strongholdrising (45 page)

Shola, Nezule Estate, Zhal-Vartra, 15th day (July)
THEY were directed to the landing area outside the Warrior Clan's large training center. Waiting to greet them was Rhayfso, Guild Master of the Warriors and Clan Leader Naraan.
"Well come to our estate, Clan Leaders Kusac and Kaid," said Naraan, holding his hand out in greeting. "Your people arrived here yesterday. They're out on the exercise field with our charges." He gestured to two attendants to pick up their luggage. "Your belongings will be taken to your quarters."
He accepted, finding his forearm grasped just beyond his bonding bracelet: he returned the gesture, repeating it with Master Rhayfso.
"Good to see you again," said Rhayfso as they began to walk toward the entrance. "Sensible decision of yours to get involved with our guests, Kusac. If you don't pick yourself up and get back into the saddle immediately after falling off a riding beast, you lose your confidence. Though I heard that you did meet with some decent Primes on their ship as soon as they discovered what was happening."
"The Valtegan physician was pleasant enough," he said, trying not to focus on the change in the sound he heard in his head.
"I thought you only met the one Valtegan— that priest." Rhayfso glanced sideways at him.
"It's not as easy for us to see them as two distinct species, Master Rhayfso," said Kaid. "You have to appreciate that our experience of the Primes were as beings in armored encounter suits who kept us confined as if we were captives."
"Well, we got a Prime or two here with their Valtegan hatchlings," grunted the Master. "There's no confusing the two, take my word for it!"
They passed through the high double doors into an entry hall dominated by a wide staircase. The shade and coolness was welcome after the heat outside.
"Oh? Who's here?" asked Kaid as they followed Naraan toward the archway leading out to an open courtyard.
"Prince Zsurtul and his Companion as well as some Court Adviser."
"The prince is here?" asked Kaid, surprised.
"Seems he and his father want him to be given the same training as the hatchlings," said Naraan. "They've bee~ here a couple of days now, and we've been keeping them busy learning team games till your people arrived." He looked at Kaid as they stepped out into the large grassy training area. "I don't know where they've kept these younglings till now, but they've no idea of how to mix with other people, let alone each other."
"They're a competitive species," murmured Kaid, looking over at the group of thirty or so youths running after a large ball that was being passed from person to person. The three paler-skinned Primes stood out starkly even amid their own kind. "Has there been any trouble between them and our people?" he asked as they stopped to watch.
"None. Observing them today has reminded me of my own sons when they were no more than kitlings. They were damned curious about everything!"
"The fact we were furred caused them great interest," said Naraan. "They kept wanting to touch and stroke the students assigned to look after them."
"Probably measuring us up for floor coverings," muttered Kusac, watching to see how the others would react to his comment. At this distance, leaving aside the green skin, they resembled Humans too closely for his peace of mind.
Naraan looked shocked while Rhaysfo laughed and slapped him jovially on the back. "Good to see you've not lost your sense of humor," he said. "You'll be wanting to join your people. I'll let you get on with it."
They walked over the earth track that circled the exercise field and headed across the sun-bleached grass to the group of Primes.
"Prince Zsurtul was responsible for freeing us," said Kaid quietly. "Remember that when you meet him."
He looked sideways at Kaid. "You escaped, he didn't free you."
"He had persuaded the Commander to release us that day and was coming to escort us to the
Profit
when we escaped," replied Kaid, coming to a halt. "He was also responsible for Carrie being returned to us, and you being discovered. We owe him a lot, Kusac. Try to be open-minded when you meet him."
"You don't ask a lot, do you?" he murmured.
A command rang out and the game suddenly stopped. Confusion ensued for several minutes, with more raised voices as the hatchlings ran about every which way before finally assembling in a ragged line in front of four black-clad Sholans. Off to one side they could now see a lone Prime standing watching.
Kaid sighed. "Well, it's a start I suppose."
"Brother Kaid, Brother Kusac," said Khy, leaving the lineup to step forward and salute them.
"At ease," said Kaid, touching his clenched right fist to his left shoulder in return.
Kusac did the same.
"Initial assessment?" Kaid asked.
