Inhale, exhale, release. 

Drawing another arrow from his quiver, he notched it into the bow. He stared downfield, his vision narrowing, and could see that his previous arrow hit the target he had set up. It had been some time since he had shot a bow, but perhaps he retained the skill well. Though, pulling the draw-weight back was harder with age. 

Inhale, exhale, release. 

His eyes carefully followed it as flew, he couldn't fully explain but didn't move as an arrow should. He remembered his father teaching him and taking him to his first hunt. As he prepared his shot, he remembered when a druid told his father that the will of the gods carried arrows, his retort that faith feels souls, not bellies. 

Inhale, exhale, release. 

He tried not to linger on such thoughts; he moved from one side of Arboria to another for a reason. As he reached for another arrow, he felt an arm grab at his, and he turned around to see a young human lady staring angrily at him. 

He watched her face, "Do your ears not work?" 

Sighing, and gesturing her to continue, her lips continued, "You did not tell anyone one, you were an explorer or guardian. My father has called for all able-bodied fighters to meet with him. You might not be young anymore, but your bow-arm is decent."

He paused, "Listen. I am a hunter's son, and I am not so able-bodied anymore." 

He couldn't help to wipe his face, but he didn't need to know what she said next to reply, "Because my ears don't work." 

It took a few seconds for the lady to compose herself, "But you managed to dodge out of the way of Rosa when she ran up behind you. How did you do that if you can't hear." 

When he didn't answer it immediately, she jumped on it, "It is bad form faking an injury." 

He softly replied, "I am not faking, but I don't know how I react to certain things. My muscles twitch in a certain way, and I move. That is when it isn't more involved, and I do somehow hear a whispering voice teaching me breathing techniques." 

Her expression softened, "Have you seen the druids about such things?" 

Scoffing, "They didn't help any." 

She replied, "I heard my uncle also reacted to things that he shouldn't and heard voices. He found a secretive group of druids that helped him, but my father said not to trust them. I will tell my father to leave you be." 


[hider=Summary]
A person is practicing archery in a city somewhere near Arboria. He is noticing something odd about his aim and is trying to avoid reminiscing about his past. He is interrupted by the daughter of a local leader. They have a harsh conversation until he reveals he has been suffering from strange sensations and hearing voices despite being deaf. She mentions how her uncle had similar problems and was helped by a secretive group of druids her father distrusted before taking her leave. 
[/hider]