I sat quietly in the shade of the trees as I watched the hunters return from their trip, deer hanging from the poles being carried between each pair as they as they made their way through the camp. There would be enough food to last for quite some time, to go by what I was seeing. It really had been a successful hunting trip, something the others were already beginning to celebrate.I could only shake my head and sigh as I thought of all the work this would bring me, replacing or repairing lost and broken arrows as well as the occasional bow. Successful or not, hunting trips always seemed to mean more work than usual and less relaxation. Sometimes it didn't pay to be one of the best bowyers in the tribe, not to mention a fairly decent fletcher as well. It just makes sense to know both crafts since they are so closely tied together, although I didn't care for the extra work it brought me.
Shrugging, I slowly climbed to my feet and began the trek to my dwelling, sighing again at the site of a couple hunters already heading that way after having dropped off their deer to be prepared for either cooking tonight's meal or drying into rations for later use.
Oh well, at least I didn't have to join any of the hunts. Grinning at the happy thought, I began my slow walk home, not feeling the need to hurry along.
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Shrugging at the female in front of me, I watched as she threw the broken arrow to the side of my work area, a scowl on her face.
"You think I'll allow you to get away with this substandard workmanship? The lives of our people are relying on these arrows, yet you seem to not care enough to put any real effort into crafting them! Either start making arrows that fly true every time or I swear I will kill you myself!" I sighed as I listened to her yell at me, knowing this meant more work for me.
It's not like I didn't put effort into the arrows. I just didn't have the level of skills she seemed to think I did. I was a Bowyer first and a Fletcher secondary after all, not that she seemed to care that they were not one and the same. I would do my best to raise my skills to meet her needs, even if just to not have our queen breathing down my neck again.
"Kill me if it'll make you happy, my queen. Until then I shall do as you ask to the best of my abilities." I sighed again as I bent down to pick up the arrow she'd tossed, knowing that at least the arrowhead could still be saved for future use.
Giving me a strange look, Ashe shook her head before turning and walking off without another word.
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"You want me to do what?" I asked in confusion, not understanding why she would ask this of me after I had already worked so hard at increasing the quality of the arrows I made. Wasn't that enough extra work? Why was she asking more of me like this?
"You dare to question my decision? Either you pack up your gear and assist the warriors on the battlefront or I'll make sure you won't see the light of another day!" I sighed as she shook her fist at me, turning as I headed over to start filling my pack.
"No my Queen, I don't question your decision. I'll do as you command and if I fail to please you, kill me if that is what you want." I began packing my belongings, grabbing the tools I knew I would need to do as she had demanded.
Maybe if I completed this task for her, she would let me have a break when I got back. Either way, I just hoped she didn't end up asking more of me after this. Maybe death wouldn't be so bad, if it meant I could get a break from all this constant trouble.
Turning her back with a thoughtful gaze, Ashe walked away to give further instructions to the archers she would be sending along with me.
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Diving Deep (requests closed)
FanfictionInside this book, you can find a wide range of anime and manga x Reader oneshots and a few two-part stories as well. For those who are curious, the second chapter is a list of what characters I have written about and where they originate from. Holdi...