The Whimsical Wanderers
By Kathryn K Williams
Chapter Two
"I'll be sure to take great care of your daughter." Trish promised with a slight bow to Wendy's parents as they stared, bemused, at the girl. Trish explained that she would accompany Wendy on her journey in a whirlwind of charm while Wendy rushed off to gather her things, "If we are to make it to Wesmoors City then we must leave immediately and I was hoping you will give us your approval and your well wishes upon our journey." She looked down at the floor to hide the embarrassed look that crossed her face. Wendy had insisted that if they were to leave together they would have to gain her parents permission first. Wendy explained that Trish should approach the girl's parents in the most polite and honest manner as possible and even coached Trish through what she should say. At that moment Trish was feeling as if she were asking for the girl's hand in marriage and not to go out on a several month long adventure.
"They are very old fashion." Wendy explained as they sat on a log outside of her house, "If they think you are sincere in your offer to help me then they will be less worried about me when I'm gone."
Trish rubbed her forehead in distress and nervously glanced up at the girl, "Don't you find all of this kind of overkill? I mean we are only going to be gone for a little while."
Wendy laced her hands together in front of her face, "Please Trish, go along with this. Just this once, for me." She batted her eyes twice.
Those eyes did Trish in and she could no longer protest, "Fine, if it's for you." She stood to her feet and gazed up at the house, then back down at the girl, "You are going to owe me big time after this."
Trish continued to stay in her bow as she awaited Wendy's parents decision.
Wendy's father crossed his arms gruffly, "How can a fledgeling Hunter like yourself protect my daughter?" He inquired disapprovingly.
Trish considered her response carefully when Wendy's mother stepped up to him, "Now honey, Trish has been looking out for our daughter at school this past year and I think she will do a fine job." She insisted with a nod of her head.
Trish glanced up at the couple with a smile upon her face and a thank you upon her breath when Wendy's father turned to his wife, "What makes you think a Cat can make a good Hunter? They are only good at sneaking around and should stick to being rogues, or thieves, or assassins."
Trish sighed heavily, she had heard this argument many times over and grew tired of it. It was true that most cats were known to take up a more stealth line of work, but she did not feel that would suit her. She stood to her full height and glared up at the man, "I am more then qualified to be a Hunter. All my life I've wanted to protect people and sneaking around would not work for me. So please don't question my abilities." She stated angrily, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
The man scowled at Trish, "Would you be willing to throw yourself in front of a Triton if it came charging at my daughter, huh?"
Trish stepped up to the man, returning his gaze, "I would face the Lands of the Deathless if that was what Wendy wished." She stated boldly. Now a Triton was a ox like creature was six legs and a mean temper, however any novice Hunter was trained how to handle them. The Deathless on the other hand were something entirely different and even the mention of the name made many tremble and Wendy's father back down from his stance in fright.
"Y..." The man was suddenly shaken and having troubles finding his voice, "You better not take my daughter near tha-" He was abruptly interrupted as Wendy came barrelling in to the room.
"I'm ready to go!!!" Wendy explained as she rushed to Trish's side, a torn and patched covered satchel slung around herself, filled with her clothes and any other items she thought they might need. "I guess this is good bye. Mom, Dad, wish us luck." She took Trish's hand and began to retreat out of the house, not waiting for any reply from her parents.
"Good luck, Wendy." Wendy's mother called out, "I believe in you."
Those words caused Wendy to stop in her tracks and turned to face her mother, "T... thank you." She said softly. Her eyes darted to her father, who seemed to have a cloud over his head and refused to return his daughter's look, "I'll make you proud, Dad." She started out of the house again.
As the two girls quickly moved down the dirty road back to town Trish finally allowed herself to breath freely, "I thought that would never end." Trish stated, relieved to be out of sight of Wendy's home.
"I'm sorry to put you through that." Wendy sincerely apologized, letting her hand drop from Trish's to pull her pack upon her shoulder.
Trish eyed the bag curiously. It was filled with many holes that had been covered with different patterned fabrics and appeared as if it were to burst under the weight of Wendy's belongings, "Do you need a hand?" She inquired, offering her hand to the girl.
Wendy shyly shook her head, "N... no... I'll be alright." She assured with a nod. She glanced around as they turned off the main road away from town, "Where are we heading?"
"My place." Trish informed, "I need to grab my things." She explained as the travelled along the winding paths to a small set of houses in the hilled, "I should only be a moments..." She paused as if in deep thought then abruptly turned to face Wendy, slightly startling the girl, "Listen..." She held her hand up to stop the girl and glanced over her shoulder several time, as if she were afraid someone would be listening in upon her, "My parents... they..." She took a deep breath and let it out.
Wendy smiled sweetly at Trish, "They can't be that bad." Wendy assured, "I mean you've seen what my family is like, so don't worry so much."
Trish nervously peeked around again, "You don't understand..." She anxiously ran a hand through her hair, "They are beyond weird. I mean it... they are crazy."
