Chapter 8: Funeral

Clopin ordered several of the strongest men in the court to his side. When Emilian was called he kissed Nadya quickly on the forehead, giving her hand a fast squeeze, before hurrying to stand beside Clopin. They were ordered to collect the bodies of Molish and Marko with the greatest care and bring them to the high platform. The men split up evenly and headed off to there task.

Nadya kept her eyes on Clopin, his face was a mask as he watched his men follow his orders. She only turned away when a slender, warm hand took her own. Her dark eyes met Esmeralda's green ones. Tears were silently streaming down her cheeks and Nadya wordlessly pulled Esme to her, hugging her tightly. She focused on keeping her own tears back as she stroked Esmes hair gently until the girls sobs had slowed. Esmeralda pulled back and gave Nadya a weak smile.

"Its just so sad." She said her eyes watery and miserable.

"I know, it's just not fair." Nadya agreed glancing over to see that the bodies were being gently carried up to the platform. Clopin was gazing down at the dead body of his best friend and the look on his face was heartbreaking. Esmeralda followed her gaze to Clopins face and shook her head sadly.

"Its Clopin I'm worried about most." She said and Nadya understood what she meant. He would feel the loss the most.

"You should speak to him," Nadya suggested turning her gaze back to Esme. "Comfort him. He'll listen to you." To her surprise, Esmeralda shook her head.

"You should go." She said, "He's my big cousin. You know how protective he gets. He would never want me to see him suffering." Before Nadya could respond, Clopin spoke up from where he stood in front on the crowd.

"This has been a most tragic event." He spoke slowly but strong. "We have lost a great leader, and…a brave young man." He gazed out to his people, the light in his eyes dimmed with sorrow. "We will honor them with a burial fit for a king. And tomorrow, in the dark of night we will lay them at rest." He bowed low before the people then stepped lightly off the stage. The throng slowly dispensed to try and get some sleep before tomorrow's preparations.

Emilian approached Nadya, his head bowed in grief. Her brothers sadness, hurt Nadya the most and she hugged him comfortingly. He hugged back weakly and mumbled something about returning to bed. Nadya watched him go, until he was lost in the mob of people. Esme too, said that she had to go, before hurrying away in the direction of Nuri's caravan.

Now alone, Nadya started dragging her feet forward, in the direction of her tent. Everyone she passed wore masks of deep sorrow. There were several young women still crying, huddled around each other for comfort. The look of sadness on their faces caused Nadyas feet to change direction. Without even considering it, she headed toward Clopins tent. She felt the need to comfort him as strongly as she had felt the need to comfort her brother.

She found him exactly where she thought she might. His back was to the open entrance of his tent. But she was sure that he'd heard her approach. She walked to him slowly, keeping her movements measured. He kept his back to her, as he stood, facing the blank stretch of woven cloth background. She put her hand on his shoulder and when he didn't acknowledge her, she moved in closer; hugging him from the side. He was taller then her. Her head hardly reach his shoulders but she held him tightly, laying her face against his chest in comfort. His only move was to place an arm around her shoulders tightly. As if he needed an anchor for his sanity.

She was happy to oblige. She didn't speak and he didn't either. The stood in silence, until Nadya lost track of time. Until her eyes began to close of there own accord. Until Nadya had fallen asleep, unable to hold back her exhaustion. Now Clopin was the one anchoring her to the ground. For the first time he glance down at her. She looked at peace in her sleep. In a daze he brushed her hair behind her ear, and then traced his fingers lightly down her jaw.

Then without considering what it would look like; he lifted her gently into his arms and carried her over to his bed. Laying her gently down in it and covering her delicately with a blanket. She didn't wake. Only snuggled into the bed, her long hair splayed out on the pillows. He stared at her for a minute, his face empty. Before slipping silently from the tent, flipping the flap shut as he went.

XXXX

It was warm and comfortable where she lay. Sleep still clogged her brain as she pulled the blanket up to her chin. It smelled different then her bed. But the scent was familiar and comforting.

Then the night before flooded to her and her eyes flew open. She wasn't in her own tent; she was in Clopins and alone. She didn't remember falling asleep, but a great amount of time had passed and her mind turned to her brother. He would wonder what had become of her. She had to find him.

Reluctantly, she pushed off the blanket and got to her feet. She pushed open the flap to the tent and was surprised to see all the work going on around her. Women were shuffling back and forth carrying bits of cloth and pots of water. Slightly disoriented, she started out to the center of the court, asking people at random if they had seen her brother.

