City of Gods [Book 3 of the Teadai Prophecies]

by Dana Davis

  Taniras put a hand up and Lyssinya acknowledged her. She stood. “If we were to come across someone else like Lombreeth and there were no full Gypsies within shouting distance, what do you suggest? I realize we’ve been told not to engage dangerous errants. But that’s not always a possibility. Though we’re new-oathed, we do have strength among us. You can’t protect us the way we look after the younglings. That’s just not feasible. Especially out here.” She had a valid point.

  Lyssinya took in a long breath and gazed down at Taniras, who was seated again. “You’re correct in assuming we can’t protect you on all occasions. And recent events have us all on edge. Many have asked similar questions to the Elders in anticipation of this exchange, and they’ve instructed us to use our best judgment. You must protect yourselves and your kin. That much is understood. Should you come across an errant, you’ve taken oaths to reel him or her in, and you must do just that, as long as your life and the lives of your kin are not in danger. Defend yourselves any way you can.”

  Haranda stepped forward. “This doesn’t mean you should go looking for danger. Any who do will be taken directly to the Elders. Is that clear?”

  A round of acknowledgements filled the room.

  Lyssinya glanced at the Gypsy a heartbeat before turning back to the group. “Use your best judgment, as the Elders have ordered. The Goddess wouldn’t have accepted you if She didn’t think you worthy.” With that last comment, her eyes fell on Adelsik and doubt filled her face. Lyssinya had always complained that most new-oathed Gypsies were too young and should still be at youngling status, despite the Goddess’s acceptance. Someone had obviously changed her attitude, at least in public. “Are there any more questions?” No one seemed to have any and Lyssinya looked as though she would dismiss them when Adelsik’s hand shot up again. The Sage slumberer pushed long, red hair over her shoulder and recognized the girl with a bit of annoyance on her freckled face.

  Adelsik stood. “How long are we expected to remain here in this hamlet? I mean, the void has retreated even more now, so shouldn’t the weather be calming a bit, also? We should be on the road soon.”

  Taniras stiffened and Snowy placed a hand on her shoulder until she relaxed. Lyssinya gave a considerably long gaze to the new-oathed slumberer then exchanged glances with Haranda, and both advanced on the girl. Adelsik pulled her body straighter as though trying to make up for her lack of height against the two taller women.

  “What have you sensed?” Haranda said.

  Innocent eyes widened. “I thought everyone felt it. After Lombreeth was will bound, the void made another hiccup, or retreat, whatever we’re calling it, like before. Didn’t you notice?”

  “I didn’t. Lyssinya?”

  “No. Did you slumber last night, new-oathed?”

  “Briefly, just before dawn. That’s when my ability to harness had fully returned.”

  The red-haired Sage studied her before focusing on Haranda. “Perhaps she’s still linked with the Netherworld. It’s not unheard of. In fact, it happened to me once when I was new-oathed.”

  “Could be. We need to take her to Elder Siri to be certain.”

  “I’ve done nothing wrong.” Adelsik swallowed.

  Haranda studied her. “No, but you might not have severed yourself completely from the Netherworld, especially after your battle for Henny. And the Energy crystals sometimes leave us a bit—unbalanced—for days, depending on how much Energy is expended.” She sounded as though she spoke from experience. Then those dark eyes passed over the room. “If anyone has concerns or feels unwell, seek a healer at once. Understood.” Acknowledgments rounded the room. “If there are no more questions, the rest of you are dismissed.” She waited but no one raised a hand.

  Snowy and his wife filed out with Camlys, Greges and Birek behind them and the cold snapped at Snowy’s face. He pulled his cloak hood up. Taniras stopped and stared in the direction of the southern woods. “What is it?”

  “Wolves.”

  At that, Camlys and the others excused themselves and made their way across the icy, cobblestone street.

  Snowy listened with his mind the best he knew how for Dar to speak to him but he heard nothing. “Is something wrong?”

  Taniras turned black eyes up at him, her hood still hanging down her back, and gave him a sly, crooked smile. Lust danced in her eyes. “Wait for it.”

  What happened next caught Snowy completely off his guard. A sudden wave of intense yearning filled him and his manhood swelled. He fought the urge to take his wife here and now. “Wha—” He stumbled and Taniras helped right him.

