Rai made a hasty retreat to the Waystation, and along the way couldn't help wondering if there was an entire Sept who had this empathic ability. Rai wondered if there was a nonchalant way of asking Jesse about it, but knowing Jesse, that would only pique her already abundant curiosity.
About halfway to the Waystation and after the sun had set, Rai decided to take a detour down a dark, deserted street. None of Az'Unda's three moons had yet risen, adding to the shadows of the night. Rai'd kept looking for anyone following her and hadn't caught sight of anyone, but she didn't want to take any chances. The Waystation was the one safe place for her in the city, and if someone was after her, she didn't want to lead him straight to it. She ducked into a dark doorway and waited.
She didn't have to wait very long. The soft sound of footsteps on the cobblestone street alerted her, and she pressed her back harder against the door. She reached and tried the doorknob, but it didn't budge. The footsteps slowed as he approached her hiding place. He'd followed her! Her heart raced, and sweat trickled down her cheeks. A hooded, cloaked figure passed slowly by, and she held her breath.
By the moons, I wish I could disappear through this door.
After the man passed her location, he slowed and stopped. He stood still, and Rai didn't move a muscle, lest she alert him to her location. Abruptly he turned and backtracked along his previous course. She was certain he'd find her, but he passed by. She poked her head from the doorway in time to watch him disappear down the street in the darkness, his robes flowing behind him, much like those of Temple folk or those of Guardians. Why would this man be clad so?
After a few more minutes, Rai convinced herself that he wasn't coming back. She emerged from the doorway and Rai felt her shirt catch and rip on the wooden door. Wasting no more time, she rushed off toward the Waystation, resolving at that moment to resist any more urges to explore her newfound abilities.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It took Rai nearly an hour to find her way back home along the dark side streets. When she arrived back at the Waystation a man's loud, gregarious singing filled the main dining hall, spilling out through the windows with gut-busting volume. Rai hoped it would distract from her late entrance. Rai swung open the door and encountered a laughing and somewhat intoxicated man leaving the establishment. He laughed harder, very amused at almost walking right over Rai. He stepped aside and held open the door for her to walk through. Rai entered the Waystation and found the hall filled with raucous laughter. No one noticed her entrance.
The source of the entertainment was immediately apparent, despite the smoke-filled space. A dark-skinned man sat on a stool at the far end of the hall, the bright motley colors of his clothing contrasting with the natural lightwoods in the instrument he played. Rai recognized it as a ukulele, and considered it an odd choice knowing they were quite rare. He sang a familiar song, an old dark comedy about a couple that tries to consummate their attraction, but they kept misunderstanding the agreed upon meeting times and dates until the entire town knows what they're up to, including their now aware and irritated spouses. The patrons sang along, drinking more ale, and laughing as the man sang. Rai realized this must be the real Tinker Somnu.
Rai felt a draft behind her--a reminder she needed to change her shirt. Rai headed to her room with only a quick wave to Jesse, who sat in her usual alcove. Jesse raised a curious eyebrow in reply, and Rai waved in quick acknowledgment and shot up the stairs. She locked the door behind her and changed her clothes, selecting a dark blue shirt and matching skirt to wear for the evening. As soon as she finished donning the clean outfit her attention turned to the shirt she'd just removed.
Rai found a small hole in the back, just large enough for her thumb to fit through, roughly aligned with where her right shoulder blade had been. Inspecting the hole, Rai found wooden splinters embedded around the edge of the tear in the fabric, as if it had been ground into the wood. In the back of her brain, an odd tingling sensation grew. Something very important had happened, but she had no words for this. The tear in the fabric signaled an alarm deep within.
A knock on the door startled her, and she had to remind herself that she was safe from the stranger she'd dodged only a short time ago. Answering the door, she found Hilse waiting.
"Mistress Jesse inquires if you will still be eating dinner with her tonight, Mistress Rai." Hilse's face was full of curiosity.
"Tell her I'll be right down, Hilse."
She glanced at the shirt Rai held, and noticed the hole immediately. "Did you need that mended, Mistress? I can have it done for you by morning." She held out her hand.
