by Dana Davis
Haranda fought the urge to shiver as the woman came close and focused those eerie eyes on her. The yellow-eyed stranger placed a finger on Haranda’s forehead. The touch sent a flood of fire through her blood and she screamed. The pain seemed to last an eternity but it couldn’t have. When the woman pulled her hand away, Haranda sobbed against the pole.
“She doesn’t recognize me.” Amazement colored the yellow-eyed woman’s voice. Then she chuckled. “Continue.”
* * * *
Haranda woke in Thad’s cottage, her body cut and bloodied, and her head felt as though a horse had kicked it. She pulled herself into a ball and wept. Someone touched her hair and she jerked away, whimpering.
“Shh. It’s Predula. Just lie still. Ved’nuri, Elder Siri and Wren are here.”
Haranda didn’t answer. All she could manage was to weep.
“I’m going to heal you now,” Predula said. “Be still.”
An eternity seemed to pass as the Energy pushed its way through her body and found her cuts. Predula’s lilac scent created the sensation of a blooming field. Haranda held her breath as the body-healer worked the Energy into her flesh, pulling tissue together and growing new skin. There was no pain during a healing, but Haranda was aware of just how extensive her injuries had been and her flesh crawled as though tiny insects crept over her, a sensation she truly hated.
Finally, she was whole again, exhausted but healed, and she sat with the women’s assistance. Her head still ached, something no Gypsy could heal, and she rubbed her temples. They stripped her of the bloody clothes, rinsed her with cool water, and wrapped her in a blanket.
Predula took her hand. “Haranda? What happened?”
“Let her recover.” Candelus was sitting on the bed with a hand on Haranda’s arm.
Wren sat behind and gently caressed Haranda’s back, while Siri stood nearby with her hair bangles tinkling as she moved her head back and forth. Haranda took in silent breaths, allowing them to soothe her until the shock of what had happened turned to anger. She took in a deep breath and cursed, several times, which didn’t help her aching head.
Candelus studied her a heartbeat. “Interesting language you’ve graced us with, Haranda.”
She looked at the woman in horror. Goddess help her, she had just cursed in front of Ved’nuri! The woman was her friend but her title demanded respect. “My apologies, Ved’nuri.”
“Calm yourself, Haranda. I heard some interesting language. That’s all.” She raised a brow. “Had I been in your place, I might have used similar wording myself.” Then she smiled, a warm motherly smile.
Candelus didn’t just act Ved’nuri, she was becoming Ved’nuri as she coalesced with the Energy, just as the Prophecies foretold. She would never be able to leave the Land of the Goddess. The crowned woman wouldn’t be Candelus much longer, not once the transformation was complete. The woman’s essence would survive, of course, but she would be the Goddess’s liaison, a go-between, a messenger of the Energy.
“Thank you, Ved’nuri.” Haranda pushed the feelings of loss deep inside.
“Now, tell us what happened?” The many colors of the Energy faintly reflected in Ved’nuri’s clear eyes. “The youngling, Thad, said you, Wren and Siri took him in search of a woman who had beaten him? Wren told me that she was forced back into her body. She was a bit disoriented at first but not harmed.”
“I couldn’t use the Energy against her,” Siri said through clenched teeth. She had her arms crossed beneath ample breasts.
Wren nodded. “I woke up in my body and it took a while to realize what had happened. I tried to stop her too, Haranda.” Anger and concern colored her gray eyes.
Haranda placed a comforting hand on her former clan mother’s arm and gazed up at Elder Siri. “I know.” She rubbed her temples again.
Ved’nuri studied them. “This woman who appeared as Cass. Is she the same woman who did this to you, Haranda?”
“Yes, Ved’nuri, I believe so. She’s strong in the Netherworld. I could hold the Energy there but not use it. Just as Siri said.” That thought still frightened her. “The Goddess knows I tried. I don’t know how she bound me so. When I saw her, she had taken the image of an old friend, Maitlin.” Ved’nuri nodded. Maitlin had been a servant when the two were in younglings classes. “She said she found Maitlin’s image from my dreams. How is that possible, Ved’nuri? How could she do that? Invade my dreams without me knowing?” Haranda felt like such a child now with Candelus.
