“Zephyr is a very noble and independent child,” Caspar claims, his booming voice making everyone jump.
“Thank you for your praise, sir,” Zephyr responds with a small bow.
“Then, I apologize to our hostess for my rudeness,” Sari says, joining in the polite banter. “You know, Zephyr, I play music too. I only know gypsy-style, but maybe we can play together.”
“I would like that,” the boy claims with a bright smile. “What is gypsy-style music?”
Sari scratches her head, thinking about how to describe the unique, full-body style. “Most of our music is made up on the spot when a celebration begins. You let the rhythm take over, adding your own part to the song. Typically, our music is very loud and energetic with a lot of percussion.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun,” Zephyr admits, excitedly leaning in the direction of Sari’s voice. “What instrument do you play?”
“I use tambourines, finger cymbals, and bells on my ankles and hips,” Sari proudly answers. “I like the instruments that I can play while dancing. The faster and more energetic my dancing, the better my music sounds.”
“I tried moving and playing at the same time. I got hurt and my music was terrible,” Zephyr sheepishly admits. He nervously spins his flute in his hand until Sari walks up to him.
“Don’t be sad,” she says into his ear, her voice warm and kind. “Just as you cannot play while moving, I cannot play while sitting still. I’m sure you are the better musician, anyway.”
“Thank you for your words, Lady Sari,” the boy whispers.
Sari blushes and takes a step back. “I’m not a lady. I’m just a cute, average gypsy girl named Sari.”
Alyssa and Nyx clear their throats at the same time, causing them to glare angrily at each other. The tension in the room increases to the point where Caspar, Sari, and Zephyr nervously fidget with whatever they have their hands on. Minutes pass before Alyssa turns to Caspar.
“I believe Nyx and I have private matters to discuss,” Alyssa states, an edge to her voice. “Would you be a sweetheart and give her friend a tour of the manor?”
“Are you sure it is safe to leave you alone with this woman?” the warrior worriedly asks. Nyx flips him off with her middle finger coated in fire.
“I will be perfectly fine. She wouldn’t dare hurt me,” Alyssa assures her fiancée, cracking her knuckles. “I suggest you go to your room, Zephyr. There are some things that a child should not hear.”
“Yes, Lady Goldheart.” Zephyr packs up his flute and music before scooping the sleeping squirrel into his arms. Zale snorts and whines as the boy obediently leaves the room.
Caspar looks from Nyx to Alyssa turning his attention to Sari. “I believe it is time for us to leave, gypsy girl.”
“Awww . . . I wanted to see Nyx get punched,” Sari whines, a mischievous smile across her face.
“I’m sure it won’t come to that,” Alyssa states. She smirks at Nyx, who returns the threatening expression.
“Just go with him, Sari,” Nyx demands. She can see an argument starting to form on the gypsy’s lips and quickly cuts her off. “Alyssa’s fiancée is from Bor’daruk. I’m sure you can entertain yourself with that knowledge.”
Sari glances at the muscular warrior, whose face is locked in nervous fear. He had heard stories about the promiscuity of gypsies, but thought that they were exaggerated tales. Now, with this attractive girl ogling him like a piece of meat, he wonders if he is getting in over his head. The helpless look on Alyssa’s face does nothing to put his mind at ease.
“Okay. Give me the full tour,” Sari says with a playful look in her eyes. She takes Caspar by the hand and leads him out of the room. He takes a final look at Alyssa who waves him off.
Minutes of silence pass before Alyssa decides to talk. “You just sicked a horny gypsy on my fiancée. I don’t know whether I should applaud your move or slap you across the face.”
“Your man will be fine,” the half-elf assures her. “If anything, Sari will teach him a few tricks that you will be eternally grateful for. Besides, you knew what you were getting into with him.”
Alyssa dramatically scoffs at the comment and leans back on her pile of cushions. Her arms cross her chest as she continues to size up the half-elf. When Nyx and Sari first came to her door, Alyssa expected a fight to immediately break out. Now, she can tell that Nyx is very nervous. The caster constantly refuses to make eye contact unless her temper is stoked. Alyssa grins victoriously as the girl who turned her high society debut into a brawl sits across from her, filled with fear.
