Raquel had died. But the ring waited for a new woman of the line to take it up. It was family custom that only a woman of the blood should wear it. The next one eligible would be a daughter of Hosteen or Logan. Of all the items stolen, Brad had noticed the absence of the cat ring first. The other jewelry he'd bought for Raquel. Most of the pieces were cat's-eye items and had come from Arzor. He was sorry they'd gone but they could be replaced if he wished and had any reason to do so. The ring was an heirloom, irreplaceable.
Cregar was right in that it had little commercial value. Its value was sentimental in both senses of the word. To the family certainly. But also on a market composed of many who had lost the world of their birth. Assured that the ring had come from Terra, that it was old, made from natural materials from Terra, there were a good number of people who'd have paid a very reasonable price for it. Far more than the silver and flawed stone would normally fetch.
Brad knew this. Ideena would have, had she realized where the ring had been created. He hoped that wherever it had gone, in whoever's hands it ended, they'd appreciate it. Without knowing any of that, Laris did. Now and again as she worked through the rest of that day she admired the green gleam of the stone, the brighter glow of the polished silver. The small cat head had been carved with consummate skill, the curves and hollows making it appear as if the tiny head was alive, the minute eyes watching her with interest.
Laris worked hard. At intervals she returned to check each of the drugged beasts. Hing and the babies had been drugged only lightly. They were the first to stir. Laris cradled the sleepy kits in her hands again, reaching out with her mind as she did with Prauo. They responded in thoughts which were formless as yet: only emotions of warmth, comfort in her hands, and a small, diffuse trust.
Hing's mind was clearer as the drug dispersed. But she too relaxed with Laris, to the girl's delight. After that she tried the coyotes again. She knew that Cregar had hoped the adult animals might bond with him since their beast master was not trained. One touch against their emotions and Laris knew he'd be disappointed in that. It was Ferarre who touched back. His mind was cunning and coldly angry, fixed on his own human and the demand for her.
Laris saw to the coyotes' needs and left them quietly to themselves. Let Cregar break himself against that will; she would not. Nor would she seek to break the animals to hers. But still she worried. Dedran would not heed what was said about the beasts' determination to accept no other master. He expected Cregar to succeed. If the ex—beast master failed, the circus boss would have no hesitation in taking samples, then disposing of the uncooperative beasts.
Out of interest Laris had read a lot on the beast master/beast team links. A human began with the ability to reach animals by mind-touch and empathy, but something in that continual touch created a bond over time. In training the bond was reinforced, both by the constant practice and by psychological factors as a gene-altered team and their human learned to trust each other and share their senses. However some of the bond's strength could depend on the abilities of the human. Laris could tell by Ferarres's obstinacy, that, untrained as Tani might be, still her abilities were powerful and her team was bonded to her very strongly. Storm, of course, had been trained with his team so that Surra and Hing would never accept another in his place. Dedran was not going to like any of that.
He'd soon be calling for her too. She hurried to check Surra last of all. The cat lay motionless, only the slow rise and fall of her flank betraying that she still lived. Laris squatted to study the injuries. They were healing. Clean, not puffy, no indication of infection. But the cat had retreated into sleep and clearly intended to remain thus. Well, Laris could give as good a report as possible. That might buy them all time.
As soon as she had finished her rounds Dedran demanded her presence. The evening performance would begin in an hour. Laris went to his office, already wearing part of her costume for the public performance.
She also wore the ring, hung on a chain about her neck under the high collar of her uniform. Better not to let her bond-master know of the gift.
"Well, you've seen all the new beasts. Are they well?"
"The coyotes are angry but healthy. The meercats are all well and prepared to be friendly. The cat is still asleep. The injuries heal. Better she sleeps now, she will heal faster," Laris reported quietly.
Dedran permitted the corners of his mouth to curl upward. "That's good. You think the cat will eventually recover?"
"I think she may, if she is left to herself and not distressed." That might give Surra a chance to survive if Dedran heeded. He was nodding.
"Tell Cregar to leave her be," he ordered. "Care for her yourself." He switched to a glare. "Make no attempt to bind her to you. If I find you have, you'll regret it and she'll be samples and ash. Now get out." She bowed acknowledgment of the orders, then departed quickly and quietly rejoicing. Surra had a chance. She'd keep the cat alive in hopes that somehow Surra could return to Storm.
Behind her eyes Prauo was there. *It is well, furless-sister. When the cat-one chooses to wake I shall aid you to speak to her.* He gave the chiming sound in her mind that was his mental chuckle. *Cat shall speak to cat. I think all shall understand each other.*
Laris found she too was smiling as she went about readying the tigerbats. The performance over, she changed to her oldest threadbare clothing and went to look in on Surra. There was no change and Laris sighed. Her hand went up to trace the tiny cat head on her ring. Somehow she felt that it would bring them all luck. In the camps she'd learned that luck often ruled lives.
*But more often it is determination that calls the luck, furless-sister. Be strong. I sense a change approaching.*
*What?*
*I know not, but I feel movement in the ways that govern lives.* He could explain no more than that. Laris wasn't sure what it meant but if Prauo was sure good might be coming, she'd hope along with him. She slept that night more peacefully than in several nights. She was up early to check the beasts. First those in open cages, then those in the hidden ones. Hing and the babies greeted her happily. The babies climbed about her person, exploring pockets in search of tidbits, while Hing sat in Laris's lap, churring a meercat's sound of pleasure as the girl scratched behind her ears.
From the doorway Cregar grinned as he entered. That widened to an honest smile as the babies deserted Laris to rummage through his pockets and stand on his shoulders chewing mouthfuls of his hair. He stroked and scratched them as they churred approvingly.
"Cute little lot." He sat, his face blanking as he reached out mentally. The ability had been mostly lost but he could still feel something occasionally. It was what gave him hope his gifts were not gone forever. "Too young yet to bond, but they will. A few months and they'll be ready." He eyed her. "Stay away from them. No, I don't mean physically," as she would have protested. "Feed and water them but don't try to build any bond. I know Dedran will have warned you."
"He did."
"Remember it." Cregar's voice was quiet and very sober. "He's got high stakes riding on this game. If you're the one to spoil it he'll see you pay, until death would be a blessing, for you and your cat both." She nodded. "Smart kid. Dedran needs you right now. If this works out he may be moved on. Then your bond runs out and if you vanish possibly no one will come looking. Dedran would never admit you'd know enough to be a danger. Until then keep your head down."
Laris nodded again in silence as Cregar gently detached the babies and left. It bothered her how much the man saw. Had he guessed that she hoped to help Surra, or her other plan to escape?