The night was dark and cold. She could barely see a thing.
carefully, Milena edged forward. If only she could reach the fire of the kumpania. It wasn't far now.

In the distance she could already see her brother. She smiled and called out to him, but no sound escaped her lips. Her eyes went wide in shock and she clawed at her throat. Why? Why could she not speak?

Her feet started running to catch up to him, but it didn't seem like she was making any progress.

A gaps escaped her lips when she tripped over something in the dark. When she turned, she realized it wasn't a thing she had tripped on, it was a person.

Milena shivered and started shaking her head to get rid of the image, but the body was still there. And it looked an awful lot like her brother.

With trembling hands, she turned the body over to look at his face.

That was when she realized it wasn't her brother at all.

She was staring in the vacant eyes of Ramiro.

Milena gasped when her body hit the ground. For a moment she could not move and she started to panic, when she realized the reason she could not move was because she was tangled in the sheets.

Carefully she crawled out of the blankets and took a few deep breaths.

Ramiro.

She had dreamed Ramiro was dead.

A shiver ran up her spine. It was because she had seen Carmen's horse. The kumpania would not have sold it to gadje unless something had happened.

Was Carmen still alive?

Tears started streaming down her face and her breath became more rapid. Air. She needed fresh air.

Milena opened her door and headed down the stairs to the front door, but it would not open.

Desperately, she clawed at it, but it was definitely locked.

She started banging her fists against the wooden frame as if that would somehow magically make it disappear.

"Hey, hey shhh it's alright." Gentle hands turned her away from the door and suddenly she looked into Daniel's eyes.

He looked at her concerned. "What is it Leah? You shouldn't go out at this hour."

Milena shook her head and pulled her wrists free from his grip.

Immediately Daniel let go and held his hands to show her he meant no harm. "It's okay," Daniel said again, "did you have a nightmare?"

Milena only looked at him. She was still trying to control her breathing.

Daniel sighed sadly. "Come," he said softly, "let's go to the kitchen and have some tea for you to calm down. It's grandmother's remedy for unpleasant happenings." He offered her an encouraging smile and held out his hand.

Milena stared at his hand, but couldn't bring herself to accept it.

Daniel's hand dropped down to his side. He smiled at her sadly. "I wish I could understand what's troubling you."

Milena swallowed the lump in her throat. She wished she could tell him. He had been nothing but kind to her. He had defended her and protected her. She knew she could trust him, but she was not sure he would understand.

"I only wish to help you," Daniel said.

Milena closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.

"Good," Daniel smiled, "come. I'll make some tea."

He gently took her hand and for a moment she froze, but then allowed him to lead her towards the kitchen. His grip felt secure and comforting and she needed comfort right now.

When they reached the kitchen, Daniel sat her down on a chair and started rummaging around the kitchen. "I may not know how to cook," Daniel grinned at her over his shoulder, "but I'm pretty sure I can make a cup of tea. Can't be that hard." Truth to be told,, he had never made a cup of tea before either. If he wanted tea, he'd ask Agnes or Anna to make it for him. But he didn't want to wake either of them now. He wanted some time alone with Leah.

Milena barely paid attention. She was still trying to get rid of the remnants of her nightmare.

Daniel threw some wood on the always burning fire in the kitchen and opened several tins ands cans to look for tealeaves.
"Found them," he said content. He took two cups and threw in a handful of leaves. When the water boiled, he poured it over the leaves and placed the cups on the table. He sat down next to Milena and folded his hands around his cup.

Milena blew on the steam and carefully took a sip of the hot liquid. She nearly choked when she tried to swallow. Daniel had thrown in so many tealeaves that the tea was far too bitter to drink, but the young lord seemed too distracted to notice.

He sighed and stared at his hands. His lips were moving as if he were searching for words. "Leah," he said softly, making her stiffen. She watched him nervously, but he continued. "I know you miss your family. And I know how hard things must be for you, but...you must have realized by now..." His tongue wet his lips and he glanced up at her. "My sisters are very fond of you. And my grandmother adores you. You have made friends here and... they would miss you dearly if you were to leave us... I would miss you... Leah... you must have realized that I ..."

