I half anticipate that he will demand a rematch. But he does himself credit by bowing deeply as he salutes. “My gratitude to Captain Helou for his instruction. I see now that I have been far too ignorant.”
Captain Helou smiles again and returns the salute. “You have a good foundation and the road is long yet. I hope to someday learn from you, after you become an exceptional martial artist.”
The young man makes himself scarce. Captain Helou places his hands behind his back and looks around the gathering. “Anyone else here think he is an exceptional martial artist? Better come forward now. His Highness and I are leaving.”
“Where are they going?” I ask Gao. “And why would the royal duke seek martial artists?”
“I don’t know—I just got here myself,” says Gao. “Maybe to guard the princeling. You want to try?”
Do I? I do want out of this encampment—if I never see those sanitation trenches again, it will still be too soon. But in a smaller group, members pay more attention to one another. How well can I pretend to be a man under close scrutiny?
And if the princeling and Captain Helou should realize that I am a woman . . .
The crowd has fallen silent, waiting for someone to step up. But now murmurs stir again. Captain Helou salutes the gathering.
“If no other hero will come forward, then everyone please take care. Let us meet again on an auspicious day.”
He heads for his horse.
“Wait!” I cry.
Captain Helou turns around, surprised and half-amused.
I stride onto the training ground, past my astonished companions, past ranks upon ranks of conscripts, their faces lit with anticipation, before coming to a stop fifteen paces from Captain Helou. “This lowly conscript is an ignorant nobody. But with His Highness’s and the commander’s indulgence, I would also like some instruction.”
Compared to the niceties I’ve been taught, this request barely qualifies as polite. But it has been a long day, and I’m less inclined toward elaborate courtesy when I’m dressed as a man.
Captain Helou grins. The commander frowns. And the princeling stares at me as if I have challenged him—a look that could fell trees.
I stare back. In that moment, I do not remember his parentage or that I am hoping to perhaps become one of his protectors for the sake of my own safety. In that moment, he is only a potential opponent who must know that I am not daunted.
Often the outcome of a contest is decided before either party unsheathes a sword.
I come to my senses only when Captain Helou speaks. “Very well. Young xiong-di, do you have a weapon of choice?”
He means the sword on my back, but I am loath to draw Heart Sea. After a lifetime of being inculcated on its immeasurable worth, I don’t want to let anyone see it unless absolutely necessary. However, I’m also reluctant to get into a fistfight with Captain Helou.
My gaze lands on the weapons on his back. “Captain Helou has a bow and arrows.”
“I do. Would xiong-di prefer a shooting contest?” He sounds amused.
I incline my head. “Captain Helou, please shoot. I will catch.”
His brows almost meet his hairline. “Xiong-di will catch arrows bare-handed?”
“Three of them at fifty paces—while blindfolded.”
Captain Helou’s jaw drops. A collective gasp rises. And then excited murmurs spread as men within earshot pass on the word to those who are too far away to hear what I said.
I don’t catch arrows as a normal part of my practice, but at fifty paces—and I plan to make those big paces—an arrow’s flight would be almost spent. Captain Helou looks up at the princeling, who considers me and says, “We will have our eyes opened today.”
He is more soft-spoken than I anticipated, the Northern accent in his speech crisp rather than harsh.
“But won’t it be too dangerous, Your Highness? It wouldn’t be auspicious for something to happen here.”
“Young xiong-di there isn’t worried. You needn’t be either, Captain,” replies His Highness.
Still Captain Helou hesitates.
“The day grows late,” the princeling reminds him. “We should leave soon.”
Captain Helou bows. “Of course, Your Highness.” He turns back to me and gestures at the avenue down the center of the training ground. “Let us proceed, young xiong-di.”
He indicates where he will stand. Hundreds of men count softly alongside me as I measure out fifty paces. At my spot, I pull out a large kerchief, fold it diagonally, and cover my eyes, making sure the blindfold is wide enough that no one can doubt its effectiveness. And then, as a precaution, I take my sheathed sword in my left hand. Should I be completely mistaken about how fast the arrows will arrive, at least I’ll have something I can use to deflect them.
The crowd falls silent. My heart beats fast, but I don’t feel any more nervous than during practice sessions with Father. I inhale slowly and exhale with just as much care and deliberation.
“Watch out now!” cries Captain Helou.
The arrow leaves the bow with a soft twang, its calm flight producing a very gentle sibilance. The depth of my training is such that I need only a fraction of a moment to discern an object’s speed and trajectory. And what I hear is Captain Helou’s great chivalry. Not only has he drawn the bow just enough for the arrow to reach me, but he has aimed at least two handspans to my right.
I reach out and snatch the arrow from midair, its shaft smooth beneath my fingers.
The crowd cheers raucously. I drop the arrow and wait for them to quiet down, feeling just a little smug.
“Well done!” shouts Captain Helou.
This time he shoots without warning, but the arrow’s flight is still leisurely and again a bit wide—to my other side. Still holding Heart Sea, I pluck the arrow with my left hand.
The cheering is twice as raucous.
“Magnificent!” cry Captain Helou and the commander in unison.
I hold myself back from smiling. This contest isn’t over yet.
I exhale and focus. The third arrow will come straight at me. Faster too, as Captain Helou knows now that I am not putting my life in jeopardy. This, then, will truly be a test of my skills and reflexes.
But the arrow doesn’t come.
The conscripts begin to whisper. “Look, look! My Heavens! Nobody can catch that!”
What is going on?
Abruptly silence falls again. I bow my head and try to loosen my shoulders. My heart thuds, not knowing what I’m up against, only that it has dismayed the entire crowd.