Flashback Childhood Matters (FlashBack) pt 3

[Akarn]

Childhood Matters (FlashBack)
Fall 12th day 503 AV
Part 3

With the bow string pulled back taut against his cheek, Akarn sighted down the shaft of the arrow. He steadied his breath and he raised the bow up a hair above his target. He made a quick mental note of his body position and was sure that he followed all of his father's instructions. Reassuring himself that he was good, he let the arrow fly. The young Drykas heard the twang of the bow string with its release and the silent whisper of the arrow flying through the air. All of that was followed by the thud of the arrow hitting the side of the target. Akarn smiled and even though the arrow was not on its mark, he had indeed hit the wagon this time.

The target was an old rotted out over turned wagon, for some reason was out here in the Sea of Grass. Perhaps it was the remnants of a failed caravan or a traveler just caught unaware by glassbeaks. Whatever the reason for it being here did not change the fact that it was here and now it was being utilized by the young Drykas. Akarn was just glad that it was here at this moment .

Litha giggled and started a sprint towards the old wagon. "No Litha wait until I shoot all the arrows," but it was too late. Akarn shook his head and started after his sister. She was a year younger then he was and sometimes could be, well could only be like a little sister could be. By the time he had reached the wagon Litha was already trying to wiggle the arrow out from the wood and she was giggling the whole time. Akarn wanted to be angry but he could not help but laugh and he kneeled beside his sister patting her long messy heap of blond hair. This also made him smile, for no matter how much work his mother put in to his sisters hair it was undone in no time at all.

Preoccupied with the archery and his sister, the Drykas boy had not noticed someone else come upon them. It was his uncle Shyll. Akarn let out a silent groan, while he loved most of his family his uncle went out of his way to make the boys life difficult. Akarn's smile faded and he protectively put himself between his uncle and his sister.

"Do not stop on my account," Shyll said with an edge to his tone. Shyll was a tall slender Drykas that was only seven years older than Akarn, but it was enough for the time being. Seven years older meant that he was taller, stronger and able to just bully his nephew any way he saw fit. He did just that and did it often.

Shyll lent a hand and pulled the arrow out of the rotten wood and examined it. Akarn grabbed for the object but it was moved up and out of his reach. "That is mine!" the younger boy exclaimed. The older boy smiled with a hint of mischief.

The uncle looked down and continued his little grin. "Do not worry you can have it back." He said lowering the arrow and then with a quick motion snapped it over his knee. Instead of handing the two halves back to Akarn the older boy threw them to the ground.

Without warning the uncle let out a surprised umph. He looked down at his niece that had just finished kicking him in the shin and was in the process of turning around to try and make her way under the shelter of the wagon. Shyll gave his nephew a quick shove back and started after the little girl. The older boy grabbed the girl by her feet before she could make it through the hole she was crawling towards.

For one of the first times in his life, Akarn doubled his fists and hit his uncle by the right side of his ear as hard as he was able. Shylls head went sideways and almost hit the side of the wagon, but he was able to avoid the second impact. The punch though had had its desired effect and the older boy released the girls ankle and now was focused on getting to his feet.

To Shylls surprise he did not have to go chasing after his nephew. For the first time that he could remember Akarn was standing his ground and not fleeing. "How touching," Shyll said moving around to the right a little trapping the younger Drykas between himself and the old wagon. He shoved Akarn back against the wagon and swung to hit him, but the younger boy managed to deflect his first blow. Shyll grew angry at this little game and channeled his rage through his fists. The older boy began to pummel his younger nephew. All Akarn could do was cover up and sink to the ground.

"SHYLL!!" came a familiar voice that both of the boys recognized and knew that its owner was not to be ignored. The older boy stopped his attack and stood up. He did not need to turn around to know who was speaking to him. Shyll knew the voice belonged to his older brother, Jaden. Now that the violence had been interrupted Jaden calmed his voice. "Litha, go help your mother and Akarn come with me."

Jaden watched Shyll begin to walk away, not even turning to acknowledge his brother. The Ankel knew he was not Shylls father nor could he be. Their father died not long after Shyll had been born and Jaden was forced to take up the role. His brother had not had the guiding hand of their father like Jaden had and because of his new found obligations of Ankel, Jaden had not been there for him either. Jaden blamed himself for the way Shyll acted. Where he failed with Shyll he was not going to fail with his son.

The younger Drykas boy stood and could feel the sting in his face and wetness under his nose. Akarn felt like crying out but his pride would not let him. He wiped away the blood from his nose with the back of his hand and then walked over to where his father stood. He could hear Shyll waking away and for that he was relieved.

Jaden knelt beside his son taking a quick look at his injuries and decided the boy was alright. "Akarn all our life we will be tested." The boy sighed and did not understand why he was the one that was going to receive the lecture, but he knew better than to say anything. Jaden could tell this about his son, but continued any ways. "Your uncles resolve was tested today and he has failed. It can be frustrating when you want something so much that not receiving it can make us do things we would not normally do."

Akarn wanted to tell him that this was not abnormal for Shyll to do, but instead he stayed silent and did not interrupt his father. The young boy did mull over what his father had said and came to a conclusion. Today was the day the foals were old enough for the bonding and this was the year that they had hoped Shyll would be linked with a strider. His father was pointing out his uncles frustration, but it still not help Akarn see the reasoning behind Shylls behavior.

Jaden stood and began to walk and once he was sure Akarn was following him, he continued. "Even Zulrav tests us every day. Do you think that the storms are random or have no meaning. Zulrav sends the storms to make us stronger. Everything has a lesson in it my son if you pay attention. It is only the wise Drykas that sees them and learns from them." Jaden ran his thick fingers over the stalks of grass, bending the stalks a little. "Take the Sea of Grass for an example and how the stalks give way to the wind. Why does the grass bend?"

The young boys brow scrunched while he thought and then he looked up at his father. "If it did not it would break," He said with confidence.

"Yes, it would break," Jaden confirmed his sons statement. "But does it bend because it has no choice or does it bend until the winds anger subsides and then can again stand tall?" The older Drykas looked down upon his son to see if he understood before he continued. "What of the water and rock, which one do you think is stronger?"

Akarn glanced at his father and knew the rock to be the hardest, but the boy knew there had to be more to the question than just that. He had to approach the question or riddle as if he were like a wise man. After a few minutes of deliberation Akarn looked to his father and nodded. "The water, because through time it will cut through the rock." The younger Drykas was pleased with himself for thinking through his father's question.

"You are right and wrong, my son." He said placing a gentle hand upon his shoulder. The rock is strong and mighty and hard to break, but the water through patience and persistence will eventually be able to move the rock. Then again rocks can change the course of any water." He titled his sons chin up until Akarn's green eyes met his. " The essence of each has its own power .That is what you need to know, my son. You need to know when to be the rock, or to be the water or when to be the grass. " With his lesson ending Jaden sighed and looked back towards the way Shyll had disappeared to. "Now go help your mother." He commanded and with that he set off to find his brother that was lost.

[Jackalope]

Akarn :

Experience
+1 Shortbow
+1 Unarmed Combat
+1 Observation

Lore
Warning your Sister
Standing Up to a Bully
Bend, but Come Back Stronger

Nice post! Like with what I said about the ax, I need you to put a specific type of bow for your SP. Other than that, it all looks good! Keep up the good work.