The Conquest of Mytheyr
Chapter 14

The day was half over, and they were already out of thedesert and had made it through the pass and into the forests. Morgan ledCaspian, walking at the edge of the middle of the pack. Vath was a good waysbehind, near the back, but Bas did not require being led, he just followed Vathfaithfully. Morgan walked sluggishly, her head down. Her nightmares were bad,but a night with no sleep had been a stupid decision. She needed what ever shecould get, and she mentally kicked herself.

“LadyMorgan?” Teren said behind her. “What’s wrong?”

“Well, you just came out and asked.” Morgan said. “Not ‘isthere something wrong’? Is it really that obvious?”

“To anyone with open senses, yes.” Teren told her, “You arequite obviously frayed. I suspect Vath Burntbush’s education is lacking, whichwould be why he hasn’t noticed. Why bring him? No, that doesn’t matter, are youalright?”

“It’s… just the Black magic from the thralls.” Morgan lied,“Silver magic makes you more open to its effects, so I need longer then youguys to heal.” Teren looked unconvinced. Morgan was always a terrible liar. Buthe did not question her further.

“Is it trueyou can split an arrow?” he asked instead. Morgan laughed.

“Oh, I can do better than that.” The silver bracelet shewore became liquid, forming into a bow and a single arrow in her right hand.“Who here has a bow?” she said, raising her voice so everyone in the groupcould hear.

“I do.” a young woman spoke up first. Morgan moved to theside, away from everyone else so that they were out of the way.

“I would like you to shoot me.” Morgan told her.

“…Are you sure?” the woman said doubtfully. Morgan noddedconfidently. The girl pulled an arrow from her hip quiver, and she drew andreleased. Just as the arrow left the bow, Morgan transferred her silver bow toher left hand, nocked the arrow, drew and shot, all in a blur. There was anugly crunch, and the two arrows fell to the ground, Morgan’s arrow, which Terennoticed the shaft was made of a strange gray wood, was halfway through theshaft of the girl’s arrow, splitting it lengthwise. Morgan’s arrow had evencleaved the steel head of her arrow.

The girlchortled, saluting Morgan.

“I… how is that even possible?” she asked, still laughinggood-naturedly.

“The head of my arrow is made of Moonlit Silver,” Morgansaid, picking up the mutilated arrow and freeing hers from it, “and so it’sharder than your steel. The rest is just good aim.” She could have made thatshot even standing at the edge of death. Centuries of practice guaranteed that.

“When we get home, I’m going to frame this.” the girlannounced, turning away to brag to her brothers, “And there’ll be a plaquesaying ‘this arrow was split by the Morgan of Irideth.”

Vath lookedon in awe. He had always wanted to shoot like that. His father never got thechance to teach him archery. He wondered if Morgan would, if he asked her. Hesaw her grab Caspian’s reins and fall back in line, and he picked up his paceto catch up with her. He paused behind her, wondering what he should say. Where’dyou learn to shoot like that sounded like a stupid question. She was aDragonkin; they all learned and trained together. At least, that’s what heheard.

Morgan hada new spring in her step. In the face of something that seemed impossible, thereminder of what she could do did wonders for her morale, and temporarilychased her tiredness away.

“Can allDragonkin shoot like that?” Vath asked, catching up to her and matching herpace.

“Not necessarily.” Morgan shrugged. “Archery isn’teveryone’s thing. Like, I can’t use a lance, let alone two, but some Dragonkincan, and I could learn if I took the time.”

“What’s a lance?” Vath asked.

“It’s, uh… like a spear, but it’s meant to be used by amounted warrior. Some are really good with it off the horse, though. They kindacreated their own fighting style, and it’s very effective.”

“So how long does it take to learn how to split an arrowlike that?” Vath said, driving closer to his point. Morgan smiled, seeing whathe was up to.

“Thirty years of hard practice.”

She stoppedsuddenly, and Vath spun on his heel to keep from passing her. Morgan’s gaze wasdirected into the tree branches, her eyes picking out shadowy shapes.

“Hail! We are friends.” she called up. “We have come fromthe desert, and we go to fight the usurper.”

Everyonelooked to where she was shouting, and saw nothing, until a single Dark Elfleapt out of the foliage, unfurling a large cloth behind him and floating down.He landed gracefully and stood tall in front of Morgan. He was quite aformidable figure, as he was definitely taller than anyone there and his darkgreen clothes and mask made only his bright black eyes visible.

“From the desert?” he asked, his voice deep and challenging,“I will readily believe your company is, but you do not seem to be adesert-dwelling elf.”

Morgan methis eyes boldly, her back straight and head held high.

“No, my kind are unused to the desert.” she said, “But Ihave come with these people from there.”

“And where are your kind used to, then?” the Dark Elfdemanded.

“The forests and hills of Irideth.” she said. She reachedfor the wrapping around her left wrist, undoing the top and allowing it tounravel. She held up her arm, showing him the legendary scar all Dragonkinbore. The Dark Elf took a step back, the fierce light in his eyes changing intoone of disbelief.

“You… you said you mean to fight the pretender?” Morgannodded solemnly in response.

The DarkElf looked about the company, counting them with his eyes. He turned to Morgan,still seemingly in awe.

“You should come with me. I have no doubt our chief wouldlike to add to your numbers.”