by Dana Davis
Fire flooded from yellow crystals and could burn anything in a directed path, even sear rock. Of course, they practiced flaming the great fire pits in the bathhouses, much to the excitement of servants who had those duties.
Red, which Thad had first thought would create fires because of its color, formed a protective Energy cocoon. That one was his favorite and felt much like being under water with his eyes open. Everything outside the cocoon waved like the air off a boulder in summer heat.
The green crystals intrigued him on a different level. He had seen Haranda use sparking Energy to cut through stone at the cave, and Xiath was almost as strong in sparking as she, but green crystals enhanced that power tenfold and could slice through a mountain with enough Gypsies offering their Energy.
Huge destructive winds were called upon using the pink crystals and could leave devastation as bad as that of fire. Even the small water funnels they created over the lake killed dozens of fish. Needless to say, they ate fish on those nights.
As a healer, Thad truly hoped they wouldn’t have to use any of the more dangerous crystals, even against middlings. But things were dangerous out there among the middling world. And before long, he would venture into that danger with his new kin.
He took a long drink of refreshing water from his cup and finished the dried fruits in his napkin. Younglings crossed to new-oathed status nearly every day, especially the seniors. Only two of the original seniors remained in youngling training now, though several later arrivals had been moved up to that status, including Thad. Things moved quickly all around him, which added to his frustration. He rubbed his temples.
He could heal just about every ailment now except a bloody headache. No amount of healing Energy could quell one. Just one of the shortcomings Gypsies had when using the Energy. Though they weren’t susceptible to illness and disease, the kin could be injured or poisoned just like middlings, and by the way his head throbbed, Thad was certain it would fall off his shoulders if he didn’t get to some herbs. The thought of taking in the Energy to keep the pain at a distance crossed his mind. Of course, he would get discovered for that. Senior or not, he was still a youngling, with all the lack of privileges that entailed. In fact, the only things a senior title earned him were more lessons and the chance to vote on the class leaders, one youngling man and one youngling woman who ran errands for Gypsies.
Haranda and Predula talked near the cottages and he studied them. Gypsy flesh could be injured. He had experienced that too, and he winced at the memory of the Netherworld attack. Thank the Goddess Haranda hadn’t been killed. Anger filled him at the thought of their attacker but he had no idea what she truly looked like. Taking Cass’s form irked him too. He liked the truth-seeker even more now and she was less distant than before, which gave him hope. Thoughts of seeing the lass naked flitted through his mind and he eyed her when she walked by with her clan sisters.
He coughed and nodded a smile toward the women when they turned his direction. They grinned and nodded back. His attention quickly moved to the fathers nearby. Something pricked at him from all the Gypsies, something that made his skin crawl as though a thousand ants covered him. Tension, that had to be what he felt, and it came from every Gypsy around him.
He fought the urge to rub his temples again. Perhaps Taniras had some white drop-leaf he could make a tea with, since his own had already run out. The animal urger had healer training before coming here, and he was confident she would keep his problem quiet. He was a grown man for bloody sakes! The last thing he needed was Predula’s mothering. And Taniras had come so far with her Energy that she too, was now at senior level, along with Cass, Saldia, Adelsik, Zarenia, Tsianina, and several youngling men. Seniors were loyal to each other, even more so than other younglings, when it came to secrets.
Musicians played nearby, one reminding him of a performer he had seen as a child. He nodded to the man, who had tried recently to teach him to play a grass flute. He just didn’t have that kind of talent. In fact, it sounded more like a squealing pig than a cheerful bird whenever he blew into the thing. He smiled despite his aching head.
“Thad!”
He turned to see Nym running in his direction. The lad had merged a few sunrises ago, his mind now matching the age of his body, and he flirted with the women. He especially liked the newest arrival, Bhrighana, who had been with them almost a moon cycle now. Nym confided that she was still too young in the mind and that he would wait until she merged to tell her how he felt. The two were friends for now and that seemed to please them both.
