50 Fiefs to 50 States

Chapter Five: Carson's House

Karin led the three Araluens to the archery range and the sword practice field. Horace went over to the sword field and the two Rangers went over to the archery range. Karin watched as Will and Halt fired off arrow after arrow until they ran out, never shooting at the same target twice in a row each time, Halt and Will moved toward and away from each target so they can get the feel of different distances. She watched them with a lot of interest until her father came out with a platter of snacks and four cups of coffee with an open honey bottle that came with a spoon. "My daughter's gotten into the habit of putting honey into her coffee. I also assumed that Horace drank coffee as well, so I made four cups." He said as the four people gathered around the platter and each took a cup of coffee and dipped two spoons of honey into them. Karin took a sip and sighed. She left her coffee on the outside table while she went to get her outfit. She came back looking exactly like a Ranger and she nearly fooled the trio. She had her own hand carved recurve bow and handmade quiver of twelve arrows. She nocked one and had Halt and Will's attention. The string was brought bak to the tip of her nose and the two Rangers saw that her arms began shaking and looked at each other. "You're teaching her." Said Halt. Will sighed and waited until she fired the arrow she had nocked, which missed the target before it even made it half way to it. Will heard Halt snicker and Karin's face fell. Will placed a hand on her shoulder and motioned for her to retrieve the arrow. She got it an showed it to Will.

"It's very nicely made, although a bit dull." He said. Karin's face fell even more, if that was even possible. He placed his hand on her shoulder again. "Let me see another arrow." He said. She pulled out another arrow and it was considerably sharper than the other one. He compared it with the dull arrow and gave them both back to her. "The dull one just needs a bit of sharpening. Always, after every practice, sharpen your weapons. You don't want to be caught off guard." He told her. "Now try using the more sharper arrow to shoot." He added. She replaced the dull arrow and nocked the arrow to the string an began to pull back, but Will placed a hand on her bow and she loosened the grip. "Are you using your arms?" He asked her. She nodded and he shook his head. "Don't." He said. "Try using your back muscles instead."

Karin made the attempt to use her back muscles and with Will's help, she managed to actually hit the target. Halt had the urge to say 'Great! Now perform like that for five more years and you'll be a real Ranger.' But, he held his tongue and said nothing. Will helped Karin practice and get in the habit if sharpening her arrow tips.

By dusk, Carson called the four of them into the house for dinner and the three Araluens went in eagerly, Horace being the most eager because earlier in the day, he was expressing very vividly that he was starving. Then Halt couldn't take it anymore. "Are your ribs showing?" He asked. Horace shook his head and Halt gave him a look. "Then you're fine." The Ranger replied. Horace got a huge plate and immediately dove into the meal. Halt and Will did the same only, when they ate, they took it a little more slowly than Horace.

They turned in for the night, with Carson giving the separate rooms in case one of them snored. All three found out that each room had a door that led to the next room, so the trio met up in Will's room, which was in the middle. Horace tried to relax, but when he saw the stars through the window, his eyes began to produce tears.

"I miss Cassie." He said. Will and Halt nodded. "We all miss our wives, Horace. We all do." Said Halt, gently. There was a knock at the door and he answered it. It was Karin. "Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. May I come in?" She asked. Halt nodded and opened the door wider so she could enter. Will sat on his bed while Horace sat on the floor. Halt sat next to Will and Karin sat on the floor next to Horace. "You guys must miss your wives a lot." She said. All three nodded.

"Will in particular. If you know what I mean." Said Halt. Karin nodded and looked to Horace. "How is Cassandra?" She asked. Horace shrugged. "Last time I saw her, she told me she was pregnant." He said. Karin lightly patted his shoulder. "Congratulations." She said. They made conversation and eventually got to telling each other funny stories that happened to them.

"And instead of telling me the truth, Halt decided to tell me that those Gallican girls were couriers and needed those short skirts to run faster." He said. Will smacked Halt on his arm and the laughing began. Soon after, though, the four had to say goodnight and they all dispersed into their separate bedrooms and went to bed. But not without dreaming of their home.