The Challenge

Mairwen stared at the Cheiftain's son. "I accept your challenge," she stated again, "on the condition that the trial by combat be against targets and not each other."

Timur nodded. "I think that is a wise compromise. I do not want you to get hurt."

"Nor do I wish to hurt you. You are far more valuable to your father and men if I leave you in one piece." The blue-eyed girl gave a bright smile and an encouraging nod. Her confidence made Timur pause. It did not help that those on her side of the tent were hiding their grins at her words.

'It is just a mind game,' Timur reasoned. "I am the challenger, therefore you can pick the type of challenge," he offered graciously.

"That's very kind. If it is all the same to you, an archery competition will suit me just fine." Mairwen held her poise even when Timur smiled broadly.

"You have chosen poorly. You think the stories of the Warrior Princess will scare me into submission, but it will not work. No one is that good of a shot." The young man crossed his arms. "However talented you think you are, Your Highness, I assure you that I am better."

"We shall see, I suppose." The Princess's eyes twinkled. Perhaps this opponent would give her a real challenge. Back home only her mother could rival her skill. Brinn was pretty good too, but she was also an elf with considerably more strength. Everyone else bowed to her superior skill.

Furrowing his brow, Orhan had heard enough. He decided to intervene. "I do not think Her Highness has come with a weapon."

"It was lost to the desert during the sand wave," Devrim confirmed. "She will require a new bow and time to practice." If the Emperor was not able to prevent this trial, he would at least give his daughter the best possible chance of winning.

Orhan could see his point. "I will have my best craftsman meet with the princess as soon as we have concluded our meeting. Will two weeks be enough?"

"I will make it work," Mairwen agreed.

"Take as long as you need. Days, weeks or months will not change the outcome of the Fate's dilemma," Timur chuckled softly.

"On that we can agree," Mairwen held out her arm across the circle. Timur leaned forward and they shook forearms to seal the agreement.

"Now that you have throughly embarrassed me in front of our monarchs, you better make their stay as comfortable as possible. If I hear even one hint that you have caused any more trouble, I will disown you." Orhan's gold-rimmed eyes looked fiercely at his son.

Timur nodded. "I understand."

Orhan rolled his eyes upward and blew out his cheeks slightly. "I very much doubt it."

——————-

In the week that followed, Orhan did everything possible to help the imperial army prepare for battle. More troops and volunteers appeared in the desert each day and were led to the oasis. There were not enough sleeping cloths nor Dunesman to keep up with the tide.

"Of course this means we will have to move when this is all over," Orhan sighed. "Too many people know how to find us now." He stood with the Emperor surveying the newest group who was entering the camp on foot.

Devrim felt a twinge of guilt as each of the men passed him and bowed. He tilted his chin in an eternal acknowledgement as they came by him. "I am sorry we have caused an inconvenience, Chieftain. I have been surprised that the oasis can support all of us so easily."

Orhan brushed away his apology with a dismissive hand motion. "We have been nomads for centuries. As for the oasis, she will accomodate thousands upon thousands with her water. It runs very deep. As long as we all do not mind being cozy in our tents, we still have room to spare."

"Not for long. We have reached thousands and are still growing. I promise to repay you for your kindness, Chieftain. For the food, weapons, water and shelter. You have even given us ample safe space to train outside of camp." Devrim looked out at the bustling camp. It was teeming with life both from the Dunespeople and the soldiers.

"I am happy that we can help. It is the least I can do, Your Majesty. And if my foolish son wins his gamble, it is the only thing I can do." Orhan pulled his lips tight.

"I think he means well." Devrim lay an understanding arm on the Chieftain's shoulder. "On the bright side, it has helped the princess practice her skills and keep her mind busy."

"She has been very busy, it is true. I admire her energy. Where is Princess Mairwen now?" Orhan had not seen the girl since breakfast.

"Training. I should probably go check on her actually…" Devrim turned to head in the direction where his daughter was practicing.

