[Warrick] No tomb so proud as his...

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

She was quick, but Gray had been ready for that. As he thrust went for his shoulder, Gray brought his offhand blade up, striking her smaller blade and pushing it far enough upward that it only grazed the armor on his shoulder. As the blade passed, he planted his right foot slightly to the Skyknight's left side, and with a quick shift of weight from his back foot to his now forwardly placed right foot, pivoted out to the side. As he came around her left side he took a quick swipe at her shield arm, before stepping out of reach.

[Vivian Shiryu]

Vivian grinned. Grey was good, skillfully deflecting her blow and stepping in to counter, but she had expected this wouldn't be easy. She was able to catch the blow on her shield and she stepped back the same has Grey did. However, she didn't hesitate for even a moments thought before she stepped forward and thrust at Grey, this time her rapier aiming for the stomach of her erstwhile opponent. Her thrust was but a feint though, and she changed direction at the last moment to strike at her true target, again aiming for the shoulder.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

No sooner had the two separated then she was on the attack again, driving a thrust at Gray's gut. She was persistent in her attacks, unrelenting, and yet at the same time eager, and a bit reckless. In her haste to continue the fight, she seemed to be neglecting her own defense more and more. Gray's mind worked in overtime, then a spark went off in his head. It was a risk, but as it stood, might be the only way to get passed the woman's shield.

At the last moment, the Skyrider's thrust turned into a feint and changed directions again going for his shoulder. Again, Gray went to parry. This time however he timed it a fraction of a trill later, and his opponents rapier bit slightly at his shoulder. At the same time Gray dropped his offhanded blade and made a show as if he had caught her attack wrong and lost his grip on the blade, before quickly retreating a few spaces back.

Quickly eyeing the wound to his shoulder he saw it wasn't much more than a scratch and his armor had taken the brunt of the strike. Quickly refocusing on his opponent, he quickly looked from her to his other sword laying in the dirt, before allowing a worried frown to pull his mouth downward. Finally, with a sigh of feigned loss, Gray took up another stance, though this time he left his left side completely open. As he waited, he only hoped she'd take the bait.

[Vivian Shiryu]

Vivian grinned excitedly as she landed the hit, her grin growing wider as Grey dropped his sword and stepped back, adopting a different style. However, it seemed he wasn't used to fighting with only one blade and his left side was completely open. After only a seconds hesitation, the young soldier rushed forward, her eagerness to win the fight making her hasty. Her attack this time was a swing rather than a thrust, this time aimed to hit his unprotected left shoulder and carry down diagonally to his right hip.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Gray's opponent had a grin that nearly split her face in two. She was enjoying the fight, but her smile came from a false sense of victory. As she made her move, looking to slice down on Gray open left shoulder, Gray made his own. As stepped forward to commit to the slash Gray stepped in too. Putting him nearly in her face. Though he was only the for a second, as he stepped again. This time though, he place his right foot slightly behind her left, and pivoted again. This time though instead of ending on her left side, he ended on her flank.

As her slash fell on empty air Gray gently placed the point of his blade between her shoulders. With a great sigh, Gray spoke. "Well fought Sargent, but I must ask you to disarm." As he finished he put a little pressure on the point to remind her he had the advantage.

[Vivian Shiryu]

The taste of triumph in Vivian's mouth turned to bitter defeat with Grey's counter as she felt his blade against the space between her shoulder blades. Clenching her teeth, Vivian resisted the urge to swear violently as she tried to think of a counter. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to think of any at the moment, and resolved to spend some time training against this exact kind of counter.

Letting out an explosive sigh, Vivian sheathed her rapier. "Good counter, using my excitability against me." she said, her tone very carefully controlled as she stepped forward away from the blade and turned to face her opponent, keeping her hand away from the hilt of her sword to make it clear that the fight was over. After a moment, she sighed again before giving a wry grin. "I see I still have a long way to go." she said, her tone calm, if clearly disappointed. "Still though, one of these days I wouldn't mind having another match with you." she said, cheering up at that thought.

