PM to join Accidental Lessons [Vanator]

[Reven Heath]

"I understand how that feels." Reven replied.

She was actually surprised by his comment. Maybe she should have expected it of him but Reven didn't take Vanator as such a perceptive character. Based on what she had witnessed, he was a gentleman, kind, and he was very attractive. His voice was also soothing, soft baritone words suppressing any waiver or flux in his tone. The Kelvic wasn't a fool to not see he was trying very hard to ease her worry and shockingly, it was working effectively. She didn't want to admit it but Vanator brought about a sort of comfort she never found with anyone else. It was quite perplexing.

Extending her arm to accept the tunic he gave her, Reven smiled lightly when he joked about her skin. "I am from Riverfall, home of the Akalaks. Blue is common color." She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face from her sly quip and turned hastily away so he wouldn't see it. Reven didn't want him to think she was comfortable around him. She barely knew him...

However, Reven wouldn't deny that she was, in fact, a complete hypocrite sometimes.

Tugging off the cloak, Reven heard it drop to the dirt below before snapping the tunic open and sliding it over her body. Her scars were many that marred her tanned flesh, some worse than other, but none more apparent than the rest. Each told a story of her efforts with battle, struggle with life, and her victories in surviving another day. Reven didn't mind the scars. Each was a symbol that she had made it through another day, another season. She appreciated them even if they were sometimes hard to look at. It was the price of life. Pulling the cloak back over her shoulders, she turned back to Vanator, finding that he had been watching her the whole time.

"I wasn't planning on shifting this far away from my things." Reven justified, rubbing her arms gently. "I wasn't expecting things to unfold how they did." She returned his smile with an uncomfortable curve of her lips, taking a noticeable step back as he returned back to her side with a water skin. There was a subtle blush on her cheeks that could have easily been mistaken from the flush of exercise. There were many men in Riverfall that approached her in the same fashion, all of which she felt no need to recoil from. Reven would simply square her shoulders and stare at them, knowing they would soon feel uncomfortable under her gaze and leave. The Kelvic had not been fully educated on her kind, she was only ever allowed some information of her species and heard rumors from others. However, she knew something changed inside her and unfortunately, Reven couldn't place her finger on it. She had heard of the Kelvic bond but she assumed it was something that occurred from mutual love and... other things.

Was that not true?

"I like the bow. I've used it many times but I still need practice. It's hard for me to kill anything with it. Most of the time I'm bringing shredded lumps of meat back to Kyole and the look he gives me is sometimes terrifying, heheh." Reven smiled, taking what Vanator offered her before nearly spitting it out. How rude, she forgot to give him her name and after everything he's done for her!

She had good reason not to...

"Oh, um, thank you... and sorry, I'm Reven... Reven Heath." There was no way of hiding it, she sucked at introductions. It didn't matter though, she wasn't going to be staying long. Handing the water skin back to him, she stepped further away from him. "It was very nice um, running into you? Thank you for the clothes. You live at the Sanctuary right? I'll return these once I'm done with them." She nodded to him, a habit of Reven's that signaled her departure. Turning, Reven began stalking back into the tall grass but stopped short when she saw a snake on the ground. Curses ran from her mouth when she saw another two slither by. This area must have been infested with them and if true, would make her journey getting back to her pack much more difficult.

The Kelvic was stubborn and would not ask for any further assistance from the man and if need be, she would risk opening up her wound transforming into her animal form. It was something Reven knew was unwise. That's why she remained silently fixed to where she was, staring off in the direction of her pack.

"Shyke."

[Vanator]

Caution still carried in the posture of the cougar girl, her words measured, not revealing too much. Still very much the wary predator. Van too noticed the small recoil as he approached and offered her water. He made her uncomfortable. Several possible explanations came to mind. She was most likely not accustomed to having an intruder in her territory. Maybe the fact the he tried to befriend her rather than try to claim her hide as a prize perplexed her. Maybe it was just what she said, events unfolded in an unexpected way.

