fortuneswheel (33 page)

* * *

As Garras closed the door behind her, Dzaka got up. "Would you like a c'shar?"
"Please," he said tiredly, returning to his seat on the plinth. He leaned back against the God's knee, glad now for the analgesic Vanna had given him. "You do remember me, don't you, Dzaka? You were a lot younger when we last met."
"Of course. After you left, Kaid was never quite the same. He lost something," he said, coming to the doorway.
Garras grunted, detecting the faint hint of censure. "You know the rules concerning anyone who has to leave the Brotherhood for Clan reasons. They cease to exist outside Stronghold. Those who remain can't have ties to anyone outside." He moved his arm, trying to make it more comfortable.
"I knew Ghezu would give Kaid orders concerning these two," he nodded toward where Carrie lay. "It was a chance I had to take when I called him in to guard them, but I trust his judgment. Don't preempt him, Dzaka," he said, the warning implicit in his tone.
"You called him in?" Dzaka leaned against the door jamb.
"Yes." He turned his head to look at the younger male, noticing the faint creasing of the skin around his nose. "Kaid and I worked together for eight years before you were found. We go back a long way. How does it go? 'Observe, assess, recruit or destroy'? Rogue telepaths always attract the Brotherhood's specialists, so who better to protect them?" He noticed with amusement Dzaka's slight discomfort at the description. Still young enough to have illusions, then.
"I'm not having a group of younglings fresh from their mother's last grooming use their deaths to make a political statement. I also don't want them sacrificed for the Telepath Guild's peace of mind. They're decent people, Dzaka, they only want to be left alone."
"I'm sure Kaid will make the right decision," murmured Dzaka, returning to his c'shar making.

* * *

Vanna headed up to the Telepath Guild's office on the twenty-fifth level. "Is the Mentor in?" she asked the secretary.
"Yes, but you have to have an appointment to see her," he replied. "Hey! You can't just walk in like that!" he said as Vanna walked past him to open the door to the inner office.
"Watch me," she said over her shoulder.
Startled, Mnya stood up as soon as she entered. "Vanna," she said. "This is a surprise."
"It shouldn't be," said Vanna. "I could understand your actions if I hadn't made a point of explaining my findings to you in person, but considering I did, your blatant lack of concern for these two people's physical and mental health is beyond my understanding. Why the hell couldn't you have waited a few more days before demanding she attend training classes? Or couldn't you have framed it as a request rather than a poorly veiled threat?"
"Physician Vanna," said Mnya stiffly, "in my opinion..."
"Bugger your opinion!" said the enraged Vanna. "How dare you go against my medical advice? I've every intention of reporting this to the Commander! I specifically said they were not to be put under any form of stress for the next few weeks until I gave the all clear. Not only are they at a vulnerable point in their relationship, but Carrie has to cope with the immense problem of leaving her Clan behind to make a new life amongst us. She's faced with prejudice from her own people, including her father, and now pressure from Kusac to conform to our ways because of you!"
"I think you're overreacting, Physician..."
"Am I! They both need a period of adjustment, not only to get used to each other, but for Carrie to get used to our way of life. You shouldn't even have involved her in questioning the Valtegan today! How much more plainly can I say it? Their moods are unstable, their adrenaline levels are unstable, they cannot function properly until their systems level out! For the Gods' sake, give them a chance! I've found Carrie cooperative, helpful, and understanding. If you can't find those qualities in her, then perhaps it's you who are approaching her in the wrong way. As for being afraid of her talents, I'll bet you she's more afraid than you could ever be!"
"Have you quite finished?" asked Mnya, her face and tone frozen.
"Yes, thank you," said Vanna, turning and marching out.

