"I can feel it. It's the bow."
"It's fine! It's the same as everyone's, except Sisi's."
Missed arrows peppered the ground as my sisters, Eleanor and Demelza, argued. They were overseen by a very tired-looking pair of master bowmen on either side of the target pulley.
I arrived just in time. "Here!"
I handed my bow to Demelza, curious to see how she would fare with it. She took up position and waited until the target started moving—slowly. It was like shooting at elderly people, and yet...
(SWISH, SWISH... SWISH.)
"Okay, can I have my bow back? I'd love to practice myself. Demelza, you've only been training for a few days. You shouldn't attempt this yet!"
She handed back my custom-made bow, huffing like a much younger girl. "I just wanted to try it."
"First, maybe hit the motionless dummies," I suggested, seeing her ready to defend herself. "Ah ah ah, you need to hit them consistently."
I still remembered Zephyr offering me my squad of archers. My vision didn't include two of my sassy sisters. Master Lylly sounded so distant now.
Their shots needed more time, but my own excuses became paper-thin as some of the others' arrows shot right through the circles. It happened less often than I liked.
My damn hair. I didn't want to say it out loud during the others' happy moments. Besides, I didn't want to be so vocal about it—that sounded like whining. Before I could ponder it further:
""" Hey. """
Zephyr, holding Anna and covered in our blanket, came outside. Their hair was a close match now, and she looked like his daughter alone. It made me miss our original color.
"""" Leader!! """"
Our four men—Milo, Jon, Verlander, and Ahern—jumped up and ran toward them.
"Milo, Jon, Verlander, Ahern... long time no see. How is the... what the hell is that?" He nodded toward the pulley of targets.
Saam took the burden of explanation. "It's a method of ancient Dharma grandmas—"
"They're cloth lines and wood circles. I get it now."
Anna giggled shamelessly, just like her mother. "Told you, Dad, it's nothing like daggers."
"Hmm, talking about that, have you improved?" he asked.
"Hmm, but it's just wood... like those bows."
Her pointing at everyone standing around was like a tiny but sharp blue knife through us all. This time, we were all hurt, but with Zephyr having those exact same thoughts before, it was hard to imagine they weren't blood-related.
"Aye, maybe by this summer you'll have your own... if you can prove that you're mature and... careful."
Her expression brightened. Her daggers, made from Emet, were just waiting for her.
"How..."
"No more injuries until my birthday. If you can manage that, we will reward you." It was a tough challenge, even for someone other than a six-year-old.
"Deal!" She didn't shy away and jumped off him, carefully walking back inside.
"Well, I have space." He opened the blanket, displaying his shirt and pants.
As the blanket closed around me, I shared my fears. "Ehlite cursed my hair. I can't shoot."
"Hahaha..."
We shook in the warmth as he treated my very serious problem like a joke. I wanted to hurt him, but it was expected.
"I'm serious here. I can't concentrate on the target because—"
"It doesn't matter. It should stay," he sighed, sounding content.
"You didn't hear me?"
"I did, but in a week or two, that problem solves itself, and..." We had perfect cover, and he reached inside my pants. His hands were cold, but not for long. "...I liked it last night. It was... different."
Look at that shameless smile.
"Hmm, well, I guess it's fine then. I wonder what your next obsession will be."
His hands, now the perfect temperature, pulled me close, and our tongues danced gracefully until...
""" Wooo!! """
...the freaking peanut gallery spoke up.
"Zephyr! They're here."
"Master! They... th... yes."
Lucian ran outside with Manata close behind.
"Who?" I asked.
Instead of an answer, he kissed me lightly and undid the blanket shelter. The cold air, previously just bad, now felt like it attacked me.
We all followed and found him greeting a few craftsmen of our village: Olaf and Rachel, his wife; Asher Welk, Norman's father; Penelope Mites, otherwise known as Master Mites; and Myma Anders, an old council member.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming in such short notice." He smiled at the people gathered.
"It's a pleasure, Zephyr," said one.
"Th-thank you, Master," said another.
"Son, I'm glad you're back safely," said Asher Welk.
"Don't mention it," Zephyr replied.
They were soon seated and held a hot drink. The table was already filled with Carlos, Nifa, and Cintia.
Once Zephyr took a chair, "I wanted you all to look at these... drawings, and... Carlos?"
"Thank you, Zeph. These treasures are ancient blueprints left behind by a now almost forgotte—"
"For fuck sake, Em. I-I..."
"Alright, damn." Zephyr, still in his pajamas, made Carlos shorten his explanation.
"Khm. They are various ideas that need a more discerning eye than mine. We wondered how much of them can actually be built."
The dozens of drawings contained dreams of imagination: something that looked like bird wings attached to a man; a wagon or small house with a large wood trunk in the front; a few drawings of weapons—swords, bows, even arrowheads that looked terrifying; and clothes drawn in the strangest of ways, but incredibly detailed. Jewellery was drawn in the most realistic way imaginable.
Those who had discerning eyes took some of them and pored over the papers.
"These are pure art."
"This sword... I never saw a thing alike."
"I imagined these designs but didn't have the talent to put it on paper with that much... detail."
"These would sell very well."
"Well, you can all take them, make detailed copies, and do what you can. Let us know what material you need, and it will be provided." Carlos sat back down.
They didn't hesitate and divided the papers amongst themselves.
"Penny, Olaf, I want you to look at this here."
Before they left, Zephyr showed them the armor he received from the Pope of Dharma.
"Take it with you and study the style, the materials. This will be the base of our future armor. Full sets just like this one. Make sure to alter some for ladies as well."
He put the rest on the table: bracers, shoulder guards, belt, shin guards, and the white fabric underneath worn as a vest covering his entire upper body.
""" We'll do our best, """ they chorused.
They left in a whirlwind, blown away by the new ideas and the opportunity to experiment freely.
"I can't believe you just handed over your new favorite gift like that." I leaned closer.
"It's fine." He pulled me into his lap. "...I want something similar, and we can color them with a little help."
Nifa, who was being fed by her wife, almost choked on a bite.
Her powers will soon be needed.