Mesu was surprised to find a village along their path around the mountain. The feeling quickly changed as she and her traveling partner were thankful for the rest and a warm bed. A couple of days of camping out took a toll on her, along with a cut on her shoulder. Mesu was even more excited to purchase a bow and some arrows. They picked up supplies and tools to break down rocks to create new tips if needed.
“I don’t think you’ve hit a single target since you started.” Anna sat against a tree, writing in one of the books. Her focus did not leave the page as she criticized Mesu.
“What happened with the beast can’t happen again. If I can get good with this, then we can better defend ourselves.”
“I have a feeling that the arrows would have just bounced off its armor.” Mesu could hear the smile in Anna’s voice as she spoke.
“Not when I hit it right in the eye.” Mesu let loose another arrow that sailed wide of the tree she was aiming at. Anna let out a laugh. Mesu stomped her foot in the grass, then walked over to the arrows that lay scattered on the ground. She counted as she picked them up. Another one was lost. She rubbed at her forehead with irritation.
“Maybe by the time we reach Eberdeen you’ll be able to hit a rabbit? Then we will know we can survive long trips between stops or if we miss a town somehow.” Mesu was already walking back to her line and notched another arrow. Her fingers were sore from the repetitive action. It had been unnatural for her.
“I need to hit something not moving first,” Mesu said.
“The stories I can think of, only a couple note Enya using a bow. Typically, it is a dagger, sword, or sometimes a sling. Maybe you should stick with that.”
Mesu let another arrow fly at the tree. It grazed off the side of the trunk. She thought back to the stories she had been told and couldn’t think of any that involved bows. The majority of the stories included less warfare and more subtlety. Enya was more of a treasure hunter than a beast slayer. She did get blood on her hands every once in a while.
“Mesu, give it a rest for a little while. You won’t get better overnight. Keep practicing when we stop. I‘m sure you’ll get it.” Mesu wanted to scoff at this, but thought better of it. Anna meant well with her words, but it didn’t always seem to be that way.
“Why don’t you give it a shot?” Mesu put her hands out with the bow and an arrow in them. Anna looked back up and shook her head.
“No, I don’t think I will be any good with that.”
“Anna, just try. You don’t know until you do it. I promise not to laugh too loud when you miss.” Mesu already let out a chuckle at this. Anna scrunched up her face.
“I’ll stick with what I know, thank you very much.”
“How about a wager then? If you can hit the tree, even graze it with one of three shots, I’ll set up and break down camp next time.” Mesu tried to make it a sweet deal for Anna, hoping for some entertainment.
“And what if I lose?”
“Then I’ll continue to do what we are doing. No drawbacks to this. Honestly, I don’t think you will be able to get it even close.”
Anna huffed and closed her book. She got up and stomped over to Mesu. Anna held out her hands.
“Give me this stupid thing. How am I supposed to hold it?”
Mesu handed them over and stepped behind Anna. Mesu took hold of her hands as she showed Anna the basics that the seller had shown her. Once Anna was comfortable, Mesu backed away and crossed her arms. The smile was stuck on her face as she waited for the results of this test. Anna took her time and measured up the target. She loosed the arrow on an exhale.
The arrow hit and stuck in the tree with a satisfying smack. Anna stood there for a moment and nodded.
“Can you stop now, and we can get ready to leave?”
“How did you even?” Mesu refused the bow and extra arrows from Anna. “No, I want to see that again. It has to be luck.”
“Really?” Anna smiled after seeing the disbelief on Mesu’s face and notched another arrow. The shot came faster than the last one did and hit the tree again. Anna finally pushed the bow and arrows into Mesu’s chest.
“Have you done that before?” Mesu’s voice was laced with confusion.
“Not that exactly, but it felt comfortable. I used a slingshot before with rocks.” Anna walked back to her spot and put the book back in her bag. Mesu regained her composure. She tossed the weapons near her stuff and walked to the tree. She tugged at the arrow, and it came out easily. The next one did the same, except for the tip breaking off in the trunk.
“You know, we might need you to do that again sometime.” Mesu sat down and took a bite of dried meat that was left for her. She felt the rough patches on her fingers. Her fingertips felt raw to the touch..
“We’ll see. If that’s your way of asking me to carry that thing around, maybe. I guess I could carry something for safety.” Mesu shook her head at Anna. The wager was good, and Anna did win fair and square. She took another bite and stared into the fire. Anna finished packing up her supplies, and they walked back towards town.