Beast Master's Circus

Chapter Six

On Quade land, Storm entered the ranch house to find his father coming to look for him. His face was hard with anger.

"Asizi?" Storm used the Navaho word in reaction to that anger. "What is it?"

"Kady Carraldo has just spoken to the ranger station at port. They linked corns so she could speak directly to us. There's been a beast master murdered on Lereyne. An old employee of hers talked to her from there."

"A beast master," Storm muttered, shocked. "Murdered how, why?"

"Apparently to take the remaining member of his team. Kady says the man was supposed to be in the city all day. His wolf was left at home. Those who took it probably knew all that. The trouble was that the man came home early. They think he tried to prevent his animal being taken and someone hit him too hard in a panic." Storm considered that.

"It sounds likely." But his father's anger was too great to explain it as just the death of a man none of them knew. "What else?"

Brad Quade stared at the silent com. "Kady says she has been told by authorities there that it fits other abductions of animals from teams and the murders of their beast masters. She has no idea why it's happening but she can now list seven separate occasions beside this one. There could be more which haven't been passed on as yet."

"But ... but. That must be almost every beast master left alive after the war."

His father shook his head. "No. Most of the dead were trainees. They had teams but they had never been in the fighting. Maybe that's why they're being targeted. They're easier to take than you veterans."

Storm's mind was clicking over. "Get me a list of names and where they were when they died. How long they'd been there and any other details you can find."

"No need. Kady downloaded all that over the link. Here."

He handed over a sheaf of paper. Storm reached without looking for the nearest chair, dragged it to him, and sat, already reading. At last he looked up.

"What do you think, Asizi?"

"You first."

"It seems clear to me. The first killing was a man I served with. He was no pushover and his team was trained. I'd say the animals fought, he picked up on that, and came running. He killed a couple of the kidnappers, the animals got a third and the leader of the kidnappers made a clean sweep to avoid witnesses. He couldn't get the bodies away so he picked them clean of ID and left them. The authorities say the dead men were port scum, they'd do anything if they were paid."

Brad sat back. "Uh-huh. Go on."

"After that whoever was running this operation decided that us veterans were too tough. He started trying for trainees. It looks as if he got away with a few animals but it wouldn't do him any good."

"Why not?"

Storm's mouth twisted as if the words tasted sour. "Because with the trainees High Command was trying something different and more advanced. They were mind-bonding the trainees' teams to them. Not just a mental link of the kind I have, more of a complete bonding. The communication between leader and team was clearer and could reach farther when they were apart. High Command believed it would work better out in the field. They found instead that it didn't work as well so they stopped it after that initial group had been bonded. If the war hadn't ended they'd have gone back to the way they used with me."

He paused and accepted the drink Brad offered. "Thanks. Sure the bonding made for a closer team. A good team could be used almost like your own extensions. But it was more trouble than it was of use. If a beast master was injured, his team went berserk. If he was killed, his team would die. They found that out after there were a couple of training accidents. If some fool tried to kidnap a trainee team they'd fight like the possessed. If their leader was badly injured they'd go crazy. If he was killed they'd die within a few days too."

He sat thinking. "What do we know? That someone somewhere is trying to steal beast master animals. If the beast master tries to prevent that he's killed. It's possibly one man doing it under orders and using local criminals as gun fodder. But why? It doesn't make sense."

"Would animals like that breed true? Maybe they're setting up teams of their own."

Storm eyed him grimly. "They'd breed true if they could keep them alive. Setting up teams would be harder. But who and for what purpose?"

Brad stood. "I'll talk to Kelson. He's head of the ranger divisions here, and he can reach security on other planets and be listened to. So can Kady. We'll alert everyone we can. High Command should have a list of surviving beast masters and where they went. Brion can talk to them as well." He turned to reach for the com then grinned wryly at Storm. "At least it isn't Xiks this time."

Storm snorted. "Makes it worse, not better. Xiks don't know us as well as our own do. I'll go and find Logan. He can take Surra and the others up to the Peaks ranch. I want them out of the way just in case." He strode out, leaving Brad looking after him. Storm still hadn't grasped Brad's fear. If the trainee beasts all died or were killed as had already happened to some of them, the hunters would return looking for the veteran teams again. Storm could be next on the list.

