the beasts over the crown

It was not long after sunset when they arrived at the edge of the forest.

The knight was very pleased with this, for the darkness and the dense tall pine trees would provide them with divine and natural protection from the enemy's scouts.

Everyone dismounted quietly, and silence prevailed among them, while the two guards took the reins of the five horses to tie them around one of the pine trees. The witch took the jar out of her leather saddlebag and handed it to the hunter, who glanced at her with angry and resentful looks as he reached out his hands to catch it with reluctance.

The knight -Ser Declan- suddenly interrupted them with a low commanding voice as he approached them,holding the boy's hand:

"Not that one"

The two turned quickly towards Ser Declan in shock and confusion, while the witch responded emotionally: "What do you mean?"

"I mean we will not open that jar."

"Woe to you! Do you defy the command of your king and the guardian of your grace ... Do you betray your oath of obedience?" asked the witch

"Far be it from me to break the oath, the king has commanded us to open a jar and that is what we will do, but it will not be the one in your hands."

"Do you want to ..." said the witch

"Exactly what you are thinking, we will open instead one of those jars located in the forest."

"This forest is cursed, my lord!...everyone knows that, and no one dares to enter it"

one of the guards shouted nervously, then the other followed, confirming his words and fears: "Yes ... yes, everyone attests to that, and you must have heard the stories, my lord."

"Today we carry death in our hands... sealed in a jar. So what are you trembling in fear for... The sun is with us!"

the knight declared confidently ، with the words of every righteous believer، as he snatched the jar from the witch's hands.

Then he leaned his head towards the trembling boy, scared of the darkness, saying: "Do you know who the sun protects first from the darkness? ...The children. Every child has a star watching over them at night in the sky"

Then he pointed with his finger to the sky full of shining stars: "One of them was created to protect you... One of them is for you"

" The king will not be pleased when he hears what you have done"

the witch interrupted him, her eyebrows knitted in a frown, while the hunter's face showed relief.