Beast Master's Circus

Chapter Two

Dedran was coldly furious, but not at Laris. His anger was reserved for those who'd taken his money and failed to keep port security from his ship. He'd lost the samples, and worse, the authorities were still suspicious of him even though nothing had been found. He raged at Cregar in a corner where only the girl could overhear.

"You deadglow, I wanted the man knocked out, unconscious, not killed. That way we could have had a live beast."

Cregar's voice was cold. "Don't be more stupid than you can help, Dedran. He was a beast master. Alive, you couldn't have hidden one of his animals from him anywhere. That's what being a beast master is."

"You could have left him injured. Head injuries would have stopped that."

Cregar snorted. "Fer Crats sake, Dedran. Injuries would have stopped it so long as he was sick. His uncle would likely have been even quicker to start searching with a half-dead nephew urging him on. And I can tell you somethin' else the doctors here would have told Uncle. That the boy would get better faster if the animal was found. And if we killed it and just took samples once they started searching, the boy would have felt it die. He'd have gone crazy. So don't call me names. You were the one who insisted we try here. I told you it was risky."

Laris saw Dedran glance around; she shrank back further into the tigerbat den. "Sure it was risky." Dedran's voice was lowered. "But you know who gives the orders. Want to argue with them?"

Cregar's reply was brief. "No."

"Right, then we try Lereyne. There's one of the original lot there. He was left with only two of his team and he recently lost a beast in some accident. The boss says we try now, before he loses the last one. There's another on Arzor and we do that next."

"Isn't that gonna be a touch obvious? Our ship lands on Meril and a beast master gets killed. Our ship lands on Lereyne, and a beast master's animal gets snatched."

It was Dedran's turn to snort. "No one's that stupid except you." He was half turned from Cregar as he spoke. He saw nothing, but Laris, peeping from the den saw the other man's face. If that was her, she wouldn't be talking to Cregar like that. The man was a killer and right now he'd like to kill Dedran. She drew back deeper into the den. If either knew that she was listening, her life wouldn't be worth a tenth credit.

Dedran continued. "The guild says that with all the fuss on Meril there's been a plan change. We go to Arzor for a few shows, get the lay of the land there. We'll go on to Trastor and set down there for a couple of months. We'll skip Lereyne until afterward."

Cregar nodded slowly. "And I go solo to Lereyne and Arzor and use local talent to help with the snatches."

"Smart man, you got it. And just so's the trail breaks, you leave when we lay over at Port Bhaiat on Yohal for a couple of days." He turned to leave. "An' this time do a proper job. No deaders behind you; in, out, and off-planet while the local yokels are still sucking their thumbs."

Laris drew back as far as she could, putting her eye to a crack in the den wall. Dedran walked away; Cregar was looking after him with a thoughtful look on his face. Laris had seen that kind of look in the camps. It was the slow, careful consideration of one predator wondering if he could, or if the time was ripe yet to take a competing predator down. She shivered. In her mind eyes opened and watched Cregar with her. A thought formed.

*He waits. He may challenge when he returns if he has succeeded. That way he will bring good news to sweeten Dedran's death.*

Laris was stunned. The touch of the mind was familiar but not the blurred mix of picture and emotion she usually experienced *Prauo?*

A feeling of laughter. *Who else, sister-without-fur?* The presence was gone again and she blinked.

After that she hurried through her chores and returned to her cabin. Prauo lay along one of the two bunks, great purple eyes surveying her with calm amusement. For a moment as Laris stood in the doorway it was as if the sight of him was new again. She admired the sharply delineated black-on-gold markings. Prauo's body was gold, lean, with long, thick fur. His face, tail, and legs were sheathed in shorter black fur and light purple eyes looked from the black mask of his face fur.

When Laris had found him he'd been the size of a half-grown Terran kitten. She'd assumed that's what he was, some mutant coloration of one anyhow. Four months he'd remained unchanged, then he'd taken to her bunk and appeared ill for several days. But during those same days he'd eaten and grown hugely. By the time that spurt of growth had halted he was some thirty pounds, long and lean with developing muscles and claws of which no tigerbat would be ashamed.