But Storm had understood very well. He spoke to Logan, then to Kelson. A copter landed a day later. Surra and her mate were loaded, along with Baku and Lazo, her mate. Hing came scampering to Storm's call bringing her tribe. They too were loaded. Logan went with them. He leaned out before the copter lifted.

"What about Tani?"

"She's with the clan. If you think some port filth could casually drop in there and kill her, steal the coyotes, Mandy and Destiny, then she's in danger." His tone was slightly sarcastic.

Logan grinned. Half a year ago Tani had ended a menace to the natives. Not the more civilized Norbies alone, but also the savage Nitra tribes of Arzor. She'd been adopted into the Nitra's Djimbut clan as one of them. It was only the second time in the history of human settlement on Arzor that it had happened. The Nitra were warriors, frequently at war with each other. Constantly alert, and honed into fighters without betters on Arzor. No criminal from the port would sneak up on the clan. If they thought to do so they'd have a rude awakening, and a very unpleasant death.

Storm pushed his hand at his half-brother. "Go, go. I'll talk to Tani when she gets back but she'd planned to be gone a ten-day. Just take care of yourself." He watched the copter lift off and then felt a chill run down his spine. Maybe he'd take his stallion Rain-on-Dust and ride out to the clan lands. Tani had taken the small comunit but the ride would be pleasant. Talking at length on the unit was still not being with her, and he wished to be.

She and the clan should be warned too of a possible attempt on Tani and her team. She was beast master in abilities and in her bond with her team, but she'd never been trained in war. There were things he could say to the clan warriors about the abductions of beasts and the killing of beast masters which would put them on their guard.

He smiled a little to himself, and his face warmed in a way seldom seen by any but his family. He'd still pity a man who tried to separate Tani from her beasts. His wife might not be trained but there was warrior heritage there. She would not submit easily. He entered the house again just as his father clicked off the comceiver.

"That was Kady and Brion. They say we're to take care of their niece." Storm nodded, waiting. "Brion talked to High Command. They'll com every beast master they can reach. Several veterans went into the new survey department that started after the war. They should be safe, half the time that lot don't know where they are themselves. We can add another death to that list of Kady's. A trainee again. And another body they've traced to their port."

"How long ago?"

"The bodies have been there for weeks." He stopped Storm's exclamation with a raised hand. "Not incompetence. The man went off into the bush somewhere, built himself a hut, and started acting as a ranger for the native wildlife. It was all on a voluntary basis, he was living on his veteran's pension, so he had no regular reporting schedule. They only saw him two, maybe three times a year. He'd left a message on his com asking callers to call back in a few weeks. He said he was off on a survey of wildlife numbers."

Storm swore bitterly. "Either someone knew that or they were just lucky. I suppose someone wanted to talk to the man and couldn't wait, or he'd still be out there."

"Us, we started it. High Command passed on the warning. One of his ranger friends in the wildlife department thought he should know at once. When they kept getting the same message someone else remembered they'd called him a month back and heard it before. His friend went out just in case and to pass on the warning. They found him dead with another body, and signs others had been hurt. His beasts were all dead as well, killed apparently while fighting to protect their master or to keep from being taken. They can't be one hundred percent certain but they think the deaths occurred thirty-five to forty days ago."

Brad and Storm sat thinking silently. At last Brad spoke again. "I'd say that it might be a good idea to ride out and talk to Tani and the clan about all of this."

"I'm going in the morning. I'll suggest either she stays out with the clan or she goes up to the Peaks ranch to stay with Logan."

His stepfather rose slowly. "Well enough. Get some sleep then." He remembered something. "Wasn't Logan going down to the port to see that girl leave?"

"Uh-huh. He's catching a ride with Kelson. The man's running around holding meetings about frawn numbers just now. Some of the ranchers are risking over-grazing their land up there. Then Kelson will take him back to the Peaks later on. Don't worry, Asizi. Everything will be well." But he felt again that small cold shiver and wondered.

