Thomas Kindercook and the Pink Pyjamas

  CHAPTER 18

  PAGES

  “You look quite well equipped Mr Wizard.” Alanna quipped from behind a startled Thomas who was going over his packed items.

  “You told me that this trip is likely to take us a few days. I want to make sure that we have enough provisions to get us there.” Thomas was inspecting his fishing supplies.

  “Right, a few days.” Alanna sounded a little uneasy. “About that Thomas.”

  “Yes?”

  “We will be walking to the Seer's mountain.”

  “Walking?! Are you serious?”

  Alanna snorted, “Well you didn't think I was going to carry you off into the air did you?”

  “How far is it?”

  “By foot? I admit, I don't know. I usually fly if I have to head that direction.”

  Thomas rolled his eyes. “Great.”

  Alanna could see the conversation was taking a turn for the worse, so quickly tried to change it. “I see you got some new clothing. Good choice.” Alanna started to poke through Thomas' belongings. “Oh and some soap! Unusual, but nice to see a man who appreciates being clean.”

  “Hey!” Thomas proclaimed. “Leave my belongings alone! You don't see me rifling through your things do you?”

  “That's because, unlike you, I can send you to the dungeons.” Alanna replied sounding quite pleased with herself.

  Thomas could already tell that this was going to be a long trip, and it had nothing to do with it being on foot.

  They finished with packing up their belongings. Alanna had quite a lot of stuff that she didn't seem to be willing to leave without. The packs she had she lugged along in a small cart behind herself.

  “Seriously?” Thomas asked gaping at the teetering stack of provisions being carted off by Alanna.

  “I think you should appreciate this. I am bringing many things that you have obviously forgotten.”

  “You can't really think that we are going to lug that cart all the way up a mountainside, do you?”

  “Of course not! We will leave the cart at the bottom. By then it will only be a day or two before we reach our destination. The cart is for the meantime.” Alanna appeared quite sure of herself.

  “Have you ever done this before?” Thomas had spent a few weeks hiking with a scout group when he was a bit younger. It had been gruelling, and that was with a single small pack with miniature survival gear. The kind where the fishing hook fit inside of a small compartment inside of the hollowed out rod. There was a pocket knife that worked as your spoon and fork as well and had a built in compass. Packing for those types of trips had always been about economy of space and weight. He couldn't imagine lugging everything that she had along.

  “I have pulled a cart before...”

  “Oh this is going to be great. I don't understand why you can't just change into a dragon and pack us there. It would be a lot quicker you know.”

  Alanna flashed her irritation at Thomas. “You don't understand a great many things Thomas. Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.” Alanna nearly groaned as she found herself repeating the words that her father had used on her.

  “That sounds like something that old people say.”

  “Well I am old. At least a lot older than you.”

  “You're older than I'll EVER be.”

  That ended the conversation.

  The countryside surrounding BlueShift was quite lovely, even in the winter cold. The grass seemed to hang on to it's green colour, and many trees that looked to be deciduous still had all their leaves. The road was well worn into the grass by the many carts and waggons that had travelled this way. They would occasionally pass a caravan, or a small group of travellers that were coming up to sell their wares in BlueShift. They often gawked at Alanna, pulling her ridiculous cart of teetering cases behind her. She would just harrumph and stick her nose in the air. Thomas had no doubt that they didn't realize who she was, or some of the more pointed remarks that were made in passing, would never have dared been uttered.

  The day wore on, and the two walked in relative silence. It was approaching nightfall now. When Thomas had travelled with Gatsby, he had never ceased his endless babbling, but with Alanna, it was different. She didn't speak very often. Most of the time she seemed to be lost in thought. There is a point where walking becomes a monotonous chore. Where, if you are with someone, even if that someone is a person who is likely to be unpleasant to talk to, you begin considering talking just to kill some time.

  “So...” began Thomas “...this Seer. Who is he exactly?”

