A Perfect Day V

After this raucous celebration dies down once more and everyone returns to their seats, we're left at an impasse.

I decided to address this with another stage of the tournament, "Alright, everyone, since the last two archers have tied, we're going to enter a little sudden death match!" I announce to a round of applause.

"We will each have six arrows to hit the six targets on the range. The one with the best time and accuracy will move on to the next round! Now, let's begin!" I announce to their raucous applause.

We skip the declaration of love this round, and I get to begin this tournament round.

I do my best to move, draw, and release my shots, and everyone hits the targets, but in my haste, I'm off on hitting the bullseye on the last two targets.

M'rissi, however, seems determined and unphased, unlike the last round.

She takes a deep breath before notching an arrow and firing at the targets in a smooth repetitious motion like the waves of the ocean.

Despite not budging an inch from her spot, she nails the bullseye, target after target, and I know that I'm destined to lose this tournament before her last arrow hits its mark.

The crowd cheers her victory, and I go up to humbly accept my defeat.

"And the winner of the sudden death match of the third round is none other than the beautiful and charming Marvelous M'rissi, who completely trounced her lover, the incomparably modest, humble, and respectful Captain of the best mercenary company in all of Skyrim! Now, let's begin our 4th round! M'rissi, take us away!" I announce to the crowd, who laughs at my antics as M'rissi playfully swats my shoulder before taking up position in the center of the training field, thinking of what her next shot should be...

After a moment of contemplation, her eyes sparkle as an idea flashes across her face.

She marks 25 paces from the center target before filling her quiver with ten arrows and taking a deep breath.

She notches an arrow, drawing her bow back, she begins rushing backward in a zig-zag pattern, twirling as she gets to the edge of the training area before firing an arrow that hits the targets, then changing directions and beginning the process again until she is all out of arrows, huffing slightly as she's out of breath after the last arrow finds its way to the target.

The crowd cheers for her fantastic show of skill, causing her to flush slightly as the target is scored.

She makes three bullseyes, four hits on the inner ring, two hits on the outer ring, and, unfortunately, one arrow that just barely misses the target.

Next up is Faendal, who gracefully repeats M'rissi's challenge and scores much better than her. Earning cheers and applause from the crowd.

Faendal makes five bullseyes, four hits on the inner ring, and one hit on the outer ring, leaving Inigo as the last one to go.

Inigo takes up position just as Faendal and M'rissi had and begins his attempt.

His charges between the edges of the training area are much more rushed and energetic than the two before him, but despite the lack of finesse, he still hits the target expertly. Earning the cheers of the crowd with four bullseyes, four hits on the inner ring, and two hits on the outer ring, which unfortunately disqualifies M'rissi.

"And with that, we are brought to our final round! Inigo and Faendal, to absolutely no one's surprise, are our final competitors! Now this last challenge will be a head-to-head tournament, each competitor will stand 25 paces away from me as I stand in the center throwing up wooden bowls, which they will have to knock onto their opponent's side of the field. They will each have ten arrows to work with. Now, for my safety, all the arrows used in this round will be dulled practice arrows, but... If either of you hit me, I will roast your buns so bad you won't be able to sit down for a week, regardless of how many potions you drink or the healing spells you receive! Got it? Good, now let's begin!" I announce to the crowd, who begin stomping their feet in anticipation, cheering for either Faendal or Inigo to win.

I ready the first bowl before tossing it underhand far up into the sky, Inigo hesitates for a moment when he realizes he has to volley arrows in my general direction, allowing Faendal to get the initiative and take the first point by knocking the bowl onto Inigo's side of the field.

Inigo shakes his head before taking a deep breath as I toss the next bowl in the air, and this time, Inigo is able to hit the bowl just before Faendal, knocking it over to Faendal's side of the field.

They trade shot for shot until they're tied at roughly 6 to 6, with only one arrow left each I decide to make the last round interesting by launching six bowls simultaneously, distributing them evenly with three on each arm. It takes several moments to balance out the bowls without dropping them, but after doing a few practice throws, I prepare for the final launch.

I send the bowls hurtling upwards, trying to stagger my launch of them to make it so that Faendal and Inigo have to choose between hitting one bowl or risking multiple bowls.

Both archers let their arrows fly almost simultaneously, Inigo is able to knock two bowls over to Faendal's side. However, I noticed that Faendal had squatted down and leaned heavily to the left before he let his arrow fly, giving him an almost impossible angle to clip three bowls.

Though it didn't have as much power as Inigo's shot, it did have just enough to just barely knock the three over to Inigo's side.

The crowd goes wild at the impressive display of skill from both of them. Cheering for Faendal echoes throughout the field.