"I added you!" Protests Caspian, "Eventually. Just Prince Galen's my favorite," he says with a snicker her way. He gives a wave to Kyrios, chuckling, "He's shy." And rises to his feet. He looks to the even smaller person at Sorrel's hip and coos, "She's beautiful! Must have gotten that from her mother." He turns to the crowd, the calls out, "Raise your hand if you are competing, please!"

"I added you!" Protests Caspian, "Eventually. Just Prince Galen's my favorite," he says with a snicker her way. He gives a wave to Kyrios, chuckling, "He's shy." And rises to his feet. He looks to the even smaller person at Sorrel's hip and coos, "She's beautiful! Must have gotten that from her mother." He turns to the crowd, the calls out, "Raise your hand if you are competing, please!" (repost for Simon)

"Ah, my opposite, then." Tyrus grins to Sorrel. "A sailor born and raised, but never much of an athlete. I've sailed and commanded ships, but rowing?" he shrugs. But then things are about to start and a show of hands is demanded. Tyrus doesn't raise his, but instead looks around to see how many might be there to actually compete. Perhaps he'll raise his hand should there not be enough.

Merek made a way about to the beaches, talking a bit with people, then he lifts a hand when it's asked about to say he will compete.

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes arrives, following Thea.

Drusila makes her way down along the beach, looking across the Bay of Thrax a moment and then the huge statue of Mangata before she watches Caspian call all the competitors together. There's claps from her, cheering politely those who are here to win big prizes, big money.

2 House Mazetti Aspirants arrives, following Dianna.

Nallah, a buff-looking tortie cat with green eyes, 2 House Mazetti Aspirants, Sirra, a very quiet maid, Dianna arrive, following Alessia.

Karina is hardly halfway down the beach before submitting to nature's whims and discarding her slippers entirely. Barefoot was the only right way to enjoy the beach. With sand cooling her toes and the familiar scent of the ocean brine in the air, a smile touches the Islander's lips. "It's beautiful out here. Hello, everyone."

Another figure makes his way down the beaches to the site of the race just a tad late for the start of the festivities, though one would not be able to tell by the leisurely pace of his stroll. Simon Hillock seems to be simply out to enjoy the afternoon as he approaches, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket as he looks over the row boats. He steps up shortly after Karina and he tugs a hand free of his pocket long enough to offer a wave of greeting to those assembled and to say cheerily, "Evening everyone."

"I'll be sure to tell my husband that, then," Sorrel replies to Caspian, sounding amused. The small boy with the black curly hair goes bounding off to investigate what may or may not be a crab walking across the sand nearby. She nods to Tyrus as she shifts a bit. "Yes, there's a big difference between sailing and rowing. Not that I've ever rowed myself anyway. We have people for that." The little girl on her hip raises her hand unhelpfully, aping nearby competitors.

After a while, the flamboyant Alexio struts his way over to the beach. "Evening!" he greets back to those also arriving, as he passes. "I heard there's a competition going around?" he says, and then asks to none in particular. "Has it started yet?" His eyes moving around through the crowd, to get a better feel for things.

Karina looks over those gathered with scrutiny in her eyes. She waits patiently. For a moment. Then a good-natured flounce of her arms as she calls to the crowd. "Come on! Who's going to prove they're worth their salt?! This is your moment to shine!"

2 Redrain Guards, Daan, the Fanboy Valet, Buster, an impossibly charming pygmy goat, Swiftwing, a sharp eyed, red-tailed hawk arrive, following Artur.

Aksel came down from the city with a group of other people. Though, he quickly peals off from the group and finds himself a spot that is less populated. His gaze goes first to the row boats then outwards the water proper.

Glancing around at the people gathered there, Simon considers for a moment before he steps forward and says, "How does one sign up for this competition? I figure maybe I'll luck up and be a natural. You never know, right?" This last bit is offered toward Karina with a lift of his brows, as if looking for her to reassure him that he'll be fine when on the water.

