The tournament grounds are alive with spectators in what turns out to be a decent turnout in spite of the oppressive summer heat. Banners depicting white stags on backgrounds of purple and green mark the lanes set up for the four finalists, and vendors offer food and drink to spectators free of charge.

Zoey and Emily greet the contestants as they arrive, and a trumpet marking the beginning of the event encourages the audience to settle.

Haakon gives muttered greeting and a short bow of the head and shoulders to the hostesses, turning an eye about the grounds and starting toward the target butts when the trumpets sound. The Prodigal has a very plain wooden bow, remarkable only inasmuch as others might have thrown it away, for a finer bow, by now.

Haakon wields common bow.


Emily is dressed for the day in her greens and whites, offering words of support to those who arrive to participate. "Welcome! We wish you all the luck." Her blue eyes move to each participant with a waiting expectation for what is to unfold.

There are sashes lined up on a small rack to keep them from the ground and they catch the light in all their brilliance and finery. Ironwool with harts across them.

Upon seeing Haakon she inclines her head to him.


IT'S TOURNAMENT DAY! Rosalind comes rushing in, her forhead dripping sweat. Despit her melting status, a smile is still plastered on her face. "Hiii,"she loudly greets to Emily and Zoey. There's a wave to all the other people she knows too. "Good luck,"the tall Ravenseye sincerely says as she starts to get her bow.

"Sister dear, and Lady Emily." greets Kaia sweetly as she makes her way over to stand by the other contestants. A respectful nod is shared with the other three as well as some smiles before she pulls out her own bow.

Kaia wields a fine recurve bow.

William, a taciturn quartermaster arrives, following Aethan.

Rosalind wields Raven's Final Whisper, a longbow.

Zoey also nods to Haakon, and smiles brightly to Rosalind and Kaia in turn. "Now we need only await Rowenova and Sir Floppington, and then we can begin."

From shadows amidst an entry isle, the mentioned Nova and Sir Flop emerge with the scout bringing along her recurve bow and back quiver.


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Details are scarce, but apparently Evaristo Arterius was leading a training exercise with Prince Damik'uhl'daja and numerous notables of the Compact when the Crown Prince of Skal'daja was assassinated aboard his ship. A badly injured Marquessa Sunniva Harthall was carried into the House of Solace, along with an injured Evaristo, Prince Lexir Pravus, and others. In wake of Damik's death, his former aide-de-camp Bahiya, or Bahiya'al'mathali appears to be speaking for his troops, while Princess Katarina Valardin seems to be the most influential woman over the free Eurusi refugees.
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"Lady Kaia, good to see you." She looks to Rosalind then and lifts her hand. "Welcome to the last round of the tournament to determine who shall be the champion of those gathered here."

Emily motions to the sashes in all their beauty before she then holds up a bow. "Any who do not have a bow let either Lady Zoey or I know so that we might provide you with one."


Support for his in-laws and their works, Duke Kennex slips in among the pennant and festival. Hands folded behind his back and expression set like it was carved rather than there by purpose. Brows lofted and studying those present, Aethan takes in the sights, seeking familiar faces.

Emily drops a Tourney of the Hart Sash adorned in iridescite.

Emily drops a Tourney of the Hart Sash adorned in white gold.

Rosalind spies a new person. An actual NEW person she doesn't know. Rounding her large hazel green eyes on Aethan she waves. "Hello! I'm Lady Rosalind Ravenseye. Ros or Rosa to most though. Nice to meet you!"

Kaia grins and takes a slight glance down to her bow. "I'm glad I got this one made just in time for the tournament." she comments, likely to Rosalind. "I'm excited to test it out."

Zoey raises a hand in greeting to Aethan before addressing the contestants again. "If you are all prepared, please ready your bows and choose your lane. You will release the first arrow simultaneously, and any who miss will be eliminated. The targets will become more difficult to hit with each progressive round until we have a winner. If there are no questions, prepare to loose on my mark."

Haakon checks dexterity and archery at normal. Haakon is marginally successful.

Kaia checks dexterity and archery at normal. Kaia is successful.

Rowenova checks dexterity and archery at normal. Botch! Rowenova catastrophically fails.

Haakon checks luck at normal. Haakon is marginally successful.

