thefiremargins (49 page)

CHAPTER 14

"It's been thoroughly picked over, Jo!" Davies had to shout to be heard above the sound of the wind howling round the wreckage of the Valtegan vehicle. "There's not much chance of us finding anything useful here!"
"Keep looking!" she yelled before turning back to the ruined consol. Davies was probably right, she thought, carefully moving the sections of electronic panels that hung by wires from the remains of the pilot's control array.
Inside the craft, despite the gaping split down one side of the hull, they were protected from the worst of the weather. While she picked her way through the controls, Davies was checking out the rear compartment where the cargo would have been stowed. She looked up again, squinting through the breach, checking to see if Kris was visible yet. The whole area surrounding the craft had been trampled down by people and animals dragging a heavy object. Kris, predicting a blizzard, had been quartering the surrounding area looking for clearer tracks. He wanted some idea of which direction the salvage party had been heading before the now leaden sky disgorged its burden of snow, obliterated the tracks and with it any chance of following them.
Squeezing past the seats, she stood to one side of the gap, narrowing her eyes as she tried to peer through the fast approaching twilight. A dark figure appeared over the ridge and just as it occurred to her it might not be Kris, she sensed his mental reassurance.
Their trip through the forest and up the lower mountain slopes had proved to be uneventful, the highpoint thankfully being the night they'd spent in the tree listening to the chorus of wild canines in the distance. Kris had relieved the boredom for them both by teaching her how to use her Talent to receive a basic telepathic message from him.
As he ducked to step through the gap, the first few flakes of snow followed him into the wreck.
"God, it's freezing out there," he said, unwinding his scarf from his mouth and nose.
"Any luck?"
He nodded. "They were headed southeast from here. To the nearest settlement I expect."
"How old are the tracks?"
He shrugged. "A day or two at most. They're still fairly sharply outlined." He stopped and half-turned to the gap through which myriads of snow flakes were now gusting. "I think we'd better see about turning this into a shelter for tonight at least, possibly longer if the blizzard keeps up. It's gotten too dark to see in here anyway."
She turned to look in Davies' direction. "Davies! We're calling it a night! Are there any pieces of wreckage back there big enough to plug this gap?"
He gestured for them to join him and pointed toward a tangle of debris that had once been one of the inner bulkheads.
As they manhandled the pieces into place over the breach in the hull, gradually the sound of the wind dropped and they were able to hear each other without having to shout. The temperature began to rise a little too.
Jo stood back and surveyed their handiwork.
"It isn't perfect, but it'll keep the worst of the wind out," said Kris as he adjusted the piece of metal he'd just propped against the hull.
Davies came up from the rear lugging a box about half a meter long by some thirty centimeters deep. With a groan, he carefully deposited it end up against Kris' panel. "It's locked, but I reckon it's a tool box," he said. "It's heavy enough to stop the wind blowing that section down at least."
"Good idea," said Jo. "Any more like that down there?"
" 'Fraid not. I think this ship was sent down on autopilot. There's none of the gear you'd expect there to be on a manned drop-vehicle like this. And no bodies," he added.
"No signs of blood either," said Jo. "With a crash of this nature, I'd expect the crew to have sustained injuries serious enough to kill them."
Kris walked up to the seats, leaning over them to have a look at the consol. "Is it a Valtegan vehicle?" he asked, reaching out to pick up one of the hanging circuit boards.
"Definitely. Look at the recessed key pads," Jo said. "They're not quite the same as the Sholan ones we used in the life pod on Keiss, but they're close enough. Sholans use their claw tips too, except theirs retract and the Valtegans' don't. If this was an automated craft, then we're not likely to find any maps or star charts."
Kris let the panel drop and turned away from the seats. "Let's get ourselves settled and fed, Jo. Anything else can wait for the morning."
"I agree. Davies, you can get that torch of yours out now. I don't think we're likely to be disturbed tonight. It's too damned cold for one thing, and we're at least twenty miles from the nearest town."
