by Dana Davis
“Mmm, I think I understand why. Fire and wood. Not a good mix.” Eletha glanced at the fire now burning strong outside the cave entrance. “But what exactly do treewalkers do?” She flipped her fiery hair to her back and tied it with a leather lace that had been looped into her belt.
Haranda shifted her weight. “Treewalkers have the ability to see through the trees, sometimes at great distances. Trees are connected throughout the world, but you’ll learn more about that as you progress in your training.”
Eletha stretched but Haranda couldn’t tell whether she was impressed with her aspect of the Energy. Instead, the little treewalker nodded and headed for the cave exit.
“Stay close. I know you want to find trees but you need to stay near the cave.”
Eletha’s back stiffened. “I’m a year beyond marriage age, Haranda. There are trees not far from here. Surely—”
“You’ll obey me, Eletha Levine.” She narrowed eyes on the small girl. “There are reasons for my rules. I can sense things you younglings can’t. If you have trouble following those rules, I’m certain there are dishes that need washing.”
Eletha groaned. “All right. I’ll stay near the cave. I think I saw some roots jutting out of the cliff.” She sounded dejected and childish, a typical youngling response to working with the Energy.
“Very well, but stay this side of the marker. And remember I can sense if someone wanders too far.” She turned her attention to the fire.
Until recently, she had forgotten about the pains younglings experienced when the Goddess summoned them home. Those warnings were simply a quick line in one of many teaching scrolls. Since these younglings had now been in close vicinity of a life circle, it wouldn’t allow them to stray too far without severe stomach pains. It would keep them close until they were oathed. She chose a stone marker well before that distance, though, using Thad’s reaction when the two took a walk the day she’d arrived.
Haranda could feel a circle somewhere in the back of the cave, thrumming like a warm breeze against her senses, and she had to keep from going to it too early. Had to wait until all her younglings had gone through the calling before she could lead them home.
Eletha made quick strides out of the cave and west along the beach. Haranda pulled the Energy in and felt the treewalker make the turn to the cliffs. She released the Energy once the girl stopped, well before the marker. Of course, they could safely walk beyond that point, but she didn’t want to chance the calling taking someone too far from the cave. Younglings were notorious mischief-makers. She almost chuckled as she remembered the trouble she and her former clan sister, Candelus, used to get into.
Did we cause Wren this much headache? She would apologize to her former clan mother first chance she got.
Chapter 10
Fire burned trees in the distance and the ocean seemed to drench out the flames with each huge wave. A gull screeched overhead and flew past with a colorful fish in its beak. This time, Adelsik didn’t wake up on the realization she dreamt and that made her curious. She studied her dream, images that made little sense, except that she had seen each of these on some occasion in her waking life, the mundane world as Haranda called it. The trees across the ocean looked like the ones they had come through on the trip to the shore. Flames that burned them leapt up from some giant campfire.
Saldia appeared and walked close to Adelsik. “Put these on.” The tavern woman’s scarf slipping from her hair.
Adelsik gave her a curious gaze. “What?”
“Put these on,” she repeated, and a pair of worn breeches appeared in her hand. She touched Adelsik’s right arm. “Put these on or Haranda might beat you.”
“Why?” Adelsik’s heart raced and she looked around for the Gypsy. This is a dream.
Saldia increased the pressure on her arm and Adelsik woke, thankful she’d only been dreaming. Nym’s hand rested against her right arm. The boy had moved off his blanket. She carefully maneuvered him back and covered his slight body with Thad’s cloak. He stirred but never woke. That’s when she saw Henny’s empty blankets. The girl wasn’t in the cave, not that Adelsik could see, and the fire was nearly out so she got up to check outside. The night was crisp and Henny was nowhere she could make out. The waning moon wasn’t up and only the rush of waves and sputter of the dying fire found her ears. She stepped carefully to Haranda’s blankets.
“Haranda?” She kept her voice low and gave the Gypsy a gently shake. “Haranda? Wake up.”
“What is it, Adelsik? It’s not even morning.”
