1 Templar Knight guards, Sir Daniel the Beardless, a somewhat hapless Templar arrive, following Hamish.

Rysen drifts into the tournament grounds with Lygeia. The Crovane swordsman, dressed in a hooded aeterna cloak, exchanges a quiet word with dark-eyed retainer, who makes her way to the beverage tent. Rysen, meanwhile, walks to the general seating. When he notices Gwenna - dressed resplendently - he offers a bow, before slipping his swords from his hip, and taking a seat. His grey eyes then pass to the field where Drake and Orelia stand.

Alighting upon a lower tier of the general seating, Karina ascends to a higher, less populated rung, allowing those nearer the field to be claimed by groups and friends. Seating herself upon an end seat, slender fingers clasp within her lap as her sea deep gaze fixates upon the field.

Resolute, an Oakhaven bloodhound arrives, following Kastelon.

Gwenna has joined the Far Stands.

Hamish has joined the General Seating.

Rysen has joined the General Seating.

In contrast to Brianna, Lys de Lire sits by herself in a quiet both with her hands folded in her lap. Her back is straight and her chin held high, but her impassive expression shifts slowly to a mournful bitter one. Her green eyes shift toward field to look for the Champions.

Kastelon has joined the General Seating.

Thea makes her way into the stands. Why wouldn't she? What this duel is about, she has no idea. We'll find out.

Aureth takes a seat in the stands, crunching roasted nuts he bought from a vendor somewhere and looking generally relaxed.

Svana has left the the Beverage Tent.

Korka has joined the General Seating.

Just as the duel is starting, or just before it, Azova works her way in through the crowd. And, up into the benches and stands searching, searching - oh yes, arms way up high and pre-emptively declaring victory. Of course! There he is. And soon, she starts climbing the stairs to the High Stands, fortunately for her pride not out of breath from doing so.

Azova has joined the High Booth.

Smoothing out her gown and taking a seat a bit farther up, Gwenna catches Rysen's bow and dips her head respectfully back to the Crovane nobleman. A smile also tugs up the corners of her mouth and she adds a cheerful wave.

Kastelon strides along with his bloodhound at his heels, assuming a seat with an excellent view of the duel. The dog sits at his feet, with Oathlander politeness.

Svana stands up, waving over to Rysen before collecting her ale and moving to a seat near his. "Lord Rysen! I did not expect to see you here. Glad I did though. Meet the two newest Grayhopes."

Svana has joined the General Seating.

Joining the spectators section a bit later than he had planned to, Gaston heads towards the far stands, choosing a seat off more to the side than where others may occupy.

Gaston has joined the Far Stands.

Preston entering the grounds in his robes, his hood pulled up and the robes cinched closed with his sword belt, Preston heads up into the stands to see what will happen in this second duel in the past few days.

Preston has joined the General Seating.

Twice in so many days, Magnus' return to the city has been full of fights. Could be that makes him wonder if he should leave again. But like last time he was here, he carries his bulk into the general seating, stopping, taking note of Lys. Because the Marquis has no idea who's fighting even why, he slowly makes his way over. "Baroness?" he tilts his head. "Notice you sitting here by yourself." he greets quietly. "Don't suppose you'd like some company?"

Orelia lets Drake have his moment of greeting the crowd before sauntering our herself. She wears her hood back, her golden hair braided into a halo to make sure it does not come loose during the bout. Her blade still in its sheath for now she raises both arms to those gathered before taking a bow. Lys, whom she is representing, gets a respectful nod. Drake gets a grin and something said to him in a voice too low for the audience at large.

The Second arrives, following Margerie.

Rysen smiles at Svana, and rises from his seat. When he notices the young babes, he beams. "Gods and spirits, Svana. Congratulations. May I hold them?" he asks her, as Lygeia makes her way into the stands with to mugs of ale.

"You're drinking?" Rysen asks Lygeia, grinning. "No, My Lord," she replies with an unamused look. "I purchased two so as to make fewer trips."

Alecstazi has joined the High Booth.

Porter has left the the Beverage Tent.

Porter has joined the Far Stands.

Sorrel is watching this duel, not fighting in it. She's surrounded by Halfshavs, though, so that may be where she's cheering.

Alecstazi arrives a littttle last minute, but takes the stairs two at a time. His cheeks are flushed by the time he arrives in the High booth with the rest of his family.

Lys tips her head upward, and upward, and upward when Magnus approaches her. Her lips curl upward in a wane smile to the Marquis. "I would would be grateful for the company, my lord." She gestures to her left side on the quiet stands, her hands folding back into her lap. A nod is given toward the fields in, "Lady Orelia is my Champion for this match." To whom she lifts her hand toward Orelia when the woman gives her the respectful nod, one is returned to her as well.

