Travelers

The sun streamed into the cracks of the narrow boards of the vardo*. Barely enough to see by, but Treasca* managed. The book she was reading was an extremely detailed book of anatomy. The pictures expertly drawn to detail.

She knew better than to become attached to it however, like all Traveler's belongings it was only temporarily in her possession. It would be sold eventually like everything else that wandered in and out of their lives. The horses halted some what suddenly throwing Treasca nearly from her bed. Only a lifetime of experience kept her from being tossed about in the very old wagon. Sighing she placed the book in her trunk, and left down the rickety stairs to the ground.

"Oh good there you are Treasca!" her mother Malena said walking toward her with a slight frown of worry on her face.

"Lina's newborn seems to be getting worse. I fear the cough tonic you made didn't cure the babe completely."

Treasca nodded she had been concerned that it wouldn't be enough. Treasca was a mage, and a very strong one at that. The elders who instructed her where quickly surpassed by her raw talent. They sent her for many years to the Traveler's main clan for instruction. She took to it like a fish to water as her mother often said with pride. Now she was the youngest head mage in history. Her father the cheif of their troop had been swarmed with families wanting to join them. Now they where the biggest and wealthiest troop in the Travelers.

"I will go there right now." she soothed patting her mother's shoulder gently. Lena's husband stood wringing his hands fretfully out side of a hastily erected tent. He started when he saw her eyes widening for a moment before he calmed.

"Peace Talen's son, I will have that lad of yours back to rights don't you worry." she smiled serenely at him. In the last five years of her placement she had not lost a single man, woman, child, or even goat to accident or disease. She walked passed the much calmer father into the dim tent. She paused a moment letting her eyes adjust to the much dimmer light. the mother cradled the newborn who's little body was wracked with each barking cough. She had wanted the babe to fight this cough himself to build up his immune system, and strengthen his small lungs. Nodding she looked at the mother's expectant face. She didn't see a single ounce of doubt there. Treasca smiled at the woman and stretched her hands out for the baby. Lena handed him to her. He had not even had his naming day yet poor sweet thing. Treasca closed her eyes and placed a single finger on his forehead. She sent her magic down that narrow channel, because this would require a lot of control.

Author's notes:

vardo- is a gypsies wagon often covered like a small house on wheels pulled by horses.

Treasca is pronounced Tre-s-ca.

Thank you for reading.