fortuneswheel (41 page)

* * *

Vanna's aircar dropped her in the courtyard of the Guild House.
"Go in the main doors and turn left," the pilot had told her. "The office is down there. They'll show you to the medical center."
She slung her large kit bag over her shoulder and climbed the shallow steps up to the entrance. Through the open doors she could see the large refectory, empty at this time of day. She padded down the left-hand corridor, coming to the office.
The secretary looked up as she entered. A frown crossed her face. "You're a day early. We're only testing the children today. Tomorrow's the day for the adults," she said, "and I'm afraid we don't have the facilities to put you up. You'll have to go to the Accommodation Guild on the outskirts of the town."
"I'm not here for the testing. I'm Vanna Kyjishi, personal physician to Liegen Aldatan and his Leska. I'm going to be working here in the medical center with your physicians."
A surprised look crossed the secretary's face. "My apologies, Physician Kyjishi," she said, after consulting her diary. "We
are
expecting you. If you care to leave your bag here, we'll have the porter take it over to your rooms at the guest house. Meanwhile, if you continue down this corridor you'll come to the door leading to our new wing. That's where the medical center is."
"Thank you," said Vanna, "but I prefer to settle into my room first."
"In that case, I'll call the porter now," she said, pressing a button to summon him.

* * *

Her room reminded her of the one she had lived in at the Medical Guild when last on leave. Leaning forward, she pressed the bed, testing it for softness. She sighed with relief. It wasn't one of the biscuit-mattress types given to the students! This one was fully as comfortable as her bed on the
Khalossa
had been.
Her most important creature comfort assured, she looked round the rest of the room. The walls were a neutral beige color with the carpet and other furnishings in a contrasting dark brown. Opposite the bed a large window overlooked the rear grounds. Sunlight streamed in, accompanied by a gentle breeze bearing the scent of the blossoms on the trees and bushes below.
A desk and chair to the left of the bed formed her work station, and set into the wall to her right was a small screen— the entertainment center.
Vanna reached for the fastening on her bag and began to unpack. The standard wardrobe and drawers were set into the walls, and within a few minutes she had stowed away her clothes.
She surveyed her meager selection, wondering what she should wear. Though still attached to the Forces, there was no need for her to remain in uniform. Taking the easy option, she reached for her blue Medic Guild tunic and began to change. After her time on the
Khalossa,
it didn't seem like the uniform it had been before she joined up.
Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, she stretched from fingertips to tail. She'd only been on Shola for two days and already she was beginning to relax. It was amazing the effect her home world had on her. Limitless space to spread out in, unlike the
Khalossa,
and air that was fresh and didn't smell of chemical cleansers from the recycling plant! Though she wasn't claustrophobic, sometimes even she needed to feel the earth between her toes and the sun on her back-Gods forbid it, but she had even found herself hankering after the rain!
Going over to the window, she leaned out, looking down at the grounds below. The grassland stretched for several kilometers before it gradually turned into woodland. Longingly she looked at it. What she needed was a good run, perhaps even a little hunting. She sighed, wondering if as a guest of the Telepath Guild she qualified for using their leisure facilities.
A gentle buzz drew her attention back into the room. She left the window reluctantly and approached the desk. One of the keys in the keypad set into the surface glowed red, showing that there was a message for her. Activating the monitor key, she waited for the screen to rise from its recess. As it tilted up into a vertical position, the monitor came to life with the logo of the Telepath Guild.
Pulling the chair out, Vanna sat down and began to use the now exposed keyboard. At her command, the logo was replaced with a page of script and diagrams. A soothing voice began to recite the text to her. With a grimace, Vanna hit the volume control and proceeded to read it. She loathed the unctuous voices of the public announcers.
The file gave her a basic tour around the facilities in the guest house, and informed her which areas of the Guild House and grounds she was authorized to use. Wonder of wonders, the grounds were available for the use of guests provided they checked in with the office first. This was so the younger students could be warned to be on their best behavior because of the presence of nontelepaths in unshielded areas.
The guest house had a communal lounge area with a large public entertainment screen catering to several different forms of leisure— music, storyteller theater, interactive games, news— all the usual things. There was also a communal kitchen with a food dispenser boasting a menu as extensive as those she'd seen in the ambassadorial quarters on the
Khalossa.
Or, if she chose, she could cook her own food.
The showers and bathing rooms were communal, too. She frowned a little; she'd gotten used her privacy when offplanet and it wouldn't be easy to recondition herself to the gregarious life that the planet-bound Sholans still lived.
The diagrammatic tour over, the screen reverted to the Guild logo again. In the bottom left corner, a blinking message light demanded her attention.