Orhan clicked his tongue. Looking back, the Emperor spotted a cloud of dust out on the dunes. More people were in need of a rescue and guidance.

Devrim sighed and gave a weary smile hidden below the cloth that wrapped his head. "I will go check on Mairwen…after we welcome these new arrivals."

—————-

The training ground that Mairwen had set up was a fair distance from the camp. The bow she had designed and made had taken a few days to make in part because they needed to locate wood that would function for her purpose. In the end, an archer from the southern fort donated his weapon to be shortened and customized.

Eira reset the target for the hundredth time that afternoon. The fabric of the target had red and white concentric circles painted on it and was filled with sand to give it shape. The middle circle in particular had so many tiny holes that it needed to be patched to keep the sand from leaking and causing the target to droop.

Bringing back the arrows, whose shafts were made from reeds found in the oasis, Eira gave the report. "Four center and one just outside. Very impressive."

Mairwen clearly did not agree. Her brow furrowed. "The wind caught that last one. It should have been the best shot. I cannot let that happen again."

The princess was sweating in the hot sun even under her head covering. A small one-sided triangular tent held with two stakes in the ground and a long pole at the other end was set up to provide the young women with shade from the elements. Mairwen sat in the shade and unwrapped her head. Eira joined her and the two sat in silence.

The first day of her training, large crowds had gathered to watch her work, but they pressed in and created a dangerous place to shoot. So Orhan forced the people to wait until the competition to see how things would go. As a result the two ladies were alone.

"Drink." Eira passed water to Mairwen and the girl obeyed. It was too easy to get dehydrated out on the dunes. The personal guard also drank. They finished the containers, and Eira stowed them back in the pack.

"Thank you," Mairwen nodded her appreciation.

"We missed the noonday meal. We really should head back," Eira urged her mistress.

"Just one more round. You already retrieved the arrows. You can get some water from the well so we have something to drink as we return. I will be quick; I promise." Mairwen pulled her hair around over her shoulder and twisted it up into a bun. She did this when she was particularly focused.

Eira saw the three callouses on Mairwen's right hand. They made the soldier cringe with how raw they were. "We should get you a glove. Your fingers will not take much more abuse."

"You sound like a mother, Eira. I am quite alright."

"Yes, Your Highness. I will get the water." Eira left over the ridge and the princess heaved a sigh of relief. Eira's attention had become too much lately. It was overwhelming.

Feeling bad, Mairwen yelled after the guard, "Watch out for quicksand! Hurry back!" Really she did not want her to hurry, but it seemed the nice thing to say. Mairwen ran her finger along her sliver chain. "I do wish I could find some help other than Eira," the girl said absentmindedly.

The pixie took off over the sand. Mairwen hit her face with her hand. She had been foolish.

"Oh no! I cannot leave. Eira will not be happy, especially if she knows what caused it. I cannot follow you, pixie. I am sorry." Mairwen called to the silver pendant.

The fairy seemed to huff at her and leave all the same.

"It will be back," the princess shrugged. "Where else can it go?"

The blue-eyed girl stood and made her way just over twenty paces from the target. She pulled back her bow and let three arrows go quickly.

All hit the middle of the smallest red circle in a cluster. "Try and beat that, Timur," Mairwen whispered to herself.

Something shifted to her left. The princess could see it in her peripheral vision.

"Eira? Are you back?" After a time, the girl decided that it must have just been shifting sand, and she shot her fourth arrow. It landed just off center due to the girl's distraction.

Mairwen groaned. She only had one arrow left. Taking a deep breath, the girl aimed and drew her bow. By chance, she looked at the ground to check her stance and caught sight of an extra shadow behind her. It was almost hidden behind her own but now quite.

"One, two, THREE!" Mairwen flipped on her heels and aimed her bow on the shadow's owner.

Hemel was startled, but not suprised.

"We meet again, Princess…"