Princess Rosanna 3

“It isn't safe for a pretty thing like you to be out here.”

The man scratched his beard and spit on the ground, disgusting Rosanna.

“you best be coming with me, some men here in this camp have not seen a lady for far too long and I am sure that it would be a little hard for them to remember how to treat one.”

Rosanna would have rather mounted back up on her horse and continued to ride. That is exactly what she would have done had the old man not grabbed hold of her horse’s reigns and started down the hill. He may not be trustworthy, she thought, but at least he might have some food and a place for her to sleep for the night.

 As they neared the mine, Rosanna pulled her cloak tightly about her but her fancy dress still peeked out from beneath it, which did not go unnoticed by the men of the camp; she could hear them whispering as she passed.

Finally they reached a shack building and Rosanna slipped inside, relieved that she would not have to worry about being watched.

Inside was dark and plain but surprisingly clean.

The older man rubbed his hands on his dirty pant legs then stretched it out to shake Rosanna's. She received the kind gesture and watched her hand disappear as it was engulfed by the man's hand.

 “I am called, Old Bear.”

He said gruffly. Rosanna didn't know if it was safe to let it be known who she was but she had always been taught to tell the truth, so she decided that she would say her name but nothing more.

“I am called Rosanna.”

Old Bear nodded his head in approval.

“I do believe that your parents knew when you were born that you would grow up to look just like a Rose; not to mention the prettiest one there ever was.”

Rosanna reddened at the compliment and thanked him politely.

He must have noticed her embarrassment for he quickly changed the subject.

“I guess I will say goodnight; if you need anything, I'll be in the little building out back.”

He was about to leave when he stopped and turned back around slowly.

“You had better keep some kind of weapon close by you at all times, look around, I am sure that you will find something.”

Then he was gone. Rosanna didn't know what to make of everything but she knew that just right now she needed some sleep.

        The next morning Rosanna searched around the house to see what there was to eat and was amazed at her discovery of a couple of eggs and some bread.

She knew that they must be close to a village, because she saw no chickens in the mine, nor did she think the men baked their own bread.

Rosanna lit a fire in the fire place, it didn't look very safe but she knew that fires had been made in it before because there was a chimney of sorts and some coals lay in it.

Then she found a small pan and cracked the eggs into it. When she was younger Rosanna had watched the cook make eggs but was discovered by her mother ,who had told never again to associate with the hired help, so not knowing what the next step was she decided to sit and wait but as she sat her eyes became heavy and she laid her head on her arm.

“Fire!”

The cry awoke Rosanna and she screamed when she saw that the fire, which was once in the little whole had now spread over that entire side of the wall.

Overcome by the smoke, Rosanna left the shack and almost bumped into Old Bear.