by Dana Davis
Maesa’s heart raced as she studied the sleepy eyes and she grinned. Her face felt hot. Birek brushed stray hairs from her cheek and took her face in his hands. He leaned close and Maesa closed her eyes. His lips were tender as they kissed hers and she felt a bit awkward. She’d never kissed a man before, other than a quick peck on a relative’s cheek. Proper girls just didn’t do such things.
Birek didn’t seem to notice her awkwardness and continued to move his mouth over hers. After several heartbeats, he pulled back. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long while, my lovely.”
“I’ve wanted you to, also.” She grinned.
That seemed to please him and they kissed again, this time with a little more force, but still tender. Maesa didn’t want it to end but Birek pulled away, much to her disappointment.
His black eyes glistened in the candlelight. “Once we reach new-oathed, I would be honored if you’ll be my shining half, Maesa Reman.”
She stared at him then realized he was asking her to be his wife. She formed her words carefully and in imitation of his. “I would be honored if you’ll be my shining half also, Birek Ei’mann.”
She wasn’t certain she gave the correct response, as she didn’t know that much about his root customs, but Birek didn’t seem to mind. His eyes lit and a grin danced on his lips. They kissed again and Maesa silently chided herself for wanting to do more.
He pulled away, stood and held out a hand to her. “We mustn’t stay away too long. I heard Elder D’Esher say she would be checking your room later.”
“Stinking mudworms,” Maesa said in imitation of Nym. “That woman is a bramble in my bodice.” Younglings had bed checks every night in the Land of the Goddess but Maesa felt even more upset about them here in the middling world.
Birek chuckled. He showed more emotion with her than she’d seen him do with others and she liked that. Disappointed they couldn’t remain here longer, she frowned as he guided her back through the secret panel and to her room, where she quickly changed into her nightclothes. She had just gotten into bed and pulled the covers up when her door opened.
D’Esher stuck her head inside. “I thought you were asleep.”
“I had to use the privy, Elder-mother.” That was the truth, in part anyway, as she had relieved herself after Birek left. She yawned just for effect.
“Well, go back to sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”
“Yes, Elder-mother.” The ruse worked. Since she hadn’t lied exactly, the Elder didn’t seem concerned. D’Esher left. Maesa smiled to herself and dreamed of Birek that night.
Chapter 7
The air around Dragon Island was warm and Monster Sea reflected the red glow of the sunrise, adding significance to its name. Despite the peaceful surroundings, Lyssinya Atan Colewin was anything but calm. She stepped away from the hut window to the full-length mirror and flicked a hand at her servant. Naru scampered over to braid her wavy, red hair.
The previous night had been a trying one with her new youngling. Sage laws were specific about rank, and Adelsik wasn’t old enough or trained enough to hold the new-oathed title. What were those bloody Gypsies thinking? Allowing children to take oaths? Lyssinya would get to the heart of this problem if she had to beat the answers from the girl. Things happened with the Energy now that left no room for disobedience, especially from the inexperienced. Sage rules dictated obedience and she would enforce those rules until her last dying breath.
She glanced at Naru’s reflection as the servant put the last of her hair into the braid and began tying it with a lace. The woman, who stood to Lyssinya’s shoulder, had been her servant for many years. Lyssinya had found her, a girl of fourteen, huddled in an alley, violated, beaten and discarded. Something about the middling child had tugged at Lyssinya’s heart, and she begged the Elders to allow Naru to become a servant at that tender age and take her oaths once she matured. Years ago, the mind-healers nudged the worst of the girl’s memories from her mind. Five winters passed before she was strong enough to accept and conquer those memories and end the nightmares. Naru was a loyal servant.
