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For the next hour and a half, you take part in the archery class with Terris focusing on you, Ameronis and the other two newcomers, while the other person, who is introduced as “Sin”, focuses his attention on the regulars. You start with a warmup and then learn about the equipment. This is followed by a safety briefing and detailed instructions on correct stance and posture. You do not receive bows and training arrows until Terris is satisfied that you’ve all got the basics down. You start with target practice, while the other group focuses on improving their skills.

Remembering her complaints about the supposedly rigged arrows yesterday, you assume that these arrows are legitimate and you’re doing much better than you did previously. However, it’s an impossible thing to tell seeing as you still can’t consistently hit the target. But Terris is happy with what you’re doing so far; you can shoot the arrow, if badly, and haven’t shot anyone else, so that’s good.

Ameronis does quite well. She seems to be getting into it.

Throughout the whole session, Terris has a firm but understanding approach; she strongly accepts that you are all new to this, but expects a high standard. You find it hard to imagine that there’s ever been an accident on her watch. Meanwhile, Sin seems to be taking a more playful approach, encouraging the more advanced students to relax and be sure of their abilities, with light teasing to encourage them to do better and aim higher.

Soon the training draws to a close, and it’s time for the competition. Terris states the contest rules. Like yesterday, you will be given three arrows, but instead of trying to hit a regular target with a bullseye, Sin sets up a board with large coloured sections.

Terris calls for the newcomers to go first and with all eyes on your group, you each take turns to try. Though the official aim is to hit specific sections, in reality, it’s treated as a win any time an arrow arrow manages to hit the board rather than hay bales, or missing completely. Which is good, seeing as none of you manage to hit any of the correct colours that Terris calls for when she calls for them.

Your efforts are applauded though and, tired out by now, you beginners stand aside and let the regulars have a turn. They do significantly better. Terris congratulates them but warns them that their targets will be smaller next time.

She wraps things up by giving an example of what they can aim for in the future. She steps forward to try the challenge, but not before Sin changes the board to one much, much smaller. Terris calls for the spectators to randomly select a colour. A colour is shouted out and instantly she manages to hit the matching segment.

“Another!” she yells.

Someone else calls out a new colour and again she hits it. She fires six shots in total, hitting all of them right in the centre of each segment and within a fraction of the time it took even the best student to fire their three shots.

Sin clears the board and then takes the stage. He doesn’t do as well as Terris, complaining that the sun is in his eyes, despite it being overcast, that the bow is defective, despite it being the one that everyone else has been using, and making other such excuses. It’s the turn of the students to make comments, teasing him on how they’ll soon be better than him. He rebuffs their claims as he clears the board, stating that in a real challenge of aim, they’d never be a master like him. Archery is for chumps he says, despite being the instructor of an archery class.

The students and Terris titter, at which he pauses, looking left and right as if about to do something shifty. He reaches into his jacket, still glancing around, before pulling out a decorative throwing knife with a red tassel. He points it at them with a flourish, before turning and casually tossing it at the board; it lands directly in the centre.

“Now, throwing knives; that’s the sport of champions!” he declares.

Terris rolls her eyes and mutters. “Not this again…”

He saunters over to the board, retrieving the knife and slipping it back into his jacket.

“Spectacular, I know. Please try to contain yourselves,” he says. He holds up his hands and struts forward, as though basking in adoration, to the amusement of the other students.

Terris, now gathering the archery equipment, tuts as she gives Sin a slightly irritated but amused side-glance.

“Yes, I’ll let you all go home now so that you can compose yourselves and recover from his majesty. But, after that, I’ll see you all again next time!”

In short order, the courtyard starts to empty as Sin and Terris continue to pack things away.

“It’s interesting. You manage to be so good with a knife but are… questionable… when it comes to archery”, says Ameronis, diplomatically, “though I wonder if that’s even true. Is that really your skill level at archery, or was that just a trick?”

Sin grins in response.

“Oh”, he says, waving dismissively, “I’m just here to make sure that The Warrior’s Edge is getting their money’s worth out of Terris. Gotta keep her watching the tide!”

“Ah, a troublemaker, are we?” asks Ameronis.

Sin chuckles at Ameronis’s remark.

“Well, somebody’s got to dish it out. What’s life without a good bit of trouble now and then, eh?

“Urgh, no!” Ameronis scrunches her face. “I’ve had enough trouble in my life, thank you very much. I’m just trying to get from A to B without having to fight for my life every step of the way.”

Sin laughs again. “Fair enough! I suppose you’ve met your lifetime trouble quota. Only problem is that life tends not to care about retirement eligibility…” He turns to you. “And what about you? Do you prefer quiet calm, or, a little bit of spice?”

You’re a bit more inclined to agree with Ameronis; you’ve already faced off against two thieves since you got here and don’t go anywhere without being prepared for a fight.

Sin listens, nodding.

“Ah, unfortunate. Not exactly the welcoming committee you were expecting, but at least you can give as good as you get.”

“Any advice for avoiding said trouble?” Ameronis asks. “I assume you live here in the city?”

“Yep, been roaming these streets since before I could walk. This city has its fair share of trouble, but you usually have to go out of your way to run into it. Seems like you have an unfortunate knack for attracting it. Like me.” He smirks to himself for a moment before shaking his head.

“Really, it’s all just common sense. Mind the coal dust, keep yourself (and your stuff) to yourself, go with your gut, and, if things look like they’re getting a little dicey, that’s the time to get out of there. Or, you know, get stuck in, if you decide to go for a change of pace…”

Ameronis smiles. “Some sage advice. You sound like you’ve… experienced quite a lot. Have you ever been adventuring? Or, has all your adventuring been in these city streets?”

“Oh, no. I’ve not gone scaling mountains or diving into deep tombs like you, but I’ve had more adventures in these narrow streets than I can count, including more than a few daring escapes, and close encounters. But, here I am, still in one piece! And what about you? You must have some pretty spectacular stories from your time on the road?”

“Ha! Well, I’m not sure if my antics have been as dramatic as yours, but yes, I do have a couple of stories to tell,” says Ameronis.

She glances at you, but doesn’t directly offer the suggestion that you’re willing to share your own; she’ll leave that to you.

“I wouldn’t want to keep you though, if you’ve got more work to do.”

“Nonsense!”, he cries, “there’s always time for a good story! Besides,” he gestures to the tea house, “they’re still serving lunch and I was gonna grab some with Terris once we’re done here. You should come with us and share your tales; nothing like listening to a good story with a nice cuppa tea and a nice slice of roast.”

You and Ameronis exchange another glance. Might as well!

Sin shakes his fist triumphantly. “That’s the spirit! The more the merrier!”