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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 23, 2012 21:31:23 GMT -5
Yes, Onyx has another story. This time it is the obligatory 'Storm' story but with my own twist. Don't worry, the saga of 'Shall We Dance?' will still continue but I had to get this one out of my head. I have no idea when it will be updated but I'll do the best I can. Oh and by the way, "Leigheasóir" means "healer" in Gaelic. Enjoy! _______________________________________________________________________________
Ryan jumped slightly as a huge crash of thunder boomed in the distance. He soothed his horse and urged the caravan forward, treading carefully down the muddy road. They had been caught in a brief rainstorm a few hours prior but he knew the big storm was still a few miles off. Ryan’s scouts had informed him that there was a clearing not too far ahead that was sheltered by the foothills, there they would be able to rest and set up camp for a few days.
He glanced back at the weary faces of his people and frowned. The tribe had been traveling for days without a break and he knew they were tired and worn. They had been in a rather large town for several weeks, entertaining the townspeople and pocketing their riches on the sly, when the whispers of a plague began. Ryan knew that the gypsies would be blamed for spreading the disease and he had packed up his people and left that very night.
They barely made it out.
By sunrise the next day half of the town was infected and Ryan thanked the Gods that none of his people had fallen ill. A few of the townspeople had set out after the gypsies but Ryan’s head start gave them an advantage. Still, they needed to get off of the road and into a position where they could protect themselves.
One of the scouts running up to Ryan startled him out of his musings and he held up his hand to halt the caravan. “What is it?” asked Ryan, his bright blue eyes beginning to dart around, searching for danger.
“There is a woman in the road,” said Taylor, bending double to catch his breath. “I can’t tell if she is sick or hurt but she wears the clothing of a gypsy. She may need help but it could be a trap.”
Ryan turned to watch the progression of the storm behind them. They didn’t have much time but he couldn’t leave the woman to die in the storm. “Emmet,” he called and a young man appeared at his side.
“Yes, sir?”
“I’m going with the scouts to investigate an issue, you are in command until I return.” Emmet nodded and Ryan grabbed a lantern before heading down the road with Taylor. A few moments later they topped a small rise and saw Adam and Stephan, two more scouts, standing over a huddled mass. “Watch your backs, this could be a trap,” warned Ryan and the three young men made a rough circle around him as he crouched down near the woman.
Taylor’s initial description had been accurate, the woman’s flowing skirts and scarves marked her as a gypsy but the garments were so caked with mud that they were barely recognizable. A large basket lay near her and seemed to be full of plants and she held a satchel close to her body.
Ryan tentatively brushed her hair away from her face and frowned. She looked familiar but he couldn’t work out the connection. Another boom of thunder ripped through the sky, much closer this time, and Ryan made a decision. Pulling off his cloak, he wrapped it around the woman and carefully picked her up, alarmed at her slight weight in his arms. Taylor picked up her satchel and basket and the group hurried back towards the caravan.
Ryan walked towards one of the wagons and an older woman stuck her head out of the back. “Meara, I’m in need of your skills once more,” said Ryan while carefully climbing into the wagon. “I’m not sure if she’s ill or hurt. Can you help her?”
“Of course,” replied the healer while relieving Ryan of his burden. “I’ll take care of her, now get us to safety before this storm hits or we’ll all be dead.”
Ryan grinned and jumped down from the wagon. Only Meara could get away with speaking to the gypsy king in such a manner, well Meara and his sister. Speaking of, where was she?
Ryan’s smile turned into a frown when he saw his sister, Caroline, waiting at the head of the caravan. “What are you doing?” he hissed while motioning to the caravan to start moving. “I told you to stay in the wagon!”
“But I got bored! You can’t expect me to stay cooped up in that stuffy wagon forever,” complained Caroline while falling into step with her brother.
“If you were bored why don’t you go and visit with Branna or Cara?”
Caroline shrugged and pulled her cloak tighter around her as the wind began to blow harder. “Do you think we’ll make it before the storm hits?”
Ryan blinked to clear his vision after a flash of lighting blinded him and nodded curtly. “We’ll make it.” Caroline shot her brother a look but kept her mouth shut as they trudged forward in the darkness.
By some stroke of luck the gypsies did make it to the foothills ahead of the storm and with everyone’s combined efforts they managed to set up camp before the rain began.
After making sure the camp was secure Ryan rushed to Meara’s wagon. “How is she doing?” he asked referring to the young woman stretched out on the cot.
“She doesn’t seem to be hurt aside from a few bumps and bruises but she is very ill. I’m doing all that I can but I’m not sure I can save her.”
A frown marred Ryan’s features at the healer’s words and he crossed his arms as he took in the woman’s appearance once more. Deep down Ryan felt like he should know her but again the connection escaped him. Shaking his head he thanked Meara for her efforts and hurried towards his own wagon as the first drops of rain began to fall.
Readying himself for bed, Ryan couldn’t get the young woman out of his head. She seemed to familiar, like a vision from a dream, but no matter how hard he tried he could not place her. Pushing the thought to the side he made sure his weapons were within reach before blowing out the lantern for the night.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 24, 2012 19:49:22 GMT -5
The sun had yet to rise as Ryan met two of his men, Cody and Ethan, at the edge of the camp. Quietly the trio made their way through the dense woods, careful not to slip in the dense mud or splash in the many unseen puddles. The rain had stopped sometime in the night but the sky was still overcast, masking any light the moon may have shed.
The three gypsies moved like spirits, their feet seemed to barely touch the ground as they neared the road. Ryan signaled for them to stop and pointed towards a group of trees that would provide them with a perfect view of the road while keeping them concealed.
Jumping up, Ryan grabbed the lowest branch and pulled himself up. He shook the stray water droplets from his hair as he slowly climbed. Once he was about halfway up he stopped, confident that he would not be seen from the road.
Dimly he heard Cody and Ethan assume their positions nearby but he kept his eyes trained on the road. He didn’t have to wait long. Soon a small group of men from the village came staggering down the road. They were covered nearly head to toe with mud and looked like they had been forced to spend the night out in the storm.
“Their tracks are gone,” said one of the men. “The rain washed them away. We’ll never find them until the mud dries.”
“I know those heathens are here!” roared another man. “They could be watching us right now for all we know!” Ryan chuckled to himself at the man’s words. Little did the villagers know that the gypsies were less than 10 feet away.
“Let’s head back. It’s been too long since I saw my lass.”
“Yeah, they’re gone. Let’s just hope they died in the storm and if they didn’t then we‘ll be ready for them if they dare return,” sneered another man while patting the pistol that hung from his belt.
Begrudgingly the villagers turned and headed back down the road. The gypsies waited a good ten minutes after the villagers disappeared before climbing down from their perches. Ryan scowled as he caught the bright flash of Caroline’s skirt through the brush.
He took off running and made a wide circle in order to get ahead of his sister. There was a break in the trees ahead and he paused, watching as Caroline broke through the brush and jumped when she saw him standing there.
“Ryan? How did you…?” she started but her irate brother cut her off.
“I told you to stay at the camp! What were you doing so close to the road?”
“I wanted to see if the villagers were still following us.”
Ryan shook his head. “They were still on our trail and if the rain wouldn’t have washed away our tracks we probably would have been discovered by now. What if they would have attacked?”
“I can hold my own in a fight,” said Caroline while crossing her arms. “I’m not a child anymore, Ryan! Don’t you trust me?”
The gypsy king sighed and placed his hands on his sister’s shoulders. “I know you’re not a child and I do trust you. But…sometimes you leap before you look, Caroline. You have to be careful.” He tilted her head up and met her dark eyes. “You’re the only family I have left and I can’t watch you all of the time.”
Caroline was unnerved at the fear in her brother’s eyes as he spoke. Ryan was never afraid. “I know and I’m sorry for worrying you. But you can’t keep me locked up forever. There are going to be times when I have to fend for myself.” Ryan shook his head and Caroline forced him to meet her eyes as she spoke. “Teach me, brother. Teach me how to protect myself.”
