Flora and I raced in opposite directions hoping to trick the royal guard, they couldn't be allowed to retrieve the egg. I could hear the thunder of hooves behind me slowly catching up, they had the fastest horses in the kingdom there was no way I could ever outrun them. Straight ahead I saw the start of a dense forest and quickly formulated a plan. Arrows had started to whiz by my head, one wrong move and I was done for. Leaping off of Silvermane's back I slapped her flank hard sending her down the path, she wouldn't be able to move much in the forest. I started running in between the trees clutching the egg to my chest, sweat dripped down my back. I could scarcely breath. Then a sharp, crippling pain ripped through my shoulder an arrow had found its mark. I stumbled, my vision becoming blurry from the sheer pain. Using the trees to pull myself along, I decided to hide the egg I couldn't continue much longer. I stashed it in a nearby Bush and covered it with dry leaves then stumbled as far away from it as I could. My vision went dark as I fell to the ground, no longer able to move. I felt the blunt force of a boot flipping me over every movement sending pain rippling through my shoulder.

"..She doesn't have it."

"What do we do with her?"

I felt like I was being lifted somewhere, that was impossible I was in the middle of no where. I decided it was my mind giving into delirium as my body was dying. I no longer felt cold something cool was draped on my forehead and I could hear voices, they were fuzzy I couldn't make out what was being said. It felt like an eternity but soon enough I was able to meekly open my eyes. When I glanced around I found I was inside a cabin of sorts instead of on the forest floor. I was confused, what had happened? Why am I not dead?

A woman sat next to me,

"Easy there..." She placed a cloth on my forehead.

"Where am I?"

"You're safe. Here drink some water."

I took a long sip before blacking out once again, the next few days I slipped in and out of consciousness. The voices appeared many times all I could tell was it was a man and a woman talking. Every so often I could feel warm liquid being brought to my lips, I instinctively took a sip whenever offered. The liquid tasted salty, but good.

Today I felt strong enough to sit, I touched my shoulder and winced at the pain. The arrow was gone and in its place some bandages. I looked around and saw how homely this cottage was, whoever lived here lived a simple life. Looking down I saw I was dressed in a cotton nightgown, Who had changed my clothes? The front door started to open and I rushed to pull the blanket up to cover myself, causing more pain to erupt in my shoulder.

"Careful honey, you'll hurt yourself." A portly woman walked in with a basket of dried vegetables.

"Who are you? Where am I?" I asked

"My name is Norma, and you're here In my home. It's a good thing we found you when we did."

"How did you find me?"

"You've got a very smart horse ya know."

"Silvermane! Is she alright??"

"Oh, shes a lot better than you dearie." She laughed in response, " The boys have been taking good care of her."

"Thank you for taking us in."

"I wasn't about to let you die out there. " Her hands were placed on her hips protectively.

" Now you rest up, I'll introduce you to everyone when you've gotten your strength up. " And with that she left the cabin. Once again I was alone, I hope Flora was doing better than I.