"You know, I actually told her to send them to you," Niccolo informs Acacia and rubs his chin. "She showed me both already. I like both for different reasons." He studies the missives. "That one," he points to the first one she shows him. "There are a couple of things we must discuss. But later. Enjoy yourself, Acacia," he inclines his head to her.

Acacia has joined the General Seating.

Fergus has joined the General Seating.

Niccolo has joined the General Seating.

Armor appears to inspire Dawn to a more casual mien. When Nadia's smile is caught, the Lady tilts two fingers away from her brow in salute. "I'll help you with whatever hesitation you feel, Sir Mercier, and command you as Voice of your liege to compete to the best of your ability. Furthermore," she says as she turns to grin at the knight. "If you win, there's a bonus in it for you." She reaches out, intending to clap the man on the shoulder before she tilts a glance at the five Valardin assigned to her command. "...this is going to be fun."

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

Alis spies more people she knows; waves directed at Acacia, Fergus (he gets an extra cheerful wave, just to see if it will make him scowl) and a kiss is blown Isabeau's way. because family. Right in her element, she is at the moment. Decked out in her full plate armor and sword. But, with her helmet set aside and sporting a Tiara. An incredibly odd combination. But, family ought to be used to it by now!

"Thank you for coming, everyone! If you wish to compete please make your way down to the field and the stewards will assign you your team of soldiers you will be leading. To all our spectators in the stand there is amble refreshment to keep your voices strong to cheer competitors!" Edain calls out, "I will give a it just a few more minutes for people to get situated and we will begin!"

OOC: Also brace for a couple of walls of text shortly!

Ferrando is here, but it looks like he's just come to watch the spectable of all. The big mountain of man seems to be content just sitting in the stands with whatever yahoos might be around him.

Dafne enters quietly, a short figure clad in ebony silk, a single guard dogging at her heels. She considers the field for a moment, and then turns to ascend to the benches, raising the hem of her dress as not to trip on it.

Dafne has joined the General Seating.

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

Alrec chuckles to the Thraxian princess, Jeanelle and shakes his head, "No, I intend to win this one for something else." Turning back to the men, he huddles and says to them, "This is for the working class." When Edain's voice rings out Alrec shifts his attention to the man to listen.

Valkieri spends a few minutes becoming acquainted with his troop of soldiers; despite his usual nature, he seems to be managing rather serious, respectful conversation with them. He glances about, noting the various other competitors, and nods to Silas and Dawn nearby. "Sir Silas. Lady Dawn. A pleasure, as always." Look how well-behaved! Sylphie will be so proud.

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

Jaenelle gives Eos and his sudden hearing loss an amused giggle, shaking her head and sighing. Though he can't hear her sigh, he can't hear anything. Alrec is given another shake of her head, though a wink follows. Her attention is turned then towards Edain as the event begins.

It's hard to miss a Princess like Alis when she waves at you and that infectious cheer leaves Acacia a bit more boisterous than usual when she returns it with a cheerful wave herself. The tiara is noticed, with an air of familiarity, though it's hard to judge with the distance and she brandishes a broad grin. After turning a grin and a partial dip of her torso towards Fergus (likely the most she can manage in the crowds and all), she pours herself into a seat comfortably just beside Ferrando, "You on duty? We should bet. Let's bet for... Oh, Gods. I don't know. Dinner? Been awhile, love."


Darren will step away to his own spot of the field after that brief murmured conversation with Nadia, the soldiers who are assigned to him given a few long moments of study. He'll step around each of the five, pursing his lips contemplatively, before he'll settle back and stand with his arms crossed over his chest, eyes training up to the judge's booth to await further announcement on the competition.

"Indeed, Lord Valkieri," says Dawn as she looks away from her "men". "A pleasure and an honor to share the field. Best of luck to you." Because, says the smile she wears, the Lady has no intention of being anything other than the fiercest of competitors. Indeed, there's an edge to that gleam of anticipation in her eyes, a keen enjoyment that locks on Prince Edain as he makes his announcement. To their host goes a salute.

Silas chuckles and nods back to the Grayson lady. "This is my first time commanding anyone. If I win, it will certainly be an upset." Despite being a knight, Silas was only two decades old and still just a guardsman. He turns to inspect Valkieri when he speaks to them and looks visibly impressed. "Lord Valkieri, it's good to see you here!" He seems... -not irritated-! "I wish you luck. I think you will represent your House well."

Cara has joined the General Seating.

"A set of jewelry?" Jaenelle asks Nadia, considering for a moment the wager offered up with a slight tilt of her head. "I like that, I don't have enough jewelry, I accept your bet" is given with a grin. "I am going to look lovely, thank you in advance."

The duke glances at the field once more, and with a touch of a smile, Niccolo turns towards the general seating instead. He finds a place to settle at, and studies those already sitting there. He finds a place not far from Dafne. "My lady" he greets her as he sits down. Other nobles nearby, or that happen to look his way get a nod here and there from the duke. "Are the gods finding you well?" he asks in her direction.

As time to begin settles in, and the time for getting acquainted turns short, Eos turns back to his five. He produces a flask from his belt to raise to them before taking a swallow from the narrow neck and passing it around to each of them, a spot of personal tradition. When the flask is returned to him, and back to his belt, he settles to standing among them and looking towards the judging booth for direction with the occasional glance towards the stands or competitors.

