To Walk Through a Dream Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven With Wavering Footsteps Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Stone Song Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three A Tale of Winter Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Destiny Inescapable Prologue Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Epilogue The Cycle's Continuing Beginnings Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Two Spirits Akin

Beginnings Chapter Three His eyes were as black as his hair, which was slightly longer than Clopin's. His skin was darker than that of any gypsy she had ever met, and like her he wore a hooded cloak that hid his clothing. It was fastened with a golden pin inset with a red stone which glinted faintly in the twilight. He appeared to be concentrating on something very hard, then finally spoke haltingly in a deep voice with a bizarre accent. "You are....well?" It was a moment before she thought to respond. "My..knees. I can't walk." Her gaze fell to the ground and suddenly her exhaustion caught up with her. There was a stirring of movement and she was being gently lifted off the ground. His face was unreadable, but he felt...safe. She put her arms around his neck, rested her head against his shoulder, and didn't open her eyes until there was a flurry of commotion and voices. "Melisande! Are you all right?!" "What happened??!" "Is she hurt?!?" But then two voices broke through the rest. "Give us room!" "Melisande!!" She felt herself transferred into Jehan's arms and she buried her head against his chest while the other gypsies moved back, though they still watched anxiously. A silence fell over the Court and Melisande had to look to see what had caused it. Clopin stood next to Jehan, his attention half on her and half on the stranger who still stood at the tunnel entrance. Jehan simply held her, oblivious to his surroundings. "I was so worried about you," she heard him murmur into her hair. She looked to Clopin. "Are you hurt?" he asked softly. "No..I just....There were guards. I ran and..my knees gave out." Clopin turned his attention to the stranger. "I suppose this Court must thank you for bringing her back. Now who are you, how did you get into My kingdom, and why should Clopin not hang you for knowing too much?" One of the gypsies who had brought his family into Paris for the Festival stepped forward. "He came with us. I know he's from far off, but he's a gypsy, same as us." Clopin waved the man aside, his eyes still on the stranger, who appeared to be lost in thought. The man spoke up again "He doesn't speak french very well. If you speak in Rom-" Clopin favoured the man with an annoyed glance. "Searching." All eyes turned back to the stranger questioningly. "I came. Searching for.....ba en neseni." "Qoi?" There was another pause of thought. "Soul..of.....storms in the sky. Here?" Three pairs of eyes widened slowly, though the stranger seemed oblivious to their surprise. "I am Kheperu." Chapter Four