Oh my gosh! I'm sooooo sorry that I didn't update sooner, but I've been super busy getting back on my feet after two absences from school. Now that I have 2 A's 3 B's, I can get back on track! Hooray! So, here is you long awaited Chapter 4 Part 2.
Chapter 4 Part 2: In Which Lowell Meets Reese
"You're the fastest horse in all Marmoreal?" Lowell hesitated, staring at the large black and gray mare that was staring down at him. The horse, "Reese" as one of the guards called her, gave an exasperated scoff to Alice's brother in-law.
"You're the brother of the Alice?" Reese retorted with a whinnying laugh. Lowell crossed his arms over his chest, wrinkling his off-white vest and bright white sleeves.
"Touché…" Lowell grumbled. Reese gave another whinnying laugh. "What's so funny?" Lowell demanded to the mare.
"Truthfully, nothing is funny," Reese said. "I'm just surprised that YOU aren't surprised that I can talk." Lowell rolled his eyes and mounted the mare.
"Weirder things have happened to me, I don't think I have the capacity to be surprised anymore…"
Lowell admitted in sudden thoughtfulness.
"So Mr. Manchester, where am I taking you?" Reese asked, turning her head to look up at Lowell.
"According to the queen, Alice and the Hatter are on their way to Iplam Heights. So take me there if you please," Lowell said. Reese gave a single nod and the guard unhooked the reigns from a post, allowing Reese to take off at full speed. She was yelling something to Lowell, but he couldn't hear her… man was he sorry that he had doubted her speed. The scenery whipped by them at ridiculous speeds. Lowell was surprised that he hadn't fallen off of Reese already.
"HOW YOU DOING?" the horse called out after an hour of travel. Lowell tried his best to respond, but with his cheeks flapping in the wind, he found it especially hard to do so. Reese slowed to a medium trot and turned her head to look up at Lowell. His usually well groomed hair now a complete mess, his outfit was wrinkled, and Lowell himself was still trying to fathom the speed they had been going at.
"Reese, I'm sorry I doubted your abilities…"Lowell muttered, still defuzzled and quite tired. Reese laughed and kept trotting.
"Don't worry your head about it sir, a lot of people and creatures are surprised that I can move so quickly," she explained as they approached a small town.
"Add me to the list," Lowell said, surveying the surroundings.
"For the record Mr. Manchester, we are in Iplam North. Iplam Heights is another three hour long journey or so, at my full speed."
"I can handle that," Lowell said smugly. Reese rolled her eyes and gave a whinnying laugh.
"If you say so," Reese said while rolling her eyes.
"Ye know Alice, I truly appreciate you bein' so open with me," Tarrant said as they continued along the path. Alice could see Freedom's smug look, but once again she ignored it. She smiled over at Tarrant who had already turned his attention back to the road in front of them.
"Hey Tarrant?" Alice asked after a few moments of silence. The Hatter turned his head and stared expectantly at the blonde.
"Yes Alice?" he asked.
"Will you tell me more about your father?" she asked. Tarrant's face turned downcast. "You don't have to! If it's too sensitive then don't."
"No, no… it's not sensitive for me. I just was thinking about something. So, me fa… where to begin," Tarrant said. "Well, for starters, his name was Doran. Doran Hightopp, he was married to me ma, Arden Hightopp. He was also a Hatter by trade, but not quite as mad as I."
"Was he mad at all?" Alice asked. Tarrant looked away.
"No… he wasn't. And neither was the rest of my family…" he admitted. Alice stared at him in utter disbelief.
"What happened?" Alice asked.
"It's a long, painful story that hasn't been spoken in nearly twenty years…" Tarrant said.
"You don't have to tell me you know," Alice said. It's your personal history and if it pains you to tell me then I won't make you." Tarrant let out a deep breath and looked out at the horizon. Reds, yellows, and pinks lined the sky in the distance.
"Let's set up camp for the evening Alice, I'll tell you everything then," Tarrant said.
Not nearly as long as I would have liked.
NEXT CHAPTER: Tarrant tells Alice about his painful past. And Lowell continues his journey with Reese.