by Dana Davis
Haranda didn’t hesitate to take his order and he had Eletha out of the tree by the time she and Taniras had the shovels in their hands. The bottle protruded from Taniras’s skirt pocket.
“We only need the scroll.” Haranda waited for the wolf singer to slam the bottle against a rock. When it didn’t break, Taniras tried again, then a third time. Haranda grunted at her own misjudgment. “It’s been shrouded. That’s why we couldn’t sense it with the Energy. Put the bottle down.”
Taniras did as told and placed it on a large rock. Haranda had been holding the Energy since she found the unconscious Eletha. She extended her right hand toward the bottle and sent a single blue spark. The glass shattered in silence and disappeared, leaving only the scroll, which she quickly scooped off the rock and shoved into her bodice. The driest place she had.
Snowy had Eletha draped over one shoulder. “I can’t wake her.”
Taniras checked the girl’s eyes and gave a worried look to Haranda. “We need Predula.”
“Let’s move,” Haranda said, and they started back toward the Sea Biscuit Tavern. Before Haranda got five paces, a wolf stepped into her path.
“It’s Dar.” Taniras concentrated on the she-wolf for several heartbeats. “She says they found the poison used on Eletha.”
“Good. But we need to get the youngling to Predula.”
“Dar wants me to go with her.”
“Go.” She took Taniras shovels. “Snowy and I will take care of Eletha. But keep yourself safe, Taniras. Don’t make foolish choices. I’m certain Dar will defend you if necessary.”
The wolf singer drew her back straight and gave a thoughtful glance at Dar. “Yes, Haranda.”
Chapter 15
The rain caught Saldia by surprise and she ducked behind a garbage bin in the alley to release the Energy. Keeping in the shadow wasn’t so difficult for her anymore, thanks to Ved’nuri’s tutelage, but rain still bounced off her unseen body. That would bring unwanted attention for certain, and Haranda wouldn’t be happy if she brought suspicion on them.
Once out of the shadow, she ran back down the alley the way she had come and around the front of the building. A door stood open and she stepped inside, flipping her cloak hood to her back. Her eyes took several heartbeats to adjust in the dim light but when she could see clearly, she noticed two young men seated on stools at a workbench. The barrel maker’s shop. Both eyed her warily until a large man stepped from the back room and motioned them to keep working.
“Ah, young mistress.” There was worry in his eyes and the three men gazed out the door. “Not the season for this rain.” His dark arms were as large as Saldia’s thighs, and his chest resembled one of the numerous barrels that lined the walls. Any taller and he would have to bend to get through even a Bankari doorway. A thick, black beard extended below his neck and bright eyes studied her. “Ah, well. What can I do for such a lovely one? A barrel for your wares, perhaps? Or for foodstuffs? Perhaps you need a lighter one for travel. We can make anything you desire.”
Saldia found herself smiling at this mountain of a man. “My apologies, Master. I got caught in the rains and your door looked inviting.” Bankari prided themselves on their wares and selling those treasures as much as they took pride in fishing, so she walked to an area with small barrels and trunks stacked one on top of the other. “Now that I’m here, might I look over the smaller items? I’m certain I could use one for travel.”
“By all means, Mistress. And my name is LePon.” He stepped to her and retrieved one of the diminutive trunks, which seemed even smaller in his massive hands. “This style is my sister’s favorite. She enjoys traveling and I made one similar for her. She tells me it keeps her wares dry even on the rough seas.” His eyes flicked to the rain again. The trunk was lovely. The thin wood didn’t look sturdy, though. “This trunk is light as a bird’s nest. Made of the finest Hunter’s wood. You would have to soak it for a very long while just to let the smallest drop of water in. Handle it, Mistress.”
She did just that, using the brass handles on the ends. Not much effort to lift, and even with items inside, she would be able to carry it without too much effort. The wood seemed very strong, despite the thinness. The rain still pounded the streets outside. Haranda had told her to begin conversations with a purchase, so Saldia unhooked the brass latch, which held nicely, and opened the domed lid. The inside was lined with blue fabric, soft to the touch, with various pockets sewn in the back and the lid.
