The Marksman [The Talent of Three: Book 1]

4 ••• The Range

Atheris loves the days when Eryx let's them just have free reign. She loves the fact that Eryx doesn't care when they get into fights and competitions trying to see who the best archer is.

However, Eryx was not giving them such a day.

"You must practice for the Quests," she had said, then had given them each task.

Atheris had been given the task if setting up the targets. While doing so, her OCD kicks in.

"Atheris, it's fine where it is," Redding sighs, getting frustrated as Atheris pickily moves the target, trying to get it just so.

"No—it's—not!" Atheris says through gritted teeth.

"Atheris," Atticus calls. "Calm down, will you?"

"What's going on?" Eryx demands.

"Atheris won't just leave the target where it is," Redding complains.

Eryx laughs. "Oh, let her be. Atheris can have her time to be picky."

Atheris threw Redding a smug look. He sticks his tongue out at her.

"Redding..." Eryx raises an eyebrow and Redding snaps his mouth shut.

Pippa, another girl in the group, hands Redding his arrows. He drops them lightly into his quiver. He retrieves his bow and Atheris flounces out of the way.

Atheris helps Avrum and Pippa improve their aim at Eryx's instruction.

The group of twelve works together for what may be the last time. Tomorrow holds their exams and the day after, they will be fitted for their uniforms for the first Quest.

Atheris looks over each of them: of the boys, Avrum, Redding, Callow, Atticus, Gunner, and Sawyer. Of the girls, Jadis, Ninia, Pippa, Scout, and Demitria. All of them are brothers and sisters to her. Eryx is like her mother. Leaving them and going on the Quest with two people she barely knows will be hard.

All too soon, the bell gives a sharp rinnnggg! and the group troupes to the mess hall for dinner.

Atheris turns back briefly to look at the range. Her eyes pass over the familiar room before Pippa and Demitria pull her away.