This Is Outlands!
The world's largest and most innovative Ultima Online freeshard, is still going strong after 6.5 years with no signs of slowing down.
PLAY FOR FREE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeWAYhlL5xE
2024-06-03
2024.06.03_LibreOffice - A free and complete office suite
LibreOffice is a great, full featured, stable office suite, in my opinion even better then Microsoft Office.
LibreOffice includes six main components enabling you to write texts and articles in Writer, work with spreadsheets in Calc, make presentations and diagrams in Impress, work with images and graphics in Draw, calculate fancy mathematical formulae in Math and store all your important data in Base.
Many more informations about this software and a mirror to download the latest version can be found on Softpedia: https://www.softpedia.com/get/Office-tools/Office-suites/LibreOffice.shtml
Here is a place to see all LibreOffice versions launched since 2011 to date, the last version today being LibreOffice 24.2.3.2 : https://downloadarchive.documentfoundation.org/libreoffice/old/
It costs nothing to try it out and I think is great myself.
2023-01-21
2023.01.20_Review - Onyx Boox Note AIR 2 - E-INK Tablet (for firmware version from 2022.10.31)
Onyx Boox Note AIR 2
I want to state from the beginning that this is not intended to be an impartial, objective review, but my personal opinion and feel after using for several months the Onyx Boox Note AIR 2.
Onyx Boox Note AIR 2 is one of the very few gadgets with an e-ink screen that is not only an e-book reader, but a full fledged tablet. I wanted something like this mostly to read and write without tiring my eyes on an LCD panel, be it a monitor, phone or tablet. Having an open Android 11 OS, I could install on it all the apps I use all the time, directly from Google’s Play Store. Now I am able to read all those huge articles from the net on a great electronic paper screen, just like I would read from a paper, and write all my articles, stories and plans.
The main things I use this tablet for (although I know it can do a lot more) are:
- Read books. It’s 10.3” screen is great for book reading using tablet’s NeoReader or any other good book reading program. If you have a Scribd account, that is awesome too.
- Read articles from the net and surf the web using tablet’s default web browser, NeoBrowser, or any Android web browser loaded from Play Store, like my favorite Vivaldi browser.
- Write notes on the notes section and entire articles, books and other texts on an Office suite. For example I like Collabora Office. For writing, the included handwriting recognition modules worked unexpectedly well in english and other languages. It feels great to write by hand and have my text automatically converted on selectable Writer text.
- Comics and Manga look great but I am not a fan of Boox NeoReader for these, as I feel it blurs the image a little. Fortunately, other comic readers like Moon+ Reader, do the job perfectly.
As I said, reading and writing text on this screen from all sources is a pleasure and a joy for the eyes, this being the great strength of this tablet. Now, the bad part: refresh rate and color. Being an e-ink screen, is refresh rate is from bad to terrible. There are several refresh modes that let you trade accuracy and ghosting for more speed and they are indeed very useful in alleviating the problem to a certain degree, but this is still a slow e-ink screen that is not suited to display things in motion. Of the fastest mode you can even watch clips and movies on it, and it works, but the image is displayed like an old paper photo in movement. As for games, I didn’t even wanted to try.
About colors, they are great, but completely missing. This is a black and white e-ink screen able to display all shades of grey, but that’s all. There are options to adjust the displayed image in several ways though, like Dark Color Enhancement and Light Color Filter, witch helps a lot to improve the image for different scenarios, but no colors. There are some colored e-ink displays on the market, but even on those, the colors are dim and totally inferior to the great colors of IPS LCD’s or even better OLED ones.
Once started, the tablet offers six menus on the left side to access it’s main functions.
- Library: is the place for all books. I don’t really use it because I don’t like the way it mixes all the books and comics on a cluttered disarray. Instead is way easier for me to see them on the Storage section where I can arrange them by folders.
- Store: is the store of Onyx company and I didn’t find anything on it to capture my interest.
- Notes: is the place to write notes by hand and draw. Writing with the pen is very cursive and intuitive and it feels a lot like writing on a glossy paper. The entire writing experience is very fluent and easy. I like I can add my own custom backgrounds for notes by inserting a custom PNG image on Layers. Is great to keep lists, diaries, ideas for articles, quick notes and so on. I like I can select and move text on the page, insert more pages or even using handwriting text recognition. I noticed that this function does not produce results so accurate as like I write by hand directly on the Onyx Keyboard.
- Storage: the way to access the internal memory of the device, usb sticks, etc..
