Free The Gypsy Queen by Samuel Solomon

ride against us,” he added.
      Volga nodded. “Then I will send my men to the south, to other country, for now. There are plenty of villages to the south. We will have less resistance there.”
      “I will move my caravan south as well,” Draiman agreed. “We need supplies. I will return before the full moon, and will bring any news I can gather.”
      “Bring more captives!” Volga bellowed. “We will sail soon to Kaffa with all the slaves we have now. If I am not back before you, feel free to enjoy the castle and any slaves you want , while you await.”
      Draiman left Tatu Castle , to join his men where they were encamped. He looked forward to restocking in the south. He would meet more gypsy tribes and see if he could add to his ranks. Until then, he drank with his men into the night, under the skies of the Lower Reach.
     
    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
     
    Yana and Bastion addressed the caravan at Jedikai , beseeching them to stay close to the city until they had dealt with the threat. They were accustomed to following Yana , and she knew they would be wise enough to stay close to the city, especially after the accounts of Kizzy and Nadya. In her great love for her people, Yana was also saddened- they were fearful, and that sort of life was not befitting a gypsy. She hoped to set things right, any way she could.

  Bastion led Yana and the horses towards the city gates. They had work to do.
     
     
    “Heh,” Pook said. “Look at this,” he said to his fellow gatekeeper, Gumi. Gumi shuffled over and peered out, seeing Bastion and Yana headed towards them, and the city gates. “Did you see them go out?” Gumi asked. “Nope. Musta been on your watch,” said Pook.
      “Well if I’d have seen them leave the city on my watch, I wouldn’t have asked you!” Gumi said.
      “Maybe if you hadn’t lost the telescope, you’d have seen them!” Pook retorted.
      “Maybe if I’d have smashed it over your head, I’d have some peace and quiet around here!” said Gumi.
      Pook ignored the remark, and looked out on Bastion and Yana as they entered the city. “Something tells me that ‘peace and quiet’ is gonna be in short supply,” he said. Gumi grunted agreement, as he watched them pass.
     
     
    Bastion brought the horses to the King’s livery, and Yana rushed in to see her horse. Kuta was looking beautiful, brushed out and likely well-fed, she figured. All the horses were back home, and the stable was active with workers tending to them, and making preparations. Yana whispered kindly to her horse in Romany, while Bastion was talking with someone. She looked over. It seemed it might be somebody important, from the looks of him. They looked over at her, and the two of them made their way to Yana and her horse.
      “Hello Miss Gypsy,” the man with Bastion said. His demeanor was friendly.
      “ Yana , this is Otta, the King’s administrator, and my uncle,” Bastion clarified. Yana had heard of him.
      “Hello Otta,” she said, extending her hand in a gypsy greeting. He took it perfectly, as he was well-versed in diplomacy and culture.
      “We are pleased to see you in Jedikai ,” Otta said. “Welcome.”
      “Thank you,” she answered.
      “Bastion has advised me of your news,” Otta said. “We are underway to give you every possible preparation for the Lower Reach.”
      Yana liked him. “Thank you,” she said again. “I hope we can put an end to these attacks.”
      “Aye. The people of the city are restless because of it. I imagine the gypsies feel it even more.”
      “We do, sir,” he said.
      “I am pleased to see you among the riders. The people of Jedikai may not be too fond of gypsies, but I understand you have shown valor,” Otta said.
      “Valor can arrive or depart just as sure as a gypsy caravan,” she replied. Yana looked at Bastion. “Bastion lends his courage freely,” she said. “It seems to show up everywhere he goes.” Speaking well of Bastion