How long had it been since Alin had left her to see if things were safe?
He had said he would not be long, but it was growing dark already. She did not want to be alone in the forest at night. Her father had warned her about the animals.
Milena shivered. It was starting to get cold. Alin had told her to wait for him, but he had not come back.
Milena bit her lip. She was not sure what to do. She wanted to go back to her family.

Nearby, an owl hooted and Milena flinched. Owls were bad luck. Everyone knew that. They were messengers of death.
Not wasting another second, Milena climbed down from her hiding spot. She did not want to die. 
Remembering the direction Alin had taken her earlier, she ran back towards the campsite.

She could see the wagons in the distance. Smoke was circling above the tree tops. 
Milena smiled. Dinner would be ready soon and she was hungry. She quickened her pace.
“Momma! Poppa! I’m back! Alin!”
Milena pushed through the bushes and entered their site.

And she froze in place.

The smoke she had seen had not come from the campfire at all.

They were the remains of their wagons.

Milena’s eyes went wide and her lip started to tremble. “Momma?”
She took one step forward and tripped. She gasped and looked back on what she had fallen over. “Alin?” she cried. She rolled him over and stared at his lifeless eyes. “Alin!” She shook him, but he did not move.
Milena stumbled away from him in tears and she looked around the remains of the kumpania.* That’s when she saw the others.

Temir and Thurya lay together. Her body draped over his as if she had cried over him.
Branko, their leader, had been stabbed several times and was lying in a puddle of his own blood, on the steps of his burned out wagon.
Milena was too frightened to go near him.
The small body could only belong to Konstantin, Branko’s son, though there was nothing left to recognize him from.
Milena sobbed. Kostia had been her friend. The one she would probably have been promised to once they were older.
Crying and hugging herself, Milena stumbled around, trying to find her parents. “Momma? Poppa?” she sobbed and wiped her eyes.
She found them, buried under debris and wood. Her father’s body was shielding her mother’s.  A large chunk of wood was still stuck in his back.
Milena screamed and ran.

But there was nowhere to go.

She tripped again. This time over her aunt Ziva.

The next time she tripped, she didn’t bother to look.

Breathing heavily, with tears blurring her vision, she crawled to one of the wagons that had not completely burned out. She rolled herself in a ball underneath it and cried.
Her hunger was completely forgotten. The cold no longer existed.

Her family was gone.

She was all alone in the world.

Milena shot up crying and sweating. For a moment she did not recognize her surroundings.
She ran a hand through her hair and tried to calm herself. The memories that had plagued her nightmare had unsettled her.
Her family.
All gone.
Murdered by gadje.*
Alin had gone back too soon. If he had waited a little longer he would have lived.
Why?
Why had they murdered her family? They had done nothing wrong.
That was the last time she had spoken. Not a word had left her lips since that tragedy.
Milena shivered.
Since that day, she had forgotten how to speak.
Perhaps, if she had remembered, she could have screamed last night when Jackson…
Her lip trembled.
She wanted to go home. She wanted Ramiro’s soothing voice to chase away her memories.
She wanted her friends.
She wanted people she could trust.
She even missed Dorin. He might have been gruff and curt, he was a good person. She would accept him now, if he were to offer, if it would mean she could be home again.
Tears fell down her cheeks and she brushed them away.
There was no use in crying.
She had survived that day. She would survive this too.

***

Ramiro’s eyes flew open and he looked out of the small window of his family’s wagon.
Something had woken him up, though he wasn’t sure what it had been.
He had dreamed of her again. He did that every night.
She had occupied his mind every moment since the attack.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Thinking of her still hurt.
Today, his sister would be given to Petsha. He was happy for them. His sister would marry his best friend. How he wished he would be the one to marry, to have Lenka for a wife.
But it was not to be.
Quietly he climbed out of bed and dressed himself. It was still early, but he needed to clear his head.

