Adelaide

Chapter V

Emerald Byron

"Saints, Sapphire, wait," Rue pleads too late as she realizes her mistake, her expression crumpling and her face coloring with discomfiture; then, her sharp green eyes pass from me to Topaz, and she snaps, "You two ought to forget I said anything at all," before hurrying after our friend.

A moment of discomposure settles across the room, but I choke down my concern and recover first, wincing in apology as I wave Adelaide forward. She knows as well as us all that she wasn't meant to overhear such a conversation. Reluctant to address this, I blatantly feign ignorance. She's smart enough to understand the hint.

"You weren't feeling too keen on today's classes either? Honestly, I don't blame you."

Adelaide stands in shock for another second, then collects herself and dully answers, "You'd think a place like this would have more interesting lessons."

"Ah, I would argue that this school hosts many interesting lessons, though not the type learned from any mere class or lecture."

I smile, but she regards me with caution — reasonably, considering my defensive anger yesterday. Topaz was right, I now realize. Adelaide stumbled into the underpass fairly of her own accord, as did we all. In doing so, she proved herself equally worthy of a presence there. I acted unfairly to her. Had my three predecessors treated me with a hostility matching my own, we would never have become such close friends.

"Anyway, Oz and I were about to head down to the archery range. You're welcome to join us — though the girls tell me you've been keeping yourself busy in the library."

My invitation doubles as a silent apology, which she seems to accept with a slight smile that suits her very well.

"I've only ever seen my father and ... some of his friends shoot arrows. It interests me, and I would love to see the grounds."

The pause in her response intrigues me, accompanied as it is by the ghost passing vaguely behind her wide gray eyes. She brushes over the mention of someone apparently dear to her — more awkwardly than she realizes, because she's still unfamiliar with their absence in her life since arriving at the citadel. But I won't press her for details — not now, at least.

Before she can change her mind about archery, I grin and reply, "Right, we ought to get going then."

Topaz said nothing throughout the exchange, though he now turns to lead the way outdoors at my word. The archery range rests on the southernmost side of the grounds, alongside a small shed harboring racks of traditional longbows, quivers of feathered arrows, leather bracers, spare bowstring, and any other supplies a student could possibly require. Despite all its rules and abnormalities, Soventi has its perks. Topaz immediately selects a recurve bow tall enough to match his towering height. Meanwhile, I glance towards Adelaide, sizing her up in the musty lighting.

"You'd like to give it a go yourself, wouldn't you? I imagine you're a quick visual learner already, but I can help you with technique if you'd like. Archery is anyone's sport."

"Alright, then, I'll give it a go."

With a contented smile, I choose suitable longbows for each of us, then we head outside to the field. Though the sun hides beneath a blanket of fog invading the area, the midday air is warm enough for us to shed our coats, allowing for a broader range of motion.

Brandishing his characteristic streak of independence, Topaz efficiently sets up his stand and begins to shoot the faraway targets with striking accuracy. His arrows sail through the air as if the wind were his own element to manipulate, and I can't help but watch fondly for a moment before returning to Adelaide.

"Oz prefers his space, so we'll situate you here," I offer, gesturing to a stand two spaces away.

Pulling an arrow from my quiver, I carefully demonstrate nocking it on my bowstring, though my movements are made clumsy as I try to slow the steps for her to observe. Adelaide watches attentively the entire time.

"How you choose to draw the arrow is more a matter of personal preference, but I do it this way."

Gripping the bowstring in my index, middle, and ring fingers with the arrow situated between my index and middle, I pull the string back so the arrow holds itself in place. My anchor point rests consistently along the corner of my mouth, so I align my nocking-hand there and let the arrow fly. Seconds later, it plants itself just slightly northward of the bullseye.

"Ah, I always aim a little too high up. Now, you."

Quietly, she steps closer and draws an arrow of her own, nocking it exactly the way I showed her. For a moment, the bow teeters in her grip as its tension strengthens. Then, steadying her hold, she aims for the bullseye and releases the arrow. It strikes the outer ring of the middle red. We both stare at the target for a moment, before she turns back to me, awaiting my reaction.

"You've only ever seen your father and friends of his shoot," I laugh, "What nonsense, Adelaide. All I can suggest is to open your stance a little more by rotating your left foot towards the target. And ..."

My words trail off as I step towards her and — maintaining a respectful distance aside from my reach — ease her hand slightly to the side. I don't miss the way her breath catches as I near.

"You never want to grip the bow too tightly. That causes torquing, which throws off the shot. Otherwise, you're a natural."

Adelaide grins at me, then lines up a second arrow, this one landing somewhat closer to the bullseye within the red.

"Your advice helps, Ral. Thank you. This is actually the most fun I've had in a long while."

I only manage to grin in return, meeting her wintry doe eyes. Standing so close to her, I can't help but notice the periwinkle undertones flecked like snow amidst the gray of her irises. She's undeniably lovely, in a lithe way.

I open my mouth to say something, before my gaze wanders past Adelaide's shoulder and my words halt prematurely. A familiar blonde figure marches towards us from across the school grounds, but only once she nears can I see the kohl-streaked tears trailing from her striking green eyes.

"She's not going to forgive me, Ral. Saph said that it wasn't my place to divulge her fancy, and she's right so what more can I say? Besides, I've probably ruined her friendship with Oz; even platonically, they've always been more close in a subtle way," Ruby rambles tearfully.

I sigh, about to offer her some sort of comfort, when a choked sob escapes her lips and she cuts me off again, adding, "I'm so imperceptive, aren't I?"

Instead of answering, I purse my lips patiently, subconsciously glancing to Adelaide as if the newcomer might be of any assistance. Really, I know that the whole ordeal likely damages Ruby's inflated sense of pride more than anything else. The emotional, unpredictable girl always runs to my arms in times of distress — and never do I hesitate to accept, of course. Supplying a sweet smile, I wrap her in a wordless hug, raising a gentle hand to methodically smooth her platinum tresses.

"Perhaps she just needs some time, Rue. You were a bit harsh," I murmur into the silvery strands, "Why don't you keep in company with Adelaide and I for now?"

"Ral's right," Adelaide interjects, "Saph will forgive you, but she needs to process everything first. It'll be okay."

Ruby nods idly in acknowledgment of our generic consolations, attempting to tidy her smeared makeup as she backs away from my embrace.

"Maybe you could talk to her and get her perspective, Adelaide. She's your roommate," she murmurs, before appearing to realize Topaz's presence at the edge of the archery range.

They lock eyes for a brief moment and Ruby considers speaking with him, before she glances away and closes her mouth as if to prevent making further mistakes on Sapphire's behalf.