Arriving in the beach with her sister in tow, Alessia seems in fairly good spirits, her eyes scanning those gathered on the sands, as they approach from the path. She gestures to the host before beckoning her sister to follow, her smile brightening as she nears Caspian. "It's good to see you again, Messere. I look forward to watching the race. I don't believe you've met my sister, Lady Dianna." She grins at her twin.

"Oh, are you rowing too?" Asks Caspian to the little girl, giving her a bright grin before reaching to pat her head. Then he looks to the others, calling out to them, "If you are competing, go stand by the rowboats. We're gonna give a few more minutes for stragglers then we'll get ready to start. Just so everyone knows, there are cash prizes now thanks in party to the lovely Drusila!" He waves his hand to Drusila, giving her a bright grin. "Isn't she the best?"

Thea makes her way down the beach, just in time to see the crowds of people and row boats. She quickes her step a bit, enjoying the smell of the ocean breeze. Thea eventually stops and bows her head, a brief smile on her lips.

Arriving on the beach with his goat, valet, and guards in tow, Artur steps into the sand. "Did I miss the race?" he asks as he approaches Caspian, tipping a two-fingered salute. "I heard you were looking for strokers."

Karina makes her way through the gathering, coming to a halt beside Caspian. She seems to be counting heads as she teeters on the sand. "How many have you got, Caspian?"

Merek is overheard praising Order of east light.

Jayne, Burly Sailor arrives, following Wash.

Merek is overheard praising Order of east light: Boating!

Merek is overheard praising Caspian: Great guy!

Alessia is overheard praising Order of east light.

Wash brings a passel of children, a nanny, a larger less-nanny shaped bodyguard and himself to watch, he might be late, but the beach is always a positive draw for him and his kids.

"Mm, that's what a crew is for." Tyrus nods to Sorrel. But competitors are stepping up, and it seems Tyrus won't have to make the dubious choice of joining into the competition! "It seems we'll be able to witness quite a spectacle after all." he remarks. "Shall we find a good place to watch, then? And you'll have to introduce me to the little ones." he grins to Sorrel before beginning to move to a proper place to witness the competition.

"YES!" says the Thrax toddler in Sorrel's arms, shouting it as loudly as she can at Caspian. Sorrel looks a bit wry at that, but she did just have a baby yell in her ear. "Thank you for hosting this, Caspian. I'd be happy to compete as a member of the Order of East Light," she offers, then motions with her free hand for her son to come to her. Three year old Kyrios Thrax is too busy peeing into the sea to look at his mother, though.

Puff, a dainty yellow-green canary, Sir Jesmond the Giant arrive, following Arcadia.

Her smile lifting her cheeks and radiating from her face, Dianna greets Caspian with a fine, if light, curtsy. "Good evening, Messere Caspian. Lady Dianna Mazetti; it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," her voice intones in waves not unlike those washing upon the beach, easily pleasing to the ear. Openly perusing the group gathered here, Dianna speaks little else, but her smile rests easily on her lips as she watches.

Artur is overheard praising Order of east light.

Tyrus is overheard praising Order of east light.

Aksel is overheard praising Order of east light.

"Six people," says Caspian with six fingers splayed to Karina. "Which is good, around the amount I was hoping." He gives a nod to the toddler, grinning her way before calling to the group. "Alright, everyone who is rowing by the boats? We're about to begin. But before we do, I want to say - thank you for coming out." He gives a big smile towards the crowd, "My sister meant a lot to me, and she was excited to become a knight. Though it's a small event, I wanted to do this for her."

"Six people," says Caspian with six fingers splayed to Karina. "Which is good, around the amount I was hoping." He gives a nod to the toddler, grinning her way before calling to the group. "Alright, everyone who is rowing by the boats? We're about to begin. But before we do, I want to say - thank you for coming out." He gives a big smile towards the crowd, "My sister meant a lot to me. She was part of The Order and wanted to be a knight, which is why I'm hosting this event. Though it's a small event, I wanted to do this for her."

Wash heads in Sorrel's direction, draggin his retinue in his wake. "Princess Sorrel! You are going to compete?" He gloms onto Thrax since there are no other Kennex here. They are probably busy playing hide and seek.

