The Dream Sifter (The Depths of Memory Book 1)

by Bundy, Candice

  This city was perhaps a third of Raven's Call, but it made up for it in bustling activity and color. People's clothing contained vibrant colors which should have clashed, but didn't. Sept houses painted their stone walls in alternating stripes and segments, foregoing the dull grey of plain rock sheeting. An occasional mural even stood out, displaying the artistry of the inhabitants. Moreover, wildflowers in every color imaginable surrounded the city walls. Raven's Call had abundant plant life surrounding it, but nothing like this. Had the citizens planted them on purpose, or were they native species? Why did they paint the walls of their homes here? Rai didn't know, but she liked the change--liked the character of the place.

  An image floated up in her consciousness: a prison with stone walls and thick iron bars and cold, hard floors. She had no idea where or when such a place entered her mind, under what unfortunate circumstances, but as the large city gates came into view, she suspected why the image surfaced now.

  Rai looked wistfully at Stoi and Laan. They'd be on the road again by this time tomorrow, whereas Rai would be stuck behind the great walls of the city. Again, she hoped Jesse and she would hit it off. Rai cringed, fearing she wouldn't live up to Jesse's expectations.

  She glanced at Stoi, who was only now relaxing. The main gate of Kiya's Grace was bustling with activity, with a steady stream of carts and wagons arriving and departing. It was much more activity than she'd seen at Raven's Call. They slowed their wagons and joined a long line of Az'Un waiting to enter the city.

  "Kiya's Grace is foremost a farming community, so you get a lot of traffic between the city and the fields and swamps around here," Stoi explained. "It can be difficult traversing the gates morning and night, not that you'll have to worry about that, I suppose."

  "No, I suppose not."

  "Look, I know how alone you must feel right now, but trust me. Jesse's the only friend you'll need. Once you meet her, you'll see what I mean."

  "It's just happening so fast. I've barely met you and Kait and everyone, and after you and Laan leave I may never see the Raven's Call Sept house again." Stoi had no reply for her.

  Eager to change the subject, Rai pointed to the cart ahead of them, filled with fish. "Do those fishermen have a death wish?"

  Stoi looked confused for a moment. "What do you mean?"

  "Don't fish have enough toxins in them to kill an iron wolf, much less a person?"

  "Only the deep-sea fish. These must come from the swamps to the north, or from one of the aquatic farms. They don't have near the problems that the ocean-bound ones do."

  "Uh huh. Well don't expect me to eat any." Why would anyone take the risk?

  Stoi thought a moment. "But the question is ... how do you know about fish?"

  "A memory!" she beamed. "Not something about me, but it's a start!"

  "Hey, today fish, tomorrow -- who knows, right?" Stoi turned to her, narrowing his brows. "Fish are quite a staple around these parts. I guess that rules out Kiya's Grace as your hometown. Otherwise, you'd think nothing special about eating fish."

  "Eminently logical," Rai replied, pursing her lips. Despite the stress along the road to Kiya's Grace, Stoi still focused on helping her discover her past. This touched Rai deeply.

  "Let's run with this a bit, O Well-Traveled One. Where do people eat fish?"

  "You need swamps for fish harvesting, and only this city and Resounding Cliffs have swamps. So I guess really just those two cities eat fish. Now I suppose there's a chance that someone in one of the smaller coastline townships has found a way to harvest safely ocean fish, but I'm not aware of any. We'd need to ask my brother Meik about that one, as he runs those trade routes."

  "So that leaves Raven's Call and Barrow's Grove as the two main cities that consider fish unsafe to eat?" Stoi nodded in agreement. "Well, it's not much, but it's something. I guess you can tell Kait that Raven's Call and Barrow's Grove may be good starting points."

  "Indeed I will! But don't you worry. Kait won't stop until she figures out this puzzle." Stoi lowered his voice before continuing. "I know Kait has some Temple Healers as friends, and she finds out all sorts of gossip from them. Perhaps they will help fill in the details on your past or amnesia." Rai wondered how Chieftess Kait had managed to gain the confidence of these Temple Healers, but was grateful for the advantage nonetheless.

  The line moved forward and a short, blond Guardian at the head of the line greeted them. "Sept and cargo," he asked, eyes roaming over the wagons.

