"I agree. Davies, you can get that torch of yours out now. I don't think we're likely to be disturbed tonight. It's too damned cold for one thing, and we're at least twenty miles from the nearest town."
"How'd you know about my torch?" asked Davies as he went over to his pack and began unfastening it.
"I didn't, till now," she grinned as he pulled it out and switched it on.
A gentle glow filled the interior of the craft, making them all blink at its sudden brightness.
"You don't realise how dark it's getting till you put a light on," Davies said, placing the torch on top of his pack. He gave Jo a sideways look. "I brought a few fuel pellets, too. Shall I get them out? We could all do with a hot meal."
Jo sighed. "Yes, get them out! I'm too grateful that you have them to care."
Within half an hour, they'd spread their insulated cloaks on the ground and boiled enough hot water for a drink. In a pan over the makeshift stove, their dried meat ration plus a generous handful of dried vegetables, was simmering.
"What did you find out there?" Jo asked Kris as she held her mug close to her face, letting the vapor that rose from it warm her. She felt like she was finally beginning to thaw out.
"What we expected. The footprints of some half a dozen people leading off toward the nearest town. It looked as if the animals were dragging a sledge of some kind from the tracks they left in the snow." He leaned toward his pack, taking the map out of a side pocket. "Here, hold my mug, please," he said, holding it out to Jo. Once she'd taken it from him, he spread the map out on the floor between them.
"The tracks were heading southeast, toward the settlement here— a small town by the looks of it," he said, pointing to the place on the map.
"How far?" asked Davies.
"A couple of days walk at least for us, longer for them, but they've got a head start on us."
"Is it sensible to follow them into a town?" asked Jo, handing him back his mug. "We haven't much chance of finding whatever it was they took from here."
"The Summer Bounty should be in range, if not tonight, then tomorrow. We could delay leaving until we've spoken to Vyaka," Kris suggested. "Not that I think we'll have the option of leaving tomorrow. I reckon we're in for a couple of days of this blizzard."
"I want at least a day spent checking over this craft," said Jo. "I need to take rough sketches of anything that bears any Valtegan scripts or symbols. That control panel, for instance. The keys have Valtegan characters. There isn't much that hasn't been vandalized, but among the wreckage there may still be a few treasures we can find— items the Jalnians are too tech backward to recognize as being useful."
"I can live with that," said Davies, poking his knife into the pan to test the meat. "This is almost ready."
A chirring noise heralded the emergence of Scamp. Pulling himself out of Kris' sweater, he jumped lightly down to the floor and cautiously approached the pan of steaming stew. His nose wrinkled, the whiskers twitching as he began to sniff the air. With a flick of his tail, he turned and scampered back to Kris. Rising up onto his hind legs, he placed one paw on his master's leg, looking up hopefully as he made a series of tiny chittering noises.
Absently, Kris reached down to caress his head. "Yes, you'll get some too," he said, his attention still on the map.
Half an hour later, with hot food in their stomachs, they began to settle down for the night. After fastening her cloak together with the almost invisible seals the Sholans used, Jo had a pretty fair sleeping bag. Unlacing her boots, she began to haul one off when Kris leaned over and took hold of her foot.
"Let me," he said, giving the boot a tug.
"Thanks," said Jo, taking it from him, then putting her other foot into his waiting hands.
While she wriggled into her cloak-bag, Kris looked over at Davies. "I suggest we sleep close tonight. Our mutual body heat will help to keep us all warmer." He looked questioningly back at Jo.
"Fine by me," she said. "You're the field specialist."
"I don't think so," said Davies. "I was never into threesomes."
"Don't be daft," said Jo, folding her jacket up for a pillow before she lay down. "There's nothing sexual in Kris' suggestion. It's just common sense. Besides, I don't think you're his type!"
"Uh huh," said Davies, obliquely.
"If you've got a problem with it, then lie at our feet. I assure you, I don't have any worries," Jo said, curling up on her side. As she felt Kris settle down against her back, she heard Davies get up and move over toward them. A few minutes later, the torch was put out.
Carefully she stretched her feet down a few inches and felt the solidity of Davies lying there. With a small grin, she drew her feet up again. Kris had been right, she thought as she drifted off to sleep. Already his body heat was making her feel warmer than she'd been for many a night.
She woke with a start, aware of the weight of an arm across her body and a movement against her chest. Panic flared briefly until a feathery touch under her chin told her that Scamp had decided to sleep with her. He wriggled his way down into her bag, then, twisting round, curled up against her chest. Reaching up, she gently stroked him, feeling him begin to purr softly. A sense of well-being began to seep into her thoughts. With a small, contented sigh, she relaxed again as behind her, Kris stirred in his sleep and tucked her closer to him.
* * *
Ghezu arrived three hours later. His armored aircar landed just inside the cavern. As he emerged and looked around for Fyak, his personal guard of four Brothers joined him, one of them towing a floating stretcher.
Unhurriedly, Vraiyou came to greet them. He bowed, making a gesture of greeting, if not one of welcome.
"The Word of Kezule sends his regrets, but he is deep in meditation. I will take you to the prisoner. He's in our infirmary."
