Zoey spots Aethan, and she brightens a bit. A wave is given her brother-in-law as he settles in beside her husband. "Oh good. I was worried it would be just Ian."

Caspian steps from the archery range to the stands, standing before them as he brings his arms up wide and calls out, "Okay everyone! Settle down and listen up! The Champions are happy to bring you an archery competition! Many people marvel at the many talented warriors we have in Arx, but Arx's poor, poor archers never get any love!" We waves to the poor, forgotten archers at the archery range.

"So lets give some love to our archers and watch them compete! As you can see, there are ten targets set upon the range, each further down the range," Caspian says, waving to the targets. "Each shooter will take turns shooting at a target, starting at the closest, getting further and further away each time. The competition will be determined by a score, closer you are to the bullseye, more points you score, so the one with the most points when the last target is shot at wins!"

He pauses, and pulls out a pouch of coins, "And what do they win, twenty five thousand silver! A nice chunk of change for an evening of play, won't you say?!" He gives them a grin. "Now, if you are competing, get down to the archery range, we are about to begin!"

Esoka does some hollering and cheering for Calaudrin. For being down there! And also probably for luck. Then, she sits down, so she isn't blocking anyone's view of the contest.

Lethe makes her way to the seating once she arrives hoping to find a good seat. She looks to see who will be competing.

Bashira arrives alone this evening, the sailor rather quiet as she heads for the commoner stands. She gives a wave and a bright smile to her brother though when she sees him since he's running things this evening. She settles into her seat and gives a nod of her head to those that are around and a smile.

Merek has come to the competition to participate if the people will have him. He also has his bow along his shoulder, as he walks to the Grounds, looking around a bit in curiosity as he does. He brushes back his hair in thought, as it's down today, while he's wearing his black linens.

Shae wields Cavall, an Oathlands redsteel longbow.

Ian looks up at Aethan when his brother greets him, and for a moment there's something almost... troubled in his eyes. Then he nods, and motions to a seat next to him. "Glad you came out. Minister." He's prepared to tease right back.

Merek has joined the Archery Range.

"Oh yes! Congratulations, Lord Ian," Violet says in an aside before they move off towards the actual range. "A very lovely bow. I recently commissioned a diamondplate one from Felix. Though I'm lucky at the moment to have a very fine one on lend from Redrain," She says, running her hands along the curve of it. As Caspian calls attention to them she grins and sweeps a dramatic bow towards the stands. Then turns towards the targets and giving her neck another roll as well as her shoulders.

After Caspian is done giving his speech, Calaudrin claps for the archers. Of which he is one. Which is fine.

Shae peers over at Calaudrin. Claps for him too.


Geralt whistles low and appreciatively when the prize for the winner is announced, stretching out along his bench. He mouths his flask again, taking a long drink, as he brings his hands together for a loud and thunderous clap for the archers. Since it seemed like the thing to do at the moment.

Aethan does take the seat, watching Ian for a second or two, but whatever is in his mind isn't shared, and instead he just snorts, settling back and getting ready to watch.

Violet turns to her fellow archers and brings her hands together in a loud applause as well.

Zoey smiles at Violet's bow. "They're quite rare," she comments softly. "It's beautiful." She pauses, removing her satchel and setting it to the side, pausing long enough to pull out a flask for a nip. She hands the flask to Violet and applauds gently for the archers.

The flask in Ian's hand makes proper applause impossible, but Geralt is clapping loud enough for at least two people, so maybe that makes up for it. He takes another drink from said flask, before putting it away.

"Okay then, these are all our archers, I guess!" Caspian says back to the crowd, stepping over to the archery range. "Archers, are you ready? Give me a good shout if you are!" Caspian calls out to them with a wide grin.

Merek nods a bit towards Caspian, "Ready."


Shae raises her hand, closed in a fist, gray eyes clear. "AYE!" she shouts from powerful lungs.

Waldemai cheers for the archers. "Shoot well, and keep the pointy end toward the target!"

Violet turns a grin on Caspian and shouts, "OI! I been waiting for this for a week now. I'm more than ready!" And she can make herself heard all right.

