• Solo • [Treth] Target Practice and More

[Tei'serin Nji'ryn]

101st Ashan, 718


Finding the time to practice with her new bows wasn't easy. Being a teacher, and an herbalist were both full time jobs. Juggling the two was difficult to begin with. Especially when her nights were often occupied with "visitors." And all of that was on top of being a mother. But mastering her chosen weapons was something she was utterly determined to do. And where there was a will, there was a way. Moseke had asked her to learn how to defend herself, and she was going to do just that. There was nothing left to consider except for how to make that possible.

Finding a place to practice was both harder in some ways, and easier in others than finding the time to practice. She couldn't practice at home for obvious reasons. Thorin was in and out unpredictably, as was the men he sent for her to "entertain." And Tei'serin didn't dare even let him know that she owned any weapons, never mind was trying to master them. No. Practicing at home simply wasn't an option. Nor was practicing at school, for equally obvious reasons. There was no way that Tei'serin was willing to risk the slightest chance that one of her students would see her practicing, and get injured by a stray arrow or bolt. Besides, if she did practice at the school, or anywhere in the small village, there was a chance that the wrong person would see her at it, and word of it would get back to Thorin.

The answer came in a request that Tei'serin was inclined to agree to regardless. One of the local farmers had two boys who were struggling in school. He had come to her as a concerned parent, asking her if she might be willing to tutor them earlier in the season. As a teacher, and a parent herself, there was really only one answer to the man's request. And if her payment for tutoring the man's sons came in the form of an occasional lesson from the man's sister, who was a skilled hunter, and as much time as she could manage practicing by shooting at their hay bales so she could practice in secret, well...it was a solution that made everyone happy.

[Tei'serin Nji'ryn]

"You came back, did you? I thought you might." an amused voice said, startling Tei'serin out of her thoughts.

She looked up to see Kerin, the hunter who had given her a couple of lessons in the past in exchange for her tutoring her brother's kids.

"Why are you so determined to learn how to master the bow? I know you said you wanted to be able to defend yourself and your patients if you had to, but...this is Treth. Not Ne'haer, or an even more dangerous city. What, exactly do you think you're going to have to defend yourself from?"

Tei'serin hesitated. Her reasons were very personal ones. She didn't like the thought of sharing them. But Kerin was a Sev'ryn, too, so Tei'serin thought that she would probably understand.

"There are two reasons. One is that Treth or not, I have been in situations where being able to defend myself would have been very useful more than once. I was caught up in the group of fighters who went to Ne'haer back in 716, and I got dragged along with them." she began softly.

Kerin's eyes widened, and Tei'serin nodded to confirm her words.

"I didn't fight where we ended up. I was one of the healers there. But had our healing tent been attacked, I would have been helpless to defend myself, or our patients. I would have been a liability to anyone who did know how to fight...and very likely would have died. And that wasn't the last time knowing how to fight would have helped me. Treth is a very safe place to live...but I seem to have a knack of drawing trouble to myself." she said ruefully.

Kerin could only agree.

"But more importantly than even that...Moseke asked me to learn how to defend myself. There is no way in this world or any other that I will let her down." Tei'serin said solemnly, thinking about the strange world where Noth killed her.

Kerin's eyes widened even further.

"Are...are you one of her chosen?"

Tei'serin nodded.

"I can see why you wouldn't want to disappoint her, then. I wouldn't either."

The sentiment that Kerin wouldn't ever want to disappoint Moseke chosen or not went unsaid, but was distinctly felt.

"Those are both very good reasons to want to know how to defend yourself. And knowing that, I will take these lessons a lot more seriously."

"Thank you." Tei'serin said simply.

"So. You mentioned that you were told that the maximum range of a crossbow was a hundred yards? Do you think that you can shoot that far with your bow because it is of masterwork quality?"

"Not now, no. But I hope that it will be one trial if I can learn enough." Tei'serin said hesitantly.

Kerin grinned at her.

"That was an important test for you to pass."

When Tei'serin gave her a confused look, she chuckled.

"Your own shooting ability is a bigger limiting factor than momentum is when it comes to how far you should shoot. Or can shoot for that matter. The further you are from your target, the more accurate your shot must be. So to be able to shoot a bolt any real distance, you must at least have some skill in using the crossbow."

"That makes a lot of sense. It's the same thing with my herbs, really. If I am going to use a specific herb to treat a patient, I had better know what it is used for, how potent it is, and if my patient is allergic to it, or if it has any side effects I need to worry about."

Kerin nodded.

"Can't say I know anything about herbs aside from the fact that the mint I use to freshen my clothes smells nice. But it is the same thing. To use a crossbow effectively, you must know what you are doing with it. And for that end, I want you to practice loading your bow and firing it into that hay bale over there until I tell you to stop. Start now, please."

Tei'serin began at once. It was a struggle for her to manage it, but she refused to ask Kerin for help in doing it. Judging from the expression in the older woman's eyes, she wouldn't have given her any help even if she had been willing to ask.

