Understandably, Carrie hadn't felt like going back down to the concourse to shop for clothes so they hadtaken ad-vantage of Kaid's suggestion to have the storekeeper bring a selection up to their suite. Kusachad made sure she'd cho-sen several different outfits, telling her not to worry about the cost.
For the reception she'd chosen a deep blue split-paneled robe which they'd had edged with a darkpurple border. Shoes had proved a problem until she remembered the pair of simple black slippers thatwere among the few things she'd had sent from home. Round her waist was a plain black leather belt witha dagger hanging from it.
"Why the dagger?" she asked, coming back into their bed-room.
"Ceremonial." Kusac was digging in his drawer for an arm bracelet. "It harkens back to our less peaceful
days, and looks good to the peasants," he added with wry humor.
Kaid winced at the sarcastic tone'.
"Well, what reason would you give?" Kusac asked him.
"It goes back to those days, certainly. The years after the Cataclysm, when no one went unarmed. The size of the knife shows that it has devolved from a sword, and that though more peaceful now, we're prepared to fight should the need arise."
"Neat, and it has the ring of truth to it," said Kusac, slip-ping the bracelet over his shirt to sit snugly above
his elbow. "It sounds very like one of the Warriors' maxims to me."
Kaid shrugged and moved forward to hand Kusac his belt.
"Well, I'm ready," Carrie said, standing up. His mother's attendant gave a final twitch to the folds of her
robe, then stood back.
"The Clan Leader sent this for you to wear tonight," mur-mured Miosh, taking a sleeveless black
over-robe out of the package she'd been carrying. She held it out for Carrie to put on.
Kusac heard a slight intake of breath from Kaid and looked up at her. He nodded his head slowly, thepresence of the black over-robe not lost on him either.
"The Terran part of me knows how your own people will admire you tonight," he said. "The Sholan loves
your beauty. Cub, you look wonderful, and you've got legs!"
Carrie grinned, running her hands down the front of the split-paneled dress that almost, but not quite, hidher bare legs.
"The styles are so flattering," she said. "I've never had any-thing like this to wear before, nor the occasion
to wear it."
She looked appraisingly at him. He wore a shorter version of her tunic but in a soft olive color with awhite full-sleeved shirt on beneath. The purple border of his guild was on the hem and neck of the tunic.
"Come to think of it, I've never seen you in anything other than your uniform. You look pretty good
yourself. What do the colors signify?"
Kusac looked down at himself. "Nothing particularly," he said. "I just happen to like them. They're theclothes I brought with me."
"The Clan Leader sent a robe for you also, Liegen," said the attendant, handing the garment to Kaid.
"My mother is nothing if not thorough," said Kusac rue-fully, taking it from her and putting it on.
"What's the significance of the black robe?" she asked. "I ought to know, but I can't find the memory of
it."
"Worn as an outer robe it's our Clan color," said Kusac. "Well, we might as well get this over with," he said, putting his arm round Carrie's waist. "Let me guess, Kaid. We have an honor guard to escort us there, right?"
'Tomorrow you will have your Warriors in military uni-form, Liegen. For tonight, you must be seen to
have a proper honor guard. Your mother will have one, too."
"It's as well all Leskas don't have these problems," said Kusac as they crossed the lounge toward the
door, "else there would be very few Leska pairs."
"There haven't been many Leskas amongst the Clan Leader's immediate family, Liegen," murmured Kaid.
* * *
"Commander, you said my daughter would be here to-night. Where is she?" asked Peter Hamilton.
"She'll be here, Mr. Hamilton," Raguul assured him. "They have been unavoidably delayed I'm afraid."
'They?" he asked sharply. "Who's they?"
"She's with Liegen Aldatan's mother at present," inter-rupted Myak, coming to his Commander's rescue.
"They'll be here shortly, sir."
"This isn't good enough, Commander. Whenever I've tried to contact my daughter, I'm told she's busy or
can't be found. I want to know why you appear to be frustrating my attempts to see her."