- Apps: my installed apps. The tabled comes with a good Calendar Memo, a voice recorder, a good music app and a web browser, among others. One of the apps, BooxDrop, let me synchronize notes and other things on the tablet with the Boox cloud after I make an account, giving me 5Gb of space.
- Settings: access to device’s settings, firmware update, user’s manual, etc.
One thing I did not like is that it does not support re-charging the battery with an USB HUB while using the same hub for accessing USB sticks or LAN internet. As the USB hub consumes a lot of energy, it basically cannot be used.
Conclusion: A great device to read and write text without stressing the eyes. Bad to watch color photos, clips, movies and play games. For me, that I read and write A LOT, is a godsend device that protects my eyes way better then any device with Super AMOLED, OLED, IPS, VA or God forbid, TN screen.
2022-02-19
2022.02.19_Open TTD - Open Transport Tycoon Deluxe
Open TTD is the successful successor of the great classic Transport Tycoon Deluxe by Chris Sawyer. It enhance and extends the original game in every possible way, in my opinion, giving you the best Transport Tycoon game so far.
The game puts you in the position of a transport company owner, trying to achieve hegemony in transportation by rail, truck, ship and air. Earn as much money as possible transporting passengers, goods, raw materials and even bank assets across cities, resource production sites and industries.
Installation:
1. Download the game from the top-right of the mail Open TTD page and install it on a folder with write access, like D:\Games\OpenTTD.
2. By default the game installs OpenGFX base graphics set, OpenSFX base souns set and OpenMSX base music set, but on the download section you can try others.
If you own the original TTD game and want to use the original graphics, sound and music, just copy all the files from the CD on the OpenTTD installed folder.
3. To have opponents in the game, connect to internet and download some of the good AIs like NoNoCab, Admiral AI, Rodnje and many others and then load them in your game from AI/Game Script Settings button from the main menu.
Good documentation about the game can be found on the official site, like for example this signals tutorial (https://www.openttd.org/news/2021/11/06/explaining-signals-ui-change), and across the net even video tutorials, with a bit of research.
2021-03-14
2021.12.29_Ultima Online Outlands adventures
Here I will add Tyr Antilles adventures in Outlands dungeons and other parts of Avadon.
(Online streaming might be laggy. For best quality download the clips and play them locally or just watch them fullscreen.)
* * *
2025.10.25_My skill to run from murderers is something else
I am so gracious in my struggle to escape!
:)
https://mega.nz/file/wGRxxDBQ#74s1xGomkX7jJIjsbc03OvkGjIAOMetwZIKVgkwHOSE
* * *
2025.05.25_Spectacular OMNI.
* * *
2025.05.03_May 2025 PATH Treasure Hunting and PVP.
https://mega.nz/file/oOIQ3ADL#SoShQZI0UrbcSPIkshbzznVADiZ8J2nFzfScZ9T1vmU
* * *
2024.11.15_Good hunt with the brave PATH brothers. At least this time I managed to not die to the reds.
https://mega.nz/file/FGw0HTxJ#j0-JjP43v63V9kWt4lOjg2Pdy0eBTYqDthq9dUVnSa4
* * *
2024.08.11_I recorderd a PvP clip in Nusero today. I am terrible at it. All I can do is to roam around aimlessly until someone eventually kill me.
* * *
2024.05.25_The Wildlands Expansion looks excellent
https://mega.nz/file/4LQSRSDI#HsrJd4Dbh7hCh1vk6rrAqLIvL5AmsGqKomP0QzyL5eE
* * *
2024.05.25_UO Outlands going stronger then ever, surpassing for the first time 5000 players logged in simultaneously! This is how the main Prevalia Bank looks on a normal day:
https://mega.nz/file/gTxRiJ6B#0gUhmcDA-QczqQ-IlPJCURYg1vEId_pPQ0mgLS9fdqE
* * *
2023.12.10_A good OMNI
https://mega.nz/file/0Loj1YrC#VI5lgElwl3MBcsh-oG0wgOOg8f6pTgvI3T9i124sgIg
* * *
2023.08.05_Tyr's PATH promotion, caravan and boss
https://mega.nz/file/cTQjkaaR#lTmcL3u6dEXbEB3C-Ko85XF0umWTs7_gGYRkr2bxW8w
* * *
2023.01.23_Faction Action
https://mega.nz/file/8KhhxByS#X7t8bYXMVx9nffRJpzs6WzluBMO_JX0jYSTphW4F93w
* * *
022.10.27_ Anniversary Gift from the statue in Prevalia
https://mega.nz/file/RLJUwIrL#aUufCFcYuBoxnrZYkrF3xT8ZClVuwyf0PhhFsQNIer0
* * *
2022.06.10_Fantastic Ossuary IV run. Vivat PATH!
