A chill swept over Gigi as she hurriedly pulled on her trousers and tucked in her loose shirt. She lifted a dark blue cloak and wrapped it about her. Gathering up her saddle bag, she stepped from the tent. Silence lay over the camp like the gray mist that covered the ground. Water droplets clung to Gigi's hair and caressed her face.
A horse stood tethered to the small tree, clouds of steam burst from its nostrils. A blanket laid over its back. Gigi moved to it and added her bag to the bundles already attached. The sound of muffled treads reached her before a figure emerged from the dimness.
"You're really going?" Huck asked.
Gigi didn't look at him as she tightened the saddle bag.
"Yes."
"Why?"
She turned to him, pulling her cloak around her, warding off the morning chill. His clothes were disheveled and his hair looked as if it had seen battle.
"Because I want the chance to see if it's a life I would have chosen, if I had had the choice."
Huck crossed his arms, frowning.
"How could it be? You've seen the type of people they are. They are vile and uncaring."
"Huck. I just want to see. I'm coming back."
They stared at her each other, Huck's look tinted with worry.
"Are you sure about that?" he asked.
A smile flickered across Gigi's face as she playfully batted his arm.
"I'm a vagabond, remember? They won't see beyond that. Their life will never be mine."
Huck nodded, even as the worry took up permanent residence in his eyes.
"Come back, alright?"
Gigi gave him a warm smile as her mother and father stepped from their tent. Quinn had his arm protectively wrapped about Annaleigh's waist, lines of concern marring his face.
"It's a half a day's ride. Take the Western path. Rest on the outskirts of towns." Quinn said. "I packed you enough food so you won't have to trade for it. I put daggers inside the saddle bag. As well as bed rolls in case-"
Annaleigh turned to him and cupped his face.
"Quinn, I'm coming back to you."
Worry glinted in his eyes. She kissed him and he pulled her close. Gigi turned to her cousin. Smiling, she reached up and brushed down his wild mess of hair. Huck swatted her hand away, a smile skipping across his face.
"Stay out of mischief," Gigi said.
"No promises."
The horse pawed the ground and let out a snort of impatience. Quinn helped Annaleigh onto the horse and then Gigi, the horse shifting under the weight. He grasped Annaleigh's hands, his eyes soaking in her face. Huck moved closer, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"Clear skies, Gigi," he said.
"Clear skies, Huck."
"If Grandmother Vy says Jayis is well enough," Quinn said. "the camp will be moving further South in a week, to the edge of Varon. Hopefully you'll be back before then."
Annaleigh leaned over, cupping his cheek.
"I will return, Quinn," she said.
He nodded.
"Smooth roads," he said.
He took a step back. With one last look, Annaleigh nudged the horse's sides and they took off. Gigi turned back once, her smile breaking across her face as she waved. The two figures stood frozen to the spot, as if made of stone, watching the horses disappear.
Mist curled around the horse's legs. The clopping of hooves filled the air as they moved out of the camp and onto the main road. Trees towered above them on both sides, the tops golden in the sunlight. Gigi glanced back. The camp was shrouded in waves of mist.
As they travelled, the sun lifted itself over the lip of the horizon and plodded its way across the sky. The forest gradually broke up, the spaces between trees growing. The cool shade of the branches was removed and the world became a swooping scene of vast meadows and fields, with the jagged outline of hills and mountains in the distance. Houses and estates dotted the land. Workers raised their heads and blocked the sun with their hands, watching as Annaleigh and Gigi passed by.
On the outskirts of a small village, they stopped by a stream. Gigi slid off the horse and walked about, giving feeling back to her tired legs. The horse dipped its head, drinking in the cool water. Around them, heat rose off the ground, sending waves through the air.
"What are they like?" Gigi asked, pulling out a loaf of bread.
She broke it in half and handed a piece to her mother. Annaleigh took it, her eyes taking on a far away look. Turning away from Gigi, she stared into the water, watching as it bubbled and tumbled.
"You will see soon enough," she said.
*****************
As they continued riding, Gigi became aware of her mother's back straightening and tension slipping into her shoulders. From the distance rose the silhouette of a city, walls shooting up from the ground, roofs tops poking up just beyond. The road that had been dotted with travelers was now congested with carts, donkeys, farmers, carriages and horsemen. Houses grew closer together as they neared Taraben.
