Page 23 of Enchanted

“I tried to fight them. They were too powerful. There were too many of them,” Rosalyn admitted, feeling a sense of relief at finally being able to talk about her experience. “If Keiran had not come along, I would have died.”

“That is why we are here with you now,” Fiona said with a smile. “You will never find yourself in that situation again after today.”

Rosalyn straightened, feeling not only gratitude, but a sense of growing excitement that she might learn how to be more independent in her new life. “I am ready to learn.” She lifted the bow and tried to put the arrow to it. She fumbled and the arrow fell to the ground.

“Let me show you,” Isolde said, standing behind Rosalyn and helping her hold the bow steady before setting the arrow against the string of the bow. Isolde positioned her fingers so that one sat above the arrow and two were below. “Pull the string back until it touches your lips and chin, and aim at the wall in the distance. Keep your arm straight, but not stiff.” Isolde stepped back. “When you are ready, relax your string hand and the arrow will fly straight and true,” she said in an encouraging tone.

Rosalyn drew a slow, even breath and relaxed the string. The tension in the string surprised her and she jerked back, sending the arrow not at the wall, but straight into the air. As it came down, the women scattered to keep from being struck.

“That was good for your first attempt,” Isolde said, with slightly less encouragement than before. “Try again.”

The next three attempts held similar, dangerous results.

“Instead of running for our lives,” Aria said, interrupting a fourth attempt, “let’s try something new.” She took the bow and handed Rosalyn a crossbow. “Perhaps this lightweight crossbow from the Middle Ages is more your style. It is old, but very dependable.”

Rosalyn accepted the weapon and was a bit surprised at how light it was. “How do I use it?”

“First, you press the trigger underneath.” While Rosalyn held the crossbow, Aria coached her. “Bring the nut forward so that it can accept the leather string when you pull it back.” Rosalyn did and tried to pull the string, but it barely moved.

Aria held up a strange-looking metal tool. “You cannot move it with your hands. Brace the bow against your leg and use the goat’s foot lever.” Aria motioned for Rosalyn to slip the lever’s feet into the metal rungs on the side of the bolt. “Make certain the hook catches on the leather string, then pull back. You’ll hear a click when you have done it correctly. Remove the tool and tuck it into your belt.”

Rosalyn looked at her waist. “I do not have a belt.”

Aria pressed her lips together, no doubt trying to control her patience with all Rosalyn’s fumbling. “If this weapon works for you, we’ll find you a belt. Now, set a bolt against the string. These bolts have feathers, but bolts can also use leather or parchment to help guide their flight. Lift the weapon and sight your enemy over the top, then depress the trigger.”

The bolt sailed across the courtyard and struck the wall before falling to the ground. “That’s better,” Aria exclaimed. “Try it again, this time by yourself.”

Rosalyn was encouraged that the bolt at least went in the direction she had desired. Determined to succeed a second time, she tried to do as she had been instructed only to drop the weapon several times before finally setting a bolt against the string. When she took aim, the bolt did fly where she had planned. Expecting praise, she was surprised to see a frown on Aria’s face.

“You must be faster. The enemy had time to plunder you and everyone around you.” Aria shook her head and removed the crossbow from Rosalyn’s hands.

“Never fear,” Gwendolyn said. “This is a short sword because it is half the size of the longswords the men usually use. It is easier for a female to use. Move your wrist around and see how it feels in your grip. Think of it as an extension of your arm. Take two steps forward and thrust, then two steps back and block,” Gwendolyn instructed, showing Rosalyn how to move.

Rosalyn took the weapon. It felt heavy in her hands, and certainly not a part of her arm. She moved around the courtyard, sending the women scattering. Instead of making her feel empowered, she felt awkward and off balance as she moved forward and back. But more than that, it put the enemy close to her. Too close. She stopped and turned to the women with a sigh of defeat. “I’m not certain I can look someone in the eyes and thrust this weapon into their body. Women were meant to give life, not take it.”

Fiona placed a hand over her abdomen. “Creating life means nothing if you cannot protect it from harm.”

Gwendolyn drew a sharp breath as she beamed at the red-haired woman.

“Oh, Fiona, does that mean what I think it means?” Isolde asked with a smile.

Fiona smiled and nodded. “I suspected I was with child, but I was not certain until this morning when Lottie confirmed my suspicions.”

“We are so happy for you and Tormod,” Aria said, her tone filled with good humour.

As the three women fussed over Fiona, Rosalyn continued to watch them, and admiration mixed with jealousy inside her chest, weighing her down. These women clearly supported each other in both good and bad times if their familiarity with weapons was any indication. She had never had that kind of support in her life from anyone. What would it be like to share her darkest fears and brightest hopes with these women? They were all so different in both looks and talents, and yet so much alike in their care and generosity towards each other.

Rosalyn craved such connection. These women had taken her into their circle, even knowing she was English. They did not know about her own Scottish heritage; only Keiran knew that.

Gwendolyn broke away from the group and came towards Rosalyn. “Our apologies. We were not trying to exclude you from sharing in Fiona’s joy, though she made an excellent point.” Gwendolyn concentrated on the blade in Rosalyn’s hands. “We cannot give life and then not protect it. That protection extends from my children to everyone I love. You will find you will do whatever is necessary to protect what is important to you . . . including your own life in the heat of battle.” She brought her gaze to Rosalyn’s. “Isn’t it better to learn how to protect yourself and others and never need that knowledge than to not know how, and wish you had learned?”

“Yes,” Rosalyn agreed. Had she had a weapon during her attack yesterday, she had no doubt she would have used it to keep that man from stabbing her. “I want to learn. Please do not give up on me.”

“Never,” Fiona said, taking the sword from Rosalyn’s hands and replacing it with a dagger. “This dagger has taken many lives, but it has saved them as well. It is a balance: life and death. We are not asking you to take lives needlessly, only to decide if this weapon should be used when there is no other option.”

Rosalyn wrapped her hand around the hilt. The stone warmed in her hand. “How would I use this weapon?”

“Look at the blade,” Fiona instructed. “Notice that one side is sharpened, but on the opposite side there is a blunt edge that can be used to brace against your body. This is a defensive weapon, and only used to slice or stab when necessary. You would use it with the sharpened side towards your body so that you can take those blows without damaging your blade. You reverse the blade like this to block.” She moved the sword so that the blunt edge was braced against Rosalyn’s forearm. “On the blunt side, only the top three inches of the blade are sharpened.” She stepped back, allowing Rosalyn space to manoeuvre the dagger forward and backward, which she did with ease.