AN *Looks at her reviews and pouts* I know more people are reading this then reviewing...*sniffles* I have an obsession for reviews! You just gotta review! I suppose quality over quantity eh? Thanks to the reviews that I did get............ I feel real good that I didn't get any flames! *Smiles happily and does a victory dance!*
Sorry this took me so long to post.... I just got another job and I'm a workaholic so my writing time is on a minimum. This story isn't going to be one of my best, in fact I almost thought of dumping it until I saw the wonderful reviews it got!
Estrella danced in the square, mostly young children were the only ones to throw coins into the hat. Estrella loved to dance and did not mind the small amount of money as she would if it was only for the purpose of her owner. She mostly danced but sometimes she played an instrument as well, she was mostly skilled in the flute however this day she simply danced. She danced through the story of her life, and some people were sorrowed by the dance.
***
Anton walked throughout the town square looking for something of interest. He was simply bored and was trying to get away from some of his royal pain in the butt chores. He noticed a crowd and walked over half heartedly to see what it was. He wrinkled his nose when he saw it was a gypsy, however as he watched her dance his heart was softened and he felt pity for her. She displayed so much in simple movements of her hands, feet and body, she looked beautiful. The young man watched her dance and even pulled out two golden coins for her hat, most people just threw silvers.
She could use it more then I could. He thought walking away just as her dance ended. He glanced back over his shoulder and noticed her pretty white face light of with shock and her sad brown eyes with joy. She could use it more then I, but she has bewitched me into giving it to her! She is a gypsy, an evil person. Why ever would I do such a thing unless under a witches curse?
He sighed and walked on. Did it truly even matter? Why did people think so much on their actions? I seem to have lost touch with the world, why am I still living?
***
Estrella finished and watched as a large number of people threw the money into her hat but noticed one young man threw gold coins. She did not know what to think and quickly picked up the hat and began to walk towards her home, slipping the gold coins in the bodice of her dress to hide in her room.
He must have made a mistake! Please don't let him turn back to retrieve his money!
A few men saw her dance and planned to harm her as she walked back, and of course Estrella noticed nothing of being followed till it was too late.
"What is this?" one man said jumping in front of Estrella. Estrella jumped back, startled. "I do believe she is a gypsy don't you?"
Another man grabbed Estrella's shoulders from behind. "Yes I believe it is."
"Leave me alone!" she said pulling away and found she was trapped between 5 men.
"Mur-." too late, she didn't have a chance to finish her curse before a hand clasped over her mouth.
"None of that nasty witchcraft now little one." the first man said running his fingers the length of Estrella's arm.
"Release her," a voice came from behind. All the men turned to see a young man on a gray hoarse ride up to them. He leaped down, his brown hair falling into his gray eyes, he rested his hand against the sword that sat at his hip.
"Someone wants to play hero it seems." The man said still touching Estrella's arm before leaning down and kissing her lips. He pulled back suddenly and spit up blood. "She bit me!"
"Keep it from my mouth and it won't happen again!" Estrella retorted quickly, feeling new courage from the presence of her 'hero'.
***
Anton grinned at the girl's spirit, it took courage to do that. He then walked calmly up to the men and warned them once more, in return only got shot down verbally before one man pulled forth his sword.
Anton was on him in a second, his sword in hand before anyone else knew what it was that happened the attacker laid on the ground unconscious. All the men attacked at once but it seemed Anton had far more skill than them and they all ended up in need of retreat, Anton let them free, it was not a crime to attack a gypsy.
Anton walked to Estrella and watched her stand up.
"Are you hurt?" he asked not offering a hand to her, it was against what he was taught, and she practiced witchcraft and was evil.
"No," she said looking down at the ground as she had learned to do in the presence of others.
Why does she look scared? Perhaps I am seeing things.
Anton nodded and turned towards his horse. He mounted the gray mare and watched as Estrella walked off a short distance. He shook his head. She is a witch for I have been bewitched by her. He trotted his horse over to her and helped her climb onto it and took her as far as the edge of the woods.
"What is your name?" He asked as he helped her climb down.
"Estrella." She looked up at his face, and then she smiled. "What is your name sir?"
"Be careful gypsy, next time you take shortcuts perhaps someone won't be there to protect you." He threw a bag onto the ground. "And take those and buy yourself something to eat, you are far to skinny."
"Just when I thought I had met a man worth the breath it would take to ask a question," Estrella said glaring up at Anton. He glared back, but no words came to him. She truly is a witch, he thought, and then rode off.
What did I just do? I saved the life a gypsy, and gave her money? Shouldn't I have let those men kill the witch? Once it is proven that she practices the craft she will be put to death anyway... does it matter?
***
Estrella watched as the man rode off. Yes I am a gypsy, but I am still a human! She stood tall and watched the trail for a long moment before slouching and looking down at the money bag he had thrown to the ground. Why was he so nice to me? That must have been the same man that gave me the gold coins, why did he not try to take them back? Who was he? Finally she reached down and lifted the coins, the bag was heavy. Estrella looked inside and gasped at the large amount of money. It was all silvers, but still a good amount and she would not have to wait much longer before she could run away and find her band of gypsies once more, she would be home once again. She sighed, Though I am nearly 18 and still haven't a husband! I am a disgrace to all races, even my own.
She slowly walked back towards her home.
***
AN: Gypsies have been accused of witchcraft a lot in the past, that is the reason I brought it up so strongly here, also gypsies normally married between ages 9 and 14...
Please let me know what you think of my characters. If you think Anton is too *fill in the blank* (though sorry to say he has to keep questioning the reason of life) or Estrella is too any type of comments would be appreciated.
¡Please review!