"Mr. Hamilton, on a ship the size of the Khalossa it's just not possible to know where everyone is at a
given time," said Raguul.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Commander, but I have a message for you," said Myak. "The Chemerian Ambassador wishes to see you urgently." Myak pointedly stood waiting for Commander Raguul to follow him.
"Do excuse me, Mr. Hamilton," said Raguul, taking his leave. "Myak, thank you," he said as soon as they were out of earshot. "Hamilton's really beginning to annoy me. Find someone to keep him occupied for now. We should have held this tomorrow and let him have tonight to speak to his daughter!"
"We couldn't do that, sir. Tomorrow is their Link day. Have you forgotten they need every fifth day to
them-selves?"
Raguul muttered darkly under his breath as he went over to the Chemerian. Myak headed off to find Joto keep Mr. Hamilton occupied if not entertained.
* * *
They went down to the reception suite in the company of Rhyasha and her guard.
/ see we're presenting a united front, Mother, sent Kusac.
They'll gossip anyway. As well give them a good reason , she answered imperturbably.
"I'm not sure I want to go, Kusac," said Carrie quietly. "I don't think I can cope with my father yet."
"You'll do fine," said Rhyasha, taking her hand and pat-ting it reassuringly. "We're with you tonight and eventually your father has to return to Keiss while you remain here with Kusac. It's only for a few hours." She looped her arm through Carrie's and smiled down at her.
Kusac took her other hand. "He can't make you do what he wants any more, just remember that. If youkeep your shield up, it'll help you feel calmer."
They entered the reception suite like that, Carrie arm in arm with his mother, Kusac holding her otherhand.
Commander Raguul, flanked by the ever attentive Myak, came forward to greet them.
"Clan Leader Aldatan," he said, inclining his head toward her. "Well come to the Khalossa." As he
turned to Carrie and Kusac, his ears twitched briefly.
"Commander, I don't think you've met my son and his Leska yet," Rhyasha said smoothly. "Liegen Kusac
Aldatan and Liegena Carrie."
Kusac and his mother were well aware of the Sholans' re-action to her words. Like it or not, she hadplaced Carrie firmly under the protection of the Aldatan Clan and given her blessing to their relationship. They had to accept it and act accordingly.
"Liegen, Liegena," said Raguul with a nod to each of them. He turned back to Rhyasha. "Let me
introduce you to the Terrans, Clan Leader," he said.
I'm here if you need me, she sent to both of them as she moved off in the company of the Commander.
Kusac put his arm round Carrie's waist and nodded to-ward where Garras stood talking to Mito and
Anders.
"Let's join them," he said, drawing her over in their direc-tion. Kaid followed them while Meral and
Sevrin stood back near the door, watching them from a distance.
Carrie was beginning to feel decidedly ill-at-ease. She had caught a glimpse of her father across the roomas Rhyasha was escorted over to him. He caught her eye for a moment, then had to look away as the Commander began to talk to him.
In hiding her fears from Kusac and his mother she had left herself open to her father, and now his feelingscame flood-ing over her. For a moment she saw Kusac through his eyes, was aware
of the alienness ofhim not only in the fact that he resembled a furred animal, but in his height and strength compared to thefragility of his only daughter. His fear for her physical safety swamped her, and with a shudder sheblocked him out.
The residue of his reaction remained with her, though, and she found herself feeling alienated fromeveryone—Terrans and Sholans alike.
Garras looked up as they approached. His eyes narrowed slightly and his pupils contracted to slits as hecaught sight of Kaid behind them.
Kusac sensed his recognition and glanced at Kaid, mo-tioning him forward. "You know each other?"
"We met during basic training at the Warrior Guild, sir," said Kaid, taking the lead.
Kusac glanced from one to the other.
Garras is concerned, sent Carrie. Kaid is as always .
"Kaid, there's no need for you ^o be on duty," said Kusac. "Enjoy yourself. Someone ought to," he
added with a flick of his ears and a slight grin.
"Carrie, don't you look grand!" said a voice from behind her.
She turned round to hug her brother. "Richard! I didn't expect to see you."
