thefiremargins (36 page)

* * *

"The Governor has ordered me to call the Brotherhood out immediately and send them to Laasoi Guildhouse," Lijou said, looking across his desk at them. "Since Master Ghezu isn't present, I am their Commander-in-Chief for the duration of this emergency."
He returned his attention to the comm, punching in a code. Almost immediately, a klaxon sounded throughout the building. As it blared out its summons, he and Konis were aware of the rush of anticipation as the Brothers dropped what they were doing and headed for their designated craft.
The door burst open as two figures hurried in, one of them coming to an abrupt stop as he saw Konis.
Konis' eye ridges disappeared briefly as he looked at the young male. "Brother Vriuzu," he said, inclining his head.
The Brother bowed his head briefly. "Clan Lord," he said, then turned to Lijou.
"Brother Rhyaz," said Lijou, standing up as the klaxon wailed its last note. "We have our orders from Governor Nesul. The Laasoi Guildhouse has been attacked by the renegade priest, Fyak. I'm appointing you the Commander-in-the-Field. We have no further information at present so my orders are simple. Take the Brothers there and deal with the situation. Brother Vriuzu will accompany you as our contact. The Warrior Guild will join you at Laasoi. The home fleet troops from the
Rhynara
are being recalled. Some will be deployed to Laasoi, the bulk to the Nyacko Pass. You will liaise with your counterpart from the Forces when they arrive. Dismissed."
Rhyaz crossed his forearms over his chest, inclining his head, then turned and left at a run, followed by Vriuzu.
A little unsteadily, Lijou sat down again.
"Rhyaz is a good choice," said Garras from his seat by the table.
"He's our best tactician, and no friend to Ghezu," said Lijou before looking over at Konis. "Vriuzu was recruited three years ago. Esken ordered he be terminated because he couldn't control his ability to broadcast his thoughts. His was a wild Talent, a gift that came late to him. Esken couldn't stabilize him long enough to have him taught the control he needed."
"I remember," said Konis. "His accident seemed a little convenient at the time. It looks as if your recruitment scheme worked."
"It did. In fact it paid off very nicely for us," said Lijou, getting to his feet and joining him and Garras at the small table. "We used drug therapy to calm him, then our standard meditation techniques to start the training. With people like him, our approach has to be individually tailored, not like the classes at the Guild. He's now our strongest and most dependable broadcaster. He's even been able to improve his ability to receive."
"I'm glad you were successful. How do you manage to conceal people like him from recognition? Surely sending him out to Laasoi puts his life at risk?"
Lijou smiled and shook his head. "I wouldn't put him in danger, Konis. He'll be heavily disguised as a priest. All our people learn what basic Brotherhood skills they can, even me. No one will recognize him, not even his own mother, by the time they arrive at Laasoi. Will you wait here for news, or do you intend to return home?"
"I'll wait here for news, then go directly to the Palace so Nesul knows what's happened."
Lijou nodded.
"If I may make a suggestion, Master Lijou," said Garras, "I think it would be wise for you to keep one of the Brothers you trust implicitly with you at all times from now on. We don't know how Ghezu will react to your ordering the Brothers out."
Looking thoughtfully at him, once more Lijou nodded. "I think that's a wise suggestion. I have some research that needs to be done. Having an assistant to sort through the books and so on would help matters. I'd need him with me at all times, of course, so he's on hand to take notes."
Garras opened his mouth in a brief grin. "Just what I had in mind."

