Even though I already knew the answer, I whispered, “What's happening to me?”
She shushed me, calming me enough I could breathe before my magic started spiking, and that would alert every magic user in the camp. I had suspected when I started feeling that warmth in my head every time I learned something new after I had regained consciousness, but I refused to acknowledge it. It made me more of a monster than I already was.
Her voice was soft and kind like it always was when she was teaching me new lessons in the library. “I thought I felt something different about you after we were rescued. Like I could feel a mind glow from you like I could with the other Seekers.”
I shook my head, denying it for my own sake, but she continued, “Then I heard a story from the other Seekers, who were freed in the receiving hall after you killed the others of Eris' Inner Circle. They are spreading the story of the outsider woman who tore Eris' magic from her and devoured it. They swear they felt Eris' mind glow go dark.”
Then she said as I started shivering in the heat of the day, “And you just proved out my hypothesis. Is this a new aspect of your Adept powers? We knew you could consume and unravel other magics directed at you. But ripping someone's power from them and making it your own? How long have you been able to...”
In a whisper, I hissed, “Never!” I looked around in a panic, to make sure nobody could overhear us.
She put a halting hand up to calm me and spoke my fear. “If this gets out, that you can strip magic users of their power, there will be panic and chaos. You and any other current or future Adepts are going to be feared... or worse.”
I knew that already, which is why I had been in denial about it until she tricked me into revealing it to her. She sighed, seeing my fear... of her now. “I'm not telling anyone, and I suggest you do the same.” Then she smirked. “We're family, you are my daughter now. And now you're also a Knowledge Seeker too.”
She hugged me gently, knowing I was still quite tender. “I love you, lady.”
I absently replied, “Love you too,” as I tried to corral my fear and compartmentalize it now that it had just shattered my wall of denial. She was right. Others would see me as a monster who could take their power from them, and some... would kill to make sure it wouldn't happen. I was more afraid for my family than myself.
Worse was the thought that this new magic inside me was that of a true monster, the one the people had taken to calling the Thief of Minds as they were still afraid to utter Eris' name. I was still in denial.
Then Em sat and seemed to decompress, something else creasing her brow in consternation. I asked, “What is it?”
Shrugging she said, “My people are broken. They've lived like this for a generation under Eris' thumb. And they are without leadership, the trust in the Sect is gone, and they are looking to the Cristea for the path forward.”
I could feel through the taste of the magic leaking from her that her mind was racing, contemplating everything at once. “Mother Loretta has asked me to stay on for a while, to shepherd my people back to stability until they can stand on their own again.”
She scrunched her face at me when I snorted then pointed at her to tease. “Prime Seeker Emilathia.”
“Yuck it up, you're not as funny as you think you are... Great Mother.”
“Oh yes, I am. I have it on good authority.”
“Well, maybe just a little.”
I blinked at her for making a short joke. “Hey, lady, I'm taller than you!”
She exhaled and smiled, and I realized what she had just done, and I appreciated her for lightening my mood. Then she said, “Here comes your blushing bride, act natural.”
I blurted nervously as Celeste reached us, “Emily is short!”
As Em gave me an incredulous look, my wife assured me, “Yes she is, pipsqueak.”
“Hey.”
We all chuckled and I shot an apologetic look at Em. I know what we had just talked about, but she had to know that I would be telling Celeste. She was the other half of my heart and I would not hide anything from her, but today was not the day for it.
I looked up at her mane of flame-red hair as the hot breeze rustled through it. Whenever I laid eyes on her, I always imagined her a cross between the princesses in the fables the girls favored and the brave knight who is willing to walk through fire for the love of his life. She was and would always be the knight of my heart and I was so very lucky we had crossed paths by chance back in Cheap Quarter all those years ago.
She looked concerned. “You're crying? Are you ok, love? Should I call the healers over?”
I shook my head and just smiled warmly at her. “I'm fine. I was just thinking about how much I love you.”
It was plain to see she sensed something heavy had just gone down between Em and I so she lightened the mood. “I hear that from all the girls.”
I slugged her shoulder. “There better not be any other girls or you'll get a rude what for in your sleep.”
She shook her head, looking pathetic as she looked at Emily. “Such violence. Whatever am I to do?”
“Everyone's a comedian.”
Then she got serious. “Time to get back in the wagon, healer's orders. Celia says she'll be with you in a few minutes when she finished with Tennison.”
I sat up taller. “Any improvement?”
She shook her head and I deflated some as she said, “They are good, but their magiks are weak. They say over the centuries it seems to have diluted a great deal. But the past few generations it seems to have stabilized at this low level. They insist it is because they have lost favor with Father Stone. They are sure from the stories and songs that someone who is still in favor with Father Stone could reverse the damage they cannot.”
I offered, “Syl could do it in her sleep, and if not, Ingr is like our Mist, overpowered for someone so young. She's been training under her mother to hone her ability as a healer.”
She put a hand to her ear. When she caught my questioning look she gave us a toothy grin and said, “Just listening for Misty's forlorn sigh when someone within a thousand yards says Ingr's name. You do know that its only a matter of time that we'll be calling her our daughter.”
