After walking along the eastern road for a while, they approached the gypsy camp. Five or six large home-like wagons, decorated in colorful draperies and advertisement signs, formed a circle around the gathering place, while other smaller carts were hitched outside of the circle. Horses, donkeys and mules grazed in their own little makeshift corral with children laughing and chasing each other around the campsite. Elder gypsies and adults were all walking around inside the gathering place, cleaning up the meals and stowing away all their belongings before they would set out again.
Upon Tasha and Nate’s appearance onto the campsite, everyone was in an uproar. Apparently they all recognized Nate and were happy to see him again. Kiara fell behind a considerable distance to observe the different reactions. Some adults were overjoyed, as Tasha was at first. Others squinted their eyes suspiciously at him, obviously wondering why he had come back after such a mysterious disappearance. The rest were a mix of both, but didn’t seem to care either way.
Tasha seemed proud to show him off, but Nate was only nodding and passing out weak smiles to her friends and relatives. It was clear that he didn’t want to be there.
Kiara lingered between two wagons, sulking in the shadows with her arms folded over her chest bitterly. She hated this with every ounce of her being. She wanted to hate Tasha and her whole family for being so close to Nate. Kiara smirked as she imagined herself strangling Tasha in her sleep after stealing Nate’s supplies.
From out of nowhere, Kiara was startled by a voice from behind her.
“And just who might you be?” the deep voice asked her, just an inch or two from her ear. Kiara shrieked, jumped away from the source of the voice and looked behind to see who it belonged to.
There stood a tall, broad, muscular man that looked much like Nate - except more muscular. A black curly mop that looked as wild and untamed as his dark brown eyes covered his head. A thin layer of black hair covered his entire jaw, chin and curving around his mouth. He looked rugged and dangerous in his dark green tunic that looked far too small for him, and a pair of baggy, black trousers, tied with a leather belt that was worn very loose around his waist.
He gave a toothy grin, which frightened Kiara out of her wits. She didn’t trust anyone here, so she ran to Nate’s empty side and cleaved to his free arm like a scared child, her eyes never leaving the subject of her fear.
Nate noticed this and turned around sharply, almost throwing Tasha off of his other arm to see what was the matter. He looked up to the strange man who kept walking forward to enter the crowd, but they didn’t seem the least disturbed by his intrusion.
“Oh, hello, Ian. This is Nathan, do you remember him from a few years ago?” Tasha said cheerfully, leaving Nate’s side to join the man. Kiara half hid herself behind Nate’s arm as Ian’s hungry gaze was focused on her instead of the other two.
“Yes, I believe I remember him. But, who is this charming young woman with him?” Ian asked, only taking a second to glance at Nate, who was standing up taller and puffing out his chest a bit as if Ian was about to trespass on his property.
“She’s Kyra. They’re traveling together towards the east. I invited them to ride with us for a day or two,” Tasha explained with an unwavering smile.
Kiara quivered and held Nate’s arm tighter, completely forgetting that she was angry with him. Right now, he was her body guard from the monster that took two threatening steps forward, sizing her up like she was his next meal.
“Oh... Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Kyra. I hope we can become better acquainted while you’re staying with us.” Ian took a deep, gentlemanlike bow to the lady and rose with a more comforting smirk. Kiara wasn’t willing to be as courteous, so she only nodded her head to acknowledge him.
“Kyra, this is my brother, Ian,” Tasha said, stepping up closer in a way to be the peacemaker. “I assure you, he doesn’t bite.”
Kiara wasn’t sure about that. His eyes were cold, but not as captivating as Nate’s were. This whole time, Nate didn’t so much as look down at Kiara. He only eyed Ian with suspicion and caution. It was like he could understand why she was so scared.
“We’ll be moving out in a few moments. My cart is already packed up. Perhaps, you would like to ride with me for the remainder of the afternoon, Miss Kyra? That way, you may know that I really don’t bite.” Ian placed his hands behind his back in a cordially manner. Kiara didn’t want to and she felt like screaming in his face how she perceived him, then running off into the woods - backpack or not - just to get away from him.
