fortuneswheel (49 page)

* * *

It took a lot to unsettle Kaid, but this silence from Kusac had him more rattled than he cared to admit. On the way out, he'd contacted the Brotherhood from the aircar, alerting them to the need to round up all suspects and start a search for the remaining assailant. It had to be one of the two ground troopers from the Forces. No one else on Shola had a reason to do this.
He was blazing with anger himself. He and his two males were supposed to be the final link in a chain of surveillance designed to stop any attempts like this. Instead, they had turned out to be the main defense. He intended to speak to Ghezu about that later.
Meral was flying their vehicle while he sat in the back with Kusac. An escort of two armed Protector craft had accompanied them, circling overhead as Meral brought the aircar down to land in the guild forecourt.
As they climbed out, Carrie came running across to meet them. Kusac had never been more glad to see her. Sevrin's death had reminded them how vulnerable flesh and blood were. They held each other close for a moment, then Kusac turned to Meral and Kaid.
"We're going to talk. Now." He turned, his arm still around Carrie, and started toward the Guild House.
Kusac closed the door and turned on the two males. "Just what the hell is going on?" he demanded. "You told me the attack on the
Khalossa
was unexpected, out of the blue, yet it's happened again. I want to know why. You also said all the dissidents were dead. If so, why were we attacked?"
"The attack on the Liegena wasn't premeditated," began Kaid.
"Don't lie to me, Kaid," Kusac warned quietly, walking past them toward his desk. He turned, leaning against the edge of it. "I'm remembering all the security people that rushed forward when Carrie was shot. At the time it was the last thing on my mind. Not now."
"Normally the people I've guarded don't want to know what's happening around them," said Kaid, equally quietly. "I work better without interference."
Carrie came over to stand beside Kusac. "How many telepaths have you guarded?" she asked. "Enough to know that we can help if we're aware of what we're facing, if we know there's danger around us? Or are you too much of a loner to want any help?"
"The attack on the
Khalossa
was not premeditated," Kaid repeated, "but I was expecting an attack to be made at some point. The rest you know."
"What about this attempt?"
"Two males were involved, one from the
Khalossa,
one from the
Rhyaki.
They were due to meet up with the antiTerran faction here. They were the two who attacked you today."
"There's still one of them at large," said Carrie.
"Not for long," said Kaid, his voice becoming a low growl. "The Brotherhood and the Protectors are looking for all of them now."
"What of these others?" asked Kusac. "Are they also determined to stop the treaty with Earth by killing us?"
"According to my informant, they plan merely to demonstrate their disapproval of the Earth treaty and would have nothing to do with the two troopers. They only wanted information from them, not your deaths."
"In future I want to be kept informed, Kaid," said Kusac. "I want to know how much danger we're in. It's our lives, not yours."
Carrie indicated the gun Kusac still wore stuck through his belt. "I want a gun, Kaid, and I want to learn how to use it properly," she said. "If there ever is a next time, I want to be able to protect myself."
"The Warrior Guild keeps contacting me, asking when we can schedule sessions with them," said Kusac. "I've been putting them off until now. I think it's become a necessity."
Carrie frowned up at him. "The Warrior Guild? Why do they want us?"
"Part of our orders were to attend their guild to have our ability to fight assessed," Kusac reminded her.
"I think it's an excellent idea, Liegen," said Kaid. "Do you want me to see Master Esken and liaise between here and the Warrior Guild?"
"Please."
"What happens to Sevrin now?" Carrie asked in the silence that followed.
"The Warrior Guild will inform his family that he died in the line of duty," said Kaid gently. "His body will be released to them for cremation on the family estate."
"I'd like to go to the funeral if the family wouldn't object," said Carrie. "I liked Sevrin. I can't believe he's gone."
"I'll contact his parents personally," said Kusac. "You organize the transport, Kaid. Would you also find out what you can about the female who was killed? I want to speak to her family, too."
"I'll see to it, Liegen," said Kaid. "The Commissioner of the Protectorate has insisted in the interests of public safety that greater security measures should be initiated here at the guild. From now on, armed Warriors will be guarding the lower levels and the grounds. Esken will just have to live with it. Snipers and assassins don't care if the innocent are hurt as this afternoon demonstrated."