  “Dar’s in heat.”

  He eyed her and heard his breath in his own ears. Goddess, help me. I want her so badly!

  “We should find a nice secluded place.” Taniras’s seductive voice didn’t help matters. “I know the perfect one.” An arm pointed to the buildings where they now stored extra wood and other supplies.

  Snowy smiled, but as soon as they started that direction, Haranda came out into the street with Lyssinya and Adelsik and called Taniras over.

  He watched as his wife moved smoothly across the cobblestones to have a few words with her former clan mother. All the while, his heart raced with anticipation and his breeches grew tighter around his loins.

  Haranda’s head came up after several heartbeats and she seemed amused. She raised her voice to Snowy. “I’ll see that no one bothers you.”

  When Taniras returned, it took all his will not to seize her. They finally reached the buildings and went inside the nearest of the two.

  The cold no longer bothered him and he gazed longingly at his mate. “What about protection?” He was amazed that his mind could even think straight. They were new enough to the kin that the Energy hadn’t had a chance to render them barren yet. Though that would come eventually.

  Taniras gave him a crooked grin, pulled a small vial from her cloak inner pocket and downed the liquid. Snowy gave her a grin as he thought only of satisfying his needs and those of the wolf singer.

  Chapter 14

  “What are you saying, Ved’nuri?” Lyssinya stood with the other slumberers in the crowned woman’s memory dream. Her heart, even in this otherself body, beat frantically against her ribs. “They can’t be lost.”

  “Calm yourself, daughter. We’re doing everything we can to assist them.”

  “But how did they get lost in the Means? They’re Sages.”

  “I’ve told you the problems we’ve had lately. The imbalances are affecting the Means.”

  “I never should have told Tapnut to come to the mainland.” She put her face in her hands and wept, not caring who saw, and felt arms encircle her waist. Adelsik.

  “Lyssinya?” Ved’nuri said after several heartbeats. “Look at me.”

  She couldn’t refuse the order, not from the leader of her kin, so she wiped her eyes with her palms, sniffed and focused on the crowned woman. “Yes, Ved’nuri?”

  “I know this troubles you, and I know how much you care for Tapnut.” Of course she did. The woman could hear any kin’s thoughts in the Netherworld. “But you’ll be no good to him or to us if you allow your emotions to rule over you.”

  She swallowed and took in a deep breath then nodded for Adelsik to release her. The girl had become overly concerned of late, especially in the Netherworld, when she wasn’t acting arrogant and irritable. “You’re right, Ved’nuri. My apologies.” She fought the urge to glance at Haranda. That Gypsy still put her hackles up.

  Ved’nuri gave her a knowing smile. “Accepted. We’ll continue to search the Means. The Gypsies are creating an Energy trail as they enter from the Land of the Goddess and it seems to be working. We haven’t lost anyone else. Tapnut and the other Sages are strong.”

  She was right again and Lyssinya felt a bit more at ease. Tapnut was no novice with the Energy. He’d been at full Sage status when Lyssinya was still a youngling, and the Sages he traveled with had decades of harnessing behind them. “Yes, Ved’nuri. You’re rig
ht.”

  “Good.” Colorful eyes turned to Adelsik. Ved’nuri cocked her crowned head and long, golden curls cascaded over one shoulder. “You’ve surprised me, new-oathed. First, the way you and Thad saved Henny. I’m still working on that one. And now sensing the void’s retreat from the middling world when no one else did. I’ve studied you and don’t believe what you sensed was merely an accident. I expect you possess coherence abilities.”

  “What?” Lyssinya said before she could stop herself. That certainly was surprising. “Are you positive, Ved’nuri?” Even Haranda, Wren and Elder Siri looked astonished. In fact, the only one who didn’t show surprise was Ved’emir. The boy simply stood with dark eyes focused on his mother. Lyssinya studied Adelsik and those large, brown eyes gazed up at her in confusion.

  “I’m fairly certain.” The crowned woman looked amused. “But we’ll know more after a few days. Adelsik, I want you to report everything you sense to Elder Siri.

  “Yes, Ved’nuri. What is coherence?”

