Fire and Ice

Dust Cloud

"Thank you for coming out and riding with me Princess." Norman said as we slowly road down a garden pass.

"No, thank you! I've been meaning to get some riding in."

He smiled and we went quiet for a minute.
You could hear the wind pass through the trees as we passed them. Snow began to lightly fall as we went on.

"Oh and Norman, you can just call me 'Nashi'. You don't have to address me as Princess." I said riding up next to him.

"Ok. . . Nashi."

I smiled at him, I think the last time he has said my name with no title was when we were young and adventurous. I loved those days.

My mind then wondered to other things as we passed down this peaceful path. I was reminded of Iona and that it was still Nash's horse. Maybe I should have asked him to ride her. But it was to late for that.

I looked around at the beautiful landscape we were traveling on I look at Norman who was a little ahead of me. It was almost like he felt my gaze because he turned around and we locked eyes.

He instantly became red and turned around while I smiled and giggle a bit. I looked at a trail ahead of us, we seemed to be heading towards a playing field of some sorts.

"What's that place up ahead?" I asked pointing at the strangle field.

Norman looked in the direction I was pointing and answered,

"Oh I believe that's a playing field. It can be used for anything from outside dinner parties to sports."

"Oh ok." I said riding up to Norman's side.

As we got to the field I looked out. It was a nice kept field with it's freshly cut grass. Snow rested between the small green blades as few rested on the top.  It was your ideal royal garden field I guess but had something strange set up in the middle of it.

I rode Iona out a few feet into the field. Looking at the strange structures in the center of the field. Norman soon joined stopping right at my side.

"What are those things?" I asked, looking at the different posted wooden object.

"Oh I guess they have a horse riding target stands put up." Norman told me, looking at the strangle structures as well.

In the field, like Norman said, was some kind of target practice stands were put up.
Several different structures stood, posted in the ground. They varied from targets on posts to hay stuffed dummies.

"I kinda want to try it out." I said easing Iona forward until something caught my attention.

In the distance I could hear the thundering of many huffs. I turn to see a dirt cloud nearing as I looked down the side dirt entrance path.

"Who's that?" I said turning my attention from the cloud to Norman.

"I'm not sure." He said doing the same as me; looking away from the cloud.

As the dust cloud came closer I could make out men on horse back.

"Soldiers." Norman says from behind me.

He was right. As the men passed I could see that they were wearing Royal uniforms for the Ice Kingdom's soldiers.

"Where were all they?" I asked to the air, not expecting an answer.

We stayed there and watched as they all passed, hurrying on their way to the castle. Well that was. . . except for one.

One mysterious looking man stopped in the road motionless on the back of a large black horse. He had clearly came from the hurrying group from previous because of the dirt and snow that settled on him from the dust cloud.

The man wore a long black cloak with a hood that made his face not visible. I watched as he then moved closer to the field, making his way until he got to a position near the beginning of the horse riding target practice.

Who is he. . . and what is he doing?