Acantha arrives quietly and without her guard for the evening. She figured that Benny would be fine as a companion to the Duel. There's a dip of her head to those that she knows and she heads for the quiet booth to settle in to watch things.

Clip-clop-clop

Gargantuan hooves clatter against the tournament grounds as a gigantic black mare comes galloping into sight. On top of the horse, an equally large rider. Well not equally. But. Pound for pound. You know. The same size in relation to horse sizes and people sizes-- Anyway.

Sir Jeffeth Bayweather comes trotting onto the tournament grounds, alaricite horns shining in the spring sun. The Bull of Solace comes trotting into view before Jeffeth canters around, raising a fist in greeting to those gathered to watch. He's probably smiling. Hard to see through the Bull Helm.

Dismounting, the big man lands squarely on the ground, turning to bow deeply to Zara, fist pressed to his chest.

Caius' arrival is marked by the dark blues of Valardin, the tall prince striding across the grounds, straight-backed and formal as his course takes him near Zara and Cahal. "May Gloria favor the righteous." The hints of humor that may be detected on Zara are absent from her fellow Valardin, a small bow two the two challengers capping his words before he moves toward the general seating. A few swift strides finds him a place and he quickly seats himself, ending up nearer the Legate.

Brianna slips in next to Acantha, reaching down to give Benny a scritch.

"May your boldness never flag in Gloria's name," Aureth says amiably, having swallowed a mouthful of candy, and licks honey from his fingertips in a terribly dignified way.

Tescelina walks briskly into the tournament grounds, perpetually late to every duel. The young Wyrmguard lady standing off to the side for a moment and searching for a suitable seat.

Solange Whisper probably didn't actually follow Jeffeth to the tournament grounds, not stalking the man, after all. But she does look for him as she arrives, drawn to eye the horse and the knight as he makes his entrance. Her lips twitch into a soft, buried smile, before she scans the rest of the crowd before approaching Juniper. Still not stalking! "Good evening," she greets lightly. "It has been so long!"

Tescelina has joined the General Seating.

Cahal is standing up in the judges box staring at Zara with his arms folded firmly across his body and a rather stubborn cast to his expression.

Solange has joined the General Seating.

Zara and Cahal, our squabbling peers, have settled that they are unable to settle the matter, leaving only one option: "To the Champions, then." And look! Champions!

Zara removes her cloak to lay it across the chair in the judges booth, but remains standing to await the approach of the duelists. She spots Evonleigh when she arrives, and gives her a quick nod of recognition as she takes a seat. She's running a length of ribbon through her fingers, and as Jeffeth bows, she steps forward. "Sir Jeffeth, Princess Sorrel: thank you both for taking up the call. And thank you," she says, turning to those who have arrived, "to be part of this." She echoes Caius, Valardin speaking in one voice: "May Gloria favor the righteous." She bows her head.

She clearly expects everyone else to bow their head, because there is a pause.

Then: Zara offers up the slim ribbon of Valardin blue to tie around Jeffeth's wrist, just so everyone knows what side he's on. THE RIGHT SIDE.

Juniper produces a handkerchief from somewhere. Simple white, utterly common, and waved with abandon when Jeffeth arrives on the scene. A cheer is raised, now that she's finished with the fig. "Blessings!" she adds, with far less authority and no official standing whatsoever. Then it's all grins and dimples as Solange comes to join, though she has a far more court-appropriate nod of respect when Caius slides into the benches. Very proper. Less so her whisper to the actual Whisper: "It has been! I haven't visited, I didn't want to make everyone feel badly about how much I've been /enjoying/ myself. You should try a fig, they're incredible."

Quintin has joined the General Seating.

Riding in on a sorrel mare, Princess Sorrel is clad in red, just like her horse. The mare is solid, clad for jousting, and clearly used to crowds and their noise. She doesn't do more than flick her ears as Sorrel guides her over to where Jeffeth is, to dismount and offer him a smile and a bow of her head. "Gloria's blessings on you, Sir Jeffeth," she says by means of greeting, her smile easy and friendly. "Princess Zara. Lord Cahal."

Solange has left the General Seating.

Tamorin, a bubbly Whisper apprentice have been dismissed.

Cahal likewise moves down to the approaching champions. A terse nod is offered to Jeffeth, just enough to fulfill any duties of politeness and then he gives Sorrel a bright smile of welcome. "May Gloria bless your lance. It would be a blow if I had to apologise." He casts a sideways look across at Zara but then turns and gives her an exaggeratedly courteous bow. "Let us resolve this Princess."

