Varen applauds! "Hah! Well, if that wasn't a winning blow instead of a drawn out slog, I don't know what is!"

Ran let’s out the last breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He quickly withdraws his sword from Lady Vahar’s neck, and sheaths both swords. He then bows to his opponent and holds out his hand to shake hers.

“Thank you, Lady Vahar. Your quickness is unsettling. I would not have wanted to face you for a prolonged combat.”

He then turns to the royal boxes and bows again before heading back to the Firstforge tent. He focuses on the one injury he sustained and shakes it off the best he can.

(Second Wind: 7 recovered hit points)

Elavor stops in the midst of wandering with Ronegan to watch the engaging fight ... "We umm... seem to have some rather effective combatants as our companions, Ronegan." 

Ronegan nods vigorously. "Utterly remarkable. Remind me to stay behind Ran when we're all in the Gauntlet. I didn't have an opportunity to speak to Varen, but I suspect she was fighting with an arm behind her back, as it were. Now, my boy..." The halfling stands up, stretching to his full height, looking for the vendors. "Let's take the opportunity to get a little bit closer. Our friend Ran may not hold much truck with my meditations and visions, but I still believe I may be able to help him should it come down to it. We cannot rely upon Opal, and in fact, I believe she may do something exceedingly foolish if she wins this competition. We need to do our utmost to secure Ran's leadership." Ronegan smiles. He was proud of the old soldier, and he knew that Ran might not want his help, but if Ronegan did it right...he might not even know the halfling aided him.

"Varen was definitely restrained. I've been on the hot end of that one, if you recall last night. I'll always try and stay in her good graces."

"I never imagined you as a sly one... I'm impressed Ronegan! Closer it is..." Elavor says, walking with Ronegan towards the arena floor area. 

(OOC: Elavor will be scanning the general area of the battle field during the interim , but focusing at the opposition tents carefully right before the next round starts up, just in case...   Perception: 7 )

As the bout between Opal and the Marshfield house is being prepared Elavor seems distracted by a man beside him holding an odd map of the Amber Isles. He doesn't notice much beyond it. Down on the tournament grounds they announce Opal's bout like the others and the young princess faces off with a halfling man in similar paladin of the Lightbringer armor! The fight however isn't a spectacle. Opal seems to attack without much intent while the Marshfield heir apparent that survived the attacks on the road to Ospel barely seems to defend. Anyone who knows anything about combat would think the event was staged! Eventually the Marshfield heir yields and Opal is announced the winner of the bout.

Afterward Celaeno is called up to fight Pedryas Dhkar. Caelano bests Dhkar but the bout against Pedryas comes to a draw! After another two hours of fighting the seven house hold their champions and all are called to return to the tournament grounds for the announcement ceremony.

OOC: For the sake of brevity I am not making y'all sit through bouts.

Going to the tent where the party has taken respite King Onyx approaches Ran.

"I suspect you realize that after my sister's recent calling that I have...been given counsel not to choose her as my champion," Onyx begins glancing at his mother and uncle. "Your performance today and continued service to my family Ran has more than proven your loyalty. I...I wish to name you my champion. If you will represent this house in the final melee it would be a great honor," he says being handed a mantle made of silver and emeralds very similar to the crowns of the Firstforge house royalty by a new retainer the party does not recognize. "Do you accept," he asks as Onyx holds out the mantle towards Ran with a solemn expression.

Varen watches Opal's bout with intensity. She's spent so much time with the princess, both in battle and not, that she wants to see if there is anything off about her, more so than might be obvious. Also, was her opponent her 'betrothed'?

Insight 5

Ran nods his head to Onyx.

”Of course your majesty. It would be an honour.” Ran says.

He takes the mantle, not quite sure of his thoughts but accepts it nonetheless.

He bows again.

”Thank you. With your permission, I must go tend to my armour and weapons to prepare for tomorrow.”

As he turns, he looks quickly for where the others are.

Petal looks at Ran it’s pride, happy to see the brave, good hearted man being recognised. However, she is unsure of this new figure alongside Onyx, seemingly coming from nowhere. Knowing better than to ask questions during moments like this, (oh the mistakes she made in her first few years) she just keeps a close eye on them. 5 Insight

(OOC: back to where Elavor spots the person holding the map)

Elavor sees the map, and his initial thought is to attempt to take it without notice. He'd always been somewhat decent at prying things loose without anyone notice, and this would be easy... 

Except Ronegan. And the tournament itself. And his previous encounter last night with the shop keeper... 

No, a more indirect method to determine what it is that intrigues him about the map. The little he glimpsed of it.. 

In a low conversational voice, Elavor asks: "Pardon me, sir. I apologize for my intrusion, but that's a map of the Amber Isles, if I'm not mistaken...correct? Have you been, yourself?" 

Varen saw Opal holding back the entire fight. The opponent was indeed her former betrothed but he seemed to be wearing the same armor as Opal from the church. Varen knows paladins of the Lightbringer are not allowed to marry unless released from service.  

......

"Yes of course Ran," Onyx says. "But first put on the mantle and let us announce you to the court as my champion," he explains gesturing for Ran to put on the finery and walk with him towards the tournament grounds near the fighting ovals.

....

Petal insight can tell the human man if filled with a sense of purpose. He seems alert and observant of the group.

OOC: 23 is amazing even with a Nat 20 but not sure what Petal expects to intuit from someone who hasn't spoken or acted in any way. It's not like mind reading. What are you trying to discern?