“I’m glad I caught you. That a fact.” Nym placed a hand on Thad’s arm.
He got a strong whiff of wet grass and dirt and glanced around briefly. “Essence, Nym.”
“Sorry. That still a problem for me. I’ll remember eventually. Just keep reminding.” Nym’s essence pulled back and Thad could no longer smell him. The lad still wasn’t consistent in his training and things that a new youngling should remember, he often forgot, but his visions were invaluable, even more detailed than Thad’s. “We’re getting another game together. You interested?”
Thad played now and then but his head pounded and he politely refused. “I have studies tonight. Another day?”
“I’ll take you up on that, big brother. And I’ll have you running so much you’ll think your legs will fall off.”
“I don’t doubt that. I think Eletha is more of a match for you.”
“That a quick one, she is. And stubborn. I’m glad she’s on the side of Gypsies.”
The short treewalker ran up to them at that instant. Nym coughed when her hands went to her slim hips and she looked impatiently up at the two.
“You men going to stand around flapping your lips or are we going to play?” After almost eight moons here she still didn’t look comfortable wearing a dress.
Thad had become used to her fiery temper, which matched the color of her hair. As he gazed down on her, he smiled. He was used to looking up at her because she spent so many occasions in the trees.
“What are you grinning at, Thad Macwinnough? Think I can’t run you to tears out there?”
He held hands up in defense. “No, I believe you. But I have studies so no games for me.” He wanted to lie down. Sleep for two sunrises. When the two began bantering about which team would win today’s match, Thad took the opportunity to slip away. He didn’t get far before Tsianina nearly bumped into him and he had to sidestep her.
“Oh, my apologies, Thad. I was just searching for new flowers.” The blooms over her ears had wilted.
“Accepted.” He studied her dark eyes and strong cheeks. Then something flickered above her and he thought for a heartbeat that she wore something on her head as well. But there was nothing. Whatever it was had gone.
“Are you all right, Thad?”
He smiled. “I’m well.”
There it was again. He wasn’t mistaken. A pink owl hovered just above her head, faint, transparent, yet steady now. Her Netherworld footprint? How in blazes was he seeing that? Slumberers had that talent in the Netherworld. And though his slumbering Energy was slight, he had managed to see Haranda’s footprint there. He pinched his arm just to make certain he was still in the mundane world and not asleep someplace.
“Thad?” The island woman sounded as though she had said his name several times and she leaned toward him. “If you’re ill I must report you.”
He nodded. What? Report him? “No, Tsianina.”
But he was too late. The woman had already gotten Father Xiath’s attention and the man moved briskly toward him. Thad’s head ached and he closed his eyes briefly before facing the man. He couldn’t lie to a Gypsy, especially his own clan father. Besides, the man would know. Gypsies always knew.
Xiath’s grip was like a vice on his arm. “Tsianina tells me you’re ill.”
Elder-Father Finlor came with him, as well as Mother Predula, both body-healers, and Thad cursed under his breath.
Xiath clicked his tongue. “Youngli
ng, I suggest you guard your tongue, especially in front of Predula.”
The short woman had hands on her hips, her wild hair pushing out of its knot and floating around her head in the slight breeze.
“My apologies,” he automatically replied.
Gypsy eyes burrowed into his skin but he was able to keep his gaze steady now. He couldn’t do that just sunrises ago. Haranda and Wren walked up and studied him too. So much for not attracting attention to himself. Why hadn’t he gone straight to Taniras?
Xiath pulled him to his cottage and, once inside, ushered him into a chair. “Why does Tsianina think you’re ill?”
“I saw something.” They waited and he continued. “Netherworld footprint. I’m certain that what I saw. But I wasn’t dreaming. I saw it above Tsianina right out there in the light of the day.” His head throbbed and he rubbed his temples, not caring who watched. Someone else caressed his temples and he recognized Predula’s touch. He looked at her. She was so short that even sitting down, he didn’t have to gaze up.
“My apologies, Thad,” she said. “Not much the Energy can do for a headache. We can get you some herbs.”
