by Dana Davis
“Good. Wren will also continue under your tutelage here.” Wren stiffened at the woman’s command but said nothing when those imposing eyes fell on her. “You can inform Haranda that she will also continue lessons. I expect reports on your progress.”
“Yes, Ved’nuri,” Wren uttered, but the crowned woman’s gaze fell on the distance. “What is it, Ved’nuri?”
“Can you not feel it?”
Wren and Lyssinya concentrated on the distance and Adelsik did the same. She held the Energy and allowed her senses to receive anything she possibly could. She wanted to impress Ved’nuri. More than anything, she wanted the crowned woman’s approval. Then she felt it, a faint pulse of warmth and cold, like a distance breeze that couldn’t decide between spring and winter, with a touch of something. A distasteful smell. Like overripe fruit.
Her thoughts turned to Eletha, and she focused on the crowned woman. “Is that the void, Ved’nuri?”
“Yes, daughter. It grows within the Energy. So much that it is now affecting the Netherworld. The weather is unstable in many regions in the middling world now because of what is happening with the Energy. You must take care not to get caught unawares.”
Lyssinya took in a noisy breath. “Ved’nuri, there have been no other signs of Cholqhuin’s coming beyond the arrival of the wolf singer. How can it have spread so quickly?”
The imposing woman narrowed her eyes in the distance before focusing on the Sage. “Someone is tampering with elemental magic.”
Lyssinya and Wren both went pale and Adelsik studied Ved’nuri, waiting for her explanation.
Wren’s head flipped around so abruptly that her looped braids slapped her cheeks. “Are you certain, Ved’nuri?”
“Yes. Ved’mana and I both felt it just after the child was born.”
“What’s his name, Ved’nuri?” Adelsik couldn’t explain why she focused on that just now.
The crowned woman smiled. “Ved’emir. Since was born in the Goddess’s home. He doesn’t need to take oaths.”
“That’s a lovely name, Ved’nuri.”
“Thank you, daughter.”
Lately, the crowned woman had taken to calling her daughter, and Adelsik felt like a daughter around her, a very young one. Something had changed in the Vedi since she had met them. Perhaps the babe altered them in ways not revealed in the Prophecies or in ways not even fathomed by those who wrote the Prophecies. They were different now. Truly the messengers of the Goddess. Rulers of Gypsies. And Sages from what she had witnessed of Lyssinya’s reactions.
Lyssinya raised a brow at Adelsik before turning back to the crowned woman. “You spoke of elemental magic, Ved’nuri.”
“Yes. But we don’t know who tampers with such dangers.”
Wren hissed and shook her head. “How can this be, Ved’nuri? Who would be fool enough? Who could have the knowledge?”
“That’s what you must find out.” Colorful eyes moved to Adelsik. Did they hold humor now? “Elemental magic is ancient. Very unstable. When mixed with the Energy, it can produce serious side-effects for the bearer, as well as the Energy and the elements.”
“Is that why the weather has been so unpredictable?” Adelsik fought the urge to shiver, despite her otherself being quite comfortable just now.
“That could be the reason, yes. But no one has ever done a raising, either. Like what someone is trying with Cholqhuin.”
Lyssinya huffed. “Idiots.”
Ved’nuri simply glanced at her a heartbeat. “Gypsies and Sages must work together on this.” She paused until Adelsik and the other two women actually leaned toward her in anticipation, then she straightened, head held erect and eyes peering down. Had she grown taller? “I won’t accept foolishness where elemental magic is concerned. This law I make for Gypsy and Sage alike.” Those eyes, flecked with Goddess colors, moved back and forth between Wren and Lyssinya, as though daring either to protest. “This dangerous form of workings can bind the Energy, make it unpredictable and perhaps inaccessible. You must take precautions if you suspect it’s being used anywhere near your travels. Am I making myself clear?”
“Yes, Ved’nuri,” came the response from all three.
Adelsik found her hands trembling. “You’re afraid, Ved’nuri.” Her mouth seemed to have its own mind and the words were out before she realized what she had said. She felt Wren’s hardened gaze on her. In fact, she felt Lyssinya’s too.
