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featuring NPCs Ghislain de Basilisque, Benoit d’Eltoine and Lucien Valliers (NPCed by Eisheth) |
Tournament Grounds
The wind billows pennants and banners of House d'Aiglemort and other Camaeline Houses as far as the eye can see, here, outside of the strong walls of Besançon. The tournament field is located to the south of the city, in the area that is defined by the open end of the oxbow laid about Besancon by the river Doubs, in the green plains that are called Chapelle de Buis. The plain is partitioned off by fences into walkways and competition grounds, and in the middle of each set of fences grass has had a chance to recover from feet and hooves that once a year are wearing away the grass.
On the western edge of the field a huge mass of stands has been erected out of fresh beams of wood, all redolent of pine and of cedar, nailed in place with giant iron stakes and sturdy enough to stand firm below the mass of humanity which moves onto and off of it every day during the tournament competitions. Opposite the stands are the brightly colored pavilia, each with its banner waving overhead, where the competitors of each family might store equipment, rest and prepare. To the north, shielded by black canopies with white ornamental embroidery, are the raised stands reserved for high nobility and royalty, the center especially for the latter and the Duc d'Aiglemort with his close family.
What a week it has been! After the spectacular start of the tournament with the duel contest, other competitions have followed in the subsequent days. There has been a joust, an archery contest and a horce race. Even so, everyone has been looking forward to the grand finale of the tournament as a whole, the Great Melee. It is the event with the highest danger of injuries by far, given that there will be a veritable battle unfolding on the tourney field. Three dozen competitors have been selected from a large pool of those that have applied to compete. And these three dozen have already had their first round of battle, divided into two lairs battling each other. The black team had defeated the white team, and by now the contestants have discarded the arm bands that defined their team membership. There is a momentary break as the field is cleared, and the defeated team trots off to the side. Only a few have been injured in the process and are now in the care of healers.
For now, there is music provided by a few to the side, while servants and attendants are making their rounds, offering refreshments and refills of wine. Among the commoners, there are those selling baked goods and snacks, and others refilling tankards with ale. There is an overall festive mood of excitement, as the spectators discuss the contest so far, but also, bets are made, in regards to who will emerge as the winner. Because, in the end, there can only be one, the last one standing.
His Majesty, King Léopold Auguste de la Courcel seems to be well pleased as he chats with his wife, Queen Pénélope, and his son and daughter. Princess Crysanthe has refrained from granting anyone her favor today, but she can be seen glancing over to the pavilions of the contestants, where a brief moment of respite is enjoyed before they will be called out again. There is some chatting and giggling of some of the Queen's ladies, and a faint blush of Princess Crysanthe as she gives them a reply.
For nothing in the world Sylvaine would have missed the melee today. The courtesan wears her blonde hair done up, her dress today a more conventional sort of fashion compared to what she wore at the duels. Today's couture is a fine gown of light grey silk, with some silvery highlights worked into the fabric, with a cloak of dark blue samite thrown over it all as protection from the autumnal chill. She sits in the vicinity of the Valliers box, close enough to overhear some of the conversation there and especially in hearing distance to her mentor, Nicodème Valliers, the cousin to the Duc.
Daniel spent much of the lead up 'debating' his participation in the events. But come the morning of the Melee there are few truly surprised to find Daniel there amongst the field of participants. But hes been grinning the whole time and clearly enjoying himself. The large man though is happily chatting with other contestants and combatants. In general he seems unsurprisingly enthusiastic about the finale of the battle.
One of the important things to do as there's a break in the fighting is to rehydrate. Which is one thing Luc is making sure to do now, sipping on something as he glances around. There's a look up to the stands, studying the people there for a few moments, before he looks back to the field, ready for when they can get back out there. Eyes slightly narrowed as he sips.
