Kazimir followed Selis through the armory, past rows of weapons and suits of armor, until they reached a separate section dedicated to archery.
Here, the air smelled of aged wood, feathers, and steel.
A large fletching station stood at the center, its workbench covered in crafting tools, feather trimmers, arrowheads of various shapes and metals, shafts stacked neatly in bundles. Nearby, a whetstone for sharpening tips rested beside a pot of resin used for securing fletchings.
Against the walls, quiver racks stretched high, each holding rows of intricately crafted quivers. No two were alike, some bore elaborate carvings, others gleamed with metallic inlays, and some pulsed faintly with imbued energy.
Selis walked past them, her eyes scanning each quiver with a practiced gaze.
Without turning, she finally spoke.
"Different situations require different arrows," she said in her regal tone. "Which means you must carry multiple quivers, each suited to a different purpose."
She reached for the first quiver and held it up.
It was pure white, made entirely of layered feathers, giving it an almost ethereal quality.
"These are Wind Arrows," she said. "I crafted them from the remains of a mutilated bird, one with too many eyes and the power to control the air."
She ran a calloused finger over the arrows inside.
"When fired, these arrows will cut through the air like a storm, carrying with them a gust strong enough to tear through obstacles."
She handed the quiver to Kazimir and moved on.
The next quiver was crafted from twisted wood, its surface resembling entwined vines. Its arrows were sleek, their tips razor-sharp.
"These are Bramble Arrows," she said. "Forged from the remains of a monstrous tree, its tentacle-like brambles capable of ensnaring its prey."
Her fingers traced the vine-like carvings.
"When an arrow strikes, it will burst into thorned vines, wrapping around your target or overtaking the battlefield with entangling roots."
Kazimir took the quiver, marveling at the craftsmanship.
Then Selis picked up a bone-white quiver, its surface adorned with jagged teeth, a small silver bottle affixed to its bottom.
"These," she said, her voice colder, "are Poison Arrows. Their tips are made from the fangs of a colossal desert serpent, its venom designed to cook its victims from the inside out."
She tapped the silver bottle.
"This holds the antidote. Use it if you ever make a mistake."
Kazimir took the quiver, though his grip was more hesitant this time.
By now, the weight of the quivers was becoming too much.
"Where am I supposed to store all these?" he asked.
Selis gave him a questioning look.
"Can't you use your cloak?"
Kazimir frowned, confused.
Then, for the first time, he inspected the inside of his cloak.
It was black, lined with silver engravings, but now that he looked closer, he noticed small slits woven into the fabric. He reached into one and—
It was deep. Deeper than it should have been.
He pushed his hand further, and the space expanded, as if he were reaching into another dimension.
Stunned, he turned to Selis.
"How did you make something like this?"
She merely shrugged.
"It's just a unique property of shadows."
Experimenting, Kazimir placed one of the quivers inside.
It fit perfectly. Or rather, the cloak reshaped itself to fit it.
He could feel the quiver inside his cloak, yet it carried no weight, no bulk, as if it had simply vanished. He opened the pocket again, and it reappeared.
A slow smirk formed on his lips as realization set in.
"Glad you like it," Selis murmured, noting his expression.
With renewed excitement, Kazimir placed the rest of the quivers inside, watching them disappear seamlessly.
Then Selis picked up a bulbous, lumpy quiver, its surface uneven and almost grotesque.
"These are Explosive Arrows," she said. "Made from the volatile growths of a squid-like creature that detonated its own limbs as a defence mechanism."
She ran her fingers over the rounded arrowheads, each one resembling a coiled pod ready to burst.
"Upon impact, they will detonate, erasing everything in their blast radius."
Kazimir took them without hesitation, stowing them safely inside his cloak.
Next, Selis reached for a quiver made of yellow feathers, the arrows crackling faintly with latent energy.
"Lightning Arrows," she said. "Harvested from the feathers of a storm-wielding beast, one with too many wings and the power to call lightning."
She handed them to him before moving on.
The next quiver was carved from solid ice, its arrows shimmering with a frost that refused to melt.
"These belonged to a monster that ruled over ice itself," she said. "Upon impact, they will freeze whatever they touch, locking it in eternal frost."
Kazimir could feel the cold emanating from the quiver as he stored it away.
Then Selis lifted a scarlet quiver, its surface smooth, marked by flaming runes.
"Fire Arrows," she stated. "Made from the feathers of a phoenix that wielded flames like a second skin. I assume I don't need to explain their function."
Kazimir took them with an amused nod.
Finally, Selis reached for the last quiver.
It was different from the others.
Unlike the rest, which bore distinct textures and materials, this one was translucent, woven from silver light itself.
The arrows inside glowed softly, their very presence exuding an aura of quiet power.
She held it delicately, her calloused fingers brushing over the silken strands.
For the first time, her voice softened.
"These," she said, "are Moonlight Arrows. Woven from pure lunar essence."
She traced the faint runes etched along its frame.
"They will leave behind streaks of silver light, burning anything not connected to the castle."
There was a brief silence as she handed it to Kazimir.
He took it with uncharacteristic care, sensing that this quiver was somehow different from the rest.
Once he had safely stored it away, he exhaled.
"So... what now?"
Selis met his gaze.
"Now," she said, her voice returning to its usual authority, "we test your new arrows."
She turned, already walking toward the training grounds.
Kazimir followed without hesitation.