Caspian guides Lore over to the commoner's stands to sit them down, giving a nod over to Berto before turning back to Lore. He looks to the haughty kitten as it sits at Lore's feet, taking up it's own spot. He shakes his head before turning to Lore to plant a kiss upon her lips.

Echo, an Oakhaven bloodhound arrives, following Cristoph.

Cristoph has joined the Noble Seating.

Accompanying Arik, Eilonwy enters with her fellow northerner with a look of curious fascination. Summer weather certainly doesn't agree with the Marquessa fanning herself slightly with a hand as they make their way to the seats. "If this were a Northerner thing I'd be wagering over who dropped of heat first." She murmurs to her companion in a quiet joke.

Gretchen has joined the Noble Seating.

"If this were a northern thing it'd probably be mud wrestling. Did you see House Redrain put in a mud wrestling pit in the old public offices they built?" Arik quips conversationally while leading Eilonwy towards the stands and likewise seems to be doing poorly in the summer heat. His hair is even up with some hair pins!

It's a fine day to witness a duel, Cristoph arrives with his assistant Rupert and heads to the noble stands where he takes a seat. The pair seem to be occasionally conversing as the duke rests back against the seats to take in the view.

Corrigan has joined the Commoner Stands.

Sparte has joined the Commoner Stands.

Clad in a cloud of springy green organza, Helena enters the proving ground, glancing around to see who's already present, and maybe looking around for some who are not. She looks, still, just a touch too pale, even for her own brand of pale Northern complexion, still a touch of lilac shading beneath her eyes for want of good sleep, from the looks of it, but she looks in good enough spirits. She grins at Carmen when she sees the woman in the commoner stands. "Ready to lose a bet?" she calls merrily, before making her way to the noble stands and giving a nod to her fellows there.

Bliss has joined the Dueling Ring.

Helena has joined the Noble Seating.

"Mud wrestling?" Gretchen doesn't appear to think commenting on conversations she's not apart of as rude as she comes up behind Arik and Eilonwy, fanning herself with one of the programs, "Now that would be something to turn out for. Especially if they sprayed the crowd with a bit of the water to make the mud. Mud is also great for your skin. In smaller doses than jumping into a puddle full of it."

The Mother Mercy doesn't spend much time near the sands, only enough to let Bliss know she's there, wave her overflowing bag of healing gear, mouth a quiet good luck, and then she's off again, headed to the Noble seating area and slipping into a seat.

Sophie has joined the Noble Seating.

Sparte joins the rest of the commoner masses here to witness the bout, cupping his hands as he shouts. "Praise Gloria!" He doesn't seem to have settled on which of the combatants to cheer for more, so is cheering for the fight in general.

Lore returns the kiss and smiles warmly at him, "You know you like her." Winking at Caspian, she reaches down and pulls the kitten up to curl around her shoulders, keeping her hand in his.

Jeffeth has joined the Dueling Ring.

Vraxese, a Kennex Corsair guard arrives, following Jan.

A vision of crimson leather against the sands, Bliss Whisper is currently sitting right in them, her body bent over double at the waist as she reaches out toward a foot in the distance that is pointed directly into the air. The gown she wears is perhaps as appropriately flashy as might be expected from a Champion, with good bits of exposed skin that she seems confident about being able to defend with that typical Lycene cockiness, a very large, very floppy hat on her head, and the close-lipped smile of Whisper House embroidered on her outfit. As Sophie approaches, she sits upright in a slow motion, turning her head to look toward the woman and smiling at her. "Here," she says, as she unbuckles the swordbelt around her torso, removing Vowkeeper from where it rests, that sword that caused so much controversy recently. "Hold this for me?" she requests of the Mother Mercy, passing it over and holding it carefully, her eyes lingering on the blade before she looks up at the woman. Once that has passed over, she stands in a sudden, rapid movement, spinning in place and using her toe to draw a semicircle in the sands as she lifts her arms in the air. "Ladies and gentlemen, Peer and Commoner, welcome one and all back to the sands for something that has taken entirely too long to happen - the semi-finals of the Unrivaled Dueling Tournament!"

