How To Train Your Princess

How You Get the Girl

For some bizarre reason, Phlegma decided that it was a good idea to give teenage girls flaming arrows. Especially with Ingrid around. I had to keep an eye on her in fear of looking down and getting an arrow in the back of my head. The goal of the lesson was to fire at a metal ring on a pole and light it with fire. Of course this was no where near what was actually happening. Sloppily fired arrows were flying toward the ring, each one missing, and guards in armor, holding shields and buckets of water, were putting out the small grass fires. We were going by groups and I was second to last, so it was going to be awhile. 

I'm laying down in the grass, picking at the blades above my head and staring at the sky, the ever growing clouds accumulating and covering up the blue. "It looks like it could rain any second now," I say, twisting a piece of grass around my finger. 

"Yeah, I'm hoping it holds out long enough for us to have a turn, since we've been waiting out here for hours," Ruff responds, sat beside me. 

"It's only been two hours," I counter.

"Exactly. That's two hours too long," she huffs, falling back into the grass with me. "I'm hungry. I want dinner," she complains. I roll my eyes at her whininess. "It's so humid out here too."

"I'm aware."

"Faylinn, you and Larkin are up!" Phlegma calls.

"We are half way now," I say optimistically. 

"Wooh," Ruff answers dryly, throwing her hands in the air, limply. 

"Don't hurt yourself with all the excitement. Wouldn't want you to pull a muscle before it's our turn."

"Don't insult me my flaxen haired friend." I roll my eyes again.

"Psst." I lift my head to see if Ruff made the noise, but she's still complaining, so no. "Psst." I glance around me. Jamie and Layla are making flower crowns. Camicazi is braiding Heather's hair. Dee, Macy and Raven look like they are asleep, and Ingrid is pouting. "Psst."

"Do you hear that?" I ask Ruff.

"Hear what?" 

"I don't know." I sit up, swiveling my head back and forth.

"Astrid."

"Did that bush just say your name?" Ruffnut asks, both of us eyeing it.

"So you heard that too?" I ask, picking up my bow, and arrow ready to fly. I check behind me to make sure Ingrid and Phlegma aren't watching before crouching and inching forward slowly. 

"Don't get eaten!" Ruff calls. 

I roll my eyes-- again. "Gee, thanks. That's helpful," I hiss at her. She just shrugs.

I'm a foot away from the bush, when a hand grabs me and pulls me around the side. I gasp, surprised, dropping the bow. When I'm steady, I punch him.

"Ow! What? Why?" 

"That's for scaring me. Need I remind you of the last time you scared me like that?"

"Fare point," he says, rubbing his arm.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"I wanted to see you."

"Oh." I blush, embarrassed. "Where have you been the last few days?" I ask, since the last time I saw him was at bath night.

"I've been busy," he says, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Busy....?" I repeat, crossing my arms and shifting my weight over my left leg.

"Yeah."

"With what?" I ask sweetly, smiling.

"With... practice and stuff. It's not important."