thefiremargins (86 page)

Sitting down with his back to the altar, he realized worry about Carrie and fear of how he'd manage with his damaged hand was not what he needed before a fight. He began to quiet his mind, reciting the litanies to Vartra that still brought him comfort, inner peace and clear thought. Relaxed, he began to drift, confident now that he could cope with the coming Challenge.
So,
a now familiar voice said within his mind.
Should I be less because you've met me in the flesh?
The voice faded to nothing as someone shook his arm.
"It's time," said Kusac, holding out his hand to help him up. They stood eye to eye for a moment before embracing.
"Just see you win," said Kusac again.
"I'll try. If I don't, would you go with Dzaka to the Arrazo's estate? He'll tell you why. It's a promise I haven't had the chance to keep."
"We'll go together," said Kusac as they began to walk down the corridors to the cavern mouth. "I've a robe for you. Do you want to put it on?"
"Keep it for afterward."

* * *

Now that Fyak's hold had been broken and the false priest was dead, many of the remaining fighters had left to return to their tribal lands. Little of Fyak's army was left now. Riders had been sent to the Nyacko Pass to deliver the message Kusac and Chaamga had written to Governor Nesul during the last half hour: the letter that offered the Forces Kezule as the tribes' gesture of atonement.

* * *

"Carrie refuses to watch," said Kusac. "Understand that she had to watch me fight a Death Challenge on Keiss. She won't go through that a second time, she said."
"I understand."
"We've been loaned an aircar. We're leaving for home after your fight."
"Good."
Kaid walked out into the sunlight, blinking slightly as they headed toward the area that had been set aside for the Challenge. They made their way to the awning that had been set up for the Elders, and waited beside them for Ghezu's arrival.
Kusac glanced at the arena. "They're bringing Ghezu out now," he said.
Kaid nodded and stepped out to meet him.
Like Kaid, Ghezu had opted to fight unclothed because of the heat. "Think you can beat me, Kaid?" he asked, beginning to circle slowly round him. "How's the hand?"
Kaid said nothing, moving just enough to keep Ghezu in the center of his sight.
"Do you still get the drug-dreams? Dream of her a lot, do you? That's as close as you'll get now, Kaid," he said, still pacing slowly round him. "Inch at a time, that's what I said. I didn't get the chance to finish it, but I will today."
Kaid watched and waited. He felt nothing for Ghezu now, he couldn't afford to. Rage and anger had been put aside during the half hour he'd spent in the temple.

* * *

Kusac watched, afraid for his friend. He knew Kaid wasn't ready to face Ghezu yet; he was still weak not only from the torture he'd undergone, but from their journey to the Fire Margins. It had left them all weaker. If ever Kaid needed a god to answer his prayers, now was the time!

* * *

Kaid himself had no illusions about his physical state. He knew that Ghezu had the edge on him. He was also insane, with the added strength that gave him.
He's nothing to lose,
Kaid thought dispassionately as he continued to watch him.
Tiny telltale movements warned him Ghezu was about to leap, but when he did, Kaid was no longer there. Dropping down on all fours, he shoulder-charged Ghezu, timing it perfectly and catching him just as the other landed. As Ghezu fell to the ground, Kaid reared up to his full height and spun round to face him again.
As he rose, overextending his reach, Ghezu lashed out at him, his claws catching him across the chest, lacerating his flesh. Kaid leaped back; it stung, but nothing more and he knew the cuts were only shallow. As Ghezu continued coming toward him, Kaid pivoted to one side, landing him a vicious kick in the ribs. He felt something give beneath his foot and knew he'd caused some damage.
With a grunt of pain, Ghezu staggered back and stumbled to the ground. He pressed his hand to his side, trying to catch his breath as he stood up.
Warily Kaid began to circle, trying to keep on his opponent's injured side, but Ghezu followed him.

* * *

Carrie sat on the step of the aircar, clutching herself as another spasm gripped her. Sweat was running down her forehead, stinging her eyes. It passed and, shaking, she wiped her face on her forearm. It was taking all her concentration to block the pain from Kusac. There would be time enough to tell him when the fight was over. She was also terrified Kaid might pick it up and be distracted.
Like the sighing of the wind, she heard the sudden reaction of the crowd. Starting to her feet, she began to walk along the line of riding beasts toward the arena. She didn't dare use her mind to find out who'd been hurt, and she had to know. The pain was gone now, and wouldn't come again for another ten minutes or so. She had time enough to look.