"As any true Thraxian would hop at the opportunity to do, my lord." Karina says to Wash with a teasing smirk, her own voice laced with qualities of the Mourning Isles. She stands apart from the competitors, however, the hypocrite!

Somewhere in the mix, Simon had made his way down to stand beside one of the row boats. He stands there with his hands resting on his hips and his eyes staring doubtfully in on the oars. His expression reads thoughtfully doubtful, but when he glances up to regard Caspian when he begins speaking, that doubt is replaced with a confident smile in the true nature of one who is completely full of it.

At the call, Aksel moves down towards the boats stopping before one of them and drops to his knees, his backside resting on his heels and his hands resting on his knees. His head bows and he remains there quietly for a time before his hands reach forward into the ground and digs up a bit of the sand and letting it fall from his hands. He rises easily and gives a nod to Caspian, before quietly getting his boat ready to enter the water.

"Lord Wash," Sorrel says with a small smile, turning toward the Kennex with her daughter tucked under an arm. Her own retinue is at present negotiating with the extremely dignified Prince Kyrios Thrax, who is no longer wearing pants. "How is your family?"

Merek makes a way to get settled into a rowboat, which he leans back on while he picks up his oars, then he takes a cigarillo and places that into his mouth. He seems content a bit.

Arcadia comes down onto the beach, a slight stumble in the sand and a curse word under her breath. She stands, hands on her hips as she listens to Caspian. She safely positions herself on a log. No sand going to creep into her dress that way.

Drusila makes her way so she can have an excellent view of the whole race. "The odd shark is gone right? IF not, maybe they'll row faster." she mentions to her guard. But back to cheering, she claps for the competitors.

Thea blinks at Wash's entourage and all the children. He deserves lots of drinks as she offers him a brief nod. She gives Alessia and Dianna both the slightest of grins as she steps closer. She gives Arcadia a nod as well, smile as well as she goes back to listening to Caspian.

A messenger arrives for Tyrus, and the prince frowns as he reads the letter. Still, after reading it, he takes the time to smile and say. "A good luck to you all!" But it seems he must depart, for there he goes.

"Most of them are right here." Wash says brightly. "I'm afraid I'm too late to throw my hat in." He says, with a glance to Karina. "But I'll cheer for you. Do you know Whiskey in the Jar? It's a favorite sea shanty of mine." He has a nanny to help organize things, but with two children there's always time for him to chase one of them. "No Cerilla. You can go swimming after. If it's warm enough."

2 Armed Confessors arrives, following Korka.

At the mention of sharks, Alessia's brows rise and she turns from Drusilla, back to her sister, before leaning in to murmur. She smiles as she spots Thea, raising a hand, and beckoning Dianna to join the Malvici.

"Alright, we're about to begin!" Calls out Caspian, motioning to the boats. "Grab your boats. Get ready!" He calls out. He holds up his hand. "On my mark, everyone go!"

Drusila claps!!!!

Settling into position, Artur glances to Sorrel. "Uh. It's left oar then right oar? Or both oars in unison?" Hes never rowed a boat before, after all!

At hearing his voice, Dianna's eyes immediately shift to look at Walsh and she smiles before she knows it at the familiar friend. Expecting he has his hands full - rather figuratively /and/ literally - she returns to consider the rowers' talents - and, perhaps, the lack thereof.

Merek checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Looking across toward Artur, Simon calls out, "Just remember you row from a standing position!"

Artur checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Korka comes wandering down the beach holding her skirt up in one hand and her slippers in the other. Late is always fashionable and anyone that says otherwise might find themselves put up for questioning. "I hope I haven't missed the exciting parts," she comments to the first person she comes across, "Though now that I'm here they can start."

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Karina spots Arcadia's all too familiar struggle in the sand and lifts a sandy bare foot off the ground, as if they weren't absolute strangers. "I find it helps with the capriciousness of the sand, my lady, to forego shoes entirely here. Or plod along in boots, but the sand's quite cool to the touch." Encouraging with a smile, she then faces Wash. "'May demons take that woman for you know she tricked me easy'" Karina quotes to Wash, in a faint lilt that doesn't dare become actual singing. No. That would be an instant mistake.

