A month had passed since the fair and haughty Princess had been exiled from her own home and country in order to wander the world as a naked and homeless wretch, sharing the lot of the homeless and of the beasts of the field, in order that she might be judged  worthy to be loved by the handsome Prince Adelbert.  She knew that her fate was unjust and that the so-called Good Fairy was a cruel being acting in a way contrary to her professional ethics, but was helpless to do other than obey the vicious dictates of this unkind arbiter of her destiny.  Not once had she regretted her decision to leave all  behind her.  The vision of the handsome prince who was to be her life's partner was before her all the time as she bravely struggled through those first terrible days.

Many kind people had shared their simple meals with her and some had offered her work in the fields.  At first the unaccustomed toil had done terrible damage to her tender hands.  The sun had burned her in a fearful way before her skin finally took on that same rich golden hue she had so much admired in her darling friend Martha - Martha whose memory still brought tears to her eyes now that she was parted from her for the first time in so many long and happy years.

In the first weeks of her journey towards the clement South, where she must spend the winter or perish, her feet had caused her many bitter torments as they slowly and painfully adjusted to their new unshod state, but now she could walk across sharp stones  and thorns without breaking her skin.  It still hurt her a great deal, but she could cope with that, now that her lacerated feet no longer left a trail of blood behind, marking her every pain filled step.

Although the two faithful dogs were still on hand should she need them, she was becoming accustomed to the stars above her at night and the wild open spaces around her by day.  The work she had been perforce obliged to do had caused her delicate frame to fill out amazingly and she was beginning to resemble the sturdy Martha and possess some of that girl's robust strength,  though without losing any of that elusive fragile charm that had driven many a man wild before now.  If only her darling friend could see her now!  If only she could be with her to share this adventure, what a marvellous time they would have together! The loneliness was her chief sorrow and she missed those long conversations with her friend so deeply.

It was at the end of the fourth week of her exile and wanderings that she approached a small town.  She had not eaten for three days, having passed across a desolate and unpopulated region,  and was becoming faint with hunger.  Because of her desperation she entered this little town to find work.  The scandalised burghers drove her out and set their dogs upon her.  These hounds ran snarling after the girl, but she turned around to face them and their savagery turned to fawning friendliness.  "Good luck, oh fair Princess" they said, although to most ears it sounded like "Bow Wow".  The Princess, now that she had become as one with the animal kingdom understood perfectly and smiled gratefully.  The watching townsfolk crossed themselves reverently and locked themselves inside their homes until this unclothed sorceress had left their small and tightly knit community.

Outside the town, on its fringe, was a small travelling circus and she was offered work by these wandering showmen.  It was heavy labour and consisted at first in feeding the animals and cleaning out their cages.  There was to be a performance in a couple of days and Sara was also employed helping to erect the big tent.  By the time she took herself off to the neighbouring woods - they had offered her shelter, but she was forced to refuse - she was totally exhausted.

As she slept she dreamt of one of the performing animals.  It was a handsome black panther, which seemed so out of place in such a show.  This proud beast should be free to roam as she was -  that was plain for the Princess to see.  Its desperate look as Princess Sara had fed it had almost broken the girl's heart, so unutterably sad did the creature appear in its captivity.  The pleading look in the poor creature's eyes haunted her all night and she could not sleep.  Finally, she  got to her feet and crept back to the encampment.

There was the cage and there was the panther, pacing up and down.  It saw Sara and came across to her, pushing its nose against the fearless girl's hand as she stretched it into the cage.  She stroked the beast and then touched her ring, for the first time in weeks.  The cage door opened and the beast emerged into freedom.

"Go on, you beauty.  Flee, before they catch you" she whispered, but the animal showed no sign of wanting to leave Sara.  She walked rapidly away from the camp and the handsome cat followed her, keeping pace by her side with its sinuous graceful strides.  The pair covered ten miles before Sara judged it safe to pause and rest.  As she settled down to sleep, the animal   settled itself down upon its beautiful rescuer and she slept warm and in comfort for a change after so many cold nights.  In the morning, the Princess's heart was full of an amazing joy as she saw that her companion was still with her.  From now onwards, she knew,  it would not be so lonely for her.  These two would wander the world together.

"I will call you Martha" she informed the beast.

The reaction of the panther was quite amazing.  It rolled over onto its back like a kitten wanting its owner to play with it. Sara did as she seemed to be bidden and she passed out.  When she recovered consciousness, the panther was gone and her darling friend, as naked as she was,  was standing over her looking extremely concerned.

"Martha!  How did you get here, and where is my beautiful cat?" asked the baffled Princess.

To be continued.