Ryan felt a slight smile cross his lips. After the death of his parents when he was 19 he had done everything in his power to keep his people, and especially Caroline, safe. It seemed like in the midst of everything he had been blind to the fact that his little sister had grown up.
“As soon as we get settled I promise I will teach you.”
“We’re gypsies, we never settle,” replied the young woman with a laugh.
“I’ve heard rumors of an area not too far from here. Another gypsy family settled there once but I’m not sure if they are still there. If the area is available we will settle there for awhile and I will teach you everything you wish to know. But until then you have to listen to my orders. I would die if anything would happen to you.”
Caroline nodded and hugged her brother tightly, her earlier anger fading with the morning mist. “I’ll behave myself but you better keep your promise!” She grinned at Ryan then nodded towards the camp. “Now go and check on your mysterious stranger, I haven’t heard the mourning bells so I assume she made it through the night.”
Ryan hugged his sister once more and headed back to camp. He had nearly forgotten about the woman he had discovered the night before but now he was tormented with her mysterious appearance once again.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 25, 2012 13:46:21 GMT -5
“Good morning, Meara,” said Ryan as he approached the healer’s wagon. The older woman was hanging herbs to dry and nodded in reply. “How is the lass this morning?”
“She’s a fighter,” said Meara while wiping her hands on her apron. “I didn’t expect her to survive the night. If I could just get her fever to break then she may have a chance.”
“May I see her?”
The healer raised an eyebrow. “You are the king of the gypsies, Ryan, you do not have to seek my permission for anything.” Ryan shuffled uncomfortably and Meara laughed. “Your mother raised you well. Of course, you may see her. But may I ask why?”
“She reminds me of someone, someone I knew long ago. So long ago I’m afraid I may have just dreamt it,” replied Ryan before stepping into the darkened wagon.
It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light and he settled himself on a stool across from the young woman’s cot. Ryan couldn’t understand why this woman’s appearance tormented him so. She was rather simple, fair skin that was flushed with fever and plain brown hair, but something about her drew him in.
He sat there for quite some time trying to puzzle out the connection, hating how thin and weak she looked under the mound of blankets. He wondered what she was running to or from and where her tribe was. Ryan had expected to see at least a few other gypsies by now looking for the lost young woman.
His concentration was broken by Meara stepping into the wagon. “Your men are looking for you.” She watched as Ryan stood and turned to look at the young woman once more before departing. “Don’t worry, if she wakes you will be the first to know.”
Ryan nodded and headed back towards the camp, forcing himself to focus on his people instead of the mysterious young stranger.
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It was late in the afternoon and Ryan was helping his men inventory their supplies when one of the young children came running up to him. “Ryan?” asked the young girl while tugging on his shirt.
Ryan crouched down so he was eye to eye with the child. “Yes, Abby?”
“Meara said to tell you that the new lady is awake.”
“Thank you, Abby, I’ll be right there.”
The child bounced off, pleased that her mission was complete and Ryan went back to his work, attempting to finish as quickly as possible. It was nearly an hour before he finished and the sun was low in the sky when he finally made his way towards Meara’s wagon.
The healer was sitting on the steps, mending a skirt, and glanced up as he approached. “I see you received Abby’s message. She is awake but is very weak. Don’t push her, she hasn’t spoken much since she woke. She’s scared and sick, so give her time before you demand answers.”
Ryan nodded and entered the wagon. He sat down once more on the stool and waited. A few moments later the young woman slowly turned her head and blinked open clear, grey eyes. She jumped slightly when she saw Ryan sitting across from her.
“It’s okay, I won’t hurt you. I just wanted to make sure that you were alright.”
The young woman didn’t move for a long time and eventually let out a slow breath. “I…I was looking for the Kelly clan and their king, John.”
Ryan’s eyes closed in pain as she mentioned his father’s name. “You have found the Kelly clan but John is no longer their king…I am.”
The woman’s eyes widened and she turned her head so she could get a better look at the man in front of her.
“Ryan?” she whispered.
“Have we met?” asked the gypsy king.
“You don’t remember?” When Ryan shook his head she frowned. “You were betrothed to my sister, Darcy, when you were 10.”
Ryan felt his jaw fall open in shock as a million memories rushed at him.
“Aislin?”
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 27, 2012 8:16:35 GMT -5
“You remember me?”
Ryan nodded and smiled slightly. “Of course, I could never forget you.” He wanted to ask about Darcy, about her family, about a million other things but his train of thought was interrupted as Aislin began to cough.
Her slight frame was wracked with coughs as she fought for breath. Ryan sat next to her on the cot and helped her sit up, rubbing her back in slow circles. He could feel each bump of her spine through the skin and wondered when was the last time she had a proper meal.
Finally the coughing fit subsided and Aislin wiped tears away as Ryan helped her get settled back onto the cot. “Get some rest, we will speak when you are feeling better.”
The young woman nodded and closed her eyes as Ryan slipped into the approaching twilight. He wandered through the woods and couldn’t believe that a ghost of his past was now lodging within his camp.
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Aislin was the youngest of David McNeely’s two daughters. David was the king of one of the most powerful gypsy families in the region and was a friend of Ryan’s father. The Kelly family was nearly as powerful and the two men dreamed of uniting the two clans. David had suggested that his eldest daughter, Darcy, wed John’s only son and heir, Ryan, which would unify both clans.
At the tender age of 10 Ryan met his future bride who was 9 at the time and her younger sister who was 7. Ryan could have really cared less about the arrangement, he was only 10 and was more interested in climbing trees, learning archery, and getting into mischief than getting married. He also knew that he wasn’t expected to marry until he came of age at 18, so he had plenty of time to deal with his future wife.
Darcy on the other hand couldn’t wait to get married and become the queen of the gypsies. She constantly badgered Ryan with questions about the future life together; asking what songs should be sung at their wedding to what they should name their children and everything in between. Caroline, who was 5 at the time, was fascinated with the idea of becoming a queen and often threw her own questions into the mix.
Ryan’s only respite was Aislin. She knew how to distract her sister so Ryan could escape and knew the best hiding places where they could talk without being disturbed. The two would talk for hours about anything and everything. Ryan was grateful that she wasn’t interested in his betrothal and Aislin was grateful that she finally had someone to talk to.
Even within her tribe Aislin was a bit of an outcast. She was very quiet and kept to herself, often blending into the background so perfectly that a dozen people could walk by and would not notice her. She spent a lot of time with Maeve, their healer, learning how to treat others and which plants and herbs could be used to help the tribe.
Often Aislin and Ryan could be seen walking together through the woods as she picked herbs, explaining their uses to him. Ryan thought the practice was fascinating but didn’t have an eye for the plants and herbs like Aislin did. More than once she had snatched some plant out of his hand, explaining the dangerous consequences.
When they weren’t scavenging for plants Ryan was attempting to lure Aislin out of her shell. He taught her how to climb trees, to shoot a slingshot, to sword fight, to wrestle, and anything else he could think of. He had assumed that she would shy away from the more physical activities but she was fearless. She embraced every challenge and soon could throw a dagger with deadly accuracy and pin him while wrestling in under a minute.
Aislin had a knack for stealth and would often catch Ryan off guard by appearing from thin air. She also excelled at archery and could hit a target from 100 yards which infuriated Ryan who was the best archer in his tribe. They had many scuffles over their skills and she had even broken his nose once.
Instead of running away horrified, which is something Darcy would have done, she threw her head back and laughed. Using the handkerchief which tied her hair back, she staunched the flow of blood and set Ryan’s nose before grinding up a mix of herbs that would ease the pain and swelling.
Ryan was shocked that she was so comfortable with her skills even though she was only 11 at the time. He was 13 and still had moments of crippling fear when faced with a new challenge. Though he would never admit it, he thought that there were times when Aislin was braver than he was.
The years began to flow by with their comfortable routine. Ryan would train with his father and his men then Darcy would bore Ryan to tears with her ramblings and Aislin would find away for him to slip away so they could spend time together.
