Cristoph doesn't always spar but when he does spar, it's until he has a concussion! Or until someone makes him stop. Look, there's a reason he's a duke and pushes paperwork and not a guy out there fighting on the front lines regularly. And it's partially because he's not very good at it. Also something about responsibility, maybe. Who knows! When Alis arrives, Cristoph grins and hefts his sword. That's decorated with bees. Of course it is! "Well, you're the first one at least. Do you need to warm up?" He doesn't look like he expects her to.

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

Pellinor arrives, following Alarissa.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Gaston enters the Gautnlet whilst Alis and Christoph are going at it, and raises a brow watching. He reaches up to scratch his scar, tilting his head as he circles the training area. "Go for his left side!" he shouts encouragingly, to the Princess.

Cristoph takes moderate damage.

Eirlys shows up and grins watching and it is obvious she is wating for a turn given the fact that she is in armor. When is Eirlys not looking to spar? Seriously. "Go Alis!" She clears her throat. "Also Cristoph I get to spar with you next!" When Gaston shows up and shouts Eirlys turns and holds her fist out for him to bump it.

Her husband already on a boat, headed out and where does Alarissa head? Well first she went back to the Thrax estate proper but then, off to Valardin. A desire to check on some things, make sure all her things made it to the Thrax estate and swing by the watering hole that is the gauntlet. Bundled still in coat and gloves, warm, Alarissa smiles at the activity going on but doesn't catcall out.

Cristoph is being prettly easily beaten up by a woman who gave birth not too long ago. Still, he seems in good spirits even as Alis repeatedly lands blow on his armor. "Ow." And then again later, "Ow!"

For several rounds it's a dance of blades; Alis being cautious in her first time out in the ring for some time. A test poke at his defenses yields only a sack of the blade, while they continue to circle. "Thanks Gaston! I mean... Marquis Gaston!" There's a mischeivous flash of a smile on her face when she says that, knowing he's probably not used to it yet. The second hit, predictably, winds up on his left side. She never passes up free advice.

Cristoph takes moderate damage.

Clover watches the fight quietly, her hands folded over the top of her sketchpad. Green eyes flicking here and there, her head tilted slightly to the side.

Eirlys turns to Gaston. "Congrats on the title." She offers with a smile that is more a bearing of teeth than it is an actual smile. Her eyes flick back to the fight though. "So are you here to beat Cris up too, Gaston?"

A cringe from the new Marquis as Alis reminds him, and Gaston shakes his head. "That's... That's going to take getting used to," he muurmurs, clapping a hand on Eirlys's shoulder as they watch. A nod to Alarissa and Clover, and then he answers the Greenmarcher. "Perhaps... And thank you, though... It's still... Awkward," about the title. "I actually came here to train, but... I might spar the Duke if he's willing, I suppose. See if my skills have rusted."

"Oh, I see how it is. You congratulate him but not I?" Alarissa calls out, teasingly as she comes to stand outside the sparring rings with a smile, a wave to clover. "COngratulations again, Gaston." She offers quietly. .

Clover lifts her fingers toward Alarissa and says, "Congratulations on your marriage, Princess-Consort." She also smiles and waves toward Gaston, "And congratulations, or should I say, condolonces, my lord?"

Alis may be starting to see the advantages of leather armor. She's moving faster (for now), and not tiring as quickly. "I was going to give my condolences, Alarissa! Paperwork sucks ass. You'll find out quickly enough." she calls out, lips quirking into a bit of a smile as she strikes against the Duke's steel armor again.

Alis takes moderate damage.

As Cristoph gets whacked again and ows again, he tries to move out of her way. He's not the most graceful, but he does seem handle the weight of all that heavy armor pretty well. He must do a lot of push-ups. "Oh right. Congratulations Marquis Gaston! I have faith you won't burn the whole place to the ground." And ouch again as he takes another hit.


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Patrols on the Mourning Sea, and in the waters between Maelstrom and Arx have stepped up. Directed by the Warlord of Thrax, aided by countless vessels of Thrax, their vassals, and their allies from across the Compact, these provide a welcome sight as they safeguard ships in transit between the Fortress and the Capital, and a less welcome sight when, for example, Princess Fatima's forces break off to chase pirates into surrender or doom. But tonight, as the fleet keeps an eye on vessels sailing from Maelstrom with grain and supplies for Tydehall one ship, commanded by Lady Regla Navegant, carrying a small company including Lord Sivard Grimhall, Lord Wash Kennex, Baron Edward Stormbreak, Princess Freja Redrain, Aksel Nygard, and Skapti sail in a different direction entirely.
**********************************************************************


Gaston glances again to Alarissa and Clover as they speak, and gives a nod to the Thraxian Princess. "My thanks, Your Highness. And indeed, congratulations on your nuptials. How's the married life feel?" And then to Clover, "A bit of both, I would say... I fear I'm poorly suited to it, but that just means I need to find some good tutors, now doesn't it?"