Zoey puts her flask away, grinning at Violet, before she nods to Caspian. An arrow is already notched, though she's yet to draw. "Ready."

Calaudrin waves his hand and calls out, "Ayep!" Then he gets his things ready.

Lydia arrives just a little behind the crowd and approaches the tournament. Trying to catch Caspian's attention she mouths, "Am I too late? I would like to try my hand."


"Who's your silver on?" Geralt casts a look back behind him to Ian and Lethe there in the stands, a brow raised. "I got mine on that one over there," he points a meaty finger down the archery range, to where Shae's getting prepared. "She seems the capable sort."

Aethan has joined the Noble Seating.

Caspian turns his attention over to Lydia when he hears she wants to join, and he points to the archery range, "We're just about to start! Get over here!" He then turns to the group, saying, "Okay folks, for a queue and take a shot at the first target!"

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 84 higher.

Lydia wields DarkFell.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Lydia curtsies to Violet, "Thank you kindly for the loan of DarkFell."

Violet sets her stance and eyes the first target. She draws the arrows smoothly and then back. It is all a fluid movement, natural and almost instinctive. Through the air it flies to land solidly into the target. A satisfied smile crosses the woman's lips and she nods to herself, before stepping aside for the next archer.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Merek pulls back on his bow, and launches one of his arrows to the target, hitting it.

Calaudrin gets into a ready position, pulls back with his arm and lets loose an arrow that shoots straight and true to the target. It cuts through the wind and doesn't deviate at all, he looks satisfied and sucks in a breath. Round one complete!


Shae stands on her mark and lifts her bow, sighting down the field. There's a pause, then the arrow is released, hitting the target. Not as good as some, but not bad either. She seems pretty satisfied as well as she observes the others.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Lethe considers as she replies to Geralt. "It's too bad my brother couldn't be here, but." She points to Violet. "I think her."

Ian shakes his head to Geralt. "I don't gamble unless I'm sure that I'm going to win," he demurs. Which is, perhaps, the wrong thing to have said, but maybe he's far enough away that Zoey doesn't hear him. If not, well... She's learned to be very understanding by now, no doubt. He offers his flask to the other man.


"Ah yeah, there you go. Hit those targets, girl!" Geralt's voice rises up in a whoop for Shae as she hits her target, holding up his flask encouragingly as he shouts. He flashes her a wolfish grin if she looks in his direction, before he chuckles back over to Ian and Lethe. "I'm supposin' that's a smart way to make sure you don't lose silver. But it's not gamblin' unless there's some risk to it," he smirks.

It seems Lydia has, in fact, picked up a bow before. The petite redhead might seem oddly adorable as she nocks an arrow and pulls back the bowstring with all her might. Her hand shakes a little with the strain until she can get it under control, and at just the right moment she lets her first shot in any sort of competition at all sail through the air and plant itself in the very outside ring of the target. The look of absolute delight in her eyes at the accomplishment may be contagious. The young duchess jumps in the air in celebration.

Zoey lines up her shot and releases the arrow, letting it sail solidly into the target... If not quite with as much vigor and deadly accuracy as Calaudrin's bull's eye!


There's a voice shouting at Shae, and she turns to peer at the huge Geralt from which shouting comes from. She takes a moment to stare, then gives him a florid little bow, straight-faced and all, before turning back to the targets. All that shouting, she has to do something for it, right?

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 36 higher.

Zoey has rolled a critical success!
Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 105 higher.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 43 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 42 higher.

Aethan crosses his arms over his chest as he watches the shots, though Ian's comment makes him turn to look at his brother again briefly. He nods, though, in agreement with his words, though he does have to add, "If I was going to bet, I'd bet on Zoey." Then he turns back just in time for her first shot, and nods again, approvingly.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.


Stepping forward, Shae moves to the next round of targets, same as before, sighting down the field, releasing her arrow. It hits the target, close to center.

Merek nocks back an arrow, which flies wide and hits the side of another building in the distance. Some people shake their fists at him.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 9 lower.

There's a steady method to the way that Calaudrin lines up his shots, but after far too many years in the Iron Guard, he's had time to practice his aim. He gets in another very solid shot, this time further away. From the corner of his eye, he watches Zoe land her hit. He takes a moment to quietly clap his hands together.

