It wasn't enough. Ash needed more. More power. More accuracy. Another deep breath as she stabilized herself on the horse. It's true, it was a failure. The soft skin and large body of the toad proved that her arrow was nothing more than a splinter. If they had some rope, they could have used that to restrain the beast. If the arrows were barbed, they could tear out flesh with the rope. But she didn't have any money for that. No, all she had was the insults of the knight. They didn't phase her. She was used to it. Nothing that the knight could say would scare her. Compared to being mauled by a bear, it was nothing. Compared to being stabbed by a goblin, it was nothing. Words were meaningless.

Matteo was now in danger. Constantly at risk, the young thief was once again at death's door. This time was less being knocked unconscious and more instantly dying. If Ash failed... No. Don't think about it. That's all that was on her mind. Worrying would do nothing. She would do her job, the priest and Muu would do theirs, and Matteo would do his. That's all they needed to do. Their own job.

Now that they were in full stride, archery was much more difficult. Ignore the difficulty. She drew the bowstring back and nocked another arrow. Deep breath. Don't think of anything. Think of even less. Only feel. She didn't have to control the horse. The range was practically nothing. She barely had to lead the shot. The vibrations were adjusted to. Move perfectly still, like a robot. Adjust. Think less. At this range, all she had to do was do it. At one lance length, she could hit it. She knew she could. Luck be damned. Thinking was useless. An empty mind was all she needed.


[i]Twang.[/i]