“More?” asked Vanna.
“We have confidential information to that effect.”
“How many more? More ships? Their world? What?”
“I’m not at liberty to say,” said Lijou, tight-lipped. “I want to go through all your dreams again, Brynne. Vanna, nothing you hear in this room, or pick up from Brynne, is to go any further. I need a Leska pair working for the Brotherhood at Stronghold for the foreseeable future. They must leave immediately. Can you get Garras to allocate us a team? Reliable, stable people, those with the longest mental reach.”
“Tamghi and Kora,” she said instantly. “What’s up with Vriuzu? Is he ill?”
“He has duties elsewhere,” said Lijou. “Please see to it immediately.”
“You’re on alert as of now,” he said to Brynne and Jurrel once she’d gone. “I’d hoped to avoid involving you, Brynne, but it seems we may have no choice. Whatever took the Rryuk’s Profit, and it looks likely that it involves Valtegans, has Brothers and Sisters capable of giving them the location of Shola. We could be facing a Valtegan invasion.”
“Have you told High Command?” asked Jurrel.
“High Command has given us the authority to deal with aspects of the situation,” said Lijou carefully. “As of yesterday, the Brotherhood is now a member of that council. Vartra warned us to mobilize our people, and we have done so.”
“I thought the halls were a little empty of late,” murmured Jurrel.
“Your visions are our best source of information, Brynne. More, you have an open invitation to visit Vartra. I need you to dream-walk to His realm today to see what more He can tell you.”
Brynne nodded. “I forgot to mention Dzaka told me Kashini woke again the same night I had my dream.”
“Let’s pray the cub is only aware of danger and not actually seeing what’s happening to her parents. I need to contact Master Rhyaz and update him,” Lijou said, turning back to the comm.
* * *
Crouched on the tree branch, Kezule could see the fence for twenty feet on either side of the disused gate. The night was hot, the air alive with the chirring of insects. Nearby, the ferals roamed, leaping over the low fence at will yet never triggering an alarm from the sensor grid.
Earlier in the evening, after he saw the one called Fayal jump the fence and leave for the town, he’d tried throwing a stone through. No response. It was as if there existed a dead spot that the alarm system couldn’t—or wouldn’t—pick up. Having watched the ferals, he thought knew why. For most species, they were deterrent enough. Not for him. All he had to do was emit the right scent and they’d be gone. He’d had to use it before when he’d disturbed a nesting pair with young. Fear of them had given way to anger at the thought he’d come all this way, survived the Sholans’ hunt, only to be torn to pieces by feral cats! His anger scent had had them squalling in terror and running for cover.
He looked up at the moon overhead. Only one tonight, and that on the wane. By his reckoning, it had been six hours since Fayal had gone out. Soon he should be back. Though almost convinced the sensors were permanently disabled at this point, he wasn’t prepared to take the risk. Far safer to wait for this Fayal to return and enter just behind him. And if the Sholan did sense him, then who would wonder at the ferals turning on him? Shifting uncomfortably, he eased his limbs a fraction, then settled down again, watching and waiting. He was going in tonight, one way or another. Two days he’d been sitting watching this place, ever since he’d seen the ferals leaping in and out without setting off the alarms. Now, at last, it had paid off.
When Fayal finally came, the noise of his approach was audible for several minutes. A soldier of this caliber disgusted Kezule. This was not a warrior, merely a drunk dressed up in a uniform. Had one of his troops behaved in such a way, he’d have been terminated immediately. But then, he reminded himself, this one was a lesser being, not worthy of recognition as a person.
Fayal emerged staggering from the overgrown pathway. Seeing the fence, he pulled himself upright, took a deep breath, and began to advance toward it more carefully.
“Mustn’t forget the ferries,” he muttered, stopping almost beneath Kezule’s hiding place to dig deep in his uniform jacket pocket. “Where did I put it? Wouldn’t think you could lose bits of chiddoe in a pocket! Ah, there you are,” he said cheerfully, pulling a sealed container out. With great deliberation, he began to open it.
