He could barely keep his eyes open, but he forced himself to go forward. He was so close now. He would sleep once he had found his goal.

The hooves of his horse echoed against the ground. There was barely a soul on the road at this hour but that suited him just fine. He would travel faster that way.

A cough escaped his lips and he pulled the coat Matthew had given him closer around his body. It made his mind drift back to the blacksmith's. No, he deiced, he couldn't think of them now. He needed to focus on Milena. What was he going to do once he had found her? What would he say? Where would they go? Would she want to live at the town with Bonny and Matthew? Should they travel the roads again? Find a kumpania to join? Was that even an option? Nikolai had always said Oszkar would take them. Would that offer still stand now that he had run away?

Ramiro frowned. He would at least try.

He steered his horse onto a side road. The path became wider here and he could already see cart tracks. He was getting closer to town. It meant he had to be cautious. He didn't want a run in with the locals. They had caused him enough grief. But all of that would end soon. Before the day was over he would be reunited with the girl he loved.

He spurred on his horse, eager to cover more ground.

Just a little longer.

***

"Good to see your face again, lad," the miller grinned at Harun as they unloaded the next bag of flower. "I thought you might have gone back to your people."

Harun straightened after dropping the heavy bag on the growing stack. "Gone back? My people? What are you talking about?" he gave the man a confused look.

"Them gypsies, lad," the miller smiled, "me and me boy saw a bunch of 'em a few miles back. You'd been gone for a while. I thought you had gone back to them."

Harun shook his head. There was no 'going back' to anything for him. He was not part of that society. It did make him feel anxious. If Leah found out the travelers were near, would she go find them? "Where are they at?" he asked.

"Only a few miles. Somewhere in the Western fields." The miller shrugged. "I don't mind 'em. They leave well alone. Wouldn't go looking for 'em though. You never know eh? They don' like outsiders." He dropped the last bag on the stack and brushed his hands. "That's the lot of it."

Harun nodded. "Lord Blackwood will send your payment in the next few days."

"Don't worry about it, lad," the miller said, "I know he's good for it. Always a pleasure to do business with him, like with his father, rest his soul, a good man he was." He tapped his cap and climbed on the wagon. The miller's son nodded at Harun and flicked the reins.

Harun sighed as the cart drove out of side. He wiped his forehead.

"What was that about gypsies?" Jonathan appeared at his side and looked at him curiously.

"He said the travelers set up camp a few miles down the road," Harun answered.

"Hm," Jonathan mused, "a bit early. They're usually not around til summer solstice."

Harun nodded and bit his lip. He knew the stable master was thinking the same as him. The travelers were here for a reason. And they would not rest until they got back what was theirs.

***

Breakfast was shared around the fire as the men discussed their plan of action. Vali and Marius had returned late last night with rumors of a traveler girl being introduced into gadje society. Young Alec had also come back with valuable information. Apparently Blackwood Manor was only a few miles ahead.

"We should wait for nightfall," Tisrav said, "find a way into this place and retrieve our Lenka."

"A fancy place like that will be heavily guarded," Petsha spoke, "they will think us thieves. They will set dogs on us. Or shoot at us. It's too risky."

"We can ask at the gate," Vali said, "demand for them to give Lenka back to us."

"Don't be a fool, Vali," Czibor spoke, "they'll chase us away."

"I could go look for her," Alec suggested timidly, "such a big house will have deliveries. I can climb aboard a wagon and ride with them. No one will see me."

"It's too dangerous," Milosh decided. He patted the boy's shoulder. "We will search out this place, Blackwood. See who comes and goes. Perhaps then we can decide the best way of bringing Lenka home." He looked around the fire. "Tisrav, you go. And Kristof. Sergei too."

Sergei nodded.

"I will go too," Petsha stated.

"And I," came Dorin's answer.

"No," Milosh said firmly. Sending Dorin's brothers was enough of a gamble, but they could at least stand up for themselves. They might be loud at times and troublemakers, but they knew how to gather information without being noticed. Dorin and Petsha had personal motives that might distract them.

"But Milosh..." Petsha protested.

"No," Milosh said again, "you two stay here. Feed the horses. Gather wood for the fire. Repair equipment. But do not go." He narrowed his eyes when Petsha was about to protest again. "Or should I keep a watch on you?"

