From Rucharc Castle

Chapter 1

Solstice

The loud clatter and bang of my birthplace woke me up.
"Oh God. Why do the maids need to make so much noise?"
I yawned contently.
"Tina! I'm up!" I yelled.
The blonde maid came rushing upstairs.
"I'm glad you're starting to wake up earlier. Listen, we're going to a circus today. Father requested you wear this."

I nodded and helped Tina change me into the black dress.
"Gypsy of course?"
"Yes, dear. They have a girl about your age. She's a trapezist and tightroper.
"Thats nice. But you know I don't mix with gypsies. They steal. They mug. They beg."
Tina nodded.
"I hope these ones don't."

Tina put my human hair wig with golden braided hair on my head, covering my naturally auburn hair. I didn't often wear wigs unless I was going to a circus or concert. Anyway, I would generally wear my platinum blonde wig, because I was a proud descendant of a noble Viking family.

I went downstairs where the chef had prepared breakfast. Tina led me to my special chair at the family table and went into the bathroom. I stared at the family centrepiece which was a wonderful work of art. It was made of genuine gold. Griffins and dragons had been carved into it and a magnificent carnelian sat on top.

Father looked at me.
"You look great, my Summer Solstice."
I smiled.
Summer was warm and always brought hope with not only the crops, but the hope of warm weather and bathing. Even in Summer, bathing was too cold to do in the dock. Unless, like our family, you had a bathing pool.

***

Our guards led me, my mother and my father through the bustling city. We went past the dock. I stared out at sea. Alone. Though maybe I could go to Rucharc Castle. I would like to visit it, but I really didn't want to live there or work there. That would be my dream.

Penny

I look at the crowded pouring in to the tent, excited for this performance in Parclaw, the city near Rucharc castle.
I knew all manner of people were coming and was curious if anyone important was gonna turn up to watch the show.
The crowd thinned as everyone took their seats and I noticed a posh girl with her parents enter; the girl had a interesting and know-it-all "aura" around her that made me curious.
Suddenly a head popped out next to me,
"Pen! Papá says to get ready he's gonna open the show!" My 3 year old sister, Lila, whispered in my ear. I was 15 and the trapezist/tightroper in the caravan. This was my first time in the capital and my first time using the proper trapeze equipment.

I was so close to Rucharc Castle and I could feel the excitement of performing in front of all these noble high born Rucharcians.
I moved into the back tent and changed into a maroon top, and a layered skirt of pink purple orange and some red. I tied a red headband through my deep and dark long curly red hair to keep it back. I could hear Papá introducing Mamá and Lila on Starmoon, Mamás horse, and Ping, Li's donkey. I slipped inside and through the crowd to get my rope.

Solstice

I took my seat and stared around the audience. Almost all richies. Like me. Great.
I saw a shorter girl staring at me. Her pale face was covered in freckles and she had long, curly, mahogany hair. I frowned at her and my hand tightened on my purse. Thieves perhaps.

Penny

Grandpa strode off the sanded arena after his fire performance and I swung off gripping the rope and flying around until I crossed the center of the tightrope where I did a double flip in the air and landed perfectly on the slackline with little more than a wobble that made the crowd oooh. I felt the air shimmer beside me and saw the girl watching me.Distracted I fell backwards and turned it into a backflip that landed me on the floor.

My cousin Jess was standing  up next to the slackline and in two fluid motions he released the slackline and lowered the aerial hoop for me. I leaped up to catch it and and floated up into the eaves where I unhooked the trapeze and leaped on.

I flew to the ground and, to the astonishment of the crowd, flipped so i was hanging upside down and could just scrape the ground i picked up the tightrope and flew to the side where i jumped off and passed the rope to Jess. Once he tightened it in place I walked along the tightrope. In the middle I did a cartwheel and fell into the splits. Finally I slid to the ground.

I bowed and grabbed my still hanging rope. Then i rose up into the shadows of the roof where I climbed out through a slit to wait to go and bow with the rest of the caravan.

Solstice

I clapped my hands as the performance ended. All the performers came out and took a bow. My eyes scanned the performers and again I found the mahogany haired gypsy staring at me.
Seriously? Why did she have to death stare me?
I rolled my eyes at her.

Then, I realised. I looked into her dark, dark eyes and I saw something. Fear. Shock. Astonishment. She was looking at me as though I had just done the whole performance with her. That was silly, as if I could do that!

Then again, gypsies are known to steal stuff. It was probably a catch so that someone could nick my little bag. But my bag was still there.

Mother and Father stood up and with a last look at the gypsy, we trudged home.

***

"How was it Solstice?" Tina asked.
"Great. The little performer you were talking about was death staring me."
Tina laughed.
"She probably never met rich people before."
"Probably." I sighed.
I let Tina guide me into a chair and take off my wig.