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

That got audible gasps from Maesa, Adelsik and Henny, a sulky look from Eletha and a grin from Saldia. Kal shook her braid-wrapped head, and Haranda invited the listener to ride up front and ordered Saldia to take the rear. The former tavern girl seemed to enjoy that position most and it kept her out of trouble.

  The girls traveled in near silence for while, much to Haranda’s relief. She already had a headache and no amount of Energy could take one away. The Energy could put the pain at a distance but she wouldn’t hold it for extended periods unless their safety was at risk. She longed for the herbs she had packed and fought the urge to rub her temples. These younglings, her younglings, could not see her in distress. Part of her wondered how she would survive years of her new station as clan mother without pulling out her hair in frustration.

  Once the trees became thinner along their route, salty air caressed Haranda’s nostrils. “We’re close, younglings. Probably be on the beach by sundown.” She for one would be glad to arrive and studied Eletha and Maesa.

  Henny had decided to ride between the two, perhaps in an attempt to keep them civil. Kal, who spoke to Haranda on occasion, seemed the most mature next to Saldia but confessed she had just reached seventeen. She acted much older and Haranda suspected her of surviving a turbulent childhood.

  “So, that’s what sea air smells like.” Kal closed her eyes briefly. Her horse never strayed beneath her steady hands.

  Haranda glanced at the black chain that encircled the girl’s wrist. A tattoo was painful to accept. This one had stretched and separated, indicating that the girl had received it years earlier, when her body was much smaller.

  “It’s very calming.” Green eyes flickered to Haranda. “I’ve heard the ocean is so large you can’t see the end of it.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard that myself.”

  Kal gave her a curious look. “You’ve never seen it?” Just then, the listener looked very young, even with that sun-streaked braid encircling her head and her wise eyes. But then, all the girls looked young to Haranda.

  “Only in my dreams, youngling.” She smiled at Kal’s surprised glance.

  Younglings expected that Gypsies had traveled the world many times over, which some, especially Elders, had done. Most younglings also had higher expectations of the Energy than was possible. Haranda had been no different, but she now knew all too well that the Energy had limitations.

  “Haranda,” Eletha said with urgency, and she pointed a hand toward some nearby trees. “Someone’s there.”

  Haranda raised a hand to stop the group and studied the trees as she focused on the Energy and drew it into her body. Awareness spread through her like rapids and without too many bodies to confuse her senses, she quickly felt someone in the trees, a stranger. She sensed no intense heat pulse from the stranger, something that accompanied those who could harness. Her senses didn’t tingle either, which meant this was a middling, not an errant Gypsy or a youngling. Without training, errants didn’t survive long, and Haranda had taken oaths to round up any she located and see that they were trained, whether they wanted that or not. An untrained Gypsy was dangerous, to everyone.

  She sensed no one else. “Come where I can look at you! I know you’re there!” She waited several heartbeats but no one appeared. Knowing she could defend herself against one middling, she decided on another tactic. “You can’t hide from a Gypsy!”

  That got a rustle of movement, and soon an elderly man with a cane hobbled from the trees. Haranda held the Energy within, still aware of her own rushing blood and every breath in her lungs. She was also aware of Kal’s throwing knife—the youngling had it half unsheathed. That would definitely warrant a discussion later. Haranda studied the elderly stranger in his ragged clothes and patched cloak. This man probably had been alone for many seasons.

  When he was about ten paces from them, he dropped to his knees and buried his face in withered hands. “Please, forgive me, Gypsies. I didn’t know who you were. I wasn’t spying. I’m just an old man making my way out here. So few come down this road and I was curious.”

  “Stand up, old man.” Respect was one thing, but Haranda didn’t like people fearing her when it wasn’t necessary, even middlings. “We won’t harm you.” Unless you become a threat. Which she doubted, given his advanced age. “How far to the shore?” She prepared to use the Energy on him, if necessary. His old heart wouldn’t need a very large spark to stop it forever.

  The man stood, shakily, using the cane to propel him to his feet. “Ah, the shore.” He seemed pleased with her question. “Yes, just follow this old road. You’ll be there by sunset for sure.”

