There was running and screaming. That much she knew, but she wasn’t sure what was going on.
Alin pulled her with him deeper into the forest and she struggled to keep up with him. “Alin stop!” She pulled on his hand, but he ignored her. “Alin please. I’m tired. My feet hurt. I want to go back.”
Alin didn’t’ stop, but slowed his pace so his sister could rest. “We have to keep moving Lenka.” In the distance he could hear the dogs the gadje had brought with them. ‘Not far enough.’
“But what about momma and poppa? And the others? They are still at camp.”
He didn’t answer her, but his face was grim.
“Alin? Why won’t you say anything? Alin?”

Milena shot up straight and for a moment she didn’t know where she was. She touched her face and blinked when her fingertips turned out wet.
She closed her eyes again and cried silent tears for the memory of that horrid day.

Next to her, Tsura lay curled up still asleep. The girl looked so peaceful.
Carmen was nowhere in sight, but Milena could hear her outside making breakfast.
Carefully, so she wouldn’t wake Tsura, she crawled out of bed and slipped on her dress. Once outside she blinked against the morning sun. It was still early, but the camp was already busy. They would depart soon and follow the long road to the next stop. One more stop and they would meet up with Oszkar’s kumpania, as they did every year around this time.
It would be good to see old friends again and to exchange news from other kumpania and their travels.
They were moving towards the annual horse market. Once that was behind them, the kumpania would make for their winter quarters, sitting out the long winter months, waiting for the wind to call them again.
It was a never-ending journey, but Milena loved it. As did the others.
Carmen smiled at her when she saw her. “Good morning,” she said, “are you hungry? The is still time for breakfast before we depart.”
Milena nodded and moved to the stream to wash her face and hands. She combed her fingers through her tangled hair and tried to shake the nightmare off. Involuntarily her eyes searched for Ramiro, but he was helping Alec tie the horses in front of their wagon.
“Here,” Carmen handed her a plate filled with food, “is Tsura still asleep?” Milena nodded. “You are like a big sister to her,” Carmen sighed, “please watch out for her. I can’t always keep an eye on her and she follows you everywhere.” Milena nodded again and Carmen returned to the wagon.
Milena finished her breakfast and cleaned her plate. It was going to be a hot day, she could tell, and they had a long way to go.
“Morning,” Daria’s light voice sounded behind her.
Milena turned to face her friend who was smiling at her. “Are you ready to travel? Will you ride in the wagon with me?”
Milena gave her a faint smile and nodded. She motioned towards Carmen’s wagon.
“Tsura can join us when she is awake,” Daria said, “Carmen will tell her where you are.” She hooked her arm in Milena’s. “Come Lenka. Hurry. Petsha will travel with us too. He will drive the wagon with Ramiro. Father will take the horses so he will not be there. Come.”
She pulled Milena with her, ignoring her friend’s now red cheeks. Cezar would not be there? Would she have some time with Ramiro? They wouldn’t be alone and his mother Izabela would be there, so it would be proper, wouldn’t it?
They passed Aishe’s wagon. The old woman stood on the steps of her wagon and was staring at the sky intensely. A concerned look was in her eyes. “Prikasa,” she muttered.
Milena stopped moving and turned to the woman, forcing Daria to do the same.
“What is it puridaia?” Daria asked her grandmother.
Aishe turned her eyes to the two girls as if only seeing them now. “Did you say something child?”
“You foresee something bad?” Daria asked softly. Her face turned a bit paler. Her grandmother was well-known for her sight.
“It is nothing. Do not worry. Go join your brother, Darka. We are leaving.” Aishe disappeared inside.
Milena watched it concerned and then glanced at the sky. It looked perfectly normal, though the heat promised a storm tonight.
“Come,” Daria said softly, but even she had a concerned look in her eyes now. She always took her grandmother’s warnings seriously.
“There you are,” Izabela said impatiently when she spotted her daughter. She put the last basket onto the wagon and put her hands on her hips. “Why do you always wander off Daria? You know we are leaving.”
“I had to find Lenka,” Daria protested, “she will travel with us.” She was still holding on to Milena’s arm, as if she was afraid Milena would run away.
Izabela threw her hands in the air and muttered something. “Well don’t stand there child,” she scolded her daughter, “we have to go. Climb onto the wagon.” She nodded at Milena. “You too child. The boys are already up front.”
Milena nodded and climbed after Daria. She had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Daria and her mother couldn’t be more different. Izabela was a very organized woman that liked it when things went as they were supposed to go, while Daria was a little butterfly. Always exploring and getting in trouble.