"They're like nothing I've ever come across before," said Khy, standing easy. "We reckon they've been kept segregated from the rest of their society. They're like playful kitlings exploring the world for the first time. Friendly, curious, willing to cooperate. I can't believe this is their specialized Warrior caste."
"What are you feeding them?" asked Kusac. "Raw meat?"
"No. We were told they'd be easier to handle on a cooked diet. Can it really make all that difference to them?"
"It can," said Kusac, stepping past him to look at the line of twenty-one young alien males dressed like Humans in summer shirts and shorts, and wearing soft protective footwear. He shuddered and turned back to look at Kaid and Khy. "They ate raw meat on Keiss."
Kaid nodded. "Anything else?"
"They're fast, unbelievably fast," Khy said. "Both at learning and moving. And almost as strong as us, though they're not fully grown yet."
"Have they had their medicals yet?" asked Kaid.
Khy jerked an ear in the direction of the lone adult Prime. "That one, Seniormost Aide J'kuqui, won't allow it," he said quietly. "Says they're here to be trained, not medically examined, even when we told him why we needed medical data on them."
"Then I suggest we talk to Prince Zsurtul about it," said Kaid, strolling over to where the other three Brothers stood in front of the young Primes.
Kusac stood his ground, watching. Being in their presence, smelling their scents, made his skin crawl. With their pallid green skins they reminded him of the Valtegans he and Carrie had met on Keiss. Against his neck, his torc began to vibrate gently. His anger peaked briefly, making the warning vibration rise to the level of discomfort before it died down. Why was he behaving like the Valtegans, letting hate and fear dominate his rational mind? Was he no better than them?
He took a minute or two to calm his thoughts, then slowly walked over to join Kaid.
His sword-brother was talking to one of the young ones— one with a skin the color of the sand— and an adult male of the same coloring.
"You forget that you're my aide, J'kuqui," the sand-colored one was saying calmly. "I've told you what to do."
"Enlightened One," began the other, but Kaid cut him short.
"You've been given your orders, J'kuqui," he said crisply. "Don't presume to question your Prince in front of these trainees. You weaken his authority. Get those medicals set up for this afternoon."
Stiffly inclining his head, the aide left.
"Thank you, Kaid," said Zsurtul, casting a curious look at him. "I wasn't aware of the problem."
"Still treating you like a kitling," said Kaid.
Zsurtul grinned. "Hatchling," he said. "And yes."
Kaid gestured to the others. "Back in line, Zsurtul. The hard work starts now."
Zsurtul opened his mouth, then hesitated before saying, "Yes, sir."
"That's the Emperor's son?" Kusac asked Kaid. "He's not like any Valtegan I've seen before."
"He's a Prime," said Kaid. "Rezac and Zashou were responsible for making many of the next generation of Valtegans sterile. They had to use what breeding stock they had to survive. Many of them have drones in their ancestry."
"I thought the drones were infertile by definition."
"They were hatched that way by adjusting the temperature of their eggs," said Kaid. "The others, they're from M'zullian stock like those you met on Keiss."
"Paler," he said. "And nothing like the temperament of those on Keiss."
"Now you're beginning to see for yourself the differences I spoke about."
He grunted noncommittally as they strolled over to stand in front of their new recruits.
Stronghold, Zhal-Vartra, 17th day (July)
Sighing, Lijou began to stir on his meditation mat. This was the fifth night in a row he'd come here hoping to find Vartra in His realm, but each time, he'd found the door with its carved triple spiral closed. The braziers flickered, casting giant shadows across the pillars and ceiling high above him. A faint sound, accompanied by the scent of nung blossom, drew his attention and he froze, looking round the temple. He could sense no one, but that meant nothing these days. As for the scent, five days ago, nung blossoms had been placed in vases on the floor at each corner of Vartra's tomb.
Looking around, he saw nothing but the flickering of his own shadow and the flames from the braziers. He thought he caught sight of a slight movement by the statue of the God and looked there again, holding his breath, afraid he'd been right. He stared at it for perhaps two minutes before allowing himself to relax. Then he saw the reflected light from the crystal eyes of the God blink out and reappear.
Anger rose in him, lifting his hair, and beneath the long black robe, the pelt across his shoulders and back began to rise. Why should he allow himself to be intimidated like this every time the God decided to call on him?
