The Lady Justice

Chapter XXVIII: To Invite, And Be Invited

Lady Katherine Harrington of Johanne

15 November, Year 1 of Sebastian VI, Emperor of the Longbournian Nations' reign

Longbourne Military Academy for Women, Amöneburg

The Longbournian Nations

The thunder of a pair of hooves rang out loudly throughout the near empty training field. It resounded in the air, becoming louder and louder with each successive repeat, like an echo that simply refused to be silenced.

Soon enough, Corporal Baudelaire entered swiftly into my range of vision, perched on her stallion. She was riding at breakneck speed on the meandering road below the Archery mount I stood on, waving a bulging sack at me with a wide grin on her face.

I tensed, alert at once. Twenty pairs of eager, young eyes around me began to bore holes into my back, observing me very carefully on what I would do.

Concentrate, Kat, I mumbled to myself, concentrate.

My grip on my bow tightened, as I narrowed my gaze and focused on the sack that Corporal Baudelaire was holding up high.

Or specifically, on the knot of rope that tied the sack.

Time seemed to slow down, as I fitted an arrow onto the string and raised my bow to shoulder level. Drawing the shaft to my ear, my eyebrows furrowed in intense focus while I waited for her to reach the exact spot on the road where I wanted to aim.

Deep breaths, Kat, deep breaths.

Each puff of air that left my lips regularly formed a cloud of mist in front of me, glowing orange due to the powerful rays of the Sun that reached out towards me, even as it was sinking into the horizon yonder.

When Corporal Baudelaire reached the correct spot, I wasted no time.

Twang!

The arrow struck the sack straight at its noose, causing it to come loose and allow the heavy rocks within to tumble out of it. Corporal Baudelaire shot me a thumbs-up, continuing to ride off into the sunset.

"Thank you, Corporal Baudelaire," I mouthed to her, as I saluted her in gratitude for agreeing to be my moving target this evening.

Almost simultaneously, thunderous applause began to sound around me.

I turned to the small, watching group of Cadets surrounding me. "Thank you very much," I bowed, chuckling in amusement at the awestruck looks on the faces of the teenagers.

Cadet Eichmann raised her hand. "Would we have to do that, Ma'am?" she sounded almost incredulous in her uncertainty.

"Indeed. In fact, this is what we are going to be learning and practicing tomorrow," I informed them, "your targets will not always be - nay, will never be - stationary like the target boards you have been practising on thus far. Learning to shoot moving targets is an essential skill for army officers like you."

I paused for a moment, as I took in their apprehensive faces. "Why do you all look like I have sentenced you to a term in the dungeons? Do not worry so much," I gave them a small, reassuring smile, "I will be guiding you every step of the way, like I always do. Is that all right?"

A relieved murmur of assent arose. "Aye, Archery Mistress ma'am."

"Good," I nodded, "with that being said, we have come to the end of our training session today. Please be punctual for training tomorrow."

"Thank you, ma'am. Permission to leave, ma'am?"

"Permission granted."

The Cadets dispersed at once, turning around to trudge towards the Academy, no doubt to bathe and make themselves presentable for dinner within an hour.