Deadly Fate [Book 1 of the Teadai Prophecies] Page 18

  “Yes, Haranda.”

  Being alone would be nice. Visions always made him pull away from people for a short while. He wondered if Haranda knew. Of course she did. She’d been a Gypsy for many years. He smiled at Maesa, who studied him as though he were a puzzle in her hand, and she blushed. Those sharp features made her look much like the hawks, which frequented Tandiar Province. An embarrassed hawk. Thad drew his eyes away, turned, and headed to the water. He smiled when he heard Haranda call Nym back.

  A seabird cried overhead and he glanced at it, squinting at the morning sun. Clouds moved in the distance over the water and he wondered if they would bring rain.

  Once at the water, he removed his boots, stockings, tunic and breeches and placed them on one of the large pier rocks. He stepped out of his underbreeches and put them on top of his clothes, then tossed the lace from his hair onto his boots. He waded out to his waist, sucking in breaths at the cold water against his man parts. Quickly, he scooped sand up with the soap and scrubbed every part of him clean. This water wasn’t as refreshing as a lake bath because it always left him feeling sticky, but he dipped under the waves and scrubbed his hair and scalp.

  Once he felt he had bathed long enough, he stepped onto the sand where the warm sun and cold breeze fought for his senses. The ocean was bright as he faced the endless water, keeping his back to the cave. If Maesa blushed at a smile, she would certainly faint if she stepped out and saw him in his altogether.

  That thought made him chuckle. Despite his desires, he had never bedded a woman. In Solinar, any man and woman who bedded each other were forced to marry. The girls in Thad’s village didn’t fear him, but they shied away from marriage with someone who had the sight. Even though the sight seemed unpredictable in its victims, rarely taking more than one or two from the same family line, they didn’t want their children to suffer. Thad had no idea if any of his long-dead ancestors ever had the sight.

  Thad had fantasized about bedding a woman since his adolescence and had purchased a night with a whore once, a beautiful woman who would attract any man’s eye. She had smiled and been attentive once they were alone but it had looked forced, as though sadness lay deep within her, and they ended up talking until late in the night. Her parents had died when she was twelve and there was no one to take her in, so she ended up selling herself for food and shelter. That struck Thad as wrong and he refused to take her to bed. She insisted on telling the tavern master a different story, said he would beat her otherwise, so Thad agreed and went along with her tale.

  Babes were a painful consequence for women when they took a man to bed, and he had delivered two. Had he not used the sight, both women would have bled to death and one infant wouldn’t have survived. The women had screamed and screamed with the birthing pains that assaulted their swollen bodies, until the healing put them out. Both cursed their husbands during the ordeal. Women had knowledge of herbs to keep a man’s seed from planting inside them, but some husbands forbad their wives to use them, at least in many villages of Tandiar Province. Some women there had so many babes their bodies simply wore out.

  When Thad married, he wouldn’t force his wife to bear so many children, though having a lad or lass from his own loins intrigued him.

  He was finally dry enough to dress and took his care before heading back to the cave, wishing he could bed at least one of the women in his group. He forced himself to keep eyes off the women’s curves and sighed. Maybe once they were in the Land of the Goddess, things would be different for a man in need of a woman’s comfort. He could certainly hope.

  Chapter 17

  Waves ebbed and waned and Saldia lay listening with eyes closed for a while. She didn’t remember hurting herself but the fact that she’d slept after Thad’s touch seemed to point to a healing. Nearby, people moved about softly, and more than once, someone quieted Nym. If everyone was inside, it must be late. Had she slept the entire day away?

  Thunder cracked outside, jolting her. No wonder the group had retreated to the safety of the cave. She opened her eyes to the light of five lanterns. Adelsik sat with Nym near a wall. The two were throwing stones. Blazes, the boy loved that game!

  Thad and Maesa faced each other, sitting cross-legged on a blanket, both in deep concentration. Henny sat near them and watched intently, while Eletha had toes dug into the sand and sulked, probably because she couldn’t get to any trees. Orbs hovered around Zarenia and Haranda. Nothing unusual there. What caused Saldia alarm were the streams of yellow sparking Energy that pulsed from their fingertips as each orb was created. They were silent but very visible.

