Sage Truth [Book 2 of the Teadai Prophecies]

by Dana Davis

  Adelsik huffed. “She certainly needs to learn about those. If she forces me to do her bidding again, I’ll—“

  Wren raised a hand to silence her and those gray eyes focused on her own. “I wouldn’t suggest you try anything against this Sage. She’s shown incredible strength and training here.”

  She almost let her jaw drop. “You want me to obey her? That’s ludicrous, Wren.”

  Wren cocked her head and those white, looped braids moved. “Guard your tone with me, New-oathed.”

  “My apologies. I just don’t like feeling so helpless.”

  Wren’s features softened. “Accepted. I’ll do everything in my power to protect you but we need to find this woman. Concentrate and see whether you pick up on her footprint.”

  Adelsik studied the dream bubbles and sifted through those familiar presences that pushed against her senses. She had learned to differentiate between middling dreams and those that carried footprints of Gypsies and servants. The Sage’s bubble should be similar to a Gypsy’s. Her senses found several familiar footprints, now that her kin slept, and she focused her mind to bring them into view. None, unfortunately, was of a silver cloud.

  “Should I search for her the other way, Wren?” The white-haired Gypsy had taught her to become her footprint and float about the bubbles in search of her kin. She had done it several times when locating her mothers back in the Land of the Goddess but the sensation still made her a bit queasy. Not to mention uncomfortable in the guise of her blue acorn. In that form, dream bubbles slammed into her on more than a few occasions, leaving her disoriented and frustrated.

  Wren studied her a heartbeat. “Not yet. Try searching from here again.”

  Adelsik did and found no silver cloud. “Perhaps she’s not here yet.”

  Those looped braids moved as Wren’s head cocked to one side. “Perhaps. But from what you’ve told me, I would wager my boots she’s lurking in the shadows somewhere.”

  That disturbed Adelsik. She’d been taught that no one could hide in the Netherworld. Gypsies could keep their Goddess nimbus from showing but any slumberer had the ability to find another kin from a footprint. At least, that’s what she’d thought until she met Lyssinya. The Sage could hide her footprint here, and herself for that matter. A frightening thought that another could be nearby without Adelsik or any of the other slumberers knowing. Lyssinya had stepped from seemingly nowhere on several occasions to confront Adelsik. Of course, the woman hadn’t taught her how to find someone who hid in the shadows. Perhaps that couldn’t be done, or perhaps Lyssinya didn’t want her to have that knowledge. She made a mental note to ask, with Wren present, of course.

  As though the Sage could read her thoughts, she appeared not five paces from Wren. Adelsik frowned. The woman had heard the entire conversation, no doubt. “That’s rude, Lyssinya,” she said to the red-haired Sage.

  The woman hooked thumbs in her belt and offered a dangerous look. “You had better remember how to address me, youngling, or I will remind you.”

  Wren had turned to the other woman and stepped between her and Adelsik. “This new-oathed has been instructed not to challenge you, Sage. But I won’t let you harm her.” She cocked her head and bindings appeared around Lyssinya’s wrists. The Sage struggled against the bonds and Wren’s face contorted with effort.

  Adelsik watched, hoping Wren could control the other woman here. The Gypsy was a strong slumberer and had over two centuries of training. Her head still spun at Gypsy ranking. Younglings were treated like children no matter what their ages or abilities. Gypsy status went by age and strength in the Energy, yet older Gypsies got more respect no matter what their strength. Potency in the Energy had little bearing when so many years separated two kin. Adelsik fought a groan at that. She was a stronger slumberer than Wren or Haranda but would always be far below because of the years that separated them.

  Lyssinya’s face contorted for several heartbeats before she was free of the bonds. Wren, wrists and ankles bound, slowly rose into the air. When she cursed, a gag appeared around her mouth. Adelsik took in the Energy and put the Sage in bindings again. She had hoped that would free Wren but all it did was earn her a few sparks on the back of her leg. That distraction caused her to lose her concentration and Lyssinya was free.

  The Sage gave her a hard look. “Do that again, youngling, and you’ll weep before we ever reach any kind of agreement.”

  Adelsik frowned at the Sage, but a nod from Wren prompted her to obey.