“My niece does that fine sewing. The girl has delicate fingers and insisted that my women customers would appreciate a bit of luxury now and then.
“Indeed.” Saldia doubted any Bankari woman had delicate fingers, though. From her experience, Bankari were sturdy from their eyebrows to their toes. “How much?”
LePon looked her up and down. “I can tell you’re a fine woman. One who appreciates hard work. One who values practical items but enjoys niceties once in a while. For you, one gold.”
She let the lid down and snapped the latch back in place. “It is lovely. But I’m afraid I can’t afford such expense.” She placed the trunk on the shelf. “Do you have anything else?” Of course, she had learned to haggle early on and kept glancing back at the fancy trunk while she walked around the shop. She chose the plainest she could find and reached a hand out toward it.
“Oh, Mistress. That one is quite functional but not worthy of your beauty. I can go down to four silvers and six coppers for the other one. Perhaps my sister will catch extra fish today. The delicately stitched pockets inside would keep your combs and other womanly items secure.”
Saldia lifted the purse at her waist and feigned counting. She had several gold pieces, a luxury that had never been in her purse before becoming a Gypsy, but they needed to last. The Vedi had a vault filled with riches but with Gypsies’ long lives, that too had to last, centuries in fact. Besides, Bankari loved to haggle. In truth, they got offended if anyone agreed on the first and sometimes the second offer of sale.
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t have enough to pay Mistress Norine for her hospitalities if I bought at that price.” She narrowed eyes on the large man. “I can offer two silvers and four coppers. That at least would allow me to eat and pay my other debts.”
The man rubbed his beard between two bulky fingers. He glanced between the trunk and Saldia several times.
It took all of her reserve not to giggle at the excitement of this transaction. “That one would do me just fine.” She pointed to the plain, unadorned trunk. She held a fondness for Bankari now and their size no longer made her uneasy.
“Nonsense, Mistress. A beautiful woman needs at least one lovely trunk to hold her wares. I’ll take your four silvers and six coppers. My sister is an excellent fisherwoman. She will no doubt catch many fish today. But you must agree to speak of my shop to anyone who admires my work.”
Saldia smiled. No one had ever called her beautiful. But of course this man would flatter her. After all, he had made a sale. “Of course, Master LaPon.” She fished out the promised coins and placed them in his large hand.
“And who do I have the pleasure of doing business with?”
“My name is Saldia.”
“Ah, Mistress Saldia. I shall have your trunk delivered to the Sea Biscuit before closing today.”
She thought of Eletha and got another idea. “Thank you,” she said with melancholy in her voice.”
“What bothers you, Mistress?”
He took her bait. Good. “I’m worried about my cousin, Master LePon. Someone had laced her mug with poison. She’s such a bright girl who’s done no one harm, yet someone has done this to her. She was lucky the herb mistress had a cure and she’s recovered now, but I fear that I or one of my other kin might be next. We don’t know who would do such a thing.”
LePon’s face contorted into anger then worry and he laid one of his massive hands on her shoulder. The heaviness caused her to lift her back and look into his eyes. “There’s not a Bankari around who hasn�
�t heard of that cowardly act. I assure you, Mistress Saldia, Bankari handle that kind of brutality with serious consequences.”
Something about this man’s gaze seemed to push through to her very essence and her heart raced. He wasn’t attractive in the traditional sense but still, there was something. He removed his hand from her shoulder, and she focused her thoughts again. “Oh, I know that, Master LePon. Mistress Norine and her family have been nothing but generous to us. She realized the two young men at the workbench had their heads turned toward her.
“I promise you, Mistress Saldia, if I find out who this poisoner of women is, he won’t breathe long. A man’s lungs don’t last when plunged to the bottom of the sea.”
He seemed truly upset, and Saldia realized that he knew nothing more about the incident. “We would like to question him first.” She adjusted her wet cloak. “Find out why he’s done such an awful thing to my innocent little cousin.” If Eletha ever heard the word innocent used to describe her, the little woman’s anger would probably turn her as red as her hair. Saldia fought a smile at that.