  So that’s what Saldia had been missing out on before the calling. She had wondered just how those orbs were created and how Haranda started all those fires. The others had mentioned sparks but this was the first time she had seen for herself and she smiled. Zarenia’s orbs seemed small and unsteady compared to the Gypsy’s, and beads of sweat stood out on her face. Saldia decided to watch the two at their exercises. Their voices came to her in whispers and she couldn’t hear everything because of the rumbling thunder, only a few words here and there.

  Then Haranda floated five steady orbs, each identical to the other, in various locations around her head. She smiled and nodded to Zarenia. The girl concentrated and soon five orbs, unsteady and of diverse sizes, floated around her, lighting her black hair. She would have looked much like a queen except for the pained look on her sun-touched face. The orbs shimmered and began to wink out until she was left with only three.

  Sweat trickled down Zarenia’s temples and she jerked as the last three popped out of existence. “Ow.” She eyed Haranda. “That hurt.” She rubbed her hands vigorously over her body, concentrating on her arms and shoulders.

  Haranda smiled. “Yes, I know, youngling.” She no longer whispered and Saldia had no trouble hearing her. “Maybe the next time you try to control Energy that’s seasons ahead of you, you’ll think on it first.”

  “You could have warned me.”

  “You insisted you were ready after I told you otherwise.” Haranda’s orbs never wavered.

  The others had stopped what they were doing to watch the exchange. Another clap of thunder rattled the air.

  “So, that was my lesson in humility.” Zarenia still rubbed at her arms and shoulders but less intently now. “Are you certain you haven’t been in contact with my old nurse?” A smile lit her face briefly then she shivered and brushed an invisible assailant from her hands.

  “Your former nurse sounds like an intelligent woman.” Haranda allowed each of her orbs to shrink into nothing without so much as a blink of her eyes or movement of her fingers.

  Zarenia sat with her mouth and eyes widened ever so slightly. “I must learn that, Haranda.”

  “You will. Eventually. But now you need rest and food.” Dark, invasive eyes turned on Saldia. “Your turn. I don’t want you doing too much today but you need to learn a few basics.”

  “Oh, you mean like becoming invisible?” Saldia offered a sly grin.

  “Don’t get smart with me, little shadow.” A tiny quiver of a smile danced on the Gypsy’s lips.

  “Yes, Haranda.” Saldia obediently pushed the covers aside.

  Her dress had been dried and put back on her. She wondered whether Thad had been present when they dressed her and found that thought a bit exciting. She watched him but his concentration was completely focused on Maesa. Besides, he was an honorable man from what she could tell by his earlier actions, and she smiled as she remembered how he had turned away from her nakedness. He knew how to quip with her, though, and she enjoyed the familiar banter she had grown up with in the taverns.

  She crawled from her bedding and stretched. A bolt of lightening lit up the entrance, followed by a crash of unusually loud thunder then a steady downpour. Saldia loved the rain and the thought of running outside crossed her mind. The thought was brief. Very brief when she saw Haranda’s probing eyes studying her. Suddenly, Nym pushed past her at a run and threw himself in
to Haranda’s lap, burying his head against her stomach.

  The Gypsy’s eyes widened for a heartbeat and she rocked the sobbing boy. “You’re all right, youngling. You’re safe in here.” Another lightening bolt and thunder crack caused the boy to burrow closer to her. “The storm won’t hurt you, Nym. It’s just the Goddess’s way of letting us know she’ll water the world. Now you go and finish your game. I need to work with Saldia.” Nym cried harder. Haranda studied the little boy with a vexed expression then forced his head up. “Henny, come here.” The girl crossed and sat near her. “Just a small amount of calming Energy now. Not as much as you use with Eletha.”

  Henny hesitated briefly then nodded and placed one hand on Nym’s back and the other on his chest. She closed her eyes and rubbed his back until he relaxed.

  “Thank you, Henny. Release the Energy. Now, go with Adelsik, Nym. The rest of you continue your lessons.”

  The little boy swiped an arm across his face and walked past Saldia to his game. Henny smiled as she made her way back to the healers, probably proud she didn’t retch this time.