Alyssa decides to twist the emotional knife. “All we’re missing is Kira and a dessert cart.”
“I can see that you remember me,” Nyx says with a half-hearted smile.
“It took me a few hours after your last visit to remember you,” the mayor admits, realizing that it is not much fun taunting the docile half-elf. “Though, who could really forget vivid, violet eyes such as yours?”
“That almost sounded like you hitting on me,” Nyx mentions with a laugh.
Alyssa smirks and smiles at the half-elf. “It was a compliment and nothing more. I am more than willing to point out a person’s beautiful features. Do you know how often your eyes were discussed among the younger nobles?”
“Not as much as my fighting and cursing, I’m sure.”
“Actually, the topics tended to go together.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Don’t be,” Alyssa advises her. “We called you the gem-eyed destroyer. Not a catchy name, but we didn’t put much effort into it. Most of us feared the day you would find out about the nickname and attack.”
“I was not that bad,” Nyx swears, her body starting to relax.
Alyssa’s laugh drifts through the air like an intoxicating scent. “You were horrible! I have friends who still wear anti-lightning shoes whenever they dance because of your debut. Then there is that nobleman from Dark Mill whose hair is still a bright pink, thanks to you. To this day, I still get nervous around strawberry pies. You were a dress-wearing demon when we were younger.”
Nyx is about to defend herself when a loud, masculine scream cuts through the air. Both women recognize Caspar’s voice and are about to rush out of the room when they hear a high-pitched shriek. More noises follow the outbursts, quickly revealing what the initial screaming was about. Nyx quickly casts a silence spell around the room, so the sounds of passion no longer disturb them.
“Those two didn’t get very far,” Alyssa whispers, her cheeks red.
Nyx chuckles pleasantly, her face equally flushed. “It sounds like they got pretty far to me.”
“You are friends with that . . . girl?” Alyssa asks, trying to regain some of her composure.
“Sari and I were friends long ago before her clan moved away from Gaia,” Nyx explains, enjoying the flustered look on Alyssa’s face. “She was a troublemaker back then, but too young to get into this type of trouble. Though, I can’t say I’m surprised by the way she turned out. Even at the age of ten, Sari had boys on the brain.”
“It must be nice to grow up in such a free environment,” Alyssa says, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
“I’m sure it has its downsides as well,” the half-elf claims nonchalantly.
Alyssa finally composes herself before blurting, “Let’s get down to business, so you can get home.”
“You mean, so I can remove my gypsy from your fiancée,” Nyx teases, her body shaking with silent laughter.
“If you value her life, you will keep her away from me for the rest of her time in Haven,” Alyssa growls, her hands gripping a cushion until her nails pop through the fabric.
“Give the girl a break, Goldheart,” Nyx says with a sigh. “The poor thing lost her entire clan and has been locked in a filthy dungeon for days. After all that, she was instrumental in rescuing Luke. I don’t think letting her take advantage of your open relationship is too much to ask for, especially since Caspar took advantage of Luke and K
ira’s open relationship.”
Alyssa eyes Nyx angrily, her teeth grinding and filling the room with a nauseating squeaking. “State your business.”
“Sari and I wanted to help with the party you’re planning,” Nyx bluntly states.
“I don’t need help,” Alyssa proudly declares. “I have been planning all types of parties since I was fifteen. A celebration throughout Haven is one of the easiest events to plan. Everyone contributes to the festivities. All I have to do is supervise and direct the set up.”
“Guess that means you don’t want Sari’s help,” Nyx whimsically retorts.
Alyssa glares at the half-elf, her ears still picking up the sounds of Sari and Caspar. “I’m going to have enough trouble talking to her after today.”
“Your mind is not leaving that topic,” Nyx says with a chuckle. “You realize that you can’t hear them anymore, right?”
“I have much better hearing than you, half-breed,” the elf mutters, helplessly staring at her lap.
“Then, we’ll talk loud,” Nyx suggests, raising her voice. “I’m going to make this quick before I’m tempted to put you to sleep. Do you have any plans for sky arts?”
