by Dana Davis
“We can’t worry about what might be.” Haranda’s voice was strained. “He’s a middling. If the Goddess decides to take him from this world then She has other plans. Now, I suggest you leave this.” She leaned close when Predula’s face hardened. “Don’t test me, woman. We were given explicit instructions.”
Predula’s unruly hair danced in the breeze, despite being secured in a heap on her head, and her eyes flickered to the accident in the street. “If I don’t go to him, the others might become suspicious. We told Mistress Norine that I’m a healer, remember.”
Haranda frowned and uttered a curse. “All right. But we’re coming with you. You can check him with the Energy but I won’t risk our lives for a middling. Is that understood?”
Predula nodded. They hurried to the boy and the body-healer leaned over him. She pulled a bag of herbs from her belt and handed it Taniras, who crouched to assist. The little body was twisted and breaths came in short sucks. At least he was unconscious. Predula placed one hand on his throat and the other on his forehead and leaned close as though listening to his breathing. Had she not known better, Taniras would never suspect Predula anything but a simple, middling healer.
A woman near her wept. “Please, help my boy,” she said.
The boy’s breath escaped one final time. Predula came up and with a frown and shook her head at Haranda. Taniras saw another woman running behind LaNel with a bag in her hand. The old beggar man she’d seen in front of the dyer’s shop was in the crowd now. His eyes moved from the injured boy to Haranda and back again, several times. Taniras felt uneasy and turned to say something to Haranda but the Gypsy’s focus was still on Predula.
The body-healer lowered her eyes and nodded curtly. “There’s nothing I can do,” she told the boy’s mother. “He was injured too badly. He’s gone. I’m sorry.”
The woman wailed and threw herself on the child. Haranda took Predula’s arm and pulled her to her feet as the sea city’s herb mistress knelt by the boy.
“He was badly broken, LaPov,” the herb mistress told the boy’s mother after a quick once-over. “The Sea Goddess has taken him in her arms. He won’t suffer now.” She took the weeping woman in an embrace and rocked her then looked up at Predula. “You a healer?” Predula nodded but kept her lips pinched together. “Thank you for your help, but only the Sea Goddess herself could’ve saved him.”
Haranda held onto Predula’s arm and led her back toward the tavern with Taniras and the other kin following. The place was empty now. Once there, Haranda released her grip. “I know this was difficult for you.”
“My apologies,” Predula uttered. “My healer instincts got the better of me.”
Haranda gave her a sympathetic smile. “Accepted. You could feel no other way.”
“I couldn’t have healed that boy even if I’d tried, not without draining the life out of my own body. He was too damaged. But he was so young.” Her eyes moistened and Haranda placed a hand on her shoulder.
Taniras wondered at Predula’s statement about draining her own life. So a Gypsy healer used her own Energy on the injured and sick. No wonder Thad grew so tired after a long day in Predula’s classes. Such a frightening thought that a healer could die that way. She turned at the sound of men calling out and saw several run in from the docks. The beggar was gone, she noticed. Her uneasiness must have been fueled by the accident. The men led the tinker away. He seemed as distraught as the boy’s mother. Hopefully, they wouldn’t punish him for such a tragic accident.
Still disturbed by what had just happened, Taniras joined the others in the tavern and sat. She thought about what Haranda had said. The Goddess was going to test her immeasurably during her life. And Gypsies lived long, ages she imagined, from what she knew of the Elders and the dome servants. She cursed her bittersweet Gypsy ties in silence and prepared to harden herself for what would come.
“You all right?” Snowy’s dark eyes narrowed with concern. “That must’ve been as hard for you as for Predula.”
She simply nodded and realized that it hadn’t been as difficult as he thought. “I’m good.” She forced a smile that became easy once he smiled back. At least she wouldn’t be alone in this. She squeezed Snowy’s hands across the table.
Chapter 4
Snowy kissed Taniras again just inside her door and his manhood began to respond. His betrothed had to share a room with Haranda until after the marriage ceremony, but the Gypsy had made excuses to meet with Predula. He still couldn’t believe he had asked Taniras to be his shining half. Oh, he wanted that very much but thought he would faint like a frail woman just before he said the words to her. Despite knowing each other their entire lives, his palms had sweated like a young boy asking his first girl to dance.
