Page 36 of These Violent Delights

She walked right up to the edge of the practice field and gave Olathe a fearsome smile.

Olathe looked down on her from her battle ram’s back.“Hello, Lady Zelda.Did you have something to say?”Her smirk seemed to imply all kinds of things, but most importantly that she was the superior woman.

Zelda smiled wider.“I was wondering if you were interested in a friendly shooting match?It's been a long time since I had the pleasure.”The words at the end dropped into a growl.

Olathe’s brows shot up.“You're challenging me?”

Yarbo, who had also been watching, crossed his arms.His face was carefully blank.“I put a gold piece on Lady Zelda.”

Olathe looked at him in surprise.She snorted.“I suppose you would have to.Very well.Where is your battle ram...?”She trailed off as a soldier ran up to Zelda, holding her bow and leading her saddled battle ram.

Uncle Tank joined the watchers, his face also blank.When Ozzy shot him a look of inquiry, he said nothing.Ozzy looked back at the ladies, slightly concerned.

Olathe looked momentarily suspicious, but she shook it off.“Fine!Let's get on with it then.”

The ladies lined up.Zelda waved a hand.“Guests first.”

Olathe grinned and spurred her ram.One after another, her arrows hit the center of the targets.Smugly, she turned around and rode back, her chin held high.

Zelda's mother had been an excellent shot, and she had taught Zelda all she knew.Nothing less than perfection was acceptable, and Zelda enjoyed it.It had been part of her daily exercise for many years.

It was also the one bit of magic Zelda possessed, aside from castle wrangling.

Zelda knocked an arrow and spurred her ram.They shot forward, moving as one, every motion perfect.The wind zinged through her hair, and she smelled the crisp spring air.And then she fired, the smell of sulfur from her arrow teasing her nose.

One by one, her arrows hit dead center and then exploded into magnificent yellow flames.Each shot was a spectacle, a display of skill and magic combined.

There was a moment of stunned silence and then deafening cheers.

Olathe stared at her, and then imperceptibly nodded.She had been bested.More importantly, she had been outsmarted.

Zelda looked at Ozzy, feeling smug.His eyes were glowing with admiration.

“My lady,” he purred.“You're just full of surprises.”

Grinning triumphantly, head high, she rode back to her castle.Hide behind her walls, indeed.

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