"I need no condolences Princess Alis. I find right now, no paperwork save for teh wrist breaking that was the contract." Alarissa is smiling though. It seems being married into Thrax so far, isn't that bad. "Your Grace." She looks to gaston. "I am not the high lady, that does not transfer, but apparently, her Grace, does" There's a smile at that. "If you have need, I can teach. I will have a great deal of time these next few weeks." With Victus gone. "Lady Clover, will you join us down here?"

Eirlys grins at Gaston. "Trust me I understand and I only have the title of Lady." She says grinning at the clasp to her shoulder. She returns it then chuckles. "I doubt your skills have rusted." Eirlys hears Alarrisa and then grins widely. "Congrats to you too! Princess Alarissa!" She yells out before turning back to watch the sparring.

Clover gives a small tilt of her head and says, "Aye." She stands from her seat and makes her way down, settling next to the Princess and the Marquis.

Apparently Cristoph was unhappy with being hit :( As his next swipe is much better placed and digs into the protective leather Alis is wearing. "Better! If I say more irritating things, will it help?" Dimple.

Alis takes minor damage.

Cristoph takes moderate damage.

"Irritating things? I think this is-ow, /fuck/!" He curses as her next hit is incredibly well placed and has him dancing away. He's clearly the best example of kinghtly-ness all around. He steps forward and tries to make contact with his sword again, but this time it's really more of a glancing blow.

"I am sure Dayne would be appalled that I was cracking jokes while training. Or if not him, then Arn most certainly would be. But it just feels far too good being back in the ring again not to be cheerful." Yes, Alis enjoys whacking on people with weapons. SO MUCH. "Yikes!" She jumps to the side, not quite missing the next hit of the weapon, but at least avoiding most of it.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Alis takes moderate damage.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

"I'm surprise that Arn isn't- shit." Another hit from Alis and he's moving away again, the faintest growl of frustration coming from the back of his throat. He's spurred on to move forward again, whacking another blow against her armor with some success. However is next several attempts after that one miss and he's starting to look a /little/ tired there.

There's a wince at exchanged blows. "Thank you Lady Eirlys. I hopeyou enjoy the journey to Sanctum. Give my regards when you go?" It seems she won't be joining in that little excursion. "Knock him down Princess Alis!"

That's okay, they are both starting to look a little sloppy. Alis presses her advantage, striking at Cristoph's armor again and again. She doesn't look as weary as he does, but she's getting there. "Surprised he isn't here calling us both idiots? Me too." she agrees, having to pay too much attention now to address the onlookers again just yet.

Cristoph takes serious damage.

Alis takes minor damage.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 5, rolling 39 higher.

Cristoph remains capable of fighting.

Ow. Ow. And ow again. Cristoph staggers back and it's quite clear that he's nearly done with this fight. But still, he's got a case of stubborn man syndrome and manages to get to his feet at least /one/ more time to press forward.

"Careful there, Princess," Gaston rumblest Alis, still pacing somewhat. "You might summon him here, with such talk."

On the bright side, he's not mansplaining anything! Alis would turn into tiny tyrant of tyrannical fury. "Sorry!" she calls back, not wanting to perform the summoning of the Arn. Honestly. Maybe it was the idea of being mansplained at all that fueled that first vicious hit though. Sorry.

Alis takes minor damage.

Sir Rodrick, a Valardin Knight, Spirit, the Tiny Honey Brown Fox Kit arrive, following Sasha.

Alis takes moderate damage.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 11, rolling 17 higher.

Cristoph remains capable of fighting.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 41, rolling 18 lower.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 12, rolling 22 higher.

Cristoph remains alive, but close to death.

Cristoph falls unconscious.

Alis continues to successfully beat Cristoph into the dirt. But he manages a few minor and damaging blows before he's knocked flat on his ass. "Alright, well. That hurt. Damn, princess."

