Fortune's Wheel

by Lisanne Norman

  Kaid sat on for a while after Rulla had left. He had a lot of thinking to do. An old mirror had been held upin front of him again and he wasn't sure he liked the image in it.

  Chapter 14

  True to his word, Kusac rose early the next morning and, leaving Carrie still asleep, went through to thelounge to contact his father. He had no real idea of what he was going to say beyond the fact that he hadno intention of marrying Rala. What he did next depended on his father's reaction.

  Approaching the desk, he saw the message light was blinking urgently. With a sense of resignation, he satdown and keyed in the replay. It told him that because of problems in the peace talks with Earth, hisfather's presence on the Rhyaki was essential. His mother was due home that day, but until then he, Kusac, was in charge of the Clan and all mes-sages would be relayed to his comm. Groaning, he

  checked the time. Kaid would definitely be awake. Contacting him, he asked him to deal with any

  incoming calls for the time being.

  Switching off the comm, he rubbed his hands across his ears, frustrated at the delay. Having nervedhimself up to talk to his father, it was annoying to find that he was gone for several weeks. He paddedback to the bedroom, slipping quietly into the warmth of their bed. As he lay down beside her, from thedepths of sleep Carrie sensed his return and moved closer to him, matching her body to his. Her handreached back seeking his, bringing it forward to wrap around herself.

  He slid his tail across her legs, feeling the slight move-ment from her that told him she'd relaxed again. Since the night of their dream, she'd waken suddenly with a start, needing to see and touch himimmediately to reassure her-self he was still there. Beside him the light glowed faintly for her as it didevery night. For himself, every morning that he woke and found her there was a wonder he was afraidwouldn't last.

  His eyes began to close as he relaxed into the familiar touch and smell of her body against his.

  * * *

  As soon as Rhyasha reached her home on the estate, she sent a message to the guild requesting herdaughter's pres-ence immediately.

  Taizia was there within the hour. "Mother, it's good to see you," she said, greeting her with a hug.

  Fetching one of the large floor cushions, she planted it and herself by her moth-er's feet.

  "It's good to be home again," Rhyasha said. "C'shar?"

  "Please. How are the talks with Keiss going?"

  "They're complete," said Rhyasha with satisfaction, handing her a mug. "Even if I do say so myself, your father couldn't have done a better job. We had some interesting news before I left. There's been no sign of that Valtegan ship yet, and all attempts to find their home world have come up blank. However, the Chemerians have suddenly gone abso-lutely paranoid—even for them—about what they term 'our enemy' being a threat to their worlds. Considering the dis-tances involved between us and them, we're wondering if they know something that we don't. I left Vrail dealing with it. If he finds out anything, he'll let me know." She stopped to pick up one of the biscuits beside her.

  "Now tell me about your father. I hear he's headed out to Earth. What's happening there?"

  "The Terrans are reluctant to send us any telepaths. They say they haven't got any, so Father's on his way there armed with a copy of Carrie's encyclopedia. You remember, it's that book of knowledge you lent me your access code for. It lists the various centers of learning where they've been studying the Terran Talents for years."

  "I remember. Well, your father's sure to enjoy himself," she said dryly. "He always did like the cut and thrust of the diplomatic world. How's your brother and his Leska? Are they well? How are they settling in on Shola?"

  "Don't you mean his betrothed?" said Taizia, eyeing her mother over the top of her mug as she took a sip

  of her drink. "Carrie gave him a tore yesterday."

  Rhyasha nodded. "I expected she would. Has Kusac spo-ken to your father about it yet?"

  "Not to my knowledge. You got my message about Rala?"

  Rhyasha frowned. "Yes, I did. I've never been happy about your father's choice, now I'm utterlyconvinced she's wrong for him. The stupidity of her trying that old trick on Kusac! Neither her tantrumsnor her ingenuous act will have any effect on him, the opposite in fact, thank the Gods!"

  "Frankly, I'm glad. I never did like the idea of having Rala living here as my sister," said Taizia.

