Chapter VI

Just as the hooded figure was about to deal a certain death to Adelaide, Flo dived past and grabbed her away from the swinging blade as both of them tumbled across the stage floor. Somehow he had managed to get pass the chaotic crowd to get up onto the stage in time, in spite of Ron’s insistence on running away.

“Wake up Princess! Snap out of it!” Flo yelled at Adelaide as he tried to shake her out of her state of shock. He could not understand how he had the courage to do what he was doing right now, but he knew for certain that he could not let a helpless person get killed.

But it was not the time for digression. What he had done earlier was instinctive. Now he had to think of something to save them from the figure, which with each approaching step was casting its menacing shadow over the two.

Suddenly the assassin was struck with a hail of grains. It was then followed by the appearance of dozens of chickens as they started to fly all over the stage towards the being. The cloaked figure cursed in annoyance as the hungry-stricken chickens were all over him trying to feed on the grains that were on his cloak. Some of them were flapping their wings in his face, disorienting him and obstructing his vision of it’s assassination target.

Despite the gravity of the situation that he was in, Flo was slightly amused looking at such a juxtapose scene.

“Flo!”

Flo turned around. It was Ron, who was standing on the other end of the stage, releasing baskets and baskets of chickens towards the figure. He had managed to get the grains and chickens from a nearby poultry stall in an attempt to distract the figure to buy time for Flo to escape.

“Hurry over here!” Ron shouted as Flo got up onto his feet. Lifting Adelaide onto his back he lumbered hastily towards his friend.

Realizing that they were escaping, the figure cursed as he rushed towards the trio, swiping his sword to clear the chickens that were in his path.

“Come on! He’s catching up!” Ron yelled in panic.

Looking over his shoulders, Flo could see that the figure was just a few feet away. He knew he could not make it in time.

“Get down on the floor Flo!”

Flo recognized the voice immediately – it was the voice of Sosimo. Heeding the Master of the Home Guard, he immediately sprawled himself onto the stage floor, dragging Adelaide down with him as Ron leaped off the stage.

By this moment rows of archers had positioned themselves on the castle fortifications, awaiting the order to fire. With both Flo and the princess down on the floor, the figure was the only one standing on the stage, totally exposed in the open. It was the perfect opportunity stop the figure.

“Fire!” Sosimo shouted as the archers let loose their arrows which whistled away as they flew towards their intended target. The figure gave a loud groan as a dozen arrows struck his body with deadly accuracy. He staggered for a few steps before dropping into a half kneeling position, using his bloodied blade for support.

“Halt!” King Hammond ordered the archers to stop as Sosimo and Marius quickly lead a unit of Home Guards up the stage, unobstructed with the evacuation of the citizen crowd. Quickly surrounding the kneeled figure, the guards unsheathe their swords and await the order of the Master.

“Adelaide! Are you alright?” Marius shouted as he ran over to his sister, who was getting up onto her feet with the help of Flo.

“I…I’m alright brother,” Adelaide replied as she hugged her brother in relief. She was visibly shaken, holding her body close to Marius.

“How about you, Flo?” Sosimo asked, raising his right hand, signaling his guards not to attack without his orders while fixating his eyes on the kneeled figure.

“I’m fine.” Flo replied, his tone uncertain as he managed a weak bow to greet the prince. The whole event had sapped up his strength and adrenaline.

Knowing that both of them are alright, the master of the Home Guard and Prince swiftly turned their attention towards the failed assailant, who remained motionless after being struck by the hail of arrows.

Sosimo approached the kneeled figure slowly with his sword unsheathed – his defensive stance highlighted his cautiousness. With each cautious step he finally stopped in front of him, and preceded to unshod the cloak that has been hiding his identity.

“Heaven’s grace…” Sosimo muttered as the rest of the group looked upon the assailant in astonishment.