* * *

The funeral was held the following day at dusk. Sevrin's body lay on a bier in front of them. He looked peaceful, as if a touch on his shoulder would waken him. Carrie shivered. The night air was chill and she stood beside Kusac wrapped within the folds of a woolen cloak. At her side, the unfamiliar weight of the energy pistol on her belt felt comforting.
Even with her shields well up, she could still sense the utter shock that Sevrin's family felt over their loss. Mingled with it was pride that he had died while on duty protecting the life of his Liegen, and that his Liegen was there with them, sharing their grief.
The night was lit by the blazing torches held by the members of his immediate family, and by Kusac and Carrie.
"Who's that?" asked Carrie, nodding toward a figure wearing a simple long brown robe. He was looking directly toward them and as Kusac glanced in his direction, he tilted his head in acknowledgment. Beside him stood another figure in a black robe.
"Ghyan. He's the old friend I spoke of," he said quietly. "He's a priest of Vartra. I don't know the other."
Carrie kept her eyes on him, aware of his curiosity. Then he turned his attention away from them and gestured the gathering to silence. All that could be heard was the sound of the wind whipping the flames of the torches.
Flanked by Sevrin's parents, Ghyan stepped forward and said a few quiet words over the bier before turning toward the rest of the family and friends. He called for the blessing of Vartra upon them, and asked that the God receive Sevrin's spirit. This done, he stepped back and took his place amongst the mourners.
Sevrin's father threw the first torch onto the bier, followed by his mother. Then the rest of the family went forward, Carrie and Kusac bringing up the rear.
The wind fanned the flames, making them leap high. As Kusac threw his torch, the last, a low keening began to build around them. It rose in pitch until it became a howl that echoed round the courtyard. Again Carrie shivered. The sound was unbearably sad.
Kusac's arm came round her shoulders, holding her firmly against his side. She felt his sorrow at losing Sevrin, as well as his fierce relief that they would never have to do this for each other. They would live, and die, together. The thought chilled her even as it comforted her and she turned into his arms, pressing close against his chest, aware of how near death had been.
The gathering broke up, following the parents back to the house. The all-night vigil would be kept by Sevrin's fellow guild members, Meral foremost among them. As they turned to leave, Ghyan came over to them.
"Funerals sadden me," he said. "His was a brave spirit from what I sense from his family and friends. He will be missed."
"Yes," said Kusac, "he will."
Ghyan put his head on one side, trying to see Carrie's face within the folds of her hooded cloak. "This must be your Leska," he said.
Carrie lifted her hood back and looked up at him. His ears were smaller than average, yet had the width of Kaid's. Brown eyes set above wide cheekbones regarded her with a faint look of amusement.
"You're from inland, aren't you? One of the highlanders," she said, holding out her palm. "And a telepath," she added, gently touching the edges of his mind before he touched her hand.
Ghyan's mouth dropped in a smile. "You're learning our ways," he said, his fingertips touching hers. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Carrie, though I'm sorry it had to be at a friend's funeral. Kusac has told me a lot about you."
Carrie's eyebrows disappeared under her fringe. "Oh? All good, I hope."
"But of course. Kusac," he said, "you must bring her to see me some day soon."
"I will."
"Have you had your strange dream again?"
"No," said Kusac.
"Yes," said Carrie, glancing sideways at her Leska.
Kusac looked down at her. "You haven't mentioned it."
"I didn't see the point," she said. "The images were all confused, like a memory that's begun to fade. I couldn't make any sense of them."
"Is that why you wake in the night?"
She nodded. "Mostly."
"When you come to visit me, you must tell me about these dreams," said Ghyan. "I must go now, I'm afraid. Sevrin's parents will need to speak to me."
"We'll see you again, Ghyan. Good-bye."
"Good-bye, Kusac. Guard your little cub well," said Ghyan, his fingers fleetingly touching Carrie's cheek before he left.
Carrie turned to Kusac with a frown. "What did he mean?"
"That he appreciates your qualities," he said ambiguously, and wouldn't be drawn further.
They took their leave and returned to the guild with Kaid.

