Closed (Bent Arrow) Eagle and Bow (Napua)

[Ash Vanor]

22 Summer, 512 AV

“I’m sorry to inform you that the Bent Arrow is not yet open,” said the Dek at the range’s entrance, his face turned downward away from the Endal, “If you would not like to wait, I could save a lane open for your return.”

“That would do nicely, thank you,” replied the Endal, turning back from the plateau to look at the city sprawled out before him.

Guess that’s what I get for being too hasty, he thought to himself, there is something to be learned of the choice between being prompt and being patient. Yet another training day for Ash, it seemed like every day of his time off would be spent either at the ranges or in the Aeries. Though it didn’t bother the Endal to work himself hard, he did sometimes worry about what toll this might take on his exhaustion.

Vanor had told him time and time again how poor his archery seemed to be, and though it hurt his pride to say so, Ash had to agree. Many a time out on a hunt his arrows had wrecked an animal’s edible parts beyond salvaging. So it was without regret he had taken the long walk down from the Aeries, in the earliest part of morning, to try and better himself.

Now it seemed a wait was ahead of him, and he was at a loss for something to occupy his time. Idly strolling down from the ledge that held the archery range, he decided that he might as well practice one of his other skills while he waited. Stopping his walk a short distance away from the rock face at his back, he found a moderately sized boulder for which he could conduct his morning practice.

Placing a hand in one of the rough crags of the rock he started to climb. It was a hard task for the Endal, having no formal experience at climbing, he found that he slipped and scratched himself a number of times on his way up the relatively small rock. Still, he made it to the top without severely injuring himself, though he was having trouble breathing by the end and he had minor cuts in several places on his arms and legs.

Sitting down on the relatively flat peak of the rock, the Inarta attempted to calm his racing heart and ignore the sting on his arms and legs. It didn’t take very long for him to clear his mind enough to fully focus on the task he had set for himself. Closing his eyes, Ash concentrated hard on the Djed within him, moving his hands the way Zavik had taught him. Drawing slowly on the strange magic, the novice Webber began to weave his Djed into a thin strand of magic.

Carefully going about his work, Ash laid the string against the rock he sat on and span his web around it. Though it served no true purpose to the eagle rider, it did serve as another valuable lesson. Creating a web with enough detail to surround such a single object and then anchoring it properly proved a challenge, the intricacies of trying to cover the entire boulder were an interesting conundrum.

It took a while to finish his project, and looking at the sky, Ash saw it was nearing midday. Jumping down off the rock, the Endal looked back at his handiwork. The outcropping of stone he had been seated on was thoroughly covered in a thin weave of his Djed. Reaching out his hand, Ash touched one of the threads and focused on it, attempting to gather what information he could from it. Entering the matrix that the web provided, he focused his search to who had sat on this rock, transforming his web to track such a statistic. He found in the form of knowledge that the only person to have touched the rock since the webs creation was himself.

Satisfied with his work, the Endal strode away from his old perch to head back towards the Bent Arrow, in the hopes of training up his skill with a short bow. He felt a slight tiredness come over him as he walked, noting that the time he spent weaving was probably the cause, seeing as he had done a fair bit of work on it.

Brushing his slight exhaustion aside, he bounded up the steps to the range. Entering the Bent Arrow, he saw that it was moderately full, but not enough so that people were waiting to shoot. Seeing the Dek he had talked to earlier that morning was seated at the entrance to one of the firing lanes, he approached.

“Would you like to use this lane?” The Dek asked, standing, “I have already had a number of arrow deliveries here in anticipation of your return.”

“It will do fine,” Ash said, nodding at the Dek, signalling his departure.

Looking around, the Endal noticed his lane was farther right than it usually was, closer to the Avora and Dek areas of the range. Stringing his bow, he loaded a quiver full of arrows and drew one down range. Releasing, he hit the very edge of the target. After his first quiver full of arrows, the eagle rider sighed. Down range was a mess of his inexperience, seven of the sixteen arrows he had shot had hit the target.

