When I was younger, I knew what I wanted with greater confidence.

I remember wanting a steadying hand brace for using a bow and arrow.

Something to steady my nerves and let me strike with surety.

I crafted the brace with mithrl and was happy with it.

After doubling my years alive and regarding diplomacy, a more useful tool than my skill with a bow.

One day I was visiting a small kingdom of humans, and a minor battle broke out with a neighboring group.

The humans were struck with mortal wounds.

The speed and accuracy of my own arrows slew all the attackers. The dispatch of deadly arrows was not something I had intended.

It should have been simple for me to heal the humans. I was invested with that kingdom.

The battle left me drained.

I had no internal aura to help with the wounds.

I informed the surviving families.

Just whispers followed my heels, "Himself, he saved."

If I had not been there, those raiders might have killed others. I never used that brace again, sad that my youth had been unwise.