Love's Beguiling Healer

by Angela Verdenius

"How about we wrestle this out when you're well enough?"

  "I'll hold you to that.” Feeling tired, she lay back on the bunk. “You've got some blood on you, but Rilla wasn't in a flap, so I'm taking it that you're all right?"

  "I'm fine."

  She swallowed. “The others?"

  "We lost some blood and skin, but we all survived and are in one snarling piece. The Canys didn't fare so well."

  "I'm afraid I have no sympathy for them.” She felt her eyes drifting shut, the soothing motion of Illam's thumb drawing a tender pattern on the back of her hand easing her. “I finally saw why the Felys are stamped as feral."

  "And?” He made no attempt to apologize or lighten what she'd seen.

  Lifting her lashes, she looked up at him and smiled wearily. “I'm proud to be part of the clan."

  Illam smiled back at her, and she caught the glitter of tears in his golden eyes. They didn't need to say anything more.

  Tera fell asleep with his thumb stroking her hand.

  * * * *

  Home

  When they told her, she'd been in shock. It couldn't be true! Not her love. Not her young lover, the man she'd dreamed of a future with, the man she'd planned with, loved and laughed and shared dreams.

  She'd cried, the tears pouring down her cheeks like morning rain. Cried until her heart threatened to break.

  The funeral was something that brought the finality of it all home with brutal force. The white coffins laid out in a row. The mourners, The light sweep of rain across the whole dismal scene, as though the every heavens cried for the loss of such brave souls, men slaughtered in their prime.

  The wenches cried, the men sobbed, and the young wench wept her tears into the rain.

  She looked across the coffins, her gaze seeking and finding the older wench and her tall husband. They looked at her, a mutual understanding of the loss they shared.

  She met them halfway around the coffins, and they embraced. It didn't need any words. Nearly their daughter by marriage, she would remain so in their hearts. Bonded by a love born and lost so cruelly. They cried together.

  And finally it was over, and her family and kinsmen gathered her into their sheltering arms and led her away from the cemetery.

  * * * *

  Tera had time for the worst of her bruises to fade before the trial. Even her black eye was hardly noticeable, thanks to the healing herbs that Rilla and Marx used on her. Which was a good thing, because her Father nearly cried the first time he saw her for himself. Hanna did cry.

  They only stopped when she threatened to turn off the viscomm and not talk to them until she was fully healed.

  Curious, she asked them about the bowl with the combined wording on it from the Felys, Canys and Lypeople, and they told her what they knew. The Daamens, Sarcan informed her, were in possession of it.

  After assuring them for the hundredth times that yes, she was fine and getting fitter every day, Tera clicked off the viscomm and went in search of the Daamens.

  Wylin looked up from his chair as she came out onto the verandah. “And where are you off to, wench?"

  "Aw, Wylin, you're not still mad that I lied, are you?"

  "Tera, you're going to have to work hard to get into my good books again."

  "At least you're not blaming yourself again."

  "Only after Kiile gave me a stern telling off for blaming myself, not to mention your Father saying I ought to give you a spanking—which I won't, because I'm scared of Illam—and just about everyone telling me there was no way I could know that you'd fibbed, seeing as how you were always taking off with Illam."

  "Gee, I'm glad we got that sorted out."

  "Even Simon said you were hard to control."

  "That backstabber! He told me I shouldn't blame myself!"

  "He was just being nice.” Wylin grinned.

  But she could still the shadow in his eyes, and she knew he wouldn't easily get over her having been so badly hurt while in his care. Kneeling beside his chair, she rested her chin on her folded hands and said softly, “Wylin, you're my best friend. It tears me apart to see you continually kick yourself like this."

  "It's not so much kick, as ... Tera, you're the sister I never had. Knowing what you went through...” He rested his hand on her head. “Just know, whatever happens in the future, I'm always here for you."

  "Bodyguards generally are,” she teased.

  "And so are brothers."

  Getting to her feet, she leaned over and hugged him tightly.

