I"It's getting cold out," Hagar muttered, his breath visible as it mingled with the crisp morning air.Seated on the creaking wooden porch of his home, Hagar nursed a steaming cup of tea. Wisps of vapor rose from the cup, blending into the pale light of dawn. Around him, the world was still, wrapped in a thin blanket of frost. The delicate crystals sparkled faintly, reflecting the muted gray of the overcast sky.He took a slow sip, savoring the tea's warmth spreading through his body. "Ah, that's good," he murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.His eyes wandered into the forest, where the silence seemed almost sacred. Only the occasional snap of a branch or rustle of leaves broke the quiet. A sudden movement caught his attention—a small squirrel, its fur fluffed against the cold, darted out from the trees. It scurried along the ground, nose twitching as it searched for food. Hagar chuckled softly at the sight.From behind him came the faint creak of old hinges. The weathered door to the house inched open, groaning as if in protest. A tousled head of brown hair peeked out, followed by a pair of cautious blue eyes scanning the area. Tyr stepped out onto the porch, moving slowly and deliberately. His bare feet made no sound on the wooden boards as he crept forward, careful not to draw attention."Where do you think you're off to?" Hagar's deep, resonant voice boomed from the shadows beside a stack of neatly piled firewood.Tyr froze mid-step, his face flushing with a mix of guilt and panic. He turned toward the voice, stammering, "N-nowhere! I just... wanted some air."Hagar's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "How's your leg, boy?"Tyr shifted uncomfortably, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's better. I can walk without too much pain now. Still a little sore, though." His voice steadied as he spoke, though he avoided Hagar's gaze. Then, curious, he asked, "I thought you were hunting this morning.""I was waiting for you to try and sneak away," Hagar said, his tone laced with dry amusement. "I'm not so easily fooled."Tyr's cheeks flushed deeper, his embarrassment evident. "I'm sorry, Hagar," he admitted quietly. "I just... I wanted to find Raina."Hagar leaned back against the porch railing, folding his arms. His gaze softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. "It would be wise of you to think about being more prepared, boy."Tyr's ears perked up at the subtle shift in Hagar's tone. He wasn't angry—he was concerned.With a low grunt, Hagar rose to his feet, reaching for a small bow that rested against his chair. He walked toward Tyr, who still hovered in the doorway, half-expecting a scolding. Instead, Hagar extended the bow to him."If you're determined to leave, I won't stop you," Hagar said, his voice even. "But you should at least know how to use this."Tyr's eyes widened as he accepted the bow. It was small, clearly made for someone his size, the wood smooth and polished. The grain of oak was visible along its length, the craftsmanship unmistakable. He tugged gently at the string, testing its tension."Is this... for me?" he asked hesitantly.Hagar raised an eyebrow. "When you receive a gift, you should say thank you, boy."Tyr flinched, his posture straightening. "Th-thank you!" he blurted, clutching the bow tightly.Hagar's stern expression broke into a faint smile. His tone lightened. "That's better. Now, we'll start your training."Tyr's eyes widened, his excitement impossible to hide. He stared at Hagar, stunned. "You're going to teach me? Really?"Hagar nodded, chuckling at the boy's enthusiasm. But before Tyr could celebrate, his stomach let out a loud, unmistakable growl.Tyr's face turned crimson. "Uh, can I eat first?" he asked sheepishly.Hagar raised an eyebrow, his expression one of exasperated amusement. "So, you were planning to sneak off without eating as well?" He sighed heavily, shaking his head. "Very well. Let's have some breakfast first."Relieved and eager, Tyr followed Hagar back inside the house, the bow still clutched in his hands.IIThunk… thwack… thwip.The repeated, uneven sounds of arrows meeting—or failing to meet—their mark echoed through the clearing. Tyr stood a short distance from the sturdy ironwood tree, its bark unyielding to his relentless efforts."This is stupid," Tyr muttered, frustration heavy in his voice. His shoulders slumped as he stared at the pile of broken arrows littering the