Mountain

The day after tomorrow we have a huge banquet so today is all for myself...

~"

-Mother... Being that such an important day is coming could I have one full day for myself? I want to pick flowers and be alone with my thoughts again...- I asked while she was reading by the window

-Dear daughter... You always sneak away anyway, why do you still ask me?- she sighed closing her book

-Because I will be missing all day... I must confess that I do feel some pressure... So I might really disappear for many hours and everyone will be worried if I were to leave without any notice-

She came in front of me holding my shoulders -Of course you can.

I do understand that this is an important thing, probably the most important in the life of a woman...

But you must remember that once married you won't be able to do so anymore... Your husband will want to have you all for himself coming home from work, and you will have to take care of your childrens too... So no more greed in taking time for yourself-

-I'm not getting married mother... Don't forget that it's just a banquet- I smiled making her laugh

-Yeah... Maybe I too am feeling pressure after all... I should get someone to prepare me a rose bath so I can relax before wrinkles starts to show up haha!

But still... I'm really proud of you-

"~

I still don't understand what she's actually proud about... Being beautiful is not something I achieved with my own hard work, nor getting married will ever be my achievement either...

I do enjoy everytime I get complimented, of course

But I would like more to be rewarded for my music or my art at least... Which seem to only be a side dish to my body.

I would even more like to be rewarded for my strength, for my muscles, for my ability with the sword, the bow or the spear!

I did that all alone with my own knowledge from stolen books, which aren't meant for a woman.

Books I had to read at night giving up on my sleep, war tractates and strategy studies.

...

Here is the base of the mountain.

Fortunately this place is quite forgotten by our peoples, being crowded with wolfs and bears, but it's perfect for me.

I initially started going in a nearby forest just to practice with the sword or the bow...

But it ended up not being enough.

I decided to try shooting while riding a horse in a isolated camp and after a lot of practice I began to always hit the center of the targets I placed...

But after hearing news about a man almost being eaten by a wolf here, I decided to take the risk.

Learning to be quiet was a necessity here, both in breathing and walking... So I learnt to run and climb as silently as a spider.

I build myself a little track mixed of climbing, jumping and running in which I exercise constantly.

I have to always put new obstacles and targets for me to hit tho, not having anyone to do that for me...

One thrust with the sword here, one shoot with the bow there, a falling breache, a snake and so on until I'm satisfied.

...

I take back the last arrow from a target...

-All perfect hit again ah... I guess I mastered this too- I fix the quiver on my shoulder sighing

-I literally ended up the ideas... What could I possibly do next...?!-

I head for a small river to fetch up my water sack, gulping down tired.

I haven't ate the whole day... But also forgot to take anything with me and I'm so hungry, yet I cannot eat more at dinner or I'll get a good scolding...

I start going around searching for something filling, while munching on some sweet Goji berries.

I hear some noise coming from nearby so I lower myself taking out the sword... With light steps I walk upon a big rock laying on my abdomen...

Two wolves are fighting over a prey... A Male one on one side and a mother with her little one on the other side...

The male one is quite muscular and fighting just for his pride against an inferior being, while she is thinner but extremely ferocious having to feed her own pup.

He keeps trying to push her down yet she use the move at her own vantage biting on the male paws which gets angrier by each bite...

In a moment of distraction from him, the female goes for his throat

It doesn't kill him but make him backwalk just a little...

The she-wolf think to have won so she turns around to the prey preparing it for her pup, not noticing the male wolf faking an escape before rushing to the little pup.

Without thinking twice I jump using a tree to reach the little one, shielding him with my own body getting the bow ready to shoot.

The wolf stops running and begin walking around me, claiming his superiority making the pup whine.

I shoot one arrow in front of him and get the next one ready in case he moves more...

He looks back for some time before hearing a faraway howl calling him back.

I turn around to face the wolf mother now growling at me scared that I will hurt her pup...

I put back the weapon and kneel reaching out my hand in sign of submission and She approaches slowly, smelling all over me before giving me a little push on the hand with the nose, takes her pup away and goes back to eating.

-It could have went really bad this time...-

...

I come back at my hiding spot to change clothes and hide my weapons inside a hollow tree, switching them instead with a basket full of flowers I got on my way here, and head down the mountain.

It's already so dark outside... To think just a couple hours before I found myself face to face with a wolf... It sends a shiver down my spine.

While coming home I meet a few low rank soldiers, going out for a drink, all singing along in high spirit

-Goodevening Miss ChangLai!

Sill outside picking flowers? Hahah You never change-

-Goodevening you too my Lords... I could say the same, still out drinking?- I smile waving back...

I'm really tired, once home I barely wash myself in secret with cold water and head to bed falling in a way-too-deep sleep for a Miss... But I can always make up an excuse tomorrow if anyone ask... Now I must really recharge myself.