On the morning of the fifth day, I woke very suddenly. The room was dark, but around the door were thin streaks of light from the hallway lamps. The window was brighter than the rest of the room; dawn was near. I could hear what sounded like someone banging on a pipe with a hammer. I decided to get up. I pattered over to the functions room and had a wash-up, then dressed and ran the hairbrush Kelri had given me through my hair. I scowled as I looked at my flightsuit. It was clean and unwrinkled, but I absolutely hated the color; dull orange. But I was glad it had been designed to be worn for months at a time. It was comfortable, and odorless.

I went back into the main room and made my bed, noticing how the light outside the window had brightened. But that was nothing to the blaze that greeted me when I opened the bedroom door. I winced, then looked up and down the hall. No one. I started towards the control room, wondering what all the noise, which had stopped, had been about.

In the control room, Rhul and Tyr were bending over the central terminal and an auxiliary one, respectively. "How's that?" Rhul was asking.

"Just a little bit...there. Perfect."

"Good. Now all we've got is circuit testing and we're done." Rhul saw me and smiled briefly. "Morning, Tiyana." Tyr glanced up, nodded pleasantly enough, and replaced a metal panel on the computer.

"Good morning to both of you." I stood behind the chair at the main consule and watched. They were doing the necessary
maintenance of the Den's systems. Everything was checked every day; usually before the morning meal, but some carried
on almost to the midday meal. Tyr had explained-not that I needed an explanation- that if the Den wasn';t in tiptop shape,
the enemies could quickly gain the advantage.

About halfway through the circuit testing, however it was that they did it, Tyr discovered a loose wire. The tool he was holding
was apparently the wrong one, for he dropped it with a clatter and reached for one behind him. He was seated on the floor, facing the circuit box, and didn't turn, so he didn't know he was a few feet off. I reached out, picked up the tool and put it
in his hand. He was in the far corner of the room; I was with Rhul in the center of the room...and I hadn't moved a muscle.

"Thanks," Tyr said absently.

"You're welcome," I replied, almost equally absently, for I had stunned myself with my action. At the sound of my voice, both of the Cats turned to stare at me. There was a prolonged silence.

"What did you just do?" Tyr asked me at last. I shrugged. "Would you do it again... that wire..." He indicated a strip of wire laying across the chair. I looked at it, shrugged a second time, and lifted the wire. It felt a little odd; I wasn't touching it, yet I could "feel" it. Not through my fingers, but in a part of my mind. I sent it gliding purposefully over to where Tyr sat. When he only stared at it, I coiled it neatly at his feet. If I hadn't been so bemused myself, I would've laughed at the Cats' expressions.

At length Tyr looked up, put down the tool, and asked me to come over to the circuit board. It took him longer to explain how he wanted the wire to be tightened than it took me to do it. After that, he wanted me to test all the wires for looseness. "How?" I asked bluntly.

"Well, just... pull on them-"

"I'm sure, if I pull hard enough, I could make them all loose," I suggested sweetly. Rhul chuckled. Tyr smiled, too, and shook his head. Then he turned serious.

"Why didn't you tell us you were kinetic?"

I looked blankly at him. "I didn't know!"

He looked doubtful. "You never tried?"

That irked me a little. "No. Are you kinetic?" Tyr shook his head. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm..." Now he looked confused.

"So you've never tried?" I pressed.

Tyr paused, then laughed. "Point taken. If you didn't have reason to think you were, you wouldn't try."

"Exactly. No one ever said anything to me about kinetic possibilities, only telepathic ones."

"I understand. I wonder, though... if you return to your own planet, will you still have your abilities?"

That made me wonder. "I hadn't thought about that," I said slowly. "There are other telepaths and kinetics on Debil, but no healers. Not mental ones... I would probably keep the sending and kinesis, but I don’t know how strong I'd be. And the healing, I can't even guess at."

"Yeah, well, just be careful," Rhul surprised me by saying. "I mean don't overdo it. Everyone's got limits."

"Yes, but even when I do find my limits I'm going to have to be careful. I don't want to fall into the habit of using healing on every little scrape, or sending all the time instead of talking, or using kinesis instead of my hands." I gave Tyr a pointed look.

"That's a good attitude. Power has to be used wisely," he said seriously.

A second or two later, the meal bell rang. The three of us headed for the eating room. On the way there, I was surprised to see how high the sun was already. Then I realized I hadn't gotten up as early as I thought. My room got the evening sun, not the morning, so it had been past dawn when I got up. When we reached the meal room, I noticed that the cubs and Kelri had gotten there before us, but Lar was not around. "He's probably finishing some maintenance," I thought.

