The Workings of a Clock

- Chapter 3 -

Everyone took a seat, and waited for him to continue. Tarrin was feeling a bit overwhelmed, by all the chain of events, as she sat in between Jana and her brother. "So Tarrin, you must be confused as to why you are here. Since you've accepted the deal, we'll be able to answer more of your questions," Tarrin gulped as he continued ", we are a group of rogues, who have sided with the South, to try and help the country win the war." Tarrin must have looked surprised because Alex simply replied," We have all come from, or stayed at one point in the South, and it is our home. The King of the North's greed is getting the better of him, He's becoming power hungry. Even the poorer people in the North are starting to feel it. Haven't you noticed the increase in taxes?" Tarrin gave him a smirk. "Did you just ask someone who works, worked for The Market if they payed tax?" Pad suppressed a smile as Alex gave him a dirty look," Fair enough, but it's true, the bastard raised the tax amount to 300 silver." Tarrin's eyes widened, if she was a decent citizen, with her current, her previous income she would barely have any money for food. Alex smiled, "Finally a reaction, so that's why we are fighting with the rebels throughout the North, South, East and West."

Tarrin nodded as he continued: "So that is what we're doing, now the next part, why we need you. As you've heard, you've been hired to be our temporary tinker," Alex said carefully while he glanced at the angry looking Jamie, "The train is becoming a bit run down, and without a mechanic to fix it, it causes us hours of waste time, that why we need you. Any questions so far?" Tarrin nodded and gave him a sweet smile, "Only about a hundred," Jamie groaned out impatiently," So, why me?" Alex answered straight away, and bluntly. "If the top tinker in the town disappeared, how do you think the guards would react? So we decided that some illegal tinker from The Market wouldn't be missed, especially if the guards had almost caught her." Tarrin acted all offended, "I am offended to think you didn't know I was the best tinker in town." Alex ignored her and waited for the next question. Tarrin dropped the act," Why exactly are you using a train? Isn't that pretty obvious?" Alex gave her a grin, "We are using it because it's obvious, of course the train isn't armed to the brim for war, it is a standard carrier train, we carry normal people and objects, as well as important people from the rebellion and any weapons the Rebels may need. The train may have a little bit more of a defences packed into it than most, but other than that it's just a normal train." Tarrin shook her head in disbelief," And The King of the North would never think of looking for rebels in his own trains, since the systems are so old."

Alex nodded," That was the plan, any more question's?" Tarrin's face turned dark, everyone tensed up, and "Who the hell gave me those night clothes?" She asked in a dark tone. The room was silent, Jana slowly said, "I am so sorry. It was the only spare I had, and the new stock only came in earlier." Both Jana and Pad tried to hide their smiles, and Tarrin punched them both in the arm, making Pad laugh. Tarrin's anger had still not be quenched, but she settled down again, with a slight smile on her face. "I think that's enough for tonight, I know you've only just woken up Tarrin, but I think you still need some sleep. Go with Pad to get that head of yours checked out, and then tomorrow morning I'll get someone to show you around. "Alex said while standing up himself, everyone else followed his suit.

Raven, Jamie and Alex all walked out, heading separate ways at the hallway. Jana and Pad stayed behind, and Jana turned around to Tarrin, "I'm sorry again for the nightwear, I'll try make some more your style," She said with a grin," See you tomorrow." And with that she walked out the room and headed towards the right. Tarrin watched her leave when Pad said," Well, let's go to my room, and get that head checked out." Tarrin nodded and followed him, a wave of a headache and exhaustion hitting her. Pad lead her down a few hallways, back the way she had come and then turned into a doorway on the right. They entered a room much like Tarrin's room, except filled with books and cabinets of different vials and bottles. Pad patted a little bed set in the middle of the room, and walked to a desk on the right to get a fresh pair of gloves. Tarrin sat down on the bed and wait for him to finish putting the gloves on. He turned to her and shone her a smile as he walked towards her," I hope this won't hurt you, but please tilt you head forward, more, more- perfect! Now stay still."

Tarrin looked at the ground while he began slowly moving her hair away to check the wound. His fingers gently prodded her head, making her wince in pain. He muttered an apology and carried on working. Tarrin eyes widened as she realized her head was touching his lower chest, her cheeks flushed a bit. Tarrin cursed herself for being so self-conscious where it counted, but she wondered why he was so close in the first place. Pad touched her chin and raised her head to meet his eyes, and gave her an impish grin," You may have a slight concussion, which was probably my fault, it'll probably still hurt for another few days, I suggest you keep your hair loose and avoid wearing those goggles of yours till then." Tarrin flashed him a smirk," I can't fix a train up with hair in front of my eyes." He laughed and replied," I'd gladly help you cut it all off." Tarrin gave him a dirty look," Okay fine, I guess I could deal with it for a few days." She said while standing up, but her legs gave way beneath her, she barely noticed Pad caught her. She was way too tired and the headache was pounding harder. She barely noticed Pad carrying her to her room, or being put to bed. Tarrin didn't notice.