Seraphina Chapter 2: Vagabond

    "Gypsies are only good for two kinds of work,"  he scoffed, "telling fortunes and picking pockets."
Seraphina's green eyes betrayed her disdain for the greasy toad of a man.  (No offense to toads.)  Typically, she had no tolerance for such treatment, but these were desperate times.
She held her tongue as the young girl next to her pleaded her case.
"Uncle, she is a skilled dressmaker and she can shoe horses, can't we find a place for her?"

Shoe horses?  Seraphina looked at the girl, then the man, lifted her chin, trying her best to look confident about the recommendation.  Luther, the toad, sighed heavily and nodded.  Obviously irritated, he barked at the young girl.
"But, she gets no wage until she proves she can make a profit for the company.  I ain't runnin' no charity here.  Make room for her in your tent.  She'll share your rations."  With that, he grabbed his filthy hat from the table and crammed it atop his grimy head and left.

    The girl squealed and clutched Seraphina's hand in hers.  "Let's go, I'll show you where you'll stay."
No pay?   She groaned inwardly and let the girl, Bonnie, pull her toward a tent set up behind the stables. 
She really didn't have much choice though, did she?  Seraphina owed much to this mop of a girl she met earlier that morning.
It had been four days since she fled the farm where she had been sheltering.  The morning she fled, Seraphina had just finished brushing the horses when she spied the three men on horseback speaking with the Mr. Smythe.
    The old farmer had nodded then turned to point toward the cottage where Seraphina had been staying.  Without a second thought, she bolted for the door at the rear of the barn and vanished into the woods.
After nearly three months of peace, she had assumed she was no longer being pursued by the constabulary.
She was wrong.
Seraphina had run until her legs could carry her no further.  She could hear the pounding of hooves not far from where she was hidden.  By morning, she felt it safe to move on.
It was a few days later when she was picking berries by the river that Bonnie had seen her and boldly approached Seraphina and proceeded to deluge her with a multitude of questions.
Yet another narrative was born.  Seraphina was lost, Beth had been forgotten and Mina was born to answer the queries and stop the interrogation.

    Entering the tent, Seraphina noticed a pile of garments next to a small table.
"I'm not good at much," Bonnie admitted, "but I can mend.  These costumes must be repaired for tomorrow's show."
She joined Bonnie at the table and they began their large task.
The traveling carnival was an opportune refuge she could not pass up.  Seraphina must prove herself indispensable to her new employer, keep her head down and not cause any suspicions.
She immediately put her mind to the work at hand, fighting back tears, wondering if she'd ever see Joseph again.  Did he think of her still?  Was he growing into a strong, young man in her absence?
"Mina."
"Mina."
"MINA!"
Seraphina was jolted back to reality.
"Yes Bonnie, I'm sorry, what is it?"
"This is Rye, he is our farrier, you'll be working with him, as well."

    Seraphina turned around to meet Rye's gaze and he extended a large, calloused hand to her.  She took it and gave a hardy shake.
Rye was easily one of the most handsome men she had ever laid eyes on.  He looked to be of Gypsy blood with dark eyes and a ruddy complexion.
Without a word, he motioned for Bonnie to follow him outside the tent.
Seraphina, or Mina now...went back to her mending.  She could overhear an intense exchange happening outside the tent.

    Not far away, sitting at a crackling fire, Silas Grimm too, could hear the conversation.  As he repacked his pipe, he thought of the comely gypsy new to the camp.  He watched as Rye walked back to the stables and Bonnie disappeared into the tent.
Bonnie detested Silas, so he would wait, bide his time.  He could be a patient man and there was no hurry.  The sun wouldn't be setting for hours yet.
He would introduce himself to the curious, dark-haired woman soon enough.