Varen barely deflects the second strike, running out of steam. Like a banshee, she lets out a final battlecry and lashes out with her saber, whirling in for a strike.

Kay can see that her eyes are not filled with anger, but instead, some combination of fear, sadness, and desperation.

Attack: 16 Damage: 11

Kay takes one step back as Varen launches a final desperate assault. Again he manages to parry her attack and lashes okay quickly to take advantage.

Praying this is the end of the match, he then puts everything he has left into two more attacks. He hits low then high, trying to counter the affect of that shield.

Reaction: Riposte Attack: 24 Damage: 7 plus last superiority die 8 

Action Attack: 13 Damage: 12 

Bonus Attack: 9 Damage: 10 

The first attack sends Varen's saber flying into the sand, well beyond her reach.

She deflects the last two with her shield, but the force of the blows takes her to her knees.

Varen grimaces up at Kay, her face still bloody.

"I... yield."

The announcer rushes to the field as the stands erupt in applause. Both warriors are taken but the arms and shown to the high King's throne where Jubel stands bowing to both.

"Sir Kay Tregallis of house Turco has won this bout. Lady Delisse you are a valiant foe but our champion of this bout is clear," the announcer says releasing them.

As they walk out of the oval fighting pit Kay jogs beside Varen giving her a big grin.

"I know your...talents are different Lady Delisse. I hope to see them...truly when all of us may share our gifts freely in the Light," Kay replies holding out his hand. "I offer you and my houses aid if you should ever need it. I am...certain We guard the same...gifts in others we serve," he adds the last line leaning closer.

Varen puts on a smile for Kay, but her thoughts are a jumbled mess behind whatever façade she is trying to throw up. Deception 14

"I... that is an unexpected statement, Sir Tregallis." She takes his hand. "Well fought... I only hope I was a worthy foe today. I would like it if we can leave the field as allies against whatever bigger threats might come." She looks up to the stands, to where the royal family of the Firstforge... what is left of the royal family... sits. "I will honor that drink offer... later tonight." She says, looking to Kay, before wishing him farewell in the meantime.

Varen takes her leave of the field. She beelines to the private area of the tent, unbuckling the damnable platemail. How can I wear this? Twice today I've failed the house as a warrior. I've failed Opal as a friend. I can't face them now.

The plate mail clatters to the tent floor, only muffled by the soft carpets in the area. She looks at the well-worn leather armor, also with the Firstforge emblem. Shame fills her. She strips the flowers from her hair, now unbraided and loose around her shoulders.

Varen attempts to leave the tent quietly with nothing but her travel clothes, wooden buckler, and saber. Anywhere but here, now.

Stealth 6

Quote from Killilli >>

As the fight starts Petal backs away and looks around to find Kay’s gnome companion. She heads up next to her and pulls a disgusted face, pointing her thumb towards the fight. 

“Look’s a bit more like a mating ritual, are they even trying to hit eachother?” She giggles “I’m Petal by the way, we didn’t get a chance to exchange names the other day.” She juts out her hand awkwardly, trying to perform the ritual townspeople call a “handshake”

 

 OOC: My goof. This will be retroactive before my post above. Killilli feel free to reply!!

"He...uh isn't usually so openly smitten," the female gnome replies still holding her bow from her dismal archery performance. "Aurora Novak," she adds with a smile. "You...they protect you too yes? Your house? My...well my master's say Firstforge and the Marshfields are the only ones we can truly trust," sne adds leaning close and whispering to Petal. "If it wasn't for Kay I don't think I'd trust any big folk," she adds fiddling with the bow nervously. "I see Sir Baelfire has extended his protection to your house too," she adds.

Petal smiles warmly, “Aurora, now that is a beautiful name! Yes, they’ve been wonderful, the Firstforges, they’re good people.” 

Lowering her voice further she continues, ”I don’t know much of the Marshfields, but yes I noticed we all had escorts from the knights of Light.What would we do without Jubel!“

  I fear that that wretched hag of a woman is trying to turn our houses in on themselves though. These attacks and now this... grooming.” Petal subtly looks over at Opal and her new idol, Prendergast. “It’s been scary.... so it’s a real relief that we can find some friends amongst all this” She puts her hand on Auroras shoulder softly, to calm her nerves.

As the fight comes to a close, and the announcements are made, Petal excuses herself. “I’d better go and clean up Varens wounds for her, maybe stop the end of that ritual, before one of them bites the others head off! I wish Kay the best of luck with the rest of the hand to hand, I really do.”

Petal heads over to the tent to find Varwn, grabbing a cloth and some water on the way.

With that stealth roll, Varen bumbles directly into Petal as she is attempting to discreetly leave the tent.

Ran has been looking for Varen after the contest but thought he had missed her leave when he sees her fumble out of one tent flap and right into Petal.

He sees the look in her eyes and thinks he understands.

”You we’re holding back again. I used to think you just didn’t want to show me up in front of the house guard. But seeing you do the same here, well,” he looks down at Petal. “I can guess why. Some day I hope to see what you can do without all the shackles.“ 

Ran holds his hand out to Varen.

”You fought courageously and by hobbling yourself you protected those you care for. And, well, we know what Kay can do out there. You, Opal or I may end up facing him again in the melee. You can’t run off. Someone has to drink him under the table so he’s too hungover tomorrow to be much good.”

Varen looks sullen, her clean getaway now slipped from her fingers.

"It's... well..." She sighs. "One day I'd like to be rid of those shackles...  or rather be rid of those that would bind me in them." She glances at the contingent of Lightbringers, and where Opal now stands. "Ran, you're right. Nothing will get solved if I disappear into a back alley tonight, even if starting at the top shelf of the Blue Boar and working my way down to rock bottom sounds like a delightful distraction." 