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

Alis feels kinda good after that. "If it makes you feel better, I wound up first out of the Iron Pentathlon melee cause I kept getting hit. Sometimes, it's just luck." she admits, holding out a hand to help him up before she moves back towards the stands. And sits near Alarissa and Gaston, waving to Sasha.

"Mmmm, much like Alexis's own showing at Edain's melee then?" Gaston remarks to Alis. "I got a lot of back claps for lasting until the fourth, but... I think a good part of it was just that the more dangerous threats were taken out first, is all," he admits.

Eirlys steps down and moves to stand in front of Cristoph. "So are you up for another round? Dear Duke." She gives a dimpled grin before sliding on her helm. "I would like to see how I hold up against you."

Sasha walks into the Gauntlet, perhaps thinking that she might end up there alone and secretly try to attempt the it. But there are poeple here! So her plans are foiled, probably a good thing too. Sir Rodrick is carrying Spirit, the ever sleeping fox kit, in his arms as she follows close after Sasha. Her steps quickly bringing her over to where the sparring is and finding a sit with the group.

Cristoph takes a moment to brush the dust of the ground off his armor and take a breath. When Alis' hand comes down, he grins and accepts it allowing her to help him get to his feet again. "I've never been more than passingly good at this. But it's good to practice. Thank you for the match, well fought." Once his composure is back, he'll knock the sip of his sword against the ground. When Eirlys challenges him, he tips his head towards her. "More like how I'll hold up against you. Shall we?"

Eirlys takes minor damage.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Alis is welcomed, alarissa looking the woman over with a slight press of her lips. But she smiles, sliding her arm into that of the other womans to keep her close until she might try again, a murmur to the Princess.

Eirlys takes serious damage.

Pellinor leaves, following Alarissa.

Pellinor arrives, following Alarissa.

"Exactly, Gaston. It definitely is a blow to the ego to be taken out first though." Alis mmphs quietly to herself at the momory, clapping for both Cris and Eirlys when they starts the fight in earnest. And of course, she leans into Alarissa when the other murmurs to her. So she can whisper back.

Cristoph seems a bit more limber with this match, not letting quite as many blows land on him as the last time. He even manages to get a fairly decent shot in against Eirlys. He looks pleased! At least as much as anyone can tell when a person is wearing a helmet. "Ah ha! You have nice footwork, Lady Eirlys."

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

Eirlys darts in and out, managing to tag Cristop once but not very hard. Most of her blows either glance off or don't quite make it but he does end up getting on her. She lets out a loud laugh as she is hit. "Thank you! Damn good hit!" She says. She is so going to feel that later!

Cristoph takes very serious damage.

Calypso arrives dressed head to toe in black leather, getting a look around before she approaches Alis in particular to watch the festivities. "I hope you don't mind a Lycean crashing the Oathlanders party."

"They're closer than I thought they'd be, actually," Gaston admits, watching the pair, with those feral eyes of his. Slightly bent forward, keeping track of every feint, parry, and riposte.

Eirlys manages one hell of a blow on him. Cristoph makes a pained noise and says, "I'm going to feel /all/ of these hits later. Nicia is going to kill me." Or his sister! Jael might also kill him. He regains his footing and makes for another round of attacks.

"Trust me I get it, I think Alis has threatened to sit on me when I have sparred till I passed out before." She gives a wide smile that is more baring of teeth than an actual smile. She might spend a lot of time with certain people who are slightly feral. "You are better than the first time I sparred with you. Much, Much better."

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Cristoph takes moderate damage.

"Duchess General. You are always welcome." Alis might be chiding with that, even. As if Calypso should ever have to ask. She pats the bench on the other side of herself. "I sparred with him, and now Eirlys is. Quite sporting of him." she decides. Poor guy.

'Fainting goats do not get to get in the ring. though I am sure you would make a lovely coach Princess Sasha." Alarissa is arm in arm on one side of Alis and she smiles at Calypso. "You survived dinner I see."

Cristoph is simply too slow in his metal tin can. But he soldiers on, moving around with equal intent if not the same nimble grace that Eirlys seems to have. "I've been doing a lot of sit-ups." Which really has almost nothing to do with this, but it's okay! He leans in and goes for yet another attack. Though he seems quiet tired.

Not in armor, Caelis looks like she was resting. She's moving a little stiff, mostly fine spotting some where to sit. She lifts her hand to Alis and Calypso with a warm smile.