I was all smiles at that. “Well, she couldn't have picked a better girl.”
Celeste bowed slightly to Em. “Prime Seeker, might I steal the stubborn one away from you?”
Emily's cheeks heated as she nodded. “Rumors have already spread I see. Mother Loretta's not so subtle nudging. Why are all Mountain Gypsy mothers always so sneaky and wise?”
As a Mountain Gypsy Mother I grinned, she rolled her eyes. Hey! Then she made a shooing motion and my wife pulled me toward the wagon. I trudged beside her like a condemned prisoner.
She assured me, “Last day, I promise.”
I was about to get excited then got suspicious instead as I squinted an eye and accused, “Bex says we can lift off tomorrow, doesn't he.”
Her lack of an answer was all the proof I needed, the sneaky wench. Though my heart did speed up at the prospect of leaving this sweltering land of bad memories and going home.
She asked as she helped me lay back on top of the cool sheets in the wagon which I suspected were spelled, “So what did you and Emily speak about?”
I placed a hand on her cheek, then propped myself up on my elbows to give her a peck on the lips. “Later. I promise.” She just nodded and that was all she pressed on the subject. I loved that about her, that she trusted me at my word unconditionally as I did hers.
She looked between me and the door. She had been helping to train volunteers, to defend against Dianda and whatever thralls she had left with her. She had escaped Doctrina and none of Cristea scouts could find them. She was sure to be a thorn in New Cali's side for some time, but now the people would be vigilant and aware of the signs of this sort of thing ever happening again.
Then I sighed as she sat back in the bed with me, our fingers intertwined
as she said, “They can do without me for a few minutes. I just want a couple minutes with my wife.”
I nodded and snuggled in the best I could with my sensitive skin and just basked in the closeness, closing my eyes for just a moment.
Chapter 20 – Goodbyes
Damn it! It was morning again when I opened my eyes. I swear the healers know the same trick Sylvia uses on me whenever she wants me to stay in bed to aid in recovery and uses her magik to urge me to sleep. And I fell for it again.
Blinking at the little fuzzy face in mine, I sighed and reached up to pluck Bitsy off my face and looked around. Where were the girls? I chastised the little thing, “Why are you off alone? There are many birds and predators here that would be more than happy to make a little snack out of you. Silly rockhopper.”
I placed the rodent on the little table that folded down from the wall above the bed. An ingenious idea I'd have to ask the gypsy wagon wrights back home if they could incorporate in Celeste and my wagon. It made feeding one when they were confined to bed quite easy and made an excellent place to place a tome when reading in bed.
With the morning light streaming in the colorful stained glass windows, I noted my skin looked a little pinker and a little less like I had stayed out in the sun a few hours... or weeks too long. The old damaged skin had been flaking off like crazy the day before, the healers' magik encouraging new skin to grow quickly.
I squinted one eye, cringing as I let my magic out, seeking, anticipating the raw feedback that had been settling to an uncomfortable dragging and prickling across my mind when I felt other people's magics. I was relieved that it was almost back to normal, and now it only felt like a dull itch that I couldn't scratch.
That must have meant I was recovering from frying my mind like I had my body. I was concerned that was just how it was going to be from now on, and I'm glad it wasn't. Everyone's magic except Misty's was too bright, ragged, and sharp with my mind so raw. I think because Misty's is rooted in nature, it was the only warm magic that didn't hurt at that time.
I could feel points of light moving all around outside. Then I sat up suddenly, causing Bitsy to leap from the table in surprise, her long rear legs propelling her across the gap to the little breakfast table by the door. I grinned to myself. We could finally get out of this furnace and start the journey home today! I was so through with adventure and just wanted to sleep in my own bed and never leave it again.
I could taste the steel resolve approaching through a familiar, sharp magic and I grinned just as Celeste opened the door and stepped inside, smiling back at me. “Ah, there you are sleepyhead. Time to get ready, everyone is gathering, it's time for us to start the trek back home.”
She studied me a moment and didn't even react when Bitsy leapt and landed on her shoulder, nestling in the red hair pooling over her shoulders. “You look much better today. The healers do good work. They're just not as... efficient as Syl.” We both nodded at that assessment.
Then she sighed and pointed beside me. My smile doubled and I tried to put on royal airs for her but giggled instead when she picked up the washbasin and moved over to me. I have grown to love this ceremony, the cleaning, and dressing of a Femeie de Sabie. Celeste and I reveled in the process as we felt completely exposed and vulnerable to each other as we stood with our souls and bodies bare to each other.
I made a mental note to myself to ask Sylvia or Rain if the ceremony had a name when we got back home. I should know these things in my capacity as the Great Mother. I rose and stood before my love. She inhaled looking almost bashful as she reached up and removed the light Gypsy robe I wore and let it drop to pool about my ankles.
My face heated a little as I looked down, fidgeting on my feet. I was still a mess, but the knight before me didn't seem to see that as she reveled at the sight of me, emerald sparks starting to drizzle from her eyes as she failed to contain her desire.
So I stood there as she washed me then dressed me in some sort of amalgam of standard gypsy garb and an intricately knotted leather armor that brought up images of chainmail in my mind. I found it fascinating how the same peoples could develop dissimilar cultures while maintaining their roots when separated by time and distance.
