| I never rightly knew who my birth family was. Ever since I can remember it's been Dov and Celsya, and Huda too. When I was younger, and still clinging to Celsya's skirts, I would often ask her who my real ma was. The look in her eyes was so sad when I asked her, I knew if it weren't for Dov, she would have told me. Later, when I was old enough to start thinking for myself, I began to wonder exactly why Dov never wanted me to know. Even when he was drunk he would keep his secret, and you can get anything out of Dov when he's drunk. Huda told me she didn't know who her mother was either, and Huda doesn't care a wit for who her father was. When I was younger, and Huda found me irksome, she'd tug my hair and say I was a drudge's child. I was too young then to realize Huda wouldn't know who I was born too, and it upset me greatly when she said it. I'd go cry to Celsya, but she'd just tell me to grow up. I know she wanted to comfort me, but how could she? I had to learn to be tough, and she couldn't afford to be gentle with me. Although, there was once, I was maybe ten, I was laying awake at night, it was too cold to sleep and the fire had gone out, and I heard Celsya and Dov argueing about something. He was drunk as usual, and her voice sounded slurred, as if she'd been sharing his wine. They argued about many things (fighting was their favourite pastime) but as they started bickering about money, I thought I heard her mention that if things got really bad they could contact "the girl's" (meaning me) family, and they'd pay to have her back. I didn't ask about it later, both of them would only deny it ever happened. |
| Dov-runs the "Gang" as they call themselves. The group of entertainers that Elfie is a part of. Celsya-deceased; the first dancer of Dov's, and a mother figure to Elfie. Huda-Elfie's "sister". Huda is a few turns older, and much more exotically beautiful. She's a dancer like Celsya. Champ- Elfie's runner. He was born to one of the cart horses, by a stud bred illegally to her. He was given to Elfie to ride and use in her act. |