3 Iron Guardsmen arrives, following Calaudrin.

Reese arrives at the shrine of Gloria while adorned in pink and toting along her weapons. She glances over the area trying to get a sense for who might be gathering up. The princess then turns her attention to the shrine, giving such her respect attention.

Dangerfloof, the Bearded Vulture arrives, following Freja.

Zara Valardin's stride is slow, steady, and measured as she enters the shrine. Unfamiliar with the temple, she pauses to allow her gaze to sweep the shrine, dark eyes resting on the fire pit and the altar, while the neutral expression on her face never changes. She's dressed in a gown of white silk that's set off by gold embroidery and bits of steel armor, with her dark hair swept back and piled up on top of her head. Despite the bits of steel, she carries no weapons and the gown itself looks completely unsuited for joining in any fight herself.

1 Armed Confessors, Confessor Scribble arrive, following Delilah.

1 Grayson Guardsmen arrives, following Aiden.

Esoka enters at a stately, stomping pace. She always stomps a little, though she tries to keep it to respectful stomping within the shrine of Gloria. She's dressed in a mix of steel and leathers. An a comb of topaz in her curls, which she idly fusses with the position of as she enters. "Princess," she greets Reese with a short bow of her shoulders.

Calaudrin shows up! Because why not, right? When you're looking for some time to kill, might as well arive at your local Rite to Gloria for a few hours. He comes in, nods his head to Reese respectfully and starts passing through the crowd, looking for familiar faces.

Reese takes a quiet moment of reflection before the shrine, before turning her attention to those who are arriving. She notices Zara first. Reese has a gentle smile for the princess that touches her blue eyes, but she doesn't seem to know the woman. "Greetings." She says in her direction. "I'm Princes Reese, General of the Grayson army and host of this gathering. She then notices Esoka and she is given a smile as well. "Dame Esoka, I am glad you are here. When we get started, could I possibly convince you to say some opening words or a prayer? The Archlector I think got pulled away. Serving Gloria is very busy, I think." She then turns to Calaudrin, having a smile for the Guardsman as well.

Aiden makes time to come to the Shrine this day of all days. It's certain he heard about something going on this way in regards to the Gray Forest missions. It doesn't hurt to get a little more acquainted with Gloria, especially given his most recently acquired title of commander.

While observant of the Pantheon, it is no secret Freja is a Shaman. Polite nods and salutes are given to those present but for the most part the Northern Voice keeps to the fringe and with respectful silence of the proceedings.

Delilah had taken a few quiet steps into the shrine for she glanced around the room and squinted at the gathering of people. Spotting Aiden strolling in, she rushed up to his side and whispered into his ear as they reached the group of people, before offering a faint smile to those who met her gaze.

Esoka's eyes widen slight, but she nods readily to Reese. "I am but a disciple, Princess, but I'd be honored to say a brief prayer." She takes a deep breath, brow furrowing, like she's hastily getting some notes together in her head. Calaudrin is noted, and flashed a quick smile.

Reese has a smile of greeting for Aiden, the princess seemingly pleased to see her cousin here. She then notices Freja. "Princess Freja, welcome." She says in her direction. She then notices Deililah, giving her a smile as well. "Lady Delilah, I'm glad you could make it." She murmurs. Reese looks toward Esoka, nodding in toward her. "Thank you Dame Esoka. I will get us started in a moment and then have you say the prayer." She says softly. Reese seems grateful for her help.

Aiden is not above squawking a little when Delilah comes up and surprises him, though his guard likely knew her face and did nothing to prevent it! The Grayson Prince swivels his sterling silver eyes at Delilah after the whisper quickly ushered into his ear. He considers a response before he whispers in return, then proceeds to regard the others. He spots his cousin, Reese, but he doesn't wish to interrupt her. He also notes Esoka and a relatively newer face he just became acquainted with earlier. His gaze stops on Zara for a moment, curious, before his gaze sweeps once again.

