Deadly Fate [Book 1 of the Teadai Prophecies]

by Dana Davis

  Haranda breathed a sigh of relief. “Then that’ll be done, Ved’nuri.” She bowed her head, looked up at the woman who was once her intimate confidant, and smiled.

  The crowned woman offered a smile then narrowed her eyes briefly before staring out the window.

  “Is there something else, Ved’nuri?”

  “Yes. You are Candelus’s closest sister, my dearest friend. I still feel that connection.” Clear eyes with colorful swirls moved back to Haranda. “I’m with child. Three moons along now.”

  Haranda nearly fell from her seat. Three moons! “That’s wonderful! Congratulations to the Vedi.” The Prophecies happened quickly now.

  “Yes.” One hand went to her still flat belly. “My child grows inside me. I’m lucky to have the assistance of the Energy or else I would be retching every morning.” She chuckled and Haranda smiled. Some of Candelus was still here. “My husband helps with that too. I believe he can also do something with Saldia. With the Prophecies beginning to manifest, that youngling will be a cherished asset, not only for her shade Energy but also for her strength as a woman, a new-oathed Gypsy woman that she will become very soon. She’s nearly out of her youngling stage, Haranda. I know you can’t feel that but I can. She must learn quickly how to control her abilities.”

  That surprised Haranda too. Saldia was strong, but no youngling had ever advanced so quickly from the calling to new-oathed, not even Candelus or Eguen.

  “After her lashes tomorrow, she’ll attend chores with my servants here in the dome. You are her clan mother but I will be her teacher for a while.”

  Haranda was pleased, despite what Saldia had done to bring them here today. For a youngling of hers to gain the attention of the Vedi in such a way was a great honor. “Then she’ll be in your care as long as you wish her to remain, Ved’nuri. You are mother of all Gypsies now.”

  “Yes. A prospect I must admit unnerved me for a while.” She took a sip of tea and Haranda waited. “As you know, I can’t leave the Land of the Goddess, nor can my husband. We’re bound to this place now.” Haranda nodded and sipped from her own cup. “We can’t afford the leisure training we first thought. The void grows quicker than we anticipated.” Haranda felt that too, at least outside the dome, and she nodded again. “There’s urgency in our tasks as Vedi. We’ll be sending many of you back through the Means very soon.”

  Goddess help them, what could be happening that would cause such haste? The void was still just a pinprick in the Energy. And exactly who or what was causing it, they still didn’t know. Those who had captured Haranda in the Netherworld had eluded them, as well. Perhaps the Vedi had finally identified the culprits.

  “You’ll need to choose certain younglings to go with you when the day comes for you to venture among middlings again. Until then, all need to be pressed in their training. Some will leave their youngling stage before then, especially those in senior studies. The Goddess called them quickly and matures them with speed as well. Lombreeth is not the only danger to you here. There are others, as you found in your dreams. They must be stopped, and the only way we can do that is to send you out in force into the middling world. You must find these traitors. We’ll do what we can from the Netherworld but these foes are well hidden.”

  Haranda had never heard anyone, especially a Gypsy, admit such things. It took a heartbeat or two but she finally got her voice. “How will we locate them, Ved’nuri? They’re strong and can even hide their footprints in the Netherworld. Certainly they can elude our younglings.” Why would the Vedi endanger Gypsy children? She placed her cup on the table, no longer able to drink.

  “Yes. But these enemies are no stronger than Gypsies.”

  Haranda started to protest, remembering how she was strung up and bloodied in the Netherworld, until she would’ve done almost anything to stop that assault, but Ved’nuri held up a hand.

  “They have knowledge of the old ways, things we’ve forgotten. I carry the Energy within me but I’m not the Goddess, and I have no knowledge of these ancient practices. I do know that they were abandoned for a reason. Ved’mana uncovered an old map in the dome archives that reveals the locations of some of the ancient texts. The boundaries of the lands have changed and the texts were shrouded in ancient days, but there’s a good chance we can still find some of them. At least, that’s our hope. There’s a map legend as well and he’s nearly finished deciphering it. If we could bring the texts here, study them inside the dome and translate the ancient language in which they were written, we might have better luck securing the Energy and reversing the damage. At the very least, we can find those Netherworld attackers and sever that distraction.”