Petsha looked down. "No Milosh."

Milosh looked at Dorin who grumbled in agreement.

"Good," Milosh said, "now go to work." He pointed the two towards the horses and sent the other three to prepare for their journey to Blackwood Manor. As soon as they had retrieved Milena, they would break up camp and never come back here again.

***

"Good morning, Leah," Emily smiled brightly when Milena entered the dining room. The girl had just started her breakfast and turned to the serving girl. "Anna, please bring in Leah's breakfast as well. We will eat together."

Anna curtsied and cast Milena a look of disdain before returning to the kitchen.

Milena barely noticed as she sat down across from Emily. She hadn't slept well. Thoughts of Daniel and how to let him know her decision had kept her awake half the night. It made her slightly nervous. After this, there was no way back from it.

Emily didn't seem to notice her distraught mood. She happily chatted over her food. "Will you take me to the stables again, Leah? Harun said he'd let me help with the tack. He said he'd give me one of his coats so my clothes won't get dirty. I hope it won't be difficult."

Milena smiled at her. Emily was so easy to please. She didn't want much. It seemed Cecily had come to terms with Emily's friendship with a simple stable boy. Milena was happy for it. She started on her own breakfast and let her mind wander for a bit.

It wasn't until Emily placed a hand on her arm that she looked up again. The girl looked at her sadly. "Are you alright, Leah? I don't mean to be a burden. If you don't want to come to the stables with me, then you won't have to. It's not so far. I can go there myself."

Milena shook her head. Emily wasn't a burden and she didn't want the girl to ever feel otherwise. She kissed Emily's cheek and stood up. With her breakfast still untouched she wheeled the chair out of the room.

***

Ramiro slowed down his horse as he reached more familiar ground. He was close now. There was the clearing where they had made camp last summer. Any trace of their campsite was long gone, but he would recognize it anywhere.
His hand tightened around the reins in anger, startling his horse. He guiltily patted the animal's neck. "Sorry, girl," he muttered.

Carefully and cautiously he proceeded down the road.

A wagon passed him, coming from the opposite direction. A miller and his hand by the look of the flower covering their clothes. The man cast him a wary look and Ramiro stiffly nodded at him. He didn't look back once the wagon was gone. He had more important matters to worry about than what some gadje thought of him. "Where are you, Lenka?" he muttered.
It physically hurt to be so close and yet so far away.

He took a long look around to figure out which way to go from here. His eyes focused on the swirl of smoke coming from behind the tree tops. There was no scent of fire in the air. It had to be a chimney then.

Ramiro nodded to himself and steered his horse in that direction. He would have to start somewhere.

***

Harun shook his head at Jonathan. "There isn't much we can do if they decide to come for her. They are her family."

"They took their fair time to come and take her back," Jonathan crossed his arms, "she's with lord Blackwood now. The family has taken her in. She's better off here than with people that didn't bother to look for her."

"You don't know that," Harun said, "you don't know why they waited so long. In any case, it is Leah that will decide in the end. I know she still misses her family. If it is true that they came for her, then there's a good chance she will go."

Both men looked up when a rack of equipment tumbled over not so far from them.

"Leah!" came Emily's panicked voice, "Leah, come back! Wait!"

Harun and Jonathan both hurried over to find Emily trying to maneuver her chair around, and the door to the barn wide open.

Jonathan hurried outside and could just see Milena disappear around the hedge and towards the gates.

Harun knelt with Emily who was staring at him through tear struck eyes. "She can't leave, Harun! Please stop her! Bring her back! Go call my brother! He has to bring her back!"

"Miss Emily," Harun said startled and a little helpless.

But Emily didn't allow him to calm her down. "Call my brother now!" she yelled.

Harun sighed, but gave a nod and hurried towards the mansion. Whatever would happen next, he had a bad feeling about it.

He entered the house through the kitchen. Agnes looked surprised when she noticed him. "Harun," she said, "Miss Emily was just on her way to the stables. What's going on? Why are you here?"

"I am looking for lord Daniel," Harun said, "will you call for him? It is urgent."