The Kelvic did seem to relax a bit, joking even about her skills with the bow. And she shared her name. Reven Heath. Vanator understood the significance of sharing names, especially for Kelvics. Not everyone, and every city, treated Kelvics with equal hospitality.

The Drykas felt things were progressing with the curious woman, but she soon shied away, politely but hurriedly excusing herself. It was with disappointment that Van watched Reven's hasty retreat. He thought to ask her to stay, for he questioned whether she would ever show up at Sanctuary, or that he would ever find her again. But Reven was not just a girl, she was a predatory animal, and you don't address a lion like you do a human. For whatever reason, Reven felt threatened or uncomfortable, and to push her was to risk angering a large, fanged and clawed creature.

So Van simply waved, and watched Reven walk off. He bent to pick up his gear, and when he stood again and looked out for the Kelvoc, he saw her just standing. Reven was looking down, then around her, as if seeking some alternate route. It was a curious thing for someone so ready to beat a path away from him. Slinging his gear over his shoulder, Van headed out towards Reven. He stopped at a reasonable distance, not wishing to aggravate the cougar.

"Whats wrong? Why did you stop?" Then Van looked down, where Reven had been staring. Several serpents slithered through the grass, between melting patches of snow. Their bodies were slim and appeared forged of shiny metal. "Metallic Asps." Van spoke in a hushed tone. "Don't move. Their venom is very potent. They should be hibernating. Something must have disturbed their nest. Maybe the ground is too wet."

"Stay very still." Vanator encouraged with a firm voice. His hand was already raised, concentrating enough to bring enough res to his palm. The greenish gas clouded above his open hand. Van ignited the exterior of the gas cloud, now a small flaming ball, then he drew back his hand, aiming carefully, and flung the fiery orb at the ground before Reven's feet, willing the gas inside the ball to ignite. When the projecile hit the threatening snakes, it exploded in a small fiery burst.

The air was instantly filled with the stench of burnt reptile, the ground marked with a black scorch mark, the remains of the snakes writhing in death throes. He looked up at Reven, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright? Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I hope you didn't get burnt. If one of those bit you, we would be hard pressed to get you help before you died. It was the most efficient way to kill them."

Vanator surveyed the terrain. "We can go around. Let me walk with you, just in case. You don't want to have to shift yet till that blood clots up."

[Reven Heath]

The Kelvic was about to shift, reaching her fingers down to the hem of the tunic to pull it from her body when a hushed voice whispered to her. Reven turned her eyes upon Vanator, confused as to why he appeared distraught by the snakes in the grass. He had said something but she didn't understand what. Turning back to the topography ahead of her, Reven noticed there were even more and more of them slithering about, edging closer to her bare feet. "Poisonous... Nest? Hibernating..?" Reven was confused, her knowledge of the poisonous creatures out in the forest was embarrassingly slim. Most of the time she never had to worry about other predators because her scent was enough to keep them away. Her hazel eyes peered down at the serpents as they crawled closer and closer to her feet.

"Um—Hey, they're getting closer..!" She called, unconsciously stepping back. That was the wrong thing to do. Their eyes locked onto her movement, as if they were aiming themselves to lunge at her before suddenly, fire burst before her eyes causing the cougar to screech and fall back. Reven had thought one of them had bitten her, sliding back with her hands while kicking her foot that was stinging with pain. "Ouch! Ouch! Get it off!" She cried, waving her foot about without actually inspecting it. Reven sucked in a breath and grabbed her foot, realizing in an instant there was no snake, just a piece of burnt reptile skin that landed on her foot. Relief washed through her as the Kelvic dropped her head to her knee, calming her heart.

Not only was she upset about the situation but she was ashamed of her behavior and appearing as a burden. Not only that but she never wanted any man to see her... flailing. But before she could stop herself, a soft laughed shook her shoulders, picking up her head so that laughter could be heard quite easily from her. "You..." She caught her breath. "You don't tell anyone what you just saw and I'll let you walk me back to my things." Reven smiled, lifting herself back unto her feet. Vanator had approached her by then and placed a hand on her shoulder. It was a comforting gesture, one that she enjoyed and felt herself leaning into him.