Sore might be an archer, but he doesn't happen to be participating tonight. He's just here because he likes to watch competitions. Or rather, he likes to watch his boss compete in them. If nothing else, it's a good way to pass the time while waiting for something to do. "Don't make it look too easy or anything." he idly comments while Violet picking out a new arrow, being polite enough to stay back to not be too huge a distraction.

"Of course," Ian allows. "I'm happy for whoever I'm gambling against to be the one taking the risk." He's watching Zoey as she lines up and fires, and apparently has enough appreciation of form (or her form, anyway) to fall silent during the second shot.

Lydia's second shot is far from so lucky, missing high and sailing into the backstops.

Violet takes another shot. This one lands very close to where she had hit the last target. It would be excellent grouping if they weren't on different targets. As she steps back she glances at Soren and shoots him a grin. "Hey, I've got good competition here!" She calls back to him.

Lethe laughs as she looks at Geralt and Ian. "I am not much of a gambler either. It's not my favorite thing."

Uh oh. Zoey seems to have heard you, Ian. She stares at her husband for a moment and then smirks. That crooked smile stays in place as she lines up her second shot. The arrow flies straight and true... and with such force that it actually knocks the target backwards. As one of the range attendants are rushing out to right it, she turns and points at Ian. See what you made her do?

Ian is so sleeping on the couch tonight...

"I don't think you can get much closer to the center then that," Caspian says back to Zoey with a laugh, then looks over to Lydia and grins, telling her, "At least if you keep trying, you'll win the crowd's heart! A good champion knows it's not about winning or losing, it's about looking good doing it!"

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 59 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 19 higher.

Blissfully ignorant as always, Ian dutifully applauds when Zoey points at him.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 40 higher.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 3 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 30 higher.


"Eh, you gotta live a little. Takin' risks is fun, there's a rush to it," Geralt says to Lethe and Ian, as he takes another gulp from his flask. He's got one eye on the archery range, and his voice raises up in another woot as Shae hits the target for a third time. "You got good aim there, girl!" he shouts down to the Keaton.

Merek actually manages to hit the target once more, passable enough. He seems to be happy doing archery, at least.

Aethan joins in the applause for Zoey's second shot, adding a whistle to the cheers as well.

"Consistency is good, so long as they're all shots to the head." Soren observes lightly, canting his head to side in effort to watch where the next round goes, and taking note of targets and archers being moved further away from each other. "Get anything good if you win, boss?"


Shae is at the mark, arm lifted, bow in hand, sighting down the arrow and the field. Squeeze. Release. Her eyebrows shoot up towards her hairline as she actually hits the target.

"Silver!" Violet says cheerfully as she takes aim at the third target. Then releases and steps back, nodding her head and looking satisfied. Yet her eyes are following Calaudrin and his obvious skill.

Zoey fires her third shot with a little less strength and it lands in the safety zone again. She doesn't seem ill at ease with her shooting. Perhaps she's saving her strength for those -really- far away targets.

Lydia takes a deep breath as the runners drag her target back another length. She closes her eyes. She takes a very deep breath. She nocks and lifts, and opens her eyes as she pulls back the string and she doesn't wait this time. Another arrow flies, and finds that line between the very last ring and the next ring in on a target farther away than any she's shot at before. She turns around and does a bow to nobody in particular in the audience, a wide grin on her lips.

Calaudrin draws and releases an arrow, it sails through the air and hits close to center. His marks are remaining true, even if the distance is slowly increasing. He takes a second to eyeball where his competitors have ended up and nods in appreciation.

The bland, serene look Ian gives Geralt is the (non)expression of someone who has only the most glancing relationship with the concept of 'fun'.

"Oh man, Lady Zoey's aim is great, but..." Caspian pauses, looking to Calaudrin, "This man here is pretty good. He's just a few points behind!" He gives a clap over to Lydia and Merek, telling them, "Good shot! But please keep your eyes open. Accidents can happen!"

