Well, said the woman when she had caught her breath, I am Sheba, not the Queen of though. Many thanks for saving me from a nasty place, I owe you one.
No problem, said the Knights, and where might you be going on this misty morning so high above the plain upon the Ankle of the Hill of a Woman?
I had intended to travel, this same morning, along the Calf to the Knees of the Hill of a Woman. I have been told that there can be found there a fine crop of rare herbs, and, as I am in the business of healing, these rare herbs often come in handy. But if you will excuse me, I must clean the beast’s digestive juices from my hair before it is baked in by the sun’s rays. With that she took off her head covering and her hair, which must measure one hundred feet, fell out upon the path. Picking it up in her arms she carried it to a nearby stream which issued forth from that part of the Ankle and threw in her hair and then dunked her head entire. Have completed this, she cleaned everything about herself whilst the Two Blue Knights and the Sphinx availed themselves of some fresh water to drink upstream from her ablutions.
Now, she said as she twisted the waters from her tresses, what in turn can I do for you brave travelers.
The Woman Knight foretold all their intent and the whys of it.
Well, said Sheba, that is well, that we might travel together at least as far as the Knees of the Hill of a Woman. She gathered her tresses in a swirl and somehow, which looked unto a magic, introduce them into her hat which she wore.
At least were you to become infirm I would be on hand to salve any wounds or prescribe for any ailments, she said.
So that was decided upon.
As they travelled the Blue Woman Knight said to Sheba, I could not help but notice the extreme length of your hair, there is a fascination to it that I cannot explain, what, may I ask, is the story to it?
Well, said Sheba, when I was but a child, I had the fortune or misfortune if you will, of being granted a wish. The circumstances of this being long and complex I will not at this time tell. But the upshot came that, being a girl most young and most foolish, I wished for the longest hair that might ever be. In the days then next, my hair grew like a vine, all of one part per day until its end was out of sight. This proved to be a problem, as I could not go about the normal life of a child. I went, therefore to the giver of wishes and begged it to be undone, but there was having none of it. Instead, the offer was a magical hat that might contain the hair and thus enable some kind of relief. There you have it, and it is still a pain to wash and care for as it can become very dry.
That being said, it does come in handy occasionally, as it is almost impossible to break and can be used as a rope for climbing or binding should one require such a thing.
You must be an expert on hair care and hair care products, said the Blue Woman Knight, I myself could use some hair care advice as I needs must continually wear a helmet to go about my business and consequent my hair is a mess.
The Sphinx, who had been listening intently to this conversation said, I too have a terrible problem of knots and small creatures in my mane, I too would be interested in some advice on mane care, if you have some knowledge to share.
The Man Knight also came close to join the conversation as they travelled. I too have trouble with my hair, some of my colleagues, women Knights included, advocate the shaving of the head for those who must wear mail and helm. But I enjoy having long hair and have always found the quality of my helmet hair upsetting.
Then I shall be your hair care expert for the day, said Sheba, I happen to know of an unguent that is obtained from the Hoba Cactus which, when applied to the hair after washing can bring a lustre and flow that most hair wearers would be proud of. Luckily this plant is amongst those that grow at the Knees of the Hill of a Woman.
Soon, in half a day or, the travellers came there to the Knees of The Hill of a Woman. Sheba made to look about and found out some cactuses and took their juices in a pottery there. Also, she took many leaves and roots and twigs and lichens and flowers and pollen to add to her collections of makings to be a healer.
When it was the sun high to leave, the travellers sat together, their hair and mane gleaming and flowing.
We would it be pleased for you to come with us in our quest to vanquish darkness in all its forms, especially lies masquerading as truth. The Knights are asking Sheba.
Sheba made it clear that she would their quest but must follow her calling always it went.
Then let us tomorrow to the Hip of the Hill of a Woman where we can make our plans. They. She, Him, It, Us.
The Guardians of the Cave 