Authors: Lisanne Norman
"Don't you start, too," Kusac said tiredly. "It's the only way we can avoid being used by the main guilds. If we belong to ourselves, we're free of the lot of them."
"At what cost? It will likely kill you!"
"Not according to Kaid."
"And that's another point! You can't take Kaid with you. It has to be someone you can trust, and I wouldn't trust him if he was the last Sholan alive. He's devoid of any feelings ... he lives only for duty."
"You're wrong," said Kusac, sitting back in his chair and closing his eyes. "I trust him implicitly. He's with Carrie at the moment. He's taken her to some Healer up near Stronghold. She isn't improving, Ghyan, she's getting worse. Sleeping all the time and refusing any food." He paused. "Kaid has feelings, we just can't sense them."
Ghyan snorted. "Convenient!"
"Excuse me, Liegen," interrupted T'Chebbi, making both males look toward her in surprise.
"Know I'm speaking out of turn, but Kaid is the right choice. Has the gifts you need for your third. He'd die rather than let you down."
"I know, T'Chebbi," said Kusac, opening his eyes again. "I don't doubt him."
"You realize that all three of you have to work together, become a Triad, your minds linked to each other?" said Ghyan. "He'll have to be at least on the edges of your Leska Link with Carrie. Can you let him into such an intimate position?"
"If that's what it takes, yes," said Kusac, getting up from his seat. "I want our cubs to grow up without fear of being taken from us in the night by some guild determined to study them. If we're En'Shalla, they won't dare touch either them or us." He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "I need your help, Ghyan. Search out the books that tell about the ritual so that at least we can read them in preparation for starting our training as soon as Carrie is fit."
Ghyan nodded reluctantly. "I still think you're mad, but look at what you've already achieved with the help of Vartra," he said quietly. "You've married your Human Leska, and though you lost your first cub, you will have others. These things I would also have said were impossible."
"You did, my friend," said Kusac with a faint grin as he reached out to touch Ghyan on the arm. "You did say they were impossible. I have to leave now. I'm expecting news from Kaid any time."
"Take care, Kusac," said Ghyan, as he watched them leave. "I'll find the records you need and contact you as soon as I've got them. You realize that the agreement you signed with Father Lijou means that all our resources are at your disposal now, don't you?"
"I didn't, but thank you for telling me. Good night, Ghyan."
"Good night."
* * *
*áá*áá*
* * *
Taizia mentally checked the house again. No one was up but the guards, and she'd already avoided them. Silently she padded down the staff corridor to Meral's quarters. Hand on the door lock, she hesitated briefly. No point in losing her nerve now. Any day her father, as Lord of the Sixteen Telepath Clans, could inform her he'd found a suitable life-mate for her— a male to father the child who'd lead the Aldatan Clan after Kusac. Well, she had other plans, at least for her immediate future.
It had to be tonight. The time was right, and she had the opportunity. Taking a deep breath, she pressed the palm lock.
Silently the door slid back, allowing her to enter. She waited a moment, letting her eyes adjust to the change in light levels.
Meral was asleep. She could see him lying on his back, the covers tangled round his legs, his breathing low and even. Her mouth opened in a grin. He wouldn't stay asleep, she intended to see to that!
Pressing the shoulder seals on her tabard, she let it slip to the floor. Stepping out of it, she approached the bed, tail gently swaying, ears pricked forward to catch the slightest sound. She knelt beside the bed, listening for any change in the rhythm of his breathing. She needed the element of surprise for her plan to succeed: the more drowsy he was, the better.
Leaning over him, her dark hair falling down in front of her shoulders, she reached out to touch his chest, enjoying the softness of the longer fur that grew there.
He started, awake instantly, his hand closing on hers, claws pulled back at the last moment. "Taizia? What're you doing here?" he asked, his voice groggy with sleep. "I thought you were staying at your guild."
"I am, but I thought I'd join you tonight," she purred, sliding her hand out from under his and continuing its journey across his chest, then under the covers to his lower belly.
