108. Old wounds.

(SWISH..)

(BOING..)

The arrows kept hitting their target which were unfortunate strawman in out back yard.

The Revel brothers hit the targets in the head one after another.

Hit.Hit.Hit.Hit.Hit,Hit,Hit,Hit...by Ehlite.

From more or less fifty feet they they hit all their targets separately.

What an incredible duo.

Two master bowman worth a thousand from a good advantage point and unlimited supply of arrows.

(CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP...)

They turned to us with a large smile and bowed in sync.

" Perfet shot, like always. " - Cintia looked proudly at the two who despite the cold didn't freeze to death in their light clothing their scarves were enough apparently.

I walked up in the meantime and nocked and arrow from my quiver.

( Hit)

My was good..but, not that precise. From 50 feet it it proved to be a challenge..the cold and snow didn't help any.

But, I couldn't complain after such a display.

I hit my targets..in the neck and chest area after using all 20 of my arrows I hit the head just twice.

I stepped forward to retrieve my arrows. I need to improve but, didn't need to rush.

War mostly occurs in the spring and summer.

I practiced to no applause, two more volleys before the cold got to me and we retreated inside.

" You getting better Lylly..just need more practice. "

More practice..yay.

But there was no way around it. I still remember how much Zephyr was training himself even in the snow and cold, most of his old students were handled by Master Alexander and Vice captain Lucian who got more titles by the day.

He spent time in Malai lately as well. He said it's training so I let it go with that.

" Thanks Saam, I can't wait for the snows to melt. "

It was lovely but lost its charm after a few weeks.

Like all, I began to wish for the warm spring to arrive.

" I bet you anything you be hitting that apple off that strawman in no time. "

" Hahaha..."

We all looked at Zephyr who had a good long laugh watching us.

" Master? " - Manata sounded concerned.

He finally spoke after wiping his eyes. " Who said anything about a straw Dummy? "

" You when.." - I got silent because his words were.

' If you shot it off a target. '

Target.

" So what will be used? "

He turned to Cintia's question and pointed his own God damned head.

" Tchtchtch.." - no amount of tongue clicking will signify this manipulations significance.

Before I could explode. " Ah ah ahhh..remember you can alway just give up? "

I was ready to accept his clear taunts with furious one liners...' Think about it, in your head before you just blurt stuff out'.

His words rang in my ear and I actually thought about it..and decided to postpone on deciding it.

" Since, I'll have time.. I don't need to respond now. The war isn't here yet..could be years."

He pretended to be disappointed pulling the edges of his mouth down but quickly joined in the smiling crowd.

" Lord Zephyr? "

He looked exhausted turning to Cintia who was unable to call him other then Lord Zephyr or Astoria. " Yes? Lady Martell? "

He got up to feed the fire under the stove.

Cintia waited until he sat again.

" Why not just ..kill Mai and if need the King? Why wait? "

Well that sucked the fun atmosphere right out the room and made Carlos nervously glancing with the rest of us towards Zephyr.

" That easy huh..? " - he played with his leftover tea.

" Didn't mean to be presumptuous or anything but, with your skillset waiting for a war seems unnecessary...two man standing between you and your goal. "

He glanced at Carlos who must curse himself for telling them his plans and the reason, for it's delay.

" It's because of the..

Zephyr lifted his hand and shook his head.

He turned to Cintia sitting back and relaxing.

" You know ..I used have these..vivid dreams of absolute carnage. It used to drive me mad..kept me up at night just unable to believe those could be real. "

Those dreams again.. his dreams of war.

" But, after the first time, I took a life..I knew. They were all real.." - he finished his tea and smiled at her. " ..see? I understand what's wait us down this road..and I'm ready to die if needed for my people."

He smiled at all those present. " I'm just not sure I'm ready to see them dying for me.."

Cintia looked like she regretted bringing this up and the rest just stared at the air in front them.

He was hesitant and for good reason.

Once again I understood how much deeper his mind goes. How much he must fear the future. How easy it would be..for him?

Once in his eyesight no being in this world could escape him. He could send man straight to heaven with a step and a touch.

" Enough of such talk...we have time. Perhaps years. " - he gave me a smile echoing my own words just a few minutes ago. " We need to grow and develop. But most importantly.."

He invited me with a smile and Anna followed me.

We both ended up in his embrace.

" We must enjoy this time of peace..and work hard to preserve it..as long as we're able. "

I looked up and enjoyed his kiss while the others raised their glass as if made a toast.

"""" HEAR HEAR..""""

——

That night I took him upstairs before he was about to leave again.

" Is that it? " - he asked with a cheeky smile once the door was closed.

" Is what it? "

He confused and sat down. " Nevermind..you talk first. "

Yes my love.. I would love to do it but, we're so damn close. Besides..

I BET they pressing their ears to the stairs listening for sex noises.

" I didn't know you still had those dreams. "

He closed his eyes nodding with a smile. " I don't. "

After seeing my scepticism he went on. " Not for a long time..I mean.."

He bounced up from the bed and took me by the waist. " You see me at nights..I no longer have those nightmares.. I'm not tormented by them anymore. "

" But, you believe them real now? "

" I don't..I know they're all real. "

I remembered his body covered in scars showing a life filled with battle.

His eyes were of acceptance. " I must've been..a soldier of some nation. Who cares? "

He shrugged while also moving my own shoulders in sync with his.

" I'm not that man..whoever he was."

I let those words erase all my fears..at least for a while.