The wood was dry by now, those of the branches which did not show tell-tale signs of cracks or twists rested on his working table. They would become sturdy, simple bows, lacking most of the artistic refinement that for example Sehky's bow had. He was fine with that. The display of craftsmanship would be that they were always there and ready to use, able to take a lot of punishment. Not everything, but a lot. During his travels he had been able to study various bow designs in use, and the display cases and chests of the Angel's Guild proved to be most interesting. He would test each of the bows thoroughly before beginning the long way to enchant them, to prove that his design was practical. They would see a lot of training usage, after all.
When he held the first bow in his hands, strung ready for a few test shots, he wondered if it really would be that easy. Maybe I should do the whole training myself. The Rangers won't waste their time with teaching them how to read and write, or the ways of the city.
He tried to find words, names, verbs to describe what he was doing and how. He couldn't explain it, properly. He couldn't even convince himself, or describe the intuitive way to hold and use a bow. Grumbling, he noticed the bad quality of the old string he used, coming apart slowly. Wax. Enchantment. Different quality, maybe. Wasn't dry enough. If I even can't describe the simple things, how to teach the hard things? Well, at least they'll have bows. If they would be up to the task was a whole different matter. He needed armor too, or at least raw hide and how to make it. He should train that, too. But I can't leave everything to the others. Jil might be a better teacher than I am, but can she put up with twelve recruits? We might need more than that, and she has other task as well.
After his fingers became numb stumps from the arrows he fletched, he found himself pondering over a sheet of parchment, drawing a line from top to bottom. On one side, he wrote physical training and on the other mental training. During his training, he had been exposed to these two aspects as well.
Physical training
Mental training
Endurance & Strength
Discipline & mental strength
Agility & Coordination
Tactics & Strategy
Survival & Weapon Drill
Traditions & Knowledge
Interestingly enough, everybody seems to use the same pattern in training, from the Pack to the followers of Toran. He should talk with Elly or another disciple of healing to find out how to train certain things safely, of course. Maybe that would reduce the amount of accidents that caused a paralyzing delay during the training.
Then again …
When he found himself writing too much, noting down training schedules, he tossed the notes away and instead returned to play with his son. That was way more educating and also inspiring than those dry words on parchment. The enchanting of the bow could wait, boxes of red feathered arrows and the right quantities of enchantment oil at the ready and stored away safely.
~ Creed ~The folds of realities are my hunting grounds, and this is my pack. I keep the balance of my hunting grounds in order, so that it does not fall apart. To that end, I am free to do as I see fit as a follower of the Great Hunter Folian S'pae. I am silent, unobtrusive and wise in the choice of path and method to keep the hunting ground and its inhabitants, prey and hunters alike, safe from destruction that always lingers.