The day after Jared named Perin, they went to work. Perin protested that they did not train at the weapons, but Jared was strict. They were up early, working in the field, cutting firewood, and taking care of the animals.
The work made Perin hungry, and he finally ate ravenously. He ate everything set before him, and adapted quickly to the structured life that Jared led.
Up early every morning, Perin noticed the sunrise, and the way Jared paused to give thanks every day. Perin found that he, too, had things to give thanks for. Those simple quiet moments filled Perin with strength.
On the morning of the third month, Perin was allowed to join Jared for a hunt. Perin’s nature allowed him to walk softly, but he marveled at Jared’s silence. As they passed through the woods, Jared pointed out tracks, and spoor, and other things that he felt Perin should know. Before they found their prey, Perin was already overwhelmed. On the walk home, Perin struggled with the small deer over his shoulders. Jared offered to help, but Perin was still trying to prove his worth.
The next day, Jared was waiting for him in the yard, before daybreak. He handed Perin a staff, cut just for him, and began showing Perin the dance. Together, they moved from one stance into another, Jared flowing like water, and Perin following awkwardly. After a time, Jared replaced the staff with a pair of knives. Every morning, before their chores and the hunt, they practiced, with staff and knives. Six months later, Jared gave Perin a gift.
The bow was as tall as Perin, which made it quite shorter than the one Jared used. When Perin tried to pull the string back, he was unable to.
Jared said, “When you can pull the string, and hold it steady, you will learn archery. On your bow, a man’s bow. Learning on a child’s bow would ruin you.”
For a year, Perin worked on the farm, and learned to track and hunt, and to handle the staff and knives. Jared taught him the beauty of the forest, and to love the silence. By the beginning of the second year Perin lived with Jared, he found he was happy.
As spring began, Perin pulled the string back under Jared’s watchful eye. Perin held the string back for a slow count of five, and slowly returned it to the starting position. Jared smiled, and went to get the quiver he had made for Perin.
Perin woke earlier from then on, since Jared did not relax on the chores or his weapon practice. The first day he was able to shoot five arrows, and no more. Each of them missed the bundle of hay he aimed at.
Time passed, and Perin got better. Much better.
The summer came, and with it, the trading festival at the village. Jared loaded the cart, and told Perin to bring his staff and bow.
Perin spent the length of the trip naming the animals, plants and trees. Jared tried to correct him twice, but each time found that he was wrong, and Perin sharp eyes had made the correct observation.
The village was full of people, and the crowds were loud. Perin squirmed a bit, but Jared’s calm presence made him stop. They pulled up to the inn, and Jared told Perin to bring in his pack. As the inn’s men took the cart and horses to the back, Jared led Perin into the first inn he had ever seen.
------------------
The RudeDawg
Known in these Forgotten Realms as Perin LightEyes
and my girlfriends, Pamila and Pfil