Two Loves of a Gypsy

15. Burning Red

The bracelets on my wrist clinked together as I strode to the marketplace. The tambourine clanked at my side as I pushed pass people. It was market day. Everyone frantically pushed past one another to get to the stores. I found an alcove and took my cape off. I wore a red dress with a flowing red and white skirt. The top was white with red patterns. It was pretty but not a favourite but the only dancing clothes I had left.

I started with a loud bang, and then shook the tambourine to make the bells sound. People's head turned round to look at me. I beat on the tambourine skin to set the beat. My feet moved to the dance and my head spun around. It was fantastic to dance to the sound of coin being tossed into the hat once again.

I felt really alive again, strong and determined. It was dancing in front of crowds which gave me courage. I had forgotten the sound of coin falling onto one another. I had forgotten the feeling of perspiration dripping down my face as others watched. I had forgotten the burning passion inside me when I danced. I loved it.

"VALERIE!" a hand shot out and grabbed my hand. The crowd lingered wait to see what would happen. Gabriel stood there with an angry look on his face. His grip tightened as he tried to pull me away.

"Stop!" I yelled back. I wiggled loose and stepped back into the ring and began dancing again. His hands grabbed my shoulders this time.

"Listen Valerie, the guards are on patrol. If they catch you the only place you will be going is to the stake to burn." Gabriel tried to explain. I refused to listen, in the hat there weren't enough coins. I couldn't go, not yet, not until I had that money.

"I hate you" I hissed at him, "you tried to kill my father, I refuse to listen to a word you say."

"Valerie, please leave this place" he begged. I looked at the hat, the coins had stopped dropping and I needed more.

"I can't" I continued to hiss. He must have thought I turned into a snake overnight.

"Solider Gabriel, Report!" I heard someone yell over the crowd. Gabriel released me and gave me a pleading look. He was right. My need for coin had made me forget what he said was true. It had been taught to me many times, you ran once you see guards coming. I gritted my teeth and ran for the hat. Two shiny metal boots kicked the hat over spilling the coins all over the cobblestones.

"Here, Sir" Gabriel saluted behind me, I watched his mechanical movements. I loathed him for that. I turned my attention back to the coins and tried to gather then up.

"What do we have here?" Shinny Boots said. A hand clad in metal grabbed my left arm. My arm throbbed, but I refused to tell him he was hurting me.

"Gabriel?" said the other metal man. My eyes spun round to Gabriel. He too was covered in metal armour with that weird symbol on the front. It looked like a two swords crossed with a shield behind it. I watched as Gabriel slowly pried the answer out of himself.

"A gypsy, sir" Gabriel said slowly. The other two men smiled cruel little smiles. They tore the hat with the coins from my arms and forced my arms behind my back.

"Gabriel please!" I called out to him cryptically, "I was just trying to save him! Please save them at least!" I couldn't believe I was asking for his help but I had no choice. He could alert my parents to the situation and get them out. I was beginning to think my luck was running out.

"What is she talking about?" Metal man asked Gabriel as Shiny Boots started marching me away. Gabriel watched me with sad eyes.

"I have no idea, she's probably trying to save her live by trying to get me to sympathise with her," he said coldly with a shrug. His eyes told me he understood though. He watched me with the same kind eyes he had watched me with all those times in the garden and meadow. He would get my parents out, I knew that.