by Dana Davis
She opened her eyes and pointed off to her left. “That way. The Land of the Goddess is that way.” Home.
A sense of urgency filled her and she stepped quickly with the younglings on her heels. No need to remind them to follow, they were close now and all would feel the need to go home.
She pressed on until she thought she saw a slight clearing of the mist. Yes, it was thinning, as though a breeze swept it aside, and soon a beautiful valley came into view. The Land of the Goddess. It was magnificent! Greenery and flowers filled the land. A waterfall flowed from a small hillside into a large lake, and trees stood everywhere, backed by an endless blue sky. Every type of tree Haranda could imagine was here and she studied Eletha. The girl seemed thrilled at the sight. No description could do this place justice. The Goddess had truly outdone herself when She created this wonder.
“Go through.” Eletha tried to push past the group.
Haranda turned and held up a hand to stop the girl. “We go together.”
She placed an arm around Eletha’s shoulders and led her clutch into the Land of the Goddess. Her heart raced with excitement. Sweet smells filled her nostrils and pure Energy pulsed through her body, intoxicating her even more. She smiled, not knowing this kind of bliss in all her many years as a Gypsy. She felt as though she could fly.
“Release the Energy!” The voice boomed through Haranda’s inebriation, and she turned to see several women and men surround her group. She should recognize at least some of them. But the Energy. All she wanted was to hold the Energy and fly. Oh, how she longed to fly!
“Let the Energy go!” the voice grated again.
Haranda felt a slight annoyance when something struck her leg but she ignored the irritation.
“Release the Energy, Gypsy!”
Another strike. That one hurt. Another. She tried to move away from the assault but something wouldn’t let her. “Release!”
The Energy would keep her, hold her, if she let it, and intoxicate her beyond her senses. She needed to drink the Energy in sips not gulps like now. Someone had told her this. Who? Another assault. This one more painful than the last. It seemed to cover her entire skin with blue light and pain and she cried out. She released the Energy, somewhat reluctantly, and let it flow back into the earth below. A sudden blaze of awareness not linked to the Energy shot through her senses, and she recognized the woman beside her.
“Wren?” She blinked to clear her eyes and glanced at the woman’s footprint, a green, barrel cactus. Haven. The tall woman smiled and let her footprint fade. She rubbed Haranda’s back and sent the slight tingle of calming Energy through her.
“I thought I had lost you there.” Wren’s long, white hair, which she still wore in two braided loops over her ears, set off her tanned skin. Her high cheekbones, strong chin and bold nose accented gray eyes that missed nothing. Despite her white hair, she looked only a decade older than Haranda looked, but Wren had received her calling when Haranda’s grandmother was in swaddling clothes. “You came through holding too much Energy. I thought I warned you of that. I can excuse younglings but you’re a Gypsy.”
Despite Haranda’s height, she had to look up at Wren. Her skin tingled she fought the urge to rub. She hated sparking blankets as much as the next Gypsy. “You got my attention.” She hugged her former clan mother.
It was nice not to have to wall herself from the barrage of smells she got from her younglings’ essences now and then. She noticed the broach on her former clan mother’s tunic, the smooth, carved wood engraved with ancient letters that made up Wren’s name and station, and she smiled.
Haranda’s younglings staggered beneath the Energy’s power, still in the thrall of the Goddess, but the Gypsies, many of whom she knew, encouraged them to release the Energy the same way Wren had coaxed her. Gypsies wore proper clothing here, dresses and breeches of white silk with muted colors of the Goddess Light woven throughout. She smiled at the memory of seeing those clothes as a youngling. Anyone new to the Energy, or those who couldn’t harness, saw bright dizzying swirls. Not until her second year as a youngling did Haranda see the true fabric and the beauty the Energy created within it. That was when she made her vows to the Goddess and became new-oathed.
Two young men stood nearby. One was Thad. The other she didn’t recognize, and no one else seemed to notice was he was naked. Her female younglings were all present. But where was Nym? She sucked in a breath. The boy seemed to have vanished.
He didn’t follow me out of the Means! She started back toward the doorway.
