thefiremargins

by Lisanne Norman

  "No!" Lijou snapped. "I want you to give this foolish idea up! It's beneath you— a scheme born of utter insanity! Leave Dzaka alone to make his peace with Kaid, and, for Vartra's sake, leave Kaid alone, too! I was only appointed the year you expelled Kaid, but I've seen you do enough damage to both of them these past ten years or more. What you did before that, I don't know, but I do know that if you pursue this course, you're more likely to come out of it dead than Kaid is!"

  He shut the door firmly behind him, taking a deep breath of the clean air in the corridor. Not only was Ghezu heading rapidly toward insanity, but the feel of his darkening soul was like a miasma of evil. Something had to be done about him, and soon, before he destroyed Stronghold in his desire for revenge. A sudden conviction hit Lijou like a punch in the gut: Kaid had to survive to walk the Fire Margins. Why, he didn't know, but the conviction that he must was already growing stronger.

  * * *

  It was the following day when Kaid got a call from Ghyan requesting him to go to the temple in Valsgarth. When he arrived, an acolyte led him out of the ancient building and into the gardens where Ghyan and some half a dozen younglings were picking redberries from the bushes.

  The priest looked up as soon as they stepped through the archway from the temple precinct. Handing his basket to one of the youths, he made his way back through the bushes toward Kaid.

  "Thank you, Sonjhi," he said, nodding his thanks to the young female as she moved off to join the others. He turned back toward the temple.

  Kaid followed him in silence. Ghyan wasn't happy— it took no talent on his part to know that.

  Once inside, the priest went to his desk, indicating that Kaid should sit on the chair opposite. He handed him the envelope that lay there.

  "That's the agreement, as arranged, between Liegen Aldatan and the Brotherhood. It's been signed by both Lijou and Ghezu. When your Liege has signed both copies, return one to me and I'll see it reaches Stronghold," he said.

  "They agreed to all the people we wanted?" asked Kaid, putting it away in his inner jacket pocket for safety.

  "Not all. Ghezu refuses to release Dzaka."

  Kaid's ear flicked briefly in annoyance. "I rather thought he might," he sighed.

  "I've also got some information on the En'Shalla rituals," Ghyan continued, handing him a data cube. "It includes the transcripts of the last two attempts made to reach Vartra through the Fire Margins some thirty years ago. Both were unsuccessful, but the words of the officiating priests were recorded."

  "Thank you," said Kaid, pocketing the cube and moving to get up.

  "Haven't you got anything to ask?" Ghyan demanded, face creasing in a frown.

  "Excuse me?" Kaid looked at him in surprise.

  "Lijou says you're to be the third— to make up the Triad necessary to follow the Fire Margins ritual. You do know there needs to be three, don't you?"

  Kaid's eyes widened in shock. "You're wrong. He can't have said that."

  Ghyan nodded, obviously not pleased. "I hope both he and Vartra know what they're doing," he growled. "Have you any idea what it entails?"

  "Some, and I'm not doing it," Kaid stated flatly.

  "I told you, you've no choice. Kusac's agreed. By Vartra, Kaid," he said angrily, "You'd better start living up to the job! You have to be part of their Link, in rapport with the Liegena so Kusac can sense you. As the Warrior, you have to guard them from any physical and spiritual danger! You need to keep a clear head and watch what's going on around you as they'll be too involved. You need to care what happens to them or none of you will return! Do you think you can learn to do that, Kaid?" he asked sarcastically. "Learn to care? You'll have to if she's going to accept you— if Kusac is."

  "Stop it, Ghyan," said Kaid, turning away from him and getting to his feet. "You've no call to preach at me. I know how to do my job, but I've told you, I'm not going."

  Ghyan reached out across his desk and grasped his arm, holding him back.

  With a snarl, Kaid rounded on him just as the priest suddenly released him, his ears flicking back and staying there in shock.

  "Don't touch me!" Kaid could feel the blood pounding in his head and knew that the priest had felt his anger. He had to be more careful, his control was slipping too often these days. He took a deep breath.

  "You misjudge me, Ghyan," he said, speaking more slowly. "If I'm to help them, I have to keep some objectivity. Only then can I see their best course of action. You know that like all the Brothers, I was a lay-priest in my time. I still follow our God. If He's called me— truly called me— then I'll go with them."

  "You've been chosen," stated Ghyan, rubbing his palm against the side of his robe. "You've obviously got a strong enough Talent to do the job. Read the data. You'll need to get closer to her, on a personal level. She needs to trust you almost as much as she trusts Kusac because she'll be the link between you and him. If she trusts you, so will he. It's all on the cube. See that you read it, Kaid."

  "I'll read it," he said, turning and walking to the door. "You've been chosen, too, Ghyan. You're on the list of people we need at Valsgarth. Kusac's opening up the old estate for the mixed Leskas to live on. We'll need a real priest, not one of the Brothers, to teach the cubs."

  "I know all about that so don't think to divert me, Kaid. There's more," said Ghyan, coming out from behind his desk.

