Jareth makes his eay into the training grounds with a few other citizens. He steps out of Silas's way and pauses to watch the spar that is already started and an arch of that scared brow. The lithe actor looks for a place to sit down out of the way to watch.

The fight is, quite frantkly intense, and a completely contrast of styles. Edain raises his arming sword and turns sidewasy making himself a smaller target. As his blade meets that mighty slab that is called Frostbite there is a loud report as steel meets steel. Edain is all about the fundamentals. Measured attacks, precise movments, economy of motion. Starkly contrasting with Anze's form of control fury, like an avalanche that can move with purpose and will. And lets be honest, that blade covers alot of real estate. Despite exchanging early blows, the stalemate for sometime, but eventually that avalanche builds up speed, and the onslaught is unrelenting. Saw what you wwill about the Prince of Sanctum, he does not bend in the face of the attack. He stands his ground, and gives back as good as he gets, but eventually Anze's avalanche is too much an the prince falls.

He Sits up after getting his breath and takes Anze's offered hand, "Indeed Prince Anze, I look forward to the rematch." he says as accepts the help up, "Oh.. we shiould yield the floor." he says as he moves to the side so the Prayer can begin.

Anze nods to Edain after helping him up, stepping with the Valardin out of the pits as people filter into the training center, knowing that something is about to start.



While there might be some on the field already, Princess Natalia Grayson comes into the area with a few assorted people with her. The Grayson princess is one of smiles, but really she's just hosting for the most part. There is a smile towards those present within the area. Her deep blue eyes spark with a bit of amusment. However, she nods her head as a priest of Gloria steps forwards.

His robe is present, but the man is wearing armor that moves with him gracefully. He clears his throat and then speaks with his voice full of conviction: "We come forth to pray and lift our hopes up to the Goddess Gloria. We do not bend our heads in defeat, as we know our convictions will speak. While it seems almost too much of temptation to pray for victory in the times we face. I will not. You should not. For our Goddess is more than the clear cut lines of win or lose. She is the one that teaches us harsher lessons and drives us to excellence."

"Today we may face our fellow men and women in sparring and hone our skills for when a war comes to our door; or we are elected to find it. I pray that we all remember the valor of Gloria. To remember the shining light of her truth. May she allow us to stand tall even if it is in defeat. May she remind us it is not how we fight that brings honor but why we fight that brings enlightenment. In her grace and by her blessings we pray that all find the truth of their spirit to act in valor. May she bless each of us to enter the next world with head unbowed and honor untainted."

Pietro bows his head for the prayer, his smile hooking into a sidelong smile as he shifts his weight from foot to foot. The smile lingers on his lips, brightening his eyes, a private humor that he does not otherwise share.

Silas bows respectfully to Natalia when she steps into the Training Center, then inclines his head to observe the priest who steps forth. He bows his head as he listens to the prayer and he nods his agreement when it concludes. He regards the others curiously, but seems a -mite- reticent when the subject of sparring comes up: he might be a little overprepared.

Samantha slides into the spectator area just as the prayer is starting; she bows her head accordingly and upon its conclusion, takes her seat. A hand is lifted, but only up to shoulder height, in greeting to Natalia, and otherwise for the moment the Marquessa seems content to remain a spectator. Of course, there's Silas, and he's favored with an upward curve at the corner of her mouth due to his expression.

As the benediction begins, the Prince of Sanctum grows somber. Fading back to the edge of the martial grounds and folding his arms before him and bows his head. Silently taking in the gravity of the message.

Anze looks to the people assembled, and then the priest of gloria steps forward. He bows his head when the prayer starts, at least showing respect for the southerner priest.

Natalia nods her head in greetings to those that acknowledge her. Then a hand reaches out to touch the priest's arm before she offers a few words of thanks to him. Her deep blue eyes study the field and then the people. "It is here that we welcome those that wish to spar for the glory of Gloria. Each person is welcome to step forth, regardless of skill. Should there be any that wish to do so, a piece of honor will be sent to the last standing victor."

Pietro wields elegant cavalry saber with basket hilt.

Pietro slips his saber in hand and taps it lightly against his calf as he ducks his head, steel gleaming in the flick of his wrist. Scuffing forward on a slide of his boot, he says with an easy laugh on his breath, "Is there anybody here who /doesn't/ wish to spar to honor Gloria?"

Silas flashes a smile Samantha's way after he spots her, but Pietro's question gets his attention. He shrugs, his steel armor clinking it's approval. "I'm willing to spar you again, but... it may go the same way it did last time."

"I'm here to observe." Samantha says frankly, chin tilting in Pietro's direction. "And admire." She leaves it at that, gaze returning to the training ground.

