Fire and Ice
Chapter One - An Unwelcome Visitor
© Cederwyn Whitefurr
July, 2003.
All Rights Reserved.

Jessica wiped a hoof-paw across her brow and pushed back the old, faded scarf she wore, as she hefted the old, cracked handle of the woodcutters axe and with one smooth stroke, brought it down, the pitted head of the axe splitting the log.

Groaning, the young Whitetail Doe retrieved the split log and placed a part of it on the chopping block, then sighed and raised the axe again. A Doe's work was never done..

Jessica was an anthropomorphic Whitetail deer, dressed in a loose, well patched gown, that had the look of once being a thing of beauty, surely, a gown that only one of nobility would have been able to afford, yet years had taken away the luster and vibrant colours, leaving the once majestic gown torn, ragged and well-faded. Its long, billowing sleeves had been torn away, and the ruffle at the neckline had likewise been ripped off and long since discarded. Now, it was faded, patched with differing pieces of cloth, and its hem was threadbare with long tears along it.

Her fur was a soft, pale brown down the back of her neck and back, with a grayish/white from the underside of her chin, down her throat, and barely visibly through a slit in the front of her ragged gown, down the inner thighs and ankles. Her wide set eyes were red-rimmed from the sweat that trickled down into them, and her ears lay folded back against the back of her neck, as she hefted the heavy axe once again, then breathed out and swung it down onto the log.

With a splitting crack, the log broke apart and she paused, gasping and stretching, her spine crackling as she stood uipright. Kneeling, she began to pick up the split logs, then hear ears perked up and flicked to and fro, as she heard a distant sound that was not a natural part of her deep forest home. Blinking her wide-set, deep brown eyes, she lifted her head up to the trees and her ears flicked again, this time the raucous caw of a raven told her more in that short, abrupt cry, than she wished to know. Putting down her axe, she hurriedly gathered what she could and fled back into her small
stone and earthen cottage. Quickly, she looked around at her meager possessions, then frowned and reached up above the door and retrieved an ancient sword, which hissed from its scabbard. Holding it in both paws, the Doe walked back outside, her face set in determination to defend her home from this intruder, should he be hostile.

Experience had long taught her to be wary of strangers, and she was determined not to give up her home or her life, cheaply.

*

From down the dim, sun-dappled forest trail, came the clip-clop of a strong, powerful horse, its hoof beats thudding down against the forest loam. As it hove into view, it was revealed to be a large breed of horse, its head, neck, chest and rump barded in heavy plate armor, an ornate surcoat covering it down to the knees. Astride the war-mount, sat a human man, dressed in gleaming full plate armor, a large kite shield with a rearing unicorn emblem on its front, a large, heavy lance replete with pennant flapping in the thin breeze that swirled and eddied through the trees.

He was a man, a male Knight, Sir Kathis, Knight Errant and Dragon Slayer. Over a dozen dragons had met their fates at his hand; he had the skull's hung outside his castle to show for it. Across the kingdom, his reputation and fame were well known. Many a maiden had begged for his hand in marriage, but he had refused them all, as he knew, with each Dragon he went to face, it might very well be the last time. It sent a thrill of adrenaline through him each time, as he closed on his foe to do battle, the niggling doubts in his mind that he might actually fail - and quite possibly - die.

*

Jessica stood her ground, holding her sword in both paws, her arm's twitching as she struggled to heft the heavy blade, yet her sweat ravaged muzzle showed no fear, only a grim determination as the knight advanced, then paused a dozen paces away, his gauntleted hand rising to lift the visor as he peered down from horseback at the Doe who wilted slightly, then as if drawing strength from the very ground, raised the blade threateningly.

"Who are you, who comes unto my forest so armed?" Jessica called out, her voice quavering with the fear that crept into her body.

"Hold your tongue woman!" Snapped the knight. "Who are you, who dares to draw steel against me?"

"I answer to no-one, Knight!" Jessica growled. "This be my forest, and I be its protector and guardian. Now, who gives you the right to intrude on this forest, trampling through it like a raging Dragon?"

Impatiently, Sir Kathis marched his horse closer, and then stared down at the Doe. "I am Sir Kathis, Knight Errant, and Dragon Slayer. Now, move aside woman, or I'll move you aside."

Defiantly, Jessica moved to stand before the horse, whose ears suddenly flattened and it snorted, tossing its proud head in fear, then pawed at the ground and stepped back away from her.  Blinking, Sir Kathis fought his suddenly panicking mount, barely bringing the powerful warhorse under control.

"A Knight?" Jessica snorted, then wrinkled her nose and spat on the ground before her, then glared up at the Knight. "You have no business here Sir Knight - now, take your pretty little pony and leave my woods, and do not
come back."

Incredulously, Sir Kathis stared down at the Doe, who stared back, her gaze blazing with a surprising strength that he found bewildering. Never in his life, had he met a peasant, who had such strength about them.it was this that intrigued him. Jessica continued to stare, but her scowl slowly faded into a look of apathetic disgust, and she flicked a furtive glance up at the darkening sky.

