Suede tucked the contract away in the side pocket of her Healer?s bag and took out a small mirror. She gazed into the glass, lost in memories, not really seeing the fall of long white hair that she brushed back from her face or the touch of color she applied to her soft lips. She shook her head, firmly pushing the old memories back into the past and stepped out of the vehicle to look at the grounds and building housing the infamous Slaver?s Association, then walked up to the guards stationed at the door, aware of their close scrutiny.

?Greetings, I would like to see Brutin, please. I am Suede, a physician.?

~~ ~~ ~~

He was framed by the light streaming in through the bay window at his back, allowing him to study her, but shading his features. She assumed it was a deliberate affect, so she allowed her gaze to sweep the office, glancing at the desk, the papers squared neatly on the surface, then back to the garden outside the window. The flowers were a riot of color amidst the greenery. She glanced back at him, aware of his studied assessment and once more wished she were just a bit taller with a more imposing presence when meeting people the first time. She enhanced her petite slender frame with an elegant black silk suit, black pumps and stark black and white jewelry. Her black leather healer?s bag was not quite the fashion statement needed but she was never without it.

Brutin strode forward and smiled. ?Suede, how can I help you??

?May I?? she asked as she sat her bag on the edge of the desk and took out a sheaf of papers and handed them to him. He nodded courteously and accepted her offering.

?Brutin, I understand that you need to hire a physician.?

He flipped through the papers quickly, finding the usual documents showing education, licenses, employment and a few unexpected ones.

?You have various degrees in medicine, xenobiology, literature and .. magic?? Brutin demanded. ?What is xenobiology and why would I want a damned magician anywhere around me?? He spit the word ?magic? out as if it were something foul.

?Xenobiology is the study of other or alien life forms. I have also studied some xenolinguistics or languages from other worlds. And you get magic if you get me. I?ve been told you have an aversion to it. I don?t use it unless I must?

Brutin studied her for a long moment, and then asked how she had heard about the job and, almost as an afterthought, asked why she wanted the position. Suede looked into his blue eyes, returning his scrutiny, wondering just how honest she dared to be with this man. She decided to trust her instincts and be direct.

?Frankly, I?m not at all sure I want to work for you, Brutin. You have a vile reputation in some circles. You also have a reputation for being a man of your word, a man who gets things done, who takes good care of his people. I?ve been told that you need assistance, a good physician and staff because you are going to war soon. I am an excellent doctor who can train a staff quickly and I have both battle and peacetime experience. I?m looking for a position where I can set up a clinic with a good staff and do some research and writing when not on the battlefield. I want that clinic to be well-funded and I understand that you are in a position to do that. In exchange, I will keep all of your people in excellent health. I hear that you need emergency services around the clock due to your rather .. err .. erratic proclivities.? She gave him a wry smile and waited to see how he would react to her blunt proposal.

She added ?I was also strongly urged to seek this position.?

Brutin smiled at Suede and asked her to be seated. She watched him as he went to the door, spoke to someone and requested that Tara be sent to the office, along with drinks. In spite of her doubts about him, she was charmed by his gracious manner.

?Suede, please tell me who recommended that you come to work for me,? he asked.

?My mentor, Velvet Mask, a physician who now runs a university and training school for healers and mages who travel among the various worlds. She does not know you, Brutin, but knew of you when she was on Gor many years ago. Your agent approached her and asked her to recommend a physician for this position?

?And she thinks highly enough of me to send you here??

Suede hesitated, and then answered carefully, ?She felt that I would be the best suited to the job.?

Brutin felt the hesitation and asked, ?Is the job suited to you??

Suede nodded, ?Yes, as I said, the opportunities to use my experience, the time to do research and writing, to establish a clinic ... all of this is what I?m looking for right now.?

Brutin knew there was something she was not telling him, but he could be patient. He prided himself on knowing how to discover a woman?s secrets.

Tara entered the office, carrying a tray with the drinks. Brutin looked at her, then at the tray. She shrugged and said ?training?. He did not look entirely pleased but did not pursue the issue. Introductions were made and Tara joined the talk.

The conversation continued as they discussed the clinic and medical staff, his war plans, the staff of the Slaver?s Association and the Shaved Kurii and the funding necessary.

Finally they all three fell into a companionable silence. Suede thought about how charming Tara was and the unexpected charisma exhibited by Brutin. Tara and Brutin exchanged a look of communication, the kind that comes from long years of working together. Brutin leaned back in his chair and said ?Welcome to our world, Suede, when can you start to work??

Suede smiled at him, the first genuine open smile he had seen, startling him with the change it made in her demeanor. ?I need to find a place a live and some transportation. That might take a couple of days. I will arrange to have my medical supplies shipped immediately. I can call Tara with the exact date.?

Suddenly she whirled around to Tara with an exclamation, ?Oh Tara, I almost forgot!? She reached into her bag and pulled out a small package and sat down beside Tara and carefully unwrapped a dark wooden box. She held it in both hands and looked at the flame haired beauty.

?Tara, just over two years ago, a man appeared at Velvet?s School and asked her if he knew you and Brutin. At the time she did not know your whereabouts. He said he did not either. He would not give his name. He told her he was looking for Tara Rynieyn, the Cockroach Killa, an employee or consort of Brutin of Gor. Those were his exact words. Velvet thought it odd that he would use the word consort. He would only identify himself as an admirer of yours. He said that he had to go into hiding for a time. He refused to give any details at all but he was in a great rush. He had a gift made for you and asked that Velvet send it to you with the first person or courier that knew where you were located. She kept it carefully until now. When the agent arrived asking for a recommendation for this job, she started to send it then but did not quite trust him. She asked me to deliver it to you.?

Suede opened the wooden box and removed a golden creature that glowed in the sunlight. She picked up a small crystal stand from the box and placed it on Tara?s outstretched hand and placed the gold cockroach on the crystal. The deep purple jeweled eyes twinkled at Tara from the little insect?s face. Suede touched a tiny button underneath and gossamer thin golden wings opened. The sparkling legs spread out on each side and the antenna waved slowly. When the button was touched again, the antenna stilled and the wings closed.

Suede opened the lid of the beautifully carved wooden box to show Tara the inscription on the inside lid:

for Tara
my Cockroach Killa

Suede and Brutin watched Tara for a few moments, then Suede slipped out the door quietly as they began to discuss who could have sent the gift.