Prelude - @Short Story

Prelude - Part 4

Prelude

by sloanranger

Part 4

After the meal they sat around the fire as always and talked. "My brother will walk to their camp, tonight,"  Slyfesta said. "With permission of the boy as head of the family, Merival will sleep just outside their encampment."

Vadoma nodded slowly. It was only courtesy to have a man watch nearby for the woman and child.

Simza listened to their after-dinner talk as long as she could, before it was time for bed. She yawned.

"Go to bed, little one," her mother said. The girl kissed her parents and climbed up into the vardo. She actually liked to go to her bed in the wagon early; she'd long ago discovered the talk of the adults was more interesting if they thought she was asleep. Not always, but sometimes, they talked of her - more often these days since she had become a woman.

The adults were talking now, of finding her a suitable husband and what her dower might be. "She will have my galbi," Vadoma said, fingering the necklace of bright gold coins around her neck.

"No, my love. That was your mother's," Slyfesta said.

"Hmmph, what difference?" The woman shrugged, "She will have it one day, anyway."

Simza could  hear the crackle of the fire and smell the woodsmoke from her small bed in the vardo. She never understood how gadje children could stand to be so closed up and so far away from the earth. The voices of her parents droned on and Simza thought of her future husband. If only she could see him clearly....

The next morning Vadoma found the woman and her son less than a mile walk, upstream. Merival stood just outside the encampment while the women made their talking. Her boy soon joined him.

The woman gave her welcome to Vadoma and introduced herself as Sofia. A good name, Vadoma thought. It wasn't Romany, but it was a good name - wisdom. Her own name, Vadoma - meant knowledge, she and the woman should get along well. The boy's name was Anayus. There was a Romany name, Ananias. Close, Vadoma thought, close. And Sofia was comely, not in an obvious way, but quiet. Good again. She noted Merival already giving long looks to the new widow.

After the necessary civilities, Vadoma extended the hospitality of her band. Would Sofia and her son like to accompany them on their journey?

"We pass very near Prague in the coming months and you and the boy would be most welcome to share our family's fortunes and protection."

The woman did not cry, she was too dignified for that - but Vadoma could see an almost visible loosening of her shoulders.

"If you like, Sofia," Vadoma took the woman's hand, "you and I can walk back to our camp. Merival and the boy can hitch the vardo and bring your things."

Not trusting herself to speak, the woman squeezed the other woman's hand and nodded quickly.

"Good," Vadoma said. "It is settled. My daughter is preparing the breakfast. Merival!" She called out.

(To be continued).