by C. R. Daems
"Jutta and I won’t be far away," she whispered, hugging me as she got ready to leave. "Although you didn’t seem to need us. I wondered why you saved that one bottle of the Passion drug."
"Intuition. It felt right."
"Yes, we teach logic because we can’t teach intuition and, therefore, don’t trust it. Yet, you survive because of it." She waved to the clan as she and Jutta disappeared into the forest.
"How much of that was true?" Lujza asked quietly, eyes bright with excitement.
"The essence was true, but the details were rather sloppy."
"Yes, we gypsies do that all the time, although I suspect not as well as you. It was an interesting bedtime story, my daughter" She kissed my cheek and walked away humming.
"It’s hard to know what is true anymore," Luka said as he closed the wagon door.
"The important things are true. I love you and our clan. I will die to protect you and them. And, my Sisters and the Earth Wizards will help me."
"It’s the dying part I don’t like." He grabbed me in a tight embrace.
* * *
The morning breakfast was filled with lively talk about the previous night’s encounter with the wizard, and we were an hour late starting off. Again, Santo decided to stop early. I imagined he had mixed feeling about Udo after I told him Lord Masso had sent troops to intercept Lord Boyan. After the evening meal, Luka left with me so I didn’t have to make up another excuse for leaving early. Inside the wagon, I woke wu’Lichek.
"She ate in silence. Her eyes filled with hate. I guess you want to drug me again!" A statement more than a question.
"No, it's now time for you to take responsibility for your life. I’ve done all I can do."
"What do you mean? You—"
"Give me your hands," I interrupted her, holding out my hands. She looked at them like I was asking for her to grab two red-hot pieces of iron. Finally, she shrugged and grabbed my hand, squeezing as hard as she could. I ignored it. "I see two futures, one as likely as the other. In the first, you are kept in a room were men are free to come and go as they please, and you are available to service them." Expecting her to try to jerk loose, I tightened my hold before she did. "It will start with nobles, then administrators, then soldiers, then anyone that wants to say they had sex with the ruler of Araby—" I held on as she repeatedly tried to break loose. "And you will do it willingly and anything else those that hold your special drink ask. For that is the nature of the deadly Passion flower drug, it delights the senses and destroys the will.
"In the other future I see, you realize those wonderful dreams were not dreams, they were real. That you were used. In that future, you fight the drug and the evil committed in your province." I released her hands.
"Those dreams were real? But…" She sat staring at me. "They drugged me and used me!" Her face turned scarlet, her fingernails dug into her palms as her fist tightened, and she bit her tongue or lip, because blood dribbled out the side of her mouth. She sat for a long time silently crying, tears running down her face. Eventually, she wiped the tears away, and looked around the wagon as if seeing it for the first time. "Tell me everything that’s happened."
"When I entered your study for a telling you were acting strange. You were sitting at the table we’ve used before with your hands already on the table. Instead of sitting down, I asked you to taste a drop of a liquid I had put on my finger. It was the Passion drug. When you said it was your special drink and then described your dreams, I knew…" I went on to explain that I had been under the drug’s influence, my plan, Boyan’s part, and what I knew about the drug.
"So, there is a third future. I could die if I choose to stop taking the drug." She laughed. "Death is preferable to your first future. No more drugs, Ryana, I want the pain to cleanse me of the evil. Masso will pay and pay…"
I didn’t mention that Masso was beyond her reach. The thought of punishing him would be a good incentive to recover. That night, and the next day, wu’Lichak moaned, doubled with spasms of cramps, and alternated between sweating from a burning fever and shivering with chills.
* * *
The clan had just stopped for the day, when dust could be seen in the distance and the earth vibrated with the hoofs of a large number of horses. Sometime later sixty or more men rode into view, half with wu’Lichak and half with Masso’s colors. As they stopped, it was apparent they had fought. Since they rode in together, the question was how it had been resolved. I began to worry when I didn’t see Boyan. Captain Chelan dismounted, looked around, and then headed in my direction. He bowed.
