Another voice which Ullfinn didn’t recognize rang out, but did not echo in the same way. “Then what do you propose, Chosen of Odin? We have the prisoner you came for, and you have our friend. Do we simply kill each other?”#futharkvillage @NacternalDeath1 @MjolnirForge
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
“But you are an archer, obviously!” Ullfinn shouted. “Are you Eiwaz, whom your friend here told me about? Then let it be an archery contest!” Ullfinn began edging himself and Perthro toward a less steep part of the rock walls. “What say you?”#futharkvillage @wing_paranormal
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
Ullfinn stopped himself. He couldn’t climb without letting go of Perthro, and if he was wrong about his opponent’s position, he could be shot down while he climbed. If he could stall long enough, Bjornstein would awaken and they could kill the archer together.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
“Do you have a bow?” Eiwaz asked.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
“No, but Thorleif did. Do you have his that I could use?”
Thorleif’s bow appeared over a boulder, near where the voice was coming from, then it popped up into the air and slid toward Ullfinn. #futharkvillage @MarieHa44988077 @ILupine
“Then I accept,” Eiwaz said, finally showing himself by stepping around the boulder. He was a slender man, wearing a green tunic that looked grey in the wan, reddish light of Svartalfheim. “Target shooting. 100 paces. Thrown targets.”#futharkvillage @Hyrrokkin89 @rhipossessed
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
“So we are to stand 100 paces from one another, throw targets, and the other is to hit them in the air?”
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
“Yes. At that range, you can easily dodge any arrows which come toward you. Be the first to put 10 arrows through targets.”#futharkvillage @SRCExplores @MightySigurd
Ullfinn was a fair hand with a bow, but the kind of quick and accurate shooting which Eiwaz must have used to kill Bjornstein and Thorleif was far beyond him. He would lose the archery contest, but if he could drag it out long enough…#futharkvillage @blithgunde @rurik_moll
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
“Then let us collect some targets! Will the branches of those trees up on that cliff work?” Ullfinn gestured upward, toward a pair of scraggly shrubs, hardly fit to be called trees.”
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
“No. Your companions’ shields will do,” Eiwaz replied.#futharkvillage @suziejane3579
Eiwaz hefted Thorleif’s light shield, preparing to throw it. “Are you ready to take the first shots?”
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
Ullfinn realized that there was no more time for delay. He grabbed Bjornstein’s nocked one, and planted the others upright in the sand. “Ready.”#futharkvillage
Eiwaz threw the shield into the air so that the eagle which Thorleif’s son had painted on it before Thorleif’s death on the battlefield was visible, faded and spattered with blood.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
Ullfinn loosed an arrow and nocked a second. #futharkvillage
Ullfinn loosed three arrows before the shield hit the ground. The first and the second hit the shield and Eiwaz had to dodge the third. Maybe Ullfinn had a chance in this contest after all, if this luck stayed with him.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 27, 2019
Now it was Ullfinn’s turn to throw a shield, and Eiwaz’s turn to loose some arrows. He picked up Bjornstein’s shield. “This shield is much heavier than Thorleif’s. I won’t be able to throw it as high,” Ullfinn shouted across the distance.#futharkvillage @suziejane3579
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
“Then we shall trade after each exchange of volleys,” Eiwaz called back. “It is only fair. Throw.”
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
Ullfinn hid a grin. Trading shields would involve getting close enough that perhaps he could capture the archer. The girl and the gambler would be no threat.#futharkvillage
Ullfinn threw the shield up as high as he could, and as straight. Bjornstein had painted this shield himself in Valhalla, a bear on its hind legs slashing downward. The bear spun, appearing to fall forward, as the shield flew upward.#futharkvillage @rurik_moll @blithgunde
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
Ullfinn ducked under his own shield as six arrows came nearly straight at him. All six found Bjornstein’s shield.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
“You have a strong arm, einherjar. You threw it plenty high enough. We have no need to exchange shields.”#futharkvillage @MightySigurd @SRCExplores @rhipossessed
Ullfinn began to sweat. This contest would be over in the next volley if Eiwaz shot even nearly as well as he had in the previous volley. Ullfinn would need to shoot eight times at a single toss, and hit with all eight shots.#futharkvillage @MarieHa44988077 @ILupine
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
Ullfinn nervously nocked an arrow, another dozen sticking out of the sand in front of him. But he took heart when Eiwaz threw the shield up and it flipped toward him slightly, showing Ullfinn the straps rather than the eagle. #futharkvillage @Hyrrokkin89 @NacternalDeath1
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
“Again!” Ullfinn called in a demanding tone. “That was no toss. Give me a target to shoot at with your next throw!”