The crowned head cocked and golden curls fell over Ved’nuri’s shoulder. “Sometimes it is wise to fear, daughter. Elemental magic was banned centuries upon centuries ago. Knowledge buried using the Energy.” Those eyes darted between Adelsik and the other two women. “I want to know who has located and dares to use this forbidden power.” Her voice echoed as though they stood on the precipice of a giant canyon. “No mercy to any who wield it against us.”
Adelsik swallowed hard. She had seen Ved’nuri upset. Upset with her for threatening Cass with the Energy. But this was different. This time, the crowned woman was angry, livid in fact. Could the Vedi smite a person like in the tales of gods? Would Cholqhuin have that power if he were awakened from his banished sleep? She felt dizzy at the thought and formed a staff with which to catch herself. The three others studied her.
“Adelsik?” Ved’nuri said. “You must stay strong. You’re no longer a youngling.” Sturdy fingers pinched her chin. “Do you understand?” The anger was gone from her voice, replaced with concern.
“Yes, Ved’nuri. My apologies.” Why had she been so weak? She wasn’t some feeble middling woman, taken to swooning at every unknown turn. She found her balance and made the staff disappear.
Ved’nuri still had her chin. “Accepted. And you will learn quickly from this Sage.” She released Adelsik and glanced behind as though someone called her. “I must go now.” Her colorful eyes flickered between them. “Teach the young. And don’t venture anywhere alone. Keep searching for Siri’s quest. As long as elemental magic is in the wind, we are all in danger, kin and middlings alike.” With that, she disappeared.
The three stood staring at the place she had been like children who’d just been left by their mother for the first time. Adelsik finally drew her gaze away and glanced between Wren and Lyssinya. The Sage woman had been instructed to treat her with new-oathed respect, not as a wayward youngling. And she had been instructed to study.
“Teach me, Sage Lyssinya Atan Colewin,” she said with new determination. “I need to learn.”
Chapter 19
Eletha woke in a snit and Haranda had to assist Predula just to keep the girl in bed.
“I’ll bloody thrash her,” the little treewalker said. “Let me up.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” Haranda used a tone that would cower any youngling. Yet, Eletha didn’t seem to notice, so she held the girl by the shoulders. “Look at me, youngling.” She could dare use the term now because Predula had sent the Bankari herb mistress home for the night. Eletha tried to push past her and she pressed as hard as she dared on the skinny shoulders. The girl was weak but Eletha certainly didn’t act it now. “You stay put or Predula will tie you to this bed.” That got the girl’s attention and she focused blazing, blue eyes on Haranda. “Good. Now Adelsik isn’t here. We’re in Bankar. Remember?” Eletha glanced around the lantern lit room and her face showed recognition. “You saw her in the Netherworld. You were injured in Witch Woods and fell into a heavy sleep. So deep we couldn’t wake you. Adelsik saved you, Eletha.” She had to make the girl understand the seriousness of her situation.
The treewalker went pale as she took in the information. “The text?”
“We have it. But I swear youngling, if you ever disobey me like that again, Death won’t be as threatening as I will.” She still cringed that, though rare, some kin could actually see Death, not an Energy she found desirable. Her threat didn’t get the reaction she intended. Instead, Eletha relaxed and let out a chuckle.
Predula stood next to the bed with her hands on her hips. “Just
what do you find so amusing?”
“My apologies.” Eletha continued to titter for several heartbeats. “I thought I’d gone mad but I was only asleep.”
“Why would you say such a thing, youngling?” Predula sat on the edge of the bed.
“Well.” Eletha’s small features screwed into thought. “You said Adelsik was in the Netherworld? That’s where she threatened me?”
“Yes.”
“Then I was just dreaming, after all.” She waved a dismissive hand, closed her eyes briefly and took in a long breath. “I still want to pummel her.”
Haranda glanced at the body-healer. Something in Eletha’s tone gave her notice and she probed the girl for more details. “You were dreaming, yes. But Adelsik wasn’t a dream.” That got a widened look from tired, blue eyes, and Haranda pressed on. “What happened that you thought you’d gone mad?”
“I kept seeing this bloody acorn floating above her head. A blue one, at that.”