  Alanna was clearly struggling to pull the heavy weight behind her, but was too proud to say anything about it. She took a strangled breath. “The Seer? He's as old as the world. At least that's what dad says. He was around long before anything you see around you. I think he's the oldest living dragon in all of Alumia. He's lived at the top of Mount Trekken for as long as anyone can remember.”

  “So he advises the king?” Thomas enquired.

  “Not really. He's more of a hermit. He doesn't really like visitors all that much. Dad and he have talked once before, a long time ago. You see, dad has always worried about the Alkamire dragons being in danger. I think it just comes with being the ruler, and having the responsibility to protect your people. The most dangerous threat to us has always been the Storm Dragons. However, they dislike each other as much as any other race of dragon and therefore tend to travel alone, or at most in very small groups. He has always kept track of them.

  Alanna grunted as the cart hit a pothole. Thomas felt a little guilty for not helping her with the cart. Well, he did warn her after-all.

  Alanna continued, “Dad visited the Seer once, long ago. It was even before I was born, and after that time, he seemed to become even more paranoid about the Storm Dragons. He would set off on these lengthy journeys to talk with the other races of dragons. I often wondered if it wasn't something The Seer had said to him that time, that set him off.”

  Alanna put the cart down and let out a loud breath. “I think we have come far enough for tonight. How about you?” Thomas had to admit, Alanna had done quite well to travel as far as she had.

  “This seems alright to me.” Thomas took a look around. They were on an open hillside with a river just down at the bottom. There were large rock formations jutting out of the ground which would give them shelter from the elements. It was as good a place as any. The sky was clear and the stars were out. It looked to Thomas as if it was going to be a cold night.

  Alanna started by unpacking things from the cart. She pulled out a tent and threw it over to Thomas. “Start building.”

  She smiled at Thomas, and for once, Thomas didn't mind so much taking orders. As he set up the tent, Alanna unpacked a complete campers kitchen.

  “I packed enough provisions to get us through a couple of weeks, but after that we are going to have to hunt on our own.”

  Thomas was fighting to get a knot out of the tent strap, which had fixed itself to the pole.

  “That's fine. I was a cub for several years.” He smiled at Alanna. “I have a basic survival skills badge.”

  Alanna stared back at him with a blank expression. He was an animal for a few years?

  “Ah well, if you were from my world, you would understand.”

  Alanna walked over and sat down beside Thomas to help him with the knot. “Actually, I have been meaning to ask you, what's your world like Thomas?”

  “Hmm, quite different than this one I suppose. I mean, we have trees and plants, but not like this. Most of our world has been taken over by cities and roads. You have to drive hundreds of kilometres just to find a forest these days. Until I came here I never realized how sad that is.”

  Thomas jabbed the tent peg at the ground. “There are buildings that are taller than the palace, where thousands of people live. There are lights and noise everywhere. It smells bad most of the time.” Thomas paused. “But I miss it too. My grandfather and all of my frie
nds are there.”

  Alanna didn't quite follow everything that Thomas was saying, but she understood that it sounded like civilization had taken over to the point that nature was suffering. She supposed there was a valuable lesson there.

  “Why don't you just go back then?”

  Thomas was still staring at the ground, then he looked up to Alanna. “I have obligations.” he replied simply. He didn't really care to elaborate. It was difficult enough to keep a civil tone with Alanna, but if she were to find out the truth, it would become unbearable.

  Finally Thomas and Alanna were able to work the knot out and set up camp. Night was now fully upon them. Alanna prepared a fairly tasty meal with the limited rations that she had brought along. Thomas took the time while Alanna was cooking to write in his new journal. He ran a finger over the cover, remembering what Mr Nibs had told him. Every book says something about the person who owns it. Thomas wondered what this one would say about him when it was done.

  “What's that you have there?” Alanna glanced over her shoulder as she cleaned up her supplies.

  “This? Nothing really. I am just writing down the events of my journey. A diary of sorts I suppose.”

  “Really?” Alanna gave the book an appraising look. “Any chance you might share it with me when it's done?

  “Uh, it's kinda private.” Thomas said, pulling the book closer to his chest.