“Yes, I know. Thank you, Mother Predula.” He sat dumbfounded when he saw footprints above all the heads around him, all slightly different in their brightness. “There.” He stood and jabbed a finger at each of them. “Footprints. All of you. Mother Haranda is a daisy, yellow. But I already knew that. Father Xiath, your a blue flame.”
He prepared to describe each one that he saw but Xiath stopped him with a hand. The door of his clan father’s cottage was open and several Elders gathered there, including Siri. The large woman had even more slumbering abilities than Wren. In fact, from what he had gathered, she was the highest ranking Gypsy Elder.
Xiath kept a hand on his arm. “Thad? We need to take you to the dome.”
“Yes, Ved’mana might be able to get rid of this headache.”
“There’s more than that, Thad.”
The father didn’t call him youngling now. Why? He realized Predula had used his name also. Why did he suddenly see Netherworld footprints? Was he asleep? No, he had already tested that. Questions could wait. What he wanted now was relief from the pain and he stepped outside with Xiath, where footprints of every youngling stood out. He saw no prints above the servants’ heads or the other Gypsies. The dizzying patterns of Gypsy clothes, especially the bright colors of the female dresses, were now muted and beautiful. Like a watery rainbow on fine silk. This was all very strange.
The trip over the hill and into the dome seemed to jar his head with every step. Once they arrived on the carpet in front of the Vedi, he wanted to groan.
After the bows and curtsies, which did nothing to soothe his aching head, Ved’mana stood. “Welcome, Thad.”
“Thank you, Ved’mana.” The use of his name peaked his interest again. The Vedi never used a youngling’s name without putting Gypsy-child in front of it. He started to ask permission for questions but Ved’mana began to speak again. “Thad. Xiath tells us that you can see footprints in the mundane world.”
“Yes, Ved’mana. But not yours or Ved’nuri’s.” He realized that now.
The man smiled. Suddenly a tree appeared above his dark head and within the branches was a bright red apple. Ved’nuri had two footprints also. One, a bold rainbow, which muted the orange sunflower below. Then he realized that there was a third, very faint image behind the flower, and he squinted. The moon? It looked like an image of the full moon.
“Something interest you, Thad?” The crowned woman cocked her head.
Heat crept up his neck. “My apologies for staring, Ved’nuri, but you have three footprints.”
“Yes, I believe I do. One is my Energy print. The one I have as Candelus. Another is that of Ved’nuri. And the third, well, that one is mine only temporarily. It belongs to my child.”
Thad nodded and his eyes drifted to her swollen belly. She was now almost as large as the two women he’d helped deliver back in Solinar, and her birthing day was fast approaching.
“I don’t think we need any more tests, my wife,” Ved’mana said. “He’s ready.”
The crowned woman nodded and the two stood.
Ved’mana waved him over. “Come forward, Thad. Kneel here.” He pointed to the area just in front of the steps to the throne, and Thad did as instructed. “You’ve passed the test required to journey from youngling to new-oathed Gypsy. Do you wish to take your oaths to the Goddess now? To bind yourself to Her and your kin for as long as you shall live? The offer won’t be made again, so answer carefully.”
Thad could hardly believe what was happening but he was ready. “Yes, Ved’mana. I wish to swear to the service of the Goddess.” Although, he wondered what would happen if he refused.
Gypsies didn’t allow errants to roam about unfettered once they were discovered. And he had never heard of any youngling who refused the oaths. Perhaps the question was redundant, a mere formality.
“Very well.”
Rustles of movement sounded behind him and he glanced back to see the Gypsies drop to their knees, footprints clearly visible above their heads. Most were present now, all but servants and younglings, from what he could tell. So this is why Gypsies disappeared so often to the dome. And he had thought they merely attended meetings with the Vedi.
Ved’nuri took the crystal globe from its resting place and brought it to her husband.
He knelt and held it out. “Place your right hand on the crystal, Thad.”