Nadia espies Valkieri from beyond the stalwart line of her soldiers. "Lord Valkieri," she calls, a slender hand lifted in salutations before attentions then transfers to Silas out in the field. "Sir Mercier, best of luck to you. You'll need it, with Prince Darren and I in this competition." Hers is a good-humored banter, before Jaenelle's acceptance of her wager brings a delighted smile upon her lips. "Oh? No, Your Highness. It'll be I who'll look lovely. You won't spare a single expense on my new gift, I imagine. Thank you kindly."

Ferrando hadn't even noticed Acacia until she just dumped herself in the chair next to him. "Hrm?" he blinks, looking aside to see the seafarer next to him. A smile spreads acorss his face. "My my, look who decided to brighten my doorstep. Acacia, looking lovely as always." A headshake at the matter of work. "You think I'd be here if I was? Probably be throwing out some lecher trying to get handsy with one of the Whispers. And sure...I'll take that bet. Who you got?"

Apparently not planning to compete, fergus really is not noted for being a commander, but as a Sword. the large Prince already has a scowl on his features, so woe for Alis in hoping to get a scowl out of him from a wave from her, instead she's given a slightly surprised nod, as if curious to the greeting. Fergus steps toward the General seating, pausing as he moves to sit to return Acacia's greeting with a quick wave. Fergus removes his helmet and stretches his legs out as much as he can in his seat.d

Standing atop the judges pavilion, Prince Edain alongside his sister, Princess Alis welcomes his competitors and spectators, "Here on this field we have seen our martial achievements celebrated through skill at arms and physical tests, but tonight we will celebrate our greatest weapons. Our wits, leadership and tactical cunning. Without these attributes all our steel and our grit is diminished."

Motioning to the field, aides begin pulling the tarps that have been covering the obstacles that complete this course. There are pits of water, walls that lead to raise platforms. Beams that have to be traversed as heavy bags of sand pendulum back and forth making them more treacherous, and of course, there are straw dummies around and on nearly every obstacle waiting to be struck down. "Your challenge will be to guide a team of 5 soldiers through this course, in the most efficient way possible. The victor with the best time will receive a trophy crafted by Master Smith Ida Ferron, but all of you that complete the course will receive a reward from the High Lord of Oathlands." There is an awkward pause and Edain goes, "Who is me." As if anyone didn't know.

"The test will be of your skill as a leader, and to do that I have provided you with the best, most disciplined soldiers available. My own! May Gloria smile on you all!" he turns to the crowd then and says, "And let us make certain she hears our cheers of praise for our bold competitors!"

Isabeau has joined the General Seating.

Delia glances over at the Lady and Princess' bet and smiles a bit, "Is it possible to ever have enough jewelry your Highnesses?" The Whisper giggles before her attentionn turns back to the obstacle course. "Oh dear I hope only the soldiers go through the obsticals." It all looks very dirty. She looks back to her 'team' and flutters her lashes.

Dawn clasps her hands behind her back, settling into a pose that is at ease without losing an air of command. It rests easily on the tall young woman, that attitude. "I've had some practice," she asides quietly to Silas, her smile tugged higher on one side than the other. "Consider this a trial by fire. I know you'll do well, Sir Mercier." Then she falls silent as Edain once again addresses crowd and competitors all. She lifts her chin and listens with respectful attention, a stance that breaks only with the call for cheering. It's then that the Lady lifts her hand, a partial turn directing that high wave of acknowledgement to those who sit in the stands.


"I'm afraid neither of you are going to look very lovely, since neither of you'll be winning," Darren will call over to Jaenelle and Nadia, teasing them both with a warm chuckle. But that's about all he says, because soon Prince Edain is talking, and the obstacles are revealed. He will take his time studying each one of them, his lips pursed in thoughtful contemplation.

"Lady Nadia," Valkieri greets in return, offering her a respectful nod when she calls to him. He smiles, faint and wry, at Dawn's response. "An honor to compete against you, I'm sure." He turns his attention to Edain as the prince begins laying out the rules of the competition.

OOC: So here's how this works! Turns will be at random, and you will check: Command or Wits + Leadership or War. The base difficulty to complete the course is 15. However if you want to complete the course in a faster time, you need to be willing to gamble on getting a good role. You can raise your difficulty in incriments of 5 to attempt to guide your crew of 5 Valardin soldiers through the course faster. 20 would be faster than 15, 25 faster and 20 and 30 faster than 25. There's no limit to how high you can go if you want to risk, but if you fail the roll, some sort of mishap happens and your team does not complete the course.

If you really want to to try something crazy you can pitch to me on your turn using a different skill to complete the course, but I will raise your 'base' difficulty based on how crazy it is. So for instance, if you can convince me that you can make the soldier's complete the course by leading them in a rousing liturgical dance, that's great, but your base difficulty might start at 25, meaning you'd have to beat that difficulty just to match the same time as someone that completed the course with War or Leadership at difficulty 15.

I'll call people up, and then we'll you'll @check and pose, so maybe start thinking of what your epic leadership skills will look like and start drafting your poses ahead of time! Most importantly everyone have fun! Spectators feel free to cheer or heckle as you see fit! Any questions?

Sina shifts forward just a touch, resting on the edge of her seat to better view the field below; her mirror-hued eyes pick out Princess Donella with ease, observing Thrax in its entirety rather than the other houses.

