Rangers Apprentice: The Silver Rose

◇▪︎☆▪︎Chapter 23▪︎☆▪︎◇

It had been a few days since the Baron took the bone clan member to the castle.

I stood by the door. I grabbed my new cloak from its hook, swung it over my shoulders and slipped my soft leather boots on.

I took my already strung bow from the wall. And made my way outside to where the targets were set up.

Keith told me to practice until he came home.

He was at the castle today helping with getting the words out of the bone clan guy.

He didn't want me to be present for such things.

                                                        ▪︎○●○▪︎

After thirty shots...

I huffed and sat down on the grass. I whiped a hand over my forehead to clear the presperation gathering there.

The sun beat down through the evergreens.

"I guess it's spring now" I thought. I shaded my eyes and looked up.

I could see bits of blue through the screen of branches.

The sunlight bounced off of something and caught my eye. I tilted my head to get a better look. And felt something whizz past my cheek.

I jumped a few inches in the air.

I looked down and saw...

"I bone knife" I breathed.

That meant...

I saw a shadow jump down from one of the trees.

Fear gripped my heart, I grabbed the knife and threw it a good distance away.

I grabbed my bow and knocked an arrow.

The whole time, I kept my eye on the figure moving through the trees.

I stepped backwards towards the stable. Unsure if I should stay and fight, or make a quick getaway.

He kept edging closer, always darting from one tree to another.

"I can't get a clear shot like this" I grimaced.

If he had another knife...

I'd be an easy target. But I had him! He couldn't come into the open without risking me shooting him.

But then again. Could I even hit him? I've only been getting my shots in the middle ring.

Maybe if I focus really hard...

He moved. And he was running in a random pattern towards me.

I pulled the string back and shot.

The arrow flew inches above his head.

No! I wouldn't panick.

He was getting uncomfortably close now.

I shakily loaded another arrow and watched his movement pattern.

Left, left, right, left! Then it repeated.

I drew back, he went right. I aimed for where he would be and let the arrow go.

He turned left!

I heard a howl of pain and realized..

"I hit him!" I rejoiced. Then I realized I'd only hit his right calf.

All the well, Keith probably wanted him alive anyway.

I drew my sax and approached the fallen bone clan member. He was still, but his breathing was ragged and quick.