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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 13, 2012 19:23:29 GMT -5
I just wanted to thank everyone so much for reading and for your comments! They mean the world to me! I especially appreciate the feedback as I'm kind of stuck. I have the next few chapters written up but I'm at a standstill so any feedback would be appreciated! ___________________________________________________________________________________
The morning after the disturbance in the village Keith was nearly blind with rage. “How could you rely on this…this child to guard our village?” he ranted as he shot an accusing glare at Damian.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep! It won’t happen again,” said Damian while trying to hide the embarrassed blush that was spreading across his cheeks.
“No it won’t, because he’s never standing guard again. Right, George?”
The older man sighed but he was forced to agree with Keith. “I’m sorry, Damian, but Keith is right. You fell asleep at your post and put us all in danger. From now on your curfew is nightfall.”
“But I’m eighteen! I can’t have a curfew like the other children!”
“Until you start acting your age you will be treated as such.”
Damian turned with a huff and stormed off. George ran a hand over his head and glanced over at Keith who was still fuming. “Any idea who was in the village last night?”
The blonde shook his head. “No clue but I still think that it was those gypsies.”
“The gypsies have been gone for years, why would they come back now?” asked Neil.
“I don’t know,” replied Keith before sinking down onto a stump.
“Is anything missing?” asked Paul.
“Not that I know of,” said George. “Are all of the horses accounted for, Neil?” The young man nodded. “And the crops?”
“Nothing has been touched,” said Paul. “Maybe it was nothing. It was late and perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on me.”
“Maybe it was the ghost from the midnight well,” said Neil with a grin and the others laughed.
George chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps we are overreacting. Come, there is a lot of work to do.” He turned to leave and noticed that Keith wasn’t with them. “Are you coming, lad?”
“In a moment.” Keith waited until everyone had gone their separate ways before pulling a heavy key from a cord worn around his neck. He knelt next to the chest and let the heavy lock fall to the ground with a ‘thud’. Opening the lid he warily peered inside then let out a breath.
It was all there.
He was about to close the lid when he looked more closely. Something wasn’t right. He counted the bags that contained the gold coins and felt rage boil up inside of him once more. One of the bags was missing along with some jewels and some gold chains.
Closing and locking the chest once more he ran a hand through his hair. That chest contained whatever gold the villagers could get for their goods at the harbor along with the spoils from his “trading” opportunities.
Every hair on the back of Keith’s neck stood up as a thought hit him. Someone had been watching them. How else would they have known that the bulk of the village’s wealth was stashed away in this very unassuming chest?
Deep down Keith knew he was right, the gypsies were back and this group seemed to be much more sly and efficient. He couldn’t tell the others though without revealing the true contents of the chest.
In five days he would be able to go “trading” again and would hopefully be able to replace what was stolen and then some. He stood and dusted himself off. He had wasted enough time and would be missed if he didn’t get to work soon.
As he turned and headed towards the center of the village he was completely unaware of the storm grey eyes that watched his every movement from across the riverbank.
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Post by GalwayGirl on Apr 13, 2012 19:54:32 GMT -5
Loved the update!!! Of course Aislin would be watching Keith as she was so determined to find out his secret....either she has it figured out now, or a very good suspicion so Keith needs to watch his step! lol I am sure that Damo would try to redeem himself in the others site, hopefully not by being foolhardy, and hopefully he won't blame Keith for being the one to point out so bluntly his mistake. Can't wait to see what you come up with next!!! And I can always help you come up with something if you get really stuck, or at least give a suggestion. lol
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 15, 2012 8:59:03 GMT -5
Julianne wrapped the shawl tighter around her shoulders as she slipped through the darkened village. It had been four days since she had encountered the mysterious stranger and each night she had snuck out hoping to see him again.
He had left no instructions as to where he would meet her but something drew her to the well where she had first seen him.
Glancing around to make sure she was alone, she jumped slightly when a pebble hit the ground near her feet. She turned in the direction from where it was thrown and thought she saw something moving in the shadows.
Throwing one last look behind her, she slowly walked into the woods. The moment she slipped between the trees she was surprised at the darkness. She had been in the woods many times but only during the day and wondered how anyone could find their way in the minimal light.
Her eyes slowly began to adjust as she made her way deeper into the woods. Coming to a small clearing, Julianne frowned when she saw it was empty. She turned to leave when a slight movement caught her eye. She gasped in surprise as a shadow detached itself from a nearby tree and stepped forward.
“You came back,” she breathed, immediately recognizing the man.
“I promised I would. I’m surprised you had the courage to venture this far into the woods.”
Julianne held her head high. “I’m not afraid of the woods.”
Ryan smiled at her false confidence. “Even if you knew these woods were crawling with gypsies?”
“So you are a gypsy.”
“That I am.” Ryan watched her for a long moment before speaking again. “Aren’t you going to run screaming back to the village?”
The blonde boldly took a step towards Ryan and shook her head. “Why would I go running back? I wouldn’t make it three steps before you would catch me and I don’t believe that you will hurt me.”