Ved’nuri’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know, yet. Siri and I couldn’t locate you in the Netherworld, either. She had you hidden even from me.” Her jaw rippled and her eyes hardened but the emotion was brief. “We will find this woman and know her secrets.”
Haranda nodded and searched the woman’s now colorful eyes for any sign of her friend.
“I’m still here, Haranda. The Energy fills me every heartbeat now except within the dome. I believe it was built as a respite for the Vedi. Holding the Energy at length is draining, even for us. But I don’t think I’ll disappear. The Prophecies are very elusive about the transformation. I feel stronger as I’m pulled by the Energy, but I still remember my former life as Candelus. That life is becoming distant, though, much like the memories of our root families when we became younglings. You remember, Haranda?”
“Yes, Ved’nuri, I remember.” She would miss her friend despite the comforting words. But part of her was glad to know Candelus would survive, even as a distant memory.
“Very good. Do you know why this woman took you?” Back to that.
“She said I was to be an example of her power. And there was another, a short, dark woman with yellow eyes. They spoke of the New Age and taking Gypsies as servants but she didn’t mention the ancient name. The Teadai Ved’cosima. She threatened our younglings too, said that when they came for all of us, we would be helpless.”
Ved’nuri’s eyes hardened. “What about their footprints?”
Haranda shook her head. “They have the ability to hide their prints. I tried to see something, anything.” Frustration crept into her voice. “It was useless. I was useless.” The incident was still too fresh and she wept with her throbbing head in her hands.
Ved’nuri wrapped arms around her and rocked her. “Calm yourself, Haranda. We will do everything in our power to find these traitors.”
Haranda remembered the third woman, the captive. “Ved’nuri.” She sat up and wiped her face. “There was another one they captured. I couldn’t see in the darkness but she was chained, and she told me that she’s not a Gypsy. She can’t hold the Energy.”
Ved’nuri stiffened.
“What?” Wren’s forceful voice startled Haranda. “They’re taking middlings and using the Energy on them? For what reason?”
“Calm yourself, Wren.”
“Yes, Ved’nuri. But they violate everything we stand for. Everything we work for.” Her agitation had her pacing the floor now, and those looped braids bounced with every hard step.
Ved’nuri stood and faced the woman. Haranda would have wagered that Candelus was taller now. “You will remain calm, Gypsy Wren Dinsen.” It seemed strange for this woman, who had been a youngling of Wren’s, to call her down.
“How am I to remain calm, Ved’nuri? These traitors attack us in the Netherworld, whip our helpless younglings—”
Ved’nuri raised a hand and cut her off. “You will do as I tell you and keep your wits or I’ll haul you to the dome.”
Wren’s eyes widened and she lowered her head. “Yes, Ved’nuri. My apologies.”
“Apology accepted. Now, I must get back and speak with my husband about this.” She stood next to Siri and raised a brow. “You may tell the others. But no one is to take action without my permission. Is that understood?”
That got a round of, “Yes, Ved’nuri.”
“Very good.” She pointed a finger at Haranda. “You get some rest. You are not to slumber tonight, and I want someone on watch in your cottage in case your attacker comes back.�
�� She turned to the Elder. “Every kin is to double up cottages. I want no one sleeping alone until this threat is over.”
“Yes, Ved’nuri,” Siri said.
The crowned woman actually stood taller than Siri now. Haranda would wager her boots on it. Candelus seemed to be retreating with every heartbeat.
Ved’nuri smiled and patted her cheek. “I will always be here. Predula.” The small woman practically bounced to her side. “Give Haranda some herbs for her head and see that her classes are taken care of until she is fully recovered.”
“Yes, Ved’nuri.”
“I wish I could house all my children, keep you safe, but you must rely on each other. Ved’mana and I should be protected inside the dome, but none of you would be able to defend yourselves there. We don’t have enough power even within the dome to shield you from this kind of attack.” Her eyes flashed anger and regret. “I must be off to night meal.” She cocked her head toward the door. “I believe yours is ready now.”