The ceremony has begun and in strolls Acacia with a bold smile and more than a little bit of a confident swagger. Clad in dark leathers, she stands at the back of the shrine scanning the shrine with curious dark brown eyes quietly gives a little nod to Reese, Delilah and Aiden and then slips to the back to watch the proceedings, a hand resting comfortably on one of the wicked looking blades sheathed on her hip.

When Zara feels the princess's eyes on her, she inclines her head in greeting. There's a softening of the Valardin princess's expression for a moment that never quite manages to break out into a full-fledged smile. With no one there who knows her for introductions, Zara strides towards Reese herself, "I don't want to hold your event up, but it would be rude /not/ to introduce myself. I'm Princess Zara Valardin, a cousin to Edain." Her head swivels enough to include anyone else close enough to hear and then she begins to slide backwards, "But we're waiting on prayers. Please, don't let me delay things any longer."

Aiden adds in for Zara, "Princess Zara, this is Lady Delilah Whitehawk and I'm Prince Aiden Grayson. How is Prince Edain doing? It's been a while since I've seen the man."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Freja before departing.

Dipping her head politely as she's been introduced, Delilah looks up towards Aiden and grins, "We've met earlier today," Her gaze falls onto Zara and she continues, ".. And it was a pleasure to meet you. I'm glad you've found yourself checking out the festivities."

Aiden smirks with a wry look flashed to Delilah, "Of course you have. If I didn't know any better you're becoming a very good socialite." His hand moves to squeeze Delilah's forearm as he leans in to murmur something else to her. With a more normal tone he informs, "I can only stay for a short while before I must be on my way. Duty never sleeps."

"Oh, I am very pleased to meet you. Your cousin is quite the warrior and I am honored that you were able to attend." Reese says in response to Zara's words.

Reese then looks over those gathered here. "Thank you all for coming to join in honoring Gloria. She was at our side during the Gray Forest Missions. I personally closely felt her hand once during battle and I believe that I am not alone in such. Her disciples, the Lady Regla and Dame Esoka also joined our missions and Sir Preston brought the Templars to our aid. It was by following the path of Gloria that we were able to recruit so many away from the slaver. The path of honorable combat where those surrendering are not harmed. It was while being inspired by her strength and faith that we were able to fight against the abyss. I would like to invite Dame Esoka, a devote follower of Gloria to lead us in a prayer."

Sir Dalan, Longsuffering Valardin Knight, Sir Danan, Studious Valardin Scribe, Sorrel arrive, following Clover.

"It was only very brief though." Zara provides some cover for Delilah, dipping her head towards the other woman in recognition of her greeting. She might continue talking, but as Reese is calling everyone's attention, her head turns dutifully in that direction. Then her hands fold, awaiting the opening prayer.

Pushing a hand through her rich red waves, Acacia looks around for something to sit on and settles herself against one of the pillars that holds the roof of the open-air shrine up. Folding her arms and crossing a booted foot across her ankle, she relaxes int the post strangely at ease despite being surrounded by nobles. Reese begins to speak and the curvy Culler looks up to the front of the shrine.

Clover leads her older sister in quietly. She's quiet for the moment! Because Reese appears to be speaking. She heads off to the side.

Calaudrin fades against the wall, finding an open space with which to observer the proceedings. When it looks like Esoka is going to lead a prayer, he lifts his hand and waves at her very briefly before settling in quietly.

Sorrel stands behind Clover, hunched over a bit so that she can rest her chin on the top of her little sister's head. For the moment, she too is quiet.

Esoka checked composure + theology at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Reese glances over to Sorrel and Clover, having a smile of greeting for them that touches her blue eyes. She then moves a bit to the side, making room for Esoka and facing in her direction.

Aiden holds his chin up and clasps one wrist in the opposite hand, standing with shoulders square as his eyes turn toward Esoka, awaiting the prayer. He remains standing by Delilah, though even the whispered conversation has drawn to a close for the time being.

After offering Aiden a small smile, Delilah glanced over to Reese and fell into silence. Her hands pulled behind her back and she hooked a couple of fingers together, her eyebrows lifting slightly as Esoka readied to take the stage.