Pawn, the courtier's apprentice arrives, delivering a message to Ian before departing.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 30, rolling 62 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 30, rolling 33 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 30, rolling 38 higher.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 30, rolling 13 lower.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

"Silver works." Soren decides with a nod, leaning back o his heels, and casually watching on. Then leans forward, mostly against the fence that he was next to, again taking note of targets moving again.

Mwrek takes another one of his shots, and nods a bit.

A messenger brings a note for Ian and he takes a moment to read it over. He motions the messenger back and murmurs something to him before sending him off again. Alas, this means that he misses the fourth round of shooting.

Violet makes a face as her arrow lands farther out in the ring of the target. But that is all. The smile returns as she waits for the next shoot, nodding to Soren. "It does. But I think I know who the winner might be..." She says with a low chuckle, eye on Calaudrin.


Shae is peering at Geralt again as he continues to be her one-man cheerleading team. Then it's her turn to shoot. She steps forward, draws her bow, and =>PLUNK<=.

Zoey takes her fourth shot and then smiles slowly when she observes Calaudrin. "Beautiful shot," she says, applauding quietly. "Beautiful shot."

Aethan glances at the messenger as he comes to Ian, though it's only brief, before he looks back to the shooting just in time for Zoey's most recent shot. Another round of applause for her -- as well as the other archers, of course.

Lydia accepts the next placement of the target as the challenge it is, but the need to draw even harder on the bowstring to make the distance is approaching the very limits of the slight girl's ability. No amount of determination can save the arrow that dives far too early.


Geralt's gaze momentarily levels on Ian, the man grinning broadly. "You don't know what fun is, do you?" he states bluntly, before he bursts into a laugh. He looks back to the archery set-up just in time to see Shae land another arrow. Another shout goes up from the big guy, and Geralt takes another drink from his flask.

Calaudrin scuffs his boot in the dirt for a moment before drawing and releasing one more time. When he notices someone looking at him, he shrugs a little. "I'm just old and have shot at a lot of things."

Zoey grins at Calaudrin. "I don't believe it for a moment. My dear Esoka wouldn't have married just some old man who likes to shoot things." The former Bisland turns her grin to Esoka and waves.

Ian folds the message he received into perfectly neat halves, and then quarters. "It probably means something different to me," he acknowledges to Geralt.

Soren lifts his shoulders a bit in a shrug. "There's always more, if not this." Then again, he's not competing in it.

"Oh crap! The Old, Wisen Archer has taken the lead!" Caspian cries out, waving a frantic hand over to Calaudrin. "He has stolen the lead from Lady Zoey! Can she take it back? Will Lady Shae land a lucky hit and steal the lead? Lets find out with another round!"

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 35, rolling 1 higher.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 35, rolling 26 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 35, rolling 10 lower.

Geralt's comment has Aethan looking at him for a moment, studying the other man intently, before he offers, "Fun is subjective." Then he's turning back to the competition, leaning back a little bit in his chair.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 35, rolling 7 lower.

Merek shoots again into air, as he sighs a bit. He checks on his bow, and nods a bit as he watches the others shoot.

Violet has rolled a critical success!
Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 35, rolling 52 higher.

"Oh, you never know. I hear that Esoka is very fond of my shooting. She probably just doesn't care that I'm old and.. wisen?" Can Esoka hear Calaudrin down here?

Violet raises a brow at Calaudrin's comment. She tilts her head to the side thoughtfully as she considers it. Then it is time to shoot again. Up she steps, taking aim and firing. "I've had a bow in my hand since I could pull one," She comments to the man. "You've innate talent." It's a compliment given as she eyes her shot, before nodding and stepping back.

Esoka waves, with as big and vibrant and arm-flailing as she can manage, down at Zoey on the field. And Old Man Calaudrin, of course.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 35, rolling 15 higher.

Lydia strains against the bowstring, and by some miracle at this increased distance manages to clip the very bottom of the target. Alas the arrow is too weak to stick and falls from the target to the grass below. She nods to herself, and it is what it is.

Calaudrin also shoots an arrow too. It hits.


Shae shoots again. It too, hits its mark. Not as good as some, though.

Zoey is JUST about to shoot when Calaudrin's words hit her ear. She almost loses it. Almost. But it's enough that she almost bloody misses before she cracks up laughing.