  Lyssinya circled the floating Gypsy and hard eyes focused up at her. “I didn’t come for confrontations, Gypsy Wren Dinsen. Besides, you can’t win against me in the Netherworld. And I have no patience for foolish games. I’ll release you, but if you try to use the Energy on me again, I’ll bind you until we’re finished here.”

  Adelsik waited for Wren to take the power, to force her Energy against Lyssinya, but she simply nodded. Instantly, she was on her feet, all bindings gone. Adelsik started to protest Wren’s sudden agreement but the Gypsy held a hand up to silence her. Instead, she fumed, glaring between both women.

  “This one is powerful,” Lyssinya said, one hand motioning to Adelsik. “I’ll teach her things you can only imagine, but she will remain at youngling status in the Netherworld until I say otherwise.” A smile found her lips. “I’ll teach you, Haranda and Elder Siri as well. You are Gypsies and I expect you to behave as such. No foolish games.”

  Wren pulled her back straight. “I suspect that I’m older than you by quite a bit, Sage.”

  Lyssinya waved a dismissive hand. “Sage status doesn’t depend on age alone. I’m stronger than you and have knowledge you lack. You need my lessons.”

  “We didn’t ask for a teacher.”

  “No, but from what I’ve witnessed, you certainly need one. Have you forgotten all of the old ways?” That hand waved dismissively again. “Never mind. I’ve studied those texts available to me and have trained under the most formidable Sage slumberer to be born in the last four centuries. You’re not strong enough to hide in the Netherworld shadows, but this one is, and I can teach her.” Green eyes fell on Adelsik and she fought the urge to slap the woman. “But I won’t abide the games she plays with unsuspecting middlings.”

  Wren’s eyes moved to her, narrowed above her prominent nose. “What have you been doing?”

  Adelsik’s heart raced. Though her mundane body still lay on the mat in Guana, her otherself felt real as ever.

  Before she could answer, Lyssinya crossed to her. “You haven’t told Wren everything, I see.” Adelsik pursed her lips but didn’t answer and Lyssinya turned to the Gypsy. “Do you always allow your new-oathed to frighten middlings in their dreams? This child has been doing that for amusement. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Haranda. She got a confession just last night.”

  Wren’s hard gaze found her again. “Is this true, Adelsik?”

  She swallowed hard and took a step back but knew better than to lie. She couldn’t conceal her footprint here, not yet. “Only to hone my skills. I didn’t harm anyone. I’m not stupid enough to—“

  “Silence!” The Gypsy took in a long breath as she turned to face Lyssinya again. “Sage Lyssinya Atan Colewin, since you have pointed out New-oathed Adelsik Nunsey’s transgressions and are willing to assist us in locating Siri’s quest, I wave any malice against you for disciplining this girl.”

  “What!” Adelsik cried. She prudently clamped her mouth shut when two dangerous sets of eyes focused on her.

  Chapter 18

  The air had grown rapidly cold at Beir Lake. Adelsik pulled her cloak tighter around her body as she and her women kin made their way from the Keive hot springs in the evening light. The Vedi had insisted each quest pack cloaks and gloves, no matter where they were assigned, with extras in case they ran into younglings or errants. Now Adelsik was grateful for the covering. The unusual weather had everyone on edge and she didn’t care that she sulked. Wren had betrayed her to that Sage woman. She couldn’t believe
Gypsies were so gullible to accept Lyssinya’s words of assistance. The woman obviously had something planned. She’d been stalking Adelsik in the Netherworld for several nights now.

  Wren eyed her. “Act accordingly, Adelsik Nunsey.”

  She pulled her back straight and tugged her cloak hood up. No need to smear Silbie’s herb concoction into wet hair to keep mildew away. No one washed their heads in this weather. They stepped toward the elaborate huts that made up the tiny Keive village. Bel’keive’s root family originated from here but she’d been born in Hunter Forest, just as her parents had, and she knew little about Keive.

  These people were accepting of strangers. They didn’t seem to fear anyone, or else, they didn’t know better. A few had glanced at the newest youngling. No doubt his elongated head and bone pierced ear caught their attention. They wore elaborate headdresses of fish scales and tiny animal bones. The Keive must have known about the other villages around Beir Lake. Certainly, they had seen others like Har’guana.

