"I'm sorry, Father. For my failure during the hunt," Marth said as he stood before his father, head bowed in sadness and guilt. "I did try, but I just..."

"Look at my face when you speak to me, Marth." Cornelius placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder, and Marth lifted his eyes. "Good. Yes, you showed considerable weakness back in the woods. I had hoped I could count on you to finish the job correctly."

"I know."

"You will not be joining us on future hunts," Cornelius continued, "now that we know you have no skill for archery."

"I'm sorry..." Marth fought back tears, not wanting to further shame himself by crying. "I tried, I really did. I'm a disgrace to the bloodline of Anri, aren't I?"

"No."

"What?"

"Your skill does not lie with the bow. Every time you picked up the bow you became insecure. Your hold was too tight, your stance shaky, and you were never sure of where to aim," Cornelius said. "You can never master a weapon you'll never be comfortable with."

"It didn't feel right," Marth said. "It felt heavy and every time I tried to pull the string I was afraid I'd drop the arrow...I just feel better with the sword."

"Then you shall continue to learn the sword," Cornelius said. "Hunting is merely one aspect of a man's strength. The truest aspect is how well you defend yourself, your honor and your kingdom. That when trouble finds you, you will stand and fight."

Marth nodded.

"I will, Father. I'll practice the sword until I'm as strong as you and Jeigan are!" he promised. "I wonder if Anri would be proud of me if I could get that strong..." Cornelius just smiled, all too used to his son's childish musings.

"I'm sure he would be." His face became serious again. "Now, you're to meet Jeigan on the training grounds in half an hour for your sword lesson. I expect to hear you've made plenty of progress this time," he said. Marth nodded and walked down the hall to his rooms to change just as Elice approached.

"Father, I still worry that Marth is too young to be learning how to fight at all. Akaneia has not seen a single war for many years now, and the bandit outbreaks are nothing more than the knights can handle," she said. Cornelius sighed.

"I know to you he's still your baby brother, but you cannot protect him forever, Elice," he said. "Even without the threat of war, Marth knows he must learn to defend himself should the need arise."

"I know..." Elice sighed. "I just hope the need never arises at all."