"Mistress, Lord Boyan has been wounded. He is in Lady wu’Lichak’s carriage and would like to speak to you."
"Thank you, Captain," I said, following him back to the carriage. Inside, Boyan lay half sitting against several pillows. His arm and chest were bandaged. When he saw me, he nodded at the seat opposite him.
"Is she…" He began but hesitated.
"Yes, Lord Boyan. She is safe and on the road to recovery. I assume you are in command," I said, wanting to cross my fingers.
"Yes, Captain Vico and I had an argument over who represented the ruler of Araby. I won." He snorted. "Is Lady wu'Lichak safe?"
"Yes, give me a moment. And I will bring her to you."
Boyan grimaced as he attempted to straighten in preparation of seeing his liege lady. I found Santo speaking with Captain Chelan.
"Santo, Lord Boyan and Lady wu'Lichak would like to speak to you and me alone. Do you think the clan could go on and we could catch up later?" If wu'Lichak appeared in front of everyone, it would involve the entire clan and embarrass her. And I thought maybe wu'Lichak would like to talk to Santo and Lujza as she knew they were involved.
"Yes, we wasted enough time." He walked over to where most stood waiting to hear what was happening. After some lively discussion, people returned to their wagons and the caravan began its way towards Udo. When they were out of sight, I returned to my wagon.
"Lady wu'Lichak, Lord Boyan and your soldiers are here with your carriage. Santo has sent our clan off so they aren't involved," I said holding the door open. Her face was set in determination as she exited. It was obvious she was still fighting the drug and would be for several more days. She made straight for Santo and Lujza. Captain Chelan bowed as she approached the group, which included Luka.
"Gypsy Santo, Lujza, you risk much to help me, and I will not forget it. You will always be welcome in Araby and under my protection while you are there. And I expect you to visit when you are in town, and of course, perform for me and my guests. And although I wish my bad-news fortuneteller to accompany you, the invitation is independent of her presence. Gypsy Luka, thank you for letting me share your wagon with you. I used to think Yoan was a brave man letting Ryana throw knives at him, but marrying her is the act of a much braver man." She gave a short laugh which ended in coughing. "Masso and the prophet Pedro will be arrested along with any others found with the Passion nectar. As of today, possession of that drug is a hanging offense. From what you have said about the effects of the drug, the disciples of Jhea will cease to exist when the drug is no longer available. I feel sorry for them. They are victims."
"I'm sorry, Lady wu'Lichak. I forgot to mention that Lord Masso and the prophet Pedro are dead."
"I hope someday, you will have a happy telling for me. I know, you said you could make one up if I wanted, but I don't think you could. I think your tellings, while intentionally obscure, are always what you see most clearly." She stood looking at me for a long time, before turning and walking towards her carriage.
That evening there were many questions. Santo let me weave an interesting story giving the basic facts but rearranging the details—lying. Lujza smiled through the entire evening. Santo seemed to be trying to memorize the details in case someone questioned him later. And Luka looked at me like I was special. We reached Udo two days later.
CHAPTER TWENTY
DAZEL: White-robes
That night, I wandere
d away from the wagon as I normally did. I had only gone but a short distance when Fayza and Jutta appeared.
"Do you know what happened between Lord Boyan and Captain Vico?" I asked, curious as usual.
"From what the witnesses tell, Captain Vico insisted he talk with Lady wu'Lichak. When Boyan refused, saying the Lady didn't wish to see anyone, Vico accused Boyan of kidnapping her and ordered his men to arrest Boyan. Fortunately, most of the soldiers hesitated attacking a Lord close to wu'Lichak, and Captain Chelan and his troops were able to overcome Vico and the fifteen who attacked. Boyan was injured in the attack, which resulted in two deaths and four injuries to wu'Lichak's troops, and five deaths, including Captain Vico, and three injuries to Masso's troops. After the injured were treated, Masso's troops were sworn in under Captain Chelan, and they returned for Lady wu'Lichak."
"Do you think Lady wu'Lichak will survive?" Jutta asked.