  Her mother sat and sipped her drink, amber eyes taking on a faraway look. "I knew Kusac's marriagewith Rala would give him very little emotional satisfaction and I'd just about given up hope of him everfinding a female he could care for. Then he finds Carrie." She sighed and her eyes refo-cused on herdaughter.

  Taizia leaned forward and took her mother's hand, strok-ing the soft golden fur. "Strange as it maysound, she's right for him. You know he's always enjoyed his studies. Well, now he has a lifetime todevote to studying his Leska's spe-cies."

  "What about her, though? Do you think she cares as much for him?"

  Taizia laughed, giving her mother's hand a gentle squeeze. "She's as besotted with him as he is with her!

  Never fear, they'll be happy, given half a chance," she said, her tone be-coming more somber.

  "You've reminded me why I sent for you," said Rhyasha, businesslike once more. "I've been trying to look ahead and decide what's best for the Clan in the long run. Kusac has two choices. To marry Rala, or not to marry her. If he de-cides to disobey his father and the Council by not marrying her, I'll have no option but to declare him outcast from the Clan. I'm sure he intends to break the contract; therefore, we have to find some reason for it to be dissolved before he does."

  "I know," said Taizia quietly. "I've already been thinking along the same lines."

  Rhyasha hesitated. "There is something else that has to be taken into consideration. If he does marry

  Carrie, he can't remain my heir. You'll have to be named."

  Her daughter sat there in stunned silence. "No," she said at last. "I refuse."

  "You can't. We need a marriage which will give the Clan heirs. Kusac's marriage to Carrie obviously

  won't, and since she's also his Leska, the duty falls to you."

  "I don't want my brother's position," Taizia said. "Why must he lose it? He can lead the Clan just as easily

  with an alien wife as he can with a Sholan one."

  "He can't provide heirs, you know that."

  "Then name my children his heirs!" she exclaimed, "but don't take the heirship away from him! It's been

  done before—in Grandfather's time—why not now?"

  "Kusac would gladly give it up," Rhyasha said dryly.

  "I'm sure he would, but he's been brought up to lead the Clan one day, I haven't. I know nothing about

  it."

  "You've as much common sense—if not more—than Kusac. Very well, if that's what you want," she sighed. "I'll name your future children as Kusac's heirs. I'd love to know why the Gods should bond him into a sterile link. I just hope he can cope with it. Since he's now behaving like any other competitive, virile male, he'll be experiencing the pull to-ward persuading her to have his cubs."

  "He'll cope," said Taizia. "He learned the painful way to control his aggression, as we all did. He'll probably work harder to compensate. Anyway, the physical shape of Terran females makes them appear to be pregnant all the time. That may in itself be enough."

  "Maybe," said Rhyasha. "Meanwhile, we need to find at least one good reason for the marriage contract

  to Rala to be dissolved. I won't let him be pushed into breaking the Clan laws."

  "Surely his Link to Carrie is reason enough. Do you know how close they are?"

  "I've a fair idea," admitted Rhyasha. "Enough to be very concerned as to the effects on both Carrie and Kusac if he had to pair with Rala to provide heirs. But his link isn't a good enough reason for the Council or for your father."

  Taizia glanced up at her mother. "Frankly, I don't think he'd be capable of pairing with Rala because ofthe
totality, of his Link with Carrie. What about using Rala's behavior at the guild as a valid reason?"

  "I intend to do that anyway," said Rhyasha, her voice be-coming hard. "That's what happens when a female is brought up almost exclusively by a doting father who re-fuses to listen to his female relatives' advice! I hope to change your father's opinion on the grounds that in complete defiance of guild rules, she is mentally manipulating people around her, and attempted to do the same to Kusac at a time when she knew he was vulnerable. Those certainly are ac-ceptable grounds for annulling a marriage contract."

  "I told you that Meral came to find me so I could accom-pany them to Rala's home. I can certainly testify

  as to her attitude then. She was projecting a most vile temper all the way back to her father's estate."

  "That will certainly help. Another worry of mine is con-cerned with Carrie. If he does intend to marry her within our Clan system, then she must have an escort when he isn't with her. Despite the fact there's no need to protect her honor until the wedding, all the proprieties must be seen to be followed. I don't want the Clan council to have any grounds for demanding an annulment."

