Lutherus Sotasius - Chapter I, Part V

  • LEARNING THE ROPES

    From the Journal of Lutherus Sotasius. Date of Entry: Last Seed, 20th, 4E, 201.

    Lutherus awoke from his third day of rest at the Sleeping Giant Inn, and made way to Orgnar for breakfast. Lutherus was in for a treat, because Orgnar had just made a fresh, warm apple pie to which Lutherus ate with immense satisfaction, washing down the sweet treat with a Jug of milk, as he penned his latest entry to his journal.

     

    "Another early start eh?" Asked Orgnar to Lutherus.

     

    "Mmm, yesh." Replied Lutherus, with a mouthful of apple and pastry. He finished his entry and packed away his journal, before taking a final bite from the slice of pie and last gulp from the milk jug.

     

    "Another satisfying breakfast Orgnar. Thank you." Said Lutherus, as he left the inn. Riverwood was surprisingly accommodating for Lutherus as he would find. In the few days he had been here, he was able to secure a temporary job, some new clothes as well as a temporary home in one of the rooms at the inn. Lutherus was immensely grateful for this, but he still had his ambitions. One of which, was repaying Alvor for his hospitality.

     

    "Maybe he could do with some help around the forge at some point. Divines know that with the war about, he's bound to need someone to temper the blades." Thought Lutherus, as he drove his axe through a piece of wood.

    He was just about ready to chop another block, when he saw, just out the corner of his eye, an elf. "That must be Faendal." He thought to himself, as he observed the Elf observing the flowing White River. He brought down his axe on the block of wood, and walked over to him. "Excuse me." Said Lutherus. "Are you...Faendal?" He asked.

     

    The Elf turned around to face the inquiring Imperial. "Yes, I am. You must be...Lutherus? Hod told me about you."

    "Yes, I am Lutherus. I understand you are adept at Archery?"

     

    Faendal could sense where this was going. "I am skilled in that profession, yes."

     

    "Well, I am in need of training and wondered if you could show me some of what you know?"

     

    "That all depends Imperial." Said Faendal. "Have you the coin?"

     

    "How much do you charge?"

     

    "200 Septim for each session, that includes going into the wilderness and hunting the game around here."

     

    Lutherus briefly contemplated. The work at the Mill had gladly provided plenty of Septim to cover the costs of training, but it was still very expensive. Lutherus inquired again.

     

    "And what guarantee do I have that I'll learn something?"

     

    "That is entirely dependent on how absorbed you become, Imperial." Replied Faendal. "As I see it, you don't even have any arrows for that bow."

     

    "Yes, I used them all in a fight against a wolf by the waterfall."

     

    "Yes, I remember seeing you as I left for Riften. You know how to fire an arrow, at least. But you could do with practice."

     

    "So you'll take me on then?"

     

    "Again, that depends if you have the coin, Imperial."

     

    Lutherus thought for a brief moment. "...Very well. Here you are." He said finally, as he reached into his coin satchel and counted out 200 Septim.

     

    "Excellent." Replied Faendal, pocketing the money. "Go get some arrows from Lucan, he's the local trader. I'll meet you at the bridge out of town."

     

    "Okay, and thank you." He replied, and went to find Lucan.

     

    All Lucan had at the Riverwood Trader was 11 Iron Arrows, but any amount was good enough for Lutherus at this point. He purchased them all, and a brand new quiver as well and made his way out of town to the bridge where Faendal waited patiently.

    "Great." Said Faendal, as he saw Lutherus meander up the road to the bridge. "Let's go find some game. Stay close now." Finished Faendal, leading the way into the valley. They ventured off the main road together, taking the route into the mound above that looked over the main road, a decent vantage point if they came across a wandering Elk, they searched for hours to find a suitable prey, but no luck so far. Faendal finally looked up.

     

    "Stop!" He whispered, and pointed upwards toward the trees. "Observe."

     

    Above Lutherus and Faendal, circled a bird around the tip of one of the trees in this dense part of the wilderness.

     

    "Well, this is a fine start if anything!" Said Faendal. "Shoot down that Hawk for me. Take your time in aiming, and take deep breaths."

    Lutherus carefully positioned himself to be able to fire at the Hawk as it continued to circle. The pair were ever so careful as to not make too much noise or movement as to disturb their prey. Lutherus took his time, drawing back the arrow now loaded in his bow, and waited for his moment. The bird circle around, it's large frame now painting an even bigger target for Lutherus' shot. He fired the arrow. Missing by millimetres, Lutherus fumbled to grab another arrow, before the Hawk realised the danger below it. Lutherus fired again, this time striking the bird and forcing it to the ground below. Excitement overcame him.

     

    "Faendal! He shouted. "I got it!" He said, running to the bird's landing place. Faendal followed shortly after.

     

    "Keep your voice down!" Said Faendal. "There's more hunting to be done, and we don't want to disturb the hunted now, do we?"

     

    "Sorry, Faendal."

     

    "Don't worry about it. Good shot though. Was it the first?"

     

    "No, second."

     

    "Very good. Okay, lets carry on."

     

    The pair left the Hawk carcass and meandered around the wilderness for more prey to hunt. It did not take long for them to encounter more prey.

     

    "A wolf! Get down!" Quietly warned Faendal, as the pair got low in the overgrowth. "Fire when ready, Lutherus."

     

    Lutherus fired two arrows, the first passing over the wolf, and the second lodging in the beast's stomach. Disturbed, but not neutralised, the wolf charged Lutherus. Hesitation froze him on the spot, at which point Faendal quickly drew his bow and fired, killing the wolf before it could maim the defenceless Lutherus. He let out a large sigh of relief, knowing his student was out of danger.

     

    "Good shot, but you still have a lot to learn. You need a proper hand held weapon - that axe of yours isn't going to do too well against a sword now, will it?" He asked.

     

    Lutherus, still shaken from the wolf, responded. "P...perhaps Alvor can help me."

     

    "Aye, and as I understand you are in his debt, are you not?"

     

    Lutherus was surprised. "How...how can you tell?"

     

    Faendal chuckled. "Riverwood is a small place, lad. Visitors around these parts tend to be known a lot more quickly than they consider. We should head back and get some food at the Inn. But well done today, you did very well. Come find me tomorrow for more lessons."

     

    In agreement with his teacher, Lutherus and Faendal returned to Riverwood. 

     

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Comments

2 Comments   |   Sotek likes this.
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  June 1, 2016
    Ah, hawk hunting. I enjoy doing that. 
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  June 1, 2016
    Oh dear Hircine I had a chuckle when I saw your screenshot for the Hawk Hunting. I do hope that you might get to read my story.
    I laughed even more when I read...
    "Good shot, but you still have a lot to learn. You need a proper hand held weapo...  more