Anya, the cool as an ice cube Champion apprentice, Renn, the mousy, scholarly brunette, Morgan, a roguish looking gentleman arrive, following Caspian.

Lys and Ariella are alredy here. The two champions are discussing something off to the side. Possibly discussing each other's armor and weapons. Lys has a toothy smile on her lips, and she's poking at Ariella's stomach slightly wondering, "What on earth is this?" A shake of her head is given and she glances off to the side.

Caspian arrives just in time! He hurries into the the grounds, moving his way towards Lys and Ariella, giving the two a wide grin as he says, "I'm glad you two finally have your first duel! It's a weird one, where if Lady Lys wins, she loses, but still! Fight well you two, and put on a good show, I'll be cheering for both of you!"

Austen strolls into the grounds, clearly in no particular rush as he moves to take a position ready to watch the duel. He looks.. well, a little pained by the whole thing, almost embarrassed, the large knight trying to make himself as small as possible, in an attempt to avoid noticie

Theo leans up against the trunk of a large tree, his arms crossed across his chest. "Welcome, welcome." He holds a bottle of wine in one hand and a cigarette of haze in the other, and he alternates between both as the spectators come rolling in. "Quite so, Grandmaster! No matter what happens Lady de Lire loses." He offers a waggle of his brows at Austen as the knight comes trudging up.

Cale, the Highhill War Hound pup, Thunder, the Highhill War Hound arrive, following Seth.

Alarissa is passing through on her way presumably to see the Archduchess or her husband. Every bit of her where it should be, not a curl or wave out of place she stops at the gathering and some familiar faces.

Ariella stands with Lys, wearing the outfit that justifies entry into the champions even if she's piss poor with the rubicund sword at her hip. Shiny black leather stitched with yellow, red and orange flames going up her legs and arms, gaudy-as-hell phoenixes decorating the back of her jacket and the chest of her top. At Lys' question she says, "Alligator skin. Know a poacher near Setarco who got 'em for me. Treated with dolphin oil to keep the shine. You have no idea how many dolphins I had to have pressed, but it was worth it floor the gloss." Ariella looks over Lys' cloak with unconcealed jealousy. "I need to find a patron with more money than sense, I think."

Alarissa has joined the benches by the fountain.

Quenia meanders her way onto the Velenosa grounds. She's dressed simply in her typical wintry outfit, and has her cloak pulled tight around her. She smiles over at Ariella and Alarissa should they look her way, but otherwise keeps her distance from the crowd for the moment, taking a moment to get her bearings and figure out what's going on.

A mild curiosity brings Seth to this challenge, having only met those whose honor are at stake just briefly at various engagements. In the company of his hounds, he watches the event begin to unfold as he makes his way to some sort of seating.

Lys gives a little flick of her cloak and dips her chin toward Ariella, "A cousin richer than senseful, really." She steps away from Ariella then, flicking her cloak back to show off the dark of her leather and the pop of red on her cuirass. Her red hair is loose, save for where it is pinned back from her face with a brass flower. Her green eyes flicker over the gathering crowd and she lifts her voice, "Hello! Hello!" A toothy grin is given and she says, "Welcome to the fight! Where even if I lose I *win*." she shoots Theo a flash of sharp teeth.

She turns then toward Ariella and unsnaps the guard on her saber and slides the thin rubicund blade free. "On your guard, my lady captain."

Lys wields Deceit, a rubicund rapier.

Shadow, a tiny black feline arrives, following Mirari.

Jordan arrives late, ostensibly to watch this rather peculiar duel! His surcoat partially conceals the glimmering white of the chain and plate of his cuirass, in addition to keeping himself warm in the winter, but the plate piece might still draw some attention.

Austen sighs as he's spotted by Theo, the knight bowing to the prince. "Your highness," he says, moving to find himself a seat at the benches. As far back and as out of the way as at all possible.

Mirari walks out of the Manor, a small black kitten in her arms, and finds a place to settle to watch the duel. She nods to a few people as she takes her seat.

There is seating a'plenty, with several benches drawn up in a semi-circle around the ring where the fight is to take place. Theo flashes Seth a smile, approaching the man as he makes to take his seat. "So glad you could make it, Lord Steelhart. Interested in a bet?" Lys' announcement draws Theo's attention, then, and he glances over with arched brows. "One thousand silver on Lady Ariella! Anyone?" A wicked little grin, then.

"Done" Calls out Alarissa. "I'll take that bet"

Ariella looks around at the gathering crowd. To Lys she says, "Unfortunately my cousin has more sense than money. And she has plenty of money." Ariella sends a wave Quenia's way, smiling to the aforementioned cousin. "Hah! Welcome to the duel where if I lose, I lose! And if I win, I win! So weird how that works." She draws her sword and steps away from Lady Lys, looking toward Theo as he makes a bet on her victory. "Ho boy."