"What's subjective about fun? I mean you're either enjoyin' yourself, or you're not," Geralt says to Aethan, shrugging his broad shoulders. He takes another drink from the flask when Shae hits the mark, whooping in her direction. "You're doin' good there, girl! I mean not great, but good! Do better!" he offers. He's totally being encouraging. "You can do better!"

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 38 higher.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 22 higher.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 18 higher.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 4 lower.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 24 lower.

Violet finds herself chuckling at Calaudrin's words. "Wisened?" She offers before taking her next shot. It sails cleanly through the air to land close to the inner circle once more. Violet nods, apparently pleased, and steps back.

Ian slips the quartered note into an inner pocket of his jacket and takes another drink from his flask. He leans over to say something softly to Aethan.

Soren whistles low at Violet's shot, leaning back on his heels again, swaying lightly with mild interest in the shooting. But mostly the boss' shooting. "Nothing like clean shooting." he says, impressed in that particular way he says things casually.

Zoey is still grinning as she takes her next shot. She may have lost the lead, but she's still having fun.

"He said wisened! The kid in charge." Calaudrin waves his arm at Caspian before nocking an arrow and making a point to keep up with the competition. It finds its mark, but things are getting much more difficult at this stage.

Dot, the war-wiener arrives, following Harper.

They keep moving back the target, and Lydia keeps trying. Most every arrow is so close, but she just doesn't have the power of the experienced archers. The rest of the talent is there though, as is that look in her eye as the arrows fly.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 14 higher.

Merek shoots one of his arrows, but messes up and accidentally shifts his arm, the arrow moving upwads. Up and up and landing on the same house he hit before.

"People find different things fun. Doesn't mean they don't know what fun means." Though coming from this guy, whose expression is actually pretty flat, maybe he shouldn't be the arbiter of it, either. He applauds for the archers' next shots, though.


Shae does the unthinkable: she smirks at Geralt. Do better, he said. Yeah, that's pretty funny. She takes aim and lets her arrow fly. Hits the target. Yes. Satisfying, that. The smirk is gone but her gray eyes are still warm with amusement. "Do better,' he said," she chuckles, shaking her head.

Caspian winces at Lydia as her next few shots are so close, but yet not enough. "I don't know if there is a lost god of luck, Lady Lydia, but if there is you must have done something to annoy them," he says with a chuckle given her way. "So, so close!"

Princess Muffin, the fluffiest white puppy arrives, following Kenna.

Culatello, deft bos'n of the Red Bargain, Serrano, doughty Quartermaster of the Red Bargain, 2 Igniseri scarlet phoenix guards, Presunto, capable First Mate of the Red Bargain arrive, following Ariella.

Culatello, deft bos'n of the Red Bargain, Serrano, doughty Quartermaster of the Red Bargain, 2 Igniseri scarlet phoenix guards, Presunto, capable First Mate of the Red Bargain leave, following Ariella.

Harper slips in a bit late, tossing a wave to Calaudrin and Esoka before making her way over to the commoner stands to perch on one of the benches and watch.


"Eh, was that I laugh I heard comin' out of you girl, or a fart?" Geralt booms down to Shae, his grin wide in comparison to her tiny little smirk, and his laughter loud. "You're not takin' my advice too well. But you're sure gettin' me drunk, 'cause every time you hit, I do too." And he winks before tapping the flask to his lips again. Because she got another target.

Harper has joined the Commoner Stands.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 16 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 11 lower.

Calaudrin has rolled a critical success!
Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 55 higher.

Kenna has joined the Commoner Stands.

Harper's arrival catches Aethan's attention, and there's a wave to her, as well as an attempt to catch her eye, whether it works or not. But he waved! That's the important thing. He leans over to murmur something to Ian then.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 30 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 2 higher.

Lydia takes a pause as the targets are moved back another length and waits for the leaders to take their shots. She watches carefully, determined to give it one more try, and studies their movements.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 45, rolling 25 lower.

Lethe has left the Noble Seating.


Shae continues to hit the target! Winning!