Rai didn't want to hand it over, but decided it might seem odd if she refused the offer. "Thank you, Hilse." She handed over the shirt.
"Now hurry downstairs, Tinker Somnu is too funny to be missed!" Hilse took off down the hall, eager to enjoy his antics herself.
Closing her door, Rai walked to the mirror, pulled off her clean blue shirt and took a good look at her back. There were no marks or scrapes. How had she torn the shirt, without marring the skin? It just didn't fit together.
Rai suspected that things would get much more complicated, since she still didn't feel comfortable discussing these odd revelations about herself to Jesse or the other Durmah. She put her shirt back on, and Rai resolved to rely only upon herself. With the amnesia, the empathic and scent senses, and her skills with weapons, and this newest...whatever, Rai was nervous the Durmah would turn their ever suspicious natures toward Rai. The plague took the blame for all odd or bizarre ailments, and those afflicted always suffered harshly. Thus, she should hide her issues. She'd keep the knowledge of these gifts, or curses, to herself. Perhaps after she'd resolved new newfound abilities, she'd share what she knew. However, not now, not when there was so much to lose. She'd just have to wait and keep quiet until she made sense of it all.
Rai returned to the dresser and pulled her dart gun out from under a stack of under shifts. She placed it in the pouch on her belt along with her journal--it had just enough room. Placing it behind the larger form of the journal kept it hidden, so that no one would know it was there. After her run in with the man in the market, she just didn't feel as safe, even being at home in the Waystation.
Rai realized the person who'd followed her definitely got a better look at her than she had of him. During her attempt to elude him, she'd walked down roads with streetlamps. Since he'd followed her, he had known her hair color, build, height, the way she walked, as well as what she wore at the time. She hugged her arms to her chest, yet shivered despite a lack of chill in the air. What other kind of advantages might her opponent have?
Rai's disquiet followed her back down the stairs, and she tried to act cheerful, but there was no fooling Jesse. Tinker Somnu sang a tale of lament now, bringing a frown to Rai's lips and brow. Rai joined Jesse in the alcove, and seconds later one of their young wait staff, Zibe, presented her with a plate of mashed tubers and sausages along with some wine. Jesse sat and openly studied her while she ate.
"Sorry I'm back late," Rai said between bites. "The town is bigger than I'd expected."
Jesse met this comment with a raised eyebrow. "So you had a fun if lengthy walk?"
"Yes. I spent some time talking with Headmaster John, and surveyed the goods available at market. The silversmith's work is quite impressive."
"Don't the markets still close at sunset?"
Rai had returned two hours past sunset. "Like I said, it's a big city." Rai avoided meeting Jesse's probing gaze, and felt her own cheeks flush with heat.
Jesse snickered, and then poured herself some wine. "So you got yourself lost?" Well, it was a convenient charade. "Did you at least get a sense for how the streets run, or do I need to send you out with an escort the next time so you can find your way home again?"
Rai blushed, not comfortable lying to Jesse. "I think I have a handle on the town layout now, but I'm sorry I didn't make it to the Weaver's Sept. I went down every street at least twice, so I can re
member them from here on out." Jesse laughed along with her, and Rai breathed a sigh of relief, happy she'd smoothed over her absence.
Applause filled the hall, accompanied by shrill whistling and occasional hoots, and soon the Tinker took his bows and walked toward them. Jesse rose to greet him, extending her hand in welcome, which he grasped before pulling her into a hug. Rai also stood, observing the easy intimacy between the two. Rai realized he must have been sitting with Jesse earlier. A travel cloak hung over one of the chairs in the alcove, and a small pack and case sat in the corner. The Tinker's clothes were even brighter up close, with yellows and oranges predominating. An odd lime green accented at the belt, shoes, collar and buttons. The overall effect left Rai a tad nauseated and dizzy. Only as an afterthought did Rai note his deep laugh lines grooved through his dark skinned face, framed by white, wiry tufts of hair. Rai thought he looked something of a clown, not that she'd say such an impolite thing aloud.
