Training Class Two: Marksmanship

[Naithenir Devtherion]

You now are finally given the opportunity to learn how to use the bow! All of the basic archery skills are learnt here.

[Kelandra Trestionn]

Short bow grasped firmly in hand, she moved forward. A man had seen it all, her hard running around the track, her apparent 'speed'. She scoffed at that word, mentally of course, but she was not the fastest, nor could she run the farthest. She shook it off though. She passed. She moved on to the next level. Grinning, she walked onto the parapet, maybe half a mile from the rectruitment tower. It was quiet, other worldly so. Calm. It was a simple archery range. Continuing forward, she eyed the targets. Set approxiametly 40 yards away, some closer, some a tad farther.

She grabbed the bark quiver off her back, stopping at a target, maybe 35 yards off. Deciding this was fairly average, if not below average, she set her bow down on the ground, and deposited the arrows from the quiver, sticking their iron heads into the soft earthen ground. Decidedly ready she drew up the arrow slinger into her hand, marveling at the beautiful craftsmanship for a few intense moments. The grain of the wood was perfect, and the grip, soft, and the perfect size for any type of hand. Plucking an arrow from the ground, she loaded the short bow, pulling the newly waxed string back with her middle, and index fingers. Eyes scrunched, she analysed the distance, and angle of the target, fixed her posture, and let loose the arrow.

The arrow jumped forward, if one could see in slow motion, it quivered wildly. Burying itself moments later into the straw target, red and azure circles painted on, Kel grinned wildly. It struck not on the center, but just outside, a fairly good shot. Another arrow was plucked from the ground, string drawn, as she tried, almost failing, at rapidly firing the last bunch of arrows she had left. A few scant minutes later, all arrows firmly stuck in the straw bale, she stepped forward, placing her bow on the ground, and sprinted forward to retrieve the arrows. They were haphazardously scattered around the target, and much to her displeasure, only two had found its way into the inner circle. Her mood rose, however, when she noticed all arrows were in the target. "No retrieving them from the bloody forest this time." Kelandra muttered, remembering past attempts.

Pulling the last of the arrows from the bale, she turned swiftly, arrows held between her two gloved hands. Walking casually back, she deposited the arrows on the ground, dropping down beside them. Her arm was fairly tired, though still fresh. She stuck her hand out, grapping the bow once again. "Two more rounds..." Kelandra said quietly under her breath, jumping up. She loaded her bow, firing rapidly the arrows once again. One jumped forward, burying itself into the direct center, she let out a whoop, leaping into the air, and pumped her fist. Grinning, she continued her practice, training, whatever the captains called it.