Dear Steemians,

This blog series I'm writing here at the moment is about facing your fears. I am traveling to Scandinavia in order to find out if I am actually brave? I always thought that that was a brave girl but how can I tell without testing it.

So far I went to ski jumping, jumped into the snow and frozen lake, and tried the most disgusting dish in the world. Today I want to find out if I am fierce and if I can fight.
All my life I have been a gymnast and sports has always been an integral part to myself understanding. I believe being physically strong helps you being mentally strong. But I have no prior knowledge in fighting techniques nor have I ever trained a fight sport. I may have only tried a computer game once or twice in my life.

I read that there are some of the most skillful computer game designers coming from Norway. The designers and storytellers of making use of the spectacular history of their nation: The Vikings.
These guys a true geniuses so I get in touch with one little independent company that is designing computer games that are taking place in the time of the Vikings. Somehow I am expecting a skinny nerdy person with big glasses (I know this is a cliché but because I don't know what I'm waiting for, I'm looking out this kind of look). But instead, this guy shows up:

Audun looks like real time Viking to me and he's telling me on the spot that he's not intending to play a computer game about Vikings with me but that we are going to have a real battle with real arms. Real shields. And real leather body protection.
I am not prepared for this. I didn't eat anything for the last six hours and I don't feel remotely strong enough to fight against a guy of at least 120 kg.

Don't worry, my little brother will train you first.

Name is part of a club that reenacts famous battles of the Vikings. Furthermore, they built their own costumes and weapons, everything using exactly the same techniques that the Vikings were using for forging their swords and build their armament. Funnily they're doing all of this in a gym. It is really confusing to see proper looking Vikings in a modern SportsCenter.

The Vikings hand me over my fist weapon - and I find it way to big and heavy. But shall I really complain in front of them? Clearly no!

Vikings don't really have a reputation of being noble warriors: they go all in and split your skull: and this is exactly the atmosphere these guys want to create. Almost.

Audun's little brother trains up for facing Audun later.
It actually takes me by surprise how strong the hits are. In the holidays these guys are storming entire castles and reenact big battles of the Middle Ages. In this scene there actually famous. And I can see why, because they are really threatening and have a sense for details.

Suddenly I manage to hit his hand!

The Battle

Audun it's finally asking to fight me. I couldn't wait for this moment to come because my lower arm was already incredibly tired just from training. Furthermore, I was wearing my ski trails this so it was way too hot in the gym.

The fight begins. I wrongly assumed that he's going to treat me softly.
I'm just fight for my life and really don't have control over my sword. I'm even hitting name's head accidentally - but he doesn't even seem to care.

After one minute I'm feeling my muscles getting tired. How can people fight for hours? My hand is shaking and my feet are getting less and less fast. I should've practiced more before facing a real Viking.

I clearly lose this battle. No glory for me. Audun enjoys a huge celebration about being victorious in this battle.

But we make peace at the end. So no long lasting diplomatic problems between the Norwegians and Germans are to be expected.

Thank you for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed this post!

All the best
Elena

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