A bloody Notre Dame

3

Sixteen years after Lilith died Scarlett has been in charge of the tribes' safety and protection. Nothing of importance is done without her permission and donde under her watchful eye. Clopan is Scarlett's protector even though he knows she can take care of herself, he promised Lilith.

Esmeralda, Scarletts sister, is twenty two and is the greatest contributed to the tribes economy. She grew up to be as beautiful as Lilith and inherited her charm as well. When Esmeralda dances she draws the eye of every person around her and with a simply wink she's earned herself easily twenty gold pieces. Esmeralda like the other beauties of the tribe does some extra work for some very generous money. Scarlett always makes sure she is safe and that no harm comes to her, she selects her sister's payers, personally.

Scarlett works in a small tent near the market place and is know for her witchcraft, she tells people's futures and for the right price can communicate with deceased loved ones.

Witchcraft is absolutely banned and prohibited throughout all of France especially in Paris, however despite everyone knowing that Scarlett does magic, no official or religious man would dare accuse her or even try to arrest her. Many of the soldiers have even sought out her services to talk to brothers and friends they've lost in the war.

There was a time brief as it was in which the soldiers and clergy thought they could handle her. When Scarlett first put up her tent everyone assumed it was fake, a trick like other gypsies they had seen, but when it turned out to be real the guards and clergy came down hard upon her.

They stormed her tent in the light of day and dragged her into the plaza for everyone to see. They thought they could make an example of her if they could punish a beloved gipsy then the others would soon learn the consequences. However, things didn't go as planned. The guards dragged her up to the pedestal of the plaza and threw her to the ground. Citizens of Paris and her fellow gipsies gathered round. Clopan watched from afar his face angry but unconcerned for Scarlett. The guards tore her shirt open going to humiliate her and the whip was unrolled, as they were about to flog her, a dark cloud passed over them, the cloud engulfed the sun and left them in just enough light to see their shadows and one by one they dropped dead. When the cloud passed Scarlett was standing tall her shirt was still torn but nobody was looking at that, they were all looking at her white skirt, stained with blood splatters and the hem completely drenched in blood. Since that incident no one dared touch her most don't even go near her unless they seek her services, and it's stayed that way ever since.

What helped nail the lid on the coffin of Scarlett's status was the report of the grave digger who claimed that the bodies had been attacked by an animal, they were mauled to death, unrecognizable. Claude Frollo remains the only clergy man who dares go up against Scarlett, he's never been a match for her and Scarlett's never paid him much attention because no matter how much his men fear him, they fear her more.

Scarlett is a witch in all sense of the word. She has powers that men couldn't think of in their wildest dreams. She can control the weather and objects to some extent however her biggest power lies within blood. Blood makes her stronger, able to use powerful spells and hold them for longer periods of times. When she communicates with the dead, drinking blood of the relative increases her connection to the deceased. Even without it she's still quite strong but without blood her powers have limits.

"Are the preparations for the festival ready?" Esmeralda asks Clopan for the fifth time that day

"Yes Esmeralda" Clopan smiles and rubs his neck "everything is fine" Esmeralda gives him a quick smile before going off to check the equipment herself

"Nervous?" Scarlett says appearing at Clopan's elbow

"Perfectionists I'd say" Clopan chuckles and ruffles Scarlett's hair, she swats him away and shakes her head, her curls reform.

"How is security for the festival?" Scarlett asks Clopan as they turn around and do one last general visual check of the gypsies, they all nod and bow their heads as they pass.

"As you ordered" Clopan smiles "and the er extra protection?" Scarlett cocks her head to the side and smiles at him showing off her abnormally sharp canines

"Is that doubt in your voice," She asks quietly "Clopan?" Clopan swallows hard and forces a smile onto his face

"Of course not Scarlett" he says and chuckles "but I did promise your mother to look after you. I wouldn't want you to strain yourself" Scarlett straightens and laughs, despite her strange and other worldly demeanor her laugh has always sounded like little bells, it's what Clopan imagines an angels laugh to sound like; and considering her parentage that probably is how an angel laughs.

"I'm fine Clopan" Scarlett smiles "everyday I am stronger not weaker, I know my own limits. The only thing you should worry about is having a good time today" Clopan frowns slightly but quickly replaces it with a smile. He puts on his jester hat and mask and bows deeply to Scarlett, he straightens and turns on his heel whistling loudly to rally the others.

"Come on Djali" Scarlett smiles at the goat and they go to the front of the line ready for the festival.

"Ready?" Esmeralda asks excitedly to Scarlett who just smiles and nods she fastens her skull mask over her eyes and squeezes her sisters hand.

"Let's go!" Clopan yells and they emerge from behind a cloth screen and out into the street.

Music fills the air and everyone gets to work. Gypsies twirl and dance all around Scarlett who keeps a calm and peaceful pace in the middle of the multitude around her.

Around Scarlett the festival is starting to come alive, people start to gather around to watch the show, many have already bought their masks and flashy head ware as well as necklaces that were sold hours before the festival started. Children of all ages are dancing with the gypsy girls and the adults clap in rhythm to Clopan's song.

As Clopan sings Scarlett detaches herself from the multitude, out of the corner of her eye she can see a figure in the cover of shadows watching the festival. She smiles to herself and hopes he pays her a visit like he does every year on the Fools festival.