Sage Truth [Book 2 of the Teadai Prophecies] Page 21

  “I can’t do that, youngling,” Cass said through her teeth. Kal started toward Pim but Cass held a hand up to stop her. Right now, she longed to teach this one a lesson in manners but Siri would probably have her hide. “I’m sworn to keep you safe, Pim. We all are.” The girl stared at her then sank to the ground in a crying heap. Cass knelt with the youngling and held her awkwardly, remembering the Gypsy mothers’ comfort when she had needed it. Then she remembered something Thad had told her. “You’ll be all right, youngling. Just as Nym is all right. He won’t die from using the Energy. We taught him how to control it. And you won’t die, either.”

  Pim’s sobs turned to sniffles. “Nym has the sight. He won’t die? That a promise?”

  Bel’keive squatted close. “Yes, youngling.” One hand stroked Pim’s hair and her nose ring glinted in the light of her orb. “Nym is strong now. He would be sad to lose you, especially since you’re family.”

  “What in blazes is going on down there?” Xiath’s voice boomed through the hole above.

  “Give me a short while, Xiath!” Cass turned her attention back to Pim.

  “I want to see Nym,” the youngling demanded.

  “That’ll have to wait. He’s in a safe place right now.”

  “Death after him too?”

  Cass wanted to roll her eyes and grunt in frustration. “No, youngling. Death isn’t after Nym. But there are others who want to harm us. You’re one of us now and we must protect you as well.”

  “You can’t fight Death.”

  “Death isn’t after you, Pim,” Kal said in an exasperated tone. The tall woman crouched over the three and her orb flickered slightly. “When are you going to get that into your stoneheaded skull?”

  Cass started to reprimand the listener but Pim lifted her face to the other woman. “You sound like my muda.” She swiped an arm across her runny nose. “How do you know Death not after me? I did see him, the bloody skulker.”

  The women stood and Cass dusted off her skirts.

  Kal shrugged. “Elder Siri knows more about that than the rest of us. But if Death wanted you, he would’ve taken you already. Instead, Thad healed your leg and now you’ve made us come down a bloody hole after you.” She let off a few more curses, which didn’t seem to bother Pim in the least.

  Cass latched onto the youngling again. “We’re also going to get you back up to Xiath and the others in one piece.” Pim tried yanked her arm away but Cass had a forceful grip on the girl this time and gave a firm shake. “No.” Pim pulled again so Cass sent a blue spark toward the one of the youngling’s legs. That got a yelp and she forced her face calm.

  Kal cocked her braid wrapped head to one side. “You had better cooperate and come with us, youngling.”

  Pim’s eyes narrowed then her body seemed to lose all fight as she rubbed her leg. “Well, I haven’t seen Death since sunup.” She sucked on her bottom lip. “You certain the bloody skulker not after me?”

  “Yes, youngling,” Cass told her. This was getting old. How did Haranda and the other Gypsy mothers handle working with younglings? Cass couldn’t have been this frustrating to them. She certainly didn’t enjoy this. She suddenly grew more respect for her former clan mother. All the Gypsy mothers in fact. She leaned closer to Pim. “Elder Siri has been a Gypsy for a very long while, centuries in fact.” She fought a grin at Pim’s shocked look. “She knows things the rest of us could only imagine. She can answer your questions when we get out of here.”

  She wouldn’t reveal anything more about Gypsy status unless prompted by the Elder. They were still vulnerable, even if no middlings were about just now. Using Gypsy terms made her nervous enough, even under ground, but Pim needed to learn her place among her kin, whether she was ready to accept that fate or not. And Cass had taken oaths to find, protect and guide younglings, whatever it took.

  The girl finally nodded and didn’t try to break free of her grasp. “You could’ve killed me with any one of those.” She pointed to Cass’s knives. “Or the sigh—the Energy. But you didn’t. I’ll come with you.” She sniffed and ran an arm across her nose again. “Besides, if you found me down here then I have no place else to run. That a bloody fact.”