Donella lays her hands together a few times for the others with her on the field and for the fine speech given by their host. She call then, toward Darren, "Remind us, Your Grace, how exactly you would recognize winning as a concept? I wasn't aware you had experience with "winning" on this particular field...?"

Cara lifts a hand and waves to Valkieri, down on the field, though whether or not he sees her in the fracas, who's to say. She does flutter a little ribbon in the Rubino colors, though, in support.

"There is such a thing as too much, if not properly attired" Jaenelle tells Delia with a wide eyed nod of horror. She looks as the things are uncovered, and her eyes do not go back from large to normal. "Prince Darren wins, he buys us all jewelry" she tells Nadia and Donella. It seems logical.

Nadia quirks her lips in faint amusement at Delia's words. "This set of jewelry will be special," she promises, with a gesture of a hand to Jaenelle, "as Her Highness will ensure that I'll be the most envied at the gala encroaching upon us." At Darren's interjection, she expels an exasperated huff with a tinkling laugh. "Is that what you think, Your Highness? I've already beaten you plenty, and you forget that this is my niche."

Aislin has joined the General Seating.

Alis lets her gaze settle on the Valardin soldiers that have been gathered to be on loan for the duration of the command course and... well, beyond. For a short time. Once the cheerful greetings have all been dispensed with her smile vanishes and she gives a faint nod the visually examined soldiers. She's proud of them, and that's all that her expression conveys.

Delia bows her head to Jeanelle and Nadia's rebuttles. "OF course your Highnesses. Well. To not getting overly bruised and muddy. Good luck."


Darren will glance over to Donella when she calls over to him, her words causing nothing but a wide and toothy grin to stretch upon his lips. "There's a first time for everything," he'll wink to the Princess, and then shrug his shoulders over at Nadia. "I didn't see you winning very hard the last time we wrestled, Duchess. But I suppose we'll see, eh?" And then, to Jaenelle, he merely chuckles.

Arianna talks animatedly with the five soldiers under her command, becoming acquainted with each of them in the brief time she has before competition begins. The girl's smile is bright, azure eyes gleaming as they cast over the soldiers, then the other people surrounding her. It seems that she is making herself quite busy. She makes a point of acknowledging the crowds, waving gracefully and generally seems to be having a good time. After a long moment Aria takes a deep breath and claps her hands, once. "It seems we're just about ready to begin! Lovely."

    "Your confidence in me is uplfighting, Lady Dawn," Silas answers with a hazy smile before marvelling at the obstacle course unfolded before them. "Oh wow. This must have taken some time to set-up. I hope we don't make too big of a mess of it." He gives his men a once-over now, figuring out where he wants who to go. "Lets see... who's fast and who's tough?" He asks outloud. Some shrug, others look around uneasily.

Viktarkim has arrived, dressed in his leathers as usual. The tattooed Prodigal enters with the rest of the still gathering crowd as the spectators move to find places to view the Skills Challenge. The Shav's dark eyes skim over many, many who are here, looking for familiar faces and to see who is out on the field to compete. He finds a place along a railing he might lean his forearms over and watch.

"Alright, sounds fair to me." Rando offers with nod, looking out to the field, the make whatever bet he feels will get him a free meal from the saucy sea woman. "Alright, I will go with Lord Darren, then. Seems to be a stalwart, leader sort." Bet made, he leans back in his chair. "So, where have you been all this time? Off galvanting and plying your charms on the first poor sap that comes by." he grins over at her. And yes, he seems to qualify himself into that group. "Bah, there's no real interesting bets unless there's a particular measure of luck involved. Makes it entertaining."

Somehow, amidst all of the fracas, Valkieri's gaze does catch on that Rubino-red ribbon and the face of his sister. He smirks and then indulges her with a lift of his hand that's almost a wave. Look, sibling affection.

After getting the rules down, he rejoins the soldiers and establishes a chain of command based on seniority. He walks with the men towards the start of the course, as if he himself was to participate at the course. "I do not have to remind you how to do your job but lets work together and when you hear me say something, just do."

So the stewards clear the obstacles, and Edain gets ready to start the competition, "YOu will notice each obstacle and section has multiple straw dummies to clear on top of just not falling off, or getting over or across. You can tackle the obstacles in any order you want, but you must clear each straw dumming by cutting it down, or running it through with sword or spear. It will be up to you to get your team through the course in the most efficient way possible. They have been instructed to follow your orders to the letter."

And that said, Edain calls up the first competitor, "Princess Donella! Would you do us the honor of being the first to crack the course!"

Dawn spends long moments in surveying the field arrayed before them. "You've proven it time and again," she says to Silas, but this is an absent-minded remark. Her thoughts are elsewhere, and her eyes flick rapidly between the obstacles they face and the soldiers she's been granted to guide through him. Finally a cris nod is given, and she steps forward to mingle with the Valardin. A clap on the shoulder here, a warm smile given there, and Grayson's Lady then engages the little team in quiet (tactical) conversation.

There's a moment of pause before Sina rises from her seat and raises a bold, boisterous applause on behalf of her Lady-Princess, whistling with the fierce talent of any sea-born man whistling at a particularly attractive wench (though without any sense that she's whistling because Donella is pretty).

Donella checked command + leadership against difficulty 30, resulting in 44, 14 higher than the difficulty.