Arcadia notices all the small children on the beach and puffs out her cheeks. A quick word is given to Jesmond who glares at her before stomping off. While she waits for his return, she wanders to Thea. "Not racing?"

Simon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Sorrel checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 47 higher.

Merek begins sailing with his rowboat while he shifts about upon the waters. Like with delivering boxes to the city, you must take it as it comes, one might think he's not even trying to beat people at this.

Caspian "Go!" Calls out Caspian, throwing his hand down, and the racers are off!"

Sorrel has tossed her 18-month-old in the front of her rowboat, and with a wave to Wash and Tyrus, she heads off into the race cheerfully, making rather good time.

Out onto the water, Aksel gets the boat and climbs over into it moving the boat in the water to the starting line. At the call to start, Aksel lets out a grunt dipping the oars into the water and heaving back with all his might. The boat lurches in protest at first, but after the initial sudden burst he's off to the races.

Seeing the direction of her sister's gaze, Alessia smiles, raising her hand to greet the Kennex. "Lord Wash." She greets with a kind smile, before approaching Thea and Arcadia where they stand.

When the call to start is given, Simon begins to pump his legs in the sand and shove his boat through the low tide. Leaping over the side of his rowboat after his boots get properly filled with water, he lunges for the oars and begins to paddle through the water as quickly and steadily as he can.

With the goat tossed in, Artur calls out, "If Sorrel can have her child as a navigator, I can have a goat!" And with that, he starts to stroke, though it's clear that Sorrel is gonna get the lead. "Hey, Princess!" he calls out to her. "Do you know any sea shanties for stroking to?"

"No. I'm a spectator today,"Thea tells Acradia with a brief smile. "You?" She turns her head to Dianna to Alessia, giving them a dip of her chin,"Hey! Why are you two notvrowing?"

Caspian heads over to Drusila as he watches the raise, giving the woman a bright smile, "Thanks for your donation. Who do you think is gonna win?" He wonders, looking out into the water as the rowers row along the buoys.

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Sorrel checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Artur checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Deserra, a shy merchant's assistant have been dismissed.

Alfonzo, a hawkish accountant have been dismissed.

After sometime, Jesmond returns with a bag full of baby paraphernalia and the baby. He just glares at the countess as she takes the baby from him. An apology on her lips again, "I didn't realize children were invited." Her attention back once once the baby is settled in her arms "Why not? I thought the Malvici's were boat people."

Drusila says, "I'm happy to support a memorial race to remember your sister. She might not have become a knight in name, she died protecting that which couldn't protect itself. I'll raise a glass to her name later on." Looking to the rowers, she says "It's hard to pick. They all look quite determined to win!"

Merek checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Speaking of sea shanties:
"Musha rain dum a doo, dum a da
Whack for my daddy, oh
Whack for my daddy, oh
There's whiskey in the jar, oh"

Wash sings, getting the children around him into the game. Every time they sing 'whack' they hit Wash, their daddy.

Sam, who is a boy and definitely not a princess in disguise arrives, following Niklas.

Laughing merrily, Dianna calls to Thea, "Oh, we wouldn't wish to shame anyone to bits against the Mazetti twins!" With that, she winks and blows a kiss to Thea before returning her lively eyes to skim those disturbing the waters.

Simon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Merek seems content to drift upon the breeze while he moves along the waters, sailing into the morning light, while he sings to himself, that tattered cloak of his shifted about his dark attire.

With the toddler for a navigator, Sorrel continues to keep pulling the rows, grinning impishly as she competes with the others. Hearing the strains of Wash's shanty and Artur's request, she also lifts her voice in song. The little person in her boat bounces along with the music, shaking the entire vessel.

"Same reason you're not, presumably." Alessia says with a wry smile. "Yes... definitely, what Dianna said." She clears her throat. "Not because I don't want to ruin my garments when I capsize." She chuckles before leaning in to respond to her sister.