  “Thank you.” Haranda dug into one of her saddlebags and drew out a quarter loaf of bread wrapped in cloth. She tossed it to the old man, who caught it with more ease than she thought him capable.

  He gave her a toothless grin. “Thank you, Gypsy. May the Goddess guide you.”

  “And you.” The stranger tottered into the trees and disappeared from sight. Something about the old middling left her uneasy. “I suggest we hurry,” she said, and she kept her brood at a good pace until they reached the sandy shore.

  The sun was low and there wasn’t enough daylight to travel much farther. Ocean waves crashed onto the beach in a soothing rhythm, and Haranda gazed out over the vast water. She couldn’t see the end of it. There were no threatening clouds in the sky, only a few orange streaks here and there, so they shouldn’t need shelter. Though night breezes were cold, they had enough blankets and cloaks to keep warm, especially with a fire.

  She harnessed the Energy to check what else might be around and the life in the ocean surprised her. So many cold heats, pulsed against her senses. A cold heat sounded ridiculous to her but she could explain the sensation no other way. These animals felt hot and cold at the same time. She sensed no middlings but someone farther up the beach harnessed the Energy and had gone through the calling already, otherwise she never would have sensed anything at this distance. She couldn’t get an exact location or number of bodies this far out, but she guessed whoever it was had located the life circle. With the assurance that her younglings were safe for now, she released the Energy and felt it slip through her body like a warm, silky blanket and back into the ground.

  “We’ll make camp there.” She pointed to some large boulders near the cliffs. “Kal, you and Eletha gather what you can find for kindling. The rest of you help me set up.” She led them to the boulders, dismounted and stifled a chuckle at the way the three youngest rubbed their saddle-sore hides. Her legs were stiff but that would pass. She handed her reins to Maesa. “You and Adelsik take care of the horses.”

  The bird-like face frowned at her and she raised a brow. Those two knew what to do with the horses. Eletha and Kal had taught them the previous night.

  These girls reminded Haranda of her youth and her own root family before she became a Gypsy. She had a privileged childhood with servants and a nursemaid. Her mother died in the childbearing bed when Haranda was born, and her father married his dead wife’s older sister. Though the woman never had a child from her own womb, she was a doting mother.

  Her father traveled quite a bit and would take his family with him on occasion. Haranda learned to haggle with the locals of many provinces, something her mother wouldn’t have approved of for any girl, much less one of her breeding. The family never came to the shore, though, because of her mother’s fear of monsters. The woman also believed that water without an end was unnatural and a sign from the gods to keep away. Haranda’s root parents were dead now, had been for a long while.

  Gypsy training had taught Haranda that there were monsters, but they weren’t the flesh-eating ones her root mother had feared. Real monsters weren’t simple-minded. They were intelligent and dangerous and didn’t dwell on deserted beaches, hoping a meal would wander along its shores. Haranda had been much like Adelsik and Maesa when Wren found her and stole her away for training. Her stubborn attitude changed to humility once she realized her powers in the Energy weren’t
as strong as some.

  “Unless you plan on challenging me, Maesa Reman,” Haranda said to the pouting girl in front of her, “I suggest you get to work.”

  Maesa’s sharp eyes widened and she swallowed hard. “Yes, Haranda.”

  Well, that was a beginning. “And give the horses water from the extra bladders, not the ocean water. It’s not good for drinking. Saldia, would you take care of the cooking again tonight?” They would have to find fresh water tomorrow.

  The tavern girl smiled. “Without me, this group would starve to death.” There was no malice in her tone, just amusement.

  “You might be right.” Haranda latched onto Henny. “I want you to clean up and then I’ll change those bandages.”

  The youngest gazed up and smoothed her wavy blonde locks. “How much farther do we have to travel?” She looked so young. The Goddess called her children as babes now.

  Haranda touched Henny’s fair cheek. “We should reach the cave tomorrow. Are you tired?”

  The girl nodded. “Yes. And sore. My nurse doesn’t believe respectable girls should ride horses.” She smiled. “I like riding. Even if my backside protests.”

