by Dana Davis
Snowy nodded. So, his friends had new mothers and fathers now. At there ages, that must have come as quite a shock. The Vedi had been adamant their younglings would cause a lot of damage if left untrained, not to mention they could very well die and often did without supervision. He wasn’t certain why, exactly, but he believed them.
A servant led Camlys and Greges into his room, gave the Vedi a quick curtsy, and closed the door on her way out.
The two immediately crossed to Snowy and all three embraced. “Are you all right?” they said simultaneously then laughed and nodded.
“I realize we haven’t apologized for punishing you, Devin Nee’cher,” Ved’nuri said. The Vedi had insisted on learning Snowy’s birth name. Ved’nuri stood on her husband’s left just as she had every occasion Snowy had seen them together. The clothes these Gypsies wore actually made him dizzy if he looked at them too long. “I would like to extend that apology now, to all of you. We always punish middlings who come here uninvited—that’s Gypsy law—but we do regret the pain we inflicted on you.”
Middlings, eh? He heard that term last night. So, Gypsies saw themselves above the common people. Above him. Snowy pushed Camlys behind slightly and leveled a gaze at Ved’nuri. “Why apologize now?” Keeping a lid on his anger proved more difficult than he imagined.
“Does this mean we can gather our friends and go?” Greges said.
“I’m afraid the Gypsy-children must remain here with us, Greges Nee’horn.” The crowned woman held a hand up before anyone could protest. “They’ll be trained and well cared for. You have our word. Your friends are now our kin.”
Ved’mana cocked his head slightly and his black eyes focused on Camlys then Greges and back to Snowy. “We have an offer for all of you. You said you were headed to Hunter Forest, correct?”
“Yes,” Snowy said, somewhat reluctantly. What in blazes were these Gypsies up to? Certainly, they weren’t going after the Hunters too.
“We’re in a position to offer work. We pay well, better than middlings, and certainly more than what you could earn as a Hunter. And we have plenty of food here in the Land of the Goddess. We also have a need for hunters, cooks, warriors, guards, seamstresses, washerwomen, gardeners. Just about any work you can think of, we can use, especially now as more of our children come to us. There are important things happening within the Gypsy world. You can be part of that.”
“What kind of things?” Snowy certainly wasn’t stupid enough to agree without knowing the risks.
Ved’mana took in a long breath and Ved’nuri placed a hand on his arm. “There is a sickness,” she said. “A sickness that threatens the Energy. It’s creating a void within the Energy that endangers Gypsies and middlings alike. There are some who have turned against what we believe, who defy the Goddess laws. We fear they have enslaved others and will use the Energy for destruction and domination. That’s against everything we’re taught by the Goddess and why many are afraid of us now.”
So, Gypsies weren’t invulnerable after all.
“We only recently sensed the void, which makes the Energy even more dangerous to our kin. This place is the only safe area for us now and we’re desperately gathering our younglings. We have servants to aid their travels here, but they’re in danger too, and we haven’t heard from some in a long while. The Goddess has great plans for us as She has revealed in the Prophecies but we can’t do this unaided.”
Camlys stepped forward. “Just what do you expect us to do?” she said in an insolent tone, and Snowy placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. He’d seen some of what these Gypsies could do with this Energy of theirs. Camlys clenched her skirts in her fists but at least she was silent.
Ved’nuri smiled and her face warmed as she focused on the girl. “If you decide to accept our offer, Camlys Ei’dwinn, then you would swear yourselves to the Goddess and to the Gypsies. You would become our kin, just as your friends have. There are privileges to being a Gypsy servant. And with what we could pay you, you would have plenty to send to Maricar, if that’s what you desire. There is also danger in what we ask. You should know that too.”
Snowy had a knack for reading people and he felt they still weren’t telling him everything. He glanced at Haranda. The woman seemed content to simply watch the exchange, or else she’d been forbidden to speak.
“There’s more. Something you’re not telling us.” Snowy didn’t care whether he offended them.