Was that a fart joke? It sounded like it to Violet. And she gives another actual snicker. Maybe that's why this one goes so far off. Maybe not. It is a fair distance back now. But still, she hits the target and has an amused grin on her lips.

Merek manages not to hit again, but he seems to be having fun all the same.

Kenna's going to totally crash the wrong set of seating as she arrives out of breath to the archery competition. Seeing Harper settle Kenna's absolutely going to go settle next to the best partner in time to whistle loudly when Calaudrin is awesome that. "GO DEPUTY COMMANDER!!!"

Lydia is so focused on trying to emulate the best she completely flubs her next shot. She jams her toe into the dirt at her feet, "Come on Lydia, pull it together."

Ian shrugs in response to whatever Aethan says to him. The whispering between brothers continues, although his attention is on the archers.

After the last two shots weren't quite up to his standards, Calaudrin shakes his arms out and resets his stance. He looks mildly surprised by the next one. He turns over his bow and looks at it, "Thanks." When he hears someone shouting about the Deputy Commander, he looks around and then up at the stands. He waves awkwardly at Kenna.

Violet whistles low and impressed. Her eyes having followed Calaudrin's next shot.


Shae looks to Lydia, having shown her some of the finer points. She pat-pats the woman's arm. "It's just for fun," she tells the woman quietly, her face neutral and her eyes calm.

Harper grins at Aethan as he waves to her and calls over cheerfully, "Heya Admiral!" She leans over to listen to Esoka and chuckles then calls over, "Go Uncle Cal! Shoot straight and hit with the pointy end!" But then Kenna catches her eye and she waves her over with a happy grin, "Heya Partner!"

Soren holds his hand up to his brow, shielding light from his eyes to try and see where the targets are being placed. "Fucking A..." he utters, a touch surprised at the extreme distances being shot at.

Zoey has calmed down enough to make a better showing of this shot... Though she looks puzzled when there's a mountainous man sitting next to Ian and Aethan and shouting about farts. She smiles at Cal's shot, though.

:nods to Shae, "Thank you. I can feel it, but that's all I have so far."

Lydia nods to Shae, "Thank you. I can feel it, but that's all I have so far."

Whatever Ian murmurs to him has Aethan letting out a little huff, though Harper's greeting seems to please him, too -- his smile becomes slightly more obvious, anyway. He responds to his brother, turning his eyes back to the competition then.

"Heh," Caspian says, folding his arms across his chest. "Unless someone catches up to the old timer, he's gonna walk away with all this silver!" He looks over to Lydia, asking her, "Are you hoping to learn archery? Or just have some fun?" He wonders to the woman with a grin her way.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 7 higher.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 9 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 9 lower.

Lydia looks down range. The target is insanely far for someone of her training. But Shae's support brings her back to toe the line, once again raise the borrowed bow, and with the increasing inclination of her shots send another arrow into the sky.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 32 lower.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 7 higher.

Merek continues shooting at the target.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 6 higher.


Shae takes aim and ... success.

2 Grayson House Guards, Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Valor, a small brown and white corgi puppy, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

Sabella has joined the Noble Seating.

Violet hits the target. So there is that. But only at the out edge. She eyes the target and shrugs. "That's a goodly distance. But I've fired worse shots and hit well," She says as she starts to stretch and give herself a shake.

The targets are... quite far away now. So Calaudrin squares up and just makes this one. His expression is relieved and he scuffs his toes against the dirt again.

"SABELLA!" That's Kenna being all loud and waving from across the whatever distance between the seats.

Lydia smiles to Shae, shaking her head, "They're all just for fun from here. I've worn myself out, and these arms will be sore in the morning."


Geralt whistles sharply as Shae's arrow meets the target again, taking another gulp from his flask. "You're hangin' in there girl, keep it up!" he shouts down to her.

With the gloom of the evening darkening, Zoey's really having to focus on that far off target. And two more behind them. She fires her shot, though, and seems content.

Bashira has left the Commoner Stands.

Sabella comes walking in quickly from the south, waving brightly to Kenna as she makes her way towards the noble seats, "How late am I? Zoey hasn't won yet, right? I wanted to see it!"

