Voltus seems to be trained in a strange martial art
Voltus fighting style is very defensive, perhaps necessary with someone who wears no armour
Voltus is drawing people to him and responding to attacks
Voltus is a trained dancer and his moves are very crane-like
As his pole of choice was now claimed by another contestant Tymythy instead waded further in, aiming at a taller pole and, this time better prepared for the slipperiness, made it to the top without particular issues, then immediately jumped further in towards the deep end and the battle that awaited… assuming the Senechal didn’t intend to ridicule his them by swimming around the lake like a champion and watching his challengers fumble as they sought to chase him.
Ousel accepted her task with a serious nod. Cairee watched as the small bird rose into the sky, alert eyes scanning the crowd. Then she turned back to the lake. She was no fighter, but even she could tell that Voltus' moves were deliberate and measured, if a little strange. Perhaps a martial art from his culture? The odds alone made her want to root for him - 4 against 1 was hardly fair - even though he was clearly comfortable fighting in the water, while the others had the annoyed and uncomfortable look of wet cats.
Tymythy swam like someone used to strange lakes in wild lands and reached the pole before him. It was more that his height out of the water but he shimmied up it and was balanced on top before any of the others could make another move.
Tymythy was now in front of Badrelow. The older lord impatiently yelled, "Boy! Your messing up the field of combat!" He pushed the spear dancer from behind as he tried to advance on Voltus using Tymythy's post top as a spring point. Tymythy teetered for a moment.
Griddeon stepped confidently up to a post that should have been too far to step to, and then up to a second slightly higher. He glowered at Tymythy with a that's-how-it's-done nod, then slipped, hit his back on the post top and fell backward next to the post he started on.
Aparis' stood as firmly as he could manage and swung his spear at Voltus' leg in an attempt to foul the elf's footing. It was clear he was used to smaller weapons and closer quarters fighting. Voltus leapt on his one foot and landed neatly on the same to avoid the trip. He thrust his other foot back so that his body made a letter T on his planted leg. His short spear was by his side as he pushed forward with his free hand.
Voltus struck Aparis' and knocked him off the post backwards. Aparis' was prone in the water.
Cairee watched Badrelow. She could see a harsh man, an angry man, but she couldn't see any sign of a duplicitous man. Aparisterous, however, looked exactly like the kind of person who would provide or accept a bribe. There was no sign here of anything more.
Zahra figured that she needed to step up her game to get the crowd behind Tymythy. She decided to try what Dounia had suggested by using magic. She spoke the arcane words she had learned to practice minor magical tricks.
Whenever Tymythy did something impressive like shimmying up the pole and blocking the others, she caused black and silver sparkles to rain down on the crowd. Whenever one of the other challengers made any kind of a move, she caused a strange odour to permeate through the crowd.
Knowing that she wouldn't be able to just stay in one place, she began to move throughout the spectators while creating the same effects.
She also couldn't help but cheer when a few of the others landed in the water. Obviously she was rooting for Tymythy but Voltus was her next pick and she secretly hoped that he embarrassed the others.
"Boy! Your messing up the field of combat!"
”What’s the matter, honored elder? Didn’t see this one was occupied? Is your sight fading in your twilight years?” Tymythy quipped back as he swept his own spear at the Cavalier’s feet but couldn’t get much force into the blow due to the slippery footing.
As the Cavalier floundered Tymythy made good of his temporary lead and hopped over to the next pole over, getting within spear’s reach of the Seneschal. ”I hope we do not bore you overmuch,” Tymythy said conversionaly as he leaned forward to strike at Voltus… or rather, at the wooden plaque around hanging around his neck.
Badrelow tried to move past Tymythy, fended off the Basternae's attempt to knock him down, touched a foot on the next post and tipped backwards into the water as he waved his arms wildly on the way down.
Thymythy was already past the spot and toe-to-toe with Voltus.
Tymythy swung out with his spear as Voltus went on a two-footed crouch on his post to avoid the swipe.
Voltus grimaced, fell out of his graceful stance and into a recovery position. He ducked in time to avoid the blow but his fighting stance was ruined.