Deciding he needed a break and some more time to focus was needed, the Endal set his bow and quiver down. Walking out of his lane, he let the Dek on duty run down and fetch his cacophony of work. A walk, he thought to himself, another walk should do me just fine. Turning, he first walked up towards the Endal side of the range, but seeing their perfect, precise shots seemed to discourage him.

Instead he turned his attention down to the other side of the plateau. Walking down past the Avora, he noticed many people far worse off with a bow than he was, some were better to be sure; many were trained artisans at their craft. Going further, he dared risk seeing the lowest caste at their stations. Few Dek were at that day, many had duties to do and so did not have time to practice at the range. It was a noble pursuit, Ash believed, for even those of the Dek to practice the sacred art of archery.

A surprise awaited him down the range though, for he stumbled across a most peculiar girl. A Dek woman stood, her bow drawn down range, loosing arrows at an already pin cushioned target. As Ash stood, a few of the girl’s shots missed, but a startling few also connected. She was better than many Dek to be sure, and almost better than Ash was much to his surprise.

She held her long bow poised and ready as Ash watched, trying to learn from observation as to how one as her could have gained such experience. Watching got him nowhere however, so he decided a direct conversation would yield better results.

“Hello, I am the Endal Ash Vanor,” he started, walking up within close proximity of the Dek, “and I was wondering how you obtained your skill with a bow.”

[Napua]

Day 22 of Summer, 512 AV

As the dawn broke on a new day, Napua found herself well awake in her run-down dwelling and sorting out her arrows and supplies for the day's journey. This young woman was determined to have an early start before others headed out to hunt, so off this lonely Dek went, passing through the already alive street as slowly but surely the light of day drew ever closer to brighten up the city. She knew this street would soon be teeming with even more life by the time she returned from her hunt and she just hoped to make it back in time to eat at the kitchens and so was her thought as she left the gates.

As the young Dek woman trekked further into the wild, the longbow slung over her shoulder and her hip with a full quiver of freshly purchased arrows, Napua's grey eyes scanned quickly ahead before she examined plants near her, touching them, eyes searching for broken or bent signs of life before she lowers into a crouch, hand hovering as her gaze lowered and her slender finger touches a track; aha, the first prey. She set off, rising quickly and turning her head to continue further in, eyes constantly checking for signs and following tracks.

Animals did not really care of what they left behind as they went about to feed and soon she found herself in close proximity to her prey; a mountain goat. She unslung the longbow, it slender in build and smooth. It was her most prized possession in this life of hers and she cocked her head slightly as she notched the arrow and aimed. "Easy now.." She thought to herself, her breath held as she quickly stepped once forward, careful to avoid making a sound as she stared at her prey and watched its eyes stare back as it showed her its profile; its breathing rapid.

She was ready now and this young Dek woman silently released her breath as the arrow flew, feather at the end spinning before it met its target in the neck and she lowered the bow, watching the goat slump; dead. She approached, broke the arrow and pulled the feathered end out, her count of the precious arrows falling to nineteen now. She took the carcass by the hind legs, typing them together and grunting as she lifted it to rest over her shoulders. She was forever grateful for her hardy build which allowed her to do most on her own and with goat over her shoulders, she began her climb down to return to the city.

Once there, she headed to the kitchens, hoping to get there on time and trade her game over. She set out quickly, half running, half walking, trying to keep the weight of the dead goat steadily on her shoulders but before she could make it to the kitchens she was stopped and she clenched her jaw as she turned at the voice.

Soon enough she was beckoned, her eyes going upwards as she drew closer to the taller Inarta male; an Avora, and he demanded her game to which she agreed without choice. That set this young Dek's blood to a boil and she gritted her teeth after her 'trade' and headed to the bent arrow to let her steam. She didn't even bother to head to the kitchens, she knew she missed the time by now.