Taniras was beautiful, especially with her lips pressed against his, and he regrettably pulled back to study her. A sweet smile appeared on those luscious lips and he grinned back. She was stunning! Her brown skin was a bit lighter than his. And smoother. She had a long, yet rounded body, much like other Maricari women her age, which pleased him very much. A large freckle stood out against her neck and he longed to bury his face there and make her moan.
He shoved down his desires. “Let’s take a walk. We have much to discuss if we plan to marry soon.”
She nodded. “I wish we could have the ceremony tonight.” Her eyes drifted to the bed.
Snowy chuckled. “That’s not the Maricari way, Taniras Ei’sele. We agreed our marriage would be in the tradition of our root upbringing.” As much as Gypsy rules allowed, anyway.
“Yes, I know. But I’m impatient. Now that I’m no longer a bloody youngling, I want to do everything I couldn’t before, and do it now.”
Typical. She was still the spirited woman he had known in Maricar. He wondered if she’d experienced the same sensations he had when he took the oaths back in the Land of the Goddess. The Energy didn’t fill him, of course, but he had felt its presence surround his body when the Goddess left Her Kiss on his palm.
Taniras slipped a hand in his and he led her from the room, pausing for her to lock the door. They headed down the stairs and through the dining area of the Sea Biscuit Tavern. Only two patrons sat here now, playing a game he didn’t recognize with flat, painted strips of what looked to be fish bones. One eyed Taniras in a provocative manner, and Snowy instinctively put his hand near his belt knife. He wouldn’t touch it, though. No need to provoke a fight. The man’s gaze drifted back to his game and Snowy relaxed.
He placed a protective arm around Taniras’s shoulders, led her to the door and out into the main street of Bankar, where the sun sat in the western sky above the water. They made their way down the street, past the giant statues of the fisherman and fisherwoman, to one of the vacant docks. The dunking booth stood empty now and he smiled. Bankari had strange customs. The water beckoned so he sat on the edge of the deck and patted the space beside him.
Taniras sat and dangled her feet before letting out a sigh as she stared at the hazy distant outline of Forbidden Islands.
He grew concerned. “Anything wrong?” She had been quieter than usual.
“No.”
He turned her face to meet his and raised a brow. “Try that answer again.” He’d used that same tone with her on numerous occasions back in Maricar, when she was still a child.
She snickered. “You know me too well, Devin. I can see this marriage will test my stubbornness.”
Snowy chuckled and took her hand. Because he was older, he’d had authority over her in Maricar, and now his Gypsy servant status put him above all younglings. But Taniras was no longer a youngling, she was a Gypsy, new-oathed but still an equal, and soon they would become equals in marriage as well.
“That’s why we need to decide on the rules of our household before the ceremony.” He smirked. “Then you can’t accuse me of being unreasonable.”
“I would never do that.” A look of pure amazement crossed her features. “You’re the most reasonable man I know. And much more
sensible than I am. Haranda doesn’t call me stoneheaded for nothing.” She grinned and her teeth stood out against her brown skin.
He loved that they could speak openly now. “I’ve heard that about you.” Part of him would always be protective of her, though, and not because Gypsy rules dictated that.
She slapped him playfully on the thigh. “All right, so what rules shall we agree on?”
“Truth, for one,” he said without hesitation. He didn’t lie to others and expected the same courtesy in return, especially from his shining half.
“Agreed. Though, there may be times I prefer not to discuss things. Or Gypsy rules may not allow me to. I really don’t know since I haven’t gotten my handbook yet.”
“Of course. I can agree to that. And a woman needs her secrets, as long as you’re not disturbed by anything.”
Her dark eyes grew thoughtful and she shifted to face him. “You know me well. If you believe I need to talk, then I’ll do my best not to keep things inside.”