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

When approached by the gambler Prince, Seth lowers himself into a brief bow, though a brow is arched when the bet is put forth. Before, he can even get in a word, Alarissa speaks up, making him turn to glance over his shoulder at the gambler princess. To Theo, he states, "The duel itself was an odd one, far more bizarre than I'd ever witnssed. The person who you are challenging is also the person who is your champion? I suppose it makes it all the more interesting than the norm." The appearance of a cat gets the younger of his Highhill hounds sniffing in Mirari's direction.

Anya, the cool as an ice cube Champion apprentice, Renn, the mousy, scholarly brunette, Morgan, a roguish looking gentleman leave, following Caspian.

There's a gesture for Quenia to join her if she wants, Alarissa looking to the Igniseri before back to the fight at hand as it breaks out.

Mirari shifts her eyes towards the dog that sniffs towards her, eyes narrowing, as she tucks the kitten between her neck and shoulder. She turns her attention back to the fighting, folding her arms loosely over her chest.

Except the beginning of the fight _isn't_ just a clash of swords. Lys flicks her rapier backward, holding it at her hip while her other hand comes up to hover over the basketed hilt, and she flashes forward. She charges Ariella, only to at the last second slide down onto one knee, and spin about in a full circle, to slide an extended leg at the other woman's ankles-- attempting to sweep Ariella straight off of her feet.

Quenia has joined the benches by the fountain.

Quenia does see Alarissa's gesture and makes her way over to sit upon the fountain. She grins over at Ariella. "I've never seen you fight before, dear cousin, so I would not want to bet for or against you as yet. But, you've my support whatever happens!"

When she sees Lys drop Ariella jumps to one foot, then leaps back out of the way of the kick. She swings her sword up but doesn't yet move in, tilting her head toward the other woman and giving her a chiding cluck of the tongue.

Deliverance, an albino falcon arrives, delivering a message to Quenia before departing.

Lys isn't about to let a little miss throw her off of her game! One hand keeps a hold of her rubicund rapier, while the other plants into the ground. She pushes herself upward, leading with her feet in an attempt to kick Ariella in the knees, before springing up to her feet, and dancing a few steps back-- rapier held forward now. Her teeth grinning at the other woman, "C'mon now, m'captain. This dance takes two." There's a hint of cruelty in that toothy smile, like a cat playing with a mouse.

Theo watches the fight with interest, taking a swig from his bottle. "Quite so, Lord Seth. It makes it all the more amusing, though, does it n- watch out for the kick!" Theo winces, and shifts forward in his seat.

A kiss is pressed to Quenia's cheek and she smiles. "I may lose, I may win, it's fine with me. I saw your whites." Though she speaks, her gaze is on the fight and it's dramatics and antics. "I'll be going to Valardin after this, will you want to join me?"

Ariella sidesteps the kick, Lys' foot going between her knees rather than connecting. The goading gets a rather blase smile from the captain, though it appears that despite the measured look from Ariella the words have hit their mark and, tired of fighting on the defensive, she takes off her hat and tosses is to the side, then makes a reckless forward motion, lunging with her sword at the Lady Lys.

Austen's attention is fully on the fight, the knight's eyes tracking both duellist with considerable interest, leaning forwards to rest elbows on knees, watching closely. He doesn't seem invested in the outcome of the match, merely the skills shown.

"Your champion and thus your challenger is putting on a good show. Though I have a feeling that it doesn't matter to you how this all turns out." Seth says to Theo, dark grey eyes observing this show of bravado between the women. When he finally notices that Cale isn't seated as obediently as he should be, still sniffing at Mirari's cat, the Steelhart lord makes one of those gestures to to subtley draw the pup's attention back to him. The wolf-sized mastiff is far more well-trained.

Ariella drops aw yiss a motha fuckin captain's hat.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard, Planchet the Lycene maggiordome arrive, following Eirene.

Quenia smiles at Alarissa, as she settles on the fountain. "I am meeting Princess Reese briefly afterwards. She's going to give me a few pointers on war. But I can meet you over there, certainly." She pauses, and there is some hesitation. "So long as their festivities are not in the Vow, I do not think I shall break down into tears at being in their ward." She seems almost certain of that.

Deliverance, an albino falcon arrives, delivering a message to Quenia before departing.

"Oh we're done playing?" asks Lys with a taunting tone. "Very well then..."

It isn't that she doesn't get tagged because Lys doesn't seem to know how to put up a defensive guard at all. Lys does, indeed, catch Ariella's sword against the leather of her gloves, but while the rubicund saber digs in and is most definitely going to leave a bruise it doesn't draw blood.

Lys on the other hand uses the momentum of the Ariella's blade digging into her arm to spin herself in a perfect pirouette, her red hair fanning out like a fan of coppery silk around her, as she leads with her own rubicund rapier....

It comes up against Ariella's shoulder, sinking in *hard*, and is jerked back, pulled free of the gatorskin leathers.

Blood splatters across the ground where it drips from the point of Deceit.

Lys gives a toothy smile toward Ariella.