* * *

Once they had gone to their room, Kaid contacted the office of the Protectorate, the civilian police force on Shola. He was put through to the Commissioner of Valsgarth.
"Any news yet, Commissioner?" he asked.
"Nazule has rounded up all the protesters you spoke of. Their papers have been checked and their files run through the comm. They're all clean. They had no charges on which to detain them, so they let them go this morning after AlRel had a word with them. No sign of this other trooper. We did establish that the dead one was from the
Rhyaki.
I think it's unlikely our missing male will return to the
Khalossa."
"I agree with you," said Kaid. "Have you displayed his image on the public comm nets?"
"It's going out every two hours with the newscasts. As you requested, we're not mentioning Liegen Aldatan. Someone is bound to have seen our missing male."
"Let me know the minute there's any news."
"I will."
Cutting the connection, Kaid switched off and was about to leave his room to check with the senior security officer when the message light buzzed.
"Kaid," drawled a familiar voice, "remind me to return the favor someday. I really enjoyed my free bed last night."
Kaid's mouth opened in a grin. "I thought you might. See it as my thanks for luring me out of retirement with a job I couldn't refuse."
"Bastard," said Garras without rancor.
"How's it going?"
"No problems. This lot's as innocent as day-old cubs. When the protectors told them that there had been an assassination attempt against Liegen Aldatan to stop the treaty with Earth, they were genuinely shocked. Even the truthsayer— remember old Jorto? He's still around and he recognized me— he vouched for us all."
"Stay where you are for the time being in case our male turns up looking for help."
"Fair enough. I'm involved with this rather nice young female at the moment. How's Vanna?"
"Busy, but fine. We don't see much of her these days."
"I want to see her soon, Kaid."
Garras looked around and called to someone off screen before turning back to him. "Got to go."

* * *

Later that night, he called Stronghold. "Ghezu, what the hell's going on? You told me that you'd give me backup. Where was it when I needed it today?" he demanded.
"We can't watch them every minute of the day, Tallinu. That's your job, remember?" said Ghezu. "We do what we can. In enclosed areas like the vehicle park, it isn't easy to have you tailed."
"If you've had a change of priorities, I expect to be kept informed. You do still want them kept alive, don't you?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Of course we do!"
"Then give me some people and I'll take charge of surveillance."
Ghezu only hesitated for a moment. "I'll send four people over to you tomorrow."
"How important are they to you, Ghezu?" Kaid's voice was silky.
"All right, eight, dammit, and no more!" He leaned forward and cut the connection.
Kaid smiled to himself as he switched off the comm.

* * *

It was the following week before Carrie and Kusac's schedule could be adjusted to fit in regular sessions at the Warrior Guild. Meral and Kaid were accompanying them and staying at the guild while they were there.
"Is it really necessary?" asked Kusac. "Surely we should be safe there."
"I'm not prepared to take the risk," Kaid said.
"Neither am I," said Carrie as the small aircar took off. Sevrin's death was still weighing heavily on her spirits.
The flight to the center of Nazule took about an hour. When they arrived, they were taken to Guild Master Rhayfso's private rooms. His study was an armory with a desk in the corner and a variety of swords and knives mounted in brackets on the walls. Two of the four corners of the room contained stacks of every imaginable type of pole weapon.
"Ah, you've arrived," he said, looking up from the two blades he was examining on his desk. "Good to see you again, Kaid, Meral. It's been too long. Now you two," he said, turning to Carrie and Kusac. "What do you think of these? Just arrived this morning."
Carrie stepped forward to look at the swords, putting out a tentative finger. "I won't," she said in answer to his unspoken warning, making him jump. She drew her finger along the single-edged blade just above its surface. "Your son is a fine smith. He's put beauty and strength into these blades."
"No wonder there's a superstitious awe of telepaths when you come out with something like that," said the Master, shaking his head. "Enough of these," he said, closing the lid of their case, "I want to discuss the details of your program with us."
He pushed the case to one side of his cluttered desk and sat down, indicating that they should do the same. Carrie and Kusac took the chairs nearest him while Meral and Kaid moved toward a bench at the rear of the room.
"Since Kaid contacted us, I've spent some time discussing with my staff which skills would best suit your needs. We've compiled a special course to familiarize you as swiftly as possible with the basics in three areas. Modern energy weapons, hand-to-hand combat, and the traditional skills of knife and sword. Once you've mastered them, I want to try you out against some of my students so you can see for yourself how capable you are. Commander Chuz, President of Sholan High Command, wants your capability to fight in simulated real situations assessed. Does that meet with your agreement?"
Kusac looked at Carrie and shrugged. "Whatever you say, Master Rhayfso. It's pretty much what I expected. We're here to learn."
"Good. Meral and Kaid will take you down to the veterans' quarters where you'll be staying overnight, and where your teachers will meet you. Come and see me if you have any problems," he said, standing up to indicate the meeting was over.
"Oh, by the way, you're hardly likely to need Meral and Kaid as bodyguards while you're here," he said. "I should let them have some time off duty if I were you."
"I'll stay," said Kaid unequivocally. "Meral can go off duty until twelfth hour."