Excerpt: The Arrow

Imajin stared up at the ceiling. She and Garet had had another fight. This particular one had started over a question in archery, mainly who was a superior archer, and had ended with both of them in a large mud puddle which had formed after the beautiful rainstorm that afternoon. Imajin of course thought herself the better of the two, in her own humble opinion. Archery was one of her favorite activities, and as it was viewed as one of the more civil things one could participate in, and was given formal instruction since a young age. It was not just a hobby for her, or something she was allowed to learn, it was part of her schooling, and deemed very important to her family. Besides, a princess of the realm needed some form of combat training, and it was also deemed the safest, much more so than swordplay or shield bearing. So of course she was better, as Garet had only been training in archery for two years, and he had spent much less time on it than say his fencing lessons. His excuse was that he was “just naturally good at it”.
After bathing afresh, and donning clean garments, the two were sent to their own chambers to contemplate their childish behavior. Imajin however believed the fault lay entirely on Garet. If he had merely laid in the mud puddle and let her walk away, none of this would have played out the way it did. Boys at 15 were impossible.
One of the chambermaids entered just then. “Up and at ‘em, your highness.” she said. “We must have you in your ceremonial hunting garments.”
Imajin sat up in her bed. “Whatever on earth for?” she asked.
“Do you not recall that the King of Layoda and members of his court are to be in attendance at dinner tonight, and we must get you ready.”
“But why am I to wear my hunting dress?”
The maid smiled. “Entertainment this evening is to be presented by you and young master Garet.”
Imajin jumped out of the bed. “I beg your pardon.?”
This caused the maid to laugh. “There is to be an archery competition just after dark, and the featured contenders shall be her ladyship Imajin Sian Time, princess of the high kingdom Mernadan, and the Lord Artji’s son Garet Winmuer, prince of the watchtowers of Nermies.”
“But why?”
“As I said your highness, it is for the entertainment of the guests of the court.”
“I do not wish to be of entertainment to the King of Layoda.” Imajin said stubbornly. “I will not be mocked by anyone, not even my father.” Imajin knew her father the king loved her, but he did have a way of causing everyone and everything to be made into some sort of amusing joke.
“I believe it is a chance to prove yourself against young master Garet in your archery skills. And I am afraid your father made it very clear that it was a non-negotiable request.” The maid fetched a lovely rose colored dress from the wardrobe at the far end of Imajin’s room. It was made of a heavier material than most of her dresses. It was made for durability and functionality rather than elegance. It did however possess a regal air to it, as it was adorned with beautiful beading around the collar and sleeves. It was much lighter than some of her other dresses as well, seeing as it required the ability to move quickly rather than lugging some gaudy garment around a court. It was not Imajin’s favorite though. She much preferred her white hunting dress, for it offered the same function as the rose one, it had no beading, and did not make her feel so extravagant. Her hunting dresses were much more comfortable than many of her other dresses. She had two others which were for actual hunting trips, should she ever be allowed to go on one, rather than for ceremonial purposes such as the show this evening. Imajin groaned and began to dress.

Garet had learned at a young age that in the spirit of competition, rivals were expected to dine together in the Hall of the Ancestors, the great dining hall of the castle Mernadan, so it was no surprise to him when he was called out of his chamber in the knights quarters to dine with the king. In the years of great competitions all challengers feasted with the king, and Imajin’s father King Ravin was a stickler for tradition. Normally Garet would have dined with his comrades, the other young men of the kingdom who trained with knights and warriors. As son of the Lord of Nermies it was his duty, as well as his delight, to be trained in the high kingdom with the knights who personally protected the king. The watchtowers of Nermies were a key realm in ensuring safety of the whole country, for it was they who foresaw attacks from across the western ocean, even though more recently it was not a threat from across the waters that troubled the kingdoms.
Garet dressed in his ceremonial warriors garments and went off to dinner.