https://mega.nz/file/dKgGGTxD#kQbCgZpEhA3SRSJtQmUI2hidz7v1Y71bsz-KqK-5UHs
* * *
2022.01.28_Good treasure hunt Tier 8 at Cathedral St. Francis.
https://mega.nz/file/1Txm2SKB#4Ik9Hmx5xhDh30mLaYTMvkxhxyfq0Kme6aIH4Vz2BMw
* * *
2021.12.29_Amazing adventures in Shadowspire Cathedral.
https://mega.nz/file/JKgmXCjC#A1sb2nL-1SvncEcPjSaxfKB1IHHLWTE4gQPF2pvK3t0
* * *
2021.12.27_My first few naval adventures alone on the seas.
https://mega.nz/file/VL5iEQbJ#i9ibav9T_4Gl0zoo7XGSXzOu-Ck0zA21Y7OaM5l4hVk
* * *
2021.11.11_Run for my life chased by murderous reds.
https://mega.nz/file/dThCGQTB#V8NA7Ob7Mj6ydBDBCo3s9TEK4GYxuR9YyySLu6mQ8Yk
* * *
2021.08.28_Many adventures in various places on the old and new Avadonian continents.Viva UOO.
https://mega.nz/file/AW4GlYSD#uPT8XYN4UjR-5lu9-QkvkXI8LgQonajL4UHIXIWfC_Y
* * *
2021.06.13_Guild hunt in Darkmire Temple with my dear and trusted companions by my side.
https://mega.nz/file/tL4AFQ6D#69pXliOScJGft8iDrqsmHjCKv7aP5spBAgWeOeSnZtg
* * *
2021.04.16_Brave PATH adventurers from the Monster Hunters wing, bring justice to the evil monsters lurking deep in the Avadon dungeons.
https://mega.nz/file/0KwgAQqT#mM7S1QmQ1oSdB1jro8CRR0vOR3a6Yj_uPTlIDCfNQpE
* * *
2021.03.17_Inferno Mini-Boss summoned by PATH for Euro Time Zone members. Intense fighting with the forces of evil and in the end we obtained a total victory with no casualty. VIVA to our heroic warriors and mages.
https://mega.nz/file/Ub42HCIT#alDymNLqipHBTjLhOCyAthk0HM_eIaMG2xyyWYi69DQ
* * *
2021.03.14_Inferno Mini-Boss with DTF and The Alliance.
https://mega.nz/file/8DhSFIYA#oOnqe1BSP22dW8BpbTLnARI-5t5NbZGz8_qh8wa32XI
* * *
2021.03.06_Adventures on Aegis Keep with Gargantua and Hephestus.
https://mega.nz/file/RSxHSCDY#D9ugRdWBRQkFQnq8Vewuv6ROR8z2w_xkWgB4yYDLE5I
* * *
2020.12.27_Stealthing with a friend's belongings on Darkmire Temple, right when a band of murderers decided to raid the dungeon.
https://mega.nz/file/9CxSlaAC#Hi-piZKTgyMDI52g33BgY2AiIBIDMxM1iZV0Jyztgmg
* * *
2020.08.01_Crafting an avarite plate suit.
https://mega.nz/file/ofgD0ALB#aAefrVK-SopOHUp_ZuJv2XPZ5Df6BPMXGHhEc2BtLXo
* * *
2020.07.02_Killed by infernus at full health. Still, what a blast!
https://mega.nz/file/QLgT3YIK#JGkIcstd5FLQJR2M6cHvxhV6EJ9vCfC3wgEZG7s5Xe4
* * *
2020.04.04_A stealth nox trapper fighting spectral terrors on one of the most dangerous rooms of Ossuary 4.
https://mega.nz/file/Qb4GUSzL#nJ_tWNAfpD4peeswW2o49UeLLjVEmA13FD65hvLbIo4
* * *
2020.03.21_Tyr naval training.
https://mega.nz/file/dH5B0SjA#oPTlbHChuoCGspjlDQSuNtwriAK3UT7HPG-e45zxAxI
* * *
2018.12.22_Today I started my adventures on Avadon.
https://mega.nz/file/8HpUgbTB#OxLIhCjjoYT7utxLoH76eJ6OlTKcDblivCUtTeMkGsE
* * *
2020-08-29
2020.08.29_Civilization IV Beyond the Sword mod Mega-Marathon with 34 civs
Civilization IV Beyond the Sword mod Mega-Marathon by Tyr Antilles combined with 40Civs created by Mikel Olson.
https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/tyrmegma40-mod-mega-marathon-with-34-civs.662336/
Here is a nice wallpaper I made myself (https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/civilization-iv-wallpaper.662910/):
TyrMegMa40 mod is basically the default Civ4BtS but longer and larger with maximum 34 players instead of 18 and other improvements that do not affect in a bad way the original CIV4 BtS experience.