There are some familiar faces and names among the remaining contestants. Such as Célestin Godefroi d'Aiglemort, cousin to the Duc, easily recognizable in his chainmail with plate reinforcements at the elbows and that signature helmet sporting the wings and head of the eagle from the ducal coat of arms, and of course the scar that marks his left cheek; Benoit d'Eltoine, who was less than civil towards Jovet d'Aiglemort during the duels, a man in his forties with short blonde hair and a slightly displeased demeanor; Lucien Valliers, nephew to the other Camaeline Duc, a young man with long dark hair that has been pulled into a ponytail at the nape of his neck, his chain mail of darker steel that emphasizes the merrier colors of white and red he sports on his tabard; and last but not least, Ghislain de Basilisque, the good-natured freckled redhead with the mother of Alban blood.
Nobody is going to keep Coco from a good seat at the event, today. No, she's donned a suit of Valliers livery, long hose and boots and a quadranted tunic over a tight bound chest, along with loose, mannish braids down one side of her head to keep her hair out of her face, a low-slung belt and a practiced stance lend her the aspect of a comely youth to those who don't investigate past the surface. She plays the page at the Valliers pavillion and acts the part as naturally as anyone could, bringing water or holding helms for those Valliers Lords in competition.
Jovet himself is content to lay low among the competitors in the leadup to the event. The winner of the duels always has a price on his head by the time the general melee begins, and he's so far found himself with few allies, and, he can only imagine, a rough go of it ahead of him. But he can hang out with Daniel, maybe. They've gotten to know each other at least moderately in the intervening days.
Daniel grins at Jovet, "Have you been running away from me?" He teases to the man as the two have yet to have an epic combat of blades. But then Daniel too seems to have been content wandering the field rather than pursuing the previous winner, "Have you been targeted much?" He asks as his eyes wander the field of those remaining and then the crowds grinning at a few faces. He admits to Jovet, "I can see why duelists get into this having an audience is enjoyable if not as thrilling."
Sylvaine waves to Daniel from afar, and of course, any of the other contestants that she is acquainted with will receive a charming smile in acknowledgement. She sips idly from a goblet of white wine, tilting her head just so, as a silence of excited anticipation starts to settle on the crowd. The courtesan of La Cygne Fière murmurs something to the man sitting beside her, a lord of House Valliers, of course.
Jovet slips into an affable contrapposto, lowering his chin and casting his green-eyed glance fetchingly to Daniel, "Oh, I've been running from everyone, today, feels like. Except maybe you. You giving me a break?" he pops his bows in Daniel's direction, then follows his lead to get a gauge of the crowd. "Oh, they want blood as much as the odd Skaldi party, I think. They just show it differently," he jokes.
There's a glance around as he hears Daniel and Jovet, before Luc chuckles briefly. "Everyone wants blood," he offers, voice kept rather quiet for now. "Some might just hide it better than others."
Daniel points out to Jovet, "It's no fun if we have an epic battle and no one can see it because there's so many people. Besides, the more people the more chance that someone will interfere. Now you have all those 'cunning fox' types who think better to let us tire ourselves out and fight the victor." He says almost as if he looks forward to that. When Sylvaine's hand is lifted he beams a back a wide smile waving at Sylvaine in response and seeming utterly pleased with that. At Luc's comment he chuckles, "Hmm? Blood or Glory."
Jovet grins. He reaches out and taps Luc's shoulder with his knuckles; it's a rough gesture of visceral agreement. "You don't care much for cunning, huh? I think there's a time for it. But maybe that time's not today.
The time granted for the combatants to recover a little is over in the moment the fanfare is sounded again. "People of Besançon! My lords! My ladies. Your Majesties and Highnesses. Your Graces." The herald's potent voice carries easily over the tourney field. "It is time now to continue. The rules are clear. Now, that the white team has been defeated, the black team will have to fight it about among themselves. There can only be one winner! Now. Let the spectacle continue!"
"And so it begins," Sylvaine remarks, her grey eyes alight as they refocus on what is happening down there on the tourney field.
Daniel shrugs, "It's not so much that I…. don't care for it." DAniel searches for words, "I enjoy beating the cunning out of people." And then they are being called forward and he grins moving forward towards the field. He grins to Luc and Jovet as he dons his helm, "Good luck meet you on the field. No more running" He teases Jovet.
