"Creeper!"
Gildy bent down to scoop up her companion happily. After a moment the party continued forward, idly listening to the scolding. They were travelling at a fast pace, and although it had already been an eventful day, they were all eager for a distraction from the mid afternoon's heat.
Gildy blotted sweat from her forehead and grinned at Creeper's commentary on the stallion's bells. Reluctantly that amusement too had worn off, and the heat dragged her spirits back down. The dragon began circling restlessly, alternately flying away completely and returning to ask why they couldn't go faster.
"Look, you can fly, and Roland is a horse. The wizard gets to ride "
"Bareback!"
"But I happen to be walking with little choice in the matter. It's hot and I don't get to have a nice cool breeze in my face to counter that. So I would appreciate it if you would stop complaining." She didn't even look at the dragon, the sun was bright enough without looking right into it. Suddenly there was a whirlwind of dust, small pebbles and debris flying into her face and whipping her skirts. Creeper yowled and leapt off her shoulders, while she covered her eyes and desperately tried not to choke on the dust. An attack? Wizard? Gildy slid one hand into her pocket to touch her little wand.
"Sir Roland! What is that? Where is it coming from?"
"Err " He mumbled unintelligibly.
Suddenly it stopped. Cautiously Gildy lowered her arm and peered around her. The wizard's face was split into a wide grin and Roland abruptly resumed on the path at a trot.
"Come on Gildy, we shouldn't waste time."
"But what was that? Was it just a dust devil? Are you sure it's gone? What if it was a spell?" She peered warily around her and Creeper hopped back on to her shoulder to wash his face. The only movement other than themselves was the dragon's shadow sliding over the path. Realizing the stallion hadn't answered she jogged forward to look at him. He was fine and his eyes were fixed on the path in front of them.
"You haven't answered my question."
"Actually I did, but don't worry about it, it wasn't an enemy, lets just move along."
The wizard snickered, "I can tell you what it "
"Sorry, Gildy."
"What?" She adjusted her hat brim and looked up at the abashed dragon.
"I was just trying to make a breeze to cool you off, I thought it would help."
"Ha! A breeze! Obviously he was trying to make more than a breeze to "
"Be quiet Ankle Bow." The wizard sputtered into silence and Sir Roland's words.
"I really was trying to help!"
The wizard was watching her intently. Gildy looked back down and shrugged, dusting her skirts. "It's all right, Dragon." That was all she was going to say about it, really. She wouldn't say what she wanted to.
"Do you by any chance have some kind of spell that can bring cattle or deer or something close by? I'm hungry."
"Uhh I don't think I "
"Why don't you go ahead and hunt , then catch up to us. We'll eat while we walk."
The young witch eyed the equine face and clear lack of hands dubiously, but pulled a cheese and fresh meat sandwich for herself and the wizard out of her pack on Roland's back.
"Sir Roland, how do you intend to eat?" She handed the smaller sandwich to the wizard and walked briskly to draw even with his head. He glanced at her briefly.
"I'm not hungry yet, I'll eat later."
"We've been travelling since an hour or so past dawn. It's already mid afternoon. Are you sure? I thought horses have to eat pretty often."
"Perhaps it might be good if we can find a stream or creek, I don't think the little bowl the goodwife gave me to drink from is going to work. We can all eat there perhaps."
"Good. Dragon? Are you still around?" She grabbed the wizard's sandwich out of his hands just as he was about to take a second ravenous bite and returned it with hers into the pack.
"Hey! Do you have any idea how hungry I am?"
"I haven't left to hunt yet, why do you ask? Can I have the wizard instead? Then the knight wouldn't be tired."
"Do you think you could scout for the nearest water source for us before you hunt, then meet us there when you're through?"
"I can. The water isn't far from here if I remember correctly. I will return quickly."
They continued forward at a more relaxed pace until the dragon returned. It turned out the nearest water source was just a short distance ahead. A small group of people were already there watering a couple horses. Upon seeing them, a harassed looking man drew a sword and moved in front of the gangly youth who had yet failed to notice them. Creeper's claws pricked her shoulders as he hissed at the strangers. She could feel his tail lashing her neck and shoulder.