When Thad did, there was a surge of Energy that pulsed through his body, making him aware of everything in and around him. He didn’t have control of the Energy, much like when visions took him. In fact, he couldn’t even sense it in the dome until now.
“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say, Thad, for the Goddess does not tolerate traitors. Are you ready?”
“Yes, Ved’mana.” He concentrated on every move and sound the man made, and his heart pulsed in his head with fear, despite his eagerness to do the Goddess’s bidding.
“Do you, Thad Macwinnough of Solinar in the Tandiar Province, Gypsy son of Xiath, agree to serve the Goddess? To bind yourself to Her work to the end of your days? To honor the Vedi, your Gypsy kin, and servants? To protect younglings and guide them as best you can, discipline them when necessary, and keep them from danger? To seek out others of our kin and teach them to harness the Energy safely, no matter what you may have to do to accomplish this? To honor the Goddess and give your life, if necessary, to protect Her children and Her land? To abide by the Gypsy codes you have learned and will continue to learn? If you agree to these oaths, then say, I do.”
Of course he agreed. “I do.”
Goddess Light flashed through him like when he had first gotten the calling all those years ago. Energy pulsed with power and he felt invincible. Something sharp and hot pushed through his right palm and he gasped. When he tried to pull away from the crystal, his hand wouldn’t budge. Then all was gone. Everything. The Energy, the Light, the pain, even the ache in his head. All gone. He wanted to cry out, call the Energy back into his body but there was nothing here. No chance to touch it in the dome.
Ved’mana stood, gave the crystal back to his wife, then turned to Thad. “Rise, new-oathed.” He got to his feet and the man kissed both of his cheeks, then Ved’nuri did the same.
Ved’mana took a bundle of clothing and a scroll from the Fetch and placed them in Thad’s hands. “This is your Gypsy handbook and your new-oathed garb, wear them well and proud.” Then the crowned man turned him by the shoulders. The others were on their feet now, footprints still clearly visible above their heads.
“I present to you, New-oathed Gypsy Thad Macwinnough.”
There was thunderous applause and Thad’s face heated up with pride. After a lot of back-slapping, face-kisses and hugs, he was led by the tailor to a small room, where he changed into his new clothing and stood for the slight alterations. Afterwards, he went to the dining hall. Dome s
ervants poured cider wine and all toasted their newly raised Gypsy. The group chatted for a short while, giving Thad advice on how to behave once they were back at the cottages, and instructing him not to tell the younglings about footprints. He had already gotten a similar speech on that from the slumberers, when they taught him to see footprints in the Netherworld. He never imagined he would see them in the mundane world and began to realize how Gypsies so easily distinguished younglings from other kin. He was nervous as he tried to remember everything but relaxed when Xiath reminded him of the Gypsy handbook.
“There will be a feast tonight in honor of our new brother,” Ved’mana announced once they had finished their wine. “May the Goddess go with you.”
“And with you,” everyone answered. They held bows and curtsies as the Vedi left the hall.
Then everything calmed and Thad found himself leaving the dome with the others. They gave him a quick lesson on how to conceal his footprint once outside and he found it was quite a simple task, yet one that no youngling had the power to accomplish. There had been a lot of feasts lately and he smiled. He had watched the others upon their return but was still foggy about what to do himself.
“Father Xiath?”
“Just Xiath.”
“What happens now, Xiath?” He felt proud but lost. In the Gypsy world, everything moved so quickly! And his right palm itched. He studied his hand.
“The Goddess Kiss,” Predula said as she walked beside Xiath. “She’s put Her mark on your palm. Your hand will itch for a few days. Try not to scratch.”
“Yes, Mothe—yes, Predula.”
The short woman smiled.
Xiath put an arm over his shoulders. “Just do what you’ve been doing. Abide by your oaths. You’ve done well concealing your footprint. Work on perfecting your use of the Energy and learn all you can. That’s what we do. We never seem to stop learning.”
Haranda chuckled. “Yes. I believe I’ll still be learning in my next century of life.”
