thefiremargins

by Lisanne Norman

  "I apologize there was no one here to greet you," he said, putting his arm round his mate's shoulder and drawing her close. "We weren't expecting you. The security I'm afraid you'll have to get used to. It isn't normally so intrusive, but my people had to check your credentials, especially when you arrived so unexpectedly. Please, go into your lodgings. Someone will be here in a few minutes to show you round. In fact," he said, looking over their heads, "here's someone now."

  As they turned round, the small party of Humans was treated to their second sight of a Sholan transforming from a four-legged lope to an upright stance.

  "I'll do it, Liege," said T'Chebbi, dusting the palms of her hands off on her thighs. "Dzaka's gone for attendants. Humans be here in fifteen minutes. They'll make it right."

  "Thank you, T'Chebbi," said Kusac. "Tomorrow morning, at fourth hour, I'll join you here and brief you on our work at the site."

  "I haven't keyed the lock yet, Kusac," said Carrie.

  "I'll do it," he said, moving toward the door. He placed his right hand on the lock plate and the door slid back. The interior lights came on, their warm glow a welcoming contrast to the chill night air.

  "Please, make yourselves at home," said Kusac, standing back so they could enter.

  The rest of the group trooped past him, smiling and thanking him, but Pam would have none of it.

  "I intend to protest about our treatment," she said angrily. "I demand to speak to the Clan Lord about this!"

  "My father isn't in charge of this project, I am, and I've apologized for the inconvenience you've been caused because of your early arrival," said Kusac smoothly. "If you're of the same mind tomorrow, then by all means you can request a meeting with him."

  "Pam," said a female voice from the doorway. "Leave it till tomorrow. Come in and get a hot drink. We're all overtired after our journey."

  "An excellent idea," said Kusac, looking curiously at the young woman.

  "Mattie," she said. "Call me Mattie." She moved forward, reaching out to touch the older woman on the arm. "Come on, Pam."

  "If you wish, on your comms you'll find the data regarding our discoveries so far at the dig," said Kusac. "You can brief yourselves for tomorrow. Now, I must go. T'Chebbi will stay with you until our Dr. Reynolds and Mara arrive to help you settle in."

  He turned away, moving swiftly back to Carrie's side and drawing her away from the house.

  Let's leave while we have the chance! Please don't go out without one of our guards again, he sent. I'm not saying it could have got nasty there, but I didn't like that older female's attitude at all. Accidents happen. All it needs is a small push and you could fall. Wrapped in your cloak like that, it's impossible to see you're pregnant.

  I should have called Dzaka when I was ready to leave. I wasn't expecting any strangers in the village.

  I know you're safe here, among our own, but even if it's just across to Vanna's, take someone with you. You could fall, or one of the kitlings run into you and knock you over— it's not worth the risk, cub.

  She sighed. "You're right, I suppose, but I think you worry too much."

  As they approached the archway into the grounds of their home, Carrie, as usual, glanced up at the emblem set into the plaster. For some unknown reason, this time she really noticed it. "Why two suns, Kusac?"

  He nodded in passing to the guard on duty. "Excuse me?"

  "Why does the crest have two suns?"

  He shrugged as he opened the door. "Don't know. Never really thought about it before."

  "It isn't as if there are two suns," she said thoughtfully, stepping into the welcoming warmth. "How long have your family used that design?"

  "For generations," he said, turning to help her off with her cloak.

  "As far back as the Cataclysm? Yours is one of the oldest families on this continent."

  "It could be. Mother's the one to ask about that." He handed her garment to the main house attendant who, realizing the Liege and the Liegena were home, had suddenly appeared at his side. Kusac flicked his ears in thanks.

  "Let's go into the den. I've something I must tell you about," she said, linking her arm through his.

  "I need a shower first, Carrie. I'm covered in earth from the caverns." He held out his arm and brushed his pelt against the lie of the fur.

  "Then I'll talk to you while you shower," she said, backing away from the ensuing small cloud of dust.

  "I won't be able to hear you over the sound of the water. Why don't you tell Zhala that we'll be ready to eat in half an hour and I'll join you downstairs?"

  "Don't take too long," she said as he headed upstairs.

  * * *

  When they were through at the archaeologists' house, Dzaka accompanied Jack over to the village's medical center and labs.

  "Don't go yet, lad," said Jack as they reached the pathway. "I haven't had time to talk to you about the other day."

  "Talk to me about what?"

  Jack took him by the arm and drew him up the path to the door, which as always, was open.

  "Come in for a while. I think you need to talk," he said.

  Dzaka hesitated. Jack was right, he did need to talk to someone, but who?

  "Are they expecting you at the villa tonight?"

  "Not till later," he admitted.

  "Then there's nothing to stop you."

  He followed Jack in, waiting beside him while the Human opened the door to his private quarters.