  “Why are you telling me this, Ved’nuri? No disrespect intended but you should announce this to the Elders?”

  “Yes. They will be told tonight, along with the news of my child, but I trust you more than any Gypsy. I always have. I want you to lead a kin quest.”

  “What? Me? I know nothing of—” Ved’nuri’s eyes narrowed and Haranda clamped her mouth shut. What in the name of the Goddess was she doing? Defying a Vedi? She was no better than her wayward youngling.

  “I have chosen you as I will choose others. We need quests if we’re to find these texts and these traitors before the Energy is soiled beyond redemption.”

  Haranda felt the blood drain from her face but she nodded. “Yes, Ved’nuri. When?”

  “Soon. Until then, train your younglings quickly. Teach them what they need to know to survive. And—”

  The woman blanched and Haranda fought panicked. “What is it, Ved’nuri? Candelus? Please tell me.”

  “There are dark days ahead. We may lose some of our kin. Every Gypsy must be prepared for that.”

  Panic swelled and she couldn’t stop it this time. “No, Ved’nuri. We mustn’t put younglings in that kind of danger. Please. They’re children in the Energy. They must be protected. You can’t ask me to do such a thing. Please don’t ask that of me.” She fought tears but they fled down her cheeks anyway.

  Ved’nuri regarded her a heartbeat then pulled straight, her face unreadable. “You’ll do as you are told, Gypsy Haranda Banwidden. We need those who are strong in the Energy, and that includes younglings. The weakest will remain behind, along with a number of Elders and others to protect them and this place. The Vedi can’t guarantee anyone’s safety, even here. Not now. You and the others will take that responsibility. Protect the younglings as best you can, but use them well.”

  Use her younglings, her children? What kind of mother would she be? What kind of Gypsy?

  “I know this is unprecedented and it pulls at my heart too. But we must save the Gypsies, protect the Energy. We must save my child, Haranda. This baby needs to be born if we have any hope of fulfilling the Prophecies. If we fail, the Energy will continue to deteriorate. And the traitors, if they are indeed the ones responsible, will take control, killing us or enslaving us. Which would be worse, I can’t say. Without the intact Energy, the old ones, those without form, of an era before the Goddess Herself, will be released upon the world and we’ll be powerless to stop them. You’ve read the stories of olden days, Haranda. Chaos. That’s what awaits us if we fail. Chaos will breech the Netherworld and not even our dead will be safe.” She actually pleaded now. “The essence of every Gypsy kin is at stake. What kind of world would this be if we’re no longer reborn? Even middling essences suffered under Chaos?”

  Haranda took in a deep breath and closed her eyes in an attempt to regain her wit. The horrors Ved’nuri described were burned all too well into her mind from the days of her new-oathed training, and the main reason that any who touched the Energy were corralled and taught, why Goddess laws were so strict on disobedience. She opened her eyes and gazed upon her friend, her sister in the Energy, her mother. “I have sworn to the Goddess, Ved’nuri. I will teach my younglings the best I can and we’ll protect your child.”

  The crowned woman reached across the table and placed a cool hand on Haranda’s cheek. �
�My sister, my daughter, you are strong. Teach our younglings with your strength. Embrace the ways of the Goddess and fight for our future.” She pulled her hand away. “The Goddess wills it.”

  “The Goddess wills it,” Haranda repeated in a low voice. “The Prophecies. We’re to be part of them now. There’s no turning back.”

  “It has begun. Go with the Goddess, my daughter, my sister, my friend. Sleep well tonight. In the morning we’ll take care of the youngling Saldia. Then you must go back to your classes.”

  “Yes, Ved’nuri.” She rose, made a curtsy, and left with a huge knot deep in her belly. Absently, as she followed the servant, Kia, she nodded to others. Just as they headed down the hall to her room, Kia suddenly dropped into a curtsy, and Haranda spotted Ved’mana coming her direction. She did the same and faced the floor, waiting for him to pass, but his feet stopped in front of her.