  Kaid stopped, his hand on the door lever. "Well?"

  "The bond you'll share with her is the same as any telepathic link, only weaker. Weaker because you aren't a telepath."

  "Get on with it, Ghyan," snapped Kaid, annoyed at the way the priest was still standing in judgment over him. None of this was his doing. Vartra knew he hadn't looked for it.

  "The bond will grow until you're drawn to pair, then it's sealed, completed so you can work as a Triad. Sort your mind out, Kaid, or you'll never get close enough to her. For the God's sake and theirs, try to care about her!" he said earnestly. "If you hurt her in any way, Kusac will quite literally have your hide."

  Kaid shut his eyes, leaning against the door, glad that his back was to Ghyan. There was no way he could do this. Pair with Carrie? It was impossible. He felt a rising tide of panic which he ruthlessly suppressed. Ghyan must not know how he felt— no one must know. He felt hounded. First the visions, then Noni. Now this.

  "He'll likely try to have it anyway," said Kaid tiredly. "He does know about this aspect of the En'Shalla ritual, doesn't he? He agreed, knowing this?"

  "If he doesn't, he will when he's read the data."

  "You'd think Vartra would have had the sense to choose a Sholan pair, wouldn't you?" said Kaid, attempting to sound more like his usual self as he opened the door. "Humans with their confused morality and odd religions aren't the likeliest candidates for any of our rituals."

  "We're all in the hands of the Gods, Kaid. Frankly, I don't know why Vartra picked you either." Ghyan's reply was sharp. "I haven't forgotten our last talk, before the Challenge. Perhaps He's chosen you to teach you compassion— He knows you need some!"

  "You presume too much, Priest," growled Kaid, opening the door. "What I do or don't feel for them is not your concern!"

  He walked along the narrow dark corridor, cursing under his breath. With any other female, he'd just approach her and after some talk, ask her to spend time with him, then let nature take its course. At least that's what he'd done before ... Khemu. He was sure customs hadn't changed that much in the last three decades. But he couldn't do that with her. Afraid as she still was of Terran reactions to her marriage with Kusac, she'd never understand he meant no insult to her. And Kusac? He was so protective of her, so strongly tied to her every thought and action! If they intended to take the En'Shalla path to the Fire Margins, then someone would have to be the third, that was an inescapable fact. Why him, though? If they did achieve a Triad between them, what effect would he have on it— and them?

  His senses suddenly began to swim, and, dizzily, he stopped, leaning against the wall for support
as the corridor before him seemed to lurch and then vanish.

  He stood on the darkened edge of a brightly lit field. Around him the immense shadows of cargo ships loomed out of the night, their access ramps glowing golden in contrast to the intense white of the surrounding illuminations. Kusac stood beside him and he could feel the rage his Liege was directing against the small group of people ahead of them. He shifted his stance, accommodating the weight in his arms, looking down to see if she was all right.

  Once more, his surroundings seemed to lurch, then he was back in the corridor, his cheek pressed against the cold stone walls. With him came the memory of the pain he'd read on Carrie's face and in her mind, and the way she'd been clinging to him.

  Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath while he searched his memory for an appropriate litany— but there wasn't one for what he'd just experienced.

  * * *

  Jo's and Davies' first port of call had been the Khalossa. Their stay couldn't have been briefer. In line with current policy, they stopped only long enough for a crash course in the orientation program on Sholan culture and language given to all visiting Humans. They still needed to practice the skills and experience the culture for themselves, but it saved months of time and many potential misunderstandings.

  Then they embarked on the adapted shuttlecraft. Seven days later they docked at Chagda Station, the mercantile and military space station in orbit around Shola. The regular shuttle service delivered them to Valsgarth, home of Shola's main Telepath Clan, the Aldatans, and the largest Telepath Guild town.

  They were met by Telepath and Warrior Guild personnel who were there to escort them in a private vehicle to the Guildhouse.

  It was early afternoon and as they looked down on the crowded streets below, Jo turned to the Telepath beside her.

  "No ground vehicles?" she asked.

  "Only the Chemerians' powered chairs," she replied. "All deliveries of goods are made in the early morning before the stores open for business. Vehicles arriving at Valsgarth at any other time wait in the goods area at the spaceport till the next day."

  "Where are we going now?" asked Davies as the craft rose, then banked slightly to clear a high wall.

  "Here. This is the Telepath Guild where you'll be welcomed by Clan Lord Aldatan. From there you'll go to the Warrior Guild where you will stay during your time with us."

  "Kusac's father," Jo said quietly to Davies.

  As the craft set down in the large courtyard it sent clouds of dust billowing up around it. The students caught in it scurried away, coughing and choking.

  As the dust settled, Davies leaned forward over the seat to talk to Jo.

  "The place is built like a fortress," he said, nodding toward the huge wooden doors that stood open at the entrance to the Guildhall.

  "Our past included a time of superstition and fear, just as yours did," said the female beside Jo.

  The extent of the building, which reached in places to the height of three or four stories, was palatial. The ancient central hall had been added to over the centuries, expanding that modest building into a rambling complex. Despite this there was a harmonious look and feel to the whole.

