"Then could someone meet them on neutral ground and obtain some specimens?"
"I'll ask the Lypeople Council, but it's doubtful."
"It would help to know if the Canys carry the ray as strong as the Felys do. If so, it means that whatever is causing the ray to damage your DNA and weaken your kits and their litters, is closer to the Felys and Canys than it is to the Lypeople."
Illam looked alertly at Taj. “We could find the cause and put a stop to it?"
"It's worth a try.” Taj nodded to Sarcan. “I'll contact the Council and get back to you."
"And I'll chat to Kiile meanwhile."
Within minutes, Taj had the Lypeople Council on the viscomm. Illam recognized Cato, and a black and white Lywoman called Eesha. After introducing Tera and Wylin tot hem, he told them everything that had transpired.
At the mention of the ray affecting the DNA, and of it having been found in their own people, though in a weaker version, they paled.
"I'll discuss this with the rest of the Council,” Cato informed them. “An emergency meeting will be called. But I can tell you that this will mean that if the Argons and Felys are in agreement, then we will be asking the Argon healer to come and take specimens from us all."
"It could take weeks,” Illam interjected.
"And this destroying of our DNA could take our species,” Eesha reminded him.
He had to agree that they had a point there. And somewhere deep inside himself, he did a little jig. It would mean that Tera had to stay on the planet a lot longer—with him as her personal bodyguard. Apart from Wylin and Denyon, that is. And they weren't mating with her, either. He was the one doing that, by Delcat!
Shrugging mentally at the thought that he shouldn't be rejoicing in the sobering news, he turned his attention back to the conversation. Every black lycat had a silver undercoat.
"Once back at your settlement, Illam, I'll talk to Shar and Almire,” Taj was saying. “They can get on the viscomm to the Lypeople Council and sort out some details, if in agreement. Then if everyone agrees, we'll contact Kiile and do a three way communication system."
"You would still have to get the Canys to agree,” Illam pointed out.
"First things first. If they don't agree, we'll simply forget about them for a while and work on ourselves."
"But they're getting all huffy,” Tera reminded him.
"One step at a time, healer. We can't fix everything."
"Bugger."
Amused, Taj grinned at her.
Leaving the ship, they headed back to the Felys settlement through the safety of the tunnels.
* * * *
The Cave
The sphere glowed softly. Everyone it touched, it gifted with freedom.
She watched it, almost mesmerized by the glow.
The other healer came growling softly when she didn't immediately relinquish her place beside it.
She wasn't afraid. They were in this together. They needed each other.
Overhead the slave hunters flew, their lights spearing through the darkness of the trees in the hope of spotting one of their kind running for shelter. Seeing no one, the slave hunters veered off and disappeared into the night sky.
Safe in the shelter of the cave, she smiled at the two other healers, and they smiled back.
Yes, they'd done the right thing. Freedom would be theirs.
* * * *
Gathering in the Meeting Hall, the Felys leaders were in agreement that Tera and Wylin go to the Lypeople settlement and start gathering data. The Argons had collected all they could from the Felys, and at least they had a small knowledge of what was happening to them.
Contacting the Lypeople Council via the viscomm, they gave their permission, but added that it was up to Tera and Kiile if they went. The Lypeople Council gave their agreement, and gave Tera full support through their own healers.
The viscomm divided into three sections as Kiile came on to join the meeting.
He was little more reserved. On the three way communication viscomm he spoke soberly, wanting to know the safety of his healer and bodyguard against the Canys.
"The Lypeople is a bigger settlement,” Taj informed him. “It's a city of some twenty thousand."
"Tera, you are in agreement to go?” he asked her.
Sitting to the side, Tera leaned forward and nodded. “Yes. It's the opportunity to do a full scan of them all."
"But you already know that the Lypeople currently tested have the ray in a weaker form."
"But we can't confirm they all have it."
Kiile pursed his lips.