  “Please, rise, Gypsy Haranda Banwidden.”

  She did as instructed and looked into the dark face and eyes that studied her down to her innards, eyes that wavered with a hint of Goddess colors against a black tapestry. Ved’mana motioned the servants on and held an arm out to her. “May I escort you to your room?”

  “Of course, Ved’mana.” She hooked an arm in his.

  “Please, call me Eguen in private. My wife transforms quicker because of the child. She said she would tell you about the babe today.” He led her to her room next to Saldia’s and motioned her inside. Then he took a seat at the table and she sat opposite him.

  “How are you handling the changes, Eguen? It’s been a long while since we’ve been casual in our talks.”

  He gave her a fatherly smile. “Yes, it has been a while. I feel stronger each day. And now that Candelus carries our child, I expect I will change a bit quicker too. I must be prepared to keep up with a special tot.” He winked.

  Haranda saw much of the Eguen she remembered from her youngling days and she chuckled. “I expect the child will keep you quite busy in about six or seven moons.”

  He leaned back in the chair. “I must say, I’m more nervous about being a father than I was about becoming Ved’mana. Though I wasn’t thrilled with that either. Not at the beginning. But when I found out Candelus would be my mate, well, she took away some of my trepidation.”

  “You have always loved her.” Haranda hoped he wouldn’t think her too presumptuous. She loved this man like a brother and it was still difficult not to jump into his arms and hug him.

  “Yes. And she’s a good wife, more than I could’ve ever asked for. She’ll make a wonderful mother to our child.”

  “And you’ll be a fine father, Eguin. You’re patient and kind as well as strong. That’s why we chose you for this task.”

  He nodded and focused black eyes on her again. “And you’ve been chosen for one equally as difficult. You and every Gypsy here. Candelus told you of the dangers?”

  “Yes. I don’t like sending my younglings out so early in their training, but I’ve sworn my oaths to the Goddess.”

  “As we all have.” He brushed a hand through his thick, black hair. “Tell me of this youngling, this shade walker.” A grin lit his eyes.

  Haranda chuckled. “Well, she’s strong, and truly wishes to honor the Goddess. I found her in a tavern in Makrilon and was grateful to get her away before harvest.” He nodded. “Ved’nuri tells me she’s close to ending her youngling days. I’ve never heard of one advancing so quickly. I must admit I’m worried.”

  “Well, don’t be. She’ll receive intense training here. And there have been others like her, though not in our days. Many of the other younglings will advance rapidly too. Candelus and I both feel that through the Energy. It’s been a long while but the Goddess called us here for a reason. She’ll do what’s necessary to help us protect this place and the Energy, even if that means pushing our young.”

  “I know, Ved—Eguin.”

  “Don’t look so glum, Gypsy Haranda Banwidden.”

  Goddess forgive her. She sulked in front of a Vedi. That must stop. “My apologies, Ved’mana.”

  “Accepted. You’ll do what you need to out there. Use what days you have left to train your younglings and prepare them the best you can. Choose wisely the ones you’ll take. Wren, Predula, Xiath, Siri and others will go as well. Ved’nuri and I have already chosen those we think best suited. You’ll take servants, especially guards and hunters. Servants will be assigned their tasks once we decide on them.”

  “Thank you, Ved’mana, for this honor.” She leaned toward him, hoping he wouldn’t take offense. “I’m already shaking in my boots and I’m not even wearing them, yet.”

  The man laughed. “Oh, I knew you would brighten my day, Haranda.” He glanced out the window and she followed his gaze. Two servants were headed inside with baskets of food from the garden. But another, a man, limped behind them with the support of a woman. “Ah. It looks as though I’m needed elsewhere.” He rose and she immediately jumped from her chair to make her curtsy. “Until later, Gypsy Haranda Banwidden. May the Goddess be with you.”

  “And with you, Ved’mana.” She held the curtsy until he was gone then closed her door.