"How'd you know about my torch?" asked Davies as he went over to his pack and began unfastening it.
"I didn't, till now," she grinned as he pulled it out and switched it on.
A gentle glow filled the interior of the craft, making them all blink at its sudden brightness.
"You don't realise how dark it's getting till you put a light on," Davies said, placing the torch on top of his pack. He gave Jo a sideways look. "I brought a few fuel pellets, too. Shall I get them out? We could all do with a hot meal."
Jo sighed. "Yes, get them out! I'm too grateful that you have them to care."
Within half an hour, they'd spread their insulated cloaks on the ground and boiled enough hot water for a drink. In a pan over the makeshift stove, their dried meat ration plus a generous handful of dried vegetables, was simmering.
"What did you find out there?" Jo asked Kris as she held her mug close to her face, letting the vapor that rose from it warm her. She felt like she was finally beginning to thaw out.
"What we expected. The footprints of some half a dozen people leading off toward the nearest town. It looked as if the animals were dragging a sledge of some kind from the tracks they left in the snow." He leaned toward his pack, taking the map out of a side pocket. "Here, hold my mug, please," he said, holding it out to Jo. Once she'd taken it from him, he spread the map out on the floor between them.
"The tracks were heading southeast, toward the settlement here— a small town by the looks of it," he said, pointing to the place on the map.
"How far?" asked Davies.
"A couple of days walk at least for us, longer for them, but they've got a head start on us."
"Is it sensible to follow them into a town?" asked Jo, handing him back his mug. "We haven't much chance of finding whatever it was they took from here."
"The
Summer Bounty
should be in range, if not tonight, then tomorrow. We could delay leaving until we've spoken to Vyaka," Kris suggested. "Not that I think we'll have the option of leaving tomorrow. I reckon we're in for a couple of days of this blizzard."
"I want at least a day spent checking over this craft," said Jo. "I need to take rough sketches of anything that bears any Valtegan scripts or symbols. That control panel, for instance. The keys have Valtegan characters. There isn't much that hasn't been vandalized, but among the wreckage there may still be a few treasures we can find— items the Jalnians are too tech backward to recognize as being useful."
"I can live with that," said Davies, poking his knife into the pan to test the meat. "This is almost ready."
A chirring noise heralded the emergence of Scamp. Pulling himself out of Kris' sweater, he jumped lightly down to the floor and cautiously approached the pan of steaming stew. His nose wrinkled, the whiskers twitching as he began to sniff the air. With a flick of his tail, he turned and scampered back to Kris. Rising up onto his hind legs, he placed one paw on his master's leg, looking up hopefully as he made a series of tiny chittering noises.
Absently, Kris reached down to caress his head. "Yes, you'll get some too," he said, his attention still on the map.
Half an hour later, with hot food in their stomachs, they began to settle down for the night. After fastening her cloak together with the almost invisible seals the Sholans used, Jo had a pretty fair sleeping bag. Unlacing her boots, she began to haul one off when Kris leaned over and took hold of her foot.
"Let me," he said, giving the boot a tug.
"Thanks," said Jo, taking it from him, then putting her other foot into his waiting hands.
While she wriggled into her cloak-bag, Kris looked over at Davies. "I suggest we sleep close tonight. Our mutual body heat will help to keep us all warmer." He looked questioningly back at Jo.
"Fine by me," she said. "You're the field specialist."
"I don't think so," said Davies. "I was never into threesomes."
"Don't be daft," said Jo, folding her jacket up for a pillow before she lay down. "There's nothing sexual in Kris' suggestion. It's just common sense. Besides, I don't think you're his type!"
"Uh huh," said Davies, obliquely.
"If you've got a problem with it, then lie at our feet. I assure you, I don't have any worries," Jo said, curling up on her side. As she felt Kris settle down against her back, she heard Davies get up and move over toward them. A few minutes later, the torch was put out.
Carefully she stretched her feet down a few inches and felt the solidity of Davies lying there. With a small grin, she drew her feet up again. Kris had been right, she thought as she drifted off to sleep. Already his body heat was making her feel warmer than she'd been for many a night.
