The Bow Fiasco
Gilan/Halt
In the early hours of the morning Halt watched Gilan practicing with his sword. He knew enough from the time he spent at the castle to know that drilling was important to keep his skills sharp, and to keep his speed. Gilan shook his head, let his sword drop to the ground and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Why don't you take a break and eat?" Halt called. "Or at least a drink. Don't wear yourself out. You have training with me too."
At the mention of food Gilan turned to him and grinned. He took his sword and sheathed it. The clumsily ran to his master. "A warm breakfast?"
Halt raised an eyebrow. "No. I told you while we're on the road we're not going to eat like we live in a castle, you'd better get used to it."
"It's been two months Halt! I am used to it!" he replied indignantly.
"If that were true you wouldn't still be complaining." Halt replied sagely.
"I guess your right…"
"I know I'm right, go on. Hurry if your going to eat, I have something for you."
"Something for me?" Gilan asked. "Aww…Halt you shouldn't have. Is it a kitten?"
He shook his head. "No. How would we continue your training without it? Maybe you misunderstood me. It's not a gift, it's something for you to use every day and I can't promise you'll enjoy it."
"Great…I was only joking about the kitten Halt. I know how you are. I wouldn't expect anything special. New equipment from Crowley? I like the cloak why wouldn't I like this?"
"Well, it means less practice with your sword. I doubt your keen on taking an extended break from it."
He frowned. "Extended break?"
Halt nodded. "Just a few months. I'm going to let you continue after you get the hang of…"
"That's not fair. You said it was fine as long as I was dedicated and working hard. I don't understand, am I performing poorly?"
"Not poorly no. Your doing well, but we need to get you to do harder training than what you have been so you'll earn your bronze oak leaf at the gathering. Unless you no longer want to be a Ranger.."
"No." He shook his head. "I want to be a Ranger. I'm sorry, I'm lucky you've allowed me to continue this long."
"I take no offence." Halt replied. "Rest for awhile, drink some water and eat. When you have more energy we'll head out."
The most important thing he learned from Halt was how to live with Halt. He'd teach him what he wanted when he wanted. No matter how much he pestered the older man. He also pushed him to act on his own, and be self reliant. He didn't care much for cooking, Halt could do it better, but it had been his main duty in lieu of cleaning. As he gradually got the hang of cooking Halt included the cleaning and then he'd make breakfast. Which Gilan was thankful for. The only thing he didn't like about Halt was how he handled himself around people, namely Gilan. The first month, Gilan thought he'd warm up to him better if he hugged him. So he tired every morning but Halt would evade him and sit and drink his coffee. After that month ended he gave up on the older man being anything but distant. He finished his cold breakfast and downed another glass of water before going into his room. He cleaned his face, and then grabbed his most recent letter from his Father. He asked him what to do about Halt, it would be nice if he felt like anything but a burden. He still felt uncertain about the grim man. His advice:
Don't worry too much about Halt. He'll warm up to you in his own time on his terms, when he feels it's best. Once your on that level with him you'll feel more comfortable. He's a great man and I value his advice. He's truly a dedicated friend. Don't push him too much and let him open up to you. Just keep working hard, listen to him he means well, and be polite. I'll let you know when we've decided who will help you with your sword training.
He folded the letter, took the sword from around his waist and propped it against the wall, he fell back into his bed and sighed. He left the door open, but Halt knocked on the frame Gilan sat upright and gave him his attention.
"May I come in?"
"Of course."
He didn't notice until Halt sat down he was holding something wrapped in a cloth. He set it down between the two of them and nodded. "Your disappointed."
"No, really…I just thought I'd be good enough to do well to keep up with both."
"You have a good heart, but you can't wear yourself out." He put an arm around the boy and pulled him close, rubbing his arm comfortingly. "I think you might like it though. Look it over and let me know when your ready."