Outside, he washed his face and hands. Laszlo was up already, feeding the horses.
A little further away, another wagon was opened and Tisrav stepped outside, Dorin’s eldest brother.
Ramiro grinned when he heard the voice of Zilje shout after her husband. “Make sure to bring an extra bucket of water! We need enough for the evening meal! And there’s laundry to be…”
“Aye woman! I am on my way!”
The child was due any day now, but as long as Zilje was carrying, all her chores fell to her husband. He had become the object of many good-natured jests. Tisrav was known to  brag, but when his wife was around, he held his tongue.
It was no secret who was in charge in Tisrav’s wagon.
It was also no secret that they loved each other very much.
Tisrav glared at him when he caught Ramiro’s grin. “You may laugh now, Ramiro of Cezar’s wagon. Wait until you find yourself a wife.”
Ramiro’s grin fell and Tisrav looked down. “Forgive me. I did not think.”
Ramiro shook his head. “There is nothing to forgive.” It was not Tisrav’s fault. He would have to learn to deal with such comments.
Tisrav nodded and patted Ramiro’s shoulder before heading towards the stream.
Ramiro smiled sadly.
When he turned around, his eyes fell on Petsha who had just stepped out of his family’s wagon. When his friend noticed him, he made his way over. “I could not sleep,” he smiled.
Ramiro nodded. “Darka has been tossing all night.” A light smile touched his lips.
Petsha eyed him nervously. “Has she changed her mind? She does not regret her decision?”
A chuckle escaped Ramiro’s lips. “Do not look so concerned my brother. She has had her eyes on you since she first saw you.”
Petsha smiled at his friend sadly. He was still grieving. “Wish me well, Ramiro,” he said quietly.
Ramiro pressed his shoulder assuringly. “I will always wish you well, my friend. Be happy with my sister.”
“I hope to make her happy too,” Petsha replied.
“You better,” Ramiro smirked, “she’ll give you hell if you don’t.” He slapped his friend’s back playfully. “Good luck. You will need it.”

***

“Tell me you had nothing to do with this.” Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at his fiancée.
Arabella sobbed and hid her face in her hands. “I did not want this to happen.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “You went too far this time. I know you like scheming, Ara. I warned you that some day it would get out of hand.” He sighed. “Your brother is my friend, but I know what he is like. And so do you.”
Arabella sobbed and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “No one was supposed to get hurt!”
“But someone did!” Nathaniel bellowed.
Arabella cried and sat down on a bench. “I am sorry!”
“Why did you do it?” Nathaniel paced up and down the path. He could not understand. Arabella was never intentionally cruel and she seemed fond of the gypsy girl.
“I was only trying to make Katherine jealous,” Arabella complained, “I did not want Leah to get hurt.”
“Katherine?” Nathaniel frowned, “Katherine Goodwin?! Whatever for?”
Arabella crossed her arms. “She’s been after Daniel ever since he inherited his father’s title. She only wants him for his money.”
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. “Daniel is a man grown, Ara. He does not need your help to find a suitable wife.”
Arabella sobbed. “I know.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “You need to apologize.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Not to me!”
Arabella wrapped her arms around herself. “How can you ask this of me? How can I face them again? They will be so angry. And you are angry with me too.”
Nathaniel sighed and sat down next to her. “I am sorry. I should not have shouted. You were not the one that hurt her. Your brother did.”
“It was still my fault,” Arabella whispered, “she was my guest. I should have taken better care of her.”
Nathaniel took her hand in both of his and placed a kiss on it. “Then take care of her now. Go see her and be her friend. I think she could use one.” 

***

Harun took a deep breath as he stared at the large mansion. It wasn’t as big as the Caldwell residence, but it was still quite impressive.
He hoped the young lord had meant what he said last night. He needed a job. He needed to support his father. He had been caught under a wagon some years back and had a lame leg because of it.
His mother had passed away a year ago. The fever had taken her.
All responsibilities had landed on his fourteen year old shoulders.
He took another breath and walked up to the house. Hesitantly he knocked the door.
A stiff man with graying hair opened and looked at him annoyed. “No beggars at the door.”
He was about to close the door again when Harun spoke up. “I’m looking for Jonathan sir.”
The man eyed the boy carefully. He looked like a gutter rat. There was certainly gypsy blood in him, but there was a gypsy in the house as well.
“Why would you be looking for our stable master?”
“Miles?” Daniel Blackwood appeared behind the man, “who is at the door?”
“Some boy, my lord, asking for the stable master.”
Daniel looked at Harun and smiled. “Good, you came. You’ll find Jonathan in the stables. Tell him I sent you and to put you to work. I’ll be dropping by later.”
Harun bowed. “My lord.”
“Perfect,” Daniel nodded and retreated into the house.
Miles sighed and looked at the boy again. “That way,” he pointed, “and use the servant’s entrance next time.” He closed the door in Harun’s face, but the boy did not care. He grinned and hurried to find his new boss.

***

Milena sat in the window sill, a blanket wrapped tightly around her.
She hadn’t found the courage yet to go downstairs.
She didn’t want to be reminded of what had happened.
Instead, she stared at the world outside. Ruth’s rosebushes, the pavilion in the garden and the meadows beyond.
How she longed for the world beyond.
But she would never make it on her own. It wasn’t safe.
She leaned back her head and closed her eyes. Images of that time flooded back into her mind.
How long had she been hiding under that wagon before they found her? She couldn’t remember. Hours? Days?
How frightened she had been.