"Don't play with me, Vartra," he said quietly. "I know you're there. I tried to reach you again, but I didn't know the date in your time I was there."
A mist seemed to form around the statue, blurring its outlines. Then it was as if the statue stood up and stepped off the dais to walk toward him, shrinking in size as it advanced until it was the height of a normal male.
"I wondered how long it would take for you to lose your fear, Lijou," Vartra said, stopping in front of him. "Fear can paralyze the mind, make thinking impossible."
Lijou, heart beating wildly, looked up at Him. He was dressed as was the statue, in a tunic of gray, the sword harness crossing His chest, held in by the broad leather belt that circled His waist.
"Why did you tell me to come to you when you knew I couldn't possibly do it?"
Vartra's mouth widened slightly in an almost Human smile. "To make you indignant," He said softly as He reached down and took hold of Lijou's arm. "Come, show me this tomb of mine. I want to see if they carried out my wishes."
Lijou stumbled as he was drawn to his feet, but the Entity's hand was there, supporting him.
He was left holding onto a pillar as Vartra slowly paced around the sarcophagus before coming to a stop in front of the panel showing the first Triads and Guilds. He ran his hand across the carvings, stopping just below where His image stood amid the first Triads.
A faint click echoed round the temple and, curious, Lijou stepped forward just in time to see a small drawer slide slowly out of the side of the sarcophagus.
"Ah, they did well." There was a purr of pleasure underlying His voice as he picked up the book that had been concealed within. A touch on the drawer, and it slid slowly back into the sarcophagus.
Lijou reached out to run his own fingers across the carving, trying to find the outline of the concealed compartment but he could feel nothing.
"You need to know what to look for," said Vartra. "In this light you can clearly see the crystals, They're arranged in groups of three."
"I see them," said Lijou.
"Look closer. Find the Brotherhood sigil."
Lijou bent down, running his fingers slowly around the area circumscribed by the three crystals until at last he found the symbol concealed among the grass and rocks beneath the feet of the figures. He pressed it and once more heard the click as the drawer began to open.
"There are several of them," said Vartra as the drawer slid shut again. "Each one contains something that may be of use to you. Look for them only when you have a need."
Lijou nodded. "The book. What's in it?"
"This contains our knowledge of the Valtegans, their weaknesses and strengths. Before the Cataclysm, several were taken prisoner and brought here for study— and experimentation. We had to find out how to read their minds, how our telepaths could influence them from a distance without exposing themselves to the risk of capture. We were fighting for our survival, we couldn't afford to be ethical."
"La'quo. Did You know about its effect on them?" demanded Lijou.
Vartra held out the book. "What we discovered is in there," He said. "Don't view us too harshly for what we did, we've already been judged. Instead, give it to those it can help in your fight against the Valtegans."
Lijou took the slim volume from Him, clutching it tightly against his chest as the Entity turned away from him and reached out to touch His tomb again.
Silently the heavy lid began to pivot to one side, exposing the body lying within. Vartra remained motionless until Lijou, easing the stiffness in his limbs, drew His attention back to the here and now. He turned away, looking again at the priest. "The Brotherhood needs to take part of Me with it to Haven," He said. "Then I can walk realms that no Entity of Shola has ever traveled."
Lijou shut his eyes briefly, shuddering at the thought.
"You, and only you, must remove My head and have it concealed within the Shrine on Haven."
Lijou moaned softly. "I knew you were going to say that."
When there was no reply, he opened his eyes. He was alone with the body and the open tomb.
Valsgarth Estate, Zhal-Vartra, 18th day (July)
Kaid was in the den reviewing the latest training reports on the gene-altered telepaths when Vanna's call came through.
"We've got a problem," she said. "I need you here at the hospital."
"I thought you were on leave now," he said. "Your cub's due any time."
"I am," she said. "I still need you here now, please."
"It's not Kusac, is it?" he asked, suddenly afraid.
"Nothing to do with him," she replied. "We need to talk and I don't know how secure this line is."
"On my way," he said, getting up.

* * *

He passed Jeran and Giyesh sitting outside her office. Nodding to them, he rapped on Vanna's door then went in.
"Now maybe I'll get some answers," said Tirak.
