Hi, The Phoenix Guards, Chapter the Sixth, page 61 "She pretended that no one who was not an accomplished sorcerer could have a place in the Imperial Guard." "Well, and?" "I had the honor to inform her that the reign of the Athyra had ended fifteen days ago." The Phoenix Guards, Chapter the Ninth, page 91 "Well, behind that courtyard is a practice range for archers, which I think will not be in use at that time. The Phoenix Guards, Chapter the Eleventh, page 107-108 '"But rather than that," remarked Aerich, "we ought to discuss the aftermath of the little affair at the archery range."' 'As we pronounced the words, "archery range," the two Guardsmen with whom Tazendra was playing smiled, as in fact, did Tazendra. Pel and Khaavren, however, frowned, as they had sufficient perspicacity to catch something in Aerich's voice when he pronounced the word, "aftermath."' The Phoenix Guards, Chapter the Twenty-sixth, page 324-325 Garland explaining how he was fooled to Seodra. "Well, first she cried to her lancers to be at the ready." "Lancers?" ... "She required her archers to remain in position." "Archers? Are you certain?" ... "Sorcerers?" ... "But you did not see the arrows, or the lancers or the cavalry?" Here is my guesswork:) If a witch can "make a leaf blow slightly askew of the wind just be willing it to", then what could an accomplished sorcerer do with a little help from the orb (even pre-Interregnum orb). The Book of Taltos, Taltos, Chapter 1, page 10 My guess is one of the useful tasks an accomplished sorcerer could do in the Imperial Guard was an anti-arrow spell. This anti-arrow spell was figured out in the last Athrya reign. The practice range still existed and may have been used to practice archery and the anti-arrow spell. The two Guardsmen and Tazendra were actually smiling at the words "archery range" (not just because they knew about the fight) because as sorcerers they know archery is now obsolete. Seodra, an Athrya, adds "Are you certain?" to the question about archers because she thinks why would anyone have archers anymore. We never actually see anyone using arrows in The Phoenix Guards. No more bows and arrows. No invention of crossbows. No invention of guns. Bye. Linda G.