Calypso smirks a touch and clasps Alis on the shoulder in return. "He is just taking turns letting everyone muscle him down? That is a respectable dedication to training." She inclines her head to Alarissa. "More than survived. Thrived I would say. You host an impressive wedding your Highness."

Calypso gives an inviting curl of her finger in Caelis direction as she sees her cousin.

"Did it come off as impressive?" Alarissa looks to Calypso and there's... relief? "The bride warred with her brother, the lady navegant kept giving me the strangest looks, the brides father was half dead and absent, her mother stiff as a board and everyone ran off in the middle to start hitting each other. I honestly..." There's a frown. "I thought it an abject failure"

"I'm told that's par for the course, for a Thrax wedding," Gaston quips as he watches.

Calypso grins a little to Alarissa. "There was a happy bride and groom, despite the brides sibling. And plenty of alcohol to spare. I'd consider it a success. Grimhall is named such for a reason and we Malvici... well we have our own way of having a good time. Most of the time it involved a combat challenge and a stern look. You are much too hard on yourself."

Eirlys depends on the swift and gracefulness of her movements. It's why she wears leather even though it isn't as protective it affords her more movement. Something she needs with her fighting style. She also manages to get a good hit on Cristoph. "I can see that. Good job! I am sure Nicia appreciates it." The Greenmarcher winks as she moves to parry Cristoph's attack.

"Duchess Calypso, your highnesses." Caelis greets, beckoned that-a-way. "If I eat one more bowl of soup-oh would that be my brother's wedding? He seemed happy today. Did he get to hit someone? He'd have loved that."

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 48, rolling 4 lower.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 18, rolling 21 higher.

Cristoph remains alive, but close to death.

Cristoph falls unconscious.

Sasha gets up to leave quietly and makes her way out,

Sir Rodrick, a Valardin Knight, Spirit, the Tiny Honey Brown Fox Kit leave, following Sasha.

"Good show! You really hung in there, my lord," Gaston calls out to Cristoph encouragingly, with a few claps.

Calypso applauds as the fight ends. "Good show indeed."

And another good hit. Cristoph staggers back away from Eirlys, holding the top of his head. "I concede! Good match, Lady Eirlys!" He calls out before she can yet another blow on him. There's laughter in his voice as he loses his second match in a row. "Maybe I should focus less on building my muscles and more on actually doing something productive with them." When it seems like he's finally caught up his breath again, he wipes sweat away from his brow. "Anyone else want to take a shot? I make an excellent punching bag." At least he's well humored about it! "Thank you, thank you." He says with muffled laughter.

Calypso inclines her head to Cristoph. "If you don't mind trouncing a commander in the ring. I'd be willing to take the next spot."

Alarissa's looking irritated in her intermittent husband conversation with Alis. A glance to Caelis brings a smile then a look to Calypso. "Ahh. So that was in fact, quite normal." Which is a relief to know. A sigh of some relief where they sit watching the fighting area as Calypso's taking her turn.

Eirlys manages to stop just before she launches into another attack and she nods giving the man a respectful bow. "It was a Good Match, Indeed." She holds her hand out to shake Cristoph's hand. She leans in and whispers something before stepping back and giving a dimplied smile. "It was great fun." She says. "We should do this again."

"I'd be willing, but it seems the Duchess has first dibs," Gaston rumbles. "Unless either of you two ladies want another go against different competition, I suppose?" looking to Eirlys and Alis.

Titus, a young wolfhound have been dismissed.

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

Calypso gets Ancient Wolf Blade of Choice from Sleek hip-hugging black python leather sword belt.

Eirlys makes her way to where everyone sits and settles down. She waves to the new people and smiles. "Hi!" When Alarissa mentions normal she looks between the woman and Alis. "What was normal?" She asks.

"I have no qualms about fighting a commander, though I suspect I won't be doing much trouncing." Cristoph is ready it seems or as ready as he'll ever be after two fights where he got the daylights beat out of him. He tips his head and gets his sword ready. "Don't worry, Marquis Gaston. I'll keep enough energy reserved for you."

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

Calypso wields Ancient Wolf Blade of Choice.

Caelis sits down to watch her cousin fight with a sigh of relief. She lets her long locks fall about her shoulders. "I would cheer for you Duke Cristoph but I'm afraid I must support Duchess Calypso here!" She calls out. To Alarissa she adds "Perfectly normal. We all grew up with blades in our hands."

Cristoph takes moderate damage.

