“I think it’s something she’ll have to work through herself. Though I wish that herbal concoction of yours wasn’t quite so efficient, Blayne. A happy accident wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”
Herbal concoction? What herbal concoction? She didn’t get a chance to ask because the talk turned to more prosaic matters, such as whether to schedule a hunt before the Joining ceremony.
After Blayne had waved Cayl off she pounced. “What’s this about a herbal concoction to prevent pregnancy?”
“It’s a mixture I have the healers make up for all women who want it. How else do you think Varaya’s managed to stay childless all these years?”
“Oh, right.” She hadn’t thought about it before. “And you didn’t offer it to me because…?”
“The first time we made love caught me by surprise. I wasn’t anticipating a female companion so I hadn’t packed supplies. And after that, well, I don’t know.” He paused for a long moment. She could almost hear the thoughts clattering about in his brain.
“I can’t believe I didn’t think to ask you,” he finally said. “Are you furious with me? You have every right to be.”
Hope laughed off his dismay. “Don’t worry, love. Seems I was destined to have your baby. We didn’t stand a chance—herbs or no herbs.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.” She smiled at him. “And I couldn’t be happier.”
He stood behind her cupping her belly in his hands. “Kunnandi’s teeth! Did you feel that?”
She smiled at the awe she heard in his voice. “I thought you’d seen it all.”
“This is different. This is our baby.”
“I wish I could help Maya.”
“Maybe you will, Hope. You’re Sehani, after all. And Sehani do See the future.”
“Mmm. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
~~~
It was the eve of her Joining and Hope was bored. Extremely bored. Everyone was so busy with arrangements she had no one to talk to. She took a stroll through the settlement, hoping to bump into someone. And eventually her aimless wandering brought her to the women’s dormayre.
She stuck her head inside the entrance. “Varaya? You there?”
She was about to leave when she heard the muffled sobs. “Can I help at all?” she called as she followed the sad sounds.
“It’s me, Hope,” Varaya said, sounding very watery. “Hold on, I’ll come to you.”
She held out her arms and Varaya ran into them. “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
Varaya sniffed. “Willem and I had a huge fight. We’ve broken up.”
“Oh, Varaya. It can’t be that bad, surely? You and Willem have been inseparable. I keep half-expecting you to announce you’re to be Promised.”
“Me, too. I thought we had a chance to be happy. Now it’s over.” She dissolved into huge gulping sobs.
“You’ll work it out. I know he loves you. And you love him, don’t you?”
“I love him so much it hurts.”
Hope rubbed gentle circles on her back. “Shhh. It’ll be all right, I promise.” And her words proved prophetic, for she sensed a presence and heard soft footfalls. Willem.
“I’m pleased to hear you finally admit that, Varaya,” he said. “Even if it was to someone else and not me.”
Varaya pulled from her arms. “What are you doing here? Go away!”
“No. I’m staying right here. And so are you, until you admit how you feel about me to my face. Ah-ah! Not so fast!”
Hope guessed from Varaya’s gasp he’d grabbed her before she could retreat to her room. “Don’t you love me?” he asked—demanded, really. “Were you lying when you said as much to Hope?”
“I wasn’t lying!”
“I love you, even if your nose is red and your eyes are puffy.”
Varaya choked on a giggle. “I love you, too, Willem,” she said.
From the sounds they were making things would very soon go beyond the kissing stage, and it would be prudent to leave them to it. So she beat a hasty retreat.
Unfortunately that little moment of excitement didn’t stave off the boredom for long. And finally she was desperate enough to seek out Maya. She figured she had nothing to lose by pleading to be given something to do. “Yoohoo, Maya? It’s me, Hope. Are you sure you can’t find something for me to do?”
“Nope. All done. It’s called delegating.” Maya’s tone was insufferably smug. “Why don’t you go home and try on your dress and boots?”
“I’ve done that already. Twice. And they seem to fit fine—not that I can see what they look like of course.” She pouted. “I’m sooo bored! There must be something I can do.”
“You can get me another cup of tea.”
“Fine.” She screwed up her face and concentrated hard for a moment. “Hold your mug still.”
Maya gave a squeak of surprise as the mug refilled. “What would Dayamar have said if he’d caught you using your powers for mundane things like that?”
“Oh, phooey. And this is the first time I’ve refilled a mug with tea. So there.”
Maya giggled and patted her hand. “I won’t tell—”
The vision rocked Hope backward and she fell off her cushion. From a very great distance she could hear Maya’s concerned voice but she was unable to respond until her Seeing played out.
She came back to herself to find Maya gripping her arms. “I’m back with you now,” she said, and scooted onto the cushion. “Just give me a moment.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
She could sense Maya peering closely at her. “Why are you grinning like an idiot?” Maya asked. “What did you See?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar. It was about me, wasn’t it?”
“Maybe.”
“Tell me!”
“I can’t. I’m not supposed to influence events by talking about them.”
“Just a little clue?”
“Maybe just this once.” She fumbled for Maya’s hand and squeezed it hard. “But don’t you dare tell anyone I said anything. Promise?”
“I promise. Now tell me before I die of curiosity.”