  Cass pushed down a wave of sympathy and forced Pim to move, making certain the youngling knew who was in charge just now. Once they stood beneath the hole, she and Kal lifted Pim up into Xiath’s waiting arms. The girl was heavier than she looked. Because Cass had led the tiny entourage, she came up last, using a large rock to propel herself to the hole’s edge, where LeChamb pulled her through with a bit of effort. Not that he lacked strength, by any means, but Cass’s hips were a tight fit.

  “Cover that up,” Xiath ordered LeChamb as he motioned to the hole. He turned on Pim. “You have caused us quite a delay, youngling.”

  “That an interesting word. Why do all of you keep calling me that?”

  “Because you’re new to the Energy. A youngling.”

  Pim glanced at the others. “Guess I’m the only youngling.”

  “Right you are about that.” Siri used a crying cloth to wipe dirt from the girl’s face then gave it to her to blow her nose. “You’re Gypsy kin now. And if you run away again, I’ll tie you up and drag you along. Large fingers pinched the girl’s chin. “Am I making myself clear, youngling?”

  The Elder’s glare seemed to cower Pim and she lowered her eyes. “Yes, Elder Siri.”

  “Good. Now let Thad take a look at you. Make certain you haven’t gone and hurt yourself again.”

  Thad moved forward and inspected Pim. “You feel pain anywhere, youngling?”

  “Just my pride.”

  Cass and the others shared amused looks.

  “She good for wear,” Thad finally said. “We should get to the next farm, Xiath.”

  “Yes.” The large man led them back to where Greges and Anais waited with the horses. “The youngling can ride with Elder Siri.”

  Pim sucked in an audible breath. “Women don’t ride horses. That men’s work.”

  Xiath cowered her with a steady gaze. “You’re a Gypsy-child now. You must learn to ride a horse, same as any other Gypsy woman.”

  That got a dingy smile from the youngling. “I always wanted to ride one of the beasts. But my fada and my husband never let me on one. What else do Gypsy women do? Can I have a sword? Or one of those?” She eyed Roone and pointed to the guard’s bow. Cass hid a grin as she and LeChamb helped Pim into the saddle behind the Elder. “I want to learn how to use a weapon, Elder Siri.”

  Siri crinkled her nose. “First, you’ll get a bath.”

  That got a groan from the youngling. “I’m not taking any bath. Get the fever if I take too many.” Pim suddenly squealed and rubbed at her leg.

  “You’ll do as you’re told, youngling.” Cass all but cringed at the Elder’s tone. “You’ll have a bath. Then you’ll learn to harness the Energy safely.”

  “Like Nym learned?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then can I get a sword?”

  Cass caught the exasperated look from Siri and fought a chuckle. The Elder covered her playfulness now that they had a youngling among them again. A shame, really. Cass liked that humorous side of Siri. Kal seemed more amused by the Elder than ever before as she rode beside her.

  “I need a new husband,” Pim said. “Now mine gone.” She eyed Jin and smiled. “You looking for a wife?”

  Siri shook her head, her braids still tied together. “Girl, you won’t be getting a new husband for quite a while. “And we’ll drop the Gypsy terms.” Her eyes became distant for a heartbeat.

  “You sense someone?” Xiath said.

  “Not close but there are people up the river, probably a day’s journey. Jin?”

  The seer nodded in agreement and one hand rubbed the stubble on his head. He had always been a reserved man, even when he assisted classes in the Land of the Goddess. Kal shook her head when Xiath gave her a questioning glance. Evidently, they were too far for her to make out their head voic
es.

  The next three farms sustained little damage but the middlings had been killed, bodies strewn everywhere, probably cut down while attempting to escape. By lunch, Cass had seen more than enough carnage to last her entire life. Pim and Bel’keive emptied their stomachs numerous times. The group didn’t bury the dead, though. They simply rode on in search of the ancient text.

  By evening, they passed through abandoned Jaspin and got to the edge of Bren. Xiath ordered everyone off their horses and they walked the remainder of the distance, with the men leading the mounts. Since they were hidden by trees, they could watch without being noticed. This village looked much like Cass imagined the others had when there were people in them. This one had what appeared to be a village square, complete with a barrel shop and trading post, and middlings went about dinner chores without interruption.