Each time Ryan looked at the two sisters he was amazed at the differences in the young women. Darcy was a vision of beauty with flowing blonde hair and striking blue eyes. She was also a chatterbox that could talk about absolute nonsense for hours on end.
Everywhere that Darcy was light, Aislin was dark. Her hair was dark brown, almost a chestnut color, with grey eyes that reminded Ryan of an approaching storm. She could sit in silence all day, content and at peace, but when she did speak there was a certain weight to her words that made them resonate for hours in Ryan’s head.
It was during one of their wrestling “lessons” that Ryan realized that he couldn’t marry Darcy because he was afraid of losing Aislin. He dodged her attempt to grab him and frowned. That wasn’t right. Even if he married Darcy her sister would still be a part of the tribe unless she got married.
The sudden knowledge hit Ryan so hard that he thought he had actually been punched. He didn’t want Aislin to get married to someone else. He wanted to be the one that someday married her. Yes, she was only 13 but Ryan could already see that she would become a striking young woman in the near future. How could he possibly marry Darcy when there was someone like Aislin in his life? He was so distracted by his thoughts that she nearly broke his nose again as she pinned him face first into the autumn leaves.
Ryan had wandered around for the next few days in a haze. Aislin didn’t understand what was going on but gave him his space, simply sitting quietly with him as he attempted to work through his emotions.
Days after his 17th birthday Ryan was grabbed roughly by the arm by his father and dragged into his wagon. Somehow Darcy had overheard that Ryan wouldn’t marry her because he had feelings for someone else and was absolutely distraught. Ryan’s father had dared him to deny it but Ryan couldn’t lie to his father. John Kelly’s rage was like a storm and it took all of Maeve and Aislin’s skill to heal the bruises and wounds that marred Ryan’s skin.
David was shocked and insulted by Ryan’s actions and for a time the members of the two tribes feared that they would be forced to go to war against each other. Finally a truce was reached, war would be avoided if the Kelly clan would leave and never contact the McNeely clan again.
Ryan’s heart was broken. He knew he would never be able to see Aislin again after that day. The night before they departed he searched the woods for her, he had to tell her how he felt, but no matter how hard he searched he couldn’t find her. The next morning the clans parted ways and Ryan did his best to forget about the young woman that had stolen his heart.
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Looking up Ryan realized that he had circumvented the entire camp and was back at Meara’s wagon. He placed a hand on the rough wooden planks and smiled sadly. “Goodnight, Aislin,” he whispered before disappearing into the darkness.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Mar 29, 2012 20:17:19 GMT -5
The next day Ryan was unable to visit Aislin. He had dispatched three of his scouts to investigate the area where he hoped to settle the night before and spent the majority of the day rearranging their defenses. His people were getting anxious, they didn’t like being so close to the main road and so close to the villagers that may or may not still be pursuing them. Ryan did his best to soothe their fears and promised that they would be moving on soon.
Not long after sunrise on the second morning Ryan was surprised when Meara sought him out. “Aislin wishes to speak with you, can you be spared?”
Ryan glanced around the camp and nodded. “Yes, I will be there shortly.” He left Emmet in charge with specific instructions to come and find him if there was even a whisper of trouble.
When Ryan approached Meara’s wagon Aislin was waiting outside for him. She looked much better, her natural color was returning, but she still looked very thin and frail.
Aislin dipped her head in greeting. “Good morning, king Ryan.”
Ryan laughed and shook his head. “The title is not necessary, Ryan is just fine.”
The young woman managed a slight smile and glanced towards the woods. “Care to walk with me?”
Ryan led Aislin through the woods and as they walked he couldn’t help but steal a glance or two at her. It had been nearly fifteen years since Ryan last laid eyes on her and she had transformed from an attractive girl to a stunning woman. She still moved with the grace she had possessed in her younger years but now was surrounded by an aura that commanded respect. There were a few new lines around her eyes and mouth that spoke of a hard life and Ryan was saddened by the pain that was reflected in her eyes.
After walking for nearly twenty minutes they came to a small clearing and Aislin sat down onto a fallen log with a sigh. Ryan settled himself next to her and waited. He knew that she would speak when she was ready.
“I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your parents.”
Aislin’s words made Ryan jump and he nodded his head. “It’s been over ten years but the pain still lingers.”
“May I ask what happened?”
Ryan paused, he had avoided thinking about his parents’ death for years but this was Aislin. When they were children he could tell her anything without worrying about judgment or ridicule.
“It was winter and our supplies were painfully low. We’d snuck into a town for a raid and for once father had allowed mother, Caroline, and myself to accompany him. We needed as many hands as possible to carry whatever supplies we could find. We got lucky and found a cache in an old barn. After carrying as much as we could back to the caravan we went back for more but got caught in a blizzard. There was no way we could make it back to the caravan so we were forced to hole up in the barn for the night.”
Ryan sighed and ran a hand through his hair as the memories came rushing back. “I don’t know how the villagers discovered us but we were awakened by the smell of smoke. We were sleeping in the loft and the villagers had set the barn on fire. It had been such a dry winter that in minutes the barn was nearly completely consumed. We lowered Caroline out of the loft window first and luckily there was a snow bank below to break her fall. I was next and I broke my wrist but aside from that I was fine. Mother and father didn’t make it out.”
Aislin placed her hand on Ryan’s shoulder. She could see the sorrow and the hatred flash through the bright blue eyes and her heart ached that he had been forced to assume his role as king at such a young age.
“I’m so sorry, Ryan. John and Constance were good people. I’m saddened that the ignorant actions of others has caused you so much pain.”
“Thank you,” replied Ryan. He didn’t speak for several minutes as he composed himself then turned to face Aislin. “What about you? Why were you looking for our clan? Where is your own tribe?”
The young woman swallowed hard and gripped her hands together in her lap. “My people are gone.”
“Gone? The McNeely clan was one of the largest in the region!”
Aislin nodded slowly. “I know. I suppose it all began about five years ago when my mother died. Some terrible wasting disease gripped her body and there was nothing that I could do. Even with the help of the healer that trained me, Bridget, the disease was beyond our skills. Her death broke something in my father. After that he was reckless and took far too many risks. Two years later he fell in battle.”
“My uncle Christopher took over as leader and from the first day led us into disaster after disaster. I’m not sure how we survived those three years. A few weeks ago we visited a large town far East of here and my fellow tribe members were reluctant to say the least. The town was so large that there were huge walls surrounding it which would prevent a quick escape but my uncle was greedy and had heard rumors of their wealth.”
“At first things seemed to be going well. The villagers were fascinated with our dancing and with my parlor tricks and remedies. They called me a witch but I didn’t care, for the first time in months we had money and enough food for everyone. But the good times could not last. We were in the town for less than a week when the plague broke out. They locked the gates before we could escape and we were trapped with the sick villagers.”
“I don’t know how many villagers and gypsies died in that short amount of time. After awhile I stopped counting. We tried to stay away from the sick villagers but many of them would bring their loved ones to me which exposed our people to the disease. There were only a handful of us that did not fall ill and eventually we were able to escape when they opened the gates to cart out the dead.”
“I didn’t want to leave but I knew if we stayed we would die. We left everything behind and only brought what we could carry. I had heard rumors that the Kelly clan was nearby and was hoping that we could find sanctuary with them. Unfortunately the roads are being patrolled heavily, apparently a highway man has been tormenting the royals, and more than once our small group was separated while trying to evade the guards. I was traveling with four others when the guards surprised us, we didn’t expect them to be patrolling in the storm. I managed to get away but I’m not sure what happened to the others.”
Aislin let out a sigh and turned to look up at Ryan. “I know that the McNeely clan was told to never contact the Kelly clan, but I don’t have anywhere else to go. May I stay here? Please? I am a competent healer, I can prove my worth.”
Ryan took one of Aislin’s hands in his own and squeezed it gently. “Of course you can stay. We have plenty of room and I’m sure Caroline will love to see you again.” He stood and helped the young woman to her feet. “Come, let me introduce you to the others.” They began to walk and Ryan grinned when he saw the genuine smile grace Aislin’s lips. “You will have to lodge with Meara until we are settled then we will get you your own accommodations.”