  He returned it, dropping a kiss on her cheek before ruffling her hair and saying gruffly, “Now go and annoy someone else. Oh look, Illam's over there looking annoyed already. Give me another hug and let's see how far we can push him. Maybe we can get his arse to twitch."

  "You're a shocker.” Tera laughed.

  "Thanks. I'll always treasure those words."

  Leaving him laughing, Tera sprang lightly down the steps, only to falter and mentally groan at the pull of sore muscles. Automatically, she frowned as Illam came hurrying towards her from one direction, Simon and Shamon from another, and Taj from yet a third direction.

  "Back off!” she said sharply. “I'm fine!” Because if she wasn't sharp and fast with her rebuffs, she'd never have her feet on the ground. They fussed over her terribly, even the Felys females, who cooked her delicious food, which Wylin quite happily helped her eat.

  The men all backed off with resigned expressions, but Illam ignored her rebuttal and slipped an arm around her waist. “Lean on me."

  "No."

  "It makes me look good."

  "It makes me look frail."

  "Imagine how manly and caring that makes me appear."

  She laughed.

  "I see you're feeling better."

  "I'm all ready for a little diddling."

  Illam tripped, righting himself quickly and looking around to see if anyone saw him.

  The Daamens, Wylin and Taj all waved merrily to him.

  "What did you say?” He turned back to her.

  "I said,” she breathed huskily, “I'm all ready for a little diddling."

  "Where did you hear that expression?"

  "From your sisters. They assure me you use it all the time."

  "Well, there'll be no diddling until all your bruises are gone, and your body is back to normal."

  "Oh, come on, I won't break—"

  "Absolutely not.” Ruthlessly, he tamped down his perking libido. “Our diddling gets a little rough, and I won't risk hurting you."

  "I can take it."

  "Well, I can't.” He frowned down at her. “No. Nope. As the Daamens say, nay."

  "Are you sure I can't change your mind?” She slid her hand down to cup his buttock.

  He jumped like a scalded lycat and heard the laughter behind him. Bloody friends. Why couldn't they do something useful for a change, such as learn a little decorum? No, they had to take enjoyment from his discomfort. Typical.

  Reaching back, he took her hand off his behind and maneuvered her so that both her hands were in front of her. “Behave yourself, or I'll leave you to the tender ministrations of the runts."

  "Mercy!” Tera grinned. “They're driving me nuts, following me around, thinking I'm some kind of heroine."

  "In their eyes, you are. You went alone into the Canys camp."

  Not comfortable with the conversation, she looked for a change of topic. “I noticed they're in total awe of the Daamens."

  "Oh yeah? Look over there."

  She followed the direction he pointed in, to find Aamun and Kel discussing trading with Almire. Standing there, huge and dangerously handsome, they could be an intimidating sight. Muscles bulging, the sunlight making their silver hoops in the left pierced earlobes wink wickedly. Until one saw that Aamun was tenderly cradling a sleeping Felys kit in his massive arms while the mother sorted through a pile of silky cloth, ready to pack for the first trading deal between the Felys and the Daamens. Kel had a runt perched on his hip, the tiny, furry ba
by playing avidly with his hair, while another furry kit hung off his leg. Not far off, two of the youngest crew members, Torkra and Mikal, were sitting cross-legged on the ground playing a dice game with a litter of older Felys kits.

  Yep, the Daamens were tough and fierce all right. Tera grinned.

  "The runts must be attracted to the traders,” she remarked. “I've never seen so many in the settlement at once."

  Illam smiled down at her. “You'll be pleased to know that while you've been resting, the Felys had a meeting. The runts are now expected to take their place in the pride. They may not always be strong enough to mate or bear kits, and some may not live too long...” His face clouded for a moment, and then he sighed and continued, “Be that as it may, it was brought home to us how vulnerable they are. By allowing them free reign, we have also encouraged them to not exactly be obedient to the laws of our people. Lysie was a prime example of how dangerous it can be, as was the little runt being caught by the Canys. From now on they are educated with the rest of the Felys kits, and will take what responsibility they can along with everyone else."

  Tera hugged his arm. “I'm so pleased and I know Lysie will be, too."

