A Wondermere Short Story

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The horses were tired. Hannah was tired. Amelia was hungry. She was always hungry. And as much as the horses and Hannah wanted to stop moving, they knew there would be little sleep to be had if Amelia wasn’t properly fed.

Hannah and Amelia weren’t exactly best friends so much as their parents were close. They wanted the girls to get along like sisters. It would be another thirty years before that happened. In the meantime, here they were, traveling the countryside together after an even longer journey by ship in search of a man. They had no clue how to find him or even if he would be where they were headed, just that Wondermere and the colosseum was to be their destination. 

The society were nothing if not cryptic with the information they passed on to newcomers. By rights, Hannah and Amelia were born into the society and shouldn’t have to undergo such a silly task to prove their loyalty, but each of their parents weren’t exactly liked while they were alive and so, before they could claim their rightful place they had to do a small favor for the leader.

Don’t worry about who the leader is, just yet. I’m sure you’re much more interested in the society. And I’m coming to that. Patience is one of the many rules to abide by in the society and if you expect me to tell you about it, then I’ll expect your patience.

Now, where was I? Ah, yes, Hannah and Amelia and they’re one horse. They could easily have afforded two horses but Hannah being the oldest, by a day, likes to take the lead and felt they were more than capable of traveling on one horse. Amelia picked her battles wisely. She knew that by letting Hannah win about the way they traveled meant she would get to dictate how often they stopped to eat. And did they ever stop often to eat.

It’s why a journey that should’ve only taken a couple of days was going on its fifth. 

The sun will be setting soon and the horse whinnies to get Hannah’s attention. It can smell food in the distance. Amelia was on the horses back while Hannah pulled its reigns. It was faster to ride on the horse together, both of them being of such small size, but occasionally, Hannah preferred to walk. Gave her a chance to think about their next move. Amelia felt this was a waste of her talents as there was very little that would be happening or has happened since they left their homes and therefore time would be spent thinking about nothing. She much rather think, out loud, about where they were headed.

The society is far reaching and while a large faction of its members currently reside in Wondermere out of necessity, its origins are in a distant place. But that is a tale for another day.

Look, up ahead! Is that smoke billowing out of a chimney? Why yes, I think this is the part of the story where Hannah and Amelia make their first move. See, Hannah paid attention when they were both briefed on where they were to go, whom they could trust, and what they needed to do when they arrived. Amelia was busy eating at the time. When she heard they were traveling by ship she knew she needed to fill her stomach with as much food as possible. Having never been on a ship before all she knew of it was what she’d heard from her older brother; it’s terrible!

Unfortunately, all that she consumed found itself overboard within a couple hours after the ship set sail. Their plan to be discreet and undercover was completely blown when everyone pointed and laughed at her every time they walked by them.

“What’s that I smell?” Amelia said, her mood perking up a bit.

“We haven’t time, Amelia. We’re almost in upper Wondermere. I promise when we get there I’ll let you eat whatever you want.”

Amelia eyed Hannah with trepidation. It was a promise she’d made in the past and though she always kept it, the trouble was, the food that was available usually wasn’t any good. Amelia was used to fine dining. Her parents were chefs by day, after all. Too bad she never bothered to learn any of their recipes before they died. She left that part of the family legacy to her brother, opting instead for the other legacy, the one they kept a secret from her for so long.

“Fine. But this Wondermere better be more than what I’ve heard of it,” Amelia said, throwing her upper body forward to rest her head on the mane of the horse. “I’m bored, Hannah.”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “You know, if someone were listening to you right now they wouldn’t believe we are both seventeen years old. They would think you were a child since that is how you’ve acted ever since we left. Don’t you care about what we’re doing?”

“I care. I just don’t think it should ruin a chance to enjoy ourselves, that’s all.”

Hannah pulled the reigns to a stop. “This is not a game, Amelia. I held your hand all throughout our childhood, looking out for you because I knew that’s what our parents needed. Us to stay out of trouble. But I’m not going to always be there for you, especially if you’re going to behave like this is just a chance for you to try new food. I actually want to join the society. If you don’t, tell me now, before we go any further and we can part ways.”

