Authors: Lisanne Norman
* * *
He fought against the lassitude, trying to make sense of what was going on around him. His eyes refused to focus: everything was a blur that made his stomach tighten with nausea. The touch of her body against his was somehow helping the fire in his body die down. When a damp sheet was laid over them, it no longer made him burn, and the coolness that surrounded him, except for where they touched, was welcome.
He was tired, and his eyes began to close. His arm was too heavy to move more than a few centimeters. His hand touched her, reflexively closing on her arm. Now he could sense her mind, feel his heartbeat slowing till it matched hers. All he wanted now was to join her in sleep.
* * *
This was the memory of the dream that Kusac relayed to Vanna at her request. Armed with that information, Vanna had Kaid placed in an IC unit with freezing air ventilating it. Within the formfitting chamber, he was effectively restrained, unable to harm himself or anyone else. His every function was monitored, and they were able to accurately gauge the effects of the febrifuge they were using.
Kaid hovered on the edge of crisis for four hours before his fever broke. By the next day, conventional nursing was all that was needed. Though very weak, he was on the way to recovery.
For the first two days, he just lay there, too weak to do anything but eat the food they fed him and sleep. He was allowed no visitors apart from Jack and his nontelepathic nurse until on the third day he was pronounced well enough to be returned to the villa.
He tried saying he ought to move into the Brotherhood accommodation, but when Carrie heard of it, she threatened dire consequences if he didn't return home.
When T'Chebbi did succumb to the virus three days later, it only took the form of a heavy cold, and she was released a couple of days later.
* * *
Despite the fact that with so short an incubation period, it was unlikely Kaid could have contracted it in the Margins, Jack and Vanna ran DNA tests on both him and T'Chebbi.
"Well, looks like we've got our gene pool," said Vanna, turning away from her analyzer to look at Jack. "He's fully compatible with us mixed Leskas now, and T'Chebbi is definitely altering. There is, however, a subtle difference in their DNA compared to ours."
"Different, lass?" Jack looked at her over the top of his glasses. "How different?"
"If I was speculating, I'd say we have in them an improved version of our DNA. He
must
have caught it in the Margins; there isn't any other logical answer. I'll have to do an in-depth analysis to find out more. At least we have a vaccine. I think we should start inoculating now rather than wait for an epidemic."
"If Kaid was the original carrier, we've contained it, lass. There isn't going to be an epidemic. Besides, we don't know how it will react with your and Carrie's newborn cubs— or the Human Leskas for that matter. It might not be so benign for them."
Vanna sighed. "You're right, of course. I should've thought of that."
"We're both tired, Vanna," said Jack, closing down his comm. "I think we should call it a day now. The night shift's on duty. Relax and get some rest yourself."
"It's only a couple of hours till third meal," she admitted, checking her wrist unit."Will you join us, Jack? You should come over more often. It isn't good for you to spend so much time on your own."
"Well actually," said Jack, looking slightly sheepish as he pushed his glasses up onto the bridge of his nose, "I won't be alone this evening. A rather nice young lady called Jiszoe has offered to cook a meal for me."
"Ah. Fieldwork, Jack?" She grinned as she got down from her stool and went over to her desk for her coat.
"Excuse me?"
"You were always curious about physical relationships between our species. Now you'll find out for yourself, won't you?"
"I beg your pardon, Vanna, but the young lady's only offered to make a meal. Nothing else was implied, believe me." He sounded faintly offended.
"What did she say to you, Jack? Her exact words."
"Just that she'd like to cook for me, so I could sample some real Sholan home cooking."
"Did she say she wanted to spend some time with you?"
"I believe she may have, but what difference does..."
Laughing gently, Vanna put her hand on his arm. "She was telling you she wanted to pair with you, Jack. By accepting, you told her you were also interested. Since she's offering to cook for you, she's interested in a longer relationship. It may not happen tonight, but she'll make her invitation soon."
Jack's mouth opened in a wide "O" of surprise. "But... but... what do I do?"
"Enjoy your meal, of course," she chuckled, moving past him toward the door, "and let nature take its course." She stopped in front of the door and turned back to look at him. "Unless you're not interested in that kind of relationship with her, in which case, get in touch with her now and tell her so. You wouldn't want to cause her embarrassment, I'm sure."
"No, of course not! But I couldn't call her and cancel, Vanna!"
"Then have a nice evening," she said, leaving him alone.
* * *
It was Kaid's first day up and about, but when Kusac reached the aircar, he was already waiting for him.
"I appreciate your company," said Kusac as he took off and turned the craft toward the capital, Shanagi. "Are you sure you're well enough?"
"I'm fine. I'd rather be doing something than sitting around, and we have to see Raiban."
