Deadly Fate [Book 1 of the Teadai Prophecies] Page 13

  “That’s it,” Haranda said, and Saldia jumped. “I think your Energy is that of a mind-healer.”

  Maesa gave her a questioning look.

  “Thad is a body-healer. He heals the flesh. You feared your shoes and stockings would drift away, get lost. Since there was no person for you to focus on during the calling, you tried to rescue the closest object. And by the way you just showed concern for Saldia, I would wager my own boots you’re going to be a mind-healer.”

  “Makes sense to me.” Thad rubbed at his lined forehead and narrowed eyes on Maesa. “I might be able to help you with your si—your Energy.”

  Haranda placed a hand on the man’s arm. “Yes. But first, this youngling has a sore backside that needs healing.”

  Thad grinned, and Maesa’s face turned bright red, obvious even in the firelight. “Don’t worry, I don’t have to touch you there. That a fact.”

  Saldia didn’t think the girl’s face could get any brighter, but it did and she couldn’t resist saying, “You really shouldn’t tease the child like that, Thad Macwinnough.” This sort of bantering had been part of tavern life and Saldia was good at it. “What if her mother were around to hear you?”

  Thad’s face drained of color and he gave her a startled look. “I thought Maesa was marriage age.”

  “She is,” Haranda assured him, and he let out a relieved breath, which sent Saldia into laughter. The Gypsy glared at her. “How about coming with me, Saldia.” It wasn’t a question, and she found herself on her feet and herded outside before she could stop laughing. “If you intend to start trouble for your own amusement, I’ll find something to take your mind from it.”

  That sent her into more laughter and her eyes blurred with tears. This merriment felt wonderful! A sharp pain found her leg. Haranda was making good on her word. She hopped around at the pain but couldn’t suppress the chuckles. The Gypsy glared at her so she sobered and held her hands up in defense. When she glanced around, she realized Haranda had brought her halfway to the water and it was completely dark now.

  “All right. All right. My apologies. I just couldn’t resist. What Thad said made me long for amusement. Maesa needs to grow up. I like her but she’s very flippant around me sometimes. And Thad’s face was priceless when he thought her too young for his jests.”

  Haranda crossed her arms. “I like you, Saldia. And I know you had a different upbringing than the others. But I can’t abide trouble. Not when we’re so close to the Land of the Goddess. I need one of you girls to help me out. Otherwise, I’m a lone mother hen with a clutch of unruly chicks under my feet. I can excuse Thad’s jests. He’s very serious on most occasions. The Goddess has been extremely hard on him. But you’re older and I expect you to set an example for the others.”

  Saldia stared at the Gypsy. Older? Than Thad? “That can’t be. He looks—”

  “I know he does.” Haranda raised her fingers and an orb popped out of nowhere just above her head as she walked toward the water. Saldia followed. “He had to go through a lot of pain before he learned to control the Energy.”

  “How old is he?”

  “Twenty-one in two moons.”

  Saldia shook her head. “That’s unbelievable. I’m three years older.” Blazes! Was anything certain anymore?

  “Yes. And I need you to behave that way. The boy hasn’t had a lot of guidance in the Energy. He needs sisters more than lovers right now.”

  Saldia’s face grew hot. Why? She hadn’t blushed this much at the taverns, even when men teased her womanhood and whispered naughty things into her ears.

  Haranda stopped and hooked an arm in Saldia’s. “I know you’ve had a tough life. A tavern is no place for a young girl, and I suspect you worked in one even as a child, but you’re strong. I felt your strength the first time we met and I’ve been watching you. You’re going to be a powerful Gypsy someday, and behavior like what you show with the others can be dangerous.”

  Saldia took a misstep but Haranda supported her. “You’re strong. But you’ve been a Gypsy for years.” She eyed the woman sideways. “At least, you seem to have been working with the Energy a while.”

  Haranda nodded but her orb didn’t waver.

  “How can I be strong? I haven’t had the calling, yet, and I’m nearly as old as you.”

  The Gypsy gave her a sideways look and Saldia’s mind pulsed with realization. “You’re older than you appear.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  That was all Haranda said on the matter and Saldia didn’t have the courage to ask more but she studied the Gypsy. Haranda could be a few years older than she first thought. Some women held their youth longer than others, especially those from a soft life. And despite the color on her skin, Haranda acted very much a privileged woman.

