Ten: A WANTED LAD

#Wren

I walked fast to the workers' quarters, with one intention. To find Hector. I had no further plan after that, all I knew was that I needed to see him. To understand why he had done what he did. Peculiar how I had been so prepared to avenge my sister's abuse, now I was ready to hear an explanation! I knew that boy would be nothing but trouble, and yet I had still kept him here. Had befriended him for the love of all that gave me money! I, who hated every living, walking, talking person, had befriended an orphan boy I had but known for a week! I cursed under my breath as I opened the door to the brothers' room, silence and emptiness greeting me.

"They are gone," Matthias' voice said behind me.

My head whipped to face him, narrowing my eyes as I waited for an explanation as to why Hector and his brother were gone. Now my plan to confront and understand appeared foolish.

"He hit your sister, you did not expect him to still be here when you returned, did you?" He said, in explanation of the boys' absence.

I took a step toward him in anger, no one had the right to punish them but me. How dare he think he could just make decisions in my absence, and I would simply roll over? Granted, he was in charge when I was gone, and those boys were technically his charges, but I loathed feeling undermined! Matthias raised his hands, as if in surrender or offering peace of some kind.

"He left of his own accord, I did not chase him. Although I would have."

I narrowed my eyes at him again.

"He hit Michelle," he repeated, obviously trying to make me see reason.

I shook my head, the Hector I knew was outspoken and unpredictable, but he would never raise a hand to a woman. I might not have known him well, but I had never felt any vibe of violence from him. And certainly not towards a female!

"Why?" I asked.

Matthias looked at me in surprise, his mouth wide and his eyes intense with disbelief. I cared not for that, I just wanted to know what had happened. My sister's version had been somewhat exaggerated. With Hector coming off as the monster who attacked her from nowhere, and humiliating her in front of everyone. Of course, the question of what she had been doing at the workers' quarters came to my mind, it was a rather odd thing for her to do. She never wanted anything to do with the workers, or the farm. But for some reason, she had found herself at the workers' supper and small party for Benjamin's day of birth. Again, I say odd.

"They were exchanging a few words before she slapped him."

My fists unclenched, my sister had provoked him first? She had slapped him?

"But that is no just cause for any man to ever hit a woman!" Matthias defended.

I nodded and made to walk past him before he grabbed my sleeve. I stopped but did not turn to look him in the eye.

"We welcomed that lad, made him a part of the family, even against your own wishes. I defended him, and he went on to do this!"

I remained silent as he sighed.

"You spoke for him, because of him, why?"

I shook my head and made to walk again but he stopped me once more.

"Where are you going? Surely not after him!"

I turned then and faced the old man. A man who had been with us for so long, he felt like a father at times. Only a father to an unwilling son, and a very stubborn one.

"Henry?" I asked him.

"He took the boy with him, of course." Matthias frowned at my question.

But that is not what I had asked him. I wanted to know why he had let them go, during a cold night. The younger boy should not be out there in this weather. I surprised myself at how much I had changed, just the last time I had been the one to chase them out. Uncaring whether they would be safe or not. I would sort out my complex mind later, but I needed to find Hector and Henry now.

"You cannot go after them again, he betrayed our trust!" Matthias protested when he guessed my intentions.

I would sort this stupid issue between my sister and the boy later, I could not think of that now. As far as I was concerned, my sister needed to get over her silly infatuation with him, and stay away from him. He had drawn her blood, but so had she, it was as even as it needed to be.

And so you have changed so quickly? I thought to myself.

Yes, if it had been anyone else, I would have drawn blood. But Hector had nothing, and my conscience would never let me let my young sister take the little he had away from him. Simply because she could not have what she wanted! If anything, I was impressed with him for rejecting her. Any other lad would have jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of my forward sibling, but not Hector. Hector and Michelle were the same age, more or less, and if it was alright for her to hit a boy, it was only fair for him to return a just portion. Of course, he would still be punished. He should have shown restraint, but so should have Michelle. I would not let her get what she wanted.

I was going after Hector, a second time.

#Hazel

"You could not just let it go, could you?" My brother scolded for the hundredth time.

I had lost count of the times he had sighed, or kicked a stone angrily, or shouted at me. I simply winced this time, but did not answer. I do not know what had come over me, I would never have thought myself capable of such a thing! But Michelle had angered me so much and I had sought to teach her a lesson. I might have been an orphan, who owed her brother everything, but I would never stand to be humiliated like that! I felt my anger building up again and I took a deep breath. That chapter was closed now, I knew Donoghue would never let us back in. It had been wise to leave before he dragged us out by our ears or worse. I had cost Henry a place he was fond of, we were both fond of, but I would make it out to him. This time, as his sister. My lie, together with my temper had cost us so much already, I just wanted things to be simple this time around.

I tugged at my now very short hair, sighing as I thought of growing it out again. It would take a couple of months or so, I supposed.

"I really hate you right now!" My brother scowled.

"Hate is a strong word Henry, I am your sister."