"Well, I presume this is your wayward sister, finally returned?" Somnu greeted them, picked up his case, and carefully stowed his long-necked, hand-carved lute inside it, latching it shut. Rai disliked Tinker Somnu, surprising herself. Perhaps it was her mood, but something about this man set her on edge.
Jesse nodded in response. "Thanks for bringing joy and laughter to our guests, Somnu. This is indeed my sister Rai, newly arrived from Raven's Call. Please sit, drink some wine, and share conversation with us."
He placed his ukulele case back in the corner and pulled out a chair across from them. "Good to meet you, Mistress Rai." He tilted his head with deferential respect. Tinkers held a proper Sept all their own, only very spread out and without large houses in any of the cities. "I trust your meandering was enjoyable?"
"Yes, thank you, I think I have a good grasp of the city now." Rai busied herself eating, hoping he wouldn't engage her if her mouth was full.
"Jesse and I talked a bit earlier. I understand you have some sort of amnesia?"
Rai truly didn't care for this man. Mouth full of sausage, Rai nodded, looking around to see if anyone could overhear them, but she doubted their voices travelled outside the alcove walls. Still, she kept eating and refrained from further affirmation.
"Odd, that amnesia. Jesse asked if I'd heard of it happening anywhere around and about, but I'm afraid it's news to me." He sounded sincere and helpful, yet Rai resisted falling for his easy charms. She didn't understand the drive behind her caution, but trusted her instincts. "Are you sure this isn't the result of head trauma or some other accident?" Jesse observed the exchange, her eyes drawn to her other patrons.
Rai swallowed hard. "I'm afraid I don't know. I don't remember my time before the Temple service after all. I did't have any bruises or scars that indicate an injury."
"Well, you might not have. Those sorts of marks may have healed during the time you spent at the Temple. You haven't had any glimmers of memory surface in the time since you left the Temple?"
"I can shoot a dart gun well, but that's more a skill than a memory I'm afraid," Rai offered a bit too pointedly. Jesse shot her a penetrating look, and Rai wasn't sure if she disapproved of her tone or the information she shared.
"That's not helpful, is it?" he replied, not offended but instead lost in contemplation. "I can do my best to ask around. Sometimes the Septs in the far reaches encounter odd health effects of the plague treatments, and they often don't complain to the Temple healers for fear it's the plague and that the treatment didn't work. I do think the most likely scenario is head trauma, just from what I know of field medicine."
"Anything's possible, Somnu. That's why it'll be so helpful for us if you can keep your ears open," Jesse spoke up. "We'd want to know if one of our own had been harmed, intentionally or otherwise. Especially if the Temples are involved."
"When aren't the Temples involved?" he replied with obvious disgust. "Don't you worry though, I'll be discreet. They'll never even know I'm poking around."
"Many thanks, old friend," Jesse replied. "How long will you be staying in town this time?"
"As always, until the Tinkering is done," he replied with a sly wink. "Seriously though, I won't be in town long this trip as folks don't appear to need me as much as usual. That's all the better for you, because I'll be off and nosing around for you even sooner." He winked and raised a glass to them.
"We appreciate your efforts," Jesse replied, also raising her glass. Rai raised her glass as well, although her heart wasn't in it. The idea of this man hunting around for information about her past and her amnesia didn't fill her with enthusiasm.
Rai finished her meal and decided to excuse herself. "I'm sorry, it's getting late and I'm afraid my feet are hurting a bit from all the running around. I hope you can forgive me, friend Tinker?"
"Oh, dear girl. Please, call me Somnu. We'll have plenty of time to talk over the next couple of days, don't you worry." Could he sense her innate dislike of him? Then she chastised herself; thinking that way was just fostering her paranoia.
"That sounds great, Somnu. Good night to you both," she replied.
"You going to be alright, or do you need something for that headache?" Jesse asked.
"I'm sure a good night's sleep will take care of it," Rai replied.
"Okay. I'll make sure no one disturbs you until midday tomorrow, so you have plenty of time for sleep."
