thefiremargins

by Lisanne Norman

  She stretched out beside him, lying on top of the covers. He turned on his side, his sound arm going protectively round her so she couldn't roll off the bed.

  Kaid wasn't used to female company, nor did he envisage a time when he'd want a Companion in the traditional sense, but having her close for the moment was what he needed. Someone to hold, someone he had permission to touch and who would touch him in return: the most basic of all companionships— of any species.

  Since he'd returned from Stronghold, the only night he'd slept well was the one night Carrie had stayed with him. The sedatives might make him sleep, prevent him dreaming, but he never felt rested when he woke. Now, lulled by her presence, he quickly fell into a deep, natural sleep.

  * * *

  "I'm a Warrior, Fyak! Not some damned weakling of a priest! I don't care who you worship, but don't expect me to join you!" snarled Ghezu. "None of the Gods are real anyway!"

  "You think I'm a weakling?" Fyak's voice was deceptively smooth. "It takes more strength than you possess to control the sap through which Kezule calls me! But then, you must know this, having used the narcotic on that captive you wanted so much."

  It dawned on Ghezu that perhaps his last comment had been unwise. "I'm not speaking of you, Prophet. Only of the Priests of Vartra back at Stronghold."

  Fyak turned to look at the female sitting on the floor at the side of his throne. "Well?"

  "He lies," said Rhaid, her voice toneless as she answered her master, the green stone flashing at her throat. "He thinks you're weak, and ruled by insanity. He believe in no Gods, only himself. He hopes to persuade you to let him lead your people against the Brotherhood."

  Fyak turned back to Ghezu.

  There was no alternative but to bluff. "You're going to take her word for it? Don't make me laugh, Fyak! It's one thing having a tame telepath, it's another relying on what she tells you. Look at her!"

  He strode past the throne to Rhaid. Reaching out, he took hold of her by the collar round her neck, yanking her to her feet. She gave a mew of pain, putting her hands up to protect her throat in a vain attempt to stop the collar cutting into the sores it had already rubbed there.

  "Look at her, Fyak! She hates you— you can see it in her eyes! Oh yes, she'll tell the truth enough times to convince you to trust her, then she'll slip in a lie!" He threw her aside, not bothering to even look where she fell.

  Fyak was regarding him thoughtfully. Vraiyou came forward and spoke to him in an undertone. The Prophet nodded once, then the head acolyte left.

  "Vraiyou has made an excellent suggestion," purred Fyak, "one that will solve this matter of loyalty once and for all. We'll wait for him to return."

  Ghezu cursed under his breath, making sure to shield himself from Rhaid. Why the hell had he forgotten about her? If he got the opportunity to speak to her alone, he'd make damned sure she knew what would happen if she pulled that stunt again!

  "Fyak," he said at length, "how much longer do I have to wait here? I've important matters to see to, namely training your warriors!"

  The Prophet leaned forward, placing his elbow on the ornate arm rest and propping his chin on his hand. "If I were you, I'd wait patiently for the return of Vraiyou," he said. "Remember that you're here on my sufferance, Ghezu. Out there beyond the desert boundaries, an army of people waits for you, baying for your hide. Anger me much more and I may just give it to them."

  Ghezu felt the sweat start on the palms of his hands. Fyak was mad enough to do just that. He remembered the condition Kaid had been in when he'd collected him and a cold shiver ran down his spine.

  Vraiyou, flanked by two guards and followed by his youngling servant, returned carrying a small wooden chest. He went right up to Fyak's throne, bowed, and presented the box.

  The prophet leaned forward and took it from him.

  "It's time for me to commune with Kezule, Ghezu. I think it only fitting that since you deny His existence, you should take this opportunity to accompany me, don't you?" He looked to the guards.

  "Bring him over, Rrurto."

  "Now just a minute," said Ghezu, backing away from them and reaching for his side arm. Before he could, he felt a sudden burst of heat from the torc round his neck. A lassitude spread throughout him, and with it a disinclination to move. When the guards took his gun, then took hold of him and drew him toward Fyak, he didn't resist— though a small portion of his mind sat there observing his actions in sheer terror.

  Fyak opened the box and handed a small red-topped phial to Vraiyou. "See he takes it," he said.

  "As you wish, Prophet," said Vraiyou.

  Everything was happening slowly for Ghezu. He saw Vraiyou remove the seal from the phial of green liquid, saw it coming closer to him, and with horror realized his mouth had opened almost before he heard the command.

  "Hold his mouth open, and tilt his head back," Vraiyou said.

  While his jaws were held apart, Vraiyou poured the thick liquid onto the back of his tongue, making sure it trickled down his throat before ordering him to be released.

  Fyak watched him slump to the ground before he turned his attention to the box. Handing it back to Vraiyou, he lifted out the second phial. Removing the stopper, he tipped the contents quickly down his own throat, touched his gold bracelet, then relaxed back in his seat.

  Ghezu suddenly found he was back in control of himself again. The aftertaste in his mouth was bitter, and falling down to all fours, he began to retch. As he did, he thanked the Gods that it was only the sap that Fyak used, not the narcotic he'd given Kaid.