Milena's eyes grew wide and she pushed her chair back, but Daniel's hand took hers and he looked at her with pleading eyes. "Please hear me out," he whispered.

Milena bit her lip. Every muscle in her body told her to run, but she remained seated and gave a stiff nod.

Daniel sighed in relief, but didn't let go of her hand. His grip only loosened a bit and his thumb gently stroke the inside of her wrist. "You've... come to mean a lot to me," he said, "I have... developed feelings for you." He looked down had his hands again.

Milena slowly shook her head. She was not ready for this conversation.

"Your family left you behind," Daniel said, "but you could stay here, with us... with me." He looked at her and sighed when he saw the look of panic in her eyes. "You don't have to decide anything now," he told her, "it must be confusing for you to have me drop this on you like this, but promise me you'll consider it." He smiled at her. "It doesn't matter to me that you're a gypsy. And after a while, no one will even remember where you came from. You'll never have to ask for anything, Leah. You will be happy here. Just... just think about it." He pressed her hand again and stood up. "I'll let you finish your tea. Good night, Leah."

Milena watched him go and sighed sadly. He didn't understand her at all. If it didn't matter to him where she came from, then why would he want to make sure no one would remember? What he really wanted was to turn her into one of his society girl. But that wasn't who she was. And it made her feel even more alone.

***

Wind whipped through the trees and Ramiro pulled his blanket tighter around him. He had been forced to spend the night outside, but he had hardly slept. His body was shivering from the cold whenever he closed his eyes he saw the girl he had lost. And if he didn't, he heard her name in the wind.

Ramiro turned on his back and looked at the stars. Milena had loved the stars. Was she at peace now? Had she received a decent burial?

His mind wandered to his family. He hadn't wanted to leave them, but he could not stay. His mother and sister must be concerned. He wondered if they cried for him and if his father was angry.

But in the end they would be fine. They would move on. His mother would find comfort with her husband and Daria still had Petsha. Soon there would be a child and they'd have other things to worry about.

Ramiro sighed and sat up. The stars were already fading and giving way to the morning light. Perhaps he should be on his way. He wouldn't get any more sleep anyway and traveling might keep him warm.

He groaned when his stiff muscles protested. He needed food and shelter. Maybe he could find work somewhere today.

Hungry and tired, he hoisted himself on the back of his horse and steered down the trail. There was a village nearby, he had seen merchants on the road yesterday. If there was a market, then perhaps he could get some food.

As the trees thinned out, the trail got wider and in the distance he could already see the smoke coming out of chimneys.

Ramiro sighed relieved. At least in town he'd be out of the wind. He coughed and then sneezed. "Let's get out of this cold, eh Galbi?" He patted his horse. "See if we can find a barn for you tonight."

Early as it was, there were already people up and about. Perhaps a few of them worked in those fancy houses he had seen.

They hardy paid him any attention.

Ramiro coughed again. There was a weather change in the air and sleeping outside hadn't done him much good. He swayed slightly when the horse stumbled on the uneven road, and grabbed on to the animal's mane. "Easy now girl," he soothed, "we're almost there."

His body hunched forward to be more stable and black spots swam in his vision.

He didn't even feel it when he hit the ground.

***

The festivities had lasted until the early hours of the morning and many a guest had been offered rooms for the night. Most of these guests were still asleep, but one man in particular was anxiously searching the mansion.

"Has anyone seen my daughter?" Theodore Goodwin was clasping every servant that crossed his path, "Katherine, my daughter. I cannot find her."

Ever since she had run out on him the night before, there had been no sign of her and by now he had begun to worry.

It was common for his daughter to storm off when things did not go her way, but usually she had cooled off after a few hours.

This time however she had been gone all night. He knew she had not gone home, the carriage was still in the driveway and she would not have walked so far. Any friend she could have asked a ride from was still here as well.

"Katherine!" he called out.

"Sir please," one of the servants spoke, "you'll wake the other guests."