Nyx, a black falcon arrives, delivering a message to Aiden before departing.

Esoka sets her jaw and strides up to the altar, to look out on those gathered there. There's a tension to her shoulders. Is she nervous? Probably. She looks more for bashing, less for public speaking. After a deep breath, she gets straight into it, though. "A good eve upon you. I am Dame Esoka Greenblood, disciple of Gloria. Let us recite a few words to her before we begin the rite, so that we come to it with brave hearts and the spirit of fellowship." Deep breath, and she gets into her. The prayer is a standard one, but said with a booming sense of spirit. Bashy cheerleader that she is.

"Gloria guide us this day. Steady our sword arms to strengthen them. Fly above us to keep our heads held high. Hold beneath us so we keep our feet planted. Run before us to lead us and behind us to restrain us. Around us to shield us. Within us that we strike true and with honor. In your name we meet our enemy,in your name we will defeat them. Yours is the glory. Ours the victory." For the last she says a reverent, "Honors be to us all."

Freja offers a salute quietly to the Honors given, the praises lauded.

Nyx, a black falcon arrives, delivering a message to Aiden before departing.

Sir Dalan, Longsuffering Valardin Knight have been dismissed.

Sir Danan, Studious Valardin Scribe have been dismissed.

Reese listens to Esoka's prayer and when it comes to an end, she smiles. "Yours is the glory, ours is the victory." She chimes in with at the end, echoing her words.

Reese seems inspired by the prayer and a flush of hope comes to her cheeks. "So for the rite, I going to have everyone who wants join challenges get in line. The person who is up can challenge one other person who is also line to a challenge. The challenge can be arm wrestling, actual wresting, a brawl combat to first bruise, a melee combat to first blood, a battle song contest or the reciting of short a poem in honor of gloria. It is the challenger who gets to choose the challenge. So get in line, if you wish!"

Calaudrin's head is quietly bowed while the prayer is given and then he lifts his eyes, looking to where the line is supposed to begin and watching as people inevitably file into it. He rests his hand on his swordbelt, glances around to the others and then shrugs and gets in line. Why not, right? Should be fine.

Calaudrin has joined the line.

Reese has joined the line.

The Grayson Prince murmurs lightly the words Esoka ushered in ritual, repeating the prayer to Gloria. Only after, once he gets tapped by a messenger, does Aiden politely excuses himself to the back... receiving one messenger after the next, and once he's taken them, he reads them and then lightly whispers to Delilah. The notes then get jammed with some level of exasperation into his tunic pocket.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Aiden before departing.

Esoka has joined the line.

Calaudrin, Esoka and Reese join the challenge line. Reese gives them both a smile. "Okay, Guardsman Calaudrin you are first." Reese announces.

It is now Calaudrin's turn to speak.

As Esoka's prayer finishes, there is a sudden sense of warmth. That fire that ignites the soul, the heart of honorable battle. The Shrine warms, the small sacrificial fire blooms up, and the sound - almost as though the drums of war are calling, calling.

And then the feeling fades, leaving each person with a rush of adrenaline, a stirring in the heart. The call to arms and honor.

Acacia watches with interest as the line begins with Esoka, Calaudrin and Reese, she scans the crowd to see who else will step up.

Reese looks over to the fire and sucks in a soft breath. The warmth on her cheeks deepens, her blue eyes are bright and the princess seems quite moved.

Freja smiles ever so faintly, a rarity for the woman.

Aiden's inhales deeply at the sudden warmth blooming into the shrine. His eyes open and regard the fire flickering. His eyes flicker with zeal and determination, his hands curling into fists at his side, his lips curling, "This is a sign..." he whispers, "Blessed be to Gloria."

Esoka's breath catches, and she exhales with exultation. She grips Calaudrin's arm for a moment, /insisting/ on sharing that rush with him, eyes bright. Before she stands back and waits to see what this challenge will bring.

