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You hear some shuffling outside the tent.
Suddenly spooked Kage makes an odd hand gesture stroking his ear. He then walks behind something large and abruptly vanishes. Like a ghost he slips outside from the back of the tent (under the canvas) and prowls from shadow to shadow towards the source of the shuffling. The others would know what to do, keep up the conversation while preparing for anything.
:I heard something:
Completely at one with the night, Kage creeps along the perimeter of the tent. He spots a pair of plump rats rooting around in some garbage.
About sixty paces away, a trio of inebriated festival goers stagger along a path.
An owl drifts by, silent on its wings.
Kage frowned, he didn't fancy climbing a tent. Perhaps one of the larger ones might hold his weight but it seemed needlessly risky.
Settling deeper into darkness, Kage he watched and waited.
As he waited he thought, 'Getting jumpy, maybe it's nothing. Or maybe I'm not the only one who can pass unseen... Of course only the truly skilled leave no trail at all.'
Kage cannot find any tracks of any eavesdroppers, though he's relatively sure he's found Alenaya's tracks, and can therefore trace her steps back to the nearby copse of trees where she and Gray had been.
After a bit, while still invisible he pops back into the tent. After a while his magic wears off and the others find him seated. Looking thoughtful he tells them laconically, "Thought I heard someone outside, probably nothing. Anyway I think I've about had enough of this tent for tonight, lets head on back."
Despite his relaxed demeanor, Kage was uncharacteristically nervous. Was that really just rats? All the way back he kept his eyes peeled.
"Perhaps its best we all turn in for the night. It's been a very active few days and a body can only take so much. We'll speak more on this in the light of day." If they come across a servant, Lucien will send a message to Maxwell saying that something had come up and he would not be by that evening after all.
”Naw,” Alenaya says as she dejectedly tosses the bunch of grapes back on the tray. ”did you forget? This is the night time joust thing. Ya better get yourself ready. Ya gotta go ride a horse and poke people with a stick.”
She then goes and starts to put some clothes back on, then huffs at Eris. ”My dress is back in the woods. I have no clue if that damned mage is still lurking to try and trap me, but with that spell he could sense every life force approaching him for like, a couple hundred feet or so. Until we know he’s given up, you got something else I could wear?”
She kicks at the ground with her foot. ”Half tempted to accuse him publicly to Irovetti. He’d probably love having a reason to demean that group publicly at his own party.”
"Please don't. I've kind of taking a liking to the idea of becoming a king. I tell you what, if you don't, I'll make you my queen. Deal?" Jon starts to get ready. He then realizes he has no idea what to wear to a joust. "It is a drunken joust, though. I guess this calls for drinking attire?"
”Oh really?” she says playfully. She walks over to Jon-Wyn and circles him, tracing a finger across his chest as she steps behind him. ”That sounds like an interesting proposition, My Lord!” she says in jest.
She then giggles and moves back to join Eris in finding herself something different to wear to this event. ”I suppose, then, that I should go on your arm, hmmm? If we encounter the mage, I’ll do my best to behave. But I won’t promise to not make it clear I am upset.”
"And you should. Only remember they are our friends and I am sure there is a reasonable explanation." With Kage so concerned, Jon felt it prudent to stay in character.
”Yeah, yeah,” she replies.
”But now I feel this is a bit personal, so you better win this thing for us. For my honor and all that!” she adds. The fact that she is still half-naked makes her joke about her honor all the more absurd.
Rubins took a clean cloth off a side table and handed it to Alenaya to use as a shawl. He chuckles softly, "Jousting? This is like some crazy pantomime or fever dream, I mean really! Oh well I shall do it for your honor m'lady!"
It had been years since Kage had handled a lance. He still remembered Master Brinn's brief introduction to the art of skewering armored things. Kage had been the sitting duck in armor and he probably still had the bruises from all the times he'd been contemptuously dismounted. The one thing Kage had kept up was horse riding, he was actually quite good at it. Would that count in a joust? Kage wasn't entirely sure, you had to guide your steed with your knees which was tricky in armor. Of course this all assumed Ivortti intended any kind of normal joust. It might well be ridding each other's backs while soaked in honey near a bee hive after downing a keg for all he knew.