"What's wrong?" asked Kaid, taking the seat by her desk. "I thought you were still out on the island training," he said to the U'Churian.
"We were, until Giyesh told me she was pregnant," Tirak said grimly. "And by Jeran."
"What? That's not..." he stopped, well aware that the same had been said about his people's Links with the Humans.
"She is," said Vanna. "But that's not the best bit. I ran some other tests. Turns out that although we're not genetically compatible with the U'Churians, we come from the same stock, Kaid."
"How? How can our species possibly be related?"
"More than related, we share some of the same DNA, way back in the early history of our species."
"How far back?" Kaid asked, trying to take in the enormity of her findings.
"Several thousand years."
Kaid focused on the more immediate problem. "I see, but we're not capable of mating and bearing each other's cubs?"
"No. This isn't a natural conception."
"Have you asked them how it happened?" He looked back at Tirak.
"Repeatedly," growled Tirak. "They won't tell us."
"Could anyone here have helped them?"
"Only me and I didn't do it," said Vanna.
"What about your medics?" he said to Tirak. "Could they do it? Could Mrowbay?"
"No. Your medical science is more advanced than ours. Learning from you is part of our trade deals."
He thought furiously. Who could have helped them? Abruptly, he got to his feet. "Give me half an hour," he said. "I think I might know how it was done. Meanwhile, get in touch with Master Konis and tell him what you've found out. If you're right, the implications of this are going to hit both our species at the very foundations."
He went back outside to Jeran and Giyesh. "Come with me," he said. "We're going to see someone about a cub."
As he headed out into the street, he reached mentally for Zashou, tying to locate her. He found her at the training center mess.
"I don't see what the fuss is about," said Jeran. "This is no one's business but ours."
"As far as I'm concerned, it is. You can face the consequences on your own. However, there's the small matter of who helped you, and how she did it."
"They'd recalled me Home to take a mate, Kaid," said Giyesh, trying to keep pace with him. "What Jeran and I wanted didn't matter to our Matriarch."
He glanced at her. "I don't think you'll need to worry about it for much longer," he said. "I think your Matriarch is going to have larger concerns on her mind soon."
"What concerns?" asked Jeran.
"Patience," he said. "I want to find out what Zashou did."
"We never said it was Zashou," said Giyesh, grinding to a halt.
"Didn't have to," said Kaid, turning back to look at her. "Only she and Rezac have the ability to do this, since you didn't get help from Vanna."
Stronghold, the same day
"Governor Nesul says when the new allocations come around in two months' time, he'll make sure you get your own funds," said Konis, speaking from his office in the Palace. "To ask Raiban to return a portion even of the last half-year's allocation would only inflame the situation between the two of you to no purpose."
"Meanwhile, we're being starved of funds," said Lijou. "I don't mean to sound ungrateful, Konis, but our situation is desperate."
"Is this line secure?" asked the Clan Lord, eye ridges meeting briefly.
Lijou smiled briefly. "Your office comm is, Konis. We make sure of that on a regular basis. You can speak freely."
Konis raised a sardonic eye ridge before continuing. "Raiban has been asked to submit accounts and an explanation of where the funds are going. Given the current situation, it's sensible to do a review to see if extra funds are needed. Confidentially, Nesul says he'll put what contracts he can your way in the meantime. At least you have the Rryuk contract to tide you over as well."
"Thank him for us, Konis. His gesture is greatly appreciated."
"How're Kha'Qwa and Chay'Dah? Doing well, I hope."
"They're doing well, Konis," he said, mouth opening in a slow smile. "Chay'Dah is more hard work than I imagined, but the joy he's already brought us..." He laughed gently. "I must sound like a fool to you."
"Not in the least," said Konis with a matching smile. "I know exactly how you feel. I'll tell you now since we plan to announce it to our family tonight. Rhyasha and I are expecting twins."
"Twins? Many congratulations, Konis!" said Lijou. "And we thought one was hard work!"
Konis laughed. "You have a nurse, surely."
"Noni wouldn't let us be without one. It's her assistant Teusi's mother. But we like to do as much as we can ourselves."
"So did we, but when you have the responsibilities we have, it's necessary to have the help. Give Kha'Qwa and your son our warm thoughts, Lijou."
