The Truth Over The Wall

Chapter 23

 *Dedicated to you my friend. You're crazy. As are all the best people in the world! :)*

The Princess Hanalea of Tafah had ridden down to meet the army to assist them safely the rest of the way, seeing as this was Witch territory and no one knew better than a Tafahan how important it was to avoid a witch.

At least this was the story Emery had related - and made sure it had spread - in order to explain Hanalea's presence.

Dominic had told him to say that the princess had in fact arrived with a large escort of men-at-arms but she had sent them away immediately once she had seen the size of their army. Rendering her own men unnecessary, save to convey to her uncle King Matthew that they were on their way.

This had pleased the men exceedingly. Yes, we do not need a herd of Marabecks, they thought smugly. Yes, we are more than capable of keeping the princess safe. It would actually, Sir Emery reasoned, have been an affront to them if the princess had decided to keep her escort.

It was, as the princess had purportedly said, unnecessary. The next morning anyone who woke early enough soon realized why.

Yet again an arrow struck it's mark while Amara merely shook her head, awed.

Amara had emerged with Fobos a little after dawn with plans for an excursion in the forest. She was quickly running low on her store of herb supplies and if they were to continue tending Sir Eric's weakened state she needed to replenish them immediately.

She had deliberately chosen a time people were not likely to be awake. This way Sir Emery could not nag her about an escort if he caught her. Locating rare herbs required patience – and at times- a little magical assistance.

She could not very well move about the rocks and wood in her path while a guard watched on.

But when she went outside the tent, she had found that she was not as alone as she had hoped. Princess Hanalea had decided to make use of the proper training equipment. Saying that she had left her practice neglected for far too long.

Hanalea took a deep breath, held it and released the arrow. Amara watched it slice through the air and sink deep into the very centre of the dull red circle in the large target.

Every time, Amara thought blinking. She wondered just what the princess meant by neglected?

Amara's basket lay empty by her side while she sat on a large rock and continued to watch Hanalea, fascinated.

Hanalea walked up to the target and planted her boot firmly at the base of it, then she yanked out each of the arrows as more people woke up and walked cautiously around her, watching.

"She's strong," Amara told Fobos, looking down at the shrunken ball of red brown fur, "A real warrior. Not like any of the princesses I've read about.

"And I've read about a lot of them, Fobos," Amara hastened to assure her, "Princess Hanalea would give them a right scare." Amara observed with a laugh.

Sara nearly tripped and dropped the pail she was carrying when she saw Hanalea lift the enormous broad sword someone had left in the practice area near the clearing. Hanalea had been in the process of testing its weight when she had noticed Sara fumble.

"Are you alright?" Hanalea had walked toward her, putting the sword back down, "Here, let me help you with that."

"Oh, no," Sara had almost snatched the pail out of Hanalea's reach. Mortified and red faced, she quickly apologized, "No, thank you, Your Highness. I-I can do it myself."