“Yes, there is.” Ved’mana seemed pleased at his retort. “If you agree to stay then we become your family, your kin, as my wife has already stated. You may send gold and silver to your village but you won’t be allowed to go back there, not for a while anyway, and you must not tell them where you are or how you came by the money. Make up a story if you wish but our secrets will be kept. The Goddess has ways of dealing with traitors. If you do not accept our offer to stay, which is wholly your choice, you must agree to have your memories of this place and your friends taken from you.”
Greges whistled. “That’s not much of a choice.”
“It’s all we can offer.”
Camlys turned to face Snowy. “I won’t leave without Taniras and Birek.” Fear danced in her gray eyes.
Snowy thought for several heartbeats and turned his attention back to Ved’mana. “Would we be allowed to say our good-byes?”
“If you decide to leave. However, you wouldn’t remember.”
“But they would.”
“Yes.”
“I won’t leave without them,” Camlys said.
Snowy ignored her. “How do you know you can trust us?” He might as well see where they stood with these Gypsies.
Ved’nuri smiled. “My husband is not only a body-healer. He’s also a truth-seeker. This means he can tell whether a person has harmful intentions or is lying.”
“I sense fear and anger from you,” Ved’mana said. “Natural in your situation. But you also have a great love for each other and a devotion to the truth. You’ll fight if you’re in danger but you don’t provoke. We cherish these traits and think you would compliment our family.”
“You have three days to make your decision,” Ved’nuri said. Despite her commanding stature, she looked young and beautiful and Snowy couldn’t help staring at her, suspecting she was older than she appeared. “During those days, your doors will remain unlocked so you may visit and discuss our offer. Don’t try to leave this floor. We have guards posted, and should you happened to get past them, which is highly doubtful given their training, this dome is protected by Goddess Energy. You would suffer painfully in an attempt to leave without our blessing. Should you require anything that is not already provided, simply pull the bell cord at the end of the hall.”
Haranda stepped forward. “May I speak, Ved’nuri?”
“Yes, Gypsy Haranda Banwidden.”
Haranda focused dark eyes on Snowy. “Gypsy-child Taniras is in my clan. She misses you very much, as I’m certain Gypsy-child Birek does. Since you were leaving your village behind anyway, you might think hard on staying here to become kin.” A smile lit those dark eyes. “Gypsies and servants spend many of their days together.”
She seemed sincere and Snowy nodded. “We’ll consider what you’ve offered, Gypsies. But I have two other requests.”
“What are they?” Ved’nuri tilted her head slightly, and her gilded crown caught sunlight from the window.
“We want to see Taniras and Birek. Make certain they’ve been treated as you say.”
“Done. And the other?”
“I would like to speak to some of the servants.”
Ved’mana smiled. “Of course. You may speak to any who come to serve you.”
“No.” He didn’t mean to be sharp but it sounded that way. “If we’re to learn about you, then I would like to choose a servant or two from the cottages as well.”
Ved’mana narrowed eyes on him a heartbeat. “As you wish. I suppose I should expect nothing less from a man who might give up his root ties for ne
w kin and an uncertain future. We’ll have servants gather in the hall and you may question as many as you need to feel comfortable with our offer.” He smiled and the three departed, leaving Snowy’s door wide open this time.
Camlys turned to him. “Are you seriously thinking of staying?”
“I’m considering it.”
“But they beat us, Snowy.”
“They also healed us. And from what I’ve learned of these Gypsies, Taniras and Birek will be a danger to themselves and anyone else if they don’t master the Energy.” He studied the girl, and she gave him a thoughtful nod.
“I’d like to know what they pay.” Greges grinned and revealed that missing tooth he had lost when attempting to fly from his roof as a foolish adolescent.
Snowy laughed and slapped the younger man on the back. It felt good to laugh again! “You would, Greges. You would. Well, I suppose I can send an inquiry to the Vedi and ask how much they intend to offer.”