She passed the lanes of Inarta training their archey and grunted to herself at some of the skill they possessed or lacked, her fist clenched as she found a free lane over at the spot for the Deks and cleared one of the targets so she could practice, her thoughts angry as she stepped back at a distance, eyed the target darkly and unslung the bow from her shoulder and thumbed an arrow.

Over and over she let loose at the target as the muscles in her arm tensed at each draw back before release. Some arrows missing the mark but some also landing but she gave herself no praise for such feats. The missing was the problem and she was not pleased. "Must do better than this." She muttered inwardly as she continued, not even noticing when she was approached until she heard the voice and turned her gaze; it still dark with emotion as her eyes lay upon the Endal before she exhales slowly and lowers the longbow, soon masking her expression as he comes closer.

"Hello Endal.. I am.. Napua.." She perks a brow mildly before continuing, "I learnt some with the other youths..they said I showed some promise with it and most else I taught myself while out hunting.." She said in a meek reply, lowering her gaze as she speaks. She was mostly surprised to be noticed in a place like the bent arrow, it was where she went to let out all her frustrations without expecting to be spoken to or acknowledged but here he was, talking to her and she kept her gaze lowered and waited for his response.

[Ash Vanor]

“Well you do indeed show skill with your weapon,” Ash said, looking the girl up and down, “with the promise you say you show it’s a wonder an artisan didn’t pick you out of the crop already.”

Everyone needed to do their part for the Wind Reach, Ash thought to himself, even a Dek such as this, if one has a talent they should showcase it, there’s nothing wrong with being good at something. Still it was a wonder to him how this girl could find enough spare time to even get as good as she is, hard and devout practice paid off far more than he had realized. He would definitely have to take that into account now when he went to practice. Still, if she was a Dek that means she had a reason for being one, that was the nature and truth of the caste system.

“So tell me,” the Endal started, “what do you consider your greatest achievement in life?”

Ash Vanor knew it was a philosophical question, not something he would usually ask, but in the quest for justice one must turn over every stone. And this was a stone that interested him greatly. A young Dek, so fervently devoted to practice and the all-important hunting that fuelled Wind Reach, one who was actually skilled at it, was a rare sight indeed. So philosophy might be just what Ash needed to find the answers he seaked.

Another reason he asked the question was because he simply did not know what a Dek’s response would be. The lowest of the castes would certainly have different viewpoints on the world than did the Eagle riders. Would a great accomplishment for a Dek be to have made it to meal time twice in one day? Or would it be to have gone an entire week without a beating? He did not know, but his curiosity was definitely peaked.

“And for Gods’ sake,” he said, a smirk playing at his lips at the Dek’s nervousness, “it’s impolite not to look someone in the eye when you’re talking to them.”

[Napua]

The female Dek visibly swallows at the Endal's words, still keeping her grey gaze lowered respectfully though her cheeks unwillingly flushed as her lips part to make a response, "I.. I have had some trouble in the past Endal.. trouble that I do not know if I can repair.." Her answer was vague she knew but she was not sure how to explain how much of a failure she was. Wasn't the fact she was a Dek, a testament to that already? And why would an Endal care? She was just another unless Dek most likely in his eyes. Napua remained silent after her answer, her breathing slow and steady but only through her own efforts as she awaited the Endal to dismiss her but she ticked her head slightly when another question was posed to her.

"My greatest achievement is being alive Endal." She said bluntly without thinking and reached up to cover her mouth as she folded her lips together. "I am sorry.. for my.. outburst.." She quickly says and clutches her hands together before herself. Despite being beaten, threatened, facing danger each time she left the gates to hunt and putting up with being touched and fondled like someone's goods; Napua felt her biggest accomplishment was remaining alive. It is why she practiced whenever she could. It was why she swallowed whatever pride a Dek could have and become long suffering and accepting of her life. She had dreams and she worked this hard to someday if the gods were merciful to her, to see at least one of them fulfilled.

She lifted her head at his next words, grey eyes meeting the Endal's gaze before she shifted her gaze again but she did not lower her head this time, just anxiously waited to see and hear what he would require next of this Dek girl.

