Caspian has joined the dance floor.

Bashira has joined the rose garden.

Corban has joined the rose garden.

Adora has joined the rose garden.

Kalani has left the table by the fire.

Kalani has joined the rose garden.

Letatria, Savereon, Umbrio, an enormous palomino destrier arrive, following Aahana.

Waldemai has left the table by the fire.

Waldemai has joined the rose garden.

Jeffeth has joined the tranquil stone pool.

Sparte has joined the tranquil stone pool.

Caspian has left the dance floor.

Caspian has joined the tranquil stone pool.

Standing before a stone pool, CAspian turns to the nearby garden, where the guests are seated, calling out in a big, booming voice, "GREETINGS!" He calls out to the crowd, throwing up his hands. "Welcome to the final round of The Champions Tournament! It's been a long road, with many wins, loses, and upsets, and we finally reached the end. These two, who have fought valently, giving it their all, will now fight each other for the grand prize of fifty thousand silver in this lovely garden loaned to us for the evening by The Golden Hart!"" He tells the crowd, a wide grin on his lips. "But, who is it that are fighting? Well, lets take a moment to let them introduce themselves!" He steps over to Jeffeth first, placing a hand on the man's shoulder, telling him, "Sir Jeffeth! Introduce yourselves for the very few who don't know you, and tell the people a bit about yourself!"

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense arrives, following Niklas.

Lizette, a pretty buxom barmaid arrives, following Valencia.

Standing before a stone pool, CAspian turns to the nearby garden, where the guests are seated, calling out in a big, booming voice, "GREETINGS!" He calls out to the crowd, throwing up his hands. "Welcome to the final round of The Champions Tournament! It's been a long road, with many wins, loses, and upsets, and we finally reached the end. These two, who have fought valently, giving it their all, will now fight each other for the grand prize of fifty thousand silver in this lovely garden loaned to us for the evening by The Golden Hart!" He tells the crowd, a wide grin on his lips. "But, who is it that are fighting? Well, lets take a moment to let them introduce themselves!" He steps over to Jeffeth first, placing a hand on the man's shoulder, telling him, "Sir Jeffeth! Introduce yourselves for the very few who don't know you, and tell the people a bit about yourself!" (repost for Valenica)

Niklas has joined the rose garden.

Niklas picks his way through the crowd. At one point he offers a, "Sir Bayweather!" followed by a, "Woo!"

Bashira has shown up for the final round of the Champion's Tourney, probably because she's been waiting for the conclusion for so long! She's not sporting the brightest of smiles, but there is one on her lips. The sailor gives a nod to those that she knows but makes a quiet approach and settles herself down with her rum in hand in the rose garden. She gives a wave to her brother when he's done with his announcing for the moment, but she turns her attention to the finalists.

Aahana happens to quite enjoy watching people spar so she was unable to help herself and make an appearance. Though given she has never been in the Golden Hart before, she looks more turned around than anything. Once finding her way, she smooths out her seasilks and gracefully makes her way to a seat.

Aahana has joined the charming garden swing.

Sir Jeffeth Bayweather is wearing a simple set of armor as well as his old trusty tabard, representing the Knights of Solace. Though in his hands is not the usual giant hammer, or even a blade. But a beautiful shortspear which rolls easily and idly through the fingers of the behemoth. The big man walks through the garden and gives a bow to the forming crowd, then a bow in Sparte's direction. The butt of the spear is then set on the ground as Jeffeth slowly straightens up. Then Caspian is heading over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder and telling him to tell people about himself. Caspian receives a Look that likely communicates he was not aware of this part of the tournament, his lips thin for a moment.

But then he is turning to face the crowd and gives a bright smile. Jeffeth bows once more, doing a quick twirl of his spear in one hand giving a little flourish. "Sir Jeffeth Bayweather. Knight of Solace. Grew up in the Lowers at the Tragedy. Left. Spent some time as a Solace Knight out on the roads and now I've returned." Straightening up fully he gives a warm smile, though /something/ he sees has him looking slightly unnerved. "Happy to be here, happy to be a Champion, and excited for the fight this evening." He manages to get out, looking just slightly perturbed.

Corban is overheard praising Jeffeth: The Champion! Maybe!

Waldemai cheers for Sir Jeffeth.

Corban lets out a loud whistle for Jeffeth when he announces himself, clapping for the big Knight of Solace. "Bring this tournament home, Sir Jeffeth!" He apparently has appointed himself the Jeffeth cheering section.

"And he's one of the best fighters I've seen! I consider him a tough rival to overcome. But, will he win? Because he is up against not just any fighter, but Officer Sparte!" Caspian waves over to Sparte, stepping to the man, giving him a smile. "Why don't you tell the people about yourself, Sparte?"