  "The bitterness is the price you pay to walk with the Gods," drawled Fyak. "It passes."

  "Prophet, we should leave now," said Vraiyou, handing the chest to the youngling.

  Fyak nodded, pushing himself to his feet. The drug was already beginning to affect him.

  "Bring him," said Vraiyou, indicating Ghezu.

  * * *

  Something was wrong, Kaid could feel it. Darkness surrounded him, but as his eyes gradually accustomed themselves to it he saw it wasn't total. Ahead of him was a faint line of yellow light.

  Limping carefully on three legs, Kaid moved slowly and quietly toward it, sniffing the scents, using the air currents that moved past his body to tell him what was ahead. For once, his drug-enhanced senses were an advantage.

  Reaching the end, he stopped, checking again for scents, listening for sounds. Beyond the door he could sense one person, a Sholan, but there were traces of something else, something he wasn't so sure of. Standing up, he ran his fingers along the wall in front of him, then down the sides, feeling the draft. This was a door of some kind, but without an opening mechanism that he could detect.

  His fingers found a depression at one edge. Cautiously he tugged. The door moved a fraction. Again he pulled, opening a gap of about three centimeters. Putting his eye to it, he looked through.

  He saw a partial wall in front of him. Above that there was a glow of light— not bright, subdued. He frowned. The little he could see gave no indication of what lay beyond this first door. Listening carefully, he heard voices but they were too far away for him to make out what was being said.

  Reaching up for the gap with both hands, he realized with a shock that his right one was still bandaged. He sat down hard as his senses began to spin and his heart beat faster. A drug dream! Gods, he thought he'd done with them! Why? What had called him this time? It couldn't be Carrie. He'd been holding her when they fell asleep. What had caused this one?

  Is it a dream? his mind asked, or is this the reality? Was the time I spent with her at Noni's and on the estate the dream? The dark pit of uncertainly loomed in front of him, waiting for him to fall into it. Mentally, he forced himself back from the edge, refusing to be drawn toward it, turning his mind to what he knew had to be true. This was a drug dream, nothing more. Reality was back there, with Carrie, and his way back led through this doorway. Something had called him here, and until he'd worked out what it was, he wouldn't be able to retu
rn.

  He stood up and cautiously inserted his fingers through the gap, curling them round the edge of the door. He pulled gently. Soundlessly the door slid back, letting the glow from beyond fill the passage he was in.

  He waited, listening for any movement no matter how small. The only sound was the murmur of voices beyond the half-wall, otherwise it was silent. He risked a quick glance to either side. Nothing. Keeping low, he stepped through the gap, finding himself on the balcony of a large chamber. Above him on a ceiling the color of the night sky, stars were painted. Wooden beams crossed from wall to wall, supporting the vaulted roof.

  From beyond the balcony, the scent of incense drifted up, confirming his guess that he was in a temple of some kind. Crouching down, he crossed the three meters to the balcony wall. The lattice of diamond shaped gaps that formed the upper portion of the wall provided an ideal way of looking down into the temple without being seen.

  He saw that the main chamber had been divided into two sections, the larger one containing the statue of the God he knew would be called Vartra. The smaller one, beyond the crimson curtain that formed the divider, he couldn't see into because of his angle of vision.

  The voices came again, one of them tantalizingly familiar. He glanced ahead, realizing if he made for the side section of the balcony, the chances were good that he could see not only who was in the main chamber, but also who was behind the curtain.

  He made his way along to the end, then, checking round the corner first, he headed down there until he judged he was in the right position.

  Looking through the lattice work, he could now see the figures below. With a shock he recognized not only Fyak, but at his side, still retching, was Ghezu! Pushing back the anger that threatened to trigger hunt mode, he took a few deep breaths and forced himself to look toward the other side of the curtain.

  What he saw and heard there before this world exploded around him, etched itself into his memory.

  * * *

  Carrie woke feeling chilled to the bone. Kaid's arm was a dead weight across her side and as she reached to move it, she realized it was as cold as stone. She froze. Lightheaded and heart pounding, she felt her stomach leap with fear. She must have cried out mentally because within moments, Meral came rushing in, rifle at the ready.

  She watched him slow to a stop as he saw the situation. A tiny noise of fear escaped her and he was instantly by her side.

  There was no need for her to say anything. It was obvious that he'd assessed the situation. He knelt down till his face was level with hers.

  "I'm going to lift his arm, Liegena. When I do, I want you to take my hand and slide off the bed. Do you understand?"

  She made a tiny movement of her head.

  Meral stood up and waited till she'd taken hold of his outstretched hand before carefully taking hold of Kaid's wrist and lifting it high enough for Carrie to move.

  Sliding out, she would have fallen had Meral's hand not supported her. As she moved away from the bed, Meral replaced Kaid's arm on the covers.

  "Are you all right?" he asked, turning round to check on her.

  She nodded, putting both hands over her mouth in an effort to control her need to scream.

  Meral pointed to the chair. "Sit down until I've checked Kaid," he said, turning back to the bed.

