There once was a lady named Diana. She was slender, fair-skinned with hair and eyes as dark as obsidian. She was young, pretty and by all accounts rich. Except she was no longer in favor of her family. Everyone in town loved a good scandal and it would seem that scandal followed her like a second shadow. Lady Diana was no longer honorable. The question was why. Every person in town attempted to guess why. An affair, or a murder!
How excited they sound about that last part. He thinks darkly.
Perhaps she was the result of an affair or produced an illegitimate offspring of her own. Cruel imaginations abounded.
Orion’s curiosity was peaked but he would not let himself be dragged in. A rich stranger's sordid past wasn’t his concern. What did concern him was seeing this stranger walking down the path that leads to his private garden. He’d spent years creating a private haven for himself, somewhere serene and most importantly, isolated. He did not want to share it with anyone. Especially not her.
Strangers brought with their excitement and danger, two things Orion didn’t want. It trailed after her like a bad stench, already Orion could see some young folks in town trying to follow her. Young women and men were curious about this lady. Another thing that bothered Orion. The rich men in town were always possessive of those they called their property. That especially included ‘their’ women. Even in disgrace, Diana still belonged to somebody, which means that should a fool in town try to start a dalliance with her, then the danger would follow.
Even more so for her.
Rich men trying to control everyone. That’s how the trials started.
Yet as the days passed Diana would continue to walk through the forest and evaded anyone following her. She climbed trees, sometimes all the way to the top. Other times she burrowed into the trees so that she’d be buried underneath green and dirt. She’d pick flowers along the path, weaving them into her hair, in crowns, and within her braids. She tossed crumbs and seeds to the birds, the crows were especially happy. That gave Orion pause. Crows were wise creatures, good judges of character. Perhaps they believed she was worth trusting and Orion thought maybe so should he.
Yet still, he decided it was better to err on the side of caution. Orion always stood out of sight, hoping she’d get bored of walking. No such luck, with the obvious enjoyment she got from running away and hiding. Then the very worse happened: she had found his secret sanctuary. The crows had led her right to it.
Traitors, he thinks sourly. Backstabbers!
No more safe place to hide them. Before he could mourn the loss of his private sanctuary, the crows started clawing loudly. Then, out of nowhere, Diana crashed into him. The force sent them both to the ground. She’d been running, hard and fast, from what or whom he couldn’t see. She was like a doe caught in a trap. He knew better than to get involved. But could not do anything.
“Do you…need to hide?” He asked. A man’s voice could be heard from the distance, getting closer. She was clearly desperate, for she nodded at him, a virtual stranger, and took his outstretched hand. They ran to the glen, hidden behind the trees. Orion muttered a spell of protection, a spell of hiding, a spell to confuse Diana’s pursuer somewhere that was anywhere than here.
There were a hundred different spells but Orion couldn’t bring himself to use them. Not in front of Diana who could turn on him as easily as the townsfolk turned on his neighbors. Not in front of a very angry and dangerous man. But he knew these woods as well as he knew himself. He’d save them both. At last, the glen was in sight. The trees had heard him, and so had the wind.
Branches twisting, leaves blowing around them like a curtain, hiding them from sight. They ducked into empty badgers held underneath a hawthorn tree, Their pursuer let out a string of profanities. He cursed out Diana, screaming at her. One look at her face and Orion could feel the fear radiating off of her in waves. This man, whoever he was, was clearly dangerous. Orion did not recognize him from town, clearly, Diana did.
Enough time passed, and they felt safe enough to leave their hiding place. She’d been crying, her whole body shivering with fright. Orion was also shaking. He was reminded of an event in his childhood, during the trial, when old farmer Thatcher chased Orion and his father off the hunting trail. He’d never done them harm before, was if not kind then at least tolerant. The trials changed that. It was then his family forbade him from ever leaving the house, too scared that Thatcher or someone else would hit his target should he see them next time.
Hesitantly, he put a gentle hand on her shoulder. He was surprised at how small and knobby it was. She flinched, Orion removing his hand away immediately. The last thing he wanted was to cause her more distress. Much less be the source of it. He did have questions and wondered how to broach the subject without sounding too inappropriate.
“Thank you.” Her voice was tiny, scared.
Orion couldn’t think of the right thing to say.
“Do you want me to take you home?” He asked.
Diana’s expression quickly turned desperate. “No!” She cried.
Orion held up his hands, backing away. “I won’t!” He promised.
Poor Diana was crying now, clearly, she’d been scared out of her wits. What bothered Orion was that strange man. Who was he? Reluctant to ask and cause her more distress, Orion could only stand awkwardly beside her, at a loss of what he could do.
“That man, did you know him?” It felt wrong for him to ask. But he needed to know, it was always best to know who one’s enemies were.
Diana’s voice was hard when she answered. “My brother.”
Orion couldn’t have hidden his shock even if he tried. That man chasing them looked as if he wanted to cause her very real harm! What kind of brother would do such a thing? Diana needed someplace safe to stay. Someplace her brother couldn’t find her. It was all well and good here but certainly, she much has felt exposed. Among the camellia and cypress trees, he asked if she would like to come to his family's cottage. To both their surprise, Diana’s answer was “yes”.
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