The man was ghastly thin which belie his showing of great strength during the assassination attempt. A sickly white his skin was sparsely covered with scabs and scars. He was completely bald, except for a few strands of dark hair at the back of his head. It was a hideous sight, as if God made a mistake during the creation of this man that He rejected and disposed it away like an unwanted child.

Yet despite suffering from wounds that would have killed a mortal man, he was still breathing.

“Speak up, foul creature,” Sosimo spoke as he broke the eerie silence that had enveloped the city square. “Who are you and what is the motive behind your attempted assassination of the princess of Durante?”

The breathing of the man became faster and increased in volume, like an active volcano that was about to erupt. Slowly the man raised his head up, and opened his mouth.

“Norsedraste Demional Paribusete.”

“Speak the language of man!” Marius demanded.

“Norsedraste Demional Paribusete.” The man continued to repeat the same phrase over and over again, as if it was some cure that would relieve the pain from his wounds.

“Be quiet you foul being or I will cut your head off!” Marius shouted at the figure. He was losing patience with him and it seemed that he would execute the man on the stop any moment.

Suddenly the man opened his eyes and stared straight at Sosimo. The intensity of the stare struck Sosimo with some much venom that he took a step back, shakened with fear.

Chapter V

Flo finally managed to find Ron at a corner street alley that was filled with food stalls. There they bought some kebab before making their way towards the city square where the festival was going to be held.

It was a spectacular sight. Right in the middle of the city square a huge stage was erected. Thousands of people had already gathered around it. Soldiers were stationed around the stage to maintain the order of the huge crowd. “It is still an hour before the festival but look at the crowd,” Ron told Flo, pointing at the masses. “See, even more people is arriving.” They managed to get to the front part of the crowd, abide much squeezing and pushing.

Flo looked up into the sky. It was a cloudy day, the clouds shielding them from the searing rays of the afternoon sun. Cool breezes were sweeping across the town square. Everybody was looking happy and waiting in excitement to the start of the festival. Heaven’s blessings, he thought.

After an hour, Minister Duane came up to the stage. He was a stout and plump man, easily recognized by everyone with his trademark messy unkempt hair. He is the one in charge of the running of all the festivals and events in Durante.

“The arrival of the King Hammond!” Minister Duane shouted, as the royal minstrels started playing grand music to welcome the arrival of the king. Everyone bowed in the direction of the inner castle gates as King Hammond appeared, with Prince Marius and Sosimo the Master of the Home Guard at each of his sides. A dozen Home guards followed behind them.

The king walked in a relaxed mood, taking his time, towards an elevated sheltered platform that was built facing the stage. The platform had two comfortable-looking teak chairs and a table filled with delicious fruits and cocktails. Servants were already positioned on the platform, ready to serve the king.

When the King Hammond was on the platform he waved his hand signaling the masses to rise, before sitting down on one of the chairs. Prince Marius then sat down on the other chair. Sosimo came to stand beside the king, while the dozen guards placed themselves in two rows at both ends of the steps leading up to the platform.

The music stopped as Minister Duane proceeded to give a speech about the origins and the significance of the Festival of Autumn. “Oh enough with the talk and bring us the dancers!” Ron whined. Flo ignored his friend’s ranting and ate his kebab.

***

And so the opening of the Festival of Autumn started. Dancers in emerald-green appeared on the stage as the enthusiastic crowd whistled and cheered on. Finally a dancer in fiery-red appeared and took her place at the front of the stage. Princess Adelaide. The Flower Girl. Her appearance was met with even louder response.

Ron was one of those cheering the loudest. “Wow! Just look at them! Are not they beautiful, Flo?” Ron exclaimed. Flo just smiled and carried eating his kebab. But in his heart he was indeed dazzled by the princess’ beauty.

The dancers began to perform their dance, as the minstrels starting to play their melodious music again. Moving in unison as if they are of one mind, the dancers danced around the stage in smooth flowing movements, like graceful confident swans. It was as if a group of angels had descended on Durante to give a glimpse of how life was up in the heavens.

