The Scarlet Huntress

Chapter 17: Concerned Parents & Strange Requests

The trip back into town was dull and took far too long because we had to stop several times so that I could rest.

It was still early evening when we arrived, and I was glad about that. Mr. Mason was out front wearing a trail into the grass. It was obvious that he had just finished with a project, his hands and clothes were covered in soot. So I was right, I thought, he did get caught up in a project. My guess is that he only recently realized how late it was and had just started to get worried. I'm sure that the only reason he hadn't sent out a search party was because Lena was with me.

"Good evening Mr. Smith," I greeted. When he heard that he whipped around and came jogging over to us.

"Thank goodness you're alright Lena, I was starting to get worried," he began, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Lillian, what happened to having her home first thing this morning?"

"Sorry about that sir," I apologized. "I haven't been feeling well today, plus Farmer Milner decided to pay a little visit, Lena was making sure I'm ok and we lost track of time."

"Well, I won't say that you handled that very well, but I'm glad that you're feeling better Lilli. Do me a favor, send Kouda with a letter next time or have Selena come and tell me what's going on, ok?"

I snapped to attention, "Yes sir!" Mr. Smith might have phrased it as a request, but I recognized it for what it was: an order. I completely understood his concern, Selena was still in her teens, unwed, and had no physical training.

"On another note Father," Selena changed the subject, "what have you been working on?"

"Nothing really, some Wanderers came into town the other day and put in an order for tools and the like. It's pretty big so I thought I would get started on it, they'll be coming to pick it up tomorrow," Mr. Smith informed us.

"Really, I think I know the pair that you're talking about. A trader named Rick and his guard?" I asked.

"As a matter of fact, you're right. He also mentioned that he ran into you on the road. He said that you should be a lot more careful," Mr. Smith said.

"I know, I know, if I had known that my witch problem was public knowledge I would've been," I assured him while trying to keep from wobbling.

After noticing how unsteady I was getting, Mr. Smith invited me in so that I could sit down. Selena's family lived above the shop, the house was small but cozy. Everyone had their own rooms, and there was even a guest room. Mrs. Smith obviously took great pride in her home, everything was sparklingly clean, there wasn't even a speck of dust on the window sill.

Having heard everyone come in, Mrs. Smith came bustling into the room. Starla Smith was a short woman in her late forties with copper hair and crystal blue eyes, which she had shared with her son. No one is really sure where Selena got her coloring from, but she inherited her build from her mother.

"Goodness, Lillian, I wish you would've told me you were coming by, I would've made cookies!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed. She's been trying to fatten me up for a year, and it didn't take her long to realize that I wouldn't turn down free cookies.

"That's alright ma'am," I said, brushing off her offer, "I didn't know I was coming today either."
"Well then, if you're sure. By the way, I was hoping that we could talk, you know, woman to woman. I wanted to ask you some questions."

"What do you want to ask Lillian about Momma?" Selena piped up.

"I just wanted to see what she thought about certain people dearie, it's nothing to worry about."

"Alright, but I don't know how much help I'll be, we both know that I'm not around people that much. I was also hoping to ask you and your husband some questions, Mrs. Smith," I responded.

"Now Lilli, what have I told you about calling me 'Mrs. Smith'? I would prefer if you called me Starla, you're not a child anymore," Starla requested.

"What did you want to ask us Lilli?" Mr. Smith interrupted.

"I was hoping that you could look after Lepus and Nocte when I go on my next Hunt, she's pregnant and he's injured. I was also wondering if you had a crossbow that I could buy. I injured my arm the other night and can't use my bow properly until it heals."

"I think I might have something that you can use," Mr. Smith replied, "I just hope Josiah doesn't get too mad at me for selling it."

"Why would he get mad at you for that?" I asked, "and speaking of Josiah, where is he?"

"Technically that crossbow is his project, and as for where he's at, he's out with a friend for the night," Mr. Smith answered.

"Oh, ok. I'll ask him tomorrow then..." I trailed off.

"Hey, are you ok Lilli, you just paled out!" Selena exclaimed.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, but it was then that my body betrayed me and I collapsed forward. I would've fell if Mr. Smith hadn't been so quick on his feet. The last thing that I heard was Starla telling him to get me to the spare room so I could lay down, and then everything went black.