It's not a sea shanty that comes from Aksel, but rather a song of the north. It's not really a memorable song honestly, one more to keep time and pace. Aksel isn't a great singer, in fact thankfully he's on the water or the kids might run away screaming. The ones on the shore, who knows what the kid in Sorrel's and Artur's boat think of the song.

The others are starting to lengthen their lead on him, but Simon doesn't seem to notice. In fact, he is more focused on insuring that he is working both oars at the same time in the right pace. He isn't very good.

"Princess Sorrel seems to have a clear lead though," says Caspian, pointing Drusila to the lead boat.

Right now Sorrel seems to have a clear lead over everyone else, with Artur and Aksel nearly neck and neck, and Simon and Merek neck and neck.

Karina heads out on the strand, shying not from the closeness of the water or the sharp chill it sent through her as icy sea foam swirled around her ankles and receded. Perhaps predictably, Karina hones in on the two in last place and begins clapping her hands. "Pull! Pull like your lives depend on it! Pull like the maw of a sea beast is on your heels! You can still make it! Pull!"

Simon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Artur checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Thea watches the water at the rowers as she answers Arcadia, her voice low,"Well--we are, but I wanted to watch for once." An amused smirk appears at Alessia's response as Thea casts her gold-flecked green eyes to Arcadia's baby, a bit fond of her.

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Sorrel checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

As the other songs are made, Artur joins in, making up his own song along the way as he pushes the oars. "Where are we, navigator?!"

Buster bleats.

But he continues to stroke, and starts to sing out, "Come cheer up my lads, it's to glory we steer,
To add something more to this wonderful year.
To honor we call you, as prodigals, not shavs,
For who are so free as the sons of the waves."

Merek checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Artur checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Wash chants another line of the shanty, a little foggy on the verses, but raising his voices for the chorus. It is a game to him, letting the children punctuate the songs. He would stomp his feet if he were on deck, but on the beach the stomping loses something. Instead he sways right to left, and dodges the tiny blows aimed at his knees and thighs. "There's whiskey in the jar-o!" He isn't drinking yet, but what sea shanty isn't about drinking? "Look! Princess Thrax is winning!" He encourages the children's attention on the race.

Merek keeps sailing along, setting a course, he drinks from a flask which he has with him while he places that back to his side, shifting the cigarillo into the pocket of his as well.

Caspian laughs as Artur questions his goat navigator, clapping his hands as he shakes his head. "That's too funny." He looks over to Wash, grinning as he plays with the children, calling over to him, "You're a natural when it comes to kids!"

Dianna lifts the back of her hand and stifles a giggle

Aksel's boat rocks this way and that way through the waves of the water. Oars dip into the water, pulling (pushing?) the boat through the water. He doesn't look around, just keeps on singing his song to keep time with the rowing.

"Is that a baby? In a boat?" Korka wonders aloud, heading towards Wash and then staying a bit away since oh look, more kids.

Arcadia glances to Wash and cringes as she watches the tiny humans beat him. She murmurs to her own daughter "We stab, not whack. Got it?" The small baby just coos in response. To Thea, Cady grins " I think I like my feet firmly on the land. Fall out at sea and you end up wet and wirlth sand in very uncomfortable places."

"My wife says that's because I still am one." Wash replies to Caspian smartly.

Same order as before. Sorrel in a clear lead, though Artur is pulling further head of Aksel, and Simon is just head of Merek. They are past the halfway point and on the return trip. There is still time for Artur to catch up with Sorrel.

Caspian cheers, calling out, "Row everyone! Row! Fight for first place!"

As if only just now noticing the children around her, Alessia raises her brow, before a smile plays at her lips. "A belated congratulations, Countess." She offers to the countess, her eyes drifting to her baby.

Caspian fixes the color bleed

Thea lowers her voice to Genevieve,"I will take you sailing and teach you--promise.,"her voice quiet. Then there is--directions from a goat and well, Wash is singing and getting beaten by children. Amazing..and scary!

