"More of what followed after. During your duel with Mordred, what was going through your mind as you fought? Please be as candid as you like, I won't hold it against you."
The young lad nodded to the foreign prince before running off.
"So, do you plan on taking a squire Gawain?" Owen asked before taking a drink from his mug.
"Oh so you are thinking of taking on a squire than Trimar?" Owen asked with a small raise of his eyebrow. "Never figured you would."
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"Honesty then, I was rather annoyed that I had gotten pitted against him." Myla said as she served simple weak ale to Catriona before taking a seat in the small sitting area. "Not because of Mordred's skill, he does have some natural blade skills, but because I know how easily he is to anger." She told her before taking a small drink. "Should see him and Walden go at it... it can last for hours if someone doesn't step in. So really, it didn't offer much of a challenge for me. However few here can as we've all been training together for years."
Trimar stuffed a bit of bread in his mouth as he mulled it over. Honestly, he was plying his skill more to keep from being rusty and to offer insight into the page's personality for the other knights.
He rubbed his chin as he finished chewing and swallowed. He simply smiled "Perhaps, but I would need to find an interesting youth." he said simply.
Well, isn't she a bit arrogant. Catriona thought as she took her seat opposite Myla. But then, a certain fire-haired youth came to mind that had a similar point of view until she was un-horsed by a fellow Page.
After taking a sip of her cup, the Knight said, "You do realize that how fortunate you were to get such an opponent, correct? It could have just as easily been Elmina, in which case I doubt you'd have stayed in the saddle beyond the first pass. Just something to keep in mind.Never discount luck."
"Maybe you should stay at the field long enough to watch all of the pages instead of running off to eaves drop." Owen said with a small grin.
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"I would actually revel in the chance to have Elmina as my opponent." Myla stated as she sat back. "The Joust is Elmina's greatest skill, and she is the best at least when it comes to us pages. Thus to test myself against the best of us would be greatly welcomed." She explained.
Trimar chuckled a bit "Jousting was never my main interest. Skill is not what I am looking for so much as drive, passion, and interest." he said taking a sip of the cider.
Tristram led Lancelot over to the table where Owen had gestured to the two, sitting down at an available spot and waiting for food to be delivered to them. Such was one of the privileges of a knight. A nice thank you for being the sword between the populace and any evil that thought to threaten them.
The dark-haired knight looked over at all the others at the table, not wishing to interrupt, of course, but also not wanting to be rude and say nothing. "Good afternoon, sirs! The lists were quite entertaining so far, were they not? Lots of talent to draw from in the next generation, I'll say." It wouldn't do to speak ill of the young men and women he had formed negative opinions of. They still had time to be molded, and it would speak poorly of his own manners.
That's a curious take, Catriona thought.
Taking one last swig of her drink, the Knight rose and said, "Then let's hope that whomever gets you as a Squire keeps you so challenged. Thank you for your time."
While waiting for the young page to return, Gawain considered Owen's question, which had been on his mind since even before the tourney. "I may if I feel that one would profit from what little wisdom I have to share. But having been trained in the sacred ways of my people and, truth be told, being ill-equipped to teach either jousting or swordsmanship, I fear that most youths would find me a poor mentor."
Modesty without a hint of self-pity. Gawain was perhaps seeking counsel, but he was certainly not fishing for compliments. He was simply stating facts, which all of his companions could corroborate.
Rion speaks up somewhat hesitantly.
Owen has taught me many things but the chief of them was that a wise knight does not think of only one way to serve his king. Not all joust. Not all use the sword. There are many ways to be effective inside and outside of battle. You have these, Gawain, and you can teach them to a squire.
Rion sighs somewhat and settles back into his seat.
I have struggled, knowing that many knights see me as unusual or not a proper knight. But eventually the joy of knowing you serve effectively outweighed such concerns.
"They may surprise you Trimar." Owen said with a shrug before he turned to Tristram and offered a friendly grin. "Really, then tell my Tristram, whom is your favorite?" He asked before eating more of his lunch while listening to Gawain and Rion. "Aye, look how far my old squire has come." Owen laughed as he clapped Rion on the shoulder. "We not only pass on our knowledge and wisdom, but a bit if our own outlooks as well. It makes many trees to make a forest." He pointed out.
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The young page stood as well in see the knight off. "If I may, could I ask you a question about your outlook?" Myla asked
Catriona turned and cocked an eyebrow, "My outlook?"
"You watched all of the jousts." Myla clarified as she set her drink down. "I obviously caught your attention, I would like to know... why?" She asked. "What made you wish to speak with me?"
Turning to the Page, "Your swordsmanship against Mordred. You clearly could have taken him a move or two sooner than you did. Not a bad tactic, but you need to learn how to cover those gaps in your defense. Had he not been so angry, it's quite possible you'd have walked away with a couple of broken ribs."
"I see." Myla said with a nod and a hum. "I may have gotten to comfortable with my razer." She said with a sigh. "It is also likely I've far more to learn than I thought."