"It's not too far away, thankfully. We can go around..." Removing herself from his touch, she started the course back to her items. "Well? Are you coming?" Turning hazel eyes back to him, she allowed herself to become relaxed around him now. He had not only spared her life, but saved it as well and what better way to prove a man's trust then by doing just that? Reven gazed at him for a moment too long and quickly turned away.

"So..." They had been walking for several ticks now and the last thing the Kelvic wanted was awkward silence. "Vanator is it..? What's your story? Who are you?" She asked, moving around a pile of cold snow. "I've never seen you around before, do you leave the Sanctuary often?" Tucking his cloak tighter to her frame, Reven listened intently to his words. Vanator was an intriguing individual, attractive and intelligent, kind and had a sort of understanding for her that most lacked.

"I didn't mean to startle you earlier, I'm sorry about that... It's not often people come this far out into the woods. Very few people know about the area which is why I've claimed it so it was a little surprising to catch your scent. You... um, you frightened me. I thought I was about to kill you." Her expression was blank as if the memories of that moment overtook her. "I'm normally in my other form during winter, it's much warmer and safer, I think. Hunting is easier as well but the shops wouldn't accept shredded meat or hide, heheh." Reven shrugged. "I haven't had much experience with anything else so you can understand why I'm kind of on edge..."

Running yet another hand through her hair, the Kelvic cursed. She couldn't wait to get back to her things so she could take care of her hair. Reven wasn't use to the brown locks blocking her eyesight. Soon, the two reached a lone tree where ice had been piled onto one side of it. Since no one ventured out this far, Reven didn't take time to make a decent hiding spot for her things and quickly freed her backpack, grasping her short bow and quiver in the process. Slinging the items onto her back, Reven turned back to the man. "Thank you again... I can't express how grateful I am for your help." Pausing for a moment, the Lioness questioned whether she should leave him now to go back to the Sanctuary. Would she ever see him after this? The Kelvic didn't know but for some reason, the thought of never seeing his dirty blonde hair or listening to the tones of his voice again brought a sadness to her that silenced her mind completely.

She could not let him leave.

"Um—Hey, Vanator?" Reven called. "Could I... Come back with you, maybe? You're probably busy, I understand. Maybe I could train with you sometime? I could really use a lesson on bows." She laughed. It was quite obvious what her real intentions were but Reven didn't mind and on a level, she hoped he wouldn't either. "Would that be a problem..?"

[Vanator]

Vanator stamped out the burning carcasses before turning to Reven. "My lips are sealed, not a word to anyone!" Vanator promised, encouraged that the apprehension Reven had displayed earlier had faded after the incident with the snakes. It seemed to have done more than kill snakes, garnering the cautious puma's trust, proven in Reven's proposition. Van confessed to himself that his joy at Reven's invitation to escort her was derived from more than just a concern for her safety. The Kelvic was intriguing.

The pair walked leisurely, or as leisurely as a mountain lion and a seasoned Drykas would. They maintained furtive glances to the landscape around them, both keenly aware of the dangers, like the asps, that awaited unwary travelers. When Reven began her questions, Vanator met her hazel gaze with his gold-flecked own and smiled. His story would take longer than they had, but the focus of her inquiry narrowed, saving her from a lengthy saga. "Well, like I said, I live at the Sanctuary, where my title is Armsmaster. I ensure the security of the facility and make sure all staff and residents are trained in some form of defense. Since my sister and I are Drykas, we fashion our family after the pavilions of Endrykas. Though Kavala is the leader of Sanctuary, I am the Ankal, or leader of the Denusk family."

Vanator's gaze returned to the terrain surrounding them. "And I do get out of Sanctuary often, though not so often into the forest. Usually go to town, or out into the grasslands, or down to the beach. Like I said before, I need to get out sometimes." His eyes looked down again to Reven, her mane blocking her face until she swept it back. The formerly wary Kelvic with spare words now spoke freely, honestly. Vanator nodded, understanding and appreciative of Reven's openness. "Don't worry, you did just what you should have done, protect your territory. I am just glad you decided not to rip me open, I have enough scars from lions as it is!"