From the stands people could see Voltus speak but only Tymythy could hear what was said.
Voltus eyes changed. He had been in a kind of fighting trance and Tymythy was an obsticle amongst many, only background noise to cut through. Not anymore. The seneschal regarded him directly, clearly now seeing a threat, a true opponent before him.
He spoke at a volume unheard by the men in the lake, "Did the Melamsisi teach you that move … or was it Ku'bara'sigi?"
Zahra drew the attention of a swath of about fifty people as she continued her chanting and stomping but began to emit a series of tiny fireworks and flash-bangs. It had all the trappings of a performance made to entertain children but her presence, her commitment to swaying the crowd, made it a little wonder, a show people were starting to associate with the name Tymythy.
Ousel flew down to Cairee's shoulder and gave her report in her wee bird voice, "I saw lots of earth-bound shouting and cheering. I saw Sparonow making stars with her hands. I saw Liwofin doing a funny kind of dance with her metal teeth. I saw a deep-earth-bound hitting an earth-bound and yelling. I saw a big silver plate of berries. I saw a sparkling earth-bound talking to two not so sparkling ones. I saw Shleho fighting on a post."
Caught off guard by the elf’s words, Tymythy as well fell into a more defensive stance, the other combatants forgotten for at least a few breaths.
"Did the Melamsisi teach you that move … or was it Ku'bara'sigi?"
”I have walked with Ku'bara'sigi in visions, fought beside his companions, seen his world fall into ruin,” Tymythy answered quietly. ”But lessons? No. Was that a guess? Or did you actually know the ancient lord?” It seemed impossible, but... elves lived long lives.
[ooc]I'd made all the rolls earlier and saved the post. The system has changed the roll results since then but I'm keeping the old post as Voltus nat1 was a significant event.
Badrelow moved just to Tymythy's left and clambered up on the post next to him.
Griddeon moved east, climbed a shorter post and then passed over to a second.
Aparis' swam clumsily toward a post at Tymythy's north-north-west.
Voltus tried to get some distance as he made a play for the tall post east of him. He leapt in a smooth arc, hand touched the top to lead him upward, his foot grabbed onto the edge.
A long splinter of wood cracked on the side of the post. Voltus no longer had purchase. He began to fall towards the water as his body instinctively elongated into its' own spear-shape. For a moment he was open.
The crowd gasped.
nope
nope
Dounia continued her interpretive dance of the fight. She swung herself around the usriev, flowed into positions to mimic the fighters, and arced through the air as the men leapt and climbed the slippery poles. She had forgotten that she was supposed to be paying attention for clues or treachery or information. She was lost in the dance, and just wished she'd been wearing scarves, to add to the effect.
Other contestants were getting close again so there was no more chances for discussion. Tymythy ignored Badrelow’s approach and took advantage of Voltus’s rare slip to dart the tip of his spear at the elf’s head, neatly flicking the laurel he wore into the air and caught it in his free hand... only to immediately spoil his neat trick by slipping as he rushed to chase after the elf and landing in the water, not too far from the aquatic warrior, short of the pole he had been aiming for.
""I saw lots of earth-bound shouting and cheering. I saw Sparonow making stars with her hands. I saw Liwofin doing a funny kind of dance with her metal teeth. I saw a deep-earth-bound hitting an earth-bound and yelling. I saw a big silver plate of berries. I saw a sparkling earth-bound talking to two not so sparkling ones. I saw Shleho fighting on a post."
Cairee listened to Ousel's report, touched by how earnest the little thrush was in listing all she saw. She tried to puzzle out the meaning. References to Tymythy, Dounia and Zahra were obvious (and charming). The deep-earth-bound hitting an earth-bound could be the Warriors of Dun Lummor and the Uyar she had tried to join earlier. Though surprising that whatever their fight was had escalated to blows, Cairee doubted it had anything to do with the games.
"Where is the sparkling earth-bound? Can you show me?"
