20

Artas rode to Siofra’s side, he looked at the horse she was riding. A light blonde mane horse that had served him well for years. He reached over with his arm to the horse’s neck and gently caressed it with a swaying motion of his hand. “This horse, when I was young, was the one I learned how to ride with. It was gentle, almost like a mother taking care of me” Artas said, his eyes lost in the horse’s mane. “Is she old?” Siofra said almost stuttering. “Yes, thats why she couldn’t keep up. She’ll need some rest to recover” Artas said in a soft voice as the horse’s head went down and her mouth tore out some grass from he ground.

Artas turned to his army “there’s a lake up ahead. We’ll make camp there for tonight” he yelled. He looked at his army “Cirida! Cirida! Come!”

Cirida approached on her horse “Yes, my Lord” she said. “I need you to ride double with Siofra on your horse. Her horse is too tired” Artas said. Cirida glanced at the men in the army, most of them were giving her sneaky eyes. She turned to Artas “my horse doesn’t like two riders, my lord. I’m sorry” Cirida said as she rode away.

One of the men rode a little closer “my Lord, you’re the one with the biggest horse” he reasoned. “Yeah, that’s right!” the rest of his soldiers quickly murmured, nodding their heads while looking side to side.

Artas closed his eyes and sighted then swiftly turned his head to Siofra who kept on blinking as she stared at him. “Princess Siofra, you are to ride with me” Artas said as he maneuvered his horse next to Siofra’s and extended his hand to her.

“Wait ride with you on——the same horse?” Siofra said, as she leaned to her side away from Artas so much she was about to fall. Artas quickly reached over and caught Siofra’s hand that hanged in the air, saving her from falling.

They locked eyes, their hands stretched to each other. Siofra’s skin was beat red and a she had a glint in her eye. Artas finally pulled her, helping her regain a steady seat on her horse. He kept on holding her hand “come on” he said, gently tugging on her arm. “Why can’t I just ride this horse to the lake” Siofra asked. “She won’t make it there by sunset, we’ll need to lighten her load” Artas explained. A small breeze blew through them slowly trailing off behind them. The grass scent was thick and calming, and the sunlight rays warm on the skin.

“…Alright” Siofra finally said hesitantly. She climbed off her horse “put your foot on the stirrup” Artas said. Siofra put her foot on stirrup. Artas with a swift, precise movement pulled up Siofra behind him on his steed. “Hold on to me tight, princess, and don’t let go” Artas said. Siofra wrapped her arms around Artas and put the side of her head resting on his back. Artas felt her wiggle as she adjusted her body to the seat. Artas could see her slender fingers under his chest trying to find the best grip. Her fingers had many fresh cuts and bruises.

“Forward!” Artas ordered his army. As Artas’s horse sped off he could feel Siofra’s grip, it was strong like an enemy trying to crush his ribcage. She didn’t look it but she had the strength of her father.

The sunset was reflecting on the tranquil waters of the lake when Artas’s army got there. The army began to set up camp. Artas rode straight to the brown dirt lake shore, just beyond where the grass had stopped growing.

He climbed off the horse then gave his hand to Siofra, helping her climb down. “This place is beautiful” said siofra, Her eyes reflected the golden sunlight cast on the lake. “Beautiful? There are many places like this” Artas said. He took the reins of his horse and guided him to the edge of the water. The horse lowered its head and began to drink water as he whipped his tail with black, long strands of hair.

“Do you love your horse?” Siofra asked as she glided her fingers on the long neck of the horse. “Of course I do, what kind of question is that? Artas answered his voice resonant and soft. “Then why take him into battle where he can easily bee killed. I never understood that?” Siofra asked softly. “…Because I have no choice” Artas whispered as he looked into the eyes of the animal. “I need him, their are things that I must do” he said.

“Even if it cost the horse his life?” Siofra hastily asked. Artas turned and looked straight into her eyes “even if it cost mine” he said, his voice unwavering.

“Men and their ambitions. My father died trying to conquer all the kingdoms in Dragon’s Den. My brother is following his footsteps. You can’t all win” Siofra said, her voice quivering.

“Pff, Dragon’s Den, why do they call it Dragon’s Den? There are——no dragons here!. The dragons are dead!. Only snakes slither in this land eating each other’s tail” Artas said.

“That’s not true! There are plenty of good folk in this land. Folk like Cirida who I owe my life to many times over” Siofra argued.

“Cirida?!” Artas burst out laughing. “Oh, you poor fool, do you even know who was the one who kidnapped you?”. Artas stepped close to Siofra and looked down on her “I’ll give you hint, it wasn’t bandits”

Siofra’s mouth quivered and her eyes glazed, she swallowed hard “Are you a snake too, Prince Artas?” Siofra asked, her voice breaking, but brave as she looked him dead in his eyes.

“I’m the biggest, most venomous snake in the land” Artas said, his voice slow and resonant. Siofra burst out laughing.

Dazzling tears flew from the sides of her eyes, squeezed out by her big wide grin. She put her hands over over her clutching stomach. Artas could only stand and watch. His eyes lost in her smile, his jaw hanging, his skin flushed red. He took half a step back.

Siofra wiped the tears from her eyes as she stopped laughing “I’m sorry Prince Artas. You’re just not believable sometimes. Your eyes are sometimes too kind. It wasn’t you…was it? But I do feel you know something” Siofra said. She turned her head towards the men setting up the camp. She found Cirida and locked eyes but only for a brief moment. Cirida quickly turned her back to her and lowered her gaze.

Siofra lowered her gaze as well and sniffed “It seems there a lot going on in this world I don’t know about. Folk plotting while the blameless get caught in between. I’m just a pawn then, am I? A token to be used by everyone for their selfish deeds” she sniffed again.

Artas stepped to her, he gently placed his hand under her wet chin and lifted her gaze up to him. “If you’re just a token, then Perhaps I’ll marry you and have Corc grovel at my feet every time he wants to see you” he said softly almost whispering. He slowly leaned his head to Siofra. Her face lit by the warm light of the sunset. Her eyes dazzling sparks like embers. “How believable was I then?” He said as he continued to lean past her and slowly walked to the camp.

A sea of stars was out. Some of Artas men had gathered near the campfire. Somehow Siofra ended up sitting next to Artas, her head resting on his shoulder as she slept. Artas felt her breath, it was unsteady, restless. She would squeeze on his arm from time to time with great force that we would wince. She wiggled every now and then too, pushing her warm body against his shoulder.

Artas’s black eyes gazed intensely into the fire. He clenched his sword’s hilt. The fire became his witness as he vowed to protect Siofra, for she truly was blameless, in a den of snakes.