She paused by a tree, produced her pack from behind it, and slung it over her shoulder. The man and Kelvic found themselves again about to part ways. This time, it was not only Vanator that hesitated, and they lingered for a few ticks, the reluctance to separate now obvious to both of them. It seemed there was something between them sparking, and they were both unwilling to walk away from it just yet. Reven was the one to break the ice. Vanator's grin widened when the Kelvic asked to return home with him. "That would be no problem at all," he chimed, "It would be a pleasure to show you our home and work on bows with you. It's the least I can do since I kind of shot you!"

Again, Vanator's hand reached for her unharmed shoulder to guide Reven in the direction of Sanctuary, a gesture he seemed compelled to make, enjoying the proximity to the Kelvic, and the feel of her lean, strong shoulder beneath his hand. It did not linger, and soon they were heading for the Sanctuary.

"Alright, your turn Reven, what is your story? You mention the shops in Riverfall, do you sell your kills in town? How long have you lived around here?"

[Reven Heath]

"Wow... To think I came so close..." Her voice was softly and full of regret for her actions as the realization struck her of how important his existence was. It was shocking because the Kelvic never put much thought into the consequences of killing. She had never committed the crime of ending a life but Reven was fully prepared to if ever pushed to that point. "Heheh, I suppose those are all acceptable places if you're looking to waste the day away. Not saying that you do, of course. I wish I had the time to explore the city more than what I have, or even go to the beach. I don't go there much... but someone has to earn the coin and unfortunately, there's no one to help me do that. But it's okay. The time I spend out here is pleasant enough."

She couldn't help but chuckle at the Drykas exclamation of scars. Even her body had its fair share of marring marks hunting on the outskirts of the wilderness. "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours?" Reven challenged playfully, lifting her arm from the cloak, revealing near the top of her shoulder four distinct claw marks that angled over her shoulder and across her back. Taking good care to wash the wound at the time and let it heal properly, the scar did not stand out against her flesh as much as one would think. Tucking her arm back into the cloak, she waited to see if Vanator would really follow through with her request. Reven didn't expect him to with the weather being as cold as it was, but if he complied, she would be somewhat surprised.

Her heart skipped a beat as silence stretched out between the two once she located her items. Reven watched him for several ticks, wondering what he could be thinking or if he felt the same rumblings of gloom over the fact that they would have to part. Even that in itself made her curious of him, who he really was, what his story was, and why she felt such a sudden attachment to him. Reven wanted to ask him outright but didn't, or couldn't... The Kelvic didn't know what to say and by Gods, she would not walk blatantly into the embarrassing situation that could ensue from it. Finding comfort in his answer to her request for training, however, sparked an undeniable happiness that made Reven oddly... giddy?

"My story? Well I don't have much of one... I've lived in Riverfall almost all my life with my caretaker. She's not family but I consider her my mother, I suppose... Um, well, other than Mutaldi, I don't have anyone else. I never knew my parents, so..." Clearing her throat abruptly, she moved on. "I try to sell things, hahah. You would think the adventure is in obtaining the item but that's far from the truth. Most of the time I have my lucky days when someone wants to buy the meat I've caught or the pelts I've skinned, over all it's mostly hit or miss. I'm certainly no expert when it comes to catching animals and it tends to get... Well frankly, it gets really bloody. That's why I try to return home late at night. You have no idea how many people have fainted because of the mess I've made with my catches, hahahah." It was nice to converse with someone other than Mutaldi. Reven really liked Vanator...

As they made their journey back, the two talked away, exchanging laughs, lighthearted jokes, and pleasant experiences. While they walked, Reven noted several time her arm brushing past his or her body bumping into his frame. Even though she had apologize for the accidental caresses, the Kelvic didn't feel sorry for any one of them. "Is it stressful being an Ankal? I'm sure your wife supports you well since I assume that title can be a burden." Came her subtle inquiry. The Lioness pondered a moment if she had stepped across the line with her remark and studied his expression closely in case she needed to apologize.

