The Tournament: First Interlude

Referee

The canvas of the tent flaps violently in the gusty wind as the Salt Knight enters the healer's marquee. It smells of strange herbs. When your eyes adjust to the dim light, Sir Anastaz, you see between two healers standing over him the Free Knight broken and bloodied on a cot, while Sir Vladislav pushes away a servant with spiced tea and demands with a deep melodic voice: “Not these leaves, you fool! More wine!” In the back lies Sir Ludmer his naked torso bandaged. As you approach his eyes flutter and he regains consciousness.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz stands over Ludmer, the candlelight illuminating the pallor of his face. "I... hope you are not in too much pain."

Ludmer the Trail Knight

Ludmer looks up, squinting his eyes. He furrows his brows as if he has trouble understanding Sir Anastaz' words. Finally, he gives a crooked smile: "I feel like somebody impaled me with a lance. Not too bad, all things considered. I'm just glad that I lost to one of us. It seems like I've got one in too. Please do not hold it against me."

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz's hand goes to his jaw. "Yes, you broke my jaw, you bastard." A wry smile breaks across his face, and then is gone a second later. "I'll consider us even, and leave you to rest." And he disappears back outside.

Referee

As Sir Heldris approaches the tent, he hears music from Lady Hedwig's pavilion, drums and flutes. Through the open entrance you smell sweet incense.

Heldris the Dove Knight

Apprehensively, Heldris steps into the tent, "Lady Hedwig, may I... I don't mean to be disrespectful, I was wondering how were you holding up after your fall"

Referee

The Tankard Knight lying on a divan looks up almost apologetically. She claps her hands ushering the musicians to leave. She offers you wine and figs and roasted nuts. “I beg you to forgive my strange behaviour before. Tonda says it has to do with the humors – black bile I think? In any case I'm fine now"

scientifically sound: Humorism

Heldris the Dove Knight

Heldris takes place on a seat on her side "Yes, I couldn't help but be tormented by the thought that you might have been unwell before our bout…" Heldris stutters "Tonda seemed to be much worried about you. Black bile you say?" Heldris accepts the food and wine gratefully

Referee

"...or it may be yellow bile, I'm terrible with these matters." She laughs."But tell me my dapper knight, I heard so much of your heroics. Killing a terrible beast I hear. Meeting the Lord of Szalai. What do you think of him?" You feel strange - not in a bad way - but as if you can trust her fully

Heldris the Dove Knight

"Sir Adalbert" a faint sneer on Heldris' face, "we didn't get a good impression from him, nor from his courtiers for that matter" the Dove Knight takes a thoughtful sip from his wine "he tried to lure us into fight this border dispute for him, but after meeting Tonda on the road and hearing such wise and detached words from a healer, I grew curious of the house of Karpat," Heldris sighs "but yes, a curse befell us, and we had to leave politics aside."

"But no my lady, you're not looking at a slayer of beasts" Heldris holds the wolf pendant in his hand "Twas Sir Ludmer, the Trail Knight, that we all have to thank" the Dove Knight regains his smile at the thought of his friend

Referee

"Ah yes, this vicious tyrant and his needless aggressions ... But you are too humble my sweet Dove Knight, your tale has reached every holding even as far as my beloved Karpat Fortress. You should visit us, maybe stay for the winter? But tell me, have you seen anything strange at Szalai Keep?"

Heldris the Dove Knight

“It will be a great pleasure to visit the Karpat Fortress, my Lady.” The Dove Knight lowers his cup. “But your inquiry makes me think that you're already aware of what I’ve seen. We came upon Szalai Keep the day after the Feast of the Sun, the whole place was in a despicable state. We were ushered into the throne room were the Lord was already (or still) drinking his sweet wine, and I noticed strange banners hanging from the walls: a beehive and a sickle. Never seen the like of it before.”

The Beekeepers

Referee

For a brief second she looks utterly perplexed then smiles broadly and says almost to herself: "The Feast of the Sun you say ... old loyalties renewed..." She stands up and declares with a wide welcoming gesture: "In the name of her Highness, Lady Lamberta of Karpat, I formally invite you to spend the winter months on the mountain fortress. You will be given a seat at court and as much mead and meat as you desire. But for now, please don't let me disturb your preparations: I have already occupied too much of your time." She winks, "You have a duel to win after all."

Heldris the Dove Knight

The mention of the fight due takes all cheerfulness away from Heldris’ face. He excuses himself, thanks his host, and leave to prepare for the next round of the tournament

Referee

Sir Anastaz, as you leave the healers tent you see the back of two knights at the rope watching servants with wheelbarrows applying more straw to the muddy field. You recognize Lady Dagmar from the strange snare at her belt. She surreptitiously hands something over to the other knight, who palms it, puts it in her pouch and leaves. The unknown knight has a great blade at her side sitting in an ornate scabbard that shows three plinths. She takes no notice of you as she leaves and you see no crest. Lady Dagmar sighs as she turns around but when she sees you she tries to compose herself: "Salt Knight, your luck has run out", she says in a smooth voice.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Have you spoken with a Seer lately, to know such secrets of fate?

Referee

"I've watched you fight, that's enough to know the outcome of our joust"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Indeed? Well I suppose I'll discover the outcome for myself, dear mistress of prophecy." Anastaz takes his leave, trying to spot where the unknown knight has gotten off to.

Referee

The unknown knight moves across the field her boots sinking into the mud. On the other side she takes her seat on the stand next to Gunter of Kranach who had been beaten in the most thrilling bout of last round by the king's brother. Gunter has a black eye, bruised face and his right arm bandaged.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

Anastaz attempts to sidle up next to the unknown knight and perhaps even take a seat near her to eavesdrop.

Referee

There are several empty seats near them. Both are talking in low voices, if you lean in you can make out what they say.

Gunter: “I don't know what you have on her, Iron Knight, but it seems to bother her and makes you rather happy.”

Iron Knight hissing: “I don't know what you are talking about, also keep your voice down.” 

Gunter: ”There were rumours that during the war …"

Iron Knight: "Quiet!" She abruptly turns around and musters you with cold eyes:"You, Salt Knight, you are part of the black dogs aren't you? Keep your snout out of my matters, or you will regret it!"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"Taking bets for Lady Dagmar, are we? Or do you have some other surreptitious business with her, Iron Knight?"

Referee

She gets up and instinctively puts her hand on the pummel of her blade :"Are you accusing me of cheating? Do you know who I am?"

Anastaz

"I know only that you have dealings with Lady Dagmar that you seem to wish kept in the dark."

Referee

While the first words were spoken loudly, she now looks around and hisses: "I don't know what you are talking about. Either speak your mind and we settle things at dawn or you keep your muzzle shut!"

Anastaz

"I would not besmirch my own honor by making false accusations, and I hope you have not besmirched yours by telling lies. Good day to you." The Salt Knight exits the stands

Referee

There are some looks from other nobles both at you and the Iron Knight and courtiers begin to whisper to each other. The Iron Knight looks around uncomfortably and leaves in the other direction.