Deadly Fate [Book 1 of the Teadai Prophecies] Read online

  “What are the Vedi?” Maesa said as she watched the seamstress.

  “They are not a what, youngling. You’ll meet them.” The seamstress finished the last stitch in Adelsik’s dress and cut the thread with a tiny knife.

  “We need shoes.” Adelsik lifted a bare foot. “And stockings.”

  The seamstress looked appalled. “No one wears shoes in the Land of the Goddess, youngling. Now, let me see your curtsies.”

  Adelsik’s fear had come true and she stared at the woman, as did the other two. So, there was no wash day for shoes. Bare feet! Gypsies had the most disturbing customs. How could she possibly go around in bare feet without bruising her delicate soles on twigs and rocks?

  “Curtsies, younglings,” the woman said, a bit impatient. “You do know how?”

  “Yes, of course,” Adelsik said in an indignant tone. Did the woman think her daft? She had learned to curtsy by the age of three. The woman swatted her bare leg with one swift hand and she squeaked with surprise.

  “Well, let’s see them. You can’t go in front of the Vedi without a proper curtsy. They’ll forgive you today because you’re new, but if you flounder the next occasion you’re summoned to the dome, Ved’nuri may not be so gracious.”

  Adelsik and the others demonstrated curtsies three or four times before the woman appeared satisfied and ordered them outside. And it was an order. “Scoot,” she added when they hesitated.

  So much for respect. Adelsik dashed out the door. Henny flew out on her heels and Maesa just behind her. She wanted to take in the now forbidden Energy and wondered if anyone would notice. She decided not to test her luck.

  There were so many people here, men and women of all sizes and shades, but she finally spotted Saldia and the others standing on a dirt path. The ground vibrated beneath her feet and she dug her toes into the lush grass briefly before walking to them. All wore identical dresses, which seemed to annoy Eletha the most, although Kal looked very displeased too. Soon they were lined up and told to follow a large group of Gypsies over a hill toward a white, domed building. Henny jumped, trying to see over everyone, looking for Haranda probably.

  “Stop that, youngling.”

  The familiar voice came from behind Adelsik, and she turned to see Haranda with the white-haired Gypsy. Both wore colorful dresses, the longer style that reached their ankles. There was a brooch with symbols carved into it fixed to Haranda’s tunic. Adelsik had no idea what the symbols meant but they intrigued her. She noticed several other women with similar brooches. Even a few men wore them. She had never known men to wear bobbles.

  Henny squealed as she ran to Haranda and hugged her. “Where have you been, Haranda?”

  “Close by.” Haranda held Henny at arm’s length. “Now, I will be very disappointed if my younglings show such foolishness in the presence of the Vedi. Behave yourself.”

  Adelsik had known Haranda long enough to tell she was serious, despite the lightness in her voice.

  “I’m no longer a child.” A smirk danced on Henny’s lips.

  Haranda’s brow went up. “Care to test that, youngling?”

  “Uh, no, thank you, Haranda. I’ll be good.”

  “You will call her Mother Haranda while you’re still a youngling.” The white-haired Gypsy held Henny in her gaze.

  “Mother Haranda?”

  The Gypsy gave Haranda with an expectant look. Her looped braids swung with her head movement and gray eyes stood out above a prominent nose. The tan on her face seemed to accentuate those eyes.

  Haranda nodded and motioned the others to follow her toward the hill. “That’s right. I’m Mother Haranda to you now.” The white-haired woman looked satisfied. “And you had better obey the rules here, youngling. This is the Land of the Goddess. Our home. You’ll learn our titles soon enough. This wonderful woman is Wren.” She motioned to the white-haired Gypsy who kept strides with her. “Mother Wren to you. She’s an advisor here. Wren was one of my teachers when I first got the calling.” She smiled. “And my clan mother.”

  That would make the woman, well, older than dirt. How was Adelsik to tell who was young and who was old? And she had no idea how much power any wielded with the Energy. And what was this clan mother business about?

  Wren stroked Haranda’s cheek. “Now you younglings pay attention to the others and watch what they do inside the dome. Ved’nuri and Ved’mana want to take a look at their newest charges.” She motioned to Haranda. “If you embarrass your clan mother, you’ll be extremely sorry.”