Kezule was also keeping an eye on the ferals. Unnoticed by Fayal, the larger female had been laying in wait for him and was now cautiously emerging from the undergrowth. Belly flat to the ground, tail extended behind her flicking lazily at the tip, she inched her way toward the drunken Sholan.
Fayal, meanwhile, had pulled one of the bloody gobbets of meat from his container and was peering around, looking for the ferals.
“Here, ferrie, ferrie,” he chanted, waving the piece of meat in the air.
The scent of the blood was enough for the large feline. It leaped at the Sholan, hitting him square in the chest and bringing him down to the ground.
Fayal’s cry of terror was drowned out by the cat’s snarl as, dodging his flailing arms, it lunged for the meat. Its jaws closed on Fayal’s arm instead and suddenly, both were fighting for their lives.
The commotion brought the male and the two half-grown cubs running to join in the fray. Within moments, the fight was over and the feeding frenzy had begun.
The feral’s leap had thrown Fayal some six feet from the tree trunk. Now the cats were pulling and tugging the body around, snarling and snapping at each other. The sight sickened Kezule. His people eliminated any predator likely to threaten them as a matter of policy. To see a sentient being devoured by such animals, even if there was a rough justice to it, was not pleasant.
He remembered why he was there. Now, while the ferals were occupied, would be the safest time to go—he hoped. He stood up, and gripping the trunk with his claws, stepped onto the next thick branch, taking himself farther from the felines. If he crawled along it to the middle before dropping to the ground, it gave him the shortest distance to the fence. Once there, he could make for the tree he’d spotted during daylight. It had several limbs low enough for him to leap up and grab hold of. The ferals could climb trees, but he doubted they’d be willing to leave that much meat to come after him.
Cautiously he edged along the branch, squatting at the farthest point that would bear his weight. He waited for his moment, eyes never leaving the ferals as they ripped and tore at what to them was only a carcass. He sprang, jumping outward, landing only a few feet from the fence. Clearing it in one bound, he raced for the tree, having a moment’s panic as he briefly lost his bearings. Then he was jumping for the branch, legs swinging in midair as he scrabbled with his claws for a hold. He could feel their hot breath on his legs, he knew he could, then he was up and clutching tightly to the branch.
Heart pounding, he looked over the edge. The ferals were where he’d left them, though the female was looking in his direction, sniffing the air and snarling. He shivered, then very slowly, edged back along the branch till he reached the bole of the tree. Leaning back against the trunk, he paused to catch his breath. He was in, and he was alive. Now he had to move on, just in case the alarm had been triggered.
* * *
Day 35
Master Rhyaz got to his feet as L’Seuli entered his office. The younger male looked tired and drawn.
“Master Rhyaz,” he said, touching his right fist to his left shoulder in salute. “You asked me to report as soon as I got back.”
“Finished so soon, L’Seuli? I really didn’t expect you for another two days at the earliest.”
“I knew the matter was urgent, Master Rhyaz. The outpost jump points are far faster than the normal routes, especially in Striker.”
“Sit down and make your report, then, Commander,” he said, gesturing to the chair by his desk.
“Thank you,” said L’Seuli, accepting the seat gratefully. “All four outpost
s are fully manned and ready, with provision made to accept the extra designated craft when the time comes. Training missions for flight and gunnery crews have already been implemented and morale is high. The commanders are aware of the possibility of incoming signals or telepathic messages from our missing personnel, and the likelihood of pursuit. Or possibly, of invasion.”
Rhyaz nodded. “Well done. I’ve had similar reports in from our agents in the Forces. Those Brothers and Sisters who could not be recalled under some pretext are ready to leave immediately they get the word. Transport will be arranged from each sector to take them to Refuge, ready to crew the Va’Khoi. What’s her current status?”
“My visit to Refuge took an extra day,” said L’Seuli. “I took the time to inspect the Va’Khoi thoroughly. They’re still working on the main drive problem but as for the rest, the ship’s up and running. As you know, the refit should have been completed by your predecessor, Ghezu, but he decided to scale down the work. Our people have done extremely well in the short time they’ve had.”
