Fortune's Wheel

by Lisanne Norman

  "Why should we be interested? Our guild teaches us that life now is far superior to anything we could

  have achieved then."

  "But I've seen old vases and ornaments not only here but at the guild!"

  "Every family has its share of relics kept by our ances-tors," said Taizia. "They get bought and sold like

  anything else unless someone in the family really likes them."

  "Don't you have any records of your past?" Carrie was ut-terly bewildered. This was a side to Sholan culture she hadn't realized existed till now. How could they be so incu-rious about their race's history?

  "Of course we do! The guilds record our achievements and most families keep their own archives, but

  what we achieve in our own lifetimes is far more important."

  "Aren't you at all curious about how they lived just after the Cataclysm? Or how the towns were

  destroyed?"

  "Not me," said Taizia firmly, shaking her head. "There's enough to be done today without worrying about

  our past. The stories tell us all we need to know about our ancestors and Gods."

  Carrie realized that Taizia had said all she was prepared to on the subject of the Cataclysm.

  "Have you've got a lot of Gods besides Vartra?" she asked, returning to the original conversation.

  "More than you could count! Most people aren't bothered one way or another, religion being a personal matter, with the priesthood to help when needed, but every now and then there's a renewed interest in a more formal belief system. Vartra is the most enduring of the Gods."

  "Ghyan, the male who married us last night, is a telepath, yet he's also a priest in the Temple."

  "You had a temple wedding?" Taizia grinned. "All the way along the trail Kusac's done what the Clan laws de-mand. No one will be able to fault your bonding on any grounds! Mother will be delighted."

  "Excuse me?"

  "In the Clan families it isn't enough to be life-bonded, you have to have observed all the proprieties, like the ex-change of tores, having an acceptable escort to protect your honor if you're female, and then the temple wedding."

  "I thought you could pair with anyone you wanted," said Carrie. "Why should escorts be so important

  because you're betrothed?"

  "The succession, of course. The families need to know your children belong to your husband. Even though with you two there could be no doubt now, unless the rules had been followed, then the Council could call your life-bonding into question and have it annulled. Kusac has made sure that ac-cusation can't be leveled against you."

  "Ah," said Carrie, digesting this for a moment. "And Ghyan?"

  "He's a friend of Kusac's from way back. He's head of our temple at present. He organizes the work of

  the lay brothers and conducts any services that need to be carried out."

  "I thought that the Brothers were those from Kaid's guild."

  Taizia looked distinctly uncomfortable. "That's the Broth-erhood of Vartra. They're a sub-sect of the

  Warrior Guild, and they're entirely different from the lay brothers."

  "I see," Carrie said slowly, confused over the subtle dif-ferences. She gave up trying to understand.

  Kusac or Kaid would be able to explain it to her. "Why have a telepath in charge?"

  "Don't you know nontelepaths believe we can see into people's souls?" Taizia said, adopting a mock serious voice. "Actually, they're not so far wrong, but there aren't very many of us telepaths, so we're spread thinly among the var-ious guilds that need us, which means only one for the main temple in each city."

  "Why bother with a shrine in the house if you've got tem-ples, and why the special bond between the

  Warrior and the Telepath Guilds?"

  "You're full of questions today," Taizia said. "As I've al-ready told you, the shrine is where we place the ashes of our family for Vartra to look after. It's also believed by some that we can access the telepathic energy from our forefa-thers, but I've never come across anyone who can, or who knew anyone who could. As for the relationship between Warriors and telepaths, since we're physically more at risk because of our talent, the Warriors protect us. Ghyan be-lieves that at one time telepaths could fight and that Vartra was a real person who was both a Warrior and telepath, but his views are considered eccentric." She uncurled herself and got to her feet.

  "Now enough of the questions," she said. "I'm starving. How about we go and raid the kitchen? Third meal won't be served until Father and Kusac come out of the shrine and that might be some time. Besides, it's been Mother's baking day, so there's bound to be something nice to eat."

