Vil and Malleus (pt3)

Malleus gives rare medicinal herbs from Briar Valley to Vil for his birthday. Vil says, “He recalled me mentioning they were hard to get.”

During Vargas Camp Vil suddenly challenges Malleus to a fishing contest, despite having never fished himself, as he had accurately assumed that Malleus had never done so, either, meaning that they are competing on equal terms.

Vil says that he read a book on fishing and plenty of online articles so he believes he has a chance, but he is “mildly put off” by the sensation of using bugs for bait. Malleus compliments Vil on his casting and Vil declares, “I always play to win, even against the great Malleus Draconia. And win I shall!”

After an hour neither character has had any bites and Vil struggles to keep his cool, telling himself that, while he is a firm believe in playing for keeps, “that doesn’t necessitate getting worked up. I must express equanimity, cunning, and beauty in victory.”

Vil reflects on how the most important part of fishing is to never make noise, as fish can hear raised voices and will scatter if they do. Malleus observes, “And here you were shouting at me just now.”

Vil wades into the lake in pursuit of a fish, saying, “I had the wrong idea about this whole thing. It’s not a fight against Malleus. It’s a battle against the fish.”

Vil catches a fish and declares his victory over Malleus (Club member: “I thought this was a battle against the fish, not Malleus”), but Malleus has also caught one, leaving the two to bicker over whose was first, with Vil insulting the size of Malleus’ fish and the Film Club members observing, “Both those fish are way too small to eat…but there’s no way I can tell these two housewardens that!”