“Where were you looking to settle?”
“I’ve heard talk about an area that once belonged to a gypsy family.”
“It is about three days South of here? Near the harbor?”
Ryan turned to face his companion and frowned. “Yes, how did you know that?”
“That’s where my family was settled until my father’s death. It is an ideal area but it is near a village and they’re…well…a little hostile.”
“Hostility never bothered us. It sounds perfect, now let’s get you settled.”
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 1, 2012 17:52:16 GMT -5
Four days later the gypsy caravan slowed as they came upon a clearing. Aislin was walking at the head of the procession with Ryan and Caroline and told them to wait as she walked to the tree line. There, carved into the bark of the tree was the symbol that indicated that this was her family’s land. Swallowing against the lump in her throat she ripped the bark off of the tree and crumbled it in her hand.
“It’s safe,” she said while leading the group into the woods. As they walked further, thousands of memories came flooding back. She had grown up in these woods and could still hear the echoes of her past whispering through the trees.
As they entered the central area of the camp the members of the tribe were shocked by the size. This camp would easily accommodate a tribe that was three times the size of theirs and according to Aislin it had been a struggle to fit everyone within the camp when her family lodged here.
She heard the horses come to a stop behind her and turned to face the caravan. “As you can see, this is the center of the camp. It is easy to defend and is very well concealed. In all of our time here the villagers never discovered our location. To the West is a river and it is the unofficial boundary line between us and the village. Unless things have changed dramatically in the past three years the same family still owns that land.”
“There is a well to the East but it tends to dry up in the summer. The only other well is on the villager’s land and it is safe to use after dark, the villagers believe it is haunted.” Aislin laughed at the faces of the gypsies after her last remark. “That is a tale for another time. To the North there is land that is ideal for crops but it is small so choose wisely. To the South is the harbor. I will check and see if I still have contacts there, some of the sailors don’t mind doing business with gypsies.”
Aislin looked at her new tribe and smiled slightly. “I grew up here, I know every corner of these woods and you can rest assured that we are safe. As long as we’re discrete then we’ll be just fine.” She met Ryan’s gaze and nodded off to the side. “I know we need to set up camp but there is something I want to check. May I go?”
“Of course,” replied the gypsy and he watched as Aislin disappeared into the brush. “Okay, let’s set up the wagons in the usual formation. Emmet, you take Adam and Taylor to scout the surrounding areas. I want this camp set up before sundown, let’s get moving!”
The camp was a hive of activity when Aislin returned nearly an hour later. She was filthy but she was beaming. “Where have you been?” asked Ryan after seeing her disheveled state.
“It’s still there!”
“What’s still there?”
“My home. When my uncle chose to move he forced us to leave as much behind as we could including the wagon I called home. I thought it would have been discovered by now but it hasn’t been touched! One of the wheels is broken and there are a few boards that need to be replaced but aside from that it’s fine!”
Ryan couldn’t help but smile at her exuberance. “That is wonderful news! As soon as we finish setting up we will begin the repairs.” Aislin beamed at Ryan before hurrying off to assist the other gypsies.
It took the entire day but by the time the sun met the horizon the gypsy camp was set up. Aislin was sorting through her basket of plants when Emmet and his men reappeared.
“What have you discovered?” asked Ryan while going to meet them.
“The village is not large, only about two dozen families or so. Less than one hundred to be sure,” said Emmet while turning in the direction of the village. “They seem to have one head villager but it was difficult to ascertain everyone’s roles without being seen.”
Aislin had overheard the conversation and stood to the side until Ryan noticed her. “Yes, Aislin?”
“Forgive the interruption but perhaps I can be of some assistance. I know nearly every villager by name and I would be happy to give you some insight.”
Emmet and the others glared at her but Ryan didn’t notice. “That would be wonderful!”
“Meet me at the edge of the woods in an hour, we’ll have to wait until it is full dark.”
Aislin scurried off and Ryan began to lead Emmet and the others around the perimeter of the camp, explaining to them the areas that needed constant surveillance and asking their opinions on the defenses.
An hour later Ryan walked to the edge of the woods and glanced around but he couldn’t see Aislin anywhere. Beginning to think she had forgotten about their meeting he turned to leave and nearly jumped out of his skin when he came face to face with the young woman. He placed a hand over his heart and she laughed softly.
“I see you still have the ability to appear out of thin air.”
Aislin grinned then turned to walk through the woods, slowly making her way towards the village. Her skirts and blouse were dark, helping her blend into night and her hair was pulled back into a tight braid which made her sharp features stand out. Ryan too was dressed completely in black and the pair looked like wraiths as they slipped through the darkness.
Stopping at the base of a large tree, Aislin jumped up and grabbed the lowest branch before swinging up into the tree. Ryan waited until he knew she was settled before pulling himself up. He settled on the thick branch next to the healer and felt her lean close to speak.
“That’s George, the head villager,” she said while pointing to a tall bald man near one of the cottages. “His wife passed away the year after we settled here and he has one daughter named Ruth.” She paused then pointed. “That’s her, the one with the fiddle.”
A young man, close to Ryan’s age, came walking towards the fire talking to a much younger man who had a scowl on his face. “The older one is Paul and his family owns the land that the villagers have settled on. He’s been betrothed to Ruth as long as I can remember.”
In the darkness Ryan made a face, remembering his own similar situation. “The young one is Damian, he must be about eighteen now. He’s always been a little too eager and ambitious. Now that he’s of age I have a feeling it will be much worse.”
A tall blonde made his way into the camp and purposely tripped Damian before sitting down next to a young man playing a mandolin. “The one with the instrument is Neil, he’s pretty quiet and tends to keep to himself.”
“And the blonde?”
“That’s Keith.” Even in the darkness Ryan could hear the distaste in Aislin’s voice. “Stay away from him. He’s got a bad attitude towards gypsies and is the only villager who is constantly armed.” Looking closely Ryan could just make out the glint of the pistol on Keith’s hip. “There’s something about him that doesn’t sit right with me. He’s got a secret and I will figure it out one way or another.”
Ryan watched the villagers for some time, trying to get a feel for them as Aislin described their roles. A few more people appeared and he was amazed that Aislin not only knew their names but their relationships and titles within the village.
“Who is that?” he asked after a gorgeous blonde stepped into the light.
“That’s Julianne,” replied Aislin with a frown. It was obvious that Ryan was entranced and who could blame him? Julianne was a stunning woman with golden hair, brilliant blue eyes, and a dazzling smile. She also reminded Aislin of her sister, Darcy, and she felt her heart sink as Ryan studied the woman for several long minutes.
Glancing up, Aislin found the moon and was surprised at how late it was. “We should get back,” she whispered. It was obvious that Ryan was reluctant to leave but he had to stand watch soon.
The two soundlessly climbed down the tree and headed back towards the camp. As they walked Aislin forced herself not to think about Ryan’s reaction to Julianne. The young woman was perfect and she hoped that Ryan wouldn’t do anything rash in order to catch a glimpse of her again.
They parted ways at Meara’s wagon and Aislin watched as the gypsy king disappeared into the darkness.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 7, 2012 18:17:14 GMT -5
The next few days were filled with activity as the gypsies settled into their new home. At first they were weary of Aislin, there were many rumors about the McNeely clan, but they were slowly accepting her as their own.
Several of the men had managed to bring Aislin’s old wagon towards the center of the camp with the others and were impressed when the young woman immediately jumped in to assist with the repairs.
A spare wheel was found in one of the other wagons and soon the repairs could begin. It took three days before it was complete and Aislin was forced to stop more than once in order to bandage a wound or pull a splinter for someone, but eventually the repairs were finished.
It took another day to clean out the space but with Caroline’s help Aislin was able to make her home habitable by the end of the week. After weeks of uncertainty and sorrow it was wonderful to sleep in her own home once more.