  “Come here, Saldia.” Haranda smoothed her skirts where Nym had been in her lap.

  Saldia crossed to the Gypsy and flopped down in front of her. “I want to learn the urging first.” The things she could do with that power. She had one particular person in mind and gave a brief glance to Adelsik.

  “Those who walk in the shade don’t receive the urging Energy.”

  “Ever?” Disappointing.

  “I’m afraid not, my little shadow.” Haranda cocked her head much the way Kal always did.

  “Why not?” That seemed unfair.

  “The two Energies aren’t compatible. Shade walking keeps you separated from people, distant and hidden. Urging is just the opposite. A Gypsy has to make intimate contact with someone for urging to work, much like a healer.”

  Saldia eyed Thad and Maesa. “I see.” Healing didn’t interest her, never had. “What Energies are compatible with mine?”

  “So many questions. We’ll begin working on what the Goddess has blessed you with so far and let Her decide what you’ll receive.” Haranda took Saldia’s chin in unusually warm fingers. In fact, they bordered on hot. “Trust me, youngling, you’ll have enough to learn over your lifetime.” The hand pulled away. “Shade walking can be very dangerous. Your footprints in the sand weren’t the only reason Thad and I knew where to find you.”

  That surprised Saldia. She had watched them study her prints. “I don’t understand.”

  “Yes, I know you don’t. That’s why you’re a child when it comes to the Energy.” Her face hardened briefly, and Saldia concentrated to keep herself steady under the intrusive gaze. “When you ran from me, your body fluctuated between shadow and light. Which means anyone, Gypsy or not, can see you. Until you learn more about shadow Energy, you’ll only remain unseen when you’re perfectly still.”

  That made sense when Saldia thought back. Haranda couldn’t see her as she hid by the rock. She’d been very still, frozen. And when she ran, well, both Haranda and Thad seemed to know exactly where she was. Her loins burned at the thought of Thad seeing her naked. He must have. She wanted to look at him but didn’t dare in front of Haranda. “So, how do I command my shade Energy?”

  Haranda gave her a knowing smile. “That will come with experience. First you must learn to hold the Energy without fainting. Which you did very well during your calling. Then I’ll teach you to wall your thoughts and keep your essence from intruding on others.”

  Saldia had learned about mental walls and a Gypsy’s essence from the others’ training. “I didn’t faint, did I?” She thought on that. Haranda told her she would be strong. The others had lost consciousness but she stayed awake. At least, until Thad began healing her.

  “I told you your Energy would be powerful. Now, concentrate on reaching into the earth below and pull the Energy into your body. Be patient, still, and you’ll feel it, but don’t be afraid of it. Goddess Energy won’t harm you as long as you go slowly. You may feel a bit disoriented at first, maybe even dizzy because of the strength you possess, but hold on. Those feelings will soon pass. I warn you not to take too much, though. Too much Energy can disorient younglings. Not a pleasant experience, I assure you.”

  Saldia nodded and closed her eyes. Soon she felt the vibration of the Energy below and she pulled at it with her mind, slowly. Soft warmth crept upward through her body until she was filled with Energy. She became aware of the blood pulsing through her veins and every breath that came and went from her lungs. Her mind felt hazy for a heartbeat and she thought she might faint, but she held on the way Haranda instructed.

  Soon, all she felt was power and awareness. Awareness spread through the cave and she knew exactly where everyone sat. Heat from them pressed against her senses. Strange. She couldn’t tell which heat was which person, except Nym and Haranda. The boy was smaller, incomplete. The Gypsy’s heat pressed against her with amazing strength, pushing roughly against her senses. The others were tickling pulses of varying degrees but all of similar size. Even Henny seemed an adult to her senses. There were many tiny things moving outside, beneath the sand, and much more life in the water, cold, biting heat pulses. Blazes, this is invigorating!

  “Enough Energy, youngling.” Haranda’s voice came to her in a rush that nearly hurt her ears. “Hold it there.”

  Saldia held the Energy and the power built inside her, making her feel invincible. The sudden urge to hide threatened to overthrow her senses and she squirmed to fight that impulse.