Princess Adelaide was exceptional, dancing professionally even though it was her first and only time as the Flower Girl. There were no flaws to be found. The crowd, noisy and cheering initially, began to quiet down as they were dazzled by the performance, rendering them speechless. King Hammond, Prince Marius and Master Sosimo were all visibly enjoying the show.

Flo was enjoying the show too. It was not a bad idea to attend the festival after all, he thought. Looking at Adelaide, he thought back about the way he had treated her all this while. She is very beautiful and has a nice personality, he thought. He knew he had treated her badly however he could not find a reason for doing so.

His thoughts were broken as someone moved next to him. He turned to look. It was the cloaked figure that he had bumped into earlier. He tried to take a look at his face, but his features were covered by the hood of his cloak. The figure did not seem to be bothered that Flo was putting his focus on him as he stared straight ahead at the stage, where the performance was still undergoing.

Suddenly the cloaked figure started to move towards the stage, shoving the people that were in his path, causing a commotion among the crowd. Two of the soldiers stationed at the foot of the stage went over to confront the figure.

Without hesitation the figure brandished a long, wicked-looking black blade. With one swipe of his blade the two soldiers were torn apart and flung away like rag dolls.

Chaos followed thereafter, the festival came to an abrupt end. Joy turned to terror as the crowd scattered in all directions, trying to get away from the killer, who by then had managed to get up to the stage. Most of the soldiers stationed were unable to reach him, obstructed by the escaping crowd. Those that did manage to reach him were easily dispatched by him.

The Home guards surrounded the king immediately, forming a protective circle.

“Protect the princess instead!” King Hammond ordered the guards, his voice wavering in panic. Sosimo and the prince along with some of the guards tried to head for the murderer but the roving mass of people between the stage and platform made it almost difficult for them to manoeuvre across.

“God damned!” Marius cursed.

By this time the performance had stopped as the terrified dancers were all trying to get off the stage to stay as far away from the figure. Yet Princess Adelaide stood at the middle of the stage, seemingly in shock. What has happened, she thought. She looked at the figure – he was heading towards her direction, the bloodied blade in hand. She looked at the crumpled bodies of the soldiers that fell before him. She wanted to escape but her feet stood rooted to the stage. It was as if the figure has casted a spell on her, rendering her the lost of the control of her legs. Second by second she could only stare at the approaching figure as tears started flowing down her cheeks.

The figure stopped in front of Princess Adelaide and without hesitation brought his blade down on her.

Chapter IV

The Festival of Autumn originated four hundred years ago, during the reign of King Jesse. His wife, Lady Celine, was a great appreciator of nature. During her time she would travel all over the lands just to admire rare species of plants and animals and enjoy the exotic sceneries of the Four Lands. However her favorite scenic place was right at home – the Uland Woods. She loved the beauty of the falling copper-bronze leaves of the woods in autumn so much that she decided to hold a celebration on the first day of autumn every year in honor of its beauty. That day became the Festival of Autumn, a day where every citizen of Durante would stop work to enjoy the celebration.

Unfortunately she died young to a strange illness. King Jesse thus built the Sky Garden, breeding the most beautiful flowers in the lands, in memory of his beautiful and kind wife. The best botanists were employed to maintain the garden, which four hundred years later, still looked as eye-dazzling as ever.

Year after year the festival would start off with the opening ceremony which is a spectacular dance segment, consisting of nearly a hundred dancers that were carefully selected from the Durante Academy of Fine Arts. One would be chosen among them to lead the dance segment and it was the biggest honor that a dancer could get in Durante. The role of the flower girl.

***

Adelaide was with the rest of the dancers at the doorsteps of the Academy of the Fine Arts, awaiting for Kalyan Summer, their dance instructor to give them a final brief about the performance later on. The dancers were all dressed in beautiful green silk costumes, looking ravishing and stunning. However the princess stood out among all of them with her fiery red costume, the symbol of color representing the Flower Girl. There was a tiara sitting on her crown, sparkling brightly under the rays of the beaming sun. In all she looked like an angel that had descended from the heavens, truly pretty and angelic.