Wendy cocked her head curiously at the girl, "Is that why you never invited me over? You are worried about what I will think of your family?"
Trish shifted slightly to look up the path, "It's not that..." She looked back at Wendy and could see the depressed look upon her face and let out another sigh, "It's not that at all... Well, you'll see what I mean soon enough." She remarked grudgedly as she started up the path once again.
Wendy fell in step beside the girl and watched as her friend's head bobbed apprehensively, her eyes never leaving the ground, her ears back to the sides of her head and her tail nearly dragging upon the ground, "Are you going to be alright, Trish?"
Trish quickly glanced up and then back at the path, "It... its nothing... come on..." She quickened her pace, forcing Wendy to lightly jog in order to keep up.
Within moment they arrived at a small house nestled in a small group of trees. For the most part it seemed like any other house and Wendy pondered what could make Trish so worried. Without breaking stride Trish walked straight up to the house and onto the front porch.
She suddenly spun around to face Wendy and gave her a nervous half smile, "I apologize if my parents treat you strangely..." She remarked apprehensively.
"Its alright." Wendy stated with a warm smile, "I'm sure I'll love them. They raised you after all."
Trish let out a uneasy laugh, "You may reconsider that when you meet them. I just hope they are out so we can avoid the trouble." On that prayer she turned the door knob and pulled the door open.
Inside the house was entirely dark with only the light of the sun peeked through a few cracks between the window coverings. Trish let out a sigh of relief and stepped into the house in search of the light switch when the lights suddenly turned on and several small explosions filled the air. "Congratulations!!!" Someone cried out as they sprung from their hiding places, setting off fireworks and throwing streamers at the girls. Trish was so startled by the attack that she stumbled backwards, falling into Wendy's arms. Wendy, not being strong enough to carry Trish, fell back as well and the two girls landed in a heap on the patio.
Trish scrambled to get off of Wendy, embarrassingly placing a hand upon the girls breast, "I'm sorry." She apologized as she quickly moving her hand to the ground beside Wendy and tried to push herself off the girl.
"Ummm..." Wendy flushed as she tried to find a way out from under the girl, but found herself pinned by her own pack and book.
"Now there will be none of that in public boy." A deep throated voice chuckled as a strong hand grabbed hold of Trish by the back of her belt and suddenly she was hauled off the ground, quickly followed by Wendy, who was carried by the waist ever so much more gentle then Trish, and hugged her book tightly between her arms while her pack hung from around her neck.
"Are you alright, son?" A large, burly, man with a red head of hair and bushy bread, that resembled a loins mane, inquired of Trish as she dangled in the man's hands.
"No, I'm not alright." Trish growled and kicked her legs frantically, "Would you put me down, Dad?" She insisted angrily.
The man did as he was told and lightly placed the girl down on her feet, "I'm sorry son. We didn't mean to frighten you. We were just excited." He explained as he placed Wendy next to the girl.
Trish fixed her pants and glared at the man, "You could have given us a heart attack. What is this all about anyway?"
A thin small woman with long blonde hair and tiny round cat ears stepped forwards with a cake in hand, "We heard from Mr. Gill that you passed your exam so wanted to throw you a party." She held the cake out to show it to Trish.
"Uhhhh... It's not a big deal." Trish stated modestly as she eyed the cake. The yellow frosting of which was sliding off one side of the cake and had, what Trish thought, must have been an attempt at words in purple frosting, but were undistinguishable as anything literate. Her eyes moved from the cake to her mother, "Uhhh... thanks..." She said, uncertainly.
"So who is your friend?" Trish's father boomed as he beamed down at the small sheep girl, towering over her like a rosy cheeked giant. He leaned in close to Trish, "Is she a lady friend?" He said with a wink and stroked at the mane of hair under his chin, "I've never found sheep much of my thing, but she is kind of cute."
Trish rolled her eyes, "No father!" She hastily protested, "She asked me to accompany her on a quest is all." She partly lied, she did not wish for her parents to know the entire truth of the situation at that moment.
"You hear that dear," Her mother boasted joyfully, "Only a Hunter one day and Trish is already sold."
"Good going my lad." Her father added his approval, "I knew you had it in you."
"I wasn't sold." Trish objected loudly, nervously glancing at Wendy and back to her father, "I'm not a slave."
"You don't have to be so modest." He chuckled, "I knew you would do me proud." He slapped Trish on the back, causing her to stumble into Wendy.
"I'm sorry..." Trish apologized as she straightened up. She suddenly noticed that Wendy was in some sort of state of shook and could not stop staring at the large man before her. Trish waved her hand before the girl's eyes, "You alright Wendy?" She inquired worriedly.
Wendy blinked a few times and look at Trish, "Huh? Oh, Trish... You never told me you owned a lion." She inquired in a confused tone.
Now it was Trish's turn to blink in bewilderment, "Uhhh..." She turned to her father and gestured up at the man, "Wendy, this is my father." She then pointed over at her mother, still standing cheerully with the cake in her hands, "And this is my mother."
