each other, or doesn’t that matter any more? I thought that Sholans understood about Leskas! Or am I just a working partner, someone else you didn’t choose, with nothing to offer in comparison to a wife?” She turned away from him again, sitting back down on the bed.
Taizia, part of her realized, was sitting at the other end of the bed, trying to take up as small a space as possible in her own room. She was wishing she was anywhere else but here with them. Tears of anger and hurt stung Carrie’s eyes and she blinked rapidly in an effort to hide them.
She felt his hand on her shoulder and shrugged away from him. “Leave me alone,” she snapped. “I trusted you, I came here with you, turned my back on my own people— for what? A handful of lies?”
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