  Adelsik found herself nodding with the rest of the group. Clan mother, eh? So, Haranda was to be their mother now? This place was certainly confusing, not to mention would most likely scratch on her nerves. She suspected there were going to be many more rules to learn before her stay ended. They made their way down the other side of the hill and toward the domed building. It dominated the area and stood as tall as three barns. She squinted at the whiteness of it. A massive garden, tended to by several men and women, grew just past the building. Several heartbeats later, they arrived at the great dome and entered through a large arched doorway. The marble floor inside was cool on Adelsik’s feet and she no longer felt the pull of the Energy. At least, there would be one less distraction.

  After several Gypsies dressed in peasant clothes, women in green and men in brown, washed everyone’s feet, younglings were ordered into a throne room and separated, women to one side and men to the other, placing the newest arrivals in the back rows. Adelsik couldn’t see over the taller girl in front of her but by the silence and the instructed curtseys and bows, which they held for several heartbeats, the Vedi had no doubt entered. Three gongs sounded and Haranda motioned for them to sit on the cool floor.

  Sitting, even from the back of the room, Adelsik now had a view and she studied the two figures on the gilded throne. There wasn’t much else in the room except the green carpet that led from the door to the throne chairs and the colorful tapestries that hung along the white walls above a row of benches. Two doors at the far wall were closed and she wondered where they led. The beautiful woman on the throne wore the same brilliant women’s colors on her dress but with gilded cord along the high neck of the bodice and the long sleeves. Long, golden curls cascaded over her shoulders. She looked no older than Haranda did.

  The man, as handsome as Adelsik had seen in a while, sat to the woman’s right. He wore tunic and breeches of greens and browns, with braided gold cord waving down the front of his tunic and around the gold buttons. His hair was a black mass of curls and his skin dark. He appeared no older than the woman, yet there was something commanding about him, reminding Adelsik of her father. At least, what she remembered of him.

  Both wore gilded wreaths on their heads and sat on green velvet thrones with gold branches twining up the polished wooden arms. Between the two chairs, sat a podium with a large, round, blue crystal. An enormous domed window above let in sunlight and the white marble floor reflected it around the room.

  An odd little man stood off to the side, near the wall. His tunic had two gold wreaths embroidered on the front, and he held a long, golden staff. Adelsik thought he looked much like a rat with his pointed nose, pursed lips and tiny eyes.

  Two long benches, one on either side, stood against the white wall beneath the tapestries. Five women sat on the right and four men on the bench to the left. They were the only ones, besides the Vedi, who didn’t sit on the floor.

  Her attention turned back to the throne when the crowned man stood. “Welcome, Gypsies, Gypsy-children. Ved’nuri and I invite you to feast after the introductions. Each of you will present yourself for the sake of our newest younglings. Once presentations have concluded, we’ll instruct the new arrivals on what is expected of them here in the Land of the Goddess.” He held out his left hand.

  Ved’nuri took his hand with her right and stood beside him. “Elders first. Then advisors, clan mothers and fathers, then teachers without clans, followed by new-oathed. Finally, clan parents will presen
t their younglings.” The words sounded memorized, as though she had said them on numerous occasions.

  After the Vedi sat on their elaborate chairs again, the little, rat man stepped down the green carpet and motioned to the row of women on the bench. Each crossed down the green carpet, curtseyed, and spoke out her name, preceded by the Elder title. All wore long, colorful Gypsy dresses with a band of gold braid around the bottom and a carved brooch on the bodice. Most appeared in their fifties or sixties but Adelsik wondered just how old they really were. They held themselves regally and she saw reverence in Haranda’s face. Interesting.

  Once the Elder women crossed back to their bench and sat, the rat man motioned to the men sitting on the opposite bench, none of whom appeared any older than the women. Each took the walk, bowed, and announced who they were. Elders, of course. Their breeches had a gold band snaking down each side, and each tunic had a brooch affixed to it. The men moved as eloquently as the women had.

  The Vedi’s eyes riveted back to the women’s side and the rat man moved to the first row of those seated on the floor. Several women, including Wren, took turns making introductions, followed by several from the men’s side. These appeared younger than the Elders but older than Haranda and introduced themselves as advisors. None had gold braid on their garb like the Elders, but all wore carved brooches.