Artur checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Drusila is watching as princess is beating prince. "It's getting closer though. A pity you don't have a last person standing battle royale as they have to stand on their little boats and with their oars, whack the other person off into the water at the finish line.

Merek checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Sorrel checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Kyrios Thrax, 3, walks up to Wash and pulls on him a bit, then points out to the race. "That's Momma," he says proudly. His little sister stands in the front of Sorrel's little boat, convinced that she is in the lead. She is forward of Sorrel, after all.

Merek keeps rowin' rowin' rowin' while he makes a way on along.

Noone's gonna catch Sorrel at this point, and Artur knows it. Instead, he's just going to keep singing his song as he rows after Sorrel. "Guide us home, Buster!"

Baaaa!

"Heart of oak are our ships,
Heart of oak are our men.
We always are ready,
Steady, boys, steady,
We'll fight and we'll conquer, again and again."

Arcadia hands her baby off to Thea, it is always fun to watch the Malvici awkwardly handle a baby "Still want one Thea?" She gives a smile of thanks to Alessia before loudly cheering for Artur "C'mon your highness! Beat those seafaring nobles. You can do it!"

Simon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Niklas pushes his way through the crowd (though there's not THAT much pushing, thanks to a Grayson guard or two and a very scowly assistant) and makes his way down to the beach so he can see the races. Riding on his back is his eldest, a squirrely toddler who is super jazzed to be the tallest person on the beach. When he sees Wash he squats down next to his double-cousin, lets little Relara down and sends her off to play with her second-cousin. "Hello, Wash. Anything new happening with you?" It's possible his tone is just the tiniest bit sarcastic.

Sorrel has this in the bag. She's so far in the lead that she'll have time to change diapers if her kids were still wearing them. Artur and Aksel are fighting for second, though Artur hasn't fallen behind just yet. And what's this, Merek overtakes Simon!

"Final leg everyone! Lets see if Aksel can pull ahead ahead of Prince Artur or if Prince Artur will take second place! And there is a close fight for third!"

Wash grins at Kyrios and smiles. "You want a better look Prince?" He offers both hands to lift Kyrios over the crowds that may be in his way. Cerilla responds to the advent of more children by loudly proclaiming. "This is my daddy!" She proclaims loudly and grabs him around the leg. Wash nods to Niklas. "Everything quiet on the Kennex front." He snarks. "You know how boring our house is." To him, Niklas will never stop being a Kennex, at least a little bit.

Merek checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Since shoving off of the beach, Simon seems to have been steadily being rather terrible at rowing. Not so much getting worse, more so he has just had one good shove of luck. As Merek begins to pass him, Simon gives him a winning smile and says conversationally, "You know. Being in first place is overrated. All of the women are more concerned with those confident enough to come in last. Trust me."

Artur checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Simon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Happiness, a bluebird arrives, following Esme.

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

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

Merek shifts a bit to keep rowing, with a nod to Simon, "Thank you, I like the sea and all, it is why I come about," he says, casually letting Simon take the winning with that place in the order.

Sorrel checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 54 higher.

Korka heads towards Caspian, watching the race with a hand raised above her eyes like that will help her see, "Would your sister have been happy with this outcome? It seems rather typical for a Thraxian to win, hm?"

Esme has not been to the beaches of Arx yet and she stops to look at the wonderous things and events going on. Her glittering green eyes open very wide at all the gorgeous boats. She gives a soft squeal/squeak of happiness before she moves forwards to see how the boats and event is going.

It's a valiant effort by Aksel to try to catch up to Artur, but sadly it wasn't meant to be. He brings the boat onto shore and hops out easily into the water to pull the boat onto shore before moving to help Artur to do the same. "Good race, Your Highness," Aksel says to Artur before turning to walk up the beach proper.

Thea is getting a bit better at this baby holding thing, as shifts her in her arms,"Errr...Hi..,"but her eyes shift over to all thr loud Kennex children. Back to Genevieve. She shrugs,"I think so..."as her eyes go back to the water, watching Sorrel stroke better than the self-proclaimed Artur.