  “The Goddess calls when she knows you’re ready, youngling. You will be powerful. That’s why you must take care with the others.”

  “You’re afraid I’ll hurt someone.”

  Haranda sighed. “It has happened before.”

  The shock must have shown on her face. “I would never—I mean, I taunt people and I can be coarse. But I wouldn’t hurt them the way you’re talking about. I wouldn’t!” She started to bolt toward the pier, but Haranda had her arm in an unusually strong grip, especially for a woman.

  “I know you don’t want to harm anyone, Saldia, but we don’t know what the calling will bring. I will watch you. Closely. There’s no need to be angry with me for that. You won’t go running off to the rocks or anywhere else without permission. Do you understand?” Her face was hard beneath the light of her orb and those eyes stripped Saldia to her bones.

  I’m not your servant. “What? Now I’m your prisoner?” Why did she want to run away so badly? It always seemed that way. The thing she was told not to do was always what pulled at her, though she had learned early on not to give into her whims, they seemed unusually strong right now.

  Haranda smiled and released her arm. “You’re no one’s prisoner, Saldia. Think of me as your older—sister.” Those dark eyes narrowed dangerously and pushed right through Saldia’s skin until she shivered. “A sister who expects obedience.”

  Saldia’s heart raced but that angered her too. “You’re not my sister, Haranda Banwidden. And I’m the oldest here, next to you.”

  “Someday, we’ll be sisters under the Goddess. You will obey me, just as Thad and the others do. Especially when we cross into the Means. I will not lose any of you.”

  A sudden chill found Saldia’s back and she shivered again. “One of us could die?” She’d never thought of the Energy killing a Gypsy.

  “Strong, untrained Gypsies are especially vulnerable in the Means.”

  “So, the Goddess will give me more Energy than the others, but that will make me more susceptible to death?” She gave a bitter laugh.

  “I know it sounds unfair. Once we enter the Means, we’ll be dealing with the Energy in its purest form. Zarenia has told me of her venture here. And I’ve been in touch with kin who have already made the trip home.” That was all she offered on the matter.

  “What about you? Won’t you be as vulnerable as me?”

  Haranda cocked her head slightly and shrugged. “Though I’ve never been to the Land of the Goddess, I’m experienced with the Energy.”

  Saldia studied her. “Will I be stronger than you?”

  “Somewhat.” She didn’t sound ashamed or distraught about that.

  Saldia smiled. “So, I go from simple, tavern wench to powerful Gypsy.” The thought excited her despite the consequences and she turned a cartwheel right there on the beach with only Haranda’s orb for light. She hadn’t done that in a long while and it felt wonderful.

  When she was on her feet again, Haranda seized her arm. “That’s exactly the behavior I don’t want from you right now.” A smile crept onto her thin lips. “At least, not in front of the others.”

  Saldia enjoyed amusing the woman but she still bristled at being treated like a child. Haranda had told her
to act a woman and then tied an apron string on her. “Yes, Mistress Haranda. Anything you say, Mistress Haranda. May I bring your slippers, Mistress Haranda?” Saldia couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Not now. The Gypsy’s hand came up and something snapped against her leg causing her to yelp.

  “You won’t be that much stronger than I am, Saldia. It will take a while to control the Energy once you’re called. And I will always be older.”

  Older didn’t give the woman the right to order Saldia around like some disobedient child. She raised a brow. If she were fast enough and caught Haranda off guard...she took a step toward the Gypsy, reaching for the woman’s hands.

  Stand still, arms down. Saldia stopped, planted her feet, and stood with arms at her side. She wanted to run—no, she wanted to stand like this. Like a statue. Look at me, Saldia. Her eyes found the Gypsy. You will obey me, youngling. What was happening? You can’t move, youngling. You may attempt it.

  Saldia tried to move but her body didn’t respond. Frustration filled her at the paralysis and she cried out. Her mouth and eyes seemed to be the only things responding, though she could only make sounds not words. Frustration soon turned to fear that settled in her gut like a cold stew. What if the Gypsy trapped her like this forever? Unable to move. Unable to speak. Tears leaked from her eyes at the thought. Suddenly, her legs gave out and she dropped to the sand.