As she craned her neck to survey the crowd, she heard Sir Pellius whisper to some of his adoring followers: "Looks like the easterner's in for it. He'd better keep his distance."
His words made her pause. Did he mean Tymythy? Was he just commenting casually on the fight? Or did he know something? Was Tymythy a target?
Tymythy caught the sea-coral head wreath in his hand. It was fine but sturdy, light and pink. A warmth grew in his palm and he felt a hum move up his arm.
A shiver shot through the son of Stywyrt and it kept him distracted as he jumped, and then as he fell to be woken by the splash of the waters.
"Where is the sparkling earth-bound? Can you show me?"
Ousel nodded and shot off clockwise towards the outside edge of the arena and landed on the western side of the food tents. There three women were congregated. By the extravagant clothes one was clearly recognizable as Princess Allissetta but it was hard to see the others. They were probably part of her retinue. The three were facing each other in a small huddle.
Zahra cheered and sent more sparks into the air when Tymythy caught the coral laurel. She knew he wouldn't take advantage of Voltus' error by making too easy of an attack.
When he fell into the water shortly after, she grinned at those around her, "He totally meant to do that! It keeps things interesting."
As she craned her neck to survey the crowd, she heard Sir Pellius whisper to some of his adoring followers: "Looks like the easterner's in for it. He'd better keep his distance."
Cairee got the distinct impression that Sir Pellius was trying to sound casual in his commentary. But he clearly didn't think much of his teammate, Badrelow and seemed worried Tymythy was in his path. Is he rooting for Tymythy? Cairee wondered. She was already worried for her friend, and this certainly didn't help calm her. But she had warned him as best she could, and the spearman was more than able to take care of himself.
She turned her attention back to Princess Allissetta. Keeping one eye on the lake, she started to make her way towards the food tents, hoping to get a sense of whether the trio was up to something, or just not interested in yet another fight.
Ousel fluttered back to her master's shoulder.
Cairee could tell that the three women were in each other's confidence but from the distance of nearly half the arena she couldn't tell more.
Dounia kept an eye on the fight while keeping her feet under her, and trying to turn the action into something that would be interesting, amusing, and make Tymythy look good. Then he fell into the water. Again. Only so many ways to try and make that look good.
Cairee whispered a prayer to Saiph and wandered closer to the food tents, keeping her eyes between the lake and the lavish spreads. She tried to like someone fascinated in the games but with a growling stomach as she positioned herself as close to Princess Allissetta as she dared.
Tymythy was momentarily underwater.
Badrelow's figure appeared wavy as Tymythy looked up at him through the surface. The older lordling stepped down to one post and then up to the next. He held his spear ready.
At a distance, Griddeon's figure was moving between posts. For a moment he seemed off balance but caught himself. He was still several ten feet from anyone else.
Aparis', who was five feet away, lifted himself out of the water and onto the pole to the north. His posture made it look like he was going to throw his spear but the throw never came.
Through the two poles (one just north of Tymythy and one just east) the young spear-dancer watched Voltus twist in the water. He transformed from someone fallen to in-control. He eyed Tymythy and then the laurel. His face was calculating.
He seemed to decide and undulated in the water like an eel. Badrelow took an opportunity to spear downward into the water with no sign of being withholding. The thrust was well placed and should have skewered the elf, but, even in the water, Voltus twisted a foot out and redirected the attack. He almost launched off the spears side and swam eastward.
-
Cairee edged her way through the crowd towards Allissette and her cadre of attendants.
Tymythy looked down in fascinated horror at the coral laurel in his hands, as if he had suddenly realized he had picked up a viper rather than the stick he had intended. Thankfully, the strange urge passed and he was able to focus again.
He saw Voltus swim away from his attackers like the fish in water he very much was. No point in trying to catch him here, so the hunter turned back to the closest pole and shimmied up it fast as he could, this time finding unexpectedly secure handholds as he practically flew up the 4 foot pole, balancing easily on top of it before jumping to the next pole in line.
He saw the Seneschal in the water some distance away, and looked down at the laurel he had tucked under his belt, considering. He took it out, hefted it and tossed it in Voltus’s direction. ”Please have this back! I don’t think it suits me after all!”
