Chapter 9
"Preparations"
The twang of a bow's string resonated in the isolated area behind a large wooden gate and ended with a loud thud on the tough bark of a large and old oak tree.
Arianna peeked from underneath her blindfold and groaned frustratedly.
The arrow had landed way beyond the center of the target, which was a bright red mark Arianna smeared unto the center the oak tree with some red chalk that she casually picked up from an art stand near the town hall. It didn't take long for Arianna to find a secluded place to practice her bow and arrows, there were practically a dozen places where the townsfolk hardly ventured into and this area was one of them.
Throwing down her bow with aggravation, she crossed her arms tightly and paced rapidly, back and forth. Sitting down on a rock, she hung her head on her hands and wracked her brain for a new strategy. She had been trying to hit the dead center of the target, blindfolded while muttering petitions to the gods in her head, for nearly two hours. Time was slipping by quickly and not one of her arrows was true to its goal. Arianna looked up from her hands and focused her eyes on the target. Staring straightly at the red mark, she tried to remember what she had done accurately during the first Archery tournament that made her see through the blindfold.
Then, with a sigh of utmost determination, Arianna stood up again and picked up the strip of brown cloth from the ground. She also picked up her bow and walked towards the oak tree. Wrenching the arrow from the already battered trunk, she walked an estimated distance of fifty paces away from the target and turned around. Tying the blindfold securely over her eyes, she strung the arrow unto the bow.
All right then, if I did it before than I, sure as the gods, can do it again…
Arianna took a deep breath and as she positioned herself for release, she screamed in her head.
Show me the light! Show me the light! Show me the light!
But after waiting a few moments, nothing happened. All she still saw was black darkness. Arianna tore off the blindfold and looked at it with confusion.
What am I doing wrong?
Frowning irritably, she flung the cloth aside and aimed her arrow at the target. Shutting her eyes tight, she put aside the illusions of her former idea, and focused on reality remembering every little thing her grandfather and her recent experience had taught her. She checked the course of the wind as a light breeze swept a few hanging strands of her scarlet hair, she summoned to her intellectual mind, her distance, her position and her strength. With all these in mind, she felt confident, sure handed and ready.
Without a moment's hesitation, she fired the arrow and then she heard the distant thud of the landing arrow. From where she stood, she knew her arrow had gone straight to its mark. Opening her eyes, she saw it. There it was, set at the very center of the trunk and she had done it without any supernatural occurring of any kind.
Arianna smirked and shook her head knowingly, I was right. Whatever happened yesterday was no more than a figment of my imagination… Of course it was my imagination! What could I have been thinking? I? A god?
Laughing silently, Arianna went to claim her arrow and as she walked back to her starting point. Her confidence started to build up inside her once again. The day was nearly drawing to its end. Only a few hours more and she would soon be basking in the glory and fame that she had been dreaming of for so long.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of bright gold high up in the oak tree. Arianna frowned and rubbed her eyes. Was her mind playing tricks with her again? She decided that the sun must have got into her eyes or maybe she had pushed herself too hard with her archery practice.
She laid her bow and arrow on the ground and sat at the foot of the oak tree. Closing her eyes and leaning against the trunk, she thought she heard a strange melancholic melody in the wind. It sounded so faint, hardly audible, but it was so beautiful. Gradually, the volume of the song increased and Arianna could make out the most beautiful, saddest and the most enchanting voice she had ever heard in her entire life. The high and soothing tune swept through Arianna, lulling the girl to sleep and leading her into numerous fantasies of perfect serenity and bliss. Running streams, the green vibrancy of the forest, the gentle coolness of the breeze, and the fresh gust of mountain air filled Arianna's mind and for a moment, she wished she would never awake, wished to dwell inside her idyllic visions for all time…
But then, almost immediately, the voice disappeared. It took a few moments for Arianna to realize what had happened to her. When she opened her eyes, to see what had just occurred, she noticed nothing out of the ordinary. She looked up towards the thick branches and leaves of the great oak tree but still saw nothing.
When she stood up, she felt extremely lightheaded, just like the night before except without the other horrible effects of the ale. As soon as she had walked a good distance away from the tree, she heard some indistinct shouting on the other side of the fence. Wondering if that strange melodic singing was the reason for the excitement, she moved towards a part of the fence, where some planks of wood were missing and listened to the outside conversation.
"Did you hear it?" a man's voice asked.
His wife, a plump woman, replied, "I certainly did. Nearly fell over when I was in that horrible trance."
"W-What happened?" A slow old voice asked.
"It was the phoenix! The Golden phoenix, wasn't it mother? And it was singing!" A small boy asked, jumping excitedly.