The Midnight Joust is actually a fairly straightforward affair. Kage's expectation of outlandish situations is not realized -- although most of the contestants are quite obviously drunk. The Coliseum is well lit by dozens of everburning torches, many of which are held by drunken observers in the stands.
Entrants are called and set against knights of Pitax in the qualifying rounds. The top two contestants will get to compete with each other for the honor of jousting last year's Midnight Joust champion, Villamor Koth of Pitax.
Although most of the delegation of Daggermark has left, a female human represents the nation. Chantal Urena is in light armor, but seems quite competent in the saddle, despite her inebriation.
Gralton's champion is Sir Briannel Paulson, a lanky fellow with battered field plate.
Mivon has entered Khristel Cotoio, a stout man in heavy armor astride a mighty destrier.
Tymon's representative is a half-orc in a well-used chain shirt. Damanjot seems extraordinarily at ease in his saddle.
Lastly, Thrusk does enter the competition. He doesn't look terribly comfortable, though his horse seems sure-footed.
Each jouster is provided a masterwork lance and a heavy wooden shield. A heavy horse and a military saddle are provided for anyone who does not have his or her own mount.
Chantal:
Sir Briannel:
Khristel:
Damanjot:
Thrusk:
Chantal is unseated in the second round.
Sir Briannel is unseated in the third round.
Khristel, Damanjot, and Thrusk all manage to make it through three rounds.
Kage:
Jon-Wyn:
Lucien is unsure on his horse and doesn't hold his lance very well. "When you speak of this, please be kind."
Kage couldn't quite believe he was doing this and in front of a drunken crowd no less. He'd had a few drinks earlier but the effects had already worn off and he was very aware of how much it would hurt to get unseated. That simply wouldn't do. Fortunately the stallion he had been provided was trained for this. Kage figured the beast knew what to do better than he did, so apart from some gentle nudges with his knees, he let the great charger have it's head.
The first tilt was easy enough, Kage simply ducked. The second one was a bit harder, the Knight's Lance looked to be going high but the Knight swung it towards his center of mass and Kage had to suddenly shift aside. The last Knight proved to be a canny opponent, the Lance tip bobbed about as they faced towards eachother. Kage barely avoided it, having to bat it out of the way with his left hand.
He'd been focusing on not getting unhoarsed and suddenly blinked realising, "Oh heck, that means I'm through doesn't it."
The jousting is using tournament-style lances, designed to shatter upon impact with the heavy shield. Each tilt generally delivers a bone-jarring impact into the shield that reverberates through the body.
The mostly-drunk crowd cheers and jeers at the riders.
Khristel
Damanjot
Thrüsk
Khristel and Thrüsk are both unseated in the second tilt. Damanjot makes it through the second round.
If Rubins can survive the first and second joust, he'll have made it through to compete against Damanjot for the chance to go against Koth.
Just as Rubins was thinking he might actually be in with a chance of doing this, he was rudely unhorsed with a bone jarring jolt. It hurt. A lot, despite the armor and the padding. Still he was unharmed so he picked himself up and got back on the charger. And then it happened again and he was out.
"Oh well." he said to nobody in particular, "Looks like it just wasn't t be."
Lucien and Rubins' losses only seem to fuel Lucien's good time.
Alizee remains at Lucien's side, holding an arm through his or remaining close once he is eliminated and joins in the general revelry. She keeps an eye out for the Emeraldvalians, though, particularly the mage.
Tymon's representative moves on ahead, but both Thrusk and Khristel are tied, so they have a test to see who gets to face off with Damanjot.
As it so happens, Thrusk gets to move on and test his skills against the representative from Tymon!
Unfortunately, Damanjot manages to move on to face Villamor Koth.
Much to the crowd's astonishment, the half-orc from Tymon unseats the local hero, Villamor Koth. Though the inebriated crowd is slow to get behind the upset, there's still enough drunken revelry going on that eventually the audience begins cheering.
========
Alenaya is able to pick out the contingent of Emeraldvaleans, including the Gray Mage. They appear in one of the royal boxes, watching Thrusk's performance with interest.
When Lucien is unseated, after the stars in his vision clear, he looks up and sees Maxwell extending a hand to help him up.
========
The final scores are tallied up and it turns out to be a tie between the Varisians and the Emeraldvaleans, with each nation racking up a first place win and a second place win!