The meal didn't take long; normally the only leisurely meal was eve-meal. But when Lar hadn't shown up by the time Sarth started clearing the table, I finally commented. "We seem to be missing someone." Silence.

"Lar," Kelri said softly, and was gone. Seconds later she was back...holding a sword. I recognized it as Lar's sword, but the
implications took a moment to sink in. Lar, and indeed all of the Cats, were almost always armed. Which meant... "He's gone!"

"It must've been the Plundans." Tyr's voice was grim.

"But what if they took him to the Temple?" Kelri asked tightly.

"We'd better split up. Kelri, you and the cubs check out the Castle. Tyr, you, I and Tiyana'll check the Death Temple. Sarth, keep an eye on things."

The Death Temple...Thuron's dwelling place.

We all hurried down to the hanger; it was all I could do to keep up with the Cats. Tyr and Rhul and I climbed into the big square vehicle that I'd first seen after my wreck; the Tank. Kelri and the cubs got into the smaller of the two flying vehicles, the Hover. We waited for them to take off, then sped out of the hanger and headed for the Temple.

It was a silent trip, and a speedy one. I could easily see how worried the two Cats were, and I already knew how unusual it was for them to show their emotions. I sat in the rear, leaning over the partition; the two of them were in the front. I wondered if they thought I'd be needed to heal Lar. The thought possessed me all the way to the edge of the mountains. Then I got my first look at the Death Temple.

It was a tall, rectangular structure. It actually looked a lot like a temple, with pillars supporting the stone roof at the front and rear. A few steps past the pillars was a solid wall. The blocks that had been used to build it were dark and even at that distance I could see the long cracks in them. Parts of the blocks had crumbled off over the orbits, and there were piles here and there of dust and chunks of stone. But it didn't give me the melancholy feeling that a decaying old building usually did. This place was menacing in its ill-repair. There didn't seem to be an entrance into the Temple; but then I wondered if we were approaching the rear of the place. It was set near the foot of the mountains, but not so close that it would catch the avalanches or rockslides that would inevitably come. What bothered me the most, aside from the feeling of threat, was that there was no sunlight. The sky had been clear when we left the Den, but the sky over the Temple was so overcast as to be dusk-dark.

We came to a halt on the left side of the Temple and Rhul cut the Tank’s engine. Both the Cats jumped out and I followed. The air was heavy, and stank of death and decay. Rhul and Tyr went up to the side of the structure, and I watched as they began testing parts of the cracked blocks. Then I stepped back involuntarily as a narrow section of the wall pivoted inwards. It wasn't an inviting door; it was pitch black inside, and cold, damp air gusted out. The smell of decay was stronger, too. Rhul gave me a questioning look, obviously wondering if I'd prefer to stay outside, but I thought of Lar and stepped forward. Rhul entered first. I followed, then Tyr.

"How are we going to find him? This place is a maze, and the traps..." Tyr whispered.

"The halls near the dungeons aren't trapped," Rhul hissed back.

"Yes, but he might not be in a cell," Tyr pointed out. He sounded worried. Rhul didn't reply, which meant he was just as worried. I didn't want to ask what I was wondering; if Lar wasn't in a cell, what kind of agony might he be enduring in some torture-chamber?

We moved cautiously down the dark corridor. The open door behind us let in very little light, and I nearly walked into the wall
several times. I could hardly see Rhul, either. But most of my thoughts were on Larano. Then, on an impulse, I reached out
telepathically, searching for Lar's mental presence.

"There!" I murmured.

"What?" Rhul sounded understandably edgy.

"He's...around the corner," I returned, focusing tightly on the familiar touch. "And several cells down." I had known a telepath could locate people by mindtouch, but I hadn't known exactly how. It felt very similar to tuning in on an electrical signal.

It didn't take us long to reach the corner. To our surprise, there was a lit candle on the wall outside one of the many cells. "That one," Rhul muttered. The heavy cell door was, amazingly, unlocked. Rhul shoved it open and strode through, then stopped and stared. Behind me, I heard Tyr gasp.

Lar was slumped against the wall, half sitting, half lying on the floor. His head was turned away from the cell door, but I could see the cloth that had been used to gag him. On either side of him hung a long, glowing yellow chain. These were fastened to the wall over his head, and there was a manacle around his right wrist. "That fiend...," Rhul growled as we hurried to Lar. Rhul pulled the gag away, and I felt intense relief as I saw that Lar was breathing. I moved to the right to stay out of the Cats' way, and saw the terror and despair in the young Leader's face. Slowly, his eyes opened. He saw me; recognized me. A flicker of hope crossed his face. Desperate hope. Hope that I could help him? His fear made my heart ache for him.

