thefiremargins (47 page)

* * *

When Garras arrived with Kusac, Carrie could feel his hackles rising as he looked over to where Brynne sat on the settee. She put her drink down on the side table and looked from one to the other.
"Jack's in with Vanna just now. I don't want any trouble between you two. You'd better start behaving civilly to each other," she said. "I've no intention of letting either of you upset Vanna, or me for that matter, with your male posturing! You're both responsible for Vanna in your own ways, and you're both important to her. But Garras, the cub is Brynne's, and as his father, he has the right to be here."
The two males looked at her in surprise.
"Brynne, Garras is Vanna's mate, don't forget that," she said tiredly. "If you want to be accorded your rights as a father, then makes sure you give Garras his as her mate. So you can both put your hackles down now— and yes, Brynne, you have hackles just as real as Garras has!"
She could feel Garras forcing himself to relax as he padded over to one of the other chairs. Brynne ... well, he seemed to almost disappear mentally. Kusac joined her, perching on the arm of her chair and putting his arm round her shoulders.
A short time later, Jack emerged to ask them to arrange for Vanna to be taken to the medical unit at the Valsgarth Telepath Guild.
"There's nothing to worry about, I simply want to be sure I've got the best equipment and staff to hand just in case. Carrie, I want you to stay here," he said. "You're too recognizable. If you come with us, it'll only attract the newsnets. Besides, you need to rest. Go home. You look tired out."