Ramiro and Petsha were waiting for them, Ramiro holding the reins. Petsha nodded at her kindly when she settled herself close to them, next to Daria. “Morning Milena.”
She nodded back at Petsha and dared a smile. She liked him. He was kind to everyone.
Ramiro checked if everyone was present and clicked his tongue to set the horses in motion. He waited for Petsha  to climb inside the wagon and glanced at Milena who had settled herself, her feet dangling off the wagon. “You’ve had another nightmare.”
Milena’s head snapped towards him, but his eyes were on the road again, trained on the wagon in front of him. She sighed and lowered her eyes.
“How are you, Lenka?” Ramiro asked softly.
The way he said her name made a pleasant shiver run down her spine. She glanced at him and gave a faint smile.
“You should speak to grandmother about it,” Ramiro told her, “she can help you.”
Milena shook her head. Even Aishe wouldn’t be able to rid her of these memories.
Her brother had left her behind in the forest that day, hidden in a tree. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed before she realized he wouldn’t come back, but the darkness had started to set.
It had taken even longer before she understood he had saved her life that day.
Sometimes she wished he hadn’t.
A hand on her arm made her eyes snap open. She knew who it belonged to without looking. The skin on her arm was burning.
Milena looked at him with watery eyes. His gaze was warm and comforting. She sighed.

It was unfair.
“Well, well, you two look comfortable,” Daria’s voice said amused.
Milena flinched and averted her head. She quickly wiped her tears away and hurried to jump off the wagon to walk beside it instead of riding.
Ramiro gripped the reins again and glared at his sister. “When will you learn to mind your own business?” he asked.
“Lenka is my friend too,” Daria said, but she looked less certain now. She eyed her brother carefully and climbed over to sit with him. “Ramiro, everyone can see that you love her. Will you not…”
“I am not discussing this with you,” Ramiro cut her off.
“But I just…”
“Daria! I said no! Now go inside!”
Daria flinched. Her brother rarely lost his temper with her.
Silently she blamed their father. Things had been so tense lately. Her lip trembled, but she held back her tears and climbed inside the wagon.
Petsha eyed her concerned. He had head the argument, as had Izabela who had a grim expression on her face. She was pointlessly reorganizing a few boxes, a clear sign of her discontent.
Daria silently sat down, determined not to show Petsha how upset she was. He’d think her a child.
Petsha glanced at Ramiro and then leaned towards Daria. She couldn’t fool him for a second. “I will speak with him,” he comforted her. He glanced at Izabela, who nodded at him, before joining Ramiro on the dickey.
“Do not say it,” Ramiro said when Petsha sat down.
“Say what?” his friend asked innocently, “I wasn’t going to say a thing.”
“You think I was too harsh on my sister.”
Petsha sighed. “Daria wants nothing more than for you to take Lenka for a wife. She likes to meddle. It is not her fault that your father disagrees.”
“I know this,” Ramiro said annoyed.
Petsha nodded. “I know you know. That is why I did not say anything.” A muscle trembled in the corner of his mouth, but he kept a serious face.
It took a few seconds for Ramiro to let out a short laugh. He shook his head and Petsha smiled. “Give me the reins.”


Milena kept her head down and fought her tears. The last thing she needed was for the others to try and console her. She had a feeling the entire kumpania knew of the situation and she did not want their pit.
Slowly she let the wagons pass her by until she had fallen back to the last one in the row.
“Climb up, chavi,” Laszlo’s voice spoke kindly, “do not wander off alone. The roads aren’t as safe as they used to be.”
Milena glanced at him, but kept walking.
“It was not an offer Milena.” His voice was calm, but serious.
Milena looked up. Laszlo rarely used her whole name. So when he did, she was quick to obey him.
“Don’t look so frightened chavi,” Laszlo said, “I’m not angry with you. I’m looking out for you. I don’t have children of my own. No grandchildren. My Mila never had that privilege.” His eyes saddened for a moment. “I know what it is like to lose a loved one, chavi.” He gave her a sorrowful smile. “I never took another woman for a wife. I have been alone for three and twenty years and I still think of her. And every year around the same time, I miss her just a little bit more.” He stared at the road ahead. “You know of what I speak, isn’t it so? Lenka?”
Hot tears slid across Milena’s cheeks. Laszlo always seemed to know exactly what was bothering her. And it wasn’t just missing her family that upset her so much. Soon, Ramiro would marry Ihrin and that would mean she couldn’t go to him for comfort anymore. And when Daria would be wed to Petsha, she wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with her. It made her feel lonely.
“Ah come now chavi, let it all out.” Laszlo wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pressed her close, not caring about customs. “It will be alright. You’ll see.” Milena silently sobbed into his shoulder. “That’s a good girl,” Laszlo patted her hair and spoke as if she was one of his horses and she felt herself calm down. He always had that effect.
She took a deep breath and sat up to wipe her tears away.
“Feel better now?”
Milena nodded and sighed. She felt a bit silly now for letting herself go in front of others.
Laszlo smiled at the girl and looked at the sky. Dark clouds were packing together. It would storm tonight.

***

“Kako,” Daria’s voice made him look up. They had stopped near a creek to water the horses and let them take some rest. Laszlo nodded at her. “Daruszka.”
“Is Lenka with you?” the girl asked him softly.
“You can see if she’s in the wagon. If not then you will find her with Carmen I think.”
Daria nodded. “Thank you.” She turned and hurried off to find her friend.
Laszlo watched her go and patted his horse’s neck. The horse snorted and Laszlo shook his head before getting back to work.

