“I want one!” So wailed Merrial, only daughter of the local rular. “Why can’t you get me one?”

The huntsman looked at her with exasperation. Even if she was only twelve, she should be aware of a lot of basic things about their homeland. Even though it had only recently become their homeland.

“We don’t catch them. We don’t hunt them at all.” He looked at his lord, the girl’s father, who stared back blandly. Perhaps he was tired of trying to convince the girl—spoiled brat that she was—of this simple fact and was dumping the problem on the huntsman. Who was well known and very good at what the did.

“Sir,” said the huntsman with a sigh, “It really is impossible to do what the princess wants. I’ve never even seen one of those light spirits. For all I know, they are simply a myth.” He knew they were not.

So, unfortunately, did the princess. “They are not. They are not. My great aunt had a necklace with one. It went out when she died. But while it was alight, it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw in my life and I want one.” She burst into tears.

Even her doting father had reached his limit. “Enough, Merrial,” he said wearily. “Your mother left you lots of jewels. When you are eighteen, you can have them.”

Her tears turned to howls.  But they aren’t alive. They don’t have  the lights”. She stamped her foot and ran from the room.

 Her father shook his head. “Sorry. I told her she could ask you. Sorry about the tantrum.”

The huntsman shrugged. He hadn’t enjoyed the episode, but had to admit it wasn’t as bad as facing a charging wild boar. “Maybe she’ll grow out of the notion someday.”

“We can hope,” said the lord glumly. “Well, I supposed you will be on your way, now?”

“I’d best be. There is word of a bear threatening Hupsteer village, and a great cat seems to be menacing Rolling Hill. Isuppose you’ll want some meat for your kitchen, also.”

“Certainly, we’d be most grateful. But not, I think, bear or great cat, if you don’t mind.”

“I believe I can find something more appetizing. The pelts of the others might be useful, though?.”

“Indeed.” He nodded to the huntsman who bowed and left.

Shortly thereafter, he left the building. Alone, for he traveled fastest that way. He was ahorse, for neither of his destinations was nearby, thought he’d have to find a safe place  to leave his horse when he went after the feline. The day was fine, and he was glad to be back in his proper surroundings.

It wasn’t until many hours later that he realized there was someone following him. His horse was very intelligent and well trained and understood perfectly it was supposed to continue without him, making sounds as if he was still riding. And the huntsman waited, concealed.

He was not totally surprised to see it was the princess, on a pony, following him. He considered letting her continue trailing his horse until she realized she’d been deceived, but that seemed rather cruel to his horse. So he stepped out of the forest’s edge and stood in front of her.

She pulled up and stared at him. “Well, I’m here. What are you going to do about it.”

He hadn’t yet decided. And then he did. “Well, you can go after the bear. Kill it while I’m looking for the big cat.. Here . . “ He pulled one of the spears out of the leather loop on his back. “That should do it.”

She stared at it, making no move to take it. “What’s that for?”

“To kill the bear, of course.”

“I don’t know how.”

“Then what are you doing out here?”

“I’m following you. Until you lead me to a light spirit.”

“That is a remarkable piece of ignorance. One doesn’t find light spirits. They find you. when you are worthy of it.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s true.”

“What made my great aunt so worthy, then. She was just a silly old woman.”

“She was old and weary when you knew her. But she was never silly.

The princess glowered at him. He shook his head, “More ignorance. You don’t know about her leading us to this land?”

“That’s just a story.”

{To be continued.}