Footsteps and rattling of a cart woke her up. Frightened that the men had come back, she curled herself up even more and held her breath.
We have to be quiet, Alin had said. If she made a sound, they would find her.
The sounds drew nearer and Milena closed her eyes. Perhaps they would go away.
“Akai!”*
More than one person.
Milena softly cried. They would hurt her. 
“What has happened here?!”
The voices were angry.
“Who would do something like this?” 
“All dead.” 
“Milosh, we need to burry the bodies. We cannot let them out her in the open.”
“Ruv! Come back!” 
Milena flinched when a dog’s nose suddenly appeared next to her face. She stared at the animal wide-eyed. It was over now. Now they would certainly find her and hurt her like they had her family.
“Come Ruv. There’s nothing there.” 
“He probably found a mouse.”
“Come boy.” The male voice was closer now, “what did you find?” Someone kneeled down next to the dog and a face appeared.
Milena whimpered. 
“Ah now chavi*,” the man said soothingly, “come now. Laszlo won’t hurt you.” 
Milena crawled away from him.
“Laszlo! What are you doing there?” 
“Don’t shout Sergei. You will frighten her.” 
“Frighten who?” 

Sergei now kneeled down as well and looked at the girl. “A child survived!” he called back to the others and he stood up.
Laszlo smiled at her kindly. “Come chavi. No one will harm you. My name is Laszlo. I belong to the kumpania of Milosh. Will you not come out? Are you hungry?”
He fumbled with something and a slice of bread came in view.
She really was hungry. But she was so afraid.
The man called Laszlo nodded in understanding. “Alright chavi, it will be waiting for you here.” He placed the bread in the grass and moved away, leaning with his back against her hiding place.
Milena eyed the food cautiously, but she didn’t reach for it. All around she heard the sounds of the others.
Earth being moved.
Perhaps they were burying the bodies like they had said.
Even her young mind had realized these people were not gadje. They were of the traveling people, like her family. Still, she was afraid. And she had been here for so long, her body did not remember how to move.
Hours passed. She could tell by the lengthening of the shadows.
“Laszlo, we need to go. These gadje do not like us. We do not want them to return and murder our kumpania as well.”
“You go, Milosh. I will wait here. I will find you.”
“The child will not come.”
“She will come. She is afraid. I will follow you. I will find you again.”
Milosh sighed. “As you wish.”

More time passed before she heard Laszlo’s voice again. “They are gone now, chavi. It is only me now and Ruv. Will you not come out? It will be dark soon.”
Milena bit her lip. She did not want to be here alone in the dark. She remembered the owl she had heard.
Hesitantly she crawled from under the wagon and snatched the bread that was still in the grass.
Laszlo smiled at her . It was the friendliest face she had ever seen. It reminded her of Brishen.
Brishen.
Who was now dead.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cried soundlessly.
 

Laszlo did not say a word, but quietly sat by her. His dog, Ruv, however whined and curled up against her.
Milena wrapped her arms around the animal and hid her face in its fur until the crying stopped.
She looked up at Laszlo.

“Much better, chavi,” he smiled, “come now. We should not keep the others waiting.” He crawled to his feet and held out his hand to her. “It is time to go.”

***

“Mother, has Leah not come down yet?” Emily asked quietly. She was staring at her plate that held her untouched breakfast.
She had heard the servants gossip and it hadn’t taken her long to realize what had happened at the banquet.
Cecily wiped her mouth with a napkin before answering. “She is probably very tired, sweetheart.”

Emily sighed. Her mother always avoided speaking about unpleasant events. Perhaps she thought that by ignoring it, things would go away.
Amelia was sitting at the far end of the table, eating quietly, but one look at her sister’s face told Emily how worried she was.
Her brother had locked himself in his study.
“Mother, may I go outside in the garden for a while?”
“Perhaps later, Emily, when your brother has come back.”
Amelia looked up. “I can take her mother. We will be careful and I’ll make sure she’s warm enough.”
Cecily sighed. Her mother always said she was too protective of Emily. But Emily was her youngest daughter and such a fragile child.
“Please mother,” Emily begged, “it will only be a few more days before the weather changes.”
“Alright,” Cecily gave in, “but not too long And take an umbrella with you as well. I will have Anna bring refreshments.”
“Thank you mother!” Emily smiled happily.
Cecily shook her head and watched her daughters go. Perhaps her mother was right. Perhaps she should give Emily more freedom. It was just so hard. They were growing up so fast. Soon, Amelia would have a suitor and she would be wed and leave the house. She wanted to keep them close for as long as possible.

---

*kumpania - group of travelers that travels together
gadje - non-travelers
Akai! - Here!
chavi - girl, child

Ruv is Laszlo's dog. Ruv means wolf.