Wendy did a slight curtsy and smiled warmly at Trish's mother, "Please to meet you. I'm Wendy Telbrand and it would be an honour to have your daughter accompany me on this mission." She said politely.
"Why, what a pleasant young lady." Trish's mother stated and held out the cake, "Would you like some cake?" She offered.
"We don't have time for cake." Trish interrupted, taking Wendy's hand and leading her down a hall, "Thank you for the party, but if we don't get moving we will be late." She called out behind herself.
"Are you sure?" Trish's mother asked again, "It is your favourite, lemon cream."
"I hate lemons mother." Trish breathed under her breath as she approached her room at the end of the hall and wheeled around to face her mother, "Maybe when we return." She answered with a forced smile, then disappeared into her bedroom, dragging Wendy behind her and closing the door shut.
Trish leaned against the door as she tried to catch her breath, "They were friendly." Wendy stated in a small smile that quickly faded when Trish glared at her.
"They are a pain in the behind." Trish commented, kicking off the door and heading across the room to take a knapsack off the wall near her bed, "My father insists that because I choose to be a Hunter that I most be a boy, and my mother keeps thinking that I'm a slave for sell, never mind those horrible lemon cakes she bakes over and over again. It is enough to drive someone insane."
Wendy placed a finger to her chin in thought, "Is that why he kept referring to you as ‘Son'?" She inquired, "I thought I might have been mistaken about you being a girl."
Trish dropped the sack to the bed and spun around to face the girl, "Do I have to show you for you to believe me?" She asked, her hands moving to her belt buckle.
Wendy flushed brightly while hiding behind her book, "N... no..." She stammered as her eyes flickered to the many swords that lined the walls, "Wow... Are those all yours?" She asked in amazement, trying hard to change the subject.
Trish nodded, "Yeah, but they are fakes." She said miserably, "Wood painted to look like steel. I couldn't even buy a real sword until I passed tenth class. Now I can finally wield a real blade and I can't wait to hold some real steel in my hands." Trish clenched her fists several times and she envisioned the feeling of a sword in her hand, her eyes moving from one sword to another across the wall.
Wendy cocked her head curiously, "You really enjoy sword fighting, don't you?" She inquired curiously.
Trish shook her head slowly, "Not really the fighting. I've always dreamed of being a hunter. To rescue villages from wandering monsters or fend off a dragon from a damsel in distress."
"Damsel in distress?" Wendy mused, "Like the day you saved me from that Death Crow?"
Trish wheeled around to her dresser, hiding the blush that crossed her face, "Yeah, something like that." She opened the top draw and pulled out a small pouch filled with coins, "W... we should get moving before the sun sets." She nervously suggested as she grabbed some of her clothes and stuffed them into the knapsack.
"Thank you." Wendy said softly.
Trish glanced up at the girl, "For what?" She inquired, a flustered look upon her face.
Wendy sat atop of Trish's bed and smiled softly up at the girl, "For always rescuing me." She said timidly, "I know you have been watching over me for a while now and I wish I could have thanked you before." She explained nervously.
Trish occupied herself with filling the pack, "It's really nothing." With the pack full she swung it over her back and opened the window, "Come on, we'll be late if we don't hurry." She stated as she swung a leg out the window, grabbing a heavy deep green cloak off the corner post of her bed and tossed it over her other shoulder.
"Through the window?" Wendy inquired, glancing at the door in confusion, "Why don't we go out the front door?"
Trish let out a sigh, "Haven't you noticed how silent it has been?" She asked, tilting her head to listen to the air.
Wendy thought for the moment and listened closely too. She could hear the sounds of the cattle and birds outside, but other then that there was nothing. She shook her head and stared at Trish, "What does it mean?"
"It means..." Trish lowered herself out of the window, "That my parents are planning on surprising us as we leave my room. If we are to going to get to Wesmoors City in a week we can't afford to allow them to stale us any longer." She offered a hand to Wendy, "Coming?"
Wendy lightly took Trish's hand and permitted herself to be lured out the window, "Shouldn't we leave a note or something?" She whispered as they hurried across the back yard and over a small fence.
Trish shook her head, "Its better if they don't know we are gone." She insisted, "Knowing them they would suddenly appear out of nowhere to surprise us for some reason or another along the way, and I could use one less heart attack if you will."
Wendy glanced over her shoulder as she climbed over the fence, "How long do you think they will keep hiding for?"
Trish helped Wendy down, "With any luck they will stay like that until we get back."
Wendy let out a small giggle, "You are joking right?"
Trish simply shrugged, "We can only hope that I'm not."
*****
To be Continued . . .
*****
This story is copyright of Kathryn K Williams. All characters and settings are her creation and should not be used by any others. If you wish visit my site and see some of the art based on this series at http://www.shoujoai.ca
Also if you spot any typos or other errors please contact me at Kathryn@KatAndNekoManga.ca
Deviant Hearts Archive | Back to main index