Cristoph takes moderate damage.

Alis sighs, and runs a hand through the back of her hair during the whispered conversation. "I think I am going to go check on Ellara actually, Gaston. Please accept my apologies, everyone. I am no longer feeling quite up to being social. I hope to see you all soon though." she adds as she stands, and calls out. "Good fighting, Cris!"

Calypso takes minor damage.

Alis has left the Fighting Pit.

Alarissa checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Calypso steps in to the ring and unsheathes the odd looking rubicund blade from her hip belt. The first few moments of combat are all dodge, swaying from the left to the right as she attempts to get a feel for the way Cristoph fights. She manages to land two hits and takes a strike on her way out. But she remains focused.

"A Grimhall and Malvici wedding, Lady Eirlys." Chin lifting a fraction and her voice tight. Shoulders squaring. Alis is taking her leave and Alarissa's opting to watch the ongoing spar with Calypso, settling her hands in her lap.

Cristoph really does /try/ even if he's not terribly good at this entire thing, so it would seem. Calypso does a fairly decent job of moving around him hitting him repeatedly. He manages to get close enough just once to nick at her armor. "Lots of very agile warriors today." He mutters from inside his suit of steel. He might not be doing well, but he's determined at least.

A nod from Gaston to Alis, and then to Cristoph, "Oh, gods... Please, just Gaston..." shaking his head, and rubbing at his brow.

Calypso takes serious damage.

Cristoph takes serious damage.

Calypso takes moderate damage.

Calypso takes moderate damage.

Calypso does her best to keep agile, but what is the fun in dodging attacks in a spar? She steps in closer, leaving herself very open for attack but hoping to retaliate just as well. She continues to say nothing, however. Combat is serious business.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Eirlys looks at Caelis and gives smiles holding out her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Caelis." She pauses for a moment. "I hope I got that right. I am sorry I am not always great with titles." Hell she calls Edain and Alis by their first names a lot of the time. In fact she does so now when she sees her sister leave. A frown slides over her face. "Is everything Alright with Alis? She looked a bit.." the Greenmarcher is trying to find the right word. "Preturbed." The answer to her previous question gets a slow blink of confusion then she ohs. "From the sounds of it, it sounds like a Greenmarch dinner." She shrugs. "Sounded like it went well if the bride and groom were happy."

The next round of attacks is a flurry of hits from both of them, at least in Cristoph's eyes. The duchess and himself seem to be fairly evenly matched, for now anyway until that heavy armor begins to slow him down even more. The number of hits manages to even up and he presses on aggressively, somewhat brave in all of that steel.

Calypso takes minor damage.

Cristoph takes moderate damage.

Calypso takes minor damage.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Calypso checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 8, rolling 30 higher.

Calypso remains capable of fighting.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 28, rolling 25 higher.

Cristoph remains capable of fighting.

Caelis watches the sparing intently and leans her forearms on her legs and glances at Gaston. She offers Eirlys her hand. "Pleasure. Lady Eirlys?" She asks and smiles.

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

"Would this be Lord Artorius's wedding, then? Well... Congratulations to the man. I wasn't aware he was marrying one of the Grimhall's," Gaston intones, looking over to the chatting ladies, rubbing at his scar.

Calypso checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 60, rolling 32 lower.

Calypso checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 28, rolling 5 lower.

Calypso is incapacitated.

Calypso falls unconscious.

Eirlys shakes Caelis's hand then smiles. "Aye but call me Eirlys, please. I prefer it." She offers before turning to look at Gaston. "Oh Artorius got married? He seems nice. We sparred a few times. I can't recall who won but it was a good fight." She offers then she leans over and pokes Gaston's shoulder. "So how are you doing?"

Calypso continues to fight aggressively, even though she is clearly starting to get tired from it! A few more blows are exchanged, but when the final blow comes crashing down on her, the Duchess General falls to the floor, winded but shaking off the stun of attack, "Good fight, Duke Cristoph. That was a close one."

"Not Greenmarch. Count Artorius Malvici and the then Lady Melinda Grimhall." Alarissa rising, and the woman looks.. something. It's not anger, but possibly something near to sorrow. "I should return to the ward and tend to duties since everyone is gone. Good day." Spoken to the whole

After the blows are exchanged and Calypso is defeated, he puts his hands on his knees and catches his breath. Cristoph moves his helmet up and quite frankly, looks surprised to have come out on top in that round. "A very good match indeed." He moves forward to offer her his hand in getting up again. "Just Gaston," A new title! "I think I have the energy in my go another match."

