Authors: Lisanne Norman
* * *
"He's done what?" Esken couldn't believe what Khafsa was telling him.
"I have no proof it was the Clan Lord, Master Esken," said Khafsa. "Garras was recognized. He's Vanna Kyjishi's mate and they're both currently living on the Aldatan estate. It could be that Kusac Aldatan is behind this."
"Not likely, considering his father was here this morning and questioning me about them," said Esken grimly. "Thank you for telling me." He switched off his comm and turned to Sorli. "Damn Konis! The last thing I needed was him working against us! There's absolutely nothing I can do about this, and he knows it!"
"With respect, Master Esken, I did warn you against drugging Physician Kyjishi and the Human, Brynne Stevens. That's what's brought this to a head," said Sorli. "She's too close to Liegen Aldatan to have taken such action."
"What's done's done now," snapped Esken. "I've got to keep control of those mixed Leskas. When's the ship due in with Interpreter Zhyaf and his Human Leska?"
"It arrives at Chagda Station in two days, Master."
"Get in touch with Leader Ghezu at Stronghold and request an escort for them. I want them brought straight here."
"Yes, Master. Do you want them met at Chagda or at the spaceport?"
"Chagda. Let's not take any chances on Konis getting them first."
* * *
"Oh to have been there when Esken discovered they were missing!" chuckled Governor Nesul. "Yes, Konis, I'll provide you with the authorizations you need to house the anomalous Leskas at your son's estate." His mood changed, becoming serious. "We need to talk, Konis. Tonight."
"Of course, Governor," said Konis, frowning slightly. This was most unusual. "What time do you want me to arrive?"
"Not here. I'll come to you. Twentieth hour. No fuss, Konis. I don't want it known I'm coming."
"Very well, Governor. I'll see you at the twentieth hour." As Konis saw Nesul reach to turn off his comm, he remembered something. "Oh, ah ... We have extra security on our estate now, Governor."
Nesul raised an eye ridge. "Fortuitous considering the situation," he said, then cut the connection.
Konis cleared his screen thoughtfully. The Governor, coming here for private talks? There was obviously more to this guild business than met the eye.
* * *
The door to Lijou's private study swung open. Ghezu stood framed in the doorway.
"We've got a problem," he said, shutting the door be-hind him.
Lijou blanked his comm screen with a sigh. He'd always found Ghezu difficult to work with, but lately he'd been worse. His lack of concern for anyone's privacy was one of his least appealing characteristics.
"What is it this time?" he asked tiredly, sitting back in his chair and folding his hands in his lap.
Ghezu gave an angry growl as he came farther into the room. "Don't trivialize me, Lijou. We're balanced on a knife edge at the moment. One wrong move and we could lose everything that Stronghold has worked toward for generations."
"I'm as aware of that, Ghezu, as you are. Now, tell me the nature of this particular problem."
"I've been requested by Valsgarth Telepath Guild to provide an escort for Interpreter Zhyaf and his Leska. They arrive at Chagda Station the day after tomorrow." He moved over to one of the chairs by Lijou's desk and sat down.
Lijou frowned. "Why do they want an escort from us? Usually the Warriors provide one in these circumstances."
"They want to be sure the pair arrive at their Valsgarth Guildhouse. I had to prise out of Sorli the information that they're afraid that Clan Lord Aldatan's people may get there before the Telepaths and take the Leskas directly to the Aldatan estate."
"Now why would they think that? Have you checked on the current rumors from the palace?"
"Naturally," said Ghezu. "What do you take me for?"
Lately, an idiot who can't control his temper and sees everything as a confrontation!
Lijou thought, but repressed it hurriedly lest one of the Brothers pick it up.
"What did you find out?"
By Vartra, it's like pulling teeth from a krolla!
"Governor Nesul has put the Clan Lord and AlRel in charge of the Mixed Leska program, and Esken isn't happy."
"Really?" Lijou sat forward, unclasping his hands and placing them on his desk. Out of sight of Ghezu, his tail flicked.
"That surprised you!" said Ghezu, leaning forward on the desk. "I don't mind telling you it surprised me, too. Seems our Governor has been looking for a way to curb Esken for some time."
"That's hardly news," said Lijou, dismissing it with a wave of his hand.
"There's more. It's rumored that the Clan Lord apparently spirited two Leska cubs out of their Guild medical center to his estate. Seems Konis Aldatan doesn't trust Master Esken either."
"Now that is extremely interesting! So both our Governor and the Clan Lord see the need to separate the new Leskas from Esken and the Telepath Guild."
"Events are moving faster than we predicted," said Ghezu. "Having AlRel in charge of the Leskas doesn't make life any easier for us." Absently, he picked up one of the carved blue-white crystal ornaments on Lijou's desk.
