"Make sure you keep a close watch on that female while I'm gone."
"Count on it."
From inside the house came a derisive, very feminine snort.
The men grinned at each other again, and then Illam left to seek out Denyon while Wylin went inside to assist Tera in the packing.
Illam found Denyon in the Meeting Hall.
Denyon looked at him warily, and then smiled a little. “I take it things went all right?"
"She apologized.” Illam shrugged. “But she didn't actively seek out Ropar. He appeared on the screen."
"So the data has shown.” Denyon indicated the screen, which listed the incoming and outgoing calls. “Tera never contacted him, he contacted the Felys settlement and she just happened to be here."
"And took her opportunity.” Illam shook his head. “Stubborn female."
"Oh yes, you wouldn't have taken the opportunity if what you wanted fell into your lap, would you?” Denyon raised his brows. “Oh no, not the Righteous Illam."
"Up yours."
"Thanks, but I think I'll pass."
"Your loss."
"I can live with it."
Illam studied the viscomm. “Ropar is very intent on speaking to Tera."
"He's after confirmation that we're the cause of their runts dying."
"Do you think we did wrong in not allowing him to talk to Tera?"
"He knows the rules. He contacts the communications officer, who contacts Shar or Almire. There is no direct communication with anyone unless it's first approved."
"You're right.” Illam stared at the screen broodingly. “He's stirred up now."
"Ropar has always been stirred in the brain department."
"We need to keep a close eye on him."
"You're right. Ropar is not to be trusted.” Denyon glanced across at the Felys standing near the map on the wall. “Garan, watch for any transport going to the archeological ding near the swamp, especially from the Canys settlement."
"No problems. They're always under surveillance, anyway."
"Good. But now I want an eye kept on that map twenty four hours a day. Any suspicious activity, I want you to contact me immediately, and notify Shar and Almire to contact the Lypeople to pass on a message to the Combined Court."
"It's done."
"Right,” said Illam. “I'm going to do a run around and check that the Felys kits—especially those sassy little runts—are doing as they're told and staying within the perimeters."
"Especially the runts.” Denyon glanced at Illam. “I want to talk to the leaders about these runts."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Dangerous times like these reinforce how allowing them to roam as they will isn't doing them any favors."
"Ah. Lysie has been onto you again."
"She made me realize that our being so lenient with the runts makes them dangerous targets in times such as these."
Illam sobered. “You're right. I thought you'd brought this up with Shar and Almire already?"
"I did, but time has slipped by and I haven't pursued it. After this trouble with the Canys has settled, I'm calling a meeting with them.” Denyon looked fully at Illam. “Do I have your support?"
"You don't need to ask. It's always been there."
Denyon smiled and punched his friend in the shoulder. After a brief tussle, they went their separate ways.
* * * *
Through his office window Kiile was watching his short wife wander around out in the gardens. A couple of lycats followed her. Lysie, Marten's equally short wife, was talking to her, her slightly rounded figure boasting the five Felys kits she carried inside her. Going by the way the Felys was flinging her arms around, she was annoyed about something.
No doubt he'd soon know.
He wished he was able to keep as close an eye on his healer. All he could do was hope that the Felys and Wylin could keep her safe, and that the Felys could keep Wylin safe. He hoped he'd made the right decision in allowing them both to go to the Lypeople city, though stars knew, if they weren't safe amongst twenty thousand Lypeople, they were safe nowhere.
But they would be safer at home.
The viscomm flaring to life drew his thoughts from the problem, and he turned around to grin at Simon, as the trader's face appeared on the screen. “Hello."
"Hello yourself.” Simon grinned back, his dangerously handsome face alight with good humor. “'Tis a favor I have to ask of you, Kiile."
"If you're wanting Hanna because Shamon is moping—"
Simon laughed. “Hanna still not over him leaving?"
