Seer's Hope

By Maree Anderson

Chapter Seventeen

Kunnandi elbowed Shikari in the side. "Who would've thought the old man had it in him?"

"Or that she would have let him get away with it."

"She's a feisty one. I think Blayne's in for a hard time tonight." Kunnandi smirked. "I'm sure our Panakeya is more than equal to whatever she throws at him. And no doubt it will all be resolved to their mutual satisfaction."

Shikari harrumphed at the unsubtle innuendo.

Kunnandi spotted the woman known as Maya slipping through the crowd thronging about the Promised couple. Her quiet word with Wisa had resulted in the goddess looking more startled than a goddess should be after a conversation with a human.

Interesting. Even more interesting, she was now headed his way.

Kunnandi grinned as he eyed the buxom blonde. The grin wavered as he noted her determined expression. He turned to Shikari to suggest they both make themselves scarce and—

"Not so fast, Exalted Ones. You all had a hand in uprooting that poor girl from her home and 'blessing' her with a Sehan's powers, did you not?" Hands on hips, Maya stared them down until Shikari nodded and Kunnandi shifted restlessly.

"And no doubt you're pleased she's Promised to Blayne, and pregnant even though she was supposed to be barren. Less chance she'll want to leave Dayamaria anytime soon, right? And I suppose you're thrilled that everything's going to plan." Her voice dripped irony.

Kunnandi opened his mouth to defend himself but Shikari's nudge made him think twice. He nodded instead.

"Because you're gods and therefore all-seeing and all-knowing blah, blah, blah, I won't bore you by telling you exactly how I feel about this whole business."

Shikari cleared his throat. Kunnandi discovered an intriguing mark on the floor.

"I may not be able to save poor Hope from whatever you've got planned for her, but I can do something. You will help me turn this impromptu Promising into a proper occasion. I'm aware Blayne didn't want a fuss, but right now I don't much care what he wants. This is a celebration for Hope—of her Promising, her acceptance as Second Sehan, and having a family of her own again. I've already spoken to Wisa and she agrees with me."

"Not that she had much of a choice I bet," Kunnandi muttered.

"Pardon me?"

"Nothing."

"That's what I thought. So here's what you two are going to do."

After delivering her instructions Maya sashayed off, well satisfied with her arrangements. Kunnandi mopped his brow and turned to his slack-jawed sibling. "I'd hate to think what tone she'd have used with us if we weren't her gods, and she didn't have the utmost reverence for us. Who's her life-partner again?"

"The one with the red hair. His name is Cayl."

"Hmm." Kunnandi scratched his chin. "I'd love to know how he's managed paired with a woman as determined to get her own way as that one. He might have some hints about how I can get around Wisa."

"I wouldn't bet on it."

~*~

As each small group of people left the hall, they found themselves at the gathering place. Remaining invisible, Kunnandi basked in their gawps and exclamations as he lit strategically placed torches to illuminate the area. He clicked his fingers. With small explosive sounds, trestle tables appeared along one side. "So, who's got a favorite food then?" he said. "Come on people, speak up. Our guests of honor will be here soon."

"Um, hotcakes and syrup?" one brave soul called out.

"Excellent choice." He conjured platters of hotcakes dripping with syrup and arranged them on the tables. Stunned silence greeted their arrival. And then people began yelling their favorite dishes. Cheers accompanied each new dish that popped into view. Soon the tables were brimming with all manner of food and drink.

"Enough!" Shikari conjured dishes, utensils and mugs. "What else are we missing?" A snap of his fingers, and various instruments appeared in mid air, snaking their way toward the area set aside for the musicians, some chased by anxious owners.

Kunnandi snickered, vastly amused by the humans' antics. He sent Shikari a mental message and they both appeared in the flesh. "Right everyone," he said. "Let's get ready to yell 'Surprise!' On my count of three. One... two... three...."

"Surprise!" everyone yelled just as Wisa, Blayne, Hope, and her adoptive family, materialized in the center of the gathering area.

"Grieving gods, Kunnandi." Wisa's hand fluttered above her heart. "Did you have to do that? I almost died of fright."