  She made her way to the bed and stretched out on top of the blankets. Weariness closed in and she shut tired eyes to decide which younglings to yank from their training, from their home. Which would move from youngling to new-oathed over the coming sunrises? Who would she trust with her life if need be? Who would be able to protect themselves in dangerous situations? Which younglings would be most useful? She fell asleep to those disturbing thoughts.

  Chapter 38

  Morning light filtered in through the curtains and Saldia stretched before sitting up. Ved’nuri had thrashed her four sunrises ago. She had no marks, no outward signs that anyone had hit her, but she felt pain, nonetheless. The dome servants watched her like circling vultures too. She made the mistake of taking too much leisure dressing the first morning after her punishment, and Kia, the dome servant assigned to her, made her pull weeds before she even had her morning meal. Since that morning, she was up before servants began to prepare the first meal of the day, sometimes before the sun even.

  Quickly, she grabbed her underclothes and youngling dress and stepped down the hall to the privy, her own private one since no one else slept on this floor, only fourteen steps from her room. Water pumped into the privy from an underground aqueduct, just like the ones in the village, a marvel of ancient days. Wood burning stoves, stoked by servants and as high as men, stood in the dome basement and heated water, much like the Gypsy village bathhouses. Saldia had been put to work down there her first day soon after Ved’nuri was done with her. The Vedi must pay exceptionally well for servants to work in the basements, even in short shifts.

  This privy’s gilded fixtures were more elaborate than Saldia could ever have imagined, and she even had her choice of scented bath oils and soaps. She’d never known such luxury and part of her was enjoying her stay here. After using the privy pot, she emptied the appropriate pitcher of water to flush the waste down the long pipe then washed her hands and face and dressed. Baths were for evenings, after the day’s toils and sweat. A clean rag and an herb paste refreshed her stale morning mouth as she scrubbed her teeth, five tiny circles on each tooth. Back in her room, she brushed her hair and tied it in a scarf like she had done for as long as she could remember.

  Today, she would be tested on Ved’nuri’s lessons for the past four sunrises. The crowned woman demanded respect, obvious in her presence alone, but Saldia no longer feared the crowned woman as she had in the cave behind the waterfall. For the most part, Ved’nuri was mild and patient and seemed very motherly, as long as Saldia offered proper respect, focused on lessons and guarded her tongue.

  Ved’mana teased Saldia occasionally, which she thought unusual at first, since he was as strict with lessons as his wife. Yesterday, he had Saldia recite the entire first passage of the Prophecies after only one afternoon of memorization, something she’d never had
to do in her youngling classes. Her heart had pounded like a frantic drum as she stood before the large man and trembled. Then he smiled and the passage fell into her mind with more ease than she ever though possible. After all, she didn’t have Taniras’s affinity for memorization. Ved’mana had praised her accomplishments but also reminded her to behave like a Gypsy. He seemed more like a father to Saldia than anyone she’d ever known and she looked forward to lessons with him.

  The servants weren’t so easily impressed with her abilities and treated her as a wayward child. She chafed at their comments but could do nothing without some nasty chore as a consequence, for she was expected to obey the servants as she would the Vedi. How she longed for the day when she would become new-oathed. That would be a while, though. She still had so much to learn.

  No use dwelling on what cannot be. How many times had Haranda used those words? Saldia smiled that she’d actually lost count.

  Younglings trained for several seasons, and Saldia wasn’t even in a senior class, yet, despite her age. She had a very long way to go. Many lessons ahead of her. But she really didn’t mind. She felt safe here, loved.

  When Kia arrived, she was already by the door, waiting for the escort. She still wasn’t allowed to roam about the dome unaccompanied. Either the Vedi didn’t trust her or merely treated her as though she still slept in a nursery. Part of her punishment no doubt.

  Kia smiled, her black eyes narrow and wise. “You learn quickly not to keep me waiting.” She had said that everyday since the first.

  “My hide appreciates my rapid learning, Kia.”

  The servant laughed and started down the hall. Saldia stepped quickly to keep up with the slight woman and followed her down the stairs, past the corridor that led to the Correction Hall. She never wanted to visit that place again. They made several turns until they were at the door to the throne room. Not once had she counted her steps as she walked with Kia and she smiled at that.