* * *

A chuckle came from the comm as Mnya stared angrily at the door.
"It seems they already have friends ready to Challenge for them."
Mnya schooled her features into impassivity before she sat down. "My apologies, Master Esken," she said to the elderly Sholan on the vidiphone link. "Physician Kyjishi just rushed in unannounced."
"Her comments were worthwhile, Mnya," he said. "I think that now is too early for you to make a judgment on them. From what she said there are sound medical reasons for the Keissian human's behavior. I appreciate you had to take advantage of the moment, but it would have been wiser, in hindsight, not to have involved our unique Leska pair in questioning the Valtegan. Send me a copy of Physician Kyjishi's report and in the interim, treat them both gently. If she turns up for training, all well and good. If not, send Rhuso to her and let Kusac remain in the same room. I want to be able to study them here at Valsgarth, not have to have one or both of them hospitalized through excess stress."
"I only did what I considered appropriate, Guild Master," said Mnya stiffly.
"I am fully appreciative of your efforts, Mnya," he said gently. "You have put Rhuso in charge of her, now let him do his job. I have to go now, I'm afraid. High Command is restricting the time allowed for essential communications. It was difficult enough to get permission to speak to you at all. Konis Aldatan says AlRel expects the communications block to be lifted within a week. I'll hear from you then."
"Guild Master," she said as the screen changed to show the Allied Worlds logo.

* * *

Guild Master Esken sat for a moment regarding the blank screen of his comm. From the moment he'd heard that Kusac Aldatan was the Sholan telepath involved in this cross-species link, he knew there'd be problems. Still, if the Brotherhood passed him, then when they arrived at Valsgarth, there would still be time to make sure they remained true to the guild.
He scratched behind his ear thoughtfully. If he remembered correctly, Kusac had always been one of the quieter students, never exhibiting any rash behavior— until he left home, that was. He sighed, knowing there was no easy solution to his problem. The impact of another telepathic species on their culture couldn't be gauged, even without the added complication of Carrie's and Kusac's Link. He just prayed that it wouldn't awaken the old fears of telepaths.
His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Senior Tutor Sorli poked his head round. "Master Esken, there's been another find over at the Chazoun Guild. Their Mentor has just notified us."
Esken nodded. "Tell Mentor Khoenga to dispatch his priest and attendants to bless the site as usual. Make sure they check the explosives are laid to destroy all the artifacts this time. Too many of them are being recovered and falling into the wrong hands."
"The excavators are too afraid of the God to steal from the ruins, Master," said Sorli. "I hardly think..."
"Some artifacts are turning up," interrupted Esken. "I don't know who's taking them, nor do I particularly care at this moment in time. I merely want it to stop. If the charges are properly laid, then the ruins will be destroyed but the refined metals will remain salvageable. Just see to it, Sorli."
"Yes Master Esken."

* * *

As Vanna rode the elevator to the Admin level, she checked her wrist unit. She'd have to hurry.
As luck would have it, Myak was in the Commander's outer office. "Myak," she said, "I want a word with you."
"Certainly, Physician Kyjishi," he said. "Would it be to do with the Mentor and Kusac?"
Vanna frowned. "Has she been in touch with you already?"
Myak made a noncommittal gesture.
"Fine. Now you can hear my side of it," she said.

