Chapter 12

"Apples and Arrows"

Arianna sat leisurely upon her balcony ledge, her long night gown tucked neatly beneath her as she brushed her long scarlet locks that blew gently in the cool night breeze. A lingering smile on her lips as she recounted all the wonderful things that had happened that evening…

Expecting tension or else some form of reprimand from either of the men present at the table, which were no other than the Lord Knight and her Master, the mystic healer, Grêth, but to her utter surprise none of them spoke a word regarding her audience with the Lord Knight. Instead, the supper went surprising well and Arianna actually enjoyed it. Conversations turned from Arianna's first day in the castle to the grim yet intriguing details of the war and finally to the ongoing celebrations that were awaiting them but not one single mention of that horrendous night in the Northlands.

Right after supper, they proceeded outside towards the center of the town where most of the town gathered in festivity.

After a few hours of music, dancing and storytelling, Arianna grew extremely exhausted and realized she had not yet accustomed herself to such hours of extreme merrymaking. So, taking leave from the great lords, she retired early to the castle.

Strangely, it seemed, though she was weary from the festival, she didn't seem too weary enough to sleep. So, she decided to breathe in the cool night air outside, hoping it would lull her enough to go to bed.

Arianna continued brushing her hair with the elegantly designed brush she found on her dresser, feeling the night and dreaming of the surprises in store for her in the future.

Just as she had lost herself in her thoughts, a flutter of wings and a flash of bright silver brought her senses back to the present.

"Paladin!" Arianna exclaimed as the silver falcon blinked at her with his mysterious amber eyes.

Smiling with amusement, Arianna said, "Oh, forgive me, my lord but you startled me so."

Arianna reached her hand out and stroked his gleaming feathers as she murmured, "I wonder where you have been all evening. Hunting, I suppose in the forests, but you missed an excellent revelry."

As she was speaking, the brush she was holding slid from her hand and fell to the ground.

"Oh!" she cried and both she and falcon gazed down at the brush.

Smirking, Arianna shifted her eyes to Paladin and gave him a sly smile, "Worry not, my lord, for though I may not be an experienced magician, I have but one trick, nearly perfected."

Putting her hand over the brush, the falcon blinked twice and cocked his head as the brush slowly levitated towards Arianna's open palm.

Laughing with satisfaction as she held the brush, she spoke, "Is it not marvelous, Lord Paladin?"

Then, noticing a familiar faint glow underneath her sleeve, she pulled it back to find her mark glowing once again.

Her delighted smile faded quickly and she sighed with irritation, "By the gods, shall it never stop glowing? If only there was a way to obliterate this fiendish mark, to somehow erase it that I may never lay eyes on it again, I would—"

But before she could end her sentence, Paladin gave a shrieking call and beat his wings fervently.

Not quite understanding how the bird of prey could have been offended by her remark, she soothed him by saying, "Alright, Paladin. Forgive me if I uttered something that might have upset you. Perhaps you know something about my mark… do you?"

The falcon turned away from her and abruptly flew off.

Arianna was left on her balcony ledge, staring after the falcon with a troubled expression. Confusion in her eyes.

Shaking her head, Arianna muttered to herself, "Why must my nights be always left with unanswered questions and puzzlements?"

She slid herself down from the ledge, went into her bedroom and crawled into bed, hoping sleep could clear her mind from the complexities of her life. Arianna closed her eyes and before she knew it, she fell into deep slumber.

Flames…

Screams…

Blood…

Flashes… of amber and scarlet…

The bird- lion's vicious roar…

The past reawakens once more…

No…

Arianna was standing in the middle of a deserted landscape surrounded in a thick grey fog. In the heavy mist, she was able to make out two vague shadows. She tried to call out but she couldn't seem to be able to speak She also couldn't bring herself to move. The shadows drew nearer and nearer but as they did, Arianna noticed how they moved closer and closer to each other, until from the murkiness emerged not two but one figure… it was a man. A man of noble birth, Arianna thought as he was garbed in such regal clothing.