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

Eirene is here for what looks like the end of the fight. Perhaps it's a good thing, then, that the physician is here, dark leathers and crimson steelsilk accenting

Jordan nods a greeting to Mirari as he watches the two duelists fight it out. He winces visibly when Lys manages that jab into Ariella's shoulder, rubbing unconsciously at his own shoulder. "Damn, that was a nasty blow to take."

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

Mirari aims a polite smile at Jordan, turning away from the fight long enough to lean in and speak quietly to the armored Knight. She gives him a nod as she leans back and turns her attention back to the duel.

"Fuck!" And yeah, that probably hurts like a son of a bitch. Almost immediately blood is welling from the wound, which clashes with the reds of her fire armor and just ruins the whole look. Despite that, Ariella seems angrier at the quick loss at the hand of her own falling for the feint than anything else. "Fuckety fuck." She's undoing the red belt at her hips and wrapping it around her shoulder just to soak up the blood while she continues to meditate on the meaning of loss and taking defeat well. "Shitting fucking fuck." She stoops down and grabs her captain hat and drops it on her head, then releases a stream of curses well earned from a life on the high seas. Finally she looks back to Lys and says, "You're a nasty fucking piece of work." Then steps forward with her non-lamed hand out. "Be my best friend?"

Ariella checked charm + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Ariella picks up aw yiss a motha fuckin captain's hat.

There is a look of pain etched across Theo's face as he draws himself up from his seat, bringing his hands together in applause for the victor. "Well fought! Both of you!" He strides out into the ring, eyeing Ariella with a look of mild concern. "Do you need a Mercy?"

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

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

Austen also winces as Lys draws blood, the knight applauding. As he listens to Ariella's cursing his eyebrows go up. "I.. did not know you could do that with a barrel," he admits to himself.

Somewhat amused by Ariella's less than polite language, Seth claps for both competitors. "Well done." The clapping seems to get the attention of both of his hounds now. To Theo, he murmurs, "I have another event to attend, but congratulations on your win, I suppose."

Seth is overheard praising Lys.

Seth is overheard praising Ariella.

Hiss, the Lenosian viper, Sybilla, the Lenosian lady's maid, Oleander, the tarantula, 13 House Velenosa Guards, Bianchetta, a powerful white Ostrian horse arrive, following Eleyna.

Eirene echoes Ariella's clever cursing, "hurts more than a sailor is horny after a six month sailing trip with a Valardin crew." She snorts a laugh. "Good one!" She shoots Theo a look before motioning to herself.

Hiss, the Lenosian viper, Sybilla, the Lenosian lady's maid, Oleander, the tarantula, 13 House Velenosa Guards, Bianchetta, a powerful white Ostrian horse leave, following Eleyna.

Cale, the Highhill War Hound pup, Thunder, the Highhill War Hound leave, following Seth.

Quenia winces visibly at the final wound that Ariella took. "Why is it that members of House Igniseri are trying to have their limbs cut off?" she asks, clucking her tongue against her teeth. Yet, even as she says this she lauds praises in Ariella.

Quenia is overheard praising Ariella: Great Fight! And I'm glad she didn't lose a limb!

Mirari slips away while people are cheering, heading towards the city center.

Shadow, a tiny black feline leaves, following Mirari.

Lys laughs at Ariella's swearing and whips the rubicund rapier at her side through the air, flinging blood /right at Theo/ as he walks up. Her tone is mild as she says, "Iti appears your champion has won, your highness. As such I retract my claim that it is ridiculous anyone would chose you over me. Clearly you are the more charming of us." She brushes herself off, and then turns to take Ariella's hand, clasping it and giving it a little shake. "Ahaha, I like you. And I had no idea sailor's did that with planks! I'll have to try that one." A wink is given and then she bows both to Ariella, and then the ground. Dryly pointing out to Theo, "You owe, the Princess-Consort of Maelstrom a thousand silver, I believe, my prince."

"And thus, I win Prince Theo, and you won, and everyone won, but more importantly, you owe me a thousand silver and please, gods, get the woman a mercy, so that I don't have to bloody my hands to tend to her. Because I will. I've patched Prince Victus up enough."

"Congratulations on your fight," Jordan tells the duelists as he turns around and walks away. There's a wink and a nod in Eirene's direction, as well as an easy-going smile.

"But of course." Theo spins to face Alarissa, a hand disappearing into his coat. He selects from it two small leather pouches, and, tucking his bottle of wine underneath his arm, presents both with one in each hand. "E

"But of course." Theo spins to face Alarissa, a hand disappearing into his coat. He selects from it two small leather pouches, and, tucking his bottle of wine underneath his arm, presents both with one in each hand. "Everyone wins!"

Eirene lifts her chin in a nod back to Jordan as he walks off. "Guess I missed all the fun."

"No, your highness," says Ariella to Theo. Then she drops her sword and says, "Okay. Maybe. But if it involves taking off my top any Valardins in the area might want to avert their eyes or they may go into puberty." To Austen she says, "Spend a few months at sea and I guarantee you'll find a few creative uses for a barrel too. Never did much for me, though. Lack the equipment. Always looking to borrow, though."

Austen checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.