Mending (SOLO)

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

6th of Summer 511AV Serrif hadn’t seen Ildin since his run in with her…Or what he thought was a run in with her. With the state of mind he was in when he thought he had seen her…well he couldn’t be sure if she was physically present or his mind had conjured up the illusion of her being there for his own amusement. Whatever the case he hadn’t seen her since then. Half on purpose, and half because he had been trying to get more acquainted with Lym. He had been practicing though. Ildin would know this. But she hadn’t come to see him or train him. So he saw no need in seeking her out. She was a busy trainer he was sure she had plenty of things to keep her busy. She seemed as of late to not really ever be present when he was around. In a way this comforted him; but at the same time he felt as if she was here…Maybe she was watching him from afar? That was possible but unlikely. A part of him needed to see her; needed to know that his mind had played a trick on him. And that Ildin wasn’t what his mind had made her to be. He had already confirmed that everything was appearing ok here on the Isle. He believed if he found Ildin he could help himself find peace as well…He needed that right now. He really did. The last time he saw the Ildin he knew it was early. So as he stared off over the calm waters he figured he would wait till just before daybreak to get to the Suvai Pavilion. That way if need be he could have private words with her…if he had indeed seen Ildin that day. If not then he would know for sure that his mind had been playing tricks on him. Lym had convinced him to face his fears and see Ildin. And he knew that only when he saw her would he be able to function again. He hadn’t slept, he hadn’t found peace yet. He had dozed off every now and then; keeping himself on the edge of sleep…but only there. He wouldn’t allow himself to sleep. Not yet. As the sea settled and he saw the first signs of light he nodded. He was a little more hopeful especially after visiting Lym. He knew he had to do this for himself. Or else he would fall apart from the inside. If he didn’t do this he was sure he would perish; that his mind would just fall off that edge of sanity into the abyss. He stood and stretched; knowing that he would have to find Ildin. Every step he took after that put him one bit closer to the Pavilion. His anxiety wasn’t that bad. He did feel a little anxious. But as Lym had told him; ne needed not to stress that which he couldn’t control. He needed not to ponder that which there was no answer for to long. Otherwise the endless running in circles would indeed drive him mad eventually. He just had to let everything be. He had to let everything be otherwise he risked his own mind. The pavilion was within sight now. The sun was still down, casting just barely first light. Every step across the balk sent ripples through the water. Normally he wouldn’t notice them at all but for some reason he stopped and propped himself against the railing to watch. He found it interesting how far the little waves would go. And they always moved in sets as well. The pattern was unmistakable. They would radiate out in a line that fit to the contour of the balk. Then radiate into the lake. He watched them travel, they would slow down about a third of the way through their travel; then gently dissipate. They couldn’t travel too far; no they only had so much energy to spend then they were no longer present on the surface at all. He found it intriguing how they would travel, was he killing time before meeting Ildin? Likely. But he needed to gather himself. But he needed this peace. He had to have it or he knew that everything would indeed fall apart. He nodded and then with relative ease he readied himself to approach the pavilion. But before he could he heard a voice. “There you are. It’s been some time Serrif.” The voice was familiar; and a good sign as well. “Yes Mistress it has.” He responded as he then turned to meet her. His heart hurt in anticipation. What if…No. That had been his mind playing tricks on him. What he had seen wasn’t real. It was a figment of his imagination. It had to be! What else could it have been? Nothing else could explain it. He saw her face and it was…well not what had terrified him. No…it was…as it should be. This should’ve eased his mind and worries. But it only caused more questions to form. Why did his mind play games with him? It was becoming increasingly obvious to him that this place was reality. That here on the Isle with the Konti women was actually reality. But then why did his mind play tricks? Why torture him when all he wanted was peace? Maybe it was his lack of sleep? YES!!! That made perfect sense. He would have to sleep tonight. Maybe then his mind would stop. Maybe once he rested himself he would finally come around. Finally feel normal again. “Are you ready?” She queried as she motioned to a bag at her side. “As always Mistress.” He responded picking up the bag . She smiled and nodded. “Good then, we will have a change of space.” With that she walked across the balk.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