* * *

Dzaka was relieved shortly after Kusac and Garras joined Carrie at Vanna's home. He went up to the dig to take Garras' place as the imminent birth of Vanna's cub brought back more memories than he could cope with.
He found the place where he'd been working before and, collecting his tools, was carefully scraping the soil away from a piece of an ancient vehicle, finding comfort in the mindless, repetitive work. The sound of a footfall close by disturbed his peace, then he recognized her scent. Kitra. He sighed. Lately he couldn't turn round without finding her behind him. Not that he minded in one way, she was a bright kitling, always asking sensible questions. But it could be damned inconvenient having her following him at times.
"Lo, Dzaka," she said, squatting down to one side of him. "Thought you'd be up at the villa with Carrie. Jack took Vanna off to the medical center to have her cub."
He flicked an ear in greeting. "Is Vanna all right?" he asked, stopping what he was doing to look round at her.
"I think so. Jack said to Carrie that he wanted her to be safe, she didn't really have to go. Do you think she'll be all right?" There was a worried frown on her face.
"I'm sure she'll be fine," said Dzaka reassuringly. "She's got plenty of experienced physicians round her at the center."
"I suppose," she said.
He returned to his scrapings, hoping she'd wander off and find someone else to talk to.
"What's that?" she asked, her hand coming between him and the piece he was working on.
"A piece of a road vehicle."
"Road vehicle?"
"They didn't have aircars back then, Kitra," he explained. "Their vehicles ran on wheels."
"There's writing on it," she said, her hand once more coming between him and his work. "What does it say?"
"I don't know yet. I haven't uncovered enough of it to show all the letters."
"I could help," she offered. "It would be finished twice as quickly."
He stopped and looked round at her eager face. A wide-eyed amber gaze looked up hopefully at him.
"Please."
He found it difficult to say anything but "All right." He reached for the brush and handed it to her. "Here you are. You start brushing all the loose soil off that piece there, while I carry on digging it out."
They continued working for about an hour, chatting companionably, until someone yelled, "C'shar! Come and get it!"
"I'm thirsty," said Kitra. "Are you? Shall I go and get us a drink?"
"No. You stay here, I'll get them," said Dzaka. "I could do with stretching my legs. I'm a bit bigger than you and I've been sitting cramped up for too long!"
Kitra laughed, watching him get up and stretch before he ambled off to where a c'shar urn and mugs had been set up.
As he waited in the small queue, he felt a tap on his shoulder and turned round to find Rulla behind him.
"I'd be careful, if I were you, Dzaka," he said. "Playing fast with the Liege's little sister. Not a good idea."
Dzaka frowned. "Don't be ridiculous," he said, turning away from him. "She's barely more than a cub. What do you think I am?"
"I think you're presuming on our Liege's good nature, that's what."
"Look," Dzaka said, turning again. "She's a child! She's the one that's following me around!"
"Then stop encouraging her," Rulla growled, grasping him by the arm. "She's the same age as that young Leska pair from the desert, she's old enough! We've seen how she looks at you, so just make sure you leave her alone, hear me? There's a couple of us watching out for her. You touch her, we'll know about it."
Dzaka prized Rulla's hand off his arm. "You've really taken a dislike to me, haven't you, Rulla?" he said. "Why? I've done nothing to you. If you think you can use Kitra as an excuse to have a row, think again! Anyone who'd stoop that low is beneath my contempt. Kitra's as safe with me as if she were my own daughter!"
"Hey, Dzaka! Your turn," said T'Chebbi.
"Just watch your step," warned Rulla as Dzaka turned to answer her.
T'Chebbi handed him two mugs, looking past him at Rulla. "Say hello to Kitra," she said pointedly. "Rulla forgets himself at times."
Dzaka turned to leave, only to find his way blocked by Rulla. "Remember what I said."
"Get out of my way," snarled Dzaka, sidestepping him and heading back to where Kitra was sitting.
She took the mug he offered her. "Thanks."
He sat down, keeping his back to the cavern wall so he could see everyone. "It's getting late, Kitra," he said. "Might be sensible to drink your c'shar and go home."
"It's not that late, and Mother knows I'm here. I told her I was coming to see you."
Dzaka began to feel uncomfortable. He raised his mug, taking a mouthful of his drink. "When you're over at the villa, where do you tell your mother you're going?" he asked, almost afraid to hear her answer.
"I tell her I'm going to see my brother and Carrie, of course," she said with a small frown.
Dzaka began to breathe more easily.
"And you," she added with a grin.
The mouthful of c'shar went down the wrong way and he began to choke on it.
"Are you all right?" she demanded, putting her mug down on the ground and moving closer. She began to hit him repeatedly on the back.
He twisted away from her, coughing. "I'm fine, Kitra. Honestly. I don't need any help."
She squatted back, looking at him in concern. "Are you sure?" she asked. "Your eyes are watering and your face is scrunched up."
He rubbed the back of his hand across his eyes and began to laugh. "Yes, I'm fine, little one. Now, come on. Finish your drink and head back home. It's going to be dark soon."
She reached for her mug again. "Won't you walk me back?"
"Not this time, Kitra. I want to finish this first," he said, waving a hand in the direction of his partly exposed vehicle.
"You're going to be here very late," she said, glancing over at it.
"I don't mean finish digging it
all
out," he said. "Just the lettering."
"Oh," she said quietly. "I thought we could have finished it together." She paused, then added, "I like helping you. You're one of the few people who don't treat me like a child. The others won't see that I've grown up now."
Acutely uncomfortable and aware that he was being observed, Dzaka thought furiously for a suitable answer.
"I like talking to you, too, Kitra. I'll tell you what. Tomorrow morning I'm off duty. How about you come over to the villa and I'll have a weapons practice with you? You enjoy learning how to use a sword, don't you?"
"I'd like that," she said, brightening up.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, T'Chebbi said hello," he added.
"T'Chebbi?"
He nodded. "She doesn't think you're still a cub, does she?"
Kitra shook her head. "T'Chebbi doesn't say much of anything to anyone."
"Well, she speaks to you, doesn't she? And she wouldn't waste her time on a cub."
He got a long look in reply. "Dzaka, don't patronize me," she said. "If you don't want me around, just tell me."
Oh Gods!
he thought.
Now I've done it!
Then anger hit him. He'd managed to hurt her feelings because he'd been concerned at what Rulla had said.
"Kitra, you want to come and talk to me any time, you do it, d'you hear me?" he said, reaching out to touch her cheek. "I'll leave this bit of my digging until the next time you can help me." He got to his feet and held out his hand to her. "Come on. I'll walk you home."
She looked up at him, surprise written in the set of her ears. "You will?" she asked, taking his hand and letting him help her up.
"Yes, I will," he said firmly. Bending down he picked up their mugs. "Let's give these back to T'Chebbi on our way out."
As they turned to leave her, T'Chebbi caught Dzaka by the arm. "Be careful coming back," she said quietly.
"I will," he said.