Valenciaenters the garden a bit late but she does arrive. Nodding a sweet smile to those she knows as well as those she has not yet met as Caspian announces the match. Quietly, she studies both men and finds her way to place where she might get a better view of the match, allowing the Champion's Grandmaster to work his magic.

The heavy gray armor of steel and iron on Sparte makes him look the equal to Jeffeth in size, but the removal of his helmet to grin and wave at the crowd shows the truth of the matter. Sir Jeffeth's opponent is a beanpole of a man in a tin can, wielding a stick for good measure. He is missing the cape that is the badge of office for an Iron Guardsman tonight, but otherwise very much recognizable as one. "Hello everyone! Sparte Fatchforth, grew up on a farm. Been a guard for several years. Also very happy to be here." Sparte glances over to Caspian a moment, giving them a big thumbs up. "Oh right, I collect rocks. I'm collecting rocks, for Jayus, I mean." Sparte bites his lower lip, chewing those words over after they're out of his mouth. "Right, uh, let this be an honor to Gloria." He starts getting his helmet back on before he turns fully red in the face.

Waldemai cheers for Sparte. "Let's have a good fight! All glory to Gloria!"

Bashira gives a smile when the contestants have spoken and she claps for them, "You've got this, Master Fatchforth!" she calls out to him. Then she quiets down and takes a drink of her rum.

"Right! Talk to Sparte after this about his rocks for Jayus!" Caspian calls out to the crowd, giving them a grin. He waves to a bridge stretching across the largest pond, telling the two, "Step onto your background, shake hands, and prepare yourselves! This fight is to first blood! When you are both ready, I will signal the start of the bout!"

Kalani lifts her voice to cheer on both fighters, applauding as well with a broad grin on her face.

Aahana given she barely present, she lingers over by the charming garden swing, slipping to sit upon it and quietly swing herself as she sits and watches what all is going on.

Niklas has left the rose garden.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense leaves, following Niklas.

The large man goes to walk to the opposite side of the pool. Eyeing the crowd for something for a long moment before walking round the pool and stopping. A bridge has been placed over top the pool tonight by the Champions Guild. And apparently, this is where they're going to fight. Jeffeth steps onto the bridge and bounces a little on his feet to test it will hold his weight. Giving a satisfied nod, the spear is twirled up in his hands and held out in front of him as he waits for Sparte to join him on the bridge as well.

Sparte puts his staff into his off hand, making his way to the bridge where Jeffeth is while using it more as a walking stick than you would treat a weapon. Sparte bounces a bit on the bridge as he steps onto it, testing the flex of the wood while he makes his way to Jeffeth. Once there he offers his hand, expression hidden by the odd fox helmet. "May victory favor the better Champion."

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

Sparte wields Knothole Stave.

Salvatore lurks in perhaps a little late but undoubtedly in time to watch the fight begin and finds himself a spot. He smiles as he watches things begin in earnest and he drops himself into a table to watch.

Aahana curiously watches all that is going on as she gently moves her legs so she is kinda moving on the swing. Not a lot of momentum but she is trying to watch the ongoing events.

The two combatants trade grips, stepping back to prepare for battle. Or one of them does at least. Sparte seems preoccupied with testing one of the boards with his right boot, looking like he'd noticed something odd. He snaps out of it a few seconds later, glancing over to Caspian and giving an apologetic gesture as he quickly runs back to a proper position to assume a proper stance, but not before giving another big corny thumbs up.

Caspian gives the shout for the match to begin, and...

Sparte takes two steps, then jumps. In his big tin suit can he jumps, right onto the tricky board he'd noticed had more give earlier, and bounces at least a foot higher than he has any right to, right at Jeffeth with his staff leveled like some death from above cinematic. Going all in tonight.

Adora has left the rose garden.

Corban has left the rose garden.

Reedy, a King's Own aide leaves, following Corban.

Jeffeth checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Spinning his spear in hands, Jeffeth gives a nod to Caspian after the pair shake hands. Jeffeth is then marching onto the bridge, ready to do battle. This tourney has lasted for months, and Jeffeth is surely a better combatant now than he was at the beginning. Countless hours of relentless training, blood, sweat, vomit. Fighting it out through all the other Champions to win to get to this moment. All that time, all that effort, now to fight it out in the coolest battle Arx has ever seen!

/Pop/

As Sparte bounces up into the air and flings his quarterstaff out, Jeffeth glances up, confused at the suddenly very elevated Sparte. But he had already been charging forward onto the bridge, his spear already at the ready and then /pop/. The quarterstaff catches Jeffeth right in the nose and the mouth making a satisfying pop noise as blood freely spurts from the big man's lips and nostrils as his head is jerked back from the sudden obstacle that is jammed into it. Jeffeth stumbles back a few steps, blood flying down onto the bridge, he's able to throw his arms out and keep his balance not quite falling into the pool. But the blood is leaking down his chin, Jeffeth glances down. Blinks. Glances up at Sparte. Show's over folks!

