"Hanna?" Rose called, spinning quickly in a circle in search of the old woman. However, she was nowhere to be seen. "How could she just vanish?!"
A quick search of the area confirmed that the old lady was indeed gone. She had disappeared just as miraculously as she had appeared. The princess thought maybe the woman had been just a dream, but the fresh clothing and mended arm did not seem like dreams at all.
"So curious..."
Since there was nothing left to be done, Rose returned to make sure the fire was put out. She had a heavy aversion to out of control flames. After piling extra dirt on the charred coals, the princess gathered her cloak and wrapped a scarf from her pack around her face. It took a minute to get everything in order--especially with her left arm in a sling--but she finally felt like her face would be hidden from prying eyes.
Fireball waited patiently, munching grass in the clearing as he watched over her protectively. Rose felt guilty for not loosening his saddle the night before, but she had been too injured and tired.
Though if she had, the princess wasn't sure she could have tightened the saddle back up with her arm in a sling. "We will find someone to help us with taking care of you as soon as we can," the lady promised her steed.
Fireball snorted. He had been in worse situations. Mounting the dark horse, Rose pulled the pixie away from her chest and looked down. 'What should I do? Hanna said that I just ask it for help...But what kind of help do I want?'
The blonde wanted to find Silver and find out about her past. However a person was a constantly moving target. That seemed like a big task for such a small trinket. Instead, Rose settled on what she thought would be an easier request.
"Can you please show me how to get to Rynnlee?" Rose asked the little fairy. She waited, but nothing happened.
Disappointed, the princess rubbed her fingers along the tiny body, hoping in vain that somehow it would wake up the pendant.
"What am I doing wrong? Hanna said to ask it for help...no! She said to wish for it to help!" Rose cleared her throat and, touching the delicate chain, tried once more. "I wish I could find Rynnlee."
Like magic, the intricate fairy left her perch and flitted up to meet the woman's eye. Rose might have been imagining it, but the little pixie seemed to be smiling as she waved the girl forward and took off.
"Come on Fireball! Follow that Seeker!" Rose clicked her heels and directed the stallion toward the river.
The tall warhorse forded the water without hesitation and only had to swim at the deepest point. Rose barely noticed that she was getting wet; the woman was happy to be on her way toward answers. Fortunately the Seeker never went too quickly or too slowly. Somehow it always set just the right pace.
It was nearing the afternoon when the little pixie stopped and turned on its heels. Attaching itself back to its chain, the fairy went still.
Rose was stunned after hours of chasing the fairy through the woods. What had changed? Was it finally tired?
Tucking the necklace beneath her dress, Rose looked at her surroundings. The forest was still pretty wild, but she could hear a faint whistling sound bouncing through the trees.
Her curiosity drew her to the sound until a man came into view. With a bow and quiver slung across his back, the swarthy man did not seem to have a care in the world. The hunter was clearly not on the hunt at present. Over his non-dominant shoulder, he had two large sacks filled to the brim with feathers sticking out the top.
Rose dismounted and cautiously approached. The happy hunter did not seem like he would attack her, but after the night before, the princess was wary of strangers.
"Hey now, little Missy! It is right fine weather we are having!" The man waved his free hand in a friendly greeting.
Overcoming her fear, the blonde allowed her royal training to take over. "Greetings, good hunter. It is a lovely day indeed."
Setting down his sacks, the man rubbed his hands on his tunic to clean them. He stared intently at her with a curious expression, before examining Fireball in the same fashion.
"Right fine horse you have there. I have never seen the likes of it or you before." The hunter adjusted the quiver on his back and scratched his chin. The girl and the horse did not match at all. The horse had clear military bearing and saddle, but the woman was clad in nice but common clothing. Then there was the way which she spoke…it had a stilted cadence.
"I am just passing through, but I seem to be a bit turned around. Could you perchance tell me where I am?"
"Ah, you are lost! Might you be looking for the outpost?" The woman must be the wife of a military man, the hunter reasoned. "You need to head in that direction for a few more hours."
"Thank you," Rose dipped her head. That was very useful information for when she needed to go home.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, the hunter gave a modified salute. "Always happy to help a weary traveler. We can't all be like the Guardian of course, but the people of Rynnlee all try to be good folks."
Rose's blue eyes sparkled. "Rynnlee?" She tried to ask as calmly as she could. "Is that where I am?" Beyond the man, the princess could see a few houses beginning to dot the landscape.
"As sure as I am a hunter, you are entering Rynnlee." The dark-haired male looked the princess up and down. "I gather you might need a rest before you continue. I recommend going to the inn and getting a warm meal."
"The inn?" 'No more inns!' The woman's eyes narrowed and she stepped away, suspicious of the man before her.
As if reading her thoughts, the hunter held up his hands defensively. "Wait! It's not like some places you might have been. You'll like it. Katherine doesn't allow any nonsense there. To find it, head to the center of town, just a short walk really." The man pointed his nimble finger.
Rose considered asking the man directly where Silver lived, but could see she had already gained too much of his curiosity. Besides, she really did want to look at Rynnlee almost as much as she wanted to see her brother. It was possible she might run into the Guardian on her way.
And maybe...just maybe what he was saying about the inn might be true. Looking at the man's honest concern, she decided to trust his words.
"Thank you. I think I shall rest for a while at the inn. I could use a good meal and seat that doesn't move. I appreciate your assistance. Farewell." After a slight curtsy, Rose took hold of the saddle to mount.
With wide eyes, the man noticed her arm was in a sling and rushed to help her. His hands flew to her waist and hoisted her upwards. "I'm married," he said quickly. "I don't mean anything by grabbing a hold of you."
Rose was grateful for his explanation as she settled in her seat. "Understood."
The swarthy man stepped back and waved. "Farewell. I do hope you enjoy the inn. Tell them Aristos sent you. And if Lily is your server, tell her I'm bringing her something special this evening once I trade these turkeys at the next village." The hunter puffed out his chest pridefully.
Rose stifled a giggle. "I do hope Lily is your wife then!"
Aristos backed away into the forest with a Cheshire grin. "She's more than my wife; she's the love of my life!"
The princess smiled warmly. She was liking Rynnlee already.