  She looked up at the Gypsy. “You used the Energy. The urging.” This was much more intense than what she had experienced back in Makrilon, much more frightening.

  “You will obey me, Saldia.” You must. I can force you to do as I say, but I prefer to have you do as you’re told without wasting precious Energy. No more childish games. The calling will be upon you soon.”

  There was no apology this time. Haranda had held her in the urging and not apologized. A new respect for the Gypsy swelled as she struggled to her feet. She swallowed hard to moisten a throat that had gone dry. “I will obey you, Haranda.” What choice did she have? The Gypsy nodded solemnly and headed toward the cave, while Saldia stepped quickly to keep up with her. She counted her steps the entire way back and told herself that she would never again underestimate Haranda’s powers.

  Chapter 12

  Adelsik tossed her pebble against the cave wall, while Nym prattled on about the fish he had caught with Thad that afternoon. The boy had worked on his Energy lessons in the morning, so he had the rest of the day to play. She nodded absently at his tale but her attentions were on Haranda and Saldia. Something was going on between those two. The tavern wench trailed the Gypsy like a pup and obeyed her as a chastised child would her mother. Saldia usually took every chance to show her wit, usually with lewd jokes, which Adelsik found unbecoming. The vulgar woman couldn’t be a virgin, not with a mouth like that on her, and Adelsik had been brought up to avoid loose girls. But this behavior disturbed her even more. The others had become irritable just before the calling. Perhaps it was different with Saldia. Perhaps the calling made the tavern wench amiable.

  Adelsik rubbed her neck and stretched her head from side to side before letting out a vicious yawn. She hadn’t slept well since the first night here, and not just because she missed her family. Nightmares woke her on at least three occasions a night now, leaving her irritable in the morning. No one else had been awakened by her silent screams, for which she was grateful.

  Her eyes fell on Zarenia. The refined woman demonstrated her sparking Energy to Haranda, who looked on like a proud parent, as Saldia sat nearby, watching in silence. Zarenia sliced several pebbles with her fingers, when she wasn’t yelping and shaking her hands out, without actually touched the tiny rocks. At least, not that Adelsik could see. The only things she could observe were the orbs, which hovered around both harnessing women. Zarenia’s two orbs quivered while Haranda’s never faltered.

  Things Zarenia had said about her voyage here were disturbing. Adelsik wasn’t supposed to eavesdrop. Respectable girls kept to their own business. But listening when she shouldn’t seemed one thing she was good at. In fact, nearly every time she was punished as a child it was for listening to some conversation when she was supposed to be attending to studies.

  Nym tapped her arm. She absently threw her next pebble then turned her attention back to Zarenia. The fair-skinned woman had previous training in the Goddess Energy from an old, swamp witch, and nearly lost herself on her journey here. Adelsik shivered at the thought of dying helpless in some otherworld, alone, not knowing the real from the unreal, much like being trapped in a dream. Or a nightmare.

  “Enough for today, youngling.” Haranda held a hand up until Zarenia’s orbs popped out of sight.

  The refined woman’s eyes widened but she quickly recovered. “Will you teach me that?”

  “Later. Go take a walk.”

  “Yes, Haranda.” Zarenia gave a reserved smile and stood with grace, which defied the men’s clothing she wore. Then she headed outside.

  “Kal.” Haranda merely said the girl’s name and she came trotting.

  The listener still wore her braided hair wrapped around her head and seemed to enjoy wearing breeches as much as Eletha. What mother would allow her daughter to wear such inappropriate attire? And her tattoo, a chain of some sort encircling one wrist, still intrigued Adelsik. Kal was quiet but could be as brazen as Saldia when she wanted. At least Haranda had forbidden her to use the disgusting knife she wore at her belt.

  “Yes, Haranda?” Kal said.

  “Help Nym with his bath.”

  That got the boy’s attention and he flopped onto his backside, dejected. “Aw, Haranda. I don’t need a bath. That not necessary. I had one yesterday.”

  Adelsik grinned at the dirt that spotted his hands, arms, legs and face. He seemed to get dirty as soon as his bath ended each day.