ground. "Why aren't the arrows doing anything? I've been at this for hours, and nothing has changed!"From across the clearing, Hagar's voice boomed like thunder. "Then give up."Tyr froze, his head snapping toward the source of the voice. His expression shifted from anger to shock. Give up? Why would he say that? He tightened his grip on the bow, staring at it as doubt threatened to creep in. The memory of Raina flickered in his mind like a spark. If I can't do this… how can I protect her?Hagar's voice cut through the boy's thoughts, harsh but purposeful. "How can you protect Raina if you can't even use a bow?"The words struck Tyr deeply, echoing in his mind. His eyes, once dulled by frustration, lit up with a renewed determination. He straightened his back, inhaling sharply. "I won't ever give up," he declared, his voice resolute.Knocking an arrow, Tyr's hands trembled as he drew back the string. His form was shaky, his footing uneven, but his resolve was firm. He released the arrow with a soft twang. The arrow wobbled through the air before striking the tree with a weak thwack. It bounced off, the shaft snapping as it joined the growing collection of broken arrows on the forest floor.Tyr hung his head low, defeated. He stared at the ground, unable to lift his gaze."That's the best arrow you've shot so far, boy," Hagar said, his tone steady.Tyr blinked, lifting his head. "What?"Hagar gestured toward the tree. Tyr followed his gaze and noticed the arrowhead lodged faintly in the bark. The shaft was broken, but the tip had pierced the ironwood. I… I did it? I finally got an arrow to stick in the tree!A wave of triumph washed over him. His face broke into a wide grin as he jumped in place, bow clutched tightly in his hands. "I did it! I did it!"Hagar couldn't suppress a smile at the boy's excitement. Impressive, he thought. I had him shoot at an ironwood tree, the hardest in the region. Even seasoned archers struggle with that. This boy is remarkable."Well done, boy," Hagar said, nodding approvingly. "I think it's time I showed you how to properly use a bow."Tyr's eyes lit up, his excitement palpable. "Really? I'm ready!"IIIThe following day, the morning sun bathed the clearing in soft golden light as Hagar prepared to train Tyr. He motioned for the boy to pay attention, standing tall with the bow in his hands."Alright, boy, watch closely," Hagar instructed.Tyr's eyes locked on Hagar, every muscle in his small frame tense with anticipation. Hagar's movements were fluid yet deliberate. He held the bow at his side, his posture relaxed but firm. Drawing an arrow, he nocked it effortlessly, the shaft gliding along the curvature of the bow as he pulled back the string.The bow bent under the tension, its wood creaking slightly. Hagar took a steady breath and released.The string snapped forward with a sharp crack, sending the arrow hurtling through the air with precision. A gust of wind blew through the clearing as the arrow struck the ironwood tree with explosive force.The impact was deafening, sending a crack spidering up the bark. The arrowhead had pierced clean through, leaving a perfectly circular hole as splinters shot out from the back.Tyr's jaw dropped. He stared at the tree, then at Hagar, then back at the tree again, his mind struggling to process what he'd just witnessed. "How… how did you do that?" he stammered, awe written across his face.Hagar lowered his bow, his tone calm. "Did you see how my body was relaxed but my form stable? There's strength in control, not just force."Tyr blinked, then nodded quickly. He grabbed his bow, eager to mimic Hagar's movements. "Alright… let me try again!"He nocked an arrow, his grip still shaky but more deliberate this time. Drawing the string, he took a deep breath to steady himself before releasing.Thwink.The arrow stuck into the tree's bark—not deep, but enough to remain intact. Tyr stared at it, stunned, before breaking into a grin. "I did it! It didn't break!"Hagar nodded, his tone encouraging. "Good. Now keep practicing."Tyr turned to him, his eyes filled with wonder. "Do you think… do you think I'll ever be able to shoot like you?"Hagar smirked, his gaze steady. "If you practice every day and hone your skills, you might surpass me."He's learning faster than I expected, Hagar thought. This boy… he has the makings of a phenomenal archer.Tyr's chest swelled with pride. "Then I'll practice every day! I'll get even better!"The sun climbed higher