been forced to accept the gift . Before he had tasted the warm , velvety flow of eternity splashing down his throat .
The extended family traveled together in five large horse-drawn wagons which held the performers , the props , costumes , and scenery , as well as the limited personal possessions of each family member . In each town they visited , they would seek out the local political power in the region . If there was a castle in the area , they would immediately find out who lived in it and would schedule an evening ’ s entertainment at the earliest convenience .
Spring had been in the air when they crossed over the mountains north of Barcelona to begin their seasonal wandering along Spain ’ s mediterranean coast . Ari was beginning his sixteenth year , and the world , stretched out before him , looked ripe and plump . The village of Calafell lay behind them , ahead lay Torredembarra , and beyond that Tarragona , but alas , Ari would not see those cities again , for many , many years .
It had been a wonderful day for traveling . The children were all in high spirits with the coming of the warmer weather and played joyfully together . The women sat in the forward most section of the wagons , loosely tending the reins while darning needles at hand , repairing shirts and trousers for the next set of hands that they would be passed on to . They laughed and twittered away the afternoon while the men walked alongside the wagons and Ari helped care for the stock that traveled with them . Their pace of travel was relaxed . They did not move with the crop cycles like field hands , but rather were allowed some freedom in the schedule they kept . They would put on shows and ply their trade for as long as it was profitable in that area and then be on their way .
They had reined in the horses and stopped to set up camp for the evening . As the aroma of the evening meal was beginning to fill the air , an unexpected guest arrived . Ari ’ s father had been picketing the horses when they suddenly began to snort and
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