Keying in the replay, she waited. The screen cleared to reform with the image of Garras.
"I'd hoped to speak to you in person," he said, "but it seems I've miscalculated your arrival time at the guild. They've assured me this will be recorded for you to see when you do arrive." He stopped, looking to one side of the screen before continuing.
"I'm transmitting that medical data you wanted. The labs finished the tests you were running for Kaid yesterday. You know how long it can take for the authorities to process things, so I collected it for you since I knew it was urgent. I'll try contacting you again in another couple of days." His ears flicked briefly in acknowledgment before the screen blanked and the printer began to hum gently.
Confused, Vanna watched the printer disgorge its text. The words "for Kaid," and "urgent" rang in her ears. What was happening on the
Khalossa
that necessitated Garras contacting Kaid? Perhaps she'd be able to tell from the printout.
She took the first page, scanning it quickly for any clues as to Garras' cryptic message. It was only the results of her latest test on human and Sholan pheromones, showing a marked similarity as she had suspected. Certainly enough to account for the attraction between their species.
The second page was merely a report on Kaid's injuries after the scouter crash, and a record of the treatment he'd received plus his response to it. It was all standard stuff, nothing out of the ordinary at all. If there was a message for Kaid in there, then it was cunningly hidden. Probably some code Kaid and Garras had learned at their guild. The best thing she could do was to contact the office and find out where Kaid was so she could pass on this document to him without further delay. If she needed to know more, she trusted either Garras or he would tell her. Her mind made up, she buzzed the office.

* * *

It was evening, and with the approaching night, much of their Link's compulsion was fading. Kusac left Carrie sleeping and padded quietly through to the kitchen. He reached for the c'shar, then hesitated and picked up the container of coffee instead.
Heading back to the lounge with his drink, he sat down at the comm unit. The message light was blinking. Not surprising when their public life had been on hold for the last twenty-six hours. He keyed the comm to print the messages.
The first item was a report on the state of the treaty talks. It started with the fact that Shola had requested that Earth send them a selection of people with Talents similar to Carie's, including telepathy. They also wanted any information hey had on how these Talents were tested or measured.
He'd been sitting there reading the same paragraph for several minutes before he realized that with his still-enhanced senses he was picking up something that was disturbing him. He frowned. Their quarters were well shielded, is much to protect those outside as to form a barrier for hem. What could manage to penetrate that protection?
He'd just gotten to his feet when the comm buzzer sounded. Sitting down again, he responded to the call. The screen flicked on to show the image of a very harassed female in the office.
"Liegen, I'm sorry to disturb you at this time, but I'm afraid we have a problem that only you can resolve."
In the background he could hear raised voices.
"How can I help?" he asked.
"It's Rala Vailkoi. She's here and demanding to see you. We've explained the circumstances, but... I'm afraid it only made her more determined. Could you please come down here and speak to her? She's broadcasting her anger in every direction and refuses to enter one of the shielded interview rooms. It need only be for a minute or two. I'm sure that as it's toward the end of your day your state won't affect her."
"I'm leaving now," he said tersely before switching the comm off and reaching for his uniform jacket.
Shrugging his arms into it, he had it sealed and was buckling the belt as he opened the door, almost colliding with Kaid in the corridor outside.
"You know what's happening?" he asked.
Kaid nodded.
"See she doesn't leave our apartment or use the comm."
"I'll make sure she doesn't get involved in this," Kaid said as he stepped past him into the lounge.
Kusac headed down the corridor at a lope, the full measure of Rala's temper, augmented by his sensitivity, reaching him now. He strengthened his shield hastily. Minutes later he was at the office where the staff were still trying to persuade Rala to calm down and to enter one of the interview rooms to wait for him.
Hearing the door open, the young female ceased shouting at the on-duty Guild Mother and pulled herself free of the porter to turn round.
"I told you he'd come when he knew it was me!" she said triumphantly. Then, with a croon of pleasure, she skipped over to him, her hands sliding across his upper arms as she held herself close to him and pressed her cheek against his.
He submitted to the gesture, then moved away from he light grasp, taking her by the elbow and steering her toward the door.
"My apologies for her behavior," he said to the Guild Mother, his tone short and clipped. "You have my word this will not happen again."
He hardly heard the polite murmurs saying he was not to blame as he escorted Rala out into the hallway then down the corridor.
She went willingly, trying to wind her arm possessively around his waist as he stopped outside the nearest empty room. He opened the door and stepped inside, waiting for her to follow. Her arm fell from about him and she hesitated at the door.
Kusac gave a low growl and grasped her arm again, claws just pricking her flesh. He pulled her inside and shut the door.