Blinking the sleep from his eyes, Meral reached up for her, pulling her down into the bed beside him. "I'm glad you did," he murmured, beginning to nuzzle and lick the underside of her neck and jawline as he untangled himself from his bedding.
She extended the claws of her other hand, drawing careful patterns on the inside of his thigh, feeling his belly muscles tighten as he began to respond to her. Her tail curled round his leg, the tip gently moving against him.
His claws were out now as he pulled her closer, matching her body to his as he began to nip less gently at her cheeks and mouth.
Taizia reached for his mind, projecting her sensations to him, surprised when she found him responding mentally.
Now was the moment of decision for her. Resolutely she suppressed the muscles that would prevent her conceiving and increased the power of her sending so he'd not notice the change in her scent. Chances were he wouldn't recognize it anyway as she was sure he'd never fathered a child before, but this night she wasn't prepared to take any risks.
The onslaught of sensations was too much for him, and with a low sound somewhere between a growl and a purr, he flipped her over onto her other side, grasped her hips from behind and pulled her down onto his body until they were joined. Within moments he'd climaxed and Taizia knew her plan had worked.
They lay like that for several minutes, Meral trying to apologize for his urgency and at the same time trying to find the words to ask what it was that she'd done to make him respond so quickly.
Her conscience began to twinge, and as she turned to face him again, it was with a great deal more gentleness that she began to arouse and reassure him.
* * *
The pale light of morning stole through the window hangings as she rose from his bed, content yet at the same time frightened of what she'd done. They'd both face the censure of their families for her night's deeds, but as she quickly donned her tabard and slipped from the room, she knew this was the only way they could stay together. The crime of conceiving a cub outside a three- or five-year bonding contract with one's partner carried heavy social penalties, not to mention legal ones, but she'd thought it through and decided that for her, at least, it was worth it. As for Meral ... her conscience pricked her again, but she ruthlessly subdued it. In a few weeks it would be too late to do anything about it, then she could tell Meral.
The thought that he might not wish to sign a bonding contract with her, cub or no cub, flitted through her mind briefly, only to be dismissed as she padded through the still silent house to the garage. He'd be angry, but she knew he'd also be pleased. To have a bond-mate from one of the oldest telepath families on Shola prepared to carry his child was no mean achievement for any male.
Squaring her chin to the world, like a shadow she slipped between the aircars into the grounds where she assumed a four-legged stance. Minutes later, she'd cleared the gardens and was heading for the vehicle that lay concealed in the woods to the east side of the estate.
* * *
"The Liegena Taizia Aldatan has just left, Lieutenant Ni'Zulhu," said the guard watching the perimeter screens.
The officer at the rear of the gatehouse's main control room nodded. "Very well. Make sure you log the departure time. What's her heading?"
"Back to Valsgarth, sir. I presume she's returning to her guildhouse as Kaid said she would."
"Keep one of the cameras on her till she leaves the vicinity," said Ni'Zulhu.
"Yes, sir."
* * *
The Chemerian Ambassador sat facing Commander Raguul of the
Khalossa.
On either side stood his Sumaan guards, dwarfing him with their height and bulk. Concealed in his hand the Ambassador held a computer data cube.
"Commander, between our species, trade has been good, no?"
"You could say that," agreed Raguul, sitting back while his adjutant filled two small silver goblets with the aromatic wine that was a major Sholan export item to the Chemerians.
"Many lucrative generations exchange goods. All benefit. Sholans and Chemerians both. We know some items you keep to selves, but we do same."
"Ambassador Taira, we operate a free-market system," said Commander Raguul stiffly. "The goods available to you are the same as those available to all Sholans and the Allied Worlds. What you are suggesting is against the spirit of our agreements."
Taira regarded him unblinkingly for a moment. "We keep species-specific items only. No use to Sholans or others." He broke eye contact again, blinking rapidly as he waved a thin long-fingered hand in the air. "But no matter. That not what I come to speak of."