Strolling with long, lanky strides for the commoner benches, Carmen pauses after Helena's taunt with a twist of a grin. "Haven't lost betting on him yet. I look to enjoy that meal, Princess Helena. Promise not to wish any harm on the pretty Whisper's smile, though." She offers a half-bow in Helena's direction, braid flopping over her shoulder, before continuing her trot over to the benches for Bliss's announcement.

Carmen has joined the Commoner Stands.

"Just in time --" Malcolm mutters as he arrives, grinning boyishly, and so distracted that he parks himself in the entirely wrong seating. Oops.

Malcolm has joined the Commoner Stands.

Sophie looks surprised as she's handed Vowkeeper on her way back to the stands, and when she sits she rests it over her lap carefully, looking over the sands to watch the events.

Gruffudd, A ridiculously large and fluffy Blackwood forest Cat, Inka Brair arrive, following Ysbail.

Jan slows her brisk pace as she approaches. Her hard expression softens as fighting sports always draw her out of her head. She carries a rocks glass and a partial bottle of vodka, so she wanders off to find a good seat high enough to watch the spectacle.

Jan has joined the Noble Seating.

Jeffeth checked strength + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Ysbail has joined the Noble Seating.

Ysbail slips in a bit late, but she had expected the event to be rescheduled. She murmurs something to those at the benches.

"We'll see, Mistress Harol," calls Helena back to Carmen with a good-natured grin. "They do say there's a first time for everything, but I suppose that isn't true for some things at all. I do hope everyone keeps all their teeth, though!" She applauds when Bliss announces the duel, her eyes moving from Bliss to Jeffeth as she tips her head to something said in the Noble Stands, nodding in agreement.

Clank-clank-clinkity-clank

A behemoth clad in plate crosses the green towards the sands, one hand resting gently on the haft of the hammer that rests over one buly shoulder. The large man blinks a little as Bliss starts to make the announcement and the clinking of armor redoubles in its frequency as he goes into a jogging walk to join Bliss on the sands. The Bull of Solace is not wearing his Bull head helmet today, and there's a little grunt as one hand comes up to pull off the great helmet on his brow.

With the helmet removed, Jeffeth Bayweather gives a warm smile to the woman on the sands. "Wearer of A Whole Lot of Hat." The big man rumbles lowly, going into a deep bow at the waist, his gauntlet holding the helmet going to clank into his chest breastplate. He looks up to the crowd and goes into a deep bow that way as well. A look over to Bliss. "I suppose I should do a thing. Its been a while." Working the helmet back on his head the fully plated knight drops his hammer in the sand and then, swings his body over. Onto his hands.

Working himself up into a handstand in all that armor, Jeffeth stays there for a moment before slowly lifting up one hand from the sand and giving a little wave to the crowd. Then hands back down, and he lets his feet fall back down to the sand as well.

"I've gone any other expectations past watchin a duel --" Malcolm clipped himself sort. Enthusiastically.

2 Ashford House Guard, Bethany arrive, following Olivia.

Olivia has joined the Noble Seating.

Khaavren, a dutiful assistant arrives, delivering a message to Helena before departing.

Olivia wanders in and sees Jan. She walks over and sits veeeery close to her.

Bliss checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 15 higher.

Sparte is overheard praising Malcolm: Knows how to find the best seats in the house, even when we arn't sitting in a house.

Clapping her hands together, Bliss grins as she hears Jeffeth approaching behind her with those all-too-audible clanks and clunks of steel, and her smile is bright for everyone as she says, "Now, this time, there will be no gimmicks, no trick-" And then Jeffeth is standing on his hands, and her smile becomes ever-so-slightly more strained as she laughs and says, "Alright, so we are going to put on a /show/ for you today," with a laugh. "No guarantees as to how long it will be, though - after all, I'm going up against Sir Jeffeth, but I promise to give it my best." There's a playful wink from her, and then she's turning to face Jeffeth finally - and her eyes land on that hammer.