Gildy turned toward the sound of a splash as a man who may have been a servant dashed across the shallow stream to the other side. Irritated, the youth looked up and blanched. Tearing his eyes from the flaming eyes of the stallion he considered the water and the other bank, clearly agonizing over whether or not to wet his clothes. The armed man watched nervously, shifting his grip on his sword.
She was just trying to decide whether to be amused, gratified, or annoyed to the response to their travelling party when a grumbling voice overhead drew close.
"I jest not, I have flown a wide area all around you, and there isn't a single snack in sight! This enchanted forest is not being very friendly, to keep a dragon hungry!" The dragon back-winged and started to land next to the witch, "I am so hungry I could eat five whole Oh! Two would work for now! Can I eat those?" The tethered horses had starting to buck and pull at their tethers in terror, drawing the hungry adolescent predator's attention.
Sir Roland moved in front of the dragon, the wizard moving away so far he should have fallen if not for the spell.
"Dragon, considering my present state of affairs I have to confess I am offended at your viewing fine equine mounts as your next meal."
"Oh, right, well you're different, you don't smell or quite look like a real horse you know, and a dragon has to e "
"He smells like five horses from here!" The wizard threw in, watching the strangers from his lowered hat.
The man with the sword chose that moment to lunge for the dragon's underarm with a disturbing look of skill. The enchanted stallion reared thrashing flaming hooves, and screamed in warning. The dragon lifted its forearm abruptly, but the momentum of the man's thrust was clearly such that instead the dragon had to stumble and half roll away on it's side.
Seeing this put the dragon in an even more vulnerable position, the equine knight lunged into the man's path. The mounted wizard yelled in protest at the approaching attacker. Surprised, the armed man looked up at the fiery eyed stallion for only an instant, then quickly withdrew. He put his back to his horses and considered the wizard mounted stallion defending the dragon.
"Dragon, are you quite all right?" Gildelaine deemed it safe enough to move forward for the moment, one hand gripping her wand in her pocket. This wasn't the time to worry about hiding the embarrassing tool if it was needed. She rested a hand on the dragon's forearm and inspected it. At that moment the wizard started laughing hysterically. Creeper purred against her neck in amusement.
The stranger was sprawled on the ground wearing a flush fueled by the mocking laughter. The horse he had tried to mount was straining from it's tether nervously as far from the man and dragon as possible. The man slapped the ground in frustration and jumped back up, grabbing for the reigns.
"Pardon me, but I hardly think that is necessary. We hadn't any intention of attacking you, you know. If you would sheathe your sword I think we should get along well enough." Gildy moved forward to stand next to Roland,
"That's true, we're more interested in the water than fighting strangers for no reason."
"Ha! A demon-spelled stallion for a mount, a Dragon, a wizard?, and girl Witch show up and I shouldn't mind!"
"That's right, although, Sir Roland's enchantment is not actually quite demon class." Gildy was smiling and patted knight's flank to reassure the man.
"Speaking of mounts, the two you have are quite fine no don't worry we don't mean to take them!"
The man kept his hand on his sword hilt suspiciously, "I used to think they were fine, but after today I think his High we might be better off with disciplined cattle."
The gangly young man watched the exchange calmly, studying each of them, then lightly clapped his hands. "Ah! That was really quite entertaining! What good fortune to meet a pretty young Witch, a dragon, and a stallion. It's all true about our mounts. Now if we had impressive stallions like yours, it would be a different matter. Sadly we do not. Despite their breeding and training we don't really get dragons in our kingdom so I suppose the real thing was pretty shock "
He looked at his guard's grip on his arm, then slightly inclined his head to Gildy. "It seems we need some further verbal confirmation that you intend us no harm."
"Oh? Well surely a truly evil steed " feeling a bit giddy, she inched closer to Sir Roland, "wouldn't wear these?" She picked up a couple braids with their bells and jingled them for emphasis.
The stallion's head jerked up in protest.
"You didn't you just how could you?" Sir Roland muttered to her in wounded tones, his ears flattened. Gildy felt a twinge of guilt but looked at the strangers with a smile.
