She's a Hero

warm with sweat. My muscles ached, but I ignored the burn - I was used to it. Pain

rounded me, sharpening my focus. The red mark on the target stood out like a drop of blood against pale

wa

vibrating from the force. I smiled faintly, lowering my bow. That was

Born to strike with p

never seemed to burn out. I couldn't allow it to. There was no room for wea

wa

perfec

ing its place in the red circle. By the time my quiver was empty, the sky was ablaze with stre

inviting. But instead, I let my bow rest against the target stand and dropped to the gra

earth and leaves, but something else caught my eye - a plane gliding through the s

w and steady, disappea

it be like to sit inside one of those planes? To leave t

pass beneath me, feeling weightless and free. No expectations. N

fre

ions. Warriors didn't get to take breaks - especially not me. I'd spent my entire l

couldn't he

life where I wasn't just a fighter, where I wasn't bound to duty and e

hat didn't last l

g ground - the worn targets, the scattered arrows, the sweat on my palms. This was

r," I muttered

ging them free one by one. Each sharp tug reminded me why I couldn'

ad turned darker now, deep shades of purple swallowing the last streaks of gold. The Castle

r than the last. That flicker of longing still c

r how tired I felt or how badl

goal. A

going to stop me

unwelcoming. The guards stood at attention as I approached, their eyes flicking

of maids and servants filled the hallway, but those whispers faded the second they saw me. Fac

time for their pitiful stares or fake sm

g with a folded towel. She was young - too young to know better, I suppose

" she stammered, "

y voice sharp enough to cut. I barely

, eyes fixed on the sweat-stained fabric c

e nearly tripped over herself

r a bath?" I

tightening around the towe

n. "I don't need you to think.

e. I stepped closer, lowering my

ld - nothing more. If I want a bath, I'll ask for one. If I want you to clean my boots, I'll tell you. Unt

ize, but no words came out. She simply no

ered, turning

er feelings weren't my concern. None of their feelings were.

me like frightened mice. The entire Castle knew better than to cross me - an

sing my bag on the floor, I leaned against the door, breathing deeply. The faint

. Another maid, no doubt. Touchi

away. They were lucky I hadn't caug

ow their place - and I wasn't