Please listen to the song on the side :)

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The early autumn sun shone through the red and yellow leaves of the trees. It was a pretty sight to the young girl and she smiled content.
Not far away, her brother Alin was leading a young horse by the reins. Once it was trained, it would make a fair price.
Her mother was gathered around the cooking pot with Milena’s aunt and Branko’s wife. The smells that came from it made the girl’s mouth water.
“Momma, when is dinner time?”
Tsura turned to her and smiled kindly. “My little Lenka, always hungry. You’ll grow fat you will.”
“Will not!” Milena pouted. She squealed when she was suddenly lifted onto someone’s shoulders.
Brishen, who was the culprit, bellowed an amused laugh. “Don’t worry, Tsura. We’ll make sure she runs it off.”
Across the camp, Esin was smiling at him. They had only just been wed a year ago and Esin wanted a child.
Milena’s  father Darek stepped out of their wagon and looked at Milena with a stern, but fond look. “Go wash up, Lenka. And fetch your brother. The meal will be ready soon.”
Brishen grinned and planted the girl back on her feet after which she stormed off towards the stream.

Their kumpania was a small one, but Milena didn’t mind. They were a close family.

At the river she found Thurya, a sixteen year old girl, Tomek’s daughter. She had let her eye fall on Temir, the iron worker. He was a gadjo, but he was a drifter too and he had come to the kumpania not long ago to learn their ways.  It had caused some discord at fist, because he was not of their people, but the kumpania had come to accept him. Aside from that, he was the only available candidate for Thurya at the moment. Unless a man from another kumpania would ask her for a wife.
So far, no one had come forward.

“Hello Lenka,” Thurya smiled, “have you come to help me with the sheets?” She motioned towards the bedding that hung in the stream.
“Poppa said to wash up,” Milena said with a serious face.
Thurya laughed softly. “The you should do that. I’ll come with you and you can help me carry these.”

The others had gathered around the fire where Zara of Branko’s wagon was sharing out the food.
Soft conversations were going on and Zara and Tomasz kept stealing glances towards the edge of the field.

Branko and Temir should be back soon.

“Alin!” Milena called. She dropped the basket with clothes and rushed over to her brother.
“Lenka,” Alin scolded, “you dropped the clothes. Now they need to be washed again.”
Milena looked down at the ground remorseful. “I’m sorry.”
Alin shook his head amused. “Come. I’ll help you pick them up.” He kneeled down.

The voices of the others weren’t cause for alarm at first until Thurya cried out. “Temir!”

Alin and Milena looked up.
Brishen and Tomasz were running towards Branko, the kumpania leader, who was supporting a bleeding Temir.
Thurya ran up to them too in tears, but Milena’s aunt Ziva held her back. “Stay here child.”

Branko’s wife, Zara, held their son Konstantin close. The boy was looking at Temir wide eyed.
“Alin! Milena!” their father called, “come here!”
“But the clothes, poppa,” Milena protested.
“Now!” dark barked.
Alin took his startled sister by the hand. “Come Lenka. Don’t be frightened. Father did not mean to shout.”

“What happened?” Brishen asked.
“Gadje attacked us,” Branko said, “they saw Temir and accused us from staling their children.”
“I told them… it was not… true…” Temir breathed, “but they would not listen. They… were going to attack… Branko.”
“He defended me,” Branko said while lowering Temir to the ground, “they attacked him instead.”
In the distance they heard a barking sound.
“They’re coming,” Branko hissed.
The faces of the others turned serious.
“We need to prepare,” Tomasz said.

“Alin,” Tsura called out to her son. She kneeled to his level and took his shoulders. “Listen carefully,” she said in a serious voice, “you must take your sister. Hide in the forest. Do not turn back.”
“Mother?” Alin asked in a frightened voice. His face was pale.
“You need to be strong Alin. Protect your sister, alright? It’s very important.”
Alin nodded.
“Good boy.” She turned to Milena and hugged her. “Lenka. Stay with your brother, you hear me? I love you.”
“I love you too momma.” Milena’s lip trembled.
“Hurry now. Don’t come back until we come find you.”
Alin took his sister’s hand. “Come Lenka,” he said bravely and pulled her with him into the forest while the sound of dogs and men drew nearer.

Sunlight caressed her face and Milena’s eyes fluttered open.
The unfamiliar surroundings sent a shock through her body and she shot up straight.
She was in a large bed in a strange room. A dressier and a mirror were against the wall on the other side of the room and a large wardrobe across from that.
Drapes hung down alongside the bed.

Milena’s eyes flashed across the room. To her left was a large window that provided a view on the gardens. It was silent in the house. The only audible thing was the song of the birds outside.
Where was she? How had she gotten here? Where were the others? Was Tsura alright? And Daria? Had they made it to the camp?