"I will, and thank you again for interceding for us, Konis. We've no wish to make an issue out of this unless Raiban does."
The call over, Lijou switched his comm link off and sat back in his chair, his eyes going automatically to the wooden box that sat on the shelf at the opposite side of the room. He shuddered at the memory of what he still considered a desecration despite the fact he was following Vartra's orders. When he'd returned to the temple with Yaszho, his aide had offered to do the deed for him but he'd refused. He couldn't ask others to do what he balked at.
Even now, a Shrine was being constructed on Haven to house the relic, but it would be some time before it was ready. Until then, Vartra's head and he would continue to share his office. His wrist comm buzzed gently, reminding him he had an appointment with Sister Jiosha, who would lead the Shrine. It was with relief that he got to his feet and left.
Aldatan Estate, later the same day
Konis' office was in the main Aldatan house on the first floor. It was in his capacity as head of Alien Relations that they'd come to see him.
He listened in silence to what they had to say, then read the comp pad Kaid handed him.
"Just let me get this straight," he said, looking at each of them again from his side of the desk. "Giyesh is pregnant and you're responsible, Zashou?"
Zashou confirmed with a brief nod of her head. "They asked for my help, and I couldn't refuse them," she said. "They so obviously cared for each other."
"How, in Vartra's name? I still don't understand how you did it!"
"How do you decide to speak mentally on a private level to your mate?" she countered. "If you had the Talent to do what we did, I could show you, but tell you?" She shook her head.
Konis sighed. "Point taken."
"I'm glad you understand, because by Kathan's beard, I still don't," said Tirak with a rumble of anger.
"Cell manipulation," said Kaid. "Zashou and Rezac used this Talent of hers to make the eggs of the Valtegan females in the City of Light sterile. That's why the Primes are so different from the Valtegans. She used a reverse technique on Giyesh and Jeran."
"I can't tell that to the elders expecting me to send Giyesh Home for her first mating!"
"There is a way out," said Kaid. "You're carrying a cub, too, aren't you, Zashou? It's Kris', isn't it? You did the same for yourself."
Braids chiming as her pelt started to rise, Zashou turned her cool amber gaze on him. "You had no right to read me," she said, ears folding in anger.
"I didn't," he said. "I can tell. It's one of my gifts." He looked back to the Clan Lord, "Master Konis, everyone knows Sholan females are far from rational when carrying cubs," he said quietly. "We offer our sincere apologies to the Rryuk Matriarch, offer whatever bride price they demand— within reason— and explain that this is a Talent Zashou didn't know she possessed, one of the strange ones that sometimes emerge briefly when our female telepaths are carrying a hybrid cub."
Konis regarded him thoughtfully. "It might work at that," he said. "There's a lot at stake here, Kaid. We can't afford to have this become an inter-species incident."
"I take it Father Lijou hasn't mentioned that we have our own contracts with the Rryuk family. The Brotherhood can't afford this to escalate either."
"I'm aware of them, Kaid," said Konis uncomfortably. "Sometimes I feel as if I'm an undercover Brother because of the amount of information I'm privy to."
"You joined our hunt, Master Konis," Kaid said quietly. "If you give the Matriarch the information proving our common ancestry at the same time, then it may divert her from Giyesh's news."
"It'll certainly do that," said Konis dryly. "Captain Tirak, given you can see why we can't be candid about what really happened, are you willing to present this reason to your elders?"
"Don't see I have much option," he muttered. "But as her uncle, I insist on a marriage between them! Her honor's been compromised enough. If they don't accept the explanation, she could be disowned, cast out of the Family."
"I've offered," interrupted Jeran, speaking for the first time. "You see if you can make her accept me, I can't."
"She'll do it if she wishes to remain here," said Kaid sternly, looking over at Giyesh. "In asking Zashou to help you, you knew you were abusing our Clan's hospitality, risking our reputation to get what you wanted. Now it's time for you to repay the debt. If you and Jeran don't take out a bonding contract, you could jeopardize our contracts with your people."
"I think a three-year contract should be sufficient," said Konis. "Have we your agreement on this, Giyesh?"
The young U'Churian female scowled angrily before slumping down in her chair. "Agreed," she muttered.