“Henny’s missing.”
“What?” Haranda rolled to her feet and glanced around then headed outside with Adelsik on her heels.
“I told you she’s not here. We have to find her.” Where would Henny have gone? It was still dark out.
“Stay calm and wake Thad. But don’t alarm the others.”
Adelsik nodded and stepped inside the cave but Thad was already on his feet. “Henny’s gone,” she said.
He pressed past her and she followed him out into the wind.
“Henny’s somewhere that way, close to the water.” Haranda pointed down the beach the way they had come on horses. Then a yellow orb popped into existence and hovered just in front of her as she started toward the water.
Orbs were the only things Adelsik had seen from those who had been through the calling, and she turned that thought over in her head. She felt useless with no powers. The tavern woman hadn’t been called either. One consolation. Adelsik still couldn’t understand what the Goddess wanted with such a lowly person. Not to mention the way Saldia grated on her nerves. With effort, she pushed away those thoughts to concentrate on Henny. The Goddess Energy hadn’t revealed itself to Adelsik, but she could manage a lantern and had one in her hand before Thad created an orb of his own.
“I’m coming too,” she said.
Surprisingly, Haranda didn’t argue as they walked toward the water. It was cold and Adelsik wished she had put on her boots. The usually tepid sand chilled her feet, even through her stockings. She kept close to Thad for warmth and searched the darkness for any sign of Henny. Neither Thad nor the Gypsy seemed to feel the chill, or else they didn’t care.
“Over there.” Haranda seemed to know exactly where Henny had gone and led them toward the rocky pier.
Adelsik held her lantern out in front of them and together with Thad and Haranda’s orbs, a darkened shadow appeared on the sand. “There she is. I see her.”
The girl was prone on the sand, unconscious and half-covered with a blanket. Waves licked her legs and feet. Thad got to Henny first and lifted her over his shoulder with Haranda’s assistance. The Gypsy scooped up the blanket that had fallen onto the sand and led them back to the cave, where she dropped the damp blanket near the fire.
Thad placed Henny on her bedding once they were inside and felt her head and wrist, and Adelsik put the lantern where it would give off the most light for the healer to see, though she doubted he needed it with his orb glowing so brightly inside the cave. He seemed to concentrate on something and his eyes looked unfocused as he stared into Henny’s face. Adelsik had watched him heal Henny’s feet when they first arrived here, but she still had a difficulty believing any person could have that kind of power, much less a simple man from a simple village, such as Thad.
She had felt nothing, no calling, no Energy. Part of her was excited at the prospect of a Gypsy power, but she regretted leaving her family, her home. Not that she had any choice in the matter. Her mother’s fear of Gypsies had been instilled in Adelsik since childhood and she had trembled when Haranda came for her. But once Haranda got her away, Adelsik trusted the Gypsy more and more. Despite her harshness, the woman seemed to care about the welfare of her younglings, another term that peaked Adelsik’s interest, making certain they had shelter, food and clothes.
Her boots were nearby so she dusted the sand from her stocking feet and slipped them on. Much better!
Haranda dried Henny’s feet and legs the
n rubbed vigorously at her own arms for a heartbeat. Her orb was gone. “I’ll get the fire going again. I know it’s still dark out but you may as well start deciding on morning meal.”
Adelsik realized the Gypsy spoke to Saldia, who was up now. She could understand Maesa and Henny being called by the Goddess. They were respectable girls. The others here might be rough, simple people, but none had worked in a tavern like Saldia had. How could the Goddess accept such a lowly woman into her service? The wench’s hands were rough as any man’s and her manners not much better. Adelsik might not be worldly but she knew what went on in taverns. She had overheard stories the stablemen told. Well, not actually overheard. She had eavesdropped, but that didn’t alter the tales.
