Beast Master's Circus

Chapter Eleven

The circus had been pulling in crowds. Cover, it might be, but Dedran was delighted. Laris, too, was pleased. The animals were always happier playing to a crowd. They understood the approval, the shrieks and applause. Credits had flowed in. The whole circus atmosphere lightened. Dedran was even pleasant to Laris, who was surprised but hid it. She supposed that his boss, whoever that might be, preferred the circus to pay its way. And what pleased his boss pleased Dedran.

Prauo enjoyed seeing the performances through her eyes. He still spoke little most of the time but increasingly she was aware of his emotions. It seemed that he was aware of hers as well and sometimes when she was unhappy he'd transmit scenes from the better times. Or just the remembered feeling so that she laughed and felt happier. Their performances in the ring drew crowds, which always pleased Dedran. Prauo playing the ferocious predator, kept only in check by Laris, dressed in her boy's costume, with a whip and courage.

Dedran preferred it to appear there were more performers than there were in fact. So to that end Laris appeared in a different costume, makeup, and wig for each of the acts in which she was involved. She loved being in the ring. The feel of the animals' anticipation, their innocent pride in the applause and a job perfectly done. And she had no need to strike any of them, only to pretend she did in the tigerbat act. That pleased both her and Prauo.

She wondered when Cregar would return. He'd been gone just long enough to be due back if nothing much had gone wrong. It was nice staying somewhere for a while. There were times when she wondered wistfully what it would be like to have a real home. To be settled. To live on a ranch, say, on Arzor. To ride the land knowing it was yours to care for, to live on for the rest of your life. To love. She wondered what Storm and Tani were doing just now. And Logan. Particularly Logan.

She'd liked him. More than she wanted to admit. But she was bonded. There was no future for her there. Not until the bond was canceled, and not even then if he ever discovered her part in his brother's loss.

Oh, yes. There'd been a spacegram from Ideena's ship. Laris had managed a brief sight of it and been interested to learn that there'd been a good season for swingleberries and that Baris and Ideena had placed and received a very large order on Dedran's behalf.

Laris grinned wryly. Dedran wasn't so smart. He'd left that lying about briefly, believing it would tell nothing to anyone who read it. She'd done so, seen who'd sent it, and guessed the simple code. Cregar had made a real haul of beasts. They had to be some of Storm and Tani's teams. She mourned both for the humans she'd liked and the bewildered animals torn from their homes. They'd be here any day now and it would be her duty to keep them alive.

"Laris!" The voice was a whip-crack. She turned submissively and Dedran's look became approving. "Prepare the hidden cages. Cregar will be here tomorrow."

"How many do I prepare?"

His look was triumphant. "Three of them. Plan space for a pair of beasts of medium size, one of large, and a number of small." He stalked away, every line of his departing body shouting his pleasure in the catch. Laris watched him retreat, remembering. Not the birds, by the sound of it. She would guess at Surra, the coyotes, and some of the meercats.

Laris hurried off to prepare. She cleaned the cages again, strewed fresh bedding, checked the water and feed systems, and went over the gate mechanisms. The cages were ingenious. Each was built into the back of a cage used genuinely for some of the circus animals. A door could be opened at one end revealing stacked gear with hay, straw, or Tirevian peavines—the soft lengths of that vegetation being popular as cheap bedding.

But that stack of bedding was a decoy. It appeared to fill the rest of the space from floor to ceiling. In fact the wall was only one bale thick. If one operated a hidden sliding door at the other end of the cage back, there was room to enter. Behind the bales there was a space, large or small, according to cage size. Concealed holes let in air. Concealed lights could be left on at different levels. A pair of peepholes at different heights allowed anyone inside the hidden section to see out, both into the outer cage, and outside onto the circus concourse.

And the partition which closed the space off from the open part of the cage could be removed. When nothing was hidden this was done. On a few occasions Dedran had maneuvered peacemen into ordering the space emptied to check. He—or perhaps his patron—had then organized a complaint about overzealous security upsetting the animals and the peacemen had been reprimanded. On such worlds most peacemen now left the circus strictly alone. After all, it had been proven that the circus had nothing to hide.

"Laris?" She emerged from the last cage and stood waiting. "Is everything ready?" She nodded. "Good. I've had word. The ship lands in an hour. You'll be here to take charge of the beasts. Settle them in, feed and water them, then report to me. To me, you understand? If Cregar is with me you'll return later."

She wanted to ask if Cregar was now suspect in the shadowy world where they all lived. But she knew to say nothing. Instead she simply nodded again. Dedran produced a smile. It was a poor effort but then it was too rare to be anything else. She noted that too. He must be pleased.

"Run along now. Make sure the tigerbats are ready for their performance this afternoon. I'll call you once the animals arrive."

Laris ran. Her obedience would please her bond-master, and right now she wanted to please him. If she could care for the kidnapped beasts she might be able to help them. Make sure they remained alive and in good condition. The more Dedran approved of her the better the chance that she could do that and he'd agree to anything she might claim the animals required.