His mind was preoccupied to say the least. The entire walk he was wondering if he had seen Ildin days ago or if his head was playing tricks on him. But why would it pick Ildin? He still couldn’t wrap his head around that. He was nervous but feeling much better now knowing that Ildin wasn’t what his mind made her out to be. His mind spun and he still followed her to wherever she was going. He wasn’t sure, like most times; where she was taking him. But they weren’t going toward the ocean. No they were heading a different direction entirely. Ildin wasn’t sure what was on his mind, but something was bothering him. Something was nagging his mind and distracting him. She couldn’t be sure what but she was curious. “Tell me Serrif what is on your mind?” “Nothing of any real importance Mistress.” He said trying to cover up what was going on in his mind. “Whatever it is you will need to clear your mind of it you will need your focus.” She said as she then made her way into the forest. He entered and looked about. The forest was indeed thick and well he wondered just what they were doing here. There was a small path barely discernable through the trees to the north. It didn’t wind much and well moved gently between trees and such. He wondered just what she had planned today. It was early and she could and likely would run him as hard as she felt needed. A smile crossed her face as she looked out and handed him a bow and quiver of arrows. She did indeed have a task planned. She had spent a good day planning out this course for him. With the idea of combining the two tasks she had been assigning to him for a season now. Out in the trees she had posted targets. All of them visible from the path that now stood before them. But he would have to move down the path and pay close attention as well. For some of them were hidden more than others. She would start him out slow at first. Letting him walk the path with the bow; like a hunter looking for his prey. Only his didn’t move, they were targets instead of creatures. Every one of the targets was carefully placed; some at closer distances and others at farther distances. Needless to say his skills would be stretched some just as she had planned. She motioned. “There are targets along the path. I will not tell you how many. You will move along the path slowly at first and place an arrow on each target as you come across it. At the end there is an orange target indicating the end of the course. Some targets are near, some far. Don’t tread off the path and do not move backwards.” “Yes mistress.” He said really beginning to enjoy the aspect this particular training session brought with it. “Begin.” She said with a smile, ready to see what a season of training and hardening had brought to her new pupil.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

He nodded and with a smile he then quietly centered himself before he walked down the path to do Ildin’s bidding. He wasn’t sure where they would be; only that they would be along the path and visible while walking down it. So he knew if he was aware he would be able to hit every target; as long as he was aware enough. He started down the path, slowly keeping his eyes open. He knew that almost all his other senses would be relatively useless. He couldn’t hear the targets, and there would be no hints there for him. He would have to rely on his eyes to see them. He had no idea what color they would be; but he would know when he saw them. He was pretty sure of that. He had walked about ten feet down the small marked path. A white and red oddity stood out in the greenery, maybe it was a target? He looked to where he thought he saw the target. And well there it was. It stood about twenty feet away from him off to his left elevated about a good ten feet. He stopped and then took his stance. His feet were wide and planted in the ground. He then pulled an arrow from the quiver and knocked it on the bow. He felt and there was no wind between the trees right now. He could also listen and hear the wind rustle the leafs on the trees. There was no sound; hence no wind. He drew the bow up and took aim. The target was only twenty feet away so he was pretty sure he could hit it easily at this distance. He drew back while taking a breath. He held the string back and continued to aim. With a slow breath out he then let loose the arrow to meet the target. The thwack told him that he had indeed hit the target and with a smile he lowered his bow to see just where he had marked. He wasn’t dead center but he was just low and off left. Acceptable for his level of skill at this time. But he was sure this test was more of a litmus test for Ildin. To see how far he had come since they first met. Although he was never really sure of her intensions. Ildin was following right behind her pupil. Observing his every move; she wanted to know how much he had actually learned from her. If there was anything she needed to reinforce with him. She assessed his every move. He stopped, and assessed the shot. Likely trying to feel for a breeze; but there was none present. His stance was nearly perfect; but she wasn’t going to knock him for that just yet. She would see how he took his stance for the other targets; if he saw them. He didn’t rush his aim; which was one thing she was really looking for. She would rush his skills later but for now she wanted to see how he performed under optimal circumstances. And he was doing well. She had taught a handful of students while here. Not many kept coming back for more; especially for the bow and arrow. Many times her would be pupils just stopped showing up. But not Serrif; no he always came back for more. She still hadn’t figured out his drive yet. But whatever it was it was indeed powerful yet hidden to her. But she would find all this out in good time; for now she was assessing her pupils performance. And he was making remarkable strides. After marking that target he continued down the path; swinging his head from left to right slowly as not to miss anything. He knew that there would be more targets here. Ildin wouldn’t just put two targets down…would she? He wasn’t completely sure on that but he knew when he saw the orange target the exercise was over. But really they were never over with Ildin; the training never stopped.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Ildin watched and with a nod approval. He was doing well. He had advanced leaps and bounds since she had met him all those seasons ago. But she had also seen something about him change. He had slowly become more hardened. She had seen his body change before her eyes, he had become well formed. His body had filled out much better than he had before. He had been eating fish likely; which was the best thing he could do for building his muscles. But he had also seen how his mind had fortified as well. He had recovered well from any mental stressors he had on him. He had figured out how to use his mind to curve his mood and mentality. Maybe he had pushed a little too far and started to close himself off from others. She observed and wanted to know what he was doing, watch his skills and see if there was anything else she needed to help him with. He scanned stalking again down the path. Again searching for anything that stood out among the greenery. He searched scanning first close than looking out farther. He again thought he had seen something. It was out, farther than the last target. A good sixty feet out off the path at about chest level. He watched it and well it was a good distance away. He judged again the ebb and flow of the wind; he would have to make adjustments in order to place an arrow on the target. He assessed; there wasn’t any wind. It seemed the trees were sheltering him from the breeze. Here he felt alone…desperately alone. He had given so much of himself out, and gotten nothing back. His mind flashed through what had happened with him. He had disclosed to Blythe, even let her into his past. She had seen what he had been through. Literally seen and felt what had been done to him. He had told her everything that she could ever want to know. He had even told her how he felt about her. He had rushed things with her he believed; or maybe he just couldn’t trust anyone ever again. Then Angelique, he told her he loved her. She swore she would never leave him. And he hadn’t seen her in a good many days now. He looked for her; wanted to know where she was. But he couldn’t find her. She knew where he was. But she hadn’t some looking for him…Maybe she had left him as well. And that’s what he got for saying he loved anyone. He shook his head slightly as he then reached in and took an arrow between his fingers. Ildin picked up on this. It was an oddity. Was he doubting his skills? No; he had no reason to do that. He had been practicing his skills with the bow for seasons now. His skills were sharpened and she knew he knew it. He had confidence; she knew that from his stance. He was standing tall and centered. But then something changed, nothing physically. So it then had to be mental. She watched him perform. What could be on her students mind? Serrif notched the arrow and then centered himself. He flushed emotion from his body. Try as he might he couldn’t shake the disheartening feeling he now had. It seemed to dominate him. He took a few measured breaths and figured that he could deal with the pain in lieu; like he always had. He knocked the bow and then drew the arrow back on the bowstring. He took aim and looked out at the target. It was a good deal away so he would have to aim a little higher to place the arrow on target since it would drop a bit over distance. He had a pretty good idea about how much this would be so he made an assumption about the drop amount. He let it loose and it flew just as he thought. He watched it fly through the air to meet the target. He seemed to wait forever for it to finally make impact with the target. He watched and it hit. It met a little higher than his previous arrow but was still a little off from where he thought it would meet originally. He was distracted.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