"I have another idea, Kiile, so I'm not there as long,” Tera offered. “I can simply correlate the data, and the various healers will collect the specimens."
"How is that going to make it shorter?"
"Multiple collectors. I won't be the one going out and collecting; I'll just be sitting and gathering data."
Kiile was still frowning.
"You have concerns,” Cato stated.
"Yes. This business with the Canys worries me.” Kiile looked directly at him. “I don't want my healer or bodyguard anywhere near them."
"Kiile—” Tera began.
"No.” He gave her a hard look, every inch the Argon leader. “I've been doing a little background search myself. The leader of them, Ropar, is someone not to be trusted. They can be savage when provoked."
"I'm not going to provoke them."
"Tera, you have a habit of speaking your mind, and your sharp tongue could provoke a saint."
Illam grinned, but caught Tera glaring at him, so he coughed and looked away.
"Kiile,” she said, sounding reasonable. “If they agree, and I find the ray is stronger in them, we will know the cause is nearer to them and the Felys than the Lypeople. That narrows the cause to a more specific area."
"And this is a specific order. You are not to go near the Canys. If the Lypeople will gather the specimens and return them to you, fine. You can correlate it back at their city or the Felys settlement. That's as near to the Canys as you go."
"Oh crap."
She sounded so much like a sulky child that Illam laughed outright. Wylin cast him a wry look. Tera cast him a full-on scowl.
Uh-oh. Does that mean I've just turned her off a bit of diddling tonight? And besides, Illam was glad that Kiile had given her a direct order, for there was no way in hell he was going to let her get near the Canys, regardless.
It still meant he might not get some diddling tonight, but he could live with that if it meant her safety. Besides, there was always after midnight. He was nothing if not optimistic.
Denyon was looking at him in obvious approval of Kiile's orders, and Illam knew that he'd had reservations about Tera going near the Canys as well.
Cato spoke up. “Kiile, do we have your permission to transport your healer and her bodyguard to the Lypeople city?"
"Providing Denyon and Illam accompany them,” Kiile said steadily. “They are entrusted to their care, and in their care they shall remain."
"Of course,” Denyon said. “Tera and Wylin will remain with us the whole time."
"Then they may go.” Kiile looked at Wylin, who nodded. “To the Lypeople city, but nowhere near the Canys."
Kiile had a boyish handsomeness, looking younger than his years, but the ruthless glint in his eyes, the bearing of an Argon leader, and the air of a man not to be disobeyed, all combined in that moment to make him appear almost ... deadly.
And in that moment, Illam had no doubt the Argons were as ruthless as was whispered about them. And he respected them mightily.
"When do you leave?” Kiile queried of Taj.
"Tomorrow?” Taj looked at Denyon. “It's only about ten minutes to the city in the scout ship."
"Fine by me.” Denyon looked at Shar and Almire.
They nodded.
"I'll leave the security here,” Taj added. “Until things have calmed down with the Canys."
"It could get worse yet,” Shar
stated.
Tera glanced at Illam, and he could see the worry in her eyes. It warmed him that she thought so much of his people.
Now if he could work that to his advantage, he might get some diddling tonight after all. Meanwhile, there was work to do, such as ensuring the perimeters of their boundary were safe, and checking on the Felys kits. He needed to make sure they were still obeying the orders of the leaders to stay close to the settlement.
* * * *
The Cave
The slavers were bombing the areas now, trying to flush out the species that hid in the protective, heavy foliage of the forest.
Dust filtered down from the cave roof, and she bit her lip. Another place might have to be found to keep the sphere safe ... it was the only hope for her—their—people.
* * * *
While annoyed at the protectiveness of her leader, Tera also knew the wisdom behind Kiile's decisions. Regardless of what anyone thought of him, he stuck by his duty as leader, and if it meant the protection of his people, he'd go to hell and back.
She thought about taking her anger out on the fur-ball who'd dared to laugh at her—bloody Illam!—but never having been one to hold grudges for long, she shrugged it off and proceeded to ready her equipment to be transferred to the scout ship.