Kal and Eletha weren’t much better. Women should never wear breeches. That was most undignified. But those two came from peasant households. Lowborns were needed for tasks such as housekeeping and barn mucking. Adelsik could handle them. Zarenia intrigued her the most. The woman wore breeches but didn’t look comfortable in them. In fact, she’d mentioned something to Haranda about acquiring a dress once they arrived in the Land of the Goddess. The way Zarenia carried herself, the woman had to come from a respectable family, though Adelsik couldn’t imagine what prompted her to put on men’s clothing. That one could be a valuable friend, unlike the peasants in Haranda’s group.
The Gypsy interested her too. Haranda carried herself like a highborn lady and expected obedience from others. But the Gypsy rode horses! Adelsik still couldn’t believe Haranda forced her to ride one of the smelly beasts. Proper ladies didn’t travel that way. But she had to admit, she rather enjoyed it once they reached the beach. At home, she would have been punished for petting a horse, much less riding one. And Haranda wasn’t above showing her legs when she walked on the beach, either, even where Thad could see. The Gypsy warranted more study.
Adelsik fingered the wrinkled lace of her skirts and sighed. What she wouldn’t give to have the comfort of a soft bed and more than one dress again. She for one couldn’t wait to get to the Land of the Goddess. If Gypsies were once as revered as Mistress Lane had said, then there must be wonderful palaces and beautiful wares just waiting for them. And they probably had servants too, lots of them. She missed having servants do all the lowly chores so she could stitch beautiful artwork and sing fair songs, things respectable girls learned to attract a good husband.
That also fueled her anger. She had planned to marry a wealthy man, one from Bedlon, where those of good breeding made their homes. She had intended to settle in a lovely house and have several children and servants. Since she would reach marriage age on her next birthday, wellborn suitors had already begun to court her. She relished their attention and had a better chance than most because of her lovely, white-blonde locks. The majority in Bedlon had darker hair, like her mother and older sister. Adelsik inherited fair looks from her father, who died so long ago she didn’t remember very much about him. Curse the Gypsies for taking her from her home and her plans!
She sighed. Something about this trip felt right, despite her objections. And Haranda, regardless of her threats, or perhaps because of them, reminded Adelsik of her childhood nursemaid, a woman of noble breeding, who couldn’t have children of her own. A woman’s first duty was to provide children to a marriage and since she couldn’t, her husband put her out. She was forced to work and chose to labor for Adelsik’s family and care for the children. She missed her nursemaid. The woman contracted a lung ailment and went to her death when Adelsik was younger than Henny.
She glanced around the cave. The others slowly awakened. Haranda made her way to the fire, tossed on more dried seaweed and branches, and held one hand out toward it. Adelsik jumped when the kindling burst into flames, though she had seen the Gypsy do that numerous times.
“Keep that going,” Haranda told Saldia.
The tavern wench followed the Gypsy’s orders like any servant would her mistress. Adelsik wondered again at the Goddess’s plan for Saldia and shook her head.
“The lass is coming around.” Thad pulled away from Henny and sat on his heels.
Adelsik’s attention flickered between the healer and the Gypsy. Haranda stepped closer, nodded, and glanced at sleeping Nym. The boy seemed to sleep through just about anything. Everyone else was up, though, and crowded around Henny.
“She’ll have problems at first.” Haranda spoke to Thad like an adult. Probably because he was older. The lines on his face confirmed that. “It happens when children harness the Energy and their bodies are still growing. I can’t say what she’ll experience, but it won’t be pleasant.”
“You think she’ll—vomit—like Nym?” Adelsik said. The thought soured her stomach and she swallowed hard.
“Perhaps.” Haranda eyed her a heartbeat with that intrusive gaze that seemed to strip clothes away from flesh.
Adelsik fought the urge to step away and she wrapped her arms around her middle.
Thad pushed a hand through his shoulder-length hair. “We’ll just have to wait.” Henny moaned and the healer placed a hand on her forehead again. When she opened her eyes, he said, “You’re all right, Henny. That a fact.”
The healer was pleasant to look at, handsome in a rugged way, and Adelsik wondered what kind of life he had along the Tandiar River. She’d never been there but she’d been taught most weren’t wealthy. Thad appeared older than anyone here and Adelsik liked older men, as long as they weren’t doddering. They were attracted to her, and most in Bedlon could provide much more for a wife and children than a younger man. Thad had a soft voice too.