In the ship Laris finished tucking the wolf away in the hidden section of the cage. It was breathing badly and she was concerned. Cregar stood beside her looking down at it.

"It isn't injured."

"There are different kinds of injuries," Laris said sadly. "I don't think this one will make it either. Tell Dedran I'll do my best but it's samples he's likely to be sending on. Not a live beast." From the corner of her eye she caught a half-satisfied look on the man's face. Didn't he want the guild to succeed then? Cregar grunted and walked to peer from the viewer.

"No one is about. Make very sure no one sees you coming in or out of that cage. There are half a dozen governments who would hang us all if they ever find out we're responsible for kidnapping Terran animals and killing beast masters. It's only a matter of time too before the authorities on one of the planets who've lost animals post a reward." He saw her flinch. "Once that happens everyone in any port will be on the lookout for something odd to use to try and claim a reward. You know Dedran. Bring him down and he'll make sure we all go with him. Only way for us to be safe would be if he's dead before the authorities find him." The last words had been spoken almost to himself.

He slid the panel aside and stepped through, closing it with a quiet click behind him. Laris stared after him. Now what had that last comment meant? Was he suggesting she should kill Dedran? Or that Cregar might? She sat down beside the sedated animal and smoothed its fur. Poor beast, it hadn't asked to be kidnapped and brought here. She'd try to keep it alive, but was that right? Would it want to live without friend or kin?

She turned the thought aside. She couldn't kill it. Humans had done enough to cause it distress. Not that it would matter. About her she could feel the small sounds which indicated liftoff shortly. She must go out. Dedran would want her to pass on his orders, check other animals. She hoped that Logan might find time to see her before the ship lifted.

Dedran did want her. He kept her busy until suddenly Logan appeared. Then the circus boss smiled. Laris eyed that look suspiciously. It boded no good for someone when the man looked that pleased with himself. He placed a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"Take your friend into the small group cabin. You have half an hour to say your good-byes then he'll have to go."

The small group cabin, Laris noted. And that's bugged. He'll know every word we say. But if we don't go then I'll pay later on. There'll be a chance on the way back though. I can say he grabbed me, kept kissing me and wouldn't let go. That's if Dedran realizes we took a while longer to get to the ramp after we left the cabin. She'd chance that. Although maybe she could encourage Logan into suggesting a side trip somewhere. To see the animals again perhaps.

They reached the cabin, she slid the door shut, and Logan started talking. Laris bit back a groan as she saw where his warnings were leading. He was afraid for her. But he was revealing at the same time just how much was known. Dedran would be interested, furious, and afraid. Someone out there was stealing animals. The smart ones. Prauo might be taken, or her tigerbats, Logan insisted. She must be careful. These people had killed again and again.

She couldn't shut him up too abruptly. Dedran would listen to this. If he was suspicious of her she could do nothing and might not survive. Laris waited until a suitable place in Logan's warnings.

"So I had to let you know before you left." She laid a finger softly against his lips. He had more to say but she'd prefer Dedran didn't hear it.

"You're kind. Thank you but I'll be safe here." She pointed at the door, raising her eyebrows. Now if only he didn't say the wrong thing. Logan assumed she wished to show him the animals to demonstrate their safety. He nodded.

"Of course. It's unusual for anyone to have five of them." She had the door open and was leading him out quickly, before he opened his mouth again and said something Dedran could use. She was too late.

Logan halted in the doorway to talk again. "You will be careful. Storm's got me tucked away up at the Peaks ranch with his beasts. Tani's with the Djimbut clan in the lower foothills. We're safe but I worry about you."

Laris kept her voice steady with a huge effort. He'd just told Dedran everything the circus boss would need to know in order to find Storm or Tani's teams. "Don't worry. I'll be all right." Too true she would be. Because Cregar was going to be at High Peaks just as soon as the circus was on Lereyne and innocently doing shows for the local population there.

Logan gathered her into the circle of one arm. "Are you sure? There'd be no objections if you wanted to come back with me." He stopped abruptly. Damn. She couldn't do that. Brad had said the girl was bonded to Dedran, no matter that the man had referred to her as his ward.