There was a clinking sound as the chains were broken, then Rhul stood. "Can you help him-your healing?"

"I'll try..." I knelt on the cold floor beside Lar, whose eyes had closed again. I put one hand on his shoulder, the other on his forehead, and felt the dampness of fear-sweat on my fingers. I reached into him with the healing and felt his terrible weakness,
but there was nothing to heal. No injuries, nothing to take hold of. I let my hand drop from Lar's forehead, but didn't let go of his shoulder. I looked back up at Rhul and Tyr and shook my head. Rhul knelt beside Lar and easily lifted his Leader. "Let's get out of here," he said as he stood up again.

As we went back into the hall, Tyr took the candle from it's holder in the wall and used it to guide us back to the outer door. I was last in line, and kept thinking that something was behind me in the dark. It was an incredible relief to get out of that horrible place.

Once we were out, Tyr jumped into the Tank. Rhul carefully passed Larano up, then jumped in himself and went directly for the
driver's seat. I had paused long enough to press the spot that had opened the entrance, and was relieved to watch the door swing shut again. Then I got into the rear section of the Tank and helped Tyr make Lar comfortable. At his direction I found a blanket, laid it over the seat, and once Lar was laying on it, pulled up the excess to cover him. Then I braced myself as the Tank performed a very tight, very fast turn and accelerated away from the Death Temple.

After the ride settled down, I turned back to Lar and tried again to heal his weakness. Again, I was unsuccessful. "Anything?" Tyr asked, startling me. I jumped, then turned to face him.

"He's not hurt, he's just very weak," I explained quietly. "It's more like a chemical reaction than anything else, and you can't heal a chemical reaction."

Tyr nodded slowly, then said, "There is an element or chemical or something-we call it ranium- present in a type of rock. We
don't know much about it, except that it's effect on us is to make us weak. But the effect shouldn't be this severe, or last so long. Thuron must've altered it somehow. Especially if he was able to make it into a metal. I presume that's what was making the chains glow." He was gazing at Lar as he spoke, and looked very worried. I wished there were some reassurance that I could give him. Then Rhul called him and he went up to the front section. I heard him sigh as he turned away. (They told me later that Rhul had spotted Plundan Airraids pursuing us. We had a long start, though, and they never came close.)

I turned back to Lar, wondering if he was conscious or not. I couldn't tell from his breathing or pulse, since they were both so slow. I laid my left hand on his shoulder so he'd know he wasn't alone. With my right hand I brushed the stray hair off his forehead. A few moments later, Lar slowly opened his eyes. I wasn't at all surprised at the fear lingering there. <You're safe,> I told him. <You'll be all right. We're taking you home. Just rest.> His expression relaxed a little. I clasped his right hand in mine. His eyes closed again, and this time I knew when he fell asleep.

It seemed a long time before we pulled up to the Den. Either Rhul or Tyr must have informed the others that we'd found Lar, for they were all waiting on the steps outside the Den. They hurried down to the Tank as Rhul cut the engine. "Is Lar all right?" Kelri asked anxiously.

"What happened?" Rila asked, trying to see into the Tank.

"Is he hurt?" came from Sarth.

"Ssh. Wait 'till we get him settled," Tyr admonished. He and Rhul quickly assembled a stretcher, then gently moved Lar, blanket and all, onto it and carried him into the Den. The rest of us followed as they made their way to his room. Kelri walked beside me, giving me the occasional glance of anxiety.

<It's an awful place, isn't it?> she sent at last, sympathetically. I just nodded; I didn't want to talk about it yet. I was still in a state of shock. I'd seen cruelty before, but it had never affected me as strongly as this did. I'd never known the poor people I'd treated in the med center.

When we reached the bedroom, Kelri and I made Lar comfortable - we hoped - in his bed. I volunteered to stay with him while Tyr and Rhul explained to the others. They agreed and slowly, almost reluctantly, left the room. It was a relief to think that I wouldn't have to hear it all talked about; being there had been horrible enough. In fact, my hands were shaking with
reaction. I pulled a chair over to the side of the bed and sat down. The rescue had taken longer than I realized, for when I looked out the window, I saw that the sun had passed its zenith. It was well after mid-meal, but I wasn't remotely hungry.

