CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Nephew
When the royal carriage arrived to pick up Rose and Wendell at the end of their honeymoon, it came with a small retinue of guards as a precaution. The Chancellor had sent word that there had been a couple of anti-wolf demonstrations within the kingdom, first in Little Lamb Village and then in Bean Town. The protests seemed to rise up out of nowhere, caused by unknown leaders who disappeared by the time the local constabularies had been called out.
The Peeps in Little Lamb Village were questioned closely. Wilfred Peep had already been hung for the murder of his granddaughter. But since much of the Peep family had been involved in diverting the magic waters of the town well, many believed they had facilitated this latest trouble also. Once again Little Lamb Village was dominated by suspicion, with everyone glaring at everyone else.
As for Bean Town, people there were just tired. They had been caught up in the changing battle lines of the Giant War and attacked by Relish's army while Wendell was a dog. They'd had enough. This recent display of hostility brought back the feelings of hopelessness they had bravely pushed aside just before the royal wedding. They feared there would be a new war of some kind. Some talked about abandoning the town altogether and letting the beanstalks take over.
Wendell's Chancellor sent human soldiers to both places to maintain order. He was afraid that sending wolf troops would cause more trouble. Things appeared to be under control. Still, he was glad the king was returning from his honeymoon. Wendell's Chancellor was an old man. He had done his duty to the best of his ability, but like most Chancellors, he was an administrator, not a ruler. His talent lay in acting as second-in-command or Second on the Council. He could carry out orders and handle protocol or fill in for a while, but he had no idea how to really govern a kingdom or an army. When he finally saw the royal carriage pull up to the castle, he felt greatly relieved.
"What news?" Wendell demanded, as he burst into his study.
"None, your Majesty," the serious faced Chancellor said. "The Peeps continue to assert their innocence. And there's no clue at all as to who was behind the incident in Bean Town. It's conceivable that the leaders could have come from outlying areas. The Disenchanted Forest is close to Little Lamb Village. And Bean Town is of course not far from the old bean stalks. Both places could afford ample hiding."
"Could it be the trolls?"
"No your Majesty. Queen Matilde has double checked with Princess Alicia of the Ice Maidens. The troll kingdom is well in hand."
Wendell pulled his heavy cloak from his shoulders and threw it carelessly over the nearest chair. "It's a terrible thing. Both towns have had so much to deal with."
"Yes. And this may lead to more trouble." The Chancellor paused, wondering how to say what was on his mind. He thought Wendell and his new queen had distinguished themselves well in the recent war. But there were evidently still resentments about all the pardons and proclamations that had been made in favor of the wolves. The Chancellor feared the uprisings in Little Lamb Village and Bean Town might be the beginning of a trend. "We could place a few soldiers in some key areas," he suggested gently.
"You think there will be more disturbances then?"
"I don't know. But it is possible."
Wendell dragged his boots across the thick carpet and looked out the window behind his great mahogany desk. It was in this very spot that he had first caught sight of Rose. Little did he know that she would go on to become his right hand in the war and the great love of his life. Everyone had seemed so happy about the wedding. Had people forgotten so quickly?
"Ah, there you are, Wendell," Matilde said, walking into the room as if it were her office and not his. "Has the Chancellor had time to brief you?"
"Yes. Have you talked to the Council?"
"No and I'm not going to." The fairy swished across the floor in her gray lace gown. "I don't want to alarm people."
"Have you tried contacting Snow White?"
"Yes. I've tried reaching her through my crystal, the Mirror of Truth, and even Virginia's little singing ring. Snow's just not answering. The ring says it doesn't even sense her anymore. I don't know what's up with her, but if I had to guess about the rest of it I'd say these demonstrations were being orchestrated by your cousins. I've been watching them in my crystal, but I haven't seen any sign of their direct involvement yet."
"You think they may have hired mercenaries?"
"It's possible. Barron has sent a letter of protest to everyone on the Council complaining about your plans to make Rose your direct successor. Anti-wolf uprisings would add weight to his arguments."
"Should I have them arrested?"
"No. Not without proof. It would look too political. At the moment all we can do is keep watch."
"Perhaps it would help if Rose and I went go on a goodwill tour around the kingdom."