There's a rumbling bark of a laugh from Ferrando, clearly more than amused by Acacia. "You really think I'm pampered there? I'm taken care of, yes, but I'm not client. I don't get silks and expensive fruits whenever I please. It's a simple job and a simple payment that comes with it. I don't complain and I do the job well." Well, yeah, look at the man, could crush heads like melons with those mits of his." The elbow gets a mild grunt out of him, which only really makes him laugh again. "Honestly, I prefer dark lager and various roasted meats. I'm easy to please. So I suppose I'll be a cheap dinner for you." Then it's him that's eyeballing her. "Oh, we're allowed to change our bets now? Or are these rules that you just made up now?"

Nadia merely smiles at Darren's retort, arms folded over her leather-bound front. A jerk of her thumb sees her team filing off the fields and onto the sidelines to spectate as Edain announces Donella to be the first to tackle the web of obstacles, lips pursed faintly with deep contemplation as she observes in silence.

Donella looks less than impressed with going first, but waves toward her faction in their seating with a brought smile, and then she abruptly rounds on her troupe of helpers. "Gentlemen," she says quietly, "I'll made this brief. Ordinarily, I'd prefer this to be a cordial sort of relationship, based on mutual respect, comeraderie, and a history of successful join endeavors." She moves toward the starting mark, and puts her hand up to her hair, and lets it tumble down -- she brandishes her steel hairpins in her hand, with a crazed, white-knuckled grip. "But we don't have time for all that. So, you're going to start running. And if you slow, stop, or fall behind... well, we'll have to see what I, as the slower component can reach. So, not one step backwards. Did you know, I am a chapion whittler? It comes from sitting idle at so many of these things." And she lunges at them, herding them like sheep.

The Prince of Sanctum whistles impressed as Princess Donella gets the event off the a heck of a start and sets a high bar, "Very well done!" He calls out as the Princess guides his soldiers through the course with deft leadership and instruction. "And a very impressive time! Princess Jaenella, it is time to see what you can do! You are next!"

OOC: So to match Donella's time, you need to succeed at diff 30, to beat her time you need to succeed at 35. And you always have the option to just try and complete the course for pride at 15 (even if you don't win, ever one that complete's the course is getting something from Edain)

"How gracious of you. I hadn't yet really gotten a taste for rat yet. I don't know if I'm that desperate." Ferrando remarks idly, scanning out again amount the contestants. Maybe he just didn't hear the part about picking two. Or that it was more of a pick one, than pick another later. "Lets go with Sir Silas over there. Figure he might have something to prove. Why not." he decides upon. "See? I know you so well. Either way, we're eating good, just depend on who's paying for it, yeah?" Then a pause, lazily extending his legs out, crossin them at the ankles while he lounges. "So other than this, what else have you been up to?"

Jaenelle checked command + leadership against difficulty 35, resulting in 39, 4 higher than the difficulty.

Nodding towards her men as the competition begins, Jaenelle looks first towards her cousin, and then towards her team. They are much more capable, granted this is probably not the battlefield the poor men invisioned when they signed up. She seems to have full confidence in their abilities, and the small woman seems to stand even straighter, head held higher and chin lifted just so. "Go!" the woman says loudly, and with authority, and the men begin to travel towards the first obstacle. She takes on a more hands off approach, content to simply watch the men move, and relaxed enough to know they are up there and not her so they are able to make the best decisions.

Niccolo turns again to Kima, and that faint grin remains. "That is so, Lady Kima. I've never had to lead sheep into battle, mind you. I imagine that would be a tad harder to accomplish. I did have to lead a team of horses once..." he rubs his chin. "It wasn't a pleasant experience either," he notes gravely.

Its a good thing that Edain is not drinking tea, because he'd have done a spit take, and Alis would've looke at him all dissapproving. But on the heels of Princess Donella's impressive performance, Princess Jaenelle gets her team across through the course even fast. He claps for the princesses impressive display and says, "Well done Princess Jaenelle! A very good time indeed! Sir Silas, it is time for you to show us how it is done.

OOC: Diff 35 to tied the currently winning time, 40 to beat it. 15 still completes the course for pride!

Silas checked command + leadership against difficulty 40, resulting in 30, 10 lower than the difficulty.

Alis would certainly have pretended to disapprove at least. And then mercilessly torment Edain with the memory of tea-spitting for the rest of his days. But since he doesn't expel any liquid, she settles for leaning towards him to comment idly on the different leadership styles being displayed.

Viktarkim has his attention on the events. He doesn't know Donella, though he's seen the Lady Jaenelle at some events. It is for Sir Silas that he gives an encouraging yell to cheer the knight on!

Ferrando shrugs. "Depends on the situation, really." he replies. "Most times, it's throwing someone out by the collar, give them a stern warning and tell them to do better next time. SOmetimes I ask the Whisper in question what to do with them should they end up doing something offensive. Most times they get kicked out. Other times, a bit more force is required. And if there's more than one of them, that's usually where the Guard gets called in. I'm just one man." Even if he looks like the type that could take three or four of them. A agreeing nod after. "Yeah, I'm interested to see what he can do. Never met the man myself. But then again, I don't get out nearly as much I should. Didn't even know this was happening until a few hours ago."

    Silas frowns as the other two women before him do well. He turns to his men and waves them forward. "Onward, to victory!" Simple, commanding, but perhaps not -quite- enough to enable his group to do as efficently as the prior group did. At the end of the attempt, Silas sighs heavily and moves to allow the next competitor to attempt.

