Chapter 3: Esmeralda
The Court of Miracles was a bright and hectic place. Clopin led them through many twisting paths and past many busy people. Everywhere they turned gypsies were playing music and dancing, laughing and drinking, safe in their sanctuary.
Finally, Clopin lead them to a small caravan, brightly decorated with purples and reds. He knocked twice on the door and it was immediately opened by a young girl with wavy dark hair and large green eyes. Her eyes shone brightly when she saw who was at the door and she leapt at him.
"Clopin!" The girl cried her arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
"Esmeralda," He smiled gently down at her and stroked her hair. "How has your day been, ma chérie?"
"Nuri made me clean the caravan! It was horrible. But she let me practice my dancing for the rest of the day! I learned to cartwheel." She beamed, clearly proud. Clopin smiled and praised her. Then he stepped back and Esmeralda noticed Nadya and Emilian. She looked questioningly at Clopin.
"This is Nadya and Emilian. They are coming to live here with you and Nuri." He said "I trust you to make them feel at home and teach them the rules. I have to return to guard duty. I'll come visit you tonight. I promise."
He kissed her lightly on the forehead, said goodbye to the twins, and disappeared among the many caravans. As soon as he was gone Esmeralda stepped forward lightly, gold bangles on her ankle clanging merrily.
"That's my cousin Clopin." She said with a kind smile. "And I'm Esmeralda."
"I'm Nadya." Nadya said. She was about the same height as Esmeralda, who wore a light dress of deep purple. "And this is my brother, Emilian."
Emilian smiled nervously, he was a foot taller then both the girls and slightly more awkward. Esmeralda beamed at him and his smile became more natural.
"Come, I'll introduce you to Nuri." Esmeralda led them into the caravan. It was clean but cluttered. Two small cots were against one side of the wall. Opposite them stood several shelves filled with shining jewellery and glass balls.
At the back of the caravan was a short purple door. Esmeralda helped them navigate through the clutter until they stood in front of the door. She smiled reassuringly and gave the door two short knocks.
"Come." Was the short reply. Esmeralda pushed the door open and led them through.
Sitting at a small round table was a women so old that her face seemed withered away like a majestic old mountain, that has stood strong and tall for many years. She had a light purple veil covering her ancient face, and a knowing twinkle sparkled in her faded blue eyes.
Esmeralda stepped lightly into the small room and motioned to Emilian and Nadya.
"These are the twins, Emilian and Nadya. Clopin says they are to stay here with us." She said. Nuri nodded, keeping her gaze glued to the twins. Esmeralda allowed Nuri a few seconds to speak. When it became clear she had nothing to say she began speaking again. "May I take them to the feast tonight? So that everyone may get to meet them?"
Nuri nodded again, and then she spoke.
"Let Clopin take you though, I don't want you three wondering around alone just yet." Nuri turned her full gaze to Nadya's face and Nadya stared back; the young brown eyes into the old faded blue ones.
Finally, Nuri broke the gaze and turned her attention back to Esmeralda. She waved her hand to show that they were dismissed and the three children left the room.
"The feast happens every week," Esmeralda said, leading them to the other side of the caravan where several large, plump, cushions were arranged on the floor. She flopped down onto a purple one and motioned for them to take a seat.
Nadya sat down, but Emilian remained standing, leaning against a small stretch of bare wall. Esmeralda shrugged and continued speaking.
"It's always so much fun! There's dancing and music and good food." Esmeralda sighed and her smile slowly faded; she looked thoughtful.
"You'll like living with Nuri, she strict but kind." Esmeralda's young face became distant as she spoke. "Clopin is my only family left." A faint shadow of a smile lite her face when she spoke of her cousin. "I was only five when my parents died; Clopin was still a young man. He couldn't raise a little girl. So Nuri took me in." Her smile returned and she raised her arm, shinning with little golden bangles. "Nuri has many treasures. She gave me all of these."
The golden bangles danced in the shadowy candle light. Nadya couldn't help but stare. She had never had any jewellery of her own but she had never wished for any. Her loving father and brother had always been enough. Even now the golden bangles were only an unnecessary desire.
Esmeralda noticed her staring and took off two of the bangles and held them out to her.
"Do you want me to wear them tonight?" She asked, her green eyes sparkling. Nadya's eyes widened in surprise and she gradually reach out to take them. They fit perfectly and Nadya smiled first at Esmeralda and then at Emilian, who smiled back at his sister's happiness.
The next few hours flew by and Nadya and Esmeralda were fast becoming friends. Even though Esmeralda had revealed that she was a year younger then twins. Her maturity and wit kept both Nadya and Emilian laughing. Though Emilian stood separated from the pair and rarely spoke.
Finally, two loud knocks sounded on the caravan door and Esmeralda pulled it open to reveal Clopin, dressed almost entirely in deep purple.
"Why hello, ma chérie." He said pleasantly taking Esmeraldas hand and kissing it. "Would you three like to come with me to the feast?"
He was grinning devilishly and his eyes glittered with anticipation. Esmeralda nodded brightly and stepped out of the caravan. Nadya immediately followed with Emilian trailing behind.