For hard-core Civilization IV enthusiasts that feel the huge maps of the game are too small and Marathon mode is too fast, I made this mod that offers several things:
1. create a huge random map several times bigger then the original Huge map of the game (original Huge have scale factor of 32x20 and TyrMegMa40 Huge is 80x50).
2. game speed, tech discovery, construction and others are a lot slower (about three times slower then original Marathon speed of the game), giving you enough time to play every age a lot.
3. adding on top of it the CvGameCoreDLL.dll that is 40Civs mod, you can fill the world with max 34 starting civilizations and 6 colonies, instead of 18 civs that were allowed in the default game. This make the huge map really lively with a lot of civilizations competing with each other.
4. replaced global warming desert terrain with fallout instead by 40Civs mod.
(infos about 40Civs mod by Mikel Olson here: https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/bts-40-civs-allows-colonies-and-34-civs.234779/)
(infos about the original TyrMegMa with max 18 civs here: https://forums.civfanatics.com/threads/tyrmegma-mod-mega-marathon.637062/)
TyrMegMa40 download mirror: https://1drv.ms/u/s!AqtI3rSJQnG_ljyruYNgjNc9bexk?e=5bCkQK
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Start of the mod:
1. - Close Civ4 if is open
2. - Unpack TyrMegMa40.zip to Civ4BtS mods folder:
* for STEAM version of Civ4BtS, Mods folder is: {the place where your STEAM folder is located}\Steam\steamapps\common\Sid Meier's Civilization IV Beyond the Sword\Beyond the Sword\Mods\
* for the standalone installation of the game (if you installed on the default path) Mods folder is: C:\Program Files\Firaxis Games\Civilization4\Beyond the Sword\Mods\
* for Civilization 4 Complete DVD version the Mods folder is: C:\Program Files (x86)\2K Games\Firaxis Games\Sid Meier's Civilization 4 Complete\Beyond the Sword\Mods\
3. - Clear the cache from Civ4 cache folder - just delete all files inside cache folder from c:\Users\{your win user}\AppData\Local\My Games\beyond the sword\cache\
4. - Fire up Civ4BtS and launch the mod from Advanced > Load a mod > TyrMegMa40
The game will restart loading the mod. In upper right corner will be written the name of the mod: TyrMegMa40
5. - At the beginning of the game choose:
* Custom game.
* Map type (Archipelago works best, but other types can be suitable. You can check how a new map is generated by entering the map editor, then restarting a new game with that map type.)
* Size: Huge (This is the one I modified and is about six times bigger then the original huge map of the game. All other sizes are game's default.)
* Speed: Marathon (This is the one I modified. All other speeds are game's default.)
* Deselect Victory: Time victory (To not have the game end just when things start to become interesting.)
* Manually add up to maximum 34 players.
* The other choices are optional.
Required to finish such a game: a strong computer and a TON of patience and free time. Right now this is my favorite way to play Civilization and I like it a lot more then the newer Civ 5 or Civ 6. Enjoy.
Screenshots
1. Game on turn 2167 on year 1931 AD. Notice the size of the game window on the mini-map on the bottom-right corner of the screen. That big the map is.
2. The crowded relations screen.
3. The big planet. This complexity if what makes this mod so wonderful.
Known issues:
1. The map is generated with some lines stretching from some mountains. It doesn't look too bad and it won't affect the game at all.
2. Saves. Sometimes, when loading a save file directly from the game results in a memory allocation failure, then the game must be closed. The good news is that the next time the game is opened, it load the save correctly. A workaround to load a save without problems is to exit to main menu first, unload the mod, then open the desired save file. It will work without issues and is a lot faster.
2020-07-07
2020.06.26_Redtower of the Frozen Shore
Author's notes:
- This is a roleplaying story for Ultima Online Outlands, taking place in Avadon the world that emerged from the ruins of Sosaria after the great cataclysm that took place on this particular shard of the Gem of Immortality.