Adelsik fought the urge to palm her forehead. What was she thinking? The healer was obviously from a much lower station, given his manner and attire. He would make a good servant but he wasn’t husband material, not for someone of Adelsik’s station.
“What happened?” Henny looked confused. “I saw a bright light.”
“The Goddess called you.” Haranda scooted into Thad’s place while the man crossed to help Saldia. “What pulled at you before you saw the Goddess Light? Do you remember?”
Henny sat up, and Adelsik lowered carefully to her backside to help support the girl. She never would have sat on the ground at home, and Gypsy Haranda had them sleeping in the dirt. Things weren’t turning out the way she had hoped. Though the Gypsy bathed each day, as a respectable woman should, she had no problem getting dirty. Everything Adelsik had been taught since she could walk and talk was now being challenged, and that left an uneasy feeling in her gut.
An audible breath left Henny’s lips. “I remember seeing everything much like a painting. It was lovely and I wanted so much to feel complete and at peace. I did feel peaceful but it only lasted a heartbeat.” Sorrow filled her voice.
Adelsik could only think of one thing that meant complete peace. Death. Blood drained from her face and she gave a startled look to Haranda. “She tried to kill herself?”
Haranda glared at her and Adelsik fought the urge to scoot back. “Of course not, youngling.” The dark eyes softened. “A desire for peace usually means the calming Energy. It works somewhat like urging.”
Adelsik’s face grew hot for being called down like some stupid servant and she glanced around at the others. Saldia was the only one who watched her and she gave the wench a sour look.
“Then why was I so upset?” Henny said and she looked at Haranda. “Especially with you? That’s why I went for a walk, to clear my head so I could sleep.”
“The calling always makes younglings irritable just before it happens. Some get angrier than others. Much like hanging at the edge of a precipice and struggling not to fall, knowing you should be able to crawl out and frustrated you can’t. You don’t know you’re safe until the Energy fills you. At least, that’s how it was for me.”
“I’ll agree with that.” Eletha startled Adelsik.
The treewalker’s brazen manners offended her but she didn’t dare challenge the woman. She’d seen what the Eletha had done to Henny and had
no intention of getting a beating. The treewalker had attacked a girl, curse her! Calling or no, that was unacceptable behavior, especially from a woman. And Eletha was nineteen!
Zarenia joined them and sat on the floor with her back straight. “Yes, I felt that too.”
Kal simply nodded and sat nearby, her braided hair still wrapped around her head like a wreath. The tattoo on her wrist disgusted Adelsik as much as intrigued her, and she wondered what it felt like to get one.
Sudden jealousy surged at not being called, yet, and she wondered if Maesa felt the same way. Both were older than Henny and neither had experienced the calling. She could care less about Saldia and hoped the tavern wench never got the ability to harness. That way Haranda could send her back to her loathsome life where she belonged.
Henny smoothed her skirts. “Now that I’m a real Gypsy, how do I control this calming Energy?”
Haranda smirked. “You won’t be able to at first. You’re a Gypsy-child, new to the Energy. It will come on you suddenly when you first begin to pull it in, but there are exercises that teach you to hold the Energy without fainting, like Eletha is working with. You’ll only practice calming on Gypsy kin and only when I’m present. Understand?”
Henny nodded. “I feel weak.”
“Haranda’s a good teacher,” Eletha said. “I can take in the Energy now and not feel drained. Actually, it makes me feel strong.”
She seemed pleased and Adelsik studied her. Women were weak in body, except when they gave birth, and needed the protection of a strong man. That’s what Adelsik had learned since childhood, why men and women married. Men’s purpose in life was to provide for and protect their families, while women cared for the children and tended to their husband’s bedroom needs. How could Eletha be proud of strength? Adelsik’s eyes fell on Haranda, who was anything but weak, and confusion swelled. Thad didn’t have a problem taking orders from a woman, and from the lines on his face, he had to be older than Haranda by at least a decade.
