Hello again, beloved reviewers! I'm quite sure this is going to be one of your favourite parts, since this deals with Kate specifically. I do feel rather sorry for what happens to her in here, but in the end all will be back to normal!
Remember, people, keep reviewing! I thrive on your reviews! Plus you get free virtual chocolate! Who could resist?
I especially dedicate this chapter, and the beginning of a new misadventure, to EvenSong, who even included a recommendation of my story on her profile!
A note to the aforementioned EvenSong: I noticed your story about Red Riding Hood's sisters and I liked it! I also just thought to tell you that I've written a story about Red Riding Hood, and will soonstart posting itjust for you!
Months later, after Kate had spent quite some time with Corin, she went out adventuring once more. Once again her name and great deeds were sung about 'round fires, and tales of her adventures echoed 'round cozy chambers in which children listened with awe.
But right now Kate didn't feel all that great. She was lost, cold, footsore, hungry, thirsty, and very, very grumpy. The bright spring sun did nothing to lift her spirits. Slumping down dejectedly against a tree trunk, Kate scowled up at the cheerily beaming sun. "Stop mocking me, you horrid big yellow ball hanging in the sky," she grumbled. "Why do you have to be so bloody happy while I'm lost, cold, footsore, hungry, thirsty and grumpy? It's not fair!" She scowled again, then beckoned to her horse.
"Get over here, mate, lemme check if there's anything worth eating in the saddlebags." The stallion obediently moved to his mistress's side, and Kate rummaged half-heartedly through the saddlebags. All she came up with was a loaf of stale bread and a beaker of rancid water. She stared at them gloomily until her horse neighed, nudging her gently. She held the opened flagon up to its nose, allowing the stallion to lap some up with his tongue.
"Sorry, old chap, but t'is all we've got right now," she said miserably. She was interrupted by a gagging sound. Jumping to her feet, she hurried around and thumped her stallion on the back. He quieted down, although he did bare his teeth at her threateningly when she offered him some more water. "All right, all right, hold your horses!" she grumbled, then brightened up. "Haha, get it, hold your horses? Hahahaha…" her voice trailed away as her horse indicated that he was clearly not amused by her pathetic attempt at a joke.
"Hmph. Well, nothing to do. May as well try to swallow this stuff down." Grimacing with distaste, she dipped the stale bread in the water and tentatively brought it to her mouth. As soon as it touched her tongue, however, she gagged and spat it out.
"Ugh! Blugh! YUCK! That stuff is disgusting!" She scratched at her tongue, trying to get rid of the foul taste, and tossed the water and bread on the ground, watching as a stream of ants hurried to carry the bread away. She gazed at them, giggling when one end of the crust fell and one of the ants was trapped at the bottom. Its friends quickly helped it, and, to Kate's astonishment, it turned round and stuck its tongue at her. She stuck her tongue out right back.
After the ants left, Kate stood up, stretching. Taking her horse's reins in one hand, she led it up the path slowly, gloomily wondering what Corin was doing at that moment. Let's see…it was morning, so he was probably baking something…maybe the double-chocolate fudge brownies he knew she adored…or some fluffy scones, topped with whipped cream and chocolate-covered strawberries…mmmm…drooling as she thought of Corin's baking prowess, she didn't notice the old lady in a nun's uniform standing in the middle of the path until she nearly tripped over her.
"Watch it, oldie!" Kate cried indignantly. "You nearly tripped me! Now get out of the way!" The old woman stared at her for a moment, then started cackling in a hideously cracked voice. "Heehee, wants me out of her way, eh, dearie! Heehee, doesn't know where she's going, wants me out of the way! Heeheeheehee!" The old lady kept chuckling to herself, rocking back and forth on the balls of her heels.
Kate stared at the old woman. She was tiny and hunched, with a face more wrinkled than a bowlful of walnuts. Obviously she was just as nutty. She peered at Kate intently through a pair of tiny crystal spectacles that were perched on the end of her beaky noise. The way she was talking to herself, she must be more than a little crazy.
Kate decided to adopt a new tactic to get the old lady out of the way. "'Scuse me, old lady, kin yer git outta me way? Please?" Kate gave her a pleading, puppy-eyes-that-you-can't-resist look. The old lady stopped cackling and stared back at Kate, looking thoughtful. Yes! Kate thought, She's gonna crack! No one can resist my puppy-eyes look! The old woman shook her head. Damn! Kate swore colorfully. "Now, now, young lady, watch your language!" the old woman reprimanded. "Now come on, you're coming with me to the old abbey. Come on, hurry up, lazybones!" She grabbed Kate's hand in a surprisingly strong grip, taking her off to the other side of the path. Bewildered, Kate wondered what was happening. This doddering old lady had popped up out of nowhere, and was now taking her to goodness-knows-where. Kate tried to escape, twisting her hand and pulling, but the old lady gave her a stern if-you-try-anything-I'm-going-to-spank-your-backside look and clucked disapprovingly. Shuddering as she remembered her own mother's palm landing swift, stinging blows to her tender rump in the days of her youth, Kate meekly stopped and allowed the old woman to leader her further off the path.
So ends the first chapter of Part 3! Who is this old woman? Where's she taking Kate? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Read and review, O Readers!