Commander Raguul's eyes narrowed as he regarded the Ambassador. The Chemerian had requested this audience, which was unusual in itself. Normally Raguul would receive a peremptory summons to the Ambassadorial quarters, a summons that he would decline equally bluntly while issuing an appointment for a meeting in his office. This time that had not been the case.
Gently he tapped a claw tip on his desk. This current tour of duty, quieter now that the Valtegans had been driven from Keiss, had more than its share of problems even without the added abrasive presence of Ambassadors from the Allied Worlds.
The Chemerian began to look uneasy, his large eyes blinking rapidly. He leaned sideways, speaking briefly in Sumaan to one of the huge reptilian bodyguards that always stood at his side.
"Ambassador wishes lights lowered," the Sumaan said using the same basic Sholan, the lingua franca of space.
"Certainly," said Raguul, gesturing to the adjutant.
The lights were lowered until it was sufficiently dim for the Chemerian's comfort.
"Now lights no longer pain me, I continue," said Taira. "Excuse bluntness, Commander, but am instructed to tell you of planet Jalna situated in farthest reaches of our territory. Occasionally we trade there— with natives, and others."
"I don't remember hearing of that planet before, Ambassador," said Raguul, his tone deceptively bland. "Is this world one you've recently discovered?"
"Have been aware of it for some time, Commander," admitted Taira, looking down at the cube in his hands. "Existence been kept to ourselves because of dangerousness of planet."
"In what way dangerous, Ambassador Taira?" Raguul purred, noting the nervous twitching of the Chemerian's large rounded ears, and enjoying his obvious discomfiture. It was only rarely that he had the upper hand with Taira. Leaning across his desk, he offered the Ambassador one of the small silver goblets of wine.
Taira made a dismissive gesture, blinking his eyes several times.
"Planet is dangerous for several reasons. First, is a barbarian backwater— even more barbaric than Shola." His tone was disparaging.
"I'm sure it couldn't be that bad," murmured the Commander, trying to keep his mouth from twitching.
The Chemerian inclined his head slightly, stretching his spindly neck to the point where Raguul irreverently wondered if it would snap under the sheer weight. He had learned the hard way that it was essential for him to have a sense of humor when dealing with these people, otherwise their innate arrogance and paranoia only gave him colic.
"Is worse," the Ambassador said, with a rare flash of directness. "People are warlike and quarrelsome. Have only basic idea of what is for mutual benefit. Just spaceport is open to traders, rest of planet is proscribed zone controlled by local Overlords."
Carefully placing the cube on the Commander's desk, Taira edged it forward with one of his small nonretractile claw tips, still avoiding eye contact. "Here is all our data on planet. Several species trade there, none you have met."
Raguul leaned forward in his seat to pick up the data cube. His good humor had totally evaporated. "Why do your people have trade agreements which don't involve us, Taira? The Allied Worlds are on war alert, guarding our common frontiers against any possible threat from the Valtegans. This is apart from the trade treaties between our people. Yet you purposely conceal the existence of a world where not only you, but several unknown species all trade! Where is trust and good faith, Ambassador?" demanded Raguul. "This planet's very existence could have a bearing on the whole issue of who the Valtegans are and where they come from."
Taira straightened in his chair, glowering at the Sholan. "Not need to know about Jalna before this," he said angrily. "Our business private, no concern of yours till now! Trade items for us, species-specific. Inappropriate you use! Be content we telling you now."
"I think we should be the judge of what concerns us," growled the Commander. "What exactly do you acquire from Jalna, and why are you suddenly telling us about it now?"
Ambassador Taira looked away and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The robes covering his lightly furred body rustled loudly in the silence.
"Not your concern," he said abruptly. "What concerns you, and why am ordered to give you data cube, is fact that during last few weeks, missing Valtegan battleship visit planet. Two shuttlecraft land, one in spaceport, one in mountain range in proscribed zone where crashed. Other returned safely to battleship and left."