  Kaid was covered in a tiny mist of water droplets, and when Meral touched his neck, checking for a pulse, the skin beneath his pelt was cold. Though he kept his hand there for a good minute, he could feel nothing.

  "I'm afraid he's dead, Liegena," he said, turning back to her.

  Carrie was still standing where he'd left her. She took her hands away from her face.

  "He can't be dead. Try again. You've done it wrong!" Even she could hear the edge of hysteria in her voice.

  "No, Liegena," he said, stepping toward her. "I really am sorry, but he is dead."

  "He can't be, I tell you!" she said, her voice rising as she ran past him to the bed.

  Pushing Kaid's arm clear, she pulled back the covers and felt his chest. "He's still warm!" she said, reaching up for his neck to check his pulse for herself.

  "The fact he's still warm means nothing, Liegena. The body cools down after death. The covers will have prevented the heat from dissipating so quickly, that's all," Meral said. He reached out and took her by the arm. "Leave him, Liegena. I'll call Physician Vanna. You're distressing yourself. Please."

  "I've got a pulse, Meral," she said quietly. "My God, I've got a pulse! Get Vanna! No, get me something to keep him warm!"

  He leaned over her. "Let me," he said.

  She pulled back enough for him to feel the pulse.

  "You're right! I'll get Vanna and tell Zhala to fetch a warming blanket," he said, dashing out of the room.

  Carrie replaced Kaid's arm at his side, then pulled the covers up to his chin. Taking his head between her hands, she reached mentally for him, trying to locate his consciousness and call him back. She couldn't find him. It was as if he wasn't there. Memories of doing the same for Kusac came flooding back to her. She'd succeeded then, she couldn't fail now; but there was nothing, no response.

  Checking his pulse, she found it unchanged: slow, but definitely there. Perhaps his coldness was the clue. Leaving him, she ran to his shower and grabbed a towel. She began to dry off the moisture, then pulling the covers back again, began rubbing his arm and chest vigorously to try and speed up his circulation. After a couple of minutes she stopped and took his pulse again. She was sure it was faster. Not by much, but it was faster.

  She kept this up until Zhala came running in with a heating blanket. With her help, they stripped the covers back and wrapped him in it, turning the setting to medium to avoid overheating him.

  Again, she tried to reach his mind, but once more, it was as if he wasn't there. The front door opened and closed. She heard the sound of Vanna's feet taking the stairs at least two at a time. Then she was there beside her.

  Carrie moved round to the other side of the bed, sitting as close to Kaid as she could while she told Vanna what she knew.

  Her friend pulled the warming blanket away from him and threw it on the floor. "I know why you did it, but if he's had a stroke, that could be enough to kill him. It pulls the blood back to less vital organs," she said, checking his pulse and eyes before giving the rest of his body a quick check for swellings or wounds of any kind.

  "He was covered in moisture? That's most peculiar," she said, finally running her scanner over him. She checked his brain readings twice before looking over at Carrie. Her ears were lying back in distress.

  "He's alive, Carrie, no doubt about that, but his pulse is far too slow, and I'm getting no brain activity at all. How long has he been like this?"

  Carrie checked her wrist unit then looked over at Meral. "How long is it since I called you?"

  "Coming up for fifteen minutes now, Liegena," he said.

  "That's all I know," said Carrie. "You could add on an extra five minutes at most as the time it took me to call Meral."

  "He's got to be hospitalized. I need to do tests, have emergency equipment on hand in case he needs it," she said, getting up. "I suggest you call Kusac. There's nothing more we can do for him here."

  Vanna was speaking to the medical center when there was a sudden exclamation from Meral. A gust of hot wind rushed through the room and Kaid, gasping for air, sat up, a look of sheer terror on his face.

  Carrie grabbed hold of him, pulling him close and holding him tight.

  It took Kaid only moments to realize where he was, then he clung to her as if afraid that at any moment she'd disappear.

  "He's fine, Vanna," Carrie said over her shoulder. "It was a drug dream, nothing more."

  "I still want him admitted ..."

  "No. He's fine. He's staying here," she said firmly. Gradually, the calming effect of her mind touching his and her arms around him had the desired result, and his trembling began to lessen.

  For a moment more he rested aga
inst her, his face buried against her neck, his arm wrapped round her.

  "Can you tell me what happened?" she asked, her hand gently smoothing his hair.

  He nodded and began to pull away from her.

  "You don't have to move."

  "I need to lie down," he said. "I'm fine. Really."

  She let him go and he moved away to lie back against his damp pillows.

  "It was a drug dream," he said, looking up briefly as he felt Kusac arrive. "I was pulled back to the Cataclysm because there were two others there from our time. The Gods help me, I know what's happening. I know what Fyak's doing. It's all been planned, right down to the plant being left in the cavern for Fyak to find. He's using the sap as a drug to take him back to the Fire Margins. His God, Kezule, isn't a God. He's the Valtegan Commander in charge of the unit guarding the hatchery that was at Khezy'ipik, Fyak's lair."