.....

"Uh your on the Amber Isles my boy," the man says giving Elavor a look as if to say 'are you joking' but then smiles. "I tend to get turned around myself but we're here," he points to the palace isle, "the tournament grounds are here," he points to the same area from the magic map Elavor already posses of the Amber Isles. "Then it's the Holy isle and the...well prison," he adds gesturing to the second closest isle and the farthest isle with steep climbs on all sides. It's like a platform in the sea with sheer cliffs all around it. "I'll take two gold for it if you want it," he says folding it up and offering it with one hand and his other outstretched for coin.

"What is your game, Opal?" Varen says quietly, almost into her cup.

Once the Firstforge fighting ends Varen will return to the tents, claiming she wants to rest and really freshen up after the bouts. There's an hour or two to kill, before the selection of champions.

Short rest. From 1hp...  43

She'll take the opportunity to brew up something new... and try to recreate Petal's braid. She regrets her brashness, just because she ruined Petal's hard work. "Out with one, in with another..." 

As the fighting for the day ends, Ronegan delays returning to the tent. He was still miffed at the King. The boy seemed to be coming more under the sway of his uncle. He had hoped that Onyx's intellectual curiosity would spare the boy the fate of his father, who seemingly put the kingdom under the sway of an outsider. The trauma of his father's death in an unfamiliar place, and his sister's seeming break from the family had pushed Onyx hard, but Ronegan did not trust his own mouth to cooperate. He had been used to speaking to Onyx as a teacher speaks to a pupil and he knew that was inappropriate, but...

He stands up and stretches, rubbing his stomach and meandering into the tent just as he sees Ran become the official standard bearer. He nods warmly and moves over to congratulate Ran. "Well deserved, good sir! I hadn't the foggiest notion of what was going on in there, but even I could see you looked impressive. Shall we gather the others and find a quiet corner to discuss the days ahead." Leaning in a little closer to speak sotto voce to the older human, he adds "There is much to discuss, about today and last night. We should definitely find Varen as well, unless that ne'er do well Sir Kay got to her first." He touches his nose knowingly.

Ran nods to Ronegan as he begins to speak but then shakes his head when Ronegan leans in closer to whisper. Too many ears right now.

Ran then puts on the mantle as requested by Onyx, feeling very much an archer’s target now. Opal intentionally dragged her contest out to a dull draw but why? Distancing herself from Firstforge? Was she told too? Could something be planned for the melee? He needed someone more insightful than himself to discuss this with. 

But for now he walks with Onyx to be paraded out before the court.

Onyx leads and hopes his house will follow. Returning to the tournament grounds from the tents they assemble on the field as each house stands behind their champion. The announcer in high king Vahar regalia once again returns to the fighting oval.

"May I present to you the champions of the seven kingdoms to fight in the melee tomorrow," she begins with a clear voice. "Lord Jorah Harrow of House Vahar. Sir Kay Tregallis of House Turco. Tamara Nygaar of House Dhkar. His highness Gillys Marshfield of House Marshfield. His highness Theodore Pedryas of House Pedryas. Lord Sylar Danathann of House Celaeno. Sir Ran Deadgleam of House Firstforge. Here are your champions," she finishes as all applaud the heroes of the day.

Jubel Baelfire rises from his seat and applauds the champions before speaking.

"We have seen this day the glory of the Lightbringer among you faithful. May your weapons be guided by what is good and just. May the Light lead you to truth," Jubel adds before bowing out to a smattering of applause from courtiers as he's whisked away by his remaining knights. The clergy lingers however speaking to courtiers and the crowds of people they've allowed into the spectacle. 

Whether for their coin or devotion these people are dressed well and lavish attention on the remaining clergy and courtiers. Clearing the field afterward the party is given the option to remain on the tournament grounds for the festivities and later the feast or retire to the royal apartments to rest before the feast. King Onyx and his family are retiring to the royal apartments as advised by Esrah and Juno who accompany them but the choice to stay or go is left to the party.

Petal looks up at her friends amongst the bustle of people leaving the grounds. “Hey um.... do you think it would be a good time to get to know some of the other houses? We’ve got some allies in the Turcos, and they say there are Marshfields we can trust too. It might be good for us to get together and compare our stories of the attack and inquisitions - see if we can put our heads together?”

Varen stands near Ran as the festivities come to a close for the evening. She gives the old soldier a sly grin, and whispers, "You know, kinda glad I lost. You look far too comfortable with all the gems and silver laurels draped around you. It's a good look, Ran."

Ran glares at Varen, before breaking into a small laugh. 

"I feel ridiculous," he begins but then lowers his voice and speaks in a hushed tone for Petal and Varen's ears only. "Opal and her Marshfield prince had no interest in being their house champions. Either they know something that will happen during the melee, they were told by their Inquisitor friend not to win, or they've both turned their backs on their houses. Whatever it is, we still need to be careful with the Marshfields."

Straightening up and looking around to see if it's okay to take the damn mantle off now he says in a louder voice.

"Now, let's go find Kay. I'm surprised he isn't already here dragging you off for a drink. Where are Ronegan and Elavor?"

"Perhaps... Or perhaps the other Marshfields are feeling just as... Let down... as we are. Let's not show our entire hand, but maybe the Marshfield champion and other warrior might have some thoughts."

"Agreed," Ran says. "A few beer in both and hopefully we'll learn a few things tonight."

Ran waves Ronegan and Elavor over and then starts looking for Kay and the beer tent.