I fell into another, shorter fevered state complete with crazy dreams. It didn't last long, and I awoke in the morning, possible a day or two later, weak but also far more energized than I had been the previous time. Pushing myself up, I checked my hand. It was bandaged, and I wore another long tunic, this one clean. My hair was in my face, and I nudged it back, too exhausted to braid it.
Sun shone outside the tent. It was cool and bright with the scent of wet earth in the air.
Batu wasn't around. I was almost grateful; I wasn't sure how to explain my breakdown. I rifled around until I found pants and my boots then left the tent. The horses were near the stream, though Batu wasn't within sight. A fire had burnt out nearby, and his bow and arrow were seated on a tree stump.
The sight of it reminded me of a newly formed resolution I made some time in my fevered state. I was going to try to make it in this world, which meant being … useful. My twenty first century skill set and Internet finesse were wasted in a time when survival was the main focus. I hadn't ever been camping before this or started a fire or hunted or done anything remotely helpful to me here.
"At least I can speak languages." It was my greatest asset to the thirteenth century, though in all honesty, it didn't do me much good wandering the wilderness with Batu. I wasn't helping him any.
I had to prove to me my life was worth saving.
Approaching his weapons, I picked up the bow again and looked it over. There had to be something I was missing about how to use it. I would've given anything for a Wikihow video or Wikipedia article on the mechanics of using a bow and arrow.
I lowered it and gazed around with a shiver. What if he didn't come back one day? How the hell was I going to survive this place?
Clenching my jaw, I lifted the bow. "If a three year old can do this, I can," I muttered. I positioned it the way he showed me and tried to draw it once more.
In my weakened condition, I didn't even make it the inch I had last time. I relaxed, repositioned my feet and then sucked in a deep breath, pulling with all my might.
It was useless. I was useless. Frustrated, I picked up an arrow and tried again.
"What do you do, goddess?" Batu's quiet voice came from behind me. I didn't hear his silent step and turned to see he had a quail and three rabbits strung together and hanging from his waist.