  "It's at least a thousand years old," agreed the female as she moved to get up.

  They were ushered into the ground floor room that served as the Clan Lord's office.

  "Well come," said Konis, getting up to greet them. "So at last I meet some of the Terrans who worked with my son and bond-daughter. Please, be seated." He indicated the comfortably padded chairs. "Hot drinks are on the table in front of you. Would you prefer some of your coffee or our c'shar?" he asked, indicating the two sealed jugs.

  "Coffee, please," said Jo, glancing at Davies for confirmation as she sank into one of the chairs. A look of surprise and pleasure crossed her face.

  "I'm sure the chairs are a most welcome change after the scant comfort on our military shuttles," said Konis, sitting down again.

  "I regret having to break your journey like this. I'm sure you want to reach your final destination as soon as possible, but I wished to see you first. Not least of all you, my dear," he said, watching Jo carefully as his mind gently touched the edges of hers.

  Surprise made her tense.

  "Why did you choose to keep your Talent to yourself and remain on Keiss?" Konis asked.

  Jo looked at Davies in panic, then back to Konis.

  "You're mistaken," she said. "I'm not a telepath. What on earth gave you that idea?"

  "As Clan Lord, I know the mental feel of every telepath on this continent, my dear. When a new Talent is born, I know. Before your shuttle landed outside the town, I sensed you and knew you had an untutored Talent. You keep it walled away, using only a fraction of its true potential. Why?"

  Jo frantically tried to think of a reason that the Clan Lord would accept, but he forestalled her.

  "So you worked in the Valtegan cities, too," he said. "Then it's no wonder that you desensitized yourself. But why continue to hide it now?"

  "I like my job," she said, a note of desperation creeping into her voice. "I don't want to give it up to be a Telepath."

  "It's your Talent that helps you be the linguist that you are. It gives you the insight into understanding cultures foreign to your own. However, be that as it may," he said, reaching for the coffee jug to pour them a drink, "you are under no obligation to come here and train, my dear. The choice is yours. Even as a trained Telepath, you could continue in the career you've chosen. I'm not trying to coerce you, I was merely curious."

  Jo looked relieved. "Elise and Carrie were always considered freaks because of their abilities. I don't want to be seen the same way," she said, casting another sidelong glance at Davies, who for once had the good sense to be looking in the opposite direction.

  "As you wish. The third member of your group, Kris Daniels, is already at the Warrior Guild waiting for you. He's a Terran Telepath and will be the one keeping in contact with the Chemerian vessel that regularly trades on Jalna. He's well trained and capable of helping you if you have any difficulties with your Talent during your mission."

  "Is there any reason why I should have difficulties?" Jo asked anxiously.

  "None at all," said Konis calmly. "After all, you've been coping like this for many years, as have all the Terran Telepaths. We are merely able to help train your Talents and utilize them more fully."

  He held out a mug to her. "Help yourself to whitener and sweetener while I tell you what I know of the planet Jalna and give you a brief outline of the information we have so far. You'll get a more detailed briefing from your contact on the Chemerian cargo vessel. You rendezvous with it at Chagda Station in three weeks' time."

  "Three weeks!" exclaimed Davies. "How are we expected to pick up the weapons skills in three weeks?"

  "The Guild Master assures me that this can be done," said Konis. "Don't worry. It's their responsibility to have you ready on time."

  When Jo and Davies had departed for the Warrior Guild, they left a very thoughtful Konis behind them. He returned to his desk, sitting down and activating the display screen. As it rose from its recess, he tapped out the access codes for the data on the Terran Telepaths currently on, or in transit to Shola. Of the sixty persons on his list, thirty-three were in the Guild, two were on his wife's estate and the other twenty-five were in transit from Earth.

  Of the four mixed Leska pairs, including the pair who had died at the Guild, all except Vanna were Sholan males with Human female partners. Of the rest, there were only three single Terran females here, with another four on their way.

  He keyed in another sequence giving him the personal information on the single females' backgrounds. All but one were in their early to mid-forties, the other was thirty-nine. Frowning, he stared at the screen. If the Terran, Jo, was right, then there was something here that he was missing, but what?

  Coming to a decision, he took the unusual step of contacting Vanna mentally. He wouldn't afford Esken's spies the opportuni
ty of finding out what was on his mind, so to speak. They might tap his internal communications between departments, but they wouldn't dare attempt to mentally eavesdrop on either him or Vanna. As the acknowledged Sholan specialist in Terran physiology, she would surely be able to close her teeth on what he was looking for.

  Vanna, Konis here. Meet me in my office as soon as possible, please, he sent.

  Coming.

  Five minutes later she knocked and entered. "What can I do for you, Clan Lord?" she asked, approaching his desk.

  Konis reached out for the nearest chair, hauling it behind his desk till it was beside his own.

  "Thank you for being so prompt, Vanna. Come, sit down and look at this data."

  Vanna sat beside him and regarded the screen. "What are we looking for?"