Beve frowned a little - it was not that she did not understand his no-nonsense policy, it was that she didn't quite appreciate it. A travelling minstrel was no more deserving of appreciation than a courtesan, presuming both were highly trained professionals. Her lips opened to issue a challenge, but the words were delayed just enough for Leokas to continue speaking - the mention of a lightning-struck arm distracted the girl enough to forget her indignation. Instead, she wondered if the elf had a permanent scar that covered the length of his arm. She almost asked, but thought it inappropriate enough a question, that she stopped herself from inquiring further.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>A day on the road - not particularly eventful, but taxing nonetheless. Although she struggled to hide it and managed well for the most part, Beve could feel her body complain about the rather sudden change in routine. Her back, arms and legs all ached and her eyelids stubbornly tried to close every few minutes. She was grateful for the brisk breeze as she suspected it was the only reason she hadn't collapsed into a deep sleep yet<br/>.<br/>That and well, the excitement - or fear, or both. She was about to be thrown head-first into an encounter she would have normally tried to avoid by any means. But, alas, Leokas was her employer and she had willingly decided to offer her services to him in return for the generous amount of cash he had left behind for her at the inn - so she had little room to resist.<br/><br/>At least both Bamut and Leokas were experienced travellers as well as fighters - all she'd have to do is stay back, get the hell out of dodge and let them do what they did best.<br/><br/>Except...that was not at all what she was going to do.<br/><br/>She paled a little as Leokas informed them that his ability with a bow was not the best. She could sense what was coming even before Bamut spoke up. Beve mouthed a soundless curse and bit her lower lip as though to make sure it would remain that way, but she did give Bamut a look of frustration.<br/><br/><b>"I don't...I haven't..."</b>Her hand grasped the bow and when her eyes fell upon it, she was momentarily stunned. It was, plainly put - beautiful. Like most things Elven, the bow lacked neither grace, nor poise - and if the Half-Elf in front of her was any indication, this bow had both the advantage of an intricate design and the functionality of a deadly weapon.<br/><b>"...shot in a while"</b>Beve said, completing her sentence in barely a whisper.<br/><br/>It was a display of trust, to be sure, the fact that he was handing her his mother's bow and expecting her to make a shot he himself could not. She nodded at him, although her heart was pounding in her chest loud enough that had they been any closer to the encampment, she'd had feared giving herself away.<br/>She let him help her up into the tree, trying her best not to feel woozy from the height - or their proximity; she couldn't quite place what made her more uncomfortable.<br/><br/>She nodded at his instructions and tested the branch and tree trunk for stability before training the arrow. Her hand trembled and she let out a deep breath, forcing herself to stay as calm and steady as possible while she aimed.<br/><br/>When had she last used a bow?<br/>It had been longer than she liked to admit.<br/>Beve bit her lower lip, the insecurity needed to go away and quickly, lest she cost them their lives.<br/><br/>She pulled the arrow back.<br/><br/>Her fingers were more used to the touch of strings. This was a feeling almost foreign now.<br/>Her arm strained with the effort. It gave a jerk and she released the arrow.<br/><br/>Prematurely.<br/><br/>Her breath caught in her throat as the arrow whooshed through the trees, towards the target. For the briefest moment, she thought it might hit where it had been meant to hit and she almost relaxed.<br/><br/>Almost.<br/><br/>The arrow embedded itself firmly into the ground, in front of a jolly bandit who was not quite drunk enough to pretend that hadn't happen and return to his drinking and partying.<br/><br/>Beve's blood ran cold in her veins.<br/>The man's eyes shot up, scanning the trees even before he rose from where he sat with his drink. Beve had enough presence of mind to shuffle clumsily into hiding, clutching the bow so tight that her knuckles went white. She had not yet found her voice, but she was sure Leokas had witnessed her mistake.<br/><br/><b>"Who's there?!"</b><br/>A man's voice thundered through the trees and Beve closed her eyes, her chest heaving.<b>"Show yourself and maybe we'll go easy on ye!"</b><br/>The bandit grabbed the arrow and looked at it curiously before snapping it in two.<br/><b>"Maybe we'll give you lessons so ye'll shoot better next time, eh?!"</b><br/>The voice called again, a lot less angry and a lot more mocking this time around. Several other voices joined in, laughter rumbled from where the men stood.<br/><br/>There was silence for a bit and Beve assumed they expected her to give away her position, reveal herself, in hopes that they would indeed not slaughter her where she stood - or worse.<br/><b>"Fine then! Search the area! And when you find our little guest, bring him alive and squirming."</b>The now familiar voice bellowed.<br/>The party of bandits removed themselves from where they stood and proceeded forward. They may have not known their exact location, but the arrow had given them enough indication to know where to start, at the very least. It would only be a matter of time before they were found out.<br/><br/>Beve was close to hyperventilating as she looked at Leokas.<b>"I'm...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."</b>was all she could manage to say.