  “Ah, yes. You haven’t been taught that, yet. Coherence is when a slumberer can sense the Netherworld from the mundane world, in a waking state. A very rare gift that usually doesn’t come about until one is at full Gypsy status, and a talent that is very confusing at first. That’s why I want you to make reports. Siri and the other slumberers can verify which world you sense.”

  “I didn’t think that possible, Ved’nuri. I thought sparking was the only Energy that could grow after oaths.”

  The crowned woman smiled and stroked Adelsik’s loose blond hair like a mother comforting her child. “Coherense isn’t so much a growth of your slumbering Energy as a different manifestation of it. Many things are possible, new-oathed. And you won’t learn them all in one lifetime, even as long as Gypsies live.”

  Lyssinya smiled at that. Two lifetimes wouldn’t be enough to learn all she wanted, especially in the Netherworld. She still bristled that Ved’nuri hadn’t agreed to a reversal. That was the least Adelsik deserved after using Henny the way she had. But the Vedi believed the youngling couldn’t be harmed by Croferituus while in a deep sleep, so Adelsik could do no harm either. Lyssinya thought of Thad. That new-oathed boy surprised everyone as much, if not more, than Adelsik had. The two had done what no other Sages or Gypsies had ever accomplished and that raked on Lyssinya’s nerves. They were just too young. Obeying rules and agreeing with them were two different animals, and the inner conflict kept her emotions on a bumpy, wagon ride. Her temper threatened to climb and she used effort to dampen it. She couldn’t disobey the Vedi, no matter how much she disagreed, though that angered her too.

  Ved’nuri’s eyes moved to her and she fought to keep still under the intrusive gaze. Blazes! This woman made her feel like she was still in her youngling dress. And Ved’nuri knew exactly what she’d just been thinking.

  “Keep searching for Tapnut, Lyssinya. And the other Sages. You know their footprints well. I want you to lead a search here each night. If you locate them, contact me immediately. I believe I can guide them from the Means by communicating through the Netherworld.”

  “Yes, Ved’nuri.”

  “How many have the ability to slumber?”

  “Just two, Ved’nuri. One is weaker than Haranda.” Though not near as annoying. “The other can’t enter another person’s dreams without assistance.”

  “Then we’ll concentrate on the stronger of the two. Siri, keep up the search for Croferituus. I want that idiot woman.” A frown created lines between her colorful eyes.

  “Yes, Ved’nuri. Adelsik knows Croferituus best so we should use her abilities.”

  “Very well.” The crowned woman focused hard eyes on the new-oathed girl and pointed a long arm. “You won’t do anything when it comes to that yellow-eyed woman without Siri’s permission. If you disobey me in this, I just might agree to a reversal, and I’ll make certain your former clan mother has numerous unpleasant chores set aside for your temporary youngling status.” Within a heartbeat, the girl’s new-oathed dress changed into that of a youngling. “Am I making myself clear?”

  Adelsik glanced down at her clothes and those innocent-looking eyes came up. “Yes, Ved’nuri.”

  Lyssinya waited for some impudent remark from the girl but she kept quiet. Smart.

  “Very well.” Ved’nuri turned to her son. “Go to your father and see if he’s had any luck with that final text.”

  “Yes, mother.” With that, the boy disappeared.

  Ved’nuri turned abruptly to Adelsik and the girl twitched. “Where do you sense the void?”

  “That way, Ved’nuri.” She had the good sense not to alter her youngling dress, and Lyssinya suspected Ved’nuri kept it that way as a reminder.

  They floated in the direction Adelsik indicated. When the void altered its position, they moved in an almost opposite route. Then off in yet another direction. Adelsik suddenly stopped, her face creased with intense thought.

  Ved’nuri raised a hand to halt the rest. “What is it? Adelsik?” The girl didn’t answer. “New-oathed.”

  That flaxen head shook side to side and a curse flew from Adelsik’s lips. “My apologies.”

  Lyssinya wanted to shake her. What in blazes was wrong with the girl? She’d been acting strangely ever since her encounter with Croferituus. She altered between insolence, which made Lyssinya wanted to slap her, and looking as though the world weighed on those thin shoulders.