The air filled with the sound of wheels bumping along the dirt road and the mutterings of farmers urging on their animals. Eyes latched onto Gigi and her mother as they made their way through the thick throng to the city gates.
Once through the gates, the world came alive. Noise pummeled Gigi's ears, foul odors assaulted her nose and a dizzying scene of constant motion blurred her vision. Voices shouted to one another, babies' cries pierced the air, and peddlers advertised their wares. The smell of sweat, tobacco, dung, and dirt hung over every inch of the city like a dark cloud.
People jostled each other on the crowded streets. Wooden houses, climbing three or fours stories high, watched the chaos through dirty windows, their bodies packed against each other. Elegant carriages cut through the mayhem, as if the people around them were nothing but flies that could be swatted away.
Beyond the first row of houses, a square expanded on all sides. A fountain lay in the center, water bubbling, the sound lost in the sea of noise. Carts bursting with produce lined the edges of the square, farmers haggling over prices. Thin, tattered children ran wild, blackened feet slapping against grime coated cobblestones.
Fabric snapped in the wind as women leaned out windows, shaking out clothes, adding one more layer of dirt to the air. Streets twisted their way round huddled buildings, like a finger tracing lines in the sand.
Gigi found herself enthralled by the constant flood of sounds, smells and sights. Everywhere she looked something new emerged. They slowly navigated their way through the dense layers of people. As the first overwhelming deluge of information settled, Gigi became aware of something she had missed.
As they pushed onward she noticed the looks and stares that followed their procession. Haughty, disdainful eyes peered out at them from behind carriage curtains. Distrusting murmurs travelled after them from ratty looking women. Leers latched onto them, even after the face had disappeared.
Gigi's hold on her mother's waist tightened and her body shrank. Her mother's posture remained rigid and erect.
The crowd thinned as they left the market place behind and moved to the wealthier section of the city. The streets filled with more carriages with spotless horses and coachmen whose shoes were polished to a shine. Laughter spilled from open windows, as Gigi caught glimpses of gloved hands and lace fans.
From the chaos of the tenant houses and shop fronts rose a stone wall, encasing a grand estate. Wrought iron gates blocked the way to the manor. Guards in trimmed uniforms, with swords hanging from their belts and spears held at their sides, stood patrol at the entrance. Gigi's heart pounded against her ribs as the horse moved towards the estate. Her gaze moved upward, catching the sight of guards standing on the wall, arrows notched in their bows. They approached the gate and one of the guards took a step forward and raised his hand.
"Halt!" he commended.
Gigi stiffened and her breath caught in her throat.
"Turn back. We don't want the likes of you around here," the guard said, moving forward.
Gigi's mother turned a cool gaze onto the guard and he involuntarily flinched then, shifting his spear to a more threatening angle.
"Did you not hear me? Begone!" he said.
Wordlessly, Annaleigh lifted a chain from around her neck and held it before the guard's face.
"I would choose your next words carefully, if I were you," she said, her manner as cool as a winter breeze, her tone as sharp as a steel blade.
With a wary eye, the guard took the chain and examined the ring. His face paled and then color flooded his cheeks. Clearing his throat, he handed Annaleigh back the necklace, sweat beading on his temple.
"Lady Annaleigh," the guard said, his voice raspy. He cleared his throat again, then bowed deeply. "Welcome home, Lady."
Annaleigh gave a gracious nod of her head and waved a hand towards the gates.
"Open them," she said.
Gigi stared dumbfounded at her mother's profile. Though she had always known, her mind reeled. Her mother - Vagabond and Lady.
With another bow, the guard turned to the gate and waved his hand.
"Open it," he called out.
Without question, the guard did as he was ordered. The gate swung open without a sound of protest. Annaleigh nudged the horse and they went through, the metal clanging shut behind them. Sloping lawns, covered with intricately designed flower beds and pebble pathways, surrounded the manor. The scent of jasmine and honeysuckle drifted through the air.
"Gigi, dearest, remember what I taught you," Annaleigh said. "These people might not be in the same class as the company we keep but they still deserve respect. Is that understood?"
Gigi nodded, her words stolen by the grandeur of the manor. It towered five stories high with balconies jutting out on every level. They passed through a stone archway into a wide courtyard, the horse's hooves echoing off the tile floor.