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
Eiwaz nodded, picked up the shield, and this time removed the arrows from it so that it would fly more evenly. #futharkvillage @wing_paranormal @MjolnirForge
Thorleif’s shield flew true this time. Ullfinn loosed six arrows, just as Eiwaz had done, but he hit only four times. He now had as many hits as Eiwaz, and it was Eiwaz’s turn. He needed to delay. #futharkvillage @CeruliasCircle @Apez140
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
It was now Ullfinn’s turn to throw. He needed to stall, and Eiwaz had given him the perfect opportunity to do so. He need only throw the shield poorly, and Eiwaz would ask him to throw it again. Even two poor throws would be believable.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
Ullfinn threw the shield up, but he didn’t throw it as high, and he allowed it to flip end-over-end.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
“I shall also request a second throw,” Eiwaz said.
Ullfinn walked over to his shield, and saw a second opportunity for delay.#futharkvillage
If he throw it carefully, Ullfinn thought he could land his shield on that cliff ledge without ever giving Eiwaz a clean shot at it. He looked around and quickly found what he needed: he placed his left foot on a loose stone as he readied his throw.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
Ullfinn threw Bjornstein’s shield upward, but intentionally placed it so that its profile was toward Eiwaz. He rolled the loose rock under his foot and allowed himself to fall, in order to really sell his delivery. He landed on his butt, watching the shield rise.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
The shield was flying perfectly. It would land on the ledge, and he would be forced to go get it. The climb up and climb down might take five whole minutes, giving him time to think of other ways to…
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 28, 2019
Four arrows arced downward into the shield.#futharkvillage
The 1st arrow pierced the shield, and Ullfinn could see the head had passed through a leather strap. A 2nd arrow hit near the edge, causing the shield to tumble. The 3rd passed through a leather strap, never connecting with wood. The last missed altogether.#futharkvillage
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Then the shield was out of sight, over the ledge. A single fletching was still visible where it came to rest, from an arrow pointed straight upward.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
"Excellent shooting!" Ullfinn said with well-concealed relief.
Eiwaz scowled.#futharkvillage @suziejane3579 @rurik_moll
Ullfinn began to climb the ledge."What are you doing?" Eiwaz called. "I am getting the shield for the next volley."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
"Don't bother. You said that yours was too heavy, and I didn't listen. If your arm is that tired, you can throw this shield."#futharkvillage @SRCExplores
Perfect, Ullfinn thought. When we exchange shields, I can subdue him. He climbed down and said, "Then are you ready for the next volley?"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Eiwaz silently readied Thorleif's shield to be thrown in the air. Ullfinn nocked another arrow.#futharkvillage @blithgunde @MightySigurd
6 arrows had hit Thorleif's shield thus far. If he hit 4 more times, he would win the contest.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Eiwaz pitched his shield into the air. It spun slightly, but not enough that Ullfinn had any right to complain. Ullfinn loosed 7 arrows.#futharkvillage @rhipossessed
Thunk. Thunk. the 1st two arrows struck their target. The 3rd missed, then the 4th. Thunk. The 5th arrow was a hit, then the 6th arrow slid along the edge of the shield without finding purchase before the 7th arrow missed entirely.#futharkvillage @MarieHa44988077
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
"That's nine for you, and nine for me," Eiwaz called over. "A close game!"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Ullfinn called back, "No, my friend. That's nine for me and eight for you. One of your shots pierced the leather, not the wood, of your target. No good."#futharkvillage @ILupine @Hyrrokkin89
"Surely we should count the entire shield as the target, especially on such a bad throw!" Eiwaz protested.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
"Surely you would want to win fairly, and without resorting to technicalities," Ullfinn responded mockingly. If he got Eiwaz angry…#futharkvillage @NacternalDeath1
But anger is a two-edged sword. Eiwaz hurled the shield at Ullfinn like a discus. When it landed in front of Ullfinn, he realized he had just lost his opportunity to wrestle his opponent to the ground and end this in his favor.#futharkvillage @wing_paranormal @MjolnirForge
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
"Throw." Eiwaz commanded, readying his bow.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Ullfinn walked slowly to the shield and picked it up. He carefully removed the arrows from it. He returned to his spot, 100 paces away, and threw it into the air. Any time now guys, he thought.#futharkvillage @CeruliasCircle
Eiwaz was apparently VERY angry, because he unleashed arrow after arrow in this volley. Ullfinn lost count, but it was clear that Eiwaz had won. There were at least a half dozen arrows in Thorleif's shield when it hit the ground.#futharkvillage @Apez140
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
"I've won," Eiwaz said coldly. "Now untie my friend and we shall be on our way."
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Ullfinn could see no way out of it. His friends were still dead, and he had just lost in a fair contest. He walked to where Perthro stood and cut the gambler's bonds. #futharkvillage
Perthro removed his own gag as he ran to Eiwaz. "That was quite fun to watch, Eiwaz! You should shoot publicly more often!"
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Then Sowilo rounded the boulder behind them. "And now," she said, "We shall go with you of our own free will."#futharkvillage
Eiwaz, Perthro, and Ullfinn all gaped at Sowilo's pronouncement.
— Perseus Greenman (@futharkvillage) November 29, 2019
Even Bjornstein and Thorleif sat up from being dead when she appeared. #futharkvillage