Jon lays there for a few extra moments to make sure he's properly in character. "Now I have him right where I want him?" He winces in pain. "No. Umm. I almost had him? Ow! Ok. How about, just five more minutes, mom? Yeah. That's about right. Five more minutes."
"Hello, Maxwell. Please tell me you brought something strong to drink."
Alizee makes her way over to Lucien, asking him "Are you okay? That looked painful."
She cannot help but give a somewhat chilly glare at Maxwell, crossing her arms. "Lord Maxwell," she says in greeting.
Maxwell draws a flask from a vest pocket and passes it to Lucien. "Here you go. You are apparently far too sober. You're not supposed to feel it until afterwards."
He gives Alizee a genuine smile despite her cold demeanor. "My lady," he says with a bow.
”Huh. I guess you and your fellow council members don’t share everything,” she mumbles as she looks to Lucien once he is to his feet. ”You going to be alright?”
Lucien reaches out to her. "Don't worry. I fell on my pride." He gives her a weak smile before turning back to Max. "Did Grey tell you what happened?"
"I certainly hope so, getting dismounted blimming hurts." muttered Rubins who was favoring his left side.
"Don't worry. I fell on my pride."
Rubins glanced at Maxwell and considered his reaction, 'If I was to bet I'd say he doesn't know but something tells me he won't be entirely surprised. Lets see what he says...'
Alizee folds her arms across her chest and waits for Maxwell’s answer. She also shoots a questioning look to Rubins, as if silently asking if he was alright.
Maxwell sighs, his smile fading somewhat. "That he thinks he messed up any possible alliance between us? Yeah. He might have mentioned that."
He looks at Alizee, clearly noticing her icy demeanor. He gives her a bow. "Allow me to extend the most sincere apology on behalf of Emeraldvale. If you wish, we'll be happy to concede the Rushlight Tournament's grand prize to you."
”Harumph,” she says in reply. ”I leave that to King Lucien here. He has asked me to let it go, but I find trying to steal someone’s body a pretty serious offense. I won’t raise a scene here, as the rest of you have been, at the very least, polite to me. But you should really think about who is helping make decisions in your nation if that is something they are willing to do to someone that...well...you know!”
She puts her hands on her hips. ”Is this something he makes a habit of doing regularly that you all condone, or just for the special ladies?”
Maxwell clasps his hands in front of him in a prayer position. "You're upset. I won't defend him or his actions, however you perceived them. And I appreciate you electing to not make a scene. We won't be tarrying long here in Pitax. It's time we returned to our country."
He looks at Lucien and Rubins, to gauge their attitudes.
"Tell us that he will be punished for his actions. Let us know that, even though it has been a short time, that actually built relationships here. That we are actually friends."
Rubin's takes a moment to think about it before replying, "Grey is one of you and so dealing with him is your responsibility..." He takes a breath before continuing, "We've talked about this and as a favour to you and yours and the friendship we've shared we're not going to tell anyone." Rubin's looks him in the eye as he steels himself to point out a home truth, "But what if this wasn't the first time? What if he does it again? What if he succeeds? It will be hard to keep it under wraps forever. Just imagine what the world will think about Emeraldveil if they knew? Heck you might start getting paladins and adventures snooping around, seeking to take matters into their own hands!"
Maxwell nods, eyes serious and full of concern. "We'll take care of it. Thank you for your concern."
He's trying to placate you, and doesn't seem convinced that the indignation is fully genuine.
Eris pushes her way through the crowd, smiling at both Rubins and Maxwell, before stopping short, spotting the rather serious talking going on. "I was going to wish everyone congratulations for winning, but I see stern and unhappy faces. What's happened to cause such a problem?" she enquires anxiously, mostly directing her question to Maxwell.
"Nothing." Lucien says too quickly. "Nothing. We're good here. Right?" He looks between Maxwell, Rubins, and Alizee.
Alizee lets out a huff and says ”I guess.”
Maxwell's gregarious smile returns. "Absolutely! And everything brightens considerably whenever you're present," he says to Raven with a flourishing bow.
'He seemed to buy it, ok good time to get out with our heads held high.' thought Rubins. "Indeed, it was nothing really." Rubins chews his lip for a moment before adding, "Well I suppose that's us about done for the festival. How long are you staying for Maxwell? I suppose it can't be too long, matters of state must be attended to etc..."
