Chapter 5: Promise
There is rarely darkness at the Court of Miracles, for when one man sleeps another is awake and something is always happening. Nadya hated to miss anything. Since coming to the court, she had become a restless spirit, always on the lookout for adventure. She was sure it came from having friends like Esmeralda, Clopin and Marko. Emilian too would enjoy a mock fight or soldier chase whenever the opportunity presented itself.
As soon as they had turned fifteen, the twins had been moved out of Nuri's caravan and into a tent of their own. Though Esmeralda remained with Nuri, the three continued their adventures whenever they could, sometimes accompanied by Marko or Clopin.
As the twins grew, Clopin and Marko, always the ladies men, had joined them on there adventures less and less. Preferring to sleep with young women or enter a drinking contest. Emilian began to join the two more and more often, until it was only Esmeralda and Nadya.
Nadya had accepted this willingly and it became a rare day indeed, when the five would get together. Though she missed her wild childhood, the freedom of her adult life was even more exciting.
As the feast of fools approached Nadya and Esmeralda could be seen, day after day, preparing themselves for their dance. Sometimes Emilian would stop by to help.
"You're not kicking high enough." Emilian said playfully to his sister during her warm ups one afternoon.
"Hah! I'd like to see you try!" Nadya said kicking her leg even higher, the golden belt on her waist jingling. Esmeralda laughed.
"He wouldn't be able to get his foot above his waist." She said flipping over in a cartwheel and landing firmly on her feet.
"But I wouldn't have too." He said slyly winking at her. "You're flexible enough for us both."
"Gross." Esmeralda said "That's really gross." Nadya shook her head at her brothers teasing and back flipped, landing on her feet, and then sliding into a split.
"Now that's something I'd like to see again." Marko said, appearing around the corner and catching Nadya mid-split. She laughed and held her arm up for Emilian to pull her to her feet.
"Not very high chances of that." She said dusting off the bottom of her dress.
"Not to mention I wouldn't let that happen." Emilian said pulling his sister close and hugging her tightly to him. Nadya pretended to snuggle into him for mock protection. "This is my sister, she only deserves the best." Emilian smiled down as Nadya and she knew that behind the joke, the words were real.
"Indeed she does." Clopin said appearing behind Marko and clapping his friend on the shoulder.
"Fair enough, I believe I'm out numbered." Marko said, still smiling. "But I won't give up hope." He winked at Nadya and she was a little surprised.. She wasn't the only one to notice however, she saw Clopin staring at her with a single eyebrow raised his face turned slightly to the side. Emilian and Esmeralda appeared to noticed nothing and continued carrying on a conversation.
"Why are you two here anyway?" Esmeralda asked "Isn't there some young gypsy woman out there who hasn't managed to be seduced by the two of you?"
"Ahh, if only that were the case." Clopin said with mock regret.
"Though I'm sure we could find some." Marko added grinning wickedly.
"But we will save that for tonight." Clopin said with an identical grin.
"Today we decided to check up on your dance." Marko said resting against the wall of one of the closer caravans.
"I don't know if you can handle it." Nadya said detaching herself from her brother and going to stand next to Esmeralda.
"I'm sure we can handle anything you have, Ma chérie." Clopin said going to join Marko, prepared to watch. Nadya turned to look at Esmeralda, who simply shrugged her shoulders. So Nadya turned to her brother.
"Could you?" She asked and he nodded and disappeared into one of the caravans, returning shortly with two medium sized drums. He set them down a short distance away, and then began to play. A short simple beat, yet lively and easy to dance to.
Esmeralda and Nadya began six feet apart from each other. Then all at once, their dance began. The moves perfectly synchronized, their bodies bending and twisting to the beat of the drums.
As they danced, Nadya tried not to look into the faces of her two audience members. Her slight attraction to these older men felt like a weakness in her defences.
At first she had assumed that it was just Marko. But as that night wore on, she found that she was beginning to get annoyed with the young girls who flitted around Clopin like he was the king of France, himself. She had watched him, out of the corner of her eye, as he stroked their cheeks and whispered in their ears. She had watched him until he had disappeared in the mass of caravans and tents, one of the girls hanging disgustingly on his arm.
She had gone to bed early that night, only to find that she couldn't sleep. Her own brother was quite the charmer, bedding a new girl every other week. Even Esmeralda, sweet, gentle, Esmeralda, had been with a man before. She supposed it was her own un-interest that had spared her these experiences.