Amelia had a decision to make. It was a most difficult too. See, she never really liked Hannah for the very reason that she just outlined. While Amelia was trying to enjoy her childhood, she couldn’t, because all the while, Hannah was there keeping her out of trouble. What Amelia wouldn’t give to get into trouble just once! But Hannah was probably her best and only chance to get into the society. She desperately wanted in. She had to know what was so damn important about it that her parents neglected her all her life. They did more than devote their life to the society, they sacrificed time they could’ve spent with their children as well. Hannah didn’t know it, but Amelia wanted in so that she could hopefully destroy them from the inside out.

But reader, she doesn’t know something that you and I both already know. Thirty years later and not only did Amelia not follow through on ending the society but she is the leader of it now. I’m getting ahead of myself. 

“I’m sorry, Hannah. You know me, I act this way because no one ever let me misbehave when I was a child. I can’t help it. We need each other to do this, right?” Hannah knew Amelia needed her and although she hated to admit it, she needed Amelia as well. They shook hands, then Hannah pulled on the reigns for their horse to keep walking.

It wasn’t long before nightfall hit, but they made it to the first street inside upper Wondermere. This is where the poorer people live. Houses stacked on top of each other. Streets made of cobblestones that aren’t exactly level and covered in dirt and mud from people. They were everywhere. Amelia and Hannah were shocked at how many were out so late at night. Back home it would be quiet at sundown. But not in Wondermere. It seemed the streets were even more vibrant and bustling when the sun set. Amelia’s entire body was buzzing from the sights and sounds and especially the smells. It seemed they happened upon the main road that had pubs on either side for a long stretch. Their first stop was to store their horse at a nearby stable for the night and inquire where they could find Mrs. Pomroy.

I’m going to stop here in my tale because I must point something out in case you’re wondering. The Pomroy women run the colosseum. Have done ever since it was built. So, anytime you hear mention of the name Pomroy, the best way to keep track of ‘em is to enquire as to the first name. In this case it’s Beatrice Pomroy. You’re probably familiar with her daughter, Tabby Pomroy. But I’m getting ahead of myself. 

Turns out, that although the Pomroy women are responsible for the upkeep and full care of the colosseum they are not afforded a home near their place of work. In fact, they own a piece of land in upper Wondermere and prefer it that way. It is nearly as large as the land the colosseum and the ruling family occupy but no one has ever questioned why though many a king has tried, and failed, to claim ownership.

It meant the journey for Hannah and Amelia was much shorter than they anticipated once they found a place to keep their horse. The stable master pointed out the tallest building in the upper Wondermere.

“That there is the Pomroy Estate. You can’t miss it.” The only home that seemed to have its own turret with a flame that shot out the top, a beacon for the lost and weary traveler. The Pomroy’s were always known for the hospitality to strangers as they knew they had far more than anyone in upper Windermere and were not about to ever keep it for themselves. So, it was not unusual to have strangers looking for the Pomroy’s.

“I hope this, Mrs. Pomroy is a good cook. I’m famished,” Amelia said, wrapping her favorite shawl around her shoulders to keep her warm from the chill in the air. Winter was on its way and although the mornings were filled with sunlight, the evenings saw a drastic drop in temperature. Hannah loved the cold and embraced it as a way to stay awake and alert. While they were told to trust Mrs. Pomroy, they were given opposite advice about the rest of upper Wondermere and the people who reside there. 

Amelia’s feet started to hurt the closer they got to the large house and her gait changed as she walked. She started to hunch and her knees wobbled as she walked. Hannah walked a step behind Amelia and rolled her eyes. She was used to Amelia’s tendency to over exaggerate her ailments of which she rarely suffered as much as she let on.

They both saw the large wooden sign swinging high above the ground over an archway. A wrought iron fence stretched on either side, farther than they could see and eventually turned a corner till they met again someone in the distance, forming an oddly shaped rectangle along the borders of its property.

The gates were open and the house in the distance seemed alive with light emanating from its many windows on all three floors. They could see shadows and lots of movement happening inside and wondered if they had arrived during a party. Amelia loved parties and her back suddenly straightened. She smoothed the front of her dress and ran her fingers through her hair. It didn’t do much to change her appearance which was that of a woman who had just traveled halfway round the world without a days rest, but Hannah hadn’t the heart to tell her that.