"Well, she's getting there. Visitors from my brother's country on the other side of Argon have waylaid her. She's chasing my cousin.” Kiile smoothed the front of his immaculate uniform top. “Can't blame the poor wench. He looks a lot like me."
"I didn't know the lass had poor eyesight?"
"You're just jealous."
"Oh, aye, very. Not that I want to chase your cousin around, you know."
"Thanks for that bit of information.” Amused, Kiile moved closer to the table. “So, have you decided to drop by on your way home or something?"
"We're not ready to go home yet. Still have a fair bit of trade goods aboard that need to be dropped off. Nay, what I'm calling for is a little bit of help from Marten's wee wife."
"Lysie?"
"Aye. You see, when we passed Scytha, we dropped some trade goods off to the Lypeople. While in the neutral zone, we picked up some crates, but when we opened them just minutes ago, we found this inside one of them.” Simon held up an earthenware bowl.
"Okay.” Kiile looked blankly at the bowl. “It looks ... old."
"You ignorant Argon.” Simon laughed. “Of course ‘tis old! But I reckon it belongs to the Felys, too."
"Why is that?"
Angling the bowl, Simon pointed to the base. “There's words molded into the bowl. Some of those words look to be Felys."
"Are you sure?"
"I think so. I recognize a couple of letters from some old artifacts I saw in the Outlaw Sector."
Kiile shuddered to think what would have happened to the owners in the Outlaw Sector, even years before.
"Anyway,” Simon continued. “I thought Lysie could have a look on the screen and verify it. If ‘tis Felys, I'll drop it back to her on our way past next time."
"Sure.” Going to the window, Kiile called out to get the attention of Lysie, and gestured to her to come to the office. Returning to the chair, he watched as Simon rubbed a wet cloth gently over the base. “Some of that wording looks like it's done with a different hand."
"Aye. The dirt is so in-ground, we had to be careful how we got it out."
"I'm surprised you muscle-bound morons know what to do with an artifact."
Simon gave him a cheerful, albeit rude, hand gesture.
"Charming,” Kiile said dryly.
The office door opened and Lysie entered. “You wanted me?"
"Simon does, actually.” He gestured to he viscomm.
Lysie smiled widely at Simon, then her gaze fell on the bowl. Moving closer to the screen, she frowned.
"We found it amongst some crates,” Simon explained. “If the writing is Felys, we'll drop it off to you next time we pass."
"How curious.” She stared at it intently. “Hold it closer to the screen."
He did so, and she silently read the words. When she'd finished, she looked at Simon.
"Well, lass?” Simon queried. “You don't look too happy."
"It's strange,” she replied. “Yes, it's Felys."
"What does it say?” Kiile asked curiously.
"It says ‘rays for freedom from slavery'. But even weirder..."
"What?"
"The next piece says ‘rays for the mind, body and soul'. That's written in the Lypeople lingo."
"Well, you are sort of kin, right? So it wouldn't be that hard to believe that something was made and signed by both?"
"Yes. But not for the Canys."
&nbs
p; "What do you mean?"
"The next part says “rays of life given by rays of death", and that's in Canys writing."
Simon raised his brows. “I understood that that the Canys and Felys are enemies, and that the Lypeople are the mediators?"
"That's so. That's why I don't understand why the three species would work together on this."
Kiile stared at the bowl, his mind churning with thoughts. Was it too much of a coincidence? It had to be. For the answer to be right before their eyes...
Pressing the communication switch on his desk, he said, “Sarcan. Could you come to my office please?"
* * * *
It was dark, and Illam hadn't returned to the house. Tera sighed. He was probably busy getting things ready, ensuring the perimeters were secure, and that the Felys kits were obeying the orders.
Especially the runts. They were a handful at times.
Anyway, it gave her time to finish storing everything. She hadn't realized how much she'd accumulated until she started sorting through it.
The evening meal came and went with still no sign of Illam, and she chewed her bottom lip. Crossing the verandah, she gazed towards his house, but all was dark. Then a light flared on. He was home.
