E stood there amongst the rest of his competition. Not many people had gathered for this tournament, 13 contestants in total remain, and the crowd of onlookers only held around 20 onlookers. Some of which seemed to be a few members of parties, they stood close and eyed a few people in the contest as if placing bets, or sizing their capabilities based on their gear.
As the contestants prepared their weapons and themselves E tested the wind. " Gentle breeze, 5 mph North East. Intermittent, only the novice here will dismiss the subtle slant of snowfall. Even Zane seems to be giving the hint." He looked on at Zane, how ever confident he was his lack of control at showing his prowess only helped those with a keen eye. Zane had been wasting arrows from his sling at the first target some 30 meters in front of them. After a few minutes of show boating a man in a very large fur coat stepped out from the gates.
" Well well, this seems to be it then. Welcome all to the Archery tournament. Of the last few events to judge I am always happy to see this one. My name is Henry I'm the towns butcher and Woodworker my wife's the Fletcher. Here we are gather round and take 4 arrows of these small bundles. No set are alike and we will begin shortly after." Henry set down a large leather bound sling from his back and rolled it out. After a few moments every contestant had their arrows.
" Alright everyone back up to my position." Henry took a step forward and then drug his heel in the dirt some twenty paces to form a line. " You're going to be shooting from behind this line. Anyone caught a step over the line is disqualified. That's the only rule. The first target is the closest, you all must shoot your arrows higher than the wall." Henry stepped out where most of them had been shooting from previous and grab an un assuming rope pulling it up from the small amount of snow laid the first target flat on its back in front of them. "Lastly you will have ten seconds to fire from when I say go any arrows shot after that do not count. Round one any misses and your out!"
E and the rest of the contestants moved behind the line and spread themselves. E chose his spot on the far end. Everyone grew quiet and Henry stepped back to them. " Ready! ... Fire!"
There were a few arrows shot mere fraction's of a second after he spoke. E pulled his arrow slow and released it. Of the last few to hit the target E felt good. At the very last second a final arrow slung out. It flew higher than any other arrow and was the last to hit the target. After a few second pause most people turned to see Zane standing there with a smile. Of the contestants some arrows hadn't hit the target. But no one walked away as to say whose it was a mystery, there was to many at the same time. Henry stepped forth to the target.
After just a couple minutes of examination of the target and a few scribbles on a notepad he came back to the group. He walked through the contestants and pointed out a three men and dismiss them. One of which piped up.
" I HIT THE DAMN TARGET YOU'VE GOT IT WRONG!"
Henry looked at the man and got in close to him speaking softly " No you didn't. My wife made those damned arrows. I saw yours in the dirt 5 paces beyond the target. Don't believe me walk out and look, but let's get this straight, you raise your voice at me again and no God can save you, It may not be a full moon but, I'll RIP. YOUR. FUCKIN. HEAD OFF!" Henry's stance grew as if ready to brawl, inches from the man's face he stared deep into him as if waiting for a single flinch for a fight.
Everyone fell silent and the contestant looked around obviously embarrassed and overwhelmed. He handed his arrows over and walked away. E had felt his blood pump at the sight as he grew ready fight or flee. A few seconds later Henry spoke out again.
" Ahem.. Excuse me. Well everyone who remains well done. As you can see there will be no second guessing my results and if you have doubts. Go ahead and make the shameful walk to and fro to check. The next target is 60 meters out, if you look closely you will see it's a bit wide and sticks out to either side of the tree. This target will be judged on the closest 5 to the targets center regardless of hitting the target. Ready!... Fire!"
E had hardly a second to contemplate this task. Unlucky from his angle a large branch hung low. It attached to the tree in an odd angle from it's mid trunk as it rose blocking an entire side of the target from him. " 4.. 3 .. 2" E felt the words pound in his ear as he was the last to release his arrow. Most of the contestants arced their arrows to the other side of the tree of only 2 hit the target. Some clear behind the target but not by to much. In a passing thought as the seconds went through his ears E thought to himself. " A straight line!"
Thunk! E's arrow rung out loud. It hit the tree dead center and stuck there. " Shit!" E muttered. A few of the crowd and contestants laughed in his direction.
" Alright alright.. Quiet down. I'll check the results and be right back." Henry went again to check the arrows. As he left a few comments slid their way to E. The last of which from Zane.