Neither did Hannah care to attempt to alter her appearance at all. She wasn’t a very beautiful girl to begin with. It was a fact her parents never let her forget all her young and teenage life. They knew it would be difficult to marry her off and so she was left with the burden of taking up their legacy and making sure it was squandered. She accepted her ugly fate and appreciated not having to flaunt herself shamelessly to young men like her school friends had done. They all seemed rather miserable while she was happier than she could be.

It didn’t explain why Amelia was in a similar position, however. And though Hannah tried to find out why she was paired with Amelia who was, by all accounts, quite beautiful, it was beyond her ability to argue the decision once it had been made. Hannah and Amelia were in this together. And though Hannah fully expected Amelia to one day run off with the first very rich and very eligible bachelor she encountered, she just needed to bide her time till that day came. Let me burst you bubble now, dear reader, that day never comes. And if you play your cards right (pun intended) I may tell you why on a different occasion. For now, pay attention! Even the smallest of details can be important now and definitely later.

Amelia knocked on the door, throwing her head back at Hannah who kept her distance, and winking. Amelia could never understand why Hannah did that whenever they were visiting someone for the first time. She always left Amelia to be the first face they saw before making her presence known. She had heard that Hannah’s parents were less than kind to their daughter, hardening her for the cruel world. But Amelia had a very different upbringing. To her the world was not cruel but instead full of hope and wonder and especially, delicious food to eat. She wondered if you parents didn’t encourage her to play more outdoors and be active if only to burn away all the food she would manage to consume in a day. It definitely accounted for her petite figure. 

Hannah wasn’t petite by any stretch of the imagination. She was at least two heads taller than Amelia and broad shouldered with long black hair that, when she let it fall freely, brought out the bright green of her eyes. But Hannah never let her hair fall freely. She always wore it pulled back from her face so that her chiseled jawline and striking eyebrows made her look a lot tougher than Amelia knew she was.

Only once had Amelia dared to make a comment about Hannah’s appearance. It wasn’t in any way a slight, in fact, it was by all accounts a compliment. But Hannah only ever hears what she wants to hear and her bite is far worse than her bark. Amelia found this out the hard way. She learned her lesson to keep her opinion about Hannah’s looks to herself though it pains her to remain so silent.

She knocked once more when the door didn’t open right away. Perhaps the party was so loud no one heard her the first time. The door finally swung open and a young woman who looked more disheveled than Hannah and Amelia, appeared in the doorway, leaning on the door, out of breath.

“Who are you?” She asked.

“I’m Amelia, and that’s my friend back there, Hannah. We’re looking for Mrs. Pomroy?” Amelia said, trying to look past the girl into the house that looked enormous just from where she stood on the front stoop.

“Ma! Two more for dinner!” The girl shouted over her shoulder. “Come on in, you’re letting the cold in.” She waved them inside and Hannah walked in out of the shadows. “Blimey, you’re a tall one!” The girl blurted out. She realized her frankness hadn’t gone well with the guests and put her hand over her mouth.

“I tell her that all the time,” Amelia said, trying to make light of the moment. “Hannah is used to it. Aren’t you?”

Hannah forced a smile across her face in an attempt to put their rude host at ease.

“I’m Tabby. Tabitha,” the girl said, extending her hand to Hannah first. Hannah took it and remembered to be gentle. She had been known to crush hands of grown men. But she was pleasantly surprised to discover Tabitha’s handshake was just as tough as her own. Tabitha then extended her hand to Amelia who took it briefly. “You can call me Tabby. Everyone else does.”

“Tabby, who do we have here?” A rather rotund woman with an apron around her waist and a mole you could see from across a large room with two whiskers sticking out just above her lip on the right, appeared, wiping her hands on a rag.

“This is Hannah and Amelia,” Tabby answered, pointing to each one.

Mrs. Pomroy’s eyes widened. Her daughter wouldn’t know that she was expecting them. “You’re late,” she said, surveying them up and down with her eyes. She could be a real welcoming woman when she wanted to be. But lateness was something she truly didn’t abide by. They had already gotten off on the wrong foot and would need to work double hard to get back into her good graces.

