by Dana Davis
“I heard nothing.”
“You seem ill, Taniras.” Predula sounded a bit frightened. “Urge these animals away so I can take a look at you.”
Taniras tried again, this time on each wolf, without success. “It’s not working. They don’t seem to hear me.” Why don’t they hear me?
We hear you, singer. A cool, melodic voice caressed her mind like silk against bare skin. Feminine and strong. Awareness came with the voice but was very different than what the Energy brought. Great strength filled her, as well as a sense of unending days that had passed before this one, days that were so abundant she couldn’t count them. Numerous lives touched hers, and she shivered with the sensation of so many pressed against her senses. We hear.
“What?” She focused on the nearest beast and the she-wolf raised its head.
We hear the singer. We don’t answer to such rudeness. We don’t take commands.
Taniras thought for a heartbeat that she might faint. Someone steadied her. Did you speak to me?
You think those who stand on two legs are the only ones who understand? The strength of that silky voice was seductive, dizzying. You have much to learn, singer. You behave like a pup. Smooth laughter from many voices filled her head again. Silence, the she-wolf ordered, but there was humor in the tone. The laughter abated.
Snowy tugged gently on Taniras’s arm. “I’m all right, Snowy.” He released her. Could she be the singer, the one Ved’nuri told them about, the one from the Prophecies? The wolves must be mistaken. She stepped closer to the she-wolf and knelt.
“Leave her,” Haranda said when there was movement behind Taniras.
I trained with others who communicate with animals. But none spoke of them talking back.
Then your training wasn’t complete. You are a pup.
Taniras took exception to that. I’m a grown woman, she-wolf. Probably older than you. She didn’t know how long wolves lived but she compared them to dogs.
The she-wolf moved close. A cold muzzle pressed against Taniras’s throat and she felt sharp teeth on the tender skin of her neck. Why she wasn’t afraid, she couldn’t explain even to herself. There was pressure and she pulled away from the slight pain. She lost her balance and ended up on her back with the she-wolf straddling her.
That long head turned and yellow eyes gazed down. Good, the silky voice said. You show respect to me. You are a good pup now.
Taniras fumed. When she tried to sit, the she-wolf growled. Snowy brought up his bow. “No, Snowy. She’s not trying to hurt me.” She wasn’t certain how that knowledge came to her. Snowy lowered his weapon. Taniras realized that Smit had drawn two of his knives but Haranda had a hand on his arm.
The wolf turned to Snowy, slinked close and sniffed. He is your mate, singer?
Yes. She sat up and watched the wolf.
He protects you. That is honorable in a mate. The she-wolf made her way back to Taniras and nudged her hand. What do those with two legs call you, singer?
Taniras.
I’m called Dar. Behind you is my mate, Ger.
Another wolf, slightly heavier set than the she-wolf, pawed Taniras’s hand. Singer. His voice was cool and melodic, but felt more like satin than silk, a bit heavier than Dar’s.
My first yearling. She is not of name-choosing age, yet.
The third wolf, smaller than the other two, stepped close and flattened on the ground. She said nothing. Taniras instinctively placed her hand on the yearling’s head.
Dar’s silky voice returned. Good. The yearling knows her place. So, you are not a pup, singer, as you have a name and a mate, but you need instruction. We have waited generations for you.
Howls of excitement filled Taniras’s mind. The sensation was so strong it made her dizzy again and she fell to one side.
Snowy went to her and helped her sit. “You all right, love.” His gaze was on the wolves. The she-wolf had moved her family back a little. Taniras’s kin had also stepped back.
“Yes, I’m all right. She speaks to me. Calls me singer.”
Haranda took a step forward. “Tell her that we, the Gypsies, children of the Goddess, of the Moon Mother, are honored to have her among us. Use that exact phrase.”
Taniras focused Energy on Dar and started to repeat Haranda’s words, but excited howls filled her mind before she had the chance. The dizziness didn’t last long but she felt queasy anyway.
The she-wolf slinked to each in the quest and sniffed. We hear her, singer. The she-wolf’s head cocked to one side and she moved to a tree. Tell the pup to come down.
