They pulled back their arrows and shot. It was no surprise that Prince Naca was the best, followed by the chief guard. Yet Salīa and Bazil struggled from quite a distance.
While the chief guard advised Bazil, Prince Naca took the opportunity to stand close to Salīa, observing each change of her expression. Then he pointed and shot.
She watched with wide-eyed fascination, causing Bazil to grunt.
"An arrow should always aim slightly higher than its mark to hit it," he said, then smirked at Bazil. "Does the same not go for aspirations?"
Bazil pulled back an arrow angrily, and while he hit the target, it was slightly off mark. Yet he didn't dare surrender the game and leave Salīa along with Prince Naca.
"We should speak plainly while we play.
All official lower lands have historically been protectorates of their closest neighboring upper lands. Salazā has more than fulfilled its duty with Oggl, and for that, we'll always be thankful.
Admittedly, Oggl is inept with our lack of military defense, and so we cannot offer much aid in that way. But Khī does not reward the craven. How can one be free without courage?"
Prince Naca paused.
"Queen Salīa, what is it that you need most right now?"
"Anything that can help my land, my people, and my family," Salīa said simply. "I can write some suggestions, but I'll let you decide. Your countless messenger birds will probably be of great use one day, though."
"Very well. You can use them whenever you need, as many as you need. And I will also show you some things this evening that work in favor of your—"
Salīa lurched ahead, unable to stop as an arrow shot past her arm and landed in Bazil's.
"Bazil!" Salīa cried and ran to him.
He looked to her, his face sweating, then grimaced as he turned to where the arrow came from. As he stormed ahead, the chief guard raised his arm in front of him.
The archer ran towards them with a teary-eyed, chubby face of sweat.
"I'm sorry," a squeaky voice sobbed and kowtowed, repeating those words.
Bazil wanted to yank this person, but it was very clear this was just a little girl.
"Alva!" Prince Naca raced to her. "Do you have any idea what you just did?!"
It was the first time Salīa had ever seen him react so furiously.
The little girl kept crying, unable to say sorry fully through her stammers.
"I just wanted to practice to be as good as you, cousin. I saw you all playing, and so I was preparing mine, but I accidentally shot and…"
That was the last coherent sentence she could make before crying.
The guards looked to each other nervously.
Salīa had known, from Prince Naca's letters, that Alva was his favorite cousin and had been staying in Oggl while her parents travelled.
In any other situation, this accident of hers could've had fatal repercussions, and it was clear Prince Naca was uncertain what to do.
"Little one," Salīa smiled and waved to this precious little babe.
Alva looked up, wiping her eyes.
"I'm very sorry."
Salīa offered her hand, and the little girl took it tentatively.
"If that's so, you have to promise you'll learn to get better so this never happens again. Alright?"
Alva instantly gulped and smiled, nodding eagerly.
"Yes!" she hugged Salīa. "I promise, I do."
And just like that, Prince Naca had the chief guard teach her a distance away. Ogglan servants had run up, leading Salīa and Bazil to sit.
"Bazil, your arm," Salīa started when seeing how bloodied it was, but Bazil looked away.
Is he angry at me? I tried my best to stop that arrow from hitting him. He must know that, so why—
"Your arm too," Prince Naca sat beside her.
"It's just a scrape."
Prince Naca clicked his tongue. An Ogglan woman passed him a small jar, while they used another to tend to Bazil.
He's definitely upset, but seems to have no problem laughing with the Ogglan women rubbing on his arm.
"May I?"
Salīa nodded, and so he began to rub the cooling ointment onto her.
"It's made with jackalberry, which is great for healing things such as this."
"Hmm, that feels good."
Bazil flinched upon hearing them, yet still didn't face them. She accepted another glass of marula mixed with jackalberry tonic.
Even then, Bazil kept speaking with the other women instead.
"Prince Naca," Salīa whispered.
"Yes?"
"I don't mean to be discourteous, but…"
"You would like some time to yourself, yes?"
Does he read minds all of a sudden?
"I understand you'd like me to accompany you throughout the day and—"
"Think nothing of it. Although I may ask that you appear for dinner, and I'd like some of your time after. Could you promise me that much?"
After? I guess that should be fine. If it means I can excuse myself now.
"I promise."
She made haste to leave, but soon found Bazil trailing after her. So, she walked faster, yet he kept pace.
Eventually, she spun around and said, "Please, don't follow me right now."
"And why not?"
"Uh…well, it seems the food that took tenancy in my stomach has finished its lease and would like to move elsewhere."
Bazil's scowling eyes widened in embarrassment.
"Oh. I'll give you your privacy."
"Thank you," she walked on, then stopped. "Get some rest. I'll see you at dinner."
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