The music picked up speed and Nadya prepared for the end of the dance. She slid down into a split and Esmeralda flipped over her landing firmly, then sliding down into a split as well. Unable to look away any longer, she glanced up into Marko's face, his eyes were wide and interested and he had a daring half smile playing on his lips. Clopin too, had a similar expression, with one eyebrow raised and a charming half smile. The men honoured them with a short clapping session and Esmeralda smiled and half bowed. Nadya just nodded her head.
"Well done," Marko said approaching them. "You are both uniquely fine dancers."
Djali who had been silent throughout the whole dance, bahhed his agreement. Esmeralda laughed and stroked her goat's silky neck. Emilian chuckled and went to pet Djali too, leaving Nadya alone with Clopin and Marko.
"Well mademoiselle, you do truly dance beautifully." Marko said, wrapping his arm around her waist lightly and pulling her a little closer so that they're hips met. Nadya knew better then to fall for his tricks. But she couldn't see why she shouldn't have some fun. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned closely to his ear.
"Why thank you monsieur, that is very kind of you." She whispered half smiling. She could tell that Marko was surprised; she rarely reacted to his playful flirting. He responded by automatically pulling her closer. She laughed, slide out of his grip and took a step backwards. She turned to look at Clopin, who was watching them with a blankly amused expression.
Esmeralda and Emilian approached the three and gradually another conversation was started. Nadya hardly noticed what was being said, she started to retie her belt. When she looked up, she realized they were all staring at her.
"What?" She asked, completely confused.
"Clopin just asked us if we'd like to go see him perform. It's nice out today; he thought we'd like some fresh air." Esmeralda explained eagerly. Nadya loved the outdoors and she readily agreed.
The five left the Court of Miracles though a side entrance. It led through a trapdoor in an abandoned barn. Only special members of the court were aloud to use it. As Marko was the next expected king, he had access to it.
The corridor leading up to it was dark n damp. They walked two by two laughing occasionally and talking loudly. When they reach the trapdoor they grew silent, and Marko lifted the door slightly. When he knew it was clear he pushed it up and allowed the others to climb up before closing it. The door looked exactly like the floor, blending in perfectly. Marko swept some extra hay on it to hide it further and then they were on their way.
Esmeralda and Marko walked at the front, there pace much faster then everyone else's. Emilian was walking with Djali, apparently attempting to teach him some kind of trick. Nadya always preferred a slower pace. She claimed she was shorter then everyone else and couldn't walk as fast. Surprisingly, today Clopin chose to walk with her, his pace matching hers though his legs were much longer.
"What kind of show will you be putting on today?" Nadya asked politely, a pleasantly warm breeze blowing through her hair. She closed her eyes and allowed the sun to warm her face. When she opened her eyes, she found Clopin looking at her with an amused expression. "What?" She asked defensively.
"Nothing." He said laughing lightly. "And I'll be storytelling today."
"Really?" She asked. It stunned her how much it surprised her. She thought of the man he had been so many years ago and found that she was unsure of the man he was today. It seemed he hadn't quite outgrown the childish desires from his youth.
Clopin just laughed and placed his arm around her. Grinning his seductive smile.
"Do you have a problem with that?" He asked not quite serious. "Because if you do, then I believe I'll have to remedy it."
"Oh really! And how, may I ask, do you plan to do that?" Nadya said wilfully, her stubbornness coming out slightly.
"Now why would I tell you that?" He asked his tone serious but his eyes twinkling. Nadya had nothing to say but was saved the pressure of answering by Esmeralda's happy voice.
"Hurry up you two! There waiting for you Clopin!" She said before disappearing around a corner, her purple skirt swishing.
"My faithful audience!" He said, his face lighting up slightly so that Nadya had to laugh. They rounded the corner and sure enough, several small children were starting to gather around a colourful gypsy caravan.
Esmeralda, Marko and Emilian had already settled themselves in the back of the crowd and Nadya made to join them.
"No kiss for good luck?" Clopin asked and he looked so dejected that she had to laugh. And without thinking she had her arms around his neck and had pecked him quickly on the cheek.
"Good luck!" she called behind her as she hurried to seat herself next to her brother. Emilian watched her approach, a probing look on his face. But before she could ask a curtain moved aside on the caravan to reveal Clopin and his look-a-like puppet.