She woke with a start, aware of the weight of an arm across her body and a movement against her chest. Panic flared briefly until a feathery touch under her chin told her that Scamp had decided to sleep with her. He wriggled his way down into her bag, then, twisting round, curled up against her chest. Reaching up, she gently stroked him, feeling him begin to purr softly. A sense of well-being began to seep into her thoughts. With a small, contented sigh, she relaxed again as behind her, Kris stirred in his sleep and tucked her closer to him.

* * *

Ghezu arrived three hours later. His armored aircar landed just inside the cavern. As he emerged and looked around for Fyak, his personal guard of four Brothers joined him, one of them towing a floating stretcher.
Unhurriedly, Vraiyou came to greet them. He bowed, making a gesture of greeting, if not one of welcome.
"The Word of Kezule sends his regrets, but he is deep in meditation. I will take you to the prisoner. He's in our infirmary."
Ghezu gave a low growl of annoyance. "I didn't expect to collect an injured captive. This affects my own plans for him."
"He attempted to escape," said Vraiyou imperturbably, turning away from him. "He was punished, as are all who break our holy laws."
"You overstepped yourselves, not only by punishing him, but by not informing me earlier that you had him in your custody," Ghezu growled.
"I'm afraid you'll have to discuss that with the Prophet himself. As to his punishment, no one can be above the law. Isn't that why you want this male? Because he put himself above your laws?"
Ghezu followed him to the infirmary, tail angrily lashing from side to side. He wasn't in a position to argue with the Head Acolyte and knowing that didn't sweeten his temper. He'd wanted Kaid untouched. Apart from any other considerations, it was a damned sight more difficult to smuggle an injured person on a floater into Stronghold, especially along the tunnels.
"He should have been left for me to punish," he said abruptly. "Tell that prophet of yours that the next time he takes the law into his own hands when dealing with me, will be his last. Our agreement will be over."
"I'll pass on your message, of course," said Vraiyou, holding aside the curtain that covered the infirmary doorway. "However, surely mutual toleration for each other's customs isn't too much to ask in a business arrangement?"
Ghezu pushed angrily past him and L'Seuli, his guards and the floater following in his wake. "Just tell him," he said, coming to a stop. "Where is he?"
Anirra emerged from his dispensary at the rear of the ward. "You've come for Kaid? He's over there," he said, pointing at the nearest bed. "The analgesics have made him sleep. Fyak had him flogged. As for the stunner shot, I can't tell you if there'll be any permanent neural damage. He's obviously still in a great deal of pain. In fact, he's lucky to be alive."
Striding over to where he indicated, Ghezu stopped and stood looking at the inert form of Kaid. His body limp, he lay face down on the bed, ears flat against his head, his pelt dull and matted with dried blood. Over his back lay a large dressing, its bloodstained whiteness a stark contrast against his tan coloring.
Ghezu lifted a corner of the dressing, noticing the involuntary flinching of Kaid's back muscles as he did. Beneath it lay a mass of bloody, swollen cuts that crisscrossed his back.
"He'll need continued medical care," said Anirra, handing a card to Zhaya. "That's a record of his treatment so far. I've washed the wounds, cut back the fur so they'll heal cleanly, and sprayed them with antibiotic sealant. It'll last till you get him to Stronghold but not much longer. His wounds are still bleeding just enough to prevent the sealant from holding. He'll need to exercise gently to make sure that when the scar tissue forms, it doesn't pull his flesh too tight."
Thoughtfully Ghezu let the dressing drop back into place. Perhaps this served his purpose even better. Because of his injuries, Kaid was now totally at his mercy. As he turned away, the glint of silver on Kaid's wrist caught his eye. He reached down to touch it, wanting to see the symbol on the bracelet. As he did, Kaid's hand clenched into a fist.