But, upon looking up to Nate, who was looking down at her with a mixture of hope and fear in his eyes, she realized this might have been her chance for real payback. It was obvious that Nate didn’t trust, nor like Ian, so riding with the gypsy would be an excellent way to make Nate as jealous about Ian, as Kiara was towards Tasha.
So, Kiara nervously let go of Nate, stepped away and took a deep breath to say some brave words. “It would be my pleasure to ride with you.”
And with that, Ian grinned and quickly took Kiara’s arm in his to replace Nate and led her outside of the circle towards his cart, leaving a confused and hurting Nate behind to deal with Tasha.
Once the wagon train was underway, Kiara realized it wasn’t so bad riding in that cart. She didn’t particularly enjoy his company, but it was much better than walking and the ride was slightly smoother than her morning in the Forger wagon. She sat beside Ian at the driver’s seat, staring out over the land, trying to ignore her fears and apprehensions about this drive.
Nate was riding his own horse that Tasha had loaned him, while she sat with her family in one of the decorated wagons that was leading the caravan towards the east. Tasha had personally requested that Nate stay close to her wagon so that they could talk about something important, but he wouldn’t allow her that opportunity. Instead, he rode behind Ian’s cart and kept a close eye on him and Kiara.
“So, where are you from?” Ian asked, his voice fluctuating as if he were asking something more suggestive.
“Uh…” Kiara tried to think of a town in her father’s kingdom besides Aleph. “I’m from Daleth.”
“Really? I’ve never heard of that place.”
“It’s in Malcolm’s territory. I’m sure you never travel there too often.”
“You’re right,” Ian said thoughtfully. “But, maybe I could come and visit you sometime?”
Kiara gave an awkward glance in his direction, but seeing that he was staring at her, she turned away quickly. “You’d have to take that up with whoever leads this band, I suppose.”
“Oh, it would have been my father, but he died last year, so my uncle is leading us now,” he remarked with almost no feeling in his voice, as if he didn’t feel any sadness over his father’s passing. Kiara wondered if Nate knew of the man’s death and that it would mean more freedom to break up with Tasha. She shook the idea out of her head. She was sure that Nate wouldn’t want to do a thing like that anyway.
“So,” Ian began, stretching out his arm and resting it on the back of the bench on Kiara’s side, making it more convenient if he chose to wrap his arm around her shoulder. “What got you mixed up with that low-life Nathan?”
“He’s not a low-life!” Kiara snapped back, scooting a little farther away from him with a scowl. “He’s a good man… I was lost in Deceiver’s territory and I wanted to get home, so I’m paying him to guide me back to Daleth.” Kiara sat up very proudly and stared out in front of the two mules pulling the cart.
Ian scoffed. “Good man, eh? You think him leaving my sister was being a good man? She was crying for weeks.”
“Nate probably had his reasons. From what I’ve seen of him, he’s very loyal.”
Kiara wasn’t sure how accurate that statement was, but she was sure that Nate really was a good person underneath his entire rough exterior. Ian maybe was good under his own intimidating appearance, but Kiara wasn’t positive of that. She knew, without a doubt, that Nate had a good soul.
>
Three hours and many cumbersome conversations later - which ranged from the weather, to archery, to different horror stories about bears mauling some of his family members and to the different cultish crafts that gypsies practiced - the group all finally stopped and made camp for the night. As before, they circled their wagons and built a large bonfire in the middle, where they were planning to roast a boar they were about to go out to hunt. Ian said it wouldn’t take more than half an hour, but Kiara wished it would take longer.
As the sun began to set, Kiara, Nate, Ian and Tasha all set up their beds for the night. Tasha and Nate were going to sleep in one of wagons, while Ian volunteered to sleep outside with Kiara. When she heard that Nate would be sleeping with Tasha, Kiara’s heart was trampled upon again. She knew what would happen that night and she felt like dying. Even if she somehow got away with Nate’s belongings, it would involve barging in on them, which Kiara was unwilling to do. And even if she did get the sack by some miracle without breaking her heart further, running away from the situation seemed that it would hurt even more. This day was turning out to be the worst of her life.