A few more people gathered around, chatting dynamically about the incident when unexpectedly, two well-dressed horsemen came riding up on their brown steed.
"By the gods! What's all this fuss about, now?" One of the horsemen asked.
"The golden phoenix, milord, it was here just a few moments ago." One of the village men answered.
The horsemen looked at each other with wonder and the other horseman uttered, "A pity we missed it but not to fear, the Priceless Gift challenge will begin soon and we may have a chance at that golden phoenix."
The people gathered around them, murmured to one another and nodded.
"We have come bringing great news." The first horseman announced gallantly and the small crowd quieted.
"Yes, indeed, important news as well. We have just received word that the Lighted Caravan of the Mystical Monarchs from the east has just arrived."
The people cheered but the horseman speaking held up his hands for silence, "The town master has instructed everyone in the town of Vasdenin to proceed to the town square when the last rays of sunset fall. The Spring Fairy Festival is almost at hand so I charge you all to ready yourselves for it is time for celebration!"
The townsfolk cheered again and the two horsemen rode away. Once the horsemen, had gone, the crowd dispersed and the people headed quickly for their homes to make final arrangements for their festival making. Arianna, who was leaning against the fence, sighed nervously.
The Spring Fairy Festival…
Arianna looked up to the sky, it was nearing the end of the afternoon. She had to act quickly if she expected to get to the festival on time. She still had to stop by the inn to collect her new garments, quiver with a full set of arrows and take her bath. So she had a few more practice shots with her bow and arrow before leaving.
While she was packing up, the golden phoenix entered her thoughts and she remembered how close it was to her and how enchanting its song was. Arianna planned on joining the challenge in capturing something magnificent for the fairies and she knew most hunters were bent on seeking out the golden phoenix.
Shouldering her bow and her sack where she stored some other things, she noticed something glistening at the foot of the oak tree. Walking closer to determine what it was, her eyes widened when she saw it. It was a golden feather; alike to the one that hunter had brought to the inn earlier that day.
It was shining so brilliantly on the ground, that Arianna felt the urge to pick it up and hold it closer. But something instead her prevented her from doing so. She just stood there staring at the radiant piece debating with herself whether to pick it up or not. Then, with a final look at it, Arianna turned and walked away.
Though she felt slightly regretful for not having taken that precious item, she also felt relieved. Something about that feather was disturbing her greatly, and she didn't exactly know why.
Putting away the issue of the golden feather, she forced herself to focus on the events of that night. If she was aiming to achieve all that she had been planning for, she had to execute all her actions with extreme caution, confidence and intelligence. So far, everything was moving at the course she had planned. All she needed to do now was to win the archery tournament and have that golden bird in her possession tonight.
Dusk was slowly setting on the small town of Vasdenin but it was only when the last rays of the sun lingered above the horizon, coloring the sky with swirls of deep red orange, pastel pink and purple did the town become alive with frenzied preparation for the upcoming festival. The Spring Fairy Festival was held every year just two weeks after the last breath of winter faded away. Each of the seven towns residing in the Northern lands played host to the fairy lords of the east, who came bringing with them the power of the elemental spirits, that held the kept life and nature at its normal balance. If the fairy lords were pleased with the reception given them, then that town would be assured of a flourishing year.
Vasdenin, of course, was that springtime's host and everyone in town was required to produce the best of what Vasdenin could offer, which wasn't all that difficult to accomplish. Vasdenin was indeed well known for the great succulent banquets and excellent provision of wine and ale. The town also boasted of its army of archers and headhunters that were the finest and most skilled in all the Northern land. After a long week of busy preparation, Vasdenin was confident that surely they would instantly attain the appreciation they deserve from the fairies of the east.
Night had fallen on Vasdenin and the town was lit up with numerous bright lanterns, a large crowd gathered around the large town square which was actually just a plain vast area of grass. All over that area, many brightly colored tents were scattered here and there, some underneath the shadow of the trees, while some in the open ground. This was the area where the Vasdenians would conduct their large gatherings and celebrations. It no longer looked like a simple grassland; instead the Vasdenians had turned it into a grand area lined with magnificent lanterns, vibrant ribbons and bountiful exquisite flowers of the land. The largest and most wonderfully decorated tent was situated at the center and it was there where the fairy monarchs were settling in after their arrival.
A few young girls nearby were garbed in long pastel colored spring dresses and were busily arranging each other's wreaths, which were colorful wild flowers artistically bound on their heads. They giggled unceasingly as they whispered secretly about their bashful admirers across the field. The young hunters on the other end tried their best to look dignified and nonchalant, but their bright red faces gave them away after noticing these extremely beautiful girls passing looks at them.
