A really fun twist on a classic, and a perfect setting for the Ice Warriors.

Experiencing more of the Ice Warriors in expanded media, I'm starting to really get the appeal of them, and I think this story does a great job of showing why. The main Ice Warrior could very easily come in and kill people, then demand aid, instead he makes a challenge, asks for aid in response, and uses that challenge as a way to judge how worthy he feels the people here are.

And the fact that after he judges Sirgwain worthy due to him coming, despite knowing that in doing so he would be killed, he just sorta leaves, idk, it's just very funny, works great, and is very fairy tale to me.