Agnes took in his appearance, mud caked his shoes, and she nodded. "He is in his study. Wait here so you don't get dirt all over the floor."

Harun nodded and waited nervously for Agnes to return. When the kitchen door opened again, Daniel strode up to him. "What has happened?" he asked urgently, "is Emily alright?"

"Yes, sir," Harun said, "Miss Emily is fine. It's Leah, sir. It's... well... you see... the miller told us there were travelers camped nearby and Miss Leah... she overheard, sir and..." He hadn't even finished speaking. Daniel was already out the door and Harun hurried after him.

"Saddle my horse!" Daniel demanded, "which way?"

Harun swallowed nervously. "Please sir don't be rash..."

"Which way Harun?"

Harun sighed. "West. A few miles down the road." He took the saddle and placed it on Daniel's mount.

"Daniel," came Emily's small voice, "please bring Leah back."

Daniel raked a hand through his hair and tried to keep his smile reassuring. "Don't worry, love," he said, "it will be alright." He took the reins Harun handed him and swung upon the horse's back. "Bring my sister back to the house," he ordered Harun, and he gave his horse the spurs, after the gypsy girl.

***

The chances of the group being Milosh' kumpania were small, Milena knew that, but she had to be sure. Perhaps it was fate that had brought them here. Perhaps if she could see Ramiro was happy, she could be at peace too. Perhaps then she could accept Daniel.
But even if it turned out to be a different kumpania, they might still have news of her family, or bear a message when they would cross paths.

This was the second time she ran away from Blackwood Manor to meet up with her own people. For a moment she was afraid she would run into villagers again, but she suppressed the thought. She couldn't stop now, not when she was so close. She needed to know.

Her heart fell when she heard the swift approach of a horse. She had known Daniel would come after her, but had he caught up with her so swiftly? Would he maker her go back with him? Would he understand? She had to make him understand.

Out of breath, Milena came to a halt. Tears blurred her eyes. If only she would be able to make him understand.

The horse had come to a stop as well and through the haze of tears she saw the rider approach. He seemed hesitant, but she couldn't guess why he would be so reluctant. Unless he believed it to be a farewell. Her mouth quivered in a hesitant smile. He had always misunderstood her.

Strong hands grabbed her upper arms and she gasped. He had never been so forward before, but his grip was strangely familiar. When he finally spoke, she could no longer hold back her tears. It wasn't the voice she had been expecting, but it was a voice she had been longing to hear for so long that she knew she must be dreaming.

The voice was a breath, and it whispered only one word.

"Lenka."

***

He had almost missed it, the slight movement in the field. It was not directly in his path, so it did not concern him, focused as he was on the road ahead. Sheer luck had made him turn his head. Or perhaps it was something else, something stronger.

Even then, when he saw the small figure run across the grass he had barely recognized her as she was wearing gadje clothing. It was the way she moved that gave it away and made him hesitate.

He steered his horse into her direction so he would cross paths with her.

Had she heard his approach? Perhaps she had, because she halted, her breath heavy by the way her shoulders rose and sagged.

He stopped only a few feet away from her and slid to the ground. When she moved her head to face him, he noticed her eyes were blurry and she seemed to look straight through him. Did she not recognize him?

It made him halt when all he wanted was to lock his arms around her and never let go.

A hesitant smile trembled in the corner of her mouth and he could no longer resists. He closed the distance between them and pulled her towards him.

She gasped and he felt something break inside him. He whispered her name and her tears fell onto his hands that were still around her arms.
He kissed her eyelids, her cheek, her lips, and she looked up to him as if she couldn't believe he was here.

He knew how she must feel. He was every bit the same. "Lenka," he said again and he brushed her tears that were still falling.

He studied her for a moment, taking in every inch of her face, her body. She looked healthy. Someone had taken good care of her at least. He was relieved at that.
"Come," he said and he took her hand to guide her towards his horse.

The sound of another horse approaching made him pull Milena behind his back in protection.

A tall man pulled up his horse and dismounted. His attire was that of a nobleman and his entire posture emitted wealth. The man's eyes moved from Ramiro to Milena and he cast Ramiro a scrutinizing look "Let her go," the man spoke.

Ramiro gritted his teeth. How dare this man talk to him in such a way. He spat. "Who are you?"

