Merevaika
24th Winter 515
Merevaika gathered her archery equipment, eager to practice hunting and archery that day. Alone, without Eryunt, without Denviel, without the puppies. At times, it was what she needed: something to distract herself from the many lives that relied on her. What better way than go into the Sea of Grass to practice some skills?
Besides, the ground was still infested with rabbits from three days ago, and tracking wouldn't be anything she would have to worry about it. A plentiful catch was more what she was looking for, and what she would get, too, if she worked hard enough for it.
Ywana smiled at her as she left, battering at a practice dummy. It was all she seemed to do - fight, either with people or with objects. Beside her was her son, her only child, the small boy that was the heir to the Ankal. The only son he had, and so he was treasured, trained up to be the bravest one could be. At the moment, he laughed and danced around with a wooden dagger, pretending to be a fierce warrior like his father.
Merevaika patted little Vaikar on his head, before moving onwards, towards the city gates with a confident stride, head held high. Today was a good day - she felt lucky. In fact, if she had some time on her hands, she would even try a little theft to end the day of. Today was a good day for her, full of opportunities. The gods smiled upon her.
There was a woman near the gates, a little bit further, who practiced with a bow. It was a new bow, the string heavy and wood well polished, and it was clear she was struggling with it. She didn't have the muscle or practise to pull the string back all the way and her arrows flew everywhere, some in the ground by her feet, other many paces off.
Perhaps she could try conning, too.
Merevaika strided over, her own bow slung in her hand as if using it was only natural. It was fairly natural, but she wasn't at all skilled at it as much as she wished. The woman before her didn't know that. As if to demonstrate, she took out an arrow, drawing the string back as far as she could while trying to make it all look effortless. If the woman focused on the minor breathing, on the slight frown, on the resistance at the very end, she would notice it wasn't quite that easy. Small things the stranger might have not recognised, however. Then, she let the arrow fly, swooping through the air before thudding a very short distance from on of the woman's own arrows.
Pretending it was her target, she smiled, nodding, "Not far, perhaps a hand distance. Close enough to make any kill." What she spoke was a pure fabrication, for she had no idea if the distance would make a difference of not. Still, the words slipped out after the slightest of hesitations, as she reckoned with herself.
Then, she turned to the blonde haired woman, smiling more. "You look like you're struggling. I'd be happy to give you my advice, though, for a small price of course. Say, two gm?"
"Pavi"
Grassland sign
"Common"