"Stop being so dramatic. You're a goddess—you can't die." The god flung both arms outward. "Hope and Blayne, how do you like your celebration? You can thank Maya for this. It was her idea."

Blayne grabbed Maya and hugged her. "Thank you."

"I had help," Maya said, sounding flustered.

"Next time, Blayne, please do us a favor and give her more notice," Kunnandi piped up.

She blushed a wonderful shade of pink. "I wasn't that hard on you all, was I?"

"We'll get over it," Kunnandi told her. "Eventually."

"Ignore him," Wisa advised. "I certainly do."

Now he was free to do as he pleased, Kunnandi turned his attention to the First Elder, and made it his personal mission to get Varon roaring drunk. He was so successful, the First Elder joined the dancing and made an utter fool of himself. As the evening progressed, Varon became increasingly befuddled. Finally he crawled under a trestle table. His snores were most impressive.

"He'll have a massive headache tomorrow," Shikari said.

"That was the idea." Kunnandi grinned evilly, and then snapped his fingers and sent Varon back to his quarters.

~*~

"Goodnight, you two." Varaya's fingertips lingered on Willem's arm. "I think I'll head back to the dormayre." The sultry, come-hither look she threw Willem before she sauntered off caused the man to completely lose track of what he had been about to say.

Blayne took pity on him. "You should walk Varaya home. It's dark and she might be a bit, ah, scared."

"Good idea. Goodnight, then."

Willem hurried off, leaving Blayne trying to muffle his laughter until Willem was safely out of earshot. Varaya had never been afraid of the dark in her life.

He glanced around until he spotted Hope. His Promised sat cross-legged on the ground, deep in conversation with Wisa. He sauntered over to eavesdrop.

"Tell me why you healed my infertility, Wisa," Hope was saying. "Doesn't this pregnancy jeopardize what I must do?"

"My dear, you credit us with entirely too much meddling. What do you know about the differences between your Earth and Dayamaria—other than obvious technological ones?"

"I had trouble breathing when I first arrived and I remember Dayamar saying the air here is slightly different."

"That's one way of putting it. A spore is present in the air. For the majority of humans there are no side effects at all. But for some, this spore causes physical anomalies—gold eyes and a self-healing ability are common. These people are also given the ability to interact with their world differently. To see past and future possibilities, manipulate matter, discern aureyas—so-called 'magical' abilities. Hence those the Dayamari call Sehani. Hence you, Hope."

"I'm the way I am now because of a spore?" Hope huffed a sharp breath through her nose. "It's easier to believe you are responsible, Wisa. That's what Dayamar preaches, after all. Are you saying he doesn't know about this spore?"

"Of course he knows. The spore is an ancient life-form that was present when this world was first formed. It has evolved along with humans. We have no control over exactly who it affects, or how it interacts with its human host, but most Sehani do share common ancestry. As many Sehans before him, Dayamar prefers to attribute the spore's effects to gods, rather than attempting to explain the complex biological processes involved."

Hope scrunched up her nose and Blayne's lips twitched at her expression. He wondered if Wisa found it as endearing as he did.

"But I'm from Earth," Hope said. "How can I possibly share common ancestry with Dayamari?"

"You don't. You're an anomaly, Hope. And we give heartfelt thanks to whatever entity is responsible for your existence. According to Dayamar, your Sehani potential was vast, but none of us knew what the result of bringing you into contact with the spore would be." Wisa hesitated, as though gathering her thoughts. "I believe that because the spore had to alter your physiology so drastically if you were to survive here, as part of the process it targeted anything and everything it found that required healing. Whatever it was that made you infertile, whether it was internal scarring or some other cause, was healed as a part of your adaptation to the spore."

Blayne got the distinct impression his all-seeing all-knowing goddess wasn't too happy about resorting to supposition.

"And as for your pregnancy." The goddess shrugged eloquently. "You are in all respects a healthy young woman. And I can only presume that young man lurking behind me is taking regular advantage of you. You were not taking precautions, so what else would you expect? Don't you agree, Blayne?"