Rilla and Marx were a little morose while helping her pack up the equipment in the hut.
"We'll miss you,” Rilla informed her sadly.
"We've learned so much,” Marx added.
"It won't be for long,” she assured them. “I'll be coming back."
"But you're finished here,” Rilla said.
Tera smiled and set the specimen labels into the container.
"Oh!” The threads in Rilla's eyes twirled excitedly. “Illam!"
"Maybe,” Tera teased.
"You're staying for Illam?” Marx grinned in delight.
"For a while.” She cast them a sideways glance. “To see how things go."
Rilla was practically dancing with delight.
"That's between us,” Tera added warningly. “I don't want everyone knowing right now."
"Of course,” Rilla agreed.
"Why not?” Marx asked.
"Because I think it's something they should see for themselves, or Illam should tell them. Not through rumors."
"Fair enough,” Marx concurred.
"It's so romantic,” Rilla sighed.
"How nauseating.” Wylin walked through the door.
Tera crossed her eyes at him.
Illam joined them all for the midday meal, and Tera smiled at him when he cast her a wary look.
"Not mad anymore?” He dropped a brief kiss on her cheek.
"Scared?"
"Petrified."
"Then you better make up for it tonight,” she teased.
"That's a promise.” His eyes started to glow hotly.
"Steady on, big boy.” She shoved a piece of apple into his mouth. “Eat that."
The others laughed, and the meal passed pleasantly. Illam left shortly after to check the perimeters, while Wylin took one of the containers back to store at the house with the other specimens, to await their return from the Lypeople city.
Ambling around the settlement to stretch her legs, Tera passed the Meeting Hall, and on a spur of curiosity, she entered the Hall to find it empty. Crossing to where the maps were situated on the wall, she studied them intently.
A green marker showed the Felys settlement and section of country, a huge area mainly filled with forests. Further away, an estimated two hundred miles, was the Lypeople city. Their section of country went back an equal amount, and had a mixture of forests and flat ground.
And there was the Canys settlement. Interestedly, Tera checked the distance from the Felys settlement. Only a hundred miles. Half the distance.
The country was equally divided in thirds, a section for each species. And where the sections met was the neutral zone, a mile square of flat land. It was about fifty miles away from the Felys settlement, along the boundary of the swamp but further up on the flat land.
"Damn it,” said a gruff voice behind her. “Where the hell are you ferals?"
Startled, she spun around, but no one was in the Hall. No one except the strange-looking man staring at her from the viscomm.
"Well, well.” The man bared his teeth. “I take it you're the Argon healer? Just the one I want to speak to."
Fifteen
Approaching the viscomm, Tera knew instinctively who the man was. Canys. His ears were pricked upright, big, on the sides of his head but higher. Like a hound. His reddish brown eyes were round, the pupils large. His nose was long, his chin the same, giving the appearance of having had his jaw and nose stretched out and broadened. Like the muzzle of a hound, with a touch of a human in there somewhere.
"You are the Argon healer,” he said again.
"And you have to be a Canys,” she replied calmly. “I'll get someone—"
"No! It's you I want to talk to."
Well, hell, it wasn't as though she was face-to-face with him ... well, she was, but not in the flesh. So she wasn't breaking direct orders. Of course, Kiile and Wylin would be furious if they knew she was even talking to the Canys, and Illam's reaction would be just as bad, but still ... she wasn't breaking orders. And she could get some answers meanwhile.
"Who am I talking to?"
"Ropar. The Alpha of the Canys.” He said it proudly and a touch challengingly. He also appeared as though waiting for her to bow to him.
Fat chance. She bowed to no one. “And what do you wish to talk about?"
"What disease have you found in the Felys?"
The hound really was testy. “None. They are clean of any disease."
"Snarch shit! My people have always had the odd runt, but now it's becoming worse!"