"I suspect for many, the blood or glory doesn't really matter. This is for their entertainment after all," he offers to Daniel, along with a brief grin, before he chuckles at Jovet's words. "There's a time for everything, after all." And then things seem to start again. "May the best man win."
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Lucien with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Benoit attacks Luc with Broadsword - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Lucien attacks Daniel with Broadsword - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Benoit with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Lucien with Broadsword - Critical wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ghislain attacks Jovet with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Lucien has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Daniel will attack Ghislain this turn.
Jovet watches Daniel head out, settling back into a thoughtful stance before his man hands him his helm and he tips back his head, settling it into place. He's the last on the field, and, to the audience, he might seem to be about to rush Daniel from behind— except that instead he falls into a fighting formation alongside him, instead, protecting his flank and engaging with his opponent.
<COMBAT> Jovet will attack Ghislain this turn.
<COMBAT> Ghislain attacks Jovet with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Head (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Ghislain with Broadsword but Ghislain DODGES!
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Ghislain with Broadsword but Ghislain DODGES!
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Benoit with Broadsword but Benoit DODGES!
<COMBAT> Benoit attacks Luc with Broadsword and MISSES!
Daniel moves forward and if he seems surprised that Jovet is joining him and taking down Lucien it doesn't show. Instead the fight and melee is amongst but as soon as Lucien is down Daniel is maneuvering towards the combatants attacking Jovet shoving a few across and then striking towards him. He grunts, "Slippery this time. Try not to get too dinged up before we fight." He complains to Jovet.
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Ghislain with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ghislain attacks Jovet with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Benoit with Broadsword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Ghislain with Broadsword - Serious wound to Right Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Benoit attacks Luc with Broadsword but Luc DODGES!
As things take him to face Benoit, Luc offers the man a brief nod as he starts attacking, circling around to avoid someone sneaking up behing him. Trying to strike the man with a few heavy blows to the chest, while taking a blow glancing off his helm. There's no words spoken, instead focusing on his surroundings for now.
Jovet leaves his own flank open in his bid to guard Daniel's, and takes a blow to the helm from Ghislaine, but it doesn't seem to be slowing him down all that badly, yet, and he gives Daniel a slice of a grin as the fellow turns to take on Ghislaine, instead. He himself hangs slightly back, thrusting a touch to Ghislain's breast, but only a light one.
Daniel seems content to continue fighting alongside Jovet dancing with Ghilsaine and grinning, "You can't hold us both off forever." HE says to Ghislain as his eyes flick around the area considering the slowly dropping number of participants and it's clear it ramps up Daniel's excitement.
Lucien Valliers dons his helmet again and dives right into combat; but he didn't really expect to be attacked by a pair of combatants banding up against him. "Take this!", he calls as she launches his attack, steel cutting through air before it hits home but the blade glances off Daniel's armor - while the Valliers then finds himself felled by a single strike of a blunted sword, skillfully brought down on the area that connects the neck to the shoulder. "Yield!", Lucien calls as he goes down on his knee, dropping his sword to make his point in an unmistakeable way.
Benoit meanwhile had shot an irritated glare Jovet's way, but for now, he is going for Luc Montchapetre. At first it seems like he will take his time in taking down the other lord, but then it is Luc who lands a strike. Benoit curses under his breath, but he is by no means discouraged. "I will teach you!", he exclaims, as he goes at Luc again.
The good-natured Ghislain de Basilisque seems to be happy at first, that he finds himself facing a single foe alone. Even if it is the winner of the duel contest. He swallows hard, but then lands a strike against the d'Aiglemort who in turn seems to go for someone else instead. "Hah." The redhead sounds surprised but somehow pleased with himself. "I am over here, my lord. In case you were wondering…" But there, Jovet fells Lucien Valliers, and Ghislain suddenly finds himself confronted with a giant (Daniel) and a princess's former champion (Jovet). To Daniel, he shakes his head. "I'm said to be pretty quick," Ghislain insists, even if he already finds his odds shifting out of his favor.
