thefiremargins

by Lisanne Norman

  Dzaka flung his chair back as he leaped to his feet, glowering at Rulla. "You've had it in for me from the first, haven't you, Rulla? There's only one way to settle this as far as you're concerned, isn't there?"

  "Fine by me," Rulla snarled, pushing his chair back and getting to his feet.

  "Enough!" said Kusac. "Dzaka's here under my protection, and the wishes of Kaid, his father! I'll have no fighting over this, d'you hear me, Rulla? Dzaka?" He stood, looking from one to the other.

  Dzaka, his eyes still on Rulla, nodded slowly, the tension going out of his stance.

  Not so Rulla. Eyes glowing, he lunged across the table at him. An unexpected blow to the side of his head broke his balance and sent him spinning away from the table.

  Kusac followed it through by reaching him within two strides, grasping him on either side of the neck by the collar of his jacket and slamming him hard against the wall.

  "This is my home, Rulla! You'll not bring your fights in here, nor will you disobey my orders a second time!" he snarled, his teeth inches from Rulla's face and throat. "I'm in charge around here, not you, not Garras," he paused, "and not Kaid. Don't mistake me for just a telepath, Rulla. It might be your last mistake. Have I made myself clear?" He thumped Rulla against the wall once more to emphasize his point.

  Rulla's ears were down, his eyes wide as he slowly nodded. "Yes, Liege."

  "Good." Kusac relaxed his hold a little. "Dzaka is sworn to me— as you all are. He's not here on sufferance: I chose to have him. You'll treat him accordingly."

  Kusac released Rulla and stepped back, watching while the other tugged his clothing into place, then tried surreptitiously to massage his neck. Turning round to resume his place, he was surprised to see Meral, T'Chebbi and Garras standing not far behind him. Carrie alone was untroubled. Catching the glance the males exchanged, Kusac waited for them to resume their seats before returning to his own.

  "Garras, how're Vanna and the cub?" he asked, changing the topic to something neutral to break the tension.

  "Fine," said Garras, "if noisy and always hungry are anything to go by. Zhiloma, the kitling Rrai's mother, is helping her. She'd be happy to see you again— and Carrie— any time you want to visit. Especially when Marak goes in for his op."

  "I'm sure he'll be fine," said Kusac, knowing Garras didn't want to dwell on the subject. "Did my mother tell you she plans to open the nursery and have Zhiloma run it? When Vanna's ready to start work again, she could leave Marak there. He'd soon have company as Taizia's near her time, isn't she, Meral?"

  Meral's ears flicked and his mouth opened in a wide grin. "Neither Taizia nor I can wait."

  "Believe me, you can," said Garras drily. "Enjoy your sleep while you can get it because in a few weeks, you'll have forgotten what a whole night's sleep is like!"

  "We won't mind," he said. "Taizia and a family of our own is a dream I never thought possible."

  Garras snorted good-naturedly. "That's your hormones talking! You young males are all the same. All you want to do is breed! You'll feel differently in a few years time, take it from me."

  Meral shrugged, but kept his grin.

  Kusac sensed Carrie becoming edgy. Now just halfway through her own pregnancy, she was beginning to get fretful— a mixture combined of dread and impatience. As yet she hadn't been to see Vanna and the new-born for those same reasons. She'd go when she was ready, he knew that, and he knew that Vanna wouldn't be upset by her staying away for the time being.

  "I think it's time we left for our dig," he said, getting up. "We don't know how much longer we'll have before the authorities discover what we're doing at the monastery."

  "Liege, I've a message to pass on from Noni," said Rulla quietly. "She'd like to see you and Carrie today."

  Kusac's face creased in a frown. "Noni wants to see me?"

  "Yes. She was most insistent that you go too."

  "How long will it take you to get ready?" Kusac asked Carrie.

  "Only a few minutes," she said, carefully pushing her chair back from the table so she could get up.

  Kusac was there to help her.

  Hey, I'm not an invalid!

  I know, but I want to help. "T'Chebbi, you and Meral come with us. Garras, you and Jack will have to take charge of the dig. I've got a training session over at Nazule this afternoon so I won't be able to join you at all today."

  Dzaka followed them into the hall, and seeing no one within earshot, called out to Kusac. "Liege, I'd prefer to come with you, if I may?"

  Carrie glanced over her shoulder at him. "Is Kitra following you around again?"

  Dzaka looked surprised but quickly righted his ears. "Yes. I don't mind her usually, but she's been over every day this week and I'd like a break," he said, keeping a wary eye on Kusac.

  "I'm sure Meral would enjoy a day off with Taizia," said Carrie. "You don't have any objections, do you, Kusac?"

  "None. Kitra can be a handful, especially now that Jinoe and Rrai have paired. They're spending more of their time training with Ghyan, and what little leisure they do have, they're not so interested in spending running wild round the estate anymore." He chuckled. "We shouldn't really be calling them kitlings. They're rather proud of what they see as their elevation to adult status!"

  "We've all been there," said Carrie, looping her arm through her mate's. "And Kitra's not far behind them. She'll be choosing her first lover soon."

