Firing the Arrow

Firing the Arrow was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
==Description==
Eivor met with Stowe to hunt down the Order of the Ancients member known as The Arrow.
==Dialogue==
Eivor found Stowe at the West Market. Cloaked, she leaned against a nearby column and spoke to him covertly.
*Stowe: Eivor, welcome to the West Market.
*Eivor: A lawman like you could set folks on edge in a square like this. Why not wear a cloak?
*Stowe: Hide my face? Not a chance. It does people good to see a lawman on the hunt. 
<tabber>
|-|The Arrow was the first target=
*Stowe: And once we've found The Arrow, this order needs to know we'll be after The Leech and The Compass as well.
|-|The Arrow was the second target=
*Stowe: You and Erke found the identity of The Leech?
*Eivor: Some holy healer, she was called Frideswid. Had an appetite for eyes.
*Stowe: If this order can corrupt Lunden's favored saint, what hope do we have?
</tabber>
*Eivor: Any noise yet about The Arrow and recruits?
*Stowe: I've heard whispers. Somewhere here, a man gives you a coin. And this coin grants you entry to a contest run by The Arrow's men.
*Eivor: Which man? I see too many here.
*Stowe: He's good at blending in, I haven't spotted him yet today.
*Eivor: I'll sniff around. You stay back.
*Stowe: Eivor ... what was your impression of Erke?
<tabber>
|-|You suspect him?=
*Eivor: You suspect him of something?
*Stowe: I don't know. Whoever killed Tryggr was a close friend. And it was Erke who found the body. I know Erke so well. And I can't bear to think he'd do something so vile, but...
*Eivor: Then don't. Wait for proof before you condemn your friend.
|-|I like Erke=
*Eivor: Erke has been a great help. Why doubt him now?
|-|I don't know him=
*Eivor: You know him better than me. If you suspect him, only say the word.
*Stowe: No, no. I believe in Erke. It's me I don't trust. I feel unfit for my post somedays.
</tabber>
*Stowe: Forgive me. My latest thoughts have been restless. I've been a reeve (sheriff) for so long, fighting for God's justice. I shed my earthly attachments for His great plans. But...
*Eivor: But you couldn't shed Erke and his friendship?
*Stowe: No. No, I'm not sure I could.
<tabber>
|-|It's good to talk=
*Eivor: It's good to talk. Unburden your soul. Clears the mind and lifts a weight off the chest.
*Stowe: Yes, indeed. And thank you for listening.
*Eivor: I should find one of these coins soon. Will you be around?
|-|People can let you down=
*Eivor: It's not good to attach yourself to any one person. Be your own man, forge your own path.
*Stowe: I should, I know...
*Eivor: I should find one of these coins soon. Will you be around?
|-|I'll grab one of those coins=
*Eivor: I should find one of these coins soon. Will you be around?
</tabber>
*Stowe: I'll return to Saint Paul's just down the road. Godspeed, Eivor.
Eivor went out around the market for the coin. To one side, Eivor found a group of Saxons talking.
*Anglo-Saxon Man 1: He goes by "The Arrow", I'm told. A fit name for a keen archer. Can't wait to meet the man himself.
*Anglo-Saxon Soldier 1: About time someone did something about those filthy outlanders ruining our city.
The man spat.
*Anglo-Saxon Man 1: Aye, fucking pond scum coming here with their hands out. Lunden for Lundeners, vermin stay on the other side of the wall.
In the center of the market, Eivor overheard two men speaking in hushed tones.
*Norse Man 1: You got a coin? Show me? Is that a coin? For the archery contest?
*Norse Man 2: Keep off, boy-o. This is my coin. You want one, you talk to my mate Hussa, and he'll point you true.
*Norse Man 1: I heard the take for this job is three stubs of silver a month. Is that true?
*Norse Man 2: Ja. And they pay you more if you drag your brothers into it. Hussa's earned a fortune skimming the docks of Lundenwic.
Pinned to a wall next to the entrance of a small courtyard, Eivor found recruitment poster.
:Propaganda Poster:Are you tired of feeling like a minority in your own city? Do you long for purpose and comradery? Join our ranks, and we will provide an arrow of direction and strength.
Inside the courtyard, Eivor spoke with the recruiter.
*Norse Man 3: Begone, you reek of someplace else.
*Eivor: I've a bow and a body ready to serve The Arrow. So why turn away the sharpest eye in Britain?
The man laughed.
*Norse Man 3: I haven't come this far trusting any old sellsword on the street. How do I know you aren't some rat looking to sink our ship?
*Eivor: I would never. A common friend sent me.
*Norse Man 3: Did he now? And what's our common friend's name?
:Eivor may only have the last two choices if she did not gather all the information.
<tabber>
|-|Hussa of Lundenwic=
*Eivor: Hussa sent me. Your men in Lundenwic.
*Norse Man 3: Hussa did? Well, he's a keen one, all right. Has a good eye for soldiers. But do you align with our values? What think you of outlanders?
|-|Egbert of East Anglia=
*Eivor: It was Egbert of East Anglia.
*Norse Man 3: Yeah, right. Begone, 'afore I kick your teeth in.
