𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕺𝖓𝖊
𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶: A high-school project gone wrong sends Astraea Aphelion fifteen centuries back in time, where she has to face a world of dragons, magic, and evil sorcerers. Luckily, she is not alone. In between hardships, she finds a...
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📍 Camelot
⏳ May, 504 AD
I squinted my eyes as I fixed them on the thick oak tree before me, my arms tense and steady as I drew back the bow I'd stolen from the armoury while simultaneously taking in a deep breath. Then I exhaled and released the arrow, tilting my head when it flew just past the trunk and embedded itself on the ground some metres past it.
It had recently dawned on me that I'm ninety pounds of pale skin and fragile bones, and sarcasm is my only defence. Back in my time, that has never been a problem... well, the first half was, until I acquired the latter skill. However, given the neverending dangers that are flung towards Camelot, I figured that it'd be smart if I learnt some sort of way to protect myself, and archery had been the obvious choice, considering that I'd taken a few lessons from one of my uncle's friends, Dustin, when I was around ten-years-old. Now, obviously, I'm nowhere near being Hawkeye – but practice makes perfect.
"Astra – I need your help with something." Merlin suddenly appeared behind me, making me almost jump out of my skin as I turned around. I scowled at him, silently reprimanding him as I lowered my arm.
"How the fudge did you find me?" I questioned.
"I have magic, remember?" he replied in a whisper.
"I didn't know that came with Google Maps," I replied with a huff. He tilted his head. "It's a GPS," I explained, then closed my eyes in annoyance when I quickly realised that that wouldn't work. "Just... a smart map that doesn't require any skills to follow," I elaborated.
Merlin raised his eyebrows in wonder.
"Anyways. What do you need?" I asked, remembering that he'd said that he needed my help with something.
He gritted his teeth and tilted his head before speaking, "Well, Arthur's coronation ceremony is coming up–"
"Wait," I cut him off, "I thought he was the prince already?"
"He is. This is just a formality," my friend explained.
"Formalities are stupid," I stated.
He chuckled and nodded in agreement before shaking his head, "Anyways, he asked me to help him practise for it..."
"How is that my fault?" I asked with a scoff, then I smirked to let him know I was messing with him.
He rolled his eyes before responding, "Well, for one, I do not want to be alone with him for too long. You know how he is."
"He's an arrogant jerk, I know. Keep going."
"And, two, he wants to make sure that nothing is able to distract him...." he noted, grinning a little, "which is where you come in."
My eyes widened as I beamed at him – I'm sure I looked just like a child walking into a 'Dylan's Candy Bar'. "Just so we're clear – you're giving me a free pass to be as annoying as I want without any repercussions," I stated, searching his eyes for confirmation.