"It's good to know you're coming to Jalna with us. What changed your mind?" He was curious. Kaid was still reserved since his illness, but now he seemed to have some sense of purpose, though what it was, Kusac had no idea.
"I could do with some time off-world," Kaid said. "Besides, I'm curious about anyone who can mind-speak across space when most telepaths can't broadcast even the length of this continent."
"Raiban's as interested as we are, believe me. Thankfully she's not registered the fact that Carrie did the same when she replied to him."
"Probably assumes, and Esken or Lijou will have confirmed it, that her reply backpacked, so to speak, on Rezac's sending. Isn't that what usually happens?"
Kusac turned to look at him. "Yes. It is. You've been doing a fair bit of study already, haven't you?"
Kaid shrugged. "The lessons with you and Ghyan rubbed off."
"Raiban will want us to leave as soon as possible."
"She'll not want us leaving with Carrie only partly trained. If you've no objection, I'd like to have the final say as to when we're all ready."
"By all means. You can take charge of the whole training program if you want to."
"No. I'll leave that to the Warrior Guild and the Brotherhood. They know what they're doing. If we present them with our plan, they'll train you in the best ways to implement it. I'll be kept informed while I'm at Stronghold."
They flew on in silence for a while, Kusac debating with himself on the wisdom of trying to draw Kaid out and discover what was wrong. He'd just decided to do so when Kaid picked up the folder lying on the console shelf.
"I think I'll go over Raiban's dossier again, if you don't mind," he said quietly. "The fever left me tired enough that I forget details now and then."
Kusac made an appropriate reply, cursing his timing. A moment or two earlier and... or had Kaid known what he intended to say? A moment's reflection, and he realized that his next move had been predictable. So be it. Kaid obviously didn't want to discuss the matter.
"Why don't you remind me of the salient points?" he suggested. "Won't do any harm to be as thoroughly conversant with the background information on Jalna as possible."
"We'll be efficient," said Kaid. "I don't intend to risk our lives or liberty on Jalna. I knew I was walking into a trap at Rhijudu; I didn't foresee Dzaka nearly being caught, too."
"No criticism intended, Kaid," said Kusac, hearing the slight chill in his companion's voice. "Some things can't be avoided, and I'm sure your capture was one. Without it, we wouldn't have solved the problem concerning Fyak or the Margins."
"I don't believe in fatalism," Kaid growled, opening the folder.
* * *
"Clan Leader," said General Raiban, standing up as they were ushered into her office. "Kaid. Please, take a seat." She indicated the two chairs set slightly to one side of her desk. "Clan Leader what, Kusac? Or is it Brother Kusac now?"
Kaid answered her. "Both are correct, General Raiban," he said smoothly. "It avoids confusion between my Liege and his mother."
Raiban looked back at him, registering the black robe he wore, and raised a questioning eye ridge. "You're a Brotherhood Priest again," she observed. "I'm glad to see you've recovered from your stay with Ghezu. Perhaps it was for the best he eluded us that night at Stronghold."
"As you say," he murmured, sitting down. "My thanks for allowing my Liege the time to liberate me."
"A debt repaid, Kaid," she said, then turned back to Kusac. "I know you've been fully briefed on the background to this situation. This meeting is to bring you up to date and tell you what our campaign is."
"With respect, General Raiban," said Kusac, settling himself in the somewhat uncomfortable chair, "I think this campaign is better organized by ourselves. We need a plan that's flexible enough to adapt to the conditions we'll actually find on Jalna. The Chemerians consider the native population of the world to be extremely violent. That has to be taken at face value until we can assess it in person."
"I disagree. This is a military operation and..."
Kaid stirred, but Kusac gestured him to silence. "We have the right to refuse," said Kusac quietly. "En'Shalla."
"You
are
a member of the Forces..."
Again Kusac interrupted. "Not anymore, General. En'Shalla negates that."
Raiban regarded him in stony silence.
"However, if you'd care to draft contracts for my people, I'm sure many of them would consent to being retained as specialists in their field. As far as this mission is concerned, our terms would be total control over personnel and planning— in consultation with you, of course."
"You've taught him too damned well," growled Raiban, looking over at Kaid with an angry glare.
"He has his own abilities, General," murmured Kaid, working hard to hide his amusement. Indeed, Kusac showed every sign of surpassing what he had hoped he'd become.
She reached forward and activated her comm. "Bring in the contracts, and the maps of Jalna," she said, then pushed a folder toward each of them. "These are the proposed personnel and the campaign. We'll look them over when I've shown you the maps and you've been brought up to date on the current situation."
Without thinking, Kusac reached mentally for Kaid.
That wily old she-jegget knew all along what we'd do!
Of course.
Realizing that not only had Kaid received him unassisted for the first time, but had answered him as well, he glanced sharply at him. His companion appeared as self-contained as ever, even his mental tone had been urbane. The old Kaid had returned completely. There wasn't a trace of the closeness they'd shared over the past few weeks. He pushed his concern aside and concentrated on Raiban.
