Deadly Fate [Book 1 of the Teadai Prophecies] Page 16

  The body-healer leaned over Kal, one hand on her head, the other on her wrist. “Your heart is racing. Take deep breaths. You need to calm down.” He glanced at Haranda. “Is Henny strong enough to do some calming?”

  The Gypsy gave the blonde girl a speculative gaze.

  Before she could answer, Kal said, “I’m all right. Bloody voices.” She sat and glanced around. Everyone gathered to watch and she averted her eyes.

  “What happened, youngling?” The Gypsy sat between Maesa and Zarenia, forehead creased with concern.

  “The Energy rushed into me. There were so many voices, like an invasion. They kept breaking through my wall. I finally blocked them. But I still heard one person’s thoughts. Clear, as though he sat next to me.” She looked tired. “I’m fairly certain it was a man. He smelled like wet dirt.” She shot a frown to Haranda and the Gypsy smiled. “The women here smell like flowers when I hear their thoughts.”

  “Yes,” Haranda finally said. “An earthy smell would indicate male Energy. You touched a Gypsy, Kal.”

  “Then why didn’t he have his wall up?”

  Maesa had learned quickly to wall her thoughts. She for one didn’t like her private affairs on display. Besides, a woman had secrets she told no one, not even her closest kin.

  “He may be a sender. That would explain why you weren’t in control of the Energy. What did you hear?”

  Kal frowned. “Something about finding her, a woman, I think? I don’t know. He kept going on about holding something and keeping something safe. That’s all I got. I think he might have been mad. But there were more voices than his at first. My wall kept crumbling. There were so many bloody voices.” She rubbed at her forehead.

  “Guard your tongue, youngling,” Haranda said, but it was through distraction. “You’re Energy is growing. You got the calling a while back. My guess is you can listen across distances now.”

  “What? No. I don’t want this. Get them out of my head, Haranda. Please, tell the Goddess to take the Energy from me.” She looked so frightened and distraught that Maesa moved closer and caressed her arm.

  Haranda sighed. “I can’t do that, Kal. Once the Goddess calls you, you must serve.” Those dark eyes seemed remorseful, sympathetic. “You’ll learn to block without so much effort. I promise. The exercises I gave you will allow more control of those listening abilities. But that’ll take a while. And you’ll train with other listeners once we reach home. You must be patient.”

  “I have been patient. These bloody voices destroyed my mother.”

  “I won’t let that happen to you.”

  “But how long do I have to wait, Haranda? Two moons? Five seasons?”

  Haranda smiled and stroked the girl’s braided head. “The basic control will come soon enough, but you’ll never stop learning. You’re a Gypsy. That makes you a servant of the Goddess. She’s good to us, I promise, but we need guidance at first. That’s why I came to find you. All of you. Goddess sakes, youngling, I’m still learning and I’ve been at this for eighty-seven years.”

  Maesa stared at the Gypsy. Henny gasped and clamped a hand over her gaping mouth, looking as though she would faint. Maesa exchanged brief looks with Adelsik then studied the Gypsy’s face. There was youth there. A couple of freckles and even a tiny blemish adorned firm skin. No wonder she had reminded Maesa of the elder women. Then she took a great chance and asked a burning question. “How old are you, Haranda?” Her throat felt dry and her words just above a whisper. Her nursemaid would have punished her for such rudeness.

  Haranda narrowed her eyes and Maesa thought perhaps she had made a grave error, but the eyes lightened. “My body’s aging slowed when I wasn’t much older than Saldia. But I’ve been in this world...let’s see...” She looked as though she counted in her head. “One-hundred and four years now. Yes, that’s right.”

  At that, Henny did faint. Thad was quick and at her side before the sand settled. Maesa glanced at Adelsik’s widened eyes then turned her attention on the man. His lined face made him look years older than Haranda. To have lines on his face, he must be ancient. Eletha chanted something but Maesa didn’t catch the words. Nym didn’t seem to care one way or the other as Haranda helped him into his mended tunic.

  This time Kal asked the question burning in Maesa’s mind. “And Thad? Is he, what, two-hundred?”

