Chapter 45: A Little Test Of Skill

Chapter 45: A Little Test Of Skill

Landar

He was tall, and strong. Clearly using a hunting bow had toned his body's muscles to a fine layer of lean wirey strength. We stood across the field from one another, several obsticles including the cook fire, and several boulders and logs had been strewn about by Vins family as they prepared the field.

Onlookers from the other caravans shouted, bet on the outcome, and in several cases broke out snacks and passed them around.

I guess you have to get your entertainment somehow, I thought with a grin. Farmer glared at me from our wagon. He didnt approve of this at all.

It's not like its blood sport. I had argued with him, when I had been forced by Vin to get his permission to participate. According to Vin they do this kind of thing all the time to entertain their guests. Its just a little test of skill.

But youre going to try to hit him, and hes going to try and shoot you. Yes?

Only a little. He had glared daggers at me. Theyll cut our bill in half.

Fine. Dont get killed. The man was ever a pragmatist.

The plates hung from my neck, shoulders, and hips. They were the clear targets the Hunter would be aiming for with his arrows. The metal and wickedly barbed hunting heads were removed of course, replaced with a sturdy and small powder bag. If he got a hit on even a single one of the plates, I would lose.

And probably be bruised all to hell in the process. Even blunted arrows from a full strength bow would hurt I was sure.

The Hunter on the other hand had two logs standing up next to him. If I got close enough to even knock one of the logs down, id be the winner. Of course getting close was going to be . . . difficult. The cover that Vin and her people had put out on the field was sparse, and most didnt so much as come up to my waist hight. The thing I had going for me was, he had to stay put. I could move around, and I was pretty quick before I had come to live with the Farmer and his family.

Now, I was even faster.

But if I go left, follow around that set of logs, and then . . .

Vin hit the triangle like a mad cat pawing at nip, and before I could react an arrow shaft whizzed by my head.

He wasnt even aiming at the mark!

Angry, I charged forward heading for the nearest set of logs for cover. Id save my Dash ability for later, when I got closer. I couldn't use it too often before exhaustion set in.

I moved smoothly, and swiftly, avoiding rocks and holes in the ground dug by some kind of goffer. The uneven terrain was treacherous and all it would take was one snag on my boot to trip me at just the wrong moment to cost me the match.

Just as I crouched down behind the logs another arrow flew over my head, impacting just beyond me in a plume of red colored dust. I smiled and took off, heading for the next set of obstacles I had identified before the match. This one an overturned table with boulders stacked on either end to keep it stable.

I heard the tell tale sound of fletching's cutting through air and the snap of a bow string before I was even half way there, and dove to the ground. One arrow passed just in front and above me, where I would have been had I kept on the same running path. The other impacted my shoulder and pounced off.

YES! someone shouted from the tree line, and Vin rang the bell.

An arrow whizzed by my head, nicking my ear and drawing a small trickle of blood. With a roar of frustration I poured mana into my arms and legs, bracing myself for the throw, and then let the ax fly.

The air cracked like thunder and sparks of mana flew off the ax as it tore through the space between myself and the target. I felt my tether to the ax, something I had built over the course of years of working with it, hunting with it, cleaning and maintaining it, recharging its runes, and growing used to its weight and feel quiver as it slammed into the log and splintered it to kindling.

Then, with a flick of my will the ax roared back towards me. I caught it in a mana infused hand, but still the act stung my fingers and made part of my arm go numb.

The crowed went silent as the thunder died. The Hunter stood, coated in wood chips and splinters. His heavy coat and cloak protected him from the shrapnel, but not the shock. His eyes were wide, and his hands shook. After a moment he dropped his bow, and then fell to his knees.

Ding ding ding ding ding!

We have a winner ladies and gentlemen! The man from the Vins group who had been officiating and acting as a general hype man stepped forward. What a show, what a trick! Well done, and very clever! Let's all give a round of applause to our little friend here from the middle of nowhere!

The crowed applauded tepidly at first, then it grew in ferver as whispers of what a wonderful trick and right little piece of magic that was or He turned it around on those travelers. Did you see that?

Let's please clear the field. Up next is an archery contest!

***

What was that? Farmer asked his voice quiet as we both sat in the back of our wagon. He held my ax, and looked at it from different angles. Some kind of magic? Never knew you could do magic.

Kind of. Its . . . its not what you think. Im no mage. Just have a bit of mana is all. Its how I was able to carve these. I pointed to the runes. Not these ones specifically, im not good enough yet to do that. But others.

Like that knife you gifted Wilma. I nodded. And all the other little trinkets you hid in that shed of yours? I nodded again. You got a gift kid. Even if youre not a proper mage, and never will be, you should do this. Youd have a real career. Go farther then anyone else from our little spot in the world thats for sure.

Maybe. Not sure what im going to do yet.

And boy, youre strong. Stronger then even me im sure of it. Not wanting to be prideful all I did was nod slightly. Dont be modest boy. Id never have been able to throw an ax so hard it made people's ears pop like they jumped down a cliff into water. You did. Thats impressive. You could join the army, or safer would be Vlane city watch if you want to settle there.

I felt a pang of sadness at that suggestion, but I nodded again. The farmer was only trying to be helpful.

I bet one of the priesthoods would take you too. But Ive not known you to be the faithful type. Least wise around our house. Not that were all that much into worshipin either.

I thought about it for a moment, and realized he was right. For all these people knew I was some random kid from the middle of nowhere who just happened to have some amazing natural talent.

With who you be after boy, them bloody blue robes? Itd be wise to get in one of those groups. Give you some people who wont just have your back, but who got the muscle to help in a fight. Id be by your side if you asked, but I cant fight against nobles and magic. Hell, hunters with bows would be a bother.

The beginnings of a real plan began to solidify out of the vague notion of revenge I had been harboring.

You just gave me a plan, Farmer. Thank you.

Hope it helps. Just dont get yourself killed. With that we went to join the crowd and enjoy the rest of the festivities.