* * *

The Laasoi Guildhouse hadn't been large, it didn't need to be to accommodate the two hundred souls that had until a few days before lived there. Now it was a smoking ruin. Large holes, their edges jagged and raw, pockmarked the walls. Windows had been blown out, and the front door was nothing more than a pile of shattered timber.
Bodies lay strewn in the rubble like autumn leaves. The smell of blood, burned flesh, and the after tang of energy weapons filled the air. Medics were checking the bodies, followed by the morgue detail Naira and Zsyzoi picked their way through the smoldering ruins checking for any more survivors. So far they'd pulled a couple of telepaths out of a basement storage area. They'd been in shock and had been taken to the medics, who'd dosed them with suppressants and shipped them immediately out to the Valsgarth Guild for specialized treatment.
The Warriors had arrived some half an hour after the Brothers, but by then, the raid by Fyak's people was well and truly over. Their job was mainly to help with the mop-up operation and check for survivors.
They'd all arrived too late. The Brothers had exchanged some sporadic fire with Fyak's people, but that had been merely a rearguard action, the bulk of them having moved out before they'd arrived.
Their sweep of the western side of the guildhouse completed, Naira and Zsyzoi headed back to the Forces transporter that was HQ and reported in to the officer on duty.
A camp had been set up, and when they'd been debriefed, they reported there to be allocated a sleeping area before standing down from duty. The nearby mess tent drew their attention, and having collected a mug of c'shar and a sweet pastry snack, they joined a table of mixed Brothers and Warriors.
"Any news on what's happening now?" asked Naira, climbing over the bench seat to sit down.
"We're staying here, that's what," said one of the Brothers from the far end of the table. "Setting up a permanent garrison. We're to keep the Tribesmen contained in the desert."
"Contained?" demanded Zsyzoi. "After this massacre? We should be gunning down every last one of them!"
"And start a civil war?" drawled the male next to her. "Besides, we haven't the numbers to go hunting them in their own lairs. Not here, now."
Zsyzoi muttered angrily to herself as she took a large bite out of her pastry.
"Heard the Forces troopers say most of their company have been sent to the Nyacko Pass," said Naira. "They must be expecting them to head out that way, too."
"If they want to leave the desert, that's the way to go," said his neighbor. "I don't think they'll go for it just now. As I hear it, this Fyak doesn't control the desert yet."
"Why attack here, then? It isn't a tactical point, it's not good farming land, so why bother?"
"Fyak's out to destroy telepaths," said Zsyzoi, wiping the back of her hand across her mouth to clear away the crumbs. "We got called in a month or two back to pull out a new Leska pair. Kitlings, they were, that's all. He had them flogged almost to death."
"Nice person," the Brother at the end of the table said. "Well, he did a good job here. Luckily, most of the telepaths had been pulled out. Only some half a dozen were left, as well as six Warriors and four of our people. Fyak got all but five of them, but by Vartra, it cost them dear."
"Thirty Tribesmen," confirmed Naira's neighbor with a nod. "And we got another ten when we arrived."
"How many telepaths were killed?" asked Naira. "We found a couple alive."
"Three bodies that we know of."
Naira looked at Zsyzoi. "Looks like they kept one," he said.
"What would Fyak do with a telepath?" asked a Warrior from the opposite side of the table. "If he's out to kill them, why would he take captives?"
"Depends who's missing. If it was Rhaid, then there's only one reason. She was one of the contenders for Clan Lord last time around. She's a powerful telepath, almost as good as the Aldatan Lord," Naira replied. "I know she was sent here last week because we brought her out. She was posted here to keep our Guild informed on the situation."
"What's she look like? I came past the morgue area," said the female Brother opposite.
"Tall. From the Northern continent— dark pelt with eyes to match. Wore her hair in a long braid at the back."
The female shook her head. "No one like that either in purple or other clothing. Looks like she's been taken."
"Get over to HQ and tell them," the Brother said to Naira. "They'll need to check it out."
Naira gulped down the remains of his c'shar and poked Zsyzoi in the ribs. "Come on," he said.