Ildin wondered just want was plaguing her student. He seemed distracted for some reason or another. Like something was indeed nagging at his mind. She wouldn’t question him; no she wanted to see if he would press through what he was thinking. If he could push aside the chaos in his mind. She would help him sort it all out if he wanted her to. But otherwise she would leave him be. It was his to sort out. She watched…he had made progress. His willingness to suffer, to be in pain was what made him different. Because in the end he knew that pain was temporary; and it was what really got in the way of people getting what they wanted. And from what she could tell he would never let pain separate him from what he wanted to achieve. She admired this; his willingness to press through the hardest of circumstances. She continued behind him watching him stalk down the path. He seemed to know what he was doing but at the same time he was a little unskilled in stalking. But that wasn’t a horrible thing. Serrif didn’t let his prior target shake him. He continued eyes carefully pried watching, looking again for things that would indicate a target. They could be anywhere, and he knew Ildin was indeed one to test him. Make him think out of the box. Her reasoning was so that he would think out of the box when he needed to. Because he knew that there would indeed be times when he needed to think out of the box in order to survive. In order to thrive you had to think out of the box. He continued, he thought he spotted something that looked like a target. It was a little more camouflaged than the other targets. It seemed that she had covered it with a black cloth and then placed leaves and such on it. It was the same shape as the other targets…So it has to be a target of sorts. He wasn’t going to ask for confirmation from Ildin. He likely wasn’t going to get any. She was odd that way. He set up and felt the tension of the bowstring under his fingers. A familiar feeling he was beginning to be able to gauge. Something he hoped he would be able to differ and achieve interesting results. Although he knew that was a good time away. For now he was happy with applying even pressure and getting the results he was getting. He knocked an arrow and looked out marked his target in his mind. It was a good forty feet away. And sitting at the base of a tree. He nodded internally and then brought his bow up. Pulling back on the string he then adjusted for the drop of the arrow. He then released and watched. The arrow cut through the air and then did eventually hit the target. It wasn’t a perfect center shot. No it was two rings out from the center and still a little high to the far left corner. His shot pattern was indeed coming down more. Meaning he would be fine in a few more targets. But for the varying distances of the targets he thought he was doing pretty well. And indeed he was. Ildin was enjoying seeing that her teaching was doing this man so much good. He was more centered; his mind clearer. His body and mind were slowly melding and becoming one. His skills with the bow reflected this definitely. The skills she taught were becoming ingrained into his muscle memory. Which they should because she had been teaching him for a while now. Varying her methods in order to teach him all kinds of things that she thought he could use. Because shooting at a flat target would and could only do so much. No she wanted to have a well-rounded student. She wanted him to be prepared if he ever had to use his skills for any reason other than shooting simple targets. She knew one day he would likely have to use these skills to save his life or possibly another’s. And she knew that teaching him how to shoot a simple ground target would in no way prepare him for this.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

