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

Chapter 3

Princess Loaisa unknowingly took a nap inside the box. She was smart enough to put the silk fabric on the lid so as not to suffocate herself since she did not know how long the trip would take. Her short nap was disturbed by a sudden stir as the ship turned into a halt. She was only about to open the box when it slightly opened as one of the men put the silk she hangs on the top back inside. She muffled her own surprise on his palm.

The box moved. Leaning down was the best thing she could. Moving could only add to the weight of the box, and she couldn’t risk anyone knowing of her presence here now. After putting the box down, she waited for their retreating steps first before daring to peek from the box. Carefully, she stepped out of her hiding.

The first thing she noticed was the number of men. Not everyone from the dock went with the ship for the shipment. Only a few of them are here, plus the first two men she saw in the woods. One of the boxes is a long necklace that uses a handful of a compass as a pendant. She gently reached out for it, clenched the compass around her hand, and slowly took off her bangle that is made of pure gold as a replacement for the compass.

However, despite her carefulness, the head of the men saw her. He shouted indistinct towards her, enough to alert anyone of her presence.

“A fairy!” he added and pointed to her.

The men halted, bewildered at what to do. Without wasting any moment, and without letting herself get caught, she ran away from them. She has never been to Mercia, but if the Merchants are already unloading, they must be here.

The air still tasted like Northumbria. Nothing seems different but her silly eagerness at finally being somewhere but Northumbria. The merchants are not the vagabonds the palace guards are looking for. She could only pray now they found Miguel and Magellan.

She headed for the woods. But unlike in the southeast Northumbrian forest surrounded by Molave trees. This must be the Siquijor Forest, Princess Loaisa believed as she remembered the book of tales of Agartha.

In front of them is the curved asphalt road surrounded by trees. Almost like soldiers in the palace standing in line on the sides to salute the royal family and their visitors. Standing in the middle is about four calessas, waiting for the cargos to ship in the center of East Anglia.

“That’s a thief!”

She had to run past after their employer shouted that. Footsteps trailed after her and to the mouth of the forest.

But she can’t take that away if she doesn’t want them to catch her. She headed for the forest in hopes to lose the men running after them. And they did.

From a distance, their manager shouted for them to come back for they had lots to deliver. And something about should not be on the way before the sun sets. Princess Loaisa believed the man also found the bangles she put in exchange for the compass.

Knowing that no one’s running after her anymore, she sauntered into the forest with the help of the compass. She’s already in East Anglia, she might as well use the opportunity to see the hometown of her mother Queen, the Kent. But before she reached that, she had to walk past Essex. She has to make sure to keep on her tracks and avoid unknowingly entering the border of Wessex on the right, which is the home of the Werewolves.

She has to make sure to stay away from it then.

Looking down at the compass, she realized she’s in Sussex. And Sussex is the home of the rogues. She learned about rogues well enough that the thought of stepping farther inside it sent chills down her back. But there’s no other way to reach Kent but here. Entering Wessex might cause lots of trouble for her.

“But it’s daylight,” she whispered to herself and looked up to watch the bright sunlight glimmering above her and the trees. According to tales, other entities living in Agartha usually are active at night. The daytime is their resting time, unlike in humans.

Or that’s only for the Vampires?

She frowned, not sure now about it.

If there’s one thing she fears the most about other beings, it’s the vampires. The thought of them sucking the blood out of her terrified her. She also used to scare wolves. But ever since she heard their tales from her sister Princess Liliana, someone, it lessened her fear.

In fact, no matter how odd and ridiculous it is, the thought of encountering wolves right now excites her. She knew it was stupid of her to think that way, knowing how rogues see humans but prey. She quickened her pace, hoping not to stay in the forest before the sunset like the merchants.

She should be at ease right now. If it’s this easy roaming around here, the trapped human shouldn’t have stayed in the South for too long. She should not take the silence and harmless ambiance for granted. She should, in fact, be grateful for it.

As if someone above watching her noticed how she had relaxed at the silence, a noise came from behind her. She halted to make sure it was not her shoes against the dried leaves. The birds continued to chirp from the trees. She glanced over her shoulders and in front of her, coming from downside, a wind blew, making her hair fly across her face. She quickly fixed them as she scanned the place; her hand reaching behind her for the arrow, her right hand was clenching on the bow.

Princess Loaisa had learned archery since she was young, and countless training made her perfect most of her shooting skills. But they all took place in the palace, where the soldiers joined there to make her training be more lively and so she won’t whine about doing a competition outside the Malacañan Palace.