The sound of the door opening startled her and she looked at the intruder.
“Oh good, you’re awake,” the young man sighed in relief. He stepped around the door. “You gave us quite a scare. What is your name?”
Milena scurried away from him, but got tangled in the bed sheets and fell off the bed.

“Careful!” he called as he took a concerned step in her direction, “you’ll hurt yourself.”
Milena crawled backwards until she was against the wall underneath the window. A man! A gadjo! Had he brought her here? Had he touched her?
“Don’t be frightened. I won’t hurt you.” He held out his hand. “I just…”
“Daniel!” A woman stepped into the room, “what do you think you’re doing?! You can’t just enter a young woman’s room. Your presence here is completely inappropriate! Out!”
“I only wanted to check up on her.”
“Out!” The woman pointed at towards the door.
Daniel sighed. “Yes mother.” He cast one last glance at Milena and walked out of the room.

Cecily Blackwood focused her attention on Milena and studied her for a while. The girl looked terrified and it softened Cecily’s heart. She lifted her hands and approached the girl slowly. “It’s alright child. You’re safe here. No one will harm you.” She kneeled down in front of her. “What is your name child? Can you tell me?”
Milena looked at the woman. She seemed nice, but she was still a gadji. And gadje could not be trusted.
“Do you not understand?” Cecily asked kindly. Perhaps the girl did not speak their language.
When she received no reaction, Cecily sighed and stood up. She walked towards the wardrobe and took out a dress which she placed on the bed. She glanced at the girl and pointed. “For you. You can’t go on walking around in those rags.” She pointed at the dressier on which stood a large bowl. “You can wash up there. Be careful, you’ve taken quite a hit. You shouldn’t strain yourself.” She sighed again and shook her head. “What’s the use? The little savage doesn’t understand a word I’m saying.” She walked out of the room and closed the door.

Milena crawled to her feet as soon as she was gone.
She had to escape. She needed to get back to her family.
She took a step and hissed in pain. Her ribs hurt. Her leg hurt. Her head hurt.
She remembered falling, but nothing after that. How long had she been here? What had happened to the others? Had the gadje found the camp? Was everyone dead or had they managed to escape?
She looked out of the window. She had no idea where she was. She tried to locate the field where they had stopped, but all she could see was trees and a courtyard. These gadje had to be rich to live in a house like this.

Milena caught her reflexion in the glass and bit her lip. There were scratches all over her face and a wound on her forehead that seemed to have been cleaned.
Who had cleaned it? That woman? Or the man?
A shiver ran down her spine. What if he had touched her? Ramiro would never look at her again.
Her lip trembled. She couldn’t lose him. She couldn’t lose another family.
Her eyes moved towards the door. No one had come in after the woman had left. Perhaps no one would notice her escape.
She tiptoed to the door and pressed her ear against it. When she didn’t hear anything, she opened it and walked out onto the hall.

There were five more doors and a long corridor and Milena had no idea where to go, so she chose left.
With every step she listened for approaching feet, but there were one.
Finally she reached the stairs that lead down into another hallway. That had to be the way out.
Slowly she made her way down, but she froze halfway when she heard the man and woman from before.
A quick glance told her they were not directly down the stairs, but in an adjoining room.
Just when she had decided to make a run for it, despite of her aching ribs, the topic of their conversation caught her attention.

“… have to think of your sisters.”
“She has nowhere to go mother. Did we not have this conversation before?”
“She’s awake now. She can return to her people.”
“The gypsies have left. Henry brought me the news this morning. He saw the caravans down the West Road.”

Milena’s eyes went wide. They had left? They had gone without her?
They must think her dead.
A cold fear hit her.
They were gone.
It could not be true.

 A few feet ahead she spotted the front door of the house. Perhaps she would make it. Perhaps she could still catch up to them.
“Ah, you’re  awake,” a voice came from her right.
Milena’s head whipped around and her eyes went wide.
A girl around her age with brown curls eyed her curiously. “you shouldn’t walk around like that. You… Hey where are you going?!”
Milena sprinted towards the door and struggled to open it. She gritted her teeth against the pain in her ribs and hurried down the porch steps.
She had no idea where to go, but she wanted to be away from these people.
She ignored the other girl’s calling and ran down the front lane.

