fortuneswheel

by Lisanne Norman

  By some unconscious mutual consent, though they stopped several times to haggle over prices of items they liked, they bought nothing. When night fell, they went in search of food, preferring to sit and eat on a seat in the corner of some parkland rather than in one of the many restaurants the town had to offer.

  When they finally returned home, Kusac left her at the foot of the stairs while he went into the kitchen. He emerged carrying a large jug of wine and two glasses. Taking her by the hand, he led her upstairs to their rooms.

  “Tonight,” he said, shutting the door, “we’re going to get drunk. Don’t worry,” he added, feeling her surprise and concern for the morning, “it’s early yet, and you won’t get a hangover with this wine.”

  He put the jug and glasses down on the table beside the settee, pulling her closer.

  “I’m sure everything will go well tomorrow,” he said, stroking her hair, “but this could also be our last night together. I want us to enjoy it.”

  “Please God, it won’t be,” she murmured, putting a hand up to either side of his face and drawing it down to kiss him.

  *

  Vanna knocked on the door, waiting for Garras to answer. She knew she had to talk to him, but she wasn’t looking forward to it.

  “Vanna, this is a surprise,” Garras said, standing back for her to enter. He frowned, noticing the nervous set to her ears and the flicking of her tail. “What’s wrong?” he asked as he shut the door behind her.

  “Nothing, I just needed to talk to you,” she said, walking into the center of the room.

  Garras already knew what she needed to tell him, and had since she’d first found out. He was prepared to wait for her. She’d either tell him or not in her own good time. “Want some coffee?” he asked, going over to the kitchen area.

  “Please,” she said, following him. “I thought you didn’t like it.”

  “I’ve gotten used to it because you like it,” he said, pouring out two mugfuls then adding whitener and sweetener to both.

  “Garras, I’m carrying Brynne’s cub.” There, she’d said it.

  He continued to stir the sweetener into the mugs.

  “If you want to get Kaid to choose someone else to watch over me, I’ll understand,” she said in a small voice.

  Garras turned and handed her a mug. “Why should I want to do that?” he asked, leaning back against the counter, watching her carefully. “I already knew, Vanna. I’ve only been waiting for you to tell me so I could reassure you that it makes no difference.”

  She looked up, eyes wide with shock. “How did you know?”

  “If you had a Sholan Leska, it’d be no different,” he said, ignoring her question. “You’d be expected to bear his cubs, too, whether or not you were bonded. What’s different, except that you and I can’t ever have cubs?”

  “Nothing, I suppose.”

  Growling deep in his throat, he leaned forward and took the mug away from her, slamming it down on the counter. Shaking the spilled coffee off his hand with an exclamation of annoyance, he stepped forward and took hold of her.

  Holding her close with one arm, he used the other to lift her chin up until she couldn’t avoid looking at him.

  “Dammit, Vanna, I’ve spent too long looking for someone like you to let anything or anyone come between us. Your relationship with Brynne isn’t one of love, you’ve told me that and I can see it for myself. Ours is. Your cub will need a father and I intend to be that father, not Brynne, your five-day wonder! As for what I want to do,” he said, lowering his face to hers and beginning to nuzzle her ear, “I intend to guard your body intimately until morning, and I don’t care whether or not you have any objections,” he said, swinging her up into his arms.

  “I don’t,” said Vanna, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I do need you, Garras.”

  “And I need you, too, pretty one,” he said, his voice a low purr.

  *

  “Before business begins,” said Peter Hamilton, looking round the table at the assembled Sholans and humans, “there is a personal matter I’d like to raise. One involving Sholan law.”

  The Sholan Chairman, Sub-Commander Vioshi, stirred in his seat. “Mr. Hamilton, we have a great deal of civic business to attend to first. As I’ve said before, personal matters will have to wait, even for you. In fact, I suggest that the Council chamber is not the place for such items. As Planetary Governor you should be aware of that. We’ve already set up a perfectly adequate complaints procedure.”