"You might wait till I'm dead before robbing me." Kaid's voice was slurred and barely audible. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked up at Ghezu. "Yes, it's Khemu's. We bonded before she died." He grinned, baring his teeth at his captor. "You still can't have her, Ghezu. She's beyond us both now."
"Damn you, Kaid!" Ghezu felt his ears folding in anger as he drew back from the bed. "Why you? Why did she choose you right up to the end?" He stopped as realization hit him. "By the Gods, she
was
Dzaka's mother! I had you and your son both in my hands for all those years and I never knew it!" He reached down and took hold of Kaid's arm, wrenching the bracelet off his wrist.
Kaid was unable to stop his low mewl of pain.
"She may have given it to you, but I have it now, just as I have you." He looked at the medic. "Where's the body of the female?" he demanded.
Anirra shrugged. "She was cremated when she died."
"Her possessions? She wore a bracelet. Where is it?"
"It went to the fire with her," Anirra said, turning away to pick up Kaid's jacket from where it lay on the end of the bed.
"You can't undo it by stealing her bracelet," said Kaid, his voice taut now with the fresh pain Ghezu had caused by reopening the wounds on his wrist. "She's my bond-mate before Vartra and the other Gods, even if she is dead. Dzaka witnessed it. He's legitimate now. He can claim protection from the Clan Lord."
As he wiped the blood off the bracelet before pushing it on his own wrist, Ghezu could feel the rage building inside him. "He's still one of the Brotherhood, Kaid! I refused to release him from his Oath! There's a contract on him now— to bring him in alive. Then he can join you in the hell I'm going to create for you!" He turned to Zhaya. "Get him loaded on that floater! I want to leave here as soon as possible!" With that he strode angrily out of the infirmary.
Kaid lifted his head, gathering what remained of his strength. "Better finish me now, Ghezu," he called out after the Guild Master's retreating figure. "Because as Vartra's my witness, I'll kill you given the chance!"
Exhausted, he let his head fall back on the bed. Zhaya motioned the other two Brothers forward but Anirra stop-ped them.
"His wrist is bleeding again. I need to see to it before you leave."
Zhaya nodded reluctantly. "You have five minutes." He turned to the other two. "Wait for him and bring him to the aircar when the medic's finished," he ordered, and left to tell Ghezu about the delay.
Anirra lifted Kaid's head and slipped the folded jacket under it. "You won't want to be without that," he said, patting one corner of it before moving away to get swabs and the spray to treat his wrist.
As waves of pain coursed through him, Kaid vaguely wondered why his jacket should be important.
Anirra returned and squatting on his haunches, began to wipe the oozing wound that circled Kaid's wrist. "Her bracelet's in there," he whispered as he leaned across him.
Kaid looked up sharply, the sudden movement setting his head pounding again and forcing a low moan from him.
One of the Brothers moved forward. "What's up?" he demanded.
Anirra continued to swab the wound. "What d'you think?" he asked. "He's in pain!"
"Just get a move on," the Brother ordered. "Master Ghezu wants to get this renegade back to Stronghold."
"I'm no renegade." Kaid's voice was hardly above a whisper. "If you'd been in the Brotherhood longer, you'd know that. This is personal, between Ghezu and me."
"Be silent! We've been warned about you and your lies," snapped the other.
Kaid moved his hand, grasping hold of Anirra's fingers. "Keep the bracelet here for me," he whispered. Anirra nodded, slipping the jacket to one side, letting it fall to the floor. After spraying on the sealant, he stood up, nudging the jacket under the bed with his foot. "He's ready," he said.
The two Brothers stepped forward, pushing the floater till it was parallel to the bed. Each taking a side of the sheet on which Kaid lay, they lifted him onto the floater.
When they'd left, L'Seuli moved forward quickly, stooping to grasp Kaid's jacket before Anirra could stop him.
"Hey! Bring that back!" said Anirra.
"They forgot this," said L'Seuli, heading for the doorway. "I'll give it to them."
"But ..." Anirra began, then realized he couldn't admit to keeping the bracelet back. "Damn!"