  "You've not been here before, have you?" asked Jack, heading over to the kitchen at the far end of his lounge.

  "No, I haven't."

  Dzaka looked round in interest. Books lined the walls, the shelves almost groaning under their weight. In front of them were curios— a lump of rock here, a shell there, a small ornament or two. The desk, despite having the usual comm, was covered with papers, writing instruments, and more books.

  The obligatory settee and couple of easy chairs were covered with brightly woven rugs of obviously Human make.

  "Oh, they're from Keiss," said Jack, following his gaze from the kitchen doorway. "My possessions finally caught up with me. Sit down, Dzaka. Do you want coffee or c'shar?"

  "C'shar," he said, lowering himself into one of the chairs.

  Jack disappeared to return a few minutes later with a mug for each of them. Handing Dzaka his, he sat down opposite him.

  "Now, how about starting by telling me what that bunch of no-goods were up to when I came along the other night," said Jack.

  "A mistake, that's all," said Dzaka with a shrug, trying to avoid the other's piercing gaze.

  "Mistake, eh? You didn't say that when I patched up your face and ribs."

  Dzaka tried but couldn't control the flicking of his tail. "They thought I was someone else," he said.

  Jack leaned forward, mug cradled in both hands. "Look, Dzaka, I know how difficult it is for you here. Your father is popular, people blame you for his capture, and you feel Kusac and Garras tolerate you for his sake, not through any care of you personally. There's no one you can really talk to, is there? That's why I'm offering. For you, not for them. I've yet to meet Kaid, so that makes me different from the rest, doesn't it?"

  Dzaka nodded. The Human had got the problem by the tail.

  "Has it something to do with Kitra?" Jack asked. "I've noticed how she's been following you around lately."

  He nodded again, taking a mouthful of his drink, trying to delay having to answer. No warrior liked to admit to having been beaten up, whatever the reason.

  "It wasn't a mistake, was it?"

  He needed to talk to someone! All the anger and fear and frustration was building up inside him with no way to release it. "No, it wasn't," he admitted. "They were warning me away from Kitra."

  "Warning you away from her?" Jack raised a questioning eyebrow. "Why?"

  "Her age, the fact she's our Liege's sister, and because they think I'm trying to use her to get close to Kusac. Do you want any more reasons?" he asked, his voice low and angry.


  "She's the one following you around!"

  "I know," he said, looking up at Jack. "That doesn't matter. It's me they're warning."

  "Kitra's mature enough. She's nearly a year older than Jinoe and Rrai. You only have to look at her coloring to see she's coming into her adult pelt!"

  "I hadn't noticed," said Dzaka, looking back down at his mug.

  "Have you told anyone about the attack? I'm sure Kusac wouldn't allow it to go unpunished."

  "No, I haven't. It's not exactly the kind of thing I want known, Jack. I'm one of the Brothers. It shouldn't have been that easy for them." His embarrassment was acute.

  "Come off it, lad! Four onto one isn't fair odds!"

  "I should have been able to handle it."

  "Not when they jumped you from behind, Dzaka! No one can cope with that kind of assault. They hit your skull pretty hard, you know. You're lucky not to have had concussion."

  "I've a hard head," he muttered, taking another drink.

  Jack sat back in his chair. "I heard you'd met your mother. What was she like?"

  Dzaka looked up in surprise. "How did you know?"

  "Carrie mentioned it. We go back a long way, Carrie and I. She was like you, you know. Trying to live up to her twin, forgetting that she was a totally different person and just as important to those who loved her."

  Dzaka was intrigued. "I know nothing about the Liegena's past," he said.

  "Ask her some day. She's easy to get on with."

  "I know that, but ..."

  "Your mother. What was she like," interrupted Jack.

  "Spirited," he grinned. "She didn't let Kaid get away with much."

  "I heard you'd been given her family jewelry."

  "I'll wear only the knife until he's home." Dzaka's face darkened as he remembered Kaid was still missing.

  "I can understand why," nodded Jack.

  "Why did I believe Ghezu? If I hadn't, if I'd gone to Kaid and told him ... everything would be different now!"

  "There's no point blaming yourself for it, lad. From what I hear, that's Ghezu's gift. Making people believe him."

  "They blame me! She said it. She said I'd known my father for thirty years, so why was I believing Ghezu's lies rather than Kaid! And she was right!"

  "It's easy to say that afterward, Dzaka, not so easy at the time. You'd been told too many new things, and thought because of what Ghezu said they were lies. I'd have done exactly the same."

  He hardly heard Jack. "And now this allegation that I'm trying to seduce the Liege's sister to get close to him! Kaid will skin me for it when he gets back!"

  "Why should he skin you for it?" asked Jack. "You haven't done anything. The fact that Kitra's interested in you should be a compliment."

