In the Darkness of the Night

Chapter 13

Aralynn turned to the stunned Adrian who glared at her while he sat on the dirt. She offered a hand to him, which he refused as he stood up and dusted himself off. Taking his sword from her hand roughly he turned and stalked off.

'What a baby, it was just a sparring match.' Aralynn thought to herself. She was pulled out of her thoughs by a rough pat on the back.

" Well done! No one has ever beaten the captain!" Aralynn turned to see the smile of one of the older students.

"Thank you." She grinned. They pulled her into their grounp and she was swarmed with questions, and they all talked to her freely.

By the time the sun had set and it was time to go to dress for dinner she had talked to just about everyone of the students and she found that they were going to be great comerads in arms. There was a feeling of unity among the entire group, no one was singled out. Even those with higher ranks or titles treated those in lesser classes with the highest respect. Aralynn had earned herself a place among the group, and she couldn't stop smiling as she dressed for dinner.

       As she made her way through the corridors to the dining hall she yellow skirt swished at her ankles. Still sore from the days fight the fabric was freeing to her legs. Making her was through the corridor she considered the fact that she was meeting the princess in two days. Rumors had spread that she was a hateful girl, spoiled to the core. Were it not for the fact that she had been allowed training time, Aralynn may have been dreading it. But it was her duty and birth right to protect and serve the princess, and thats what she would do, without complaint.

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    Sitting down at the grand table across from the General yet again Aralynn dicussed her progress with him. He told her he was astounded at how she'd done and that she had great prospects for her as a fighter. Aralynn was pleasently involved in the conversation, but not so consumed as to notice the empty seat beside her. The Captian had yet to show.

In addition to his absence the ladies of the court didn't speak to her, turning up their nose when she smiled politely at them. Or ignoring her completely when she tried to make conversation. The men all seemed to be afraid of her, their eyes shifting nervously at her. Araynn made it through the meal and rushed out of the room as quickly as she could. Blowing out a breath she decided to calm herself down, with some archery practice.

The walk to the weapons room took longer than she had anticipated considering she lost her way a few times. The palace was still mind blowingly large to her. Walking in she looked at the bows critically, occasionally picking one up and testing it. Feeling its weight in her palms, pulling the string experimentally. Finally she decided on a yew longbow, and she grabbed the matching quiver full of arrows and pull them both onto her shoulders.

Walking out onto the range, it was quiet. Crickets chirped and the breeze blew softly. There were dummy targets made of straw and burlap sacks, that passably looked like people. Each was at a different distance. They staggered unevenly across the feild their figures swaying in the wind. Pulling out her bow and picking an arrow she placed it into the string and took her position. Taking her aim at the closed dummy she breathed out slowly. Taking care to aim twoards the head she took another breath. A cough sounded from behind her, startled she released the arrow missing her target as it whirled into the darkness. Turning she saw a dark figure behind her.

"Who are you?" sh easked.

"Are you always stupid or does it just come and go?" Ahe heard a familiar smirking voice stir the darkness. Glaring at him , even though she knew he couldn't see her well she turned away.

"Ahhh, look. The sore loser is finally done hiding like a child." She pulled out the anouther arrow, pulling it into place she aimed again.

"Why are you shooting in the dark? It's a new moon. Theres hardly any light at all."

"I can see just fine. No one asked you to come and question my competence."

"Surely someone has to before you kill yourslef with a damn arrow." She turned her head to look at him, even in the darkness she could see him perfectly, she'd never had a problem seeing in the darkness. She always felt at home enveloped in the mystories of the night.

"Considering I beat you, the all mighty Captian del excellence. I think i can handle a late night target practice." Tunring her head back twoard her target she took aim and released the arrow. It landed with a thwack, as it landed squarely in the dummies head. Grinning she turned to look at Adrian.

"Could you please leave now?" She asked turning away from his surprised look. After setting another arrow she went to pull back her arm to fir and her elbow bumped into something solid. She froze.

"Why?" His breath hot against her ear, "Am I distracting you?"

"N-no." She studdered, cursing herself when she heard him chuckle at her stumbling. He was so close to her, so solid and so intoxicating. She inhaled sharply and stepped away as soon as her thoughts made her blush. "No, you're infuriating and i would like to continue practice with out you standing over my shoulder."

He shrugged and turned to leave. She breathed out in relief as she watched his retreating form. After that her mind calmed and cleared, each shot she took was precise, smooth, and exactly where she aimed for. When her quiver was empty she retreived the arrows she had borrowed and took them back to the weapons room.

When she lay down to sleep she drifted instantly to sleep.