Taniras had completely forgotten about the treewalker. She stood, made her way to the massive trunk and craned her neck up. “Come down, Eletha.”
“Not bloody likely.”
Eletha had never shown fear of anything before. Even the earthquake hadn’t affected her like this. “She won’t harm you. Come down.”
“I won’t give any beastie my backside to gnaw on.” The red leaf footprint spun above her head as she took in the Energy.
“Do as Taniras says, young one,” Haranda told her. “And release the Energy while you’re at it.”
The treewalker shook her head and her red locks whipped in the breeze.
“If I have to urge you down, wolves won’t be your biggest fear.” Haranda’s hands went to her hips.
“I’d rather be beaten bloody than end up some beastie’s meal.”
Taniras shook her head. No one would ever do that to a Gypsy, especially not a youngling. Though intruders were another story altogether. Her mind went back to the day Snowy, Camlys and Greges had been tied to poles in the Land of the Goddess and flogged, but she pushed that image away as fast as it had come. Her mate had forgiven his new kin. And so had she.
Saldia stepped close and placed a hand on Haranda’s arm. “May I have a go at her?” She had kept her distance from the wolves but her demeanor was very calm and Taniras envied her.
“Saldia, if you can get that little chit down without anyone having to waste Energy on her, I’ll give you my portion of Mistress Norine’s honeycakes for the remainder of our stay in Bankar.”
The shade walker smiled and her hazel eyes lit up. “Deal.” She stepped beside Taniras and gazed up the tree. “Eletha Lavine.”
“Don’t waste your breath, Saldia, I’m not bloody coming down.”
If Saldia was upset, she didn’t show it. She simply raised a brow. “You’ll have to come down if you want to eat.” She scooped up a handful of pebbles from the ground and held one up between her fingers. “I’m going to keep track of just how long you take to obey the singer.” She didn’t even stumble on Taniras’s new title. “For every pebble that hits the ground before your feet do, another ribbon will go into your hair.”
Taniras hid a smile and heard a pebble land on some dried leaves near her feet.
“That’s one, Eletha,” Saldia said in an even tone.
“That’s not bloody fair! You’re already humiliating me with this goat-ridden dress and this bloody yellow thing in my hair!”
Another pebble hit the ground. “Two.”
Eletha got a pained look on her face. “That beastie—”
“Won’t harm you. Taniras has told you that. Or are you calling your kin a liar?” Those hazel eyes darkened. The woman certainly had learned a lot at the dome. Right now, she reminded Taniras very much of Ved’nuri. Saldia turned her gaze on Taniras and she fought the urge to step back.
Dar huffed in her mind. You are right to bow to her, singer. Her place is above you among the two-legs. Taniras’s anger began to swell but was cut off by the she-wolf. Rage won’t change your place among Moon Mother’s children. She has chosen each of us for a specific task. Don’t question your place. That last sounded very much like Haranda and was more than a suggestion.
Saldia’s eyes were still on her and she met the gaze. “I believe our little sister calls you a liar, singer.”
Taniras let her eyes move slowly up the tree to Eletha’s startled face. For once, the treewal
ker was silent. But of course, that didn’t last long.
“I never said such a thing!”
“You don’t have to.” Saldia dropped another pebble onto the dried leaves. “Three. Your actions betray you.” Another pebble. “Four.”
The treewalker’s eyes darted between Taniras, Saldia, Haranda and Dar, as though she tried to figure out which of the four was more of a threat.
She had completely recovered from the poison, thanks to Predula’s care, but this had gone on long enough. Taniras focused on her. “Dar won’t hurt you, Eletha. If you don’t come down, Saldia and I will just have to climb up there and fetch you. I’m certain I have a few extra ribbons with me.” That was a lie but she rummaged through the purse that hung at her waist. “No need to wait until we’re back at the tavern to fancy you up even more.”
“All right.” Eletha’s footprint stilled. She tucked her skirts into the waist of her underbreeches and climbed down very slowly. Once her feet touched the ground, she pressed her back against the large tree trunk, eyes wide and focused on the she-wolf. Dar stepped close. “She’ll kill me. The beastie will kill me.” Eletha closed her eyes and began to chant something.