[Vincent D'Ordyn]

Gray could see the moment his opponent accepted her defeat, and let her step away from his blade before she sheathed it an turned back to him. Despite her loss, she still had a grin on her face. "I see I still have a long way to go." she said a bit of disappointed lacing her words.

Gray couldn't help but smile a little at her, "You're not the only one in need of more training." He stated as his too sheathed is blade, and took a moment to look at the damage to his shoulder. "You're quite fast." Gray continued, giving a small hiss as he touched a slightly sensitive area.

"Still though, one of these days I wouldn't mind having another match with you." She continued.

"I look forward to the day Sargent." Gray replied, before going to pick up his fallen sword. After taking a quick moment to clean the blade of any debris, he sheathed it as well. "Until that day, train hard and stay alive." Gray concluded.

[Griffin]

G R I F F I N

The applause faded and the victors were summoned forth. Victor Warrick studied his niece and the man who had defeated her with such grace with a careful gaze. The crowd waited, expectant for the winner of the bought to remove his mask and when he failed to so the Baron lent his hands on the rail to study him closer still. The blonde man raised a brow, “will you not honour us with your face?” He challenged, “Or are you so ill-formed that you’re afraid of frightening the children?”
He waited for the laughter to pass before throwing down the pouch of gold that would serve as Vincent’s prize. Followed in quick succession by a pouch for Vivian. The final prizes awarded, the crowd erupted in jubilation and shouts for the mysterious Gray. Echoing across the flats and plains of Warrick and long into the evening.

***

Dusk fell fast and jubilation soon turned to inebriated merriment as the feast began in earnest and the wine and ale began to flow. Songs were written about the mysterious man and the dark-rose Vivian of Warrick who had fought with such valour and strength. A few rumours flew but were quickly quelled that the Baron of Burhan had departed the celebrations too early along with his future bride whose absence was noticed. Whispers turned to giggles and the sly suggestion that perhaps the happy couple couldn’t wait for their wedding evening and that love had struck them both like a sickness.
Toasts were raised to their good health and music, song and laughter wrapped the summers evening in warm embrace.

[Griffin]

Lazuli

Story 10/10
Collaboration 5/5
Structure 5/5
Fame +3 Winning your match in style
Knowledge
Location: Fort Warrick
Veljorn: Baron of Burhan
Veljorn: Widower
You look like your Father
Veljorn: Warrior
Isabel: Supportive
Zvezdana: Beauty is dangerous
Vivian: Sargeant of Skyriders
Vivian: Formidable Ally
Tournament: Watch your opponents
Crossbow: Check bolts are true
Rafael: Lives Dangerously
Veljorn: Handsom
Isabel thinks Veljorn is a good match
Isabel thinks Veljorn is a good man
Ettiquette: Correct introductions
Cristof: Sense of Humour
Cristof: Embarrassed you.
Gains
A victors pouch of 50 GN!

Zvezdana

Story 10/5
Collaboration 5/5
Structure 5/5
Fame +2 A token gift
Knowledge
Location: Fort Warrick
Lazuli: Betrothed to Veljorn Burhan
Lazuli: F in Etiquette
Lazuli: Naïve
Lazuli: Nervous to meet Veljorn
Lazuli: Competent Archer
Vivian: Sargeant of Skyriders
Vivian: Formidable Ally of Lazuli
Clothes: Expensive
Rafael: Defeated quickly
Rafael: ‘Baby’ Warrick
Rafael: Immature
Rafael: Attracted to you
Alcohol: Careful consumption
Alcohol: Perfecting the ‘glow’
Leather armour: helps speed
Deception: Pretending to care
Veljorn: Engaged to Lazuli Warrick
Veljorn: Handsome
Veljorn: Victor
Veljorn: Wore your favour
Veljorn: Attractive
Veljorn: A powerful man
Veljorn: Power lust at first sight!
Tactics: Making the most of your Assests
Etiquette: The perfect introduction
Etiquette: Hostess
Flirting: Watching beneath your lashes
Flirting: Playing coy
Flirting: A token