Delilah's gaze follows the messengers, flicking to and from Aiden before she peers at the man. The woman gives him a small nudge before her gaze falls onto the lines that are gradually growing, and she draws a heavy breath. "My..." she murmers to herself, before biting her lower lip in anticipation of the coming battles.

Calaudrin looks at the people that have gotten in line, Esoka and Reese. With a nod of his head, he decides: "This is going to hurt spectacularly later." Esoka is gripping his arm and that warmth is flooding through the room, he catches his breath. When that feeling finishes rolling through everyone, he reaches for his sword and frees it for the first time in practically forever. "I challenge whichever of you are interested into a fight to first blood. Please don't decapitate me."

Calaudrin gets an impressive one-handed, double edged sword from a double wrap sword belt made of quality leather.

Calaudrin wields an impressive one-handed, double edged sword.

Acacia blinks and gives her head a shake as if to clear it and few words are muttered under her breaths. She stares hard at the flame and shakes her head again as though the vision and feeling might disappear. It doesn't. She stands back.

Freja bows her head respectively and quietly dismisses herself.

Dangerfloof, the Bearded Vulture leaves, following Freja.

Aiden leans over to give Delilah an one-armed half squeeze, "I must be going... I am full of confidence now that I shall return and whatever I face in the coming days, Gloria will be looking out for me." He looks toward the competition and challenges, before he slips away.

Reese still seems to be quite moved and she gazes upon the shrine once again, that brightness in her gaze lingering. She looks charged for fights and battles to come. She then turns her attention to Aiden, giving him a nod of agreement. The princess seems oddly at a lose for words which is not normal at all for Reese. Finally she speaks. "Gloria thank you for being with us. Your presence here is so inspiring. I will hold this moment close in the battles to come." She says, before looking over to Calaudrin. She gives the man a smile. It seems likely that Reese is willing to fight, she normally is, but she glances over to Esoka, as if acceding the honors to her. "Would you like to, Dame Esoka?"

Reese looks over to Aiden. "Take care, Prince Aiden, thanks for coming."

Aiden makes a military salute toward Reese, then heads out.

1 Grayson Guardsmen leaves, following Aiden.

Esoka laughs. A low, throaty chuckle. "I will happily cede this to you, Princess," she says to Reese. "I wish to /watch/ the good first officer compete. And I'm hoping for something more of the variety of fisticuffs tonight, though I suppose I shall see what happens."

Reese gets Destiny, a high quality mace from a backpack adorned with delicate roses.

Reese wields Destiny, a high quality mace.

There's a look of concern on Delilah's face as Aiden parts and she settles near the door. The woman folds her arms across her chest and watches as Reese and Calaudrin begin to square off.

Reese looks over to Esoka, giving the Dame a smile. Reese doesn't seem to mind fighting, not at all. She draws her steel mace. "In that case, I will be honord to spar with you, Guardsman Calaudrin. Reese steps toward the middle of the shrine with her blade drawn.

Acacia looks around and notes there's nothing but nobles present. There's a look of sudden understanding on her face as she looks around and a small "oh" is formed on her lips and she looks as though she realizes something she didn't notice before. She gives a little laugh and a roguish grin, shaking her head as her mistake. "Pardon me, highnesses, lords and ladies. I did not realize. Whoops!" Turning on her heel, she makes her way out of the shrine.

The fighting about to start, Zara also moves off to a spot to sit, choosing an area very close to where Delilah is.

Calaudrin laughs low at Esoka's response, "She just wants to see me disarmed." Then he squares off with Reese, full of Gloria-driven confidence at the asskicking that's about to come.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

3 Iron Guardsmen have been dismissed.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Delilah slowly slips out as the battle takes place.

1 Armed Confessors, Confessor Scribble leave, following Delilah.

Reese has her silvery mace drawn. She strikes out at Calaudrin, but so far fails to hit him. This could be one of those long combats to first blood. They both seem highly skilled and nimble.

Esoka steps back so she can properly spectate. She ends up standing next to Zara, and offers an inclination of her head to the princess.