Haranda stood on somewhat shaky legs, allowing Wren and Siri to help her. The four Gypsies held curtsies until Ved’nuri was out the door.
“The transformation comes quickly,” Predula said. “Lets get you to your cottage, Haranda.”
“I’m well enough to go to night meal. I just need some clothes and some of your herbs.” She winced at the blood stains on her discarded dress.
Wren took her face. “You will eat in your cottage. I’m fairly certain Ved’nuri can thrash a Gypsy as well as a youngling. At least, that’s the impression she left with me.” Those gray eyes narrowed.
“Yes, Wren.” Haranda laughed despite the pounding in her head, and the three women looked at her as though she had gone mad. “I feel very much like a youngling with Cande—Ved’nuri.”
Wren and Predula nodded and Siri gave a thoughtful smile. The Elder had been unusually quiet, and Haranda saw what she thought was fear in those brown eyes. Before she could say anything, Wren pulled the blanket tighter around her naked body and placed an arm about her shoulders. The four walked to her cottage, assuring Thad that she was healed and would recover. The boy looked very young for once and fear settled in Haranda’s gut like spoiled meat.
If I can’t protect myself in the Netherworld, how can I protect my younglings?
Chapter 35
Makrilon bustled today as traders set up in the city and people crowded the streets. One vendor sold harvest dolls made of grain stalks, another shouted out noisemakers for sale, and many offered food for a small coin. A tinker’s cart rattled past. Someone started a chant but Saldia couldn’t make it out and she stepped quickly to see what all the commotion was about, counting her strides out of habit as she went. This was her day off from the tavern kitchens and she held a roasted chicken leg in her hand, eating as she walked.
Tonight was the harvest moon, which meant plenty of festivities and food and she gazed up at the pregnant orb that seemed larger than normal. As she approached the crowd, a young woman’s voice found her ears.
“Please. Please, I’m not what you think. I’m not Gypsy folk.”
Saldia’s heart raced and she pushed through the crowd to see a woman about her age on her knees. Her hands were bound in front of her and several people threw stones, making bloody marks on her dirty arms and face. By her dress, she was an outsider.
Two men yanked her to her feet. “How do you explain my son’s illness, Gypsy?” one said.
“And the small crops this year?” the other added.
“I can’t. I’m not Gypsy folk. I had nothing to do with that. Please. You must believe me. I’m just a poor farmer’s daughter, not Gypsy-folk.” Her terrified eyes found Saldia’s then passed on to others of the crowd.
Saldia started to count the people but her mind couldn’t even concentrate on that.
Children chanted, “Lies, lies, a Gypsy’s heart tells lies.”
The crowd parted to let men with four horses through and the woman screamed. She fought violently as the men unbound her wrists and tied a single rope to each, followed by her ankles. Saldia watched in horror as they secured ropes to the saddles of each of the four horses, while the struggling woman lay screaming in the road. The men mounted and snapped whips against the horses’ rumps, sending them in four directions. The woman screamed again but not for very long, as her limbs tore away from her body. Saldia retched and dropped her food then ran toward the tavern crying.
She awoke and sat up in bed as sweat dripped from her temples. It was still dark out. The fire burned low and gave the cottage warmth. Cass and Bel’keive still slept, thankfully. She pulled quietly from her covers and washed her face in the basin near the fireplace, rubbing her cheeks with water four times. Going outside after bed check was forbidden to younglings, but she needed to get out of the confines of her room and quietly opened the door.
The night air filled her lungs and the sound of the waterfall calmed her. Two fire pits burned each night now because of the threat of Lombreeth, as well as the others that had beaten Thad and Haranda. That someone could come into a Gypsy’s dreams and do such things frightened Saldia, and she concentrated to keep her heartbeat steady. Two shadowy figures stood in the distance near the twined oaks. Guards.
Hopefully, no one else was up this late. Saldia quietly made her way to one of the meal tables, counting her steps, and sat on the bench, not caring that she was in her nightdress. She wanted to draw in the Energy but oathed Gypsies always knew. None of the younglings had figured out just how, though they all promised to tell as soon as someone discovered the secret. A couple of younglings confessed to drawing in the Energy late at night when the Gypsies slept without getting caught, but Saldia wouldn’t take that chance, not out here in the open.
