The hearing was quick.
It was Umal who had started the trial, and it was he who ended it. “It is clear that Ropar overstepped his bounds. Like a rabid hound, he planned and broke the laws. He would have learned what the Argons knew if he'd gone through the correct channels, as the law decrees. That he chose to violate those laws, and chose to willingly hurt another species under the protection of the Felys, the Canys find him guilty. His soldiers his pack, for following pack instinct so blindly, for refusing to exert control over that instinct, a control that must always be maintained to enable us to live as civilized people, they will be shot back at the Canys settlement."
The soldiers started howling, baying, throwing their heads back and screaming. The cage holding them moved, shuddering, and then descended quickly to the depths beneath the Court House.
Tera felt sick, even when she could no longer hear the mournful, panicked baying of the Canys soldiers.
Illam squeezed her hand.
Umal looked at Tera. “It s unfortunate that you have seen our species at their worst. I assure you, we usually maintain control over our baser instincts. We have managed it for over a hundred and fifty years. Since the slave days, in fact, when we were all hunted. It is my hope we can meet under better circumstances."
"May I ask something?” Tera queried.
"Of course."
"If the Combined Court leaders can get on, why don't the species mix?"
"The Canys and Felys are both volatile groups. To live together would be a disaster. The Lypeople are more even-tempered, hence they mediate between the two species as necessary. It is why we all have our own territory and stay on our own sides.” He looked soberly at her, his sharp muzzle quivering slightly. “Sometimes, as you can see, a savage gene, a very dominant one, comes down through a Canys line. With a dominant Alpha such as Ropar, combined with his pack instinct and vicious nature, the results can be disastrous, as you have experienced. Once that instinct to hunt someone is in an Alpha male who has that vicious nature, he'll stop at nothing to get his way, even if the outcome makes no sense to anyone. He loses the main focus of the reason and wants only the thrill of the hunt and the kill. Those with baser instincts will follow the Alpha leader, and the Alpha leader will choose his soldiers carefully to ensure they will go with the pack instinct."
"The Alpha leaders you refer to, they aren't you?"
"No. Ropar was a Canys Alpha soldier. He led a pack of soldiers. Each pack of soldiers has their own Alpha leader.” Umal looked at Yula. “And this has shown us that we need to start screening the Alpha leaders to ensure this kind of thing doesn't happen again."
"It won't be well-accepted,” Yula stated. “But it will be done."
"You didn't realize what was happening with Ropar?” Tera queried.
"We didn't know, because nothing was reported to us from his base. The first we knew was when the Lypeople were finally able to contact us. The transmission from them to us was being blocked, we don't know how, but we will be checking the transmission systems on our side. Unfortunately, by the time the transmission finally came through it was too late for us to get to the fight, and we arrived at the end. We believe, though we can't yet prove it, that Ropar was behind the failed transmissions."
He bowed his head and stood, the other leaders following his example.
"Wait.” Tera also stood up. “There is something important you need to know."
Yula raised her brows, giving her little Pekingese-type face with her flat nose and big eyes a quizzical look.
"I recently found out more information. To do with the runts.” She hesitated. “If I may proceed?"
"Very well."
The leaders resumed their seats.
"The things I have to show you, they're in the scout ship. May I go and get them?"
Yula nodded her permission.
Illam would have accompanied her, but until the Court was finished, he wasn't allowed to go out with her. Instead, three guards accompanied her, again one of each species.
When Tera came back, she was carrying a heavy sack, shaking her head at the Canys guard who had obviously been trying to carry it for her. The other two guards didn't look very happy, either. One carried the earthenware bowl, another a small disc and viscomm.
Setting the viscomm on the end of the desk, Tera turned it so that all in the room could see the screen. Inserting the disc, she turned it on.
Immediately the screen was filled with writing. The pages scanned and transferred onto the disc were obviously very old, for the parchment was yellow, the writing faded, but enough was left to be read.
"When I had my suspicions,” Tera began, “I had my people scour our libraries, and the Lypeople, Canys and Felys librarians did the same. Knowing roughly what to look for, just by going by the inscribed writing of the Felys, Lypeople and Canys on this earthen ware bowl, the full story hasn't been found, but vague references have been discovered from scraps of parchment found by an archeological dig the Canys did about fifty years ago, and different scraps in the libraries of the Felys and Lypeople. We think we've managed to piece together roughly what was done from different fragments the librarians have found in their archives.
The fragments were scanned through a data collector, and found to have originated from one major parchment. The Canys, Felys and Lypeople librarians have been consulting with the Argons in piecing the different scraps together. What was been revealed has been pieced together by scanning the parchment pieces and adding in words that could be identified. Words unable to be identified have not been replaced for fear of altering the original message, hence there are gaps now and again. But finally, we have this, the finished result, and it holds the answer to the runts that have been coming through your lines."
A metallic voice came on:
"It is the year 6704. We have been hunted, the Felys, Canys and Lypeople. It is time to ... stop to it. We have seen our families murdered, raped ... into slavery. Go insane. We eight ... the last he ... of our species, have combined to bring an end...
