The Secret of Moonacre - SECRECY

Chapter Two

The forest was beautiful in the Spring. Blossom trees flourished and the trees thick with vegetation. One could not believe it was once a dark and cursed place, where no one dare to set foot to appreciate its beauty. At least until now. 

I rode through the outside of the forest, scanning the trees carefully. It wasn't unusual to find company in the trees, or nestled into tree roots and ditches. 

A loud thump onto the forest floor startled Periwinkle, who skipped a step. My heart raced a little for I wasn't exactly sure what it was. The forest still wasn't safe, and was still to be avoided at dangerous times, for the loose ruffians were about. The curse hadn't cured all, for a handful of knights of the De Noir's still wanted to rule over the valley. I, and many villagers remained targets for these ruffians, to use as blackmail for the De Noir's and Merryweather's. 

I remained frozen still in the saddle to wait upon the next move.

"I didn't realise you were still old enough to play sleeping lions."

I let out a breath as I heard that familiar sarcastic tone. I turned Periwinkle. "I didn't realise you didn't get the message to stop frightening the life out of me, Robin."

"I sincerely apologise, Princess." Robin mocked my accent, before winking at me. 

My heart skipped a beat and I hid my face in embarrassment, not that he could tell anyway.

"So," Robin began, "Where is the stranded puppy today?"

I laughed. "You mock me Robin, but I made somebody smile that day." I steadied Periwinkle as she was eager to proceed. "I'm running an errand for Uncle Benjamin. He's busy today."

He nodded. "Well, lead the way, Princess." I need not ask him to acompany me. As I was fairly incapable of being alert for all seconds of the day, it was good to have some back up in case I do find myself in a tricky situation, which wouldn't be unusual. And on the days where I wasn't studying with Ms Heliotrope or out frolicking in the village or galloping through fields, I was helping Robin to study, teaching him to read and write and learn some valuable skills. It was building a strong relationship between us both, we were no longer weary.

Robin held out his needle scarred hand to help me down off Periwinkle. I don't think I ever stopped apologising for that incident.

He was eyeing up the saddle bag as we made our way through the treacherous forest. "What is this errand? Anything of importance?"

I shook my head. "All I know is that it must be delivered without hesitation. Obviously, I have failed on that already."

Robin nodded his head. "And that's not because it's food?" He cheekily smiled.

I grinned. "That was a one time thing Robin. The guilt I felt afterwards is a feeling I never want to feel again." I replied, reminissing on the time I was required to deliver a hamper as a thank you. Robin and I were so hungry we could not help ourselves. We had to give the poor recipients a bunch of hand picked flowers instead. It was a memory I would never forget.

We were lost deep in thought for a while until Robin stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes anxiously scanned the trees.

"Robin?" I questioned him.

He hushed me and I screwed my face up. "Don't you shush me-"

"Don't you hear that?" He whispered, cutting me off.

I listened for a moment, but I couldn't hear a leaf fall. "Hear-" I cut off mid sentence. I turned and looked behind me as the bushes rustled and four darkly dressed figures emerged. They were cackling to one another, looking us up and down as if we were game. 

Robin instinctively placed himself in front of me as the taller of the group took a step forward. "Well, well," he laughed. "Nice to see some familiar faces in these parts." We knew this bandit well, for we had run ins fairly frequently with him. He wasn't much older than us, and was very naive. He was led on by Dulac, the head knight, who had effectively brainwashed many of the younger recruits. He had distinct white hair, you couldn't miss him amongst the darkness of the forest.

"Alex," Robin said through his teeth. "Back off, let us get on with our day."

"What's in the bag?" He asked, eyeing up the bag on Periwinkle. I was unsure as to why he had an interest in the bag. Nothing I would carry would be valuable to them.

I took a deep breath as I attempted to calm my heart in order to speak. "If you must know, it's a gift for Ms Heliotrope. Needles, yarn, all useless bits to you."

"Don't lie to me, Princess. I know that box is there." Alex threatened. I didn't even know there was a box there, so how Alex did baffled me. Was this all planned?

Robin turned over his shoulder. "Deliver your errand. I'll find you." Robin whispered hurriedly. He grabbed me and threw me onto Periwinkle, who bolted faster than lightening.

"NO! Grab the little witch you blithering fools!" I heard Alex roar. Two other bandits flew out of the bushes after me. They didn't even make it halfway through the field until they stopped running after me.

I urged Periwinkle on until we reached the outskirts of Silverydew. The ruffians didn't dare go into the village as they know they will be caught and locked up for vandilism. I slowed to a canter and then a trot and hurried all the way to the back streets glancing behind me every so often to make sure I wasn't being followed.

It wasn't long until I saw the distinctive little wooden house at the end of the path. Who knew if the recipient was even going to know who I was, let alone accept this token. Then what would happen?