* * *

Carrie moaned, putting her hand up to her jaw as she opened her eyes. Her sense of smell, almost as acute as Kusac's now, had already told her she was in an unfamiliar place. She moved her head slowly till she saw the statue with the weapons round its feet. Then she remembered.
Lurching to her feet, she tried to reach the door as simultaneously she sent out a mental cry for help, trying desperately to find a mind she recognized.
Before she'd taken more than two steps, a strange male, one she'd never seen before, was blocking the door. She didn't notice the plain black robe, all she saw was the gray brindled fur, and the green eyes set in a narrow face. Her mind screamed,
Wolf!
She opened her mouth to cry out, then someone touched her from behind.
As she whirled round, Garras felt his mind being probed and winced in pain. "You're going to have to learn to be more gentle, Carrie," he said, his hand closing firmly on her arm.
He could feel the stiffness suddenly leave her body as she recognized him.
"That's what Kusac says."
"Well, he's right," he said candidly. "That was painful."
"I'm sorry," she said. "Where am I, Garras? Who's he?" She indicated the male behind her.
"You're at the temple on level fourteen. That's Dzaka, the lay priest in charge."
"How did I get here? The last thing I remember is someone grabbing me. Oh," she said, as she saw Garras' bandage. "Your arm."
"I brought you here, and don't let anyone ever tell you that you haven't got sharp teeth," said Garras, his mouth opening in a faint grin.
"I'm sorry," she said, her face taking on a stricken look that even Garras recognized. "I didn't realize it was you." She put a tentative hand up to her jaw.
"Don't worry about me, it wasn't serious. Sit down, I want you to meet Dzaka properly," he said, letting her go and indicating the mat beside them.
Dzaka left the outer door and came over to squat down beside them. He held out his hand, palm uppermost, to her.
"I'm Dzaka," he said. "You're Carrie Hamilton."
Carrie touched his fingertips with hers, acknowledging the introduction with a flick of her head to one side.
"I'm a member of the Brotherhood of Vartra. The statue that you see is of Him. Garras brought you here because you were so frightened. He's asked me to help you."
Garras leaned toward her. "What got you so frightened, Carrie? Was it something someone said or did to you?"
"No, nothing like that," she said, keeping her eyes focussed on her hands. "I just needed to get away from everyone, be on my own for a little while. Then I got lost."
"Didn't you see the directions written on every corridor?" asked Garras.
She looked up. "Yes, I saw them, Garras, but I can't read them! No one's taught me to read yet!"
"I thought you knew everything Kusac knows," said Dzaka.
She turned to look at him. "I do, but I can't use it until I've learned how. The corridors were so busy, and everyone was looking at me— when they noticed I was there. You're all so tall! People kept bumping into me. I was afraid I'd get crushed."
Garras could hear the panic in her voice and reached out to touch her hand. "You're safe now. We're waiting for Vanna to return, then we'll take you back up to the Ambassadorial level."
"You arrived on level fourteen at the shift change, Carrie," said Dzaka. "Level fourteen is the dividing line between the starship and pilot crews and the troopers below us. Were they mainly wearing brown uniforms?"
She nodded.
"I expect you've only seen the areas of the ship that V.I.P.s get to see— the concourse and the Ambassadorial levels where you live now."
"And the Admin level," said Garras.
"Exactly. You've only seen the leisure areas of the
Khalossa,
not the working areas. That's why it was so unfamiliar." He shifted, making himself more comfortable. "Vanna told us this is a bad time for you at the moment. You're suffering from all the stress caused by a new environment, a new relationship, and a new Talent. Any one of those is enough at a time, but to have all three together! That's when you need some help, and Garras has asked me to see what I can do for you."
Garras sat back and listened to them. Dzaka might still be young and idealistic, but he was good at what he did. He was giving her no half measures.
"Vartra teaches us personal responsibility for our thoughts and our actions. Being a Telepath, you know thoughts are as good as actions, don't you? We teach meditation techniques that help to control the mind in moments of stress or pain. If you'd be willing to come here once a day, then I could teach you these techniques."
"Would there be other people around?"
"No. I have times, like now, when I can close the temple to others for an hour or two," said Dzaka.
"Yes, I'd like to come," she said, glancing in Garras' direction for his approval.