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Ghislain with Broadsword - Light wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ghislain attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Benoit attacks Luc with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Ghislain with Broadsword - Light wound to Left Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Benoit with Broadsword - ARMOR on Left Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Ghislain attacks Jovet with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Ghislain with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Head (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Ghislain with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Benoit attacks Luc with Broadsword - ARMOR on Left Arm stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Benoit with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ghislain has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Jovet will attack Daniel this turn.
<COMBAT> Daniel will attack Jovet this turn.
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Benoit with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Left Hand.
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Light wound to Right Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Benoit attacks Luc with Broadsword but Luc DODGES!
<COMBAT> Benoit has been KO'd!
Jovet lunges backward, toes pressing into turf— he could turn on Daniel's flank easily as the big man is working to take down Ghislain, but instead he rushes alongide again and joins him in a twinned pair of strikes that the fellow just can't stand up under anymore. But then he's there, ready to get a taste of Daniel himself, and he tips up his blunted blade in a respectful tip to invite Daniel to duel with him again before bringing up his steel and hitting Daniel's fingers where they grip his own weapon.
Daniel salutes Ghislain as he withdraws and then he and Jovet as if agreed turn towards each other. Daniel charging forward towards Jovet and unsurprisingly while he achieves just the glancing blow he takes a respondin slice from the other man, "Only fair to even things up a bit." He suggests though eyes twinkling as he watches Jovet now focus coming down entirely on the other combatant.
Ghislain de Basilisque is suddenly out of luck, it seems. He may be agile and persistent in one-on-one combat, but with Daniel and Jovet teaming up against him, it will take more than what the young freckled half-Alban has on offer to evade their strikes. For a moment, Ghislain tries to break away, to turn this into some sort of race across the tourney field. But before he really can get on his way, he is already stopped by Jovet's blunted blade and Daniel's sword striking him at the same moment. "Yield!", the Basilisque calls, before he collapses on the field and thereby is eliminated from the contest.
Stumbling slightly back as he takes a hit, Luc spins around a bit, to be able to hit a few strikes against Benoit. First one going for the man's chest, then a bit more forcefully for a hand, to take him out. There's a brief nod, before he looks over to see the others fighting. Trying to circle around a bit, so he can approach unnoticed, he studies the two of them briefly, before he moves in to try striking Daniel, hopefully catching the man unaware.
Benoit d'Eltoine goes for Luc Montchapetre, again and again. Pale blue eyes now and then glance to where Jovet is fighting and defeating foe after foe. This seems to be distraction enough, and Benoit comes to regret his underestimation of Luc's prowess. The other man's sword lands strikes, he fails to evade or parry. And so, much earlier than he had anticipated, the grim veteran finds himself dropping his sword, defeated by the Montchapetre lord. Instead of announcing this to the man, he simply walks off the field, irritated and more than disappointed at himself. The helmet he tosses aside in ire almost hits a spectating bystander.
<COMBAT> Luc will attack Daniel this turn.
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Daniel with Broadsword - ARMOR on Right Arm stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Right Leg (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword - Serious wound to Head (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Jovet has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Jovet spends a luck point to keep fighting!
<COMBAT> Jovet will attack Luc this turn.
<COMBAT> Daniel will attack Luc this turn.
<COMBAT> Luc has changed stance to Evade.
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Daniel with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Luc with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Luc with Broadsword but Luc DODGES!
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Light wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Luc with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Luc with Broadsword but Luc DODGES!
Daniel's blade swung high catching Jovet and he looks smug but then Luc is moving in, "Hey! We were fighting here." HE coplains turning towards Luc and trying to strike but it's clear that as Luc focuses on evasion Daniel is just not able to keep up with the other man, "This is a Melee! Why are so many of you slippery!" He demands of Luc complaining, "I alost had him too!" He grunts in frustration but otherwise seems to continue enjoying himself.
Almost? Jovet caught that one on the helmet and it spun him allllll the way around and landed him on the ground. But he's shoving up again, trying to shake it off, but he's a little dizzied, for sure. He readies his blade at Daniel for a second, but then it wavers to the side, and he ends up following Daniel in turning on their mutual interloper— it gives him a little bit of a breather, at least.
