Ravania

Princess Rowan spied into the land from her tower.
Something was seriously amiss on the northern border.
She descended the winding stairs
and picked up bow and quiver from her weapons chest.

Meanwhile the knight, no longer in shining armor, spotted a light in the dark wood.
Carefully he approached it, making sure he made no noise.
The light came from a little wooden cabin, smoke came out of the chimney.
The smell of roasting venison reached the knight's nostrils.

The knight's senses were heightened, and he could hear his empty stomach complaining.
He peered through the window of the wooden cabin.
Inside, he saw two figures seated across from each other.
One was tall. One was small.

His hunger was reaching an agonizing level,
the duo seemed friendly and he backed up, away from the window.
He cleaned up his grubby face and knocked on the door.
Footsteps approached the closed door from the inside.

The door creaked in its hinges. 'Yes?'
A squat curly-haired fellow peered through the gap. His face was wary.
They studied each other. The knight's gaze took in a worn leather apron and a wooden leg.
His interlocutor's expression softened. 'Run into a spot of trouble, have we?'

"Uhm, yes, a giant spider," the knight replied as the scent of the venison tortured his stomach,
"Could I have a bit of your meal? I'm more than willing to pay for it."
"Sure, foreigner, we have more than enough. So you sneaked past 'her ladyship'?
Not a lot have lately, none in fact. Come in and tell us your tale."

The knight awkwardly entered the small cabin.
He sat down at a small wooden table.
Across from him was a tall, thick man with silver hair and worn, leathery skin.
His face creased into a warm, welcoming smile.

Just flying thru on our way south.