“You and Cayl are going to be very busy in the future.”
“Huh?”
“Think about it.” She beat a hasty retreat.
She didn’t want to head home in case Maya came looking for her, demanding answers, so she headed for Treya’s.
“Oh good, you’re here!” Treya said. “I was going to send Roban to fetch you.”
Uh oh. That sounded ominous. Hope waited for the axe to fall.
“I can’t decide between these two shades for your eyelids. Roban, what do you think?”
“The darker one,” Roban said. “It’ll go perfectly with her dress.”
Hope nibbled her lower lip. It was either that or pout again. “How is it you’ve seen my dress, Roban? I thought Shay had kept it under wraps.”
“I happened upon her when she was in the middle of some beadwork and she asked my advice.” He sounded smugly pleased with his cleverness. “She’s done a wonderful job of it, don’t you think?”
“I’m sure she has but I can’t really tell unless I invade someone’s mind and borrow their eyes. Which I shouldn’t do unless the situation is really dire.”
“And not being able to see your own Joining dress isn’t a dire situation?” He sounded quite serious. “Don’t worry sweetling, we’d tell you if it looked appalling, wouldn’t we, Treya?”
Hope snorted. “Thanks! I think.”
“Roban, sometimes I wonder if you were sleeping in when the gods handed out tact.” Treya’s mock-exasperated tone was loaded with fondness. “Why don’t you make us a cup of tea?”
“Hah. I can see when I’m not wanted.”
“Roban!”
“Just kidding, dear. I’ll make a pot of tea and then check on Hopian.” He bustled off.
“I’d give my right arm for a cup of strong coffee right now,” Hope muttere
d.
“What’s koffee?” Treya asked.
“A beverage made from beans. You roast them, then grind them into a powder and infuse it with hot water through a special filter. Gods I miss the stuff.”
“Mmm. I wonder if we grow something similar here?”
“Hey, that’s an idea.” She brightened at the thought. “Mind you, I wouldn’t know a coffee plant if it jumped up and bit me. And even if I found one, I wouldn’t know what to do with it.” She frowned, recalling something she’d once read. “I know people sometimes used a plant we called chicory as a substitute. Its leaves are used for salad greens, but you can use the root as a substitute for coffee. Somehow.”
“Blayne’s your man, then. He would know. And speaking of Blayne, what have you gotten him for a Joining gift? If you don’t mind my prying, that is.”
Hope got one of those sinking feelings in the pit of her stomach. “Joining gift? No one’s ever mentioned that to me before.”
“I’m sure Blayne isn’t the sort to worry about such things,” Treya soothed.
“I bet that’s why he’s been acting all mysterious these past couple of days.” She climbed to her feet. “I’m sorry Treya, I can’t stay for tea. I’ve got to organize a gift right away. Please apologize to Roban, and give Hopian a hug from me when he wakes up. Bye!”
“What’s so urgent she couldn’t even stay for tea?” Roban asked when he entered the room laden with teapot and cups.
“Poor thing was frantic. No one told her she was supposed to get Blayne a Joining gift.”
“Oh my. Well, that’s a pretty good excuse. Hopian and I might let her off this time.”
“Roban.”
“Just kidding, dear.”
~~~
Hope got her wish and ended up thoroughly busy. For at least an hour she racked her brains to think of a suitable gift until she was forced to conclude even if she could think of something, she wouldn’t have time to find a tradesperson who could make it for her. Undeterred, she turned her thoughts toward creating something instead.
She remembered how fascinated Blayne had been when she’d described her appendectomy. He’d commented it would be amazing to be a healer in her world and know so much about the human body. She couldn’t take him to her world but… maybe she’d bring a little of her world to him.
As a preteen she’d been given a book about human anatomy with big bold pictures and simple explanations about how the body functioned. Maybe, just maybe, she could reproduce the book. That would be an amazing gift for him. Now if she could just lay her hands on some paper.
Willem? She cast out the mental plea. Aside from Blayne, he was the most adept at talking to her in this way.
Hope? Is there something wrong?
Not exactly. She briefed him on the problem.
Oh, I see.
I wish I could. It would make things a whole lot easier! Can you help me?
No problem. I’ll send someone over with a stack of blank pages for you right away. What do you need them for?
Blayne’s Joining gift.
???
You’ll see tomorrow. How’re you and Varaya getting along?
She sensed him doing his best not to think about what he and Varaya had gotten up to after they’d reconciled.
I knew you’d both make up, she thought at him. Thanks for your help. She blew him a mental kiss.
A mystified messenger boy duly arrived with a large stack of what he assured her was paper. “Excuse me, Sehan. But what are you going to use this for? I mean, you’re—”
“Blind? Yes, I am. Would you like to stay and watch? I’m not certain how I’m going to do it yet, but it shouldn’t be too dangerous. And—” She realized she was talking to air. Her young messenger had bolted the instant she mentioned the word “dangerous”.
She retired to her room and sat on the sleeping platform. Might as well be comfortable. First, she concentrated on recalling all the details of the book. It’d been her favorite one for a while, back when she’d imagined being a doctor when she grew up. In a very short time she found she could flip through the pages in her mind exactly as though the book were right in front of her.