  "I think it was a mutually pleasing decision. The runts have been an issue not addressed before, but long overdue. Now they are a full and integral part of our lives, rather than just being cosseted and allowed to run wild.” He grinned. “Some aren't happy about it, but their parents are being strict, and the runts are toeing the line. I think knowing they have responsibilities is helping."

  "Your species is a thinking species, Illam."

  "Maybe, but I'm more a doing Felys.” He winked at her. “And when you're fully healed, I intend to do a lot of doing..."

  "We could do it now—"

  "No!"

  Simon came up beside her. “I see you're feeling better, lass."

  "Much, thank you.” She smiled at him, knowing no words were needed to express her gratitude.

  The Daamens had already dismissed it when they visited her while she was convalescing, announcing themselves insulted that she could even think to express gratitude. So she stopped, and took their good-natured ribbing and scolding instead.

  "Father was saying that you had the bowl aboard ship? The one with the combined Felys, Canys and Lypeople writing?"

  "Aye, I do.” He nodded. “In fact, I brought it with me, thinking you might ask for it. I didn't want you to try and walk to the parking area near the scout ships."

  "You're my hero."

  "Aye, I'm sure.” He grinned at her. “'Tis in the Meeting Hall."

  Once inside the Meeting Hall, Simon retrieved it from the shelf it had been placed upon, and handed it to her.

  Studying it, Tera pursed her lips. “Something sat in this."

  "How do you know?” Illam asked.

  "It's smooth inside, and has an indent.” Tera peered closer. “It's almost as though a little burnt. As if from heat over a long period of time."

  "Mmm.” Illam walked over to the cupboard in the corner and opened the door. Reaching inside, he withdrew a wrapped object. “This was taken from the Canys camp, from the archaeologist dig. It has to go back with us to the trial in the neutral territory. Think it could go with that?"

  Taking the cover off the sphere, he held it up. The blue light shone dimly, and as Tera looked, she saw something strange. Instead of the blue light casting Illam's features in a blue shine, wherever the light lit upon his features, it glowed a dim red.

  And suddenly she suspected something. “Illam, cover it up! Now! Put it back in the cupboard!"

  Startled by the urgency in her voice, he did as ordered. Closing the door with a click, he looked at her questioningly.

  "I have an idea.” Tera started for the door. “I need my data collector."

  Once she had it, she shooed Illam and Simon from the Meeting Hall and closed the door. Yanking the curtains across the windows, she finally knelt before the cupboard and withdrew the sphere. Opening it, she noted the blue light reflected off her fingers.

  Excitement fluttered through her, but she had to be sure before she got the hopes of the Felys up. She also had to get the sphere away from them, and in a contained container.

  Running the data collector over it, she described what she observed, while the data collector absorbed the images and details. Once done, she wrapped the sphere back up in the cloth, locked it in the cupboard, and walked out to find Illam, Simon, Denyon, Taj and Shar all looking at her in bewilderment.

  "I think I've found something,” Tera began.

  "The sphere?” Illam queried.

  "Maybe. And for your safety—all of you—I need to shift that sphere somewhere safe."

  "You think it's affecting us?” Taj asked.

  "I think so. I'm going to the scout ship to relay the findings back to Argon and see what they come up with. Meanwhile, where can we store the sphere?"

  * * * *

  Arriving at the Combined Court House in the Neutral Territory, Illam glanced at Tera to see how she was taking it. The place was barren, the only building there the Combined Court House, with the cells beneath it.

  Tera had been preoccupied the last few days, making frequent trips to the scout ship. She'd been in contact with a stand-in healer. A stand-in healer, because Sarcan and Hanna were on their way to Scytha, along with Kiile and his two bodyguards.

  She'd been horrified that they were leaving their pregnant wives behind, but Kiile had informed her that they'd had a hard time stopping Lysie and Katina from accompanying them. Besides, in the fleet craft, they could make the trip in a week.

  So they'd arrive any day. Illam knew why they were coming. The trial, and to assure themselves of Tera's safety and health. He couldn't blame them. He'd do the same in their place.