His features were vague. But Arianna was not frightened. She felt a sense of comfort and familiarity as he approached. She knew him… she knew him quite well.

His arm was extended towards her… he was offering her something.

The gilded handle of a dagger glittered before her eyes and she involuntarily reached for it and took it into her hand.

She looked up at her only companion in this outlandish fog but could only see his aqua eyes peering at her before he turned away and disappeared.

Arianna wanted to call out his name. She knew it… but could not speak it.

She looked down at the dagger she held in her hand. Fresh blood trickled from the blade and Arianna's hand shook as she realized it was HIS blood. She did not know how but she knew it… was his.

Arianna knew a lot of things without understanding how or why. She just did.

The dagger fell out of her hands and the sharp sound of metal hitting on hard ground sliced through the air.

Arianna opened her eyes. The sky was just beginning to grow light. It was almost dawn. As her eyes slowly began to adjust to the dimness of her room, Arianna slowly sat up.

Her dreams again… such bizarre images that kept her from ever getting a good night's sleep.

Not knowing why, Arianna had a strange urge for tea.

Pushing back her covers, Arianna went over to a table where a large bowl, an ewer of water and a towel was situated.

Pouring water from the ewer into the bowl, Arianna scooped some into her hand and splashed it on her face. Trying to wash away the remnants of her obscure dreams she splashed her face with more water and then dried her face with the towel.

Realizing that it would be useless to get into her bed and try to get back to sleep, Arianna changed out of her night dress and into some day garments. She made up her bed and poured out her used water down a drain from her balcony. She didn't know why it was so easy for her to adapt to this routine, as if she'd been doing it for years.

Collecting her riding effects and tying back her scarlet hair, Arianna left her bedroom and headed for the kitchen.

Cook was already at work when she emerged from behind the secret entrance behind the drapery. Steam was rising from the few vessels on the stove.

The portly cook hardly flinched when Arianna stepped out abruptly from the secret door and into the kitchen. He instead mumbled, "Those dreams again, I see. They seem to be keepin' ye up earlier than usual these days, aren't they not?"

Arianna said nothing in reply and laid her riding effects on a counter.

"Can I get Miss anything this mornin'?" asked Cook as he was effortlessly mincing a few cloves of garlic.

"I would gladly welcome some tea but you needn't bother in making it, Cook. I will be much more contented in fixing it myself." Arianna said as she took out a cup from the cupboard and ladled some heated water from out of a pot and into her cup.

"So be it. There were some fresh herbs delivered here yesterday. Suppose you might like to sample a few?"

"Of course, Cook. I would be more than happy to."

Arianna opened another cupboard where she spotted a few packs tied together with a thin string. She tugged one pack out and poured the contents into her cup.

"It smells wonderful." Arianna commented with a smile as the sweet aroma of the tea filled her senses.

"It does, does it not?" replied Cook, "I hear it is used to calm the nerves and lift one's spirits."

Arianna nodded and after letting the herbs settle, she blew into her cup to cool the tea before she took a small sip. The tea tasted exquisite. A sweet yet tangy flavor. But it didn't seem to satisfy that urge she inside. Something was missing and she couldn't figure out what it was.

"Does the tea displease you? Shall I make you another, Miss Arianna?" asked Cook as he noted Arianna's troubled expression.

Arianna smiled at him and shook her head, "No… No. Forgive me, Cook. The tea is splendid. Thank you."

Though the cook was not entirely convinced, he returned to his work. Arianna stared out of the window, the sky was getting brighter and the morning mist had already dwindled.

"Shall I prepare breakfast for you, Miss?" he asked genuinely.

Downing the tea with one gulp, Arianna shook her head, "Perhaps later, Cook. I'm taking Lastoth out for his ride and you know how difficult food can settle inside me after a ride."

"Of course, Miss Arianna." Said Cook.

Arianna thanked Cook and taking her riding gear, left the kitchen and started for the stables.