Lyssinya turned slightly and adjusted her belt as she thought more on the Netherworld conversation she had overheard. The Order of Cholqhuin presented a disturbing problem. Whoever was trying to raise the old god must have fodder for brains. Idiots! Probably thought they could control him, take his power for their own, but that would prove a serious mistake. No Sage in her right mind would allow things to progress. Lyssinya had listened in on the Gypsies more than once. Her concealment Energy allowed her to walk in the shadows of the Netherworld and even elude Ved’nuri. That one posed another problem. Candelus was far too young to have that title, yet the Goddess had accepted her, which meant that she had a mate. And her triple footprint meant she was already with child. Not many Sages could even hold a seed in their womb, much less carry a babe long enough to deliver it.
The Prophecies were happening in spite of the first sign of the coming of Cholqhuin. The two weren’t supposed to occur simultaneously, yet they were, proof that told another story altogether. Too many things made little sense in the world right now, and Lyssinya was eager to give her report to the Council.
“I can do the rest, Naru. You may leave now.”
“Yes, Mistress.” The thin servant curtsied and left the hut. The place was small but Sage parents and teachers didn’t have to share accommodations the way younglings and new-oathed did, so Lyssinya never felt cramped.
She finished her morning tea and headed outside. Colorful birds squawked and purred from the tall trees as waves crashed on the beach. Bright flowers bloomed all over Dragon Island and she took in a breath of calmness. If only the entire world could be as peaceful as this place. The day was young and most were preparing for morning meal. She passed the other huts along the village trail and sighed.
Fewer younglings had come to them over the past decades, and many Sages had coupled in hopes of birthing a child the Goddess would call into Her service. Five babies had been born to new-oathed Sages over the past several decades, those who were still fertile for a short time after their oathings, but only two had become younglings. The rest stayed with the island families they’d been given to just after birth. Once they became marriage age, Sages had oathed them. Servants also became barren after the oathing, and there hadn’t been a child born in the Sage community for years now.
Island tribes brought their children to the Elders several times a year and any younglings, which were few to none, were weeded out and assigned huts. The islanders had no problems with this ritual since they had worshipped the Goddess for centuries now. It was an honor to be chosen by Her. No youngling had come to them in several moon cycles though. And no Sage could afford pregnancy now, even if she could get herself with child. Everyone worked here. Many taught younglings while the rest attended to chores. Elders studied the few ancient scrolls they had in their possession.
Sages had taken refuge here five centuries ago when Gypsies began their initial crusades in preparation for the return of the Vedi. Those who didn’t convert to Gypsy ways fled here. The last of those converted Sages must have died long ago but none ever revealed this place. Not long ago, a few with the Energy to conceal themselves from Gypsies had been sent on quests to the mainland, but the Elders stopped those quests when a Sage was killed by a middling mob. They had no way of defending themselves against such an attack. The scrolls spoke of unification crystals that could combine their Energy and do considerable damage, but they had none of those precious stones. Lyssinya would wager her sandals that the Gypsies horded them.
She was the only slumberer of any merit among her kin and a member of the Air Designation. This latest youngling proved promising. Lyssinya had trained just two others who had only a slightest amount of slumbering Energy. This newest girl would prove a challenge. When Adelsik’s training ended, the girl would remember what she had learned, but not who had taught her or why. That had to remain a secret. Otherwise those bloody Gypsies wou
ld trample this island and take everyone.
Sages wouldn’t go without a fight, of course, but part of Lyssinya wondered about this isolation. Gypsies gained numbers, traveling the world for their younglings. And from what she’d heard in the Netherworld, younglings actually came to Gypsies in greater numbers now. Perhaps the Elders could use the ancient scrolls to discover a way to convert Gypsies, bring them into the Sage fold. After all, they worshipped the same Goddess, the Great Mother, creator of the world, keeper of the Energy, and both factions took the sacred oaths.
Lyssinya put those thoughts to bed as she reached the fire posts of the Council. Though none had been brought to trial in several seasons, tribunal fires burned constantly and servants rotated shifts to make certain the flames never went out. That transgression would get even the most loyal servant disciplined at the hands of the Sage Elder-head himself.
