Page 71 of Picking Up the Gauntlet

“Fine,” he spat through gritted teeth, just wanting to beat her and get her out of here before she created more of a spectacle of herself. He picked up the long bow and an arrow, feeling as if this wasn’t going to be as easy as it looked. God’s eyes, what had he agreed to? This woman was like a siren and he a bewitched sailor. Anything she asked, anything she said, he ended up agreeing to it, although he wasn’t sure why. He nocked the arrow and pulled back the bowstring, aiming at the target.

“You might want to wear an armguard or gloves,” she told him, just as he was about to shoot.

“What?” He jerked, with her distracting him, and his arrow hit the target, but off to the side. It wasn’t a very good shot at all. “Damn it.”

“Perhaps an armguard or gloves would help.”

“Nay, I don’t need them, now stop distracting me,” he growled.

“I’m just trying to help.”

“My hands and arms are toughened up from working in the forge, so I’m fine. Now shoot.”

“Of course,” she said, using perfect form and hitting the target dead center. “That’s one for me, none for you,” she told him, holding up her pointer finger.

The men watching started talking quietly amongst themselves about Raven’s skill. This wasn’t good. He needed to get her out of here quickly.

Once again, it was Jonathon’s turn to shoot. Now that he had tried it with the longbow, he felt more comfortable this time and knew what to expect. He was determined not to let the wench distract him. He maintained his focus and this time his arrow hit the target dead center.

“Beat that,” he said smugly, lowering his bow.

“Gladly.” When she was ready to shoot again, he thought he’d pay her back the favor. He leaned in close and spoke in a low voice.

“You should really use a chest guard, my lady.”

“I don’t need it.”

“I’d beg to differ with you since I know the size of your…”

“Oh!” she exclaimed, being so flustered that she missed the target completely.

More comments went up from the crowd.

“One for me now, so we’re tied,” he gladly pointed out.

“Stop that,” she said with a snarl. “I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work.”

“Really.” He grinned and raised one eyebrow, taking his shot before she could distract him again. He hit the target once again, dead center.

“You’re not bad at archery,” she commented. “But I’m better.” She lifted the bow and took her shot, hitting the center of the target as well.

“Damn,” said Jonathon. “We’re even. My lady, I don’t think we should go another round.” He eyed the crowd starting to gather. This wasn’t good at all and he was becoming very uncomfortable.

“Normally, I would disagree with that,” she told him. “However, I have some things to do today, so I think I’ll stop for now.”

“Och, thank goodness,” said Lark, rushing to her side.

“You have things to do?” asked Jonathon, handing the bow to one of the competitors, since they all seemed to want to practice now. “Like what?”

“I have a bit of sewing to do,” she told him, as they walked to the great hall. “I’ll be in the ladies’ solar, and you aren’t allowed to be there. So, after the meal, why don’t you work on finishing my armor while I sew?”

“Y-you’re going to sew?” asked Jonathon, surprised to hear that she even knew how to do it. After all, she didn’t partake in too many things that were expected of a lady.

“How close are you to finishing my armor?” she asked.

“I’ve worked on it. A little. I just haven’t had much time to even think about it since all the competitors have started showing up, needing me to do things for them,” he explained.

She stopped in her tracks and cocked her head. Lark stood by silently. “Are you saying the competitors are more important than me?”