  "Durmah, Gatemaster. Our cargo is woolens," Stoi replied, staring straight ahead. His curt tone was even more clipped than he'd been with the Guardian who'd accompanied them on their journey. Rai had no idea of knowing if this was his typical treatment of their Sept, or a reflection of the past few days. Although she didn't understand his full discomfort around the Guardians, Rai suspected his distrust came from his concerns the Sept shared regarding the Temples.

  The Gatemaster wrote down this information on a small tablet in his hand, and then continued to survey their wagons. His eyes caught the deep claw marks on the side of Laan's wagon and he frowned, examining them more closely now. "Did you encounter any ... problems on your journey?"

  Stoi looked him straight in the eye, and to Rai's great surprise, he lied. "Not a one. A rather mundane trip, actually." He turned straight ahead again, breaking the Guardian's intense gaze. The Guardian turned to Rai for confirmation, but she took Stoi's lead, dropped her gaze, and also stared straight ahead, saying nothing.

  The Guardian arched a brow, ignoring Stoi's explanation. "In that case, I'll discuss the matter with your escort instead. Have a nice stay," he said, motioning them forward. He moved on to the next cart, which was brimming over with some sort of brown mossy-looking plant.

  Once inside the city walls they navigated through the main corridor and turned onto a side street. They came to an open courtyard and pulled inside. Attached was a two-story building Rai assumed was the Waystation. From the outside, it looked nearly as big to Rai as the Durmah Sept house. The stable at the end of the courtyard was in fact much larger than at the main Durmah stable. Rai counted over twenty stalls. A man emerged from behind two of the mounts on the opposite end of the stable.

  "Master Durmah! A warm welcome to you on this bright afternoon!" The man beamed toothily and his short, dark hair stuck out in all directions. He walked with a slow, odd-looking swagger.

  "Hey there, Markel! I trust you've been keeping things in good order around here since I've been gone?" Stoi asked, smiling back at the man as they dismounted the wagons.

  Rai remembered what Stoi told her about the staff at the Waystation. Jesse was the only blood Durmah here. All the other Waystation workers, including Markel, were Septless hired help.

  "Yes Sir! You know Mistress Jesse keeps things in order, never a fear about that Sir." Markel answered, nodding and smiling all along. He stepped forward and unhitched Stoi's horses.

  "I'm sure she has, Markel. Our girl Jesse's got a good head on her shoulders, no doubt about that."

  A hearty laugh rang out from the archway leading from the stable to the Waystation. Rai knew this must be Jesse from Laan's descriptions in his stories. She was the spitting image of her mother Kait, just a few inches taller with straight, chin-length brown hair and a well-proportioned figure. Her olive complexion, coupled with her brown leather pants and loose nutmeg-toned shirt, gave her a sultry yet commanding presence. She looked no more than seventeen or eighteen, yet projected confidence and maturity well beyond her years.

  "I don't suppose you'd put that in writing, would you Uncle Stoi? Perhaps a letter to my mother, recanting all your doubts about appointing me Innkeeper, and admitting she was right all along?" Besides Jesse's forced smile, there was no mistaking the cutting edge in her voice.

  Stoi approached Jesse with open arms. "Now Jesse, you know I think you're doing a fantastic job out here, regardless of what may have happened in the past. Truce?"

  Jesse gave in and approached Stoi, accepting his
big bear hug. There was clearly a lot of affection between them, whatever might have happened.

  Pulling away, Jesse turned to Laan. "Cousin, good to see you again." She hugged him too.

  "And you, Jesse," Laan replied. "It looks like Kiya's Grace is treating you well?"

  "Yes it is, quite well," Jesse answered. "Can I assume this one is why you're overdue on the wool shipment?" Jesse cast Rai a penetrating glance that making her feel weighed and measured. "The Weavers Sept has been sending little Velin over twice a week to check on the delivery. Do you know much I dislike dealing with that brat?"

  "Sorry Sis. Jesse, this is Rai Durmah, newly inducted adoptee of just one week now." Stoi introduced, emphasizing the word Durmah. "Here's a letter from Chieftess Kait, posting Rai at the Waystation, to be of any aid you require." Stoi handed the folded parchment envelope to Jesse, who slipped it into a pocket on her belt as she appraised Rai. "Why don't we head inside and bring you up to date over dinner? It'd be a bit more private."