"Then I loathe you, I intensely dislike you and I would shake some sense into you if I could."

I bit my lip to hide an involuntary smile as he raged on and on. His tantrum was rather endearing, if I could say.

"Stop laughing at me!" He glared as he raised a threatening finger and pointed it at me.

I smiled," I am not laughing, I swear!"

He narrowed his eyes at me before coming after me, the intention clear in his eyes. I yelped and started running, knowing he would catch up to me anyway, but not stopping regardless. When he finally caught up with me, he rubbed my head with his knuckles as I laughed and tried to duck. Then his hand stopped.

"Do you hear that?" He said in a low voice.

"Hear wh-"

"Shhh, a carriage."

I listened this time, and for certain, I heard it. I reached for the knife in the side of my coat and prepared for the worst.

"Should we hide?" Henry said, looking around.

There was nowhere to hide anyway, and we could not run away from possible transportation. It was a risk we had to take.

"Hold your knife behind your back, we will wait and see if the carriage stops," I instructed.

Henry nodded as we stood to wait by the road, our daggers in hand. This was the most foolish thing I had done yet, but I knew I needed to try and get my brother out of this cold. I had given him my new coat, but temperature was dropping and we needed a place to sleep and soon.

I should have thought of that before I slapped Michelle, I thought. Or at least, stolen a horse! I almost laughed at that, as if I needed Donoghue to come after me for being a thief too!

The carriage finally came into sight, and unexpectedly reduced speed as it drew closer to us. The driver came into sight then, an old man who reminded me so much of Matthias. My heart panged as I thought of the home we had left behind, but I clutched my dagger tighter and smiled.

"Good evening sir," I greeted.

"Good evenin' lads. Where ya off to in this time of night?"

"Making our way to the next town," I replied, inwardly smiling at the fact that I had, once again, been mistaken for a boy. Not that I could blame him really, I looked the part.

"Do ya need a ride? We are headed just before the next town, and there is an inn not far from it. Ya can find rest there."

I studied the man's eyes, searching for any sign of threat from him. He appeared sincere enough, and I could not take the chance of my brother being out here any longer. Another carriage passing by would be nothing short of a miracle!

"Thank you, sir." I gave a small smile.

We walked towards him but he shook his head, "No, get inside, this weather will get the better of ya."

We nodded and walked to the door, and I opened it for my brother to enter first.

There was a man inside, I had not even thought the old man could have been driving someone somewhere! Which was silly considering the chances of someone dragging an empty carriage around were little, why not just use a horse.

The man was sleeping, and that was not the only obvious thing about him. He was simply perfect!

Flawless skin, pale lips, perfect nose and a glorious head of raven hair. I stared at him as the carriage started moving, wondering if he was ill or something. Surely he should have woken up when we entered.

"I can feel you staring," he said, startling me into a gasp.

He opened his eyes slowly, a smirk on his face revealing deep dimples set in both his cheeks. When his eyes landed on me, he frowned.

"You are a boy?"

I frowned back," Should I check?"

He chuckled and shook his head, "No. I could have sworn you were looking- no, it matters not."

He grinned, revealing perfect teeth, "I am Jonathan."

I nodded and settled in my seat, content that this narcissistic fool meant no harm to my brother and I.

"I am Hector, this is my brother, Henry."

He chuckled again, "I apologize, but one could most definitely mistake you for a woman!"

I scowled at him, "And one could mistake you for rude, but I suppose that would be no mistake at all."

He laughed then, "You have quite the mouth on you. I apologize for my earlier comment, though. You are my guests for this ride, I should have more tact."

"By all means, just be your usual self. This is your carriage after all," I plastered a fake smile on my face.

He smiled, shaking his head, as he reached for something under his seat. He pulled out a blanket and held it out.

"It is getting rather chilly."

I genuinely smiled at his kindness and spread the blanket over my brother and me.

"So where were you headed this late at night?" Jonathan asked.

"To the next town." I said.

"May I ask why?"

I shrugged, "Looking for work, a better life and the like."

"I see. But it was rather careless of you to travel with the child, was it not?"

Guilt riddled me then, he was right. I should have thought of my brother first before unleashing my anger. I was continuously failing him.

"You are not very bright, are you?" Jonathan smiled.

I narrowed my eyes at him and cursed him inwardly, he was getting on my nerves. Those deep dimples mocking me with their beauty.

"And your mouth has no filter, does it?"

"No, I prefer to live as honestly as possible. My thoughts are my words."

"If it were not for my desperation, I would have slapped you and left this carriage," I grinned, "you were right, it does make you feel good."

Henry pinched me and I turned to face him. His face clearly said, do you not ever learn? And he was right, seconds ago I had sworn to put him first. Now I was provoking the man who could very well throw us out.

Jonathan smiled," No matter, I do not take offense."

Henry rolled his eyes and I turned to face the dashing Mr. Jonathan.

"I believe we will get along well, then."

Jonathan winked," Oh trust me, we shall indeed."