Ch. 3: The Bear

Caliana's cheek burned from the slap the man had landed on her. But what burned her worse was the fact that the Hunter's eyes had seen all of it. She felt humiliated and embarrassed. The village had been ordered not to lay a hand on the women while the Hunters were here. Yet they couldn't last a single night!

Fuming, she left the feast, knowing she wouldn't be missed, and stormed off into the forest. Only one thing could calm her anger when she was like this.

Even with the faint light of the waning crescent moon that was provided, she could see everything clearly. From the foxes running through the trees, pausing to glance at her curiously before continuing on, to the owl flying through the air, searching for any small prey running about.

She moved through the forest without making a sound, freezing whenever she needed to, listening to any unknown sounds. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, but no matter how many times she looked behind her, she never saw anything but her own shadow, and the shadows of the trees.

Shaking her head, she took a breath; it was just her nerves most likely. Moving the moss aside she had placed over the hole earlier, she pulled out her bow and bowstring. Quickly stringing it, she reached in and pulled out the quiver. Sighing, she reached in and grabbed three spare arrows that she had made the last time she made arrows.

"I'll have to make more soon..." she said to herself. It wasn't uncommon for Caliana to talk to herself, especially at night. Checking the fletching on the arrows was still good, she slung them quiver over her shoulder and continued into the forest, past the area she had trained earlier in the day. She headed deeper, seeming to be wandering but it was intentional. She didn't want anyone following her, or stumbling across her secret place.

By the time she stopped, there was a light sheen of sweat on her body. Her breath was normal, but that was due to years of following this trail. Pulling off her quiver, she drew two arrows, holding one against the bow and notching the other one. To Caliana, there was no feeling in the world to compare to holding a bow in her hands.

There was nothing like drawing back the bowstring, feeling the muscles in her arms and back tighten and firm. But her favorite part of all of it, was the release. The moment of pure stillness and silence as her fingers let the arrow go, made her feel as if the arrow was her emotions. The deep thrum of the bow string as the arrow was launched from the bow, resonated deep into her soul, calming the chaotic emotions she held.

Caliana had no clue how long she fired arrows into the trees, trying to calm her anger. She hated this place. She grew up being forced into submission, and if she defied, it was beaten into her. Women in this village, were only good for cooking and cleaning, and providing sons.

Every time she thought of how unfairly she and the other women were treated in this village, her rage grew, and her arrows flew even faster. She emptied and refilled her quiver 3 times before she stopped, panting and clutching her chest, tears rolling down her face in frustration.

She fell to her knees, sobbing in anger, unaware of the eyes on her. After about 10 minutes of sobbing, she collected herself, wiping her face and going forward to retrieve her arrows. But before she could take a step, a deep, rumbling growl came from behind the tree in front of her. Taking a small step back, she watched as an adult, full grown black bear stepped forward, rising up on its haunches. Reaching in her quiver, she paled as she felt only one arrow in it.

Knowing she only had one chance, Caliana stood her ground, drawing her remaining arrow and aiming for where she guessed the bear's heart was. Taking a deep breath, she drew back on the string, holding it until her arms began to ache with the effort. Keeping her aim steady, she fired.

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Liam watched her train, practicing for hours. He knew his absence had more than likely been noticed, but trusted the others to excuse it for him. They knew him well enough to know when he disappeared like this, it was for a good cause. He had left as soon as she vanished, intent on following her. He knew there was a reason she was worried and on edge around him, and he wanted his suspicions to be confirmed.

He watched, his eyes hiding his surprise as she would stop randomly and look behind her, as if she knew he was following her. He had watched as she carefully, almost lovingly, pulled out the recurve bow, and string it herself. It must have taken years of practice to get the strength to string and unstring the bow, but she seemed to do it with ease.

After watching her pull out a quiver of arrows, with the same fletching on the arrows that killed the lion earlier, he knew it had been her.

Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he watched as she braced herself for every shot. She would seem relaxed as she pulled the arrow back, then would brace a moment before she fired. It was a technique only those who were naturals possessed, and was rare to find. He was even more certain of his decision as he watched her arrows fly. He could tell from her stance, she was angry, yet that did not hinder her. Instead it enhanced her.

He watched the arrows fly faster and faster until suddenly she stopped firing, instead bending over and clutching her chest. He watched as she fell to her knees, sobbing. He had no clue what was causing this breakdown, but he felt great pride in her ability to control herself not long after it began.

He watched as she rose, but he wasn't paying attention, instead realizing the utter silence that surrounded them, pulling his long bow off his shoulder and drawing an arrow at the same time Caliana heard the growl. He drew his arrow back but paused as he watched her reach back with shaking fingers. He couldn't see her face, but he knew from the way she stiffened that she knew she was in a hopeless situation.

He watched as she took a breath, and held her ground. Drawing back the only arrow she had left, he watched as she aimed at its heart. As she released, the beast had begun to fall onto its front paws, the arrow burying itself in its shoulder instead of its heart.

She had missed.

Drawing back his own arrow, Liam focused on the black beady eyes. As soon as the bear was on all fours, his arrow released, embedding itself in the beasts skull. Rising on its hind legs, the beast roared in agony for a moment before another arrow appeared in its heart. The beast fell backwards, it's roar cut off.

Caliana's head whipped back, her face still pale as she turned and looked for him. Her eyes were filled with terror and her body was shaking.

Stepping into the faint light the moon provided, he watched as she recognized him.

Her lips moved, but he couldn't hear what she said, instead watching as she began to collapse. Rushing forward, he caught her and stared as she whispered terrified, "Please don't kill me."

He went to ask her what she meant but before he could, she fainted.