Ghezu gave a low growl of annoyance. "I didn't expect to collect an injured captive. This affects my own plans for him."
"He attempted to escape," said Vraiyou imperturbably, turning away from him. "He was punished, as are all who break our holy laws."
"You overstepped yourselves, not only by punishing him, but by not informing me earlier that you had him in your custody," Ghezu growled.
"I'm afraid you'll have to discuss that with the Prophet himself. As to his punishment, no one can be above the law. Isn't that why you want this male? Because he put himself above your laws?"
Ghezu followed him to the infirmary, tail angrily lashing from side to side. He wasn't in a position to argue with the Head Acolyte and knowing that didn't sweeten his temper. He'd wanted Kaid untouched. Apart from any other considerations, it was a damned sight more difficult to smuggle an injured person on a floater into Stronghold, especially along the tunnels.
"He should have been left for me to punish," he said abruptly. "Tell that prophet of yours that the next time he takes the law into his own hands when dealing with me, will be his last. Our agreement will be over."
"I'll pass on your message, of course," said Vraiyou, holding aside the curtain that covered the infirmary doorway. "However, surely mutual toleration for each other's customs isn't too much to ask in a business arrangement?"
Ghezu pushed angrily past him and L'Seuli, his guards and the floater following in his wake. "Just tell him," he said, coming to a stop. "Where is he?"
Anirra emerged from his dispensary at the rear of the ward. "You've come for Kaid? He's over there," he said, pointing at the nearest bed. "The analgesics have made him sleep. Fyak had him flogged. As for the stunner shot, I can't tell you if there'll be any permanent neural damage. He's obviously still in a great deal of pain. In fact, he's lucky to be alive."
Striding over to where he indicated, Ghezu stopped and stood looking at the inert form of Kaid. His body limp, he lay face down on the bed, ears flat against his head, his pelt dull and matted with dried blood. Over his back lay a large dressing, its bloodstained whiteness a stark contrast against his tan coloring.
Ghezu lifted a corner of the d
ressing, noticing the involuntary flinching of Kaid's back muscles as he did. Beneath it lay a mass of bloody, swollen cuts that crisscrossed his back.
"He'll need continued medical care," said Anirra, handing a card to Zhaya. "That's a record of his treatment so far. I've washed the wounds, cut back the fur so they'll heal cleanly, and sprayed them with antibiotic sealant. It'll last till you get him to Stronghold but not much longer. His wounds are still bleeding just enough to prevent the sealant from holding. He'll need to exercise gently to make sure that when the scar tissue forms, it doesn't pull his flesh too tight."
Thoughtfully Ghezu let the dressing drop back into place. Perhaps this served his purpose even better. Because of his injuries, Kaid was now totally at his mercy. As he turned away, the glint of silver on Kaid's wrist caught his eye. He reached down to touch it, wanting to see the symbol on the bracelet. As he did, Kaid's hand clenched into a fist.
"You might wait till I'm dead before robbing me." Kaid's voice was slurred and barely audible. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked up at Ghezu. "Yes, it's Khemu's. We bonded before she died." He grinned, baring his teeth at his captor. "You still can't have her, Ghezu. She's beyond us both now."
"Damn you, Kaid!" Ghezu felt his ears folding in anger as he drew back from the bed. "Why you? Why did she choose you right up to the end?" He stopped as realization hit him. "By the Gods, she was Dzaka's mother! I had you and your son both in my hands for all those years and I never knew it!" He reached down and took hold of Kaid's arm, wrenching the bracelet off his wrist.
Kaid was unable to stop his low mewl of pain.
"She may have given it to you, but I have it now, just as I have you." He looked at the medic. "Where's the body of the female?" he demanded.
Anirra shrugged. "She was cremated when she died."
"Her possessions? She wore a bracelet. Where is it?"
"It went to the fire with her," Anirra said, turning away to pick up Kaid's jacket from where it lay on the end of the bed.
"You can't undo it by stealing her bracelet," said Kaid, his voice taut now with the fresh pain Ghezu had caused by reopening the wounds on his wrist. "She's my bond-mate before Vartra and the other Gods, even if she is dead. Dzaka witnessed it. He's legitimate now. He can claim protection from the Clan Lord."
As he wiped the blood off the bracelet before pushing it on his own wrist, Ghezu could feel the rage building inside him. "He's still one of the Brotherhood, Kaid! I refused to release him from his Oath! There's a contract on him now— to bring him in alive. Then he can join you in the hell I'm going to create for you!" He turned to Zhaya. "Get him loaded on that floater! I want to leave here as soon as possible!" With that he strode angrily out of the infirmary.
Kaid lifted his head, gathering what remained of his strength. "Better finish me now, Ghezu," he called out after the Guild Master's retreating figure. "Because as Vartra's my witness, I'll kill you given the chance!"
Exhausted, he let his head fall back on the bed. Zhaya motioned the other two Brothers forward but Anirra stop-ped them.
"His wrist is bleeding again. I need to see to it before you leave."
Zhaya nodded reluctantly. "You have five minutes." He turned to the other two. "Wait for him and bring him to the aircar when the medic's finished," he ordered, and left to tell Ghezu about the delay.