Now for the transference process. She decided to start with the cover. But when she attempted to burn the image from her mind onto the page, all she accomplished was a heap of charred paper… and what she suspected was a large scorch mark on the coverlet. Hmmm. The cooking hearth might be a safer place for her experiments.
Next she tried to magically engrave the image onto a large cooking stone, thinking to somehow use the stone as a stamp and transfer it onto the paper afterwards. The stone disintegrated into rubble, unable to withstand her psychic force. And now she came to think about it, she’d have quickly run out of large stones given the number of pages. This wasn’t going so well. And after a few more abortive attempts she was fervently wishing for a scanner and a printer.
She rubbed her eyes. “Shit!”
Even if you’re swearing in a foreign language it’s hardly ladylike.
Chryss? Is that you?
Of course. I’m always here when you need me for something important.
I’m, uh, embarrassed to admit this is hardly a save-the-world kind of need.
It’s obviously important enough for you to reach out all the way to me, isn’t it?
I guess so.
Then quit worrying and tell me what you’re trying to do.
She opened her mind to him.
Interesting. I’d like to see the finished product some day. You’re going about it all wrong—thinking like a tradesman, not a seer. Portray the image in your mind, and think of the same image on the paper. Don’t worry about the how of it. Be certain it’ll happen and it’ll happen. And most of the time it’ll end up exactly how you wanted, too.
What do you mean, ‘most of the time’?
The human mind’s a complex thing, girl. And yours is more complex than most. Sometimes things don’t quite turn out how we expect. A good thing for you to remember.
All right. I’ll give it a go. She concentrated on the book’s cover, felt the power burst forth, and….
There! Something happened. How does it look?
Beats me. If you could see, I’d be able to look through your eyes and tell you. Sorry girl. You’ll need someone else for that.
It feels like it happened right. Thanks, Chryss! By the way, I tried to send you a message a couple of weeks ago—about our Joining Ceremony tomorrow? Are you coming?
Don’t hold much with that sort of nonsense, girl.
Please?
Don’t bother batting those long eyelashes at me, either. I stopped being susceptible to such feminine wiles an age ago. Tell you what. I’ll watch from a distance and you’ll know I’m there.
All right. Thanks again, Chryss.
No problem, girl.
She tapped her forefinger on her lips. Now who could she get to check out the book cover for her? Aha. A healer. Perfect. Johan?
Arrgh! He dropped whatever he’d been carrying.
Sorry, Johan.
Please don’t ever do that to me again. I nearly had heart failure.
Would you be able to come over right away? It’s really important. Pretty please?
Yes, yes! Though why you couldn’t just come and ask me personally like any normal person….
He continued his mental grumbling as he hurried to her house. “Here I am in the flesh,” he announced. “What’s so important?”
She brandished the piece of paper. “What does this look like to you?”
“It looks like a picture of a human.” She sensed him peering more closely. “But it’s got no skin.”
“Excellent, it worked!”
“And there are some strange words I can’t read.”
“Blast!” She’d forgotten that it’d be in English.
“What have you been doing? You’re covered in soot. And what’s all this stuff on the floor?”
“Never mind about the
mess. I’m trying to replicate a book from my world as a Joining gift for Blayne.” She huffed a sigh. “But I didn’t think about the fact he wouldn’t be able to read the language.”
“Don’t worry about that. This is fascinating! Are there any more pages?”
“There will be. And loads of drawings, too. This is just the cover. But if he won’t be able to read it I guess I’d better think of something else.” Double blast.
“Nonsense,” Johan said. “It’ll be of immense use to a healer if only for the drawings. If he wants to know more, he’ll have to learn to read your language. After all, you learned to speak his.”
His logic made her smile.
“Can I stay to watch?” he asked.
“Please do. I really need someone to help with, uh, quality control.”
“Great! Whatever that means. Carry on with the, uh, whatever you’re doing. I’ll collate the pages.”
It took another hour but finally she had forty-odd pages of brilliantly colored drawings and accompanying text.
“This is incredible.” From the sounds she was hearing, Johann was caressing the pages. “Shall I have them bound inside a protective cover for you? There’s a tradesman who owes me a favor. He’ll be discreet, I promise.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you, Johan. Will it be ready in time?”
“I’ll make sure of it. And I’ll just wrap these pages in this old tunic of Blayne’s so no one spots them. I’ll bring the finished product to the ceremony for you. That way, you won’t have to hide it from Blayne.”
“Hide what from Blayne?” asked the man himself, who, luckily, was distracted by the state of the cooking hearth. “What have you been up to, Hope?”
“Um, see you both tomorrow.” Johan escaped out the door and Hope released the breath she’d been holding.
“I… uh…. Nothing much. Just experimenting.”
“Why is there a stone missing from the cooking hearth?”
“Um—”
“Is that the stone?”
“If you’re pointing to the rubble on the floor, then yes. I had a bit of an accident.”
“I look forward to hearing all about it after you get clean.” He backed her into the sleeping room while he undid the fastenings of her clothes. She heard his sharply indrawn breath. “How did that scorch mark get on the cover?” he asked.
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