Sorry it took so long everyone, even though i had the chapters set out haha! Please enjoy chapter 3!
Chapter 3
Lyla laid her head down on her pillow, pulling the blanket up to her chin, her eyes searched around the tent for any entry points that could lead to her fatal discovery.
Closing her eyes slowly, Lyla's mind flashed back to the memories back at the palace.
A little girl with dark brown pigtails was running through the courtroom with a boy about a year older than herself. The little girl was at least 7 years old and the boy, 8.
'Luke, hurry up! I'm winning!' the little girl yelled at the older boy, Luke.
'Not for long Lyla, I'll win, just you wait and see.' He called back, both having large smiles on their faces.
'Will you promise me you won't tell a soul of my breakout?' A woman aged 19 asked a 20 year old man. Her dark chocolate brown eyes searching his blue ones.
'I'm your father's trusted knight, Lyla.' Luke replied. His eyes searching hers, what he found hurt him, pain, sadness and something else, trust.
'Please, Luke, for me.' She said, closing the gap in-between the two of them. 'It's been you and I from the beginning, don't ruin this now, this was meant to happen.' She said, the two of the, inches away from each other now.
'Will you come back for me?' He asked, whispering as they were millimetres apart.
'Only if I know you won't tell my secret.' Lyla got her hood ready to flip on.
'I promise.' With those two words, the two closed the gap and shared a feeling the two have felt for each other for years. But unfortunately, they had to stop.
'Lyla, are you awake?' said a voice belonging to a maid from the other side of the door. The duo stared at the door for a few seconds before registering that they only had mere minutes for her escape.
'Quick, Lyla, before they know you're missing, I'll hold her off as long as I can.' Luke said before pecking Lyla on the lips one last time before she jumped out of the window and landing smoothly on the ground. She looked up the three stories before finding her best friend and lover staring out the window watching her.
She waved goodbye and he did the same before she sped off in the shadows.
Lyla woke up early in the morning. The sun illuminating the tent fabric. A soft moan was heard from her sluggish form. Wiping the sleep from her eyes she started preparing herself for the beginning of the three tests. Wrapping her torso and chest in a bandage to cover her womanly figure and tying her hair back in a bun. She was ready to get into her gear.
A few minutes later, she was ready, her name, Luke, the one reminder she has of the one person she trusted. Unfortunately, the thought about riches over took his mind, and all his promises were broken the minute the thought came through. Now she was on the run. But this time, more eager to escape it than ever before.
Slowly getting out of the tent, she erected herself and took in the scene forming around her. Men, everywhere, well as far as she could tell. Most of them had hoods on so it was hard to tell the gender, but by looking at most of the people walking around and setting up the tests, they were men. A few of the people turned to look at the hooded figure near the tent, but as soon as they turned to look, they turned back just as quickly.
Taking even steps, Lyla carefully looked at everyone's job. Some were setting up the multiple targets for the accuracy test, others were setting up the individual maps of various fiefs for the geography test and there wasn't anything to do really in the stealth test. All in all, nearly everyone was moving around.
After a few more minutes on studying each Ranger, a grizzled Ranger walked up to Lyla, cautious and aware of what she might be hiding underneath the grey and green moulted cloak of hers, but not showing any sign of it.
'So, boy, how far are you in your training?' Halt asked, studying her once again.
'Only two more years of training left, sir.' Came her gruff reply as she masqueraded her voice once more.
'So you should be around 19, aren't you?' Lyla carefully shifted her weight to her left foot and slowly moved her right leg out at shoulders width, while giving the look as she was adjusting her stance to a more comfortable position. Slowly, she rose to the front of her feet, while still leaving a small gap that could fit a piece of paper under and quickly be brought out.
'Yes sir.' She replied again, already in a stance that allowed her to make the first move without preparing. But knowing this Ranger, and the skills he possess, it was unlikely she could strike first without a blow to her body by an arrow that could be pulled from the quiver, knocked on the bow string, drawn and fired in a heartbeat.
Play it slowly, make him think you're not a threat, and maybe, just maybe, he won't aim an arrow for your head. Lyla thought to herself, if she was going to show the people that she wasn't some harmless girl, who couldn't take care of herself. Then she would first have to prove the patience and quick thinking she possessed her whole life. One little screw up would change everything for her, and the plan would be ruined.
'Well then, Crowley wanted me to tell you that the first test starts in half an hour.' Lyla nodded her head, showing that she got the message; Halt went on his way without giving a second glance back at the stranger who appeared out of nowhere.
The first test was the archery test.
4 apprentices stood in a line, all facing 6 targets ranging from distances and heights. The aim of the test was to use 20 shots to hit your marks, and then with another 5 cut off your opponents. They only had 5 minutes. 2 mins for preparations and 3 mins for the practical part.
'Apprentices, get ready to begin shoot in... 3,' Lyla quickly planned out her shooting, shoot 4 target arrows then use one of the five arrows to knock someone else off course.
'2…,' Steady breaths were taken by all the participants as they readied their arrows to the strings.
'1, go!' as the sound of the caller rang through their ears, each apprentice started firing their arrows, knocking them to the string and drawing the bow. Each one landing on their targets, while some were unlucky and were either missed or hit off course.
Lyla took steady breaths, and knew not to rush too much like the others did. Handling the arrows with skill and precision, she carefully, while quickly, drew them back and raised it to hit her targets. Each arrow hitting bulls eye. As she shot her arrow 45 degrees to the right, one of the other apprentices hit the tail of the arrow and sent it going left, rather than the original course.
Lyla saw this action, and quickly corrected the arrow with her own waiting a heartbeat before firing another arrow at the tip of the previous one, she made sure both of their courses were headed to another target. But remembering her penalty of shooting two arrows at the same target.
The caller made another announcement, saying that the test was over. Four Rangers approached Ranger Crowley and told him their report on each of the participants. There were three that she recognised. The old fart, Halt, the young idiot, Gilan, and the other jerk, Merron.
After they finished their little chat, the caller came back with Crowley.
'After our discussion on the four of you, and the hearing of your report on this assessment, we've decided that all of you passed this test. Will, congratulations, out of 20 arrows you managed to hit 3 on the targets and 14 more on the bulls eye. Peter, With 3 arrows hitting that inner ring and 13 hitting the bulls eye, you also made a clear pass, congratulations. Gordon, 2 arrows in the inner ring and 14 hitting the bulls eye, well done. Luke,' There was a long pause, as the old man stared at Lyla studying her as if he should decide if he should get rid of the pest or keep it. 'Luke shot ..
