Lesson

[Master William]

Councilor Grey walked up to the archery stand. He pulled back the string, and felt the wood handle in his strong grasp, the feathers of the arrow against his cheek, and the wind in his hair. Twang! The arrow soared through the air, landing with a twump! in the wooden target on the other side of the field.
"Now my children, that is how you fire a bow properly." His class of 20-some children applauded vigorously for their teacher, excitement splashed across their faces. Grey smiled fondly at their excitement, and looked to one.
"Gregor, you first." He passed a young boy the bow. It was a little big for his body size, but it fixed itself as it touched his hands. The wooden pulled in on itself, shrinking and the bow string grew smaller and smaller until it was the perfect size.
"Wow!" The children all looked with amazed expressions, itching to have their turn. Grey invited Gregor up onto the stand, and showed him how to string the arrow.
"Do you feel the bow in your grasp? Do you feel the arrow against your cheek? Do you feel the wind in your hair? Feeling is everything. Now close one eye, and look straight to your target. Pull further back!" Gregor nodded and pulled the arrow further till it was touching the bottom of his cheek.
"Now let her fly!" The arrow flew, landing with a softer twump! at the edge of the target. Gregor looked up at Grey and smiled.
"I did it!" Grey smiled too. "Yes, well done my child."Each of the children got their turns, firing the bow at least once before being sent back to their seats. After they had all tested it, Grey was happy to tell them the history of the bow and arrow, where it came from, who invented it.
"This weapon my young ones was invented before you were born, before I was born, and even before the Alliance itself was born. It was first used by the archers of an ancient and wonderous civilisation, but was later learned by the warriors of the Ring and perfected. The bows were given magical components and were taught to every person in the kingdom, royalty and commoner alike. The theory was held that every person should have the opportunity and skills to defend their country and the things they value most in it. And we, as their followers, have adopted the same ideals. That is why I'm teaching you now." Grey smiled wide at his young students, who listened intently but looked anxious to take up the bows layed out for them not too far off.
Grey gave them a stern "you should be listening" look, but sighed and took up one of the bows from the pile.
"Now I want you to all line up in front of a target and shot, using only three arrows, and focusing on accuracy and precision! Focus your energies and feel everything around you!"
Grey stood to the side as his students rushed to get their bows.
Grey looked down to find Nashiro trodding up to his side.
"How are the lessons going today?" Nashiro asked, sitting beside his Master on the ground. Grey simply watched his students, giving a thoughtful sigh.
"I'm training them to fight for their country Nashiro, but is it right? I mean, we shouldn't even need to fight anymore. The barbarians should have been beaten long before these boys and girls ever saw life. But they haven't been. As passionate as I am for the further educaton of my students, I can't help but, while being very proud of their enthusiasm, being sad for the futures they face." Grey knelt down to his Familiar, petting him on the top of the head with a 'pat pat' sound. "Do you know what I mean Nashiro?" His Familiar simply nodded, looking out at the children before him as well.
"Well, no sense thinking such things, after all, with our and their help, maybe their futures won't be as bad as mine was, and they won't have to teach their kids to kill others in order to survive." He smiled to the quickly setting sun. "At least, this is what a teacher hopes for most of all."