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Chapter Five

After that singe act of bravery, things continued to happen to me. Sometimes it would be Puss, telling me to hurry, like "The Baker's wife is having her baby." or "Hurry and chase the crows from the corn." Sometimes it was just luck, like the time Puss and I came upon the carriage stuck in the mud. I was often the first to the scene, the first to help.

I had only stayed at Poki's family's place a few days, not wanting to wear out my welcome. As I traveled along the road, no longer worried if Dominic might come after me, my name seemed to travel with me. I was somewhat of a local celebrity, known chiefly for being a good samaritan. I took the rewards people gave me, (for my father always taught me it was rude to refuse gifts.) and never complained if I wasn't even thanked. I began to enjoy the meeting of knew people and the new challenges. But the stories that got passed on about me, they were unreal. It seemed the further you got from the source, the more outrageous the stories became. It got to the point that I grew tired of setting the story straight. When asked if I really defeated the boorish devil stole babes from their mother's bosoms with only a fire stick(Oh, guess where that story got started), I'd just nod, say "Yes, that is what I heard." and change the subject.

As it came to pass, one day, I was sweeping out the Rottingham Inn's floor, when Puss and I overheard a conversation between two men, saying the princess would be travelling through the countryside the next day and would surely pass though town.

I could see a plan was forming behind Puss' eyes. That night, after I finished pouring ale and whipping down the tables, I told Master Olge that I was leaving in the morning. He said he was sorry to see me go.

Puss and I left the next morning and walked a few miles until we came to a bridge that crossed this stream. It was here that Puss 'suggested' I'd take a wash. I told Puss that I had washed last week and, besides, it was early fall and, though the day was fairly warm, it wasn't that warm. Puss told me to trust. I did, because I am an idiot.

I stripped down naked and sat in the stream. I wasn't to worried about getting caught. I could hid under the bridge if anyone came close and Puss promised to keep watch. Besides, the stream was fairly deep and when I sat down it came up to my neck. It wasn't as cold as I had expected it to be. I turned to tell this to Puss, only to see the little thief running off with my clothes!

I made to run after him but, upon remembering my revealing state, sunk back into the water. Oh, what horrible things I called Puss. What tortures I made up to do when I got my hands on him.

When I had finally finished cursing the feline, the sun was high in the sky and shinning brightly. But despite the warmth, I started to shiver. Occasionally a wagon or walker would pass by and I'd be forced to hide under the bridge.

I began to devise a plan. I would leave the stream and run for the woods. Using back trails, I could enter someone's yard and steal a dress or long tunic off the clothesline. I was about to execute my plan when I saw this fancy carriage in the distance. I ducked under the bridge, figuring they would pass without any qualms. Only they stopped on the bridge, right over my head, and someone stepped out.

I moaned quietly to myself, wishing I'd spent less time cursing and more time thinking. How long did this party intend to stay? Oh, I was I ever cold. I wanted out of this water. Was there some way I could slip away without being seen?

Just then a femine voice called out, "Lady Seraphina. Lady Seraphina."

My name but I'm no lady. Still, she knew my name.

I peeked around the bridge. There was a young woman, dressed finely, standing on the bank, looking down at me. She looked pleasant enough, so I decided to risk it. Sinking as deep as I possibly could, so she couldn't witness my state, I swam into the sunlight.

"Are you the Lady Seraphina?"

"I suppose so, m'lady."

"And would a wild beast of sorts have run off with your clothes?"

I recalled Puss running off with my shoes and dress. "Oh, quite so. And when I get my hands on that creature, he will be quite sorry."

"Indeed." The lady seemed to get more excited with every word. "And would you be an adventurer?"

"I suppose so, m'lady."

The lady actually giggled and clapped her hands in delight. "Wonderful. Wonderful. Oh, I'm Princess Ophelia but you probably figured that out already."

I hadn't figured that out and I tried to curtsey in the water but I don't think the princess noticed. However, she did remember my lack of clothing. "Hermia!" She called up to the coach.

An older, stiff necked woman came forward, "Yes, your majesty."

"Bring one of my extra dresses for Lady Seraphina."

"Yes, your majesty."

"And Hermia, tell the coach master, we'll stay here for lunch."

"For lunch, your majesty?"

"Yes, for lunch. This is a picturesque spot and I'd like to get better aquatinted with Lady Seraphina. Who knows, perhaps I'll take a dip myself."

The already pale woman, went paler. "I hope you are joking, your majesty."

"Of course, Hermia. Only a joke."

The woman nodded stiffly and went back to the coach. She didn't give the princess a second glance so she didn't see the longing I saw in the girl's eyes. That's when I realized she was just a girl, like me.

***

After I had figured how to fit into the dress and scrambled up the bank, the princess and I had lunch on a table beside the coach. The princess asked me all sorts of questions, such as, where was I born. I told her I was born near Chapel Hill. She seemed surprised that it was so close. She asked why I became an adventurer. I said I was running away from a marriage that I wanted no part in. She told me she envied me and then asked why I kept glancing around.

"Oh, I'm looking for my companion."

Princess Ophelia gasped, "The cat, who speaks in human tongue."

"You've seen Puss?" Believe it or not, I was a bit worried. I'd gotten quite fond of that fur ball.

"He's the one who stopped our carriage. Oh, such a gentleman or, rather, gentlecat. He said that his mistress, the first female adventurer, had been bathing when a wild beast came along and stole all her clothes and supplies. We came as soon as we possibly could."

"And where's Puss?"

"He refused to come with us, saying he had urgent business in a nearby village. I assured him you two could meet up at the castle."

"The castle?"

"Of course. You didn't think we would just dump you on the side of the road, with only a travel dress."

"Well, I - thank you."

"Think nothing of it." Princess Ophelia said, as she finished her last cucumber sandwich, "I believe we should be heading back now."

"Back to the castle?"

"Of course." The princess Ophelia squealed. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into her carriage.

Oh joy.