The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

Nat gave the address to the driver before joining Anouk inside. “To Outer Rim Park.”

“Very good, sir.”

The carriage jerked into motion. Immediately, Anouk, giving in to her exhaustion, leaned her head back and closed her eyes. The gentle sway of the vehicle rocked like a cradle, lulling her into sleep. Nat would wake her up when they arrived at the camp.

* * *

Anouk opened her eyes. A dark wood panelled ceiling arched above her. She frowned. This wasn’t the carriage she had boarded.

She pushed herself up and looked around. A long, narrow room opened in front of her. Colourful floral tapestries hung on the walls above the sideboards and cabinets which were painted with bright matching patterns. A red flowered Persian rug covered the floor. The only other furniture was a bench, table and two chairs in the corner close to her bed.

Her clothes sat, neatly folded on the bench; her sword leaned against the wall. Someone had dressed her in a loose nightgown. Anouk blushed, hoping it hadn’t been Nat.

Muffled voices drifted from outside. She climbed out of the bed and tiptoed to the window where she saws a middle-aged couple sat by a campfire, talking and cooking. The woman, sitting with her back to Anouk, wore a red scarf and bright, pretty dress. The man had a dark brown waistcoat buttoned over a grey shirt, matching his trousers. Tufts of blond hair peeked out from his dusty bowler.

The events of the day before flooded her mind—Stalo breaking into her home and trying to kill her, Nat coming to her rescue and bringing her to Rondon, Amanda’s Emporium, Dr Arnar and Madam Valeria. Anouk closed her eyes and swallowed. So many peculiar things had happened in just twenty-four hours. Her head started to spin, and she gripped the windowsill, forcing herself to calm down. She wasn’t going crazy. It had been just a crazy day. That’s all.

She opened her eyes and peered around. Where was Nat?

A man’s muffled voice called out, “Good morning, Miss Herring!” Anouk startled and threw her gaze back at the couple. Both were looking at her, smiling and waving.

“Breakfast is ready if you feel like it.” The woman lifted a frying pan to show steaming sausages.

Anouk waved her hand and nodded. She studied the interior again—this was a caravan and the camp Nat mentioned the previous night. Presumably, these were the people Nat trusted with his life.

Oh shit! Had he left her here to be babysat by this couple and continued his search for Stalo alone after all? Had that offer of partnership been a lie? She knew Nat was a convincing liar by how he had tricked Madam Valeria. Could he have done the same to her?

She propped her fists on her hips. If it turned out he had left her here for safekeeping, she would smack him with her katana next time she saw him.

A waft of sweat hit her nose. Lifting her arm, she sniffed. “Okay, first freshen up and dress, then the questions.”

A rose-patterned porcelain bowl and matching pitcher stood on the cabinet. Next to the bowl was a bar of soap and a toothbrush that reminded her of a shrunken hairbrush. Her brows knitted as she tested the brush with her thumb, expecting it to have bristles like a scrubbing brush. Her eyebrows shot up when she discovered it was soft. She was relieved to know she wouldn’t end up brushing her gums raw. She poured water into the bowl and splashed it on her face, dreaming of a long morning shower. One of the things she would ask was the location of a reputable bathhouse and if Nat—if he was around anymore—or the couple would take her there.

Dressed and somewhat refreshed, she proceeded to the top of the steps. Cool morning air mixed with the smell of smoke, cut wood and greenery welcomed her. Nearby a bird tweeted, and from a distance drifted sounds of hooves hitting cobblestones and the rattles, hisses and chugging of steam engines.

The caravan stood in a small secluded park. Tall trees surrounded and towered over it, blocking the view to the street and to the sky, giving it a serene atmosphere. The caravan itself was painted in red ochre, with the door and window frame a dark green. Close by, a horse snorted. Anouk peeked around the back. A sturdy white and black shire horse grazed a few yards away.

Nat was nowhere to be seen.

“Excuse me?” Anouk called out to the couple. They stopped talking and turned towards her. “Do you happen to know where Nat Walla is?”

“Come, Miss Herring. Have something to eat.” The woman patted a folding stool alongside.

Anouk walked down the steps to join the couple, extending her hand to the woman. “Please, call me Anouk.”

The woman took her hand. “I’m Vari and this is my husband Fitzwil.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Anouk offered her hand to Fitzwil who stood up, taking his bowler off.

He bowed, bringing Anouk’s palm close to his lips. “My pleasure, Anouk.”

Anouk gave a nod, her cheeks burning. “Is Nat somewhere around?”

Vari lifted the frying pan from the fire. “Let’s eat first.”

The smell of fried sausages enveloped Anouk causing her stomach to grumble so any questions about Nat’s current whereabouts momentarily flew out of her head.

Merrily accepting a plate of sausage and eggs from her host, Anouk sank her knife and fork into the breakfast. The flavours of the meat, salt and herbs exploded on her tongue as she chewed each morsel.

Vari placed a soot-covered pot over the fire and spooned ground coffee into it. Soon a rich smell of fresh coffee teased Anouk’s nose.

“Thank you. The breakfast was lovely.”

“Do you want more?” Vari’s emerald-green eyes shone with polite interest.

Anouk smiled. “No, that’s okay. I’m quite full.”

She took the coffee cup between her hands and studied the couple. Both were quite pale with blond hair and emerald green eyes. Well, there was a unique colour. Wonder if Madam Valeria would be similarly