Theodore grabbed the man's collar and pulled him close. "You listen to me," he growled, still a little unsteady on his feet and his breath wafting of alcohol, "I am looking for my daughter and I will make as much noise as I want until I find her."

His shouts drew the attention of other guests who now came out of their rooms with sleepy faces.

One of them was his wife. She pulled her morning robe securely around her as she walked up to her husband. "Theodore," she hissed, "come back to our room. People are looking." They were already falling off the social ladder. They didn't need more fuel to the fire.

"Leave me Aloise," Theodore pushed her away, "I have to find our daughter."

"Not like this with you in this state," Aloise looked around nervously.

A loud laughter further down the hall drew their attention. A door was pushed open and two people stumbled onto the hallway, laughing loudly.

For moment, the other people present could only stare, but when realization set in, it became chaos.

"Katherine!" Theodore Goodwin bellowed furiously.

His wife gasped in shock and clasped her hands to her mouth. She stared at their daughter and her ragged appearance with wide eyes.

Katherine turned and upon seeing the onlookers, she straightened out her dress that had slipped off her shoulder on one side, and ran a hand through her hair.

Her companion looked equally ruffled with tousled hair and his shirt half tugged in. When Katherine was called out, he quickly turned his back to make his escape, but it was already too late.

"Jackson?!" A stunned lord Caldwell pushed his way forward until he stood next to Katherine's parents.

Jackson turned to face him with a bored expression. "Good morning, father."

"Don't good morning me," his father hissed. He walked up to his son and pushed him down the hall, away from the audience, before more damage was done.

Theodore Goodwin pulled his daughter in an unoccupied room and closed the door behind them. "Have you lost your mind?!" he growled, "do you have any idea what you've done?!"

Katherine snorted and smiled deviously. "I was having a good time. Isn't this a party?"

"You're drunk," Theodore accused, "and this behavior... you've just ruined your reputation."

"Don't you mean your reputation?" Katherine retorted.

"You ruined your chance of a good marriage, do you understand that?"

"You wanted to auction me off to the highest bidder."

"Lord Hemsworth is a very wealthy man. I might have been able to convince him to take you as a wife."

"But he's old, daddy," Katherine decided to throw in some tears. That usually got her what she wanted. This time however, her father was relentless.

"He could have been the solution to our problems, but he'll never take you now."

"Good!" Katherine hissed, "I don't want him. I want Daniel Blackwood."

"Blackwood?" Theodore scoffed, "he can have any woman he wants. Don't be foolish."

"And why not me?" Katherine said.

"He's never looked at you once and any hope you might have had, you've just ruined yourself with your dalliance with Jackson Caldwell."

"I didn't sleep with him," Katherine hissed.

"It doesn't matter!" her father bellowed, "you were fooling around with him for the world to see. It's not about what happened, It's about what people will think happened."

Katherine laughed haughtily. "That's al you care about," she said, "what other people think. You don't care about me."

"Don't talk nonsense. Everything I've done, I've done for you and your mother. And now I can't provide for you two anymore. Finding you a husband is the only solution to have you taken care for." He looked at his daughter. "There's only one way out now. That young man will have to take responsibility. I will speak with his father right away."

"What?! No daddy. I told you nothing..."

"You get dressed properly, you hear me, and then go to your mother and stay there. I'll have to control this damage before it gets out of hand." Without another glance he walked out of the room.

***

Aishe stared at the sky and sighed sadly. She had been right when she felt that bad omen weeks ago. Bad luck had followed them ever since.

First the attack on the kumpania where they had lost two girls.

Then Carmen had joined another kumpania.

And now her grandson had run away.

And something had woken her again.

"Good mooring, Aishe," Laszlo nodded at her as he pulled the blanket off his horse, "up early again?"

"There is something in the air," Aishe responded.

Laszlo's expression turned grim. "More misfortune?"

"I do not know," Ashe muttered, "for now it is simply change, but I cannot say if it is good or bad." She held a puzzled expression.

"Let us hope the change is only in the weather," Laszlo said, "there is snow coming."

"Aye," Aishe nodded, "the snow will come early this year. It will be a long winter."