"He was out with the Clopin and the diggers early this morning." One woman told her, pointing her in the right direction. Nadya headed that way until she spotted her brother in a crowd of dirty, sweating men. She hurried forward. When he saw her coming he turned to acknowledge her. He was covered with dirt, but beneath the grime he looked happy to see her.

"I'm sorry!" She said as soon as she reach him. "I know I didn't come back last night but I was-"

"No need to explain." He interrupted her putting his hands on her shoulders and pulling her to him for an earthy smelling hug. "Clopin told me this morning that you were with Esmeralda." He pulled back, hands still gripping her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "I figured you needed some time." He paused. "I did too."

The sadness in his eyes hurt Nadya to the core, and she hugged him again. Brushing some of the dirt off his arm at the same time; she gave him a questioning look.

"We've been digging all morning." He said in answer, gesturing to the other men he'd been with. "Only we are to know the position of the graves. Clopin lead us out to it this morning. We'll be…carrying them there come night."

Nadya nodded with understanding, she was just about to speak when Clopin appeared behind Emilian and answered her unasked question.

"Nadya," He addressed her and she looked at him full on. He was dressed entirely in black today, with a wide, sweeping black hat. "You should be helping with the funeral cloth. All the women will be adding their bit."

"Yes, Clopin." She said, trying to convey some gratitude for his cover up story in her eyes. He gave her a tiny nod behind her brothers back and she knew he understood. While Clopin lead Emilian away, Nadya headed off in the opposite direction, looking for Esmeralda.

She finally found her, comparing bits of cloth with a few other young women. She approached them and Esme smiled up at her wearily.

"Come to help?" She asked extending a handful of colorful bits of cloth. Nadya took them, sitting cross-legged beside her friend. They talked quietly amongst themselves, selecting the choicest bits of cloth from those that had been donated. The selected pieces were carried by the younger girls to the older women's circle, were they were sewn into two giant, colorful funeral cloths that would cover the bodies.

As day became night, preparations slowed as the days work was finished. Pots filled with stews and fresh bread had been prepared all throughout the day, for the funeral feast. The aroma filled the court and made Nadya's stomach rumble with hunger. As soon as the sun had set, the gypsies began to court infront of the raised platform.

Nadya and Esme kept toward the front, holding each others hands for reassurance. The court was silent as they gazed upon the bodies of their dead. Marko and Molish's bodies had been wrapped clean and dressed, then wrapped in the colorful cloths the women at court and sewn for them.

Clopin stood before the crowd and called for a remembrance, so that there memories would not be forgotten. Nadya closed her eyes, and Markos face swam behind her closed lids. She saw him the first time she had come to court at the age of eleven. She saw his blue eyes shine with adventure and mischief. But her most recent memory of him came to mind with perfect clarity. She saw him just as he was the day before, the maturity he was coming to accept glowing in his every pore as he confessed his dreams to be a great leader like his father.

A tear slid out from behind her closed eyes and she brushed it away with the back of her hand. She opened her eyes and glanced at Esme. Tears were slowing sliding down her face as well, but she made no motion to remove them. Her green eyes were fixed on the stage. Two flat, long boards were carried in; each had four men holding it at the corners. Nadya recognized Emilian carrying one of them. The bodies were place on the boards and the men raise them high, carrying them off to one of the secret exits of the Court of Miracles.

Everyone moved off, most were not in a cheerful mood. But the funeral feast went as planned. More food then had ever been prepared before was on tables and in pots on the floors. Nadya helped an older women and her young daughter serve bowls of warm stew in wooden bowls. Everyone in present was fed well that night, probably for the first time in a long time.

Nadya spotted Clopin talking amongst some of the older men at court. She figured he had not eaten yet. So she scooped up another warm bowl, ripping off a chuck of bread to go with it and approached him. As she got closer she could hear them talking bout guard duty. Their location still needed to be protected, more now then ever before. One of the killers was still free.

The group broke up just as she reach it, some heading off to the graveyard entrance, other into the vast mobs. She nudged Clopin and offered him the bowl of food. He looked surprised, but took it. She watched him eat hungrily and took his empty bowl when he was finished.

"Thank you ma cherie." He said giving her a ghost of his former smile. She studied his face closely. The loss of his friend had changed him. She could easily see it. He stared back, his dark eyes analyzing her face while hers analyzed his. They remained that way until someone called Clopins name. He turned, and with a brief nod to her, headed toward his caller.

A/N: Yes! Another chapter! Please leave a review. And rest assured I have not forgotten this story. But life has prevented me from writing for quiet a while and for that I'm sorry!