A slight breeze rustled the leaves of the trees around her and soon she felt like walking. Since the area beyond the twined oaks was off limits, she went the other way, past the women’s bathhouse and toward the large lake. Two hunters now on guard duty meandered toward her, speaking softly, and she ducked into the shadows of a cottage. Camlys Ei’dwinn and Snowy Nee’cher came into dim view.
Taniras claimed that Snowy tormented her but she was sweet on the man. Of course, Saldia wouldn’t bring that up with the animal urger. She wanted no part of Taniras’s sour mood or hot temper. She had four years on the other woman but there were occasions when Taniras acted the elder sister. Well, when she wasn’t giving Camlys misery.
Saldia breathed out as the hunters continued past the women’s cottages and toward the village circle. She kept her steps quiet as she headed to the lake, counting as she went, until her heart finally began to keep a steady beat. The waterfall sounded inviting even in the darkness and soon she stood near the edge of the water.
A reflection of the nearly full moon glimmered off the lake. She sat and dangled her bare feet in the cool liquid. Stars hung above the horizon, and she craned her neck up towards the sky just in time to see a large owl fly in front of the moon. What a sight!
She watched the owl swoop down out of sight, silent and majestic. Dreams allowed her to fly occasionally and she thought of Haranda again, wondering what it was like to have control of your dreams. Would a slumberer have been able to free the woman torn apart by terrified villagers? If so, how could that have made a difference? Those events had long passed and wouldn’t be happening in the mundane world. But then, Haranda and Thad had both come back from the Netherworld with flogging injuries, so slumberers could affect the mundane world in some measure. Nothing made sense now and Saldia didn’t feel safe even in her dreams.
The past couldn’t be altered. The future hadn’t happened yet. And despite the teachings of the Prophecies, she believed that what hadn’t yet occurred couldn’t be foretold. At least, not everything. Some things must be up to each individual person. She believed that. Vast things in the world, like the crowning of the Vedi and the coming of the New Age, the Prophecies could foretell. But Saldia’s small part in this whole affair, what she did and believed from heartbe
at to heartbeat, she couldn’t imagine everything had been written before she was even born.
What would be the point of making decisions, of living? I would be nothing more than a doll.
These kinds of thoughts would send her into madness if she let them. She never dwelled on her future much in the taverns, other than someday owning an establishment. Tavern girls didn’t have much chance of any other life. But now that she was Gypsy folk and could harness Energy to walk in the shade, she believed anything was possible. Or nearly anything. Her eyes searched the darkness for the owl but it was nowhere that she could see. She pulled her feet from the cool water and tucked the nightdress around chilled legs, resting her chin on her knees as the lake water rippled with the breezes.
Soon she felt sleepy and started for her cottage. The two guards walked nearby and she pressed herself against the wall of the women’s bathhouse. They passed by unaware of her, and she wondered if she had accidentally become a shadow in her haste. No, she hadn’t taken in the Energy, much to her relief. That would get her several days in the privies for certain. When the guards moved far enough ahead of her, she took quiet steps to her cottage, went inside, closed the door and leaned against it. She hadn’t even needed to count her steps, and a sigh of relief began to escape her lips, until she saw the figure sitting on the edge of her bed.
“There you are, my little shadow,” Haranda said just above a whisper. Bel’keive stirred and the Gypsy eyed her a heartbeat.
Saldia’s heart raced. So much for calm. She was certain she had gone unnoticed tonight and she silently cursed. Had the guards seen her after all? They would report a stray youngling faster than Eletha could climb a tree.
Haranda stood and stepped close. “Come with me.” One hand reached around Saldia and opened the door.
She had no choice but to follow the Gypsy down the dirt walkway to the women’s bathhouse. If she refused, Haranda would use her urging Energy, and Saldia could then look forward to an increase in whatever punishment awaited her. A guard approached and nodded when he saw the Gypsy. Saldia stepped quickly behind her clan mother and followed her into the dark stone building. Funny how this woman could intimidate her so. She had even counted Haranda’s steps in addition to her own.
