45 A new Archer in Town

Phoebe was slowly walking down the road, in her hands she held her self made bow. Today would be the day. Her master Ron would show her how to craft bow and arrows and how to survive in the wilderness, although what Phoebe really wanted was to learn how to kill. She wanted to learn how to kill an immortal.

"Today is the day." She said full of anticipation and self confidence.

"Hey Phoebe, do you want a fresh loaf of bread?" An old woman asked as Phoebe went past her store. She knew Phoebe, and her family.

"Sure, thanks granny!" Phoebe said as she walked to the woman and gave her a hug in exchange for the bread. Now with a full stomach and her bow in hands she was even more eager to start her lessons. As Phoebe finally arrived she saw Ron standing outside, waiting for her. His long scar across his face scared her ever so slightly, but she decided to just push through.

"So you finally arrive huh?" Ron said with a shrug of his shoulders, he seemed to not really care. But the people that stood close by chuckled, because they knew that Ron had been waiting for a long time and was very anxious on the inside. He was a nice guy on the inside but he had learned his lessons long ago, thus he acted though on the outside to not get hurt anymore.

"Before we start… Tell me why you want to learn my craft." Ron said with a stern gaze.

"I wish to defend myself." Phoebe told a half lie. After all how could she tell him that she just wanted to learn how to kill someone that could not be killed? And it still was true that she wanted to learn how to defend herself, just in a more proactive way so to say.

"All right, that I can manage. If you later decide that there is more to it, you can always come to me." Ron said with a slight smile. Inside he chuckled, he knew that there was more to it than just defend herself but he couldn't force her to tell him right now.

Phoebe on the other hand was thinking that he knew, growing more and more insecure on the inside.

After a little chit chat they both went inside and Ron started to teach her how to make an arrow.

It was a sticky and disgusting work to do but Phoebe didn't mind, instead she slowly found herself enjoying this work. Perhaps if Farsian wouldn't come back she could become a Fletcher in another town or she could help Ron out.

Ron saw her enjoying this work and slowly warmed up to her, even his daughter wouldn't be so passionate when he taught her. Of course that was a long time ago, his family was dead and all that was left was this scar across his face. Ron and Phoebe spent the entire afternoon together, making arrows and chatting. When it was about to become evening someone entered the shop, a customer that Ron knew. He was tal and had a strong build. Half the village knew this man, he was partially responsible for the flesh that they ate. He was the hunter of the village.

"Hey Ron! Long time no see, do you have arrows in stock?" The hunter asked. He was a good looking guy and was also very friendly. Ron enjoyed talking with him about archery and other things related to hunting or crafting.

"Yes Ascar, we just finished making them. Do you want to stay for a while? I would like to introduce my apprentice to you, her name is Phoebe." Ron said and pointed at Phoebe.

Ascar was rather astonished. Did he just say apprentice? Since when was Ron such a social character? Previously when Ascar had visited him, he would be the only one that Ron actively talked to.

"Hello young ladie, nice to meet you." Ascar said as he bowed down and gave Phoebe a hand shake.

"Hello Ascar, I enyoed the boar that you brought to the tavern. Please show me how you did it when you have time." Phoebe said without getting red.

Ascar laughed as he heard Phoebe say that, now that he knew that Ron was her master how could he meddle in their business?

"I'm afraid you would have to ask Ron to show you. He is responsible for your training, I don't want to teach you something wrong and then get scolded by him." Ascar said with a laugh. He liked Ron, mainly because he gave him discounts on the arrows but still Ron was a nice person in his view. He wouldn't want to risk their relationship because of such things.

"Ron, I need to talk to you in private. It's about the head of the village, he is acting strange as of late." Ascar said to Ron.

Phoebe was wondering why Ascar would come to Ron for such things but she didn't voice her doubt. Instead she hoped that she could eavesdrop on them.

Ron had talked a lot with Ascar since he opened a shop out here. And some of the topics weren't related to archery or his craft, instead they were of a more personal matter. Sometimes Ron would talk about how he received his scar and sometimes Ascar would talk about strange creatures that roamed the forest that was closest to them. Both found that they shared similar interests and eventually founded something like a secret brotherhood. At the moment it was just the two of them, but Ron had hopes of introducing Phoebe into this brotherhood, just not now. When Ascar said that he needed to talk to Ron in privat he understood what he meant and send Phoebe home for the day. Phoebe obviously didn't want to leave, but with Ascar helping out she eventually agreed. He even bought one of the arrows that she had made, giving her some small change.

Ron and Ascar then went into the back room and started discussing various topics, one of them was Phoebe and the other one was the head of the village. Something was odd but they had to find out what it was first.

Phoebe on the other hand didn't know that they were talking about her and just casually went home. Or to the tavern, if you could call this a home. The barkeeper Jack that was still standing at the counter welcomed her, serving her a fresh plate of food. Naturally it wasn't fresh food and more of a collection of what the other customers left on their plate but at least it was free of charge. Phoebe didn't mind either, she had been eating this for a while now. She could also get as much water as she wanted to, so she didn't mind. Jack the barkeeper also didn't mind, she would help him out every now and then so it was alright. After eating and drinking her fill, Phoebe went to the other guests in the room and joined them on a card game. Many of them already knew her. When she started playing she lost on purpose a few times and then she started winning it all back.

Jack watched with amusement, he knew that Phoebe could be considered rather lucky. In his heart he almost felt pity for them.