“We will reach the horse market in two days,” Milosh said to the men that sat with him. “We will make some good trades before we retreat for the winter.”
Laszlo nodded solemnly. “The foal is ready for the sale. Ramiro has been training it with Ersan’s boy.” He stared at his hands. His mind was preoccupied with other matters. Milena had been like a daughter to him. Of course it was horrible that Carmen’s little girl was gone, but at least they had been able to give her a decent burial.
Milena was just gone.
Milosh nodded at Laszlo’s words. “It will make a fair price.” He looked at the others. “There will be gadje too. Give no cause for trouble. There’s been enough of that.”
Marius narrowed his eyes. “Why should we still trade with them? They hate us, everywhere we go they drive us away. What business do we have with them?”
“Sit down, Marius,” Milosh ordered sternly, “you know why. They provide us with things we can not gather ourselves. We cross their lands. We cannot afford to ignore them. You know this.”
Marius gritted his teeth. He knew his rom baro was right. And not all gadje were bad people. It did not mean he had to like them. 

***

 “Here, let me do that,” Petsha took the knife from Ramiro’s hand and sharpened it. They had to deliver them back to the gadje tonight.
Petsha sighed. His friend had been so quiet. He wished there was something he could do. “Laszlo says the foal is ready for the market.”
Ramiro nodded. “It will bring in some good coin.” He stared across the camp at the young horse. It was the horse that had startled Milena not long ago, when life had still been good. He would be glad to see it go. It would mean one less memory  of her.
He gritted his teeth and tore his eyes away.
Petsha pressed his shoulder in comfort. He placed the whetstone on the ground and gathered the knives and tools. “I will return these to the village. I’ll take Sergei with me.”
Ramiro nodded again. He did not look at his friend.
Petsha let out a soft sigh and stood up. “Ramiro, do not keep yourself isolated. You are my brother. I worry for you.”
“There is no need,” Ramiro said in a harsh tone, “do not concern yourself with me.” He sighed and ran a hand across his face. “I am sorry. I spoke without thinking. Forgive me.”
Petsha smiled. “As I said, you are my brother. I am not so easily offended.”
Ramiro nodded and closed his eyes. “Thank you.”
Petsha inclined his head and went in search of Sergei.
Ramiro took a deep breath and stood up. His friend was right. He should not isolate himself from the others. It did nothing to ease his pain and it would not bring back anyone. His family needed him now.
He squared his shoulders and returned to the camp. 

***

“Many, many years ago, in a sad, far away land, there was an enormous mountain made of rough black stone.
At sunset, on top of that mountain, a magic rose blossomed every night, that made whoever plucked it immortal.
But no one dared go near it because its thorns were full of poison.
Men talked amongst themselves about their fear of death, and pain, but never about the promise of eternal life.
And every day, the rose wilted, unable to bequeath its gift to anyone… forgotten and lost on top of that cold, dark mountain, forever alone, until the end of time.”
Emily closed the book and looked at Milena. “It’s one of my favorite stories. It’s so sad, don’t you think? The people were so blind. They forgot what it was really about. They only saw the outside.”
Milena smiled at the girl sadly. She was a gentle girl with a soft voice. Milena liked her.