* * *

The expected leap came, but with it was a cloud of dust and sand. Effectively blinded not only by the dust but by his inner eyelids, Kaid backed off, arms coming up to protect his face and throat from further injury. Then Ghezu's weight hit him full in the chest and he fell to the ground, hard. His arms were dragged from his face and slammed down on either side of him as Ghezu landed astride his chest.
Ghezu's breath was hot on his face. Kaid blinked furiously, still trying to clear the sharp particles of grit from his eyes. He could see his enemy hazily: his face was only inches away.
"You and me, Kaid. That's what you wanted, wasn't it? One on one— a chance to kill me." His voice dropped to a low malicious snarl, lips pulling back to reveal his teeth. "You're finished now. You've lost it, Kaid. I said I'd break you and I did. I knew I had the moment you tried to make me kill you at Stronghold." He began to laugh, edging his left hand along Kaid's arm toward his injured hand.
Kaid did the only thing he could: he brought his head up sharply and hit Ghezu in the face. The blow stunned him, too, and he lay there momentarily dazed.
With a yowl of pain, Ghezu released one of Kaid's arms, sitting back to put his hand up to his nose. He sneezed and snorted as blood began to flow from it.
Still dizzy, Kaid reached up and grabbed hold of him by the scruff, extending his claws into the loose flesh as he twisted it tightly, jerking Ghezu to the side. The unexpectedness of his follow-through caught Ghezu unaware and he tumbled sideways, taking Kaid with him.
Releasing his grip, Kaid found himself sprawled across Ghezu. Seeing his opportunity, he lunged for the exposed throat. Ghezu was quicker, and forcing his hand between them, he managed to hold Kaid off. He still had hold of Kaid's right hand, and shifting his grasp, he managed to trap it within his.
Kaid yowled in agony, pain lancing through him as Ghezu began to crush his damaged fingers. Slowly, painfully, he inched his free hand up, trying to grasp Ghezu by the jaw.

* * *

Carrie stood there, almost hidden among the desert fight-ers, her fist pressed to her mouth as she watched.
One of the males standing beside her looked down. His hand reached out to touch her shoulder gently. She looked up at him, eyes wide with fear.
"Vartra will protect him, Liegena, never fear," he said.
With a sob, Carrie turned and, clutching her belly, stumbled back toward the aircar. As she rounded the outcrop of rock between the riding beasts and the vehicle, she had to stop as another spasm wracked her.

* * *

Ghezu's hand reached frantically for Kaid's throat but met his teeth instead. Biting down hard, Kaid felt his canines puncture the flesh, and grate through the bones till his teeth met. Blood spurted into his mouth, almost choking him, making him swallow convulsively.
The screech of pain from Ghezu almost deafened him and the pressure on his damaged hand was instantly removed. Opening his jaws, and releasing his grip on Ghezu's neck, he pushed himself back, scrambling to consolidate his position on Ghezu's chest. The pain in his own hand hadn't diminished, but he pushed it aside as best he could.
Beneath him, Ghezu twisted and bucked, trying to throw him off, trying to protect his mangled hand. It had to end now, Kaid knew. Ghezu's neck arched back momentarily. Clenching his good hand, he struck at Ghezu's larynx, crushing it, feeling the spine beneath snap.
Ghezu went instantly limp. Eyes dilated, he stared up at Kaid, making small gurgling sounds as blood from his larynx and nose began to flood down into his lungs.
"Who broke whom, Ghezu?" Kaid asked softly, reaching for Ghezu's right arm and pulling Khemu's bracelet free. Taking his time, he put it back on his own wrist, where it belonged.
He could feel Ghezu's helpless rage turn to horror as he realized he was dying. He wasn't prepared to experience the dissolution of his enemy's mind, the gradual extinction of his senses, his memories, and finally himself.
Sickened, Kaid got to his feet, turned and walked away.