She kept an eye on the circus entrance, so was the first to notice the man who strolled in, closely followed by two people she remembered. Cregar was disguised; they were not. But she knew Cregar by his walk. She withdrew silently behind the row of cages, watching. Behind them came cargo pallets on lifters. There was no sound from them. They appeared to be stacked with bales of animal bedding.

Laris snorted. Dedran had a one-track mind with his secrecy, using the same tricks over and over. He'd better watch out. People who got into ruts were often buried in them. Cregar was looking about for Dedran who appeared quickly. They spoke briefly then Cregar and the other two strolled away. She allowed herself to be seen now. The circus boss waved her over.

"Laris, take this bedding to the supply area. Take care now. We don't want any wasted."

She understood the order. "I'll be careful, Dedran. I know this lot's in short supply lately." Her tone was very faintly sarcastic.

He gave her a sharp look and she reminded herself not to be too pert. Dedran could be stupid in some ways. But he was smart enough to keep a close eye on her if she angered him, and happy enough to beat her if he thought she was overstepping her status. She towed the pallet away, doing her best to look dumb and innocent.

Dedran stared after her thoughtfully. That reply had been a little too independent. Laris had come back from her holiday on Arzor a trifle too inclined to act as if she owned herself instead of belonging to Dedran. He watched, considering his options with her, as she and the pallet rounded the corner of the cage and vanished from his sight.

Away from the circus boss, Laris glanced about. There was no one in sight. She reached up to flick open the hidden latch at the back of the cage and shove the pallet forward into hiding. Then safely under cover inside the first cage, Laris unloaded drugged coyotes and cursed her quick tongue. She'd managed to turn slightly, to look back, as she moved the pallet. She'd seen that considering look. Please let him forget her words, she thought, let him write them off as just a pert bond-servant. She settled the unconscious coyotes and checked them. No injuries, and they did not appear to be thinner than they should be. It looked as if they'd been eating well enough.

In the next cage she unloaded Hing and the babies. She sat a moment cuddling them. They were so cute. So sweet. Maybe she could make real friends with the babies. Although most likely Cregar would have that in mind for himself. Still, the animals had met her. They might be prepared to respond to one they'd associate only with their own people. They might connect Cregar with their abduction. She left them reluctantly, watching for anyone who might see her as she exited.

Then she moved the pallet on. The last animal would be under the second false flooring. If it was Surra it would take Laris all her time to shift the big cat. She was almost to the cage she had ready when Cregar appeared quietly.

"I'll take her. You make sure no one can see behind this row. Shift a screen to block it off." She did so hastily, then held the door open briefly as the unconscious cat was raised and carried inside. Laris leapt in behind them and closed the door silently before flicking on the light.

"Get that door locked. Hurry." He carried Surra forward, placing her on the bedding with a sigh of relief. Now that she could look at the animal Laris restrained a cry of anger with difficulty. Cregar saw her face. He didn't want the child to think this was his fault.

"It wasn't me. That Ideena is an idiot. A space warp. She shot the beast master's brother and the cat came toward Ideena so she shot the animal as well."

Laris moved so that her face was hidden. Keeping her voice quiet and level by iron will she asked, "What about the boy? He was killed?"

Cregar shrugged. "Not then. He was alive when we left and once we were at altitude I saw someone a few miles out riding toward the house. He should have survived." He stroked Surra's shoulder. "I hope so. Authorities are a lot less bothered about chasing leads if no one's dead. It's this one I'm worried about though. We've kept her asleep the whole journey. She's been fed intravenously but she has to wake up sometime."

"She met me. Maybe if I'm the only one to take care of her she'll stay alive," Laris offered.

Cregar grinned knowingly. "And maybe if you're the only one she knows she'd bond to you. I don't think so, girl; it doesn't work that way with a beast from a trained team. Besides, even if she did, you wouldn't want to go where she'll end up. No. You feed and water them all. Clean them out when it's needed. I'll be the one who works with them. You're not to have any more to do with them than you need while doing your work. Understand? I might not punish you if it happens but Dedran will and his hand's heavier anyway."

"I know."

He eyed her sharply. "Has he been beating you again?"

"Not much." She allowed her shoulders to move uneasily as if in memory. It had been weeks since Dedran had clouted her for anything but Prauo had reminded her of the plan. She knew Cregar disapproved of Dedran's habits. She'd added a set of bruises to her arm as well. Now she let her sleeve ride up so they could be seen. She shifted her shoulders again and winced.

"And Dedran said I'm to report about the animals to him." She invested the next words with significance. "When you aren't around."

Cregar looked disgusted. "Man's crats," he muttered half to himself. Then to her, "Do as he says. Don't get caught doing anything he forbids. And don't go poking around. Too long a nose can get cut off." He smoothed Surra's fur one last time and stood, pushing Laris before him out of the hidden cage. But not before she had seen the quick flare of rage in his eyes. He hadn't liked that last bit, or what it implied about Dedran's trust. "How are the tigerbats? You kept up their training?"

