Masked

Chapter 10

There was excitement buzzing in the air. People had come from all over the country to attend the annual Edgard archery competition.

Arya saw a group of girls talking and laughing by the punch stand. One of them, a girl with a bow noticed her staring and started towards her.

"Hi there, I'm Anita." The girl was tall and muscular. Her dark brown hair was tied back in a high pony tail. Arya was immediately pulled in by her eyes, a beautiful shade of brown. A natural tan told her that she spent a lot of time outside. Her long straight nose gave her a don't-mess-with- me look but her smile was open and friendly.

They shook hands. "I'm Arya. Where are you from?"

"Harland. You?"

"No way!! I'm from there too! I've never seen you there before though." Arya was pleasantly surprised.

"That's because I just moved in with my family a few weeks back. Here for the competition? "

"Yeah, but just as a spectator. My friends are taking part."

As if on cue, the boys seem to have materialized behind her.

"And who is this pretty lady you're talking to?" William flashed his teeth, trying out his charm.

It didn't work. Anita remained impassive. "I'm Anita. And I can speak for myself. "

Ha! I love her already! Arya thought.

"Nice to meet you Anita." Derik put out his hand for her to shake.

"You too. But don't think i'll go easy on you!"

Only then did the guys notice the bow in her hand and the quiver slung across her back.

Boys.

"Contestants, please assemble. Your names will be called out one by one. There are a series of targets you are required to hit.Every target gets progressively harder but all consist of three concentric circles. points are awarded based on the proximity to the bull's eye.If your arrow falls within the boundary of the outer circle, you get 5 points,the inner circle,10 points, the innermost circle gets 15 points and the bull's eye gets 30 points..."

Everyone turned to the targets. The  bull's eye was a tiny black speck, smack in the middle of the target...no wonder it was assigned 30 points...

"The average of all your scores will be taken..those who score above the average will proceed to the next round and those who score below the average will be eliminated..."

"Easy! We've got this!" William and Derik high-fived.

"Don't be so sure..." Anita grinned slyly and walked away.

And so it began. One by one names were called out.  There were around 30 contestants.  The first 10 managed to go no farther than the first target. 

"Samuel Ytget" 

A tall, well built man, maybe in his mid twenties, stepped forward. He brushed a strand of rich brown hair out of his face and gave a lazy smile.  He nocked an arrow and flexed his shoulder muscles.

The crowd cheered and squeeled. Nothing like a charismatic young man to rile up the crowd.

"Show off" William muttered. Derik nodded.

The young man gave another smile before returning to the task at hand.   The first target was nothing challenging,just a stationary one. Samual easily hit the innermost circle. 

"15 points!" 

The crowd cheered again.

The second was a bit more complicated, with ropes on either side of the target with people positioned to move it side to side. No one had managed to hit it so far...

Samuel contemplated the moving target for a while and after a few minutes, smiled and let loose an arrow. Inner circle.

"10 points!"

He continued target after target..but he was unable to his the penultimate one,albeit his score was impressive... 95.

William and Derik smirked and exchanged knowing glances.

Anita stared at them disgusted. "Are these two always this full of themselves?"

"Pretty much.."

And so it continued.

Everyone was so enamored by the competition, that they didn't notice the lone stranger with a mask, standing behind the tree, watching everything silently.

Arya felt uneasy. Something was wrong.... she suddenly turned around. Nothing. She shrugged and went back to watching the competition.

The masked man glided forward stopping behind a little girl who had wandered back from the crowd. She felt a shadow fall on her and looked up. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to scream....