“Oh really?” asked Ryan while stepping close to the young woman. He crowded her, making her back up until her back hit the trunk of a large tree. “What ever gave you that idea?”
“When we last met you said I was beautiful, most hunters do not compliment their prey.”
“What if I am not like most hunters?” Ryan gave her a dangerous smile and she swallowed hard but kept her voice steady.
“You would have killed me by now.”
“Perhaps I’m just waiting for the opportune moment.”
Julianne fell silent and Ryan chuckled before tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Then why did you come back?”
“I had to see you again. Your beauty is addicting.” He smiled and ran his thumb across her cheek. “Why did you come tonight? I thought the villagers hated gypsies.”
Julianne tentatively wrapped her arms around Ryan’s waist and tipped her head back to look into the blue eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light. “You intrigued me. You showed no fear when the men were chasing you and I must admit that your status as a gypsy fascinates me. I’ve never feared the gypsies…and I do not fear you.” She smiled and felt Ryan pull her close.
“Please forgive my manners, I don’t even know your name,” lied Ryan. He knew not only her name but her trade as well as but he didn’t want to scare her with this knowledge.
“My name is Julianne.” Her words were muffled and she pulled back slightly to take his hands in hers. “What is your name?”
The gypsy king paused for a moment, his identity was sacred, but after gazing into the bright blue eyes he threw all caution to the wind. “Ryan.”
Julianne’s smile was brilliant as she stepped back and dipped into a curtsy with a laugh. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ryan.”
Ryan laughed and gave her a courtly bow. “The pleasure is all mine, Julianne.”
He pulled her into his arms once more and his breath caught as the moon slipped from behind a cloud, illuminating the young woman with one of its beams.
Could it be that he was falling for this young woman after such a short time? He had pushed the idea of love out of his mind when he had taken on the role of king but it had resurfaced when Aislin suddenly reappeared. After the healer pushed him away Ryan had given up but the moment that he saw Julianne something had clicked into place.
Was she the one for him?
The idea was absurd. She was a villager and he was a gypsy, it would never work out. He was about to push the young woman away when she yawned and snuggled deeper into his embrace. The gesture was simple but it touched Ryan. Suddenly he didn’t care about anything else but the beauty in his arms.
He glanced up at the night sky then gently stepped back from the exhausted young woman. “You should get back, it’s late and you need your rest.”
Julianne was about to protest when she yawned widely. “I suppose you are right.”
Ryan wrapped a steady arm around her waist and led her to the tree line. “I will come and see you again as soon as I am able,” said Ryan before pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. “Sleep well, Julianne.”
“And you, Ryan.”
She watched as he melted back into the shadows before turning away and sneaking back home, a secret smile playing across her lips as she walked through the darkness.
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Post by celticbear on Apr 15, 2012 20:45:38 GMT -5
WOW! Love how bold Julianne is! Can't wait to see who Ryan ends up with in the end, Julianne or Aislin! Just wait till Caroline defies Ryan and goes in search of Keith! Then this story will really get interesting and the true fireworks will begin!
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 16, 2012 7:31:54 GMT -5
Aislin had spent every free moment watching Keith. It didn’t take long for her to figure out that he knew that something was missing from the chest. What was interesting was the fact that he was the only one that knew that something was missing. On top of that, he seemed to be the only one that had a key to the chest.
On the third day he seemed to be gathering supplies for a short journey and she knew she should start doing the same. She wasn’t sure where he was going but she was determined to find out. Jumping from the tree she headed back to camp and nodded at Ryan and his men.
“May I have a moment?”
“Of course.”
“I’ve been keeping an on Keith as you have asked and I believe that I am close to discovering his secret.” She quickly explained her observations and by the time she was finished everyone in the small group was smiling. Even Emmet was impressed by her skills.
“I know I can discover his secret but I will need a rather large favor.”
“What kind of favor?” Ryan didn’t like the direction this conversation was going.
“I need your permission to leave the camp for a few days.”
“You mean to follow him, don’t you?” asked Ryan. At Aislin’s nod he shook his head. “I’m sorry but I cannot grant your request. It is far too dangerous. We’ll send one of the spies instead.”
“And what if they are discovered? Forgive me, you have the best spies in the region, but what if Keith spots them? I would assume he would be much more merciful on a woman and I have clothing that will make me look like a villager. If I’m discovered I can just say that I have lost my way. If Keith discovers that a man is on his trail he will shoot first and ask questions later.”
Ryan sighed and paced back and forth for a few minutes. Finally he took Aislin’s arm and led her away from the group. “I have a bad feeling about this,” he confessed.
“I’ll be fine. If I don’t want to be seen I won’t be.” She turned and forced Ryan to meet her eyes. “This may be the only chance we have at finding out his secret.”
Taking a deep breath, Ryan looked into the storm grey eyes for a long time. As usual, she was right. She did have a better chance at following Keith than one of his men and she had a better cover story. And it wasn’t like she was helpless, she was one of the smartest and fiercest warriors that he knew. Yet he would never forgive himself if something happened to her.
After several minutes of silence he finally nodded in ascent. “Very well, you have my permission. What supplies do you need?”
