16 Bow

Tomorrow is the big day, so I got today as a free day. Normally I would train, but as a change of pace, I wanted to try something different. Since I am hopelessly outmatched in the physical department I should try and even the playing field through weaponry. While I cannot use weapons in the tournament - goes against tradition they say - I could go hunting and later on, a weapon will help me survive the battlefield if I ever choose to go. I really don´t want to go, but my mother will be going in due time, even if I tell her not to. If the small people are going to advance they will reach our village sooner or later, too. And then my mother will surely take the field, as she is one of the strongest warriors our village has. Before it comes to that I should at least see what those small people are exactly. I know they have weapons and armor, but that´s it. So I should see for myself which tactics they use and perhaps my very limited knowledge about tactics might be of some use. But for now, weapon-making time! And which weapon would be great for someone who has never killed anybody? A gun, of course!

Yeah, I can´t build myself a gun, but I believe if I have to kill somebody for the first time I should do so from a distance. It should be easier than face-to-face. What I should defeat them without killing? Did you really just say that, conscience? What am I? I am a small little girl with absolutely no cheat powers inside a world where everybody gets magical blessings and you say don´t kill? Yeah, right! Forget that!

And that is why I am currently stalking through the forest. Looking out for any small signs of life and avoiding the obvious animal paths. Trying to be as silent as possible. Making my way through the underbrush and all the deadwood lying around a wild forest. I do say stalking because the animals are very aggressive. I went hunting with my mother a few times, but basically, every animal will attack on-sight and use similar tactics to the villagers. Rush and ram. So basically I need to hide and run as soon as I see some dangerous animal. Another reason why I did not try to make a bow inside the village is, that people will look at me like I am trash once more. If I can I should at least try and hide my weapons for as long as possible, until I at least managed to convince mother, that weaponry is not cowardice.

So, for now, I am looking for a tree. Shocking I know I am in a forest looking for a specific tree. Since I don´t really remember which tree that guy on the iNternet used I will go with an oak tree. I believe that was one of the trees that are good for building bows? At least the guy on the Internet said so? Hard to split though apparently. Never did that before and now I need and try to make the bow he demonstrated to build.

That specific bow I am aiming to make is one of, if not the earliest bows ever, that was discovered - I should take that with a grain of salt since it was a video on the Internet though. Seemingly some guy tried to cross over the Alps in Europe and froze to death. He left behind a bow. That bow is comparably easy to make and that is why I will try and make that one. Already secured some fine rope that could be used as a bowstring in my opinion. But I am no expert. Trial and error it is!

All I need is two large pieces of that tree. Normally I would only need one, but since I can´t remember if the softer part goes inside or outside I need to try both options. I am not really sure if I will finish by today, but my mother showed me a nice little cave to hide in should I ever be in a dangerous situation. I will use that cave as a workplace for now.

Finding a young oak tree wasn´t that difficult. Trying to bring it down was more of a challenge. I had built a stone ax. By splitting stones. I found a riverbed deep in the forest and threw stones at stones until one with a suitable edge appeared. After that, I sharpened that one with another stone by breaking of small parts and trying to get the edge thinner and sharper. It took some time, but I got an ax, a small stone knife, and a few wedges to split the oak along his fiber. Not really what I am used to... My father had a small workshop with saws, axes, and different machines. Building a bow inside of that one would probably be a walk in the park, but of course, I have to torture myself now. Can´t believe I actually miss him...

I tried my best at splitting the oak tree into four parts and bringing them into my little cave. The animal has been surprisingly peaceful. I spotted three on my way but they seemingly weren´t hungry and so I had a peaceful time in the forest. Shaping the bow symmetrical was more of a challenge and getting the hook for the string wasn´t that fun either. It was hard with only stone edged tools. Perhaps I should have asked the crafter in the village for some iron knife? But we don´t have enough iron, so I believe they would have refused me. I put the string on and pulled the bow trying to make the bow bend symmetrically and removing some wood if it wasn´t. It was far harder than I imagined and yet somehow I don´t believe I could have done it that fast with my previous body. Seemingly being the race I now have its own advantages even if I am smaller and weaker than most.

But at the end of the day I don´t have two bows, but just one of them. Additionally, I do have made three arrows out of small saplings. I managed to bend them into a straight line and added feathers in a spiral pattern to stabilize the arrow's flight and I hardened the tip over a small fire. But my time is running out and very soon the daylight will vanish. I have to return to the village soon before my mother starts worrying. Shooting the bow will have to wait for another week.