"Thanks Sis." Rai headed upstairs to her quarters, glad for distance from the Tinker. How she'd manage to avoid him over the next few days she wasn't sure, other than she'd find some way. Something about him grated on her, but she couldn't quite place it. Until she could, she had better keep on good terms with him, lest she damage his relationship with her Sept. Not to mention he might prove helpful, and find information concerning her amnesia. Yet, the idea of him knowing the answer to her mystery unnerved her. Rai tried to shake off her anxiety, hoping it was just the stress of the day. After all, he hadn't done anything to earn her suspicion. At least nothing she remembered.
*
Somnu appeared lost in thought after Rai took off upstairs. Jesse chose not to disturb him and instead focused on her patrons, monitoring the mood of the crowd, as was her habit. Rai's mood had been a bit off and though the girl might be odd, even knowing her for just a few days, it wasn't normal for her temper to turn cross. Getting lost must have upset her, even though she'd played it off as a funny mistake.
Somnu spoke. "How long has Rai been in the Sept with you?"
"She's been here a few days with me at the Waystation. There was another week or two before during her adoption and transport here by Stoi and Laan. Why?"
"It will help me to have a rough timeline while I'm rooting around for information. Not that we can know how long she was in the Temple, but the more detail the better." His eyes were unfocused, staring off into the crowd. "Has she acted oddly in any way?"
"How do you mean?" Jesse debated how much to share. She'd known him since her childhood, and yet he wasn't Sept.
"Oh you know, emotional outbursts, bizarre comments, violent behavior, or unexplained reactions, that sort of thing."
Jesse bit her tongue. She didn't want to have to explain any details, including Rai's dream-inspired attack on her brother. She'd prefer including Rai in this conversation, and yet, Jesse was her senior, and the choice fell to her. "She's had some odd nightmares, but that's about it."
"Nightmares? About what?"
"She has these terrifying dreams where she's being chased through a forest. It's unlike any forest I've seen, with immense trees and sparse undergrowth. I've assumed it's a dream metaphor for fear of the unknown, but you should ask her about them next time you talk, she can describe them better."
"I'll do that, but I'm not sure it'll do much good, considering they're not memories but simply some fantasy world. Still, perhaps talking through her fears will help the memories resurface." Somnu sat back in his chair, chewing his lip and knitting his brows. For a moment, his face darkened, and a brief frown passed across his lips.
"What are you debating over there?" Jesse asked. She prided herself on figuring people out, but Somnu always surprised her.
"I'm not sure you want to know what I'm thinking. It's just a stab in the darkness, and I don't wish to offend you." His voice filled with hesitation, and his eyes didn't even meet her own, but instead played over the crowd.
"You never need worry about offending me. I'm as tough as Kait, you know, so get to it." His attitude disturbed her. Somnu never acted this way, and it unsettled her deeply.
Somnu shrugged, giving in to her request. "You need to consider that Rai is perhaps not all she appears to be. I know she's part of the Durmah Sept now, and I would never doubt a Durmah's integrity." He took her hand, and held it firmly. "You know this. Yet without knowing her past you never know what she's capable of." His eyes held hers intently, and Jesse couldn't look away.
Jesse stared back in shock. She'd asked for his thoughts, but hadn't expected anything like this. "You don't know her. You've only spoken with her for a few moments. She has a good heart and she's devoted to our Sept. That can't be faked."
Somnu raised his hands and shook his head, begging off her temper. "I'm not saying she's faking anything or you should doubt her motives. I'm sure she's a very sweet girl, but you can't predict how she will change when those memories surface. There's an element here I don't think even she can predict. The past brings with it allegiances, promises, and debts this girl hasn't had a chance to resolve."
This truth stirred a fear within Jesse, one she hadn't wanted to admit to herself. Rai's past might bring with it a variety of dilemmas. Jesse hoped Rai's memories remained lost, and Somnu's comments strengthened that hope.
Jesse shrugged. "I think you worry too much. Sure, those things may happen, but chances are her past isn't even worth talking about. She can't be more than seventeen years old. What troubles can she have acquired in such a short time?" Jesse refrained from pointing out her own share of troubles at her own not so advanced age of nineteen.
The Dream Sifter (The Depths of Memory Book 1) Page 19