* * *

Fifteen minutes later, with a satisfied look on her face and a promise from Myak to get the Commander to sanction her orders regarding Kusac and Carrie, Vanna headed back to the temple.
"You timed it well," Garras said in a low voice as he let her in. "Dzaka's just finished teaching her a meditation exercise to help her calm down. How did it go with the Mentor and the Commander?"
"Fine," said Vanna. "I told the Mentor exactly what I thought of her, then reported her actions to the Commander through Myak. I've got his backing and a promise he'll see the Commander talks to Mnya and Rhuso."
"Good. Now, what do you want us to do? Make ourselves scarce while you talk to her?"
"What's the point?" she asked dryly, looking over to where Carrie and Dzaka sat talking. "You could get a protein drink for us. I haven't had time to eat, and I'll wager you didn't bother to feed Carrie."
Dzaka excused himself as Vanna joined them. "I've some business I need to attend to," he said. "If I'm not back before you leave, just close the door behind you."
"Well, cub," said Vanna, sitting down beside her. "What put the wind under your tail and made you run away like that?"
"Nothing really," Carrie said evasively, taking a drink from Garras.
"You had a row, didn't you? Come on, you can talk to us, you know. Everyone needs friends. We're here to help," said Vanna, touching her cheek fleetingly for reassurance.
Carrie sighed. "Everyone assumes that because I have a Link with Kusac that I know everything he does. I don't. It's there, yes, but until someone tells me about it, I can't remember!" she said. "I've been pushed in the deep end too soon, Vanna. They expect me to know everything when I don't even know the basics. Kusac complains because I forget to keep my shield up, but it's all new, even that. I can't cope with it all at once! I don't belong here, I just don't fit in."
Her cup began to shake and Vanna hastily reached out to rescue it, putting it and hers down on the floor. She wrapped her arms around Carrie, pulling her close.
"Hey, don't talk like that," she said. "You'll fit in fine once you get used to us. Remember, I told you that for the next few days you'd have mood swings? Well, this is one of them, just like Kusac had when he got angry. It has nothing to do with you, it's because of the chemical balances in your bodies."
"I just felt so isolated, Vanna," Carrie said, her voice muffled against the other's jacket. "Everything was suddenly strange and frightening. I don't want to be dependent on one person. What happens to me if Kusac changes his mind and doesn't want me living with him? Where do I go? What do I do?"
Vanna gave her a little shake. "Stop even thinking like that," she said sternly. "You must know how Kusac feels about you. Believe me, he has no intention of living without you beside him."
"How can you know that if I don't?" Carrie asked, sitting upright again.
"I know," Vanna said. "Trust me. He's spoken to me about what he feels for you. You've got absolutely nothing to worry about."
The comm chimed and Garras got up to answer it. He leaned out round the doorway. "It's Kusac," he said. "Do you want to take his call?"
Carrie looked at Vanna.
"Talk to him," Vanna whispered. "He's come to you this time."
Carrie got up and walked over to the other room. Garras moved out of her way, joining Vanna on the mat.
As she sat down at the desk, Carrie felt Kusac's mind reach for hers.
Cub, I'm sorry. If I come to fetch you, will you come
home?
She hesitated, unsure what to say.
Carrie, it wasn't you I was angry with, it was the Mentor
and Rhuso. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry.
Let me come and fetch you.
She nodded.
Come soon.
Kusac grinned.
Don't get too comfortable,
he sent as he signed off.
She got up and returned to Vanna and Garras. Garras lifted her drink up and handed it back to her.
"Thanks," she said. "Kusac's coming for me." Her hand went up to her face, feeling the swelling along the jawline. "Ouch. That's sore. What happened?"
Garras' ears flicked. "I'm afraid I had to knock you out you were so hysterical," he said. "I didn't realize how little it takes to make you bruise."
She gave a lopsided grin. "I suppose it's a fair exchange for your bitten arm. I really am sorry about that. I don't even remember doing it."
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad it was me who found you."
Carrie sat down and took a drink from her mug.
Garras reached out a hand to touch hers. "Don't ever feel that lonely again, Carrie," he said. "We all went through a lot together on Keiss. It makes me feel we're almost family. Don't forget I'm your friend as well."
Carrie smiled and reached out to gently touch his cheek, a gesture so Sholan it seemed natural until Vanna mentioned it to him later.
"Thank you," she said.