  Haranda chuckled and touched Thad’s arm but he simply smiled. “He will be twenty-one very soon. He harnessed the Goddess Energy for years without assistance and the strain aged his body.”

  Surprising.

  “So,” Kal said. “If you hadn’t found us, we would look like Thad, eventually? Possibly even older?”

  “Perhaps. But he’s stronger than most. And able to heal himself. Gypsy errants, those who work the Energy without training, don’t usually survive long.”

  Maesa gaped at the realization that Haranda had saved her life. Her thoughts turned to Evin. The old witch had no one to train her. Perhaps she wasn’t as old as everyone thought. Could she have been only a few years Zarenia’s senior?

  Henny came to and Thad supported her until she sat without swaying. Maesa scooted closer to the youngest girl and Henny leaned against her. Nym caressed the girl’s arm.

  Haranda looked amused. “Are you all right, youngling?” She pushed her long hair behind her back.

  “I think so.” Henny hesitated then added, “You look wonderful for your age, Haranda.”

  “Thank you. I feel wonderful. For my age. And quite strong.” A brow went up at Saldia then Adelsik. “Have you two finished night meal?” They glanced at each other and flew back to the fire without so much as a muttered complaint from Adelsik, which seemed to please the Gypsy. “Well now.” She studied the two. “Perhaps I should announce my age more often. Seems to keep my younglings at a brisk pace.”

  “So,” Eletha said with a sly look, “should we call you Grandmother?”

  Haranda pulled her back straight and narrowed dangerous eyes on the little woman. “You do and your hide will suffer.”

  Eletha flinched, which also seemed to satisfy the Gypsy. Satisfied Maesa too. The little woman had done nothing but squabble and threaten her since they met, though she had to admit, she enjoyed the bantering somewhat.

  “You will call me Haranda. For now.” Her last comment sounded cryptic. She turned back to Kal. “You keep practicing with that wall, youngling. I’ll try to break through it tomorrow. You had better learn quickly how to keep me out. It will save you a load of headaches.”

  “Yes, Haranda,” Kal said, obediently. Green eyes flicked to Zarenia then Maesa.

  Why did the Gypsy have to be so old? Maesa was taught to respect the elderly, to care for them, keep them safe. Despite Haranda’s youthful appearance, how was she ever to think of the woman as a sister under the Goddess and not an elder who needed village protection and assistance? And just where would that put Maesa in the whole Gypsy line? Somewhere near the bottom, she imagined.

  “If any of you has the idea my years make me as old and feeble as a middling, you’re sorely mistaken. The Goddess gives long lives to those she calls. Very long lives. Compared to some kin, I’m no older than Saldia.”

  So much for treating her as a doddering old woman.

  Chapter 15

  The next morning Saldia woke before the others and slipped out. The salt air was brisk and the beach full of shadows from the rising sun. In bare feet, she headed away from the rocky pier. Haranda would be angry she had left the cave without permission but she didn’t care right now. She wanted to stand in the water, on the beach, near the cliff, anywhere, as long as she was away from the others. Besides, she doubted a sleeping Gypsy could sense anything.

  Haranda was waiting for her to get the calling before they could make the journey to the Land of the Goddess. Saldia was the only one now who couldn’t harness the Energy. Perhaps this was all a mistake. Haranda had been around a long while, granted, but no one was without mistakes. The woman’s age had surprised her,
shocked her in fact. She’d never guessed the Gypsy to be much older than thirty. Haranda was more than three times that.

  Saldia stopped and tucked the length of her skirts into her belt, leaving her legs free. How good it felt to have her bare feet in the sand. She counted shells as she walked along the beach, some lying on top, other half buried.

  Too bad they had let the horses go. She thought if she had one now, she would ride forever up this beach, travel so far and fast no one, not even Haranda, could catch her. Obeying the woman, getting permission just to leave the cave, chafed, and she ran as fast as her legs could manage in the soft sand. Running felt good. It felt right. Once on the wet, packed sand, she had an easier time and stayed near the water as her feet carried her farther from the cave and past the marker.

