Isabelle stroked Elias’s mane and she and Dylan rejoined Daniel and Jackson. “I believe we have worked out duties for both Jackson and Dylan. Jackson shall help me in the stables and around the grounds. Dylan can work in the kitchens; you have said that they have been understaffed since Samantha…relocated.”
“Come now Daniel use the correct term. She vanished. Not that working in the kitchens is dangerous business; people have been vanishing from all the kingdoms.”
“Vanished?” Dylan inquired. “Indigo used to vanish all the time.”
“Dylan that is not the kind of vanishing they are speaking of. Indigo vanished into thin air where people could see him, and he always returned.”
“Oh.”
Confused, Daniel and Isabelle looked back and forth between Dylan and Jackson. “Might we be granted an explanation?”
“It depends. What is your king’s disposition in relation to…gypsies?”
“There have been some complaints that my father has had to look into and respond to accordingly, but he has never displayed any outward distaste for them. In fact, I can almost positively say that he enjoys their talents. We have much enjoyed their company at the castle as both guests and paid entertainment. I am quite fond of a certain seer in one of the local bands of gypsies myself.”
“Our mother and father died soon after Dylan’s first birthday. Orphaned and left alone we wandered the expanse of the kingdom of Lain, your neighbor to the northeast. Soon a traveling band of gypsies discovered us and took us in. They raised us as their own. However, little more than a year ago, the king of Lain decided he would no longer put up with the gypsy pests and outlawed anything related to gypsies. One night, the king sent his knights to disband all the gypsies they could find. Dylan and I escaped arrest, but were separated from our family. So we ran. In time, we found your kingdom but stayed in the shadows not knowing your king’s opinion of gypsies. Alas, we could not stay hidden for long. Considering who discovered us, I’d say fortune has taken pity on us.”
“Then fortune has taken pity on us as well,” Daniel announced as he friendly patted Jackson on the back. “We are glad to have met you and are more than willing to welcome two new friends. Lord knows I was beginning to tire of Isabelle’s company.” Looking at Isabelle, Daniel smiled.
“I could have you beheaded for saying that.” Isabelle smiled back as she rose to her feet.
“Ah, the freedom that would grant.”
Vocalizing an incredulous gasp, Isabelle dove for Daniel, knocking them both into a pile of hay behind. A moment later they emerged with straws of hay embedded in their hair and clothing. Unable to control their amusement, Jackson and Dylan burst into laughter and were soon showered with hay as Daniel and Isabelle opted to share their bounty. Still laughing, the four helped each other rid themselves of as much of the hay they could.
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