Calandra has left her usual fineries behind in favor of lighter attire for today's outing, her white, flowing spring dress fluttering gently as she weaves through the seated patrons on featherweight steps. Gentle smiles and small tips of the head are given to some familiar faces in passing, but she doesn't stop, sights set on an empty seat that just happens to beside Warrick, whom she fixes with a light, if coy little smile at his greed. "Perhaps you'd like to save some for the others?" She teases softly with a nod to his stuffed tunic.

Tamorin, a bubbly Whisper apprentice have been dismissed.

Lifting the snout plate of the bull, the big man smiles brightly at Zara once he straightens from his bow. He pulls up his wrist, offering it to her. The favor is tied on, and the large man bows deeply to Sorrel and her approach. There's a warm smile offered to the Princess-Champion, before the knight is glancing over to Cahal. His smile falters for a moment, but then warms it back up into a toothy smie. Jeffeth glances back to Sorrel and bows once more.

The large man goes to mount the large mare. The big knight starts riding over towards the crowd itself. In particular that woman who has definitely been following him around and stalking him. Arriving there on the horse, towering over the crowd. Jeffeth keeps the bull helm under one arm as he leeeaaaans over the horse. Leeaaaning over, the large man cranes his neck to press his lips to Juniper's. A deep nod is given to his SolangeStalker before urging Friend back towards the lists.

Zara has joined the Judges Booth.

"Perhaps we could press upon the Legate to offer a brief prayer to get us started," Sorrel suggests to Zara and Cahal with a small smile as she moves to mount her horse again, patting the mare's neck once she's properly seated. Then she turns and rides towards the lists herself, to prepare for the contest.

Solange has joined the General Seating.

Juniper bounces to her feet so that Jeffeth doesn't slide right off of the mare in order to make that offering. She stretches to tiptoes-- though really, Friend and the knight both have the height advantage here. "Make Gloria proud!" she bids the man afterward, laughing, before returning (slightly pinker than before) to her seat beside Solange.

Zara pauses on her back to take a seat, finding Aureth in the stands thanks to all of the ... everything. He's not difficult to find. "Legate, Princess Sorrel is absolutely correct. Would you be so kind as to offer a prayer?"

A warm laugh and a sly smile is thrown in Juniper's direction before Solange leans closer to murmurer to her former housemate.

As Sorrel moves away from the starting area and up to the lists Cahal moves up to take a spot besides Zara. He looks to the Legate and then to Zara and then back to the Legate. "It would indeed be a great honor."

Jeffeth has joined the Field.

Sorrel has joined the Field.

"Of course." Aureth stands, sucking some more residue of lemon and honey from one fingertip as he steps down from the stands. His blousy rose-and-white clothing suggest the priest 'off-duty', but the jewelry that bedecks him glitters with the weight of his office. Standing straight, he pitches his voice to extemporize: "Ladies, gentlemen, citizens of the Compact, those among the Faithful, we gather together in celebration of a fine tradition of honor before the gods. As the Champions stand before us prepared to do battle for truth and and honor, let us take heart in the courage of the moment, in the honor of our oaths before Limerance, and the certainty of the Sentiel; may the righteous swords, or lances in this case, of those who fight in the name of Gloria shine bright upon the field, and may the light of the gods shine upon us all. Fight well, Champions, for Gloria and for your office." There. A benediction!

Kalb, the chill bodyguard arrives, following Nisaa.

Nisaa has joined the General Seating.

3 Thrax Guards, Carys, a slight woman with ink-stained fingers arrive, following Caith.

The Champions are on their horses, lances held. But they aren't riding just yet. It seems like.. They're just chatting. On either side of the list, having a little conversation. In full armor. On horses. With a crowd watching.

Aureth shouts from nearby, "I _was_ finished, you know."

Sorrel waves cheerfully at Aureth, smiling a beautiful smile at him.

Jeffeth waves enthusiastically to Aureth, a big toothy smile.

Aureth says airily, "Just checking."

Sorrel checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 25, rolling 40 higher.

Sorrel checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 3, rolling 37 higher.

Entering the grounds, Nisaa heads towards the General Seating area, but not before smiling towards and waving at Jeffeth. She lifts her skirts a touch to make walking a bit easier. Realizing she has missed the prayer, she curtsies and whispers, "blessings," and then they begin! Nisaa finds her place quickly to watch the excitement.

Cahal looks entirely serious as the words from Aureth cast over the arena. When its done he smiles a grateful smile "Thank you Legate" before turning an equally as serious look onto the field below. After a few minutes of them just talking he starts to fidget a little. Occasionally talking in soft turns to the Princess in the booth besides him. When it starts both hands go to the edge of the box as he leans forward to watch with the eager attentiveness of someone who either has an apology or a lot of money resting on the outcome.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 1, rolling 47 higher.