And they stay there a long moment.

And then the Softest Whisper says, very loudly and deadpan, "Well, shit."

But she seems to be ready for Jeffeth's flip, and as the man begins to twist back down to the ground, she does a running sprint, and while he is horizontal, she launches into the air, doing a rolling flip over him, the black of her cape and the crimson seasilk inside swirling around her in a whirlwind of color and fabric before she lands on the opposite side of him - on her feet - and with her rapier drawn. "To Her the glory, to us the victory," she says to Jeffeth, invoking the typical prayer to Gloria as her brows waggle up and a bright, wide grin crosses her face.

Bliss wields a red bladed rapier with a stark white basket hilt.

2 Harthall house guards, Niall RedTree, adorably awkward squire arrive, following Ouida.

Jared, an overworked-looking, nervous Apprentice Whisper have been dismissed.

Ouida has joined the Noble Seating.

Laurene, a military adjutant arrives, delivering a message to Arik before departing.

Corrigan has left the Commoner Stands.

Ouida enters the area with a tall gangly looking squire--and the two swifly move towards the seating area, though they are careful to not interrupt anyone's view as Ouida settles in, and her young squire runs off in search of possibly a closer vantage point.

Corrigan has joined the Commoner Stands.

Feet back on the ground, Jeffeth scoops that well shit hammer out of the sand and gives it a few shakes. There's a couple of CLANK CLANKS as his gauntlet slaps against the side of his helmet. Bliss being the only one close enough to be blessed by the holy knights words of, "How the honeysuckle did I get sand in my helmet from that?!" There's a couple more slaps before the boulders of shoulders go into a massive shrug and Jeffeth squares off against Bliss.

Reaching up he goes to pull up the visor of his helm for a moment with that smile still lingering. "Last time we had a wager. I won a song. Care to repeat that again? I forgot what your side of the wager was." Despite his companionable words, Jeffeth to is raising his hammer up in prayer to Gloria before the hammer slaps into two hands and the large man is taking a step forward.

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

Arik has left the Noble Seating.

2 House Velenosa Guards arrives, following Leta.

And when Jeffeth takes forward, Bliss seems absolutely ready for him this time. His first swing, she steps out of the way, placing her rapier against the side of his hammer as she twists at the waist, and when he comes around again, she's ducking and sweeping under the blow, her sword coming up and striking his armor directly at the shoulder joint with a loud clang that can be heard across the sands, a grin on her face as the tip of the weapon disappears in between the armor - but pulls out, and no blood follows behind it. "Last time we had a wager you asked for a song, this time, if you want that, I'm going to ask you to take me to the fanciest dinner you can imagine. A guest for each of us. I want romance. Candlesticks. Musicians. All of it," she tells him with a quick wink as she pulls up again, her toe digging into the sand to give her balance. Her movement is constantly swaying, each time she moves out and strikes the weapon quick, precise, and practiced. "I wonder!" she asks as she glances at the crowd. "If I should sing for them today, to commemorate my defeat of you, Sir Jeffeth?"

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

Hiii-yah! The haft of the hammer swings forward, the large man using his weapon more like a quarterstaff than using it like a warhammer, refraining from swinging that big ol' hammerhead around. Jeffeth swings the heft forward and there's a muffled grunt that is let out as the blade slides through armor. Clearly surprised, Jeffeth stumbles back. Even if his expression can't be seen, his helmet jerking downward then back upward then downward again clearly communicates his thoughts.

Taking a moment, the large man rolls his shoulders. "Romance. Musicians. Got it." Jeffeth is mumbling as he takes a few circling steps through the sands. Letting the hammer fall into one hand, he circles her. A quiet laugh is let out at what she says about a song. "Just don't make me sound too awful."