She takes his hand. "Time for you to show some true Firstforge mettle."

Petal joins Rans comforting, “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up. You did really well, but people like you and me.... we can’t be our full selves.” She ushers the pair into the tent and gets started on cleaning the blood from Varens face. 

She ponders on Rans idea as she cleans “I don’t think a Turco victory would be the worst, maybe even better than Opal winning. I spoke to Kay’s companion, Aurora, and I think they share the same goals as us. She said the Marshfields are to be trusted too, so hopefully they can beat Opal so you won’t have to face her yourself Ran.  Of course, I’m still cheering for you all the way!”

Watching the fight below come to an end, Elavor smiles at Ronegan... "Let's find something warm, shall we? I'm starving now...  Also, feel like walking down around closer to the action for the next round? We can try and keep an eye on the goings on, see if anyone is up to mischief.." Elavor says with a wink.  

Varen will let Petal lead her back to the tent, this time not planning on fleeing in shame. She realizes she was being foolish, probably about to compound one mistake with another.

"Thank you," she says to the gnome. "I get a bit hotheaded when things don't go my way."

Petal:

Once she's cleaned up, she will dress in her fine clothes, and find a nice bottle of wine with which to watch Ran's bout.

OOC: So it's Vahar initiative 16 vs Ran 13. Vahar up first.

After about a half an hour the party reassembles on the tournament grounds. Those who remained it in stands are conversing, eating, and just simply enjoying the spectacle. Jubel seems to be engaging the Lightbringer's direct representative in conservation as many defenders of the faith and high king's guard patrol on regular intervals around the stands.

"Leaders of the faith and kingdoms, lords and ladies of the court may I present the next bout between again house Firstforge and house Vahar," .... the female elven announcer pauses for applause, "I submit to you a contest between worthy opponents. House Firstforge Ran Deadgleam against house Vahar the Lady Justina Vahar," the crowd ooos and ahhs over the high king's half sister taking the field! "May the Light shine on your actions and may this combat be honorable," the announcer explains. Looking to you both. "Let the match commence," they add stepping out of the oval!

OOC: I'll let Viper (who's piloting Justina) describe my NPC. 

Lady Justina Vahar is a slender human, tall for a woman at perhaps 5'8". Her dark skin and wavy black hair are contrasted by both her eyes, a brilliant light blue, and the silken crimson robes with gilded trim. Golden bracers adorn her arms, and she wears dark leather boots. She holds a long spear in a ready position, the haft a solid dark oak capped at the base with a bell-shaped pommel, the spearhead a polished foot-long triangle of steel trailing crimson and gold ribbons. She gives an appropriate bow as the duel begins.

She watches Ran a moment, assessing him with those eyes, spear ready. Then with a flash, she rushes forward the twenty feet separating the combatants, both hands driving the spear toward's Ran's heart, ribbons trailing behind.

Spear: Attack: 8 Damage: 9

Releasing one hand, she follows up the first attempted strike with an elbow to Ran's face, and slams the pommel into his chest.

Flurry of Blows Attack 1: 23 Damage: 6

Flurry of Blows Attack 2: 13 Damage: 8

OOC: Potential riders if either FoB hits. Second post to follow.

She looks disappointed that no attack found purchase and flows through Ran, moving fifteen feet away from him and prompting an opportunity attack. She holds the spear towards Ran afterwards, both hands on the haft.

Ran braces for the swift flurry of attacks he expects from Lady Vahar. He had watched Kiran train sometimes and has an idea of the speed and fury these monks can present. Thankfully he is able to move with her and push away each attack, the spear point sliding harmlessly off his armor and the hand blows being stopped by the hilts of his swords.

Not getting any purchase on her attacks leaves Lady Vahar open and out of position and Ran moves in quickly to try and take advantage in the gap in her defenses before she is even able to pull away.

He then squares his shoulders and gets into the heart of the battle. Seeing how quickly she moves, Ran knows his best bet is to try and end this as soon as possible. He doesn't have the speed and agility to try and keep with her, racing all over the arena space. He closes the fifteen feet and engages dead on.

He lashes out at her spear arm with one sword, trying to push it and her arm out, allowing his other sword to come over the top and slash at her shoulder.

Digging deep, he then uses his own momentum to carry him past his initial attack and strikes out again.

Reaction: Riposte Attack: 14 Damage: 9 plus Superiority Dice 4 

Action: Attack: 18 Damage: 12 

Bonus Action: Attack: 15 Damage: 6 

Action Surge Action: Attack: 27 Damage: 9 

Assuming two hit: Ran uses two more superiority dice for Disarming Attack. DC 15 Strength Save or disarmed. Plus Damage. On the critical hit: 7 and on the other hit 2 

The riposte is deflected as she artfully maneuvers the spear haft, sliding your sword down and away!

As you charge back into her, she lashes out from a prepared position with an opportunity attack! 

Attack: 14 Damage: 10

Afterwards, as both your blades swing downward in a massive crash, she barely keeps them from landing a killing blow! Her spear takes the brunt of the blow...

Strength Save 1 19

Strength Save 2 5

... but even the fine wood can not absorb the strength behind your attack. The spear gives way, the top half of the haft cracking in two as she is brought down from the blow. As she is left holding nothing but a broken piece of wood, your third maneuver brings a sword to her throat.

OOC: I count 36 damage. She had 31 HP.

Petal claps from the sidelines, nudging Varen to take her eyes off of the wine and see Rans success.