No stone would be left unturned. Sienna's mother's last words as she had been bundled into the police car, out to join the search for Aria. Sienna herself was too young to go on an official police mission, but she had her own plans to carry out. No sooner had the police car vanished around the corner, than she sprinted round the back of the house to the rustic old stable block. It was time to carry out her plan.
Aria picked at the meagre portion of bread and cheese, laid on the bare forest floor. Her stomach turned as she envisioned swallowing it, and pushed the plate away with a sigh.
"Not hungry, are we? You soon will be after breaking rocks for nine hours a day," smirked the huge, twisted woman, as she entered the forest shelter. The Mountain Queen is said to be evil and cruel, but surely even she wouldn't make a child work for 9 hours a day with that little food. She'll starve me before the week's end, thought Aria anxiously. "Ah, you don't believe I'll carry out my word, do you, Miss Smartypants? Well let me tell you, I've had a child every four years since 1842, and they all do the same work on the same amount of food and rest. SO YOU CAN TOO," shrieked The Mountain Queen. Aria flinched nervously and stumbled to her feet. She shuffled out of the room, head bowed. Anything to get away from that woman. So she began to run...
Sienna reached the stable block and leant over, gasping and clutching at a ferocious stitch in her side. She jogged down the aisle, searching for the familiar jet black face of her horse, Inky. He was a glossy black pure Thoroughbred, with a calm, gentle, easygoing nature that Sienna loved. They were inseperable, soul mates and confidantes. And that was why Inky was the only animal she trusted enough to help guide her on this mission, to find her sister, before it was too late....
Aria sprinted away from the cave, head down against the bitter wind. Just a bit faster and she would reach the safety of a nearby alcove, where she would hide out until her chance of escape presented itself to her. The Mountain Queen was still in the old cave, talking to a visitor. If Aria could somehow get away, hide, and then escape when possible, she would be able to find her way home again. The alcove was getting nearer, and finally Aria launched herself in, breathing heavily. She collapsed on the ground, and glanced around at her surroundings. A shadow in the corner caught her eye, and she whipped round. There, crouching in a ball, was the tear stricken, dirty face of a young girl.....
Sienna urged Inky into a strong gallop as she reached the moors. They galloped steadily together as one, their bond clear as Sienna warned Inky of pace changing, or tricky obstacles ahead. And likewise Inky tried his heart out for his rider, straining and gathering all of his energy reserves. He would do anything for the girl he loved, even if it meant putting himself in danger. The pair slowed to a canter as they weaved their way in and out of the sparse woodland dotting the moorland hills. Sienna had no clue where Aria had been taken, but she trusted Inky's animal instinct and let him lead her onwards.