Then he's stepping in once more to swing the haft of his hammer at her stomach.

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

A few messengers manage to stop watching the beginning of the bout between Jeffeth and Bliss to deliver something to Arik. Some silver is passed over and a motion to the commoners stands evidently no return messages. The couriers seem all to pleased to indulge in the spectacle as Jeffeth goes *Hii-yah!*

From the commoner's seating, Carmen cups her hands around her mouth and yells, "Make 'er sing, Sir Jeffeth!" Under her breath, she mutters, "Might be he should be wrong-side up for this."

Leta has joined the Commoner Stands.

"Get that dinner, Bliss! Make him wine and dine you!" Caspian calls out, standing up from his seat, cheering. "Cut 'em down to your size!"

Arik has joined the Judges Desk.

Arik has left the Judges Desk.

Arik has joined the Noble Seating.

Malcolm's shouting back, crowing in the same tone of voice he might have used to greet a king across a ballroom. Maybe. "Sing to your victory, Champion Bliss! Whoop 'im!"

The banter from Bliss makes Helena laugh merrily, hands clapping when the whisper manages to dance out of his hammer's blow. "How's that bet feeling, Mistress Harol?" she calls over to Carmen with a grin for the other woman. "I am considering what variety of cake I shall like when you pay your wager to me! I feel like something lime, I think... perhaps with coconut."

Berto laughs and cheers from the stands, making noise for each exchange.

Olivia does her absolute best to cheer Jeffeth on, this is not exactly her usual activity, "Come on Sir Jeffeth!" she sits back down.

Sophie cups her hands around her mouth yelling loudly, "Go Blissss! You've got this!" Then she yells afterwards, "Sorry Sir Jeffeth!"

Sparte shouts from the stands. "I believe in you Sir Jeffeth, and your giant hammer too!"

The haft of the hammer swings by Bliss's stomach and the Whisper Champion artfully dances out of the way. Following through on his backfoot there is an exchange, where Jeffeth's hammer quickly flies up and his body twists to fend off a pair of strikes from Bliss. The first, he misses, taking a hit just below the neck which has another yelp coming from the big man. One gauntlet flies away from the hammer, swatting the rapier away as Jeffeth uses his size to create a little distance. One shoulder swinging into Bliss's chest to send her back while he retreats onto his bac foot.

The hammer goes back into both hands and there's a little spin. "You might have this one." The big man calls out. "But not quite yet." Stepping in, there is a feint high before Jeffeth's haft comes down hard against Bliss's thigh. The pommel strike is pulled back as the big man raises his hammer once more in preparation for the next exchange.

Bliss checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Bliss checked stamina + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 20 higher.

Jan just cheers. She doesn't seem to have a side. Just a lust for people fighting it out in the sand pits.

Carmen turns her head, laughter in her green eyes, then she yells out after Sparte with a hand cupped to her mouth, "Right. Nail her, Sir Jeffeth!"

His expression can't be seen, but Jeffeth's head whips up to the crowd just for a second at something yelled out. Then. Back to the fight!

Cristoph is an equal opportunity cheer-er. He calls out and claps for any of the big hits.

As the cries start to come out for Bliss to sing, the Whisper had begun to hum a low tune, taking the rhythm of the fight, the tempo of the blades striking against one another as the beat builds up. It's a light sort of thing, her contralto going louder as she hits that spot just below the neck. A few more strikes do seem to make it past Jeffeth, finding purchase on the man - and then she's knocked back and that hammer comes and hits her thigh.

There's what might have been a grunt, but Bliss is experienced at this sort of thing, and as she moves to bend over from the strike, it turns into a quick roll that sounds sand flying around her as she rises back to her feet, her rapier held defensively as the first words of the song start to come out. "Sir Jeffeth, you seem to be feeling awfully proud, and you might have the crowd, but I think that it's time to end this streak of domination of yours that I've allowed for these last two years. With me, there was never any lack of zeal, what was needed was time for my arm to heal - this fight is mine and I expect that the wreck that we'll see at the end of the day will shine with the gleam of your armor - not mine." And then she's lunging forward once more.