[Ash Vanor]

The Endal met the Dek’s gaze with his own, unwavering stare, trying to sum her up with one glance. He found it a hard task, judging people’s character in such a short amount of time; he knew Vanor could do it easily, probably through some manipulation of telepathy. Still he tried his best; he focused on the nervousness of the girl, what always made her look away, what made her hesitate, and what lit her fire.

He could not help but smile at her sudden answer, so there is something that drives you after all, he thought to himself, I wonder if all Dek are as fervent as this one. In truth he was nearly as nervous as the girl was, only his pride kept him cool and collected, while inside he almost wanted to simply turn tail feather and walk away. This was the first Dek he’d truly ever made conversation with, and he was not going to be a coward about it. Still the worries crossed his mind about what people would think, these he brushed aside as useless thought and continued talking.

“You do not need to be sorry for something you are passionate about,” Ash said, trying to make light of the situation, “unless what you’re passionate about is murder, then you may want to get that checked.”

He regretted the murder joke; his own dry humour he knew was not the best thing to use in conversation. Gods, he thought, it probably made me come off as some sort of psycho. Persevering, he moved past his own small talk to something of a little more importance.

“So how often is it that you are able to go out and hunt Dek Napua?” He asked, hoping calling the girl by her more former title would put her more at ease.

[Napua]

Napua shifted her greys up to the Endal's face again, letting her gaze linger a bit longer this time to take in a quick appraisal of him. She noticed the color of his eyes, a dark hazel; the hue of his skin, paler than her own and then the way his lips moved in speech. She turned her smoky gaze away afterwards, quite aware then of what others may think as she stood here speaking, without being commanded to do anything and it caused her to quickly glance about to see if any even noticed. If they had, they didn't show it.

She kept her gaze shifting at times from the Endal's to her surroundings but she did not lower her eyes again, her lips moving in speech and the words coming clearly, yet polite, "Murder? No.. I have never murdered another person, Endal. I know what happens if someone does and is caught and perhaps.. despite what others may believe.. about people.. like me... I.. I do enjoy breathing.. feeling the warmth of day on my face.."

Her brows frowned then, though slightly and she quickly relaxes her features, she shouldn't even be surprised that something like murder or even anything possibly wrong a Dek could do came up in this conversation, but that was life of the lowest caste, always defending, always fighting. She closed her eyes then looked at the Endal again, this time her eyes staying on his own for a longer period. "I go whenever I have free time, Endal Ash Vanor. It is far from easy to do so most days however but I was told as a Yasi that I was born with some skill." She answers, falling silent and clasping her hands before herself.

She was aware of how disgusting she must look and smell as she stood before this Endal. It was a wonder he could tolerate her presence so long with how wild her red hair looked, the smudge of dirt on her hands and the smell of goat and blood.

[Ash Vanor]

The Endal felt a few eyes on his back as he conversed with Napua, but he did not mind, there was nothing wrong with what he was doing. So much for being sociable, he thought to himself as the Dek continued her wandering gaze, do the Endal really have such a threatening presence? In truth it mattered not to Ash, if that was the price he paid for his position, it was a small one.

A thought crossed the Inarta’s mind in the silence that followed the Dek’s answer. It was an interesting proposition to be sure, but he would need to know a fair bit more about Napua if he were to go through with it. His joke about murder still worried him slightly, especially given the response from the nervous girl.

Still her pushed on and asked, “Have you ever gone on a hunt with more
than one person?”

He knew the question was invasive, she might think that he was trying to gain information about her and her associates to take them in for punishment. He asked anyway, knowing his intent was of a far more noble purpose, even if the Dek didn’t know his true intention. It was also her duty, as a member of the lowest caste, to answer his question in all the truth she possessed.

He felt a slight shadow pass over him and knew in an instant that it was Vanor flying in the skies above. What is this I see? Ash felt the Eagle’s booming voice enter his brain. Ash Vanor conversing with a lowly Dek over the time of the day, when he should be pursuing his training?