* * *

Kusac ran across the arena to meet him.
"Are you hurt?" He touched the oozing claw tracks across his friend's chest.
Kaid shook his head slowly. "I had to kill him that way." He needed Kusac to understand, and was afraid he wouldn't. Part of his mind told him that this was what feelings did to one.
"I know," said Kusac, looking briefly over to where Ghezu lay gasping and wheezing. He held out the robe for him to put on. "Is it over now?" he asked, searching Kaid's face.
"Yes. It's over," Kaid said, closing his eyes and swaying slightly.
Kusac caught hold of him.
"I'm fine, just drained now it's finished," Kaid said, righting himself.
"Let's go home," said Kusac, helping him into the robe and tying the sash for him. "Carrie's waiting. You got Khemu's bracelet?"
Kaid nodded.
The warriors parted for them as they headed toward the line of tethered animals. When they reached the rock where Carrie had stopped, Kaid held Kusac back.
"Wait," he said. His inner lids were partially closed and his face had a pinched look about it. Leaning against the rock for support, he began to vomit blood.
"Kaid! What the hell's wrong?" demanded Kusac, leaning over him. "Where's the blood coming from? You
have
been hurt! Have you got internal injuries?"
Kaid grasped hold of his arm, holding onto him as his retching began to lessen. At last he straightened up, wiping a trembling forearm across his face. "I'm fine. It's Ghezu's blood, not mine."
Kusac reached out and put his hands on his friend's shoulders. "You frightened me, Kaid. I thought we really were going to lose you this time."
Kaid's grin was uneven— part Sholan, part Human. "Not yet," he said, his good hand going up to cover Kusac's.
He hesitated a moment, then looked down at his injured hand. Once again his fingers were swollen and hurt when he tried to move them, though it didn't feel as if they'd suffered any worse damage.
"I saw him get your hand," Kusac growled, watching while Kaid examined it.
"I don't think it's that bad. Kusac, my hand had healed," Kaid said, looking up at him. "Time acted strangely on us while we were in the past. We've aged by several weeks. It's done the same to Carrie. She's closer to having the cub than we thought."
Kusac glanced round at the aircar, worry written in the set of his ears. He began to run, Kaid close behind him.

* * *

Carrie was sitting resting quietly when they arrived. She opened her eyes and smiled at them.
"I knew you were all right," she said.
"Carrie, how close are you to having the cub?" asked Kusac, squatting down beside her.
"Several weeks yet," she said, reaching out to stroke his face. "Don't worry, we're fine."
"Kaid's hand healed faster than it should. You're further on than you think."
"We're going home. I'll see Vanna as soon as we get there, I promise," she said.
"Are you sure?" he asked, taking her hand in his.
"Positive. Now let's leave," she said.
"I'll drive, you sit with her," said Kaid, slipping into the pilot's seat and sealing the door.
"I'll call home first," said Kusac, moving to sit in the front.
He punched in the number and to his surprise, found the call diverted to the Shrine.
"Thank the Gods you're safe," Konis said, the relief evident on his face. "You're at Chezy?"
"How did you know?"
"T'Chebbi. She worked out you'd arrived back at another temple. Ghyan pinpointed it as Chezy. Raiban's forces are already on their way out for you." He hesitated. "Did you...?"
Kusac nodded. "We walked the Fire Margins, Father, and we're all safe."
"What about the situation out there? How did you persuade Fyak to let you go?"
"Fyak's dead, so's Ghezu. It's a long story, Father. I'll tell you when we get back. Have you been told about the Valtegan yet?"
"What Valtegan?"
"Contact Raiban. We brought Fyak's God Kezule back with us."
"What?" Konis' confusion showed in the set of his ears. "You've brought back a Valtegan?"
"One from the old days, before they were so afraid of us. You should be able to get a lot of information from him, even if it's one and a half thousand years out of date." Kusac could feel the tiredness descending on him like a weight. "Talk to Raiban, Father. Tell Vanna that Carrie's near her time. We'll need her when we arrive."
Konis frowned. "Carrie's all right, isn't she? She wasn't due for another couple of months."
"It was going back in time that did it. The cub isn't premature, don't worry."
"I thought she was going to Noni."
Kusac shrugged and grinned. "She wants to come home."
"I'll tell Raiban you're on your way," said Konis. "Travel safely."
"We'll see you soon," said Kusac, signing off.

* * *