A stable hand in spotless uniform approached. He halted at the sight of Annaleigh and Gigi, with their bare feet and wind blown hair. He remained frozen until a stately man, with short, gray hair wearing the outfit of a steward, walked out of the house. His gaze landed on Annaleigh, but nothing in his lined countenance showed surprise.
Gigi's mother slid from the horse and Gigi tentatively followed, the tile warm under her feet. The steward moved down the short flight of steps and bowed before Annaleigh.
"Lady Annaleigh, it pleases me to see you once more," he said.
Annaleigh gave a short nod.
"Elkly, have the saddle bags taken up to my room," Annaleigh said, waving her hand toward the horse.
Elkly bowed his head.
"Of course." He turned to the stable hand. "Vic, see to the horse and have Darius deliver the bags to Lady's room." He turned back to Annaleigh, expression impassive. "Is there more assistance you require, Lady?"
Annaleigh walked up the stairs, picking up the front of her skirt out of habit, with Gigi and Elkly in tow.
"Yes, I wish to see my parents," she said.
Elkly hurried forward, his composure cracking for a moment.
"Are you certain you wish to see them now? They will understand if you wish to refresh yourself after your long journey, Lady," he said.
Gigi let out a small gasp as they stepped into an expansive entryway. Stairscases curved up toward the second level, a chandelier hanging in between. Light poured in through surrounding windows and reflected off the polished floor. Maids in crisp gray dresses moved about, glances brushing past Gigi's face. Gigi paused as Annaleigh turned on Elkly, her skirt swishing about her ankles.
"Where are they?" she asked.
"Lady Brixton is overseeing to the Burning arrangements, while Lord Brixton is in seeing to grievances, Lady," Elkly said.
"Very well, have bathes drawn and food brought up," Annaleigh said.
At the mention of a bath, Gigi glanced down at her dirt caked feet and fingered her tangled hair. Gigi's mother turned and headed towards the stairs once more, Elkly scurrying to stay apace with her. Gigi followed, her attention still trapped with taking in the intricate moldings that lined the ceiling edges.
"It will be done. If you wish it I could send for Elis, for an assortment of gowns, Lady" Elkly said.
At the suggestion, Annaleigh looked to Gigi, her stern expression softening, as her gaze travelled from Gigi's snarled hair to her bare feet. She looked back to Elkly.
"See that it's done," she said.
The Steward's shoulder's relaxed and he bowed his head once more, before motioning to a passing servant.
"Show Lady Annaleigh and her..." Elkly looked to Annaleigh.
"My daughter."
"Show Lady Annaleigh and her daughter to their rooms. Have baths drawn and food brought," Elkly said. He turned back to Annaleigh, his composure restored. "I leave you in capable hands, Lady, and will attend to Elis."
"Thank you, Elkly," Annaleigh said.
She turned and headed up the stairs, the servant hurrying to stay with her. Gigi brought up the rear, her gaze wandering over the manor's decor. As they disappeared into a hallway, a small frown passed across Elkly's face.
**********************************************************************
Huzzah!
(Hey that's fantasy...ish!)
Let's hear it, were you at all surprised that Annaleigh actually came from Noble birth?
Well, look at you smarty pants! (Question: why is that even a phrase? Who said pants were ever smart? They're are pants for crying out loud! Though maybe I'm just being prejudice. I apologize to all pants every where. Except flare pants, the are definitely not smart.)
Alright, onto more pressing issues, have you ever seen an item or something that made you instantly want to have it? I mean gut-wrenching-dire-need-if-you-don't-have-it-you-might-die sort of wanting to have it?
I have had this feeling exactly two times in my life. Once was a $300 coat that was the coolest coat I've ever seen. I bought, which let me tell you, I don't even spend $10 on a shirt sometimes unless I really really like it. I just don't spend money. But it was worth every penny. I feel like a vampire slayer when I wear it.
The second was a $5,000 painting. No idea why I wanted it but I did. No, I didn't buy this one. I didn't have any place to put it, also I do not have that type of money. Still it was one of those moments.
So what was your need-to-have-it item or items?
Vote, comment, follow. Does it ever get annoying when I remind of this? Cause I'm thinking of just changing it to nonsensical words.