into the sky as Tyr fired arrow after arrow, each shot more precise than the last.IVHagar stepped out of the house, a steaming bowl of rabbit stew in his hands. The cold morning air carried the aroma of herbs and tender meat, wafting into the clearing where Tyr stood practicing his archery. Setting the bowl down on a weathered wooden chair, Hagar called out in his gruff but warm tone, "Come eat, boy."Tyr didn't immediately respond, his concentration fixed on the ironwood tree. His posture was more refined now—shoulders squared, feet planted firmly, and muscles toned from months of rigorous training. His hair, once a wild mess, now hung past his ears in untamed waves.Thwink. Crack. Fwshhhh.The arrow struck the splintered tree, steam rising faintly from its shaft as it buried deep into the bark. The once-pristine ironwood bore the scars of relentless practice, its surface riddled with cracks and the scattered remains of embedded arrows."On my way," Tyr called back, lowering his bow and stretching his arms. He walked over to Hagar, picking up the bowl of stew. A smile crept across his face as he inhaled the hearty aroma. "Rabbit stew? My favorite."He looked up at Hagar with a curious glint in his eyes. "What's the occasion?"Hagar's expression softened, though his voice remained steady. "Whatever do you mean?"Tyr raised an eyebrow. "I haven't had rabbit stew since my first night here. And you've never brought food out to me like this before."Hagar chuckled softly. "Ah, so your sense of intuition has sharpened. Very well." He paused, his tone gaining a rare warmth. "I think you're ready, boy. It's time for you to go out on your own."Tyr froze mid-spoonful, the stew momentarily forgotten. "You… you mean it?"Hagar nodded. "You're ready. Your bow skills are remarkable, especially for someone who first held one three months ago. I've taught you all I can. There's nothing more I can offer you." His voice faltered slightly, his gaze distant, as if lost in a memory. "I'm proud of all you've accomplished, Tyr."The boy's expression softened as he caught the emotion in Hagar's voice. "Thank you, Hagar. For everything. I wouldn't be here without you. I wouldn't have survived, wouldn't have grown stronger. It's all because of you."Before Hagar could respond, Tyr set the bowl down and threw his arms around him in a tight hug. The gesture caught the older man off guard, but after a moment, he smiled. A single tear slipped down his cheek, quickly wiped away before Tyr could see it."You'd better eat your stew before it gets cold," Hagar said, his voice gruff but kind.Tyr grinned and sat back down, scarfing the stew with gusto. "It's even better than I remembered!" he said between bites, his laughter bubbling out.Hagar chuckled, his deep voice filling the air with warmth. The two shared a rare, heartfelt moment—a laughter-filled pause in the flow of time. For Hagar, it was a feeling he hadn't experienced in far too longThe next morning, sunlight filtered through the window as Tyr packed his supplies. His movements were deliberate as he checked and rechecked his provisions: arrows, dried meats, a waterskin, and the small bow Hagar had given him. His face was calm, but there was a shadow of sadness in his eyes.Hagar leaned against the doorframe, watching silently."Looks like I'll be heading off shortly," Tyr said, his tone light but his gaze lingering on the house.Hagar stood and approached him. "I'll accompany you out of the woods," he said firmly. "Consider it my way of saying goodbye. Besides, I need to stop in town for supplies." He paused, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Someone ate me out of house and home."Tyr laughed, his voice filled with genuine joy. "I'll gladly accept your help."The two packed their remaining things, the small house growing quieter with each item stowed away. As they stepped outside, Tyr turned back, his gaze sweeping over the home where he had healed, grown, and found guidance. Memories played in his mind—the warmth of rabbit stew on cold nights, the ache of sore muscles after a day of training, and, most of all, the gruff kindness of Hagar.I'm going to miss this place. But it's time I find Raina."Tyr," Hagar called, his voice snapping him out of his thoughts.Tyr blinked and turned. "Coming!"He jogged to catch up, his steps lighter despite the weight of the goodbye. Together, they headed into the forest, the house fading into the distance behind them.