A Queen's Dilemma

[Phoenix_Flaming_Star]

It was morning in the hot rainforests of Krinewl. Males of the Khada tribe were starting their work, prepping food, tending to the various tribe animals, and making sure things were running smoothly.

[Glyndora Khada]

Queen Glyndora Khada walked passed a few males carrying wood and stone. She paid them no mind. Glyndora walked up a wooden staircase and pulled the fabric aside. Looking in, she saw her daughter laying in her bed.
"Come on, get up. Grab your bow. We're going shooting today." Her voice commanded toward her daughter and heiress. Glyndora wanted to make sure her daughter was ready for the throne one day. She had done well in her training thus far, but her marksman needed more training. Glyndora yanked the cloth off her daughter.
"I expect you down at the shooting range shortly. Don't be late." With that, Glyndora made her way down to the shooting range on the rainforest floor.

[Annalusa Khada]

Annalusa woke to the cool air on her skin as the cloth was ripped away. She groaned after hearing her mother's footsteps fade. More training. It really wasn't her favorite thing. Annalusa would rather be exploring the world than being cooped up here. She sat up, ran her fingers through her green hair and got herself dressed in leather garments she had made herself. Females of her tribe were taught how to make their own clothes and such. She was no different. With a heavy sigh, she grabbed her bow and quiver of arrows. She went outside her room and just took in the scene. She was standing on one of the highest levels surrounding a huge Turven tree. This was her tribe's home.

Annalusa walked to the edge of a nearby platform. She grabbed one of the nearby thick branches. Slowly bringing her hand down, a thick, sturdy vine seemed to quickly grow from it, surrounded by small leaves of light. This was one of the things Veavine could do with their Earth magic. Annalusa concentrated as she wrapped the vine around herself and slowly lowered herself to the forest floor. Letting go of the vine, it vanished into small leaves of light that quickly faded.

"Good morning, Princess." Some female Veavine greeted her with a smile. Annalusa nodded at them with a smile. They were Providers that were getting ready to go out and gather resources and food for the tribe. As Annalusa made her way to the archery area, she passed some dancers and some priestesses who were dancing and doing some rituals. In the distance, there was another Veavine woman leading a pair of horses. That was one of the Beast Tamers, no doubt leading them to the breeding pen.

Some male Veavine were feeding the livestock, while others were hard at work building huts and such for the tribe. Yes, life was busy in the Khada tribe.

Annalusa finally reached the Archery area. She greeted her mother with a fist over her heart and a bow of her head. It was a sign of respect and honor.

[Glyndora Khada]

Glyndora acknowledged her daughter's sign of respect. Then she turned to the target.
"Show me your progress." She said.

[Annalusa Khada]

Annalusa stared at the target for a brief moment before reluctantly grabbing an arrow and preparing to shoot. She breathed as she focused on the center of the target. Why was it so far away? She let the arrow fly.

[Phoenix_Flaming_Star]

The arrow hit the first ring of the target, next to the center circle. Annalusa had missed.

[Annalusa Khada]

Annalusa frowned at her mother. "Why do I have to learn Archery? I'm terrible at it."

[Glyndora Khada]

"You are not terrible at Archery, Annalusa. If you were, you're arrow wouldn't have even hit the target. Look how close you got. I want you to try again. This time, I want you to visualize the arrow hitting the center before you let go." Glyndora went over and pulled the arrow out of the target. She walked over and handed it to the Princess. "Take your time." Glyndora encouraged.

[Annalusa Khada]

Annalusa looked at the center of the target and thought of the arrow hitting the center. Something in her mind changed in that moment. She prepared to fire the arrow, keeping herself calm and an eye on the target. She took note on how her body was positioned and made small adjustments. When she felt the time was right, she let the arrow go.

[Phoenix_Flaming_Star]

The arrow zipped through the air and landed in the center circle. Annalusa had done it!

[Glyndora Khada]

Glyndora smiled proudly at her daughter. "Good. As you practice, you'll get used to the feeling you just had. Eventually, you'll be firing arrows much faster. All it takes is practice." She said.

[Annalusa Khada]

Annalusa looked at the arrow sticking into the target. That was her doing. Maybe her mother was right. All she needed to get better was practice and to take her time.
"Thanks mom. I'd like to stay here for a while and practice." She said.

[Glyndora Khada]

"Wise decision, my dear. Boy!" Glyndora called over one of the males. He knelt down in front of her, eyes to the ground. "Go fetch a handmaiden to stay with the Princess." She ordered. The man stood, gave the respectful fist over the heart bow, never looking the Queen in the eye, and ran off to carry out his task.

[Phoenix_Flaming_Star]

As a handmaiden rushed to the Princess' side, the Veavine were yet unaware of trouble coming nearby.

[Kordyn Norcex]

Prince Kordyn's red eyed gaze was focused on the village in the distance. He knew it was protected by Veavine spells. Still, it would be no match for him and his men. He smiled to himself. This was going to be fun.
"Light it up!" He yelled to his men.

Fiery explosions began going off all around the protected perimeter of the Veavine village. Kordyn watched the satisfying huge fireballs and explosions as he waited for those pathetic protection spells to fail.