  “You heard me, youngling. Bath.” The Gypsy narrowed eyes on the boy and pointed an arm to the cave entrance.

  “Yes, Haranda.” Nym looked as though it were the worse punishment he could imagine. But he obediently took Kal’s outstretched hand and left the cave.

  Adelsik picked up his game and put everything back into the little, leather pouch.

  “Yes,” Maesa said. “I see that now. Thank you, Thad.” She tugged at her boot laces. The woman’s other boot had washed up on shore the morning after she lost it. One stocking had been found wrapped around some beached seaweed but the other they never located. Each of the women carried extra stockings from Mistress Flindering, so Maesa was dressed properly again.

  The two healers had been running through exercises all afternoon, with Maesa protesting about how difficult it was to decipher thoughts from memories. She even vomited a couple of times. Not near as much as Henny, though. The poor girl lost her stomach whenever Haranda helped her focus her calming Energy, which was usually practiced on Eletha. The fiery-haired, little woman had her temper back in full and grumbled about the scarcity of trees on the beach. Haranda finally sent Eletha outside and told Henny to lie down. The youngest girl still slept near the fire.

  “Enough for today,” Haranda told Thad and Maesa. “I don’t want the two of you so weary you can’t stay awake at night meal.”

  Maesa frowned at her. “But I almost have this one, Haranda.”

  The Gypsy gave the younger woman a dark look, which made her squirm. “I said, enough.”

  “Yes, Haranda.” Disappointment colored her voice and the familiar pout formed on her thick lips.

  Adelsik’s head ached and she decided to take a walk before night meal. Tonight was her turn to help Thad fish. She truly loathed that chore. Thad was nice about it but she abhorred touching the filthy creatures, though they didn’t taste bad when cooked, even by Saldia. Girls didn’t do such disgusting work as fishing. At least, they weren’t supposed to. What Adelsik wouldn’t give for just one servant right now. She stood and Haranda crossed in front of her with Saldia on her heels.

  “I want to go to the pier, Haranda.” Saldia’s tone reminded Adelsik of a pleading child.r />
  “We have to shake out the bedding.” The Gypsy’s eyes drifted to the tavern wench’s bare feet. “And you need to put your boots on before going to the pier.”

  “I like to walk the rocks barefoot. The tide’s still out.”

  Haranda focused on the tavern woman and planted her hands firmly on her hips. “Those rocks are sharp, Saldia. Thad doesn’t need to do any healings today, and I don’t have enough herbs to waste them on injuries from foolish behavior.”

  Saldia’s eyes flashed for just an instant. “Whatever you say, Haranda. I’ll wear my boots.”

  Not desiring to get in the middle of whatever in the name of the gods was going on between the two, Adelsik ducked out before she removed her own boots and stockings. Despite her proper upbringing, she liked the feel of the warm sand beneath her bare feet. Besides, it kept her shoes and stockings cleaner. Her mother and her nursemaid would have admonished her for this kind of behavior.

  She briskly walked the opposite direction from the pier. The sun was glaring today, which didn’t help her headache or her mood, and she headed for the shade of the nearby cliffs. Eletha stood near the cliffs, fingering the few tree roots and branches that jutted out. A smile lightened her face and she looked much like a mad woman. A mad woman in boy’s clothes.

  Adelsik clicked her tongue and sought a shady spot some distance from the treewalker, but not past the tall, ruin stone Haranda had given them as a marker. She had no desire to draw Haranda’s attention, especially after seeing her with Saldia. She sat on a flat rock, wrapped her skirts around her legs for warmth, and dug her toes into the cool sand. With head rested on her knees, she closed her eyes and let the waves lull her to sleep.

  When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing on the beach. The colors were vivid, inviting. A short girl floated just above the sand. A girl with wavy, blonde hair down to her waist. Henny? Yes, it was Henny. What was she doing? How was she doing it? “Henny!”

  The startled girl whipped her head around to Adelsik and immediately fell. As she hit the sand, she disappeared. Adelsik’s head came up and she found herself sitting on a rock near the cliffs with her toes pressed into the sand. She stared out near the water but Henny wasn’t there. Just a dream. She had fallen asleep. Well, that was expected given her restless nights. But the dream seemed so real. Her head throbbed and she rested it on her knees again.