Part Four

            Fnesis sighs, shaking his head, "I push you out to snatch your woman away and you somehow end up in a challenge. I have no other advice, but for you to win." Isn gives his Birder a pat on the head, "He started it."

The two opponents ride side by side waiting for the signal. Stretching out before them is an obstacle course. Princess Ayotra watches from the sidelines. Fnesis checks that the two are ready, he lets out a piercing whistle.

         The Birders run off at full-speed. Lord Hessing passes Isn, leaping over a five feet bar. Gritting his teeth, Isn urges his Birder faster. Clearing the first obstacle, neck to neck, the two dive in unison underneath a swinging beam. Turning the corner, a large ring appears. Lord Hessing puts on a burst of speed, his Birder clearing the ring with a nimble leap. His Birder hoots in victory.

Isn smirks. Urging his Birder on faster he jumps through the ring at the last second. "Spin!" he commands his Birder. Twirlng in the air, his Birder lands neatly on it's claws. Princess Ayotra claps her hands in delight. Isn flashes a grin at an astonished Lord Hessing. Fnesis smiles from ear to ear. "I taught him that," he says to the princess. Lorny snorts in disbelief.

Now, Isn was winning the race. To win the princess's heart he showed off all the tricks he knew so far. Lord Hessing was left far behind. Beaming with confidence Isn crosses the finish line. Fnesis runs over followed by the princess. He winks, "Way to go Isn!"  Princess Ayotra smiles at Isn, melting his heart, "That was amazing Isn, as I thought you're a skilled Brider indeed."

Isn blushes, ruffling his hair, "Thanks...your highness. I'm glad that you enjoyed it."

Lord Hessing finally arrives at the finish line, "I underestimated you," he admits, "though I adivse you hold back a little, you give your opponent too much of an insight on your-tricks."

Fnesis and Isn glare at his back as he rides off to personally put his Birder in its stable. "He's jealous," say Fnesis. Princess Ayotra approaches Isn, "If you'd like, I'd be glad to come one day and learn to ride a Birder."  Isn lightens up at the suggestion, "Any time you please, your highness."

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            Ermas sighs again, pitiying herself. Slowly, she carries the heavy buckets of water to the kitchen, debating if Isn noticed her harassment earlier or not. Water sloshes against her skirt, making her take her steps lightly. She passes the Birder stables, still deep in thought when fiery pain once again took hold of her. She drops the buckets, spilling water. Kneeling on the ground, dirtying her already dirty skirt, she clenches a hand over her chest, fighting the raging pain.

"Are you alright?"  Looking up, trying to keep a placid face, Ermas's fiery pain suddenly turns to solid ice. A handsome man stands before her, dark and sinister. Shock and fear erases the pain of forewarning. Not even daring to look into those dark eyes again she quickly picks up the fallen buckets and return to the well to refill them.

            Arriving at the well, she finds that he had followed her. Nervously she draws water, pulling tightly on the rope. "Yes, sir?" she asks. He smiles at her, leaning against the well.  "Tell me low-life, where is the  Heart of Aerelya?"

Hauling a full bucket to the ground Ermas stammers, "What do you mean?"  Aerelya was the name of the kingdom, but she had never heard anything about a heart. She draws water for another bucket, wishing he would leave her alone.

He narrows his eyes at her, "You must have heard of something since you work here."  Ermas wanted to cry, "Sir, I am only a scullery maid, what do I know?"  He stops her by placing a hand on her hand. Ermas shivers, pulling her hand away.  "Do you require other means of pay?" he asks.

Buckets filled Ermas lifts them and runs for it. Suddenly he is before her, stopping her in her tracks.  "Then tell me who might know?" he commands. Ermas clenches her hands tightly on the bucket handles to keep them from trembling. "I don't know," she whispers.  "What?" he asks.

           Feeling angry besides irratated Ermas finally snaps. "I said I don't know!"  The air turns icy cold, "Did you just yell at me?" he asks.  Ermas clenches her teeth, feeling her tears readying themselves for a downpour. Continuing boldly before she got killed she blurts out, "Even if I did know I wouldn't tell it to somebody like you! You-you're not human, you look evil!"

Surprise etches the man's face. He seemed to cease moving. Taking the opportunity, Ermas makes a run for it. Before she could run even a feet, he catches her on the shoulder. "You-what are you?"