“Why not ask the servants?” Camlys smiled too, and her teeth stood out against her brown skin. Those gray eyes glimmered. “There’s no reason for them not to tell us what they make for their services if the Vedi have given us permission to question them. Right?”
“Good idea, Camlys.” Greges winked. “I think I’ll take a little stroll. Care to join me?”
The three walked the halls of their floor as they discussed their options. It was a large space and they didn’t rush as they explored the other vacant rooms, which were nearly identical in size and furnishings, and now the large privy was available to them without an escort. The guards at the ends of the hallway near each set of stairs were stony and silent, looking as though they weren’t aware of anything around them. Snowy knew better and kept his friends several paces from the stoic men. By the time they got near his room again, the door at one end of the hall opened. Haranda and a large, blonde man with gray streaking his temples stepped through, followed by Taniras and Birek.
Taniras ran directly to Camlys and hugged her before taking Snowy and then Greges in her embrace. Her hands drifted over their bodies like a healer checking for wounds and Snowy held onto her just a heartbeat longer than he should have. Birek swaggered behind Taniras and took his turn to pull each into a brief grasp.
Haranda approached them after all the hugs. “Younglings.” Taniras and Birek turned to her. “We’ll return for you before midday meal.”
“Yes, Mother Haranda,” the two said in unison, and Snowy stared openly at them.
Haranda and the large man left.
“Something you care to tell us?” Snowy said, hiding amusement at their obedience. He nodded toward the now closed stairway door.
“Just a formality,” Birek told him.
“Let’s go in my room and talk.” Snowy motioned to his door. They went in and the women and Greges sat on the bed, while he and Birek took the chairs near the window. “How have they been treating you?” His friends looked well fed but a bit tired.
“They won’t let’s leave, Snowy,” Taniras said. No, she whined. “There’s a woman, another youngling, who’s willing to help us escape. She’s in my new clan. She came here alone and is eager to leave, just as we are. Her Energy would prove useful to get past the guards unseen.”
All eyes turned to him and he realized they still saw him as their leader from Maricar. “Other than not allowing you to leave, how have they treated you?” He may as well find out. Besides, these two had power, Goddess Energy. Birek may not have shown his the way Taniras had, but the Gypsies assured him the younger man had some sort of calling just last night after they were separated. Snowy had witnessed Taniras’s Energy. And Birek had acted odd while in the misty place.
Taniras studied him a heartbeat. “Well, Haranda is tolerable. Occasionally.” She frowned. “I was forced to eat morning meal. They claim using the Energy drains us and we must eat, whether we choose to or not.” She sounded disgusted and Snowy wondered what she left out.
“Father Xiath seems a fair man,” Birek said in a low voice. “I enjoy the food. And they give you seconds and thirds if you ask.”
“Birek?” Taniras turned on him. “You sound as if you want to stay here.”
The young man shrugged. “I had the calling last night. It disturbed me. I’ll admit that much. These Gypsies tell me I can harm myself or others if I don’t learn about the Energy.”
“Yes, that’s the same drivel Haranda uses on me.”
Snowy studied her. “You don’t trust them?”
“I don’t trust them as far as I could bloody toss them.” Taniras sneered then grunted.
Snowy sighed. He would have to try another tactic. “What you did with Fetter’s mutt, can you control that?”
Taniras narrowed dark eyes on him. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“It’s a simple question, Taniras. Can you control the Energy you used on Fetter’s mutt?” She hesitated. “Answer me, woman. Can you control it?”
“Well, not yet, exactly.”
“And you, Birek? Can you control the Energy?”
“No,” came the simple and direct answer.
Taniras shot up as though something bit her on the backside. “I don’t believe what I’m hearing. You sound as though you’re going to leave us here. You can’t approve of what these Gypsies are doing? Imprisoning us, beating you—”
Snowy held up a hand to silence her, and for once, she obeyed. “What will happen if we leave together and you have no control of this Energy? Can you promise me you won’t harm yourself or one of us?”