"Really?” Tera slid into the chair and studied him. “How many runts a litter do you have?"
"It used to be about four or five runts in every twenty litters. Now it's up to a runt every five litters.” His sharp teeth showed in a snarl.
"And when did they start coming more frequently?"
"This year. The last three months more so. And it's because of those damned ferals! They should be eradicated!"
The hound could hold a grudge, all right.
"You're wrong in blaming the Felys,” Tera said bluntly.
"Very wrong,” said a terse voice behind her.
Tera glanced behind her to see Denyon glaring at Ropar. He strode across to the viscomm, his pupils slitted, his nostrils flared.
She could just about see him bristling, sense the danger in him as he firmly caught her shoulders and pulled her from the chair and pushed her partially behind him.
"I'm talking to the healer,” Ropar snarled.
Denyon hissed back. “You ask for permission through us. Never do you approach a visitor or anyone else except through the communications officer. You know the rules!"
"Your communications officer wasn't present."
"Then you try later.” Denyon growled, a low rumble in his chest.
"Denyon—” Tera began.
"Illam!” Denyon shouted out the name, making her jump.
Boots sounded hurriedly on the verandah, and then Illam came striding through the door.
Tera groaned.
"What's wrong?” Illam took one look at his friend, and his gaze switched to the viscomm. His hiss was frightening, ending on a yowl of fury. His pupils slitting, the black threads writhing wildly against his golden irises, and his ears flattened against his skull.
When he reached for Tera, she couldn't help but cringe. Snarling a warning at her, he pulled her back behind him.
"Illam, please,” she said. “We were just talking—"
"No!” he snarled back at her, his teeth flashing sharply white. “You were ordered to not go near this Canys!"
"We're talking,” Ropar growled deeply.
"You know the rules.” Denyon reached for the switch.
"Scre
w the rules!” Ropar barked, a drop of saliva actually dripping from the corner of his mouth. “The healer is the one I will speak to! Whatever it takes, she is mine to talk to!"
Illam sprang forward, his snarl so loud and long, so threatening, that Tera took a step back. His fingers actually curled, his nails, though short, catching the light from the screen.
"Tera is mine, Ropar! You are never to go near her, do you understand? Never!"
"Then let me talk to her.” Ropar's teeth showed. “Just talk."
Hesitantly, Tera touched Denyon's shoulder, and almost jumped at the speed and ferocity with which he spun around to face her.
Right then, he looked feral enough to attack her.
"What?” he snarled.
Never one to back down—though, by the stars, it took all she had not to run now—Tera said, “It's just talking. I'm not near him, I'm breaking no orders. Please, Denyon, this is my only chance."
"No!” Illam turned to face her as well, his eyes glinting ferociously.
Denyon's nostrils flared, and he looked back at the screen.
And then Wylin walked in, took one look at the Felys snarling and hissing, took a look at the viscomm, and then looked at Tera. With no expression on his face whatsoever. And then he, too, pulled her further away from the viscomm and behind him.
Wonderful. Bloody wonderful. Tera tried to get past him, but he blocked her once more, using his body and stepping in front of her.
Facing her, he took her shoulders in his hands and said softly, “I suggest we leave this Hall before things get out of hand."
"Wylin, this is ridiculous! I'm only getting information—"
"No,” he said simply, but there was force in his words, and his grip remained firm.
Ropar snarled from the viscomm. “The healer has yet to answer my question."
"I gave the answer,” Tera called out. “There is no disease!"
Illam was suddenly there, standing beside Wylin. His gaze burned down at her, and his snarl was full of menace. “Get her out of here,” he hissed to Wylin. “Now!"
"Either come quietly, or I'll carry you out,” Wylin said, his words full of promise, though his voice remained calm, and his face bland.
Damn. Tera had no choice. She knew Wylin didn't make empty threats. She allowed herself to be led from the Hall, but was able to hear what was being said behind her.
Love's Beguiling Healer Page 39