Dawn of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 074 - Bow Practice in Flight (Patreon)

Pammon had risen early and found him a quick breakfast, promising that they would tide him over for a few hours and that he and Kaen could get to work on the practice side of things.

Hess had collected some targets and set them up along the side of the clearing near the mountains while Kaen went through his arrows, picking out twenty-five he did not mind wasting out of the seventy-five he was carrying at the moment.

With everyone prepared, Hess helped Kaen to get tied in and settled.  Hess also tied a small strip of rope to Kaen's bow on the off chance he dropped it while flying.  With everything ready to go, they were set up for the first pass through the area near the mountain.

I'll go slower this first time, so let me know if I need to slow down or speed up.

Understood. Kaen answered, focused on what he knew was going to be a long day.

Kaen watched as the targets sped toward him faster than he had expected.  Flying above them by about thirty meters created a whole different shooting perspective.  He wasn't sure how the drop would work or how the speed of Pammon would impact the arrow.

As the first target came into view, he lined up where he thought he would need to aim, using his legs to hold him tight against Pammon's back and let the arrow fly.

Were you actually aiming? teased Pammon as the arrow went twenty yards past the target and high up into the mountain area.

It is a lot harder than you might think!  I had no idea how this would work at all.

Pammon's body thrummed as he continued flying toward the second target.

Kaen felt a little more comfortable and adjusted the aim much lower.  The last one had taken a flight path he had not expected.

Letting the string go, he watched as the arrow still flew above the target but only by about four meters this time.

That one looked much better.   The third one is coming up quickly!

Kaen nodded to himself and drew the next arrow.  He had to do this one quickly because Hess felt there needed to be a challenge by having two targets closer.

He could feel how he needed to focus and where his target would be.  The arrow leaped from the bow and missed the third target by only a foot or two.

So close!  You got the last two!

Smiling, Kaen drew the next arrow and prepared for the fourth target.  They had flown hundreds of yards already, but he knew this day was a training opportunity he would not get again for a while.

Taking aim, he felt he finally understood how the altitude and speed impacted his shot.  He took a breath, held it, and let it go.

Fantastic!  I knew you could do it!

That is a lie, and we both know it!  You were thinking I was going to miss again!

Pammon's body vibrated again from laughter, and Kaen was trying not to laugh himself as he saw the arrow hit the outer section of the three-foot targets Hess had set up.

It wasn't a killing shot, but it would have hurt someone from the speed at which it hit.

The last one, I'll bet you can hit this.  Say seven copper?

Kaen tried to ignore the taunt from Pammon and focused.  He knew it was possible now and felt he could do it inside his mind and in his heart.

As he got within range, he knew the moment to let go, and the arrow flew off and struck the target, missing the center circle Hess had drawn with charcoal by just a few inches.

That means I win seven copper, teased Pammon again as he chuckled.

We never bet on if I would hit the black mark.  Besides, we both know you wouldn't even get out of bed to collect seven copper.

The second pass resulted in two more strikes on targets, and Kaen finally managed to strike the last target in the black section.  He had hoped for a skill point, but it did not seem to want to come.

Again!

The third pass went much better, with five strikes on target; two were in the black.

Again!

The fourth approach was almost perfect, missing the third target's black spot by just inches. He still managed to hit all the other four in the black.

Last run before I have to restock!  Let's go!

As they began their path once more, Kaen was zoned in on each target.

Pammon took the same path each time. Kaen knew when to shoot and where.  The speed never changed, and he had figured out how to time the shots between strokes of Pammon's wings.

I believe in you!  Show me what you can do!

Kaen let the arrow go as the first target came up, watching it strike the black spot again.

The second target took its arrow to the center mark as well, and the third target, this time, also found its arrow right on the outer edge of the black mark.

Focus!  You almost missed that one again!

Kaen grunted and breathed as he had a quick break before the fourth target appeared.  As it got in range, he let the arrow go, striking the black spot again and setting everything up for this last target in his run.

Breathing slowly, Kaen held the arrow against his finger, bow lifted in the air and fully drawn.  He watched as the target came closer, knowing it was just seconds away from when he should shoot.

He smiled as the arrow lept from his bow, knowing the shot would hit.  As they flew by, Pammon tilted his head back as he had for all the others.

[ Archery Skill Increased ]

You hit it right in the center!  I knew you could do it!

Kaen grinned and rubbed Pammon's neck as his friend turned slowly in the air, getting ready to land so they could retrieve the arrows before trying again.

Best of all, I got a point in archery on that last one!

The wave of excitement from Pammon struck Kaen more than usual.  It almost made him dizzy for a second as it was more intense than before.

Are you ok? You felt like you went limp for a second.

I'm fine.  It just felt overpowering when your emotions hit me just now.  Much more than usual.

Pammon glanced back at Kaen and watched him momentarily as he flew over the trees.

I felt it, too, when you celebrated the point.  I'm unsure why, but everything has been more intense since you gave me strength the other day.

Kaen nodded and motioned for Pammon to focus on the area they needed to land.

We'll figure it out.  For now, we need to restock and do this again.

Hess came running up with the arrows he had retrieved from the targets and those that had survived his missed shots.

"Looks like you got it figured out!" he called out as he handed a stack of arrows to Kaen. "I had to replace some with your stash as some broke.  There are twenty-five there, and you need to try this again before we mix it up."

"Mix it up? Like how?"

Hess flashed a grin, and Kaen groaned, knowing it would get worse the longer they did this.