He stood up and left as quickly as he came. Gilan lifted the bundle onto his lap and pulled away the sheet. He grinned widely, examining the bow from every angle. Then he shot up, and nearly chased Halt into the kitchen as he helped himself to his coffee.
"Your going to teach me how to shoot? It's a great bow! Where does Crowley get them?"
"Crowley didn't get it. He provided you with the knives, the quiver and the guards. The bow was something I made. You'll have a longbow soon, once you get the hang of that one." For a moment he had his mug raised, then he inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma before taking a sip.
"Thank you." Gilan replied with a grin. "I can't wait!" He moved to hug him, but the look he gave him made him take two steps back. Instead he left Halt to his coffee, and darted back to his room. He went through the rest of the new equipment, tied the knives to his belt, like his sword had been before then picked up the quiver and got excited again and bolted toward Halt. "Halt…"
"I know and as soon as im done with my coffee we can go. You weren't in a hurry before." He glanced up and looked Gilan over. "You've got everything then?"
"Yes Sir."
While they walked Gilan admitted to having a bow before for hunting and Halt would be pleased to see what he knew. Halt figuring with his boasting was true, thought there was no harm in setting up a few targets while he practiced with his sword that morning.
"Go on then. If your ready don't waste any time." He said nicely enough.
Too nicely, Gilan should have been suspicious. He drew the bow and Halt watched him making no comment he aimed straight ahead figuring it was the safest bet, he let go of the arrow too soon, didnlt come to a full draw and shot Halt in the foot.
They both shouted at the same time, Gilan because he hadn't taken his arm guards and Halt because the arrow went into his foot. Seeing what he'd done Gilan apologized profusely.
"You're a natural all right. He replied sarcastically."
"I'm sorry!"
"Yeah, I am too." He sat and tended to his wound. Gilan watched him sympathetically wondering what he could do.
"Well…I exaggerated a bit."
"I could never guess!"
"Sorry Halt…"
"So am I…Next time don't feel the need to exaggerated your ability so I know where to start."
Gilan frowned and sighed. "So I'm horrible with a bow. Can't I just use my sword?"
"Rangers use bows. Knights use swords, if you'd rather be in battle school I won't hold you back."
"How will I learn then?" He asked suspiciously. "I'm hopeless…"
Halt looked him over suspiciously. "Well I could always teach you. But who knows, I could always be just as horrible after all."
Gilan smiled. He'd seen Halt with a bow a great many times, and commented to his Father often on how he wanted to shoot like him. "You kill bears with your bare hands. Why would you need a bow?"
A shadow of a smile appeared on the older man's face. "Where are your arm guards?"
"My what?"
"They cover your arms." He showed him his and sighed. "Here…" He removed his and put them on the boy. Then gave him a pat on the back. "Try again I'll give you instructions."
When Gilan drew he lifted his bow Halt critiqued everything. The way he was standing, how he drew, how high he'd held the bow, how far from him he had it, which fingers he used. Finally when he seemed satisfied. Halt said firmly. "All right, go on. But don't let the bow fall an inch until it hits."
There was a thud and Gilan beamed at his master proud he'd made it hit the second time, even with his master's help.
"Was that where you were aiming?"
"No…I wanted the middle but…"
"Any now do you see why we need you to stop with the sword for now? You need practice with this, hours, and days and weeks of practice boy. You need to be dedicated and diligent."
He nodded. "Yes Fath…" He frowned. It was the same advice he'd been given from his Father when he first held his sword. His eyes started to tear up, he missed the hours he'd spent with him training and drilling. "Yes Halt…I'll do my best and practice dutifully."
Halt put a hand on his head and messed his hair. "Think of how proud your Father will be when he sees you shoot target after target with that bronze oak leaf around your neck."
He smiled and nodded. Suddenly he had a stronger shooting stance and his arms felt less shaky, he felt more like a man with a bow than a boy. He had a reason to try harder, just like he did with his sword. One day he'd do things better than his Father, he'd surpass his genius and make him proud.
