You wake up and have a light breakfast, stretching and doing some light calisthenics to warm up. While you do so, you have a chat with Alan, asking him what he wishes to accomplish in his life.
He tells you that he has come to love your land, and the people who live there, and he would one day aspire to lead your men on the field of battle as a full Knight. While he still has several years of training ahead of him, he would like to become more involved with the militia, if he has your blessing. Much further down the road, he would like to marry and have a small manor of his own, but he is still quite young and those are distant dreams.
You tell him you will do your best to help him reach his goals, and then go about dressing for the melee.
***
You swing the blunted sword in your hand, eyeing the other 19 opponents that stand in the ring with you. You see Lady Marna in the stands, eying you with an almost predatory stare. You salute her, and she smiles broadly at you. Elsewhere, you see Count Foles, lounging back while tipping a goblet of red wine into his gullet, speaking with two other older men who are similarly garbed. You believe these may be the other Counts, vassals of the Duke.
The Duke stands up from his chair, and tells the competitors of the melee to ready themselves. You hoist the wooden shield, preparing yourself. At a shout from the Duke, the melee begins.
You spin to your right, smashing your sword down on an unsuspecting opponent. He drops, clutching his shoulder, and yields to you, limping off the field. The clash of battle surrounds you. The first minute is fierce, and you expertly fend off a second opponent, sweeping his legs out from under him and rapping him over the head with the flat of your blade, knocking him out. A third foe approaches from behind, but you hear his footfalls and duck his blow, cracking his ribs with a vicious upward strike. He drops to his knees, yelling his yield.
The battle has slowed, with four other fighters remaining. Two of them turn on you at once, driving you back an slamming blow after blow into your shield. You struggle to fight them off, taking a few errant blows which you know will bruise. With your attention drawn by the other two, you fail to realize when a third opponent comes up behind you, striking you harshly on the back of your knee and dropping you to the ground. You have no choice but to yield as blows begin to rain down on you.
As you leave the field, you see Sir Percival on the sidelines, who congratulates you on your performance through a bloodied nose. The winner is, apparently, a Count by the name of Gorgan whom you have not met yet. He is young and quite strong looking. Sir Percival tells you he is one of the finest fighters in the land.
Lady Marna approaches you, and throws her arms around you, telling you how bravely you fought and how terrifying it was to watch you struck down like that. She sneaks a small kiss onto your cheek before her lady's maid catches up and she releases you. Your injuries seem distant now, and you smile at your good fortune.
***
The archery contest goes quickly, and you comport yourself quite well, coming in third place. You are catching the notice of the Duke, who compliments your martial skills. A break is held for lunch, and then you return to prepare for the joust.
When you come into your tent, you see Alan has already returned and is reading a note. He hands it to you and then goes outside. It reads:
Count Foles is out for your life. Check your equipment for the joust.
In the corner is a crude drawing of a rat. Alan returns and tells you that several of the straps were nicked on your saddle. He eyes the letter, and tells you that he will ask around the camp for another saddle.
What would you like to do? The joust is rapidly approaching.
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Topic: Lordship: A Suggestion Game (Read 327541 times)