Her words sent both Gypsies into relieved laughter. After Haranda explained footprints, they quickly woke the kin and performed a quiet ceremony, officially bringing the treewalker into her new-oathed status. Haranda was relieved not to have any more younglings under foot. Since she was a treewalker, the girl could only have the barest amount of slumbering, just enough to see a kin’s footprint in the Netherworld. Treewalkers never became slumberers. Those two Energies just didn’t coexist.
The treewalker slept the remainder of the night with Haranda sprawled in a nearby chair. Morning came too quickly and her eyes felt gritty. Her muscles protested her sleeping arrangements but she ignored the pain. Eletha ingested broth and water under Predula’s watchful eye, while Haranda took an inventory of their belongings. They needed more supplies before they could head out of Bankar. Eletha wouldn’t be fit to travel for a couple of days and that would put them behind schedule to the Flatlands, their next assignment.
Suddenly, the door burst open and Mistress Norine entered out of breath and flushed. “Storm. Must leave. Now.”
The herb mistress came in behind her. “You need to calm, Mistress Norine.”
The rest of the Gypsy kin burst into the room. Taniras and Saldia looked tired and Haranda guessed the commotion woke them. She stepped to the tavern mistress. “What’s this about a storm?”
Worried eyes gazed at her. “There’s a storm, a bad one, headed for shore. We must evacuate the city. All but one of the fishing trawlers are accounted for. But this storm is like nothing the sailors have ever seen. Water funnels, rain, lightening. We have no way to search for the missing trawler.” She got a pained look on her face. “And one of the fisherwomen hauled in quite a bundle, including Kapgruff.” She shivered and looked ill. “The Sea Goddess must be angry to send the demon fish to us.”
The herb mistress placed a brief hand on Mistress Norine’s shoulder, took in a long breath and stood to her full height, which was a good bit taller than Haranda. “Pack as quickly as you can, Mistress Haranda, and head toward Hunter Forest.” She glanced at Eletha. “Thank the gods your little woman is back. Now hurry.” With that she ran out and Mistress Norine went after her.
Everyone stared at Haranda. “The fifth sign. Already?” The fourth must have happened without a Gypsy’s notice. Scorpions in the village of two lakes, wherever that happened to be. “You heard her. Get everything packed and meet at the livery.”
“I’ll carry the little woman,” Brak said. The muscular man had been searching for whoever poisoned Eletha and came often to check on her progress.
Perhaps we could oath him into servitude. Haranda nodded to him. “Thank you, Brak. The rest of you get going before this storm gets any worse.” As if she had commanded the weather, wind began to clang the wooden shutters against the open window. “Hurry.”
* * * *
Everything had been haphazardly thrown into bags but at least the entire quest was present. Strong gusts startled the horses and Brak offered to take Eletha on his mount. The little treewalker didn’t protest. Instead, she pulled her cloak over her shortcoat and wrapped thin arms around his waist. Predula kept her horse close behind the two. Some Bankari rode wagons, mostly young children and elderly. A few sat horses and many more walked. They left as briskly as the wide cobblestone streets would allow. Traveling the coastal route to the Flatlands was dangerous now. Instead, they would have to loop around toward Hunter Forest and take Wolf’s Run back. Haranda didn’t know how many days that would put them behind the Vedi’s scheduling but they had no other choice with such irrational weather.
Before they made it to the east end of the city, waves were already slapping the tall statues near the docks. Waves that seemed to grow with each lap. Someone screamed, and Haranda turned to see a small child being pulled toward the sea in a mass of debris and water. The mother chased after. Two Bankari sailors charged after the woman and hauled her back as she screamed and kicked.
There was nothing Haranda could do to save the child, even if these weren’t middlings. And she couldn’t reveal her kin ties since they were in no immediate danger just now. Though crystal Energy could create destructive winds, it had no power over weather, natural or otherwise. And the amount of Energy harnessed by the crystals depended on just how strong the wielders were, not to mention the toll such a task took on those who lent their power. This was no ordinary storm. Though she could feel the void growing within the Energy, she didn’t think that could cause such disasters. Something else had to be going on. The Vedi might know more but she would have to wait until bed before locating Ved’nuri. No pigeon could possibly fly in this wind, even to the nearest messenger post.
