The Shot

A minor incident in the everyday life of the realm

I was riding on patrol the other day when I came upon a curious sight. A man was throwing a rope up into a tree while a young boy looked on expectantly. I stopped and asked if they needed help. The man explained that he was trying to get his son's toy down from the tree. I did not ask how it got there in the first place, but when I looked I could see the toy lodged in the crook between 2 branches.

"I'll see what I can do," I said.

I dismounted from my steed and gathered up my bow and some arrows. I strung my bow, placed an arrow on the string, a drew it back. My archery was not the best so I wondered if I could make the shot. I momentarily worried that I would get my arrow stuck in the tree while leaving the toy untouched. What if my shot skewered the toy, destroying it? All these thoughts filtered through my mind. I had to dismiss them and concentrate on the shot.

Focusing my concentration, I aimed and loosed. The shot was true; the arrow grazed the toy without puncturing it. It swayed on the branch, then came tumbling down. The man and boy applauded.

I was very happy to be able to help. And I am particularly pleased with the shot!

OOC Notes

• This was an actual incident at last week's practice. There was a Cub Scout pack having a party at the park's pavilion. One of the lads got a bean bag stuck in a tree (I didn't ask how). One of the fathers was trying to get it down with a rope. I came over with my bow and arrows and offered to help. I got it out of the tree in one shot. There was applause.
• Note that I used Amtgard arrowheads. I didn't have to worry about piercing the bean bag.
• Nevertheless, I am so pleased with the shot that I had to write down the story.

The Fight for the Flagon

As Kettlebaun wrote about the Fibber's Flagon, " You never know just where the blasted thing may turn up!" Somehow it arrived in the Great Hall of Landfall Castle. I, Rufus, found it sitting upon the table. I picked it up and asked, "Who does this belong to?" Then, the flagon exerted an insidious influence on those feasting within the hall. No one could truly say who owned it but all desired it. Soon, the assembled members began to put forth their claims to the mug. Tempers frayed; the sound of weapons being drawn filled the air. Then, without warning, blows were struck!

The clang of weapons resounded through the Great Hall as former comrades were at each other's throats. The melee was so confused that I could not make out exactly what was going on. Various factions formed and squared off against one another. One by one, however, the combatants succumbed to their wounds. Eventually, only three remained - Lord Lancelot, Beast, and Vibe.

The three combatants agreed to honor duels to decide the fate of the flagon. First, Beast and Vibe squared off. After a dazzling display of swordsmanship, Beast prevailed. Then he took on Lancelot. Again, we were witnesses to some sword mastery. This time, however, Beast was bested. Flush with victory, Lancelot seized the flagon from my hands. I was too flabbergasted by the whole affair to refuse him. Fortunately, no one was killed in the scuffle (perhaps the flagon's magic prevented any killing blows).

OOC Notes

• This tale is based on a tournament I held at Caligo last Sunday. It was a free-for-all for the ownership of the Fibber's Flagon, a new artifact that we introduced to the realm. Click the link above for a description.
• I was the reeve for the tourney so I did not participate in the fighting.