Reyna Academy

Rowena: Secrets

Rowena nocked another arrow. In one fluid movement she brought up her bow, anchoring it on her cheek. She aimed it at the center of the target and let go. It soared through the air, flying straight where she sent it, hitting the target dead center. A perfect shot! Father would be proud, if he were actually here. Rowena had to sneak off the grounds in order to practice her archery properly. She had tutors, one entirely to teach her archery. Even though it was not traditional, her parents insisted that Rowena and her sister, Anne, learn archery along with her brothers. Because her parents were connected to the throne and had her father was a hero, they were able to be a little untraditional. This did not stop her tutor from barely teaching the girls. He gave them children's bows and blunted arrows, to make sure that they did not hurt themselves. Anne found this perfectly agreeable, not being one for sport, but Rowena detested it. She had "liberated" a proper, if old, bow of her mother's from the armory and begged one of the guards to teach her. Under his correct tutelage, Rowena had become as good a shot as her father. She snuck into Sherwood Forest every day to practice in secret, honing her skills.

In the distance Rowena heard the bell ringing, warning all those in the farthest reaches of the castle and in the forest, that it was almost time for the midday meal. Rowena hurriedly removed her arrow from the target and placed it back in the quiver on her back. The target was hidden in a bush and the bow and quiver in a hollow tree. She hurried to the clearing where her mare, Ginger, was waiting for her, patiently tasting a nearby patch of grass.

Rowena up on her back in a flash, not even bothering to ride side-saddle like most girls her age. Soon she was tearing through the forest, the wind whipping her mop of reddish brown curls into a wild frenzy. All too son the edge of the forest was in sight. She stopped Ginger and climbed down. She attempted to make herself presentable by valiantly trying to fix the mess that was her hair and wipe the mud from her hem and boots. When she had gotten most of the mud off and lost the battle with her hair after not truly fixing any damage, she mounted her horse again, side saddle this time. Rowena brought Ginger to a trot and they sauntered in through the gates of Sherwood Castle, both pretending they had been doing nothing more than having an afternoon ride, like every other day.

Once Ginger was in the hand of a groom and getting rubbed down, Rowena started to make her way to her chambers. She almost made it without being noticed, until she almost ran into her sister rounding a corner. She took in Rowena's great snarl of hair and the mud on her hem and made a disapproving tsk.
Even though Anne was three years younger than Rowena, the thirteen year-old was more proper than her older sister. Her gowns were always immaculate. Her blonde hair was never mussed or, worse, in a complete tangle. Her embroidery was never lumpy or had knots in the thread. She never snuck of the grounds or stayed out in the sun so long that her nose and cheeks became covered in freckles. She was everything that Rowena wasn't. In short, a perfect little lady.

"Where were you this morning? Mother was looking for you everywhere."

"I was riding in the forest."

"Truly? Or were you riding out to the forest so you could practice your archery?" Anne shot her a devilish grin. Rowena advanced on her little sister, anxious. Anne was quick to allay, her sister's fears.
"Don't worry. I won't tell. Just because I don't want to learn real archery doesn't mean it's fair that we don't have that option. I know you've wanted to learn to shoot properly ever since we were kids." Rowena breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness! Now, can you help me with my hair? I don't want Mrs. Henry seeing me like this." Anne grimaced at the mention of the strict governess. Whenever she brushed their hair she pulled far too hard.
"Certainly. Come on before she sees you." Anne grabbed her sister's hand and they hurried to the bedroom that they shared. Anne led Rowena over to her own vanity and picked up her brush. She carefully began working on the mess of hair in front of her. Rowena tried not to wince in pain whenever Anne began to tug at a knot.
"So are you any good?" Anne asked Rowena was confused.