"They still need to belong to a guild," said Lijou thoughtfully, "and with them at the Aldatan estate, they'll be exposed to the influence of the Aldatan cub, Kusac, and kept out of Esken's way. That is definitely to our advantage."
Ghezu grunted noncommittally. "Maybe. We still haven't had a firm undertaking from him to join us yet."
"Then I'll have to pursue that, won't I? What do you plan to do about Esken's request?"
Ghezu put the crystal down and flexed his claws impatiently. "What can I do?" he asked. "If I refuse, what reason can I give? We've said we'll accept protective contracts for the mixed Leska pairs. But if I comply, we're taking them exactly where we don't want them to be."
"A dilemma indeed," said Lijou. "Perhaps in this case, the best course of action is to be direct. Contact Kaid and get him to confirm these rumors of the Clan Lord's appointment, and his ... ah ... acquisition of these cubs." He gave a low chuckle.
"What's so funny?" demanded Ghezu, picking the crystal up again and tapping it on the desk.
"The idea of our Clan Lord kidnapping anyone!" smiled Lijou.
"I fail to see the humor in it," said Ghezu testily.
"Ghezu, Ghezu," said Lijou, shaking his head in mock solemnity and reaching forward to take the ornament from him. "You mustn't be so serious. You should learn to see the inherent humor in most situations. You'll build your own funeral pyre at this rate." He placed the crystal flower in front of himself, out of Ghezu's reach.
"Fine. At least I'll get to choose where it'll be! So, I ask Kaid to confirm the rumors: what then, Master Planner?"
"What did you tell Sorli?"
"That I'd check my rosters and see who I have free."
Lijou leaned back again, steepling his fingertips together.
Why can't he see the obvious solution? Ghezu's slipping: this obsession with Kaid and Dzaka is beginning to make him lose his grip.
"It occurs to me that if the rumors are true, and Clan Lord Aldatan is indeed in charge of the Mixed Leska Project, then you have no problem," he said.
Ghezu glared at him. "It's our problem, Lijou, not just mine! We both have the same goal here."
"As you say," said Lijou, flicking an ear in grudging agreement, at the same time castigating himself for once more baiting Ghezu. He knew he shouldn't, but the Brotherhood's temporal leader was so irritating that baiting Ghezu occasionally was all that kept him from really losing his temper.
"If the Clan Lord is really in charge," said Ghezu, realization dawning at last, "then I have to report this request to him and have it ratified."
Vartra be praised!
Lijou thought irreverently. "Exactly."
"I'll just be unobtainable if Sorli calls back, and hopefully they'll assume we'll send the escort on their behalf."
"Which we will, but to deliver the Leskas to the Aldatan estate," finished Lijou.
Ghezu nodded, getting to his feet. "I'll contact Kaid now."
* * *
"Dr. Reynolds," said Kaid, inclining his head as the doctor emerged from the Stealth craft.
From the top of the ladder, Jack squinted down at the brown-furred Sholan. "Kaid? Yes, it is you. I'm still not very good at recognizing individuals, but I'm getting better." Turning round, he carefully climbed down the vertical ladder. It was with relief that he felt firm ground under his feet.
"It may be fast," he said, stretching his arms and back, "but, by God, it's cramped!"
The copilot lowered a net containing the doctor's luggage. Kaid gestured the house attendant who'd accompanied him forward to catch it.
Before he turned to follow Kaid into the house, Jack raised his hand in farewell, then took his medical case from the attendant.
The doctor's gaze darted in every direction, taking in the white and terra-cotta architecture of the house. "Quite palatial, isn't it?"
"It's old," said Kaid, leading him up the entrance stairs into the inner cloistered courtyard. "One of the oldest estate houses on this continent."
As they entered the hallway, the sight of the murals stopped Jack in his tracks.
"They're superb," he said, gazing at the frescoes of Sholan hunters. "Is the whole house decorated like that?"
"Some areas are," said Kaid, leading him on again.
The water from the fountain in the courtyard played across the colored rocks, babbling merrily down into the pool. From above came the sound of children's voices.
"Large family?"
Kaid looked at him, mouth open in amusement. "We have quite recently added two cubs to the household," he said. "They arrived today. They're a Leska pair about of an age with my Liege's sister, Kitra."
"Are we going to see Carrie now? How is she?"
"The Clan Leader asked me to bring you to her kitchen first. The Liegena is sleeping in the lounge and she doesn't want to disturb her yet," said Kaid, leading him out of the sunlight and down a long corridor. "As to how she is, Physician Kyjishi will tell you."
The door ahead of them opened and Kusac came out. "Jack, thank the Gods you're here," he said, holding his hand out to the Keissian Human. "I hope your journey wasn't too uncomfortable?"
"I managed," Jack said, remembering as he briefly touched fingertips with him that telepaths were uncomfortable if touched by anyone except close family or friends.