The second development had been unobtrusive: the ability to look through her eyes and allow her to see through his. That, she had been able to hide from Dedran and Cregar. The next growth spurt had again put weight on him. He'd attained a little over fifty pounds. And to her amusement he could slide through almost any small gap by flexing his shoulders together. Dedran had found a use for that, and for the odd sucker-pads which had opened from small round growths on each of Prauo's mid-leg joints.

The cat could climb even an overhanging plascrete or clearplas wall, and could slide through small gaps. He was intelligent enough to bring back anything of which he'd been shown a picture, just so long as he was bringing it back to Laris. She'd obeyed Dedran's orders on that. It was safer and it allowed them to build up their small savings. A Dedran pleased was a man who tossed her the odd half credit, a handful of quarter or tenth credits. It was these she saved in an obvious hiding place.

But the first time Prauo had been out with her he'd also brought back a cheek-pouch filled with full credits found while he hunted the item he'd been shown. He didn't find the coins every time, but often enough to build her savings to a respectable sum. And now, with Prauo's loot from that first haul, was hidden a rag-wrapped bundle of small pieces of jewelry. Nothing too large, too valuable. All unidentifiably mass-produced but easily sellable by a girl who appeared respectable and without bringing suspicion down on her.

That was something else Dedran had not discovered, that Prauo had cheek-pouches which he could keep tightly shut. He could eat and drink without revealing the items carefully stowed. The first time it happened Laris had been both surprised and amused. The big cat had shown nothing, returned with her, accepted food and drink while Dedran examined the stolen item with smug approval and then dismissed her. Once back in their cabin Prauo had made odd retching motions and deposited seven credits on her bed.

After that he rarely returned from one of their forays without offering her some small gift. She'd examined the pouches. They weren't large but they would hold a small Astran apple at need. Laris often wondered what purpose they served. She'd never seen Prauo use them except when they were out with Dedran. But they hardly could have appeared for that purpose. She looked at the big cat now and moved to sit by him, her hand scratching around his ears as he purred.

"So you've found something else you can do." It hit her then like a blow. He'd spoken in her mind. He'd been Prauo, her friend whom she loved. But he wasn't just a cat, he was an intelligent being. Her hand halted, fingers buried in the thick fur as she stared down at him. He looked up, purple eyes meeting her dark brown ones. He yawned widely, teeth closing with the snick of a steel trap.

"Prauo?" Her voice shook. Was he still her friend or would he change now, see her as unimportant?

His head thrust hard against her. *Never, sister-without-fur. We are kin. My life is yours. And besides,* the mind voice was warm with amusement. *How well do you think we should do if you appeared with me at some human office to say that this animal who lives in the circus is an intelligent being? That it should have citizen's rights? Better that Dedran and Cregar do not know. In time one shall come who will understand and listen. Until then let us wait and be silent.*

Laris covered one of his paws with her hands. "That's smart. But listen, brother-with-fur. Do you remember anything now? Where you came from, how come I found you?"

*Nothing. Only terror, then cold and hunger. So cold, so alone until you came.* His head thrust into her hands.

She hugged him savagely. "Not alone, not ever again. We stay together so long as you want. We don't tell anyone what you can do. Maybe as you say, we find someone who'll listen and believe. After that who knows what will happen. But until then we keep silent."

*That is wisdom, and on keeping silent, my sister, there is no need for you to speak aloud. One might overhear. Speak with your mind to mine. I shall listen.*

Laris concentrated on forming words silently. *Like this?*

*Exactly like that.*

She muffled giggles in her hands. *It feels strange.*

*You will come to find it natural and it is safer—for both of us.* With that she could only agree.

*Doesn't it feel odd, one day you can't understand what I say, the next you don't just know, you can speak to me?*

*I have always understood much. But now it is as if whatever muffled my mind is gone. Think of it as if you learned a new language. At first you must think of every word, understand only a little of what you hear. Then after a time you begin to think in that tongue. Words flow freely, understanding comes. It is so with me. I have been able to do this for many weeks but I wished to wait until I understood more.*

Laris nodded. *I understand. And since you have learned now, there are things I would discuss with you.*

Purple eyes gleamed at her. *Cregar and his killing of beasts. Dedran and his links with the Thieves Guild. I have seen and heard much these past few weeks. Who hesitates to speak before an animal? More, Dedran hopes to use us for his own ends at Yohal. He came upon me in the corridor yesterday and talked to me of his plans.* The cat purred as Laris grinned.