"I don't know if fighting with a bow is all that much different than using one to hunt, so I will tell you what I have seen among the hunters I know. Perhaps it will do you some good as well."

Tei'serin nodded to show that she was listening, but did not look up from what she was doing.

"Many skilled hunters have a range of fifty yards with a crossbow. I do, and so do most of the friends I hunt with on a regular basis. My best friend's cousin brags a lot because he can shoot reliably within a sixty yard range. And he's right to be proud of his accomplishments, though I could do without all the bragging; being able to claim a sixty yard range and be a a consistent, reliable shooter in it...that is an ability that is limited to those of incredible skill."

Tei'serin finished loading her bow, and showed it to Kerin. The older woman grinned to let her know that she had loaded it the right way, and gestured towards the hay bale. Tei'serin grinned back, feeling a rush of pride at her accomplishment. Then she turned back to the task at hand. She stared at the hay bale for several long bits, trying to judge how far away it was. Then she took aim, only to hesitate, and lower her bow. She tried again to aim. This time, she decided to trust her instinct, and she squeezed the trigger that would release the bolt. The bolt flew true...and missed the hay bale completely to fall several yards beyond it. Kerin laughed.

"No one said this would be easy, Tei'serin. Now try it again."

Tei'serin simply sighed...and obeyed the order. Kerin watched her for a few trills before going back to her lecture.

"Just as your skill with a bow determines your range with it, wind will also play a factor as well. In a strong wind, there is a much greater chance of your bolt being blown off course, so it is better to shoot within a smaller range. Likewise, if the wind is blowing your scent towards your prey, it may move, or worse, bolt as you shoot. That too will affect your shot, causing you to hit outside your target, or even miss the animal entirely."

Again Tei'serin nodded while she struggled to load her bow. It was easier this time, but it still took far longer than she would have liked it to. As before, when she was finished she showed it to Kerin for approval. But this time, the older woman frowned, and shook her head.

"You didn't pull the string back straight enough. Do you see how it is misaligned?"

Tei'serin examined the string closely. She thought that she could see what Kerin meant, so she nodded.

"Try it again."

Tei'serin felt a wave of frustration rise up in her as she obeyed, but she quickly shoved it back down. Getting frustrated with herself would only make matters worse. Once again, she showed her work to her mentor. It was done correctly this time, so Kerin told her to fire it. As Tei'serin obeyed, she winced at the recoil, but didn't stagger back. Now that she knew to expect it, she could brace herself against it, but that didn't make the shock of its force any easier to take. Still...at least she could manage not to look like an idiot anymore when it hit her.

The order to try again was expected, so Tei'serin had already started when it came. This made Kerin grin at her in obvious approval. Each time she loaded and fired her bow, Tei'serin noticed that she was able to manage it a little faster than she had the time before. By the time she had done it correctly twenty five times, she was exhausted, but she had made some significant progress.

"Well, you've got a long way to go yet, Tei'serin. But you did some good work this trial. Now go get some rest, and I'll see you again in a few trials."

Tei'serin nodded, and thanked her mentor for the lesson breathlessly.

[Tei'serin Nji'ryn]

When Tei'serin got home, she found that she was the only one there. He was busy doing...whatever it was he did for Thorin, so there was no telling when [i[he[/i] would return. And she vaguely remembered that her mother had wanted to take the kids into Treth this trial. So for now, she had the house to herself. It was far too great of an opportunity to pass up.

Her thoughts turned to the fight with Noth; the man who had killed her. Tei'serin's hand moved up to touch the scar on her neck of its own volition. During that fight, she had used everything in her power to stay alive. Including the ability to make a cage or shield out of rock. She had tried her best to imprison the man, but the prison had failed her. No. She had failed herself. She had not had the strength to hold the prison for more than a few trills before it collapsed.

Tei'serin knew that skills improved when someone practiced using them. Perhaps working with this ability would cause it to improve as well. At the very least, it couldn't hurt to try. The walk back had returned some of her energy, and the chance to practice this ability with no one around to see her was simply too good an opportunity to miss.

Tei'serin closed her eyes, and took a few trills to focus on the part deep within her that was more than just her. That was her connection to Moseke, and she cherished it more than everything other than her family. Whenever she thought about the fact that Moseke had seen something in her that was worthy of being chosen by her, it left her with a feeling of awe and wonder. Tei'serin acknowledged that feeling with a small, private smile. Then she set it aside in favor of the task at hand. She tried to picture the prison forming in front of her, but without someone there to trap, she couldn't get it to form. So she switched focus and imagined a thick, strong shield of rocks forming around her. The rocks and soil at her feet responded obediently, forming a powerful protective shell between her and the rest of the world. But it collapsed after a few short trills. So she tried it again. And again. And again. She kept trying it until slowly, but surely, she found that she was able to hold it for longer periods of time before it collapsed. Tei'serin also noticed that she was able to form the shield faster than she had when she first began practicing. It simply reinforced her belief that practicing anything repeatedly would improve the speed that the task could be accomplished in as well as the skill with which it was done.

