eth tended to Kat's wounds and she allowed him without arguement. When his fingers brushed her skin she felt a shiver. She remembered how they had fought side by side, how he had loved the Princess as much as she. He had been made Lord by the Princess. Kat sighed.
"There is something on your mind, and don't get me wrong but even though I am glad that the weavers have had us cross paths again. It does however raise some questions, none to pleasant. But we shall put that aside for now. You said you had a Canan with you."
"Jade, yes, I believe she is one, as have many of those she has treated in the villages."
"It has been many a year since a Canan has walked amongst us. First you come back from the dead and you bring with you a Canan."
"I guess I should tell you what happened." Kat said.
When Seth nodded Kat sat with her legs crossed and took a deep breath. She told of the journey accross the sea, the death of their princess, how Kat had fought only to be thrown overboard. How she had woken up in a different land full of sun and cared for by Jade and her family. Told of how they had sworn to help her get revenge on the Uncle and his wife. How the village had been raided. How Erick, Marc, Jade and Darryl with nothing left and despite the next village offering them home they had chosen to continue the journey with Kat. When she finished she waited patiently for Seth to say something, allowing what she had said to sink in.
"I had always suspected the death of the princess as fake. The story that was feed to the masses far different than that you have told. Now they sit upon the thrown. Something has to be done. You have my help."
"Thank you Seth."
Darryl had helped the healer treat Jade's wounds much to the healers surprise. Much to Darryl's surprise was the reverence that she treated Jade with. He had corrected her three times telling her that Jade was Jade not Canan. The wounds weren't bad. Only one broken rib and bruising outlining two hooves. Erick peered into the tent when the healer walked out.
"How is she?"
"She will be fine after a few days rest, she broke a rib though."
"That will take a while to heal. I once had three broken ribs."
"How are you and Marc."
"We have been looked after well. Marc has gone to check over the horse and then look for Kat. The have set up a tent for us but told me that you could stay here with Jade."
"She was just trying to calm the horse, I should never have let her get of the wagon."
"She would have done it even if you told her not to, you know that."
"She would to wouldn't she?"
Erick nodded and then left Darryl alone with Jade.
"What is a canan?" Marc asked Kat, cornering her against the storage caravan.
"It doesn't translate."
"What is it, Kat?"
"It's... like a priest. Sort of."
"Explain."
"Alright. You had training with horses, right?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Do you want me to explain or not?"
"Sorry. Yes, I did."
"And I'm sure you saw what happened when they got injured."
"Yes. Often it was kinder to put them out of their misery. Even a healable wound would cripple them sometimes."
"With horses, you have to heal the inside as well as the outside."
"Yes, our company healer said that often."
"With the mountain people, it's the same. When someone gets wounded, the inside and the outside both need to be healed. Your mother did that, and so does Jade."
"The aura thing."
"Exactly."
"Priests don't do that."
"Some do. You have the Canan separated into two people - healers for the outside, priests for the inside. Jade is both, in one."
"And this is a good thing?"
"At times."
"Why didn't you tell us what it meant then?"
"Because some times isn't at all times."
"When isn't it a good thing?"
"When everyone knows."
"I don't understand."
"I know you don't."
"Then explain to me! What is wrong with her being a canan?"
"Tell me, Marc. What do your people to do things they don't understand? To people like the gypsies?"
"Gypsies are thieves."
"Some are, some aren't, just like everyone else. They have their drabarni."
"Their witch, you mean."
"Their witch, then. Drabarni. What do you do to her when you find her."
"I?"
"Your church."
"It isn't my church."
"The church of your country, then."
"She is evil. She gets burned at the stake."
"Do you know what the drabarni does?"
"She's a witch!"
"She tells fortunes if you cross her palm with silver," Kat shrugged. "But her main role within the Kumpania is the healer. She heals you body and soul."
"All the better then. If she can't heal them, they won't be thieving so much."
"And where, exactly, is it that you see the difference between what the drabarni does, and what Jade does?"
"Jade is good, pure. The gypsies are evil, thieves."
Kat looked at him, pityingly.
"Do you really believe that?"
"It is as I was taught."
"Let's hope that we don't run into any townsfolk then."
"Why?"
"They were taught like you."
Kat ducked under Marc's arm and strode away.
He darted after her, and grasped her arm roughly.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he demanded.
One of the guards looked over, placing his hand on his sword. Kat waved her free hand at him, and looked at Marc.
"It's quite simple, Marc. If any of the townsfolk find out that she's a Canan, not just a normal healer, they'll kill her."
"They'll burn her at the stake, like the witches?"
"No, we're far more barbaric than you, didn't you know that?"
"What will happen?"
"She'll be fed to the wolves and trolls."
"You look worried," Seth said, quietly.
"I have been talking to Kat," Marc replied, haltingly.
"I speak your tongue also," Seth told Marc. "Kat and I were taught together."
"She never mentioned you."
"No, I don't imagine that she would have. She probably blames me for not being there."
"Why weren't you there?"
"That isn't any of your business."
"Right."
"So what was it that has you so worried?"
"Kat said the townsfolk will kill Jade if they find out she's a healer."