Wren took her arm in a firm grip and held her fast. “Where do you think you’re going?” Gray eyes evaluated her.
“The boy.” Panic filled her. “He’s not here. He must still be in the Means. I have to find him.” She pulled again but Wren’s grip was like a vice.
“He’s here. Calm yourself and look closely.”
Haranda focused on her younglings and realized the naked young man looked slightly familiar with his sandy hair and large cow-like eyes. He was now covered in a blanket, and torn, child’s clothing lay on the grass near his feet. How had she missed that? “Nym?”
“The Goddess doesn’t allow children here so she changes them. All the younglings are marriage age now. In body at least. Their minds will catch up later.”
Why hadn’t she known this? She watched the boy with a pang of regret. His childhood taken so swiftly. Henny looked older too, stood as tall as Maesa, and the top of her dress stretched against fully-developed breasts. Adelsik had only been months from marriage age and Kal not far behind, so there didn’t seem to be a noticeable difference. But Nym and Henny—this seemed so cruel.
Wren placed an arm around her shoulders. “They won’t miss those growing up years, Haranda. You did well. Be thankful you didn’t lose any of these younglings. They have to grow. We can’t teach infants. Their minds will catch up to their bodies and they’ll have memories of a full childhood.” She held Haranda at arm’s length, eyes hard. “Now, you act a Gypsy, or I’ll give you another session with a sparking blanket.”
The woman meant exactly what she said. Wren outranked Haranda both in Energy age and didn’t tolerate disobedience from anyone below her. Once, as a youngling, Haranda watched Wren beat a shopkeeper, a middling, for trying to sell her bad wine, and she reduced the surprised man to tears within heartbeats. Of course, he had no idea that she used the Energy with her swings.
Haranda forced herself to take the woman’s gaze directly. She no longer shrank from the intrusive eyes of another Gypsy, not since becoming new-oathed so long ago. But she was certain Wren knew how to intimidate long before the Goddess called her.
“Yes, Wren,” she said obediently. The white-haired Gypsy rubbed her back again but she felt no Energy accompany the touch. “I’m calm now.”
Wren’s face relaxed and she smiled. “Good. Because I weary of using my urging and sparking. These new younglings are as stoneheaded as you were.” Haranda chuckled at that. “Let’s get you to the village. We have introductions to the Vedi then you all need food and rest.”
Haranda was hungry and she nodded. Her pack lay on the ground nearby and she scooped it up.
The group of younglings had been reduced to whimpers and sniffles but they’d released the Energy, and Gypsy women crooned to them as they walked toward a nearby hill. Gypsy men carried their packs as they crossed the rich grass. The lake shimmered off to the right and Haranda let the waterfall calm her as she hooked an arm around Wren’s elbow.
This place was one of splendor, fit for the Goddess Herself. More beautiful than the stories Haranda had heard. Though she’d never been here, she was glad to come home. She wondered what dangers lay ahead for her kin and flogged down those fears with a vengeance. They would find out soon enough. For now, she would enjoy the peace of home.
Chapter 19
The village was larger than Adelsik expected as she followed the Gypsies, somewhat reluctantly, toward the numerous cottages, fire pits and stone ovens, wh
ere several women in peasant dresses with colorful belts cooked. A livery stood at the far end of the village and several goats, sheep and other animals meandered around inside the fencing, though she didn’t see any as large as horses or cattle. Tables and benches separated the numerous small cottages into two sections, and there were two identical buildings made of stone, at either end of the line of dwellings. Steam rose from one of the doors when a person stepped out, and Adelsik suspected those were bath houses, probably one for women and another for men.
A large lake and water fall seemed to call to her and she longed for a swim. All these women who had met them at the entrance wore dresses of colorful and dizzying swirls, and the men wore breaches of whirling greens and browns. What surprised her most was that these Gypsies’ feet were bare! Ever last one of them. She wondered if they had washed their shoes on the same day and put that question away for later.