She took in the Energy for a brief instant before touching the purple Goddess crystal with her right hand, announcing her presence, then proceeded down the trail toward the large stone circle. The Elders were already seated at the crescent stone table, ready to hear statements from the Sage community.
“You may enter the circle, Sage Lyssinya Atan Colewin.”
“Thank you, Elder-head Mar’keive.”
She told them everything she’d heard in the Netherworld and details of her new, very talented youngling. When she finished, the scribe made the last note on her scroll and nodded to the head chair.
“Do you think this new youngling can help you in the Netherworld?” Elder Mar’keive came from some obscure hunting village on the mainland and had lost most of his customs over the centuries, but he did enjoy regaling tales for younglings during Solstice celebrations.
“With my assistance and encouragement, I believe, Elder-head, that she’ll be a great asset to Sage kin.”
“Very well. Concentrate on her. Instruct her as quickly as you dare but make certain the Gypsies don’t find out.”
“Yes, Elder-head. I’ll do as the Council commands.”
“We’ll inform the others of the Order of Cholqhuin and see what can be done about that nonsense.”
“Yes, Elder-head.”
Mar’keive rubbed his hairless chin with two fingers. “Meanwhile, keep eyes open for any more signs of the ancient god’s coming.”
“As you wish, Elder-head.”
“You are to be our eyes and ears, Sage Lyssinya Atan Colewin.” What exactly did the Elders have in mind for her? She didn’t have to wait long for the answer. “You and several others will travel across Monster Sea on a quest to find these texts the Gypsies spoke of. Retrieve any younglings or errants you find along the way. We’ll inform you of the details once we’ve had a chance to discuss the matter further.”
“Yes, Elder-head. I’m honored to be chosen for such a dutiful errand in the Goddess’s name.”
“That pleases us. You may go. Honor the Goddess.”
“My heart is Hers.” Lyssinya made a curtsy and left.
She felt lighter, giving the news to the Elders. She would miss her bedfriend but a chance to get off the island, peaceful as it was, lifted her spirits. A chance to gather forces for the Sage cause. More younglings to instruct in Sage ways. She smiled as she made her way to morning meal.
“Mother Lyssinya!” a voice called from the beach, and she turned to see her youngling, Daphnen, run barefoot toward her, arms waving. “Mother Lyssinya.” The girl was breathless when she arrived. “I’m so happy to see you this morning.” Her feet were wet and sand stuck to her brown legs. Black hair hung in a frazzled braid down her back.
She was the youngest of Lyssinya’s Sage-children, just fifteen, though her thin body looked much like a twelve year old. But this one harnessed incredible transference Energy, rare among Sages, and she had been born from two island middlings. Daphnen could already move several objects from one location to another.
“What is it, youngling?” Lyssinya offered a slight smile. “You’re not ill, I hope.”
The girl couldn’t actually become ill but she could be injured. And Lyssinya was her clan mother, bonded until the girl reached new-oathed. She had four younglings on the island and felt pride and concern for every one. Adelsik made five but that one could only be reached through the Netherworld.
Daphnen giggled and waved an arm in dismissal. “No, Mother Lyssinya, nothing like that. I transferred water. Just this morning. I couldn’t wait to get to my studies so I came out here at sunrise and began practicing.” Her black eyes glistened. “I know I broke the rules, Mother Lyssinya, but the quicker I learn, the faster I can move up to new-oathed. There are important things happening with the Prophecies and I want to help my Sage kin.”
Lyssinya raised a brow at the diminutive girl and fought the urge to lift her up and shake her. Stupid child, using the Energy unassisted. “You’re right, youngling.” She kept an outward calm that betrayed the anger and disappointment inside. “You broke the rules. You know better than to use the Energy without supervision. You could harm yourself or someone else with a fool headed stunt like that.” She cupped the girl’s chin and tilted her head up. “I’m pleased you’ve discovered liquid transference, but as your clan mother, I must punish you for disobedience.”