"No, you misunderstand. Healers are revered. The Canan are feared."
"So why did Kat tell you what she was? She didn't know who you were."
"Yes, she did."
"That's impossible."
"Are you so blind?"
"Hey!"
Seth laughed.
"I mean no offence. But do you truly believe that she didn't know who we were the moment she heard our call?"
"I suppose it could have been some secret symbol."
Seth laughed again.
"That has little to do with it. I expect Kat told you of her life with the Kralisi?"
"The what?"
"The... princess."
"Yes."
"What did she tell you of her life before the princess?"
Marc thought.
"She was born in the mountains, and her people were warriors. She was trained in weapons early, and was raised by her tribe. Then they were all wiped out, but she escaped and met the princess."
"Fairly accurate, as it goes. Her Vitsa was destroyed, she ran away and was captured, but her life was spared when she saved the princess from a troll cub."
"Yes, she said that."
"Very well. A couple of years later, the princess spared my life, at Kat's insistence."
"Why?"
"I am a handsome man, do you not think?"
Marc simply glared, and Seth laughed again.
"I am Romani. She recognised that within me, and asked the princess to spare me. And so I joined them. I think I reminded her of her Prala."
"Romani? Prala?"
"Prala means brother. Her brother was killed when her Kumpania was destroyed. I believe you call us gypsy."
"Bro?"
"Leave me alone, Erick."
"Why?"
"I want to die."
"Why?"
"I made a huge mistake."
"What did you do?"
"Kat."
"You did Kat?"
"No. I insulted her."
"That was stupid."
"You're telling me. Not just her. I insulted her and all her people. Did you know she's a gypsy?"
"That's what I was coming to tell you. They're holding some sort of ceremony tonight, and we're invited."
"What for?"
"I gathered that they mourned her loss, and now they are welcoming the return of one of their children."
"I think I'll just go to bed."
"That would be an insult to our hosts."
"I've already done that."
"Don't be an idiot. You think Kat's going to forgive you if you just stand out here wallowing in self-pity? You need to apologise to her."
"You're right. Okay. I'll come in."
"Where's Kat?" Marc asked one of the guards.
"The Rani is preparing for the ceremony."
"Where's Seth?"
"The Rai is also preparing."
"So how did you meet Kat?"
"She saved my life."
"How?"
"She convinced the Kralisi to spare me."
"I've heard this story before."
"There are many of us whom she saved."
"How many?"
"All of us."
"How are you?"
"Where's Darryl?"
"Getting some food. How are you feeling?"
"Sore. What happened?"
"The horse kicked you. We're safe now."
"Where's Marc?"
"Sulking."
"Huh?"
"He insulted Kat, and she's spent all afternoon in the caravan of the Rai."
"The what?"
"The Lord, who saved us this morning. They call him the Rai."
"Oh."
"Confused?"
"Hopelessly. Can I get up?"
"If you feel up to it."
"I need the bathroom."
"I'll go and find Darryl then."
Kat entered the tent shortly after Erick left, and sat on a crate to tell Jade what was happening.
"Seth is going to help us," Kat told her, twisting the end of her hair around her fingers. "The Romani are allowed in and out of the city all the time, so we shouldn't have any hassle at the gates, other than the usual cursory search."
"You look different," Jade said.
Kat looked down at her outfit.
"Traditional dress. It's for the ceremony tonight."
"Ceremony?"
"Seth and the rest of the group thought I was dead. They mourned me. Now I have returned, very much alive. I need to be welcomed back, so to speak, and one needs to look the part."
"It seems more than that."
"I guess it is. It's different. I've never worn the clothes of a Romani woman before."
"Why not?"
"I was eight when my people were slaughtered. Still a child, despite my training and skill with weapons. And all of this... this was only used for special occasions within my Vitsa. I never had the chance to wear the ceremonial wear, and it's been a long time since I was somewhere traditional dress wouldn't make me stand out - what is your phrase? Like a sore thumb?"
"That's it," smiled Jade. "You look wonderful."
"I'm glad you think so, because once you're up and about, you'll be wearing something similar."
"You mean back on my homeland? Yes."
"That's not what I meant. Are you happy to be with your own kind, the Romani?"
"I suppose so. It's different, like I said before. Seth and the others are the closest thing to family I have now, but it's very different to how things are supposed to be. Sometimes it seems that nothing in my life is going to go the way it was supposed to."
"We were a simple people at home. We didn't over complicate things and we were happy. We knew there were differences. Mum believed in a God and Godess, Dad believed in just a God. They both taught me however to never just take things for face value. When you came to our village Kat, you were definatly different, and in more ways than just your pale skin. However I was taught not to judge and even though I hadn't seen as much as the world as Erick and Marc it didn't matter to me. Granted some of your views, well I don't agree with them but that is your way and who am I to say it is right or wrong. I may never have left the village but I wasn't that sheltered, even if Marc and Erick do try and protect me from what they think I won't understand."
"That's fairly insightful Jade."
"Thank you, I think I got it from my father, he was very observant. Speaking of observations, you are going to have to do something about Erick and Marc. Sooner or later you are going to have to make a choice, and that someone will get hurt no matter what you choose."
