Trying to get another chapter out before I have a procedure for treatment next week. This will put me out for a bit. Review if you can, and if you catch any mistakes please let me know. Stay well!- dmp012

Serenity, or Stellan as she was currently going by, had spent the day wandering around the Middle Circle the day before the tournament. She enjoyed looking at the shops and vendors and people watching. She spent the day relaxing, giving her body a day of rest before the tournament.

Now she stood, hood concealing her hair, men's clothing concealing her body, facing one of the highest ranking generals in the kingdom of Terra, in a final archery match. She smirked to herself, the money would be hers. She looked over at General Zoisite, who stood off to her right. She had watched him compete between her turns, and quickly learned his strengths and weaknesses. His greatest weakness was his rotator cuff was beginning to bother him, making it hard for him to draw back on the string. The power behind his arrow was lacking and making his aim poor compared to how he was at the start of the tournament. Unlike Serenity, who had saved her power for the higher rounds of shooting. It was all about to pay off.

She watched the young man push his darker blond hair out of his green eyes as he prepared to take his first shot. He let out a growl of frustration as he hit the outer, yellow ring. Serenity's smirk deepened as she stepped up to her line. Drawing the string back, her hand near her cheekbone and ear, she eyed her target. Letting her smirk deepen, she let the arrow fly, hitting dead center. She could hear General Zoisite grind his teeth.

He stepped up once again, and this time managed to get it inside the inner, yellow ring. Serenity again sank an arrow into the same ring. The score was 19 to 20. She could tell the general beside her was frustrated. No one had scored a perfect 30 throughout the tournament, and now a mere Inner Ringer stood the chance and to be victorious over him. Gritting his teeth he fired his final shot at it landed in the inner, yellow ring, barely. Serenity could hear him hold his breath as she prepared for her final shot. When it landed with a loud thud, dead center in the inner, yellow ring, she knew she was victorious by the instantaneous and deafening cheers that came from the stands.

Serenity held her bow to her body, realizing with sudden clarity that she won. She won her portion of the tournament. She won the money. She could care for her village and friends. They would never go hungry again. They could finally build proper homes. They could take care of themselves in a way they had never imagined. She could not wait to return to her home, prize in hand, victorious.

General Zoisite approached her, his hand outstretched toward her. She clasped her small hand firmly in his as they shook hands. "Congratulations, lad. Never have I seen such skill. Your father must be very proud," said Zoisite. "Yes, he would be," said Serenity in her lowered tenor voice. "May I ask the name of our victor," he asked. "Yes sir, my name is Stellan. It is an honor to compete against a warrior such as yourself." "The honor was mine. Come, you must join me with the other generals and the Prince. I'm sure they are just as intrigued as myself about you."

Serenity halted for a second, concerned. She quickly came up with an escape. "My Lord, I appreciate the request but respectfully ask that we convene together at the celebration this evening. I am tired and need to prepare myself for the festivities, especially before presenting myself to the Prince." "Of course, Stellan. By all means. We will convene this evening. Your story will be the one all will be talking about and I know many look forward to meeting you."

"Thank you, sir. I will see you this evening."

Serenity quickly spun on her heels and melded into the large crowd. Congratulations followed her wherever she went. Making it back to the inn took her longer than expected, but she had a plan in place for the evening by the time she reached her destination. Moving swiftly into her room, she collapsed on the bed after wrenching the cloak from her shoulders. She stared at the ceiling, recalling the days events. Now, she just needed to get through the evening, obtain her reward, and be on her way tomorrow morning.

Quickly washing her body, she redressed herself, and headed downstairs. The inn was filled with people and many started cheering when they realized the winner from the archery tournament was there. Head bowed, Serenity said a quick thank you and began her walk to the palace.

The follow up for the day, was a large ball where the distribution of award money would take place. Serenity couldn't fathom what $100,000 looked like in person. She was looking forward to finding out. She watched as revelers partied at the inns and in the streets after a spectacular day. Her name had spread throughout the people, so many were shouting it and congratulations in her directions on her walk toward the gates of the Upper Ring. Being apart of the competition today, hadn't really given her the opportunity to look around and take in the scenery.

Her eyes widened as she passed through the gates. Clean streets were flanked by large homes, trees, and street lamps lit by fire. The homes were something she couldn't seem to fathom. They were large manors, with multiple stories, glass windows, and meticulous lawns. Many of the lights were out, because everyone had been invited in for the ball. Passing through the middle of the ring, held all of the shops and vendors. They were filled with extravagant items she had never seen and some she had dreamed about. Large walking parks with promenades and lakes filled some of the areas, though most of the Inner Circle used them for showing off their latest fashions and couples. The few remaining revelers who had not made it to the palace, again shouted congratulations to her.

Serenity approached the palace and audibly gasped. In the setting sun, it glowed a soft golden color. The large spires seemed to stretch to the heavens. Glass of every color seemed to fill the smooth walls. On the outer wall, guards were perched atop the walk way and surrounded the perimeter. They were armed to the teeth and ready to defend its inhabitants at all costs.

She walked through those gates, showing the main guards her pass to allow her entry. Walking on, she knew she should feel anxious about the evening to come, but she did not. She had her story in place, and would stick to it. Her hood would never leave her head. Once the money was placed in her hands, she would depart.