 Daniel and Cecily Blackwood hurried towards the hall when they heard Amelia shout.
“Amelia, what on earth…,” Cecily began.
“The gypsy girl,”  Amelia said stunned, “she ran away when I spoke to her. She looked frightened.”
Before she had even finished her sentence, Daniel had made for the door and could just make out the girl disappearing behind the hedge. “I’ll go after her,” he said and he rushed to the stables.
“Daniel!” Cecily called after her son, “just let her go. Daniel!” She sighed and brought a hand to her head. “I knew that girl would cause trouble.”
“Do you think he’ll catch her?” Amelia asked.
“Amelia please, I don’t want to think about it right now.”
“What is going on?” a delicate voice asked. Emily rolled her wheelchair down the hall.
“The gypsy girl woke up,” Amelia informed her sister, “she ran out the front door.”
“Aww,” Emily said disappointed, “I haven’t even seen her yet.”
“Daniel went after her.”
“Really? Do you think…”
“Emily, Amelia, please,” Cecily said in a tired voice, “I’m tired. Enough about that girl now.” She sighed. “I need to lay down.” She carefully walked up the stairs.

Her daughters barely noticed, too busy peering down the front lawn.

***

For once there was silence throughout the traveling kumpania. There was no singing or cheerful banter, no child’s laughter. Even the horses were quiet.
Carmen could not stop crying. It was Vali that drove her wagon.
Ramiro’s eyes were unfocused as he flexed the reins onto the horses’ backs. He felt empty. He and Dorin had searched for Milena thoroughly, but they hadn’t found her. She must be dead.
They had burned all her belongings together with Tsura’s, as was their custom. No gadje would ever lay hands on them.
But he wouldn’t forget.
Milosh hadn’t said a word when he and Dorin  had returned, but Ramiro was sure he knew who was responsible for the fire in the village.
Maybe he’d wait with a  reprimand until later. Whatever the case, at least he’d had his revenge. They had taken his life away, his Lenka.
He narrowed his eyes.

His mother was traveling with Carmen. His sister lay lifeless in the back of the wagon, believing it was her fault. She refused to eat.
No one had said anything when Petsha had placed himself at her side.

Ramiro’s thoughts drifted back to yesterday. Why had he not gone with them? Why had no one else? Now he had lost her. Her name would not be spoken again to ensure that her spirit would be laid to rest, but he could not forget. He would not forget.

He didn’t look up when Petsha seated himself next to him. “She has not moved since this morning. I do not know what to do. Tonight when we make camp, we must speak to your grandmother, Ramiro, before we lose her too.”
Too.
A simple word, loaded with pain.
“I know this.” He rubbed his eyes.
“Ramiro, have you slept at all?”
“How can I sleep when I keep thinning about…”
“Do not say it. Do not speak her name,” Petsha cut him off, “you know you can’t.”
“I can not forget.”
“I know,” Petsha said softly, “I am sorry.” He took the reins from his friend’s hands. “Go on. Go sit with your sister. She needs you now. I’ll take over here.”

***

Her ribs ached with every step, but Milena bit her lip. She couldn’t afford to slow down if she wanted to catch up to her family.
Her footsteps barely made a  sound against the forest floor.

“Alin stop!” she pulled on her brother’s hand. They were deep into the forest by now, but he kept on running and she struggled to keep up. She begged him to stop but he ignored her. “Alin, please,” she begged. She was scared. “I’m tired. My feet hurt. I want to go back.”
Alin didn’t stop, but he slowed his pace so she could rest. “We have to keep moving Lenka.”

 Every tree looked alike, but she had to keep going. She couldn’t let the same thing happen again.
She had to find them.

 “Woah,” Daniel Blackwood pulled his horse’s reins and slowed to a trot. Where had the girl gone? What direction had she taken?
He looked around carefully. The forest wasn’t large, but big enough for someone to pass through unnoticed. She could be anywhere.
He was worried about her. She was injured and she shouldn’t move around like that. If something were to happen to her here, in the forest, how would he be able to help her?
He steered his horse onto the left trail, keeping a close eye on his surroundings for a glimpse of the girl.

 “We have to keep moving Lenka.”
In the distance they could still hear the dogs the gadje had brought.
“But what about momma and poppa?” Milena asked in a small voice, “and the others? They are still at the camp.”
He didn’t answer her, but his face was grim.
“Alin? Why won’t you say anything? Alin?”

 She had to make sure the others were alright. And  Tsura… she had promised the girl to come back… just like Alin had promised to come back.

Milena’s steps faltered and she slowed to a walk. The pain was so severe now that she could barely breathe.
Hot tears washed down her face. ‘Alin…’
A horse whinnied and Milena looked up. She could vaguely make out the horse and rider between the trees and she started running again.
At the same time, the rider seemed to notice her. He called out to her, but she didn’t stop. She dove in between the trees and found herself in a clearing.
There were no traces of the camp, but she knew it was the right place. You would only know there had been a camp if you knew what to look for.
A print in the grass, a branch placed a certain way, acorns. It could be anything, but she would know if she found it.
It would tell her where to go.
She searched the ground carefully. If only she could find the signs. There… She made her way over to a neatly arranged twig, but before she could reach it, the horse broke through the bushes and destroyed the mark.
Milena jumped back in fear.
“Wait! Please!” the young man on the horse said, “don’t be frightened. I won’t hurt you.”
Milena barely paid him attention. His horse was trampling everything around. She was never going to find any of the marks now.
“Your family is gone. You must come back with me. You’re injured. There’s no… wait! Come back!”
Milena dodged the horse and tore off into the forest. What did that man want from her? Had the gadje not done enough? Why couldn’t he just leave her alone?
Afraid that he would follow her, she chose a path the had been overgrown with plants. The horse wouldn’t be able to follow her that easily. Perhaps she could still outrun him.

