12 years later

 They were tending to the horses like they did every morning. Laszlo was quite strict at that. His horses were always very sought after at the market. 

But the horses weren't what her eyes were trimmed on. It was the young man that was holding the brown mare. His hand was stroking the mare's neck in a calming manner and soothing words came over his lips. The sun gave his dark hair a warm glow and caressed his cheeks.

"He is handsome, ne? My brother." Daria's amused voice suddenly appeared at her ear.

Milena jumped and gave her a guilty smile.

Daria's light laughter sounded like little bells. "Do not looks so caught, pena*, I cannot blame your eyes for seeing him." She gently grabbed onto Milena's arm and leaned on her friend. Milena's cheeks were burning and she looked down.

"Alright," Daria said, "I will stop teasing you. Do not be cross with me."

Milena shook her head at her friend to indicate she was forgiven and Daria smiled. "Good."

A woman leaned out of one of the wagons and called out to Daria. "Daria, it is your turn to go to the village. Ihrin and Aranka made new bracelets to sell and we need bread and milk. And eggs too."

"Yes mother," Daria called back and tugged on Milena's arm. "Come with me?"

Milena nodded and followed after her friend.

"You two will take Alec with you," Daria's mother, Izabela, called after them, "I will not let you girls wander off alone. You know no good will come of it."

"It is only a small village," Daria protested, "with a handful of farms. We will not need protection. And Alec is still a child."

A young boy jumped down from one of the other wagons of their kumpania and gave Daria cheeky grin. "You just want Petsha to accompany you."

Daria turned a deep red. "Be quiet." She nervously glanced around, bur Petsha was in a deep conversation with his father Vali.

Alec chuckled and even Milena stifled a silent laugh.

"Do not laugh at me," Daria told her with an embarrassed flush on her cheeks. It was bad enough that the whole kumpania seemed to be aware of her crush, except for the man in question.

"Don't stand around child," Izabela reprimanded, "we must make ready for departure. We are leaving on the morrow. Do not waste daylight. How will you ever find a man like that. On with you."

Daria sighed and picked up the basket with jewelry and tin goblets. "Going mother. We will not be long."

Izabela sighed and turned to Alec. "You watch out for them, boy. Do not let harm befall them."

"They will be safe," the ten year old said with a serious face and he straightened himself.

The three set out towards the farms at the edge of the village and Daria linked her arm with Milena's. "Lenka," she sighed with a dreamy look, "do you think Petsha's father will speak to mine?"

Alec snorted and rolled his eyes. "It's not like he has much choice," he teased her, "there aren't many girls to choose from. There's Gita of course and Ihrin, though she might be a bit too much to handle for him." His eyes sparkled amused. "Or perhaps he likes older women like Aranka."

Daria let out a gasp. "You terrible pest! How dare you worry me! He cannot! Lenka, sister, say it is not so!"

Milena bit her lip to keep from laughing. When it came to Petsha, Daria couldn't think straight. She had to admit, he was a good looking man. He had a calm nature and was Ramiro's best friend. Unfortunately for Daria, he was completely oblivious to her affection.

Alec scrunched his nose. "You are hopeless. I'm never getting married."

"You say that now," Daria glowered at him, "wait till your mother hears you."

"You will not tell her you! She will never let me hear the end of it!'

"It serves you right for teasing me."

"Who says it is not so? Petsha has never said anything on the matter. If you like him that much perhaps you should talk to your brother. Are they not friends?"

"And have him scold me for being impertinent? I love my brother, but I value my life. He would tell father."

Milena smiled to herself. She was used to their banter. They could go on forever. 

Alec only had his mother left. His father had not been a good man. He loved the bottle too much and had been cast out of the kumpania some years ago. Because of that, Alec was very mature for his age and that was the reason Izabela had sent him to accompany the two girls.

Alec smirked at Daria and was about to give some remark, but Milena pulled on Daria's arm and dragged her to the fence of the first farm.

Alec followed them and opened the gates to let them through. Together they walked to the kitchen door.

Daria knocked and put on her best smile. It didn't take long before a woman opened the door. "Good day ma'am," she smiled, "we have some beautiful bracelets and this one will look gorgeous on you." She plucked a golden bracelet from the basket, decorated with blue and green beads. "Ah, yes," Daria continued, "it compliments your eyes."

The woman took the bracelet and studied it. Then her eyes landed back on Daria. "Do you really think so?"

"Most certainly," Alec meddled in.

"I don't know," the woman said, "they look expensive." She glanced over her shoulder, "my parents may not approve."

Daria leaned over to her and gave her a conspiring look. "Think of how you will impress your admirer."

The young woman's eyes widened the tiniest bit. "How did you know?" She gave  a nervous glance back at the house, missing the triumph in Daria's eyes.

"Someone as pretty as you is bound to have suitors," she told the woman with a smile.

"I think I will have the bracelet after all."

