Book 3 Chapter 8

Upon entering the Faber home, Missus Faber was quick to pounce on the new arrival.

“Master Wanderer, how good to see you! Please take off your hat, and put out your pipe while you’re in my home.”

Oh, that was an ugly cocktail of emotions Willow felt within their host. A dash of anger, a twinge of jealousy, and… disgust? She initially thought it was just a reaction to her mentor’s smoking habit, but even when her pipe was extinguished and everyone was seated the feeling remained whenever she glanced at Miss Mu.

It was quite unnerving that she managed to keep the majority of those emotions off of her face.

Willow also wondered how Missus Faber had remained unaffected by the Grudge if this was anywhere close to her default emotional state. Perhaps it was the wrong type of negativity, but that still raised the question of how Remy had a thread of connection to the harmful spirit, while his mother was left alone.

She might never get a proper answer for that.

Willow forced her mind to stop wandering and focused on the present conversation. She could speculate later, now was the time to be a good guest, and good guests paid attention to their host as they spoke.

Even if the gossip Missus Faber was prattling on about was dreadfully boring to her. Hearing about the goings ons of a small village could be quite interesting, but what she chose to focus on was not things Willow particularly cared for.

She already ignored the romantic elements in the stories she read, so hearing about the secret rendezvous between one of the town’s hunters and the carpenter felt like information she really didn’t need to know.

And from the cores of everyone around the table, she was not alone in that feeling. Though her mentor’s all consuming curiosity had her be a more enthusiastic participant than the rest of them.

“Never understood the urge some people have to skulk around for base pleasures like that. It’s much simpler to be up front and open with your intentions, and in my experience leads to much fewer headaches.” Miss Mu commented between bites of food, clear as day to Willow that she was enjoying the fresh food just as much as she herself was.

Missus Faber chuckled with a slightly harsher edge than the mirthful sound usually implied. “I just wonder why some people seem so opposed to the idea of settling down and starting a family?”

“Sarah, not now.” Uncle Lucius rumbled.

Miss Mu raised her hand and amusement flickered in her core. “It’s no worry, been asked more pointed questions by scarier individuals than your wifey here.” A smile touched her lips but didn’t reach her eyes.

“Personally don’t see the appeal of entanglin’ my life with someone else like that. Would get dreadfully borin’ for me, and if there’s one thing I can’t stand, it's boredom. Not knockin’ what you have goin’ on here, but try to understand that there are perspectives outside of your own, aye?”

Before his wife could muster up an indignant response, Uncle Lucius asked a question that he’d been curious about for a while now.

“So Willow, how is your family doing? We obviously haven’t gotten much word from them, and I’m curious how Rowan, Lin, and the rest are currently faring.”

Willow perked up a bit at the change in topic, eager to shift away from the slog of romantic relationships.

“We’ve been exchanging letters periodically so my information is a bit out of date.” She took a few moments to organize her thoughts before continuing. “Yew has had Bough for a few years now, and Da is quite proud of his progress. Apparently the farm they’ve got going is doing quite well, and they have a steady income. Aunt Jieun and Uncle Lin are still happy together, and they even have another child on the way soon!”

She was quite shocked when she’d read that bit late last year, and was a little sad that she wouldn’t be around to help her aunt deal with the pregnancy. Yet she was also happy for her aunt, and was excited to eventually meet the child.

Uncle Lucius smiled as much as he ever did. “Good for them, he had talked of wanting more children, but the Vale wasn’t exactly a good place for such things. I’m also glad that your brother has taken his duties as eldest son seriously.”

Left unsaid was the conspicuous absence of Rom. Though Willow noted that Remy’s connection to the Grudge grew just a bit stronger for a moment. So that was the way the malevolent spirit had gotten its hooks into her friend, through the negative feelings he was harboring for his brother.

She filed that bit of information away for later pondering.

There were also bits of news that she was hesitant to share due to Missus Faber’s inevitable reaction, but it wasn’t fair to hide it from her uncle just because it would cause her a little discomfort.

“As for my sister, she joined up as a courier for the Wanderers, which is how I was able to keep in touch with the rest of my family while travelling around. And Bai and Yew are officially together.” She said this last bit in a slight rush, trying not to draw attention to it as the follow up conversations were likely not going to be to her liking if it was dwelled on.

Willow personally felt that her brother could do better, Bai was pretty, but the few times she’d interacted with the girl hadn’t exactly highlighted the positive aspects of her personality. Yet he had seemed so happy in the letter he sent that she couldn’t help but share in his happiness.

Maybe she had changed and gotten better in the years they’ve spent apart.

Her uncle’s smile widened. “Little Maple joined the Wanderers, eh? I feel like your mother would’ve approved even if it doubtlessly keeps your da up at night. Not one, but two of his children travelling far from home, and putting themself in harm's way for the good of others and not much else.”

He glanced at her mentor. “No offense meant, Master Wanderer.”

Miss Mu snorted. “None taken, it’s certainly not a glamorous lifestyle, and it takes a certain kind of person to stick with it. Though I think you’re underestimatin’ some of the perks this profession comes with. Wouldn’t trade the sights we’ve seen for anythin’, right girly?”

Willow smiled, agreeing with her mentor. She never grew tired of seeing more of this beautiful world they inhabited. Sure there was ugliness and pain throughout, but the stronger she grew, the more pain she could prevent, and the more ugliness she could hopefully change for the better.

Missus Faber unfortunately disagreed with such a sentiment. “The world outside of towns and villages is far too dangerous for a young girl to be traipsing around in. I’m not saying your organisation doesn’t do good work, but roping more women into your lifestyle seems highly irresponsible.”

She then focused her attention fully on Willow. “You should follow Bai’s example, and find a nice boy to settle down with.” Missus Faber sent a small smile her son’s way. “I’m sure my Remy would be a perfect match for you!”

Her friend’s face turned scarlet, and his core flashed with panic. “Mother, please don’t make jokes like that!” He squeaked out, his voice cracking slightly at the end.

His mother frowned. “Who’s joking? The two of you looked positively adorable just now, and I’m quite the match maker I’ll have you know.”

And this was exactly the direction of conversation Willow wanted to avoid when bringing up her brother’s budding relationship.

It also meant she likely had to deal with the flickers of emotion she’d sensed in her friend's core that she’d been trying to ignore.

She just hoped that they could remain friends afterwards.