The man straightened his jacket and waked closer. He ignored Ramiro and looked at Milena. "Are you alright, Leah?"

"Do not speak to her," Ramiro threatened, "I asked your name."

He looked at Ramiro now with narrowed eyes. "I do not recall you giving me your name."

"You have not asked," Ramiro cast back. He glanced at Milena, who had placed a hand on his arm. She gave a tiny shake of her head.

The man's eyes narrowed between the two again. Something sad flashed behind his eyes. He sighed. "Daniel Blackwood," he introduced himself, "now, would you be so kind as to give me your name?"

"Milan," Ramiro answered.

Daniel nodded. "Well, Milan, I would appreciate if you let the lady go."

"She is not your concern," Ramiro said coldly.

"I beg to differ," Daniel said through his teeth, "she is very much my concern as she lives under my roof."

"Well, Daniel Blackwood," Ramiro growled, "she will live under my roof now. Where she belongs."

Daniel took a step closer and glared Ramiro down. "I will not let her go with someone who abandoned her on the forest road and never cared to look back."

Ramiro narrowed his eyes and something dangerous moved in his eyes. "She was not abandoned," he growled, "we searched everywhere. She would still be with us if you had not stolen her. Because of you we believed her dead. We believed the villagers had taken her."

Something clicked in Daniel's mind. "So you did set fire to the village. I didn't believe it when they told me. I defended you! How do you justify something like that?!"

"They told you, did they?" Ramiro scoffed, "did they tell you what a child's body looks like after it's been mauled by dogs?!"

Milena had been looking back and forth between the two men, too startled and too afraid to do anything, but upon hearing Ramiro's last words, a pained expression settled on her face and she sunk to her knees in despair, hugging herself tightly.

Tsura...

Little Tsura was dead.

Ramiro spat again. "Can you justify that? Rich man?"

Daniel had paled at those words and for a moment he did not know what to say.

Ramiro scoffed and turned to Milena. Gently he pulled her to her feet. "Come," he said.

That broke Daniel out of his stupor. "She's not going anywhere," he said and he grabbed Ramiro's arm and spun him around.

Ramiro pulled himself free and punched Daniel, causing him to stumble back. He rubbed his jaw and advanced on Ramiro again.

Ramiro gritted het teeth and pulled a knife.

Milena's eyes went wide as a pistol appeared in Daniel's hand. They aimed for each other.

Ramiro's knife left his hand at the same time Daniel fired.

And Milena screamed.

***

Dorin glanced up when Petsha dropped a bundle of firewood at his feet. The young man had a serious expression on his face that immediately gained Dorin's attention. He placed the tack he had been oiling on the steps next to him and gave Petsha an understanding nod.

"It hasn't been long since they left," Petsha said, "we can still follow them."

Dorin glanced to the side where the rest of the kumpania was bustling around, doing their chores. No one seemed to pay them special attention.

"Let's hurry then," Dorin answered. He stood up.

***

"This way," Sergei gave a nod with his head towards the road Alec had informed them about. It wasn't far now. They could easily see the smoke from the chimney swirling above the trees.

Tisrav and Kristof both nodded, for once not rough-housing and joking about, but set on the task at hand. They were here to retrieve one of their own. They could wait with the jokes until after.

A loud shot made all three freeze in their spots. The sound had been nearby. For a moment they had feared the kumpania was under attack again, but the sound had come from the other direction.

"There!" Tisrav pointed. Something was approaching fast.

"A horse," Sergei noted. They waited for the animal to reach them and Sergei grabbed the reins. "Easy now."

"That is Ramiro's horse," Kristof said startled when he recognized the animal.

"Are you certain?" Sergei studied the horse.

"Yes, look."

The men exchanged a look and Sergei turned the horse towards the camp. "Go girl," he said and he slapped her flank to force the horse away, knowing it would smell the other horses and run in the right direction.

He looked at Kristof and Tisrav. "Let's go."

***

Dorin and Petsha easily found the tracks the others had left. They had managed to slip away undetected and made good progress. They only needed to take care not to be seen by Sergei or Dorin's brothers. The three men would no doubt send them back.