Her horse took a misstep and she steadied him with the reins. Then she took in the Energy in an attempt to calm her own nerves. She twisted in her saddle, causing it to creak, and looked behind at Taniras. The wolf singer sat uneasy on her mount, shifting her weight, but her ride was smooth. Haranda’s own horse suddenly stepped with confidence beneath her. No doubt, Taniras used her animal urging to calm the mounts. Haranda nodded to the new-oathed woman, who rode beside her husband, Snowy. She was glad to have the wolf singer along on this quest. Taniras had always been a strong presence, even as a youngling.
The singer trotted up beside her. “I can set them to a gallop. But I can’t urge more than our own at one time.”
Haranda shook her head. “We’ll keep with the Bankari until we reach Hunter Forest.” After all, they had been nothing but kind and helpful, especially with Eletha.
Taniras nodded and fell back with her husband.
A brief but large tremor shook the ground as they approached Witch Woods and headed toward the road to Beggar’s Flat, enough to quiver nerves and spook animals and children. Taniras got a pained look on her face but they needed her talents just now. Soon most of the animals calmed enough to keep moving, even those with middling riders. Haranda stayed next to Predula’s horse as they followed Brak and Eletha. The rest of the Gypsy kin trailed as Bankari traveled in front of and behind the quest. Haranda felt responsible for them all.
The old man she’d seen begging in the streets sat on the back of a loaded wagon with his cane lying next to him. He averted his eyes when she studied him but she couldn’t help the familiar feeling that crept over her. She didn’t recognize this man, yet something about him seemed familiar. She had been in so many places over her life and seen so many middlings that it was possible she’d run into the man somewhere. Her mind couldn’t place him, though. Mistress Norine’s brood had two wagons in front of the old man’s ride and the tavern woman turned to catch Haranda’s gaze. A hand came up in acknowledgement. Haranda raised her own and concentrated on the road.
A cold wind blustered as they made their way on the dirt road past Beggar’s Flat, and Haranda pulled her cloak tighter, keeping one hand firmly on the reins. She for one would be relieved when they could stop. If the wind was this strong everywhere, then traveling the Flatlands could be dangerous. How she wished she could contact the Vedi.
&n
bsp; Taniras and Snowy talked behind her and she thought of something. She slowed her horse until she fell back with the singer. “Can you contact the pack?” she said over the rising wind, using one hand to keep her hood from blowing off her head.
The singer nodded.
“Find out if they’ve been near the Flatlands. I need to know the weather there.”
Those dark eyes grew distant for several heartbeats and Snowy stayed close to his wife. Taniras looked more tired than Haranda remembered. “They traveled that way last evening. Fierce, bitter winds and the smell of snow. They’re very uneasy. Most have hunkered in their dens.”
Haranda nodded. Exactly as she’d feared. They had brought cloaks and shortcoats but weren’t equipped for such harsh winter conditions. “We need furs. We’ll have to trade with the Hunters.” Gusts blew her cloak up behind her and chilled her body as she urged her mount back to Predula. “How’s Eletha?” She studied the treewalker, who still huddled against Brak’s expansive back.
“She hasn’t let go of him.” Another gust, this time much stronger. “We need to find shelter, Haranda.”
She nodded and glanced to the south. The sky there had turned green and she was certain she saw a funnel. She pointed an arm and glanced behind to Taniras and Snowy. Both studied the funnel. Haranda watched until it dissipated but that didn’t calm her nerves and she looked back at Taniras again. The singer offered a comforting smile and she gave one in return. Taniras was proving to be as strong in character as she was in Energy. Haranda would have to rely even more on the new-oathed woman. Especially once they crossed into the Flatlands.
Saldia caught her eye and she nodded to the shade walker as well. A polite tip of the shade walker’s head was the response. A large, burly man with several barrels and trunks piled on his wagon drove just behind the kin. His eyes moved between Saldia and the woman sitting beside him, a woman who looked enough like him to be a relative, perhaps a sister or cousin. The shade walker didn’t seem to notice the large man as her gaze stayed with Eletha.