***

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Thomas asked.
“Yes,” William nodded, “his lordship can’t ignore something like this. If them gypsies are burning down his property, he should know about it. He will be forced to take action now.” He pushed a branch out of the way and continued down the forest road.
“They have left,” John said, “their camping ground is empty. Besides, my boy saw the caravans this morning. They won’t be coming back.”
“It doesn’t matter,” William said, “Lord Blackwood should take action. Perhaps we can pursue them.”
“Quiet,” Thomas said, “did you hear that?”

***

“Hush Lenka. We must be quiet now or they will find us.” Alin had come  to a stop. He was panting.
“Alin? I’m scared,” Milena whispered with a trembling voice.
“I know,” Alin answered. He kneeled down in front of her, “I won’t let anything bad happen to you, okay? I promise.” 
Milena nodded. There were tears in her eyes.
“Okay,” Alin said, “you need to listen to me now, okay? You have to climb the tree.” 
“It’s too high,” Milena sniffed.
“I’ll help you, but you must be quiet. They must not find us.” He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around his sister’s waist to lift her. “grab the branch, Lenka.”
Quietly she did as she was told. She peered down at him. “Don’t leave me here,” she sobbed, “momma said to stay with you. You can’t leave me here.” 
Alin sighed and hoisted himself onto the branch. He cupped his sister’s cheek. “I will never leave you Lenka. Come, we need to climb higher.”

When she saw the three men, it was already too late. There was nowhere to hide and they were too close to avoid. Besides, they had spotted her too.

“There! There’s one!”
“I thought you said they had left.”
“They did leave. They must have come back, filthy tricksters.” The last man narrowed his eyes at her. “Did you not learn a thing from yesterday?”
He took a step in her direction.
“Careful William. There might be more.”

Milena’s eyes went wide and she backed away from them.
“Oh no you don’t,” William growled and he grabbed her and twisted her arm behind her back.
Milena bit her lip in pain. She wanted to cry out, but she had no voice.
“Where’s the rest of you lot? Speak up girl.” He shook her.
Milena closed her eyes. She was scared. She could not fight off three men. They would hurt her, probably do worse to her. She just hoped it would be over soon.

“What’s going on here?” a deep voice demanded, “let go of her.”
The three men turned around, dragging Milena with them.
“L-lord Blackwood,” Thomas stuttered.
“Let go of the girl.”
“She’s one of ‘em gypsies, sir,” William said, “she’s responsible for setting fire to the village last night.”
Milena frowned. What fire?
“This girl is?” Daniel raised an eyebrow, “are you sure of it?”
“She’s with them gypsies. They’ve done it.”
“And what reason would the gypsies have to set fire to the village?” Daniel asked.
“With all respect, m’lord,” John said, “but they don’t need no reason. They do as they please. Everyone knows they’re thieves and lairs.”
Daniel shifted his eyes towards Milena and eyed her questioningly.
Milena shook her head.
“Don’t listen to her, m’lord,” William said and he shook her.
Daniel narrowed his eyes. “I told you  to let go of her.”
“But m’lord, she’s a gypsy..” When he saw Daniel’s angered face, he let go of Milena and took a step back.
Daniel looked at the man. “Are you sure the gypsies were the ones to burn down the village? Did you see them do it?”
The men looked at each other. “No sir,” John muttered, “but it must have been them.”
“Perhaps they did,” Daniel said, “but since you did not see, you should take it up to the mansion. And I will have it investigated.” He turned to Milena and held out his hand to her.
Milena stared at it uncertain.
Behind her, the village men gasped.
Milena’s eyes darted towards Daniel’s face.
“Come,” he said.
Milena bit her lip. He was a gadjo. She could not touch him. It was not allowed. But he had protected her against these men, his own kind, and she was afraid of what they would do if he were to ride away.
“Well?” he asked, but his voice was kind.
Milena looked back at the men and then again at the rider. She bit her lip.
“I will not hurt you,” he said.
Milena closed her eyes for a moment, not sure what to do. The villagers wanted to hurt her. This rider was their master, she understood that now, but could she trust him? She opened her eyes again and took his hand.
He lifted her behind him onto the horse effortlessly and turned his horse around.
“Hold on,” he said kindly and drove his horse forward.