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Two mornings later Aislin was up long before dawn. She had acquired a simple blouse and skirt that made her look like one of the women from the village and her hair was in a sensible braid that lay against her spine. She still carried a knife in her boot and a dagger at her waist but she had hidden them well.
As she prepared to leave the camp she was surprised to see Ryan waiting for her. The gypsy king looked as though he had been up all night and nodded to her in greeting. Neither one said anything, they simply walked together to the edge of the woods where her horse and supplies were waiting.
Ryan pulled himself up into a nearby tree, Aislin’s new clothing made it difficult, and watched the village for any movement. Soon Keith came walking through the village leading a horse. For someone who was going trading his saddle bags seemed rather empty.
Ryan jumped down and double checked that all of Aislin’s supplies were secure. “He’s getting ready to leave.”
The healer nodded and started to walk away when a hand on her shoulder stopped her. “Be safe,” whispered Ryan while fighting the urge to pull her into his arms and beg her not to leave.
“Take care, king Ryan,” replied Aislin before turning and leading her horse into the darkness.
She went slowly and gave Keith plenty of time to break the trail in front of her. She had a feeling that the young man wouldn’t take the main road but she doubted that he would bother to cover his tracks.
As the sun slowly rose her suspicions were confirmed. What may have looked like a tangled mess to most, looked like a clear path to her. She gave her horse, Amethyst, a friendly pat. “Well girl, shall we go hunting?” The horse seemed to smile and stamped her foot in anticipation.
Aislin followed Keith at a distance all day. She never caught a glimpse of the young man but knew by the hoof prints that she was going the right way. Around noon she led Amethyst deeper into the woods and had a quick meal, giving the horse a bright green apple in return for her service.
As the sun began to sink lower Aislin was forced onto a more traveled path and nearly lost Keith’s trail. She had to jump down and inspect the road but soon she found the unique prints and was back on her way.
She pulled the hood of her cloak up and made sure she could easily reach the dagger in her belt as she made her way down the path. She was going to have to stop before the sun completely set and cursed her bad luck when she saw a small inn ahead.
Aislin nearly passed it by when she saw Keith’s horse in the stable. Jumping down off of Amethyst, she handed the reins to the stable boy. She pressed a gold coin into his hand and the boy’s eyes widened. “You’ll get another if you tell me when the owner of that horse leaves.”
“Yes ma’am!” exclaimed the boy while pocketing the gold.
Pushing open the door to the inn, it didn’t take long for Aislin to spot Keith sitting at one of the tables near the doorway. His clothes were dark and he had his cloak pulled down over his eyes but Aislin could easily identify the cocky grin that never quite faded from his lips.
She sat down at the bar and eventually a burly man came over to her. “What can I get ya?”
“I’d like a room for the night and a whiskey, it’s been a long journey.”
The man raised an eyebrow and told her the price and she placed the money on the bar. He handed her a key and a glass of whiskey. Aislin nodded her thanks and moved to a table near the fire.
She could feel eyes on her and sipped her drink while trying to ignore the unwanted attention. Soon a very drunk patron came and sat down across from her and Aislin tried not to roll her eyes.
“Hey sweetheart, where are you going all by yourself?”
“I’m meeting my brother in the village to the East of here.”
“Brother, eh? Why didn’t he come with you?”
“He was delayed. Now if you will excuse me…”
Aislin tossed back the rest of her drink and stood but the man grabbed her arm. “I’m not done talking to you.”
Before the man could blink, Aislin had knocked him to the floor and had him pinned down with her knee on his chest. She held her knife to his throat and leaned close as she hissed in his ear, “If you ever touch me again I will gut you like the pig that you are. Understood?”
The man nodded and Aislin held her head high as she made her way towards her rented room.
Keith chuckled as he watched her depart and walked over to the bar. “Hey Mac, who was that?”
“No idea,” replied the bar owner while pouring another beer for Keith. “Never seen her before.”
The blonde sipped his drink and wondered what others secrets the spirited woman was hiding. He didn’t believe that she was simply traveling to meet her brother but he had far more important matters to deal with than the mysterious stranger.
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Post by celticbear on Apr 16, 2012 22:24:22 GMT -5
Well! Well! I do believe Onyx may have created an new twist to the *Storm* Story! Me thinks when this story ends it will be Ryan with Julianne and Keith with Aislin!
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 17, 2012 7:32:36 GMT -5
The next morning Aislin was awakened by a soft tapping on her door. Creeping to the door with her dagger in her hand she put her ear to the wood. “Who is it?”
“The man you asked about is leaving, Miss,” said the soft voice of the stable boy.
“Ready my horse.”
A few minutes later Aislin pressed another gold coin into the boy’s hand as she headed down the road. The sun wasn’t even up yet and the road was empty but that was ideal as Keith’s tracks were easy to spot.
As the sun began to rise over the horizon the tracks abruptly stopped but Aislin’s trained eye was able to see that Keith had turned and left the road. She almost caught up with him and slowed Amethyst down as they came to a large moor.