A little after noon, the Lord Knight and his friend, the Master healer were taking a stroll on the castle grounds conversing on a few serious matters concerning the land and its people.

As they were approaching the practice field of the soldiers and knights, the Lord Knight paused in mid-sentence as his gaze lingered on a few young foot soldiers crouching behind a pile of broken stalls and weaponry engaged in some frivolous activity.

As he drew near, none of the men seemed to take notice of him and the Lord Knight realized that each of them were whispering excitedly and peeking through the heap of debris they were hiding behind.

"So… is this how my men spend their leisure hours off duty?" stated Callium in a low growl.

The young men turned around at the sound of their Captain's voice and seeing him, jumped up and fell to their knees, shocked and embarrassed with their heads bowed.

"Well… speak!" commanded the Lord Knight.

A soldier who looked slightly older than the rest mustered up the courage to speak on behalf of his companions, but his voice quaked as he explained, "M-my Lord Knight, we beg you forgive us all for our insolence. W-we do not deserve to even kiss the path you tread. You are the eminent, the undefeatable, the—"

Callium waved his hand impatiently and snapped, "I did not ask for any of your useless adulations, I asked for an explanation!"

Another young man stuttered, "I-If I may be so bold to speak, my lord, for I am responsible for this trivial assembly."

"As you say so, since you have honestly confessed to be the head of this infantile rubbish, I presume you will be the one providing me with some form of clarification as to what your business here might be."

"My lord, if you would please turn your eyes toward the archery field, which is just behind this mound of refuse, you might understand why our attention was diverted."

A deep scowl was etched on the Lord Knight's face as he muttered under his breath and stepped around the heap.

Callium's copper eyes grew wide with surprise as his eyes lingered on the figure standing at one end of the archery field.

A tall slender girl dressed up in a simple long sleeved pale tawny dress, her long scarlet hair kept in a long braid at her back, was stringing an arrow to a long bow she held in her hand and with effortless ease, drew it back and released it with a tang. The arrow landed within the heart of the mock target about more or less a hundred yards away from where she stood. About five arrows scattered closely around that area of the target. The young woman smiled with satisfaction and immediately begun reaching for another arrow from the quiver that lay on her feet. Grêth who stood behind the Lord Knight and followed his gaze.

"By the gods! Is that Arianna?"

Arianna wiped the sweat from the side of her forehead with her long sleeve.

Gods, what a terribly hot day.

Brushing her fingers along the feathery edge of the arrow, she smiled with amusement as she strung the long arrow unto her bow. Then, holding up the bow so that the arrow was pointed straight at the target, she sighed an elated sigh before releasing the arrow. A loud crack followed by a thud told her that she had broken through her previous arrow that landed right in the center of the bulls eye almost a hundred yards away.

Arianna hadn't even thought of passing through the field that day but something strange drew her towards it. By some sudden chance of fate, she came upon a long bow and a quiver of arrows lain idly on the ground. Without another thought, she took an arrow and running her hand gingerly across it, took up the bow and shot the arrow to the target at the other end of the field. It was immediately followed by another and then another. Arianna couldn't quite put words to the tremendous emotion building up inside her as she continued stringing and shooting her arrows with such remarkable speed and smoothness. It was a unique sense of elation that grew as she continued; all consciousness of time and place forgotten.

Just as she was bending down to pick up yet another arrow, a deep voice sounded behind her,

"I must highly commend your archery abilities, Miss Arianna. You are quite exceptional with the bow."

Dropping the bow she was holding, Arianna looked up and seeing the expressionless face of the Lord Knight, gave a small shriek and fell down backwards. Scrambling unto her knees, she prostrated herself before the knight.

"My lord, forgive me! I did not mean to… My lord, I beg you…"

By the gods, how could I be so foolish? Images of faces looking down at her with glaring eyes, spitting out leering words suddenly entered Arianna's thoughts as hidden fears of her past reawakened. She did not know what caused her to be so emotionally overcome but she felt that she had committed a grave crime by touching a weapon.