  “The matter does concern this Council,” argued Mr. Hamilton, “and it has a time limit to it. We need to discuss it now.”

  “If you feel so strongly about it then, if we have time, we’ll consider your problem after the day’s business is over,” the Sholan sighed.

  “I must insist that the Council does find the time,” began Carrie’s father.

  “Raise the matter at the end of business, Peter,” said Captain Skinner, the Keissian co-Chairman. “I understand your concern, but not now.”

  Peter Hamilton subsided, an angry look on his face as he glanced at the clock.

  *

  It was nearing seven at night before he was able to put his case to the Council, by which time it was too late to make a decision without reference to the full facts. A series of notes compiled by Jack Reynolds was given to each council member and a firm promise given that the matter would be looked at again the next day and some decision taken.

  *

  Once again there were delays. Some urgent local incident on Keiss needed to be discussed and he was asked to wait while that was dealt with. By late afternoon, they were ready to consider his case.

  “You’ve all read the documents,” he said. “The medical facts are simple. If my daughter fights in this Challenge, she could lose the child. If she does, that could put both her life and that of her Leska, the Telepath Clan Lord’s son, at risk. Since they are the first Leska pair of their kind, and their child is unique, I suggest that the law governing Challenges be put aside in this case and the Challenge be canceled.”

  “Sholan law cannot be put aside every time a Keissian is involved, Mr. Hamilton,” said Sub-Commander Vioshi. “Your daughter knew what she was doing when she issued this Challenge, and she knew she would have to fight it personally. It’s also an En’Shalla Challenge, and not in the civil law domain.”

  “She didn’t know she was pregnant.”

  “That is immaterial as far as the law is concerned, but the fact that she carries the first child of a new species bears thinking about.”

  “One of the other Sholan/Terran pairings is also pregnant,” interrupted another of the Sholan councilors. “The child is not unique.”

  “That may be so, but is there really that much of a risk to the mother?” inquired Vioshi.

  “According to two medics, yes,” said Mr. Hamilton. “It’s in my notes.” Frantically he searched his mind to see if there was anything else he could say that would sway them.

  “One other thing,” he said hastily, just as the Chairman was about to speak. “She’s a healer, too. Your people regard healers highly, don’t they?”

  “A healer, you say?” Vioshi sat up and took note. “You should have mentioned this earlier because without a legal ruling on this matter, we can’t intervene. Healers are too rare to risk in any circumstances. If such a decision was in your favor, is there anyone on the Council who would block there being a cancellation of the Challenge in this case?”

  He looked round the room, receiving negative shakes of the head from all present. “No? Then I suggest we leave this matter till tomorrow when I have had time to contact a judge and get a ruling on it,” said the Chairman.

  “I’ll second that,” said Skinner.

  “We haven’t got until tomorrow,” said Carrie’s father. “The Challenge is at ten o’clock tonight our time. I need action before then.”

  “In that case, I suggest we close our business for today so that I can contact the judge on the Khalossa and
see you get your ruling as soon as possible.”

  Peter Hamilton sat down, almost lightheaded with relief.

  *

  It was dawn when Brynne strolled out into the small courtyard outside the guild medical center. Vanna and her assistant were busy loading a recovery aircar.

  “Today’s the Challenge, then?” he asked.

  Vanna stopped to look briefly at him. “Yes.” She turned to the other female. “Chena, bring me the refrigerated box next. Check that it contains the Terran whole blood, type 0, and the plasma. The amount should be as per the label.”

  She climbed on board and began checking her equipment. Brynne followed her.

  “Quite comprehensive, isn’t it?” he said, looking round. “Everything up to and including a mobile intensive care unit. There’s been no stay of execution, then?”

  “Not that I’m aware of,” she said, loading her hypoderm and placing it along with several spare ampoules into pouches on her belt.

  Brynne leaned against the counter and, taking his hands out of his pockets, handed her several dressing packs.

  “You may need these in your medikit.”

  Vanna took them from him and was about to lay them aside, then changed her mind and placed them in one of her jacket pockets.