  She eyed the Gypsy again. With the Land of the Goddess in her blood, Adelsik was now a year older than she should be, nineteen. Though right now she felt like an awkward youngling. Wren was upset with her. But what hurt most, created the awful gnawing guilt, was the Gypsy’s disappointment. Adelsik knew not to toy with middling dreams. That wasn’t a rule that got you disciplined by the Vedi but it was honored by Gypsy kin. Middling dreams remained untouched unless there was a need. A youngling would’ve been punished for the misdeed, but Wren had given Adelsik a lecture in Gypsy etiquette and openly admitted her disappointment. In front of all the kin! Punishment would at least relieve some of the guilt, and Adelsik was beginning to understand Tsianina’s request for horrid chores back in the Land of the Goddess. She studied the dark, island woman, who strode, humming, next to Henny. Perhaps her island traditions weren’t so foolish after all. Even Henny seemed shocked by Adelsik’s Netherworld behavior.

  They approached the grass tents that stood near Beir Lake and Adelsik frowned. Thank the Goddess she had gotten over her menses just before they left home. She didn’t want to sit in the isolated tents provided for that purpose. Those who stayed there now were from adjoining households. Women who lived together often cycled together and she, Henny and Maesa had experienced that as cottage mates in the Land of the Goddess. She eyed the tents again. Though a while alone might be nice, a woman’s bleeding was a private matter, not something that concerned an entire village.

  “I intend to tell the Keive healer of my cycle,” Tsianina said, as her gaze lingered on the tents.

  Henny blanched. “But everyone will know.” She eyed the elaborate huts in the main area of the village where they were headed. “Even the men.” Her head flipped back to study Gwen and Camlys, who made idle conversation.

  Tsianina looked at the youngling as though she had gone mad. “Why are you so ashamed of your womanhood?”

  That got Adelsik’s back up but Henny responded before she could. “I’m not ashamed to be a woman. But there are some things that should be kept private.”

  The island woman looked amused. “You have strange ways, Henny.”

  “She doesn’t,” Adelsik said. She and Henny were from the same root village of Bedlon, proper girls raised to show discretion. “These Keive people are ashamed of women. Why else would they isolate them during menses? And make them eat the most disgusting things?” Her stomach had lurched when she saw the rabbit liver forced upon the tented women at the last meal.

  That got a chuckle from Tsianina, something she normally didn’t do, and one hand fingered a wilting flower above her right ear. “They’re not ashamed, Adelsik. Haven’t you noticed the reverence they show to the tents? The women are left to their privacy, relieved of chores and brought the best food and drink.”

  Henny made sounds of disgust. “Rabbit liver is not good food. And especially not raw.”

  “That’s the most nutritious part of the animal. It helps keep women strong during their cycles.”

  Adelsik thought on that. And so did Henny, evidently, because she walked in a thoughtful daze. Perhaps they had misunderstood these lake peoples.

  Wren, who had simply listened to the exchange, smiled. “You may announce your matters if you wish, Tsianina, but we won’t stay more than tonight.” The island woman nodded.

  Adelsik eyed the thick forests off to her right. She could make out little save a mass of greenery in the distance. But they had been ordered to head that way, toward Tandiar River, in search of Siri’s quest. Ved’nuri had come to them again last night and approved Wren’s decision about Lyssinya. Had all the kin gone mad?

  Lyssinya’s quest was avoiding the river as much as they could, staying to the forest, and planned to meet Adelsik and her kin just outside Brev. Ved’nuri hadn’t met the Sage, yet, but had told Wren that she trusted her judgment. The crowned woman faded more quickly than ever, and Adelsik had spotted a hint of frustration on her face at trying to stay in the Netherworld last night.

  Suddenly, a cry filled her mind and she stopped. After several heartbeats, she realized the rest of her kin stood still as well.

  “What was that?” Henny said.

  Wren paled and Adelsik placed a hand on the woman. “Wren?”

  The Gypsy’s face grew a broad smile and she laughed. “Thank the Goddess.” She turned to Adelsik and the rest of the women. “We have a new kin.”