There's a slow bewildered look before Jeffeth finally realizes what has happened and slowly goes into a bow, pressing his fist to his chest.

Sparte checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Bashira shouts from nearby, "Called it!"

Aahana continues to curiously watch but she eventually lets the swing slow enough that she gracefully slips off and begins to slowly make her way towards the exit. Easily stopped should someone wish to, pausing to watch the sparring a bit more.

"Uhhhhh..." Caspian is stunned, abosuletely stunned, at how fast that went. He looks at the bridge, looks at Sparte and Jeffeth, back to the crowd, then to the bridge. Finally, back to the crowd, he smiles bright and laughs, telling them, "Well, ether by luck, skill, or Gloria's own blessing, Officer Sparte has finished the fight with the first blow! That's just how these things happen, folks, these things can be decided with a single swing!" He says to them, laughing some more, then points to Sparte, "Give it up for our winner!"

Bashira gives a bit of a blink and then she jumps up and claps for Sparte when she realizes what's happened, "Well done!" she tells them both. Then there's a look to see if Jeffeth is doing alright, "You alright, Sir Bayweather?" she calls.

Kalani winces as she sees the outcome of the match, "Ouch," and rises from her chair, setting aside her drink. She snags the slim leather satchel that she's almost always carrying and tries to catch Caspian's eyes. "I'm a healer," she identifies herself, "if I may approach?"

Kalani has left the rose garden.

Valenciablinks a moment and stares. And then breaks into applause for both the competitors, cheering with unabashed awe for the remarkable outcome.

Caspian has left the tranquil stone pool.

Anya, the cool as an ice cube Champion apprentice, Renn, the mousy, scholarly brunette, Morgan, a roguish looking gentleman leave, following Caspian.

There is a tumbling crash as Sparte hits the ground, but at least Sparte manages to roll with it and keep his staff in hand. Sure, he felt his staff hit something, but it is a smidge hard to see out of that helmet he is wearing. So when Sparte spins around ready to continue the match, only to see Jeffeth start to bow? He starts to stammer. "W-wait, no, what?" Then Caspian confirms it. Sparte's staff lowers with a stunned sort of slowness. Then there is the bow, just as stunned.

Anya, the cool as an ice cube Champion apprentice, Renn, the mousy, scholarly brunette, Morgan, a roguish looking gentleman arrive, following Caspian.

Caspian is overheard praising The champions: The tournament has concluded! It's been a wild ride!

Valencia is overheard praising Sparte: He is a kind man, a good to my Hart and this city, and an incredible fighter. I am honoured to be his friend.

Caspian is overheard praising Golden hart: The gardens are beautiful! A great place for a finale!

Hermeline, a russet vixen arrives, following Terese.

Valencia is overheard praising The champions: I have always been honoured to be a partner of the Champions and today is no different. I look forward to many more events with them, especially with Missere Champion Caspian at the helm.

There's some blod spit out in a single spurt onto the bridge as Jeffeth straightens. Working his jaw a little and raising his hand to tenderly touch at his flattened nose. There's a light sigh at what he finds, touching gingerly at the nose. There's a grunt before Jeffeth drops his now bloody hand. "Well fought, Sparte." Jeffeth rumbles, inclining his head to him. Before glancing over to the approaching Kalani. A bloody smile is granted to her, "It's probably not that bad. But go ahead and give it a look, if you wouldn't mind." Jeffeth rumbles quietly, leaning in somewaht so Kalani can take a look at his bloody face.

Valencia is overheard praising Golden hart: Here's to many more events at the Hart! There is so much that has been done, I am so grateful to the Hart for giving me such purpose. I cannot wait to do so much more for our realm in partnership with the people and many organizations of Arx.

Waldemai cheers the fighters! "Well fought! A fine bout and a fine champion!"

Valencia is overheard praising Jeffeth: A great fighter and a gallant and gracious competitor.

Terese Valardin is _late_ for whatever reason. She strides into the courtyard garden and looks around. There's champions. And blood. "Did I miss the whole thing?" she asks, highly cultured and educated voice rife with utter disappointment. "Figs."

"Well, if you don't mind," Kalani replies with a glimpse of a smile as she hands a wad of clean cloth to Jeffeth to hold against his bleeding nose. She tips her head a little to the side, waiting a moment while he pinches off some of the blood then uses both hand to gently trace the scope of the damage. "Right, on three," she advises and counts as far as two before giving an expert tug and pulling his flattened nose back into position. "Ice, that'll bring the swelling down. Come with me to the bar and I'll fetch you some," is offered.

