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Description
Shouting surrounds me as I sit calmly, cleaning my sword. I'm careful to not touch the edge with my bare hand, knowing I'll surely draw blood if I do. I tune into the yells, glancing up at my sisters and father.

Veronica, the middle child, screams in father's face. Rude, but just like her. "This isn't fair! We shouldn't be given away like cattle to some crude boy to end this war!" Her fiery temper is one that is quickly doused around company.

Roan, the eldest, puts her hand on Veronica's shoulder to calm her. "We must serve our kingdom, even if it's not the choice we desire, Ver. We should be ready to give our life for our people. It's not an easy job, but it's one that someone must do. You should be glad that we get the opportunity to end this war peacefully." Roan's voice is one that holds immense knowledge and control. A proper leader-to-be.

Father mutters a thank you, and Lily, the second oldest speaks up. Her voice is soft and sweet, like that of a fairy. If you asked a stranger, they'd all agree she's the youngest with ease. "What will happen should one of us be chosen? Will we ever see you all again?" So innocent and scared.I grind a little harder onto the sword as I clean, feeling the urge to protect her wash over me.

Father perks up. "Of course you'll still see us, whichever of you is chosen. You'll merely be living with them to get to know your new fiance and his family better." Calm and collected as always, but I still hear the worry deep in his throat. He's lying to keep them calm.

The second youngest now speaks. Precious Tamara. I swear, she and Lily could be twins. "Does he like cats?"I resist a laugh, and stand, sheathing my sword. Knowing I'm far from anything a man would want to marry, being very masculine myself, I slip out before I'm noticed.

I go to the stables, opening the door to see my beautiful black Oldenburg. I lead Tenshi out, tying his neck loosely to a post, and begin brushing him. I clean him carefully, humming along as I do.

When I'm satisfied with my work, I climb up into the rafters, dressing in a loose shirt and pants, as well as collecting my bow and arrows. I throw a saddlebag on him, filling one side with arrows. Not bothering with a saddle, I untie his neck, and pull myself onto his strong back.

I feel every little movement of him under me, and kick him into a canter, balancing with ease, my body rolling with each step, both of us perfectly in sync.

I feel the air whip through my hair as he runs through the woods, and soon, I hear footsteps beside us. I glance to Akuma, my wolf, as she runs by our side.

I laugh with joy as we travel through the forest, knowing every inch of it by heart. I lean to turn Tenshi, leading him to a stream. I grip his mane, slowing him to a walk as we near.

I watch carefully through the shrubbery, and notice Akuma slip off slowly. I nock an arrow, watching intensely. At the first sign of antlers, I let loose my arrow, and like a perfect machine, am drawing and releasing another almost immediately. I lead Tenshi over, and hop off, examining the kills with pride.

I get ready to begin skinning them,but stop when an unusual sound hits my ears. Akuma crying. Without hesitation, I ditch the kills, hopping on Tenshi, heading directly into the direction of the cries.

I quickly lean forwards, as he leaps over a fallen tree, throwing myself back as her lands. I'm nearly thrown off when he rears, kicking and whinnying in fear.

I lean forwards as he goes up, clinging to his mane tightly. When he slams his feet down, I see a bleeding Akuma bolt past us, and leap off Tenshi who runs as well.

I face the bear with vibrant red teeth, and without fear, I yell at it loudly, attempting to make myself look large as possible. I take a step back when its ears go back, and it looks me dead in the eye. I draw my arrow, aiming, and as soon as it takes a step forwards, I release. The arrow shoots through it's eye, killing it instantly as it falls to the ground.

I whirl around, arrow nocked and ready to fire when I hear an impressed whistle behind me.

Description
Shouting surrounds me as I sit calmly, cleaning my sword. I'm careful to not touch the edge with my bare hand, knowing I'll surely draw blood if I do. I tune into the yells, glancing up at my sisters and father.

Veronica, the middle child, screams in father's face. Rude, but just like her. "This isn't fair! We shouldn't be given away like cattle to some crude boy to end this war!" Her fiery temper is one that is quickly doused around company.

Roan, the eldest, puts her hand on Veronica's shoulder to calm her. "We must serve our kingdom, even if it's not the choice we desire, Ver. We should be ready to give our life for our people. It's not an easy job, but it's one that someone must do. You should be glad that we get the opportunity to end this war peacefully." Roan's voice is one that holds immense knowledge and control. A proper leader-to-be.

Father mutters a thank you, and Lily, the second oldest speaks up. Her voice is soft and sweet, like that of a fairy. If you asked a stranger, they'd all agree she's the youngest with ease. "What will happen should one of us be chosen? Will we ever see you all again?" So innocent and scared.I grind a little harder onto the sword as I clean, feeling the urge to protect her wash over me.

Father perks up. "Of course you'll still see us, whichever of you is chosen. You'll merely be living with them to get to know your new fiance and his family better." Calm and collected as always, but I still hear the worry deep in his throat. He's lying to keep them calm.

The second youngest now speaks. Precious Tamara. I swear, she and Lily could be twins. "Does he like cats?"I resist a laugh, and stand, sheathing my sword. Knowing I'm far from anything a man would want to marry, being very masculine myself, I slip out before I'm noticed.

I go to the stables, opening the door to see my beautiful black Oldenburg. I lead Tenshi out, tying his neck loosely to a post, and begin brushing him. I clean him carefully, humming along as I do.

When I'm satisfied with my work, I climb up into the rafters, dressing in a loose shirt and pants, as well as collecting my bow and arrows. I throw a saddlebag on him, filling one side with arrows. Not bothering with a saddle, I untie his neck, and pull myself onto his strong back.

I feel every little movement of him under me, and kick him into a canter, balancing with ease, my body rolling with each step, both of us perfectly in sync.

I feel the air whip through my hair as he runs through the woods, and soon, I hear footsteps beside us. I glance to Akuma, my wolf, as she runs by our side.

I laugh with joy as we travel through the forest, knowing every inch of it by heart. I lean to turn Tenshi, leading him to a stream. I grip his mane, slowing him to a walk as we near.

I watch carefully through the shrubbery, and notice Akuma slip off slowly. I nock an arrow, watching intensely. At the first sign of antlers, I let loose my arrow, and like a perfect machine, am drawing and releasing another almost immediately. I lead Tenshi over, and hop off, examining the kills with pride.

I get ready to begin skinning them,but stop when an unusual sound hits my ears. Akuma crying. Without hesitation, I ditch the kills, hopping on Tenshi, heading directly into the direction of the cries.

I quickly lean forwards, as he leaps over a fallen tree, throwing myself back as her lands. I'm nearly thrown off when he rears, kicking and whinnying in fear.

I lean forwards as he goes up, clinging to his mane tightly. When he slams his feet down, I see a bleeding Akuma bolt past us, and leap off Tenshi who runs as well.

I face the bear with vibrant red teeth, and without fear, I yell at it loudly, attempting to make myself look large as possible. I take a step back when its ears go back, and it looks me dead in the eye. I draw my arrow, aiming, and as soon as it takes a step forwards, I release. The arrow shoots through it's eye, killing it instantly as it falls to the ground.

I whirl around, arrow nocked and ready to fire when I hear an impressed whistle behind me.