  “Oh come on Thomas, don't be such a spoil sport. Just a quick look.” Alanna reached out to grab the book from Thomas, but Thomas tumbled over backward still clutching the book. “I said no!”

  Alanna came over and started to try to wrestle the book out of Thomas' grasp. “You're being silly Thomas. I promise I won't laugh.” Alanna poked Thomas in this side, then that side, but Thomas held on to the book with a death grip.

  “Stop it Alanna!” yelled Thomas as he went red in the face.

  “Oh very well.” Alanna picked herself awkwardly off the ground and went on with packing things back into the cart while Thomas finished detailing the first few days he had spent there.

  Alanna and Thomas finished packing up for the night and settled into the tent. Alanna hadn't mentioned anything about the fact that they were staying in the same tent, so Thomas didn't bother bringing it up. The night in fact, did get quite cold. Having someone near to share warmth with was actually not a bad thing.

  *****

  Morning always seemed to come along earlier when you slept outside. The feeling of cold dampness permeated everything. Thomas woke to the sounds of birds chirping happily outside. For the life of him, he couldn't figure out what it was that birds had to be so happy about in the early morning of a freezing winter. Way too early for his taste. He opened his eyes to look over at Alanna, and was a little more than surprised to see that she was already awake. “Good morning.” Thomas said groggily.

  Alanna winced as she smiled at him. “Good morning.” Alanna looked as if she were in quite a bit of discomfort.

  “What's the matter?” Thomas suddenly felt concerned. “Did something you ate disagree with you?”

  “No, nothing like that.” Alanna sighed. “I suppose there is no choice.” Alanna tried her best to turn toward Thomas. “You remember when you pulled the rug out from under me?”

  Thomas nodded feeling a pang of guilt.

  “I ended up landing on some of the crystal figurine fragments.”

  Thomas winced. “You mean... there?”

  Alanna blushed and nodded.

  “Why didn't you get someone to help you with that?”

  “I wanted to retain what little dignity I had after your attack on me.” Alanna replied in a defensive tone. “I think that there are still some fragments there, and I think the infection is spreading.”

  Why couldn't Thomas wake up to just one normal morning, and enjoy it. Thomas was no doctor, but he knew that infection could be a serious thing.

  “I guess I am going to have to help you with that.”

  “Oh no you will not!” Alanna backed away.

  “You can't travel like that. If the infection is getting worse...”

  Alanna sighed. “Alright. Fine.” Blushing furiously, she moved the blanket aside.

  “Well at least we're even now. You already had seen my underwear.”

  “I swear, once I get over this, I am going to let you have it!”

  Thomas shrugged. He tried to detach himself from what he was looking at. It wasn't as hard as he had thought it would be. Her bottom was badly swollen on one side. “Alright, I will just move the underwear a bit to the side now.”

  “I bet you are just enjoying this, aren't you?!” Alanna was angry, in pain, frustrated, and embarrassed. Thomas was going to have to mind his etiquette.

  Thomas opened the flap to the tent to let some light in, against Alanna's protests that someone might see her. Honestly, where did she think she was? He brought out a magnifying glass to focus the light briefly on the horribly discoloured bottom. He steeled his courage and pressed the area around the wounds in an attempt to figure out where the broken shards might be.

  Alanna yelped. “Could you at least be a little gentle?”

  Thomas tried to ignore the insults and complaints that Alanna slung at him while he explored the wound. Finally he grabbed a knife from a set that he had bought at Paul’s Pulsating Provisions.

  “What's that for!” Alanna asked with obvious concern.

  “What do you think it's for? I'm going to get the pieces out. I think there are at least three left in your wounds.

  Alanna cringed. Three. Great. “Alright fine. But please be quick.”

  “I will be as quick as I can your highness. I don't want to leave a scar, now do I?”

  Thomas handed Alanna a stick, “Bite down on this.”

  “I am not go...”