"With the oncoming of winter, your Majesty?" the always sensible Chancellor asked. He had been standing silently by, almost a part of the wall-sized bookcase behind him. He didn't think it was his place to interfere in the discussion between the two royals. But this idea worried him. Strange things sometimes happened to travelers in the Nine Kingdoms, especially during snow storms. There were legends about people in need of shelter suddenly finding a castle where there had been none minutes before. It was dangerous to enter such enchanted places because the powerful beings that controlled them were not always to be trusted. The last thing the Chancellor needed was for Wendell and his wife to disappear mysteriously.
"He can travel in my carriage," Matilde offered. "That way he can keep safe and dry. Does that allay your fears, Chancellor?"
"Yes, your Majesty," the Chancellor said gratefully.
"Then it's decided," Wendell said. "I rather think it will help. We'll leave right after your wedding, Matilde, which I trust is not far off."
"It's in a week," Matilde said, with a smile. "We were waiting for you to get back. Only family will be attending, plus the best man and his partner."
"I see. And who has Antony selected as his best man?"
"Rupert. He was glad for the honor, but he's heartbroken that we won't be doing the big wedding that he's been dreaming of. All the guests will be brought to my Ice Palace for the ceremony and Tony and I will stay there for our honeymoon. You can have my carriage while we're away."
"Will you be taking lots of guards on your tour, your Majesty?" the Chancellor asked.
"A few," Wendell said. "But I don't want to create distance between myself and my subjects. Having a lot of guards clanking about will just get in the way."
There was a proper knock on the door.
"Come in," Matilde said, again acting as if it were her office and not Wendell's.
Herbert the perfect butler let himself soundlessly into the room. "Your Majesty," he said with a bow, "You have guests."
"I don't have time to see anyone," Wendell said, with a dismissive wave. "Ask them to come back tomorrow."
"They say they are relatives of Queen Rose and Prince Wolf," Herbert said politely. "They're gypsies. You may have seen their carriage pull up to the castle."
"What?"
"I thought everyone in Rose and Wolf's family had died," Matilde said.
"I did too," Wendell said.
"The woman says her name is Pura and that she is the widow of Queen Rose's brother Wilhelm."
Matilde struggled to remember Wilhelm from the visions she'd seen in the Mirror of Truth not so long ago. She recalled a red headed baby and a dark haired lad only slightly older. They had both been taken by gypsies when their parents died. Rose had said they'd been killed after reaching adulthood.
"She says the young man with her is Wilhelm's son," Herbert continued. "His name is Timka."
"I wish we could verify all this before Rose and Wolf get involved," Matilde said.
"I can't hold this back from Rose," Wendell said. "She and Wolf have a right to question them."
"They're waiting in the Great Foyer," Herbert said.
"Fine. Show them in. Queen Matilde and I will interview them at once. Notify Queen Rose and Prince Wolf. Princess Virginia…is she here?"
"No, Sire. She's in the Seventh Kingdom with Queen Leaf Fall. She should be here in time for dinner."
"Well, this is one adventure she's going to miss. Bring them in."
- - - - - - - - - -
Pura and Timka were dressed in ordinary gypsy clothing, functional but faded and mismatched. Their hands showed evidence of hard work and their faces were chapped from the cold. They greeted the royals with guarded expressions that hinted at contempt and they didn't bother with polite curtsies or bows.
Pura recognized Wendell from the gold coins of the Fourth Kingdom. She looked boldly into his eyes, waiting for him to begin the dialogue.
"You're Rose's sister-in-law?" Wendell asked.
"I am," Pura said proudly.
"And you're her nephew?" Wendell asked, turning to the boy.
"He is," Pura said.
At this point Rose burst into the room. She had been running so hard that her red hair had almost completely fallen out of the long braid that she'd pinned to her head so carefully that morning. She looked like a cross between a fairy-tale princess fleeing for her life and a young wolf caught in a trap. "Wendell?" she asked breathlessly, looking wide-eyed at the two gypsies.
"This woman claims to be your brother Wilhelm's widow," Wendell explained.
"I don't claim to be," Pura said, "I am. And this is Wilhelm's son."
Rose looked at the boy with wide eyes. She had a nephew? Slowly she circled the boy and sniffed the air around him. "I can smell that he has wolf blood, but I can't be sure about the tie to my brother. It's been so long since I've smelled him. I'd recognize Wilhelm if I smelled him. But the tie between parent and child is harder to detect if you haven't smelled both relatively recently. Why wasn't I told about Timka?" she asked Pura. "Your people said Wilhelm and Lazar were both dead. No one ever mentioned you or the boy."