Sylvaine is on her feet, cheering for Daniel Ferraut, when she sees him land a particularly nasty blow to Jovet, hard enough to take the d'Aiglemort down for a moment. Her grey eyes are alight, and only a hint of regret shows in her demeanor, as all Valliers contenders seem to be out of the contest.
The crowd roars with a wild cheer, as the remaining fighters on the tourney field become fewer and fewer. There are only three of them left, and one of them is a d'Aiglemort!
The Champion of Princess Crysanthe from the duel contest! The princess watches with rapt attention, her cheeks once again touched by a certain rosiness. The thing she holds in her hand that is clenched into a fist looks like the favor she gave to Jovet d'Aiglemort — and then had returned sometime after the duels.
"Running out of targets," Luc replies to Daniel, before he starts ducking away, deciding to strike for Jovet instead, and trying to keep his target between him and the other man.
<COMBAT> Luc will attack Jovet this turn.
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Luc with Broadsword - Light wound to Left Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Luc with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Jovet with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Jovet with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Luc with Broadsword but Luc DODGES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Luc with Broadsword - Light wound to Left Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Luc with Broadsword - Serious wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Luc with Broadsword - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Jovet with Broadsword and MISSES!
Daniel apparently is unable to land a solid blow on Luc. Which doens't seem to entice him to knock Jovet out of the combat. And so he just continues pacing and moving but trying to keep his own feet moving lest the distracted attacker catch him off guard. "Come now JOvet deal with him if you don't mind." HE suggests playfully as he continues trying to catch the man but really only seems to be providing a distraction.
Jovet falls into a pattern alongside Daniel, letting the other guy draw blows while he waits for his moment and gets a few decent strikes in, himself. Nothing enough to fell Luc, but damn if it doesn't feel like he's hitting him a lot. Time might be dilating in his brain from that headstrike, though. "I mean, you could try hitting him, too," he laughs wonkily back to Daniel as he draws Luc's focus to himself and goes to meet him closer one on one, trying to open up the guy's flank for Daniel.
Move, move, move. That seems to be the most important thing for Luc, even if he takes a solid hit. "Hey, take out each other instead," he mutters, making sure to keep on the move now.
The host of the tournament, Duc Horatio Batiste d'Aiglemort, is watching the proceedings intently. A ghost of a smile curls his lips. After all, there is still a d'Aiglemort in the contest, and it is very likely that the Duc d'Aiglemort expects him to be the eventual winner of the tournament.
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Luc with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Luc with Broadsword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Jovet with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Luc has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Luc spends a luck point to keep fighting!
<COMBAT> Luc will attack Daniel this turn.
<COMBAT> Jovet will attack Daniel this turn.
<COMBAT> Daniel will attack Jovet this turn.
<COMBAT> Jovet has changed stance to Evade.
<COMBAT> Luc has changed stance to Banzai.
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Daniel with Broadsword but Daniel DODGES!
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Light wound to Left Leg (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
When Daniel finally gets one of those crushing blows of his in on Luc, Jovet wheels dizziedly around, ready to take on the last man on the field— except he's not, it turns out. And, instead, somewhat surprised, he ends up standing paired with the recovered Luc, instead! Oh, well— thus the fortunes of war, aren't they? Newly allied, he finds Luc a suitable partner in crime, as it were, and though they dance around each others' blades for a moment as they re-align, he does land a substantial if hardly overpowering strike just under Daniel's helmet.
Daniel is now the recipient of double attention, "Ah! So many suitors suddenly." He says and he grins as he rushes at them it's perhaps not the expected approach. Daniel doesn't try to change his tactics for the moment and for a moment it works… and then it doesn't as he catches a strike against his neck and leg. He growls, "Well…it was more fun when you were missing me!" He complains as he tilts his head considering and he draws back a moment before shifting his approach.
Moving a bit more purposefully, even if it's rather painful from the hits he took earlier, Luc ducks down a bit trying to take out Daniel's footing from under him. Circling a bit to the side, he's unable to hold back a brief laugh at Daniel's words. "I think we all can say that, hmmm?"
