Davien took to the skies in the form of the crow. He was hoping to find a gypsy encampment, but that might be next to impossible. After the raid that took place in Spain more than ten years prior, where the Romani people were arrested and imprisoned in labor camps, they had made sure to lay low around other public areas in Europe. These travelers were considered, by many, to be a godless and wicked people, viewed as little better than slaves, so they stayed hidden in forests and glades where they wouldn’t be bothered, and made sure that their caravans moved steadily to avoid detection.
Not only that, but they were a superstitious people. They had a great fear of ghosts, ormullo. Even if he were to find a camp, he might be denied entry to speak to anyone, for surely the beast within would be easily detected.
If they refused him, so be it, but he had to try.
He soared over fields and streams, until London was a twinkling city in the distance. It was quiet here, in the midst of the country. He could pick out the white coats of sheep dotting the land, even though night had fallen. He embraced the feel of the wind through his feathers, the sensation like breath on skin.
He might have closed his eyes to relish the freedom he had up here, but a twinkling light on the ground caught his attention. It was a small fire among the trees. As he drew closer, he could hear the murmur of voices, and the clanging of pans, the gentle strum of a harp.
He circled around the area, looking for signs of danger, before he landed a short distance away from the activity. However, the moment he resumed his human form, he heard a click from behind him. He had to snort. Apparently, he wasn’t as stealthy as he’d planned. He held up his arms.
“You’re not welcome in this area,englez. Return to where you came from.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that. You see I’m rather in need of assistance.”
“I don’t care about your reasons. If you don’t leave now, I’ll have no choice but to escort you–“
“Vano?” a female voice intoned. “Who are you talking to,iubit unu?”
“Anintrus,” he returned gruffly.
Davien watched as an elderly woman came around the side of a round wagon. She was draped in several colorful scarves and held a cane to steady her movements. Her honey-colored face was lined and weathered. Her eyes were clouded with blindness, but her voice was strong. “Nonsense. There are no intruders, only strangers seeking answers.” She turned her head and appeared to look directly at Davien. “Isn’t that right,cautator?”
Davien slowly lowered his arms to his sides. “That’s correct. I’m hoping that someone here might help me.”
“Vadoma will speak with you.” She held an arm full of gold bracelets out to him.
“Bunica,” the man called Vano snarled. “Don’t allow this vermin—”
She thrust a finger in his direction. “You will respect my wishes,baiat! I am your grandmother!” With that, she turned and started to hobble away, but not after she waved a hand at Davien to follow.
He couldn’t resist the urge to turn and look at her grandson. His dark face was pinched in a thunderous scowl, which only deepened when Davien shrugged. “Some battles aren’t meant to be won,” he murmured, before he strode away.
“Come into my wagon,” Vadoma instructed. She ambled up the steps and disappeared behind the purple curtains that afforded her some privacy.
A few curious glances were shot in Davien’s direction among the rest of the band assembled around the area, but other than Vano who had moved to stand against a tree to glare at him with his arms crossed, Davien was met with no more resistance. They must be used to his grandmother’s eccentric ways.
Davien had to duck to enter the wagon, but the moment he entered, Vadoma waved her hand at a nearby cushion. “Sit, sit.”
He obediently did as she instructed.
She was rummaging around the modest shelves, speaking as she did so. “You need a wax tablet, do you not?”
If Davien had been sitting upright in a normal chair, he would have surely fallen out of it. “How did you—?”
She tapped the side of her head. “Vadoma knows. My name says so. I see things that others cannot. I know what you are,englez.”
“Are you not afraid?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Nu. I know you have a true heart, even if your life has been filled with opposition. And now that you are with Cosette—”
Davien held up a hand, even though he knew she couldn’t see the gesture. “Wait. You know about her?”
“Da, I do. She has faced many trials over the years, but there are more to traverse.”
He couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. “I feel as if I might have saved myself years of relentless pursuit if only I’d known to seek you out first, Vadoma.”
“Vadoma does not know the future,” she said, still speaking of herself in the second person. “I cannot see what will take place. Only what has.”