“Be still. She just wants to check your scent.”
Those eyes opened again. “So she can find me later when she’s hungry.”
“Wolves don’t eat people, Eletha.” Now how do I know that? Amusement filled her mind from the she-wolf.
Dar’s silky voice touched her again. Tell the cub I’ll nip if she doesn’t behave and show the singer proper respect.
This time Taniras chuckled.
Eletha’s face reddened. “What’s so amusing about being eaten? This is not funny.” Her fearful eyes stayed on Dar.
Taniras gazed down on the little treewalker. “She says she’ll nip at you unless you show proper respect to me.”
“Hmph. You’re only new-oathed. I haven’t broken any rules.”
Dar growled, leaving no doubt in Taniras’s mind that the wolf could indeed understand their speech.
Taniras focused on the quivering treewalker again. “Apparently, Eletha Lavine, I’m the wolf singer.” Now there was a revelation she never imagined she would hear herself say. “The she-wolf, Dar, wants you to show respect. I don’t much care whether you obey her or not. It’s your hide.”
Smooth laughter filled her mind. This time she was dizzy for only a heartbeat. No one noticed.
Eletha swallowed hard. “What does she expect me to do?” She sounded very much like a child.
The pup will lower her eyes until you nuzzle her, singer.
“She says you need to lower your gaze until I pet you.” Taniras hid a smile at Eletha’s objecting look.
“I’m not a dog!” Dar growled low in her throat and bared sharp teeth. “All right! Just tell her not to bite me.”
“I suggest you do as the singer instructs.” Amusement colored Haranda’s voice.
Eletha lowered her eyes and shivered.
Taniras thought of making her stand there a while but the little woman had been through so much lately. She reached out and stroked the flaming hair. Those blue eyes came up moist and guilt flooded her.
Don’t show weakness, singer.
She was poisoned two sunrises ago, Dar. We could have lost her. I don’t want to frighten her any more than is necessary. She’s learned her lesson here.
Sympathy waved through the link and touched Taniras’s mind. The pup did well. I won’t harm her.
“She accepts you, Eletha. She won’t hurt you.”
Predula stepped around Dar, pulled Eletha’s skirts loose from her underbreeches, then gathered the treewalker in her arms. Eletha didn’t protest the mothering for once.
We’ll help find whoever harmed this pup, singer.
Thank you, Dar. Howls of determination filled Taniras’s mind for an instant then were gone.
We’ll find you, singer. Be well.
Go with Moon Mother, Taniras sent back.
The link seemed to evaporate as Dar ran through the trees with her mate and yearling behind, until they disappeared from sight. Taniras’s knees weakened and she sank to the ground. Suddenly, she felt very alone. Snowy caught her up in his strong embrace.
Predula flew to her side and began probing with the Energy. “She’s all right. A bit weak but not harmed.” The small body-healer gave her a toothy grin. “So, you’re the legendary wolf singer.”
Haranda stepped close with an arm around Eletha’s shoulders. “Looks like the third sign has come about. Quickly too, I might add.” She smiled but worry colored those dark eyes.
“Well, wolf singer New-oathed Taniras Ei’sele Nee’cher,” Snowy said as he squatted near her. “How do you feel about your Energy now?” He smirked with a proud look on his face and gave her a peck on the lips.
Taniras offered a guilty smirk. “I never expected anything like this.”
She was pleased. No, more than pleased. Overjoyed! She, Taniras Ei’sele, from the simple village of Maricar, was the wolf singer, a chosen of the Goddess Herself. She fainted.
* * * *
Taniras rummaged through her trunk in search of the perfumed oil Mistress Norine had given her in private. The woman had even instructed the best places on her body in which to dab. Though Taniras learned about private relations from her root mother and Healer Mag, some of Mistress Norine’s advice made her flush. She was certain the Bankari woman knew more about men than most. After all, she had two husbands.
She found the tiny, perfume bottle and cradled it in both hands. Why did she tremble so? “Get a hold on yourself, Taniras. Devin is your husband.” That seemed to help a bit and she uncorked the bottle. With one finger, she dabbed the sweet scented oil onto various places Mistress Norine had suggested, and forced herself not to giggle like a silly adolescent.