Valencia is overheard praising Caspian: A grand friend, partner and host. I cannot wait to do many more wonderful events with him. He inspires me.

Bashira gives a smile to things and then she looks around to the others with a bit of a nod before she starts to head for the exit. The short cheerleading gig is over for the night!

Bashira has left the rose garden.

Jeffeth checked stamina + survival at difficulty 44, rolling 40 higher.

Aahana blinks a bit in surprise at how quickly the fight ended and begins to slowly slip out to the main part of the Golden Hart.

Aahana has left the charming garden swing.

Letatria, Savereon, Umbrio, an enormous palomino destrier leave, following Aahana.

Jeffeth tries to stay still as Kalani goes to tend to his stupid nose. She says 'three'. So he definitely trusts her. Why would she ever betray him? The big man takes a deep breath, bracing himself. Closing his eyes, ready for the pain! Then someone uses Figs as a curse word and his eyes open up quickly and he lets out a booming laugh. "Figs." He repeats in a rumble right as Kalani says 'two' and snaps his nose back into place. When Kalani snaps it there is a low, but contained, rumbling groan from the sudden pain, brows knit. Then a slow exhaled breath. "Ow." Jeffeth finally grunts before working up a slow smile. But shakes his bloody face not concerned with the pain for too long. "Did you hear? Someone said figs." He lets out another quiet laugh. Figs is a funny word.

"Yeah, you missed it!" Says Caspian back to Terese, giving her a wide grin as he says, "But it was over in a heartbeat, so you can't fault yourself!" He looks over to the crowd, calling out, "For this event, drinks are on the house! So go ahead and get yourselves some drinks at the bar! And thank you watching the final fight of the tournament!"

Waldemai has left the rose garden.

The little vixen looks a little stunned still, though she offers both Champions congratulations and a delicate hand in warm regard. "You are both so very impressive sirs. I cannot say enough. I hope you will come to our next Sip n'Spar. Even just for a well deserved drink or two, yes?" Valencia nods warmly.

Sparte still looks a bit stunned. He takes off his helmet as he watches Jeffeth's nose get mended. Victory clearly isn't what he expected tonight, but he'll just have to suffer through it.

2 House Mazetti Aspirants, Marius arrive, following Giulio.

"I've learned to get ahead of the instinct by most people to tense up in advance," Kalani says in a quiet but generally apologetic tone of voice. She takes the bloody bandage that she'd given him and swaps it for a new, clean, cloth to use. "The bleeding will stop in short order. You've two options. You can let it run out and get it over with, which is messy. Or you can tip your head back and cough it out. Either way, you're going to need a drink," she advises.

Caspian steps over to Sparte, clapping the man on the back, telling him, "You were my dark horse in the tournament. I had no idea how you would do. I'll send your prize money via messenger later, though if you want, I can donate some or all of it to a group of your choice, if that's what you wana do with it."

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

Terese says, "test"

Sparte blinks at Caspian, furrowing his brow for a few moments. A glance to Jeffeth, then he nods. "Donate it all to the Knights of Solace, please."

Trailed by his guards, the slender figure of the newly elevated Count Corvini makes his way into the garden space. Something of a slender smile toys his lips, before he inclines his head towards those present. Of course, he is also followed by his ever present secretary, Marius. One brow lofts and he offers a warm smile.

Caspian turns to Jeffeth, looking to the man with a smile, telling him, "Same offer for you, Sir Jeffeth. You won forty five thousand. I can donate some or all of it to anywhere you want, or I can send it to you via messenger later."

"I said 'figs'," Terese says with a quick, fierce smile for Jeffeth, even as his nose gets rearranged (properly). "It's a better way to swear in polite company."

A gently smile finds her lisp as Giulio arrives and the little princess welcomes him with a warm nod. "My lord," she says sweetly. "Welcome back to my Hart. Did you see the fight? wasn't it impressive?"

Wincing through the pain, Jeffeth gives Kalani a nod. "I usually just bleed it out. But on grass or dirt or something. I don't want to get the whole place messy. Maybe we could get a bucket? And a drink sounds nice." Jeffeth turns to the voice talking about figs and offers a warm but blood covered smile to Terese. He bows deeply, (with blood leaking to the floor), "Your Highness. Good to see you. You're welcome to come get a drink if you'd like." Then Jeffeth is galncing over to Kalani with a smile, ready to follow her along. before finally waving over to Sparte. "Well fought, Sparte!"

Terese is overheard praising The champions.

Terese is overheard praising Golden hart.

Kalani is overheard praising Sparte: Well fought! and

Kalani is overheard praising Jeffeth: Well fought!