At first Aislin was reluctant to cross it, she would be exposed and if Keith happened to turn around her cover would be blown. But this was the only chance she might be granted to discover his secret.
She pulled the hood of her cloak down and waited until Keith was nothing more than a speck in the distance before urging the horse forward. The Fates must have been on her side because Keith never turned around. Either he didn’t know he was being followed or was leading her into a trap.
As soon as she crossed the moor Aislin guided Amethyst into the dense trees and noticed that Keith was slowing. She could barely see him but she could tell that he had stopped. Turning around she put quite a bit of distance between them before dismounting and tethering Amethyst to a nearby tree. There was a creek within reach and she left the horse plenty of provisions as she slipped through the woods.
Up ahead she could see Keith’s horse tied to a tree and gave the animal a wide berth, she didn’t want it picking up on her scent and giving her away. As she crept closer to Keith’s position she smiled slightly to herself. This was just like when she was younger, creeping through the woods with Ryan as they hunted, hoping to spot a deer or a wild boar that they could take back to the tribes for dinner.
She forced the thoughts from her head when she saw Keith climbing a tree near the road. Pulling her cloak up to cover her hair she crouched in the brush, letting herself melt into the shadows.
He seemed to be waiting for something so Aislin took the time to study him. Unlike when he was in the village he wore much finer clothes, making him look almost noble. It was only when he tied a handkerchief around his head to mask his nose and mouth did she realize what she was seeing.
Keith was the Highwayman.
Years of discipline and training was the only thing that kept her from gasping aloud at the knowledge. She shook her head slightly, knowing she had to be wrong but her theory was confirmed a few moments later when a coach made its way down the road.
As soon as it was close enough Keith jumped down from his perch, startling the horses and brandishing his pistol. She was too far away to hear what he was saying but he seemed at ease, filling his pockets with the royals’ jewels and coins. At one point he leaned against the carriage as he flirted with the noblewoman within as her husband glared with rage.
Aislin couldn’t believe his arrogance but was amazed that he hadn’t been caught yet. After grabbing two large bags of gold, Keith tipped his hat to the couple and darted through the woods.
Holding her breath, Aislin made herself as small as possible as Keith ran right past her. The highwayman paid her no mind as he strapped his bounty to his horse and took off across the moor.
The healer waited a good ten minutes before she dared to move then raced back to Amethyst. She forced herself to stay calm and go slow, giving Keith ample time to get ahead of her. Instead of perusing the young man she fixed herself a leisurely lunch, allowing the horse to roam free as she processed this new information.
So that’s how the village had acquired such riches. She wondered if anyone in the village knew what that chest contained then threw the idea away. Keith was much too smart for that. There was a reason that he was the only one with a key.
Calling Amethyst back, Aislin smiled to herself. The gypsies had just gained a very important piece of information. They knew the identity and location of the notorious highway man.
As she mounted the horse Aislin wondered how much the blonde would pay to keep his identity a secret.
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Once Aislin was sure that Keith was far enough ahead she urged the horse forward. It was mid-afternoon when she neared the small inn again and she dismounted and led Amethyst through the woods. She had claimed that she was traveling East and didn’t want to be seen by any patrons who might have remembered her.
After putting a fair amount of distance between herself and the inn, she climbed into the saddle and patted the sturdy neck of the horse. She still had a nearly a full day’s journey ahead of her but she knew spending the night in the woods was not an option. “We need to get home and fast, we’re strong but I don’t want to be caught in the woods at night and we can’t stay at the inn again. Fly, Amethyst, take us home!”
The horse tossed her head and took off at a gallop. Even though Amethyst was usually used to pull Meara’s wagon, she had been bred from a herd of powerful warhorses that the royals took into battle and had the strength and stamina to run for hours.
She pushed Amethyst to her limits and they covered a lot of distance but the sun had long set before they crossed into the familiar territory. Aislin slowed the horse to a walk as they approached the gypsies’ camp and frowned when she saw someone slipping through the trees.
“Ryan?”
The gypsy jumped and spun, ready to defend himself. He let out a breath when he saw Aislin approach.
“You’re back already?”
“Yes, Keith did not go as far as I anticipated but we’ve been riding hard all day to make it back.”
“What have you discovered?”
“Come with me, I want the others to hear this.”
She held out her hand and Ryan swung into the saddle behind her. “Are you alright? You’re shaking,” said Ryan.
“I’m fine. Exhausted but unharmed.”
Soon they were entering the center of the camp and Ryan jumped down to summon his men. After so many hours in the saddle without a break Aislin’s legs were stiff with disuse and they refused to hold her weight. She fell to her knees the moment she touched the ground and immediately Ryan was by her side.
He carefully helped her to her feet and led her to sit by the fire. Meara appeared and pressed a mug of tea which was heavily spiked with whiskey into her hands. Aislin nodded her thanks and sipped the tea until the feeling came back into her limbs.
Ryan knelt in front of her and waited until she lifted her head to speak. “What did you find out?”
“I know how the villagers came to possess such riches.”
“How?”
“Keith is the Highwayman.”
Ryan’s jaw fell open in shock. “That’s impossible!”