He felt his face flush like a youngling caught with his fingers in the syrup flask. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was just, uh, waiting for Hope."

"I'm sure you were," Wisa informed him tartly. "Does confirmation of the spore's existence surprise you, Panakeya?"

He rubbed his chin. "I gleaned small clues from the histories. Eventually I discovered all Sehani were related through the one male ancestor. Please forgive my frankness, Exalted One, but although I have faith in the my gods, as a healer I must also look elsewhere for answers. For some years now I've suspected those 'blessed by the gods' had been affected by some biological factor as well." He held back from voicing his suspicion that, because Hope had been physically altered by the spore, she might no longer be able to survive on her home-world... and that Dayamar, too, must surely have similar concerns. In the grand scheme of things, it no longer mattered. Hope's home was here, now. With him.

Wisa nodded. "You are worthy to bear the title Panakeya."

He tossed her a sharp look, wondering whether she'd gleaned his thoughts. But the goddess's closed expression gave him no clues. "Respectfully, I have a question."

"Go ahead, Blayne."

"If the spore could diagnose and heal Hope's infertility, why couldn't it give her back her sight?"

"All I can say to that is all will be revealed in time." Wisa rose and fussed with the skirt of her dress. "We must depart. These forms are too enticing." She directed a baleful glare at the still-carousing Kunnandi, whose hands were both occupied—one squeezing a pert young woman's bottom and the other quaffing sekar.

"Boys," she called. "Time to go. Now!"

Shikari materialized at her side. When she received no response from Kunnandi, she snapped her fingers.

The god appeared beside her, choking on his drink. "I wish you wouldn't do that, Wisa."

"Time to go. We've stayed too long already." She glared down her nose at him. "Obviously."

Kunnandi gestured and his drink disappeared. "Better?"

"Much. Now where's Dayamar gotten to?"

The old Sehan strode toward them. "It's time for you to go."

"Yes. But first, a gift for you, Hope." Wisa made a fist. When she opened her hand, a small, black, pebble-sized gem was nestled atop her palm.

"Here, my dear." The goddess handed the gem to Hope. "Keep this stone on your person at all times. It will light your way and give you hope when all about you seems dark and hopeless."

Hope tucked it away in the pouch hanging at her waist. "Must you leave?"

"Yes. But first there's a little cleaning up to do." Wisa's eyes unfocussed for a split second, and there were startled exclamations as people, tables, food and drink disappeared. The lights extinguished, and the whole area plunged into darkness.

"Goodbye, my dearest ones," Blayne heard Wisa whisper.

"Goodbye," Shikari rumbled.

"'Bye!"

Hope squeaked and rubbed her bottom. "Someone pinched me!"

"Kunnandi." Wisa's scolding voice echoed about them.

Blayne blinked and found himself by the sleeping platform in his room, with Hope in his arms. He didn't need to be told twice to take a hint. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

~*~

In the silence of her mind, Hope asked, "Who am I?"

There was no enlightening response—not that she'd truly expected one.

In simpler times, she'd been Hope Leah Delamore, a dearly loved daughter and sister. A tragic accident had stolen her family and her sight, transforming her into a lonely young woman burdened with having been named the sole beneficiary of her family's substantial estate. Next, she'd been a stranded traveler in an alien world. And now, Second Sehan of the Dayamari, and Promised of their Panakeya.

Bother. She'd allowed herself to be distracted again. So much for meditation.

Sighing, Hope gave up and began some basic yoga stretches. Due to her status, she wasn't given the opportunity to do much of anything on her own anymore. Thank the gods Dayamar understood her need for occasional solitude, and gave her use of the Sehani Hall for an hour each morning—accompanied by a decree that no one was allowed to bother her unless it was an emergency. And Hope took full advantage of that all-too-short hour, using the time to center herself before she began her daily rounds.

She made a rude sound. Supposedly her rounds were an opportunity for the average Dayamari to benefit from Sehani wisdom. Instead, so-called spiritual problems were laid before her like some holy offering, accompanied by the expectation she would impart some enlightening gem of wisdom in return.

