Waking up was hard. My arms hurt from the previous night's digging. My stomach rumbled and I realised I would need to take a decent amount of food. I despaired thinking about using the last of the money on little amounts of food, but I had no choice.
After all, I was on my own now.
I rolled up a rag to take with me and wrapped my old shawl around my back. After finally putting on Jack's jacket and my boots, I slung my bag over my shoulder and left. Something stopped me as I closed the door. Was I doing the right thing? What would Jack say? My eyes stung as I remembered how disappointed he had been, but he was gone now. He could never be disappointed again. Letting a tear fall, I walked towards the market, hoping to find a little food to take with me.
I would need it.
I knew Gascony was two days away by horse, but I had none. It would be at least four days until I reached there. I sighed as my tired legs ached and my stomach rumbled again at the thought of food. I had very little with me so I would need to save it. It was warm in the sun and I smiled as I remember how Jack loved the sun. My smile departed when I remembered his face. So peaceful, but he was gone.
After a day of walking and dreaming, night fell and coldness fell with it. I shivered and pulled the jacket closer. I couldn't call it mine when it still smelt of Jack - salt water and fresh air. I needed to rest and as I neared a stream, I stopped. I had seen few people so I wasn't worried about bandits in this area. They were closer to Paris.
As I lit a fire, I thought of LaBarge and wondered what Jack had done to upset him. There was so much I didn't know. Maybe one day I would find out. I touched the wound on my head. It was a straight slash that went through my eyebrow and pointed to the middle of my forehead. It was sore and I wondered if it would get infected. Worried, I washed the dry blood off with icy water from the stream and shivered as some trickled down my neck. It reminded me of the sea.
Digging into my bag, my hands found a piece of stale bread I had picked up from the marketplace. Wetting it slightly so I wouldn't hurt my teeth, I ate the meal. Suddenly I worried how I would survive this walk.
What if this Alexandre D'Artagnan didn't need anyone anymore. What if he refused me when he saw I was only a 17 year old fishing girl.
My heart sped up at the thought but I was too tired to worry anymore. Pulling my shawl tighter and the jacket closer, I drifted off to sleep.
Days and nights passed in an endless cycle. I passed one rider galloping in the opposite direction, but I was too tired to care. I survived off bruised apples and stale bread. My mind constantly drifted to Jack, and thoughts of Gascony. Hope arose when I passed a sign to Gascony. I was close now. I wondered how I was going to find Alexandre D'Artagnan and I feared not finding him. What would I do then? I wiped my face with my sleeve and gingerly touched the healing scar on my forehead. That would be there for a while, I thought grimly.
Finally reaching civilization, I entered a small pub. Surely the owner might know D'artagnan.
I was greeted with warmth and the friendly face of a small, stocky man with stubble marking his face.
"Excuse me, sir. Do you happen to know an Alexandre D'Artagnan from round here?" I asked, my voice shaky from tiredness.
"Of course, Miss", he replied, "Why, he left nearly a year ago with his son, Charles. Headed to Paris for some business, I suspect."
Dread coursed through me as I realised my hope was gone. What could I do now? Paris was so far, and I could barely stand!
My face paled and the innkeeper looked at me with concern. I hadn't seen concern for so long, it was strange that someone would be concerned over me!
"Are you alright, miss?"
"No, I'm not." I practically whispered. "You see, my brother needed him desperately, and I don't know what to do."
"Ah, I'm afraid I don't know when he will return. There has been trouble with his farm recently. However, you could ride with my son. He's off to Orléans, which is about a day's walk from Paris."
Looking thoughtful for a moment, he added, "You can stay here tonight, by the looks of it, you haven't slept in a while."
I considered. It was the only option I had left. I couldn't survive for any longer with the few supplies I had.
"Thank you sir, I will repay you"
He smiled, "No thanks are necessary. I'm always open to helping someone in need. The name's Albert"
I looked in wonder at this man, who had already started to pour some water for me. He held the mug out to my shaking hands.
"Drink. You need to", he said seriously.
"Thank you, sir."
He chuckled at the title and over his shoulder said, "I'll tell my son he'll have company tomorrow. Your room will be the one straight up the stairs."
I looked up the winding staircase and headed up. I didn't know whether I should trust this man. Why was he being so kind to me? Opening the door of the allocated room, I gasped. The room was small and cosy, but had a bed! I had never slept in a bed before! Scared that I would make it dirty, I decided to wash before I rested. Filling a bowl with water, I stripped of my clothes and gasped as I saw the state of my ribs. I had always been skinny, as I could never afford to eat much, but I could never see my ribs like this before. They stuck out of my skin - I could practically count them!
Some were bruised from the fight with LaBarge and I was reminded of that night.
Cleaning up, I put my clothes back on and headed down the creaky staircase. I was met by such a lovely smell. Food.
I hadn't eaten in a while, my ribs proving this, and as soon as Albert saw me, he grinned and handed me a plate full of a brown meal. I looked at it questioningly.
"It's only a stew!" He chuckled, "By the way, I never did get your name."
"It's Fliss, sir. And thank you so much, really."
He smiled sadly, "As I said before, you don't need to thank me."
I returned his smile and started eating the stew. I was shocked at how full of flavour it was. I ate it swiftly and smiled as he took the plate away.
"Hungry, eh?", he grinned as I sighed contentedly at the food, "What did your brother need with Alex?" He enquired.
At the mention of my brother, I felt the emptiness inside me once again.
"He, uh, had business with him. A job, I think."
"So why did he send you? And what happened to your face?"
The blood drained from my face. What should I say?
"He, uh, couldn't come due to ill health", I lied, "and I cut my face on a stray branch from a tree."
