Meanwhile Astra and Andrea had had a long day walking through the forest.
They
had seen no-one, but an hour or so before dusk they came at last to the
edge of the
trees. In front of them lay the fields of a small farm, and in one of
those fields
grazed two ponies. They had hoped for larger mounts, but even ponies would
be much
better than nothing.
"I shall go up to the farmhouse, and inform them that we are taking their ponies," Andrea said. "Are you sure that's wise?" Astra asked. "If word has reached them that Croix Keep has fallen and that you are a fugitive, then their fear of the dragon and his men may result in a flat refusal. They may even try to capture us." "This seems an isolated spot. I doubt that word will have reached here. Besides, the people of North Umbria are a brave people, not easily intimidated." What about those elders back at that village, who would have turned you in had they got the chance? Astra thought, but she said nothing. Andrea went on: "But most of all, I have had enough of skulking through the forest like a common criminal. I am a noble's daughter, and I shall act like one." And I'm a queen's daughter, but I've learnt that - away from the Palace - the less I try to pull rank the better I get on, thought Astra. Astra and Andrea walked up to the front door of the farmhouse, and Andrea knocked. They could hear a dog barking, announcing their arrival, and then the door was answered by a burly man with a weatherbeaten face - though not too much of his face was visible above his greying beard. "Greetings, my good man," Andrea said. "I am Lady Andrea Croix. We have need of your ponies."
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4/21/2001 10:02:00 AM
Extending Enabled
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