The youth smiled at her, and she realized with a blush that he was perhaps only a year or two older than her. Really, despite some heavy eyebrows and his awkwardness he was rather handsome. Gildy dipped her head slightly in greeting, straightening her hat quickly. She petted the velvety equine neck nervously. Sir Roland moved slightly in front of Gildy and snorted softly.
"Certainly we won't attack, but we will defend if necessary. Could we possibly continue this conversation after a bit of a drink?"
"Does all that enchanted fire make you thirsty, horse?"
"Oh pretty horses like him get thirsty all the time anyway, young one." The wizard, certainly the worst for wear of the party smiled mockingly at the youth. Everyone around her tensed in affront. Sir Roland arched his neck, his eyes flaring.
"Take care, baggage, unless you want extra help in dismounting."
Gildy decided it would be a good time to dissolve some of the tension, so she tucked the concealed wizard's staff under her arm and dodged a draconic sneeze to approach the gangly stranger with a smile. Creeper shifted on her shoulder.
"I'm not sure the enchantment should be the cause of great thirst. We have been travelling all morning you see. I am very much looking forward to some cool water myself.
The armed man moved smoothly to his companion's side, eyeing the covered staff under Gildy's arm then the empty handed wizard. He shot a warning look at the boy, touching his elbow. The young witch sighed under her breath and stepped away, seeing to the satisfaction of her thirst and directing the dragon's enthusiastic assistance of helping the wizard from the knight's back.
Sir Roland drank downstream quietly. Feeling refreshed, she sat on the bank and watched Creeper do the same, ear's turned toward the dragon's approach. The little black cat ran off through the grasses and wildflowers to do his own hunting.
"Pardon me, sir knight, but there is something of a problem involving the wizard."
Gildy turned around, "What is it dragon? I'll deal with it, let Roland rest."
"Ah, well in this case I don't think that would be appropriate."
The stallion eyed the dragon for a moment then shook himself off and walked away with the hovering creature. Watching, them the witch was wondering how tiring that hovering was for the creature when the boy appeared at her side.
"Have you satisfied your thirst?"
She looked up , quickly wiping away a stray drip from her mouth and nodded at the drenched man dubiously approaching across the stream.
"I have indeed. Wasn't that man there with you when we had arrived?"
"Yes he was, and considering the manner in which he left I am puzzled as to why he assumes to come back."
She arched a brow at him. Although he said it while genuinely smiling at her, his voice was cold and clearly had an affect on the man approaching, who immediately dropped to his knees midstream with a splash.
"Your highness! Forgive me if you thought poorly of my flight! I was going to get help for you, I thought surely you would follow, seeing that your guard wouldn't be able to do naught but slow them down a bit!"
"Well some of that is true at least. Well, you have just proved yourself tiresome once more. Go and finish your task then, or renew it as need be."
"Highness?" Gildy looked at him.
"I thought so." The stallion re-joined them at the bank, stepping between her and the prince. She moved around behind Roland to reposition herself in the middle again, annoyed. The knight slapped his tail against his flank irritably and turned to face them.
The prince grinned at Gildy and made a slight bow, "Prince Jacques Arthur Wenderlich IV, Prince Jax to one of your power. Yes, I'm afraid you have discovered me so there is no reason to continue the pretence. In fact I think I prefer to cease it in an unreasonable way as well."
The young witch curtsied very slightly, her cheeks pinking when the insufferable horse snorted at her. She turned with a smile and rummaged randomly through one of the packs at her feet. Creeper returned with an energetic stride and leapt smoothly up to her shoulder. She reached to pull him off her shoulder and touched her nose to his, walking away from the others. Creeper dangled from her hands purring in satisfaction and she settled against a tree to favor him with scratches and discuss his hunting prowess quietly.
Roland and the prince began talking pleasantries and moved away from the stream to join the servant and guard. The wizard sat among them with one hand clasped to one of his bound ankles, although he appeared almost happy as he ate his sandwich with one hand. Her eyes moved back to the handsome Jax as he laughed.
Gildy sighed in disappointment and took a bite out of her sandwich. A prince. She stroked Creeper's warm fur in her lap as he napped. She had thought she could like him, but a prince? She bit off more of her sandwich. She was a Wicked Witch. Her luck really had turned sour lately. She should make a special curse just for him, all the foolish princes and princesses deserved a special curse, and needed one to inspire them to mature and learn valuable lessons but her heart just wasn't in it for Prince Jax.
