"I know I told to get something other then an executioners axe. When I saw you actually find something you like, it was joyous. When I actually saw what you picked, I despaired." She said with a slow shake of the head. Not even 5 seconds out of the door, and she was already ribbing me.

  "It's not that bad, mom!" I say.

  "It's an overly pointed cleaver with a bend." She prods.

  "Oh get off it. Now, I guess to home we go, I want to start training with a likeness, then when the sword is made-"

  "Hold on there, dear, we aren't quite done yet." She smiles. "We're getting you, a bow. Now, I know you'll be leaving soon enough, not enough time for learning a proper bow, but I know some workarounds."

  "Hmmm?"

  "You know in that heavy armor you wear, drawing a regular bow is next to impossible. That, added with the fact it takes years to master... you have no time for that. But, crossbows... There is the solution. We're getting you a crossbow." She says.

  Ah! That actually makes sense, now that I'm actually considering it. Crossbows are rather simple, overall. Wings for tension, string for release, and a par to actually release the bolt.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  The problem with them came down to the draw weight. See, compared to bows, a crossbow needs a far higher draw weight to get similar results. This ment that one needs tools to cock the crossbow, and even then, it takes quite a bit of effort.

  But, we scale kin were strong. Strong enough that the drawing was far more simple. So I could likely use a high draw weight crossbow, and be able to load and fire easier. With practice. Lots of practice.

  One of the greatest downsides, however, was range. Crossbows simply didn't have the range to power ratio of bows. Up close? A high draw weight crossbow might penetrate plate, but that dropped fast.

  But, they were easy to use, so I see what mom is thinking. "I see!" I say, getting g exited. My tale wagged a bit back and forth, and mom chuckled.

  "To the Bowyer. Follow me." She says. She leads me through the streets of the trades district, and not too long later, we were there. She enters, and I follow.

  The attendant and mom start talking, and mom gives me the occasional glance up and down. I just watch and listen as mom deals with the details.

  I knew little about bows, and while I knew marginally more about crossbows, it still wasn't much. Mom, though... I had seen her hit a target with her personal monster of a bow from a range of 200 plus meters out. Accurately. In the center of the target. She knew what she was talking about.

  Eventually, she dragged me over, and spoke. "I have spoken with the attendant, and he tells me he can do what I want. A 1450 pound crossbow. It will be the heaviest that they have made, and it will take a while to properly make. A month, is the estimate. Are you fine with that?" She asks.

  That... sounded heavy, and I said as much. She nods, and speaks. "On the extreme end of things, yes. Technically, it would be a light siege weapon. It will be big, and heavy. But, you have the strength to use it, I assure you. You are stronger then me, and with effort, I could draw it." She says.

  "Ok then... It will work. Thanks mom!" I say, hugging her. She hugs me back, but grabs me by the shoulders, and looks me in the eyes.

  "Don't thank me yet, dear. When we get back, I will help you get ready to use your new weapons." She says, glee in her eyes.

  I flinch slightly, and I couldn't help but wonder... Did I just bite off more then I could chew?"