Aureth leans backward in his seat on the bench, giving Alecstazi the eye to see if he can tell whether his ribs are broken at this point or what.

Magnus has joined the Quiet Booth.

Drake, his helm over his face now, stands just at a respectful distance from Orelia, nodding to her and saying something, possibly words of good luck though nothing one can hear from the stands. Then he turns and paces to a starting position. He has a sword with him, the very one he's duelled with before, though he's polished it to a nice sheen this morning in honor of a new duel.

Late once more to yet another challenge, Aswin Ulbran saunters in and makes his way toward the beverage tent after a moment's consideration of those present.

Drake wields a steel longsword engraved with the sigil of Gloria.

Aswin has joined the the Beverage Tent.

Orelia wields Autumn Breeze, An Etched Longsword.

Brianna rises from her seat and speaks in a loud, clear voice, one that must be accustomed to making orders heard across a battlefield. "My lords and ladies, good people of Arx, thank you for coming today to witness the will of Gloria. I am not one for flowery words and you did not come to hear me talk, so without further ado, our Champions." She extends a hand toward the field.

Aureth is overheard praising Alecstazi: Takes a spear like a man.

Margerie arrives and scans the stands quickly, spying her young cousin Kastelon. She waves to catch his attention and heads to take a seat by him, as unobtrusively as possible.

Nodding, Magnus lowers his bulky frame down on the bench to take seat next to Lys, the wood creaking just a touch. "Oh, this is your duel?" he asks, then glances over at Orelia. "I just watched a duel yesterday. Funny tradition this is in the Compact. Not quite used to it. Though, it's not bad, no judging from me." He pauses at the announcement. "You don't have to answer if you don't wish to, and I only just recently came back to the city. Spent almost the last year in Bonespire. So what happened?"

Orelia assumes her starting position as well, and readies her own blade after pulling her hood back into place. At word from Brianna, the fight begins.

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

Philippe is seated as near to the action as he can manage. The old man makes regular appearances at Drake's duels. He shouts something vaguely affirmative as the duel gets underway.

Kastelon bows his head to Margerie's wave, and though he doesn't smile at her approach, there's the sense that he's pleased. He fondles the ears with his bloodhound and observes the duel solemnly.

He is a familiar dance partner for Orelia, and perhaps because of this she knows better than to underestimate Drake. She is light on her feet as she circles him, probing his defenses while dancing out of the way of his in a swirl of leather and steel. At least at first.

Margerie has joined the General Seating.

The one thing Drake uses to his advantage in duels like this one, which he's practiced a lot, is a arm length advantage. That means he has to keep distance... generally, and use his reach to get tags ... rather than following his instincts to get close, and dive in. He therefore proceeds with caution. He is also lighter on his feet than he used to be, owing to lots of training... some of it with Orelia herself. Perhaps he is not as quick as she, which is her advantage against him. But he does manage, near the end of the pass, to get a touch on her. Just a touch, enough to strike leather. Not enough to really draw blood.

Ilira drifts in from the night, with a moment of pause to sweep her gaze across the grounds and find her seating. Her glance strays across the many in front rows, then to the further stands in the back. To those recognizable, she offers a few subtle bows of her head as she winds her way up to an empty bench and settles herself.

Ilira has joined the Far Stands.

Sir Floppington the Soulful Hound arrives, following Rowenova.

Rowenova has joined the the Beverage Tent.

Kiera is like count Phillipe just here to watch her brother duel and is anxious to see him match his friens. She does not seen concerned that what ever bad blood has passed will make its way to the field

One hit, then another deflected by her leather armor. Drake's blade skips off Orelia like a stone across the surface of a pond, as does her sword against his armor. Orelia grins at her opponent. "Looks like I'm not the only one who's been practicing. Wasn't that long ago I would have you on your back by now."

"It's true. You know --" Drake takes a swipe at her. But it's barely a touch... nothing that really finds any purchase. "It's been nearly a year since we started training together here. If I hadn't learned a thing or TWO I'd be entirely hopeless." The crowd may not be able to hear the back and forth, but, these two seem to like to banter at each other. At the very least, they'll see him pace back, and around, eyeing her carefully to search for an opening before striking through again.

Ilira glances back to Porter just behind her, as a smile flickers on the corners of her lips. "Lord Kennex, Lord Blackram, good to see you." She dips her head to Gwenna. "Though I believe we've not met, your Highness. I'm Ilira." For a brief moment, her attention draws away to regard the duelists.

Gaston inclines his head respectfully towards Ilira in greeting.