<COMBAT> Daniel will attack Luc this turn.
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Luc with Broadsword - Serious wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Luc attacks Daniel with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Luc has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Daniel will attack Jovet this turn.
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword but Daniel DODGES!
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Critical wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
Daniel shifted his approach and tags Luc letting out a little cheer as he catches one of the attackers. But even as he manages to deflect one of JOvet's blades another one strikes him hard on the neck punishing him. He lets out a growl, "Well here it is again." He says watching Jovet narrowly, "I told you I'd face you again." He says smugly.
Another one goes down, and now there are only two left. The crowd has gone quiet, everyone watching with rapt attention, as Daniel Ferraut and Jovet d'Aiglemort circle each other in the deciding bout. The smile on Duc Horatio d'Aiglemort's features deepens, as victory for his House is now clearly within Jovet's grasp.
Oh, hell. Daniel's last-minute pivot to Luc from Jovet certainly lands effective, and Jovet momentwise just tries to stop and make sure Luc is OK, dipping away from blows, but then compelled to return them and fend off his attacker, catching him in the neck again with an upward perpendicular blow that even makes Jovet wince as he draws backward again, taking some time to breathe, dipping his chin to Daniel and waiting for the man to bring the fight to him.
This time, he wasn't prepared for the switch in Daniel's focus, and so Luc can't get back out of the way. So instead he goes down, rolling out of the way of the two combatants, before he remains on the ground for a while.
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Light wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Daniel has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Daniel spends a luck point to keep fighting!
<COMBAT> Daniel will attack Jovet this turn.
<COMBAT> Jovet will attack Daniel this turn.
<COMBAT> Daniel has changed stance to banzai.
There's a few more passes and DAniel is able to shrug off a few strokes but sonner than later he begins to feel the brunt as adrenaline starts to fade JOvet's constant assault on his hands and sides starting to wear him down. Daniel is forced back for a moment and shakes his head trying to clear it. He clearly readies himself for one last desperate push.
Jovet provides less of an assault, overall, and more of a hedgehog's defense, waiting for Daniel to get in close and commit to an attack, then jabbing quickly for an opening, sometimes to effect, sometimes to… less effect. He balances himself low, hodling out his steel as Daniel prepares to rush him like some sort of angry bull, wounded at the altar.
Sylvaine stands, her hands joined before her as she watches Daniel fight the d'Aiglemort. She bites her lip and her grey eyes are shining at the thought of possible victory for the Ferraut.
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Daniel attacks Jovet with Broadsword but Jovet DODGES!
<COMBAT> Jovet attacks Daniel with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Daniel has been KO'd!
Luc has gotten himself the rest of the way to the side now, turning to watch the last of the happenings a bit carefully.
Jovet just sort of hunkers down below the onslaught, propping up his blade at an angle and trying to thrust it up with a hunch of his back, angling it to meet Daniel's maile and hopefully his ribs in turn with the full force of his attack behind them.
Daniel knows that it's growing desperate for himself. He only managed to get Luc out to reduce his enemies. But in the end he isn't able to tag Jovet. He goes for a finally blitz of array of strikes but the rush sends them wide and Jovet continues tot ag him just enough. Finally after a particularly solid hit to his chest he goes stumbling. Daniel lets out a roar trying to rise back up but he stumbles and then he grunts clutching his side and declares, "Yield!" He says his chest rising and falling clearly straining with the activity as he clutches his side.
There goes Daniel, and for a moment everyone in the crowd of spectators seems to hold their breath. Until the herald declares, "And thus, Lord Jovet d'Aiglemort emerges as the winner! Cheer for Jovet d'Aiglemort! Cheer, good people!"
Jovet backs off, letting Daniel decide whether he can keep going. Then, when he yields, he takes a deep breath and lets it out, puffing out his cheeks a little inside his helmet, then setting his blunted steel into his baldrick and stepping forward to clasp arms with Daniel. "No one can say this was a quiet melee," he offers the man with a not unflirtatious simper, then turns to wave to the herald, and, well, everyone, with the arm not clasping Daniel's.
