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Chapter One
Written by Crystal and copyrighted
entirely and solely to C.L.S. Copyright (c) 1997
Crystal would like to hear
any comments you have in regard to her story.
Please contact her at Roadrunner@coastnet.com
There’s two reasons I don’t often go into the city. One, I prefer the solitude of the forest to the crowded streets, and two, I’m a gypsy which means trouble has a way of finding me. Not that I go around looking for trouble, I don’t, but some people (especially soldiers) like to cause problems for us gypsies whenever they can. Not to mention I'm only fifteen which can make being alone a lot more dangerous.
Unfortunately I had no choice
but to go into the city to get supplies like food. With my bow slung over
one shoulder and a pack including arrows over the other I made my way through
the busy and noisy streets of Paris. Turning the corner I suddenly stopped
short, in front of me were two large soldiers. Unfortunately they had already
seen
me so I couldn’t turn back.
“Hey, gypsy!” One of them yelled
insultingly. “Where’d you steal that bow?”
They came towards me and I backed
up until the wall of a building was behind me. My hand automatically slipped
under my green jacket to my knife which was stuck under my rope-belt. Not
wanting to draw attention or trouble I didn’t unsheathe it, just held it
in case.
“I asked you a question!” He
yelled stepping closer.
“Perhaps we’ll have to beat the
answer from her.” Suggested the other man, sneering at me.
“I didn’t steal it. It’s mine.”
I told them in a quiet but firm voice. One of them laughed.
“What would a gypsy need with
a bow?” He asked scornfully.
I felt my muscles tense automatically
at his tone of voice. I had heard it thousands of times before, always
aimed at us gypsies.
“I use it to catch game.” I
told him coldly, without thinking I pulled my knife out and held it at
arms length. Caught off guard the soldiers stepped back. Unconsciously
my face twisted into a sneer.
“I also use this knife. But
it’s much better for other things.”
I pointed it at them warningly.
Suddenly one of them laughed,
“You dare threaten us?! Gypsy trash!!”
He lunged towards my knife,
surprised I tried to step back, but I was against the wall. He grabbed
my hand and tried to wrench the weapon from me. Startled at my strength
he almost let go. Then, thinking better of it, he kicked me hard in the
shin. I gasped in pain but didn’t let go. Again he kicked me, and again.
My leg couldn’t hold me much longer, I felt my strength leaving me.
With a growl the larger man ripped
the knife from my hands and delivered a high place blow to my stomach.
I doubled over in pain. When I straightened I saw him smiling widely.
“I’ll teach you to threaten
me!!”
On the last word he lunged forward,
I saw a glint of metal and realized he was trying to kill me. Impulsively
I jumped to the side, pain seared through my arm. Quickly I tried to turn
and run, unfortunately the other guard blocked my way. With no escape I
went for my last resource, a dagger hidden in my boot. I unsheathed it
and whirled around. Surprise crossed the man’s face as he saw my weapon.
Then he grinned, “So, you want
another beating do you?” He sneered.
I moved forward in a lightning
fast lunge, almost cutting him. He jumped back fast, his face turning red
with rage.
“I’m going to kill you gypsy
scum!” He screamed, jumping forward and waving my knife in my face. I ducked
and he almost lost his balance. Taking advantage of his falter I dived
under his arm to make a break for it. My leg felt like it was on fire,
my arm was bleeding like crazy and I figured I’d be sick from the blow
to my stomach but it’s amazing what you can do when you have two angry
soldiers chasing you. I ducked through the crowds and tried desperately
to find a place to hide. I couldn’t run much farther, my breath came in
gasps, the men were almost on my heels.
There! An alleyway. With a sudden burst of speed I ran, ducking and weaving through the marketplace, until finally I reached the dark side street. I crouched in the shadows until I heard the pounding feet pass, then I tried to stand. The ground spun, my body convulsed and I found myself slipping into painless darkness.
To be continued....
On to chapter two Ch 2 Morning In Paris
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