Soren has to wait a good minute before he hears something that might qualify as an arrow hitting a target. "Yeah, I'd never hit that." he says a bit to himself. Not even sure a crossbow can shoot that far anyways.

"Lady Zoey is in a distant second!" Caspian calls over to Sabella, pointing to Calaudrin, "Uncle Cal here has himself an eagle eye! He's in a solid lead, and Lady Zoey is gonna need two really good shots to catch up!"

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 55, rolling 9 higher.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 55, rolling 34 lower.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 55, rolling 6 higher.

Sabella's arrival gets a nod from Aethan, as well as a wave to her. "Your Highness," he says, before looking back for the next shot.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 55, rolling 21 lower.

The target has moved back yet another length, yet Lydia does no worse than her prior shot. Far short of the target, but by much the same amount.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 55, rolling 21 lower.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 55, rolling 1 lower.

Merek continues with the shooting, but just sighs as he doesn't hit anything.

The arrow hits the target. Calaudrin blows out some air and bites on his lip and bows his head. H

Ian nods to whatever Aethan says to him, and then looks up at Sabella. "Your Highness."

Violet takes much more care this time as she aims at the far target. Eyes narrowed she sets her feet. She tilts her head back and feels the evening air. Then she lets loose the arrow. It hits the target, though along the outer rim. But it hits and she lets out a breath, glancing at Calaudrin. She gives him a respectful nod and smile. "That's a hard one."


Shae takes aim again, sighting along her arrow and then-

-it sails off to the left, into the unknown, and is gone. Shae is not surprised, that was waaaaaay down there.

Lyric, an aspiring vocalist arrives, following Melody.

And there goes her first miss of the night. Zoey narrows her eyes in mild irritation as she watches the arrow -squeak- by the target. "My goodness," she murmurs, though, smiling at Violet and Calaudrin. "Well done, both of you."

Soren waves a hand. "Fuck all that." he shakes his head, at a loss. Hey, he can appreciate the skill required for these kind of shots.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 39 lower.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 13 lower.

Shae checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 11 lower.

Waldemai ducks

Lydia is overheard praising Shae: In the midst of a competition, took a moment to give some advice to a new archer.

Calaudrin checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 9 lower.

Merek somehow manages to break the arrow before it even shoots from the bow.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 6 lower.

Lydia checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 31 lower.

Violet chuckles and says, "Watch, I'll miss the last one." And it doesn't seem to bother her either. She hears Soren's words and glances at him, still grinning. "Wish me luck!" Then she turns to shoot. And misses. "Told you," She says to Zoey, giving a laugh and stepping back.

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 10 lower.


Shae tries for that last target and, like the rest, does not get it in the target.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 60, rolling 20 lower.


"Ahhhh, shit," Geralt heaves a sigh as Shae's arrow disappears into the unknown, and he caps off his flask. Looks like the big brute is done drinking.. for now. He leans over the rail again to shout down to Shae, "Should've held the bow tighter. Or something. Actually I don't know a damn thing about bow-and-arrowing."

That one target is really, really, really out there. Calaudrin looks at it and then looks at the others. But he has a 'why the hell not' attitude about this shot. He nocks, draws and shoots. And he watches as his arrow flies through the air and then just sort of... hits the dirt. "Ah, well. That's to be expected."

Lydia watches even the best start to sweat as the targets are pulled back to the extremes. She gives Shae a smile, carefully prepares her arrow, and sends it even closer to the target than the prior two misses. Close only counts in horseshoes though.

Violet Takes an extra shot at the target. Probably just for shits and giggles. That shot goes sailing wider and she says, "Yeah. Damn. Maybe one day it'll be an easier shot."

Zoey may have -actually- got the closest of the others, but it still whistles on by the target. She laughs quietly and grins at Violet. "Come on. Let's watch the 'Old Man' collect his winnings."

"I wouldn't sweat it, boss." Soren nods at seeing all the shot veer off the mark. "Don't think I've seen many people make that shot. And most of those times it was down to luck that it even hit. Good job, though."

