Her goal now was simple, survival. Sybri had, until the burning of Archet, lived a life of relative ease as the daughter of a successful tradesman. Duncan's profession provided the girl's family a decent life. The young woman only had to concern herself with embroidery, sewing, cooking and housekeeping. Her step mother was an accomplished seamstress, teaching her step daughter at least one skill that would serve her well into her future. Sybri knew nothing of her father's occupation. She knew how to prepare game, but nothing of hunting or trapping. At least she didn't believe she did until she was forced to design a way to survive with little resources and skills.
The lass had always been a little to prideful so employment at a tavern or shop was out of the question. She would need to learn to provide for herself, there was no other option, or so she deemed it true. Having observed her father's trade and how he schooled her brother in both taxidermy and woodsmen skills, the headstrong young woman decided that she could figure it all out on her own. After a multitude of arrows that failed to sail more than an arms length away, several bright red welts on the inside of her forearm and several rabbit teethmarks on her index finger, she decided to seek out help. Darren Mills, an expert hunter and trapper, agreed to help Sybri.
Determined to succeed, she learned she had a natural aptitude for using a bow. Darren taught her how to trap game, track game, use various martial weapons and fletch her own arrows. As her confidence grew with her skill, Sybri began to head out into the Chetwood without her friend and trainer, gathering hides, bones, antlers which she either traded for goods or sold to local tradesmen. The new hunter was beginning to feel as if things were going in the right direction. Soon, she thought, she could have enough funds to rent a room so she would no longer need to sleep under the stars because she had no other choice.
Life was looking hopeful again, at least until one morning's venture into the Far Chetwood....
(Original Artwork created in CS4 by Sybri's player.)
