Hidden by Donna Jo Napoli

Author:Donna Jo Napoli
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Hold it with both hands. That gives the best control.” Though the words are encouraging, Earl’s voice lacks sincerity. He has no confidence in Hakon—a position I understand. The boy has been engaged in military practice under Earl’s instruction since his birthday, and so far shows no inclination toward any of the weapons.

Hakon, however, seems deaf to the tone of Earl’s comment. He grips the sword with both hands, swells his chest with energy, and chops at the bush. He’s merciless.

I gape. It is a terrible thing to see an eight-year-old destroy a bush, but he’s so happy to be doing it, and it is such a surprise, I have to smile.

Satisfaction softens Earl’s face. “Well, well, well. It looks like the sword is your weapon after all. We’ll continue with it for the rest of the afternoon.”

I step forward. “No, we need archery practice too. Like always.”

Earl shrugs. “All right.”

Thank heavens. I regularly urge Hakon forward in his pitiful attempts at spear throwing—which can’t be his fault, as the spears are longer than he is tall—and stake throwing, which actually can be his fault, as some of the stakes are short and should be manageable. I am constant in watching him hack with sword and ax—which are not real, since both sword and ax are made of wood—but which don’t interest me because they require nothing but brute force. All this I do ostensibly out of a big sister’s love. Though, indeed, Hakon is dear to me, the real reason for my dutiful behavior is that Earl allows me to be part of archery practice. So it is only fair that we should not skip it.

Archery matters. Battles lie ahead. Thorkild named me Alfhild—elf warrior—that day in the fishing boat. He did it out of fury. But over the years I’ve come to understand it was prescient. Rescuing Mel will not be easy; nothing in life is easy. I don’t have the strength to hurl a spear, or the heart to swing an ax or sword into a body close by. But I could aim an arrow at a body that was far from me. I could be the fiery arrow my Irish name said I’d be. I lock my jaw and feel the nerves along it twitch. I can and will be ferocious in that way if I have to.

I watch a second bush get hacked to shreds, and a third.

Then we get our bows and shoot at targets. I’m good at this. I was good right from the first day, maybe out of motivation, but I’m getting better all the time. I can face one direction, then twirl around and shoot fast and hit the target behind me. I can walk along and hit a target without stopping. Today I walk faster and faster. Soon I’ll be able to shoot as I run. Each time I hit a target, I feel more exonerated from my failure to meet my goal so far. I’m sorry, Mel. I’m sorry it’s taking me so long to grow up.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.