Harper chuckles over at Geralt's heckling and calls over to Geralt, "You don't gotta know how to shoot to heckle someone over it though!" She turns toward Calaudrin and shouts, "You missed, Uncle Cal! I said HIT the target!" Grinning impishly she settles back onto the bench.

"And with that final arrow shot, we are finished!" Caspian calls out, beckoning Calaudrin over to in front of the stands. "Come over here, old timer! Introduce yourself to the crowd and myself and collect your winnings!" He instructs him with a grin.

Lydia hums a happy tune to herself as she gathers her things and approaches Violet. "Thank you so much for loaning me DarkFell. It was a privilege to join everyone in this contest."

Sabella laughs, "Neither do I," She says to Geralt, taking a seat near Ian and Aethan, "So you just try explaining it to me and I'll think you're right the whole time!"

Kenna jumps to her feet when Calaudrin is called over as the winnner, fingers in her mouth and whistling without even a hint of decorum. That's so boring. "GO CALAUDRIN! YOU ROCK! ESOKA'S GOING TO COME KISS YOU!" A side-eye at Esoka, she's going to do that, right?

Violet lets out a, "Hah!" of amusement and nods her head to Zoey. "Oh, that sounds like a plan, but one moment," She says. Turning to Lydia she smiles and bows her head. "You're welcome. If you want further training in the bow, I sometimes have spots open," She tells the woman as she takes Darkfell back.

"You get down here and shoot the target, young woman!" Calaudrin shouts back across the field at Harper. Once he's done yelling at Harper, he sends a dismayed look in Caspian's direction. /Introduce/ himself? Oh, the misery. He wanders on over and waves at the people. "Sir Calaudrin Estardes, Deputy Commander of the Iron Guard. My wife is Esoka Greenblood and I think that Lady Kenna is threatening to send her down here. She will knock you out of the way. You should move." That's to some people down there at the bottom of the stands.

Esoka checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Waldemai cheers and shouts, "A contest well run and a prize well won! Congratulations!"

Esoka has SCREAMING to do, first. And scream she does. A big, lung-stretching, undulating warcry of triumph. It's very loud and piercing. And then, of course, she rushes down to throw herself at Calaudrin and attempt to kiss him soundly.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were Esoka's husband! I didn't even realize she was married!" Caspian says as he quickly shoves the purse of coins at Calaudrin and moves out of the way, not wanting to get between her and her charging of her husband.

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

The last shot has Aethan applauding the archers, calling, "Well shot, Zoey!" It's even got some inflection in it! Though no, not anywhere near as much as Esoka's prodigious roar.


"I'm pretty sure you just hold the bow, pull the string thing back, and aim for the target. Then BAM! You hit it, as long as you hold the bow straight," Geralt says to Sabella with an impressively wide grin. He might've hit that flask a little too hard, considering he's flush under the eyes. But he manages to stand and walk without a stagger, hopping down to the archery field to give Shae a mighty pat on the back. "You did good, girl. Only twice that you didn't hit the target," he says to her, offering her the flask.


Shae is enthusiastic in her applauding, close to smiling, really smiling! at the winner. She does bow to him and she's heard praising his skill.

Violet can't help but grin and chuckle at Esoka's going on over her husband. And her hands come together to applaud the two. "Awwwww! Even old men get kisses," She says teasing in an aside to Zoey.

Shae is overheard praising Calaudrin: A tournament well done, you are impressively skilled with that weapon.

Ian applauds as well. He doesn't shout, though. Maybe Zoey married the wrong brother.

Merek makes his way on when the contest is complete.

"Thank you for very much for running this and- AGH!" Calaudrin is stampeded by Esoka, throwing his arms around her out of want as much as need. He does /not/ fall over. He looks /plenty/ amused by the screaming and he kisses her back enthusiastically.

Merek has left the Archery Range.

Shae is overheard praising Caspian: Thank you for hosting.

Zoey just grins as Esoka is signaled out. And when she screams. And when she rushes her husband and leap-smooches him. She shakes her head, watching them do their thing before nudging Violet. "You should come by the Hart some time, Mistress Violet. We'll have drinks and catch up." She waves to the others and starts off for her people's sides.

Geralt is overheard praising Shae: Only missed two targets! Great shot.