Before long, the two were standing in front of the horse gates. Reven recalled these gates from the last time she visited with Kavala, however, wasn't too certain where to go after they entered the Sanctuary grounds. The Kelvic followed Vanator closely, not wanting to find herself lost in the facility since it was still so new to her. "It still amazes me you all live here." Reven commented, looking around. "Heheh, and here I thought having my own little back yard garden was great. Have you lived here all your life? I'm completely envious if you have, this is a wonderful place to call home!" The young woman was still peering around, seemingly naive and held an innocent wonder in the light of her eyes.

[Vanator]

Vanator flashed a wide-eyed grin when she made her proposition regarding a mutual display of scars. The girl promptly shirked the cloak from her shoulder and pulled aside the tunic to reveal an neat set of claw scars that raked across her skin and down over her back. "Impressive battle scars. You know, every scar is proof of victory over whatever tried to kill you, they should be seen as trophies. I think they are beautiful, Reven." Vanator rolled up the sleeve of his shirt, showing a series of scars, not clean like the Kelvics, marred tough tissue left by the maw of a night lion. He then thumped the hardened leather cuirass that encased his torso. "There are more under here, I will have to show them to you later."

The walk to Sanctuary proved long enough for a good conversation. Vanator noted Reven's frequent brushes against him, the Kelvic walking close to his side. He didn't mind, enjoyed it even. As they conversed, and she told her own story, Vanator noted specific points. She didn't know her parents, a subject she hastily moved away from. It was a matter that troubled her.

As Van gave her his attention, the Drykas realized how readily he was attracted to the girl. It was a bit odd, she was very young, though that didn't seem to matter. Vanator was certainly prone to experience attraction to women, but this Kelvic, well, there was something about her. He would watch carefully his own feelings towards the stranger. His heart had just been broken and he was vulnerable. It was not wise to open himself so soon.

As if on cue, Reven mentioned his wife, or she assume he was married. If the Kelvic felt her question was too personal, Vanator didn't. "Oh, I am not married, anymore." His tone took a subtle sober flavor. "I mean, I have been married before. My wives died in the Djed Storm, " he sighed, "I was engaged to be married again, in fact, today was to be our wedding day. But things...just didn't work out." Now it was time for Vanator to skirt a subject. "But being an Ankal, well, it can be stressful, but it is what my father raised me to be. I love my family, and I take care of them."

Upon arrival at the Sanctuary, Vanator lead her through the gates and around the compound, pointing out the purpose of each building, and those intended for the cleared spaces. The air was filled with sounds, dogs barking, horses whinnying, raptors screeching. He was proud of the Sanctuary, and what Kavala had worked so hard to build.

"It is pretty amazing. But I have only lived here for about a year and a half." A smile flickered at the corners of his mouth, amused at the Kelvic's apparent wonder at the facility. Reven was refreshing, at once both a fierce predator, and a youthful, curious woman. The sensation continued, the one that didn't mind her frequent contact with him, the one that urged him to get closer to her. But His head prevailed over his heart, for the moment. There was still a strange aspect to the attraction, one that had Vanator had yet to discern.

He lead Reven past the pool and into the clinic. Gesturing towards one of the exam rooms, he offered with a grin, "You can change out of my old shirt in there if you like, and we can get something to eat, if you are hungry."

[Reven Heath]

"Oh..."

It was the only thing Reven thought to say as it appeared Vanator didn't want to speak about the subject any longer. Who could blame him after what he'd been through. She pondered on his words and if that was the real reason he had been out in the forest alone today. Hazel eyes held his face for a moment longer before turning away. He tried his best but she would still see the deep seated sadness behind his eyes...

Was he okay..?