" Seems you can only hit the broad side of a barn haha. Go ahead a quit now save the rest of this to those with actual skill."
Zane cackled afterwards as if his joke was hilarious, a few contestants joined in his laughing as if to butter up to him.
E turned away a bit bashful. He didn't want the attention in this manner, and he didn't want to be sent packing from the tournament either. Every bit of winnings here saved him precious gold. He wanted to shove his fist right in Zane's mouth but just bit his lip and waited. After a few minutes Henry returned.
" Okay, our final 5 contestants you two, You there, you and you. The rest you're out." The last comment was gestured to E. Even he was shocked.
A couple contestants looked out at the target and back at E. Eyeing to carefully.
E even thought he was gone. A couple people were going to speak up but it seemed as if Henry was begging it on, so they went out to check the target.
After a few minutes they came back. One of them decided to be brazen and speak out to Henry. " You call that fair? It's obvious he knew the tree was hollowed! Who else would have shot an arrow through to the other side. He's clearly cheating, this is bullshit!"
Henry's eyebrows twitched and he stepped forward cracking his neck. " You Fuckin Archer's always got lip huh!"
" I didn't know!... Everyone knows the shortest distance is a straight line." E yelped out like a scared puppy. He spoke quickly before Henry got close enough to kill the man, he was obviously out for blood. Everyone turned to him. Henry included.
" True.." Henry agreed with E and look back to the brave contestant. " I also said there's no rules in this tournament, so shits on you for not eyeing the target then isn't it. Get outta here all of ya's." The remaining disqualified contestants left.
" Alright this round will determine Third place, of which first and second will have the final round to themselves. There the target is set at 80 meters take a good long look at it and fire when ready. Ready!.... Fire!"
a couple seconds passed and only two of the contestants shot thier bow. E dialed in the target with his eyes and strained his bow. Out of know where the target fell back and about 10 feet to the left another target sprung forward. E corrected himself and shot. The remaining three contestants hit the new target. The other two clearly shot to soon. One of which stomped his feet like a child and split his last arrow and puffed off. The other let out a nervous chuckle and walked away handing over his last arrow.
" Hahaha well done you three keeping an eye on the prize is always good. I'll be back with the results in just a moment."
Quite a few of the crowd left only a few groupings remain. Zane looked at his two adversaries and step forward. " 10 gold a piece I don't care which is third, 2nd place will miss the last target and everyone wins. I have a reputation to uphold, I'm the son of a duke and I don't need a tarnished ribbon. Agreed. Good"
The other contestant looked to E as if in agreement. Zane let out his comments in a quiet tone as if to not let anyone watching privy to his plans. E bit his lip.
" I hate this guy. Screw ten gold I spent more on a piece of shit chain shirt!"
E got a bright idea, we wanted to trample all over this guy's day. He came in here hot an ready only to grow cold feet in front of his competition in the home stretch. E spoke up loudly. " Oh so your leather armor for my bow and pride as an archer winner takes all!? You got a deal!"
The other contestant looked at E with a crazed look. Zane was so caught off guard by his outburst E put his arm on his shoulder. " What a beautiful wager the rich can uphold isn't it guys!" E looked back to the crowd and a few of them clapped.
Zane came to his senses and lit a smile as if to fake the agreement. Through his gritted grin of a smile he whispered to E,
" I'm going to make your life hell. Even if your third you can expect a rude awakening for this you fucking peasant."
E let him go and look at the other contestant who was sweating bullets. Henry began to walk his way back. Just before Henry got halfway the other contestant ran back into town. E felt good. " Ah first and second place are mine." he thought.
" Well Zane your marks are quite good it'll be between you and... Where's the other guy?"
E looked around and stepped forward.
"Oh he said he had a case of diarrhea or something, I think he was in the eating event earlier."
" Well looks like your up then kid. It was a close one anyway. Alright everyone! For showing good aim at those over a wall! Behind cover! and waiting for the perfect shot! We're left with our finalists! For the last target they will shoot at the tree out there at the road bend, The target is 120 meters away! The closest to it without over shooting is our first place!" Henry stepped to them and gave them each a quick look through a small contractor telescope. Afterwards he stepped back.
" READY?! .....FIRE!"