“Agreed. And the same for me. I’ll be truthful and always attempt to tell you what bothers me.” Taniras plucked one black hair from her head and let the wind take it. Snowy followed with one of his white hairs. He’d had white in his hair since he was barely out of adolescence. “That rule is sealed unless we both agree to alter it.” Loosing hairs wasn’t a Gypsy tradition, but since the marriage ceremony would be performed in the Gypsy custom, Snowy wanted to stick to as much Maricari tradition as he possibly could. It felt right.
“Yes. Sealed.” Taniras smiled. “My turn. We’ll protect each other, as long as our actions don’t interfere with Gypsy duties.” She narrowed eyes on him. Watching for his reaction, no doubt. In Maricar, men protected women and children, simply because they had more strength. Taniras was a strong woman, physically and of mind, but her Energy didn’t allow her much in the way of protection, unless she could coax an animal to her aid.
“I’ll agree to that. After all, I’m sworn as a Gypsy servant to keep you safe.” He waited for her temper to flare.
Instead, she gave him a thoughtful gaze. “As I’m sworn to keep you safe.”
So, a stalemate. “You’ll take orders from me if we go into physical battle, Taniras.” She knew nothing of weapons, and he had trained in the Land of the Goddess with some of the best Gypsy warriors. Younglings didn’t take up weapons there. Did she think all he knew was the hunt? No. She had watched a time or two as he trained.
Taniras grunted. “All right. But only because I haven’t yet learned to handle a sword. Yet.”
At that, Snowy threw his head back in laughter. A couple of sailors passed but none looked their direction. He was beginning to like these Bankari. They kept to their own business unless someone was in trouble. He hated meddlesome people. Each loosed another hair.
He eyed Taniras. “I believe you have every intention of learning about weapons.”
She nodded. “I may as well, since my talent doesn’t provide much in the way of protection.” There was a hint of disdain in her voice.
“Are you still unhappy about that?” The woman was a Gypsy after all. How much more could she expect?
“Truth?”
He raised a brow and nodded, wondering why she even asked such an obvious question. “Of course.”
“It still frustrates me. I’m envious of the others. Even Eletha.” She bent her head and studied her skirts like an embarrassed child.
Snowy fought the urge to click his tongue at her silliness. Instead, he cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. “You are who you’re supposed to be, Taniras. And you’re everything I could have ever hope for in a shining half.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and she smiled. “Thank you. As are you.”
They kissed again, not as lingering as before since they were in the open now, but desire built in Snowy and he felt a surge of impatience at waiting to take her to their marriage bed.
They continued to settle on house rules until the sun had gone beneath the water’s edge and the western sky turned purple. An adolescent boy used a torch to light the lanterns along the streets. This really was a lovely city, even with its worn buildings and fish smells. The air had cooled so much that Taniras shivered and scooted closer to him.
“We should return. Get you out of the night air.”
“I won’t become ill, Snowy.”
“No. But the Bankari don’t know that.” His eyes flickered to the adolescent boy.
“A great night from the Sea Goddess, Master,” the boy said.
Snowy nodded. “Great night.” When the boy was out of earshot, he turned back to Taniras but she spoke first.
“My apologies, Snowy. You’re absolutely correct. I know better than to raise suspicion.”
“Accepted, love.” He liked using the Bankari endearment. Think I might adopt it.
Taniras laughed and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Up the lantern lighted street, Snowy led his betrothed back toward the tavern. An old beggar man held out his hat as they passed the giant statues in the village circle, and he tossed a copper into it.
“Thank you, Master.” The beggar gave a quick bow of his head. “A good night to you and the mistress.”
“And to you, old man.”
“That man unnerves me,” Taniras said once they passed.
“Why? He seems harmless.”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just on edge with what’s going on.”
“That’s probably it.” He pulled her closer as they headed back to the Sea Biscuit.
Once inside the tavern, laughter and conversation rose and fell all around them. Many had come to play after a long day fishing. Gypsy kin were present too, and Snowy nodded to them.
