by Dana Davis
She fought the urge to groan in frustration and focused on the innocent face that stared up at her. “Youngling. It’s obvious to me that you’ve made attempts to remember what transpires here. That’s why you have headaches in the mundane world. You must stop that foolishness.”
Adelsik’s eyes widened a heartbeat before she shook her head. “I haven’t, Mother Atan.” The transparent acorn flickered above her head.
“You would lie to me, youngling? I can see your footprint, remember?” Was the girl suddenly daft?
“Bloody catgut,” Adelsik sputtered. “My thinking is affected even here.”
“Curses, youngling? I thought your clan mother had trained you better.” She hid a grin, though, amused that this well-bred, proper girl knew any curses, much less vocalized them. At least she had stopped weeping. “You were clan bonded to Haranda. I need to speak with her. Find her. Quickly.”
“Promise you won’t harm her, Mother Atan. Please.”
“I already told you, youngling. You waste precious heartbeats.”
Adelsik got a sick look on her face but she closed her eyes and her footprint began to spin violently as she took in the Energy. Dream bubbles floated past and the girl turned this way and that. “I found her.”
The girl was bloody fast. Though Lyssinya kept her surprise to herself. Yes, she had underestimated Adelsik’s slumbering strength. That wouldn’t happen again. “Good, youngling. Call her here.”
Several heartbeats later, a yellow daisy floated down to rest just paces from Lyssinya. She held the Energy, ready for a confrontation. Gypsies could be as stubborn as Sages. The daisy glimmered and changed form until Haranda Banwidden, dressed in peasant clothes, appeared.
Lyssinya studied Haranda as the daisy above the Gypsy’s head spun. She was strong, yes, but only moderately so with slumbering Energy. Lyssinya had found that out from her hidden observations of the woman.
She was prepared for Haranda’s Energy and brushed off the rope bindings like an annoying insect. “That’ll be enough of that, Gypsy Haranda Banwidden. You can’t harm me here. You’ll listen to what I have to say before we bring the others.”
Dark eyes narrowed and a cage surrounded Lyssinya. That too, she dismissed with a surge of her own Energy. She thought of giving this Gypsy a taste of her sparking blanket but the woman had been through a severe beating just moons ago. No need to frighten her senseless, just get her cooperation. She wrapped the woman in the Energy and simply held her, bound and helpless as a newly born babe.
Frustration built on Haranda’s face and her lips tightened into a thin line. Fear touched her eyes. “Leave this girl alone. You have me. Let her go back to her body.”
“She is my pupil, Gypsy. I won’t send her back until we’ve completed tonight’s lessons.”
“What?” Haranda turned on Adelsik. “What have you done?”
“The youngling isn’t to blame. She has no remembrance of me in the mundane world. I saw to that.” Lyssinya released her binding.
Haranda still held the Energy but studied her with interest now. Good. “Adelsik,” the Gypsy said. “Has this woman harmed you?”
“She used an sparking blanket on me and dangled me over a cliff.” The youngling seemed to have more confidence now that her former clan mother stood near.
“Punishment for disobedience only.” Lyssinya couldn’t win trust if they thought her an enemy, however much it chafed to explain herself to a Gypsy. She was a Sage after all, and a strong one. “She played in other’s dreams, middling dreams, frightening them. I won’t abide that from anyone.”
Haranda narrowed eyes on Adelsik. “Is this true?”
“Y-yes, Haranda. But she dangled me over a cliff! She’s evil!”
Lyssinya fought a surge of heat. Stay calm. “Nonsense. I used punishment such as any mother would on her youngling. And I know what you’re thinking, Gypsy, but this child doesn’t have enough training to be new-oathed. I’ve taken her as my youngling here in the Netherworld. She’s strong and games such as those she plays at are dangerous.” The decision the Elders warned her about couldn’t wait much longer.
Haranda placed hands on her hips. “This girl is new-oathed, accepted by the Goddess. You have no rights over her.”
“That doesn’t concern me here. Here, she is a danger. She must be reined.” And Lyssinya needed the Gypsies to trust her. That bit at her like a hot iron.
