Little Red for Mr. Rydding Hood: The Lost World of Agartha 1

Chapter 2

Princess Loaisa could barely get hold of the lead rope as Magellan continued to blindly gallop his way inside the wood. She was worried about his cries and she couldn’t really blame them. The thunder seems to be following them under the tall trees surrounding them. It would be dangerous for them if the sky decided to let its waters fall down on Earth at this hour and in this place.

“Magellan, please.” She pulled harder on the reins.

Princess Loaisa thought she knew the best of her stallions. But they only have each other through the best of their moments. Never during trying times like this. They only see the sun shines and sets together. They watched the meadow and appreciated the fresh air of Northumbria.

They have never seen the darkness of the woods. Especially the one from the Southeast Agartha. They have never crossed darkness as the rolling thunder overhead ran after them. Both of them were shocked by the different rides they have to experience right now.

She tugged harder on the reins. The tension and fear grew inside her as she panicked. But the panicking tug only aggravated Magellan. Someone, he learned to tune out against the reins, pulling on Princess Loaisa’s hands to relieve the pressure in his mouth. They both rose in the air as Magellan made an abrupt stop.

In the darkness, the crimson cloak was almost invisible. But the princess’ pale skin made her visible and so her untimely fall on the ground. She squealed at the pain surfacing on the back as she hit on the old tree’s old roots crawling on the ground.

Magellan ran away from her and stopped when the tension left him. He stopped to turn around to the princess, before crying out, his legs flying to the air. When he relaxed, he stood there beside a tree. Despite the pain, Princess Loaisa stood on her feet to attend to his stallion. It was her luck that the thunderbolt had stopped, although the lightning kept on striking overhead. But the trees were tall enough and crowded to block them from its blinding lights.

She approached Magellan; her hand resting on her throbbing waist. “Are you okay?” she asked him, and all he did was wiggled his tail. The woods are dark enough for them. But she knew they’re lost in the heart of it. She did not know which direction would lead them back to the opening and to Northumbria. One wrong decision and they might see themselves in the border of the supernatural. And which kind of them, it’s beyond the young princess' knowledge.

She memorized the map of Agartha. But not the old forest. She would have brought a compass with her if she had only known they would face this kind of adventure. Although she always wished for this kind of adventure, she couldn’t help but tremble in fear. In the coldness. In the darkness. With the thought of not being able to find the way home before sunlight. With the thought of worrying her family and the people in the palace. And the thought of meeting unfriendly supernaturals in the woods.

What kept her at ease is the fact that she’s still in Northumbria. As long as…

“You’re wounded!” she exclaimed when she felt thick blood after gently caressing Magellan’s soft fur. She did not have to see it clearly. She knew its blood as the animal groaned when her small hand made contact with the wound.

This was not the first time Princess Loaisa felt blood, and her stallion was injured. But this was definitely the first time they have been alone together. Without the help of the royal veterinarian, or anyone to tell her what to do. Most of the time, she was ordered to go back to her chamber and waited for days before Magellan completely healed up. And after that, she would be careful of him.

Tears unexpectedly rolled down her cheeks. She wiped it and took hold of the rope.

“I must leave you here,” she whispered to him as she tied the rope around the tree beside them. “I’ll find the way out. If I fail, you shouldn’t be somewhere far away. If I succeed, I’ll get you back here. Okay?” She smiled at the darkness.

Facing the direction she remembered they came from, she brought out her small bags. She always has them with them. She uses it to put the bread and chicken she was planning to the old man. This time, she sneaks an expensive wine from the cellar and puts the right amount that would fit in the plastic bag and into her bag. The ribbons for her hair are also there, and her notebook, pen, her comb, her handkerchief, and everything she liked to shove inside it.

She retrieved the ribbons out. She waved at Magellan who was watching her and took three steps toward the direction she was facing but halted at the noise. The voice was indistinct, but she was sure it was a voice... of a human.

But then, she doesn’t know how supernaturals sound like; how they talk like. Do they have distinguished voices from humans?

And again, knowing she’s still in Northumbria, Princess Loaisa didn’t think they were supernatural. She contemplated whether or not to follow the sounds. But what if those were the vagabonds? What if they have Miguel?

The thought of it made her heart leap. She grabbed onto her bow, reached an arrow behind her, and ready herself for an attack. She hissed to Magellan as she walked past him to silence the huge animal. As she walked closer to the noise, their voices became distinct. They’re human.

