The Gold Ribbon of Merit Content . In that early springtime morning , pale sunlight flickered behind the morning mist floating through the trees as Templer and Stryngpool made their way to the clearing . Neither had been back in High Rock , let alone in their favorite woods for four years . The trees had changed little even if they had . Stryngpool had a handsome blond moustache now , stiffened and spiked with wax , and Templer seemed to be a completely alien creature to the young lad who searched for adventure in the ancient grove . He was much quieter , as if scarred within as well as without . They each carried their bows and quivers with extra care as they maneuvered their way through the clusters of vine and branch . " This is the path that used to lead to your house , isn ' t it , old boy ? " asked Stryngpool . Templer glanced at the overgrowth and nodded , before continuing on . " I thought so , " said Stryngpool and laughed : " I remember it because you used to run down it every time you got a bloody nose . I know I can ' t offend you , but I have to say , it ' s hard to believe that you ended up a soldier . " " How ' s your family ? " asked Templer . " The same . A bit more pompous , if that ' s possible . It ' s obvious they wish I ' d come back from the academy , but there ' s nothing much for me here . At least not until I collect my inheritance . Did you see I got a gold ribbon of merit in archery ? " " How could I miss it ? " said Templer . " Oh yes , I nearly forgot that the family ' s put it in the Great Hall . Very ostentatiously . I suppose you can actually see it through the picture window . Silly , but I hope the peasants are impressed . " The clearing opened up before them , where the mist settled on the grass , enveloping it in an opaque , chilly vapor . Burlap targets were arranged around in a semi - circle , several meters apart , like sentinels . " You ' ve been practicing , " observed Templer . " Well , a bit . I ' ve only been back in town for a few days . " said Stryngpool with a smile . " My parents said you got here a week ago ? " " That ' s right . My unit ' s camped a few miles east , and I thought I ' d visit the old haunts . A lot ' s changed , I could hardly recognize anything at all . " Templer looked down at the valley below , to the vast empty tilled ground , stretching out for miles around . " It looks like a good planting . " " My family ' s rather spread out since yours left . There was some discussion I think about keeping your old house up , but it seemed a little sentimental . Especially as there was fertile ground beneath . " Stryngpool strung his bow carefully . It was a beautiful piece of art , darkest ebony and spun silver filigrees , hand - crafted for him in Wayrest . He looked over at Templer stringing his bow , and felt a twinge of pity . It was a sad , weathered utensil , bound together with strips of fabric . " If that ' s how they taught you to string your bow , you need some advisors from the academy in that army of yours , " said Stryngpool as gently as he could . " The untightened loop is supposed to look like an X in an O . Yours looks like a Z in a Y . " " It works for me , " said Templer . " I should tell you , I won ' t be able to make an afternoon of this . I ' m supposed to join my unit this evening . " Stryngpool began to feel annoyed by his old friend . If he was angry about his family losing their land , why couldn ' t he just say it ? Why did he come back to the valley at all ? He watched Templer nock his first arrow , taking aim at a target , and coughed . " I ' m sorry , but I can ' t in good faith send you back to the army without a little new wisdom . There are three types of draw , three - fingers , thumb and index , thumb and two fingers . Then there ' s the thumb draw which I like , but you see , " Stryngpool showed Templer the small leather loop fastened on the cord of his bow , " You need to have one of these thingies or you ' ll tear your thumb right off . " " I think I like my stupid method best . " " Don ' t be pigheaded , Templer . They didn ' t give me the gold ribbon of merit for nothing . I had demonstrated shooting from under a shield , standing , sitting , squatting , kneeling , and sitting on horseback . This is practical information I ' m imparting for the sake of our friendship which I , at least , haven ' t completely forgotten . Sweet Kynareth , I remember when you were just an oily little squirt , begging for this kind of honest guidance . " Templer looked at Stryngpool for a moment , and lowered his bow . " Show me . " Stryngpool relaxed , shook away the tensions that had been building . He did his exercise , drawing the bow back to his eyebrow , his moustache , his chest , his earlobe . " There are three ways of shooting : snatching and releasing in one continuous motion , like the Bosmer do ; holding with a short draw and a pause before releasing like the Khajiit ; and partial draw , pause , final draw , " Stryngpool fired the arrow into the center of the target with cool precision , " And release . Which I prefer . " " Very nice , " said Templer . " Now you , " said Stryngpool . He helped Templer select a grip , nock his arrow correctly , and take aim . A smile grew on Templer ' s face — the first time Stryngpool had seen such a childlike expression on the war - etched visage all afternoon . When Templer released the arrow , it rocketed high over the top of the target and into the valley below where it disappeared from sight . " Not bad , " said Templer . " No , not bad , " said Stryngpool , feeling friendly once again . " If you practice , you should be able to focus your aim a little bit . " The two shot a few more practice bolts before parting ways . Templer began the long trek east to his unit ' s camp , and Stryngpool wound his way down through the woods to the valley and his family ' s mansion . He hummed a little tune he learned at the academy as he passed the great lawn and walked up to the front door , pleased with himself for helping his old friend . It entirely escaped his attention that the large picture window was broken . But he noticed right away when he came into the Great Hall , and saw Templer ' s wild - shot bolt sticking in his gold ribbon of merit .