"Why would they?" Pura asked. "You're not one of us. You were told about my husband and his brother because they were dead. There was no harm in your knowing that. But how could my people be sure you didn't mean to harm me or the boy? Wilhelm and Lazar were both murdered. You might have been looking to murder us too."
"And why are you coming to us now?" Wendell asked. "Are you looking for money?"
"If Wilhelm were alive, he'd be a prince," Pura returned. "As his only heir, my boy deserves to be given the same title his father would have gotten, as well as whatever money goes with it."
"Indeed?" Wendell said.
Wolf slammed in then, throwing open the door to the study so hard that the ornate handle cracked the plaster as it hit the wall inside. "Herbert told me," Wolf panted. "Is it true?"
"We don't know yet," Wendell said.
"I can check with my crystal," Matilde put in.
"No, no let me!" Wolf said, his eyes glowing yellow. "I've seen Wilhelm lately. I can tell for sure." Carefully Wolf sniffed the air around Timka, first on one side, then on the other. "Yes!" Wolf announced. "He's Wilhelm's son. I'm sure of it!"
Rose stepped closer, reaching out tentatively to touch Timka's face. But the boy moved away.
Wolf was lost in the exaltation of finding family. He gave a joyous howl and then embraced them both. They were too surprised by the outburst to react. "Huff-puff! It's just wonderful!" Wolf said, prancing up and down. "Where have you been staying? It doesn't matter because you're staying here now. Right, Wendy?"
"Well, I..."
"Does Lazar have any children?" Rose asked. "Or a wife?"
"No," Pura said.
"This is wonderful!" Wolf said again, hugging Rose to his left side and Timka to his right. "We're a family again!"
- - - - - - - - - - -
"You've got a nephew??" Virginia asked. She had just gotten back from a day of work with Leaf Fall in the Seventh Kingdom and had been hoping for a nap before dinner. But Wolf was too excited to allow that. Virginia didn't mind. After all, finding out you have a nephew is pretty monumental. "Wolf, that's wonderful!"
"Oh, it is!" Wolf said, swinging his legs as he sat on their bed. "Pura…that's my new sister-in-law, she says Wilhelm looked a lot like me, except that he wasn't so exuberant."
"I can believe that," Virginia said smiling. Her husband's enthusiasm for everything was both exciting and exhausting. And their unborn son was giving every indication of being just as lively as his father. The little cub's kicks in her growing stomach were becoming more insistent by the day. It was as if he were already yearning to bound off into the woods. What a lively place the castle was going to be with Wolf and a teenager and a newborn cub all bouncing around the place at the same time. "I can't wait to meet them," she said.
- - - - - - - - - -
"I've gone over it twice," Matilde said sitting back wearily in her chair. "The crystal's visions show Pura is telling the truth."
"And…that's a bad thing?" Tony asked, arranging his paisley ascot. He was dressing upscale again. The word had spread through the Kingdoms about the palace's new boiler system and he was spending most of his days entertaining various dignitaries and explaining the intricacies of his invention. Tony gloried in the attention. His hair was coifed just right, his nails polished, and his suits were made of rich fabrics. He was back to being Lord Tony again, except without the romantic dalliances.
"It's just that I'm finding it very hard to like Pura and Timka," Matilde admitted.
"And you were hoping the crystal would give you some reason for feeling that way?"
"Yes," Matilde said. "Maybe I'm just being a snob."
"You?" Tony stopped admiring his reflection in the full length mirror and rubbed his fiancée's shoulders soothingly. "You may be a bit bossy sometimes. But you're never a snob."
Matilde shot Tony a look over her shoulder. "I'd take that as serious criticism, Lord Lewis, if you didn't yell so loudly at your apprentices."
"Perhaps I am a little hard on them sometimes. But it's not easy starting an industrial revolution."
Matilde laughed and patted Tony's hand in mock comfort. "My poor poor dear. I think what bothers me most about this whole Pura and Timka thing is that Snow White didn't tell us about them beforehand. I can understand her waiting a while to let everyone get used to the wolf proclamations first. But by the time of the wedding she should have told us. Why didn't she? After everything she brought to light during The Giant War, why wouldn't she tell us about Pura and Timka?"
"Maybe she thought it wasn't important."
"Not important! A gypsy who's a quarter wolf with a claim on Red Riding Hood's throne? How could that not be important?"