Nadya couldn't help but laugh at the act along with the children. She remembered when Clopin had first shown her Puppet, when she was twelve years old. It was just as funny now as it had been then.
When the show ended the children cheered and eagerly gave up the coins they were given by their amused mamas'. Puppet bowed several times, thanking the crowd, until Clopin had to hit him with a little stick to make him stop.
"Ouch!" Puppet said "You're not very nice."
"Then what does that make you!" Clopin asked "Scaring the audience like that."
"The only thing scary around here is you." Puppet said and let out another ouch, when Clopin hit him with the stick again.
After the show, Clopin caught up with them and they made their way back to the Court of Miracles.
"Did you enjoy the show?" He asked Nadya his fingers gently tracing the goatee he was growing out. She laughed.
"Yes, Puppet certainly was entertaining." She said laughing again at the fake hurt expression on his face.
"Why thank you, Ma Jolie!" Puppet said appearing out of no where. Nadya's eyes lit up and she beamed.
"Well now you've done it, it'll go right to his head." Clopin said with exasperation.
"You're just jealous." Puppet said crossing his tiny arms.
"Of you? Of course not!" Clopin said glaring at the puppet.
"She likes me better." Puppet said teasingly
"And miss out on my charms. I think not!"
"What charms? All I see is a long nose and a funny goatee!"
Smack.
"Ouch."
"Can you two hurry up?" Emilian called pulling Nadya out of her laughter and Clopin and Puppet both looked up from their argument. "We can't hold this door open forever you know!"
Nadya was surprised to find herself back at the barn; the walk back had seemed so short. Quickly she hurried inside, Clopin right behind her.
*****
Nadya had changed into a more comfortable, light dress for the night. She was brushing through her hair softly when Emilian entered the tent. He seemed distracted and she turned from her seat to face him.
"Something wrong?" She asked letting concern for him into her voice.
"What? Oh, nothing." He said distractedly. Removing his shirt and putting on a clean white one to sleep in. Nadya shrugged, knowing she would get nothing more out of him if he didn't feel like sharing. She was just settling into bed when she heard an annoyed sigh from Emilians side. She heard rough footsteps and then felt a weight at the end of her bed. She sat up to find Emilian sitting there a pained expression on his face.
"What is it?" She asked her concern deepened by his appearance. He sighed profoundly and closed his eyes.
"What's going on between you and Clopin?" He asked quietly, his eyes still closed.
"What?" Nadya asked. Her mind drawing up blank, he'd just said the farthest thing from her mind.
"You know what I'm talking about." His concern for her blatantly obvious in his tone. "I saw you kiss him and you two were walking very slowly together today. What's that about?"
Nadya could only stare at him blankly, her mouth hanging open slightly, could he really be saying this to her?
"Don't give me that look Nadya!" He said sighing in frustration "I just want to warn you. You know what he's like. Marko too. Of course they seem like real charmers. At the beginning. But only until they've been with you. Then they'll have nothing good to say about you until they need you again. I know you Nadya, your to smart to fall for that."
His voice was increasing in speed as he hurried to express his feelings.
"I've been friends with them since I was eleven years old! I know all their tricks. Hell, I've even used a few of them myself. And I don't want my only sister, my old family, to be hurt like that."
He looked like he had more to say, but Nadya put a hand up to stop him. Her thoughts rushing back to her, her confusion turned to enlightenment.
"What you saw was wrong." She started. "I didn't kiss him. It was just a peck on the cheek. Something I've done to you a million times."
He looked like he was about to protest but she cut him off.
"You're right Emilian. You do know me. I couldn't fall for their tricks. I've known them to long; just as long as you have and I've seen it all."
Emilian didn't speak but his eyes were uncertain. Nadya reach over and hugged her brother around the side. He placed his arm around her back gently and sighed.
"Just promise me that you won't fall for it. Please, Nadya." He said slowly "I need to hear you say it."
Nadya was silent for several seconds, her head pressed against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. Finally, she sighed.
"I promise brother. I will not fall for Clopin."
A/N: This chapter was a lot easier to write then I thought it would be. Hope your enjoying the little foreshadowing here, if you can catch it. The next chapter will be up as soon as I possibly can. Meanwhile, please leave a review! :)