The earlier incident with Dar and the other wolves came to mind. Taniras still couldn’t believe that she was the legendary wolf singer, the one mentioned in the Prophecies. Pleased, of course, but surprised. And honored. Ever since the day she arrived in the Land of the Goddess, she had complained about her Energy and longed to be a healer, afraid she would never have respect among her new kin. But that had changed. Though Taniras had only new-oathed status, her new role as singer elevated her in Gypsy eyes. Haranda had no idea what her future held, since that wasn’t clear in any of the Prophecies about the wolf singer. They hadn’t located the text from Mistress Norine’s story, either. But they would continue tomorrow. Right now, Taniras had other things to attend to.
She made her way to the pitcher, took up the barrenroot mixture Predula left for her and drank it. Enough to last until morning, when she would down another mixture. Mistress Norine wouldn’t approve of this on the wedding night, but Taniras and Snowy didn’t need children hindering their tasks. Besides, Gypsies didn’t have children as a rule. Haranda had explained all about how the Energy left most Gypsies barren but that didn’t bother Taniras. She had no feelings about children one way or another. Besides, even if she were to ever have a child survive, outliving several generations of her own offspring seemed, well, wrong.
Her new husband had made an excuse to visit downstairs for something, just to give her a few heartbeats alone. This was their wedding night and midnight would be upon them soon, so he would return shortly. This room looked identical to the one she had shared with Haranda and she stepped in front of the long, obsidian mirror to inspect her clothing. The peasant dress was so plain. She wished she had something more elaborate to wear. She smiled when she realized she wouldn’t be wearing it long anyway. She glanced at her nightdress and chuckled. She wouldn’t need that either. There was a light rap on the door and she stepped to it.
“It’s me, love.” Snowy had instructed her to lock the door when he left and she unlatched it. He entered with a bottle of cider wine and two mugs. “A gift from Masters LeKar and LeTrom.”
“That was kind of them.” She closed and latched the door and followed him to the table.
Both of Mistress Norine’s husbands had seemed pleased about the newly bonded couple too.
Snowy chuckled as he filled each mug. “They told me wine gets women more relaxed, especially in the marriage boat.”
Taniras’s face grew hot despite herself and she smiled. “I thought they didn’t believe in mixing spirits and boats.” The Bankari had strict rules about drinking and going out on water. The fishermen and fisherwomen only drank after the day’s work ended.
“I asked them about that. LeKar showed me his marriage boat. It’s secured behind the tavern. They only take it on the water during the ceremony. As long as it stays afloat until the bonding is complete, the marriage is successful.” He laughed. “They don’t use it for anything else.”
“You’re joking?” She chuckled. “Bankari are strange.”
He nodded and held a cup to her. “Drink up, love. I intend to get my marriage off to a delicious beginning.”
“Devin Nee’cher!” She grinned and took a large swallow before he took the cup from her and placed it back on the table.
He glanced at the open window and kissed her hand. “Midnight is upon us, love.”
“Yes.”
She led him to their bed, the soft glow of the lantern making shadows on the wall. Then with both hands, she reached up and untied the leather lace that held his hair back. A giggle pushed out as she ran fingers through his peppered locks. His touch sent fire through her as he began to strip off her clothes. She returned the favor.
Chapter 11
After they buried the murdered bodies of Dom’s wife and children, Thad’s quest stayed the night at the farm. The next morning, Xiath and Elder Siri were up early and Thad found them in the kitchen with the cook. Smells of morning meal filled the air but he wasn’t hungry. LeChamb, Siri’s mate and a guard on the quest, paced outside with New-oathed Jin. Thad could see them from the table near the window.
The scorched talisman found among the ruins lay on the table and he took it up. The thing looked benign, a simple crescent shape, but the symbols meant much more. A feather for flight and water over a skull to represent Cholqhuin, the ancient god of the underworld. He held the talisman and closed his eyes, hoping with all his will that a vision might take him and lead him to the raiders. Nothing happened and he sighed.