"Milosh will want to break up camp soon," Laszlo sighed, "I'd best prepare the horses." He nodded at Aishe again and prepared some oath of the animals. He's have to ask Sergei to make more of that special salve they used on the horses hooves in winter. They would need it soon enough.

Not far away, Abhirati and Gita were already stirring the large kettle that held breakfast. Fresh bead was being placed next to every bowl. It would be nice to have some warm food before they headed out again.

Aishe sighed and took one more look at the sky. She shook her head. No, the change was not just in the weather. Something was approaching. And it would change things forever.

***

When she woke up again, it felt like she had hardy slept at all. After Daniel had left the kitchen, Milena had thrown out the tea he had made her and poured another, less bitter, for herself. After a while she had calmed down, but sleep had not come easy.

Milena rubbed her eyes and moved to the windows. She lifted the drapes and peered outside. The sky was grey with pending snow.

With a sigh she dropped the curtains again and turned to get dressed. After that she slowly went downstairs. The hour was already late and lunch would be served soon. The family would be in the parlor this time of day. She could already hear Amelia and Emily's voices.

Slowly Milena made her way over. For a moment she remained standing in the doorway, hidden from view, watching them. They looked so happy together.

She was unaware of the pair of eyes that were on her. Daniel was quietly watching her from the corner of the parlor. She looked so beautiful in the sunlight that fell through the window. He imagined her having his children and hoped they'd look like her.

"Leah!" Emily's voice rang out when she noticed Milena standing in the doorway, "you sure slept long. It's almost lunchtime."

Milena stepped into the room, carefully making sure to avoid eye-contact with Daniel, and sat down next to Emily.

"We were just discussing the wedding," Amelia filled her in, "we were talking about the guests and what they were wearing."

"Come gossip with us, Leah," Emily said in a conspiring tone.

Daniel sighed dramatically. "Please take pity on me. I've heard enough gossip for one morning. I'm sure you can find more useful things to do."

"You are no fun," Amelia pouted.

"Your brother is right," Cecily Blackwood entered the room and had caught Daniel's last words, "Amelia, I believe you have unfinished needlework and Emily, why don't you take up your reading? We wouldn't want you to fall behind after your falling ill."

"Yes mother," Amelia sighed and she stood up to fetch her needle set.

"Can I read to Leah?" Emily asked.

"I don't see why not," Cecily waved. She sat down on one of the couches and took her own embroidery.

Emily smiled and looked at her brother. "Daniel could you get my book for me?"

"Of course," Daniel smiled and he walked over to the cabinet at the far end of the room. "Mind if I listen too?" he asked and he sat down not far from Milena.

"Of course," Emily said as she opened her book. She looked at Milena. "This is one of my favorite stories."

Milena quietly listened to Emily's clear voice as the girl read the story about three friends that boasted they'd defeat Death. After being told they would find Death under an oak tree on the hill, they found a treasure there instead. Forgetting about their original intend, they decided to celebrate, but fearing the reaction from the villagers if they came with so many riches, they sent out one of them to buy food and wine while the other two stayed behind. The remaining two plotted to kill their fired so they could have a bigger share of the treasure and so when their friend returned, they murdered him and drank the wine to celebrate, not knowing their friend had poisoned it.

The story reminded Milena of the greed of the gadje. Nothing good ever came from greed. But she smiled at Emily. The girl read well. She wondered what Emily would think of Sergei's stories.

The thought of her family brought back her nightmare and she shivered involuntarily.
No, she shouldn't think like that. She needed to believe they were alright.

"Leah," Daniel's concerned voice pulled her back to reality, "it will be alright."

She wished she could believe him.

When she looked up, she saw Emily's sad eyes on her as well. "Are you alright, Leah?" she asked quietly, "is there something else you'd like to read?"

Milena shook her head and kissed Emily's cheek. It wasn't the girl's fault.

Emily sighed. "I wish you could tell me what's bothering you. I don't like to see you sad." She closed the book decisively. "We're going to do something that will cheer you up. It doesn't matter how long it will take. We are going to make sure you'll be happy again, here with us."

She smiled brightly. "Everything will turn out right."