Round 5
Dounia keeps up her performance, though she's momentarily distracted when she notices that Cairee is moving away. Focus! She leaps about, exaggerating Griddeon's near loss of balance, and emphasizing Badrelow's hesitation. She imitates Tymythy's smooth climb, and the return of the laurel, tossing the usriev with cool non-chalance. She's starting to sweat, and regretting that last plate of food.
Zahra tried to keep the energy up in the crowd in support of Tymythy as the water battle continued.
Tymythy scampering up one of the poles...sparkles.
Tymythy leaping to another pole...sparkles.
Tymythy tossing Voltus' coral laurel back to him...sparkles and a cheer. "Such an honourable competitor! Am I right, friends?" She motioned at those around her to applaud her fellow Blackbird.
Cairee drifted through the crowd, keeping her eyes on the lake. When she finally made it to the food tent she picked up a plate and started wandering among the tables, taking a few grapes here, a small wedge of cheese there. She saw the dish of blueberries Ousel had mentioned and plucked a few, holding them up to her small friend in a cupped hand. She ooohhhhed with the crowd as Tymythy leapt to another pole and Zahra sent up more sparkles. She very carefully did not look towards the princess and her confidents.
Keeping her eyes averted, Cairee could hear the four women whisper, even from a distance. She and they were back from the noise of the crowd just enough.
Allissette, "… I don't like it. That blackbird has flown overhead twice and now its' master is just in the tents. Get back to the crowd. Remember, you were helping me with a cracked whalebone. Give me the bundle."
Handmaid with a soft voice, "Please be careful. His lordship is always watching now."
Handmaid with a sisterly voice, "And make it count. You only have two more nights."
Allissette, "You don't have to tell m… Thank you. We will."
The ladies broke up and went in different directions with only one attendant staying with Allissette. As the princess and her hanger-on walked past the food tent she avoided eye contact. Her attendant looked at Cairee politely and nodded.
Allissette was holding a silk covered bundle.
[dice=performance]1d20+4
[dice=diplomacy to continue to sway crowd]1d20+9
Zahra and Dounia did their best but the crowd was locked on to what was happening in the lake. Badrelow looked at the tall posts around him and jumped from his post into the water. He swam eastward and paused with his weapon ready.
Griddeon nearly copied Badrelow but managed to waid to the edge of the water. He stabbed downward with a satisfied grin on his face and didn't spare the muscle as he pierced Voltus shoulder untile the spear head vanished in the seneschal's flesh.
Chrizdoff yelled to the crowd, ""
Aparis swam quickly clockwise around the scene trying to get near.
Voltus let his laurel sink to the lake bottom as he stood on the lake bed and walked forward. Pain showed on his face as he pushed ahead, his eyes locked on Griddeon's. Griddeon looked suddenly concerned, his back leg slid a few inches in the sand. Voltus twirled his short spear and swiped it sideways into the wooden medallion hung around Griddeon's neck. It split neatly in half and left a long cut on the guard's chest.
Chrizdoff, ""
Voltus walked onto the shore and turned to face the oncoming competitors with a flourish of his spear. The crowd began cheering ""
Tymythy frowned in disapproval as Griddeon delivered a mighty blow on the Seneschal. True, the challenge was to continue until the elf yielded or rid his challengers of their plaques, but going for the kill like that seemed… unsporting. The elf, instead, neatly removed Griddeon’s plaque, meeting brute force with grace.
Seeing the action moving back to land, Tymythy dove into the water like a muskrat and kicked fiercely to propel himself towards the shore.
Zahra momentarily forgot about enhancing Tymythy's performance with her magic as Voltus' impressive display after being injured. If Tymythy hadn't been competing she would have chanted along with the crowd but as it was, she didn't. But she did smile as Voltus broke a plaque that wasn't Tymythy's.
Having missed her opportunity to shoot off some more sparkles as Tymythy moved towards land, she took the opportunity to look around the crowd to see if anyone was particularly upset by Voltus' success.