Daniel slowly gets himself back up wincing and he accepts the arm grunting, "I feel a little bad. I should have just let Luc take me down he probably had a better shot at you… but in that moment it seemed better to reduce my enemies from 2 to 1." He admits ruefully and he sighs shaking his head grumbling, "Next season." He declares, "You're all too bloody pain in the ass to hit. In proper combat people stand and fight." He complains but he nods, "Definitely a good fight. I'm sure the Princess well be pleased." He says teasingly to Jovet.
Sylvaine is already rushing down to the tourney field. But it is there, at the fence dividing the spectator area from the tourney field, that she hesitates. Suddenly content to observe the field instead of entering it. Seeing Daniel getting to his feet she exhales but remains standing where she is.
"Would you please step aside?"
It is the voice of Princess Crysanthe, who passes the courtesan with the intention of indeed stepping out onto the field. The dark haired daughter of King Léopold and Queen Pénélope nods to her Cassiline and then moves to approach the victor. "My lord Jovet d'Aiglemort," she addresses him with a smile. "It seems you have once again won the day. Honoring Camael. Honoring Us." She hesitates. "Would you be so kind as to accept a token from me? To remember this day?" It is however not the favor he returned to her some days ago, which she will hold out to him. It is a fine dagger in an exquisite scabbard of gold, with some emeralds worked into the hilt. "Will you accept this from me?" It doesn't seem to be an official prize at all — more like a personal gift of sorts.
Jovet releases Daniel's arm at last, reaching around to give him a swat on the tush, instead. "I think, oddly enough, I also prefer not to get hit when the weapons have sharp edges," he retorts. "But you make a good wall, I'll fight in your shade any day," he laughs, then, at the mention of the princess, his smile grows a little tight. "Oh, I'm sure. I gave her back her favor — wasn't really sure of the royal protocol, but I think I managed right enough." Oh, speaking of, here she is.
Jovet turns, draws back his shoulders, squares his chest. Not quite coming to attention, but, still, presenting himself as a soldier. "Princess," he returns, angling himself into a bow, then up again. "Any token of which you find me worthy will be an honor for me to carry," he accepts her gift with a sort of propriety he may have practiced in the looking glass on the prospect of facing the Princess again, either here or at the banquet. "Camael's blessings have been bright this tourney, and we all stand blessed of them." He lowers his maile-clad hands and offers them both palm-up to accept the dagger without going so far as to take it from her hands.
Daniel notes a familiar figure darting down. He looks to Sylvaine and he gives her a pained smile, "Hello again. It's…alright. I think the healers will be angry with me but I don't think it's permanent just…a setback." He admits ruefully and he smiles though at her when she makes her way up. He does glance to Jovet and the Princess casting eyes of amusement at the two.
Luc applauds lightly as the event is over, Luc steps back a bit, moving to where he can get out of his armor and get something to drink.
Princess Crysanthe places the fine dagger in Jovet's hands. "Keep this," she insists. Her lips pull into a smile, oddly pronouncing the Hellene traits in her features. A nod then, as she steps back to watch him straighten. "You fought well, Lord Jovet. I am certain we shall hear more from you in the future." The Cassiline beside her shoots her a glance and she nods. "If you will excuse me now? I shall look forward to seeing you later at the banquet," she tells him, before she turns away, with her Cassiline in tow.
Sylvaine had followed in Crysanthe's wake. Playing shadow does have its benefits, as her stepping onto the field might attract less attention this way. "My lord Daniel," she smiles. "Please, promise me that you will see the healers, before attending the ball. You fought well, and I congratulate you on your good showing."
Jovet can't stop a soft half-laugh at the Princess' gentle rebraiding of his return of her favor. "I will, Princess, thank you," he promises, and, indeed, standing, he will maintain that quasi-attention as she takes her leave. Mentally trying to put together an outfit from his wardrobe that will go with the gold and green of the token, which he will certainly have to wear.