There was going to be a feast that night and the camp was abuzz with activity. Caroline was supervising the musicians and waved at Aislin from across the camp. The healer was hanging herbs to dry when she saw Ryan walk by. At first she thought he was headed towards the river but changed her mind when he turned to the North.
He couldn’t be heading towards the farmland, he had been there yesterday and they didn’t have anything to plant yet. Ryan was planning on accompanying Aislin to the harbor in a few days to see if her contacts were still around. She hoped that he wasn’t going to try and get another glimpse of Julianne, it was far too light out and the village was too busy this time of day.
The healer followed Ryan at a respectable distance and soon her fears vanished. He was merely checking on the trip lines and snares that the hunters had set up. She turned to leave when she saw Ryan stop abruptly. He leaned forward to brush leaves away from something then fell to his knees.
Glancing around, Aislin suddenly realized where they were and felt a sharp ache in her chest.
They were at the cemetery.
Ryan gently ran his hand over the marker in front of him, his heart breaking when he read the name on the marker. It was worn and faded but the two words were still clear.
‘Darcy McNeely’
“She did eventually get married.”
Ryan jumped slightly at Aislin’s voice but did not turn around.
“She married another man in our tribe, Charles. He was a good man and a great fighter. He really loved her.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died in childbirth.” Aislin sighed and knelt down next to Ryan. “Her pregnancy was easy as was the delivery but I couldn’t get the bleeding to stop. Even with Bridget’s help we couldn’t save her.” Hanging her head, Aislin let her hand rest on her sister’s grave. “I failed her. When she needed me the most, I failed my own sister.”
Ryan glanced over at the woman next to him and wished there was a way to ease her pain. He started to place a hand on her shoulder but changed his mind at the last second, letting his hand fall to the side.
“What happened to the child?”
Aislin swallowed hard and took a deep breath to calm herself. “It was a girl, named Madison. One of the women in the tribe took her in and raised her as her own. Charles was a good father but he was also a good warrior so he was often gone on raids and couldn’t care for the child himself.”
The healer paused and Ryan’s stomach sank when he remembered Aislin’s tale about the village and the plague. “Where is she now?”
“With her mother. We lost her in the plague. She was only six but she was strong. She managed to hold on the longest and I thought we’d be able to get her out but…” Aislin’s voice cracked and she shook her head sharply to chase away the tears that threatened to fall. “But one morning she asked me to hold her, she was in my care by then and she never wanted to be held. She touched my cheek, smiled and told me she was going to miss me then it was over. She was gone.”
Ryan felt tears sting his eyes and was surprised at Aislin’s strength. It was obvious that she was in pain but she held herself together and refused to give in to her emotions.
“Madison’s death broke something in Charles. He managed to escape with us but was half mad with grief. We were separated when the guards surprised us before the storm and I doubt he survived.”
“I’m so sorry, Aislin,” said Ryan. “I should have stayed. I shouldn’t have been such a fool to run from my responsibilities.” He bowed his head and placed his hand next to Aislin’s on Darcy’s grave.
“Ryan, you don’t know what would have happened if you had stayed and married Darcy. Perhaps she would have survived but perhaps she wouldn’t. Then you would have been the one driven half mad with grief.”
“I would give every shred of sanity I possess to heal your pain.”
Aislin’s head snapped up and her dark eyes flashed. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”
“I mean it. I’ve failed you too many times now. And I’m sorry that my foolish actions as a child brought you so much sorrow. I will not let you down again.”
The young woman shook her head and turned her gaze away. “We cannot alter the past, Ryan. What’s done is done and you can’t let your past dictate your future.”
The gypsy king sighed and closed his eyes for a moment before standing and brushing himself off. “You are wise beyond your years, Aislin, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that my people, including you, are safe and happy. Please let me know if there is anything you need.”
He held out a hand to help Aislin up but she shook her head. “I’m going to stay awhile. I’ll return before the feast begins, king Ryan.”
Frowning at the formal title, Ryan gave the young woman a final look before heading back towards the camp.
Aislin waited until Ryan was gone before pulling a knife from her boot. Leaning forward she ran the blade over the faded letters of Darcy’s name until they were clear once more. Pausing for a moment she added another name and fought back tears as she ran her fingers over the letters.
“Goodbye, Madison.”
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 8, 2012 19:42:17 GMT -5
Please forgive my horrid attempt at poetry but I wanted to try and re-tell the story of Midnight Well without just copying the song. __________________________________________________________________________________
It was nearly dark when Aislin returned to camp. Ryan was standing with a group of his men and let out a breath when he spotted the healer out of the corner of his eye.
Aislin tried to slip past the group that was surrounding the large bonfire but was intercepted by Caroline. “There you are! I was wondering where you had disappeared to. Come and join us!”
“Thank you, Caroline. But…”
“No excuses. Tonight is a night of celebration! Eat, drink, dance and forget about your sorrows until the morning light!”
Aislin glanced at the group of gypsies that were beginning to dance and let a faint smile cross her lips. Caroline was right, she needed to forget about her pain even if it was just for one night. “I suppose I could stay for a bit.”
Caroline beamed and pulled Aislin over towards the large group. Soon both young women were swept away by the celebration; eating far too much food, indulging in the sweet wine, and listening to the stories that were being shared.
Ryan’s strong voice made Aislin jump and she turned to look towards the bonfire. “Aislin, I believe you owe us all a story!”
“I do?”
“Yes,” said little Abby, who was up far past her bedtime. “Tell us the story of the haunted well.”
Aislin wanted to decline but the atmosphere, and the wine, gave her courage. She stood near the bonfire and all of the gypsies, including Ryan, gathered around to hear the tale.
“The villagers call it the midnight well and believe that it is a dark, dangerous place.”
“Why?” asked Abby.
Aislin cleared her throat and began to half speak, half sing as she told the legend of the well. “In the town the people stay away from the midnight well. Once lived a maid with long, golden hair that met a mysterious gypsy there. The gypsy was a man that she barely knew who lured her into the dark for a secret rendezvous,” Aislin swished her skirts as tossed her hair as she spoke, playing up the role and a few of the men whistled at her actions.
“After that night the maid was never seen, nothing was left behind…not even a scream,” she leaned close to Abby as she spoke and the young girl let out a yelp and crawled into her mother’s arms. “They say when the moon is full and the night is calm, just listen and you’ll hear the gypsy’s song. Urging young maids to take flight and run away with him into the night.”
Aislin slipped her hand into her pocket and tossed something into the fire, making the flames surge skyward as she finished the tale.
The gypsies clapped and cheered, handing Aislin another cup of wine and begging her for more stories. She laughed and shook her head before sitting down next to Meara as the music began again.
Aislin cheered as Caroline stood to dance, the young woman was certainly talented. Her hair and skirts flowed around her like water as she moved to the music. She also had her share of admirers and Aislin wondered why she wasn’t married by now. After seeing the look that Ryan was giving the young men that were watching Caroline dance she had a feeling it was more difficult to court Caroline than she thought.
It was getting late and Aislin was preparing to leave when Ryan stopped in front of her. The music changed and he held out his hand. “Come and dance with me.”
Aislin shook her head. “I haven’t done this dance since we were children!”
“And you were the best in your tribe. Come on, you wouldn’t deny your king a dance?”
“Not fair,” she grumbled before letting Ryan pull her to her feet.
The dance was fast but as soon as they began to move the steps came back to her. She allowed Ryan to spin and dip her as their feet kicked up small clouds of dust. Ryan pulled her close and Aislin laughed and took his hands in hers as they spun. The dance came to an end and Aislin stumbled but Ryan was there, his strong arms holding her steady. Their eyes met for a long time and Aislin felt herself getting lost in the ice blue orbs. Ryan smiled and slowly lowered his head until they were only a breath away.
Suddenly remembering herself, Aislin tore herself away and straightened. What was she doing? This was the gypsy king, not some boy that taught her how to skip rocks and threw dirt clods at her when he was angry. She was just a healer, how could she possibly believe that she belonged in the arms of the king?
