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Amyra
An arrow zipped past the drooping branches of willow trees and the singing birds before planting itself in the battered-up target, an inch away from the bullseye.
Thud! Thak! Amyra threw her bow in frustration, which ended up hitting an oak tree's thick trunk, the glowing blue moss at the base of the trunk cushioning its fall.
"It's not fair!" She cried, puffing her cheeks. "I have been training for years now, so why can't I get this stupid thing right!"
Huffing and puffing, Amyra dropped herself on the dirt ground of the forest like a stubborn child. Twirling the grass blades around her index finger, she brooded over her archery skills.
Amyra was good with memory, facts and academics. Yet, she couldn't get this right, even after six years of practicing. A longing sigh escaped her rosy lips as she thought about a life free of expectations, free of responsibility— a life where society wouldn't judge an educated woman.
The wind caressed her sun-kissed cheeks, consoling her, encouraging her as she closed her eyes and listened to the euphonious melody of the birds, the creek, the river, and the synchronized rustling of the trees. It filled her with a sense of peace.
Amyra thought about her life, Lilah and Nasir, her guardians, who rescued her from hungry wolves in the forest, her energetic brother, who looked up to her, her friends, who lit up her days like the sun, and the love of her life.
Yes, it's true that the deceased king and queen encouraged education. Yes, it's true that people flocked to the kingdom just because of the excellent education it provided, giving the kingdom the title of 'Acadris, the kingdom of academics', and it's also true that the new king disliked educated women; he tried his best to stop women from getting education. But it's also true that Amyra was fortunate. She had a loving family, even if they weren't biologically related. She had friends whose company she cherished. She had Jamal, her sweet, gentle Jamal.
Heat crawled up her face at the thought of Jamal. Jamal, her best friend. Jamal, with whom she used to climb apple trees, and with whom she used to run in the meadows and sunny fields. The same Jamal with whom, in a few days, she was going to exchange vows, and soon he would become the Jamal with whom she would spend the rest of her life.
"Ha," a loud, proud voice interrupted Amyra's peace, bringing the sour expression back to her soft features.
"What...I tell...if you...our life...harder for you."
Uncrossing her legs, Amyra leaned forward on her hands, straining her ears in the hope of being able to listen to more than just snippets of the conversation.
"I...not afraid...you."
A familiar voice reached her ears, causing her to stand up with great urgency. What was he doing here, in the magical forest, at this time? Shouldn't he be returning home from his morning school?
