The Tournament: Third Interlude

 Perilake the Gilded Knight

In the pavillion, Perilake raises his wine cup to Heldris and to the two empty chairs beside them. "To our brothers! To their battles. And to the finale." He takes a long drink "Poor Anastasz has certainly proven his mettle this tourney. I swear the Salt Knight will be more Scar than Skin when we are through. Ah but he has earned each blow!" He shakes his head sadly. "If only the healers would have admitted us to their tent so we could toast that battle properly, with Ludmer and the warrior himself."  

Heldris the Dove Knight

Heldris raises his cup in response: “to the Knights of the Black Fleece!” Then takes a slow sip, thoughtfully. “It sure has been a day full of excitement, but it’s far from done yet… the Feast of the Stars will be the better red carpet for this great finale. I can’t wait to see what the King’s court has prepared for us.” The Dove Knight looks at his friend, “What do you think Perilake? Do you welcome the distraction before the last fight? I have to say, I both look forward and dread this final round, I don't like to see my friends so close to injury, but I'm honoured to see you fly so high and I'll be mirthful to celebrate both of you tomorrow!” Heldris raises his cup again to Perilake

Referee

Anastaz, you dream of being underwater, the surface high above you and higher still strange white clouds. You try to swim up towards it but your arms and legs are weak and you don't seem to get closer at all. For a long time you suppress the terrible urge to breath until at last you give in and the cold water rushes into your lungs. In the last moments before you wake up you see a white city floating high up in the sky.

You wake up gasping for air. There are dozens of candles all around you. You hear the croaking voice of Sir Vladimir lying beside you: “Take care of him as if he was the king's brother. Grant him the opportunity to gain the glory he deserves!”

Anastaz the Salt Knight

In rasping, gasping breaths, Anastaz says, "Thank you, Banner Knight. If I could trade our places... well, the offer would be tempting."

Referee

When you turn to face Vlad he appears as a blurry apparition amidst the candles. “A blade is a very personal weapon. I think we learned more about each other than most lovers. ”he coughs out phlegm – or blood ”We got as close to death as one can get...but we will live and together we hunt the biggest boar we can find in the King's Wood - and then we feast!" He makes a horrible sound more cough than laughter. "They do say I'm the best cook in all of Barowia!"

Anastaz the Salt Knight

"If you cook as well as you fight," Anastaz chokes out, "I do not doubt it."

Referee

"After the Feast of Stars you will be your old self - well apart from the flesh I tore out of you - and tomorrow ... I wish you the best of luck against Ser Perilake!" And then the world around you spins and you slide back into uneasy dreams.

Celebrating a bountiful harvest

Night of the 1st Rainsday of Bales 

In the course of the afternoon the torrential rain turns into a light drizzle. The sky clears up and the stands begin to fill again. The nobles are now wearing woollen tunics and embroidered dresses like festive peasants.

Drummers emerge from the castle and take position, beating a slow rhythm. The first swirls of an aurora spread overhead. Two figures appear in simple tunics, a man and a women, one carrying the twisted horn from an ancient wild goat the other a grotesque beaked mask. To the beat of the drums they lead the procession of knights and nobles, courtiers and peasants into the bog. Nobody speaks under the sapphire light of the aurora until after some time you reach a ring of standing stones surrounding an altar. There are stone tables laden with food and drink for the harvest has been good.

The woman dons the mask and the man blows the horn: A dissonant sound, low and strange! And then from all over the realm, from the hills and forests and across the abyss of time horns answer as if from ancient beasts calling back. A choir of voices behind the mask proclaim: “In the name of the Entombed Seer we give thanks to rock and root, beast and brook, and the stars above!” The people rejoice and so the Feast of the Stars begins with dance and song and revelry.

Heldris and Perilake, women with flower bonnets bring you wine and invite you to dance

Perilake the Gilded Knight

Perilake bows, takes the wine and the hand of the maiden before joining the dance.

Heldris the Dove Knight

A marvelled look sets on Heldris' face as he watches the scene. When he feels Perilake's elbow hitting his ribs, he snaps out of his wonder, accepts the wine with a bow, and follows the maidens to the dance.

Referee

Anastaz you wake up in a small oak grove on a hill overlooking the feast. You lie on a bed of dried flowers while the wind eases your pain. Women with flower bonnets bring you golden mead and pieces of raw ox heart. "The mead brings you warmth and the heart gives you strength." they say. You breath freely. Vlad lies beside you staring at the stars.

Anastaz the Salt Knight

The blinding agony of Anastaz's injuries has settled into a dull but seemingly omnipresent pain. He takes large gulps of the mead and big, bloody bites of the ox heart, out of hunger and thirst as well as a desire to recover his strength for his battle with Perilake.

Referee

The drums beat all night. Some guests disappear in pairs at midnight or wander into the bog. But others settle down at the oak grove and play old games and tell stories - quietly so not to wake up the healing warriors - until at dawn the drums fall silent...

A beaked mask