Chapter 40

Dawn POV:

I wake up first and gently remove Archer’s hand draped over me not to wake him up. He looks so cute sleeping and I give him a soft kiss on his right cheek. It’s still dark outside but soft rays of light come through the solid window pane. When I come out the washroom I find him awake and sitting on the bed.

“You cried all over me last night” He says looking at me smiling like a kid.

“Yeah and I wiped my nose on your t-shirt too”

He scrunches his face and says “That’s gross”

“Get ready, we have practice remember”

“Okay” he gets up lazily and I push him towards the bathroom door. I am busy fixing my hair when he comes out and grabs me from behind with wet hands. I squirm in his arms tickled by his sudden touch

“Archer!!! Let go!!!” I laugh and he figures out that I have tickles all over my body. I press my thumb at a point on his arm and he lets me go immediately like he has gotten some electric shock. “Where did you learn that?” He asks shocked.

“Rob used to teach me those techniques and pressure points. I don’t know how to shoot but I know how to fight.” I tap him on his nose with my forefinger. In return he just shakes his head fast and sprays me with water that was dripping from his hair.

“Oh god!” I hold his arms and pin him down on the bed “Sit.” Then I snatch then towel from around his neck and start to wipe her hair. He sits obediently like a good boy until I am finished when he pulls me closer and plants a kiss on my lips. At first I push him but then I give in and deepen the kiss. Every time I kiss him it feels like the first time, and I know both of us don’t want to break it. I hear heavy footsteps and then seconds later someone knocks on the door and then swiftly moves on to the other. He gives me a quick peck and we get prepared for the day ahead.

We are again escorted out to the main entrance and to the ground where we stood yesterday. When we arrived yesterday it was empty but now I watch a considerable number of monks lined up neatly and practicing basic fight stances. They look like they are doing their routine warm up commanded by a short but stout monk. All of their heads are shaved, and they all wear the same grey outfit which makes the entire scenario fascinating. We stand and watch for a while until Monk Elijah comes from behind and greets us.

“All are here?” he asks.

“Yes” Archer says “I would like to ask you something Monk if you don’t mind”

“Go ahead”

“This is Damien. He was badly injured in a fight and is not quite strong enough to practice today. But he is a good fighter and the best shooter we have got. Can you do something for him?”

“Let me see your wound” Monk Elijah says. Damien steps forward wincing slightly but at least he is not leaning on Krista anymore. He lifts up his t-shirt and shows the red swollen gash at side of his torso peaking from the white mesh bandage.

“Hmm that must hurt a lot, child,” Monk asks kindly.

“Yes it does but I can practice after a day or two maybe”

“Well I can help you heal fast. We have salves prepared by ancient techniques and pure ingredients that can heal the wound. We have treated similar more fatal wound here, but we don’t do anything for anyone just like that” He looks at all of us sternly dropping the friendly and kind demeanor from his face. “We only help those who deserve. Your friend Julian earned it. Unfortunately, you didn’t unless you prove to me that you are worthy”

“How can I prove it you?” Damien asks.

“He told me that you are the best shooter, prove it” the Monk says. At that particular moment I realize what the Kraken’s main principle of work is – pride. While the Blood Ravens are tricksters and rely on deception, The Krakens are proud creatures and most probably have earned their spots here. Although they make dealings and crimes they prefer to do that with dignity. What an irony! I don’t like what they do but I am glad and thankful to them because of Julian. Revenge was not the way I was going to walk but we have go no option other than to tear Harken Speller down. A bargain is a bargain and there is no denying it other than dying which is not an option I consider for me and Archer.

“Okay” Damien agrees but he doesn’t seem confident.

“Here I will remind you something. As you are standing o my grounds and you have already agreed to follow the rules imposed here, we very much follow the fact that a man should be able to live up to his own words. He must own truly what he claims. If he is not able then we consider that as an offense and a deception to one’s own soul. We consider the offense punishable. See that wooden beam with a chain attached to it; if you fail to prove your worth you will be chained and whipped there and then have to remain there overnight.”