"I need hardly ask if you followed it."
"You think we mad?" He sounded offended as he looked up, his eyes blinking slowly as he forced his ears to remain open. "We sensible race, not go looking for trouble! Our Sumaan reported Valtegans traded peacefully with Jalnians, then left. One, perhaps you say several, of trade items were Sholans."
Commander Raguul, taken totally by surprise, managed to control the flicking of his ears that would have betrayed his interest to the Chemerian.
"Sholans, you say? I don't see how that could be possible."
"You have no records of who actually killed on your colonies. Is not impossible Valtegans took prisoners," said the Ambassador, blinking and shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"We observe Jalna for some time because of illegal drugs traffic to one of our worlds. No evidence yet found of identity of smugglers," Taira continued.
"Do you know how many Sholans were left on Jalna?" asked Raguul, toying absently with the cube.
The expression on the large pale-furred face was reproachful as the Chemerian Ambassador once more looked up at the Commander.
"Of course. Four. Two are telepaths."
Commander Raguul sat back in his chair, regarding the Chemerian. "I've never known you to give us information for free, Ambassador Taira. What are you hoping to gain in return for this news?"
"Information is gift this time," Taira said, looking him squarely in the eyes. "Have concerns on several counts. First time Valtegans seen in our sector. We know Chemer's troops of Sumaan mercenaries give us adequate warning system and degree of protection, but still we feel uncomfortable about sudden appearance of your adversaries in heart of our home worlds."
"They're hardly our adversaries, Ambassador," objected the Commander, taking a sip of his drink. He didn't need to be a Telepath to know that the Chemerian thought he was gaining the upper hand.
"We know as much about them as you. The few Valtegans we captured on Keiss went catatonic the minute we started questioning them and despite everything we did, died within a few hours. Not even our Telepaths were able to sense anything from them. All any of us know for sure is that they're not at war with any of the Alliance Worlds. I suppose we can assume they aren't in conflict with the worlds that trade at Jalna?"
"Correct," said Taira, straightening up in his chair and folding his hands in his lap. "Your data on new Leska pair shows them mind reading Valtegans on Keiss. Why you not utilize their talents on prisoners?"
"We did. While they were still on the
Khalossa,
we captured our first live Valtegan and had him brought off planet. All they found out is what you've already been told: that the Valtegans are fighting far from here, and they were using this sector as a bolt-hole when they discovered Keiss."
"Others captured. Why they not interrogate them?" demanded Taira.
"The team, Kusac and Carrie, had been posted to Shola by that time. There was no point in sending for them as the prisoner they questioned also died."
"Still, you not request their presence," said the Ambassador, frowning.
"Our policy decisions are not your affair," replied Commander Raguul, sitting forward again and allowing some of his anger to show. "I don't see your government consulting us on certain of your decisions, Taira, like keeping Jalna a proscribed world."
"May be I speak hastily," said Taira, blinking rapidly and looking away from Raguul as the edges of his ears threatened to fold over again. "We not wish Valtegans to learn location of our home worlds. Are concerned what information Valtegans obtained from captive Sholans before selling on Jalna."
"Jalna deals in people?" Raguul was stunned.
"Told you Sholans were trade items. Jalna is barbaric world, they deal in any commodity. We have scruples, they have not. Valtegans get information, then sell Sholans."
The Commander growled softly. "I would be careful what you say, Ambassador," he warned, beginning to get legitimately angry. "No matter the cost, our people would not betray us." On the table, his claws began to flex outward.
"Caution could lead to us anticipating the worst," admitted the Chemerian hastily, averting his gaze again, ears this time folding over at the edges in fear. "Perhaps reflection shows Shola not so backward after all. Am sure they not tell Valtegans anything."
"I'd be damned careful about accusing our people of crimes against the Alliance if I were you, Taira," said Raguul, his voice menacing as his claws began to tap his desktop.