When she had left the stream the others settled into a ring eating their luncheons. Sir Roland was unenthusiastically consuming his feed while listening to the others talk of their traveling. Gildy handed Sir Roland an apple from the pack and sat next to him with the sleeping kitten curled up in the crook of her arm. The prince was looking back down the path the way they had come.
" I knew something was wrong when she wouldn't stay home. Earlier she told me she was tired of dancing and wondered whether if her slippers were no longer replaced and new gowns provided for each night, she might be forced to return home. I mentioned to the servants she had tired of dancing and desired no more slippers, and that father would pay for no more gowns or slippers. But when night came, she was sneaking out again, with a pair of some other girl's slippers and yet another's gown.
"She had this strange look in her eyes and would only say she was going dancing with her friends no matter what she or I said about it so I might as well return home. So I did, but it bothered me ever since. Then a week ago I went back to try again, and the place was completely empty. It looked as though it had been untouched for years. All the guests were gone, all the servants, and the family who were hosting them."
By this time the knight had devoured his apple and was in a more charitable mood.
"Well don't be too disheartened. The dancing princess scheme isn't used very often for a good reason, it tends to be pretty simple to solve, so the organizer has to wait long enough for most people to forget how it goes. There also is seldom any harm done to them other than weariness from all the dancing and slippers worn through each night. Although new gowns each night? That is new and a high expense indeed. They seem to enjoy themselves. It could even be entirely voluntary too you know, some people do enjoy dancing that much, especially the girls. For the romance, or some foolishness."
The prince and his guard exchanged a look. "Well the thing is my sister never really much cared for dancing. I mean, when she was asked to go she thought it was all right. She always showed more interest in the partners and people she met than the dancing and as much time as she could do politely off the floor."
"Well then this may be another opportunity to meet people. People will go through all kinds of discomfort for the sake of meeting people or even someone in particular. By the by, how old is your sister?" Sir Roland looked at Prince Jax. Gildy couldn't help grinning at that question coming from a horse.
"Well she wouldn't be pleased to know I told you, so please don't mention it, but she is recently turned nineteen your age I would guess?"
"Actually I'm afraid I'm yet a couple years older. I've, ah, been doing a lot of questing. Perhaps she really is spending so much time then for the sake of making a match."
The guard frowned and the prince shrugged. "It could well be, but still it is unlike her to leave us uninformed. She used to enjoy letters and they had dwindled but still she kept us informed of the general goings on. There was no such letter about an impending move and no-one left behind for inquiry."
"There is more reason than that for the Prince's concern." The guard spoke up and continued at the Prince's nod, "We heard rumors of all the princesses and princes neglecting their kingdoms and proper quests to dance and party all night each night. When her highness had written it sounded as though there were only about five or so other guests of royal blood while the others who joined them each night were other local gentle folk and their guests. Five or so shouldn't bring about the concern we heard in the local people.
"Now since then we have heard others further from there remarking on the greatly reduced numbers of young royalty and knights questing. We have of course been trying to find information or indication of where the hosts and all the royal guests have gone, but when we could only find talk of disappearances his highness thought perhaps a large number of them had decided to try their luck in the Enchanted Forest."
Prince Jax nodded and looked at Gildy, "It has always been the best place for a meaningful and magical quest. None could enter the Enchanted Forest and fail to discover a quest, or in a maiden's case to become a victim of a formidable captor. Although because there are so many magical obstacles and persecutors, many choose an easier or more local quest. The more ambitious choose the enchanted forest."
Here Sir Roland sighed and gently swished his tail. "Oh yes, in the Enchanted forest you would find the most beautiful and determined princesses, while they in turn knew they would be rescued only by the most determined heroes."
Gildy snorted in amusement, drawing two offended male stares.
"Really, you two have gotten so caught up in how wonderful and challenging questing is. Personally I have encountered such a number of irresponsible, selfish, vain, clumsy, and weak hearted 'heroes' and 'damsels' it's a wonder they aren't outlawed here for the safety of the locals!" The Prince and his guard stared at her in surprise and Roland dropped his head.
"Gildy!"
