The king led us to a large field, where a crowd of elves had gathered. They looked at me with curiosity and disdain, as if I was an intruder in their land. I felt their eyes on me, judging me, mocking me. I tried to ignore them, and focus on the task ahead.
The king stopped at a wooden platform, where a bow and a quiver of arrows were waiting. He turned to me, and spoke in a loud voice.
"This is the first test. You must face one of our best archers, and prove your skill with the bow. The rules are simple. You and your opponent will take turns shooting at a target, from increasing distances. The first one to miss, or to hit a lower ring than the other, loses. Do you understand?" he said.
I nodded, and picked up the bow. It was light and smooth, made of some kind of wood I didn't recognize. I tested the string, and felt its tension. It was a good bow, but I was used to better with my magic. I was confident I could beat anyone in this contest.
The king pointed at a young elf, who stepped forward. He had black hair, green eyes, and a smug smile. He looked like he was born with a bow in his hand. He was probably the king's favorite. He bowed to the king, and then to me.
"I am Elrohir, the champion of the elven archers. I accept your challenge, demon. May the best one win," he said.
He didn't sound sincere. He sounded arrogant. He thought he was going to win easily. He thought I was no match for him. He was wrong.
I bowed back, and said.
"I am Aaliyah, I accept your challenge, elf. May the best one win," I said.
I didn't sound humble. I sounded defiant. I wanted to show him that I was not afraid of him. I wanted to show him that I was better than him.
The king signaled the start of the contest. Elrohir went first. He took an arrow from his quiver, and placed it on the bow. He drew the string, and aimed at the target. It was a circular board, divided into five rings of different colors.
The center was gold, and worth ten points. The next ring was red, and worth eight points. The next ring was blue, and worth six points. The next ring was black, and worth four points. The last ring was white, and worth two points. The target was fifty meters away from the platform.
Elrohir released the arrow, and it flew through the air. It hit the target, in the gold ring. The crowd cheered, and clapped. Elrohir smiled, and bowed. He had scored ten points.
It was my turn. I took an arrow from my quiver, and placed it on the bow. I drew the string, and aimed at the target. I didn't need to look at it. I could feel it. I could sense its position, its distance, its movement.
I had a natural talent for archery, and I had honed it with months of practice. I released the arrow, and it flew through the air. It hit the target, in the gold ring. The crowd gasped, and murmured. I smiled, and nodded. I had scored ten points.
The king looked surprised, but not impressed. He raised his hand.
"Very well. You have both hit the gold ring, from fifty meters. That is impressive, but not enough. Let us see how you fare from a hundred meters. Elrohir, you go first," he said.
Elrohir nodded, and took another arrow. He repeated his previous action, but with more force. He shot the arrow, and it hit the target, in the red ring. The crowd cheered, and clapped. Elrohir smiled, and bowed. He had scored eight points.
It was my turn again. I took another arrow, and placed it on the bow. I repeated my previous action, but with more ease. I shot the arrow, and it hit the target, in the gold ring. The crowd gasped, and murmured. I smiled, and nodded. I had scored ten points.
The king looked shocked, but not pleased. He raised his hand, and said.
"Enough. You have both hit the target, from a hundred meters. That is remarkable, but not decisive. Let us see how you fare from two hundred meters. Elrohir, you go first," he said.
Elrohir nodded, and took another arrow. He looked at me, and smirked.
"You got lucky, demon. But you won't be able to keep up with me. I am the best archer in the world. No one can match my skill, my speed, my accuracy. Watch and learn," he said.
He shot the arrow, and it hit the target, in the blue ring. The crowd cheered, and clapped. Elrohir smiled, and bowed. He had scored six points.
It was my turn again. I took another arrow, and placed it on the bow. I looked at him, and smiled.
"You talk too much, elf. But you don't impress me. You are not the best archer in the world. You are not even the best archer in this room. I can match your skill, your speed, your accuracy. And I can surpass them. Watch and see," I said.
I shot the arrow, and it hit the target, in the gold ring. The crowd gasped, and murmured. I smiled, and nodded. I had scored ten points.
The king looked stunned, but not happy. He raised his hand, and said.
"Impossible. You have both hit the target, from two hundred meters. That is astounding, but not conclusive. Let us see how you fare from three hundred meters. Elrohir, you go first," he said.
I thought it would end when one scored more than the other, but how long is this going to go on for? I sighed heavily.
"I just want to sleep," I murmured.
Elrohir nodded, and took another arrow. He looked at me, and glared.
"You cheated, demon. You used some kind of magic, or trickery. You can't beat me fair and square. I am the true champion of the elven archers. I will prove it to you, and to everyone. Watch and regret," he said.
He shot the arrow, and it missed the target. It flew past the board, and landed on the ground. The crowd booed, and jeered. Elrohir frowned, and cursed. He had scored zero points.
It was my turn again. I took another arrow, and placed it on the bow. I looked at him, and laughed.
"You lost, elf. You were too proud, too confident, too careless. You can't beat me, no matter what you do. I am the true champion of the archers. I have proved it to you, and to everyone. Watch and accept your defeat," I said.
I shot the arrow, and it hit the target, in the gold ring. The crowd cheered, and applauded. I smiled, and waved. I had scored ten points.
The king looked furious, but not satisfied. He raised his hand again.
"Enough. The contest is over. You have won, demon. You have beaten Elrohir, the champion of the elven archers. You have shown your skill with the bow. You have passed the first test. But you have not earned my respect, or my trust. You still have two more tests to face, before you can claim your prize. And they will be harder, much harder, than this one. Are you ready?" he said.
I nodded, and put down the bow. I had won the first test, but I knew it was not over. I still had to face two more challenges, and they would be more difficult, more dangerous, more deadly, than this one. But I was ready. I was not afraid. I was determined. I wanted to win. I didn't wanted to die for nothing.
I looked at the king.
"I am ready, your majesty. Bring on the next test," I said.