One more step there, twist to the right and its almost within reach. Just a little farther...
I strain forward, reaching out. I almost have it now.
"Lorelai Margaret Barimen. Get down here. Right now!"
Oops. I didnt think Dad would be back just yet. I look down on to the deck far below and see my father Gerard looking back up at me, Uncle Caine beside him, hand over his mouth and shaking quietly with suppressed laughter.
I wave and shout back "Hi Dad. Hi Uncle Caine. Ill be right with you."
Well, almost right down. I make a last quick grab and this time I successfully extract my throwing knife from the rigging. Quickly glancing below, I can see Dad gearing up to come and get me if need be.
"Im coming, Im coming." I call back down. It is a couple of minutes work to quickly climb down the rigging and then I stand before my father.
The thing with Dad is he can be a big softie, but when he gets worried or upset then he really gets worried and upset. Right now, hes glaring at me and says "Lorelai, what have I told you, repeatedly, about taking chances in the rigging?"
I sigh and answer "That I should only climb the rigging as you showed me to and that I?m not to take unnecessary risks.."
He nods, Uncle Caine standing nearby looking on with interest, and asks "And your reason for disobeying is?"
I smile hopefully up at him and reply "A field test?" Quickly, I go on to explain "I was up in the crows nest and I wondered how accurately I could throw my knife in such conditions. Just in case. You never know. It might come in useful. Anyway, there was a pretty strong gust of wind and instead of going where it was supposed to, it landed in the rigging. I was retrieving it. And I did make sure beforehand that nobody was up in the rigging, Dad."
Uncle Caine quietly interjects "You know, Gerard, it was a useful test. Just maybe in the wrong location."
Dad looks back at me and says "Its a fair point. Youre still grounded though. Literally. Go report to your Uncle Julian."
Knowing I cant budge Dad when he gets like this and being fair he does have a point, I hug him and says "Alright, Dad. How long for this time?"
Dad answers "Two days. Im heading out shortly along with your Uncle Caine. Be good and listen to your Uncle Julian." He gently pats my back and more quietly says "I just dont want you getting hurt."
If anything, I hug him a little harder, knowing that in his heart of hearts he means it and is doing his best. Our family can be, shall I say, a bit on the unpredictable side at times and I like my Dad for being one of the more straight forward members. He gruffly says something about me being a good girl really and I step back, reassuring him that I will behave and Ill make my way straight to Arden.
He nods and then heads off below decks. I give Uncle Caine a quick hug and he says "Next time Lorrie, try a target on ground. Its safer when practising. And watch the flicking motion when you throw. You need to work on that still."
Stepping back, I say "Will do, Uncle Caine. See you in a couple of days." Exchanging a wave as I make my way down to the gangplank, I walk to Arden, enjoying the sunshine...
*********
Being grounded isnt so bad really I reflect as I look around me. Arden is beautiful, a cathedral of green and sunlight in the day and a glimmering mass of silver and blue at night. Uncle Julian is nicer here too. In the Castle, he gets a bit edgy at time I think, but here in Arden he relaxes a bit or at least he does when its just close family around.
I line myself up with the target Uncle Julian hung on the side of the lodge for me. Standing still, I let the breeze whisper around me, gauging it as I have been taught for strength and direction.
The target becomes my focus.
One. Inwards, but not the centre. I must perfect the flicking motion. Its still too far to the right.
A horn sounds, closer than it should. Thats odd. I know Uncle Julian is out hunting today, but this is pretty close compared to where he normally hunts.
A crashing sound. As I turn to go inside, the undergrowth nearby violently shakes and exploding from it in a blur of colour and fury comes a beast straight out of nightmare. A confusing mass of scales and teeth with razor sharp claws and a tail bristling with deadly looking spikes.
Even as I judge the distance to the door, I know I wont make it in time and as the creature leaps I twist and dodge, heading away as fast as I can. Best not go to the sound of the horns. The horses could be on me before they can stop. There to the left. That way is clear.
A whistling sound behind me. I duck and a flurry of poisonous spines imbed themselves into the trunk of a tree at the height of where my head would have been. I keep moving, dodging.
It?s faster than me. I can hear it gaining ground. Fear runs through me and the adrenaline sharpens my senses, my brain in overdrive as I sift through and discard options.
There. That tree. Still running, I pull out two of my small knives and leap as high up the tree as I can go, digging the knives in and using them like climbing hooks. Right. Left. Right. Left.
A shudder runs through the tree as the creature leaps. I feel it bare inches below my feet. Right. Left. Right. Left.
Another shudder. Not quite as high this time. There, just above me a thick bough. It should take my weight.
Whistling sounds. I leap for the bough, knives hooking in as more spines bury themselves in the trunk. The horns are closer now, but not close enough..
I swing myself around on the bough and look below, throwing one of the knives. Maybe if I can take out its vision, it will impair its sight enough to offset its aim. The knife buries itself in the creatures shoulder. Too far to the right. I throw again, closer but not enough and the creature prepares to launch another volley of venomous darts. My last throwing knife. I take a deep breath, focus and throw.
The knife buries itself in an eye and the darts land just to the left of me.
It turns as Uncle Julian and his Rangers arrive. I see now the reason for the hunt getting away from him as I spot farther back, three of the Rangers heavily wounded. It must have made a break from the cordon through them.
Spotting the knives, Uncle Julian looks briefly up and I nod quickly that I am unharmed. Even so, the fury in his eyes grows and his attack on the beast is without mercy, man and horse merging into a tornado of death and blood for that which stands in its way.
It is over.
I make my way carefully down a rope thrown up to me and accept the hand offered to me as Uncle Julian pulls me up behind him.
Moving away from the scene, Rangers behind clearing away the corpse, he is silent. After a long moment, he says wryly. "Well, at least youve got your throwing aim right. Ill explain to your father. Time you had your own bow as well I think. You can carry more ammunition that way." He falls silent then asks quietly Youre sure youre alright?
Nodding, I reply "Im sure. It was close, but nothing hit me."
Julian nods as well and answers "Thats good. In a wry tone again, he adds Now, how to avoid my brother trying to ground both of us... '