With our hands we have shaped the sphere ... rays for freedom from slavery, rays for ... mind, body and soul, the rays of life ... rays of death.... have inscribed it in the base of the holder of our sphere, our bringer of freedom. It is carved by the hands of all three species ... any who find it ... will know we did it together. As slaves we run together, as free species we die together.
The rays ... deliver our people from slavery. Death ... our freedom, for we are few and ... slavers are many. But none shall know of this, apart ... us, for self-preservation runs deep, the instinct to breed and ... living is strong. They ... not understand. So we do this in secret, and guard our secret well."
Tera watched the six leaders exchange bewildered glances.
The metallic voice continued reading from the parchment:
"New Entry. The year is 6705. The ray hasn't killed our people as we'd hoped. It hasn't delivered us from ... slavery.... noticed the lines are growing weaker. We now have more runts being born, whereas before ... very few. They are weaker, and don't survive very well. It seems the sphere is weakening the lines.
The lines will die out gradually.
It is freedom, in a way. Long awaited for, but relentless nevertheless.
New Entry. It is 6706. It seems the Lypeople aren't as affected as much as ... Canys and Felys lines. The runts ... slower ... the Lypeople lines, but they do come.... distance affects the rays. The Lypeople healer is trying to convince his people to ... the forest, away from their caves and closer to the rays.
New Entry.... been six days, and the Lypeople healer hasn't returned.
New Entry. Three weeks now, and we have to conclude that the Lypeople healer ... captured or killed. But we remain vigilant.
New Entry. It is 6707. There was a crack found ... roof of the cave yesterday. It could ... from the bombing making the area unstable. The slavers seek to drive from ... forests the Felys, Canys, and the Lypeople who have taken shelter here.
New Entry. It ... been only two days since ... last entry. The bombing is ... closer. Last night, the dust from the roof sifted down into our hair. We may ... take the sphere to a safer place.
No more entries."
There was a stunned silence, and then Almire stammered, “This is all true?"
"I'm afraid so. The fragments of parchment are available at your different libraries to study yourselves.” Tera placed the bowl on the desk. “This is the holder for the sphere. It has the inscriptions on it."
The bowl was passed from hand to hand, the leaders studying it with a growing horror.
"It was fortunate the Daamens recognized the writing and showed it to Lysie, another Felys who dwells on my planet.” Tera glanced at Mitzi, who scowled and lifted her lips.
Umal shot her a quelling look. “Be assured, your disrespect of archaeological artifacts shall be dealt with. We are known and trusted to work for other planets. You put us in jeopardy with your dishonesty!"
Mitzi subsided, hanging her head and whining softly.
"This sphere.” Eesha looked at Tera. “Where is it, do you know?"
"It is here.” Tera lifted the heavy sack onto the table. “Through the data collector, impressions sent to Argon have shown that the rays are unable to pierce through crystal lead, and luckily I had brought such a container, as I didn't know what I'd fine once I got to Scytha and started collecting data. It was brought as a safety precaution. No harm will come to you when I take the sack off the container."
She carefully drew the sack away, and everyone stared at the sphere. So beautiful, it's soft blue glow unable to go through the container walls.
"You are sure it's the one?” Yula asked in a hushed voice.
"Absolutely. When placed near the DNA samples I collected from the Felys and Lypeople, the red glow was plain to see. When Illam held it,” Tera glanced at him, “I noticed his skin had a red shine to it. That's when I first guessed. I didn't want to bring false hope, so I did this study with help from Father, and searched for information with the librarians."
"What is it made of?” Eesha asked.
"That we don't know. It's of an unknown material.” She stepped back. “But that is the source of your weakened lines."
"There's one thing.” Cato frowned. “I understand that an obvious cave-in buried the sphere, thereby preventing the lines from weakening too much, protecting us as it were. But why the sudden increase in our runts now?"
"Because the archeology dig brought it closer to the surface each time, and each time it was stronger, and able to interfere in the DNA of all.” Tera looked directly at Calean. “He brought the sphere to the surface and then stored it in his tent for a few months wrapped in a simple blanket."
Calaen's mouth fell open. “I didn't know!"
"You never told me you had it!” Mitzi growled.
"I didn't have to,” he barked. “I'm the master of the dig!"
"I bet you planned to sell it!” Mitzi looked at Umal and Yula. “He's not exactly honest, you know."
Yula cut Calaen's protests off. “A full investigation will be conducted throughout the archeology digs. You two are a disgrace to the Canys!"
Mutely, Calean pointed to Fidz, who immediately whined.
Yula's mouth tightened, her pug nose sniffing madly as though having caught a whiff of something foul.
"What happens now?” Cato ignored the byplay between the Canys.
"Unfortunately the damage already done can't be reversed immediately, but without the rays to affect the lines, you should breed strong again,” Tera assured him.
Umal stared at her. “If Ropar had succeeded in killing you, this would never have been discovered."
"I'm sure someone would have, sooner or later.” Uncomfortable under the suddenly admiring gazes of the leaders, Tera flicked the sack over the sphere. “The Intergalatcic Peace Council have been waiting on standby to talk to the leaders. I'll turn this disc off and code in the link."