  “I should have seen it before, Ved’nuri.” Adelsik’s large eyes looked like startled deer’s. “It’s a pattern.” That wasn’t at all what Lyssinya expected and she had trouble keeping the surprise from her face. “My apologies for not seeing it sooner. But it’s definitely a pattern.”

  “The void?”

  “Yes, Ved’nuri.” She gazed to her feet briefly. “We always begin searching the void from your memory dream of the dome or from my beach. Because of the two starting points, I missed the pattern. May I create the beach?”

  “Yes.”

  In an instant, they stood in the sand in Adelsik’s memory dream and the girl squatted. “See, here’s where your memory dome begins, Ved’nuri.” She pushed her finger into the sand to create a small hole. “And here’s this place.” Another hole. “The search always takes this pattern, no matter which place we start from. It always makes the same design.” She drew several lines in the sand that eventually connected the two holes.

  Lyssinya felt a bit put out not recognizing the pattern herself, and she crouched with the other women. “A star.” The two holes were located at two of the five points.

  “Yes.” Excitement colored Adelsik’s voice. “If we can figure out exactly where the other three points originate, which shouldn’t be too difficult since we simply have to chase the void like we’ve been doing, we should be able to trap it, surround it from these five points. Croferituus would have no place to hide. This could work, I think.” She gazed questionably at the crowned woman.

  Ved’nuri had crouched in the sand like the others and offered a grand smile to Adelsik. “I’m duly impressed, daughter. Yes, this might be exactly what we need. I’ll have to perform some calculations with Ved’emir. He’s quite good at that sort of thing.” Pride touched her voice. “We have enough slumberers to take each point but we can’t follow it more than a single pattern, I’m afraid. That’s too draining.”

  Traveling in the Netherworld didn’t feel like distances one experienced in the middling world, but the Energy expended to cover these points, even once they knew the exact locations, would tire even a powerful slumberer like Lyssinya. She wondered about Ved’nuri. The woman was even stronger than Adelsik.

  The crowned woman glanced at her, no doubt a reminder that she heard Lyssinya’s thoughts, before she stood and smoothed her beautiful, multi-colored gown. “We’ll need to be accurate to avoid wasting precious heartbeats.” Those colorful eyes moved to each woman after they stood and rested on Siri. “There’s nothing more we can do about the void tonight. I’ll take Adelsik’s ide
as to Ved’mana and Ved’emir. I have your reports on the hamlet and am pleased some of the difficulties have been resolved.”

  Siri’s numerous braids swung and those gold bangles tinkled as she moved her head. “We can’t remain there too long, Ved’nuri.”

  “Yes, I know. Food reserves will need replenishing. But you have enough for several days, even with all the new kin. We sent a pigeon to Mistress Lane’s farm just outside Makrilon but haven’t heard anything back.” She focused on Haranda, who hadn’t said a word in a long while. “Can you locate her? Find out how she and the other servants in that area are fairing? Since I’ve never met her, I’m afraid it would take me a while to find her dream in the masses.” One arm motioned to the numerous bubbles that drifted nearby.

  “Of course, Ved’nuri. She and the others are quite resilient, though. Otherwise, they could never have survived this long near Makrilon.” Her thin lips curled into a smile.

  Ved’nuri threw back her head and laughed. The woman’s reaction startled Lyssinya. She didn’t expect such an outburst from one of the Vedi. They were royalty among the kin. A golden brow went up as Ved’nuri focused on her. “I’m not void of emotion, daughter. Just cautious.”

  “Yes, Ved’nuri.” She felt her cheeks heat up and hated that her thoughts were on display here, even if Ved’nuri was the only recipient, but she smiled.

  No one ever suffered punishment for what their thoughts contained, but the formidable woman had a knack of reminding her kin that she missed nothing. And Haranda’s intimate relationship with the former Candelus did nothing to quell Lyssinya’s irritation. She didn’t see how the two could have been younglings together, much less clan sisters.

  Ved’nuri studied her a heartbeat more. “Lyssinya, you may search for Tapnut, but don’t stay too long. Haranda, seek out Mistress Lane. The rest of you get some sleep. We’ll attempt Adelsik’s plan tomorrow night, and I fear we’ll need to be at full strength.” Without waiting for acknowledgements, she popped out of existence.