[013And Prince Edain winces as Sir Silas leads his mean onto the field. He is doing quiet well really, but pushing to set the winning time, some fate befalls his men and they do not complete the course. "Well done Sir Silas! The say who dares, wins! Which I think means you are are due next time good Sir!"

35 is still the difficulty beat!

And Prince Edain winces as Sir Silas leads his mean onto the field. He is doing quiet well really, but pushing to set the winning time, some fate befalls his men and they do not complete the course. "Well done Sir Silas! The say who dares, wins! Which I think means you are are due next time good Sir!"

35 is still the difficulty beat!

"Lady Arianna! It is time for you to show us your leadership acumen!" Edain calls out.

Aria checked command + leadership against difficulty 40, resulting in 73, 33 higher than the difficulty.

"There's that adhere to when it comes to courtesans, Acacia." Ferrando offers, watching Silas' performance, frowning a bit at the fact that he might not be winning his bet tonight unless Darren does a bit better. Ah well, a good show nontheless, can't fault for that. "'Don't shit where you eat'." he finishes to the woman. "I like the courtesans, they treat me well, but I try to personally not get too friendly. Strictly professional relationships. They got a job to do, and I make sure they can do it within safe means." Then again, he's never hidden the fact that he is not a fan of women being touched when they don't ask for it. "I wouldn't mind it, Sir Silas seems the good sort."

Mirari has joined the General Seating.

Edain coughs as Aria sets a new best time, and Edain cannot help but clap for that, "Amazingly done! Lady Arianna! Prince Darren Redrain, care to show us how this is done up north?"

Difficulty 40 is the currently best time, Remeber you can still always attempt at 15 as well if you just wnat to say you completed the course!

"If you follow the far side of the field you should be able to make it to the dummies sooner. I wish I could come with you, it should be quite a performance. Go on, Sergeant Mundson. Varren. Private Redshirt. If we keep to the plan it should be easy. Right?" Arianna straightens and takes a deep breath as she lifts her hand. "We have a prize to win. So, onward!" Perhaps because it's just a squad of five Aria takes her time in tossing out the various orders, just a few guiding lines for each person. And their off. People stick to spearing dummies as they go by rather than taking the time to chop them down, coming upon them at odd angles. It apparently saves a fair amount of time.

Darren checked command + leadership against difficulty 15, resulting in 19, 4 higher than the difficulty.

Donella has left the Field.

Donella has joined the General Seating.

    His competitive streak got the better of him, but Silas emits an impressed whistle as Aria's men triumph over the obstacle with what appears to be subhuman reflexes. He sits on a nearby bench to ruminate over his decision and stew in defeat. "Must have taken some kind of potent potion..."


    "All right, men," Darren's voice will boom out upon the field as he wheels around to face the five soldiers in front of him. "You've seen how some of the others are playing this game. Brandishing hairpins like swords, barking one-worded orders and sitting on the sidelines. Well, that's not how Redrains lead, and that's not how I'm gonna lead you five." He pauses momentarily, to let that sink in. "So we're gonna do this - and we're gonna do this together. We might not be the fastest, but we're going to make it through this course like the fuckin' team we are." And it would seem that Darren doesn't just sit through on the sidelines, barking orders at his team. Instead, he gets up on those obstacles and manuevers himself and his team through each and every one of them. Lead by example, that's his motto! He might not be the fastest, but dammit, he'll get through it with style.

Even though Prince Darren doesn't go for the fastest time, but there instead joins his men and completes the course with them. This gets a resounding cheer from the host, PRince Edain, "And Prince Darren completes the course with his men in Dramatic. Same mud, same blood. Way of the Warrrior, Prince Darren, Way of the Warrior!" He smiles then and calls up the next competitor, "Lord Eos! You are next!"

40 is still the best time! 45 to beat it!, 15 still completes the course!

Eos checked command + leadership against difficulty 45, resulting in 49, 4 higher than the difficulty.

When Eos is called up, and he looks first to his men with a nod towards the course before leaning into a purposeful stride to approach. Rather than tackle the course obstacle by obstacle, he makes a quick job of dividing his men to their tasks to conquer each task simultaneously. The two strongest swimmers are sent to the pits, so one can sit the other's shoulders to spear the dummy on the platform. Another two are sent to the walls, to boot-lift and pull one another up until they are near enough they might both take a shot with their own spears. The most nimble among the soldiers, accompanied by Eos himself - not to be left out of the fun - tackle the beam. Eos belts out driving encouragement. There was no question as whether he could complete the course, and no challenge to taking it comfortably. Eos was going for broke, riding risk to try and achieve the top time. He's out of breath by the time he jumps down from the beam, with three dummies speared through, twisting around to look over the course, and make count of his men to ensure each had made it to the line before he breaks into a heady laugh and claps his hand to the back of the nearest soldier's shoulder.

Ferrando waves a hand at Acacia. "See where you're going with that. And well, you're not wrong on some parts, there's just a part of me that thinks it's better for my own sanity to keep things friendly. But professional. They're good people, for the most part, and I like keeping them safe. Feels like I'm doing soimething useful. Good, yeah? Don't know if it'll mean anything in the long run though." Something seems to chew on his thoughts for a moment longer before his attention is dragged back to the field, causing him to whistle impressively. "Shit, should've put my money on her." he later says whimsically. "So yeah. I could probably get far with having some as close friends, but it's more to the point if I //should//, yeah? I've already gotten in enough trouble in the past as it is." Then he looks back at her. "And you still haven't answered my question to what you've been up to."