  Blazes, it felt good to run, the wind blowing her hair, caressing her bare legs. Sea birds called out from above the waves and she watched one dive for its morning meal. Harder, faster, she ran until she could barely make out the area of the cave. Only then, did she stop and rest. Her lungs burned and her cheeks stung from the cold air. For now, she was free of Haranda and the others. Free from rules. Free from tavern mistresses and bawdy, unwashed men. Free! She stepped into the approaching waves and sucked in a breath as the icy water licked her feet and ankles. How invigorating! She squealed and kicked sprays of water.

  Oh, to dive into the sea and disappear from everything. Saldia could swim, had learned in a lake as a child, but that water had been calm, not violent like the sea, so she kept to the shallow waves. Perhaps she could go far enough up the beach, where Haranda couldn’t detect her, and hide somewhere. That thought excited her and her heart kept a frantic pace. Grinning had never felt so good, either. It had been a long while since she was truly happy.

  Perhaps someday she could find a loving husband and settle by the ocean. She envisioned herself in the arms of a young, handsome man with piercing eyes and a gentle touch. His strong arms would enfold and protect her. They would make merry in their bed, laugh and please each other endlessly. Saldia longed for such a man but not many found that kind of love. She’d seen too much of the harsh world. A man who paid his debts and didn’t beat her would probably be her best future. But the dream man danced in her mind and she relished him.

  With another step, a sharp pain stabbed her stomach and she doubled over, taking an involuntary step back. The pain disappeared. She suck in a long breath and let it out before taking a step again. Again the sharp pain in her gut. It went away as soon as she stepped back. After her third try, she knew she wasn’t ill. Bloody, bloody, Gypsies! Haranda must have put a spell on this place. That’s why she ordered them not to stray from the marker. Saldia couldn’t run away. Not with that intense pain in her gut.

  No matter. She was free for now. She longed to be free of everything in this world, her worries, the Gypsy, the other younglings, even the fabric that bound her. Then, in a sudden fever, Saldia stripped off her clothes, giggling all the while. Her thoughts seemed to jump from wanting freedom to a desire to hide and she couldn’t keep still.

  She thought she heard someone call her and immediately dropped down in the cold water to make herself as small as possible and glanced down the beach. Two figures moved about just outside the cave. By the color of the dress, she was certain one was Haranda. The other was obviously Thad. When the two turned away from her, Saldia grabbed her clothes and dashed toward the cliffs. She hoped the Gypsy wouldn’t see her and squatted behind a large rock. Blazes, this was exciting! Her body shivered from the cold air against her bare, wet skin but she didn’t care.

  She stifled a giggle as she remembered a game of Pursue the Thief she had played with her cousins. Seemed so long ago, but she still remembered the thrill when she stole the rag from the tree and managed to stay hidden for nearly half a day before her cousins found her.

  The figures near the cave headed her direction. She would have to stay put. If she were quiet enough and kept her head down, perhaps she could creep around this rock enough to stay out of sight. Worth a try. Oh, she felt like a child again. But her clothes. How was she to get into them without notice? The thought passed and she quickly dug a hole just under the large rock and stuffed them out of sight. Perhaps she could bury herself and leave just enough room for her nose to stick out. No one would notice her then.

  As the figures came closer, she clearly made out Haranda and Thad and her heart raced. She thought the sand below her vibrated slightly but it must have been her imagination.

  Stay put, she willed herself. They won’t see you.

  The two came closer. “You certain she went this way?” Thad said.

  “Yes. I can feel her, remember? She’s here somewhere.”

  Saldia stifled a curse. How could she have been so stupid? Of course, the Gypsy could feel her. That’s how Haranda had located her in the tavern. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Still, it did nothing to change her mind, which seemed to race between thoughts of hiding and the urge to run.

  They won’t see me. She crept around the rock as the two walked toward her hiding place. Don’t let them see you, Saldia Trich. She felt giddy and everything around her seemed to pulse with excitement. She thought she could actually feel heat from the two.

  Haranda put a hand on Thad’s arm and they stopped. “She’s close. Saldia? Where are you hiding?”

  Saldia’s heart jumped with excitement and she clamped a hand over mouth to keep from giggling.