His highness just looked at her thoughtfully. "Is that really how everyone else see's us? I suppose that is how we are before the end of a quest or a successful rescue."
Relieved, the enchanted knight sighed again. "It's true, although I would like to think we aren't all like that when we first set out. I know I couldn't have been among the worst and you don't seem to be in that class either. Everyone pays more attention to the change afterward than what the person changed from."
"Even then! Why some of them come here and if you but met them you could not say they had a good or determined quality about them for that of a ruler or hero! They enter the edges and pretend to be victims or heroes or worthy princes in hopes of getting it over with quickly and returning home to the luxury with riches and in the company of beauty or brawn as the case may be. Most of them don't deserve to rule. There are more loyal, sensible, and kind peasants and servants out there than royalty without the work of a quest or rescue to accomplish it!"
"Ahem!" The guard stood and brushed crumbs off his clothing. "As entertaining as this conversation may be there are only so many more hours of light, your highness had wanted to achieve a greater distance before stopping for the night, did you not Prince Jax?"
"I did indeed." He stood with flushed cheeks and inclined his head to the napping wizard, the stallion, and the witch. "It was a pleasure to share this respite with such diverting company but Dan is correct, we need to press on."
With that the guard and servant started resaddling the mounts. Gildy looked longingly at the horses. Noticing the look the Prince hesitated then surveyed their party again.
"Where is the dragon?"
"Oh I imagine he is still hunting, but he should be finished soon. I-I didn't mean to offend you, your Highness." Gildy rose quickly, accidently dumping the napping Creeper from her lap and curtsied, embarrassed under his gaze. She looked up to see him looking thoughtfully from the wizard to Roland, then his eyes returned to her and he nodded in acknowledgement.
"You were honest and I believe you did not address your marks as personal against myself or the knight. It is different to hear a witch's view of our adventuring, it's true. So then, where are you all traveling to? I suppose the wizard will walk this time so the witch might ride her enchanted knight?"
The young witch hid her embarrassment and annoyance at the reminder she would have to continue with walking by picking up the offended Creeper. He wouldn't look at her for a moment, but when she pressed a sigh into his fur to hide her face he relented and licked her cheek with a rough tongue.
"I'm afraid Gildy will have to continue to walk. We have discovered the dragon is not old and strong enough to carry the wizard, who cannot be trusted to have freedom enough to walk." The man in question woke with a start and attempted to sit up, but failed with Gildy's spell requiring one hand to be clasped about his bound ankle. "It is important that he remains our captive until we can put in King Mendenbar's hands, and he must remain separated from his staff, which only Gildy can carry."
Gildy blinked in sudden fear and groped around for the staff, her heart slowing it's frantic pace when she found it. The enchanted stallion rested his head lightly on her other shoulder when she stood. She petted the velvety nose absently, while Creeper watched with narrowed eyes.
"I see. I have heard that King Mendenbar can easily discover anything happening in his forest, is that true?"
"Well certainly, although with his responsibilities and family he can't spend all his time searching for potential problems like the one this wizard is involved it. Once he is aware of a potential problem though he can obtain the information from all over the forest or look for himself if he chooses. That is what will likely happen when we get this captive to him."
Realizing they needed to be resuming their own journey Gildy was tying the sack's that served as a saddle blanket for Roland's benefit and the packs onto his back. This accomplished she looked and the wizard and put her hands on her hips, looking around for the dragon. She couldn't take the risk of untying his ankles and changing the spell without the dragon's quelling influence.
Meanwhile the Prince's guard and servant stood waiting for him. Prince Jax looked at them and back to Gildy, then Roland. With relief she saw the Dragon approaching.
"Well then! I think the practical thing for all of us would be to keep company to the King's castle. Clearly he would best be able to help us determine if my sister and the others have been moved into this forest or if more information is to be had. Of course because we shall be travelling together," Gildy saw the guard, Dan, shake his head slightly at the Prince's back with a wry smile, "the young witch might share my mount if she would condescend to ride with a prince."
She winced, but smiled and curtsied willingly. "If your highness would bear my company I would be relieved by the chance to ride rather than walk. For our part we should arrive at the castle in much better time with such an arrangement and could sooner be rid of this wizard and return to our prospective homes."