She had never tried it in the woods, and definitely not in the Siquijor Forest of East Anglia.

But as she continued to look around her, there was nothing suspicious. It’s probably just all on her. She continued her way, following the compass as it led her to Kent. There was no signage or barricade to stand as borders. But when it went past lunch and then the scorching heat of the afternoon sun followed, she knew she was coming close to her destination. She was almost running to make sure to leave Essex before dawn.

But she came into an abrupt halt when an enormous animal appeared on her way. It seemed to be running around but halted in the middle when it noticed the princess’s presence wandering alone. It was bigger than Magellan. But full of furs. Black thick furs and smooth-looking, she guessed, if she were to touch it. But the growling animal didn't seem to like the idea.

It’s a wolf, she confirmed as she scrutinized the animal. A rogue! Her mind screams at her. She’s in Essex, so it was only natural to see one around. But it’s still daylight. So the tales of them nowhere in sight in the daylight weren’t true. Perhaps it only applies to vampires.

Right, it’s only the vampires. Wolves are active days and nights.

But they looked so much like ordinary dogs. The Aspin, as what the Agarthans, especially the people in Northumbria, called the Agarthans native dogs. They are smarter, playful, friendly, and independent: built in a medium size and covered in a shirt and simple coat for dogs in varying colors of black, white, spotted, and brown.

And although this wolf in front of Princess Loaisa looked so much like them, if not for the thick furs, it didn’t seem friendly enough. But it fascinated her to see such a creature. Finally. Her eyes shone to show her delight. But when it made small steps towards her, her fascination vanished.

She took a blind step back, making her stumble down as her feet caught up to the tangled grasses beneath her. The animal continued to walk closer to her. Rogues were known to kill their prey. They were said to be an outcast of their clan. There were many reasons as to why they have become rogues, but most of the tales her sister Princess Liliana told her were sad stories. That was after she pleaded with her to tell her stories about werewolves.

But as rogues, they tend to be destructive and dangerous. They no longer follow the rules. Most of them believed they had forgotten the kind of lives they had before they turned into a rogue. The longer it has been since they turned, the more dangerous they are. They pounced on their victim for food without thinking; without hesitation.

But this one seems to be scrutinizing her. Its head moved on the side as it narrowed its eyes on her. The wolf was curious. Princess Loaisa could not tell why.

All she knew was she was going to be its food, and that she couldn’t stay here before dawn.

When the animal darted its huge tongue, she remembered the food she planned to give to the old man. She was starving herself but thinking of taking the treats after she walked past Essex. But now the food has to serve a greater purpose.

She let go of the arrow, and the wolf stopped from taking a step. Princess Loaisa concluded it has not been long since this one became a rogue or it would have pounced on her already. Slowly, and so as not to threaten it, Princess Loaisa showed her bag to let it see what she was doing. She kept her eyes on the wolf as her hands searched for the plastic containing the food.

It worked for the untamed Aspin in Northumbria. It’s ridiculous to treat rogues as Aspin, but she knew she should try her luck. The moment she brought out the plastic, the aroma of the meat went to her nostrils. The animal sensed it, too. It darted its tongue again. Once again, he looked ready to attack; to get to the salivating smell of meat.

Without hesitation, Princess Loaisa took the meat and bread from the plastic and threw it to the animal, who looked hesitant at first but as he took the first lick on it, quickly devoured both of them. It surprised Princess Loaisa because frankly; she wished for it to take it, but she was not expecting it to accept the food if it could simply just take her in flesh.

But the piece of food was obviously not enough for such a huge animal. It lifted its head to the princess and stopped forward. But a yell from somewhere made it jerked. A howl resounded from its throat before it ran past her as if being chased by the devil.

Princess Loaisa was as startled as the animal. She gasped when she caught sight of the arrow pierced through its body. But it had already sped away and was gone before her eyes. Princess Loaisa had to step back as another wolf, gray furs this time, came running past her to follow the first one.

Three people came forward to chase the animal. All gripping an eight gun bow revolver like it held their dear lives. Or they probably did. It also stood as a powerful weapon against the rogue who was clearly running for their lives.

The three men stopped in front of her, gasping for air. Their eyes followed the animals until they disappeared as they contemplated whether to run for it or stare at the princess. Of course, they did not know she’s one of the royal princesses. But her mere presence in the woods was enough to catch their attention. Especially that these hunters have never met a human, a young lady at that, that is not a member of their clan for so long as they could remember.