*If he knew what we know he would not have spoken so freely. But he did. He intends to steal plans. One on Yohal has discovered a way to secure knowledge more safely; it is an advance which will bring wealth and complications for the Thieves Guild. Therefore we are to steal the plans so the guild may be forewarned and find a means to break the codes on this new knowledge, so that they can sell or use it themselves.*

Laris considered. If they failed in the task Dedran would be furious. If he guessed that the failure was deliberate he'd regard them as tools which had turned in his hand. Both of them would disappear and no one would ask questions. Best, then, that they succeeded. But best too, that they be ready. Once the beast masters on Lereyne and Arzor had been plundered the hunt would be up behind them.

Maybe she could aid that hunt. It might also be possible to turn Dedran against Cregar. If they killed each other she could escape in the confusion. After that who would notice or care that some bond-servant had vanished? Her bond would not last much longer. By the time they cleared the sector it would have less than half a year to run. She shared that thought with Prauo.

*Your hoard grows. What if you bought yourself free? That too is something on which to think.*

Laris blinked. It was indeed. Dedran would never agree, but if he was no longer alive, then her bond reverted to the government of whichever planet they were on when her bond-master died. With only five months to go few would wish to purchase it. And then too, she had a choice. Under the law on many worlds she might choose which of a number of bond-buyers she would accept once the original owner was gone. If she had the credit to buy herself free there were none who could prevent it.

Prauo's thought held savagery. *That is very well, sister-without-fur. I would have taken out the throat of that one before. Save that I would have been slain and you left little better off.*

Laris was practical. *He doesn't beat me, only hits me now and again. The food is ample and he obeys the law and clothes me well enough. Many bonded have far worse conditions. At least he does not use me as a woman.*

The cat snarled softly. *That is so,* he sent. *But I tasted his mind while I lay watching you as you talked together. I did not like the taste of his thoughts. You are valuable as a beast trainer; what if he persuaded you into an open bond which could be kept or passed to another?*

*I would not sign.*

*There are those who would happily fake such a bond, and who would listen to you?*

*And then?*

*Your bond to the circus is over in less than one year. An open bond would keep you here until death claimed you, or if another paid high enough you could be sold on.*

She saw the idea at once. *There are those who use beasts to fight for amusement.* Her thoughts darted. Dedran had contacts, friends, power. He could take her to a place where officials would swear she had signed a bond herself. The circus boss knew she would never willingly train beasts for an arena, but once Dedran had an open bond he could sell her, the arena master would break her to obedience.

Thus far she'd been of more value as she was. She recalled his words to Cregar. The circus boss might be getting out, leaving to take up some place of power in the guild. What matter then if she was of no more use to the circus? He could sell her as a trainer, or kill her to see her mouth stayed shut. He'd kill Prauo before that. Dedran was no fool, he'd know he could never abuse her in any major way while the big cat lived.

Or worse, he could drug Prauo and sell him to some planetside zoo. Put him in stasis and take regular samples, try to clone more of him for thief training. In her mind she felt the cat following her thoughts.

*Best we are gone before he decides that his time has come,* the cat sent slowly.

*Or if he is dead before that time. Then his plans die with him.*

*You think of Cregar?*

*He hates.*

*Then let us help that hate. But for now, best we sleep. Tomorrow there is always work to do.* Laris smiled. That was all too true. They slept and with morning both moved toward their new plan. Subtly they strove to widen the breach between the men. Laris dropped half sentences, apparently repeating things Dedran had said to her. Prauo allowed Cregar to follow him twice, each time he warned his sister-without-fur. The second time it prompted an open quarrel.

Cregar was due to leave the ship when it landed in the morning. The beast master who had retired on Lereyne had teamed with a pair of wolves. One had died. Fortunately a genetech had arrived about that time, or so Dedran's contact reported. The man had successfully cloned a replacement beast from the body. He had gone on to build other wolves from tissue samples taken from both. Now Lereyne had a small pack of the animals in a large preserved wilderness area.

As the only wild Terran creatures the human-settled planet had, they were much prized. But there was a catch—the wolves in a beast master team were genetically augmented to be more intelligent. The authorities had not wanted a pack of those wolves freed, so the genetech had reverted his end-products back to ordinary wolves. Hence Cregar could not simply steal one of the pack, a far easier task. Instead he must steal away the only wolf left with team gene-augmentation.