She glanced at Henny again. The girl tugged at her bodice that stretched across her breasts, a bosom larger than Adelsik’s now. Henny was as tall as Maesa, no longer the girl she had been before they entered the Means. Adelsik wiped at a stray tear. Whatever sparking these Gypsies had used to rip her from the beloved Energy had been painful and she didn’t care to experience it again. The others walked with eyes distracted, wiping wet faces. Adelsik wanted so much to pull the Energy from the earth, but had been convinced by the short Gypsy next to her that it would prove a huge mistake. The little woman was as short as Eletha, though she didn’t seem to have the temper.
What frightened Adelsik most was Nym. She caught the others watching him too. She hadn’t even recognized him at first. The boy was now a man and almost as tall as Thad. He looked marriage age, at least. Adelsik had bathed the boy on several occasions and now he loomed over her. That seemed, well, wrong. What kind of power could make a child grow so fast? She glanced down at her body but nothing seemed out of the ordinary and her eyes found the boy again.
Nym looked at her. Confusion lined his face, but a towering, friendly-looking man placed an arm around his shoulders, said something into his ear, and he relaxed, pulling the blanket tighter around his nakedness.
Perhaps coming with Haranda had been a mistake. These Gypsies seemed merciless. She watched Haranda with the taller white-haired woman. The two walked arm in arm. Though the stranger appeared about ten years Haranda’s senior, she guessed the woman was much older than her looks revealed. Haranda had a smile on her lips as she chatted with the white-haired Gypsy.
“Keep up, youngling,” the short woman near Adelsik said.
“I’m going.” Irritation flooded her and she wanted to hold the Energy. Perhaps once more wouldn’t hurt. She opened herself to the earth below and the Energy flooded her with sudden inebriation. Something smacked her thigh, causing brief but sufficient pain and she released the Energy with an effort that hurt. Her body slumped at the loss and she rubbed at her stinging skin.
“You are not to do that, youngling.” The short Gypsy spoke in a soft tone, but her gaze bored into Adelsik’s skull, much the way Haranda’s always did. “Energy is too strong here. You must only take it in when one of us assists you. Do you understand?”
She studied the woman as they continued to walk. Though she stood as short as Eletha, she wasn’t nearly as thin. Her brightly colored dress seemed an ill fit. And her unruly, mousy hair waved with the slight breeze, despite being piled in a knot on her head. Her face looked young, pretty, about Haranda’s age. She had slightly full lips and brown eyes, eyes that seemed to penetrate Adelsik, study her all the way to her innards. The woman’s small stature didn’t seem to affect her talent with Energy, and Adelsik made a mental note to herself on that.
Those intrusive eyes narrowed. “I said, do you understand me, youngling?”
“Yes, Mistress.” She added the title, hoping to soothe this woman. After being around Eletha, she no longer thought small women benign.
“Good.” The woman took a firm grip on her arm and pulled her toward one of the cottages.
Women, some wearing dresses, others in breeches made of the same brightly colored fabric, stood watching. Some even wore dresses that exposed bare calves up to their knees, very unbecoming. Men occupied tables past a circle of fire pits. Three tall wooden poles, no doubt for ribbon dances, dominated the area just beyond the pits. Adelsik liked ribbon dances. At least I’ll have something to look forward to here. And there didn’t seem to be a shortage of men. Though several wore breeches that exposed their bare calves. Odd, since they were obviously grown men and not boys. Thad and Nym were taken toward them.
Adelsik was disappointed when Haranda headed toward another cottage with the white-haired woman, and she started to call out.
“This way, youngling.” The short Gypsy gave her a gentle push. All anger had faded from her voice and she seemed distracted just now. “You and you with her.” She pointed to Henny and Maesa. This is your cottage while you stay in the Land of the Goddess. And wash your feet first. There’s a basin inside the door.” Before Adelsik could protest, the woman ushered the three inside and closed the door behind them.
Adelsik dipped her feet into the basin, brushed a rag over them then went directly to the side window and looked out. Zarenia, Kal and Eletha were ushered into the next cottage. Saldia walked with a Gypsy woman and was handed over to yet another. They moved out of Adelsik’s view before she could tell which cottage the tavern wench was assigned.