  Taizia grinned. "That's the first thing we've discussed to-day where the news is good," she said. "I've justrealized how clever Kusac has been. He had Kaid escorting us yes-terday."

  Rhyasha looked thoughtfully at her daughter. "Did he? Then he is more perceptive than I thought. Do yourealize who Kaid is?"

  Her daughter frowned. "What do you mean? He's Kusac's adjutant, isn't he?"

  "That, too, but he is one of the Brothers of Vartra."

  "Ye Gods!" swore Taizia, her eyes widening in surprise. "She couldn't have a more acceptable escort,

  but why a Brother?"

  "There was an attempt on her life while they were on the Khalossa."

  "But why?"

  "Dissident survivors from the two dead colonies who didn't want the treaty with Earth."

  "I knew nothing about this. Tell me more," she said, tak-ing another drink of her c'shar and pulling a face

  as she re-alized it was now cold.

  * * *

  Myak was waiting for him when he came out of the scouter.

  "Captain Garras, Commander Raguul wishes to see you. If you would accompany me?"

  Garras padded alongside Myak, too tired to be curious. What he wanted was a shower, food, and hisbed. Food and sleep would do.

  The Commander looked up as they entered. "I don't know when I've had a tour of duty so full ofsurprises," he said, picking up a small sealed package and holding it out to him. "The Brotherhood hasreactivated your status. Your orders are in here, as is the location of your new posting."

  Garras took the package. "Thank you, sir," he murmured, too astonished to really take in what washappening.

  "Your transport is waiting in the central docking bay. You leave immediately." Raguul nodded toward his

  adjutant. "Myak had your personal effects packed. They've already been loaded."

  Raguul waited a moment for a response from Garras. When none was forthcoming, he spoke again. "Good-bye, Captain Garras. Doubtless your next appointment will be more interesting than the routinepatrols you've been flying here," he said with heavy sarcasm.

  "Yes, sir," said Garras, finally putting the anonymous en-velope into a pocket and turning to leave.

  Garras stopped dead in his tracks as he entered the bay. Crouched in the center with the fuel and oxygenlines being disconnected was a Stealth fighter. Dressed in the active ser-vice grays of his guild, the Captain stood by the side of his craft keeping a watchful eye on the maintenance crew.

  He turned as he heard Garras approach. "Captain Garras," he said, ears dipping in acknowledgement ofthe other's su-perior grade. "If you'd like to board, sir, you'll find a uni-form and food waiting for you inthe cabin area. I'll be with you as soon as I'm finished here."

  Garras nodded, letting his eyes rove over the sleek craft, in no hurry to board yet.

  "Beautiful, isn't she?" The young Captain's mouth opened in a proud grin. "You can travel up front with me if you like, or you can sleep in the cabin. It's a two man craft but with the space to squeeze in one passenger if necessary. My col-league flew the outward flight, so he'll probably bed down after takeoff."

  "Regretfully, so will I," said Garras, finally finding his voice. "I've just come off duty myself." He turned

  and headed for the steps up to the hatch.

  The inside of the craft was compact. The cabin had a table surrounded by three bench seats whichobviously doubled as very narrow beds. Set in the wall was a heater unit and in the cupboard above it hefound a variety of meal and hot drink packages. Dried protein strips and concentrated emer-gencyrations were in abundance, too.

  "Captain Garras?" came a voice from the flight deck.

  "Yes?"

  "Welcome aboard, sir. Help yourself to a meal. We'll be another ten minutes or so before we lift off.

  Blankets are stored under the benches along with the safety restraints."

  "Thank you." Garras took a c'shar pack and one of the less revolting looking packages of stew and put

  them in the heater. While he waited for them, he sat down and took out the package containing his

  orders. Ripping it open, he scanned the page quickly, his feelings ambivalent as he read the letter from the

  Brotherhood.

  He knew exactly who to thank for this. "You bastard, Kaid," he muttered under his breath. It had beenfifteen years since he left Stronghold, and now not only had he been recalled to active service by Kaid,but he'd requested him for an undercover job.