Berto laughs from the commoner stands, and starts cheering out, one cup to his face. "BLISS! COME ON!"

Ysbail says, "Jeffeth move your ass.""

Ouida cheers with the crowd, and especially at yelp and then the feint that may prolong the fight. Bliss' song seems to draw her smile out to a full grin, and she puts two fingers to her lips for a whistle of appreciation and encouragement. Ysbail's comment, however draws a hearty fall of unrestrained laughter. "Well said, my lady," she comments to her, merrily.

"Dancin an' singin circles 'round the dueling ring, that's what I came here for -- well done, Bliss! Keep it up!" Malcolm's cheerful with his cheers.

Bayberry, an Oakhaven juvenile bloodhound, Steadfast, a dunskin stallion courser arrive, following Norwood.

Norwood has joined the Noble Seating.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 70 higher.

There's a laugh from behind the helmet as their weapons clash once, then twice. Jeffeth then is swinging his entire body back out of the way of a crossing blade. There is a wave to the crowd with one hand. "Working on it." He calls out, circling Bliss once more. "You just made that up just now?" His hammer switches grips. "I wish I could do that." There's a quiet tsk and a shaking of that helm as the large man takes a few, backpedalling steps to disengage. "My talents just aren't as flashy."

Then, he's moving forward rapidly, a huge bull of a man clad in plate charging at Bliss at high speeds. First he's charging at her then he's.. Going over her? Rushing forward, Jeffeth is suddenly bounding into the air, his free hand lashing out to grab at Bliss's shoulder (not the bad one) using her as an unwilling support he launches himself armor and all up into the air to land with a clank in a cloud of dust on the other side of her. And on the way over he let the haft of his hammer go thud into a Whole Lot of Hat.

Jeffeth turns, pulls up that visor while taking some deep breaths to flash a bright smile. Then. Back to it.

Sparte is overheard praising Bliss: Musical swordplay? Yes please!

Ouida's eyes widen in amazement at Jeffeth's leap in full armor!

Corrigan is overheard praising Bliss: Rapping while in battle! Amazing!

Carmen tucks two fingers inside her mouth and lets out a shrill whistle for Bliss's verbal gymnastics and Jeffeth's flying ones.

2 Rivenshari Clansman, Timbo, agile and cheeky rivenshari youth arrive, following Eshra.

Sparte is overheard praising Jeffeth: To jump like that, in full armor?! The knight champion puts us all to shame.

"I wish you could do it, too," Bliss counters Jeffeth, and she's about to say more, but suddenly he's flying over her head. To her credit, she tries, and there's the tink of rapier against steel as he winds up behind her - but the haft against hat has her stumbling forward briefly, an overexaggerated wince on her face as she turns - making sure to face the crowd as she does so, for maximum effect, of course - and grins back at the man on the other side. Time to try again.

"I wish you could do it, too," Bliss repeats then takes a breath before she begins to speak twice as quickly as before, moving in on Jeffeth even as the rapier dances toward him. "But I'm still just picking up the steam and the heat is on - sure you've got a lot of meat but take a seat, you'll be facing defeat as I beat the odds and work to lay down Arx's greatest athlete. I'll mete out the rhymes and in time you might compete with the elite but this is no conceit, my dear friend - as I show you're obsolete, you'll only find my victory this day bittersweet."

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

Helena is overheard praising Bliss: Elegantly fought, and so close!

Helena is overheard praising Jeffeth: Such feats of strength! Congratulations!

Ouida is overheard praising Bliss: Dueling with words and rhyme as well as skill with a blade! Well done!

Corrigan is overheard praising Jeffeth: Great Fight! Congratulations!

