I always thought that Water, Body, and Disarm were very important skills, and Earth, Mind and Perception were much weaker ones. I'd have given the first one Water, Merchant, and Perception, taken all 3 to expert as quickly as possible, and then concentrated on Water (to get Lloyd's Beacon and Town Portal at Master level) and next Merchant.
I'd have given the second Fire and Body, again got both to expert and then concentrated on Body (for fast healing). When those were both done, I'd have switched to Repair.
I'd have left the third as you had him, got all 3 skills to expert, and then concentrated first on Identify and then on Air (for Fly).
I'd have given the fourth Earth, Spirit, and Disarm, and after raising all 3 to Expert, I'd have concentrated on Disarm, followed by Spirit (for Heroism).
You obviously did it differently, but those would have been my choices.
I completely agree with your decision to get them Bow early; I always thought it was the most important weapon in the game.