Not in the slightest, Ash though back, looking up towards Vanor. This Dek possesses actual skills, ones that are useful to the justice of survival, ones that I am hoping to make use of.

I see, the Eagle thought, be wary of friends made in the heat of strife Ash Vanor, for when the fire cools so may their hearts.

With that the Wind Eagle went silent, waiting with his rider for the Dek’s response.

[Napua]

Napua's grey gaze continues to shift but she continues to stand straight, her calloused hands firmly clasped before her. In truth, this was the longest she had ever had an Endal ever speak, nigh, converse with her, because that was what this was it seemed. He was not commanding her to run off and fetch bows and arrows, he wasn't commanding her to do anything at all! Most puzzling, she thought as she glances at the Endal. All he kept on doing was asking questions about her but why? Why did he care? What was he really after?

Being suspicious as she was, those were the wonders that went through the young dek girl's mind as her smoky gaze again finds the Endal when she parts her lips to answer mildly but hesitates. She notices the Endal's eyes shift upwards and she hesitantly follows his gaze, her eyes widening a bit and her lips giving the mildest of smiles as she realizes perhaps the rider's eagle is above.

She feels a tinge of jealousy then and clears her throat as she looks away before continuing to answer after a few moments of silence. "I go alone. I am always alone." Is her simple answer, though her voice is hushed. Why did he wish to know so much! She did not like the thought of taking another to hunt, it was why she did not even have friends. People always found a way to take advantage of her, it was all her life was made up of as a dek and all this taught her one thing; that people were simply not to be trusted. Besides, hunting alone meant she'd be much faster and would not have to worry about defending another person. If she ever took a partner, they would have to be of the same calibre of skill as she was or close.

[Ash Vanor]

“That’s an interesting way to go,” Ash said, almost to himself, “but I wonder, what if you got into trouble?”

The Endal’s mind travelled to thoughts of bears charging at a young girl in the woods, what would she do? He brushed the thought aside as well as any pretence of his question; it was folly and did not require an answer, for if what the Endal believed was true, this girl may not have to hunt alone. Measuring his words carefully, Ash broke his gaze with the girl, somewhat nervous at the length of this conversation as Napua was.

“Never mind that,” he said, waving a hand as if to push the question out of the air, “I am planning a hunt in the coming fall season, I do not want to offend any master you may work for, so at what point in the season can you accompany me?”

He felt the unease and nervousness rush out of him as his question was finally asked. How interesting it was that such patience could also cause pressure, he thought, too much patience might lead to too much build up. Storing that philosophy away for another time, Ash Vanor again locked eyes with the young Dek girl and awaited her answer.

[Napua]

"It is.. I know.. but we deks do not exactly always have friends." She says simply, her brow furrowing and becoming even more aware of how much time as past with just standing here and speaking to the endal and not being commanded to run off to fetch something. She hoped no one was thinking she was getting some sort of special treatment but then again, they probably thought all sort of things by now as they glanced and moved around. Napua just wanted to know what the endgame was for this Endal.

She was about to answer the latter part of the question before it was dismissed and she closed her mouth, looking back down at her bare feet and slowly exhaling a breath then looking back up at the Endal, her gaze staring into his now at the question posed and she blinked once, dumbfounded more than anything. Her mind felt like it was working overtime now. To have an Endal ask to be accompanied by a lowly dek out on a hunt was unheard of. He flew, she did not. She wished she did but it is what it is but I guess for this trip he wanted to go on foot. Worry filled her now, what if he was better at hunting with his eagle and not on foot, could she protect him? She had no choice but to, possibly even if it resulted in meeting her death and her heart sank a bit.

"Um.. there is no master to offend, most of my work is split between various places, just like I am here now at the bent arrow.. so when you wish me to come, I will come.. you may just have to tell them here I am required by you for work and as you as Endal.. they would not make a fuss of such a thing." She swallowed and looked away from the Endal's gaze.