"Worry about that later. For now, focus on targets and take them down one at a time.  When you run out of arrows this time, I'll change up the course."

Groaning, Kaen took the stack from Hess and refilled his quiver.  He could only imagine the stuff Hess would want him to do.

"I guess I should mention I got a point from that last run?"

Hess's face lit up in excitement.

"Nice!  What does that put you at now?"

"A twenty-eight.  I'm closing in on thirty and wondering what skill I might get."

Hess nodded and began to move backward, giving Pammon room to take off.

"Worry about that later. For now, focus on hitting them all like that last run!" he shouted as he jogged backward.

Any bets on if he thinks you will hit thirty today?

I know both of us hope I do.  Something tells me he wants us to be prepared for what he fears is coming.

Pammon grunted as he leaped from the ground and began to climb, preparing for another run.

"Twenty-four out of twenty-five bullseyes is pretty impressive," Hess informed Kaen, handing him another bundle of arrows.  "To be honest, I thought you might have been perfect until you missed that third shot again."

"It was the wind," groaned Kaen as he took the arrows from Hess.  "Right after I fired it, the wind came up and lifted it a bit higher.

"It happens," Hess answered as he gave a slight shrug.  "Pammon, I want you to start changing how far away you are from the first and last two targets.  Be closer or farther away.  Make it harder on Kaen and make him learn distances.  Also, give me a minute to fix the course.  Kaen, you must figure out how to do this next part."

"Figure out..."

"It's not the same if I tell you what to do versus you finding out on your own.  Figure it out."

He is right, Pammon informed Kaen as they watched Hess jog to the area where the targets were.  You won't have targets waiting for you to hit them.

"I know, but something tells me Hess enjoys making me work this hard.  He hasn't trained me like this since Minoosh, which means I know he is serious."

Let's fly for now.  I want to feel the wind on my snout while he takes care of that.  I will know when he is ready for us.

Pammon turned around and took off into the air, facing away from where Hess was.  He didn't want to give Kaen any chance to see what Hess was doing.

And here I thought you were better than this, teased Pammon as Kaen had missed all of the shots on the first run.

That bastard put the second and third targets next to each other.  Not only did I miss both with my skill, but we must waste time for it to refresh.

Breathe, relax.  I can feel your frustration.  Let it go and focus.  You can do this.  He and I both know you can.

Grumbling, Kaen took a few deep breaths and let them out.  He knew Pammon was right.  Hess believed he could do it, but failing before them like this wasn't enjoyable.

The second pass went a little better with two arrows on target.  He had still missed the second and third targets, but only by a little bit on both.  Lining up two arrows on two targets while flying was not as easy as he had initially thought.

The third pass got better with four arrows on target, even if none of them were a bullseye.  The third target felt like the bane of his existence.  It seemed not to want to be struck by an arrow.

The fourth and fifth pass were alike.  Four on target, two in the black, the third target taunting him with its wooden body.

Let's take a break and then try again.  You are too worked up.

We can't take a break.  What if this was a real fight?  I wouldn't be able just to sit down and do nothing.  I would have to keep fighting as long as possible.  I just want to refill my arrows and do this again.

Pammon nodded as he flew, knowing Kaen was off in his head, fighting battles inside.

"You seem to have trouble with the third target.  Why is that?"

Kaen spat on the ground from Pammon's back.  Frustrated that Hess would bring that up.

"The twin shot just isn't hitting it.  I'm not sure why.  I think it will line up, and yet it doesn't."

Hess nodded as he watched Kaen put the arrows in his quiver.  He reached out a hand and scratched Pammon's neck as he thought about it for a moment.

"Are you trying to activate your lifestone, or are you doing this on your own?"

"I'm doing this on my own," answered Kaen.  "I can't depend on my lifestone for every situation and I also don't want to be dependent on it, especially since Bren told me that overusing it could result in my heart or lifestone exploding.

"I don't think you have to worry about that," Hess answered as he saw the frustration in Kaen's face.  "Pammon, slow down just a hair while Kaen tries to use his lifestone.  Kaen, remember the lifestone is more than just how we get skills.  What you say yours does and how it guides you will make it the greatest teacher of all.  Let it show you how to shoot, how to aim.  Let it be the instructor I can't be in this."

"What do you mean?  You’re teaching me now."

Hess shook his head no as he patted Pammon's neck and began to back up.

"I can't tell you what you are doing wrong, or how you are turned wrong, or where the arrow is aimed at from down here.  Pammon can't help you, either.  This is between you and your lifestone.  Let it guide you this time.   See what it does.  Bren told me how you used it to get a twenty in one day of practicing.  I know now that you and your dad are alike.  You two are different somehow.  Let it guide you like I know it guided him."

Hess took off jogging, not letting Kaen respond.

He's right, you know.  I have felt your lifestone guiding you, and I know that you can do this.  Remember when it guided both of us the first time we flew?  Let it do the same thing now.

Closing his eyes, Kaen tried to remember all the times his lifestone had shown him how to shoot, talk, or dance.  It had taught him things he had never imagined.  Perhaps Hess was right, and he was being foolish trying to do this on his own.  Without Pammon, he would not have a need to practice this.

That is when it struck him.  He was trying to be an adventurer, a hero by himself.  He couldn't do this on his own.  It had taken a life with Hess and all the hours he had put into him.  It would take a lifetime with Pammon if he would accomplish what he hoped to become.

Let's do this!

Pammon gave a bestial growl, surprising Kaen as he leaped into the air.

It's about time you stopped acting like an eggling!