Taniras sputtered but no words made it out of her mouth.
“That’s what I thought.” He gave a questioning look to Greges and Camlys. “I guess that solves our problem. You agree?” The two seemed stunned for a heartbeat then nodded. “Good. Provided everything checks out with the servants I intend to question, we’ll stay. Taniras. Birek. You’ll remain with your clans and learn to control this Goddess Energy.”
Taniras looked quite shocked. “But—”
“Let me finish.”
She clamped her mouth shut but there was blood in her eyes. He needed to speak quickly, before she reached boiling. “The Vedi have offered us work and we’ve decided to accept.”
Birek gave Snowy a considering look. “So, you’ll remain as well?”
“Yes. Once I’m satisfied with the servants’ answers, we’ll pledge ourselves to the Gypsies and become kin.”
Camlys laughed and shook her head. “This all sounds insane. One day we decide to leave our home, our families, to become Hunters, and we end up serving Gypsies.”
“You can’t be serious, Snowy,” Taniras said, and he raised a brow at her. “Camlys?” The tall girl shrugged. “What about you Greges? I can’t imagine you wanting to be a prisoner.”
Greges smiled and combed a hand through his shoulder-length hair. “We wouldn’t be prisoners. They’ll pay us. And from what I’ve seen of this place, I suspect we’ll make more than we would as Hunters, just as they’ve promised. Besides, they told us we can send coin back to Maricar. My mother could use a new roof and another plow mule. Not to mention clothes for my growing brothers. Gold will help them more than I ever could. That’s why we agreed to join the Hunters, isn’t it?”
“They’ve done something to you.” Taniras backed away. “Used the Energy on you. That’s what this is.”
Snowy shook his head. “No. We had a discussion. You and Birek are in danger if you don’t learn to control the Energy. Has your clan mother lied to you, Taniras?” He struggled to keep a straight face at the title. “Or your clan father, Birek?”
“Not to my knowledge.” Birek pursed his lips in thought and his narrowed more than usual. “He’s been straight forward.”
Snowy focused on Taniras and she glared at him with crossed arms. “Are you challenging my authority, woman?” He didn’t enjoy berating her but that was his right. He had done it in the past and would now, if needed. Though, lately he would rather take her in his arms and
kiss her. He pushed away that thought. Taniras, lovely as she stood there defying him, had to understand just how serious her situation was. “Well?”
“No, Snowy.” Her words came out through a clenched jaw. “I’m not challenging you. But I don’t agree with these idiot Gypsies and their inane rules.”
“You still haven’t answered my question. Has Haranda lied to you? Taniras?” He took her by the arms and gave her a quick shake. “Answer me.”
Her cheeks reddened. Whether from blushing or anger, he couldn’t tell. Then she took in a long breath. “Not that I know of.” He released her. “But their rules are maddening. They’re children’s rules, not for grown adults like us.”
“That’s not the question. From what you’ve told me, Haranda hasn’t lied to you. I don’t believe I’ve been deceived by the Vedi, either. And we’ve had a generous offer. They even apologized for beating us.”
Taniras visibly relaxed. “They did? I didn’t know that.”
Camlys touched his arm. “You should tell her our option to staying here.” It sounded like a suggestion, not an order, and Snowy nodded.
“Yes. They said we could leave. Without you and Birek. But they would take our memories of you and of this place.”
“What!” Taniras’s cry hurt his ears that time. “I told you they were insane.” She paced, flailing her arms.
“The Land of the Goddess is a secret,” Birek said calmly. “They can’t very well have outsiders strolling in. I’ve been talking to some of the other younglings. Many people are afraid of Gypsies. So much that they torture and kill anyone they suspect of harnessing the Energy. At best, they whip and banish them with nothing but the clothes on their backs.” He never hesitated on the Gypsy idioms, and Snowy studied him.
“I haven’t heard any such nonsense, Birek,” Taniras shot. “We never did anything like that in Maricar.”
