Gerald lived with his father who was a hunter, while he was younger. His mother had died a week after he was born and since then Gerald's father has been the one taking care of him.
His father was also a swordsman but wasn't recognised as one because of his background status, so he took on hunting as his job so he could fend for his son.
His Father hunted animals for reselling in the market and he used his meagre earning to take care of Gerald and himself.
Gerald would always follow his father out to the forest for hunting.
As he grew older, his Father had started teaching him to make bows and arrows.
" Make sure to tie the string tightly to the bow " His father would always say when showing him how to tie the bow.
They would go out together in search of good wood to make a bow and on each hunt for wood, his father would always point out the pros and cons of using bow and arrow.
Alongside that, Gerald's Father also taught him swordsmanship and Gerald seemed really good it.
"There are occasions when the use of long range equipment will be useless and at that point you will be come prone to anything at close range, that's why you need to master the use of sword" his father had said the first day he taught Gerald to spar.
He learnt all the tactics it takes to be a swordsman.
Each day, he would always ask his father to spar with him so he could get better at it.
Which he had gotten better at.....
One day while they were out fetching sticks in the woods, Gerald had noticed that his father wasn't with him but he wasn't disturbed as he knew nothing would have happened to him.
So remembering his father's lesson on how to get a good stick, he fetched some sticks and left the woods.
As expected, his father was home sitting a front the house.. his face all lit up.
" I see you've fetched yourself good sticks" he said as Gerald got closer
Gerald nodded.
" Okay let's see what we can do with them" his father said gesturing to Gerald to drop the sticks...
Gerald dropped the sticks and the sound of wood hitting the floor could be heard.
Gerald father picks up one of the sticks to if it was useful to make a bow , so he tried bending it to check how stiff it was.....
When.....
SNAP
The stick had broken..
Gerald eyes widened in shock.
" Father....."
" You see Gerald....." cuts in
" Getting enough sticks isn't the main purpose of making a bow, it is how strong and flexible the stick is that matters when making a good bow"
" it is a better to have just one strong bow than to have 5 weak bows "
" Imagine going to the woods to hunt and then u face danger" Picks another stick
" What will you do when your bow goes..... "
SNAP
" You don't want your bow going snap when you're facing danger"
Gerald's father had just broken the other stick while trying to test it...
And he did the same with the others till there was none left....
" So Gerald none of the sticks you brought was worthy of making a good bow"
" I wasted my time in the woods looking for these" Gerald replied looking at all the broken sticks on the floor.
" Where were you father, I thought you followed me to the woods together only for me to turn and not see you" Gerald asked his father.
" That reminds me, I need to tell you something"
" Okay Father"
" I have been chosen to be among the men that would go in search of those monsters lurking in the forest"
" There have been rumours of the sightings of strange creatures and villagers have said to have heard weird noises at night"
" I will be leaving with the rest men once..."
" But Father this is suicide " Gerald cut in.
" They never helped you when you needed them and now you're helping them"
" You're risking your life for them father, please don't go" Gerald said
Gerald's Father sighed.
" Gerald, you should know I have always wanted something like this"
" Now that I have the chance don't you think I should join?"
" Father better opportunities are yet to come, this one will only lead to your demise and....."
" That's enough" Gerald's Father cut in, face red with anger....
" This is my decision to make Gerald, not yours "
" I know that the journey won't be a safe one, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't go "
" I have always wanted this, now that I have gotten the chance....i won't let it slip away"
" Besides I won't be risking me life for nothing, I will be saving the village and you my son" he reaches out his hand to touch Gerald's face..
Gerald stood up and walked away leaving his father.
Few days later, his father had left for the quest with other men, Gerald had cried his eyes out for he had the feeling that he wouldn't be seeing his father again.
And truly that was the last time he had seen his father.
Author's Note
Hello guys,
I am so sorry I haven't uploaded any chapter for a while now.....i have an upcoming exam and been busy with school....
In case there's anything you think I ain't doing right please do let me know....
Thanks guys