"Ah, I hope he gets well soon. Maybe you should avoid those trees!"
I laughed at the response, hiding my shame at lying to such a kind man.
The light soon disappeared from outside and I decided to get some rest. I knew it would be a long journey to Paris. I only hoped that I would find Alexandre.
I shuffled to my room, wincing as the blisters on my feet complained at the movement.
Lying in the bed was strange. I couldn't sleep at first because I kept feeling like I was falling. I was used to a hard floor. Shifting the jacket so it was on the back of a nearby chair, I jumped when something fell out, but relaxed when I realised it was only the small wooden ship. It was so small and I remember cutting my fingers constantly as I tried to carve more detail into it.
It reminded me of Jack so much. I ripped a strand off the rag I brought with me and twisted it tightly.
I looped it through one of the gaps between the sails and tied it around my neck.
A piece of home would always be with me now.
I fell asleep to the strange sound of rain against the glass window.
I woke shortly before the sun rose and groaned as my back ached when I sat up. I must look terrible I thought. Stumbling to the window to look outside, I saw my reflection.
My eyes, as blue as Jack's, met me and I was surprised at how obvious the scar was cutting through my eyebrow. My thoughts turned dark as I thought back to the night of the fight.
Curse LaBarge. I would get my revenge one day.
Tying my boots tightly, I then walked downstairs. A dark haired man with a small red bandana splitting his hair eyed me curiously and I shifted uncomfortably. I couldn't trust anyone.
Looking away, I followed the smell of food to Albert, who smiled at me warmly.
"Morning, Fliss", he called, "Have something to eat, you've both got a long few days ahead of you."
I looked towards the dark haired man he referred to.
"Fliss, this is my son, Edward. He'll take you to Orleans."
This Edward looked at me curiously, hair falling over his face and I looked back. I wasn't afraid, I told myself.
He nodded at me and walked off.
"He's a bit quiet, i'm afraid, but he'll get you to Orléans", Albert said, almost apologetically.
"It's okay, I'm not good company either!" I replied.
After eating, I picked up my bag, and headed to the horses that waited outside. Both were saddled and Edward was stood near one, his belongings already with him.
He looked at me darkly but I ignored him and headed to the other horse. It was a large black stallion, and I stroked it's face reassuringly.
Swinging up onto the tall horse, I grunted as my back and legs complained. As I looked over, I saw Edward still looking at me.
I didn't trust him.
"Take care, both", Albert called as we set off, "I'll see you in a few weeks Edward, and Fliss, I hope you find D'Artagnan."
"Thank you for everything Albert", I called as the horses sped up.
I would repay him one day, I promised to myself.
Turning back around, I saw Edward looking me at regular intervals. Why was he being so odd? I thought.
I was awkward riding with him, but I knew there was no going back now. I had to find D'Artagnan. He was my only hope.
We reached a river as night fell, and Edward called to stop. His dark hair contrasted his pale face, I noticed as he turned to look at me yet again.
I climbed down and started looking for firewood as Edward tied the horses up. I kept my bag over my shoulder. Years of being in La Rochelle had taught me that anyone could rob - even your friends. Not that I had ever had any.
Edward threw me some dried fruit that I had recognised Albert giving him.
"Eat", he commanded.
He was like a soldier, I thought.
"Thank you", I replied.
The silence was only broken by the horses scuffling and the fire crackling.
"Why are you really looking for Alex?" He suddenly asked.
I looked up into his hard eyes, but looked away immediately. I couldn't tell him the truth.
"He is the only chance I have left of work", I blurted out before I could stop myself.
I bit my lip as curiosity lit up his dark face. His features turned from dark to soft and I saw recognition flash across his face.
"Your brother. What is his name?" He asked.
I didn't reply.
He didn't remove his gaze. "Is it Jack?"
My eyes instantly returned to his and I felt defensiveness built up in me. How did he know?
Nodding glumly, I looked away again.
"I knew your father", he started. I looked at him, trying to figure out what he was trying to say.
"He came to Gascony", he continued, "to secure a job for Jack, I think. But he stopped at our inn for a few nights, and he defended my mother when there was a huge fight in the pub."
"I'll never forget what he did to help. That is why my father helped you. He recognised you from a small drawing your father showed him."
My eyes watered as I remembered the picture my father had taken so much time to draw of me.
"I'll see you safe to Orléans, but the road from there to Paris isn't safe, especially not for young women such as yourself."
"Thank you", I replied, my voice quiet, "but what other option do I have. I must do what I can to survive and finding Alexandre is the only option I have."
He frowned, thinking for a moment. He didn't reply, and I assumed the conversation was over. Suddenly, he made me jump ,"Can you fight?" he asked.
"I have fought once, for my brother, but I will only fight if necessary. Why?"
"You should be able to defend yourself. This road is dangerous and Paris is no safer. You could be jumped at any point in the dark alleys."
"I carry a knife, but I have no other weapons."
"Your head is the greatest weapon you have. You need to think before you act. Here", he handed me a small blade and a strange looking sheath,
"put the sheath on your left arm, the blade should fit in it. You can hide it with the sleeve of your jacket." He showed me.
The blade was surprisingly comfortable. I looked at him with confusion.
"Why are you helping me?" I asked.
"Because your father helped me." he replied looking straight into my eyes. We held each other's gaze for a moment longer.
"Get some rest, when we have breaks in the days ahead, I'll teach you to defend yourself" he mumbled over his shoulder as he turned over.
"Thank you", I whispered and turned over so my back was facing the fire. I drifted to sleep thinking of the danger Edward spoke of. This was going to be a tough journey.