“Just what have you been doing with her?” Haranda seemed on edge, and Lyssinya knew the Gypsy might attempt something foolish. I would, if my youngling was being threatened. “And I think it only fair that I know your name since you know mine.”
“She makes me call her Mother Atan,” Adelsik spouted.
“But that’s not your correct name, is it, Atan?”
Those dark eyes narrowed but Lyssinya wouldn’t be intimidated by a Gypsy. She had control here, not Haranda. “That’s part of my name.” What would be her decision? “I know about the attacks on you and Thad Macwinnough. We must work together to stop whoever is so boldly stupid.” The decision. What would it be?
“Why should I trust you, Atan? You haven’t even told me your name. And I haven’t seen your footprint.”
“I could force you to do as I wish, just as I have tempered this child. But that would waste Energy.” The decision. Yes. She drew herself straight and proud. “I’m Sage Lyssinya Atan Colewin, Air Designation of the Goddess Ways.” She parted the Energy around her footprint and allowed the Gypsy to see the silver cloud above her head before hiding it again. “I was sent here to find untrained children strong in the slumbering Energy and instruct them. Those with Adelsik’s strength don’t come along so frequently.”
Haranda cocked her head. “Sages disappeared centuries ago. If you’ve taken oaths to the Goddess, we would know you.”
Lyssinya’s patience began to wane. “Foolish woman. There are many things Gypsies don’t know. You think you’re the only ones who can harness the Energy?”
“Of course not.” Haranda’s face darkened. “But friends don’t threaten younglings just to do their bidding.”
“I didn’t say that Sages and Gypsies were friends.” That wouldn’t sit well with the Elders. They had ordered her to take allies in a war and bring Gypsies into service, not befriend them. “As for this one, did you not punish her when she disobeyed?” Ah, there was recognition. “She can be quite stubborn.”
Adelsik started to protest but Haranda held a hand up. Dark eyes narrowed on Lyssinya again. “Her punishment is not up to you. She’s my responsibility.”
She began to tire of this. “Yes, yes, Gypsy. You are a quest leader, now, and you were her clan mother. I know all of this. But here, in this realm, I have the power. And I have orders to search out those who have beaten you. You and the others will assist me. I prefer you to volunteer your services but I’ll force the matter if need be. Either way, I’ll fulfill my promises to the Elders.”
The Gypsy’s face darkened but Lyssinya caught a hint of frustration too. “I’ll listen to your offer, Sage, but I won’t agree to anything without conferring with our leaders.”
“The Vedi.” That got a surprised look and Lyssinya fought a smirk. “We know all about their bond to and acceptance from the Goddess. Ved’nuri is young but that’s out of my hands. She’s close to birthing now, I suspect. Which is why I seek you out. Together, Sages and Gypsies are stronger. I no longer have the comfort and seclusion of my island and will meet with you soon in the middling world.” The mainland made her nervous but she wouldn’t share that. Not yet, anyway. Trust needed to be established before she could wrangle these Gypsies and bring them to the Elders. “I’m tiring of this delay. Go and speak to whomever you wish but I expect an answer in two nights. Don’t try to find me. You’ll fail. I know you in this realm, now, so I’ll seek you out.” She wrapped the Gypsy in the Energy and sent her back to her mundane body, taking a good feel of that connection so she could more easily find her again. Then she turned on Adelsik. “Yo
u, youngling, have lessons to show me.”
The girl gaped at the spot where her former clan mother had stood and she nodded. “Yes, Mother Atan.”
Chapter 17
Adelsik sat up on her blankets beneath the trees and cursed as memories of previous nights in the Netherworld flooded her mind in jolts of scenes, like a play performed all out of order. The others still slept but she didn’t care. “Bloody Sage.” She slipped from her blankets, surprised the idiot woman had allowed her to remember anything.
Pale light streamed in through the thick branches. Barely dawn. They’d left Zark Province without so much as a clue where to find the text. The child’s tunic with the embroidered map had been nothing of importance. Just a map of local wolf trails, something the Zark took pride in. One child earned the right to wear the tunic after each new moon, through some type of competition Adelsik didn’t understand.