Nate didn’t appear thrilled about the idea of sleeping in the same wagon as Tasha, but he didn’t oppose to the idea either, which was even more gut wrenching.
When Ian was about to go off with the men to boar hunt, he brought Kiara over to a shadowy spot to tell her goodbye.
“I’ll be back in a little while. But, can you give me something before I go?” he asked with a wicked smile spread across his lips. Kiara wrapped her arms around her stomach and shuddered to think of what that favor could be. But, knowing that Nate was not too far away with Tasha, watching the whole affair, she was willing to do anything to get his attention.
“Sure. What?”
Without even answering her question, Ian leaned forward and their lips almost touched. But, before they could, Nate ran over to the scene and pulled Kiara out of the way before anything could happen.
“Kyra, did you know that Tasha’s grandmother can tell the future? Come on, let’s go get our fortunes told,” he said invitingly, dragging her away with his arm around her waist towards the center of the circle where the fire was.
Ian looked on in confusion, but was forced to answer the calls of the other men who were waiting for him. Kiara was more than thankful to have been rescued from Ian, but when she realized where Nate’s arm was, she instinctively pushed him away coldly.
“Don’t touch me, you pig!” she whispered harshly.
Nate stopped and stared at her in surprise, confused what those mean words were for. Didn’t he just save her from an experience she would come to regret? Kiara only glared back at him with as much anger and hostility that she had in her.
“What’s your problem?” Nate asked, taking one step forward. In return, Kiara took one step back.
“Oh, Nathan! I need to talk to you. Right now. Please?” Tasha came up, putting a hand on his arm, oblivious to the fact he was already engaged in a conversation.
“No, not right now. In a minute. Me and Kyra need to talk.” Nate shook her hand off, but when she pleaded even more earnestly, he just ignored her. He took Kiara by the arm and pulled her away towards one wagon that was clothed in bright orange draperies with a big exotic sign over its top reading: Fortune Telling.
Kiara looked over her shoulder to the distressed Tasha that was standing back at the fire, watching the two walk away.
“You need to go talk to her. I think it’s important,” Kiara mumbled as Nate rapped on the wagon’s front door.
“Whatever it is can wait. Ian is still watching from his horse over there. And besides, don’t you want to know what your future holds?” Nate said amusedly, like he really didn’t care about this whole situation at all.
The door of the wagon opened to reveal a small, old woman. She was dressed in heavy orange cloth, hoop earrings dangling from her ear lobes, clinging jewelry that hung from her forehead and hips. For a grandmother, she didn’t seem too old, but old enough to have quite a few wrinkles in her dark skin. She looked friendly and obliging, definitely the grandmotherly type with long salt and pepper hair and light brown, wise eyes.
“Hello, Nathan. What can I do for you?” she asked, hardly paying any attention to Kiara.
“We’d like to have our fortunes told, if that won’t be too inconvenient for you,” Nate replied kindly, still holding Kiara’s arm firmly in his strong hand.
“Of course, deary! Come on in,” she said, moving to let them through into the cramped little wagon. Inside, there was hardly room to move around. The walls of the wagon were lined with shelves that were packed with jars, some labeled and some not. In the middle of the room was a table with three chairs around it and a crystal ball sitting on the tabletop. Hanging from the ceiling in a far corner was a large hammock and the only source of light came in from the two windows on either side of the table and a few candles that had probably just been lit.
The old woman, Lady Jasmine was her name, walked over to a little trunk on the far side of the room and knelt down to rummage through its contents. Nate shut the door behind Kiara and peered around inside the wagon as she did. It was surprisingly dark, but at the same time, kind of cozy. Nate led her over to the table and pulled out the chair for her to sit down. Not wishing to start a fight in the presence of Lady Jasmine, Kiara sat down and only shot a threatening glance to Nate. He hardly noticed and sat down beside her.
“So, what is it exactly that you wish to know? Love? Money? Property?” Lady Jasmine asked from her place on the floor with her back turned to them.
“Just the general, I suppose. What are you looking for?” Nate asked.