“Let’s hope Ghezu’s delay doesn’t cost us dearly,” said Rhyaz. “How long till she’s fully operational?”
L’Seuli consulted his wrist comm. “Should be ready in a day or two if she isn’t ready now,” he said. “Captain T’Chaku said if she had a Touiban swarm, she’d have been ready two weeks ago.”
“You know we couldn’t reveal we have these resources,” said Rhyaz with a sigh. “If we’d been able to call in a swarm, we’d have been ready four years ago! When do they plan to test the Va’Khoi?”
“As soon as the drive is on-line and they get the go ahead from you. They have enough of a crew to man her for that, thankfully. The comp simulations looked good.”
“I’ll contact Captain T’Chaku tonight. Thank you, L’Seuli. Go and rouse the kitchen for something to eat, then get some rest. I’ll hear the remainder of your report tomorrow.”
L’Seuli began unfastening the gold commander’s insignia as he got to his feet.
Rhyaz frowned as he realized what his aide was doing. “Keep the rank for now, L’Seuli. When this finally breaks, I want you out there organizing security for the exchange of hostages.”
“As you wish, Master Rhyaz,” murmured L’Seuli, taking his leave.
* * *
Day 36
It was late afternoon of the next day before Brynne and Father Lijou were ensconced in one of the rooms at the Shrine with the meditation lamp.
“I’ll watch you as before,” said Lijou, arranging himself comfortably on the prayer mat.
Brynne nodded and began to recite the litanies that would allow him to slip into a light trance. He was still somewhat nervous and Lijou picked it up.
“There is nothing for you to fear, Brynne. As I’ve told you, you have Vartra’s invitation to travel to His realm.”
* * *
Vartra was not alone. Noni was with him, but it wasn’t the Noni Brynne knew. This one was younger. The pelt and long, braided hair were no longer snow white but a rich brown; her back was straighter and she had no need of the stick.
“What you doing here, boy?” she demanded of him as Vartra let him into his cottage. She turned on the Entity, who, totally unperturbed, went for the jug of water and mugs on the sideboard. “He shouldn’t be here!”
“I told you not to interfere, Noni,” Vartra said, returning to the table. “Sit, Brynne. You’re welcome here. Noni was leaving.”
She frowned. “I was, was I?”
“You were. Our business is concluded, Grandmother.”
“Who brought him to you? Was it that tree-climbing, good for nothing Dhaika?”
As Brynne took a seat as far from her as possible, he could tell that though her outward form might have changed, she had not.
“I did. You asked for the price to be paid, Noni,” said Vartra, holding her gaze with his. “It will be. Our way. And he is part of it.”
Muttering under her breath, Noni got to her feet and turned to leave. As she went through the door, she looked back, fixing a steely glare on Brynne. “You, boy, did not see me here.” Then she was gone.
“A strong female,” said Vartra as the door closed behind her. “I will miss her when her time comes.” He looked up at Brynne. “No, it’s not soon,” he said, mouth opening in a slight smile. “She stands for the old, wild ways of Shola, before the days of the guilds. Soon she will bring Teusi, the next generation, to me—a male for a female.” He sighed, then picked up the jug to pour water into the two mugs.
“What brings you to my realm, Brynne Stevens? I see you have found Keeza Lassah.” He pushed a mug toward Brynne, picking up his own. “And a cub on the way, too.” He raised his mug to the Human before drinking.
Brynne picked up his drink. “You know about her?” He sipped the water. “Stupid question, really.”
“She has her part to play.”
“Did you send her to me? She said she followed a dream of Noni’s garden and the smell of her nung tree.”
“Not me. Perhaps Ghyakulla had a little to do with it.”
“Tell me how come I feel her in my mind when I already have a Leska and a third,” Brynne asked abruptly. “Garras is no telepath, is that why Keeza and I have a bond?” He took another drink from the mug, a larger one this time.