Anze looks to Silas and Pietro and then rolls his shoulders a little "I ain bout to turn down a bout. Seems as good a way as any to honor tha gods eh?" He shifts his greatsword, resting the flat of the blade on his shoulder once more.

"That does seem fairly likely. I'm afraid I haven't managed to take your advice and replace my old girl here yet." Pietro salutes Silas with the blade he carries, but his smile stays bright and good-humored, and the slant of his glance lifts to Samantha; his teeth flash with the broadening of his grin, and he says, "Then I hope very much to put on a good show for you, my lady."

Silas looks at Anze, then back to Pietro and hums thoughtfully. "Why don't you two spar, then I face the winner? Double the honor."

Edain nods to Anze, Pietro and Silas each in turn, "I hope you will all not think less of me if I just observe. My head is still ringing a bit from my bout with Prince Anze."

Anze cocks his head and shrugs with a look to Pietro "I don't mind facin off again yah again Pietro, if thats acceptable to yah." He shifts a little and looks over Silas, noting the man has quite some confidence to him.

Pietro grins. "I sympathize," he says to Edain. He widens his dark eyes, turning his gaze back to Anze. He turns out his hand in an invitational gesture towards the sands of the pit. "Will you honor me -- and the goddess -- with a bout then, my lord?"

Natalia moves over to reach out and touch Samantha's shoulder in greeting. She will also smile at Edain. "Wonderful I cannot wait to see who the end victor is." Although she does look over Silas for a few moments to that. Her lips curve towards Edain. "No one is here to judge anyone."

Silas grins wryly back to Edain and shakes his head. "It will take much more for me to think less of you, Your Highness. But I do suggest more armor next time." He steps to the side, in anticipation of the starting spar between the two other men. "Good luck to the both of you. I await the winner!" Indeed, he -is- quite confident in himself, but he wears it sunnily instead of pompously.

Anze nods to Pietro and steps towards the pits "lets" he strolls a few feet in before turning and placing both hands on his broadsword and watches Pietro ready to begin the match.

Anze inflicts minor damage to Pietro.

Pietro inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Anze inflicts moderate damage to Pietro.

Pietro inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Anze inflicts moderate damage to Pietro.

Pietro inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Samantha's brow arches at Pietro's remark to her, but she seems more amused than anything else. At Natalia's touch, a warm smile is turned toward the other lady. "I'd been hoping to catch up with you." Samantha remarks warmly, "Though of course you're rather occupied right now." She can't help but aside with a grin, "However if we were, my money would certainly be on Sir Silas."

Showing the enthusiasm for which he is growing mildly notorious, Pietro leaps to the fight with a bright, "Hyah!" The exchange of blows is quick and fast; Pietro's footwork leaves him cutting speedy trails across the sand as he attempts -- not terribly successfully -- to avoid the greater reach of Anze's weapon. The other man's superior strength shows in the way he is forced to flinch back from at least one heavy impact, hard across his torso, but his ready energy is unflagging as he lunges, leaping and slashing at his fellow combatant with familiar energy.

"It is kind of you to say Sir Silas, I look forward to seeing you fight the winner." Edain says as he fades back into the benches. He sits near Princess Natalia and the Marqueesa, "Princess Natalia, Marqueesa Deepwood. I hope you are both well tonight. Thank you for arranging this Princess Natalia."

There isn't a lot of subtly to start the bout, the two go at each other swinging and each manage to land hit on one another, no parrying or dodging out of the way at the moment. Pietro manages glancing blows on Anze each time the pair come at each other, but Anze is the bigger man and his blows seem to be landing a little harder. Anze doesn't have the same air of bravado as Pietro, instead remaining completely serious as he watches the hothead lord.

Natalia smiles at Samantha. "You should come and see Illusions, the view is amazing from the parlor. We can have tea and catchup on things that are happening. Or not happening as the case may truly be." She moves to sit down too, this is not her skillset. A smile towards Edain. "It is nothing to be thanked for. We are merely honoring the Gods and I hope remembering live is not all about galas."

Anze inflicts minor damage to Pietro.

Anze inflicts moderate damage to Pietro.

As the fight goes on, Pietro is plainly losing ground to the stalwart wall of Anze's defense. It doesn't seem to stop him from continuing to throw himself into the fight, but it's clear -- past the leaping about and the kicking up of sand -- whose strikes are hitting home and whose are not, the lighter blade barely slashing and nipping at Anze's armor like the teeth of an overeager but not very threatening puppy.

As the fight continues the pair seem to be figuring one another out, and this time not every strike lands. Pietro's initial thrust glances off armor and Anze's return is parried away. Pietro seems to be the more accurate of the two fighters, his attacks constantly glance off Anze's armor. Anze is less accurate, but, hes big and when he lands they push Pietro back.

