A Gathering Of Stones

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Sand and more sand, sand and brush and sand-colored mancats prowling after herds of sand-colored deer. She saw a mancat she knew and called to him. Help me, she said to him, name your price and help me.

He came trotting up to her, considered her. After a minute he opened his formidable mouth in a broad grin. She understood from him that he was fond of her as a man would be, fond of a favorite pet and would help her for the fun of it.

Korimenei lifted her head and smiled.

The mancat dropped from nothing behind Felsrawg, wrapped thick muscular tentacles about her and breathed hot, meat-tainted breath in her ears. She screamed her rage and tried to kick and claw, but his front legs were spread too wide for her to reach and her arms were locked against her sides; she was as about as helpless as she’d ever been since she started walking. She went quiet and lay against the mancat’s powerful chest, glaring at Korimenei and cursing bitterly.

The instant the beast came through the membrane, Danny Blue acted; using his elbows to power himself up, he slapped his hands about the wrist on Simms’ knife hand and toppled him into the water; he set his feet against the thief’s floundering body and kicked, using the resistance to help him roll out of the pool. He was over the sill and on his feet before Simms surfaced sputtering. Panting a little, Danny smiled at Korimenei, waved a hand at the mancat. “A friend, I hope?”

She chuckled. “My demon’s better than yours.”

“No argument there.”

The mancat interrupted with an apologetic coughing rumble. He was uncomfortable in the damp and thought it was time he left.

“Right,” she said. “Danny, you take care of him, I’ll do her.” She nodded at Simms who was holding on to the edge of the pool, watching them warily, then padded around to face Felsrawg. “Are you intelligent enough to know the truth when you hear it?” She inspected the woman, sniffed. “I wonder.” Over her shoulder, she said, “Where’d you meet this pair, Danny?”

“They were my backup getting Klukeshama.” He smiled lazily at Felsrawg. “And sent along to slide a knife between my ribs once we got her.”

“Shuh! I don’t think much of your taste.”

“Not mine.”

“Minh.” She tapped the mancat on his shoulder. Lower your urn arms a little, my friend; I need to get at the woman’s neck. After he readjusted his tentacles, she put pressure on the carotid until Felsrawg was unconscious. Put her down, thanks. Anything I can do for you? No? Well, let’s send you home. She pulled her mindseine about him and snapped him back to his sandhills, promising in transit to visit him, them, again when things weren’t so hectic.

When she looked around, Danny Blue was watching her, a hungry look on his face. She didn’t understand. He was a sorceror and a ripely Talented one if her nose wasn’t fooling her. Gods of Fate and Time as Maks would say-why am I thinking of Maksi-that’s his business not mine, Tungjii’s blessing on us both for that.

He shook off whatever it was on his mind. “You going to wash the poison out of them, Kori? I wish you would. I don’t owe this pair anything, but poison!” He dredged up a wry grin. “Besides, the only way I know of to get rid of them is kill them or cure them.”

“Right,” she said. “I’m just about to do that. Aili, where are you? Good. Watch my back. Danny, if you don’t mind, fetch my clothes, hmm? This is no season for parading about as Primavera.” Without waiting to see what he did, she dragged the chain over her head, dropped Frunzacoache on Felsrawg’s leather bosom and began the cleansing.