within this strangest of mead-halls, Hrothgar makes a mental note to himself to pick darker corners to drink in from now on.

Toe-sucking?

"Pet" wolves?

Mmm-hm.

Taking a drink from a fresh horn, Hrothgar wipes his lips on a sleeve, and then smoothes his moustache down with a large hand. Removing his sax from his belt, he tosses the weapon lightly up in the air, and catches it blade first between two fingers.

Who has the stones for a game of knife-tossing with me? Who will play?, says Hrothgar loudly, casually scanning the room for any who would accept the challenge.

Coming to the wall of the Red Boar, on the long side, Hrothgar draws a shield on the wall with the tip of his sax. It is small, less than an ell in diameter, with a boss-like center perhaps the size of an Arab silver coin. Turning to the room, Hrothgar speaks again, with force.

First man to hit the boss three times - he shall be the winner. Who will play?