Beast Master's Ark by Andre Norton; Lyn McConchie

Author:Andre Norton; Lyn McConchie [McConchie, Andre Norton; Lyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2010-10-14T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

At the Quade ranch Mandy had planed in for a landing by the mobile laboratory. She opened her beak and gave a sweet piercing call. Kady came running. She caught up a mini-recorder, and a couple of lastree nuts on the way, showing the nuts as she ordered.

"Give Kady message."

Mandy obliged, then sat happily cracking a nut while Kady replayed the message on the mini-recorder. Brion joined her to listen. He looked puzzled as he heard.

"She keeps saying she's with the natives. I thought Brad checked."

Brad had arrived. "Is that another message from Tani?"

In reply Kady played the message again. It was Brad's turn to look baffled.

"She says Hosteen is with her, but where? Logan asked around. The Shosonna saw him last a number of days ago. He went out to check the line cabins and ask the Norbies to move the stock further in from the edge of the Basin. Gorgol says he never told them and they haven't seen him. Let me hear the message once more, Kady." Again Tani's voice spoke through the paraowl.

"I'm fine and Storm is here with the clan, too. We'll be back in a few more days, I think. Don't worry about us. I love you both."

Brad had listened intently. "She says the clan, but we know they aren't with the Shosonna. Which means they're with another clan. But Logan has passed the word through all the Norbie clans. None have admitted to seeing them."

"Which means what?" Brion asked.

Brad's face was sober. "Which means either they are with a Norbie clan who for some reason are denying it, or . . ." He hesitated.

"Or?" Kady demanded.

"The Shosonna saw signs several days ago that Nitra scouts were around. It is just possible that Tani was taken by them and Storm went with her."

Kady shivered. She'd heard enough from Logan and Brad to know of the Nitra. They weren't fond of humans at any time, although because of clan custom they rarely harmed a female. But with the killers driving them from their lands and the stress of clan deaths, they might be more inclined to hurt a human female they caught wandering. Brion shook his head. Kady relaxed a little as she listened. He was right and she should have known better.

"No, Quade." Brion Carraldo's voice was serious but not distressed. "I don't think so. I'm not saying she isn't with them but firstly I know my niece. There's been no fear in her messages. She links to Mandy. If she was being made to say what Mandy relayed, then the bird would have let us know that the message was a fake. It isn't. In the first message she didn't mention Storm. In this one she says he's with her. I think he arrived later. Again, if she thought he was in danger she'd have tried to indicate that to us."

Brad knew more of the Nitra than this out-worlder, but he wanted to believe. His face must have shown the struggle, because suddenly Kady gave a chuckle.

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