The two of them were sitting in the salon, the sun shining through the large window. Milena still wasn’t used to the huge mansion with all its rooms. It confused her. Why would gadje need so many rooms? Not only that, but they all had different names, according to what they were used for.
There was the entrance hall, a reception room, a dining room, a common room, a salon, a study, another study and a kitchen, all on the ground floor.
On the first floor were the bedrooms and bathing rooms. Every member of the family had their own room. Aside from that, there were several guestrooms and side rooms. It made Milena’s head spin.
Then there were the servant quarters, where the servants resided. Though, Milena was told, not all the servants that worked for the family lived at he mansion. Some of them lived in the nearby village, which meant they  had to walk two miles everyday to get to their job and return home.
Milena shivered. Those were the servants that lived with the gadje that had attacked the kumpania.
“Are you cold, Leah?” Emily’s soft voice interrupted her thoughts, “I’ll ask Anna to bring you a shawl.”
Milena shook her head. She looked out of the window longingly. It was such a beautiful day. She longed to venture outside, but Emily had asked to keep her company. She found she couldn’t refuse the girl. She seemed so lonely.
“Good morning,” a deep voice sounded, “how are my lovely ladies today?” Daniel walked into the salon, a pair of leather gloves in one of his hands. He walked over to Emily and kissed her cheek.
Emily smiled at him. “Have you been out riding?”
“Hmm,” Daniel nodded, “the weather is lovely and Thor could use the exercise.” He ruffled his sister’s hair. “What have you two been up to?”
“I’ve been reading to Leah,” Emily answered.
Daniel looked up at Milena. “How are you feeling today? Are your injuries still bothering you?”
Milena cast her eyes down and shook her head. She still felt uncomfortable around him. She felt much better and she was grateful for his help, but she missed her family. She did not want to stay here, with people who misunderstood her, with their rules she had no knowledge of.
“Are you well enough for a  stroll in the garden?” Daniel asked, “the flowers are quite lovely.”
Milena bit her lip. It would be nice to venture outside and feel the wind, but she could not be alone with him. He was a gadje.
She cast him a nervous glance and swallowed. She did not want to insult him. You did not insult your host. Nor your guests.
“Take me too,” Emily pleaded and she gave her brother puppy dog eyes.
Daniel laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you behind.”
A small smile broke through on Milena’s face. At least he cared for his sister. He could not be a bad man.
“Where is your sister?” Daniel suddenly asked.
“She is visiting the Clarke family with mother. They left just before you arrived.”
“Sharing some good gossip no doubt,” Daniel said amused.
“Shame on you, Daniel,” Emily scolded, but there was a twinkle in her eyes.
Daniel smiled. “You know it’s true.” He winked at her. “Let me change my clothes and we can go to the garden. Or do you wish to have lunch first?”
“Can we have lunch in the pavilion?” Emily had a pleading look in her eyes, “please Daniel?”
“If it’s not too cold for you.”
“I’ll bring shawl. Please?”
He sighed. “We’ll see.” He kissed her hair and inclined his head at Milena. She looked at him confused, not sure why he would show her so much honor. 

***

“We should not stay long,” Sergei said. He eyed the village warily.
Petsha sighed. “I know,” he nodded, “but we need their coin.” He looked at the cart with sharpened tools that still needed to be returned. It was always the same. The gadje chased them away wherever they went, but as soon as their skills were needed, all prejudice seemed to have vanished. Even gadje knew the best horses came from the traveling people. And their craftsmanship was famous.
How could people change their opinion so easily?
He shook his head and knocked on the next door.

 ***

“Carmen wishes to sell the horse and wagon,” Cezar sat down next to Milosh. “She says she has no use for it now that she’s alone. She will share Aishe’s wagon.”
Milosh sighed thoughtfully. Normally, the belongings of the dead were not sold among their own people and no gadje would have need for a vurdon. But the wagon had not been Tsura’s. It was Carmen’s. He nodded. “It is well. We will see if there are any young couples among the other kumpania in need of a wagon. The horse is a good animal. Perhaps it will still make a fair price. But we will keep it for last, when the gadje arrive.”
Cezar nodded in acceptance. “I will see to it.”
“Cezar,” Milosh stated seriously, “perhaps it is good if Carmen marries again. She is your wife’s sister. She is your responsibility.”
Cezar lowered his head. “It will be hard for her to accept. Her family is here. She will not want to leave the kumpania.”
“I know this,” Milosh said, “but you must think about it. A man can help her forget her grief.”
“I will think about it,” Cezar agreed and he stood up to leave. It would be no easy task to find Carmen a new husband. She was till a pretty woman, but she had been with a man before. Perhaps someone who had lost a wife. But first he would have to speak to his own wife.
And his mother.