"Jack's here," he said. "Come and talk to him. You don't mind, do you, Kusac?"
"Not at all," he said.
"Quite the secretive one, aren't you?" said Garras as they watched her walk away with her brother,
Sevrin following at a respectful distance.
"Your entrance caused quite a stir. No one was expecting that. Still, if you have the backing of your
family, there should be no insurmountable problems."
"I've yet to speak to my father," said Kusac, turning back to him.
"Carrie's father is about somewhere," said Anders. "I'd watch out for him if I were you. He's got a
stubborn look to him tonight."
"Thanks for the warning," said Kusac. "Mito, nice to see you."
"Kusac," she said, putting a hand on Anders' arm. "I heard about the shooting. Carrie's all right?"
"She's fine. The injury was minor, thankfully."
"Watch yourselves," she said, her tone serious. "I'm afraid that Guynor's threat wasn't empty."
Kusac looked puzzled. "I'm sorry, Mito, but I don't see the connection. The man who shot Carrie wasafter someone else. He was under the influence of illegal drugs."
"He was from Khyaal, like Guynor," said Mito. "Just be careful, that's all."
"Anders, why don't you take Mito over to the buffet to get something to eat." A tone of command
underlay Garras' suggestion.
"Yes, sir," said Anders, drawing Mito away.
"Is there anything I should know?" Kusac asked Garras. "Or is Mito being her usual melodramatic self?"
"Probably just Mito," said Garras. "I should think you've enough to contend with tonight without dealing
with imagi-nary problems."
"I think I could do with a drink," said Kusac. "What about you?"
"I've got one, thanks."
Kusac made his way over to one of the long tables and asked for a glass of wine—supplied by the Terrans, the rat-ing who served him said. Wanting a little peace and quiet, he ambled toward an emptychair—one of the comfortable ones.
"Liegen Aldatan," said a voice at his elbow.
Looking round, he found himself face-to-face with the Commander. He inclined his head. "Sir."
"We haven't met properly, but already I feel I know you through the piles of paperwork that you've
generated," said Raguul.
"Me?" Kusac asked, surprised.
"You. You've no idea how much red tape your father has torn apart, trying to get your military status
rescinded."
Kusac sighed. "I've a fair idea."
"Oh? Then you might not be displeased to find that the Commander-in-Chief has refused him."
"Really?" Kusac's ears pricked up.
The Commander nodded. "We feel that taking all the cir-cumstances into account, the best thing we cando is place you on indefinite leave on Shola. You were training for Alien Relations, weren't you?"
Kusac nodded in agreement.
"You'll be able to finish your training there."
"Why go to all that bother?" he asked, frowning.
"Because of your Leska and her ability to fight. You seem to have absorbed some of her attitudes, and quite frankly, telepaths who can take part in combat situations could be an advantage to us. I don't say we have a need for them at the moment, but should that need arise, I want to be able to re-call you both at any time."
"Which is why we need to go to the guild to work on our Link and find its limitations. I can see it all now.
I'm afraid I have to say that I don't approve of the military using tele-paths in combat, Commander."
"You're already working for the military, Liegen. How-ever, don't prejudge a situation that hasn't yet
occurred and may never do so."
He turned to look in Carrie's direction. "Speaking of Leskas, was that a wise move?" he asked, noddingtoward her. "I believe your father has other plans even if your mother lends her support."
"I have plans, too, Commander," Kusac said quietly.
"I hope you know what you're taking on."
"What do you think?" Kusac asked, looking unblinkingly at him.
"I think you'll win, Liegen Aldatan," he said abruptly. "Your actions so far demonstrate honor if not
wisdom. I wish you success."
Kusac flicked his ears in thanks.
"When do we leave for Shola?"
"When I have a craft free to send you," the Commander said, moving away. "Oh, I thought you'd like to know that you can have your physician. I consider it a very wise move on your part." He smiled, then headed for the buffet table.
Preoccupied by what the Commander had said, Kusac didn't realize he was being approached until ahand clapped him on the shoulder, almost making him jump out of his skin.