  Then each clan mother took her turn followed by clan fathers and Adelsik paid close attention to their names, though she wouldn’t remember most of them from a single introduction. The teachers without clans were dressed exactly like the mothers and fathers, so there was no way to tell them apart. And there were quite a number of them who made introductions to the Vedi. Adelsik realized none of those wearing peasant clothing were in here. Perhaps they were servants.

  Could my luck be so great that I’ll have servants again? She stifled a sigh at that wonderful thought and brought her attention back to the presentation.

  On to the next row. Seven new-oathed females, wearing the same dresses as the mothers, each with a scroll in her belt, made introductions. Then the five new-oathed males took their turns.

  Finally, rat man stopped beside the first row of female younglings. They stood and each was individually escorted by her clan mother down the carpet. Most seemed fairly confident and all curtseyed with graceful motion. The Vedi asked questions about their clan mothers and dismissed them, and Adelsik listened carefully to the answers. The first row of youngling males stood at the rat man’s presence and each was introduced by his clan father.

  This went on, alternating between the female and male rows. The last youngling in the row in front of Adelsik took her place on the carpet and followed her clan mother, the short Gypsy who had accosted Adelsik when she first arrived. The youngling looked nervous and her curtsy reflected that. Something glimmered from her nose but Adelsik was too far away to make it out.

  Then the youngling said her name, “Bel’keive,” in an unsteady voice.

  Her clan mother looked disappointed.

  Adelsik felt for the youngling, who looked about her age, and her own insides began to quiver.

  Ved’nuri held up a hand. “You will visit me later, Gypsy-child Bel’keive.” Her tone suggested this wasn’t the first time she had made such an announcement. “You’ve been here long enough to learn proper respect. If your mothers and fathers can’t teach you then I will see to it you learn. And as further punishment, you’ll be placed with the newest younglings in Gypsy Haranda Banwidden’s care.”

  Bel’keive lowered her head. “Yes, Ved’nuri. Thank you, Ved’nuri.” Her gaze never left the floor as her clan mother curtseyed and led her to Haranda, who stood and pointed to the space at the end of Adelsik’s row. A small, gold hoop adorned Bel’keive’s left nostril. Adelsik fought at grimace that the glimmer she’d seen had turned out to be something so disgusting.

  Rat man had moved on to the men’s side and, one by one, the clan father for that row introduced his younglings. He was a thin man, who appeared to be in his late thirties. His last youngling demonstrated an awkward bow, and Ved’mana said much the same thing to him that Ved’nuri had said to Bel’keive. He looked just as dejected as the girl.

  The rat man moved next to Adelsik’s row, and Haranda motioned them to stand. The Gypsy nodded to Saldia and led her down the carpet. The tavern woman made a perfect curtsy and announced her name to the Vedi. Both seemed pleased, which annoyed Adelsik. Zarenia, Maesa then Kal followed. Kal seemed upset at the whole idea of curtsies, but Adelsik didn’t think the Vedi would recognize her expression since it was subtle. Eletha tugged at her dress as she took her place on the carpet and made her curtsy. She teetered slightly but the Vedi didn’t call her down for it. She looked very uncomfortable.

  Finally, it was Adelsik’s turn. Her knees threatened to turn to water as she followed Haranda down the green carpet toward the throne. Neither of the formidable couple wore shoes but something glimmered from the woman’s right foot. A toe ring? The Vedi had piercing eyes, more invasive than Haranda’s, that never left Adelsik, and her heart kept a frantic beat against her ribs. She glanced at Haranda and the woman offered a smile and a nod.

  Suddenly, Adelsik’s courage wavered and she wasn’t so confident about her curtsy. Though she had been taught to curtsy at a very young age, she had only done it in public when the royal parade came to her village several years ago. And there were hundreds of people doing the same. Curtsies were for servants. Nevertheless, she made the best she knew how, hoping it was good enough. Her mouth went dry but she managed to announce her name. Not knowing how she made sounds, much less words.

  “Who shelters you?” Ved’nuri said.

  “Mother Haranda cares for me, Ved’nuri,” she said in imitation of the numerous younglings before her.

