Aramina hustled past the crowds: it was market day and the streets were overloaded by the poor seeking food to suffice their starving families. Her broken arm had healed and she was permitted to wander the streets.
The Royalsheen squirrel apologised profusely to an old creature she had almost crashed into before going along her way, feeling on edge by so many squirrels staring at her. She felt extremely paranoid and even more self conscious.
"Yes. I'm the princess but that is nothing really. I am ashamed to be the daughter of my parents" she whispered to herself, hardly hearing the bitter words as they were lost amid the hum and bustle of the stalls.
She veered off down a small alleyway that was dark and dreary with shadows and leaned against the cleanest bit of wall she could find to wait for the appearance of Flamiro whom had promised to meet her today at this current place.
Aramina scuffed the ground then toyed with her rapier handle impatiently, wondering what had held up her friend and whether it was trivial or grave. Just as she was about to go and search for him, a flaming orange shape darted in front of her so swiftly that she, for one terrible heartbeat, thought it was a cat.
Her breathing calmed down and as she regained her normal senses, she realised that it was a mere squirrel who confronted her, rather podgy at that. But his eyes were narrowed and his face held a look of abject loathing as he glared at her in pure, undiluted hatred. It was not Flamiro.
The squirrels voice was like a knell as he gritted out "Your Aramina the Royalsheen princess?" His paw was dangerously close to his blade hilt.
Aramina stared then regained the power of speech as she too, replied with fury "I am... Have you a dispute with that?" Her own paw hovered around her blade, ready for her metal to be put to swift use.
The squirrel laughed coldy, still staring at her "AYE! One that my blade can solve!" He drew himself into the on guard position and stated his challenge to her, whilst looking round to make sure no spectators had gathered. "Due to you being of Royalsheen, evil blood do you accept a dual to the death?" His eyes were flat with malice.
Aramina shuddered inwardly though on the outside she was calm and replied with ready wit "Upon my honour I do! Your a saucy young ruffian aren't you? Soon your sauce will be renowned...renowned in the underworld!"
The flame pelted squirrel gave a roar of rage and swept into the fight whilst Aramina fought with her usual calm and controlled manner that exceeded the expectations of most creatures. It was a fight to the death though: after two minutes of harsh swordplay, Aramina had a cut over her eye and the stranger had a nick of his ear sliced off by the Royalsheen's sabre.
They were both panting now as they confronted each other once more. Aramina was tired but her anger fuelled her on whilst her opponent seemed full of youthful, limitless energy though it was clear that he wanted this to be over and done with: his fighting became only more hard to parry.
Finally Aramina cornered him against the wall and pressed her sword point upon his chest as her eyes blazed with rage and triumph.
"Surrender. I may grant you your life still" she said whilst in the perfect lunge position.
The stranger, looking terrified and shocked at being cornered, did the one thing that Aramina did not expect. He chuckled humourlessly before ducking and doing a roll that positioned himself right in front of the Royalsheen squirrel.
Aramina was startled by these tactics and in her vital moment of vulnerability, the stranger forced her to the ground with his own sword tip now pointing at her own chest. The tables were turned and Aramina had no chance of escape. She was outwitted.
She felt a stab of pain as the stranger put more force upon his sword: Aramina felt a trickle of blood gather where the slight wound was. Her heart beat wildly as she stared up at him with wide eyes that held terror and acceptance.
"Slay me then and be quick" her voice was hollow with despair and defeat as her chest rose and fell with each shallow breath. She felt her eyes close, fearing the cold metal that was about to be plunged into her heart.
Suddenly the stranger was roughly pushed to one side and the fallen Royalsheen recognised her rescuers face: it was Flamiro and as he held out a helping paw she took it and was hoisted up.
"Garn! I had her! I had her! I was going to kill her in payment for the death of your son!' I had her you blazing idiot!" The stranger was none other than Parato, who upon having heard about the death of Flamiro's son, had instantly taken it bad and laid the blame on the Royalsheen family. Seeing that Aramina was Royalsheen, his anger blinded him and forced him to do irrational things in the name of revenge and grief for the suffering Flamiro.
"You are a fool Parato at times... Did I not tell you that Aramina is a fine squirrel and is contrary to her parents views. If anybody deserves chastisement it is the King and Queen" Flamiro said calmly, though his voice vibrated with irritation as he faced his hot headed friend.
Parato took deep breaths before having the grace to look ashamed of his hasty actions that almost bought the death of Aramina. "I apologise to you princess. I was stricken with temporary madness due to the death of Flamiro's son..." He bowed his head as Flamiro stifled a sob behind him.
Aramina looked at both squirrels then also, with an air of grief, bowed her head in honour for the lost soul. Her eyes seemed unusually bright with unshed tears as she solemnly made the sign of the cross
"The wind howls for the loss of Flamiro's son. The trees creak in grief and the sky is pale in mourning for a lost soul who was cruelly taken from his father. Rest in peace and may you find comfort in heaven young one. Your death will not go un avenged" her words were powerful with heartrending emotion as all the squirrels remained silent, lost in loss and grief.
At last Parato spoke "No point moaning... something must be done to avenge Samaro who perished from fever. Aye... if the King and Queen cared then he would be still alive"
Suddenly Flamiro broke down and wept in an unnerving, excruciating way that bordered on madness "Do not speak to me of my son! I am too pained... My heart is destroyed. Oh! Do not mention him again!" Tears poured from his eyes and he placed his paws up to his face, rocking back and forth in mental agony.
Aramina looked most upset as she hastened to comfort the stricken squirrel whilst Parato looked on miserably, wondering what his own fate beheld for him.
Am I safe now? Surely no one knows, the queen knows of course. She committed it... Despicable demon that she is! Oh... what lies ahead for me if it were found out? How terrible if the secret broke free and another knew. Surely it would be the end for the queen. I do not feel safe. His thoughts were troubled by a nagging fear of being followed and watched. His pawsteps were mingling with some other marks. Marks that meant danger.
Finally Flamiro spoke in a voice hoarse with grief. "I will never forget. I must go now for I need to buy food for... myself from the stalls... I will be alone tonight... so come then... if need be..." With that he tottered to his foot paws and hurried down the street, wiping water from his eyes.
Aramina looked at Parato solemnly. "Dear Flamiro... and I hardly know him... yet I'm terribly stricken for he undergoes such suffering as no creature should ever have to witness. Oh, how am I ashamed to be a Royalsheen"
Parato nodded absentmindedly, drew into a low bow which Aramina courteously returned, and walked off: his mind was focused too much on the secret that only he and the queen knew.