  Cass had been walking next to Thad the entire way and now stepped between Siri and Xiath. “They don’t have any idea what has happened back there, do they?” She glanced at Pim, who was still a bit pale. The youngling offered a weary smile.

  Xiath scratched at his cheek and looked around in the dim evening light. “No, they don’t seem to.” He raised a hand to stop the group.

  Why were these people spared? Xiath studied Cass with raised brows and she realized he waited for her input. She took in the Energy, awareness filling her like a raging fire, and allowed it to reach out ahead of her. She could feel nothing above typical small-time cheaters and liars, same as any village. “I don’t sense anything unusual. A few petty thieves most likely, and several who practice untruths. Nothing dangerous.” She caught Pim studying her. The youngling looked nervous.

  Xiath nodded and focused on the listener. “Kal?”

  The listener’s brows went up slightly and she pushed her short hair behind her ears. Cass noticed that she kept it short even though most Gypsy women fashioned waist length or longer. “They’re intently focused on work. Not even stray thoughts. Odd.”

  “Well, they do look busy.” Xiath gave Siri a wondering look, though. “The raiders must have turned off somewhere.” He twisted to look at Thad. “Is there another route?”

  “That not likely, unless they crossed the river. But the forests on either side are too thick for horses to pass. I don’t see how they could’ve gotten through.”

  Cass got an idea. “Perhaps they sold the horses to these people and went on foot.”

  Xiath studied her. “Mmm. I don’t think so. I think they would’ve simply murdered them and stolen what they wanted.”

  He was right and Cass nodded. She must clear her head. She had never needed to think like a raider but wondered if that reasoning would help once she got close to her root father. The puss-ridden, son of a goat!

  LeChamb ran up, his large mount huffing behind him. “There’s a messenger post.” One large hand pointed to a thatched hut with a front path surrounded by wildflowers and a carved wooden pigeon attached to the door. “We should get messages to the others in the morning, Xiath.”

  “Yes. You and Greges find a safe place for the women to stay then join Thad and me with rest of the mounts. We need to find out if these folks know anything. And Jin, make certain no one gets too friendly with the women.”

  Roone shifted her quiver and looked as though she would protest, but Xiath held up a hand to keep her silent. “These villages are run by men. Women riding or using weapons will only make them more skittish of us. You have permission to use your weapon but only if necessary. Try to keep it out of sight. Let them think you and the other women need protection.”

  That put Cass’s hackles up too but Xiath was right. Women here toted laundry and children, not weapons. Roone secured her bow and quiver around her waist and hid them beneath her cloak. Xiath ordered everyone who could harness to do so, except Pim, of course. The youngling lacked proper training.

  As they continued into the populated area of Bren, Cass noticed something else—no one looked their direction. Not a one. She gave a curious glance to Thad, who studied the middlings as well. Even if these people had different ways, strangers never ventured into a village unnoticed. This seemed odd and she let her hand drift beneath her cloak to her belt knife. The middlings continued with daily chores as though nothing else mattered. And Kal had said they had no stray thoughts. Something was off here.

  Just as Xiath and the other men started the horses toward a livery, something blasted against Cass’s senses and knocked her to the ground. She clamped her eyes shut against a brief but intense pain. Her breaths came in short gasps as she tried to get air into her lungs and push the pain out of her thoughts. Once she could breathe again, she opened her eyes and stared up into the darkening sky as nausea built.

  Advancing footfalls caught her ears but when she tried to see who came toward her, her head wouldn’t budge. In fact, she couldn’t move any part of her body except her eyes. The nausea subsided but when she tried to call out to the others all she could manage was a pathetic whine. Urging? Had someone used urging on her? Panic mounted and her heart rapped against her ribs. She still held the Energy and prepared to use it. Other moans caught her ears. What had happened? Son of a goat! Pim’s face came into view and wave of relief flooded her.

  The youngling smiled and leaned close. “Guess you won’t be bullying me anymore.” One hand moved up and came back with a sound slap across Cass’s face.

  She moaned and concentrated on pushing a blue spark into her own hand but the Energy didn’t respond. She held it. Why couldn’t she use it? Why couldn’t she move? And what had gotten into Pim? Why didn’t Xiath or Elder Siri, someone, stop the youngling?