She took in a deep breath. It has finally come, she thought to herself. An hour more to the start of the Festival of Autumn.

All the months of preparations and rehearsals… It all boils down to this moment.

She took in another deep breath to calm herself down. The words of her brother sprang into her mind.

You are the most fantastic sixteen year old girl dancer in the land…

She smiled. Though her brother could be irritating and arrogant at times, he had always been there for her. So was her father. She felt blessed to have received so much love from her family. Throughout her life she had always been pampered, eating the most mouthwatering cuisines, wearing the most elaborate dresses. She was able to satisfy her love for dancing by joining the Academy of Fine Arts. She had everything.

At the cost of freedom.

“My, how lovely you looked.”

Adelaide turned around. It was her father, King Hammond. “Father!” She immediately ran towards the king and gave him a hug.

The rest of the dancers stopped their conversations and bowed in the king’s presence. King Hammond acknowledged with a sweep of his hand.

“Father, why are you here? This is such a surprise,” Adelaide spoke, her face visibly happy.

“I came by to wish you all the best in your performance, my dear daughter,” King Hammond looked at Adelaide and gave a tender smile. “Your brother was unable to come- he is busy organizing the security for the big occasion. But he sends his regards to you too.”

The King looked up into the sky. “If your mother was still alive to witness this special moment,” he sighed. “She will be so proud of you.”

“Father, I’m sure mother is up in the heavens looking at us right now,” Adelaide spoke as she gave her father another hug. “Thank you father for your well wishes. I feel much less nervous now.”

“I will perform to my best and will not let the people of Durante down.”

***

Flo stood at the city gates of Durante. He looked at the disciplined sentry guards, and the tall and sturdy looking stone walls that surround the city and doubted if anyone could successfully laid a siege against it. He remembered the first time that he came here he was overwhelmed by the size of the city. It was a bustling city filled with lots of people engaging in all sorts of activities, exuding an energy that was the complete opposite of his mundane village. They all had a face that beamed with contentedness, thriving under the peaceful rule of King Hammond and proud to be citizens of Durante.

“Hey! Why are you standing there like a statue?”

A young man, about the same age as Flo, came up to him and started to drag him into the city. “We need to get in soon to get a good space to watch the festival!”

Flo followed, trying to keep up with the fast pace of the young man. “Ron! There is no need to hurry. It is still an hour before the start of the festival.”

“We need to get the best view to look at those pretty dancers!” The man replied, his face beaming with enthusiasm. “And there is your lovely little princess too…”

Flo shook his head. Ron was the one who had dragged him along to the city to watch the festival, even though he was not very interested, with or without the princess’ participation.

He looked at Ron and wondered why they became the best of friends. Personality-wise they were the extreme opposites. He was shy and quiet while Ron was outgoing and loud. Maybe it’s because they were the only eighteen year olds in the village. Or maybe it’s because of his friend’s sunshine character that endeared to him. Ron’s happy-go-lucky nature always brought about a feeling of positivism to the people around him. And sometimes troubles too. He thought of the countless troubles they had gotten into before, thanks to the multitude of ideas that often came out of his best friend’s head.

He was deep into his thoughts and lost his awareness as he bumped into a cloaked figure. “Oh sorry,” Flo apologized. The cloaked figure did not say a word and walked away.

Flo realized he had lost track of Ron and quickly went to look for him.

***

Chapter III

SPLASH!

Flo jumped from a high cliff into the Blessed River, the splashing of the water breaking the serene silence that surround the river and the Uland Woods. It was a long time before he resurfaced as he started to swim aimlessly around the river. It was a humid sunny afternoon, the perfect weather for a swim. He had managed to sell all the fishes that he had caught the night before, and he was in a good mood. He swam in elegant and smooth strokes, swiftly and fast yet looking effortlessly to him.