Blood insects threatened to punch holes in every part of her skin now that she had moved from the protection of her blankets. Elder Finlor wouldn’t light the Zark torches while they slept. A waste of repellent, according to him. And the fire still burned, topped with new wood, making even her sweat perspire. Adelsik wanted to smack something, anything. On top of it all, they had to deal with Guana Province today, something that left her with an uneasy feeling, especially since the Zark refused to talk of the Guana.
“Son of a goat,” she spit, borrowing one of Eletha’s favorite curses. Oh, it felt good to curse on occasions such as this. Though her root nurse would have washed her mouth out for such lowly behavior.
“What in the name of the Goddess has you in such a snit, Adelsik?” Elder Finlor didn’t sound pleased.
“Bloody Sages, that’s what, Elder.” Others began to stir. Wren gave her a warning look and she lowered her voice. “She threatened me and made me show her how to find Haranda. And she wants you, Wren. And Elder Siri. Though I don’t think she’ll have any more success in finding her than Ved’nuri.”
Wren eyed her, sleep still apparent on her face. “What are you babbling about? Who wants us? Did someone attack you in the Netherworld?”
Adelsik splashed warm liquid from the water skin on her face and forced herself to calm. “She calls it discipline. Bloody Sage.” For some reason, cursing came quite natural to her just now.
Elder Finlor quickly pulled his tunic over his undershirt before he stood. “Adelsik. Come here and sit. You need to calm.” He glanced at Wren.
Adelsik did as instructed and allowed Wren to rub her back and use the calming Energy on her. Soon, she felt better and was able to tell them everything that had happened in the Netherworld.
“And Lyssinya said my headaches were from trying to remember those lessons.” I’m stronger than she realized. That made her proud, despite whatever else had happened. “That’s why she let me remember now. She seemed worried about my headaches. Though it might have a ruse to gain my trust.” She focused on Wren as the woman pulled her braids into loops above her ears and secured them with small, ivory barrettes. “She wants you and Haranda to meet with her in two nights. She wants Elder Siri too and she made me tell her about the missing quest. Haranda wants to speak to Ved’nuri but she can’t do that so quickly, not with Ved’nuri’s condition.”
Finlor mumbled something then focused on Wren. “Seems we’ve made a miscalculation about these Sages.”
“Yes.”
Adelsik remembered that her former clan mother had mentioned something about them too. “Haranda said there haven’t been any Sages in centuries.”
Wren nodded and her looped braids swung. The white-haired Gypsy then pursed her lips. “I must speak with this Lyssinya, Elder. Tonight. I won’t have everything on her terms.”
“Are you certain that’s wise? From what Adelsik has told us, she has powerful slumbering Energy. Perhaps we should send a pigeon to the Vedi first. Ved’nuri should know about this.”
“We can’t wait, Elder. I’m strong in the Netherworld too and should be able to protect myself and Adelsik. At the very least, I can keep this Sage from attacking her again.”
Adelsik huffed. “She sent Haranda back to her body. Pretty as you please.” She snapped her fingers.
That got surprised gazes from everyone in the quest, and the twins said something Adelsik didn’t understand. Then Muroth or Murell grunted and crossed his massive arms. She really should learn to tell them apart.
Henny had been watching quietly with the others but was fully dressed now and scooted forward. “This Lyssinya could be the one who beat Thad and Mother Haranda,”
Adelsik shook her head. Whatever else Lyssinya had done, she didn’t think the woman evil. Just mean. And misguided. “I don’t think so.”
“But you said she attacked you.”
“She didn’t bleed me. And she didn’t want me to remember. Though I remember everything now. But I have no pain in my middling body the way Thad and Haranda did.” Why was she defending Lyssinya? Just heartbeats ago, she wanted to thrash the woman. And she no longer had her headache. “She seemed just as upset about the attacks.” She furrowed her brows in concentration.
“What is it, girl?” Finlor’s tiny eyes studied Adelsik behind a face tight with anger.