Wisdom and enlightenment? Phooey. Most people, she'd discovered, merely wanted someone to tell them what to do instead of thinking through problems on their own. She was quite sure Dayamar had passed this duty on to her because he was glad to be shod of it.

Her thoughts drifted to her waistline, which Blayne assured her did not yet show any signs of her pregnancy—a complication she had finally come to accept. Too, memories of the gut-wrenching guilt and loneliness she'd faced each day, had helped dispel yearnings for the simplicity of her old life. Here, she had a man who loved her and a baby on the way. She had family and friends. Whatever the future held, she would never willingly give up the precious treasures she'd gained.

At the loud rap on the door, her stomach rumbled. Please let it be Blayne with breakfast.

"Sorry to bother you, Hope," came Varaya's apologetic voice. "I wanted a private word. I can come back later if you're in the middle of something."

"To be honest I'm glad of the distraction."

Varaya settled herself, and by the strangled sounds she was making, might be attempting to mirror Hope's Lotus position.

"Owww! That's not as easy as you make it look."

"It's quite comfortable—once you get used to it." Hope waited while Varaya gathered her thoughts.

"It's about Willem."

No surprises there. "What's up?"

"Well... I'm... incredibly attracted to him and I don't have a clue why. I mean, he's so different from the men I usually go for. He's got no family to speak of. Even his status is borrowed from being your blood-cousin. Normally I wouldn't even consider such a man."

"But?"

Varaya shifted restlessly. "But he's gorgeous, he's kind, he's got a great sense of humor, he's smart and he's trying to better himself. He works so hard, Hope. He's making a name for himself in his trade, and he's never touched a drop of liquor since... you know."

Hope hid a grin. Varaya had already halfway convinced herself Willem was The One. She just needed a little extra push. "So what's the problem?"

"The night you were formally Promised, he walked me back to the dormayre and I invited him in. I made it very clear I wanted him to spend the night... b-but he refused!"

If Hope was correctly interpreting those little gulping sounds, tears were close. Of course she could have examined Varaya's aureya to accurately gauge her state of mind, but Hope figured that right now Varaya needed a friend more than a Sehan.

"He... he... didn't want me. A-And we still haven't slept together."

Varaya sounded like the end of the world was nigh. Hope's laughter bubbled to the surface.

"You're supposed to be my friend!" Varaya wailed.

"Varaya, of course Willem wants you. That's plain as the nose on your face—even for a blind woman like me. But he wants more than a casual fling. And he's aware you've had many relationships so he's wary. And don't look at me like that."

"How could you know—? Never mind." Varaya huffed a shaky sigh. "Do you have to be so blunt?"

"Sorry." Hope patted her friend's hand. "He's holding off sleeping with you until he's sure how you feel about him. He doesn't want to be lumped in with your other boyfriends—surely you can see that, Varaya?"

"Really?"

"Really. So relax. Willem seems to like you just as you are—and what's not to like? So let him, ah, proceed at his own pace." Hope had been about to say "call the shots" but that phrase wouldn't translate too well to Dayamaru. She threw what she hoped was a wicked grin at Varaya. "But don't let that stop you giving him a little encouragement to speed things up. Sometimes men need to have things laid out for them—so they don't have any doubts what you want... or what they're getting."

"What's this about getting laid?" Blayne called from the doorway.

Varaya giggled.

Hope changed the subject and tried her best not to blush. "Is that breakfast I can smell? Bring it here, please. I'm starving."

"I remember a certain young woman leaving me in no doubt what she wanted not long after we met."

Hope lost her battle with the blush. Worse, though, was Varaya's gasp, followed by a shocked, "Don't tell me you made the first move, Hope?"

"I didn't stand a chance," Blayne said.

Hope spluttered with mock-indignation. "You didn't need much encouragement. Especially after we'd been sleeping together for ages before we... you know."

"Wisa's white wings," Varaya said. "You must have been in love."