"Well enough, I suppose," Gaston replies to Eirlys, standing again to stretch a bit. "Still getting used to the whole... In charge, bit, I suppose. Looking for a good steward, really," he adds. "And of course, happy that damn birds aren't diving at me, and every dog in the neighborhood isn't barking at me." A look to Caelis then, and "...Which reminds me, I think I was directed to speak to you at some point, by Princess Alarissa... Though I suppose that can wait for now." Looking to Cristoph then, "....I walked right into that one, didn't I?"

Cristoph chuckles and smiles broadly at Gaston before pulling his helmet down again.

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

Calypso pulls herself up with Cristoph's help and makes her way back to the sidelines. "I really should look in to training on being able to take a hit better. I get right to the end of a fight and just topple over most of the time."

Gaston takes minor damage.

Cristoph takes minor damage.

Eirlys looks at Alarissa. "Oh I meant that the wedding issues sounded very much like a normal Greenmarch family dinner." Yeah that has to say soooo much about Greenmarchers." She shifts closer to Gaston and nods then laughs. "Well hopefully you won't put on something you know nothing about again." She offers clearly having no issues teasing the man about what happened.

Cristoph takes serious damage.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 37, rolling 12 lower.

Cristoph checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 9, rolling 15 higher.

Cristoph remains alive, but close to death.

Cristoph falls unconscious.

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

"Any time Just Gaston." Caelis smiles to him in passing and looks at Calypso. "Train with Count Artorius. He puts me to shame every time." She says encouragingly to her cousin.

Cristoph looks limber despite being three fights in. Until he's not! And he gets hit pretty effectively by the new Marquis. "Don't go thinking that's going to stop me from calling you Just Gason whenever I see you." But man, his head has to hurt by now.

Pellinor leaves, following Alarissa.

Gaston nodded to Cristoph, and picked up the glaive to step into the fighting pit. As the Duke nodded his ready, Gaston didn't seem to waste any time, launching towards the man heedless of his own safety for the most part. The two each trading blows at first, scoring a minor hit on the other. The next strike however shows that while Gaston might be the runt of the Blackram men, that didn't mean he was weak by any measure. The pole arm sweeps wide, battering into Cristoph's ribs and then the Blackram arced it around to wallop the man on his helmet, putting his full weight behind the strike.

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

Binky, an asshole crow arrives, delivering a message to Calypso before departing.

"Ah, my thanks then, Lady--Princess Caelis?

Alejandro arrives, delivering a message to Calypso before departing.

"Ah, my thanks then, Lady--Princess Caelis?" It seems Gaston isn't quite sure. Looking to Cristoph, "I could just keep hitting you until you forget the joke," he comments dryly, clearly just jesting. A closer look and "...Are you going to be alright? Should perhaps have someone look at that before it goose eggs..."

Binky, an asshole crow arrives, delivering a message to Calypso before departing.

Cristoph has to concede to Gaston and his ass-kicking abilities. When that last hit comes to him, he holds up a hand. "Okay, okay. Also I need to sit down, I think." Apparently four sparring matches in a row is way more than enough for him. He staggers back to one of the benches, tosses his helmet on the ground and lays down across it.

Calypso receives a small flurry of messengers and inclines her head as she tucks them away. "An enjoyable evening. Thank you Duke Cristoph." She nods to the rest, Caelis in particular. "I will see you all soon I imagine."

Binky, an asshole crow arrives, delivering a message to Calypso before departing.

"Ha. Lady. I haven't married your Prince yet." Caelis says and waves to Calypso. She smiles, looking at the Oathlanders. "Later in the next week." She tells Just Gaston. She waves to Cristoph.

Vim, a guard-corgi in-training have been dismissed.

Sir Dalan, Longsuffering Valardin Knight have been dismissed.

Eirlys stands up and grins. "Gaston. Let's spar!" She makes her way down to the fighting pit again. "I want to see how I hold up against you." She offers honestly.

"Later in the week it is then, Lady Caelis," with a bow from the Blackram Marquis towards his lord's future wife. A nod to Eirlys, and "Certainly. I could do with some humbling, likely."

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

Eirlys takes moderate damage.

Gaston takes minor damage.

Gaston takes minor damage.

Eirlys takes very serious damage.

Gaston takes minor damage.

Eirlys takes minor damage.

