Lost but Loved

Chapter Twenty Four: The Brothers

Lucy retired early to her chambers, after getting herself worried over Thanos and Aetos. Everyone else stayed. Marcus was not happy about Richard's performance at the end. Lucy had known he was not a good suitor for her. He complained about this to Jasper, who as a father, understood. Jade listened in and felt mixed emotions. She wanted Lucy to settle down soon, otherwise she would end up an old maid. But she also knew Lucy was a free spirit, and it'd take a great man to tame her.

They all wanted the best for Lucy, but what they thought was best was different. Jade wanted to just let her be free. Jasper and Marcus wanted her to marry. Jade stared at her husband. She had forgiven him, at least part way, and didn't plan on leaving him yet. She would wait until Jayce was king. Her kingdom needed her, she couldn't leave. As soon as Jayce was settled in as king, she would go out into the country, and live as an old maid. She'd have a small farm, with a few cows and goats and chickens, perhaps a dog too. It would be a quiet life, and that's how Jade wanted to end her life. Spend some time alone and in the country, just how she started out, except then she had her parents and siblings.

The night ended and everyone went to their chambers. The children had long since retired. The stars had come out, and a cold wind swept over the valley, locking Stancely in a chilly state. The morning arrived, the cold sun rising in the east, not helping to warm the city. The frost eventually would melt, but not till after noontide.

Lucy had woke at dawn, dressed in a tunic, strapped on her belt with her sword, grabbed her quiver and bow, and placed her father's hat on her head. She was out in the courtyard, breathing in the crisp air. This was her favorite part of the day. Normally, at home she would start the long trek through the forest for some game. Instead, here she practiced her aim, loving the feel of her bow in her hands. After twenty shots, she switched to throwing knives for a bit. Her aim was true, hitting inside the inner most circle.

She walked to the target and pulled out her knives, wondering what she should do next. She heard someone approach and turned to see Duke Richard there. She smiled and walked over to him. "Would you like to shoot? I will have a bow brought for you."

"Oh, no. You don't have too."

"Oh," Lucy replied. She turned and grinned, knowing she had him. "Watch this!" She stood about 20 feet away, pulling back the arrow. She breathed in, and when she released her breath, she released her arrow. It stuck in the target, inside the circle. "Good, no?" She trotted to his side. "Are you going to let a woman beat you at archery?" She smiled innocently at him.

"Well, normally no. But I'm afraid that if I beat you, you would come after me."

Lucy grinned wider. "I will come after you if you do not shoot. Take my bow. It should be about your strength." She handed him her bow and drew an arrow from her quiver on her back. She held the bottom, and held it out. "Your arrow, sir."

Lucy took a step aside so she wasn't in the line of fire. Richard walked back to where Lucy had been when she shot and held the bow up. He seemed clumsy with it, and Lucy noted this. He had some trouble nocking his arrow, and when he finally got it, he aimed and fired. Lucy turned to the target to see what the outcome was. She snickered, but it turned into a full on laugh. He had missed the target completely. The arrow laid ten feet in front of Richard. He wasn't strong enough to pull the arrow back far enough.

"Stop! Lucy go back to your chambers!" Knight Marcus strode into the courtyard angrily. Lucy grinned though at her uncle, grabbed her bow, and arrows. "Get on, girl!" She smiled as she skipped out of the courtyard.

"I am sorry about her. I should have been watching her carefully. Why did you let her suck you into her game?"

"I-I wasn't thinking." Richard hung his head shamefully.