Post by The Stranger on Apr 14, 2008 14:30:15 GMT -5
Janos fired another shot and hit the bullseye. For the last few days he had been practicing with his crossbow, for what
reason he did not know. Lord Beric had come to him one day and told him to train with it as much as he could, and so
he did. He was better with the spear but worse witht the sword, and a long range weapon always had an advantage. When
he had been training as a soldier he had been given the choice between the bow and the crossbow, and he had decided
for the latter. The bow was all well and good, but something about the thunk that the string of the crossbow made had
enticed him. It took longer to reload but at a short range had a power to it that no bow could match. But why was he
doing this? Was Lord Beric planning something? He had recently found his old friend and asked him to be his personal
guard, as well as hiring a young bravo and Janos guessed that even a skillfull man like Lord Beric needed protection,
being an exile.
Beric entered the yard and Janos saw him watching him. The Lord smiled and raised his voice. "Janos, you are doing well.
However, how about a moving target?" Janos nodded and Lord Beric walked over to a small chest. Inside were apples and
and when Janos saw them he gulped. 'How does he expect me to hit one of them?'. Without warning Beric tossed one in the
air and Janos fire, missing it by a good three yards. He reloaded and again an apple flew, this time he only missed it
by about two yards. They continued thus, however Janos could never hit the apple. When there was one left, Janos shut
his eyes and concentrated. Lord Beric had a good aim and the apples always flew at the same angle and height so Janos
knew at what point he needed to fire. He opened his eyes and nodded to Lord Beric, who threw the apple. Janos fired
and the bolt just about skimmed the apple. It was not what he had wanted but Beric smiled. "That was good enough, Janos.
You have talent. Now, continue with your practice until I send for you."
An hour later, as Janos was collecting all the bolts, Morho came for him. The two of them went to Lord Beric's room
and Janos entered alone, while Morho stayed to guard the door. Upon entering he saw Beric finish writing a letter
and handing it to Gaharr Tohn, who was standing next to him. Lord Beric looked up and saw Janos. "My good friend, how
did your practice go?" "Pretty well; I feel I am getting better." "Good. I have an errand for you, Janos. I would like
you to go to Kings Landing." For a moment Janos stood stunned. 'Why would he want that?'. Beric looked at Gaharr for
a moment and then returned his gaze to Janos. "I have an important letter for you to deliver, to the Regent Benfry
Smith. It is of utmost importance." Gaharr Town passed him the letter and a small bag. "The bag contains money, enough
for you to be able to get a ship to Kings Landing." Janos still didn't know what to say. They had only just arrived
and now he was leaving again. "I depend on you, Janos." The young man nodded and took his leave.
An hour later he was boarding a ship that was set to sail on the morrow. He had neer been to Kings Landing, and the
thought of going there exited, yet also worried him. Lying on his bunk Janos went to sleep to sleep and dreamt of
shooting apples with a crossbow.
Janos advances to Expert in Crossbow