And as he continues to stroke towards the finish line, Buster bleats out a warning to Artur. The Prince looks up and sees Aksel closing in. "Faster, goat, faster!" he calls out as Artur moves the oars.

"There's a girl I know named Lady Esme,
With a smile as bright as the summer sea!
I left her behind and took to the waves in my boat,
And only with me came my goat.
We fought the waves, we fought the tide,
ut thoughts were all about returning to take Esme for a ride~"

It was only a matter of time before he made a dirty sea song. Possibly. As Sorrel is easily on the beach first, Artur gets to shore just ahead of Aksel and claps him on the shoulder. "And excellent race, Master Aksel!"

Buster drops some pellets in the boat.

Caspian gives a little grin to Korka, saying to her, "It's all about who's the best. I think she would be satisfied with these turns of events." He says with a nod given her way.

It's no contest for first place Sorrel is back on the beach before Artur is even 3/4ths of the way done. Speaking of which, he got second! And Aksel got third! Merek comes in fourth and Simon is last

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

The Oathlands-born Thrax is flying through the water smoothly, the baby still in the front of her boat. Sorrel has pulled out quite far ahead of the competition at this point, and she's the first one back to the start. "Lilah," she calls to her daughter. "We won!" The little girl cheers and tries to figure out how to escape from the small craft.

A light chuckle escapes Alessia's throat as Thea is handed the baby. "You wanted one?" She asks with a wry smile. "Thea? Is this really you?" She turns to Niklas as he arrives. "Oh, your highness. I'm not surprised your Isles roots called you to the sea. Where's Princess Sabella?" She cranes her neck as if anticipating her arrival, her smile warming.

Niklas watches the participants. "Princess Sorrel taking the day. Not surprising. Does Sir Merek even sail? You know? Nevermind. I don't do a lot of things but I still once tilted against the king. Won third place, you know." Niklas drops down on his rear and smacks his hands against his knees. "I'd talk more about our very boring house, but there are probably better times for it." Relara just stares at Cerilla before pointing at Niklas and saying, "Daddy." Looking up to Alessia he says, "Lacking in Isles roots, Sabella decided she was less interested in watching rowing than she was in just about anything else."

Happiness, a bluebird arrives, delivering a message to Artur before departing.

Esme brightens when she sees /Artur/ is competing and coming in second. Then she hears the words of that jaunty little number. Her glittering green eyes widen as she mouths the last part, 'for a ride'. Then her cheeks burn red as she looks around a bit. "Well.. um.. huh." Then she squares her shoulders a bit and smiles vibrantly at people. Nothing to see here. Nope.

Amusing herself with her sister and with Thea's reaction to the baby-beach, Dianna cannot help but smile in amusement. She dips her head and curtsies lightly to Niklas in greeting, then uncommittedly drifts her eyes across the crowd.

Karina cheers the rowers on as, one by one, they slide onto the shore. She stop encouraging those in last place to pull until they, too, reach the finish. Once everyone is on solid ground again, Karina lifts her hands in applause. "Well done! Some of you may not have won, but you made it to shore before the sharks did. Hardly a loss!" She grins.

Korka applauds for Sorrel when she wins the race, looking at the rest of the boats to see who comes in next, "I'm glad to hear it. The memories we retain of the ones we have lost are best honored in ways like this, celebrating what made them happy."

"Oh, well that's a shame." Alessia's face falls momentarily, before she raises her sister's arm. "I don't suppose you've met my sister, Lady Dianna." She gestures to Niklas. "This is Prince Niklas Grayson, formall Kennex." She turns to the competitors, letting out a cheer as Sorrel wins, applauding the woman's victory.

When he sees Esme, it's mainly because Happiness drops a message in his hands, and he laughs. "Yes, I'm at the race!" he announces to Esme, before picking her up and giving her a twirl in the sand and sets her back down. "I wish you'd been here to participate!"