His feet met the ground one in front of the other. He walked down the path looking for more targets. His eyes darted side to side gently looking. And he didn’t see anything. Was Ildin playing tricks on him? Why would she leave such a large span completely devoid of targets? Did he miss one? All these thoughts ran through his mind as he continued down the path. Every now and then he would hear Ildin behind him. He knew she was there the entire time; just like he suspected she would be. He knew she wanted to watch his progress and measure his movements. She wanted to see how her student was doing. And he noticed improvement himself. He continued looking to see where she had hid these targets. And finally he spotted one…no two. The first one was closer and easily spotted; the orange final target. But then as he was measuring everything out in his mind he saw what appeared to be another target…YES. It was indeed a target. It was a little farther and off to his left…well a good distance farther than the final target that was sitting at the base of a tree on his left. In fact it was about fifty feet away on a tree while the orange target was only fifteen feet away. Ildin was indeed playing tricks on him. Or rather testing him. She obviously wanted to see how observant he was. And he caught her in the act. He knocked an arrow and began to watch the signs. There was no wind. The only thing between him and the final two targets was two straight paths. The bow came up and his arm extended. He looked down the bow and nodded. He knew where he wanted to be. He would go for the farther target first. He pulled back on the bowstring applying even pressure on the string. He held strong and then released. The arrow sailed and he swore he could feel Ildin smile as she noticed what he had. And smile she did. It was a good thing her pupil’s back was to her. Because she didn’t show emotion often. She kept a hard iron like fist on her students. She wanted them to feel under pressure. Because in reality if they needed these skills they would be under greater pressure than she could put on them. She watched as the arrow sailed. It would be one of the farthest targets he had attempted to date. And one of the hardest targets he had found as well. She watched; she would be happy with a hit on the target. But truth was she was glad he even found it. And knew to hit it first before the orange target. The arrow sailed and hit in the top center of the target. So he hadn’t gotten the arrow drop right. But he was almost dead center aligned. And that was progress. Serrif knocked another arrow and easily drew back burying it in the close orange target. It hit dead center… dead center. Right in the middle of the target. It was an easy hit especially after all of the other things he had done. He then lowered his bow and Ildin came up beside him. “Good work….as always you show improvement.” She said as she motioned to the far target. “You learned much, tell me.” She said querying him. “I learned to be patient, and that sometimes your target is past your end goal, you only need to reach for it.” Ildin nodded at the last part of the statement. He was beginning to understand well what she was teaching him. “Yes, your target will not always be easy. All you have to do is work out in your mind how you will hit it. Is that all?” She queried again. “I learned my accuracy at distance could use work” He said honestly as Ildin then shrugged. “That will come with time. Time we both have.” She said as she then spoke again. “Now help me take the course down and you may go on your way.” Requests : Skills MAJOR USE Longbow Observation MINOR USE Hunting (targets?) Stealth (for trying to walk quietly?) Socialization?? Anything else yous ee Lore Hunting in the Woods Hunting (Targets) Stealth in the Woods Anything else you see

[Archelon]

Thread Award "This. Is. Awwwwwwwww- look at the little person over there trying to shoot all those little targets. How cute! ^-^... Hey... wait... Don't aim that bow at me! D:..." And the Results!!!!: Serrif : SkillName 1-5 How/why? Longbow 4 Observation 3 Stealth 2 Socialization 3 Hunting 1 To start you off- be aware hunting is also the tenets of animal behavior- so... go shoot some animals . I suggest "Woof" . Lores: Archery: Shooting at a walk (basic) Archery: Elements of Target Practice(Basic) - IE. ^ you've shot enough to know their basic setup if you buy them you will be able to put them together. How to use them, where they should be placed, etc Archery: Static Target shooting(basic) Hunting: Wood Terrain(Basic) Hunting: tenets of hunting:Eyes open, Head up Stealth Technique: Heel-to-toe Step(basic) Stealth Technique: Where you place your steps counts(basic) Would you like some extra turtle sauce ? : All in all a good read, the switch between perspectives was interesting. There wasn't really anything else there to find.