"Well, who needs it? Heh, marriage..." Reven tried to brush off the tense atmosphere with a simple jest but both of them knew the importance of such a thing and understood it was not so easily brushed aside. Following him, she cringed at the noise of the place as the Ankal gave her a tour. It was a lot louder than what she remembered it to be. Stopping outside of a very familiar clinic area, Reven nodded before making her way to the room to change. Vanator was polite and, in a way, his modesty was humorous. He knew what she was and realized Reven didn't care if he glanced upon her body. It was a natural form of nature, being naked. Even so, she complied and was out of the room within minutes, handing his cloak and tunic back to him.

She was wearing her usual garb. Old, worn boots, stained brown pants, a tunic that hung off her shoulders in the same manner and had tears in it as well as a jacket that mimicked those tears in some areas. Reven's outfit looked worn and in need of needle and thread but it never bothered her. The Kelvic was so use to growing out of her clothes in a few weeks that she never thought to buy new clothes now that she was an adult. No matter, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and held onto her bow.

Food? Oh... The thought of it made her mouth water. Reven had been trying to lay off of eating raw meat ever since the discovery of the worm infestation she had. Due to this, she didn't eat often since she was too busy hunting for her job. "I..." She began, however, paused to contemplate his offer. "Well, I'm fine actually. I don't want to take advantage of your hospitality. This is enough for me." Reven was trying to hide the look of disappointment as she held up her bow. "Would you like me to demonstrate how scary I really am?" Her lips curved up into a warm smile. "You've seen the cat's claws, now you'll see the woman's arrows. Come, let's go." Her dismissal of food was quite obvious but she would have none of it. Maybe if she was starving later...

Reven started her way forward. The tour of the facility had been helpful but she didn't know where they had the targets set up and was most likely walking in the wrong direction. Flirting was an entirely new thing for her and when it came to romance, all she had on the subject was the books she read from. It was sad, really. To think she was a female Kelvic in a city full of men and she didn't know how to entice a single one. Reven was innocent enough, but had the intention of practicing with not just her hands on the bow. The anticipation of his skin brushing her's as he showed her how to aim and fire the bow properly was enough to cause the Kelvic to stop mid step and hide her face in her hand.

She would have none of that..!

Inwardly groaning, she sighed. Why was he so distracting? Reven took the emotions and buried them deep, just like she had done in the past. Every time she caught a glimpse of his eyes, however, those feels surfaced again and she couldn't help wallow in them.

[Vanator]

The Kelvic returned from the room, clad now in her own garments. They were nearly threadbare. He was sure they were comfortable, but not particularly fitting to ward off cold, nor would they last more than a few more seasons. Perhaps he could help her with some new clothes. As for Reven, she seemed perfectly content with her garb, and grabbing her gear, declared her desire to skip a meal and get to the archery. The astute Drykas did not miss the twinge of hunger that passed across her youthful face. She would be getting a good meal before she left the Sanctuary, one way or another, Van would see to that. The Drykas set his gear down on an exam table, took up the bow and quiver and turned towards his guest.

"Very well, then, lets see if your bow can live up to the bravado of its owner." His own broad smile flashed, and Vanator lead her out the other side of the clinic into the courtyard and arena. Aweston was exercising one of the Denusk stallions, a magnificent big beast bred to carry an Akalak warrior. The groomer glanced at the Armsmaster with little more than a curious smile before returning to the horse. The steed faltered a bit, skittered. He smelled the predator on Reven, the animal more in tune to the woman's true nature than any of the people around them could see.

Van took Reven gently by the elbow and steered her across the open space towards the horse gates. There seemed to be a palpable hum in his being that rose and fell with the proximity of the Kelvic girl. Touching her spiked the sensation, which urged him to continue the contact. Van released her, alarmed at his feelings, so strong towards the stranger.

Against the wall to the right of the gate stood a round archer target on a stand. It seemed well used, peppered with arrow holes. "Here we are. Now, ladies first, show me what you got, cougar girl!" His gaze met Reven's hazel eyes, refreshing and wild. The man had to tear himself away. He gestured towards the target and took a step back.

