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((btw, now you may see Val or Oq posting... as Val or Oq. Now that I have both characters as part of the thread, I doubt I'll be entirely discriminating as to which I use for which. XD When reading, though, it will be pretty obvious who I'm talking about.))

Val came through the woods slowly- for she was the only one on horseback, and although the other two women had insisted that she take 'her turn'... she reigned back the great beast to step high... and slowly. For behind her, the others were on foot, and although the caravan was moored right outside the stretch of woods, Valelldia wasn't willing to step into the clearing without them at her side. Since the attack on the children those nights ago, she'd been harboring in herself a deep need to be around others, to protect the ideals of strength in numbers... and although she didn't quite know what the feeling was that had swept over her the past few days, she knew that something had changed, for she felt it in her dreams, and in the quiet hours of the waking day, when no other thoughts crept into her head but those strange... silent ones.

"How much farther?" A sweet, low voice interrupted her thoughts. She pulled at the leatherhide reigns for the steed to stop, pulling its muzzle right to step off so she could see her sister.

"Not any distance at all, really. By the look of the trees..." the moss the covered their bark was the thicker, spongier sort that was found on the edges of forests- exposed to more rain and sunlight than those in the interior, "Only a number more steps before we're there." She saw the way Oqaia stretched her head, and the incredulous way she eyed the thick passage of trees ahead, and she smiled. "I know it doesn't look it, but these woods can be rather deceiving. Sometimes you don't know you're out of the woods until you see the sun."

Her sister simply nodded, and gestured for the woman behind her to follow up. Valelldia still didn't know her name- for Oqaia was the one who had found her days before, wandering the plains and looking... a little lost. If her half-sister had managed to get anything out of the woman, Valelldia didn't know. But she knew from the way she held herself, the something dark and yet beautiful in her eye, that she had 'the spark', and belonged in the caravan.

Valelldia wasn't reluctant to bring her sister 'home' with her- although it hadn't been an easy journey, to travel to the west and try to convince a girl who she'd not seen since she'd left her fathers house... so many years ago... to come and live the life of a gypsy. Oqaia was from another world, the world of normalcy and stay-at-home values. She'd never been outside of her town, and Valelldia hadn't known whether the friendship that they'd had when they were children, on the few times Val's mother would bring their caravan close to the town that her father lived with his new family- would be enough to convince her that she was needed.

She looked down at the girl- she didn't look much like her, that was obvious. But there was still the same twinkle in her eye, the same dark, mysterious quality that people couldn't put their finger on. And obviously, Val thought, she's more like me than I could have imagined- for she asked to come with Val before the elder sister could even make her offer. They'd not spoken much, on this trip... but she hoped that she'd get to know this long-lost piece of her past...as well as the new members of her caravan.

As if on cue, the woods opened up, and spit out the three women into the clearing where the caravan was moored. Valelldia's heart opened as well, with the joy of being home, and at seeing the familiar sight of the winding wagons, curled in upon themselves like a village.

"This," she told her sister, "Is home."

Emelyn heard Lesh call out Val's name, and she reached over and grabbed her son from where he was sitting in the grass, 'helping' her pull up herbs in his own baby-like fashion by pulling up anything within reach and giggling as he threw it in the air. It was rare to see the child so happy, so she almost regretted moving him- and sure enough, as soon as the cloth diaper left the comfy seat of the dewy morning grass, Pierre let out a yell. She shushed him with a tap on the head and a few words- and the scream turned into a furious pout, as she rushed over to where Lesh now stood, asking who the newcomers were.

"I'm wondering that myself," she said, coming up behind Lesh, smiling ear to ear. "Who are your friends, Val?"

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Val greeted the others who came up to greet them. She didn't recognize one who came, with a sweet, knowing smile on her face- but she noticed that the woman had come from a wagon, and guessed that the others had decided to ask her to join the caravan. Another with the spark, she thought, smiling down.

"Hello," she said warmly, "I'm Valelldia. Welcome to the caravan." she didn't ask if she was staying- by the confident stride of the woman on the grass... she belonged here. "What shall I call you?" She would have gotten an answer right away, except for the quick entrance of Missa. The woman looked... troubled, and she waved at her to take her aside.

"What's wrong?" She asked her, a friendly hand closing over hers.

In the meantime, Oqaia had taken two large packs off the horse, and threw them over her shoulders. She addressed the caravan with an ease that she didn't know she could have with so many strangers.

"We've brought you presents... is there somewhere a little more comfortable we can go, so we can give them out?" She looked over at her sister... still feeling a little surreal that she had a sister in her life again- but Val was speaking in dulcet tones with a woman who'd come up to greet them. So Oq left them be, and turned back to the gathering, a smile on her face and presents bulging in the sacks on her shoulders.

Marissa hugged Val awkwardly, with her hands full of bottles and babies. "It's Kale.." she said quietly, "The arrow in his paw, it won't come out. I've tried pulling it, but it only damages the tendon, and my magicks won't work. I don't know what to do..I'm afraid of infection." Kale panted slightly in her arms, hearing the conversation but not listening. He was inspecting the new arrivals. They smelled nice. Kind.

"And he's been so brave, too..." Marissa continued, kissing her fox's forehead. "And oh, presents," She tried to smile and chuckle lightly.

Mirela smiled warmly as more gypsy's continue to arrive to greet Val. "Hello" she brightly enthused to all those that spared her a glance. With all the excitement of Val's return, there was little time for proper introductions, but Mirela knew that such things would come later. Although she had onlu been with the caravan for a short time, it hadn't taken her long to begin to feel at home.

Having long ago come to the realisation that slow paced and dull life she had lead in Mulden was not for her, she had practically burst with excitement the night that the gyspy had appeared in her town once more. Grabbing the few possessions that she could claim as her own, she had set off in search of the gypsy's encampment. Much to her relief she had been welcomed with open arms.

"I'm ready." Gwynna glanced curiously at the box, but didn't want to intrude. "Lead the way, good sir," she said gallantly. XD

Gwynna grinned and took the proffered elbow. She traipsed along next to him until they reached the clearing. Suddenly shy again, she looked around at all of the other women.