“I would have thought the same but I saw it with my own eyes. He held up a carriage at gunpoint and took their jewels and gold.”
Ryan sat back on his heels. His head was spinning with this new information. The most wanted criminal in the region lived right across the river…and now the gypsies knew his identity. His smile turned dangerous at this knowledge.
“Aislin, I am forever in your debt. This new knowledge is invaluable.” Ryan stood and addressed the tribe. “Tomorrow there shall be a feast in Aislin’s honor! To celebrate her courage and bravery in gathering this knowledge. Now please excuse us but I must discuss this new turn of events with my men.”
The gypsies cheered but Aislin was so weary that the very idea of a celebration made her head ache. “King Ryan,” she started and he turned to face her. “A feast is not necessary.”
“But your bravery should be celebrated!”
“It was not bravery that led me to this knowledge. It was necessity. Now our tribe has a piece of information that will keep us safe.” She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and met his eyes. “You gave me refuge, I gave you knowledge. Our debts are settled…we’re even now.”
Ryan’s jaw tightened at her words and he nodded curtly. “Yes, no debts lie between us. Get some rest, we will discuss your journey in the morning.”
Aislin sighed and Caroline sat down next to her and handed her some bread and some cheese. The healer smiled her thanks and quickly devoured her food, she hadn’t eaten since before noon. After eating she shakily stood and made sure that Amethyst was taken care of, rewarding her with another apple, before heading to bed.
Laying her head down Aislin hoped that this new knowledge was beneficial but deep down she knew that nothing good could come from it. How could anyone be at ease when their neighbor was a highwayman?
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Post by celticbear on Apr 17, 2012 20:44:28 GMT -5
ONYX! GREAT UPDATE! I'M STILL UNSURE WHO SHOULD HAVE AISLIN IN THE END! MY BRAIN TELLS ME SHE SHOULD BE WITH RYAN, BUT MY HEART SAYS SHE WILL END UP WITH KEITH!
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 18, 2012 18:43:55 GMT -5
Caroline was restless. She had spent most of the day with a few women from the tribe but they were more interested in settling down and starting a family and after several hours of their ramblings Caroline couldn’t take it anymore.
It’s not that she didn’t want to get married, she had her fair share of suitors, but she wanted love and excitement. Of course, it was nearly impossible to find love and excitement because Ryan wouldn’t let any male within five feet of her.
The young woman sighed and glanced around the camp as the sky began to darken. Ryan had spent most of the day with his men going over the information Aislin had gained and minutes after the sun set Ryan had disappeared.
Aislin had given Ryan and his men as much information as she could about her mission then had spent the rest of her day locked away in her wagon, recovering from her journey.
There were still plenty of people around and she was sure she could coax a tune or two from the musicians but that wasn’t what she wanted. She wanted to dance and to be free.
Glancing around Caroline quietly slipped into the woods. Her brother never let her wander off alone but she had her dagger with her and she wasn’t planning to go far.
The river was calling her and she made sure to stick to the shadows as she neared the water. Soon she could hear the smooth water rushing by and turned South. It was too dangerous here, so close to the village, but she knew that to the South the level of the river was lower and the villagers never visited that particular stretch.
Still, she crouched down and waited to make sure that she was alone before stepping from the cover of the trees. The cold water was bliss on such a warm night and she drank her fill before standing and brushing off her skirts.
The breeze gently lifted her hair from her shoulders and she closed her eyes with a smile. After a moment she could hear it, the whisper of the wind through the trees blending with the steady rhythm of the water spilling across the rocks. It was an inviting tune that Caroline could not resist. Almost unknowingly she began to dance, weaving around the moonbeams that peeked through the trees and using the shadows as her dance partners.
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Keith was always restless for a few days after his “trading” journeys. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, praying that this wasn’t the time that he was followed or recognized. He knew that there were other, legal, ways to get gold for the village but he loved the sense of pride that he felt whenever he was able to go the harbor and bring back extra supplies. And it wasn’t like he was stealing from the villagers and peasants that were barely surviving, he was only stealing from the nobility and he knew they had more than enough to spare.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t realize how far he had wandered. He was far South of the village in the territory where the property lines blurred. Stopping to take a drink from the river, he was about to stand when he saw movement from across the bank. Looking closer he realized that it was a woman and she was dancing to a song that only she could hear.
His first instinct was to call out to her and scare her off, it was obvious by her flowing skirts that she was a gypsy, but something held him back. In all of his ventures he had never seen such beauty or such grace. He came into contact with the royals more often than he was willing to admit but those women couldn’t compare with the vision in front of him.
Keith was up and moving before he realized what he was doing. He silently crossed the river and crept closer to the young woman, amazed how she spun and dipped around the moonbeams without even opening her eyes. The dance seemed to go on forever and his spirits fell when she eventually stopped. Gypsy or not, he could have watched her for hours.
The young woman began to walk away when she suddenly stiffened, aware that someone was watching her. Slowly she turned and gasped when she saw Keith standing there. Her hand immediately went to the dagger in her belt and Keith held his hands up in defense.
