ZING!
The arrow broke loose from the bow in the flash of the eye. A missile of death straight and true to it’s target, detouring at the last moment, hitting an overturned wagon instead of the bulls-eye on the hay bale it had been coursing towards.
Male laughter erupted nearby.
Flashing grey eyes, the colour of the heavens right before a storm, turned in a flurry of red hair as the “archer†let loose a series of expletives. A slender foot encased in shiny black leather kicked at the sand in front of her, as a delicate hand angrily loosened the ties that held the magnificent cloak at her throat.
Removing the heavy blade that hung at her side, much too effortlessly for a female of her slight built and size, she angrily moved towards the bale of hay and slashed it, cutting through it smoothly, until the blade stuck. GREAT BLAZING HEAVENS!!! This was too much!
Falling to the ground, she held her head in her hands as the laughter from her companion exploded wholeheartedly.
Really Allure, the male said between hearty guffaws.
You must not attack everything as if it were a do-or-die situation. Your problem, is that you are too impetous, too volatile, too anxious, AND YOU . .. are . . not . .. an ... archer.
OH SHUT UP!!, she exclaimed, slapping her hand against the dirt ground, bringing it to her chest the next second as the sting forced tears to her eyes.
Her temper tantrum soon turned to horror as she felt her body picked up from the ground and roughly thrown over a strong shoulder. Fists pounding against his back and legs kicking she demanded to be put down!!
HELL'S GATE! You will put me down THIS INSTANT!! DO YOU HEA-
The remainder of the words were lost in a splutter of coughing as she was unceremoniously dumped into a water trough.
AAAAARRRRRRGH, she managed as she kicked and splashed water at the cretin who had dared, only to be rewarded again by the deep laughter.
I do hope you will be changing into something more suitable when you take your place at the head of our armies, said a cool voice from the side, casting a sobering mood upon the scenen. Allure glanced guiltily at her cousin as he walked towards them, pursing her lips in thought.
Are we ready then?, She queried somberly, sitting still, the cold water about her all but forgotten.
The question, my dear, is more likely to be 'Are YOU ready'?
Allure shrugged, much preparation had been done in the months before to ready all for the journey north. She had needed a day of rest. So she had taken the opportunity to practice archery, who was he to question what she did?
I would not be their leader if I wasn't, dear cousin, she remarked pointedly, reminding him that it was SHE in charge, not him. It was Allure who had chosen to join forces with 2 other nobles in bringing balance to the chaos in the North. The lands had been bought, the building had started. The Valley they had first encountered when they first ventured forth was now a bustling center of activity, for 3 keeps were going up with no expense spared. The houses in the nearest city were being furnished even now as she prepared for the journey.
She extended both arms and both men came forth to help her out. She was to meet the other 2 Nobles in half a day, their armies co-mingling as they finished the last part of their journey, thousands strong, many with families in tow. Outside her kin, few would ever see a side of Allure that was not in control, few would see anything but a cool head, a swift blade, and a steady determination.
Yes, she was ready.