"I was," Blayne said. "It was the hardest thing I'd ever done to share my blankets with her and not take it any further. But up until that moment, I didn't know for sure how she felt about me."

"See, Varaya?" Hope grinned. "That's just what I was talking about with Willem."

"Varaya," Blayne said. "Please take my advice on this. If you like Willem, just come right out and tell him. Don't play games."

"Thanks. That's good advice. I think I'll encourage Willem a little while longer, though. Just for fun."

Hope smothered a laugh as she investigated breakfast.

"Poor Willem." Blayne handed Hope a spoon. "He won't know what's hit him. Join us for breakfast, Varaya. At least it'll mean the poor bastard has a few more minutes peace."

"I've already eaten but I'll stay and chat for a bit. Then I... um... have some things I must do."

Breakfast was demolished amidst suggestions how best to torture Willem.

"You do this every morning?" Varaya asked. "Make breakfast and bring it here, I mean."

"Yes," Blayne said. "It's a way for Hope to have a little time to herself, and for us to have a leisurely meal together in the morning. Otherwise we're constantly interrupted by either Degan, or one of the other healers, or some patient who can't wait for me to start my rounds."

Hope made a moue."You have no idea how easy it is to lose your appetite when someone barges in and starts discussing their symptoms while you're trying to eat."

Varaya's peal of laughter echoed around the hall. "I can imagine."

Hope took a sip of tea. "And meditating is impossible when Degan's around. He's a sweetheart, but he does speak aloud everything that pops into his head. I get a running commentary of everything he's doing or thinking." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "It's difficult being surrounded by people every single minute of the day. And I have a hard time dealing with the formality of being Second Sehan. I feel like I'm on display."

"What you do is very different from Dayamar's way," Varaya said. "We always had to meet with him in the Sehani Hall. It was much more formal."

"I prefer a more relaxed atmosphere." Hope had taken to wandering through the settlement. That way, anyone wanting spiritual guidance had to want it desperately enough to seek her out. As a technique for winnowing out the more frivolous requests it worked pretty well.

"I find most people are more open and relaxed if they're doing something familiar—such as walking," she said. "Plus I get some fresh air and exercise. Mind you, it doesn't always work as well as I'd like." She related how one determined man had resisted all efforts to politely send him on his way. He'd dogged her footsteps the entire afternoon, all the while loudly complaining about having to air his important problems outside where anyone could hear.

"How did you get rid of him?" Varaya asked.

"I told him Dayamar was obviously the only one who could assist with such serious issues, and offered to fetch him. Amazing how quickly the problems disappeared."

"You lied?" Blayne's tone was mock-shocked.

She stuck out her tongue.

"Why do you think Dayamar insisted on so much formality?" Varaya asked.

"Dayamar never needed to distinguish between genuine need and trifling requests," Hope said. "No one would dare waste his time with something insignificant."

Varaya choked on her mouthful of tea. "I sure wouldn't." She must have thought that sounded a little harsh for she said, "I know I have a blood relationship with Dayamar through you, Hope, but he still unnerves me."

"He thinks the world of you, Varaya."

"You think so?"

"I know so. Otherwise he would never have approved you becoming my blood-sister."

"And if Dayamar didn't agree with you befriending Hope," Blayne added, "I have no doubt you'd have been firmly encouraged to stay away from her."

"Oh! I'm glad I measured up then."

"Me, too," Hope said.

Another rap on the door, and then a male voice called, "Sehan Hope?"

Hope hid her grin. "Could you give me a moment, Willem? I'm just finishing up breakfast."

"I was, um, looking for Varaya."

"What could you possibly want me for?" Varaya couched her question in such blatantly flirtatious tones that Blayne groaned.

"Shay sent me to find you," Willem said, either oblivious or choosing not to react. "Something about some dress you ordered. You know what Shay's like—impossible to refuse. I'd only called in to see if she wanted more cured hides and next thing I know, I'm her errand boy."

"Oooh. I've been waiting for Shay to finish that dress. It's for a very special occasion. Perhaps you could come to the dormayre so I can show you how it looks? I'd value your opinion."