Working with the abilities that Moseke had given her required a different sort of strength than practicing with her bow had, but it took energy to use them all the same. When she grew tired enough to feel a need to rest, Tei'serin took a short break and brewed herself an invigorating cup of tea to help renew her energy. Then it was back outside to practice some more. She continued working with her shield until she could hold it reliably for a little more than half a break at a time.

It was certainly an improvement over what she had been able to manage before. And she hoped that with time, and more practice that she would be able to hold it for even longer periods of time. But she had another problem as well. When she had used the cage to trap Noth, she had needed to be just a few feet away in order to use the ability. If she was able to use it from further away, it would be a lot safer for her. But how could she practice shortening the distance if she needed someone to trap in order to use the ability that way?

Tei'serin considered the problem for several bits before an idea came to her. What if she didn't need to trap a person? What if she could use an object as a target to practice on instead? It was certainly worth a try. So with that thought in mind, Tei'serin began searching for some rocks she could use as targets to trap.

Once Tei'serin had enough rocks to suit her needs, she began placing them at carefully chosen distances away from herself. The first one was a few feet away. She would start with that because she already knew she could do it. Then once she knew if she could use a rock as a target to trap, she would then begin working on increasing her range. The furthest rock was set several yards away from her. Finally, she was ready to begin.

As before, Tei'serin began by searching for that part deep within her that was greater than herself; her connection to Moseke. Once she had it, she stared at the closest rock in fierce concentration, willing a cage made of rock and dirt to form around it. When it happened, Tei'serin felt a thrill of joy and pride wash through her. Her idea had worked! But she couldn't stop there. Knowing that she could use rocks as targets, she started trying to trap the second closest rock.

It was harder to do than the first had been, but she did manage to do it. Tei'serin formed the cage around the rock again and again until she felt that she could do it as easily as she had the first. She was feeling tired again, so she allowed herself another short break to rest and regain her strength. But she didn't want to waste the opportunity she had, so as soon as she started to feel less tired, she was back outside practicing again.

By the time she was too tired to continue practicing, Tei'serin had managed to work her way to being able to create a prison of rock and dirt up to five yards away from her. The additional practice had also increased the time she could maintain the cage. Instead of just over half a break, she could now hold it for nearly three quarters of a break. It gave her hope that she could increase both the time and distance further still with even more practice. But that would have to wait until the next time she had the chance to do so. With the way she was feeling now, if she tried again, she would pass out. Tei'serin felt a deep sense of pride in herself at her accomplishments as she went inside to rest. With any luck, she would have time for a nap before anyone came home.

[Kasoria]

Review Rewards

Tei'serin

Points awarded: 10xp

Knowledge:
Ranged Combat (Crossbow): your shooting ability is a bigger limiting factor than momentum when it comes to how far you should shoot
Ranged Combat (Crossbow): many skilled hunters have a range of 50 yards with a 60 yard range limited to those of incredible skill
Ranged Combat (Crossbow): wind is a factor
Ranged Combat (Crossbow): the further you are from your target, the more accurate your shot must be
Ranged Combat (Crossbow): speed in loading and firing a bow comes with practice
Prison: with practice, the amount of time the prison can be held for, and the further out it can be extended increases, and the less exhausting the ability becomes to use

Non-Skill Knowledge:
Tei'serin: can create a Prison up to five yards away, and hold a shield/cage for around three bits at a time

Renown:
5 points, for practicing and improving AND showing some wisdom, but only in front of one witness, and you can't really crow about the whole thing, since practicing is verboten, y'know?

Notes:

A very determined and sharp young lady, you are, Miss Tei! I don't feel the need to give you anything as far as injuries/recovery/overstepping goes, since a good night's sleep will be enough. I especially liked her methodical approach to her practicing, and the interesting, layered relationship she has with Thorin. Plenty of room there for development.

As far as improving and expanding your Prison ability, unfortunately, I can't let you hold it for nearly that long, or for that far. It's good and necessary that you're practicing, but considering where you are NOW and where that Knowledge would TAKE you... yeah, that's far too much of a leap. I consulted with a couple of Staffers, and they agreed with me. But practice WILL increase this, bit by bit (no pun intended!), so this is a step in the right direction. Bear in mind as well that Duration and Range of the Prison is one thing, but the SIZE of it, or the size of WHAT you're trying to Imprison, will be another huge factor. Increasing or decreasing any of these factors will, of course, also effect the others.

Your review request is here. Also, please indicate on your request thread that this has been reviewed by using the button below (just add my name at the end). Thanks!

Code: Select all

[center][img]/gallery/image.php?album_id=39&image_id=7932[/img][/center]

If you have any questions, comments or concerns in regards to this review, feel free to PM.