  The Gypsy stepped closer. Saldia squeezed her eyes shut and remained motionless, but somehow she knew exactly where the two stood. Her heart pounded in her ears.

  “Do you see any place she could hide?” Haranda said.

  “No. The water? That a good place to hide.”

  “She’s around the cliffs somewhere. I feel her close. There must be a small burrow there.”

  Saldia opened her eyes. Haranda stood an arm’s length from where she crouched. Blazes! She could reach out and touch the woman! When dark eyes looked right at her, she stayed frozen. The eyes moved on.

  “She’s near,” the Gypsy said.

  “I don’t see her.”

  They didn’t notice her. Saldia wanted to do a cartwheel. They couldn’t see her. If she ran—no—Haranda could still feel her, and that bloody pain would attack her gut again, but she might be able to get back to the cave, pretend she’d been hiding there. Might work.

  They won’t see. I’m hidden. She stood and stepped carefully away from her hiding place. She ran a few paces just to see what would happen.

  Haranda turned toward her with a sly grin. “The little snip.”

  Thad gazed in Saldia’s direction, brows raised. “That a first.”

  “Quiet.” Haranda closed her eyes.

  So, this was the game. Saldia would hide. Haranda would feel her and search but without seeing. Saldia could stay ahead and the Gypsy would search forever. Joy! She ran toward the water but when she looked back, the two trailed right behind her. She froze and they slowed. How? Haranda still couldn’t see her. She followed the woman’s gaze and saw them, her footprints in the sand. How could she have been so careless? Of course, she made prints. No way to hide those. Haranda would find her no matter where she ventured.

  “Stay right where you are, Gypsy-child Saldia.” There was a touch of anger in Haranda’s voice now. The Gypsy walked straight to her and reached out a hand to grab her, but Saldia ducked.

  Hah! Still can’t see me. Another reach, another duck. Still free. Still hiding.

  Saldia expected Thad to come for her too, but he waited and watched Haranda. She wanted to laugh. No, she wanted to run. Free! If she ran fast enough—stand still. Don’t move. Yes, running wouldn’t do. Standing was what she wanted most of all. No. She took a step. Be still. Feet planted. Run. Be still. Hide. Show yourself.

  Haranda stepped in front of her. “There you are, my little shadow.” The Gypsy was slightly taller. Such power in her stance, not to mention that intrusive gaze. “You shouldn’t have
run from me.” Dark eyes penetrated Saldia’s skull.

  The woman could see her, right through her, she was certain of it. She felt so naked.

  Thad had stepped away and concentrated on something in the sand. Saldia thought of running fast and hiding again and she moved toward the water.

  Don’t hide. Stand very still.

  She wasn’t prepared for the blue light that surrounded her or the pain that shot through her body. She cried out with the assault but the desire to run was gone. Why? Fire on her skin. She should run from that. Keep still. She screamed. Why did she stand in the fire when there was water nearby? Put out the flames. Make the burning go away. Run! Stay. Would it consume her? The fire must have weakened because the assault vanished.

  The desire to hide came flooding back but Saldia’s legs gave out and she fell onto the sand. Tears flowed down her hot cheeks. Blazes, she was naked! How could she have forgotten that? Her clothes, she needed to get her clothes.

  Haranda crouched over her. “Don’t give in to your desires, Saldia.”

  Run. Hide. What was happening?

  “Stay with me, youngling. I don’t want to hurt you again. Stay with me. Concentrate on me, not on hiding. Do you understand?”

  Why had the Gypsy’s assault hurt so much? Sparking Energy.

  “Saldia.” Haranda’s voice was firm. “Do you need me to keep you from hiding?”

  What? The fire? No! “No,” she managed, though it came out as a hoarse whisper.

  “Good. Look at me, only at me.” Haranda leaned in and took Saldia’s face in her hands. They were warm and gentle. “Please, stay with me, youngling.” Dark eyes pleaded.

  A white light filled Saldia and she gasped at the sudden brightness. She was aware of everything in and around her even more than when she was hiding. Her blood, her breath, the waves, numerous things moving in the water, Haranda, Thad, even the tiny things burrowing beneath the sand. She felt strong, complete. The light vanished and she nearly fainted from weakness.