After some time he floated himself, his face facing the sky as he let the waves of the river take control of his direction of movement. He enjoyed the swimming, the fishing, rivers, seas and oceans. How he wished he was a dolphin, he thought. He had never seen one, but he had heard tales of dolphins swimming happily in the great seas, showing friendliness to humans and even saving drowning humans that were victims of shipwrecks. As he absorbing the warm sunlight he closed his eyes and relaxed.

***

It was just an ordinary afternoon two years ago. Flo was taking a stroll along the woods when he heard screams coming from the direction of the Blessed River. He rushed down to the bank of the river to see a young girl struggling in the river. The girl did not seem to know how to swim, as she flapped her arm around wildly in her attempt to stay afloat. Without hesitation Flo jumped into the water immediately in a bid to save the girl, knowing it would not be long before she got exhausted and drown.

Flo was able to reach the girl from her back and placed one of his arms around the girl’s neck to keep her head above the water while using the other arm to steer them towards the bank. The girl was struggling wildly, making it difficult for him to hold on to her. He pulled her close to his chest and worked his way to the bank, at the same time constantly whispering to the girl to stay calm.

It was a long time before both of them managed to reach the bank of the river, their bodies laid sprawled all over. Flo was panting heavily, physically drained, having used up all of his strength in saving the girl’s life. Taking a few deep breathes he mustered whatever strength that he had in his body and carried the girl, who was now in shock, over to rest at the trunk of a tree.

“Are you alright?” Flo asked the girl, waving his hand in front of the girl’s face. The girl did not response, her big blue eyes staring forward, her mind seemingly was lost deep in space.

It was at this moment where the sound of trampling hooves signaled the appearance of a calvary of soldiers, dressed in hunting attire and bearing the insignia of the Home Guard of Durante. One of them, a young man roughly the same age as Flo and was distinguished from the others by a silver crown resting on his head, got down his horse immediately and rushed towards the drenched duo.

“Do you know he-” Flo never finished the sentence as he was struck to the ground with a punch from the young man, the wind knocked out of him.

“What are you trying to do to my sister!” the man shouted as he unsheathed his sword from his scabbard and pointed the blade’s tip at Flo’s neck. Flo, already exhausted from the previous incident, did not bother to put up a struggle.

Another man got off from his horse and walked over to put himself between Flo and the enraged young man. “I think we should sort things out first before making any assumptions, am I right, Prince Marius?” he whispered to the enraged prince, resting his hand on the blunt side of the prince’s sword and lowering it to the floor. The prince sheathed his sword and went over to his sister, his eyes continued to fixate on Flo.

“I must apologize on behalf of the prince,” the man helped Flo to his feet. “My name is Sosimo and I am Master of the Home Guard of Durante. What has happened?” Flo gave Sosimo an account of what happened earlier, of his rescue of the drowning girl.

“The girl that you have just saved is none other than the daughter of King Hammond, Princess Adelaide. I, together with both the royal siblings were on a hunting trip to the surrounding woods. We were crossing a part of the upper river when the horse that they were both on slipped and fell. I managed to grab hold of the prince but unable to save the princess who was swept downwards by the waves.” Sosimo removed his cloak and put it around Flo who was starting to shiver. “You have done a great deed to the king and the people of Durante. I will report this to the king when I get back to the castle.”

At this time both Marius and Adelaide walked over to Sosimo’s side. The princess had recovered her senses and looked alright, the prince’s cloak now wrapped over her body.

“I apologize to you,” the prince bowed, his voice now in a more polite tone but the look in his eyes still seemed to show dislike for Flo. “I will see to it that you will be rewarded for saving my sister, the Princess of Durante.”

“I thank you, Prince Marius,” Flo spoke, his voice dry and weak. “But I have no desire to benefit from this. I would have save anyone that was in that situation just now.” Flo then turned to the princess who had been looking at him all this while.