Calaudrin is just remarkably good at not being hit so far, part of the job description in 'archer'. Don't let people hit you! He's a terrible swordsman though and can't land a blow for his life.

The melee continues with neither touching each other. Reese seems to fight in this defensive style that relies heavily upon dodging.

Calaudrin takes serious damage.

Calaudrin does a nice job of staying out of the way or making Reese's blows not nearly as damaging as they could be. But he's /not/ a swordsman and this is ultimately very exhausting, so it's not a surprise when she lands on a solid hit on him and the blood starts coming. "I yield!" He calls out and holds up his hands.

This first blood melee lasts for round after round. It seems that Reese was unable to even touched Calaudrin until he started to get tired. Eventually she does, slamming her mace against him rather hard. The mace has a few little spikes and she draws a little blood, but he is more badly bruised up from this than anything. His ribs are likely going to hurt! The princess is quick to start fighting after she got that hit in, after all this is a rite the goddess of honorable combat. She lowers her mace, accepting the yield. "Oh, well fought. You are very nimble and hard to touch." She says

Esoka watches the fight, eyes flitting this way and that as she tries to follow all the bobbing and weaving. When it finally winds down, she claps her big palms together. "That was very acrobatic. Gloria praises your swiftness, I'm sure."

It is now Reese's turn to speak.

Reese looks over to Esoka. "I challenge you Dame Esoka. You can choose the type of challenge, if you wish." She says in her direction.

"Well fought." Zara's very still while the fight is ongoing and although her head barely moves, her eyes flit from Reese to Calaudrin. When a winner is finally declared, the woman's hands come together in polite applause for both of the fighters.

Esoka gives Calaudrin a once-over, then grunts to herself. He'll live. For her part, she says enthusiastically, "I want to arm wrestle! It's been far too long. My last time was at that competition Prince Fergus threw, and I'm not sure the whiskey hurt or helped me. We'll see!"

Reese looks over to Zara, having a smile for the princess. She seems to like having an audience. Reese does have some Grayson pride, as much as she tries to control that. She looks all pleased. She then turns to Esoka. "Oh, I remember that. I was there and we arm wrestled. You beat me then and well it is about time for a rematch." Reese says, going to find a place to sit.

Olenna arrives, delivering a message to Zara before departing.

Esoka checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Reese checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Esoka seats herself across from Reese, removes her gloves, and flexes. Then, arm up, and she reaches out to clasp the princess' hand. A grunt, as she gets perhaps more pressure than she expected put on her in the beginning. She nods some to Reese. Not bad at all.

Reese moves her own gloves. They are pink of course. She reaches out for Esoka's hand and quickly begins to apply pressure. She has the upper hand right now, but the contest is not over. Reese seems quite focused in a manner that suggests she is trying very hard to win.

Reese checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Esoka checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Esoka /flexes/ harder. Which seems to work for her. With a grunt, she manages to push a little on Reese. The veins in her forehead start to become visible, which makes her smile. Roughly what she wanted out of this.

Esoka checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Reese strains her arm as she continues to focus on the fight. She no longer has the upper edge and Esoka is just a little in the lead.

Reese checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Esoka grunts, and grunts, and grunts again, leaning just a hair further over on Reese's arm. It's a struggle but, finally, she manages to put the princess' down on the table. She lets out a sharp yell, both triumphant and surprised. "Well fought, Princess! Honors to Gloria for that."

Calaudrin has been quiet since his round with Reese, drifting to the back while he waits to see how Esoka's on challenge pans out. As it ends, he nods with satisfaction against the showing. Then he escapes out the entrance. Places to be! Like perhaps getting a bandaid or two.

Again, there's a smattering of polite applause from Zara. This time, since the competition seems to be drawing to near an end, she also rises and strides towards the competitors. "/Very/ Well fought."

Reese is trying so hard, that much is clear! She struggles and struggles, but Esoka finally gets the upper edge. "Oh, well fought." She says in her direction. She rests her arm for a moment.

It is now Esoka's turn to speak.