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 Vanlander and Amilias Vanlander was a famous smith. He was the Scandinivian Vulcan. Vanlander was at the court of King Nidung. His fame as a smith became known there. This caused the king’s smith, Amilias, to become jealous of Vanlander. He wanted the people to think him the best smith in the kingdom. Accordingly he challenged Vanlander to a trial of skill. Amilias was to make a suit of armor and Vanlander a sword. If Vanlander’s sword could cut through Amilias’s armor then Amilias’s life should be forfeited to Vanlander. But if Vanlander’s sword could not pierce the armor, then Vanlander’s life should be forfeited to Amilias. Twelve months were allowed for the trial. Amilias worked at his armor the whole twelve months but Vanlander did not begin his task until two months before the trial. Then he went to his smithy and forged a beautiful sword which was very large and heavy. He showed it to the king. The king admired its beauty. To test the sword, Vanlander took a cushion, filled with wool, one foot thick. He put this cushion in a stream and allowed it to float down against the edge of the sword. The sword cut the cushion in two. The sword cut it in two. The king thought it was a remarkable sword but Vanlander did not think it was good enough. He took it back to his smithy and filed it all up. He made a new sword out of the filings. This he took to the king. They tried the new word as before but this time the cushion was two feet thick. The sword cut it in two easily. King Nidung thought the sword was surely good enough now but Vanlander was not satisfied. He returned to his smithy and again filed down the sword and made a new one. This time it was the proper size. It was polished and adorned with jewels. He took it to the king who admired its beauty and workmanship. They took it to the river and now they had a cushion three feet thick. This cushion floated down against the edge of the sword and was cut in two without stopping a moment. Vanlander was now satisfied.  The day for the test arrived. Amilias put on his new armor. It was made of double plates of steel. He felt sure Vanlander’s sword could not pierce it. Amilias seated himself in a chair before the king and his court. He bade Vanlander to do his best. Vanlander took his sword and stood behind his rival. He lifted the sword and smote Amilias on the helmet with all his might. Then he asked Amilias if he felt anything. He said he felt as if cold water was running through him. “Shake yourself,” said Vanlander. Amilias did so and his head felt asunder. The terrible sword had cleft both the armor and his head to the chin. So Vanlander won the contest with his wonderful sword. ...

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