In Curse of the Ice Dragon by Tara West, 15-year-old Markus is an expert hunter with the bow and arrow. The Ice Witch curses him and a dragon breathing fire is let loose to hunt and kill Markus. Apart from Markus, there are also other minor characters who make good use of archer:
– “Eyes locked on his target, Markus silently drew back his bow. The muted thwack of the string releasing was the only warning the large billy goat received before the arrow struck the center of his lungs. By then, another arrow had been fired, and another. Both billy goats and a large ewe were down, and the rest began to scatter in panic, but a newborn lamb had been trampled in the confusion. He lay on his side, crying out for his mother. Markus knew she’d return, and when she did he would shoot both mother and lamb.” (p.19-20)
– “His limbs, which had once felt as heavy as stone, now shook like the feeble branches of a fig tree. For the first time, he realized how his prey must have felt during that fatal second when they saw his arrow tunneling swiftly upon them.” (p.30)
– “Though he did not always eat the entire carcasses of the animals he harvested, Markus would usually make use of the parts he needed for the hunt — sinews to fasten a broadhead to the shaft of an arrow and for stringing his bow, feathers for fletching the veins upon his arrows, and leather to protect his fingers when releasing the string.
– “Markus liked to sit by the campfire and work with his tools. Tonight he was engrossed in flint-knapping stone, carving broadheads out of mere rocks. Sharp broadheads and a perfect aim was what made his arrows so deadly. He’d pour all of his energy into crafting one tip well into the dawn. ” (p.31-32)
– “Turning, he climbed up the small ladder to the alcove above, which he and Alec had shared to sleep in each night. Grabbing his hunting satchel, which was nothing more than an oversized quiver, always kept ready with supplies and arrows, Markus hurried back down the ladder and out of the hut. Then, he spied his bow beside the door and slung it over his shoulder. He stuffed his new arrows into his satchel as well.” (p.44)
– “Markus could now see the clearing. Pulling his bow and arrow free, he armed himself as he ran. Once the tree line broke, Lydra would be in plain view. Markus knew the beast flew swiftly. Many times during their long chase, he had almost been beaten to the ground by the rushing current from the dragon’s flapping wings. He knew that he would only have one shot at such a powerful monster. If he missed, his life would be over.” (p.50)
– “Fighting back the urge to shield his eyes, Markus drew his bow. Just as Lydra reared back her head and a cloud of icy air rushed from her lungs, Markus released his arrow.” (p.50)
– “With only moments to act on his new idea, Markus cut the rope free of the pick, which he threw into his satchel, and pulled his bow and arrow from its quiver. Seizing the rope, he tied it to the center of his arrow, and then tied the opposite end around his waist. Markus aimed at a thick ice slab on the top of the opposite ridge before pulling back the bowstring and releasing…
Always striking true.
His arrow made solid purchase with the ice.” (p.61)
– “Markus sighed as he glanced over at his unstrung bow and arrows, resting in the corner of the chamber. How long had it been since he’d drawn back a bow? How long would it be before he could once again feel the hum of the string as he released an arrow, or before he could fell, gut and clean a beast for a stew? He missed being a hunter.” (p.168)
– “Instinctively, he swung his bow into his grip and nocked an arrow while skidding to his knees behind the raised pool of water. In that moment he saw his sister’s lifeless body on the floor. Smoke rose from a charred hole in her chest. Markus cried out before gagging on the pungent odor of Jae’s burnt flesh.
A cackling, winged woman flew down beside Jae and kicked her head with a bare foot.
Markus leapt up and released his arrow. “You are a monster!” he yelled.
The woman laughed and waved a wrinkled hand, slowing the arrow to a near standstill. She opened her palm and a bright bolt of lightning shot out, turning the arrow to ash.” (p.227-228)
– “Markus nocked another arrow, but his heart sank as the winged witch circled him. How could he possibly destroy a flying witch who could shoot thunderbolts from her hands?
– “You’ve grown pale,” she sneered, while leveling him with a smug expression. “Been dwelling among the Ice People, have you? They cannot hide from me forever and when I find them they shall pay for helping you!”
Anger surged anew through his skull. “I will kill you!”
Markus released another arrow and, just like before, she turned it to ash.” (p.228)
– “Markus reached into his quiver and found only one arrow left. Pulling back his bowstring, he peered around the wall. From what he could tell, Madhea was bent over the destroyed pool of water, but the swirling mists had scattered, obscuring almost everything in the room. He could no longer see his sister’s body and Madhea’s winged form was just a blur.
But the one thing that did catch his eye was a glowing crystal above Madhea’s shadow. Mites! Markus aimed his arrow and struck at the core of the crystal. Light scattered as the ice shattered.” (p.228)
– ““Center your aim, Desryn. Flex your shoulders and put your back into it.”
Alec pulled back the boy’s shoulders while gently lifting the hand clutching the bowstring. Desryn aimed at the target and released his arrow. It landed just left of the bull’s-eye.
“Excellent shot, Desryn!”” (p.236)
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