A second successful hit might have given the Tidebreaker satisfaction in his aim, but it was doubled by the sight of Alys continuing without flinching, striving for the final goal. She was undeterred by failure, and so he treated her with respect she had earned. He reached into the basket a final time, rising with two more of the dyed spheres in his hands--
But in the time it had taken him to bend and straighten again, Alys had crossed the distance to the final coconut. He paused in midthrow as the target tumbled to the water with a victorious splash, then slowly lowered his arm. Silent now, the count stopped as the game ended, he looked at the colorful mage for a moment. There was humor in his eyes, and admiration as he bowed and released the ammunition back into the basket. "Well done," he rumbled, stepping off his 'base' and catching the basket up under one muscular arm. "There are dry clothes at the Court, if you will join me there. At least I can provide you lunch," he added, a twinkle in his eyes. "While this one is cleaned." There were perks to be a King, though he did not often take advantage of them. But it was the least he could do after coloring Alys's clothes.
And it would be nice to get to know her a little better while they waited on the laundry.
~Fin
But in the time it had taken him to bend and straighten again, Alys had crossed the distance to the final coconut. He paused in midthrow as the target tumbled to the water with a victorious splash, then slowly lowered his arm. Silent now, the count stopped as the game ended, he looked at the colorful mage for a moment. There was humor in his eyes, and admiration as he bowed and released the ammunition back into the basket. "Well done," he rumbled, stepping off his 'base' and catching the basket up under one muscular arm. "There are dry clothes at the Court, if you will join me there. At least I can provide you lunch," he added, a twinkle in his eyes. "While this one is cleaned." There were perks to be a King, though he did not often take advantage of them. But it was the least he could do after coloring Alys's clothes.
And it would be nice to get to know her a little better while they waited on the laundry.
~Fin