“I was just wondering if Lyssinya and Ved’nuri might be able to locate Siri. There’s a lot about their slumbering powers I don’t understand.” Though she had vowed to learn everything she possibly could. “Perhaps they could work together.”
“A noble thought, Adelsik.” Wren shook her head. “But Ved’nuri is in no condition to weaken herself just now. If my calculations are correct, she should have her child within days.”
“That’s what Lyssinya said.”
Wren raised a brow.
“My apologies. My mind is still a bit fuzzy.” Netherworld memories were available to her but seemed to come in clumps, not always making sense at first.
“Accepted.” From Wren’s look, she understood Adelsik’s problem.
Henny leaned in, golden locks falling over thin shoulders. “You think she wants to harm the babe?”
“I don’t think so. She seemed more interested in finding the Netherworld attackers.” She turned to Finlor. “Elder? Who are these Sages?”
He rubbed a hand over his chin that now had four days of beard growth and narrowed his tiny eyes in thought. “Normally, you wouldn’t learn of them until you’re readied to teach. The Sage faction was started by renegade Gypsies.”
“You think this wise, Elder?”
“She’s already been exposed, Wren. You won’t be able to protect these girls forever. And I sense no middlings nearby.” Wren nodded solemnly and Finlor continued. “Seven centuries ago, there was a great dispute among the Gypsies. A handful disagreed on Gypsy laws and wanted to change some of the oldest rules on the scrolls. They were denied, outvoted, and fled into exile. We thought we had located and brought them all back into the Gypsy fold. The other Elders and I had since discovered a few dissidents calling themselves Sages. But none in the last three hundred years.”
Wren looked surprised at the Elders last couple of statements and Adelsik studied her a heartbeat.
“There’s not much more I can tell you, other than we thought we had located them all.” He straightened and gave Adelsik a no-nonsense gaze. “I don’t harness the slumbering Energy, so Wren will have jurisdiction in the Netherworld. Do you understand?”
Adelsik nodded but part of her doubted even Wren could outmaneuver the Sage’s slumbering power. That woman was strong, very strong. And now that Adelsik knew about her and could remember, she would learn quicker. One day soon, perhaps she could defeat the woman at her own game. Youngling, indeed! Elder Finlor still held eyes on her, intrusive eyes that didn’t cause her to feel naked the way she had before she took oaths. Thank the Goddess. She nodded again to assure him that she was still listening, while smacking a blood insect off her exposed arm.
“Very well.” He stood. “Let’s get packed. We must get to Guana today.”
After a quick breakfast, the quest lumbered on in the stifling heat. Henny grunted on occasion but didn’t complain as much as she had their first day in this Goddess-forsaken area of the world. Adelsik was grateful headaches no longer plagued her. The Zark healer’s tea had worked for a while but the more she had tried to remember her dreams, the worse the ache had pulsed behind her eyes. At least she could think straight again. One of the twins carried a lighted, repellant torch so the blood insects didn’t torture them as much.
They walked until midday meal and ate with smoke from the Guana village in sight. Finlor guessed they would arrive before night meal. Distances seemed to fool the eye out here where mossy trees surrounded the lake and clearings popped up seemingly out of nowhere. The air above boulders and rocks waved, and sometimes Adelsik thought she saw water where there was none.
After the meal, the twins led them toward the village, and as they grew closer, Adelsik wrinkled her nose at unpleasant smells. When they moved past two stone totems that had once been painted in bright colors, she knew she wouldn’t enjoy her stay here. The Guana huts were primitive, not even as nice as those in Zark. These were packed with mud and grass and many had portions missing. A few were nothing more than mazes with children sitting or lying inside.
One tottering babe held out dirty hands as they passed. The girl couldn’t have been more than a year or so old and had an elongated head. A bone ring protruded through her right earlobe. Adelsik winced at how painful that must have been for one so young, for anyone really. These Guana middlings favored the Zark in appearance, probably distant cousins, but there was something in their eyes, something not right.
Henny started to go to the child but Adelsik put a restraining hand on the youngling, not knowing exactly why. “Wait.” She turned to Finlor and Wren, who surveyed the area in silence. Several babes toddled around without supervision.