"Do you really want witnesses to our conversation, Rala?" he asked.
"I don't know what you mean," she said, trying to tug her arm free. "You're hurting me. Why are you being so unpleasant?" she asked, her tone becoming petulant. "I thought after a year apart you'd be glad to see me."
Kusac let her go and stepped back to lean against the door. He regarded her dispassionately. "Why did you come? Have you any idea of how much you have embarrassed both me and your family by your actions tonight?" he demanded. "As for your temper tantrum, you've managed to make your mood known to just about every inhabitant of the guild! If you haven't upset the cubs and caused them to have nightmares, then it's pure luck!"
"I wasn't upset till they wouldn't let me see you," she said, touching her hand to his forearm. "Imagine it! Trying to keep me, your betrothed, away from you just because you were with that female." She moved closer, leaning against him so one leg came free of her robe and pressed against his.
Her artfulness was almost having the desired effect, probably would have had it not been for Carrie. None too gently he pushed her away, annoyed with himself even though he knew full well that his present vulnerability was not something he could control.
"You've seen me. Now it's time for you to leave. Where's your escort? You didn't come alone, I hope."
"I don't want to leave, Kusac," she said, reaching out for him again. "Surely we can spend a little time together? After all, it has been a year since I last saw you."
He brushed her aside. "Leave me alone, Rala. It's time for you to go."
She turned with a flounce, her long split-paneled skirt flaring around her. "How dare you treat me like this!" Her voice had risen in pitch with her anger. "I'm your future wife: I have rights, you know! One of them is the right to see you when I desire it!"
"You have no rights over me yet," he said coldly. "And you certainly would never have the right to walk into my guild and demand my presence when I'm with my Leska!"
Rala made a spitting sound of contempt, a look of fury creasing her face. Her ears lay flat and flicked backward. "Your alien! She's nothing, not a real Leska," she said contemptuously. "I won't be second to her, I warn you!"
Despite his shield Kusac could feel her anger and hatred of Carrie.
"My Leska is none of your concern," he snapped, his own temper rising.
"When you prefer her company to mine, she is! How
dare
you be seen around Valsgarth with her when your first duty is to contact me!" Her tail began to move from side to side in small, angry jerks.
"What I do with my time is my affair." His voice was a snarl now. "How dare
you
come here, where you have no right to be, and purposely use your tantrums to manipulate people! Even though you aren't a telepath, it doesn't excuse you from exercising self-control when mixing with us!"
Her eyes narrowed and with an obvious effort, she stilled her tail and relaxed her ears.
"I'm sorry, Kusac," she said, keeping her eyes lowered. "I just wanted to see you so much. I needed to know that nothing had changed between us." Her hands plucked nervously at the edge of one of the panels of her robe, and she returned hesitantly to his side, her eyes looking up at him through long lashes.
He stared at her for a moment, hardly crediting her duplicity.
"You planned this down to the minute, didn't you?" he said, his voice barely audible as his anger mounted. "You must have buzzed the office earlier in the day to find out."
Real fear crossed her face briefly. "I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," she said, looking him squarely in the eyes as she tried to brazen it out.
Kusac reached for her with one hand and wrenched the door open behind him. "You're leaving now," he said, his voice cold with rage as he pulled her toward him. "Your little plan failed, Rala. Did you really think you could compete with my Leska? That you could seduce me that easily? You'll not force me into this marriage by claiming I mated with you and made you pregnant! I don't want this marriage at all!"
He pushed her through the door ahead of him, ignoring her loud protestations of innocence as he hauled her back up the corridor.
Outside the office, Meral and Sevrin waited, the signs of a hurried summons evident in their dress which they were still adjusting.
Kusac pushed Rala toward them. "Get her out of my sight," he said. "If she hasn't an aircar and a companion outside, get one of the females from the office to accompany you both and escort her home. The Gods help us, she's the daughter of a Clan Leader and technically betrothed to me; she must be properly escorted."
Sevrin caught her as she stumbled against him.
"I won't forget this, Kusac. You'll pay for this!" Her voice was a hiss of venom.
Kusac turned his back on her and opened the office door as his two bodyguards escorted her outside. He shut the door quietly behind him.
The night staff stood in a huddle next to the desk. They looked toward him as he entered.
"Liegen, our apologies for this incident," said the Guild Mother, stepping forward. "The fault is mine. I should have sent her home as soon as she arrived."
Kusac shook his head. "You could no more have controlled her than I could," he said tiredly. "She may not be Talented, but she does know how to project her moods so she can get what she wants."
