CHAPTER FOUR

Preparations

Fletcher decided to pick up Nox later when he left, instead going to get his pack from his house. It included his bed roll, bread, a water canteen, a map, a pen, and his notebook. What was the point of a journey if it couldn't be recorded? He did one final sweep, making sure not to forget anything. Just then, Fletcher eyed something on his dresser; a small compass. Useful. Attached with twine, he saw a note titled: From Lynn.

It read:

Never forget, you are the arrow, aim in the direction you want to go. I am so proud of you.

P.S. Don't tell dad. He doesn't know about this.

Fletcher laughed, putting the keepsake in his bag. When did he have time to put this together? Just as Fletcher was leaving, Rainah came into his room.

"Lynn gave it to me to give to you. Make him proud."

Fletcher could sense that his mother was referring to the note. The more Fletcher thought about it it sounded like Lynn would be okay if Fletcher left forever, as long as he was pointing in the direction he wanted to go. He shook off his doubt. No. Why would Lynn use hunting terms if he wasn't talking about the dragon? Fletcher convinced himself he wanted to kill the dragon. He would have to. He was finally ready.

Fletcher walked outside to find the whole village applauding. He had almost forgotten about the ceremony. His father was not sentimental, but this was the one time in which he acknowledged all of his siblings' accomplishments before him, and now it was his turn. His father waved him over to the small wooden dais in the back of the town square. Fletcher warily made his way to the stage, but on the second step leading up to it, he tripped, already messing up right in front of his father and the whole town. He quickly stood up and brushed it off, cursing under his breath.

His father gripped his shoulder, digging the chain pattern from his armor into his skin. Fletcher didn't even react. His father could do worse and he couldn't risk the crowd seeing his pain.

"Don't you dare embarrass me," he whispered with a sympathetic look, too quiet for the crowd to hear.

The crowd didn't seem to notice what was going on, some of them finding the performance endearing, as if Orion had just whispered words of encouragement to Fletcher. Orion was good at acting, had manipulated people for years, but so was Fletcher. He had learned from the best. Fletcher looked to the crowd with a smile as his father began his speech.

"I knew as soon as I laid eyes on my son that he would be a warrior."

Fletcher heard snickers from the crowd as some of the younger ones seemed to disagree. His father continued.

"Fletcher is a name befitting a boy such as him, being light as a feather, but still going on to do many useful things. I have watched three of my boys become men, and now it is Fletcher's turn."

Orion then let go of Fletcher's shoulder and unveiled the weapon, setting the fabric to the side. It had to be the most beautiful bow Fletcher had ever seen. Its base was covered in red dragon scales that shone ruby in the light of the sun, stopping near the ends to look like horns. It was carved out of a dragon bone and sharpened at the ends, leading to a point. This might be the one and only time his father had actually cared about what he wanted. Just then, Fletcher looked at the crowd to see Elias giving him a subtle thumbs up. Right. There's no way his father would have made him a bow if Elias didn't intervene. Although Fletcher still had some resentment towards Elias and Theo for failing to get him for so many years, he would remember this gesture forever. Orion handed Fletcher the quiver first, just plain leather. He tied it to his back, making sure it was tight.

"I, the Village Blacksmith, bestow this bow upon my son, Fletcher," said his father, holding the bow out in front of him for Fletcher to take.

Fletcher took the bow and placed it in the quiver, careful not to break the string. Next, his father handed him the arrows, specially made for the bow. The tips were also made of dragon bone. He handed them to Fletcher one by one, until he possessed all twelve.

"Fletcher is tasked with slaying a dragon with this very bow by the end of the week. He will bring back some skin and bones. If he does not succeed in this task, he will not be allowed to step foot here again."

He nodded at Fletcher. Fletcher bowed as the audience applauded. He stepped off the dais. It was almost time to leave, but he had one more errand to run. Fletcher went to pick up Nox from the stables, waiting for Lynn so he could say goodbye. When Lynn arrived at the barn, he immediately wrapped Fletcher in his arms so tight, he couldn't breathe. Fletcher didn't care. This might be the last time he would ever get to hug his brother like this, and he wasn't going to waste it. That's when Fletcher started to feel the drip of tears on his shoulder. He pulled back, concerned.

"I'm so proud of you, Fletch. You should go."

What he really wanted to say was that he was going to miss Fletcher. That this could be goodbye forever. That he knew, in some way, that Fletcher wouldn't be able to complete his task. He didn't doubt Fletcher for one bit, but Fletcher had better morals than most of them, and if there would be anyone to break the cycle, it was him.

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A/n: I hope you liked this one! Wish Fletcher good luck on his journey! Also once again, I absolutely hate Orion. You're not alone.