I
THE stronghold of a wise and noble princess was attacked by her enemies.
The princess could not gather together her large and faithful army
quickly enough to defend her castle, but had to fly by night with her
little prince in her arms.
So she fled all through the night, and at daybreak they reached the foot
of grisly Mount Kitesh, which was on the border of the principality.
At that time there were no more dragons anywhere in the world, nor
fairies, nor witches, nor any monsters. The Holy Cross and human reason
had driven them forth. But in the fastnesses of Mount Kitesh the last of
the Fiery Dragons had found a refuge, and seven Votaress Fairies
attended upon him. That is why Mount Kitesh was so grisly. But at the
foot of the mountain lay a quiet valley. There dwelt the shepherdess
Miloika in her little willow cabin, and tended her flock.
To that very valley came the princess at dawn with her baby, and when
she saw Miloika sitting outside her cabin she went up to her and begged:
“Hide me and the little prince in your cabin through the day. At
nightfall I will continue my flight with the prince.” Miloika made the
fugitives welcome, gave them ewes’ milk to drink, and hid them in her
cabin.
As evening approached, the kind and noble princess said: “I must go on
now with the prince. But will you take my Golden Girdle and the prince’s
little Gold Cross on a red ribbon? If our enemies should chance to find
us they would know us by the Girdle and the Cross. Put these two things
by and take good care of them in your little cabin. When my faithful
captains have gathered together an army and driven out the enemy, I
shall return to my castle and there you shall be my dear friend and
companion.”
“Your companion I cannot be, noble princess,” said Miloika, “for I am
not your equal either by birth or understanding. But I will take care of
your Girdle and your Cross, because in time of real sorrow and trouble
even the heart of a beggar can be companion to the heart of a king.”
As she said this, Miloika received the Girdle and the Cross from the
princess for safe keeping, and the princess took up the little prince
and went out and away with him into the night, which was so dark that
you could not tell grass from stone, nor field from sea.