Practice Makes Perfect

Myra was confused by Sierra's words. But before she could ask again to clarify, both of them heard the sound of thundering hooves in the distance. Sierra lit up as she got up from the bench and blew the whistle again.

They traced the source of the thundering hooves and looked in its direction. Far off in the distance, a black shadow appeared on the horizon.

"There she is!" Sierra exclaimed with glee.

All the others looked on in shock as they saw the black shadow closing in on them. It was a horse as black as night, galloping across the grounds towards the stable grounds.

Midnight leaped over the wooden fences gracefully, whinnying as she shook her beautiful flowing mane. She stopped gracefully just a few spaces in front of Sierra.

Unlike most black horses, Midnight had bright amber-colored eyes, contrasting her coat. She lowered her head, allowing Sierra to pet her.

"How are you, Midnight?" Sierra whispered to her horse as she held onto her head.

The mare seemed to understand Sierra's words, giving a knowing nod and a snort. Sierra walked around her, assessing her condition. Midnight seemed to be in perfect shape, her saddle and bridle were already in place.

"Come on, girl, let's go for a ride," Sierra said excitedly.

She turned to Myra, who still looked a little stunned by what she had just witnessed. Sierra quickly explained what had transpired with the stable master and showed her the whistle she used to find Midnight.

"This is truly remarkable! I don't think I've seen anything like this!" Myra remarked as she took a closer look at the whistle.

"It is, isn't it? It was a gift from my father, along with Midnight," Sierra explained as she brushed Midnight's coat.

She held onto the saddle and used the stirrups to get up on Midnight. Pulling on the reins, Sierra asked if Myra would like to take her horse out for a ride too.

"Right now?" Myra asked as she looked back at the lodge then back at Sierra.

"Yes, now," Sierra replied with a smile, "The sky is clear and the sun is still out. It's perfect weather for a ride."

"Alright, you've convinced me."

She quickly got up on her horse, Chestnut, with the help of her maid. Sierra lead the way, guiding them down a path that circled around the lodge.

Little did they know, King Alistair was observing them from a distance. He wore his ceremonial mask, which he often wore while moving about the castle grounds. He was caught by surprise when he saw a black horse running through the castle grounds without a rider.

Hence, he and his two bodyguards followed it on horseback, until they arrived at the lodge. He was pleasantly surprised to see that the horse belonged to Sierra.

"You truly are an interesting woman, Princess Sierra," Alistair muttered to himself with a grin.

He pulled on the reins on his horse and turned back towards the main castle grounds. Though his two bodyguards found it odd that their King did not go any closer to the lodge, they knew better than to question his actions.

During their ride together, Myra and Sierra got to know each other a little better. By the end of it, they had already become friends. As they returned their horses to the stables, they decided to check out the shooting grounds next.

Myra was a little nervous, as she had never used a bow and arrow before.

"Never?" Sierra was shocked.

Her father trained her with a bow and arrow as soon as she could walk. She practiced shooting targets for hours on end, aiming for the bullseye on the board.

Myra shook her head, "My father used to say, a woman does not need to pick up a weapon. That's a man's job."

Sierra widened her eyes in disbelief, "How would you protect yourself then? What if no one is there to protect you?"

She turned to look at Myra, who was visibly surprised by the tone of her voice. Sierra quickly apologized, she did not realize she had gotten so worked up over it.

"It's alright," Myra said with a smile, "You know, Sierra, I really admire you."

"Admire? Me?" she could not believe her ears.

Why would Princess Myra admire her?

"Don't be so humble, Sierra! Look at you! You're so brave and so... what's that... so true to yourself," she explained.

Unlike some of the other princesses, Sierra always spoke her mind, regardless of what others might think. She helped others without asking, without caring about the consequences.

Myra wished she could be like her. Sierra was too stunned to speak. She had never received such high praise before, from a stranger she barely knew no less.

"Thank you, that's very kind of you," Sierra said as her cheeks began to blush a little.

Trying to move away from the embarrassment, she volunteered to teach Myra how to shoot an arrow. She picked up two bows, one for each of them, and walked up to the start line that had been drawn on the ground.

For each target, there was a quiver of arrows at the start line, ready for them to use. Sierra taught Myra all the basics.

Holding the bow, launching an arrow, to releasing it. When Myra pulled on the bowstring, she first began by correcting her posture.

"Like this?" Myra asked as she straightened her back and brought the bowstring closer to her cheek while keeping her other arm straight.

"Yes! You got it," Sierra smiled.

Next, she taught Myra how to aim and where to look when she did. Her arm was already beginning to shake from fatigue but Myra kept it up.

She released her first arrow shortly after. It flew through the air and landed on the outermost ring. Her confidence was quickly deflated by this setback but Sierra encouraged her.

A burst of laughter from a familiar voice rang through the shooting ground. Sierra could not help but roll her eyes as she looked over to see who it was.