“Wait! I won’t hurt you, I promise,” he said while giving her a smile.
Caroline ignored his words, her eyes were glued to the pistol that hung at his waist.
Once Keith realized what she was looking at he turned and placed the gun on a nearby stump as a gesture of good faith. “I won’t hurt you,” he repeated.
“What are you doing here? The land on this side of the river does not belong to the villagers,” said Caroline. She tightened her grip on the dagger but part of her wanted to believe that he wouldn’t harm her.
“I went for a walk and saw you dancing. It was like I was under a spell, I mean no offense but I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Your dancing was mesmerizing.”
“You were watching me dance?”
Keith nodded. “Yes, you are very talented. Where did you learn?”
“Gypsies aren’t taught to dance, we are born with the skill,” replied Caroline, not bothering to hide the pride in her voice.
“Could you teach me?”
The dark eyes widened at the request. “Excuse me?”
“Could you teach me how to dance like that?”
Caroline paused. This could be a trick. The man in front of her was the notorious highway man and was used to using his silver tongue to get his way. For all that she knew he could wait until she was close enough then kidnap her. But something told her that this young man would not harm her. From the moment that she had laid eyes on him he had intrigued her and this may be the only opportunity she would have to actually interact with him.
Turning, Caroling threw her dagger into the trunk of a nearby tree not two feet from Keith, letting him know that she was not as helpless as she may seem.
The blonde swallowed hard and nodded in understanding before holding his hand out with a smile.
The moment their hands met a rush ran through Caroline and she felt like she was connected to Keith. They seemed to hear the same song as they danced, Keith easily keeping up with Caroline and impressing her with the ease with which he moved. It was almost like a game, the two twisting and weaving in order to stay away from the moonbeams, letting the shadows become their sanctuary.
Keith wrapped his arms around Caroline and she leaned willingly into the embrace, loving the feel of the strong chest behind her. Spinning away, the gypsy was shocked that Keith was actually able to keep up with her. Even some of the other gypsies had trouble matching her pace when she danced.
Caroline let herself go, laughing when Keith picked her up to spin her. For the first time she felt like she could be open and free. She didn’t care if Keith was a villager or that he was the highwayman, she just never wanted this dance to end.
Eventually they were forced to stop, they were both breathless but smiling as Keith pulled her into his arms one last time. He smiled brilliantly down at her and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “May I ask the name of my lovely dance partner?”
“Caroline. And yours?”
“Keith.”
The gypsy returned his smile and straightened, reluctantly stepping away from him. “Thank you for the dance, Keith, I have never met anyone who could keep up with me.”
“I’m not much of a dancer but I could hold you in my arms forever.” Caroline blushed and Keith chuckled. “Will I be able to see you again? For another dance?”
Caroline twisted her hands together as the voice of reason finally decided to kick in. What she was doing was mad and completely dangerous. If Ryan discovered that she was meeting with Keith he would most likely try to have the young man killed. But Ryan didn’t own her. Yes, she was part of the tribe which placed her under his command but she was a grown woman and could make her own decisions.
“I don’t know when I’ll be able to sneak away but we’ll meet here. I’ll try and come soon.”
Keith nodded and watched as she retrieved her dagger then soundlessly melted into the shadows.
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Post by celticbear on Apr 18, 2012 20:28:38 GMT -5
ONYX! YOU DEPICTED *SHADOW DANCING* PERFECTLY IN THIS UPDATE! NOW KEITH HAS TWO GYPSY WOMAN GOT IN HIS SPELL! WHO I AM KIDDING! I WOULD LOVE TO BE CAUGHT UNDER KEITH'S SPELL FOREVER!
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 19, 2012 7:21:11 GMT -5
“Come with me,” said Ryan as he led Julianne deeper into the woods. It had been nearly a month since he first laid eyes on the young woman and even though they couldn’t meet every night they saw each other as often as possible.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked, her hand tightening around Ryan’s.
“You’ll see.”
A few minutes later they broke through the trees and Julianne gasped. There was a small waterfall right in front of her and the moonlight hit the waves in such a way that they sparkled like millions of diamonds.
“Ryan, this is amazing! It’s so beautiful.”
“Not nearly as beautiful as you,” replied Ryan while wrapping his arms around her from behind. Julianne blushed and leaned back against the strong chest.
Ryan smiled in contentment. He knew it was crazy, he knew it was dangerous, but he was in love. When he was with Julianne it was like nothing else mattered and he could forget about the weight on his shoulders for a little while.
He gently touched Julianne’s chin, urging her to look up at him and his breath caught in his chest. In the darkness the shadows played against her smooth skin and the moon was reflected in the deep blue eyes.
Ryan let himself fall into those sparkling depths as he gently pressed his lips against Julianne’s. Pulling back slightly he matched her smile before leaning back in and kissing her again. He knew this was right and couldn’t imagine a life without Julianne in his arms.
Finally they were forced to break the kiss and Julianne smiled shyly at Ryan. She turned in his embrace and laid his head on her chest, feeling his arms surround her once more.
“I know it is forbidden but I can’t help it. I’m falling in love with you, Ryan,” she whispered.
