The Clockwork Chronicles

Chapter Seven

Simon was unusually energetic the morning follow his talk with Lioras. Rather than the usual melancholy that'd stained so many recent mornings, he felt excitement at what the day could bring swell in his chest. While his companions were certainly happy for his new outlook, so much cheer and whistling so early almost drove Jacob mad........ For most of the day Deirdre played hen mother as well as guide, having to keep the two several paces apart at all times. Simon's newfound joy finally wore through his cousin in the afternoon when he began tossing pebbles in the air. Perfectly timed, they fell just in time to bounce off Jacob's head as he passed underneath. Jacob chased his whooping cousin through the woods, heedless of his companions' cries for them to stop. Eventually the forest forced them to calm down, when they tumbled into the shallow end of a swamp. They emerged, splashing and laughing as they threw bits of muck at one another.

When Lioras and Deirdre found them, they were almost unrecognizable they were so caked with mud and moss. The cousins were made to change their clothes and walk downwind from then on.

They made for an interesting sight at Wintermoor's gates. Their hair and faces still covered in grime, the troublesome duo were led past the befuddled guards, who wrinkled their noses at them.

"Miss," an older guard said respectfully as they trudged through the gates. "Should I alert the town the muck-monsters are on the march again?" His tone was deadpan, but his eyes twinkled as Deirdre threw a rude gesture at him with a smile.

"Enjoy your stay, brave hunter!" a younger one called to her back, tipping his helmet in salute.

"This town is so friendly," Simon said to Jacob. "Friend of yours?"

"Sometimes," Deirdre said, a smile playing at her lips. Jacob, against better sense, chimed in.

"You think he'll ask you to the harvest festival?" he cooed. "Maybe we can find you a nice dress while in town."

The hunter's only response was to glower dangerously at him. Ignoring Jacob and Simon's indignant complaints, she simply dragged them by the ear to the nearest lodgings with baths. An old, portly man favored them with a wary expression; he warmed to them as Deirdre's coins graced his palm, and told them hot water would be delivered to their rooms with haste, and would they please wait there in the meantime.

"While they wash up," Lioras murmured as their muddied companions walked off, "Would you like to look at the shops? Even if there aren't any dresses, maybe a pretty bonnet, at least?"

"You're on dangerous ground, old man," Deirdre warned, as she ordered a spiced tea from a passing serving girl.

"We could even find someone to do your hair."

"All from your pocket, of course," Deirdre said pointedly as they sat.

"Ah, it was a good idea while it lasted," Lioras sighed. The serving girl brought over a pair of cups with a small kettle; he tipped her as much as he could from his dwindling pouch.

"Those two are a bad influence on you," Deirdre said with a smile.

Lioras nodded as he sipped his tea carefully, nearly swooning. After over a week with nothing but weak ale or lukewarm water, the hot drink was a veritable explosion of flavor. "One I find enjoyable, I have to admit. After endless months of bureaucracy and humorless trade captains, it's nice to see people actually laugh for a change."

"I don't know," Deirdre said, smiling as she blew on her tea. "That outfit you had to wear to trade with House Nihil was pretty funny."

"Oh gods," Lioras said with a laugh. "All those garish ropes and bells; I felt like a traveling food when I walked."