  Haranda chuckled. Her own root parents had felt much the same way, and she didn’t learn to ride until the Goddess called her. She was two years older than Henny and younger than most. “I enjoy riding too.”

  Henny glanced at Adelsik and Maesa, who stripped the horses of their burdens. “They’re not terrible girls.” Blue eyes drifted back to Haranda and they stood out in the light of the setting sun. “They’re frightened and miss their families. This is very hard for them.”

  This was just as difficult for Henny as the other two. This girl was observant, especially for her young age, and Haranda smiled. “Yes, I know. But I won’t let anything happen to them.”

  Eletha and Kal made trips back and forth until they had enough dried seaweed, tree prongs and driftwood for a decent fire. Haranda drew in the Energy and her awareness of the ocean caused her to take in a breath. She wasn’t certain she would become used to so much life in the great sea. Her attention fell on the kindling and she pushed a warm, yellow spark from her hand, changing it to a hot, white spark just as it left her fingers. A fire flamed up almost immediately.

  Eletha eyed her suspiciously, despite the fact that she had watched Haranda do the exact same thing the previous night. Of course, the tiny girl couldn’t see the sparks emitted from Haranda’s hand, yet. She saw only flames created out of nothing.

  Saldia eyed the fire then got to work on cooking.

  “How about some fish, Haranda?” Kal said. “Eletha and I can probably catch some before it gets completely dark.”

  “Splendid idea, Kal. Take what you need from the supplies but don’t wade too deep.”

  Kal kept her word and they ate fish, instead of salted ham, with the cheese, bread and apples from their packs. Saldia was a decent cook and no one had to be told to eat. Even Adelsik and Maesa picked fish meat off the bones with their fingers without a single complaint of ill manners.

  Haranda took her younglings to the water to bathe. When Henny complained that the water stung her blistered feet even through her foot wraps, Haranda gave the youngling a leveled gaze. “Salt is good for wounds. Now get to it.” She handed the girl a chunk of soap, courtesy of Mistress Flindering.

  Eletha scrubbed her exposed skin without a grumble, most likely to get the sun salve off, but when the rest of them had finished dressing, the tiny woman was still in her breeches and tunic. Haranda ordered her to wash her entire body and got the expected response.

  “I’m not taking two baths in two days, Haranda.”

  This time, without a word, Haranda drew in the Energy, held out a discreet hand and sent two blue sparks, one after another, straight to Eletha’s thigh.

  The girl yelped, whipped her fiery head around and uttered one of her sayings.

  Haranda released the Energy back into the ground. “My Energy will outlast your stubbornness, youngling, and I’m in no mood for arguments tonight. Now bathe and get to bed. Saldia, you and Kal stay with her. If she doesn’t do as I say, send for me.” She turned on her heels and made her way to the fire with Adelsik, Maesa and Henny close behind.

  There were no protests from Eletha, so Haranda glanced back at the water. The small girl, who was barely more than a silhouette against the darkening sky, had her clothes off and stood up to her knees in the waves as she scrubbed her body. That fiery head was animated, and Haranda guessed that numerous curses flew from the girl’s mouth. She fought a smile.

  Henny sniffled and Haranda crossed to her. “Sit and remove those wet bandages, youngling. I’ll get the salve and some clean wraps.”

  It didn’t take long to get Henny cared for. The girl’s feet were healing nicely. At least no infection had set in.

  After she saw her younglings to bed, she sat near the fire and watched the stars as they hovered over the ocean. So much peace and beauty. When this is all over, I just might make a home on the shore.

  But that would be a long while from now. She had younglings to train and other Gypsy duties. The Prophecies were beginning, and once fulfilled, the Teadai Ved’cosima, the New Age, would be upon them. Soon, very soon, Haranda would lead her younglings into the Land of the Goddess, a place she had learned about in her training but had never seen, the eternal home of the Gypsies. She longed for male companionship and wondered how the men fared. Were they all in the Land of the Goddess now? She had taken middlings to her bed a few times over the years but a kin man was better. No secrets.