*Eivor: Wrong answer. I need to find another way to get the coin.
|-|Stowe of Lunden=
*Eivor: Stowe of Lunden. He gave me leave to knock you about until you squealed.
*Norse Man 3: Stowe? Stomp this one into the dirt!
A fight broke out and Eivor found a coin from killing the warrior.
|-|Just a moment (Leave)=
*Eivor: I need a moment.
*Norse Man 3: Verily, I believe you.
</tabber>
:Eivor may steal the coin from one of the men who holds a coin if she did not gain a coin from the conversation.
*Eivor: Some of these men have pocketed their coin already. But which? Ignore your purses lads.
:Eivor attained the coin without earning it appropriately.
*Eivor: There we go. Hm, this coin is engraved with an image of the Lunden Coliseum.
Eivor left the market for The Arrow's challenge at the coliseum. When she arrived at the Londinium Amphitheatre, Eivor found a crowd of people. To one side, Eivor saw a fighting ring as well as a few tables and kegs. To the other side, Eivor caught sight of the archery challenge. Before speaking to the coordinator, Eivor went near the fighting ring and heard some of the people talking.
*Anglo-Saxon Soldier 2: I keep seeing 'em round my mum's house. Outlanders, thinking they can stink up the place.
*Norse Warrior 1: Come on! Take it, you fucking coward!
*Norse Warrior 2: Hit him! Go on!
Near the tables she overheard a conversation.
*Norse Warrior 3: You like her?
*Norse Warrior 4: Well, yes.
*Norse Warrior 3: So, make her yours. Women don't need reason, they need to be told what to do. Better you than some Outlander pig breeding her.
Eivor spoke to the challenge leader.
*Norse Warrior 5: What's your business, shooting or watching?
*Eivor: You're looking for skilled archers. And now you've found one.
*Norse Warrior 5: This contest is private. Invitation only.
*Eivor: Your men are handing out these coins like they were on fire. Is this enough?
*Norse Warrior 5: It's enough to keep us talking. But I'll want to see how well you handle that bow before you go any further. Want a trial round to test your eye?
<tabber>
|-|I want to practice=
*Eivor: I'll shoot a practice round, just to be sure.
*Norse Warrior 5: Go ahead, then. They're all set up.
Eivor practiced within a thirty seconds timeframe.
*Eivor: How was that?
The challenger commented on how well Eivor shot.
|-|I'm ready=
*Eivor: I've had enough practice. Let's begin.
*Norse Warrior 5: A real fanatic, you are. Get ready...
The challenge was readied.
*Norse Warrior 5: It's a simple contest here. Hit all targets true before the sand runs down! Here's a new competitor. A Norse from the northern wilds of Mercia. And, our current reigning champion, Saer! Alright take your mark! Hooks set! Arrows knocked! Fire!
Eivor was given thirty seconds to hit all the targets with her bow. Within fifteen seconds, the challenge leader called halftime.
*Norse Warrior 5: We're halfway down the sand! Odin's beard! Did you see that! Incredible! A perfect strike!
*Saer: A cheat! A cheat!
*Norse Warrior 5: It was a fair shot, carry on!
*Saer: You can always forfeit if you're not having fun!
|-|Never mind (Leave)=
*Eivor: I don't have time for this. Maybe later.
*Norse Warrior 5: Why bother me at all then?
Eivor returned later and spoke to the challenge leader again.
*Eivor: I see you've still got your targets set up.
*Norse Warrior 5: Do you have a coin now?
*Eivor: You mean this coin?
</tabber>
:If Eivor lost the challenge twice, a bitter conversation occurred.
*Eivor: Loki's wind cast my arrows aside.
*Saer: You're a poor shot, that's the end of it.
*Norse Warrior 5: After two attempts, Saer remains the winner. The Arrow awaits his new champion at the Imperial Arch. Don't delay.
:Eivor could talk to the challenge leader if she lost the challenge ultimately.
*Norse Warrior 5: Go lick your wounds elsewhere. Everyone's heading to the rally.
:Eivor talked to Hussa if she won the challenge
After the contest, Eivor followed her next objective.
<tabber>
|-|Eivor met with Hussa=
Eivor left and met with Hussa.
*Eivor: Are you Hussa?
*Norse Warrior 6: Ja, and who's asking?
*Eivor: May the Father of Understanding guide us.
*Norse Warrior 6: And May the Mother of Wisdom Give us Strength. You're to stand just there. Look your best when The Arrow comes forth. And keep still.
Time passed as the stage was set and The Arrow started their presentation with Eivor and The Arrow's guards onstage.
|-|Eivor went to the rally=
Eivor headed to the rally, where The Arrow attended and gave a speech, with Saer onstage with The Arrow's guards.
</tabber>
*Avgos: Friends, brethren, good people of Lunden! We've had a hard week. Cowardly invaders stole into our Governor's home and robbed him of his life!
The crowd screamed in anger as Eivor deduced Avgos Spearhand was The Arrow.
