Page 54 of Bride of Fire
“Sideways,” Feiyan said, “asidewaysflick, like you’re casting grain to hens.” She flicked her wrist sideways, parallel to the ground, to demonstrate.
The man nodded, retrieved the star, and tried again. This time, the star stuck in the lower corner of the target. The others cheered.
“That’s it,” Feiyan said with satisfaction.
Jenefer looked at Feiyan in wonder. She thought her cousin would be upset that her beloved weapons were in enemy hands. But the daft lass was more concerned that they were using them improperly.
Continuing to observe, Jenefer could see these Highlanders were skilled indeed. They might be wild, ferocious, unruly. God only knew how Morgan managed to mold them into a disciplined fighting force. But they were eager to train and fast to learn. Though at first they’d laughed at Feiyan, they listened to her now with as much respect as they would a commander.
But it seemed careless on Feiyan’s part. Jenefer wondered how her cousin would feel if one of these men used her weapons to kill a Rivenloch knight.
On the other hand, the knights of Rivenloch were formidable foes. And once the Highlander saw he was outnumbered, he’d probably choose to negotiate rather than wage battle.
Besides, Feiyan seemed to be enjoying herself. Though she’d no doubt rather train on the ground with her newfound apprentices, at least shouting directions down to them from the window relieved her boredom.
Unfortunately, it also awakened Miles next door, who began whimpering.
Jenefer suspected Bethac would come calling soon.
Feiyan beckoned the men closer to the window so she could teach them to use her spined fan.
Jenefer shook her head and crossed the room. When she cracked open the bedchamber door to peer into the hallway, the young guard posted there nodded toward the nursery. Apparently, Morgan had granted permission for her to tend to the babe.
Bethac answered the nursery door with the bleating child in one arm. “Thank ye for comin’, Miss. I fear wee Miles won’t have anyone but ye.”
Chapter 28
It wasn’t lost on Jenefer that Bethac had called the babe Miles. She smiled in approval and reached out for the lad.
“He’s been fed,” Bethac said as she handed Miles over to her. She ushered Jenefer in and closed the door. “And Cicilia’s gone downstairs to sup.”
Jenefer lifted the squirming babe to peer into his distraught face.
“So, lad, what’s got your trews in a bunch today? Aside from my noisy cousin trying to command your laird’s army.”
“Is that what the fuss is about?” Bethac asked, wide-eyed.
“Oh, aye. She’s a bossy wee minx, my cousin.”
The old woman whispered in awe, “Is what they say true then? Are ye both…warrior maids?”
“Aye.” She cocked her head at Miles. He was still crying, but he’d stopped writhing about. “My cousin Feiyan is a master of fighting skills from the Orient. And I can outshoot anyone with a longbow.”
This time her boast wasn’t empty. It was true.
“Indeed?” Bethac clasped a hand to her breast. “By my faith! A woman-at-arms. ’Tis remarkable.” Then she worried one corner of her lip with her teeth. “But ye haven’t…killed anyone, have ye?”
“Nay.” She smiled in grim recollection. “Though I have maimed a few amorous knaves who refused to heed my younger sister’s refusals.”
Bethac gasped.
Jenefer squinted at Miles. “You’d never do that, would you, lad—try to take a lass against her will?”
Miles stopped crying and peered at her intently, as if he were trying to decipher what she was saying.
“Nay, you’re a good lad,” she told him.
Bethac shook her head in awe. “’Tis marvelous the way the bairn has grown attached to ye, Miss. God’s truth, ’twill be a shame when ye go. I don’t know what we’ll do.”
