A few days had passed since Arya and Quin became Bloodfriends. Quin found that the villagers, most of them, had a newfound respect for her since she and Arya did the ritual. Only a select few didn't: Arya's stepmother and older stepsister to be exact.
"Out of my way, girl," Arya's stepsister, Elana, said, kicking Quin in the side. "You wouldn't want me using my fire magic on you."
Quin just got back up and walked away. Elana tortured her since the day she started living at he village, and she had grown used to it in the first few hours. Arya helped her as much as she could, but Quin didn't see her much. Then she got a note.
"Come behind the shed today for a surprise. Signed - your friend".
Quin made it to the shed and caught a glimpse of one of Arya's blue pigtails behind it. She smiled at the sight of her friend then went behind the shed. What she saw made her gasp in surprise.
"Like it?" Arya asked, "I remember you telling me how much you liked Archery, so I had a few villagers help set this up."
"It's beautiful, Arya!" Quin exclaimed, picking up a nearby bow and testing the resistance. The bow, despite being cruelly made, supported the weight of her pull like a charm.
"Good. I would have hated to waste the villager's hard work," Arya said, smiling. She then saw a bruise on Quin's arm. "Let me guess, Elana kicked you again?"
Quin nodded. "Yep. That bitch must really hate me."
Arya burst out laughing, causing Quin to turn. "What is so funny, Arya?"
"Oh, nothing," Arya said, "just the mouth you have for one so young."
It took a bit for Quin to understand what Arya meant, then started laughing as well. "I guess you're right, Arya, no kids our age would curse like that."
Arya calmed down enough to ask a question. "Shall we get started, Quin? I'd like to see how good you are."
"Fine with me," Quin said, "but don't be jealous if you lose."
"I won't," Arya stated, notching an arrow and aiming at the target.