𝙳𝚊𝚜 𝙷𝚎𝚛𝚣: 𝙱𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝙴𝚒𝚗𝚜

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟏

The streams of smoke float in the air as below them, the fire Koza made by the river, crackles and pieces of wood collapse in the pile of burning timber. Lorelei's eyes capture the glow of the flames as she stares into the fire and her memories.

Watching the fish on their sticks as they cook over the fire, Koza sits on a downed tree, his elbows on his knees and hands rubbing together as he likes to do. He looks up to the woman, her blue eyes encased by her heavy black lashes, a slow blink occasionally disrupting her stare at the flames. "I suppose they are ready to eat." Koza reaches for one of the skewers of fish. He surveys its cooked scales, approving. With a warm smile, he hands it over to her. She repays his politeness with her own warmth, taking it with a curl of her pink lips.

She studies the placement of her first bite, then takes it. "...Good," she nods.

Pleased, he moves to pick up his share and take part in his own enjoyment of the meal.

An hour or so later, the fire begins to smoke as it dies. From the burnt wood, the smoke scents the air. Resting his head against the tree which was his seat during the meal of fish, Koza lies with a bent arm for a pillow, his face loose and in sleep. Koza dreams whilst Lorelei lays tucked under her red shawl, asleep by the dwindling flames.

Carefully moving over the small pebbles of the river shore, brown booted feet sneak their way closer and closer to Koza. Gradually, the man draws a short sword, curving

its blade ever so slowly round the front of Koza's throat. The motion is silent and soon to be deadly, until the man halts all movement, seeing a long blade starting to curve around his own throat. Darting out of the way, the man rolls to a stance, seeing Eber standing with drawn Romhild.

The man studies Eber, the commander seeming as silent and deadly as he was. Soon enough, Eber recognizes the man as the gypsy Lorelei insisted on helping. "Koza," he calls tamely to the sleeping captain.

Grumbling, Koza opens his eyes still half off in slumber, then sees where the call came from and who. At the sight of Eber standing somewhat over him, he jumps and clambers to his feet. "Sir?!" The motion stirs Lorelei, waking her for the unfolding event as well. Looking over the gypsy man, Koza turns back to Eber. "Was he... was he trying to?"

"Always sleep with an eye open, Koza." Eber pauses, glancing back to Lorelei. "Especially when the woman is up to something." Lorelei wrinkles her nose.

"Where are his two friends?"

At the coach, all is still and quiet. Cerny and the horses stand calmly dozing tied to a line of rope between two trees. Kasimir lies wrapped in a rich silk blanket lined with thick plush fur, meanwhile, Biagio rests in simple blankets and appears satisfied enough. Thayer sits with his back against one of the wheels of the carriage with his arms crossed off in sleep, as a subtle sound comes from the edge of the treeline.

The two gypsy men sneak noiselessly through the bushes and one points to the roof of the coach. "That's what we're after," The right one smiles as the left one follows the direction of his partner's finger.

The men make their way closer and as they round the coach they see the lone soldier's presence lit by the flames of the dying campfire. Though they are quiet, Cerny's other senses wake him, lifting his head to watch the men creep. They halt as they wait for a sign of the young man's consciousness. Convinced that he is fast asleep, one of them climbs the wagon and begins to lower chosen items to his comrade. After putting as much as could fit in the couple of sacks they brought, the one hops down silently from the roof and they aim to leave when at last minute the comrade sees the gold stool of Kasimir's, then snatching it they hurry off back into the woods with Cerny's head and ears following them.