The exuberance of the Ravenseye lady gives Aethan pause - keeping his brows lifted and his expression momentarily akin to a cat's when about to flee. But he musters in seconds more and offers a polite bow of his head to the woman,

"Aethan, Duke of Kennex, M'lady." expression returning to its normal, fixed, somber as he rises. "A pleasure, at least for me. I suspect it shall be less for you - I apologize in advance." tone quiet and eye taken to the shots being taken.

Emily checks luck at normal. Emily is marginally successful.

Zoey checks luck at normal. Zoey is successful.

Rowenova checks luck at normal. Critical Success! Rowenova is spectacularly successful.

Rosalind checks dexterity and archery at normal. Rosalind marginally fails.

Kaia checks luck at normal. Kaia is marginally successful.

Rosalind checks luck at normal. Rosalind is marginally successful.

Perhaps it is the excitement of being in at a tournament, or too many honey cakes, or just the heat, but out of the crowd burst two rambunctious young boys who run down an aisle and right past the contestants! As one catches the other and tackles him to the ground, they bump into the back of Scout Rowenova which causes her arrow to fly not straight and true, but right toward Lady Rosalind. Thankfully it misses her foot, merely imbedding itself in the grass, but sidestepping it causes her to miss her shot as well.

"Clear the lanes!" Zoey orders one of her guards, who goes to pick up the children and return them to a woman whose cheeks burn with embarrassment. The Kennex lady sighs heavily. "Lady Ravenseye, Scout Rowenova, kindly retake your shots."


Aethan receives a smile as Emily cheers on the shots taken save for the sudden arrow sent astray. She side steps and instinctively tries to get further back. Luckily no one is injured and she quickly, sheepishly finds her way back to stand beside Zoey. She clears her throat and lowers her hands - clapping seems inappropriate at this time.


Rosalind checks dexterity and archery at normal. Rosalind marginally fails.

Rowenova checks dexterity and archery at normal. Rowenova is successful.

Haakon, as has been his habit in prior archery rounds, nocks the arrow but does not immediately draw while he gauges the wind and distance. Once he dies draw it is a swift, smooth pull and release, minimizing the effort needed to hold the bow drawn. His first shot isn't remarkable, but it strikes the target, job at before he looks aside at the disturbance. "The fuck was that?" he mutters, head tilting to a curious angle.

A bit surprised by being back checked, Nova goes wide eyed as she nearly shoots poor Rosa like that! Though, she does not have time to really apologize before falling down into the tackle mess with the two youngsters. She does not seem overly concerned about having been messed up, though, momentarily tackling and rough housing before letting go and getting up, dusting off with hearty laugh before picking up her recurve bow and pulling out another black/red arrow. Then, she aims anew and squarely pegs the circular target like it should be.

Rosalind lifts her bow, still a bit shaky from the last round. I mean, she's still laughing a bit really. When the bow is released, it BARELY misses the target. Maybe Rosa IS worried about her foot still. She laughs it off, shaking her head. "Well--that's that,"she says with a chuckle.

A wild arrow appeared. It aimed for the ground. IT WAS SUPER EFFECTIVE. Aethan? He backs up in several short steps to keep himself -extra- clear of the firing lanes, catching Emily's smile and bowing his head before he starts to drift in her direction, leaning to murmur something to her so as not to distract the competitors.

As instructed, Kaia moves to one of the lanes and takes her stand. A relaxed stance, evidently practiced and used often. She lifts her bow, nocks the arrow. The feathery ends touching just slight at her cheek before she lets go; and, then, it's flying across the field. Striking succesfully in the inner ring. "Yes!" she beams happily, before the whole comedy going about catches her eye. "Oh! Oh no!" she moves away from harm, and brings a hand to cover her mouth. Eyes wide.


Emily turns her head, stopping herself when she hears the beginning of Aethan's words. A smile forms and she nods in silent reply as her eyes hold upon that which is before her. She finally turns her head to reply to him with a curious uptick of her brow. Remaining near the Duke, she looks to Rosalind. "A good try, my lady. A good try."


The boys are cleared away and returned to their mother, and the targets are reviewed. "At this time we would like to thank Lady Rosalind Ravenseye for her participation, and award her fourth place in this first Tournament of the Hart!" Zoey announces, applauding as the audience does the same. "Will the remaining contestants please take your places and prepare to loose on my mark."

Haakon checks dexterity and archery at hard. Haakon is successful.

Rowenova checks dexterity and archery at hard. Rowenova is marginally successful.