The gypsy’s heart flipped in his chest and he let his cheek rest on top of her head as they stood locked together in the moonlight. “I began to fall in love with you the first time I saw you,” Ryan admitted.
Julianne suddenly raised her head and stepped back. “But how can we make this work? I’m tired of sneaking around to see you but the villagers would kill you if they knew we were together.” Julianne sniffed and swallowed past the lump in her throat. “What are we going to do?”
“Calm down,” whispered Ryan while leading her to sit on a fallen log. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back soothingly. “We will find a way to be together.”
“How?”
Ryan paused then sat up a little straighter as an idea began to form in his mind. “Come away with me.”
“What?”
“Leave this life behind you and come and live with me as my queen. I know the others in my tribe would accept you as one of their own.”
“Ryan, I don’t know. My whole life is here…but it’s not worth living if I can’t share it with you.”
“So you’ll come?”
“I need to think about it.” Julianne sat up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I am going to visit some relatives and will be gone two weeks. I’ll give you my decision when I return.”
Ryan nodded and kissed her again as they stood and began to make their way back towards their village. He suddenly stopped and pulled her close. “Whatever your decision, remember that I will always love you.”
Julianne nodded and forced herself not to look behind her as she slipped through the darkness towards her home.
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Post by laurenne on Apr 19, 2012 11:52:02 GMT -5
He can't marry her. More soon, please.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 20, 2012 7:18:28 GMT -5
For the next two weeks Ryan did everything in his power to ignore the fact that Julianne was gone. He trained hard with his men, he pushed Caroline to her limits, he even consented to training with both Caroline and Aislin even though the very sight of the healer made something deep inside of his stomach twist.
Since he was forced to stay in the camp he began to notice the slight changes that had come over the tribe. His people seemed relaxed for the first time in years and they seemed content with their current situation. It was counterintuitive but to Ryan it appeared that his tribe was tired of running and just wanted to settle down.
Finally the two weeks were up and Julianne had returned. He had seen her arrival in the village earlier in the day now he just had to wait until nightfall.
Ryan spent the afternoon with the tribe members, catching up on their lives and smiling at their genuine pleasure at his presence. He was sitting around the fire enjoying one of Meara’s stories when Abby appeared at his side. The young girl giggled when Ryan picked her up and sat her on his knee so she could hear Meara’s story.
When the healer finished her tale Abby crooked her finger so Ryan had to lean close to hear her speak. “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why are you mad at Aislin?”
The child’s innocent query threw Ryan for a loop and it took him a moment to reply. “What makes you think I’m mad at Aislin?”
Abby shrugged and played with the fringe of the sash that wrapped around her waist. “You don’t talk to her anymore.”
“That’s not true, I talked to her the other day when your father twisted his ankle.”
The little girl shook her head. “That’s not what I mean. When you talk to the tribe you skip over Aislin. And when you do have to talk to her you get this funny look on your face like you ate something sour.” Abby turned her head to stare at him and Ryan was tempted to tear his eyes away from her dark brown set. “Did she do something wrong? If she did I’m sure she’s sorry.”
“I’m not mad at Aislin. I’m the king and she’s a healer, we don’t have many reasons to talk to each other. That’s all.”
“But I want to be a healer like Aislin. If I’m a healer will you not talk to me anymore?”
Ryan could see the tears welling up in the child’s eyes and he pulled her close. “I promise that when you become a healer I will always find time to talk to you, okay?”
Abby nodded and rubbed wearily at her eyes. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
Ryan picked Abby up and carried her through the camp to her family’s wagon. He handed her to her mother with a smile. “I think she’s ready for bed,” he whispered. Abby waved at him sleepily over her mother’s shoulder and Ryan ran a hand through his hair.
Was his avoidance of Aislin that obvious? The healer didn’t seem to be making any effort to socialize with him so why should he do the same? The answer was obvious: he was the king. Aislin had done nothing wrong yet Ryan was punishing her because he couldn’t stand the fact that she had turned him away.
Ryan needed some advice and felt a pang in his chest as he wished his mother was there. She always knew how to handle any conflict with grace but luckily she had passed that trait to her daughter.
Walking to Caroline’s wagon, Ryan frowned when he discovered it was empty. She was probably spending some time with Branna or Cara, two of her closest friends, and Ryan didn’t want to disturb her.
It was still too early to visit Julianne so he decided to go for a walk and try and clear his head, amazed that the words of a child could send his thoughts into a frenzy.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Apr 20, 2012 9:16:23 GMT -5
5 bucks says he catches Caroline & Keith
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Apr 21, 2012 9:55:29 GMT -5
Ryan didn’t have a specific path in mind, he just let his feet carry him. In the back of his mind he was careful not to get too close to the river but aside from that he was content to wander.
His thoughts were still racing when the snapping of a branch up ahead brought him to attention. Immediately his instincts kicked in and he ducked behind a nearby tree, melting into the shadows.
After several minutes of waiting Ryan crept forward, one hand on his dagger. He paused and cocked his head to the side to listen, it was faint but he could just make out the sound of movement over the whisper of the breeze.