"Get up off your knees, girl. You are neither a dog nor a toad. Rise."

Arianna looked up in fear and surprise, why had he not ordered his men to take her away to be punished already?

Arianna slowly got on her feet with her head bowed in guilt and shame. She felt a hand lift her chin up and Arianna found herself staring in to the dark blue eyes of Master Grêth.

"Why do you bow your head so? There is no shame, no offense in what you did." Said the old man soothingly.

Arianna blinked her eyes twice, "What? I do not understand. I have touched a weapon and was handling it in full view of all. Shall I not be justly punished for what I have done?"

"And what could be so wrong about holding a weapon, my girl?" asked the Lord Knight curiously.

"I am a woman. A female. It is not right for us to use a weapon. It is for men to use alone."

To her utter surprise, the Lord Knight laughed. Even Master Grêth was chuckling slightly.

Seeing as she could not readily comprehend the humor, Master Grêth approached her and said, "My child, women in our country have been handling weapons since the dawn of age, it is but more than usual to see young girls holding a bow or even a sword. We were just taken by surprise, since we had no knowledge you were so skilled with the bow and arrow."

Arianna felt her heart skip a beat for a moment, had her ears heard correctly, could women of this nation be allowed to use weapons as men do? It took a while for this realization to sink in and Arianna blushed crimson after recalling her prior reaction.

"My lords, forgive me… I have behaved foolishly… The laws of my former land still hold true to me and I have yet to fully adapt to the Western culture."

The knight smiled widely and putting an arm around the girl said, "There is nothing to forgive, child. Come, my girl, let us see how great your skill truly is. Would you object to humoring me with a few challenges?"

Arianna smiled shyly in turn, "If it would greatly please my Lord Knight, I then gladly accept with much joy."

The Lord Knight nodded approvingly and led the girl towards a vendor who was standing behind a cart full to the rim with bright red apples. Master Grêth followed behind them.

"An apple, My Lord Knight?' asked the vendor as he bowed and respectfully held out one of his produce.

"Many thanks, friend." Replied the knight as he took the apple and turned around to face Arianna, "If I threw this apple as far as I could, might you be able to take it down with just a single shaft from your bow?"

"I shall try, my lord."

"Prepare your arrow." Said the Lord Knight. Pulling his arm back, he let threw the apple into the air with such force and speed, Arianna could hear the whoosh of the fruit as it left his palm. But, not stopping to gape, Arianna rapidly strung an arrow to her bow and shot it straight at the apple just a few seconds after the knight had thrown it.

People passing by stopped and looked around to see what was going on as they heard an arrow being shot. Looking up, they saw an apple stuck cleanly to the outside wall of one of the houses and an arrow pierced in its center.

"Amazing! Did you see that?"

"Incredible. Such skill to have hit the apple without causing any damage to it! Look, it is as clean as polished pebble."

"Who could have done such a feat? Was it the Lord Knight?"

"No! It's the girl with hair the color of flame. See, she holds a bow!"

The murmurs of the townsfolk grew as they marveled at the arrow and the apple.

The Lord Knight smiled proudly, clearly impressed, "Now, let us see how you do with three apples!"

Taking three apples in his hand, the Lord Knight threw them all successively. He expected Arianna to draw out three arrows but instead she drew only one. In uniform speed, she shot the arrow.

The people gasped in amazement. Not only had the arrow pierced straight through all three apples at once, but the arrow landed just a few meters away from the previous one. Not one of the apples were broken or dribbled.

"By the gods, that girl is extraordinary!" one of the soldiers watching commented loudly.

Arianna lowered her bow and looked up at the knight whose eyes were lit with astonishment.

"Have I pleased you, my lord?" Arianna asked humbly.

Callium looked down at her, "You possess quite a talent, Miss Arianna. I dare say you could even surpass my best archers. But I have one last test for you, my girl. Are you prepared to execute it?"

