"...Wait a minute!" Gus's voice dripped with doubt, each word tinged with an unmistakable sense of wariness. "That man assumes we will get information from a blacksmith?"
Jacques briskly dodged a young boy sprinting past his way. "Oui, Gus," Jacques tilted his head behind his shoulder. "Watch it, young man. You're going to get caught up with the wrong crowd."
"Sorry, Sir." The boy's voice was distant as his silhouette faded.
Poor kids. I thought the work conditions were better compared to France. I guess that's life. He resumed walking through the streets where vendors anxiously awaited their arrival, bombarding them with excessive equipment they weren't searching for.
His protective gaze lingered on Arieshell and Belle strolling in front of them. With each step they took, Jacques could detect Belle's frantic pace of searching for the mysterious shop: Jeeves's Spark and Flames.
"Matches! The finest phosphorous matches! A penny for a dozen!"
"No, thank you," Belle apologized in a hushed whisper.
Upon reaching a crosswalk, Jacques stepped between the two women. His eyes darted toward the merchants, civilians, and surrounding streets. Jacques inadvertently guided his attention up toward the clouds looming above.
Darn weather! England rarely gets good outings.
They waited their turn, crossing the brick road. Before long, a traffic guard stopped the carriages, gesturing to the crowds of people to pass. A harmonious click and clack rose from the crowd as their shoes met the brick road, and echoed a rhythm that filled the air in their wake.
Jacques gazed at the surrounding buildings. Their highest roofs stood majestically and people waltzed across the skyline's silhouette. Jacques skimmed the upcoming road signs, then focused on his companions.
"We ought to move further into the shopping district," he advised.
"How come?" Arieshell inquired. Her hand clasped with Belle's.
"It's a tool shop. Jeeves's a blacksmith, remember?"
"Pardon, my skewed view. However, I'm quite perplexed. How can we be certain that it's not a trap?" Gus queried as he positioned his hands on his hips.
Jacques's eyes pivoted, glimpsing toward Arieshell, as he resisted the temptation to become angry with Gus's unforeseen attitude. He pressed his forefinger and thumb between his eyes, rubbing slightly.
"The only trap that could exist is you cutting our time short! We do not know if Henry and Wilbur are on our tails! I'm not risking it."
"Jacques's right!" Belle piped up. "I'm unwilling to compromise my mission."
Gus diverted his gaze from them. He gnawed at his fingertips. "Alright! Alright. How much further?"
"It's only a few shops down," Belle answered.
After a short while, they discovered Jeeves's Spark and Flames. Upon examining the large plate-glass windows, there stood two mannequins showcasing uniforms resembling safari gear, one with a black leather case with a rifle, while the other displayed a shotgun.
Jaques mouthed 'wow' as the wooden sign, with its carved words "Jeeves's Spark and Flames," caught his attention. This is it! His heart lept for joy, meeting Belle's eyes. Undoubtedly, a spark of hope stirred inside her, like a glimmer peeking through a tunnel of thorns.
They were closer than ever to William's whereabouts.
Briskly, Jacques curled his fingers around the nob. His body shifted, allowing Arieshell and Belle to enter. Before Jacques could walk, Gus clutched his shoulder.
YOU ARE READING
The Tale Of The Siren (Slow Updates On Weekends) Rough Draft
Fantasy'Just one more question. Well, two questions. Did the Goddess ever get her voice back, and has anyone met her?' 'She did, but no one knows how. It's a mystery! The Goddess does not like showing herself to people, but she had to when it came to fixin...