Needing a better vantage point, and escape route, he pulled himself into the tree on his right and felt rage begin to boil in the pit of his stomach when he peered into the clearing.
Caroline was in the arms of a man and they were dancing to some silent tune. The man lifted his head and it took all of Ryan’s willpower not to send his dagger flying; Caroline’s dance partner was none other than Keith.
The gypsy king watched in silence as his sister turned and kissed the highwayman, her face radiating joy when he leaned down and whispered something in her ear. They stood together for what seemed like hours to Ryan, holding each other and speaking so quietly that even Ryan’s highly trained ears couldn’t pick up on the words.
Finally they seemed to be preparing to leave and Ryan slipped down from his perch, positioning himself on the path that would lead back to the camp. A few minutes later Caroline appeared and jumped at Ryan’s presence.
“Ryan, what are you doing here?”
“I should ask you the same thing.”
Caroline nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and shrugged. “I wanted to go for a walk,” she replied while starting to push past Ryan.
“We may not be children anymore, but I can still tell when you’re lying.”
The dancer spun and her eyes widened when she saw the look on her brother’s face. “Ryan, I…you don’t understand…”
“I specifically told you to stay away from him!” Ryan hissed. “He is the highwayman, a criminal more wanted than even the most notorious gypsy. All it would take is a slip of the tongue and he would have a knife in your back before you could blink!”
“It’s not like that!” Caroline countered. “He would never hurt me…he loves me.”
Ryan shook his head and grasped her shoulders. “I forbid you from ever seeing him again and if you disobey my orders again I will have no choice but to punish you.”
Caroline ripped herself away. “That’s not fair! You cannot treat me like a child!”
“I am your king,” Ryan growled. “My word is law.”
“I’m so sick of you throwing that title around!” Caroline screamed. “I wish it had been you that died in that fire instead of father!”
The moment that the words left her mouth Caroline wished she could have taken them back. All of the color drained from Ryan’s face as he took a few stumbling steps backwards. He looked as though he had been punched in the gut and Caroline reached for him. “Ryan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean it.” But it was too late. Ryan had already turned and had disappeared into the woods. “Ryan, wait!” she called but she knew that her brother was gone.
Caroline slowly made her way back to camp, keeping her eyes on the ground the entire time. She bumped into someone in looked up in surprise when she saw Aislin’s concerned face. “What’s wrong?” asked the healer but Caroline couldn’t speak.
Aislin led the young woman into her wagon and sat her down on a low stool. “Now tell me what has happened.”
Caroline didn’t want to get into the details of her affair with Keith so she opted for a much shorter version of the story instead. “Ryan and I fought and I said some very harsh things. He ran off and I’m so afraid that he’s going to get into trouble.” She turned tear filled eyes to look at Aislin. “I know something bad is going to happen and it’s going to be all my fault.”
“Hush,” crooned the healer while wrapping her arms around the shaking young woman. “Everything will be fine. Ryan just needs to work off his anger. He’ll be back by morning, you’ll see.”
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Ryan tore through the brush, leaving his usual stealth behind in his desperation to get away from his sister. He knew that she was speaking from anger but deep down he knew she was right. He wasn’t half the king that his father was and Ryan wished that they could have switched places the night of the fire.
Once he crossed the river he forced himself to be quiet as he slipped through the woods towards their usual meeting place. To his surprise Julianne was already there and he pulled her into his arms the moment he saw her.
“What‘s wrong?” she asked. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine now that you are here,” replied Ryan before kissing her soundly.
He held Julianne for a long time before his heart slowed to normal and smiled when she ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve missed you so much,” he murmured while pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
Ryan pulled back to take his hands in hers and smiled down into the brilliant blue eyes. “How was your journey?”
They simply talked about everything and nothing for what seemed like hours, content to be with each other. Finally Ryan squeezed her hands and brought up the question that had been on both of their minds for two weeks.
“Have you made your decision?”
Julianne nodded and swallowed hard before meeting Ryan’s gaze. “I have…and I can’t run away with you.”
Ryan felt his heart break and fought to keep his emotions from flashing across his face.
The blonde sighed. “Ryan, when I’m with you I am so happy. I am loved and my world stops turning when I’m in your arms. But I have another life as well and I can’t leave that behind. My family, my friends…they would never understand. I’m sorry.”
Ryan nodded and gently caressed her cheek. “I understand. Remember what I said before you left?” Julianne nodded. “I still stand by that statement. No matter what, I will always love you.”
“Now what do we do?”
Ryan’s strong arms pulled her close and he let his cheek rest against the top of her head. “Let’s not worry about tomorrow, let’s just focus on this moment.”
The blonde let her head rest against his chest but Ryan couldn’t relax. Between Caroline’s words and Julianne’s confession he was distracted and didn’t hear the rustle in the bushes behind him.
Julianne heard the noise and lifted her head, her eyes widening. “No!” she screamed but before Ryan could turn to face his adversary the back of his head exploded in pain. The last image he saw was Julianne’s tearstained face before his world faded to black.
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