As Tristram began to sup, he thought briefly upon Owen's question before offering, "Elmina. I've yet to see her with a sword, but her horsemanship is superior to the others, as far as I can tell. She's small, but understands balance and how to snap her entire body into a thrust. She's fairly small, so she might get knocked off due to lack of center mass, but I wouldn't bet against her." The knight took a bite of the meat offering, savoring the flavor.
"But as I said, many of the young men and women have done well and comported themselves well in the aftermath of their matches." He withheld who he thought had not, as he wanted no bad blood between himself and the other knights in attendance. There were cousins and brothers sitting with and near him, after all.
Putting a hand on Myla's shoulder, "First step to learning is admitting you don't know enough," Catriona said, quoting the Guard Captain of East Watch, her first teacher.
Rion can't help but grin at his old master's brotherly praise. He remains a while longer enjoying the food and drink before he excuses himself.
Pardon me, sir knights. I benefit greatly from sitting in on your conversation and sharing in your wisdom. But I must seek out Nilson and get to know him somewhat more.
With a hesitant and grave smile, his eyes grow distant for a moment as he adds more quietly I may be taking a squire after all...
"If you don't find him at his tent look for Duke Arkin. Nilson's father serves him so he may be spending his time there." Owen suggest to Rion before finishing his potatoes. "Yes, Elmina is a strong lancer and rider." Owen agreed with a nod. "I've been told she is fair with a blade but it's a lance you want in her hand." He stated.
Finally a tall woman entered the large tent, stark blue hair identifying her faster than anything else. Owen pointed as he nodded to Gawain. "And there maybe your hope for Mordred." He said.
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"Well I am still only a page till taken as a squire and work my way till knighthood." Myla stated. "Thus there is a great deal for me to learn. It's why I enjoy testing myself against those I know who are better than myself. To learn."
Trimar listened with curiosity to the various bits of information the older Knight provided. He chuckled towards the end and took his mug in hand and drained the last of his cider.
He stood up and stretched "Well, I suppose I best disappear into the shadows again. Well at least until we're actually needed. Honestly, I don't understand why all of us knights are hear at once, I mean true it's a good opportunity to find a good squire to train but surely there is more to it than that." he said before yawning a bit.
He was hoping that he had plenty of time to slip back on his identity and listen in on a few more pages.
"Ser Lady Aline," Gawain greets the tall woman with a smile that might even make her cold heart melt. He stands when she approaches and invites her to their table. "I sought only to know where you were so that I could seek you out myself, but I am glad that you have come. Will you sit with us?"
He orders meat and mead and politely inquires about her father's health before cutting to the chase, so to speak. "As you surely know, my little brother Mordred will be requiring mentorship. I asked Owen's thoughts on the matter, and he suggested that you would be best suited to temper his steel and guide him on the knight's path."
Seeing her hesitate, he continues in earnest: "I know that Mordred can be difficult and that he is arrogant. But he is a fast learner and a fine swordsman... And my family would be honored to weave such bonds with yours."
That's all I needed to hear. Catriona thought to herself. Smiling at the young Page, "Then let's hope you have a good teacher."
Leaving the tent, the Knight of East Watch went to find Duke Lukous. She felt it was time to for her first Squire.
Rion nods gratefully to his old mentor. He then bows to all the nights at the table.
I beg your pardon but I must go speak with young Nilson.
He leaves and looks for Nilson in his tent first.
Tristram nodded thoughtfully at Owen's words as he shoved potatoes in his mouth, chewing absently as he mulled things over. Much the same could be said of Tristram himself. He had always been a better horseman than a swordsman, though he was no slouch with a blade. Still, there were many able knights, and he'd prefer to watch the young woman joust again and speak with her before making any hasty decision about taking on a squire.
Surely with her skillset she had many a knight eyeing her, as well, so this too would give them an opportunity to step forward so that Tristram wouldn't be stepping on any toes. Court had its own, complicated political system, and the knight tried to steer his way through with as little wave-making as possible, especially after what had happened in Cornwall.
"Not all of us are here Trimar. Just those who where in the area and wished to seeing the up and coming pages." Owen said with a shrug. "You also don't have to vanish. You're a knight, not a thief."
Owen took a drink before he sighed. As he watched Gawain and Aline speak.
Aline, who had taken a seat next to Gawain, raised an eyebrow as she let the foreign prince as she crossed her arms. When he was done she looked at Owen and in a calm tone stated, "This is all your fault." before looking back to Gawain. This earned a small chuckle from the older knight. "Let me ask you this first Gawain, why do you not wish to train Mordred?"
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The guards at the Duke's tent inform Catriona that Duke Lukous was away at King Arthur's tent for lunch and point the Lady knight in the right direction.
Upon reaching the large royal tent, easy to find from the colors it flies, laughter could be heard from inside as the tent flaps are open wide. Inside sat King Arthur. Duke Lukous, and Archmage Markous. Luke was the first to spy Catriona, "Ah, it seems we have another." He merrily said as he waved the woman over. "Well met Catriona of East Watch." Arthur said with a nod. "What brings you by today?"