  "You don't understand! Relationships and work don't mix, Jack. They must be separate if you have a relationship at all. Kaid never mixed them!"

  "You're not Kaid, lad," said Jack gently. "Don't try to be. Just be yourself. You have your own value."

  Dzaka put the mug down and got to his feet. "I've got to go. They'll be waiting for me at the villa. Thank you for the drink."

  Jack watched him leave, shaking his head. If Dzaka didn't let go of some of his feelings soon....

  * * *

  Their den, located at the back of the villa, was a comfortable room that captured the sun for the larger part of the day. Built on two levels, the upper one had a working environment with a comm and a personal resource storage area. The lower level was designed for relaxation, with a large screen entertainment viewer and consol and several concave settees and chairs. Comp books and real ones were scattered on the low circular table within easy reach of all the seats. Like the more formal lounge next door, it had clear doors that opened out onto the garden beyond. At this time of night, they were closed and covered by dark crimson drapes.

  The floor and walls were dark paneled wood, which, broken up as they were by brightly colored rugs and tapestries, gave the room a feeling of secluded comfort without being oppressive.

  It was here that Kusac joined Carrie. Of all the day rooms in the house, this one had quickly become their favorite.

  "Zhala says third meal will be ready shortly," she said as he came in.

  "D'you want a drink?" he asked, heading for the dispenser.

  "Got one, thanks." As she watched him, her mind began to wander. The run-in with the Humans had reminded her how ill at ease she was among them. Not so with her people. Even in Dzahai village, though they'd never seen her like before, there was a courtesy about their friendly curiosity: an acceptance that was lacking with the Humans.

  Finished, he turned away from the unit then stopped, head cocked to one side, regarding her questioningly as his tail swayed leisurely from side to side.

  The daily sight of Sholans was so familiar to her now that when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her own outward form seemed somehow alien. He was wearing his favorite olive tunic, she noticed with a smile. The soft material stretched more tightly across his chest and shoulders these days, a result of all the training. It fell to mid-thigh level, again showing the difference that hard physical activity had made to him. Naturally stronger than the Humans to start with, Kusac now looked— and was— as muscular as any of the Warriors or Brothers on the estate.

  "What is it?" he asked, moving over to join her on the settee.

  "Just that I think you need new tunics," she said, leaning against him as he sat down. "You've grown!"

  He lifted his arm and put it round her, balancing the mug in his other hand as he did so. "I'm older. In fact, I reach official adulthood with my next birth day this spring."

  "You're not an adult now?" This surprised her.

  "Yes, and no. Telepaths and Warriors, and the Brotherhood of course, are all exempt from military service. We have to mature sooner— learn to control our aggression and our sexuality— because we stay on Shola where such behavior can't be easily redirected. So, from about twenty-five or so, we're considered mature enough to accept responsible positions within our guilds. However, thirty still remains the age of adulthood for the majority of Sholans. It's also when we males achieve physical maturity."

  "Ah, I've found the memories now."

  "You have it all there, somewhere. Now, what was it you had to tell me," he asked, lifting his mug to his mouth.

  She chose her words carefully. "Someone came into the Shrine room while I was there. Someone who if it wasn't Kaid, was his double."

  He sat up, almost spilling his drink. "What? You saw Kaid?"

  "I'm sure it was him."

  "How? Where is he? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" His questions came tumbling out one after the other.

  "Let me tell it my way," she said, taking the mug from him and putting it on the table. "He came up to me and asked how long he'd been gone. Six weeks, I said. Then he asked when he'd returned. I couldn't believe he was really there, so I reached out and touched him. He was real, Kusac. Flesh and blood, I swear he was!"

  "Go on. I believe you."

  "He said he'd been at Stronghold."

  "Stronghold! Not Fyak's?"

  She shook her head. "Stronghold. He took my hand and said that I felt real so he must be here. Then, he just disappeared."

  "Disappeared?"

  "One moment he was there, the next gone. He seemed to fade— lose solidity— then he vanished."

  Kusac said nothing, just looked at her.

  "I went to the room that Dzaka keeps ready for him and I could smell his scent strongly there. I've no idea how or why it happened, but he really was there."

  "But how? How did he get there, and why did he leave so suddenly? Why didn't he stay?"

  "I've been trying to work that out myself. Remember when we were trying out all those skills in the encyclopedia? Maybe he teleported."

  "But how? To do that he'd have to have a powerful talent."

  "You do realize that he and Garras are the only ones who didn't tell us what their talen
ts were," she said.

  He gave a negative flick of his ears. "He said he was at Stronghold?"

  "Yes. I remember that clearly because of Lijou's message. There was something else. He looked ill, and thin. And his wrists had been badly hurt. I'm worried for him, Kusac."

  "If Ghezu's got him, so am I. At least we know he's still alive."