Knocking the Arrow

[Red Daghul]

Timestamp: 2nd day of winter 518 av

The air was cold and damp, and the sound of water droplets crashed against the rock of the reach. Red held his breath as his body was posed to the side and his right hand was extended while his left gripped the string in his first knuckles, his breath steady as his eyes locked on the target on the other side of the room in his and Daghul's home. Daghul relaxed watching him take his time.

"anytime" the Eagle sent through their bond as Red took one last breath and let the arrow fly through the air. With a thunk the arrow came to rest just out side the second ring to the left, and Red shook his head and looked up to the roof.

"you know that doesn't help, right" it was phrased like a question, but was clearly a frustrated bit of sarcasm, though the Endal was sure that Daghul would pick up on that.

"I know, but you will have to get better with distractions anyways" Red glared at the giant bird who cocked his head and stared at him.

The Inarta didn't respond other than to pull another arrow from his quiver and set it to the knocking point and let his body shift back into position letting his body relax as he took aim again. A feeling from Daghul moved through his body as he felt his mind ease as the Eagle sent encouragement. Aiming just above the bulleye, and just to the left of his target he took a breath and let it out as the string slipped from his fingers and the arrow took flight through the air. A thunk echoed through the room as a answer.

The second arrow had come much closer then the first, but still left room to be desired as it stuck between where he was aiming and the last arrow. Red could feel Daghul wanting to say something, but in frustration Red didn't give him the chance. The Endal knocked another arrow and let it fly, then repeated three more times not even aiming other then to make sure the target was getting his anger. They had spent a day and a half stuck out of the sky because of the weather, and Red knew he needed to take the time to work on some skills that he had meant to work on, but after hours of missing his anger at himself was growing.

"you hit the middle twice that time" Daghul said amused as he stared at the target, and Red slowly expecting it a joke looked towards the target to find that two of his arrows had hit his intended target.

"great I can hit the bulleyes after missing for hours and getting frustrated..." he sighed "and thats two out of four chances that they will hit" the Endal found a place to sit as he grabbed a towel and whipped the sweat off his forehead. "I have to get better at this..." Daghul let out a screech and sent his encouragement. Standing up and stretching Red took a second to calm himself before picking up his bow once again knowing the only way he would get better is practice.

[Red Daghul]

Moving back to his make shift archery field the Endal inspected his bow string as he brought himself to a place of calm. Most people who knew him understood how large his fuse was, but at the same time they didn't see him get frustrated with himself. In most things Red was harder on himself, and with that brought the annoyance at how rusty and bad he had let his archery skills go. Stepping back up to his firing line he felt the cold stone under his bare feet, let himself feel the cold chill in the air flow over his shirtless body. The black ink hawk on his back seemed to flap it's wings as the Inarta rolled his shoulders back loosing them before moving into his stance.

Red's eye narrowed on his target and his focus became solid, hard like steel, his breathing slowed down. He began to think through his last shots going over it and comparing it to his training. Step by step he moved his body through the motions with out a arrow letting his body remember each step. Letting his mind retrace his memories pondering where he may be overstepping apart of the process. Remembering his past experiences with meditation he found himself slipping into some of that practice slowing his breathing and focusing on the task at hand. His mind slowed, his heart slowed, he reached for a arrow.

Listening to the rain beat across the rocks, feeling the wind gently sliding into their home, letting his feet feel grounded he slide them into position. Turning his body he knocked the arrow and drew it back keeping his breathing easy. The feeling of Daghul watching burning his back he even felt the bird focus his mind on the task most likely feeling the results of meditating soak through their bond. Releasing one last breath he let his fingers go straight and let the arrow fly through the air striking the target.

Almost not wanting to look at his work he peered down as the arrow sang it's tune, and watched as it struck home in the middle next to the other two arrows. Leaning his head over he got a grin on his face at first feeling thrilled with his shot, and as he walked down to the target to retrieve his arrows he found himself trying to figure out what he had done different. What action had he taken that changed the result so. Pulling the arrows out of the hay target he moved back to his seat for a moment and asked out loud.

"Well brother you have been quiet after that last shot" he gave a glace to the eagle who was cleaning his nest "surely you have a answer for me" it wasn't rudely said, but it was a bit of a jab at his friend.

"maybe you just try to hard" it was simple and sweet, straight to the point and frustratingly simple.

Red didn't quite shoot up, but he did sit up faster then normal "so you think I am just thinking I am just putting to much into what I should just be able to do".

The Eagle just gave him a look and sent the feeling of a shrug "I wasn't given step by step instructions to fly, one day I was pushed out the nest and had to feel it more then be taught it" there was a sense of amusement from the red feather "and you have been taught enough to know how to shoot, maybe you just are spending to much time trying to go through each step and just need to relax and let instinct take over".

Red sat feeling the cool breeze over his sweating body. maybe Daghul had a point, it would seem when he was less worried about making sure he had each step perfected, and more time calming himself so his instincts had more control it seemed to work better. Still the Endal felt there was a balance between the two that if he could find he would master this skill in no time. Deciding that he should give it a few more tries before taking a break Red stepped back to his line. His body finding a comfort and pain in the exercise.

[Red Daghul]

The sound of arrows zipping through the air and crashing into the target was all the would be heard for the next few minutes as the Endal tried to stop worrying some much about his aim and letting his instincts take over. The burn in his arm, and the frustration that it wasn't coming to him as easily as he wanted it to, seemed to swirl in his mind. Inarta were known for their ability with a bow, he had to master this skill. The last few minutes were mainly just to get his frustration out and he gave little thought to aim. It wasn't the worst, but he knew he could do better.

Walking back to the target to get his arrows he returned to his mark and decided to try and focus on his shot a bit to see if he could find a way to get better at this range at least. Setting the arrow across his bow he held the knocking point feeling the string between his fingers, the wood of the bow in his other hand moved his body into position. Letting the lite wind flow past him, acknowledging the cold bite to it, listening to the rain beat against the rocks. Breathing deep and using some of his meditation technics he closed his eyes for a moment quieting his mind.


Opening his eyes he followed drew back the string feeling the preasure it put on his fingers and body pulling it back to his cheek as his eyes drew a line from arrow to target. Taking in a breath he moved the bow just slightly taking in the air and the small misaligning due to using both eyes. then with one last check he released his breath and the string as he heard teh snap and the whoosh of the arrow flying through the air. WIth out another thought he drew a second arrow and let it follow after aimming for less then a second. A third, forth and fith followed.

Red watched as three arrows hit the bullseye, while two sat just off to the left and a smile grew on his face as he felt that he had made some progress today. Looking back towards Daghul he gave him a look that said "thoughts?" which Red got a screech of approval as a response. Red moved to start collecting his arrows to try again when he felt Daghul sent a warning that foots steps were coming, and before Red knew it a Chiet man was standing at his door.

"Endal Red, you are being requested to join the flights flying out to help return people from the bay" Red looked at Daghul with a excited smile and sent his enthusiastic heart on the flight though the stormy sky. Daghul let out a screech as Red grabbed his gear leaping up to Daghul as the two leapt into action letting the storm weather hit them with a challege before they took to the air.

[Solstice]

Red Daghul

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