As Alcander and Aderes reached the bottom of the snowy hillock, there came from nowhere, another tiger, Aderes immediately threw himself upon it to protect Alcander. As the tigers rolled over and over in mighty battle, Alcander realized that Aderes was not as young as he used to be, that a creatures time on earth is short compared to mortal man! Alcander was about to go to the aid of his companion when he heard a soft voice calling out “Oriyn, come, leave them to go on their way in peace!”. Alcander looked up to see on the rise, the most beautiful maiden he had ever seen in his life. Her face framed by the white fur around the hood of the cape was a vision of loveliness, her voice, as she spoke to the tiger who was now standing by her side, was like the cooing of doves, the rippling water over stones in a brook, the wind in the pine trees, to Alcander ,who was by now totally under the spell of her incredible beauty. Alcander turned to Aderes to see if he was harmed in the fight, which thank the Gods he was not, when he turned back the beauty and her protector had disappeared, leaving no trace of them every being there at all!!! “Who could she be??” Alcander asked Aderes, who just looked at his friend, yawned and started to walk off, looking back over his shoulder as if to say “Come on!! We must be on our way, there are adventures awaiting us but we have to be there for them to happen!” So the two companions started off once more, Alcander kept glancing back over his shoulder to see if ‘the vision of beauty’ was by any chance following them, but alas, the snow behind them was pristine except for their footprints. Alcander tightened his cloak about him and said " Come, Old Friend, lets set forth to see what lies over yonder snowy hill" Unbeknownst to them, their departure was watched by the maiden who was 'Winter's Keeper' one of the 4 beautiful maidens who keep watch over the seasons of the year. She watched until they were no longer visible, sighed and returned to her lonely vigil. I hope you are still enjoying this saga of our two rather un-heroic companions. Thank you for any comment you are kind enough to leave and for any left in the past!! Background a freebie by capelito (thank you) Tigers and girl both photos.