  Thomas shoved the stick into Alanna's mouth before she could finish her sentence. Finally. Some quiet. Over the next hour, Thomas worked carefully on removing the shards left in Alanna's bottom, all the while trying to ignore her complaints. After finishing, he gave her a last look. He had been fairly careful, and he believed he had gotten all the shards out, but the infection looked pretty nasty. Her entire backside was blue and purple, especially around the wound. Thomas sighed. “this next part is going to hurt.”

  “What?! What are you planning to do?”

  Thomas bought out a bottle of vinegar.

  Alanna gave a nervous laugh. “Oh you are NOT going to use that on me.”

  “Listen, I think I got everything out, but the infection is already bad. We need to do something to disinfect the wound, and I read somewhere that pouring vinegar on a cut or wound will help clear infection.” Thomas paused. “The only thing is, I'm pretty sure that this is going to hurt like hell.”

  Alanna scoffed. “Thanks for the reassurance!”

  “You might want to put that wood back in your mouth.”

  “I will not!”

  “Just saying...”

  “Nothing you do is going to... GGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAHAA!!!”

  Thomas had poured the vinegar over the wound. Not only was it a good disinfectant, but it also had the power to shut up complaining princesses.

  “AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

  Well... sort of.

  “YOU!!! Get over here so I can hit you!!!”

  “Are you sure you want that? I am still holding the vinegar.”

  “I am going to make you suffer in ways you have never dreamed of wizard boy!”

  “I don't think so princess.”

  “I said get over here! It will be worse for you later if you don't!” Alanna had lost it.

  “I just HELPED you Alanna.”

  “If it wasn't for you I wouldn't BE in this mess THOMAS.”

  “Well, I think that I've done everything that I can for you.” Thomas said as he got up.

  “You aren't going to leave me here are you?”

  “I think it would be safer for me if I let you
mend in peace for a while. You'll be fine Alanna. You should rest for a while. Keep still. I am going out to get us some food.” Thomas wandered over and grabbed his fishing kit. “I won't be far away, just down at the river. You can shout if you need anything. You're good at that!”

  Thomas pushed his way through the flap and disappeared, leaving Alanna alone in the tent.

  *****

  Alanna just lay on her stomach, thinking up new insults she could throw at the miserable excuse for a travelling companion she had been stuck with. There was no way she was going to roll onto her back in her current state. She had never been so embarrassed in her life. At least the throbbing was beginning to lessen. Still, she thought Thomas had taken far to much pleasure in her situation. She was going to have to pay him back. Somehow.

  Alanna lazily looked around their tent. Thomas had left the stuff out of his pack, spread all across his side of the tent. She supposed that she should be thankful that Thomas had brought useful things as well. He did appear to be prepared for emergencies. Just as she was about to see if she could get a little sleep in, she noticed Thomas' journal sticking out from under a pair of pants. Alanna smiled wickedly. Thomas' private journal.

  Wiggling painfully across the length of the tent, Alanna gingerly pulled Thomas' journal out of the clothes it was buried under. She knew it was wrong to read someone's private journal, but he had it coming. Besides, she justified, it was only natural for her own protection. She needed to know what kind of person she was involved with.

  Alanna opened the book up to the first page. Thomas, she noted, had terrible penmanship.

  Dear Journal;

  Not exactly sure why I have to address you as if you were a person, but I couldn't think of anything else to do.

  Alanna rolled her eyes.

  I am writing to chronicle my adventures here in the land of Alumia.

  Disclaimer if you should find this journal: Any individuals both living or dead who resemble those in this journal are just purely circumstantial, Ummm.. coincidental.

  Basically, this is a work of fiction.

  Alanna sighed.

  This is the first journal I have ever written so bear with me. My first day in Alumia I met a dragon named Gatsby, who mistook me for a pink carrot. Luckily for me, he didn't eat humans.

  Gatsby turned out to be an alright guy, a little too talkative for my liking, but generally alright. I told him that I came from another world, and he thought I was a wizard. I wish! He agreed to take me to meet someone in BlueShift who would be able to take me to Westminster. I believe that's where my uncle has disappeared. Evidence suggests that he may go by the name Edric Greenshoot now.