The Riddle Of The Stones

Chapter 1
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         The sharp, bitter taste of the water hit her tongue. It was cool and refreshing in the stuffy summer air. Miranda  looked around her. The sun was setting and it had turned the trees into a sea of golden-green leaves. She could hear crickets in the grass around her and somewhere above her, hidden by branches, a blackbird sang. The stream behind her trickled quietly over the pebbles.The sunshine reflected off the water and gave the whole clearing an eerie, unearthly glow. A light breeze rustled the leaves of a tall silver birch.
         The blackbird stopped singing abruptly. The crickets fell silent. As Miranda looked around her, a shiver ran up her spine, sending a tingling sensation right to the tips of her fingers. She bent down slowly and picked up her bag. She backed out of the clearing, into a small gathering of trees and stood completly still, like a statue, hidden by an oak with weathered bark. A twig broke on the other side of the clearing. her heartbeat quickened, but she remained still, hardly daring to breath. Then, she heard a faint rumbling. It started quickly, like a thunder storm in the distance, but soon increased until Miranda's ears were ringing. She ran back through the woods until she got to the very edge. She saw, in the distance, around thirty men on horse-back. As she watched their retreating backs, she heard the blackbird start singing again. She knew she was safe then. The animals knew when there was danger, They could sense it. They trustd their instincts. And they knew when it had passed. There had been no threat, but it didn't stop Miranda wondering why thirty horseman had been riding near the woods. No one ever came around here. Mabye they were bandits. But bandits didn't travel in such large groups...
         She was awoken from her day-dream by a loud shout behind her. She span around. A boy was standing there, sword in hand. He was clad in armour that was obviously too big for him. It made his head look very small.          
         "Who are you?" he asked, in a voice that told her that he didn't approve of her being there. He sheathed his sword, put his hands on his hips and frowned.
         "Who wants to know?" she replied wearily.
         "Don't talk to me in that insolent manner! Do you know who you are talking to?" in a tone that said she should. He looked as if he was about to have a tantrum.
         "Well, no. That's why I asked you!" she said, wondering who on earth this guy thought he was.
         "Now look here! You should have more respect for your betters. Mind you, people like you probably don't know what respect is!"
         "People like me?!" she whispered, her voice poisonous. "And what, exactly, do you mean by that?!"
         "I mean that tramps and urchins shouldn't be allowed to live." he said promptly, the tone of his voice very final.
         "Urchin?" she was giving him a look of pure venom. He was obviously put off, because he turned on his heel and marched off, head in the air. She ran after him and seized him roughly by the shoulder.
         "Get your hands off me!" he exclaimed.
         "Who the heck do you think you are?" she asked angrily.
         "My name is Prince Christen James Stuart Harold Edwards and what are you doing in my woods?"
         "Your woods?! Oh, well I am sorry, Your Highness!" she said with an exaggerated curtsy.
         "That's enough of you cheek!"
         "Begging you pardon, sir!" she said sarcastically.
         "I have a right mind to arrest you and through you in the dungeons!" She stared at him, bemused. He stared back. It was a battle of wills that only Miranda could win. He was crumpling under her glare and a triumphant smile played around her lips.
         Sudddenly, they heard a shout from somewhere to the left of them.