  “Not the brave one, now, are you?” Pim crouched over her. “This one mine,” she told someone out of view. “That a fact.”

  A large man, who looked to be nearing his fifties, grabbed Pim by the arms and lifted her upright, only to give her a backhand across the face that sent her to the ground near Cass. Pim bolted to her feet, hands curled into fists and face red. Cass grunted with anger but no one seemed to care.

  “They don’t belong to you, lass,” the man said. “Get on with you!” She bolted. He gazed with hard eyes on Cass, and she saw a thick scar across his forehead. “I can think of many uses for you, pretty one.” Her mind went back to the day she’d left Bankar and the awful brothers who had tried to take advantage of a woman traveling alone. Hatred swelled and she wanted to plunge a knife into this man’s gut, but she still couldn’t move. Instead, she focused all her hate into her eyes.

  “Ah, you got fire in you. That good. We can use that.” He laughed. “Not to worry, pretty lass. No one going to violate you’re lovely wares. That not why we’re here.” He raised his head and looked around. “Get these Gypsies cleaned up. We can’t use them injured.”

  A woman with white hair and hollow eyes placed an amulet over Cass’s head. It felt cold and heavy against her chest but suddenly she could move and she struggled to sit. The large man pulled her up by one arm and she reached for her belt knife.

  He raised a brow. “We won’t have any of that, pretty lass. Put your hand down.” He rubbed at the stubble on his chin. Dirt smudged his face and hands and his clothes looked as though they needed washing days ago. He smelled sour.

  She lowered her hand, or rather, her hand moved away from her knife. She stared at this gray-haired, brown-eyed man with the scar across his forehead. What power did he have over her? Could he be an errant Gypsy? This couldn’t be binding. There was no green glow of Energy like Siri had used on Thad. Had to be some type of urging.

  The man stripped Cass of her knives, taking much too long to retrieve the one between her breasts, and she stood there in a stupor while he did it, unable to make a move against him. He seemed especially pleased with her breast knife and held it to his nose before shoving it into a pouch.

  When she glanced around, the others in her quest looked just as befuddled as she felt. No one attempted to stop these villagers, if that’s who they were, but everyone was on
their feet. If she could move, could she speak? “Who are you? What have you done to us?” she said at the same time the others vocalized questions of their own.

  “Quiet.” The stranger raised a hand and everyone fell silent. “Just do as you’re told.”

  Cass reached up to touch the amulet that hung on a leather lace, but when she did, the thing shocked her and she jerked her hand back. “Ow.”

  “That not for touching, pretty lass.” The man pulled another amulet from beneath his tunic and held it out on its leather lace to show her. It was crescent shape and had the same markings as the one Thad found in the ruins of his uncle’s farm. Cholqhuin’s followers. His was embedded with dark blue crystals, though. “Ah, pretty lass, you know this symbol.” One hand caressed the amulet that hung just above her breasts. She tried to pull away from his touch but couldn’t.

  “Keep your hands off her,” Thad said.

  The man crossed to Thad and drew his arm back, ready to strike, but lowered it. “Thad Macwinnough? That you, lad?”

  “What?”

  “You look older than you should. Had a time with the sight, did you? Don’t you recognize me, lad?”

  Thad’s face turned from anger to surprise to bewilderment and back to anger. “Don’t give a care who in blazes you are. Keep your hands off these women.”

  “Strong words for someone in your position, lad. If I take a fancy to, I can have any woman I please and you won’t lift a hand to stop me.”

  Thad’s face burned red, and Cass wanted so much to plunge a knife into this awful man’s gut.

  He slapped a large hand on Thad’s back. Part of his left thumb was missing. “Not to worry, lad. I won’t take the women. That a fact. Besides, I already got me a wife. We have more important business here, anyway. I’m hurt you don’t recognize me, though. He cocked his head and smiled. “Shon. Shon Denintrop. I worked on your uncle’s farm when you were just becoming a man.”

  “Shon? I remember you. What in blazes are you up to? How are you holding us like this? You obviously know who I am, who we are. That a fact.”