"Yes. She is a very strong woman and now aware of the danger. She will hunt down the remaining containers of the Passion nectar, and without it and a prophet, the cult will collapse."
"What about the man Pedro called the Master?" Fayza asked.
"He scares me. He could be the force that unites the various cults. In the near term, I think it depends upon how much of the Passion drug he has and his source. Long term, the Zunji will cut off the supply, and he will lose his real power."
"Even if that's true, I'd still like to know who he is. He's evil and needs to be stopped."
* * *
Since Udo and Windon were small towns and a short one day's travel apart, Santo put on only two performances in each, and we were gone the following day. And thus, ten days later we found ourselves crossing into Dazel and only a half day from Sandel. I had mixed emotions about reaching Tarion. I hadn't heard anything about robed ones in Dazel, but I'd wager Dazel had a cult of some color, since every other province had one. That couldn't just be a coincidence. If there were a cult there, then there was a prophet, and if so, did he consider the mystery man his Master? Who else was involved and what was the end goal? My head ached from worrying.
"You've been quiet since we crossed the Araby-Dazel border this morning. Anything wrong?" Luka said as we pulled into Sandel's area for the gypsies.
"The Passion drug worries me. We know two of the religious groups were using it. That suggests there may be one or more persons supplying them the drug. If that is so, then it's possible all the cults have it and are using it to recruit."
"But if the Zunji cut off the supply... oh, hundreds will die without it."
"Yes, that would be terrible. But what if that person or persons controls all the cults and has access to a supply of the drug?" My headache got worse just thinking about it.
"You worry too much, hon. The Zunji will cut off the supply and that man or men will lose any power they had."
"Sounds logical," I said, but that was what worried me—my intuition was screaming trouble.
That night, after everyone had retired to their wagons and Luka to bed, I found Fayza in the forest behind the wagon.
"Where to?" she asked, as I stripped down to my blacks.
"Have you ever been to an Earth Wizards’ guild house?"
"No. Before you joined the Sisters, we avoided the wizards."
"Come, you'll enjoy it." The Sandel Earth Wizards had saved my life. If they hadn't found me after my fight with the mercenaries at the border, I would have died of my wounds, or been found and killed by the many groups searching for me. So, I had no trouble finding my way there. When we reached the entrance, the door was open and a woman wizard stood waiting.
"Welcome, Shadows." Her voice was soft like the moss-like hair that covered her head. She was a small woman. "I'm called Deline. You probably don't remember me, Shadow of Peace. I treated your wounds but had to leave before you recovered."
"I owe you and the Earth Wizards much."
"My brothers and sisters and I feel we have been repaid many times over. Come, they wait for us in the hall." She led us down a mossy path and into the large open hall that looked as if we had stepped into another time and place. Several trees towered four or five stories high forming a canopy for the roof. The ground had a soft feel, produced by fallen leaves, mosses, and other ground vegetation. Vines grew up and hung down from other trees, bursting with exotic flowers. And a gentle waterfall fed a narrow, meandering stream. In a clearing sat seven wizards each sitting in a vine-swing of a unique shape. Two empty vine-swings sat empty.
"We have talked with Wizard Jutta from Araby. You have had an interesting adventure. Hopefully your tour through Dazel will be boring, but knowing you it will probably be exciting. Wizard Baas has agreed to follow you in case you need our help," a bass voice rumbled. When he stopped, he waved and a young boy came running to me with a small capsule. I opened it, read, and passed it to Fayza, who was still trying to take it all in.
Sisters Hajna and Rong are in Tarion awaiting to help if necessary
reports from sisters in the field say drugs are being used to recruit.
M.
I took a small piece of paper and with the quill and ink wrote:
Religious cults appear related through one man.
He is source of drugs. very dangerous.
destroy any drugs you can. zunji will cut off supply.
When I finished, I handed the note to Fayza, who read it and nodded. She put it in the capsule and handed it to the boy who stood silently waiting. He gave us a small bow and ran off.