In every meter she was taking, the young princess was tying her red ribbons on the branches of the trees. At least those that were enough for her reach. If she couldn't reach, she would only wrap them in their roots. To make sure to leave tracks of her for herself, or for anyone who would look for her.

“Aye! Their technologies are more advanced than the ones we have here! I always wonder what life there is.”

“No wonder we no longer recognize pennies these days. Golds are my best friend,” added the other man, the one holding a lamp to light their way. Their voices were slurred, and looking by the way their silhouette unsteadily moved in the darkness, it was easy to assume they were drunk.

It would be such bravery to roam around the woods in drunkenness. But at least they’re not lost, Princess Loaisa thought as she noticed how the two seemed to know exactly where to go. While here she is, still tying ribbons on her path. She hoped they would stop soon before she lost extra ribbons.

“They are our best friends,” his comrade agreed, and they laughed together.

It seems that they only have each other. There’s no sign of panic, or being in a hurry if they’re the ones who took Miguel. Pressing her lips together, Princess Loaisa quickened her pace to keep up with them. Maybe to show herself to them and ask for help; ask them for direction. Or perhaps she has to introduce herself as the princess.

When suddenly, in front of them is light. Not blinding. But enough to let the princess know they reached the opening. Not the one close to the palace, but the one away from it since they have taken the opposite direction.

The first thing she realized was the lights coming from the vessels. It was not half the size of the boat she always sees in the Northumbrian River, but still big enough. Outside the woods is what seems like a small dock. On the side are vessels, which men, about eight or ten in number, are getting up the vessels. They are cargos, but what is inside them…

Merchants!

They are human merchants. At the realization, Princess Loaisa hid herself in the closest cargo boxes. They did not seal most of them. Fruits and vegetables are sticking out from the boxes. Silks, papers. She opened one of the boxes and pulled out an object. It’s made of plastic and metal. The handle was white, and the head is white. And on the bottom of the head is a mirror and…

Her thumb bumped on something against the handle. She pressed it up and lights came out from the head of the object pointed directly at her. It almost blinded her. She quickly turned it off before anyone noticed what’s happening.

And just like that, she was in awe. This must be one of what they trade in Mercia. She realized just now, it’s not a lamp they’re holding earlier, but this thing. Even better than a lamp, as she could hold it around her hand.

“Hurry!” the first man earlier shouted to the men loading the two vessels. “We must reach East Anglia at daybreak.”

East Anglia!

The object slipped off Princess Loaisa’s hand as she was surprised at the mention of the place. The speaking man heard the thud, but it happened the same time three fruits of fresh mangoes fell from the box the two men were carrying. He hissed at them, picked the mangoes, wiped the dirt off it against his bright yellow shirt, and put them back in the box.

She sighed and leaned back on the box next to her.

These are merchants. And they are going to East Anglia. Princess Loaisa knew she had to be home in the morning. But what would happen next? For sure, the King will give her strict orders. Perhaps, she will not be allowed to go back to the fields. The Queens might order the chambermaids not to let her go out of her room as she reflects on her actions.

Princess Liliana was smart enough to be obedient to the Kings and Queens because if there’s one thing she hates the most, it’s being locked up in her room and not being able to share her stories. Princess Loaisa experienced being locked up several times before and that was the time when she was forcing everyone to let her see the outside of Northumbria.

But now, she is given a chance to go out. And this was her choice, she thought, as she remembered what the old man used to say about fate and choices.

Biting her lower lip, she pushed open one of the boxes containing silk fabric. She used the one that is not full. The moment she hopped inside it and covered herself with the fabric, she knew it was her choice. If it’s her choice, it’s her fate. If something bad happens to her, she is not to blame anyone.

She closed her eyes and held her breath when she heard footsteps approaching. They started with the first boxes. The second group of men took care of the last boxes. An internal curse echoed in her head. Why did she choose silk? Now, if the men realized this box gained some weight and checked the inside.

Her hand clamped over her mouth to suppress a gasp. She’s moving. The box is moving! One of the men groaned but did not complain about the weight. He must have someone to help him with the box. It did not take long before they put the box back to the ground. But this time, Princess Loaisa was sure she was inside the ship. Their footsteps made the sound of hitting the wooden floor and the ground outside.

“Aboard!” She heard someone shout, and seconds later, she let go of the air she had been holding. But she couldn’t decide if it’s a sigh of relief… or not.