Disappearance of Roselei Hawthorne

Chapter Seventeen

The contest went by fairly quickly. Each contestant seemed to be even more impressive than the last. They all had impeccable aim, and all the scores are very close to each other. It wasn't a stretch to say that all the archers were equal in skill and technique.

Each contestant shot three arrows. The target seemed to be divided into five sections, each with points of one, five, ten, fifteen, and twenty.

"There's no doubt about it." Gideon said as he watched the contest with intense focus. "My father is nowhere near as skilled as these archers. There's no way he's been winning this tournament fairly."

"Number fifty-six, please enter the archery field!" The same man using a spell to project his voice announced to the crowd.

"Do you know how many contestants there are?" Kallen turned to Gideon, thinking he'd be the most likely to know.

"I'm not sure. But there can't be more than a hundred, can there?" Gideon pointed out.

"I think we're getting close to the end." Lillia said. "Look- contestants have been gathering over there, and there seems to be only a handful left."

"Do you see my father anywhere?" Gideon frowned as he looked closer at the small cluster of people. "He should stand out. Its not everyday you see someone wearing that iconic white cloak. A true sign of an After-Frost."

"Well technically," Celty smirked, "we do see someone wearing that cloak every day. We see you."

"You're not wrong." Gideon chuckled as he let out a sigh. "But anyways, do try to keep an eye out for him. We need to make sure he's not doing anything suspicious."

"The most suspicious thing he's doing right now is just not being there." Vulcan pointed out. "Seriously. Where is he? Shouldn't it be almost his turn?"

The announcer interrupted their conversation, declaring the next contestant's turn. A few more archers went, but Gabriel After-Frost remained to be unseen. The line-up of contestants dwindled in numbers, until there was only one person left. Yet, this last contestant wasn't Gabriel.

"It's just a normal guy... " Kallen murmured to himself, furrowing his brow. Turning to Gideon, he asked, "do you think he's plotting something? Your father, I mean."

"I have no doubt about it." Gideon frowned. "He has to be."

"What are the chances he just randomly decided not to participate?" Celty shrugged. "It could be a weird fluke thing."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Gideon shook his head.

"Gideon's right." Lillia added. "The villagers are terrified of him... what possible reason would he have for not participating?"

"Let's just wait and see." Gideon narrowed his eyes, focusing intensely on the field. Perhaps his father was wearing some sort of disguise? It seemed unlikely, but Gideon supposed there was a chance. He kept an eye out for anyone that even resembled his father. Black hair, blue eyes, and thin silver-framed glasses. But there was nobody who matched the description.

"And that's our last contestant!" The announcer shouted gleefully. "The judges have scored their tallies, but before we announce the winner, we'd like to show off this year's prizes!"

All of the archers, as well as the competition's onlookers, leaned forward in their seats with anticipation. One by one, the announcer listed off the prizes. Fourth and fifth place would each win five hundred gold coins. Third place would win a new bow, crafted from beautiful redwood, and adorned with astonishing carved patterns. Second place would win a new quiver, made from bull hide and lined with gold. But the prize for first place was the most beautiful of all. Although it seemed simple, first place would win a gorgeous golden arrow. On its head sat a point sharp enough to pierce through the thickest of furs, and on its tail sait the softest looking feathers. Truly, craftsmanship worth beholding.