Mistress Norine popped out of the kitchen door just as they passed. “There you are, loves!” She wiped large hands on her apron. “I have something for you.” She hurried back into the kitchen and came out in just a few heartbeats with a hammer and a small fishing net in her grasp. The place had gone silent and all eyes watched the exchange. “I know you’ll have a private ceremony in the woods, as is your custom,” the tavern mistress said. “And nobody here will intrude.”
That got a round of “That’s right!” and “Here, here!” along with raised mugs.
Haranda must have made up that custom just to get into the woods. Very clever.
“But since you’re in Bankar, it’s only proper for us to send you to your wedding day with our traditional gifts.”
Her daughters LaNel and LaWen stood next to her. They were large girls with dark hair, eyes and skin like other Bankari. Mistress Norine’s graying hair had once been blonde and her eyes were a deep shade of gray. Snowy guessed she’d been born elsewhere.
She held out the hammer to him. “May your marriage boat stay afloat on the seas and bring you strong babies.”
Snowy accepted the hammer and thanked the large woman.
Mistress Norine turned eyes to Taniras and held out the net. “May your house always have nourishment.”
“Thank you.” Taniras smiled as she took the gift.
Mistress Norine took each in a hug as the tavern patrons applauded and pounded fists and mugs on tables in congratulations.
“I’ve made a new room schedule for after your ceremony, loves. Mistress Haranda,” she said, nodding to the Gypsy, “told me you intend to wait until then to begin relations, and since you don’t have a marriage boat, well, you’ll need a room.”
Snowy grinned as Taniras’s brows climbed. Haranda simply gave them a warm smile.
Mistress Norine focused on Taniras. “Will he be your first husband, love?”
“Yes. And my only.”
That got a few odd looks from around the tavern but the large woman didn’t hesitate. “Well, good for you, knowing exactly what you want. But if he turns out to be such a fine one, you might want another.” She took a mug from LaNel and waited until Snowy and Taniras had accepted a mug of the offered cider wine. Bright eyes focused on Snowy then Tanira
s. “Let there be satisfaction in your bed.” Mistress Norine toasted them. “Success!”
“Success!” the other patrons called as they raised mugs.
Snowy and Taniras raised theirs and drank with everyone. A glorious little city indeed!
Chapter 5
The sun made its way through Maesa’s open window, lighting the room. Zarenia Va’pash’s cousins had been very surprised when the woman had returned to claim her land. And the woman’s former nurse, Grenwin, had hauled her into another part of the keep the previous night. There had been a lot of yelling between the two. This surprised Maesa because Zarenia had always seemed so soft spoken. But she certainly didn’t hold her tongue with Grenwin.
Maesa still couldn’t believe the size of this place. Zarenia had called her home modest. This place was anything but modest. It looked much like a small castle sitting atop the large hill. A curtain wall protected it and one had to enter across a small moat, over the drawbridge and through the portcullis. Maesa’s childhood tutor had shown her drawings of such luxurious places and taught her the names of everything just in case she got lucky enough to marry a wealthy highborn man. Well, that hadn’t happened but she could now make use of her lessons.
Zarenia had taken her oaths just days before they left the Land of the Goddess, but Maesa was still at youngling status and that pricked at her. Her only gift on this quest was that Birek Ei’mann was also still a youngling. He had professed his love for Maesa after they were chosen for this quest and she had returned his words. There had been no talk of marriage, yet, and Elder D’Echer seemed determined to keep them apart. That annoyed Maesa too. Neither were children. In fact, both neared their nineteenth birthdays, which were two moons apart. Her root mother would have forbad such a marriage but Maesa was Gypsy kin now. And she loved Birek, no matter what kind of root life he came from.
She envisioned him in her mind. I seem to do little else. His eyes always appeared half shut and he swaggered when he walked, something that attracted her to him in the first place. His root people of Maricar weren’t horse riders but he moved as though he’d just come from a long trip on the back of one of the beasts. Birek’s dark muscles were a contrast to Maesa’s paler frame, and he was tall, something else that attracted her to him. Maesa longed to kiss him but that would be a while. They’d only had one brief embrace before Elder D’Echer pulled them apart.