***

“The dress looks good on you,” Daniel complimented.
Milena looked down. The gown was one of Amelia’s old dresses and far too uncomfortable for her liking with its lace and ribbons. And the bodice made it hard to breathe normal. Was this what gadji normally wore? She had seen the woman in the gadje villages before, but they wore much simpler clothing.
“I mean it,” Daniel said, “the color suits you.”
They were walking down the path between the rose bushes. Nearby, Emily was enjoying the sun on a lounging chair. A blanket covered her frail body.
Milena sighed. She did not want his attention. It made her uncomfortable. She didn’t know what he wanted from her.
He was kind enough, but she was afraid that there would be an ulterior motive. She was afraid to trust him.
Her eyes moved to the sky. The others would reach the horse market soon. Maybe the colt would be ready for the sale. It was a good horse. Ramiro and Alec had been training it all year.
She bit her lip. Thinking of Ramiro hurt. Would he spare a thought for her? Did he think her dead?
A hand on her arm made her flinch and she recoiled from the touch.
Daniel looked at her startled. “Forgive me. I did not mean you any harm.”
Milena looked at him in fear. Her instinct told her to run, but her body would not obey.
There was nowhere to run to. She would only cross paths with the villagers. And they would kill her. They had tried once already.
She shivered. She could still hear the dogs, the men’s angered voices.

Daniel looked at the girl sadly. “I wish you could tell me what’s the matter. I now you miss your family, but you are safe here. No one will hurt you.” He smiled. “Emily adores you already.” He looked back at his sister. She was so frail. When she was born, the doctor had told the she might not love past her first year, but she was still here. He regretted she could not use her legs, but at least she was still in their midst. She was a brave girl that always had a kind word for everyone and she never complained.
His eyes moved back to Milena. She was a strange girl. He didn’t blame her for being nervous. She was a stranger here. But she was also very different from the young women he as usually surrounded with. If he had complimented them with their dresses, they would have used the opportunity to flirt shamelessly, but this girl almost seemed afraid of his words, even when he had meant them.
It made him want to know more about her.
He had heard many things about gypsy women. They were supposedly flirtatious, quick witted and exotic. They were known for their loose morals.
This girl was nothing like that so far. Was she an exception? Or were the rumors false?
He looked at the girl hesitantly. Perhaps he should ask. He was curious to know, but he did not want to be impertinent.
He drew a breath.
“Master Blackwood, sir…” A young man approached them tentatively. Daniel recognized one of the kitchen boys.
“What is it Tom?”
“Men from the village, m’lord. They request to speak with you sir, about a fire in the village.” The boy’s eyes flicked towards Milena nervously.
Daniel’s mouth pulled into a straight line. “I had forgotten about that.” He sighed and glanced at Milena before looking at the boy again. “I will see them. Please escort Miss Leah and my sister back inside.”
“Yes, m’lord,” Tom nodded.
Daniel nodded at Milena and walked over to his sister to kiss her forehead. “I have some business to take care of. Tom will take you back inside.”
“Do I have to? I wanted to stay a bit longer.”
“I don’t know how long it will be, Emily. I don’t want you to get a sunburn.”
“Leah can stay with me. She can take me back inside.”
Daniel sighed. “Alright, but only if she doesn’t mind. And not too long.”
Emily nodded.
“Promise?” Daniel asked.
“Promise,” Emily agreed. Her brother ruffled her hair and made his way towards the house.
He didn’t want to deal with this, but it was his duty as lord of Blackwood. The villagers blamed the gypsies for the fire, but there had never been any problems with the gypsies before.
So what had happened?

When he reached the front steps of the mansion, he was met by his mother who had returned from her visit.
Cecily gave her son a look of disappointment. “What were you doing in the gardens with that… girl?”
Daniel sighed. “We were just taking a stroll in the gardens, mother.”
“Really Daniel. I hoped you’d have more sense to you. Think of your reputation. What will people say? Not to mention the servants. You know how servants gossip. If word gets out…”
“It was just a walk in the gardens mother,” Daniel sighed.
“I do not trust her.”
“She is a frightened girl that needs our help. She has travelled all her life with the gypsies. She doesn’t know anything else. You can see it as another one of your projects. Both Amelia and Emily have outgrown your educational lessons in ethics. Now you have a new victim… I mean protégée.” He smiled wickedly.
His mother sighed.
“Please mother,” Daniel pleaded, “you can teach her how to become a lady of society. And you’ll be able to keep a close eye on her.”
“You’re such a smooth talker,” Cecily scolded him, but a smile broke through. “We shall see.” 

----

Thank you all for reading. A few translations:

vurdon = wagon
gadji = non gypsy women
gadje = non gypsy people
As always, let me kow what you think :)