* * *

The afternoon was made even longer because they were waiting at home, but as night fell, Garras called them to say that Vanna was well, and the cub, a male called Marak, had been born safely, though Jack wanted them kept in overnight for observation and tests.
"What's he like?" asked Kusac, who'd taken the call.
"What we expected, predominantly Sholan, I'm thankful to say. It makes it easier for me as Vanna's mate. Had he been more Human, Brynne might have felt he should be more involved in his upbringing than we want— maybe even have tried to take him away from us. Apart from that, it's difficult to describe how a cub this young looks, Kusac."
"Try." He needed to know.
Garras sighed. "Small, very small I thought, but Vanna says they're all that size at first. His pelt is pale just like Vanna's— you know, that lovely beige color like the sand out by Nazule Bay. His eyes aren't open yet, won't be for another five days. The specialist at the center said it's still too early to see any difference between him and a pure Sholan cub."
Kusac didn't know whether to be relieved or not. Their cub ought to be the same, which meant she'd look like his people. But how would Carrie feel about that? At least Vanna was now holding a child that looked like her, who would grow up with two Sholan parents, not one Human, the other Sholan.
"You worry too much, Kusac," said Garras gently. "Carrie will cope better than you think."
"Why the tests?" he asked, feeling guilty that he'd let his worries intrude into Garras' news. "He's all right, isn't he?"
"Is Carrie there?" Garras asked quietly.
"No. She's sleeping in the bedroom."
"Because he's a mixture of Sholan and Human, Jack wants to be sure there aren't any defects. There's possibly a heart murmur, but it could just be an echo that's common with newborns. Don't mention it to Carrie though. We don't want her worrying about her cub. Don't you go worrying either," he added.
"Perhaps I should have let Vanna do a post mortem on our cub after all," he said.
"No, you did the right thing, Kusac. I would have done the same."
"It's too late now to regret it anyway. But Vanna? You say she's fine?"
"Tired, that's all. Jack said he wished it could be as easy for Humans as it was for her. Vanna wanted me with her after all, and Tutor Sorli himself came over to register Brynne as the father, so he's happy. Considering he didn't know that Marak would look so Sholan, he took it well."
"We'll come and see her tomorrow," said Kusac, shaking himself out of his morbid concern. "Tell her we'll ask the Green Goddess to look after her and her cub."
"She'll appreciate that. Till tomorrow."