  "I still think you're imagining it. At the most she's just copying Jinoe," he said. "We'll need two aircars, Dzaka, as Carrie will be coming back without me. We'll travel out with T'Chebbi."

  "Yes, Liege."

  "You didn't tell me Noni was going to be acting as birther for you," he said to Carrie as they headed up to their rooms.

  "It just sort of happened," she said. "It's one of the things she does as the village healer, and she seems to have sort of adopted me since Kaid took me there. I don't mind. She doesn't seem so intrusive— not so impersonal and clinical."

  "As long as you're happy," he said, placing his palm on the lock plate and waiting for the door to slide open. "Wouldn't you rather have Jack or Vanna, or even one of the human females with you?"

  She looked at him with a mixture of horror and determination. Noni was all she sent, and he accepted it.

  Now that there were not only considerably more humans on Shola, but also a large proportion of females, Carrie found that getting human-specific clothes like trousers was a lot easier. The local tailor they frequented had asked one of the human females to teach him how to make their clothing— but his variety of garments was still very limited.

  While the house was warm enough for her to wear only the split-paneled long tunics, outside the temperature had dropped quite dramatically and she needed the warmth of trousers and a woollen tunic.

  Kusac stood by the door waiting for her to change. The olive tunic she was putting on clung to her figure, accentuating her more generous curves. There was a rightness in the way she looked now, he thought, watching as she smoothed the tunic over her gently swelling belly before turning to pull a sleeved cloak from her wardrobe.

  Once again he was there to help, holding it for her to slip her arms into.

  "I'm not helpless," she said, a faintly reproving tone in her voice.

  He settled the cloak round her shoulders, then turned her to face him as he sealed the center edges together. He slid his hands round her disappearing waistline till they met behind her back and he was holding her close.

  "I know. I just want to enjoy helping you, enjoy the fact that you're carrying our cub," he said, his voice a quiet purr. "I'm no different from Meral in that." His tongue flicked out, caressing her cheek. "You've no idea how proud I feel," he began, then stopped as he heard her mind speak.

  Oh, haven't I?

  He laughed, his amber eyes glinting down at her as his hands slid back across the curve of her belly, lingering there for a moment. Reluctantly he let her go. "You're right. Of course you know how I feel. It's just
that you, carrying our cub— it means so much to me. I can't find the words to say it properly."

  She reached up and cupped his cheek in her hand. "You don't need to." Her voice was soft as she pushed her fingers gently across his cheek into his hair. "It's what I want too." She hesitated. "I'm sorry I can't go and see Vanna yet. I'm still a little frightened about this, afraid to see her cub in case..." She stopped, knowing her thoughts were conveying the words she couldn't say.

  "He'll be fine. It's not a serious complaint and the Surgeons' Guild Master himself is doing the operation. He couldn't be in safer hands. Actually it might be easier for you to see Marak now rather than waiting for our own cub to be born," he said, "then she won't seem so strange to you."

  "Maybe, but I'm not ready for that yet."

  "When you are," he agreed. "Until then, I'm sure Vanna will understand how you feel. However, I do think you should keep her company when Marak is undergoing the surgery. He looks very like her, you know."

  Carrie sighed. "I'm sure he does, and I have every intention of waiting with Vanna, and visiting Marak. Now, tell me what all that leadership bit with Rulla was about."

  "They've always looked at Kaid as their leader, forgetting that his loyalty is to you and me. When he went missing, I began to realize that it was important for them to be reminded that they gave their loyalty to us."

  "No matter what the trappings of civilization you wear, Liege," she said, reaching up to tweak his ear, "you're still my barbarian prince!"

  "Imp!" he said, reaching out for her again, but she'd moved lightly away from him toward the door, grinning.

  "Come on, we'd better get moving! T'Chebbi and Dzaka are waiting for us."

  * * *

  Garras rose and stood in front of Rulla, preventing him from leaving. "What happened between Kaid and Dzaka is their business, Rulla," said Garras. "We may have our own private feelings about it, but they remain just that: private. If Kaid can forgive him, then so can I. You'll have to do the same." His eyes took on a hard quality. "Like Kusac, I'll do what it takes to protect Dzaka, let there be no mis-understanding on this."

  "But to lose Kaid because of Dzaka ..." began Rulla, but Garras cut him short.

  "We haven't yet. And even if we do, it was Kaid's decision to remain and let Dzaka escape, and we'll all respect it. Dzaka is worth having in his own right. Don't forget we've all been caught at one time or another by Ghezu's tricks, this was Dzaka's first time. His delay in leaving the Brotherhood only shows how serious an oath is to him, and that's no bad thing. You were lucky, Ghezu released you. Saying you'll leave and actually doing it is a very different matter, Rulla. Dzaka's life is at risk because of his decision. You were never put to the test, just remember that."

  Rulla sighed. "All right, I'll admit I was wrong. I've never questioned Kaid's decisions before. I should have accepted that he trusted Dzaka."

  "You still don't get it, do you?" said Garras, grasping him by the jacket front and hauling him closer. "You'll accept it because your Liege orders you to accept it!" He grinned, pulling his lips back to expose his teeth.