Berto is overheard praising Jeffeth: The winner!

Ouida is overheard praising Jeffeth: I had no idea knights could fly! Congratulations to the victor!

Sophie is overheard praising Bliss: So close! And so beautiful doing it!

Cristoph is overheard praising Bliss: Fantastic showing, very nicely done!

Sophie is overheard praising Jeffeth: Great job! What acrobatics!

Cristoph is overheard praising Jeffeth: Excellent job, he moves so quickly! AGILE.

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

Jeffeth checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

2 Rivenshari Clansman, Timbo, agile and cheeky rivenshari youth leave, following Eshra.

Helena has left the Noble Seating.

Niklas has joined the Noble Seating.

"Bliss. As always. Your voice is as beautiful as the rest of you." The big man calls out, reaching up with one hand the helmet is pulled up and tossed to the side. "Just as beautiful with a mouth full of sand. I'm sure." The large man smiles brightly. The helm clatters to the side as Jeffeth makes his way forward with a renewed stride. His hammer swings up and parries away Bliss's strike, before he pulls up his hand up away from the hammer just to swat at her rapier with the gauntlet.

With the rest of them he is delivering strikes to corral the woman. A jab with the haft here, and then there, limiting her range of movement and pursuing her doggedly. "And.. Right.. There!"

His free hand flies out to catch Bliss's offhand by the wrist. There's a powerful tug and Jeffeth is soon swinging himself around Bliss like this is suddenly a wrestling match. Yanking and pulling her the big man works one arm around Bliss's torso, putting himself behind her before he's dropping to the ground with Bliss on top of him, legs swinging up to wrap around Bliss's to effectively stop her from moving. If anyone wondered how Jeffeth was going to get first blood on a friend of his with that giant hammer without breaking her face well.. Here it is.

Like a surgeon, with his patient all wrapped up, Jeffeth briings up the spike on the hammer ever so carefully. "Hold still now." He rumbles before pressing that spike into her bare shoulder, then pressing a little harder. Until the skin is broken, and the big man pulls the hammer back with a tiny amount of blood on the spike, which he holds up first for Bliss to see, then up to the crowd.

"Seems like I'll be owing SOMEONE baked goods of a kind. Any kind will do, I hope, unless somethin particular makes you break out in itchy red bumps, Lieutenant Carmen." He hops up to his feet, leaving the stands and bopping to the ground. He dusts himself off, offers a lopsided smile, and he nods. "Is that so, Sparte? Maybe Dame Leta might have the time - one day - to give me a lesson or two. That'd be keen."

Gretchen stands up and 'woohoo's loudly for Jeffeth, "Way to go big guy!" she shouts, still fanning herself against the heat, "Whew, okay, that was thrilling, where are the drinks?"

:stands at the edge of the commoner stands and shouts out "SIR JEFFETH!" with a pump of one hand and a spill of nuts around him, laughing out at the sight of it. "Well done!"

Malcolm has left the Commoner Stands.

Carmen pumps her fist into the air and lets out a cheerful whoop! Content, sitting back onto her seat, Carmen shoots Malcolm an unrepentant smile. "Was good meeting you, Duke Malcolm. Might call that the icing on the cake."

When the duel is decided, after Bliss is grappled, bear hugged, and then (gently) spiked, Ouida rises to her feet to applaud the combatants, her smile still broad and bright.

"Icing on the -- gods, that was terrible." The Shepherd Duke offers Carmen one of his very best, well-practiced bows. He straightens, speaks up. "Good meetin you too, alla you. New faces and old. See ya'all all around, hopefully." After this, Malcolm's cheerfully ambling away.

Niklas is overheard praising Jeffeth: UNRIVALED ... at friendship!

Norwood is overheard praising Cristoph: If I visit a garden, then I don't have to do the thing. YES!