  She could still feel an Energy presence prick at her from up the beach and glanced out into the darkness, wondering who she would find once she reached the cavern that held a circle of life.

  Maesa began to snore and Haranda smiled. The girl adamantly had denied snoring when Eletha accused her the previous night, and the two had argued until Haranda threatened them with laundry duties. She would have given up her own underbreeches for washing just to shut those two up.

  Goddess, please help me get us home safely. At that, she lay back on her blankets and willed herself to slumber. Heightened colors all around her, told her she had succeeded. The body she was in now was really her otherself, an apparition of her mundane body, but it always seemed real here in the Netherworld.

  “We’ve been waiting for you,” her former clan mother said. White hair accentuated darker features and shrewd eyes studied Haranda. “Are you well?” The two hugged and began to stroll along the cobblestone path Wren had created.

  “Yes, Wren. I have six younglings and we’re at the beach now.”

  “Good. Stay strong.” She smiled. “You’ll need to as a clan mother.”

  Haranda chuckled. “I’m beginning to see that.”

  Wren stopped. “I’ll be in touch again. Get some sleep.”

  “Give the rest my greetings.”

  “I will.” She caressed Haranda’s cheek. “May the Goddess shine Her Light on you, my former clan daughter.”

  “And on you.”

  The woman disappeared. Things must be hectic for her to go so quickly. Though slumbering was Haranda’s weakest Energy, she could spend a while exploring in the Netherworld. Instead, she took Wren’s advice and let her otherself drift back to her body.

  Worries and troubles that lay ahead tormented her dreams.

  Chapter 7

  Cool breezes brought salt air to Thad’s nose as he sat watching the fire. Nym played nearby, drawing in the sand with a shell, while the strange woman in men’s clothes still slept. He wondered about the vision he had of her and longed to ask about that place of mist.

  Nym stepped to him. “I want my game. That all right? I won’t wake the pretty woman.”

  “All right. But see that you keep quiet.”

  “Yes, Thad.”

  Nym stepped into the cave and a few heartbeats later screamed, bringing Thad to his feet. He stepped inside to see the raven-haired woman standing, arm drawn back, a rock cradle
d in her fist. She stood a bit shorter than Thad’s shoulders, her slight frame accented by rounded breasts even in the man’s tunic she wore. Beautiful and desirable.

  “So, you’re awake.” He trying to keep the amusement from his face. “Sorry I frightened you, lass. That not my intention. Took me by surprise last night, stepping through the wall like that.” He was truly sorry for giving her such a scare. “I healed your arm. You’ll be sore a few days while the new bone strengthens.” When she stood with her arm still high and aimed at him, he offered a friendly smile. “That’ll put a bruise on my head, that will, but I’ll mend.”

  Her face reddened and she lowered her arm. “Who are you?” A thick accent betrayed her northern roots. Thad had heard that accent before, from a river trader who came to Solinar a couple of seasons back. The man had probably once had fair skin like this woman’s, only his had turned ruddy and freckled from years of sun exposure. But the black hair was unmistakable.

  “Thad Macwinnough. This lad here be Nym Fargoodes.” The lad’s fear seemed to be gone and he studied her as Thad spoke. “We came here to meet the others.”

  “I’m Zarenia Va’pash.” She offered a reserved smile but didn’t say anything more about herself. From her stance, Thad guessed she came from a wealthy family, despite her clothing.

  “Others are coming, too,” Nym said. “That a fact.” He grinned briefly before he clutched his head and doubled over.

  Thad scooped him up and ran outside. Zarenia followed and watched as the lad vomited in the sand.

  When Nym finished, Thad kicked sand over the bile then sat and held him. “What you see, lad?” he asked. He had to raise his voice over the sounds of waves and sea birds.

  “Old man. Had a monster on a leash. I think he was trying to keep it from getting away.”

  “That all?”

  The boy nodded. “I don’t feel sick now.”

  “That good. You’re learning to pull away from the visions. How about we get you cleaned up and make Zarenia some food.” He stood and took Nym by the hand before heading to the water. He glanced back and fought a chuckle as the lass stood dumbfounded for a heartbeat then followed.