211. ON TARGET: WIREMU
The next morning, I rode Mosey, and Kelda was on a dappled grey mare. It was the first time I had seen her out of uniform. Liten was flitting around catching insects.
“Did the army give you much trouble about not reenlisting?” I asked.
“A bit, but I am a Duke's daughter, so they couldn’t go too far. I had a lot of “Think about my reputation when I take up my role as heir” and “You could make Captain if you re-enlist for another term. It will set you up for the future,” etc.”
“Hanging out with us won’t do your reputation much good.”
“I am not interested in my reputation at this point. I want to find my own path first. I haven’t told anyone back home I didn’t re-enlist, but they will find out soon enough, and the pressure will come to go home and help the family etc.”
“I am hoping not to be in Kirghiz long enough for messengers to find me,” she said with a smile. “The only property I have in Kirghiz is a certain house in East Marin, and I have leased that to the Elemental Traders long-term. My family has a large estate in the Noble district, but I am not showing my face there yet.”
“Where are you staying?”
“Anni has organised a room at the compound. Technically, I am employed by the Elemental Traders as a consultant. In politics, that means we trade favours. I use my influence for you, and you reciprocate in various ways. If this leaks, it will seem quite normal for the nobles.”
We turned into the farm gate, and the house came into view. Tāoke immediately slipped away to find Težka. A group of people were running an obstacle course created by Modrica’s Earthwall. Actually, she must have learned Earth Manipulation to do that. My Granite Manipulation must have the highest Attribute requirement of them all.
Ruku was blasting them with water randomly, and Rodion was leading them and yelling at them. Ruku’s main task here was to teach Leadership and small-group tactics, with particular reference to urban warfare. Modrica is here to fight, as she and Tabitha had a lot of experience in Urban warfare, and Modrica in particular as a gang enforcer. Rodion is helping both of them and quite enjoying it by the look of it. As we got closer, I saw another area set up as an earth maze. I assume this is where they practice close-quarters fighting.
I think Rodion might be the only one enjoying it. The group he was leading included four orcs, two humans and a minotaur. The minotaur was quite imposing. She will have quite a physical presence if she is the Head Enforcer. Size does help.
I waved to Ruku as we rode past. We carried on past where Modrica had set up an archery range. Shooting into the earth is easier on the arrows than my granite, yet it shouldn’t burn like hay would. These kids will be only doing short-range shooting and throwing. We are going to the hill in the distance for me to practice long-range and for Kelda to check her range and control. I think she will struggle to keep control of the flame at the speed the arrows will travel.
“Wow. Even with my Journeyman Farsight, that is a long way.” Kelda said.
“I can get the distance with my Bow and strength, but being on target is tricky. The wind, in particular, has a big effect, and the weight of the arrow affects the drop. I have some new fletching today to see if it helps control the flight. It also takes several seconds to travel, and moving targets are even more difficult to hit. There are targets at different distances all the way there if you want to practice.”
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I had been struggling with accuracy at the range. My new Telescopic Sight meant I could see clearly, but getting an arrow in the same place was more difficult. We both got out our bows and started with the shorter range and worked our way up. Her Physical strength and bow stopped her well before me. Her Bow skill went up a level, and she was getting faster. She needed a couple of more levels in Bow before she could get Longbow or Triple Shot. Skills were similar to classes.
We then practised with her flames on my arrows, and even at close range, she found it difficult. Eventually, she wanted to be able to light her own arrows, but for now, she needed just to keep hold of the flame. I found out her Fire Arrow was new, as she had only recently had a bow that would survive it. The fight at the army base was her first time using it in a fight. We used the Fire Arrow Skill to transfer the fire to a normal arrow. Normal arrows were much harder for her.
Once Kelda was resting, I tried to push my range. I used the target back from the main range. My first normal arrow went wide and short. I didn’t compensate enough for the drop and the wind. I could see fine, and my Telescopic Sight levelled. The next arrow was closer, but the one after that went too far the other way. On the fourth try, I was on the outer edge of the target. The next three arrows were all on target, but no bullseye.
I then swapped to my Venom Arrow. This was very different as there was very little drop in it, and it wasn’t affected by the wind so much. It was a very different shooting experience. Kelda said it was the same with her normal arrows and her fire arrows, but the difference was smaller at her range.
Adding lava to the tip of an arrow made the head heavier, and I would compensate with a small piece of Granite at the back. This makes the arrow the heaviest of all and lessens the range. It was almost like three different Skills. I have been practising for weeks, slowly improving and progressing toward a new Skill.
I moved to the longest range, which I could only reach with my Venom Arrows at the moment. Six shots, four on target with one in the inner circle. Best yet! It was enough to tip Longbow to Journeyman, but instead, the Skill transformed and dropped to Level five. It was now called Marksman, and I had more of an instinctive feel for the arrow and wind and a distance boost. I had two normal arrows left in my quiver and tested the new Skill on the furthest targets. Both arrows were on target, although not in the inner ring. I hadn’t even had that distance before. It would get better as it was only level five.
“Yes!” I exclaimed and jumped up. When I explained to Kelda, she was just as excited as me. The day with me had seen her Farsight level to Master as she tried to track my shots, giving her a Physical Perception attribute. It also levelled her Observer Class to Journeyman. She got a Spiritual Agility Attribute from our arrows on fire testing. She was rapted for a day's work. I didn’t tell her my Tutor Skill also levelled.
We packed up and started back on our horses, stopping to pick up arrows on the way when she stopped. “Observer has specialised already,” she said, surprised. I think it is from my earlier Monster Kills. It is called Targeting. It is a full five-pointer, assigning one to Physical Perception and two to Spiritual Perception, with two free. The Skill is Target Weakness, and it gives me a sense of where the weaknesses are in whatever I use it on.”
“That sounds incredibly useful. We will have to test it. It is interesting that Monster kills usually give specialisation to regenerate health in some way, but not from the observer class, ah? If you use it on me, what does it tell you?”
“Neck and groin are the weak points.”
“Interesting. It stayed away from bones. What about now?” I activated Snakeskin.
“They are still weak, but not as weak.”
“So the Skill also gives you a sense of how weak something is. That is an awesome skill.”
“I bought some camping gear. I suggest we camp out tonight as the farmhouse is full. We can start early, and I can teach you tracking, as I think you will get it very quickly. The Trackers Mark might also be right in your skill set.”
“A Tracker Specialisation does seem possible. I hope there is a nice secluded spot around here to camp because I have really wanted to get you alone for a night.” She smiled a wonderful smile.
We did find a nice secluded spot, but the next day was a late start. Our relationship rose quite a few levels that night.