Gains
N/A

Vivian

Story 10/10
Collaboration 5/5
Structure 5/5
Fame
+2 Won single combat
+2 Won single combat
= + 4 Total
Knowledge
Location: Fort Warrick
Isabel Warrick: Proud of you
Lazuli: Betrothed to Veljorn Burhan
Lazuli: Heir to Warrick
Sword: Effective parry
Sword: Use all parts
Rafael: Lives dangerously
Veljorn: Fit & Healthy
Veljorn: Formidable opponent
Veljorn: Technically excellent
Veljorn: Defeated you
Genevive Allanach: Defeated by your hand
Genevive Allanach: Over-Confident
Shield: Quick defence
Sword: Take the advantage!
Sword: Thin blade- perfect for visors
Sword: A high strike
Sword: Find a centred stance
Armour: An unfamiliar weight
Mount: Jousting at a Gallop
Mount: Levelling a lance correctly
Gray: Defeated you
Gray: A mystery
Gray: A worthy opponent
Gain
A runner up pouch of 20 GN! - Sword
A runner up pouch of 20 SN! – For making it through the rounds. - Joust

Victoria

Story 9/10
Collaboration 5/5
Structure 5/5
Fame
+2 Won single combat
Knowledge
Location: Fort Warrick
Lazuli: Betrothed to Veljorn Burhan
Lazuli: Heir to Warrick
Noble house of Krome: Party has already started!
Parents: Supportive and proud
Your brother is injured
Vera Ash: Defeated by your hand
Shield: A quick block
Sword: Pommel strike
Sword: Use the advantage!
Sword: Longsword has extended reach
Paul Marick: Defeated you
Tactics: Think on your feet
Loose heart & Loose the fight
Gains
A runner up pouch of 20 SN! – For making it through the rounds.

Rafael

Story 10/10
Collaboration 5/5
Structure 5/5
Fame -2 For youthful high-jinks & tomfoolery in the public eye!
Knowledge
Location: Fort Warrick
Lazuli: Betrothed to Veljorn Burhan
Lazuli: Heir to Warrick
Lazuli: Chose armour
Lazuli: A competent archer
Fighting: Cloaks get in the way
Fighting: Control your features
Sword: Falcon’s defence
Genevive Allanach: Defeated you
Genevive Allanach: Stronger and faster than she looks
Etiquette: The correct address of Baroness Lazuli
Etiquette: A warning from Uncle Victor
Defeat: Embarrassment
Zvezdana: A striking beauty
Stealth: A good tip-toe
Vivian: A dangerous challenge
Vivian: Sargeant of Skyriders
Vivian: Formidable Ally of Lazuli
Veljorn: A warrior
Gains
N/A

Gray

Story 10/10
Collaboration 5/5
Structure 5/5
Fame
+2 Won single combat
+2 Won single combat
+2 Won single combat
+2 Won single combat
+2 Favour of the crowd
+3 Won Swords Tournament
= + 11 Total
Knowledge
Location: Fort Warrick
Tournament: Lateness equals disqualification
Tournament: Winning the favour of the crowd
Yurik Vanden: Defeated by you
Robyn Smoke: Defeated by you
Allen Reid: Defeated by you
Stephen Denril: Defeated you
Vivian Warrick: Defeated by you
Vivian Warrick: Skyrider
Vivian Warrick: Agile
Unarmed: Use their weight against them
Unarmed: Finding a balanced stance
Unarmed: Backwards roll
Unarmed: Keep opponent moving
Unarmed: Dodge
Sword: Importance of Endurance
Sword: Counter Attack
Sword: Wear your opponent down
Sword: Disarm
Sword: Drawing your opponent forward
Endurance: Fighting despite pain
Endurance: Battle after battle after battle!
Combat: Sizing up your opponent
Combat: Fancy footwork
Gains
A victors pouch of 50 GN! - Swords
A runner up pouch of 20 GN! - Unarmed

► Show Spoiler

Notes
Thank you all for your patience and waiting for this to be done and reviewed! I really enjoyed running this thread and so thank you all for participating. You’re allowed extra points for story – hooray!
Victoria – you didn’t come and join in with the others so it was hard to award you some of the knowledge. I felt really sorry for poor Victoria unable to join in the political intrigue and tom-foolery. Come join in the fun!
Any questions or anything missed please drop me a pm