- This tale is all about love, valor and fortune, depicting Tyr Antilles adventures after his departure from Knight's Guild and before his arrival on PATH.
- I did my best to make a decent translation, but if you notice some odd expressions or words, please, try to pay no heed and enjoy the story.
- Here it was posted on Outlands forums: https://forums.uooutlands.com/index.php?threads/redtower-of-the-frozen-shore.3043/
- It can also be downloaded in PDF, eBook reader friendly format here:
--- English translation: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AqtI3rSJQnG_li-FQT2ubahZCt78?e=u5XXrG
--- Romanian language: https://1drv.ms/b/s!AqtI3rSJQnG_ljCbpuaWAwo1tGaM?e=zIdruL
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Redtowerof the Frozen Shore
2020.06.26
by Tyr Antilles
Tyr ran like it was the end of the world through knee-deep snow. The last dagger thrown by that norse trapper had stuck in his right shoulder and he hadn't had a moment's respite to pull it out. If he thought about it, he hadn't had a moment's respite from his adventure with Freya...
* * *
The previous morning, in the month of January 624 AC, Tyr Antilles had returned to the Outpost to report to the captain of the guard that he had completed his mission. With the money from him, he went straight to the magic shop in the north of the city to buy some more potions from the alchemist. He had just entered the store when he saw the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. She was from the tribe of the people of the north, as the furry clothes showed her, her hair was so blond that it looked almost white and the bluest eyes Tyr had ever seen in his life, fitting perfectly with her face of incredible perfection.
In the magic shop of the Outpost, the girl was dealing with the alchemist trying to sell nightshade for the price of a coin, which was a small price, but he refuses to give her more than a coin for two pieces, although he could re-sell it with ease with three coins per piece.
— I worked for weeks to collect this nightshade and I need this money to buy goods for my tribe - the girl argued.
— I'm sorry, miss, but we have quite a few nightshade during this time of the year. This is the price I can offer you - said the trader knowing all too well that the girl could not afford to travel to Andaria to try her luck at another shop.
Just as the girl was about to give in, Tyr approached the alchemist's counter and addressed her, bowing:
— Tyr Antilles is my name. I might be interested in buying this nightshade. Do you want to keep me company at Dante's tavern next door? The chef he hired from Andaria is a true master, which is rare for a small town as isolated as Outpost. Of course, it’s my treat - he added immediately, noticing her short hesitation.
She raised her stunning eyes up at him and the moment Tyr met her gaze he felt the earth shaking beneath his feet, completely enchanted. It was not possible for her to be so beautiful! She must have read something in his eyes too because she blushed, but she quickly got over the embarrassment and measured him from head to toe. A man of the right height, blue eyes, white skin, strong jaws with beautiful teeth but canines an idea longer than the rest and unusual long blue hair. More strange then beautiful, he had a certain grace and he exhaled a trustworthy aura.
— I accept honest adventurer. My goods are of good quality and you will not regret buying from me.
The sixth sense somehow warned him that at some point he might come to regret it, but Tyr was so enchanted by the girl that he completely ignored the presentiment.
They left the Outpost magic shop together, not before Tyr to notice a wave of anger running through the alchemist's face as they came out. He had lost a handsome profit because of this blue-haired adventurer he knew as a friend of the captain of the guard.
Master Dante's tavern was almost full by this time, and Tyr ordered full menus for both of them. He learns that her name is Freya, that she is twenty years old and she is the daughter of a norse hammerman from a tribe who lived in a Borg, that is, a fortified camp located somewhere in the frozen lands northwest of the Outpost. The tribe was known in the region as the leather-men tribe, because of the skins they fitted in their houses as furniture and with which they traded. She also had a brother named Kanyörn, an unusual name for a norseman. According to her, her brother was skilled at throwing knives and preparing traps.
In turn, Tyr recounted some of his adventures as a mercenary for the Outpost and some of his earlier years in which he had served the Prevalian Kingdom as a member of the Knights' Guild. As they talked, the tension between them grew, and Tyr found that she was almost as interested in him as he was in her. But he didn’t muster the courage to tell her anything more, for fear of frightening her and driving her away.
The meal was coming to an end and she brought up the business she wanted to close:
— About the nightshade. The price is one penny for each and I can't leave it cheaper than that.
— It's a deal! I'll buy the whole amount - he replied, though he knew it would cost him all the money he had earned in the last mission, plus most of his reserves. But that didn't matter. He could travel to Andaria.