Pietro inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Silas notes Pietro's skill in parrying Anze's incoming attacks, but it appeared he wasn't quite nimble enough to evade the ones he could not. He frowns slightly as he scratches his chin.

Anze inflicts minor damage to Pietro.

Pietro inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Anze inflicts minor damage to Pietro.

Pietro inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Pietro manages to parry one of Anze's heavier thrusts in a long, ringing slide of steel, the slender saber thrusting back against the broader, heavier blade, and his following thrust manages to -- well, nick Anze a bit. The force of his grunt comes with the parry and following lunge. There's less breath wasted on the blithe tongue of banter that he sometimes wastes air with in the fight; he's clashed with Anze before and knows better, apparently.

Anze remains stoic as the fight continues, just watching Pietro seriously as the pair circle around each other and glance blows off one another. Its back to the fast pace'd way they started the fight, and now Pietro's nipping strikes are reaching through Anze's armor. There is a sharp breath as the saber manages to sneak through his guard time and time again.

"It sounds absolutely lovely. Are you serving Mercier teas? You know they're rather delicious." Despite herself, Samantha's eyes stray to the fight, though she does add, "Your Highness." in greeting to Edain. "I'm afraid despite being fostered by Duke Gabriel, my instruction in the art of battle was restricted to theoreticals."

Anze inflicts moderate damage to Pietro.

Anze inflicts moderate damage to Pietro.

Pietro checked composure against difficulty 7, resulting in 15, 8 higher than the difficulty.

Pietro loses a great deal of the wind from his lungs at the last blow from Anze's broadsword after their next clash of weapons. It drives him to one knee and he teeters for a moment, sweat pouring down his face. Letting his breath hiss past his teeth in a long sigh, he lifts his saber and says: "I could throw myself on your sword again, my lord, but I think it would do greater honor to Gloria to yield when I am clearly beaten."

Edain nods to Samantha, "There is no crime in that, Marquessa, we all face our own battles in our own ways." Looks to the bout and then looks to Silas, "Sir Silas, would you be willing to send me word to tell me who ultimately wins? I am afraid I need to go tend to some other matters." He turns to Samantha and Natalia and bows to both of them, "It was wonderful to see you both again."

Anze glances his first strike off Pietro's armor, but his next two hit home, and he swings twice against the Lycene man. Anze attempts to press his advantage on Pietro now, sensing he might be able to finish the fight, watching the slightly smaller man with serious eyes as he steps forward, but then Pietro stops the fight and Anze immediately lowers his weapon. He shifts his blade to the other hand and offers his right to Pietro finally letting a smile break through "It was a good fight Pietro, I think that was harder than tha last time for sure. You're tough to land ah solid hit on, damn wiley."

Natalia nods to Samantha. "I am the same way." She claps for those that are in combat and then smiles towards Edain. "Of course, thank you for coming, Your Grace. I do hope to see you again soon."

Natalia is overheard praising Anze.

Natalia is overheard praising Pietro.

Edain has left the fighting grounds.

Pietro grins back up at Anze as he takes the prince's offered hand and uses its leverage to help haul him back to his feet. "Thank you," he says, with a breathless little chuckle as he straightens up. "One day, perhaps I'll match you. I'll have to keep at it."

Silas applauds Pietro from where he stands when the man yields. "A good bout. You've clearly improved, Lord Pietro." He turns his head to regard Edain and nods in his direction. "Sure, though I do hope it is me if I'm delivering the news. Good luck on your errands, Your Highness, and thank you for honoring Gloria earlier." And Edain is off!

Anze rests the flat of his blade against his shoulder once more and grins at Pietro "I'll have to keep at it to keep yah at bay, I don't take tough wins for granted." He looks over to Silas then and hrms "well then. I suppose we have ah bout to get to then, eh?"

Samantha offers her goodbye to Edain as well before he departs, turning her attention once more to the fights. "Well done, both of you." she calls out in appreciation, and leaning a bit in the shoulder toward Natalia, she remarks quietly, "I recognize the Redrain Prince of course, but who is his opponent?"

Samantha is overheard praising Pietro for: A wise man knows when to yield, and learns from his losses. Well done!

Samantha is overheard praising Anze for: A well fought battle and an admirable display of skill.

Pietro slides his saber back into its sheath as he vacates the sand, kicking some of it off his boots as he regains the floor and moves toward the benches. "Thank you," he says with the fainter hook of a smile to Sir Silas, as he lopes toward the rest of the gallery. "Never stop working, right?"