Rosalind grins, just happy to have placed anything. She hurries away, so not to accidentally get shot with anything. "Good luck,"Rosa excitedly calls out. "Go Nova,"the northerner calls to her fellow northerner.

Kaia checks dexterity and archery at hard. Kaia marginally fails.

Nova still seems to have a few giggles rolling out from her as she shoots off her second arrow which at least picks itself into the yonder target there. "Thanks!" she calls out to Rosa. "Also, sorry for nearly shooting you!"

Haakon draws another gull-fletched arrow from his bundle, and nocks it to the string. Once again he gauges the air and distance with a slight cant to his head and a narrowed blue eye, and when bidden, draws and looses in a single motion. The cheap arrow is well placed, striking the inner ring of the second mark. His bow it lifted in a short salute to Rosalind and Kaia as each opponent takes their leave. "Fair done, each," he bids, turning his regard to Rowenova next. The end of his bow is extended toward the scout in an archerly version of a fistbump.

A soft clap given by Aethan, for all attempts, focusing on none. Politely quiet again and letting those running the competition do his thing - though to Haakon he makes the only exception to this. "Lord Eswynd, you are doing this to show the land-lubbers the superiority of sailors. Don't disappoint, please?"

Nova reaches out with her own bow in that symbolic fistbump, doing so with a wolfish grin before she pulls out yet another arrow from her back quiver which she nocks up into the bow string. "Thanks, you as well, Lord Eswynd."

All seemed to be going well! Until it wasn't. Kaia's next shot is near miss; and the dissapointment in her face is all but too clear. She lets out a soft sigh and looks up. "Oh luck, why hast thou forsaken me?" she says somewhat dramatically before glancing back at her sister and Emily with a smile and a little shrug.

The targets are evaluated as they are moved and the arrows are retrieved, and Zoey nods once the results are delivered. "And now we would like to thank Lady Kaia Malvici, and award her third place in this first Tournament of the Hart!" she declares. "Finalists, please take your places and prepare to loose on my mark."

Rosalind is still watching, rooting for Nova. "I'll buy you all the drinks if you win." No she won't. But she'll totally get her all the drinks. She's good for it! Looking to Kaia though, she smiles with genuine sincerity,"You're amazing with that bow. Who made it,"Rosa is quick to ask.


Kaia gets a grin and she bows her head, "Well done and a fair try," she remarks. She winks at the lady before she turns her attention to Haakon who strikes the most true in the second round. "Well then, you have been learning." She looks absolutely pleasede as she tilts her head and claps for those that continue on. She looks to Zoey, "Such a good showing, each of them."


Moving to the line and bringing up her bow, Nova narrows her cobalt blues at the yonder target as she calls out, "I don't drink alcohol anymore." What? A Northern lass is a teetotalling weirdo? What is this? She pulls back on the sinewous string of the recurve bow, awaiting word from the Kennex among us.

Haakon checks dexterity and archery at daunting. Haakon marginally fails.

Rowenova checks dexterity and archery at daunting. Rowenova fails.

Haakon checks dexterity and archery at daunting. Haakon fails.

Rowenova checks dexterity and archery at daunting. Rowenova marginally fails.


*** Rowenova has called for an opposing check with Haakon. ***
Rowenova checks dexterity and archery at easy. Rowenova is marginally successful.
Haakon checks dexterity and archery at easy. Haakon is successful.
*** Haakon is the winner. ***

"Thanks, Lady Emily.~" says Kaia as she walks past her towards where Rosalind stands. "Thanks, Rosa. Oh, I bought it at DIE's South Regalia. Messere Alexio had it imported from the south. The work of some skilled Southport blacksmiths."

Haakon sniffs sharply in dry amusement at Duke Kennex's call. When his first arrow is drawn, loosed, and narrowly misses at the extreme range, he calls back at Aethan deadpan, "Were we are sea, a wave would have moved the mark right where that arrow fell." The ghost of a smile bends his scarred lip at the transparent excuse, before his final shot strikes the distant mark's inner circle.

Nova lets go of the bow string, and her black/red arrow sails forth toward the furthest target, sticking into the outer ringed section on that one. Then, turning to Haakon as she lowers her bow, she gives a bow (verb) to the man before standing up to her full height plus those wolfy ears on her headdress. "Well done, Lord Haakon!"

Emily takes a Tourney of the Hart Sash adorned in white gold.