And Sophie is rising from the Noble's bench, heading toward the sands as soon as the fighting ends. She's carrying vowkeeper awkwardly, obviously not accustomed to carrying swords. After all, she's the Mother Mercy, not a fighter. She doesn't enter the sand right away though, she stands back, waiting.

Olivia stands up and claps, "Sir Jeffeth! Well done sir!"

Jan is overheard praising Jeffeth: Great fight!

Jan is overheard praising Bliss: Great fight!

Banter aside - when Bliss is caught by the wrist, her own forward momentum and rushed tactics seem to betray her. As close as she had gotten so early on in the fight, as close as it's been, down she goes - collapsing into the sand with a grunt, the banter ending. She gives Jeffeth a solid struggle, but then soon enough, she's held and pinned, wrstling back and forth before she freezes - something about the angle Jeffeth has her and the pressure he's putting on her arm causing her to freeze in place.

As she feels the spike, it's a low laugh that comes out from her before it's pulled up and the spike is raised. "He got me!" she calls out, a laugh in those words as she shifts against the large man, turning her head and looking to Jeffeth. "You can let go of me now," she says with a smirk. "Unrivaled - very nearly. I expect to see you solidify that soon."

Ouida has left the Noble Seating.

Lump, the long and short badgerhound arrives, delivering a message to Carmen before departing.

Sparte rises up now that the bout is over, grinning a big goofy grin as he claps for Jeffeth and Bliss. "That was something else, it really was an amazing show." He moves out of the stands, going to wait nearby for... Well, something or someone.

Sparte has left the Commoner Stands.

Sophie has left the Noble Seating.

Jan is drinking and cheering for both fighters. She was just happy to see a real fight. "Well, it had all the parts to a good fight. Back and forth advantages, singing, and--" Jan holds up her Cartugan, "Good booze." A wide grin is fixed to her expression.

The fight over, Ouida remains standing near the noble seating, out of the way as some of the crowd swells out. She doesn't seem to be in a terrible hurry, instead looking with some amusement as her squire attempts to crowd surf, against the tide, to make his way back to her. He gets caught in the riptide several times

Ysbail says, "Well fought.""

Rising and taking Arik's arm, Eilonwy and he make their way out of the stands and head toward the exit. The Marquessa no doubt already forming a dozen questions for the Sword.

Eilonwy has left the Noble Seating.

Arik has left the Noble Seating.

1 Crimson Blades Lieutenant, Arik leave, following Eilonwy.

Caspian is overheard praising Jeffeth: He fought well and is now a finalist in the tournament!

Caspian is overheard praising Bliss: She fought well and came so close to winning!

Caspian is overheard praising Lore: She is the best. Just the best. Even if her kitten is evil.

"I know." Jeffeth rumbles with a warm, broad smile. His deathgrip becoming more of an inescapable hug now. "That was very good Bliss. Very, very good. You'll get me next time, I'm sure of it. Probably." Hugging her to his chest, Jeffeth leans forward to press a kiss on her cheek while her blood drips off his hammer. Smile. He then does relent and clambers up, offering Bliss his hand before smiling brightly over to Sophie. A bow is given to Sophie and then a bow to the crowd. "Thank you all for coming out!"

Corrigan has left the Commoner Stands.

Ysbail excuses herself making to depart. "Nicely done Sir Knight."

Ysbail has left the Noble Seating.

Gruffudd, A ridiculously large and fluffy Blackwood forest Cat, Inka Brair leave, following Ysbail.

Returning the kiss to her cheek with a peck to Jeffeth's own, very clearly not heartbroken by this loss, Bliss accepts Jeffeths' hand and pulls herself up, sheathing her rapier even as she does so. A squeeze, and then she's releasing it and raising her hands to the crowd. "Thank you, everyone!" Bliss calls out to the crowd. "If you would like to see us fight more, you know what to do - don't be afraid to be angry, don't be afraid to issue challenges - the Champions Guild will help resolve all your pesky problems for you in an efficient way - and we'll all have fun doing it!"