Her aide entered carrying a folder and a large laminated map. The latter she spread on the desk in front of her, then handed the folder to Kusac before leaving.
"I regret I have a short meeting I must attend during second meal," said Raiban. "Read the contracts then, and we'll discuss them after we've eaten."
Kusac nodded as he and Kaid rose and joined Raiban at her side of the desk to examine the map. Surreptitiously Kaid turned up the setting on his personal damper. If he could receive Kusac, then it wasn't working properly. He must have knocked it during the night.
* * *
Tutor Sorli was in the Guild library when he sensed Master Esken approaching. With a sigh, he blanked his comm and turned to the students at their workplaces.
"Take an early meal," he said. "We'll reconvene at fourteenth hour."
As the young people collected their belongings and began to leave, Sorli sat back to wait. When would the Guild Master realize that the political influence he'd lost over the last few months had never legitimately been his in the first place? Ever since contact with the Humans had been established, winds of change had been howling round not only their Guild House, but the whole of their society. Shola would never be the same, and it was as logical for Master Esken to try and halt the changes as to attempt to stop the winter storms. He wondered what it would be this time.
Esken came over to where he sat at one of the long study tables.
"Have you heard what's happened now?" he demanded, voice taut with barely checked anger as he sat down. "No, of course you haven't! I've only just been informed myself!" He waved an official letter in front of Sorli's nose. "Nesul has not only given the Brotherhood full priestly status, but has appointed Lijou in ultimate control over
all
priests! That includes mine! They will no longer answer to me, but to Lijou!"
"May I see the letter, Master Esken?" Sorli asked, holding his hand out for the offending document.
"Here!" Esken all but threw it at him.
Sorli scanned the contents. It was as his Guild Master had said. Father Lijou was being appointed in charge of all priests. Meticulously he folded the letter and handed it back. "It makes sense, Master Esken," he said. "He deals exclusively with religious matters. We can only give those who wish to become priests the most general of Üxwinstruction."
"So can Lijou!"
"He trains his priests not only for pastoral duties, but also in the mysteries of Vartra. And three of his Guild members have traveled back to the time of the God, Master Esken. The existence of Vartra has been proved beyond doubt. The same cannot be said of any other religion."
"So what? It didn't take the Aldatan cub going back to the Fire Margins to tell us that!"
Sorli hesitated. "Then might this not be Vartra's will, Master Esken?"
Esken growled. "Vartra's will! More likely it's the Aldatan will!"
Inwardly Sorli sighed. He had hoped his esteemed superior had gotten over his conviction that the Aldatans intended to destroy him politically, especially in view of the new agreement between themselves and Kusac Aldatan.
"Master Esken, this solution is better for our priests. You have said many times we cannot provide either the people or the time to train them to the level they really need."
"They manage, don't they?" demanded Esken acerbically. "We have very few complaints."
"They manage," agreed Sorli, "but I suggest that's more to do with their strength of character than our training methods. What will probably happen is that Master Lijou will set up a training center for them where they will receive a course in pastoral care, and from there they will go on to a specific center for their own religion. I don't see him able or wanting to take on the whole task singlehandedly."
"I don't care how he plans to do it, it shouldn't be happening, Sorli! Priests traditionally come under the Telepath Guild!"
"I realize that, Master Esken, but surely the people who do the most in the way of pastoral care in a variety of circumstances, be it on Shola or in space, are those best suited to train priests?"
"It's not just that issue at stake, Sorli. It's also the fact that come the next All-Guild meeting, they will insist Lijou has his own guild!"
Sorli felt an uncharacteristic flash of rage, and this time did not suppress it. "Then we bow to the inevitable, Master Esken. If we fight it, we look like fools!"
Stunned, Esken sat back in his chair, ears tilting back. "I didn't realize you felt so strongly."
Sorli got to his feet and paced round the table till he leaned over the seated Guild Master.
"Since we first heard the news of Kusac and his Human Leska, you've changed. From the reasonable Master I was pleased to serve under, you have become one I can no longer support! You have let Khafsa influence you far too much! I tell you, Master Esken, give it up, accept what fate the God sends us, or today I leave the Guild and apply to join the Brotherhood!"
"The Brotherhood," murmured Esken. "Surely you are overreacting, Sorli."
"It would be preferable to remaining here, Guild Master," said Sorli, straightening up. He turned and stalked from the library, not stopping till he reached the sanctuary of his own room. He no longer cared about his position as the next Guild Master. If Esken continued like this, it could take more years than Sorli had left to repair public opinion regarding the integrity of the Telepath Guild. Lying down on his bed, he wondered whether the afternoon would see him packing, or working with his students in the library.