The older female hesitated before continuing. "I'm afraid we couldn't help but be aware of some of your discussion," she said apologetically, ears and tail flicking in embarrassment. "This incident has made us realize that Rala has developed her ability to project her thoughts despite the fact that when she was tested as a child, we could find no Talent worth training. The shielding in the interview rooms was just not adequate to contain her. If you wish, we can all vouch for the fact that you were only alone for a few minutes."
"I hope it won't be necessary, but thank you," he said, distinctly aware that if they had followed the discussion, then there was a strong likelihood that it had disturbed Carrie too. He reached for her through their Link but could sense nothing beyond her presence. "I've sent Rala home with my guards. Once again, I apologize for the fact that everyone has been disturbed by her because of me."
"Liegen, she is entirely responsible for her own actions," said the Guild Mother. "May I suggest that we lodge a strong complaint with Clan Leader Vailkoi on both our and your behalf? Coming from me before her arrival home, it should do much to discredit any false claims his daughter may try to make."
Despite his worry at not being able to sense Carrie, Kusac grinned. "I think it's a marvelous idea. I hope that the whole guild hasn't been aware of what happened tonight."
"No, Liegen," she reassured him. "Master Esken is, and myself, but her anger was only felt by the few students who hadn't gone out for the evening and were still in the common lounge. The cubs had long since gone to bed and their quarters are even better shielded than yours. Master Esken is going to want to talk to her father about her mood projections. She must learn to control them. Why her family has let her get away with it this long is beyond me."
"I'm glad the cubs are all right. As for Rala, I'm afraid she knows exactly how to control her moods and thoughts," he said, turning to leave. "I must go. Good night."
Once away from the office, the need to suppress his anger with Rala was lessened, and it began to build again. He had to get out of the guild. Too many people were able to pick him up; he needed to talk to someone, someone he could trust and who could help him.
There had only really been one friend when he'd been here before. Ghyan. He couldn't face Carrie now. Hopefully, she was still asleep and totally unaware of what had happened. It was a faint hope, though.
He stopped at the public comm unit and buzzed their apartment. Kaid answered.
"Is she awake?" he asked.
"I made sure she didn't, Liegen," said Kaid. "I had made it my business to find out about Rala Vailkoi some time ago, so I took the precaution of sedating your Leska as soon as I arrived." He looked Kusac straight in the eyes.
Kusac frowned. "You did what?" he asked slowly, hardly able to believe what Kaid was saying.
"I gave her a mild sedative," said Kaid. "I had some basic medical training through the Brotherhood, and I've updated it to include a knowledge of Terrans. I knew exactly how much she needed."
"You took a lot for granted," he said, relief countering the anger he knew he ought to have felt.
"It would have served no useful purpose to have had a confrontation between her and Rala," said Kaid.
"I know. My concern now is that Rala may try to harm her. She wouldn't dare do anything to me, but Carrie is another matter. In future I want you to protect
her,
not me. I'll have Meral and Sevrin, but she's more vulnerable. If you protect her, we've both got a better chance."
"If that's what you wish," said Kaid.
Kusac nodded.
"Rala won't get anyone from the Brotherhood to help her," murmured Kaid. "There's a ban on taking a negative contract that involves any Terran or the Leska of a Terran."
Kusac pulled a wry face. "I'm relieved to hear it," he said. "What occasioned such a decision?"
Kaid hesitated. "You won't want to hear it," he said. "Last time I spoke of the God you told me to be silent."
Kusac broke eye contact, suddenly feeling the coldness up and down his spine again. "Let it lie then, Kaid. It's enough that the Brotherhood has made the decision. How long will Carrie be asleep?"
"Only for an hour or two," said Kaid. "I'd like to remain here on guard for tonight. I'm not expecting trouble, but it pays to be safe."
"If you consider it necessary. I'll be back shortly," Kusac said before cutting the connection. He needed to find Ghyan— now.
Carrie's vision still haunted him. Perhaps the God had been trying to tell him there was a way through their problems. Ghyan, if he was still at the temple, might hold the solution.
He left the guild through one of the rear exits and headed out across the grassland for the trees. The night air was fresh with the scent of damp grass. It smelled comfortingly familiar. Dropping down onto all fours he loped off into the darkness, beginning to run as he felt the anger surge within him.
His vision began to fade at the edges till all he saw was the ground immediately in front of him; all he heard was the blood pounding in his ears as he ran faster, dodging between the bushes and skidding past trees, trying to outrun his rage while still containing it.
Small nocturnal animals scattered in fright as, unmindful of the noise he made, he continued his headlong flight through the woodland. Abruptly the wall loomed ahead of him. He slithered to a stop, ending up with his flank against the rough bricks as he halted just in time.