  The heater chimed. Folding up his orders, he stuffed them into his inside pocket, then got up to collect hisfood. He bit the end off the drink sachet and poured it into a disposable cup. Sitting down again, hepulled the tab on his meal pack and began to suck the contents. He hated eating processed food. Therewas no texture to it.

  So Kaid would meet him at Nazule Guild and brief him, would he? Well, he had a few things he wantedto say to him, too! Then a slow grin crossed his face. Dammit, but life had grown too staid. After hisexperiences on Keiss, the routine flights had left him bored out of his mind. The thought of returning to themerchant routes was almost as bad. The skills they'd both learned were never forgotten. They wereingrained into your body, not just your mind. Then there was Vanna. His grin faded. If there was stilltrou-ble looming for Kusac and Carrie, then Vanna could be in danger, too.

  He heard footsteps on the ladder outside as the Captain came aboard.

  * * *

  Kusac, accompanied by Meral and Sevrin, was taking some time off to visit his mother at the estate. Hisfather had been gone a week, but there had been no news from him as yet.

  They were heading for the vehicle park to hire an aircar, the secondary reason for their journey. Kusachad his own vehicle at the estate and he was intending to bring it back to the guild to be kept there.

  Kusac paid the fee, then they followed the assistant down into the bowels of the underground park. Sevrin let Kusac walk ahead of them with the assistant and touched Meral on the arm to draw hisattention.

  "Someone following us," he whispered.

  Meral's ears swiveled round, listening for the slightest sound. He started to shake his head, then he heardit too. The faintest click of claws on metal. As one they loosened their jackets, drawing the slim energypistols. Meral gestured Sevrin to go ahead and warn Kusac.

  He scanned the park in more detail now, checking the pools of shadow at the back of each empty bay,the concrete supporting pillars, the half-height landings fronted with open railings. A few meters aheadwas a doorway, another poten-tial hazard.

  Sevrin had stopped them and was gesturing for them to duck behind the vehicle in the adjacent bay.

  Kusac started to move, but the assistant's voice rang out in the silence.

  "Don't be ridiculous!" As she stepped toward the door-way an energy bolt hit her square in the back.

  Without
a sound, she pitched forward onto her face, dead before she hit the ground.

  Kusac flung himself into the bay, rolling across the ground till he was out of range behind the small privatecraft. As he came up in a crouch against the side of the ve-hicle, he heard the sound of another dischargefollowed by a grunt of pain from Sevrin as he staggered backward. He hit the side of the vehicle, the gunfalling from his hand as slowly he slid down to the ground.

  Keeping his head down, Kusac inched cautiously back to him, picking up the gun as he came to it.

  Carrie's presence flared in his mind, then was still. He knew she'd alerted Kaid.

  The front of Sevrin's chest was a gaping seared wound and his breath came in short pants. He turned hishead to-ward Kusac, eyes full of pain. Already they were beginning to dim. Kusac reached for his hand,aware of his agony but unable to help. Sevrin's eyes flickered once, then closed, his body suddenlybecoming still and limp.

  Deep in Kusac's throat an angry growl began to build. Letting Sevrin down to the ground, he checkedthe gun then mentally sought for their attackers. Meral was three bays away to his left and beyond him hecould feel two minds in-tent on more killing.

  Carefully he raised his head above the nose of the aircar, seeing the semi-darkness of the park lit up withflares from the weapons. Meral was pinned down, safe for the moment but unable to reach theirassailants on the half-level above.

  Measuring the distance to the doorway, he waited his mo-ment then dived away from the aircar, rollingacross the open park and coming to rest by the door. A kick and it was open. He tumbled through.

  Crouching low he hugged the walls, making his way care-fully up the few steps till he reached the nextfloor. The door opened inward this time, giving them no warning of his lo-cation. Keeping his head down,he waited till he heard shooting, then ran for the opposite side, diving between two vehicles. Keeping onevehicle between him and them, he checked for their minds. Awareness of Carrie's passive strength flaredwithin him and using their combined energy, he carefully probed at their two assailants. They weren't yetaware of him.