"Have message for you from Government on Chemer," said Taira hurriedly, trying to change the topic. "Have decided it advisable for agents to land on Jalna. They discover what can about Valtegans— why suddenly appear and depart our sector of space, what wanted there, who at war with."
"
You
have decided, Ambassador?" purred Raguul. "Are you perhaps sending a couple of your own people? If so, I'm sure Shola has no objection to that."
Taira was totally taken aback at the suggestion. His fear of Raguul vanished and he almost rose out of his seat in indignation. "Out of question," he snapped, eyes wide and ears once more fully unfolded. "Chemerians not risk themselves on such mission! Gravity and light on Jalna prohibits even thought of such outrageous notion!"
"Yet you are willing to have us to send our people down to such a dangerous planet," growled Raguul.
"Movement on ground difficult for arboreal beings, logical that ground dwellers go," Taira protested. "Agents need be unremarkable among locals. We not. To investigate crashed ship and try discover why it in proscribed zone, need to work outside spaceport. If agents had special skills, would be their advantage."
By now Raguul was irritated beyond concealment. "What precisely are you requesting Ambassador?" he asked sharply, annoyed with the roundabout way that the Chemerians— Taira in particular— conducted all their business.
"Three different species trade with Jalna, but native population is Terran in appearance. Among traders is species not unlike Sholans in appearance. None like Touibans or Sumaan. Our mercenaries cannot move freely except within spaceport zone." Taira hesitated. "We feel team made up of Terran and Sholan able to gather information we all require. Team that includes Telepaths who probe Alien minds, and fight, is best."
The Commander took a deep breath. "Now we have it," he said. "You want Kusac and Carrie to go down to Jalna."
"Data you make available to us shows are admirably suited for job. Chemer government wishes them sent." His tone was almost pleading.
"That will be impossible," snapped Raguul. "I take it you aren't aware that Carrie Aldatan has been injured and will be unable to do anything for at least several weeks?"
"Government will be highly disappointed, but of such importance is matter that we delay until she recovered. Can brief them on situation," he said hopefully.
"I can't do even that," said Commander Raguul. "They're unreachable at present. Apparently they're recuperating somewhere on Shola and only their families can contact them. Clan Leader and Clan Lord Aldatan are refusing to pass on any messages." He stood up, indicating the interview was at an end.
"I will notify the military headquarters on Shola of your request, Ambassador Taira. I'm sure they, like myself and the Allied Worlds Council, will want this matter expedited as soon as possible rather than left until the Aldatans are available."
"This matter of great priority!" said Taira, his voice beginning to rise again in anger and distress. "I report your lack of cooperation to Allied Worlds Council. Pressure be brought in quarters to ensure we have them on Jalna soonest possible! Is Sholan duty to protect vulnerable peoples of Allied Worlds!"
"You are at liberty to contact whom you wish, Ambassador," said Commander Raguul, nodding to his adjutant to open the door. "Now if you will excuse me?"
Angrily the Ambassador signaled for his bodyguards to help him to his feet and with the briefest of nods to the Commander, hobbled out of the office to the comfort of his mobile chair.
Once they had gone, the Commander sat down and turned to his adjutant.
"Turn those damned lights back up!" he snapped. "What did you pick up from Taira? What's that tree-climbing, fruit-eating, double-dealing little runt up to?"
Myak raised an eye ridge at the Commander. "Species prejudice?" he murmured.
Raguul shot him a dark look, then grinned. "You're damned right!" he said. "You name me anyone who likes working with the Chemerians."
"They have a different outlook from us, Commander," said Myak. "While I was in a light rapport with him, virtually everything he said and did was consistent with the way his species views life."
Raguul began to growl. He picked up his goblet, draining the rest of the contents.
"However," said Myak hurriedly, "he was acting out of character at times. It was very evident from the turmoil in his mind that he was most unhappy at being the one chosen to reveal his people's duplicity over Jalna. His anger was fabricated to cover the embarrassment."