Silas nods to Anze and steps onto the fighting grounds. "You will be a formidable opponent, m'lord. And I hope to be the same, in Gloria's eyes and your own." The grayson knight rolls one shoulder before he unsheathes the longsword at his side. He does shoot Pietro one last grin. "Practice makes perfect, aye."

Anze puts both hands on the hilt of his sword once more as Silas steps forward, and the grin he was showing Pietro fades away to that serious look once more. Anze is ever so rarely a serious man, but using a blade is no joke and when Silas steps forward he nods at him. "Aye, I'm hopin this is ah good bout. Its good to try yourself against as many people as possible, win or lose I think I'll lose somethin eh?"

Silas inflicts serious damage to Anze.

Anze inflicts serious damage to Silas.

Silas inflicts serious damage to Anze.

Anze inflicts minor damage to Silas.

Anze inflicts minor damage to Silas.

Silas inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Anze swings hard against Silas right at the begining of the fight, and Silas does the same, and right away the pair land heavy blows against one another. Silas's return though lands hard again, drawing a harsh grunt from Anze and disrupting his return attempt. Anze is a little more careful with the next approach, and the pair manage glancing blows. Anze is clearly coming out behind right from the getgo, but he still does his best to maintain a reserved look, watching his opponent with a still serious expression.

Silas immediately learns Anze is efficient at putting up a solid defense -and- breaking through them. In spite of having watched the previous spar closely, his attempt to parry the incoming slash proves futile and the sheer strength behind the attack catches him off guard, hitting him soundly the chest with a surprised grunt. Now startled and alarmed, he lashes out just as hard and in roughly the same area, and his blow also makes purchase. The Grayson knight wisely decides he isn't going to let Anze determine the pace of the fight and presses his own aggressive onslaught of slashes and thrusts with his gleaming rubicund blade: they hit with varying degrees of force, but he appears to get the early upperhand.

Anze inflicts minor damage to Silas.

Silas inflicts minor damage to Anze.

Silas inflicts serious damage to Anze.

Anze takes it a little more reserved this time, trying to be more careful with the man's clearly dangerous attacks, and it works at first managing to parry away the other mans attack. It only works for a moment though, and Silas shows clear skill as he once again hits Anze hard causing the man to stagger back actually, knee bending for a moment though he remains standing. He shifts a little eyeing the Grayson man, trying to spot another opening in the other man's defenses.

Watching with bright, fascinated interest as the pair of strong swordsmen slash and thrash at each other, Pietro swings a leg up as he hauls himself up onto one of the benches and flings himself down into a seat, taking up a fairly ridiculous amount of space, but doing so far enough away from the ladies fair to not actually crowd them. He throws a game smile towards Samantha and Natalia, and then pulls a monogrammed handkerchief from some pocket to mop blood and sweat away from his face. You know, in that genteel way of getting rid of blood and sweat.

    One parry meets another, but Silas's aggressive attacks continue and eventually get past Anze's guard. First a glancing blow, and when Anze is attempting to recover by the slight loss of balance, a much harder blow to the chest with the flat of his blade. He gives Anze room to recover, but it is only a brief respite before he lunges once again...

Silas inflicts moderate damage to Anze.

Silas inflicts moderate damage to Anze.

Anze falls unconscious.

Natalia is overheard praising Silas.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Silas before departing.

Samantha leans forward. "Stop playing with him..." she murmurs, watching the pair, and then brightens as Silas presses his attack. "Ah! There we are." She lets out a brief clap of her hands, which she promptly brings to an awkward rest as she realizes it. But that doesn't stop her from beaming. "See? I knew he'd win."

Samantha is overheard praising Silas for: Victory at the Gloria! I knew he could do it.

Natalia turns her eyes towards Samantha when she comments on the playing with him comment. Then she cheers for the victor of the rounds. "Very good Sir Silas." She is sure to send him a 'prize' later. It is noted on a scroll to do so.

    The last blow wasn't the hardest one dealt in the spar, but it is enough to bring his opponent to the ground, and that is all Silas desires. He smoothly returns his blade to its scabbard and rubs the sweat beading off his brow, though it is still up to Anze to officially yield. "As I thought, you -are- a formidable opponent, Your Highness. An excellent warrior." He approaches the Redrain and offers him a hand to haul him back to his feet.

Anze has never been one to give up when he has a fighting chance, and even if Silas has a clear advantage, Anze takes his chance once more. It doesn't work though, his own strike glances off SIlas's armor while Silas lands one hard blow and then another which drops Anze. Anze grunts an acknowledgement "aye, I yield, that was one hell of ah hit." He says, grinning once more now that the fight is over and takes the offered hand to be pulled back to his feet with another grunt. "You're ah hell of an oponent yourself, I didn't expect yah to hit so f'an hard, that was good. We should do that again sometime."