Tymythy jumped a clear ten feet from his standing position on the post and swam until he was seven feet from land.
Griddeon stabbed the ground with his spear and left it as he walked off the challenge like someone who knew what it was like to both win and lose such bouts.
Badrelow and Aparis' made their way to the grassy water's edge and kept their distance from Voltus.
Voltus made a smooth side-step and with a whip-like wrist stabbed at Aparis' target medallion. The wood split in a clean straight line. Aparis' looked at Badrelow, dropped his spear and followed Griddeon off the field.
Chrizdoff, ""
Voltus looked at Badrelow. The seneschal drew a smooth arc with his left foot and placed it behind his right knee.
After what seemed a long time futilely chasing the aquatic elf in the water pit things seemed to be heating up as action returned to firm ground – perhaps Voltus had sensed that their audience was getting their fill of the platform antics? No matter, Tymythy was happy enough to settle matters in a terrain that didn’t favor the Seneschal so massively.
As he waded to the shore he saw Voltus cleaving Aparis’s medallion with a delicate thrust of his spear. Clearly, they would not be much of a challenge to the elf one-on-one… and their ranks had grown rather thin. So he stepped to Badrelow’s right, hoping the two of them together could get something done.
”If I go right, will you take his left?” Tymythy asked in a conversational manner. If the Cavallier didn’t want to play he was prepared to go cross spears with Voltus on his own, and see how far luck and his skills could take him – it wasn’t like he cared overmuch for the promised coins, after all. Chance to challenge such a powerful foe was reward enough.
Allissette, "I don't like it. That blackbird has flown overhead twice and now its' master is just in the tents. Get back to the crowd. Remember, you were helping me with a cracked whalebone. Give me the bundle."...The ladies broke up and went in different directions with only one attendant staying with Allissette. As the princess and her hanger-on walked past the food tent she avoided eye contact. Her attendant looked at Cairee politely and nodded.
So much for being subtle. She should leave the covert operations for Dounia. The Princess clearly had a mission. Make it count, her attendant had said. Was she trying to hurt someone? Or help?
The vague and impersonal way Allissette had referenced Cairee and Ousel (that blackbird, its master) gave Cairee the impression that whatever the princess was up to, it probably wasn't related to the messages the Blackbirds had been receiving in the challenge.
She nodded back to the attendant as they passed. She lingered near the food tents a little longer, indulging in a few plump black olives, keeping up her innocent appearance. In case anyone was watching.
Zahra could see Prince Keone Maegan by himself. None of the other Perdition's Cavaliers nor any of his retinue were with him. He leaned against the railing of the lowest area of the stands and was watching the fight.
Badrelow glanced at Tymythy with only the tiniest of assessments then moved his full attention back to Voltus, "We'll see little-crow. Just don't get-in-my-way." He jigged to his left and moved forward. He jabbed at Voltus right foot, jamming the point in the ground and twisting it like he were working a rudder to trip the seneschal.
Voltus moved his left leg out in front to step on the shaft of Badrelow's spear. As he put his weight on the shaft the far end came down on Badrelow's thigh so that he was forced to support the elf's weight. Voltus flew straight upward, spun completely around once as he landed on his right foot and went back into position.
The seneschal stood there serenely. His eyes were dreamy as if he were focused on some distant place, or was he aware of all things simultaneously. Tymythy couldn't tell.
I forgot to make a sway roll for Voltus as he sundered Aparis' target
As Aparis' left and Badrelow pressed his attack the crowd was going wild for Voltus show of stamina, command of the field, and calmness while pressed by multiple foes.
Nodding, Tymythy moved as he had suggested, trying to get to a flanking position with the Cavallier… and Voltus invited their approach, clearly trusting in his skills to take them both. As he promptly demonstrated by easily leaping high into the air, taking the force of Badrelow's tripping attack and using footing this provided for the feat of Acrobatics.