  “You could be dealing with either deep cuts or stab wounds,” he said. “Pressure dressings are invaluable.”

  “I know,” she said, turning toward him. “How did you?”

  He shrugged. “I did a paramedic course back on Earth. I’ve mentioned before that because I have your medical knowledge through our Link, I’m being allowed to study it here when I’ve time.”

  “No, you can’t come,” she said, knowing what he was about to say. “Kusac wants Carrie kept away from Terrans just now. Your little outburst did her a lot of damage, so stay away from her.”

  “I had no intention of upsetting her,” he said.

  She grunted disbelievingly.

  “Suit yourself,” he said, moving toward the doorway. He stopped beside her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

  “I hope everything goes well for them, but remember, if it doesn’t, your life needn’t end, too.” He gave her a gentle squeeze before leaving.

  Taken totally by surprise, she stood there in a daze until Chena returned with the refrigerated box.

  “Everything’s there,” Chena said, latching it into its fastenings against the wall. “Aren’t we being a little overcautious taking all this stuff?” she asked. “It’s only a Challenge to first blood, after all, quite a common occurrence.”

  Vanna rounded on her. “Do you know who is fighting?” she demanded. “Liegen Kusac Aldatan’s Leska! Would you be prepared to risk their lives by not having the necessary equipment if anything went seriously wrong?”

  “No, of course not,” she stammered, tail and ears flicking in distress.

  “Damn!” swore Vanna, looking out the doorway past her toward a small group of Sholans who were heading their way.

  “That’s the head surgeon and his minions. I’d hoped to leave before they arrived. Go out and meet them, see what they want and try to head them off, Chena. Garras should be along any minute now. When he arrives, he’ll send them packing.”

  Vanna hurriedly went back to checking her medikit.

  *

  “You’ve checked that the Protectorate’s got the estate perimeter and the entrance covered?” Kaid asked T’Chebbi.

  “Checked, and we’ve got the eastern coastline covered,” she said. “Everyone is in position and knows what to do.”

  He turned to Rulla and Dzaka. All four of them now wore the Brotherhood grays to identify themselves immediately as the inner guard. “We’re only waiting for Garras, and he’s on his way.”

  He looked up at the roof of the house where a couple of snipers were strategically placed. He activated his throat communicator. “Position Delta. Confirm visibility and reception.”

  “Confirmed, Alpha.”

  Still looking at the front of the house, Kaid addressed the little group behind him.

  “T’Chebbi, I want you with Meral at the edge of the circle. You’d better get into position now.”

  “Aye, sir,” she said, walking away from them.

  “Rulla, Dzaka, you’ll be on the hundred meter mark, facing the house. Garras and I will be beyond you, covering the area between there and the treeline. I don’t need to tell you what to look for, do I? If in doubt, shoot first. We can sort it out afterward.” He turned round, his gaze pinning Dzaka for a long moment. “Positions, then. Keep an eye out behind you as well until Garras and I take up our positions.”

  “Are you sure you want me that close to them?” asked Dzaka.

  “Only people I trust are in the immediate vicinity of the Challenge circle,” said Kaid. “Trust, Dzaka.” Once again he gave him an uncompromising look before turning and walking away toward the house.

  *

  Carrie paced around the kitchen, unable to relax.

  “Eat something,” urged Kusac, trying to follow his own advice though the food tasted like sawdust in his mouth.

  “I can’t,” she snapped. “I feel like I’d throw up if I tried.”

  “Then leave the eggs and meat. Have some bread at least. You can’t fight on an empty stomach.”

  “Cub, you must have something,” said his mother, fetching a container from the cupboard. She opened it and offered her one of the ubiquitous energy biscuits that were always plentiful in telepaths’ houses.

  Reluctantly she accepted one, taking a small bite.

  Kusac handed her the mug of coffee, grasping her by the hand and pulling her down onto the bench at his side.

  “Now sit still for a moment,” he said. “You’ll be worn out before you begin.”

