Faithful Pebble
Part Fifty-Seven
Pebble took a step back and folded her arms. Tucking her hands into the sleeves of her hood, she asked softly, "In what town did you say your friend lived?"
"I didn't say, he lives on the outskirts of Brendal." The wanderer answered. The wanderer waited.
Pebble took another step back. "Brendal. I-I know it," she said. "At least, I remember it anyway. It's to the south, right? Aren't you going the wrong way?"
The wanderer considered her quietly. "I am," he affirmed. "I figured by going through the village we might pick up some supplies on our way over. I now have two mouths to feed instead of one and I'm sure you want more than just my blanket to sleep in. It's not an issue, but these things need to be considered."
"True, but going this way easily doubles the time it takes to get there… and whatever supplies we need can be purchased in Brendal, right? The forest is vast. At least it was the last I remember." Pebble took another step back. "If we go through the woods, it would—"
"But isn't that against the law?" The wanderer subtly eyed her resisting the urge to cast a slanted eye towards the bush where his stowaway hid quietly, pondering if the child had stirred or not. No sound came from it, no movement either. He had said the woods were forbidden, the child, the kitten, the tiniest, littlest, most noblest pick pocket of the monstrous gang of Warble Heights. The child had murmured it after the wanderer confirmed his promise to save the woman standing before him, a pinky swear and two heart crossings did the trick. The man wrinkled his nose as Pebble looked back at the entrance to the forest.
"Are you scared?" she asked.
What ends a chapter? A good hook. That's why this one's short and others are long. Happy Wednesday. - Calla