“Sky artists are hard to come by around here. The closest places to find any is Gods’ Voice and Darkmill,” Alyssa admits, her voice filled with disappointment. “I couldn’t secure a contract in time.”
“I could do it,” the caster casually claims. “Sky arts are nothing more than illusions of combat spells.”
Alyssa expertly hides her happiness at the offer behind a mask of apathy. “Prove it.”
Nyx rolls up her sleeves and wiggles her fingers to loosen her joints. She begins weaving her hands through the air, changing the ceiling into the night sky with the yellow moon, Canst, above her head. An orb of silver light appears on her pointer finger, which she aims at the ceiling. A gentle screech breaks the silence as the orb launches at the false sky and explodes into a flower of rainbow light. Nyx continues to fire the silver orbs, getting more creative with each spell. Within minutes, she is sending swarms of orbs into the sky to create intricate patterns and landscapes.
“Impressive. You’re hired,” Alyssa says. Her eyes remain fixated on the fading form of a coiling serpent. “Though, I can’t pay you.”
Nyx effortlessly erases her spell with a wave of her hand. “Pay for my food and drink at the party and you have a deal.”
“I’m sure all of Luke’s traveling companions will be getting their food and drink for free,” the elf mentions with a wry smile.
“In that case, our business is done and I’ll be going,” Nyx states, getting up to leave. Alyssa swiftly grabs Nyx by the wrist, prompting the half-elf to whirl on her with a punch ready to swing.
“Do not forget your little friend,” Alyssa whispers. She nods her head in the direction that Sari and Caspar’s voices came from. The elf is thankful that she can no longer hear her fiancée and the gypsy.
“Calm down, princess. I’ll take the bad, slutty gypsy out of your home,” Nyx teases, patting Alyssa on the arm. “I’m guessing you haven’t taken advantage of your situation and played around.”
“I considered it, but it didn’t feel right,” Alyssa declares, letting go of Nyx’s wrist. “Besides, the only other man that I would consider sleeping with has no interest in me.”
“You tried to seduce Luke and failed, huh?”
“I didn’t say it was Luke!”
“You are a horrible liar.”
“If I wanted to have Luke then I could have had him.”
“Then, go to town and get him.”
Alyssa blushes instantly and stomps her foot in anger. “Why am I having such a disgusting argument with you? I’m not some tavern wench like you. I pity the men you have been with.”
“All zero of them,” Nyx says, flashing a wide, proud grin. “I’ve been far too busy training to waste too much time on boys. Flirting is fun, but everything else is just so complicated and time-consuming. Honestly, I have no idea how people like you and Sari get anything accomplished when you’re so busy dealing with men. It’s easier to go about your life and let your chosen guy sweep you off your feet when the time is right.”
“I can’t tell if you’re a romantic, a lesbian, or some non-sexual thing,” the mayor mutters, eyeing the half-elf curiously.
“I’m just busy,” Nyx snaps. She turns on her heel and starts walking toward the door. “I’ll collect my pet gypsy and be on my way. Try to sleep well, Goldheart.”
Alyssa smirks at the half-elf and waves her away. “Rest up for the party, Nyx.”
Nyx waves back before entering the hallway and following a path of discarded clothing. She makes sure to pick up everything that looks like it came off of Sari including several daggers and a cloth pouch of candies. Nyx is about to knock on the door that she found Sari’s left boot in front of when the door creaks open. The gypsy, covered in what Nyx assumes is a curtain, stops in her tracks and gives her friend a lazy smile.
“I really needed that,” Sari whispers in a hoarse, weak voice.
Without a word, Nyx shoves the pile of clothes into Sari’s arms and grabs her makeshift dress. Ignoring the gypsy’s pleas to get dressed, Nyx drags her down the hallway. At first, it’s an awkward battle as Sari tries to get her boots on while hopping behind Nyx, who is pulling with such force that the curtain begins to tear. Once her boots are on, Sari slips out of the curtain to get fully dressed. Nyx keeps her back to the gypsy while they continue to make their way out of the manor. As they pass the room that Nyx left Alyssa in, they hear a low, muffled growl as if someone is being suffocated.