Hope struggled to keep a straight face when Willem blurted, "You would? Uh, thanks. But do you think—? I mean, it's not that I don't want to see— Um, it's just that—"

Before Willem could gather his wits, Varaya had dragged him out the door.

Blayne snorted. "What's the bet they're Joined by year's end?"

"I don't see any point betting on a sure thing."

~*~

The morning progressed into one of those rare days when Hope had the whole afternoon to herself. Dayamar was mediating some disagreement between the elders and the dormayre overseers. Blayne was busy with a patient. And Varaya was off torturing Willem.

It was a beautiful sunny day and Hope had decided to take full advantage by exploring the intriguing area beyond the washing pool stream. She'd coaxed Degan into accompanying her on the pretext that a particularly tasty variety of mushroom grew in the region. It wasn't quite as good as exploring on her own but it was the next best thing: blissfully quiet, with only the gurgle of water and birdsong and Degan's off-key humming to contend with.

Degan was unaware that Hope hadn't told anyone else of her intentions, and Hope knew Blayne would be unimpressed if he found out she'd gone exploring with only Degan for company. She told herself she didn't care. This constant concern for her safety was stifling. She was a Sehan, after all. What possible harm could she come to?

To salve her conscience, she helped Degan picked a large bag of mushrooms to take back with them, and in the process, they wandered quite a distance from the settlement. Best head back as soon—before anyone noticed she was missing.

Hope had just called out to let Degan know they should head home when the fine hairs on the nape of her neck rose to attention. Someone was watching her.

Somewhere to her left, Hope could hear Degan humming to himself. She stood and casually brushed down her clothing, fine-tuning her senses.

And then Degan loosed a high-pitched shriek. Hope rushed toward the sound, heart in her mouth. She would never forgive herself if she'd put him at risk.

A gruff male voice yelled, "Grab him!" and Degan's fear infected the air.

Hope released the anger surging inside her—a tangible force that smacked into Degan's attackers.

"Run, Degan! Run! Get Blayne!" She sent the young man a boost of energy that helped his feet fly over the uneven ground. And then she swept the area with her seer-senses, identifying the men she'd struck down.

Damn. She'd missed a couple. Where—?

She heard a choked off gasp. Ah. There was one of them.

Hope could taste his fear, See it, too, in the crimson-drenched black swirls infecting his aureya. She separated his energy signature from his surroundings, and gauged distances so she could pinpoint his position and render him powerless. But the instant she locked on to his energy, she paused. He didn't want to harm her—none of them did.

What were their intentions? Why—?

A blinding pain caught her by surprise and the world blanked.

~*~

Degan collapsed in a heap at the feet of the first group of people he encountered. They tried in vain to get some sense out of him, but Degan was borderline hysterical and could do little more than gasp Hope's name. Finally, someone thought to call for Blayne.

It was late afternoon by the time Blayne calmed Degan enough to coax the full story of Hope's abduction from him. He clamped down on his blind need to hare off in search of her, and immediately sent word to Dayamar. With luck, the old Sehan would be able to sense Hope's whereabouts, meaning he could point Blayne in the right direction and save him some precious time.

To his horror, Dayamar claimed she'd been injured... and then he forbade Blayne to go after her on his own.

Blayne understood Dayamar's caution. He didn't have to like it, though. And despite his efforts, night had closed in with a vengeance by the time a search party had been organized and made ready to depart.

Cayl was the only one with the guts to state the obvious. "We won't get far blundering about in the dark," he said. "And if we use torches to track them—"

He didn't need to continue. Blayne—and everyone else in the search party—were all too aware that the torch-flames would be seen for miles, sending a glaringly obvious signal to Hope's abductors that a party from the settlement was in hot pursuit.

"We can't risk endangering her," Cayl said. "Best wait until first light tomorrow. I'm sorry, Blayne."

"I know." And as he paced the floor of his home, Blayne vowed that when he caught up with the men who'd hurt the woman he loved, he would make them wish they'd never been born.

~*~

Copyright 2013 Maree Anderson

www.mareeanderson.com