Pale Horse Adventure

Minerva, wild-eyed, greets her, "Good, you're here. I'd be scared to do this alone."

"Do What?"

"You'll see. Hurry!"

"Oh."

"Yes, 'Oh.' Merlin told me."

Taking in the terrible scene, Cleodie asks, "Merlin? He's eight hundred years old and locked in that cave."

"A scrying orb."

"Oh."

"You, there!" Minerva calls out. "Stop that."

He turns and sneers at the young women.

"Cleodie, you calm the horse. I'll take care of him."

"There, now. See?"

Holding her lariat close, Minerva twists in her saddle. She looks back at the miscreant.

"Lord Richard will deal with you, you... Just you wait!"

Two miles on, the rogue complains. "It's clouding over. You girls better gallop home before it rains. I'll take care of myself."

Minerva glances back. "You wish!"

"Okay, Red! You asked for it!"

"Let go of her, you fiend!"

"Cleodie, stop him!"

"Oh-h."

The saddled horses run off.

"M-mmph!"

"Oo-ooh!"

"Min! He's too strong!"

"Get away from her, you, you... Get off!."

"But, but..."

"Shut your mouth!"

The rogue holds out Cleodie's ribbon.

"See this? I'm taking it as ransom. Next time I'm taking more!"

Left alone in the open field, Cleodie tests the wrap. "These are pretty tight, Min. Does leather shrink if it rains?"

"Don't talk rain - What do you think he meant about taking 'more' next time?" "He's all man. Have to give him that - He kissed me."

"On the lips?"

Color rises. "Uh. No, not the lips."

"Oh Cleodie!"

"At least our new friend didn't desert us."

"Min, he's got it! We're free!"

Starting the walk, Minerva glances at Cleodie. "What do we tell Lord Richard? Our horses have probably reached the stables by now."

"We'll say we tried to stop a monster. He was one, you know."

"His Lordship won't buy that. And you better lose that glow."

"How? I've never been kissed like that."