She completed the ritual by arming me with my two blades, the dagger of the Great Mother, and the little blade I kept in my boot.
We stood in silence for five long heartbeats, our eyes locked on each other, then she leaned in for a quick kiss, just to find a misty afterimage of me instead. I giggled at the door and she spun to catch me by the waist, a crooked grin on her face. And she kissed me. As ever, it always felt like the first time. My entire body sighed and melted into hers.
I'm sure I had a suitably dreamy look on my face when she released me. She swatted my butt as I opened the door to step out. I squeaked and she said, “Well at least we know your powers don't seem to be impaired after what you did to yourself.”
Everyone was bustling about, breaking camp, finishing loading up the supplies in the giant vessel. It looked almost silly how small the gondola was compared to the lift envelope. But it was built like the tank vehicles of Avalon, with thick armored plating, and with the gun turret that used to be below it, it must have weighed close to two or three times what the gondola of the Highland had. So even with the better lifting capacity of hydrogen, the envelope had to be immense.
I was still nervous that hydrogen was such a combustible gas. I had read some of the research Bex had done on dirigibles which he had gathered before he built the first Outrider, and understood why he chose helium for lift. A photograph picture in the tomes showed a huge flaming dirigible that I couldn't get out of my mind. I tried not to think about the fact that now saying that was a truth since I truly never would be able to forget it, or anything else from now on.
But we needed to get home, by now they were likely mobilizing a search and rescue mission and we needed to get back before then. It was a calculated risk. Not to mention, how they would react, seeing Aelwen's Avalon vessel on the horizon. That would be why the colors of Wexbury had been painted on the Redemption everywhere we could manage.
All eyes were on us as we strode purposefully to the group of our people who were congregated by the small armored door of the gondola. I was nervous to see many Seekers there. I could feel their mind glows and I was terrified they could feel mine. The leaders of the Cristea were with the group as well.
I looked around the area which looked to have been a small cornfield inside the wall once upon a time but had been abandoned long ago, perhaps when Eris took over. Hundreds of people were gathering at the fringes of the field, just behind the ring of Mountain Gypsy wagons. They were here to watch us depart.
Camille was there, standing next to Emily as her First Seeker and we exchanged nods of acknowledgment that only two victims of the woman, who everyone was calling the Thief of Minds, could understand. I didn't want to know what she suffered through with Diandra, I'm sure it was much worse than I had endured.
I looked at Em as we joined them and smiled up at Donovan who stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. I gave her a questioning look and she sighed wearily. I nodded in understanding. She accepted their pleas and would be staying behind until they could get their infrastructure and government up and running.
Then I cocked my head at Donovan. He shrugged and said, “I go where my Emily leads.”
I smirked internally knowing Fred was going to have a conniption fit. Not only was Wexbury going to be without their matron of the Library for the foreseeable future, but their Prime Techromancer as well.
I squished my lips to one side and prompted him as he reached one hand out over Emily to cup my cheek, “So, who will perform your duties while you're away?”
His grin was mischievous as he said, “Well that would be the person in Wexbury who holds the brightest spark beside me, and as you are Great Mother, and Fredrick is Duke... it would either fall to your mother, Lady Margret or...”
He hesitated. “...or Karen.”
We all shuddered. Not Lady Karen. I hated that woman, I think everyone did, judging by all the sour faces around us. Celeste blurted, “I think we can convince mother to perform Prime Techromancer duties until your return, father. Karen is an ass.”
Everyone chuckled.
Then Emily straightened up and said in her level, no-nonsense librarian voice that seemed to travel farther than a shout, silencing the growing crowd. “People of New Cali, please bear witness.”
All eyes were on her as she gathered her hands around her hair pulling it in front of her. I almost gasped when Camille slashed down with a razor-sharp sickle, cutting off the bulk of Emily's hair. The children squealed in distress while I just stared, wide-eyed at the travesty, as Emily's voice rose above the murmurs, shaking her head so her hair settled at her shoulders, making her look like a completely different person. “My mission has ended, after all these long years, and my new path begins.”
The crowd went insane with applause, roaring cheers, and whistles. Was this some sort of ritual for returning Seekers? All I could do was blink in horror. Her beautiful hair... a young boy accepted the copious amounts of severed, flowing hair and dashed off with it.
Then she turned to me and I had to force my mouth closed as I gaped at her, looking so much... younger now with her hair so short. The crowd silenced as she said with a smirk on her face, “Great Mother Laney of Sparo, the people of New Cali and the Knowledge Seeker Sect owe you a debt that can never be repaid for liberating them from the oppression of Eris' rule.”
I started to protest as I rasped out, “But I didn't do any...”
My complaint was cut short by her finger over my lips as she continued, “And as such, you will always have our gratitude.” She put her other hand out and Camille laid a sash in it and Emily reached over and draped it across my shoulders. It was blue with silver clusters of feathers embroidered in an octagon at the ends.
She inclined her head. “As Prime Seeker, I give you the sash of Knowledge of the Sect, the highest of honors, giving you all the rights of Keeper.”
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