The youngling lowered her eyes. “Yes, Mother Lyssinya.”
Daphnen wasn’t a bad youngling and normally she obeyed the rules, but excitement always seemed to fog her head. Lyssinya couldn’t let this go, even if the girl had managed liquid transference on her own, an impressive feat for one so young. Rules were rules and this warranted punishment. She released the girl’s chin and hooked a thumb in her belt.
“After lessons today, you’ll report to Falia and tell her that you need punishment cleaning vegetables and gutting fish for meals. You’ll continue work in the kitchen huts until I decide you’ve learned your lesson and won’t attempt to harness the Energy alone.”
Daphnen kept her eyes on the ground. “Yes, Mother Lyssinya.”
She took the youngling by the arm and marched her to the tables under the large prawn trees. Things had gone so well last night with Adelsik and she had hoped for the same today. Younglings were a trying lot, and Lyssinya found that her patience waned daily. She quelled a groan at having to discipline yet another of her charges. The others took places at the tables when she arrived. She deposited Daphnen at the table with the girl’s three clan sisters, all of Air Designation, and made her way toward the other Sage kin.
“Good morning, Lyssinya,” Tapnut said over his broad shoulder. He patted the seat next to him on the bench.
“Good morning to you.” She gave him a gentle peck on the cheek and he offered her a yellow flower, the symbol of bedfriends.
“I missed you last night.” His black eyes studied hers.
She caressed his muscular arm and sat. “Yes. I had Netherworld business.” She tucked the flower in her bodice.
The servants placed food on the table and Lyssinya allowed Tapnut to fill her plate. He knew what she liked. They had shared intimacies for more than a year now but neither talked of marriage. Too much needed doing in this historic time, so they settled for occasional night meetings in his hut. Since he held a higher rank, his hut was away from younglings and offered more privacy and Lyssinya enjoyed spending nights there. Since he harnessed sparking as his most potent Energy, he was of Fire Designation.
Tapnut put Lyssinya’s plate on the table and filled his own. “New youngling?”
“Yes. This one’s strong in slumbering Energy but she needs training. She’s very stubborn too.”
He chuckled. “Just like her clan mother.” His lips curled into a crooked smile.
She gave him a sideways look but he was right. Lyssinya’s stubbornness had gotten her many punishments during her youngling days. Tapnut had been one of her teachers all those years ago and she had always been fond of him, even when he disciplined her. Once raised to new-oathed status, she had intended to confront him about her feelings, but h
e left the island at the Elders’ command to lead one of the rare Sage quests. She remained to continue studying the Prophecies and assist in slumbering classes.
When Tapnut finally returned, he was assigned to a mission on the other side of the island, logging children and families, in an attempt to find some correlation between parents who birthed middlings and those who produced younglings. He had little luck. The two didn’t see each other again for decades, except when Lyssinya found him in the Netherworld, and she was at full Sage status by then. Tapnut wasn’t a slumberer or things might have moved quicker. Lyssinya’s feelings never wavered, and once together, he returned her affections and the two became inseparable.
She reached up to his face and caressed the long scar that jagged down his left cheek. He had gotten that scar before the calling. His root father had been a warrior and boy Tapnut sparred with him daily, learning the Dance of Knives. One heartbeat of not paying attention and his father’s blade sliced him. Tapnut told her that he learned a valuable lesson that day and no one would ever catch him off guard again, especially an enemy.
He caught her freckled hand in his dark one and leaned close to her ear. “I’ll be up late tonight. When you’re finished with Netherworld lessons, come to me.”
That sent a thrill into her and she nodded. She informed the other Sages about Daphnen’s transgression and her punishment as they ate. When they finished their meal, she and Tapnut took a short walk along the shore before classes, where Lyssinya told him of the Elders’ decision to have her go to the mainland. He seemed concerned and promised to put in a request to accompany her. A stolen kiss, out of sight of younglings, and then to classes.
