A/N: Okay, that's officially the longest time I've gone without updating a certain story. Gosh. I can't believe it. Thank you to Analyn Ruse for reminding me to get off of my lazy butt and write something. Even if it's super short. Next one will definitely be longer...probably?

"You have to draw the string back to your ear," the girl says, "and find your target, and then you can let it go. Not before." She demonstrates, sending an arrow thudding into the trunk of a maple twenty yards away. "Your shot will be stronger. Here, you try." She holds the bow out to the boy, the spitting image of his older brother—but now with one more limb.

The boy carefully takes the weapon, marveling at its simple beauty. Brow furrowed in concentration, he nocks the bow and draws the string. His shoulders are tense. Another arrow zings across the clearing and clatters off a rock.

"That was much better." There's genuine praise in the girl's voice as she retrieves it.

"But not good enough," says the boy. He frowns at the bow. "We haven't caught anything."

"Of course not," says the girl sensibly. "We're talking. No squirrel's that stupid." She shows him something like a smile and retrieves both arrows, keeping her back straight through sheer force of will. It's anything but easy for her to teach this boy to hunt, something his brother will never do again.