"Maybe she just thought it didn't need any magical intervention the way the other stuff did. I don't know. The idea of a dead woman acting as a fairy godmother to the Third and Fourth Kingdoms is beyond me anyway."
Matilde pulled herself forward over her crystal ball again. "Crystal?" she said touching it softly. "I need to talk to Snow White. Show me where she is."
The crystal went dark for a moment. Then it lightened into an image of Snow White's tomb in the depths of Dragon Mountain. It looked the same as it had when Virginia had seen it, except that it was in a different cavern. Snow seemed as peacefully dead as ever.
"Snow?" Matilde said, addressing herself to the image of her old friend. "Can you hear me? I need to talk to you." But the figure of Snow White remained still. "See? This same thing happened before when I tried to contact Snow about the uprisings in Little Lamb Village and Bean Town. I wish the crystal could talk. But the only time it can answer questions verbally is with a new user. For me that was a very long time ago. I hate to think of it, but maybe Snow White's work here is over."
"Over?" Tony asked. He had a hard time believing it had begun in the first place.
"Fairy godmothers don't stay on the job forever. They move on after a certain point. That's what happened with my mother. She served as fairy godmother to Cinderella until her wedding. Then she disappeared completely." Matilde tapped her fingers impatiently on the crystal over the image of Snow White. "But when my mother disappeared, her coffin and body disappeared as well. That doesn't seem to have happened with Snow."
"Yes, but your mother was a full blooded fairy, wasn't she? Maybe it's different for them. I mean, she was almost a thousand years old. Maybe she just turned to dust."
"It could be," Matilde said, not quite convinced.
- - - - - - - - - -
During dinner that night, the conversation at the royal table was entirely dominated by Wolf. He had spent the afternoon with Timka, showing him the castle and talking about "wolf stuff." Now with the whole "pack" together, Wolf was filling the young man in on family history. Rose tried to enter into the conversation several times, but it was hard to interrupt Wolf's flow. She also couldn't add much to Wolf's accounting of their parents' death and the separation of their cubs. She had only experienced these things behind the confusion of childhood.
As Wolf talked, Virginia also remembered. She agreed that Timka bore a strong resemblance to his father Wilhelm. But the distrust in his eyes as he looked at everyone except his mother and Wolf reminded her more of his great-grandfather Scythian, the full-blooded wolf who had helped Snow White's stepmother.
When dinner was over Wolf suggested to Timka that they might go for a hunt the next day, "Just so we can see how sharp your senses are."
"Yes," Timka said eagerly, his dark eyes dancing. "I've never had anyone to hunt with. I want to know how our people hunt. Do they use bows and arrows? Knives or swords?"
"Well, bows and arrows are best, except perhaps during the full moon. Then you may not need them."
"Let's go now," Timka said, imitating Wolf's whine.
"Now? But Rose may want to come too. She's a wonderful hunter. She's just not dressed for it right now."
Timka turned his dark untrusting eyes on his newly discovered aunt. "Women don't hunt," he said derisively. "That's a job for men."
"It may be for gypsies. But in a wolf pack, everyone hunts, males and females together. Only the very young stay home."
Timka scowled unbelievingly at Wolf. "I only want to hunt with you," he said, his voice rising insistently. "Just the two of us!"
To be fair, part of the reason for Timka's hostility lay in the fact that gypsies just didn't trust outsiders. Everybody at the table except for his mother and Wolf looked very foreign to him. Rose was dressed like a queen in an expensive maroon velvet gown with a high lace collar. Wendell and Matilde both looked and acted like crowned heads who expected to be obeyed. Tony looked like an important lord. And Virginia was dressed like a princess in one of Rupert's latest creations. She was also starting to carry herself with the confidence that her (almost) half-sister Leaf Fall expected her to have. In fact, some people were beginning to notice the similarity in looks between Virginia and the young Christine. Wolf with his casual suit and casual manner was more approachable.
Rose, however, didn't sense any of this. She was too busy feeling hurt. She wanted to feel the security of family around her just as much as Wolf did. But Timka didn't seem to want her around. "You two go ahead," she said, trying to save face. "Maybe I'll catch up later."
"You're sure?" Wolf asked.
"Yes. Go ahead. I haven't had a chance to visit with Virginia. She has to tell me all about her developing job as Second."
"Next time then," Wolf said.
"Next time," Rose agreed.
Satisfied, Timka jumped out of his seat and headed for the double doors of the dining room, with Wolf right behind him.
"He's never had a father before," Pura said. It was both an explanation and an apology.