Dorin grabbed Petsha's arm to stop him and motioned his chin ahead where he could just make out the backs of the others. He pulled Petsha behind a tree until the others had gained some distance, but they hurried out of their hiding place when a gun shout echoed throughout the area.

When, up ahead, Sergei sent a wandering horse in their direction, they shared a look and started to run.

***

"No!" Milena screamed when a red spot spread across Ramiro's shirt. She hurried to his side when he fell and pressed her hands against thewound to stop the bleeding. Tears blurred her vision. She had only just found him. Would she lose him again so soon?

She barely noticed how Daniel had dropped his gun in horror, his face white as a ghost.

Ramiro lifted a trembling hand and cupped Milena's cheek. His eyes were hazy, but there was a loving smile on his lips. "You spoke," he muttered.

Milena didn't even hear his words, nor had she realized the scream that had escaped her, she was too busy getting the bleeding to stop. She couldn't lose him. She wouldn't lose him.

"Leah," Daniel muttered in defeat. He watched the tears stream down the girl's face, her hands desperately applying pressure to the young man's wound. The knife had missed, perhaps never even intending to truly find aim.

His bullet had done severe damage however, and not just to the man. He realized now why Leah had always kept a distance, why her eyes always held sadness when he had looked at her. She cared for him, but she did not love him. She loved this man.

Carefully Daniel walked over to the pair. This was his fault. Now he had to fix it. Or at least try. He kneeled down next to her, ready to help, when two other men appeared on the scene. They grabbed Daniel's arms and roughly dragged him away from Milena and Ramiro.

Daniel struggled against them, but their grip was tight and they twisted his arms behind his back.

Milena only noticed their arrival when a second set of hands pressed against Ramiro's wound. She looked up to find Petsha smiling at her sadly.

Next, Dorin passed them, picking up Ramiro's knife that was still on the ground, and approached Daniel.

Milena's eyes flew between Ramiro and Daniel. She was unsure what to do. She couldn't leave Ramiro, but she was afraid of what would happen to Daniel. Despite what had just happened, he was a good man.

"Go," Petsha softly urged her.

She looked at him hesitantly and he gave an assuring nod while applying more pressure to Ramiro's wound.

Milena bit her lip and stood up, stepping in between Daniel and Dorin, facing Dorin.

Dorin looked at her with a steady expression. "Move aside, Lenka," he said calmly.

Milena held his gaze and held out her hand towards the knife.

"Give it to her, Dorin," Kristof said behind her, still holding one of Daniel's arms in a vicelike grip. "She has the right of it."

On Daniel's other side, Tisrav agreed, "let her do it brother."

Dorin gritted his teeth and held out the hilt of the knife towards Milena for her to take.

Milena turned to face Daniel, knife in hand. He looked at her with a pained expression, but didn't fight anymore. Their eyes met and Daniel's breath hitched when Milena raised her arm. He closed his eyes, waiting for the impact that never came.

At the sound of a soft thud, he opened his eyes again.

The knife was stuck in the ground and Milena was looking at him with tears in her eyes.

One of the men holding him scoffed. "Why spare him? He shot one of us! Have you become one of them?!"

"The girl has chosen," a calm voice spoke.

Only now Milena noticed Sergei was also here. He stood up from Petsha's side, his shirt torn and serving as a bandage for Ramiro's injury. "Let him go."

"You can't let him go," Kristof protested.

Sergei looked at him sternly. "Did you not say just now she had the right of it? She has chosen. Let him go."

Kristof scoffed and he and Tisrav pushed Daniel away.

Daniel fell to his knees and stayed there. He didn't want to anger these men any further. They seemed unpredictable.

He glanced up at Milena who had a haunted expression in her eyes.

"Lenka," Pethsa called from Ramiro's side, "he is alright. He will live."

"Lenka," Daniel whispered, "your name is Lenka."

Milena looked at him sadly before turning her back on him and returning to her lover's side.

Daniel knew then that he had lost her. Or perhaps she had never really been his.

The men that had held him now walked past him, leaving him to his own devices and helping their injured friend. Carefully they lifted him between them and carried him away.

One of the young men stayed behind at Lenka's side, patiently waiting for her to make up her mind. But Daniel already knew and his thoughts were confirmed when Milena followed after the group without looking back.