"Kusac," said a cheery Terran voice. "I'm glad to see my poor doctoring returned you to full health."
"Jack Reynolds?" said Kusac, slipping politely out from under the hand and turning to greet the Terran.
"Aye, no doubt you remember me," he said grinning, "but I had to have you pointed out to me by Carrie.
You aren't the only one here with black fur, you know, and with your upright posture and clothing you
look totally different. How you put up with my poking and prodding, I'll never know. You were probably
heartily sick of it long before I was fin-ished."
"Not at all," said Kusac. "I was extremely grateful to you for saving my life. I'm very glad to have the
opportunity to thank you in person."
"Think nothing of it, lad. I thought you were far too pa-tient for a forest cat even then," said Jack. "I'll
have to re-write all my notes on Keissian felines now!"
"I seem to be creating quite a pile of paperwork wherever I go," said Kusac wryly.
"Eh? Oh, you and Carrie. Yes, I gather you've caused quite a stir among your own people, not to
mention ours. Tell me more about this Link you have."
"It's just a telepathic Link," said Kusac.
Jack shot him a piercing glance. "Just, eh? Don't give me that, laddie. I saw the two of you arriving. Can'tthink when I've seen a cozier pair so obviously at ease with each other."
Kusac glanced around sharply, mentally scanning to see if any other Terrans had overheard them. Hetook Jack by the arm, drawing the doctor toward a quiet corner of the room which boasted two emptychairs.
"I knew there was more to it," said Jack in a satisfied tone as he lowered his bulk into one of the chairs. He gri-maced as he sank back in the seat. "This furniture definitely wasn't made for the likes of me," he said, eyeing his slightly rotund frame. "But you lot, it's just a treat for you. You can curl up in them. Now, tell me about you and Carrie."
"The Link is telepathic, but it's total. A blending of mind and body," said Kusac, leaning forward so he
<
br /> could speak quietly.
"How? Tell me more about it. I've been convinced all along that Carrie's talents could be explained
scientifically."
"I don't know the mechanics, only the effects. We're con-stantly in communication with each other. Our
minds are never alone."
"How on Earth do you keep your own identity?"
"We do have our own thoughts," he said, "but there is some overlap, of course. We need time to see
how it will de-velop, because what we have isn't a normal Leska Link, it's far more intense."
"Hm. You said body and mind. Is pain the only physical sensation you share?"
Kusac frowned, sitting back a little. "Our Link's very dif-ferent from what Carrie and Elise shared," hesaid. "The body is made up of senses, and ours… communicate… on a physical level, confirming andconsolidating the mental Link. Every fifth day the Link draws us together physically so our minds canmerge totally. The experiences we've each acquired are then sorted into our separate memories wherewe can assimilate and understand them. Without that close-ness, our minds couldn't cope with the Link. It would liter-ally overload our systems and kill us. It's analogous to the body needing sleep so the mindcan file all the experiences of the day."
"This Link sounds like it should be avoided if at all pos-sible," said Jack, shaking his head. "I assume that
whatever happens to you, happens to her, just as it did with her sister."
Kusac's tail flicked, his ears trying to fold down. "No," he said sharply. "Not like her sister. I have moreto give her. Elise gave only pain."
Jack leaned forward, frowning in concern as he patted Kusac on the hand. "Now, don't take me wrong. I never meant that. I can see you care about her. I do have a per-sonal interest in you both, you know."
Kusac relaxed slightly, again moving away from Jack's hand.
"What is it?" asked Jack, picking up on the gesture. "Have I done something I shouldn't? Your people
seem to be free of many of our taboos. Don't you touch unless you're related?"
Kusac grinned. "The scientist at work again. Yes, we're very tactile but telepaths are a rule untothemselves. We don't like being touched unless we invite that intimacy. I told you, our bodies sense asmuch as our minds. Imagine being touched by someone who dislikes you. You can't avoid sensing all thathate directed toward you." Kusac wrinkled his nose. "It's far from pleasant."
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