"Milady - " Began Sir Kathis. "I am a Knight, on the King's business, and I apologize for intruding into your forest.."

"King? King you say?" Jessica snorted and threw back her head, then her laughter pealed forth. "I have no need of your pathetic King here. I care not an ounce of wheat for your King, and I care even less for you Sir Knight! However - you won't make it out of these woods before nightfall, that much I know. The least I can do, is offer you my meager home for the night.."

"Listen to me, you wretch of a stillborn fawn!" Snarled Sir Kathis. "I'll have you not disparage my Lord's good name.."

"No, you listen to me!" Jessica suddenly snarled. "I've lived in this here wood for twenty winters plus, Sir Knight. I know what moves and stirs within its bounds, and even I know it'd be suicide to try and make it from here come nightfall. You are welcome at my table this night, but you must leave, come sunup. Either you accept, or you take that overgrown Shetland of yours, and take your chances."

It matters not to me, except that I'd rather not have your stinking, rotting corpse within the bounds of my woodland home!"

With that, Jessica turned about and stalked back into her cottage, slamming the door behind her. Astride his quivering mount, Sir Kathis blinked in stunned disbelief, then looked around at the growing shadows. Sliding from his saddle, he petted his mount on the neck, and felt the great warhorse trembling, its ears flattening, nostrils flaring and eyes showing the whites as they rolled in their sockets. Shaking his head, he unbuckled the visored helm he wore, then lashed the reins to a small branch and moved into the small, but surprisingly warm cottage. As the door closed, the horse whinnied and reared, then squealed with a long, forlorn cry that echoed off into the forest..

*

Inside the cottage, Sir Kathis stood, looking around at the crude furniture and meager possessions of the young Whitetail, who busied herself with preparing a delicious smelling stew that bubbled in a soot-black cauldron over a small fire.

"I wasn't expecting.guests." Jessica growled quietly, not even bothering to look at the Knight. "So you'll have to settle for yesterday's bread, some goats milk and a wedge of cheese. I don't often get.visitors.out this way."

"With such a warm and welcoming greeting, I can see why not." Sir Kathis replied, as he lowered himself into a rickety looking chair, his armor creaking.

Jessica paused, then glanced back over her shoulder, her eyes narrowing in anger. "If you care not for my hospitality, then you're welcome to walk right back out that door. I didn't invite you into my forest, and I sure don't want you here, but since you are here - then perchance, the least you could do is show a little respect."

Her words struck Sir Kathis like a hammer, and he moved in his seat and for a moment, actually looked chastised, before he cleared his throat and spoke.

"Milady - forgive me and my impudent manners. I meant no disrespect, its just that I've ridden the length and breadth of this Kingdom for many weeks, often without encountering another living person. I offer you my apology, and I swear on my name, that I shall do my utmost to respect your beliefs and shall not intrude on you anymore than I already have."

Pausing, Jessica sighed and her shoulders visibly slumped, before she turned about and looked at the hard packed dirt floor, and furtively looked up at
the Knight, then her eyes dropped again.

"Apology accepted Sir Kathis, and I extend my own - it has been many. many winters, since I had a male in my cottage. My only companion's have been the animals of the wild woods, and my Nanny goat.but she isn't much of a conversationalist."

Jessica flashed him a weak smile, then slowly curtsied and held out her paw to him. Sir Kathis accepted the paw, then raised it to his lips and let his lips tenderly brush her furred hoof-paw. Jessica blushed deeply beneath her fur, and then squeezed his hand. With a startled gasp, Sir Kathis grunted as her grasp nearly broke the bones in his gauntleted hand, and Jessica blinked then hurriedly snatched her hoof-paw back and spun away, busying herself with the cooking stew. Sir Kathis removed his gauntlets, then looked at his left hand, seeing the white indentations of where the chain gauntlet had dug into his flesh.

"That's.some grip you have milady." Sir Kathis acknowledged.

"It comes - from having to cut my own wood and other chores." Jessica responded. "Its been.many winters since I."

A choking sob caught in her throat and she swallowed, and then stirred her stew again, blinking away the salty tears. Sir Kathis blinked, then he rose and placed his hand on Jessica's shoulder comfortingly. Without warning, she snarled and shied away, bursting into tears and fleeing to the small bedroom, whence she slammed the door hard enough to rattle the cracked plates on the rack above the fireplace.

*

Confused and uncertain, Sir Kathis sighed and walked outside, to tend to his loyal companion and mount, his mind whirling and churning with thoughts and feelings he didn't understand.

*

In her bedroom, Jessica threw herself down onto her straw palleted bed and wept bitterly, clutching a mangy wolf-skin stuffed with straw to her chest, as she wept. For more years than she could remember, she had pined for her lost mate, finally, she had resolved her grief and put it behind her.then along comes this Knight, all virtue, goodness and righteousness, everything her own mate had been.

It was as if a icy dagger had been plunged into her heart, all the dark, rotten blood of her grief bubbling and gushing to the surface in a wild, untamed rush of emotions. Emotions she had fought twenty years, to banish and forget.emotions she did not want, not then, and not now.

To Be Continued..