LePon brushed fingers on his beard. “Don’t worry Mistress. When he’s caught, he’ll tell his most intimate secrets. With vigor, I imagine.” Raised brows made him look comical despite the harsh words.
She nodded and eyed his workers.
“You two know anything about the poisoner of women?” LePon said to them. Both shook their heads. “If you hear anything, get word to me, Mistress Norine or one of her husbands, you understand?” He shook a large finger at them.
“Yes, Master LePon,” they said in unison.
The large man offered Saldia a smile that warmed his face. “You take care, Mistress. Be sure to stop by and let me know how that trunk suits you.” His dark eyes glistened.
“I will, Master LePon.” Her heart raced again. What in blazes was wrong with her? Perhaps Gypsies could contract colds or diseases after all. The rains had stopped so she thanked the barrel maker, bid him a good day and stepped onto the wet cobblestones outside, searching a place where she could go into shadow without prying eyes.
Several more stores and across another alley something growled from the shadows. She thought it might be a dog but when she turned, a wolf with golden eyes stared at her. Fear swelled and she harnessed the Energy. The wolf loped off a few paces then turned toward her again and waited.
“Of course.” Saldia released the Energy. No sense wearing herself out if there was no need. This was the she-wolf’s mate, the one that had been in the forest when Taniras became the wolf singer. She took a few steps toward the beast and he loped ahead before turning to her again. “Wants me to follow,” she said under her breath and glanced around to see if anyone watched. Several people walked up the street but none paid any attention to what was happening in the alley. Bankari, thank the Goddess, kept to their own business unless there was trouble.
The wolf cocked his head as though he understood her then led her through the alley, behind several shops and down the sloping sands, until they reached the small beach just beyond several tethered boats. The wolf continued toward a pile of driftwood and shimmering seaweed where he whined. Saldia was certain the wolf made that sound for her benefit. After all, he was no pup. As she got closer to the pile, she saw something else, something familiar. Taniras’s purse. But why was it here? The wolf singer had gone into the forest with Haranda and Snowy.
She took up the purse and tied it to her belt next to her own. The wolf loped up the short beach and she followed at a run this time, holding her skirts. Had something happened to Taniras? Why else would the wolf come for her? Her heart hammered and she picked up the pace.
The wolf stopped just short of a dilapidated pier with pilings built up all around. When Saldia started up the beach, the wolf growled. She ignored her racing heart and stepped as close as she dared to the beast to follow his gaze. In the midst of the pilings, black hair bobbed. Taniras! The she-wolf had the unconscious woman by the scruff and paddled frantically. Both went under for a heartbeat, and Saldia realized the wolf had exhausted herself trying to keep them both afloat.
Though she had splashed around in water on many occasions, Saldia didn’t know how to swim. Seems Gypsy training neglected that lesson. She planned to bring it up to Ved’nuri first chance she got. She quickly tucked her skirts into her underbreeches and waded into the cool water. Pilings pushed against her with the waves, nearly knocking her down. She took in the Energy, which helped her ignore the slapping waves and pilings that cut against her skin.
The waves came up to her neck now as she sputtered salty water. Somehow, she managed to wade through the pilings. Finally, she got a grip on Taniras’s arm and pulled the wolf singer toward her. The she-wolf immediately swam to shore. At least with Taniras unconscious, she couldn’t fight. That might drown them both. The singer had blood coming from a wound on her forehead but it didn’t look deep.
Saldia started for shore when she lost her footing and went under the water, taking Taniras with her. She looked up to see the sun glimmer on the water, peaceful, majestic and wondered if death was anything like this. Bubbles came from Taniras’s nose and mouth. Saldia pushed against the sandy bottom to bring them both out of the water, coughing the stuff out of her lungs. This time, she stood shoulder high in the waves. They must have propelled her toward the shore. She dragged her unconscious Gypsy sister along.
She stepped onto the shore and pulled with all her might to free Taniras from the waves that licked her legs and feet. The she-wolf had collapsed nearby and her mate sniffed at her.
“Taniras?” Saldia croaked between spats of seawater. “Taniras? Can you hear me?”
