Chapter 20

SIAN STAYED CLEAR OF THEM, wanting to practice with her bow first, and while practice would just be with sticks so not to waste the quiver of arrows, she didn't want to take out anyone's eyes. Roughly measuring out a distance of around twenty yards, she created targets out of piles of stones balanced on a waist-high boulder. Targets in place, she headed back to the starting mark and picked up the bow. Fitting the notched end of a stick into the string she took aim and released. The stick shot through the air and easily took out the lowest pile of stones. A thrill of delight ran through her at the accuracy and speed.

A strong bow, she thought, regarding the weapon in her hands with absolute pleasure; it almost sings when I release.

Taking another stick, she slipped into the rhythm of the bow, time flying while she practiced.

LOI, WHO'S PRACTICED KENJUTSU FOR nine years, instructed Kassie and I with our swords and my daggers. First, she showed a move and then explained the reasoning