Taking advantage of his reluctant ally on Voltus's other flank - not that the elf seemed disturbed being hit from opposite sides in the least - the hunter rushed close on light feet, water dripping down his lean, naked torso. He launched a quick jab at the elf - a feint, that Voltus recognized for what it was and barely leaned away from it… but then was caught off-guard at an unexpected weapon swinging at him on eye-height - Tymythy’s long braid of wet hair, weighted at the end by an iron ring, singing as it sliced the air as Tymythy stepped past the elf, pivoting on his right foot to send the weighted braid flying.
And ad Voltus tried to react to this unforeseen attack, Tymythy completed his spin - a risky move to turn his back to so skilled a foe, but this fight would not be won by playing it safe - and slapped the Seneschal on his fingers with the haft of his own spear in an attempt to deny the elf his only weapon.
Cairee got the impression that the Princess's attendant was...not worried, exactly...but filled with compassion, as if she was helping a dying patient with their final wish. As they walked by and the attendant made eye contact, Cairee couldn't help but reach out and touch her gently on the arm. "Is everything okay? Can I be of service?"
Dounia slowly stopped her dance. The demonstration had turned ugly, with Voltus taking a terrible wound, but still he fought on. It felt wrong to even be attempting to distract the crowd at this point.
Instead, she stood straight, Tymythy's usriev upright in her grip. She watched carefully, committing every move to memory. The time to dance wasn't now, but it might be in the future. And besides, Cairee had told them to watch for clues or hints or other important things. It was time to do as she'd been bade.
Spotting Prince Keone Maegan by himself, Zahra made her way over to the man. "Quite the show of skill," she said conversationally. "Your Lord Badrelow has had an impressive showing." She looked around and asked, "Taking a break from the rest of your team?"
She watched Voltus continue to win over the crowd and shrugged with a small smile. "Looks like the house is winning in more ways than one, even though Lord Badrelow and Tymythy have held their own nicely."
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"Is everything okay? Can I be of service?"
The attendant pulled away from Cairee. She looked confused, affronted, vulnerable. She leaned towards Cairee, "What do you know about it." It sounded more like an accusation than a question.
She backed away two steps. She looked like someone teetering on an idea. Allissette kept walking like she didn't know her attendant wasn't with her.
The attendant stepped back towards Cairree and in a rash whisper, "If you want to help Her … lose." The attendant's face switched to instant regret.
Allissette (from a distance and continuing to walk away), "Manon Claircourbeau, what has you so distracted that you are not by my side." It was not a question. The attendant looked at the ground and hustled after her.
~
"Your Lord Badrelow has had an impressive showing." She looked around and asked, "Taking a break from the rest of your team?" "Looks like the house is winning in more ways than one, even though Lord Badrelow and Tymythy have held their own nicely."
Zahra caught Prince Keone in a thousand mile stare. Her addressing him woke him out of it and he looked over. "Well, what a bright enemy do I have here. Sorry, I'm being facetious. Not a true enemy, just a competitor. I'm lucky to be faced with such a good one. The Blackbirds have been the surprise of the party. It's one thing to get through these games alive. It's quite another fr me to survive better than you. You task me."
He looked back to Lord Badrelow, "LORD Badrelow is impressive indeed. He's bastardly, brutish, a heartless aristocrat, and very, very impressive. You aren't announced, are you? Have you ever been introduced at court? You have the air of someone who has. Please, take a turn with me." He began to walk counter-clockwise around the lower stands. He glanced frequently at what was happening in the arena.
"Surely you've marked this display? This isn't a showcase. Like any court, there are intrigues going on here. My guess is that enough has happened and …" He gestures towards Nadj with a slight nod and then towards Voltus. "they are worried about looking vulnerable. This is a lure. Invite the strongest and most brash fighters in and then smack them down. Voltus is trying to make the veteran fighters look small."
"I'm afraid your Tymythy is making the smack-down look a whole lot more like a true contest. But then again, he didn't rush in to fight. He was volunteered." Keone smiled coyly.
~
That's when it happened …
~
Voltus was remarkable. His reflexes were as fast as Tymythy had ever seen. Voltus may not have been prepared for it but he moved cleanly away from Tymythy's iron ring just the same.