  "Good idea," Jesse replied. "Let me just get someone to unload these wagons." She looked toward the wagons, and similar to the Guardian at the city gates, her eyes widened at the sight of the deep claw marks in Laan's wagon. "Looks like someone already tried to unload them. Someone of the four-legged variety?"

  "You might say that, yes," said Stoi. Jesse waited for him to elaborate, but he said nothing further.

  "Well, we'll have lots to talk about over dinner. I'll arrange to get someone out to fix your wagon too, Laan. Grab your stuff!" Jesse led the way inside.

  Through the archway, a half-rise of stairs opened into an immense dining hall. People sat at two of the tables, but no one took more than a passing notice of the Durmahs walking through. In the corners of the room were alcoves containing tables, for those who wanted a more private dining experience. At the far end of the dining hall, a short hallway lead to a private dining room. Rai, Laan, and Stoi entered the room and sat down at the large oblong table in the center. Jesse lingered in the main hall for a moment. Rai heard her instructing her staff to unload the wagons and place an order with the kitchen.

  Jesse arrived a few seconds later carrying a tray with four mugs and a pitcher each of beer and water. She poured mugs of the thick, dark liquid for Stoi and Laan, and then raised a brow to Rai. Rai nodded and Jesse filled her mug. Jesse sat down to a mug of her own, and they sipped beer in silence for a time. The thick, dark brew was surprisingly sweet in flavor, and stronger than Rai would have guessed.

  After another few short minutes, the head cook appeared with a platter of freshly roasted meats and roots. "Mmmm. This looks fantastic!" Stoi exclaimed, his expression finally relaxing after the long and trying trip. The head cook placed the platter on the table and withdrew, oblivious to their conversation. A kitchen boy followed behind her with some plates, a loaf of fresh dark-grained bread, and few chunks of sweetened butter. The intensity of the food's aroma was nearly overpowering to Rai, and she surmised that whatever dulling effects she'd experienced from the Temple medicinals were gone. She buttered a slice of bread, and Stoi and Laan eagerly did the same.

  The three travelers feasted voraciously, having eaten nothing but travel rations for the past several days. Jesse waited patiently, but after about fifteen minutes, her curiosity got the better of her.

  "So, are we starting with the adoption, or with the claw marks in the wagon? No offense to you Rai, but those claw marks look like a far more interesting story."

  Stoi leaned back in his seat and pushed his plate away. Jesse leaned forward and refilled his glass. He took a long pull before filling her in on the past few days. Rai watched for Jesse's reaction to her amnesia or to her expert use of the dart gun during the Iron Wolf encounter, but if either of these fazed Jesse, she didn't show it. Just then, Rai realized that she still had the dart gun at her side, and she did not intend to give it up. Something about Jesse told Rai she wasn't one who missed much. Once Stoi finished, Jesse looked pensive, as if trying to digest it all.

  "Iron Wolves! Who'd have thought? You're the first travelers to suffer an Iron Wolf attack around here since--you know, I can't even remember when! Well that's why you have Guardian escorts, eh?" Jesse exclaimed. Rai expected an angry diatribe from Stoi at any reference to the Guardians, but none came. "Anyway, please tell me you're going to stay here at the Waystation a few days before you take the fabric shipment back to Raven's Call? You both look exhausted, likely from losing so much sleep on the trip here."

  "No can do, sis. We leave at dawn tomorrow morning." Laan shot him a surprised look. "We'll file papers and get the wagons reloaded tonight. Besides, the Iron Wolves that attacked us are now ashes."

  "You sure I can't persuade you to stay and rest up some more?" Jesse asked.

  "Hey, if it were up to me, I'd stay for the food alone!" They all chuckled. "But Chirey's been feeling lonely again, and I'd like to be back with her as soon as I can." The disappointment on Laan's face spoke volumes. Only one night savoring the protection offered by the thick city walls and the Waystation's hot food was less than he'd expected.

  "Are there just the fabrics to take back, or has that brother of yours delivered more of the herbs from up around the swamplands? The Temple in Raven's Call asked when they can expect their shipment." Stoi asked.