*Avgos: Tryggr, my friend, my leader. Slaughtered like a dog! By outsiders, by the enemy! Do we expect these Reeves to guide us? Thumb-arsed halfwits let Tryggr die! They think we're safe! But, our Governor knew. He confided in me his real plans to protect Lunden. The drunken Danes of Northumbria polluting the north. Aelfred and his men of Wessex rallying to the south. Of all this, Tryggr said, "Avgos, what we need now are strong borders and strong soldiers. Today, I honor that wish. I present to you, good people of Lunden, our new elite archery force. These elite archers will be stationed at our springalds! Ready to attack invaders by land or by water. And further, until these storms of accusations clear, I will take Tryggr's place at the head of our fair city. Not that I could replace him, for Tryggr was a pillar of steel. But I can try. Let me be your arrow, let me point a true way forward. Some will be naysayers. Those who wish to discredit me. And those who wish to keep Lunden weak. Listen not to them, friends. I serve only Lunden. I serve you. Lunden is a place of prosperity. Prosperity we must export to all of Britain's kingdoms. No more false kings with their lies. Heed the ancient ways, the true strength of Lunden. Rule Lunden. Rule Britain. Rule the world! Into order and truth!
:Eivor may have fought with Avgos instead of assassinating him.
*Avgos: Guards! At arms! Cover my retreat! Don't just stand there, you bloody clots! Kill that one there!
::Avgos may run to Crepelgate Fort as a retreat.
Eivor killed Avgos and ended his plans. In the Memory Corridor, Eivor met Avgos as he walked through an archery range. 
*Avgos 1: Arrows nocked!
Behind Eivor, a second apparition of Avgos came up to stand at her shoulder.
*Avgos 2: It's a hard thing to raise the rats of a city into warriors. 
*Avgos 1: Hook, set!
Eivor faced the second Avgos.
*Eivor: You raised no one. You only trapped them in their cowering fear.
*Avgos 1: Draw strings! First wave, fire!
Eivor and the second Avgos watched as arrows flew out from behind them and hit the two rear targets near their centers.
*Avgos 2: No! I gave these men order! I gave them purpose! I showed them their common enemy!
*Avgos 1: Anchor strings! Second wave, fire!
A second wave of arrows flew out and hit the front targets in their centers.
*Avgos 2: I was arrow for their rage. Without a foe to consume, we devour ourselves.
Odin walked in, circling behind the second Avgos to stand at Eivor's side.
*Odin: He speaks true. A man without an enemy defeats himself.
*Eivor: Justify all you want, you're just a king-killer and a coward.
Eivor spat at Avgos's feet.
*Avgos 2: Mighty high horse, you'd do the same if you were me. 
*Avgos 1: Aim! And fire!
A third wave of arrows flew out and struck the first Avgos from neck to toe, a final arrow hitting him between the eyes. He fell back and his spirit vanished. Eivor walked up to the arrows, now buried in the ground and picked up his fallen medallion. Back in Lunden, Eivor ran from the attacking soldiers and met up with Stowe outside St. Paul's Cathedral.
*Stowe: You're unharmed. Praise be to God!
*Eivor: It'll take more than a few lads with newly polished bows to fell me.
*Stowe: The Arrow was a boy?
*Eivor: A man with a boy's brain. Called Avgos.
*Stowe: Avgos? That can't be right.
*Eivor: I could return with his head on a spear if you'd like to see.
*Stowe: No, you've no reason to lie. Yet Avgos, my old friend, had no cause to murder. He saw Lunden as a kiln of rage. To harden the softness of its younger men. Perhaps I ignored in him what I hoped to see. Ambition, greed, anger.
*Eivor: From one man, such hatred is easy to spot. But from many, it's a fog that fills the room.
*Stowe: Power. Men will claw for it and cling to it at the cost of everything. 
*Eivor: Very true. And it's cold comfort ... when glory has the taste of your family's blood.
<tabber>
|-|The Arrow was the first target=
*Eivor: With Avgos gone, I'll turn my attention to The Leech.
*Stowe: Erke should be down by the quays. He'll be waiting for you.
*Eivor: If The Compass should emerge, we'll let you know.
*Stowe: Then I'll be at Saint Paul's Church, waiting for the good word. Take care, Broga.
|-|The Arrow was the second target=
*Eivor: Two targets down, only The Compass remains. If it were my men killed, I would be on my way to Lunden now.
*Stowe: The Compass will come, and we must be ready. Expecting the worst.
*Eivor: I don't want anyone catching me off guard. Could we take the fight to him?
*Stowe: There may be a way. Let's regroup in the church when you've had time to rest, Broga.
</tabber>
Eivor and Stowe shook hands and went on their ways for the time being.
==Outcome==
Eivor hunted down The Arrow, revealed as a marksman captain by the name of Avgos Spearhand.
==Gallery==
ACV Firing the Arrow 2.png|Eivor and Stowe discussing The Arrow
ACV Firing the Arrow 4.png|Eivor smiling after winning the challenge
ACV Firing the Arrow 5.png|Eivor meeting Hussa, The Arrow's contact
ACV Firing the Arrow 8.png|Eivor approaching Avgos
==References==
*Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
Category:Memories of Eivor Varinsdottir
Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5