"Thank you, Legate," Zara says, a dimple no more than a shadow suggested in one cheek -- but a strong enough suggestion to hint at a smile. It might be more the last call to make her smile than the prayer. The prayer was all dutiful bowed heads. Now, she watches the Champions prepare to joust, at the very edge of her seat.

Sorrel's mare takes off boldly down the lane through the lists, even though she's quite a bit smaller than her opponent's horse. She's a bold little thing, though, and she's determined to serve her rider. Sorrel, for her part, sets a lance against Jeffeth's chest and shatters it to no avail, even as he knocks her sideways on her horse. She stays seated, though, but it's pretty clear she does not have the advantage on this ride.

Cahal gives a horrified gasp as Sorrel is knocked sideways on her horse. No! It cant be so. When she stays seated he looks genuinely relieved, turning to Princess Zara and saying "Don't think this means you have won Your Highness."

Reaching up the bull helmet is lowered with a clang. Taking his lance from the very nice lance carrying gentleman, Jeffeth raises it up to the crowd before Friend jolts into action. An imposing sight, the gargantuan mare thundering down the lists with the bull helmed man looming above. His lance is lowered and shatters against Sorrel, knocking her to the side. The blow Jeffeth takes is enough have his shoulder rocketing back, but it does not prevent him from delivering the clean strike.

Riding through to the rest of the list, Jeffeth lets out a murmured thanks to the other lance holder gentlewoman as he goes to take his next.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 25, rolling 38 higher.

Zara's breath catches just as the two riders come clashing into each other -- and then she releases it in a call, carrying clear across the field: "Excellently ridden, Sir Jeffeth!" She modules her tone, but her volume is still carrying as she says to Cahal, "We shall see who carries the next two."

Sorrel checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 1, rolling 46 higher.

Aureth calls a democratically unassciated, "Huzzah!" without any indication as to which of the Champions he is huzzahing about. I mean, it's PROBABLY the priest, but does it have to be? Does it?!

Sorrel checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 3, rolling 50 higher.

Evonleigh has left the General Seating.

Tescelina calls to the two jousters from the stands, "You are doing very well, Sir Jeffeth!" And then, "I believe in you, cousin!" to Sorrel.

Juniper has put away her hankie, which means when she jumps to her feet again to join the cheering, she is waving a half-eaten fig instead. It's far less impressive, as flourishes go.

Carys, a slight woman with ink-stained fingers have been dismissed.

3 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

Turning around and taking up the next lance, Jeffeth bows his bull head before urging Friend forward a few clop clopping steps. His lance is raised up in salute to Sorrel. And then they're off, thundering down the lists once more, lances slowly lowering as they close the distance.

Jeffeth's timing is off. This time. He started a fraction too late in couching his lance. It means he has to adjust at the last moment. Pulling his arm back and adjusting in the saddle. It will take off a little of the strike. Meanwhile, Sorrel's lance is thunderous, sending an audible grunt emitting from the Bull helm. The behemoth's body flings back, his back bouncing against the mare's hind quarters. He is able to stay saddled, but it was a heck of a hit.

His own hit had a little less oomph on it.. But with his fancy riding he was still able to make an impact and....

Quintin has left the General Seating.

...what an impact it was! It's just enough for Jeffeth to score against Sorrel, forcing her to drop her lance just to stay her seat, which is very tenuous at this point. She manages to drag herself back into the seat without hitting the ground, but she dismounts at the far end of the lists, rubbing her shoulder in discomfort. Her first thought is to check her horse, and then she bows to the crowd, slightly disoriented from the force of the blows.

Cahal murmurs 'come on Sorrel' under his breath as the two horses thunder towards each other and the lances drop. Theres a moment just before impact where he can barely stand to watch, eyes squinting against a sympathetic wince. Mounts smash together and his breath halts for a moment as the two riders struggle to retain their seats. His breath exales sharply as Sorrel's lance hits the ground and his eyes hurridly check that his champion is still in one piece and then he looks back to Jeffeth hoping, hoping, that he will not recover his seat. Surely he cant.. but then Zara's champion refinds his seat and Cahal's shoulders slump a fraction. His green eyes briefly swivelling to Princess Zara with a broody look.

"Good show, what a hit," Aureth says. "See, I fall off of a horse just riding normally," he adds, and then his voice drops again to a more muted volume, the better to only be heard at the benches nearest him.