“I am insensitive,” Daria plopped down in front of Milena in the grass.
Milena looked up at Daria confused.
Her friend let out a dramatic sigh. “My brother is angry with me. My father is angry with my brother and the one I love thinks me a child. So I forget to be a good friend sometimes. I am sorry.” Her eyes pleaded with Milena’s. “Please forgive me.”
Milena looked at her friend sadly. Daria really did seem upset. It wasn’t easy for her either. And she could never be upset with Daria for long. Daria was like a sister to her. She leaned forward and pulled Daria in a hug.
The sound of shouting made them look up. People were running and laughing. Ten wagons were approaching down the road. A bunch of children were running ahead of them.
“Oszkar’s kumpania,” Daria said, “they are here already.” She stood up and pulled Milena to her feet. “Come Lenka. Let us greet them.”
The others of the kumpania had risen to their feet as well when the first wagons reached the camp.
Oszkar grinned widely and put up his hand in a greeting. “Sastimos!”
“Sastimos Oszkar!” Milosh answered the greeting, “Sar san?”
Oszkar jumped off the wagon and the men greeted each other warmly.

Daria pulled Milena along as two girls roughly their age ran up to them. They embraced each other and laughed.
“Jasmina! Dalena!” a girl a few years older called their attention, “don’t just run off like that. There will be enough time to greet your friends. Come help with the wagon.”
Jasmina rolled her eyes as her younger sister suppressed a laugh. “Coming Bisera!’
Milena hid a laugh. The three daughters of Oszkar and his wife Iskra couldn’t be more different from one another. She looked at the man next to Oszkar’s oldest child and turned to Jasmina questioningly.

“Andrei took Bisera for a wife last year,” Jasmina informed them, “’twas after the summer market, so you would not have heard.”
Dalena giggled. “We are hoping she will be with child soon so she and Andrei move to a wagon of their own and she will not have so much time for scolding us. Mother does enough of that already.”
“Jasmina! Dalena!”
Andrei took Bisera’s arm gently. “Leave them Bisera. They are with their friends. There is no haste with the wagon.” He waved at the girls. “Not too long eh. Don’t aggravate your sister.” He pulled Bisera with him.
Jasmina grinned. “’Tis good we have Andrei.”

***

“Nikolai!”
“Sorin! Imrich!” Ramiro and Petsha patted the three young men on the back and embraced them in a warm welcome.
“Petsha,” Imrich grinned, “have you taken that little bird for a wife yet?”

“Hush,” Petsha said, “there are too many ears to hear you.”
“I take that as a no then.” Imrich tilted his head back. “Why not eh? Does Ramiro not want to see his friend wed to his sister?”
“My sister needs to learn some patience,” Ramiro said stern, but then he grinned, “how about you? Have you chased all the women away?”

“Egh!” Imrich swatted at him, “I am not in need of a wife.”
The five men eyed the girls that were standing together not far away. Dalena and Daria were laughing abut something Jasmina said. Even from this distance the men could see she was impersonating Bisera.
“Someone should make her a wife,” Nikolai commented amused.
“Who’d be fool enough for that?” Petsha grinned.
Ramiro didn’t comment. His eyes were trimmed on Milena, who, even though quiet, stood out from the group.
His interest did not go by unnoticed. His friends grinned at him.
“Little Lenka has become quite the pretty one,” Sorin smirked while slapping Ramiro’s shoulder, “your eyes have been following her for many years, yet she is still not yours. Why do you still wait? We all know what she thinks of you.”
The three men from Oszkar’s kumpania chuckled, but soon fell silent under the other two’s serious eyes.
“What is the matter Ramiro?” Sorin asked, “I meant not give offense. Has she been promised to another man?”
Ramiro shook his head. “My father tells me to take another for a wife.” He sighed and let go of his usual controlled demeanor. “I do not know what to do. Cezar, he does not understand. I love her.”
Petsha placed a hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner. His friends looked at him with a mix of sympathy and disbelieve.
“What is his objection?” Nikolai asked.
“He says she is not of this kumpania.”
“She has lived in this kumpania since she was a child,” Sorin said, “we all remember. How can your father say she is not?”
“I do not know,” Ramiro said, “but I cannot disobey him.”
Nikolai smirked. “We could always steal her for you. There will always be a place for you in Oszkar’s kumpania. Say the word.”
Ramiro shook his head, but grinned as well. “My sister would kill you if you took Lenka away from her.”
Nikolai’s smirk grew wider and there was a mischievous glint in his eyes. “We could always steal her too.” He winked.
Ramiro laughed. “Then Petsha would kill you.”
The men eyed Petsha amused.
“Do not worry Petsha,” Nikolai said, “I will not steal your bride from you.” He looked at Ramiro.
Ramiro shook his head, even though the offer seemed tempting. They would be outcasts from this kumpania for the rest of their lives and he could not do that to Milena. Besides… “No,” he said, “I will not raise bad blood between our kumpanias.”
But his eyes darted back to Milena and he wished he could accept his friends’ offer without consequences.

---

Sorry for the wait.