Kusac, however, would have none of it, and took Jack's hand in both of his. "Thank you for coming," he said before releasing him. "I'm worried about her, Jack. Mother and Vanna think I'm overprotective, but I think they're forgetting that she's still a Human, too, no matter how Sholan she's become."
"We'll see, lad," said Jack, face creasing into a smile. "Between us, we'll soon have her up on her feet again."
"Come and have some coffee. Kaid's told you that you're staying here with us?"
"No, he hasn't mentioned that yet," said Jack, looking round for him. "Where's he gone off to?"
"Back to Carrie. We don't leave her alone," he said, leading him into the kitchen.
"Physician Reynolds," said Rhyasha, rising to greet him. "It was good of you to come so far at such short notice."
"Oh, it was nothing," said Jack, returning her finger-touch greeting. "D'you think I'd pass up an opportunity to visit your home world? There're more than enough doctors on Keiss to go round now, and they don't think much of the likes of me. Say I'm too parochial."
"It's their loss. Please, sit, and be well come to our home," she said, indicating a chair. "You remember Vanna, of course?"
"How could I forget a colleague?" he said, nodding in her direction, another broad grin splitting his bearded face. "I hope I'm not stepping on your toes, lass."
"Not at all, Jack," said Vanna. "In fact, I'm glad you're here. I need your advice on some other medical matters."
"With pleasure," he said, easing his slightly rotund frame onto the bench seat at the table.
Rhyasha placed a mug of coffee in front of him and gestured to a plate of cookies. "Please, help yourself. Third meal is a few hours away yet."
The other door opened and Konis came in. "Rhyasha, I've got an important meeting here tonight, I'm afraid ..." His voice trailed off as he saw Jack.
"You must be Kusac's father," said Jack. "I can see the strong family resemblance."
"You're the Keissian physician who saved my son's life, aren't you? We are in your debt, Dr. Reynolds. I hope you enjoy your stay with us." He paused. "I'm sorry to appear rude, but could you excuse us a moment? Rhyasha," he said, turning to his wife and touching her on the shoulder to draw her attention. "I need to talk to you."
"Do excuse us," said Rhyasha, getting to her feet.
As they approached the door, it opened.
"Clan Lord, I'm sorry to interrupt," said Kaid, "but Leader Ghezu of the Brotherhood is on the comm. He needs to speak to you on a matter of some urgency."
"It's going to be one of those evenings," said Konis, ears flicking with annoyance. "Will you come with me anyway?" he asked Rhyasha. "Whatever he has to say to me can be heard by you."
"They're popular all of a sudden," said Vanna as the door closed behind them. "What do you bet it concerns the cubs, Jinoe and Rrai?"
"I don't think so," said Kusac, remembering what Kaid had said earlier— much earlier— that day. "I think that several different political factions have just realized our family holds the focus of power now. This is likely to be only the beginning."
"Sounds like I've arrived at an interesting time," said Jack, sipping his drink. "Any chance of filling in the details for me?"
Kusac's wrist comm buzzed. "What did I tell you?" he said.
"Liege," they heard Kaid's voice say. "There's a call for you from Ghyan at the temple."
"I'll take it upstairs. Patch it through for me, please," he said, rising. "Sorry about this. I'll only be a few minutes."
Left alone with Vanna, Jack looked across the table at her. "Well, now, how about telling me how Carrie is? That's why I'm here, after all."
"Jack, how long can you stay?" she asked. "I mean, what are your current orders?"
"I'm not in the military, lass, I'm very definitely a civilian. What is it you have in mind? This has to do with more than just Carrie, doesn't it?"
She flicked her ears in assent. "Apart from any other considerations, it'll be easier to carry on our research for a common contraceptive for the Leska pairs if we're both working in the same lab, not strung out across light-years of space."
"I'd be delighted to stay longer, but I don't want to impose on the hospitality of this good family."
"If I can sort out the accommodation side, could you stay indefinitely? I need someone with your experience and knowledge of Humans to help me. The number of anomalous Links is increasing, and shortly, I'll be unable to cope with the workload alone." She looked down at the table, not wishing to meet his gaze. "Also I'm pregnant by my Human Leska, and I'd like you to deliver my child. For various reasons, I don't trust anyone else to do it."
Jack looked at her in surprise. "I'd be honored my dear, but ..."
"I'll explain it all later, Jack, I promise," Vanna interrupted, looking up again though still not meeting his eyes. Before he could say anything further, she said hastily, "I think we should go and look at Carrie now."
"Certainly, my dear," he said. "Kaid told me you think Kusac's being overprotective, so what is it that's got him and Kusac worried?"
"I don't know what's got Kaid worried, but Kusac's being overanxious, as would any male of his youth in these circumstances," she said, getting up and leading the way out.