“My tarot cards. I know they’re here someplace… Aha! Here they are.” Lady Jasmine stood up with a few popping joints and made her way back over to the table with a little box between her boney hands.
She sat down and opened the box out on the table to show long cards with the picture of a sun and conjoined moon on their backsides. Lady Jasmine wouldn’t let them see the faces of the cards as she shuffled and mumbled some mystic chant over them. Kiara then thought about something disturbing. What if this woman discovers that Kiara is really a princess? She wasn’t too sure how trustworthy gypsies could be, so she tugged on Nate’s sleeve to get his attention.
“I think we need to get out of here,” Kiara whispered in Nate’s ear.
“Don’t worry. This won’t take too long. You’ll be back in time to welcome Ian from his hunting trip.”
Kiara looked to Nate with such surprising distain, but he only shook his head and turned his attention back to the cards. Did he mean what he said or was that some clever come back for all the embittered comments Kiara had been making all day?
“Now, let’s start with you, Nathan,” Lady Jasmine said anxiously as if this was her first fortune telling opportunity in quite a while. “This first pile will be your past, the second your present, and the third is your future.
She split the cards into three piles, shuffled them again and drew the first card out of the first deck. She laid it face up to reveal a grey, fairytale castle against a clear blue sky. Nate watched the cards carefully as she drew the next. It was a red velvet throne with a crown and scepter sitting on its seat. Kiara eyed the cards curiously, hoping that Lady Jasmine would explain this. The next card was a bright red heart.
“My dear Nathan. This particular combination means that you are truly a part of royalty, both on paper and in the heart. This may not be evident to you now, but in time, all things will be unveiled,” Lady Jasmine said in a kind, caring voice. Kiara pondered these things closely. How could Nate be of royalty? He was the son of a blacksmith, not a king, not even a duke.
She moved to the next pile, leaving the other three in their place. She set down the next three cards. One depicted a solitary wolf, howling to the moon. The next was a long and dreary looking road. The last was a tortoise with a huge green shell.
“You’re like a lone wolf.
You refuse to settle down, even though you want to. Your life has taken you through many twists and turns, and that makes you scared to grow attached to anyone. You want a place to call your own, but everything you carry on your back is home. You’re growing tired of this lifestyle. Don’t worry, it won’t be like this forever.” Lady Jasmine patted Nate’s arm caringly with an encouraging smile, then moved onto the next pile. Kiara looked up to him and stared, wondering what could possibly be going on inside that man’s head.
The next pile revealed something even more disturbing. The first card was a suit of shiny, silver armor. The next depicted a sword. And the last showed a vicious battlefield. Lady Jasmine sat back, staring at the cards tiredly, deep in thought. Nate seemed anxious for the interpretation.
“What is it?” he asked.
“You will be a great leader in troubled times. You’ll be extremely important during an influential battle that is not too far away in the future. You will fight valiantly and even encourage others to fight more bravely… However,” Lady Jasmine took a deep breath, “… unless something or someone intervenes, you will die by the sword.”
Kiara felt like crying. Her hand flew up to cover her pursed lips. She glanced from the cards to Nate’s disheartened face, hoping this was all false. Nate die? Unthinkable! The man is too strong for death, this couldn’t be right.
Lady Jasmine replaced all the cards and shuffled all three decks together to begin the process over again. Kiara didn’t want to know how her story would end. She’d rather it stay a mystery. But, Nate was too determined on keeping Kiara out of sight from Ian and Tasha that he was reluctant to leave anytime soon.
“Now, what did you say your name was again, dear?” Lady Jasmine asked Kiara.
“Kyra, ma’am.”
“Ok, Kyra. Here is your past, present and future.” Lady Jasmine placed out the piles and set out the first three cards to represent her past.
The first was a hyper jackrabbit, pouncing through a field. The next was a friendly, playful otter swimming in a stream. And the last: a chipper blue bird singing on its perch. This seemed hopeful and Kiara couldn’t help but crack a bit of a smile for the first time since early that morning.
The Princess and Her Rogue Page 24