  Carrie grinned. "Brilliant idea," she said.

  * * *

  The shrine was a small building set onto the exterior of the main house with its entrance in the corridoroutside the lounge. It was kept well tended, but unless there was a fu-neral or someone wished for the God's intervention, rarely were candles lit and incense burned.

  Kusac smelled the incense as soon as he stepped into the corridor. Walking down to the doorway, hepushed the door open. His father was sitting on a bench at the back of the room. Between them stoodthe carved stone altar. The single candle set in front of the incense burner flared briefly.

  His father opened his eyes, ears flicking in acknowledg-ment of his son's presence. "I knew you'd find mehere," he said tiredly.

  "You look as if you've been awake all night, Father," said Kusac, remaining by the door.

  "I should have had more faith in you," Konis sighed, leaning back against the wall. "I saw only the needs of the Sixteen Clans and conveniently assumed you were exagger-ating the depth of your bond to Carrie when it threatened to upset my carefully laid plans. I forgot you were never one to exaggerate, quite the opposite. No, let me finish," he said, knowing his son was about to speak.

  "The facts were all there for me to see had I but used half the application I tried to bring to bear on you

  over that damned marriage. I knew you loved Carrie, but not the depth of that love."

  Konis raised his head and looked Kusac straight in the eyes. "I know about the sacrifice you wereprepared to make for her on the Khalossa. That had been kept from me until you gave me Vanna's files."

  Kusac looked away. "I didn't read the early stuff," he murmured.

  "Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It lets you know just how much of a fool you've been. While we tried to ease Raill's and Lynn's deaths, I was briefly included in your Link with Carrie. Its intensity shocked me. For what it's worth, Kusac, I'm sorry. Had I realized before then what exists between you, I would have broken the contract when you first asked."

  "You did what you thought was right, Father."

  "Thank you for having the forbearance not to say 'I tried to tell you,' " Konis said with a strained look on

  his face. "Come and sit with me."

  He waited until Kusac had joined him. "I like Carrie, you know. Despite the obvious physical differences,she's very like us. She's brought you out of your shell and taught you what it means to be an adult male. I've a feeling you'll get your wish. You'll never find life dull again."

  Kusac grinned. "Not with Carrie."

  His father was silent for a minute. "I contacted Rala's family," he said. "The contract has been dissolved. Ihad to mention the genetic changes, but that will be common knowledge before long anyway."

  "I can live with that," said Kusac.

  "Rala was present during the discussion, as was her right, but when I mentioned dropping the Challenge she went into a rage. She claimed she'd been insulted by both of you and refused to allow it to be nullified even though now she'd gain nothing by winning."

  "So there's no way out."

  "I'm afraid not," said his father. "I tried every argument I could think of to persuade her to change her

  mind. Then,

  I regret, I made a tactical error. I told her Carrie was preg-nant."

  "Ah," said Kusac, ears flicking backward along his skull.


  "I'm afraid I've made the situation worse. I explained to her father the implications of the pregnancy, and the danger to Carrie if she fights. He said he would try to induce Rala to drop the Challenge but that he didn't hold out any hope. She's of a legal age to make her own decisions."

  Kusac felt a cold shiver run down his spine as his premo-nition of danger suddenly returned.

  "What is it?" said his father sharply, sitting up and look-ing at his son.

  "I don't know," said Kusac helplessly. "Something and nothing. I'm just terribly afraid for her, and she

  mustn't know that."

  "She'll be fine," Konis said reassuringly, reaching out to touch his son affectionately. "If we can't stop the Challenge, we'll bring Vanna and anything she needs over here. Any male whose mate was facing her first Challenge would be worried, whether or not she was pregnant. I'm sure what you're experiencing is just

  your obviously natural concern for her."

  "You're probably right," said Kusac, getting to his feet. "I'm sorry that the council dropped me as a contender for the Clans' Leadership, but I honestly never wanted it. When this is over, I intend to step down as heir in Taizia's favor, presuming I'm still…"

  "You'll all be fine," interrupted his father. "Warning or no warning, I'm sure of it. As to the succession, your mother has decided that matters remain as they are save that one of Taizia's children, when she marries, will be appointed your heir."

