Chivalry and Dread.

[Rhalius]

Baron Blacktower: "For the next round, Sir Roderick will fight against Sir William."

Roderick was quite happy that he wouldnt have to fight against Stephen or Jory, he wanted to test himself against one of the Lion knights.

They charge at each other with great speed, as they clash William's lance shatters against Roderick's shield, the force of the impact causes him to raise his own lance slightly, hitting William against the head instead of against his chest!

While slightly shaken from the impact, Sir William seems fine and draws his sword while moving around the fence.
Roderick draws his sword as well, ready to meet Sir William in melee.

While Roderick remembers Cedric's advice about William being a great fighter on horseback, that doesnt help to make himself a better fighter on horseback.

Sir William hits Roderick against the head with the hilt of his sword, knocking him out of the saddle!

It seems he took quite a hit, the audience holds its breath.

Slowly, Roderick struggles to get back up.

Elena: "Come on Roderick! you can do it! I believe in you!"

[tahra]

Up! Up! Up!

[Rhalius]

Slowly, Roderick manages to get back on his feet, leaning on his sword as he catches his breath.

Sir William: "Are you sure you want to continue? You took quite a fall, and I won't go easy on you."
Roderick: "I'll be alright.. don't hold back, please."

Sir William gives an understanding nod to Roderick before lowering his visor and raising his sword and shield. Roderick raises his sword and they continue their fight.

Roderick seems quite capable of defending himself against William's attacks, encouraged as he hears Elena cheer him on!

Slowly but certainly, he pushes William back and on the defensive, he manages to disarm him of his shield.

As he pressed the attack, William soon finds himself with his back against the fence.

Still, Roderick presses on, pushing William over the fence while disarming him!

Elena, along with the rest of the crowd cheers for this unexpected turn of events! Roderick wins the round!

While very happy with his victory, Roderick moves around the fence straight away to help his opponent back on his feet.

William looks up surprised: "You sure had me fooled, I didnt think there'd be much fight left in you! I gave it my all though!"
Roderick  smiled as he catched his breath: "So did I, I don't think I could have lasted any longer."

When Roderick moved back to the side of the field, he was greeted by Elena who gave him a friendly hug.

Elena: "I'm so glad you are alright, you really had me worried when you fell from your horse!"
Roderick smiled: "Thank you for cheering me on, you helped me get through this fight."

[DrDalek6]

  aw that's sweet good old Roderick well done on turing that one around had me worried for a bit keep up the good work

[Rhalius]

As Roderick returns to his friends, they are quick to cheer for him.
Frederick: "Way to go Roderick, you sure showed them we can take on these lions!"
Henry: "Just keep fighting like this and you might win, just don't let it go to your head. You'll be likely to face an experienced champion in the next round."

Baron Blacktower announced the last duel of the second round. "And now to conclude this round, my best knight, Sir Jory, will fight against Sir Stephen!"
They already saw it coming and made their way to the field, they where the only ones left.
Sir Stephen: "A shame we have to fight each other, what do you say we treat the public to a true jousting match?"
Sir Jory smiled: "I'd like that, but who keeps the score then?"
Sir Stephen: "How about the first one to be dismounted forfeits?"
Sir Jory: "Deal."

While they moved to get on their horses, Frederick was grumbling. "Jory his best knight? what about me? I've been at the castle longer than him!"
Roderick: "He probably meant just for this tournament.. Sir Jory is an experienced jousting champion after all, Sir Stephen too.. they have been in many tournaments like this, while this is our first."

In the meanwhile, Jory and Stephen already charged at each other, lances forward.

As both of them fail to get a good hit, they raise their lance and move around to try again.


The second time, Sir Stephen tries to surpass Sir Jory´s shield but it doesnt work too well, but it helps to throw off Jory´s aim.


But when they come around for a third time, it is Sir Jory who lands a full hit and dismounts Sir Stephen!


Staying true to his word, Stephen gets up and bows politely to Jory, surrendering in a gracious way before leaving the field.