“Thank you for saving my life,” the princess said, her voice sweet and gentle. “May I know your name?”

“My name is Flo.”

“Thank you… Flo.” she spoke as the prince led her to the group of soldiers.

“Come, I will send you back home.” Sosimo spoke to Flo, patting his back. “You will get the chance to ride on Falk, my trusty stead. He moves as fast as the wind, yet is as graceful as a swan.” Sosimo then commanded the most senior soldier to take command of the group and to escort the royal siblings back to the castle. He then brought Flo to sit upon Falk.

Before the two groups left the clearing, Flo could notice that the princess’ eyes were still fixated on him.

***

Flo opened his eyes and wondered how long he had dozed off. The warm sunlight that was shining on him just now was gone, the sun preparing to take its absence in the west. Flo quickly swam to the bank of the river to where his clothes were.

I better reach home before sunset or else grandma will be worried, he thought to himself as he put on his clothes and walked hastily back to his village.

***

Chapter II

The loud ring of the bell tower echoed across the entire city of Durante, signaling the start of noon. At this moment all movement and activities of the town ceased immediately as all the townspeople observed a minute of silence to commemorate Roderic, the first ruler of Durante who slayed Baqur the demonlord in the War of the Ancients and subsequently founded the city eight hundred years ago.

Sosimo stood beside the parapet surrounding the Sky Garden that was situated at the roof above the Royal Family Halls, the highest point of the castle. He had just sent Princess Adelaide to see the royal tailor a short while ago. Taking a puff from his pipe he gazed at the town square that was brimming with people, before moving his gaze westward towards the Westlands that were made up of wastelands. How long will this peace continue, he thought to himself.

“You took Adelaide to see that village boy again.”

Sosimo turned around. A middle-aged man, wearing exquisite looking clothes walked up towards him. The man was handsome with well-defined features, his movement and posture were in a very refined manner. A silver crown besotted with a sparkling gem was resting on his head.

“Good day to you, my Lord,” Sosimo spoke as he bowed politely. “The princess just wanted to see more of the countryside. My Lord, you know she never has much opportunity to explore the surroundings lands.”

“Rise,” the king stood beside Sosimo, “and please dispense with the formalities. There is no one else around here except us.” He took a slow deep breath, inhaling the rich, fresh air that could not be found anyway else in the city. “Still, she should not enter and leave the city as she pleases. You have spoilt her, Sos.”

“The little girl deserves a small reward after all the hard work she put into the rehearsals for tomorrow’s event, my Lord,” Sosimo took another puff from his pipe as he gazed towards the Westlands again.

“After all we all do owe the boy for saving Adelaide’s life on that occassion.”

The king nodded. “Anyway, I sensed something on your mind that is troubling you right now.” The king had noticed Sosimo’s continuous gaze towards the desolated Westlands.

“Yes… I have gathered reports that orcish activities have increased significantly in the Westlands in recent times. The Border Guards have been engaging in frequent skirmishes with them,” Sosimo faced the king. “It unsettles me greatly that the orcs are this bold and daring now.”

“Yes it has came to my attention too…” the king nodded again. “But I have faith in our soldiers. I have faith in you, Sos. These orcish beasts are just looking for their graves by going against the mighty city of Durante.”

“The orcish kinds are a simple-minded, easily influenced bunch who feeds their courage from their leaders. I wonder if there is someone among their ranks that is so powerful that it gives them such boldness to attack our Border Guards.”

“You think too much, Sosimo,” the king interrupted, patting Sosimo on the shoulder. “Tomorrow is the Festival of Autumn. It will be a grand and happy occasion with lots of delightful performances. You should be in the festive mood instead.”

“Well, it’s time for me to meet up with Minister Duane to discuss about the final arrangements for tomorrow’s festival. Great care, Sos,” the king smiled at Sosimo. “Stop worrying so much.”

“Great care to you, my Lord. I will.” Sosimo looked on as the king left the garden. In his mind he was still pondering about what the king had said earlier.

