The Braedsen Village Chronicles II

Okay, here is the latest edition for you. I hope you like it. Oh, and before you read this, make sure that you read the addition I made to the last chapter. Otherwise you won't understand how the story got where it is.

Last time....
"Rubert, however, looked from Genna to Keitha and said, "I'm sorry K., but you don't have time to eat with us. Your mother has fallen ill, and we need you to go see the Gypsy, and get some of her herb medicine. Mikel's the only one beside yourself who knows the way, but you are on friendly terms with her, so it falls to you to go.""


The Braedsen Village Chronicles
Chapter 2
Rosetta the Gypsy

Keitha got up from the table, and asked, "May I see mother before I go?".
Rubert just nodded and headed toward the bedroom, with Keitha following.
Trista looked very ill, indeed. She was laying in bed, white as the blanket she had pulled up to her chin. Her black hair contrasted sharply, and made her appear even more pale. Her eyes were closed, and what was even more amazing is that she didn't utter a sound upon their entrance. Not a moan or a sigh. This made Keitha as worried as anything else. her mother had always been a very vocal person, and silence was not natural to her.
Keitha went straight out of the room again, grabbed her coat, and was out the door, before her father had a chance to give her the meal he'd packed for her. It didn't matter, Keitha was in no mood to eat anyway.

It was about an hour before Keitha reached the clearing where the gypsy made her home. Rosetta was a very odd character. She seemed to have the ability to read a persons thoughts. Although she never used "magic", Rosetta had the misfortune of being labeled a witch. She was common enough in appearance, brown hair, brown eyes, brown skin. She was taller than most women, and had a more accentuated figure as well. Yet, something about her seemed to fascinate men. She was hated by many of the village women for it.

"Hello Keitha. Your mother is ill."
It was not a question.
"I have already gathered the proper herbs for you to take with you when you go, but I wouldn't go until morning if I were you."
Keitha wasn't surprised. Rosetta often did this kind of thing, you see, Rosette had the ability to see the future.
"Thank you Rosie. I'd be happy to stay here with you."
Keitha went over to Rosetta's caravan, next to which Rosetta had built a fire, and sat down on a log in front of the fire.
"You're hungry, K. Here's some soup and bread. I'm sorry that I don't have more, but I haven't been able to sell any of my books lately. And it seems that everyone has lost their tast for gypsy songs and jewelry."
Rosetta took a seat next to Keitha. And got out the curious little book that she was always writing in.
All of a sudden Rosetta giggled and pulled her bandana off her head, put her face in her hand, lifted her head again and fluffed her hair. This was one of Rosetta's habits that always startled Keitha. Here was this grand, mysterious and dark woman..... giggling.
"I am sorry, Keitha, but I just thought of something very funny to add to my story. I think it will entice people to buy it."
Although Keitha begged Rosetta to tell her what this funny thing was, Rosetta refused to tell her.

It was a cool, pleasant morning, and Keitha woke refreshed. She looked around for Rosetta, and found her meditating in a tree.
"What are you doing Rosetta?"
"I'm trying to see if something would actually work. It will be in one of my stories if it does." Rosetta replied, mysteriously.
Keitha was at a loss as to what Rosetta could possibly want to put in a story that had to do with meditating in a tree.

Rosetta stayed in the tree until it was nearly noon, and then gracefully alighted from her loft.
"Yes. I do believe it will work."
Keitha was still puzzled, but knew that she would never get a straight answer from the gypsy, so she left the gypsy to herself.
"It is time to go, Keitha. Your father will be anxious."
And so the two set out for the home of the shepherd.
They had gone about two miles when a noise ahead startled Keitha. She was immediately on her guard, but Rosetta put a hand on Keitha's arm and said, "All is well, we need not be frightened."
Keitha looked at her and asked, "Do you know what it was?"
"No," the gypsy replied, "but I know that whatever it is will not harm us."
And so they continued. However, it must be said that Keitha had the strangest feeling that someone, or something had been watching them.



Well, There you have it. I hope you enjoyed it Tracy. Oh, and I'll be adding more to this chapter before I move on to the next. I don't know who I'll introduce next. I haven't planned that far. Things will fall into place though, never fear.