Arcadia chuckles at Thea "Don't worry Lady Thea. She has a fresh diaper on. No chances of her ruining another of your gowns." She then tells Alessia "Thea is baby mad. We must get her married and knocked up right away." Then the race is over, "Oh. Prince Artur came second. I guess that's not bad for being a land lover."

When his boat bumps up onto the sandy beach, Simon is quick to stand and hop out to splash down and then up onto the drier sand. Turning, he grabs the side of the vessel and gives it a tug to drag it the rest of the way up onto the beach so that the tide doesn't drag it back to sea.

Thea tells Alessia with emphasis,"Someday,"as she congratulates Sorrel on her win. Seeing Niklas, she also bows her head,"shifting the baby. Thea smirks a bit at Arcadia,"Dont get too excited there. I said no such thing."

"I'm not cleaning that," Aksel says with a grin to Artur, giving a little motion to the goat and the present being offered. "I'm going to go find some drink then get back up to the city." With that Aksel turns and heads off to finds some drink.

Once everyone is ashore Caspian smile brightly, approaching them with, "Good job everyone! Winners, take your trophies," he says, waving to the trophies, and then hands them some pouches. He even gives Simon and Merek pouches, because they deserve something as well!

Caspian gets Third place rowboat trophy.

The noise that comes out of Esme is part startled gasp and a mixture of warcry as she's lifted and spun. "ARTUR REDRAIN, PUT ME DOWN!" However, even if she's trying her best to sound all scandalized, her eyes are dancing in humor and she hugs him. "I'm glad that you won." Sure, it wasn't first but it was still something. "No, I would have toppled the boat and then everyone would be all wet. No one wants to see that." She looks over towards the others. "Introduce me to the ones that competed against you?"

Caspian gets Second place rowboat trophy.

Smiles and cheers briefly for Sorrel, "Bravo!" Then, turning towards Niklas, she curtsies formally, a graceful movement accomplished while in high heels on a sandy beach. She tucks her fingers under her sister's elbow and leans close, murmuring something.

Sorrel picks up her small girl and carries her over to Caspian, smiling cheerfully. "That was good exercise," she says brightly in an accent that is decidedly not that of the Mourning Isles. She looks over at the ruckus with Esme and Artur curiously, then drifts over in the direction of Niklas and Wash again.

Caspian gets First place rowboat trophy.

Wash leads the way toward the beach as the winners near the shore. He has to drag both legs as his children have become very young leggings. Leggings that squeal every time he drags a leg through the sand. Rayne is equally excited to serve as an anchor for his father's feet. He meets her there with Kyrios in hand, if he wanted to be carried. "Do you swim as well as you row Princess Sorrel?" Wash wants to know.

Niklas nods to Wash. "I was forced to mature. Worst thing that ever happened to me." He turns and offers a warm smile first to Thea, then to Lady Dianna. "It is a delight, Lady Dianna. Do you also partake in the dancing of glaives? I've always rather wanted to see Lady Alessia put on a demonstration." At Sorrel's approach he raises a hand. "Your highness. Excellently done. Though I'm not sure there were ever any doubts as to how that would go."

When prizes are handed out, Aksel isn't any where to be seen for his third place trophy.

Wash is overheard praising Sorrel: Takes to Thrax like a fish to water.

Wash is overheard praising Caspian: More than just a pretty face.

Slipping his arm into Emse's, he moves to head towards the others. "Do you know Princess Sorrel Thrax?" Artur asks her curiously. "She's the one that won. Amazingly, at that." he gestures to Sorrel, and then to Aksel, he laughs. "I'll clean it up. Or have someone turn over the boat. Or something." he grins, "Aksel, this is Lady Esme Fidante." he greets - before he departs, and then he looks to Sorrel, and bows. "May I introduce Lady Esme Fidante?"

Artur is overheard praising Caspian: An excellent event!

Korka'a head swivels in the direction of where someone says Kennex, eyes shining, "Are we talking about that here too? It sure has swept through the city. Team Octavia or Team Darion I've heard it argued.l, though I don't pretend to know which side to take with so little information."

Artur is overheard praising Sorrel: Like a Thraxian to water!

Thea is overheard praising Order of east light.