  Tera looked up as they walked down the ramp. She looked beautiful wearing her flowing, Argon gown, her hair swept up into intricate swirls and loops. Presenting herself proudly as an Argon, and a healer. “Bleak."

  "I knew you'd think so,” Illam grinned.

  "It could do with some flowers near the door and lining the path. Oh, there is no path."

  "Very observant of you.” Illam nodded to the impassive guards at the door—a Felys, a Lyman and a Canys.

  He could feel the faint shiver that went through Tera as they passed the Canys guard, but she didn't show her emotions on her face. His hand at her waist stroked soothingly, and she smiled up t him.

  He'd never been inside the Combined Court House. It was as bleak inside as it was outside. The hall had a door, one each side. In the room on the right sat Shar and Almire, along with Cato and Eesha, and two Canys leaders. The door on the left led to the cells below.

  Again three guards, one of each species, stood at the door leading down to the cells.

  The open door at the end of the corridor opened into a large room. A long bench was against the right, and behind it stood six large chairs. A caged area stood directly against the far wall to hold prisoners under trial. Facing the bench were a row of chairs.

  It was into these chairs that Taj, Denyon, Wylin, Tera and Illam, the two men ensuring she was between them. In three of the last four chairs sat three Canys, Mitzi, Calean and Fidz.

  Personally, Illam thought they should have locked them up as well, but as they hadn't technically taken Tera prisoner, and their camp had been taken over by the Canys, no charges were filed against them.

  Within minutes, the six leaders walked in and took their places at the benches. They all looked impassively at the mixture of species facing them.

  It had been a long time since the three leaders had had cause to sit together. Illam noted the cobwebs on the ceiling. A really long time.

  The Canys male in the middle spoke. “The Canys are represented by myself, Umal, and Yula.” He indicated the female Canys to his left. “The Lypeople are represented by their leaders, Cato and Eesha, and the Felys by their leaders, Shar and Almire. Together we are united to see justice done.” He p
aused. “If a disagreement occurs that cannot be solved, the case goes before the Intergalactic Peace Council, of which we come under. But internal affairs should stay internal, so I trust we can sort this out amongst ourselves."

  Seventeen

  The prisoners were brought into the cage, and they were a sorry, battered lot. No longer snapping and snarling, out for blood and rape, they hung their heads, watching the proceedings from the tops of their eyes.

  Tera thought how much they represented canines with a mix of human. She could see the canine traits in them. She'd experienced first hand the pack instinct.

  It was Yula who spoke. “Calean, tell us what happened."

  Standing, Calean glanced at the prisoners then hurriedly back to Yula. “Ropar, the leader of our people and the leader of this group of soldiers, brought them to my camp. They took it over."

  "For what purpose?"

  "To trap the Argon healer. He believed she had information about the Felys runts. He believed they were diseased, and the cause of our own runts."

  "So, do you think he was being honorable, Calean?"

  Calaen's ears drooped. “Uh ... no."

  "You're an archeologist,” Cato said. “True?"

  "Yes."

  "Why your camp?"

  "He thought, since we were situated near the swamp, and therefore the boundary between us and the Felys, that we would be an ideal spot to watch the Felys. He was interested in the Argon healer."

  "He recruited you to watch the Felys?"

  "Mostly Mitzi did the watching."

  Mitzi growled a little.

  "Be seated.” Cato looked at her. “Stand up."

  Mitzi stood reluctantly.

  "You spied for Ropar?"

  "He is—was—our Alpha. To disobey incurred his wrath."

  "You spied for him."

  "Yes.” She looked away.

  Almire took up the questioning. “He broke the rules set by our Combined Court and contacted Tera in the Felys settlement?"

  "Through the viscomm, yes."

  "He knew Tera was the nature-mate of Illam?"

  "Yes. That was the bait he needed to get her to come to the camp."

  The questioning went on. Tera was surprised to find that the Canys leaders didn't appear to stick up for anyone, not even their own kind. But then again, the Lypeople and Felys leaders were just as bland, giving no evidence of their thoughts.