Gardener

Chapter 8

Archery

"Can I change my mind?" Amida asked as we stood in the center of the training field with at least thirty other suitors while the Queen gave a grand speech of what to expect in the coming Tournament. The first three days would test our skills in combat, the first day would be archery, the second a hunt requiring team work, the third sparring for points. The next three days is all politics, the three days all these noble daddies had come for, the opportunity for new alliances and trade. The final stage of the Tournament was a mystery depending on how many made it through the first two stages. It could last but one more day or extend to four. I hoped it was but one.

"It's too late for that now." Kalini countered bouncing with excitement as the crowd roared around us.

Ryu nudged me slightly, "Dara out did herself this time," he murmured his appreciation dipping his head towards the stands.

I smiled softly listening to the trees sing, "That she did Ryu, that she did."

"It is with great honor that I introduce to you my Head Gardener, responsible for where you all are seated now, Dara Pak." Dara took the stand, made from a young ash tree she'd grown just that morning and smiled brightly at the masses.

"I am thankful to be alive in this moment, the Princess has passed her Trials and we stand on the brink of another Queen's Tournament..." Dara paused while the crowd roared anew. "This is a time of peace, a time for allies to be made, and trade to be conducted, for songs to be written and love to be found. Good fortune to each and every one of you," Dara caught my eye bowing her head slightly. I tipped my head in acknowledgement that her fortune was meant for her Gardeners but propriety demanded that she acknowledge the entirety of us.

Princess Kiran went on to explain that the archery portion of the Tournament would start just after midmorning meal it would be conducted in three phases, short range, long range and movement at varying ranges. There would be five groups of six suitors each since there were thirty suitors in all. Of course that number would dwindle with time after all not every noble could fire a bow.

"I almost wished the first task weren't so easy," Amida mumbled just low enough for us to hear. "Then I'd be done with the Tournament..."

"Our job is to aid her Highness," Kalini shot back hitting him in the shoulder. "The Queen's Tournament is a cover, so you're stuck with us until...until we can no longer pass the events."

"I'm looking forward to the sparring," Ryu said with a maniacal grin, that was completely contradictory to his usual gentle nature.

I gazed around spotting Prince Jin chatting it up with a group of noblemen, I traced my fingers lightly along the blade hidden by the fall of my tunic. "I completely understand the sentiment."

"Now is not the time for violence." Kalini gave each of us a look in turn, "Now is the time for finding two other people we can bear to deal with to go in our group of six."

"Yes, Goddess forbid we end up with a bigoted foreigner who doesn't believe women should rule." Amida inserted, gazing around looking for a likely candidate.

"Damn, there goes the Sol-Lea stolen from us by a group of dandies." Ryu chuckled at Amida's frustration.

"Let us just take who remains Am, no point in searching, we aren't like them and they see that. Regardless of the outcome we know what we're here for." Amida nodded at Ryu's sage words before relaxing into himself.

We watched men and women alike drift towards one group or another while our recruits set up the archery range wheeling out a rack of bows made in every shape and size. Kalini was shaking her head. "An archery contest for a group of garden mages...I never thought it would be this easy."