  “Go with her then, Gypsy-child Adelsik.”

  She had noticed the Vedi used full names for everyone except those at youngling rank. Curious. Was she so undeserving among these people, these Gypsies, to have only one of her names acknowledged?

  This time Haranda made the final curtsy and led Adelsik back to her place. Everyone watched Henny, the last of her row. The girl did well, despite chewing on her bottom lip, and once she came back to her row, Haranda instructed them to sit.

  Then the Vedi’s eyes moved to the men’s side again. Thad and Nym’s row stood, led by a large, muscular man with gray at the temples of his long blond hair. He had announced himself earlier as Xiath Akarda. Some of the new boys were awkward in their bows, especially poor Nym, but the Vedi seemed pleased, nonetheless.

  When everyone had finished, the rat man motioned them to stand. There was a rustle of movement as everyone got to their feet then rat man made his way down the green carpet and off to the side near the wall.

  The Vedi stood and Ved’nuri said, “Younglings will remain in the Land of the Goddess as long as needed for them to learn about the Energy. Each will study with assigned clan parents and teachers and attend to chores.”

  Ved’mana took up where Ved’nuri left off, not missing a beat. “Younglings are expected to obey new-oathed and servants as they would any other Gypsies.”

  What? Servants didn’t get respect? Well that certainly deflated Adelsik’s earlier hopes. The Vedi went on to explain many other inane rules. It seemed everyone was above younglings and Adelsik fumed. She’d expected to be revered once they arrived here, despite Haranda’s warnings.

  Ved’mana finished with, “The welcome feast awaits everyone in the village circle.” He dismissed them.

  Curtsies and bows were held until the Vedi exited and three bells sounded. Once outside, the Energy vibrated beneath Adelsik’s feet once again. She silently followed Haranda over the hill to the village circle. And it was just that, a huge circle of fire pits in the middle of the village between the women’s and men’s housing Adelsik had noticed before, with the three tall, thick poles standing in the center.

  Gypsy servants, those in green and brown peasant attire with colorful waist b
elts, bustled around, balancing pans and platters, under the direction of matronly women and authoritative men. They hadn’t attended the introductions at the dome, yet the Vedi had said they were to be respected, and Adelsik wondered at that. Some men kept the fires going and hustled water buckets from the nearby lake for drinking. A few came from the trees, carrying various weapons and two dead deer. Adelsik averted her eyes as they walked past toward the lake, chatting and laughing among themselves. All the servants seemed delighted with their work. Some even began to play music and sing tunes.

  Gypsies must pay well.

  Adelsik and the other younglings in her clan followed Haranda and Wren to a table. “This is a night of festivities,” Haranda told them. “You’re free to enjoy the food and entertainment. You may dance and converse with the men but don’t sneak off with any of them.” Her eyes focused briefly on Saldia and the younger woman squirmed under the scrutiny.

  Good. The tavern wench could do with some manners.

  “And don’t harness the Energy. Do you understand, younglings?”

  The group nodded but Haranda and Wren glared at them, which earned a round of, “Yes, Mother Haranda.” The two Gypsy women seemed satisfied and walked toward a group of Elders.

  “Finally,” Eletha said through her teeth. “I was beginning to think I’d have to stand like a bloody board the rest of my life.” She rolled her shoulders and grunted. “These bloody dresses are hideous.”

  Before Adelsik could comment on Eletha’s tongue, Bel’keive trotted up to them. “I want to welcome you, sister kin.”

  She looked a couple of years older than Adelsik had first thought and wore her short hair pushed behind her ears. The small, gold hoop still hung from the left side of her nose and Adelsik winced when she saw how the thing protruded right through one nostril. Must have hurt! Bel’keive smiled at them.

  “How can you be happy?” Henny said, voicing Adelsik’s own thought. “After what Ved’nuri told you?”

  “Oh, that.” Bel’keive flicked a dismissive hand. “I won’t report to the dome until tomorrow.” She chuckled. “It’s feast night.” No one said anything, simply stared at her. “I know how to curtsy, really I do. It’s just, when I get in front of the Vedi, my legs turn to mush. I can’t help myself. But I know how to look abashed after Ved’nuri calls me down. Always lessens the penalty. A little anyway.” She smiled again.