"Do you have any information on the robed ones in Dazel?" I asked, hoping there were none but knowing there were.
"The robed ones in Dazel wear white. They claim to be disciples of the Prophet Avdon and to serve the God Perun, who is the maker of Gods."
"Have they caused any trouble?"
"Nothing like you had in Tuska or Araby. Mostly they keep to themselves. The Earth Wizards of Araby have explained the taste of the Passion drug, but we have not sampled it. It would be helpful if you had a small sample," Deline said to rumbling agreement. I took out my small vial and spilled a few drops onto the ground. The ground trembled slightly.
"Yes, a very seductive taste, and even this small sample produces a pleasant sensation. I can see how nobles and wizards could be trapped by the Passion drug."
"A living death," I said, thinking back to my experience in Tuska. Afterward, Wizard Deline gave Fayza a tour of the lodge.
"That was amazing. It was like entering a foreign country. And I like the idea of having wizards for allies," Fayza said as we trotted back toward the wagons. When we neared the camp, I felt the earth give a small shift and recognized an old friend.
"Wizard Baas, thank you for agreeing to accompany us. Fayza, this is Wizard Baas, the man who saved my life, helped me kill two wizards, and enter the king's castle at Tarion. Wizard Baas, this is Shadow Fayza."
"My honor, Shadow Fayza. Your Sister Ryana is an interesting and exciting person to be around."
"A pleasure to meet you, Wizard Baas. Yes, we've already had some of those exciting times. Hopefully, with your help, we will have the same favorable outcome."
* * *
The performance the next evening went well, and the audience was large and enthusiastic. Watching the people during the acts had become second nature, and I easily identified two thieves working the crowd and three potential assassins. Although there were a couple of wealthy merchants and low-ranking nobles, that seemed strange since they didn't appear interested in them or the performance. I had the impression they were interested in me. Two of the three assassins were young men, in their teens and still growing. They were trying to be subtle, which was having the opposite effect. The third man was well into his twenties and appeared more self-confident and better at ignoring me.
After the acts I took my place in the fortuneteller tent and relaxed into the moment. I actually found reading people and projecting a probable future interesting. The harder part was determining what to tell each person, especially
when their future looked particularly bad. Where possible, I tried to suggest possible paths that might lead to a better, if only slightly better, future. Half way through the night, the oldest of the three I had thought assassins entered the tent. Well, I can predict this idiot's future isn't going to be long or enjoyable, I mused as he stared down at me.
"What may I do for you, sir," I said and waited while he decided. He reached into his pocket and pulled out two coppers and dropped them on the table.
"You are the fortuneteller Ryana?"
"Yes. Sit and put your hands on the table."
"Why?" he asked still standing.
"Because I need contact with you to see into your future," I said, dropping into the moment, but hoping I was wrong about him, or if not, that he'd decide just to leave.
"Contact..." He stepped backward and quickly left. I sat confused until I realized he had understood seeing into his future would mean seeing what he intended to do. I laughed, bringing me out of the moment. The rest of the evening was uneventful. I detected no one lurking around the camp that night and hoped the three were just my overactive imagination, although I had by necessity become very good at evaluating people over the past several cycles. It had saved my life more than once. The next day was a rest day and after practice Luka and I wandered into town to do some shopping and to observe the robed ones.
"You never seem to want anything for yourself. You're a very cheap wife." He smiled.
"What I want can't be bought, my husband. Your love. The love of our clan. Peace for the gypsies and Hesland. And to walk in the shadows of my Sisters."
"You're cheap but not easy to please." He laughed loud enough to turn a few heads. He hugged me to him and kissed my head. "You already have my love and the clan's, but I think the peace one is going to require a bit of help from your friends."
* * *
"Find anything?" I asked when Fayza joined me later that night.
"I visited the camp of the white-robes. From what I could gather, there aren't more than twenty-five in Sandel, and I didn't detect any drugs. They seemed to be acting as eyes and ears for the cult. And you are one of their interests. I don't see them as a threat, more like our Shadow Spies but without the training."