"Darryl is a lucky man."
"Thank you."
Jade smiled and Kat left the tent. Darryl came in shortly with some food and told her about the party that night. Jade smiled at him and allow him to gently hold her and kiss her.
"I found out what Canan means." He said. He helped her gently to sit and they chatted as they ate.
Kat went to Seth's tent and sat down. He understood and poured her a drink and then one for himself. They drank in silence.
"She accepted it."
"And that surprises you?"
"No, yes. I don't know. I guess it shouldn't, but I didn't really believe she was Canan for ages, because it had been so long. There are so many hard choices."
"Yes, but you are strong Kat, in more ways the one. You are home."
"Yes but at what cost."
***
Before it had even gotten dark the music had started. Darryl had helped Jade get dressed and they had headed out the tent together. Erick was just outside and they walked together towards the huge bonfire. A healer gave both Darryl and Erick a bad look and lectured them as she guided Jade to a chair. Erick asked Darryl about Jade's recovery and was admitingly a little surprised. She was healing a little faster than he expected but said nothing. Soon the bonfire was crowded as everyone appeared. There was dancing, singing, and much rejoicing. Seth soon appeared with Kat in tow. He spoke briefly and then there was a huge cheer. Erick got swirled up in the dancing and Darryl sat with Jade.
"You look lovely." Jade blushed as Darryl reached over and brushed some hair off her face. "I mean it. You have always been the sexiest women in the village."
"Now I know you are biased." Jade said laughing and then instantly regreted it as she clutched her sore side. Darryl's face burrowed in concern.
"Look, there is Erick dancing with Kat."
"And Marc coming up to greet them both."
"I think you're right. Marc is looking disappointed."
"Where is she?"
The healer standing beside them looked down.
"You are looking for the Rani?"
"Who?"
"The Lady?"
"Kat? The one who came with us."
The healer nodded.
"The Rani is dancing with the Rai."
The healer pointed, and Jade could just make out Kat and Seth, dancing on the far side of the fire.
"There's a possibility I didn't consider," Jade muttered to Darryl. "When I told her she'd have to pick either Marc or Erick, I didn't consider she might pick someone else."
"You said what?"
Jade repeated to him the conversation she'd had with Kat earlier that afternoon.
"You said what?"
Jade tipped her head back carefully, and looked up at her brother.
She hadn't heard him come up behind her.
"Hi, Marc."
"Christ, Jade, don't do me any favours, will you?"
Jade watched as Marc stalked into the darkness.
"What did I do wrong?" Jade asked, bewildered.
"Marc insulted Kat this morning."
"Yes, I knew that."
"Well, I would guess that he's thinking that she's pretty unlikely to choose to sleep with him tonight, given their argument, and now that you've given Kat an "either or" ultimatum, he's likely to loose out."
"Oh. I hadn't thought of that."
"Never mind. They're all grown ups, they can sort out their own love lives."
"I think I need to go to bed now."
"Alright."
Darryl and the Healer helped Jade back to the healing tent, and she lay down with a sigh of relief. The others left, and Jade stared up into the darkness, listening to the music until she drifted into sleep.
"Did she spend the night with you?" Marc asked Erick.
"Not last night," Erick replied. "Why?"
Marc related Jade's ultimatum, and Erick shook his head. "Kat will make up her own mind. I doubt that Jade's chat will do anything to alter that. Though, if what you say about her understanding the stress-relief-fucking is true, we may be in with a chance."
"Who'd dare hope?" Marc laughed, greatly relieved.
"Did you apologise to her?"
"Last night. She shrugged it off, saying it didn't matter and she was used to it. I have a bad feeling I'll have to do something like save Seth's life before she believes I was just relating how we were raised, not how I actually feel."
"It's a start."
"What are we doing today?"
"Kat, Seth, you, me, and a couple of other gypsies are going for a ride towards the castle, to plan out our route."
"That explains the clothes we're in. Darryl?"
"Will be staying here with Jade. She isn't well enough to travel, and some of the gypsies are making up a bed for her in one of the caravans. She won't be able to sit on the wagon without pain for a couple of weeks, apparently the caravans are more comfortable to travel in."
"Fair enough. When are we leaving?"
"As soon as the others get here."
Kat and Seth walked towards the horses together. They wore matching dark brown leather trousers and boots. Seth wore a bright red elaborate shirt, and Kat wore a matching red satin brocade vest-bodice. Erick instantly saw the similarities between the vest and the leather bodice Kat had been wearing when they found her.
"What happened to the skirts, shirts and beads of last night?" Erick smiled.
"Special occasion," Kat shrugged. "I'm not going to start wearing them as a matter of course though. I'm a warrior first and foremost. The Kumpania may want me to be more than that, but I am always thus first."
Kat and Seth exchanged glances - it was obviously something they'd been discussing at length.
"Let's get moving."
Kat mounted, and was followed quickly by the five men. Seth called something in Romani, and the horses moved out, away from the camp.
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These stories contain material not suitable for children. We recommend that mature audiences only (18+) read these stories.