As Sorrel dismounts, Jeffeth turns Friend to face her more fully, Placing his fist to his breastplate the big man gives a seated bow to the princess before raising his fist in the air for a brief moment. Turning his horse towards Cahal and Zara, he goes to give a seated bow in that direction, fist pressed to his chest. Once that's done, he's going to dismount as well, removing his helmet to jog over to Sorrel.

With eyes downcast, Zara rises. One eyelid shivers in the hint of a wink to Cahal in answer to his broody look. Her chin lifts to address Sorrel and Jeffeth. "Sir Jeffeth, Princess Sorrel: you have my thanks for a duel well fought. You both rode splendidly. Thank you for your courage and honor in settling this matter." Then--

Then, Zara looks at Cahal. The twist of her lips is rueful, and a touch sympathetic.

Zara is overheard praising Jeffeth: The most splendid Champion!

Zara is overheard praising Sorrel: A Champion of honor and courage!

Brianna is overheard praising Jeffeth.

Cahal leans to give the dismounted Sorrel another look before turning his attention to Princess Zara with a grimace. He steps forward enough to make his words more visible to everyone here. Then he raises his voice, looks Zara directly in the eye and declares. "Princess Zara. It was wrong of me to speak out of turn and speak in a way that suggested you might act in a frivilous fashion. Please accept my earnest apology." He lets his head drop a little, looking faintly embarassed.

Brianna is overheard praising Sorrel.

Sorrel bows as well, hand still on her horse, and she offers a smile to both Zara and Cahal. She turns then, to close the distance between herself and Jeffeth, smiling at him in a slightly pained but friendly sort of way. That's the nice thing about Champions duels; the Champions are still friends afterwards.

Brianna is overheard praising Cahal.

Zara is overheard praising Cahal: An honorable apology!

"Lord Cahal," Zara says, and reaches to rest her hand just briefly on his arm in earnest clasp, "I accept your apology." E A R N E S T. She is grave as she speaks, solemn. "Thank you for joining me to put the matter--" The weighty, serious matter. "--to the test by Champions before Gloria and the gods. I hope you and I can meet again now as friends."

Aureth is overheard praising Cahal: Proper comportment indeed!

Aureth is overheard praising Zara: Proper Oathlands dueling in the proper Arx style!

Aureth is overheard praising Sorrel: Well fought!

Aureth is overheard praising Jeffeth: That's my boy.

Caius is overheard praising Cahal: An honorable response before Gloria!

Cahal gives Zara a faint smile "I do hope we can put this behind us and be friends." Now that the apology is over Cahal begs Zara to be excused and then heads on down to where Sorrel and Jeffeth are gathered. "I want to thank you both for standing as our Champions." He tells the pair of them. "You both fought with great skill and comportment. It was a joy to see despite the outcome." He looks back to Sorrel then and asks a much softer. "Will you be alright Princess?"

Caius is overheard praising Jeffeth: Combat fought righteously!

Acantha is overheard praising Jeffeth: Well fought!

Caius is overheard praising Sorrel: Combat fight righteously!

Warrick is overheard praising Jeffeth: Great riding.

Acantha is overheard praising Sorrel: Well fought!

Caius is overheard praising Zara: Honor Holds!

It seems poor manners to cheer during a nobly given apology so Juniper reins it in. Her grin, the deeply tucked dimples, the sparkling eyes, they all speak for her instead. She makes a less than solemn audience for the exchange between nobility, as a result. While they speak, she sends a kiss winging towards Jeffeth, sent on a fling of her hand-- and then a messenger is sidling in close, leaving her distracted as she reads. An answer is sent off before the ex-Whisper begins to make her apologies, and wriggle free of the crowd to exit.

Warrick is overheard praising Sorrel: Good show!

Juniper is overheard praising Sorrel: Well fought!

Calandra is overheard praising Sorrel.

Nisaa is overheard praising Cahal.

Calandra is overheard praising Jeffeth.

Nisaa is overheard praising Zara.

Juniper is overheard praising Cahal.

Juniper is overheard praising Zara.

Nisaa is overheard praising Sorrel.

Calandra is overheard praising Zara.

Calandra is overheard praising Cahal.

Nisaa is overheard praising Jeffeth.

Tescelina is overheard praising Jeffeth: Glory to the righteous.

Juniper is overheard praising Jeffeth: Gloria speaks through him!

Tescelina is overheard praising Sorrel: Fought well and honorably!

Juniper has left the General Seating.

Layne, the withered veteran leaves, following Juniper.

Acantha has left the Quiet Booth.

Benny The Beaver leaves, following Acantha.

With Juniper slipping away, Solange also rises from the benches. She doesn't quite make her apologies yet, however, asking Caius instead, "Were you pleased with the results? You have family involved, I thought I heard?"