The Archer

The Archer is a part of The Heirs of Zyainor Volume One, focusing on Velina, one of Ca'laer Gardon Bloodclaw and Larine the Exile's children.

## Synopsis

Despite not with her sister Parlea, she does her best by her own way.

## Story

August, 14 Z. R.

The string of the bow was tensed, a short move and the arrow flew through the air, hitting the deer right in the head. It fell to the ground. The archer smiled, stood up and slowly walked towards the dead animal. She stretched her hand towards the arrow and closed her eyes, concentrating. The arrow slowly moved out of the head and flew back into her hand, the blood was still sticking to its top. She opened her eyes and looked at the arrow, smiling. It had taken some time but now she was able to do this without having to touch the arrow. She could hear a noise in the woods, close to her. A quick move and her arrow was ready again, faced in the direction of the noise. Someone came closer. A giant figure in dark armor, face hidden behind the helmet, approached her on his horse. She slightly lowered her bow when she realized who he was. "Your mother is training you well, Princess Velina. But it is dangerous out here, so close to the Dead Forest. You shouldn't be here." he said. Someone else would have been terrified by the appearance of Lord Commander Varan the Soulkeeper and grandmaster of the Guardians of the Grave, but Velina knew that he was a close ally to her father - and she had faith in her abilities with her bow. "If it is so dangerous here, then why are you here? Shouldn't you be in Ker'Annoch, studying a skeleton or something?" she asked boldly, trying to provoke him. But he only laughed. It was a sinister laugh, fitting his outfit, Velina thought. "I am on my way to meet with your mother. There are a few matters that she and I need to discuss." he said." I can lead you to her. She is currently visiting a small village not far from here." Velina suggested. She wanted to know what matters this dark man and her mother had to discuss. The First Grave Warden nodded and after Velina had loaded the dead deer onto her horse, they rode to the village. Larine was sitting in the tearoom of the local rulers of the area when her daughter and the guest of Ker'Annoch arrived. However, Larine sent Velina into her room because she wanted to talk with Varan in private. As soon as the reluctant princess had left the room, Varan sat down. "So, Lord Commander. Let's skip the pleasantries, I know you are not here for small talk. What do you want?" Larine asked, her voice wasn't unfriendly but demanding. She wanted to know why the man had asked for a meeting. "Your daughter has used magic to remove her arrow from the animal she shot. I didn't know that she was a magic user." he said instead of answering her question. "A few minor tricks, yes. Nothing too major, still. Unlike her sister, she wasn't born to be a mage." Larine replied. "Ah yes, her twin, what's her name, Parlea? I heard that she was secretly studying under the guidance of Duke Birram. Very skilled from what I heard." Varan pondered. He took the teacup standing on the desk before him and took a sip.
"Have you ever considered sending her to study in Ker'Annoch?" he asked. Larine's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Velina? As a Grave Warden? Is that why you are here? You want her to join your order?" she asked. Varan shook his head. "No, that is not the reason why I am here. I did not even know that she wielded any magic. I am here to talk with you about the Dead Forest. It seems that some of your people are again trying to colonize it behind your back." he told her. Larine sighed. "Of course they are, I can imagine who it is. They are eager, I give them that, but I cannot tolerate it. I thank you for telling me, but you could just have sent me a message." she said. "I was on my way to Castle Angas anyway, so I decided to tell you personally so you could take care of it." Varan explained and stood up after emptying his teacup. "I will ride through this area again in two weeks, when I return from Castle Angas. I will take your daughter with me to Ker'Annoch if you allow me to do so, so I may teach her. Personally. She could turn out to be a good Grave Warden. Do not waste her potential by having her learn nature magic." Were his final words before he left. Larine looked out the window. "I know you are there, come out, he is gone." she said. A few moments later, Velina stood in front of her and looked to the ground, slighly embarrassed. "Good that the ears of our guest aren't as good as mine, Velina. How much have you heard?" Larine asked. "I have been there since I left you." Velina admitted and looked into her mothers' eyes. "Am I going to leave home?" she asked. Larine smiled at her daughter. "Do you want to?" "I don't know. It seems strange to just leave you and home like that." Velina explained. Larine put a hand on her shoulder. "I will let you decide this, darling. I love you, I would not want you to do something you do not want to do. And I promise you, one day, your father will acknowledge you and your sister Parlea as his children. We will make him proud of you, no matter what."