The older women and men had more important things to look after, there was still the food and drink to prepare. The festival was about to begin and already several hungry gazes were directed to the long wide table where the sweet luscious aroma of the various dishes set flavored the cool evening air.
The other young lads, who weren't preoccupied with female distractions, were trying their best to imitate their older counterparts as they engaged in semi-serious conversations pertaining to hunting, the festival and the upcoming contests. But the young hunters lacked the erudition that the older ones had long attained, so they gave up on the matter and instead chatted about what they would do if ever they would win in a contest. Most of these boys decided to join another large group of young people who were crowded around one very familiar young man, Uther.
Once again, he retold all of his wild tales and boasted of his great wealth and achievements, stressing heavily on his being one of the three winners of the Archery contest. But most of his audience only came to listen to him so they could somehow learn about what really happened in the tournament and about that peasant boy who had shot straight into a bull's eye at a long distance of fifty yards.
Though it seemed that every boy in Vasdenin was in that company, there was one young lad who was alone, sitting on a crate behind a small white tent with his head bowed and the shadow of his cap hid his face from passersby. Over his shoulders, he wore a coarse grey cloak that kept him warm from the chill of the night. A long bow and a quiver filled with long bright green arrows laid at his feet.
The boy was no other than the peasant girl Arianna, who had no other companions since aside from the fact that she knew no one, it was far wiser and less credible for her to be discerned if she remained solitary. But she was not oblivious to the ongoing ranting of Uther and the small crowd that gathered around him since his voice was loud enough to be heard a league away and she was sitting just a few meters behind him.
Uther's audience was starting to lose their interest in the boy's vain praises about himself.
"And so after I single-handedly defeated by worthless opponents, I was carried gallantly on the men's shoulders and they chanted my loud aloud for the whole town to hear. After which, my father promised me that war stallion I've been asking for. I'm going to have it the day after tomorrow and it's going to be the best war stallion this town has ever seen…"
"But Uther!" one of the younger boys interrupted, " Would you not tell us more about the pea— I mean, your opponents in the tournament."
Uther scoffed, "And why should my opponents be of such interest to the likes of you? They were nothing but weak, unskillful boys who knows nothing of hunting or archery. They all cowered before me like dogs bowing to their master. All of them recognized who they were facing and they all backed away respectfully."
"But—" the boy persisted.
"Enough of this!" Uther growled menacingly, "It was I who won the archery tournament! I who deserve to be acknowledged! And I who will have no other interruptions whilst I am speaking! Not from you or from any other yellow belly cowards alike to that impudent filthy peasant scum who had no right whatsoever to utter such hideous, insignificant smut to my face, which deserves to be praised and appreciated!"
The young boys stood motionless at the tremendous outburst of Uther. The boy's face was crossed severely, hidden flames flickered in his eyes and his face was puffed red.
"It astonishes me how much strength and fury one insignificant peasant scum could possibly invoke in you." A deep quiet voice uttered.
All heads, including Uther's, turned to see who had spoken. Hidden in the shadows was a slim figure of a boy shouldering his bow and quiver, his wily smile could be distinguished in the dim light.
"YOU!" Uther muttered vindictively.
Ari stepped out from the shadows of the tent and into the hanging lanterns' glow. He bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. Uther turned even redder with ferocity.
Arianna walked past the small group and she tipped her hat and said well naturedly in her low voice, "I wish you the best of the luck for tonight's tournament, Uther of Val Hall. May the gods guide the path of your arrows!"
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving admiring eyes locked on her. Arianna felt them all and she knew how Uther was doubtlessly reacting to what she had just done.
Uther of course was indubitably fuming. With a few simple words, Ari the peasant rat had captivated an entire audience while it took him, Uther of Val at least half an hour of elaborate sayings and gestures to grab people's attention. He restrained himself from running after the worthless peasant to give him the beating he truly deserves. Instead he inwardly consoled himself, while he watched Ari walk away, with the thought that very soon the only thing the gods would be guiding tonight would be the damned soul of Ari, the peasant boy.
Arianna walked as briskly as she can away from the crowds and again not conscious of her sense of direction, she bumped roughly into another moving body.
"Oof!" the person groaned as he stumbled to the ground.
"Pardon me, I'm dreadfully sorry! I wasn't watching where I was heading to and…" Arianna stuttered as she helped the person, which was a blonde haired boy about her age, up.
"S'all right. No harm done." The boy replied and brushed the dust off his clothes.
When he looked and smiled, Arianna was in a state of shock all over again.