"Is Marko coming?" Esmeralda asked as they started toward the feast.
"I believe I am." Clopin grinned as Marko stepped out from behind a large caravan, dressed in a deep blue. He was smiling brightly, his blue eyes burning as he held out his arms for Esmeralda. She gave him a tight hug. Marko kissed her hand gently and turned to walk with Clopin.
Esmeralda fell behind to walk with Nadya and Emilian. Her cheeks flushed. She pulled out a pink ribbon from her the pocket of her dress and pulled her hair out of her face with it, tying it into a gentle knot.
"That's Marko," She said in explanation. "Molish's son. He's like family to me as well, and Clopin's best friend."
Nadya watched as Marko threw his arm around Clopins shoulder and they both laughed. Clopin slapped him on the back and they both laughed again. Suddenly Clopin turned around and yelled back to Esmeralda.
"How you explained the rules yet Esme?" He asked and Marko turned around to look at them as well.
"I will right now!" Esmeralda shouted back and she waited until the two men had turned around before speaking.
"There are not too many rules. You are not aloud to leave court unless under cover of darkness, and you may only return in the night. Money is always guarded selfishly. But if there is a problem, our leader will decide the outcome, if an outcome can't be reach then the problem will be fought out with swords or daggers. Most important, all intruders are to be hanged. We rarely let anyone stay, but Molish is very kind about this."
Esmeralda nodded wisely, her foot bangles clanging with each step.
"We're here!" Clopin called back to them and Esmeralda grabbed Nadya's hand and ran forward. Clopin laughed as they rushed off past him. Nadya turned back in time to see Marko and Clopin leading Emilian off towards a large crowd of laughing, drinking men.
Worry for her brother was immediately pushed to the back of her mind as the full realization of where she was filled her mind. She let all of her thoughts of her fathers death fall from her for a few short hours and filled herself with the magic of her new home.
There were caravans selling everything that could be imagined and there were caravans serving hot food to the hungry crowd.
"Sadly, food is scarce here." Esmeralda said leading her over to the caravan of a pump woman handing out bowls of soup for a coin a piece, her small children dancing around her feet and playing tiny drums. Esmeralda handed the women a coin and took the warm bowl of soup.
"Share with me?" She asked offering the bowl. Nadya gladly accepted and they sat down together to enjoy their meal. When they had finished they headed toward the middle of the clearing, were people were dancing and playing music.
Esmeralda stepped gracefully out into the middle and began to dance. The crowds parted and cheered her on. Her body moved flawlessly and beautifully. Her every step perfectly timed to the beat of the drums and the whistle of the flute.
*****
When Esmeralda and Nadya could dance no longer they started forward, keeping there eyes peeled for Clopin or Marko. The large crowd was thinning of children, as more men and women arrived to drink the night away.
They spotted Marko leaning against the stone wall, laughed at something they couldn't see. Esmeralda and Nadya hurried forward.
Clopin, Marko and Emilian were all together, but they could tell right away that something was wrong with Emilian. His face was white and he was staggering slightly, even the solid wall could not hold him straight.
"Clopin, did you have too?" Esmeralda said as she approached recognition in her eyes. Clopin looked up and laughed.
"Just welcoming him to the club." He said cheerfully, patting Emilian on the back, and causing him to moan slightly.
"What's wrong with him?" Nadya asked concerned reaching a hand out for him.
"Whoa! I wouldn't touch him." Marko warned jumping forward and grabbing her hand pulled her away.
"He's just had a little too much to drink." Clopin said the devilish smile back in place. "I told him not too."
"No you didn't!" Marko said laughing
"Oops, guess not! Whoa, watch it!" Clopin took a step back as Emilian staggered forward and vomited against the side wall.
"Best get him back to Nuri's." Marko said starting forward and taking one of Emilians arms. Clopin watched for a second before taking his other arm and together they led him off into the mass of caravans.
"That's Marko and Clopin for you," Esmeralda said as they headed back. "Some go as far as to call them The Devilens." She laughed and they caught the look on Nadyas face. "Don't worry, Emilian will be fine. He's going to have one hell of a headache tomorrow though."
When they reach Nuri's Clopin and Marko led Emilian in and allowed him to collapse on one of the small cots. They bid goodnight to Esmeralda and Nadya and left with wicked grins, to return to the feast.
Esmeralda insisted that Nadya take the other cot and firmly settled herself down within the mass of cushions and blew out the candles.
Nadya lay awake for a while after the darkness had settled. She could distantly hear the sounds of shouts and laughter from the feast. Her whole day had seemed like hundreds. It was hard to believe that only that morning her father had hung from the gallows.
But she would be strong. She wouldn't let any tears fall. She had loved her father as much as she loved her brother. And she would be strong, in order to survive in her new life.
A/N: Hope you liked it! This chapter came out a lot sooner then I thought. Thanks to everyone that reviewed! Just a little note, I'm writing this for fun, so if there is any mistake in the language or if I get some things in the time period messed up I'm sorry, just let me know and I'll try to fix it. Please review!