As the young spear-dancer brought his weapon down, he felt it. It was like hitting rock. Under the flesh there was such strength that Voltus (without exageration) must be able to rival an angry rhinoceros. There was a crack and it took a half-second before Tymythy realized it was the shaft of his spear.
Most of the audience didn't realize what they were seeing. They saw the member of the Black Birds rush in, tag-team Voltus using Badrelow as a distraction, spin and go for the seneschal's hand. Surely with how heroic Voltus seemed, this young warrior must be the villain.
But the warriors in the crowd and the war-wise knew differently. They could see a young man coming into his craft. They could see the battle dance performed to the place where both speed and control are worked to their uttermost when they should be confounding each other. Any one of them knew that a new master had just shown themselves, truly, and for the first time.
It worked. Tymythy's attack slid across Voltus knuckles and hit the short spear. The spear came free from the hand that held it and spun end-over-end until it stuck in the sand five feet away.
The crowd hushed with a quiet disappointment but 'the few' knew. The battle-wise and the truly tested knew something remarkable had just occurred.
In the distance, Batbayar roared.
~
… She watched carefully, committing every move to memory. The time to dance wasn't now, but it might be in the future. And besides, Cairee had told them to watch for clues or hints or other important things. It was time to do as she'd been bade.
It was almost impossible to follow but Dounia did. She saw the physical cost, the muscles strain, Tymythy's ploy and then his precision in landing the blow on Voltus hand. She saw Badrelow take a step back, set off balance by this sudden show of excellence. Maybe she saw the lord question himself, his underestimation of Tymythy's skill and the overestimation of his own position on the field. She certainly saw his change of momentum as he took the moment of Voltus' disarming to make his move.
Beyond the fight, on the oposite side of the arena, mid-bowl, Dounia also noticed Candor sitting alone. The rest of her team was higher up in the stands as she seemed troubled and not registering the combat ahead.
Candor noticed Dounia's gaze and nodded slightly. A flutter tickled Dounia's gut. The feeling of the evening before a caper. Candor looked south and Dounia could see to whom. Marie of Glaemorgan was with her team, the Adherents. The three shared a look as Marie made a 'play-it-cool' gesture with her hand and looked away.
Badrelow moved in. He raised his spear and spoke. Tymythy and Voltus were close enough to hear, and Dounia perceptive enough.
The spear pierced the outside flesh of the seneschal's left arm so that it came through a three inch section of skin, and was quickly pulled free. Voltus called out in pain.
Badrelow, "Yeild!"
~
Keone was next to Zahra, "Oh, by the Queen of the Light." His jaw went slack.
On the eastern castle, Hallwn's retinue had moved to the edge near the stands and were watching silently.
Chrizdoff stared with concern, ""
Voltus inhaled. Dropped to a low stance and formed his left hand into a fist. His right foot dug into the sand as he straightened out his body. He smashed through Tymythy's target. The Seneschal's fist stopped at his sternum and Tymythy could feel it there, hard as a stone.
Chrizdoff, ""
Voltus straightened out and swept in a backwards arc with his right leg. He only barely hooked the back of Barelow's right knee but it was enough to knock the lord prone.
Badrelow tried to stand but, as he was almost up, he exposed himself and Voltus struck him down again.
Voltus seemed to be playing with Badrelow and kept it up for some time. Several exchanges went by as the seneschal fell into his stance and dodged or redirected everything the lord could send at him. Voltus had regained his calm while Badrelow was becoming more and more frustrated, red faced, and clumsy.
Members of the crowd began yelling, "
Finally, after another moment of Badrelow being on his backside in the sand, Voltus retrieved his spear. As Badrelow stood Voltus threw it dead centre in the target. The wooden plaque shattered and the spear found a spot beyond it in Badrelow's leather smock. The lord rushed to pull it off and set it to one side. The spear just poking through the end and a little trickle of blood on his chest.
Most of the crowd went wild.
As Voltus went to the lake the waters bubbled up and carried the laurel to him. He looked to the eastern castle and bowed to Hallwn,