  "I understand, Garras," Rulla said hurriedly, ears flat again, hands held open at shoulder level. "Kusac is our Liege. I'll not make the same mistake again. I hadn't realized how much of a warrior he'd become."

  "To tell the truth," said Garras, releasing him, "even I'd forgotten how well he handled that Death Challenge on Keiss, and that was before he'd been trained to fight properly."

  "Kusac's point was well made— to all of us," said Meral drily as he rose from the table. "He is our Liege."

  "It's not one I'll forget again, I assure you," said Rulla, slowly lowering his hands. "He fought Guynor before he'd been trained?"

  "Yes, before. You combine the ability to mentally acquire any skill with an intelligent mind, and the body of someone entering his prime, and you'll get a male I'd think twice about taking on," said Garras candidly. "What I said to Rulla goes for all of you," he added, looking round at them. "Make sure everyone realizes that. Our first loyalty is to our Liege. Even if Kaid returns."

  * * *

  It had been some time since Carrie had last left the estate, and that had also been to visit Noni. Now, as she watched the landscape unfold beneath her, she could see the effects of the changing season more clearly. The Taykui forest was a mass of gold and brown. Here and there, the stark branches of the trees that had already shed their leaves in preparation for the snows to come rose above the autumn colors. As they traveled further north, she saw that winter's breath had touched the tops of the mountains ahead.

  Khuushoi sent the first snowfall yesterday, Kusac sent. It's not deep, only a couple of inches.

  Khuushoi?

  Goddess of Winter.

  Do you realize this is our second winter together? Leaving aside that we aren't on Keiss, obviously.

  We've been through a lot together. At least the worst is behind us now.

  There's still the Fire Margins. Carrie's tone was somber.

  Let's not worry about that now. We've a lot do to before that can happen. Finding Kaid is one of them.

  Is there really no way to rescue him?

  None. If we try, we'll make matters worse, I know it. The Forces are close enough that if he gets the chance to escape, they'll quickly pick him up. There's got to be a damned good reason why he's helping Fyak. As we said, it could well be the only way he can stay out of Ghezu's claws.

  "Coming in to land," said T'Chebbi as she steered the craft toward Dzahai village.

  * * *

  Noni greeted them at the door. She pointed a gnarled finger at Carrie. "You, young Human, can just take yourself off with that T'Chebbi female to the village. It's market day. You're bound to find something to buy there. Your mate will send to you when it's time to return. Go on, spend some of that hard earned money of his. You deserve it!"

  Carrie looked at T'Chebbi, a faint grin on her face. "Looks like we've got our orders, T'Chebbi," she said. "We'll see you later, then."

  As the two females walked off down the dirt track to the village, they heard Meral landing, then powering down his vehicle. Within a few minutes he had joined Kusac.

  "And you can stay out here," said Noni. "Don't hold with guards normally, but I suppose with him here," she jerked her head toward Kusac, "I'd better have you."

  She turned and stepped back into her kitchen, beckoning Kusac to follow. Once inside, she closed the door and headed slowly over to the large table that, along with her double bed, dominated the room. She sat down, waiting for Kusac to come round in front of her.

  Noni stared at him quite unashamedly, and he felt her mind touch the edges of his. He let her, remaining watchful, and when the sudden intrusive strike came, he turned it aside.

  "Hmm. You'll do, I suppose. Sit down then. None of you young ones realizes what it's like for us old folks to have to keep staring up at you. Pain in the neck, that's what you all are," she said with a short cackle.

  As he sat down, she poured him a mug of c'shar and pushed it across the table to him. "Next time you come, you bring me some of that coffee of yours to try, hear me? I want to know what all the fuss is about."

  Kusac accepted the mug, picking it up and taking a drink. "So you're Noni," he said. "Tell me why I should trust you with my bond-mate? You're guildless, therefore unqualified in all the trades you practice. You're domineering and full of your own importance. What makes you think I want anything to do with you?"

  Noni began to laugh in earnest. "Oh, you'll do. You'll more than do, young Aldatan!" she chuckled. "You and Kaid could be brothers, so alike you are in some ways."

  Kusac frowned, irritated by her reaction but not prepared to show it.

  "There's not many prepared to say that to my face, lad. You trust Kaid, yet he's guildless, isn't he? He's a trained killer who held your lives in his jaws for several months without telling you. Yet knowing that, you still trusted him. Explain that to me, then I'll tell you why to trust old Noni!"
/>   She was old, her hair a snow white plait, ears tufted with age, her pelt liberally flecked with gray. Clear brown eyes regarded him curiously, a glint of humor in their depths.

  "You'll make a good leader for that new Clan of yours, Kusac Aldatan, and a fine Liege for Kaid." She watched the surprise on his face. "Yes, I know about that," she nodded. "It's why you have to walk the Fire Margins, so those cubs of yours— and his— will grow strong and free." She reached into the pocket at the side of her robe and brought out a comm crystal. "Here's what you want. I got one of the lads up at Stronghold to put it on his comm then run me off a crystal for you. Lijou's got a copy too."