"Has it been a year already?" Orelia asks after another exchange of steel on steel and dancing out of the way of Drake's blade. "My, time does fly!"

Drake takes a graze this time, as a sword scrapes against his thigh, but he doesn't feel much of a sting thanks to the leathers. Still, he notices it, and the slap of the blade is audible from the crowd. He paces back around. "You've been training just as hard," he says back to her, nodding at the touch. He wants to keep moving, and jumps back. He can't give in to his instinct to rush in close, but she can tell he wants it.

Brianna blinks down at the field. "I think they're flirting." She doesn't seem to /disapprove/...

Thea snorts over at Brianna but the longer she watches she actually laughs,"I think you're right."


Piccola is late.

Not so fashionably, of course. In utterly-forgettable attire, she makes her away along the edge of the stands, looking at the duel and the crowd watching, as if trying to find a particular or familiar face. There's a frown to her expression, as if she just realized she doesn't know //very// many people at all. Her path takes her towards where Lys and Magnus sit.

Which is where she stops, and asks of them: "May I join you?"


These two pace around for a good long time. It looks like they're about evenly matched.... Drake lunging in a few times, and the swords clashing as they strike back and forth, him turning. He's starting to get a little tired now. The heat of the summer is bearing down on the leather that he's wearing to defend himself, and...

As much as Drake knows what his advantages are in a duel, he also has a couple glaring weaknesses. He thinks he sees an opening and goes for it, stepping in close-

The quiet giant of a man was in the midst of talking when Piccola strolls. "I don't." Magnus shakes his head. A glance at Lys to see what her take is. "Plenty of bench around."

Svana stares down at the match with a great deal of interest, her lips curling at Brianna's comment. She kisses onf o her babies' heads and puts her ale glass aside, emptied. "This is very close. They both look like they could use a drink of water - and something stronger."

Aureth may not want to discuss other things during the duel but Kiera doesn't seem to have that compunction as she overhears something Preston says and her gaze swivels that direction. Her bother is doing fine and so is lady stormwood. She looks again to be sure before moving up the stands toward the carnifex "pardon the intrusion" she says aloud

Lys's eyes lift toward Piccola when the other woman approaches. Her smile is wane but not unwelcoming, her hand gestures off to the bench on the side opposite of her from Magnus, "As his lordship says, plenty of bench to go around, my ... lady?"


With a sigh, the petite woman in green and black murmurs her name: "Piccola."

She takes a seat at the booth, and just sits there. Hands in her lap. Eyes going back to the extended duel on the grounds. "Of House Tessere," she adds as an aside. She chews on her lower lip for a moment, and then lowers her voice to converse at the booth more casually.

At least, in such a way that it's harder for others to hear her.


Piccola has joined the Quiet Booth.

Drake stepping close is exactly what Orelia was waiting for. Light and quick, she was able to avoid his strike with a turn. In a fluid motion her dodge becomes a strike in reply, drawing a read line across Drake's chest that he could probably not have even hoped to avoid at that range.

Lys checked willpower + etiquette at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Lys lets out a single, loud whoop of victory when she sees the thin red line appearing across Drake's chest.

Brianna checked willpower + etiquette at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher. Brianna rolled a critical!

Ilira has left the Far Stands.

Ilira has joined the Far Stands.

As Drake falls, Brianna rises from her seat. With a genteel grace that her childhood tutors would have been proud of, she bows her head slightly. "My dear Baroness, I extend my humblest apologies."

There's not much questioning it after that. Drake does still have the gladiator harness that leaves his armor somewhat barer in that particular space, though he uses his sword well enough to defend it... when he's at his best. But Orelia gets past his defenses, with a dramatic strike that leaves a gouge long enough that it can be seen from the stands. There's no doubt.

He doesn't like to lose, no. But he does immediately yield, as is tradition.

Preston checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Kiera leans down to whisper

Hamish gets to his feet in the stands, gives a half dozen claps and then booms, "GLORIA!" at the tops of his lungs. Which is pretty loud. "And good job everyone else." A lot less loud.

Hamish checked strength + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

It's _so loud_.

Svana is overheard praising Drake: Another grand fight from Lord Drake.

Brianna is overheard praising Drake.

Svana is overheard praising Orelia: Good work, Orelia!

Brianna is overheard praising Orelia.

Margerie is overheard praising Drake.

Margerie is overheard praising Orelia.

Sorrel has left the High Booth.

Lady Teonia Redreef have been dismissed.

Aryka Wyrmfang have been dismissed.

3 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

Marquessa Pudding, a doughy dog have been dismissed.