Feeling her stiffen, Ryan reluctantly let Aislin go and placed a hand on the small of her back as they began to walk towards her wagon. “Thank you for the story and the dance, Aislin.”
“You are welcome, king Ryan.”
“What is with the formalities? We’re still friends, nothing has changed.”
Sinking onto the front steps of her wagon, Aislin sighed. “Everything has changed. You are no longer a prince, you are the gypsy king now. We’re not children anymore and cannot go running off whenever we want to ignore our responsibilities.”
Ryan crouched down in front of Aislin and tried to take her hand in his but she pulled away. “Where did this come from? One moment we’re catching up on old times and the next moment you won’t even look me in the eye.”
“When I first arrived I was so happy to have found you that I forgot myself. I am just a healer, nothing more. You are the king, you have more pressing matters than trying to chase away the shadows of my past.”
“What if I want to chase those shadows away? What if I want to try and heal the wounds I have inflicted?”
Aislin raised her head to look at Ryan, her grey eyes reflecting the moonlight. “Ryan, you have to stop saying things like that. My pain is not your priority. I am a leigheasóir, I can soothe my own wounds.” She placed a hand on Ryan’s shoulder and smiled sadly. “Go and take care of your people. Allow me to fade into the background where I belong. I’m here, I’m safe. You gave me refuge and I am forever in your debt but there is nothing more you can do.”
Ryan hung his head and forced himself not to react to Aislin’s plea. He couldn’t understand what could have happened to cause her to speak like this and his heart broke as he considered her words.
He had been thrilled beyond belief when she arrived at his camp, he had loved her once and now they would have another chance. But she was right. They weren’t children anymore. He was the king and was responsible for the welfare of the entire tribe. But Aislin was part of that tribe so shouldn’t her happiness be one of his priorities?
A sudden idea hit him and he closed his eyes to try and block out the thought. What if he was wrong? What if he had interpreted her relief as something more?
Perhaps she no longer loved him…perhaps she had never loved him to begin with.
The thought made his chest ache and he took a slow breath to ease the pain. When he raised his head Aislin gasped, the cool blue eyes were now hard with indifference. “You are right, Aislin, and I apologize if my recent actions have offended you. Please let me know if you require anything else. Goodnight.”
Ryan stood and walked away, not daring to turn and look at the stunned woman behind him. He walked until he reached a small clearing and paced back and forth, attempting to burn off his anger. With a hiss of rage he pulled the dagger from his belt and sent it flying, watching with satisfaction as it sank into the trunk of a nearby tree.
A moment later Caroline appeared from behind the same tree. She regarded the dagger for a moment before pulling it free and handing it back to her brother. “Whatever has that tree done to offend you, brother?”
“Go back to the party, Caroline,” Ryan growled.
“Was its shade insufficient? Perhaps one of its roots tripped you?”
“I said go home!”
“Do you still love her?”
Caroline’s question caught Ryan off guard and he spun to glare at his sister. “What?”
“Aislin. Do you still love her?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ryan replied while re-sheathing the dagger.
The dancer crossed her arms and lowered her voice to a whisper. “I may have been young, but I could see how you looked at her all those years ago. You never looked at Darcy like that.”
Ryan shook his head and glanced down the path that led to Aislin’s wagon. “I was young and foolish. I nearly caused a war because I couldn’t keep my emotions in check. I’m responsible for this tribe now, I can’t let my feelings for Aislin blind me.”
“So you don’t love her.”
Ryan started hard at his sister and ground his teeth together. “No, I don’t love her. Not anymore.”
Caroline matched Ryan’s glare but for once he didn’t back down. “Fine. Be miserable. See if I care,” she spat before turning and stalking away.
Ryan let out a ragged breath then went to relieve the guard for his shift, trying to ignore the tight feeling in his chest that appeared every time he thought of Aislin.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 9, 2012 19:01:53 GMT -5
Very early the next morning Caroline looked up as Ryan entered the center of camp. He had promised to begin her training but after their spat the night before she wondered if he would keep his word.
Ryan looked tired, like he hadn’t slept much the night before, and he simply nodded to his sister in greeting.
“Ryan, I-” Caroline began but Ryan held up a hand to stop her.
“What’s done is done. Do not dwell on the past. Come, we have a lot of work to do.”
The dancer nodded and followed her brother into the dark woods.
Caroline had learned a lot by watching Ryan and his men over the years and the gypsy king was surprised at some of her skills. She could sit or lie still for hours but that was a skill that every gypsy is taught at a young age. She could also blend in with the landscape surprisingly well but she sometimes became anxious when an opportunity presented itself.
Ryan worked with her for hours, helping her discern what the opportune moment to strike would be. By the time the sun was directly overhead Caroline was filthy from lying in the brush all day but she had almost mastered the exercise.
After a quick lunch the two headed back into the woods until they found a clearing where they could work. “I want to teach you how to defend yourself from a distance. We will work our way up hand to hand fighting but right now I want to give you the chance to defend yourself and run.”
Caroline nodded and glanced at the assortment of daggers that Ryan laid out on an old stump. “Pick one, make sure it fits well in your hand and it’s not too heavy. It should feel like an extension of your arm.”
Picking each dagger up, Caroline carefully tested each one. Hefting their weight and tossing them from hand to hand until she finally chose one. Ryan smiled slightly. “Nice choice.” He pulled his own dagger from his belt and held it up. It was a twin to the one that his sister had chosen.
Ryan spent the rest of the afternoon teaching Caroline how to throw the dagger, using a nearby tree as the target. It was tedious work; first she had to learn how to hold it, then how to throw it straight, then how to release it, and a million other details.
It was frustrating but she was so determined to learn that she would not give up.
At first Caroline nearly sliced her hand open trying to aim and release the dagger at the same time. Ryan stood behind her and guided her arm, helping her get the feel of the motion. He smiled as he remembered teaching her how to skip rocks in the same fashion when they were children.
He had been so busy trying to take care of the members of the tribe that he had neglected spending time with his sister. His hand squeezed her shoulder for a moment before he stepped back. “Try it again, we’re going to have to go soon. It’s getting dark.”
Caroline nodded and faced the tree with a determined expression on her face. She took several slow breaths then pulled her arm back and let the dagger fly. A heartbeat later in sank into the trunk and Caroline cried out in joy.
“You did it!” Ryan hugged his sister tightly. “I am so proud of you.”
“Thank you for teaching me! Can we work some more?”
Ryan gauged the level of the sun in the sky and shook his head. “It’s getting dark. We’ll work some more tomorrow, but I need to meet with my men. We’re getting low on supplies.”
“Are you planning a raid?” asked Caroline as they walked back towards the camp.
“Yes. I sent a few spies out last night and I’ve had eyes on the village all day.”
“Can I come?”
“Not this time.” Caroline frowned and Ryan wrapped and arm around her shoulders. “You will be able to come with us but not yet. We still have to get a feel of the village and your training is far from complete. Be patient, sister, you will be able to join us in time.”
“Okay but be careful.”
“I will.” Ryan kissed her forehead and turned to join his men as she climbed the steps of her wagon.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 10, 2012 18:54:14 GMT -5
When Caroline woke her arm was so sore that she could barely move. It was a struggle to get dressed and she immediately sought relief. She knocked on the door to Meara’s wagon but the woman didn’t answer. After a few minutes Aislin stuck her head out of her wagon. “She went to gather herbs this morning, is there something I can assist you with?”
“My shoulder is killing me and I’m supposed to train with Ryan soon. Do you have something that could help?”
The healer smiled. “Of course, come in.”
Caroline stepped into Aislin’s wagon and inhaled deeply, loving the rich smell of the various herbs and plans that were hanging to dry. She settled on a low stool as Aislin bustled around the space.
“Here, drink this.” She handed Caroline a mug of fragrant tea and the young woman dipped her head in gratitude.