"Hey!" the boy said his eyes glimmering as he caught sight of the bow and arrow, "You're an archer! Listen, I'm just wondering if you happened to see another archer, uh, around your age. She looks like a girl, well, she IS a girl but she's pretending to be a boy so uh… oh no!"
The boy's eyes widened when he realized what he had just said and Arianna sighed exasperatedly. She grabbed his arm and dragged him behind a distant tree.
The blonde boy grimaced, "I'm in trouble now aren't I?"
"You certainly are." Arianna replied through gritted teeth clutching his shoulder.
"I promise! I'll tell you everything! It was just a game! She didn't mean to! Please don't hurt me!" he pleaded.
Arianna pulled off her hat, "Hollin, you twit! It's me!"
When Hollin opened his eyes and saw the bright scarlet hair and the fiery brown eyes of his companion, he gasped, "Arianna? Is it really you?"
Arianna released his shoulder and fixed up her hair, "Of course it's me. Who else would I be if I'm not myself?"
"Well, a boy and an archer by the looks of it all." Hollin replied and his dark blue eyes scanned her up and down, "You look utterly brilliant in those clothes, I mean, I hardly recognized you."
"What do you mean hardly? You didn't recognize me." Arianna pointed out as she tucked the last of her scarlet strands under her hat, "Anyway, what in Kannaham's name are you doing here? I thought you told me your father forbade you to come here?"
Hollin frowned slightly, "Yes, well. What could you expect? I'm the baker's youngest son. All my other brothers went to join the competitions in the festival. I, for one, was planning to go for the bird game but when Father realized there was no one else to help him out, he pulled me to him and so, here I am covered head to foot in flour and sugar!"
Arianna chuckled, "Well, at least I see you are doing something useful for once. But…" then a worried glance came upon her face, "Grandfather! What about grandfather? Did you just leave him alone out there? How is he?"
"Don't worry Arianna. I checked on him yesterday morning. He was asleep in his bed, safe and sound."
Arianna was not entirely convinced but before she could pose another question, she heard the loud tinkling of chimes.
"The Spring Fairy Festival. It's about to begin!" Hollin declared.
"Yes," Arianna replied as she looked towards the large colorful tent where the people started to gather around, "And the archery tournament is one of the first competitions. I must go get prepared. I have to go now Hollin, but there is much I have to tell you… anon."
But before Arianna could turn and leave, Hollin grabbed the end of her sleeve, "Arianna! Wait!"
"What is it now?" Arianna asked with an impatient sigh.
"I'm not sure you should go through with all this."
"What?" Arianna cried, "It was you who came up with this idea in the first place."
Hollin bowed his head and answered rather sheepishly, "Yes, I know that but… I'm having quite a guilty notion about all this."
"Why?"
"It's almost like I'm sending you to your death. You've already broken about a hundred town rules since the day you left and the worst punishment they could possibly give you is a lot of torture leading to your death! And I'm the one responsible for it all! Arianna, I can't bear to go on with my life if you had to throw away yours on account of my foolish ideas!"
Arianna placed a hand comfortingly on her friend's shoulder, "Hollin, I know the town rules and the consequences for breaking them. I've already touched and used a weapon that only men are allowed to use. I've been using it since I was a mere child and yet no harm has come to me. But that was because of my grandfather. But, now, my grandfather is no longer here to do that. The things I have done in the past few days and even the past few years are already liable for the penalty of death. I have risked everything, even my very life, to be where I am right now and I didn't do all that just to back away at the last moment. Hollin, this is the day I have dreaming of for years and I will not give up it up. Not this time, not when I've come so close to reaching it."
Hollin stayed silent as he listened to his childhood friend, "I understand Arianna."
Arianna smiled sadly, "Besides, if ever I do face death after this, I would be at least comforted by the thought that I had done something worthy in the eyes of the gods and men."
The distant blare of the trumpets resounded all throughout the area introducing the town head to the platform before the tent.
"I'll speak to you later Hollin, for now, I must go." Arianna said hastily before brushing past Hollin.
"May the gods guide you on your journey." Hollin muttered.
Arianna looked back at the blonde boy, "Hollin, I'm not going anywhere."
"I doubt that, considering what you are about to face tonight. You'll be running for your life before the festival is over." Hollin said apathetically.
Arianna smirked bravely, "Then so be it. May the gods guard you till I return. If ever I return…"
Hollin watched as his friend ran off and disappeared into the crowd of people milling around the large tent. He sighed sadly but he placed his hope and faith in Arianna, she was not the type of girl to let complicated situations get out of hand. But still, there was that possibility that she would and that was disturbing him quite greatly. Yet his faith in her remained strong, and to him, nothing, not even fear, can overcome his faith in Arianna.
