| Where should I start, at the beginning I suppose As I have said, I am Dane Ravnos Elder of the Clan Ravnos. I was born in Avoca Ireland. I spent my days fishing and dreaming of far off lands and strange people. My parents would discourage these thoughts. During the year of my 29th birthday a caravan came to our distant shores. They posted invites all over the county inviting anyone to come and watch them perform. I was drawn by the invitations to go to the Caravan. That night I walked through the forest I could see their torches in the distance. I could hear a haunting melody that seemed to pull me towards the flaming torches. As I drew closer I could see the crowds of people gazing upon a single figure on the makeshift stage. She was the image of beauty, fiery red hair and ivory skin was all I could see. As silence fell jugglers swamped the stage. I turned with a startle to see a torrent of flame shoot from a fire-eaters mouth. I quickly looked back to find the woman but she was gone. My eyes flittered around the stage hoping to see the vision that had enchanted me but only to feel disappointment. I focused once more on the spectacle of fire and music. I sat against a tree to watch the performers. As I relaxed I was alerted by a whisper in my ear. I turned to find nothing. The whisper came again but it seemed to come from deep inside the thick dark forest .The whisper turned into a girls laughter from behind me, then in front spinning me into a dizzy sway .I fell to the ground. I awoke to find a dark figure looming over me. The face drew closer and I could see that it was the girl that had created that magnetic haunting melodies." Are you alright?" she asked. I was speechless. "Do you understand me?" she insisted. I managed to put one or two words together "yeh yes". She helped me to my feet. Her face seemed to be translucent and glowing in the blackness of night. We walked back to the caravan, the crowds had disappeared. We entered a large marquee filled with the entertainers that had performed for the clapping crowds. We sat at one of the tables as she poured me a glass of wine. "Did you enjoy the performance?" she asked pouring herself a glass her eyes remained fixed to mine. "What is your name?" I replied breaking eye contact to glance at her long slender hands. �Acar� she answered, she glanced over to a dark skinned male who nodded to her and then continued to talk to the people at his table. �Are you happy with your life Dane?� she asked. I was about to ask how she knew my name but I didn�t need to. The look in her eyes, the expression on her face and the long moment of silence that would normally be uncomfortable made me feel at ease. It was as if we were not strangers but had met before. �Good evening Acar� announced the man that had gestured towards us moments earlier. He was now standing beside the table one hand resting on Acar�s shoulder. �May I join you? I hope I didn�t interrupting anything.� He sat down next to Acar not waiting for a reply. �Good evening Sargatanas� she replied placing her hand into his. �Dane came to watch the show tonight. He was just telling me how much he enjoyed it.� I looked up and gave an acknowledging smile. �Did you enjoy it then?� he urged pouring me another drink. �Yes, it was very entertaining, thank you.� as I answered I couldn�t keep my eyes off Acar. �Will you excuse me please?� she announced as she rose to her feet. As she left the table she walked behind me running her fingers along my back. I looked back to get a last glimpse of her red flowing hair. When losing sight of her slender body I turned back to face Sargatanas realising he was now staring at me. �She is beautiful isn�t she?� I answered, � yes� bowing my head and looking at my hands. �You can tell she likes you,� he informed me as he stood to his feet. �Follow me� he headed towards the entrance and stepped into the blackness of the night. �Tell me Dane do you like our life here?� �Yes it seems very exiting a different land and cultures� we walked deeper into the woods towards my home. �I don�t think you know what I mean� he said �We are night dwellers you never see us in the daylight moreover you will never see Acar during the day.� I stopped and turned towards him and looked in to his stone face. �We are cursed do you understand what I am saying? The more you visit here the more you will understand now I must leave you to go home.� I turned standing on the hill at the edge of the wood overlooking the village that I came from watching the sun begin to rise with a sense that my home was no longer in that direction I turned to Sargatanas he was gone. |
| My Story |
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