The only sound she heard were the pilings as they clattered against the pier remains. Quickly, she flipped the woman onto her back with more ease than she thought possible. She still held the Energy, which was probably the only reason she hadn’t collapsed. She put her ear to the singer’s chest and detected a heartbeat but there was no breath. Gypsy training came to her in pulses of images and she blew into Taniras’s mouth the way Predula had instructed on a non-breathing patient. The head wound would have to wait. First, she needed to get air into the woman’s lungs.
“Respond, Taniras. Son of a goat!” She slapped the singer’s thighs in an attempt to get a reaction, any reaction.
“Pain can sometimes get through when nothing else can,” Predula had told her classes over and over.
“Taniras! You bloody better answer me, woman!” She blew another breath into the singer’s lungs, pushed a blue spark into her hand and struck Taniras’s thigh. The woman sputtered and coughed until water flooded from her mouth along with vomit. Relief filled Saldia. “Thank the Goddess.” She rolled Taniras to one side and let her expel her lungs. “What?” The singer’s lips moved in silent speech. Saldia leaned her ear close to Taniras’s mouth.
“Dar. Must help.” Taniras began to crawl toward the she-wolf.
Saldia put a restraining hand on her. It didn’t take much force to halt the woman’s movement. Her awareness told her there was no one in the vicinity so she released the Energy, and along with it went the majority of her strength. Her legs and arms felt weak. “You need to rest.”
Those dark eyes glared, and Saldia realized that Taniras now held the Energy. “Bloody—get me to Dar.”
The urgency in Taniras’s voice caused Saldia to start and she obeyed without so much as an objection this time. She half-dragged the singer to the still wolf and watched as Taniras laid a trembling hand on Dar’s wet coat. The she-wolf had her eyes shut. Suddenly, Dar’s mate let out a howl that was answered by a pack to the east. That sound sent a chill up Saldia’s back and her hairs stood on end. Dar twitched and whined then opened her eyes. Her tongue licked Taniras’s arm and both collapsed, alive, but exhausted.
Saldia sat on her heels, took her crying cloth from her purse and pressed it against Taniras’s head wound. She wondered whether to run for help or stay until the woman had gained a bit of strength.<
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Before she could make any decision, Taniras placed a cold hand on her arm. She pulled soggy stems from her skirt pocket with her other. “This is—what was used,” she said in a raspy voice. “To poison Eletha. The wolves—call it—deathbane.” She pulled to one elbow.
Saldia helped her sit and supported her but kept pressure on the wound. “Do they know who tried to kill her?”
“No.” Taniras coughed. “But they—were able to trace the scent. From this.” Taniras pushed her hand to Saldia’s waist and touched her belt purse. “I took Eletha’s crying cloth.” She coughed for several heartbeats. “Should’ve seen Mistress Norine’s face—when I refused to let her wash it first.” A hoarse laugh and several more coughs. “Dar led me to the pilings. The remnants of the deathbane had been tossed. I guess the poisoner never expected a wolf singer to find his trail.” Another chuckle and her voice grew stronger. “When I went out to retrieve them, something slammed against my head.” She reached to touch the wound on her forehead. “Is it bad?”
“Not too deep. You’re lucky Dar can swim. She held you’re head out of the water until her mate found me and led me here.”
Taniras nodded. “So, that’s what happened. I couldn’t tell from the mass of images I got from the pack. They were all talking at once.” She coughed again.
Saldia didn’t want to ask about that. The whole matter still made her uneasy. “Is Dar all right?”
“She will be, with rest.”
“Sound advice.” Saldia peeled the cloth back to inspect Taniras’s wound. “The bleeding has slowed.”
“Good. Keep pressure on it.”
But Saldia had remembered that lesson. Dar stood with her mate close by. The singer concentrated a heartbeat then nodded and the two wolves slinked off toward the east. They moved slowly for wolves, Saldia guessed, but much quicker than she could just now.
She watched until they were out of sight before turning her attention back to Taniras. “Think you can stand? We should get back to the others. Predula will want to take a look at you.” She shivered. And we bloody well need to get out of these wet clothes. They wouldn’t get ill, but the cold would make her limbs numb, harder to walk.
