strongholdrising by Lisanne Norman Read Free Book Online Page B

imprisoned on Jalna, isolated from your own kind, yet you're ready to come with us because of Giyesh. What's so difficult about a entering into a recognized mating with her? That's a smaller step than the one you plan."

"Everyone I cared about has been destroyed, snuffed out like a candle, Mrowbay! I'm not ready to risk that kind of commitment to another person in case it happens again! She's a soldier, dammit! She takes risks for a living!"

"We all are. And so will you if you're with us," the medic said calmly. "This is only another small risk, of not much matter to you. Take one of your contracts for a year. That would be enough. A year of your life in return for her being able to look our family in the eyes when she returns Home with you beside her. She's prepared to stand by you without it. Can you do less for her now that you know what it will cost her?"

Angrily, he jerked his arm free. "I'll think about it," he snarled as he left.

"Don't take too long! We leave the day after tomorrow," Mrowbay called out after him.

     
    * * *
     
    "He has to be debriefed, Sister T'Chebbi," said Vriuzu, refusing to be intimidated by the tabby gray-pelted female blocking the door into the IC unit. As Stronghold's chief telepath, on Brotherhood business, he knew his orders outweighed anything she could say. "What happened to Kusac is unlikely to be of much use to us, but for his sake, he needs to talk about it, get it out of his system and realize his mission is over. You should know that."

"Kaid did that last night. Commander has his report," she replied, staring fixedly at him.

"That wasn't a formal debriefing. This is being done on Master Rhyaz' orders. Now stand aside and let us enter."

T'Chebbi gave a small hiss of displeasure as she caught sight of Doctor Zayshul behind Dzaou. "Why are Primes involved if only a debriefing? You got no jurisdiction over us, we're En'Shalla, in the hands of the Gods," she growled, holding her ground.

"The Brotherhood as a whole is En'Shalla." He was trying hard to remain patient, but Vartra knew, she wasn't making it easy for him.

"Only we are En'Shalla Clan. Kusac is our Clan Leader, you know that."

"The mission was for the Warrior side of the Brotherhood. It's in your contract, Rhyaz has jurisdiction. Stand aside, T'Chebbi, or I will have to authorize the use of force." Behind him, he heard Dzaou powering up his gun.

T'Chebbi's lips pulled back, exposing her teeth in a snarl. "I move when Clan Leader Carrie arrives and tells me to," she said, raising her arm to use her wrist comm.

"Hold it right there," said Dzaou, stepping past the telepath priest, his pistol trained on her. "I'll take your comm." Imperiously, he held out his free hand. "There's no need for anyone else to be present."

As Vriuzu watched, the hair not captured by T'Chebbi's long plait began to bush out in anger. He was glad he'd brought the Brother with him.

Snarling her fury, T'Chebbi held out her arm for Dzaou to remove the comm.

"I'll take your gun while I'm at it," he said, pocketing the wrist unit and reaching for the firearm that hung in the holster at her waist. "Your Liegena is sleeping right now. Circumstances are hard enough for her without disturbing her rest." He gestured to everyone to precede him into the IC room.

"Not fooling anyone with this fake concern over my Liegena, Dzaou! You're too xenophobic to care for anyone but Sholans!"

"Bring him round," Vriuzu instructed Physician Vryalma, as he accompanied Doctor Zayshul over to Kusac's bed.

"Is this necessary?" asked Zayshul. "Surely this could wait until he awakens naturally."

"My orders are to wake him, Doctor," Vriuzu replied firmly.

     
    * * *
     
    Carrie woke abruptly, knowing instinctively something was wrong. Her conversation with her bond-father Konis some half an hour before had not been easy. That on top of her lost night's sleep, had thoroughly exhausted her. With Kusac still sleeping, she'd let T'Chebbi persuade her to take a much needed