Assassin [#ProjectWomanUp]

Chapter Six: Weapons and Questions

Analise was already in the weapons room when Eliza and November got there, standing stock still against the far wall. Eliza herself had never gotten how people could just simply stand there, without moving.

November, as always, was the first to acknowledge Analise. "Hello, Apprentice Windrunner."

Analise inclined her head politely to the two Assassins. "Assassin Mendel. Assassin Moonwalker."

November smiled at Analise. "No need to be so formal. You can call me November and your mentor Eliza."

Analise still stood at attention for them. "I beg your pardon, A- November."

Eliza smiled at Analise. She was the exact opposite of Eliza.

November obviously had noted this as well. "So polite. Don't you think, Liz?"

Eliza rolled her eyes.

Analise watched the exchange. The entire time, she had been afraid that her mentor was an uptight, rule following poster girl, and that disobedience would be rewarded with punishment. But watching her exchange with November, and the subtle implication that Eliza had been a trouble apprentice, made her uncertian of her mentor.

"So, Analise," Eliza asked, startling Analise out of her thoughts. "What kind of weapon do you prefer?"

Analise paused, remembering her own past. "I- I wasn't allowed to use weapons when I was younger."

"I see," Eliza muttered, examining Analise. "Ever thought about using a bow?"

Analise shook her head. "No, not really."

"Well, with your form, you look like a bow would suit you." Eliza browsed the bow selection, trying to find a bow that would fit Analise's small frame.

"What about you?" Analise asked suddenly.

"Sorry?"

"What weapons do you use?"

"Liz is a backstabber," November joked.

"I prefer the phrase, 'likes to be in the thick of things.' I use knives. Ah, here we are." Eliza emerged with a bow. "This'll do until you build up the strength to use a longbow."

Analise took it and examined it. It wasn't quite what she had imagined when she had been told she'd get a bow. For the most part, it was a stereotypical bow, except for the tips, which faced a different direction then the rest of the bow, forming an S-shape.

"It's called a recurve bow," Eliza told her. "You get the same amount of power for less draw weight."

Analise looked up at her curiously. "If you fight with knives, how do you know so much about bows?"

"Well, for one, we're required to study all forms of fighting, should we get an apprentice who uses a different style. For another, my mentor was an Archer." She guestured toward November.

Analise noticed the arm guard November wore on her left forearm, and the glove she wore on her right hand, which seemed fit to protect her hand from the bowstring.

Eliza and November seemed to be answering her questions, so she decided to keep asking. "How many styles of fighting are there?"

"Well, there's Archers, obviously." November answered. "Knife users, called Scouts; Monks, who use staves; and Bruisers, who like fighting with their bare hands. Of course, it's not their bare hands, they use these." November selected something from one of the racks and showed it to her. "It fits over their fists, like this," November fitted the glove over her knuckles, with her fist balled. "The dulled spikes on it pack quite a punch."

Analise watched, facinated. She had no idea that the Assassins were so organized.

"We should probably go. The rest are probably already in the planning room," November prompted Analise and Eliza, who had lost interest and was browsing the knives. "Liz, those are for the apprentices."

"Coming, I'm coming."

Well, that was fun. And the chapter itself is exactly 600 words. Media for proof.
Who knew Ranger's Apprentice could teach you so much about bows? Of course, the rest of the fighter names and types came from EverQuest2.
Hope you enjoy. Leave a comment, leave a vote.
Peace peeps!