Anirra lifted Kaid's head and slipped the folded jacket under it. "You won't want to be without that," he said, patting one corner of it before moving away to get swabs and the spray to treat his wrist.
As waves of pain coursed through him, Kaid vaguely wondered why his jacket should be important.
Anirra returned and squatting on his haunches, began to wipe the oozing wound that circled Kaid's wrist. "Her bracelet's in there," he whispered as he leaned across him.
Kaid looked up sharply, the sudden movement setting his head pounding again and forcing a low moan from him.
One of the Brothers moved forward. "What's up?" he demanded.
Anirra continued to swab the wound. "What d'you think?" he asked. "He's in pain!"
"Just get a move on," the Brother ordered. "Master Ghezu wants to get this renegade back to Stronghold."
"I'm no renegade." Kaid's voice was hardly above a whisper. "If you'd been in the Brotherhood longer, you'd know that. This is personal, between Ghezu and me."
"Be silent! We've been warned about you and your lies," snapped the other.
Kaid moved his hand, grasping hold of Anirra's fingers. "Keep the bracelet here for me," he whispered. Anirra nodded, slipping the jacket to one side, letting it fall to the floor. After spraying on the sealant, he stood up, nudging the jacket under the bed with his foot. "He's ready," he said.
The two Brothers stepped forward, pushing the floater till it was parallel to the bed. Each taking a side of the sheet on which Kaid lay, they lifted him onto the floater.
When they'd left, L'Seuli moved forward quickly, stooping to grasp Kaid's jacket before Anirra could stop him.
"Hey! Bring that back!" said Anirra.
"They forgot this," said L'Seuli, heading for the doorway. "I'll give it to them."
"But ..." Anirra began, then realized he couldn't admit to keeping the bracelet back. "Damn!"
* * *
On board the aircar, Ghezu squatted down beside him and placed a hypoderm against his neck. "You're mine now, Kaid," he said softly. "I've decided I'm not going to kill you. No, you're going to live, but you'll pray for death before I'm done with you. Now, say goodnight. We don't want anyone at Stronghold knowing you're my guest, do we?"
Kaid's last view of Ghezu as he pressed the trigger of the hypoderm was of a pair of eyes too wide and staring for sanity. As reality began to fade, he wondered where, or if, he'd wake this time.
* * *
"Kaid's been seen at Chezy," said Rulla as soon as Kusac let him into the family kitchen.
"Was he all right?" asked Carrie, speaking the thought on all their minds.
"Fine. In fact, he was training Fyak's troops."
"Never," said Garras.
"Not Kaid," Dzaka said flatly. "You must be wrong."
Rulla looked at him briefly, eye ridge raised, as he sat down at the long table with them. "No, it's been confirmed. I heard the news before I left Stronghold. I wonder what he's up to."
"What were the circumstances, and how did they find out?" asked Kusac.
"There weren't any details, just wind-borne gossip from one of the Brothers who's recently piloted out grain to the tribes. He said he'd heard that Kaid had arrived at Chezy. He'd been injured, and was bound as a prisoner— then a week later, there he was, training the troops."
"Fyak can alter minds," said Meral. "Look at what happened to the two telepaths at the medical center in town. He destroyed them. If Kaid's working for Fyak then it's not willingly, it's because his mind has been affected."
"I don't think so," said Carrie thoughtfully. "Much more likely he's playing for time— waiting to escape. It's what I'd do."
"That sounds more feasible," agreed Garras.
"Wait a minute, don't follow the wrong scent here! I don't think he's collaborating with them," said Rulla, looking round the little group. "You can mind talk, Kusac. Why don't you try to reach him, see if there's any way we can help?"
"There's an element of risk in trying to contact a non-telepath, Rulla," said Kusac.
"Especially if Fyak is targeting telepaths. Whoever is monitoring for them only needs to pick up Kaid receiving and he could be branded as a telepath," said Carrie.
"You've got a point," Rulla admitted. "How come this Fyak can alter people's minds yet you don't think he's a telepath himself?"
"We've no idea," said Kusac. "He obviously isn't, or else why would he want to abduct one from Laasoi? I'm afraid we've more questions than answers about Fyak at present. I do know if we interfere in his business, even to get Kaid out, we risk starting a civil war that could erupt out of the desert into these lowlands."
Murmur
s of agreement greeted this, then silence fell. There was nothing they could say that hadn't been said already.
"Why the hell did you stay with Ghezu's lot, Dzaka? Why couldn't you leave like the rest of us?" asked Rulla.
Dzaka stirred and looked over at Rulla. "You didn't leave. Ghezu released you from your oaths. He refused me."
"Did you ask him? Did you think of disobeying him then? Even though you didn't leave, if you hadn't lashed out at Kaid like that, none of this would have happened," Rulla growled angrily.
"That's enough, Rulla," said Kusac sharply. "The matter's closed now. Over."
"Dammit, it isn't for me! Just because he comes back here with his tail between his legs, says he's sorry and that he's left the Brotherhood now, doesn't excuse his past actions! He's the one responsible for Kaid being Fyak's prisoner!"
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