Gaston takes moderate damage.

Gaston takes moderate damage.

Eirlys takes moderate damage.

Eirlys takes minor damage.

Gaston takes serious damage.

Gaston checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 31, rolling 54 higher.

Gaston remains capable of fighting.

Gaston checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 85, rolling 12 lower.

Gaston checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 48, rolling 53 higher.

Gaston remains alive, but close to death.

Gaston falls unconscious.

Eirlys walks to the ring rolling her wrist so that it loosens up before she steps inside it. She knows that neither of them will pull punches. So she goes on the attack right away. She takes the first hit then Gaston takes one. She gets a -tiny- blow on him before he manages to level her with a very hard hit then peppers it with a few more. Eirlys comes out swinging from that, pushing back and hitting back as hard as she can and doesn't stop till Gaston concedes or hits the sand.

From where Cristoph is sprawled on the bench, he watches Eirlys and Gaston beat on each other. There's an amused sound from his throat when she manages to get him as good as she does.

It

The Blackram lumbers in, swinging hard and heavy, landing more than a few heavy blows against the Greenmarcher, but in the end, experience seems to win out as Eventually Eirlys's superior mobility comes to the fore, and Gaston ends up cold cocked with the pommel. Even then, he raises the polearm into the air for another strike, and then... Seems to just stand there a moment, before collapsing onto the ground. A few seconds later, he's blinking his eyes and sitting up blearily. "...Almost thought I had you, for a moment there..."

Caelis bows in her seat with a small wince to Gaston. She places her hand on her side as she watches Eirlys proceed to whoop Gaston. She cheers for both fighters, clapping lightly

Eirlys walks over to Gaston and holds out her hand to help him up. "Shit I thought you had me too." She says as she lets out a slight wince. (read a rather obvious wince) She grins. "This time you didn't keep me going till I almost passed out from exhaustion." It takes her a moment to realize how that might have sounded but she shrugs it off. "Honestly I thought you were going to get me this time."

Eirlys looks up at Caelis and Cristoph to smile and wave. "I managed to beat him the other time I sparred with him but that fight lasted way longer."

Gaston accepts the hand up, and pulls himself to his feet, then. Shaking his head to clear it some. "Someday. I'll get you someday, I'm sure," he remarks. "...Maybe not soon, though."

Eirlys grins widely. "I have no doubt you will get me Gaston. You are like twice my size and it feels like you are hitting me with a tree when you hit me!" She says. "Seriously! I am so glad you are on our side." She nods. "Did anyone else want to spar or are we all done? Cris did you want to try again? I think Gaston may have loosened a rib or two so you know I probably won't be so quick."

"I would love to spar, but I am healing from injuries and we're due in Sanctum soon. Prince Edain's been taking time to make sure I'm fit for the ride. So perhaps after. I've yet to try the Gauntlet." Caelis murmurs.

Gaston winces there, at Caelis's reminder. "Injured, and getting ready for a wedding in Sanctum? You'll likely be standing and kneeling for hours..." The Marquis, it seems, does not envy her.

Eirlys winces too. "I was there for Alis and Fia's wedding. I do not envy you and Edain." It is obvious from her tone that she considers Alis and Edain family circle since her brother is married to Alis. "You know if you'd like I could very much sneak you a flash or five or whiskey that you could slip into the sacramental wine?" She offers. "You know so the standing and the kneeling isn't so bad." See helpful Greenmarcher is helpful.. Sort of.

"It's that terrible?" Caelis asks and looks at Gaston and Eirlys. "No wonder Edain's been funneling soup down my throat since I got back." she says with wry amusement. "Princess Alis says it'll be some good wine, but aye, I might be bolstering myself for it sure enough."

"It's... A trial in it's own sort, let us say," Gaston remarks dryly, there.

Eirlys tries to look encouraging. Seriously she does. "It um..well Prince Darren wrote this journal about it and I believe it said something like, 'Based on my experience, it takes approximately five flasks of whiskey and one stunningly intelligent, gorgeous woman as your date to suffer through a Valardin wedding ceremony in Sanctum. You're welcome, reader, for the tip, in the event you ever have to attend one yourself.' Of course the choice of companion might vary depending on who it is that is attending." When Gaston makes his remark she nods and tries to stiffle a chuckle. "Just look at the bright side once it is over you will be married and that is the important part. I don't really know you well yet but I think you and Edain are well matched. I am happy for you both."