Wendell wondered for a moment if he should tell Pura to teach her son some manners. But he thought perhaps that sounded too much like his old imperious self. Instead he reached for his wife's pale, freckled hand.
Tony could feel Matilde biting her tongue as well. That bossiness of hers that they had been joking about earlier was close to igniting. Tony followed Wendell's example and took his wife's hand. She squeezed his in answer. It was unspoken, but understood. If this family was going to work, it was going to have to find its own footing. And that meant things would get messy sometimes.
Pura saw all this handholding as a sign of solidarity around the table. Solidarity which she assumed would never include ordinary gypsies like her and her son. "If you'll excuse me," she said. And she left the room, with dignified measured steps.
"Wolf can be a bit oblivious sometimes," Virginia said to Rose. "I'll talk to him."
- - - - - - - - - -
Wolf and Timka thoroughly surveyed the snowy woods around Wendell's castle. In fact, they almost went as far as The Deadly Swamp. It was very late by the time they got home.
Wolf considered their trip a success. They had tracked a fox as it stalked its dinner, tried chasing a deer across a meadow, and found a rabbit warren in the center of a deep thicket. Then they listened to the call of an owl and tried to pinpoint its position. Timka had a wolf's sharp sense of smell and quick step. But his hearing was average for a human and so was his eyesight. Wolf knew he would be a stronger daytime or full moon hunter.
"Next we need to test your skill with a bow and arrow," Wolf told the boy when they got back to the castle.
"I haven't done much of that," Timka said. "Gypsies trap mostly."
"With your sense of smell and ability to run, I think a bow and arrow might increase your hunting chances. Let's meet in the front hall right after breakfast and see."
"Yes," Timka said. The smile that came to his lips was accentuated by his ruddy cheeks.
Wolf danced to his room. He hadn't been this happy since he and Virginia had been on their honeymoon. At last he had a job to do, just like Virginia had her work as Leaf Fall's Second. He was going to be a teacher to his nephew. A mentor! What fun!
But his high spirits were cut short when he opened to the door to his room and found Virginia standing there with her arms crossed in front of her. From the look on his faced he was definitely in trouble.
"What's the matter my little sausage?" Wolf asked, struggling to remember his indiscretion. Had he gotten home too late? Was it that extra helping he'd ordered at dinner? It had to be something that happened either at dinner or later because she'd seemed perfectly fine before then. "Virginia? My love?"
"How could you do that to Rose?" Virginia demanded.
"Do what?"
"Couldn't you see how much she wanted to go with you?"
"But she said..."
"She was just trying to save face. She was obviously very hurt. Timka wasn't very nice to her."
"I…I…"
"Instead of teaching Timka to respect her, you ran off with him, wagging your tail behind you. You acted more like a playmate than an uncle."
Wolf's eyebrows came together as he tried to remember. "Did I?" he whined. "I guess I was just caught up in the moment."
"I know you were. But you hurt Rose."
"I didn't mean to." Wolf dragged himself across the room and sank down onto the bed. The last thing he wanted was to hurt his only sister's feelings. "Should I go and apologize?"
"Not at this hour."
"All right. First thing in the morning then. Right after breakfast. Right before I meet Timka."
"If you're going to do something with Timka, I think you should include Rose this time."
"Yes, I will. We're going to shoot bows and arrows. That's something Rose is really good at."
"I don't know why you like Timka so much. That pouty face of his and the distrust in his eyes. He's like a cross between Wilhelm and Scythian. Remember how bad tempered Wilhelm was? And how Scythian hated everybody?"
"But Timka isn't like them. He's an entirely different person. He didn't look pouty at all while we were hunting tonight. In fact, he smiled just before I left him. Maybe all he needs is some time around us. Virginia, he's family. Long lost family. I don't want to believe anything bad about him."
"I know." Virginia sat down next to Wolf and rubbed his leg. "But I think Timka is going to need a strong hand."
"I don't think I can be much of a discipliner."
"You've got to learn. Both Timka and our son are going to need discipline."
"Huff-puff. I got too much of that from my full-blooded wolf stepparents. I don't want to be like them. Couldn't I just have fun with Timka?"
"Sure. You can have fun. But kids need discipline too."
Wolf sighed heavily, his lower lip sinking down toward his chest. He knew Virginia was right, but he wasn't happy about it. "I'll try and do better."
"Good," Virginia said, leaning into him.
