She stepped slightly behind him, watching his stance.
"Now, keep your shoulders relaxed. Don't force the draw. Let your body settle into it. Focus on the pattern of movement in the water. Most of those lake creatures surface on rhythm. Count the pause between ripples. When you see the distortion in the reflection, that's your signal. Don't aim at it, aim where it will be."
Tave adjusted his aim, breathing steady. He watched the lake surface. How the ripples gathered, how faint distortions broke the stillness.
The arrow shot forward, slicing the air with a sharp whisper.
Tave's gaze stayed locked on its path. Just as the lake creature burst upward from the water, the arrow crossed the distance in a blink—just a second too early. The creature leapt high, and the arrow passed just beneath it, vanishing into the water with a soft splash.
Aura's lips curled in a smile.
"That… was actually very good for a first attempt. The way you timed it, almost perfect. You have talent, Tave."
