A Reality better than the Dream

8.- On the high mountains

Oren's black horse was galloping quickly on the narrow paths of the Holy Mountain, when he suddenly saw from afar another rider before him, trying to avoid two men, perhaps thieves, who had caught his horse from the bridles and were trying to pull down the load from the horse's back and sides. In the end, the rider lost his balance and fell down on the ground. Oren spurred his horse, pulled his sword out and attacked the criminals. These two, hearing the galloping horse and the sword drawn from its scabbard, left instantly the poor citizen and tried to fight against Oren with their swords. But, very soon, they found out that he was unparalleled in martial arts. They dispersed, frightened that a real warrior had attacked them to slash them into the tiniest pieces! The poor rider was still down with the face downward, groaning of pain.

The emperor bent over him, but he noticed that he was too thin and slender, it might be a woman. He lifted her softly and turned her face upward and... W-h-a-t kind of a coincidence was this damned one?! It was Queen Iris, all alone in this remote forest wearing trousers and dressed like a simple citizen with her hair gathered on her head and a scarf around it! What was she doing in the wilds, so far from her capital and her palace?! She opened her eyes, obviously suffering due to her collapse on the rough ground, gave him an astonished dizzy look and said "Is it... possible? Is it really you... Emperor?". His eyes were sparkling, but his voice was expressionless, "Yes, it is me". She shook her head, trying to get up and asking "΅Was it you who attacked them?". He nodded. In her eyes he could see a subtle fear towards him. His arm steadied her and noticed that her face was pale and dirty of the fall, while she was trying to avoid his touch. She was feeling inconveniently, but finally, keeping her face and distance, said:

Iris: Your Majesty, thank you, for saving my stuff.

He was standing before her, much taller and threatening.

Oren (unable to restrain himself): Your s-t-u-f-f?! Not for saving your life or your dignity?

Iris (frowning and shaking her hand): Alright, alright... for all of them! Anyway, usually in my land there are not many criminals, only thieves... although these two had swords... Mm...but... really... what are you doing in our kingdom all alone, without your soldiers to protect you?

He opened his eyes widely being unable to believe in his ears. He could not bear this absolute lack of logic in her question.

Oren (raising his eyebrows): It is me who must ask you what you are doing in this remote deep forest all alone and, as far as I remember, you have not the ability to fight, your body is too weak for this, while I am capable enough to protect myself. Here I am not the emperor, but only a simple citizen unknown to anybody, as you see. If I were not here, what would have happened to you?... Anyway... are you well?

Iris sighed, giving him a hesitant stare. In the end, with her cheeks turned pink due to her stress and trying to find the courage to utter the words, said very reluctantly:

Iris: Emperor, I... I beg you not... not to reveal to anybody what has happened today, because my grandmother will learn it. She will be frightened and I don't want to make her worry. If it was not for my grandmother, I would have never-never asked such a... shameful favor!.... (He was about to burst into laughter, hearing her words and seeing her childish attitude, but he tried to restrain his expression). It is the first time I did such a thing and only because I wanted to feel free from my status, but I was unlucky. Anyway, I dared to do it, because for many years now I had never met anybody here. In fact, I am a very capable rider, but my horse was loaded down and it could not gallop as quickly and freely as needed. That's all. Being the queen is something awful sometimes. I thank you again. I must... greet you now.