They needed this job. Up until now they had been nothing but trouble for the society and Mrs. Pomroy knew it. She had become their last line of defense for taking problem members and setting them straight. It was a task she hated having but even she couldn’t deny how good at it she was. Little did she know that Hannah and Amelia would prove her toughest cases so far.

“I suppose you’ll be hungry after your travels,” Mrs. Pomroy said, more of a statement than a question and she marched off down the hall.

Tabby leaned in and whispered to them, “You best follow after her.” And they did. Hannah took the lead while Amelia followed close behind. 

Mrs. Pomroy stopped short outside double doors. Amelia bumped into Hannah who tried to stand as still as possible so as not to bump into Mrs. Pomroy, who turned around to face them. “I run a tight ship here. You have to when you’re in my position. Do you understand?” Amelia looked at Hannah to know how to answer but Hannah was just as much in the dark. Mrs. Pomroy smiled, but not warmly, “You will soon learn that it’s best to agree with me than stand there looking foolish. Through there you’ll find the others are nearly done with supper. If you hurry you might get something before everyone turns in. We have a very early day in the morning.” Amelia pushed past Hannah through the double doors. “I hope your friend won’t be a problem,” Mrs. Pomroy continued, eyeing Amelia who had already found a plate and was scooping food onto it without so much as an introduction to the other women who were sitting at a long table.

“She’s not my—” Hannah started to say but stopped when Mrs. Pomroy gave her a discerning look.

“We are all each other’s friends here, Hannah. We have to be in order to get by in this world and the job I have for you requires you to have someone you can trust. You don’t have to like her but you ought to at least trust her. But you are young. You’ll learn. Now eat before she leaves you with nothing.” Hannah bowed awkwardly, not knowing if she really needed to bow before entering the hall to sit beside Amelia who had at least grabbed a plate and some food for her. Hannah smiled at the small kindness Amelia showed. Perhaps Mrs. Pomroy was right.

“What did she say?” Amelia asked, her mouth full of food.

“Nothing important. I wonder if they’re all here for here for the same reason as we are,” Hannah whispered, trying not to make eye contact with the four other women who were sitting at the table.

Tabby skipped over and plopped down in the only other chair that was vacant. It belonged to her mother but Mrs. Pomroy never ate with her staff, she felt it was beneath her to do so.

“Is it true you two are trackers?” Tabby asked them. The other four women stopped eating and looked up at Hannah and Amelia. For the first time all eyes were on them and they were unsure how to answer that question.

“Tabby, leave our guests alone. Why don’t you go and prepare their room,” Mrs. Pomroy said. Tabby sulked and left without another word. “Ladies,” she continued, clapping her hands, “it’s time to turn in. I will see you all at sunrise.”

“Sunrise?” Amelia repeated. She was not one for waking up so early in the day.

“I must tell you now ladies, we are all trackers here. No secrets among thieves. And if you want to remain a tracker you’ll want to rise with the sun or be left behind. The choice, as always, is yours.”

Mrs. Pomroy and the four women left in single file, leaving Hannah and Amelia behind.

“Listen, Amelia, I actually want to be here. I understand if this isn’t something you want to be doing with your life. But don’t ruin this for me. For better or worse we are bonded together and I just think we’ll get further if you think before you speak.”

Amelia rolled her eyes. “Well I think that Mrs. Pomroy has ideas above her station. Who does she think she is, ordering us about like that. I’m not a child.”

“Then stop acting like one and get serious for once. We were sent here to find items belonging to The First. If they’re all trackers too that means they’re after The First as well.”

“Well, don’t worry about them. I already know where we can find The First Hat,” Amelia said, winking at Hannah.

“What? And how is that possible?”

“You underestimate my gifts, dear Hannah. Men, and women, are weak against my charms,” Amelia said, yawning and stretching. “But I’m tired. We might as well sleep. I will be positively ghastly waking with the sun.”

Hannah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. But that was Amelia for her. She couldn’t stand her ease with talking to total strangers and getting information out of them. It’s what made her the perfect tracker. If only she took their job a bit more seriously. Hannah believed given time and patience Amelia would come around to her way of thinking. Till then, they had a hat to recover for the cause. And she was rather tired as well.