Solo - Try Your Best

[Natane Skytears]

4th Summer 513 AV
Mid-Morning

The arrow sailed past the target, landing almost four feet away. Natane sighed, lowered her bow and reached for another arrow. This morning, while Endrykas was just beginning to stir, the girl had set up a target out of dried grass and rope. It had been a long time since she had trained and her skills desperately needed improving. If she was to survive out here, she would need some way of protecting herself.

She set the arrow in place, fixing her stance and squaring off her shoulders. Taking in a deep breath to steady herself Natane drew back the string, putting less tension on it this time, and let the arrow go. It sliced through the warm summer air, brushing the corner of the target and landing in the grass.

Natane let out the breath she had been holding, putting her bow on the ground and stretching. Her strider, who had been grazing nearby, looked up and snorted. The girl glanced over and muttered, “Quiet, I'm trying my best”

Walking over, Natane gathered up her arrows, five in total. She put them back in the quiver and sat down. The girl had been at this for hours and had only managed to hit the target once, but that had been a fluke. Natane had not had any training in this area and was really only able to go off what she had seen other Drykas do. But the girl was determined and confident that she would get it in the end.

[Natane Skytears]

Thinking back to the years spent in her pavilion, she tried to remember clearly the way her father had set up a shot. The big man was quick to draw the oak bolts from the quiver on his back, firing the shots with little hesitation; even from the back of his Strider, he rarely missed. Natane had seen his deadly precision with her own eyes, it both frightened and amazed her.

Her mind began to wander, away from training and to the safe confines of her families pavilion. She missed them and had on many occasions wondered if she had made a mistake by leaving, but the girl still felt the same about the arranged marriage as she did back then. Being the stubborn creature she was, Natane would not return for long while. By then, hopefully, she would have the strength to stand up to her father.

Shaking her head, the girl refocused. Natane got to her feet, brushing the leaves and dust off her dress, and prepared another shot.

She took into account the stillness of the air, there was only the faintest hint of a breeze but that was coming from behind her so it would only aid her shot. The girl set the arrow in place and drew back. Aiming carefully, she looked straight down the arrows shaft and saw the target. Her father was strong and was able to make a straight shot but Natane was well aware of her pitiful strength, and she already knew that she did not posses the power to make a straight shot that would reach her target, so she would have to rely on Zulrav and Ovek to guide her arrow. She aimed the bolt up, only a little, and let go.

It struck the ground, right in front of the target. Not a great shot but Natane was pleased considering it was far greater than her first few. Doing everything the same, only this time drawing back the string a bit more, and let the arrow fly. The bolt cut through the air, arching a little, and pierced the straw target for the second time this morning.

[Natane Skytears]

She smiled, pleased with the result though did not want to get over confident. The shot was low but at least it was a hit, Natane was still a long way from being able to hunt of defend herself but with more training she would get there eventually.

Her stomach rumbled, having been at this all morning Natane realised that she had not yet had breakfast.

The girl went over, pulling the arrow from her straw target and the one at it's base. She slipped them back into the quiver and wandered back to her tent. Niabi looked up, snorted and went back to eating the dry grass that surrounded them.

Natane discarded her bow and arrows in her messy home then turned back to her Strider. She sighed and asked, “Should we find something to eat?”

Niabi snorted again and her ears twitched.

“Alright. Well... you stay here” she stretched and started towards Endrykas.

[Praetorian]

Your Diligence Has Been Rewarded! Natane Skytears Archery +2 XP Before the City Wakes, I Practice Notes : Not a bad solo! I enjoyed the insight into Natane's life. Just remember that the more detail you put into your writing, the more points you will get! Have any questions, comments, or concerns? Feel free to message me.