Flicking a switch, she tapped in the link, and immediately the head and shoulders of a black-robed man appeared on the screen.
"Meekta.” Umal inclined his head respectfully.
"Umal.” Meekta returned. “We're pleased the Combined Court was able to sort out your problems between yourselves."
"It's a fact of life on this planet, Meekta, that there will be problems,” Umal replied evenly. “Internal dealings are more to our taste, but as you know, according to the laws under the IPS, we go to the Council if things can't be sorted between our species."
"That's as it should be for all planets under the IPS.” Meekta's hard eyes were unreadable. “It solves a lot of bloodshed."
The Court leaders waited in silence for him to continue.
"We have all the information on hand of the sphere and what it has caused to your lines. It is the decision of the IPS for our Security to collect the sphere from you. The sphere will be stored somewhere safe, and any of the Combined Court leaders are welcome to come and view it at any time, to ensure it still remains where it is locked away.” Meekta's eyes hardened again. “The IPS doesn't want to risk an internal war through the sphere being in one hand or another. Also, the long term effects on us all need to be considered. It is too dangerous to simply keep and use. When the way to destroy it has been discovered, the Combined Court leaders will be invited to personally witness the destruction."
The Court leaders looked at each other, and then Shar nodded slowly.
"It is the correct thing to do. In the wrong hands the sphere is deadly, and it has already caused us so much loss.” She looked at the other leaders. “We come under the IPS. It is their ruling, and a ruling for the good of us all."
"I agree,” Cato said.
"As do I,” Yula added.
Eesha looked back at Meekta. “It is acceptable to us."
"Very good.” Meekta's features, as usual, were inscrutable. “The sphere will be handed over to the IPS Security, who await it in their ship on the edge of the neutral zone. Once I give them the word, they will fly in and take the sphere."
"The Security got here fast,” Cato said bluntly.
"We were fortunate that they were dealing with other things not far away.” Meekta didn't say anything further, and that surprised no one. “They will be landing beside the Combined Court House in five minutes.” He inclined his head. “Court species. Until next time."
The screen went blank.
"Well,” Almire said. “That's that, then."
"It certainly is,” Umal agreed. “And glad I'll be to see the back of that vile sphere and get on with our lives."
They all nodded.
"Tera, we have much to thank the Argons for.” Shar smiled a little. “And you."
Tera coughed and shuffled her feet. “Um. Thanks."
"I can see it makes you uncomfortable, so we won't heap further praise on you.” Cato stood. “But the Argons will be held in the highest esteem by the Combined Court."
The leaders strode out, Yula gesturing grimly to Calean, Fidz and Mitzi, who all scurried after their leaders with abject expressions on their faces.
Leaning against the desk, Tera grinned at Illam, just loving the stunned expression on his face. Not to mention on the faces of everyone but Wylin, who simply grinned right back at her and winked.
"Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?” she said cheerfully.
* * * *
Illam was hard pressed to wait for Tera's wounds to heal, but he was determined not to touch her for fear he'd accidentally cause her pain during their lovemaking. Well, they did get a bit rough. But he took great pleasure in touching her at any opportunity he could, and tonight was one of them.
Tera was sitting on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms around atop them as she idly twirled a piece of ribbon.
Sprawled out behind her on the sofa, Illam was stroking his fingers through her hair, enjoying the feel of the silken locks.
It was a quiet, content time in his home. The fire c
rackled merrily against the chill in the air. Tera's father and sister, and Kiile and his bodyguards had all departed. She was now alone with Illam, with no intention of leaving him.
Except for the wedding, which, it seemed, couldn't be agreed upon by anyone. The Argons wanted to ship all the Felys to Argon for the wedding, and the Felys wanted the Argons to come to Scytha. Some of the Felys didn't want to leave their planet, and some of the Argons wanted to stay on Argon.
Illam just wanted to get married, and bugger everyone else. “I think we should elope."
He couldn't believe he'd just said that out loud. That is not romantic!
Tera turned her head to look at him, a smile curving her lush lips. “You know, that's just what I was thinking."
Illam blinked in surprise. “You were?"
"Yes. I'm not into this whole organizing and planning and stuff. And our families are not going to agree, I can see. There's so many who want to come, but half from each side don't want to travel. So I say bugger the lot and let's elope."
He grinned. “That is so scary."
"Eloping?"
"No, how alike you and I think."
"That's because you've learned so much from me.” Getting onto her knees, she turned to face the sofa and placed her elbows on the seat to lean forward.
"Your modesty is most pleasing."
"Glad I meet with your approval.” She rubbed her cheek against his.
Illam started purring. “You always meet with my approval, makit."
"You know, I still have no idea what that word means. I know it must be an endearment of some kind...” She pulled back to eye him narrowly. “It is an endearment, right?"
"Suspicious little female, aren't you?” Using the silken lock of her hair to tug her face down to his, he whispered throatily, “It means ‘my little kit'.” He brushed his lips across hers. “But I think I may have to change it to ‘masekit.’”
"And that means?"
"My little sex kit."
Tera grinned at him. “My studly fur-ball."
Illam laughed out loud. “You're a saucy female."
Love's Beguiling Healer Page 45