  Jesse sighed and shook her head. "No, Ponar's overdue by over two weeks on this last shipment. There's been more flooding in the swamps this month, so I'm guessing that's been holding him up."

  Stoi looked exasperated. "Ponar is overdue on most of his shipments these days. It makes Durmah look bad; to say nothing of the money it's costing us. When he does bother to show up, perhaps you can mention my ... concern for him. That boy has to shape up and start pulling his weight. If he was here I'd give him quite the talking to."

  "Hey, don't tell me, tell him. Perhaps if you didn't push him so hard ..." she began.

  Stoi held up his hand. "No, Jesse. I haven't been pushing him that hard. Kait's best at that. I've begun to wonder if these delays are just excuses to keep him away from her and from choosing his future spouse." Jesse frowned at this last remark, but he said nothing further.

  "See what I put up with around here, Rai?" Jesse asked. "Now what about you? Amnesia? Wow, that's rough. You'll get your memory back, right? Anything come back to you on the trip or here at the Waystation?"

  "Unfortunately no, and it's been over a week now. A few little things have come back, but it's slow going," Rai replied. "I'm beginning to wonder if my full memory will ever return."

  "Don't lose hope, girl. I'll let Kait know what's happened to date, and then when I'm out this way again I can tell you what she's discovered," Stoi replied. "In the meantime, settle in here and get used to life at the Waystation."

  Rai nodded in agreement. "I'll do that. Hopefully the quiet of this town will help me relax enough to remember."

  Jesse's shook her head. "Well, the city might be quiet, but this Waystation rarely is! Whether you want to work on remembering or not, I doubt you'll have the time. By the way, a Temple Apprentice delivered a special formulation of the plague treatment two days ago. He said it was for the new Durmah stationed here. Is there any reason to think this stuff will be any different from the last medicinal batch they gave you--the one that dulled your taste buds?"

  "None that I can think of. Apprentice Mala was quite insistent that I continue the treatments," Rai replied. "I can have a look at it, but I think I'd still prefer to take the normal medicinals, if that's ok with you and you have enough?"

  "That's no problem. The Temple keeps us well stocked since we harbor travelers. Once we're finished with dinner, I'll go get some for you."

  "Hey, I don't suppose Somnu is in town now, is he?" Stoi asked.

  "No, the Tinker's not here right now, but he's due within the next day or two," Jesse replied.

  "That's too bad. I was hoping to prod him for information about locals getting amnesia. I'd wait around and ask him about Rai's amnesia, but I can't lose the time
." Stoi let out a big yawn.

  Rai remembered Laan mentioning Tinkers picked up bits of gossip, and had extremely ornate and colorful clothes and wagons. Their storytelling and bardic skills had wide fame, and everyone relied on them for their ability to repair antiquated machinery--even the old pre-colonization machines. The Temples weren't too fond of them. Repairing machinery that old was a talent that the Temples reserved for themselves.

  "I'll ask him when he gets here, and fill you in next time you're back," Jesse offered.

  Stoi nodded. "I'd appreciate it. However, don't mention any names. No use manufacturing suspicion if we don't have to." Now it was Laan's turn to yawn, and he did so noisily.

  Jesse looked around the table, assessing their obvious fatigue. "I'll do that. Look, I can take care of loading and provisioning the wagons tonight. Why don't you all make an early evening of it?"

  With everyone's agreement, Stoi and Laan hugged Rai goodbye and good luck in case they missed her on their way out in the morning, and Jesse led Rai to her new room. Stoi and Laan grabbed a couple of guest rooms for the night, as the Waystation wasn't full.

  Jesse led Rai up a flight of stairs and down a hall toward the back of the Waystation. She swung open the second door from the end of the hall and stepped inside, motioning for Rai to follow. "This is your room now, mine is the one on the end. We share the bathroom on this end of the hall. Everyone else in this wing is staff and shares the other bath."

  "It's very nice." This room was equal in lavishness to the one she'd overnighted in at the Durmah Sept house. About twelve feet deep and eighteen feet across, the room gave enough space for a large bed, a writing table and chair, a wardrobe, three lamps and two full sets of windows. A variety of wall hangings and carpets broke up the otherwise plain gray stonewalls and dark wooden floors.