  “Don’t give in to your desires, Saldia.” The Gypsy’s voice grated at her now. “All right, that’s enough. Release the Energy. Saldia, enough.”

  Reluctantly, she released the Energy back into the earth below and slumped as though a weight pressed down on her. She opened her eyes and gazed at her teacher.

  “Very good, my little shadow. I’m pleased you didn’t try to hide from me again.”

  Saldia nodded. “I wanted to hide, to walk in the shade. I might have if you hadn’t said something to me. Your voice was loud, like water rushing toward me. Then, well, I was annoyed.” She studied Haranda but the Gypsy didn’t seem offended by her statement.

  “That’s what the Energy does. It makes you aware, expands your senses. You’ll learn to pull back enough so voices won’t startle or irritate you. You’ll also learn to keep the Energy within and not give in to the desires it creates.” Those dark eyes sparkled and she didn’t even flinch when thunder cracked outside.

  “That’s not fair at all,” Eletha said from nearby. She had her hands in the sand now and had dug several large holes.

  “What’s not fair, youngling?”

  Eletha stood to her full height, which was shorter than everyone but Nym, and placed hands on the waist of her breeches. “Saldia held the Energy the first try without it seeping out. Why is she so special?”

  Saldia studied the little woman and wondered at her childishness. Eletha had a temper and enjoyed arguing but she hadn’t acted this way before her calling.

  Haranda glanced between the two a heartbeat. “She’s stronger than you, Eletha, and will be for the rest of your lives.” Didn’t sound like a brag, just a fact. The Gypsy then glanced around at the rest of the group. “Younglings, Saldia now harnesses the Energy. She’s stronger and older than any of you. Once she grows beyond youngling status, you will give her the respect someone of her rank deserves.” Adelsik and Maesa’s mouths dropped. “I would suggest beginning that respect now so you won’t be punished later if your actions offend her.”

  The treewalker studied them both with her freckled nose crinkled then nodded and raised a brow. “Thank you, Haranda, for clearing that up.” She brushed the sand from her hands then crossed and stood near Saldia. “Honor to you. Honor for me. Task well done. O’ friend are thee.” She spat in her palm and stuck her hand out.

  Saldia didn’t hesitate to spit in her own and shake hands with the little woman. “Thank
you.” Then she wiped her hand on her clothes in imitation of Eletha. She had noticed the treewalker had a reservoir of rhymes she spouted on various occasions. If she offered friendship, Saldia would accept it gladly.

  Adelsik made sounds of disgust and Haranda shushed her. “That’s a hand grasp of honor and congratulations where Eletha is from, younglings. You’ll learn there are many beliefs different from yours once you meet the others. And when you begin to travel in search of younglings and errants, knowing those beliefs just might keep you from serious trouble.”

  “I don’t care if it is an honor.” Adelsik’s rounded chin jutted out. “Respectable girls do not spit.” Maesa and Henny nodded their agreement.

  Eletha turned on Adelsik. “No need to worry about that. I wouldn’t offer honor to you, fancy girl.”

  “That will do, younglings. I know the Energy makes you irritable and childish, but I’m well trained to deal with such behavior.”

  Adelsik’s large eyes grew even wider and she studied her hands.

  “Better.” The Gypsy focused on Eletha again. “Adelsik’s Energy is stronger than yours, my little treewalker. It’s possible she’ll outrank you once you pass beyond the youngling stage.” Adelsik grinned and Eletha frowned. “However, Gypsy-child Adelsik. Eletha is older than you, so the scales might weigh in her favor. That decision is up to the Goddess, and She will reveal Her choice once you are oathed.” Both glanced at each other and back to the Gypsy, but Haranda seemed untroubled as she smoothed her hair. “What are you doing over there, Eletha?”

  The treewalker twisted and studied the holes she had made. “Looking for any bloody thing that might be growing in this flea-ridden cave.” She waved her hands. “I know, I know, guard my tongue.”

  The Gypsy raised a brow, followed by her hand. A glowing, blue speck flashed across to Eletha’s leg, making her yelp. The little treewalker sulked, dropped to the sand and began digging holes again.