"And a new best time is set! Well done Lord Eos!" Edain calls the next competitor forward, "Admiral Alrec, time to show off that maritime discipline!"

45 is the current best time!

Alrec checked command + war against difficulty 45, resulting in 36, 9 lower than the difficulty.


It is a little bit fascinating to watch as the various nobility or Knights set to work to get a their teams through the course the fastest. Viktarkim continues to lean on the railing, not going up to sit in the stands. The Prodigal cheers on the few he knows or are friendly to House Grayson, and otherwise watches. He digs a flask out of his belt and unstopers it for a drink as Lord Eos shows them how to do it.

Darren has left the Field.

Darren has joined the General Seating.

Alrec instructs the men to gather their spears and puts them in a small formation to launch the spear from a distance. He shows them a technique used at sea when hunting whales but doesn't press. He first tries to get a feel for the men working under him and the other generals. With Princess Donella and Princess Jaenelle taking a huge leap forward, Alrec reconsiders his plan and goes back to the drawing board with the men. He comes out with a plan to have three launching the spear, himself included while two rush their targets with charging spears. "Secure the line, take aim, and fire!" The command rings out with the launching of spears and the charging roar of the spearmen. There is a delay as the command did not translate well to the landlubbers. He growls as the other spears fly out in delay, watching them miss their mark.

"Oh.. Heart breaking! A valiant effort Admiral! Lady Nadia you are up!" Edain calls

45 is still our time to beat!

Nadia checked command + leadership against difficulty 45, resulting in 55, 10 higher than the difficulty.

The Prince of Sanctum gives a cheer, "And the Duchess of Nightgold matches Lord Eos time! Impressive showing! Lord Valkieri, It is your turn to shine!"

Eos and Nadia are both sharing the best time right now at 45!

Nadia has spent the entire duration of the competition studying the way previous competitors have tackled its obstacle courses. Every failure or ingenius approach commented upon and discussed at length with her team of five until there is a quiet confidence in each Valardin knight, even a rather scrawny one that lacks the experience of the rest of his team. "Alright men," she signals them forward with short gestures until they've aligned into a staggered diamond, with her bringing up the rear, conquering their every obstacle and foe with silent gestures and short whistles of communication.

Valkieri checked command + war against difficulty 15, resulting in 25, 10 higher than the difficulty.

Nadia has left the Field.

Nadia has joined the General Seating.

Alis leans over towards Edain again, nodding towards both Eos and Nadia as she speaking. She must be devising dastardly plans!

In what is surely an inhuman effort of restraint in the face of competition, it seems that Valkieri's strategy remains straightforward and direct. Clearly perceiving a level of expertise he cannot yet compete with, he attempts no particularly risky strategies in his direction of his men. His directives are firm, direct, and with a weight of authority that suggests he'll perhaps grow into a more skilled commander in the future, perhaps. He beats no time records, but he performs admirably, and manages not to implode from the restraint.

"Well done Lord Valkieri! All your men are going home to their families! and your men will love you for that!" Looking at this list then he says, "Delia Whisper." a pause, "I look forward to seeing how you inspire my troops to greatness!"

45 is still the difficulty to match or beat!

Delia checked wits + leadership against difficulty 15, resulting in 21, 6 higher than the difficulty.

Abbas has joined the General Seating.

Ferrando doesn't seem really inclinded to answer stuff about 'the long run'. "Maybe." is all he offers on the subject. He's always held some particular cards closer to his chest than others. "Shades, I //feel// older than what I really am sometimes. Maybe looking after a bunch of a courtesans does that to a person. Makes you act all fatherly at times. Or at least, you try to do a better job than your own. Trying to do 'the right thing' or 'the good thing' is never easy. Wanting to make a difference. All that happy horseshit that I've groused about one too many times." He doesn't sound bitter about it, just maybe a little...tired. But he's still trying. Whatever the woman says to him in confidence is taken with a simple nod. "Sounds like you're doing good, then. Glad to hear it. Hope it works out good for you. If you ever need someone to look out for your backside, you let me know." In the end, he just smiles. "You ever think I'm trying to avoid the limelight on purpose?"

Delia does not go for speed instead she goes for STYLE. She waves her hand and the guards pick her up carrying the Whisper through the obstical course as she tosses out her inspiration. "If you get me through with out a spliter or any mud on my dress my darlings, I shall treat you all to a wonderful night of drinks and entertainment at the house of Whispers!" A bribe way above their pay grade and hence, with careful handling Delia is ferried through in an artful but not particularly speedy manner.

"Well done! Let it not be said that the Whisper House does not have prodigious logistical skills!" And the Prince of Sanctum calls forward the final competitor, "And the last peperson to lead their team through the course, Lady Dawn Grayson!"

45 is still the difficulty to match or beat.

Dawn checked command + leadership against difficulty 45, resulting in 35, 10 lower than the difficulty.