  She took a larger bite, and a drink. “Taizia says there’ll be other people there. I didn’t realize we’d have an audience.”

  Kusac glanced at his mother.

  “We’ve insisted on the minimum number of people necessary to satisfy the legal requirements,” said his mother soothingly, coming to sit on Carrie’s other side. “Kusac will be there, of course, and his father to act as judge in the matter. Rala will be accompanied by her older brother and two Warriors. T’Chebbi and Meral will represent us.”

  “Why the Warriors?”

  “To make sure neither Kusac, nor Rala’s brother, interferes, and to judge when the first blood is drawn. Then it will all be over,” she said, patting Carrie’s hand.

  “Is there any chance it will be canceled?” asked Taizia from her corner of the table.

  Kusac shook his head, looking at his wrist unit. “There’s not enough time left now for that.”

  Kitra came rushing in. “Your friend Vanna is here,” she announced as Vanna, Garras, and Chena followed her into the room.

  Kusac’s mother got up to greet them. “You’ve time for some c’shar?” she asked, ushering them to the table.

  Vanna checked the time. “We should have,” she said, sitting down beside Taizia.

  Carrie got up and began pacing again. “I can’t stand the waiting,” she muttered.

  Kusac rose and went over to her. She evaded him, walking over to the window.

  “There’s another craft arriving,” she said. “It feels like Rala.”

  “They’ll call us when they’re ready,” said Kusac soothingly as he followed her, only too aware of how nervous and jumpy she was.

  A few minutes later, his father came in. “Taizia, I’ve got a job for you.”

  His daughter looked up unhappily.

  “I need you to stay in the study by the comm in case a message arrives from Keiss. If it does, you’re to bring it to me immediately.”

  “Yes, Father,” she said. If it hadn’t been for me, she wouldn’t have Challenged Rala. This is all my fault, she sent on their private wavelength.

  Tazia, we’ve been all through this before, sent Konis. You weren’t to know the Challenge wasn’t necessary. It’s no one�
��s fault.

  Kitra grinned from ear to ear. “Good! I can watch the fight.”

  “You will be keeping your sister company,” her father said sternly.

  “But, Father!”

  “No arguments. You stay with Taizia. Off you-both go.”

  He noticed Vanna and her two companions and nodded cordially to them. “I think it’s time for you to join the others outside now, Vanna.”

  As they left, Kusac moved away from the window, still following Carrie.

  “They’re not ready for you yet,” Konis said to his son. “I’d like to speak to you both first,” he continued.

  Once the room was empty except for his wife, he put his hands on Carrie’s shoulders. “Whatever happens today, remember that we love you as our daughter. No one blames you for Challenging Rala. The idea in itself was a good one, it’s just a damned shame all this is so unnecessary now. Forget us, forget Kusac, forget everything but the fight. Don’t let yourself be distracted by anything. You will win, I’m sure of it,” he said, hugging her.

  She returned the hug and he released her, turning to his son and putting a hand on his shoulder.

  May Vartra and all the gods be with you, he sent, the message aimed only at Kusac.

  Kusac put his hand up and squeezed his father’s arm affectionately, unable to say anything. Then, taking Carrie by the hand, they went outside to be met by Kaid and Garras carrying the weapons.

  Kaid looked Carrie up and down with approval. “You remembered,” he said, pointing to her loose-fitting, sandcolored trousers and shirt. “With those on, you’ll present the minimum target possible. I would fasten your jerkin, though,” he warned, leading the way round to the combat circle at the front of the house.

  “She’ll do fine, lad,” said Garras, touching Kusac briefly on the arm. “Don’t worry.”

  “I’ll try not to,” he said.

  Carrie stopped when she saw the knot of people, panic flooding through her. I can’t do it, Kusac, she sent.

  He sensed her fear and put his arm around her, pulling her forward with him. Yes, you can, he replied.

  Rala turned round and saw them. As she caught sight of their bracelets, they felt her hate like a physical blow. I know you can hear me, Terran. By the end of this fight, he’ll be mine again!