Thirty minutes later they had left the tavern and closed the bargain, but Freya seemed in no hurry to leave. There was a moment of embarrassing silence that they had both broken at the same time:
— It is true that...
— I like you very much! - he rushy added, blushing in a way he had not done since his first adventures with girls.
It was her turn to blush, but she approached him and gave him the most timid, but also the most wonderful kiss Tyr had ever had in his life.
They spent the rest of the day in the city and the rest of the night at the modest Outpost Inn, but they felt magical the place and the time they spent together.
* * *
— Freya! Freya! Which room are you in? We have to go! Will you wake up already?
Tyr and Freya opened their eyes at the same time and looked at each other awakened by the shouts in the main hall of the inn.
— By the gates of Valhalla! - she exclaimed, jumping out of bed as if burned and starting to grope for her clothes.
— Oh no! - Tyr muttered as he began to do exactly the same thing. They are...?
— My brother and his companions. We planned to meet this morning to go home, after selling the goods. I can't believe what I did.
— Do you regret that ...?
— Yes! I totally regret it! My brother is going to kill you.
This was nothing new to Tyr. New was the feeling that he didn’t want to lose Freya for anything in the world.
— Maybe if we explain to him that my intentions are honorable... You are special to me...
— You don’t understand! I am engaged by the will of my father to Sigurd, the best fighter in the village. If my brother finds out that I gave myself to you for the first time instead of Sigurd...
Until Tyr could understand what "the first time" actually meant, the door of the small inn room slammed against the wall and a norse trapper with very light blond hair and somewhat familiar features glanced inside and froze motionless, his jaw open. However, the astonishment lasted only two seconds, after which his face twisted and drew an impressive bronze Viking sword from his belt.
— Can we just talk...? - Tyr tried timidly, but even as he spoke the words he realized it was for a lost cause, so his hands hurriedly searched for the katana handle. He barely had time to draw his sword from its scabbard before it started to desperately parry at Kanyörn's destructive blows.
Freya shouted at Kanyörn to stop, but he was in a real deadly frenzy and didn't seem to hear anything. Tyr was a very good swordsman and Kanyörn in his anger made mistakes twice, but Tyr could not kill Freya's brother. Two more massive norsemen entered the room and Tyr immediately began to lose ground, receiving an ugly bruise on his right cheek. He would die if he didn't invent something very quickly.
Unfortunately, he didn't have time to invent anything because he received a kick in the chest from one of Kanyörn's two comrades. The blow was so violent that Tyr was thrown through the window right into the pine tree behind the inn. He raised his arms as he fell to protect his face from the twigs that whipped him, but they also alleviated his fall and he collapsed into a pile of snow under the tree.
— By the gods, what a beating - he muttered, glad he hadn't let go of the sword.
— It's down! Kill him! - he heard the norsemen as they disappear from the broken window, hurrying down the stairs.
Without checking if he was whole, Tyr hurried with sword in hand to the stable, took his horse and ran towards the western gate, closely followed by four angry norsemen. The first three he had dueled with in the inn had been joined by the fourth who had cared for the horses at that time.
The pursuit carried him a long way to the mainland, his aggressors pushing him further and further north through the snow-covered forest. If he managed to survive until dusk, he could lose his track in the woods. His horse was terribly tired and the four pursuers were extremely close.
A dagger deftly thrown by Kanyörn stabbed him in the shoulder and Tyr fell off his horse, but continued to run through the woods trying to lose his footing on the rugged terrain. The layer of snow grew thicker and thicker as it advanced, while the forest seemed to thin out.
Gathering his strength, he ran faster as he heard a loud, deep horn sound from behind, making the forest resound. At the call of the horn, another norse riding a polar bear appeared in front of him. After a short chase, Tyr received a spear's tail in his head and his world plunged into darkness.
* * *
He awoke in a room dug into the rock with solid wooden latticework at the entrance. The knife in his shoulder was gone, but his shoulder and head ached terribly. He crawled to the entrance and found that he was locked in a kind of fortress full of norsemen. Those who passed his cell glared at him with ferocious looks. Tyr had no doubt about the fate that awaited him.
He spent two whole days in the cramped cell, during which time he received food and his shoulder stopped bleeding. On the third day, Freya also returned to the fortified village, but she didn’t even look at him throughout the day. In the middle of the night, however, she snuck up to his cell and carefully shouted his name with low voice. Their hands clasped through the latticed gate and big tears started to roll down her cheeks, but they didn’t manage to ruin her beauty in any way.
— Oh, Tyr, I'm so sorry. I was so stupid, so blinded by love...