* * *

Rhyasha persuaded Dzaka to join her for a cup of c'shar and a plate of cookies in the family kitchen. He was puzzled by her sudden interest in him, but too polite to refuse. Consequently, it was dark before he started back, carefully choosing to return by a different route. He was within a few hundred yards of home and the illuminated main street when he sensed he was being followed. Growling softly to himself, he considered his options. Not good, he was in the open. He could make a dash for the lights, but that course didn't have much dignity attached to it. This was something that wasn't going to go away. There would be more times like this, when Rulla and his particular friends decided they didn't like what he was doing. As well face it now as later.
Turning so the lights were behind him, he backed off to the nearest tree, scanning the grounds in front of him for his attackers. He could feel Rulla's anger and resentment washing over him. He blamed him for his father's capture, and while he couldn't do anything to help Kaid, he could hurt the one he considered responsible.
Rulla stepped out from the shadows of a nearby bush. "You couldn't take a warning, could you, Dzaka?" he said. "You use people, do you know that? You used Kaid to get away from Fyak's lot, and now you're using Kitra to get close to our Liege."
Dzaka frowned. What was he talking about?
"You want to make a place for yourself, somewhere you'll be safe from Kaid when he returns, is that it?" He moved closer, tail swaying rhythmically, ears flattening ready to fight.
A movement to his left caught his eye. He risked a quick glance. One of the estate guards Rulla had been keeping company with lately.
"Are you afraid to Challenge me then, Rulla?" he asked. "Is that why there's the two of you? Can't be sure you can take me alone?"
"Count again, Dzaka," purred Rulla. "There's three of us. And no, I'm not going to Challenge you. This isn't worthy of a Challenge. This is a warning. Stay away from the cub. She's too young to be used by the likes of you."
As Dzaka saw a third person join the other two in front of him, suddenly another figure loomed up out of the night. He recognized the scent. T'Chebbi. She stepped up to his side.
"You fools," she said, putting her hands on her hips and regarding the three males with utter scorn. "You know nothing, Rulla. You talk lots, say nothing! She's not child, is Kitra. You males are stupid when it comes to us!" She gave a bark of laughter. "That little one will chose who she wants, and soon! You won't stop her. Now go, before I tell the Liege you break your oath to him!"
"I'm breaking no oaths, T'Chebbi!" Rulla hissed. "This has nothing to do with you!"
"Has. Our oath is obey our Liege. He says Dzaka protected. What is protection worth when his liegemen attack each other, huh?"
"She's a child, T'Chebbi! He's trying to seduce her!" Rulla protested.
"Not a child," she insisted, shaking her head. "You aren't at the villa. You don't see her follow him. She's hunting him!" She stepped forward in front of Dzaka. "You want I get the Liegena? You ask her about his sister?"
"Don't be ridiculous," muttered Rulla, looking away.
"Ridiculous? You are! Go home. Leave them be. They sort it themselves, not you! Unless you want a Challenge with me!" She growled, one hand going to rest on the long knife at her belt.
Dzaka moved to stand beside her. "T'Chebbi, I can handle this," he began.
She pushed him back. "You stay there. Kaid won't be pleased if you're hurt. He'll only fight Rulla and those two." She faced Rulla again. "I tell you for the last time. The Liegena knows what happens. Kitra and Dzaka meet at the villa. Not your concern," she said, taking another step toward Rulla. "Now go!"
Rulla turned to look for his friends— and found himself alone. He began to back away.
They watched him turn and head for the Brothers' house, waiting until they saw him go in. Dzaka turned to T'Chebbi. He didn't quite know what to say. For the second time that day, he'd found support in an unexpected quarter.
"He feels too much for Kaid," said T'Chebbi, starting to walk toward the lights.
"Feels too much?" asked Dzaka, keeping pace with her.
She looked at him. "He wishes he was you. Kaid's son."
"Ah, I know what you mean."
"You like Kitra?" she asked as they approached the villa.
"She's a nice child," he said.
T'Chebbi began to laugh gently.
"What is it?" he demanded.
"You're in for a surprise," she chuckled, a look of pure mischief the likes of which he'd never have expected to see lighting up her usually somber face. She headed under the archway into the villa's grounds, leaving Dzaka standing bewildered outside.
He broke into a run, catching up to her as she walked round to the side door. "Why did you help me?" he asked, taking her by the arm to slow her down.
"Told Rulla why," she said.
"Yes. Apart from that. I mean earlier," he stammered.
She stopped and regarded him seriously. "You're Kaid's son. Like him, but different. I should have known someone like you when I was Kitra's age," she said. "I didn't. It was too late when I met Kaid. Early hurts don't ever go, Dzaka." She turned and walked into the house, leaving him to follow in his own time.