***

Adelaide was sitting on her bed in her room, sulking. It was a big, lavishly decorated room, filled with gold carvings on the walls and ceiling. The bed she was sitting on was specially made with the silky fur of the white snow bears that only exist in the mountains up north. There were paintings of beautiful places, like the Snow-capped Mountains in the north and the Alekto Falls in the east, which hung on the walls of the room. Adelaide looked at them, thinking how impossible it is for her to visit these places when it is already so difficult to even step out of the city.

Her mind then switched to Flo. She had begged Uncle Sosimo to bring her to see him. She had asked the royal chef to prepare a wonderful breakfast for him. She wasn’t expecting that kind of a response.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” she spoke, in a frustrated tone.

The heavy teak door opened and a young man entered, his footsteps firm and steady, showing confidence. He was very neatly dressed with his long hair tied up. An assortment of accessories were worn on his wrists and fingers. The man was handsome, but he was carrying a smirk on his face, suggesting a hint of arrogance.

“My lovely sister. I see that your effort has gone unappreciated again.” He walked over and sat down beside Adelaide, stroking her hair. Adelaide remained silent.

“That village boy is not worth it, Ade. He is a simpleton, too dumb to realize how fortunate he really is.” The young man walked over to the window where the sunshine was shining strongly into the room. “The sentries have informed me that you and Uncle Sosimo left earlier this morning. I just knew that you had planned to see him… and judging by your look it seemed that he has given you the cold shoulder again. Heh.”

“Stop it Marius. This is none of your business.” Adelaide looked away from her brother. “If you came to only talk about this then I would like you to get out of my room now.”

“Alright I’ll talk about other matters then,” Marius replied, shifting into a more concerned tone. “So how is the outfit that you will be wearing for the ceremony?”

“It was fine,” Adelaide fell backwards and laid on the bed. “I am nervous about tomorrow. It is such an important event, and I surely do not wish to embarrass you and Father.”

“Do not worry Ade,” Marius spoke. “You are the chosen flower girl this year not because you are the Princess of Durante, but because you are the most fantastic sixteen year old girl dancer in the land.” He lay beside Adelaide and held her hand. “I have seen you practicing hard for the ceremony. You will be excellent.”

Adelaide faced his brother and gave a smile. “Thank you my brother. You made me feel better.” But in her heart she was still thinking about Flo.

***

Chapter I

Flo was walking home from his fishing trip when he saw a figure loitering just at the doorsteps of his house. It was a man, around in his forties, with a tall and strongly built. Flo immediately recognized the man and sighed. She is here again, he thought to himself. It was a situation he had been in before, and he did not welcome it at all. Reluctantly he walked towards the man.

“A good morning to you, young Flo! I could tell that you had a very good catch last night,” the man spoke, stroking his beard. He was looking at the bucket of fishes that Flo was holding in his hand. Surprisingly for all of his gruff exterior the man spoke with a dignified accent that was clear and concise.

“Good morning to you too, Master Sosimo… so what is she up to this time?” Flo said, his voice clearly lacking any tinge of enthusiasm. He was already starting to feel tired and sleepy from a whole night of fishing.

“Well she has brought some food for you and your grandmother,” Sosimo replied. “She has been waiting for you inside for over an hour.”

“Haven’t I told her not to bring any more stuff for me again… me and my grandma are very happy with the way things ar-”

Sosimo put his big hand firmly on Flo’s shoulder which Flo could feel great strength from the man. “She is a nice girl. Just be nice and be a good host, alright?” He looked at Flo. “Remember who she is.”

That’s exactly the problem, Flo thought to himself as he stepped into his home.

It was just an ordinary stone house, just like the other houses in the village. There were only a couple of furniture inside – two wooden tables, some chairs, and a bed and closet each in of the two rooms. A beautiful young girl, around sixteen years of age, was sitting down together with an old lady in the main room, both of them happily engaging in conversation. The girl was elegantly dressed, her long silky hair tied nicely into a braid. She noticed Flo’s appearance immediately.

