Rendezvous

Wow, reviews already. Thanks! I have quite an extensive narrative in my head for this plot, so bear with me and you should see events unfold in quick succession. I really do appreciate what's been said for my content on here, so I can't let you down now. I give you: Chapter 2.

For the first time in a long while, my heart was pumping in eager anticipation as I left the Spook's house behind and set off in the direction of the village of Chipenden. Whoever this Aerabella was, I had a good feeling about her. I caught myself thinking just that, slowing my brisk pace to mentally chastise myself for having such a childish approach to a mysterious stranger – I couldn't have that attitude anymore, the county looked up to me as a protector. That thought was daunting, but it was undeniably a reality driving home the burden of responsibility I now carried. I felt uneasy as I climbed the sloped woodland footpath ahead, so I hastily withdrew the pouch of county cheese from my inside cloak pocket and took a few nibbles to settle my stomach. Shielding my eyes from the glare of the sun, I looked towards the village and began to stride on faster, genuinely excited now. Pleased with something unusual and interesting to do with my time, I didn't even notice snagging my arm on a lingering thorn bush and tearing a slit into my cloak.

There was a bench now in front of me, on the same point in the road where I first met Alice Deane on that fateful day long ago. Oh what I would have said to my younger self now, to prevent this whole whirlwind of events from being kicked into motion. What if I had never met Alice that day? Where would things stand now if I'd only ignored her pointy shoes? Any young man would have been struck by her glowing features, fair skin and silky long black hair though… you don't ignore a girl as pretty as that.
"Are you thinking about if things had been different? If you'd never met?" a soft but confident voice called from behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turned sharply, instinctively reaching for a blade at my waist. I didn't need to be worried though – this must be my rendezvous. Sporting a long green and black dress, she stood on the exact spot in the shadows where Alice had such a long time ago, only not as shyly as her former. This woman stood taller, with wavy brown hair bouncing in ringlets from her head and trailing down beyond her chest to her stomach, which was sleekly thin but clearly of an athletically built, shapely stature. It complimented the figure of her curvy hips and toned delicate legs. Not only that, but she had the biggest and brightest green eyes I had ever seen, twinkling even in the shadows. They regarded me with curiosity, as did her warmly smiling lips. She stepped into the sunlight and I nodded a courteous greeting.
"Admittedly a little, these days." I replied to her question as we walked towards each other in the clearing.
"And just what does the county Spook think of when he is off-duty?" she politely asked in return. I couldn't hide a smile cracking my lips – it still felt good to be called that. In fact, it felt good to smile again at all.
"The county Spook is, unfortunately…never off-duty" I joked.
"I'm sure, Master Ward" she returned with a warm smile.
"So you must be Aerabella" I said softly.
"That's me. I pinned the notice to that tree by your house. Sadly we might have to forego pleasantries this afternoon though" she added in a tone that meant business. "Time is of the essence. Are you happy to travel as you are?" I padded myself quickly to find all my basic precautions and tools to be strapped to me and ready at my disposal. My blade, a pouch of cheese, a pocketful of salt and another of iron filings, the aforementioned note from the tree, my staff to hand and a small leather satchel of emergency coins tied to my waist.
"Yes, but where would we be travelling to?" I cautiously questioned.
"The closest encampment we have is not too far south of Pendle. I hope that's no problem..?"
"Fine, fine" I nodded, motioning for Aerabella to lead on. She glanced at my arm and stopped suddenly. At first I thought she had seen the rip in my cloak, but then I realised she was seeing something else – the brand on my arm from Alice's fingernails.
"Is that her mark?" she asked slowly, a mix of curiosity and hesitation swirling in her deep green eyes.
"Yes... Alice gave it to me not long after we met. It burns if any other girl tries to kiss me" I found myself mumbling aloud, smiling thinly to see Aerabella's puzzled reaction.
"Curious…" was all she managed to say before tearing her gaze away, motioning off towards the village itself further down the path. "I have a carriage waiting, if you're ready?" she added tentatively, adjusting her dress, poised to lead me on. I hesitated, paused to double check my provisions one last time, then gave a short nod of confirmation and followed her down the path, mulling over what I might find journeying with this Aerabella. Was her effort to recruit me part of some greater picture? What could Alice's role in all this be? I needed time to think, but I'd done far too much thinking alone lately and the time had come to actually start DOING something. I'd certainly feel a lot less down on myself to be achieving some progress ratherthan wasting away hours in the Spook's house swirling ideas around my head over dark, sleepless nights.Thinking quietly to myself, my mind turned to my Master and what he would have done had he been in this situation. I felt a sinking pang of longing for his guidance, gazing up at dark clouds overhead as thin streaks of rain beginning to patter down on us. Despite stepping into a convenient furnished carriage next to someone with a warm aura I trusted, for the first time in a while I felt truly alone.

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