Spring 13th, 516 AV
Antinuous Training Grounds
Early Morning
Collin was rested, his stomach full, and the morning was beautiful. It was going to be a crisp day with few clouds, and even at the top of the castle there was little wind. He was one of the first up at the training grounds this morning, wanting to get a head start on the day. He hadn't been able to do much after his last archery session just a few days hence. The Squire's fingers had been stripped raw by the string of his bow and were so stiff he could hardly wield a blade.
After he'd iced them a few days and worked them back into function, he was ready to make up for lost time. New callouses were starting to form on his thumb where the flesh had been rubbed away, though they were still small in their infancy. He couldn't keep using the excuse of a sore hand to stop practicing any longer. Collin simply wasn't that sort.
He was back at the range again, alone this time which wasn't altogether unwelcome. He would be able to shoot at his own pace, and he was glad for the lack of competitive pressure today. Collin had requisitioned a new tool to practice with as well; a finger tab, which was just a small piece of leather he could hook over his thumb to protect it, since he was switching from a three-finger draw technique to the single digit.
His arrows rattled quietly on his back as he took up his position, mindful that his feet were shoulder width apart. Collin adjusted his fingers on the body of the bow as he drew an arrow and nocked it. As the Squire pulled the string back with his thumb--grateful that the finger tab did an efficient job of protecting his still tender skin--he pushed the body of the weapon with his other palm, cradling it carefully as he was shown the other day. It was such a different technique than he'd been taught initially that the whole process took an embarrassing amount of time compared to what it should.
Instead of a quick "draw, mark, release" it was more of a "don't forget this, draw, remember that, mark, don't fuck up, wait, little more to the right, release". Collin's back and shoulders flexed against the strength of his bow and his wrist protested, still more sore than he first thought. He was already committed though, and as the arrow's point leveled at his intended target, he released the string with his thumb.
Antinuous Training Grounds
Early Morning
Note :
Collin was rested, his stomach full, and the morning was beautiful. It was going to be a crisp day with few clouds, and even at the top of the castle there was little wind. He was one of the first up at the training grounds this morning, wanting to get a head start on the day. He hadn't been able to do much after his last archery session just a few days hence. The Squire's fingers had been stripped raw by the string of his bow and were so stiff he could hardly wield a blade.
After he'd iced them a few days and worked them back into function, he was ready to make up for lost time. New callouses were starting to form on his thumb where the flesh had been rubbed away, though they were still small in their infancy. He couldn't keep using the excuse of a sore hand to stop practicing any longer. Collin simply wasn't that sort.
He was back at the range again, alone this time which wasn't altogether unwelcome. He would be able to shoot at his own pace, and he was glad for the lack of competitive pressure today. Collin had requisitioned a new tool to practice with as well; a finger tab, which was just a small piece of leather he could hook over his thumb to protect it, since he was switching from a three-finger draw technique to the single digit.
His arrows rattled quietly on his back as he took up his position, mindful that his feet were shoulder width apart. Collin adjusted his fingers on the body of the bow as he drew an arrow and nocked it. As the Squire pulled the string back with his thumb--grateful that the finger tab did an efficient job of protecting his still tender skin--he pushed the body of the weapon with his other palm, cradling it carefully as he was shown the other day. It was such a different technique than he'd been taught initially that the whole process took an embarrassing amount of time compared to what it should.
Instead of a quick "draw, mark, release" it was more of a "don't forget this, draw, remember that, mark, don't fuck up, wait, little more to the right, release". Collin's back and shoulders flexed against the strength of his bow and his wrist protested, still more sore than he first thought. He was already committed though, and as the arrow's point leveled at his intended target, he released the string with his thumb.
