The Marksman [The Talent of Three: Book 1]

Prologue ••• Atheris Jones

Breathe in...breathe out... Let fly.

Atheris releases the arrow and watches as it sails toward the target. It sticks in the dead center of the target.

"Bullseye," Atheris Jones murmurs to herself. She stalks forward to retrieve the arrow.

Atheris likes it here in the woods, where she can practice without having to wait for other archers to finish shooting before she can retrieve her arrows. She likes the peace...the quiet...the fresh air.

There's a loud snap! behind her and Atheris turns, her eyes wide. Her eyes comb the thick underbrush, searching.

There. The branch moved there. 

Atheris slowly pulls an arrow from her quiver and takes aim. She lets the arrow fly.

There is the brief sound of movement, suggesting the animal has attempted to run. But the sound dies away quickly and Atheris knows she hit the creature.

Atheris steps forward carefully and pulls apart the thorny underbrush, ignoring the tiny yet sharp pains going through her hands.

A rabbit. She has caught a rabbit. By the looks of it, it is not very young.

The rabbit has become dinner for her and the others in her family.

They will need a good dinner tonight. Tomorrow is the Test. Tomorrow three of the five Jones children will leave the house and they will be Tested. They will join their Talent Pack.

Atheris already knows what she will get. She is a marksman.

But for now, Atheris will hunt. She will bring her catch home. And she will feed her family. One last time.

•••

There is no rhyme or reason to how children are called up for their Test. So it is not unusual when Atheris's sister is called first.

"Jones, Nocturne."

Nocturne steps up and Atheris can clearly see as a knife is sliced across her sister's palm. Her blood drips into the large bowl of steaming water. The steam rises and curls into the form of a music note.

"Nocturne Jones of the Musicians!"

Nocturne wears a smile as she steps off the stage. Atheris hugs her for the last time before Nocturne disappears.

Atheris watches as her friends go up. Her brother Caol joins the Sailors. Her best friend from childhood, Lavinia, joins the Artists. Her neighbor Lance receives a warm welcome from the Military.

Atheris is last.

"Jones, Atheris."

Atheris walks up the steps to the stage. She is well aware of the stares on her back as she does.

"Your hand, Atheris," the man who will see her Test says quietly.

Atheris recalls the scars on her parents' hands from the Test. She remembers the stories of the pain the cut brings.

Atheris offers her hand willingly.

The knife slices open the skin of her palm without difficulty.

Her blood drips into the steaming water.

A moment.

Then the steam on the water's surface begins to shift and swirl, rising. It takes the shape of a figure, poised to release an arrow. It is a stance Atheris has taken many times.

"Atheris Jones of the Archers!"