As she sipped her tea Caroline felt the memories rush back to her. She couldn’t recall how many times Aislin had bandaged her scrapped knees and hands when they were younger. It was good to see the healer again and Caroline wondered why Aislin was so distant around Ryan as of late. She couldn’t image her brother doing anything to offend the young woman but she and her brother had grown apart over the years. They had once been so close that she could tell what he was thinking but that skill had slowly degraded until Ryan was practically a stranger to her.
Aislin knelt next to Caroline and began to rub a thick salve over her sore shoulder. Immediately the tension faded and the dancer closed her eyes in bliss.
After about five minutes Aislin stood and Caroline gave her shoulder an experimental roll, her eyes widening in surprise when she realized the pain was nearly gone.
“Aislin, what did you do? This is amazing.”
The healer simply smiled and wiped her hands on her apron. “It was nothing. May I ask, was Ryan teaching you to throw daggers yesterday?” Caroline nodded. “I thought so, I remember how much pain I was in after our lessons. Just keep practicing even if you are in pain. If it is too intense come and see me and I’ll give you another dose of the salve.”
“Thank you, Aislin. Your talents have improved greatly and we’re lucky to have you.”
“Thank you, Caroline. Now go, you don’t want to keep your brother waiting.”
Caroline hurried to the center of camp and had just finished her breakfast when Ryan appeared. He was carrying two bows and two quivers of arrows and Caroline groaned inwardly, she knew she would be visiting Aislin again after this lesson.
It didn’t take long for Ryan to discover that his sister was a lousy shot. It was difficult for her to keep the bow steady and pull back on the line and aim all at the same time. Ryan was patient and Caroline was stubborn but by lunchtime it was obvious that archery wasn’t the dancer’s forte.
They picked up where they left off with the dagger throwing lessons and soon Caroline could hit a target from ten paces.
Ryan hugged his sister as they headed back to camp. “I’m proud of you and I want you to keep practicing. Tomorrow I will be with my men preparing for the raid so you will be on your own.”
“Can I practice with Aislin?”
The gypsy king stiffened at the healer’s name then kept walking. “Why would you want to practice with her? She is just the healer.”
“Because she was the best archer in both of our tribes and could throw a dagger faster and further than most of the men.”
“That was years ago, for all we know she may have given up her training to focus on her healing practice.”
Caroline shrugged. “I’m still going to ask.”
Ryan knew he wouldn’t win this argument and let the topic drop. “I have a treat for you. Meet me here after dinner and wear dark clothes.”
The sun had disappeared behind the horizon as Ryan led Caroline through the woods. He stopped at the base of a large tree and pulled himself into the branches before reaching down and helping Caroline climb up next to him.
Caroline settled herself in the tree and her eyes widened in surprise, they had a perfect view of the village from here but the tree offered ample concealment. She leaned close as Ryan wrapped an arm around her shoulders and began to speak.
“That’s Paul, his family owns the land the villagers have settled on and is betrothed to Ruth…”
Ryan pointed out each villager, struggling to remember the titles that Aislin had used. The very thought of the healer made Ryan’s stomach hurt but he pushed the pain aside, he wanted Caroline to know what they were up against.
“Who is that?” she whispered.
“Keith,” replied Ryan. He didn’t like the amount of enthusiasm in her voice when she saw the young man. “According to Aislin he is dangerous. He has a bad attitude towards gypsies and is always armed. Stay away from him, Caroline. If you ever see him turn and run, understand?”
“Yes, brother.”
Ryan stared hard at his sister for a long moment before turning back towards the village. Unknowingly a smile crossed his face when Julianne came to sit with the others near the fire. All thoughts of Aislin flew from Ryan’s head as the blonde tossed her head back and laughed. He knew then and there that he had to meet the young woman. He didn’t care if she was a villager and he was a gypsy, she was entrancing and he wouldn’t rest until he heard her voice.
“We should get back,” said Ryan suddenly and Caroline frowned.
“It’s still early.”
“I know but I have a lot of work to do before tomorrow night. I’ll bring you here another time, I promise.”
Caroline nodded and jumped down from her perch. She started to make her way back to the camp when she noticed that Ryan wasn’t with her. He was standing dangerously close to the tree line, if any of the villagers looked too closely he would be seen.
“What are you doing?” Caroline hissed while coming up behind him. Ryan turned but didn’t speak. “Come on!” She pulled Ryan away from the trees and they rushed back towards camp.
On the other side of the river Keith heard a rustle in the brush and immediately stood and walked towards the bank. “What was that?”
“What was what?” asked George while coming to stand next to him.
“I thought I heard something moving. You don’t think those gypsies could be back, do you?” asked Keith while placing a hand on the butt of his pistol.
“Those gypsies have been gone for years, it’s just your imagination,” said Paul. “Come back to the fire, Neil has a new song for us.”
Reluctantly Keith turned from the river bank and joined his companions by the fire. He knew he had seen something moving and had a feeling that they were no longer alone.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 11, 2012 18:54:46 GMT -5
There was a sense of both excitement and foreboding hanging over the camp the next day as Ryan and his men prepared for the raid that night. Their supplies were low as was their gold but according to the spies the villagers had more than enough to suit their needs.
Caroline took her time getting ready for the day before approaching Aislin’s wagon. The healer was preparing some type of salve or balm and dipped her head in greeting when she approached.
“Good morning, Caroline. How is your shoulder this morning?”
“Much better, thank you. May I ask a favor?”
“Of course.”
“Ryan has been training me but he’ll be with his men all day. I was wondering if you would practice with me today.”
“Me? Why would you want me to train with you? I’m just a healer.”
“No you’re not,” replied Caroline while sitting down next to the young woman. “I remember your skills from when we were children. You were the best archer for a hundred miles and were just as accurate with a dagger. You could sprint faster than any of the girls and could scramble up a tree in a matter of seconds. I know you haven’t lost those skills.”
“You remember that?”
“Yes, I was always in awe of your talents. It’s not often that a young woman with a knack for healing also has the abilities of a warrior.”
“I thought you were more interested in Darcy and her upcoming nuptials. I recall you following her around like a shadow.”
Caroline shrugged. “I was excited that Darcy was set to become the gypsy queen but I was also interested in you. I was just too shy to say anything.”
“You? Shy?”
The dancer laughed and Aislin gave her a rare smile. “Yes, I was shy once. But it seems as though we have traded personalities. Now I’m the one rushing into things and you are the silent one.”
Aislin began to pack up her supplies and watched the bustle of the camp for a moment. “I’ve found it’s easier to blend into the background. You stay alive longer if no one knows you’re there.” She glanced over at Caroline and squeezed the young woman’s shoulder. “Give me a few minutes then meet me at the campfire, I may be a bit rusty but I will train with you.”
Ryan looked up from the table to see Aislin and Caroline disappear into the woods. The healer was carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows and his sister was carrying several daggers and a set of slingshots.
Shaking his head he turned back towards his men, they had to finalize the plan before nightfall.
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It seemed like mother nature was on their side and the bright moon was covered with thick clouds as Ryan, Emmet, and three others made their way towards the village. They weren’t going to cross at the bridge, it was usually guarded, but there was an area to the South where the river was shallow enough to cross without making too much noise.
They crossed the river with no problem and crouched in the brush near the village. It seemed like there must have been a slight influx of goods in the village as there were two guards instead of the usual one. Ryan smiled to himself at the sight of the two men stationed near the large chest that held most of the village’s wealth. One was Paul, the landowner’s son, and the other was the young boy, Damian. Damian was already yawning and it wasn’t even late yet.
“Cody, get ready. You’ll go on my signal,” whispered Ryan and the young man nodded.
Silently Ryan circumvented the camp until he came to a large tree that would give him a view of the entire village. He silently climbed the tree and peered down into the still village. Everyone was settled down for the night, all of the windows were dark and the only movement came from Damian and Paul. The older man was trying, and failing, to keep the younger man awake.
Ryan grinned and whistled softly, mimicking a night bird. Suddenly there was movement on the edge of the camp and Paul stood, his head turning towards the sound. He shook Damian awake and whispered something to him before going to investigate the sound.