Dawn has spent a number of minutes in speaking to her merry little band. Sometimes, she is talking with her hands, sketching out a plan of battle in the air of their huddle. Here and there she marks individual soldiers with a nod and a few quietly uttered additional instructions. When others venture onto the course there's something of the instructor in the way she guides their attention. Grayson's bastard has been called many things but ill-prepared is not one of them. At least today.
    On her turn, she gives the signal and her little squad is off! They split, the fastest sprinting ahead to take out the strawmen at the end, while two others attend to the task of cutting down the "enemy" as they go and two vault the obstacles to haul their more violent kin over once the deed is done. The group separates and reforms like a miniature flock of birds, new smaller groups forming, others splitting off, with Dawn pacing along the sidelines. But here the perils of overpreparation shows: the complication of the plan leads to a time that begins to drag the further into the course they go. Still, by the end, Dawn has paced the line tracking their progress and hers is the first cheer to greet them, and the first hands to help pull them from the muck.

Sina has left the General Seating.

Viktarkim pays particular attention when Lady Dawn takes her turn with a group to command them through the course. While she doesn't match the highest scores, he is nontheless very interested in watching how she works in action. He leans on the railing and calls some encouragement, his voice likely lost in the multitude of spectators. Nonetheless he cheers on her team despite the longer time.

Cara cheers (elegantly!) and waves her Rubino-colored favor again as her brother runs the course. "Well-done, Valkieri!"

And Edain cheers for Lady Dawn for her grace despite falling short, She was going for the fast time after all, "Well done... I am proud of all of you. We do however have a tie, so we will reset the course,, and give Lord Eos, and Lady Nadia each a fresh team. Lord Eos team, will have red arm bands, and Lady Nadia's blue. You will each start on opposite ends of the course and get your team to the raised platform in the middle to clear that first! This will declare our winner!"

OOC: ok so for the tie breaker check again at difficulty 15 (at the slim chance you might flub it) and since you are going head to head highest roll wins!

Dawn has left the Field.

Eos checked command + leadership against difficulty 15, resulting in 50, 35 higher than the difficulty.

Valkieri has left the Field.

Valkieri has joined the General Seating.

Dawn has joined the General Seating.

Nadia checked command + leadership against difficulty 15, resulting in 41, 26 higher than the difficulty.

    Initially it appears Dawn's team was doing well, but when the first mistake is made their weakness becomes apparent. They still did better than his team, so Silas gives them hearty applause as they're scooped out of the mud soup. "Good effort, men. Lady Dawn. The Duchess and Lord Eos have made it very difficult." His attention then promptly goes to tiebreaker.

Dawn claps a muddy hand against Silas' shoulder as she passes the knight. "And you," she says, laughter in her tone. Spirits still high in spite of the loss, she makes her way to the stands. "Yours was better planned, I think," she tells Valkieri as she ascends, her grin unfeigned. "But I do tend to overthink. Well done, my lord."

Alrec returns up to the field, muddy with sweat and dirt as his squad fails to finish the course. The admiral takes a sit and ushers a servant for a drink, sharing it among the soldiers in his squad, "Right, starboard and port is left."

Eos had been sitting by the sidelines with his men, sharing a drink, and he clasps each of their wrists in departure when the new team arrives, commending their stellar performace. The new one is taken in, the same routine of questioning and names. Without much time to survey the obstacles this time around, he takes a more practical and traditional approach, preparing to change the directions he bellows out on the fly. He takes his end of the field, making a bow across it to the Duchess Nadia with a friendly grin before readying himself to make the race for the platform. It all comes so naturally by the looks of it, noticing each small set-back as it happens and calling for the shift in plans. It's a close run of it, Nadia presents a very real challenge to circumvent, but when Eos sees Red at the platform first he can't help but to grin widely and declare, "Well done, men!" Then turns immediately to Nadia, adding, "And well lead, my Lady."

Alrec is overheard praising Edain.

And it is a close, close race. Lord Eos team is on the central platform first, but only moments behind Lady Nadia's They both are clearing the dummies atop the central platform furiously, but Lord Eos directs his team through clearing the dummies and they clear the last in the very center j ust a breath before Lady Nadia's troops close in. Prince Edain chairs, "Amazingly done! Both of you!"

As cheers die down for the victors, Edain calls out, "You were all very impressive, Great leaders one and all. Even those that did not complete the course course, only did so because they were ambitious and attempted to score a faster time. Not a single one of you showed less than incredible quality as a leader of warriors! So you will all be receiveing a modest purse for your impressive showings, Also all of you that completed the course. The 5 Valardin soldiers you worked with.. Have been comissioned to serve you for the next month, I have already paid their salaries in full for that time." He says, "But to our victor, Lord Eos, would you step forward to accept your trophy?"

Kima leaps to her feet, cheering her brother's victory. Perhaps more notably, however, those soldiers in the service of Southport cheer as well. Several among that number even salute, fists to chests. After her cheering, Kima looks to take a flask from Victus, which she tips back unceremoniously before returning it to his care.

Alis rests her hand on Edain's arm to let him know she's going to go check on the soldiers who have already completed their assignments, after clapping heartily for both Eos and Nadia. "Well done." Both are proferred a slight smile, and of course she waits until Eos has received his trophy before she will descend to have a word with the Valardin men and make sure their wounds are all seen to and each is given words of thanks for their exemplary performance. Then they will be released into the service of the competitors for that pre-paid month.

Delia's snowy white dress is still snowy white so she kisses each of of her temperary guards on the cheek. "Oh darlings you can't follow me every where, a Whisper must be discreet but where you CAN follow me is to the House of Whispers where I shall find for you sights and tastes and experiences you can not even begin to imagine to occupy you for the next while."

