City of Bows

"let's make haste princess as we must get to the city before dark, "Talika said. Princess Aviva smiled as she stepped away from the edge and ran down the hill. She weaved in between her guards until she was ahead and spun around. This was the first time they saw Princess Aviva smile. The four guards smiled back still surprised that this boy was once a walking skeleton. As they walked the princess was full of question about the real world. "Lady Elizabeth, what is like to be a fighter in my mother's army?" Princess Aviva said with curiosity. " Well princess it is the best feeling in the world. No offense ladies to the other positions. I think it's the best. Imagine us warriors on horseback riding through the woods or sand dunes... sometimes even threw the water charging at men. Screaming like wildlings usually covered in the blood of enemies. Its customary of the high-ranking generals to wear their wedding battle armor. It's not naturally red," she laughed. " Wait so you have to be married to be a general?", Princess Aviva said concerned. "um ...well.....no....", Elizabeth knew she had said too much. " No, you do not, princess", Talika stated in a matter-of-fact tone. " It is highly preferred if you are though. In the western Kingdom we have 4 levels. All warriors start as foot soldiers. If you can prove yourself at a young age, you will be given a horse. The first rank you can be joining the army is a foot soldier or horsemen. We call them "Ants or horsefly's" . once you survive two campaigns you will automatic be promoted to second rank." Bethany laughed. " The key word if you survive. Most girls are scared shitless during their first campaign. Only in the western kingdom you will see 15-year-old girls stabbing grown men. It's a real culture shock since men are very obedient but as you will learn through our travels the world sees life different." Princess noticed all the ladies were nodding in unison. She rubbed the back of her neck as she was still not use to her hair being so short.

It was a ritual. Her mother cut her hair to her shoulders as proof that she was becoming a true woman and a warrior. Her hair was offered to their gods as payment for protection while she traveled. Catherine was jealous as always, but her heart softens slightly when she saw her sister's smile. Catherine loved her sister, but she wanted her sister dead but not through starvation. She preferred an arrow through her heart in battle. That way she would be out of her way permanently but still have the tradition war burial.

As the group reached the city of Bowlanda, the Princess was taken aback. There were so many people, smells, and lights. It looked like a festival, but it wasn't. most of the buildings were made of wood and the walls were painted yellow. There were random circles painted throughout the city at different heights and sizes. she wondered what they were for. " Arrows", Talika whisper. " Here we will see if you are suited to use a bow and arrow. " Princess Aviva was confused until she saw children with these wooden rods. that's when she remembers her lessons on where weapons came from. " Wait so I'm going to all the places in the books I read...like the homeland of the weapons?" Princess Aviva said excited. Bethany smiled and nod. " Lucky, now I see why Catherine was jealous. I would be too. Serves her right", she smiled as she grabbed onto Bethany's hand as they looked for an inn that would take them long term.

While waiting for them to check in, Princess Aviva sat outside watching a specular. A grown man and a young boy were facing off to see how many arrows they could shoot within one another until the main arrow that was lodged into the bully eye split. The crowd was cheering as the young boy had stacked 7 arrows into one another while the older man could barely do two. " Old man it's time to pay up", said the young boy as the man grumbled and threw some coins on the floor. The young boy smiles as he picked them up. His friends surrounded him, and he quickly pockets the money. As he pushes pass them to enter the inn he stops in awe. Princess Aviva smiles as they lock eyes. " Good job", she said. He nodded and returned her smile. " Of course. My name is Kolton. I could never lose to him. I'm this cities' child prodigy and I plan to be the next champion of the Weapons arena ", he said smugly. " Weapon arena? what's that?" He was taken aback as were the rest of this friends that trailed behind him. " It happens every three years. It's a tournament to determine which weapon is the best and who is the best fighter. They have three tiers. Juniors, mens and Legends. Last year I came in fourth place in the men's category, but I was also 13 then. " He smiled. " Can women participant?", she asked curiously. " Yes, not many do but it is open to everyone. Women tend to want to marry the winners. Since the winners get a big reward," he explained. Princess Aviva nodded. " Miss....?" He asked. She looked at him confused. " My name is .....A-" " her name is Lily, " stated Lilac. Princess Aviva looked up at her and then at the boy. " Yes, I'm Lily...Lady Lily from the western kingdom". Kolton grinned. " Well miss... lady lily.... if I was to win the tournament, would you consider marrying me?" Princess Aviva frowned. " No because I will win it. Good day Kolton," she said as she followed Lilac into the inn. Kolton followed close behind as his friends laughed at his rejection. Kolton stopped when he saw her fearsome four guards. " Ladies he is my son," said the inn keeper. " As I had mentioned before, He is the best Bowsman and he could teach her the way of the bow," the innkeeper said as she wrapped her arms around him. For once Kolton was happy that his family owned the inn.