I was there in Lar's room for quite a long time; the sun was setting when Kelari came into the room. Despite not wanting to
hear it over again, it was all I'd been able to think about. I had calmed down a lot, but my sympathy was running high. I kept seeing the fear and despair in his eyes.

<You must be worn out,> Kelri sent. <I'll take over; you go get something to eat. And rest.>

<Thanks,> I answered, standing and stretching to relieve my stiff muscles. Just before I reached the door, Kelari sent again.

<Oh, I almost forgot to ask you...We need to go rilium searching tomorrow. Rilium's what provides the power for the Den and the vehicles. Would you be willing to stay here and keep an eye on things...and on him...until we get back?>

I'd turned around at her sending and now replied, <Certainly. I wouldn't be much help on the search, and I would like to help somehow. And this way someone'll be free of guard duty.>

Kelri looked grateful. <Thank you. Rilium is hard to find, so the more of us that search, the better. But we don't dare leave the Den unprotected. Especially now.> Her eyes went to her young leader's motionless body.

<I understand,> I answered. Then, after another glance to be sure Lar was really breathing, I left.

I found my way to the cookroom without much difficulty. I was starting to learn my way around this place. Tyr stopped me on the way to tell me there would be no lessons in the reading room since everyone would be leaving at first light. I nodded. "Kelri told me about the rilium search."

"Did she...ask-?"

"Yes. I'll stay, and do the guard duty."

"Thank you," he said gravely, and went on down the corridor. I walked the last few yards to the cookroom. Sarth was there, and when he saw me, he made me go into the eating room while he brought out a plate of food. I ate as much of his generous servings as I could; my appetite had returned somewhat. When I was done, I brought the plate and utensils back into the cookroom.

"Thanks, Sarth, I really needed that," I told him.

"You're welcome. Now get yourself to bed, Tiyana. They'll be getting up early, you know."

I smiled. "They? What about you, Sarth?"

"Oh. I'll have a nap once they're gone...that is, if you're going to be around."

I nodded. "I'm glad you'll be here, just in case anyone comes," I admitted. "I'm not sure I'd know who was an enemy and who wasn't. Wouldn't do to open fire on an ally."

Sarth chuckled. "True, true. I stay 'cause I'm not too good with a pickaxe. But I'm glad you'll be here, too, Tiyana. For Lar's sake." He abruptly turned solemn. I nodded in understanding, then headed for my room.

Despite my weariness, I had a difficult time falling asleep. I couldn't stop thinking of, and worrying about, Larano. My fear was still there, mingled with compassion. To be too weak to stand, or talk, or even to keep his eyes open-! And it seemed to be lasting for so long. I had worried at first that he might continue to weaken, and had carefully tracked his pulse and breathing. But the chains had been the cause of his weakness; removing them...rather, removing him, had stopped the effects. Now the question was, how long would it take for him to regain his strength? He might have been exposed for several hours. And behind the question of How Long was a more dreadful question. Would the weakness wear off? "Chemical reaction," I quoted to myself. "Once the source of the reaction is removed, the subject returns to the original state. Recovery is usually slower than deterioration." I'd been thinking of that lesson fairly often today in an attempt to reassure myself. At last I fell asleep.

I felt myself being shaken and opened my eyes to darkness. "Wake up," Kelri whispered.

I sat up and got the light on.

"You don't have to whisper," I said sleepily. "What's happening?"

"We'll be leaving soon," Kelri explained quietly.

"Oh. Well, why don't you wake me when you go?" I reached down for the covers.

" Okay, if you want. But you won't get anything to eat," Kelri warned, smiling. I pushed back the covers and got out of bed.

"You have the most persuasive way of putting things," I told her, and she laughed. Then I asked her how Lar was and she grew
sober.

"We're not sure. He's asleep, and we don't want to wake him. But he hasn't changed position, so I'm afraid he's still weak. Rhul told me you tried to heal him..."

I nodded. "Twice." She sighed and turned away. "Kelri-" She stopped in the doorway. I went up behind her and put my hand on her shoulder. "He's going to be all right." Kelri touched my hand briefly.

"Thank you, Tiyana. I needed to hear that." As she left, I wondered if she believed it.

One chaotic half hour later, I stood at the doorway of Lar's room, gazing silently at the sleeping form. Kelri was right; he hadn't moved at all. I quietly entered and sat down in the chair that was still beside the bed. Faint light was coming through the window opposite me. I laid my hand on Lar's and watched the dawn.