“Should we make sure she’s okay?” Sari asks. She takes a step toward the door, but Nyx quickly grabs her by the hair.
“Go in there and she will kill you,” Nyx sternly warns her.
“Would it help if I told her that he kept yelling her name?” Sari innocently asks.
A loud shriek erupts from the room, causing Nyx and Sari to sprint out of the manor and into the inviting, shadowy woods. The faint sound of furniture and dishes being broken can still be heard until the manor disappears into the forest behind the retreating women.
17
Luke quietly follows his new teacher through the forest, eventually finding himself in an area that he doesn’t recognize. He looks back and realizes that he can’t remember the path that they took. He was so busy concentrating on the mysterious Lord Perrin that he didn’t pay attention to his surroundings. Until today, Luke had never seen anyone move with such speed and silence. The few twigs that he saw her step on remained intact and she left no tracks, even in fresh mud. Lord Perrin finally stops in a clearing where a large, hollowed stump sits in the middle of a grove of thorn bushes. Luke stops at the edge of the grove while Perrin casually walks through the dangerous plants. She hops onto the edge of the stump and takes a drink from the rainwater that has collected in its gaping core.
“You have questions,” she declares.
“You have answers?” Luke quips with a grin.
“No need to be evasive with me. We are here to earn each other’s trust and share our secrets,” Perrin calmly states. “After all, I gain nothing by revealing your gifts to others. Betraying you would be equivalent to betraying Uli herself.”
Luke curiously eyes the woman. “You tell me about your gifts and then you can have my trust.”
“Do you really mean that?”
“Yes.”
“I had a feeling that you would be an easy one to win over.”
“What made you think that?”
“Your eyes are very kind and warm. They lack a layer of paranoia and distrust that many have in this world,” Perrin answers with an approving stare. “Even after betrayals and losses, you believe that there is good in the people that you meet. At least, those who do not attack you right away or threaten your friends.”
“Are we here to discuss my ability to trust people?” the half-elf impatiently asks. “I thought you were suppo
sed to show me what I can do.”
“I am simply trying to get to know you. It will help me get an idea of what you might be capable of. Your personality and history are crucial factors when Uli grants you your gifts,” Perrin explains, scratching behind her remaining ear. “Remember, I only have a day to work with you before I return to my travels. To get the most out of our time, you should tell me everything that is on your mind.”
“So, you think you’re a man in a woman’s body? I’m guessing that is why you take the form of a male wolf,” Luke says before he can stop himself.
Luke isn’t entirely surprised when Perrin leaps off the stump, easily clearing the thorn bush grove. The shock comes when she puts her hand on his head, flips over him, and kicks him at the thorn bushes. Luke struggles to keep his balance, but a swift kick to his ankles sweeps him off his feet. He feels a strong, open hand against his back, knocking him down. All of the wind goes out of his lungs as he hits the ground and bounces.
“I can remove warning sense from the list,” Perrin claims, planting a foot on Luke’s back.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult you,” Luke apologizes, feeling Lord Perrin lift her foot and rolling onto his back. “I’m guessing your wolf form comes from your tenacity, Lord Perrin.”
Perrin lets him stand and quietly sits at his feet. “First, I should explain that he was not a standard wolf. My friend was an elder Highcrest Wolf, which is a rare and magical breed that survived the Great Cataclysm. They live in the wildest regions of Windemere, known only to scholars and two forest trackers besides myself. You will probably die without ever seeing one in the wild.”
“Your wolf form was a real animal?” Luke asks, confused and curious.
“I was killed by the wolf whose form I took,” Lord Perrin answers bluntly. She looks to the sky wistfully, taking a deep, shuddering breath. “His pack was killed by a band of giltris, forcing him to leave his ancestral home. By the time I came across him, he was alone and starving. At the end of his strength, the wolf attacked me even though I was obviously stronger than him. I was surprised, which allowed the wolf to pin me to the ground. It would have been easy to gut him, but I saw something in his eyes. I saw a level of sadness and a despair that I had never seen in a wild animal before. The wolf had attacked me out of desperate survival. So, I let the wolf devour me.”
Legends of Windemere: 03 - Allure of the Gypsies Page 39
