With the stationary shooting practice out of the way, Ser Bastian had something else in mind for her. Something more challenging than what she had done so far this day. Enough of the stationary targets. It was time for something more exciting, less boring and with more of a kick to it, than shooting apples and targets. His new plan involved a hunting expedition in the Bronze Woods, situated in the Cobalt Mountain range, not too far away from the main city. So he then proceeded to make his plan known to Claudia. "Eh, that's enough of that boring targets stuff now, let's go on for something more interesting. What I've got in mind is a hunting trip in the Bronze Woods." She perked up at the mention of hunting and the Bronze Woods. She was no stranger to hunting or the Bronze Woods, and was quite fond of both.
The woods were a beautiful mystical place, filled with many varieties of both flora and fauna. Now that it was spring, the forests would be lively and filled with chatter of insects and animals once again, replacing the eerie quietness that took over the woods during the winter period. The plethora of varied fruit and vegetable-bearing flora, among the diverse colours of flowers would start to bloom once, adding some colour to the beautiful forests.
Claudia prepared her equipment along with her patron. Together they would make their way to the Woods, and they should be spared from any attacks from bandits or any other form of brigands. Both of them fully armed, and Ser Bastian was a skilfully trained and very competent Sergeant Knight. No bandit worth their salt would even attempt taking a fully armed knight together with his squire. Only the foolish sort would even think about attempting such a futile endeavour. With that said, the pair managed to have a rather safe journey to the woods, free from any encounter of any sort, though she certainly knew and felt eyes gazing on them as they walked on the path leading to the forests.
Whatever that was keeping its eye on them did not approach, and that was to its credit. As they began to arrive at the beginning edge of the woods, Ser Bastian briefly stopped before saying "All right, here we are. Your task is this, hunting a rabbit. Just one. I'm sure you can manage just one. Using just your bow and arrows, of course. This is still all about archery after all. Off you go now, I'll be keeping any eye on you."
Claudia simply nodded, not uttering a word, as she began to move out, looking out for any signs of rabbits in the woods. She knew the reason why he had gave her the task of hunting a rabbit. Hunting rabbits wasn't easy unless you had the know-how and the proper equipment and techniques as they lived in underground barrows. Her only hope was to come across one on the ground. She began to take a step lightly into the forests, swivelling her head around, as she scanned the surroundings flora.
Now that the green had returned to the woods, the environment was a much better scene to look at; compared to the bleak white landscape she was treated to when she came here in the winter. She grabbed her longbow from her back, holding it firmly. She treaded slowly on the forest undergrowth, keeping her eyes peeled as she moved further into the forest. Chimes later, still nothing. A bell later, still no rabbits. This was starting to look bleak for her. It looks like she would be failing this challenge.
Claudia lifted a finger into the air, moistened with water, checking for the direction of the wind. Animals of prey tended to be spooked when they sniffed a foreign smell in the air. She tried her best to apply whatever hunting knowledge she knew to finding this rabbit, but it was proving more and more difficult than she initially thought. After all, it was just a rabbit, how difficult could it be? That was what she thought. How wrong she was. In reality though, it was a different thing altogether.
She was feeling the foolishness of her stupidity right now. She felt so helpless, and was pretty certain she would fail the challenge. She was already exhausted by the shooting practice earlier in the day, and her arms and shoulders ached. She collapsed into the ground in a heap. Bells after bells have gone by, and she was no closer to finding the blasted rabbit than when she first started.
She had so many false calls by now, she was losing hope and morale by the chime. But she didn't want to disappoint Ser Bastian either. She had no to do this. Galvanising herself as she picked herself up from the floor, her attention was immediately drawn to a small rustle that appeared to be coming from the low-lying bushes up ahead. Getting down to a crouch, she couldn't believe her luck as her eyes laid upon a rabbit. At long last, a rabbit.
She visibly brightened as she made herself focus. She couldn't afford to screw this up. This was her one and only chance. If she lost this, she would never be able to find it again and would fail. As quickly as she could, she drew an arrow from her quiver, nocking it, struggling to keep it as quiet as she could.
Drawing back her bow, she took careful aim and kept in mind the steps she took earlier in the day, repeating the mantra in her head. She inhaled, lined up her shot, and let loose. The arrow shot towards the rabbit,but just as she thought she had it, the arrow embedded itself in the ground next to it. The animal was spooked and had began to hop away, fleeing for its dear life.
She got on a run, dashing through the woods after it and fortunately, her long legs were more than a match for the rabbit short ones, and she got within distance of the rabbit, as it ran into a clearing in the forests. With nothing but just the grass to obstruct her this time, she took another aim once more. She absolutely had to make it this time. She repeated the steps over in her head, as she drew,nocked, and fired. The arrow shot towards the rabbit, this time striking it down.
She let out a excited yelp as she scampered to retrieve her prize. She had done it. She sank to the ground in relief. She had done it. "Petch Yeah! Challenge Completed" she muttered with a smile.
Grabbing the rabbit by the scruff of its neck, she left the arrow in it as a proof to her patron, that she did indeed killed it with her bow. She then turned around as she made her back her patron. He would not be far away, she was certain. She was right, as a short distance her; he slid out from behind one of the trees. A beaming smile was on his face as he commented on her prize. "I knew you could do it, you have plenty of potential waiting to be unlocked in you."