When she turned to Maesa and Henny, who now wiped their feet with rags, she gave them a shrug and looked about the room. It was just that, a single room with white painted walls and three beds. Three privacy screens stood near each. A small table with a wash basin, soap and three towels stood near the fireplace, and a bright tapestry rug lay across the wooden floor. Three chairs and a table stood against one wall, a wardrobe and body-length mirror against another. Three windows let in light, making the place cheery, despite Adelsik’s sour mood. The cottage was immaculate, despite the sparse furnishings. A vase of flowers sat on the table and she crossed to it. She started to reach out to it when she realized Maesa had stopped near the door, sharp eyes focused on Henny, studying her as a midwife studied a newborn.
“What?” Henny said as she rolled her shoulders.
“You’ve grown.”
“That’s ridiculous.” But when Maesa stepped closer, Henny no longer looked up at the girl. They stood eye to eye. “Oh.” Henny glanced down. The laces of her bodice stretched over rounded cleavage. “So have these, evidently.” No wonder my dress feels tight.” She stepped to the mirror and giggled.
Adelsik fought down a surge of jealousy. Breasts often attracted even the most reserved types of men. Adelsik still planned to marry one day and an ample bosom would give any woman an advantage in attracting a husband. Her chest looked so ordinary now. She chuckled despite her envy and watched the girl. “You look like a woman, Henny. Did you see Nym?”
Henny shook her head. “No. I was a bit distracted.”
“I did.” Maesa’s sharp eyes focused on Adelsik. “This place did something to you children. You don’t look different Adelsik but I would wager you’re marriage now.”
Adelsik’s spirit lifted and she offered a grin. “Finally.”
The three giggled. A knock at the door startled them and they jumped then grinned guiltily.
A rounded woman in a green peasant dress didn’t wait for an answer before entering. “You’re not changed, yet?” A colorful belt wrapped around her middle. She crossed to the wardrobe and opened it, revealing nine dresses, all of same colorful fabric as her belt, only these were the shorter style Adelsik had disapproved of earlier. Reds, oranges, yellows, purples, blues and pinks in swirled patterns made Adelsik dizzy just to look at them.
“There are three for each of you. Try them on. They’ve been chosen according to Haranda’s specifications but they’ll probably need some altering. The seamstress will be here in a short while. Undergarments are in the drawers. And use the wash basin.” Her e
yes drifted to their feet. “Good. At least you were instructed to clean those.” She clapped her hands. “Don’t dawdle, younglings. The Vedi don’t like to be kept waiting.”
“The Vedi?” Adelsik gave a questioning look to the woman. Haranda hadn’t mentioned anything about Vedi.
“You will see.” The woman pulled a dress from the wardrobe and handed it to Henny. “I suggest you be quick.” She left in a flurry, closing the door behind her.
Adelsik gave an exasperated look to her friends, who seemed just as befuddled. Each washed quickly then tried on underclothes and dresses. The dresses were shorter than Adelsik was used to and her legs felt naked without stockings. Her own were dirty. Their packs had been taken anyway, and since there were no stockings in the drawers, she waited. She hoped they didn’t expect her to go without shoes! She’d grown used to her bare feet on the beach but this place had grass and trees and, no doubt, mud, rocks and other unpleasant things that could get under one’s tender feet. A small pocket adorned the front of her dress and she wondered what it was for. Too small for a crying towel, which they also found in one of the drawers and tucked into their sleeves.
Another woman, the seamstress, arrived wearing a green peasant dress with a belt of brilliant colors, just like many others Adelsik had seen here. After inspection, the woman found Henny and Maesa’s dresses acceptable but insisted on letting Adelsik’s hem out a bit, which she agreed with. Henny’s new dress looked better than her old one. At least there was enough room in the bodice. Adelsik stood patiently as the seamstress quickly worked then thought of Nym again. The boy was now marriage age. Disturbing. But so was she. That excited her. At least now she didn’t have to wait five moons. Perhaps she would get a little more respect from the others, especially Haranda. That thought turned to doubt as she remembered the way the Gypsy treated Saldia and the others who were already marriage age when she found them. Would Adelsik ever get respect?