Kaid checked the time on his wrist comm. "If we leave now, we can catch the registrar in Valsgarth before the office closes. Unless you still need us, Master Konis?"
Konis shook his head, sighing inwardly with relief. "Go. I'll see Vanna's findings are passed to Councillor Rhuha with copies for our Ambassador on Home to present to their ruling council. When you contact your elders, Captain Tirak, you can mention that we'll be sending them in the next day or two. And, Zashou, this must never happen again. I'll have to report it to the Telepath Guild for..."
"No," interrupted Kaid as they got to their feet. "We're En'Shalla, Master Konis, not subject to anyone but Father Lijou. If this becomes common knowledge, then everyone will know they're from the past. You know we can't afford that to come out. She won't do it again without official sanction, will you, Zashou?"
Yet another principle bent out of true,
Konis thought, while admitting to himself Kaid was right.
"I don't know if I could do it again," she said frankly. "It took more energy than I thought. If it hadn't been for..."
Don't complicate matters,
sent Kaid.
I know you can only do it when you're pairing. Do you want everyone knowing your domestic arrangements? No need for them to know it took your Triad and Kris pairing together to do it.
Embarrassed, she looked away from Konis. "I couldn't do it again," she said. "Since we were woken, our abilities have lessened considerably. I'm told it has to do with us becoming gene-altered."
Nezule Estate, Zhal-Vartra, 24th day (July)
For the last week, every time he'd turned round, Zsurtul had been there, following him around like some lost cub. He was finding it difficult enough to cope with being in close proximity to the young Prime as it was without this. He'd spoken to Khy about it, and taken a break from training to work with the Warriors for a couple of days, but even then his shadow was there at every opportunity.
He'd been sparring with one of the seniors when Naraan, the Clan Leader called a halt to the bout. Disgruntled, he'd left the gym for the showers only to be called back by Naraan.
"In my office, if you please," said Naraan, gesturing to the door opposite.
Wiping the sweat from his body, Kusac followed him through the main office into the room beyond. A desk stood in one corner, but it was to the less formal seating Naraan directed him.
"If you don't ease off, Kusac, I won't let you work with my people," he said, sitting down. "I rarely have to stop a sparring session because of excessive force, but you were using Myar as a punching bag."
"I was fighting fairly," he said, surprised by the accusation.
"That's my point. You're not sparring, you're fighting, and it has to stop now. There have been too many injuries. Our training techniques aren't as advanced as the Brotherhood's. Not even our seniors are able to stand up effectively against you. Just what's your problem?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said stiffly. "I'm pulling my punches and kicks. Myar was hitting me hard enough."
"Myar's a senior. He can't afford to lose face by appearing outclassed in front of the others, none of the seniors can. These are supposed to be practice sessions, nothing more. You know your skills are superior. What can you possibly gain by beating him into the ground?"
"It was only a friendly match," he said, aware of the torc beginning to vibrate gently. "I wasn't aware I was using undue force. I kept pace with Myar, using more advanced moves only when he did."
"You aren't even aware of what you're doing, are you?" Naraan said, getting up. "I'm sorry, Kusac, but until you can learn some self-control, I don't want you working out with my people again. Stay with your own."
Realizing he'd been dismissed, he got to his feet. He could feel the vibration increasing and was aware his pelt was beginning to rise. "If that's what you wish," he said, turning on his heel and heading for the door as he tried to damp his anger.
In the corridor, he collided with Zsurtul. Grabbing the young Prime by the front of his tunic, he pushed him aside. "Stop following me around," he snarled. "Haven't you got something better to do? And in future, stay out of the gym when I'm sparring!"
Pain flickered briefly down his spine, making him stagger as the strength left his legs. Sucking in air, he leaned against the wall, pushing the anger back, frantically reciting the first litany that came to mind in an effort to calm himself. He refused to collapse here in the middle of the corridor in front of a Valtegan!
"Is something wrong? Can I get help?" asked Zsurtul quietly.
"No," he snarled, pushing himself away from the wall and staggering down the corridor. "Just stay out of my way!"
Valsgarth Estate, the same day
"I'm sorry I had to disturb you on your Link day, Kaid, but you did say to contact you immediately if we had problems with Kusac," said Khy.