target was elevated and stood at the far end of the park, only visible as a tiny globe representing the tenth and surviving Sun.
A public crier began reciting the rules. Ten arrows each. They’d shoot in two rounds, first at the five closest targets, then the five furthest. Fei Long would have rather done it the other way around. Take out the far targets while his body was still rested. They would only be allowed to shoot once at each target so there was no change for adjusting after a miss.
A toss of the die decided that Fei Long would shoot second. He watched his opponent walk into the field and take aim. His stance was strong, balanced. Fei Long didn’t need to watch the arrow to know it would hit its mark. Five arrows flew in quick succession. Five arrows hit centre. The beauty of it had to be appreciated, even by someone who had never held a bow. There was undeniable harmony in perfection.
‘There’s still time to take a drink,’ Bai Shen offered.
The wagering increased to a palpable level. Fei Long shook his head, barely hearing Bai Shen or the rest of the crowd. Were the odds for him or against him? It didn’t matter.
He took the quiver back from Bai Shen and strapped it on. Then he took his time approaching the target line, listening to each individual beat of his heart, feeling the rush of blood pumping through him.
Archery was supposed to be a practice of skill and precision. Of focus and technique. Yet the most experienced archers also knew that minute details could cause arrow after arrow to veer astray. If your aim was off by a hair that day, there was nothing that could be done to fix it. There was something more than cold, clean technique to it, otherwise bowmen wouldn’t need to pray to patron gods.
The sun was rising steadily, heating his back. Fei Long reached over his shoulder and took an arrow from his quiver. Carved from mulberry, it was light and balanced. He nocked it against the string and straightened, pulling his right arm back. The bowstring grew taut as it stretched, the tension and force gathering.
A hundred things had to be aligned for the arrow to hit its mark, but Fei Long knew them without thinking. He sighted the first target through the line of the bow, listened to his heart, slowed his breathing. The world receded around him. He exhaled steadily and released in the stillness between heartbeats.
* * *
Yan Ling dug her nails against the wooden rail. Beside her Dao held her breath.
Bai Shen had procured them a second-floor balcony in a drinking house that overlooked the park. A prime location considering the event that day. From where she stood, Fei Long was a black figure down below. She couldn’t see his expression, but she could see the tension in his stance.
She prayed for him as he pulled back. He seemed to hold on for an uncommonly long time. The first archer had pulled back and released in one uninterrupted motion, without hesitation. She didn’t know if it was hesitation that made Fei Long pause. He stood unmoving, arrow poised. Wouldn’t he weaken the longer he remained that way?
When Fei Long released, a gasp escaped from her lips. She squinted at the target.
The arrow had hit home. One.
The next one flew shortly after. Then another and another. She couldn’t follow them.
‘Is he even aiming?’ she cried.
‘Yes!’ Dao grabbed her shoulder and shook her happily. ‘Five out of five. I told you so! Not an arrow wasted.’
She caught how Fei Long paused after the last arrow. He leaned slightly to one side before straightening and retreating from the line. In the practice session, he’d started struggling after only five arrows. She couldn’t be sure, but these targets seemed further. Even the first five were a challenge.
The next round was beginning. Yan Ling held on to the rail to keep from falling as she leaned forwards to watch.
* * *
‘He’s good,’ Fei Long said.
He stood side by side with Bai Shen as they watched his opponent shoot in the second round. The young man exuded confidence and his technique was impeccable.
‘Not as good as you,’ Bai Shen protested.
The archer’s head twitched as if he’d heard Bai Shen, but he kept his eyes on the target. He’d hit the two suns on the far left side. There were two more arranged to the right. Each one was a good two