"Excellent choice," Daria said and accepted the coins, quickly putting them away in the pouch on her belt.

The woman turned her eyes to Milena. "Your friend is awfully quiet."

"She does not speak," Alec said as Daria placed a  hand on Milena's wrist.

The woman looked at them hesitantly. "Is it true what they say? That some of your people have the gift of foresight in exchange for their voice or eyes?"

Alec hid a smirk and Milena bit her lip. The gadje were so predictable.

Daria kept a serious look and leaned towards the woman as if sharing a secret. "They do say that."

The woman look at Milena now with a whole new level of admiration and wonder. She moved her lips hesitantly and Daria made use of the opportunity. "Would you like your fortune told?"

The woman gasped a little and glanced back into the house again. "Yes please," she said to Daria, "but make it quick. My parents will wonder what's keeping me and my father might set the dogs on you."

"I understand," Daria nodded, "but you should know it is no easy thing. Perhaps we should come back some other time."

"No please. I will pay you. I must know now."

Daria turned to Milena as if to discuss the matter with her. "My sister is very tired," she told the woman.

"Please. I beg of you. Whatever you need."

"Well," Alec mused, "we do need some eggs and butter perhaps."

"The chickens have laid twelve this morning. I am afraid I have no butter to offer, but we do have cheese."

Milena smiled.

"My sister is pleased," Daria said, "what is it you need to ask of her?"

The woman turned to Milena and started hesitantly. "The one I love, will he ask for my hand in marriage? Will it be soon?"

Milena studied the woman for a moment and took in her face, her hands and her form. She turned to Daria. She shook her head and made a few meaningless signs in the air.

Daria nodded in understanding and sighed sadly. "She says it is best if you give up on this man and ask your father to arrange a proper marriage."

The woman looked horrified. "No please. I cannot. You don't understand."

She understood all too well. "There is another way," Daria declared, "this man you claim to love does not return your affection, but there is a way to be certain you will soon meet your future husband."

"Tell me what I must do."

Daria nodded. "Do you know of the tree that grows on the hill at the East road?" The woman nodded. "On the strike of midnight you must burry there a purse with gold coin. On the morrow you must return and when you find it gone, you can be certain to meet your husband within the year."

"How many coins should I bury?" the woman asked in a desperate tone.

"That will depend on your own judgment," Daria said, "but I would advise you to be generous."

The woman gave a serious nod and handed Alec the promised payment. "I will do as you said. Thank you so much and thank your sister too."

Daria nodded and the three turned to leave.

"How did you know what to tell her?" Alec asked once the were off the property.

"This one was easy," Daria said, "she did not want her parents to overhear, so she probably has a secret romance that her parents either know not of or do not approve. She has passed marriageable age and her lover has not yet asked for her hand. That means he has no intention of ever doing so. Most likely he is a  scoundrel that has another lover somewhere." She looked at Alec mischievously. "Did you not see how her hand rested on her belly? She is with child and soon it will start showing. That is why she asked if he would marry he soon."

Alec scowled. "You told her she would meet her future husband within the year. How can you possibly know that?"

Milena smirked and looked at Daria amused. She already knew the answer to that.

"But I do  know," Daria said, "when her parents find out about the child, they will want to see her wed as soon as possible to hide the shame. Most likely they will pick an older man that lost his wife and needs help around the house. She will be wed within the year. You will see. I did not lie to her. It is not my fault if she gives her own meaning to my words."

Alec shook is head amused. "Let's hope she understand the meaning of generosity."

They neared the next farm, but Alec took a hold of Milena's arm to stop the girls. "Not this one," he said and motioned towards the small sign that was engraved in the wooden fence. It was a mark their people used to indicate aggressive folk and was left there by another kumpania as a warning. They skipped the house and moved to the next where they sold three tin goblets.

At the farm after that, the grumpy farmer chased them off his land. As soon as they were out of the gate, Alec turned and shouted something at the man in their own dialect. The man raised a fist and the three of them hurried off laughing.

"Come," Daria said, "this is the last one." She pulled Milena with her and Alec followed them to the backdoor.

Daria knocked, but no one answered. She looked at the others and shrugged.

Alec opened the basket and picked out two tin goblets and a bracelet and placed them on the window sill. He moved to the chicken pen and plucked two hens from the ground. Milena looked at him questioningly and he grinned at her. "They should pay for their purchase. They bought from us and I'm accepting two chickens." He nodded at Daria. "Make some room in that basket. I don't want to walk across town having my fingers picked at."

Daria let out an amused laughter and did as he had told her. "Clever boy," she said.

Milena smirked and shook her head.

"We should go back," Alec said as he closed the lid on the basket, trapping the chickens.

 ***

On their way back to the camp they passed a group of young men that were working the land. When they noticed the two girls they looked up and watched them intensely. Daria laughed softly as she swayed her hips and batted her eyes at them. When one of the man let out a low growl, she winked at him and bit her lip. The man's approving eyes followed her every move.

