The Tournament

by Gael

The day of the tournament had finally arrived. We made our way eagerly toward the festival grounds in the park. Along the way, it was clear the city had transformed overnight. Streamers and decorations adorned every building. Music filled the air, with people laughing, dancing and even cheering for us as we passed through the streets.

At the park, the scene was breathtaking. Gone were the trees and vendor stalls from just a few days ago. In their place stretched a grand arena: silken tents rippling in the breeze, open fields marked for duels and towering podiums for eager spectators.

An attendant ushered us to a tent that had been prepared for us. As promised, everything we needed for the tournament was there. Including two magnificent warhorses, easily among the finest we had ever seen.

With a bit of time left before the events truly began, Alistan and I got to know our horses. As to stand a real chance in the joust, let alone win, a strong bond between rider and mount was essential. And since these horses were new to us, we had little time to waste.

Then, after about an hour, came the fanfare. Trumpets echoed, signalling the tournament's commencement. Hayley quickly gathered us to explain the schedule. The archery contest would be the first event of the day. Followed by the battle of wits at around noon and the grand melee taking place after it. The joust would run throughout the day in the grand arena, with contestants competing in pairs to reach the final rounds.

Hayley also gave us a grim warning. For Wolf and Doe, our enigmatic adversaries, were also present on the tournament grounds. So we needed to remain on guard for any of their schemes.

Before we could speculate any further however, another attendant arrived to escort both Liliana and me to the archery range. The contest was about to begin.

There were seventeen contestants in total, us included. Each of us received a standard, non-magical longbow and a full quiver of arrows to ensure that the competition would be based on skill and not enchantment or wealth. As for the rules, they were quite were simple: everyone would shoot at a designated target, which would be moved farther away each round. Miss a shot, and you were out.

It sounded straightforward, but I quickly realized how much I had come to rely on the smooth draw of Sylvesse’s Legacy. A normal bow felt clunky and awkward in my hands. Still, through a mixture of equal parts luck and focus, I managed to hit my mark and stay in the contest. Liliana, graceful as ever, easily struck the bullseye as well.

Unfortunately, her second shot missed and was thus eliminated. I was stunned, as I was certain I’d face her all the way up to the final round. But alas, it was not to be.

Eventually, it all came down to me and one last opponent, a Summer Eladrin with questionable manners. For when I offered a handshake before our final shots, he responded by casting a spell on me. Fortunately, I was able to resist.

I could feel anger rising within me, but I recalled Sylvesse’s teachings and calmed myself. Instead, I focused on my breathing and shut the distractions of the crowd. Focussing on one breath, one arrow and one shot.

The arrow struck the target dead centre. Whereas my opponent missed by mere inches. In frustration, he shattered his bow and stormed off. I’ll admit, at the sight of that I might have smiled a little too smugly for my liking.

As the victor, I was awarded a silver coin. Something that could be exchanged at a later time with a Fey noble for a relatively small favour. A valuable token indeed.

No sooner had I rejoined the others than Alistan was called for his first joust. We hurried to the proving ground to watch.

His opponent, a tall and imposing elf, towered over him. Clearly an experienced fighter. . But raw experience couldn’t save him from Alistan’s skill. On the first pass, Alistan struck him cleanly and unseating him. Advancing to the next round.

As for myself, well my joust ended just as quickly. Though sadly not in victory. Now I consider myself to be a capable rider, but that did little to keep me in the saddle when my opponent landed a perfect strike on the first pass. Still, I wasn’t disappointed. I hadn’t expected much in the joust, and my performance in the archery contest more than made up for it.

Later, while we enjoyed a small break, a pixie suddenly appeared to inform Luke that the battle of wits had begun. For this, there would be no stage or formal ceremony. Just a series of riddles where the first to solve five would be declared the winner.

Luke was brilliant. He solved the riddles so quickly and with such confidence that the pixie referees simply stayed beside him to hear his answers. Victory was his, earning him a silver coin of his own.

With some time to spare before the grand melee, Alistan returned to the tent to rest up a bit. Leaving us to explored the grounds on our own. But something felt off.

As we wandered the grounds, odd whispers seemed to follow us. Liliana even observed some of the Fey laughing behind our backs. Our suspicions only rose when Hayley confirmed that no true Fey nobility was present. Suggesting that someone was playing a joke on us.

Hayley urged us to remain calm. If someone was indeed trying to humiliate us, the best response was simple to ignore it. But as she spoke, Fiachna returned with even more unsettling news. Wolf was taking part in the joust. And while we knew that Alistan could hold his own in a fair fight, the question remained whether it would be fair.

Still, there was no time to dwell. As the grand melee beckoned.

At the arena, Liliana assessed her four opponents with a confident smirk and proclaimed that none of them stood a chance against her and her brother. The remark hit home, her opponents scowling in response as she joined her brother in the centre. The grand melee had turned into a two-versus-four battle.

The fight was intense. Working in tandem, the twins quickly put the pressure on their opponents. Seeking a better view, I moved to the opposite side of the arena. Something that I would soon come to regret.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Luke stumble, a bolt lodged in his shoulder. I rushed toward him, only to be hit by one myself. Clutching my shoulder, I looked behind me to see a man reloading his crossbow. Assassins!

Hayley reacted quickly, summoning a thick fog to block their line of sight and force them into close quarters. Exactly where Luke wanted them.

With a thunderous roar, he transformed into the form of an enormous ape. Pounding on his chest, he seemed as rage personified. He snatched one attacker by the leg and wielded him like a cudgel, smashing the other to the ground. Unsurprisingly, the fight ended swiftly after that. The assassins lay unconscious, while Luke, now calm, wandered off to inspect a nearby fruit table.

Meanwhile, the melee had concluded in a most classic De La Roost fashion. With the twins arguing over who had won.

I didn’t envy the referee. As I’d been in that position too many times. Caught between them debating on how the other would surely beat them in a fight. I had already given up offering an opinion. Without magical gear, of the two of them Alistan had the edge in pure skill. Though Liliana held unmatched raw power. Meaning there was no clear answer, though they refused to accept that

Eventually, the referee declared Alistan the victor and handed him the silver coin.

Liliana smiled.

Alistan didn’t.

Such is the way of the De La Roost twins.

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The Tournament

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