Aislin rises from her seat to cheer both of the final competitors. If the Ashford woman is a little disappointed that her cousin didn't win this one, it was still a good showing for House Nightgold.

Niccolo is overheard praising Eos for: Impressive.

Niccolo is overheard praising Nadia for: Almost as impressive.

Darren is overheard praising Nadia.

Silas smiles brightly at Dawn's praise, regardless of his now-muddied shoulder. "I'll do better next time," he assures. He claps when Lord Eos comes out the victor of the tiebreaker, though it appeared to be close. He moves towards his group of Valardin soldiers and gives them each a silver to spend however they wish for their troubles, as well as a whisper or two.

Darren is overheard praising Eos.

Darren is overheard praising Edain.

Silas is overheard praising Edain.

Darren is overheard praising Alis.

Silas is overheard praising Dawn.

Niccolo is overheard praising Edain for: An impressive and thoughtful idea for a different kind of event.

Eos is still commending the soldiers and helping them down from the platform, as Edain made his announcement. When he turned to see the Southport number standing, he grants a Southport salute, fist to chest, to the number of them. He beckons the soldiers to come with him as he approaches the booth, to stand with him. He dips his head to Alis at her words and returns the smile, a quiet, "Thank you, your Highness," before turning his attention more fully to Edain.

Kima is overheard praising Edain for: A very ingenious tournament.

Valkieri looks up from his conversation to offer some polite applause to Eos and Nadia both for their performance.

Valkieri is overheard praising Edain.

Valkieri is overheard praising Eos.

Valkieri is overheard praising Nadia.

Alis is overheard praising Eos.

Alis is overheard praising Nadia.

Alis is overheard praising Edain.

One might think it was the Duchess Nadia who won the competition, the way she gathers her men and showers them with uplifting praise, she herself just as dirty, if not more, as each of them. "We did damned good today, my friends! Although we didn't take home the trophy, we showed the city that we're the best of the best for a reason! Take pride in that, and let no one tell you any differently," she turns her eyes upon Eos, and hers is a brilliant smile as she cheers him on, "You did marvellously, Lord Eos! Congratulations!"

Cara is overheard praising Eos.

Aria is overheard praising Eos for: Being a skillful Commander.

Cara is overheard praising Nadia.

Isabeau is overheard praising Edain.

Cara is overheard praising Edain.

Isabeau is overheard praising Eos.

Kima is overheard praising Eos for: Maybe now people will remember our name.

Dafne is overheard praising Edain.

Isabeau is overheard praising Alis.

Dafne is overheard praising Eos.

Dafne is overheard praising Nadia.

Aislin is overheard praising Edain.

Aislin is overheard praising Eos.

Aria is overheard praising Nadia for: For also being pretty impressive.

Aislin is overheard praising Nadia.

[013 Edain comes down from the judges a long bundle cradled in his arms, As he meets Lord Eos he starts to unwrapped the bundle and says, "I feel it is only right to reward a show of great leadership with something fit for a leader, and so I had Master Smith Ida Ferron craft this..." And as he finishes unwrapping the bundle he reveals a sword of folded oathlands steel. It's blade is heavy and broad, and shined and polished until it is almost a mirror sheen, "This blade was designed to have a strong reflective surface so on the field of battle you can use it to catch the light and send signals your men can see from all the way across the field." he lays the blade across his arm and presents it to Eos hilt first. "Congradulations Lord Eos."

Edain comes down from the judges a long bundle cradled in his arms, As he meets Lord Eos he starts to unwrapped the bundle and says, "I feel it is only right to reward a show of great leadership with something fit for a leader, and so I had Master Smith Ida Ferron craft this..." And as he finishes unwrapping the bundle he reveals a sword of folded oathlands steel. It's blade is heavy and broad, and shined and polished until it is almost a mirror sheen, "This blade was designed to have a strong reflective surface so on the field of battle you can use it to catch the light and send signals your men can see from all the way across the field." he lays the blade across his arm and presents it to Eos hilt first. "Congradulations Lord Eos."

When the rest of the people rise to their feet cheering, Acacia is left leveling a look towards Ferrando with a small tug down of her brow. Her hands had come together, almost mechanically, as she applauded, shielded by all of those standing around her when she leaned in and quietly returned word.

Acacia is overheard praising Eos for: The Lord is skilled.

"You never know," Victus drawls in Kima's direction as the man is summoned up to accept the trophy. He raises to his feet with an unlabored motion, slow and easy, and stands to his full six and a half foot. "People might actually remember your last name this week, eh?" With a snort he takes a finishing swallow. "Even if this proves he's half fucking Valardin." And isn't that an insult down in Southport ways? The bent approximation of a smile he mostly hides says he's fully aware of it, too. "Hand this back to the Duchess for me, would you?" The flask in question, which he tosses at Kima.

Victus is overheard praising Eos for: A win's a win, I suppose.

And here Eos was expecting a trophy that might gather dust in his room. When he's presented a sword, he gives a low whistle and takes it when it is offered. He tilts it back and forth, playing the light off the surface and testing the weight and balance of the weapon with a broad grin. "I will wield this with honor, your Highness, thank you, and thank you for hosting this event, and well done again to all who competed. I would be happy to lead alongside all of you - even you Mistress Delia! - any day, anywhere."