— Don't! I don’t regret for a second that I met you, the gods are my witnesses.
— Guards! - a shout was heard from behind and two norsemen armed with battle hammers joined a third, a grumpy individual armed with a Viking sword.
— Sigurd! Show mercy and leave Tyr alive - Freya prayed. I will be your faithful wife and I will do your will without resistance for the rest of my life ...
— The mere fact that you pray me for this means that your heart will never be mine - Sigurd replied in a voice a little colder than the frozen walls of the fortified northern village. But don't worry, your body will be mine forever, as soon as this blue-haired bastard gets what he deserves. Take her away!
Freya was dragged out of the small latticed entrance and soon Tyr was brought to Høvdinghuset, the long house, in front of the great Earl, the ruler of the village.
Several northerners holding torches in hands were solemnly standing in two rows on both sides of a long room finished with a wooden throne adorned with deer antlers. On the throne sat an old but vigorous norse, with long gray hair.
To his right, an even older norse mage addressed those present thumping with a wooden staff in the stone slabs that paved the floor.
— We all now know the circumstances that led to the capture of this stranger from Outpost. I know you do think it would be right for the sentence to be handed down immediately, but the ways Odin lays before us to test us and help us prove our worth are always the right ones. Odin's will must be followed! From the throne of Valhalla, the all-seeing father appeared to me last night in a dream and told me that in order to prove justice and to acquire Freya, the noble Sigurd must prove his worth by competing with the blue-haired foreigner. They will compete not in a straight fight, but in a contest of bravery at the Stone Tower on the frozen shore! The Stone Tower has been for months now, the home of the terrible white Air Drake, the master of ice. The two warriors will be taken to the Stone Tower and will compete to slay the beast on a bravery contest, or will perish in the attempt. If Sigurd wins, the Stone Tower and the lands of the northern shore will become his fief, Freya will be given to him as wife or slave, as he wishes, as punishment for her infidelity and the blue-haired stranger will be handed over to him to make him a slave or kill him. Finally, if he will be the one to slay the beast, Sigurd will become the heir to the Deer Throne, when the great Earl will perish. If the blue-haired stranger kill the beast first, the Stone Tower and the lands of the northern realm will be his, Freya will be given to him as a wife or as a slave and he will be left alive if he swears allegiance to our Earl!
The old norse mage's staff resounded throughout the room, striking hard on the slab to the right of the Deer Throne, while a deep silence fell over the entire assembly. For almost a minute the Nordics kept a solemn silence, but from the expressions on their faces, Tyr understood that they did not expect such a decision.
The Great Earl rose from the Deer Throne and spoke in a loud, resounding voice:
— Sigurd's appointment to the Deer Throne as my successor seems right to me, because Sigurd is the most valiant and fearless norse warrior. I have no doubt that Sigurd will prove his bravery and fulfill the will of the mighty Odin in this attempt! Let the preparations begin!
The norsemen broke ranks and began preparations for a short journey. The Stone Tower was just north of their fortified settlement, housing the Air Drake that had given so much trouble and which no norseman had dared to attack until then.
Tyr was sent under guard to a room where a fir wood fire was burning and then his katana was brought to him plus a northern armor of reinforced leather. At some point he heard two of the norse guards talking about the old enmity between Sigurd and the old norse mage, the Great Earl's advisor.
"Hmm... The decisions of the divine Odin may not have been entirely Odin's!" - Tyr thought, assessing his chances.
The important thing for him at the time was to recover his forces as much as possible. Unfortunately he barely managed to eat a piece of grilled bear meat and to equip the armor given to him over a thick woolen garment, that he had been escorted in the yard where a procession of norsemen torchbearers had been formed. After a short march, the whole procession stopped at the northern edge of their fortified camp.
Several norse mages cast healing spells on everyone present to warm them. The dusk was starting to settle and it was frosty, although it was starting to snow. In the north, the silhouette of a dark tower surrounded by giant pieces of ice could be seen through the fog, painting a desolate landscape. Immediately behind the tower was the start of the cliff from which the roar of the ocean could be heard.
Tyr was the only one who had not received a healing spell. He clenched his jaws as he prepared to fight for his life.
Sigurd started to walk to the tower first, armed with his viking sword and Tyr was pushed to the front by his guards to inform him that he was now free to march to the tower as well.