Sir Roland had taken his head from her shoulder when she spoke and was fidgeting. He stamped with a sparking hoof, then snorted, his ears swiveling back and forth. The prince was watching him with interest and Gildy motioned the dragon over.
"You may want to hold your horses while we get the wizard in place, I need the dragon's help in doing so since the knight is not in a position to do it."
"Wait a moment and my servant or guard will do that for you "
"Pardon me Prince Jax," Roland said quietly, "but I'm afraid we cannot take the chance. The dragon's particular influence would be more effective and safe while Gildy changes spells. He is a wizard after all." The prince looked a little annoyed but after a moment nodded and motioned his men to remove the horses a short distance.
"I wonder if the dragon's presence would create a problem with us travelling together after all."
"Well, it cou "
"Not really," Gildy quickly interrupted the knight, "It flies overhead, and the little it spends in close proximity would no doubt help your mounts to receive some experience the travelling with dragons. I'm afraid they are frequent visitors to our forest. Ever since our Queen joined us and acquainted His Majesty with the King of dragons. It would be best if they experience the more passive presence of a dragon like this for a while first."
The dragon had landed, listening to the end of her comment and nodded it's huge head in agreement. But he muttered quietly to Roland, "I suppose that means I definitely won't get to eat them later either then?"
"Yes dragon, it does. Could you perhaps remember what I mentioned earlier about my present circumstance and feelings about such comments?" He said quietly. The already agitated Roland struck the ground sharply with a hoof, ears back. The whites of his eyes showed the equine fear he was experiencing.
l
"Sorry."
When Gildy and the dragon had settled and bound the wizard on the enchanted Stallion's back Prince Jax's guard helped Gildy mount in front of the Prince and they resumed their journey initially at a trot to allow the horses to warm up. She sat awkwardly and very self-consciously in front of the Prince, thankful she at least was able to face away from him. Creeper however was not permitted to sit on her shoulder because it would put him in the Prince's face. Surprisingly Roland attempted to defend Creeper's usual position, but to no end. Instead he laid in the crook of Gildy's arm.
The tension finally seemed to dissolve and she was even able to enjoy the ride. The air was finally beginning to cool and the idea of removing her hat to better feel the breeze was tempting. It didn't seem like a good idea right now though, her calm was better centered in remembering she was a wicked witch than a girl no, young woman. She smiled faintly to herself. After all despite her apparent youth she was actually 17 now. People were more impressed by strong magic coming from someone who seemed just a couple years younger. Strong magic. Or at least, the appearance of it. She started to slide her hand into her pocked and in so doing elbowed Prince Jax in the stomach. He uttered a quiet oof and she apologized.
"That's all right, at least it got you to s " The strong wind announcing the dragon's proximity and their mount's reaction forced the prince to break off.
"Hey Sir Roland there was talk of a group of princesses passing the town ahead when I was hunting. Do you think I might find a better one there?"
I'm sorry it took so long for the next chapter to come out, I really had thought I was back on a roll when I posted the last one. Now then, this chapter is only lightly edited so sorry about any typos or redundant adjectives. Once I go back and try to edit either nothing new gets done or too much editing gets done. So I'm posting it first and will do more editing afterword. My sister beta read this chapter before it was completely finished and took it upon herself to add something in. With her agreement and for your amusement (we were both laughing) I have included it. She felt it should be placed right after it was determined Gildy would ride with Prince Jax:
Roland continually snorts with annoyance as Gildy is unable to restrain her constant curtsying at her every sight of Prince Jax. Roland made a plan to aim his sparks at Prince Jax or maybe offer the Dragon an evening meal perhaps
As they continued to journey, Gildy had Creeper listen to Roland's thoughts, his snorting was getting on her nerves. Creeper obliged with pleasure: Roland amused himself of forms that Prince Jax could be turned into, ones that Gildy would be less obliged to curtsy to. A fly would be appropriate, he wouldn't be able to achieve Roland's previous angles, unless perhaps they involved a fly swatter or window Roland's thoughts of Prince Jax Torture, he liked his new title for his thoughts, and continued as quickly as Gildy's "Your Highnessing" to Prince Jax increased.