Milena looked at them over her shoulder and twirled a strand of hair around her finger. One of the other men let his eyes wander her body and he took a step in her direction.

Alec stepped in between the men and the girls and took a threatening stance. "Move along gadjo," he said, "back to your work."

The men exchanged glances and scoffed at the boy. "Who is gonna make us gypsy brat?"

Alec smirked. "You shouldn't call names unless you want to be cursed. Have you not heard we can do that?"

The man scoffed again but looked a little uncertain now. He waved them off. "Egh. I've seen prettier girls anyway. Get lost before we set the dogs on you." He and his friends turned back to their job.

Daria rolled her eyes as they continued on their way. "Did you have to spoil our fun, Alec?"

"I promised your mother I would keep you two safe," he told her, "you can play with the gadjo some other time."

They reached the camp ten minutes later and Izabela almost dropped the basket when one of the chickens scurried out, earning the laughter of their fellow travelers.

"Who gave you these?" she asked of them, "who would give us such a generous gift?"

Alec shrugged. "We accepted them as payment. We left behind some goods of our own. It was a fair trade."

Milosh, their Rom baro, the leader of the kumpania, patted Alec's head. And gave him a toothy grin. "Good boy. You will make a fine tradesman."

Izabela raised her eyes at the sky and muttered something. She turned to her daughter. "Carmen needs help with the water and then you can go help me with the evening meal."

Daria nodded and turned to Milena to ask her along, but her mother stopped her. "Lenka," she said. "Laszlo has been asking for you."

Milena nodded and hurried to find the horse trainer.

He was sitting on the steps of his wagon, carving something out of wood. He smiled at her warmly when he saw her approach. "There you are, chavi. Did you enjoy yourself in the village?"

Milena nodded and sat down at the older man's feet. Laszlo was like a father to her and she liked his company. He had a calm and soothing nature and it was said he could tame any horse. If anyone ever said anything on it to him, Laszlo would merely smile and wave it off like it was nothing.

An old dog stiffly made its way over and placed its head in Milena's lap. She smiled and scratched him behind the ears.

Laszlo grinned amused at the dog. "You rascal. You don't show yourself all day, but as soon as Lenka visits me you want her attention. Off with you Ruv. Go watch Ramiro."

The dog didn't react one bit, but Laszlo took note of Milena's searching eyes. The moment the words had left his lips, the girl's breath had hitched. 

Laszlo chuckled to himself. Milena was almost as bad as Daria with Petsha, only more subtle about it.

The horse trainer disappeared into the wagon and came out with a plate of food and a sack of water. "Why don't you go over and bring the lad lunch? He's been working all morning without something to eat. He must be starving."

A faint blush spread across Milena's cheek as she accepted the food.

Laszlo gave her an encouraging nod and pointed in the right direction.

***

She found him with the horses. He was sitting on a stool, fixing a bridle. His hands worked the leather with great skill and there was focus in his eyes. His sleeves were rolled back and she could see the muscles in his arms. She stood there staring for a while. He was no longer the boy that had shielded her from her nightmares. He was a man now, though he still had that boyish mischief in his eyes.

Ramiro looked up from his work and connected eyes with Milena. He put aside the leather and waited for her to approach him.

Milena sat down at his feet while he ate. "Did you sleep well?" he asked without looking at her.

Milena nodded.

"Good," he said. He finished the bread and took a sip of the water. "I heard that you went to town with my sister."

She nodded again. "Petsha go with?"

Milena shook her head and lifted her hands.

"Alec huh." Ramiro nodded and took the bridle back on his lap. "That is good. He keeps a clear head." His hands started working on the leather again. "So where is my sister?"

Milena smiled and motioned with her head.

"Is my mother working her again?" Ramiro asked, "that is good. Daria is a dreamer. She should take her chores more seriously if she wants Vali to talk to father."

Milena looked at him surprised and he grinned at her. "You will not tell her eh. She must learn to be more patient." Milena grinned back and Ramiro chuckled. "Our secret," he winked at her.

One of the horses came closer and nudged Milena, making her jump. The horse looked at her indifferently as she placed a hand over her heart to calm it down. She swatted at the horse and it casually strolled away.

Ramiro laughed at the scene and Milena glared at him, making him laugh even harder. She slapped his arm with the back of her hand and he caught it amused. "Is little Lenka afraid of a little horse?" he teased her.

Milena's eyes shot daggers at him, but that only amused him. His eyes laughed at her and she could feel her cheeks heat up when she realized he was still holding her hand.

Her eyes shifted towards his hold and her heartbeat increased a little.

Ramiro seemed to realize the same thing, because he dropped her hand and started working on the bridle again. Without taking his eyes of his work, he spoke to her. "You should go now Milenka." When she didn't move he spoke a bit firmer. "Go."

Milena scrambled to her feet and scurried off towards the others, unaware of a pair of onyx eyes following her every move.

---

* pena = sister