  Adelsik’s heart raced and her skin erupted in goose flesh. The Vedi’s child. The babe had finally come into the world. And it was alive. “Boy or girl?”

  Wren shrugged. “We won’t know until Ved’nuri informs us, but it lives.” Her eyes welled with tears. “The child has come to us, survived its birthing. That Prophecy has been fulfilled.”

  Adelsik fought her own joyful tears. “We must get to the men.” She started in their direction but Wren caught her in a strong grasp.

  “Caution.” The white-haired Gypsy’s looped braids swung about her ears. “Whatever mistakes we fall into will affect our future for millennia to come. We’ll celebrate quietly, but now the stakes have jumped considerably. The babe must be protected.”

  Adelsik felt something ominous in the woman’s tone. Of course they would protect the Vedi’s babe. But now she wondered how many had heard those cries as the child entered the world? Had Sages heard? Did every errant across the world know the Prophesied child had come? And what of their enemies who harnessed the Energy. Like Lombreeth. How many would quicken their pace to destroy that tiny life? She focused urgent eyes on Wren. “We must find Siri’s quest.” Even if that meant an alliance with those insufferable Sages.

  Wren seemed to understand and she patted Adelsik’s shoulder. Those looped braids swung again as she nodded her head. “A Gypsy’s life holds many complications.” She seemed to talk to herself now.

  Why did being a Gypsy have to cause so much heartache? Adelsik longed for recognition from middlings, yet they had to be selective in whom they confided. Haranda had openly told Adelsik’s root mother, but those of Bedlon had never hunted or persecuted Gypsies. They simply shunned them. She fought a sigh but her heart lightened when she heard Keive music. Whatever these middlings were, they had talented musicians among them, and Adelsik loved the tunes they made on the various wood, reed and bone instruments. Some songs could put her heart into another world, it seemed, while others made her feet want to dance. They played each evening before the meal, which wasn’t eaten until the sun dipped behind Sun Mountain.

  This was the quest’s third and last night here. Elder Finlor had decided to stay an extra night to give Lyssinya’s group chance to travel far enough up the Tandiar River. They also searched for a text, even though they all severely doubted another existed in this Goddess-forsaken part of the world.

  As Adelsik and the other women approached the music circle, which consisted of nine large boulders encircling an area large enough for the entire tribe, Adelsik tuned her ears to the pleasant and upbeat song. Henny smiled and Tsianina began to sw
ay back and forth as several Keive children ran up and took the women’s hands. Tsianina said something into her escort’s ear and the child ran to an elder woman. Immediately, three smiling Keive women came to her and led her toward the isolated tents.

  The Gypsy men were already seated on grass mats within the music circle and Wren waved off Finlor’s concern. The two shared a secret look though. The men had heard the babe too. Adelsik had no doubt about that. The new youngling, Har’guana, sat stiffly, eyes darting around. He had recovered somewhat from the dreamweed but Finlor kept him close. The Keive healer had administered a foul-smelling concoction to the poor boy their first night here. It took several men to hold him while the healer poured the liquid down his gullet. He seemed jittery, but at least he didn’t have the screaming and thrashing fits anymore.

  The same girl as the two previous evenings led Adelsik to a seat near her kin. The child, known only as Ahl, hadn’t yet passed into adolescence and didn’t have the traditional ‘keive added to her name. She wore a small wreath headdress of iridescent shells with nine tiny bone carvings dangling about her head, instead of the layered type the adolescent children and adults wore. Each child wore a different number of carvings that represented age. Of course Henny was the first to notice and she had pointed it out the first night here. The Keive people weren’t as dark as their cousins in Zark and Guana and many had lighter skin like Bel’keive. They also had different shades to their brown hair and a couple even had green or gray eyes.

  After Adelsik sat, Ahl climbed into her lap. The girl’s sun-lightened locks waved past her shoulders. The woven grass coat she wore looked scratchy and uncomfortable but was actually soft to the touch. Ahl took Adelsik’s right hand and began to trace the patterns of lines on her palm. She had done this the last two evenings and Adelsik wondered what intrigued her so. The girl twisted and smiled up, revealing the uneven sizes of teeth common in one her age, and waited for Adelsik’s grin before turning to the musicians.