“This is madness” Krista says stepping closer to Damien.

“Sorry?” The Monk asks sarcastically. At that moment I get the whole picture of their twisted sense of self-esteem. They do not have any remorse over what they are doing so they have made these principles to tell themselves stories of virtues and honor. This may be madness to every other normal person, but it is what they solely believe in. Before Krista can get into a verbal spat with the Monk, I jump in “That is so honorable. I am sure Damien will step up to the plate and own it” It’s the best thing to do now, there is no going back because then we will be labelled as cowards and may be left with nothing.

“Good I will make the arrangements then” He leaves us and Krista charges at me “What have you done? He is not yet recovered; he is hurt on the right side and right arm is his shooting arm. What if he misses? He will be more wounded after that.” She is so concerned that I instantly start to panic over my brashness.

I walk close to Damien ignoring her and ask “Are you okay? Would you be able to do it?” He looks at me and states the obvious “I don’t know. It hurts to lift my hand; I am not hundred percent confident.”

“Why did I even tell him about you!!! Damn it” Archer says angrily.

“Wait everyone. All will be lost if we panic. Listen to me Damien; you are the best sharp shooter. You have earned for your aim when you were a teenager remember. Prove them that you can do it. No matter what your aim is always true, don’t let that voice inside your head sway you otherwise. Breathe, take your aim and shoot straight okay?”

He nods his head “okay”

When everything is set up we are called to other part of the ground and the boards are set up breadth wise on the ground. Still it is a great distance and standing at just the boundary of the ground near the wall I can’t even make out the circles on the board properly. Damien is standing just few steps ahead of us behind a white mark drawn on the ground. Three boards are set up, on one the black circle is broad, on the second one the circle is very small almost like a point and the third one is similar to the first one only that it is rotating with considerable speed. His challenge is to hit the bull’s eye on each board so that the bullet hole is within the circle.

“This is a tough challenge child. Our best sharp shooters here have failed on the third one, but they are still under training to master it. I wish you all the best”

I cross my fingers and stand, my heart hammering like a bull pounding its horns on a door. He takes his stance and lifts up the gun to aim. His body language is stiff, and I know for sure he is feeling the pain. Come on Damien! I whisper in my mind. He takes a breath and releases it instantly loosening the stiffness and shoots. The bullet whooshes in the air and lodges through the board. The hole is right at the center.

“Yes!!” Archer cheers and everyone claps. I take a quick glance at the Monk, and he looks unimpressed and arrogant. Damien walks towards the next mark and takes his stance again. The black dot is so tiny that it is not visible properly. He aims and takes his time trying to align his hand. Then he shoots again, and the sound of the bullet pierces my thumping heart. This time too the hole is right at the center, and it has completely obscured the black dot. We all let out a breath of relief. Now it’s time for the most difficult one. Damien seems so nervous that I cover my eyes with my palms peeking through the fingers a little bit. The adrenaline rush is so high that I start to feel dizzy. This is it Damien!! This is it. He breathes through his mouth several times and then takes his aim. How is this possible when the board is rotating? It seems like an impossible task. He drops his hand probably because the weight of the gun is making the pain flare up. This aim is not simple like the previous two. He breathes again and lifts up his arm to take aim and fires instantly. We all watch the bullet lodge through the board just at the right spot.

“yes!!!! You go Damien!!” we all jump up and down on the place. Krista runs to him and takes the gun from him smiling like sunshine. The boards are brought to the monk and on the third one the bullet has gone mostly through the black part, but a small portion is outside the lack region.

“That was a good show child. I admit you are a good shooter. My men haven’t even gone close to the black region and considering you are injured I will applaud you and your aim. Tonight you will receive your treatment. Now I will take your excuse, Monk Tuzi will teach you your beginning drills”

“How did you do that? That was sick!! You were so quick I think you missed it for sure” I ask Damien. He smiles and says.

“The target was unpredictable, so I had to be unpredictable too. Thank you Dawn, I was really nervous. You made me believe in myself”

“That is what friends do” I reply.