"Wylin,” she called over her shoulder.
"Yes?” His voice came from the living area.
"Illam's home. I'm going over to see him."
"I take it you won't be home by morning then."
"Don't wait up.” She grinned and stepped down from the verandah.
"I won't. I know better than that."
Crossing the distance between the two homes quickly, she stepped up onto the front verandah and pushed open the door. “Illam?"
"In here,” he replied.
Going into the kitchen, Tera took in Illam's grim face, and her gaze went to Ceric, another Felys. “What's wrong?"
"A couple of the runts are missing.” Illam checked the strap on his laser holster. “We're going out to search for them again."
"Oh no.” She paled. “You don't think they've gone to the Canys?"
"They know better. They wouldn't just walk across the boundary.” Illam touched her cheek gently. “Go home and get some rest. We'll find the runts."
"Go to sleep? Are you out of your mind?” Tera shook her head. “Let me come with you and—"
"No. The less moving through the forest, the better.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Please, Tera. We know these forests, you don't. I'll be worrying about you if you try to accompany us."
Denyon appeared, strapping his own laser to his thigh. He looked briefly at Tera, then glanced at Illam. “I'll see she's safe."
"You're not going?” Tera queried.
"You're under our protection. One of us has to stay with you and Wylin."
"We'll be fine, really—"
"No.” He turned to Illam and Ceric. “Taj and Ryles await you, along with Aras and Melar."
Illam gave Tera one last look, then he left with the Felys and Lypeople to search the forest. She watched as they melted into the darkness, needing no light with the moon to shine in their path.
"Denyon, do you think the runts are all right?” She looked at him.
"I hope so. They can be unpredictable little kits.” He took her arm. “It's best if you go home and stay with Wylin. Then I know where you are."
It made sense. Unable to do anything, she left with him. Not far off she heard sobbing, and instinctively she knew it was the mother of one of the runts. Her heart went out to her, but when she made to go in the direction of the sound, Denyon shook his head.
"Rilla is with her."
"I would help if I could."
"A Felys female at this time can be a little unpredictable. Until you learn more about our moods and emotions, it's best if you simply stay with Wylin."
Grudgingly, she gave in.
Wylin met them at the door, and after Denyon explained the situation, he drew Tera into the house.
It was late by the time Tera finally went to bed. It was well after midnight when the door to the verandah swung open. Relieved, but still worried for the Felys kits, she climbed from the bed and hurried to the door.
There on the verandah was a single night blossom. Looking up, puzzled, she saw that the lights were on in Illam's bedroom.
He was home. For some reason, he'd left the night blossom by her door and then left. Maybe he hesitated to wake her. Maybe something had gone wrong, and he was upset. She had to know.
Knowing that Wylin would worry, she slipped into a pair of slip-on shoes and quietly crossed to his room to knock on the door frame of the open door.
Instantly Wylin was awake. Actually, she doubted he'd even been asleep. “What's wrong?"
"Illam's here. I'm going to his place."
Wylin sat up. “The runts have been found?"
"I'm not sure. He might have been upset, he simply left a flower and went home. I don't think he wanted to wake me."
"I'll walk you to his door."
"There's no need—"
"Then I'll watch until you get to his house."
"Wylin—"
"I watch, or I walk. Take a choice."
She crossed her eyes.
"I know what you're doing, Tera, even if I can't see you.” His teeth flashed whitely in the dark as he grinned.
"All right. Watch."
"We're still talking about you going to his house, right?"
"I thought you weren't into voyeurism?"
"Just checking."
He rolled out of bed and came towards her.
"Whoa there,” she said. “Have you still got your pants on?"
"Ready in case of trouble."
"Do you ever relax?"
"Not on the job."
Ever the proper bodyguard, he pulled on his jacket, and leaving it hanging open, he followed her through her bedroom and out onto the verandah. Looking towards Illam's house, he frowned thoughtfully.