Haakon lowers his bow, and offers his right hand to Rowenova. "Finely shot, Scout. You and your hound are welcome to reave with me any day."

Rosalind really squints at Nova. "Are you married and pregnant and DIDN'T TELL ME,"Rosa is already shouting, her northern voice growing louder and louder. Unintentionally. What northerner doesn't DRINK! When Haakon shows the winner, the tall red head grins. "Congratulations! Do you drink?!"

Let it be known that on this day, in this place, at this time... A miracle for the people of Arx occurs. With Haakon's miss and his following explanation for the reason it was so - Aethan Kennex, Duke and Duke Regent of Stormward blinks and actually cracks a grin. Wide enough for notice and not just that, a chuckle escapes him. No dry imitation for court of to be polite. But a legitimate and rich sound lasting the span of a breath.

Zoey squints at Aethan, then laughs. "Scout Rowenova, Lord Eswynd, please step forward."

"Hah, and my husband was telling me earlier Haakon was probably the one I should worry the least, being a sailor-type. Look at that! I was right to tell him, one should never underestimate one's opponent." says the Malvici with some amusement, clapping, as the winner of the tournament becomes evident and is announced. "Congratulations Lord Eswynd! What a great show of skill!"

Being left handed, Nova shifts her bow from the right to the left before then reaching out her right in its glove to shake with Haakon, doing so with a sincere strength but not too hard, just right. She lets go after that, then glances back toward Rosalind with a rueful smile, "NO." says she fairly loudly but does not seem embarrassed by the question at all, just making that clear!

Haakon grunts sharply as Rowenova clasps his hand. Eyes tick briefly more narrow before he nods and they are both called before Zoey and Emily. He adds to Kaia with a wry half-smile, "Tell him you were right. And that he ought never bet against a Prodigal."

Kaia grins and gives Haakon a nod. "I shall, my lord! Cheers to you as well scout Rowenova!"

Rosalind is grinning over at Haakon, laughing. "One really shouldn't. We've been through it all,"grinning over at Kaia. "And Nova, why aren't you drinking!" Someone still isn't over the drinking thing. "This was fun Zoey and Emily! Can we do it again?!" Ohoh And hey! "It was nice to meet you uh---Aethan right?"

Kaia is overheard praising Haakon: Congratulations Lord Eswynd! What a great show of skill!


Each of the participants is rewarded when the competition is done and in this Emily steps forward. The first ironwool sash is afforded to Rosalind, the cloth embroidered and done over with pewter pieces to give raised quality. To Kaia goes third place in silever which she carefully offers to play over and onto her shoulder.

The second place is offered to Rowenova as she holds up the white gold. "Well done you three." But she turns then to pull up the sash decorated at iridescite as she steps closer. "This. Is for you. Congratlations, Haakon. Well shot."


Kaia is overheard praising Rosalind.

Kaia is overheard praising Rowenova.

Emily takes a Tourney of the Hart Sash adorned in iridescite.

Kaia is overheard praising Emily.

Nova steps forth to where Zoey is, kaing up the second place space. "Thanks!" says she back to Kaia before looking to Haakon and about to say something but then gets caught off guard by Rosalind, "The reasons are multifactorial, so gonna tell you later, but I am not pregnant any!"

Kaia is overheard praising Zoey.

Rowenova says, "Thank you, Lady Deepwood. I appreciate this."

Aethan is overheard praising Rosalind.

Aethan is overheard praising Haakon.

Aethan is overheard praising Rowenova.

Aethan is overheard praising Emily.

Aethan is overheard praising Zoey.

Haakon dips his head to Emily as the Deepwood presents him with the opulent prize. "This is a rich prize. My thanks." A look aside to Zoey and a second dip of his head to include the Kennex in his thanks. "No body ever said shooting hay would be so much richer than shooting men," he jests, dryly.

"Speak to my brothers sometime, they might share that sentiment, m'lord." Aethan offers towards Haakon, expression straight faced as well.

Zoey nods to Rosalind with a smile. "We intend to make this an annual event," she confirms. She returns Haakon's nod with a dip of her own head.

Happily wearing the white gold sash, Nova fondly regards it a moment before glancing up with a soft smile to Emily and Zoey. She then lets out a laugh because Haakon's joke gets her. With Zoey she shares a few whispered words before bounding over toward Rosalind and then doing something similar there, too.