2 Thrax Elite Guards have been dismissed.

Svana is overheard praising Brianna: Impeccable manners, m'Lady. I am proud.

Gwenna is overheard praising Orelia: Well fought!

Alecstazi is overheard praising Drake.

Gwenna is overheard praising Drake: Well fought!

Alecstazi is overheard praising Orelia.

Drake is overheard praising Orelia: Well-fought, my thanks to you!

Svana has left the General Seating.

Bryn, a flustered lovelorn Prodigal assistant, Misty, a sweet-hearted, but bossy Mistward Labrador leave, following Svana.

Lys stands from her own seat and lets her crimson boots carry her across the field, to walk toward Brianna. When she reaches the Halfshav lady she says, "I thank you for your apology, my lady." There's a pause there where she studies Brianna's face, before she suddenly sinks down to one knee before the other woman. Her own head bows and she lifts both of her hands out, palm up toward Brianna. "I know you do not believe me, my lady, but I don't know what befell you that caused your hurt. But I am truly sorry for whatever hurt my kin may have caused. I loved Audric dearly, and it must have been Audric for I have no other kin, but he was not always a good person. I am deeply sorry for your pain, my lady."

Philippe is overheard praising Drake: As always, an honorably and competently fought duel.

Philippe is overheard praising Brianna: Glory to the victorious duelist! Praise Gloria.

Drake sheathes his sword and removes his helm as there's movement and rustling from the crowd. Cheers and praises and shouts... which he does like to hear, win or lose. The Gods did decide after all in this case, and he knows he fought his hardest.

Kastelon lifts a fist to also cheer for Gloria. But not as loud as Hamish.

Kastelon is overheard praising Hamish: He cheers for Gloria very loudly.

Brianna checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Orelia acknowledges Drake's yield with a nod, and after a brief exchange of words she too turns to the crowd, raising her arms and soaking in the praise with a smile.

Philippe is overheard praising Orelia: Hard work deserves high praise. Well fought.

Brianna looks slightly surprised at Lys's apology, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. With a deep breath, she reaches down, putting her hands on the other woman's shoulders to try and urge her to her feet. "We are not our kin. It was wrong of me to hold you responsible for the actions of another," she says simply.

Hamish is overheard praising Orelia.

Hamish is overheard praising Drake.

Thea is overheard praising Drake.

Aureth, watching the exchange between Lys and Brianna, smiles faintly, gives a slow nod to nobody in particular, and then rises to make his way off somewhere to some other social duty.

Aureth is overheard praising Brianna: It is good to see a Champions' duel laying an issue between peers properly to rest.

Aureth is overheard praising Lys: It is good to see a Champions' duel laying an issue between peers properly to rest.

Aureth has left the General Seating.

Greguin, an organized priest, 3 Templar Knight guards, Binky, an asshole crow leave, following Aureth.

Gaston has left the Far Stands.

Thea is overheard praising Orelia.

Reve's scowling at the loss, murmuring a few things to his companions and yet when Lys approaches the Halfshav in question he sits a bit straighter and attempts to adopt a relatively neutral look about him. He tries. It lasts a few seconds at least before he turns his head and nods to Mirk.

Gwenna has left the Far Stands.

Khaavren, a dutiful assistant, 2 Redrain Guards, Stompy leave, following Gwenna.

Drake stands still for a bit just so Orelia herself, can provide a bandage that patches the bleeding. Then when he's wrapped back up, he turns to the stand. He gives Brianna a bow... in spite of his loss, which he feels a bit bad for. But at least now the matter seems resolved between the two women, which is the purpose of the duel.

Zara has left the General Seating.

Alette, a discreet lady's maid, Isabel, a calm diplomatic aide, Elena, a solemn knight attache, 4 Valardin Knights leave, following Zara.

Lys stands when urged upward, and if allowed, takes Brianna's hand. Her voice is even as she agrees, "We are not. But lets honor Gloria now, and put this behind us and speak of it no more." She'll step away then to turn toward the Champions, "Lady Orelia, Lord Drake thank you both for your service. The duel was well fought and amazing. You're a testament to both the Champions and Gloria." She bows toward them, before heading back to her bench.

Orelia claps Drake on the shoulder once the wound is bandaged. "Good as new in no time," she promises him with a smile. She bows back to Lys when she thanks them both.

Orelia is overheard praising Drake.

Porter has left the Far Stands.

Gunner, a lovable goof of a Mistward Labrador leaves, following Porter.

Kiera is overheard praising Orelia: well done my lady. should you and my brother ever take the same side of a field eniemies will run screaming

"Indeed. You are both fine young Champions, with bright futures. Well fought," Brianna grees.