13th Day Of Summer
The Sanikas range was quiet, empty in the early hours of the morning. Frost still clung to the small tufts of grass and dismal flowers defying odds trying to survive on the rocky range. Occassionally, a small songbird would perch a top a rocky outcrop and sing its morning song, before flittering away in search of a good breakfast.
Shayth held the bow steady, her arrow nocked. Around her the morning was slowly coming to life. The light was muted as the sun still found its legs. Letting go of her arrow, the endal watched as it soared towards the target. Off center again, but closer than she had been in previous attempts. This day, she was prepared. Canteen close by, and a pack of high energy travelling food, the rider had dedicated herself to a whole day of training. Like it or not, she wasn't the best archer in her class. In fact, she was little more than a novice. If she wanted to get better, she needed to work at it.
Drawing more arrows, Shayth aimed again and released. Aim, release, aim, release. It was easier each time, although her shots were not always right. A lot of them either hit the edge of the target or bounced solidly off the rocks behind. But the rider was determined.
"Visualize a line from you to the target. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart." The rider muttered to herself as she readjusted her stance, following a line from herself to the target.
"Nock an arrow in the center of your bowstring and let the shaft of the arrow rest on the bow, just above your hand grip. Make sure the odd fletching points at a right angle to the string, and the other two angle toward it." Moving to action her own advice, Shayth again checked her line to the target.
"Hold the bowstring with your first three fingers. The string should settle in the crease of your last joint, with the nock of the arrow between your middle and index fingers. Use your thumb to help stabilize the arrow." Holding the bowstring, the endal checked her positioning, her stance. Her line to the target.
"Hold the bow. Keep your arm locked straight, with your elbow rolled slightly out. Lift your head and face the target." Line. To. The. Target.
"Raise your bow arm, keeping it locked, and draw the string back until your thumb is against your jawbone and your index finger is almost touching the corner of your mouth. Use your shoulder and back muscles to pull the string."
Aim. Take a breath and hold it until you release your arrow. Relax your string fingers from the wrist forward, letting the string slide from your fingers ." Holding her breath, the redhead looked at her target. And released. The arrow soared through the air, and hit the target off centre. Again.
"Hold your shooting position until you hear the arrow hit the target." Shayth said through grit teeth, lowering the bow and picking up another arrow.
"Keep positive. Remain calm. Practice often." The rider growled, before going through the motions all over again.
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The sun was high in the sky when Shayth finally stopped for a break. Her arms ached and her fingers felt numb. Taking a piece of the protien rich travelling cake from her pack, the tall woman lay down under the shade of a rocky outcrop and chewed thoughtfully, watching the clouds sailing lazily through the sky. It was a nice place to relax, and it seemed that archery was not a big thing today. Either that, or the others whom had visited the range today had avoided the endal. That didn't surprize her. Perhaps in future it would be wiser to practice in the Soaring Arrow. An endal hangout - for endals soley. At least then she wouldn't have to fetch her own arrows.
Subconciously, the rider placed a hand softly on her belly. Her blue eyes stared at the sky as thoughts swirled in her mind. Today, she had not been unwell, but she didn't feel right. The sudden lack of illness made her feel..well...iller. Frowning, she moved her hand away.
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A late afternoon breeze tugged at the riders hair as she stood, aiming at the target again. It swayed in the breeze, a cheeky challenge for the endal. Holding her breath, Shayth released the arrow she had been holding. It hit the target again, closer to centre. Not perfect, but closer. The arrows that cluttered the board out numbered the arrows on the ground. As the day had worn on her aim had improved, and less did she miss. Infact, she hadn't missed at least five shots in a row now. They weren't always centre, they weren't always the edge. But they were in the petching target. Again, she shot, and again. It was a victory each time she hit the board, and even more when she got closer to the centre. The rider had forgotten how hard it was before.
Again she aimed, and again she hit it. Smiling, Shayth stretched her shoulders. It had been a long day, but a productive one. Opening and closing her hand slowly, she glanced at her fingers. They were red, and if she kept it up they would surely blister. One of those special archery gloves the avora sometimes wore might be handy for future usage. Slinging the bow across her torso, the woman retrieved her arrows. It was getting late, and Turiska was nearby. Indeed, a vast shadow flew overhead, thoughts reaching down to the rider.
"I'm done." She called out, acknowledging the bird mentally as well. As Turiska came closer, Shayth slipped her quiver over her shoulder. The great eagle flapped heavily as she perched on the edge of the range, keening impatiently. Moving in one fluid step the rider lept into the saddle, even as the bird moved away. Lifted by the thermal updraft the duo soared away from the range, into the sky. Shayth closed her eyes and smiled as the wind tugged and swirled her hair. She felt satisfaction.