As Paul disappeared into the brush Damian sat back down near the chest and after a minute or two was sound asleep. Ryan whistled again before slipping down from the tree and making his way over to the chest where Emmet, Taylor, and Adam were waiting.
There was a large lock on the chest but Emmet could pick any lock and this one clicked open in under a minute. Keeping one eye on Damian, the gypsies began to go through the chest, their eyes widening at the spoils. There were bags of gold, handfuls of jewels, and dozens of semi-precious stones.
Immediately Ryan knew that there was something very different about this village. He had been on many raids but never had he seen spoils like this in such a simple village. Hearing another whistle that he knew had come from Cody, Ryan pushed the thoughts aside and helped heft a bag of gold from the chest before sending Taylor and Emmet off with the bounty.
Adam grabbed a handful of jewels and disappeared into the darkness as Ryan filled his pockets with several lengths of delicate gold chain before slowly easing the lid of the chest down and quietly snapping the lock back into place.
Another sharp whistle from Cody made his head snap up and he ducked behind a nearby house as Paul came running back into the center of the village.
Paul scowled when he saw the slumbering young man and shook him awake. “Damian, wake up! There’s someone here, you have to help me search.”
“Huh?”
“Just get up and get moving!”
The two took off towards the river which cut off Ryan’s escape route. The gypsy made a wide circle of the village, staying low and blending in with the shadows. He had nearly made it to the tree line when a sound made him freeze. There, not three feet away was Julianne drawing water from the well.
Ryan smirked and straightened to his full height. He knew he could be discovered at any moment but he had to speak to the young woman, even if it was just this once.
“I thought the villagers stayed away from the midnight well.”
The young woman jumped, dropping her bucket and spinning towards the voice. Ryan materialized from the shadows and she gasped. “Who…who are you?”
“Haven’t you heard the story of the midnight well?” Julianne nodded slowly. “Perhaps I’m the ghost of the mysterious gypsy.”
“You’re not a ghost, ghosts don’t talk.”
“How do you know?” The blonde didn’t answer and swallowed hard as Ryan slowly walked towards her. He raised a hand and gently caressed her cheek, impressed that she didn’t flinch away at his touch. “Forgive me for being so bold, but you have to be the most beautiful creature I have ever seen.”
Even in the darkness Ryan could see the blush bloom across her fair cheeks. “You didn’t answer my question, who are you?”
“I’m-” Ryan started when the sudden sound of running feet made him turn. “I have to go.”
“Will I see you again?”
“Yes,” replied Ryan while hurrying towards the woods.
“When?”
“Soon.” Ryan flashed her a brilliant smile before rushing into the trees just as Keith and George burst into the clearing near the well.
“Julianne, what are you doing here?” asked Keith while trying to catch his breath.
“I was thirsty and our pitcher was empty. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“You need to get inside, lass,” said George while picking up her fallen bucket. “There’s someone in the village. It isn’t safe.”
Julianne nodded and headed home but she couldn’t help glancing over her shoulder towards the woods where the stranger had disappeared. She hoped that he had made it home safely and would that she would be able to see him again.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 12, 2012 19:09:50 GMT -5
The gypsy camp was festive as the sun rose the next morning. Ryan had received a scalding that would have made his mother proud from Caroline at falling behind but after presenting her with a lovely gold chain with a delicate charm hanging from it he was quickly forgiven.
As they divided the spoils from the raid Ryan couldn’t help but wonder how such a humble village had acquired such riches. Suddenly he recalled something that Aislin had said the night they were spying on the villagers.
He hurried over to her wagon and caught her as she was leaving the center of the camp. “Aislin, do you have a moment?”
“Of course, what can I do for you?”
“That night when we were spying on the villagers you said something about the blonde one, Keith. You said he had a secret.”
“And I still have yet to discover that secret. So?”
“I don’t think he’s the only one with a secret.” Ryan proceeded to describe the goods that they had found in the village and the healer’s eyes widened.
“How could a village such as this one come across such goods?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Is there anything you can recall about the villagers that would explain this?”
Aislin shook her head and shifted the basket she was carrying to her other arm. “I can’t think of anything but this solidifies my theory about Keith. I’ll keep an eye on him and on the others too.”
“Thank you. And may I ask for another favor?” The young woman nodded and Ryan glanced back towards his wagon where Emmet and the others were going through their spoils. “Would you mind accompanying us to the harbor tonight? You said you had some contacts and I do not want to approach the wrong people.”
“Certainly, come and get me when you are ready. I’m sorry, but I must get going. Good day, king Ryan.”
Aislin turned and headed towards the Northern portion of the woods and Ryan watched her until she disappeared. His last words sank in and he groaned inwardly. If they were at the harbor tonight then we wouldn’t be able to visit Julianne. Shaking his head he went back towards his wagon, his tribe was more important and he would have time to visit the beautiful blonde another day.
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That night Ryan, Aislin, and Ethan made their way towards the harbor. The journey took most of the evening and it was full dark when they arrived. Ryan despised the harbor, he hated that they were so exposed and even though most of the people didn’t pay too much attention to anyone he still wasn’t fond of these adventures.
He was constantly checking for threats as was Ethan but Aislin seemed at ease in the darkened streets. They all keep the hoods of their cloaks up but she slipped through darkness like a shadow and peered in a soot stained window of a worn down pub.
She gestured to Ryan and Ethan to follow her before slipping into the establishment. If it looked bad on the outside it was nothing compared to the inside. Everything was darkened with soot and filthy, the patrons were mostly drunks who drank their meager wages away then passed out where they fell.
The three sat at the bar and Aislin ordered a beer and had it sent to a man in a darkened corner. “Keep looking straight, don’t turn your heads,” she hissed and the other two sat still as she followed the drink’s progress across the room.
The man in the corner looked at the drink suspiciously and caught Aislin’s eye from across the bar. She nodded her head in greeting and the man looked shocked for a moment then smiled in recognition.
“Let’s go,” she said to her companions before leading them over to the man’s table.
“Aislin? Is that really you?”
“It is good to see you, Lawrence. These are my companions but for discretion’s sake I do not believe their names are necessary.”
The merchant eyed Aislin for a moment then nodded. “If it were anyone but you I would not agree. Now what do you have for me?”
They hadn’t wanted to attract too much attention so they had only brought a small bag of gold coins and a small handful of jewels. “Where did you get these?” asked Lawrence as he held a ruby up to the light.
“You know better than to ask that question, Lawrence.”
The merchant chuckled. “Forgive me, you merely threw me off guard. The quality of these items is extraordinary.” He paused for a moment then named a price that made Ryan’s jaw hit the ground. It was easily three times what they had received for similar items in the past. “Come with me, I’ll make sure that you have everything you require.”
Two hours later the trio was loaded down with enough goods to keep the tribe members comfortable for at least two months. Ryan glanced over at Aislin as they rode and was amazed at the young woman’s diversity. She was a healer, a warrior, and one heck of a trader. She was everything a man could ask for and then some.
Ryan forced the thoughts out f his head and urged his horse forward. Aislin had made it perfectly clear that she didn’t want anything to do with him.
Thinking back to the previous night Ryan allowed the thoughts of Aislin to be eclipsed by the image of the lovely Julianne. He knew it was dangerous but now that his people were taken care of Ryan could focus his attention on the beautiful young woman.
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Post by celticbear on Apr 12, 2012 20:59:55 GMT -5
ONYX! IN THIS STORM STORY RYAN NEEDS TO BE WITH AISLIN! FIND SOMEBODY ELSE FOR JULIANNE! BUT NOT KEITH! KEITH IS FOR CAROLINE!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Apr 13, 2012 12:57:23 GMT -5
Ryan is torn, but he knows deep down it will be Aislin Just sayin LOL!
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Post by GalwayGirl on Apr 13, 2012 12:59:43 GMT -5
So I haven't had time to read anything on Nox in forever it seems, but I started this story and didn't want to stop till I had read all that you have posted!! It is really great and you have a great writing style! I love all the details and emotions you incorporate into the story!! Love it and can't wait to see where you take the story from here!!
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