“Morning!” the girl exclaimed, standing up and turning her attention towards him. “Your grandmother was sharing some funny things you did when you were a child!” The girl smiled, her big blue eyes dilating. “Anyway I’ve brought breakfast for you and your grandmother!” She was pointing to the food that was spread onto the table. “I specially got the master chef to prepare it for you. Come and try it!”

“Thank you very much, Princess Adelaide. I’ll have it later,” Flo spoke to the girl as he walked into the kitchen, putting down the bucket of fishes and his fishing rod onto a table. “A person of your status shouldn’t be here in this old and dirty village.”

“I just wanted to see you…” the princess muttered.” I’ll leave if you finished the food that I’ve brought for you.”

Flo came out of the kitchen and looked at what the princess had brought for him. Nicely placed on the table it was some rabbit meat, bacon and eggs. The sweet aroma of the food made his stomach growled. Flo quickly faked a cough to drown out the growling of his stomach before sitting down to eat.

It was the best meal he had in a very long time, but he ate it quietly, without any form of expression. He did not want to give any signs to the princess that he was enjoying the food.

Flo finished the meal quickly. “So how was it?” Adelaide eagerly asked, waiting for a response from him.

“It was nice… alright, I think you should get going. I’m just came from a fishing trip and I’m tired.”

“Besides, your brother won’t be too happy if he found out that you have been here,” Flo replied in a monotonous tone, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

“Alright then… take care… I’ll come and look for you again when I’m free…” Adelaide uttered, not expecting such an indifferent response from him.

“Take care on your way back, Princess Adelaide,” Flo replied, without looking at her. Adelaide looked at the floor, her face holding a look of disappointment. She ambled towards doorsteps slowly.

She stopped at the doorsteps and turned back to Flo. “Tomorrow is the Festival of Autumn… and I’m the chosen flower girl this year. The opening ceremony will be at noon… I hope you will be at the town square to see me, Flo.”

The princess then walked out of the house and left the village with Sosimo.

***

“You shouldn’t treat her with such coldness,” Flo’s grandmother spoke to him, her voice soft and gentle. “She genuinely cares for us.” The old lady had remained silent throughout the exchange between the two young people.

“Grandma… But she is the princess of Durante!” Flo exclaimed, as he took the fishes out for the bucket and started to wrap them up in a big piece of cloth. “We commoners should not have any contact with the royal family at all.”

“Well, a person has all the right to befriend another regardless of class,” Flo grandmother stood up and started to clear the table of the plates and cutlery. “You don’t have to bother her background.”

“I can see that she likes you.”

“Grans!” Flo was losing his patience and getting uncomfortable with the topic. “I’m going to the village square to see if I can sell these fishes alright?” He placed the fishes into a basket and slinged it over his shoulders. “I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“Take your time,” his grandmother replied. “and be back safe, my dear Flo.”

***

“Heh, It seems like that kid doesn’t appreciate your efforts at all,” Sosimo said to Adelaide as they rode on his stead Falk, a majestic-looking brown stallion, across the thick evergreen woods of Uland.

There was no response from the princess, as she sat in front of Sosimo. “Well you can’t blame the young lad,” Sosimo continued on, while skillfully maneuvering Falk to avoid the uneven parts of the terrain. “Just imagine the princess of Durante trying to befriend a village boy.”

“Or maybe he is just afraid of that brother of yours!” Sosimo laughed.

“Stop it, Uncle Sos…”

“Anyway you’re supposed to meet with the royal tailor now to have the final adjustments on the outfit that you’ll be wearing tomorrow. We better hope that we reach the castle back in time or else there will be big trouble for both you and me. You do know that I’ve brought you out without the King’s permission.”

“I just hope he will attend the ceremony…” Adelaide murmured, as Sosimo commanded his stead to pick up speed.

***