"Of course," Laris said indignantly.

"Don't get upset, I was just checking." He dug his hand into his pocket and produced something. "Here. You're a good kid. I know you stayed out of my stash too. I brought you something. Just don't wear it on Arzor if you're ever there again."

Laris cradled the ring in her hands, admiring it. She raised wide eyes to Cregar. "It's beautiful. Thank you. But why can't I wear it on Arzor?" Her face fell. "Oh, you stole it from the Quades."

"Let's say I happened on it around their place. Don't worry. It's pretty but it isn't worth much. That's ordinary silver and the stone's flawed. You might get a couple of credits for it at a thieves' market, that's all. I reckon it'd been sitting for years at the bottom of the box where Ideena found it. I doubt they've even noticed it's gone."

He was wrong about that. It had been one of the first items Brad Quade had missed. Raquel, his wife, mother of Storm by her first husband, and mother of Logan after her marriage to Brad, had owned the ring. But it had descended to her from her own grandmother. The silver and the stone had both come from the Navaho lands on Terra. Raquel's great-great-grandmother's husband had dug both, shaped them into a gift for his adored one. He'd engraved a cat's head on the stone because her name was Walks-Soft-as-a-Puma.

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?

*It's good advice for you. I think he has come to it independently. He has grown to like you; he does not like Dedran. It would amuse him to see that one fail in some way, just so long as neither Dedran's wrath nor that of his superiors falls on Cregar.* Quite a speech for Prauo, and Laris took heed of it.

The coyotes were still angered: by abduction, confinement, and the loss of their own human. She cared for them but made no further attempt to touch or communicate with them apart from a few soothing murmurs. They sat in a corner of the cage, eyes fixed on her, but made no overtures. She could feel their anger and understood it. She did her best to show in her movements that she meant no harm and wished only to do her work. They accepted that, moving to the cleaned part of the cage once she'd done the first half. When she left they were lying together, eyes staring at the walls.

Surra was still motionless in her hidden cage when Laris entered. *She lies,* Prauo sent mentally. *She is awake and watching when you do not see. She remembers your scent. She is clever this one. She has made her kills and plans to live to make others. She is weak. She must mend. Until then she will lie.*

Laris smiled at the pun. *Would she understand me?*

*If I aid.*

She moved up and dropped into a sitting position beside the still form. Then she opened her mind and reached out. At first she could feel nothing, only a wall between herself and the animal. Then Prauo slipped into link. Laris reached again. Now she could feel the glow of anger, the pain of wounds, the sullen determination not to yield that burned in the big cat. Prauo approved. In the back of the girl's mind he anchored her thoughts, strengthening the thread she spun out to touch. Cat eyes opened to study her. A thought formed without words, an emotion then pictures. A query.

*Why?* Laris could see behind it the events. Logan falling, the stench of blood. Surra's fury and her charge, and then red agony, blackness. There was also a sense of disgust with herself. She was battle-wise, yet she had forgotten this. Too long from the war-trail she had reacted in rage when the human-friend had fallen. Storm would have reprimanded her for her recklessness.

Laris understood both feelings and question. Patiently she strove to explain. She was as much captive as Surra. She would help if she could. For now the path the big cat had chosen was wise. Let old skills be recalled. Let her lie, as a predator waits at the den-mouth for prey. In time the prey will come out, the kill will be made, if only one is patient long enough. Surra did not understand time as humans did but still she asked a query which could have been translated that way.

Laris did not know. If they waited it might be that another would find them. Free them both and the team-friends with them. They must be patient. Over and over she repeated that together with the picture of a cat which waited. The prey came when the prey came. Who could set a limit on that time?

*Storm?* That picture was powerful. A compound of scent, sight, touch, and emotion. It could be expanded to mean: This one who is loved, trusted, who leads. Who is also equal. Laris clutched the ring in one hand. Then she gathered her will.

*Storm searches for you.* Agreement flowed between them. Surra knew. Storm would find the path, follow it to trail's end, and none would turn him from that. Surra would wait until she was strong again. All this time she had lain limp, eyes shut. Now she opened them to stare up at the human girl. Golden eyes, fierce and determined. Eyes without the knowledge of surrender.

And in that moment Laris knew what she had done. Perhaps it had not been by her hand. But she had stood by. If she continued to stand aside she would be responsible for events she could not accept. There was no way she could get word to Storm of where his and Laris's stolen beasts were held. But when the time came—and she was sure it would—she would be prepared. She felt her decision weigh her down. She could die if she challenged Dedran. Prauo could die.

*I prefer to live, furless-sister.* Prauo mind-sent in response to that thought. *Let us continue to work to that end. Let the sick one sleep again. And you also, you are tired.*

That was the truth. Laris stumbled to her bed and fell on it wearily. Yet somehow she felt good. She had made a crucial decision herself, had not had one forced on her by others. She belonged to herself still. It was a warm feeling. She reveled in it as she fell into the dark.