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Rion was lucky it seemed, as Nilson sat outside his tent. The young boy seemed to be cleaning the armor he had worn at the joust... it must have taken him some time as he was only half way through.
Trimar smiled slightly at the older knights words "While yours is an armor that shines brightly in the light, mine is wrapped in the shadows of the night. Unfortunate as it may be, my place and my expertise is in the shadows of you fine gentlemen." he said before he made himself lost in the crowds and slipped back out into the tourney.
He eventually found his little stash and he worked his way back into his performance.
"Mordred is my brother," Gawain answers simply. "He both loves me, and hates me, as siblings often do. He is sensitive and would certainly take my teachings too personally – as an affront or a criticism."
"Honestly, I do not think that he would benefit from my mentorship," Gawain admits. "And I do believe that you would be ideally suited to cool his temper and teach him not only how to fight, but when to fight."
"But there is more to it," he continues. "Creating this bond between you and my brother – between a knight and a squire – would strengthen the ties between our families. And this is something that I want very much."
Rions strides casually up to Nilson and nods to himself. He takes a seat near the boy.
Takes a while, doesn't it?
Turning to the Duke, "I have come to ask that Page Myla be enlisted as my Squire. It is my belief that she would benefit from my teachings."
Tristram continued to eat, but he listened with interest as the pair of knights spoke of Gawain's brother, Mordred, the tempestuous youth who had lost as much from his temper as anything else. Should the youth grow into a man and continue with that disposition, he would be a dangerous loose cannon (whatever that was), capable of sullying the title of 'Knight' with a heated thrust of his sword from some perceived slight.
The knight nodded in affirmation as Gawain spoke wisely both of the need to distance himself from his brother and the need for a hard, strong mentor to tame the boy's impulse control. Tristram sighed, as perhaps he was being too hard on all the young men and women. He had been young once, not so long ago, and losing himself to his baser instincts is what had landed him here in Arthur's court. He'd try to keep a more open mind going forward, but he was eager to see the spirited Elmina in action once again.
"I know that I can't train him properly," Gawain admits. "As for strengthening the ties between our families, I believe that it is important not necessarily because it will benefit my people or yours, but because it will ensure that Arthur's vision is upheld now and for generations to come."
"That being said," Gawain continues, "I think that despite your country being landlocked, our families could profit from stronger ties." Well-versed in the intricate affairs of nobility, Gawain then puts forward a strong argument in favor of his point of view...
Rion nods in approval.
Some things come before tasks, as long as one still sets to the task promptly. I wanted to ask you about your joust. Why did you keep your same target of Wymer's helm?
She thought about her answer, it was true that most waited until the end of the tournament, and while she was sure of her choice, if it turned out she was an unfit teacher, it could have dire repercussions on the Page's path of Knighthood.
Looking to the Duke, "Would you advise waiting until the end? This is my first time having a Squire, and I don't want to rush if it'll be detrimental to her training."
Aline look at Gawain with almost a cold gaze, that would make one wonder in the witch's ice settled into more than just her hair. However then she smiled slightly and sigh. "I shall attempt to train Mordred." She gave with a soft chuckle. "I was thinking of taking a squire though I hadn't settled upon one. It seems you've made it easier for me." She crossed her arms and added "However, warn him that this will not be easy nor will his birth give him special treatment."
"Most often wait because they wish to see the melee." Duke Lukous said with a shrug. "If you feel what Myla displayed during the joust was more than enough to take her on as a squire, I've no reason to stop you. I cannot release her into your care till the end of the tourney but I don't think that will be a problem."
Turning back to the King, "Your Majesty, My Lords, thank you for your time. Enjoy your meal." With a deep bow, Catriona took a couples steps back and then turned to leave.
Rion smiles reassuringly at the young lad.
Interesting. It seems you accomplished your goal, which is something to celebrate. But what made you accept defeat before the joust began?
Internally, Rion ponders the lad's words. Progress toward a worthy and achievable goal is valuable. But accepting defeat before a battle would get this lad and everyone who counted on him killed. Rion wonders to himself
Does the boy understand the vast difference between this kind of decision in a competition for fame instead of a fight for life?
Owen smiled before he looked to those who remained. "Aye, the next group should be read soon."
After thinking for a bit, the Knight of East Watch headed to The Menagerie
Thinking hard about how to draw out the young lad's thoughts, Rion remains silent for a moment.
My training was... different...
The knight recalls his very first lesson from Owen.
There were villagers being attacked by bandits. I tried to rush to them and stop the brigands but I knew I couldn't get there in time. What would you have done?
As the others started to get up and head back to the stands, Tristram finished his meal and walked out with the crowd, curious to see what skills might be on show after the intermission.
Before making his way back to the king's side, Gawain walks through the field near the tourney area, greeting those he knows and, ever graciously, acknowledging those who know him. He makes a point of saluting his brothers among the pages, as well as Myla and Galahad – the two pages who have piqued his interest.
Owen paid the tap at The Menagerie before gave a nod to the knights and said his good-bye, then he and Aline headed off to the field to get ready to watch the next set of jousts.