He hadn't taken five steps, when he was hit in the back by a warm wind and he could feel his strength rising immediately. Turning around in surprise, he saw Freya on the outskirts of the village, finishing murmuring "In Mani". A few norsemen glared at her, but no one dared to admonish her so as not to diminish Sigurd’s honor, who had also received a healing spell, though he was not wounded. Feeling better, Tyr stepped up and walked close to Sigurd to the tower, which became bigger as they approached.
The air roared and ice crystals formed around them. Tyr and Sigurd jumped sideways in opposite directions to avoid the spell and looked up. Right at the top of the huge tower a snow-white Drake fluttered its wings as it cast a new spell and plunged upon them.
The spell shattered right next to Sigurd, bringing a terrible frost that splashed rime on his sword and equipment, but the norseman warrior didn’t give up and slammed his huge sword into Drake's shoulder.
The beast let out a roar and its tail twitched in Tyr's direction as it tried to bite Sigurd. Tyr performs a jump to avoid the kick and his katana crests the beast's tail. Sigurd's sword slashed the Drake's chest, but the blow of his wing sent the norseman flying several meters on the ice. However, he stood up dazed and retrieved the sword that had flown from his hand, watching Tyr savagely attack the monster from the back. Katana implanted several times in the Drake's back until a tail blow blew him up. He landed on his back near Sigurd, bleeding profusely. The older knife wound on his shoulder had opened and he had been hit quite hard in the chest.
— It's time for you to pay! - Sigurd shouted and struck the viking sword at Tyr's chest, but Tyr found the strength to dodge and the blow intended to kill him struck him in the leg.
The attack cost Sigurd his life. Taking advantage of the inattention of his two human opponents, the Drake jumped from behind and bit Sigurd by the neck, lifting him off the ground. Tyr realized he would have no other chance, so he rose abruptly, ignoring the wounds and struck with all his might at the beast's now exposed neck, holding the katana with both hands. The blow almost beheaded the Drake who dropped Sigurd's corpse from his jaws and collapsed to one side, writhing in agony. His red blood gushed from his neck wound like a geyser, staining the snow and the stones on the façade of the Stone Tower.
Tyr fell to his knees, leaning on his sword and felt that his gaze was beginning to fade. He tried to crawl, not very sure to where, but his strength was leaving his body by the minute.
"It was a good life!" he smiled to himself.
— "In Vas Mani" - he heard from behind the voice of the old norse mage and immediately a strong heat enveloped him, restoring his strength and partly stopping the bleeding of his wounds.
Several voices were heard around him, when suddenly he was embraced by Freya, enveloping him, warming him. It was a warmth that he wished would envelop him all his life.
* * *
He spent the next week in the fortified settlement of the northern people, this time as a guest, not as a prisoner. To these harsh people, the deeds of bravery mattered more than anything and the respect shown to the warrior who had killed the great Drake who had terrorized the village, was genuine.
Without anyone objecting, Tyr bend the knee and swore allegiance to the Great Earl, becoming a member of the tribe. Soon, enjoying the prestige he had gained, Tyr introduced himself to Freya's father to ask him for her hand. The man, a sturdy hammer-bearer in Earl's army, agreed after Freya convinced him that this was the only way she could be happy.
One week later, Freya was wed to Tyr Antilles in a solemn ceremony specific to Nordic culture. For these people, marriage was sacred and once married, norse women received equal rights with men in the eyes of the community, which is atypical for such a simple tribal society.
Immediately after the ceremony, all the women from the village started to prepare festive dishes, barrels of beer and cider were brought by men and many more preparations started. Towards evening the whole village gathered in Høvdinghuset, the true center of the village and the Great Earl marked the start of a great party that lasted for three days and three nights.
Hearing that Tyr is, among other things, a skilled worker in fine mechanics and watchmaking, Kanyörn offered them as a wedding gift a fully equipped workbench filled with all kinds of precision tools, thus showing his agreement with his sister's marriage and offering his friendship to Tyr. No one asked him from where he got the tinker workbench and Tyr was overjoyed to shake the hand of the blond norse trapper, who looked so much like his new wife.
When the time came, Tyr and Freya moved to their tower from the icy cliff, naming it the Redtower in memory of the red blood of the Air Drake who had been slain to earn this home.
Together with some Nordics skilled in construction, Tyr and Freya repaired the massive tower, equipping it with wooden floors and furnishing it with plain wood furniture. For heating they used multiple braziers and a forge that Tyr installed to work the metal.
In this way, the gloomy tower shrouded in ice, was transformed into a welcoming and warm home for a family of northerners, becoming known throughout the land as the Redtower of the Frozen Shore.
~~~ THE END ~~~
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