* * *

Vriuzu was sitting in the command vehicle, listening to the latest reports from the various groups as they completed their sweeps of the surrounding hillsides and the northern edge of the desert. He could cope with death and the aftermath of battle reasonably well, but not so soon after the event. The sensitivity that allowed him such accurate and long-range mental communication, prevented him from visiting the guildhouse for the next couple of hours. Even though he had a personal damper, the pain of the injured was seeping through to him and it was more than he could bear.
"Do you know this Rhaid?" asked the sub-Commander.
"Yes. I've communicated with her several times since she arrived here last week."
"Try and see if you can locate her," said Brother Rhyaz.
Vriuzu sat back in his seat and switched off his damper. He began his relaxation ritual and a few minutes later, he was able to send a probing thought out in the direction of the retreating tribesmen.
He'd located them! He frowned, wincing as he picked up the adrenaline-high they were still on after what they considered a successful mission. Blood lust was foremost in their minds as they urged their riding beasts to greater speed.
"Some have taken trophies," Vriuzu muttered, his voice thick with pain and disgust. "They mutilated the dead."
The sub-Commander glanced at his aide and lifted an eye ridge. "We didn't tell you for fear of upsetting you," he said, keeping his voice quiet. "What of the telepath?"
"I can sense a captive," said Vriuzu, shaking himself out of his contact with the desert folk and switching on his damper again. Almost instantly, he began to relax. "It wasn't pleasant," he said apologetically. "I stayed as long as I could. The captive was radiating terror, and though the mind had the feel of a telepath about it, I can't be sure," he said. "I'm afraid we'll have to wait till they've done a check on the identities of the bodies."
The sub-Commander nodded. "I think we've found our person," he sighed. "I'll send a report to Guild Master Esken. We'll have to hope Fyak wants a telepath because while he needs her, Rhaid should be safe, assuming she'll cooperate."
"I imagine she'll have no choice," said Vriuzu quietly. "Our ability to experience others' pain, never mind our own, makes us vulnerable in any military action. What do you plan to do next, sub-Commander?"
"Our orders are to consolidate our position and guard the pass," he said. "We're not following them into the desert until the situation has been properly assessed. I'm afraid we can't mount a rescue for her. It looks like we're all here for several weeks at least."
Vriuzu nodded. "My orders are to return to Stronghold tonight. If you need me further, you'll have to approach Guild Master Lijou. I have duties at Stronghold I can't neglect."
"Very well. We'll have you flown back at dusk."
"Thank you, sub-Commander."

* * *

"Poor bastard," muttered Zsyzoi as they walked back to the mess tent. "I'd rather be dead than taken by Fyak."
"Well, he's got a soft spot for us, hasn't he?" grinned Naira, showing his teeth. "Ever since we took the kitlings and their mother away from him."