"Quite right. We're going to be leaving very--" Maxwell is cut off by a fanfare of horns from the large stage overlooking the Coliseum.
The crowd begins cheering and parting, clearing a path for the Emeraldvaleans and Varisians to approach for the ceremony to award the winners of the Rushlight Tournament.
Lord Irovetti stands in a regal cape, holding his two strange blinking devices, at the center of the stage. He waves one toward the two groups, beckoning them to come forward.
Maxwell looks at the group, his eyebrows raised. "Well, I suppose I could be convinced to stay a little longer. Shall we?"
Alenaya turns to Lucien and Rubins, gesturing for them to lead the way to the stage to claim their prize.
Lucien 'turns on' as they approach the stage. He shamelessly panders to the crowd and by all accounts has a great time.
The two groups appear before King Irovetti upon the dais. The crowds applause for a short while until he signals them to stop. In a rich voice, he calls out, "Friends, countrymen, and travelers from afar! Hearken and take heed to the close of another successful Rushlight Tournament! I say to you all, never in the history of the River Kingdoms have there been a grander spectacle, and I have you all to thank for it!"
The crowd erupts into cheers. Irovetti basks in the adulation for a bit before continuing, "Yet in all the years, we find ourselves with a tie for our champion kingdom! Travelers from afar, the great Kingdom of Varisia far to the west, have come and matched with the noble upstarts of Emeraldvale! So I find myself in a quandary."
A few people in the crowd shout and jeer, but Irovetti raises a hand. "As the tournament grows ever larger and grander, we must get used to more nations from farther and farther away taking an interest in participating! So I thank these participants from Varisia in giving us a taste of what shall inevitably come!
"But until that day, I have decided to award the grand prize to Emeraldvale, a true River Kingdom!" The crowd erupts into thunderous applause and cheers. A golden jewel-encrusted harp is brought out and presented to Maxwell, Alecia, Thrusk, Gray and Yallah.
After the cheers and cries die down, Irovetti again speaks. "I do not want to be known as miserly, so I have opened the great stores of Pitax to find a prize worthy of the Varisian travelers for their fine showing here at the Rushlight Tournament. A large box wrapped in colorful paper is presented to Lucien, Rubins, Alizee and Raven. [b]"Though it might have a modest appearance, the spoon within this box will keep them fed during all their journeys!" The crowd again cheers, some of them seeing the subtle message found within the gift from Pitax.
Finally, Irovetti holds up his strange mechanical staff. "I hereby decree this year's Rushlight Festival CLOSED!" He strikes the end of the staff on the platform, creating a thunderous boom.
Kage had trouble keeping a straight face. How do you process a gift that will undoubtedly prove to be extremely valuable in the months ahead; a gift they'd almost certainly grow to hate; a gift that was an insult? Shuffling a little awkwardly Kage does his level best to accept it with good grace although he was seething inwardly. It was a performance he was sure even Master Brinn would have found acceptable.
At the earliest polite opportunity Kage/Rubins took his leave from Ivrotti's presence and remarked nonchalantly to the Emeraldvalians, "My that harp is rather wonderful..." Looking first at Maxwell and then the others he adds, "I don't suppose you've had a chance to discuss Maxwell's proposal?"
Lucien gives the king a deep bow and raises the package high to declare their victory.
Alizee stands just off stage, clapping for her companions. As she didn’t take part in the competition, it would have been odd for her to be on stage. Nevertheless, she was there to put up a show of congratulating Lucien and Rubins. If she ever makes eye contact with Gray, her eyes are like daggers at him.
Maxwell glances at his companions, then looks back at Rubins. "Ah, well," he starts somewhat abashedly, "after that 'misunderstanding' earlier we weren't sure if you were still interested."
Thrüsk pulls off his helm and offers a hand to Rubins and Lucien. "You both are crazy, and you did good at annoying Irovetti. If you come to Emeraldvale, we'll talk more about it."
"Yes," Alecia says neutrally. "Safe travels. But we should be getting home now."
Yallah says "Bye!" simply, while Gray just stares at the ground, not making eye contact.
They start to head back to their pavilion.
"Yes I suppose that does make things rather complicated." replied Rubins cautiously. He glanced at Alizee and sighed before adding, "But not impossible, Alizee is angry but she isn't one to hold grudges. What was that you said the other day Lucien? Time heals all, wasn't it."