Since the beast master lived on the outskirts of a large city, that meant many watching eyes. Cregar would have problems. Laris snickered quietly with Prauo after they overheard a discussion on the difficulties.

*I hope he gets caught. He won't keep silent and take all the punishment. He'd spill on Dedran.*

*And the patrol descends on the ship, and us as well. Better Cregar returns and we can set him against Dedran. Now, when they are both about the ship, is a fine time. Cregar is one who holds a grudge well.*

After that the maneuvers were complicated but ultimately successful. Laris mentioned to Dedran that she was worried about one of the carra. It had appeared sluggish when they practiced in the empty training hold. Perhaps she should ask Cregar to look at it. He trained so well. For that last comment she adopted a rather dumb and admiring voice and expression. Dedran, busier than usual with the landing, and annoyed by the look, snorted and spoke without thinking.

Prauo had trotted past Cregar, carrying something in his mouth. He was ordered to stop, to hand over his trophy. He'd given the human a smug defiant look and ignored the order. Cregar had pursued grimly. He arrived at the last curve of the corridor in time to hear Laris's suggestion and Dedran's savage reply.

"Cregar! High Command tossed him out. If he was that good he wouldn't have ended up taking my orders in a..."

Cregar exploded around the bend. "In a run-down circus in a broken-down ship, bossed by a man with a fat price on his head," he finished.

Dedran's eyes glittered. "I wouldn't talk about prices if I were you."

"Wouldn't you? Then perhaps I should talk about a man who pretends to be an owner when he's more of a hired hand."

Dedran opened his mouth to speak as his hand dropped to the stun gun at his belt. Then he saw Laris listening open-mouthed. Cregar's gaze followed.

"Get the kid out of here."

Dedran waved her to leave and she obeyed meekly—as far as the bend. Then she leaned on the bulkhead, sliding the nearest door open about a foot. But to her exasperation the voices around the bend had dropped to a vicious muttering. Still, from the tone it was no friendly conversation. She shut the door again and padded silently away along the corridor. The low snarl of the sounds followed her.

She busied herself in cleaning the tigerbat cage and jumped when Cregar spoke quietly.

"You watch yourself, lass. I may be a lot of what he claims but I'm not a man to work the arenas." He gave her a half-grin as he walked away, leaving Laris gaping after him. Perhaps it had been because he'd heard her admiring him, she thought. Or perhaps he was merely enjoying spoiling Dedran's plans. For whatever reason he'd said it, he'd confirmed her own fears and Prauo's belief. She would indeed watch out.

They landed on Yohal and Cregar slid into the port-side crowd. He gave her a tiny nod as he went and she nodded back. It wouldn't hurt to keep him sweet. Prauo wouldn't be working with her in any act. Not when Dedran planned a theft. He wouldn't want anyone to notice the cat. But she rode in the opening procession, swung out on the trapeze with the carra, and acted out the tigerbat play.

The audience departed, leaving Laris to clean the cages and settle the animals in for the night. After that, in the ship lights she was surprised to notice men approaching the ramp. One look and Laris recognized their strut. These men had some sort of authority. They were used to obedience. She fled for Dedran, dropping into the slurred ship slang so any stranger who overheard would be less likely to understand.

"There's men coming, look like law 'a some kind."

"Crats, why now?" He moved quietly to the ramp door and looked around the edge of the opening. "Authority, maybe." He shrugged and strode down the ramp. "Can I help you, Honored Sirs?"

"Do you have a man named Jas Cregar aboard?"

"No, may I know why you ask?"

"That is not your business. We will look on your ship."

"Now, hold on there..."

His protest was cut short as one man produced a paper and displayed it. "We have the right. Step aside."

To Laris's bewilderment look was all they did. They asked no questions even when she made sure they would see her working. But she did notice something interesting. One had an earpiece. He glanced at a wrist dial now and again and she wondered if his asking for Cregar hadn't been a ruse, if they weren't looking for something else. If so, they didn't find it. They departed and Dedran stood on the ramp top wearing a thoughtful expression. She guessed he was wondering too. And what about tonight?