The Tournament: The Final

Noon of the first Stillday of Bayles. Outside Barow Castle

The tiltyard is bathed in the red autumn sun, it is quiet. On the half filled stands Sir Vladimir has taken the king's place, the king is absent and many guests have left for home. All flags are gone, only the banners of the Salt Knight and the Gilded Knight hang limply on the balustrade. The last bout of the tournament will commence soon.

Referee

Anastaz, you wake up with aching muscles as if you have wrestled all knight with giants but you can breath freely. When you dress stiffly you are aware of all the fresh scars on your body. As you leave the healer's tent you see Perilake

Perilake, you stand outside of your pavilion, your squire has helped you into your excessively polished armour. He stands next to Blacwyn, who is brushed and whose mane is braided. “My lord” he mumbles “I hope my work pleases you.”

Anastaz the Salt Knight

With a slight limp, Anastaz walks over to Perilake, his right hand holding the spot where his insides were scrambled by Sir Vlad. He removes his hand from his stomach and places it on Perilake's armored shoulder. "It will be an honor," he says gruffly.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

"Good work Zoltan. Blacwyn has never looked finer." Perilake smiles at his new squire.

As his brother knight lays his hand on his shoulder, Perilake studies the Salt Knight's pained face. "The honour is forever mine Anastasz" Perilake places his hand on the other knight's shoulder in turn, then bows his forehead to touch that of his friend, and they share a quiet moment. As they part, he raises a hand to stop his friend in his tracks.

"Before we enter the field, I wanted to say... it pained me to see Sir Johann's dagger in your side. Whilst within the rules of the tourney, of battle and glory, I would not be able to bring myself to such a thing against one who has been by my side in true peril. Against one I call my friend and true." He sighs. "What I am trying to say, is I wish you luck my friend. May the autumn sun make for a brighter battle than the dark hour that saw my brother take such a wound."

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz's eyes glisten for a moment, and he hazards a small smile. Then he winces, turns away, and goes to find Tibor.

Ludmer the Trail Knight

Ludmer enters the stands, taking a seat right in the middle between both contestants. He watches the bout with the grim serenity of someone who feels duty-bound to attend but takes no joy in the proceedings.

Referee

For the last time you enter the tiltyard that is in a sorry state after yesterdays heavy rainfalls: Wet straw on a muddy pitch, the sun reflected in pools of water. Once again the three guardsmen sound the horns of battle.

The first meeting at the tilt

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz softly caresses Tibor's scaled hide. He looks to the stands, and then across the field at Perilake, and nods, before raising his lance.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake nods in return, and prepares for the charge

The trumpet sounds, and Blacwyn and Tibor charge towards each other with ever building momentum. The crowd's cheers fall into sudden silence as the gilded figure draws closer to the warrior in Coraline mail, and there's a gasp as the lances level. Just before they clash, Perilake yells "For the Black Fleece!" as his lance cuts through the air, dipping towards Anastasz's chest

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz attempts to place a solid hit on Perilake, but as they draw closer the lance seems to grow heavier and heavier in his hand, and he cries out in pain as the tilt and the weight of the lance unsettles his wounds. His blow slides along and off Perilake's gleaming plate and he ducks out of the way of Perilake's own strike, letting the lance smack into his right side rather than potentially unseat him. He arrives at the other side of the field gasping and panting as he wheels Tibor around.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

A glancing blow it may have been, but it was only the shining plate of Perilake's armour that prevented it from finding it's mark. Perilake's breath explodes from him and his ribs bruise, taking all of his might to keep his place atop Blacwyn and his lance in his hands. But over his own breath, he hears his brother's cry of pain. He wheels Blacwyn around, and pauses for a second, raising one hand in salute - waiting to see if Anastasz is ready for the second pass.

Behind them in the Stands, the silence is broken by fervent mutters. As the mud shifts beneath their steeds, the odds - and the wagers - on the two knights shift within the stands

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz catches his breath, takes a moment to steady himself, and raises his hand to mirror Perilake's, before urging Tibor on.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Smiling at his friend's bravery, Perilake drives Blacwyn forward. He raises his lance and takes careful aim for the opposite side to the one so recently pierced by Sir Johann's blade, and trusts to the Fates and the Seers - and to Anastasz - that all will be well

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Tibor races forward, and Anastaz aims for Perilake's chest. In moments, the pain has returned, and his muscles scream at him to cease this futile game and just collapse, but Anastaz looks down at the wolf pendant, and thinks of his comrades. Let no one say the Knights of the Black Fur are without honor or prowess, he thinks, and he looks into Perilake's eyes and holds his lance steady as it strikes home, unseating the Gilded Knight.

Perilake the Gilded Knight

There's a moment of stunned silence from the crowd. Sir Vlad leaps to his feet, wincing in pain but cheering in victory, breaking the silence "To the Salt Knight!" He bellows. "To my wounds - and to my wealth!" He leers down at a nobleman next to him, who begrudgingly digs into their belt for a coin purse. With the silence broken, the crowd erupts into thunderous applause.

On the field, Perilake takes a brief moment looking up at the shining sky, and smiles. He pulls himself up to his feet and rips off his helmet, tossing it to Zoltan who comes running across the field to take Blacwyn's reins. For a second, the youth stumbles as he wonders whether to hold the horse or to grab the helm, and somehow manages to do both without too much ill-grace.

The Gilded Knight jogs forward to the Salt Knight, seeing the pain stiffening the knight in the saddle, and reaches out a hand.
"Well struck my brother. May I have the honour of helping you from your steed, and raising the hand of the realm's greatest knight?"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"You may," the Salt Knight whispers, as he all but slumps onto Perilake, barely able to hold himself up. "You fought well, comrade," he groans as he stands on the hard ground.

Ludmer the Trail Knight

"Well fought, my friends", Ludmer says as he joins Anastaz and Perilake. From his pouch he takes two bundles of leaves, palming one to each of his brother knights as he steps between them, raising both their hands. "For the pain. Can't let people think you're mere mortals, my brothers".

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Many thanks, Trail Knight," Anastaz says, eagerly swallowing the herbs.

Referee

You taste a pleasant numbing in your mouth and you feel light headed. As you look towards the stand all knights and nobles rise while Sir Vladimir walks laboured towards the balustrade. He turns to receive the price of the tournament from his Steward: a longsword and the shield. He motions the Salt Knight to step forward.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz does so, kneeling before his fellow knight.

Winner of the Grand Harvest Tournament: Anastaz the Salt Knight

Referee

Sir Vlad declares you the winner of the Grand Harvest Tournament. The crowd claps wildly, cheering the new champion and chanting his name: "Salt Knight! Salt Knight! Salt Knight ...!" 

The autumn sun bathes the tiltyard in golden light as Sir Anastaz raises the longsword and shield.

~ End of Season 1 ~

Waiting for season 2: Harvest Moon