Recap:

The man looked at the sparkling silver sword and his fingers slowly loosened their grip. After Philip swished the blade through the air a few times, the man let go completely. He stepped away slowly and disappeared.

~~

Philip walked up to the girl and looked her in the eyes. "Are you all right?"

"I..I believe so." She rubbed her arms and winced slightly. "He did not injure me too terribly. Thank you. For coming to my rescue."

"It was no problem." Philip scowled. "That man should learn some respect. Women are not objects to be trifled with."

The young woman laughed and nodded her head, her curls bouncing. "Yes, that would be very nice if he knew that." She picked up her coin purse and prepared to enter the mercantile.

"I apologize, I am afraid I missed your name."

"Adelaide. My name is Adelaide." She smiled.

"That is a lovely name. I am Philip." He bowed. "At your service."

"Thank you very much, Sir Philip, but I believe I am fine from here."

He glanced around and looked back at her warily. "Are you quite sure? I am not very pleased with leaving you here by yourself. There are very many disrespectful men here who would take away your erm..innocence..without even thinking twice."

Adelaide blushed, her cheeks turning the color of roses. "Thank you, sir. Your concern and chivalry is very flattering, but I am quite fine on my own. I thank you." She curtsied and walked into the mercantile.

Philip sighed. Head-strong woman.

~~

Adelaide walked into the mercantile and sighed. That man was quite chivalrous but she did not need his assistance. She could have easily gotten out of that situation back there without his help. She did not need a man's help.

She picked up a rope and a blanket. The nights were turning cold and an extra blanket would come in handy. If not for her, than for Cadeym. Addy walked up to the merchant and paid him properly. There was a small bakery across the street and she went to go get some loaves of bread.

Once she finished shopping, she walked back to the pub where she had tied up Cadeym. He whinnied at her approach and she patted his neck. "There, boy. Almost ready to go now." She wrapped up the bread in a light cloth and packed it away in one of her satchels. The blanket was tied down with the rope and she made sure her packs were secured. "All right, let's go." Addy swung onto the horse and turned him to the west end of the village.

The forest laid ahead, it's dense foliage blocked out much of the sun's light. It was the only way to get to the ogre's lands.

"No going back now." Adelaide kicked Cadeym into a walk and they slowly entered the forest.