"What's wrong?” Tera queried.
"Why would he not come into your room?"
"For your information, he's never been in my room. He always meets me out here. Or I go to him."
"You'd think he'd be familiar enough to come and get you."
"He's left me before if he thinks I'm tired."
"True. But I've decided to walk over with you now."
"You are so paranoid."
"You're in my charge, that's why."
"Very funny."
"You should see it from my point of view."
Walking side by side, they crossed the distance to Illam's house. Partway there, Tera shivered against the damp, chill, early morning air. Wylin shrugged out of his jacket, and against her protests, slung it around her shoulders.
"All part of the service,” he said, straight-faced.
It was silent, the light still on in his bedroom. Going to the door, Tera opened it and started inside.
"Illam?"
There was no answer, but she heard the dim splash from the heated pool.
"He's bathing,” she told Wylin.
"Maybe I'll check and see."
"Wylin!"
"Just checking, doing my job.” Raising his voice, Wylin shouted, “Illam?"
A muffled shout came back, barely audible through the thick layers of stone and depth under the house of the pool.
"Satisfied?” she queried.
"Maybe."
"Wait here.” Running to the bathroom, she peered down into the room below her. She couldn't see him, but she heard him splashing. Coming back into the living area, she saw Wylin waiting lazily. “He's in the heated pool. I saw him from the top of the stairs."
"All right. I'll go back to bed."
"Or maybe you'd like to see his clothes?” Reaching over to the armchair, she picked up Illam's pants and held it up for Wylin to see.
"I think I get the message."
"I'll see you in the morning.” Tera patted his cheek. “'Night, Wylin."
As soon as Wylin was well
on his way back to the house they shared, Tera went to the bathroom and down the stairs. Coming out into the bathing chamber, she looked around—and saw a wide-eyed Fely's runt staring at her. One of the two missing runts? Of Illam there was no sign, which was odd, considering she'd heard him shout.
She noticed that the runt was holding a very wet towel, the end of which was dangling in the water. To make loud splashing noises?
"What's going on?” she queried. The kit's pupils had dilated, making his eyes look even rounder and huger than normal. “What's wrong?” She knelt down before him. “Where's Illam?"
"He—he's not here.” The black, white and cream kit's bottom lip trembled, his ears pressed flat to his head.
"Hey, settle down.” Tera smoothed her hand over his furry head. “Let's get you home and—"
"I have to give you something first."
Concerned, Tera stood and took his little paw in her hand. “Later. I'll take you home and—"
"They'll kill him!"
"What?"
"Illam. They have Illam!"
A chill settled in Tera's heart. “Illam? Who?"
"The Canys!"
Oh God. Her breath caught in hr throat, and she felt her mind trying to grasp the concept. “Are you sure?"
"He came looking for us, and the Canys caught him. They gave me this to give to you.” The kit held out his free hand, and Tera stared down at disc in his hand. “The leader, Ropar, said you had to watch it. He said you'd know what to do."
With trembling fingers, she took the disc. “We have to tell Denyon—"
"No!” Frightened, tears welling in his eyes, the kit spat. “No, Ropar will kill him! He told me he'd kill Illam if anyone else came!"
The words cut into Tera. Her first instinct was to run for help. But that would mean the death of her lover.
"Ropar told me to tell you to watch the disc. H said you'd know what to do.” The kit was hanging onto her arm, his little sharp nails making indents in his skin. “Tera?"
"Okay.” Trying to think clearly, Tera looked down at the disc. “I-I guess I'd better watch the disc.” She looked at the kit. “Get Wylin for me."
He chewed his bottom lip, then nodded slowly. “You'll watch the disc now?"
"Yes. Illam has a viscomm in the living area. I'll watch it while you get Wylin."
The kit followed her into the living area, watching anxiously as she loaded the disc into the computer. She flapped her hand at him, and he left.
Love's Beguiling Healer Page 41