* * *

Ghezu had also heard the news on the comm. He was not happy, as Zhaya knew only too well.
"I knew I should have pushed for sole control of the Guild!" he raged as he drove the aircar back to Stronghold.
"Guild Master," said Zhaya from his seat beside him. "Perhaps I should land the craft. You could then contact the Guild and see what's happening."
"I don't need to contact Stronghold to know what's happening! I know what's bloody well happening! So does all the world! Why the hell couldn't Fyak have waited? He wasn't supposed to strike till tomorrow at the earliest! I'd have been back by then."
"He must know by striking a day early that he can't depend on our help."
"He's a bloody lunatic!" said Ghezu, as he skimmed the vehicle across the tops of the trees outside Dzahai village. Slim branches whipped at the underside of the vehicle, testifying as to how small a safety margin Ghezu was allowing. "His hatred and fear of telepaths is getting out of control. He's letting that overrule his common sense!"
The comm started to beep insistently. Ghezu flicked on the auto-response, transmitting his vehicle's ID to security.
"I could swear he was one himself," said Zhaya thoughtfully. "If he can burn out the mind of a telepath, he has to be one."
"Not necessarily," Ghezu replied. "His answer is that His God gave him his powers. They don't include the ability to read minds."
He was over Stronghold now, cutting the power of the engines as he hovered preparatory to landing. The comm came to life, demanding the passwords. Ghezu replied sharply. He had no patience with anything but seeing Lijou and demanding an explanation of his actions.
Around them as always, the wind swirled, buffeting them from side to side. Almost automatically, Ghezu used the attitude jets to stabilize his position, then slowly allowed the craft to sink down to the courtyard below.
As soon as they touched down, Ghezu cut the power completely. "Park it, Chyal. The rest of you come with me. I want to see Lijou now," he said, getting up and gesturing to his personal guard.
Ghezu brushed aside the two Brothers on courtyard security, ignoring their requests for identity cards. Hurrying through the temple, he stopped barely long enough to do homage to Vartra in his haste. He pulled the curtain aside and stormed through the door behind it into the corridor beyond. Stopping at the first doorway, he slapped his hand against the palm lock. The door slid back, revealing an empty room.
With a snarl of rage, Ghezu swung round and headed farther down the corridor till he came to the stairs at the end. Taking them at a run, he quickly reached the second level and started along the corridor to Lijou's office.
Wrenching the door open, he stalked in, eyes narrowed, ears folded sideways, ready to hunt. Looking across the room, he saw Lijou at the brewing unit.
"Just who the hell do you think you are, calling out the Brothers without my permission?" he asked coldly from his position in the doorway.
Lijou turned round slowly. "A decision needed to be made, Ghezu, and since you left me no way of communicating with you, I did what had to be done."
"I, and only I, will decide what is appropriate action for the Brotherhood," he snarled, pacing slowly into the room. "The Council may have said we were jointly in charge, but no one other than me shall ever give orders to my people, Lijou! You've made a grave mistake in taking that power upon yourself, one you'll never make again!"
"On the contrary, Master Ghezu," said Konis, getting up from his seat in the corner of the room. "Master Lijou did what was right and proper in the circumstances."
"You keep out of this, Konis," snarled Ghezu. "You and that damned cub of yours have had too much to say for too long! This is between Lijou and me."
"Even before we were a full Guild, Ghezu, sole authority resided in me in the event of the Warrior Leader being unavailable in a crisis," said Lijou calmly. "This was just such an occasion. If you had left word where you could have been contacted ..."
Ghezu growled angrily, knowing full well why he'd been unable to be contacted.
"Governor Nesul himself requested the Brotherhood, Ghezu," said Konis. "You're the nearest unit to Laasoi. Naturally he would want your people there."
Ghezu continued to growl until Zhaya leaned forward to touch him on the arm.
As his leader spun round, he diplomatically took several steps backward. "May I suggest, Master Ghezu, that we contact our people in the field and see what the current situation is?"
Ghezu took a deep breath, his ears beginning to right themselves again. "You're right," he said. "I'm wasting my time with this convocation of toothless nest-raiders!"
Konis walked to the doorway and watched Ghezu and his guards till they reached the end of the corridor. "How long has he been in the habit of having a personal guard?" he asked, turning back into the room and looking over to Lijou.
"Some three or four weeks. As I said, Ghezu's become paranoid about Kaid and anyone who knew him. His bodyguard's made up of newer members, ones who never knew Kaid and who weren't friendly toward Dzaka. In actual fact, training them is keeping him so occupied he hasn't the time to interfere with anyone else's work. All the staff and the senior Brothers are a lot happier because of their influence."
"How unstable is he? Have you been able to touch his mind long enough to tell?"
Lijou flicked his ears in a negative. "He picks up even the lightest mental touch. His main Talent is to receive, after all. What I have felt in the past has worried me, though."
"Ghezu has another Talent," said Garras. "He can mentally affect the way you perceive him so that even the most outrageous suggestions can seem sensible when you're in his sphere of influence."
"So that's what it was," murmured Lijou.
"Have all the telepaths you trust monitor him, especially any Guild-trained ones like Vriuzu. He can't keep his mind guarded night and day," said Konis.
"No, but the dampers he plans to have installed in Stronghold can," said Lijou, his tone grim. "I've been trying to work out why he wants them."
"That could be the proof of his paranoia that we want," said Garras.
"Esken's had some installed at the Guild because I've insisted the Warriors continue to patrol the grounds and corridors at night," said Konis. "Wanting dampers installed doesn't prove anything. However, if I were you, I wouldn't delay in appointing your research assistant. In fact, I suggest you make sure there are a couple of people that you trust around you at all times."
"Now would be a good time to acquire a lover," added Garras. "One of the Sisters, even if it's in name only."
"I'm ahead of you on that," said Lijou, mouth opening in a faint smile. "I have a Companion already."