"Command, my Lord Knight and I shall do whatever you ask without delay." Arianna answered as she took one last arrow from her quiver and readied her bow.

Pointing a finger towards a distant place, he said, "Can you make out the bell on the tower yonder by the castle walls?"

Arianna looked to where he was pointing, the bell by the watchtower was clearly visible to her though it seemed almost a mile away and was about ten stories high up.

"Yes, my lord." Arianna answered.

"Then, make it ring, my girl." Stated the knight simply as he stepped back and watched Arianna with amusement.

Arianna took a deep breath and measured the distance with her eyes. Feeling the wind and the direction it was heading as well as taking in how strong it was blowing. She lifted her bow and eyeing it as accurately as she could, she pulled back the string. After a few seconds, she pulled the string of her bow back a little further and with a short exclamation, let the arrow fly.

The spectators watched breathlessly as they followed the arrow with their eyes. Just then, they heard the familiar peal of the watchtower bell and they all gasped in awe. Only an archer of immense training and experience could have shot an arrow at such a distance and with such force to make a heavy bell, such as that one, ring.

"Dear Criastus!" exclaimed Callium as he shook his head in disbelief.

The people cheered and applauded Arianna. The girl could only smile softly and bow her head gratefully.

Master Grêth came forward and congratulated Arianna, "That was quite a performance, Arianna. I dare say, you have not only amazed me and the Lord Knight but the people as well."

Arianna blushed and smiled bashfully, she was not use to such attention and praise. It was the first time she had used a weapon in front of a crowd. The feeling in her felt exhilarating and beyond belief. She couldn't remember a happier moment in her life.

Suddenly, a voice sounded behind her, "Miss Arianna! Miss Arianna!"

It was Clavetti. As the woman approached, she looked around in confusion at the mass gathered and at the Lord Knight and the master healer standing about next to the young lass. She spotted a bow and quiver in Arianna's hands and the Lord Knight looking at her with astonishment in his eyes.

"By the gods, what had just transpired hither?" she asked in puzzlement, as the townsfolk, realizing the show was ended, started to disperse.

"Arianna was just showing the Lord Knight her remarkable skill with the bow, Clavi. She is an extremely talented young girl."

:Oh, well…" Clavetti muttered a little awkwardly before bowing respectfully to both the Lord Knight and the master healer, "Forgive me for my apparent intrusion, my good lords. But Miss Arianna is late for her lessons with Madam Danae and I am obliged to take her back into the castle… if I may."

Nodding, the Lord Knight replied with a smile, "Of course, Madam Clavetti. Forgive me in turn for I had forgotten the hours. So, Madam Danae has returned, has she? I would be much pleased to see her after her lessons with Miss Arianna."

"I'll see to it that she does so, milord." Clavi replied with another bow of her head. Then taking Arianna by the arm gently, she whispered, "Come my girl, we mustn't keep Madam Danae waiting for ye, now, must we?"

Arianna nodded a little sadly. She was about to hand her bow and quiver to Master Grêth but then the Lord Knight spoke up, "Keep the bow, Miss Arianna. I shall have one of men supply you with a full quiver tomorrow."

Arianna smiled happily, "Many thanks, my lord. I do not know how to return your kindness and generosity."

"See me tomorrow at dawn at the training field, Arianna. Perhaps there is something you can do for me. Good day to you, Madam Clavetti. Master Grêth, come. We have matters still to discuss." the Lord Knight stated as he gave a little nod to the women and motioned Grêth to walk with him.

"Well, ye has certainly proved yerself worthy of the Lord Knight's favor, Miss Arianna. Now, come, we must away. Madam Danae would not want to be kept waiting but perhaps ye can entertain her with yer tale of your adventure of the day, won't you my girl?"

Arianna nodded enthusiastically, "I would be only too pleased to do so."

The older woman laughed as she led the younger one back into the castle.

The watchtower bell was still ringing when they had disappeared into one of the secret entrances found in a part of the castle's outer wall.