  Konis got stiffly to his feet. "Come, let's leave. I've been here long enough. I wonder if there's any way Carrie could claim diplomatic immunity," he said. "I think now would be a good time to contact herfather. You can come with me."

  Before they left, Kusac lit a candle and placed it on the al-tar next to his father's. Carrie's words at thetemple contin-ued to echo in his mind. The Gods' help always costs. He shivered, turning to leave asquickly as possible.

  * * *

  "There's the settlement," said Nikuu, slowing down the aircar. "Are you still picking them up?"

  "Yes, but hurry." Khalmi's voice was taut with agony that was not his own. "I don't know how they've

  managed to stay conscious."

  "We're nearly there," she said, risking a sideways glance at him. Her Leska's face was creased with the pain. "Are you and Zsyzoi ready?" she asked Naira. "We'll probably need to use force to get them away from their Clan. We have in the past."

  "We're ready," said Naira, glancing over to his partner. Zsyzoi had just finished checking her battery packs once again. Last assignment she'd been given a dud and hadn't realized it until almost too late. Since then she triple-checked everything.

  They skimmed over the tops of the outlying adobe houses until the village center was ahead of them.

  Nikuu slowed the craft till it hovered a few meters above the ground, then brought it down to land.

  As the dust settled, they saw the villagers approaching them. Nikuu released the canopy, letting it slideback. The hot, arid air of the desert hit them like a physical blow, suck-ing the moisture out of their lungsalmost immediately.

  The two Warriors got out first, rifles ready as they stood on either side of the hatch. Nikuu climbed outand waited for Khalmi to join her.

  "We've come for the new Leskas.," she said, looking round the sea of tan-robed people, their heads

  covered by matching elaborately wound lengths of cloth. "Where are they?"

  A commotion at the rear of the crowd drew Khalmi's at-tention. Over there , he sent. Their priest is

  coming. He's an-gry-

  The crowd parted rapidly as they realized their priest was trying to come to the front. As a path openedup, Nikuu saw a Sholan of middle years, probably about seventy, striding toward them dressed fromhead to toe in flowing white robes.

  He's new. Don't recognize him, she sent to Khalmi.

  "What do you want with my people?" the priest de-manded, coming to a stop in front of them.

  "We're here to collect the new Leska pair," she said. She felt an immediate wave of fear from the

  villagers as their priest turned his head toward her and raised his arm.

  Naira stepped in front of her in time to ward off the blow with his forearm.

  "You dare to stop me striking an unbeliever?" the priest thundered, turning on the Warrior. "No female

  should dare to speak unless she's given leave to do so by her mate!"

  "No one is allowed to strike a telepath," said Naira, taking up a defensive position. "If you attempt to harm her again, I'll take you into custody. We've come here to collect the two new Leskas, nothing more. Bring them to us and we'll be gone."

  "There are no new Leskas in this village."

  "Over there," said Khalmi, pointing down the still-clear pathway through which the priest had

  approached. "That house there." He started walking toward it followed by Zsyzoi.

  "Stop! I have said there are no new Leskas in our vil-lage."

  The priest's voice had a tone of command so strong that Khalmi stopped and hesitated, turning back toface him. "I can sense them," he said. "They're in great pain, they need treatment." He held up his medikit.

  "There's no one there but two evil younglings who have been punished for their crimes. They do not

  deserve any-thing to alleviate their pain. They must learn that to disobey our laws means to suffer."

  "I'm treating them anyway," said Khalmi, turning away. In front of him, the crowd had closed, blocking

  his way to the house.

  The crowd's turning nasty, sent Nikuu. Watch out.

  The priest strode forward to stand between Khalmi and the crowd. "Leave our village. You have no rightto be here since there are no telepaths involved."

