Princess Aravo Part 1

2

"Tinalden and Rielnast are mighty cities-governments that always through history have been competing with each other. Tinalden is more ancient and fortified better but Rielnast is situated closer to important trade routes. There always have been strained relations between them and especially for the last eighteen years."

"Why?" Irbis asked.

"You see, my lady, before this city was ruled by the dynasty of Leafendors. Eighteen years ago one of the noblemen headed a mutiny and dethroned the last prince of that family. The Princess-mother of Rielnast was also the mother of the prince's wife. There was a war between two cities but new Prince Dolohor gained his second victory in it. Rielnast is the city of very talented people but not in military science. The war weakened its power and its government had to make disadvantageous peace with Tinalden. The conflict was regulated by The Union of Westonia monarchies but it wasn't settled entirely. I am afraid that even greater troubles are still to come for both this cities..."

"Did The Union of Westonia monarchies approve that mutiny?" asked the girl.

"The new prince sent his men to Westonia Council with proofs of the former ruler's crimes against his people and his bad intentions contradicting with statutes of The Union. I also should warn you that people of both those cities dislike each other very much so it would be better for us not to enter Tinalden."

"Oh, people, people... Why can't they just live in peace..." the girl sighed.

"Perhaps, my lady, peace is the last thing we should expect now," said Sir Armin.

"Why do you think so, Sir Armin?" Irbis got surprised.

"It is my supposition."

"I read all books of history of my father. Though maybe I don't know anything myself, I let myself suppose that there is no such thing as politics that is able to separate people so much. Let's better ride to that clearing and have there some rest," she pointed in one direction.

"To tell you the truth, now I am rather hungry," the old man chuckled.

"So let's go!"

With these words the girl set off at a gallop down the slope.

"Sir Armin, perhaps we should hurry after her and watch for her not to break her neck," Sollars laughed.

"Come on."

The middle-aged man galloped too.

"This will be a shaking for my bones. Come on, my dear, come on!" the old man cried to his horse and hurried after them.

The merry three rushed into the woods. The girl as the nimblest of them advanced though Sir Armin was trying hard to come up with her. She skipped on her horse from the path somewhere in the thicket. The man wondered where she went and followed her. It was very dark and it was much harder to evade different branches. The ground sounded muffled under the horse's hoofs. After some time Sir Armin found himself on a clearing on some very big boulder. He turned around and saw the girl nicely galloping along the path. The man laughed and rode from the boulder and followed her.

Tall slim brown trunks in green fur coats tried to understand what those things rushing and passing them so quickly were. The woods filled with clear girl's laughter. Then she was particularly beautiful. Out of such galloping her hood flew back and her fair head appeared in all its splendour. Her pretty hair fell apart in a gay explosion and flew behind her in ash-golden wave. It seemed that air was especially glad about this all as now it was kissing her white face and soft cheeks, which were by then rosy. Indeed, what wild beast was it?

Unsurprisingly, she came the first one. Then Sir Armin... But there were no signs of Sollars so it was decided that the girl would stay here and start setting up the camp while the man would look for her father. Actually, Sir Maltus wasn't so far away. His very clever horse was bringing his plump, swinging and panting body as cautiously as it only could. It was a very funny picture but Sir Armin treated the old man with great seriousness and respect.

"Oh! My old age..." Sir Maltus sighed deeply out after stopping. "I don't even remember when I had such ride for the last time..." He drank some contents of his flask.

"May I help you, Sir?" asked Sir Armin.

"No, thank you. I am quite strong enough to take care of myself. Where is Irbis?"

"She is already at the spot."

"Let's then go there too. Only I ask you not so quick."

When they came to the clearing, the girl met them with gay smile. That place turned out really suitable for a camp and the source of a brook was near them. Irbis was cooking some nourishing porridge singing lovely while men prepared all needed things. The food was delicious.

"Yes, my girl's hand is better than any philosopher's stone. Here, my dear, take the bowls. And now I would like something of meat," delightfully said Sollars.

"What about some fowl?" Sir Armin asked.

"Why! I don't mind shooting at all," the girl smiled.

"And let me remember by best ages," said the old man.

Right then screams was heard. Everyone prepared their arbalests and started waiting. Among the trees were seen birds flying among the trees. The company started shooting. After some time Sir Armin asked:

"So? Who is the best?"

"Sir Armin, go and bring the trophies and let's see. I will manage the dirty bowls," Irbis said.

"Go, Sir Armin. Then I'll show my special method of cooking the fowl," added Sir Maltus.

"All right," the man agreed and went.

To find the birds was not so easy in such forest. Sir Armin wished he had his hound with him. Nevertheless, he should have done it without him. By the way, he needed to make signs to find the way back. Hey! Here was a dead bird! He had shot that. Soon he found the second. That time it was of Irbis. After some time he carried a bunch of them but he still searched whether there were still more.

Suddenly out of nowhere some man appeared in front of him. Then Sir Armin felt something set against his back and the voice from behind said: "Don't move."