For a moment there is silence as the public watches this turn of events. But when King Phillip starts applauding, everyone else follows his example.

[Birdie]

 

This is turning out to be a photo-novel! 

Excellent work, keep it up!

[Rhalius]

Roderick, Henry and Frederick are a bit surprised at this turn of events, even more when Cedric gets up from his chair to greet Stephen when he returns to them.

Cedric shook his hand and smiled: "Well done old friend.. a most honourable duel."
Henry: "Why did you stop fighting? You still had a chance of winning if you continued the fight on foot."
Stephen: "I fight against Sir Jory almost every day in training, we are evenly matched. Only one of us can go to the next round, so its good to save our strenghts for that."
Cedric smiled: "Their duels at the castle often take a long time because they are evenly matched.. it takes a long time and leaves both of them exhausted."
The three friends nodded in understanding, now they realised that having to fight a friend in a tournament wasnt all bad.

With the second round concluded, Pierre walks back on the field for an announcement.

Pierre: "Where they not wonderfull ladies and gentlemen? Only four knights remain! They are hereby summoned to the field on horseback and ready for the next round!"

Roderick smiled as he moved forward, this was it! He was one of those four out of eightteen knights who got to stand there!

Frederick: "Go on, they are waiting for you. go get them. Especially sir Jory! Don't let him upstage me like this!"
Henry: "Just stay calm and focused.. all three of them have won at least three big tournaments."

As everyone moved to get on horseback and Roderick did his very best to stay calm, the nobles watched in anticipation.

Sir Constantine's son was hoping his dad would win, the various noble ladies where curious to see which dashing knight would be the champion and some of the noblemen where placing bets amongst each other about who would win.

With the four remaining knights now on the field, Pierre adresses them.

Pierre: "Congratulations good sirs, the four of you certainly fought hard to get this far! Because there are only four of you left, the two who fight the second battle in this third round need to stand ready. First, Sir Constantine will fight against Sir Jory, and then Sir Christopher will fight Sir Roderick."

Roderick and Christopher move aside to make room for Jory and Constantine, while the heralds with their trumpets announced the beginning of the third round.


The end of the tournament was near, and Roderick is very exited to be a part of it! But will he manage to defeat these veterans?

[Lynx]

Excellent again, Rhalius. Like the overview shots a lot. I'm glad you manage to keep the story going, I know how much effort it sometimes takes..  Can't wait to see what's next...

[DrDalek6]

Great stuff it's amazing when you see how it's been whittled down to just 4 competitors here's hoping Roderick does well but, he's goign to have tough competition will look forward to seeing more action 

[Rhalius]

((thanks everyone, it's been a bit busy with the holidays but I'm really trying to pick up the pace now. The story is still far from finished.))

As the round starts, Sir Jory and Sir Constantine charge at each other!

While both have a strong attack, their defense is even stronger, they manage to use their shields effectively to avoid getting hit.

While the battle continues on foot, Roderick's attention moves away from the battle when Charles waves for him to come closer.

Charles: "You are doing well so far Roderick, better than I would have done! but keep an eye on Sir Christopher.. I saw from up close how he tricked Frederick. When on the ground Frederick got confident, Christopher just lured him in to attack, making him think he had already won."
Roderick: "Thank you.. that's good advice, I couldnt really see it well from where I was standing. I'll make sure to avoid getting lured into an attack like that."

Roderick's attention turns back to the battle when he hears the crowd cheering.

Sir Jory had put up a good fight, but it simply was not enough to defeat Sir Constantine. Many people already started to whisper about Constantine winning the tournament, he's been one of the knights who was deemed the most likely winner from the very start.

Politely he extends his hand to Jory to help him back on his feet. Together they leave the field to make room for Roderick and Christopher while the squires take the horses back to the stables.


This sure is going to be a special duel.. will Roderick be able to defeat the knight who defeated Frederick? As Constantine and Jory found a good spot to watch the fight, Elena was watching the fight with anticipation, along with everyone else.


The signal is given, they move in for the charge! Both come in with a strong blow, shattering their lances against each other's shields!