[Reven Heath]

Laughing softly, Reven shook her head. Oh, how she wanted to show him up, but knowing her skill and lack of aim, she would probably miss the target several times before actually hitting it. Oddly enough, she was starting to feel nervous about displaying her abilities. The cougar wanted to impression him and the thought of looking like the beginner she was brought on a storm of insecurity. Reven furrowed her brow, trying to figure out her sudden discomfort when a calloused hand gently attached to her elbow, guiding her forward with ease. The touch slapped a smile on her features Reven was having a hard time wiping off. Vanator was close to her, so close she could feel his body heat even as winter’s air pushed it away.

‘Oh Reven… Stop.’ She sighed inwardly and was partially grateful when he removed his hand from her.

They’d stopped a good distance away from a target that appeared fairly used. Reven watched him, amusement playing in her eyes as he gestured, nearly flourishing with his words, toward the target. “How polite of you,” Reven voiced, pulling forth her quiver of arrows. “Cougar girl? Hah! You misunderstand Sir, I am a woman.”

Biting her lower lip, she pulled out a single arrow and took her stance, nocking it to the string before lifting the bow up and taking aim. There was a moment of silence as she held the bow tightly, adjusting the tip of the arrow to hover just below the target, to the right. Releasing a small breath, Reven let go of the arrow and watched as the string launched it forward to the target. Hearing the loud thud from the target as the arrow made impact, the Kelvic cursed under her breath when her arrow just barely hit the target. Turning to Vanator, Reven gave him a coy smile, shrugging. “You caught me, I suppose I’m not so great.”

Pushing her hand into her hair, Reven offered the Drykas her bow, curious to see how well he shoots. “And what about you? I believe it’s your turn, Vanator.” Stepping up to him, she handed him the bow and an arrow, enjoying the time they were sharing. “Isn’t it polite of a man to allow a woman to win against him every now and then?” Taking a step back, Reven gestured to the target in the same manner he had, observing his movements closely.

[Vanator]

The more time Vanator spent with Reven, the less of the cougar he saw, and more of the girl. Well, she corrected him...woman. To the older Drykas, the Kelvic seemed barely that, equal to a human in her late teens. But as she grew more comfortable around him, the more of a woman she seemed to be. It helped ease his anxiety about the feelings that continued to stir for Reven.

The Kelvic took up her bow, and with little fanfare, or preparation, she raised the weapon and loosed her arrow. The missile hit the target, but not to Reven's satisfaction, to which the muttered swear that slipped from her lips attested. The young woman recovered quickly, offering Van a humble smile and a playful confession. Then Reven offered him her bow and an invitation to shoot. He had brought his composite bow, but if this was to become a competition, as Van sensed it was, it would seem fair to use the same tools.

With a smile Vanator took the short bow, grinning at Reven's quipped comment. "We will see, my friend." Taking the arrow, Van nocked it and raised the bow, drawing back the string. The bow creacked as it bent under his strength. Relaxing his shoulders, Vanator made sure his left arm was slightly bent, and that he did not grip the bow too hard. Holding it too tight could twist it and throw off his aim, he had discovered. Then the Drykas waited to sense the breeze. Sanctuary sat on a cliff overlooking the Suvan Sea, and there was always a wind carried in from the ocean. Making some rough adjustments, he really was not good at gauging the wind, Van held his breath. Once satisfied, he let his fingers slip from the string, and the arrow streaked towards the target, where it impacted between the bullseye and Reven's arrow, though closer to her mark than the center.

"Hmmph." Van sounded, neither impressed nor disappointed with his shot. "I really do need to work on this." He added with an almost distracted stare at the target. It was critical, he thought, as the Armsmaster of Sanctuary and Ankal of the Denusks to be able to defend them. With his axes, he was certainly adept. But from the walls of the fortress, he would need accuracy with the bow. History had already proven that.

"I am sure you just needed warmed up, Reven," Vanator offered with a smile, handing her bow over. "But might I suggest that you don't lower the bow until the arrow hits its mark. Sometimes that helps."