Wolf put his arm around her and kissed her hair. "Do you think I'll be a good father?"
"Well, I think you'll spoil our son a bit, but you'll be a better parent than I will be."
"Oh, no no no no no!" Wolf insisted, pulling her face up towards his. "You'll be the best mother in all of the Nine Kingdoms! Of that I'm sure."
"I wish I could be."
"Remember how Snow White said you'll be like her one day, an advisor to lost girls. She wouldn't have said that if she didn't mean it. You'll see. Meanwhile, I'll try to be a better uncle."
- - - - - - - - - -
The next morning Wolf apologized profusely to his sister. Then, he invited her to join them for archery practice. "You're much better with weapons than I am," he insisted. "You've got to come."
"Are you sure?" Rose asked.
"Absolutely!"
Unfortunately, Timka wasn't so sure. When Wolf announced Rose was joining them, Timka immediately started to protest. "Girls don't hunt," the boy persisted.
"That's not true," Wolf said. "Not even among humans. Remember Gretel the Great? She hunted all the time. In fact, some said it was her greatest pleasure. In the animal world everybody hunts and wolves are no different. A wolf pack depends on all its members to hunt together. You're lucky. You have an aunt who's not only an expert at hunting she's also an excellent soldier."
Timka looked at Wolf as if he were demented. Still, he followed him to the castle's archery range without another complaint.
Rose joined them shortly outfitted in a pair of leather pants, a white wool sweater, and a jacket of tan suede. She had her long red hair tied loosely behind her and a long black case in her arms. "Have you started yet?" she asked.
"I was just showing Timka how to hold a bow," Wolf answered.
Neither Wolf nor Rose noticed the expression on Timka's face. He was completely horrified at Rose's new look. No gypsy women would ever dress like that. To him, Rose had gone from being a useless royal to a freak.
"I thought we might also work on handling a sword," Rose said, holding up the black case she was carrying. She put it down on a nearby table next to a couple of bows. Inside were two magnificent silver swords with leather handles. "I used these in The Giant War," she said, hefting one high into the air with a practiced hand. Her green eyes gleamed as she tested the weight of the weapon.
Neither Wolf nor Rose noticed Timka take a step back.
"Swords are good," Wolf said. "We could start with that and once we've worked up a sweat, we can turn to target practice."
"All right," Rose said to Wolf. "Take your weapon."
With a courtly bow, the two older wolves began to spar. Wolf explained their moves to Timka at first. Then Rose took over after he started to lose his breath. The red-headed she-wolf seemed to gain in energy and ferocity as the battle continued. She beat Wolf back without much effort.
"All right, all right," Wolf said. "I surrender. "Maybe I'll take a break while you and Timka spar. Here, Timka, I'll show you how to hold the sword."
"I'm not going to fight her," Timka said backing up again. "She's crazy. You can see it in her eyes."
"What?" Rose asked.
"Wellllll…" Wolf said, "you do look…formidable. Like Gretel the Great fighting back a whole army of trolls single-handedly."
"Fine," Rose said with a growl. She'd thought Timka would enjoy swords. Weren't all boys supposed to like playing war? "Then I'll leave you two alone." She whipped her sword through the air with a forceful whoosh. "I have more important things to do." She thrust her weapon into her case and snapped it shut.
"Aw, Rose."
"You can return the sword when you're finished with it."
"Rose!"
But she was already on her way back into the castle, her hair flying out behind her in total confusion.
"Good," Timka said. "I'm glad she's gone."
"What?"
"She has the temper of an Hsigo."
"Timka!"
"Well, she does. She's as crazy as one too."
Wolf put down his sword. "Look, you have to learn to respect your aunt."
"You mean because she's a queen?"
"No, because she's your aunt. And she's trying very hard to make you like her."
"I don't care. I don't like her and I'm not going to. Show me again how to hold a bow. I'm more interested in that, because I can use it for hunting."
"But wolves are supposed to respect their family. And gypsies are the same way."
"Gypsies aren't so loyal," Timka said, picking up the bow Wolf had discarded earlier. "My mother's family basically got rid of her. And my father's family doesn't bother with us at all."
"But your mother speaks about her people with great respect."
"Maybe she does. But I don't think they deserve it. The most they've ever done for her is save her a spot in the winter camp grounds. Only they make sure it's always far away from theirs." Timka picked up an arrow and tried in vain to shoot it toward the target. "I think it's smarter to pick your family."