“There are no set groupings for you En’Shallans. What you are experiencing is the beginnings of something new. A community of people, all bound together by their Talents, be they great or small. Not in your lifetime, Brynne, but it’ll be there for your children. You haven’t told me yet why you came,” he said gently.
Brynne blinked owlishly at him. He was finding it difficult to focus on his surroundings and was beginning to feel a little light-headed. He took another drink, then stopped, looking suspiciously at the mug before carefully putting it down. “Father Lijou sent me to ask what’s going on,” he said. “We know the Valtegans have got them, but we don’t know why or which ones.”
“Then you know more than I do. My knowledge is limited outside my realm, Brynne, as is the help I can give.”
“What is your realm?”
“Look around you,” invited Vartra. “What do you see?”
Gazing around the room, he peered through the haze gathering in front of his eyes. Images of gray-clad Sholans, weapons drawn, facing off an unseen enemy flicked into being: the blackness of space, sounds of conflict, and the scent of ozone in the air after energy weapons had been discharged.
“Then you’ve seen what’s coming for yourself,” he heard Vartra say as the scenes faded to darkness. “Danger lurks closer to home for some. You have to solve your own problems, Brynne. Use the skills Derwent taught you, then you can see without drinking the water from Ghyakulla’s well.”
The voice was fading now, leaving Brynne in darkness and silence as his head slumped down to hit the table.
* * *
With a gasp, Brynne came to and found himself back in the Shrine with Father Lijou helping him sit up. There was a mug of water in the priest’s hand for him. He groaned, pushing the proffered drink aside as, inside his mind, he heard the faint sound of laughter.
“I hate it when He does that,” muttered Brynne, putting his hand up to rub his head.
“What?” asked Lijou.
“Laughs like that.”
“Kaid always said it was the most disconcerting thing about his visions,” agreed the priest.
“That is only water, isn’t it?”
Lijou frowned. “Of course.”
“Good,” he said, taking the mug from him and draining it. “Because I just got slipped a spiked drink by Vartra.”
“You saw something then?”
“Yes. Armed Brothers in space.”
“Where? Could you see where?”
“I don’t know anything about space, Father Lijou. I wouldn’t recognize the inside of a starship from a space station. It didn’t look like all-out war, though. They were in a ship or a station, not fighting in small craft.”<
br />
“Contact.”
“Yeah, you could say that,” he agreed, considering it for a moment. “He told me to use the stuff Derwent taught me rather than go drinking water from His well again.”
Lijou looked at him expectantly.
“Maybe it’s time I told you what Derwent taught me,” Brynne said with a sigh. “One of the things I can do is go and look at a distant place, provided either there is someone there I know, or I have some information about where I’m going. It’s as if I’m actually there.”
“How far can you travel like this?” This wasn’t new. Carrie and Kusac had done it before.
He shrugged. “Distance didn’t seem to matter when we tried it. I could visit places back on Earth.”
Lijou stared at him. “You could travel to where Kusac and Carrie are,” he said. “Find out what’s happening. Can you talk to people? Affect your surroundings at all?”
“I’m just an observer as far as I know.”
Lijou’s wrist comm buzzed, alerting him to an incoming call. He pressed receive and found Rhyaz’ face looking at him.
“I’m with Brynne at the Shrine,” he said.
“Call me back,” said Rhyaz, signing off abruptly.
Lijou looked up at Brynne. “You’ll have to excuse me. I’ll meet you back at your house. You’re fit to return on your own?”
Brynne nodded, getting to his feet. “Just tired,” he said.
Chapter 14
Kaid had woken early, relieved, despite the Prime’s assurances, to find Carrie curled against him still asleep. In the three nights she’d been back, this was her first restful sleep without nightmares. He hadn’t been sure how best to help her. With T’Chebbi, it had been easier. She’d been kept prisoner by the Claws for several months before he was able to escape Stronghold and go back to Ranz for her. Then they were running for their lives; there was no time to stop and worry about anything else. He’d taken her to Noni, where the Brothers had been waiting for him. The repercussions of his illicit leave of absence had seen him incarcerated for several weeks before he was allowed to visit Noni again to see her.
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