Laris was thinking quickly. Dedran wouldn't release her. The bond had several months yet to run. The circus boss would see to it that Laris didn't take Prauo. She had no proof of ownership and he could delay legal attempts to repossess Prauo, up-ship, and then claim Prauo had died on the trip. Apart from that, Cregar was planning to steal Storm's or Tani's beasts. If he succeeded she might be the only one standing between Dedran and a dead team.

She remembered Hing and her troop. Small, merry, and so charming, Laris had been constantly giggling whenever she watched them. Surra, beautiful in her pride and dignity, so gracious toward her mate. And the eagles, Baku who had unbent sufficiently to accept a piece of meat from Laris's hand. No, if Dedran succeeded she must be at the circus. Her presence might save them still. She mourned inside but she must not show that.

She smiled, her mouth stretching upward but her eyes miserable. "No, I couldn't leave the circus. I have a place here. And anyway, I'm quite certain I'll be safe. Now come and see the tigerbats before you have to leave."

Logan followed her. He admired the five carnivores who watched him sleepily. The largest came to be stroked.

"It's amazing how gentle he seems when you know what they can do."

"They aren't vicious," Laris objected. "They're just predators. Kreel is quite clever." She sighed. "I wish one day they could go back home. I know they couldn't ever be free to swarm again. But if they had a really large pen so they could have a few babies..."

Logan gaped. "Some are females in there?"

"Of course." She pointed at the two smaller tigerbats. "They are. I have to put a contraceptive in their water so they can't breed. We've only had them a year and they're two. Too young to breed safely as yet. But it would be so nice for them if they could have a family one day."

Without thinking Logan hugged her. "You have a good heart." Laris stiffened then relaxed in his arms. He lowered his mouth to hers and for long seconds they clung. Then she freed herself gently.

"I have to take you down the ramp. Dedran will be expecting to see you leave." He allowed her to walk with him to where Dedran was indeed waiting. The tall man glared as they came in sight.

Logan took her hand and held it briefly. "We shall look forward to seeing you again if you land here." He nodded politely to Dedran. "You too, Honored Sir. But I must hurry, there's always work." He turned to look at Laris, his face hidden from the circus boss. Out of the man's sight Logan's lips framed words. "We have a place for you always." Then he was hurrying down the ramp to where Kelson waited impatiently. The ship's ramp whined as it was raised to close. The last sight Laris saw was Logan's hand waving as they drove away. She made her face blank as she turned.

Dedran caught her by the shoulder. "Don't get ideas, girl. That fancy first-ship family would never touch you if they knew what you were."

Laris spun. "What was I?" she snarled despite herself. "I was an orphan like a million from the war. I was bonded illegally and we both know it. I've never done anything to be ashamed of."

Dedran smiled at her furious face. His own eyes were cold and dead. "Dear, dear. Is that what you think? And how would your fancy friends like to hear that you've been up to your little neck in espionage, theft, and murder? I can prove you've helped me often enough with the first two. And you knew what Cregar did on his trips. It was you who cared for the animals and took samples when they died. Try convincing any authority you were innocent." He smiled again as her defiance wilted, shoulders hunching in surrender. She'd showed signs of becoming too interested in the Quade boy. It felt good to remind her that she was merely property.

"Get on with your work. We have clearance to lift." He walked arrogantly away, pausing at the end of the passage to make sure she was obeying his instruction.

She kept her cowed look as she headed for the animal hold. Let the circus boss believe he had convinced her there was no hope of using the Quades to escape Dedran's grip. But inside she was recalling something she'd accessed in the library at Yohal. There was a law on all Terran-settled planets stating that a bond-servant could not be held accountable for her master's misdeeds or her own under orders if she had no opportunity to inform, she feared crippling reprisals if she attempted to inform and failed, or—if she was in danger of death, or if she was saving another under that same threat. Laris could plead three of the four; the last for Prauo.

She'd also been bonded illegally young as she could prove with the camp records. She could claim duress on a minor which would be even more convincing. Cases she'd read showed that courts tended to look even less favorably on punishing a child forced into crimes. She set about her chores with a lighter heart. Her reading skills might save her yet.