  Khalmi regarded him calmly. "You're lying. Why are you preventing me from seeing to these two?"

  "They aren't Leskas. You have no jurisdiction here. I'm trying to tend to the souls of those two youngling and the people of my village. You come here with your immodest fe-males and insult us by their very presence!" He raised his hands above his head, speaking now to the crowd, not just to Khalmi.

  "Society is tumbling down about our ears because of fe-males like those with you! Can't you see we must stop the rot before God returns us to the days of the Cataclysm? Be-lieve me, that will be our punishment, and He will show no mercy to those who've been unfaithful to Him!"

  "You're talking rubbish," said Naira, moving past him. Slinging his gun to the side, he drew one of his swords and advanced on the crowd. "Now which one of you will try to stop me?" he growled, showing his canines.

  Nikuu had been looking carefully at the people gathered around them. The majority were males, with oneor two older females standing at the edges. They stood nowhere near the males. She looked back to Khalmi and Naira.

  "They're going to attack if we try to reach the house," she said quietly. "Can you and Naira take hold of

  the priest as a hostage? We've got to pick up those two. Khalmi says they're badly hurt."

  Zsyzoi called a phrase to Naira as she unslung her rifle. As her partner swung round on the priest, shestepped for-ward, putting the barrel of the gun in the small of his back.

  "Let's all stay calm," she said to him. "We don't want anyone to get hurt, do we?"

  The priest stiffened with rage. "You'll burn in hell for this," he hissed. "Your soul will be forfeit for alleternity!"

  "I think not," she said, moving aside so Naira could put a pair of restraint cuffs on his wrists. "Tell me,

  which God do you follow?"

  "There is only one God! Kezule, God of the sun!" said the priest, struggling against the restraints. "How

  dare you lay hands upon the sacred person of His priest! He'll take re-venge on you, never fear!"

  "I'll keep that in mind," she said, grasping him by his cuffed wrists and pushing him forward. "You're one of the Modernists. Who appointed you a priest anyway, eh? Don't bother telling me, I'm not interested. Now, how about you take us to these telepaths that you're
holding," she said con-versationally.

  Naira had returned his sword to its scabbard and was cov-ering the angrily muttering males with his rifle. He aimed at the ground in front of the foremost male and pressed the fir-ing button. A bolt of energy hitthe dirt, kicking up a plume of dust.

  Coughing and spluttering, the crowd began to back away and part. As it did, a figure came flying towardthem and landed in a heap at Khalmi's feet.

  "Vartra be praised," she said, reaching out to touch his tu-nic. "You've come for them! I thought he'd kill them with his beating. They're not more than kitlings! For the God's sake, take them away from this evil place!"

  Nikuu moved forward to the woman, bending down to help her to her feet. See to the young ones,

  Khalmi. Quickly, then we can get out of here. The crowd is in an ugly mood.

  "Come with me," she said, leading her alongside Naira while Khalmi walked in front. "Are you the mother

  of one of them?"

  "Of Rrai. He's my son. But the priest beat Jinoe so badly, I don't know if she'll live," the female said, wiping her fore-arm across her face to dry the tears. "The priest, he said they were evil but it wasn't their fault they were so young. They couldn't help it that the God chose them, could they? You'll take them with you," she said anxiously. "You won't leave them here?"

  "They're coming with us," said Nikuu. "You, too. What about the female, Jinoe? Where's her mother?"

  "Dead this past year. There's only her father and he said the priest was right to beat the evil out of her."

  They'd reached the house and leaving the mother outside with Zsyzoi and the priest, Nikuu followed

  Khalmi inside.

  "Oh, Gods, no," she said, as she caught sight of the two small bodies lying curled up on blood-soaked

  rugs at oppo-site sides of the room. "Are they still alive?"

  Yes, sent her Leska. Just. Send to Valsgarth Guild and tell them to expect us. I don't know if thefemale will make it.

  Nikuu went over to the male child, bending over him. What about the priest? If we take him in, we